Introduction

† This sermon isn't about proving fulfillment, it's about celebrating what fulfillment actually gave us.
† Most sermons answer the question, what happened, but this one answers the question, so what.
† Fulfillment isn't just a doctrine to defend, it's a reality to live in, and when it's understood, it brings peace, joy, and rest instead of fear and anxiety.

John 19:30
Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, It is finished! And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.

† Jesus spoke of completing the work the Father gave Him, not merely ending His suffering (John 4:34).
† Finished means it was brought to its intended goal, leaving nothing unfinished (John 17:4).
† The cross accomplished the redemptive work that would be fully applied and closed with the removal of the old covenant system in AD 70 (Hebrews 8:13).

Hebrews 9:26
Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world, but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

† The consummation of the ages refers to covenantal ages, not the end of the physical world (1 Corinthians 10:11).
† Sin being put away describes the completed sacrificial basis, not the immediate disappearance of the temple system (Hebrews 8:13).
† The removal of the old covenant world culminated in the judgment of Jerusalem in AD 70 (Matthew 24:34).

Hebrews 10:12-14
But He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet. For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.

† A seated priest signifies completed sacrificial work, even while covenantal transition was still underway (Hebrews 1:3).
† Perfected for all time speaks to standing in Christ, not the immediate end of the temple order (Hebrews 8:13).
† Fulfillment produces confidence because the old covenant condemnation was removed in its appointed time (Romans 8:1).

Matthew 24:34
Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.

† Jesus anchored covenantal judgment to His own generation, not a distant future (Matthew 23:36).
† The destruction He described occurred exactly as stated in AD 70 (Luke 21:20-22).
† What was impending for them is settled history for us (Hebrews 12:27).

Hebrews 12:26-28
And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven. This expression, Yet once more, denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe.

† Shaking language refers to covenantal removal, not physical destruction (Haggai 2:6).
† The things that were shaken were removed in the first century judgment (AD 70).
† What remains is the unshakable kingdom believers now live in (Hebrews 12:28).

Colossians 1:13-14
For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

† The transfer into the kingdom occurred during the covenant transition period (Ephesians 2:6).
† Kingdom life isn't future relocation, it's present participation (Luke 17:21).
† Redemption was secured at the cross and realized fully with the end of the old covenant world (Hebrews 9:15).

Romans 8:1
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

† No condemnation is possible only because covenant judgment has already occurred (John 5:24).
† Fear driven religion belonged to the pre AD 70 transition period (Hebrews 10:27).
† Fulfillment establishes assurance, not anticipation (Romans 8:33).

Hebrews 10:19-22
Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

† Confidence replaces distance because the temple barrier has been removed (Matthew 27:51).
† Access was fully realized once the old system was judged and removed (Hebrews 9:8).
† Fulfillment establishes permanent nearness to God (Ephesians 2:18).

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature, the old things passed away, behold, new things have come.

† Old things passing away refers to covenantal realities tied to the Law (Hebrews 8:13).
† New creation life stands on the far side of AD 70 (Galatians 6:15).
† Fulfillment means believers live in the completed new covenant world.

Joy That Flows From Fulfillment

John 15:11
These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.

† Full joy assumes nothing remains unfinished (John 17:13).
† Joy is grounded in completion, not expectation (Hebrews 4:3).
† Fulfillment turns joy into a settled condition.

Identity After Fulfillment

Ephesians 2:19-22
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of Gods household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

† Identity after AD 70 isn't tied to temple or nation (Acts 17:24).
† God now dwells in His people, not in a physical structure (1 Corinthians 3:16).
† Fulfillment establishes believers as the dwelling place.

Historical References

† Josephus recorded the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in AD 70.
† Eusebius affirmed Jesus judgment prophecies were fulfilled in that generation.
† Clement of Alexandria taught the Law reached its goal in Christ.
† Irenaeus wrote of the summing up of the ages in Christ.

How It Applies To Us Today

† We live free from fear because covenant judgment is past.
† We serve God from rest, not anticipation.
† Joy flows naturally from fulfillment.

Q & A Appendix

Q What changed because it was fulfilled?
A We now live on the far side of covenant judgment (Matthew 24:34).

Q When did the old covenant end?
A It ended historically with the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 (Hebrews 8:13).

Q What did the cross accomplish?
A The cross secured redemption that was fully applied when the old covenant world ended (Hebrews 9:15).

Q If fulfillment happened in AD 70, what are we living in now?
A We're living in the unshakable kingdom that already replaced the old covenant world (Hebrews 12:28).

Q Does fulfilled prophecy mean God is finished working in our lives?
A No, it means God is no longer working through shadows but through realized life in Christ (Galatians 2:20).

Q Why do many Christians still live in fear if judgment is past?
A Because fear remains where fulfillment isn't understood or trusted (1 John 4:18).

Q Did AD 70 change God's nature or His love?
A No, it revealed His faithfulness to keep His word exactly as spoken (Matthew 5:18).

Q What replaces end times fear after fulfillment?
A Confidence, assurance, and peace in Christ (Romans 5:1).

Q Are believers missing anything promised in Scripture today?
A No, all things necessary for life and godliness have already been given (2 Peter 1:3).

Q How should fulfilled believers view the future?
A With hope, not fear, knowing our life is secure in Christ (Colossians 3:3).

Q What does fulfillment change about how we live daily?
A It frees us to live from love instead of obligation (2 Corinthians 5:14).

† This is the fulfilled perspective we proclaim at Fulfilled Prophecies †
© Fulfilled Prophecies - Dan Maines.

Source Index

† John 19:30; Hebrews 9:26; Hebrews 10:12-14; Matthew 24:34; Hebrews 12:26-28; Colossians 1:13-14; Romans 8:1; Hebrews 10:19-22; 2 Corinthians 5:17; John 15:11; Ephesians 2:19-22
† Josephus, Wars of the Jews; Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History; Clement of Alexandria, Stromata; Irenaeus, Against Heresies