The anticipation of the Messiah's arrival is a central theme in biblical prophecy, with numerous passages foretelling the coming of Christ at a divinely appointed time. These prophecies underscore the sovereignty of God in orchestrating the timeline of salvation history, affirming that the arrival of the Messiah was neither random nor coincidental but fulfilled according to God's precise plan.

Daniel's Seventy Weeks

One of the most significant prophecies concerning the timing of the Messiah's coming is found in the Book of Daniel. In Daniel 9:24-27, the angel Gabriel delivers a message to Daniel, outlining a period of "seventy weeks" decreed for the people of Israel and the holy city. This prophecy is often interpreted as a timeline leading to the coming of the Anointed One, the Messiah. Daniel 9:25 states, "Know and understand this: From the issuance of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks." This passage is understood to predict the precise period leading up to the arrival of Christ, emphasizing the divine orchestration of His coming.

The Prophecy of Micah

The prophet Micah also provides a significant prophecy regarding the timing and location of the Messiah's birth. Micah 5:2 declares, "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me one to be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." This prophecy not only specifies Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Messiah but also implies a predetermined time for His coming, as it aligns with the historical context of the Roman census that brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem.

The Fulfillment in the New Testament

The New Testament writers affirm the fulfillment of these Old Testament prophecies, emphasizing that Christ's coming occurred at the appointed time. Galatians 4:4 states, "But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law." This verse highlights the divine timing of Christ's incarnation, indicating that it was neither premature nor delayed but occurred precisely when God intended.

The Role of John the Baptist

John the Baptist's ministry also plays a crucial role in the timing of Christ's coming. As the forerunner prophesied in Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1, John's appearance and message of repentance prepared the way for the Messiah. Mark 1:2-3 references these prophecies, stating, "As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: 'Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way.' 'A voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.''" John's ministry marks the immediate precursor to Christ's public appearance, further affirming the set time of His coming.

The Significance of the Set Time

The prophecies concerning the set time of Christ's coming underscore the meticulous fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. They reveal a God who is deeply involved in the affairs of humanity, orchestrating events and timelines to bring about His purposes. The precision of these prophecies serves to strengthen the faith of believers, providing assurance that God's promises are reliable and His plans are unerring. Through these prophecies, the Scriptures testify to the divine nature of Christ's mission and the certainty of God's sovereign will.Genesis 49:10
The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and to him shall the gathering of the people be.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Daniel 9:24,25
Seventy weeks are determined on your people and on your holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Fulfilled Prophecies of the Bible Bespeak the Omniscience of ...
... definite and distinct were the Old Testament prophecies respecting the Birth of
Christ, that the ... should contain another set of prophecies which predicted ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter five the fulfilled prophecies.htm

Introduction
... Satan's counterfeit and opposer of the Christ of God ... the one who fulfills the prophecies
respecting the Antichrist ... Antiochus Epiphanes had been in his grave for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/introduction.htm

The Hebrew Prophecies.
... common denominator for this collection of prophecies.". ... several interesting critical
inquiries respecting the component ... him in insisting, that Christ could not ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter v the hebrew prophecies.htm

It is a Ground for Thanksgiving that During the Last Three or Four ...
... Doubtless, there are many particulars respecting this and ... be cleared up until the
prophecies concerning them ... passages which foretold the coming of the Christ. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/it is a ground for.htm

Whosoever Confesses that one God is the Author of Both Testaments ...
... all that the prophets have declared respecting Christ and the ... wicked spirit, pretend
to utter prophecies, while all ... that particular working of Christ which was ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxiii whosoever confesses that one.htm

Against Heresies
... Their views as to the prophecies. ... and interpret all that the prophets have declared
respecting Christ and the ... drawn from the promises made by Christ, when He ...
//christianbookshelf.org/irenaeus/against heresies/

Different Degrees of Knowledge.
... which we possess, who name Jesus Christ, partly in ... God in consequence of what is
written respecting Him ... onscurations, deduced after the style of our prophecies. ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xv different degrees of knowledge.htm

Subject Index
... the history of symbolical, [1290]492. Isaiah, his prophecy respecting the virgin ...
Israel. Christ is King of, [1292]267. applied to Christ, [1293]262. ...
/.../irenaeus/fragments from the lost writings of irenaeus/subject index.htm

Interpretation of Prophecy.
... There are two questions, especially, respecting which interpreters have ... the numerous
and very explicit prophecies of their ... with the coming of Christ, but to be ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxviii interpretation of prophecy.htm

John ii. 23
... attracted, but the better reasoners His prophecies and doctrines ... nor with proper
sentiments respecting Him, for he ... he preserved his reverence for Christ, for he ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxiv john ii 23.htm

How can we trust that biblical prophecy can indeed predict the future? | GotQuestions.org

Was Nostradamus a true prophet of God? | GotQuestions.org

Surviving the end times - what do I need to know? | GotQuestions.org

Prophecies: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus