01.01.04 - The Names of Jesus Christ Reflect His Perfect Person and His Perfect Work

4. The Names of Jesus Christ reflect His perfect Person and His perfect Work: a. The Three Primary Names: “Lord Jesus Christ”:

1) Lord: This primary name is the Greek word kyrios (κύριος) which translates what is often called the “tetragrammaton”, that is, the unpointed four consonant Hebrew name “LORD” (YHVH; i. e., éäåä) as explained at Exodus 3:13-15. Therefore this title is clearly expressive of Jesus’ divinity (Matthew 22:41-46; John 20:28; cf. Psalms 110:1).

2) Jesus: This primary name is a transliteration of the Hebrew name often vocalized “Joshua” (éäåùò), meaning “The LORD saves”, and is the name which Joseph and Mary are instructed to use “because He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:31). Therefore this name is clearly expressive of the work which our Lord accomplished on the cross in dying for the sins of the entire world. As such, it represents Him as both human and divine, since only God could remit our sins, and only a perfect human being could die for them (cf. Matthew 9:2-6; Mark 2:9-10; Luke 5:20-24; Luke 7:48-49).

3) Christ: This primary name is the Greek word christos (Χριστός) which translates the Hebrew name “Messiah” or “Anointed One” (meshicah: îùéç), thus referring to our Lord’s special commissioning by the Father as the unique One who will fulfill prophecy and accomplish salvation. Therefore this title is evocative of Jesus’ unique Person, the God-man, the very Son of God, who has been sent into the world to save it (John 3:16; 1 John 4:9-10; cf. Matthew 3:16-17; Acts 4:27; Hebrews 1:8-9). b. Other Names: This list makes no pretense at being complete. To make such an attempt would require a separate study of its own, and a lengthy one at that. For example, since Jesus is God, all of the various and sundry names, appellations and unique descriptions of God occurring in the Old Testament would need to be considered in such a study (e. g., El, Elohiym, Yah, El `Elyon, El Ro`i, El Shaddai, Jehovah-nissi, etc.), not to mention specifically Messianic passages which refer uniquely to Jesus and His coming millennial reign: For a child is born to us, and a Son is given to us. Dominion shall rest on his shoulder, and His name will be called “He whose counsel is wondrous”, “Mighty God”, “the Father of Eternity”, “the Prince of Prosperity”. Isaiah 9:6. In the New Testament as well, since Jesus is the revealed person of the Trinity and the focal point of all scripture, one finds innumerable descriptions of Him which, even if they fall short of being a “name” or “title” in some precise sense of those words, are certainly worthy of inclusion in any comprehensive treatment (as, for example, where He is called in Hebrews 3:1 “the Apostle . . . of our faith”, in Hebrews 2:10 the “Captain of their salvation”, and in Hebrews 12:2 “the originator and completer of our faith”), not to mention the various self-descriptions our Lord uses for Himself in His address to the seven churches of Revelation alone: To the angel of the church in Ephesus, write: “This is what the One who has the mastery over the seven stars (i. e., churches) in His right hand says, the One who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands.” Revelation 2:1. And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: “This is what the One who is the first and last says, He who died and came to life.” Revelation 2:8. And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: “This is what the One who has the sharp two-edged sword says.” Revelation 2:12. And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: “This is what the Son of God says, the One whose eyes are like a flame of fire and whose feet are like white-hot bronze.” Revelation 2:18. And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: “This is what the One who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars says.” Revelation 3:1. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: “This is what the One who is holy and true says, the One who has the key of David, the One who opens and no one will lock, who locks and no one opens.” Revelation 3:7. And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: “This is what the Amen says, the reliable and truthful Witness, the origin of God’s creation. Revelation 3:14. In addition to the fact that a number of these names and titles are covered elsewhere in this study, since many such appellations only occur once or twice, or are largely expressive of doctrinal principles which will be explained elsewhere, and are also in any case deserving of a full-treatment best left to commentary on the specific verses in which they occur, the list which follows will restrict itself to some of the more common names and titles of our Lord. As this standard of exclusion and inclusion is necessarily subjective, the reader’s indulgence is requested for any and all cases of omission that may be deemed inappropriate.

1) Advocate: As the One who bought us by giving up His precious life for us through His death on the cross on our behalf, Jesus has earned the right to advocate on our behalf, interceding with the Father before the throne of grace (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; cf. John 14:13-14). My children, I am writing these things to you so that you won’t sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate to [approach] the Father [on our behalf], Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John 2:1.

