Was Nostradamus a true prophet of God?

Answer

Nostradamus, a French pharmacist, was born in 1503 and passed away on July 2, 1566. Some have attributed prophetic writings to Nostradamus, suggesting that he predicted events such as Hitler’s rise in Germany and the 9/11 attacks in the U.S. However, the question remains: Did Nostradamus truly foresee these events? To address this, it is essential to first understand the nature of prophecy.

Prophecy can be categorized into two types. Firstly, it involves proclaiming the Word of God (the Bible) to individuals for their edification, exhortation, and comfort “But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.”, (1 Corinthians 14:3). In essence, prophecy entails sharing relevant Scripture verses to draw individuals closer to Jesus (edify), encourage righteous conduct (exhort), or provide reassurance of the Lord’s faithfulness, sovereignty, and assistance in all circumstances (comfort).

Secondly, prophecy involves predicting future events with precision and complete accuracy before they occur. If the foretold event does not transpire, then it was not a genuine prophecy. “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” “When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”, (Deuteronomy 18:22). Additionally, Deuteronomy 13:1-3 states that even if a prophet’s predictions materialize, if they do not lead others to worship the one true God, it is not a sign of authentic prophecy.

God, then he is still a false prophet based on that alone.

Nostradamus was certainly not a prophet by the first definition. Some assert that he was a prophet who predicted future events. But did he? Prophecies must be specific and detailed to be verifiable. For instance, in the Bible, a Messianic prophecy about Jesus the Messiah being nailed by His hands and feet is found in Psalm 22:16, where it prophetically states that “they have pierced my hands and my feet.” This was written at a time when crucifixion was not a method of execution in Israel. However, that is precisely how Jesus died. There are clear and specific details that align with the fulfillment. There are numerous detailed prophecies about Jesus’ first advent, all of which came true.

Nostradamus did not provide this level of detail in his prophecies. For instance, some believe that this Nostradamus prophecy foretold the 9/11 attacks:

“In the year of the new century and nine months, From the sky will come a great King of Terror. The sky will burn at forty-five degrees. Fire approaches the great new city.”

There are several issues with this “prophecy.” Firstly, statements from different writings by Nostradamus had to be combined to create this four-statement section. Secondly, who is the King of Terror coming from the sky, and how does it relate to the airplanes that flew into the buildings? Thirdly, how does the sky burning at forty-five degrees relate to the burning of buildings? Lastly, New York City cannot be considered a “new city” in 2001. It is, in fact, one of the oldest cities in the country.

The extreme vagueness of the prediction, along with its application to unclear subjects, is known as “retroactive clairvoyance.” This occurs when something written beforehand needs to be adjusted, and the modern event is forced into a very vague and nonspecific statement. All of Nostradamus’ prophecies fall into this category.

In this category, the authenticity of the prophecies attributed to Nostradamus remains uncertain. It is still debated whether Nostradamus himself authored them or if they were written posthumously.

As Christians, we should not place our trust in the predictions of Nostradamus. Why would we, especially when we have a more reliable source of prophecy in the Bible? As stated in 2 Peter 1:19, (2 Peter 1:19), “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.” Additionally, Revelation 19:10, (Revelation 19:10) affirms that “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” The prophecies in the Bible are unfailing, and we should acknowledge only the inspired Word of God as our trustworthy prophetic source.