What Ravi Did and Where We Go From Here.
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- Опубликовано: 22 авг 2024
- Lori Anne Thompson's full victim impact statement video - • Lori Anne Thompson's V...
Victims of Ravi can safely contact (or have someone they trust contact) Rachael Denhollander a former victim and advocate who will help them. Please don’t spam her with emails, this is for victims who need a safe person to take up their cause. mailto:rjd.requests@gmail.com
This is not a video I'm looking forward to. But this is why I'm doing it.
1) Ravi's victims need vindication. In particular, Lori Anne Thompson has been continually maligned and horribly treated because she brought TRUE accusations against Ravi. I believed the worst about her because of the comments from Ravi and the echoes of those comments from RZIM. This only made her a continual victim. We need to clear her name.
2) Ravi's sins have left a lot of open wounds that need tending. Both in the body of Christ and in RZIM. Believers need to be reminded of how to process all this as a follower of Christ, of how true Christ remains regardless of this tragedy and how to handle this situation so that we don't wrongly treat RZIM staff, Ravi's family or continue to make the error of ignoring red flags that may still lead to more discoveries. I've seen every kind of wrong response online already. I pray to God that I would have wisdom to help us all to have wisdom here. If you are reading this before I go live then please stop and pray for me as I prepare for this video.
3) Scripture commands us to openly deal with a leader who persists in sin, which is proven by evidence, by telling the local body so that other leaders can properly fear their own falling (1 Tim 5:19-20). Since Ravi was a leader in worldwide Christianity with personal character endorsements from countless other leaders this command can only be fulfilled by taking the truth as public as his endorsements were.
4) If we as the body of Christ do not deal with this issue openly then I feel that we implicate ourselves in some sort of complicity at this point. The witness of Christ in the world has been harmed by Ravi's sin and we do need to publicly deal with it. Due to my own place in ministry as a public figure I do feel compelled to speak on this.
Like many of you I am angry and I'm sad. But we can't respond with conspiracy theories that deny the overwhelming evidence of persistent sin, abuse of power, abuse of ministry funds, abuse of women and how calculated and deliberate it all was. The facts are in, all that is left is to face them and try to respond in ways that honor Christ.
To Ravi's family, I'm really sorry I am making a video about your father/husband/relative. It breaks my heart and I hate the idea of adding hurt to what you are going through. Please know that I don't mean you harm and I'm not on the bandwagon of heartless crowds. I am compelled that this must be done and I pray that you will find, in some way, some help in it as well.
The PDF of the full Miller & Martin investigative report on Ravi s3-us-west-2.a...
The board of RZIM's most recent statement (as of 2/15/2020) www.rzim.org/r...
The timeline according to Brad and Lori - julieroys.com/...
Christianity Today Spa Article www.christiani...
World Magazine Spa Article world.wng.org/...
Open Letter from Thompsons - julieroys.com/... 10-13-2020
My teaching explaining that all sin is NOT the same. • Are Some Sins Worse Th...
My website BibleThinker.org
The argument that bringing down "Great" Christian leaders can lead to many losing their faith doesn't hold water. If your salvation is dependent on anyone other than Jesus then something is very wrong.
hey just look on it, another way. most christian don't even read their bible out of church, they go to church, they support the church financially, and look for guidance , from leaders, who has inspired by God. they are children of God , in mark, 10V 13,children was brought to Christ, the disciples rebked them, jesus rebuked the disciples , suffer not these little children to come unto me, don't look on the age then , look and the inexperience now, not all is strong in the faith , so you see if the foundation is shift , the building will crack, my friend, to lead God flock it is a heavy responsibility . 1petter,5V1-5. but many make it light.
I agree that if you stop believing a religion is true *solely" due to the actions of one of it's proponents, then you didn't have sufficient reasons to hold the belief in the first place.
Another problem is that Yahweh, for some reason, allows fallible humans to speak, instruct, and represent him on his behalf.
So naturally, like with Jesus, people equate the religious leader with the religion itself, which means they can "do no wrong" in their eyes. When this facade is broken, it comes as a big shock.
THIS STATEMENT 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽👌🏽
Not just this situation but also Covid really showed me how many people relied on people and building for their faith. This is so dangerous! Our hope and faith should be in Jesus alone. If it isn’t we need to go back to the beginning.
:)
Amen
He was the first apologist I really looked up to coming back to Christianity from atheism. This really sucks. I will only look to the Lord from here on out.
Praying that developing a deeper relationship with Yahweh will heal your soul.. Our God is a good God.
Strength is in knowing God not put men on a pedestal. God will never be mocked.
Do we know all accusations are true?
We have one teacher, one guide, one comforter....Holy Spirit. Regardless of everything just heard, I am still thankful for the part Ravis life which assisted in your and others benefit, just like I'm grateful for Kind David life, the portion where he was after Gods own heart. Its a poke in the devils eye the way he uses the flawed in the way He does, millions saved and/or strengthened thru one sinners life is an awesome thing.
I pray for the victims. But all we do need remember one thing and that is, with God, no one is getting away with anything. Vengeance is the Lord, He will repay.
This is the exact lesson I learned several years into my walk, when my own pastor fell. We don't even realize how much we're trusting in a man until something like this happens. It's a hard lesson to learn, but often very necessary to our growth.
Years ago, I listened weekly to Zacharias's messages on Christian radio. I found his apologetics enlightening. My husband, however, (a mature believer) did NOT like Zacharias's presentations and simply said, "Something is wrong with this man." I'll never understand how he knew. Thank you very much for making this difficult video.
God gives discernment to Christians. It’s an amazing thing to have!
Yep. He's not a preacher but a story teller who tickled peoples ears with crafty philosophy. He didn't know Scripture at all. All his preaching is about experiences that can never be proven. Discernment goes a long ways.
A pastor buying a spa/massage parlour should have been a big red flag from the start.
Let's not condemn an industry. I've been to spas and had massages, and they had nothing to do with sex.
I agree. But at the same what does a leader such as him has any buisness owning one. Ask yourself why?? @rachybaby72
@@uptownlife42 he spent most of his life travelling. From what a read it was the family that ran the business.
I have massages often, because of a bad back. There is nothing wrong with owning a massage parlour…..the problem is that Ravi was living a double life.
. Agree with 1st part. Have never seen any proof. Weird no victim showing evidence.
Thats the very first thing that I thought of. WHY IS A PASTOR, in the spa business at all?
Watched this and felt so sad... I was also sexually abused by my stepfather/ a preacher and self proclaimed christian for 8 years. Many people never believed me... at first he admitted but said that it was consensual... i was 12... today he doesnt want to confess and prentends like im crazy... which made it harder to forgive and move on... but Through all this Christ has taught me a valuable thing... He is God... and He knows my pain and experineces... I trust Him... my eyes never fell away from Jesus... He can mend the hurt and pain... Jesus is who He says He is. Always look to Him.
I believe you. And I thank God for the wonderful help He has given you.
@@MikeWinger thank you Mike... for allowing God to use you. Its not easy speaking about these things... but it must be done... I started listening to you recently as I am preparing for a sermon next Sunday... i fell on your teaching on the evidence of Christ, life and ressurection... your content is biblical and so helpful... Young people especially need to hear this... God bless you and you family... Regards from Cape Town😊
@@whitneygouvias3612 many of us who will read your comments believe you. We might not tell you but we do. Please know that we care and may God comfort you.
I'm sorry beloved little sister 😔😢😞💔 You're saved but this creep is not!
❤️
don't put your hope in man. place your hope in the one that created you.
But it calls into question the Evangelical Gospel. If someone can say the 'sinner's prayer' and still behave like this.
Right on!
@@Epsylon21 🤣😂
@@Epsylon21 you could go ahead to the sperm and egg and but all leads to God, as a joke its nice
Larry Barnett Jeremiah 17:5-7?.."cursed is the man who trusts in man, blesses is the man who trusts in God"
THANK YOU! Misplaced guilt is DESTRUCTIVE to a person's spiritual journey. I was kidnapped at 18 & molested. Afterward, my parents had no idea how to help me. First, I spent months hiding in my closet. I would hide under clothes & junk I placed there for hiding. When I finally left my parents' home, about a year later, I went.from virginity to sleeping with any person who wanted me. I believed there was no longer any value in me & it completely destroyed the trajectory of my life. I thought it was my fault because I allowed a stranger to talk me into taking a ride. I'm now in 60's with kids & grandkids. I've NEVER had a healthy relationship with any man other than my dad. God has healed the wounds, but time can not be restored. I thank you because I hear, in your words, & see in your compassion the type of help I should have received all those years ago. God bless good men. Christ is the guide for a good man's behavior.
I am so sad you had to go though a lifetime of pain. I have walked through some of your story. However, God walks with you and has always walked with you. That was my biggest hurdle to TRUST HIM.
I have been through a childhood of molestation too. Totally messed with my head as well. I tried to hold onto what shreds I felt I had (not much, in some states I found out what I went thru was defined as rape), then someone full on raped me. It took a whole year to realize that I was in fact raped, and that it wasn't my fault. I had come home from work thoroughly exhausted, and I didn't have fight in me to defend myself. Therefore I thought it was my fault, and as such I thought I gave away my tiny shred of virginity. So, I thought I had to have sex to have a boyfriend (because that's all that anyone was interested in in me☹️).
It has been so hard, getting lost, getting confused, getting condemned, and not knowing how to function without a childhood (there's a lot more than just molestation). God allowed me to go thru so much, but He has told me I am about to go thru a time of blessings. I have been dreaming of this day, and now I don't even know how to enjoy it. I have a lot of fear that something terrible will take away the good things and I don't even know how to enjoy anything in life.
I can only imagine how you feel. I pray we all have the healing, or maybe allow the healing, that we need so we can have the love God meant us to have. The devil stole much, but God can and will replace everything with interest to those who love Him. I love Jesus, and I know you do too. Most importantly, He knows♥️ Hugs from me to all of you who have been thru it♥️ Jesus loves us, and He can and will make it right🎉🎉🎉
God bless you.
I am so very sorry this has happened to you. Your bravery shows through as you post your story, bringing truth and hope to everyone who reads it. Never give up on yourself; you are worthy to be loved as God created and designed you to be loved. He will bring healing and restore what was taken from you. Make His Word your daily meal. You can do this.
All time will be replaced in eternity - hold on
This is not the story of someone struggling with sin. It’s the story of someone who chooses sin over and over again with passion and purpose.
"God's Grace is Not Permission". Thank you Mike for saying what needs to be said. My faith is not in Ravi or any other leader including you Mike Winger! My faith is in Jesus Christ.
There is not a man or woman involved who are innocent. Ravi was apostate for so long (Mormons, Catholics, Pope, luxuries) Jesus didn't say to the deceived "oh, so sorry mum and dad, blah, for goodness sake, there are NO victims in Ravi's exploits. They were just exploited. You're whole video was just an act of guilt Mike. Jesus said those who love their mother, father, brother, sister etc more than me, aren't my children. Guess what? to apologise to the "victims", you are doing just that.They aren't 2.
All guilty. You say sorry to his family? All need to repent. So do you Mike. Even the family. The rich, proud, uncaring leaches whom understood the benefits of daddy's fake God, but didn't understand who the heck Jesus is because they were too lazy to look him up in the KJV. Look up Servus Christi. He's persecuted but is spot on in the truth.
Satan engineers and manipulates people every day. Are they victims? Grow up Mike. Stop giving sinners an excuse.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus name.
On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand.
@Justin Gary ♥️ Eph 4:29 ♥️
@Justin Gary I'm not saying I disagree, not at all, to God be the glory 🙌 that's all ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
We all need to humble ourselves and get ready to meet our Creator face to face, yeah? ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
This is a wake up call to modern christian hero worship.
