OWNERSHIP, CITIZENSHIP AND RELATIONSHIP

Names - usually parents are the ones responsible for identifying us with the combination of names - first, middle and last - we will be known by for the rest of our lives.

Then there are those like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah who had their names changed by a king. You might remember the last three as - Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Daniel's name was changed by the king to Belteshazzar, to reflect belief in the king's god. (Daniel 1:7)

For those who believe in Jesus Christ - The King of Kings - there will come a day when The King will be delivering and inscribing new names. Allow your imagination to be structured by Christ's words as He promises to those "who overcome" -

"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

What an extremely intimate gift the Lord has for each of us! God only knows what the criteria is for this new name. But I am not to concerned about the criteria because I know - "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:17)

The new name given to each of us is in written-form and can only be known or read by you - "I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it." To me this suggests a personal, Holy language that is shared only between you and God. That would be amazing!

Next, God takes His writing utensil and applies it to the "overcomer's" body.

"Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name." - Revelation 3:12

A lot of identification going on here. 

1. First, we have written on our bodies the name of Father God. 
2. Second, we have written on our bodies God's city - New Jerusalem. 
3. Lastly, Jesus has a New Name that He tattoos on every believer. I guess this should come as no surprise because Christ returns to earth with us and has a tattoo of His own - "On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written: King of kings and Lord of lords." (Revelation 19:16)

Although I have never had a tattoo, I envision these names as beautifully written tattoo names that claim ownership, declare citizenship and reveal relationship. Three stamps of new names, bought at the highest price, each shouting - "You are mine! You are mine! You are mine!"

In addition, Luke 10:20 records Jesus telling His disciples after they had returned from being sent out - 

• "However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (NIV). 

When many people and Pastors read this verse they tend to end it with "but rejoice that your names are written [in the Lamb's Book of Life]." Although the Lamb's Book of Life is located in Heaven and your name is there if you believe in Christ Jesus - that is not what the text portrays here.

I also like The Living Bible version - "However, the important thing is not that demons obey you, but that your names are registered as citizens of heaven." I love how Jesus does not dismiss the subjection of demons altogether, He just focuses our attention on the "important thing" - the location of your true citizenship, Heaven.

Christ encourages us to "rejoice that your names are written in heaven." So, allow me to elaborate on this a little more. The words "written" and/or "registered" in the above texts come from the original word Graph0. This word means to write, engrave or to describe. I believe this is where we get the word graffiti.

Next is the word "heaven". The original word used here is Ouranos. This word means air, sky and God's abode. This word derives from another word, Oros, meaning a mountain. You place a mountain in heaven and you get Mount Zion, the Holy Mountain of God.

So, when we apply the meanings of these words back into the text we could read Luke 10:20 LIKE....It is good that demons are subject to you in my name, but that should not be your focus. The important thing is that you know your names are graffitied all over the Holy Mountain of God in Heaven!

What an image! What a love statement - your name graffitied on His Holy Mountain in Heaven, your new name written in a special language on your own white stone and three tattoos claiming ownership - all because of Christ! And we ask - "What's in a name?" Ownership, Citizenship and Relationship.