End of Days by Sylvia Browne

Posted by admin_akashic on Aug 9th, 2022 in Prophecy, Stories

Once the aspiring cult leader has the attention of potential recruits, he’ll usually fall into variations on a pattern of behavior that would be almost laughably predictable if it weren’t so destructive:

He’ll claim that his personal theology is in unique possession of the truth, unlike traditional religions that are full of contradictions and hypocrisy.
He’ll also make claims that can’t possibly be proven or disproven—that he’s routinely receiving special orders and insights from God; that he’s a reincarnated messiah or prophet; that God has assigned this mission specifically to him; and most certainly that he and he alone can guide his most faithful followers safely into God’s arms when the inevitable Apocalypse comes, while the sinful nonbelievers on Earth perish.
As a “test of devotion,” he’ll insist on either tithing from the group or the “donation” of his followers’ earthly possessions and holdings. (And what more efficient way to hold people in subtle captivity than to strip them of their resources?)
He’ll typically have a list of admirable, irresistible group goals on hand that includes such humanitarian pursuits as feeding the poor, volunteering in missions and shelters, gathering clothing for the needy, (It’s likely not to occur to the group until later that all their efforts are directed inward, not outward toward society in general.)
As quickly as possible he’ll gather his recruits into some form of communal living situation, separate from their families and loved ones, explaining that only by committing their lives to God (and himself) twenty- four hours a day, seven days a week can they prove their intention to be cleansed of the sins of society and embrace the pure, divine enlightenment that will see them through the end of the world. (And what better way to control people’s minds than to isolate them from everyone who can offer alternative points of view?)

Slowly but surely he’ll begin dictating every detail of the lives of his followers once they’re assembled and under his watchful eye. He’ll typically start with a stupefying schedule of “Bible studies,” which are really his own self-serving interpretations of carefully selected passages, none of them subject to questions or debate. (The control will gradually extend and expand, under threat of God’s/the leader’s disapproval and/or banishment, so that eventually the group will be too intimidated to make even the simplest decisions on their own.)
An effective “us against them” mentality will be reinforced with monotonous regularity, so that any interference from such “outsiders” as families, friends, law enforcement, the IRS, the ATF, or any other governmental agency will be viewed as potentially fatal persecution from the godless heathens who are trying to destroy the messiah’s work on Earth. And what more dire, terrifying threat for defecting from “us” to “them” than the messiah’s promise of eternal damnation when the end of times descends?

The good news is, there are some telltale signs of a dangerous doomsday cult leader that make even the most skilled, charismatic liars among them relatively conspicuous if you listen closely, pay attention, and think:

Any “prophet/messiah” who claims to have a closer relationship with God than you do is a liar
Any “prophet/messiah” who claims you need him or her in order to communicate with God is a liar
Any “prophet/messiah” who claims that only he or she knows the truth of what God has in store for you, for your future, or for humankind is a liar
Any “prophet/messiah” who claims it is God’s will that you cause harm to yourself or to any other living being is a liar