For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Isaiah 9:6-7

As I thought about what to share with you this Christmas, I remembered this familiar passage in Isaiah which is frequently used to remind us of the real reason we celebrate this season.  In the short history of Patriot’s Hope, in fact, I have already used the passage two years ago to wish you a Merry Christmas in 2021!  This year, however, my brain really focused on the light these verses shed on what government will look like when Jesus directly reigns over His people for eternity.  What a remarkable contrast it will be from any earthly government mankind has ever experienced!

Living under the king of kings

Can you imagine living under the direct reign of The King of Kings?  He will have absolute authority over all, but at the same time will reign in complete righteousness.  There will be no fear of Him ever being turned to wickedness.  He will have no selfish or evil agenda.  He will never lose sight of what is right.  He will never cave in or sell out to the wrong side.  He will be 100% good and righteous all the time.  As we read in verse 7 of this passage, His government will be established “with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.”  Indeed, His government will be like none other in human history.      

In verse 7, it says, “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end…”  That part of the passage really struck my attention this year, and I especially noticed two things about Jesus’ government which show clearly how it will be a night and day difference from the one(s) to which we are all so accustomed.  First, it is coupled with “peace”, and secondly, it is constantly increasing.  Let’s quickly think about those two characteristics.

Government and Peace

Peace is an interesting thing to be coupled with government…  In my experience with human government, I do not tend to put it in the same thought with “Peace”.  Even if it feels like things are going well, there is always a looming possibility of a quick change in the wrong direction.  I can’t imagine a world where I link together “government” with “peace”, and that a movement or change in one would equate to a similar corresponding change in the other.  Wow, I look forward to the day when that would be true! 

Increasing Government

Another thing I noticed about this passage, is that Jesus’ government is always increasing.  I am usually advocating AGAINST an ever-increasing government.  However, we are told here that when we are under the direct reign of the Lord Jesus Christ, His government will be ever growing, ever increasing, which are good things!  (and again – this is linked with peace, so His “government and peace” are both increasing!) 

When considering human rulers, we want small government, or at least government limited to a short, specific list of functions, because the people who hold those positions of power are stained with sin.  If you have attended any of our classes, you likely know I am a consistent voice in favor of government limited to the “Enumerated Powers”, or those functions specifically authorized in the Constitution.  When we are under the direct reign of the King of Kings, He has no sin, and we will not need Him to be limited – and indeed, He will not be!      

Remember also that when we think of Jesus reigning over us forever, this goodness and righteousness in government is not contingent upon any election!  Praise the Lord that His position will never be on any ballot!  We are so accustomed to our political battles here in this life, but in that one, we will fear no election, no presidential appointee, no piece of legislation, no judicial precedent, or anything else.  We will go through eternity knowing nothing can dethrone our King.  None of the things we fight over now on Earth will make any difference in His kingdom!  Verse 6 tells us the government will be on His shoulder – what a wonderful place for government to be!

Wonderful Counselor

In that time, we will be ruled by the one called “Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace”.  We take great comfort and hope now in the fact we have a wonderful Constitution that sets up a limited government to protect us from its overreach- I firmly believe it is by far the best Constitution in the world, and the government it created is the best the world has ever known.  Can you imagine, however, when we need no Constitution?  That thought blows my mind.  He will rule us in righteousness and there is none anywhere that can stand against Him.  I am so looking forward to that! 

So, this Christmas, as we consider the child that is born, the son that is given to us, may we never forget He is the King of Kings who will reign in complete righteousness forever.  His government and peace will forever increase.  What a remarkable gift we have been given in Him!  From our family here at Patriot’s Hope, to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas. May we remember that the Lord Jesus Christ, who will also live and reign forever – He is the real and only hope for patriots, or anyone else for that matter. 

Merry Christmas y’all! 

Team Southerland