WHAT’S IN A NAME? (PART 2)
Revelation 13:1-18
Sermon Objective: Hebrew thought places great emphasis on a name; there is insight for us in The Revelation regarding His name (s), evil’s name (s) and our new name!
Supporting Scripture: Proverbs 21:1; Proverbs 22:1; 1 John 2:18; 1 John 2:22; 1 John 4:3; 2 John 4:7;
SERMON
Hebrew thought places great emphasis on a person’s name. We occasionally choose a child’s name because of its significance but in Hebrew culture the child actually strives to live up to that name. Their name is a reminder of their character, vocation, history, etc. Sometimes a traumatic event has so affected them that they change their name to coincide with their new identity or self-understanding. This happens a lot in the Scriptures doesn’t it?
Keep in mind, “The Revelation” is a Hebrew book. Its genre is Hebrew; it borrows images from Hebrew history and literature; and, therefore, it places a lot of significance on the names it uses throughout its pages.
If I may explain in a bit more detail: names are symbols in Hebrew thought.
Symbols can be used as names (or labels) that are worn or attributed to a person. This might be akin to our use of nicknames. If a person has the nickname “Stinky,” for example, there is probably a story behind that nickname that explains how it came about.
I know a guy nicknamed “pokey” another nicknamed “porky” and a girl nicknamed “princess.” In each case the nicknames are descriptive of some element of their personality, behavior, history, or physique.
Do you have a nickname? If so, it might be one you have “earned” as well. I have a family nickname … but I aint gonna tell you what it is!
My family had a reunion in Tulsa last week. There were a lot of people there I had not seen in decades. And many of them called me by my nickname rather than my given name. Interesting enough, once that started I began to “feel” like that nickname again. I “lived up to it” again, so to speak.
Again, the Revelation freely uses names and nicknames as “symbols.” There is a lot of overlap between the two. Both the symbols and the names help us understand the character or identity of the object, person, angel, or creature in question. That is important to remember. Much of what is read is therefore, figurative. Just like the nickname “princess,” points to a reality that transcends the title worn by the person in question.
Revelation 12 and 13 give us a lot of names and symbols that help us understand the nature of evil and the evil one. There are more throughout the book. All of them are important to help us get a composite of what evil is like.
What is the best way to undrdtand the nature of evil in this book? It is best understood as:
• “Death” (chapter 6)?
• “Destroyer” (chapter 9)?
• “A dragon” (chapter 12)?
• An enemy (i.e. “Satan” in chapter 12)?
• An accuser ( i.e. “devil” chapter 12)?
• A “beast” (chapter 13)
• A harlot (chapter 17)?
• A false prophet (chapter 16)?
It is all of the above isn’t it?
There are names we have given evil that are derived from The Revelation as well. For example, we call evil “The Antichrist” even though the book never uses the term to describe any personality found within it pages. John, the author of this book, is actually the one who coined the term in the New Testament. He is the only one to use it too. He used it five times in the books of 1 and 2 John to describe a person (any person) who opposes the Christ and His Gospel; but he never uses it in this book. You’d think that if it referred to a specific “evil super-ego” like many of the talking heads of eschatology suggest that John would have used the word; however that is not how he ever uses the term.
• 1 John 2:18 -- Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.
• 1 John 2:22 -- Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist—he denies the Father and the Son.
• 1 John 4:3 -- but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
• 2 John 1:7 -- Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.
This does not mean that evil is not “anti-Christian” – opposed to the Gospel, it is. But “The Revelation” never uses the word the way some people who talk about this book do.
A study of the names, labels and symbols given to evil in The Revelation are very helpful to us if we wish to understand the character of the enemy. A REVIEW OF THE NAMES FOR GOD IN THE BOOK HAS PROVEN HELPFUL TOO. As we look at how God is described in names and nicknames and symbols our faith is enriched … indeed even emboldened … and our love and devotion deepen.
