I love the book of Revelations. I know some parts can be pretty scary exposition of what is to come towards the end of days. But this book also contains beautiful descriptions of the new life when everything is made perfect again. Even if they were just metaphors of the actual things, my ears and my heart just love reading and listening to this final part of the Bible. It's like watching a trailer of a fairytale movie where you find wonderful magical things in it and it warms your heart. Knowing that the end is not just a 'happily ever after' but also full of important little details we don't want to miss!
When I read this beautiful verse in Revelations chapter 2, I envisioned pretty little pebbles that are white in colour, stored for each person entering the gate of Heaven. Each one with a name engraved on it; a name that is only known by the receiver. Isn't this wonderful?
When Edde and I got married, instead of buying a conventional guest book for our guests, I decided to get a jar of pebbles, I bleached all the pebbles white and I put black sharpies next to the jar for people to write their names on one side and messages on the other side of the pebbles. I still keep that jar until today. I know everytime I look at it the memory of our wedding ceremony and reception will forever preserved with the sight of each person's name on the pebble. Those who celebrated with us. Those who shared our joy on that special night.
I went back to the verse... I wondered, why white pebbles? Why would God choose not to get a conventional guest book either? As in my case, my decision was for the esthetic and creative purpose mainly. But I wonder if white pebbles meant a lot more than that to God.. so like most of you when faced with practical questions, I went to our good old Google search engine for an answer. There's a lot of theories I found there but there is one that captured my heart. Some say that the white pebbles are metaphor for diamonds, some say they were the opposite of black stones used in taking a poll in the ancient history. But here is one simple explanation (I haven't been to Heaven yet, so I'm not sure which one is the most accurate but let's learn together).
In the old days, the ancient Romans awarded their athletes who won a contest with white stones. On these stones inscribed the name of the athlete, which then would be used as their "ticket" to enter a special banquet (like awards dinner). This makes sense because notice that the first part of the verse says, "To everyone who is victorious..." these white stones with our secret names on it were promised to every conquerer, overcomer, victor of the great spiritual battle in our walk with God. Those who prevail are given an access to the eternal celebration in Heaven. In other words, the white pebbles are our entry tickets.
Now, NOT every name I found in my jar of white pebbles is the same name I had on my guest list. Some of them were uninvited! But that's okay. Some of the names I expected to be there did not actually turn up so there were enough seats for everyone. My point is, once their name was on the pebble, that person would get the privilege of enjoying the wedding banquet - invited or uninvited. What a connection to what was going to come when we celebrate the union of Christ and His Bride! It is a wedding feast my friend! The party was going to be wonderful and once again we will all be united with the Lover of our soul, just like it used to be in the garden of Eden..
Alright, that is pretty cool, but what about our secret names? Why is it unknown except to us who receives it and of course to God who gives it? Again, there are many interpretations on this unique description in the Bible. Some refer it to the Holy Spirit's work of conforming believers to the holiness of Christ, some resemble it to the fact that we have been adopted into the family of God. I haven't been to Heaven, so again, I cannot be very sure of the meaning behind this secret name. All I know is that God keeps His promises. But here is my perspective..
Have you got a bestfriend? Do you call each other names only you two can understand? I do. It started with my bestie calling me 'piglet' (instead of babe) and since then this nickname became a sign of our love to each other. I bought her a bracelet with a piglet charm and before I finalised my purchase, the lovely shop attendant looked at me with furrowed brows and asked, "Are you sure? She won't get offended will she?" and we both laughed. I explained to the lovely lady that 'piglet' is our intimate name for each other. A nickname only us can understand without accidentally misinterpret it.
A nickname. An intimate way to call each other. Imagine what cute nickname God has in mind for you and me... A new name only you yourself can catch the meaning. A familiar utterance shared just between you and God in the secret place. To me, this new name implies a deep closeness with the One who gives name. I can imagine being handed the white pebble at the gate of Heaven and as I take a look at what it reads, my lips slowly curl into a smile and then a soft laugh and then a forever joy as I run towards the wedding banquet, running and giggling! Into the open arms of the Father.. Knowing that I am known, so known..
Check this verse written by Paul the Apostle to the church in Corinth:
Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.
Isn't it wonderful?
Sudi
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