A New Name in Glory

TEXT: Rev 2:17, MORE LESSONS: Rev 3:12

It is obvious that in many cultures, names are not ordinary. Some do not like the names they bear, and, like Jabez, you can ask God to change your name.

Why do we desire a new name? It is amazing how in newspapers some people change all their names without any explanation; for some others, you can guess the change is due to marriage/divorce, conversion from one faith to another, or just mere conviction that the name

no longer suits them. While these changes may be sincere and true, they do not free from the liabilities or encumbrances of previous names.

In the Bible, some people changed their names. Examples include: Abram to Abraham (Gen. 17:5-10), Sarai to Sarah (Gen. 17:15-16), Jacob to Israel (Gen.32:28-32) and Saul to Paul (Acts. 13:9-12). Each of these instances signified a turning point and an establishment of a new covenant relationship between God and the bearers of such names. No wonder when a person gets born again, he becomes a new creature (II Cor. 5:17; Rev. 3:20, 21:17), old things are passed away (Psa. 103:12). God becomes your Father by a relationship through Christ who paid the price for our redemption by His sacrificial death on the cross. He is our repudiation for adoption into sonship and with His Holy Spirit, God seals us as His property. We become God's stewards of every good work. He writes our new names in the Lamb's Book of life, He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches ; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it Rev. 2:17.

Do you have a new name in glory before the Father? Whatever name you bear on the earth, negative or positive, good or bad, must end here one day. There is only one place where the enlisting of your name is most important, and that is in the Lamb's Book of life. The qualification for this new name is cleansing and forgiveness by the blood of Jesus made possible by personally acknowledging your sins, asking God for forgiveness and accepting Jesus as the Lord and Saviour of your life. Let me remind you that no matter who you are and what you have done, God loves you and wants to give you a new name written in the Lamb's Book of life.

PRAYER / ACTION

Examine the following scriptures and use them in prayer, meditation and self examination: Rev. 2:17, 20:15, 22:14-15.

Like and share