The Greatest Name

2000-1-31 04:11:00

Some have criticized my exchange with Sterling and others as a battle of egos. Some discussions or disagreements are for the sake of ego and some are not. To make a blanket statement that all argument is for the sake of ego is a broad illusionary statement. Such a statement would condemn all great teachers in the past including Jesus who was often confronted by his enemies (who always drew first blood). When so confronted he fought back with logic, reasoning and the Spirit.

As a matter of fact, he was so good at the art of argument that it is written:
"And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions." (Matt 22:46)

Many feel that giving quotes won't change any minds. If a mind is made up this is true, but if a mind is open, the quote can give a seed to plant in the soul so the fruit of truth will eventually sprout. To Sterling's credit there have been times that I have quoted him scripture that has caused him to see the truth of my words.

And in the above quotation of Christ He was able to silence his enemies by quoting and interpreting scripture. So once more I will tackle scripture in the hope that some may benefit and see the oneness of all inspired works.

Sterling points out that we are saved by Jesus Christ and Him only and points out the importance of using Him for the door to eternal life. Before we discuss the scriptures let us review again the name of Jesus Christ.

So what does it mean to be called Jesus Christ? As we stated before this name means "anointed to deliver." Jesus did not intend to keep the name just for him, but advised all of his followers to take the name upon them, too. All enlightened Souls are anointed to deliver those of a lower vibration. When we have been lifted up by someone above us, then it is our mission to lift or deliver others to higher ground also.

There is a universal rule which tells us that we cannot go higher until we have given out what we have learned and assisted in lifting our brethren to where we are. When we have done this, then another will come along and lift us to higher ground. This is the principle behind the name of Jesus Christ. To believe on His name is to believe on this principle, that there are higher lives in the Universe waiting to help deliver, or "save" us when we are ready.

This salvation is a mutual effort of the student and teacher. The teacher does not actually do the saving, but provides the tools, example and the knowledge to the student. The student then has the choice to use those tools to take the next step or to stay where he is for a while longer. If he takes the next step he is "saved" from his past error and moves into a bold new future.

Question: Who or what is Christ? The presence of Christ involves a group of disciples wherein the Christ within them will be manifest on a large scale. These disciples will try to fulfill the commandment given by Paul: "Let this mind BE IN YOU, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God." (Phil 2:5) In speaking of himself and faithful disciples he said: "But we have the mind of Christ." (I Cor 2:16)

Many people quote these scriptures, but few believe them. If we really have the mind of Christ then we will find that all of the scriptures that apply to Jesus also apply to us. For instance, Jesus said: "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven." John 3:13. We are also Sons of God who will ascend into heaven who have in the beginning come from heaven.

Jesus continues: "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up." (John 3:14) It is true that this corresponds to his death on the cross, but he also wanted to illustrate that each man should have the Son of man, or the mind of Christ lifted up within him so that "when he shall appear we shall be like him". (I John 3:2)

Next Jesus said: "That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved thee world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:15-16)

Not only should we believe the words and works of Jesus, but we must believe in and have faith in the Son of God that dwells within us. If we do this we can have everlasting life and life at the end of the age or in the age of peace. The Son of God that can be lifted up within every man forms a part of "Christ, the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is ONE Eternal God." Thus when we lift up the Son of Man within ourselves we also become the Only Begotten Son; for we are an extension of the only Son there is, for all the sons of men share a oneness that few can realize. Paul tried to teach the real Christ when he said: ''For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: SO ALSO IS CHRIST...Now ye are the body of Christ and members in particular." (I Cor 12:12&27)

The entity who is Christ is called the "head" of the body thus making him an essential "door" and savior of us all, for without the head, the body cannot live. On the other hand the head cannot live without the body, making the Master as dependent on us as we are Him.

Question: Who is to be called by the name of Jesus Christ?

In the Old Testament quite a few people were called by the name or title of Christ. Translators however did not translate the Hebrew word for Christ (MASHIYACH) correctly so it is hidden in that ancient language. Let us translate correctly and show some examples. Anyone can verify this with a concordance.

In speaking of Saul, David said: "I will not put forth mine hand against my Lord; for he is the Lord's CHRIST." (I Sam. 24:10)

In speaking of himself, David said: "But thou (God) hast cast off and abhorred, thou hast been wroth with thine CHRIST." (Psalms 89:38)

In another scripture MASHIYACH refers to all Israel: "He suffered no man to do them (Israel) wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes; Saying, Touch not mine CHRIST (Israel), and do my prophets no harm." (Psalms 105:14-15)

MASHIYACH is even used in connection with a non-Jew: "Thus saith the Lord to his CHRIST, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden to subdue nations before him..." (Isa. 45:1)

Thus we see that Christ is a title used by many.

