(1)  "What's in a name?" is often asked, implying insignificance. For many, it may make no difference whether he is called Peter, James, John, Moses, Aaron or even Joshua (Jesus, Yahshua). Many use these names and other names today without any reference to their signification. But Bible study impresses us with the idea that names are full of meaning. They were given with reference to time, place or circumstance, past, present or future. Some names were as monuments to remind of some special dealings of Yahweh, and others were prophetic. A person's name often expressed his or her qualities, work or destiny. The very fact that the word "name" occurs more than a thousand times in the Bible confirms its theological importance. In the ancient world a name was not merely a label but was almost equivalent to whoever or whatever bore it.

(2)  When the direction of a life was changed it was sometimes indicated by change of name. "Adam," meaning "Red," indicates man's origin "of the [red] earth, earthly." (1 Corinthians 15:47) Abel is "feeder," a shepherd, and fitly represents the great Shepherd of the sheep, who gave his life for them. Abraham means "father of a great multitude," or "of many nations." His name was changed from Abram to Abraham when God made him the promise. (Genesis 17:5) In reference to the same great plan Sarai was changed to Sarah, "Princess." (Genesis 17:15) These are prophetic in their character and point to the grand success of the good news in enticing the nations to Yahweh, the Father of all, through the agency of the "seed" of promise: The Messiah and His Church (Called Out Ones) the antitypes of Isaac and Rebekah. David means "Beloved" a type of Christ, the true King of Israel. David as a prophet personifies the Messiah, and God makes promises to him as if he were the Messiah.

(3)  In I Samuel 25:25 we find this: "Nabal... is just like his name, his name is Fool, and folly goes with him." The word "Nabal" means "foolish, senseless." Nabal is described in the Bible as a rich man, having three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. (1 Samuel 25:2) But his richness is offset by his foolishness, as described in his name. According to 1 Samuel 25:3, Nabal was "harsh and evil in his dealing." (New American Standard Version) King David set men to protect Nabal's flocks of sheep and goats. When David heard that Nabal was shearing his sheep, David sent some of his men to request a offering from Nabal's hand. Nabal forgot all that David had done for him, and rebuked David's men. For this insult David was about to go with 600 men to kill Nabal. But one of the men told Abigail, Nabal's wife all that had happened. In doing so, he described Nabal as a "worthless man that no man can speak to him." (1 Samuel 25:17, New American Standard Bible, hereafter NASV) Abigail went before David with many gifts to plead for her husband and her people. She told David: "Please do not let my lord pay attention to this worthless man, Nabal, for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name and folly is with him." (1 Samuel 25:25) David was moved by Abigail's courage and discernment. He therefore blessed her and turned his heart away from bringing ruin to Nabal and Nabal's people. When Abigail returned to Nabal, she found him holding a party, like a king. He was drunk. The next day Abigail told Nabal what had happened and his heart died within him so that he became as a stone. Ten days later Yahweh struck Nabal, so that he died. Thus Nabal's name was very descriptive of the life he led.

(4)  In Revelation 3:4 we read from the King James Version: "Thou hast a few names (Strongs Greek number 3686) even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments." The Greek word for "names" is used here. It is very evident, however, that the reference is not to mere words that are used to distinguish one person from another, but rather to the individuals themselves. While we believe the King James Version is correct in translating the Greek word as "names," we find that some translations substitute "people" in this case. (See NASV and New International Version.) While the thought is correct, by translating the word as "people" rather than "names" these translators fail to uphold the Greek text.

(5)  The Greek word for name is also used in Revelation 3:1, which reads: "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars, says this: I know your deeds, that you have a name that your are alive, but you are dead." Here "name" again does not refer to words to distinguish one person from another, but rather reputation. The Christians in Sardis had a reputation of being "alive," but in reality they were dead before God.

(6)  Name often means authority or power. Thus David sent his men to Nabal in his name, that is, with his authority. (1 Samuel 25:5,9) In Matthew 7:22, many are described as claiming to have done many works in the Master's name, that is, with his authority. Peter and Paul were asked by the priests: "By what power, or in what name, have you done this?" (Acts 4:7) These references all show that by coming in the name of another means to come with the authority given by that person. It does not necessarily refer to the word itself that is used to distinguish that person.

(7)  Likewise, when our Savior prayed the famous model prayer, he prayed to "Our Father" and that his name be hallowed or sanctified. (Matthew 6:9). It appears evident that, while the word used to distinguish the Creator, that is, "Yahweh," is important to discern the one being spoken of, it is not the word "Yahweh" itself that is to be sanctified, but rather the personage behind the word.

