He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’
Revelation 2:17 (ESV)
At the end of each of the letters to individual churches, Jesus made a promise to the one who conquers. The conquerors are those who endure faithfully until the end, regardless of the trials they go through.
To Pergamum, the promise is that they will receive some of the hidden manna and a white stone with a new, secret name that only they know. Manna is identified elsewhere as the bread of angels (Ps 78:23-25), which could refer to participating in the wedding banquet described in Revelation 19:6-10.
The white stone may allude to the while marble monuments mounted on buildings in Pergamum. But the significance of the new name, known only to the one receiving it, is unknown. In some cultures, knowing a person’s true name was believed to give one power over them. So it could be that the new, secret name gives you freedom from those who would try to control you, whether physically or spiritually.
A Personal, Intimate Name
But there is another intriguing possibility. I have a nickname I use for my wife, in addition to her actual name. A name I use for no one else. It is not a secret, but it is very personal. Could it be that this new name Jesus gives us is similar? An intimate, personal name that is just for use by the two of us.
I read your posts, but never thank you enough – I do thank God for you! Thank you for today’s jar full of treasures. Yes, we’re ‘living stones’ too – and it’s exciting to think we will not only get new bodies but new names too! Many blessings – and Shalom
Indeed, w have much to look forward to.
Thanks for your encouraging words. It is meaningful.