The Names of Jesus - Elmer Towns

The second name John records in this passage is “a name written, that no man knew, but
he himself” (19:12). This may be one of the most fascinating of all the names of Jesus. Several
years ago I became interested in discovering the names of Jesus in Scripture. Originally, I
compiled a listing of about 250 names and thought I had exhausted the topic. Yet, as I continued
to read and study the Scripture, I came across names that were not on my list. I had heard
someone once say that there were 365 names of Christ, one for each day of the year, and
wondered whether that was so. To date, I have found over 700 names of Christ, and I am no
longer convinced that even this longer list is exhaustive. Each time I discover a new name, I am
impressed again by another attribute or aspect of the work of Christ which a name suggests.
As much as I want to know all the names of Jesus, I realize that even at the return of
Christ there will be an element of mystery about at least one of His names. When we consider all
that is involved in each of the names I have listed in the appendix of this book, it is clear there is
no limit to all Jesus is in regard to His names. It would be futile even to try to speculate as to the
particular significance of this unknown name in Revelation 19:12. Its presence in Scripture
reminds us again that Jesus has a name for every need, even if we don't know the name
specifically.
Thirdly, Jesus is called “The Word of God” (19:13). He is the idea or expression of God
Himself. This is also one of the birth names of Jesus, and I have dealt more fully with the
significance of the logos in my chapter on birth names. A fourth name mentioned in this passage
is “Almighty God” (19:15), which may refer to El Shaddai or, in this context, the omnipotence
of God which is an attribute of Jesus.
Finally, John notes the published name embroidered into His garment, “KING OF
KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS” (19:16). With this title He comes, followed by the armies of
heaven, which may be an angelic host or more probably the raptured saints. Although I am not
much of a rider on horseback today, I hope someday to ride in that heavenly cavalry behind the
King of kings and Lord of lords. This title of Christ emphasizes the absolute sovereignty of
Jesus.
THE ROOT AND OFFSPRING OF DAVID
In the closing verses of this book, Jesus identifies Himself as “the root and offspring of
David” (22:16). This name suggests two ideas in Christ's relationship with David. The first is
that of an old root buried in the ground, which from time to time sends up shoots or “suckers” as
they are sometimes called. The sucker draws all its strength and nourishment from the root.
Those in charge of orchards are continually watching for these new shoots and pruning them
back so that the original fruit tree is not robbed of any nourishment the root might otherwise
supply to it. Jesus was David's source of strength and nourishment, just as a root supplies the
shoot with its strength and nourishment. What was true in David's experience with Christ is also
true in the experience of believers today: We derive everything we need from Christ.
But Jesus was not only the source of David but also the seed of David. As the offspring
of David, He was the legitimate heir to the throne of his father David. He was the qualified
candidate in which all the Messianic prophecies concerning David's greater Son were or shall be