Every time the name Jesus is used
without this frame of reference, that
idea of God is diminished. Yet think of
its power if we truly made use of the
name – if when we said it we thought
of His life and our salvation by Him –
so we would be unable to do violence
to His name. (Apocalypse Revealed 961)
The real protection against
abusing the name “Jesus” is found in
doing what is good. (See Apocalypse
Explained 815:12) His name and the
mental image of Jesus Christ, the Lord,
the Divine Human, becomes real to us as we listen to what is taught by Him in
His Threefold Word. As we strive to think about the Lord as Jesus, and to do
what is right, then it becomes foreign to us to think of His name in any other
context and we recoil when we hear it abused.
As we progress in regeneration, then we shall feel more attuned to the
sentiment at the end of the book of Revelation: “He who testifies these things
says, ‘Surely I come quickly. Amen.’ Even so, come Lord Jesus.” (Revelation
22:20; Apocalypse Revealed 960)
Let us rejoice in the name Jesus. Let us know what it means and how it
directs us to the Lord who saves us. And let us use the name “Jesus” regularly
that we may feel closer to Him and be drawn more fully into the stream of His
providence. “Even so, come Lord Jesus.” Amen.
Every time the name
'Jesus' is used without
this frame of reference,
that idea of God is
diminished. Yet think
of its power if we truly
made use of the name.
The Rt. Rev. Brian W. Keith is Executive Bishop of the General
Church, General Pastor of the General Church, Chancellor of the
Academy of the New Church, President of the General Church
in Canada, of the General Church in Africa and of the General
Church International. He and his wife, Gretchen (Umberger), live
in Bryn Athyn. Contact: [email protected]
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