Title: “A Miraculous Promise” Date: 12-14-25
Script: Is. 9:1-7 Type: Advent series
Intro: On March 20, 1942, General Douglas MacArthur made a promise to the Filippino people. After the Japanese invasion, U.S. forces were pushed back to the Bataan Peninsula and Corregidor Island. President Roosevelt ordered the evacuation of the islands and MacArthur withdrew to Australia. In an attempt to inspire hope in the Filippino people and remaining US troops, The general made a famous vow: “I shall return.” On October 20, 1944, MacArthur waded ashore on Leyte Island, beginning the liberation. He broadcast a radio address declaring, "People of the Philippines: I have returned. By the grace of Almighty God, our forces stand again on Philippine soil," The return marked the beginning of the end of Japanese occupation, boosting Allied morale and fulfilling MacArthur's iconic pledge. Now, as amazing of a promise as it was. I am not sure we can say that his vow was “miraculous”. However, in Is. 9:1-7 we do see an absolutely miraculous promise!
Prop: Let’s look at Is. 9:1-7, to see an amazing promise God made and kept!
BG: 1. Isaiah – name meant “Yahweh is salvation”, ministered b/t 740 – 687 bc.
2. Is. 9 is one of the great prophesies of Script., details the coming of Messiah, in fact Is. 7: 1 – 12:6 is called by some scholars “The Volume of Immanuel” – Great prophesy of Messiah’s coming. 700yrs. before birth of Christ. Miraculous foretelling.
Prop: Exam Is. 9:1-7 we’ll notice 3 aspects of the amazing promise God made to His people.
I. A Miraculous Promise: Light of Life Enters a World of Darkness. vv. 1-4
A. Every Man, Outside of Jesus Christ, is Walking in Spiritual Darkness.
1. A Dark Spiritual Mist Covered Man’s Horizon Until the Coming of Christ. (Prophets gave fleeting glimpses of the coming of Christ and God the Father’s provision in Him.)
a. Illust: Have you ever mused on the thought of which sense you would least like to loose? Several years ago I did something very stupid with some caustic chemicals I was using and the end result was that it took me a few days to recover my sense of smell. The majority of people to whom losing their sight would be most appalling. The idea of utter darkness and its associated vulnerability is terrorizing to most people.
b. Illust- Let your mind go back to Gen. 12. Roughly 1.5 millennium before God made this promise to Isaiah, He made a promise to another man who was walking in darkness – Abram of Ur of the Chaldeans. At 75 yrs of age, the Lord called Abram to leave Haran & the spiritual darkness he had lived under his whole life, and to follow Him. Consider for just a moment, Abram was a pagan moon worshipper who had nothing good in and of himself to recommend self to God, for goodness sake, he didn’t even know who God was, and yet in God’s mercy, He made Himself known to this man who was walking in darkness. For 400 years Israel was in the darkness of sin and Egyptian slavery until God sent a deliverer in Moses. From Malachi to the birth of Christ, Israel once again sat in darkness and silence until the Messianic Deliverer came! If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior you are walking in spiritual darkness and slavery and silence today and yet God thru the preaching of His Glorious Gospel He can deliver you!
2. Isaiah’s Promise came during a time of national gloom and darkness.
a. Illust- 9:1 – During Isaiah’s ministry, Tiglath-pileser III, Assyrian ruler captured the tribal territories of Ephraim, Naphtali, and Zebulun. Dark days for the nation. Yet, here Isaish offers hope of the restoration of their future and fortunes. Israel thought Isaiah prophesied a political Messiah. (Isn’t it the case that we always want to interpret God’s plan through the events of our own day, our own ideologies, our own biases, as if we are the most important era in history? Christmas demonstrates that God has His own glorious plan that runs on His own glorious time table with the results eternally glorifying His Person! )
b. All of mankind lived in gloom and darkness until Christ came to grant joy, peace, forgiveness, meaning, and purpose. (What about you? Life full gloom/darkness? You need to let in and experience the light of Christ! “The people who walk in darkness shall see a great light.”) Illust: It is said that on the evening of June 18, 1815 a man stood in the tower of England’s Winchester Cathedral gazing anxiously out to sea. Finally, h found what he was looking for - a ship sending a signal by use of lights. He strained to see the message. All of England held its breath with him, wanting to know the outcome of the great battle between the Duke of Wellington, and the French dictator Napoleon Bonaparte. Bonaparte, who had once ruled much of Europe bar England. Now the decisive Battle of Waterloo had been fought. So, as the man stood in the tower of Winchester Cathedral waiting to relay the news that would determine England’s fate. The signal came just as a heavy fog was rolling in. It only just got through, but how he wished it hadn’t, for the signal appeared to read: "Wellington defeated” The man signaled to other stations and the news spread across the countryside, bringing great gloom and sadness. But then came a glorious reversal. As the fog lifted, and the message became clear, the fullness of the signal became apparent: "Wellington defeated the enemy"! PTL! The fog of the OT with glimpses of God’s Covenantal love has lifted in the Person of Jesus Christ! We now see the message clearly! God loves you!
