Introduction

The above four lines constitute one of the most famous quatrains or prophecies of Nostradamus because they reveal a date that coincides with the end of the Christian second millennium. The quatrain references the end of the second millennium after the birth and death of the Messiah, which historically the Christian culture also has anticipated as a time when great change will occur. Many Christians believe that the Messiah will appear during 2000 A.D. and the world will end literally.

The above prophecy is one of more than 1000 that Nostradamus wrote. The four lines of this stanza have been an enigma or mystery for more than 400 years since Nostradamus published them. There are many commentators of Nostradamus’ works that have tried to interpret this quatrain. Yet there is no consensus among them on its meaning.

No other author in the last 400 years has been written about more than Nostradamus, the French Jewish prophet (1503-1566 AD). His book of prophecies entitled The Centuries was published in 1555 which included the first three Centuries. Now each Century consists of 100 four-line stanza called quatrain.

There are ten Centuries in total, which mean that there are approximately 1000 quatrains or prophecies. Nostradamus had originally put these quatrains in chronological order, but disarranged them in his first publication according to the book The Fate of the Nations.

Centuries 4 through 7 were published in 1556 and the remaining three Centuries were published after his death in 1566. Now The Centuries were an immediate success and have always been in print. Only the Bible has been published more during this period.

What is the intent of this article?

The intent of this article is to examine Century 10 Quatrain 72, determine who or what is the ‘King of Terror from the sky,’ and explain the spiritual principle within this prophecy. This article will also examine the various interpretations of this quatrain by various writers and investigators of Nostradamus.

Many believe that the book of Revelation along with the millennium theory inspired Nostradamus to write Century 10 Quatrain 72. This article will explore whether Century 10 Quatrain 72 seems to have some validity in terms of Biblical prophecies. [For those that want more details on Nostradamus and others, along with Biblical prophecies and the year 2000 A.D. see "Prophecies Not In the Bible," in the 1998, Vol. 7. No. 2, issue of the "PLIM REPORT"]

Does Nostradamus have a track record?

If it were not for Nostradamus’ track record, in which many of his prophecies have come to pass, the prophecy contained in Century 10 Quatrain 72 would have been put in the grave long ago along with all other false and so-called prophecies. Of the approximately 1000 prophecies that Nostradamus made (the exact number varies with the edition) many researchers believe that approximately 500 have been fulfilled. The remaining prophecies are awaiting their fulfillment.

Now of the 500 prophecies that have been fulfilled, most researchers and commentators basically agree on the interpretation of approximately 50 prophecies. There are disagreements among the researchers on what event the remaining quatrains foretell. Mr. Prieditis in his book The Fate of the Nations points out that Nostradamus’ prophesies or quatrains "…can be easily assigned to several events, because they could be interpreted several ways (p. 37)."

What is remarkable about Nostradamus is his uncanny accuracy in a small number of prophecies that reveal details of future events hundred of years into the future. Erika Cheetham said in her book The Prophecies of Nostradamus (© 1973 Perigee Books) that this is more than coincidence. His exactness can only be explained by some paranormal experience that Yahweh showed him in a vision (Num. 12:6).

The prophecy that made Nostradamus great occurred in July 1559, during Nostradamus’ lifetime. He prophesied that Count Mountgomery, the young lion, would kill France’s King Henry II by piercing his eye with a lance during a jousting tournament. Nostradamus published this quatrain three or four years prior to the king’s death. The king was forewarned of his death, but ignored the prophecy, participated in the contest, and died. The king’s wife Catherine d Medici continued to consult Nostradamus after her husband’s death. The quatrain that prophesied King Henry II’s death is as follows.

(Century 1 Quatrain 35)

Nostradamus wrote other prophecies that described the French Revolution, the rise of Napoleon, the rise of Hitler, the fall of the Roman Catholic Church, and some of man’s modern inventions to list a few. For example, in one of Nostradamus’ quatrains he described the escape route of Louis XVI’s to the French town Verennes. In fact, there is no other book, including the Bible, that has prophesied the events of the last 400 years like Nostradamus’ book The Centuries!

What method was used to write a quatrain?

As you may expect, there have been many interpretations of Century 10, Quatrain 72 over the last 400 years. But before we examine the interpretations of this quatrain, one must have an understanding of the method that Nostradamus used to write this stanzas. They were written in a mixture of all languages such as French, Greek, Provencal, and Latin.

