WHEN, THROUGH NO FAULT OF HIS OWN, DANIEL WAS THROWN into a lions' den (see Dan. chap.6), the expected outcome would have been almost instant annihilation. Yet Daniel's knowledge of his innocence, coupled with his unwavering, unconditional love for God, enabled him to spend the night in the den and emerge completely unharmed. There was no anger in this spiritually–minded man—no resentment, hatred, blame, or bitterness—a fact illustrated by the stunning sweetness of his response to the king the next morning (see Dan. 6:21, 22). One might say that through his pure embodiment of the divine nature, Daniel had overcome the carnivorous nature—the predatory, carnal state of mind—that identifies both man and beast as fleshly, vulnerable, and predatory. And this overcoming expressed itself outwardly as freedom and safety for both Daniel and the lions.
In Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Mary Baker Eddy explained, "The individuality created by God is not carnivorous, as witness the millennial estate pictured by Isaiah:—
The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb,
And the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
And the calf and the young lion, and the fatling together;
And a little child shall lead them.
