Fulfillment

In the Bible, "fulfillment" often refers to the realization or completion of God's promises, prophecies, or plans as revealed in Scripture. It signifies the moment when divine intentions come to fruition, demonstrating God's sovereignty and faithfulness. One of the most prominent examples is found in the New Testament, where the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are presented as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. For instance, Matthew 1:22-23 cites Isaiah 7:14, indicating that the virgin birth of Jesus was a fulfillment of prophetic scripture, underscoring a divine plan that had been set in motion long before.Additionally, fulfillment can relate to the broader narrative of God's covenant with His people, where events in biblical history align with the promises made to figures like Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3) and David (2 Samuel 7:12-16). The term is also used to describe the completion of God’s redemptive work in believers' lives, as seen in passages like Philippians 1:6, which speaks to God’s faithful completion of the work He begins in individuals. Thus, fulfillment in the biblical context encapsulates both the prophetic dimension and the personal assurance of God's ongoing work in the world and in the lives of believers.