Discover Your Spiritual Identity!
The Revelation of the Names and Titles God Has Given His People
“As He says also in Hosea, ‘I will call them My people, who were not My people; and her BELOVED, who was not beloved'” (Rom. 9:25, NKJV)
Hosea, the prophet, spoke prophetically over Israel by means of a strange, though inspired, dramatic act. During a time when the nation had plunged into apostasy, he was directed by God to marry a whorish woman named Gomer (representing the spiritual “whorishness” of Israel at that time). Hosea had three children by Gomer: first, Jezreel (a son), then Lo-ruhamah (a daughter), then Lo-ammi (another son). Their names were God-inspired prophecies declaring the serious consequences that would soon befall the northern kingdom of Israel because of idolatry and rampant sin.
– Jezreel means scattering, as in the scattering of seed—for they were soon to be strewn like seed throughout the world.
– Lo-ruhamah means not having obtained mercy—for God was no longer going to pour out patience and pity on them.
– Lo-ammi means not My people—for in essence, God was saying, “We are no longer in a special relationship; you no longer belong to Me.”
Soon after these “acted-out-prophecies,” the Israelites were crushed by the Assyrian army and carried into captivity. Thankfully, amid such grievous darkness, a bright light was still shining. Hosea also foretold the coming of a glorious future time when the children of Israel (the northern kingdom of ten tribes) and the children of Judah (the southern kingdom of two tribes) would be reunited under “one head” (Hos. 1:11).
That ancient oracle was fulfilled when the Messiah came but in far greater measure than expected. For He conquered the grave and ascended to heaven to become “the head,” not only of Israel and Judah but of all the Gentiles who would yet place their trust in Him (Eph. 1:22). In this New Covenant era, people of all races and tongues who repent and believe are “married . . . to him who has been raised from the dead”—becoming a part of His beloved eternal bride (Rom. 7:4, NKJV; see Ephesians 5:23).
God revealed the beauty of this era through Hosea’s words, especially in the following three verses:
“And it shall be, in that day,” says the Lord, “That you will call Me ‘My Husband,’ and no longer call Me ‘My Master'” (Hos. 2:16).
“I will betroth you to Me forever; yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and justice, in lovingkindness and mercy” (Hos. 2:19).
“Then . . . I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy; then I will say to those who were not My people, ‘You are My people!’ And they shall say, ‘You are my God!'” (Hos. 2:23).
About eight centuries later, Paul referred to this last passage (Hos. 2:23) in his epistle to the Romans, yet enhanced its meaning with additional wording:
As He says also in Hosea: “I will call them My people, who were not My people; and her BELOVED, who was not beloved. And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ there they shall be called sons of the living God” (Rom. 9:25-26).
Far ahead of time, God planned a major, spiritual shift. All those previously estranged from Him—both the Jewish people (who had fallen away) and the Gentiles (who were never included)—would be given the opportunity, in the New Covenant, to enter a deep, full, and loving relationship with the Father who declares, “I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jer. 31:3).
Instead of being rejected by God, we who respond are now “accepted in the Beloved” (Eph. 1:6). Because of our union with the firstborn Son of God, we are just as accepted, just as loved and just as welcomed in the Almighty’s presence—for “through Him [Jesus] we both have access by one Spirit to the Father” (Eph. 2:18; see Matthew 3:17). Hosea claimed that once this shift took place, God’s people would be called “Ammi” (which means My people), “Ruhamah” (which means having obtained mercy) and “Jezreel” (which can also mean His seed planted in the earth). These are all additional names that rest upon God’s people now. What a miracle of restoration!
Jesus prayed we would be established in this covenant of love in His great intercessory prayer over the church:
“Father . . . I have given them the glory which You gave Me, that they may be one even as We are one . . . that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me” (John 17:1, 22-23, MEV).
What an awe-inspiring prophetic statement! Jesus wanted “the world” to know that both He and His bride (the church) are equally beloved of the Father—that the same depth of infinite love bestowed on Him has been bestowed on us—yet amazingly, many believers have never arrived at this peak of revelation with its breathtaking view of who we are in God’s great plan.
No wonder Paul called this a love “which surpasses knowledge” (Eph. 3:19). It cannot be comprehended intellectually; it must be experienced. Though we were once “far away,” we have now been “brought near by the blood of Christ” (Eph. 2:13). Though many of us can look back in regret to a “Gomer-like” past, we are now “the dearly beloved of His soul,” for time and eternity (Jer. 12:7).
To get a deeper understanding of this wonderful title for God’s people, listen to a past episode of Mike Shreve’s weekly podcast called, “Discover Your Spiritual Identity.”
The first three categories on Mike Shreve’s YouTube website expand on this amazing revelation: YouTube.com/mikeshreveministries. {eoa}
A product of the Jesus Movement Era, Mike Shreve has traveled evangelistically in the United States and overseas since 1970 with an emphasis on healing and the prophetic. His primary biblical teaching for over 35 years has been the spiritual identity of believers. This powerful insight is featured on his weekly podcast on cpnshows.com and his TV program—both titled Discover Your Spiritual Identity. It is also the theme of his Charisma House book titled WHO AM I? Dynamic Declarations of Who You Are in Christ. The first three categories on his YouTube website expand on this amazing revelation: YouTube.com/mikeshreveministries.
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