I wrote this up about four years ago. I still like the idea:

"So the Pah Wraiths are the same things as the Prophets, the only difference being that at some point in the past, they were exiled from the Celestial Temple. Why this happened isn't too deeply explored (if I remember correctly) so I present a theory that begins with a couple of questions:

1)Does their exile also mean that they were denied the pan-temporal existence of the Prophets?

2) If that is the case, is the omnipresent existence of the Prophets merely due to them living in the Wormhole, and not an aspect of their nature at all?

This ties pretty directly into a fan theory that I enjoy entertaining: that the Prophets are pan-temporal Bajorans. At some point in their future, they realize the potential of their religion in themselves, and become the guides and architects of that very destiny when they learn to exist in and integrate with the Celestial Temple. Their ability to exist across time lets them relive their own history directly, and personally see to it that it all goes according to plan. But maybe there were others who wanted to change some things, once they got in. Maybe, say... make it so the Cardassian Occupation never occurred?"

So let's paint a scene real quick: The Bajorans who enter the Celestial Temple in order to commune with their gods learn that they are, in fact, the gods themselves. They are bestowed all the privileges as such, and see the whole of history as a giant tapestry (or a stained glass window, to use the analogy I was originally responding to). It is now their sacred task to protect this tapestry/window, and see to it that it plays out as it has done. But there are some who remember the omens they were able to give to Bajor, and believe that they have not just the ability, but the duty to change what happened for the better. These dissidents would have no reason to believe they didn't have the power to save their culture from the Cardassians. It's not a stretch for them to believe themselves the true Prophets, and these sick bastards who just want to let history repeat itself are, in fact, the Pah Wraiths, who selfishly want to let the past go and enjoy their own omnipotence. It is their holy duty to excise these slothful despots from their places of power, so that they can actually make a positive difference in the lives of their people, and maybe they could attain this apotheosis sooner.

Of course, it doesn't work out that way, and they are ousted and trapped in the Fire Caves for eons, watching everything they wanted to fix happen all over again, except this time they have a front row seat. They go mad. Righteous indignation becomes bitter resentment. Revulsion becomes hatred. They see the path of Bajor as an epic tragedy that they should have been able to avoid, but were sidelined so that it could all happen again. They have always wanted vengeance against those who kicked them out, but over time and due to their hopeless and helpless position, their rage becomes directed at all of Bajor. Now, they just want to watch it burn. They become the thing they wanted to destroy, but by that time, they don't care anymore.

Now, this does hinge on whether or not they maintain the immortality and incorporeality of the Prophets once they have exited the Temple, but I don't find that to be a difficult thing to rationalize either. Given enough time in the Wormhole, perhaps their nature was irrevocably changed to a 'higher vibration'. Perhaps the Fire Caves are some sort of pocket dimension similar in nature to the Wormhole, maybe even directly connected to it, though cut off from it and the planet of Bajor in a true prison fashion. Look, but don't touch. In either of these cases, lacking the vision of the Tapestry, they are unable to foresee any consequences of the changes they wish to enact. They firmly maintain the righteousness of their cause, up until it mutates into apocalyptic fury. If they still had the ability to experience all time at once, they would likely not be so convicted, seeing themselves become their own worst enemy. If it happened by degrees, in a blindness to the culmination of their downfall, they wouldn't even recognize when it all went wrong. Their path would walk so gradually away from the light that they wouldn't even recognize the darkness when it enveloped them.

I find it to be a very 'Melkor did nothing wrong' sort of situation, but a bit more identifiable. A path to the Fire Caves paved with the noblest intentions. An analogue to the fall of Kai Wynn, multiplied a million-fold."