New Names

“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it.

Jesus appeared to John and gave him this message as written in Revelation. As I read these words, “I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name”, I sometimes wonder what will my name be. My parents named me David. I called my mom and asked her why they choose my name. She said, “David and Goliath, it’s a strong name. Your dad and I both liked the name David.” It  isn’t a name I have earned or it might not even be a name that describes who I am. I haven’ slain any giants, or lead an army or ruled a nation. There have been many days during my childhood when my parents called me by some very creative names that did describe me or my actions at that moment. The Hebrew meaning of my name is beloved.

God changed peoples names in the Bible. Sarai became Sarah. Jacob was changed to Israel, “Because you fought with God and man and have won.” God gave them new names to reflect who they were in His eyes. I wonder what people thought when Jacob and Sarai said, Hey God changed our names, I am now Israel and she is now Sarah. A few raised eyebrows maybe?

I find it exciting and maybe a little scary to think what my new name will be. If it is based on my life here and a name I have earned I might be in trouble. Messed up again, or stubborn, not quick to learn. According to God’s standard we are all liars, thieves, murderers. The list is endless of our failures during this life. Yet God keeps no record of wrongs that is not what he will remember. Through the blood of Christ we are clean. Jesus has set us free from our failures and He will be giving us a new name.  “And no one understands but the one who receives it.” It will be between Him and us. A name that summarizes who we are in Christ. Who God created us to be. It will be a name that remains with us through eternity and we alone will understand it’s meaning.

What will your name be?