Revelation 2

“Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give the victor the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in God’s paradise.” Revelation 2:7 (HCSB)

“Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. The victor will never be harmed by the second death.” Revelation 2:11 (HCSB)

“Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give the victor some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name is inscribed that no one knows except the one who receives it.”  Revelation 2:17 (HCSB)

“Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 2:29 (HCSB)

There is an old saying, “Born once, die twice. Born twice, die once.”  “Born once” means rejecting the gospel and living only for this world. When such a person dies, they actually have died twice because they were dead in their sins while alive, and now, through physical death, they are dead for all eternity, separated from God.

When a person is “Born twice,” it means they have recognized they were born, dead in sin, and have received the “New Life” offered by Messiah…who died on our behalf. That person “lives twice” because they were given life on earth, plus eternal life with the Lord in Heaven. In today’s passage, the apostle John speaks of the benefits of listening to God’s Spirit and following the Messiah. He is speaking of being “born twice” or, as the Bible puts it, “born again.”  

The believer (called a “victor” because, through Jesus, they have obtained victory over death) lives forever with God. This is illustrated by the image of eating from the “Tree of Life.” It carries the idea that whoever eats from it has life and will never cease eating from it. Again, John writes the “victor” will never be harmed by “second death.” Concerning being a victor, referencing Psalm 44:22, Isaiah 53:7, and Zechariah 11:4-7, in his epistle to the Romans, Paul said:

“No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him Who loved us.” Romans 8:37 (HCSB)

John goes on to say the victor will be given “hidden manna,” which represents God’s miraculous provision and sustaining of His people.

Finally, we are to receive “a white stone” inscribed with a new name, signifying that God will remember us…not for who we were (our old name) but for who we have become (new name) by grace, through faith in Messiah Jesus.