VIRGINIA BEACH
Citing information he says is from God, Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson said Friday that America is headed for veritable socialism as well as an economic rebound under President-elect Barack Obama in 2009.
"What the Lord was saying, the people are willing to accept socialism to alleviate their pain," Robertson said on a broadcast of "The 700 Club." He hosts the program, which is aired from the Christian Broadcasting Network studios in Virginia Beach.
Robertson said the economy, particularly the stock market, could start rebounding by the second quarter.
"Cast off the gloom and the doom because things are getting ready to turn around," he said. "I'm flying in the face of all of the experts or most of the experts who say, 'Oh, no, no, no, it's going to get worse,' but I don't think so."
Robertson's prophecies are an annual tradition at CBN and Regent University, where he unveils his predictions at a New Year's Day chapel service. Robertson is founder, president and chancellor of Regent.
The revelations are the product of his regular end-of-the-year prayer retreat.
"I say with humility, I hope I've heard the Lord. I spend time praying and asking him for wisdom and if there's a mistake, it's not his fault, it's mine," Robertson said.
Robertson said on New Year's Day that "nothing will stand in the way of a plan by Obama to restructure the economy in the same fashion as the New Deal in the '30s," according to videotaped comments aired on Friday's show.
The New Deal consisted of economic initiatives, such as publicly funded job programs, that Democratic President Franklin D. Roosevelt promoted during the Great Depression.
Robertson said Friday that with a New Deal-style initiative, "you're federalizing many of the things you're doing. And it'll be the largest transfer of power to Washington since the '30s, but people are just willing to accept it because the pain has been so bad."
Robertson's predictions last year for the economy were pretty much on target. He forecast that oil would hit $150 a barrel; it reached $147 over the summer. Gold hit $1,000 an ounce, as he said it would, in March.
His prophecy of a stock market crash for 2009 came true, a tad early, in the fall. His forecast of a recession proved true.
Robertson said Friday that the trillions of government dollars spent on an economic stimulus could lead to hyperinflation that ruins the dollar's value. "Everybody here will have to pay more, imported goods will cost a lot more, and there can be a lot of pain and suffering," he said.
According to the Creator, "if I'm hearing him right, gold will go to about $1,900 an ounce, and oil $300 a barrel," Robertson said.
In his 2008 prophecy, Robertson reported "the Lord was saying there's going to be violence and chaos in the world." The year saw terror attacks in Mumbai, India, and fighting in Congo, Iraq, Afghanistan, the country of Georgia, and Gaza.
On Friday, Robertson said God told him Islam was losing its grip on Muslims repelled by the violence and bloodshed of a "religion of hate."
He also said Russia would create a multinational coalition to gain control of Middle Eastern oil supplies.
Steven G. Vegh, (757) 446-2417, steven.vegh@pilotonline.com
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Pat Robertson is a fraud.
Any person that has direct conversations with GOD, whose own opinions are expressed from those talks, is a false prophet. Seeing as Pat Robertson is a member of the NWO he has inside information that us average people don't have access to. The cost of oil, the price of gold. Side bar to the gold comment (mr) Robertson made, his family owns how much african gold? I am in no way making dirogatory comments about GOD, but with fans, or so-called spokesman for GOD, like Pat Robertson it's no wonder people are leaving churches inmass.
I lived in Virginia Beach for years and saw the way CBN acted inreguards to Faith.
Robertson
Republicans and the religious right have done more to promote big government and socialism than anyone. Their abject failure is the fulcrum upon which the Democrats leveraged their success.
I thank Pat Roberson for exposing the fallibility and vanity of the religious right.
MarkK
Ya'll know me as a Christian but I am in no way aligned with Mr. Robertson. And, Mark, your comment that he and PETA are "special" people in this region brought me to tears because we *have* a special child in our family and I think it is mean to compare him or anyone else disabled to intentional nutcases like Mr. Robertson and the PETA crew. What have the special needs kids done to deserve a snarky comment like that?
And sadly..
And sadly there are idiots that believe "Bush bought AIG". Seems that democrats are more responsible for the current economy than republicans even though they do share some involvement. On to prophecy, socialism under NObama, who would have thought? The economy will get better? Well, duh!! Sounds like a slick palm reader with vague speculation.
If he is such an astute businessman
then why did his employees take a 10% pay cut this year? The ONLY successful thing Roberston has ever done was build The Family Channel on the backs of hard working people that thought they were doing God's work, thus doing it for reduced pay. He then sold the Family Channel to Rupert Murdock for $millions and left hundreds of people, many who moved here from other parts of the country, without jobs. I know of one personally. It nearly destroyed him. Everything else this "astute businessman" has done (besides duping people to donate to him) has been a massive flop. Do you know he bought the Ice Capades? Flop, flop, flop. Like all of his other ventures.
