Lesson 1: Learning From Jesus' Many Names

A. INTRODUCTION: REVELATION 1:1-20

1. Why does Jesus have so many names? “That I may know Him” (Phil. 3:10).

• To know Him better

• Self-revelation of His nature and work

• To reflect God’s immensity

• God the Father never gave His son a name He didn’t deserve

2. There are over 700 names, offices, titles, metaphors and descriptive phrases of Jesus in the Bible. (See The Names of Jesus by Elmer Towns at www.elmertowns.com for a free downloadable file copy of the book).

B. DISCUSSION OF JESUS’ NAMES

1. JESUS CHRIST, (vv. 1, 5).

• JESUS is Greek for the Hebrew Joshua, i.e., “Jehovah Saves.” His name. “Thou shalt . . . call His name Jesus” (Luke 1:31).

• CHRIST is Greek for the Hebrew Messiah or Anointed. His office. The threefold anointed office. Prophet: Elijah anointed Elisha; Priest: “The Lord hath anointed me to preach” (Isa. 61:1); King: Samuel anointed David.

• LORD is His title, i.e., (v. 8). “Saith the Lord.” This is a reference to His deity. “Unto you is born this day . . . a Savior which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).

• Application: “Made us kings and priests unto God” (Rev. 1:6). Jesus works through us to do His work on earth.

• What is your name? ______________________, title ________________, office _____________________.

2. HIM WHO IS, AND WHO WAS, AND WHO IS TO COME, (Rev. 1:4).

• Teaches His eternality. Jesus is above time and is not limited by time. Definition: “Time is the interval between two events.”

• Pre-existence before He was born. “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58).

3. A FAITHFUL WITNESS, (v. 5). “Faithful” is an adjective, you can trust His words. Jesus as a witness tells accurately what He knows, He experienced, He saw, He heard.

4. FIRST BEGOTTEN FROM THE DEAD, (v. 5). Jesus is the first one resurrected i.e., transformed. Some were resuscitated. Jesus was the first one into Heaven. “He led captivity, captive” (Eph. 4:8).

5. THE RULER OVER THE KINGS OF THE EARTH, (v. 5). The kingdoms were offered by Satan (Matt. 4:9), acquired by the cross (Col. 2:14-15), received in future. “At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, of things in Heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth, and that every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Phil. 2:10-11).

6. HIM THAT LOVED US, (v. 5). Christ is the source of love, He gave us His love at the cross, His love protects us, and His love will come for us.

7. HIM THAT WASHED US FROM OUR SINS, (v. 5). Christ died for the sins of the world (John 1:29) for the sins of the church (Eph. 5:25-26) and for me (Gal. 2:20).

8. HE COMETH, (v. 7). Jesus will keep His promise (John 14:1-3). When we don’t expect Him He will come (I Thess. 5:2) to take us to Himself (I Thess. 4:17).

9. I AM, (v. 8) the root verb for Jehovah. This is the covenant name for the Self Existing One. “I Am that I Am” (Ex. 3:14).

10. ALPHA AND OMEGA, THE BEGINNING AND THE END, (v. 8). Jesus the Creator began time (the interval between two events) and space (the distance between two objects). This means Jesus is infinite, i.e., no limitations.

11. THE ALMIGHTY, (v. 8) is El Shaddai which comes from breast/chest. He is the tender God who is strong to do His will. (See Gen. 17:1).

12. GREAT VOICE, (v. 10) or THE VOICE, (v. 12). Christ is the word of God (John 1:1) who speaks (a) the message of God, (b) the purpose of God, (c) what God expects.

13. THE SON OF MAN, (v. 13) describes the humanity of Jesus. “The Son of Man is come to seek and save that which is lost” (Luke 19:10).

14. I AM HE WHO LIVES AND WAS DEAD, AND BEHOLD, I AM ALIVE FOREVER, (v. 18). Jesus has authority over death and hell.

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at eltowns@liberty.edu and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.