Biblical prophecy reached its fulfillment in Christ. Whatever preceded that fulfillment was really preliminary—a prologue. What followed that fulfillment is, in a sense, epilogue. That's what we want to trace now, as we observe from Scripture how the march of prophecy concluded.

GOD STANDS BEHIND HIS MESSAGE

Malachi was the last of the Old Testament prophets. Yet God gave another testament, a new revelation of his will. This newer testament depicts the most important events in all of history—how God accomplished his great plan for rescuing a world of lost sinners. This new era of prophecy differed from the older era. It extended over a much shorter period of time and focused not on one single nation but on the development of the Christian church.

Since the New Testament recognizes the Old Testament as the foundation for understanding the great events in the life of Christ, the New Testament includes many references to Old Testament prophets and affirms that Old Testament prophecy is authoritative. Peter wrote to the scattered Christians of Asia Minor: "Understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:20,21). The message of the Old Testament prophets is a message from God, binding on all people for all time.

When the New Testament quotes the Lord's voice as uttered by the Old Testament prophets, it often mentions the speaker by name. In just as many instances, however, New Testament writers neglect to name the Old Testament writer, but identify him only as "the prophet." The reader is simply expected to know which prophet is meant.

As we trace the march of prophecy into the New Testament era, we see additional evidence that God stood behind the proclamation of his Word. As his little band of faithful followers testified to his truth in an unfriendly and unbelieving world, God granted the gift of predictive prophecy. During one of the last conversations Jesus had with his disciples on Maundy Thursday evening, he promised them that after his departure the Holy Spirit would reveal further information about God's plans for the future (John 16:13). Some of this advance information would be good news, some would be bad news, but all of it was designed to strengthen that loyal little band. Under God, they had critically important roles to play in preserving the truths of Christianity and in transmitting them to future generations of God's people.

GOD PROCLAIMS HIS TRUTH AND PREDICTS EVENTS