Project 119: Revelation 22:1-5
| Project 119
Name-Bearers
We live in a culture consumed with identity. Who are you? A Democrat, a Republican, a Bama fan, a War Eagle chanter, a feminist, a vegetarian, a nerd, a Baptist, a businessman? What labels do you subscribe to, or is “child of God” enough of an identity marker for you?
Revelation 22:4 tells us that one day we will see God’s face and His name will be on our foreheads. This intimacy with God contrasts with Adam and Eve hiding from His presence in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:8). Sin had created a barrier between God and man that could only be bridged by Christ. But oh, how great our God is. Not only did He give us the opportunity to cross that gap through salvation, but also the chance to spend forever face to face with Him, no hiding necessary.
The image of people bearing God’s mark—His name or logo—has been seen three times previously in Revelation: in verses 3:12, 7:3, and 14:1. By God’s designation, we know who we are. We are not our own, nor are we owned by our political ideology, our career, or, yes, our favorite sports team. This mark is not one of only identification, but also one of ownership. This marking identifies the believers as belonging to God, His “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9). In belonging to God, there is security. There is contentment. There is peace.
By having God’s name on our foreheads, we are and will be His representatives—not just in the life to come but in the present life, as well. May others see God’s name on us before any other name as our actions and words point to Him above all else. May we also consistently remind ourselves of who we are in Christ. The enemy will tell you to identify as unloved, unwanted, and beyond redemption. His lies aim to convince you that you are not special and that you are purposeless and doomed to fail. Let us strive to throw off every label other than that of God’s name. Your identity is a child of God.
Note: Allison McSwain serves as a Student Ministry Intern. She is also a student at Beeson Divinity School.
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.