2) Alpha and Omega: This title, used of our Lord at Revelation 22:13; is also used for the Father (i. e., at Revelation 1:8 and Revelation 21:6), a fact which constitutes no contradiction since Father and Son are “one” (John 10:30). Being the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet respectively, the name Alpha and Omega stresses the fact that Jesus is “the first and the last” (Revelation 1:17), the One who comprises all things from one end of the universe and from one end of eternity to the other (Colossians 1:16-19; Colossians 2:3, Colossians 2:9).

3) Arm of the Lord: As the second person of the Trinity, Jesus is the One who carries out the plan of God directly and personally (Luke 1:51): He is the One who made the universe (Jeremiah 27:5; Jeremiah 32:17; cf. Psalms 8:3), and He is the One who has saved us from eternal condemnation by personally coming into the world as a human being and dying in our place for our sins (Isaiah 53:1 in the context of Isaiah 53:1-12; cf. John 12:37-38). He will also be the One through whom the Father will retake direct control of the earth at the second advent (Psalms 98:1; Isaiah 30:30; Isaiah 40:10; Isaiah 51:5, Isaiah 51:9; Isaiah 52:10; Isaiah 59:16-20; Isaiah 63:5-6; cf. Isaiah 48:14-15; Ezekiel 20:33-34). As the instrument by which the Father carries out His plan, the title “Arm of the Lord” is very descriptive and appropriate (Psalms 89:13). It shows, moreover, how inextricably linked the purpose and the action of the Trinity are as three Persons sharing a single essence, especially visible in the redemption of the people of Israel from Egypt, an action highly symbolic of our redemption from death (cf. Deuteronomy 7:19; Deuteronomy 9:29; 2 Kings 17:36; Psalms 89:10; Psalms 136:10-15; Jeremiah 32:21; Acts 13:17; cf. Psalms 44:3). Where is He [the Father] who brought them (i. e, the Israelites) up from the [Red] Sea with the leaders of His people? Where is He [the Father] who set among them His Holy Spirit, who [also] made His Glorious Arm of power [Jesus Christ (cf. Hebrews 11:27)] to go [along with them] at Moses’ right hand? Isaiah 63:11-12

4) Branch: This is essentially a Messianic title which identifies our Lord as the promised offspring of David destined to rule the world in righteousness (Isaiah 53:2; Jeremiah 23:5; Jeremiah 33:15; Zechariah 3:8; Zechariah 6:12; cf. Ezekiel 17:22 ff.; Romans 1:3; Revelation 5:5), unappreciated in His first advent (Isaiah 11:1), but glorious in His second coming (Isaiah 4:2). Since the title is primarily Messianic, we should understand it also to be connected to the use of the palm branch as a symbol of the victorious Messiah as implied in the festival of Sukkoth, our Lord’s final first advent entry into Jerusalem (cf. Psalms 118:25-27 with Matthew 21:8-9; Mark 11:8-10; John 12:13; cf. Luke 19:37-38), and the martyrs with palm branches in hand at Revelation 7:9. Finally, it is also important to see this title as tying our Lord to the symbolism of the menorah, the seven branched lampstand which illuminated the Holy Place in the Tabernacle and Temple. Jesus is the light of the world and life itself (John 1:4; John 14:6). Since the menorah connects the coming Messiah with the original tree of life, it is likely that we are meant to see this symbolism of light and life shining through in the title “Branch” as well.

5) Bridegroom: Jesus is the Last Adam, and we, the Church, are, so to speak, His “Eve” (1 Corinthians 15:45; 2 Corinthians 11:2-3; cf. Romans 5:14). Jesus died for us, purchasing us from death with His blood, His sacrificial work in dying for our sins on the cross (1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24). Having been purchased in this unique way (1 Peter 1:18-19), we belong to Him forever and will be “wedded” to Him as His Bride forever on His return (Matthew 9:15; Matthew 25:1-13; Mark 2:19; Luke 5:34; John 3:29; 2 Corinthians 11:2-3; Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 5:22-33; Revelation 21:2-4, Revelation 21:9 ff.; Revelation 22:17; cf. 1 Corinthians 15:23).

“Let us rejoice and be jubilant, and let us give glory to [God], because the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has prepared herself. And it has been given her to wear a pure, resplendent [gown] of the finest material (now this fine material represents the righteous acts of His holy ones [believers]).” And [the angel] said to me, “Write this down: Happy are those who have been called to the wedding of the Lamb”. Revelation 19:7-9.

