1. God Promises, and God Fulfills
When we look at the Bible,
we see that God gives promises—prophecies about what He will do—
and in the right time, He fulfills them exactly as He said.
This is how people in each era could recognize God’s work.
It was the same during the time of Jesus.
He came and fulfilled what was written in the Old Testament,
and those who saw the fulfillment understood
that He was truly the One God had sent.
2. Knowing Only the Prophecy Isn’t Enough
Many people study the Scriptures diligently,
yet do not recognize the fulfillment when it takes place.
That’s exactly what happened with the Jews in Jesus’ time.
They believed the Scriptures,
but when the fulfillment stood right in front of them,
they couldn’t accept it.
Jesus said:
“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life;
yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” (John 5:39–40)
They knew the prophecy,
but they didn’t see the fulfillment—
so the promise of life remained out of reach.
Even today, faith becomes complete only when we understand
both what God promised
and how He fulfills it.
3. God Warns Us Not to Change the Prophecy
God treats His promises with great seriousness.
This is why the Bible warns us:
Anyone who adds to the words of this prophecy
will face plagues,
and anyone who takes away from it
will lose the blessings written in it.
(Revelation 22:18–19)
God’s promises must remain exactly as they are written.
If we change them,
we can no longer recognize the fulfillment.
4. Seeing the Fulfillment Helps Us Understand God’s Work Today
When the time of fulfillment comes,
God reveals it through a chosen messenger.
This is how it was in the days of Jesus,
and this is how God continues to work.
When we understand the fulfillment:
- the Scriptures open up,
- God’s will becomes clear,
- and the pieces of His plan begin to fit together.
Jesus said:
“I tell you now before it happens,
so that when it does happen you will believe.” (John 14:29)
Fulfillment strengthens faith.
It turns hope into certainty.
5. Promise and Fulfillment Together Lead Us to Salvation
God gives prophecy so we can recognize His work when it appears.
He fulfills prophecy so we can believe and follow Him with assurance.
A believer who knows both the promise and the fulfillment
understands the flow of Scripture
and sees where God is leading today.
This is the path that leads to truth,
to understanding,
and ultimately, to salvation.
