The Reluctant [False] Messiah

Well, the craziness never ends. And among a group of and unstable New Age types, they've found themselves in a bit of a conundrum. In short, they've found their [false] messiah. and they're quite happy about it... but the problem is that he steadfastly denies he's the messiah they say he is.

Readers of this blog may remember that recently, Share International, a group led by New Age prophet Benjamin Creme, announced that the messiah (they like to call him "Maitreya, The World Teacher") had finally stepped forward into the public eye, even though they declined to give his name.

See my Jan 20th post for more details on that.

So this set off a wave of speculation among followers, some of whom have been waiting literally decades for this long promised [false] Christ. Finally, much of the focus and speculation settled on 27 year old Indian born author Raj Patel, causing believers to send him congratulatory messages, and even travel great distances to see him. But...long story short, the guy seems quite bewildered by this all, leading to a bit of confusion among those who so badly wanted him to be the long awaited One.

The New York times has three stories dealing with this. (See links below).

In the end, to me this is both absurd and sad. "The One" has already come -- that being Jesus Christ -- but these people are looking for another instead.

Jesus warned that in the last days false prophets and false Christs would come, and would deceive many.

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (Matt 24:24).

This Maitreya, whoever he turns out to be, will be just one of many who will lead many astray. Also on the scene we already have Sun Myung Moon, Jose Luis De Jesus, and many other lesser known fake messiahs who are already at work.

Somehow I get the feeling this upcoming decade will be a busy one for those who are in the Fake Messiah business.

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NY Times Article: In Internet Era, An Unwilling Lord For New Age Followers

Excerpt:

Ben Shoucair, 24, a college student from Detroit, does not need more convincing. He said he saw Mr. Patel in a dream, and then was stunned to find a YouTube video and discover his vision was real. Last week, Mr. Shoucair and his father spent $990 on last-minute tickets to fly to San Francisco to be in Mr. Patel’s presence at a book promotion.

Reached by phone this week, Mr. Shoucair said meeting Mr. Patel had made him “happy.” He said the Maitreya evidence was irrefutable. “It puts it all on Raj Patel at this time in history.”

Mr. Shoucair seemed amazed when told that Mr. Patel did not believe he was the messiah and had never heard of Mr. Creme. “See how deep the spiritual world is,” Mr. Shoucair said.

Mr. Patel said of their pilgrimage: “It broke my heart. They’d flown all the way from Detroit.”

Share International’s beliefs are rooted in the Theosophical movement popular in Britain in the late-19th century; it later evolved into New Age beliefs, said Ted F. Peters of the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. Messiahs have been declared before, only to disappoint.

“It’s incredibly flattering, just for an instant,” Mr. Patel said of his unwanted status. “And then you realize what it means. People are looking for better times. Almost anything now will qualify as a portent of different times.”

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See also:
NY Times Article: Are You There, God? It's Me, Scott
NY Times Article: Is He Or Isn't He The Messiah?

False Messiah Watch: Maitreya Steps Forward

In February 2009 called Preparations Continue for Maitreya, The False Christ I posted an article about how the New Age group Share International (led by Benjamin Creme -- on the left in the photo above) was preparing to unveil their false Christ known as Maitreya, The World Teacher.

Well, after years hiding behind promises and press releases, it seems that this false prophet might be finally stepping forward. Posted below is a press release Share International issued yesterday stating that Maitreya has made his first public appearance.

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Maitreya Steps Forward

LONDON, January 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Share International Foundation announces that Maitreya, the World Teacher, has given His first interview on American television. Millions have heard Him speak both on TV and the internet. His open mission has begun.

He was introduced not as Maitreya, the World Teacher and Head of our Spiritual Hierarchy, but simply as a man, one of us. In this way He "ensures that men follow and support Him for the truth and sanity of His ideas rather than for His status."

He spoke earnestly of the need for peace, achievable only through the creation of justice and the sharing of the world's resources.

