THE CHRIST OF CHRISTMAS THE PRINCE OF PEACE THE KING OF GLORY

by

J. C. O’Hair

 

 

THE KING OF GLORY

According to the ninth chapter of Isaiah, the Christ of Christmas, Who in that chapter is called ‘WONDERFUL’ and MIGHTY GOD’, is yet to be ‘THE PRINCE OF PEACE’ on an earthly throne. In the twenty-fourth Psalm Christ is called ‘THE KING OF GLORY’. According to the apostle Peter, when the rulers of this world put Christ to death, they killed ‘THE PRINCE OF LIFE’ Acts (3:14 and 15). According to the apostle Paul, the rulers crucified ‘THE LORD OF GLORY’ (I Corinthians 2:8). Then again the apostle Paul wrote of the coming Christ in this language, in I Timothy 6:14 to 16, “the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who in His times shall show Who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords.’ In the meantime we have this wonderful message for the humans race, not only for Christmas but for every day, every hour, every moment of every year: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1). Even though we may be enjoying material prosperity and good health and have our loved ones all around us, we can not have real, genuine joy, if we do not have Christ in us the hope of glory, and know positively that God, for Christ’s sake, hath forgiven us all our sins. This is the message of Colossians 1:27, Ephesians 4:32 and Ephesians 1:6 and 7.

 

GABRIEL AND THE VIRGIN MARY

When the angel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary that she would bring forth a Son and call His Name ‘JESUS’, the angel added: “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David; and He shall reign over the House of Israel forever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end.” (Luke 1:26 to 33). Then the Holy Child Jesus, conceived by the Holy Spirit, was born of the Virgin Mary in the town of Bethlehem. (Luke 2:1 to 7). This was in fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14 and Micah 5:2. Then followed the Lord’s message, “Peace On Earth . . . Good Will Toward Men.” (Luke 2:14).

 

CHRIST’S OWN RECEIVED HIM NOT

We are told in John 1:1, that Christ came unto His own; and His own received Him not. His citizens hated Him, and sent a message after Him, saying, “We will not have this MAN to reign over us.” (Luke 19:14). Then Israel’s rejected King and Messiah wept over His ‘kingdom’ nation and their city, saying, “if thou hadst known the things that belong to thy PEACE; but now they are hid from thine eyes.” Then the Lord described the judgment that would come instead of peace; “because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.” (Luke 19:41 to 44).

 

CHRIST MADE PEACE BY THE BLOOD OF HIS CROSS

The Lord Jesus, rejected by His own nation, went not to the throne of David to bring universal peace on earth, but He went to Calvary’s cross. So ‘PEACE ON EARTH’ has been postponed. But in Colossians 1:20 we read concerning Christ on the cross of Calvary ; “Having made PEACE through the blood of His cross; to reconcile all things unto Himself.” One of the greatest of all the enemies of Christ (the apostle Paul) became Christ’s most faithful and fruitful servant. Paul said, “Being justified by faith, we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1). Then later Paul wrote; “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God . . . And the PEACE OF GOD, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6 and 7). “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13).

 

WHEN WILL PEACE ON EARTH BE REALIZED?

In Ephesians 2:14 to 16 we read that, because the Lord Jesus Christ made peace on the cross, by that cross of the Lord of Glory, God is making of believing Gentiles and believing Jews ‘ONE NEW MAN’ reconciling the believers of all nations in ‘ONE BODY’ by the cross. But God has not abandoned His ‘PEACE ON EARTH’ program. He has postponed this ‘KINGDOM’ program until He has completed ‘THE NEW MAN’. Then according to Isaiah 62:1 to 4, God will have a NEW ISRAEL and a NEW JERUSALEM. According to Psalm 24:7 to 10; “The King of Glory Shall Enter In.” Then Israel shall be saved. (Romans 11:26 . . . Luke 21:27 to 33). Israel shall “LOOK UPON ME WHOM THEY HAVE PIERCED.” (Zechariah 12:10). “Behold He (Christ) cometh with clouds: and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him.” (Revelation 1:7). “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’ . . . Of the increase of His government and peace no end; upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and establish it with judgment and justice, from henceforth, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” (Isaiah 9:6 and 7).

 

THE QUESTION OF PONTIUS PILATE

“What then shall I do with Jesus, Who is called CHRIST?” (Matthew 27:22). Christ was delivered for our sins and raised for our justification. (Romans 4:25). Christ died to deliver us from the wrath to come. (I Thessalonians 1:9 and 10). He is the Saviour of the world (I John 4:14). Is He your SAVIOUR?

 

CHRISTMAS POEM

Another Christmas is at hand; we have lived another year; By God’s mercy and His grace you and I are here. Millions will the words repeat which told the Saviour’s birth; God sent this message from above; His message, “peace on earth.” God’s holy prophets had foretold God’s great redemption plan; God would send His only Son, the Saviour, God and Man. From heaven’s glory He came down to do His Father’s will: From the manger to the grave the Scriptures to fulfill. He cured the sick; raised the dead; healed the blind and lame; By words and signs and mighty deed He proved His every claim. As God’s prophets had foretold, Christ’s witness was in vain; The rulers would not have Him King; would not have Him reign. Christ was born for David’s throne; was born for Calvary’s tree: When put to death by wicked men Christ died by God’s decree. In Joseph’s tomb His body lay; our Saviour three days dead: But back to life that Saviour came, just as He had said. For several weeks the risen Christ appeared in Israel’s land: His loved ones saw the Lord ascend as He gave His great command. So the Christ of Christmas is alive at God’s right hand above: Because of Christ on Calvary’s cross we know that God is love. God offers free eternal life to all who will believe, To all who will by simple faith His Christmas gift receive. Receive Christ as your Saviour now; in death He took your place: You’ll surely meet God’s Son as Judge, if you refuse God's Grace