There are always persons with an innate ability to see where human behavior will lead us.
Prophets seem to be present especially in times of great crisis.
Often they are not recognized or heeded. Only after the fact is their message noticed. Much prophetic activity in the Bible happened before, during, and just after the Babylonian Exile. Prior to the exile Amos, Hosea, Micah, Jeremiah, First Isaiah, Zephaniah, and Nahum foretell the imminent danger to Israel if she does not repent and change her ways. During the exile Ezekiel, Zechariah, and Second Isaiah try to hold out hope to the people that God's wrath will be abated and the kingdom will be restored.