April 6

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will give the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone inscribed with a new name, known only to the one who receives it. — Rev 2:17 BSB

In ancient times, verdicts were often given by casting white or black stones. The judges—who were more like juries in those days—did not give their verdicts by speaking aloud “guilty” or “not guilty,” as in our time, but by dropping a white stone into an urn to indicate innocence, or a black stone to declare guilt. The Lord uses this imagery in His promise: “To him who overcomes I will give a white stone,” signifying that He will give the conscience a sentence of acquittal. Just as the judge dropped a white stone into the urn, so peace and pardon are dropped into the sinner’s heart. And just as the white stone signaled the prisoner’s innocence, so when the Lord speaks peace to the soul, He drops a white stone into the heart, declaring the person free from the law’s accusations and a recipient of His love and grace.

“And on the stone a new name written.” What is this new name? Is it not a new heart, a new nature—Christ in the soul, the hope of glory? This is the “new name which no man knows except he who receives it.” It signifies new thoughts of Jesus, new revelations from Scripture, new meltings of the heart, new tenderness of spirit. Everything is made new by Him who renews us in the spirit of our minds. No one can know or experience these things but the one who receives them. It is a private exchange between the Lord and the soul. It is all between a pardoning God and a pardoned sinner. All mercy, all grace, all love from beginning to end. Grace begins, grace continues, and grace finishes it all. Grace receives all the glory, and grace crowns the work with eternal victory.