_meaning_ is, that he would be known and recognized as belonging to God; the God of the Redeemer himself――indicated by the phrase, “the name of _my_ God.” ¶ _And the name of the city of my God._ That is, indicating that he belongs to that city, or that the New Jerusalem is the city of his habitation. The idea would seem to be, that in this world, and in all worlds wherever he goes and wherever he abides, he will be recognized as belonging to that holy city; as enjoying the rights and immunities of such a citizen. ¶ Which is _New Jerusalem._ Jerusalem was the place where the temple was reared, and where the worship of God was celebrated. It thus came to be synonymous with the church――the dwelling-place of God on earth. ¶ _Which cometh down out of heaven from my God._ See this explained in the Notes on ch. xxi. 2, seq. Of course this must be a figurative representation, but the idea is plain. It is, (1) that the church is, in accordance with settled Scripture language, represented as a city――the abode of God on earth. (2) That is, instead of being built here, or having an earthly origin, it has its origin in heaven. It is _as if_ it had been constructed there, and then sent down to earth ready formed. The type, the form, the whole structure is heavenly. It is a departure from all proper laws of interpretation to explain this _literally_, as if a city should be actually let down from heaven; and equally so to infer from this passage, and the others of similar import in this book, that a city will be literally _reared_ for the residence of the saints. If the passage proves anything on either of these points, it is, that a great and splendid city, such as that described in ch. xxi., will _literally come down from heaven_. But who can believe that? Such an interpretation, however, is by no means necessary. The comparison of the church with a beautiful city, and the fact that it has its origin in heaven, is all that is fairly implied in the passage. ¶ _And_ I will write upon him _my new name_. See Notes on ch. ii. 17. The _reward_, therefore, promised here is, that he who, by persevering fidelity, showed that he was a real friend of the Saviour, would be honoured with a permanent abode in the holy city of his habitation. In the church redeemed and triumphant he would have a perpetual dwelling; and wherever he should be, there would be given him sure pledges that he belonged to him, and was recognized as a citizen of the heavenly world. To no higher honour could any man aspire; and yet that is an honour to which the most humble and lowly may attain by faith in the Son of God. 13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. THE EPISTLE TO THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA.