Lesson 08- Fulfilling Old Testament Prophecies

Sabbath Afternoon:

Five Important Points:

1. Jesus as the Fulfillment of Prophecies
   The life, ministry, and actions of Jesus matched Old Testament prophecies (e.g., born in Bethlehem, from the line of David). His works bore witness to His divine origin (John 5:36).

2. Recognition of the Messiah
   Despite fulfilling prophecies, many, especially the religious leaders, failed to recognize Jesus as the Messiah (John 1:10).

3. Prophecies as Testimonies
   The Scriptures (Old Testament) not only predicted the Messiah's coming but also pointed to Jesus' works and mission as their fulfillment (John 5:39-40).

4. Jesus’ Mission
   Jesus came as one of the people of Israel, fully human yet divine, to complete the mission given to Him by the Father (John 5:17).

5. Learning from Mistakes
   The rejection of Jesus highlights the dangers of spiritual blindness. Even with clear evidence, pride, traditions, and preconceptions hindered their acceptance of Him.

Discussion Questions with Answers:

1. Why did many fail to recognize Jesus as the Messiah despite the evidence?

   • Their preconceived ideas of what the Messiah should be did not align with Jesus' humble appearance and mission. Additionally, spiritual blindness and pride played significant roles.

2. How does Jesus’ fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies strengthen our faith today?

   • It shows that God’s word is trustworthy and consistent. The alignment between prophecy and fulfillment reveals divine orchestration.

3. What can we learn from the rejection of Jesus by His own people?

   • We learn the importance of humility, openness to God’s leading, and the danger of allowing traditions to overshadow truth.

Sunday: Signs, Works, and Wonders

Five Important Points:

1. Signs as Testimonies of the Messiah
   Jesus’ signs and wonders pointed not only to His divine power but also to His intimate relationship with the Father (John 10:38).

2. Unity with the Father
   Jesus emphasized that His works were in perfect unity with the Father’s will, revealing His divine mission (John 5:20).

3. Rejection Despite Evidence
   Even though Jesus performed undeniable miracles, many chose not to believe due to hardened hearts (John 10:24-25).

4. Miracles as a Witness
   The miracles demonstrated the Father’s approval of Jesus’ mission and affirmed His identity as the Messiah (John 5:36).

5. Faith and the Works of God
   True belief requires spiritual discernment and faith. Signs alone, without understanding, may not lead to conviction.

Discussion Questions with Answers:

1. What was the purpose of Jesus’ signs and wonders?

   • To reveal His divine mission, demonstrate His unity with the Father, and confirm His identity as the Messiah.

2. Why did some reject Jesus even after witnessing His miracles?

   • Their hearts were hardened by pride, and they prioritized their traditions over the truth of God’s work.

3. How can we prevent spiritual blindness in our own lives?

   • By humbly seeking God’s guidance, studying His Word, and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts.

Monday: The Authoritative Role of Scripture

Five Important Points:

1. Jesus Upheld Scripture
   Jesus often referred to Scripture to explain His mission and identity, affirming its divine authority (John 5:39-40).

2. Old Testament Foundations
   Jesus’ life and teachings fulfilled Old Testament prophecies, validating both His ministry and the Scriptures (John 1:45).

3. Authority of Prophecy
   The events in Jesus’ life, including His death and resurrection, were foretold in Scripture, pointing to its divine inspiration (John 2:22).

4. Prophecy as Evidence
   Jesus used prophetic events, like Moses lifting the serpent, as illustrations of His redemptive work (John 3:14; Numbers 21:5-9).

5. Faith in the Word
   The Bible remains the foundation of our faith, and its prophecies affirm God’s plan of salvation through Jesus.

Discussion Questions with Answers:

1. Why is Scripture central to our faith in Jesus as the Messiah?

   • It contains the prophetic foundation that validates His mission and identity, showing God’s consistent plan of salvation.

2. How does Jesus’ use of Scripture inspire our own study of the Bible?

   • It encourages us to delve into the Bible as a reliable source of truth, pointing us to God’s will and purpose.

3. What challenges today undermine faith in the Bible’s authority?

   • Secularism, relativism, and skepticism challenge its divine inspiration, but a personal relationship with Christ affirms its truth.

Tuesday: Old Testament Prophecies of Jesus: Part I

Five Important Points:

1. Prophecies Confirm Jesus’ Mission
   John’s Gospel highlights how Old Testament passages point to Jesus as the Messiah (e.g., Isaiah 40:3; John 1:23).

2. Scripture as a Witness
   Prophecies such as Psalm 69:9 and Numbers 9:12 were fulfilled in Jesus’ life, showcasing God’s meticulous plan (John 2:16-17; 19:36).

3. Role of the Holy Spirit
   The disciples fully understood these prophecies only after Jesus’ resurrection, guided by the Spirit (John 2:22).

4. Consistency of Scripture
   The continuity between the Old and New Testaments reinforces the Bible’s divine authorship and Christ’s centrality.

5. Recognition Through Scripture
   The Scriptures not only point to Jesus but also guide believers toward recognizing Him as the fulfillment of God’s promises.

