THE LORD WHICH IS!

“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen” (Revelation 1:18).

On January 21, 1924, the Soviet Congress issued a public declaration at the death of Nikolai Lenin. Eulogizing the founder of the Communist party, the congress stated: “His vision was colossal; his intelligence in organizing the masses was beyond belief. He was lord of the new humanity, the savior of the world.”

While Lenin was here referred to as “lord” and “Savior of the world,” there is one small word that is used in this eulogy that differentiates him from the true Lord and Savior of the world — the word “was.” The little word “was” wrote an end to the life of Lenin. The lifeless body could no longer claim the titles of “supreme leader,” “lord” or “savior.” Lenin, like others who have aspired to be recognized as a great man, and savior of men, must at some time pass into that area in which those who followed them refer to them as the one who “was” their leader. It is with this in mind that we are filled with great joy to know that the One whom we follow today is not

placed in the same category as one who “was.” Jesus is not the One who was savior — He is Savior of the world. Our hope rests not in one who did live, but in one who does live forevermore.

Great men have risen to the heights of renown among men in the world, only to soon pass from the scene. Some of them who were recognized as great men while they lived are unknowns among today’s generation. Those who are remembered are sometimes only remembered through some monument or words recorded in history books about them. Yet our blessed Jesus ever lives. He lives not as the One who was but as the One who IS and the One who shall ever be.

The Perfect One

We are each aware of the significance that numbers play in the Word of God. The number seven is considered. It has been referred to by Bible scholars through the years as God’s number of perfection and completeness. It is with this mind that we consider the following information regarding Jesus.

God was known during the Old Testament by the name that is translated in the King James Bible “Jehovah” more than any other name. The name “Jehovah” contains seven letters. This same title is applied to Jesus in the New Testament. This was whom Paul called upon on the road to Damascus when he said, “Who art thou Lord?” (Jehovah). “And the Lord (Jehovah) said, I am Jesus.

We are introduced to Jesus first through the gospel of Matthew (seven letters in his name). The seventh word of the first verse of the book of Matthew is Jesus.

In studying the New Testament, you will find that he is called Jesus 700 times. The angel who came to declare his birth referred to him as “Jesus,” “Son of the Highest,” “Son of God,” “Emmanuel,” “Saviour,” “Christ” and “Lord.”

The Name Above All Names

No name is worthy to be uttered in comparison to the name of Jesus. It is the name that had been kept secret through the ages of time till the lowly virgin had it whispered in her ear before her conception of the holy child. That name is spoken of with the greatest reverence in the word of God. Devils tremble before the name of Jesus. Sin is removed from countless millions of repentant sinners at the mention of the name of Jesus in baptism. The pens of the inspired writers spoke loftily of that wonderful name of the Lord:

Philippians 2:9–11 — “and given him a name which is above every name.”

Proverbs 18:10 — “The name of the Lord is a strong tower.”

Psalms 111:9 — “Holy and reverent is his name.”

Isaiah 9:6 — “His name shall be called, Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”

Matthew 1:21 — “Thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Matthew 1:23 — “And they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

Psalms 72:17–19 — “His name shall endure forever: His name shall be continued as long as the sun … and blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with His glory; Amen, and Amen.”

And to think there are some people who refuse to be baptized in the wonderful name of Jesus.

When we speak of the name of Jesus, we never speak of it as belonging to someone who lived in the distant past somewhere and some time. We speak of it as the One who is ever present and very much alive and with his people this very moment. We never refer to him as the Lord who was, but rather as the Lord who is.

A Unique Name

While there are other names of men who have lived in history, familiar to a lot of people, there is no name that is known by as many people as the name of Jesus. There are probably millions who have not heard about certain important historical characters, but can we imagine of any nation that has not heard of the name of Jesus?

When we hear mention of the name Plato, we may think primarily of “thought.” At the mention of Demosthenes, we would think of “eloquence.” Nero would remind us of “cruelty.” Napoleon would make us think of “military genius.”

While these men stand out in some certain category, Jesus stands above all of them regardless of our station in life.

There are judges which — at the mention of their name — remind us of perfect justice, kings, and princes that signify authority, splendor, and power, but has the world stored up in any of these names such associations as belong to the name of Jesus? Every blazing star wheeling among its fellow stars remind us of the “Star of Bethlehem” which pointed with a shaft of light to the place the Son of God was housed. Every manger inside a modern stable speaks of Jesus’ cradle. The donkey reminds you of how Jesus was taken down into Egypt to escape the murderous jealousy of King Herod. Every mountain, illuminated with the rising or setting sun, reminds us of the “Holy Mount” where Jesus was transfigured. A fig tree, an olive tree, a hen brooding over her chickens, a fishing shack, a stormy lake, a fish (as you force open his mouth to recover your hook reminds you of that maritime marvel that Peter fished out of the sea to pay the taxes for himself and his Master) — we cannot look anywhere or at anything without being reminded of Jesus. Jesus gives everything a voice, the voice of reminiscence.

Most of today’s authors make the terrible mistake of comparing Jesus to other men. How futile for them to do so. The men of His day did the same thing. They compared him to Elijah, Jeremiah, John the Baptist or one of the prophets. How far from right were they when they made such comparisons. Jesus is not even to be spoken of as one of the great among men who lived. He is not the great — He is the only. He is simply and wonderfully, Jesus. Nothing can add to that. He is beyond analysis.

Jesus

 He was Abraham’s friend.

 He was Joseph’s revealer of dreams.

 He was David’s Shepherd.

 He was the theme of the Psalmist’s songs.

 To Daniel He was the Stone cut out of the mountain without hands.

 He was Elijah’s chariot driver.

 He was the glory of Israel to aged Simeon.

 He was the Lamb of God to John the Baptist.

 He was the king on His throne to the aged apostle John.

To those of us who have been baptized in His name and filled with the Spirit he is our Savior and soon to return Redeemer. He is our Blessed Hope.

As the apostle John wrote of him, he is not only the One who “was,” but he is also the one who “is, and which is to come, the almighty.”

While Lenin, Mao Tse Tung, Stalin, Krushchev and others made their boasts about their denial of God have moved off the scene to someday be brought forth from their graves and stand before the very one which they denied in this life. Jesus ever lives to those who will surrender their lives to him.

It is with this hope that we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory!