¹⁷ “Everyone who has ears should ·listen to [hear; obey] what the Spirit says to the churches.

“I will give some of the hidden manna [^Cperhaps alluding to a Jewish tradition that the manna placed in the ark is hidden until the messianic age; ultimately referring to the spiritual life Christ provides; John 6:32–35] to everyone who ·wins the victory [overcomes; conquers]. I will also give to each one who ·wins the victory [overcomes; conquers] a white stone with a new name written on it [^Can unknown cultural image, which, along with the manna, points to salvation in Christ]. No one knows this new name except the one who receives it [^Cthe name could be God’s or Christ’s, but more likely refers to a new name given to the people of God].

To the Church in Thyatira

¹⁸ “Write this to the ·angel [messenger; see 1:20] of the church in ·Thyatira [^Ca small city in western Asia Minor]:

“The Son of God, who has eyes that blaze like fire [1:14] and feet like shining bronze [1:15; ^Cthe resurrected Jesus], says ·this [^Lthese things]: ¹⁹ I know ·what you do [your works]. I know about your love, your faith, your service, and your ·patience [endurance; perseverance]. I know that ·you are doing more now than you did at first [^Lyour last works are greater than the first].