The Names of God - Ensign of the People

Ensign of the People /

Ensign for the Nations

Isaiah 11:10 (KJV)

And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

Ensign is not a word you hear every day, unless you are in the U.S. Navy or Coast Guard. The Hebrew word translated as ensign is a simple word, nes, which means, “a flag; also a sail; by implication a flagstaff; generally a signal; figurative a token.” In the Old Testament it is used as a type (prophetic symbol) of Jesus.

It comes from the root word nasas which means, “a primitive root; to gleam from afar, i.e. to be conspicuous as a signal.”

In conversations with both friends and strangers you can mention “God” and most people are not bothered. God is a very neutral word that can mean just about anything. However, when you mention Jesus there is a definite change in the tone of the conversation. Jesus is referred to in scripture as a Stone of Offense.

Isaiah 8:14 (ESV)

And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Jesus is never neutral. He requires that every person make a decision about the relationship they choose to have with Him. Jesus is either a sanctuary (a place of refuge, safety) or a stumbling block. He came to be beacon that would draw mankind back to God, their Creator. He said of Himself before He died on the cross, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” (John 12:32 ESV) He is speaking here of being crucified on the cross.

The focus of evangelism is not trying to nail people to the cross, but instead show them the One that was nailed to it on Calvary. Lift Him up in our conversations so that everyone will be drawn to Him.

I prefer the term “revealing the Kingdom” instead of evangelism, primarily for the bad press the word has received through the politically active “Evangelicals” that we hear in the news so often. Just because a word is on the label does not mean it is actually part of the contents. I believe we should share our faith by telling of the One, Jesus, who made a way for us to once again have fellowship with our Creator, God.

We do this by speaking the truth about who God is and sharing the love that He showed us through His Son, Jesus. It’s not hard. We are always sharing the news about good things in our lives. Jesus is the best thing!

When others learn that this Ensign of the People is a sign of hope and safety they will be drawn to Him in the same way you and I were. There is no struggle in sharing your faith. Speak of it as you would your beloved hometown (if you came from one.) We as Believers are residents of a different Kingdom. We must now seek to show others this wonderful place of communion with the Father that we have found.

Simple conversations. No high pressure. No yelling in the streets. Shining light to your world and seasoning your relationships with salt. This is New Testament evangelism.

The Names of God - Diadem of Beauty

Diadem of Beauty

Isaiah 28:5 (ESV)

In that day the LORD of hosts will be a crown of glory, and a diadem of beauty, to the remnant of his people, …

Isaiah 62:3 (ESV)

You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

The Old Testament spoke much of the coming Messiah. The New Testament is the revelation of the Messiah. Isaiah gives us a look at the beauty contained in Christ, the Messiah, a Diadem of Beauty.

The countries that have, or had, a monarchy refer to “the crown” as they pledge their loyalty to their country. It doesn’t really matter who is wearing “the crown.” Kings and queens come and go, but the throne remains preeminent and “the crown” remains the sovereign. This is a great picture of the Kingdom of God. God Himself sits on the throne. Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah, the Diadem of Beauty, is the Crown.

Because of the sacrifice of Jesus, as the redeemed of God we remain true to “The Crown.” We revere Him and honor Him. We worship His Majesty. Crowns are obtained in three ways: birth, bestowal, or conquest. Jesus is King by all three!

Luke 2:4 (ESV)

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, …

Jesus was born of the lineage of David. David was the first King over all of Israel. He united the kingdom that was deeply divided. He was an heir to the crown by birth.

Matthew 28:18 (ESV)

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Jesus became King by bestowal when God placed upon Him “all authority.” In a monarchy the king has all authority. He is sovereign. His word is final. There is no recourse to overrule his commands. Jesus reigns as King in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Colossians 2:15 (ESV)

He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

Jesus became King by conquest. Acting as the Son of Man, fully empowered by the Holy Spirit, He overcame all rule and authority and dominion in this earth through His life, death, burial, ascension, and seating at the right hand of the Father.

Now, as Believers, as joint heirs of Christ, through the New Covenant, we also reign IN THIS LIFE!!

Romans 5:17 (ESV)

For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. (bold mine)

We will live beneath our privilege if we do not understand our position in Christ.

Revelation 1:4-6 (NKJV)

John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

This was written to all seven churches addressed in the Book of Revelation. This is intended for all Believers. This is not given so we may boast, but instead for us to have complete confidence in the King whom we serve. We can boldly proclaim the Truth, revealing the Kingdom to those around us so they, too, can become a part of THE Kingdom. This is our mission.

We are not trying to conquer anything. I think this is where the term “Great Commission” is a bit misleading. It gives the idea that we are on a crusade to “take back what the devil stole.” It has already been redeemed, and has been given to us. We now have the charge to help others see this reality.

Let us exercise our authority by bringing others into the Kingdom. Let us be the priests of the Most High God and be the go between, the intercessor, the witness of the grace of God, to those who have not yet believed. This will transform the approach you take in sharing your faith.

It’s time that we stop fighting and start loving. It’s time to be kind to your neighbor instead of treating them like a “heathen.” Let us view people with the presumption that they are not rebellious, but simply lack understanding, or perhaps do not know the truth about THE King and His Kingdom.

The conquering was accomplished by Jesus. Now we are the emissaries to bring the Good News to those who have not heard. Go light up your world!

