10 forgotten prophets mentioned briefly in the Bible Story

The following was obtained on Angely Numbers on MSN and written by Amy Granger. 

The Bible mentions many prophets who delivered powerful messages from God. Some of them are very well known, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. However, there are also many prophets who appear only briefly in the scriptures. Their stories are short, and sometimes only a few verses describe their lives or their messages. Because of this, many readers overlook them. Even though they are not famous, their words and actions still played an important role in the history of Israel and the early faith of God's people. These forgotten prophets remind us that God often worked through unexpected individuals. Their brief appearances still carry lessons about obedience, courage, warning, and faith. Here are ten prophets mentioned briefly in the Bible who deserve more attention.

1. Ahijah the Shilonite

Ahijah the Shilonite was an important prophet during the time of King Solomon and King Jeroboam.

He is mainly remembered for predicting that the kingdom of Israel would be divided. According to the story, Ahijah met Jeroboam on the road and tore a new garment into twelve pieces.

He gave Jeroboam ten pieces as a sign that he would rule over the ten tribes of Israel.

This message came as a warning because Solomon had turned away from God. Ahijah later delivered another prophecy when Jeroboam’s son became sick.

Even though his appearances in the Bible are short, his prophecies shaped the political future of Israel and showed how God used prophets to guide and warn leaders.

2. Iddo the Seer

Iddo is described in the Bible as a seer, which was another word for prophet in ancient Israel. He lived during the time of King Solomon and later during the reign of King Rehoboam.

The Bible says that Iddo recorded visions and events about the kings of Judah. Unfortunately, most of his writings are not preserved today.

They are only mentioned in passing within the historical books of the Old Testament.

Even though we do not have his full story, the references show that he played a role in documenting important moments in Israel’s history.

His example reminds readers that many prophets worked quietly behind the scenes, recording and preserving spiritual messages for future generations.

3. Shemaiah the Man of God

Shemaiah appeared during a very tense moment after the kingdom of Israel was divided.

King Rehoboam of Judah prepared to attack the northern tribes in order to reunite the kingdom by force.

At this point, Shemaiah delivered a message from God telling the king not to go to war against his own people. The message warned that the division of the kingdom was part of God's plan.

Surprisingly, the king and his army listened to the prophet and returned home. Shemaiah’s brief appearance shows the strong influence prophets sometimes had over kings and armies.

His story teaches an important lesson about obedience and trusting God's guidance even when emotions are high

4. Hanani the Seer

Hanani was a prophet who boldly confronted King Asa of Judah. During a time of conflict, Asa made an alliance with a foreign king instead of relying on God for help.

Hanani delivered a strong rebuke, reminding the king that God had helped him in previous battles.

He warned that trusting a foreign power instead of God would bring trouble in the future. King Asa did not respond well to this message and became angry with the prophet.

In fact, he placed Hanani in prison. Despite this harsh reaction, Hanani’s courage showed the true role of a prophet.

Prophets were expected to speak the truth even when powerful leaders did not want to hear it.

5. Jehu, son of Hanani

Jehu, the son of the prophet Hanani, also became a messenger of God. He delivered warnings to King Baasha of Israel because the king continued to lead the people into sinful practices.

Jehu declared that God would punish Baasha’s family and remove his dynasty from power. Later, Jehu also recorded historical events during the reign of King Jehoshaphat of Judah.

His role combined prophecy with historical writing. Although his name appears only briefly in the Bible, his messages show how prophets continued the work of earlier generations.

Jehu’s story also reminds readers that faith and calling sometimes passed from parent to child in ancient Israel.

6. Jahaziel the Levite

Jahaziel appears during the reign of King Jehoshaphat when a large enemy army threatened Judah. The people gathered together to pray and seek God’s help.

During this moment, the Spirit of God came upon Jahaziel, who was a Levite serving in the temple.

He delivered a powerful message telling the people not to be afraid. Jahaziel explained that the battle did not belong to them but to God.

The people were instructed to stand firm and watch how God would deliver them. This prophecy gave the nation courage and hope.

Jahaziel’s short appearance reminds readers that God sometimes raised unexpected voices to strengthen His people in times of danger.

