Siblings
I have asked before, and here I am, asking again, ‘What’s in a name’? A lot. Whether it’s the name given at birth, the name assumed at baptism, the special names given by family and close friends, or even derogatory names intended to hurt; each name assigned to us has a way of defining us. Consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
Revelation 3:12 CEB
[12] As for those who emerge victorious, I will make them pillars in the temple of my God, and they will never leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the New Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven from my God. I will also write on them my own new name.
The New Name
Siblings, I tell you. It was while preparing these reflections that I truly registered how often names are mentioned in the Nougat. And that each name is tattooed, or engraved, or unscripted on us. Then, I noticed the pattern was somewhat like the patterns in Proverbs. In our Nougat, there are two similar declarations, followed by one that is slightly different.
In Proverbs, this pattern of similar things, followed by one that is slightly different, is usually preceded by a clause that states the final issue is worth special attention. So we might be told, ‘There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable…’ (see Proverbs 6:16-19). Our attention is drawn immediately to the final thing. This pattern is referred to as parallelism (x…x+1) and, according to some scholars, draws attention to an incomplete list while emphasising a key point.
I’m not suggesting that the new names mentioned are incomplete. But I definitely believe that Y’shua’s new name is significant. It is that significance on which we are framing our reflection.
Self-Check
To what extent do we note the finer details in a biblical text? Do we make time to ask God about them?
Application
Having seen the shift in the structure of the Nougat, I couldn’t un-see it. Especially when I also noted a commentary that also lifted it up for consideration. The theologian noted that most of Y’shua’s names reflect Y’shua’s characteristics and role in our current lives and then asserted that in Heaven, the role shifts. This made sense because we are told that Y’shua intercedes for us at God’s right hand (see Romans 8:34).
When we all get to Heaven, however, there will be no need for Him or God’s Spirit to intercede for us. That time would have passed. But in John 14, Y’shua Jesus assures us that He will return *and* take us to His home, as in Heaven. But there, even His role as Righteous Judge (see Isaiah 11), will have become redundant. I therefore agree that the new name will reflect Y’shua’s new role in our lives: as bridegroom plus…
Now, that brings me to another consideration for the inscription of names. In my culture, we receive a certificate for the registration of our birth, which reflects the names we have been given and the details of our birth. It is, however, signed by an officer and bears the seal of the Registrar General. This name changes only if we undertake a deed poll (a legal name change) or when a woman changes her name at marriage. Interestingly, at the marriage ceremony, the woman signs her birth name but reserves the right to assume the name of her spouse after the fact.
What if these tattooed inscriptions referred to our rebirth or marriage records? We would be signed, sealed, and registered with new names that reflect our heavenly identities! All because we persevered.
So, although we do not know the new name of our Bridegroom, we know Him by His current nature. He loves us literally to death. And then to life again. Life beyond death. Having Him gone to prepare means everything will be ready for us at His return. It might not be an easy courtship here on earth, what with temptations and trials here and there. We have the blessed assurance that, having persevered, we shall receive that new name. What blessed hope.
Point to Ponder
Can we see the significance of our new names and allow it to encourage us in the rough patches?
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May all we seek be found in Christ
