It’s Christmas! Rejoice in the glorious miracle that is Christ!
Isaiah 9:7 reads as follows:
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
During Christmastime we often hear Isaiah 9:8 quoted. You know, “For unto us a child is born…” Yes, this prophetic passage is referring to Jesus Christ. However, Christians don’t seem to be as joyful about the never-ending increase of His government and peace. Aren’t we all supposed to be walking around grumbling about the tribulation and how things are supposed to be more difficult for Christians?
I take to heart that Christ’s kingdom will increase from the time of Him walking the earth until the all nations are baptized disciples. I am no historian, but I thought things were borderline abysmal for the early Christian generations. They faced prosecution, despotic governments, poverty, lack of sanitation, and unimaginable persecution from neighbors. Today, many Christians do indeed face jail and death. But most of the nations that have been transformed by Christianity — including America — are without such. Further, Christianity has driven so many improvements in the world, from hospitals to education. Christianity has provided the reinforcement, if not the actual basis, for private property rights, marriage, and the sanctity of a person.
Christ is the crux of history. While the world has its setbacks, the world is getting better. This gives me encouragement to improve the world for my kids, grandkids, and generations unknown. I don’t shrug my shoulders and say that I’m just waiting for the tribution and Christ to come. I’m a Christian, and I inherited the great commission. It didn’t tell me to bunker up, but to engage with the world, and to make it better.
It’s Christmas! Rejoice in the glorious miracle that is Christ!
Matthew 28:19-20:
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
