Continue with The Conqueror's Blessings

Jesus continues, saying; " And I will write upon him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem which descends out of heaven from my God, and that new name of mine." (Revelation 3:12b) Yes, these conquerors have written on them the name of Jehovah-their God and Jesus' God. This shows clearly that Jehovah and Jesus are two separate persons and not two parts of a tribune God, or Trinity. (John 14:28; 20:17) All creation must come to see that these anointed ones belong to Jehovah. They are his witnesses. They also have written on them the name of the new Jerusalem, the heavenly city that descends out of heaven in the sense that it extends its benevolent rule over all faithful mankind. (Revelation 21:9-14) All the earthly Christian sheep will thus also know that these anointed conquerors are citizens of the Kingdom, the heavenly Jerusalem.-Psalm 87:5, 6; Matthew 25:33, 34; Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 12:22.

Finally, anointed overcomers have written on them Jesus' new name. This refers to Jesus' new office and the unique privileges granted to him by Jehovah. (Philippians 2:9-11; Revelation 19:12) No one else gets to know that name, in the sense that no one else has those privileges. However, when Jesus writes his name on his faithful brothers, they come into an intimate relationship with him in that heavenly realm and even share in his privileges. (Luke 22:29, 30) It is no wonder that Jesus concludes his message to such anointed ones by repeating the exhortation: "Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations."-Revelation 3:13.

What grand encouragement that message must have been to the faithful Christians in Philadelphia! And it certainly has a powerful lesson for the John class now, during the Lord's day. But its principles are important for each individual Christian, whether of the anointed or of the other sheep. (John 10:16) Each of us would do well to keep producing Kingdom fruitage as did those Christians in Philadelphia. All of us can do something in Jehovah's service. Let us use this power! With regard to increased Kingdom privileges, let us be alert to enter any door that is open for us. We can even pray for Jehovah to open such a door. (Colossians 4:2, 3) As we follow Jesus' pattern of endurance and prove true to is name, we will show that we, too, have an ear to hear what God's holy spirit says to the congregations.

Next time: Buy Gold Refined By Fire