"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, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end." (Isaiah 9:6-7)

There will come a time when the Creator's work of salvation will be complete, and we will fully realize the eternal life we now possess. Make no mistake! He has already assured the outcome of this work, but one day sin and its effects will be totally removed (Revelation 21:4-5), and the curse will be repealed (Revelation 22:3), for: "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. . . . Death is swallowed up in victory" (1 Corinthians 15:26, 54). He says, "Unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings" (Malachi 4:2).

The fact that He was born into the human race qualified Him as a sacrifice for us. He had to be a sinless human to die for humans. His death freed us from paying sin's awful penalty ourselves, for He has paid it! But He also rose in triumph over sin and death, assuring us that we who have accepted His free gift of forgiveness and eternal life through the second birth (John 3:3, etc.) will also rise again just as He, the "firstfruits," did (1 Corinthians 15:20).

Until that day arrives, we have glorious peace, for the Prince of Peace "made peace through the blood of his cross" (Colossians 1:20). "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you" (John 14:27). JDM

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings, Ris'n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die;
Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"