What’s In A Name
When Lisa had her baby, everyone in the office was eager to hear the name she and her husband had chosen. They were known for their sense of humor, so their colleagues anticipated something unique.
After hours of labor at the hospital, Lisa proudly introduced everyone to their newborn son, Spartacus Maximus. Everyone burst into laughter, picturing a tiny warrior in a diaper. Lisa’s husband, Mark, explained they wanted a name that stood out and one the baby could grow into. They called him “Sparty” for short, and though it started as a joke, it stuck. Over the years, little Sparty grew into his big name with a personality just as grand.
When babies are born, it is the parents’ joy to give them a name. Parents often choose names that hold personal significance, perhaps selecting a name from the family lineage or naming the child after their father. In Lisa and Mark’s case, they chose a name that was both unique and meaningful to them. Regardless of the choice, every baby is given a name that will identify them for the rest of their lives.
New Heart, New Name
Much of the same can be said for those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. When a person accepts Jesus, the Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” This newness of life is often described as being “born again.”
The beauty of being born again is that just as our earthly father gave us a name, our heavenly Father also gives us a new name. The Bible contains several examples of God changing someone’s name, often to reflect their new identity, purpose, or relationship with Him.
In Genesis 17:5, God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, meaning “father of many nations,” to signify the covenant He made with him, promising that he would be the father of a multitude of nations. The books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record that Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter; the literal meaning of the name Peter (Petros) is stone, boulder, or rock. After wrestling with God, Jacob’s name was changed to Israel (Genesis 32:28), meaning “he struggles with God” to reflect his perseverance and the future nation that would descend from him.
Furthermore, in Acts 13:9, we see Saul, a former persecutor of Christians, renamed Paul, meaning “small” or “humble,” to reflect his transformation and mission as an apostle to the Gentiles. These name changes are not mere alterations but profound markers of significant transformation and divine purpose in the lives of these individuals, a testament to the power of God’s grace and the potential for transformation in each of us.
A Heavenly Name To Those Who Overcome
But what about today’s believers? Does God still change the names of His children who have undergone a transformation and contributed to His Kingdom? Certainly so!
In Revelation 2:17, it says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”
Believers in Christ who live a life of faith and obedience can look forward to the day they are given a white stone with their name written on it, given by the Father who, through His perfect grace and mercy, enabled them to overcome the world. This promise of a new name is not just a title change but a symbol of the transformation and victory believers can experience in their faith journey.
In the Roman judicial system, a white stone signified acquittal or acceptance, while a black stone indicated guilt. Receiving a white stone symbolizes being accepted and declared righteous by God. White stones were also used as tokens to enter special banquets or events. In this context, the white stone signifies an invitation to the heavenly banquet and eternal life with Christ.
Finally, Revelation 22:4-5 provides a profound and glorious promise to the Lord’s faithful servants: “They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light, and they shall reign forever and ever.”
Our Eternal Destiny
Friends, let’s live every day with the assurance that we serve a Heavenly Father who has not only written His name on our hearts, marking us as His own, but will one day give us A Name Like No Other. This new name signifies our transformed identity and unique relationship with Him.
As we journey through this life, we can find comfort and strength, knowing we have an eternal destiny where we will dwell in His glorious presence forever, free from pain, sorrow, and suffering. Let’s embrace each moment with this blessed hope, knowing our future is secure in His unfailing love and grace.
