Theme: Isaiah’s prophecy of the Messiah brought hope in gloom back then. It does the same today as we look forward to “Second Christmas.”

Gloom in Israel at the time: Isaiah 8:22 (ESV)—22 And they will look to the earth, but behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish. And they will be thrust into thick darkness.

• God hid His face (8:16).
• God’s people would not turn to the Word of God (8:20).

Theme of his Isaiah — Salvation.

Isaiah 1:18 (ESV)—18 “…though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

Gloom Lifted (1-3)

1 But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time He brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time He has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. 2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. 3 You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.

1 No gloom for her who was in anguish: Even for those defeated by the Assyrians. Hope remains.

1-2 Galilee of the nations / Darkness / Great light: Quoted by Matthew after Jesus fulfilled it when He went to Galilee — the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali (Matthew 4:12-16).

Biblical hope: confident expectation of future good promised by God.

• Despair in 1-5 — Gloom? Anguish? Darkness? Oppression? War?
• Hope in 1-5 — Glorious. Joy. Light. Justice. Righteousness.

We have personal hope because of both His comings.

• First coming hope: 2 Corinthians 4:16 (ESV)—16 …Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
• Second coming hope: 1 Corinthians 15:19 (ESV)—19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

Oppression Broken (4-5)

4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.

3-4 Increased its joy / Joy at the harvest / Divide the spoil / as on the day of Midian: This is the brand of joy Jesus can give.

Harvest joy. Victory joy.

We were blinded by the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4), but God broke through — 2 Corinthians 4:6 (ESV)—6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

5 Boot of the trampling warrior / Garment rolled in blood: Done away with. Someday, Jesus will render these objects obsolete.

Because Of The Child Son (6a)

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…

Isaiah had already been developing this theme: Isaiah 7:14 (ESV)—14 …a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Child is born**: This develops the humanity of Jesus.

A son is given: This develops the divinity of Jesus.

In addition to naming Him as God (Lord, Son of Man, Immanuel, I AM, Son of God, and God) the New Testament testifies to the deity of Christ:

• He possesses all five distinctly divine characteristics:

  • Eternal (John 1:15, 8:58, Colossians 1:15).
  • Omnipresent (Matthew 18:20 – there I am, Matthew 28:20 — I am with you always).
  • Omniscient (earthly ministry, in Him “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge — Colossians 2:3).
  • Omnipotent (Matthew 28:18 — all authority, demons, disease).
  • Immutable (Hebrews 13:8 — Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever).

• He possesses the offices of deity (creator, upholder of all things).

  • He does the works of deity (forgive, resurrect, judge).
  • He is identified with Old Testament Jehovah in the New Testament writings.

His Name (6b)

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

6 Wonderful Counselor: His word — Kings of Judah received and gave bad counsel.

6 Mighty God: His Power — Kings of Judah were limited in military power.

6 Everlasting Father: His Ministry — Kings of Judah had not operated as fathers ought.

6 Prince of Peace: His Affect — Kings of Judah had not achieved or maintained peace.

His Reign (7a)

7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

7 No end: No term limits (a guaranteed authority) — This would be scary for any other leader to have.

7 Throne of David: Previously promised (2 Samuel 7:16). Jesus was from David’s family line (Matthew 1).

7 The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this: Our zeal will not get this beautiful reality accomplished.

• Why?
  • Our efforts are small.
  • Our efforts wane.

Second Christmas

Matthew 24:30–31 (ESV)—30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.