He Shall Reign
by R.C. Sproul Jr.

These two verses in Isaiah are full of expectancy, hope, comfort and joy. This is so because they are full of Christ. King Jesus is the Child born and Son given (the "Immanuel" of Isaiah 7:14). He is the one worthy of such glorious names. Christ is the King on whose shoulders rest dominion and authority; who rules in justice and righteousness on the throne of David. Is it any wonder that our celebration of Christ's advent finds these verses so prominent? Well, at least verse six—most of it anyway.

Typically, we hear a lot about the Child born and Son given, and of His names. I find it both intriguing and disconcerting, however, that the middle of the sixth verse and all of the seventh verse are often passed over or given little attention. We have a tendency to focus on Christ's humiliation but not His exaltation. Granted, the Lord of Glory becoming a baby is a great act of humiliation deserving our adoration and praise, but this text doesn't end there. Neither should we when we celebrate Christ's birth. As we remember His first advent, we should be longing for His second. But, I am getting ahead of myself. Let's look at the context of this sweet and awesome prophecy.

Preceding these verses we read of distress, darkness and the gloom of anguish, and of a people called by God's name consulting mediums and spiritists (8:19-22). But in the midst of such afflictions, God promises victory for His children. God says there will be no more gloom and anguish. Rather, there will be a great light to shine in the darkness; an increase of gladness and rejoicing; and, liberty from the oppressor (9:1-5). God gives a promise of victory. This victory is a result of deliverance. The deliverance comes through the destruction of Israel's foes. All of which finds fulfillment in the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11). "Joy to the world! The Lord is come: let earth receive her King."

Can you imagine the anxious expectancy of all who heard and believed Isaiah's prophecy? Oh, how God's elect must have been constantly rejoicing in such a promise. They had this and so many other promises of the coming Messiah on which to wait in hope, derive comfort, and experience joy. But while they looked forward to Christ's birth, we can only look back in remembrance, right? Wrong! To celebrate Christmas only as a memorial is to be guilty in a manner not unlike those who believe the Lord's Supper is just a memorial. We most definitely are engaged in remembering a past event, but at the same time we are declaring that Christ is reigning and ruling now. He is King of kings and Lord of lords now. We, along with all of creation, are under His Lordship now. Jesus has already stamped "mine" on every square inch of the universe. Not only this, but we are looking forward with expectancy, hope, comfort and joy to a future event—the consummation of His kingdom. When we celebrate Christ's first advent we proclaim the Lord's reign until He comes. We joyfully acknowledge the fact that Christ's kingdom has already been inaugurated and it will be consummated upon His return to judge the living and the dead. The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet" (Ps. 110:1). "Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns: let men their songs employ."

Which brings me back to those often neglected portions of this text—those which deal with the government of the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father and Prince of Peace. And the government will rest on His shoulders…. Jesus Christ sustains the government on His omnipotent shoulders while breaking the yoke of burden and the staff on His people's shoulders (9:4). The rod of our oppressor is removed and replaced by the easy yoke and light burden of Christ who gives us rest. Jesus came for all those who are His to deliver us from the flesh, Satan and the world. For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17). "No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground; he comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found."

Christ has been given dominion and authority and power over everything in heaven and on earth. The characteristics of His government are immeasurably glorious. King Jesus governs without limitation in time or extent. He is not waiting to reign for 1,000 years over a small piece of land in the Middle East. He has been reigning and will forever reign over all creation. Isaiah tells us (v.7) that His government is ever increasing, peaceful, just, righteous and eternal. And, as such, it is a government that can never be overthrown for the zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this. The babe lying in a manger is a King who has come to forever subdue all kingdoms. In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever (Daniel 2:44). "He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love, and wonders of His love, and wonders, wonders of His love."