In our previous posts I’ve asked the question: Is Jesus the promised Messiah based on the identity described in the Prophet Isaiah’s powerful prophecy. Does He measure up or is the prophecy still unfulfilled? We have worked through each identifier by juxtaposing them to other biblical writings. This will either help us uncover the reality of the Messiah or gender further questions. I believe this is the most important quest anybody should seek to resolve for themselves because of its eternal significance. Admittedly, this is only one view among many, many others. You must resolve this question for yourself; through your own research. In this post, at least, I’d like to highlight the next identifier: “Everlasting Father.” Is Jesus the Person described in Isaiah 9:6?
The term “father” is an endearing term which literally which means: Any male ancestor, especially the founder of a family or line; progenitor. Although Jesus may not be identified as the Father, He is known as the Head of us all; the first born of the family of God. It’s through Him that we have eternal life. He is the standard from which the whole family is patterned according to Romans 8:29:
For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
The key to understanding the concept of “Everlasting Father” is to comprehend the terms obscure meaning. Since we have the dictionary definition as a foundation, we can extrapolate greater meaning from Scripture. Just as Adam is considered the father of the human species, Jesus is the father of the vast body of believers. As we well know, eternal life is provided by His life and death; there is no other way to obtain it. In this way He is the Father, Founder or Progenitor of the faithful. Now, the other question is: Is Jesus from eternity?
The Scripture indicates that Jesus existed in Heaven from eternity past. In fact, there are many passages in the Old and New Testaments which corroborates this claim. Jesus’ prayer before He returned back to Heaven truly says it all. This amazing prayer is recorded in John 17:21:
“I pray that they will all be one, just as You and I are One--as You are in Me, Father, and I am in You. And may they be in us so that the world will believe You sent Me.
I have given them the glory You gave Me, so they may be one as We are One.
I am in them and You are in Me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that You sent Me and that You love them as much as You love Me.
Father, I want these whom You have given Me to be with Me where I am. Then they can see all the glory You gave Me because You loved Me even before the world began!”
Wow! No other human being had the audacity to publicly state that they came from Heaven without being labeled a certified lunatic. To make such a claim as this, especially in public prayer, is either amazingly insane or simply amazing because it’s true. Jesus’ prayer answers the question: Does Jesus meet the claim of being the Everlasting Father identified in the prophecy? In my mind it most certainly does. Out of everything He could have mentioned in prayer, He includes the statement: “Then they can see all the glory You gave Me because You loved Me even before the world began!” For me, at least, this statement secures my belief that Jesus meets this prophetic identifier. Hope you come to the same conclusion. Until our next installment be blessed God willing!
