The White Stone (comment moved from "The name of Jesus")

I received comments overnight on my post "The name of Jesus" and thought they'd be best addressed in a separate post.  So here they are:

On December 4, 2011, at 11:52 pm, Anonymous wrote,

"In the bible, Jesus is represented as many things such as a white stone/cornerstone. Revelation is written about things to come right? What must take place after Jesus' death right? Well, in revelation 2, apostle John saw the vision of Christ and recorded what he was told, what Jesus said was, that he will give the ones who does his will, hidden manna, and a white stone with a NEW NAME written on it, known to only those who recieve it. Okay... so then who is the white stone in the bible? Jesus. So, a white stone with a NEW NAME means Jesus' NEW NAME. Jesus' new name is Christ Ahnsahnghong. Jesus did not say to apostle John that He would give us the same name, but a NEW NAME. God will bless those who recieves the NEW NAME, Christ Ahnsahnghong."

My dear Anonymous, did you know that Revelation 2:17 is the only verse in the Bible that mentions a "white stone"?  There is no other verse about a white stone to support your statement that "Jesus is represented as many things such as a white stone."

However, there is support for the tribes of Israel being represented by white stones--read Deuteronomy 27:2 and Joshua 4:1-7.

Maybe you would say that since Jesus is compared to a cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20) or a rock (Matthew 7:24-25) or a stone of stumbling (1 Peter 2:8), then He must be the stone in Rev. 2:17?

No, the word for "stone" in Rev. 2:17 is "psephos" which means "a pebble, a small stone, or a vote."

In contrast, the word used for "cornerstone" in Eph. 2:20 means "the chief corner."  The word used for "rock" in Matt. 7:24-25 means "a rock, ledge, or cliff."  And the word for "stone" in 1 Pet. 2:8 means "a stone or millstone."  Each is a different Greek word with a slightly different meaning.

In fact, there is only one other place in the Bible where you will find the same "stone" (psephos) used in Rev. 2:17.  It's the word translated "vote" in Acts 26:10,
"...and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them."

You see, the white stone in Rev. 2:17 is a voting pebble.  A black stone meant a vote of no or condemnation, while a white stone meant a vote of yes or acceptance or acquittal.  This is documented by historians.

The question is not "Who is the white stone?"  It's "What does a white stone mean?"  It means we have been accepted by God.

Anonymous followed up with another comment just a few minutes later, which I will address here also, with my responses inline...
On December 5, 2011, at  12:11 am, Anonymous wrote,

"To truly understand, i think everyone needs to study the bible fully before judging."

Yes, I do study the Bible fully.  Apparently, the study methods of the WMSCOG are lacking, since they show little concern for the meaning of the original language or the historical context.

"Matthew 7:13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
Those who think they know God follow the easy & simple way, the way where it is comfortable for them to fit through, which the wide. But those who know God, know that it is not easy to follow his will, but try their best to fit through and endure the squeeze, the small."

I think you should read this article about Kim Joo-cheol's statement that "the church with a small number of members is the true Church."

"Anyways, i also think if you are doubting Christ Ahnsahnghong, ask your preachers to prove to you, Who will come, What will be the sign he will bring, Where on Earth will he come, When will he come, Why will he come, and How will he come through ONLY the bible. So all the who what where when why and how facts. Then judge according to your heart and not hearing others."

My pastors do teach all these things according to what is in the Bible, but with more accuracy and consistency than the World Mission Society Church of God.

"Unless someone can prove anything is falsehood, they must prove it through the bible.
Only through the bible can we know what is the truth. :)
btw, Christ Ahnsahnghong never went, "Oh look at me I am the Messiah, I am the Christ." He never boasted about it. People recognized Him through studying the bible, gathering all the facts, and it all connected and lead to Christ Ahnsahnghong."

The only way to "recognize Him through studying the Bible" is to distort both the Bible and history.  As much as the WMSCOG claims not to follow "opinions of men," that is exactly what they do.  I think you should follow your own advice about not listening to others (particularly the WMSCOG) and reading the Bible for yourself (the whole thing, not just selected verses) and doing your own historical research.