By STEVEN G. VEGH
The Virginian-Pilot
VIRGINIA BEACH - Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson cited communications with God in predicting Tuesday that horrific terrorism aimed at the United States will result in "mass killing" during the second half of 2007.
"The Lord didn't say nuclear, but I do believe it'll be something like that - that'll be a mass killing, possibly millions of people, major cities injured," Robertson said.
"There will be some very serious terrorist attacks," he said. "The evil people will come after this country, and there's a possibility - not a possibility, a definite certainty - that chaos is going to rule." Robertson did not say where the attacks would occur.
Robertson made his predictions during "The 700 Club" television show, which he hosts from the Christian Broadcasting Network in Virginia Beach.
Predicting events for the coming year is a tradition for Robertson, who customarily spends the last days of each year in prayer.
The prayer retreats yield "what I feel, or I feel the Lord is saying, is going to happen," he said Tuesday. "I put these things out with humility."
"God said he's going to restrain the evil but he isn't necessarily going to restrain it in the beginning," Robertson said. "A lot of these things can be reversed - we just need to do a lot of praying."
Robertson said the actions of Israel's government also weighed heavily on God's heart and his.
"The word was that the Olmert policies were toxic" for Israel, said Robertson, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
Robertson, who did not cite specific policies, said the United States was "feigning friendship" toward Israel while espousing policies that were "pushing them toward national suicide."
Robertson drew heavy criticism last January when he suggested in a broadcast that God punished then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon with a stroke for ceding Israeli-controlled land to the Palestinians.
His accuracy in predictions has been mixed, though Robertson on Tuesday claimed a "relatively good track record."
Robertson said in May that, "If I heard the Lord right about 2006, the coasts of America will be lashed" by "vicious hurricanes." He predicted that "there well may be something as bad as a tsunami in the Pacific Northwest."
No hurricanes struck the U.S. coast in 2006. T hree tropical storms hit the country.
No tsunami occurred in the Pacific Northwest, though parts of Washington state saw record-setting rains, floods or drought during 2006, said Josiah Mault, the assistant state climatologist.
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.
In 2005, Robertson predicted that "Bush is now positioned to have victory after victory and that his second term is going to be one of triumph." Robertson said Bush's Social Security overhaul proposals would be approved and "he'll have conservative judges on the courts."
Senators confirmed Bush's 2005 nominations of John Roberts Jr. and Samuel Alito Jr. to the Supreme Court, making it more conservative in the view of many observers.
But the president's Social Security initiative stalled, and Republicans lost control of Congress in the latest election amid voters' unhappiness with Bush's Iraq policy.
• Reach Steven G. Vegh at (757) 446-2417 or steven.vegh@pilotonline.com.
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Thus says the Lord
The prophets of old were much more forceful and fully convinced when they gave their prophecies. Never did they make the lame statement that " they really believe the Lord was speaking to them." No, they were sure and gave full credit to God with the words, "thus says the Lord." Pat Robertson is much like his god George, but just because you believe something, doesn't make it so. We have to remember that George also heard from God, who told him to attack Iraq. George also believed that was the right thing to do...but had it truely come from God...then there would be no doubting that he did, or is doing the right thing as he has now publicly stated.
Is That What Robertson is Calling Bush These Days?
This sounds like much better "actionable intell" than was gotten from all that torture and fiendish mistreatment at Abu Ghraiv. How's about we strip ol' Pat down and give him the Gitmo Breakdown? We need more details of what he heard from the President (who used to be the only person calling himself God--now that he has a follower, I guess he's a legitimate religion).
Frankly, if anything happens to any Americans, I am going to blame the Administration and then the Mossad and the Poodle.
Pat, you are nut.
May be the federal government should torture Pat to force him to isclose more information about the stuff he said God told him. We do not need Homeland security agency any more. All we need is Pat Robinsion.
Worthless prophecies
Come on. Pat Robertson does not talk to God. He probably never has talked to God, nor ever will. Robertson does not know what is going to happen in the new year... It is all his opinion. Anyone who believes his "predictions" might as well go join his multi-million dollar business/cult.
The only reason I felt that this should be on the front page is because it is so proposterous.
