Associated Baptist Press - In 2010 predictions, Pat Robertson says America under God's wrath

In 2010 predictions, Pat Robertson says America under God's wrath

By Bob Allen

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (ABP) -- Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson said God's wrath is looming over a nation headed for economic ruin in his annual predictions for the coming year, aired Jan. 4 on "The 700 Club."

Robertson, 79, has a tradition of ending each year in a prayer retreat and sharing what he believes God tells him during that retreat later at a chapel service for staff of the Christian Broadcasting Network and Regent University.

Sometimes the messages are quite specific. In 2008, for example, he predicted a major stock market crash and rising fuel prices. For 2010, Robertson said, God gave him a more general warning of judgment for America's acceptance of abortion, gay marriage and secularism.

"What he is telling me, and I believe is right, is that there is a cloud over this nation now," Robertson said in a segment of the chapel service broadcast on the program. "There's a cloud of God's wrath over America."

"This country has enjoyed tremendous blessing," he continued. "We have been blessed like no nation on the face of the Earth, and yet we have forsaken the Lord."

"You can't have your courts turn against me," Robertson said the Lord told him. "You can't have legislation that is anti-God. You can't foster in your midst things that I call an abomination. You can't do that. And if you do, sooner or later judgment's going to come."

Robertson said God will not bless a nation where abortion is commonplace, homosexuality is institutionalized and government-sanctioned prayer and Bible reading are banned in public schools.

"Fifty million babies slaughtered," he said, in reference to abortion. "It exceeds the slaughters of antiquity."

"How can we pray for his blessing when we have that going on and when we have courts that have ruled repeatedly against him?" he asked. "We have the Bible taken from the schools. We have prayer taken from the children, and now we have perversion that God calls an abomination -- we have that legitimized and given a constitutional standing by the court."

Robertson said he did receive a clear word about the economy.

"We are engaged in a slow time of financial ruin," he said. "This country will be ultimately bankrupt. It's just a question of how soon. We're beginning that. That's one thing that I can say for certain that is happening. It's a dangerous thing. It's going to hurt America very badly."

He said it is a problem not so much of government policy but human greed.

"Can you imagine if you are getting Social Security that you would say I want my Social Security check to get cut?" he asked. "The problem is so many people right now are depending on the government for their support, and there's nobody who wants to give up anything at all, and if anybody begins to suggest fiscal restraint, the people will rise up against them and vote them out of office. So you've got a situation where you can't arrest this problem -- the big financial problem -- because the people don't want it. Only a movement of God that brings in a spirit of self-sacrifice and a desire for the common good and some wisdom are we going to be spared this thing."

Robertson said he viewed God's message as a word of warning, and that God does not want to hurt people but only is allowing it to bring revival.

"I would love to say the Lord told me it's gong to be peace and prosperity and it's wonderful and that God's going to bless America, he's going to bless you, he's going to bless your business, you're going to make a lot of money in the stock market and everybody's going to be happy," he said. "I can't say that."

Robertson claims a good record in the percentage of his predictions that come true, but there have been notable misses. He predicted that Russia would invade Israel in 1982, projected a worldwide economic collapse in 1985 and said Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.V.) would be elected president in 1996.

In 2007 Robertson predicted a terrorist attack, possibly involving a nuclear weapon, but it did not come about. "All I can think is that somehow the people of God prayed, and God in his mercy spared us," Robertson said in January 2008.

Robertson got in hot water in 2001, when he and the late Jerry Falwell blamed 9/11 on liberals, feminists, abortion providers and gays whom they said prompted God to remove a hedge of divine protection from around the United States.

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This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it is senior writer for Associated Baptist Press.

Previous ABP story:

Robertson predicts economic recovery, 'socialism' in 2009

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written by KT2005, January 05, 2010

Notable misses would say Mr. Robertson is not a prophet. That said, does it take a prophet to understand God judges nations for sin? Doesn't America have great sin? Put those answers together and the outcome is sure: God will punish America for her sin.

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written by KT2005, January 05, 2010

Unless we repent. . . and I don't see that happening right now.

Mr. Robertson Is Under God's Wrath
written by Mark Osgatharp, January 05, 2010

Mr. Robertson is under God's wrath for being a lying false prophet who just says "oops" when his made up prophecies don't pan out. If he lived under the Old Testament law he would have been subject to execution for his criminal deeds.

Mark Osgatharp
Wynne, Arkansas

God Judges Individuals, not Nations
written by FWN, January 06, 2010

KT2005:

The conversation we had on another thread about the Old vs. New Covenants is directly applicable to the idea that “God’s wrath is sure to fall on America for ((whatever reason)).” Under terms of the Old Covenant, God judged NATIONS, in particular the nation of Israel, rather than individuals. See the wording of the offer and acceptance of the OC at Exodus 19:3-8 and the evidence of it in the matter of Achan in Joshua 7, as well as in many other OT passages. Were we still under terms of the OC, it might be correct to say that “America,” the nation, is subject to judgment, but it’s not.

Since the death/resurrection of Christ, we live under terms of the New Covenant, not the Old, and in this covenant relationship between God and man, He relates to, and judges INDIVIDUALS, not NATIONS. See Jeremiah 31:29-34, in particular vv.29 and 30 where the covenant judgments are contrasted. Also note that invitations to join in the NC relationship with Christ throughout the New Testament are made to individuals, not nations, and that the end times judgments prophesied there are for individuals, not nations

If sin is to be judged temporally, God may judge INDIVIDUALS WITHIN the United States, Christian and non-Christian alike, but it is not Biblically correct to say that God judges the United States (or any other country) AS a NATION.

Weird Irony
written by javadave61, January 06, 2010

Isn't it ironic that our Christian leaders now stand so diametrically opposed to Paul and Peter by insisting that America is somehow a single entity that God seeks to make his "special people." In the book of Acts, Peter and Paul are arguing that Israel was supposed to be a vehicle through which God would bless all people. But Israel, feeling rather cozy about their special status, felt the story should end with them being "blessed" and the rest of the world getting left to die. The story of the OT, Paul and Peter argued, is an evolving drama leading to a pouring out of God's spirit on all people so that there would no longer be "Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female." Instead, the Jewish establishment tried to dam up the flow of God's love into the world by hording it all to themselves.

In my opinion, this is where all this dominion theology comes from... a desire by Robertson, et al, for America to be the special recipient of God's favor. For Robertson, the world just seemed to make more sense when a Christian America was being blessed and a heathen world was being cursed. But now that America is slipping into the same abyss, I guess we have to live by the same theological rules that Robinson (and the Pharisees) set up.

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written by KT2005, January 07, 2010

FWN,

I would say that God judges both groups and nations. What do you think of the following verses?

Is 2:4 speaks of Christ

Amos 1 & 2: God judges many nations not just Israel. In fact, in chapter 2 God judges Moab for mistreating Edom. Neither nation had a special covenant with God like Israel.

Psalms 82:8, 110:6

Is. 9:6-7

Micah 4:1-3 about Christ

Revelation 1-3: Aren't the churches groups of people who are judged?

Rev. 11:15 14:6-7

Isn't the plagues of Revelation upon the whole earth. . . which would be a group not an individual?

During the millennium Christ rules the world, which requires judgment of the whole world. . . again a group.

The Bible is very clear that God judges individuals and groups.

I would also argue that we are the new Israel. Are we not a part of the KINGDOM OF GOD? This is a Kingdom or nation. . . the ones purified by the blood of Christ. Romans 11:11-36 Jesus is the jewish king, and to be a part of His Kingdom is to be God's chosen people. John 15:16

The decline has been on since 1981
written by Arce, January 07, 2010

Our decline began in 1981 and has continued at an accelerating pace, with one significant gap. Before Reagan's first budget went into effect the national debt was roughly $1 trillion. When he and the first Bush were done, the debt was roughly $4 trillion. When Clinton left office, the federal budget was in surplus, not deficit, and the debt was still roughly $4 trillion. When W was through, the debt was over $12 trillion, basically due to fighting a war of agression in Iraq and borrowing to do so, avoiding the necessary tax increase to avoid borrowing from China to finance Iraq. The result of the changes in our economic regulatory system since 1981 has been a collapse of our economic capabilities. It seems to me that if there is a judgment on our country, it is due to those changes, which seem to contradict the dicta of the OT prophets and of Jesus (e.g., Matthew 25) to make caring for the poor, sick (disabled), widow and children, incarcerated, etc., a test of whether we serve God or mammon.

I'm not persuaded
written by FWN, January 07, 2010

KT2005:

I’m not persuaded.

Relative to the passages you cite, two things:

(1) Under the OC system, God did judge nations other than Israel, a fact I acknowledged when I said, “…God judged NATIONS, in particular the nation of Israel….”

(2) Throughout the scriptures, the prophetic use of the word “nations” means all peoples other than the Jews, or as we would say, the Gentiles. It did not refer to political entities to which we would assign the term “nation” today.

In any event, your cited Scriptures do not trump the very clear and unambiguous teaching that the New Covenant replaced the Old, and that the relationship is now between each individual and God, rather than between God and a particular nation or nations.

As for your belief that the United States is the successor to Israel as “God’s Chosen People,” I would say just two words, “Prove it.” Prove it, scripturally, that is. The old idea that it is because “America has been blessed,” doesn’t cut it; That’s based on the ancient Jewish belief that God always temporally rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked, a belief that is thoroughly refuted by a plethora of Scripture, including the Book of Job.

And…please tell me you don’t subscribe to Herbert W. Armstrong’s theory that Anglo-Saxons are the 10 Lost Tribes. Surely, you don’t believe that?!

...
written by KT2005, January 07, 2010

FWN,

Armstrong is one of the best theologians ever! How dare you insult him! lol I'm joking. I think you misunderstood me. When I said we are the new Israel, I didn't mean we the United States but we Christians. Sorry for the confusion. Did you read my Romans reference?

I still think I proved God judges groups. Revelation 1-3 shows churches being judged. How do you refute this? An individual is not being judged in this passage.

This contradicts your quote "God Judges Individuals, not Nations"

Yes nations means people, but isn't it people that make up countries? Doesn't this point support my argument? Also, isn't "nations" a plural of "nation." Which describes how the gentiles are divided up? So to judge the "nations" is to judge each "nation."

Lastly, let us look at one of the quotes above.

Rev. 14:6-7

6 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— 7 saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”

An angel says to "every nation", not nations (which would mean the same thing but for your sake I point this out), "fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come". "Every nation" faces judgment from Christ. So warning of judgment is given to every nation. This looks convincing to me.

...
written by KT2005, January 07, 2010

Where in the NC does the Bible say Jesus does not judge nations?

Pat Robertson on God's Wrath for America
written by aimes92026, January 09, 2010

I think we are missing the point here. Let's address them:

Pat Roberston has made predictions that have not come true. In the OT, he would have been viewed as a false prophet and put to death. That being said, let’s address what he is predicting for America.
Let’s address the moral decline in America. No one can deny that America has allowed herself to be morally degraded, for numerous reasons. Turning to idolatry, selfishness, sexual immorality, spiritual adultery, and abandonment of God. In the past, America has enjoyed numerous blessings, one because of our support for Israel (God will bless those who Bless Abraham’s descendants), and two, because this nation was founded on Christian principles, and these beliefs and philosophies guided our history.
However, in recent years, we have engaged in spiritual adultery (the same way Israel did). We currently embrace anti Christian eastern religions and behaviors, like New Age beliefs, occult practices, Transcendental Meditation, etc. We have allowed our country to turn away from the true knowledge of God and embrace homosexuality, abortion, and atheism. We have now traded the truth of God for a lie
As Christians, we have the responsibility of being the salt of the Earth, and we are failing miserably. We are supposed to be the ones to bring light to the world, yet instead, we have become fascinated with the world and abandoned our beliefs, and embraced those of the world. All throughout the Bible, it is clear that God doe judge nations for their wickedness. If He didn’t He wouldn’t be a just and fair God. Since He is, we should be expecting judgment. God uses the wicked to accomplish His will, and he very well may allow the wicked to conquer us because of our disobedience. In a sense, our judgment should be worse that the idolaters, pagans, and atheists, since we KNEW the truth and turned away from it.
Our response should be to acknowledge our sin, repent, and working on our sanctification. Our God is a God of forgiveness. But there is a lot at stake if we fail to maintain our status as a Christian nation. We face the risk of God’s wrath, our nation faces the risk of God’s judgment, our religion faces the risk of continued and increasing persecution, we stand to see a lot of our loved ones lost to Christ and eventually won to Satan, and we stand to be judged for not maintaining our status and doing God’s work. . I think America is not the only one in trouble. The same things are happening in all of the West, especially in Europe. Unless we wake up and realize it, we stand to contribute to the masses of souls going into hell for all of eternity.

