Because of the many occasions of unfaithfulness on the part of Israel, God sent Isaiah to warn His people that they would be taken captive by another nation. However, there was hope for a remnant. There was even the promise of a Messiah who would be the Savior of Israel and the Hope of the nations (Isa.11:10; 42:1ff; 48:12-19; 53:1ff; 56:1-5, 7; 61:1-3, 8-9, et al.). If there be any doubt that there is a connection with the Messianic age, see Luke 4:17-21 where, early in his earthly ministry, Jesus quotes Isaiah 61:1-3. Isaiah was pointing to a time when God's people shall be "named the priests of Jehovah" (61:6, cf. I Peter 2:9) and shall be "the seed which Jehovah hath blessed" (61:9, cf. Galatians 3:14, 29).

One of the blessings promised was "an everlasting name" (56:5); "...thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of Jehovah shall name." (62:2). The blessings and glory God promises to His people are not for Israel of old because of their rebellion and idolatry (65:1-7, 11-12). But God will bless those who serve Him, and He will save a remnant (Isa.10:21-22). But to the rebellious that forsake Jehovah, He says, "And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen; and the Lord Jehovah will slay thee; and he will call his servants by another name..." (65:15).

At this point one might ask, "What name is to be left for a curse, and what is "the new name, which the mouth of Jehovah shall name"? The name given to God's people in Old Testament times was Israel, and the city where God's house was built was Jerusalem, but neither of these is the name by which God's people are called today. In fact, from the time which followed the Babylonian captivity until now, the names Israel and Jew have been bywords in many societies (See Deut.28:37; Jeremiah 24:9; 29:15-20).

The names in Isaiah 62:1-4 are not new names! Zion was never named "Forsaken." But because of their unfaithfulness, Israel was called ("termed") Forsaken, and the land was termed Desolate. These terms were not names, but this is what they were called because of the condition they were in after God had delivered them into the hands of Babylon for punishment. A man might be called "beaten" after he was defeated in a contest, but "beaten" would not be his name. I might be called "fool," but that is not my name. I have been called worse, but it was not my name! Perhaps it was thought to be appropriate because of my actions. A name called upon someone is supposed to represent all that he is, all that he stands for, all that he does. For example, what do the names "Democrat" or "Republican" or "Nazi" suggest to you?

Now, as for God's people today, what is their new name? How does Isaiah describe those who receive it? Her righteousness shall "go forth as brightness," and "her salvation as a lamp that burneth." If we apply that to God's New Testament people we see this fulfilled in Matthew 5:14-16 and Philippians 2:15-16. Isaiah says also that when the new name is given she shall be called "Hephzi-bah" ("My delight is in her" -marginal reading in ASV) and "Beulah" (margin-ASV, "married"). No longer would God's people be called "Forsaken" and "Desolate" (Hebrews 13:5-6).

If one of the terms, "Hephzi-bah" or "Beulah," is the new name, which one is it? Could it be that when God gives his people the new name that they will in fact be "married"? See II Corinthians 11:2, "...I espoused you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ." Also, Ephesians 5:22-33; Revelation 21:2, 21ff. Of course, if Isaiah 62:2 has no connection to the Messianic age, then the above New Testament passages do not apply. But there is a connection!

In answer to the question, what is the new name, some believe that the fulfillment is found in Acts 11:26, however, many deny this. We must admit that the name "Christian" in this verse is a new name, but some deny that it was given by the Lord. Rather, they say, it was given in derision by the enemies of the Lord's people. But New Testament evidence is that the enemies called them "Nazarenes" (Acts 24:5).

A study of the word chrematidzo, translated "called" in Acts 11:26, may help provide an answer. It is translated "To declare by an oracle" in Young's Concordance, p. 138. In Matthew 2:12, 22; Acts 10:22; Heb.8:5; and 11:7, it is translated "warned of God" in the American Standard and King James Versions. In Heb.8:5, the KJV has "admonished of God." In Luke 2:26, the ASV, KJV, NAS, NIV, and NKJV all translate it "revealed," obviously a message from God. Berry's Interlinear translates it "divinely communicated" in Luke 2:26. It also occurs in Hebrews 12:25 where it refers to God's spokesmen from whom came the warnings. It occurs in Romans 7:3, "...shall be called an adulteress.." where God is declaring the condition of the woman who marries another while her husband lives.

Strong gives the following definition: "5537 chrematizo (khray-mat-id'-zo); from 5536; to utter an oracle (compare the original sense of 5530), i.e. divinely intimate; by implication (compare the secular sense of 5532) to constitute a firm for business, i.e. (generally) bear as a title: KJV-- be called, be admonished (warned) of God, reveal, speak."

Strong defines the participle, chrematismos, which occurs only once in the N. T. (Rom.11:4): "a divine response or revelation; -answer of God." A. T. Robertson translates this word in Romans 11:4 "answer of God." W. E. Vine defines it "a Divine response, an oracle..."

So far as New Testament usage is concerned, every occurrence indicates that God had a voice in what was said, revealed, declared or called, unless Acts 11:26 is an exception. Otherwise, we must conclude that it was by divine oracle that the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. Her righteousness did go forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burneth. And, since Antioch was a church made up of Jewish and Gentile converts, the nations were seeing her righteousness (Isa.62:1-2). We know that Paul sought to persuade people to become Christians (Acts 26:28), and Peter tells us not to be ashamed to suffer as a Christian but to glorify God in this name (1 Peter 4:16).

No matter how we feel about Isaiah's "new name," let us all work together to follow the example and teaching of these men of God.

Tom Baker3727 N. Rosewood Ave.Avondale AZ 85323-3727