Discussion Questions with Answers:

1. Why are Old Testament prophecies important for understanding Jesus’ mission?

   • They provide a historical and spiritual foundation for identifying Jesus as the promised Messiah.

2. How does the fulfillment of prophecy strengthen our faith?

   • It demonstrates God’s sovereignty and the reliability of His Word, assuring us of His faithfulness.

3. Why did the disciples understand prophecies about Jesus only after His resurrection?

   • Their understanding deepened through the Holy Spirit, which illuminated the meaning of Scripture.

Wednesday: Old Testament Prophecies of Jesus: Part II

Five Important Points:

1. Scriptures Testify of Jesus
   Jesus emphasized that the Scriptures bore witness to Him, affirming His divine mission (John 5:39).

2. Fulfillment of Messianic Prophecies
   Events in Jesus’ life, such as His triumphal entry and betrayal, fulfilled specific Old Testament texts (Zechariah 9:9; Psalms 41:9).

3. Staggering Evidence
   The sheer number of fulfilled prophecies provides overwhelming evidence of Jesus as the Messiah.

4. Divine Orchestration
   Prophecies like Zechariah 12:10 and Psalm 118:26 show God’s hand in the unfolding of salvation history.

5. Strengthening Faith
   Understanding these prophecies strengthens believers’ confidence in Jesus and the Bible’s divine origin.

Discussion Questions with Answers:

1. How do fulfilled prophecies provide evidence for Jesus’ identity as the Messiah?

   • They align with specific events in His life, affirming the Bible’s accuracy and God’s faithfulness.

2. What can we learn from Jesus’ use of prophecy to reveal His mission?

   • It highlights the importance of Scripture in understanding God’s plan and the need for spiritual discernment.

3. How can we use Messianic prophecies to share our faith?

   • By pointing to their fulfillment in Jesus, we can show others the reliability of Scripture and the truth of the Gospel.

Thursday: From Beneath

Five Important Points

1. Jesus’ Light Reveals Darkness
   Jesus declares Himself as the "Light of the world" (John 8:12), symbolizing His mission to expose sin and lead people out of spiritual darkness. The Pharisees’ rejection of Him highlighted their resistance to divine truth.

2. The Religious Leaders’ Self-Deception
   Despite their outward religiosity, the religious leaders were spiritually blind. Jesus said, “You are from beneath” (John 8:23), emphasizing their earthly and self-serving mindset.

3. Lack of Knowledge of the Father
   Jesus pointed out that the religious leaders did not know Him or the Father (John 8:19). Their traditions obscured the truth, preventing them from recognizing God’s revelation in Jesus.

4. Worldly Commandments versus God’s Will
   The leaders’ teachings, rooted in human traditions, lacked divine authority (Mark 7:7). They clung to earthly perspectives rather than seeking heavenly wisdom.

5. Hope Amid Rejection
   Even amid opposition, “many believed in Him” (John 8:30). This demonstrates that divine truth can penetrate hearts despite societal and religious barriers.

Discussion Questions and Answers

1. Why did the Pharisees reject Jesus despite His teachings and miracles?

   • Answer: They were blinded by their pride, traditions, and fear of losing power. Accepting Jesus would have required them to abandon their preconceived notions and selfish ways (Isaiah 29:13).

2. What does it mean to be “from above” versus “from beneath”?

   • Answer: To be "from above" is to align with God’s will and spiritual truths. To be "from beneath" reflects a worldly, self-centered perspective (John 8:23).

3. How can we avoid being led astray by false traditions or beliefs?

   • Answer: By grounding ourselves in Scripture, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and remaining open to correction and truth (2 Timothy 3:16).

Friday: Further Thought

Five Important Points

1. Prophecies and Faith
   Fulfilled prophecies, such as those in Psalms and Isaiah, confirm Jesus’ identity as the Messiah, strengthening the faith of believers.

2. Traditions Obscured Truth
   The religious leaders’ adherence to human traditions made them blind to Christ’s mission. Their refusal to change hindered their spiritual growth.

3. Resistance to Conviction
   Many rejected Jesus because accepting Him required sacrificing their comfort, traditions, and pride (Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 105).

4. God’s Truth Is Accessible
   God’s truth is not hidden but must be sought with humility. Rejecting it stems from human pride and unwillingness to surrender preconceived ideas.

5. Faith Beyond Evidence
   Even with conclusive evidence of Jesus’ divinity, belief requires a willing heart. Faith bridges the gap between evidence and conviction.

Discussion Questions and Answers

1. How do fulfilled prophecies in Jesus’ life inspire confidence in the Bible’s authority?

   • Answer: They demonstrate the divine inspiration of Scripture and its reliability in pointing to God’s plan of salvation (John 19:36-37).

2. What lessons can we learn from the religious leaders’ rejection of Jesus?

   • Answer: Pride, fear of change, and overreliance on human traditions can block us from recognizing God’s work. We must remain open to divine guidance.

3. How can we strengthen our confidence in Scripture today?

   • Answer: By daily studying the Bible, meditating on its fulfilled prophecies, and praying for the Holy Spirit’s guidance to apply its truths in our lives.