The historical background gives insight into these symbols from Jesus.

What is the secret name?

The concept of getting a name from God was predicted in OT passages like Isaiah 62:2 and 65:15. Some commentators believe that the name on the stone is the name of God (Rev. 3:12), which Christ also has (Rev. 19:12). However, this doesn’t seem to fit with the notion that only the believer would know this name. In the OT, the concept of a name was closely associated with one’s identity. This concept of a name becomes important at the end of the book, when only those names found in the book of life will enter heaven (Rev. 20:15).

What is the white Stone?

The historical backdrop of Pergamum gives us some insight into the symbolism of the white stone. Two options are most plausible.

OPTION #1. The white stone imagery might come from trial procedures in Pergamum. Osborne writes, “In ancient trials jurors would cast a white or black stone into an urn to vote for acquittal or guilt (cf. Acts 26:10); while no name was written on the stones, the trial setting could make sense in the Pergamene situation.”^[1] Jesus could be communicating their acquittal from guilt. Walvoord writes, “In courts of law being given a white stone is thought to represent acquittal in contrast to a black stone which would indicate condemnation.”^[2]

OPTION #2. The white stone imagery might come from the Pergamum games. Osborne writes, “It was common for members of a guild or victors at the games to use stones as a ticket for admission to feasts, and also for free food or entrance to the games.”^[3] Likewise, Mounce views “the white stone as a tessera that served as a token for admission to the banquet.”^[4] Thus Jesus could be explaining that because of the white stone, these believers get free access into the feast of God: heaven.

Which option is correct? We’re not entirely sure. The use of a “white stone” was frequently used in this culture in a variety of ways. Surely, we know that the imagery is undeniably positive.

^[1] Grant R. Osborne, Revelation, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002), 138-139.

^[2] John F. Walvoord, The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Galaxie Software, 2008), 70.

^[3] Grant R. Osborne, Revelation, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002), 139.

^[4] Robert H. Mounce, The Book of Revelation, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1997), 83.