Nostradamus used word play, allusions, astrology, anagrams, elisions and puns to write these stanzas because he lived during the time of the Roman Catholic Inquisition. During this time people believed that the devil and witchcraft inspired prophetic visions and dreams. So they thought that anyone who uttered clairvoyant events was under the control of the devil and was put to death. Thus, Nostradamus had to be very careful how he prophesied. Later in Nostradamus’ life he had to flee from the Inquisition, for they sought after him.

What influenced Nostradamus?

In order to interpret any prophecy of a prophet, one has to know something about the culture of the period. R. J. Stewart confirmed this in his book The Element of Prophecy (Element Books © 1990) by stating "Prophecy taken out of context is valueless: we cannot truly understand the Hebrew prophets without their religion, their culture, ...(p. 83)."

Now many researchers believe that Nostradamus was influenced "by the medieval thinking which held all millennium in great dread," according to Erika Cheetham’s book The Prophecies of Nostradamus (© 1973 Perigee Books). David P. Francis in his book Prophecies of Present Time? (© 1984 Aquarian Press) confirmed this by stating that people of the 16th century believed in the millenarian theory, "which held that the history of mankind divides into approximately 7000 years from about 4000 BC to AD 2000, with a millennium of about 1000 years (p. 158)."

David P. Francis believes that Nostradamus derived the seventh month of 1999 by using the "five months" period in Revelation. It states: "And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months (Rev. 9:10)." Mr. Francis states that Nostradamus used: "a period of five months torment as occurring before the advent of: ‘the hour, day, month and year.", which is the year 2000 A.D. Thus, by deducting the five months period from 1999 A.D., Mr. Francis believed that Nostradamus got the seventh month in 1999.

In short, researchers of Nostradamus understood that the general belief of the medieval period was that the year 2000 A.D. began the 7,000th year, which many believe would be the end of the world. This has been a part of the Hebrew Biblical interpretation of the scriptures since the apostles. [For more details of the millennium theory see Will the Messiah appear on or before 2000 A.D.? in the May/June 1995 issue of the "PLIM REPORT"]

How are some of the words of the quatrain interpreted?

In giving interpretations of Nostradamus original quatrain Century X, 72nd quatrain in Old French, one has to understand that a few words within the verse have many interpretations. Mr. Prieditis points out in his book that in order to determine the correct interpretations of any of Nostradamus’ quatrains, one has to go back to the Old French. The original French is as follows.

Avant que Mars regner par bon heur.

Before examining the interpretation of this quatrain, there are some questions about two words ‘Roi (Roy) deffraieur’ and ‘Roi (Roy) d’Angolmois’ that must be answered. We must also deterine what is the seventh month.

Peter Lemesurier in his book Nostradamus the Next 50 Years (© 1993 Berkley) believes that ‘Roi (Roy) deffraieur’ translates as ‘defraying king’ since it may be a misprint for Roy De I fraieur (Old French desfrayer) which is translated ‘to defray, settle, pay up.’ This is not the orthodox view. Most believe ‘Roi (Roy) deffraieur’ is interpreted as the ‘king of terror.’

Most commentators of Nostradamus recognize the word ‘d’Angolmois’ as an anagram for Mongols. Arthur Prieditis in his book The Fate of the Nation gives another interpretation of this word ‘d’Angolmois,’ He states that it is feudal land that became France’s crown lands.

Lemesurier also points out in his book that Nostradamus need not start counting from January as the first of the year. Erika Cheetham agrees with Lemesurier in her book The Prophecies of Nostradamus and state that Nostradamus could also start with the spring equinox of 20/21 March 1999.

What are various interpretations of this quatrain?

Now the various disagreements over the correct interpretation of words have led to different meanings of Century 10, Quatrain 72. Here are some examples of the interpretations.

• Lemesurier interpreted this quatrain which has a different meaning from the traditional one as follows.

War reign before, then haply is restored.

• Arthur Prieditis in his book The Fate of the Nations interpreted this quatrain as follows.

"In the nineteen hundred ninety nine and seven months from the sky, will come a great king of terror to bring back to life the great king of Angolmois, before Mars to reign by good luck (p. 301)."

• Now Moira Timms in her book Beyond Prophecies and Predictions interpreted this quatrain into English as follows.

"The year 1999, seventh month, A great king of terror will descend from the skies To resuscitate the great king Anglolmois, Around this time Mars will reign for the good cause."

