Revelation 2:17; A White Stone
Revelation 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.
A white stone had various uses in antiquity: a token of admission, a voting piece, a symbol of victory, a Christian amulet, or something used in an initiation into the service of Asclepius. White stones were also the writing surface for official edicts. One such relevant decree was issued in 9 b.c.by Paulus Fabius Maximus, the governor of Asia. This edict, confirmed by the provincial league, decreed that Augustus’s birthday should be made an official holiday in Asia as well as to mark the beginning of the municipal new year. It was inscribed in Latin and Greek on a white stone and set up in the imperial cult temple in Pergamum. The decree was apparently distributed throughout the province because copies have been found in five Asian cities. This was the best white stone that the province could give to its citizens; Jesus has an alternative stone to give to his overcomers.
[Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary, NewTestament – Hebrews to Revelation]
God gave Adam dominion over His creation. Adam had the honour of naming the created creatures that were brought before him – Genesis 2:19-20 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field …
It is interesting the Lord in Genesis 2:21-24 gave Adam his help meet – Eve.
Genesis 2:21-24 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This isnow bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
The church is the bride of Christ. She shall be so blessed with the company of her heavenly bridegroom – our Lord Jesus Christ. When the overcomer meets his Lord, he will be given a new name. Indeed, the glorious bride meeting his bridegroom. He names his bride as Adam did call the “Woman” for she was taken out of Man. We have been bought with a great price even the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ upon the cross. The nail prints that bought us gave our Lord the pleasure to bless His bride. Amen.