How can Jesus’ birth be a fulfillment of the eighth century B. C. prophecy if He was named Jesus and not Immanuel? The gender checks out. Even being born of a virgin checks out. But does not the prophecy fail because of the wrong name? In this case, we see more than a straight line prophecy. The angel is telling us something more about the identity of this Son born to Mary. 

This Advent series explores the identity of the One whose birth we celebrate at Christmas, using the description found in the Apostles’ Creed.

“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” (Matt. 1:21–23, NKJV) 

Prophetic fulfillment spoke to the legitimacy of something. It said God was in it and His word was coming true, as foretold.

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