September 9, 2011
The Importance
of the
Meaning of Names in Scripture
Scripture makes known the importance of the meaning of names of patriarchs in the Old Testament and names of the apostles in the New Testament. They not only spoke of their character but often revealed their use by Jesus Christ.
T
he
writings of the Three Elijah’s Book
centers around these three very important men in their use by God the
Father and Jesus Christ.
Their use by Jesus Christ was of the utmost importance – so great— the success or failure of their missions could have meant the difference between continued life and death for all humanity (Malachi 4:4-6).
The gravity of Elijah’s mission is directly associated with his NAME for it speaks of the loss of the identity of the true God by Israel and their worship of the Baals.
With this in mind, we should know the meaning of the name Elijah, not only for that ancient time, but his name speaks of the very same problem the promised Elijah of the end-time was sent by Jesus Christ to make known to Israel today.
This chapter will not only make known WHY God chose to have these three men to bear the name Elijah, but will also make known why Jesus Christ chose other men to serve Him with NAMES that were given from birth to describe their use by God, and with others Jesus Christ found it necessary to CHANGE their names to describe their use by Him.
The Importance of Understanding the NAME of ELIJAH
The need of understanding the meaning and significance of the name of ELIJAH, in regard to his very special mission to Israel, is far more important than most realize, for it ties in directly with both the second and third men in their very special missions.
Failure in doing so will prohibit one from grasping with real comprehension and understanding WHY Jesus Christ would have TWO MEN to follow with the same NAME as that of ELIJAH at key and strategic times in the ongoing history of Israel.
Since the Bible makes known that God has known the end from the beginning of creation (Isaiah 46:10), He knew in time to come there would be the need of a prophet by the name of Elijah to send to His Chosen people Israel for they would forget Him (Hosea 8:14).
And for the same reason at key appointed future times there would be the need of two others who would also bear the same NAME as that of Elijah, but only in the same Spirit and Power of the ancient prophet, while having their own family name.
This can be seen from what the father of John said of his son:
“He (John) will also go before Him (Jesus Christ) IN the Spirit and Power of Elijah . . .” (Luke 1:17; II Kings 2:15).
The Name of Elijah
There is no Scriptural proof that God gave the name of Elijah to this ancient prophet directly, as He had done with others; however, when we consider the meaning of it along with his very important mission, there is no question but that God saw to it that this prophet would have this particular name.
T
he
name of Elijah had the meaning of a true representative of God, for
it was a derivation of the very name of God, Elohim.
This name of itself should have at least made the people of Israel
wonder upon hearing his name.
They should have linked Elijah to ‘ELOHIM’ as His representative. Though it is realized by many that the Name ELOHIM is a Family Name, we need to also further understand its meaning and in so doing one can see that it also corresponds to the name of Elijah:
Notes from Bullinger’s (Companion) Bible: “It is interesting that the change was made in both names with ONE LETTER, the 5th letter changed to H. The letter H is common to both the names of JHVH and ELOHIM. (This letter H change was also made in the name of Joshua, Numbers 13:16).
The added 5th letter (H) has the meaning of GRACE. The Greek for GRACE is a multiple of 5s. It is the leading factor in the Tabernacles measurements.”
"EL" [God the Father] is ELOHIM in all His strength and power, the OMNIPOTENT. In essence the ALMIGHTY. "JAH" is JHVH, the ETERNAL [Jesus Christ] – GOD, the IMMUTABLE ONE, HE WHO IS, AND IS TO COME, THE EVERLASTING GOD (Genesis 21:33; Revelation 11:17).
With the meaning of ELOHIM in mind we can understand the derivation of Elijah by putting the name together: El (I) JAH. The letter “I” makes the difference between the name of ‘ELOHIM’ and that of Elijah. Leaving the “I” in between is the name Elijah.
I
n
addition to the three schools of the prophets where Elijah taught
from time to time there were possibly others of Israel who knew he
was a prophet of God; possibly, they even associated his name with
his mission..
Names with Biblical Meaning
The Holy Bible makes well known that names were important to the people of Israel as a whole. This can be seen in Scripture as well as in life today for some parents have chosen names for their children that convey Biblical meanings – names that would bear a desired meaning in life.
As already mentioned Jesus Christ made name changes with special men He had chosen to fulfill major responsibilities toward the ultimate salvation of all of mankind. And each change would have a long-range meaning in the ongoing history of Israel and the Church of God.
Abraham and Sarah
Among the very beginning of those name changes was that of a very special man and his wife, Abram and Sarai.
God changed Abram’s name (exalted father) to Abraham (father of a multitude of nations, (Genesis 17:4-5).
