“He who overcomes… I will write on him the name of My God and the
name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God…” Revelation 3:12
The Lord continues with His encouragements to the overcomer. As we think about all the promises the Lord has made to the overcomers in all seven churches we are reminded that these are the things Abraham saw that him to forsake his earthly home and follow God. What did Abraham see?
The Lord promised He would write the name of God on the over-
comer. Now He says He will write a second name on him as well – a
name that confirmed the believer’s citizenship.
And the name of the city of My God The Lord also writes the name of the city where the overcomer will dwell. The Greek word “polis” indicates a city highlighting its significance as a hub of population, culture, and governance. This is our home, our way of life, our authority, our ruler for all eternity. This would immediately draw the attention of the Philadelphians whose city had become a place of danger and fear, shaking and anxiety.
The New Jerusalem The Lord tells the Philadelphians the city’s name. This is not symbol – it is a literal city with a real name. Not only that but it is the name of the city that God loves. Jerusalem means “the dwelling of peace’ – man’s war against is over. Overcomers will lives where God dwells. The church at Philadelphia would have immediately thought of the city in Israel. This city, the
spiritual and political heart of Israel, was where the Temple of God was located. It was also the place of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection – the church’s birthplace. But most importantly it was the city God loves and where He chose to place His name. “Yet I have chosen Jerusalem, that My name may be there.” (2 Chronicles 6:6) Yet their hearts would be sad for they knew Jerusalem had been destroyed by Titus in AD 70. The city had been leveled.
Which comes down out of heaven The Lord clarifies to the Philadelphians that it is not the Jerusalem on this earth He is referring to. He gives us them three distinctives. First, this is the new Jerusalem. Strong’s Concordance says “the Greek adjective ‘kainos’ is used to describe something that is new in nature, different from the usual, better than the old, or unprecedented. It implies a qualitative newness, emphasizing the freshness or uniqueness of the object.” Second, this Jerusalem is not an earthly city – it comes down (descends) out of (used to indicate origin) heaven (the word can mean the sky, the abode of the stars, and the dwelling place of God. In this case all three are true.
From My God The Lord gives the third characteristic of the new Jerusalem. This city is sent by God to His people. The first time this word for God “theos” is used in the New Testament is in Matthew 1:23 where we are told the virgin shall bear a Son named Immanuel – God with us. Here in Revelation we are told we will dwell with the one true God who is with us (Emmanuel) – in the new Jerusalem.
What can we learn? The Lord tells us He writes the name of our eternal abode on us. This signifies the fellowship overcomers will have with Almighty God there. He is not only our creator and owner but He is our father meaning we will live with the joys of being a member of a divine family in His magnificent city – not just citizens but members of the family of the One who owns the city.