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Isaiah 9:1–7 Explained — Unto Us a Child Is Born | Messiah Prophecy & Christmas Message - [Isaiah 9:1-7]

• Novella Springette • Season 1 • Episode 11

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"Have you ever felt like you were walking in darkness, waiting for a light that never seems to come? Imagine a world where despair is everywhere—yet God promises a light so bright it changes everything. Isaiah’s words, written centuries ago, point to that hope: a child is coming who will bring peace, justice, and joy that never ends. Today, we’ll explore the prophecy that reminds us even in our darkest moments, God’s light breaks through." 

 Discover the prophecy of Jesus in Isaiah 9:1–7. Learn how the ‘Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace’ came to bring light, hope, and salvation. 

Isaiah 9:1–7 is one of the most profound prophecies in Scripture, pointing to the coming Messiah who brings light to darkness, joy to the weary, and peace that surpasses understanding. Written more than 700 years before Christ’s birth, Isaiah 9 announces a Savior whose kingdom will never end. 

In this podcast, we explore the meaning of each verse, the historical context, and how this prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. From the people walking in darkness to the promise of a child born unto us, Isaiah’s message is as relevant today as it was in ancient Israel. 

What You Will Learn in This Podcast: 

- The meaning of the “great light” that shines into darkness (v. 2) 

- How God promises joy and freedom from oppression (v. 3–5) 

- The prophetic significance of “unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given” (v. 6) 

- The four powerful titles of the Messiah: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace 

- The eternal nature of Christ’s kingdom (v. 7) 

This podcast is perfect for Bible study, sermon preparation, personal devotion, or a Christmas reflection. Whether you’re teaching, learning, or sharing the hope of Christ, Isaiah 9:1–7 reminds us that God’s light shines brightest in the darkest moments. 

A promise written to a bruised people on the margins becomes the heartbeat of hope for every weary soul today. We open Isaiah 9:1–7 and follow its trail from Zebulun and Naphtali—those overlooked northern tribes—to a Galilean ministry that turned “nothing good” into a cradle of miracles. The text names the ache of darkness and the shock of joy, then anchors everything in a child given, a son who bears a government that heals instead of harms. 
 
We walk through the five big movements: the light that dawns where despair felt permanent, the joy that erupts when oppression’s yoke breaks, the child whose birth and gift change the horizon, the four royal titles that map his character, and the never-ending kingdom built on justice and righteousness. Along the way, we connect history and heart—Assyrian invasions, trade routes, and temple distance—so the prophecy’s geography makes sense, and we share lived stories of courage and peace that echo Isaiah’s promise in streets and storms, hospitals and prisons, pulpits and homes. 
 
What emerges is a portrait of Jesus that is wise and warm, strong and steady: Wonderful Counselor for confused minds, Mighty God for impossible odds, Everlasting Father for the abandoned and afraid, Prince of Peace for a world running on fear. The call is clear and kind—step into the light, receive the gift, and live the kingdom now through Scripture, prayer, community, and mercy that touches the least of these. If this message stirs you, tap follow, share it with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review so more people can find the light that still breaks the darkest night. 

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Catch On Fire Podcasts aims to lead us all into a closer walk with God as we strive to become more like Jesus.

SPEAKER_00:

Welcome to Catch on Fire Podcasts. I am Dr. Novella Springett. I have been a follower of Jesus Christ since I was a child. Over the years, I've spent time studying the Bible and the history of the Christian religion. Catch on Fire Podcasts will be conducting in-depth studies of scripture with the goal of encouraging us all to grow in Christian discipleship. This podcast is for all those who have an interest in knowing more about Jesus and what it means to live for Christ in today's pluralistic society. We pray that this podcast will positively impact all of our lives and enable us to become more like Jesus. Please like, follow, and subscribe to Catch on Fire Podcast on the varying platforms that we are featured on. Let's pray. Heavenly Father and our God, we ask that your presence will be in this place, that the word will go forth with power, that lights will be touched and changed. In your name, amen. Today I'm speaking on Isaiah 9 1 to 7. I explain. Unto us a child is born. This is messianic prophecy and Christmas message. And it is based on the scripture Isaiah 9 1 to 7. Let's read the scripture. Isaiah 9 1 to 7. Nevertheless, there'll be no more gloom for those who are in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations by the way of the sea beyond the Jordan. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light, and those living in the land of deep darkness the light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy. They rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian's defeat you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of the oppressor. Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fueled for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders, and he will be called wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Priests. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness. From that time on and forever, the zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Have you ever felt like you are walking in darkness, waiting for a light that never seems to come? If so, then you can imagine the world that Isaiah was living in when gloom and despair were everywhere. However, God promised a light so bright that would change everything. Isaiah's words written centuries ago, more than 700 years before Christ was born, point to that hope. A child is coming who will bring peace, justice, and joy that never ends into a world that is war-ravaged, despondent, and in despair. The scripture that we are looking at, Isaiah 9:1 to 7, is one of the most profound prophecies in scripture. These words point to the coming Messiah who brings light in darkness, joy to the weary, and peace that surpasses understanding. Isaiah 9, which is written more than 700 years before Christ's birth, announces a Savior whose kingdom will reign forever and will never end. In this podcast, we explore the meaning of each verse and how this prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. First, we'll look at the background of the book of Isaiah that provides the context whereby we can grasp the message that the prophet is conveying to us. Then we will do a deep dive into the scriptures and look at the main points of the passage, which are as follows. One, a great light will shine into darkness, verses one to and two. Two, God promises joy and freedom from oppression, verses three to five. Three, the prophetic significance of unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, verse six. Four, the four powerful titles of the Messiah, wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, and five, the eternal nature of Christ's kingdom. The points four and five are found in verse seven. From the people walking in darkness to the promise of a child born unto us, Isaiah's message is as relevant today as it was in ancient Israel. The rulers of this world fail, kingdoms rise and kingdoms fall. However, God's promised King, Jesus Christ, reigns forevermore with justice, righteousness, and unending peace. When Jesus reigns as King of our lives, we experience joy unspeakable, peace in the midst of life's storms, and an unending hope as our trust is in the Most High God Jesus. Let's look at the background to Isaiah. Isaiah seemed to have spent the whole of or the greater part of his life in the city of Jerusalem. For many years he was the most remarkable figure and sometimes the most influential man in that city. Tradition states that he was of royal lineage, which would seem to be true as he had easy access to the kings. Isaiah is the preeminent prophet of the major prophets. In length, Isaiah is second only to Psalms. Psalms had multiple authors. Isaiah is the sole author of the book of Isaiah. The New Testament contains more than 400 references to the book of Isaiah. Isaiah described in chapter 6 how he was called by God in the year that King Uzziah died. Isaiah then proceeded to prophesy for more than 40 years. In Isaiah chapter 7, 9 and 11, there are three major mentions that are made of Jesus. If we look at the context of chapter 9, Isaiah chapter 9, verses 1 to 7, we find that after King Solomon died, the kingdom of Israel divided into two, with Israel in the north and Judah in the south. The northern kingdom of Israel was composed of ten tribes. These tribes had Samaria as their capital. The tribes of Judah and Benjamin formed their kingdom in the south with Jerusalem as their capital. In chapter 7 and 8, we learn that the king of Assyria defeated the ten tribes of Israel and took its people into captivity somewhere around 733 to 732 BC. These tribes are known as the Lost Tribes of Israel, as they never returned to occupy the land in any formal manner. At the same time, the king of Assyria also made the southern kingdom of Judah a vassal state of Assyria. As a vassal state, Judah had to pay tribute and taxes to Assyria. This resulted in the impoverishment of the people of Judah. Essentially, Assyria has enslaved the people of Judah, and the southern kingdom and the people were destroyed. Darkness fell on the land, and the people of Judah were in despair. And this brings us to chapter 9 of Isaiah. Let's read verses 1 to 2 as the support point one. A great light will shine into darkness. Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Napali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned. Isaiah is prophesying about the people of the northern kingdom Israel, who had been attacked and taken into captivity by the king of Assyria. These two tribes, Zebulun and Naphtali, were located in the vicinity of the Sea of Galilee. And these regions of Galilee where the tribes were located were located at the northernmost area of Israel. These areas had suffered greatly from the Assyrians because as they were at the very edge of Israel, they were the very first locations that Assyria met when it came to conquer and invade Israel. As a result, they were overrun. Naphtali and Zebulun were occupied and they were taken captive to Assyria by the king of Assyria. Despite this calamity, Isaiah we find writing words of comfort, 700 years before Jesus is born. Isaiah is saying that yes, Naphtali and Zebulun suffered distress and gloom. Yes, the king of Assyria wreaked evil on these two tribes. Yes, these two tribes have been downtrodden and humbled. However, Isaiah is asserting unconditionally that this is going to come to an end. The current distress is not the end of the story. And then he proceeds to use three powerful different descriptions to refer to this territory. He calls it Galilee of the Nations, Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan. The Hebrew expression that is used here for Galilee of the Nations can also be translated as Galilee of the Gentiles. This northern territory of Naphtali and Zebulun always had a significant Gentile population for two main reasons. The first is that a major trade rope ran through this area. Secondly, it was very close to Gentile nations. These nations were initially those of Phoenicia and Aramia, and in later years the nations became Syria and the Decapolis. These lands of Zebulun and Napoli occupied an area where Gentiles came to do commerce and even live. It was an area that Gentiles traveled as they conducted trade between Egypt and Syria, the two major economic centers in that day. Interestingly, Isaiah is in Jerusalem advising the king of Judah. But here he is speaking about two tribes of the other kingdom, Israel. God was still showing love for Israel. Israel, which had ceased to exist because of this Assyrian invasion. The way of the sea that Isaiah uses here refers to a section of an important international route that ran through Israel. The entire route was known as the Via Maris. In this, it's an entirety. The Via Maris was about 1,770 miles in length, and it connected Egypt and Syria. The way of the sea was that part of the Via Maris, Maris that came near the coast and passed along the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Beyond the Jordan is here referring to the upper part of the Jordan that was well not well known. This area that Zebulun and Naphtali occupied included the unexplored, uncivilized territory of the upper part of Jordan, where the river Jordan springs from. Isaiah is describing here an area of Israel that was not close to Jerusalem. It was actually the furthest location from Jerusalem and the temple. As a result, it seems that the people of Zebulun and Naphtali intermingled with the Gentiles. These Jews had lost touch with their faith and most of the beliefs of the Jews. As a result, Isaiah states they were walking in darkness and living in a land of darkness. The darkness here is spiritual darkness. A lack of spiritual knowledge had fallen on these people, the inhabitants of the land of Zeppelin and Naphtali. However, Isaiah is also emphatically declaring that the current distress does not dictate their future. It is on these people who are walking in darkness and living in a land of deep darkness that a great light will shine and light will dawn. Isaiah is clearly stating here that these are the people who God would honor in days to come. God is going to walk among these occupants of the land of Zebul and Napoli, who are currently despised and looked down on, and he's going to grace them with his presence. These residents of the land of Zebulun and Napoli were universally despised. But it is to these people that Jesus came. In the New Testament, when Philip ran to tell Nathanael that they had found the one who the prophet spoke of, Nathaniel was skeptical. He said, Has anything good ever come out of Nazareth, which was based in Galilee, where Jesus grew up? Ah, and when Nicodemus was attempting to defend Jesus before the Sanhedrin, these learned men immediately and derisively dismissed Nicodemus. They reminded him that no prophet had ever come out of Galilee. Isaiah's prophetic words came to pass. Seven hundred years later, when Jesus started his ministry here on earth, it is here in the land of darkness, where these two tribes were located around the Sea of Galilee, that Jesus who spent most of his time during his ministry. The light of heaven left the splendor of heaven to be with these people. The gospel of Matthew quotes the scripture to show that when Jesus started his ministry in Galilee, it was the fulfillment of this prophecy of Isaiah. It was in this lowly area that Jesus would perform incredible miracles. He would raise the dead son of the widow of Nain. He would heal the man who had been lord through the roof. He would feed five thousand with five loaves and two fishes. Paul points out that God chooses the lowly so that the glory may be of him and no one else. God took David from being unknown and looked down on Shepherd Boy and made him king of Israel and the most referenced person in the entire Bible. David's name is mentioned more than 1,000 times in the Bible, more than any other person, including Jesus. Jesus, when he walked the search, was referred to as the son of David. The New Testament begins with Jesus being identified