How do we know when the Gospels were written?

One of the more traditional and more conservative perspectives on prophecies is that they can have more than one fullfillment, and a partial early fulfillment with a later one, often more significant.

It's because that's the way New Testament biblical writers viewed prophecies and at times even rules. For example, Paul writes that when the scripture says you shall not muzzle the ox that treads out the corn, that it was primarily meant for ministers of the gospel. His comment "does God take care of oxen?" is thus rhetorical.If you read how OT scriptures are used in the New Testament, you will notice this principle in effect.

There is a rule in the Law that states when an oxen is plowing, you will not muzzle it so it cannot eat at the same time, presumably of the field it is plowing. Paul says that was written for "our benefit" meaning the people in the New Testament, and says it relates to supporting ministers of the gospel while they plow the field (minister the word of God). Paul, of course, also states that he supported his own ministry to avoid charges from others that he and his team were taking advantage of this privilege.So Paul sees a mundane rule as having a secondary temporal-wise but more primary meaning intended for a later time, a sort of prophetic meaning if you would that he says reflects God's heart and mind more than the original purpose of the rule.This is basic principle within the New Testament. It's not hard to grasp and is a very old Christian principle dating back to Jesus and his words, and arguably earlier.

Brian, certainly Christ existed prior to the creation and Aberaham, or that's what we beleivers believe.But really the principle could arguably be known to the prophets in the Old Testament, or to Moses, for example, and thus being a very old Christian principle, it could be a very old Jewish principle prior to that.