The White Stone

[Miri]

Does anyone know what the White stone is or what it
represents. Could it be a diamond for example or just a
white pebble, could it be a ring as in married to the lamb?
what will we do with it?

I just have this strange image in my head of everyone
wandering around with a pebble in their hand.

What would you like your name to be?


Revelation 2:17 NKJV
[17] "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. And I
will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which
no one knows except him who receives it."'

 

[GodIsSalvation]

I always thought the name was more important than the stone. Sounds good to me, not particularly a fan of my carnal name lol.

Makes sense in the overall context throughout the Bible of basically God destroying the old and creating the new; new name, new resurrected forms (1 Corinthians 15), new heavens, and new earth (2 Peter 3) thanks to Jesus.

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

I think in that particular context, the white pebble represents GOD's grant to overcomers to enter into his glory. The pebbles (white/black) were used to cast votes back then, among some other things like tickets granting entrance to an event. I like this explanation from the Pulpit commentary because it meshes with the hidden manna (who is Christ).

"Or again, the reference may be to the tossers, or ticket, which the victor in the games received to admit him to the tables where he was fed at the public expense."

 

[oldthennew]

in the then greek culture, whenever an athlete would win a victory in their sport
he would be given a white-stone, which was an admission pass or a ticket
to the winners-celebration-award.

Paul uses the analogy of us running a race, (Paul and his listeners were familiar with these traditions)
1COR.9:24.
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

we as 'over-comers', we have a 'white-stone' of admission into the Kingdom of God as victors...
the victors have their name written 'twice', one in the record of heaven, and one upon the
Stone of Victory....
is this awesome or what??? Praise The Lord!!!

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

Does anyone know what the White stone is or what it
represents. Could it be a diamond for example or just a
white pebble, could it be a ring as in married to the lamb?
what will we do with it?

I just have this strange image in my head of everyone
wandering around with a pebble in their hand.

What would you like your name to be?


Revelation 2:17 NKJV
[17] "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. And I
will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which
no one knows except him who receives it."'

Ah, a good mystery indeed, but who can receive it?

The hidden manna is the hidden wisdom which is given to the Lords ministers, or priesthood. This hidden Manna is Christ in us.

The new name is written in our forehead by the Spirit of God. The reason no one knows it except him that receives it, is because no man receives His testimony as written. Those who do receive it, are those who are also sealed in the forehead. Here is a thread which speaks of this as well....http://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/106345-coming-name.html

Also a similitude of the stones with the names written is shown in the garments of the High priest....

Exodus 28:12
And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord upon his two shoulders for a memorial.

The names were also written on the 12 stones of the breast plate of judgment.

Just as God's Word is also shown as a Rock, or stone....

Isaiah 28:16
"Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste."

And we receive His new name.....

Revelation 3:12
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and 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.

 

[jb]

The White Stone

Revelation 2:17 NKJV
[17] "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. And I
will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which
no one knows except him who receives it."'

The white stone was used for many purposes, as a pass into a banquet or assembly, as a pledge of friendship and worth, as a sign of acquittal to those who were tried, a black stone was given to those who were condemned...

In the context of the Rev 2v12-17, to the overcomer, to those who reject the deep things of Satan, Christ promises His eternal riches and His eternal friendship and blessing...

 

[crossnote]

White stone, black stone..? What is this, a thread on racism? LOL

 

[Grandpa]

I was just thinking how the ministry of death was described as being written on stone. In my mind, it would be a dark stone, representing death.

This white stone would be the opposite of that. Instead of something that brings death written upon it, something that brings life is written upon it.

I have always wondered what mine would say. I imagined all kinds of names. Now I wonder if it will just say 'Christian'.

And I will be plenty pleased with that. Overjoyed...

 

[Miri]

Wow, great replies everyone, I think I will have to
do a little study on white stones.

The general theme seems to be one of admittance, acceptance etc. I had
forgotton about the 12 stones in the breast plate of the chief priest.

