Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (Revelation 19:11–16).
These texts contain much hidden treasure, but the ore that is to be mined in this article is the several references to a name. In the above quote, there are four references to Him who sat on the white horse.
First, we are told that He was called “faithful and true.” That probably does not need much explanation, especially considering who the rider was. The simple fact that “in righteousness He judges” clearly indicates the divine nature of the rider. He could not judge righteously were He not faithful and true.
Next there is a “name written that no one knew except Himself.” Third, we are told that “His name is called The word of God.” And fourth, we are told that “He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”
Let’s begin by looking at a “name written that no one knew except Himself.” There is similar wording in Revelation 2:17, where Christ is speaking to the overcomers in Pergamum: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”
“The names of the seven churches are symbolic of the church in different periods of the Christian Era. The number 7 indicates completeness, and is symbolic of the fact that the messages extend to the end of time, while the symbols used reveal the condition of the church at different periods in the history of the world.” The Acts of the Apostles, 585.
The church in Pergamum represents the period from approximately A.D. 313 to 538. The persecution of Christians had ceased and Christianity was declared “official’ by Constantine, who is called in history the first Christian emperor of Rome. He ruled from A.D. 306 to 337. Roman Catholics and most Protestant Christians regard his conversion as the turning point in the Christian church, the point at which the persecuted Christians gained the support of the state. As a result, the Christians, through the church, eventually became the persecutors, though for that to fully develop took several hundred years.
In reality, this “legitimizing” of Christianity was the beginning of Satan’s increasingly stronger grasp on what became the Roman Catholic church. And though the Reformation was a start in freeing Christianity from the grasp of the enemy, it eventually failed in obtaining a full release from Satan’s influence. Indeed, the majority of the Protestant churches have never yet achieved complete allegiance to the word of God.
Nevertheless, after the “conversion” of Constantine and the Roman nation, taking the name of Christ no longer resulted in guaranteed persecution by the state. Indeed, just the opposite happened. If you failed to take the name of Christ in the manner dictated by the church, you became the persecuted. Having lost the power of the Holy Spirit, the church turned to the state to enforce its dogmas.
So it seems from our historical perspective that assuming the Christian appellation—that is, calling yourself a Christian—resulted in a definite change from being the one who was persecuted to one who did the persecution.
It also seems from our reading in Revelation 19:12 that not only does Christ have a name that no one but He knows, so does each of His faithful saints (Revelation 2:17). Revelation 19:8 tells us that the fine linen, clean and bright that the saints are arrayed in is their righteous acts. We also know from the inspired writings of God’s prophet to the remnant that one’s acts are a reflection of one’s character. “Actions make habits, and habits, character.” Christian Education, 92. It is easy, therefore, to conclude that the fine linen that the saints are robed in is a reflection of their righteous character, which we know can only be acquired through faith in Jesus Christ.
We also know from inspired counsel that one’s name was of great importance to the children of Israel. In Prophets and Kings, 481, we read: “Great significance was attached to the names given by Hebrew parents to their children. Often these stood for traits of character that the parent desired to see developed in the child. The prince in whose charge the captive youth [in Babylon] were placed, ‘gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego’ (Daniel 1:7).
“The king did not compel the Hebrew youth to renounce their faith in favor of idolatry, but he hoped to bring this about gradually. By giving them names significant of idolatry, by bringing them daily into close association with idolatrous customs, and under the influence of the seductive rites of heathen worship, he hoped to induce them to renounce the religion of their nation and to unite with the worship of the Babylonians.”
Thus we see the significance that is sometimes placed on one’s name. So let’s continue looking at a few of the many names that Scripture gives to our Saviour and at the significance of those names.
Isaiah 7:14 is one of the early sources for the name of Jesus: “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” The significance of that name cannot be underestimated. Literally, it means “God with us,” but do we fully understand the implication, the importance, the significance of the fact that the text clearly states God with us? We need to meditate on each of those three words: “God” “with” “us.” It is indeed humbling to realize that God Himself humbled Himself—He quit being solely God—to be with (alongside, accompany, next to, among) us, sinful, mortal human beings, living on the only planet in the universe that chose to rebel against His clearly stated, loving instructions. What an incredible act of self-sacrifice!
John 1:14 tells us, “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.”
This verse tells us far more than we might think on initial reading. Not only are we informed that Christ in His humanity was the fullness of grace and truth as the word of God became embodied in human flesh, but it also helps us to understand more clearly the “begotten-ness” of Christ.
Jesus Christ in His humanity was the only human being created by God through the human birth process—the “only begotten” of the Father, although in His divinity, He existed “from the beginning.”
Let’s look at a few texts that clarify Christ’s eternal existence.
In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he wrote in Ephesians 3:9, “And to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ.”
There is nothing before the beginning, else it would not be “the beginning.”
Next, let’s look at John 1:15. The opening chapter of John is full of wonderful truths and is worthy of much study in addition to the perusal we are giving it here.
