Perhaps
the greatest of all the prophecies of Isaiah is the birth of Christ:
“Behold
a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
(Isaiah 7:14)
There
are two significant truths in this sentence, and they both confirm that the
Saviour Jesus Christ is the Son of God. The first is that his mother was a
virgin which some have discounted, including the Jews, whom He was sent to, and
who accused Him of being born of fornication (John 8:41). The definition of
‘virgin’ seems to have become lost over time with modern translators claiming:
“Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his
name Immanuel” (Holy Bible, Revised Standard Version [1952], Isaiah 7:14) The
loss of Isaiah’s precise wording is also the loss of belief that Christ was
divine (see also the Old Testament Student Manual Book 2, p 145)
The
second truth has to do with the name Immanuel:
“This
name is also a title that describes Jehovan’s mission in mortality. The New
Testament provides a correct interpretation of its meaning in Hebrew. Matthew
recorded: “Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken
of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and
shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being
interpreted is, God With Us” (Matthew 1:22-23) (Old Testament Student
Manual Book 2, p 145)
I
have over the years been collecting the names and titles by which the Saviour
is known. So far I have found 99 names and 16 titles. My favourite would have
to be Isaiah’s name for Him which is “The Holy One of Israel”. I think one of
the most known would have to be “The Prince Of Peace” because it is so
relatable for people of all dispensations and walks of life. Here is something
significant about this title:
“Modern
Man sometimes vainly thinks that Jesus’ mission was to wipe out war; and
scoffers have cried that since war still curses the earth, Christ’s mission has
failed and Christianity is a blight. Yet Christ himself sent forth his Twelve,
saying: “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send
peace, but a sword.” (Matt 10:34).
“Christ
did proclaim a peace – the peace of everlasting righteousness, which is the
eternal and mortal enemy of sin. Between righteousness and sin, in whatever
form, there can only be unceasing war, whether in one man, among the people, or
between nations in armed conflict. This war is the sword of Christ; whatever
its form this war cannot end until sin is crushed and Christ brings all flesh
under his dominion. Righteousness is peace wherever it abides; sin in itself is
war wherever it is found.” (President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., In Conference
Report, April 1939, pp 104-5)
Whatever
one of Christ’s names appeals to us the best, according to our understanding of
Him, the name that should stand out in our minds the most is the one of
salvation:
“Behold,
God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH is
my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Therefore, with joy
shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation…..Praise the Lord, call upon
his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is
exalted. Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: this is known
in all the earth. Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion; for great is the
HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL in the midst of thee.” (Isaiah 12:2-6)
Your
arms, so willing and so strong,
Dived
into the deep and shattered my sorrow;
The
depth was no match for the strength
You
gained at Calvary so long ago.
Your
saving grace
Has
lifted me to Your cross
Becoming
my mortal weakness’ greatest foe.
I
now walk with You
In
paths I dare not walk alone;
In
the valley of shadow of death,
I
rejoice to be Your own.
- CATHRYNE ALLEN
