Genesis 17:5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

Genesis 32:28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

Isaiah 61:9 And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed.

Acts 11:25-26 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Acts 13:9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

All throughout the bible names have meaning. The changing of names has meaning. The changes we undergo has meaning. I cannot help but think that the promise of the name change in Revelation 2:17 has more significant impact than we could ever imagine. Not all promises come with pure understanding at the time they are given, but only as they are answered.

Exodus 21:9 And if he have betrothed her unto his son, he shall deal with her after the manner of daughters.

Yesterday I left of speaking about sonship. If we go back to the book of covenants which God issued thru Moses we will find today’s promise. God would not issue to us a requirement of a covenant that He would not keep Himself.

Hosea 2:19-20 And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the Lord.

The Father has chosen us for His Son. We are the bride betrothed, awaiting the wedding feast. As such we shall be dealt with after the manner of daughters, all rights reserved.

Isaiah 62:5 For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.

Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

With this comes identity. To be a son of God is a new identity, a new reputation, a new calling, and all the promises of sonship. Are we now beginning to understand the importance of the promises? This new identity is tied directly to this promise of conformance, that we should begin to look and act more like the firstborn, Jesus Christ.