PROPHETIC FULFILLMENT Part II

biblical literature | Definition, Types, Significance, Survey, & Development | Britannica

THE POPULAR ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIBLE PROPHECY

PROPHETIC FULFILLMENT

Prophetic fulfillment is the concept that biblical prophecies, particularly those in the Old Testament, were completed, with many finding their ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament, especially the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. These fulfillments are seen as proof of God’s sovereignty and faithfulness. Online Bible dictionaries and resources define this as God completing what has been foretold, noting that some prophecies are fulfilled through words or events, while others await future completion in eschatological events. 

Key aspects of prophetic fulfillment

  • Old Testament to New Testament: Many Old Testament prophecies are shown in the New Testament to have been fulfilled by Jesus. For example, the prophecy of Immanuel is cited as fulfilled in Matthew 1:22-23. Jesus himself referenced fulfilled prophecies, and his followers did so to show he was the Messiah, cite: bakerheights.org.

  • Demonstration of God’s faithfulness: The fulfillment of prophecies is considered a testament to God’s faithfulness and the divine nature of the Bible.

  • Multiple layers of meaning: Some prophecies may have both historical and spiritual fulfillments, sometimes occurring in a combination of both words and deeds, according to discussions on The Puritan Board.

  • Eschatological prophecies: Some prophecies, such as those concerning the end times in books like Daniel and Revelation, are considered to be future-oriented and are still awaiting their fulfillment.

  • Fulfillment as a theme in specific books: The Gospel of Matthew, in particular, is noted for its emphasis on prophetic fulfillment, citing examples like the virgin birth and prophecies about John the Baptist.

  • Predictive nature: Prophetic statements are often seen not as random predictions, but as promises from God tied to His will, based on actions such as obedience or disobedience, says a YouTube video from Discover the Bible. 

BIBLE DICTIONARY ONLINE PROPHETIC FULFILLMENT:

Prophetic fulfillment” in the Bible refers to the accomplishment or execution of what has been foretold or promised by God through His prophets. It is considered powerful evidence of the divine origin of the Scriptures and God’s sovereignty over history. 

Definition of Prophecy and Fulfillment

  • Prophecy: A declaration of God’s will and purpose, often concerning future events, delivered through a human spokesperson. It includes both “fore-telling” (predicting the future) and “forth-telling” (setting God’s truth against human denial).

  • Fulfillment: The execution or realization of the prophesied event or promise. A true prophecy from God must be given in advance and the prophet must not be able to manipulate the outcome. 

Types of Prophetic Fulfillment

Bible scholars identify several types of prophetic fulfillment, including literal fulfillment where events happen exactly as predicted, such as the Messiah’s birth in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) fulfilled by Jesus’ birth. Typological fulfillment involves Old Testament events or people foreshadowing New Testament realities, like the Passover lamb prefiguring Christ. Some prophecies have a double or multiple fulfillment, with both an immediate and a future realization, like Isaiah 7:14 regarding a virgin bearing a son. Spiritual fulfillment is also recognized, where Old Testament physical promises have a spiritual counterpart in the New Testament, such as the New Covenant in Jeremiah 31 being fulfilled by the Holy Spirit.