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See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”¹

It is worth remembering that in the beginning God created everything through words spoken.²
In the future, by his command³ he will shake everything that can be shaken that only what cannot be shaken shall remain.⁴ Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.⁵

The Jews and the Gentiles understood that words translated to physical reality. Particularly important were names. Recall, in the book of Daniel, the people of Israel fell into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. Some of the people of Israel were brought with them—the royal family, the nobility, and youths of good appearance, skillful in all wisdom, knowledgeable, learned, and competent. They were to be educated for three years then stand before the king. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah were given new names—Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, respectively.⁶ By changing their names, the king wanted them assimilated to their culture.

Unlike God, he gives us a new name to show divine authority and his plan for the individual; it connotes identity, purpose, a new phase. Take Hebrew, Israel, Jew—these names are more than ethnicity. Hebrew was first mentioned in reference to Abram⁷ (later Abraham⁸—the father of a multitude of nations); literally, Hebrew meant ‘beyond’ or ‘other side.’ Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.⁹

Jacob (literally ‘supplanter’)¹⁰ was named Israel,¹¹ which means ‘one who wrestles with God’ or ‘one who struggles with God.’

Jew¹² was derived from Judah; it was used after the northern Kingdom of Israel was conquered and the southern Kingdom of Judah became the dominant remnant of the Israelite nation. Paul first used the term Jew in his letter to the Romans.¹³

Interestingly, Paul addressed his letters to the saints.¹⁴ Derived from the Latin word sanctus—where we derive the word sanctified. Declaring the identify of believers, who are saved by virtue of what Christ has done on the cross. It is finished!¹⁵ For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.¹⁶ We are to hold on to the promise, expectant to be sanctified as we immerse ourselves with the word of truth.¹⁷ Made clean by the word spoken.¹⁸

Then the LORD said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.”¹⁹