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" (which means the people), "but within a few days
he shall be destroyed, neither in anger nor in battle. And in his place
shall stand up a vile person, unworthy of the honour of the kingdom, but he
shall come in cleverly by flatteries. All armies shall bend before him; he
shall conquer them, and even the prince with whom he has made a covenant.
For having renewed the league with him, he shall work deceitfully, and enter
with a small people into his province, peaceably and without fear. He shall
take the fattest places, and shall do that which his fathers have not done,
and ravage on all sides. He shall forecast great devices during his time."
723. Prophecies.--The seventy weeks of Daniel are ambiguous as regards the
term of commencement, because of the terms of the prophecy; and as regards
the term of conclusion, because of the differences among chronologists. But
all this difference extends only to two hundred years.
724. Predictions.--That in the fourth monarchy, before the destruction of
the second temple, before the dominion of the Jews was taken away, in the
seventieth week of Daniel, during the continuance of the second temple, the
heathen should be instructed, and brought to the knowledge of the God
worshipped by the Jews; that those who loved Him should be delivered from
their enemies, and filled with His fear and love.
And it happened that in the fourth monarchy, before the destruction of the
second temple, etc., the heathen in great number worshipped God, and led an
angelic life. Maidens dedicated their virginity and their life to God. Men
renounced their pleasures. What Plato could only make acceptable to a few
men, specially chosen and instructed, a secret influence imparted by the
power of a few words, to a hundred million ignorant men.
The rich left their wealth. Children left the dainty homes of t
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