mm the editor’s desk T he glorious .prophecy concerning our Lord which is found in Isaiah 9:6 reads, in part, “ For unto us a child is bom, unto us a son is given . . . and his name shall be called Wonderful . . .” Isaiah uttered this 700 years before the birth of Christ actually took place. And yet, when the clock of time struck the zero hour, the Saviour was bom and the manner of His birth corresponded exactly with this marvelous prophecy. It is significant to note that a child was bom when Jesus Christ came to the earth. But the only begotten Son of God was given. It at once speaks of the human and the divine natures combined in one person, the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. No wonder that His name was called Wonderful. He was wonderful in His birth. Who can explain the in effable mystery of the interweaving of deity and humanity in the person of this little babe lying in a manger? Men of God have spent the lan guage in an effort to explain the birth of Jesus Christ. Destructive critics have said that because it never happened before and because it never- happened since, therefore it never did happen. The late Dr. Howard A. Kelly of Johns Hopkins Hospital and Medical College has said, in effect, that if the virgin birth had ever occurred again it would take away all the significance of the virgin birth of Christ. The virgin birth is unique because the Lord Jesus Christ is unique. He was indeed wonderful in His birth. We must use this word wonderful in its absolute sense. He was won derful also in His life. He went about doing nothing but good. At the end of 33 years, foe and friend alike could find no trace of any fault in Him. He presented to the world the only perfect life; a life so perfect that the intervening centuries of time have only served to make it shine the brighter. He was wonderful also in His death. No man ever died as this One. He tasted death not for Himself, but for the world. The sin which is in the evil heart of man was put upon Him in order that the righteousness which is in Him be put upon those who believe. He tasted death that, through faith in Him, we might never know death. He was buried, but all of the power of the Roman government could not hold Him. But He came forth victorious over death and the grave, and because He lives, we too shall live. He was wonderful also in His resurrection. No man ever arose from the dead in the manner such as did the Lord Jesus Christ. Human beings were brought back to life by His power, but from all indications, they died again. His resurrection is unique in that He arose nevermore to die. After He arose from the dead, He ascended on high and took them which had formerly been held captive by death into the glorious captivity of Himself. He is wonderful, furthermore, in His life after death, for He is seated, now, at the right hand of the throne of God, and making intercession as the great High Priest of all who have put their faith and trust in Him. And He is wonderful, too, in His com ing again. The Lord Jesus Christ is coming; just as surely as the sun arose this morning, so will the Lord Jesus Christ come again. He prom ised so to come, “ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3). The men who stood by the apostles as they watched the Lord ascend, also said, “ Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Won derful, indeed, is this One whose birthday we celebrate each year on December 25. May the living presence of the Lord of glory fill the hearts and lives of all who name the name of Jesus Christ at this glad season of the year. In that way it will be a “merry” Christmas to all.
CHRISTMAS LJ -thanks to you! *This month Christmas will be celebrated for the first time by Hebrew Christians in Louisville, Kentucky; London, Eng land; San Francisco; Frankfort; Jerusa lem — and many other cities throughout the world. During the last year these Jews have found Christ as their Saviour- Messiah through the gospel efforts of missionaries of The American Association for Jewish Evangelism. Your prayerful support o f this w orldw ide Christian ministry to Jews will mean that many Rev. A. B. Machlin, Field Secretary THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR JEWISH EVANGELISM, Inc. Winona Lake, Indiana Let Symbols Help You Understand— A BRUISED REED By Dr. Thomas A. Lambie The strange word pictures of Cloth Scripture will become more mean»- binding ingful— and your Christian experi- $2-50 ence richer—as ' you read this series of delightful essays. "A Bruised Reed/' "Grass Upon the House tops," "On Eagles' Wings"— these and many other symbolic phrases are interpreted by the author from his own experiences and observa tions as a missionary doctor in Africa and the Middle East. A thrilling book to give or receive. Bookstores: Feature A BRUISED REED for Christmas giving. Order now for the holidays. Order from: Dept. K fs f l ioizeaux Brothers, Inc. 19 WEST 21st STREET, NEW YORK 10. N. Y. more Jews will be rejoicing in the birth o f Christ by Christmas 1954. Help us win them for Him! Send for a free booklet describing our **>ork. W rite to Dept. K
Your e d i t o r s have a Christmas G i f t f o r you . See page 7
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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