"AND HIS NAME IS CALLED THE WORD OF GOD"

A person’s use of words can be pretty amazing. Sometimes the simplest things can be made so complex that no one can understand what is being said. Sometimes the most complex problems can be stated in such a way in which everyone is able to understand. Words can be used to confuse things or words can be used to clarify things. A word used in the right way can make all the difference in communicating what we want. In Revelation 19:11-16 John uses words to describe Jesus.

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Revelation 19:11-16

What is God trying to communicate to us by describing His Son as "the Word of God?" What lessons are to be learned form God calling His Son "the Word of God?"

THE WORD IS SPOKEN—DO WE LISTEN?

We use words to speak with each other. This is the means by which we communicate our thoughts, ideas and messages to one another. God has communicated His thoughts, ideas and message by His Son, Jesus Christ and His Son has communicated the words of His Father through the means of His gospel.

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds. Hebrews 1:1,2

And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak. John 12:50

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. Romans 1:16

Have you ever had a conversation with someone and during the conversation you stop yourself in mid-sentence and ask, "Are you listening to me?" For spoken words to have any effect they must be listened to. Throughout the Gospels we read of Jesus proclaiming the truths of God. After His teaching, He would seek to solicit a response by asking, "Are you listening to me" (Matthew 11:15; 13:9,43; Mark 4:9,23; 7:16; Luke 18:8, 14:35)?  Why is it so important to listen to Christ? Because He has the words of eternal life (John 6:67,68) and He is the only way to a relationship with God (John 14:6). A person has to go through Christ to enter into a relationship with God. In order to understand what we must do to enter into this relationship we must listen to Christ. The Word has spoken—Are you listening?

THE WORD IS WRITTEN—DO WE READ IT?

The word that Jesus brought and spoke has been recorded for our benefit. 

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" II Timothy 3:16,17. 

In the New Testament we have the verbal words of Christ written down for us (Matthew 26:28; I Corinthians 14:37). A person bears a responsibility toward this written word if he ever expects to receive benefits from that word. "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it…" (Revelation 1:3, emphasis mine—MG). From this verse we learn an important principle, as it pertains to deriving benefits from God’s written revelation--if we are to be blessed from God’s word, then we must read it, hearken to it and do what it says. The Word has been written—Are you reading it?

THE WORD IS A PERSON—DO WE FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE?

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him" (John 1:1,14,18). The word was spoken, the word was written; but more than that the word became a living human being. God sent His Son to live in the flesh so that we might better understand Him.

The Word became flesh to serve a two-fold purpose. First, Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for all of mankind (I John 2:2; II Corinthians 5:21). Second, Jesus is our example (I Peter 2:21) that we should be seeking to imitate (I Corinthians 11:1). Do you want to learn how to deny self—follow the example of Jesus (Luke 22:42). Do you want to learn how to be a servant—follow the example of Jesus (John 13:1-15). Do you want to learn how to resist temptation—follow the example of Jesus. Do you want to learn how to be humble—follow the example of Jesus (Philippians 2:5-10). The Word is a person—Are you following His example?

THE WORD IS ETERNAL—WILL WE BE READY?

The word of God is indeed powerful, so powerful that it can reveal the flaws in any life "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). The word is so powerful that it will endure through out time "Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever" (I Peter 1:23). It still saves and it still gives life to those who hear and respond to it. But are we ready to face that word "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him; the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day" (John 12:48)? Each of us will face a final judgment based on the word of God not our think-so’s or opinions. The Word is eternal—Are you ready?

The Bible is our guide to learn of and follow Jesus—the Word of God. Let us listen, let us read, let us do, but most of all let us live to love Jesus, God’s revealed word.

Mike Gurganus
PO Box 916
Henderson, NC 27536