PROPHECY FULFILLED IN THE LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST

by James D. Bales

( reprinted with permission from: Spirtual Sword, 1970, Vol 1(3):19-23 ) 

Although the Old Testament dealt with its own times, it also looked to the future. It announced that it was incomplete and would give way to that which was complete. It was the stage of the promise, while Christ and His Covenant constitute the time of fulfillment. It foreshadowed and prophesied the reign of Jesus which was to take the place of the Old Covenant which was found in the law and the prophets. Therefore, Jesus said: "Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished." (Matt. 5:17-18). 

It will be observed that the contrast is not between destructionand perpetuation but between destruction and fulfillment. To have perpetuated the promises would have been tantamount to destroying them. A promise which is never fulfilled is a promise which is destroyed. When a promise has been fulfilled, it has not been perpetuated; instead, it has accomplished its design and one passes from the stage of promise to the stage of fulfillment. To fail to fulfill a prophecy is to render it null and void. Christ did not come to render the law and the prophets null and void but to accomplish that to which they pointed. Christ's fulfillment of the law and the prophets constitutes strong evidence of their inspiration and of His own. The predictions were not based on trends nor were they the result of lucky guesses. Instead, long before Christ came, His life and work were outlined by the prophets.

The Promise 

In an ancient book, one of the promises made to Abraham was that "in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed." (Gen. 22:18). "Seed" sometimes refers to a collective posterity, and sometimes to one descendant. The New Testament affirms that one seed, Christ, was the subject of the promise. "Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ." (Gal. 3:16). The unbeliever will likely not accept this affirmation in the New Testament, for he does not yet accept its inspiration. However, he may come to accept it if he meditates sufficiently on this question: What descendant of Abraham has been, and is continuing to be, a blessing to peoples of various ages, nations, and races? No descendant of Abraham has had the impact on the world which Christ has had, and is having.

Prophet Like Unto Moses 

Moses was unique among the prophets of Israel. Although Joshua, who succeeded Moses in point of time, was a great man, he was not like unto Moses. (Deut. 34:10-12). The Old Testament prophets always called on the people to hearken to the law which God has given through Moses. (Malachi 4:4). However, Moses knew that he would be superseded. This prophet would be: 

1. Like unto Moses.
2. An Israelite.
3. He would not speak with the fire and awesome  demonstrations which took place on the Mount in  connection with the giving of the law through Moses.
4. He was to speak God's word.
5. He was to be the one to whom they were to hearken.
6. If the people did not hearken unto this prophet, God  would require it of them. (Deut. 18:15-19). When Moses  said that the people were to hearken to this prophet, he  indicated that this prophet would be authoritative. 

Jesus Christ was an Israelite, He did not speak with the fire and awesome demonstrations with which Moses gave the law, and, if any word can be said to be from God we must admit that this word is found on the lips of Jesus of Nazareth. 

What was unique about Moses, which distinguished him from the prophets who succeeded him? 

1. The closeness of the relationship between Moses and God.
2. The large number of miracles associated with the ministry  of Moses. (Deut. 34:10-12).
3. Moses was the great deliverer.
4. He was the great lawgiver; giving the Old Covenant.
5. He was the mediator between the people and God. 

The New Testament affirms that Christ is the prophet like unto Moses. (Acts 3:22-23). 

1. As God's Son, His relationship to God was even closer  than was Moses'.
2. A multitude of miracles accompanied the deliverance of  His message, and the establishment of His covenant. (Heb.  2:3-4).
3. He delivers men from bondage to sin, and His principles  as they work in the hearts of men also bring other types  of freedom.
4. His Covenant takes the place of the Old Covenant.
5. He is the mediator of the New Covenant. 

We are faced with two additional facts which are involved in this prophecy, and these facts must be admitted by unbelievers. First, Moses has been superseded. Not only has Moses' covenant ceased, and no one can obey it today, but Moses has been eclipsed by Jesus Christ. Second, God has required it of Israel for her refusal to obey Jesus Christ. Israel was cut off from covenant relationship as is proved by the fact that for almost two thousand years she has been unable to keep the Mosaic covenant. Furthermore, within a few years after her rejection of Christ, she was cast out of the land. 

Israel went into periods of captivity in Old Testament times because of her idolatry and other sins. But these were temporary. However, shortly after her rejection of Christ she was cast out of the land, and even unto this day it is impossible for Israel to obey the law of Moses. In fact, she could not do it even if she built again the temple in Jerusalem, because the priestly line has been broken and Israel, not having obeyed the covenant for centuries, could not unilaterally go back into the covenant. 

