In talking with a Catholic scholar, I have become convinced the Book of Daniel describes past events, in particular Alexander's conquest.
That's interesting, and quite possibly true. Revelation, on the other hand, has so many metaphorical references to Rome, that I am inclined to think that it predicts the collapse of the Empire. Non-Biblical writers of the time, e.g., Suetonius, were predicting the same thing, and noticing signs of decline all around them. "The lights of civilization are going out," Suetonius said, "all over the world." (Twelve Caesars)