Messianic Prophecies from Isaiah

There is a special place in my heart for the prophet Isaiah. His book is packed with prophetic words that point us to truth. In difficult times of my life, I have found great encouragement in the chapters of this book and have declared them as mine during the seasons where they were most appropriate. In this season of advent, let us look at the revelation Isaiah had on the coming of our Messiah.
 
The meaning of Isaiah's name (Yahweh is salvation) points to God's assignment for him. To accomplish his God-given assignment, God placed multiple gifts in him. He was a prophetic seer, an intercessor for God's people, and a teacher. In addition, he was married to a prophetess. Even the names of his two sons spoke of the messages he was to carry to God's people. (She'ar-Ya'shuv = "A remnant will return." Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz" = "Quickly - to the plunder!” or "Hurry - to the loot!") John Wesley called Isaiah "The Prince of all the prophets."
 
To prepare and commission Isaiah for his call, God brought him into a supernatural encounter:  "I clearly saw the Lord, He was seated on His exalted throne, towering above me..." (Isaiah 6:1 - TPT) A burning coal from the altar was brought to Isaiah, and one of the angels touched his lips with it so that his sin was "blotted out." He heard the Lord asking, "Whom should I send to my people? Who will go to represent us?" Isaiah responded:  "I will be the one, Send me." (Isaiah 6:8 - TPT) His commissioning was completed; His ministry began!
 
I must share with you my amazement about the nature of some of Isaiah's prophecies spoken about the Messiah. Take, for example, Isaiah 7:14. "The Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold--the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will name him God Among Us. (Immanuel)" (TPT) Do you understand the gravity of this prophecy? It told the people of Zion that their Messiah would come through a means that is impossible!
 
Isaiah gave the details of Messiah's characteristics in Chapter 9:6-7. "A child has been born for us; a son has been given to us. The responsibility of complete dominion will rest on His shoulders, and His name will be:  The Wonderful One! The Extraordinary Strategist! The Mighty God! The Father of Eternity! The Prince of Peace! Great and vast is His dominion. He will bring immeasurable peace and prosperity. He will rule on David's throne and over David's kingdom to establish and uphold it by promoting justice and righteousness from this time forward and forevermore. The marvelous passion that the Lord Yahweh, Commander of Angel Armies, has for His people will ensure that it is finished!" (TPT)
 
The prophecy that comes from Isaiah 11 gives us great hope for the future. "A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse:  From his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him—The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord...In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to Him, and His resting place will be glorious." (Verses 1-2, 10) This is the season of hope and the season to remember that the light of Christ shines in the darkness. All these verses from Isaiah declare the magnificence of the Lord and confirm that He will prevail!