In the Bajoran religion, the Prophets are spiritual entities who provide wisdom and guidance to the Bajoran
people. Bajoran tradition holds that the Prophets were responsible for the nine Orbs that served as sources
of wisdom for the people of Bajor. Many Bajorans believe that the alien beings first encountered in the
Bajoran wormhole by Commander Benjamin Sisko in 2369 were in fact, the Prophets. These life-forms found
the concept of linear time to be totally alien, and Sisko attempted to help them understand the importance of
linear existence to Bajorans and humans. Ironically, although Sisko did not believe in the Bajoran religion,
his role in making contact with these life-forms made him their prophesied Emmissary, a role that Sisko
did not relish, although he respected their beliefs.