When I type the word “Zeal” into a Google search, the definition that comes back is as follows: Noun. “Great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.”
I think it’s important to establish the meaning because God specifically used this word when talking about Himself in Isaiah 9:6-7.
It reads as follows in the New King James Version –
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
The angel speaking to the shepherds the night Jesus was born said “I bring you Good tidings of great joy”. (Luke 2:10-14). Think on this for a minute. An emissary of Heaven is speaking words into the atmosphere of Earth. Good tidings of great joy. We who are under grace may not fully recognize the significance of these words. God Himself was making it known that if you fully understand this message, it will give you GREAT JOY. Then something else happened. Suddenly that angel wasn’t alone.
“There was with the Angel A Multitude of Heavenly Host praising God & saying “Glory to God in the highest, And on Earth Peace, Good will toward Men”.
Think about what they are saying!
An Angel told Joseph “You shall call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins” (Matt 1:21).
Think about what he was saying!
This is Heaven’s perspective.
When I read the Old Testament, I can hear God’s heart behind the ordinances. His heart longed for the closeness with His man that He had established in the beginning but had been corrupted by sin.
When Jesus was born, Heaven was saying Finally!
Just like the younger generation loses perspective of the wartime sacrifices of their elders, and do not comprehend the reasons for the fight; so sometimes we who are under grace don’t have a clear understanding of how good we have it or the reasons why we need grace and the cost paid so that we could have it. Heaven’s perspective of Christmas is the most important perspective of Christmas.
This event heaps upon God, glory in the highest.
On Earth, Peace – Finally! The curse has a cure.
The way has been made for life to flow to man from God again.
The gap has been closed.
Men can now see, experience, know and enjoy the good will from Heaven. It has been there all along but had no sufficient access to be able to flow.
It flowed a little in the Old Testament. Now it flows in it’s Fullness – In Christ!
Christmas represents the long enduring passion of God. His Love charged heart to have fellowship with us. His heart’s desire to be able to close the gap that separated us…So that we can have Life…Finally!
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
The Zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this! To understand God’s heart for you is to understand Heaven’s perspective concerning Christmas!
Joy to the world!
