Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Nostradamus and Baba Vanga's Terrifying Predictions for 2022

The following article was obtained through Showbizz Daily via MSN.com

Predictions by the French prophet Nostradamus

Did you know that the French astrologer Nostradamus predicted a European war with many refugees, attacks on a city, and the fall of the European Union? 

People who studied and interpreted his writings believe that these predictions apply to 2022.

An astrologer of the 16th century

Nostradamus lived from 1503 to 1566 and wrote approximately 6,338 prophecies. He even claimed to know how and when the world would come to an end! Of course, his writings were rarely specific, which makes them open to a lot of different interpretations. Critics even say that people can read into his words whatever they want to read.

Nostradamus predicted war in Europe

The following interpretations of his prophecies for 2022 were circulated at the beginning of the year - before anything was known about the Russian attack on Ukraine. Read on to see what Nostradamus predicted according to his interpreters.

Attack on a European city

People interpreting his prophecies wrote in late December 2021 that Nostradamus had made statements about a possible siege of Paris in 2022. This would indicate a war in Europe.

Famine

Nostradamus also predicted that wars and armed conflicts in the world would be an amplifier of hunger, which would increase migration.

Refugees

Some of his interpreters claim that Nostradamus predicted the arrival of many more refugees by 2022. They say he calculated that, this year, seven times as many migrants would reach Europe's borders as in the previous year.

The collapse of the European Union

One of the points in his prophecies would be Nostradamus' prediction of the fall of the European Union.

Death of a dictator

According to some prophecy interpreters, Nostradamus predicted the death of a dictator. They think he was referring to North Korea's Kim-Jong Un.

Earthquake in Japan

Another prediction is that a major earthquake will hit Japan in 2022.

'Successful predictions' from the past

Nostradamus correctly predicted certain historical events in the past - at least, it would seem that way by some interpretations of his words.

Terrifying predictions

He allegedly foresaw the Great Fire of London, Adolf Hitler's rise to power, the horrors of World War II, the French Revolution and even the creation of the atomic bomb.

Predictions by the Bulgarian Mystic Baba Vanga

Nostradamus is the most famous but not the only seer who has many followers. 

Vangelia Gushterov, better known as Baba Vanga or "the Nostradamus of the Balkans," was a Bulgarian healer who lived from 1911 to 1996.

She shared visions of the future as far ahead as the year 5079.

Warned of several disasters

Baba Vanga's fame was mainly confined to Eastern Europe, but over time, her predictions of important historical events have gone around the world. Among her best-known (alleged) predictions are: the 11 September 2001 attacks on the Twin Towers in New York; the Chernobyl nuclear accident; the death of Princess Diana; the 2004 tsunami in Asia; and the UK's exit from the European Union.

Volcanoes and floods

For 2021, Baba Vanga predicted significant seismic and volcanic activity, as well as floods and storms. According to international media, the seer was 85% accurate in her predictions.

For 2022: a new pandemic... from Siberia!

For the year 2022, the situation, according to Baba, is not very encouraging. Among the prophetess's forecasted events is a new pandemic, this time discovered by scientists in Siberia.

Water shortages

Her visions also include a serious water crisis, with drinking water shortages in several cities around the world.

Tsunami

The prophet also predicted that river pollution would increase and a tsunami would devastate Asia and Australia.

New technology

For her, people will spend more time glued to the screens of mobile devices and computers, confusing reality and the virtual world. That is already almost the case so what developments in technology will drag users in further?

A terrifying prediction about Russia

In the days following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, texts from Baba Vanga circulated that had allegedly predicted this aggression. According to several international news media outlets, the seer allegedly said that "Russia would rule the world" and that "no one can stop Russia."

Aliens too?

Among the list of more exotic premonitions, Baba Vanga even foresaw an alien invasion. According to her, an asteroid sent by aliens will attack planet Earth in 2027.

But can these predictions really be trusted?

Of course, we are unable to ask Baba Vanga and Nostradamus whether their ambiguous texts were actually pointing towards these concrete events. The prophecies will always remain a point of interpretation and discussion.


