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Volume 33   Number 01 Jan 4, 2009

        Isaiah 9:2: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light (truth breaks forth); those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined. We are living in a time of darkness, and the shadow of death is all around us. Man loves darkness more than light. Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
        In the midst of the darkness, Isaiah the prophet declares in Isaiah 9:6-7: For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given (John 3:16); and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government (His Kingdom) and peace there will be no end (the Kingdom of God is in righteousness, peace, and joy—Romans 14:17), upon the throne of David (the place of authority and relationship as well as the heart of the Kingdom of God is in Zion, the city of David) and over His kingdom, to (1) order it (to prepare it) and (2) establish it with judgment and justice (righteousness) from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. He who is the Lord Himself will do this.
        A Child is born. The birth of this Child would change everything, and this Child would change the calendar itself. He would split times and seasons. However, this Child would show us that there is a preparation for the purpose. Even as their was preparation for the Child and a way for the purpose, there is a process required in all our lives.
        Luke 2:21, 25-31: And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.....And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought the Child Jesus to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples."
        This was a faith declaration. It is important to realize that Simeon was waiting in faith to see what God has said, and he was standing in faith that he would not see death until he saw God's word fulfilled. It is also important to notice that three times it mentions the presence of the Holy Spirit:
        (1) The Holy Spirit was upon him.
        (2) The truth had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit.
        (3) He came by the leading and power of the Holy Spirit to the temple at the right time.
        After all that took place, Simeon declared: "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word..." Remember that Mary said: "Be it unto me according to your word." Here Simeon speaks forth the same word—"according to Your Word." He waited in faith based upon the word of God that he would not die until he saw what God said he would see.
        Luke 2:32-35: (Simeon prophesies) "A light to bring revelation (and truth) to the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel." Remember, we are the Gentiles. Simeon prophesied the salvation of the Gentiles and declared that a light which would be truth would break forth.
        And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." In years to come, Mary would see the king killing young children in order to kill her child, and she would see Jesus dying on the cross for our sins. All of this would have affected any mother; however, she knew that she had a special Child with a divine purpose.
        The story continues in Luke 2:36-40: Now there was one, Anna (name means favor or grace), a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel (name means vision of God or the face or appearance of God), of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eight-four years (making her between 105-110 years old), who did not depart from the temple but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
        So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own city, Nazareth. And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.
        Three things you should desire of the Lord is: (1) be STRONG IN SPIRIT, (2) be FILLED WITH WISDOM, and (3) have the GRACE OF GOD upon you.
        2 Corinthians 4:6: For it is God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness who has shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Light, truth, revelation, and glory has shined and is shining in our hearts. As a result, truth breaks forth through the darkness.
        Malachi 4:2: "But to you who fear My name the Sun of righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings.
        Not only is Jesus the light and truth breaking forth in darkness, but you are light and truth, and you are breaking forth in darkness. We are the children of the day and not children of the night. We are called to arise and shine, for our light has come and the glory of the Lord is shining in and through us. Even while the darkness is getting darker, you are shining brighter.
        Isaiah 60:1-5: Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light and kings to the brightness of your rising.