Misguided Doomsday Prophecies

Thiên Cơ Bất Khả Lậu… Lậu Bất Khả Tri!; by hoatam on Thu Oct 22, 2009 3:46 pm

Over the past 2000 years, numerous prophecies have emerged regarding the end of the world. We can categorize these prophecies into two groups: vague and ambiguous ones that lack a specific date for the event, such as those from figures like Trang Trinh, Lưu Bá Ông, and the monk nicknamed ‘Su vai ban khoai,’ as well as the prophetic revelations of the Cao Dai religious sect regarding the Last Judgment day, known as the Festival of Long Hoa. Our focus, however, is on prophecies that provide a specific date and description of the doomsday event.

Below are prophecies by various prophets from different religions and sects around the world that have been proven wrong:

1. Zoroaster (1300 BC) predicted the end of the world in the year 1200 from the day of creation, coinciding with the appearance of a Messiah (world savior) and the last judgment day.

2. The Ancient Testament of Judeo-Christianity prophesied the end of the world would occur when the Jews returned to the Holy Land (Israel was formed in 1948).

3. In the New Testament, Jesus prophesied his return during the lifetime of his disciples, but it has not yet occurred despite numerous predictions throughout the past 20 centuries.

4. Nostradamus predicted a third world war between Arab countries and China against Europe and America on July 7, 1999. He also forecasted a period of peace starting from 2026 to 3000.

5. Ursula Sonthiel predicted the end of the world in 1881.

6. Edgar Cayce prophesied the sinking of New York and Europe into the ocean and the end of the world in 2000.

7. Jucelino Nobriega’s predictions in 2008, including a big earthquake in Japan, a terrorist attack in America, and a massive earthquake in China, did not come true.

8. Jeanne Dixon had a vision of an Egyptian Pharaoh and Queen holding a baby, which she interpreted as the coming of a savior in 1999. Later, she changed her interpretation to the arrival of the Antichrist.

9. Luong Minh Dang predicted a devastating earthquake in the nineties, which did not occur, causing financial ruin for many families.

10. Mr. DTH and Mr. LSH predicted the end of the world in 2001, based on their interpretation of the changing cycle of the universe.

11. In 1997, Chen Tao (True Path) followers believed a UFO would take them to heaven during doomsday in Garland, Texas, but nothing happened.

12. Monte Kim Miller predicted Denver’s destruction by an earthquake in 1998, and his own death in Jerusalem followed by resurrection in 1999, but these events did not occur.

Discussion:
Despite the failure of past doomsday prophecies, one may still question whether new prophecies will come true. The fact that these prophecies failed does not necessarily mean that the prophets were false, nor does it negate the possibility of truth in their predictions. It’s important to acknowledge that Heaven’s plan may exist, and while some prophets may have accurately predicted other events, the accuracy of their doomsday prophecies remains uncertain.

The failures of past prophecies underscore the principle that Heaven’s intentions remain inscrutable. Even when revelations are made, they are often ambiguous and open to interpretation. Therefore, it’s often said that Heaven’s plan is shrouded in secrecy, even when it is supposedly revealed. Speculating on prophecies is futile; one must wait for them to manifest. To discern a true prophecy, it’s essential to objectively evaluate its source and consider its credibility. Corroboration from multiple sources lends weight to a prophecy, and relying solely on one can be misleading. Ultimately, a prophecy must materialize to be considered genuine. Given the prevalence of frivolous prophecies, it’s wise to approach them with caution and skepticism.

Will the world end in 2010 as predicted by Vanga, 2012 according to the Mayan calendar, or in 2060 as proposed by Newton? Let’s analyze past prophecies and discuss the accuracy of future forecasts. What insights can we gain from different religious perspectives on eschatological events? While past prophecies offer intriguing insights, it’s essential to approach them critically and focus on living purposefully, and ethically regardless of future predictions.

Revised 3/4/24