The _New Testament_ was originally written in the Greek language,--for that was the language of the learned at the period of the Apostles,--and consequently the Gospel was quickly promulgated--both by writing and preaching--to the nations surrounding Jerusalem:--thus the invasion of Alexander,--by establishing in Syria, Palestine, and Egypt, one language, (_i. e._ the Greek) became an instrument, (although from a pagan,) for the promulgation of the true Faith,--thence fulfilling that "from evil cometh good." The latest date of Ezra is 456 B. C., and sceptics boldly assert "That no Prophecy _previously_ announced [as to date] in the Bible, can be proved from _history_ to have been fulfilled _after_ that date!" The first refutation (apart from THE REDEEMER'S prophesied birth) is from the Prophet DANIEL. From his vision he foretold that the fall of the Medes and Persians should be caused by a Grecian monarch (_i. e._ Alexander of Macedon), the former were portrayed as the horns of a Ram, and the latter as a brutal Goat. "And the Ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia,--and the rough goat is the king of Grecia." The _cause_ for Alexander's invasion of his enemy's territory is then given: "Behold there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia, and the fourth [Darius] shall be far richer than they all, and by his strength, through his riches, _he shall stir up all against the realm of Greece_." The Prophecy then actually foretells what shall happen upon the death of Alexander, whereby his identity as the "king of Grecia" is absolute,--viz., "His (king of Grecia) kingdom shall be broken, and _shall be divided_ towards the four winds of Heaven, and _not to his posterity_, nor according to his dominion (Macedonia) which he ruled; for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others besides those [_i. e._ his posterity]. Now that (Alexander's dominion) being broken, whereas _four_ stood up for it,--_four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation_--and in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressions are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences shall stand up."