as being of the lineage of David and ends with Jesus stating that he is of the root and offspring of David. We look at Lotti Moon, who served as a missionary in China from 1873 to 1912. While there, she was at one point stationed in Shaling. During her time in Shaling, an old man, Li Xing, came to know Jesus. His family was deeply resentful of this fact and proceeded to torture and torment Li Xing in the hope that he would relinquish his new fate. They hit him, they spat on him, they locked him in the storage room, but no matter what they did, Li Xing held on to his faith in Jesus. This treatment went on for several weeks. In this spirit, the family came up with a last ditch of effort. Loti had given Li Xing a Chinese New Testament, which he treasured greatly, but as he could not read, he could not read a word of this New Testament. The family commissioned Li Qing's nephew, Li Xiao Ting, who was a great confusionist scholar, to come and read the New Testament aloud to Li Xing so that he could show him how foolish the Christian religion was. Li Xing came all uh you know eager he was going to mock the Christian faith and show that the beliefs of the Christian uh religion were nothing, especially in comparison to Confucianism. However, as he read the New Testament, he became enthralled. He turned to Lotti Moon to ask for further clarification on what he was reading. Before long, Li Xiao Ting became a Christian and was baptized. Li Xiao Ting went on to become a Bible scholar. He traveled all over northern China, preaching the gospel and baptizing those who believe. In his lifetime, Li Xiao Ting baptized more than 10,000 people. Li Xing, the literate believer, was the catalyst that caused Li Xiao Ting to become a famed Bible scholar and impactful preacher. Into a world filled with spiritual darkness, God promises to shine a great light that will bring others to know who Jesus is. Point number two, God promises joy and freedom from oppression. Verses three to five read like as thus. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy. They rejoice because you as a people rejoice as a harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of the oppressor, every warrior's boot used in battle, and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. Isaiah declares here that the light that has shined in these areas of Zebulun and Naphtali will cause the tribes to increase their joy. And they will increase it to such an extent that he used various metaphors here in these verses three to five to show how great their rejoicing will be. The reaping of the harvest was a time of great joy. The harvest will be gathered with songs and rejoicing and conclude with the staging of the festival. After the battle is fought and men have emerged victorious, they rejoice as they divide up the plunder that they have won. Isaiah also takes a reader back to the time when Gideon defeated the army of Midian. As a result of Israel's sin, God allowed the Midianites to oppress Israel for seven long years. However, Israel repented and called to God for help. And God appointed Gideon, who was not a soldier, he was just an ordinary farmer, but he was a devout man to lead Israel against the Midianites. Gideon assembled an army of 22,000 soldiers to go up against the Midianites. And God told Gideon, that's too many people. And after a series of tests were enacted, God brought this army all the way down from 22,000 people to 300 people. And Gideon and his 300 soldiers won a great victory, freeing Israel from their oppressors, lifting the yoke under which they had been burdened and suffering. And all the credit and the glory went to the Lord, as he alone could have given Gideon the victory. Isaiah is stating that in a similar manner, in this location, where the hostile Syrians are exercising the oppression, and the light of freedom is going to spring forth. And there's going to be joy and jubilee, such as there was when the Midianites were defeated and their yokes were removed from the hands of the Israelites, from the shoulders of the Israelites. In ancient times it was customary to strip the dead soldiers, those who had been slain during the course of the battle. Their boots, their armor would be taken from them, because these would be bloody, torn, and useless. And these items would be thrown into a great fire, a celebratory fire. Isaiah stating here that the tribes of Natabli and Zebulun would explode in celebration and rejoicing after this great light has shined into the darkness that currently consumes them. In the New Testament, we find that Paul and Silence had suffered a beatdown. They were in prison, in chains, in Philippi. And at midnight, the darkest of the night, they began to praise the Lord using sounds and hint. Despite external circumstances, Paul and Silas knew the God they served. A great light had entered their lives. And so they rejoiced because Jesus was living deep down in their hearts. And as Paul and Silas glorified God, the prison doors were open. Their chains fell off, not just for them, but for the other prisoners. We look at Amy Carmichael, who served as a missionary to India from 1895 to 1951. While there, she was asked by a mother to take care of a 12-year-old child, a daughter, whose father had died. The father had left the daughter well off, and the father's family was now trying to marry the girl off to one of their relatives so that they could keep the property in the family. The proposed husband was old enough to be the grandfather of this 12-year-old child, but no one was paying attention to the girl's welfare. Additionally, the girl wanted to serve Jesus, and this would not have been possible had she entered into marriage with this man. Amy went to court to try and hold on to the child. However, she lost the case and she was stuck with a huge legal bill, and she was ordered to turn the girl over to her relatives. That same day, mysteriously the girl disappeared, and no one seemed to have any knowledge of her whereabouts. Not long after, an