7. Azariah, son of Oded

Azariah, the son of Oded, delivered an encouraging message to King Asa after a military victory.

He reminded the king and the people that God would remain with them as long as they remained faithful.

Azariah urged them to stay strong and continue seeking God instead of turning toward idols. His words inspired the king to remove pagan altars and restore proper worship in Judah.

Even though Azariah appears only briefly, his message had a lasting effect on the spiritual life of the nation.

His prophecy shows how encouragement can sometimes be just as important as warning when guiding leaders and communities.

8. Oded the Prophet

Oded was another lesser-known prophet who appeared during a moment of crisis between Israel and Judah.

After a battle, the northern army captured many people from Judah and planned to take them as slaves.

Oded confronted the returning soldiers and warned them that enslaving their fellow Israelites would bring God's anger.

His words were powerful enough that some leaders listened and convinced the army to release the captives. The prisoners were given food, clothing, and safe passage home.

Oded’s short appearance shows how a single prophetic message could change the outcome of a dangerous situation and bring mercy instead of cruelty.

9. Huldah the Prophetess

Huldah was one of the few female prophets mentioned in the Old Testament. She lived during the reign of King Josiah when the Book of the Law was discovered in the temple.

Huldah confirmed that the words were authentic and delivered a prophecy explaining that judgment would come because the nation had turned away from God.

However, she also promised that King Josiah would not see this disaster during his lifetime because of his humility.

Even though her story is short, Huldah played an important role in confirming scripture and guiding the king.

10. Micaiah, son of Imlah

Micaiah, son of Imlah, appears in the story of a military alliance between King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah.

Many court prophets promised victory in battle, but Micaiah delivered a very different message.

He warned that the campaign would end in disaster and that King Ahab would die.

His prophecy angered Ahab, who ordered that Micaiah be imprisoned. Despite the punishment, Micaiah refused to change his message.

The battle happened exactly as he predicted, and Ahab was killed. Micaiah’s brief story shows the difference between prophets who told pleasing lies and those who spoke the truth.

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For further reading, please visit:

Ahijah the Shilonite

Iddo the Seer

Shemaiah the Man of God

Hanani the Seer

Jehu, son of Hanani

Jahaziel the Levite

Azariah, son of Oded

Oded the Prophet

Huldah the Prophetess

Micaiah, son of Imlah

The 7 trumpets: Why this biblical prophecy matters today

The following story was obtained through Angely Numbers, a partner hub site of MSN, and written by Julia Davis.

The Book of Revelation speaks of the seven seals that are broken, and before the bowls of wrath are poured out, seven trumpets sound and pass judgment.

In chapters eight through eleven, they are sounded by seven angels standing before God, and each one signals a catastrophic event unleashed upon the earth.

Here's what each trumpet actually says, and why they still resonate with us so strongly!

1. The First Trumpet

The first of the trumpets sounds in Revelation 8:7, "and there came hail and fire mixed with blood."

This is the opening of the judgment, and it targets the land itself, forests and vegetation, everything that sustains life.

"A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up."

For readers in the ancient world, where agriculture was everything, this image was terrifying in the most immediate sense.

For modern readers, this judgment speaks of wildfires, deforestation, and the environmental collapse we're all witnessing.

Theologians have interpreted this trumpet.

Some saw it as a warning against the mistreatment of creation, others as a literal future event, and some even saw it as symbolic devastation that Rome had brought upon Judea.

2. The Second Trumpet

The second angel sounds in Revelation 8:8-9, "and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea."

The imagery turns from land to sea, the second of the earth's major ecosystems.

"A third of the sea turned into blood, a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed."

This judgment speaks of water corruption, mass death of sea creatures, destruction of maritime trade...

For the people who lived from fishing or trade, this trumpet spelled death.

In our day, it reminds us of ocean dead zones and the mass dying of fish. 

In Revelation, the sea often represents chaotic and threatening forces, and the prophecy states that it will turn from a source of life into a source of destruction. 

3. The Third Trumpet

In Revelation 8:10-11, the third trumpet brings destruction to fresh water.

