The Bible Says … God Keeps His Promises
“A NEW NAME” IN REVELATION 2:17 REMINDS US THAT GOD’S PROMISES ENDURE
BSF Staff
From the Editorial Team
From beginning to end, Genesis to Revelation, we can trace God’s enduring character in His Word. We discover that God keeps His promises and always has a plan for His people. When life feels overwhelming, we easily lose sight of who God is and what He promises to those who remain faithful. But God’s Word gives us hope. By tracing patterns in Scripture, we find that God’s Word is woven together to reveal His attributes again and again.
Today, we’ll take a look at Jesus’s promise of a new name in Revelation 2:17. This detail, which might seem random or even confusing, has much to say about God’s character. This verse shows us that when God makes a promise, He keeps it, and when we hold fast to His Word, we find strength in His character.
Let’s look at the verse where we find the promise of a new name: “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it” (Revelation 2:17).
When God makes a promise, He keeps it.
A New Name
In Revelation 2:17, we read that Jesus promises a new name to those who remain faithful to Christ in adversity—those who hold fast to His name.
The idea of a “new name” bestowed by God is not unique to Revelation; it stretches back to the very first book of the Bible. In Genesis 17, God changed the name of Abram (meaning “exalted father”) to Abraham (meaning “father of a multitude”) and changed the name of his wife Sarai to Sarah (both meaning “princess”). God did this to mark the promise He made to Abraham and to represent what He would do through Abraham’s life. Abram and Sarai had nearly lost hope that they would ever have a child; their situation seemed impossible. But even still, God’s plan prevailed. God promised to make Abraham a “father of many nations,” and Abraham’s new name provided a daily reminder that God is faithful to His promises.
But even still, God’s plan prevailed.
In Genesis 32, God changed the name of Jacob (meaning “supplanter”) to Israel (meaning “he struggles with God”).
In Isaiah 62:2, God promised to restore His broken people, saying “you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow.”
Even in the New Testament, we read about Jesus changing Simon’s name to Peter (meaning “rock”) in John 1:42. Before becoming a disciple of Jesus, Simon was a fisherman in Galilee. We often remember him for denying Jesus three times right after he declared that he would lay down his life for Jesus (John 18). But Simon’s new name served as a reminder that Jesus’s promise was stronger than Peter’s shame or doubt. After repenting before the Lord, Peter became a cornerstone of the early Church. His new name reminds us that God’s purposes prevail over every obstacle—even our weaknesses and shortcomings.
When we study how and why God renamed these faithful followers, we are reminded that God’s plans are perfect. He always keeps His promises. The new names God gives believers highlight the faithfulness of His character and celebrate His enduring plan to renew and transform His people. This promise of a new name in Revelation does the same.
God’s purposes prevail over every obstacle—even our weaknesses and shortcomings.
A Renewed Hope
Revelation 2:17 gives us hope that God hears His people, sees their perseverance, and will faithfully keep His promises to redeem His people. When God looks at His children, He sees them not wearing garments of sin, but clothed in Christ. Revelation 21:5 says, “He who is seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’” God’s people are renewed and renamed because the God who saves them is faithful. His promises prevail.
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Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed what you had to share. I am in an online study and I am really enjoying it.
The lecture of week before last was such an encouragement to me how God moves us around the world for His kingdom and plan.Daniel blessed and influenced people.The question asked was where is my identity.Is it as citizen for God’s kingdom?God’s kingdom reigns now.To make prayer a rhythm of my life so God can strengthen my confidence in Him to enlarge my ability to influence lives of people who do not know God’s plan of salvation.
Thanks for the encouragement!
One of the meaning of my name “oliva”-“soa” is “blessed” but I know that my”identity” in Christ helps me to trust in all true promises God plans for me and for all us who believe in Jesus. May be all of us be fathful!
Amen! God surely keeps His promises. His promises never fail
God’s promise to me is from Isaiah 54 : 4 – 17
Our God is always faithful. His Word never changes. His faithfulness endures through generations.
I would like to share that I love coming to BSF Bible study it’s been such an amazing experience. This is my second year. I pray that all will give it a chance I’ve learned so much. The ladies are very knowledgeable and are very helpful. Take advantage of learning more about Jesus. It’s incredible.
I have never before understood that Revelation was not just a book of a predictions of a scary future until The Lord finally comes for us. I have been so blessed to see God’s sovereignty and provision for His people and most importantly, His great love for us! I also am enjoying these supplemental notes from BSF.
As a follower of Christ my new name is Christian.
Carmen – love that so much, thank you for sharing!
I am in a BSF class already joined studying REV .
I liked this news letter . Thx 🙏
I can’t wait to see Jesus & find out my new name!!!
When I became a Christian I started using my middle name Joy rather than Susan. For me this stood for Jesus first Others next Yourself last. My name is a constant reminder of this commitment. Occasionally I have had to explain why I choose to use my middle name and this gives me an opportunity to share my faith.
That is great thank you for sharing! God bless you
I’m already enrolled in The Hope. I’ve been in BSF for several years and just laid off last year – mainly because our Sunday School class spent over a year in John. I’m glad to be back in BSF this year because of the in-depth study you provide.
Thank you for sending these articles. I love the way that you point out in scripture truths to hold onto when life seems overwhelming. Truths that point to Gods promises His faithfulness and His unfailing love for us all in His son Jesus. Thank you.
He also changed Saul to Paul. It is a beautiful pattern to consider and encouraging to realize. Thank you for drawing attention to it.
Indeed its encouraging that God is a promise keeper❣️
Seeking God’s wisdom. Knowledge and understanding and help to apply it in my life according to his will
I believe that as a child of God, if I remain faithful until the end, living according to God’s principles drawn from His word I will at the end be rewarded with a new name coming from our faithful God. This is very encouraging promise we are given in Revelation 2:17.
How wonderful is He who gave us life everlasting, but will also give us a new name. He makes all things new for those who love Him. We are indeed eternally blessed by our gracious and loving Savior ❤️
Amongst the meanings of names, one message that God tells us that is not taken notice is why ‘Peter, James and John’ followed Jesus closely amongst the Twelve? Peter and John can be easily understood, but why James?
One possible answer may be because the meaning of James in Hebrew （יעקב Jacob) is ‘replace’. While John in Hebrew (יהוחנן Jehovah’s grace) and Peter (rock) in Greek or Simon (hear) in Hebrew relate to ‘the law’, God is telling His people that in the New Testament, ‘the law replaced by Grace’ in complete compliance with what The New Testament is based on.
Praise the Lord for He is always GOOD.
I love this! It makes reading and understanding the Bible much easier and understandable.
It’s so refreshing to get an email about the TRUTH!!! 🙌🏻
I love how this article states to look at the patterns in Scripture that constantly repeat God’s attributes. Revelation & BSF’s approach to include all the other Scriptural references that pertain, certainly does make this more clear to me and helps me strengthen my beliefs as well as know how to articulate my faith more clearly to others. Thank you for the ‘deep dive’ into this study.
Yes indeed it really dives deep. I’m learning more about Jesus and a lot about myself.
“Behold, I make all things new!”
Amen Thank you Lord