God even changed the name of Sarai (princely), Abraham’s wife, to that of Sarah (Princess, Genesis 17:15).
This change in the names of Abraham and Sarah was made at the very time that God made the physical covenant of circumcision to Abraham and his descendants that would be an identifying SIGN of a personal relationship between God and them.
Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, from your kindred and from your father’s house, to a land I will show you. I will make you A GREAT NATION [Israel]; I will bless you and make YOUR NAME great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and I will curse him who curses you; AND IN YOU all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:1-3).
The United States and Britain in Prophecy, page 22, Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong:
“Notice the two-fold promise that God made to Abram in this Scripture: “I will make of you A GREAT NATION” verse 2] – the national, material promise that his flesh-born children should become a great nation – a promise of RACE. “And in you shall ALL FAMILIES of the earth be blessed” verse 3] – the spiritual promise of ‘GRACE’ (emphasis mine).This same promise is repeated in Genesis 22:18. “In your seed shall all of the nations of the earth be blessed” This particular ‘one seed’ refers to Jesus Christ, as plainly affirmed in Galatians 3:8, 16. Please note: “I will make of you A GREAT NATION” verse 2] – the national, material promise that his flesh-born children should become a great nation – a promise of RACE.”
Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, volume, 1, page 15, Genesis 17-4-5. Abram] “In the necessity of combining the two names of Israel’s first patriarch, the priestly writer (Moses) found also a ready device for emphasizing this important theological affirmation. By changing Abram’s name to Abraham, he (Moses) has God underscore the universal mission of Israel. In accord with His covenant centered view of Israel’s history linked this change of name with the Abrahamic covenant.”
Abraham’s name also has the meaning: “The father of a multitude of nations” (Romans 4:9-25).
A Name Change made with Jacob
Still later, God appeared to Jacob again (Abraham’s grandson), whose name was changed to Israel: And God said to him, ‘Your name is Jacob; your name shall NOT be called Jacob anymore, but Israel shall be your name.’ So He called his name Israel. And God said to him, ‘I am God Almighty, Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body’” (Genesis 35:10-11).
Israel was chosen by God above all other nations to be used in His Master Plan for the ultimate salvation of all of mankind (Romans 9-11). They were to be a chosen people by God to fulfill a service for Him to all of the other nations of this earth (Exodus 19:4-6).
THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN IN PROPHECY, page 227: “Yes, we are God’s chosen people Israel! Think what that means! Chosen, not for favors while we defy our God, but chosen for SERVICE we have failed to perform.”
The promise from God to Abraham had a long-range meaning, for it carried through to the New Covenant as well; he not only came to be the father of the nation of Israel but also the father of the faithful, the Church of God (Romans 4:1, 16).
The Apostle Peter’s Name Changed
The Apostle Peter’s name was originally Simon Barjona but was changed by Christ to Peter to be both a name and a title making know that he was to be the leading or chief apostle of the other apostles (Matthew 16:17-18). For a further explanation, please read, Mystery of the Ages, pages 221-222).
The Apostle Paul’s Name Change
Before God chose the Apostle Paul to be used in serving His people, his name Saul had the meaning of ‘asked for’, and after God brought him to repentance and conversion, He changed it to Paul, meaning: ‘little’. Acts 9:1-19; 13:9.
Why would Christ change Paul’s name to ‘little?’ Very possibly this change was made due to the great learning he had (Acts 22:1-3; 26:24). Other things are to be considered, such as knowing how Christ would use him as well as spending much time with Paul personally (Galatians 1:11-16). He was also taken up into heaven at one point in time (II Corinthians 12:3-9).
Having been used by Jesus Christ so greatly, and having the name change to that of Paul would continue to help Paul to realize he was still ‘little’ in God’s sight and should be in his own sight as well. In fact, he was even given a thorn in the flesh to help him to remain, ‘little’ (II Corinthians 12:7; Galatians 4:13-15).
Elijah a Direct Representative from God
The following Scripture makes known key points that should be seriously thought about regarding the name of ELIJAH and His standing with God that also carried through with the two men who would follow him in their times.
And Elijah the Tishbite (sojourner), of the inhabitants of Gilead said to Ahab, As the LORD (JHVH) God (ELOHIM) of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew (a morning mist) nor rain these years, except at my word” (I Kings 17:1).
The name of Elijah bears both the names of JHVH and ELOHIM. And “BEFORE WHOM I STAND” makes known his very close relationship as a direct representative from God; just as it was with Abraham and Moses.
Though Elijah held such a prominent and close relationship with God he was still a fallible human man just as were the two men who followed him:
“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed EARNESTLY that it would NOT rain; and it did not rain on the land for three and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit” (James 5:17-18).
