Revelation 3:12

He that overcometh (o nikwn). Nominative absolute as in Romans 2:26 , resumed by the accusative auton (him). A pillar (stulon). Old word for column, in N.T. only here, Romans 10:1 ; Galatians 2:9 ; 1 Timothy 3:15 . Metaphorical and personal use with a double significance of being firmly fixed and giving stability to the building. Philadelphia was a city of earthquakes. "Temple" (nao) here is also metaphorical ( 1 Timothy 7:15 ), as in 1 Timothy 3:15 for the people of God. In Revelation 21:22 we read that there is no temple in the heavenly Jerusalem ( Revelation 21:10-22:5 ) descending as the new Jerusalem with God himself as the temple, though the metaphorical temple is mentioned in Revelation 7:15 . He shall go out thence no more (exw ou mh elqh). Strong double negative ou mh with the second aorist active subjunctive of ercomai. The subject is o nikwn (the one overcoming). "Fixity of character is at last achieved" (Charles). He, like the stulo (pillar), remains in place. Upon him (ep auton). Upon o nikwn (the victor), not upon the pillar (stulo). He receives this triple name (of God, of the city of God, of Christ) on his forehead ( Revelation 14:1 ; Revelation 7:3 ; Revelation 17:5 ; Revelation 22:4 ) just as the high-priest wore the name of Jehovah upon his forehead ( Exodus 28:36 Exodus 28:38 ), the new name ( Revelation 2:17 ), without any magical or talismanic power, but as proof of ownership by God, as a citizen of the New Jerusalem, with the new symbol of the glorious personality of Christ ( Revelation 19:12 ), in contrast with the mark of the beast on others ( Revelation 13:17 ; Revelation 14:17 ). For citizenship in God's city see Galatians 4:26 ; Philippians 3:20 ; Hebrews 11:10 ; Hebrews 12:22 ; Hebrews 13:14 . The new Jerusalem (th kainh Ierousalhm). Not nea (young), but kainh (fresh). See also Hebrews 21:2 Hebrews 21:10 and already Galatians 4:26 ; Hebrews 12:22 . Charles distinguishes between the Jerusalem before the final judgment and this new Jerusalem after that event. Perhaps so! In the Apocalypse always this form Ierousalhm ( Hebrews 3:12 ; Hebrews 21:2 Hebrews 21:10 ), but in John's Gospel Hierosoluma ( Hebrews 1:19 , etc.). Which cometh down (h katabainousa). Nominative case in apposition with the preceding genitive polew as in Hebrews 1:5 ; Hebrews 2:20 , etc. Mine own new name (to onoma mou to kainon). For which see Hebrews 2:17 ; Hebrews 19:12 Hebrews 19:16 . Christ himself will receive a new name along with all else in the future world (Gressmann).