Revelation: A New Name

Revelation: Justification by Faith

A New Name

Revelation 2:17
"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."

The book of Revelation is filled with themes of "newness." Here, we see the promise of hidden manna, which is not yet revealed, and a new name written on a white stone. Let us first examine the meaning of the white stone.

In the judicial system of that time, a white stone was given to someone who was acquitted in a trial. It was a small pebble used to symbolize judgment: a black stone indicated condemnation, while a white stone signified acquittal.

On this stone, however, is also inscribed a new name. In Hebrew thought, a name often represented character and reputation. We still use this concept today when we speak of someone having "a good name."

In this context, those who receive the white stone are not only acquitted in the final phase of judgment but are also given a new character or reputation.

The manna mentioned here refers to the miraculous bread from heaven that sustained the Israelites in the wilderness. Its name, "manna," literally means, "What is it?" Jesus Himself connects this manna to His divine role:

John 6:30-35
"So they said to him, 'Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, "He gave them bread from heaven to eat."'
Jesus then said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.'
They said to him, 'Sir, give us this bread always.' Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.'”

Even now, we are called to "eat" of Christ—His works, His character, and His teachings. It is through this process that we begin to form a new character, allowing His light to shine through us to others. But when Christ returns, this experience will deepen. We will be transformed in a new and profound way.

The Apostle John speaks of this transformative hope:

1 John 3:2-3
"Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure."

John points to the future event known as the "revelation of Jesus Christ," or the Second Coming. At that time, we will see Christ in His full glory and be fully transformed into His likeness. The effects of sin will be completely erased, a hope that motivates us to pursue purity even now.

This will be a remarkable, new experience. The "hidden manna" will be revealed, and we will taste something entirely new. We will receive a new name, symbolic of our new identity, and be fully acquitted before God.

Satan, however, offers a counterfeit version of this promise. He tempts believers with the allure of an immediate "new experience" that appears desirable but ultimately leads to destruction. Consider how he tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden:

Genesis 3:4-6
"But the serpent said to the woman, 'You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.'
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate."

Satan promised Eve a new experience, and she indeed gained one—but it was far from the glorious transformation he had suggested. This same tactic is repeated today. Christians are often tempted to seek fulfillment in sin under the guise of a "better" or "higher" experience.

But those who grow weary of the Bread of Life and listen to Satan's voice, seeking this false newness, quickly discover the bitter consequences of sin.

When we are tempted to abandon God’s promises for a counterfeit experience, we must remain steadfast. A time will come when God will grant us a true and glorious new experience. On that day, all the waiting and all the struggles against sin will prove worthwhile.