Salvation Signified in a Name

For the past six months I have been listening to David Jeremiah’s radio series on the Book of Revelation. This past week he preached on Revelation chapter 19 which details the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. It may surprise you to know that there are more than 700 different names for Jesus in the Bible! The number is staggering at first glance, but as we come to the Marriage Supper it is interesting to notice that Jesus refers to Himself as the Lamb. He could have chosen 699 other names but He chose this one. Why? David Jeremiah believes He selected this name because it is how every believer comes to know Jesus at first introduction.

As I thought about this concept over the past several days, it may be the most plausible explanation I have heard on this subject. For you see when we first encounter Jesus personally it is as the Lamb slain for our sins. Although He is also Creator of the universe, the Prince of Peace, the Bread of Life and the True Vine, if we do not know Him first as our sacrificial Lamb, the other names hold no significance. In fact, I would suggest that it would be impossible to know Jesus by His other names unless He is our Lamb first.

The Biblical significance of the title is rendered in the context of earlier lamb symbolism contained in the Old Testament. It was the blood of a lamb in Exodus 12 that protected and saved the Israelites during the first Passover. This link is made explicit in 1 Corinthians 5:7 as Paul declares Christians are saved by Christ as their true paschal lamb. It is also worth noting that the first words John the Baptist utters upon seeing Jesus is, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

So, it is not hard to understand why this title is the one Jesus uses at the Marriage Supper which will take place at the end of the seven year Tribulation period just prior to Christ’s return to the earth to rule with His saints for 1,000 years. It is here that all believers will be ushered into a love feast with their Messiah. It will be a glorious consummation beyond the comprehension of the human mind. The Lamb will sit down to eat with those His blood has redeemed.

What a tremendous picture to contemplate! What a divine reality to allow to permeate our minds and shape our daily walk. He is first and foremost our Lamb and He will be our Lamb when we sit at His table.

Do you know the Lamb? If not, you can know Him today. It is no coincidence that the name Jesus means “God saves.” This was His mission when he came to earth – to save sinners. Romans 10:9-10 declares that if a person shall “confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Please do not delay your decision one more day. The Lamb is waiting to be your eternal Passover.

“From Heaven He came and sought her to be His holy bride; With His own blood He bought her, and for her life He died.” - Samuel J. Stone