6) Builder: In the Trinity’s assumed roles, the Father is the Architect of creation, and our Lord Jesus Christ is the Creator or Builder through whom all things come to have their being and in whom all things subsist (Colossians 1:16-17; John 1:3 see section I. 1.c above). We find a similar attribution in Hebrews applied to the Church of Jesus Christ, whose building we are: This One [Jesus Christ] is worthy of greater glory than Moses inasmuch as the One who builds the house has greater honor than the house itself. For every house is built by someone, but God is the One who has built all things (i. e., creation). And while Moses was faithful as a servant in all of his house as a witness to the [truths] that would be spoken [in the future], Christ [was faithful] as a Son over His house – whose house we are, if indeed we hold fast to the hope [in which we] boast firm until the end. Hebrews 3:3-6.

7) Firstborn: [see section I. 3.a above]

8) Gift of God: This name needs little explanation. Without God the Father giving us the inestimable gift of His own dear Son to die in our place, instead of the eternal life we anticipate, we would have only judgment in prospect. And Jesus agreed to have Himself given over to be judged in our place (Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 5:2, Ephesians 5:25; 1 Timothy 2:6; Titus 2:14; cf. Romans 3:24; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 4:7). Only because of the glorious gift of Him do we have eternal life.

Thanks be to God for His inestimable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15. But the offense [of the former, Adam] is not at all like the favor [of the Latter, Christ]. For though it is true that the human race is perishing on account of the offense of that one man [Adam], how much more has the grace of God and His gracious Gift of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to this same human race! Indeed, the Gift is not at all like [the universal death that came] through [that] one person who sinned. For [in the former case] the [divine] judgment [that resulted] from one [person led] to [universal] condemnation, but the [divine] favor [based upon the sacrifice of the One has led] to the accomplishment of [universal] justification in response to many offenses. For though it is true that on account of the offense of the one death reigned through that one (i. e., by Adam passing down his sin to his progeny), how much more will those who receive this abundance of grace, even this Gift of righteousness [through justification] rule in [eternal] life through [the sacrifice of] the One, Jesus Christ! Romans 5:15-17. For you have been saved by (God’s) grace through faith (in Christ); and this did not come from you – it is God’s gift. Nor did it come from what you have done, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9.

9) Head of the Body, the Church: The Church is often referred to in the New Testament as “the Body of Christ” (e. g., 1 Corinthians 12:12), of which our Lord Jesus is “the Head” (1 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Corinthians 12:21; Ephesians 4:15-16; Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 1:18; Colossians 2:10, Colossians 2:19). This name stresses the intimate connection between Jesus and those He loves, being so close to Him as to be just as indistinguishable from Him as the head is from the body. And [the Father] subordinated all things under [Christ’s] feet and gave Him [as] Head over all things in the Church which is His Body, the fullness of the One who fills up all things in all ways. Ephesians 1:22-23.

10) High Priest after the Order of Melchizedek: [see section I. 2.c. 2 above]

11) The Holy One of God: This title, one used of Christ even by the demons (in Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34), identifies Jesus as the one and only specially sanctified One ordained by the Father (cf. Psalms 16:10; Isaiah 5:19 with Isaiah 6:1 compared to John 12:41), and sent into the world by Him to save the world through faith in Him (cf. Luke 1:35; Acts 4:27; 1 John 4:9-10; Revelation 3:7).

Then Jesus said to the twelve, “You don’t wish to leave too, do you?” Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed and have come to know that you are the Holy One of God”. John 6:67-69.

12) Immanuel: This name, meaning “God is with us”, demonstrates that Jesus is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy of the virgin birth of the Messiah, who is in every way “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14; cf. Isaiah 8:8): And all this has happened to fulfill what was said by the Lord through the prophet [Isaiah], saying, “Behold, the virgin will conceive and will give birth to a Son, and you shall call His Name ‘Immanuel’”, which translated means ‘God [is] with us’. Matthew 1:22-23.

13) Judge: In anticipation of His sacrifice and victory on the cross (Luke 10:22; John 3:35; John 17:2; cf. Matthew 9:6; Mark 2:10; Luke 5:24), and as a result of that sacrifice and victory (Ephesians 1:22-23; Php 2:8-11), all authority has been handed over to Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18; cf. Daniel 7:13-14; 1 Corinthians 15:27). He is therefore “the Judge”, both of the Church in time and in eternity (Romans 14:10-12; 2 Timothy 4:8; cf. James 4:12; Revelation 2:5-6; Revelation 3:1-3, Revelation 3:19-20), and, at the last judgment, of all mankind, saved or unsaved (Acts 10:42; Romans 2:16; 2 Timothy 4:1; 1 Peter 4:5).

Brothers, do not grumble against one another so that you may not be judged [for it]. Behold, the Judge [Jesus Christ] is standing in front of the door (i. e., His return and our final judgment are imminent)! James 5:9. For we must all stand before Christ’s tribunal, so that each of us may receive recompense for what he has accomplished through this body, whether it be good or worthless. 2 Corinthians 5:10.

