How do we know the coming of the Messiah was foretold?

The anticipation of the Messiah's coming is deeply rooted in the prophetic scriptures of the Old Testament. Notably, Isaiah 40 and the prophecies of Malachi explicitly herald the arrival of a harbinger, John the Baptist, who would prepare the way for Christ. These prophecies not only confirm the expected identity of the Messiah but also outline the conditions under which He would appear, emphasizing both His humility and divine authority. Throughout the Old Testament, various prophetic voices speak about the necessity of a Redeemer who would bring salvation, thus affirming the truth of Christ's coming in the fullness of time as noted in Galatians 4:4.