Hidden Manna - White Stone - New Name

 

“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.”’- Revelation 2:17

When Jerusalem was taken over by the Chaldeans, King Josiah hid the ark of the covenant, which contained the tables of the commandments, a pot of manna, and Aarons rod. Prior to that, these were in the tabernacle behind a second veil in an area called “Holiest of All”.  The priest would go in there once a year carrying blood as a sacrifice to offer for the forgiveness of the sins of the people that were committed in ignorance (Hebrews 9).

Jesus is now that “Holiest of All”, our sacrifice for all sins, who overcame the laws on the tablets of stone, who is our “Bread of Life”, who is our blood sacrifice.

The white stone has two meanings.  Judgments were passed on people using black or white stones.  A white stone was an in innocent verdict, and a black stone was a guilty verdict. Those that overcome sin through belief in Christ are forgiven all their sins, and given a white stone.

But it’s not JUST a white stone.  It has a name engraved on it.  This also has ancient meaning.

Those who were winners in the public games (think Olympics, but far before) were given a white stone with their name inscribed on it.  It was an honor bestowed on them that gave them the privilege of being taken care of by the public for the rest of their lives.  It acted as the keys to the city, an open invitation to sit with Kings and great officials, to be fed, clothed, given transportation, and provided for in every way.  This was called as “Tesserae”.  The white stone we will receive grants us the provisions of life at the cost of someone else, namely Jesus Christ.  We have become children of God through His sacrifice, heirs to all that He has to offer.

Will all the names on the stones be the same?  No, for God knows His children individually.  Each of us will be given a name that only we know by God.  Oh, I cannot wait to hear what He calls me, but I most definitely know that He knows my name.