I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the World, the Word & You! Broadcast and in a moment we’ll talk about this man Nostradamus and the mystery that surround his prophecies written long ago…

…What man of the past has been of the greatest interest these days? The answer is a 16^th century prophet named Nostradamus. Indeed, Nostradamus’ writings and prophecies have been on the best seller lists for some time now, and additionally, his name has been the number one search term on the Internet for the past year or more. Yes, Nostradamus has become one of the world’s most widely known prophets. Why, his cryptic writings are claimed by many to contain information about future events that predicted the death of popes, the rise of tyrants such as Adolph Hitler, natural catastrophes, and unique disasters such as the World Trade Center attack. Is this possibly true that a man from the 16^th century was able to see into the future and accurately predict events and happenings? Well, millions have come to the conclusion this is so, and as such they pour over his writings, many finding new prophecies of things to come. Well my friend, after our second pause for a musical refreshment, I’ll attempt to tackle this new fascination to learn the future, and especially at the hand of Nostradamus the 16^th century astrologer and physician. Stay tuned…

…Right after the tragic World Trade Center attack on New York City in September 2001, a supposed prophecy surfaced that was attributed to the famed astrologer and physician called Nostradamus. Who is this man Nostradamus? We hear his name uttered almost everywhere these days?

Well history tells us he was born on December 14, 1503 in St. Remi France. His birth name was Michel de Nostradame, born of Jewish parents who were forced to give up their religious heritage due to the brutal Catholic Inquisition. As young Nostradamus grew to manhood, he studied at various colleges and universities of his day and graduated as a skilled physician. However, his love of life was to know and learn the future and what it held. To acquire this, Nostradamus as he is called, entered the world of astrology, mysticism and the occult to find it. Of course within this underworld of darkness, many things were revealed to him which he wrote down on two now popular works known as the “Centuries,” and the “Prognostications.” The Prognostications are like an Almanac. They contain a series of predictions about the next year following the completion of this book. Since they spoke of events happening 440 years ago, few are interested in them. However Nostradamus’ other book, “the Prophecies,” contain much more predictions going far into the future, which has not even occurred yet.

However, the question is -- did Nostradamus truly predict events of the 20^th and 21^st centuries that pertain to us who are living today? Many followers of this occult leader of the past say “yes” and have since elevated him to the status of the biblical prophets of old.

Now the most popular writing of Nostradamus is his work called “The Centuries.” This book is a compilation of ten smaller books containing 100 prophetic verses called “quatrains,” or verses of four lines each.  Now the big question is, could he really see the future? Did God give him this ability? Many feel the answer is yes, therefore, he is along side the famous biblical prophets of old. As such, fans and fanatics who have followed Nostradamus’ writing have gone so far as to fabricate for us chilling prophecies they say, predicted the Twin Towers attack in New York City in 2001; Hitler’s rise to power, and the coming of W.W. II.  Yet, if one honestly researches these claims and predictions found in His writings, one can say he was no prophet biblical or not, and his writing do not predict any of the things attributed to him.

Now why do I mention this on a Christian broadcast? The answer is because the world is confused about prophecy and prophets and how to determine if one is genuine or not.

To begin, we should go to the Bible before we examine Nostradamus’ claims or shall we say claims some are making for him. So to begin we must ask, the first question - what is a prophet?

A prophet is defined for us in the Bible as one who receives a message from God concerning the future of mankind in relationship to the creation and the Creator. In the Bible, the biblical prophets were men and women of God who received revelation from God about the future which God was going to effect on behalf of sinners and saints. We read in,

Deu 18:18-19 (NIV)  I will raise up for them a prophet like you [Moses] from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. 19 If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name, I myself will call him to account.

Thus, a prophet of God was someone who, upon hearing God’s revelation, communicated it to God’s people whether it was present events and happenings and the understanding of it, or future as well. The great task of the prophets of God then was to reveal the sinful paths man could or would take that would bring judgments in their lives and to correct the moral and religious abuses that characterized it. In every case those genuine prophets whom God spoke to, always without fail, gave predictions of the future that were clear, precise and were in time fulfilled 100% as predicted. In fact, God warned His people of old, not to listen to anyone claiming to be a prophet foretelling the future unless his predictions were clear, precise and accurate not 99 44/100% but 100% of the time, and all the time. In fact, if a prophet failed in his predictions just one time, even a little, God said he was not of God and was a false prophet and the people were to bring the death penalty upon him. Listen to God’s warning against listening to false prophets,

Deu 18:18-22 (NIV)  I will raise up for them a prophet… I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. 19 If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name, I myself will call him to account. 20 But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded him to say, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, must be put to death.” 21 You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD?” 22 If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.

