Receiving a New Name
By Duane Stewart
In the world of today in which we live an event is taking place among a people. This event shall have a supernatural effect upon all creation. This event shall be a time of separation, which in dramatic contrast will reveal those who have the “seal of God” upon their minds from those who have the “mark of the beast” within their minds. Rev. 7:3 declares, “Saying, do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads”.
This seal as coming from God, is the invisible sign of God’s protection. It is for the overcomers, those sealed in their foreheads who receive all that comes with the work of redemption, the adoption, the placing as a son. Rom. 8:23, “Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body”.
We groan from within because while knowing progressive salvation in our souls, our bodies are still subject to pain. Vessels that have a blessed hope from God. This hope causes man to look forward to our resurrected bodies that are free from physical frailty.
Let us remember Jacob, the son of Isaac, whose nature changed when God touched his thigh. The touching of the thigh speaks of his strength. When God touched him, Jacob was never to walk in his own strength again. With staff in hand, Jacob’s nature changed from one of being Jacob the schemer to Israel the prince of God.
This types out for us a people of today who shall come and are coming to the end of their own strength. In this place of becoming weak in oneself, we instead lean upon a heavenly staff, wherein we abide in God’s strength. This speaks of losing our old nature by the receiving of a new name, which is a new nature. Rev. 2:17b, “… And I will give him [overcomer] a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it”.
This new name refers to the imputed character of Christ. Again, remember that in Israel’s feast, there was a “white stone” given to the individuals that were released from bondage in the “year of Jubilee”, receiving full proof of redemption, a new name, a new nature.
In considering the overcomers, those sealed in their foreheads; we can consider the truth that they shall have a distinguishing mark. These will not just walk in a new, more recent, updated set of doctrinal laws. These shall leave behind the realm of natural concepts and walk into the realm of spiritual realities.
A time of reality concerning a people that shall worship God in Spirit and in Truth. True worship is not a mere form or ceremony, but a spiritual reality that is in harmony with the nature of God. These who overcome have discovered that in cultivating a relationship with Him, God wants a continuous fellowship of worship. These are those who walk is union with Him as He dwells within.
By considering King David, the King appointed by God over Israel, we see a type of those who come into the maturity of perfection. Compared to King Saul, the King man chose, we see that while David was anointed three times as King, Saul, who is a type of the flesh man was anointed but once.
David’s anointing came as He was maturing into the calling and ministry of God’s purpose. A pathway of continual growth until fullness came forth. First, as Samuel anointed David when as a lad, David watched over his father’s sheep with this representing the outer court anointing. Second, after Saul’s death they anointed David as King over the tribe of Judah, which represents the Holy place (Holy Spirits baptism) anointing. Then thirdly, they anointed David over the whole House of Israel as King, which represents the Holy of Holies, the anointing that is without measure. John 3:34, For He Whom God has sent speak the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure”.
Jesus in receiving the Spirit in fullness, with nothing held back, He alone has universal authority. However, since the endowment of the Holy Spirit has been given to “He whom God has sent”, these sent ones likewise receive a similar unlimited resource of the Holy Spirits fullness by their obedience to Jesus and His sacrifice. It is this Holy of Holies anointing which God has promised that He would restore. Acts 15:16-17, “After this I will return and will rebuild the tabernacle of David [Holy of Holies tent on Mt. Zion], which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up; so that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the Lord who does all these things”.
As we continue to observe the Word, we also see that these redeemed ones are the fulfillment of the type given by Jacob’s son Benjamin. At the time of his birth his mother died, leaving him with no earthly mother. At her death, she called his name Ben-Omi that has the meaning of “son of my sorrow”. However, Jacob responded by calling his name Benjamin that means “son of the right hand”. He was Joseph’s (type of Jesus) only full brother and was born in the inheritance line as “my right hand”. This becomes important when in later years, during the time of a great famine; Jacob’s sons went to Egypt for food and Joseph’s cup was found in Benjamin’s sack, a cup that was placed there as the result of Joseph doing. This speaks to us of a people who are willing to share in Christ’s sufferings and anointing.
Matt. 20:22, “But Jesus answered and said, you do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? ….”. The cup refers to Jesus’ death and judgment against sin. This baptism speaks of immersion into divinely appointed sufferings. To those so willing to share “Joseph’s cup”, these shall rule and reign with Christ. 2 Tim. 2:12, “If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us”.
Benjamin, the youngest of Jacob’s sons, represents those who receive the promise of fulfillment. These shall come into the fullness of the inheritance. These redeemed ones, coming forth as the feet company of the body of Christ shall know full victory. 1 Cor. 15:26-27a, “the last enemy that will be destroyed is death, for he has put all things under His feet. ….”.
This great event is taking place in the world today; those that move into the supernatural realm, like Joseph, shall take their place of rulership. Remember Joseph, the dreamer, the one who dreamed of rulership. It is unto this dreamer that all the brothers finally come. Why, it was because of a famine in the land. A time of famine is also upon the land today, not just a famine for natural food, but also a famine for that which is spiritual, the lack of hearing or understanding Gods revealed word. Amos 8:11, “Behold, the days are coming, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord”.
Let us remember that Joseph, whose brothers despised him, sold him and supposed him to be dead. In meeting Him during this famine, Joseph was not at first recognized. Likewise, the carnal church of today shall not recognize the Christ, at first, as He comes to be manifest in His corporate body. Nevertheless, like Joseph’s brothers, the carnal church shall finally know Christ as He comes into His corporate body. A promise is, that God shall reveal the Christ through this body of redeemed one’s. Matt. 23:39, “For I say to you, you shall see me no more till you say, blessed is He who comes in the name [nature] of the Lord”.
A time of redemption is now come upon the church, a time of the coming forth of the redeemed one’s is upon us. All is groaning and in travail. A famine, the lack of the pure, true revelation of God’s Word has come. People are running to and fro looking and longing, desiring for some relief, some type of fulfillment.
Some are seeking to know the truth and the truth has come to them. He is appearing as these redeemed one’s make their appearance, anointed to reveal the full stature of Christ. Rom. 8:22-23, “For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only they, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body”.
Thus, the question asked. Where is your heart? What is your name (nature)? Are you willing to receive and manifest the Christ nature?
Duane Stewart
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