Isaiah 9

I would like to begin this morning with a thought. There are differing opinions of the prophecies of Isaiah, whether he is referring to his day, our day, or some future day. There is a common saying that if one does not understand history, it tends to repeat itself. I seem to have the opinion that much of the prophecies of Isaiah are not only for his day, but for our day also if we fail to heed his warnings.

As I read the first several verses of Isaiah, I think he is speaking form directly to us because of the manner of perspective he is writing. He begins by telling us that if we thought the destruction of Israel was bad, it could be worse in out day -

"NEVERTHELESS the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations." (Old Testament | Isaiah 9:1)

Isaiah reminds us that the Light of Christ and His coming has been a light in darkness, even in the worlds of spirits that have passed on -

"The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined." (Old Testament | Isaiah 9:2)

He explains the results of those that were enlightened -

"Thou hast multiplied the nation, and...increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian." (Old Testament | Isaiah 9:3 - 4)

But in the last days, destruction of the wicked will be different than previous experiences as Isaiah explained -

"For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire." (Old Testament | Isaiah 9:5)

Much like Malachi would later say -

"FOR, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch." (Old Testament | Malachi 4:1)

And then Isaiah speaks Messanically -

"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.
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 for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this." (Old Testament | Isaiah 9:6 - 7)

Though the Savior was born in the meridian of time, Isaiah seems to be speaking from the perspective of the second coming when there will be a "burning and fuel of fire".