We never learn
You are right brother the sin is in the world and no one fears the lord and none are good full of hippocratique Antichrist already.
Amen. We must not follow man/woman. We must follow Christ Jesus and Him alone.
Yes!
Amen to this!
Mike - thank you for your sensitivity with this. I was sexually abused by my stepdad from around age 5 to 13. My mom is still married to him. I'm now 46, been married 24 years and have 3 kids. My life is good now but through my teens, 20s and 30s, I struggled horribly with nightmares, depression, suicide attempts, and many therapists. Now, I feel like so much of my life was stolen - not just those years from 5 to 13 but most of my life. As I grew in my faith and knowledge, I came across Ravi and listened to many of his teachings, read a few books, and really looked up to him. I was shocked to hear what a monster he really was. I looked up to him...just like as a little girl, I wanted a daddy and to be loved. I hope and pray these women find peace and healing. Thank you for being a voice, speaking out for all of us who have been taken advantage of. Thank you for being a man against these evils.
Almost the same story for me. I'm so sorry we're going thru this. God can make it right even if you can't tell. I'm having a hard time too; I legit asked God if I could just just be a brick in heaven. Life is so painful sometimes, I just don't want to be conscious of it. But He is pouring His love on me, and shaping my life in ways I don't understand. Much love and hugs to you💔❤️🩹♥️💖💝 Jesus loves you. I can't wait to meet you someday!
God just laid this on me: one of the first things He told me is that I need to forgive. It does NOT mean what they did was ok, it is supposed to get this garbage out of your "house" and send it to the dump (gehana... I probably didn't spell that right. Where they burned the garbage and burned bodies of the evil ones). It's not supposed to be our burden to bear. I hope we both heal sooner rather than later ❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹
May Jesus bless u both ❤
@@adriandlobo Thank you❤️ You too🙏🙏🙏
@@gohawks3571 Thank you 🙌🏻🙏🏻
I know this is an old video, somehow the RUclips algorithm brought me here. Thank you for showing your anger and clearly calling out abuse and sin. I’ve seen a couple of your videos recently doing this and seeing your righteous anger and your clear care and compassion for victims is helpful. There is not enough of this in the church. Period. Thank you for being an advocate for victims of abuse!
Where do we go? Back to the cross that never fails.
Yes! Best response I’ve seen 🙌🏼🙏👍
"Lord to whom shall we go?"
AMEN WHERE WE NEVER SHOULD LEAVE!
How about we ALSO go to a NEW Covenant instead of taking our IDENTITY in the Old Shadow - how about we go to the Resurrected Life of Christ IN us - Our ONLY Hope of Glory - How about we go to a Salvation that is an EXCHANGED LIFE 2nd Cor.5:21 -
How about we start Believing that God was FULLY Satisfied with what Christ did for us in our behalf and that we are not made COMPLETE by anything other than the GRACE of God - How about repenting from UNBELIEF
It's all BS. I like how any man today who is actually having sex with a woman, or committing adultery, or fornicating is somehow automatically a "sexual predator"?? gimme a break!!
Just because a guy is having sex outside of his marriage DOES NOT make him a criminal.....a sinner, sure....but not a criminal.
The modern liberal definition of a "sex predator" - Any male who spends time thinking of ways to get laid. (basically every man who's ever lived) LOL
Notice when women do the EXACT same thing somehow they are never called "sex predators"....they are "sexually liberated females" or "cougars"..... LOL.......what a joke!!
As if the sexual abuse wasn’t bad enough, the fact that he did it with donations of people who thought they were spreading the gospel is painful.
Now, I AGREE with this!🙂
@Roger Mills Wrong..
Acts 4
32 Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. 33 With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold.
@Roger Mills Lies. Read 1 Corinthians 9.. and focus on Paul's joke in verse 15.
"15 But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing this so that they may be applied in my case. Indeed, I would rather die than that-no one will deprive me of my ground for boasting! "
Paul was a tent maker and used his business to support his ministry.
Acts 20
33 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord
Acts 18:1-3 shows Paul used his business to form relationships.
It’s not just painful it’s downright outrageous...I’m totally outraged at this. It did the opposite of bringing life to people, it brought destruction to lives.
@Roger Mills that’s right nothing but money, christians are more worldly than the lost in the world lol.
Hi Mike I am a bible believing Christian in Australia who currently has no church home and struggles due to past spiritual abuse. I find church scary and I feel like every church I go to is insincere and not biblical - you are the first Pastor I have heard in a VERY long time who actually follows what the bible says, and who sticks to that faithfully, and it has made me wish with all of my heart that there was a church locally that does the same here, but I've yet to find one that I trust. Thank you for being a light in the darkness and for feeding my soul with biblical truth, it has truly made a difference to me.
Try to find a Church Of Christ near you, they follow the Bible too. I will pray for you that you find a place you can feel safe and loved and that helps you grow in Christ.
Paula, continue to pray to the Holy Spirit to lead you to a holy and healthy church. It took 2 years for me to find a righteous church. You will be successful.
Pamela, it makes me so very very sad that you experienced spiritual abuse. It’s heartbreaking to hear.
But, I would just like to say that a person and or a church is not Jesus. Jesus is the one who heals & restores. People are sinners. Some saved by grace, but all people are sinners. People hurt people, people abuse people, etc. We cannot make a judgement on Jesus based on people or churches. There is no perfect sinless church, there is no perfect sinless person…except Jesus. Remember Jesus disagreed strongly with the leaders of HIS church. He saw their actions of harming the people and He was not quiet about it.
I have been hurt a lot by “Christians”. But, I have learned Jesus is not ok with it & has healed me. He is love. His love is the only love that will fill us, heal us, satisfy us. I could go on & on. But, please, for your own sake & healing, seek Jesus. Do not look to people to be Jesus. They can’t. I’ve heard it said, churches are like hospitals. We can’t expect the other “sick” patients to make us well. Jesus is the ONLY perfect healer. I pray in Jesus name that you come to know Him personally & that you are healed❤️💜
I fully understand, me too. Love you brother.
@my7rhvn601 Pamela they said they were a Bible-believing Christian who experienced abuse. She didn't say anything about not understanding that the church/people aren't sinners. I was also emotionally/mentally/spiritually abused by my father who was a preacher. I went to a Bible College where some (not all) of the people were very legalistic and abusive... including one that was a counselor. It took me years of therapy and talking to other biblical counselors to start unravelling the mess and, to this day, every time I enter a church, I have an anxiety attack due to my PTSD. This isn't because I think that church should be perfect or anything like that - it is because... I experienced spiritual abuse from several different churches and Biblical organizations and my body is reacting to the dread that it will happen again. I can't easily close my eyes when they pray in church - I can close my eyes when I pray at home... but not in church. I can't speak for Pamela since I don't know her... but I understand that all people are sinners and that some are saved by grace. I understand I can't make a judgement on Jesus based on people or churches (and she didn't say anything that would imply that). She said that she listens to Mike so it seems like she is seeking Jesus. I am trying to explain this because there have been many times where I have tried to explain or find help... and the abuse/fear/etc is dismissed and I'm told to "just seek Jesus." And yes, Jesus is the only perfect healer... but you should never start a paragraph by stating that you are sorry to hear someone was abused... "but.." The but negates everything and, often, it makes those of us who have faced extreme spiritual abuse in cult-like situations more leary of Christians and the church. John 13:35 should be a more popular verse than it is... but often, victims are blamed because they "can't see Jesus through the sins of others."
Thank you for this video. My husband and I were given "I, Isaac, Take Thee, Rebekah" as newlyweds and it did have a hugely positive impact on our marriage. And prior to that, when I was single and a college student and had gone to a more charismatic Baptist Church that caused a great deal of church hurt and trauma and confusion, I spent the summer listening to Ravi's radio program, "Let My People Think!" And it had a huge impact on my faith and basing my faith on God's Word...I remember him saying, "we don't get filled with the Spirit to act a fool! We get filled with the Spirit to go to battle!" It was life changing. I've wrestled with the truth of all that has come out about Ravi and his deplorable behavior and hypocrisy. Your video has made a difference and I'm thankful. He was a fraud. And, like a rock or Judas, God used him in my life and marriage. But all the glory to GOD. and none to Ravi. May Lori Ann and all the other victims get the social support and justice they deserve and find peace and truth in Christ and His love.
As a survivor of DV, I just felt I had to say how absolutely beautiful and healing it is for me to see a MAN stand up against violence against these women. It honestly broke me and made me thank the Lord to see that there really are men out there who do care. Too often, the church only blames...but they don’t understand. Thank you for making this video. We must bring this behavior to light.
i ask this respectfully but did you grow up in an environment where men were against women or didnt care about women? I know you say you are a victim, and im sorry about that, but there are people out there regardless of gender who do speak up on this topic.
I agree, Sister.
As a husband of an abuse victim I can relate to this man's feelings. I despise what these monsters do to women.
@@layth6857 🙄
@@ivyrose779 it was an honest question
Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Proverbs 28.13
Lo, allot of fools here. Have you seen the evidence that showes that Ravi was not guilty at all? Of course you have not , all you hear is the media and lo and behold that is the new truth. Ms Thamson accusation were proven all false including the mobile phone stuff. It is the pure of work of the devil.
@@democracyforall , can you provide any links to the evidence that Ravi was innocent of these "charges"? Not trying to be argumentative, I (& many others) would love to know that he didn't do any of these things. However, does not change the truth of SrvntoftheMostHigh's post. I'd also be careful about calling other believers "fools".
See King David for a biblical example.. Thank you, Yahweh.
@@kathieboehnemann8203 I agree but the people who accused him are all false, the rest is all fine because how many people who are believers are involve in thousand of such things. Millions , the public or the USA athiest want to bring down Christianity so that is why they are doing this . Of course he must have some sexual problem but not the accusation they are giving online, it is 90 per cent all false.
@@kathieboehnemann8203 Read the follow someone posted them to me as I asked a question why on earth he would be so stupid to pray with a woman and they say undress for sex ha ha ha. So he responded the following way with something pretty good. read it all please thank you.
Sorrowful sheep
Highlighted reply
Sorrowful sheep
13 minutes ago
@Oliver C Ms. Thompson found Ravi daughter, and
began asking her intrusive questions about, among other things, Ravi daughter was offended and considered Ms Thompson’s behavior and demeanor to be aggressive and disturbing.
Ms. Thompson repeatedly contacted Ravi. As a result of Ms. Thompson’s repeated messages, Ravi began to consider Ms. Thompson as a friend, in addition to a fan and supporter of RZIM’s mission and his work.
Ravi frequently receives death threats originating from these countries and, further, his electronic devices and online accounts have been the target of many hacking attempts. Additionally, his mobile phone has been taken and briefly held by local authorities on a few occasions when visiting Islamic
countries.
Over the course of the two years following their initial meeting Mrs Thompson attempted to escalate her relationship with Ravi through repeated and persistent BBM messages, e-mails, by sending gifts through the mail, and by traveling from Canada to Georgia on two occasions, but Ravi did not meet her in person.
In December 2015 Ms. Thompson obtained Ravi home address under the guise of sending him a Christmas gift.
On one visit to Georgia, Ms. Thompson unsuccessfully attempted to contact one of Ravi daughters.
Ms. Thompson attempted to meet Ravi on other occasions as well, but Ravi rejected all of these attempts. For example, Ms. Thompson represented that she was a physiotherapist and/or an ergonomist and volunteered to meet Ravi and treat his back pain.
Mrs Thompson attempted to coax Ravi into an inappropriate online relationship.
Ms. Thompson, at all times without Ravi solicitation, gradually introduced inappropriate topics into conversations with Ravi and then eventually introduced sexual topics. For example, she began expressing her love for Ravi, and then began making sexually suggestive statements.
