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The names of Jesus in the book of revelation – Part 6

By Emeritus Prof. Mercy Olumide
11 February 2018   |   2:47 am
Almighty, Nine of the 12 occurrences of this term in the NT are in Revelation (Rev 1:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7, 14; 19:6, 15; 21:22). The other three are in Rom 9:29; 2 Cor 6:18; Jas 5:4. The word “Sabaoth” is used for “Almighty” in some translations.

Emeritus Prof. Mercy Olumide

“Almighty” (1:8) “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Rev 1:8)

Almighty, Nine of the 12 occurrences of this term in the NT are in Revelation (Rev 1:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7, 14; 19:6, 15; 21:22). The other three are in Rom 9:29; 2 Cor 6:18; Jas 5:4. The word “Sabaoth” is used for “Almighty” in some translations.

Sabaoth (Sȧ bā’ ōth) Transliteration of Hebrew, meaning “hosts, armies, heavenly bodies.” Part of a divine title, “Lord of Hosts,” variously interpreted as Lord of Israel’s armies (cp. 1 Sam 17:45); the stars; members of Yahweh’s heavenly court or council; a comprehensive title for all beings, heavenly and earthly; an intensive title describing God as all powerful. Interestingly, the title does not appear in Genesis through Judges. The earliest Greek translation at times translated “Sabaoth” as a proper name, sometimes as “Almighty,” and sometimes not at all. The title was apparently closely tied to Shiloh and the Ark of the Covenant (1 Sam 1:3, 11; 4:4; 6:2). When David brought the Ark to Jerusalem, he also introduced the title “Yahweh of Hosts” to Jerusalem worship (2 Sam 6:2). Yahweh Sabaoth seems to have emphasised God’s place as Divine King enthroned on the cherubim with the Ark as His footstool ruling over the nation, the earth and the heavens (Ps. 24:10). He is the God without equal (Ps 89:8) Who is present with His people (Ps 46:7,11; cp. 2 Sam 5:10).

Almighty Title of God, translation of Hebrew EL Shaddai. The early Greek translation introduced “Almighty” as one of several translations. Recent study has tended to see “The Mountain One” as the most likely original meaning. The name was particularly related to Abraham and the patriarchs (Gen 17:1; 28:3; 35:11; 49:25). Job is the only book to use El Shaddai extensively, 31 times in all. Paul used “Almighty” once at the end of a series of OT quotations to imitate OT style and to underline divine power to bring His word to fulfilment. Revelation refers to God nine times as “Almighty,” again giving a feeling of power to the vision of Revelation. Jesus is called “Mighty God” (Is 9:6)

“Son of Man” (Rev 1:7,13)
“And in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.” (Rev 1: 13) “The Son of man.” This term refers to the exalted Christ, a term also used by the OT prophet Daniel (see Dan 7:13; 10:16). In this vision, Christ is described as King, priest and judge of His churches (cf. vv13-16).
God revealed Himself to mankind in Jesus as

“THE SON OF MAN”
Jesus often refers to Himself as “The Son of Man”
Son of Man. Jesus most common title for Himself, used 81 times in the Gospels and never used by anyone but Jesus there. Elsewhere, it is used by Stephen (Acts 7:56) and in John’s vision (Rev 1:13). In Dan 7:13-14, the Son of Man is pictured as a heavenly figure, who in the end times, is entrusted by God with authority, glory and sovereign power. That Jesus considered “Son of Man” to be a Messianic title is evident by His use of it in Mk 8:31 in juxtaposition to Peter’s use of “Christ” (Mk 8:29).
What is the significance of this?

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