From Glory to Glory
When Will There Be Peace on Earth?
LOOKING for a KING
1. The Wise Men (Magi) Were Looking for a King—The King of the Jews! (Matt. 2:1-2) – “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he that is born King of the Jews?'”
2. Balaam Prophesied of a Coming “Ruler” King from the Tribe of Jacob Who Would Govern the World! (Num. 24:17) – “I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel.”
3. Isaiah Shares Great Hope with the World Because of the Coming Messiah—Jesus Christ and His Government! (Isaiah 9:6-7) – “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
While some scholars and theologians understand this passage as a reference to Jesus Christ’s first coming, others see it as a declaration of His second coming. Either way, He’s coming! Compare the two: in His first coming, He was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. In His second coming, He will be wrapped in a vesture dipped in blood, and His name shall be called the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Do you see Him as a baby or as a King?
Isaiah also reflects on His reign as King: “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 forever.”
The Ancient of Days Became the Infant of Days
The Gift that Keeps on Giving
God’s Government
1. God the Son Was Born So That We Can Be Born Again (Isaiah 9:6) – “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Some understand this passage as a reference to Jesus Christ’s first coming, while others see it as a declaration of His second coming. Either way, He’s coming! Compare the two:
- First Coming: He was wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
- Second Coming: He will be wrapped in a vesture dipped in blood, and His name shall be called the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
2. God the Son Will Govern This World (Isaiah 9:7) – “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 forever.”
Jesus the Bright and Morning Star
John writes: “Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” (Rev 22:16)
“That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life.”
Looking for the Star and Scepter
Or perhaps were these “Wise Men” those who had been converted through the ministry of Daniel?
1. The Wise Men followed the STAR! (Matt 2:1-3) – “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”
2. The Wise Men followed the SCRIPTURES! (Num 24:17; Matt 2:1-3) – “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”
The Scriptures follow Jesus (John 5:39). Jesus said, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”
3. The Wise Men followed the SOVEREIGN! (Matt 2:12) – “And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.”
Regardless of the background of these Persians (Wise Men), they obeyed the SOVEREIGN will of God by not falling into Herod’s trap.
Christ Be Born in You
How Is Christ Formed in Us?
Phenomenal Fulfillment of Jesus Christ in Bible Prophecy: Reasons to Believe
- Daniel’s Prophecy of 490 Years Futuristic (Dan 9:24-27)
{Fulfilled already: the 69 weeks or 483 years}; Jews returned and rebuilt the temple 49 years later (7 weeks); Messiah was cut off—crucified (62 weeks later) 434 years after that. Add both of those periods, and you get 483 years of already fulfilled Bible prophecy. That means there are 7 more years left in order for this prophecy to be completely fulfilled {the total 490 years}. By the way, those seven years will be known as the tribulation period described in Dan chapter 9. This is absolutely amazing, to say the least! - Triumphal Entry (Zech 9:9; Luke 19)
Jesus Christ is prophesied as riding on the back of a donkey as He enters Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. This was mentioned 500 years before it was fulfilled. - Bethlehem’s Star (Matt 2:1; Num 24:17)
The Star of Bethlehem guided the Wise Men—who still SEEK JESUS! - The Virgin Birth (Isa 7:14; Matt 1:21-23)
These references describe the birth of Jesus Christ by a virgin, prophesied approximately 700 years before being fulfilled. According to the Angel, Jesus came to save us from our sins. - Names of Jesus (Isa 9:6)
Here are the names of Jesus, the Son, given along with His earthly, priestly, and prophetic roles.
II. Jesus Christ – The Bridegroom’s Return for His Bride!
- John 14:1-3 – Jesus, the Bridegroom, will return for His bride, the Church, after preparing a place in His Father’s house.
- 1 Thess 4:13-18 – Paul describes the rapture of the Church.
- 1 Cor 15:54-58 – This chapter deals with the resurrection of Jesus Christ along with His return in the rapture.
- Titus 2:13 – Looking for that Blessed Hope and glorious appearing of Jesus Christ.
- 1 John 3:1-3 – Here, John tells us that when Jesus comes again, we will see Him and be like Him.
III. Jesus Christ’s Second Coming!
- Matt 24:36-44
- Luke 21:24-28
- Rev 19:11-16
- Zech 14:1-4
IV. Jesus Christ’s Millennial Reign
- Isa 9:7
- Isa 11
- Isa 65
V. Jesus Christ and the New Heaven with the New Jerusalem
- Rev 21
- Rev 22