The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, vol. 72

September 24, 1895

“‘My People Shall Know My Name’” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 72, 39, pp. 618, 619.

THIS word is spoken of the people of God at the time when the church is to be clothed with the “beautiful garments” of his righteousness and endued with his power (Isaiah 52:1); when she is entirely separated from the world and all worldliness; and when she is entirely loosed from the captive bonds of sin (verse 2); and when she is to know the full redemption of the Lord. Verse 3. It is the time when, again, as in Egypt, his people will be “oppressed without cause” (verse 4); when “they that rule over them make them to howl,” and themselves “continually every day blaspheme” the name of the Lord. Verse 5. It is at such a time as this, and “therefore” that the Lord declares, “My people shall know my name.” Verse 6. ARSH September 24, 1895, page 618.1

And that time is now. His people now, as in Egypt, are oppressed for keeping the Sabbath of the Lord, and here, they are oppressed for the same thing. And now God will be revealed in power as he was then. Now as then the Lord will make “bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.” Verse 10. “Therefore my people shall know my name; therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak; behold, it is I.” ARSH September 24, 1895, page 618.2

His name is “merciful and gracious, long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.” To know his name is to know all this. It is not merely to know about it, but it is to know it. it is not to know of it by the hearing of the ear; it is to know it, by the “hearing of faith”—to know it with the heart. As his name expresses what he is, to know his name is to know him—not merely to know about him; but to know him. His name expresses his nature, and to know his name is to know his nature. ARSH September 24, 1895, page 618.3

He is merciful. This is his name; and to know his name is to know mercy. It is to know what it is always to manifest from the heart treatment better than they deserve to all offenders. It is only by knowing him, the fountain of mercy that this can be done. “Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” Luke 6:36. ARSH September 24, 1895, page 618.4

He is gracious. This is his name; and to know his name is to know what it is to be extending favor always to all people. Not favor for favor; but pure favor. Not selfishness; but graciousness. ARSH September 24, 1895, page 618.5

He is long-suffering. His name, even as he says, is continually every day blasphemed; his law is trampled underfoot; his authority is defied; he himself is abused and outraged; yet he suffers it long, he endures it long, and is still abundant in goodness and truth even toward all those who are doing all these evil things. He is long-suffering thus toward all, because he is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. This is his name; and to know his name is to know what it is wrongfully and unjustly to suffer contempt, injury, abuse, and outrage, to suffer these things long and still manifest abundance of goodness and truth to all, that if by any means they may be brought to repentance. “Charity suffereth long, and is king.” And “if I have not charity, I am nothing.” “Charity is the bond of perfectness.” ARSH September 24, 1895, page 618.6

And now that the time of suffering, of contempt, of oppression, of abuse, and of outrage, is upon us, how precious the promise that we shall know His name, so that his holy disposition and character shall be manifest on all occasions! And how important it is that every one who has a name and place among his people, shall receive this promise in its fullness, that we may indeed know his name, and that the savor of his knowledge may be made manifest by us in every place! ARSH September 24, 1895, page 618.7

He is forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. This is his name; and to know his name is to know the forgiveness of iniquity and transgression and sin. It is to know this, each one for himself in his own, individual case; and then because of this, manifesting it to all people always. “Condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned; forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.” Luke 6:37. It is not condemnation that men in this world need. They have that already in abundance. It is not condemnation but salvation that the people of this world need. “God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” And “as my Father sent me, so send I you.” He does not send us to condemn anybody; but that they may be saved. his name is “forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin,” and his people are to know his name—they are to know what it is to be this to all. ARSH September 24, 1895, page 618.8

God is love. This is his name; and to know his name is to know love—his love. It is to know him as he is himself. And “he that loveth not, knoweth not God.” ARSH September 24, 1895, page 618.9

It is not in human nature of itself to manifest the disposition and character here outlined. It is not in human nature of itself always to treat people better than they deserve; to be always extending favor to the unthankful and the evil; to suffer long injustice and oppression without cause, and at the same time to be kind, and manifest abundance of goodness and truth; and to be always forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. This is not natural. It is natural for men to treat people only as they deserve; to extend favors only for favors; to resent injustice and resist oppression; to harbor enmity rather than to be forgiving. ARSH September 24, 1895, page 618.10

This promise that the Lord’s people shall know his name, is therefore in reality a promise that they shall know another nature. His name expresses his nature. To know his name is to know his nature. Therefore the promise that we shall know his name, is a promise that we shall know and be partakers of—and know by being partakers of—the divine nature. ARSH September 24, 1895, page 618.11

It is written that by the promises we are partakers of the divine nature. And surely here is the chief of the promises, the very promise itself, by which this shall be done. ARSH September 24, 1895, page 619.1

“My people shall know my name.” His name shall be manifest in his people. His nature shall be manifest in his people. Divinity and humanity shall again be united. God will again be manifest in the flesh. This is the mystery of God that in these days of the voice of the seventh angel is to be finished. Revelation 10:7. This is the everlasting gospel, and thus it is to be preached with a loud voice to every nation and kindred and tongue and people. ARSH September 24, 1895, page 619.2

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sin; for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion. Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem; for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her [Babylon]; be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord. For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight; for the Lord will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward.” Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift! “The name of the Lord is a strong tower, wherein the righteous run and are safe.” “My people shall know my name.” Do you know his name! ARSH September 24, 1895, page 619.3

A. T. J.