"A great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water."

The verse goes on to tell us that the star was named Wormwood, and it turned the water bitter; anyone who drank that water died.

This judgment is often understood as a warning against contamination of natural sources.

However, some also see it as symbolic. The water represents false spiritual teaching that poisons the soul.

Either way, the pattern across the first three judgments is obvious: the three foundations of physical life on earth are struck.

4. The Fourth Trumpet

The fourth trumpet in Revelation 8:12 turns to the sky, and "a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars."

The third of the whole world had become dark because of this. 

After fire, blood, and poison comes darkness, and it disrupts the natural rhythms of day and night. 

The darkening of celestial lights is thought to be a reference to the plagues of Egypt. In the language of Joel and Isaiah, cosmic disruption is a sign of severe divine judgment. 

Verse 8:13 speaks of an eagle flying above the earth and calling out Woe! to the people because the last three trumpets are about to be sounded.

This adds another level of fear, suggesting that the worst judgment is yet to come. 

5. The Fifth Trumpet

In Revelation 9:1-11, the judgments move on from natural catastrophes and move into the supernatural!

A star falls from the sky to earth and is given a key to the Abyss. 

When opened, smoke pours out and darkens the sky, and from it come locusts with the power of scorpions.

"They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads." (9:4)

However, the locusts aren't deadly. They can't kill anyone, only torment them.

But the torment is so severe that "people will seek death but will not find it." (9:6)

Their king is named Abaddon in Hebrew and Apollyon in Greek, and both names mean Destroyer. 

The debate around this trumpet was extensive. Some saw the locusts as literal demonic forces, while others thought they symbolized Roman forces.

But it's clear that the judgment is targeted and intentional. 

6. The Sixth Trumpet

The sixth trumpet in Revelation 9:13-19 unleashes a terrifying military force. 

A voice from the golden altar commands: "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates."

These angels had been held ready to kill a third of mankind! They lead an army of two hundred million, with horses that have lion heads and serpent tails.

The river Euphrates evokes the great empires that had threatened Israel: Assyria, Babylon, and Parthia.

The last part of the prophecy comes as a final nail in the coffin.

It says that the remaining humanity still didn't repent for their misdeeds, murders, theft, dark magic...

Essentially, humanity is so far gone that not even a cataclysm could get us to abandon sin. 

7. The Seventh Trumpet

The seventh trumpet is sounded in Revelation 11:15.

The angel announces: "'The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever."

God's temple in heaven is opened, and the ark of his covenant becomes visible!

Lightning, thunder, and earthquakes begin, but the tone of the prophecy isn't destructive. It feels as though something is being completed.

After all the devastation, God's reign on earth has finally begun. 

All interpretations agree that this is the turning point in Revelation.

Knowledge Continues to Increase: 21 Things in The Bible That Science Actually Confirmed to Be True

The prophet Daniel wrote: “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” (12:4)

Meaning and Context

• Daniel is instructed to seal the prophetic message until the “time of the end.”
• Many theologians believe we are currently living during this period.
• The phrase “many shall run to and fro” is commonly understood as: 
• People seeking understanding or rapidly moving about.
• “Knowledge shall be increased” is interpreted by many scholars as:
• Growth in understanding of biblical prophecy.
• Expansion of human knowledge in general.
• Increased searching for truth.

The following article is a good example of 'running to and fro' and 'knowledge increasing'. It was published on Oldest.org and written by Somapika Dutta.

21 Things in The Bible That Science Actually Confirmed to Be True                                                      

21. The Universe Had a Beginning

The opening line of Genesis declares “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,” establishing that the universe had a definite starting point. Modern cosmology, particularly the Big Bang Theory, confirms the universe began roughly 13.8 billion years ago rather than existing eternally. This contradicted the prevailing scientific view for centuries, making the biblical account remarkably prescient.

20. Earth Floats in Space

Job 26:7 states that God “hangs the earth on nothing,” a striking image for ancient times when most cultures believed the world rested on animals, pillars, or a giant turtle. Today we know Earth is indeed suspended in space, held in orbit by gravity with no physical support beneath it. This poetic line captured a truth that wouldn’t be visually confirmed until space exploration.

