“In Rev 2:17 Jesus promises to give to the overcoming believers at Pergamos a white stone. This is clearly a reward for faithfulness. It is a reward that will be given at the Judgment Seat of Christ, when the Lord rewards believers for their obedience.”
Apparently Yates believes that the promise given by Jesus to the overcomers in Revelation 2:17 is not intended for all Christians. In Yates’ view the promise of Rev 2:17 is instead “a reward for faithfulness.” This is a common teaching among some Free Grace advocates—particularly those who follow Zane Hodges and the Grace Evangelical Society. By way of contrast, most Free Grace advocates take the view that every Christian is an overcomer (see 1 John 5:4-5). Thus, the promises given to the overcomers in Revelation chapters 2-3 (Rev. 2:7, 2:11, 2:17, 2:26-28, 3:5, 3:12, 3:21) apply to each and every believer in Christ!
Something else I noticed about Yates’ article is that he provides no exegesis or cross-references to support his contention that Revelation 2:17 “is a reward that will be given at the Judgment Seat of Christ”. Yates simply assumes it to be true without providing any support or basis for his belief. What’s more, he seems to be confusing the “precious stones” (lithous timious) mentioned by Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:12 with the “white stone” (psēphon leukēn) promised by Jesus in Revelation 2:17. But the Greek word for stone is different in the two contexts. Paul uses the Greek word lithos, while Jesus uses the word psēphos. What’s the difference?
Thayer in his Greek-English Lexicon gives this helpful explanation of the “stone” (psēphos) that Jesus is talking about in Revelation 2:17:
psēphos, psēphou, ē (from psaō [meaning to rub; to handle, touch], see psallō), a small, worn, smooth stone; pebble [from Pindar, Herodotus down; (in Homer psēphis)];
1. since in the ancient courts of justice the accused were condemned by black pebbles and acquitted by white…and a man on his acquittal was spoken of as nikēsas [“having been victorious”]…and the psēphos [pebble] acquitting Him called nikētērios [“winning” or “belonging to a conqueror”]…
2. a vote (on account of the use of pebbles in voting): katapherō (which see), Acts 26:10.
Commenting on Revelation 2:17, A.T. Robertson similarly writes:
A white stone (psēphon leukēn). This old word for pebble (from psaō, to rub) was used in courts of justice, black pebbles for condemning, white pebbles for acquitting. The only other use of the word in the N.T. is in Acts 26:10, where Paul speaks of “depositing his pebble” (katēnegka psēphon) or casting his vote. The white stone with one's name on it was used to admit one to entertainments and also as an amulet or charm.
I especially like what William R. Newell says about the white stone in his commentary on The Book of Revelation (Chicago: Moody Press, 1935). Commenting on Revelation 2:17, Newell writes on pages 52-53:
A white stone and upon the stone a new name written, which no one knoweth but he that receiveth it, was promised. Christ is infinite in His excellencies; and each member of His Body sets forth what no other member could. Also there is a personal character in all trials, through which the overcomer (that is, the true believer), will be brought to know the Lord in a peculiar way shared by no other. Dean Alford beautifully comments:
“These very terms (a new name written) seem to require that it should be the recipient’s own name,—a new name, however; a revelation of his everlasting title, as a son of God, to glory in Christ, but consisting of, and revealed in, those personal marks and signs of God’s peculiar adoption of himself, which he and none else is acquainted with. If the heart ‘knoweth its own bitterness, and a stranger intermeddleth not with its joy,’ (Proverbs 14:10), then the deep, secret dealings of God with each of us during those times by which our sonship is assured and our spiritual strife carried on to victory, can, when revealed to us in the other blessed state, be known thoroughly to ourselves only.”
These three statements offer some idea of what Jesus is talking about in Revelation 2:17 when He promises to give us “a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.” Yates in his article immediately jumps to the conclusion that Jesus is talking about rewards at the judgment seat of Christ, but why could the “white stone” promised by Jesus not be a special amulet which is given to all believers in Christ? This would certainly fit with the particular word that Jesus uses for stone (psēphos), and the fact that every believer in Christ is said to be an overcomer (1 Jn. 5:4-5).
There’s something else that I found interesting about the Grace In Focus article. To illustrate the white stone in Revelation 2:17, Yates shares an anecdotal story about a husband giving a beautiful diamond to his wife. And for what reason? Yates says it was because “her husband had great joy in giving it to her. Every time she wore it, she was reminded of how he loved her.” This illustration seems to argue against Yates’ understanding of Revelation 2:17 because it shows that the basis for Jesus giving us a white stone is not so much our works but is instead His love. I believe this is exactly how it will be for us when we receive a white stone with a new name on it, like Jesus promises in Revelation 2:17. Christians are called "the bride" of Christ (Rev. 22:16-17). This special relationship is for all those who know Christ as their "Savior" (Eph. 5:23). I believe that when we get to Heaven, Jesus will give each and every Christian "a white stone" with a new name on it that no one knows except you and Jesus (Rev. 2:17). It will be a special gift—a personalized gift—simply because He loves you!
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