Prophectic Visions

A prophetic vision is an act or occurrence that generally forms or reiterates the basis of a prophecy, which itself can best be defined as any clearly indicated prediction of future events. Those who claim more than frequent visitations of such visions, while recording details of the visitations accordingly, can be said to be prophets. Very few subjects are more hotly contested among historians, philosophers, and scholars, with one side more or less devoted to separating the "wheat from the chaff" by applying rules of logic and evidence when examining prophetic meanings and literature, with the other side more open to a face-value acceptance of all prophetic vision materials for whatever illumination they can offer.

We are aware of the widely-scrutinized work of the biblical prophets, but in recent years, much has been made of the work of what many consider fringe prophets whose vision records are either fabulous in the extreme or adjusted by supporters to devise an appearance of modern-day fulfillment of their predictions. A more famous example is the 16th century apothecary Nostradamus, whose quatrain-form visionary accounts have for some years created much controversy, bringing with it much exaggeration in popular culture.

Long ago dismissed by scholars (whose rejection was not really directed at Nostradamus and his work, but intended more for his seemingly credulous followers), his name is invoked in popular culture whenever a cataclysmic event occurs (ie 9/11, the Burma tsunami). This is often intended to poke fun at those who believe his visions can, or ought to be, fashioned into something resembling a perfectly anticipated calendar of events.

Perhaps due in part to the popular struggle over the truth or untruth of the predictions of Nostradamus, the ancient tradition of prophetic art and symbolism has been somewhat standardized as a mainstay in general conspiracy theory and even Internet hucksterism. For example, there are several websites on the Net that purport to be operated by living prophets, who apparently have taken the time and care to design a website, purchase domain rights and post records of their prophetic visions right at the source, or "hot out of the oven" for their readers, who often must pay for the privilege of connecting with a new "truth."

Is there any training program for prophets? Likely not, unless you count relaxation techniques like yoga or pilates, which would be intended to make the prophet more relaxed and therefore more "primed" to receive visionary information. So if it's difficult for you to follow clearly the competing visions of prophets everywhere, it may help to return to a first-principle approach and study Biblical prophecies for their ability to offer lessons often much removed from, and unconcerned with, our modern obsession with knowing the future before it comes to pass. After that, who knows? Perhaps you'll be well enough trained in the prophetic arts to produce your own website: "Know Your Local Prophet."

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