HISTORY'S
"NOSTRADAMUS EFFECT"
PART 3
By
Debra Rae
February 13, 2010
NewsWithViews.com
Part 3: Showdown of Prophecies
Although he served as a government official, the statesman Daniel likewise exercised the gift of a prophet. Apocalyptic in nature, the Old Testament book of Daniel outlines the inevitable course of world history. So accurate were Daniel’s prophecies about Antiochus Epiphanes, a pre-figure of Antichrist-to-come, that Christian antagonist Porphyry wrongly insisted that Daniel’s description must have been written after the fact.
The same argument cannot be applied today. Daniel could not have known about the UN concept of sustainable development, yet he accurately foresaw end-time environmental and political efforts of eco-socialists. Daniel predicted with uncanny accuracy that Antichrist will “divide the land for gain”; that is, he will opportunistically redistribute global wealth. The Bible further predicts a central, end-time authority to control citizens’ power to buy and sell in a cashless, global economy.
No doubt Antichrist aptly fits the description of the powerful “free-world supra-national political being” to which Nelson Rockefeller referred in the Future of Federalism (1962). Similarly, Nostradamus anticipated three antichrists—each more evil than his predecessor. All three were charismatic, messianic kings of terror, representative of the Devil on earth. In the esoteric world, the Law of Threes is well known. Although not necessarily delusional, prophets of “the curious arts” drew from sources other than the God of the Bible.
Speaking of which, both John’s and Paul’s references to the Antichrist show that his tradition was well known to their contemporaries (1 John 4:3 “ye have heard”; 2 Thessalonians 2:6 “ye know”). Nebuchadnezzar, Antiochus Epiphanes, Nero, Lenin, Stalin, and Saddam Hussein were among the predecessors or types of the Beast of Revelation. According to John, “many antichrists” were and are now present, thus marking the end-of-days.
Napoleon Bonaparte (1769–1821)
Actions of Napoleon, as a military and political leader—and later the Emperor of France—shaped European politics in the early 19th century. A global cultural icon, Napoleon was a dangerous tyrant, ever poised to invade. Today’s military academies continue to study his campaigns.
In Century 1: Quatrain 60, Nostradamus fingered Napoleon as the first antichrist. With accuracy, he portrayed Napoleon as an emperor from Southern Europe whose actions cost the empire dearly. In like fashion, Antichrist of the Bible is characterized as a fierce warrior-Prince that Shall Come.
Adolph Hitler (1889–1945)
Once the totalitarian leader of Germany, and eventually its head of state, Adolf Hitler is known for his charismatic oratory, propaganda, and the Third Reich, a single-party dictatorship based on the totalitarian and autocratic ideals of national socialism.
As Antichrist of the Bible, Hitler ultimately wanted to establish a New World Order boasting absolute Nazi German hegemony. To this end, Nazi forces committed unspeakable atrocities. Best known as a ruthless, self-serving mass murderer, Hitler certainly prefigures the ultimate latter-day visionary, prophesied to become the greatest dictator known to the world.
The Ultimate Son of Perdition
Having begun with the ascension of Christ, the end (or latter) times, last (or latter) days will see formation of a destined-to-be doomed global system of government and economics under an iron thumb, politically and ecclesiastically.
Along with his false prophet, Antichrist will surpass the evil promulgated by all forerunners combined. Modeled after the European Economic Community, and headed by the mother of all dictators, this New World Order will redistribute wealth and implement a cashless system for state-managed buying and selling. Reviving the ancient mysteries, this Man of Sin will usher in a deceptively enlightened age marked by global interdependence and universal harmony.
2012
Over seven hundred years ago, a collection of books (the Zohar) were written in medieval Aramaic. In its "Vaera" section, Orthodox Jewish priests prophesied "The coming of the Messiah" (Mashiach) in late 2012.
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Other ancient societies believed that in 2012 “the gods”—e.g., the feathered serpent god, Quetzalcoatl—would return to earth, judge its inhabitants, and usher in a new, pagan golden age. Some five hundred years ago, the Maya purportedly prophesied about the Colonial date 1776, which in turn would lead to apocalypse in 2012.
Starting at the Mayan Fifth Great Cycle, the Hindu Kali Yuga calendar likewise predicts global earth changes around the year 2012. The Cherokee and Maya alike prophesy astronomical phenomena related to Jupiter, Venus, Orion, and Pleiades, allegedly causing "powers" of the star systems to "awaken."
According to author Thomas Horn, the "Cherokee Rattlesnake Prophecies" are contained within a series of apocalyptic prophecies made by tribe members from 1811–1812. Nearly two-hundred-year-old prophecies anticipate the Pale One’s coming in 2012, when the Cherokee calendar ends. It is said that the first-degree Masonic Tracing Board contains this very prophecy. Curiously, Muslims also look for an “imposter,” not unlike Antichrist of the Bible.
5770 (Hebrew: n'nw"v)
On the Jewish calendar, the Hebrew year of Ayin 5770 (the New Year) is a likely milestone marking the close of this age and transition to the next. Its frequent use throughout the Torah code signals its spiritual significance. Starting the evening before 19 September 2009 and ending 8 September 2010, this year has 355 days; however, it is believed that 5770 sets the stage for the next ten years.
Ayin is Hebrew for an eye. Hence, God wants His people to increase their vision and see God’s glory more deeply and clearly. It’s also the word for “spring” or “well,” source of living waters, springing even from the desert of human want.
Day of the Shofar Blast
Another name for Rosh HaShanah is Yom Teruah, which in Hebrew means “day of the shofar blast.” Most often made from a ram’s horn, the shofar is a Jewish instrument distinguished by its trumpet-like sound. In the Book of Joshua, shofarot (plural of shofar) aided capture of the city of Jericho. Traditionally, the shofar’s blown on Rosh HaShanah to wake up and then turn the soul’s attention to repentance (teshuvah).
Both solemn and festive, this Jewish New Year, Rosh HaShanah (Feast of Trumpets) marks onset of a season for introspection, repentance, and new resolutions. Ten Days of Repentance end with Yom Kippur, literally the Day of Atonement. The first prophetically unfulfilled feast, the Feast of Trumpets is a holiday of firsts—e.g., the anniversary of creation and the first of High Holy Days.
Many Messianic Christian ministers likewise believe that 5770 will trigger a series of what the Bible outlines as last-day events. Yet again, believers are reminded to maintain vigilance.
Prophecy Showdown
Ancient societies, Nostradamus, Native Americans, Hollywood, mystics, Muslims and Masons all contribute to the end-of-days prophetic landscape; however, compelling images and para-biblical messages so thoroughly infuse truth with fiction that even well-grounded students of eschatology are at a loss for answers.
In order to discern accurately between truth and a credible counterfeit, one first must know “the real thing” inside-out, top-to-bottom. For Christian believers, this is accomplished through lifelong, Spirit-directed study of God’s Word line upon line, precept upon precept. Knowing the Bible and yielding to the Holy Spirit alert Christians to distracting doctrines and deceit.
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Elijah
faced circumstances similar to our own. A powerhouse of faith, he boldly
reproved the idolatrous King Ahab and, on Mount Carmel, gathered hundreds
of false prophets for a showdown of sorts between the Canaanite god
(Baal) and Yahweh Himself. The latter prevailed. The same yesterday,
today, and forever, God will do no less for lovers of truth in these
last days. Believers count on it. More to come in Part 4.
