Isaiah 9:6, commentary and pictures

For unto us a child is born and unto us a son is given speaks of Jesus Christ, the divine Son given to humanity as Messiah and Redeemer. Born of a woman he became one with humanity, while as Son given he remained one with God, joining divinity with humanity without confusing them in order to save by sacrifice. The government upon his shoulder means all power in heaven and earth is placed in his hands, to be ordered upon David's throne with judgment and justice in a peace that increases without end. His names declare who he is and what he does, for as Wonderful, Counsellor he is the infinite source of wisdom and present help, as the mighty God and everlasting Father he is eternal in Godhead and tender in shepherding his children, and as Prince of Peace he restores peace with God and with one another. That peace is an inward and eternal gift received through the cross, justification by faith, and his Spirit enthroned in the heart, and his rule advances not by force upon conscience but by implanting truth and righteousness to overcome sin.

Promised Child Foretold

The child born and the son given is Christ Jesus, the Messiah, Immanuel, the divine Son and Redeemer given to humanity. He is God revealed in Christ, the one to be believed in, in whom the hope of eternal life is centered and who alone is to be exalted. The government rests upon His shoulder, all His names declare His wonderful counsel, mighty Godhead, everlasting fatherhood, and princely peace, and His rule and peace have no end upon David's throne, ordering and establishing the kingdom with judgment and justice forever by the zeal of the Lord of hosts. In giving His Son to the human family God joined the Son to humanity forever, so that the Son of man shares the throne of the universe while retaining human nature and stands as Mediator joining earth to heaven.

The promise came after darkness and suffering under Assyrian oppression and captivity and other nations, to those long groping in darkness in the land of the shadow of death. It gave great light in the fullness of time by the advent of the Messiah, Immanuel the promised Deliverer, to dispel centuries of apostasy. It promised glorious deliverance and future triumph to the church of God, with His rule and peace growing without end.

The birth of the ruling Son with divine names was fulfilled in Jesus as the infant in Mary's arms. Mary joined this fulfillment with grateful joy and bright hope to Simeon's prophecy, the words of the Bethlehem shepherds, and the adoration of the wise men. His reign on David's throne must be won through suffering rather than unobstructed earthly triumph, for His mission and kingdom are to redeem the world and not Israel alone.

The Jews expected the promised king to appear as an earthly prince with outward honor, riches, glory, and worldly conquest to break bondage and the power ruling over them and to make them a kingdom of priests. They looked for deliverance from Rome's power with outward display, and because Jesus showed no such signs of a conqueror they rejected Him as the glorious ruler they expected. He came instead as the Sun of Righteousness revealing the contrast between sin and holiness, denouncing sin and professed sanctity, healing the sick, restoring demoniacs, making lepers and paralytics whole, making the dumb speak, opening deaf ears, raising the dead, and preaching the gospel to the poor, which answered the specifications of the Messiah of prophecy. They could bear disappointed hopes better than righteous rebuke, and light that exposed defilement was not welcome to them, though the prophecies also pointed to His suffering.

The Wonderful Counsellor would arise in the midst of the tribe of Judah. He is the promised Seed, Shiloh, the Sent of God, who was to set up a spiritual kingdom. Jacob saw Him with prophetic eye nearly seventeen hundred years before Christ's death, and saw the nations gathered under His banner when the scepter would no longer be in Judah's hands.

The coming of the Prince of Peace, Christ coming in the clouds of heaven, is near. The way must be prepared for Him by continuing soul saving, keeping up interest in it, and supporting foreign missions and missionary enterprises. Preparation requires liberal giving instead of complaining, refusing to give, or calling for retrenchment, proclaiming the last message of mercy and warning to a fallen world in clear, certain tones, lifting up the standard, and working cities that have not yet heard the truth with untiring perseverance and unflagging zeal in the name of the Lord rather than establishing institutions to rival the world in size and splendor.