At first, Ms. Thompson sent photographs of herself with her family and pet, but as time went by, she sent photographs of herself stretching and in very scanty clothing and suggestive positions under the guise that these were exercises that would help Ravi back, and then she began sending
photographs with less clothing, and ultimately in the nude. Ms. Thompson took these photographs in her office, car, and home.
In fact, Ravi asked Ms. Thompson to stop sending him inappropriate material.
Ms. Thompson agreed to stop sending Ravi such material, but then began sending photographs again and told Ravi that she could not help herself.
When Ravi blocked and/or directed Ms. Thompson’s BBM messages to his spam folder, Ms. Thompson created new BBM identification numbers and continued to send inappropriate photographs and messages. Additionally, on at least two occasions, Ravi rejected Ms. Thompson’s online request for further BBM chats.
Recognizing that they would be unable to persuade Ravi to engage in any inappropriate behavior, as part of their scheme, Mrs Thompson decided to become confrontational with Ravi to attempt to extract damaging statements that could support her extortion scheme.
Additionally, Ravi, who was worried about his physical well-being and his reputation being unfairly tarnished, pleaded with Ms. Thompson not to escalate the situation. Ms. Thompson’s tone had moved from affectionate adulation to contemptible accusation based upon groundless accusations.
Oliver C
Oliver C
33 seconds ago (edited)
@Sorrowful sheep Yes, it can be seen that there were people who were after him and the fools who falls so quickly for these accusation are just too stupid. They only hear one side of the story. Now, I am not saying he was without sexual sins but in most cases it appears that people were after him trying to bring him down. And I dare say who is without sexual sins even though most of the stuff against him as you stated are all false. But fools falls for it too quickly. Solomon Proverb: When a person make accusation he seems right untill the accused defends himself. And how true that is. But most people are like kids they will believe in anything they hear.
I don't know how I missed all of this story until now! I am disgusted by Ravi's secret life - to think that I thought he was such a good teacher and Godly man, while he secretly was corrupt to the core - it brought me to tears to hear the heart-wrenching story of Lori. And, yes, I previously attended a church where the "pastor" was having an affair for THREE YEARS before it came to light, and I found out later that people knew and kept their mouths shut and left the church without saying anything - because they were afraid! After the "pastor" got kicked out, we discovered that he had embezzled money from the church in the 6-digit figures! Yes, the church filed charges against him, but it will never recupe even half of the money, and the spiritual damage to those who had trusted him will never be repaired without a miracle from God.
I missed it too. I used to listen to him on the radio. It’s been a long time and I didn’t even know he was dead or that this had taken place.
I was abused by my stepfather....
I reported it to CPS (they use to come to schools to talk about abuse) after telling my mother originally. The cps came to my house and my mom and him lied and acted surprised.
My mom married him a few years later.
I lived in mightmares or with no sleep as a child. Sleeping during class instead of home. I was alone.
Now I am 45 years old. I have my own family now.
My mom not with her husband, but still married to him do to her own reasons. I'm not sure what it is really.
I have two brothers. One of my brothers became a pastor and either brother won't talk about "it", its better for everyone and thats life.
My mother tries to love me ( i think) but she seems to behave like she's in competition with me. I don't know how to describe it, but I just think she hates me. Shee seeks my brothers for comfort and to establish her mother role.
I am leaning how to live without the darkness I've known my whole life.
MY LORD GOD has awakened me to a love that is free through seeking the Kingdom of GOD. Where HE is sovereign. I know my life has always been a mess because of what I have been through. But I have learned to accept it because it got me to HIM. I've stopped asking why. And just stuck my nose in my Bible. I have lost my relationships with my mother and brothers over time. But my LORD has given me a husband that washes me with the Word of God every morning and leads our household spiritually. Teaching his daughter and me about the LORD OUR GOD. The things that I know about GOD now, there is no way I can go back to the understanding the darkness of this world. I no longer seek vengeance in my heart towards all who knew and did nothing to get me out or to save me. I see that this was for GOD to do and HE did. HE saved me from a life that I was dying in and HE has given me a new life with HIM. I'm taking it. And you know what is even better about the knowledge of GOD, it's not even about me. I don't know what else to say but that it brings be great joy to lay down my life for HIM . JESUS is the truth the way and the life. Thank you my LORD.
These sins MUST be exposed, 1. To help victims 2. Put the fear of God into the perpetrators!!
I am very sorry for this, I was never strong enough to talk about the sexual abuse I faced with my brother (not biological). My family still don't know and I plan for them to never know. I wa healed by the LORD, knowing that he loved me even though I was rejecting him and his grace. And eternal life comes to me for free because of his goodness. It's amazing 👏
This is a powerful testimony. I pray the Lord keeps using you. I can't imagine those horrible days you had to go through as a child, I just can't.
Mike, this was a well thought out and heartfelt breakdown. It was greatly needed, and I'm glad you talked about this very difficult topic. You analyzed things much better than I ever could have. This needed to be addressed head-on and with compassion. You did both.
Hi Melissa i also watch your channel and i also know you painted a beautiful work of art for ravis family i watched this whole video this afternoon very very eye opening to what i think once again this word deception that the enemy uses so strong i think you and mike are brilliant faithful stewarts of the word of god i really enjoy listening to u both :) i also am very proud of how you are teaching your daughter the word of god the sword of the spirit great job mom:)
God bless you Mike. This whole thing is so very difficult. Shocking.
God's Will will be done. Thats all I know.
Love you all!
Melissa, your video posed the same questions I had. I’m still grappling with it all. My heart breaks for his victims and his family. I’m encouraged though with believers like you and Mike for walking through this with us, sharing the same emotions, and bringing it all to light against the scriptures.
Melissa, I saw your response to this news the other day and I thought you too gave a thought out, heartfelt response. I love the work that you, Mike and Alisia do to promote the Truth of Christ in your unique ways within your individual spheres of knowledge. I love the humility you all display and I trust that God uses you all for the furtherance of his Kingdom. Keep up the good work. God bless!
We are all thankful for both of you and appreciate your opinions on this situation
This wasn't just a "long con" - this is flat out sociopathy. I am so sad for all the people he hurt. I'm glad that God is shining a light on all of this - He shows no partiality.
HE shows NO PARTIALITY => NOW.......but for the majority of history (past & future) => HE SURE DID ==> correct ?
But sometimes he is partial.
@@sinkills.jesussaves.3683 Not in His dispensation of justice. He punished Israel for the same types of sins that He punished other nations for; He even judged Jerusalem, the place in which His name dwells.
@@caitlinlee7630
*"Not in his dispensation of justice."*
Not really. If that's the case then I suppose, he has changed with due time. Because he no longer remains adequate for dispensation of justice in *20th century*
And he choses to, at certain circumstances, which makes him a partial God.
Correct - I dont believe at any point he wanted anything but to satisfy his ego
And shame on his followers for not seeing through his anti- Muslim bigotry which came long before Ravi's criminal immoral sexual activity
1000% THIS. Thank you for posting this. We needed a man to post this. Thank you for your emotion. Thank you for Truth and Light exposing darkness and lies
As a retired pastor I was involved in a number of abuse situations. I was unprepared and so very naive but in time came to understand a little and was able then to deal with it as it is in reality. Your comments along the way or reading this report just brought it all back. You have done a great service to everyone in confronting this very often misunderstood subject with the truth here. First for the countless victims and then to all the rest of society by bringing this to light. I could write a book about how this was so very difficult for me to understand.
Thank you for your work here and as you continue to serve the victims who need a voice.
God bless you and your loved ones.
@Ron Holmgren 'As a retired pastor I was involved in a number of abuse situations.'
You should repent!
@@Tony07UK I hope you didn’t get from my comment that I was “involved as in committing an abuse “ but if so I’m sorry for not being clear. I as a pastor was involved in bringing some abusers to justice. Poor wording on my part.
One more lesson : Naming a ministry after self isn't probably a good idea 🤔
I agree totally. It feeds into the human pride.
@PointOfPeripety RZIM = Ravi Zacharias international ministries
@PointOfPeripety Lawrence has responded to your question. And I really don't know where you got the idea that I am muslim because I am not. SMH. This last weekend, I have met interesting brothers and sisters online. From conspiracy theorists to outright "flippant accusers of brethren they know nothing abou". SMH.
@PointOfPeripety "Don't drop flippant comments" - like your comment where you flippantly tried to correct someone who made a true and logical comment? Don't drop those kinds of comments?
@PointOfPeripety : You are not, literally, a douchbag.
God is bringing out all these things in order to expose them, so the people of God may be able to fix their eyes upon him and not in feeble men.
Amen to that bro!!!
How exactly does one fix your eyes on God? Do you have video of him?
🙏🙏🙏
@@rembrandt972ify I always thought that we are to perceive the Trinity with our hearts, rather than with our physical attributes.
@@darlenetyner881 How does one perceive something with a muscle? Jose said something about fixing our eyes on God, not I. All I did was ask how that works.
Laurie Ann Thompson is SO brave. I am so sorry she was so badly hurt. May God bring peace to her heart.
First of all, Laurie Ann was not and is not a Christian. A true Christian woman will never ever send nude pictures of her to another man. The fact that she blackmailed Ravi and asked him for 5 million to keep quiet shows that she and her husband orchestrated everything from the beginning.
I believe this video was a very wise decision on pastor Mike's part. I loved Ravi, listening to his sermons, learning the word from him. I certainly didn't think he would be capable of something like this and I'm sure I'm not the only one. However, we as a congregation cannot turn a blind eye to this kind of stuff. The moment we start allowing sin to slide is the moment we begin walking away from God. Compromise is the beginning of all evils and I am willing to bet Ravis fall didn't happen over night. Thank you pastor for sharing this candidly. I've never seen a pastor become emotional in this way when teaching but I feel it well represents the heart of the church seeing one of our own stray in such a huge way. May God bless us all with His light.
For people to lose their faith over this, just shows that they put their hope and faith in a man rather then God.
I lost my faith and it has nothing to do with Ravi or the so called God. I lost it because I researched outside of the Bible! Jesus Christ never existed!
Sources? MOST historians claim he was real.
100% CORRECT. 🥺💔🎯
Yes ravi lacked integrity maybe if you had integrity. You wouldn't have to believe in Christ. To shame everyone for leaving in doubt shows your lack of compassion. Don't preach love when you preach persecution and if I was that woman I would leave Christ as well. Shame on you sir!!!
Or in a system.... Which is why a lot of folks don't trust the "organized" or "institutionalized" church.
This is a wake up call to everyone that mere knowledge about God is not the same as KNOWING God. Let's all strive to live holy and know God.
Amen.
There is a knowing and a knowing. You know God alone through believing in Jesus as Son of God. But real knowing is a process - which can be blocked, when we don't grow by example feeding the flesh (sometimes you learn much about God's ways and grace by going on wrong ways first, but that's not the rule and not encouraged)
Someone made the comment that they noticed Ravi did not usually talk about Jesus, but the existence of God. The knowledge of the existence of God cannot save. It is Jesus who saves.
@@shelbycurry721 Ravi taught about Jesus and led many to Christ as I understand it. Even the demon possessed woman in Acts told the truth. Let's not judge anyone because they didn't say Jesus X amount of times. We aren't salvation ghost busters. We are not called to separate the wheat from the tares. It is Jesus who saves, but even if Ravi taught more on Jesus it wouldn't change anything else he did. Mankind is perfectly and frighteningly capable of teaching the gospel while sinning against it. It's a miracle he led anyone to Christ being the monster he was. We should be critical of all teachers and teachings of course, but let's not get trigger happy with disqualifying ppl unless they truly are disqualified. U can literally teach everything Ravi taught and also be saved and not a piece of trash. Unfortunately he didn't practice what he preached. Tragically he betrayed it.
