I found your post very interesting.
 
I did not know the background facts of that verse in Daniel.  I have felt for a while that those of us who are not familiar with the language or customs of the times in which a particular scripture was written are losing some of the true meaning of that scripture.  I guess that is why we are told to "study to show thyself approved unto God....rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
 
This passage in Revelation 9:13-15 also points towards a definite time that Tribulation will begin.
 
 13And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,
 14Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.
 15And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.
 
This event takes place towards the middle (or slightly after) of the Tribulation period (If this event is mid-Trib then the start would have been approx. 3 1/2 yrs. prior.)  This scripture states that the time that these four angels are to be released has already been set, down to the hour of their release.  With other scriptures that give us the number of days that certain events occur in that seven year period (Daniel 9:24,25, Daniel 12:11, Revelation 11:13, Revelation 12:6) we know the length of Tribulation.  The scripture in Revelation 9:13-15 seems to indicate an event that has a definite hour to begin.
 
The Rapture is an imminent event that can take place whenever the Father decides to send Jesus.  The Tribulation period will begin shortly after.  Every day that we are here takes us closer to the day that the Tribulation will start and we will be taken to Heaven before Tribulation begins.  So.. take heart!  all who are watching for our Lord.  Every moment, every day, that we are still here on this earth is just one more day that we are closer to seeing our Lord!

An Eye to the Sky and an Ear for the Trumpet,
Bea