Humanity and Divinity United

The child born means oneness with humanity by birth of a woman, and the son given means oneness with God, so that in him divinity and humanity were combined yet kept distinct to save and redeem the race by the sacrifice of his life. The names Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace declare his divinity and character, and the government upon his shoulder means he is made head over all things with authority over every business, every church, and every human being. The endless increase of his government and peace is the pledge that merciful provision embraces all, ordering and establishing his kingdom on David's throne with judgment and justice forever. In coming he took the nature of man with its shameful infirmities, himself without spot or stain of sin, yet exposed to the fiercest assaults of the enemy, the sharpest temptations, and the keenest sorrow, suffering being tempted and made like his brethren to show that through given grace humanity can overcome and to give abundant evidence that he will be with all who stand in him and draw near to God in the struggle against sin. God in love did not give rebellious men over to wrath through angels but sent his own Son to be the propitiation for sins, and on his mediatorial work hangs the hope of the perishing world. No one but Christ has ever lived a perfect, pure, spotless life, exhibiting perfect humanity united with deity, thereby giving the world a representation of the character of God and of a perfect man, and showing what God is and what man may become in godlike character.

He pre-existed in glory before the world was formed, in the form of God as Commander of all the heavenly hosts. He was the associate and co-worker of the Sovereign of the universe who could appreciate his purposes and share his joy in giving happiness to created beings. He was one with the eternal Father in nature, in character, and in purpose, and the only being who could enter into all the counsels and purposes of God. The titles The mighty God and The everlasting Father affirm his divinity and everlasting existence, while Wonderful, Counsellor and The Prince of Peace identify him as the wise and peace-giving ruler. His divine titles show that the Son and the Father are one, and the government rests on him so that he holds supremacy over the angels and rules with a righteous scepter, with a humiliation in clothing his divinity with humanity and taking the form of a servant that is incomprehensible to the human mind.

He laid aside his royal robe and kingly crown, his royal position, glory, and majesty, and clothed his divinity with humanity. He commenced his human life in poverty as a babe, with no place in Bethlehem, accepted poverty and made it his own, took his position with the poor, and for thirty years lived here as a man among men. He lived the life of a poor man yet remained the Prince of heaven and Head of humanity, worked with his hands, and lived and worked in poverty all his life amid its stigma and reproach. By his words and life to preach the gospel to the poor he forever removes every thread of disgrace from the humble worthy poor, blesses them as inheritors of the kingdom of God, molds them by the force of his example and influence, places them on vantage ground with God, and thereby brings sanctification, consecration and redemption to the world. He became one with people in human nature and partook of flesh and blood with all their inconveniences, trials and afflictions, facing temptation, infirmities, sorrow, and homesickness, living in the world he himself had made unrecognized and unhonored, to approach fallen people, represent them, raise and ennoble those who come to him, give them life, defend the fallen race, deliver the godly, and work out for them a vantage ground and rich experience in things of eternal interest. His exalted holiness has no human equal, but he does not use his distinction to separate himself from sinful humanity or to display himself proudly, and his self-denying coming without outward display is the pattern for ministers and medical missionaries to make no exhibitions for display and to let his self-denial be seen in their expenditure of means, while his voluntary poverty gives courage for practicing economy.

He announced when Adam fell his purpose to become man's substitute and surety, the infinite God who gave himself in sacrifice for man. He came and died so that humanity would not perish, stooping at the cross of Calvary beneath the amazing burden of the whole race as mysterious victim and ransom, interposing himself to bear the punishment and wrath of God for man's transgression so the transgressor might have another trial and men might be brought into favor with God the Father. As divine sufferer he endured a spectacle so solemn that the very earth shook and reeled and the heavens were clothed in sackcloth to hide the sight. He was afflicted, insulted, abused and assailed by temptation on every side yet sinned not, presenting to the Father a perfect obedience entirely satisfactory to him, thereby honoring God's law, removing forever every excuse for not keeping the law, and showing man how to obey and keep all the commandments amid abounding iniquity by laying hold of divine power, the sinner's only hope, giving an example of piety, self-denial, and self-sacrifice, and giving his life so that man might overcome corruption in the world through lust and become a partaker of the divine nature. He gained the right to stand before the world in those names of divine wisdom, ability, and power to save by overcoming Satan in the wilderness while weak with hunger, refusing to turn stones to bread, refusing presumption, and refusing worship of Satan for worldly kingdoms, anchoring his will in his Father's will and refusing to use divine power for himself, and by that obedience redeeming Adam's failure and placing humanity on vantage ground with God.

