Article

 Samuel Ferrell - June, 2025

Hebrews 1:3-4 KJV - Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Jesus Christ is the expressed image of the invisible God. Everything stands today by the word of His power. He has purged our sins on our behalf, and He sits at the right hand of majesty on high! But when compared to the angels, the divine beings, what makes Him so much better?:

“He hath obtained by inheritance a more excellent name than they.”

Can I tell you: there’s more to a name than a bunch of grouped up letters.

A name will reflect who you are.

A name will give you a unique identity.

A name describes more than what it literally means.

In many instances, someone’s name could literally describe their character. The Hebrew name of Christ, yeshua, means “God saves,” which is descriptive of what Christ did for our sakes on the cross. But, when you say the name “Jesus,” you are talking about more than the salvation of God to man: you are describing His life, ministry, and all of His actions that expresses who He is. 

Now, on the other hand, when you say the name “Judas,” a lot more comes to mind than “praise.” The name “Judas” is like an emblem of deception and backstabbing, symbolic of what Judas did to Christ: he betrayed Him. This name implies more than praise, and it’s because of the attributes and actions of the one who has that name.

Your name is your representative, but it is also you at the same time. You embody your name, and your name embodies you.

Now think about the sacred name of God: YHWH (Yahweh). It literally means “I am” and “I will be,” which describes His eternal nature. The name of God, YHWH, is sacred, and the Jews, even to this day, would not say His name when speaking of Him. They feared God to the point where they held the name to be as sacred as God Himself.

Instead of saying YHWH, they would either say “adonai” (which means Lord), or they would say “hashem” (which means “the name”). 

So, is there more to the name of God than 4 letters?

In the first passage I read, we see that Jesus has “obtained” a name that is “more excellent.” What’s in a name? Is the name simply “Jesus”? What makes this name more excellent than others? I want us to look at the angel of the Lord, the preincarnate Christ-figure of the Old Testament:

Exodus 23:20-22 KJV - Behold, I send an Angel (messenger) before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.

If the name of the Lord symbolizes who God is, then what does it mean for His name to be in something? His name is in this angel?

What separated this angel (this messenger) from the rest of them was that He had divine authority. According to this verse, this angel had the capability to pardon transgressions, something that is unique to God Himself. The Lord explains why this angel has divine authority: His name is in Him. This seems as if the angel had been granted special authority, acting on behalf of God in the name of God. But, there’s more to it.

Most of us would agree that this angel was representing Christ prior to His incarnation. This is because the angel of the Lord was how God manifested Himself to His people: He would deliver the Words of God to them.

Exodus 3:1-4 KJV - Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.

Judges 6:22-23 KJV - And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord GOD! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face. And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.

In both of these passages, the angel seems to represent God, but is also God Himself at the same time! The Lord had said His name would be in the angel, yet the Lord seems to BE the angel (the messenger). This is telling us something important:

God’s name being in something meant that He is there and He is in charge

Christ is the divine, unique Son of God, and Christ could be considered the angel of the Lord that we find in Exodus 23. But what separates Him from all of the other angels? He is YAHWEH, the Most High God! The name not only defines who God is, but it also represents His presence, authority, and activity. Why would God tell the Israelites about His name being in the angel he was sending? Because he wanted to remind them that He was in control.

Can I tell you today: GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL! 

"BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD!"

Knowing this about the name of the Lord helps us to then understand who Christ really is: He is the expressed image and name of God. His name is above every other name, because His name has all authority. This is why He says, “Before Abraham was, I AM.” He is the “I AM.” He is THE NAME, and this name is above all others.

Now, where do we come in? What’s our role in this?

2 Timothy 2:19 KJV - Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

1. Bearing the Name of the LORD

Romans 10:13 KJV - For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

“Call” indicates making something your surname, bearing a name like you would in marriage. Could “name” here simply describe the literal name, YHWH? No, because who has obtained the more excellent name? Jesus Christ, the Son of God who paid the price for our salvation. Salvation is more than simply calling on God to fix your problems: it is a decision that requires your obedience and submission. Bearing the name of the Lord is no easy task, and it is required of those who name the name of Christ. 

Exo 20:7 KJV - Thou shalt not take (bear/take up) the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

There is a cost to improperly bearing the name of the Lord. Have you ever thought of this scripture this way? To bear a name means to associate yourself to it and bind yourself to it. Taking up a name gives you authority, and lifting up the name of the Lord is a high responsibility. We are meant to uphold the name of the Lord as the light of the world, introducing others to the glory of His presence. Don’t do it in vain, because the name of the Lord is sacred!

Acts 4:12 KJV - Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

No other name is like the name of Jesus. His name is how we are saved. His name embodies who He is, as the God above all. The name of Jesus is not of this world, it is God. No one can be saved, except by the merciful plan of God, that sent His Son to die for our sins. 

Philippians 2:9-11 KJV - 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 God the Father.