14) King of Kings and Lord of Lords: As in the case of “Alpha and Omega” this title found at Revelation 19:16 for our Lord is also used of the Father (1 Timothy 6:14-16). Variations on this title occur rather frequently in scripture (e. g., Deuteronomy 10:17; Psalms 136:2-3; Daniel 2:47; Revelation 17:14), a title which emphasizes the totality of our Lord’s authority over all human and angelic authority as He returns to rule the world with a “rod of iron” (Psalms 2:9; Revelation 2:27; Revelation 12:5; Revelation 19:15; cf. Psalms 2:1-12; Psalms 110:1-2; Php 2:9-11).

15) The Lamb of God: The title “Lamb of God” reminds us of the Old Testament sacrifices regarding sin (which all speak of our Lord’s death on the cross), and calls attention to Jesus as the only perfect substitute and sacrifice for our sins, a “lamb without blemish” (1 Peter 1:19; cf. Isaiah 53:7) who took away “the sins of the world” (John 1:29). Jesus, of course, offered up His life, not literally His blood (cf. Hebrews 8:3 : “something to offer”). For “the blood of Christ” is a symbol of Jesus’ sacrifice just as “the Lamb of God” is a title symbolic of His sacrifice in being judged for our sins in the darkness on the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24). This title figures prominently in the book of Revelation because it is through His sacrificial death on our behalf that He has won the right to rule the world (Revelation 5:6, Revelation 5:8; Revelation 5:12-13; Revelation 6:16; Revelation 7:9-10, Revelation 7:14; Revelation 12:11; Revelation 13:8; Revelation 14:1, Revelation 14:4, Revelation 14:10; Revelation 15:3; Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:7, Revelation 19:9; Revelation 21:9, Revelation 21:14; Revelation 21:22-23, Revelation 21:27; Revelation 22:1, Revelation 22:3).

16) The Last Adam: Through the first Adam, sin entered the world, but through the Last Adam, grace for salvation has been made available for all who believe in Him (Romans 5:12-14; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22; cf. Genesis 3:15; Galatians 3:19). For Jesus is “a life-giving spirit” for all who place their trust in Him for eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:45). Thus the name “Last Adam” not only calls attention to our Lord’s true humanity, but also to the fact that through His own sacrificial death on our behalf He has solved the universal problem plaguing humanity ever since Adam’s fall, namely, the problem of sin and resultant death. For only through faith in the Last Adam, will we live forever and avoid the common heritage of our race of eternal death following spiritual and physical death. Jesus Christ, the Last Adam, is the One who has taken away the curse upon the first Adam and upon us his progeny, and made it possible for us to reenter Eden, not a temporary, worldly Eden, but the New Jerusalem where we shall live with Him forever (cf. Revelation 22:1-5).

17) Life: As our Creator and Savior, the giver of life and the only One in whom we have eternal life, Jesus Christ is Life itself, the very source of the life we enjoy now and shall forever enjoy in union with Him (John 5:26; John 6:33-35, John 6:48, John 6:51; Acts 3:15; Romans 5:10; Romans 8:2; 2 Corinthians 4:10-11; 1 John 5:11 cf. Deuteronomy 30:20 b; Psalms 36:9; Jeremiah 10:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:9). Because He gave Himself unto death for our sakes, we have life eternal in Him, having been born again through the Spirit by obedience to the gospel of life in Jesus Christ (Matthew 19:28; John 1:13; John 3:3-8; 1 Corinthians 4:15; Galatians 4:29; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 12:9; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 2:29; 1 John 3:9; 1 John 4:7; 1 John 5:1, 1 John 5:4; 1 John 5:18).

Everything came into being through Him, [Jesus Christ], and without Him, nothing has come into being which has in fact come into being. In Him was life, and this life was the light of men. John 1:3-4.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even if he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will surely not die forevermore.” John 11:25-26 a I am the way: the truth and the life. John 14:6. For you are already dead, and your [eternal] life has been hidden away with Christ in God. When Christ – your [eternal] life – is revealed, then you too (i. e., with your new eternal life) will be revealed in glory with Him. Colossians 3:3-4.

What we have seen from the beginning, what we have heard and seen with our eyes, what we have observed and touched with our hands – this is about the Word of life[, Jesus Christ]. And the Life appeared, and we have seen and testify to and proclaim to you the Eternal Life who was face to face with the Father and appeared to us. 1 John 1:1-2. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given to us a means of thinking to know the truth. And we are in the Truth, in His Son Jesus Christ. This One (i. e., Jesus Christ) is the true God and Life Eternal. 1 John 5:20.

