Names of God

“Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.’” (Rev. 5:5 NIV)

God has many names and titles in the Bible. Each one tells us something important about Him—His character and how He relates to us. And how we must relate to Him. Here is another one of His many Names, which is Lion of Judah.

Jesus is the Lion of Judah

The Lion of the tribe of Judah is a symbol found in Genesis and Revelation. In Genesis, Jacob blesses his son Judah, referring to him and his future tribe as a lion’s cub and a lion (Gen. 49:9). In Revelation, this symbol is seen again when the Lion of the tribe of Judah is declared to have triumphed and is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals (Rev. 5:5). Jesus is the One who is worthy to open the scroll (see John 5:22). Therefore, Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah.

Therefore

Jesus will destroy all his enemies, even Satan who knows he is on borrowed time because his defeat is imminent. The greatest enemy we face as humans is the reality of sin and death. Our sin interrupted our relationship with God and our death meant eternal separation and punishment for our sin. Jesus conquered both of these enemies on our behalf. Our lion has given us victory over sin and has removed the penalty of death and replaced it with the promise and hope of eternal life. You can celebrate, because you are victorious today. You are no longer under the penalty of sin.

Names of God

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12 NIV)

God has many names and titles in the Bible. Each one tells us something important about Him—His character and how He relates to us. And how we must relate to Him. Here is another one of His many Names, which is Light of the World.

Light of the world – Jesus

The Greek word for light in John 8:12 is phos, defined as the light; anything emitting light; light, i.e. brightness. God profoundly states, “I am.” Light is part of who Jesus is.

Therefore

Everything the light touches, Jesus is a part of.

“While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”  (John 9:5)

Christ is the Light of the world. God is light, and Christ is the image of the invisible God. One sun enlightens the whole world; so does one Christ, and there needs no more. - Matthew Henry Commentary, Concise.

Names of God

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 NIV)

God has many names and titles in the Bible. Each one tells us something important about Him—His character and how He relates to us. And how we must relate to Him. Here is another one of His many Names, which is Lamb of God.

Jesus - The Lamb of God

Isaiah 53 is an Old Testament chapter that depicts the first coming of Christ and His death. It talks about a lamb about to be sacrificed according to Jewish law.

“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.” (Isa. 53:7 NKJV)

The New Testament also affirms this passage referring to Jesus Christ in the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. He asks Philip to explain the passage to him and then later gets baptized.

“Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth.” (Acts 8:32 ESV)

Therefore

Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, became the perfect sacrifice to die in your place on the cross. Jesus was perfect, spotless, and without blemish in the sight of God and thus was able to take away the sins of the world. Because sin requires a perfect sacrifice, and Jesus was without sin.

“Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” (1 Cor. 5:7)

Names of God

“They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” (Rev. 17-14)

God has many names and titles in the Bible. Each one tells us something important about Him—His character and how He relates to us. And how we must relate to Him. Here is another one of His many Names, which is King of kings.

The phrase King of kings is used in Scripture six times

Once, the title is applied to God the Father (1 Tim. 6:15), and twice to the Lord Jesus (Rev. 17:14; 19:16). The other three (Ezra 7:12; Eze. 26:7; Dan. 2:37) refer to either Artaxerxes or Nebuchadnezzar, kings who used the phrase to express their absolute sovereignty over their respective realms (Persia and Babylon).

Jesus alone reigns supreme

When Jesus is called “King of kings and Lord of lords,” it means that, in the end, all other rulers will be conquered or abolished, and He alone will reign supreme as King and Lord of all the earth. There is no power, no king, and no lord who can oppose Him and win.

“He brings princes to naught. and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.” (Isa. 40:23–24)

“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” (Dan. 7:13–14)

The Lord Jesus

“He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power” (Heb. 1:3).

His rule over creation is absolute

“which the blessed and only Sovereign One—the King of kings and Lord of lords—will bring about in His own time.” (1 Tim. 6:15)

“and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood,” (Rev. 1:5)

Names of God

“And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead.” (Acts 20:42 NLT)

God has many names and titles in the Bible. Each one tells us something important about Him—His character and how He relates to us. And how we must relate to Him. Here is another one of His many Names, which is Judge.