In giving his Son to the human family God joined the Son to humanity forever as a pledge that he will fulfill his counsel of peace. The Son of man now shares the throne of the universe while retaining his human nature, and Christ stands as the mediator between God and humanity, joining the family of earth with the family of heaven. He is God's divine representative come to reveal God's character to the world as mediator, full of grace and truth, the mighty God and everlasting Father whose kingdom is established with justice and whose rule and peace will never end. He is Captain and Ruler over his united people, the divine ruler and Captain of his people, so that when believers are one with God and one with each other, with eyes fixed on Christ and hearts united in love, they stay their hearts on the Lord and stand shoulder to shoulder to resist the confederacy of evil. The government upon his shoulder means he leads and upholds them in a battle that cannot be seen by the natural eye, giving strength so they need not tremble or be afraid and will not be left a helpless prey to the devices of the enemy, revealing the infinite love the Father has unfolded and that the Lord God Omnipotent reigns and loves man with infinite love. The child born and son given lays a foundation for the faith of those who shall live in all ages and is the great subject underlying all true, sanctified education, since eternal life is knowing God and Jesus Christ whom he sent; ascended to heaven he is Advocate, a friend at court, and from on high he sends his Representative to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, the Holy Spirit giving the divine anointing to all who receive Christ.

As the everlasting Father he loves each believing child with a special love and carries believers' burdens as they journey by faith. Though he is the Son of God, he is a shepherd who loves his people as his children, and his close communion with the Father is the pattern for his communion with those who belong to him, and his love for them is reason to trust him. In illustration Christ is the Father, the New Jerusalem is the mother, and those raised in the first resurrection are their children. God the everlasting Father gave his only-begotten Son to the world to make atonement for sins, that all who come to him might have everlasting life and the hope of everlasting life. In this gift he opened a channel of the richest and most inexhaustible treasures, sacred soul food to be the food of minds, the bread of life that satisfies soul hunger, so that there is no hunger for worldly excitement or grandeur, and religious experience becomes of exactly the same quality as the food given to the mind. His words and requirements as the Lord God of Hosts, the Everlasting Father, are to be taught to children at home, giving them a knowledge of God.

Government and Everlasting Kingdom

The government upon his shoulder means all power in heaven and earth has been placed in his hands, and he has been made head over all things, over every business, every church, and every human being. He holds supremacy over the hosts of angels in heaven, ruling with a righteous scepter as one with the eternal Father in nature, character, and purpose. By that authority he commands the angels set over the earth to hold back the four winds and forbid harm to earth and sea and trees until God's servants, who keep all the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus, are sealed in their foreheads. His names Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace declare his divinity, his everlasting existence, and his fitness to bear that rule and bring life and immortality to light. In him divinity and humanity are united, for as child born he is one with humanity by birth of a woman and as son given he is one with God, having purchased the world by giving himself as its ransom.

His government and peace increase without end, an ever-increasing government of peace upon David's throne and his kingdom, ordered and established with judgment and justice forever. This is the complete fulfillment of the promise to David, which the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform. He is to be exalted, beheld, and praised for his excellence rather than people being trusted and given the glory that belongs to God. Unlike earthly kingdoms, his government does not use force to compel conscience but advances by implanting truth and righteousness to overcome error and sin.