Na, to dismiss Ravi as "not a Christian" is to miss a big lesson from this whole episode. Ravi might have in fact been saved, his serious sin notwithstanding. Dismissing him as "not a Christian" is to set "real Christians" in the dangerous position of assuming that his sin is impossibly far from them, which isn't the case. It's possible (indeed probable) for any Christian who lacks accountability to fall into similar sin--said accountability appears to have been absent in Ravi's case.
Mike mentions, close to the end of the video, that accountability wouldn't have been availing in this instance, with someone bent on deceit; but what he goes on to describe as more likely to work in similar situations is actually accountability--that is, the proper amount of accountability expected for someone at Ravi's authority level. Again, said accountability was absent in Ravi's case. Unfortunately, as Mike correctly points out, even with all those accountability structures in place it is still possible to find out, years down the line, that a purported man of God was in serious sin--indeed it is quite certain, per scripture, that some who claim the name of Christ will turn out to be frauds.
Back to my initial point, however, each of us is to, and is to call the brethren around us to, work out his or her salvation with fear and trembling. Dismissal of Ravi as "not a Christian" is to weaken the guard that Christians ought to have up, and dissuade them from doing the work that evidences our faith.
I was a huge fan of Ravi. His ministry was crucially influential in the shaping of my faith. The revelation of his sin, and not just sin- but depravity, shook me. I was slow to believe it when the story first broke. But as more and more evidence came out, I was finally forced to. I guess I'm still grappling with it to this day- still trying to figure out how to deal with it in my own life. Hence why I am now finally watching this video in 2023. Thanks, Mike, for your faithfulness to the truth. It's a great help to those of us struggling. You elucidate and clearly remind us of what is right, directing us back to scripture, back to God's word. I pray God would keep you, and direct your heart to always acknowledge Him.
I knew a family that named their so this man's name. I wonder if they share your confusion and pain because of the trust they put in this person. I hope you can find peace and move on.
It's such a monstrous thing Ravi did. My heart breaks for his victims and the damage Ravi has done to the name of Christ. I used to really enjoy videos of his on apologetics here on RUclips and now I'm just sickened at the thought of him.
Thank you for your comprehensive, thoughtful, and compassionate coverage of this.
20 years ago I personally witnessed the pastor of the church I grew up in being sexually intimate with a young girl from church. The pastor had a wife and a young boy. I was 17. Unfortunately, that event shattered my faith in God because I didn't know any better.
Now I know I must only follow Jesus Christ and not depend on Christian leaders.
I never followed Ravi's ministry and teachings. However, this whole situation is damaging Christianity in the eyes of the world. That makes me very sad!
I read an article that said "Are we really surprised anymore?" regarding the sexual abuse scandal. The systematic abuse within the catholic church and pastors like Ravi is smearing the reputation of Christianity. I don't think it taints Christ or Truth one single bit, but it doesn't help with bringing salvation to people, that is for sure.
I'm glad you found your way back to Jesus, my friend.
You are so right!! It can become too easy albeit not intentional to put the pastor on a pedestal!
We must pray for our pastors and people in authority to not get sucked into evil schemes and give in to temptation! But yes it’s good to have each other but keep our eyes upon Jesus! Bless you.
@@jdm11060 Praise the Lord, it’s been a painful journey back to Christ but I’m so grateful I’m firmly standing in my Christian faith today! 🙏😇
I'm so glad you found your way back to Jesus. I don't care much about the eyes of the world, I care about the eyes of those who's faith and path to Christ has been shattered like your was. But our God is more powerful than that and I feel he will draw back His own just like He did with you!
Everything done in the dark will come to light
Whatever goes on in the dark, has been uncovered here, I find I do not need to here about what the actual physical sexual deveations of Ravi Z were, I don't need to seer my mind with such evil thoughts, so therefore I'm not listening to it further, not because I'm in denial but because God used him for many years for his purpose to share his word, like other biblical leaders and scholars of old, he was human and Satan sifted him and lured him into temptation and he sucomed to it, I cannot understand you wanting to give out every sexual detail on line for the listeners were adults we know what sexual deveations are, we do have imaginations, where was his minders his chaperones to say "Ravi shouldn't you use male massuses, rather that female, why wasn't he councilled and guided by his peers, the elders of his organisation, why wasn't someone looking out for him, admonishing him, didn't he suffer terrible with chronic pain with his back, obviously he was advised to have massages to help with the pain, he was on high doses of medication, possibly out of it at times and addicted to pain killers which would inhibit his thought process, I know it's no excuse for his actions but it didnt help being on so many drugs, you say you've counselled for years, yet you haven't mentioned the effects of drugs and the over use of drugs and the way it effects the mind and body when in severe pain, where were those closest to him, and why didnt they advise him and watch out for his soul and try protect him from such temptation, he wasn't a well man, he was weak it seems, in so much pain, it's no use telling us of his nasty deeds we know what sin is, but oh how awful for his family, followers, and his victims especially his victims, but I dont need to here the seedy parts and details of his downfall, We all have imaginations of what wrongful sexual acts are, no need to here them, do not seer the minds of the faithful, Satan would love that to sow seeds of doubt, of filth, to the minds of the saints, you need to watch you're soul also, satan likes to corrupt the saints the very elite, stop allowing him to use you also. Disappointed with this video what I've listened to so far, his reputation is distroyed his own downfall, may God forgive him, but you should be pointing out the good he's done, and the influence he has had on many, sharing the word of God before he allowed Satan distroy him, the gospel, Gods words will stand for all eternity, speak of the gospel and stop giving glory to Satan for ruining this mans legacy. Judge not and we wont be judged. Praise God king of kings and lord of Lords.
@@rosalindgahan8574 I agree with your thought! As a licensed therapist for almost 20 years, when Ravi made the advances towards ALL his accusers they were sinful enough to return to "the vomit"? I am guessing those "Ben Franklins" were worth coming back for another genital grab. This video is pathetic. The narrator appears traumatized and homosexual. The Holy Spirit used Ravi 🙌 and his life will be remembered as a general in God's army no matter what perversion is presented. A dead man can't speak, the devil is a liar, Jesus is a glorifier and I am the testifier on this earth, as well as Ravi was/is through his wise teachings and so should YOU be! Shalom!!
@@tweetybird475 jjj
@tweetybird475 I have a challenge for you. Since you’re so confident that Ravi was this godly man anointed by God and that talking about his systematic abuse is “pathetic”, I want you to go to all his victims, look them in the eye, read what you said in your comment, and tell me how you felt.
Unfortunately, it’s come too late for earthly justice for this predator.
Thank you for bringing this out. I have been abused and manipulated and deceived my whole life. The Lord is slowly healing me now at age 68. It's so painful.
Mike, Thanks for sharing this tough and tragic report. After the shock of the reveling report I have to say I am with you on the conclusions you've come to.
most genuine & biblical response to this situation I’ve heard , and I think I’ve heard them all! The anger in your voice for this man who has mocked the gospel of Jesus with his double life is evident and is one that I share. I did follow Ravi and loved his apologetics. But when the truth comes out , you can’t ignore it. Thank you for your boldness.
I absolutely agree. I have heard so many people give RZ the "benefit of the doubt" and say that this behavior is no reason to "throw the baby out with the bathwater" by no longer suggesting his books etc.
Such a naive stance to take. The respnce clearly should be full separation. His writings do no belong in a Christian home.
This is a reminder that we can't just PREACH the Bible, but we must also LIVE the Bible. We must keep our EYES on Jesus, and NEVER on MAN!
Yep. There’s no faith without obedience.
True.
@@alicia4899 Really? Might want to check out Abraham.
Well said!
What do you mean "LIVE the bible?" Please expound.
Mike, I am revisiting this horrible situation. Thank you, once again. I am so glad you are a DV counselor. God bless you.
Does everyone know this guy? I have been a Christian for over 30 years and have never hear of this man until 2022 after he died and this scandal exploded.
Maybe this is because I don’t subscribe to Christianity today and am not plugged into that main stream Christian culture.
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves."
Ya but how do we know? I dont trust anyone
@@carissaexplainsitall8481 you know by the apparent fruits of the Spirit, God’s words and the guidance of the spirit.
He wasn't a prophet, and simply because he did sexual sins doesn't make him a false Christian or teacher. The problem is that he kept this going on consistently and most likely didn't repent about it when he died.
@@pureone8350 do you really think a "true Christian" would tell his victims that it is God who gave them to him as a reward? Really? Build what is basically his own prostitution network? Make a habit of putting in place systems to be able to sexually harass and groom victims on a regular basis over many years?
At what point does someone living in complete opposition to everything Jesus stands stops qualifying for being a "true christian"?
@@alexmarysaint2523 ya.... I don't believe he actually believed anymore. Lost his salvation if he didn't repent upon his death.
"In every abuse situation the victim feels like the villian because of the fallout of them telling the truth. " thanks for saying that Mike
List of Donald j Trump Victims:
4.1 Jessica Leeds (1980s)
4.2 Kristin Anderson (1990s)
4.3 Lisa Boyne (1996)
4.4 Cathy Heller (1997)
4.5 Temple Taggart McDowell (1997)
4.6 Amy Dorris (1997)
4.7 Karena Virginia (1998)
4.8 Karen Johnson (early 2000s)
4.9 Mindy McGillivray (2003)
4.10 Jennifer Murphy (2005)
4.11 Rachel Crooks (2005)
4.12 Natasha Stoynoff (2005)
4.13 Juliet Huddy (2005 or 2006)
4.14 Jessica Drake (2006)
4.15 Ninni Laaksonen (2006)
4.16 Cassandra Searles (2013)
5.1 Mariah Billado, Victoria Hughes, and three other Miss Teen USA contestants (1997)5.2 Bridget Sullivan (2000)5.3 Tasha Dixon (2001)5.4 Unnamed contestants (2001)5.5 Samantha Holvey (2006)1.1 Ivana Trump (1989)1.2 Jill Harth (1992)1.3 E. Jean Carroll (1995 or 1996)1.4 Summer Zervos (2007)1.5 Alva Johnson (2019)
@@xubicaOP Thought this was about Ravi Zacharias, but o....k....then. TDS has caused some people to only see Donald Trump in everything.
@@DBushX2 was this about Ravi? Or was it about his victims? And about how men in power can con their believers and silence their victims with threats and dismembershipping of their group? Was it about Ravi or was it about sexual predators getting their believers to doubt the victims? Okay... Well looks like you will do the same thing to Donald Trump's victims
@@DBushX2 TDS is something his supporters have. We who don't support him have always seen him for what he is. You guys on the other hand HAVE TO BE deranged in order to ignore all the signs. Just like Ravi's believers and supporters did when Ravi was alive. They ignored the signs and discounted the victims.
Keep on trucking there bud... I'm sure you have discernment
@@xubicaOP shut up, this has nothing to do with DT
This terrible situation taught me such an important lesson. Thanks for posting this.
I had never listened to Ravi until today, and after I watched this video. His message was incredible, and I literally had to pull off the road and wept for this man’s wife and family. It’s a cautionary tale at how hidden sin can/will destroy you if there are no checks and balances in your life. All this to say, I pray that God had mercy on Ravi’s soul.
God can still use flawed men. Yes...what a mess. What a waste
Mike, I just want to say this was an amazing video. Of all the Christian RUclipsrs I've watched talk about this situation you have demonstrated the strongest rebuke and it was needed. We cannot be timid in our response to blatant lies, manipulation, and abuse just because it was done by a prominent "Christian" figure. We are called to a higher standard. Thank you.
You have to watch David Wood as well.
@@mannytps9986 I did.
@@mannytps9986 David Wood's was by far the best, in my view.
Well said
They were good for different reasons. Mike brought his experience as an abuse counselor to perfectly explain what this was without sugar costing it. David brought his experience as a deeply flawed man to show how we need to guard against this.
