Do you remember Rosie Ruiz?
Rosie was the supposed female winner of the 1980 Boston Marathon in a record time of 2:31:56. Her posted time was the third fastest for a female in the history of marathons. (A marathon is 26 miles and 385 yards of grueling uphill, downhill road races, usually through urban areas.)
But upon inspection, Rosie had not passed through any of the checkpoints along the marathon route. She somehow skipped most of the race and reentered the marathon from a crowd of people only a half mile before the finish line.
Rosie was disqualified. The second-place finisher – Jacqueline Gareau – was declared the winner in a time of 2:34:38.
Checkpoints!
Does God have checkpoints for His redemption narrative intertwined in scriptures from the Book of Genesis to the Book of Revelation?
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons (Galatians 4:4-5 ESV)
How did God hold off messiah imposters from appearing on the scene, trying to take the place of Jesus before the fullness of time had come?
Prophecies!
God’s checkpoints for His redemption narrative in Scripture are prophecies.
Some of the prophecies Jesus had to fulfill at His first coming include:
1. Born of a virgin. (Isaiah 7:14)
2. Born into the lineage of King David (2 Samuel 7:12)
3. Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)
4. Called out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1)
5. Born into the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10)
6. Live in Galilee and be called a Nazarene (Isaiah 9:1-2)
7. Massacre of children at Jesus’ birth (Jeremiah 31:15)
Neither man nor Satan could have figured out or fulfilled the above seven prophecies ahead of time. Only God through His omniscience and His power could fulfill these prophecies.
Okay, what about Jesus’ second coming? Who or what is restraining the Antichrist?
(Continued in Part 2)
Larry Who 
So good to read here again! Excellent, Mr. Larry!
Thanks. It’s great to see your comment. God bless you.