The Names of Jesus
Revelation 19:11-16
“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”
When we read the above verses about this great event called the Second Coming, we can’t help but notice the emphasis on the names of Jesus. Bible scholars have identified over 700 names and titles of God in the Bible. Our God and Savior, Jesus Christ is so awesome and great, that one name or even a hundred names is not enough to describe and reveal His character and attributes! And all His names find their fulfillment and greatest glory in the Person and work of Jesus Christ!
He is "Faithful and True" (see Rev. 3:14), in contrast to "the beast" who was unfaithful (he broke the covenant with Israel) and false (he ruled by means of deception and idolatry). Suffering saints need to be reminded that God is faithful and will not desert them, because His promises are true.
Perhaps the "secret name" (see Rev. 19:12) is the same as the "new name" (Rev. 3:12). Not knowing what this name is, we cannot comment on it; but it is exciting to know that, even in heaven, we shall learn new things about our Lord Jesus!
"The Word of God" is one of the most familiar names of our Lord in Scripture. Just as we reveal our minds and hearts to others by our words, so the Father reveals Himself to us through His Son, the incarnate Word. John had previously written about this name in John 1:1-3, 14: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made…. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” Now John once again sees His glory as Jesus comes on a white horse in great power, and is told that, “His name is called The Word of God.”
A word is made up of letters, and Jesus Christ is "Alpha and Omega" (Rev. 21:6; 22:13). He is the "divine alphabet" of God's revelation to us. The Word of God is "living and powerful" (Heb. 4:12); what's more, it fulfills His purposes on earth (Rev. 17:17; note also Rev. 6:11; 10:7; 15:1). Jehovah Himself says, "I am watching to see that My Word is fulfilled" (Jer. 1:12). Just as the Word was the Father's Agent in Creation (John 1:1-3), so the Word is His Agent for judgment and consummation.
Christ's most important name is "King of kings, and Lord of lords" (Rev. 19:16). This is His victorious name (Rev. 17:14), and it brings to mind references such as Daniel 2:47, where the great Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar, acknowledged Daniel’s God: “The king answered Daniel, and said, "Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret."
Paul used this same title for our Lord Jesus Christ in 1 Timothy 6:13-15: “I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords…”. The title speaks of Christ's sovereignty, for all kings and lords must submit to Him.
I love what Paul also wrote in Philippians 2:9-11: “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” May we humbly bow before Him even today!
God Bless!
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