As Christians we view the coming of Christ as a factual event – and so it is. His coming was miraculously foretold by the inspired Old Testament writers in so many perfect ways that any foolish effort to disparage these facts is a mathematical impossibility. He came in exact fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophecies which number into the hundreds. Today Christians that know the Bible, recognize His coming and appropriately celebrate the most important event ever to occur. God became a Man performing glorious acts, living a perfect life, teaching and proclaiming the truth, and then dying unjustly yet purposely on a cross as a substitute for sinners.

This is the incarnation celebrated correctly by Christians in what we call Christmas. It is interesting that those in Israel even having the Old Testament Scriptures generally did not understand God’s plan before Christ came, and then rejected Him when He did come. However, faith was present in Israel among some, and was maintained through His true prophets. God has always had a remnant who trusted Him in all circumstances and times. By grace God honors true faith. Examples of this are recorded in Hebrews chapter 11. 

Now consider how privileged we are today. We have the glorious history of Jesus Christ at His first coming and all the biblical reasons and purposes of God for sending Him. There has never been so much clear information about our Lord available at our fingertips. We are literally in mountains of truth and factual data about His coming 2000 years ago. We know how, when, and why He came. Not only do we have God’s Word, but it has been spoken and written about from every conceivable angle millions of times. We also have the promise of His second coming.

Now, any thinking person, looking at the incredible factual and exacting data of His first coming and knowing it occurred precisely as God promised, should also know His second coming will likewise be just as real and true. Many of the Old Testament passages promising His first coming and giving precise details also predict in the same sentences and context His second coming. As we know the portion dealing with His first coming was exacting, why then would we not also take seriously the promises of His second coming knowing they too will be exacting?

Think of Isaiah 9:6-7, “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over His kingdom, to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this.” These verses are given to Israel as a promise and encouragement in the midst of a time stated as darkness. Chapter 9 begins with, “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light.”

The majesty, depth, and scope of these promises from God should take our breath away. The tense of what is stated in Isaiah 9:6-7 is done as if what God says has already occurred. Yet he is not speaking of a past occurrence, but a promised future. This displays not only that God is not held by time, but of the absolute assurance of the fulfillment of His promises. This child, a human being or man, is particularly marked out as a gift from God, and at the same time is stated as “Mighty God,” and “Eternal Father.”

Back in chapter 7 verse 14 this same child was stated to be named “Immanuel,” which means God with us. Here we have the incarnation. He is a child born, which means he is a man but is also identified unequivocally as God. This clear promise of God describing the Messiah tells any reader that the Man who is Messiah will also be God manifested in the flesh. Yet, Christ was crucified by the spiritual leaders using the excuse that He being a man claimed to be God (John 10:33).

This amazing description of the Messiah was written 700 years before His first coming, or now 2700 years ago. The beginning of this description pertains only to His first coming. Isaiah states, He “will be born to us,” meaning He will be born to Israel as a fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant that the Messiah would be of King David’s lineage (2 Sam. 7:12). His purpose is given as Isaiah states, “A son will be given to us.”

The reason for His first coming was to “be given” or to offer Himself as a sacrifice to save sinners. The “us” is to be understood in later revelation for people from, “Every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9). The remaining promises of the Messiah in this passage were not fulfilled at His first coming, but instead address His second coming and the establishment of His kingdom on earth.

His rulership as the “Wonderful Counselor” in which “the government will rest on His shoulders” will bring ruling perfection giving Him the designation as “Prince of peace.” This promise is the great hope of all the redeemed. The tragically difficult environment of today will be changed to a coming rulership marked by “justice and righteousness.”

     As we celebrate Christmas we should be celebrating and giving thanks to God for giving true hope in the incarnation of His Son as our substitute sin bearer. He has fulfilled His first coming promises. At the same time, we should keep in mind that just as God perfectly met His promises for our Savior’s first coming, He will assuredly finish His promises at His second coming! Do you see this? Are you living by faith with this in mind?

Many today are either abandoning the faith altogether, or wavering. I was attending a meeting this week of one of the missions supported by GBC. One of the discussions focused on statistics showing a trend of people abandoning Christianity. This is especially true of younger adults. Only 8% of those reared in a home that attended an evangelical church have of late continued to follow Christ. There is no reason or excuse for this. Christ first coming proves His second coming. It is also clear where we are today on God’s map of history.

God has told us much about the last days, and we see by the signs around us the nearness of His second coming. As we celebrate our Lord’s first coming, remember Christ asked a sobering question in a context where He instructed and commanded His followers to pray and not lose heart. He asked, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth (Luke 18:8)?”.