Lord, as I come to Your Word, please allow me to see what You have for me to learn today.
"... 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)
As overcomers we have infinite resources available to us through our risen Lord. By the covenant we enjoy with Him, we are guaranteed instant reception and intimate revelation.
That's what is conveyed here by the mention of the white stone, which is likely a reference to the ancient custom of the "tessera hospitalis." This was the practice of exchanging a token of mutual hospitality and everlasting friendship. When two close friends wanted to enter into a covenant relationship, they would take a beautiful white stone and break it in two. Each would write his name on one half of the stone and then they would exchange halves. This meant the two friends were pledging an unbreakable bond. Everything each man had belonged to the other. And if one man went to a kingdom where his friend had authority, he could present his half of the stone and receive a warm welcome. He'd always be assured a wide open door - instant reception.
And Jesus gives you a white stone. He covenants with you, saying, "You give Me your all." Everything that belongs to Jesus belongs to you today, which means you're rich through Him!
So precious was one of these tokens that others would try to steal or counterfeit it and usurp the privileges it afforded. Therefore, a stone would often be kept secretly and only the bearer would know the name inscribed on it. So no one else but the person who received the stone could really know its value.
This is Jesus' intimate revelation to you. When you stand tall and live for the Lord in the midst of hellish circumstances, you know Him in a way that others don't. Only you will know how much Jesus truly means to you when you share that special overcomer's fellowship with Him.
~Adrian Rogers~
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