It is I, the First and the Last, even the Living One. And although I died, behold, I am alive forever and ever! Indeed, I possess the keys to death and Hades. Revelation 1:17-18.

18) Light: As God, Jesus is light (1 John 1:5 cf. James 1:17; Revelation 22:5). Light is a very important biblical symbol because it stands for life, for holiness, and for truth, and does so in a way to which we human beings can easily and thoroughly relate (cf. John 3:19-21). When the devil rebelled, darkness, which had previously had no part in God’s creation, came into being. In contrast to darkness which symbolizes death, evil, and the absence of truth, Jesus is the Light (Matthew 4:16; Luke 2:32; Acts 26:13; 1 John 2:8; Revelation 21:23), because He is the holy One (Mark 1:24; Luke 1:35; Luke 4:34; John 6:69; Acts 4:27; Revelation 3:7; compare John 12:40-41 with Isaiah 6:1-10), and He is truth itself and life itself (John 8:12; John 9:5; John 12:46). In Him was life, and this life was the light of men. And this light is shining in the darkness, and the darkness has not quenched it. John 1:4-5. In Jesus, the true Light (John 1:9), as “children of light” (John 12:36; Ephesians 5:8; cf. Luke 16:8; Matthew 5:14), we enter the kingdom of light and exit the kingdom of darkness (Colossians 1:12-13; cf. Acts 26:18), having put our faith in the life-giving truth of the One who came into a world of darkness to bring us safely into the light of eternal life (1 Peter 2:9; cf. Acts 26:23).

I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12 b I have come into the world as a light, in order that everyone who believes in Me may not abide in darkness. John 12:46.

19) Lord of Hosts: As with the titles “Alpha and Omega” and “King of Kings and Lord of Lords”, “Lord of Hosts” is also a designation which may be applied to both the Father and the Son. For while at times this title seems clearly to represent the Father (Isaiah 9:7; Zechariah 6:12-13), at other times we see it clearly referring to our Lord Jesus Christ as the Father’s visible representative (Zechariah 2:8-9). At John 12:41; for example, John attributes to Jesus Isaiah’s vision of the Lord surrounded by the Seraphs who cry out “holy, holy, holy” (Isaiah 6:1-13). Along with being Head of the Church (Ephesians 1:22; Ephesians 4:15; Colossians 1:18), the Lord Jesus Christ is also Head (and Creator) of all angelic kind (Ephesians 1:21; Colossians 1:15-20; Colossians 2:10; Hebrews 1:1-4), and this title emphasizes our Lord’s status as Commander in Chief of the angelic armies (“host” being a translation of the Hebrew tsabhah, abj, “army”; cf. Psalms 84:3; Isaiah 6:5; Amos 5:14-16; Zechariah 1:3-17).

I saw the Lord sitting on his throne with all the host of heaven standing around him on his right and his left. 1 Kings 22:19 NIV 20) Mediator: [see section I. 2.d above] 21) Messiah: [see section I. 3.c above]

22) Mystery: Jesus Christ is the linchpin of human history on which everything depends, but the full reality of this was concealed before His first advent (cf. 1 Peter 1:10-12), a “mystery” before the cross, but revealed after the cross (Ephesians 1:9-10; Ephesians 3:9-10; Colossians 1:26-27). For although predictions of the coming Messiah are frequent in the Old Testament, the exact nature of the Messiah (i. e., that He would be human and divine), and the exact manner of His coming (i. e., that He would come twice, first as the Servant to expiate sin, second as the King to eradicate evil), were shrouded in mystery until Jesus came in the flesh. The mystery of God’s solution to sin, and all of the other mysteries about which scripture speaks (the mystery of the Church preeminently: Ephesians 3:1-11; Ephesians 5:25-32), are all revealed in the face of Jesus Christ come in the flesh, having died for us on the cross for our redemption, and having been resurrected on the third day for our justification (cf. Romans 4:25).

I want you to know what a great struggle I am engaging in on your behalf and on behalf of those in Laodicea and [on behalf of] as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, [struggling] that your hearts may be encouraged, being strengthened by love and [led] into all the [spiritual] wealth which confident understanding [of the truth brings], [led, that is, ] into the full acknowledgment (i. e., epignosis, “knowledge made real through faith”) of the mystery of God the Father, [namely] Christ, in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. Colossians 2:1-3.

