Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
The promised sign is a virgin-born son named Immanuel, who is Jesus the Messiah, God Himself come to earth in human flesh. His name means God dwelling on earth with humanity in human nature and form. In Him heaven came down to men, so that human hearts sense God's presence, His teaching gives new power to God's word, creation and daily life reveal divine lessons, and the possibility of companionship with God is opened. By living among people He revealed the Father's character, love, glory, sympathy and friendship toward sinners, and by giving Himself in suffering and death He joined Himself to humankind in a bond that will never be broken to make redemption possible. He is Prince Immanuel and King, so those who belong to Him stand openly under His banner, walk with God on every step to heaven, and stay loyal at His side against Satan's snares.
Messiah Promised and Identified
The virgin's son called Immanuel is the promised Seed through whom the God of Israel would bring deliverance to Zion. He is the coming Messiah, to grow up in humble circumstances knowing to refuse evil and choose good. The promise joins the sign of the virgin birth to the lowly growth of the child in Isaiah 7:14-15.
The promised child Immanuel is Jesus. The name means God with us and marks Him as God come to earth in human form. He is the Messiah and the Mighty God.
As Jesus approached Jerusalem with a rejoicing multitude about to descend the Mount of Olives, the question of who He is was answered by this prophecy. Disciples filled with inspiration repeated it to declare that this Jesus is Immanuel, the promised one, the Messiah, the Prince of Life and the Redeemer of the world. The same naming declares Him to be Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. The prophecy thus finds its fulfillment in Jesus.
Isaiah 7 is to be read with Isaiah 6, Isaiah 55:1-3, Jeremiah 7:3-11,23,24 and Jeremiah 8:5-9,11,12. Together they are the word of the Lord calling backsliders who refuse to return. The call is to amend ways and doings, to obey His voice, and to come to Him that souls may live.
God Dwelling With Humanity
Immanuel means God with us, fulfilled in Jesus Christ as God dwelling on earth with humanity in human nature and form. In Him heaven came down to men so that human hearts become conscious of God's presence and the world is encompassed with His love. His teaching gives God's word new power and meaning, and causes creation to stand out in new light with gleamings of the brightness sin banished. Every fact and experience of life reveals a divine lesson and the possibility of divine companionship, and the science of eternity is opened.
By coming to dwell among people, Jesus, who was one with the Father from eternity, revealed God's character and love and glory to humanity and angels in a world darkened by sin. God's sympathy with human trials and griefs and His friendship toward sinners are made known through the Saviour's teachings and promises and loving deeds and gracious appeal. The Son of God lived in human form and gave Himself through suffering and death, thereby joining Himself to humankind in a bond that will never be broken. His life and death make possible redemption and closer union with God, and as God's unspeakable gift He will be praised by the redeemed and His presence celebrated through endless ages.
Loyalty to Prince Immanuel
Immanuel is Prince Immanuel and King, Christ the King and the leader for whom Christians fight, and Christian believers as His subjects are called to a high standard of life. Taking a stand under His banner is what convicted unbelievers do when they are converted to the truth. That banner is His blood-stained banner, which marks those who remain in God's ranks in contrast with Satan's followers. Sinners are urged to join it, for Immanuel is Christ the sin-pardoning Saviour, and standing under His bloodstained banner means openly belonging to Him.
The name Emmanuel means God with us, and in Christ Jesus God accompanies believers on every step of their journey to heaven, giving them a foundation for faith and a hope of immortality. The Holy Spirit is also with them as comforter and guide, soothing sorrow and shielding them in temptation. God's people must therefore remain loyal to the Prince's side in order to avoid Satan's snares. Those preparing to fight for Prince Immanuel are Christian soldiers in spiritual warfare against tradition, superstition, and error in the different countries of Europe. They must be as earnest, painstaking, and thorough in drilling and preparation for actual service as soldiers training for military battle.