I have been reading "Nostradamus, the complete prophecies for the future" by Mario Reading where he has given commentary on the different prophecies by Nostradamus. I have to admit the fact that these prophecies did interest me a lot. One of the most interesting prophecy is perhaps his last one "Armageddon". He writes:
QUATRAIN
10/74
Au revolu du grand nombre septiesme,
Apparoistra au tems jeux d'Hecatombe,
Non esloignè de grand d' age milliesme,
Que les entrez sortiront de leur tombe.
When the great number seven completes itself
Games will begin at the Tomb side
Not far from the turn of the Millennium
The dead will rise out of their graves
In his commentary, Mario writes:
Seven in this prophecy is related to seven being a holy number, and equates ,symbolically, with a span of length - the beginning and ending of things. Just as there are seven ages in the life of a man, and seven bodies in alchemy, and seven spirits of God, so there have been seven great eras in the life of the earth. These are now over.
Nostradamus's use of the word jeux (games) in line 2 is an odd one, but then we remember the Greek concept of the playfulness of the gods, and the image is no longer so surprising. The final dating of Armageddon presents some difficulties, as we do not know if Nostradamus is dating his seven-thousand-year span from the inception of man, or from the birth of Christ. Either way, the world is moving inexorably towards its end, and the sum total of our human achievements will be neither significant, nor remembered, in its aftermath.
Summary
The joke is on us. Everything humanity thought would last will be lost in the mists of time. We are simply part of a whole, and relevant, even to ourselves, no longer.
Now for any one who do not know Nostradamus; Michel de Nostredame (14 December or 21 December 1503 – 2 July 1566), famous as Nostradamus, had published collections of prophecies that have become famous worldwide. Note that he was French.
What is Armageddon?
Concept or Prophecies of Armageddon has been a part of the fundamental religious beliefs in the Abrahamic religions i.e. Islam, Christianity and Jews. Where it is believed as a Great battle that will take place in the world before the judgement day. Simply it is referred as the second coming of Isa (Jesus).
In Islamic context or lets say in all Abrahamic religious context the Armageddon is referred to as a great battle that is yet to come, though in the three Abrahamic religions the story has its variations.
Prophet Mohamed's (PBUH) prophecy:
Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) prophesied several events to occur just before the advent of the Day of Judgement (Yawm al-Qiyamah / Qiyaameh Dhuvas). The Antichrist (Dajaal) will fool people into believing that he is God and ask people to worship him. True believes will reject him but will not be able to defeat him on their own. Allah (the Almighty) will then send Isa (Jesus) back to earth (as Islam believes that he was lifted up to the heavens) to face Antichrist in the battle of Armageddon. Isa (Jesus) will defeat the Antichrist and his followers. In Islam this battle is given the name "Al-Malhama Al-Kubra" (the biggest battle).
The Judgement Day
What Nostradamus says in the last sentence of his last prophecy "The dead will rise out of their graves" is about the Day of Judgement.
Judgement day also referred as the day of resurrection. Which is a prime religious fundamental in all Abrahamic Religions. It is an article of faith in Islam to believe the fact that the dead will be resurrected on the day of judgement where justice will be prevailed. The believers will be granted with Heaven (Janath / Suvaruge) while the disbelievers be sent to the hell (Jahanam / Naraka ).
"And the Trumpet will be blown (i.e. the second blowing) and behold! From the graves they will come out quickly to their Lord." (Quran 36:51)
"And those who believe and do good deeds, they are dwellers of Paradise, they dwell therein forever." (Quran, 2:82)
"And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will not be accepted from him and he will be one of the losers in the Hereafter." (Quran, 3:85)
[*When I started writing this post, I had no idea what I will end up writing ... Just thought I should keep going on and see where it ends ... Finally came to the conclusion that I better stop here ... not proceed any further and admit the fact that I am no religious scholar ...]
Comments
Cheers