Revelation 3:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Cor 5:17). For we are transformed in Christ and become a new creation. In Him, and in Him alone, we have received a new name: we are called Christ's. Therefore the divine Paul himself says of us in another place: "Those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" (Gal 5:24). For those who are in Christ have a life fitting for holiness, standing above fleshly passions and earthly impurity. That a new name will be given to us, granted in Christ, can be clear from the words of God crying out through the saints. To those who serve Me, He says, "a new name" will be given, which will be blessed on the earth. For they shall bless the true God.

By the columns that support the temple, preachers are signified. Indeed, the Apostle Paul called Peter and James pillars of the Church (Gal 2:9), because through them the Church is raised up. As the Lord says to Peter: "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church" (Mt 16:18). Yet because of what follows, "and he shall go out no more," it is clear that this meaning applies not to the present Church but to the heavenly one. For there are many who are called pillars of the Church, but because of wicked faith they went out from Her, as Origen did, and many others. Therefore by the temple, heavenly dwelling may be signified. By the pillar, each of the elect may be signified.

He says, "I will make the victor a pillar in the temple of My God." For the one who overcomes the opposing powers is reckoned a pillar and foundation of the Church (1 Tim 3:15). According to the Apostle, he has in it an immovable foundation (1 Cor 3:11; Eph 2:20; 1 Pet 2:6). "And I will write on him the name of My God." I will write in the heart of such a pillar the knowledge of the name of God and of the heavenly Jerusalem. Then he will be able to behold its beauties with spiritual eyes. I will also write My new name, which the saints will know in the age to come. In the words "My God," He speaks of the Father as the One from whom He received flesh for our sake as man. Jerusalem descends from heaven because divine knowledge begins from the angels. It is received by us only after we are united with them through our common Head, Christ Jesus.

This is so that the faithful one may be marked with the divine name, adorned with immortal glory, and receive the name of the divine city, Jerusalem, that is, the vision of peace. He will enjoy the fellowship of eternal rest and protection. For this is the city that comes down from heaven from God, so that the saints may dwell in it and find rest. "My new name." In God there is nothing old, because He does not grow old with age. The name of the Lord is always new and always young. If anyone is called by this name, then, being changed by eternal power, he receives unending life.

According to the author, the one who overcomes temptations will forever be granted the joy of beholding God. For this is the meaning of becoming a pillar in the temple of God. Through all these names, the author describes the joy of God, life in the good, and blessedness. In the age to come the saints will possess these things and will be counted worthy of a new name, unheard anywhere until now. They reign with Christ and are called friends, brothers, and servants. The new name stands even above these names. For these are inscribed in divine Scripture and have reached human hearing, while the new name has never been uttered anywhere. When He says, "the name of My God," this does not mean that He disregards the limitation of humanity. If He disregarded it, who would have compelled Him to unite flesh to His hypostasis and thereby accomplish our salvation?

He who has endured temptations for My sake will be glorious in the temple of the Church. He will no longer fear any harm from those who war against him. These columns, the holy men, now support the Church, adorning her with their splendor, like the two pillars at the entrance of Solomon's Temple.

"There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory" (1 Cor 15:41). Every reward is according to a man's merits. The promise to the Philadelphian Christians surpasses the promises given to the other Churches. The Ephesians will be given to taste of the tree of life. The Smyrnaeans will be freed from the second death. The Pergamenes will receive the hidden manna. The Thyatirans will receive authority over the nations. The Sardians will obtain white garments. But the Philadelphians will be made pillars of the heavenly temple, its unshakable and eternal support. They will be priests under the High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek. "He who has an ear, let him hear." Let us pray to the Holy Spirit, and He will give us such an ear.

"I will make him a pillar in the Church of My God." The Church is compared to a spacious house, in which pillars are set up with inscriptions naming the owner, the city, the builder, and the circumstances of the building. Being made a pillar in the unconquerable Church (Mt 16:18) shows that the victor belongs to the Church in a way nothing can disturb. The inscription of God's name on the pillar signifies the extraordinary glory given to the very structure of the Church. It also signifies the special protection granted to those who are in the temple.

To the Church of Philadelphia, in the province of Lydia, which had kept faithfulness to the Lord, He appears as the complete opposite of how the synagogue of Satan presented Him to believing Christians. That synagogue was the community of unbelieving Jews. The Jews blasphemed Him, but He appears as holy, as Jehovah was called in the Old Testament. The Jews mocked Christians because, according to them, Christians honored a false Messiah. But the Lord appears as the True One, who fulfilled all the prophecies concerning the Messiah. Finally, they ascribed to themselves alone the right to the kingdom of the Messiah. Yet the Lord appears with the key of David in His hands. Therefore it depends on Him whether a man is admitted to the throne of God or not.