False Prophets, and Bowing to Baal
written by Mary Gordon, January 11, 2010

There was a school of prophets, and surely, they were not all put to death if they didn't hear clearly from God. There were guidelines for who was a false prophet. Some, the people were simply not to fear.

That said, yes, we must be missing out on many blessings. Christians can be complacent, apathetic, and therefore, just plain ignorant.

*That* said, surely God would say to day that He still has many who have not bowed the knee to Baal. And He would have saved Sodom and Gomorrah for the sake of five good men.

May He show the same mercy to us.

And may we show more loyalty to our loving Lord/Savior/Creator/Redeemer/King!

A "good record" isn't enough
written by Toffeeman, January 13, 2010

"Robertson claims a good record in the percentage of his predictions that come true, but there have been notable misses."

If someone says "x will happen" and it does not then either:
- They did not know it would happen or
- They were lying

If Pat Robertson said (which he did) that God told him that something would happen and that something did not happen then either:

1. God did not tell Pat Robertson that something would happen, Pat Robertson reported that God did because he was lying.
2. God did not tell Pat Robertson that something would happen, Pat Robertson reported that God did because he was mistaken in his belief that God spoke to him.
3. God did speak to Pat Robertson, but did not know what was going to happen.
4. God did speak to Pat Robertson and lied.

I'm sure no one will opt for either 3 or 4 which leaves Pat Robertson being either mistaken or a liar.

If Pat Robertson lied about God speaking to him, or about what God said then I'm sure we'd all agree that would be a quite appalling lie and blasphemy to rival anything PZ Myers could come up with.

If Pat Robertson were mistaken about something as momentous as God speaking to him and revealing the future then the word "mistaken" is hardly adequate. Someone who sincerely, but erroneously, believes that they have been spoken to by God is seriously deluded.

Pat Robertson, liar, deluded or delusional liar. Take your pick.

Pat Robertson on God's Wrath for America
written by CommentorCath, January 13, 2010

1. True prophecy is conditional -- If people don't change... (e.g., Nineveh).
2. God judged (and punished or rewarded) the king of Babylon, Nebuchodonosor (kingdom destroyed) and Jonah(swallowed by a whale) and Samson and Onan and Seth (subsumed into heaven?), etc. for their behavior.
3. See Approaching Hoofbeats. The four horsemen of the Apocalypse By Billy Graham.

GOD JUDGES ALL
written by theBIBLICALdude, February 26, 2010

God judges sin and if a nation is about sin, then how can you say that a nation will not be judged. Here is the thing if you ahve ever even cracked you Bible open first off, you will see that in the World, there are Nations. In each nation there are damned, and there are Christians. Who do you think God is going to throw in to the lake of fire? Entire nations of people who don't have the covering of His Son's blood. EVERYONE will be judged so in short, God will judge the nations. I mean these terms of the US and China...that is what we call it. God looks at us as all being mankind for one. So take away the elct and you are left with a nation who will be judged by God.

Think outside of the box sometimes.

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