19. The Earth Is Round

Isaiah 40:22 refers to the “circle of the earth,” a description that aligns with our planet’s spherical shape. While sailors and astronomers would later prove Earth’s roundness through observation, this biblical reference predates those discoveries by centuries. The Hebrew word used can mean both circle and sphere, showing remarkable geographical insight for its time.

18. Blood Is Essential for Life

Leviticus 17:11 declares “the life of the flesh is in the blood,” a statement that perfectly describes blood’s biological role. Modern physiology confirms blood transports oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and immune cells while removing waste—making it absolutely essential for survival. This was written during an era when bloodletting was considered therapeutic, making the biblical understanding centuries ahead of medical practice.

17. The Water Cycle Works

Job 36:27-28 describes how God “draws up drops of water, which distill as rain from the mist,” outlining evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. Ecclesiastes 1:7 adds that “all streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full” because water returns to its source. The complete hydrological cycle wasn’t scientifically documented until the 17th century, yet these passages captured its essence thousands of years earlier.

16. Ocean Currents Exist

Psalm 8:8 mentions “the paths of the seas,” a phrase that inspired oceanographer Matthew Maury to chart ocean currents in the 1800s. Today we map major currents like the Gulf Stream—predictable “paths” through the ocean that drive global climate patterns. Maury credited this single biblical verse with launching his groundbreaking oceanographic research.

15. Stars Are Countless

Jeremiah 33:22 states that the stars “cannot be numbered,” contradicting ancient beliefs that only a few thousand existed. Modern astronomy reveals hundreds of billions of stars in our galaxy alone, and hundreds of billions of galaxies in the observable universe. The biblical emphasis on innumerable stars proved far more accurate than the confident counts of early astronomers.

14. Mountains Have Deep Roots

Biblical passages reference the “foundations” of mountains, a concept that seemed merely poetic until geology revealed the truth. Mountains actually have deep crustal roots through a principle called isostasy—they’re not just surface features but extend far below ground. This geological reality makes the biblical imagery of mountain foundations scientifically accurate

13. Air Has Weight

Job 28:25 speaks of God establishing “a weight for the wind,” an unusual concept for ancient times when air seemed weightless. We now measure atmospheric pressure with barometers and understand that air has measurable weight pressing down on us at about 14.7 pounds per square inch at sea level. This biblical reference to wind’s weight aligns perfectly with our understanding of air pressure.

12. Quarantine Prevents Disease Spread

Leviticus 13 outlines detailed procedures for isolating people with infectious skin diseases until they’re declared clean. This ancient practice of quarantine matches modern public health protocols for containing contagious illnesses. Public health historians recognize these Levitical rules as some of the earliest documented disease-control measures.

11. Proper Sanitation Saves Lives

Deuteronomy 23:12-14 instructs people to carry a spade and bury human waste outside the camp. This simple practice dramatically reduces fecal-oral disease transmission like cholera and dysentery, a principle modern WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) programs still emphasize. Separating people from waste remains one of public health’s most effective interventions.

10. Handwashing Prevents Infection

Levitical laws required ritual washing of hands and objects, practices that would have reduced contamination even beyond their ceremonial purpose. Modern medicine confirms handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent disease spread. The CDC and WHO continue championing this ancient practice as crucial for infection control.

9. Deep-Sea Springs Exist

Job 38:16 asks “Have you entered the springs of the sea?” which seemed mysterious until 1977 when scientists discovered hydrothermal vents. These underwater “springs” spew mineral-rich hot water from the seafloor and support thriving ecosystems in total darkness. This discovery revolutionized our understanding of where life can exist and validated the biblical reference to submarine springs.

8. We’re Made of Earth Elements

Genesis 2:7 describes humanity formed from “dust of the ground,” a poetic statement with scientific backing. The elements in our bodies—carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, iron—are the same ones found in Earth’s crust and were forged in ancient stars. Astrophysicists confirm we’re literally made of “stardust,” making us chemically identical to the ground beneath our feet.

7. The Moon Marks Time

Psalm 104:19 notes “He made the moon to mark the seasons,” recognizing the moon’s role in tracking time. The lunar cycle has been used for calendars across cultures, and the moon’s gravity creates ocean tides that affect countless marine ecosystems. This biblical observation acknowledges the moon’s practical importance for measuring months and seasons. 

6. The Universe Is Winding Down

Psalm 102:25-26 describes the heavens and earth “growing old like a garment” and “perishing.” This aligns remarkably well with the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which states that entropy increases and energy disperses over time. The biblical image of a “winding down” universe matches our scientific understanding of cosmic entropy.

5. Matter Comes from Invisible Building Blocks

Hebrews 11:3 states that “what is seen was not made out of what was visible,” suggesting invisible building blocks for physical reality. Modern physics confirms all matter consists of atoms and subatomic particles invisible to the naked eye. This ancient insight into matter’s invisible foundation predates atomic theory by nearly two millennia.

4. Snow Stores Water

Job 38:22 mentions “storehouses of snow,” a phrase that captures how snowpack functions ecologically. Hydrologists call snowpack a “natural water tower” that stores winter precipitation and releases it during melt seasons, providing crucial water supplies. This biblical metaphor accurately describes the water-storage role of snow and glaciers.

3. Positive Emotions Benefit Health

Proverbs 17:22 observes “a cheerful heart is good medicine,” connecting emotional state to physical wellbeing. Research in psychoneuroimmunology and positive psychology links optimism and positive emotions to better cardiovascular outcomes, lower stress hormones, and improved immune function. This ancient proverb captures what modern science increasingly confirms about the mind-body connection.

2. Circumcision Timing Matters

Genesis 17:12 specifies circumcision should occur on the eighth day of life, a timing that seemed arbitrary until medical research revealed why. Blood-clotting factors (particularly vitamin K and prothrombin) peak on the eighth day, making it the safest time for the procedure with minimal bleeding risk. This precise timing shows remarkable medical insight for an ancient practice.

1. Life Began in Water

Genesis 1:20 describes God creating marine life with “let the waters swarm with living creatures,” placing life’s origin in aquatic environments. Modern origin-of-life research points to oceans—particularly hydrothermal vents—as likely cradles for Earth’s first organisms. The biblical sequence of life emerging from water aligns with evolutionary biology’s understanding of life’s aquatic origins.

Human Population from the Beginning of Time

While it is impossible to record a specific number of humans that have lived on the planet, with the help of AI assistance, using the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) as a starting point, a universal population number was obtained. 

4000 B.C. → 1 A.D. Slow growth, small populations; Total humans born: 5–10 billion

1 A.D. → 1800 A.D. Gradual rise to 1 billion; Total humans born: 40–50 billion

1800 A.D. → 2026 A.D. Population explosion; Total humans born: 60–70 billion

The final count for the past 6,000+ years, according to Judaism and Christianity, is between 105-130 billion. The Islamic timeline is a little different with the final count being 110-140 billion, but still close enough to the range number of the Jews and Christians.

In Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism (Dharmic religions) it is almost impossible to get a correct number of their populations, because there is no historic man to base a precise count on. The universe is considered cyclical and eternal, unlike the Abrahamic religions who believe the world was created with linear cycles. 

In Buddhism, humankind is reborn across countless lifetimes. In Hinduism, humanity arises in repeating yugas (recurring cosmic ages). In Jainism, there is only an infinite past. These three religions share the same theory that the universe has no beginning and that time is cyclical, not linear. So, from this perspective, it is like comparing the number of humans that have lived to the number of waves upon the ocean since the beginning of time! In this respect, according to the Dharmic religions the planet is "beginningless and endless, with humans arising and passing away without discoverable origin."

However, the following chart gives an estimate.

Judaism - 6,000 years > Adam & Eve (first humans) > Linear, created > 105-130 billion

Christianity - 6,000 years > Adam & Eve > Linear, created > same count as Judaism

Islam - 6,000 - 7,000 years > Adam & Hawwa > Linear, created > 110-140 billion

Buddhism - Millions of years > Infinite past > Cyclical, eternal > 120 billion

Hinduism - Billions of years > Infinite past >  Cyclical, eternal > 110-140 billion

Jainism - Millions of years > Infinite past > Cyclical, eternal > Not countable

Secular Science - 300,000 years > Homo sapiens evolve gradually > 110-140 billion

The Philosophical Differences (the part most people miss) 

Abrahamic traditions: Humanity is a story with a beginning and an end. This makes counting possible.

