ANSWER:
“The memory of the just is blessed, but the name of the
wicked shall rot.” (Proverbs 10:7)
“Blessed and holy is he who has part in the First Resurrection [the resurrection
of the just – see Luke 14:14]. Over such the second death has
no power…” (Revelation 20:6a)
“To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I
will give him a white stone, and on the stone
a new name written which no one knows except him who
receives it.” (Revelation 2:17 – NKJV) [See also Revelation 3:12]
A cursory glance at this last passage may suggest to some that since a new
name will be given to those who overcome, then nobody else will be able to recognize
that individual because of that new name. Therefore, this may call into question
whether or not our family and friends will know us (or vice versa) in heaven
the way that they know us now.
First of all, we must always remember that the entire Book of Revelation
is signified (v. 1:1), or written in figurative, or symbolic language. Therefore,
in order to understand this passage, we have to understand the symbolism.
The color white is used here as a symbol of glory and redemption.
The glorified saints wear white robes, for example. And we also have God’s promise
through the prophet Isaiah to turn the sins of scarlet into the whiteness of
snow (v. 1:18).
A stone, with its characteristic durability and permanence,
is a symbol of divine power. For example, Christ is the chief cornerstone (Psalm
118:22; Isaiah 28:16).
The Greek word for name (Strong’s # 3686) denotes character
or authority.
The overcoming saints’ new name, which has been permanently
etched in white stone, is symbolic of their newly ascribed
authority, where “…they shall be priests of God and of Christ,
and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:6b)
“And the nations shall see your righteousness and vindication [your rightness
and justice – not your own, but His ascribed to you], and all kings
shall behold your salvation and glory; and you shall be called by a new name
which the mouth of the LORD shall name." (Isaiah 62:2 – The Amplified Bible)
The stories in the Old Testament are written for our instruction [I Corinthians
10:11], and are often analogous, or symbolic, of spiritual things. Most Christians
are familiar with the rich symbolism that is portrayed in the story of Abraham
being called to sacrifice his son Isaac, for example, but few understand the
story of Joseph in the Book of Genesis:
“Now Israel [Jacob] loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was
the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic [coat] of many colors. But
when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers,
they hated him..." (37:3,4)
Then Joseph had a couple of dreams, which caused them to hate him even more:
“There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose
and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down
to my sheaf.” (37:7)
“Then he dreamed another dream… and said, ‘Look… the sun, the moon, and the
eleven stars bowed down to me.’” (37:9)
His brothers sold Joseph into slavery, where in Egypt he later became lord
over all Pharaoh’s house (41:40). Then when a terrible famine ensued, Joseph’s
brothers were forced to travel to the land of Egypt to buy grain. Notice what
happens:
“Now Joseph was governor over the land; and it was he who sold to all the
people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed down before him with
their faces to the earth.” (42:6)
The prophecy of Joseph’s dream has now been fulfilled to the letter!
Now please observe:
“Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them… but they did not
recognize him.” (42:7a, 8b)
Joseph is an Old Testament symbol (or type) of God’s elect. And because Joseph
was favored in the eyes of his father, his brothers (who would
be the progenitors of twelve tribes, or ‘nations’) hated him.
[We can see the analogy between this story and Christ’s promise to those whom
He has chosen: “…and ye shall be hated of
all nations for my Name’s sake.” – Matthew 24:9b] And just as Joseph was made
lord over all Pharaoh’s house, God’s elect will rule as kings and priests in
the coming Kingdom Age, where:
“The meek shall inherit the earth.”
“And God sent me [Joseph] before you to preserve a posterity for you in the
earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you
who sent me here, but God [Notice how Joseph recognizes the
sovereignty of God!]; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord over
all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.” (45:7,8)
God’s kings and priests are not elected because of their own righteousness.
In other words, they are not chosen because they recited some “sinner’s prayer”
or anything else, but were favored, or chosen, for this task from the beginning:
“[God] has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according
to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given
to us in Christ Jesus before time began.” (II Timothy 1:9 –
NKJV) [See also Romans 8:29,30; Ephesians 1:4,5; etc.]
And just as in the case of Joseph and his brothers, there will very likely
be a period of time when the unregenerate will not recognize the elect of God,
even though he (or she) may have once been a member of their earthly family.
But once wickedness has been consumed (Hebrews 12:29) in the lake of fire, and
repentance has taken place, then all will be revealed, just as in the case when
Joseph finally revealed himself to his brothers (See Genesis 45:1-4).
“For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection
[of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall
see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then
I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner
as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God].” (I Corinthians
13:12 – The Amplified Bible)
Once the process of creating each and every one of us in His image has been
completed, then I think it is safe to assume that we will also know and fully
understand all things, for we will all possess the very mind of Christ! This
will most assuredly include a more intimate knowledge of our earthly families,
as well as with all of God’s children.
I encourage you to re-read the story of Joseph and his brothers (Genesis
37-50) with these analogies in mind. I am confident that it will be a blessing
to you.
3 John 2
Gary