short may mean that the number schemes offered by Daniel have been changed, out of mercy, by God himself.20 This is a salutary warning against excessive interest in this aspect of Daniel to the exclusion of its larger purpose. In a similar vein, we are warned against too much attention to knowing “that day and hour” (Matt. 24:36).21 Suddenness and surprise accompany his lordship. Instead Jesus places the emphasis on the virtue of watchfulness: “You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming