Theme: Prophecy and Fulfilment By Joseph Barnard

Definition of Prophecy and Fulfilment  Prophecy, in the Biblical context, is more than just the foresight of future events and what will happen at that point of time  Put simply, a prophet is God’s spokesperson.  Fulfilment is when prophecy actually occurred according to the events noted in the revelation.  Messiah is a term from Hebrew meaning “anointed one”.  A messianic prophecy therefore is a prophecy announcing the coming of a Messiah, listing the duties of the Messiah.

Prophets predicting the Messiah’s arrival  Isaiah, a prophet, received a prophecy from God.  One of the many prophecies in the book of Isaiah was that a Messiah will arrive at Israel to restore peace and rule over the nation of Israel.  Isaiah is said to have prophesised the coming of Jesus.  The prophet Nathan is an advisor to King David.  Nathan received a prophecy from God, and told David that the Davidic line will never end.  The birth of Jesus is linked with this passage, as it is stated that Jesus is in the Davidic line.

How prophecy is fulfilled- Annunciation According to St. Thomas prophecy begins with God revealing the prophecy to the recipient. According to St. Thomas prophecy begins with God revealing the prophecy to the recipient. God reveals the prophecy in which it can be stopped by a miracle being performed, yet the prophet did not express it but spoke of it, or God reveals the prophecy in which it can be stopped by a miracle being performed, yet the prophet did not express it but spoke of it, or The prophecy is revealed which depends on free will, containing references such as war, death and affairs between the Church and the state, or The prophecy is revealed which depends on free will, containing references such as war, death and affairs between the Church and the state, or The prophecy revealed is predestined to happen, meaning that at some point in time the event would occur. The prophecy revealed is predestined to happen, meaning that at some point in time the event would occur.

How prophecy is fulfilled- Annunciation (continued) According to Tannehill: According to Tannehill: The Messianic prophecy is fulfilled once an angel confronts the intended recipient. The Messianic prophecy is fulfilled once an angel confronts the intended recipient. Just after the confrontation, the recipient gets afraid, but the angel then says that the person is going to have a child, complete with the details such as the baby’s name and role. Just after the confrontation, the recipient gets afraid, but the angel then says that the person is going to have a child, complete with the details such as the baby’s name and role. The recipient questions but the angel reassures and gives a sign to the recipient. The recipient questions but the angel reassures and gives a sign to the recipient. In the case of the fulfilment of the Messianic prophecy, the message is that they are going to have a child who will fulfil the prophecy. In the case of the fulfilment of the Messianic prophecy, the message is that they are going to have a child who will fulfil the prophecy.

Prophecy and Fulfilment in the Old Testament The Old Testament predicts several different events in the history of Israel. Some of the text in the Old Testament speaks of someone in their line who will bring salvation. There are also passages in the Old Testament prophesising that that Messiah would be a kind, humble servant of God who will bring hope and salvation. The book of Isaiah contains parts in which is Messianic prophecy. Psalms, as a series of poems, have some poems which had some connection to the life of Jesus.

Prophecy and Fulfilment in the Old Testament- Examples Psalm 71 talks of all nations ruled under one person and a warrior-king who will destroy Israel’s enemies. Psalm 71 talks of all nations ruled under one person and a warrior-king who will destroy Israel’s enemies. In Isaiah 7-11, the passage describes what the Messiah will be like, such as being born of a virgin and who will the Messiah be called. In Isaiah 7-11, the passage describes what the Messiah will be like, such as being born of a virgin and who will the Messiah be called. Isaiah 61:1 talks about someone chosen by God to preach the Good News to the poor (Jesus will say this passage in Luke). Isaiah 61:1 talks about someone chosen by God to preach the Good News to the poor (Jesus will say this passage in Luke). Isaiah 53:7-12 describes a person who was betrayed and wrongly executed, only to be welcomed by God. Isaiah 53:7-12 describes a person who was betrayed and wrongly executed, only to be welcomed by God. Psalm 110:1 stated about a king who was told by God to be in the right side. This links to Jesus being said to sit at the right hand side of God. Psalm 110:1 stated about a king who was told by God to be in the right side. This links to Jesus being said to sit at the right hand side of God.

Prophecy and Fulfilment in the New Testament John the Baptist is said to be the last prophet of the old covenant and the only prophet to appear in the New Testament. John the Baptist is said to be the last prophet of the old covenant and the only prophet to appear in the New Testament. According to the Gospels, John the Baptist preached the arrival of Jesus, stating that “the man who will come after me is much greater than I am” (Mark 1:7). According to the Gospels, John the Baptist preached the arrival of Jesus, stating that “the man who will come after me is much greater than I am” (Mark 1:7). Paul’s First Letters to the Corinthians mentions about the issue of prophets in chapters Paul’s First Letters to the Corinthians mentions about the issue of prophets in chapters

Prophecy and Fulfilment in the New Testament- Examples Mark 1:7 (as in Luke 3:16-17, John talks of the Messiah’s arrival). Prophets are superior to teachers (1 Corinthians 12:28). Gifts of prophecy (1 Corinthians 13:2). Prophecy is better than tongues (1 Corinthians 14). Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians wants a member of the Early Church to put the prophecies to the test (1 Thessalonians 5:19- 20).

Prophecy and Fulfilment in Luke (PSS) Jesus is the fulfilment of the Old Testament prophecy who will teach the people in towns about the Kingdom of God. Jesus is the fulfilment of the Old Testament prophecy who will teach the people in towns about the Kingdom of God. The linking between Isaiah 61:1 and Jesus as the fulfilment of the scripture are that Jesus tends to help the poor and that the passage defines Jesus’ ministry. The linking between Isaiah 61:1 and Jesus as the fulfilment of the scripture are that Jesus tends to help the poor and that the passage defines Jesus’ ministry. Jesus did not arrive as the Messiah to reform the political landscape of Israel. Jesus did not arrive as the Messiah to reform the political landscape of Israel. The rejection of Jesus is compared between the rejection of prophets Elijah and Elisha. The rejection of Jesus is compared between the rejection of prophets Elijah and Elisha. Chapter 6 of Luke contains the teachings of Jesus. Chapter 6 of Luke contains the teachings of Jesus. Pharisees see themselves as teachers of the law and as do- gooders. Jesus despises the Pharisees due to them being lovers of glory, placing ritual above morality and their harassment of sinners. Pharisees see themselves as teachers of the law and as do- gooders. Jesus despises the Pharisees due to them being lovers of glory, placing ritual above morality and their harassment of sinners.

Prophecy and Fulfilment in Luke (PSS)- Examples In Luke 4:16-30, Jesus read a passage from the scriptures and announced that the scripture had been fulfilled. Jesus was later rejected in Nazareth. In Luke 4:16-30, Jesus read a passage from the scriptures and announced that the scripture had been fulfilled. Jesus was later rejected in Nazareth. Jesus lectured the Pharisees about the purpose of the Sabbath when Jesus was caught healing (Luke 6:6-11). Jesus lectured the Pharisees about the purpose of the Sabbath when Jesus was caught healing (Luke 6:6-11).

Links between the Old and New Testaments- Fulfilment of prophecy  The Old Testament prophecies of old paved the way for the coming of the Messiah  Jesus states that the scriptures are fulfilled when he first read a passage from Isaiah, with much criticism.  During his time, the idea that the poor will be placed ahead of the rich, as well as the idea that Gentiles as well as Jews can be saved, were very revolutionary to the Jews.  But the idea gained acceptance and becomes one of the many bases of Christian doctrine to give precedence to the poor, and most importantly, Jesus is the Messiah.

Bibliography  Definition of Prophecy  Prophets who predicted arrival of Messiah ophets.htm ophets.htm  Fulfilment- How prophecy is fulfilled Tannehill, R. Luke, p. 43, Abingdon Press, 1996

Bibliography Prophecy and Fulfilment:  in Old Testament and Examples:  in New Testament and Examples: prophets.htm prophets.htm h15.htm h15.htm  in Luke (PSS): Johnson, L. Sacra Pagina: The Gospel of Luke, pp.80-82, 104, Liturgical Press, 1991