Everyone who listens to the sacrament (Eucharist) prayer, should be aware of this principle for we are told to "eat in remembrance of the BODY of thy Son (Which body is composed of many members), and witness unto thee, O God the eternal Father, THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO TAKE UPON THEM THE NAME OF THY SON..." (Moroni 4:3)

To take upon ourselves the name of the Son means a lot more than remembering the works of another man however great he is. It means that we are to have the mind of Christ within us and to not think it mockery to be equal with God or to be a "savior on Mount Zion", or a Christ.

This principle is illustrated numerous times in the scriptures. For instance:

"And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should TAKE UPON YOU THE NAME OF CHRIST all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives. And it shall come to pass that whosoever doeth this shall be found at the right hand of God, for he shall know the name by which he is called; FOR HE SHALL BE CALLED BY THE NAME OF CHRIST. And now it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall not take upon him the name of Christ must be called by some other name; therefore, he findeth himself on the left hand of God." (Mosiah 5:8-10)

Jesus repeated this doctrine when he visited the Nephites: "Have they not read the scriptures, which say ye must take upon you the name of Christ, which is my name? For by this name SHALL YE BE CALLED at the last day." (III Nephi 27:5) Again this is repeated in modern revelation: "Wherefore all men must take upon them the name which is given of the Father, for in that name SHALL THEY BE CALLED at the last day." (D&C 18:24)

We shall all bear the name of Christ if we are worthy and share the title of the only begotten. We are many members, but one body, "and the saints shall be filled with his glory, and receive their inheritance and BE MADE EQUAL WITH HIM." (D&C 88:107)

Concerning the name of Jesus Christ we are told that it is: "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." (Eph 1:21) Now here is an interesting thought. We are told that the name of Jesus Christ is above "every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come."

On the other hand He said that, "My Father is greater than I." (John 14:28) Now if the Father is greater than Jesus Christ would he not have a greater name? It would seem so unless... unless - they both have the same name! Do not Father and Son in this world adopt that practice? They at least both have the same last name do they not?

The only way that Jesus Christ could be the greatest name that is named, is if God the Father, as well as any other Gods up the line, all take upon themselves the name of Jesus Christ as the highest name that could be named? There is no higher act than being anointed to deliver, or taking the one seeking help and pulling him up to where you are. This represents the pure love of Christ and is love manifest.

Notice the careful wording of the following scripture: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." (Matt 28:19) Notice that three entities are identified, but the word "name" is singular. Why? Because all three share one name which is Jesus Christ.

This is further illustrated by other scriptures: "I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive." (John 5:43) What name did Jesus come in? Again the name of Jesus Christ.

"Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." (John 12:28) Where is there any name of the Father that was glorified except the name of Jesus Christ?

Notice that Jesus clearly said beyond dispute that He "declared": and "manifested" the actual name or the Father. "I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word." (John 17:6)

"And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them." (John 17:26) Even though the name of the Father is mentioned over and over there is no mention of some mysterious name that was revealed. Why? Because we can't see the forest for the trees, which is that the name of the Father was revealed through Jesus and that name is Jesus Christ, which is the principle of eternal deliverance.

Taking part in being "anointed to deliver" other lives behind us on the path is the highest act in the universe and thus represents the "highest name," demonstrating the highest love. This is why Jesus said that those who would be found on his right hand would be:

Matt 25:34-40 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Who therefore is found on the right hand of God? Those who are anointed to deliver and with love stretched out in the hand of service to lift their fellowmen - out of their prisons, out of their hunger, away from their thirst - and clothe them so they will no longer be naked of the Spirit and truths of God.

The principle behind the name of Christ is the only thing that can redeem any of us. Without help from others stretching forth their hands in service through the principle of Christ which is the name of Christ, we must remain forever in the fallen state.

How about the entity who is Jesus Christ from Nazareth? He is indeed a door for us and is essential for our deliverance from lower worlds, for he has the highest understanding of the higher laws of any from humanity. He alone was the first to open a door for us to solidly link with the Ancient of Days, the greatest Christ on this planet. All Masters, angels and men look to this one who was the carpenter's son for an example of what is ahead in our own progress and salvation.