Jesus said, “In my name, you shall…” and listed what his followers would do through the authority of that name (Mark 16:17). Jesus came in his Father’s name, and the fact that he did not use that name as a proper noun shows us that “name” is an expression of authority — not only as a name to be used as our authority when we encounter demonic opposition, but also even when unspoken, as in our thoughts, our overall attitude, and our approach to life’s challenges.
It seems that only the British still use the word “shall” these days, which is a pity because “shall” is more imperative than “will”. When God sent His angel — known as “the Angel of the LORD” — ahead of the children of Israel, He warned them to be careful to obey him not provoke him — “for My Name is in him” (Exodus 23:21). God warned Moses that the Angel would not forgive the people’s sins.
The LORD’s Name is His identity — Who He Is, His nature, character, and accomplishments. The Angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, and to the soon-to-be-parents of Samson; he was the “man” that Jacob wrestled and whom he later identified as God, declaring that he had “seen God face to face and lived” (Genesis 32:24, 30). Had God not clothed Himself in the form of the Angel, Jacob would have died instantly!
The Angel was the presence of God in human form. This explains how many Old Testament scriptures that refer to God are in the New Testament applied to Jesus Christ, who is “the image of God”. If an angel, however illustrious, could speak as God, how much more could he who was by birth and by nature the Son of God?
God said of the Angel of the Angel of the LORD, “My name is in him.” The name Joshua in the Old Testament, is Jesus in the New Testament. Better still, Yehoshua: “God with us.” God has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry and message of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18, 19).
Significantly, since the time when God was in Christ on earth, the Angel of the LORD does not reappear in the New Testament. The King James Version does use the definite article “the” (angel of the Lord), but in every instance the NT Greek has the indefinite article, “an” (angel of the Lord). (See Acts chapters 5:19; 8:26; 12:7; 27:23)
But then, why would he? Jesus Christ, the Son of God, revealed God as not only the Father of the children of Israel corporately, but also as his Father personally; and gloriously, as the Father of all those who believe in His Son personally!
But there’s more! Unlike the Angel of the LORD, who could not forgive sins, Jesus forgave sinners during his earthly ministry (which infuriated the religious leaders) and has been doing so from heaven for 2,000 years! “In the Name of Jesus” did not work as a useful nametag for the seven sons of Sceva (Acts 19). But understanding the full significance of the all-powerful Name of Jesus Christ will work wonders!