THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT THAT NAME! (Part IV)

THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT THAT NAME! (Part IV)

TO ALL MY FACEBOOK SISTERS AND BROTHERS…I WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS!

JESUS CHRIST is the SON OF GOD, which is to say He is EMMANUEL, God with us. (Galatians 2:20 – Matthew 1:23)  As our Savior, Jesus declares “I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD.” (John 16:33)  His capacity to overcome establishes our ability (as born again believers) to conquer any trials and temptations imposed upon us by Satan and this world system.  The Son of God became a man to enable men to become the sons of God.  Although the name, JESUS CHRIST, is the name that is above every other name, HE carries the spiritual authority of diverse names and titles, each of which grants specific powers and enablements to believing disciples who reside IN CHRIST.  Today, I will focus on several names, some better known than others.

Jesus Christ is “SHILOH.”  This name means “peace maker” and it is closely related to a name that the prophet Isaiah proclaims, “Prince of Peace.” (Genesis 49:10 and Isaiah 9:6)  According to the Apostle Paul, WE who “were far off [from God] are made nigh by the blood of Christ.  For HE IS OUR PEACE, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.” (Ephesians 2:13-14)  Miraculously, his crucifixion caused the veil of the temple to be torn in two from top to bottom, signifying a divine act of salvation for who would receive Christ.  This tearing of the veil is symbolic of the fulfillment of the law and the actualization of a new covenant, i.e. our spiritual AT-ONE-MENT with the Father.

Jesus Christ is “THE ENSIGN OF THE PEOPLE.” (Isaiah 11:10)  The original meaning of this word, “ensign,” refers to a national flag which typically becomes a rallying point for loyal countrymen.  In effect, the ensign is both a symbol of citizenship and of fidelity to a particular nation.  Hence, the name of JESUS CHRIST is the ENSIGN (or BANNER) of our salvation and citizenship in the Kingdom of God.  We bow before Him; we honor and adore His name; we pledge loyalty and allegiance to Him.  Perhaps, King Solomon articulated it best: “He brought me to the banqueting house, and HIS BANNER OVER ME WAS LOVE.” (Song of Solomon 2:4)  This scripture represents a joyful anticipation of the MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB, the future heavenly celebration of the union of the BRIDE (the Church) with the BRIDEGROOM, Jesus Christ. (Revelation 19:8-9)

Jesus Christ is our “PROPITIATION.” (I John 2:2 and I John 4:10-11)  This title of Christ calls to mind the Old Testament mercy seat, which sat atop the Ark of the Covenant within the Holy of Holies.  It means that Jesus Christ, as our Passover Lamb, satisfies all the righteous demands of God.  Sin results in separation from God and eternal death. (I Corinthians 5:7 – Isaiah 59:2 – Romans 6:23)  Jesus secures our salvation by standing as our legal substitute and becoming the propitiation for our sins.  “He was wounded for OUR TRANSGRESSIONS, he was bruised for OUR INIQUITIES: the chastisement of OUR PEACE was upon him; and with his stripes WE ARE HEALED.  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and THE LORD HATH LAID ON HIM THE INIQUITY OF US ALL.” (Isaiah 53:5-7)

Jesus Christ is our “DOOR.” (John 10:9)  Jesus portrays himself as the only means by which sheep may enter into the sheepfold, their safety zone for shelter, sustenance and security.  Since “the Lord is [our] shepherd,” and we are “the sheep of his pasture,” HE is the sole avenue by which we may attain salvation. (Psalm 23:1 – Psalm 100:3)  According to the teachings of Jesus (John 10:9), by simply entering through this door, the sheep are “saved.”  Also, sheep are given liberty to “go in and out.”  That is to say, sheep ‘enter’ for salvation and ‘exit’ for service.  Furthermore, sheep find “pasture” or spiritual food via the daily provision of The Good Shepherd.  On a practical level, Christ affirms continual blessing for His Church: “Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.” (Revelation 3:8)  Therefore, victorious believers are not dependent upon the benevolence of any situation, group, government, or even employment.  GOD IS OUR SOURCE. JESUS CHRIST IS THE OPEN DOOR to all that Heaven affords.  No man can shut it!

Phenomenally, there are over 700 names and titles that the scriptures apply to our Lord and Savior.  As the incarnation of God the Father, Jesus Christ is revealed (even in the Old Testament) with strong covenantal connections to those who believe.  He is “ADONAI,” The Lord God. (Genesis 15:2)  He is “JEHOVAH BARA,” The Lord Creator. (Isaiah 40:28)  He is “JEHOVAH ELI,” The Lord My God. (Psalm 18:2)  He is “JEHOVAH ELYON,” The Lord Most High. (Psalm 38:2)  He is “JEHOVAH GANAN,” The Lord Our Defense. (Psalm 89:18)  He is “JEHOVAH IZOZ HAKABOTH,” The Lord Strong and Mighty. (Psalm 24:8)  

He is “JEHOVAH JIREH,” The Lord Will Provide. (Genesis 22:14)  He is “JEHOVAH KABODHI,” The Lord My Glory. (Psalm 3:3)  He is “JEHOVAH MACHSI,” The Lord My Refuge. (Psalm 91:9)  He is “JEHOVAH MAGEN,” The Lord My Shield. (Deuteronomy 33:29)  He is “JEHOVAH MAOZ,” The Lord My Fortress. (Jeremiah 16:19)  He is “JEHOVAH HAMALECH,” The Lord King Forever. (Psalm 98:6)  He is “JEHOVAH MEPHALTI,” The Lord My Deliverer. (Psalm 18:2)  He is “JEHOVAH MGADDISHCEM,” The Lord Our Sanctifier. (Exodus 31:13)  He is “JEHOVAH MISQABBI,” The Lord My High Tower. (Psalm 18:2)  He is “JEHOVAH NISSI,” The Lord Our Banner. (Exodus 17:15)  He is “JEHOVAH ORI,” The Lord My Light. (Psalm 27:1)  He is “JEHOVAH RAPHA,” The Lord My Healer. (Exodus 15:26)  He is “JEHOVAH ROHI,” The Lord My Shepherd. (Psalm 23:1)  He is “JEHOVAH SABAOTH,” The Lord of Hosts. (I Samuel 1:3)  He is “JEHOVAH SELI,” The Lord My Rock. (Psalm 18:2)  He is “JEHOVAH SHALOM,” The Lord Our Peace. (Judges 6:24)  He is “JEHOVAH SHAMMAH,” The Lord Is There. (Ezekiel 48:35)  He is “JEHOVAH TISKENU,” The Lord Our Righteousness. (Jeremiah 23:6)  He is “JEHOVAH TSORI,” The Lord My Strength. (Psalm 19:14)  He is “JEHOVAH YASHA,” The Lord Thy Savior and Redeemer. (Isaiah 49:26 and Isaiah 60:16)

HALLELUJAH…WHAT A SAVIOR!

Beyond any shadow of doubt, JESUS PAID IT ALL.

Philippians 2:8-10
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him A NAME WHICH IS ABOVE EVERY NAME:
10 THAT AT THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT THAT NAME!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!