A WHITE STONE
11th Sep 2019
Earlier this year we went with our son Craig and his wife Milena for some holiday in Greece. We had beautiful weather, great food and a private beach. As we relaxed, swam and lay on the beach I was fascinated by the beautiful white stones among the pebbles, and picked up a small quantity to take home.
My mind went immediately to Revelation 2 and the message to the church at Pergamum. Verse 17 says, “To him who overcomes, I will give some hidden manna, I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.”
This took me back to another memory. Some years ago I was ministering in East Berlin before the wall came down, when the believers in East Germany were under considerable pressure. During my time there I went with some others to the Pergamum Museum and had a very disturbing experience. This museum had gather artefacts from Pergamum in present day Turkey, including “The seat of Satan” and as I entered the building was aware of a powerful presence of evil. I retreated quickly and returned to my hosts, and began to understand something of the demonic evil of their godless regime.
As I prepared for the next meeting, God led me to this passage in Revelation and I began to think about the white stone and the hidden manna. God spoke to me of how these dear believers, under this oppression had felt nameless and powerless, they had felt like they were under a curse. God told me that to each on He had given a while stone with a new name on it. The name spoke of blessing and destiny, and as I delivered this message I saw heavy loads being lifted from shoulders, I saw despair turned into hope, and I saw abandonment turned into destiny. I also saw those who felt they were in a dry and barren land receive the hidden manna that God supernaturally provides for His people.
A white stone with a new name and hidden manna to refresh and restore is available for all those who reach out in faith, and receive.
by Charles Sibthorpe