• Finally, Erika Cheetham, considered one the foremost authorities on Nostradamus wrote the following translation of the quatrain in her book The Prophecies of Nostradamus (©1973 Perigee Books).

"In the year 1999, and the seventh months, from the sky will come the Great King of Terror. He will bring back to life the great king of the Mongols. Before and after War reigns happily (p. 417)."

Now that we have examined the various interpretations from Old French into English, the next step is to explain the meaning of this quatrain.

What is the meaning of this quatrain?

The meaning of this quatrain varies greatly depending on the translation of certain words, as we have shown. Basically the translations of this quatrain can be divided into two schools of thought.

The first school, which is the orthodox view, believes that the ‘King of Terror’ is man. As stated, Mr. Lemesurier believes that the King of Terror should be translated "a great financing lord." Now many researchers believe the ‘King of Terror’ will be the next Anti-Christ or his forerunner, but there is disagreement on his nationality.

• Erika Cheetham believes that the nationality of the "King of Mongols" will be Asian, and he will be a forerunner to the Anti-Christ. She believes that there will be a war before and after his coming.

• John Hogue in his book called Nostradamus Complete Prophecies gives two scenarios for this quatrain.

a) His first explanation is that the King of Terror is an Arab who was trained in the camp of the Palestine Liberation Organization during it radical period. Hogue believes that in 1999 the King of Terror will launch a war with Israel from the sky either with a nuclear missile, chemical weapons or a jet loaded with radioactive material.

b) Mr. Hogue’s second scenario depicts China or the People’s Republic of China as the "Great King of Terror" that will seek to restore the great kingdom of Genghis Khan who established the land empire from the east of the Japanese sea to the Danube river in Europe in 1279 AD.

• Peter Lemesurier in his book Nostradamus The Next 50 Years believes that this quatrain prophesies that there will be an oriental invasion that will be halted someplace in the Middle East as the result of the death of its leader. This was due to a shortage of funds and equipment. Mr. Lemesurier believes that a world rich leader will come forth to finance this endeavor.

Now the second school of thought believes that this ‘great king of terror’ is some kind of non-human thing such as a meteor or a planet that will possibly collide with the earth. Moira Timms in her book Beyond Prophecies and Predictions states there is a possibility that the Phobos (meaning "terror") satellite of Mars may stray from it orbit passing close to or colliding with earth. These interpretations of Nostradamus’ quatrain show, as was stated at the beginning of this article, that there is no general consensus on the meaning of the quatrain.

Basically, the general mindset during Nostradamus’ era accepted that the year 2000 A.D. would be in chaos. This is why Nostradamus believes in the millennium theory of his era. [see the "PLIM REPORT" June 1995 "Will the Messiah appear on or before the 2000AD?" for more details]

Nostradamus and the Bible

The question that arises is whether the Bible supports Nostradamus’ date of 1999. Now the Bible does not mention any date nor prophesy concerning 1999, but it does support a chaotic condition that occurs at the end of an age (often referred to as ‘world’ in various versions of the Bible).

For example, near the end of the first age, called the Ante-Diluvian, the evil had reached it zenith and Elohim gave Noah a commission to build an ark for the saving of his household from the flood (Gn. 6:5; 12-14). Now the King of Terror from the sky can be seen in the rain 40 days and nights.

Now near the end of Yahshua the Messiah’s life, which occurred at the end of an age called the post-diluvian age, His disciples asked him a question as he sat upon the Mount of Olives. "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world (age; Mt. 24:3)?"

He replied: "… Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven (Lk. 21:8-11)." The King of Terror of the sky can be seen in principle as the signs in the sky and the earth that the Messiah prophesied. These fearful heavenly signs closed out this post-diluvian age with the Messiah’s death, burial and resurrection and began our Present age of Grace according to the scriptures.

Conclusion

Many who lived during Nostradamus’ time believed the events the Messiah prophesied at the end of His era, would repeat at the end the second millenium 2000 A.D., which ends the sixth millenium and begins the seventh 1000 years. Then the question to ask is whether this quatrain was actually the result of a divine vision or something that Nostradamus imagined to fit the superstition concerning the seventh millennium. No one can fully answer this question, but Yahweh Elohim and Nostradamus. We can only review his past successful prophecies and conclude there appears to be more here than a man’s fantasy at work. The meaning of the King of the Terror from the sky will remain a mystery until Yahweh chooses to reveal it.