The White Stone

READ: MATTHEW 28:20; ROMANS 8:12-25; REVELATION 2:12-17

Just when you think it can’t get any darker, I murmured as I watched over the hidden compound where we had to bring more Believers that morning. A small girl and her older brother were wrapped in a ragged blanket, hungrily eating hot soup. I wished we had arrived sooner, but now their parents were gone.

There was a rustle in the dense trees just beyond where I kept watch. Tensing, I gripped the handle of my weapon and crept forward. Zon, be with me! This prayer echoed in the frantic beating of my heart. When I burst through the trees, I nearly stumbled in my astonishment. He stood before me, brandishing a double-edged sword that gleamed like sunshine on the sea. “Do not be afraid, Psephos.” His voice was the sound of mighty, rushing water.

“Zon? Is it you?” Tears of hope and longing welled up in my eyes.

“It is I,” He answered, “the Living One.”

I fell at his feet, tears tracking down my cheeks. Zon dropped His sword and sank to the ground, wrapping His arms around me. “I know you are weary. I have seen the evil and darkness in this land. You and many Believers have remained true to my name, even in the face of death.”

“How much longer until you come to rescue us?”

Zon seemed to look into the depths of my soul. “Through my Spirit, I have given my people the power to remain faithful, Psephos. Yet, some among you are returning to their old ways and running after gods and possessions and experiences that will not satisfy. Only my love can satisfy you, and I have given it freely through my own death and resurrection. Remind the people of my words; encourage them to repent and return to me.”

“Will you stay with me, Zon?”

“I am always with you, to the very end of the age. Those who love me will be victorious, because I am the Victorious One. Here is something to remind you that you are mine, and I will always provide for you.” Zon placed something small and cool into my hand. I opened my palm to see a white stone with a single word written on it.

I read aloud, “Athoos. What does it mean?” “It is your new name, my child. It means, innocent.” • Savannah Coleman

• Today’s devotion is inspired by Revelation 2:12-17. This passage was written to the church in Pergamum. They lived in a culture where there was a lot of idol worship and sin, not unlike today. Jesus, the Living One, commends them for remaining true to His name and standing strong even in the face of severe persecution leading to death. How could it be encouraging to know that Jesus sees everything we’re going through, and He is always close beside us, even in our suffering?

• As we continue reading in Revelation 2:14, we find that some of the Christians in Pergamum were turning back to idolatry and sinful practices, and Jesus urges them to repent. Then Jesus says that the victorious one will be given “hidden manna” (verse 17). Various Bible scholars debate what this passage means, but in Exodus 16, we see how God provided for the Israelites by giving them manna, bread from heaven to eat in the wilderness. Jesus harkens back to this in John 6, and He says, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry” (verse 35). Just as God provided manna, He gave us His one and only Son—Jesus is everything we need (John 3:16; 1 Peter 1:3; 2 Peter 1:3). Once we put our trust in Jesus, we become children of God; we are adopted into His family forever. He promises us eternal life, and He satisfies our deepest longings. We no longer need to live according to the flesh—reverting to ou