anonymous donor sent Amy to the very last rupee, the money she needed to pay the legal bills that she had incurred in this case. Seven months later, she received a letter, and they her caring Christians had smuggled the girl out of India and over to Naning in Kwansi Province, China. And she was living there with American missionaries and able to continue her life as a child, as a receive an education and also continue to serve Christ. God promises that He'll break the bonds that are keeping us oppressed when the light has shined into our hearts. Point number three, the prophetic significance of unto us a child is born. Unto us a son is given. And the scripture reads, For to us a child is born. To us a son is given, and the government would be on his shoulders. Isaiah prophesying 700 years before the birth of Jesus eloquently detailed the coming of our Lord. In chapter 714, Isaiah spoke of the child that would be born and who would be named Emmanuel. Isaiah is saying here that all of the previous rejoicing and victories that he has just described are a result of the child that has been born to mankind. Furthermore, this is no ordinary child. This child is the son of the most high God. Unto us the son is given. The apostle John, writing 700 years after, Isaiah wrote probably what the most famous verse in the entire Bible, John 3.16. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believed in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. In those days, the king and those who held the power of government would wear on their shoulders the scepter, the sword, the keys, or anything that could show that they were the keeper of office and the weight and importance of their position. This child who would be born is Jesus, and he is king and messiah, ruler of everything. As a result, the government is on his shoulders. When the disciples were caught in a storm on the Sea of Galilee, they feared that they would perish because of the intensity of the storm. These disciples walked Jesus as he was there in the boat with them, but asleep. Jesus spoke to the wind and waves, and the sea immediately became calm. The disciples looked on in wonder and asked among themselves, What manner of man is this? Jesus, the Son of God, master and ruler of everything, commanded the wind and waves, and they immediately obeyed and they became still. We are told the story of Count Ludwig Zinzendorf, who lived from 1700 to 1760. He was born into one of the most noble, powerful families in that region, Saxony, the House of Zinzendorf. Saxony is now part of Germany and is known as the Free State of Saxony. Count Ludwig was a religious and social reformer. He largely financed what became the Moravian Church and their sending of missionaries while he was alive. On January 20, 1743, the Count chartered a ship, the James, to take him and those travelling with him from New York to London. The crossing of the Atlantic was going well until February 14th, when the James ran into a fierce storm off the southwesternmost point of England. The boat pitched and creaked and everyone in the boat became afraid except for the count. Ludwig went into prayer and him singing, which kept him at peace during the whole ordeal. Soon jagged, menacing rocks appeared on the horizon, and the captain came to let Ludwig know that in a matter of hours the boat would be smashed on these rocks, and everyone on the boat would die. Ludwig looked the captain in his eyes and calmly informed him that the storm would be over in two hours. Two hours later Ludwig sent his companions to see what was happening on deck. The sun had come out, the wind had died down, and the captain was looking up in amazement at the sky. The captain let Ludwig know that he had never seen a storm end so suddenly. The boat and its inhabitants were minutes away from being tossed on the rocks and utterly destroyed. Ludwig informed the captain that in twenty years of serving God, he had learned to trust God, and God had assured him that the storm would pass and they would all be safe. The King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Master of Heaven and Earth, the one whose government is on his shoulder, brought that boat safely to England. Unto us a child is born. Unto us a son is given, who has a government upon his shoulders. As a result, the supernatural becomes a norm in our lives as we depend on Jesus, rule over everything, to bring us safely through our battles. Point number four, the four powerful titles of the Messiah. Wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. And he will be called wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah, there is now stated the attributes of the child that will be born. Wonderful counselor. This child will be a wise counselor. The advice that he will give will not lead to ruin, but will elevate the hearers. Mighty God, this child will be filled with power. This child will defy death. Rise again and set mankind free from the powers of Satan. This child is an everlasting father. Death is guaranteed for all of mankind. All those who hold earthly power, no matter how great they exploits, will one day pass into another life and no longer have any power. Queen Elizabeth I, who gave the world Shakespeare, is long dead and gone. However, this child, Jesus Christ, is from everlasting to everlasting. Of his kingdom there will be no end. He is a prince of peace. In a world torn by strife and distress, this child will bring peace to all who believe on his name. John in the book of Revelation describes his encounter with Jesus, the Alpha and Omega. Jesus proclaimed to John that he now dwells among people, and he will be our God, and we will be his people. There'll be no more debt, mourning, crying, or pain, because he has come to make all things new. And as we look at Loti Moon, who was in China during the war that was being fought between the Qing dynasty and the revolutionaries in 1911. Loti Moon, while she was there as a missionary, had helped to establish a hospital