“Him that overcometh … I will write upon him my new name.”
(Revelation 3:12)
In the Book of Revelation Jesus tells us that for those who overcome, He will write upon them His new name. What does it mean to overcome? Who will be those who do overcome? And what is the new name? The new name is mentioned two times in the book of Revelation:
The White Stone
“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.” (Revelation 2:17)
In Bible times people used small stones or mosaic tiles to make invitations, share friendships, make secret passwords, or sanctify unions and covenants. These were known as “tesserae”. To perpetuate an intimate bond, something would be written on the stone, and then it would be broken into two parts. Only those who received the stone would know what the meaning was.
Just before the Báb was martyred, He revealed a tablet which is sometimes referred to as the White Stone. On that tablet are written 360 derivatives of the name “Bahá”, in very fine handwriting, all in the shape of a pentangle (a five-pointed star). That tablet was hand-delivered to Bahá’u’lláh after the martyrdom of the Báb. The title “Bahá” had been chosen by Bahá’u’lláh Himself several years previously. At that time, nobody knew or understood the significance of the new name “Bahá.” Now the meaning was beginning to be known.
I will write upon him…
“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.” ( – Revelation 3:12)
Who is it that overcomes? And what do they overcome? In one sense, Bahá’u’lláh overcame ridicule, imprisonment, torture, exile, and assassination attempts, and God wrote upon Him the name “Bahá”.
In another sense, Bahá’u’lláh’s eldest son, who shared the imprisonment and exile, who overcame enormous physical and spiritual obstacles, who was the first believer in Bahá’u’lláh, was titled ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the “Servant of Bahá.” The new name “Bahá” was written upon Him.
In yet another sense, the new name, “Bahá,” is written on those who overcome fear, prejudice, suspicion, and denial of human rights, as well as faulty interpretation and corrupt theology, and sometimes verbal and physical abuse—even sacrificing their lives—to become followers of Bahá’u’lláh. These people are called “Bahá’ís”, or followers of “Bahá,” the new name of Jesus.