The book of Daniel belongs to that strange genre of biblical literature we call "apocalyptic." To the modern ear it sounds very different, and its language is somewhat bizarre. Some interpreters have tried to use this literature to predict with certainty the future, but some find this to be an inappropriate use of scripture. Apocalyptic literature is much easier to understand, and more helpful to us in our daily living, if we avoid trying to use it as a detailed outline of future events and simply try to understand what it was intended to say to its original audience.

Biblical scholars disagree concerning the date and authorship of the book of Daniel. The setting in the story is the Babylonian exile, and some consider that period to be the time of authorship. Others think Daniel was wr…