This astonishing chapter falls into three parts: first, detailed prophecy of events up to 175BC (all fulfilled and here summarised); then the tyranny of Antiochus toward Palestine; then the end-times acts of Antichrist, now being fulfilled before our eyes in church and state.

The Lord's purity cannot allow the shameful hypocrisy of Temple conduct, and by an act of divine power He casts out the commerce, and prophesies His own death and resurrection (as well as the fall of the Temple), providing lessons for spiritual living today.

Here is Daniel's prayer for the restoration of Jerusalem, and the vision of seventy 'sevens' and how, by the traditional evangelical view, the prophet's eyes are lifted to Calvary and Christ's six accomplishments there.

Our society today knows so little about almighty God, having wilfully shut Him out of all consideration. But look, says the Bible, at His attributes, ways and plans. Consider the uniqueness of God and compare His actions, plans and promises with those of human society.

First we see the message of the miracle; second - the insurmountable problem; third - the necessity of obedience; fourth - the quality of the miracle; fifth - the results. The disciples saw Christ's divine power and the nature of His saving work.