People

get the spiritual gift of prophecy all wrong.

It is one of the spiritual gifts given by the spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 

To one there is given through the Spirit 

a message of wisdom, 

to another a message of knowledge 

by means of the same Spirit, 

to another faith by the same Spirit, 

to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 

to another miraculous powers, 

to another prophecy, 

to another distinguishing between spirits, 

to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, 

and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 

All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, 

and he distributes them to each one, 

just as he determines.

More often than not it is about explaining complex things in a simple manner.

So that people who other wise wouldn't understand are able.

At times it involves seeing things that are coming in the future.

Often times when writing about them 

the people with this gift don't even realize what they are saying.

Then later upon closer examination 

it turns out they knew exactly what they were talking about.

But mostly?

It is about explaining complex things in a simple manner.

It's why Jesus spoke to the multitudes in parables.

Luke 8:9-10 

His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 

He said, 

“The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God 

has been given to you, 

but to others I speak in parables, so that,

“‘though seeing, they may not see;

    though hearing, they may not understand."

His subject matter was often just too complex to be easily understood.

Also?

He was setting it up for his words to be studied 

for a long time after he was gone.

This is why it is said:

Revelation 19:10 

And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “

See that you do not do that! 

I am your fellow servant, 

and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. 

Worship God! 

For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”