JESUS COMING

AND

FULFILLED

PROPHECIES

By

Milt Smotherman

When I finally realized that I had repeatedly read over many scriptures without understanding them, I was amazed. I still do not know for sure why such obvious truths remained so hidden. I think it has something to do with taking for granted the prevailing understandings. We all do that, it is difficult not to. So, determined to read with more clarity, I have found this study most interesting and filled with discoveries. God's Word has always been exciting to me, but in this study, I have found heights and wonders which I have experienced only twice in all my 50 some odd years of study. I sincerely hope others will find similar exciting discoveries as they study the scriptures presented in the next few pages.

Milt Smotherman

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IS GOD THE AUTHOR OF CONFUSION?

Man has found everything from flying saucers to Adolph Hitler in the Old Testament prophecies. It's all there, WWI, WWII, the League of Nations, Idi Amin Dada, United Nations, Saddam Hussein, Florence Nightingail, the Little League, well maybe I exaggerate a little, but without any exaggeration the speculation runs rampant. The texts are bandied about by many, each one claiming truth, knowledge and that the end is near, far, next month or next decade. Right now the year 2000 is a popular year. Such confusion is unnecessary.

For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. - 1 Corinthians 14:33

If a time limit line for the fulfillment of prophecy can be drawn from the scriptures, speculation, will be greatly reduced and definitely confined. This booklet is written to show that line can be drawn at the destruction of Jerusalem, which historically occurred in 70 AD. Jesus' promise of a then coming judgment against the Jews and Jerusalem is well documented in the Gospels. Teachings from the scriptures involving the doing away of the Law of Moses, the last days, the Jewish concept of a resurrection, and the judgment against Jerusalem are presented for your prayerful consideration.

IS THE OLD LAW STILL IN EFFECT?

Are there still some jots and tittles? -- Jesus said:

Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. "For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. -- Matthew 5:17-18

This statement by Jesus assuredly shows that Jesus came to fulfill prophecy and that the law would not pass away until he had accomplished this feat. When something is fulfilled it can then pass away or be discarded.

Other New Testament passages certainly point to the doing away of the old law. The writer of Hebrews in reference to a quotation from Jeremiah 31:31 describes the Old Covenant as ready to vanish away:

In that He says, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. - Hebrews 8:13

The apostle Paul says:

having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. -- Colossians 2:14

"you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace," -- Galatians 5:4

* Quotations are from New King James Versionand, speaking of that written and engraved on stone,

"For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious." -- II Corinthians 3:11

It is important to realize that at the time the preceding statements were being made the Old Law was still in place and observance of it was possible. While there was no justification by the law, and for the Christian, the effect of the sins which it described was nullified by the cross and there was no obligation to it, the old law had not vanished because all prophecy had not been fulfilled. Acts chapter 21 well bears out the old law being in place. Notice carefully:

... And they said to him (Paul), "You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law; ²¹ "but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. - - - ^--23 "Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow. "Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law.

verse 26 - Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them, entered the temple to announce the expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them . -- Acts 21:20-26

In view of Jesus' statement, "one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled," the fulfillment of prophecy becomes very crucial to the question, "Is the old law still in effect." I believe the answer to the question to be, "No, it is not still in effect." However, we have not, as yet, demonstrated this from the scriptures.

While the reader is encouraged to read the historical records regarding the fall of Jerusalem, stress should be made that if we accept the scriptures, we will of necessity, without the historical references, reach the conclusion that the law and prophets have been fulfilled. This is true because Jesus promised that it would happen in the lifetime of his hearers.

³² "Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. -- Luke 21:32

So in New Testament times, prophecy was soon to be fulfilled, but until the fulfillment, the Law was still in place.

DON'T LEAVE YET

Many are content to wrap everything up at the cross. This, however, does not satisfy very plain teachings in the scriptures. As for myself, I know I have changed my mind about many of these things. You may ask, "What difference does it make?" It is my prayer that anyone who believes that the Old Testament prophecies and the law ended at the cross or that the complete fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies is still in the future will carefully consider the items presented in this booklet. So, please stay with me.

EMPHASIS ON FULFILLING PROPHECY

Most if not all of the events recorded in the gospels are spoken of as a fulfillment of prophecy. The gospels of Matthew and John both abound with references to the fulfillment of the prophets. Jesus' words near the time of His death are worth noting.

In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me. "But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled. -- Matthew 26:55-56

The apostles' emphasis on the fulfillment of prophecy is seen in their many quotes and references to the statements of the prophets. The statement of Peter regarding Judas emphasizes the need of fulfillment.

¹⁶ "Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; ¹⁷ "for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry." . . .²⁰ "For it is written in the book of Psalms:

'Let his dwelling place be desolate,

And let no one live in it'; and,

'Let another take his office.' -- Acts 1:16-20

After Jesus' death there remained many passages to be fulfilled which, of course, can be directly associated with Him and the preaching of His gospel. Among these we find:

Preaching to the Gentiles -- Isaiah 49:6

Gospel going to ends of the earth -- Isaiah 45:22

Rejection of the gospel by the Jews -- Isaiah 6:10

Establishment of the kingdom -- Daniel 2:44

God's law written on the hearts -- Jeremiah 31:33

Desolation of Daniel -- Daniel 12:11

Doing away of daily sacrifices -- Daniel 11:31

Resurrection -- Ezekiel 37:11-13

A new name -- Isaiah 62:2

New covenant Jeremiah -- 31:31

RESURRECTION

It is not the purpose in this section to deal with the nature of the Jewish expectation of a resurrection. A presentation and analysis of all the teachings on the subject of resurrection is beyond the scope of this booklet. It is, however, one of the areas often questioned when dealing with the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. The subject, therefore, is addressed, not from the standpoint of what all the passages might infer or mean, but with the idea of establishing that a belief and hope of a resurrection was present. If Old Testament prophecies teach a resurrection and if all "things written" were fulfilled in conjunction with the destruction of Jerusalem, then any Jewish hope of resurrection derived from the prophets was also fulfilled by or at that time.

A belief and expectation by the Jews of a resurrection, whatever the kind, should be easy to understand. Nevertheless, at least some Jews, the Saduccees, did not believe in a resurrection. Jesus statement to them is certainly convincing as he reminds them of God's words:

"I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, God is not the God of the dead, but of the living." -- Matthew 22:32

Daniel was told to rest until the time he would arise.

"But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days." -- Daniel 12:13

Job's expectation is certainly worth noting:

For I know that my Redeemer lives,

and He shall stand at last on the earth;

And after my skin is destroyed,

this I know,

That in my flesh I shall see God, -- Job 19:25-26

Ezekiel speaks of a resurrection:

"Therefore prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. "Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. -- Ezekiel 37:12-13

Martha reflected Jewish teaching when she anticipated a resurrection. In Jesus' response to her, He proclaimed that He was the resurrection.

Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. "And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" -- John 11:24-26

We will mention a few scriptures regarding resurrection to illustrate that the fulfilling of resurrection prophecy should not be difficult to accept..

At Jesus Death many graves were opened.

and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. -- Matthew 27:52-53

Baptism is a type of resurrection.

Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. . . . ¹¹ Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. -- Romans 6:3-4 & 11

Paul certainly expected a resurrection as a part of believing the law and the prophets.

"But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. "I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. -- Acts 24:14-15

See also Colossians 2:12-13.

ARE WE TO LISTEN TO JESUS, NOT THE PROPHETS?

If we are to listen to Jesus and not the prophets then prophecy must be fulfilled, if not then we should still listen to the prophets.

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds. -- Hebrews 1:1-2

On the mount of transfiguration, as recorded in Matthew chapter 17, Moses and Elijah appeared and were talking with Jesus. Peter wanted to build three tabernacles, one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah but:

While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, "Arise, and do not be afraid." When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. -- Matthew 17:5-8

Peter, James and John saw Jesus only. They were to listen to Him. The Hebrew audience, living in the last days were likewise to listen to Jesus. Jesus was the one all the prophets spoke about. Peter, addressing the household of Cornelius declared:

"To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins." -- Acts 10:43

From Matthew to Revelation the gospel record shows prophecies being fulfilled in that age and time. If the prophecies have not been fulfilled then we should still be listening to the prophets and looking for the things about which they prophesied to take place.

Have you noticed how many times the prophets are referenced by Paul and the other writers? It must be remembered that the Old Testament record was the Bible they had. The New Testament writers showed Jesus' fulfillment of scripture. Whether it was Matthew, Mark, Luke, or someone else, their written accounts told about Jesus and Jesus' actions, deeds, and words fulfilled prophecy. The dialogue between Paul and Agrippa illustrates the prophetic message in the gospel of Christ.

"King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe." Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian." -- Acts 26:27-28

Abraham's statement to the rich man also bears this out.

"But he said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.' " -- Luke 16:31

In what sense then do we listen to Jesus and not the prophets? Understand the message -- Since Jesus came to fulfill prophecy the prophetical teachings would have no effect past Jesus. If Jesus is shown to be the fulfillment of the old testament scriptures, as Paul and the apostles have shown, then it is easy to see that those scriptures are no longer authoritative beyond their fulfillment by Jesus. We do listen to the prophets because they prove Jesus is the Messiah. The Word which became flesh fulfilled the prophecies which were yet unfulfilled when he came. We do not listen to them to find further fulfillment.

GATHERING ALL THINGS IN CHRIST IN THE FULLNESS OF THE TIMES

that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth -- in Him.-- Ephesians 1:10

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. -- Galatians 4:4-5

The expression fullness of time/times is not found in the Old Testament, at least I haven't find it; however, in the book of Daniel we do find time of the end and appointed time. In Daniel 8:13-17, Daniel is told:

"Understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the time of the end."

and

"Look, I am making known to you what shall happen in the latter time of the indignation; for at the appointed time the end shall be."

The phrase "latter days" is found a few times including twice in Daniel. Peter's quotation of Joel 2:28 uses the term "last days" instead of "afterward." All of these Old Testament phrases imply a time of termination. Jesus came in the last days of the times when the Jews were God's chosen people. "But wait! Wait a minute," you say. "Last days refers to the entire Christian Dispensation, the times now as well as those times then are all the last days."

I must admit that I believed and taught that for years. At least two problems exist with that thinking. First, where are the scriptures which prove that is the case? The phrase certainly must be considered in context each of the 5 or so time it is used. Acts 2:17 and Hebrews 1:2 seem to be the most significant in this regard. Consider Peter's quotation in Acts chapter 2. He quoted Old Testament prophecy which was looking forward to afterward as the last days. So the question is asked, "last days of what?" In Hebrews notice "God in time past spoke to the fathers...hath in these last days"-- now once again the question is asked, "last days of what?" The second problem occurs when we answer the question, "last days of what?" with "the last days of this world". Two thousand years really stretches last days into a long period of time. I know, "a year is as a day, and a day is as a thousand years." (II Peter 3:8) We cannot, however, abuse the scripture so that time references have no meaning. If "last days" has no reference, why use the phrase? Peter could quote Joel as "and it shall be in the time when we lose reference to time."

Consider the following.

1. The Old Testament prophets and prophecies spoke of end times, times of the end and latter days.

2. Jesus came in the fullness of time to fulfill the law and the prophets.

3. The Hebrew writer compares last days, when Jesus spoke, to time past, when God spoke to the fathers by the prophets.

4. Both Peter and the writer of Hebrews were speaking to Jews of last days in reference to Old Testament prophets or prophecy.

5. Is it not therefore a scriptural conclusion that in Hebrews 1:1-2 and Acts 2:17 last days refers to the end times, times of the end, or latter days which had been foretold by the prophets?

SOME WHO HEARD JESUS WOULD SEE A GREAT JUDGMENT

John the baptist testified of what Jesus was to do.

"And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. "His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." -- Matthew 3:10-12

Who did Jesus baptize with the Holy Spirit? Who did he baptize with fire? In the listening audience of John, according to this text, there were some to be baptized with the Holy Spirit and some to be baptized with fire. The fire is associated with the burning of the chaff in verse 12. Verse 10 is also in the context of the passage. John says,

"even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees."

Those to be baptized with fire were among the same "you" as those to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Is it not, therefore, a distortion of the text to have Jesus baptizing with the Holy Spirit then and with fire at some time beyond where we are now?

JUDGMENT PASSAGES

Many have trouble with the judgment passages of the Old Testament prophets and consequently have difficulty understanding the judgment against Jerusalem as prophesied by Jesus in the gospel records.

Notice the language against Babylon which was overrun by Cyrus about 536 BC.

Behold, the day of the LORD comes,

Cruel, with both wrath and fierce anger,

To lay the land desolate;

And He will destroy its sinners from it.

For the stars of heaven and their constellations

Will not give their light;

The sun will be darkened in its going forth,

And the moon will not cause its light to shine.

"I will punish the world for its evil,

And the wicked for their iniquity;

I will halt the arrogance of the proud,

And will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.

I will make a mortal more rare than fine gold,

A man more than the golden wedge of Ophir.

13 Therefore I will shake the heavens,

And the earth will move out of her place,

In the wrath of the LORD of hosts

And in the day of His fierce anger.

-- Isaiah 13:9-13

Notice the wrath against Edom.