in Wangxian. And foreigners, when the battle, when the fighting started, they were told to leave the part of China where the hospital was and go to neutral ground, which left the hospital severely on the staff. Lottie did not listen to advice and she decided to go to the aid of the Chinese staff at the hospital, which meant she was traveling into the war zone. She was the only foreigner going into that direction, as everyone else was fleeing. At 71, Lottie Moon was risking her life to help. When she arrived at the hospital, the Chinese staff that was there started to cry. And for 10 days, Lottie stayed and worked. She treated all casualties, no matter what side of the battle they were fighting on. And emboldened by her courage, the other missionaries came back to assist. When the hospital was fully staffed, Lottie then make plans to return home. By that time, the fighting was taking place on the road where she would have to travel. But she was determined to leave and go back to Ten Chao. And when the local Christians realized that Lottie could not be dissuaded, they sent word ahead to the armies who were fighting that the old woman missionary would be passing that way. And as Lotti traveled through the midst of these two armies, not a single shot was fired until she had passed. The Prince of Peace, Jesus, made peace reign between these two warring armies so that Lotte could travel safely. Jesus brings peace to all those who follow him. Finally, point number five, the internal nature of Christ's kingdom. Of the greatness of his government and peace, there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. As the Prince of Peace, Jesus' reign will know no end. It is from everlasting to everlasting. God promised David that the Messiah would be of his bloodline. Jesus is of the lineage of David. This child of promise Jesus will not only reign on David's throne, but will establish and uphold David's throne and kingdom. There will not only be endless peace but justice, fair treatment for all, regardless of position, power, or wealth, righteousness, protection of those who are weak. This reign will be forever, and only the zeal of God could accomplish this. Despite all attempts to erase the Bible, God's word remains standing strong today as an unending testimony to the greatness of Jesus Christ. The Bible has survived centuries where it had to be copied manually by hand. Critics, ever-changing philosophies and persecution have been a constant throughout the ages. There's been neglect, doubt, and disbelief, but God's word still remains. Josh MacDowell noted that the Bible has been written on paper that is so easily destroyed. He had to be copied and recopied hundreds of years before the printing press was invented. None of these factors affected the style, correctness, or the essence of the Bible. No piece of classical literature has anywhere near as much manuscript evidence as the Bible does. In AD 303, the Emperor of Rome issued a decree that every copy of scriptures in the Roman Empire should be burned. It was a failed decree. Voltaire, the infidel and French skeptic, died in 1778. He stated that in 100 years after his time, the Bible would be a forgotten book and Christianity would cease to exist. It is almost 300 years since Voltaire's death, and none of these false prophecies have come to pass. Count Ludwig Zinzendorf lived from 1700 to 1760. He was of a powerful and noble family in the region Saxony. As a young man, the count heard of the unity of brethren. And these believers could trace their existence back to Jan Hus, who was burnt at the stake as an infidel by the Catholic Church. These believers were at that time undergoing severe persecution where they resided in Moravia. Moravia is not part of the Czech Republic. And Count Lkwig was very well off, and he told them he made his estate in Saxony available to those believers so that they could escape the ongoing persecution in Moravia. And these believers left Moravia, they came over to Saxony, where they were able to settle and practice their religion without fear of hostility and ill treatment from the authorities. In 1732, this band of believers heard of the plight of the slaves on the island, the Caribbean island of St. Thomas, and they sent missionaries off to St. Thomas not only to teach the slaves about Jesus, but also to educate them so that they could read and write. In 1735, these Moravians sent missionaries to America to minister to German immigrants and the Native Americans. What distinguishes these Moravian missionaries is That their work was always among the lowest and most despised society. Additionally, they always ensured that they're not only told about Jesus, but they provided an education. Cult Lodwick died, but the work of the Moravian church continues to today. At the time of his death, the Moravians had sent out 226 missionaries and baptized 3,000 converts. And to today, the church continues to send out missionaries. It expands existing location and it establishes new ones. In the Caribbean, the Moravian work started in the Virgin Islands, St. Salmo, St. Croix, St. John. In the first 50 years of missionary work in these islands, the Moravian Church baptized 8,833 adults and 2,974 children. From there, the Moravian Church went to Antigua, where between 1769 and 1792, the number of converts grew from 14 to 7,400. This is particularly touching to me as my mother was born in Antigua. My grandfather's family still resides there in Potters, Antigua. The Moravians are also in my country, St. Kitts and Nevis. My grandmother used to attend the Moravian church when she could make the walk. In later years, she became a tritic and couldn't make the walk. It is said that Count Ludwig influenced more Christians outside of the Moravian church and inside it. John Wesley visited the community where the Moravians had made their home on Ludwig's estate. He went on to introduce many of the Moravian practices into the Methodist church. In 1792, at a gathering of Baptist pastors in