There you have it  -- the real and final test of anyone claiming to know the future and predicting it. Only God knows the final future, and when anyone comes forth claiming to be able to predict it, they must meet this test of God. If they fail, God’s curse and death penalty was to be carried out against them. Of course, we do not live under the laws of ancient Israel anymore so we do not seek the death penalty for false prophets, but the fact remains God’s serious hand of judgment is upon them, for they speak from other sources to gain their information.

Now what about Nostradamus? Was he a legitimate prophet? Did God give him wisdom and knowledge to see into the future as many claim? The answer of courses is no! The reason? Well, his source of prophetic knowledge was not God nor the bible. Rather, it was the world of the Occult! Yes, Nostradamus himself in his writings admitted he associated with the world of the occult and its activities. In fact, he carefully followed the magical rites of the day of the world of darkness, and of course was inspired by it to write his books of prophecies. In AD 1555, at the age of 52, Nostradamus began his career as a prophet. He completed a total of ten “Centuries” in his writings over the next several years. On July 1, 1566 Nostradamus gave his last prophecy a final prediction to his priest and then died.

Fanatics who have followed his writing have claimed Nostradamus predicted the World trade Center disaster. Now for interest sake, let’s look directly at his writings claimed to show the World Trade Center and Twin Towers attack. We read in his writings,

“Two steel birds will fall from the sky on the Metropolis. The sky will burn at forty-five degrees latitude. Fire approaches the great new city. Immediately a huge, scattered flame leaps up. Within months, rivers will flow with blood. The undead will roam earth for little time. “                   -- Century 6, Quatrain 97

Unfortunately what is purported to be Nostradamus’ exact writings above has been seriously stretched with a few added words. Why it turns out, this passage is a truly imaginative revision of the actual verse by Nostradamus. You see, the authentic passage is usually translated from the French as follows:

“The sky will burn at forty-five degrees latitude, Fire approaches the great new city

Immediately a huge, scattered flame leaps up. When they want to have verification from the Normans.”

One can easily see, Nostradamus did not mention "two steel birds," nor did he write that "the undead will roam the earth." It is all a fabrication of change and added words. There is no prediction of the September 11^th terrorist attack on the World Trade Center except in the imaginations of fanciful minds. Now as to other predictions such as the coming of W.W. II, the rise of Hitler by name,  the assassination of President Kennedy, that man would land on the moon and other fantasies supposedly predicted by Nostradamus – friend, with all due respect for this man, Nostradamus couched his "prophetic" verses in such obscure language that the words can be, and have been, interpreted to mean virtually anything. In addition, much of his writings today are also rendered out of context, and supplemented with made-up lines by unknown persons to make them seem relevant and raise Nostradamus to the level of a biblical prophet.

The truth is if any of his predictions came true, it was not by revelation from God but the demonic forces, which he dabbled in. Yes, unfortunately this man from the past was evidently demon inspired and his writings still are as the underworld of darkness has brought him back to godless people who believe anything.

The point of this message today is God’s warnings are clear. Stay away from false prophets, who bring you words not from God but from the world of darkness which delights to teach and reveal the future to you, even if false and deceptive.

Rather, I encourage you to seek the one true God found alone in Jesus Christ. Although Nostradamus today has reached the heights of popularity, it is only because the world of the occult wants all attention to be taken away from the Bible. So, if you seek to know the future, read the Bible. It will tell you precisely what’s ahead for mankind and for you. For instance, we can deduce from biblical prophecy some interesting truths although not popular. Here’s a major one that affects all in the Western world. The Bible teaches that the – “AMERICA OF TODAY HAS NO FUTURE IN GOD’S WILL TO COME” – imagine that! Amazing as that is the Bible predicts that four world powers will arise just before the Second Coming of the Lord that do not include America as a world power. These four other world powers will align themselves as follows:

1. A WESTERN CONFEDERACY WILL ARISE COMPOSED OF 10 FEDERATED NATIONS (Rev. 17:8-16) – This will mainly be a “United States of Europe,” as it will be composed of all the nations that arose out of the old Roman Empire. Possibly America will exist during this time, but it will be absorbed by this powerful industrial and military giant ruled by none other than the Antichrist himself. Secondly, there will be…

2. A NORTHERN CONFEDERACY OF NATIONS ARISES TOO (Ezek 38:2-6) – The nations that will align into this powerful group will most likely be the Russian nations, including Iran, Iraq, Ethiopia, Libya, and parts of Turkey and Eastern Europe. The Russian nations will head up this coalition and be a fierce force in the Tribulation period. Third we discover prophetically,

3. AN ASIATIC CONFEDERACY OF NATIONS WILL SURFACE ALONG WITH THESE OTHERS (Rev. 16:12) – In Revelation 16:12 we read that Palestine will be invaded by a great army coming from the “east” beyond the River Euphrates known as “the kings of the east.” This second great alliance of nations that threatens the power of the antichrist, who is gaining rulership of the world in the Tribulation Period, will be most likely composed of the nations of Japan, China, Vietnam, Thailand and other Asian countries. And finally, the fourth world power group to arise in the future before Christ returns is,

4. AN ARAB CONFEDERACY OF NATIONS  (Dan 11:40 ) – This fourth power will be angry and hostile to the Antichrist’s Western (European) Confederacy as well as the Northern (Russian) Confederacy. Daniel describes these people as the “King of the South.” This power in the mid-point of the Tribulation will march on Palestine and set off a movement of other nations that brings about its own destruction. The “King of the South,” will probably be Egypt aligned with the countries of black Africa and other Islamic nations such as Saudi Arabia , Kuwait , etc.

These latter three world powers will undoubtedly, but temporarily align to challenge the Western European Federation under the leadership of the Antichrist.

No without getting into all these prophetic teachings amassed together from the Word of God, suffice it to say – God gives us prophecy to know the future. Now, why will America cease to exist, as we know it today? The answer is because it will have turned away from God so far, that judgment fell upon it in some future day. That too is predicted in the Bible. We read in,

Psa 9:17 (NIV)  The wicked return to the grave, all the nations that forget God.

This is God’s warning and prediction! America continues to seek to throw off the Judeo-Christian heritage every day, and one day it will do it so effectively, that the din of God’s judgment will fall upon us for it. That my friend is a prediction not based on fabricated twisting of words, or muddy, vague, ambiguous writings to fit any imagination – but the clear and precise Word of God. In comparison, not a single prediction of Nostradamus has ever proven true or genuine. This means he is either a false prophet, a con artist of his day, or literary prankster. I believe it is the first one.

Nostradamus was like all of us, a sinner who unfortunately fell into the world of darkness, and began dabbling in the world of the occult. It brought him to think he could see the future, but it blinded him to the real future for all those who reject the one True God, Jesus Christ and His Word the Bible.

My friend, if you want to know about the future, especially your future, then seek God and seek His Word and the promise is you will find Him. God makes this glorious promise to all of us,

Prov 8:17 (NIV)  I love those who love me, and those who seek me [will] find me.

Jer 29:13 (NIV)  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

One cannot find God in false religions, nor in man’s own wisdom and quest for knowledge, nor in the world of darkness. One can only find God in His Word, where we are told in no uncertain terms,

Isa 45:22 (NIV)  “Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.

Acts 17:26-27 (NIV)  From one man (ADAM)  he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 27 God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.

Acts 16:31 (NIV) … “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”

Yes, most touching of all of God’s words of invitation, is that of the God man Jesus Christ who lovingly opened His arms and declared…

Mat 11:28 (NIV)  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Well, Nostradamus certainly was no biblical prophet, even worse he got any and all of his information from demonic sources, and as such he was lost to God for eternity. Yes, the world seeks to know the future, but looks in the wrong and forbidden way. The truth stands if one rejects God’s Word, there will be no joyous future for them. Indeed, there is no future for anyone who does not seek the one true God found alone in Jesus Christ. Look around,  our world is perishing and the future for it is marked by time and God’s sovereign timetable of judgment. May you be found safe and secure when that moment comes. Now no one can predict the hour when the Lord will return, but we can say prophetically, He is coming soon! Are you ready to meet Him? The truth us, you will meet Him, the Son of God either as your Savior from your sins, or your Judge for eternity. You make the choice in this life alone.