Hi Mike, I'm from Hyderabad, india. I listened to Ravi for 12 years and even cried myself out when he passed away. I felt very bad when the report came out. Your video helped me a lot to understand true nature of Ravi and as you did, I'm also throwing his books in trash. Thank you so much for your biblical approach to this matter.
@@JOHNSON195308 consider what happened to Lori Anne Thompson who first went public about Ravi in 2017. He sues them, used his power to silence them. He even made them to sign NDA. If you listen to her carefully, you will understand. Since he is dead, these woman had courage to testify. Even RZIM agreed with the report. Why can't we believe now even after report suggests that he had photos of hundreds of woman? Double life is not for leaders who got so much respect globally. It's hypocrisy.
With love from the USA!
Its good for a young man to have an older man to look up to. In your case, the good is to learn that man will let you down, Christ will not. Make sure your sons look up to you so they have a pattern of manhood to work from, and your daughters so they understand what to look for in a husband. If you do that, sir you will be greater to the kingdom than Ravi.
@@sarahclark5447 thanks for your suggestion. To confirm, my faith and salvation never depends on Ravi or any other human. He is one of the few preachers I listened to. That's why it hurts. This doesn't mean I depend on him.
@@nani248325 Its like these people never watched the video and regurgitated the same talking points he already addressed
Thanks for working so hard mentally emotionally and spiritually to put this out there. When the Ravi stuff initially went down a few years back I was floored and upset. I had listened to the man’s lectures everyday on my way to work and was wowed by his intellect and manner of speaking. He knew how to speak gracefully use cadence and silence well. I have sense learned that knowledge is only part of knowing the Lord. Satan knows plenty about God more than we do yet he hates God. Knowledge doesn’t always equal fear of the Lord, the beginning of wisdom.
Looking back at some of his lectures I noticed some interesting things. He spoke about Solomon once, pointing out that as wise a leader as Solomon was, he did not have a profit by his side as most kings of Israel did. In retrospect Ravi acted in a similar way, all this knowledge and success but no true accountability. One of the last lectures I remember hearing was one where he told a story about a woman who didn’t know the Lord but was enamored by his talk. She left with a colleague of RZIM saying, “He’s a great speaker but I wonder what his personal life is like.” After the story, Ravi then went on to wax poetically about the importance of consistency between Bible belief and biblical living. If I only knew then.
Again, thank you for your work, Mike. How you approach the word with humility and a willingness to teach accurately and tenderly is great and a huge encouragement 👍
Refresh my memory, if you would, why is all this good for us to wallow in , post Mortem?
I stand corrected,
I used to listen to this man on the radio just about every Sunday. I almost drove all the way out to Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa one year that he spoke there. They got a full house. Then I heard about all this right before he died. I knew of two women. Didn’t know there were more. How terrible for his family.😔
Ii did the same. I even introduced my church friends to the program. He seem so wonderful and such depth in his fellowship and teaching of the Bible. I was soooo saddened and at first in disbelief at this behavior. Thank you for this show!! God bless and help all hurt through this. God is on your side!
I'm in the middle of watching this, but something is eating at me and I have to get this out.
I am a survivor of sexual assault and abuse. I am so angry (especially at other women) who keep pushing the fact that these victims are only now speaking up.
Do you have ANY idea how hard it is to even go through something like this? Especially if it's someone everyone trusts and respects! You really think people will believe you that easily? No they won't! I wasn't believed when I tried to get help!!
And that teaches you to just shut up and endure it in silence. You're literally victimized twice when you have to face angry people who think you are lying. Why put yourself through that?
It's easy for all of you to arm chair quarter back and act like, well if it were ME I would do X.
Yeah, you think that from the comfort of your chair, but when you have been assaulted and your soul is literally crushed and you feel self hatred, fear, unworthiness, anger, pain and just literal emotional torment you will act totally different than you think you would, sitting in comfort right now.
You have no idea the hell someone goes through when something like this happens, it's physical abuse yes.... but the mental abuse far surpasses that. It will change you and it will be with you forever. Imagine the worst most disgusting feeling and mix that with fear, sorrow and unworthiness because you feel like you are worthless after that.
Now imagine you have to stand before people and tell them all the details about what happened as they judge you and THEY decide if THEY think you are telling the truth!!
It's your word against that predator that knows how to manipulate people.
Before you JUDGE these victims, try on SOME level to realistically put yourself in their shoes!
It's one of the worst experiences you could ever endure!
I am very sorry about what happened to you. I think there are unfortunately those, who will defend Ravi. They are basically enablers of this kind of behavior. This investigation was well done and there is no doubt in my mind that the women are truthful. I pray that God will heal your pain, and I wish you the best.
There will always be predators preying on the vulnerable, and there will always be vulnerable people. What a world.
May God bring you a whole and healed heart, dear. i'm so sorry you went through that.
I’m so sorry you had to go through that 🥺❤️ I agree with you 100%
Sending you a hug
There will always be people out there who act and say such. Some who have indeed been so treated and have resentment and are very bitter. Other's who simply don't care. Still others who have no clue and don't care to know. In fact it should be expected. I was molested as a child yet, what you describe is foreign to me. I forgave the person nor do I think about it except in circumstances where talking about it may be of some help to another. I certainly hope and pray you are healed. .
“Here are his books, here is the trash.” This is why I respect you Brother Mike. I keep you in my prayers.
Amen, I have also kept Mike in daily prayer for a few months now.
Cheers from Alaska.
@@blipflorn6453 you don't just pray for people when they fall, how is that biblical? Did Jesus pray for his disciples before or after they abandoned him?
@@blipflorn6453 I agree, my apologies if my response came off like I was on the defensive.
@@blipflorn6453 Your comments seem to troll and your account is empty, so you can ghost like Ravi. Please change your mind on this satisfied bitterness. It will only destroy you.
I like to follow others who are following Christ and yes they sometimes fall, thus we depend on others to help not too. Prayer is amazing as Jesus recommends it...who is praying for you?
How could I pray for you who aren't even trying?
Just a servant of whom are you?
Jesus rose from the dead for people just like you, to make you someone that people you love would say about you, "I like how you serve Jesus, show me how you did that"... and fellowship of walking in the light happens 1 John 1. Then all your sarcasm would show how bitter and unproductive it is. Real critical discernment empowers to overcome. Mike is a rare example and I hope you follow him and pray for him. Give it a try for a month and get back to me.
Father, in Jesus name, help this bitter man see there is hope in you if he changes his mind about who You are and how You can make him say with confidence: "Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through Him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5.
Is it possible to live Overcoming lives with Jesus over sin? Read 1 John and see.
Well, I care about you. All the way from Alaska.
Cheers.
@@blipflorn6453 no harm done mate, thanks for the clarification, cheers
This is my first hearing of this. I remember being saddened when I heard of his passing because his teaching was so insightful since I became a Christian back in the 90s. I always enjoyed listening to him. This really breaks my heart to hear that he hurt these women like this and lived a double life.
Listening to a pastor preach several days ago I thought about RZs ministry. According to the preacher there are several types of Christians who pursue God. Emotional, Intellectual and Spiritual. I’m a little bit of two but a lot of Intellectual. RZ taught intellectual, and satisfied my need to know. He applied that need to know to his victims as well. There is more to knowing God and experiencing the relationship with Him than investigating what we know about Him. God isn’t complicated. It’s His Grace that saves us and that allows us to be saved and born again. Not, as I thought, by having evidence of His existence, so I can believe. “For we walk by FAITH and not by sight.” Faith in His Grace . Not by what we read that proves He exists. FAITH. RZM ministries was a starting point along with J Vernon McGee as I stepped into Christianity. His ‘Just Thinking’ newsletters were inspiring. Around ten years ago it began to bother me how much he talked about his back pain so frequently. At first I thought him brave and strong. But it became a 50:08 50:08 pattern and I began to question his authenticity but shooed those thoughts away as petty and critical on my part. After all, back pain can be terribly debilitating especially for someone so devoted to God and his ministry. Then, I saw him on television for the first time. About two years into viewing Ravi it became increasingly uncomfortable for me to watch him. His belt was loose and he frequently fiddled with his fly zipper. It was a sign and I knew it. It became increasingly disgusting to me and I couldn’t watch him any longer. Hypocrisy was entrenched in my thoughts. Then too , so was personal guilt thinking I had a filthy mind. My local Christian radio station had RZIM scheduled so I continued to listen especially on Sundays. During lockdown I’d learned of his brain tumor and his wife’s devotion and care. His family became more real to me. Then the news just weeks after his death and I knew that God was prompting me to be wise and discerning and not to doubt myself like that ever again. My personal journey on physically, mental and spiritual abuse wasn’t a waste. I’m more astute than the average person as a result. Still, that ‘doubting Thomas’ mentality existed for me. This was the last straw. Never again would I betray my internal gut instinct that were developed as a result of my decades of abuse. Since that time an incident occurred that could have entrapped me but my boundaries were drawn and my security alarm went off and I applied the God given discernment, despite recrimination, and am safe and glad. Our experiences aren’t just experiences. Ask the Lord for His strength to see the truth and to help you do what you know is right EVEN if there isn’t enough evidence to prove what you know to be true. I’m not suggesting accusations without proof. It’s knowing Gods truth about men and women and boundaries. I never trust any man who says he can be friends with a woman when he’s married. Suppose it’s the woman that cannot be trusted? Why would a man put himself in temptation’s way? Why would a woman massage a man? In the old days men massaged men. The same goes for men massaging women. It’s opening the gates of temptation. We are flesh and prone to all sorts of lusts there of. I never allow a service person in my home unless my doors and windows are open. They aren’t allowed to bring a cell phone in my home either. I ask them to leave it in their truck. It had a camera, this is a stranger and a potential danger. Our casual culture has ridiculed folks like myself. But they haven’t been through what I’ve been through. I’ve learned God wants no other Gods before him. Not RZ, not movie stars, hobbies, saving the earth, whatever. So it comes down to focusing on a daily relationship with him; church with God everyday and other things, though they beckon stay where they belong; after God.
@Mark Davenport > You never were a Christian.
Genuine Christians are not deceived by apostate preachers - true Christians are led by holy spirit in truth. God does not allow false teachers to have any success - blind guides leading the blind > both fall into a pit. - Luke 6:39
“A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Both will fall into a pit, will they not?"
Do you not believe Jesus' words?
No-one who followed RZ for years is a Christian - it's impossible. God's holy spirit would not have been there - do you not realise God sees everything that's going on?
Why would Jesus warn his followers and yet still bless false teachers? - Matthew 24:4 & 5
There is only one true faith and one spiritually clean worldwide organisation of Christians that is empowered by holy spirit. - Hebrews 10:25 & 1 Corinthians 1:10
@@Tony07UK I was glancing through my notifications and came across your post. While I won't make any presuppositions about how far along you are in your walk, I will say you have no reservations in your zealousness to declare once's authenticity and genuineness to Christ. With that, I must say that I have some concerns with your view. Not from the standpoint of your declaring that I "never were a Christian", but from the standpoint that I have concerns that someone who may be young in the faith, who may read a post such as that and have seeds of doubt take root, due to them thinking that because they were not able to discern the character of an individual, therefore they must not be Christian.....according to your criterion.
In my post, I stated that I enjoyed listening to him and that his teaching was insightful and that I was hurt to hear about his double life and the people he abused. You stated that genuine Christians are led by the Holy Spirit and cannot be deceived by false teachers. I don't disagree with that. Because RZ lived a private life that was contrary to the public persona displayed on the radio and on camera, that places him in the ranks as a false teacher. However, there are two kinds of deception we're talking about here: being duped or lied to, then there's being carried away.
