Biblical Prophecy: Lesson 3
Overview
Prophecy Fulfilled by Christ
The chief purpose of biblical prophecy is to point us to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Scripture contains over one hundred prophecies concerning the coming Messiah, spanning roughly four thousand years before His birth down to about four hundred years before. The cumulative weight of these fulfilled promises confirms the reliability of God's Word and assures us that every promise yet to be fulfilled will likewise come to pass. Three Psalms—each written about a thousand years before Christ—offer a striking sample of this prophetic witness.
Psalm 2: The Anointed Son and King. Originally a coronation song for kings in David's line, Psalm 2:1-2 speaks of nations conspiring against the Lord and His Anointed. Jesus claimed the title "Anointed One" when He read from Isaiah in the synagogue Luke 4:16-21, and the early church saw the Psalm fulfilled in the gathering of Herod, Pilate, the Gentiles, and Israel against Jesus Acts 4:23-28. The declaration "You are my Son; today I have begotten you" Psalm 2:7 could be applied to no earthly king. The New Testament applies it to Jesus' resurrection Acts 13:32-33, His superiority over the angels Hebrews 1:5, and His high priestly office Hebrews 5:5.
Psalm 22: The Suffering Servant. No Psalm is quoted more frequently in the New Testament. Jesus took its opening words on His lips from the cross: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Matthew 27:46. The mockery and head-shaking foretold in Psalm 22:6-8 appear in Mark 15:29 and Matthew 27:43. The thirst described in Psalm 22:15 is fulfilled in John 19:28; the piercing of hands and feet Psalm 22:16 and the casting of lots for His clothing Psalm 22:18 are recorded in John 19:23-24. Notably, the Psalm gives no hint that the sufferer's anguish is the result of his own sin—he suffers unjustly, as did our Lord. The plan of redemption was already in the heart of the triune God before creation itself.
Psalm 16: The Resurrection. Psalm 16:8-11 declares that God will not abandon His Holy One to the grave or let Him see decay. Both Peter Acts 2:25-31 and Paul Acts 13:35-37 appeal to this Psalm as proof of the resurrection. David died and his body decayed, but Jesus' body did not. He has been raised and has ascended to the Father.
Pastoral Application. These three Psalms—written a millennium before Bethlehem—describe with stunning precision the anointing, suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Such fulfillment strengthens our confidence that Scripture is trustworthy in everything it promises. More than that, it draws our hearts again to Christ Himself, the One to whom all prophecy ultimately points. When we read the Old Testament, we are not reading a disconnected anthology; we are reading the unfolding plan of a faithful God who never changes, whose Word is truth, and whose Son is the fulfillment of every promise.
Transcript
Good morning and welcome back to our study on Biblical prophecy. And today I'd like to 2s
cover with you the topic on prophecy fulfilled by Christ. Prophecy fulfilled by Christ, but 10s
just a review where we were last time. We took a look at prophecies that were fulfilled 18s
before the birth of Christ. And we took a look at different periods historically in the Old 24s
Testament. We took a look at the period of the patriarchs, then the period of the judges, 32s
and then the period of the kings. And we lifted out various examples of prophecies that were 38s
fulfilled before the birth of Christ. It was so comforting to the people because they were 44s
assured as they saw these prophecies fulfilled that the prophecies of the coming Messiah would also be 53s
fulfilled. It points to the reliability once again of the Word of God. This Word that we have is 61s
God's Word to us. He is the author of it. And we can trust the Word that He has given to us. 71s
So today I'd like to study with you on prophecy fulfilled by Christ, but before we delve into 80s
Scripture, let's pray together. Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for this time and your Word, 88s
for your Word is truth. We thank you, O Lord, that you are faithful to your promises, 96s
that you never change. We thank you, Lord, for your Word. And thank you for the joy and privilege of 103s
studying today. So bless this time to your glory and to your praise in Jesus' name. Amen. 111s
The most important purpose of biblical prophecy is that biblical prophecy points to Jesus Christ. 122s
The most important point, the most important purpose of biblical prophecy is that it points to Jesus Christ 135s
as Savior and Lord. There are over 100 prophecies recorded in Holy Scripture concerning the coming 142s
of Christ. And it goes from at least 4,000 years before the birth of Christ to about 400 years 154s
before the birth of Christ. And what you see is you see this detail upon detail that begins to unfold 165s
with regard to the coming Messiah. Today in this session, I'd like to explore with you three 173s
Psalms that were written about a thousand years before the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 181s
So let's start in Psalm 2. Psalm 2. An easy way to find the book of Psalms is simply open up to the 189s
center of Scripture and you're going to land on one of them and turn, if you would, please, to 199s
Psalm 2. Psalm 2. This was originally composed as a coronation song for kings in the Davidic line. 205s
And what we see is we see Jesus applying this Psalm to Himself. So Psalm 2, let's pick up in verse 1. 217s
Why did the nations conspire and the people's plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves 232s
and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and His anointed. His anointed. 240s
Sometimes prophecies are partially fulfilled at one time and have a greater fulfillment later. 253s
That's what we see in Psalm 2 because that little phrase, his anointed, the Lord Jesus 262s
applies that to Himself. Let's go to the gospel of Luke the fourth chapter, please. Matthew, 269s
the Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. 291s
He has sent me to proclaim or lease to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, 300s
to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. 306s
Now, the background of this jump up into verse 16 to catch it. When He being Jesus came to Nazareth 314s
where He had been brought up, He went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day as was His custom. 322s
He stood up to read and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to Him. He unrolled the scroll 328s
and found the place where it was written. And then He read that portion of Scripture. Notice in 334s
that portion of Scripture it refers to the anointed one, the anointed one. Jesus is applying that 342s
designation to Himself. He claims the title of the anointed one, that title that is given in 353s
Psalm 2. So let's go back to Psalm 2 again to verses 1 to 2, Psalm 2 verses 1 to 2, 365s
why did the nations conspire in the people's plot and vain? The kings of the earth set themselves 379s
and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and His anointed. He's anointed. 386s
Okay, let's go now to Acts 4th chapter, verse 23, Acts chapter 4, verse 23. So in the New Testament, 396s
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and then Acts. Acts chapter 4 will pick up in verse 23. 408s
After they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and 424s
the elders had said to them. When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and 430s
said, sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth to see and everything in them. It is you 437s
who said by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor, David, your servant. Why did the Gentiles rage 444s
and the people's imagined vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand and the rulers 452s
have gathered together against the Lord and against His Messiah. For in this city, in fact, both 460s
Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel gathered together against 470s
your holy servant, Jesus, whom you anointed to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined 477s
to take place. Those that are referenced here are those that stood united against Jesus and 486s
participated in His crucifixion. Psalm verses 1 and 2, once again, being infleshed here in the 499s
New Testament in association with Jesus. All right? Let's go back to Psalm 2 again. Psalm 2 514s
and let's pick up in verse 7, Psalm 2 verse 7. I will tell of the decree of the Lord. He said to 527s
me, You are my son. Today, I have begotten You. Ask of Me and I will make the nations your heritage 539s
and the kings of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them 547s
in pieces like a potter's vessel. No earthly king could have fulfilled verses 7 through 9. 555s
Let's see the application in the New Testament. So let's go back, New Testament to Acts the 13th 569s
chapter, Acts chapter 13, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and then Acts, Acts chapter 13, we'll pick up 576s
in verse 32. And we bring you the good news that what God promised to our ancestors, He has 585s
fulfilled for us their children by raising Jesus. As also it is written in the second song, 597s
You are my son. Today, I have begotten You as to His raising Him from the dead. No more to return 606s
