White stones were sometimes used judicially to indicate a verdict of acquittal, with a black stone for a guilty verdict. A white stone was also sometimes used as a pass for admission to parties or gatherings on special occasions. The life-giving Manna provided to the Israelites by God was white.

We often equate paradise to heaven, and we equate heaven with the place we go after death. This can be problematic because scripture does not seem to portray heaven in that way. Rather, heaven is portrayed as the abode of God. The Revelation is very clear (as are all the scriptures) that God dwells among His people.