Bethlehem – Part 2 Prophecy

The prophecy of Christ being born in Bethlehem is mentioned in Matthew.

Herod the king gathered all the chief priests and scribes together and demanded of them where Christ should be born. (Matthew 2:3-4).

"And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

“And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel." - Matthew 2:5-6 KJV

Isaiah also prophesied:

"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, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this." - Isaiah 9:6-7 KJV

Jesus – the Wonderful Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace – came to bring His government, the kingdom of God. He brought it with judgment and with justice when He took the judgment and justice for our sins upon Himself so that we could enter His kingdom.

Jesus explained that to enter into His kingdom there is a spiritual birth, for His kingdom is a spiritual kingdom.

"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." - John 3:5 KJV

He gave Peter the keys to the kingdom which Peter revealed on the day of Pentecost, when God’s Spirit was first poured out. (Matthew 16:19, Acts 2).

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38 KJV

The government “upon his shoulder” is as a yoke. (Gesenius').

Jesus said,

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." - Matthew 11:29-30 KJV

We take His yoke upon us when we covenant with Jesus by repentance and water baptism. We find His rest when we receive His Spirit, the Holy Ghost.

Jesus is our Governor - Wonderful Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.