The earlier reference to Balak and Balaam justifies that we think of the manna the Lord had given to Israel day by day throughout their forty-year journey through the desert to the Promised Land. As the victors in Pergamum continue their journey to the New Jerusalem, the Lord promised to supply their daily bread for the journey. The manna they receive, though, is “hidden,” that is, not readily visible to the naked eye. That is because the manna these saints receive is Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:3); he is the true bread to eternal life (John 6:32–33, John 6:35, John 6:48, John 6:51). This bread contrasts with the food offered to idols mentioned in Revelation 2:14.
17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’