The Names of God - Dayspring from on High

Dayspring from on High

Luke 1:78 (NKJV)

Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; …

Sunrise usually brings good news. A new day has begun; a day filled with possibilities. Darkness hides things, or causes things to appear worse than they really are. Dayspring is another way of saying “sunrise.”

When you are sitting in your house during the daytime and hear an unusual noise outside you go out and see what caused it. However, sitting in your house at night, especially late night or early morning, that same noise can bring fear and dread because of the darkness. You are hesitant to go outside to see the cause. Instead you begin to imagine the worst.

We do the same thing in our minds. When the Truth has not yet illuminated our thoughts we tend to respond to “noise” with fear and dread. We begin to imagine the worst possible outcome instead of considering better alternatives.

This was the case in the days before Jesus came on the scene. Here is the rest of the passage from Luke 1.

Luke 1:79 (ESV)

… to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Then the Dayspring from on High appeared! When Jesus, the Light of the World, began to “rise” in Bethlehem, His appearing fulfilled prophecy given years prior to His birth.

Malachi 4:2 (ESV)

But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.

Isaiah 9:2 (ESV)

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.

For the first time in about 400 years The Word of God was once again speaking to the world. Truth was revealed about the nature and character of the Father. Jesus brought the Kingdom of Heaven to earth. The light of God’s plan had never shone any brighter. The dread of life was turned into joy because there had finally been given a reason to live.

I love the way Malachi said it, “You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.” I spent some time on a farm during my college years and following. When an animal has been confined, then released, they celebrate that freedom by running around and kicking up there hind legs. This is the image given to us when the people in darkness finally see light. The euphoria that truth brings to confusion causes us to celebrate. No more dread. No more fear.

Jesus is still the Dayspring from on High. He is still illuminating hearts and minds by The Word given to us in scripture. The Holy Spirit abides in the believer to be “a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path.” (Psalm 119:105) Darkness makes travelling difficult unless you have a means of lighting your way. We have a constant source of “light” to give us understanding in every circumstance. Learn to hear His voice, regardless of the noise around you.

Confusion is the goal of the enemy in the life of the Believer. Doubt kills faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6) The good news is that through the Covenant Jesus made with us we can live as overcomers, not because of what we can do, but because of what He has already done for us and in us. He came to give us everlasting light and life.

Learn to identify confusion, and when you sense it creeping in ask the Holy Spirit to show you the way back to peace. The good news is this: He will! Dayspring from on High is present in every day we live. This light is just given for you, but you are then used to show this light to the world.

John 12:46 (ESV)

I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Jesus wants each of us to shine the Light of God into our world to help lead others back to the Father. Now that the Dayspring from on High has changed your life, let Him use you to change others.

The Names of God - Covert from the Tempest

Covert from the Tempest

Isaiah 32:2 (ESV)

Each will be like a hiding place from the wind, a shelter from the storm (KJV says, “covert from the tempest”), like streams of water in a dry place, like the shade of a great rock in a weary land.

One of the reasons the King James Version of scripture is difficult to understand is due to the “King’s English” that was employed by the translators. For the most part, we do not hear much use of words like “covert” or “tempest,” except maybe by poets. This does not invalidate the truth that is contained in scripture. There are hundreds of other translations that use our current vernacular.

Covert from the Tempest simply means, “Shelter from the Storm.” This is such a great picture of the affect God has on our life. Jesus declared that as long as we are in this world there would be tribulation.

John 16:33 (ESV)

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

The last part of that is where we must place our faith. Jesus overcame through His death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and seating at the right hand of the Father. Through the Holy Spirit who was sent to us to indwell the Believer, we have the Peace of God living inside us … forever! He will never leave. We are never alone! When the storm comes He is our Shelter.

When my mother was young, around twelve or thirteen, her home was struck by a tornado. Her life was spared, but her mother and sister both died from injuries sustained in the disaster. Because of this, she was never able to get beyond the fear of bad weather. Any time there were storms nearby Mom would immediately take cover. Even though I understood the basis of her fear, I did not have the same fear because I had never gone through the terror that she survived.

Shortly after our daughter was born we experienced a storm at our home in Cullman. Early on a November Sunday I was awakened by strobe lightening and strong winds. I looked out the window and decided to be cautious and take refuge in the basement. A loud clap of thunder awakened our two boys, so I asked my wife to go get the baby and let’s go downstairs.

Just about the time we made it down there was a strong gust of wind and a loud crunching sound. In a few minutes water began to drip through the floor above us. The power was still on, so I decided to go kill the breaker to avoid the risk of electrocution. When I got upstairs something caught my eye. In the small hallway between the children’s bedrooms there was a limb protruding through the ceiling. I walked toward it to get a better look when I noticed the back wall of the house had been damaged by fallen trees.

I shut off the main breaker, grabbed a flashlight, and headed back downstairs when I noticed another limb right above the bed where my wife and I had been sleeping. The whole experience was so surreal, but thought the ordeal I never experience fear. I knew we would be safe, even before the storm hit.

We were displaced from our home for about three months until all the repairs were completed. Our home suffered damage but we did not.

Being in Covenant with Father does not mean we will never have problems. However, the problems will never have us! He is our peace. He is our Shelter from the Storm.

Another place Isaiah worded it this way:

Isaiah 25:4 (ESV)

For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; …

Let us take solace in knowing that God is able to keep us in any circumstance. Regardless of what you may be facing there is always hope in the Lord.