The title "Everlasting Father" is one of the many profound names attributed to Jesus Christ, found in the prophetic writings of the Old Testament. This title is specifically mentioned in Isaiah 9:6, a verse that is often cited during the Advent season to celebrate the birth and eternal reign of the Messiah. The Berean Standard Bible renders this verse as follows: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Context and Meaning

The title "Everlasting Father" in Isaiah 9:6 is part of a larger messianic prophecy that speaks to the coming of a divine ruler who will establish an eternal kingdom. The use of "Everlasting Father" in this context does not imply that the Son is the same person as God the Father, but rather highlights the eternal and paternal aspects of Christ's nature and reign. In the Hebrew text, the term "Everlasting Father" is "Avi'ad," which can be understood as "Father of Eternity" or "Father Forever." This emphasizes the timeless and perpetual care that Christ provides to His people.

Theological Significance

From a theological perspective, the title "Everlasting Father" underscores the unity and diversity within the Godhead. While distinct in personhood from God the Father, Jesus shares in the divine essence and attributes, including eternality. This title reflects Christ's role in creation and His ongoing sustenance of the universe, as seen in passages like Colossians 1:16-17, which affirm that "all things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."

Furthermore, the paternal aspect of this title speaks to Christ's relationship with His followers. As an "Everlasting Father," Jesus provides guidance, protection, and provision, akin to the role of a father to his children. This is consistent with His own declarations in the New Testament, where He invites believers to come to Him for rest and sustenance (Matthew 11:28-30).

Christ's Eternal Reign

The title also points to the eternal nature of Christ's kingdom. Unlike earthly rulers whose reigns are temporary, Christ's dominion is everlasting. This is affirmed in Daniel 7:14, where it is prophesied that His kingdom will never be destroyed. The "Everlasting Father" thus assures believers of the unending and unshakeable nature of Christ's rule, providing hope and security in a transient world.

Pastoral Implications

For believers, the title "Everlasting Father" offers profound comfort and assurance. It speaks to the intimate and enduring relationship that Christ has with His people. As a father cares for his children, so does Christ care for those who belong to Him. This relationship is marked by love, discipline, and provision, as seen in passages like Hebrews 12:5-11, which describe the Lord's loving discipline as a sign of His fatherly care.

In summary, the title "Everlasting Father" encapsulates the eternal, paternal, and sovereign aspects of Christ's character and mission. It invites believers to trust in His unending care and to find solace in His eternal reign.Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given: and the government shall be on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

More Particularly, in what Respect Christ is Called the Truth.
... He is the Truth in this regard, that he fully answers all the titles and names which
he ... As he was called Christ, so was he anointed with the Spirit without ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xi more particularly in.htm

Christ the Mediator of the Covenant
... There are several names and titles in Scripture ... Christ is the everlasting Father,
Isaiah 9:9, may be urged against the Cerinthian heretics, who denied the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/2 christ the mediator of.htm

That Worthy Name.
... Only Christ can give joy and comfort, peace and rest to ... think of some of the familiar
titles and names of that ... How these titles of our blessed Lord, what He is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/that worthy name.htm

The Kingdom and the King
... seems best to take the two first titles as a ... by virtue of the characteristics expressed
in the foregoing names. The name pierces to the heart of Christ's work. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the kingdom and the king.htm

The Emperor is Exhorted to Display Zeal in the Faith. ...
... to be proper to Christ, Whose various titles prove His ... that comes of generation;
[1699] so that Christ is God ... Now these are not mere names, but signs of power ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter ii the emperor is.htm

The Blood of the Covenant
... Other names may have small significance, but in the titles of Jesus ... Your God, the
everlasting Father, has entered into a solemn compact with Christ on your ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/the blood of the covenant.htm

On Christ.
... He is called by many different names, according to ... Finally, the Apostle Paul says
that "Christ (is) the ... and the Resurrection: for all these titles are derived ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen de principiis/chapter ii on christ.htm

Subject Continued. Third Proof of the Son's Eternity, viz. From ...
... on the other hand, O ye enemies of Christ, is not ... 15, note), they said that such
titles marked, not only ... instance of Godhead only have the names Father and Son ...
/.../chapter vi subject continued third proof.htm

He Then once More Excellently, Appropriately, and Clearly Examines ...
... name been called, both all the other titles which the ... of the Faith: and this is Christ,
the Father of ... all which the divine Scripture figuratively names, with a ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 2 he then once.htm

To Bishop Timotheus.
... the incarnation, He is called also by the titles which are ... With them that are
right-minded some names are plainly ... are properly used of the Lord Christ, for in ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/cxxx to bishop timotheus.htm

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