People often preach about the power of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. But what does name truly mean in this context? In the biblical sense, the name of the Lord Jesus Christ signifies far more than just a label or designation. It represents His authority, character, power, and identity. To act in someone’s name means to act on their behalf, with their power and backing. For example, in Acts 3:6, Peter heals a lame man by saying, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Here, the name of Jesus conveys divine authority to perform miracles. In biblical thought, a name often embodies the essence of a person. Jesus (Yeshua) means “Yahweh saves”, signifying His mission of salvation. Philippians 2:9-10 states that God has "highly exalted Him and given Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow." This means Jesus' identity and mission carry ultimate significance.
Furthermore, calling upon the name of Jesus is invoking His power and presence. In John 14:13, Jesus says, “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do.” This implies that prayers offered in His name align with His will and authority. Acts 4:12 declares, “There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” This means salvation is only possible through faith in Jesus' person and work. Thus, when people preach about the power of the name of Jesus, they are emphasizing His divine authority, saving power, and the reality of His presence in the believer’s life.
So what does it mean that nature works, trees grow, and planets move in their orbits on behalf of the Lord Jesus Christ? When we say that Nature works, trees grow, and planets move in their orbits on behalf of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are acknowledging His sovereign authority over creation. This idea is rooted in several key biblical principles. First, Christ is the Creator and Sustainer of all things. John 1:3 states, "Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made." Likewise, Colossians 1:16-17 affirms, "For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." These verses show that Jesus is not only the agent of creation but also the one who sustains and holds everything together.
The regularity of natural processes—such as trees growing, seasons changing, and planets following precise orbits—is not random but a reflection of Christ’s divine order. Psalm 19:1 declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." Romans 1:20 states, "For since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made." This means that creation is a witness to the power, wisdom, and providence of Christ. Additionally, nature itself is bound to Christ’s redemptive purpose. Romans 8:19-21 describes creation as longing for the full redemption that Christ will bring, indicating that even the natural world is tied to His mission.
In the Book of Enoch, it is revealed that after certain angels fell into condemned actions, the remaining angels sought to consolidate the governance of nature by asking for the name of the Son of Man so they could bind it into an oath of governance, protecting it from the weakening effects of the fallen angels. This suggests that the name of the Son of Man strengthens the very fabric of nature's governance. This concept aligns with the biblical portrayal of Christ’s ultimate authority. In 1 Enoch 69:13-25, the holy angels sought the name of the Son of Man because it was the key to maintaining cosmic order after the corruption caused by the fallen angels. The name of Christ represents His ultimate authority—much like in Philippians 2:9-11, where God exalts Jesus and gives Him "the name that is above every name."
The idea that the Son of Man’s name provides stability and protection against cosmic disorder resonates with Colossians 1:17, which states, "In Him all things hold together." Moreover, 1 Enoch 46 depicts the Son of Man as a preexistent divine figure who will judge the fallen angels and the wicked. This corresponds with Daniel 7:13-14, where the Son of Man is given everlasting dominion. Thus, His name is the foundation of unchanging and incorruptible authority over creation. This is also reflected in John 1:1-3, where Jesus is described as the divine Logos through whom all things were made and sustained. Hebrews 1:3 reinforces this idea by stating that Christ "upholds all things by the word of His power."
The Holy Spirit reveals how nature is perpetuated on behalf of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Spirit says: “Consider the trees. They put forth buds and leaves. They do so by the authority and power of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Consider the planets. They orbit their stars. They do so by the authority and power of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” This aligns with biblical truth. Colossians 1:16-17 and John 1:3 confirm that everything in nature exists, moves, and functions by the authority of Jesus Christ. The growth of trees and the order of the cosmos are governed by Christ’s decree, as seen in Psalm 104:14 and Jeremiah 33:25, which describe God's fixed laws for nature.
The name of Jesus is not just a title; it embodies His nature, authority, and power. His name is associated with salvation (Acts 4:12), authority (Philippians 2:9-10), and creative power (Hebrews 1:3). This means that every aspect of nature is a manifestation of Christ’s rule. When trees bud and leaves grow, they are responding to His divine authority. The movement of planets in their orbits is not an impersonal law of physics but the active governance of Jesus Christ, sustaining the universe moment by moment. Nature glorifies Christ, and this truth should lead humanity to worship Him as Lord over all creation (Psalm 19:1).
The Holy Spirit’s revelation that trees grow and planets orbit by the authority of the name of Jesus Christ is a profound truth confirmed by Scripture. It means that the entire natural order is under the dominion of Christ, and everything continues to exist because of His sustaining power. This truth should lead us to a deeper reverence for Jesus, acknowledging Him as the King and Sustainer of all things.
(Stephen D Green with extensive use of AI, Feb 2025)
