There’s a town in Wales named
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch
The name means…
The Church of St. Mary in a hollow of white hazel,
near to the rapid whirlpool and to St. Tisilio Church,
near to a red cave.
When God changes a name, the change is grounded in a new season, a new character quality, a new direction, or a new relationship.
- Abram (exalted father) — to Abraham (father of a multitude of many nations)
- Jacob (caught by the heel) — to Israel (God will prevail / he struggles with God / God perseveres)
- Jedediah (beloved of God) — to Solomon (man of peace)
- Sarai (argumentative princess) — to Sarah (my princess)
- Sau (prayed for; to inquire) — to Paul (small/humble)
- Simon (to listen or be heard) — to Peter (the rock)
- Joseph (He will add) — to Barnabas (son of encouragement)
As a follower of Jesus, I am constantly laying down old names and labels. I am also receiving new names and a biblical identity that are gifts from Jesus. I enter this exchange with the promise that one day, Jesus will give me a .
Revelation 2 and 3 are both and .
The name attached to an indictment is .
“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. – Revelation 2:17
The Significance of a White Stone
A symbol of (with your name on it!)
Embedded within the acquittal are some beautiful promises of God.
All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name. – Revelation 3:12
God’s Gift of a New Name
Small Group Questions
- If you could change your name to a different one, would you? To what name, and why? (I love my name, but I always wanted to be known by initials like JT or RJ. GE just doesn’t work unless you are an appliance company!)
- Do you know the meaning of your name? What does the meaning mean to you?
- Read the passages in Revelation 2 and Revelation 3 again. What does the promise of a new name and acquittal change about the way you will live today?
- What has been your biggest spiritual challenge regarding the new names God wants to give you?
- God identifies the power in a name — personal, powerful, prevailing. Which “p” word do you need from God right now?
- How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?