“NAME ABOVE RANKS OR POSITIONS” . If you use the King James version of the Bible, you may find the use of the word, “Jesus” in both Hebrews (4:8) and Acts (7:45); but in other English Bible translation, “Joshua” was used. They mean the same – Joshua means Jesus (Yeshua). ……………………… “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Has in these last days spoken to us by his Son, whom He has appointed Heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds; Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His Person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the Right Hand of the Majesty on high; Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” [[Hebrews 1:1-4]] . In the kingdom of God, if your name is better than another man’s name, you are better than that man. That was the measure used in verse 4 of what we just read: “Jesus is much better than the angels, as he has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they” ({Hebrews 1:4}). . When He said God has highly exalted Jesus, the next thing He said was that God gave Him a name that is above every other name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” [[Philippians 2:10-11]]. The name reveals the exaltation relatively. . If Jesus sat at the Right Hand of God, which is the highest sit, but His name is below one of the angels or men, then that will mean that the angel or man with the greater name is better than Jesus. But that is not so. Thus, to be better in the kingdom of God is not just to have a higher position, but to have a higher name or better name. A man may be sitting on a higher level or higher sit or position; yet the man who is lower beneath but has a better name can pull that man down from whatever position he sits. . Name is greater than position or person. When Jesus was exalted to sit at the Right Hand of God, He was also exalted above every name. As it is written, “He raised Jesus from the dead, and set Him at His own Right Hand in the heavenly places, 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 1:20-21]] Be above a man’s name, to be above the man: Be above an angel’s name to be above the angel. . A man who has a name in Jesus Christ is better than a President or ruler of a country that has position in this world. Again, a man who has a name is better than a man who is very rich in silver and gold of this world. As it is written, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold” [[Proverbs 22:1]] Again, as it is written, “A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death is better than ones birthday” [[Ecclesiastes 7:1]]. Death cannot kill a man’s name in the kingdom of God. . It is not about power, not about riches, not about positions, not about titles, not about strength or muscles: It is about name. Before a man gets into heaven, his or her name must first get into heaven. Before your name is written in the Book of Life, God or Jesus must call that name. He must confess your name before it is written in the book of life. As it is written, “He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels” [[Revelation 3:5]]. Therefore, all those whose names are written in the book of life had their names pronounced by God and the King of Kings. Do you know what it means for a great king or president to call you by name before the entire nations? . Wisdom taught me not to concern myself with people calling me by my title or position; rather by my name. In His words, I quote: “In My kingdom, authority comes from who you are, not your title. Your ministry is your function, not your rank. Here rank is earned by humility, service and love. The deacon who loves more is higher than the apostle who loves less. On earth, prophets may be used to shake the nations, but here they will be known by their love. This is also your call—to love with My love and serve with My heart. Then we will be one. Do not ask people to call you by your position, but by your name. Then I will make your name greater than your position.” . I remember how I was once bitter because some children called me by my name, instead of them adding a sign of respect or title. I was not happy because children called me, “Peter” without attaching “Uncle” or “Senior” or “Brother” etc. to show respect. I was simply stupid for being angry at that, for it was better those children call me by my name without any attachment to it than calling me with titles they will call other men. When you call me by my name, you honour me more than when you call me by titles such as ‘Apostle, Prophet, Archbishop, Pastor, Evangelist, Professor, Doctor Etc. There is nothing wrong with those titles, but I prefer my name than any other title. Let people know and call me by name, than by title. . I want to build my name, not my title. To me, attaching titles to a name is like attaching crutches to a crippled leg. It is those whose names are not good enough that depends on titles to support their names. The madness for title is more in African tradition or custom: the western whites do not have this problem much as is found with black men. A child can address an elderly person by his or her name with just “Mr” “Miss” or “Mrs;” but in Africa, if that child tries that to a black man, he will be scolded for so called ‘lack of respect.’ . Well, when you go to Rome, you behave like romans: For people’s culture and traditions differ. However, I speak of the tradition in the Kingdom of God – Your highest seal of honour is your name, not your title. That is why you can call God by His name: Jesus or Jehovah, without fear of sounding disrespectful. Name comes before title in the kingdom of God; and by so doing, the title is only a description of function, not a crown to the name: • It is not “Archangel Michael:” Rather it is “Michael, the Archangel” • It was not “Apostle Paul:” Rather it was “Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ” • It was not “Saint Peter:” Rather it was “Peter, an Apostle of Jesus Christ” • It was not “Prophet Elijah:” Rather it was “Elijah, the Prophet” • It was not “Prophetess Anna:” Rather it was “Anna, a Prophetess, daughter of Phanuel” (Luke 2:36) • It was not “Deacon Nicolas:” Rather it was “Nicholas, a deacon and proselyte of Antioch” . Apart from Jesus, whom we call “Lord Jesus” etc. the only title attached before the name of a man was “Brother.” For instance, “Brother Paul” (Acts 19:17), “Brother Apollos” “Brother Timothy” etc. As it is written, “You are all brethren” (Matthew 23:10). . The man who used to call Abraham, “Father Abraham” was still tormented in hell. He used to call Abraham, “Father Abraham,” and Abraham even called him “Son;” yet Abraham could not give him even a drop of water to cool his tongue, rather Abraham reminded him of his past life record that made him to be cast into hell. Calling Abraham ‘Father’ could not save that soul or grant him any petition from even the one he called ‘Father.’ (Luke 16:23-31). In the kingdom of God, you can never attain the position of any man you call “Your spiritual father” or “Father in the Lord.” Do not call any on earth your “Spiritual Father or Father in the Lord;” For One is your Father, who is in heaven (Matthew 23:9). . The name of Jesus is the greatest name. Anointing is always released each time the name of Jesus is released to the virgins who truly love Jesus. As it is written, “Because of the savour of your good ointments your name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love you” [[Song of Solomon 1:3]]
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 22:44:26 +0000
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