His Church

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 ‭NLT‬‬

Faithfulness to Christ will be rewarded. The saving power of Jesus is able to keep us faithful. True disciples of Jesus Christ have His Spirit living inside them. The Spirit of God helps us overcome and makes us victorious.  "But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:57‬ ‭NLT‬‬ If Jesus truly lives in us, we will walk in faithfulness to Him.  “For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭5:4-5‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Those who overcome through Jesus Christ will be granted a permanent (eternal) place (pillar) in the presence (Temple) of God.  A pillar is a permanent and immovable part of a structure. Once placed, it is intended to stay. Jesus intends for us to stay with Him forever (see John 14:1-3).  The true church of the Lord Jesus Christ will, indeed, be those pillars.  "so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.” ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭3:15‬ ‭NLT‬‬ The church of Jesus Christ will overcome. The question that demands an answer is this: Are we a part of "a" church or are we a part of "His" church? Only if we are a part of His church will there be a fulfillment of this promise. We cannot simply sit on the pew, occupy the premises, and claim the promises. We MUST truly know Him personally. Then, and only then, are we the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.  The people of Philadelphia were used to experiencing destruction from earthquakes. They were located on a fault line. Their lives were characterized by the uncertainty of what an earthquake could do. Hearing the promise of becoming a permanent part of the eternal Temple of God had to be absolutely exhilarating.  The eternal, capital city, New Jerusalem will be the location of the Temple. This city of peace (which is the meaning of the word "Jerusalem") will be where the Prince of Peace (Jesus - see Isaiah 9:6) reigns. Jesus is the Temple of the city.  “I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21:22‬ ‭NLT‬‬ His presence will be the place we all will want to dwell. We, the church, will be eternal citizens of this eternal city. Hallelujah!!! There will be no church distinctions or denominations. We will be one church under One Lord!  Jesus name will be imprinted upon us. This doesn't necessarily imply that we will have his name stenciled on our bodies, but rather that His name rests upon all who are there, because they are His. Our natural children carry our name. I am so wonderfully honored and blessed to know that I carry His name.  “But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!” ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:16‬ ‭NLT‬‬ The new name of God mentioned in today's passage (Revelation 3:12) could very well be the simple reality that we will fully know His name in the New Heaven and Earth. Here, we only have limited understanding of His name. The Orthodox Jew of ancient history would not speak the Sacred and Incommunicable name of God. They would call Him Jehovah or YHWH (Yahweh).  There, in the New Jerusalem, in the Temple of God (His presence), we will know His name in a very personal way. As the apostle Paul said: “Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:12‬ ‭NLT‬‬ “And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads.” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭22:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬ There, we will know His name fully. I can't wait for that day! We will know our Dad (ABBA) the way He intended