No More Gloom 

   This week, with attention on life for the unborn, we remember that God provided a supernatural wonder, dividing history into the before and after, BC and AD. His natural branches are the Jews, while he grafts Gentiles into the tree. (Amos 9:11-12). After his resurrection, he sent the Holy Spirit on full-time mission to help all his children in numerous ways. Jesus said, If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.  

   The Messiah (Christ, in Greek) came as prophesied, and he will come again in power, to dispatch the devil and to rule. Some commentary:

Isaiah speaks of a coming deliverer to lead God's people into joy, peace, righteousness and justice. This prophecy reveals, 

(1) the Messiah would minister mostly in Galilee. 

(2) He  would bring the light of salvation and hope. 

(3) He would enlarge his community, primarily by the inclusion of Gentiles. 

(4) He would deliver his people from the yoke of oppression. 

(5) He would come from the nation of Israel and be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. 

(6) He would rule over God's people forever. 

In Isaiah's prophecy, no distinction is made between a first and second coming. Christ's entire redemptive work and rule was viewed as occurring in one distant coming. Nowhere does the Old Testament reveal that Christ's rule on earth would involve a first and second advent. Likewise in the New Testament, time gaps between end-time events are not always clearly distinguished. 

Tomorrow: Concern for Iran?