All the host of heaven shall be dissolved,

And the heavens shall be rolled up like a scroll;

All their host shall fall down As the leaf falls from the vine,

And as fruit falling from a fig tree.

-- Isaiah 34:4

Prophetic language is very descriptive, The picture drawn seems to be from the perspective of the persons involved. Their world would be destroyed along with their ruling powers. Notice some judgment passages from the New Testament.

"Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, "that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. "Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. See! Your house is left to you desolate -- Matthew 23:34-36

"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. . . . 22 "For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. . . .25 " And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; "men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. "Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." . . .32 "Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. -- Luke 21:20-33

Did you carefully notice the highlighted text? The passage from Matthew 23 clearly shows the plan to send out the apostles who, teaching Jesus, will be beaten and persecuted. That is exactly what happened as the gospel was preached. The Jewish leaders and teachers were hostile and aggressive.

They had built their own house and defied even the Son of God to take it away from them. When Jerusalem was destroyed, that house was destroyed. The temple and Jerusalem were the essence of the Jewish religion as God's chosen people. When the Jews were in captivity in strange lands or later as citizens of distant lands, they prayed facing the temple. Tithes went to Jerusalem. Many went to Jerusalem every year for the Passover and Pentecost feasts. Jewish records and offices were all at Jerusalem. When Jerusalem fell, many died in the great slaughter, others were taken captive, still others, who escaped or who were not in Jerusalem had nothing left for their heartless religious worship. It was just as Jesus had quoted from the prophets, "Their heart is far from me." The great tribulation came upon those vain worshipers who crucified God's Son and killed and beat the messengers which the Son sent into all the world to preach salvation for all mankind.

"For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.-Matthew 24:21

In the passage from Luke notice: the passage is associated in verse 20 with the destruction of Jerusalem; this is for the fulfillment of "all things which are written" (Verse 22); and what was spoken of would take place in that generation (verse 32). Matthew, chapter 24, is a parallel passage and has somewhat the same elements. Matthew refers to: the "abomination of desolation" spoken of by Daniel (verse 15), tribulation which had never been seen before (verse 21), and the coming of Jesus in judgment (verses 29-31). Matthew also places the events as taking place in that generation. We will notice just one more passage of scripture regarding judgment.

"For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. "Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom." -- Matthew 16:27-28

Jesus could not come in his kingdom until his kingdom was established. Many want to make this passage referring to the establishment of Jesus' church in Acts 2, but in Acts 2 the kingdom is beginning and the structure grew throughout the pages of the Acts and the epistles. See Ephesians 2:19-22. Therefore this passage in Matthew refers to a time after Acts 2 when Jesus came in their lifetime.

JESUS CAME IN JUDGMENT AGAINST JERUSALEM

If Jesus came to fulfill prophecy (Matt. 5:17), and if all prophecy was to be fulfilled in association with the destruction of Jerusalem(Lk. 21:20-22), then Jesus must be connected with the judgment against those of his nation who rejected Him and His messengers. All are encouraged to read the following in the entire context.

Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. "And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matthew 24:29-31

Verse 34 says:

Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.

See also Luke 21:26-27 & 32, and Mark 13:24-27 & 30.

No doubt some are saying, "wait a minute, those are end of time passages." Go back and read again Luke 21:32, Matthew 24:34, and Mark 13:30. All these verses refer to Jesus' prophecies coming to pass in that generation.

ALL UNFULFILLED OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECY WAS FULFILLED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM (70 AD)

Luke 21:22 teaches that the days of vengeance associated with the destruction of Jerusalem were to happen so that all things written might be fulfilled.. In support of this we have noted the following:

1. Christ came that in Him all things might be gathered together in one in the fullness of times.

2. The Last Days spoken of by the writer of Hebrews (Hebrews 1:2) and by Peter (Acts 2:17), can best be understood as referring to the last days of the Jews as God's chosen people.

3. Jesus came to fulfill prophecy.

4. Jesus and the apostles emphasized the fulfillment of prophecy.

5. The law would not pass away "till all was fulfilled."

6. Judgments are expressed in very descriptive terms.

7. Jesus promised to come in judgment.

8. A judgment and desolation are a part of Old Testament prophecy.

9. A judgment against Jerusalem in that generation is spoken of in the gospels.

10. That judgment came that all things which were written might be fulfilled.

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Your comments are welcome.

I will answer as I have time and opportunity.

Milt Smotherman

20543 Gudith

Brownstown, Michigan 48183

msmotherm@comcast.net