Names changes

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Every name in Scripture has either a historic, symbolic, or spiritual significance. The names are inseparably bound up with the narrative, and it frequently happens that the meaning of a proper noun is a key to an important passage. Names are employed by the Holy Spirit with definite design. Various names for the same individual are given because the significance of each separate name or title is best fitted to express what is recorded at any given time.

"Devil" and "Satan" are not synonyms, nor are they used haphazardly but with discrimination. Upon the meaning of names found in Scripture, there rests a whole scheme of interpretation; even the order in which names occur is not accidental, but designed, and constitutes a part of each lesson taught, or each truth presented.

There is here a wide field opened for study, as the Holy Spirit calls attention to the importance and the meaning of each. In the first book of the Bible, we find that children and places were given meaningful names, which called to remembrance incidents, experiences, characteristics of interest and importance.

Names were changed to harmonize with a change in the person, place, experience, or situation where it occurred. For example, Abram became Abraham, Sarai became Sarah, and Jacob became Israel. Luz was changed to Bethel! - "House of God."

In the New Testament, Jehovah changed to Jesus, and Simeon was now Peter. In Hebrews 7:1-2 the Holy Spirit calls attention to the significance of Salem to Jerusalem. These are presented to us in order to show the importance of this line of study.

Names are used in Scripture with marvelous discrimination; the precision with which names are used in the Bible is especially noticeable in connection with the Divine titles. The names Elohim and Jehovah are found on the pages of the Old Testament several thousand times, but they are never used loosely or interchangeably. Over three hundred names and titles are given to the Lord Jesus Christ, and each has its distinctive significance, and to substitute any other for the one used would destroy the beauty and perfections of every passage where they are found.

Names are also employed to express character; titles are used to denote relationships. It is only as we make a careful study of the various and numerous names and titles of the Lord Jesus Christ that we are in a position to appreciate His infinite excellencies and the manifold relationships which He sustains.

From an opposite standpoint, the same is equally true of the Antichrist. As we pay careful attention to the different names and titles which are given to him, we then discover what a marvelously complete delineation the Holy Spirit has furnished us with of the person, the character, and career of this man of darkness. Unfortunately, the great variety of names bestowed upon him has led some to the conclusion that they must belong to separate individuals, which confuses the issue.

There’s almost as much ground to make the Devil and Satan different persons, as there is to regard the Beast and the Antichrist as separate entities; that the Devil and Satan are names belonging to the same person, and the Beast and the Antichrist is the selfsame individual, is proven by the fact that identically the same characteristics under each is found belonging to the one as to the other.

Instead of apportioning these names to different persons, we must see that they point to the same individual, only in different relationships, or as giving us various phases of his character.

An old writer has said the name Devil is most suggestive of his character. If "d" is taken away, evil is left. If "e" is taken away vile is left. If "v" is taken away ill is left. It is equally true of the Antichrist: his names reveal his character, expose his vileness, and forecast his career and doom.

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