robably the former pastor of
the church, was slain (Dr. Hales thinks) in Domitian's persecution, in A.
D. 94. Yet, the Lord had some things against them.

The doctrine of Balaam is what that prophet counselled Balak to cast as a
stumbling-block before Israel: For "the people began to commit whoredom
with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices
of their gods; and the people did eat and bowed down to their gods. And
Israel joined himself unto Baal-peor," Num. 25:1-3. And Moses said of the
women of Midian, "Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the
counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the Lord in the matter of
Peor," _Ib._ 31:16. This was also, probably, the same as the doctrine of
the Nicolaitanes, p. 34.

The "hidden manna" seems to be a reference to that hidden in the ark,
where it was laid up before the Lord (Ex. 16:33), in memory of what was
sent for the sustenance of Israel in the wilderness, where "man did eat
angel's food," Ps. 78:25. The law having a shadow of good things to come
(Heb. 10:1), the manna hidden in the ark may be typical of the angelic
sustenance to be revealed in the future world. The Saviour said, "Verily,
verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I
am that bread of life. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven,
that a man may eat thereof, and not die," John 6:47, 48, 50.

The "white stone" has received divers interpretations. In ancient trials,
the votes of the judges were given by _white_ and _black_ pebbles. The
former signified acquittal, and the latter condemnation. Conquerors in
public games sometimes received a _white stone_ with their name inscribed
on it, which entitled them, during the remainder of their life, to be
maintained at the public expense. Persons were sometimes invited to feasts
or banquets, by the presentation of a white stone, with their name on it
in connection with that of their hosts. The possession of the white stone
evidently entitles the possessor to all the privileges of the heavenly
inheritance.

The "new name" is unknown to all but its possessor; who, on its
possession, becomes a child of God, and will receive, saith God, "in my
house and within my walls, a place and a name better than of sons and of
daughters: I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut
off," Isa. 56:5. The Saviour has promised that "him that overcometh will I
make a pillar in the temple of m