The Messiah in Isaiah--Born to Rule

The Messiah in Isaiah-Born to Rule Spring Valley Mennonite; August 14, 2022; Isaiah 9:1-7 In these days of worldwide turmoil and political uncertainty it is refreshing and encouraging to look to the future earthly reign of Messiah Jesus. One of the great and wonderful themes of Isaiah is the future reign of Jesus Christ on earth. The ninth chapter of Isaiah speaks of the rule and reign of Jesus, giving details, many of which are yet to be fulfilled. There are many believers who misunderstand prophetic passages such as these concerning Christ's reign. Some believe only in Christ's spiritual kingdom-the unseen and invisible kingdom over which Jesus rules, and while this invisible kingdom presently exists-we are a part of it-there will be a future, literal earthly kingdom. Others view all the prophesies regarding Israel as now applying to the Church; "God is finished with Israel", they claim. As I said, many are confused by Biblical prophecy, and consequently are tempted to disregard it. The thought is, "That's just too complicated!" A word on that viewpoint: God places no premium on ignorance. About one-fourth of the Bible is predictive prophesy. Should we willingly ignore 1/4th of the Bible? The Jews of Jesus' day were also confused over the question of the Messiah's rule on earth, especially Jesus' close followers. Even John the Baptist had doubts as he sent his disciples to Jesus with the question: "Are you the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else? And Jesus answered and said to them, 'Go and report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them." Why was there a question? Jesus did not seem to be moving toward establishing Himself as a King! Did not scripture-the very verses we will cover this morning-did they not clearly speak of a conquering, powerful Messiah Who would subdue Israel's enemies? Was not a restoration of the "Golden Age" of Kings David and Solomon promised? Even Jesus' disciples asked Him repeatedly, "Is it now that you are going to establish Your Kingdom on earth?" Perhaps an illustration will help us understand these prophesies regarding the Messiah. When you drive toward the Rocky Mountains from the east, the first thing you see is a faint bluish-purple line on the distant horizon. As you continue driving, the shape of the mountains becomes more distinct, and you begin to pick out individual peaks. But it is not until you arrive at the mountains themselves that you find that you were seeing a series of mountain ranges, each range separated by valleys. Those valleys were not apparent from a distance. The prophet describes events in the way that we view the distant mountains. The birth of Jesus and the events of His life, death, resurrection, and ascent into heaven are represented by the first range of mountains. His return and establishment of His earthly kingdom to rule and reign is the second mountain range, which from a distance seemed to be part of the first range. Prophetic events may be separated by valleys consisting of periods of time, even though the events to the prophet seemed to stand side-by-side. We know from history that there is a valley of least 2000 years separating the birth, life and death of Jesus from His earthly return, and the beginning of events of the last days ushering in His reign from Jerusalem. Chapter nine of Isaiah speaks of events regarding the Messiah from both His first Advent-His first coming, and from His second Advent, when the Lord Jesus comes in magnificent power and glory. But there is an additional element which is the invisible Kingdom Jesus established when He left the earth, a kingdom of which we are a part. There is a present application in our lives today for these verses. Follow along as I read the first two verses of chapter 9 of Isaiah. I. THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD There will be no more gloom; To whom is Isaiah speaking? Generally, these words are for Judah, but few in Isaiah's day were listening. These words were not appreciated until Judah was carried away into Babylon. Isn't it ironic that we so often don't listen to God until we're in deep trouble? King Ahaz had rejected the words of God and was leading the nation into a terrible time of fear and oppression by Assyria. Through Ahaz's alliance with Assyria, he bought several years of peace, but it was a troubled peace. Sin always brings darkness and gloom to a people. Proverbs 14:34: "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." The northern Kingdom of Israel soon fell to Assyria as Isaiah had predicted. Two of the areas of the conquered Northern Kingdom are spoken of in verse 1. We remember that Joshua divided the land of Canaan among the 12 tribes of Israel after he had led the conquest of the land after the exodus from Egypt. Each tribe had a particular area assigned to them (if you have maps in the back of your Bible, there is probably a map of this land division.) The region to the west of the sea of Galilee was given to the tribe of Naphtali. Just west of Naphtali was the land given to the tribe of Zebulun. If you study the map of Israel, you find the town of Nazareth in the territory originally given to Zebulun, and the cities along the Sea of Galilee, like Capernaum, fell into the territory of Naphtali. These regions were to be made "glorious" although they were "in anguish and treated with contempt." These regions of Israel are among the most fertile and desirable of all the land and were the first to be populated by the conquering nations. Many large pagan cities were established in this desirable and beautiful area. Because there was such a large Gentile influence, in Jesus' day it was said, "Can anything good come out of Galilee?" and "No prophet could come from Galilee." This area was too pagan, too "gentilized." Religious Jews considered those from Galilee as second-class citizens. Isn't it enlightening that God allowed His Son to be raised in Galilee? One of the largest Greek/Roman cities, a metropolis named Sepphoris, was only four miles from Nazareth! God often sees things differently than does man! But it wasn't ONLY the regions of Galilee that were in the gloom of verse 1; the entire nation was overcome with darkness, as was the entire world. Earth is the dark planet because sin rules. But-into the gloom-shined a Great Light! There would come from Galilee One who would be a great deliverer. John 1:4-5: "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it." John 8:12: "Jesus spoke to them saying, 'I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness but shall have the light of life." 2 Corinthians 4:6: "For God, who said, 'Light shall shine out of darkness,' is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." Verses 1 and 2 speak of the first Advent, the "first range of mountains" so to speak. II. THE CONQUERING MESSIAH (Read verses 3-5.) With these verses, we slip across a 2000- year valley into a second prophetic range of mountains which speak of the future reign of Messiah. Note that between verses 2 and 3, we cross the entire Church Age which began at Pentecost, and cross to the end of the Tribulation Period. We find several things specifically promised in the future to the Nation of Israel: * The nation will be multiplied. When Isaiah was speaking, the population of Judah was being decimated by war and deportation. Although Jerusalem was still standing, the Syrians had taken captive many Jews. So, this was a precious promise of a coming regathering. In addition, the promise included the aspect of even expanded borders. In Genesis 15, God promised Abraham that Israel would possess all the land between the Nile and the Euphrates Rivers. * Their Gladness would be increased. To a depressed and downtrodden people, what a promise that they would again have joy. The Jewish people have proven to be amazingly resilient. While they have been almost universally and unreasonably hated by the Gentile nations throughout history, and many have tried to exterminate them, against all odds they have survived as a distinct people group maintaining their cultural identity. Under Hitler, the Nazis were responsible for the deaths of over 6 million Jews. When Messiah Jesus establishes His earthly Kingdom, there will be unparalleled gladness among the Jews, who will embrace Jesus as their promised Messiah. This will be, as verse 3 states, like the gladness of a farmer after a bumper crop is gathered in, or like warriors dividing the spoils of battle. * Their enemies will be conquered. There will be liberation and freedom from all oppressors. From the time of Isaiah, the land of Israel has been subject to Gentiles. First Assyria, then Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, then the Arabs, interspersed with brief periods of the Crusaders, then the Ottoman Turks until World War I. The British General Allenby conquered Jerusalem in 1917, placing the land under England's jurisdiction. In 1948, after almost 2000 years of domination by Gentiles, and against incredible odds, Israel became an independent nation. The stage is now set for the final events of Prophesy, although Israel remains surrounded and threatened by enemies. Even this last week, the inhabitants of Israel were told to shelter in air raid shelters in protection from bombardment from Gaza. But modern Israel does not represent the final regathering of the Jews, which remains in the future. It does set the scene for that event. What is described in verse 5 speaks of a time when all their enemies will be so thoroughly conquered that their articles of clothing will be burned, indicating that they are all dead. I believe this is a glimpse of the great battle of Armageddon. III. HOW WILL THE MESSIAH ARRIVE? Isaiah 9:6a: "For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us..." The Messiah would be born in the same manner each of us are born. Jesus came into the world like every other person, demonstrating he was fully human. Yet also note that the Son was given. The Son of God, the second person of the Holy Trinity has existed for eternity past, there was never a time when He did not exist. The Divine part of Jesus Christ was not born, He was given. Jesus was God's love gift to the world as John 3:16 states, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him might not perish, but have eternal life." IV. WHAT WILL THE MESSIAH BE LIKE? Read vv. 6b-7. Isaiah now describes the Messiah in His second Advent, when Jesus returns. First, the Messiah will be a King who rules: the government will rest upon His shoulders. "Government" in Hebrew means rule and dominion-control, rulership, dominance, and command. Jesus will be the King of King and Lord of Lords meaning He will rule over the whole world. Jesus told His disciples just before He ascended into heaven, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." All the earthly powers, represented by Rome and the Jewish establishment had rejected Him, but the Father honored Him with power to rule over His invisible Kingdom of which we are a part. His visible reign over all the earth will commence when the Lord Jesus returns at the conclusion of the Tribulation Period. At that time, Jesus will be established as the King over all the earth. His capital will be Jerusalem as He rules from the Throne of David. Verse 7 adds that this Kingdom will have no end, and this government will continue to "increase." What do you suppose is meant by increase? It may mean an increase in size, or wealth, or influence, or magnificence, or productivity, or spirituality, or even in some unknown measure. The Millennial Kingdom will certainly manifest all these characteristics as the world and civilization is rebuilt after the devastations of the Tribulation Period. The point being that the Kingdom of the Messiah will not remain static. We won't be lying around in hammocks drinking lemonade for all eternity! Remember that God set Adam to work before sin entered the scene. It is difficult to imagine the unleased creativity of mankind when it will be unhindered by the effects of sin! And all of creation will be our workshop, to the glory of God and under the rule of Jesus Christ. For a moment, let's look at the names given to Messiah Jesus, for they also apply right now: WONDERFUL COUNSELOR: Jesus leads and guides us as a loving Shepherd. "Wonderful" has the meaning of "Supernatural." Jesus is the friend of sinners, and He demonstrated the supernatural element through His miracles. He presently showers us with lovingkindness, compassion and mercy and nothing is too difficult for Him. Through faith and trust in His goodness, we are given the ability to endure all the difficulties of life. He has given us His Holy Spirit and His Word. He has made us part of His body, the universal church. And He guides us through the fellowship of the local church. Life is filled with uncertainty. It is easy to be overcome with anxiety which keeps us awake at night. Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor who tells us, "Cast all your burdens upon Me, because I care for you; I will meet all your needs according to My riches in glory; I will never leave you nor forsake you. In Me are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask of Me and I will freely give it." MIGHTY GOD: Jesus defends and protects us. This name signifies the ability to enforce His will, as the Messiah will rule with a "rod of iron." There is no one in the universe more mighty and powerful than the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus, the Mighty God possesses power and might to defend and protect us from any enemy. Psalm 27:1 "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread? (verse 3) Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; through war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident." Ephesians 6:10: "Be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might." ETERNAL FATHER: Though Jesus is the Eternal Son, the second Person of the Holy Trinity, He is the father in the sense that He is the Creator and Author of eternal life, which He freely gives to all who believe in Him. One Old Testament use of the word "Father" is of the founder of a family or line. Jesus is the author of our salvation, the "Father" of all those who have already or will believe. As Eternal Father, He has existed from eternity past and will exist for all eternity future. Because He has promised to never leave us or forsake us, He is able to keep His promises throughout eternity. While we as humans grow out of dependence of our earthly fathers, we will never outgrow our dependence on the Lord Jesus. We therefore need never to fear for we dwell in eternal security in our relationship with Messiah Jesus. PRINCE OF PEACE: Peace is the illusive dream of mankind. It always seems just out of our grasp, whether it be peace between nations, peace between individuals, or inner peace within ourselves. We live in a world where chaos and turmoil dominate. Lasting peace comes only as we receive it from the Prince of Peace. Only Jesus can restore peace between a man and His God. Paul wrote in Romans 5:1, "Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ..." Jesus told his disciples in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives...Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Jesus is the author of conditions that will produce everlasting and unbroken peace on earth, and in the hearts of men and women forever. The rightful function of a King is to bring peace and security. Jesus gives us peace, freeing us from all inner conflict in the present; He will free us from the conflict of the world in His future earthly Kingdom. In the future coming Kingdom, when Messiah Jesus returns to earth, each of these terms-Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace-will find their complete fulfillment as Jesus rules from the Throne of David. Maranatha! Even so, Come Lord Jesus! Are you looking forward to His coming? Are you ready? 2