The good news is that God’s Name will dwell with His creation, just as He intended from the beginning.
When we hear the word Gospel, we often think first of forgiveness or salvation. Yet the true Gospel is even larger: it is the announcement that God's original purpose for creation, for humanity, and for His Name will be fulfilled through Yeshua the Messiah. From the first sentence of Scripture, God revealed His intent — to create a world where His Name would dwell, honored and reflected by His covenant people. This is the Gospel of the Name: the good news that through Yeshua, the dishonor of sin is overturned, creation is reconciled, and God's glory will fill all things as it was from the beginning. The story of Scripture is the unfolding of this Gospel — from creation to new creation.
From the very first words of Scripture, “In the beginning God created,” we are introduced not merely to a Creator, but to One who intended His creation to bear His Name. The heavens declare His glory, but humanity was uniquely commissioned to image that glory—to manifest His character, authority, and rule within creation. This is the story of Scripture: the unfolding of God’s intent that His Name would dwell among His people and fill the earth with His glory.
Creation and Commission: Bearing the Name in the Beginning
In Genesis 1:26–28, humanity is created in God’s image and likeness—a royal commission to rule under His authority and extend His presence throughout the earth. The Name, which represents His character, nature and purpose, was to be displayed through His imagers.
But rather than bearing His Name, humanity "exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God" for images of their own making (Romans 1:23, 25). This rebellion reached its height at Babel (Genesis 11:4), where mankind united to make a name for themselves instead of carrying God’s Name into the earth The result was the fracturing of the human family into the nations and the scattering of divine purpose.
Rebellion and Rule: The Name Scorned Among the Nations
At Babel, God divided the nations according to the sons of God (Deuteronomy 32:8–9, ESV) but kept Israel as His chosen portion. The spiritual rulers of the nations, however, fell into corruption and injustice (Psalm 82:6–7), and God declared judgment over them.
Into this world of idolatry, God called Israel—His firstborn son (Exodus 4:22–23)—to bear His Name before the nations (Deuteronomy 28:9–10 . Through signs and wonders, He displayed His supremacy over Egypt’s gods (Exodus 9:16; 12:12) and placed His Name upon His people through the priestly blessing (Numbers 6:22–27). Israel was to be a living testimony of the Name—a people through whom the nations would know who God is.
Yet Israel, like Adam, turned away. They rebelled and became disloyal, betraying their calling (Psalm 78:8). The Name was profaned among the nations instead of being exalted.
Promise and Preparation: The Name to Be Written on Hearts
Even in Israel’s unfaithfulness, God’s faithfulness endured. Through Jeremiah, He promised a new covenant—a Torah not engraved on stone but written upon human hearts (Jeremiah 31:31–33). Through Ezekiel, He pledged to give a new heart and a new spirit so that His people could walk in His ways and truly bear His Name (Ezekiel 36:26).
This was preparation for the day when His Name would again dwell among His creation—not in a tent or temple made by hands, but within hearts renewed by His Spirit.
Redemption and Revelation: The Name Glorified through the Son
In the fullness of time, God sent forth His Son (Galatians 4:4–5). The Word became flesh and “tabernacled” among us, revealing the glory of the Father (John 1:14). What humanity had forsaken, Yeshua restored. He bore the Name perfectly, embodying the character and authority of God in human form.
The hidden wisdom of God—concealed since before creation—was now revealed (1 Corinthians 2:7–8). Yeshua dismantled the dominion of the fallen powers (1 John 3:8; Colossians 2:15) and was exalted, receiving “the Name above every name” (Philippians 2:9–10).
Before ascending, Yeshua commissioned His followers to go to all nations, baptizing them “into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:18–19). This was a direct reversal of Babel’s rebellion—one Name uniting the nations under God’s rule. Empowered by the Spirit (Acts 1:8), the disciples bore that Name to the ends of the earth. For there is salvation in no other Name under heaven (Acts 4:12).
Through His blood, the Lamb purchased people from every tribe, language, and nation to bear that Name (Revelation 5:9).
Restoration and Fulfillment: The Name Dwelling with His People
Now, through the Spirit, we bear witness that we are sons and daughters of God (Galatians 4:6). We have been washed, sanctified, and justified in the Name of the Lord Yeshua and by the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 6:11). Sealed with the promised Spirit (Ephesians 1:13–14), we await our full inheritance—the day when the dwelling place of God will once again be with humanity.
The redeemed turn from idols to serve the living God (1 Thessalonians 1:9–10) and live as citizens of His kingdom (Colossians 1:13). Ultimately, this redemption culminates in the vision of Revelation: the Lamb standing with His people, His Name written on their foreheads (Revelation 14:1; 22:4). The curse is removed, His servants worship Him, and His dwelling is among them forever (Revelation 21:3; 22:3–4).
Through Yeshua, the faithful witness, we are made a kingdom and priests to His God and Father—to bear His Name eternally (Revelation 1:5–6).
The Gospel of the Name
From the beginning, God’s intent has been clear: that His creation would bear His Name, reflect His glory, and manifest His rule. Though humanity sought to make a name for itself, God’s purpose has not changed. Through Yeshua, the Living Torah, the creation is being reconciled, Israel restored, the nations reclaimed, and the Name enthroned over all.
This is the Gospel of the Name—the good news that the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14).