Buddhism: Humanity is a chapter in a book that rewrites itself forever. Each cycle has humans, but cycles are infinite.

Hinduism: Humanity is a wave in an endless ocean. Counting is impossible because there is no first wave.

Jainism: Souls are eternal and have always existed. Counting humans is like counting the number of times a soul has breathed.

Secular science: Humanity is a biological species with a measurable origin. Counting is possible because the timeline is finite.

The Surprising Convergence

Even though the cosmologies differ wildly, the number of humans in the current world‑cycle ends up roughly the same. ≈ 120 billion.

While the ancient populations were tiny, the modern population exploded. 70% of all humans who ever lived were born after 1700. 40% were born after 1900. So, in this context, the shape of population growth dominates the total, regardless of worldview.

However, those of indigenous religions, such as the native American Indians, African tribes and European ethnic groups, such as the Sami people of Scandinavia, generally do not share a specific, numerical count of how many humans have existed. 

Then there are about 450-500 million people in the world today that identifies as atheist or agnostic. And the total number of religiously unaffiliated people reached roughly 1.9 billion in 2020. Beyond that, there are no records of how many atheists or agnostics have lived since the beginning of time. 

The waves of the ocean continue to increase, and no final tally of humankind throughout the millenniums are available. No exact count. But what we have learned is there have been at least 922 billion people who have lived in the world these past 6,000 years, excluding the uncountable indigenous people. Meaning, it is very possible that the total number of humans that have lived on the Earth could easily surpass one trillion people!

The biblical Book of Life, the Creator's record of individuals destined for heaven, acts as the final registry for entrance into the New Jerusalem. And with so many people registered in this Book, it has to be the largest and longest book in the universe!

The largest religions in the world (2026)

 The following article was published on StarsInsider.

The largest religions in the world

Around the world, billions of people have organized their entire lives around questions of morality, ethics, philosophy, and even cultural relevance. And the planet’s largest religions are some of the main ways that humanity has tried to answer these questions.

Religions are vastly different in some incredibly impressive ways. They shape cultures, laws, holidays, art, family life, and the way we conduct ourselves in public. But which ones boast the biggest populations across the planet? 

15. Confucianism

Confucianism grew from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius, with a focus on family loyalty, ritual, and social harmony. Confucianism still shapes education and government ideals in parts of East Asia today, along with everyday etiquette. About 8.76 million people are counted as Confucianists, though many more follow Confucian-style ancestor rites and moral codes without listing it as their main religion, especially in contemporary China.

14. Daoism

Daoism (or Taoism) teaches living and existing in harmony with the Dao, the fundamental part of the universe. The religion generally emphasizes the three treasures of compassion, frugality, and humility. Around 8.77 million people identify primarily as Daoists, but Daoist temples, rituals, and ideas blend deeply into wider Chinese folk religion, so many more practice Daoist-inspired customs without actually using the label.

13. Baháʼí

The Baháʼí Faith began in 19th-century Iran, teaching the unity of all religions, the oneness of humanity, and equality of women and men. The religion sees history as guided by successive divine messengers. Around 9.15 million people follow the Bahá’í Faith, spread out across most of the world’s countries and territories. But the most notable communities can be found in South Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

12. Judaism

Judaism is a combination of religious law, shared history, and peoplehood, centering on the Torah (the compilation of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) as its core text. Today’s Jewish population is roughly 14.8 million, concentrated mainly in Israel and the United States. The current Jewish population sits in the shadow of the Holocaust, when six million Jews were murdered. Even now, global Jewish numbers have only just approached the pre-1939 total of 16.6 million.