Judge 

·      Greek: to judge: Κριτὴς (Kritēs) -Strong’s Concordance 2923: A judge, magistrate, ruler.

·      Webster’s Dictionary: judge: [noun] one who makes judgments: such as. a public official authorized to decide questions brought before a court. one appointed to decide in a contest or competition : umpire. one who gives an authoritative opinion. critic. a tribal hero exercising leadership among the Hebrews after the death of Joshua.

·      Synonyms- evaluate, pass judgment, estimate, gauge, approximate, guess, pronounce, label, adjudicate, try, adjudge, calculate, cerebrate, cipher, cogitate, compute, cypher, decide, declare, determine, figure, hold, make up one's mind, reckon, resolve, settle, think, work out.

Jesus is the Judge

“Furthermore, the Father judges no one, but has assigned all judgment to the Son,” (John 5:22)

“And He has given Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.” (John 5:27)

It is true that Jesus came into the world to save those who put their trust in Him (John 3:16), but His coming also brought judgment (John 9:39). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus brought judgment to Satan (John 12:31–33). Furthermore, unbelievers will ultimately be judged by the Lord Jesus.

Jesus will act as judge over believers

At the Judgment Seat of Christ, He will judge believers’ works after salvation to determine reward or loss of reward (1 Cor 4:5; 2 Cor. 5:10). This judgment has nothing to do with salvation, as believers’ eternal destiny is secure in Jesus (Eph. 1:13–14). Rather, believers will receive rewards according to how faithfully they served Christ (Luke 19:12–27; 1 Cor. 3:12–15).

Jesus will act as judge over unbelievers

Unbelievers will be judged by Christ at the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11–15). Again, this judgment has nothing to do with their eternal destiny—at that point, unbelievers have already sealed their fate by rejecting Jesus.The Great White Throne Judgment determines the severity of unbelievers’ punishment based on what they did in life (Rev. 20:12). Notably, all of the people at this judgment are thrown into the lake of fire because their names were not found in the book of life, which means they rejected Christ’s free gift of salvation (Rev. 20:15).

Sheep and Goat Judgment 

Another judgment that Jesus will preside over is referred to as the

Sheep and Goat Judgement or the Judgment of the Nations (Matt. 25:31–46). Some interpreters equate this judgment with the Great White Throne Judgment, but there are many notable differences, a major one being that the judgment is based on how people treated Jesus’ “brothers,” that is, the people of Israel (Matt. 25:40). Considering its placement after Jesus’ second coming, the Sheep and Goat Judgment will most likely determine the earthly fate of those who are alive at the time of Christ’s return (Matt. 25:1–30). During this judgment, Jesus will separate the “sheep” from the “goats.” The sheep are believers who gave evidence to their faith by helping the Jewish people during the tribulation; the goats are unbelievers who portrayed their unbelief by failing to help Jews during the tribulation (Matt. 25:33–36, 41–43). Those who rejected Christ and took the side of the beast during the tribulation “will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life” (Matt. 25:46).

Therefore

“For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead." (Acts 17:31)

Names of God

“Then Gideon built an altar there to the LORD and called it, The LORD Is Peace.” (Judg. 6:24 ESV)

God has many names and titles in the Bible. Each one tells us something important about Him—His character and how He relates to us. And how we must relate to Him. Here is another one of His many Names, which is Jehovah Shalom.

Jehovah Shalom - Peace

Jehovah Shalom means The Lord Is Peace, Yahweh Is Peace, or The Lord Send Peace.

About Jehovah Shalom

·      He blesses His people with peace: “The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.” (Psalm 29:11 NIV)

·      He speaks peace to His faithful people: “I listen carefully to what God the LORD is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways.” (Psalm 85:8 NLT)

·      He will keep you in perfect peace: “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD God is the eternal Rock.” (Isa. 26:3-4 NLT)

·      He will establishes peace for us: “O LORD, You will establish peace for us. For all that we have accomplished, You have done for us.” (Isa. 26:12 BSB)

Jesus is the Prince of Peace

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isa. 9:6)

Jesus said

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid" (John 14:27)

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Therefore

“Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:14 ESV)

“May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!” (Psalm 29:11 ESV)

Names of God

“And Moses built an altar and named it ‘The LORD is my Banner.”  (Exo. 17:15)

God has many names and titles in the Bible. Each one tells us something important about Him—His character and how He relates to us. And how we must relate to Him. Here is another one of His many Names, which is Jehovah Nissi.

