A New Name Written...
By Randy Blackaby

The Idea of "wearing" the Lord's name is deeply rooted in Scripture.

In Revelation 3:10, the Lord, speaking through John, said, "He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name."

To modem readers, this may seem strange and conjure up images of using a marker to write on a poster board or of tattooing another person. But like so much in the book of Revelation, writing a name on someone, and particularly a new name, has roots in many other portions of Scripture and history.

It appears that the name involved relates to Jesus. Whether it is Jesus, or Christ, or Lord, or some other variation, isn't absolutely certain. It might be as simple as Christian (Acts 11:26). But, of the one who overcomes, the text says, "I will write on him My new name." The Lord emphasized the fact that the name would be a new name. In earlier times, God's people (Israel) had borne several names, but never one associated with the Christ.

He had said to the church in Pergamos, "And I will give him (the one who overcomes) a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it." (Revelation 2:17)

Revelation 22:3-4 mentions the Lamb's servants having "His name ... On their foreheads."

At first, this all seems very mysterious. But remember, the book of Revelation is apocalyptic literature, written in a highly symbolic style that relies on Old-Testament types and images. Let's see if we can simplify. A name is an identifier. My name distinguishes me from others, connects me to my parents, and often is tied to my character. Thus, a person may have a good name or a bad one.

In the text, then, we see that the one who overcomes evil will be identified with Christ, with God's family, and will bear a good name--one above every other (Philippians 2:9).

Consider also that Revelation commonly uses the figure of Christ as the bridegroom and His people, or church, as the bride. When a bride marries, she traditionally takes her husband's name, reflecting the unity of the new relationship (see Revelation 19:7-13).

Part of the figure of the new name being written on the Lord's servant may be drawn from the Old-Testament practice of the high priest wearing Jehovah's name. In Exodus 28:36-38, God directed that the high priest should wear a gold nameplate on his mitre (headdress) in a fashion so that on his forehead the plate read "Holy to Jehovah" or "Holy to the Lord."

In the Revelation, we have a similar picture. God's servants will be given a new name, and they will wear it on their foreheads.

The giving of new names also has several precedents in Scripture. Remember that God gave Abram a new name-Abraham-when the two of them entered into a new relationship. Later, we learn that Jacob was renamed Israel.

Likewise, Simon was re-nominated Peter by Jesus, and after the ardent persecutor Saul's conversion, he was called Paul. Again, we need to remember that a name is associated with character, relationships, and identification.

The giving of a new name is rooted in Old-Testament prophecy. Isaiah had the two-fold task of spelling out the doom of idolatrous Israel and of holding out hope for God's new kingdom, which Revelation refers to as the "New Jerusalem."

God would ultimately destroy the old Jerusalem, its temple, and the genealogical records (names) of His people, Israel. In 70 A.D., with the help of the Roman legions under Titus, He fulfilled His promise.

But in Revelation 3:12, God promised to make the one who overcomes "a pillar in the temple of my God," and to "write on him the name of my God and the city of my God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven ... and I will write on him my new name."

By its rebellion, idolatry, and ultimate rejection of Jesus, ancient Israel defamed God's name. So, God created a new Israel, a new Jerusalem, a new people; and He invited the Gentiles into His new kingdom, the church. The old was prophesied for destruction.

Notice also that God's servants are not the only ones labeled or given identifying marks. In Revelation 20:4, He spoke of the identifying mark on the foreheads of those who served the Beast.

Thus, the final point: we all are identified, spiritually, with the one we serve, whether it is Christ or Satan.

I have always found it interesting that people of other religions claim to believe there is nothing in a name. Let's examine a small sampling of the importance the Bible places on a NAME:

  1. "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us." (Matthew 1:23)

  2. "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20)

  3. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19)

  4. "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (Colossians 3:17)

  5. "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

  6. "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." (John 14:13)

  7. "And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved." (Acts 2:21)

These are just a few of the passages that discuss the importance of a NAME; there are hundreds of others. When we remember that a name identifies us with the one with whom we have a spiritual relationship, we realize why it is important. What name do you wear? (KMG)


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