Written In Red by Janet Paschal
Love is a Name
Name changes
Back in the Dark Ages before the feminist movement, a young woman looked forward to having her name changed to that of her fiance’ on the day of her wedding. The name change sealed the covenant vows said before God and witnesses. My own French-English-German name added the last name of the officer and gentleman which was Welsh (Viking). His name meant king and mine means archer and both his family and mine were of noble descent and given to war if provoked or honor was involved. His spiritual gift was prophecy and mine is mercy. We were as opposite as two poles of a magnet.
Bride’s Name
The Bride of Christ has her name changed too, and this is official when the ketubah has been read and the mohar paid and the agreement is sealed with a cup of wine. This covenant is cut in blood when the marriage is consummated.
Known by your Name
Proverbs tells us the Bride’s husband is “known in the gates when He sits among the elders of the land,….and her own works praise her in the gates. (Proverbs 31:23, 31b) This means people know their names, what they stand for, and the “content of their character,” to quote Martin Luther King, Jr.
A term of endearment
In the Song of Solomon, the king and the Shulamite call each other “my beloved.” A term of endearment. The apostle John called the Bride, the elect lady and Jude called her Beloved. The angels in Revelation called the bride, The Lamb’s wife.
My favorite scripture regarding the name we receive as the Bride was recorded by Isaiah.
My Name Engraved on His Hands
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. (Isaiah 49:16) I am not a fan of tattoos but I am speechless at the thought that Jesus loves me so much that He allowed Roman soldiers to drive nails in His holy hands and in the process carved my name (and every born again believer) into His hands.
Jesus Loves Me Shares His Name
To think Jesus loves me so much, that He would share His name is overwhelming. A name Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: (Ephesians 1:21 This is the name given to Him by His Father: Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: (Philippians 2:9) Luke puts it this way: Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. (Luke 10:20) Children of the Most High God and as the Bride of Christ, co-heirs! (Romans 8:17) It is a done deal!
What is that Name
Do you recall what His name is? Read this slowly and out loud. Let His name sink into your soul. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords. (Revelation 19:16) This makes us the Bride, the Beloved, the one worth dying for, of The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. All creation is subject to His authority!!!! This makes you Church, you as a member of the Body, a queen. He has paid your mohar! If you have accepted His ketubah (covenant) and have accepted His proposal (communion – ate the Bread and drank the Wine), we are only awaiting His return. Our name change has ALREADY occurred. Your name has been written in Heaven in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 20:15) and your new name is written on a white stone. (Revelation 2:17)
We are His Jewels
Malachi puts all this recording of our new name this way: Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the LORD listened to them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name. “They shall be MINE,” says the LORD of Hosts, on the day that I make them MY jewels. (Malachi 3:16-17)
Sealed with the King’s Name
Our Bridegroom is telling us as the king told Esther: “You yourselves write a decree for the Jews (His people), as you please, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s signet ring; for a letter which is written in the king’s name and sealed with the king’s signet ring no one can revoke.” (Esther 8:8)
A Permanent Change
Our name change is permanent. It carries the weight of the family name. The name brings benefits: promises, protection, provision, and posterity.
And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. (John 10:28)
Love is a name. His name is Jesus, Son of the Living God, Creator of all things, Sustainer of the cosmos, Provider. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
Prayer:
Father, Lord God, king of the universe,
Thank you for giving me Your name, writing it down for all Heaven to witness, and keeping me safe until Your return. Your Bride awaits! This is Shalom. Amen
I believe every Word The Word has said and written. Love is a name and His name is Jesus and He is LOVE!
Yvonne H. Jones
