On All Saints, we are visited through the Hebrew Scripture by Daniel. For most of us, Daniel is a book to either be avoided altogether or used sparingly. It falls into that category of books, like the book of Revelation, that is difficult to understand and is often misrepresented.

Daniel is not included in that list of books known as prophets because the authors of the prophetical books were men who occupied a special place in biblical history because of their special relationship with God. Prophets were men who were specially raised up by God to serve as mediators between God and the nation by declaring to the people the words given them directly from God. Daniel, however, was not specifically chosen by God for this purpose. Daniel was a statesman, inspired by God to write his book, and …