The Prophet

The Prophet

Advent

December 2, 1998

Is Raised up by God to speak God’s Word.

            This was done because the people feared death if they God spoke directly to them.

            He speaks only what the Lord has commanded Him.

He Arises, Victorious out of the Ruins of God’s People.

            As a shoot from the stump of Jesse.

            With the Spirit of the Lord resting upon Him.

                        Wisdom and understanding

                        Counsel and might

                        Knowledge and the fear of the Lord

            He judges the matters of the heart, not with sight nor sound, but with Holy Righteousness and uprightness.

            He wages war against the earth and the wicked

                        With the rod of His mouth

                        With the breath of His lips

            Righteousness and Faithfulness Keep Him strong

            So that no harm comes to those who dwell in His holy mountain.

            So the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord.

            So the nations have a banner under which to stand

He Preaches Good News to the Poor as Jehovah’s Anointed One,

To Bind up the Broken Hearted,

to Proclaim Liberty to the Captives,

to Open Prison to those who are Bound,

to Preach the Acceptable Year of the Lord’s Vengeance,

to Comfort all who Mourn,

to Appoint Those who Mourn in Zion,

to Give Beauty for ashes,

the oil of joy for mourning,

the mantle of praise for the spirit of heaviness;

so that they may be a righteous planting of the Lord, to His Glory.

He Invites Many to the Eternal Banquet Feast.

            But they all alike find personal excuses not to come.

            Thus raising the anger of the Master.

            Who gives the feast over to those least deserving who hunger and thirst for it.

Jesus is The Prophet.

            After feeding five thousand with five small barley loaves and two small fish, people surmise that he is the promised prophet.

            But even though they know who He is, they have not seen, or heard Him properly.

            And they put Him to death because He did not conform to their standards or desires.

Nevertheless, the Words of the Prophets are sure.

            They are the Word of God.

            We can hear it and understand it.

                        Through it our sins are wiped out.

                        Through it we can know God’s plan for us.

                        Through it we become empowered to turn to God in true repentance.

And having heard Him we are assured that we will not be cut off from God and His people.

            For we have become the planting of God.

            We have become sons of THE PROPHET, Jesus Christ.