White Stone

(ψῆφος λευκή, a white pebble), referred to as given to the Christian conqueror (Re 2:17), is supposed by many to refer to the usage among the Greeks of absolving those that were tried on the ground of any accusation, by the use of white balls or stones, and condemning by black ones. The balls were thrown together into an urn, whence they were drawn and counted. But the white stone is given to the victor himself. Hence others think reference is made to the tessera given to the victor at the Olympic games, on which was inscribed the reward to be received from his native city, the value of his prize. But in these cases the white stone is wanting, and the mystic inscription which no one but the recipient could read. The reference is undoubtedly to Hebrew sources. Christians are called kings and priests unto God (Re 1:6; Re 20:6; 1Pe 2:5). On the front of the mitre or turban worn by the Hebrew high- priest was a plate of gold with the inscription "Sacred to Jehovah" (Ex 28:36). The name Jehovah was the incommunicable and secret name, which could be pronounced only by the high-priest, and was known, as the Jews say, only to him. Victors in the Christian struggle are to be exalted to the dignity of high-priests and kings. Instead of a plate of gold in their mitre they have a white stone, a pellucid or resplendent gem, with an inscription equivalent to "Sacred to Jehovah" (Re 1:4), a new name, doubtless some name of the Saviour, perhaps, "Sacred to the Logos or Word," that is, the incarnate Jehovah (Joh 1:1; Joh 19:13). The whole probably symbolizes the assurance of the faithful by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This is the pellucid gem, the seal of the living God, having the inscription of divine acceptance which no one can read but he who possesses it. SEE SEAL; SEE STONE.