to corruption. He has spoken in this way. I will give you the Holy promises made to David. 613s
Therefore, He has also said in another song, You will not let your Holy One experience corruption. 621s
So there we see Psalm 2 being applied in its association with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 629s
Verses 7 to 9 could not be applied to any earthly king. It was applied to the king, 641s
Lord Jesus. Okay, let's go to the book of Hebrews, please. Good way to find Hebrews is to go to 648s
Revelation and then slowly work your way backward. Hebrews the first chapter and we'll pick up in 655s
verse 5. For to which of the angels did God ever say, You are my son. Today, I have begotten You 667s
or again. I will be His father and He will be my son. Here once again, the application of Psalm 2, 679s
Jesus the Messiah as being superior to the angels. Or let's go to Hebrews the 5th chapter. 690s
Hebrews chapter 5 will pick up in verse 5. So also Christ did not glorify Himself in becoming a 699s
high priest but was appointed by the one who said to Him, You are my son. Today, I have begotten You. 710s
Here Jesus in association with being the high priest. So you see them. Psalm 2, partial fulfillment, 720s
but the main fulfillment, the main application is to come later to the Lord Jesus Christ. Well, 733s
let's look at another Psalm written about a thousand years before the birth of Jesus Christ and 744s
that is Psalm 22. So back to the book of Psalms. Psalm chapter 22. 750s
This Psalm, Psalm 22 points beyond itself to the suffering servant, the Lord Jesus Christ. 763s
There is no other Psalm that is quoted more frequently in the New Testament than Psalm 22. 771s
It is a critical Psalm to study in such a beautiful, beautiful Psalm. Notice the events from 780s
Jesus crucifixion that is mentioned in these verses of Psalm 22. So let's dig in. 790s
Psalm 22, verse 1. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me 800s
from the words of my groaning? All right. Let's keep our fingers here. We're going to come back. 814s
Let's go to Matthew chapter 27, very first book in the New Testament. Matthew chapter 27 823s
will pick up in verse 46. This is now Jesus on the cross and about three o'clock Jesus cried 832s
with a loud voice. Eli, Eli, Lama, Sabak, Thani, that is my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 846s
That's Psalm 2, isn't it? Jesus then uses those very words of Psalm 2. Psalm 2 points ahead 858s
to the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus. All right, back to Psalm 22 now. Psalm 22, let's pick up in verse 866s
- But I am a worm and not human, scorned by others and despised by the people. All who see me 880s
mock at me, they make mouths at me, they shake their heads. Okay. What do we see in Holy Scripture? 893s
Let's go to Mark 15th chapter, Mark chapter 15 verse 29. Mark 15 verse 29. 907s
We read these words. Those who passed by derided him, remember the context is Jesus on the cross 924s
those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, ah, you who would destroy the 933s
temple and build it in three days, save yourself and come down from the cross. The scorn and 939s
mockery Jesus endured on the cross. Psalm 2, a thousand years before the birth of Christ, 951s
points ahead to the cross. Let's look at Psalm 22, verse 8. Commit your cause to the Lord, 961s
let him deliver, let him rescue the one in whom he delights. Let's go now to Matthew chapter 27, 974s
verse 43, Matthew 27, verse 43. Again, Jesus on the cross. He trust in God, let God deliver him now 986s
if he wants to, for he said, I am God's son, Psalm 2, a thousand years before Christ, lived out 1000s
and fleshed on the cross. Back to Psalm 22, verse 15. My mouth is dried up like putchered 1012s
and my tongue sticks to my jaws. You lay me in the dust of death. John 19, verse 28, it tells us 1024s
that Jesus thirst. Psalm 22, verse 16, for dogs are all around me, a company of evil doers and 1036s
circles me. My hands and feet have shriveled. In the NIV, the translation there at the end is 1048s
they have pierced my hands and my feet. And what does the Scripture tell us? But indeed, 1056s
Jesus experienced that on the cross. He experienced, they have pierced my hands and his feet. 1067s
Psalm 2 pointing ahead to the cross of Christ. Psalm 22, verse 18, they divide my clothes 1078s
among them and for my clothing they cast lots. Let's go to John chapter 19 in the New Testament. 1087s
Matthew, Mark, Luke and then John, John chapter 19, verse 24. 1096s
So they said to one another, let us not tear it but cast lots for it to see who will get it. 1104s
