Here in this world we hear of many so-called preachers telling people that they've been saved by the grace of God. Well the first verse of our reading says, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." Then, not just in this country, but all nations of the world, we hear of out of body experiences, reincarnation, just to name a couple of mis-lead comforts Satan affords to deceive the very world previously mentioned. I am telling all that see this that that sounds more like a cunningly devised fable than anything found scriptural. In the Hebrew letter, apostle Paul records, "It is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment," (Heb. 9:27).
    During the holiday seasons, maybe when we are around a bereaved family and many other occasions it is our customary human failure that tends to want to soften the gospel truths, to sweeten up to those who don't know God in the free pardon of sin, the very fact that hell is awaiting them, that there is nothing with-in any human that deserves the true joys that God affords his children, that salvation is a personal experience between the person and God, and that when finished with this walk of life, that the opportunity to be saved by the grace of God are gone, and that the bright spot God allowed the prophet Isaiah to see in our text is the only reason I have had such a personal experience, as well as a time and a place where God Almighty himself, through the true Spirit of conviction, saved my soul! Ephesians 2: 8-9, 8. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9. Not of works, lest any man should boast."
    Thus, Paul goes on to write, "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation." (Heb. 9:28)
    Since the day God saved my soul I have known God, I have known Jesus Christ, I am able to discern God's will in my life, but, there is a mystery that follows me through this life: a mystery I have never sought an answer, but only want to thank, and praise him for! And I long to be gathered around the throne of grace, to see through the eyes of reality, Jesus Christ, the one who opened my spiritual eyes, to let me see that I was a sinner and one who deserves to be "cast into a furnace of fire:" where "there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth," (Matt. 13:42).
    The great mystery I mean here is the mystery of God's love toward this evil and adulterous generation. This love: perfectly rich in truth, with a secure hope as I journey with in this light walking through the valley of the shadow of death toward a blissful eternity. (Reading): 2. "Hereby know ye the Spirit of God. Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3. And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of an-ti-christ, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world."
    I can see that the prophet Isaiah, when he scribed the words of my text, was given, by God, a vision similar, concerning the subject of my conviction through this study. There he stood, beholding great clouds of darkness, yet far away he saw a spot of secured hope, prosperity and blessed peace, for said he, "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the valley of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined." (Is. 9:2). And as he looked and beheld clouds of darkness for many a league, as well as the battle of the warrior with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood, God allowed Isaiah the blessing of knowing this great mystery of Godliness toward this wicked world for which we must carry on for but a short season, for thus he penned; "For unto us a chid is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Is. 9:6
    The prophet here is speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ. Gather with me for a few minutes, around the throne of Him who is called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace, and you will discover that no human alive today could ever dive to the depths or climb high enough to uncover a love such as this.
    Jesus is the child born in reference to his human nature. An infant needing to be nursed by the virgins breast, yet, Jesus Christ is a son given in reference to his divine calling. An infant, cradled in his mother's arms, yet infinitely co-equal – co-eternal with his father, God Almighty!
    Scientists, through the ages of time have sought to reveal the mysteries of the stars, moon and sun. Scientists have even traveled and walked on the moon; yet, isn't it obvious, those well educated people have never been able to discern how God hung the miracles we have been blessed with. Still, there is one mystery more wonderful than this, and that is the incarnation of Jesus Christ! That he obeyed the Father's will, and that was to become lower than the angles; that he did come unto his own, and his own received him not; that he was clothed in the purple robe, bowed to by impious men who called him the pretended king of the Jews; that he allowed them to spit upon him; that they smote his face, thrashed him with whips, gird his temples with the crown of thorns; that he allowed himself the shame of being stripped naked; finally, then, after having allowed men to pierce his hands and feet to the cross, cried to God, "Forgive them for they know not what they do."
    I don't believe there is a human alive today that can figure out the mystery of such a wonderful love; that this Son given is this child born. All we can do is thank him, praise him, because without this suffering we would have no way to escape a place called Hell, nor to be yoked together through the Spirit of salvation.
    Reading: 4. "Ye are of God, children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."
    And, we can discern any brightness in our own hearts from no other than the one who is called, Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace – Jesus Christ.

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