B. The Promise of Light Entering into Darkness is Replete with Joy!
1. God is a Missionary God (God sent His Son to Save You)
a. Illust- Few yrs ago received a Xstmas Card, w/ verse on outside: Gen. 1:2-3 “And the earth was formless and void, and darkness covered the surface of the deep…Then God said, “Let there be light.”, and there was light.” Then on inside is picture of babe in the manger. Exactly what happened: Jn. 1:9 “There was the true light which coming into the world, enlightens every man.” Like a missionary, God went looking for us, when we had no idea He existed and was looking for us!
b. In Jn 1:14 the Bible says: “we beheld His glory as the only begotten… Gk – monogeneis – one of a kind. When Martin Luther translated this passage he said the “glory” of Jesus was “Lordlikeness”! It was Jesus’ prerogative and duty to bring to light the meaning of God since mankind was lost in the darkness of his sin.
2. Christian, you should be Joyful Because Salvation’s blessings have come to you!
a. “Thou shalt multiply the nation; Thou shalt increase their gladness” – Illust- What did Jesus say in Jn. 10:16 – “And I have other sheep who are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they shall hear my voice; and they shall become one flock with one shepherd.” Gal. 3:7 “Therefore be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.” True Israel is faithful Israel. Period. I hear so many confused Christians who are making spurious statements against brothers in Christ today. The NT teaches that believing Jews and Gentiles alike are engrafted into new Israel by faith in Christ. In fact, the nation (Israel) has been multiplied. (It would be helpful if more Christians got their theology from the Bible than Ben Shapiro!)
b. Illust – Corrie Ten Boom in the book, Reflections of God’s Glory (p. 69), wrote, “In Africa a man came to a meeting with bandaged hands. I asked him how he had been injured. He said, “My neighbor’s straw roof was on fire; I helped him to put it out and that’s how my hands were burned.” She later learned the full story. The neighbor hated him and had set his roof on fire while his wife and children were asleep in the hut. They were in great danger. Fortunately, he was able to put out the fire in his house on time. But sparks flew over to the roof of the man who had set the house on fire and his house started to burn. There was no hate in the heart of this Christian; there was love for his enemy and he did everything he could to put out the fire in his neighbor’s house.
C. Applic: Have you seen the “light”? Jesus Christ? Or are you still walking in darkness?
II. A Miraculous Promise: The Coming Messiah vv. 5-6
*Someone’s name or title, esp. in ME culture of Isaiah’s period implied a lot, case w/ Messiah described Who He was and What would do: (In place like IC we realize better than many places: MA, MS, BA, BS, MD. OD, JD, DPT, PA, RN, MBA, CPA, M.Div., Ph D.
A. Jesus Christ, as the Prophesied Messiah is Man’s “Wonderful Counselor”
1. What is the purpose of a counselor? –go to w/problems or go to for advice.
a. Illust- Counseling in the United States, when taken in all of its forms, a multi-billion dollar industry. There are counselors for all sorts of problems, disorders, temperaments. Illust: Love that scene in A Charlie Brown Christmas where Charlie goes to Lucy for counseling. He is depressed. She begins to ask questions to figure out what fear his depression is based on. Finally, “Do you have pantaphobia?” What is pantaphobia?” “The fear of everything.” “That’s it!” “Actually Lucy, my real problem is Christmas, I don’t understand it.” “I should be happy, but I just feel let down.” Lucy’s counsel: “You need involvement!” No! You need Christ!
b. Often counselors are helpful for us to experience healing. Illust: There was a couple who were sitting with a marriage counselor for their first session and the good doctor asked them to identify what seemed to be the root of their problems. The wife responded, "It all started when we thought it would be cute to think up each other’s New Year’s resolutions" (Houston Post, 12/31/91, quoted in Autoillustrator.com. And yet friend, Jesus Xst alone is the Wonderful Counselor, He alone knows each detail of your and my life, provides forgiveness, meaning and purpose.
