Prophets and prophecy

[Morell]

So... there is a lot of prophets in the history and there are even people today who claim to have a prophecy for the world. What are they actually worth? Obviously entire religions grow around them and deform their original meaning beyond recognition. That is pretty much a problem with genuine prophets... well, if there actually are any. The fake ones, that's story for itself.

Sometimes fake ones are obvious and worse, they know. But it seems to me that a big deal of them is not realizing what they re doing, they are self-deluded... and possibly brainwashed from outside as well. They can become dangerous and apparently many are great manipulators who start cults. Some of those cults later cool down and become calm and acceptable religions. Some disappear, some die out... in multiple possible ways.

But what about true prophets? Is there really such a kind? I assume that there are true prophets, because what else can prove to us existence of spiritual, if not people having spiritual experiences? Our sciences are unlikely to explore spiritual anytime soon. (and thanks the darkness for that!) But since future is in constant flow, prophecies about the future are always on the fence, always there is chance that they won't come to pass, because humanity always changes...

If they bring teachings that agree with common sense and bring some improvement, then it's fine, even if the prophet is false, because they bring good. And true prophet can become dangerous predator too. So... how can we trust any prophet? I think that they deserve no more trust than anyone else. Anyone can do the work to reach spiritual. Perhaps the way they live and act can indicate their honesty... I don't know...

But I understand that if they bring hope, religions are easy to form around them.

 

[Ziran]

What are they actually worth?

It cultivates awareness of realm beyond conventional, mainstream, materialistic, cause-and-effect.

For example: Surah 2 from the Quran

"This is the Book! ... a guide for those mindful ˹of Allah˺... who believe in the unseen"

The story of Muhammaf who encounterd the angel Gabriel, is intended for those who "believe the unseen". That's "the worth", the value and utility, of prophecy, from our perspective as non=orophets.

But, there's also clues within the story which intimate how the prophet received their prophecy. Isaiah is the best example I know of. There's also an interesting passage in 2 Kings. Im sure there are others, but, prophecy isn't the area of my expertise. This also has value.

But zooming out, the general answer to your question is somewhat unsatisfing.

Why did God create prophets and prophecy? Because God wants to be known. Take a look at Psalm 119, for example.

 

[StarOfSitra]

The question is: what is a prophet to you?

 

[Morell]

A high bidder betting themselves as well as others on information the prophet does never 100% know where it come from or why.

 

[StarOfSitra]

A high bidder betting themselves as well as others on information the prophet does never 100% know where it come from or why.

I think many of us in this forum would fit into that definition at least once in our lives — maybe even several times. I’ve met people with incredible gifts in that sense. Once, I met a woman who wrote in a book using symbolic stories about things that would happen — and they did happen. I started calling her, in a friendly way, the Oraculous One.

 

[Morell]

I think many of us in this forum would fit into that definition at least once in our lives — maybe even several times. I’ve met people with incredible gifts in that sense. Once, I met a woman who wrote in a book using symbolic stories about things that would happen — and they did happen. I started calling her, in a friendly way, the Oraculous One.

That's actually good observation. You might be quite right. Though, Prophets usually do prophecies for entire humanity or big groups, don't they?

 

[StarOfSitra]

That's actually good observation. You might be quite right. Though, Prophets usually do prophecies for entire humanity or big groups, don't they?

Yes, and in fact I know people who have them. I myself have visions of many future events and a fairly good rate of accuracy, but I can’t be 100% certain about everything I see — it’s a lot of information, and very diverse. Many of us, out of fear of being wrong or judged, stay silent. My most recent visions, for example, are about the beginning of a worldwide war and Putin being assassinated. In other words, they are events of great significance for humanity.

 

[Morell]

Yes, and in fact I know people who have them. I myself have visions of many future events and a fairly good rate of accuracy, but I can’t be 100% certain about everything I see — it’s a lot of information, and very diverse. Many of us, out of fear of being wrong or judged, stay silent. My most recent visions, for example, are about the beginning of a worldwide war and Putin being assassinated. In other words, they are events of great significance for humanity.

WW3 and Putin dead, well, that wouldn't surprise me. Though I think that none really wants global conflict too much, interconnected economy and dependencies so far seems to be preventing it.

(joke) Those rapture awaiting Christians might be happy for another war being a sign of their end days.