11. Spiritism and spiritualism

Modern Spiritism and spiritualism teach that spirits of the dead can communicate with the living, often through mediums using trance, speech, or automatic writing. The idea was popularized by French educator Allan Kardec in the 19th century. Around 14.81 million people are Spiritists. Brazil alone counts several million followers, where Spiritism is among the largest religions and is strongly associated with charity clinics and social assistance centers.

10. Sikhism

Sikhism began in the Punjab region of India with the teachings of Guru Nanak, a spiritual teacher born in the 15th century. The religion stresses devotion to the one God, honest work, equality, and community kitchens (called langar) that are open to everyone. There are approximately 29.3 million Sikhs worldwide, the vast majority in India. There are also vibrant diaspora communities in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Italy.

9. New Religionists

“New Religionists” doesn’t mean one single faith, but rather it’s a catch-all label for followers of new religious movements and mass religions that have appeared in much of Asia since the mid-19th century. This includes the Church of Scientology. Approximately 67.5 million people identify as part of these new religious movements. New Religionists include members of innovative groups, especially in places like Japan and South Korea. They tend to blend older traditions with fresh answers to industrialization, war, and social change.

8. Atheism

Atheism is the conviction that there is no God or gods. It overlaps with the broader “unaffiliated” category, but not everyone without a religion is an atheist, and not all atheists are outspoken about their position. About 147 million people explicitly consider themselves atheist, but this number is likely an undercount. Broader surveys suggest there are over a billion religiously unaffiliated people worldwide, with most of them living in the Asia-Pacific region.

7. Ethnic or tribal religions

Ethnic or tribal religions are tightly tied to specific peoples, lands, and cultures, whose traditions are often transmitted orally. Examples include many African traditional religions and Indigenous spiritualities in the Americas and Australia. Roughly 288 million people in this table follow such traditions, which commonly feature reverence for ancestors, belief in spirits, ritual specialists, and a sense that religion is woven into farming, healing, and community life.

6. Chinese folk religions

Chinese folk religion mixes worship of local deities, heroes, and nature spirits with ancestor veneration and elements borrowed from Buddhism and Daoism. Ultimately, it forms a flexible system rather than a single organized church. Around 458 million people are listed as Chinese folk religionists, though scholars have pointed out that counting is tricky because many people simply see these rites (like temple offerings, festival parades, and home shrines) as part of ordinary cultural life rather than religious tokenism.

5. Buddhism

Buddhism began in ancient northern India around the 6th century BCE. It was founded by Siddhartha Gautama (known as the Buddha), who taught that life is marked by suffering and that liberation comes through ethical living, meditation, and wisdom. There are around 531 million Buddhists across the planet. While the religion is concentrated mainly in countries like Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka, it has also established a foothold elsewhere in Asia, namely Afghanistan.

4. Agnosticism

Agnosticism is the belief that we don’t, or perhaps can’t, know whether God or the supernatural exists. Many people also equate agnosticism with skepticism. The term was coined by English biologist Thomas Henry Huxley in the 19th century. Around 744 million people are counted as agnostics. Many surveys group them with atheists and spiritually open “nones,” together making up about 16% of the world’s population without formal religious affiliation.

3. Hinduism

Hinduism is less a single creed and more a family of traditions rooted in the Indian subcontinent. It shares ideas like karma, rebirth, and the pursuit of liberation (called moksha) from the cycle of birth and death. There are a whopping 1.1 billion Hindus around the world, with the overwhelming majority living in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. The state of Uttar Pradesh in India is particularly considered the spiritual and cultural heartland of Hinduism.

2. Islam

Islam is a religious faith that shares the same origin as Judaism, from the patriarch Abraham. It is centered on the belief that Muhammad received God’s final revelation, the Quran, calling people to worship one God and live by the Five Pillars (obligatory acts of worship). There are around 1.9 billion Muslims around the world, divided into two main branches: Sunni Islam, which comprises around 90% of the population, and Shia Islam. Large Muslim populations live in Indonesia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

1. Christianity

With a following of around 2.5 billion people, Christianity is the largest religion on the planet. The biggest denomination, accounting for around half of the populace, is Roman Catholicism. Christianity proclaims that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) whose life, death, and resurrection bring salvation. Aside from Catholicism, major traditions also include Orthodox Christianity and Protestantism, with churches spread across every continent on the planet. Interestingly, the religion’s fastest growth is being seen in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of the Global South.

