Translation
Those who prevail I will make pillars
Go to footnote numberin the temple of my GOD,
Go to footnote numberand they
will never leave it.
Go to footnote numberI will write on him
the name of my GOD,
the name of the city of my GOD,
the New
JERUSALEM,
which is continually coming down out of heaven from my GOD
and my new name.
Paraphrase
To those who prevail I will give immovable assurance of their communion with THE CREATOR AND OWNER OF ALL THINGS, whom I represent, and they will never cease to enjoy that communion. I will make clear for all to see that he belongs to THE CREATOR AND OWNER OF ALL THINGS whom I represent, that he is part of the people who proclaim their allegiance to, and come under the protection of, THE CREATOR AND OWNER OF ALL THINGS whom I represent, and who are characterized by a new kind of PEACE, which is continually being constructed and sustained by direct intervention from THE CREATOR AND OWNER OF ALL THINGS whom I represent, and that He is victorious the way I am.
Footnotes
1
Pillars usually denoted strength. But paired with the next phrase they seem to indicate the high degree of assurance being described.
2: “the temple of my God”
This refers to us as God’s dwelling place. Having a place with God refers to close communion. There is no point in being close to God in physical proximity only, the real point is to enjoy intimate communion with Him.
The concept of “my” in the phrase “My God,” is sometimes rendered as “whom I serve.” However, since this is Jesus speaking, the words “whom I serve” don’t seem appropriate, even though there is a sense in which Jesus “serves” His Father. I have chosen instead to communicate it in the paraphrase as “whom I represent.”
3: “never leave it”
This points to even greater assurance of enduring communion with God. As these believers have been faithful to remain in close fellowship with God during times of persecution, they will be rewarded with even greater communion with their Heavenly Father, a oneness that will be permanent and unhindered.
The Three Names Written on the Believer
“The name of my God” refers to God’s complete ownership over those who prevail. This is by their choice, since they have given themselves to Him. This terminology would remind the reader of the High priest in the OT who wore the name of God on a plate, positioned on his forehead and attached to his turban. By wearing the name of God in that way, the High Priest was showing total consecration to Him.
The next name written on those who prevail is: “The name of the city of my God, the New Jerusalem, which is continually coming down out of heaven from my God.” Those who prevail are God’s dwelling, for He dwells in each believer by His Spirit. They are also citizens of God’s city. A city was first and foremost a place of protection. And though it seems like God has not protected those who have suffered persecution, His protection has been there all along and is promised for the future. He did not protect them from trials but amid the trials. In other words, He allowed them to suffer difficulties for His name, but He did not allow them to be pressed more than they could bear with His help. This city is a new city. It is not characterized by violence or political intrigue, as the earthly Jerusalem was; it is a city which has its origins in heaven itself, it is not of human origin. Yet it is “continually coming down out of heaven;” it is continually being built into what God wants it to be. That is because it is not a city of bricks and mortar, it is constructed of human hearts and minds devoted to God. These human building blocks are constantly growing and being spiritually refined, thus the city is constantly under construction, and that by the master builder, God Himself.
The last name to be written on them is: “My new name.” That Jesus receives a new name implies that he has been victorious. By giving His new name to those who prevail it means that He is sharing His victory with them because they have been victorious in their own personal struggles against darkness and opposition. Those believers who were suffering strong opposition and were feeling overwhelmed and vastly out-numbered in a place where they felt no “brotherly love” from nonbelievers should feel encouraged rather than discouraged. While they were quite aware of the struggles, and felt them heavily, Jesus focused on their perseverance and saw it as a victory. They knew Jesus was victorious; with the addition of this imagery they learned that they also were considered victorious. This was a powerful message to them to “hang in there, keep going.”