A NAME WRITTEN
Revelation 19:12
Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
We find our title, a name written, listed twice in the above passage. And each time it is listed, it seems to be followed by phrases of contrasting meanings. In verse 12, it is followed by the phrase, that no man knew, but he himself. Then in verse 16 the phrase that follows actually gives his name for all to see! – KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. How are we to understand this?
The whole matter is make plain in His accomplished redemption, and in the saints sharing His cross! 2 Corinthians 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
The above passage clearly reveals that since the death of Christ, the revelation of His Person is accomplished only by regeneration. You must note the three henceforth’s. These words decisively mark the new way of discovery of His identity as being set forth from the time of His cross. John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. One must have eternal life to know Him. And one cannot know Him unless granted eternal life!
Then there is the matter of continuing the revelation experientially. Phil. 3:10 That I may know him, … and the fellowship of his sufferings, Also in Matthew 11:27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; One is to ‘learn of him’ in the daily taking of his yoke in the fellowship of his sufferings. For it is only when we bear about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus is manifest in our mortal flesh! (2 Corin. 4:10-12.)
And those who participate in both redemption and the daily, sanctified afflictions of Christ, see him as, Faithful and True (v.11), The Word of God, (v.13), and by His written name (v.16). And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:40.
So the unregenerate world seeth me no more. But to those washed in the blood of the Lamb, he instructs; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. (John 14:19).
This is the same pattern as applies to the redeemed. To truly know one of God’s elect, one must know Christ! The Apostle Paul said that it was by manifestation of the truth that we are commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. (2Cor. 4:2).
Rev. 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Brother Gene Breed
June 4, 2006