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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Visions and Prophecy	Omar	Monday, February 14, 2005
Question: Hello Brother: I was wondering why, when a person is given a prophetic vision, whether it is someone from the Bible, or from modern times, why the vision is cryptic and ambiguous? Why is not the person given a clear vision of what is going to happen. For example, I was reading about one of the visions that one of the visionaries had from Fatima which showed the Bishop in a white robe being shot at with arrows and bullets by soldiers. The visionary is asked who she "believes" the image of the Bishop represents in the vision. Thus, we see the opening for interpretation, rather than a clear and unquestionable explanation of who was in the vision. I hope this makes sense. Thanks in advance, and as always, God Bless you and your ministry. Omar
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM Dear Omar: I really do not know specifically, but suspect one reason has something to do with God always keeping the options open for us. If He gave us the actual name of the Pope that was to be shot, for example, then that could become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Someone could read the prophecy and make sure it comes true. Not knowing who the Pope to be shot is prevents that, and also allows for future events to change the course of the prophecy. Most of these prophecies are provisional. That is, "D" will come true, if A, B, C happens, but if we work to prevent A, B, C, then D may not come true. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Visions and Prophecy

Omar

Monday, February 14, 2005

Question:

Hello Brother:

I was wondering why, when a person is given a prophetic vision, whether it is someone from the Bible, or from modern times, why the vision is cryptic and ambiguous? Why is not the person given a clear vision of what is going to happen.

For example, I was reading about one of the visions that one of the visionaries had from Fatima which showed the Bishop in a white robe being shot at with arrows and bullets by soldiers. The visionary is asked who she "believes" the image of the Bishop represents in the vision. Thus, we see the opening for interpretation, rather than a clear and unquestionable explanation of who was in the vision. I hope this makes sense.

Thanks in advance, and as always, God Bless you and your ministry.

Omar

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Omar:

I really do not know specifically, but suspect one reason has something to do with God always keeping the options open for us. If He gave us the actual name of the Pope that was to be shot, for example, then that could become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Someone could read the prophecy and make sure it comes true.

Not knowing who the Pope to be shot is prevents that, and also allows for future events to change the course of the prophecy. Most of these prophecies are provisional. That is, "D" will come true, if A, B, C happens, but if we work to prevent A, B, C, then D may not come true.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum