It is called perfect when not only the thing revealed, but the revelation itself is made known, that is, when the prophet knows that it is God who speaks. By reason of the illumination of the mind prophecy may be either perfect or imperfect. It is a Divine light by which God reveals things concerning the unknown future and by which these things are in some way represented to the mind of the prophet, whose duty it is to manifest them afterwards to others.ĭIVISION.-Writers on mystical theology consider prophecies with reference to the illumination of the mind, to the objects revealed, and to the means by which the knowledge is conveyed to the human mind. The knowledge must be supernatural and infused by God because it concerns things beyond the natural power of created intelligence and the knowledge must be manifested either by words or signs, because the gift of prophecy is given primarily for the good of others, and hence needs to be manifested. Prophecy consists in knowledge and in the manifestation of what is known. As, however, the manifestation of hidden present mysteries or past events comes under revelation, we have here to understand by prophecy what it is in its strict and proper sense, namely, the revelation of future events. Paul, speaking of prophecy in I Cor., xiv, does not confine its meaning to predictions of future events, but includes under it Divine inspirations concerning what is secret, whether future or not. Understood in its strict sense, it means the foreknowledge and foretelling of future events, though it may sometimes apply to past events of which there is no memory, and to present hidden things which cannot be known by the natural light of reason.

MEANING.-As the term is used in mystical theology, it applies both to the prophecies of canonical Scripture and to private prophecies.

Approaching the heart of prophecy