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The Everlasting Father Series
Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Dec 18, 2011 (message contributor)
Summary: Exposition of Isaiah 9:6 on the names of the Christ child.
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“His Name Shall Be Called
The Everlasting Father”
Part 3
Isaiah 9:6
Scripture Reading
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
I. The Prophet Speaks of Eternity
Everything that needs to be said about the existence of this “…child…” can be summed up in one verse. Hebrews 13:8 declares that Jesus Christ is “…the same yesterday, and to day, and forever.
a. His pre-incarnation
John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
John 8:58 is the NT equivalent to Exodus 3:14.
Exodus 3:13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?
14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM (I am He who exists, I am the eternal one, who passes not away): and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
15 And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.
Delon Bradley from Liberty University writes; John also begins his Gospel stating Christ pre-existence; “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God;” John attributing the “Word” to Jesus of Nazareth. The scriptures also affirm the creation of the universe was by the Son as stated by the Hebrews author, “He made the world,” (1:2) and in John 1:3, “All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.” and Paul wrote about the pre-existence in this letter to the Colossian church in verse 1:16 “For by Him all things were created, both in
the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him.”
b. His incarnation
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Leo the Great wrote: Invisible in His own nature [God] became visible in ours. Beyond our grasp, He chose to come within our grasp.”
On September 11, 2001 Todd Beamer and the 39 other passengers on Flight 93 had a choice to make. They could sit by and watch it happen, or take action. You all know what choice they made. After Todd had recited the 23rd Psalm and asked if the other guys were ready, they headed into action with the words, “Let’s roll!”¨
Jesus had the same choice to make. He saw that the world that He had created had been hijacked by sin and evil. He knew that the world was hurtling toward utter destruction. He could have sat by and watched it happen. But instead, He chose to act. He left heaven behind and was born as a little child. Paul writes that He:
Philippians 2:7 …made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
c. His post-incarnation
Matthew 28:5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
Mark 16:6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
Luke 24:34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
Luke 24:50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.