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I enjoy reading Rick Renner’s devotionals. They are emailed to me daily. I wanted to encourage you by sharing a little with you from his devotional “Why Did Jesus Promise a White Stone?” from November 25, 2019.
Jesus stated: “…To everyone who is victorious…I will give to each one a white stone….” Revelation 2:17
So what is the significance of the “white stone” that Jesus promised?
In the original Greek text, the phrase “a white stone” is ordered differently.
The Greek wording actually reads “psiephon [stone or pebble] leuken [white].”
So rather than “a white stone,” it should be literally translated, “A stone, a white one.” Consequently, this lays the emphasis on the color of the stone.
White Stones in Early New Testament Times
In a Roman trial, a panel of judges voted for the defendant’s innocence or guilt. The judges registered their votes by casting a black or white stone into an urn.
- A black stone meant guilty.
- Likewise, a white stone meant not guilty.
When all the votes had been cast, the stones were emptied from the urn and counted one by one.
If there were more black stones, it meant the judges had found the defendant guilty. However, if there were more white stones, it meant they had found the individual not guilty.
Greek society also voted about civic issues in public elections using white and black stones to cast their votes.
- A white stone meant voting in favor of
- Whereas a black stone represented a person was voting against it.
What Jesus Was Saying
Therefore, Jesus Christ gives “a stone, a white one” to the victorious.
It no longer matters who we were or what we had done before coming to Christ. What matters now is who we have become in Christ. Jesus viewing us in light of His blood has cast a WHITE stone for us.
Moreover, He was not only announcing freedom, forgiveness, and acquittal from a past sinful life, but He is saying;
- “I have reviewed all the evidence, and I have judged you not guilty!”
- “I am affirming your full acquittal and complete release from your past sinful lives and memories.”
- “My vote is for you. I am putting My full support behind you.”
Praise the Lord!
Therefore We Boldly Declare
Therefore, when the devil or any person, tries to throw a BLACK stone of judgment by mentally tormenting us about past actions we’ve already been forgiven for, we may boldly answer, “Christ has already cast His vote. He has found me NOT GUILTY!”
Regardless of any actions, we may have committed in the past, Jesus’ blood has purged our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. – Hebrews 9:14
Be Encouraged!
In conclusion, we see how powerful this gemstone becomes when we realize what the “white stone” really means in Revelation 2:17.
What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? – Romans 8:31
Scriptures used are from biblegateway.com and unless otherwise noted, I’m using the New Living Translation (NLT)Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Read the full devotional from Rick Renner here.
