Isaiah 9:6,7
The prophet Isaiah wrote, “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this” (Isaiah 9:6,7)
The prophet completed his picture of the coming era of peace with a prominent prophecy of the great Prince of Peace. In his description of earth’s coming King, who will rule in righteousness and purity, Isaiah used terms that cannot fit any earthly king. There is, clearly, but one Person in the universe to whom the qualities here stated can fully and properly apply, and that is Christ. This Prince will usher true, lasting peace that cannot be attained through human efforts.
Nowhere in the Bible do we find the purity of thought, the holiness of expression, found in Isaiah 9:6,7 in the characteristics of the world’s Savior and future King. Without a doubt, the prophet Isaiah had seen a vision of the Lord of glory when his message was recorded. The Holy Spirit inspired him as with the rest of Bible writers.
David in Psalm 110 spoke of Christ as the coming King, who will be “a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” Also, in Psalm 2, the Messiah was shown as breaking the nations with a rod of iron. And in Psalm 45, Christ was described as riding forth in glory. The Savior will be the “wonderful Counsellor” (Isaiah 11:2, 3; 25:1; 28:29) that embodies wisdom, love and mercy. His name will call of the worship and praise of all His created beings in heaven and earth, and in all the universe (Philippians 2:9–11; Revelation 5:12, 13).
Daniel prophesied that Christ’s kingdom will, eventually, break in pieces all the kingdoms of the earth “and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever” (Daniel 2:44 also Revelation 11:15). He will reign over all heaven and earth (Daniel 2:44, 45; Matthew 25:31; Luke 1:32, 33; Revelation 11:15).
Christ – The Mighty God
Christ will rule as the Mighty God who is no less God than is the Father (Philippians 2:5, 6). For He was one with the Father from the days of eternity (Psalms 90:2; Proverbs 8:22–30; Micah 5:2; John 1:1; 14:9, 11). The Son of God will be the Everlasting Father for as God the Father is eternal, so also is the Son.
Isaiah named Him the Father because He is Father to all people in a special way, being the Creator of world (John 1:3; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2). No other word than “Father” so fully illustrates the love of Christ toward His people. When He rules, it will be as a father to His people (Psalms 68:5, Isaiah 22:21, 22; Revelation 3:7).
Because He sacrificed Himself, Christ became the Prince of Peace (Zechariah 9:9, 10; Ephesians 2:14.) Peace comes only with righteousness (Isaiah 32:17, 18), and He is the righteous King (Jeremiah 23:5, 6; 33:15, 16), granting His own righteousness to all that seek it. He came to earth to impart good will to all (Luke 2:14; John 14:27; Philippians 4:7).
God’s Salvation
But Israel as a nation rejected God’s “great light” because the religious leaders condemned Jesus to death and crucified Him (John 19-20). And the Lord will not force Himself on people. Consequently, people will have to reap the results of their evil choices. And there will be much “garments rolled in blood” (Isaiah 27:4; 9:5, 6,14).
Yet, in spite of all this, God’s “anger is not turned away completely, but His hand is stretched out still” for the those that might be willing to change their course and repent of their sins (Isaiah 9:17). The Lord declares, “For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord GOD. “Therefore turn and live!” (Ezekiel 18:32). God is saddened by the death of the sinners, and He wants all people to be converted and live eternally. It is with the strongest appeal that He urges every sinner to leave his sin, lest he be destroyed with it at the end.
God has provided the plan of salvation that all may have the chance to repent. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). While God’s love embraces all humanity, it directly benefits only those who accept it (John 1:12). Therefore, “today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 3:15).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
