The Joy and Terror of the Scriptures Being Fulfilled
A measure of faith is given by God to each of His adopted children (Rom 8:15, 23; 12:3). Because faith is a fruit of the Spirit’s indwelling presence (Rom 8:9, 11; Gal 5:22), we can see remarkable displays of faithfulness in Christians, especially during times of great trial.
Faith is communicated to the born again (Jn 3:1–8; 1 Pet 1:3), by hearing the Word of Christ (Rom 10:17). Hearing the voice of our Good Shepherd, in the preaching of the Bible, is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, Christian faith is in a Person and His Word. Faith is strengthened over time by the remarkable faithfulness and truth of that Person’s Word. Thus, Christian faith is never a blind leap. It is the product of the Spirit of truth, illuminating the Word of truth (Ps 119:160; Jn 16:13; 17:17).
One of the ways that Christians know the Bible is the true Word of God is the fulfillment of the prophetic portions of holy Writ. God is eternal (1 Tim 1:17; Heb 9:14). He knows the end from the beginning (Rev 21:6). All things come to pass from His eternal decree (Job 22:28; Ps 148:8). His will is done (Job 20:29; 23:14; Ps 115:3).
God makes His will known by giving us His Word (Heb 1:1–2). This revelation, from God to man, has come by way of inspired writings (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20–21). God moved certain men to write His revealed Word/will. On occasion Jesus, and later His apostles, made reference to the Scripture having to be fulfilled (Mt 25:56; Acts 1:16).
Prophets preached and wrote long before Jesus’ incarnation (Jn 1:14). Moses lived 1400 years before Jesus. David lived 1000 years before Jesus. Isaiah lived 700 years before Jesus. Jeremiah and Zechariah lived 600 and 500 hundred years before Jesus, respectively. These and other prophets wrote certain things that were fulfilled in Jesus’ first advent.
Jesus’ early ministry in the synagogue at Nazareth was where he told the people of His hometown that the Scriptures were being fulfilled in their very presence that day (Lk 4:21). This is the provocative nature of God’s Word being read, preached, interpreted, and understood. Joy abounds for the believer, while terror visits the unbeliever, unless he is deluded.
With some 350 prophetic utterances recorded about the Messiah, by the Old Testament seers, the reader of the New Testament comes to understand the miraculous nature of Scripture being fulfilled. The prophets did have some sense they were writing prophecy, even as they were addressing the nation of Israel in their own day. The apostle Peter wrote, “As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating, as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the Gospel to you, by the Holy Spirit sent from Heaven — things into which angels long to look (1 Pet 1:10–12).”
The suffering Servant of Isaiah 53 would arrive at Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), to a virgin girl (Is 7:14), at the appointed time (Dan 9:24). Later, the One called, “Nazarene” would be sold for 30 pieces of silver (Zech 11:12; Mt 2:23), which would be thrown to the potter (Jer 18; 19:3, 11). His clothes would be divided and His tunic would be distributed by lots (Ps 22:18; Jn 19:24). Betrayal (Jn 13:18), being numbered with transgressors (Mk 15:28), and with no broken bones (Jn 19:36), Jesus lived and died in fulfillment of the Scriptures. One can only marvel at the accumulated references that could only be identified with one Man in history.
The believer in Jesus Christ is a believer in the Bible, God’s prophetic Word written and fulfilled. There is great joy in knowing God is true (Rom 3:4), from what has been written down for us. Not all Scripture has been fulfilled to date, for there is a second advent, in which the King of glory will come to judge the living and the dead (Mt 24:29–31; Acts 10:42; 2 Tim 4:1; 1 Pet 4:5).
The terror for the unbeliever is that the Scriptures have already had a partial fulfillment. If salvation and the coming of the Savior has already occurred with perfect precision, how much more precise will be the exacting judgment of God against unrepentant sinners? These events must also come to pass, in order to fulfill the Scriptures.
Friend, you must know these things were revealed and written for your benefit or your condemnation. The Scriptures inform, but they also warn of the wrath of God to come (1 Thess 1:10). The Bible warns you to flee from the wrath of the Lamb, by turning to Him, today. Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God, who takes away sins (Jn 1:29), by His death on the cross (2 Pet 2:24), a substitute sacrifice that saves His people from their sins (Mt 1:21).
Joy or terror awaits each person, who waits for the resurrection to life or to judgment (Jn 5:25–29). It is written because it has been revealed, and it is imperative that you take up the Bible and read it. In the Scriptures, you will find salvation and also judgment. The joy of knowing God awaits your study and meditation. Likewise the terror of meeting God is foretold, and there is no place for you to hide from Him (Rev 6:15–17). Repent, today, because the Scriptures have been fulfilled, and they will be fulfilled just as He said.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
October 4, 2022
