White Stone

 

–

Someday, those who overcome will get a white stone, and a new name. Why do we get a white stone? What kind of name is this also?

–

Rev 2:17   He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows saving he that receives [it].

–

Definition of words used in this text:

“White” – Leukos:

1. light, bright, brilliant,

2. brilliant from whiteness, (dazzling) white,

3. of the garments of angels, and of those exalted to the splendor of the heavenly state,

4. shining or white garments worn on festive or state occasions

5. of white garments as the sign of innocence and purity of the soul

–

“Stone” – psephos

1. a small worn smooth stone, a pebble

2. in the ancient courts of justice the accused were condemned by black pebbles and the acquitted by white ones.

3. a vote (on account of the use of pebbles in voting)

As we can see, so far, the Lord Jesus is declaring us as light (as in a light to the world), bright brilliant, exalted, having the garments of angels, innocent and pure.

He is also casting his vote for us.

We are not condemned.

We are acquitted!

We are innocent, and not guilty!

–

What kind of name did we have before?

Even though we belonged to the Lord, in this world, we are condemned, called forsaken and desolate.

Isa 62:1 ¶ For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp [that] burns.

Isa 62:2 And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.

*** “new” = chadash = new, new thing, fresh, repaired, renewed, same root as holy

*** “name” = nakav = to pierce, perforate, bore, appoint

Isa 62:3 Thou shall also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.

Isa 62:4 Thou shall no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shall be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delights in thee, and thy land shall be married.

*** Hephzi-bah = “my delight is in her”

*** Beulah = to marry, rule over, possess, own, be married

Isa 62:5   For [as] a young man marries a virgin, [so] shall thy sons marry thee: and [as] the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, [so] shall thy God rejoice over thee.

At the moment of our marriage to our spiritual bridegroom, we, as the Bride of Christ, find ourselves with a new name, and our bridegroom rejoices over us.

The new name will indicate that we are holy, and have been pierced, as our bridegroom was pierced. It was our divine appointment.

A bride takes on the name of her husband.

Therefore, whatever humble or rejected name she had before is replaced with the name and authority of her husband’s name.

She is elevated in status.

–

–

Stones have been used in scripture to represent deliverance from enemies:

1Sa 7:10   And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel.

1Sa 7:11   And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until [they came] under Bethcar.

1Sa 7:12   Then Samuel took a stone, and set [it] between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.

*** Ebenezer = Eben ha ‘ezer = “stone of help”

Before, we were faithful, but still had to contend with enemies, hardships, and loss. So, now that we have passed through trials faithfully, we are now declared delivered.

–

What kind of name will we get? What is the name of the bridegroom that we will share in as His Bride?

Rev 3:12 Him that overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him [1] the name of my God, and [2] the name of the city of my God, [which is] new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name.

 

We ARE the New Jerusalem which will come down from Heaven with the Bridegroom, and we carry His Name.

Apparently, the bridegroom is getting a new name also. Besides the name Jesus, how else will he be known?

Rev 19:12 His eyes [were] as a flame of fire, and on his head [were] many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but He himself.

Rev 19:16 And he hath on [his] vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Rev 22:4 And they shall see his face; and his name [shall be] in their foreheads.

–

Hebrew vs Greek

I wish the New Testament had been written in Hebrew. The Greek loses some of the deeper Jewish meanings of words.

Going back to Isaiah, where the new name is mentioned in Hebrew.

Isa 62:2 And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.

*** “new” = chadash = new, new thing, fresh, repaired, renewed, same root as holy

*** “name” = nakav = to pierce, perforate, bore, appoint

–

The new name will indicate the one who was pierced.

–

Final thought:

While it is just my view, I am anticipating the new name of the Bridegroom to indicate:

“The holy one, King of kings, Lord of lords, who was appointed to be pierced, to repair, and to make all things new.”

When he comes to deliver his Bride, his New Jerusalem, she will receive a white stone, declaring her innocent, and the one who now carries His NAME.

–

–

–

See also:

God wants a wife… Click here for more