He is Saviour and King, so no man is to be made king. As King he is always to be approached with burdens, and however great sins are there need be no fear of repulse or of being turned away. One who has injured a brother must go to the brother, confess the wrong and repair it, then come to the King asking pardon, and he will never take advantage of confessions and never disappoint, but has pledged to forgive transgressions and cleanse from all defilement, with the names of all his people written in his book of life. As Governor of the universe and Prince of Peace his rule stands against unions and striving for mastery and the highest place, for such unions in which everyone strives to dominate cannot prepare people to live under his rule while they retain quarrelsome traits and the desire to be first. Fitness for his rule requires laying aside quarrelsome traits of character and the desire to dominate, consenting to be ruled by God, for having a burning desire to rule men while refusing to be ruled by God repeats history and leaves minds possessed by the enemy to work out his purposes.

He is Prince Emmanuel and Prince Immanuel leading his cause under his banner and bloodstained banner as Leader and highest authority. Those given responsible positions must work wholly for him and keep connection with heaven, for turning aside to connect with unbelievers who use their abilities against God's people separates from him and greatly dishonors God. To take a stand under his banner is to publicly join his cause as well-disciplined soldiers in opposition to the prince of darkness with his rival banner, with day-by-day character formation through teachers, right habits, and improved opportunities, helped by unseen good or evil agencies, placing each person under one banner or the other and deciding eternal destiny. Standing in his ranks removes anxiety about what to eat, what to drink, and what to wear, freeing from temporal care to seek eternal realities, for coming to the world he sees business, ambition, zeal, hurrying to and fro, and amusements, and points people to an eternal interest above because they have lost eternity out of their reckoning, that they may be purified to sit with him on his throne. Taking one's place under his bloodstained banner as sin-pardoning Savior calls for a changed heart and sincere repentance and faith.

Prince of Peace Restores

His mission as Prince of Peace is to restore the peace that sin broke between earth and heaven, reconciling people to God and thus to one another. Those who renounce sin and open their hearts to His love share in that heavenly peace, and peace with God comes through justification by faith in Him. The gospel is a message of peace, for Christianity received and obeyed would spread peace, harmony, and happiness throughout the earth, uniting in close brotherhood all who accept its teachings. He came to reveal the Father's character and purpose, and by taking human nature He bridged the gulf between heaven and earth, helping people understand their relationship to the Father. His teaching leads those so united to value the poor, the oppressed, and the suffering as those purchased by His blood.

His peace is an eternal gift of greater worth than anything the world offers, coming from Him alone and not from the world. It does not prevent division, hatred, or tribulation, but is given and enjoyed amid them as an inward peace that remains amid opposition and division. He brought this peace into the world and gave His life so that it could abide in the hearts of believers by faith as an enduring gift to disciples and to all who welcome it. His own peace came from knowing He had done His Father's will, and His followers share it as they do God's will and reflect His character in good works. It comes through the cross and the abiding presence of His Spirit, and He must be enthroned as the truth in the mind and heart before He can take His position as Prince of Peace there. He is the source from whom the soul receives peace, and the peace He gives comes with forgiveness of sins and the restoration of God's moral image in children and youth who follow Him.

He came into the world to bring resistance and authority into subjection to Himself. Wisdom and strength were at His command, yet the means He used to overcome evil were the wisdom and strength of love, not force. The title Prince of Peace is in perfect harmony with His word about bringing a sword. The world at large is under Satan's control and rises in rebellion against principles of life wholly at variance with its habits and desires, hating the purity that reveals and condemns sin and persecuting and destroying those who urge its just and holy claims, so the exalted truths of peace occasion hatred and strife and in that sense the gospel is a sword.

His divine compassion and holiness stirred bitter hostility because He would not permit indulgence of evil passions, and His difference from the world provoked that enmity. He faced united opposition from evil men and angels as the Redeemer who came to redeem the world. His teaching causes some to receive Him and others to oppose Him and His followers, so the Prince of Peace becomes the cause of division even while bringing hope and joy. Those who share His Spirit and present His love and holiness can expect persecution and reproach as the conflict between righteousness and sin continues, and His followers face persecution because of His name.

At the judgment people will see the cross and understand that by choosing Barabbas instead of Christ they rejected the Prince of Peace. He is the true ruler to whom men are to look away from warring and corrupt human church leaders. True safety and refuge are found only in God by coming under His rule, for His control over human hearts would prevent war and bloodshed, and the confusion in the world exists because human hearts are not under His control. Bringing others under His sway is work God inspires with hope and courage, and He helps and cooperates with those who fully surrender to Him in doing it. That bringing others under His sway is the missionary work of youth, for God puts plans of enlargement in their minds and inspires them with hope and courage, and when youth make the unreserved surrender of the will that Daniel made He helps them as He helped Daniel, giving them wisdom and knowledge and filling their hearts with unselfishness for it.

The Prince of Peace is to abide in the house and give His peace to children and youth, for the peace sought by pupils comes from Him. Sons and daughters are to come under His sway, and parents are largely accountable for the power they exercise in fitting their children for His rule, which fitting is the highest education they can give. It is done by correctness of speech and habits in the home and by acting His example before children, preventing all peevishness of speech and querulous complaint, so there will be no regret in the future. This requires fathers and mothers to be converted daily and to cultivate with sanctified will power the divine power given to every character, so that where the Prince of Peace abides the Christian family following on to know the Lord overcomes all hasty speech, and husband and wife speak kindly and seek to be a blessing to each other. As the great Counselor who directs the home, He places parents and children under God's discipline to carry out the principles of heaven in the home, and when they follow the way of truth and righteousness God is with them in their work, giving them victory after victory, and His converting power is seen among them.

Wonderful Counsellor Guides

The names Wonderful and Counsellor declare Christ as the Teacher sent from God to reveal the knowledge of God in person, with every ray of divine light through earlier messengers coming through him and all goodness and spiritual excellence in humanity reflecting his glory. He is the mighty Counsellor of the ages, infinite in wisdom and strength, the source of wisdom to whom all are invited to come for help in every time of need. He gives generously without reproach and bestows rich gifts, regarding his church with deep interest and tender sympathy, understanding its needs and seeing the result of every action. Through the Holy Spirit he molds those who trust him into his likeness until they are complete in him, supplying strength and guidance no human source can provide, so that his words, life, and methods stand as the highest ideal for teachers.

He stands beside people in trouble as present help, inviting them to bring perplexities, burdens, cares, and sorrows to him for rest rather than depending on uncertain, dependent, overburdened human beings who are themselves dependent on God. His power and presence make full trust possible, giving help and victory amid error and opposition, and all who choose to come to him find what they need. His love and saving gift secure a lasting bond as tender Guide and Defender, and as everlasting support and High Priest making intercession he bears what human leaders cannot bear, carrying official responsibility and all personal burdens. Looking to him, being girded with his righteousness, standing on the word of God as solid rock, and telling what he has done gives firmness when deficiencies in church, families, and individuals confuse and startle.

As the One mighty in counsel his presence as guide and counsellor is to direct plans in church business meetings, so that self-interest and lightness do not take prominence. He is to be recognized as present beside his people in such meetings, and he lays out before them the work to be done, directing plans for school interests and for caring for the sick. He is Counsellor to his people in the work connected with his cause, to be made the Counsellor instead of linking with men often found on the wrong side and not following the Leader, instead of opening the things of the work to lawyers and trusting them to those who know not God. Those who choose such human help are left to trust to the law and have all the law they want until their souls are satisfied, and God will not be their Counsellor, for they have chosen the murky waters of the valley in place of the pure waters of Lebanon.

He is the unfailing, all-wise, unerring Counsellor and great Leader able to restore, to be sought directly just where workers are, as little children go to parents, instead of placing unsanctified men where God should be and sending all perplexities to distant men for judgment. Turning to another counsellor in his place rejects his guidance, and submitting to human dictation or making any mind infallible is to be refused. Because his wisdom exceeds human plans and his ways are not human ways, believers should bring needs, cares, sorrows, and every plan to him for weighing in earnest prayer, keep praying, wait patiently for his answer in faith, and not try to secure it by their own strength. He will work in their behalf and restore what is mistaken, but pride and lofty self-sufficiency must be laid down and self humbled for him to work with the human agent.

