The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1953-12-19
By RALPH ROGERS

! -
less World Isaiah 2:7-4; ga, 81;
Luke 2:e.l4
Prophecy, In Old Testament
times, was taken most seriously.
That is not so in modern times.
Isaiah was one of the most res
lpected prophets and he has been
quoted repeatedly in the New
Testament. He had an uncanny in
sight into the future. God had en-
dowed him with talent which en-
abled him to- fortell the coming Of
a Messiah. He furnished a splen-
did background for the Christmas
story.
About TAO B. c. Isaiah began to
prophecy and for forty years warn
ed the chosen people of an epochal
event. Apparently this prophet was
of high birth, of great influence at
court, perhaps OF royal birth, and
the most Messianic of all the pro-
lphets. This prophet loved and ms
lpired the common man and gave
the nation the hope that some day
the Messiah would come. Jesus full
filled this prophecy.
The Christmas story taken from
the New Testament is found in the
book of Luke. Mary and Joseph
have travelled far and are tired.
1t was a most drying journey for
an expeetant mother and then the
young couple had difficulty finding
a place for lodging. A stable was
THE best available and Jesus was
born in a manger. Luke tells oil
the angels appearing to the startled
shepherds and one can hear the
heavenly music as they announce
1.-THE birth of one destined to bring
peace and good win to this evil
world. II is good news and like the
shepherds millions of people will
hear once more this Christmas
time the story of the Christ child.
| A preacher was once preaching
on the text, "They shall beat their
swords into plowshares" lisa. 2:4)
when a youngster asked following
the sermon, "you don't honestly
believe that do your" Isaiah be-
lieved it with all his soul. He
may have been dreamer and q
mystic, but he believed it sincere
lily - that God would send a De.
Iliverer who would bring peace and
good viii to earth. 1t was more
than q dream, Il was conviction.
II was so real to him that he was
willing TO court TIE ill-will Of those
In highest authority about him and
like all messengers Of the truth,
was maligned and prosecuted as
he proclaimed the inevitable end
of transgressors.
While Isaiah prophecied peace at
coming Of the Messiah, this gen.
Grafton should not be misled. Isai-
ali did something about his convic.
tons. The individual or the nation
which sits about dreaming of peace
and doing nothing about il, win no
doubt be faced with conflicts and
war. Isaiah had been face to face
with God and knew what he was
talking about. The nations today
must know God before there can
be peace. Every Christian who be
|lieves in this prophecy and the
mission of the Savior, can do some
thing about it. They first them
selves must be at peace with God
and men.
Turning to the 9th Chapter of Is
aiah we find more definite pro-
Iclamation of the coming of the
Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty
God, Everlasting Father, Prince of
Peace" There has been no better
description Of the Messiah. No
words were sufficient to describe
this Prince of Peace who would
one day walk among men spread
ing light of hope and truth in this
|darkened world. People would see
49,
Him a great hope and would rise
up and follow this wonderful gleam
Of truth and love. It Is more than
the people of that day could expect
as they grovelled in the mire and