Interpretation of the new name of the WMSCOG
According to official teaching materials published by the World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG), the white stone in this passage is explained as follows:
“In the New Testament, the stone represents Jesus. Therefore, the new name written on the stone refers to the new name of Jesus.”
However, this interpretation may stem from a misunderstanding. This interpretation does not fully take into account the overall structure of the book of Revelation. The book outlines the future of gospel work from the early church to the last days. Their misinterpretation becomes clear when we examine the historical timeline of the prophecy about the Pergamum church.
When and to whom is the white stone given?
In fact, the Bible not only likens Jesus to a "stone". There is also an actual white stone on which the law of God was written (Deut 27:2-3), and Simon, a disciple of Jesus, was called Peter, and he was referred to as the rock, that is, "the stone". (Matt 16:18) Therefore, interpreting the white stone exclusively as Jesus is not the only possible, or even the most natural, reading of the passage.
In clarifying the error in the World Mission Society Church of God‘s interpretation of the white stone, 'what or whom the stone represents' is not as important. Rather, the meaning becomes clearer when we ask two questions: to whom is the stone given, and for what purpose?
The parable of the white stone mentioned above comes from the prophecy about the church in Pergamum. It is a prophecy that a new name will be given to 'the one who overcomes' among the saints who belong to the Pergamum church. And the 'one who overcomes' is explained as follows.
Revelation 2:13-15 I know where you live--where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city--where Satan lives. Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
Jesus called 'overcomers' those among the Saints of the Pergamum Church who did not defile their souls with the false teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans, and who did not forsake the name of Jesus but kept it to the end, even in the face of Satan's severe persecution. Those who overcome in the church of Pergamum are promised a reward from Christ: a white stone with a new name engraved on it.
The interpretation that the new name engraved on the white stone is the name of the savior that the chosen people should receive in the last days strays too far from the original text's meaning, even when the context is understood literally. I hope you will pay attention to the original text of the Bible and think about it as follows.
First, consider whether the prophecy about the Pergamum church is indeed a prophecy about the last days. According to the structure of the book of Revelation, the church in Pergamum, which is the third of the seven churches, is a prophecy that has nothing to do with the last days. It is certain that the prophecy refers to the church before the Dark Ages."
Second, if the new name in Revelation 2:17 is the name of the savior, then a big problem occurs in the entire prophecy of the seven churches in chapters 2 and 3. If this interpretation were correct, then the name of the savior would need to be given to all believers across the seven churches. Furthermore, it is stated that among the Saints of the Pergamum Church, God granted the new name only to 'those who overcome‘. This implies that most of the other church members would not receive a white stone with a new name engraved on it.
Therefore, the new name engraved on the white stone is not the name of the savior. The name of the Savior is freely given to all believers.
There are rewards for all the 'overcomers' of the seven churches
The reward given to those who overcome in the Ephesian church is the right to eat from the tree of life in God's paradise.
Revelation 2:1, 7 To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ...... He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
The reward given to those who overcome in the Smyrna Church is not to be harmed by the second death.
Revelation 2:8, 11 To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ...... He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.
The reward given to those who overcome in the Church of Pergamum is some of the hidden manna and a white stone with a new name engraved on it.
Revelation 2:12, 17 To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ...... He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.
The reward given to those who overcome in the Church of Thyatira is authority over the nations.
Revelation 2:18, 26 To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ...... To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations--
The reward given to those who overcome in the church of Sardis is to dressed in white, have their names kept in the book of life, and be acknowledged before God and His angels.
Revelation 3:1, 5 To the angel of the church in Sardis write: ...... He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.
The reward given to those who overcome in the church of Philadelphia is to be made a pillar in God's temple and to receive new names.
Revelation 3:7, 12 To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ...... Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.
The new name in the above passage and the new name in Revelation 2:17 do not necessarily have to be interpreted as the same name. Lastly, the reward given to those who overcome in Laodicea Church is to sit together on the throne of God.
Revelation 3:14, 21 To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ...... To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.
Lastly, the reward given to those who overcome in the Laodicea Church is the right to sit with Christ on His throne.
After comprehensively examining the prophecies of the seven churches as above, we realize that there is no basis for interpreting the 'white stone with a new name written on it' as the name of a new savior, which is given merely as a reward to those who overcome in the Church of Pergamum. If we follow the interpretation of the World Mission Society Church of God, the saints of the remaining six churches would be regarded as having no conditions for salvation. Their interpretation is clearly flawed and inconsistent with the overall message of Revelation. Such a conclusion does not align with the overall message of Revelation.
What is a white stone with a new name engraved on it
We have established that the interpretation of the new name in the prophecy of the Church of Pergamum differs significantly from that of the World Mission Society Church of God. However, this does not solve the question of what the white stone with the new name is. While we may not have all the answers before entering the kingdom of heaven, we can make some educated guesses as follows.
Let's examine the prophet Isaiah's words regarding the new name God bestows upon His people.
Isaiah 62:1-4 For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch. The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will bestow. You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD's hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah ; for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will be married.
Isaiah prophesies that God will give the people of Jerusalem a new name, through which the world will witness Jerusalem's glory. So this new name is something like a reward, through which the people of the world will be able to see the glory of the people of Jerusalem. The people of Jerusalem were given the names Hephzibah and Beulah.
The new name given to those who overcome in the Church of Pergamum will reveal their glory to the multitude of angels in heaven.
People with great achievements on earth are given plaques, certificates, and new titles to honor their achievements. Men of national merit are given medals and sometimes called heroes. Imagine the honor given to someone who has faithfully served and sacrificed for their nation, and publicly recognized with a medal or title.
Similarly, Christ promises that those who overcome in the church of Pergamum will receive a 'white stone engraved with a new name' as a reward for their faithfulness. Only those who receive the white stone will enjoy great honor as the name engraved on it signifies.
What was the 'my new name' in Rev 3:12
The seven churches represent a prophetic timeline of church eras, spanning from the early church to the final church.
The church in Ephesus represents the Early church led by the Apostles from 33 AD to 106 AD.
The church in Smyrna represents the church of 106 AD ~ 313 AD, a period marked by persecution under Roman Emperors.
The church in Pergamum represents the church of 313 AD – 548 AD. During this period, many truths were suppressed and replaced with customs of sun-god worship.
The church in Thyatira represents the church during the Middle Ages. According to the prophecies in Daniel and Revelation 13 and 17, this period lasted 1260 years
The church in Sardis represents the Protestant Church that emerged from the Reformation of the Catholic Church.
The church in Philadelphia represents the church during the period of William Miller's movement.
According to one historical - prophetic interpretation, the church of Laodicea has been associated with the Seventh-day Adventist movement.
Revelation 3:12 pertains to the period of William Miller's movement. Consequently, the phrase 'my new name' is not associated with the final church of 144,000 saints.
In the Bible, there are many names for Jesus our Lord, as you already know. Isaiah 9:6 has several names of Jesus. Immanuel is also another name of Jesus. I believe God may intend for us to address Jesus by an additional special name (a new name). We will learn this exact name when we reach heaven.
Thus, the new name in Revelation 2:17 is bestowed upon those who remained faithful to Jesus and achieved victory in faith, resisting the false teachings of the Nicolaitans, as exemplified by the true church. This new name is one of several rewards given for victory in faith. It is not the name of a new Savior that people must receive in order to be saved.
Source: https://blog.naver.com/ceongkim/224143735372