Converging Apostasy: Russian Mysticism Meets the NAR | Steve Montgomery | Podcast Episode 410

John and Steve discuss the connections between Russian mysticism, Persian Sufi thought, and the modern New Apostolic Reformation. They explore how figures like Jacob Boehme, Emmanuel Swedenborg, and ancient Persian mystics shaped theological concepts such as angelology and union with the divine. The conversation highlights how mystical and esoteric streams have influenced various Christian movements, from Orthodox traditions to charismatic groups, drawing parallels between historic syncretism and contemporary trends. Along the way, Steve stumbles on a few phrases, restarting his sentences with humor, and both hosts use these light moments to transition into deeper analysis.

The discussion covers major Russian thinkers like Vladimir Solovyev, Alexander Dugin, and Nikolai Berdyaev, examining how their visions of unity, dominion, and eschatology intersect with themes in Western religious movements. They trace historical and ideological links through Henry Corbin’s synthesis of Orthodox and Islamic mysticism, the blending of Illuminism with Neoplatonic thought, and the adaptation of these ideas in modern movements. John and Steve also reflect on how such converging streams can create unstable alliances and influence political and spiritual landscapes worldwide, while cautioning about the dangers of these theological mergers.

00:00 Introduction
01:07 Russian mysticism, Sufism, and Swedenborg’s influence
05:06 Weaponized religion in Russian Orthodoxy and Branhamism
08:12 Vladimir Solovyov and Sophia mysticism
11:03 Ecumenical movements and cult parallels
13:24 Esoteric Nazism and divisions in extremist groups
14:40 Alexander Dugin and Russian political mysticism
16:29 Branham’s prophecy and U.S. as Antichrist
18:07 White supremacists and Russian power connections
18:47 Nikolai Berdyaev and Russian Orthodoxy
21:34 Trump–Putin meeting and religious justifications for conflict
23:52 Dominion thinking and the sacred purge
24:42 Henry Corbin and Shiite Sophiology
27:04 Angelomorphosis and angelic union
28:23 Mahdi expectation and parallels in science fiction
30:27 Cult parallels in sci-fi and modern apostasy
32:18 Corbin uniting Russian Orthodoxy and Islamic mysticism
34:30 The Green Angel, Hermes, and esoteric guides
36:27 William Branham’s greenish angel and light phenomena
38:08 Fedorov’s utopian resurrection and deification
39:38 Joachim of Fiore and the Third Testament
40:46 Tuberosky’s militant church and heavenly union
42:30 Pagan roots of Christian Identity and Latter Rain heresies
43:49 Layers of apostasy foundations
44:56 NAR and Russian Orthodoxy as political weapons
47:28 New Jerusalem parallels in Dowie, Jane Leade, and NAR
49:45 Reflections on personal beliefs and reexamination
50:28 Preview of research into Latter Rain’s influence in Ghana
______________________
Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:
Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K
______________________
– Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham
– Subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBSpezVG15TVG-lOYMRXuyQ
– Visit the website: https://william-branham.org
– Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WilliamBranhamOrg
– Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@william.m.branham
– Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wmbhr
– Buy the books: https://william-branham.org/site/books