Scripture has much to say about being deceived and led astray and carried away by false prophets. Such people who engage in this deception have unregenerate tendencies and draw people away from Christ by preaching another gospel (2 Cor 11:2,3)(2 Tim 3:13)(2 Pet 2:1-3), gaining a following by telling people what they want to hear instead of the truth (2 Tim 4:3,4), those who want status (2 Cor 11:12,13), compelling those who are either weak or underdeveloped (Eph 4:14). I suppose this is the type of deception you refer to in your post. If this is what you're referring to, then I would say yes, these false teachers and those that willfully follow them are under a delusion they have been handed over to, and should repent from.
As for the other type of deception, in my experience with his radio broadcast, RZ focused on Christian apologetics. With all of the scholarly, philosophical and scientific arguments made to refute and vilify Christianity and the Bible, I found his logical, intelligent, systematic approach to answering many of the Bible's tougher passages refreshing and rewarding as did many of his listeners. Yet, there was deception, not in his exegesis, but in the way in which his personal life did not align with the Scriptures in private.
Jesus said "Beware of the false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits." (Mat 7:15,16) But I am also of the opinion that his actions did not automatically nullify his words, so long as his words aligned with God's Word, and I am not aware of any sermons that would have been considered heretical. Jesus said "The scribes and Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them." (Mat 23:2,3) Identifying the fruit of a person operating in this kind of deception can be either immediate or exposed over time. Jesus said "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops." (Luk 12:2,3) I am of the opinion that the deception RZ perpetrated was done in secret among the impressionable, vulnerable and perhaps, those still partaking of milk (Heb 5:13).
If the latter is what you're referring to, this would need some further clarification from you because it would give the impression that the Holy Spirit was supposed to warn all believers about him and expose his secret double-life and because none of his listening audience did that for all the years of his ministry, they must not be Christians. This would pose a number of problems. If he was preaching false doctrine in his broadcast, it would've been caught and challenged by at least a small margin of his listening audience. Since his sermons didn’t lean toward lasciviousness and condoning of unrepentant sin, would a 30 minute, doctrinally accurate radio broadcast be enough to trigger the believer’s spirit that he’s a false teacher who’s practicing sin? If there were believers who actually heard from the Holy Sprit that RZ was practicing sin, why did the body of believers not speak up and prevent these women from being abused? Is it accurate to suggest that because anyone who “followed” him must not be a Christian when Jesus said that the Good Shepherd leaves his 99 sheep and goes out to find the 1 that is lost and brings it back when RZ never taught or suggested leaving Christ to follow another gospel? He just didn’t practice what he preached.
You should elaborate further and my hope is that others reading this don’t fall into doubting their salvation based on ever being tricked, because our salvation is not founded upon our merits and abilities to never miss it, but by faith on the finished work of Christ on the cross and a willingness to turn from sin and follow Him. That was certainly RZ's error.
@@Tony07UK it wasn't made clear he was false until recently, you have no authority to say this person is or isn't a Christian
@@ricebum8808 .. seriously? You have entirely missed the point - God sees what's going on - he knew exactly what RZ was doing - you cannot fool or deceive God!
God only uses spiritually qualified people who meet the requirements to represent his word of truth - RZ never qualified. God sees what's in a person's heart - RZ was a hypocrite, morally corrupt and treacherous.
Genuine Christians are not fooled by apostate teaching - they heed Jesus' words at Matthew 24:4 & 5
Proof that no genuine Christian was fooled by RZ or taken in by his false teaching - God would not allow that since RZ was NEVER led by holy spirit - he opposed it. Holy spirit only works upon genuine Christians - not false apostates like RZ.
Mike, I’m late to watching this video but thank you so so much for doing this. I know we all felt the pain you so clearly felt when addressing this but I could not be more grateful that you did. Your perspective as a dv counselor, and as always biblical view brings some real insight to this devastation. And it is honestly very healing and encouraging to see a godly man stand against this fraud of a man. God brings things done in the darkness to light, and I pray that we would all be vigilant against this kind of behavior.
As a Christian, you should expect judgement to come to the church first.
“Your sin will find you out”
Bless you, brother.
This is why Jesus said, "Follow Me" Not follow Peter, Ravi or Carl. I believe the Lord is stripping off our Christian idolatry where we get to follow personalities and what they preach and not spend much time with Him and His Word. I believe there's great breakthroughs out of all these scandals. All things will work together for good for those who love Him. Let's love Him and His Word.
Preach it, teach it, do it...
You realize that Jesus watched as Ravi raped his victims right? And He did NOTHING at that time. Is that who we should follow? Really?
@@beiyongzui Jesus will put an end to all of this one day but if he interferes now where is free will? He's giving people like u a chance to repent before he does stop all this evil and judgement will come
This is why I do not go to church to hear a good homily. I go to hear the Word proclaimed, and to be fed the Word in the most holy eucharist. Homilies, and preaching from a pulpit lead to pride. It’s not about us and the praise given to men with honey-drenched words, it’s about God and proper worship, to always give thanks for the graces were don’t deserve for the price we could never pay.
@@frankkienle8926 can hearing the word of God being explained not help? Sure one of the gifts given by God is to teach others. That's in the Bible.
I used to listen to Ravi on the radio on Sundays. I liked listening to him a lot but but stopped because I got an uneasy feeling about him. God has done this for me many times. I would stop watching ot listening because of an uneasy feeling and find out later that that person was living an ungodly life.
I love how God's spirit witnesses to me that way. He's spared me a number of times.
So I wasn't surprised when I found out what he was doing.
You’re about the only person who has said this. What type of feeling was this?
Ravi was very wrong for what he did and he sinned. But my argument against Mike is saying that ms.thompson is a victim. She committed adultery. Her husband is the victim not her. She is a adult and willingly committed adultery and so did ravi. She is responsible for her actions and sin just like every one else. Like I said her husband was the victim. And ravi wife was a victim.
We can’t put our faith in a human, all of our faith has to be in Jesus!!!
YEAH...But there are standards to be a "servant"
@@jackiebourg6869 he was merely a man. We are all the same, that’s why Jesus died for us.
This is so sad. His poor: family, friends, workers at RZIM and mostly the victims. I pray that what satan has ment for evil, Jesus will turn for good.
Empathy for Ravi's family, especially his wife!
Ravis wife children and RZIM was in deep coma when so many allegations came long before his death. Independant investigator Attorney Steve Boughman did 5 years on Ravi scandals. He wrote a book on ravi tittled COVER UP IN THE KINGDOM . Come on please stop praying for these partners in the crime. Pray for youraelf your children and innocent people around.
@@33ketamine33 You pray for everyone. You don't stop praying for someone because they're doing something evil. Don't be a Pharisee.
Born again in 2015 so didn't have much exposure to this guy. A friend tried to share him with me but nothing about him inspired me. I've been told I'm fussy but I like to think it's more discernment. Don't care for Jon Crist either but lots of Christians have tried to share him with me. Like you and Mr.B and James White, Voddie B. and Paul Washer. That's about it. I feel like this garbage behaviour happens a lot these days. Cheating and abuse and lying etc..we have to have discernment. There's a lot of wolves out there. Lord please give us more discernment. 🙏
People talk about him like he was a great Bible teacher. I never heard him do any great Bible teaching. He sounded more like a philosopher to me. I don't think most people who listened to him really understood half of what he said.
😂
Pastor Mike I heard about this last year, and was as shocked as everyone else. I did like what and How Ravi taught.. Just seeing your video on the actual report today i was only able to get about 30 min. In. I had to stop..
Extremely saddened for his victims his family and all of the folks that trusted him. Praying for all.. This could be anyone of us. Sin is crouching at our doors just waiting. Stay in the word stay in prayer, stay busy doing the work God has prepared for you to do.. God bless Pastor Mike thanks for pushing this issue forward with dignity compassion and respect...
First red flag a minister who owns massage parlors.
OMG that was a triple red flag. Who is holding these people accountable?
Did he own them or just visit them?
THANK YOU.
Apparently everybody just thinks it’s totally cool for a married Christian man to receive regular private massages.
@@snappycenter7863 the report said that Ravi was looking into Eastern Medicine and massages. He had chronic back pain for the last decades of his life. He genuinely believed in the benefits of massage parlours, but the path to hell is often laid with good intentions.
@@martytu20 Thank you. If he'd just stopped at the non-sexual medical stuff, there'd be no problem there.
I’m really happy you talked about this. I’m really tired of people defending him, saying, ‘Oh, he can’t defend himself!’ I hate that people are putting power into abusers. A man who can consistently groom and lie and harass (and even possibly rape one woman, according to her account in the report) doesn’t look like a Christian to me. I’m not saying people can’t struggle with sexual sin. But his actions are so horrendous and deplorable. I hope his victims get justice
Yep exactly!!
Do you know that he raped? Please stick to the evidence. It is bad enough as it is.
@@danstewart3319 did you listen to what he all did?... You know rape isn’t only just physically forcing yourself onto someone, it’s also when you mess with their head (or whatever means) in order to get sexual things from someone who doesn’t consent-even if they felt like they had to out of fear, if they don’t consent to it and you’re having sexual acts with them then that’s rape.
@@danstewart3319 Well... We have a testimony from the witness. I mean, I’d like to say it’s not true. But I don’t feel like I have a reason to distrust the witness.
@@samanthajeffers9339
Honestly. Why would you say that with confidence? Really I'm not being sarcastic. I want to know.
Thank you for sharing this. I NEVER listen to videos this long, but glad I listened to this one!
My husband and I used to listen to Ravi on the radio, etc... We enjoyed his teachings. Then one day as I was watching a video with several Pastors, including Ravi, gathered on a stage talking (I don't remember the topic), Ravi mocked and made fun of another Pastor (not present at this talk). His speech and facial expression was so full of anger. I had never seen or heard him like that. This seriously bothered me, my heart felt heavy. I could also see the other Pastors just stopped talking and looked at one another. It was so off the cuff, it looked like it took everyone by surprise. I was angry that he would point fingers at another Pastor when he simply didn't like how this person's book was titled/written. I never felt the same toward him after that, and I thought I was being silly. I just have never been able to get that out of my mind. I felt like that little glimpse into his thoughts showed some issues he was having with himself and not really with the other Pastor he was mocking. May God have mercy on him, and may God bless his family and all his victims. I'm so sorry to them.
P.S. I am an assault survivor and by the grace of God, refuse to believe any of it was my fault. It started when I was only 8 yrs old. I pray the Lord bless all of Ravi's victims (which includes his family) beyond measure!
This was the first video I came across of you, a few years ago, Mike. Been listening regularly ever since. So thankful for your ministry.
Mike: I can attest to what you said at the end: hitting rock bottom and coming clean, no matter what loses result from it, is far better than living a lie. Repentance, even if it costs you everything, is better than living a lie.
AMEN
💯👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Amen yes amen hard but worthy amen
When you become known better to fear than boost or be confident,if not it might be hard for you to repent fearing losing all your name and every convenience with it.
Amen.
The Bible says cursed is he who puts his trust in man
It's sad very few understand that simple truth. Instead of seeking Jesus they seek men? Why would I want to hear from a man when I can hear from the Lord for myself? Jesus is the only way !! God bless you
The bible was written by men...who say it was the inspired word of god.
Christians' faith are in men.
And also:
1Jn 2:27 "But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you DO NOT NEED THAT ANY MAN TEACH YOU, but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it has taught you, you shall abide in Him."
@@R01202 yuh
@@R01202 The belief for those who honestly believe in it stems from experiences like times when we have felt absolutely miserable but a verse in the Bible offers incredible comfort and hope. Many of us have also experienced incredible miracles which came into being through meditation of the Bible.
Thank you for speaking out and supporting the victims. You're the first I've seen mentioning them at all 😭
Thank you for exposing him and for the information you shared about the nature of abuse.
