Revelation 2:17: To him that overcometh will I give... a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. Overcomers will be given a white stone (Urim and Thummim)¹ and in the stone a new name written.² Anciently, a person's name was an expression of character as well as identity,³ and people received a new name at the time of a life-changing event.⁴ Today, a new name is likewise given when people are spiritually reborn.⁵ Thus, at baptism⁶ people take upon themselves the new name of Jesus Christ.⁷ The new name in Revelation 2:17 is a symbol of the new birth⁸ or rebirth⁹ of those that overcome and are resurrected to eternal life.¹⁰ In this process, Christ will give a new name‒currently unknown‒to the whole house of Israel.¹¹

In religious history, new names were given to Abram (Abraham) and Sarai (Sarah),¹² Jacob (Israel),¹³ Joseph (Zaphnath-paaneah),¹⁴ Peter (Cephas),¹⁵ and Saul (Paul).¹⁶ The use of new names was also common in secular settings such as the coronation of kings and in religious settings such as the enthronement of popes.¹⁷

The new name inscribed in the white stone of Revelation 2:17 is a key word¹⁸ that must be received in the temple¹⁹ by accountable people²⁰ to qualify for exaltation²¹ in the celestial kingdom.²² To be admitted to this highest degree of celestial glory,²³ saints must know and recite the key words they receive in the temple²⁴ to angels that will stand as sentinels at the portals of the celestial city.²⁵ Until then, the new name in the white stone is sacred and must be kept secret,²⁶ as a hidden name,²⁷ which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.²⁸

The new name in Revelation 2:17 is the first of three names that exalted people must receive.²⁹ The other two names include the name of Jesus Christ (Revelation 3:12)³⁰ and the name of God the Father (Revelation 14:1).³¹ The three names bring to mind the Godhead, which consists of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.³² All saving and exalting ordinances are performed in the names of all three persons.³³ The names or titles of the Father (El or Elohim)³⁴ and the Son (Jehovah and Jesus Christ)³⁵ are known. The Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit,³⁶ whose name is unknown even though ordinances are performed in his name.³⁷ The foregoing may suggest a relationship between the hidden name of the Holy Ghost that people must take upon themselves and the new name, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.³⁸ Daniel Whedon made this connection when he said that the new name is not just a name, it is a power³⁹ comparable to the Holy Ghost.⁴⁰ The new and hidden name is unique to each individual, just as their experience with the Holy Ghost is unique.⁴¹