Jehovah Nissi – My Banner

The name Jehovah Nissi appears only once in the Bible. Israel faced the Amalekites in battle at Rephidim as an inexperienced army wandering in the desert after leaving their bondage in Egypt. Along the way, they were attacked by the Amalekites, a powerful and warlike group of nomads. As the battle commenced, Moses stood on the top of a hill where he could see the armies below him. He held in his hand the “rod of God”—the same rod with which he had struck a rock to bring forth water for the people in the desert (Exo. 17:5-6).

The battle was unusual

“As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning” (Exo. 17:11). As Moses’ arms grew weary, they had to be supported by his brother, Aaron, and a man named Hur. At sunset, Israel defeated the Amalekites (verses 12–13). After the battle, Moses built an altar and named it Jehovah Nissi, “the Lord is my banner.”

Therefore

You have set up a banner for those who fear you, that they may flee to it from the bow. (Psalm 60:4)

“May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions! (Psalm 20:5)

“He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.” (SOS 2:4 ESV)

Names of God

“If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statues, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you. (Exo.15:26 NKJV)

God has many names and titles in the Bible. Each one tells us something important about Him—His character and how He relates to us. And how we must relate to Him. Here is another one of His many Names, which is Rapha - Heals.

Yahweh Rapha – the Lord who heals

Shortly after his people left Egypt for the Promised Land, God revealed himself as Yahweh Raphe, “the LORD who heals.” The Hebrew word rapha means heal, cure, restore, or make whole.

We first discover the name of Jehovah Rapha in Exo.15:26. Prior to this verse, we see instances of “rapha,” even in regards to something God can do for people (Gen. 20:17), but this is the first instance in which God reveals Healer as part of his identity. Scripture also uses the name Jehovah Rapha in verses such as Jer. 30:17, Isa. 30:26, Isa. 61:1, and Psalm 103:3.

Jesus heals

The New Testament reveals Jesus as the Great Physician, the healer of body and soul, whose miracles point to the kingdom of God.

Therefore

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24

Names of God

“And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.” (Gen. 22:14 KJV)

God has many names and titles in the Bible. Each one tells us something important about Him—His character and how He relates to us. And how we must relate to Him. Here is another one of His many Names, which is Jehovah Jireh.

Jehovah Jireh – The Lord Will Provide

The name “Jehovah Jireh” is seen in Genesis 22 when God provides a ram in the thicket in place of the sacrifice of his son.

“Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, ‘Father?’ ‘Yes, my son?’ Abraham replied. ‘The fire and wood are here,’ Isaac said, ‘but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?’Abraham answered, ‘God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’ And the two of them went on together.” (Gen. 22:7-8)

When they reached the spot God had designated, “Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order: and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.” (Gen. 22:9-10).

At that point, God calls out for him to stop because Abraham has passed the test. Abraham sees a ram caught in a thicket nearby and offers it for a burnt offering instead of his son (Gen. 11-13). 

“And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide” (Gen. 22:14) or “Jehovahjireh” (KJV).

He provides for our needs

Jehovah Jireh thus becomes one of the names for God in the Old Testament—one that emphasizes how He provides for our needs. The Hebrew word, jireh, means not only “to provide;” it also means “to perceive,” “to experience.” Our Lord is the “God Who Provides,” because He is also the “God Who Perceives” our needs—the “God Who Experiences” what we are experiencing and who can therefore provide exactly what we need.

Salvation is our greatest need

Our greatest need, as humans, is for salvation—forgiveness of our sins and eternal life. The story of Abraham offering Isaac in Genesis 22 is more than just a dramatic illustration of faith and obedience. It is a preview of the salvation God has provided us in the great sacrifice of His Son on the cross.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Therefore

“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Rom. 8:34 NIV)