Leaders must stay in touch with him, think independently, link with others, lay plans before brethren, and point others to him rather than controlling them. Through him people connect with God and receive renewing power to cast out Satan's influence and spiritual sight to discern whether Satan or Christ is counselling them. He alone as the Wonderful, the Counsellor can keep the soul pure, and consulting the deceitful heart instead of him discards God's principles of strictest integrity.

He is to be the highest counsellor in plans for life including marriage, with his word studied with prayer. He directs the home as the great Counsellor, under whose discipline parents and children carry out the principles of heaven; when they follow the way of truth and righteousness God is with them in their work, giving victory after victory, and his converting power is seen among them. He is the strength of the Christian physician who trusts God and seeks counsel from him at every step, and the Guide whom the student must honor in everything undertaken through whole-souled consecration to God's ways, cherishing the highest powers and acting to the highest standard of duty in the fear and love of God. Christ alone gives fitness for work in any position and restores the moral image of God in man, so that his very image and character are reflected and every talent becomes a power for good; he once directed in practical decision that the building for the Avondale Health Retreat be made larger than economy planned, to provide room and rest for weary ministers, missionaries, and evangelists.

His divine names set him forth as the divine object of faith whose character is infinitely perfect and whose mission and work only Infinity can fully declare. His words carry full divine authority to be searched and believed, not questioned; when finite man under satanic and the tempter's influence questions them, his view of himself grows larger and his view of Christ and God grows smaller. His counsel is the source from which people must learn the way of life so they can teach it to others, and his wisdom is found in God's Word rather than in influences opposing God's will. Living his words brings close contact with him as pattern and Leader, showing what to do to advance God's work and make decided advancement in character building, by looking away from finite human counsel, refusing to weave self into work done for the Lord, and desiring to be like the Saviour in strength of the Lord.

As Counsellor he guides and protects his people as front guard and rearward, and as Counsellor and Stronghold the one chosen as president to carry responsibility for spiritual welfare is to make him so, working in harmony with testimonies sent through chosen agencies. He is wonderful in counsel, too wise to err and too good to do harm, giving light for advancing the work, renewing power, protection, and wisdom. His counsel is learned by living his words, refusing self in the work, and seeking him hourly.

Exalt Trust and Follow

Isaiah 9:6-7 presents the child born and son given to humanity as Christ the Redeemer, bearing the government on his shoulder and named Wonderful, Counsellor, mighty God, everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace, whose government and peace have no end as he rules on David's throne establishing his kingdom with judgment and justice forever by the zeal of the Lord. He is the one on whom the hope of eternal life is centered, the one who left heaven to come to a world marred by the curse, and through whom God's wisdom, rule, and peace are made known. His name alone is to be exalted, lifted up, beheld, and praised for his excellence, with humanity standing back and decreasing and all attention turned to him. He, rather than any human agent, is to be made the chief object of attention, instead of trusting people and giving them the glory that belongs to God.

He is strength and righteousness, enough to cover believers completely and hide them in the mighty strength of Israel's God, leaving no room for self-esteem or self-dependence. Hiding in him gives strength to be prepared for the time of trouble and to meet the powers of darkness, which are not flesh and blood but principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places and can be met only in him. His might and power are available to strengthen believers and overcome for them, just as he overcame, and his names as Wonderful Counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace show why believers can trust fully in God rather than rely on unreliable human help. The Majesty of heaven came to earth to join divine power with human effort, laying help upon the mighty one so that people may overcome appetite and gain victory in his name, obey his guidance, and find peace and quiet rest in him.

Faith must lay hold of him as this divine Son and know him personally as Saviour, for merely knowing about him is not the believing experience that brings life and peace. He must be individually received by opening the heart to him, and all the future rests on that individual action, giving quiet and rest to the mind because in him is efficiency of power. Committing to him brings peace, comfort, hope, rejoicing in God our Saviour, thankfulness, and praise for great love and grace, and those who take him as counselor have salvation. Through his righteousness and blood the sinner is accepted by a holy God, redeemed, justified, made one with the Father, and given experiential knowledge of Christ, since no person can meet the claims of God's law or satisfy divine justice by own effort.