Ketterin, England, William Carey tossed copies of the Moravian magazine periodical accounts onto the table. He annoyedly questions why the Baptists could not do the same where sending missionaries were concerned as the Moravians were doing. William Carey became the first ever Baptist missionary. He is known as the father of modern missions. He went on to spend approximately 40 years in India as a missionary. As a result of Count Ludwig's dedication and vision, many millions, if not billions, have been added to the family of God. God's kingdom will never end. It is not man-made. It is God's power and might that ensures that his word reigns forevermore. The same power is available to all who will trust in his name. In conclusion and reflection, the ones who had suffered and been looked down on, those in the land of Zebulun and Napoli were going to be extremely blessed. The Lord of heaven and earth, Jesus Christ, will come and dwell among them. We don't have to fear that God may not warn us. No matter how wretched our lives may have been, we may rest assured that God has come to shed a broad light in our lives. God is calling on all of us to follow Him in Christian discipleship. Today, if you do not know Jesus as personal Lord and Savior, He's knocking at the door of your heart. Will you please let Jesus in? There is eternal life after this life here on earth. And we have to make a choice where we'll spend eternity, hell or heaven. Hell is real. Jesus spoke more about hell than he did about heaven. There's only one way to heaven, and that is by confessing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and believing in our hearts. If anyone listening wishes to come to know the joy, peace, and love that can be found in Jesus, please feel free to repeat after me. Jesus, please come into my heart and be Lord of my life. Wash me and make me clean. Teach me to live for you. Amen. If you have prayed this prayer, congratulations. You're now officially one of Jesus' believers. Please let others know that you're now a follower of Jesus. Set time aside to read the Bible daily. You can do so online. If you have not habitually read the Bible previously, I recommend that you start with the Gospel of John. Talk to God constantly about everything. He loves to hear from us as we are his children. Please find a Christian church to go to fellowship with other believers so that you can learn how to be a disciple of Jesus. In conclusion, we pray that this podcast has positively impacted all of our lives and has enabled us to become more like Jesus. Please like, follow, and subscribe to Catch on Fire podcasts on the varying platforms that we're featured on. Please join me as I speak words of life. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that we will hold on to God's unchanging hand. We are still in God's holy plan. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that we are living holy lives as God requires. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that we are feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, giving clothes to those in need, ministering to the sick and visiting those in prison. And we are doing so to the least of those among us, as when we do so, we are ministering to Jesus. We declare in decree in the name of Jesus that we have received healing, as by his tribes we are healed. From the crown of our head to the soles of our feet, all of our bodily organs are working correctly. We declare in decree in the name of Jesus that God is ordering our steps, that all weapons that are formed against us have been utterly and completely destroyed, and every tongue that is rising against us in judgment is condemned. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that all generational curse is a cancelled. Anything that runs in our ancestral bloodline that is not of God has no power over us, our children and our grandchildren, and is eliminated forever, right now. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that angels are watching over and keeping our family, our children, our grandchildren, our loved ones safe. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that every negative word that has been and is be spoken over our lives and that of our family, children, grandchildren, and loved ones is cancelled and sent back to the pit from whence it came. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that we are the head and not the tail. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that we are not and will never be ashamed. Our enemies have not and never will triumph over us. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that anything that is not of God that has been dispatched to hinder our blessings, our progress, and our well-being is immediately destroyed. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that we are financially in line with God's word, and as such, we are lenders and not borrowers. As a result, all of our debts have been paid and are forgiven. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that the enemy of our souls has no authority over our finances and our funds, and that we are good stewards of the money that God has placed in our keeping. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus and in the area of business and our carriers that just as Isaac reaped a hundredfold, the blessings of Abraham are falling on us, and we are reaping a hundredfold from whatever we put our hands to. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that we are living under an open heaven. In every area of our lives, blessings are falling on us, our family, and our loved ones. These blessings are being manifested in our lives, in the spiritual and in the physical. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restored my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup run it over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me on the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace.

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Amen.