23) The Prophet: [see section I. 2.c. 1 above]

24) Rock: Jesus is the bedrock of all creation, the Founder and Foundation of the universe and of our salvation. The tangible qualities of solidity and dependability inherent in the name “Rock” are obvious, and our Lord is the one and only Rock upon which a secure foundation for eternity can be built (Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:47-49). The frequency with which this particular title and metaphor is used in scripture of God in general and of Jesus in particular highlights its importance (cf. Exodus 17:6; Numbers 20:8; Deuteronomy 32:4-37; 1 Samuel 2:2; 2 Samuel 23:3; Psalms 18:2, Psalms 18:46; Psalms 19:14; Psalms 144:1; Isaiah 8:14; Isaiah 17:10; Isaiah 44:8; Isaiah 51:1; Matthew 7:24; Habakkuk 1:12). We must understand that everything depends and rests upon Jesus Christ. He is the Rock upon which the Church is founded (Matthew 16:18), and, individually, He is the Cornerstone of our existence, of our faith, and of all our hopes. The Stone which the builders rejected has become the Cornerstone. Psalms 118:22. And in the days of those kings (i. e., in the end times), the God of Heaven will establish a Kingdom which will not be destroyed forever. Nor will that kingdom be surrendered to another people. It will crush and put an end to all those other kingdoms, but this [Kingdom] will endure forever. And in that you saw that a Stone was cut out without [human] hands from the [living] Rock [of a mountain] and that it crushed the iron and the bronze and the clay and the silver and the gold [of the statue], the Great God has made known to the king what will happen after this [in the future[ (i. e., when Christ crushes the kingdom of antichrist). Daniel 2:44-45 a And I tell you that you are Peter [the little rock] (petr-os), and upon this [mighty] Rock (petr-a, i. e., upon Christ Himself; cf. 1 Corinthians 3:11) I shall build My Church (cf. Daniel 2:44-45), and the gates (i. e., the fortified defenses) of Hades (i. e., the devil’s kingdom) will not [be able to] resist it. Matthew 16:18.

Thus it has been written: “Behold, I am placing in Zion a Stone of stumbling and a Rock of tripping up. But he who puts his faith in Him will not be put to shame.” Romans 9:33 (Isaiah 28:16; cf. Isaiah 8:13-15) For no one can lay [any] other foundation (i. e., for salvation, spiritual growth and production) [other] than the One which has [already] been laid, namely, Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11. And all of them (i. e., the Exodus generation) drank the same spiritual drink (i. e., divinely provided water). For all of them drank from the spiritual[ly significant] Rock which followed them – for that Rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:4.

[It is Jesus] to whom you have come, a Living Stone, rejected by men, but with God elect and highly honored. 1 Peter 2:4.

25) Savior: In Greek, “Savior” is the word soter (σωτήρ, cf. Soteriology), a word whose root means “safe” and whose Latin adjectival equivalent is salvus (cf. “salvation”). The key idea in the agent noun “Savior” is “He who makes safe/delivers”. This Greek word (found at, e. g., Luke 2:11; John 4:42; Titus 3:6) is thus a nominal equivalent to what we find where the English word “Savior” is used in the Hebrew Old Testament (found at, e. g., Psalms 106:21; Isaiah 60:16; Isaiah 63:8; Hosea 13:4) to translate the word moshia’, (i. e., the hiphil participle of yasha’, éùò). All this is a roundabout way of saying that the name “Jesus” (also transliterated from the hiphil of yasha’, éùò) and the word “Savior”, while completely different in English, are nearly identical in their ultimate derivation. For “Jesus” means “He will save” in Hebrew, while the Hebrew participle translated “Savior” in the English versions of the Old Testament (and represented by the Greek soter, σωτήρ in the Greek New Testament and also translated “Savior”) means “One who saves”. The main difference is that while “Jesus” is a prophetic name, “Savior” attributes the ability to save directly to our Lord. Jesus is the One who has saved us from the lake of fire, from eternal death and condemnation, and who has opened the gate to eternal life for all willing to enter by faith in Him. In Jesus we have been saved from our sins and their eternal consequences, rescued from death by His sacrificial life and atoning death in our place. A greater act of salvation and a greater Savior are truly unimaginable.

26) The Servant of God: This title for our Lord demonstrates the height and the depth and breadth of the love God has for us, for it focuses upon our Lord’s self-accepted humiliation in coming into this world as a genuine human being, without glory, to drink to His fill the tears of this world and to suffer for us in our place, even to His death for us on the cross, that we might not die but live forever with Him (Isaiah 49:3-11; Isaiah 52:13-15, Isaiah 53:1-12; Romans 15:8-9).

You too should have this attitude which Christ Jesus had. Since He already existed in the very form of God, equality with God was [certainly] not something He thought He had to grasp for. Yet in spite of this [co-equal divinity He already possessed], He deprived Himself of His status and took on the form of a slave, [and was] born in the likeness of men. He humbled Himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even [His] death on [the] cross [for us all]. Php 2:5-8.

Behold my Servant – I will support Him. My chosen One – my soul (i. e., heart) takes pleasure in Him. I have placed my Spirit upon Him. He will bring forth justice for the nations. He will not cry out nor will He lift up His voice in the street. He will not shatter a reed [which is already] crushed (i. e., He will be merciful to the faint of spirit), nor will He extinguish a smouldering wick (i. e., He will encourage the weak of faith). [But] He will bring forth justice in truth. He will not lose His ardor, nor will He proceed too hastily until He establishes justice on the earth. And in His teaching the islands will put their hope. Thus says God the Lord, who creates the skies and stretches them out, who fashions the earth and its produce, who gives breath to the people upon it, even a spirit to those who walk upon it. I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, and shall take You by the hand, and guard You, and appoint You a covenant for the nations and a light for the gentiles, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring forth the prisoner from the dungeon, and those who dwell in darkness from their place of captivity (i. e., physical and spiritual redemption). Isaiah 42:1-7.

27) The Good Shepherd: We are all like sheep who have gone astray (Psalms 119:176; 1 Peter 2:25), but our God has mercifully gone out of His way to bring us back to Himself through the Good Shepherd He has appointed to care for us and guide us. The powerful image conveyed by the picture of the Shepherd who guards and guides us is ubiquitous in the scriptures, conveying the truth that our Lord is our merciful protector and provider, ever present to comfort and take care of us (Genesis 48:15; Psalms 28:9; Psalms 80:1; Ecclesiastes 12:11; Jeremiah 31:10; Jeremiah 49:19; Jeremiah 50:44; Ezekiel 34:23; Ezekiel 37:24; Zechariah 13:7; Matthew 2:6; Matthew 25:32; Matthew 26:31; Mark 14:27; John 10:2-16; 1 Peter 5:2-4), even to point of laying down His life in our behalf (John 10:11).

“[Joseph’s] bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel.” Genesis 49:24 NIV The Lord is the One shepherding me. Therefore I will not be lacking [anything I need]. Psalms 23:1.

See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flocks like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:10-11 NIV But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, too small to be numbered among the clans of Judah, from you I will bring forth the One who is to rule over Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, even from the days of eternity. For He will give them over until the time when she who is about to give birth gives birth (i. e., His mother, Mary: the first advent), and the rest of His brothers return to the sons of Israel (i. e., Jewish repentance at the second advent). Then He (i. e., the Messiah) will arise and will shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the Name of the Lord His God. And they will dwell [in peace], for then He will be great to the ends of the earth. And He will be their peace. Micah 5:2-5 a I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sake of the sheep. John 10:11. And the God of peace, the One who led up from the dead the Great Shepherd of the sheep in the blood of the eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus, will fit you out with every good thing in order that you may do His will, [even] as He produces in us what is well-pleasing through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen! Hebrews 13:20-21. For you were once like sheep going astray, but you have now turned back to the Shepherd and Overseer of your lives. 1 Peter 2:25.

“Because the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and will lead them to fountains of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:17.

28) The Son of David: Jesus is David’s literal “son” as a direct descendant through the mother of His humanity (Luke’s genealogy: Luke 3:23-38), and legal heir as a direct descendant through His step-father Joseph (Matthew’s genealogy: Matthew 1:1-17). Jesus is also the prophetic “greater Son” of David, the Messiah, the promised coming King who would provide the ultimate fulfillment of the promises made to David by the Lord, the “Davidic Covenant” (Psalms 89:13-37). In His capacity of “Son of David”, Jesus is David’s “seed” (Romans 1:3) and the “Lion” of the tribe of Judah, and “the root of David” (Revelation 5:5; cf. “Branch” above #4).

“The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” 2 Samuel 7:11-13 NIV

29) The Son of God: This title bespeaks our Lord’s divinity [see section I. 1.2 above, “Jesus is the one and only Son of God”]. The title “Son of God” also expresses Jesus’ unique role in human history of being the Trinity’s visible Person, the One sent into the world to rescue and redeem sinful mankind, and to win the victory of the cross whereby eternal life and the eternal kingdom to come are provided for all who believe.

30) The Son of Man: This title hearkens back to Genesis 3:15 and protoevangelium, the first promise of the gospel in the prophecy of the coming Seed who would crush the devil’s head. Jesus is that Seed (Galatians 3:16-19; cf. Luke 1:55; Acts 3:25; Romans 4:13-18), the “Last Adam” (Romans 5:12-14; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22, 1 Corinthians 15:45; cf. Galatians 3:19), and the title is a clear indication of His perfect and genuine humanity (Mark 8:31), coming into the flesh in Adam’s line. The specific name under consideration here, “The Son of Man”, marks out Christ as the Seed and the unique “Son” (as opposed to all other human beings). As such, the title is clearly prophetic of the Messiah (as was clearly recognized by our Lord’s contemporaries when He used this title for Himself (John 9:35-38).

I kept looking during my vision of that night, and behold – with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming up, and He approached the Ancient of Days (i. e., the Father) and they brought Him before Him. And to Him was given dominion and honor and a kingdom, so that all nations and peoples and tongues should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away, and His kingdom one which will not be destroyed. Daniel 7:13-14. And [God the Father] has given Him[, Jesus Christ, ] authority to render judgment [on the world] because He is [the] Son of Man. John 5:27.

31) The Truth: Jesus not only speaks the truth, He is the truth:

I am the Way: the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6. As this verse makes clear, Jesus is the only real truth worth knowing (cf. Hebrews 13:8), and all that is genuinely true is at its core fundamentally subordinate to Him who is the ultimate and all-encompassing truth. For this reason, Jesus Christ and His words are ubiquitously and regularly described in terms of truth (Matthew 14:33; Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:39; Luke 4:25; Luke 12:44; Luke 21:3; John 1:17; John 4:42; John 6:14, John 6:32, John 6:55; John 7:40; John 8:16, John 8:40; John 8:45; John 15:1; John 16:7; John 18:37; 1 John 2:8; 1 John 5:20; Revelation 3:7, Revelation 3:14; Revelation 19:11): The true Light which illuminates every human being was coming into the world. John 1:9. And the Word became flesh and tented among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of a one and only Son of His Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14. For the Law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17.

32) The Vine: This highly descriptive image teaches us about our organic connection to our dear Lord Jesus from the point we first put our faith in Him (cf. Psalms 80:8-11). We live in Him and He lives in us so long as we continue to walk in faith.

I am the true vine and my Father is the vine-dresser. Every branch [that is] in Me which does not bear fruit He removes, and every branch which does bear fruit He prunes so that it might bear more fruit. You have already been pruned because of the Word I have spoken to you. Stay part of Me, and I will [stay] part of you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it remains part of the vine, so you too cannot [bear true fruit] unless you stay part of Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in Him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. John 15:1-6.

33) The Way: Jesus is the only “way” to get to God. In fact, He is the Way:

I am the Way: the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6.

Comparing salvation to physical progress along a route is common in scripture (e. g., Psalms 84:5-7; Psalms 118:9-27; Psalms 119:176; Matthew 7:13-14; Matthew 21:32; Matthew 22:16; Mark 12:14; Luke 13:24-25; John 14:4; Acts 9:2; Acts 19:9. Acts 19:23; Acts 22:4; Acts 24:22). But what all of these travel metaphors have in common is the gospel: only through Jesus Christ can we approach God (Ephesians 2:14-18; Ephesians 4:7-10; Colossians 2:13-15; Hebrews 9:24). He is Gate through which those who are truly His sheep enter (John 10:7-9). He is the only true Door which leads not to death but to eternal life (Revelation 3:21; Revelation 4:1). Only through Him, and in Him, and by following Him where He has gone (Hebrews 6:19-20; cf. Hebrews 2:10 [Greek]; Hebrews 12:2), can we too enter into the heavenly holy of holies for fellowship eternal with the Father, the Son, and the Spirit forevermore (Matthew 27:51; Luke 23:43; Hebrews 10:19-20).

34) Word of God: Jesus Christ is the living Word of God: The Word [Jesus Christ] existed at the very beginning, and there was reciprocity (i. e., co-divinity) between the Word and God [the Father]. And the Word was God. John 1:1.

What this means is that there is absolutely no discrepancy or disparity between Jesus and the Father, or between Jesus and any of the “words of God”. For He is the embodiment of the truth, God’s Word, and is the Truth, manifest in God’s written Word. For this reason, the ministry of the Spirit to believers is described by our Lord as one where the Spirit will “take what is mine and will make it known to you” (John 16:15), and by Paul as the very “mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). To know Jesus is know the Word of God; to know the Word of God is to know Jesus Christ (John 5:39; cf. John 1:1-14; Hebrews 1:1-4; 1 John 1:1-4; Revelation 1:2). Praise God for that blessed day of days to come when we shall “know, even as we are known” (1 Corinthians 13:12). And He was clothed in a cloak splattered with blood, and His Name stands [forever]: “The Word of God”. Revelation 19:13.