Pat gets front page
Why do you give him front page? He is an expert at using the media to his advantage and for his financial gain. The Virginian Pilot just got used. SB
Just a thought...
Whatever people think of Pat Robertson ...many individuals with prophetic gifts are saying the same thing about 2007. The purpose of prophecy is to warn, encourage or exhort God. The role of a Christian is to test the word and to pray; to judge the word not the person. Judge not lest ye be judged. Whether he missed it or not...just a matter of time and we may never know if he missed it, if Christians take what is being said in the church and pray like they are supposed to.
Can U Say............
Donations? Nothing like a good ol scare to get the Old Folks to crack open the bank accounts.
Pat Robinson is nothing more than a Snake Oil Salesman who stumbled upon the Royal Scam................. Religion.
And to think this Font o Knowledge has his own TV Show and a University................sad comment on us.
robertson is a senile jerk
Pat Robertson really frosts my butt. He's a fear monger and suffers from meglamania. Imagine,God trying to communicate with a pompus, unhumble, phony christian like him. His organization does good things but he should keep his so called hotline to God under wraps and demonstrate true christianity. He's getting yoo old and goofy and I wish God would shut him up for all our sakes....
Marvelous . . . .
Pat Robertson brings forth myriad emotions: wonder, sadness, pity, greed, and mirth.
Future Pat Robertson predictions should be published in the "Daily Break" section right under the Astrology column. It could carry the headline, "Pat's Prodigious Predictions."
Some would call this
certifiable behaviour. .
We've a few firebreathers in New Zealand but they usually tend to be the targets of derision....amazing to see this guy get such a high profile, especially with outlandish comments such as these.
Susan N's response is eloquent enough, I can't really add much else other than, you poor souls, having to contend with civic leaders of this stature.
Front Page Rantings
Placing Pat Robertson on the front page of the paper is a waste of newsprint and space. He, along with Paul Riddick should be on the next to last page of the Daily Break section in the middle of the comics. Robertson says he hears from God and styles himself as a prophet. I wonder if he remembers Jesus' warning about the false prophets and how they will be known by their failed prophesies.
If God really tells him these things...
... he should keep it to himself. What does he think will happen if he accurately predicts the time and place of terrorist attacks? The obvious answer: the same thing that would happen to anyone who has foreknowledge of such things: he'll be investigated by the FBI!
Eccentric Pat
Once again Pat's driveling will embarrass all thinking Virginians. unfortunatly a lot of people think most Virginians think like ole' Pat. fortunatly we don't. Although I do think the media, especially local media should think of Pat as eccentrical,and this label should be placed before his name when ever his name is mentioned, spoken or printed. He certianly is way out there.
Pat Robertson..a prophet..get real..!
He is just another garden variety shyster, like Oral Roberts or Jimmy Swaggert..selling God to a bunch of superstitious ninnies, for a profit. Pat doesn't believe that the muslims are even human..(they don't believe in his God, like he actually thinks he controls how his God thinks) so, he must not be talking of the mass murders that are taking place in Iraq, at this moment....he must mean "our" country will have mass murders..maybe so..the thinking people of this country are mad enough to "rise up" and (maybe) destroy the enabling Congress and Judicial Branch of the Government, and that bunch of murdering, power hungry sociopaths in the White House, along with the selling God for money, crowd of hypocritical "Chirstian Leaders"....starting with Pat Robertson and James Dobson..(Ralph Reed and Ted Haggard have shown how hypocritical they are, just recently) a Christian Nation, my ***!!
prphet of what
was sitting on john reading about this nut case and realized it was the best place for him
Pat Robertson Predictions
This guy is a real nut case. While I think there may some who God speaks to, somehow we never hear from them! Pat seems to think he is the "chosen one," but from his past history and actions, I wouldn't believe a word he says. If he gets all this from God, why don't we see the things happen that he says will? I just feel sorry for anyone who sends $$ to this guy! Your money would be better invested in supporting those who are really in need. Mr. Robertson from what I hear lives a life of luxury. If he wants to do God's work, he just put on some jeans and sneakers and get out with the homeless and those who really need some help!
