There will be no end to the increase of His government

Isaiah 9:2-7

The people who walk in darkness
Will see a great light;
Those who live in a dark land,
The light will shine on them.
³ You shall multiply the nation,
You shall increase their gladness;
They will be glad in Your presence
As with the gladness of harvest,
As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
⁴ For You shall break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders,
The rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian.
⁵ For every boot of the booted warrior in the battle tumult,
And cloak rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire.
⁶ 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.
⁷ There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.

Today we prepare to celebrate the fulfillment of this prophetic scripture. Jesus is the child who was born. Many misunderstood when He came. Thinking that he would be a political or military leader who would establish His government on earth. They thought He would break the yoke of oppression of the governments of earth. In John 18:36, as the young man born in Bethlehem was prepared to give His life as a sacrifice for the sins of the world, He said:  “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.”  Even before He was born, Jesus was already a king. He came though so that His government would increase. He died on the cross, was placed in a tomb and was then raised from the grave. He conquered both sin and death so that neither would be able to hold people in bondage. In Matthew 28:18-20  After He was resurrected from death; before he ascended to heaven, He said:  “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” In John 16:33 Jesus says:  “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”   Jesus overcame sin and death. He overcame all that opposed Him in the world. He has all authority in heaven and on earth. Jesus taught us to pray saying:  Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. He left us with the commission and authority to fulfill that prayer by making disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded. 

In Revelation 1:8, the Lord says:  “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”  When we look back at the baby born in a manger and celebrate His birth, we look at who He was, born to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. When we walk in the power and authority He has given us through the cross and the resurrection, we celebrate who He is.  Still, He is to come! He is coming again. This time it will not be as a baby. He will not come again to suffer and die. On the cross, in John 19:30, Jesus said:  “It is finished!” When He comes again it will be as a conquering king and righteous judge. Those who are offended by the child born in Bethlehem and placed in a manger and those who are offended by the cross should know that when He comes again it will not be only shepherds and wisemen who bow to worship Him, but that: At the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10-11) 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.

In Revelation 22 it says:  “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to reward each one as his work deserves. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life, and may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral persons, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying. “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you of these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires, take the water of life without cost.

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.