Comment right here: Yes this happened in my church. And many of us asked , "I saw the signs why didn't I do something, say something?" I even had reason to believe I was being groomed. I got angry I swore up a storm on a blog the former pastor wrote in his defence of an affair. Later, much later forgiveness came . A chance to ask for forgiveness came. I thought this man was my friend and I was relieved for the chance to forgive . But, he had his chance to repent, to remain in church but not as a leader, and to stay with his wife. He chose not to. Our church carried on, it healed , we grew. He came and spoke at a funeral at the request of the deceased . People were kind to him. He married the young woman he had the affair with, and everyone has moved on. How far and how deep his sin goes, only God knows. I have reason to believe I could have been a victim. Funny thing is I know many women found him attractive , I however , did not! The Ravi thing floored me, like who can you trust? But, this video, this very brave video has helped so much to fully understand the severity and implications of all that transpired. My faith in Jesus remains intact, and only He is the True and Pure lover of my soul . Thankyou for your wisdom in doing this live, God Bless you!
What is it with pastors and, priest and adultery?
@@flowerbombh4326 The three enemies of the Christian are the world, the flesh and the devil. Who do you think the devil wants to bring down the most? A common Christian or a church leader, a pastor? If their foundation is not set strong with the Lord they will be easy to tempt and lead astray. And as for the catholics who shouldn't be considered Christians in my opinion, 1 Corinthians 7:9 says it all. People shouldn't be celibate if they can't take it. Marriage must always be an option for any Christian priest.
The saddest thing is that it is not just pastors. It is father's mothers, siblings, cousins, grandparents, friends that are in the church who do this and because of fear by the victim and church it is rarely is dealt with properly. Forgive us Lord Jesus.
God will never give His glory to another nor His honour to graven images.
I asked about graven images and the answer was, they do not move from where they are placed. The not see or hear or comprehend.
Are we sometimes so set in our ways that we do not want to change?
There is never a time where the Christian will not be required to change. Our thoughts, words emotions are constantly under attack.
"Create in me a clean heart O, God, and renew a right spirit within me"
Am I quick to judge others?
Am I disappointed in myself or other people?
Does gossip about other people's failures draw me into condemning them rather than praying for them?
"Create in me a clean heart O, God and renew a right spirit within me. 🙏🏽🙏🏽
Of course, if Ravi, had changed and repented, this discussion would not be going on. My prayer is that he found grace to repent before he died.
See, everyone who comes to Christ is saved by grace alone, the the work of grace changes us from one degree of glory to another.
As disappointing and shocking as the report is, it reveals to us that no one can resist temptation without the power of God at work in him.
I hope we are not here to support wrong doing. There are victims who will need to live their lives. Ravi's family and close friends too will live with this sadness.
May we all have grace to think soberly and keep our eyes on Jesus alone.
I followed Ravi for many years and thought he was a genius. What an amazing mind. I felt as if I knew him; that he was a friend. I shed tears when I heard what he had done. However, the best of men, at their very best, are only men. The human heart is a cesspit of iniquity. There but for the grace of God go I. May God comfort his wife and family and all those who are victims. Mike, I can see your pain. God bless you.
God's punishment is swift, I wonder what Nabeel did to get cancer too?
Ravi helped so many dig deeper in the LORD
You believe this crap?? I see a salesmen in your future that will take you on a ride toward misery. grow up!!
@@wanrazul: Now... that is slander and judgement! Repent you sinner!
@@jackiebourg6869 You think cancer is a blessing from God?
You've taught me a lot in this video and also struck solemn fear into my heart. Thank you Mike.
Thanks Mike for making this unpleasant but much needed video.
I am begging everyone in the comments to be respectful, kind and compassionate. Please understand how terrible and damaging sexual and spiritual abuse is. I am a young woman who has thankfully never been abused, but some of my friends--both male and female--have, and it has nearly destroyed them. Please have compassion for the victims. Pray for them. Please don't act as Pharisees would and condemn or judge them. They are broken and suffering right now and I beg as a sister-in-Christ that you treat this situation with kindness and love--love that comes from abiding in Jesus Christ.
EDIT: I recommend everyone read the report to see what the evidence is. RZIM as an organization has also found RZ guilty. You can find the facts in the official report published by RZIM.
My dear, there are no victims here. There are women who refused his advances. They are the victors, not victims. There are also those who participated in his sin and received gifts and financial settlements. I've yet to hear that Ravi forced anyone. I have compassion for Ravi, who is almost certainly suffering in hell as I write this. I have compassion for his family, who must bear such shame and sorrow. Ravi betrayed his wife, children and grandchildren and shamed the name of Christ. The women who took part were seduced by Ravi's prominence and fame. They also sinned. Eve blamed the serpent in the garden of Eden, and Adam tried to blame God (the woman You gave me). But God punished them all. The woman caught in adultery was dragged before Jesus, but not the man. Today, it's the opposite. There is no partiality with God. Both are guilty. God has no pleasure in the death of a sinner and neither should we. I do have compassion for the women. I want them to repent and be forgiven, but with everyone affirming them, it's hard for them to see their own sin.
@@Lena-fg4vj I agree with you 100%. I’ve researched and there are no reports of women being forced, drugged and raped, and no reports of Ravi Zacharias going after children, there were women who refused advances and they are not victims. I don’t call myself a victim because men are overzealous.
Those that were complicit, those that prostituted themselves by choice, engaged in sexual relationships are now being called victims will never repent. They will continue the same behavior because they have all these people backing them, affirming them.
They are only seeking more money for their past sexual engagements with Ravi and the actual victims are those that will not receive the money they need which it was intended for.
Finally some sensible responses by the two smart ladies above who have not jumped on the mainstream bandwagon. It's refreshing to see ppl who can think for themselves. Agree no victims here, tears do not constitute victimhood.
@Abdul Ali 1) I did not defend him. 2) substantiate your claim. What is it that makes him a sex offender? He was a fraud and an adulterer, but as far as I know, his behavior was not criminal. Jesus said that by the same standard you judge, you will be judged.
Guys, all I can say is to read the reports. Read them. Read the statements made by RZIM and the lawyers they used to investigate thousands of women's claims. I have nothing else to say other than that. If we are Christians, we need to respect truth. This isn't a political thing.
This is heart breaking. The worst part is the lack of guilt he portrayed. I keep remember David and his infidelities but I also remember his repentance and eagerness to be forgiven by The Lord. It's very sad....but it show us that we are all fragile to sin and only God can keeps away from temptation.
David’s eagerness to repent covered a multitude of sin!!! It also made a GREAT DIFFERENCE!!!
One more thing I'd like to add; the message was clear the messenger was not, true shine in the dark and is much brighter than sin. I feel sad for his family, but I must say, Ravi was an inspiration for me. I'm in the process to search a path in apologetics just because he inspired me. His conduct and behavior ota something he will answer to The Lord. God bless you all.
@@cecilanatta1268 Keep the good if you can. He inspired many. Let His Holy Spirit be your guide.
No one can be positive where Ravi lives on now.
It’s between him & God.
Disappointed to know he didn’t confess to at least Margie, prior. So they were not blindsided by all this.
He had to have known it would come out.
Sad, all around. :/
@@cecilanatta1268 This is very true. It's very easy to say - This is what happens when you put people on a pedestal." I didn't worship Ravi, but if it's possible to love and respect a person you never met for helping to bring so much clarity and connection to the gospel message, then I felt like Ravi really helped me in my Christian walk. Imagine if your own father who you have love and respect for were found to have abused and used others. It would be like a gut punch. Would you say - Well that's what you get for loving someone other than Jesus. No, not at all. It's natural to admire others who helped you in your life and in your walk with Jesus. I don't think it's right to say Ravi was a fraud. Ravi gave in to temptation, as many great people in the Bible did. He intentionally hurt people and he sinned greatly and kept his sin hidden. But if you found out your father had sinned greatly, would your love for your dad just go away? This is the terrible conflict that the Zacharias family are dealing with. After Ravi's victims I feel for them the most.
@@darleneachille491 his eagerness came only after Nathan payed him a visit.
Mike, I so appreciate your sensitive heart as you presented this. You cried everywhere that I felt like crying. It was a necessary message. Thank you for your faithfulness to the Word of God.
I appreciate you making this video. Your explanation pieced a few things together for me in a way I was able to understand, so as to put to rest a few outstanding questions and concerns that have lingered these past few years.
This is a great example here. The man had a reputation for teaching the word of God now it is completely overshadowed by his hidden sin. Be mindful fellow Christians. Don't let your sin go unconfessed. I'm talking to myself as much as others.
True Indeed.
You don't have to confess your sins to a priest though.
@@williamsmith9948 Jesus Christ (me in my last life) died a long time ago.
God Bless You Brother. thank you
As a victim of criminal sexual perversion/sin and subsequent church coverup, I truly appreciate you making this difficult video.
A cover-up....Like say the ministry hiring lawyers to "investigate" so there isn't any independent scrutiny of them or the co-owner of the spa?
But let's not call for independent investigation. We're in the MeToo era now, it's not necessary.
@@tolsen8212 huh? People have been calling for this to be turned into a criminal investigation, from the beginning.
@@KristiLEvans1 Have they? Where is it then?
Can you explain a plausible and logical reason to wait a decade before even telling anyone this was going on?
Or a plausible and logical reason why if your boss molested you during a massage, why you would go another fifty times into a private room to give him a massage?
Or a reason why you would hire lawyers to investigate rather than qualified abuse investigators or police?
I can't.
@@tolsen8212 what? Have you done zero research? None? Whistleblowers came forward at RZIM as early as 2008. You can’t stridently demand things or make claims if you have made no effort to know what you’re talking about
@@tolsen8212 you do know this was a THIRTY-FIVE MILLION DOLLAR, PER YEAR “ministry”, right? You do know that RZ had access to limitless funds and substantial power, backed by wealthy friends, right? It took 15 years for him to be forced to correct his *completely fabricated credentials*. People who came forward or asked about his questionable encounters with women, were crushed since at least 2008.
Wooooooooow 😮 I thought nothing was going to supersede Benny . But Ravi 🤯 really blew me out of the water. !!!! I use to listen to him a lot in my early walk . And definitely he was Gods instrument for me then.
Not for long .
I do believe evil must be exposed starting with the church @ all cost . We’ve been deceived , lied and wounded in every aspects of life. Is about time we grow up trow away the diapers and bottles and take a stand .
So many things comes to my mind but one stands…
Sadly if he did not repent. I wonder , out of pride ??? or did not feel worthy. ? With such brilliant mind . Only God knows. Buckle up family still more to come !! Thank you Mike for such extraordinary work you do . So thankful for your ministry I really love listening to you. ❤DTB 🙏🏻🔥
I was devastated to find out the truth of Ravi’s sin. I truly respected him for that very reason ~ that HE WAS truly one of the most accomplished, respected, and insightful (about Christian apologetics) apologetics. Mike, I appreciate so very much, your courage in responding to this in a church disciplinary manner.
To my fellow believers, we MUST MUST MUST separate his personal grievous sin from the TRUTH that he presented. He discredited HIMSELF but God’s HOLY NATURE, His Word is not discredited or diminished in any way whatsoever.
"Accountability only works if I have the integrity to tell you what's wrong."
Thank you. Absolutely true.
Thank you, Mike, for addressing this with honesty and compassion.
"God's grace is not permission " best line ever. Thanks for the truth. The depths of deception is incredible.
How is it possible to live a lie while speaking the truth.. does living a lie make truth a lie? Is this the truth of the sorriest of statements "i never knew you" hidden under I've done all these things in yor name...
A year later and this situation still makes me soo fearful. It’s so easy for us to be deceived as Christians. The worst part is we don’t even see sometimes when we’re literally swimming in darkness😭
Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light.
