Sometimes, God shows us ahead of time what's in store.
Does this mean we "get it" right away? Not always.
We see, sense, know that we know things when God speaks to us through dreams, visions, other people, the media, and experiences, among other ways, and if we have ears to hear, and eyes to see, we will at least receive the message even if we don't understand it.
When God speaks to or interacts with us, it is a face-to-face, heart-to-heart encounter with God sometimes:
An angel arrives... recognized as such, or not.
A miracle occurs above and beyond the call of the prayers.
A dream warns us.
A friend shares wisdom that could only come from The Creator.
What is God saying to you?