REVELATION 2:17: “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 to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”

OBSERVATION: How much does the Lord love you? Have you ever wondered this? Sometimes as I travel, and the plane I am on is landing in a major metropolitan city, I gaze out the window at all of the houses, buildings, and cars and realize how small I really am. In the multiple billions of people in the world I am like a single grain of sand on a vast beach. It humbles me and makes me realize how great God is. When I read this closing verse of the letter to the Church in Pergamos I am also greatly humbled.

The letters in Revelation are written to both a single church, and the “churches” (plural). The close of the letter to Pergamos says – “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches…” However, this letter closes with a statement to each “individual person” that overcomes through Christ. Jesus says – “And I will give him (singular) a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him (singular) who receives it.” This is not a statement to the “church” – it is a statement to your and I “personally”. It is Jesus looking into my eyes (and yours) and talking to me as if no one else is listening. Out of the billions of grains of sand on the beach, He reaches down and picks up one single grain – me!

There are many different views as to the meaning of the white stone, but this morning I am not concerned with them. This morning I am drawn to the “new name” that is written on the stone. It is a name which no one knows except Jesus and the person who receives it. When I began dating Karen, and we fell in love, one of the first things we did was give each other a special name that only Karen and I knew. In a way it is kind of silly, but in another way it is an expression of the great love that we shared with each other. This was not a name that we blurted out in public, this was a name we called ourselves in private. It was the “personal” expression of our great love for one another. Jesus loves us so much that He will give to each one of us such a name of love and affection. This is how much the Lord loves you and I!

Lord, I am humbled by Your great love toward me. I am amazed that You take the time each day to reach out to me personally. Out of the billions of people in the world You are fully directed to me when I call upon Your name. And Your greatness is magnified in that You show the same love to anyone who calls upon Your Name. Thank you for Your great love! May the revelation of Your great love strengthen me and keep me throughout this day. In Jesus Name!