Our name defines so much about us. It usually distinguishes us from all other people. Now adays, we’ll use a name because it sounds nice or because we want to our new baby to be associated with someone special in our lives. My second grandson is named Owen Paul. His second name is for me. I’ll never forget the dinner that my daughter and son-in-law told me that they wanted to have my name in his name. I was honored beyond words. My name is Paul Kevin. My sister’s second oldest son is named “Kevin Paul”. He’s a pastor in Ontario, Canada with his own children now.
The use of three names began in the Roman aristocracy. It eventually grew to the broad citizenry as the population grew and greater distinguishing was needed. By the 11th century surnames were developed in Europe eventually reaching England in 1066.
The surnames usually associated the person with their occupation. The last name “Smith” or “Black” were common names in Scotland because of the Blacksmith trade.
Names are very important to God. He called the first man “Adam” which means “son of the red earth”. It is commonly pronounced “ah – dam”. Ah commonly referring to the “breath of God. God was first, man came second from God.
God inserting Himself in a name can be seen in the lives of Abram and Sarai. God changed Abram (Father is highly exalted) named to Abraham when he was 99 years old after reaffirming His promise to him in Genesis 17:5. Sarai’s name was changed to “Sarah”. The “ha or ah’ representing the breath of God being inserted in a name. Isaac meaning “laughter” was defined to remind Sarah that she had laughed when told of God’s promise because of her age. She was 89 at the time.
This can also be seen in Matthew 16. Jesus calls Simon, Simon-bar-Jonah” in Matthew 16. “Bar-Jonah” or “Bar-Jonas” shows Simon Peter’s family name. However, what is being said is more telling. Simon means “wavering reed” and Jonah or Jonas can mean “winebibber”. So Jesus is referring to Simon as the “wavering son of an alcoholic” Ouch! But then Jesus changes his name from Peter “little rock” to “Petros”, huge rock. Something that goes from a wavering reed or little rock to a solid foundation.
Being named can also show prophetic destiny. The name “Saul of Tarsus” shows where his hometown was. The name “Saul” means to be “prayed for”. He might actually been named after King Saul who was very arrogant and proudful himself. Certainty, prayers were offered for him as a child has he was a highly educated Jewish Zealot being taught by the great first century Pharisee Gamaliel. However, after Saul’s conversion in Acts 9, he was greatly humbled by Jesus Himself and his name went from “Saul” to “Paul”. Paul means “small” or “humble”. This is how he viewed himself in light of knowing Jesus; Philippians 3:8-10 (ESV) He said this about himself in 1 Timothy 1:15 (ESV)
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,”
Perhaps, the greatest name ever given is the name “Jesus”. It seems that in New Testament times, His name is the center of everything. Luke wrote this in Acts 4:12 (ESV)
And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
it seems that was the father’s responsibility to name the child. In Luke 1 we read that Zechariah was told to name the baby Elizabeth as carrying “John”. In Matthew 1, Joseph is told to name the baby Mary is carrying “Jesus”.
But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Jesus means “Joshua” or “Salvation”. Jesus or “Yeshua” if you prefer embodies the fullness of salvation. The most well-known Old Testament scripture defining Jesus is perhaps found in Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV)
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
However the fact is that Jesus embodies all 650 names of God listed in the scriptures. Each name describes a different attribute or characteristic of Yahweh. He said this is a couple of places in the New Testament. One place was John 8:58 (ESV)
“Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
The other place is John 10:30
I and the Father are one.”
In both instances, those statements caused the religious leaders to pick up stones to stone Him. They knew exactly what Jesus was saying.
Finally, in Revelation 2, Jesus admonishes the church in Pergamum in the following ways;14-17 (ESV)
“But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’
So much of the culture that this church was in emulates our own culture on so many levels. But if we conquer those tendencies in our culture, we will be given a white stone with a new name on it.
“Christians are promised a white stone with a new name written on it as a reward for persevering faithfulness. We find this in Revelations chapter 2, verse 17, where the Apostle John writes that in his revelation Jesus has a word to speak to the church of Pergamum, and by extension to us. The people are affirmed in their faithfulness and called to repentance for their following false teachings and in engaging in sexual immorality. In finding victory over these things Jesus promises “… I will give him a white stone and a new name written, which no man knows except him that receives it.”
Some infer this to mean that it shows a special relationship to Jesus the Christ and that it reveals their own true identity as God sees him or her. It also carries with it some of the other possible meanings found above. It is from this verse which the founder of this project drew his inspiration.
So in conclusion, a white stone, particularly as described in Revelation 2:17, signifies a decisive vote in one’s favour, a judgment of innocence (or new innocence), a reprieve from death, a covenant of safe passage, celebratory welcome, honour with free privileges, a new and lasting identity known only by and intimately in God, and finally an eternal hospitality with God.*
*From the “White stone” clinic