To Uphold It Forevermore

For a child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.  Isaiah 9:6-7 NASB

Let us stop and pause, as we reflect on the fact that the birth of the Savior was prophesied seven centuries before the fulfillment came. 

God gave specific words that Isaiah was to speak to the people as His messenger. God knew the people of Judah were deep into their sin and rebellion, and that they would not receive Isaiah's warnings about God's coming judgment.

In comparison, let’s think of the shape the world is in today spiritually. People are still deep in sin and rebellion and refuse to receive the warnings of what is to come. The scriptures foretold the first coming of Jesus as a human to earth, and we see that fulfilled in the New Testament. Scripture also forewarns us that Jesus Christ will return to judge all and gather those who accepted Him.

Revelation 1:4-8 NASB “John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood— and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

During Christmas we are lead by Holy Spirit to celebrate Jesus Christ, the greatest gift of all.  One gift from God we may take for granted though is the gift of choice. When God created Adam and Eve, He gave them the gift of free will. 

Genesis 2:16-17 NASB “The Lord God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”

They had the power to chose to eat of the forbidden tree or to obey God and not eat of it. However, they made the wrong choice and it cost them dearly.  In the Old Testament Moses made the right choice described in Hebrews 11:24-25 NASB “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin"

It is incredible how much a choice made by Adam and Eve caused so much pain, sin and separation from God.  

Then there is the teaching of two thieves in the book ofLuke who hung on either side of Jesus. Each one made choices in their lives and the result was paying the price with their death.

Luke 23:39-43 NASB “One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

God gives us the honor of choice. During this Christmas season I encourage you to think about the thief who made the decision to repent. Jesus forgive the man’s sin, the thief’s sin was forgiven by his good choice, this Christmas season make the choice to accept Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life "Whoever believes in the Son of God has eternal life." (John 3:36).

My friends hold fast in these uncertain last days. You can reject Jesus. God has given you that terrible ability, but we implore you, seek Jesus, receive Him as Lord and Saviour over your life! The new Advent season is upon us - now is the time, the "time of grace," Jesus is coming to make His claim upon your whole being…. heart, soul, mind, and strength.