In our first three lessons in December, we have seen irrefutable prophecies declaring Jesus to be God with Us, The Light in the Darkness and The Savior Who Came to Us.  This week, along with the prophet Isaiah, we will proclaim Jesus as fulfillment of prophecy as The King Who Reigns Forever!  

Never forget that when God speaks through His prophets, His Word WILL be fulfilled.  Just like that famous sticky taffy candy…it will be fulfilled NOW or LATER!  It will be fulfilled either imminently or sometime in the future in the perfect standard timing of God.  When God speaks, what He declares is an accomplished act. God, Who is not bound by time whatsoever, is the Keeper of our earthly timeline. 

Nearly 800 years before Jesus was born, God spoke through Isaiah to prepare the way for His arrival.  Isaiah’s Holy Spirit-inspired introduction of the Savior gave us specific clues as to His personhood, His purpose, His promises, His plan and His power. 

Don’t miss the best part:  UNTO US!  We (all of humankind) are the receivers of this great, good news of the Coming One.  Our God Who is with us comes to us as a light in the darkness.  Here’s what to expect.  A child will be born.  This child will be a son, not a daughter.  He will be a gift that will be given to us, for us, through us to the world.  

Governments will be upon His shoulder.  He will be in charge.  He will have amazing names.  These names reflect His character.  He will be “wonderful” as He causes us to be full of wonder at Who He really is!  He will be a counselor for us as we navigate the turbulent seas of life.  He will be the one true God, the mighty God.  Strength will find its definition in Him!  

Earthly fathers will come and go.  This Father will be an eternal, everlasting, never leaving, never forsaking Father.  He will never be absent or abusive.  His presence with us will not just mean the absence of conflict, but will assure us of peace in all weathers.  In fact, He will be the Prince of Peace…standing next to the King of Kings with one main job…securing stability for us globally, nationally, locally, personally, individually.  

Peace and order and the establishment of judgement and justice will be the hallmarks of His kingdom.  This kingdom will have NO END!  The zeal of the Lord is the guarantee of the fulfillment of this prophecy.  The seal will be that of the throne of King David who lived 200 years before Isaiah.  David was a king from the line of the tribe of Judah as God had promised.  The Messiah would come from that tribe.  Jesus would later be born in Bethlehem, the town nestled in the exact shepherd hills of the family of David, son of Jesse.  Scripture affirms scripture all along the way as God brings His plan together flawlessly and irrefutably.  

In the gospel of Luke, the angel Gabriel makes his announcement to Mary in Nazareth.  Isaiah had already prophesied that a virgin would give birth to a son. Gabriel was speaking to that promised virgin!  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Mary conceived that promised son in her womb.  Gabriel declares his message from the Lord by confirming that Mary’s Son would be great.  He would be called the Son of the Highest.  He shall be given the throne of David, King of Judah.  He would reign and rule over the house of Jacob forever.  There shall be no end to His kingdom.  

These are “messianic” prophecies which can only be attributed to the Savior of the world Who was to arrive in the fullness of time.  He came!  He lived!  He gave His life!  He was buried! He was raised to life, conquering death forever.  His eternal kingdom will one day be established, but all of the groundwork spoken of by Isaiah has been laid.  The foundation is firm.  We, the descendants of Abraham by faith, are at work today.  “Faithers" Rejoice!