He Who Has An Ear, Let Him Hear

How many believers go through life never hearing God’s voice? They attend church, read their Bibles, pray, but something’s missing. They’re doing all the “right things,” yet they lack the intimate connection, the clarity, the victory that comes from actually hearing what the Spirit is saying.

Revelation 2:17 reveals the pathway: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat.”

This isn’t just a nice verse. It’s a divine invitation with a promise attached.

He who has an ear…
This is not referring to an actual physical ear. This is not meant literally because even deaf people can hear the voice of God. No one is excluded.

The Greek word for ear in Revelation 2:17 is οὖς (ous), and it has two meanings. It means both the physical ear (literal) and the spiritual faculty of hearing (figurative). In this context, John uses it metaphorically – referring to a person spiritually attuned to hear God’s revelation. It emphasizes discernment: not merely hearing sounds, but perceiving what the Spirit is saying.

Having an ear isn’t about your physical ability. It’s about your spiritual readiness.

Let him…
“Him” originates from the Koine Greek, αὐτός (autos). It is grammatically masculine but functions as a generic pronoun meaning “that one” or “that person”—not specifically “male.”

It refers to anyone, regardless of gender.

Modern translations often render this as:

“Let anyone who has ears hear…”
“Whoever has ears, let them hear…”

This invitation is for you. Not just pastors. Not just “spiritual people.” You.

Hear what the Spirit says…
Notice the Bible is admonishing that we pay close attention to what the Holy Spirit is saying. It doesn’t mention anything about the news, social media, our favorite celebrity, influencer, artist, etc.

The scripture specifically tells us to hear what the Spirit is saying.

It assumes these two things:

1) The Spirit is saying something. If the Holy Spirit wasn’t saying anything, then we would have no need to listen.

2) It assumes that it is possible to hear a God that we cannot see, audibly hear, or physically touch.

God is not silent. The question is: are we tuned in?

To the churches
Notice that it says what the Spirit says to the churches. The vast majority of what the Holy Spirit says will be directed to the churches. Why?

1) Because it is the church who is listening. The lost, the unbeliever, the atheist, they are not listening, nor have the capacity to hear. They are still dead to sin. You cannot respond to a voice you’re spiritually deaf to.

2) It is the church that God uses to bring people to Christ, to be discipled, trained, and equipped. God speaks to His people because they are His instruments in the earth.

Can God speak to lost people? Absolutely, but most often it will fall on deaf ears.

To him who overcomes…
Notice that immediately following a passage about hearing what the Spirit says is a reference to overcoming. See, without hearing what the Holy Spirit says, there is no overcoming.

The opposite is true: when you hear what the Holy Spirit says, you will overcome. You will find victory in your life because you have a direct connection with the all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present God of the universe.

Hearing isn’t passive – it leads to action, which leads to victory.

I will give some of the hidden manna to eat
When you have heard what the Holy Spirit says and you become an overcomer, you now have access to the “hidden manna.” In my book, God is Talking, Are You Listening? I talk about treasures. There are treasures and great rewards as a result of hearing God’s voice. Here John the Revelator calls them “hidden manna.” These are great rewards in the spirit reserved only for a special group of people who have listened, obeyed, and overcome.

The hidden manna represents sustenance that the world cannot provide: divine insight, supernatural guidance, peace in chaos, strength in weakness. This isn’t for everyone. It’s for those who have cultivated spiritual ears.

So what now?
The question isn’t whether God is speaking. He is.

The question is: Do you have an ear to hear?

If you’ve been going through the motions but lacking the connection, maybe it’s time to stop and listen. Turn down the noise. Quiet the distractions. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak, and then wait.

Hearing God’s voice isn’t reserved for super-saints. It’s available to anyone willing to develop spiritual ears. And when you do, you’ll find yourself overcoming obstacles that once defeated you. You’ll access wisdom that wasn’t there before. You’ll taste the hidden manna.

The Spirit is speaking to the churches.

Are you listening?