The wisdom of God was manifested in the choice he made regarding the time of selling Christ to the world. Coming at such a late time, there was ample opportunity for prophecy to witness his mission. A chain of inspired predictions covering many centuries announced the events related to its appearance in human form. God wanted the fulfillment of these prophecies to strengthen the faith of believers in Christ. If the Savior had come much earlier than he came, that advantage would not have been so great.
Also according to the providence of God, Christ came when he dominated the Roman power. The Jews, having turned away from God, had fallen under the dominion of a heathen nation. Although he exercised some measure of authority, the Sanhedrin could not pass judgment in a case involving the death penalty. Dominated by fanaticism and tradition, the Jews were very cruel and inexorable. His hatred of Christ was very intense. If they had possessed the supreme power, the zealous priests and princes would have been spared very soon what they considered as a rival. The Savior's work among men would have been abbreviated, and nothing would have been recorded as to his life and ministry. The cross of Christ on Calvary would not have been lifted. The crucifixion was a Roman method of punishment. If the Jews had exercised an independent domain, they would have killed Christ by stoning him for the false accusation of violating God's law. This would not have fulfilled the prophecy that just as the serpent had been raised in the wilderness, so the Son of God should be raised.
The coming of Christ in time and in the manner in which it occurred was a direct and complete fulfillment of the prophecy. The evidence of this given to the world through the testimony of the apostles and their associates is one of the most categorical tests of the Christian faith. We were not eyewitnesses to the life of Jesus, but we have the testimony of his disciples, and by faith, we see through his eyes and hear through his ears, and our faith accepts the evidence given.
The apostles accepted Christ for the testimony of the prophecy, which was confirmed to them by seeing and touching the Word of life. We also have the testimony of the Old Testament prophets, and we also have the testimony of the apostles and believers of the New Testament. The prophets pointed to a Savior who was to come; the apostles, to a Savior who had come in exact fulfillment of the prophecy. Thus the chain of evidence is complete and complete. It is enough to convince everyone who wants to believe. God has given men ample testimony to establish their faith in his power, in the divine mission of his Son, and in the authority and work of the Holy Spirit.