What is the New Name Spoken Of In Revelation 2:17?

Revelation 2:17 records Jesus’ words written to the church in Pergamos near the end of the first century.  In that verse are Jesus’ word of promise to overcomers.

Rev 2:17  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

So, what does the “new name” mean?  Will Joe become John?  Will Mary become Ruth?  First, note that Jesus didn’t say our names will be changed.  It says overcomers will receive a white stone with a new name.  So what might that new name be?

The New Names in Revelation

In addition to the promise to overcomers in Revelation 2:17, Jesus also promised to write His new name upon overcomers in the church at Philadelphia. 

Rev 3:12  Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out. And I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God. And I will write upon him my new name.

Distinctive between Revelation 2:17 and Revelation 3:12, is that one receives the name written on a white stone and the other upon his person.  However, determining what this “new name” will be is not easy.  The Bible does not give a clear and complete answer. Therefore, we can only reason from what the Bible says.

Additionally, we should note that Jews in the Kingdom Age will also receive a new name:

Isa 62:2  And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory. And thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.

Could this “new name,” whether it’s written on a stone, written upon a Christian, or written on Kingdom Jews, be Jesus’ new name as He spoke of in Revelation 3:12 (“My new name”).

Jesus’ New Name?

Why would Jesus have a new name?   And what might His new name be?  Again, the Bible doesn’t tell us.  But I suggest that, perhaps, Jesus’ new name is a name that will proclaim Him as King. And perhaps, it will be given to those who will both live and reign with Him in the Kingdom and throughout eternity.

I suggest this because the name of Jesus proclaims His humanity and His divine mission to seek and save the lost.  It is the name above all names for the time in which we live.  It is the name of the One who leads the Church and directs and empowers our mission of building the Kingdom of God on earth.  And, just as Jesus overcame the world for us (John 16:33) and was glorified,  we are to overcome the world until the time when we are glorified (Read: What you need to know about Sanctification & Glorification). So perhaps, receiving the new name will be a declaration that we are overcomers, sanctified, glorified and ready for service in the Kingdom and eternity.

Perhaps (and again, this is simply reasoned thinking) Jesus’ new name will not be to reflect His work as Saviour of mankind  Rather, HIs new name will reflect His ruling glory as King of kings, and Lord of lords.

Rev 19:12, 16  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. {16}  And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Having His New Name

• Bearing the name of the King of kings, Lord of lords, we will be prepared to join Jesus when He returns.

Rev 19:14  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clot  hed in fine linen, white and clean.

• Bearing the name of the King of kings, Lord of lords, we will be with Jesus when He reigns and judges in righteousness.  And we will reign with Him (Rev 20:4, 1 Cor 6:2-3)

What About No One Knowing the New Name?

Again, this is NOT biblical fact. It’s simply biblical reasoning. I suggest several possible reasons the name will only be known to the one who bears the name.

1. In the Kingdom Age, there will be flesh-born humans.  With Jesus ruling in righteousness, we can assume most people will trust Him. However, we know that some will not. Identifying names, known only to the one who bears the name, could make it possible to be a more approachable witness for Jesus.
2. Another possible reason the names will only be known to those who bear the name is that the name signifies the unique and personal relationship Jesus will have with each person. 
3. The “new name” might also be a symbol of the glory that Jesus has given to those who bear the name. This might be likened to Jesus giving a redeemed sinner His imputed righteousness ( Read: What are the Doctrines of Imputed, Infused, and Imparted Righteousness?) The Lord’s imputed righteousness makes us worthy, at death, to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven in God’s Heaven.  The “new name” might indicate our worthiness to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth, the Millennial Kingdom.  No one can see imputed righteousness and no one will be able to see the “new name.”
4. Finally, this could be a type of “sealing.”  Just as we are “sealed” by the Holy Spirit during the Church Age, and no one can see that seal, perhaps Jesus will “seal” us with a “new name” in the Kingdom Age.

Whatever the “new name” might be or might signify, and for whatever reason only the person who has the new name will know it, what we do know is that it will be a blessing and a gift of grace from our Lord.

Conclusion

What we know for certain is that we don’t know exactly what the new name will be. We do know Jesus has promised it to us. While it’s fun to think about these future things, keep focused on the here and now.  Remember that the most important name is the Name above all names — the Name of Jesus, Our Lord and Saviour.

<*}}}><

Read more about the names of God in the Bible:

• In addition to Yahweh (YHVH), Yeshua, and Jesus, what other names for God are in the Bible?
• For His Great Name's Sake (videos)
• Should we call His name Jesus? Or Yahweh? Or Yeshua?
• The Names of Jehovah hidden in Psalm 23! This will surprise you!
• What a Beautiful Name: The Name of Jesus
• What is the New Name Spoken of in Revelation 2:17?
• His be the Victor's Name (song video)
• Forty Titles of Jesus to Know Him Better and Love Him More
• Is Ehyeh, Yahweh, Jehovah, or Jesus God’s Name?
• Names and Titles for the Holy Spirit

Read about other names in the Bible:

• Is Satan’s Real Name Lucifer? Or Should We Call Him Satan?
• Is there a hidden message in the names in Revelation 7? Why is Dan missing?
• Is There a Hidden Message in the names in Genesis 5?

Read about the Love of Jesus:

• A-Z Proof of Love That Never Fades

Jesus is the King of Kings, the Victor Over All