As with the previous chapter, you may not want to read the presentation of all nineteen prophecies at this time. By reading the first few of these, you will get a feel for the relationship between prophecy and fulfillment. The rest can be revisited at a later time if you choose (36:1)

I think you will agree, that it is evident from the very first prophecy examined, how difficult a task it would have been to recognize the Christ through scripture (36:2)

1. The VIRGIN BIRTH and IMMANUEL-
Verse from Old Testament:-
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 (36:3)

Predictions:-
This verse clearly states that "the Lord himself" will give a sign: A virgin will bear a son and will call Him "Immanuel". The fact that "the Lord himself" would be the one giving the sign would certainly seem to indicate that there would be no doubt as to its impact. For, of anyone who could give a sign, certainly the Maker of the heavens has power to make great signs. Who but the Lord could cause such a thing to happen? (36:4)

For a virgin to have a child is certainly miraculous, and one acquainted with this verse might think that when the birth occurred - whenever that might be (for there was no time given) - it would be the cause of wonder and excitement in the community, possibly in all of Israel. Such a strange and wonderful thing would surely cause people to contemplate God and His power (36:5)

And this child would have its life, in large part no doubt, determined by this birth - growing up as the child born of a virgin - the child from God, the divine child. We can imagine what his childhood would bring, how he would be loved by all, and would become the hope of His people. And what a joy for the mother to bear such a child (36:6)

Isaiah's words also clearly state that this child would be called "Immanuel" (36:7)

From this verse, it seems clear, at sometime in the future, that a child called Immanuel would be born of a virgin. It also seems, when this miraculous event was to occur, that the people would immediately recall these words of Isaiah. The words would not be forgotten, for not only was his birth to be miraculous, but the name of the child embodied a wonderful promise: for "Immanuel" means "God with us" (36:8)

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