“John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, ‘This was He of whom I said, “He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.” ’ ”
Have you ever contemplated what the Baptist meant when he said, “He was before me”?
When Gabriel spoke to Mary about her having a child, the chronology of the births of John the Baptist and Jesus is made clear. The exchange is detailed in Luke 1:26–37.
“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, ‘Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!’
“But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive [future tense] in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.’
“Then Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I do not know a man?’
“And the angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived [past tense] a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.’ ”
How much wonderful truth this passage contains! It is easy to get side-tracked here to dig into the treasured ore in these texts. However, we need to stick to our main subject.
Clearly, we see that John was at least six months older than Jesus, yet John himself stated that “He [referring to Christ] was before me.” In simple, unambiguous language, John is acknowledging that Christ existed before His incarnation as the Son of Mary.
For more Scriptural light on the eternal existence of Christ, see Ephesians 3:9, John 1:15, 1 John 1:1, and 1 John 2:14. Clearly it will take eternity to understand fully, if we ever can, the mystery of the incarnation and that mysterious blending of the divine with the human (1 Timothy 3:16).
Within the record of the conversation between Mary and the angel, we are given additional names for Christ. In Luke 1:31, He is called Jesus. Chronologically, this is the first time that name is given to the Lord and Saviour of mankind. As the conversation continues, Christ is referred to as the Son of the Highest, that Holy One, and the Son of God (verse 35). A bit of meditation on each of these titles will provide a deeper understanding of the divine nature of the Word Made Flesh.
In the uplifting prayer of Jesus recorded in John 17, Jesus makes another statement that deserves deep thought and analysis to fully comprehend. As He prays so fervently to His Father on behalf of His disciples—not only the eleven who were with Him, but “for those who will believe in Me through their word” (verse 20)—He concludes His prayer in verse 26 with these enlightening words: “And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” [Emphasis supplied.]
The Greek word translated declared means to make known or clarify. In some Bible versions it is translated manifested. This sublime truth should encourage us to make a deep study of the life of Christ to discern how He acted in the many and varied situations through which the providences of God led Him. Such a study will reveal to us not only His Holy character, but will be a wonderful lesson in righteous conduct in all situations and all circumstances.
As Peter wrote, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously” (1 Peter 2:21–23 KJV).
More powerful truths here! Let’s ponder the several aspects of Jesus’ character that Peter highlights in these texts.
- Suffered selflessly (“suffered for us”)
- Sinless (“did no sin”)
- Truthful (“no … guile found in His mouth”)
- Patient and forgiving (“when He was reviled, reviled not again”)
- Peaceful (“He threatened not”)
- Faithful and trusting (“committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously”)
In summary, we can conclude that Christ was the embodiment of the purest love. Therefore, if I claim that I am a “Christian,” do I manifest each and all of these characteristics—at all times and under all circumstances?
Power in the Name of Christ
The power inherent in the name of Christ is made evident throughout the writings of Paul.
In Romans 10:13, Paul wrote, “For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ ” This reference by Paul to Joel 2:32 is erroneously and unfortunately used by many “broad-road” Christians today to claim that simply because they call themselves “Christian,” they are eternally saved—regardless of their conduct or character.
In 1 Corinthians 5:1-5, Paul counsels the Corinthian believers to deliver one ensnared by Satan in sexual immorality to deliver that soul “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (verse 4). Clearly, Paul understands the power in that name.
In the very next chapter, Paul again refers to the power in that name when he lists the various sins in which the Corinthians had been engaging in when he states: “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11).
When writing to the Ephesians, Paul notes the importance of “giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20). What a powerful, powerful statement, stressing the importance of (1) giving thanks, (2) always, (3) for all things, (4) to God, (5) the Father, (6) in the name of our Lord, (7) Jesus Christ. Only through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit could Paul have packed so much truth into 18 words!
There are also references to the power inherit in Christ’s name and to the need of reverence for and giving thanks in the name of Christ in Philippians, Colossians, 1st Thessalonians, 1st and 2nd Timothy, and Hebrews. However, some of the most encouraging statements about the power of calling upon the name of Christ were spoken by Christ Himself.
In Jesus’ last interaction with His disciples, recorded in John, chapters 13 through 16, as He is providing His last words of inspiration to those who had been His most faithful followers, several times Jesus states plainly that in His name, their prayers will be answered. Interestingly, however, He does not make these statements until after Judas has left the gathering.
“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13).
“If you ask anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:14).
“… whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you” (John 15:16).
“… Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:23, 24).
The Bible is clear. Indeed, “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
May the peace and blessings of Jesus abide with us as we face the challenges of these last days, overcoming in the name of Jesus Christ.
All quotes NKJV unless otherwise noted.
John Pearson is the office manager and a board member of Steps to Life. After retiring as chief financial officer for the Grand Canyon Association, Grand Canyon, Arizona, he moved to Wichita, Kansas, to join the Steps team. He may be contacted by email at: johnpearson@stepstolife.org.