The Virginian-Pilot
©
VIRGINIA BEACH
Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson, who has made predicting the future an annual tradition, predicts a recession and a major stock market upheaval are on their way for the United States.
Aside from a recession this year, Robertson suggested Wednesday that Americans will be paying much more for gas at the pump as the price of a barrel of oil rises by 50 percent in the coming months.
Specifically, he said oil would reach $150 a barrel - the price hit $100 on Wednesday - with the dollar continuing to lose value in 2008.
"I also believe the Lord was saying by 2009, maybe 2010, there's going to be a major stock market crash," said Robertson, who is a millionaire businessman as well as an evangelical leader.
But don't unload your portfolio just yet. Robertson acknowledged Wednesday that his prophecy of a nuclear terror attack in 2007 failed to unfold.
He also cited information from God when he predicted on a year go that major U.S. cities would be hit by "very serious terrorist attacks" causing "possibly millions" of deaths.
No such catastrophe occurred.
"All I can think is that somehow the people of God prayed and God in his mercy spared us," Robertson said on "The 700 Club," a television show he hosts on the Christian Broadcasting Network, based in Virginia Beach.
"So did I miss it? Possibly," he said of his unrealized prediction. "Or, on the other hand, did God avert it? Possibly. But whatever, it didn't happen, so I think we can all rejoice."
On Wednesday, Robertson, 77, implied that God informed him who will be elected president in November.
"He told me some things about the election, but I'm not going to say, because some old man on "60 Minutes" would make fun of me, so I'm not going to tell you who the winner's going to be," Robertson said, in apparent reference to CBS humorist Andy Rooney, who turns 89 on Jan. 14.
Additionally, "the Lord was saying there's going to be violence and chaos in the world," Robertson said. He cited violence in Kenya and Pakistan, saying "we've just begun to see what's going to happen."
Robertson said he received no divine information about the war in Iraq. In past years, he said, "the Lord told me it would be a disaster; well, it has been a disaster."
In May 2006, Robertson cited God in predicting that "the coasts are going to be lashed by vicious hurricanes this year" and that the Pacific Northwest could see a tsunami.
No hurricanes struck the U.S. coastline in 2006; three tropical storms hit the country.
In January 2004, Robertson said, "I really believe I'm hearing from the Lord it's going to be like a blowout" re-election for President Bush.
Bush won 51 percent of the vote that fall, beating Democratic Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts.
Steven G. Vegh, (757) 446-2417, steven.vegh@pilotonline.com
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So much better than him?
Let the first person without sin in your life cast the first stone...
Brunt of Anger
Actually almost every article about Pat Robertson is loaded with sarcasm and reminders of all the mistakes he's made. Some of the posts that are on here are so loaded with ANGER - focused on Mr. Robertson - and would probably be better focused at the one they're REALLY angry at - God Himself. I am really sorry to see all the posts from those who have been hurt in some way by the church. There are real people there, who make real mistakes just like anybody. But don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. Pat Robertson makes mistakes, too. No one EVER said that his words were gospel. He shares what he believes, and what he believes he hears from God. Sometimes he misses it. Many of us do. Doesn't mean he's a liar or a cheat or whatever you think. It does mean he's human. And he's trying to follow God in the best way he can. A lot better than most of us. Out of his original ministries in the 60's has come Regent University, CBN, Operation Blessing. Shucks, Operation Blessing helped me buy clothes for my two grandkids when they came to live with me with nothing on their backs. I don't know why, but I am just sick of all you angry people slamming him all the time. ALL THE TIME! Let
to baobabs who said this con artist's predictions are proven
The self-proclaimed holy prophet of God told his viewers to stock up on bottled water and candles for the Y2K disaster. This self-aggrandizing hatemonger said God would send tornadoes, hurricanes, or perhaps a meteor to Florida after Disney welcomed gays. He loves to monger fear concerning the terrible storms and terrorist attacks the world has endured. He attributes much of our suffering to his angry and vengeful Republican god.
baobabs - Do you recognize this man's religion? I do not, but I know it is not Christianity. I am saddened that so many faithful souls continue to be bilked by this glaring fraud and what saddens me the most is that now his adulterer miracle-working-mortal son Gordon is poised to bilk the next generation.
Respectfully,
Cheryl
Crash was coming?
Yes, a LOT of experts predicted the crash. It was common sense. From a housing standpoint, sales prices can't exceed to ability of the buyer to buy. From a stock standpoint, the housing market would have to have affected the stock market because banks and large corps would lose. Predictions like this were all over the news. Historically speaking, it wasn't exactly like but it did have some similarities to the 20's crash in it's set up.
same ol' cast of bigots
come running, calling everytime the Pilot tries to humiliate Dr. Robertson. Well, every single one of his economic predictions (oil, gas, economy, stock market) came true! Ha! The joke's on you guys this time. Hey, did your broker or adviser tell you the crash was coming? What's that? Yeah, didn't think so.
Pat, with all due respect,
I'm sure a good therapist could recommend a medication to help you. Seriously, I'm not saying you're evil, but I think you might have a mental illness. Get some therapy!
I might have been able to suggest a medication thanks to the many tv ads, but I not up to snuff on them since I fastforward through commercials thanks to my DVR.
false prophets
When God tells a man what is going to happen and it does not happen he is a false peophet. God is a 100% correct.a prophet who gets his information from God will be a hundred percent correct. Pat Robinson has made many predictions and they have not come true. but he always has an excuse for it doesn't he. pat robinson is a false prophet.
WHY is Pat Robertson newsworthy?
Pat Robertson says that he is a prophet, a descendent of royalty, a patriot, and has the power to heal. I have heard him tell his viewers to touch their tv screens for a miracle.
Pat Robertson is not at all a member of the body of Christ. His opinion of himself is just too high.
I do not understand why anything that comes out of his mouth is newsworthy.
It pains me that his adulterer son Gordon is set now to continue the exploitations and fake holiness, the pay-for-pray scam they call The 700 Club.
I love it! Thanks Pilot
These are the funniest,(and most accurate)comments I have ever read from an article yet. They are better entertainment than the rediculous content of the article(PR & his God-sent predictions)itself. As far as President elect goes,I'm surprised he didn't mention Rudy Giuliani since he publicly endorsed him. I wonder if God told him to?? Thanks VP for printing the ramblings of this delusional lunatic instead of another Vick story. The comic relief obtained from the comments that resulted from it, made for a great stress reliever.
Pat Robertson
Pat Robertson also claimed to be able to leg press 2,000 pounds so consider that in whatever he says. Pat Robertson's life in no way resembles Christ's. His self-aggrandizing and ridiculous prophesies, ramblings and so-called healings are embarrassing and insulting and are demoralizing to those whose faith is genuine and who have reverence for Christ. He has made a mockery of Christianity. He maligns the Gospel. Pat Robertson is a con artist and has made himself wealthy off of faithful and trusting believers and now his fake holyman son Gordon is poised to bilk another generation of gullible faithfuls. I do not understand why the media acknowledges this man at all. It is disgusting that these people who feign holiness, words of knowledge, tongues, and healing for the purpose of bringing in money have any newsworthiness. They are without souls. As a Christian, I find him and the other actors on his tv show gross.