The Book of is a schizophrenic affair filled with confusion, despair, and triumph - and that is just the academic history of the book. Half nursery rhymes - half nightmare Daniel at once illustrates that dedication and faith are necessary for life and deliverance. Biblical historians have a complicated explanation for the writing of Daniel, but the only thing to note regarding the apocalyptic parts of the Book is that what was predicted has already occurred. It is just as likely that the fictional Daniel was so relieved to have survived the lions den that he smoke a bowl of opium in celebration, fell asleep and had a dream (In Xanadu did Kubla Khan a stately pleasure-dome decree...). Modern "Theologians" worry about what the small horn means are chasing after the wind and wasting their time. Daniel addresses that faithfulness will be rewarded...(and considering Maccabees) perhaps not here, but there will be deliverance.© Copyright, C. Michael Bailey, 2006
