December, 2002

“For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

According to one commentary, there are a total of twenty-two Messianic Prophecies written by Isaiah, a prophet who lived about 750 years before Christ. Through the prophecies, God strategically planned the birth of the Messiah, literally means “The Anointed One.” The coming Messiah is a King. He was going to be born as a child. This Child, a Son, was to be born into the Nation of Israel (to us). As a King, His responsibility is to govern the nation. He puts the world on His shoulders. Many of us have seen a picture of a mighty man carrying a globe on his shoulder. This is an image of this coming King.

Isaiah also told us that He will have four descriptive names to reveal His character. He will be called Wonderful Counselor. The word “wonderful” could be translated “exceptional” or “supernatural.” Counselor is someone who comes alongside to give advice. He is the Mighty God. This description allows us to see that the coming King is mighty in strength: a warrior who will protect the citizens of His kingdom from harm. The King will also be called the Everlasting Father. This allows us to understand a little about the Trinity. The Messiah, the Second Person of the Trinity, is in His essence, God. All three Persons of the Trinity cannot be separated, for there is only One God. This description lets us see the timelessness of the Messiah. He is without beginning and without end, and He will rule His kingdom like a Father. Lastly, the Messiah is also called the Prince of Peace, the One who will bring in and maintain peace within His kingdom. When the citizens properly relate to Him, they will also find peace within. Together, these four titles give a magnificent image of the coming Messiah.

On the first Christmas, Jesus came as the child. The Son of God was given to us. When you know who He is—God who forfeited His glory, lived like a man, died like a criminal, and regained His glorious state after resurrection, you learn to relate to Him in a proper way. Is He your Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace?

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