Moses said that if Israel disobeyed God, she would suffer dire consequences. There were times of disobedience before Israel rejected Jesus, but the full measure of God's wrath was not poured out upon Israel because she repented. However, the full measure of God's wrath which Moses prophesied in Deut. 28 has been poured out on Israel. As Moses foresaw, Israel was cast out of the land after terrible suffering, some were taken back into Egypt in ships, so many were sold as slaves that the market was glutted, she was greatly reduced in number, scattered throughout the nations of the earth, yet not utterly destroyed, she has not found lasting peace and rest, and she has become a hiss, a by-word, a proverb, a sign, and a wonder. Israel ought to ask herself: What great sin, persisted in, has led to consequences more terrible, and more lasting, than the sins which led to captivity in Old Testament times?

A Heavenly King 

David prophesied in Psalm 110:1-4 the reign of Jesus Christ in heaven at the right hand of God. Consider the different truths foretold in this psalm. 

1. This one, whom David in prophecy acknowledged as his  Lord, was to reign from heaven at God's right hand. The  King was to be invisible, insofar as earth is concerned,  during His reign. Christ does have a people, a kingdom on  earth today, but He is not visible, for He reigns from  heaven. 
2. The rule of Christ was not to begin with the overthrow of  all of His enemies, but was to continue until they were  all conquered. Christ's rule on Pentecost began in the  midst of His enemies, and it continues today. It will  continue until the last enemy, death, is conquered. (I  Cor. 15:24-28). 
3. The rule of Christ was not to be under the law of Moses.  This is indicated by the fact that He was to be both king  and priest on His throne. Since the Christ was of the  tribe of Judah, and the priests came from the tribe of  Levi, the law had to be abolished in order for Christ to  be both king and priest. The law of Moses has been  abolished and no one can keep it today. Furthermore,  Christ's law or covenant has taken its place and is in  force today. Millions acknowledge Him as King and  endeavor to live by His will.

An Eternal Kingdom 

Since the Christ was to reign, it follows that He was to have a people over whom to reign. In other words, He was to have a kingdom. Among other prophets, Daniel prophesied the kingdom of Christ. (Dan. 2:31-45). And what Daniel prophesied has come to pass. Rome was the fourth empire foretold in Daniel's interpretation of the dream of Nebuchadnezzar. The first was the Babylonian (2:28, 38). It was to be followed by three other kingdoms. Two of them were named - the Medo-Persian and the Grecian. (Dan. 5:25-28; 8:20-21). Rome was accurately described by Daniel. (2:40-44). Before the Roman empire passed away, God was to establish an everlasting kingdom. (Dan. 2:44-45). This kingdom was set forth in detail by Daniel; as the following points show. 

1. Christ did establish His kingdom in the first century.  (Col. 1:13).
2. Rome fell after, not before, the establishment of  Christ's kingdom.
3. It was not set up by human hands, i.e. by human wisdom,  might, or power.
4. It is known as the kingdom of God or of heaven.
5. It was small in its beginning.
6. It is worldwide in its scope of operation.
7. Not being set up with human hands or power, it is  spiritual in its nature; unlike the kingdoms of the  world.
8. It is an eternal kingdom which shall never be destroyed.  Philosophers, dictators, apostates, apathy, and other  forces of evil have been unable to destroy the kingdom of  Christ. As Daniel foresaw, it shall stand forever. (Heb.  12:28).

A New Covenant 

Jeremiah foretold that God would make a new covenant which would be unlike the old, or Mosaic, covenant. (Jer. 31:31-34; I Kings 8:9,21). Since Moses the mediator was to be replaced by another prophet (Deut. 18:15-19), it was natural that his covenant would be replaced by another covenant. A few years before the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 made it impossible for Israel to continue to keep the Mosaic covenant, Christ established a covenant which has continued to exist even until now. No other such covenant was established which has continued even until this day.

Redemption Through His Death 

The doctrine of redemption through the suffering and death of Jesus Christ was hard for the modern mind of Paul's day to accept, and for the modern mind of today. (I Cor. 1:18-26). However, the prophet Isaiah foresaw the suffering, death, resurrection, and triumph of Jesus of Nazareth. (Isa. 53). The book of Isaiah has a number of visions concerning the future. (1:1;2:1; etc.). In some cases, in the vision things transpired before the eyes of the prophet, and he spoke of them in the present tense. (Ezek. 8). In other cases, they were represented as having already been accomplished; in which case he described them in the past tense, although they were future. (Jer. 4:23-27). In some cases they were set forth simply as being in the future, and the future tense was used. Isaiah contains a number of visions concerning a special servant of God who would redeem the people. Isaiah 53 contains several scenes from the times, the trials, and the triumphs of Jesus. 

