By Beth Fore
“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. I will
also give him a white
stone with a new name
written on it, known only
to him who receives it.”
(Revelation 2:17 NIV)
A New Name
Jesus, precious Son of God,
who speaks to those who will hear
and to those of us who overcome,
You will make your message clear.
You will give us hidden manna
so that our spirits can feed,
and You will cover and protect us
and meet our every need.
You will give us a new name
that is written on a white stone.
We will be sanctified and holy
for Your blood our sins does atone.
You will make us a pillar
in the temple of the new Jerusalem.
You will write on us Your name
that shows we belong to Him.
Thank You, precious Jesus,
for giving us a new name to wear.
Help us be courageous and bold
as Your mighty name we declare!
Beth Fore
*In Revelation, John tells one of the churches that the Christians who overcome the challenges of this life will be given hidden manna and a white stone with their new name written on it, that only they will know.
“I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.” (Revelation 2:17 NIV)
My mother was a faithful Christian woman all of her life. About three weeks before her death, she was placed in a hospice facility for people who were dying. She received wonderful care there, and one of my family members went to be with her most of the time she was there.
One day, I went to be with Mother and the nurses said that she had been upset and angry and they weren’t sure why. I asked her what was wrong, and she looked at me and said, “They won’t call me by my name.” I didn’t understand this so I asked her if they had called her Eloise, or Mrs. Thompson, and several other names. She said, “No, no, they won’t call me by my name.” Then, I was really confused. Mom closed her eyes and went to sleep, and that was the end of that conversation.
I talked to my sister later that day and told her what had happened. Coincidentally, most likely providentially, she had been reading a book written by Max Lucado, entitled, He Knows My Name. Judy read these verses to me from Revelation. This was the first time I was aware of these verses.
I think it was quite likely that my mom had already been given her new name, and that was the name she was expecting me and the nurses to call her. Perhaps she was unfamiliar with the part of the verse that said the new name would be known only to him who receives it!
APPLICATIONS
- Most biblical names had important meanings. Think of the many different name given to God and to Jesus. Write some of these down, and look up their meanings.
- What do you think John means when he says the overcomer will be given hidden manna and a stone with a new name?
- If you could choose your new name, what would it be and what would it mean?
- The truths of God’s scriptures are often revealed to us in unusual situations such as the one I shared with you. Can you think of a time in your life when something like this happened to you? If so, share it with others.
- It seems to me that when a person is given some time to think and reflect before dying, they show signs of talking and laughing or crying with departed loved ones. Some people also seem to see angels, or Jesus, coming for them and they are excited and full of joy. If you have experienced anything like this with a loved on, please share it with us.
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