AN INSPIRATIONAL MOMENT ~ By JH FORESTER ‘Prince of Peace’ Just as the birth of Jesus, the perfect man-child, was an occasion of extraordinary joy, so the birth of his long-promised Kingdom was an occasion of immense joy. (Psalm 96:10-12) God’s covenant for the Kingdom has never been canceled. At Isaiah 9:7 the expression “upon the throne of David” confirms the covenant that God made with David for an endless kingdom. Moreover, God has sworn to its successful completion. That God will hold to this covenant is made clear at Psalm 89:3, 4, 35, 36: “I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah. Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.” That covenant, as well as the title “Prince of Peace,” assigns to Jesus Christ the task of bringing in worldwide security. However, the time for God to put the government upon the shoulder of his Crown Prince was not to be a year of peace either in heaven above or on earth down below. According to Revelation chapter 12, the birth of Christ would be followed by war in heaven. Satan the Devil and his demons fought against the established government, and Michael the archangel with his holy angels fought those demonic forces. The result was that Satan and his demons were hurled out of the heavens and down to the vicinity of our earth. Consequently, the cry rang out: “Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” (Revelation 12:12) Since the Devil’s debasement, our earth has sadly become the site of unparalleled violence and warfare. How mankind needs the rule of the “Prince of Peace,” for it will result in worldwide security! According to Isaiah 9:6, other titles, in addition to “Prince of Peace,” were to be added to the glorious name of Jesus Christ. One of these titles was to be “Mighty God.” He is the mighty God—God, the mighty One. As he has wisdom, so He has strength, to go through with His undertaking: He is able to save to the utmost; and such is the work of the Mediator that no less a power than that of the mighty God could accomplish it How grandly the “Prince of Peace” serves as the precursor of universal lasting peace and security! For all eternity, the glorified Son of God, (one part of God), will continue to lead all intelligent creatures in the worship of the complete Godhead. The exalted Son of God is eminently qualified for this. Of all in heaven and on earth, the glorified Son of God is the one who has known the Father for the longest period of time and that most intimately. At 1 Corinthians 2:11 the apostle Paul says: “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.”So it is in the case of Jesus Christ. Although He and the Father took part in the creation of man, it was another thing for Him actually to become a man Himself, to be surrounded by all the earthly circumstances and experience the feelings of a man firsthand. Thus it is written that “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered” as a man down here on earth. (Hebrews 5:8) He indeed proved worthy to be safely entrusted with ‘all authority in heaven and on the earth’ and to bear the title “Mighty God.”—Matthew 28:18; compare Philippians 2:5-11. For all these potent reasons, God’s heavenly Prince is fully able to serve mankind as “Wonderful” and “Counselor.” (Isaiah 9:6) Justly is he called wonderful, for he is both God and man. His love is the wonder of angels and glorified saints; in His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension, He was wonderful. A constant series of wonders attended Him, and, without controversy, great was the mystery of godliness concerning Him. His counsel is always wise, perfect, and infallible. As the Mediator between the Father God and those who have been taken into the new covenant, the church, He has been serving indeed as a wonderful counselor for these past 19 centuries. As an agency for this counseling work, He has raised up “faithful and wise servants,” (Matthew 24:3, 45-47; Luke 12:42-44)to assist us along the way. Countless Bible books, commentaries, newsletters, or even blogs or posts such as this, has indeed proven to be a blessing in understanding the deep things of God. These provisions do NOT take the place of the Word, and the Holy Spirit will indeed instruct us in knowing if the material we are assimilating is correct or not. Indeed, His counsel is infallible. As a result of their responding to that counsel, Satan the Devil, “the god of the world,” is no longer a mighty god to us as God’s people. (2 Corinthians 4:4) We have obediently come out of false religion, and we no longer share in it’s vicious sins. We have taken our stand immovably upon the side of the One upon whose shoulder God has laid His government. The title “Everlasting Father” is an endearing one. We, the church, really appreciate this term. The fatherhood of Satan the Devil has not appealed to us. We shudder as we recall the Jewish religious leaders who opposed Jesus and to whom He said: “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:44) We, the church, the Body of Christ, have gotten out from among those spiritual children of Satan the Devil, whose fatherhood over fallen mankind will not be everlasting. Those who allow him to be their spiritual father will perish with him. This is spoken of as “the everlasting fire” of Matthew 25:41, awaiting the Devil and all humans who do not escape from under his fatherhood.—Matthew 25:41-46. On the other hand, we are getting a foretaste of the fatherhood of the “Everlasting Father.” How? By listening to His voice and becoming His “sheep” . This warm family relationship bespeaks peace. Writing under inspiration, the apostle Paul referred to God at Romans 16:20 as “the God of peace.” How appropriate, then, that the only-begotten Son should be called “Prince of Peace”! By restoring peace to the entire universe, the “Prince of Peace” will without fail live up to the significance of His great title. In what sense will His peace never end? Our next post will answer. If you are visiting the Sacramento California area and would like to join our prayer and Bible study meetings please contact Pastor J for times and locations at: minister.forester@gmail or email us here on facebook. If you need prayer, have a Bible question, or would like to comment on any of the things that are posted, feel free to contact at the above email. The email is connected to the phone and will be received promptly. Jesus never said this journey would be easy, but, He makes it much easier. Come to Him!...God bless you!
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 17:07:11 +0000
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