God's Will Is To Have All Men Saved And To Come To The Knowledge Of The Truth - Part 1653

Jesus said, "I have manifested Thy Name unto the men which Thou gavest Me out of the world ... and they have kept Thy Word!" (John 17:6)

Throughout the old covenant, God used specific names, depending on the time and circumstance, so it should not come as a surprise that God would also use a specific Name when He speaks to us in this new dispensation of grace. Indeed, in Hebrews 1, we are taught that in this current time in which we live, God would not speak through prophets (as He had in times of old) but instead through [His] Son. (Hebrews 1:1-12)

What was the Name that the Son -- God manifest in the flesh -- delivered to all the world? (I Timothy 3:16) The precious Name of JESUS. The Name ABOVE every other Name, and the ONLY Name whereby we must be saved. (Philippians 2:9; Acts 4:12)

No longer do the names of God in the old covenant apply in this current dispensation of grace because we have been given a NEW NAME, whereby we must be saved.

"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a Name which is above every other Name." (Philippians 2:9)

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His Name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)

"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His Name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." (Matthew 1:23)

And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called His Name Jesus." (Matthew 1:25)

"And ye shall be hated of all men for My Name's sake: but he that endures to the end shall be saved." (Matthew 10:22)

"And in His Name shall the Gentiles trust." (Matthew 12:21)

"And whoso shall receive one such little child in My Name receives Me." (Matthew 18:5)

"For where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20)

Referring to Jerusalem, Jesus said, "For I say unto you, Ye shall not see Me henceforth, till ye shall say, "Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord." (Matthew 23:39; Psalm 118:26)

Nevertheless, Mary the mother of Elizabeth's Lord knew and her soul did magnify the Lord. (Luke 1:41-46)

"My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour, for He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden, for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is mighty hath done to me great things, and HOLY IS HIS NAME. And His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation. He hath showed strength with His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from [their] seats and exalted them of low degree. Ha hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich He hath sent empty away. He hath holpen His servant Israel, in remembrance of [His] mercy. As He spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to His seed for ever." (Luke 1:46-55)

This is why Jesus warned us of those who would not use the Name of Jesus in their presentation of the gospel --  "For many shall come in My Name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many ... then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for My Name's sake." (Matthew 24:5-9; Matthew 10:17; Haggai 2:22; Revelation 6:5-6; John 5:43; Matthew 24:11)

Just as the apostles and the early church experienced firsthand, it was the Name of Jesus which caused the offence, and this worldly mindset has not changed today. 

This same Name, as Jesus said, that will be cause to deliver us up to the councils, and the same Name for which they will scourge us in the synagogues. "And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for My Name's sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak; for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak ... for it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaks in you ..." (Matthew 10:17-21)

Moreover, Jesus told us that we shall be hated of all "for My Name's sake" but he that endures to the end shall be saved. (Matthew 10:22; Luke 21:17; Mark 13:13)

But we know in whom we serve -- "By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for His Name ..." (Romans 1:5)

And, as a consequence, we are to let this same mind be in us; "which was also in Christ Jesus; who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a Name which is above every name -- that at the Name of Jesus, every knee should bow of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth and [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father." (Philippians 2:5-11)

More to come on the Name of Jesus. In the interim, stand in the offering plate with our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ, magnifying His precious Name.