Tuesday, March 8, 2022

What does the Bible say about war?

The following article was obtained through the website, Stars Insider


What does the Bible say about war?

War has been present in our lives ever since the dawn of time. From the resolution of conflicts to territorial, religious, and political reasons, humankind has resorted to the use of force on innumerable occasions. But what does the Bible say about it? Did Jesus bring a new perspective to God's message in the Old Testament? Is war ever just?

The first war

The first war, according to the Bible, was conducted in heaven. It was the war between good and evil; Satan and God. And it’s not until we get to the Book of Revelation that it’s mentioned.

Revelation 12:7-9 reads: “Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.”

Value of life

The Bible places great value on human life. After all, we were created in God’s image. This is stated in Genesis 1:26: “Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. [...]'”

Life is precious

There are other instances in the Bible that highlight the importance of human life and how sinful it is to end it. One of them is in Exodus 21:12. “Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be put to death.”

Time for war

But there is a time for everything, and war is no exception. Ecclesiastes 3:8 states that there is, “A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war, and a time for peace.”

Can God intervene in war?

According to Isaiah 2:4, it does seem like indeed he can. The passage reads: “He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”

War in the Old Testament

There are numerous, and quite detailed, accounts of war in the Old Testament. The root of the problem seems to be common to all of them: sin. War is the result of sin in the world. This holy war is led by God Himself. God is the instigator and the leader of war in the Old Testament.

Ark of the Covenant

The famous Ark of the Covenant (which contains the tablets of the Ten Commandments) was actually taken into battle as a sort of lucky charm. 1 Samuel 4:3 reads: “When the soldiers returned to camp, the elders of Israel asked, 'Why did the Lord bring defeat on us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Shiloh, so that he may go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies.'"

Weapon of war

There’s an example of how God used war in Jeremiah 51:20-21. “The Lord says, Babylonia, you are my hammer, my weapon of war. I used you to crush nations and kingdoms, 21 to shatter horses and riders, to shatter chariots and their drivers.”

Warriors find solace in God

Deuteronomy 20:1-4 can be quite motivational for those on the battlefield. It reads: “When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you.”

Motivation

It continues: “When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. 3 He shall say: 'Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. 4 For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.'"

War in the New Testament

There are fewer accounts of war in the New Testament. After all, Jesus was a man of peace who avoided retaliation.

God gives powers to government authorities to enforce (His) laws

Romans 13:1-5 talks about submitting to governing authorities (who are ultimately responsible for war), and the need to obey the law.

Submitting to governing authorities  

Romans 13:1-3 reads: “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”  

Love your enemies

Matthew 5:38-45 gives us a new perspective on the God of the Old Testament when it comes to war. "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles." It continues: “Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.”

Be at peace

Paul the Apostle also spread a similar message: “Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men,” (Romans 12:17).

Overcome evil with good

He continues: “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. 'But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

War is inevitable

It's always happened and it always will. Jesus Himself spoke about it. Matthew 24:6 reads" “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.”

Prophecy?

One could interpret this as a prophecy, but the truth is that wars have been happening since the dawn of time, and the consequences are often disastrous. Matthew 24:7 reads, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.”

Pacifism

When Jesus was arrested, one of his followers wanted to defend him with a sword, but Jesus said, "Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword," (Matthew 26:52-53). Christian pacifists also base their stance on the belief that the kingdom of God is not on Earth, as per John 18:36, which reads, “Jesus said, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.'"

Holy war

Paul the Apostle makes a reference to a holy war between good and evil in 2 Corinthians 10:3-4: “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”

Just war theory

The just war theory is a philosophy that emerged many years ago. Its principles can be traced back to classical Greek and Roman philosophers, but Christian theologians such as Augustine and Thomas Aquinas expanded on it.

“Just” doesn’t mean “good.” The whole idea still condemns war, but addresses it from a "lesser evil" standpoint. The theory tries to reconcile the ideas that killing people is bad, but that sometimes the use of force is inevitable. It provides guidelines on how to conduct war in a more just way.