Even though all three men were fallible, made mistakes, and even sinned, though not practiced (I John 1:8-10), their hearts and dedication to God and their missions kept them in God’s favor and all were used by Him.
Messengers Sent from God
The following Scripture should aid our understanding of the SPECIAL MISSIONS God had given the two men who were to follow ELIJAH:
“Behold, I send My messenger, and he will PREPARE THE WAY BEFORE ME. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His Temple, even the Messenger (Christ, the Messenger to bring to mankind the message of the Gospel, Mark 1:1-15) of the (new) Covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming, says the LORD of hosts” (Malachi 3:1).
In addition to the very special messenger, the Messiah, there would be the 2nd and 3rd Elijah who would fulfill this prophecy in each of their missions at specific prophesied times in the ongoing history of Israel.
The Name of John the Baptizer
Now
we will consider the mission given to the 2nd Elijah, John
the Baptizer.
Due to a miracle from God, John was born to his aged parents, Zacharias and Elizabeth, who were beyond childbearing age (Luke 1:7); just as Isaac was born to his aged parents, Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 17:17). Remember Sarah laughed when she heard Christ say she was going to have a baby (Genesis 18:11-15). At her age of 90, she could not believe this could be possible!
When the due date arrived of John’s birth that corresponded to God’s timetable (Luke 3:2), Elizabeth gave birth to her miracle baby who was to be named John; just as Zacharias had been instructed to do by the angel Gabriel.
The angel (Gabriel) said to him (Zacharias), “. . . and you shall call his name John” (Luke 1:13)
Why the name John?
Clarke’s Commentary, volume 5, page 364, Luke 1:60 “. . . he shall be called John” “. . . There is something very remarkable in the names of this family [a priestly family] Zechariah, the memory or memorial of JHVH . . . Elizabeth the Sabbath or rest of my strong God: names probably given them by their parents, to point out some remarkable circumstance in their conception or birth. And John, which should always be written Jehochanan or Yehochanan the grace or mercy of JHVH: so named, because he was to go before and proclaim the God of all grace, and the mercy granted through Him to a lost world, John 1:29; 3:16; Mark 1:4.”
Clarke’s Commentary, volume 5, page 289, Mark 1:4, John] “The original name is nearly lost in its Greek meaning and in the Latin Johannes, and almost totally lost in the English John. The original name is Yehochanan, compounded by Yehovah chanan, the grace or mercy of JHVH: a most proper and significant name for the forerunner of the God of ALL GRACE. It was John’s business (mission) to proclaim the Gospel of the grace of God, and to point out that Lamb or sacrifice of God which takes away the sin of the world.”
It was only in the hill country of Judea where John’s parents lived that a few neighbors knew that John the Baptizer was also to be fulfilling a secondary role of Elijah in a special mission to Judea.
“. . . He (John) will also go before Him (The Messiah) in the spirit and power of Elijah. . . . (Luke 1:13-17).
Though John knew he was fulfilling the role of Elijah in his time he also knew he was not the promised Elijah of the end-time (John 3:28; 1:19-28).
From The Name Book by Dorothy Astoria the Bethany House Publishers, the name John: Language/Cultural origin: Greek. Its inherit meaning: God is gracious. Spiritual connotation: Strength of God. Scripture: Psalm 118:14 NKJV “The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.
Now we will consider the meaning of the NAME (family name) of the promised Elijah of the end-time, and see its meaning and how it corresponds to the office and mission of the original Elijah.
The Name of Mr. Herbert Armstrong
C
onsider
the meaning of the name given to Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong by his
parents: The name Armstrong has the meaning of: A "STRONG
ARM!"
From The Name Book by Dorothy Astoria the Bethany House Publishers:
HERBERT means: "SHINING SOLDIER" Spiritual connotation: "POWERFUL PROTECTOR."
Scripture, NKJV: Psalm 37:31 "The Law of God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide."
Mr. Armstrong was a very strong-minded man and continued to stand up and protect the Church of God from those seeking to destroy it.
Though others tried to change the doctrinal teachings Christ had used him to RESTORE within His Church he would not let them do it as long as he lived (II Thessalonians 2:7).
He continually cried out for all of mankind to repent and begin OBSERVING God’s 10 Commandments, Statutes and Judgments; by so doing he was following in the footsteps of Elijah and John the Baptizer, his predecessors (Malachi 4:4).
All who really knew him came to know the meaning of his name, as made known by the Name Book, that it fitted him perfectly!
Mr. Armstrong was a man who was always filled with zeal for the work God had given him to do. He never took a vacation over the many years of his ministry. In addition, he would never compromise with any of God’s truths that had been revealed to him.
God not only chose the right man but also one who would have the correct name. It would seem that his parents were led by God to name him as such from birth without knowing why.
When we consider his God-given mission, it should not be hard to realize that just as God chose Jeremiah and John the Baptizer before birth, He also did the same with Mr. Armstrong; for he was given the end-time mission of not only WARNING Israel but also PREPARING the way before the return of Christ to this earth. And through the years of his youth and early manhood God prepared him for the mission he would accomplish.
T
his
can be understood when one studies the early life of Mr. Armstrong in
his— Autobiography,
Volume 1.
While reading and considering his background and the years to follow in its complete context then it should become clear why his life was so directed in a very special way to prepare him to fulfill this most special mission for the end time.
The name Elijah was to have great meaning for all three men, for each was sent by Jesus Christ in critically needed times in the history of Israel then and now.
Though we know nothing about Elijah before he appeared before King Ahab, one can be confident that he was equally prepared by God from birth to fulfill his mission in a similar manner as was John and Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong.
This can more easily be understood when we consider other men used by God in their time (Jeremiah 1:4-5; Amos 7:14-17, etc.).
Names Given at Birth
W
hen
each one is born into a physical family the baby is given a name by
his or her parents, so will it be when each one is born once again
into the God Family (ELOHIM) (John 3:3, 5-8).
Revelation 3:12 “. . . I will write on him the NAME of My God (ELOHIM – God Family) and the NAME of the City of My God, the New Jerusalem (Future Home), which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My NEW NAME.”
The New Name Jesus Christ will give to each one of His Elect will reflect his or her godly character formed by faithfulness, stability, endurance, perseverance in life (Matthew 24; 13; Revelation 3:10), while continuing to do His Work.
Revelation 3:8 “I know your WORKS. See I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have KEPT My word (faithfulness), and have NOT denied My Name.”
In addition, the reward received will be to the degree of involvement in His [field of] work as made known in the following Scriptures:
Matthew 16:27 “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and THEN He will REWARD EACH according to his works.”
This is made known by the following parable given by Jesus Christ in which He used the nobleman metaphorically to speak of Himself:
Luke 19:12-27 “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them 10 minas [a unit of money symbolizing spiritual value], and said to them, ‘Do business until I return. So he called 10 of his servants, delivered to them 10 minas, and said to them, ‘Do business TILL I COME . . .’ ” (Matthew 25:14-30).
A Study of Names
A study of names comes to be very interesting when we think of our own and how we came to have the names that we do. When thinking of our names we might wonder whether Jesus Christ might have led our parents to give us our names that would also have meaning in His ongoing plan.
Whether we do or not should not be a problem to us. The important point to focus on is we are now qualifying for the NEW NAME that Christ will give each one of us when He returns to this earth.
Your New Name: ______? ELOHIM.
The Origin of Modern-Day Names
In this context consider the following quotes regarding the origin of names:
From the book, HISTORY OF BRITISH SURNAMES, page 236, (b) SURNAMES FROM LATE PLACE OF RESIDENCE: "Large numbers of surnames are derived from the names of countries, counties, towns, villages, or hamlets, some of which cannot now be traced, and may have disappeared. ... The original descriptions of this class were in general given to a name who, having moved from one place to another, became known to the recording clerk or to his new friends as of the country of his birth or of his late town, and so on.
AMERICAN FAMILY NAMES by Elsdon Smith, states: "Family names as we know them today developed from the 11th to the 15th century in Europe and today many of these names, or ones derived from them, are in common use in the United States. The Romans had a three-name system but deteriorated into the single cognomen [surname or family name] by the 4th century A.D. It was not until the 10th century that modern hereditary surnames first developed among the Venetian [Venice] patricians [aristocracy - - upper classes]. From there during the next 600 years the custom of fixed hereditary family names spread, first to France and England, then to Germany and all of Europe."
Today’s Names Used by God
As already noted, Jesus Christ undoubtedly had the name of Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong in mind when He led his parents to name him just as we find with the Patriarchs of the Old Testament and the apostles of the New Testaments.
These were major men and women with special missions to be fulfilled in life by Jesus Christ.
It should also be noted that though some primary leaders of the Corporate Churches have biblical names their parents gave them with intended meaning in life their fruits have not borne out their use by Jesus Christ within His true Church. He was not involved in the naming of them by their parents regardless of the name.
There seems to be no question but that Jesus Christ was involved with the naming of the true primary leadership of His Church. This is borne out by those who have remained faithful and are now being used by Jesus Christ to aid Him in completing His end-time Work before He closes the door to the gospel and the Ezekiel warning message before the beginning of the Great Tribulation.
To be continued—
Your servant and friend,
Don Billingsley
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