God speaks to his Prophets in his Season. Some of you will have to come back and repent for speaking against the word that was spoken. It must be catching somebody's attention for it to get airtime. There are a lot of people who are prophesying on TV but ask yourself....."Why this?" What happen to prayer when 9.11 happen? Put prayer back into our schools is what we need to be commenting on. Take your mouth off "The word of God and pray!! The true living God will get our attention one way or another, so lets start now to pray what is true and what is false!
May God Bless you..."Just another TroubleMaker like Jesus"
Judgment Day
He's not saying anything that a lot of others think is possible. It's the "God telling him so" part that's a crock. There's gonna' be a price to pay, Pat, for using God to serve your own purposes. I, personally, don't believe you really buy into all that God "stuff", but saw a big payday with all those gullible sheep. I suppose if it doesn't happen, you'll say it's because we all prayed so hard. Yeah - right!!
Jesus said in Ma. 7, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name have cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
Good luck Pat; come Judgment Day, you'll need it.
Pat Robertson
Hmmm....Pat Robertson needs to join forces with the city council of Virginia Beach and with Norfolk's Vice Mayor Paul Riddick. Then the Hampton Roads/Tidewater Area will need God's help.
This is news
I enjoyed reading this article about Pat for its humorous side. Thankfully most of the comments reflect distain and disrespect for this local looney-tune. I see this man as a charlatan and a danger to society. Exposing his insanity through his own quotes and crazy predictions that he claims to be direct from God is perhaps the best way to expose and educate the public about this mad man. So many Christians have been misled again and again by their leaders that I feel the more exposure the better. Christians have a tendency to be blindly faithfull to these evil and dangerous outspoken whackos. People, please wake up and stop giving your money to these terrorists. They do not represent God. They are fools and you are fools to listen to them seriously.By the way... best comment headline...We are all gonna die!!!!!! I'm still laughing.
Replacement for Sylvia Brown
This whack-o needs to leave fortune telling to the professional con artists. Maybe he is reading chapter four of the book "The Nostradamus Code World War Three". However the odds are with him, based on current world events. I’m sure he could schedule some air time with Montel Williams to bring this to light nation wide.
Holy Land Christian Heritage Center
Funny how the Israel government has excluded Mr. Robertson from the further development of the Holy Land Christian Heritage Center being built in Israel due to his previous remarks concerning Mr. Sharron's stroke....and now God has told him "Olmert policies were toxic,for Israel", hmmmm....go figure.
He's a wind-bag who likes to listen to himself talk - he might be hearing voices but I doubt it's God's voice he hears.
Why him?
Why are Mr. Robertson's predictions considered worthy of print? I even wonder if I'm not fueling the fire just a bit by taking time to comment. Next time, to be fair and give equal time, please include the predictions of the various palm readers and psychics who have set up shop around town.
Please don't fall for this
Pat R. is a self made man. God does not revel everything to people like Pat. It very well could be what he eat shortly before this conversation. I can predict that America is headed down the road for trouble. This will add greatly to his bank accounts.The Bible speaks of people like Pat R. and surely warns to be very careful of their conversation. I know our weather can change, I know that we are a blessed nation and we'll stay blessed because of praying christians. I would be more concerned about the use of the koran in congress..... That is a no=no. lastly is let's strive to present the word to the lost and if an attack come what else could they do but blow us into heaven.. Read the Bible ever day and Gods word will show you your future. God will speak to you also in a quite voice. Please give you money to organizations that reach out for the lost and keeps political matters out.
Be Careful !!!
Comments like this put crazy ideas into crazy people/fanatics heads. This kind of talk and prediction is extremely dangerous, and I sincerely wish Mr Robertson would cease broadcasting this nonsense. After something like this is broadcast, it makes one wonder why we have, and fund a government agency such as the FCC, because they apparently are not doing their job, especially in the terrorist threat situation this country finds itself today. Very sad and kind of scary.
The test of a prophet...
...a prophet is always right
2007 Predictions
I predict that Pat Robertson will fly over the cuckoo's nest in 2007. Much higher than he has in 2003, 04, 05 and 06.
who's the terrorist now?
look up 'terrorism' or 'terrorize' in the dictionary. read what pat said again. he's invoking terror. very unchristian-like, wouldn't you say?
Can you spell heretic ?
In olden days, charlatans were burnt at the stake !
PAALEEEEEEEZE!
God also said you're an idiot! (He told me.)