There is something very powerful about Jesus being referred to throughout this book as “THE SLAUGHTERED LAMB.” Chapter 13 verse 8 tells us that the sacrifice of Jesus is what makes it possible for our names to be written in the book of life. Rev. 5:9 tells us his sacrifice purchased our pardon. It reads, “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”
Oh yes my friend, “the slaughtered lamb” is a nickname that definitely describes our Savior. It is a name that gives us great insight into His love and desire to befriend us. In fact, it is one of my favorite “names” for Jesus because it get to the very core of our faith and salvation.
But Jesus has other names doesn’t he? For example, he is called “THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA, THE FIRST AND THE LAST, THE BEGINNING AND THE END” (REV. 22:13). In fact, he is referred to by these nicknames more than once in the book. Few names can embolden us (give us courage) like knowing this about Jesus. YOU SEE, THESE ARE TITLES HE HAS EARNED VIA THE RESURRECTION.
When all the dust settles Jesus will have been proven to be all that matters. Serving and striving for anything other than Jesus will prove futile and fatal. He is worthy of our service and faithfulness. Those who “endure to the end” will be rewarded because Jesus will be what lasts.
Jesus is also called “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!” Revelation 19:6 reads “On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” Now this nickname gets me excited. It actually stirs emotion within me. This week, while reflecting on this name, I found it hard to contain myself because the truth contained therein is so powerful. This name stands in direct competition to the claims of all those who think they rule the world. It doesn’t matter whether it was a Caesar of history, a czar of yesteryear, or someone today who thinks they call the shots … the real Lord and King … the real master and sovereign is Jesus Christ.
There sure are a lot of people who want to be the master and sovereign aren’t there? The tycoons of Wall Street, Emperors across the globe, maybe even your boss at work has gotten “too big for his britches” but we, the followers of Jesus, we know who really runs the world. Jesus’ names have made that very clear.
There is a verse (Proverbs 21:1) in the Bible that I often quote when I am praying for governments and leaders. It says, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.” I find that verse to have a nuance of irony and humor. All these people who think they are running the world … well, there only “wannabes.” MY GOD REIGNS!
WRAP-UP
Both evil and good are described / defined in “The Revelation” by names and labels. They are all symbols revealing character, destiny and behavior.
And guess what? … GUESS WHAT!? … YOU ARE NAMED IN THIS BOOK TOO!
The revelation teaches us that God knows your name! Rev. 3:5 says, “He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.” That gives you peace and assurance doesn’t it?
Did you know that no less than eleven times in the book His followers are said to be closely linked to his name. Did you know that your identity in Christ is described / defined by your allegiance to His name! He even gives the faithful a mark on their forehead (four times it tell us this) that is associated with his name! Rev. 14:1 says, “Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.”
Proverbs 22:1 says "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." And guess what, through Jesus Christ you have a good name and you are highly esteemed; because you were purchased with the blood of Jesus. You were bought back, redeemed, made friends with God again.
You are known to Jesus! Your character and identity are defined by His blood and His name! Your name is written in a book of life. It is known to God -- implying you are his and no one else can claim you.
The Revelation teaches something else about your name. It suggests that God has also given you a new name (Rev. 2:13-17)! This is very consistent with Hebrew thought – at your conversion God renamed you with a name that is conducive to a new creation. We don’t know it yet but God does and, again, that suggests it is imparted to us through the character of Christ. We can live up to that name – indeed, in Jesus, we have lived up to it. IT’S ABOUT WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST – NOT IN OUR OWN NAMES OR OUR OWN POWER BUT IN JESUS!
THE NICKNAMES OUR FRIENDS AND/OR FAMILY GIVE US HAVE A STORY BEHIND THEM. THERE IS A STORY BEHIND THE NAME GOD GIVES YOU TOO … IT IS THE STORY OF CALVARY! WHEN YOU COME TO CHRIST HIS STORY BECOMES YOUR STORY. YOU BECOME A PART OF THE STORY OF REDEMPTION.
What do you think the new name God has given you is? Someday you’ll know.
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give … a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. (Rev. 2:17, KJV)
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This sermon is provided by Dr. Kenneth Pell
Potsdam Church of the Nazarene
Potsdam, New York
www.potsdam-naz.org
