Buzz
[NOTE: This list includes a competition – check the bonus entry for more information.] Prophecies and forecasts are intriguing subjects that spark curiosity about the future and encourage us to find meaning in historical events. While Nostradamus and his predictions are well-documented in numerous books, we’ve chosen to avoid this overdiscussed topic, which has been partially discredited. Instead, we’re showcasing a selection of prophecies that many may find unfamiliar. If you know of others, feel free to share them in the comments.
10. Alois Irlmaier
Irlmaier, a humble German man from the 1950s, foresaw a third world war. He described it vividly: 'Peace is proclaimed everywhere. Shalom! Then, unexpectedly, a new conflict erupts in the Middle East, with naval forces clashing in the Mediterranean—tensions rise. The spark ignites in the Balkans: I see a prominent figure fall, a bloody dagger beside him—chaos ensues. Two assassins, one a shorter black man, the other taller with bright hair, kill a high-ranking official, hired by others. Though I believe it starts in the Balkans, I can’t be certain. […] Retaliation swiftly follows from across the ocean. Meanwhile, the yellow dragon invades Alaska and Canada but doesn’t advance far. A yellow dust rains down in a line. When the golden city falls, it all begins…' What’s striking is his prediction of the Middle East as the war’s origin, a scenario many consider plausible today. Read his full prophecy here.
9. Hildegard von Bingen
I deeply admire St. Hildegard, a 12th-century polymath nun renowned for her contributions to classical music and literature. However, her prophecies, which are numerous, remain lesser-known. One of her predictions seems to foretell the downfall of the United States: 'Before the Comet arrives, many nations, excluding the virtuous, will suffer from scarcity and famine. The great oceanic nation, home to diverse tribes and ancestries, will face devastation through earthquakes, storms, and tidal waves. It will fracture and largely sink. This nation will also endure maritime disasters and lose its eastern colonies to forces symbolized by a Tiger and a Lion. The Comet’s immense force will displace ocean waters, flooding numerous lands and triggering widespread famine and disease. [After] the Comet’s passage, the great nation will be ravaged by earthquakes, storms, and massive waves, leading to suffering and plagues. Coastal cities worldwide will live in terror, with many destroyed by tidal waves. Most creatures will perish, and survivors will succumb to a dreadful illness.' She also foresaw global peace returning with the restoration of the French throne—a fascinating prediction, given the throne’s intact state at the time. Learn more about St. Hildegard and her prophecies here.
8. Baba Vanga
Baba Vanga, a blind Bulgarian herbalist and alleged mystic (1911–1996), gained immense popularity for her supposed mystical abilities, drawing massive crowds to her funeral. Among her numerous predictions, she foresaw humanity achieving immortality by 4599 and, within a century, merging with extraterrestrial life on hundreds of colonized planets. She also claimed that by 4509, humans would evolve to communicate directly with God. In 2221, while exploring extraterrestrial life, humanity would encounter something horrifying, though she left its nature unspecified. Closer to our time, she predicted a shift in Earth’s orbit in 2023. Interestingly, she foretold the start of World War III in 2010, which hasn’t materialized, though her followers argue the groundwork may still be in progress.
7. The True Third Secret
On June 26, 2000, Cardinal Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict XVI) unveiled the renowned third secret of Fatima, accompanied by a theological analysis. The secret hinted at the assassination of a Pope and the destruction of a city (full text here). Few realize that during the decades the secret was concealed, fragments of it—or hints about its contents—were leaked by individuals who had either read it or spoken to Sister Lucia, the seer who documented it. These leaks contradicted the Vatican’s official release, leading many to believe the Vatican’s version was fabricated to prevent scandal. Allegedly, the true secret warns of a Church apostasy beginning with the Pope, where he would abandon Catholic teachings and fall into error. It also mentions a council that would corrupt the Church, widely believed to refer to Vatican II, which overturned many traditional Catholic doctrines. This information was known for at least 40 years before the Vatican’s release. Notably, Sister Lucia insisted the secret be revealed by 1960 or after her death, whichever came first. The choice of 1960 is intriguing, as Vatican II commenced in 1962, with its Popes, John XXIII and Paul VI, refusing to disclose the secret. Another related prophecy by Pope Pius XII adds depth: 'We believe the current era is a dire phase of Christ’s foretold events. Darkness seems poised to engulf the world, and humanity faces an unprecedented crisis.'
6. Ursula Southeil Prophesies
Ursula Southeil, better known as Mother Shipton (1488–1561), is arguably the most famous prophetess on this list. While modern scholars debate the authenticity of her predictions, her reputation as a seer was well-established during Samuel Pepys’ time, as he documented the Royal family discussing her prophecies. Below are some of her most intriguing predictions:
1. A horseless carriage will travel, bringing disaster and sorrow worldwide. Primrose Hill in London will become the center of a bishop’s domain. 2. Thoughts will travel across the globe instantly, as fast as a blink. Water will perform extraordinary feats, strange yet destined to come true. 3. Iron will float on water as effortlessly as a wooden boat. Gold will be discovered in streams and stones in lands yet to be explored. 4. England will welcome a Jew, a surprising yet true event. The once-scorned Jew will be born into a Christian family. [Could this hint at Britain’s role in establishing Israel?] 5. In those distant, remarkable times, women will adopt the trend of dressing like men, wearing trousers and cutting their hair short. They will ride boldly, much like witches on broomsticks today.
