NEW TESTAMENT
The LORD has revealed Himself through His Name.
Throughout the Scriptures, the LORD has chosen to reveal Himself to man through several means:
God has revealed Himself through Natural Revelation: God revealed Himself in nature as we read in Psalm 19 and Romans chapter 1. Every man is without excuse because – “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.” Psalm 19:1-3
God has revealed Himself through Specific Revelation in His written Word: Psalm 19:7-10 is a delightful passage that tells us how profitable His written Word is – “The Law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desire are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is thy servant warned, and in keeping them there is great reward.”
God has revealed Himself through the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ: God has even more specifically and wonderfully revealed Himself through the incarnation of Jesus Christ – “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.” John 1:14 We also read in Colossians 2:9 – “For in Christ was all the fullness of the godhead bodily.” We learn from Colossians 1:15-16 – that Christ . . . is the image of the invisible God . . . “ that is, Jesus Christ is the visible manifestation of the invisible God!
God has revealed Himself through the declaration of His Holy Name: The LORD has also chosen to reveal Himself in the Old Testament and New Testament through the declaration of His Name. (Exodus 33:19-20 and 34:5-6, John 17:26)
The Name of the LORD is a DESCRIPTION of His character: There are dozens if not hundreds of Names associated with the LORD. Why would the LORD have so many names? It’s quite simple really, if you want to know the LORD in all of His fullness and glory, seek to know His Name(s). Each of the Names is a description of another aspect of God’s goodness. Our attempt in this study will be to reveal some of those Names which have become so precious to those who know, love and worship the One Who is above all others.
The Name of the LORD is also a DECLARATION of His commitment: The LORD commanded His people to never take His Name if vain. Jewish people are so afraid of offending the LORD of Heaven, that they will not even utter His Name. From the surface, this may look like a great attempt to please the LORD and never offend His holiness. But just the opposite is true. God wants His people to know Him personally by His Name.
The LORD first met with Moses at the burning bush on the backside of Mount Horeb (Sinai). God commissioned Moses to go and deliver the people of Israel from the severe bondage they endured in Egypt. You know the story. You can read the full account in Exodus chapter 3.
But Moses made a valid point when he asked – “Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is His Name? What shall I say unto them?” Imagine that! Moses didn’t even know who the LORD was! He knew that He was the “God of our fathers” but beyond that, he didn’t have a clue as to the identity or even the character of God. “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you; this is My Name forever, and this is My memorial unto all generations.” Exodus 3:13-15
The ultimate sin of taking the LORD’s Name in vain is to know it and not call upon Him when we have a special need. Example: The LORD has revealed Himself as Jehovah Jireh, “The LORD Who Provides.” If we have a need for His provision and refuse to call upon His covenant Name, we have surely taken that Holy Name in vain. The God of Heaven wants us to call upon Him in faith as the Scriptures declare – “Whatever is not of faith is sin.”
The LORD is everything that His Name declares. The Name of the LORD is truly a declaration of His commitment to His people! Later, when the people were confronted with the walls of Jericho, I believe that they lifted their voices in unity and called upon Jehovah Sabaoth, “The Lord of Hosts or Armies”. The walls fell and there was a great victory as the Lord fought for the ancient people of Israel. During this study, we will discover many of the wonderful Names of the Lord and what those Names should mean to us when we are challenged by the problems of life. The Names of God are a declaration of His eternal covenant with His children! The Shepherd King of Israel declared – “And they who know Thy Name will put their trust in Thee; for Thou, LORD, has not forsaken those who seek Thee.” Psalm 9:16 David also wrote – “Our help is in the Name of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 124:8
Do you know Him? Are you able to call upon His Name in faith? If not, I sincerely hope you will know Him by the end of this fascinating study.
When Jesus was teaching His disciples to pray, He informed them – “Hitherto have you asked nothing in My Name. Ask and ye shall receive that your joy may be full.” John 16:24 The importance of knowing His Name in prayer is expressed again in John 14:13-14 – “And whatever ye shall ask in My Name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in My Name, I will do it.”
The Name of the LORD is the DELIGHT of His children: To those of us who know Him and love Him, the Names of God are the very foundation of our faith and daily walk with Him.
It is interesting, that the Name of the LORD is hated above all other names. Satan, the enemy of God and man, despises that Name so much, that he discredits it with every angry outburst of man.
And yet, the Names of the Lord are precious to those of us who have come to know Him by faith! I will begin our study with a brief list of some of the Names of God, and then we will look at each one briefly.
“Jesus”
“Christ”
“Savior”
“Redeemer”
“Immanuel”
The “I AM’s” listed in the Gospel of John:
“I AM the Bread of Life”
“I AM the Light of the world”
“I AM the Door”
“I AM the Good Shepherd”
“I AM the Resurrection and the Life”
“I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life”
“I AM the True Vine”
“Faithful and True”
“King of kings, and Lord of lords”
This is just a partial list of the wonderful Names of the Lord. We will add more to the list as time permits.
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The Name of the Lord is a DESCRIPTION of His eternal character. The Name of the Lord is a DECLARATION of His commitment to His people.