The Name of Messiah — A Thought

In 1829, John the Baptist appeared in resurrected wholeness and conferred the Aaronic priesthood upon two humble seekers of truth. This servant, sent from the presence of God, laid his living hands on mortal heads, and ordained Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.

In this sacred bestowal, he stated he was acting "in the name of Messiah." (Doc. & Cov. 13)

In our day, we most often pronounce the name of Jesus Christ in declaring our claim to heavenly authority to officiate and minister in holy things.

I find it significant that at that time, John used the Title, or Name, of Messiah instead.

The Anointed One.

The Expected One.

The King of kings, upon Whose shoulder the government shall be. (Revelation 19; Isaiah 9: 6-7)

The One whose story has graced the literature, mythology, and celebrated tales among many nations of the Earth since the time of Adam and Eve, who preached these things from the beginning.

Though certainly diluted, twisted, or outrightly perverted, think of the Epic of Gilgamesh, Hercules, Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, and other similar heroic stories and legends.

These earlier examples were later joined by other versions.

Following the time of Christ, we see many retellings of the story of the great Atoning Hero, in the writings of Charles Dickens, Victor Hugo, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and others.

Magnifying upon the traditional "Christian" understanding of what the millennial kingdom will entail, receiving the Messiah will fulfill the delighted expectations of Jews, Muslims, and others whose religious and cultural yearnings have trained them to look forward to a Deliverer to come from above.

Specifically, I look to the Jews and to the Levites, who bear great responsibilities in organizing and administering the Messianic millennial kingdom.

In these latter days, the Lord will work a mighty work among these chosen servants, who will wield Godly authority once again to bring about the restitution of all things, as part of the dispensation of the fullness of times.

Might we see a key unlocking their understanding and acknowledgement of authority in the movement begun in our time under the hand of John the Baptist?

This son of Zacharias, of the priestly lineage, has used a Word that surpasses sectarian strife and throws open the narrow restrictions built into many manmade religious systems.

By invoking the name of Messiah, John transcends various dispensations of the gospel and the storied chronicles of time to positively manifest divine authority, necessary to usher in the kingdom to stand through the Millennium.

By a subtle distinction, he clues us into the fuller import of that heavenly organization, still yet to be seen, to which the Church will give birth. (See Revelation 12: 7, Inspired Version)

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The Lord will gather all things together in one, even in Christ.

Reaching back to the ancient order of His kingdom, the Lord will powerfully extend His saving hand forward in futurity and reestablish its full order in might and majesty.

Then this millennial kingdom will surpass any society preexisting it, and the children of God will rejoice in a time of righteousness which is unparalleled in the history of the world.

Of course, Jesus of Nazareth is this Messiah.

Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all Messianic prophecies, and of the hopes and dreams of individuals, communities and nations that long for lasting peaceful prosperity.

But the world will come to know Him more fully as they embrace a greater understanding.

By shedding some historical perceptions based on incorrect doctrines and misconceptions of His character and attributes, they will be empowered to see Him as He is.

Come to know Him. He speaks. He lives. He teaches. He leads. He loves.

See also:

Tales of Two Cities, by the Author

They Also of the Tribe of Judah, by the Author

The Sons of Levi, by the Author

Scriptural Summary, by the Author

Apostles and Disciples — A Thought, by the Author

Charity Never Faileth, by the Author

Greater Works Than These, by the Author

Road to Jericho, by the Author

The Depths of Humility, by the Author

Taking His Name, by the Author