He Will Be

For a child will be born for us,
a son will be given to us,
and the government will be on His shoulders.
He will be named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

The dominion will be vast,
and its prosperity will never end.
He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish and sustain it
with justice and righteousness from now on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this.
(Isaiah 9:6-7, HCSB)

The passage speaks of a prophecy. As an Old Testament prophet, Isaiah probably saw this as one extended prophecy. During the time of Jesus’ birth, that is how they religious leaders saw this prophecy. They thought that a baby would be born who would rule.

As a Christian, we know that this passage is a prophecy in two parts. There are events that happened at Jesus’ first coming. There are events also associated with His Second Coming.

There are five times in which God predicts what His Son will be:

1. A child will be born for us.

The point of the birth of Jesus – the point of Christmas is that He will come for us. Jesus later said that He came to serve and to save (Matthew 20:28).

2. A son will be given to us.

God has given us a son. Just as John states in another place: God gave His Son so that those who trust Him will not perish but have everlasting life. God gave a son so that we could have eternal life. Christmas reminds us that God gave His Son to us for our eternal sakes.

3. The government will be on His shoulders.

This is when the prophecy separates into two periods. As Jews, they looked to one event. As Christians, we now see two events. So Christmas reminds us of some unfinished business that God will attend to. He will establish a government in which His Son will be king and ruler.

4. He will be called…

Jesus won’t be called Prime Minister, Chancellor, or President. There will be no human evaluation that states how Jesus will rule. Instead, we have four titles which the people will use about Jesus. These titles will define the way He will rule.

5. The dominion will be vast.

If the last part described how we will address Him, then this part describes how far and wide He will rule.

We hear what titles the people will use. We see how wide and far He will rule. We now see from where He will rule. He will pick up where David’s dynasty left off. He will rule from David’s throne and will do so for eternity.

As we reflect on Christmas tonight, let’s not just think and speak about what was – the birth of a son, but also what WILL BE.