All the attributes of God are combined in him, and therefore those who claim to be his followers must reveal similar attributes in their own lives and stand on vantage ground. This means not being easily offended, remaining patient and kind under provocation, properly representing Christ, imitating his meek and lowly disposition, keeping conscience void of offense toward God and man, and not hurting the feelings of others by harsh words or words of criticism. His plans are carried out when believers live as he lived, with life hid with Christ in God, receiving each day a fresh supply of grace and power from the indwelling Saviour, and revealing him in willing obedience, meekness and lowliness of heart, and self-sacrificing devotion, preaching the gospel and living the gospel in the highest, most sacred sense as laborers together with God so their light shines and God is glorified.

Though High Commander in heaven and only begotten Son of the Infinite, his greatness is joined with humility and restraint toward the powers of darkness, for as Prince of Peace he brought no railing accusation against Satan. His example teaches those who proclaim truth, including the third angel's message, to speak and work without accusation, practicing his meekness and humility. Satan knowingly entered into conflict against him as the mighty God, the everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace, yet Satan's great angelic intellect and power do not make him equal to God, and his deceptive work will end when the coming Lord destroys him. He is the true ruler and Prince of Peace to whom men are to look away from warring and corrupt human church leaders, as when attention was pointed away from rival popes and their strife to Jesus.

His names declare his character, divine nature, fitness to bear rule and the government and responsibility of salvation, and power to save, bringing life and immortality to light for those dead in sin and assuring guilty people of peace and pardon. He is an all-sufficient Helper to be trusted as Teacher and Advocate, and believers should take his yoke of restraint, obedience and humility, give the Holy Spirit opportunity, value the gifts given to others, unite in service, and leave their case in his hands instead of being enticed away from first love by human representations led by the adversary. He as Lord God omnipotent, Wonderful Counsellor, everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace is above all human philosophy and plans and must have a much larger place in the lives of his people, and those who consent to be controlled by his will and yield to the influences of his Spirit let him work through them, are cured of selfishness that kills spirituality, and are prepared to make known the power of his grace and demonstrate the excellence of his law to the world.

He came to redeem the fallen race, having left the heavenly courts to make atonement and provide redemption, and all who come to him in living faith are enabled to stand on vantage ground. Knowing who he is as Wonderful, Counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Prince of life, and Father's only begotten Son whose rule rests on him gives help enough in trials and assurance that he is with his people. Leaning upon him and being connected with heaven through him and counted among God's royal family is no cause for shame. He as Counsellor is to be made the counselor and sought for guidance through prayer and study of his word, giving light about how his people should proceed in their work, and his followers should keep sight of him in perplexity and sorrow and unfurl his banner. He is the infallible guide who leads out of perplexity, gives power in every emergency, goes before workers to conquer, and is to be magnified through loyal, wholehearted service and light-bearing.

His exalted titles as mighty God, Prince of Peace, and Prince of heaven stand in contrast to his being mocked, spat upon, scourged, and mistreated, when his innocence did not shield him from persecution while his tormentors were controlled by evil. Though the child born and son given with government upon his shoulder, named Wonderful, Counsellor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, he endured much from men who refused the counsels of God and walked contrary to them. His endurance is the reason believers can endure something for his sake, not being concerned or surprised at strange speeches, not fearing the face of men, and giving straight messages while the Lord watches every movement.

He lays a foundation for the faith of those who shall live in all ages and is the great subject underlying all true, sanctified education, because eternal life is knowing God and Jesus Christ whom he sent, so education must be given on these lines and Christ must be everything. Ascended to heaven, he is Advocate, a friend at court, and from on high he sends his Representative to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, the Holy Spirit giving the divine anointing to all who receive Christ.