Now to look at the context of that, go up into verse 22. 1112s
Pilate answered what I've written. I've written when the soldiers had crucified Jesus, 1117s
they took his clothes and divided them into four parts. One for each soldier. Psalm 2, once again, 1121s
pointing ahead to the events of the cross. Psalm 2 is especially fitting for the Messiah. There 1129s
is no reference in Psalm 2 that the suffering is caused by the Psalmist's problems. No, there is 1137s
suffering unjustly. The plan of God for salvation, God knew all about it before He ever created, 1146s
before He ever said, let there be the Father knew of this plan of redemption for the world. He knew 1158s
that the world that He was about to create would indeed fall into sin. The triune God, Father, 1167s
Son and Holy Spirit, all understanding of that which would occur with creation and the plan 1175s
was all ready in place. Amazing, amazing Psalm. Well lastly, let's look at Psalm 16, please. Psalm 16. 1185s
And in this Psalm also, the ultimate fulfillment is in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 1202s
So Psalm 16. And let's pick up in verses 8 to 11. I keep the Lord always before me because He is at 1209s
my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore, my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body also 1223s
rests secure. For you do not give me up to shield or can be translated as it is in the NIV, 1232s
the grave. Or let your faithful one see the pit, or as appropriately also translated in the 1242s
NIV, see the Kay. You show me the path of life in your presence. There is fullness of joy in your 1251s
right hand, our pleasures forever more. Parts of these verses are quoted in the book of Acts. 1260s
Let me read it again with the NIV, I prefer that translation here, with the NIV renderings here. 1272s
So picking up in verse 8, I keep the Lord always before me because He is at my right hand, I shall not 1280s
be moved. Therefore, my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body also rests secure. 1286s
For you do not give me up to the grave or let your faithful one see the Kay. 1295s
With Psalm 16 in mind, let's go to the book of Acts. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and then Acts. 1305s
Acts the second chapter, we'll pick up in verse 25, Acts chapter 2, verse 25. 1311s
For David says concerning him, I saw the Lord always before me, for He is at my right hand so that I 1323s
will not be shaken. Therefore, my heart was glad and my tongue rejoiced, more over my flesh will 1333s
live in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Haiti or let your holy one experience corruption. 1340s
You have made known to me the ways of life, you will make me full of gladness with your presence. 1349s
When it says, for David says concerning him, who's the him, it's the Lord Jesus. 1357s
And what is referenced here is exactly what is referenced in Psalm 16. 1364s
Let's also see Acts the 13th chapter, verse 35. 1374s
Acts the 13th chapter, we'll pick up in verse 35. 1382s
Therefore, He has also said in another Psalm, you will not let your holy one experience corruption. 1387s
For David, after he had served the purpose of God that his own generation died and was laid 1398s
besides his ancestors, an experienced corruption. But he whom God raised up experienced no corruption. 1403s
That's Psalm 16, right? Jesus is not in the tomb today. No. 1415s
Jesus has been raised. Jesus's body did not see decay. It is not decayed in the tomb. No. 1422s
Jesus has been raised and has ascended into heaven. Psalm 16 then points ahead to the resurrection 1432s
of the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter and Paul quote then, Psalm 16 as proof of the resurrection. 1444s
God would not allow Jesus's body to decay instead raised him from the dead. David's body, it did die. 1454s
And it did decay, but certainly not the Lord Jesus. 1465s
Psalm 16 then written a thousand years before the birth of Jesus, telling of the events of the 1473s
resurrection of Christ. Psalm 2, Psalm 16, our Psalms that we have been studying the 1483s
morning, these Psalms, a thousand years before, pointing to the Lord Jesus Christ. These are just a 1495s
small sampling of the Psalms or small sample rather of the prophecies fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ. 1505s
Once again, pointing to the reliability, the trustworthiness of God's holy word. 1517s
The most important purpose of prophecy is to point to Christ. Well, we'll pause here for now, 1530s
but next time we get together, I'd like to take a look at the subject prophecy that's being 1542s
fulfilled today. We'll continue next week. The Lord be with you. 1548s