There are some who maintain that Isaiah 53 personifies Israel, but this cannot be so. In Isaiah 49:5-6 a clear distinction is made between the servant and Israel. Furthermore: 

1. Israel was not an innocent sufferer. Isaiah stressed her  sinfulness, as did Moses. (1:4-6; 42:14-25; Deut. 28).  The servant, however, was an innocent sufferer who  suffered for the sins of the people. (53:8). 
2. Israel was not a voluntary sufferer, as was this servant.  (53:7). 
3. Israel did not bear her sufferings in comparative  silence. 
4. Israel's sufferings did not atone for the sins of  men. 
5. Israel's sufferings did not result in her death, burial,  resurrection, and exaltation. 

A brief sketch of Isaiah 53 shows that it is fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth. First, Isaiah foresaw His rejection by Israel. (53:1).  Second, he foresaw some of the reasons they would reject Him. (53:2-3).  Third , he realized that some would later come to understand that He suffered in their stead and on their behalf. (53:4).  Fourth, He was an innocent sufferer, whom they had thought suffered for sins of His own; but they were the guilty ones. (53:3-5).  Fifth, the people were astray and God's way of calling them back was through this servant who bore their iniquity. (53:6).  Sixth, Isaiah foresaw that Jesus would suffer in comparative silence before His executioners. (53:7).  Seventh, judicial procedure would be involved in His death, but there would be a miscarriage of justice. (53:8). Eighth, Isaiah foresaw that they would appoint His grave with the wicked; and this they did since he was crucified with criminals. (53:9). However, He was actually buried in a rich man's tomb.  Ninth , Isaiah recognized that He would die, and be buried. (53:9).  Tenth, death would not hold Him, for after His burial He would be resurrected for His days were prolonged. (53:10).  Eleventh , He was to see a spiritual posterity as a result of His suffering and death. (53:10).  Twelfth, He was to be victorious after His suffering, death, and resurrection. (53:10-12). As a matter of historical fact, Jesus' triumphs came after His seeming defeat on the cross, and because of what He did for man on he cross.  Thirteenth, He was not only victorious, but He also functions as the justifier of many and the intercessor for the transgressors. (53:11-12).  Fourteenth, the doctrine of atonement through His suffering and death is clearly taught. (53:4-6, 8, 10-12). 

No wonder the Eunuch believed in Christ when Philip began at Isaiah 53 and preached unto him Jesus (Acts 8:26-39). 

Daniel, as well as Isaiah, had prophesied that the Messiah would be put to death; and Daniel saw that the Messiah would bring to an end the temple system and its sacrifices. (Dan. 9:26-27).

A Promise to You 

There are other prophecies, and the ones with which we have dealt have been inadequately sketched. There are also other credentials of Christ. If you desire above all to do the will of God, if you hunger and thirst after righteousness, if you bring the good and honest heart to the hearing of the word of truth, Jesus has promised that you will find the truth. (Matt. 5:3, 6; Lk. 8: 11-15; John 7:17). He also said: "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12). If at this moment you can accept only one truth which He taught, live by that truth, and seek--as a hungry man seeks food and a thirsty man seeks water--to study and evaluate further what He is, what He has said, and the credentials which He has.

Questions for Your Study
 

1. What was Christ's mission in relationship to the law and  the prophets? (Matt. 5:17-18). 
2. What is the difference between fulfillment. destruction.  and perpetuation? 
3. What promise did God make to Abraham? (Gen. 22:18; Gal.  3:16). How is this fulfilled in Christ? 
4. Were the other prophets of the Old Testament like Moses?  (Deut. 34:10-12; Mal. 4:4). What was unique about  Moses? 
5. How is Christ the prophet like unto Moses? (Deut.  18:15-19; Acts 3:22-23). 
6. What were some of Moses' prophecies concerning Israel?  (Deut. 28). Can you think of any prophecies spoken by  Christ? 
7. What did David prophesy about the reign of Christ? (Psa.  110:1-4). 
8. How is Daniel's prophecy fulfilled in Christ's kingdom?  (Dan. 2:31-45; Col. 1:13; Acts 2:34-36; Heb. 12:28; I  Cor.15:24-28). 
9. Show that Jeremiah's prophecy was fulfilled in the New  Covenant. (Jer. 31:31-34; 1 Kings 8:9, 21; Heb. 8:5-13).  Jeremiah stated at least three ways in which the covenant  would be new. What are these? 
10. Was the message of the cross easy for the mind of Paul's  day to accept? (I Cor. 1:18-26). 
11. What bearing do the visions have on the use of the  present. past, and future tenses? 
12. How do we know Isaiah 53 is not a prophecy of Israel's  future? 
13. Show how these prophecies are fulfilled in Christ. 
14. What was the impact on the Eunuch of a sermon based on  Isaiah 53? (Acts 8:26-39). 
15. Did Daniel prophesy the death of the Messiah? What else  did he prophesy? (Dan. 9:26-27). 
16. What argument for Christ can be built on John 8:12?

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