As I've explained before, Matthew 24 is actually Jesus dismissing the idea of the "end of the world" while predicting the abuse of his followers and misuse of his teachings (pretty much a guarantee for ANY messianic figure). He's saying "Don't worry about hte end of the world, if it happens, it will happen, and only my father knows when or if that will happen. Just be true to my teachings and to god, and you'll do fine no matter what"
Verse 28 is exactly what it sounds like - The "carcass" is the doctrine of the false prophets, and the "eagles" (actually it would be vultures, but they didn't have those in England to the translation was a bit off) are the people accepting these false doctrines - scavengers feeding on rotted flesh.
As for Daniel, well now. Daniel 8 is actually pretty darn clear and concise:
20The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.
21And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.
22Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.
Now. What Grecian king do we know of kicked the butt of the Persians, and from who's empire four kingdoms were formed, none of which with hte power of the original?
Alexander.