This is the first of many such interviews which will be given in the USA, Japan, Europe and elsewhere, bringing His message of hope to the world.

Background information

For over 30 years artist, author, and lecturer Benjamin Creme has been preparing the way for the biggest event in history - the emergence of Maitreya the World Teacher and His group, the Masters of Wisdom. Millions of people around the world have heard his information and wait expectantly for this momentous event.

See YouTube video 'Maitreya, the World Teacher, steps forward':    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHqncRa4fcA    For more information: http://www.share-international.org    Benjamin Creme, tel: +44(0)207-482-1113, mail@shareinternationaluk.org

SOURCE Share International Foundation

[end]

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In light of such developments, let's all keep Jesus' words in mind here:

"...Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. (Matt 24:4-5)

"And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many." (Matt 24:11)

"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." (Matt 24:24)

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"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh" (Luke 21:28)

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Related link:

Preparations Continue for Maitreya, The False Christ

See also:A False Messiah In Miami

(Article on Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda, another self-proclaimed Christ)

Preparations Continue for Maitreya, the False Christ

I often get the sense that many, if not most, Christians live their lives on a daily basis not thinking that the Lord will be coming soon and that endtime prophecy is being fulfilled on a daily basis. Frankly, the time for that kind of inattentiveness is over.

It didn't get a lot of media attention, but a few weeks back Share International put out a press following up on a previous press release announcing the soon emergence of Maitreya, the coming "World Teacher".

An excerpt from the press release is here:

Share International News Release no. 88, 22 January 2009
LONDON, January 22 /PRNewswire/ -- For over 30 years author, lecturer and artist Benjamin Creme has been preparing the way for the emergence of Maitreya the World Teacher.

On 12 December 2008 Share International distributed a news release announcing that in the very near future a large, bright star will appear in the sky visible throughout the world, night and day. Around a week later Maitreya will give his first interview on major US television.
(Full press release at this link.)

Interestingly, they state that soon he will make his first appearance on American public television, giving his views on the world's current economic crisis. Although he wont be announced a the Maitreya in that interview, it will be his first time supposedly "coming out of the shadows" to the American people.

From the same press release:

"...The answer lies in the fact that this mysterious event is a sign, and heralds the beginning of Maitreya's open mission. Soon after the sign appears in our skies, Maitreya will give His first media interview on American television.

On that open, public occasion, still unannounced as Maitreya, the World Teacher will present His views on the economic and financial chaos which now grips the world. He will explain its origins and final outcome, and present, to some extent, His recipe for amelioration of the present heavy burden on the poor of the world. Thus He will prepare the way for a more detailed and specific announcement of His ideas."

A man by the name of Benjamin Creme has spent decades supposedly preparing the world for the coming of Maitreya, who will supposedly be Messiah to the Jews, Imam Mahdi to the Muslims, Maitreya Buddha to the Buddhists, and Christ to the Christians. Quite simply, this Maitreya is a false Christ, one of many Jesus said would come.

Interestingly, in the press release, his group Share International says

"Not alone in America but worldwide, people are awakening to the need for and the possibility of change. The politicians and economists call the present situation a 'downturn' and a 'recession'. In truth, we are witnessing the last stumbling steps of the old order. "

Obviously, the departure of the old world order will simply pave the way for the coming New World Order. It's interesting that both false messiahs and political leaders are both looking forward to this coming New World Order. And why? Simply, because there will be both a religious and a political component to the New World Order, and the same demonic spirit is behind it all, moving in both the religious and political realms to bring it about.

Believers should look for more such "new world order" talk from our politicians, as they move us all a step closer toward the coming One World Government. And watch for more false teachers and false Christs to rise up, also moving the world toward global religious unity.

Jesus said it plainly:

"...Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. (Matt 24:4-5)

"And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many." (Matt 24:11)

"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." (Matt 24:24)

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"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh" (Luke 21:28)