A more extensive collection of her prophecies can be found here.
5. Tarabich Prophesy
Mitar Tarabich, a relatively obscure Serbian prophet (1829–1899), is said to have accurately foretold numerous events in Serbia during the 1930s, 1940s, and World War II. His predictions include:
'After [Tito], our nation will be ruled by a commission, but it will never return to its former state. Although people will live in abundance, free from hunger and poverty, brother will turn against brother, filled with hatred and malice. The Serbs will divide, denying their heritage, saying, “I am not a Serb.” A corrupt figure will infiltrate the nation, defiling Serbian sisters, mothers, and wives, producing offspring worse than any in history. Only the weak will be born, with no true heroes among them.'
Tarabich also foresaw advancements in technology: 'People will create a box containing a device that displays images,' 'Humans will journey to other worlds, only to find them barren,' and 'Those who study complex numerical books will believe they possess ultimate knowledge.'
4. Robert Nixon Prophesies
Robert Nixon, a plowboy from Cheshire, England, in the late 15th century, was often dismissed as mentally impaired due to his rare and incoherent speech. However, he astonished many with his precise and unexpected predictions of future events. Some of his notable prophecies include:
'The weary eagle shall retreat to a sunlit island, where fresh green leaves and herbs flourish. There, he shall encounter a fair lady.' This is widely interpreted as a prediction of Napoleon’s exile to St. Helena in 1815—an island rich in rare flora and named after Helen of Troy, the epitome of a 'fair lady.'
Another intriguing prophecy is thought to foreshadow the global popularity of cigarettes: 'All sorts will have chimneys in their mouths.'
Nixon also allegedly predicted moon landings, rocket travel, recreational vehicles, voice recording devices, and lightbulbs. When brought before King Richard III, he refused to prophesy anything except his own death by starvation. The King confined him to the kitchen, but a cook accidentally locked him in a cupboard, where he perished from hunger.
3. Prophecy of St Nilus
St. Nilus, a 5th-century ascetic monk and disciple of St. John Chrysostom, is credited with a prophecy (though its origins are debated) that remarkably foresaw events of the 20th century. Below are key excerpts from his prophecy (full text available here), with the final line being especially noteworthy:
'After 1900, around the mid-20th century, humanity will become unrecognizable. As the Antichrist’s arrival nears, minds will be clouded by carnal desires, and lawlessness will prevail. The world will transform beyond recognition. […] People’s appearances will blur, making it hard to distinguish men from women due to their shameless attire and hairstyles. […] Christian morals and traditions will shift, modesty will fade, and indulgence will dominate. Falsehood and greed will escalate, bringing misery to those who hoard wealth. Lust, adultery, homosexuality, secret sins, and murder will pervade society. […] Humans will fly like birds and dive into the ocean’s depths like fish. Yet, despite these advancements, they will live in comfort, unaware that it is all a deception of the Antichrist…'
2. White Horse Prophesy
While Mormon readers may recognize this prophecy, it remains largely unknown to others. The White Horse Prophecy, attributed to Joseph Smith (founder of Mormonism) in 1843, foretells that Mormons will settle in the Rocky Mountains and become a powerful nation, symbolically linked to the White Horse in St. John’s Apocalypse. It also warns of a time when the U.S. Constitution will 'hang by a thread,' preserved only by the efforts of the White Horse. The prophecy describes a catastrophic revolution in America, leaving the nation without a central government and engulfed in unprecedented violence and moral decay. Families will turn against each other, and unimaginable bloodshed, murder, and rape will plague the land. Smith believed the U.S. Constitution was divinely inspired and that Mormonism would play a crucial role in saving both the Constitution and America during this tumultuous period.
1. Prophecy of the Popes
The Prophecy of the Popes, credited to Saint Malachy, consists of 112 Latin phrases, each describing a pope from Celestine II (elected in 1143) to a final pope referred to as 'Peter the Roman,' whose reign will culminate in Rome’s destruction. Intriguingly, the current pope, Benedict XVI, is identified as the 'Glory of the Olive'—a reference to the Benedictine monks’ olive branch symbol. According to the prophecy, he is the penultimate pope before Peter the Roman. This aligns with Catholic eschatology, which predicts a great apostasy in the Church before Christ’s second coming. Many Catholics interpret this as a sign that we are living in the end times, with the next pope being the last before the final judgment. The prophecy’s text regarding the final pope is as follows:
'In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church, Peter the Roman will assume the papal throne, guiding his flock through immense trials. When these events conclude, the seven-hilled city [Rome] will be destroyed, and the fearsome judge will pass judgment on his people. The End.'
The complete list can be found here.
+ Competition
It’s been a while since our last competition, and with work progressing on our new book, we thought it’s the perfect time to give away copies of our previous works. When tomorrow’s list goes live, we’ll randomly select three commenters from this list to win both of our books (totaling six books). This giveaway is open to participants worldwide, so don’t hesitate to join in. Please ensure your comments are relevant to the list and not just attempts to win. If you’re unsure what to say, why not share your own prediction about how the world will end?
[Update: The winners have been selected! Congratulations to omnilogist, DumDum, and hanschip21. Kindly email me ([email protected]) with your full names and mailing addresses so I can arrange for your prizes to be sent.]
