"The Name Above all Names." "His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9 verse 6. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the prophet Isaiah has given us a magnificent and manifold revelation of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Seven hundred years after writing his prophecy, this world was graced with the living incarnate Son of God. The prophecy became a living reality. The Word became flesh and dwelt among the inhabitants of earth. God's unspeakable Gift came in the form of an infant child, whilst possessing the nature of the Eternal God. He had been long expected, and often predicted, but when he arrived the world was taken by surprise. Let us look briefly at some Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah. God informed Adam of which race he should come. Genesis 3 verse15 He was to be the Seed of the woman, who would bruise the head of the serpent. Here is the Protoevangelium. The first promise of a child who would be of a woman, but not by the generation of a man. This is God's preservation order upon the truth of the virgin birth of Jesus Christ!! God told Abraham of his national identity. Genesis 22 verse18. In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. Yes, the lineage of the Saviour would be traceable through Isaac, the son of promise. God told Jacob of which tribe he should come. Genesis 49 verse10. When the patriarch lay on his death bed the Spirit of inspiration came upon him. As each son listened to the predictions in store for his descendants, Judah heard these words, "The Sceptre shall not depart from Judah until Shiloh come." Judah, the kingly tribe led the nation of Israel in its advances during the time of pilgrimage, and in battle. God told David of which family Christ should come. 2 Samuel 7 verse 12. "I will set up thy seed after thee and establish the throne of his kingdom forever." How beautifully this is verified for us in the record of Luke chapter 2.verse 4. "Joseph also went up from Galilee. . into Judea, unto the city of David, for he was of the house and lineage of David." God told Micah where he would be born. Micah 5 verse 2. "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." What an array of prophetic pronouncements are combined in this brief passage of the Word of God. But for our purpose, the relevant one has to do with the place called Bethlehem, which means "the house of bread". How significant that he should one day stand before the assembled people of his day and say, "I am the bread of life. He that cometh to me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." God told Isaiah of which woman he would come. Isaiah 7 verse 14. "Behold a virgin shall conceive and bring forth a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel." Seven hundred years later, in the hill country of Galilee, the angel Gabriel came to a humble and God fearing young virgin named Mary. This was his message, "Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS." The beauty and majesty of these names will endure forever. "God with us" holds good in every situation. He is ever near to bless and cheer. He is adequate for every demand. He is company anywhere in the whole wide world. JESUS or Jehovah is Salvation still saves to the uttermost all those who will come unto Him. May the joys of the Advent season fill your heart and life as you rejoice in the knowing our Lord Jesus Christ. We wish you a happy and blessed Christmas and look forward to another New Year. If you would like spiritual counsel and feel you would like to talk to our pastor then click HERE to e-mail him directly. Written for this Web Site by Rev. E. Stewart. Due to be updated: Sunday 31st December Archived Messages. 07/10/00 The Inheritance of Divine Fullness (2) 15/09/00 The Inheritance of Divine Fullness (1) 28/07/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (4) 15/06/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (3) 07/05/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (2) 09/04/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (1) 22/04/00 Easter Message