2. As the “Wonderful Counselor” Jesus Christ alone can forgive and cleanse the guilt of sin.
a. Psychol/counselors state most common problem for which people seek their services is get rid of guilt. But you see, guilt cannot be coped with or medicated, it needs to be crushed thru forgiven. Jesus forgives. Illust – The Mission (1986). Rodrigo, played by Robert DeNiro, portrays a slave trader who kills his brother in a fit of rage. He’s filled with such terrible remorse and guilt that, to pay penance and attempt to get rid of his guilt he carries his armor through the jungle as a symbol of the crushing burden of his guilt. Are you burdened like Rodrigo in your spiritual journey today? If so, I’ve got good news! Your load can be lifted. The penal-substitution of Jesus Christ, not personal attempts at prescribed penance is what removes the burden and stain of our guilt before God.
b. Illust- Man visited jewelry store- saw sparkling diamonds, sapphires, rubies, etc. Found one stone completely lacking in luster, dull, declared: "“This stone has no beauty!" Salesperson held in hand, opened later and full of colors. What happened? Opal. Sympathetic stone, needed the oils from touch of the hand to bring out inner beauty. Some of us missing out on fullness and beauty could have in life if only allowed Master’s touch.
B. Jesus Christ, as the Prophesied Messiah is “Mighty God”. Jesus is very God of very God. Illust- Muslims deny the deity of Jesus Christ. Listen, Isaiah, a full 1300 yrs. before Mohammed’s birth, prophesied one of Names of Christ was to be “Mighty God” and that’s one reason why Christianity is true, Jesus Christ is the mighty God Who fulfills prophesy and sets man free from sin, whereas Islam only further enslaves individuals in dead works, law, and ritual.
C. Jesus Christ, as the Prophesied Messiah is our “Everlasting Father”: Isaiah foresaw that this coming king would be an "Everlasting Father," a title that conveys the king's willingness to put the needs of his children first, just as any good father does. We are facing a meltdown in family life today because all too many young men are terrified of responsibility and commitment, while all too many young women are afraid of giving up the idolic trinity of freedom, career and travel, which every institution indoctrinates them with! Illust: Copenhagen Airport last month. Largest airport in Denmark. Arrived at one end airport terminals and had to walk to exact opposite end, furthest gate of furthest terminal. At least 1 mile. As walked thru 1st something felt off. As walked thru second began to realize what was amiss. Asked Carol if she too had noticed. Very modern. Beautiful stores. Courteous staff. A multitude of dining options. The structure was not the oddity. We had seen exactly 2 children that whole time! Europe is in demographic and cultural freefall because the last two generations have chosen selfishness, pleasures, and entertainment over children. You want to change the world? Get married. Have children! When God wanted to redeem the world He sent a child “to us”. To you and me!
D. Jesus Christ, the Prophesied Messiah is the “Prince of Peace”
1. Jesus the Messiah will usher in an end to hostilities.
a. The imagery of joy at the division of the plunder leads directly into the explanation: the prophet foresees the time when the LORD will break the oppression of the enemies. He draws the analogy with the time of Israel’s victory over Midian through Gideon by the power of the LORD.34 So shall it again be. But this victory will be greater. Verse 5 says that the implements of war will be burnt up.35 This will be no lull in the action, no temporary peace treaty. War will end. Elsewhere Isaiah has says, “They shall beat their swords into ploughshares,” that is, military weapons will not be needed the time of lasting peace when King Jesus sets His millennial rule and reign upon the earth. Oh, I am looking forward to Christ’s reign of peace.
b. Illust- It is Jesus Christ, not institutions or armies that will ultimately bring peace to the world: Nov. 21st, 2005, Alfred Anderson, then the oldest living British vet. of WWI died. During the war he was a member of the 5th Battalion of the Black Watch, and was the last surviving soldier from Christmas 1914, when the guns, for one day, went silent on the Western Front. What silenced those terrible atrocities for the day? Not what, but WHO! The celebration of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace!
2. Isaiah now turns to introduce the One who will transform the gloom and despair of war into the joy and peace of a time of righteousness—the Messiah. The New Testament bears witness that Jesus is this Son who came into the world. In fact, Jesus Himself set about to prove His origin was in heaven, not in Bethlehem. When He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead, he prayed these words in His prayer: “that they might know that You sent me. (Jn. 11:42) The prophecy that “the government will be upon His shoulder” will come to complete reality at His second coming—an aspect of prophecies that the prophets did not expereince (see 1 Peter 1:10,11). The reference to the shoulder is probably a reference to the wearing of an insignia of office on the shoulder (see Isa. 22:22).37 There will be a time when this Son will rule as king.
