It seems to be a safe rule to follow, that prophecy can not be understood by us until it is fulfilled or in the course of fulfilment.
It doesn’t appear to be of much use then, does it? Funny how the WT only applies this rule when their ‘understanding’ about a prophecy proves to be wrong. After all, their ‘understanding’ right now is that the following will all happen in the ‘near future’;
Phase 1: Precursor of “sudden destruction”
• nations will be saying, “Peace and security!”
• final sealing of the anointed remnant (the 144,000)
Phase 2: The Great Tribulation Begins
• Attack on religion by the United Nations
• The attack will be cut short
Phase 3: Events leading up to Armageddon
• Celestial phenomena
• Judgment pronounced on all God’ enemies
• All-out attack on all of Jehovah’s people
• Gathering of the anointed remnant to heaven
Phase 4: Armageddon
• Jehovah will rescue his people under attack
• Execution and removal of all human enemies of God’s Kingdom
They clearly haven’t applied the rule to this pile of crap.