(8)  The Scriptures also use the word "name" in parallelism with memory, remembrance, or renown. "And God, furthermore, said to Moses, Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, "[Yahweh], the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, has sent me to you." This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all generations. " (Exodus 3:15, NASV) In describing his idea of a wicked person, Bildad said: "Memory of him perishes from the earth, and he has no name abroad." (Job 18:17, NASV) "Your name, O Yahweh, is everlasting; Your remembrance is throughout all generation." (Psalm 135:13) In each of these cases, it is not the word used to distinguish the individual, but rather the reputation, prominence, etc., given to the remembrance of the individual bearing the name.

(9)  The excellent language of David "You will not leave my soul in Sheol, neither will you allow your holy one to see corruption," was fulfilled in the triumphant resurrection of Christ from the dead. "Therefore God has highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name of which is above every name." (Psalm 16:8-11; Acts 2:25-36; Philippians 2:9, NASV) The name bestowed on Messiah is not the word "Jesus" (Yahshua). The Messiah already possessed this appellation before he was exalted. The "name" refers to position or official relationship. Therefore it is the position that is meant when the word "name" is used. For we read "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow." (Philippians 2:10) At the name, the official position of Jesus (Yahshua) every knee must bow. To receive a prophet in the name of a prophet certainly refers to his official position and honor. Matthew 10:41.

(10)  "You must call his name Iesoun (transliteration from the Greek Received Text)." (Matthew 1:21) The Messiah's name means "Yah[weh] is savior" or "Yah[weh] delivers." Its meaning carries us forward from the mere word to the exalted official position, on account of which he can "save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him" as the means of salvation provided by his Father, Yahweh. (Hebrews 7:25; John 3:16,17; Acts 5:31; 1 John 4:14)

(11)  The Messiah's position is contrasted with that of man and angels, as he is Lord of both, having "all power in heaven and earth." (Matthew 28:18) Hence it is said: "Let all the angels of God bow before him." (Hebrews 1:7; Daniel 7:14,27) The reason is because he has "obtained a more excellent Name than theirs.' (Hebrews 1:4) Again, in obtaining this more excellent name, the word used for his name did not change. It is not a word (Yahshua, Iesous, or Jesus) that is being spoken of here, but rather the position of Messiah. It is the official capacity of the Son of God as Savior and King in the inheritance from his Father, which is far superior to the angels. He has been given a name that is above every name, that at the name of Yahshua (Jesus) every knee should bow both in heaven and earth. (Philippians 2:10) There is "no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12.

(12)  It is in a similar sense that "a good name is to be chosen rather than great riches." (Proverbs 22:1) The success of Yahweh's work is to Him "for a name" an honor. (Isaiah 55:13) Additionally, to the obedient Yahweh promises an "everlasting name." (Isaiah 56:5)

(13)  "The name of the wicked will rot." (Proverbs 10:7) Does this mean that the word used to distinguish the person would rot? No. It is the reputation of the person bearing the name that actually rots, not the word used to represent the name. The word and the name here as elsewhere are not one and the same.

(14)  With this view before our minds that the Messiah's name refers to his official position, and not just to the use of a word to express his name, we approach the subject of the name of Messiah.

(15)  In Hebrew the word for Messiah's name is usually written ucwjy. It is the same word that was used to distinguish the son of Nun, translated in the King James Version as "Joshua." There are many interpretations as to how the Savior's name was pronounced in Hebrew. Probably it was pronounced something like "Yahowhsua." Later this was shortened to "Yahshua." Most English translators render these terms as "Joshua" or "Jeshua." The known Greek manuscripts of the "New Testament" scriptures usually render this name as Ihsouj transliterated into English as Iesous.

(16)  However, the argument is made that the Christian Scriptures were originally written in Hebrew and later translated into the Greek. Accordingly, it is also argued that we should transliterate the name into English from the Hebrew, not the Greek. Many are advocating the use of the term "Yahshua" rather than "Jesus," although some have advocated "Jahshua," "Yeshua," and other forms.

(17)  Whether the "New Testament" was originally written in Hebrew, we do not know. Many things within the text would seem to indicate otherwise: that the Messiah usually spoke Greek and that most of his listeners seemed to know Greek better than Hebrew or Aramaic. There is absolutely no proof whatsoever that the "New Testament" writings were originally written in Hebrew. All we have examined that purports this view is highly speculative and often fanciful thinking designed to give credence to the a demanded use of certain Hebrew words for the names of our Creator and his Messiah.

(18)  It is also argued that personal names do not change from one language to another. For instance, if we listen to a news broadcast that might speak of the President of the United States in another language than English, the announcer will usually refer to him with the English pronunciation, and not translate the name into their language. Therefore, according to this argument, we should not translate the name of the Son of God into English either.

(19)  However, we have not been able to obtain necessary documents to ascertain if this practice was true in the days before, during and after the time of Yahshua. If the Septuagint as originally translated used Greek pronunciations for Hebrew names, then this would tend to counter the argument that personal names do not change from one language to another. We do find many instances in writings translated from one language to another in which personal names were given a different sound according the language into which it was being translated. Thus the practice of taking the pronunciation of the personal name of a person over from one language to another language is probably a relatively modern custom. In the last few centuries, as foretold by Daniel, travel has been increasing rapidly. (Daniel 12:4) People come and go much more quickly than in earlier centuries. Along with this has come rapid communications. With all the technological influence, it has generally become the custom to call people by their name in their native tongue, especially amongst journalists. But as far as we have been able to ascertain, this has not always been so. Regarding Jeremiah 52:24-34, Adam Rutherford states: "In these closing verses of Jeremiah too, it should be observed that Nebuchadnezzar is not spelt the Jewish way, but the Babylonian way, Nebuchadrezzar." (Pyramidology, pages, 545, 546) This reveals that spelling and pronunciation of names of individuals did change from one language or dialect to another. The very fact that practically all manuscripts from earlier times contain names rendered in pronunciations common to the language testifies that this is so. Else there would not be many pronunciations of the same name represented in the various ancient languages.

(20)  What do all the above findings mean for us today? Is it important to use the more Hebrew pronunciation of the Messiah's name, that is, Yahshua? Or it is wrong to refer to the Savior as "Yahshua?" Should we totally reject the pronunciation "Jesus"? Are "Jesus" and "Yahshua" actually two different names, or just two variations of the same name? As best as we have been able to determine, "Jesus" and "Yahshua" are just lingual modifications of the same name. The various spellings and pronunciations based on renderings from different languages or dialects are all really one and the same name. If we stop and think about it, it would seem ridiculous to think that the Almighty Yahweh and his Son would be overly concerned about such a triviality. Linguists tell us that names rendered according to lingual pronunciation are really variations of the same name.

(21)  Is it wrong, then, to use the term "Jesus?" With all the evidence above we come to the conclusion that this is more a matter of personal preference rather than whether it is right or wrong. Like Iesous and Yahshua, "Jesus" would be just another way of saying the same name.

(22)  This is not so regarding the practice of substituting the expression "the Lord" for Yahweh as we discussed in our publication The Divine Name. "The Lord" and "God are NOT variations of the Hebrew for Yahweh. While there are many who claim they "translate" Yahweh as "the Lord," no scholar we know of asserts that it carries the same meaning as the Hebrew for Yahweh.

(23)  While we state that it is not wrong to refer to the Savior by Yahshua, or any of the other forms derived from Hebrew, Aramaic, etc., there are ways that even this could be done that would actually take us farther and farther away from the mission our Master has given us to do, and lead us into disobedience. How so? What commission are we given by our Master? Especially in these last days it is even more imperative, as Yahshua stated: "This good news of the kingdom must be preached in the whole world for a witness to all the nations, then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14) "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." (Mark 16:15) This involves the name of Yahshua (Jesus). But notice that we are not told to preach the word "Jesus," "Yahshua," etc. Preaching in the name of Yahshua means that we recognize his true office, his position, and his role in the overall plan of the Father, as well as our own relationship to him. How much time do we spend in actual obedience to Yahshua in preaching the Kingdom from house-to-house, on the streets, in the popular churches, etc.? (Acts 5:42; 8:4,12,25; 9:20; 10:42; 13:5; 14:7,21; 15:35; 17:13; 19:8; 20:20,25; 28:23,31) How much time do we spend trying to prove a certain pronunciation of his name? "Remind them of these things, solemnly testifying before Yahweh not to dispute about words for nothing useful, to the throwing down of those hearing." 2 Timothy 2:14.

(24)  We know that many have not recognized the true position of the Son and have gone forth preaching "another Yahshua," a Jesus after human traditions. (2 Corinthians 11:4) In general, these will find themselves classed among the sinners in the Millennial kingdom. Thus they come to Yahshua and ask: "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name [by your authority], and in your name [authority] cast out demons, and in your name [authority] perform many miracles?" (Matthew 7:22) They will wonder why they are being left out of the ruling house in the kingdom. Yahshua says to them, "I never knew you. Go away from me, you illegal workers." (Matthew 7:23) Thus Yahshua is telling them that he never gave them legal authority to do the works they were doing, and that he never recognized them as his disciples, even though they claimed that they did their works "in his name."