Sources: (Britannica) (Pew Research Center) (World Population Review) (Worlddata) (National Geographic Education)

See also: The wealthiest religious organizations in the world

Supercomputer Predicts Catastrophic ‘Triple Threat’ Extinction Scenario for Humanity

The following article was published on Blusher Me and written by Yleighn Delim.

A new supercomputer simulation paints a future so extreme it’s hard to imagine. In roughly 250 million years, the continents will fuse into one massive supercontinent, volcanoes will erupt endlessly, and the Sun’s growing heat will turn much of Earth into an oven. Scientists say the combination could wipe out nearly all mammals — humans included. The unsettling twist? It’s a natural disaster written into the planet’s future, but humans may be pushing the fast-forward button.

The Machine That Modeled the End

At the University of Bristol, scientists ran one of the most advanced climate simulations ever built — a digital crystal ball that can project conditions millions of years ahead. The model shows that continents will eventually merge into a single landmass called Pangea Ultima, surrounded by a boiling ocean. Far from being a rebirth of the planet, this formation could spell its doom: heat trapped inland, temperatures soaring past 40°C, and massive deserts dominating the landscape.

The Deadly Trio Behind Earth’s Collapse

Researchers identified three culprits driving this future apocalypse; a hotter Sun, rampant volcanic CO₂, and a continent-sized heat trap. Together, they form what experts call a triple threat for life. Each factor alone could reshape ecosystems; together, they create a planet where even shadows feel dangerous. It’s not a question of if this combination could kill life — it’s when.

When the Human Body Fails First

Forget running out of food or water, survival ends when sweat stops working. The supercomputer predicts humidity so high that sweating, our built-in cooling system, becomes useless. Once that happens, even resting humans would overheat and die within hours. It’s not science fiction; it’s biology. No machine, no fan, no climate-controlled dome can out-engineer physics forever.

Earth’s Survivors Would Live on the Margins

In this distant future, only a thin slice of land near the poles might stay cool enough to sustain mammals. Scientists estimate just 8 to 16 percent of Earth’s surface would remain livable. But “livable” might be generous. The poles could become the last refuge for heat-tolerant plants and scavenging lifeforms. For humans, it’s the ultimate irony: the planet will still exist, just not for us.

How Earth Has Done This Before

The planet has hit “reset” before. Around 250 million years ago, during the Permian-Triassic extinction, Earth’s volcanic eruptions and runaway greenhouse gases wiped out nine out of ten species. Back then, there were no factories or fossil fuels — just nature doing what nature does. This time, the same ingredients are returning, but humans are adding extra CO₂ to the recipe.

Are These Predictions Science or Speculation?

Skeptics say predicting 250 million years ahead borders on fantasy. After all, tectonic shifts, asteroid impacts, or even human evolution could rewrite the timeline. Supporters argue the point isn’t about pinpoint accuracy, it’s about warning signs. The science shows that high CO₂, volcanic activity, and solar heat always lead to collapse. The math doesn’t need to be perfect to make the message clear.

A Warning Hidden in the Far Future

Scientists admit this scenario is unimaginably distant, but the underlying processes are already visible now. Heatwaves are killing crops, coral reefs are bleaching, and even polar regions are showing signs of stress. If this is what the early stages of planetary overheating look like, how long before modern civilization starts feeling the full preview?

Could Humanity Outsmart Its Own End?

Some experts suggest that humans, or their descendants, could escape by migrating underground, underwater, or even off-planet. Others say that’s wishful thinking; technology may not outpace nature’s physics. The true survival test, they argue, isn’t about escaping Earth but learning to live within its limits before it’s too late.

The Future Isn’t Set in Stone — Yet

The “too hot to live” scenario may seem like a distant nightmare, but it exposes a truth we often ignore: nature always reclaims control. If the planet can destroy life on its own, what does that say about the species accelerating the process? The supercomputer’s message isn’t prophecy — it’s a mirror. The question is whether we’ll change course before the reflection becomes reality.