General Articles

Christmas Conundrum :: By Todd Hampson

Published on: by RR10

Isaiah 9:6 is quoted frequently at Christmastime. You may have seen the passage on Christmas cards, oftentimes along with a manger scene.

The well-known (but usually not fully understood) verse reads, “To us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Notice that the first three phrases correlate to three distinct events in the ministry of Jesus, each separated by time.

First, he was born.

Then 33 years later, the Son of God was given as a sacrifice for sin (John 3:16).

Then one day yet future, the government will be on his shoulders. He will reign over all the nations of earth during the millennial kingdom as the Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:7 continues the kingdom theme, saying, “Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.”

The incredible prophecies in Isaiah about the first coming, the tribulation period, and the millennial kingdom should get our attention.

Many believers understand the import of Isaiah 9:6 at Christmastime but fail to interpret literally what Isaiah 9:7 says about a future kingdom in which the government of the entire world will be on the Messiah’s shoulders.

This twofold pairing of prophecies occurs in the book of Isaiah as well as in other prophetic books.

Getting a clear comprehension of the twofold prophecies related to the first and second advents of Jesus is key to understanding God’s plan for the ages.

As we approach Christmas and as the world continues to trend toward the tribulation, let us never lose hope that God is sovereignly bringing about the conditions that will usher in the Kingdom—and before all of that, we anxiously await our blessed hope!

Todd Hampson | ToddHampson.com

The above is adapted from Todd’s latest book, The Chronological Guide to Bible Prophecy, in which he covers key prophetic themes and lists the percentages of prophecy found in each book of the Bible.

Grace and Peace,

Todd Hampson

Animation Development & Production | timbuktoons.com

Author | toddhampson.com | podcast

Contact | 706-426-0951

 

It Was a GOD Thing :: By Geri Ungurean

Published on: by RR10

I posted an article a few days ago about a very important ministry that is happening in Africa.

ONE MATCHSTICK: THE SENGA FIRE – FAITH COMES BY HEARING

I happened upon this while visiting a website I truly love called Bible.is. It is a site where you can choose the translation of the Word and also choose the passages of Scripture you are seeking. Then you can choose “audio,” and the miraculous Word of God is spoken.

My husband Tim and I are very excited about partnering with Faithcomesbyhearing.com. I urge the readers to watch the short documentary about this ministry.

One Matchstick: The Senga Fire | FULL DOCUMENTARY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21OMGaHRTig

I want to share something that happened today while Tim and I were discussing the ministry in Africa. After he watched the documentary, we talked about what God was doing in various tribes in Africa.

Think about this, brethren: each village (and there are many) has its own language, and most people from the villages cannot read or write their language – they only speak it. They are hungry for the Word of God, and before this ministry began, they only heard the Word from people of other villages. And, of course, they could not understand the languages spoken, so they relied on someone to translate into their tribe’s language.

You’ve heard the expression “Lost in translation.” Well, that was exactly what was happening. As I said, these people are very hungry to hear God’s Word spoken in their native language.

As the Lord led those in leadership of “Faithcomesbyhearing.com,” it finally became apparent that if funding was available, the answer to the problems of people from various tribes was to offer them an audio Bible with earbuds so that they would be hearing God’s Word in their tribe’s language! They did not need to know how to read or write – only “listen” to the Word!

The GOD Thing

When I was talking with Tim today, I said to him, “Now imagine many tribes coming together (each having their own language) and each tribe listening to the Word of God in their own language at the very same time. Brethren, does this bring to mind something from our New Testament?

Acts 2:1-8

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

“Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

“And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?”

As I said – this was definitely a GOD THING!!

MARANATHA!

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