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 I will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
King James Version
Approximately eighteen years ago, I was standing beside of my refrigerator when I heard God’s voice. He said, “He doesn’t love you, but I do”.
That is the first and the last time that I Literally heard God speak directly to me! That was the Turning Point of my Life. I had been living in a backslidden condition, and one day out of nowhere God spoke to me. I have much in common with the woman at the well and like her, “He must needs go through Indiana” for me (John 4). Oh, how I Love Jesus! One who is forgiven much, loves much (Luke 7:47).
A few years later I was driving a bus route and talking to the Lord. I was thinking about him calling James and John the “Son’s of Thunder”. Was this because of their zeal or because they asked if Jesus wanted them to call down fire from heaven on a village of Samaritans (Luke 9:54)? I asked out loud, “Lord, what would you call me, Hard Head”? The name Orpah just popped into my head. I wondered if this was God, or was it just me? I didn’t have any passengers at the time, so I pulled over and looked up the meaning of Orpha. Sure enough, it was mane fem. of back of the neck (stiff) neck (Strong’s 6203,6204). I had to laugh; you can’t tell me that God doesn’t have a sense of humor, even if it was the truth.
I like Ellicott’s reference to the “white stone” as tessera hospitalis (a pebble of friendship). It was a token of hospitality from the one who gave it. The stone is precious, not white in color, but it is shining, glistering white (Ellicott, 2004 – 2026). Jesus has called us friends (John 15:15). I imagine that everyone attending the wedding supper of the Lamb will have received a white stone with his new name written in it (Revelation 19:7-9).
I don’t claim to have absolute understanding of the Word of God. It is, however, my passion. When I read Revelation 2:17 I see it on a personal level. I have had such a real experience in walking with the Lord that I dream as a child. Is the “white stone” going to be part of my heavenly apparel? As God called Jacob Israel, will my new name hold the story of the me that only Jesus knows? I look forward to that day, but for now I am so thankful to be called The Woman at the Refrigerator, “For he must needs pass through Indiana” for me. It is a constant reminder that it never was about me. He Is Faithful! Amen
Works Cited
Ellicott, Charles John. “Commentary on [Revelation] [2].” Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers, Bible Hub app, BibleSupport.com, [2004 -2026]
Strong, James. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible World Bible Publishers [1992]
myheartburnswithinme.com 