(25)  Despite our presentation above, that it is not wrong to use the word "Jesus" as the name of the Messiah, we feel there is something to be said for using the term, Yahshua. It begins with "Yah," and therefore directly reminds us that the Messiah is the Son of Yahweh, and that he came to earth as a Hebrew. Almost all the preaching being done in the name of "Jesus" exalts a false Messiah, not the true. (2 Corinthians 11:4) Accordingly, when we speak of "Jesus," people are often reminded of the popular ideas about Christ, (Trinity, salvation from eternal torture, etc.) not the reality. Consequently, at times we may desire to use the term, Yahshua, in reference to the Messiah, the Savior of the whole world.

(26)  On the other hand, we want to be heard by our brothers who are still in the Babylonish covenants (lies, idolatry, and disobedience -- Isaiah 28:15; 57:8). We do not want to become a stumblingblock to them. (1 Corinthians 8:9) Many may turn a deaf ear because they do not recognize whom we are speaking of if we use the term "Yahshua" to represent the Messiah's name. "If you do not give a clear word through the language, how will it be known the thing being said?" (1 Corinthians 14:9) Most people are instantly afraid of anything that appears too different from what they have grown accustomed to. Demanding the use of the word "Yahshua" with them may actually become an unnecessary stumbling block for them.

Obedience to our Savior

(27)  As was mentioned earlier, the Messiah gave his disciples a command to do a work towards the world and fellow-believers. Listen to the Master's voice: "Go . . . and as you go, preach, saying the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." (Matthew 9:6,7) And again, "Let the dead bury the dead; but you go and preach the Kingdom of God." (Luke 9:60) Yahshua's disciples of the first century took this command seriously. We read that "daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." (Acts 5:42, King James Version) "And he [Paul] went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God." (Acts 19:8, King James Version) Paul told the Ephesians: "I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 20:20,21, King James Version) And the Master's disciples are taught not only to preach to publicly proclaim the coming of the kingdom of God, but to pray for it, saying: "May your kingdom come. May your will be done on earth as it is done in heaven." (Matthew 6:9,10) The One who dictated that prayer could not err. He would not teach us to ask for anything out of harmony with Yahweh's will. Therefore that prayer will be answered. There will come a time when the kingdom of God will actually be SET UP in the earth. As a consequence of the setting up of that kingdom, His will will be done ON EARTH, even as it is done in heaven.

(28)  Now, who would want to hinder us from preaching the Good News of Yahweh's kingdom? Why, Satan the Devil himself. He is very crafty today even as he was in the Garden of Eden. He is seeking to use every opportunity against us, as the apostle declares. (1 Peter 5:8) He is seeking to devour us. He wants to swallow us up in some manner or another. He is patiently and insidiously laying snares for the disciple of Yahshua. He will use whatever means he has to brow-beat or cajole or otherwise inveigle us in order to keep us from obeying our Master. Our Master has seen it best to permit Satan to have this liberty, and it will not be taken from him until the beginning of the Millennial Age. Only then will he be bound in order that he will not be allowed to deceive the nations. (Revelation 20:2,3) Therefore we deduce that in some sense it is profitable to Yahweh's people that this adversary be granted liberty against us. If it were not so, faith assures us that he would be bound without delay at once restrained of liberty to assault us.

(29)  Writing on this same subject, the apostle Paul declares: "We are not ignorant of his devices." Again he refers to the "wiles of the devil," implying that he is an ensnarer who wishes to entrap us. Again he declares: "For we wrestle not with flesh and blood [merely], but [our chief conflict is] with principalities and powers [unseen], with wicked spirits in exalted positions." (2 Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 6:11,12) The apostle here calls attention to the fact that not Satan alone, but all the fallen angels, the demons, his coadjutors, are the foes of the called ones. Therefore Yahweh's people must be continually on the lookout against their craftiness, schemes and plottings, all of which are more subtle than that of human beings.

(30)  As to Satan's methods of attack, we are given some suggestions also. Although he is alert, like the roaring lion, he never attacks us with a roar. On the contrary, he is very subtle. He creeps upon us in an unlooked place and at unlooked for times, to devour us, to overcome us, to crush out of us our opportunities of service and the rewards of kingdom service being offered to us.

(31)  The apostle declares that Satan presents himself in his temptations as an angel, a messenger of God not a messenger of darkness, of error and of gross sin, for he knows that these qualities would alarm and repel all the children of the light. Rather he appears as an angel of light, a messenger of divine favor and truth. (2 Corinthians 11:14) And we are not ignorant of his wiles and devices. We see that for centuries he has used not only so-called "heathen" religious systems to delude and ensnare the heathen, but "Christian" religious systems, to deceive and ensnare those who claim to be the true people of God. At the making of the creeds of Christendom, during the dark ages, we may be sure that Satan was present, and that through various agencies he took an active part in framing their many blasphemous misstatements of the divine qualities and plan, and of deluding the people into thinking that these were the teachings of the divine Word. So through these channels he has wrought great havoc with the truth and greatly hindered Yahweh's people from receiving both the milk of the Word, and its strong food, and from growing by these means to the stature of the fullness of manhood in Christ. -- Hebrews 5:12-14; Colossians 3:2; 1 Peter 2:2.

(32)  Coming down to our own day, we see that prophecies foretold a great increase of knowledge both of the divine plan and things pertaining to the world. (Daniel 12:4; 2 Timothy 3:7) Many truths long overlooked have been restored and are being restored. (Matthew 24:45,46; Luke 12:36,37,42,43) But remember how Satan approached Eve in the Garden of Eden? (Genesis 3:1,4,5) Part of what he said was true, but his reason for stating the truth was to lead Eve into believing a lie. (John 8:44; Romans 1:24,25) Likewise, today, Satan is misusing truths that are becoming known in such a way as to mislead as many as possible. "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect." (Matthew 24:24, Revised Standard Version) The Muslim ministers shout out many truths but the end result is to get those who follow this way to deny the ransom sacrifice of the Messiah. Our neighbors who are caught up in the "Watchtower" organization present many truths, often in a very persuasive manner. But the end result is to get one to accept the leaders of their "organization" as the proper guides for any who want to come to the Creator in this time. Likewise, many others are being used, often unwittingly, to proclaim many truths in order to lead as many as possible, and if at all possible, the chosen ones, into a snare, that they might be eaten by the devouring eagles. (Job 39:27-30; Luke 17:32-37; Revelation 19:17,18) Among these are the Mormons, the Christian Scientists, Scientologists (Dianetics) and many more. These have put their faith and confidence in their leaders. Because of their faith in their organization, their apostulates, their chosen leader, etc., they are blinded to many truths that otherwise they might have recognized. Only by becoming free of the controlling environment of these religious groups can one genuinely begin to see the truth.

(33)  What does all this have to do with the Messiah's name? Just this, Satan has always used a truth by taking it to a great extreme in order to misuse it to his ends. Could this be what is happening with the name of the Messiah? Some spend so much time over words, and genealogy of words, that very little, if any, is actually spent in obeying Yahshua's command to preach. Timothy was told not to "give heed to fables and endless genealogies which brings doubts rather than God's administration, which is in faith but the end of the commandment is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience, and an unpretended faith, from which some, having missed the mark, turned aside to empty talking." 1 Timothy 1:4-6.

(34)  In all of this the aim of Satan is either to keep one from or turn one away from truly being a disciple of Yahshua one who obeys his voice: "Go, make disciples of all nations, teaching them," etc. (Matthew 28:16-28) Satan would like to confuse us about the matter of making disciples. He would have us think that it is gathering people into belief in a certain pronunciation of a word, an organization, a church group, etc. He would want us, in effect, to begin preaching a "word," an organization, a person, etc., and correspondingly to that extent leave off the preaching of the true Good News of the kingdom.

(35)  But before one can preach the Good News of the Kingdom, one needs to understand what that "Good News" really is. Some preach that everyone who does not join their "organization" will be eternally destroyed in the destruction of Satan's world. This is "good" news? Others teach that all who do not repent or accept their version of "Jesus" before death go into a state of eternal torture in a lake of fire. This certainly is not Good News for all people. Most of our literature is designed to help you understand the true Good News. We encourage all to read, pray, and study to make sure of what it is that we are commissioned to preach.

(36)  Let us then take yet a more earnest heed to the Word that has been spoken, remembering the Master's expression, He who hears these sayings of mine and does them, I will liken him to a man who built his house upon a rock and the rain descended and floods came and the storm beat upon that house and it did not fall for it was founded upon a rock a sure foundation. Hebrews 2:1; Matthew 7:24-27; See our study: Building on the Right Foundation of Faith.