Christ has been given a name above every name, a power that is unlike any other power, and all things will fall underneath his feet in submission, declaring that He is the Lord of all. God’s presence is too powerful for anything to rise above it. The glory of God will be the very thing that brings all of creation to their knees in confession of Christ’s Lordship. 

2. The Name of the Lord in the Church

Matthew 18:20 KJV - For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Does meeting in the English name for the Greek translation of Christ’s name mean anything (if we take this from a literal standpoint, like chanting)? No. We’re here, meeting together, to come into the presence of the Lord. Jesus is reminding them here that meeting together in the name of Jesus is the same as gathering together in the presence of Jesus. 

The word “in” when Jesus says “in my name” is a different Greek word than “in” when he says “in the midst of them.”

The first “in” is the same word that is used for entering a city: “Jesus went into Capernaum.”

“In my name” would rather be said as “into my name.” 

The context of this passage is divine authority in the church. In order for there to be authority at all, the name has to be there. A check means nothing if it isn’t signed. But to have this authority on your side, you must bear the name yourself. Church, we have been given the gift to come into the presence of God, but we have also been granted the authority of God in the name of Jesus.

What does gathering “into” the name of Jesus mean?

1Kings 5:5 KJV - And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.

Deuteronomy 12:5 KJV - But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:

The name of the Lord signifies his presence. Israel wasn’t just going into the land to physically inscribe His name on the ground wherever they went. No, they were preparing the tabernacle, the dwelling place of God. Solomon was not simply building the temple for a name, but for the presence of God. God’s name requires a dwelling place, and the dwelling place is His children. 

• OT Israel (Exodus 4:22 KJV — And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn)

• Jesus (Mark 1:1 KJV — The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God)

• Us (John 1:12 KJV — But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name)

The church is meant to be the Household of God, the dwelling place of the Most High. Is His name in our midst? Does He dwell within us? Are we dwelling in His name?

Let’s look at John 17. This is the High Priestly prayer of Jesus before He was turned over to the Jews for trial and crucifixion. In this prayer, He is praying for the unity and faith of His disciples: not only the ones He had then, but also the ones that were to come (Us!). And isn’t it amazing that Jesus emphasizes the name of the Lord throughout this prayer.

John 17:6 KJV - I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

With the understanding we have of the divine name in the Old Testament, Jesus is saying that He has manifested the presence and authority of God to His disciples.

John 17:11 KJV - And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

What does it mean to be kept in the name of the Lord? To be kept in His presence, and remain in the faith. Being kept in the Lord’s name is the greatest assurance of eternal life that we can have. Staying in His presence gives us comfort!

John 17:12 KJV - While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

Jesus here is stating that He has kept the people of God in His presence while He was with them, keeping them under God’s dominion.

John 17:26 KJV - And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

Jesus is constantly making the presence of God known to His disciples, which results in the love of God residing in them. Making God’s presence known is making God’s love known, and the love of God will reach into all hearts who are willing to receive Him. Jesus did all of this as the manifested name of the Lord in the flesh.

This is God’s plan for the church: to dwell in Him, and Him in us, in His name. 

3. The Name of the Lord in our Daily Lives

Col 3:17 KJV - 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

This scripture commands us to do all things in the name of Jesus. He is the one, after all, who has obtained a name that is above every other name. He is the Lord of all, and His Word shows us how we ought to be: in His name. In everything that we do, we must do it in His presence.

To be in His presence, we must be purposeful in our decisions that allow Him to be the Lord over our life. We must ask the same question that kept Joshua on track: “Does the Lord go before us?” Going even further: “Do we allow the Lord to have control over our lives?” Everyday, it is our responsibility to do all things in His name: in His presence. 

Zechariah 14:9, 20-21 KJV - 9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one. ... 20 In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD'S house shall be like the bowls before the altar. 21 Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts.

At the end of all things, even the most insignificant of pots will be “Holiness unto the Lord (YHWH)”. Everything will be in complete submission to Him. His presence requires our purpose. His dominion requires our life to be His domain.

God must rule over our lives, and if He can’t have all of it, then He will have none of it. Let’s get real: are we entirely “holiness unto the Lord?” Have we inscribed the name of the Lord over all of our circumstances, trials, and temptations? Does God have dominion over your anxiety?

The question for us today is this: have we submitted everything to the Lord? Is the name of the Lord over our lives? Have we given everything in our lives to be “HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD”?

If you haven’t, then what are you waiting for?!

Psalms 61:2-3 KJV - From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.

Proverbs 18:10 KJV - The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and are safe.

The name of the Lord is a strong, dependable refuge: a stronghold for our safety! God is our comfort and safety. But comfort comes at a cost: have we counted the cost? Are we willing to run into this tower, into the presence of the Lord, and put off every unclean thing that may keep us from bearing his name in Holiness?

Are you willing to bear His name?