The Names of the Christ
700 years before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah knew about the coming Messiah. He knew that God had a great plan and that He was going to bring that plan to fruition. The inspired words of God to Isaiah are recorded in the 9th chapter and the first 7 verses of the book of Isaiah as follows:
1 But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
2 The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.
3 You have multiplied the nation;
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
4 For the yoke of his burden,
and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Notice the attributes and names that the Son of God will possess. Isaiah says that the coming Messiah will be called "Wonderful Counselor". This means, in the original hebrew, that the coming Messiah will be a guide who is a cut above all others.
Jesus is also called "Mighty God". Authority, dominion, and governance belong to Jesus in the God-head, the Trinity. It is popular these days, among the intellectualy elite, to question that authority and divinity of Jesus Christ. Many "smart" people say that we, as christians, need to be a little less certain about a few things, and one of these things is that Jesus was divine. The question is, and by all means this is not a new question, was Jesus REALLY God and man fit together? Because, if He was, than His words and death on the cross carry weight that will change our lives. If it is true that He was the God-man, He has the right to tell us truth and to condemn us when we do not follow. People don't want that kind of truth hanging around our necks. Let me assure you, Jesus was, and IS, the God-man. He was God walking among people. Jesus was the mighty God.
Jesus was the "Everlasting Father". The Scriptures make it clear to us that Jesus, the God-man, was present and was THE creator of all things. Being one of the members of the God-head, Jesus is fully God. I know that we, in our little minds, will never be able to fully comprehend this truth. Yes, Jesus was God, and one with God the Father. Jesus was the everlasting Father.
Jesus was and is the Prince of Peace. If there is ever something that we desperately need today, it is PEACE. The world is out of control. Every page of the newspaper, every TV news progam talks about violence and chaos. Jesus brings peace. He brings it into the world, but He also brings it into our lives, when we listen to Him. Yes, Jesus was and is the Prince of Peace.
The best part of all of this? You and I can really, intimately, know Him! All you need to do is ask, and He will come and live within you. Simple, isn't it? No need to correct all that's wrong with your life. No need to fix yourself up. Just ask Him to come into your life...and He will. Not my idea, or some theologian. Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone would come and open the door, I will come in to him and dwell with him." Simple.
So...just believe.
Your Brother in Christ,
Ron Schermerhorn