Prophetic Perception

There is a common belief that a prophet is someone who predicts the future—almost like an astrologer, who reads certain omens or positions of celestial bodies and forecasts forthcoming events. This is a misperception of the role of prophets that societies have held over the eons.

Prophets do not predict future events—rather, they speak the truth out about current events, in order to wake up the populace about what is unfolding in society. Thus, the dictionary defines a prophet as someone who is inspired to speak up about the reality of current happenings. While most people simply ride along with the popular trends, without realizing the truth of ongoing matters, a prophet digs deeper and is able to comprehend the reality of it all.

Other definitions of a prophet describe a person who speaks in a visionary way about events. A prophet has a clarity of what is unfolding, so he/she speaks out, trying to express that vision. Since most people in a society are operating under the delusion that circumstances are normal or acceptable, they do not welcome the challenging testimony of a prophet, since it can prick their conscience and cast doubt on their behavior. Worse, those in power—who often benefit from, or have even caused society's dysfunction—especially are antagonistic toward prophets, because their misdeeds are being revealed.

A prophet, being more tuned into reality—is, in fact, way out ahead of most people. The root of the word prophet is from Greek prophetes, which means “spokesman” or “speaker.” Some synonyms of prophet are diviner, oracle; or even in a negative sense, a doomsayer or pessimist. Again, these negative connotations have come about, because prophets typically point out society's wrongdoings. In contrast, there is a plethora of ecstatic and voices happily shouting out society's good accomplishments—no need for a prophet there.

The study of history can help us understand the roots of current events. We can “connect the dots” of past events and draw a causal line to what's going on today. I think that's why many historians know that, if we fail to study history and learn from past mistakes, we seem doomed to repeat them.

I believe that this connection between past events and today's events is why prophets are often considered to prognosticate the future. Prophets speak the truth about current events—a truth most people are unwilling and unable to hear. Then later, as things happen—inevitably following from what went before—some people remember that the prophet once spoke out about this problem. It seems to them as though the prophet had predicted the mess—when he/she was simply trying to wake them up. As it is said, hindsight is 20/20 vision.