E. Applic: What a wonderful promise of the Messiah’s ministry! Prince of Peace because Jesus Christ alone makes peace w/God the Father and grants that peace to men believing in Him. Rom. 5:1 “Therefore, having been justified by faith we have peace w. God thru our Lord Jesus Christ.”
III. A Miraculous Promise: The Duration of Messiah’s Reign – v. 7
A. Christ’s Kingdom is an Eternal Kingdom
1. Kingdoms in this World Survive but a Season.
a. Illust- Think about the duration of various kingdoms of history. – Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Greek, Roman, etc. What was common denominator in each? They had beginning and an ending. All ended sooner than they wanted. Hitler’s boasted of a 3rd Reich which would last 1000 yrs. (Lasted roughly 100th ). Saddam Hussein boasted he would rebuild Babylon. I am convinced this is the motivation of Putin. Wants to restore the former “glory” of USSR. Man’s means are death and destruction. The prophet proclaims peace and righteousness will characterize the rule and reign of Messiah.
b. In Jn. 18:33-37 – Pilate, interviews the condemned Christ. Asks: “Are you the King of the Jews?” Savior’s response: v.36 “My kingdom is not of this world.” Because of such Xst’s kingdom not restricted by time or place. Rather, the KOG is both here and now in the church and yet it is also awaiting future fulfillment in its coming reality upon earth and into eternity.
2. Xst’s Kingdom is an Eternal Kingdom Because it is Rooted in God’s Covenants, Not Man’s Power.
a. (Cov – is compact or agreement mutually binding two parties to fulfill obligation= theol. used God’s gracious undertaking for the blessing and benefit of man.” All of this will be accomplished by the “zeal of the LORD.”48 On the one hand “zeal” here indicates the divine resentment for honor so long abused; and on the other hand it means that His love flares up to fulfill His promises to His own people.
b. Too many Christians think God has had stop-gap plans that whenever a problem presented self, He changed response and started anew. Rather, God has always dealt with man through covenants. Rather than starting anew God’s covenants unfold the beauty of His drama of redemption over time. I.e- Edenic Cov.- Gen. 3:15 – God’s earliest promise of redemption, 2.Noachian – Gen. 9:9 – preservation of humanity, 3. Abrahamic Covt. Gen 12/15, God promises blessing thru Abraham’s family, 4. Sinaitic =Ex.19- designating Israel as God’s chosen people, 5. Levitical Num. 25 – making temporary reconciliation thru priestly atonement while looking forward to the One True sacrifice. 6. Davidic IISam. 23 w/Messianic salvation promised thru David’s lineage. 7. Everlasting New Covenant (Jer. 31/Heb.8) – Lk. 22:20- “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” (Not just for 1000yrs., but forever.)
B. How will Christ’s Kingdom be Everlasting?
1. God will harness His Power for His Glory. That is the whole focus of this miraculous promise. Yes, missions is telling those outside of Christ about salvation in Christ. But it goes beyond the mere pitying of the heathen, it is for the Christian, the recognition that not telling the nations is robbing God of the glory rightfully due Him!
2. God is at work in this world for His glory.
a. “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.” – It is a promise we can bank on! Illust -When he pastored the Methodist church in Scarborough, William Sangster had an eccentric member who tried to be a zealous Christian. Unfortunately, the man was a bit socially deficient and usually did the wrong thing. While working as a barber the man lathered up a customer for a shave, came at him with the poised razor, and asked, “Are you prepared to meet your God?” The frightened man fled with the lather on his face! (Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching & Preachers, W. Wiersbe, p. 215)
b. One of the two main colors we all associate with Christmas is red (And green). “Zeal” – or jealousy – literally a glowing fire, means to be “deep red”. You see, God’s work of reconciliation is deep red. The fire of love or the fire of wrath. The choice is yours. Jealousy contends for the object of love against everything that that touches either the object or the love itself. God deeply loves His people, the Church, but in the fullness of time His divine love flares up and consumes all that is adverse to His Kingdom!
C. Applic: Messiah’s Reign will be eternal. Have you accepted Him as your Savior? In coming into the world He confirmed God's promises. In coming into the world He revealed the Father to us. In coming into the world He was able to become our faithful High Priest. In coming into the world He was able to put away sin. In coming into the world He destroyed the works of the devil.
