2:17 “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh 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 knoweth saving he that receiveth it.”
“He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;” ～ See commentary on 2:7.
White Stone
“To him that overcometh will I give ... a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” ～ Along with the promise of “hidden manna” the victors of Pergamos were assured “a white stone, and in the stone a new name written which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.”
Just what this “white stone” represents maybe beyond knowing with any degree of certainty. But a view commonly held is that it is the Stone of Acquittal.
Upon hearing the case of an accused criminal, and after the person has been found guilty, the judge had the sole responsibility of sentencing. He held two stones, one black—which indicated prosecution to the fullest extent of the law; and one white—which indicated acquittal. He would extend either the black or the white stone. If the “white stone” was extended the criminal went free, although found guilty.
Another view which is not so popular, but of great merit, is that the “white stone” has the Tessera of Hospitality in view. (This writer prefers this interpretation of the “white stone,” because of its association with the “name.”) A tessera was commonly a thin white stone which would be broken in-half by two friends. Each person would scribe his/her name into his/her half, after which the halves would be traded. Each friend now possessing the tessera (stone) with the other’s name. The breaking of each stone was particular to itself—so no two stones were alike. If at a future date, the tessera was presented at the home of the person whose name it contained, the presenter of the stone would be granted all the hospitality the householder could afford—provided the matched half was held by the householder with the presenter’s name inscribed.
The message here is that all believers who continue overcoming are presented with a sure hope of Heaven’s hospitality. This hope is vouchsafed by the Householder of that Heavenly kingdom who, Himself, came into our world, loving its inhabitants so much that He died for us, taking onto Himself our identity, i.e. sin (2 Cor 5:21), carving our very image into His hands (Is 49:16). Upon His return to His Kingdom, His subjects met Him and asked the meaning of the strange engravings in His palms; to which He replied, These I got in the house of my friends (Zech 13:6). But before He departed our shores, he left us with His image impressed firmly on our spirits (Rom 8:29; 2 Cor 3:18); also, His name has been given to us in water baptism (Matt 28:19; Acts 2:38; Gal 3:29). He, taking our sin (2 Cor 5:21), left us His Spirit (Col 1:27 see Jn 1:6, 17, 18, 26) and righteousness (2 Cor 6:7; Phil 3:9). The sure hope of the disciples rests in this: When the portal of His house is approached, all one need do is present the Tessera of Hospitality, i.e. His name, His righteousness, and His blood, and the hospitality of Heaven is availed to the presenter for all eternity.
Dear disciple, it should encourage you to know that the “hidden manna” is NOW given unto those who are overcoming—the “white stone” is NOW presented to those who are overcoming. These rewards are not future, but present. Rejoice! Be renewed in the strength of the manna from heaven; and rest secure in the promise of the “white stone:” whether it be the stone of acquittal, or the tessera promising heaven’s hospitality. Whichever it is, dear disciple, … Rest.
Apostolically Speaking,
☩ Jerry L Hayes
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