----------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 1993 by the Christian Research Institute. ---------------------------------------------------------------- COPYRIGHT/REPRODUCTION LIMITATIONS: This data file is the sole property of the Christian Research Institute. It may not be altered or edited in any way. It may be reproduced only in its entirety for circulation as "freeware," without charge. All reproductions of this data file must contain the copyright notice (i.e., "Copyright 1993 by the Christian Research Institute"). This data file may not be used without the permission of the Christian Research Institute for resale or the enhancement of any other product sold. This includes all of its content with the exception of a few brief quotations not to exceed more than 500 words. If you desire to reproduce less than 500 words of this data file for resale or the enhancement of any other product for resale, please give the following source credit: Copyright 1993 by the Christian Research Institute, P.O. Box 500, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693. ----------------------------------------------------------------- "Nostradamus" (an article from the Christian Research Newsletter, Volume 1: Number 3, 1988) by Elliot Miller and Craig Hawkins. The editor of the Christian Research Newsletter is Ron Rhodes. From the RESEARCH NOTES column: ------------- In recent weeks, a French seer has become a very common name in American households. This is primarily a result of an earthquake that he supposedly predicted to occur in California during the month of May. But what is the story behind the man who is sending Californians running for cover? Michel Nostradamus was a sixteenth century French astrologer and physician. His Centuries (an assortment of brief rhymed prophecies call quatrains), have been interpreted as predictions of the French Revolution, the Second World War, and many other events ranging over half a millennium. Nostradamus is perhaps the most respected occult prophet of all time. In Italy, Nostradamus reportedly predicted that Felix Paretti, a young swine herder who had become a monk, would one day be Pope. Two years after Nostradamus's death Paretti became Pope Sixtus V. Many other accurate predictions of events in his own era are attributed to Nostradamus. Nostradamus's more astonishing prophecies, however, are those that seem to foretell major European events that occurred 200-400 years after his death. It must be admitted that some of his predictions do seem to fit certain events well, such as the flight of Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette from Paris, their capture in Varennes, and their ultimate execution. However, most of his predictions are vague and open-ended. As it is observed in _Man, Myth and Magic - An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Supernatural:_ "Generation after generation of Nostradamus enthusiasts have supposed that the quatrains, no mater how obscure their contents, must be regarded as genuine prophetic messages. It is conceivable, however, that Nostradamus composed them with tongue in cheek, and that he was well aware that there is an enduring market for prophecies and particularly for veiled ones." (Vol.15, p.2017). The prediction of a giant earthquake to occur in California actually gets its base from a film about Nostradamus. In the Orson Welles narrated film "The Man Who Saw Tomorrow," the details about the prediction are made. Nostradamus bases his predictions on the alignment of planets and constellations particularly Saturn, Capricorn, Jupiter, Mercury in Taurus, Venus, Cancer, and Virgo. Unfortunately for his prognostitions, the planets are not lined up according to how they were predicted to be. The possibility of an earthquake occurring in California around the time of Nostradamus's prediction is likely. The primary reason though is that California is earthquake country. Particularly over the past several months, earthquakes have been happening on a regular basis. Nostradamus was a Roman Catholic of Jewish descent, but it is clear that he did not foretell events through the biblical gift of prophecy (I Cor. 12:10). He relied heavily upon horoscopes and other occult methods of divination and so we must say if any supernatural power was responsible for his accuracy, that power was not of God (Deut. 18:9-14). The Bible does not teach that Satan has a full knowledge of the future. However, it is conceivable that through his superior intelligence he could accurately predict certain events, or, for that matter, exert his power over man to cause previously predicted events to come to pass. This could serve Satan's purposes by leading some people to embrace occultism because it _appears_ to really "work." End of document, CRN0002A.TXT (original CRI file name), "Nostradamus" release A, March 9, 1993 R. Poll, CRI (A special note of thanks to Bob and Pat Hunter for their help in the preparation of this ASCII file for BBS circulation.) ----------------------------------------------------------------- YOURS FOR THE ASKING The Christian Research Institute (CRI) -- founded in 1960 by the late Dr. Walter R. Martin -- is a clearing house for current, in- depth information on new religious movements and aberrant Christian teachings. We provide well-reasoned, carefully- researched answers to concepts and ideas that challenge orthodox Christianity. Did you know that CRI has a wealth of information on various topics that is yours for the asking? We offer a wide variety of articles and fact sheets free of charge. Write us today for information on these or other topics. Our first-rate research staff will do everything possible to help you. Christian Research Institute P.O. Box 500 San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693 (714) 855-9926 ----------------------------------------------------------------- (C) Copyright 1993 by the Christian Research Institute. CRI files are available for downloading from Christian BBS Abba II: 619-487-7746 (up to 14,400 baud). Look for the CRI File Area or search for keyword "CRI". For a list of CRI files officially released by the Christian Research Institute, download the file CRIFILES.TXT. Information about new releases can be found in the Abba II Conference on CRI Files. -----------------------------------------------------------------