The Names of Jesus - Elmer Towns

church the final word, an example that one could be both faithful and true, and a reminder that,
as Creator, He knew what was best for His church in Laodicea.
THE LION AND THE LAMB
One of the most interesting contrasts of names in Revelation occurs in chapter five,
where in the same context Christ is called both “the Lion of the tribe of Juda” and “a Lamb”
(5:5-6). If this combination sounds paradoxical in English, it is even more so in Greek. The word
used here for “lamb” is a diminutive and a term of endearment. It is the sort of word a child
might use to describe a cute and cuddly baby lamb. And yet, this title is used here in the context
of the regal majesty of the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the ruling tribe of Israel.
John here brings together two titles with different emphases to give his readers a fuller
understanding of who Jesus is. As the Lion, He is everything the Jews expected in their Messiah.
He was the son of David who would rule over Caesar. He was the One coming to establish the
kingdom of God on earth. But He was also the Messiah who came to give His life a ransom for
many. As such, He is the sacrificial yearling lamb. But He is a lamb with a difference: this lamb
had seven horns. A horn was a symbol of power in the Old Testament, and seven was a number
of completeness in Scripture. This is the lamb with the fullness of the strength and power of the
lion.
When Samson sought to give the Philistines a riddle they could not resolve on their own,
he said, “Out of the strong came forth sweetness” (Judges 14:14). Even today, it is uncommon to
find strength and sweetness or beauty in the same thing or being. But Jesus manifested both
strength and beauty. As we survey the many names and titles of Christ, we note some which
emphasize His strength at the same time that others tend to emphasize His gentleness. This is
evident in Revelation which emphasizes the fact that God still sits on the throne and will
ultimately triumph over the world system: yet, twenty-six times we learn that this God is Jesus
the Lamb. The predominant name of Jesus in Revelation is “the lamb.”
THE COMING CONQUEROR
The plot of the book of Revelation, particularly from chapter four to the end, views Jesus
as the legitimate One to possess the title-deed of the world and notes the preparations in Heaven
and events on earth which are necessary for Jesus to claim what is rightfully His and to establish
His kingdom. This plot reaches a climax in chapter nineteen, where the second coming of Christ
in glory is described. In that passage, Christ is identified by five significant names (19:11-16).
The first of these conquering names of Christ is “Faithful and True” (19:11).
Faith/faithfulness and truth are constant themes in the writings of John, Jesus has been identified
by these names earlier in Revelation, but for emphasis the compound name appears here at the
climax. Right to the end, Jesus is faithful. Right to the end, Jesus is true. This is a tremendous
encouragement in time of trial and in those hours when even the finest of Christians begin to
wonder, “Is it really worth all this?” Regardless of our circumstances, regardless of our situation,
and regardless of how long our circumstances and situation have been like this, Jesus will prove
Himself to be faithful and true right to the end.