The Old Testament books were written and their contents established centuries before Christ.

Traditional teaching would date the writing of even the most recent of Old Testament books as centuries before the time of Jesus Christ.

• Even more liberal modern critics who attempt to place "later dates" on Old Testament scriptures tend to agree that the Old Testament books were written long before the birth of Christ.
   
• Discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls has substantially silenced those who have tried to claim that the Old Testament books were "altered" by Christians.

These Old Testament books which were written centuries before the arrival of Jesus Christ and totally beyond manipulation by His followers tell us that, one day, a special man will come. A Messiah. A Saviour.

These Old Testament books which were written centuries before Jesus or His followers could have had any influence on their content give significant detail abut that coming Messiah so that He could be recognized when He came.

To be genuine, the Messiah must fulfill a pattern set forth hundreds of years before the time of Jesus Christ.

The life of Jesus Christ is a literal point-by-point fulfillment of these prophesies specifically intended to identify the coming Messiah.