Living in the Fulfillment of God's Plan in Christ

Today, we gathered to explore the fulfillment of God’s eternal plan in Christ, tracing its prophetic roots and its realization in the person of Jesus. From before the foundation of the world, God’s plan was set, and all of history—recorded through the prophets, the Gospels, the Epistles, and even the book of Revelation—points to its fulfillment in Christ. The Old Testament, with its shadows and types, was always meant to direct us to Jesus, in whom the fullness of God’s plan is revealed. We examined the transition from the old covenant to the new, understanding that the kingdom of God is not a physical realm to be observed, but a spiritual reality experienced in the Holy Spirit—righteousness, peace, and joy.

A central focus was the nature of Christ’s coming. Rather than a future event for us to anxiously await, the coming of Christ is a reality to be celebrated, for He dwells within us. We asked three key questions: Was His coming physical or spiritual? Visible or invisible? Should it be expected in our future, or was it fulfilled in the generation of His first hearers? By tracing the testimony of the prophets—Daniel, Isaiah, Joel, Micah—and the teachings of Jesus, we saw that the language of prophecy is often symbolic, describing covenantal shifts rather than cosmic catastrophes. The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple was not the end of the physical world, but the end of the old covenant and the inauguration of worship in spirit and truth.

Jesus Himself was clear: the signs He described—wars, famines, persecutions—would occur within the generation of His listeners. He assured them that some standing with Him would not taste death before seeing the Son of Man coming in His kingdom. The apostles echoed this urgency, declaring that the end of the ages had come upon them, and that the old covenant was ready to vanish away. The book of Revelation, too, was written about things that would “shortly take place,” not distant events for future generations.

We are called, then, not to fear or speculate about future apocalyptic events, but to live in the reality of Christ’s accomplished work. The kingdom is here, the new covenant is established, and we are alive in Christ—no longer separated, but reconciled and sustained by everlasting righteousness. Our faith is not in what is yet to come, but in what has already been fulfilled in Jesus.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Eternal Plan Is Fulfilled in Christ God’s plan, set before the foundation of the world, finds its fulfillment not in a distant future but in the person and work of Jesus. The Old Testament’s shadows and prophecies were always pointing to Christ, who embodies the reality of God’s promises. Understanding this shifts our focus from waiting for fulfillment to living in its reality. [02:29]
• 2. The Kingdom of God Is a Present Spiritual Reality The kingdom does not come with visible signs or physical observation, but is experienced in the Holy Spirit—righteousness, peace, and joy. This means our address is not a physical location, but life in the Spirit. We are called to recognize and enjoy the kingdom now, rather than anxiously awaiting a future manifestation. [04:12]
• 3. Prophetic Language Describes Covenant, Not Catastrophe The prophets used symbolic language—stars falling, the sun darkened, the moon turned to blood—to describe the judgment and end of the old covenant order, not the destruction of the physical world. Recognizing this helps us read Scripture with discernment, understanding that God’s judgments are about shifting covenants and bringing forth newness in Christ. [24:38]
• 4. Christ’s Coming Was for His Generation Jesus and the apostles consistently taught that the signs of His coming and the end of the age would occur within the generation of their hearers. This was fulfilled in the events surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, marking the end of the old covenant and the full arrival of the new. Our faith rests on the reliability of Christ’s words and the historical fulfillment of His promises. [45:17]
• 5. We Live in the Accomplished Work of Christ With the old covenant obsolete and the new established, we are sustained not by ongoing prophecy but by everlasting righteousness in Christ. Our relationship with God is direct, through the Spirit, and our life is secure in Him—whether in life or death, we are alive in Christ. This truth frees us from fear and invites us to live boldly in the reality of the new covenant. [69:49]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:24] - Setting Our Minds for Study
• [01:32] - Introduction to God’s Eternal Plan
• [02:29] - Old Testament Shadows Pointing to Christ
• [03:39] - The Nature of the Kingdom of God
• [04:36] - Rethinking the Coming of Christ
• [06:10] - Key Questions About Christ’s Coming
• [09:22] - Prophetic Foundations: Daniel’s 70 Weeks
• [16:24] - The Purpose of Prophecy Fulfilled in Christ
• [21:42] - Prophets’ Symbolic Language Explained
• [26:00] - Joel’s Prophecy and Pentecost
• [33:06] - Micah and the Destruction of Jerusalem
• [36:28] - Jesus’ Teachings on the End of the Age
• [45:17] - “This Generation Will Not Pass Away”
• [49:06] - Jesus’ Coming and the Mission to Israel
• [54:26] - Some Will Not Taste Death Before His Coming
• [58:33] - Apostolic Witness: The End at Hand
• [67:32] - Revelation: Things to Come Shortly
• [69:05] - Living in the Accomplished Work of Christ

Bible Reading

Daniel 9:24-27 (ESV) — > “Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”

2. Luke 17:20-21 (ESV)
> “Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, ‘The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, “Look, here it is!” or “There!” for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.’”

3. Matthew 24:32-35 (ESV)
> “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

Observation Questions

1. In Daniel 9:24, what are the six things that are said to be accomplished by the end of the “seventy weeks”? How do these relate to the work of Christ? [16:24]
2. According to Luke 17:20-21, how does Jesus describe the coming of the kingdom of God? What does he say about its visibility? [04:12]
3. In Matthew 24:34, what does Jesus say about the timing of the events he describes? Who is the “generation” he refers to? [45:17]
4. The sermon mentions that prophetic language like “the sun will be darkened” and “the stars will fall” is symbolic. What do these symbols represent according to the teaching? [24:38]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon teaches that the Old Testament’s shadows and prophecies were always pointing to Christ. How does understanding this change the way we read the Old Testament today? [02:29]
2. Jesus says the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed physically, but is “in the midst of you.” What does it mean for the kingdom to be a present spiritual reality rather than a future physical event? [04:12]
3. The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple is described as the end of the old covenant, not the end of the physical world. How does this perspective affect the way we think about “end times” prophecy? [36:28]
4. The sermon claims that Christ’s coming was fulfilled in the generation of his first hearers. How does this challenge or affirm your previous understanding of Jesus’ return? [45:17]

Application Questions

1. The sermon says we are called not to fear or speculate about future apocalyptic events, but to live in the reality of Christ’s accomplished work. Are there ways you have been anxious or distracted by “end times” teachings? How can you shift your focus to living in the present reality of the kingdom? [06:10]
2. If the kingdom of God is “righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit,” what is one area of your life where you need to experience more of this reality? What practical step can you take this week to open yourself to the Spirit’s work? [04:12]
3. The sermon teaches that our relationship with God is now direct, through the Spirit, and not dependent on prophecy or temple rituals. How does this truth affect the way you approach prayer, worship, or your daily walk with God? [19:55]
4. The message emphasizes that we are sustained by everlasting righteousness in Christ, not by ongoing prophecy. Are there ways you have looked for reassurance in signs or predictions rather than in Christ’s finished work? How can you remind yourself of your security in Him? [18:58]
5. The teaching suggests that the language of prophecy is often symbolic, describing covenantal shifts rather than cosmic catastrophes. How might this change the way you read difficult or confusing passages in the Bible? [24:38]
6. Jesus told his listeners that some of them would not die before seeing the Son of Man coming in his kingdom. How does this sense of urgency and fulfillment affect your sense of purpose and mission as a follower of Jesus today? [56:16]
7. The sermon encourages us to live boldly in the reality of the new covenant. What is one area where you need courage to live out your faith, knowing that you are already reconciled and alive in Christ? [01:09:49]