We’ve really enjoyed singing “New Name Written Down in Glory” at FBC on Sunday mornings. It’s one of those anthems that each of us who have a story of faith in Christ can grab hold of and sing like it’s our own…because it is! We sing the same set of lyrics, and yet we represent hundreds of unique stories of personal transformation in Jesus Christ.
ORIGIN STORY
The song dates all the way back to 1910, when a pharmacist-turned songwriter named Charles Austin Miles penned these words under the title of “A New Name in Glory”:
I was once a sinner, but I came
Pardon to receive from my Lord.
This was freely given, and I found
That He always kept His word.
There's a new name written down in glory,
And it's mine, (And it's mine,)
Oh yes, it's mine! (Yes, it's mine!)
And the white-robed Angels sing the story,
A sinner has come home. (Has come home.)
For there's a new name written down in glory,
And it's mine, (And it's mine,)
Oh yes, it's mine! (Yes, it's mine!)
With my sins forgiven I am bound for heaven,
Nevermore to roam.I was humbly kneeling at the cross,
Fearing naught but God's angry frown,
When the heavens opened and I saw
That my name was written down.In the Book 'tis written, "Saved by grace."
Oh, the joy that came to my soul!
Now I am forgiven, and I know
By the blood I am made whole.
Two years later, Charles would write the beloved hymn, “In the Garden”.[i] After his 37 year tenure as editor and manager at the Hall Mack Publishing Company, the business was purchased by Homer Rodeheaver, and based in Winona Lake, Indiana.[ii] Charles’ involvement in the publishing company continued.[iii]
Charles Miles passed away in 1946. It seems his desires for his own legacy have been realized:
“It is as a writer of gospel songs I am proud to be known, for in that way I may be of the most use to my Master, whom I serve willingly although not as efficiently as is my desire.”[iv]
- Charles Austin Miles
Fast Forward to 2021…
Songwriters Charity Gayle, David Gentiles, Denita Gibbs, and student artists from The Emerging Sound, penned the lyrics and melody for “New Name Written Down In Glory” built on the foundation Charles Miles laid in 1910.
A NEW NAME
“WRITTEN DOWN IN GLORY”
Revelation 13:8 speaks of The Lamb’s Book of Life. In it are contained the names of those who belong to God, who will enjoy eternity in His presence. Scripture teaches that these names were, amazingly, recorded “before the foundation of the world.”
“AND IT’S MINE”
Earlier in Revelation 2, Jesus speaks to a church faced with the challenge of remaining true to the gospel in the face of false teaching:
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers…I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.” (Revelation 2:17)
Co-writer David Gentiles reflects on the significance of the white stone:
“In the ancient law courts, white and black stones were used for registering the verdicts of juries—black for guilty, white for not guilty. You and I are found guilty under the penalty of sin without the work of Jesus breaking sin’s power and applying the perfection of Jesus’ sacrifice upon our sin to redeem us from death and liberate us to eternal life! …If Jesus is your Savior and Lord you can be confident that you have a white stone with your new name waiting for you in eternity. ‘There is a New Name Written Down in Glory’ and it’s yours!”
Theologian and Author David Guzik offers the following context about the “new name” written on the stone:
“One idea behind this new, secret name is that it shows what an intimate relationship we have with God…Another idea associated with the new name is simply the assurance it gives of our heavenly destination. Your name is there, waiting for you. It is as if your ‘reservation’ in heaven is made.”
“THE I AM TELLS ME WHO I AM”
As children of God, our identity is secure. “Who I am” is not left up to the dictates of the world or even to our own introspection. The believer’s identity, at its deepest level, is, beloved, chosen, adopted, justified, forgiven, empowered, and free. (Ephesians 2, Romans 8)
If only we were able to sit down and share a conversation with Charles Austin Miles! We could have asked him what passages of Scripture inspired his choice of words. Whatever his response might have been, this we know to be true: We worship the One who authors our stories. He is in the business of transferring souls out of the domain of darkness and into the kingdom of His beloved Son (Colossians 1:13). He is, through Jesus Christ, welcoming us into our truest identity. “I am who I am because the I AM tells me who I am.”
Hallelujah - It was written down in glory all along.