The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed by Anjela Paje of Spokane, WA, from the tape, GC 1301-Q, titled "Bible Questions and Answers Part 19."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE.  ©1980. All Rights Reserved.

Question

In Discipleship Evangelism, we very frequently use the Isaiah 9:6 verse. How do you deal with a Jewish person when they say, “When did the government rest on His shoulders? When was He called, "Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace?” Because the answer that I give is, well, he took the government on His shoulders when He died on the cross and Prince of Peace when He made peace between God and man. But, they won't settle for that answer. They say that it still has to happen and it is only partially fulfilled.

Answer

They're right. You see, those are Messianic titles. The government isn't on His shoulders. Frankly, at this particular juncture, the prince of this world is Satan. But, He is the one who is due the government and someday, will become the Prince of Peace, and, someday, will exercise the power and authority of mighty God.

That is a Messianic, that is a Millennial, that is a Kingdom, and an eternal promise. Christ, at this juncture, is still known in the world, and particularly to the Jew, in His humiliation--not in His exaltation. But, that is a passage of exaltation. You see, you have the son being born...unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulders. That is talking about His future kingdom and His name shall be called...And, I think, it is at that point in time when the world will affirm who He is and call Him by those titles. And, that is why the Jew has such a difficult time with Christ. And, that's why you're in 1 Corinthians 1, with that whole deal about to the Jew the cross is a stumbling block. How can one who dies on a cross be the mighty God, the Everlasting Father or the Father of Eternity, you know, the Wonderful Counselor, the Prince of Peace, the ruler of the world? Therefore, the cross is a stumbling block to the Jews.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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