Will Your Name Last Forever Series

It took many years of hard labor for Gutzon Borglum to blast and crave away the rock to produce the faces of the four presidents on Mt. Rushmore. He died a short time after the work was completed in 1941. He was interviewed before he died, and was asked why it took so long. He said the monument would be there for all time, and he wanted to be exact. Geologist figure it will erode and inch in one hundred thousand years. He said,

"You see my name is on that monument just as surely as the face of the four presidents."

His name is written in rock, and will likely last for all time. We like our names to last, and that is why we like to get them written in unusual places. Climb almost any mountain or high hill, and you will discover rocks where you have names written or carved by those who were there before you. On the edge of trestles and bridges, where there is danger to do so, people climb to inscribe their name. Some prefer to carve them in desks at school,

or other public property. Others prefer nature, and carve their names into trees and stubs. Others try to find soft cement, and get their name locked in before it hardens.

One way or another, almost everyone gets their name written somewhere, because they feel there name is important, and it is. Your name is a very important part of your identity. Businesses know that, and so they have designed computers to send you letters with your name, and not just general letters to everyone as dear customer, or occupant. We like to see our name in print, and so they use this to appeal to our love for our own name. From birth to death our name is important. Our name goes on to our birth certificate before we leave the hospital, and it goes on our death certificate before we are buried, and in between our name is a basic part of our life. It is on our school records, doctor records, employment records, bank records, and tax records.

All of us have experienced the power of signing our name. You have put your name on a little piece of paper, and the bank gives you money for it. You name gives you rights and ownership. I read of an old veteran who got his check from the government, and said to a friend, "See, there is the name of the treasurer of the United States, big man, but this thing is no good till I put my name on it." Every persons name is important, and where it is written is important. Jesus even told His disciples that the real key to happiness is in knowing that your name is written in heaven. They were excited about miracles, and the power they had to cast out demons, but Jesus said they should not make this the foundation of their joy, for true and lasting joy is to be in fact that your name is written in heaven.

In a very real sense Jesus is saying, the greatest goal of life is to get your name in the proper place, and that place is in the book where God records the names of all His children. It might be enjoyable to see your name in the paper, but the next day it is garbage. It may be a blast to see your name up in lights, but those lights soon dim and your name is forgotten. Even if you get your name in rock, and it lasts till the end of time, it will be wiped out, for the Bible says the very elements will melt with fervent heat when the world ends. All the names on rocks, steel, and even the pyramids will gone for good. Only those written in the Lamb's Book Of Life will have names that endure forever.

Jesus knew that in the battle with the forces of evil His disciples would not always escape injury and death, as they did this time. Many of them would be killed, and evil men like Herod and Nero would take their lives, and eliminate their names from the records of history. They would pay a heavy price to follow the name of Jesus, but He is saying to them, that which is permanent, and which will never be taken away from you is your name in heaven. Evil men cannot reach the records of heaven, and no weapon of time has the power to erase your name in heaven. Once you put your name there, by putting your trust in Christ as your Savior, and following Him as Lord, you have arrived at the peak of human exaltation, for no matter who you are in time, you will be somebody in eternity. You will be somebody special to God forever, and your name will be known in the family of God throughout endless ages.