The other thought that I got was on this rock I will build my church.
Also maybe just as Jesus is the capstone we are part of the building.

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

Wow, great replies everyone, I think I will have to
do a little study on white stones.

The general theme seems to be one of admittance, acceptance etc. I had
forgotton about the 12 stones in the breast plate of the chief priest.

The other thought that I got was on this rock I will build my church.
Also maybe just as Jesus is the capstone we are part of the building.

I highly recommend getting free bible software. In the one I use anytime I select a verse, a commentary of that verse shows up in an adjacent window. I have several good commentaries to choose from (Gill, Clarke, etc.). Instant knowledge.

 

[oldhermit]

Does anyone know what the White stone is or what it
represents. Could it be a diamond for example or just a
white pebble, could it be a ring as in married to the lamb?
what will we do with it?

I just have this strange image in my head of everyone
wandering around with a pebble in their hand.

What would you like your name to be?


Revelation 2:17 NKJV
[17] "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. And I
will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which
no one knows except him who receives it."'

1. “I will give him a white stone.”

a. Suggestions from historical and cultural uses of the white stone. The designation of white possibly represents purity.

* A small object called a “tessera,” made of wood, stone, clay or bone, conveyed special privileges to its owner. The ancient Romans used tesserae as tokens of admittance to events in the arena. However, tesserae did not have to be white, and the durability of the materials used is questionable.
* Another suggestion has to do with the building material used during the time John wrote Revelation. Important buildings were commonly made of white marble. In front of some of the pagan temples were white marble pillars engraved with the names of people who were supposedly healed by that particular deity. This is a very unlikely application.
* One of the better-accepted explanations of the white stone has to do with the high priest’s breastplate, which contained twelve stones. Each of these stones had the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel engraved on it, Exodus 28:21. As he ministered in the temple, the high priest bore the names of God’s people into God’s presence. In the same way, the “white stone” with the believer’s name written on it could be a reference to our standing in God’s presence. Possibly!
* In ancient times, legal decisions were indicated by white and black stones. The judges did not give their verdict upon the prisoner by oral testimony, “guilty,” or “not guilty,” as in our country, but by dropping a white stone into an urn to express their opinion that the prisoner was innocent, or a black stone to declare their judgment that the prisoner was guilty. Jesus says, “To him who overcomes I will give a white stone;” that is, I will give him a sentence of acquittal. As the judge, placed the white stone in the urn, he declared the prisoner’s innocence. This is certainly a possibility.
* Another widely held explanation suggests that the white stone may be a translucent precious stone such as a diamond. The word translated “white” is λευκήν and can mean “brilliant or bright.” This interpretation holds that on the stone is written the name of Christ, not the name of the believer. Revelation mentions that the name of Christ is written on the foreheads of the saints Revelation 3:12; 14:1; and 14:20. This may be possible but the language of the text tells us this name is a new name and one not known by others.
* Another possibility is the Roman use of the white stone as an honor to the victors of athletic games. If so, this would not be the first time such references are made in scripture. 1Corinthians 9:24-27, 2Timothy 2:5, and Hebrews 12:1 are all good examples of such references. The winner of a contest was awarded a white stone with his name inscribed on it. This served as his “ticket” to a special awards banquet.
* Since we are not given any explanation of the significance of the white stone in scripture, one can only speculate as to its significance. What we can ascertain about the stone from this text is that it is extended as a divine recognition of faithful service to those who bear up under the stress of persecution and evil and is therefore to be regarded as a noble and coveted gesture from the Master.

2. The name written on it – Again, this can only be surmised because scripture does not provide us with any further information on what this name is or what it represents. The implication from the text is that this name is a matter pride on the part of the Christian and demonstrates an intimate relationship between that individual and the Lord. It is conformation of a job well done.

 

[Miri]

Thanks for the above, all very interesting.