New Testament - Fulfillment vs. Old Testament - Prophecies

Attribute	New Testament - Fulfillment	Old Testament - Prophecies
Timing	Events occurred after the life of Jesus	Prophecies were written before the events they predicted
Content	Events that fulfilled the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament	Foretold events or promises made by God in the Old Testament
Significance	Shows the completion and fulfillment of God's plan for salvation	Foretells the coming of the Messiah and other future events

New Testament Fulfillment

The New Testament is filled with prophecies from the Old Testament that are fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. One of the key attributes of New Testament fulfillment is the idea that Jesus came to fulfill the law and the prophets. This means that Jesus was the fulfillment of all the promises and prophecies found in the Old Testament. For example, in Matthew 5:17, Jesus says, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."

Another attribute of New Testament fulfillment is the concept of typology. Typology is the study of how people, events, and institutions in the Old Testament foreshadow or prefigure something in the New Testament. For example, the story of Jonah being swallowed by a great fish and then being spit out after three days is seen as a type of Christ's death and resurrection. This typological fulfillment is a key aspect of understanding how the Old Testament points to Jesus in the New Testament.

Furthermore, the New Testament fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies often involves a deeper spiritual meaning. While some prophecies may have had a literal fulfillment in the Old Testament, they often have a deeper spiritual significance when fulfilled in the New Testament. For example, the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 about a virgin giving birth to a son was fulfilled literally in the birth of Jesus, but it also carries a deeper spiritual meaning about the incarnation of God in human form.

In addition, the New Testament fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies often brings about a sense of completion or wholeness. When Jesus fulfills the prophecies of the Old Testament, it brings a sense of fulfillment and completion to the story of God's redemptive plan for humanity. This sense of completion is seen in passages like John 19:30, where Jesus declares, "It is finished," indicating that his work of redemption is complete.

Overall, the attributes of New Testament fulfillment include the idea that Jesus came to fulfill the law and the prophets, the use of typology to show how the Old Testament points to Jesus, the deeper spiritual meanings behind the fulfillment of prophecies, and the sense of completion and wholeness that comes from Jesus fulfilling the promises of the Old Testament.

Old Testament Prophecies

The Old Testament is filled with prophecies that point forward to the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of God's kingdom. One of the key attributes of Old Testament prophecies is their specificity and detail. Many prophecies in the Old Testament are incredibly detailed and specific, foretelling events such as the birthplace of the Messiah (Micah 5:2) and the manner of his death (Psalm 22).

Another attribute of Old Testament prophecies is their dual fulfillment. Many prophecies in the Old Testament have both an immediate fulfillment in the historical context in which they were given and a future fulfillment in the coming of the Messiah. For example, the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 about a virgin giving birth had an immediate fulfillment in the birth of Isaiah's son, but it also had a future fulfillment in the birth of Jesus.

Furthermore, Old Testament prophecies often serve as a sign of God's faithfulness and sovereignty. The fulfillment of prophecies in the Old Testament demonstrates God's faithfulness to his promises and his sovereignty over history. When prophecies are fulfilled, it serves as a reminder to the people of God that he is in control and that his word will not return void.

In addition, Old Testament prophecies often point forward to a future hope and redemption. Many prophecies in the Old Testament speak of a future time when God will bring about a new covenant, establish his kingdom, and bring salvation to his people. These prophecies give hope to the people of God and point forward to the ultimate fulfillment of all things in the coming of the Messiah.

Overall, the attributes of Old Testament prophecies include their specificity and detail, their dual fulfillment in both the historical context and the coming of the Messiah, their demonstration of God's faithfulness and sovereignty, and their pointing forward to a future hope and redemption.