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What is the meaning of the white stone in Revelation 2:17, and what is its significance as a reward?
In the NRSV:
“Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it.”
Dan Irving
Toss out the word “stone.” This is not the common word for “stone” in the KJV. While it may have the literal meaning of a smooth pebble, it’s only other occurrence in scripture has it translated quite peculiarly; that is where Paul recounts how he would use his “vote” to condemn Christians. Apparently, the word alludes to one’s right of proxy. The persecutor Saul, would use his proxy unrighteously to condemn. But then, his name was changed, wasn’t it? The word for “white” is the common word for “white” in the NT, and almost always appears in the context of the whiteness of Christ and the saints (usually their raiment, as a symbol of the righteousness of God, that is Christ.) I take this as a promise of our own mind becoming perfected in the mind of Christ, so that our intellect, our reasoning, and our judgment shall be even as God’s; a fruit of entire sanctification and the perfecting of Christ’s body.
Dan Irving
(Or, if you favor a literal view of prophecy, as many of us do, its just a white rock as you can purchase at the Bible book store and then carry in your pocket.)