Bible study assignment for brother Pat:
Proverbs 17:28 & Proverbs 18:7
PROFIT
The predicted depression seems to have already hit the Pilot. Especially the editing and reporting staff. You guys must be way understaffed to slap this drivil on the front page of a touted reigonal rag.
There has to be more note worthy issues within easy grasp of the lonely reporter you have left. LOL.
Did God happen to mention
Did God happen to mention the winning lottery numbers?
Careful throwing stones!!!
It amuses me the amount of hate that surfaces every time Pat Robertson is in the news. I don't see the need to mock someone that is doing more for God than I am. (Look up Operation Blessing for one example) He may be controversial in his words sometimes, but he's applying his life to serving others. If anyone is willing to do their research they would see an admirable man who has done a lot of good in this community and around the world.
dfw - I'm on the approval
dfw - I'm on the approval list as well, I was told it's because I use punctuation.
I think Pat could buy the Pilot. I believe they move lots of money from the non-profit side to the profit side. I could cite examples but I will refrain. I think him and son scored lots of cash from the TV station. It almost makes me want to get into tele-evangilism, but I'm too honest (I don't believe in Religion, but know it's profitable).
Also, there was a book written a number of years ago that is nothing except quotes... crazy things Mr. Robertson has said that are looney. I've been trying to hunt it down, anyone know the author/title? Not the coloring book.
My only complaint with Pat Robertson...
When you said that the United States earned the evil of the 9/11 attack. That you backed down on that statement. We earned that attack. I don't like it but we did.
We earned it because people are jealous of us and that our political process at the time allowed this to happen. Remember this is not a business which it accountable for it's decisions but a government which can print it's own money.
I predict
I predict more many more pointless Internet argument repeats like this.
Robertson Laughable as a Source for ANY Type of Fact-based Info
Hasn't anyone even attempted to match Robertson's past "predictions" with what actually transpired or did not transpire the following year of his ridiculous ramblings. None have come true, EVER. This "man" is a joke and people continue to blindly hand their money over to him. Believe in God people, not this mortal pretending to be his messenger.
Pat is a regional joke
Other areas have their 'special' people to laugh at, we've got not only Pat Robertson but PETA too. We are so 'blessed.' Pat never learns to keep his mouth shut. For all the times he's been wrong about things, you'd think he and his followers would learn that he is no prophet and that he should just keep his mouth shut to save himself embarrassment.
God's Standard=100% Accuracy
The Bible is clear on the subject of prophets, if they aren't 100% accurate all the time, then their information isn't coming from God (Deuteronomy 18:20-22).
Ole Patrick
If you had a brain cell of common sense he would be telling us to:
1. Stock up on food and water for the 2nd Great Depression we are about to face.
2. Buy Guns and ammo to protect our food and water from starving jack booted thugs.
3. After the food and water is stored purchse some silver and gold to protect against our savings against inflation because the dollar is going to loose its value and hyperinflation is going to occrur.
4. Prepare for the good fight against the New World Order.
Well hopefully everyone here is smart enough to already be doing these thing right? Or am I just a crazy loon like Pat? Time will tell!
MCSEVA...
Good one, looks like your comment is #28. However, I predict more than 51 comments. The next person needs to bet 1, like betting a dollar on The Price Is Right. I think the prize for winner should be a lifetime supply of that age-defying protein shake.
My Prediction...
The Master Business Man just found away to get free Front page advertising. Not to mention a reporter whom "Testified" to a couple of semi-accurate Predictions and conveniently left out thousands of daily incorrect and theatrical Revelations ...I hope for the Pilots longevity he (Pat) paid generously for this advertisement! They left out the part where he says, "It says right here in this chapter of the Bible...that if Palestine messes with Israel the world will end....so give your money to the Lord now(Pat) to secure your seat in heaven" :) He does that too, quite often when funds are low. Maybe Norfolk should get Pat to ask his disciples for the Light Rail funding...:)
I predict this controversial article will bring in more than 50 comments :)
Readers are responsible for the article
If you complainers about this annual Pilot tradition didn't "rubber neck" the train wreck and prove that you read the story, they might stop runnning this each year. Your multiple comments for this one story will only encourage more of the same.
Just admit to yourselves that even though you think he's "off his rocker", you secretly love to hate this annual tradition.
Pat Robertson & Socialism
Pat Robertson does nothing more than to embarrass himself and Christianity. I stand in awe of this man's hubris and the fact that he thinks he has a red 'bat phone' straight to/from God's ear.