Conclusion of The One Called "Faithful And True"

John's description continues: "He has a name written that no one knows but he himself." (Revelation 19:12b) The Bible already speaks of God's Son by names such as Jesus, Immanuel and Michael. But this unstated "name" appears to stand for the position and privileges that Jesus enjoys during the Lord's day. (Compare Revelation 21:7.) Isaiah, describing Jesus since 1914, says: "His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6) The apostle Paul associated Jesus' name with His very high privileges of service when he wrote: "God exalted [Jesus] to superior position and kindly gave him the name that is above every other name, so that in the name of Jesus every knee should bend." -Philippians 2:9, 10.

Jesus' privileges are unique. Apart from Jehovah himself, only Jesus can comprehend what it means to hold such a high position. (Compare Matthew 11:27) Therefore, of all God's creatures, only Jesus can fully appreciate this name. Nevertheless, Jesus does include his bride in some of these privileges. So he makes this promise: "The one that conquers. . . I will write upon him. . .that new name of mine." -Revelation 3:12.

John adds: "And he is arrayed with an outer garment sprinkled with blood, and the name he is called in The Word of God." (Revelation 19:13) Whose "blood" is this? It could be Jesus' lifeblood, shed for the sake of mankind. (Revelation 1:5) But, in this context, it more likely refers to the blood of his enemies that is spilled when Jehovah's judgments are executed upon them. We are reminded of the earlier vision in which the vine of the earth is reaped and trodden in the great winepress of the anger of God until the blood reaches "as high up as the bridles of the horses"-signifying a great victory over God's enemies. (Revelation 14:18-20) Likewise, the blood sprinkled on Jesus' outer garment confirms that his victory is decisive and complete. (Compare Isaiah 63:1-6) Now John again speaks of Jesus' being called by a name. This time it is a widely known name-"The Word Of God"-identifying this Warrior-King as Jehovah's Chief Spokesman and Champion of truth. -John 1:1; Revelation 1:1.

Next time: Jesus' Fellow Warriors

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988