But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!
Matthew 6:22-23
I’m praying for us brothers and sisters. May we never be this deceived. I pray the Lord removes the fog from our eyes so we may repent before it’s too late❤️
Thanks for covering this difficult issue. I was not a close follower of this man's ministry, but I have family who spoke highly of him as a minister and of his public responses to difficult questions. This matter sort of brings to mind the biblical accounts of those kings of Israel who lived horrifically selfish and rebellious lives, not caring what effect their actions had on their family and followers. The Bible gives clear account of their evil choices and ways, and their betrayal will be remembered forever. Men will always fail, but my Lord never does and there is no one else like Jesus.
This video was done with correct motivation, demeanor, and thoughtfulness. Well done for obeying the Word. 👍🏻
WITH AL DUE RESPECT ..
ABRAHAMIC RELIGIONS HAVE FALSE NARRATIVES THAT ARE SOOO DANGEROUS AND SOO DETRIMENTAL TO THE PHYSICAL WELL BEING AND THE EMOTIONAL WELL BEING AND MENTAL WELL BEING OF BILLIONS OF PEOPLE ON EARTH.
IF THIS WAS "LABELLED" AS A POLITICAL SYSTEM OF CONTROL.... IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BANNED AND DESTROYED BY EVERYBODY ON EARTH ...
I HOPE A REAL "REFORMED NEW TESTAMENT BIBLE" CAN BE WRITTEN TO SERVE THE WORLD BETTER WITH REAL TRUTH...
THANK YOU ....
PEACE AND TRUTH ON EARTH .
@@kevinkingsman262 with all due respect, the New Testament gains greater context from the Old Testament. Also, I suggest not using all caps (and repeated emojis) as the reader of it often interprets it as shouting which hardly anyone will take seriously.
I AM TRULY SORRY FOR YOUR EMOTIONAL ANGUISH....😠
I AM GLAD YOU THREW MR."FREDERICK ANTONY RAVI KUMAR ZACHARIAS" BOOKS AND VIDEOS INTO THE RUBBISH BIN WHERE THEY BELONG TILL JUDGEMENT DAY.
WELL DONE THANK YOU.👍
BUT YOUR LAST FINAL WORDS IN THIS VIDEO ARE PROVEN TO BE DEFINITELY FALSE AND WRONG ...😠
MR "YESHUA BAR JOSEPH" "JESUS CHRIST" WAS NOT TRUTHFUL OR WAS "BEAUTIFUL" OR "PURE".😠
THE BIBLE AND THE GOSPELS ARE VERY CLEAR ON THIS.
JESUS CAME WITH A SWORD FOR "VENGENCE WAS HIS" .😠😠😠😠😠
THERE IS NO "BEAUTY" OR LOVE IN THREATS WITH SWORDS AND FIRE AND BRIMSTONE TO KILL "NON BELIEVERS" AND TO KILL HOMOSEXUALS AND INNOCENT CHILDREN AND INNOCENT WOMEN AND MEN, IN THE NAME OF HIS "GOD".😠
PLEASE GET IT RIGHT TO PUT THINGS RIGHT 🙏🙏🙏
IF NOT ...
MORE "RAVI ZACHARIAS" WILL BE GETTING AWAY WITH HORRENDOUS CRIMES AND RAPES IN THE NAME OF "JESUS CHRIST".😠😠😠
THANK YOU.👍
PEACE , TRUTH AND GOODNESS ON EARTH.
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
@@kevinkingsman262 You know the authors of the NT were of the abrahamic "persuasion" yes? Me thinks you may not be wholly studied in the true "religion" of Abraham.
Correct motivation?
Newsflash: He's exploiting the guys sin...to get views.. subscribers..Hence making money off his sin. Furthermore, he didn't tell us anything new that is already..all over the internet!
I was very into Christian apologetics back in teenager. After some turmoil in my life, I changed my goal from becoming a theologian, to become a scientist. I never lost my faith, but I basically gave up studying apologetics so I could dedicate more time studying biology, chemistry, physics and medicine. I still time to time come back to refresh my memory on the reasons that I use to defend my faith.
Couple weeks ago I did just that and heard this situation with Ravi for the first time, and I could describe my feelings something between disappointment and shock. Ravi was one of my favourite speakers way back in the day. I always thought Ravi to be this old wise gentleman that had his fair share of suffering which he used to talk about the meaning of life and "what does it mean to be human." I have always knew that predators deliberately seek to professions (teachers, priests etc) that helps them to get their hands on their victims, but I never could have imagined that one of the two most respected apologetists in the world would be one of them.
But I have never based my faith on a human. Ravi teached me lot of things, but I have no trouble to admit what a flawed and terrible man he eventually was. Things like this happens and this is the reason why Christians shouldn't get emotionally attached to idols that they do not even know personally. I don't feel terrible because of Ravi, I just feel disappointed.
No matter how great a person is that person will eventually be drown in sin. Simple because he is human and our nature is very sinful.
Well Said, best of luck on your studies in the sciences !
Well said
@@EnigmazGuide Jesus can pull us out of that sin. He loves us a lot, he loves us enough to not leave us drowning in our sin. When you born again of the Holy Spirit, it says in the Bible a true Christian, would not live in a continuous pattern of sin. Sometimes you may fall, but you pray, repent and ask God to give you strength to overcome temptations. Not continuously live in it
@ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
We are all sinners, Hence the closer you are the god, the more guilt you feel
Thank you Mike Winger for validating victims.
Its despicable to see so many Christian's here commenting about how important it is for us to forgive Ravi, but they make no mention of the victims. No sympathy, no prayer, just defense of Ravi. You, ladies and gentlemen, do not know the heart of God.
I feel so much for his family and friends. Not only do they have to grieve for his physical death, but also the death of his character.
I feel more about the many victims. Where is Margie, his beloved, his other half, his helper; when he stay in Bangkok for more than 200 days a year, and he live for so close to red light district in Bangkok? I, Ravi, Take Thee, Margie: Moving from Romance to Lasting Love! Why Margie doesn't released the NDA confidentiality?
yes, remember the sadness because some family probably knew, and had the pain of that going on before anyone else knew. He hurt his family so so much.
It's all BS. I like how any man today who is actually having sex with a woman, or committing adultery, or fornicating is somehow automatically a "sexual predator"?? gimme a break!!
Just because a guy is having sex outside of his marriage DOES NOT make him a criminal.....a sinner, sure....but not a criminal.
The modern liberal definition of a "sex predator" - Any male who spends time thinking of ways to get laid. (basically every man who's ever lived) LOL
Notice when women do the EXACT same thing somehow they are never called "sex predators"....they are "sexually liberated females" or "cougars"..... LOL.......what a joke!!
Spiritual death
Yes proven guilty without a trial even ! Do not trust in man many are saying yet here we are trusting in this man with kinda some tears and theatrics and a report from who after the man is gone ? I don't know Ravi but I'm sure not going to Judge what only God knows Now I do know as a married woman and as one who worked in a hotel that men who tried to engage in any inappropriate behavior were shut down quickly no matter how much influence flattery money compassion or insult etc. I just don't think my husband would have fallen for any excuse of my sending inappropriate pics or allowing any other man to touch me or me touch him other than being drugged and raped or overpowered and raped and yes I have been in that awful situation ! so for my third comment here something isn't seeming right here 🙄How quickly we want to hang a dead man who had a good reputation while living 🤦♀️🤷♀️
Thank you for standing up for those who were victimized Mike. The mere fact that you refuse to brush this under the rug is a healing thing .
This absolutely took my breath away. I couldn't even listen through it.
God bless you brother for sharing this.
Thank you for struggling through this with us.🙏❤️
Mega Pastor opens up spa as personal buisness.... no red flags there.
Especially if he also stays at an apartment in Bangkok.
That's exactly what I thought, sorry but I don't buy the "we didn't know"...
lol no kidding .... they all knew , all the lawyers knew , all these women knew ..... They were just waiting for the right time to cash in ..... He's dead now , he can't go to court and say "but she was turning me on too and happy to take my money" ..... Guarantee these women aren't "victims" because ALL they had to do was say no and leave the room .... SAME thing with Harvey Weinstein , all they had to do was leave , no gun to their head , no locked doors , yet they stayed ??? and now they're "victims" ??? cha-ching
@@shure46 have you ever been abused by anyone ? Anyone in your family ever been molested ? Such insensitive, archaic comments made against “women”.
@@shure46 ummm physocological cohercion may happen as well. l
"Keep your eyes on Jesus, He's still perfect." Amen
He always was, is, and will be perfect. There is no "still" about it.
Yes, we must look to Him, always!
Those are terrible contexts for Bible verses to excuse what Ravi did. I can't stand it when people don't know the Bible and misuse and abuse it. You posted the right verse, so good on you.
I am not defending Ravi in any way, I don't think he was a believer at all. But a grown married woman sends nudes to another man (who is not her husband) and takes zero accountability for it?
This unfortunately needs to be discussed and dealt with. There’s way too much sin in the church, it needs to be exposed. I feel so 💔 for the victims.
Well done Mike.
I strongly believe after reading rapport that ravi Zacharias must have been a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Itvis impossible for a true born again Christian with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to choose to live a double life...
Lets remember that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
This man had no fear... it is disgusting...
I put a comment, check it out
The few men that are in the church are usually perverts.
@@deborahgonzalezknight168 People often find in others what they've been expecting of them
I wonder how he spent ministry money
With no oversight🤔
@@gracelovematter5240 you do know that all churches are free from oversight even though they are tax exempt? So maybe that's something we should change... Both something's. Tax them and oversight them ASAP
This has indeed inspired a godly fear in me. I have been struggling with pornography for years. This, paired with 1 Thessalonians 5 and 2 Thessalonians 1 have been a real push for me to get my act together. Today I relapsed. I feel the guilt, the shame, I know I did it willingly and it was sinful. I find it hard to know I can be forgiven and the issue of fighting such a deep rooted addiction from teenage years feels impossible. Please pray for me.
Praying for you. I've been there Bro. Stay Away Today. Be Strong. Other Men (including me) are Counting on you. Peace Unto You
I hope everything's going well man🙏
@@youngkeith3times I fell yesterday after a week clean. At least I haven't faltered in my faith, I have read the Bible consistently for approximately 150 days now. I repented and I'm back on the journey again. What did Paul say, it is not us but the flesh that sins? Regardless, I'm aiming not to repeat the failure.
@@mengoinggodsway9024 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Galatians 5:16-26 NIV
And
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
1 Peter 4:1-2 NIV
I was once addicted too, don't give up, repent every time and understand that sin desires to control you. Yet Jesus has purchased us with his blood!
I will be praying for you my guy. We all need help sometimes.
I happen to come across this video by chance on 16th January 2024 though I had heard of Ravi’s scandals a few months after he had passed away.
To Pastor Mike Winger, thanks for doing this video and linking the relevant documents. What you are doing is in line with the Scriptures which you quoted.
To the people out there who say that Ravi should not be exposed because he has died and hence he can’t defend himself, don’t be judgemental, and whatever other reasons apart from what is commanded in the Scriptures (in their proper context), I believe that you either have never suffered as a victim or you yourself are a perpetrator who likes to quote (out of proper context) “touch not the Lord’s anointed” to shield yourself from justice.
I’ve never been a victim of sexual or physical abuses but I’ve been a victim mental and emotional abuses from my bosses who want to exert dominance over me. I could not change jobs that easily because of financial constraints and have to bear with the abuses till an opportunity presents itself for me to change jobs. Sad to say that those horrible bosses that I had were pastors and Christians who quote the Scripture out of context like, “The Bible says obey your leaders and the Bible also says do not complain or murmur.”
Those horrible Christian bosses of mine had one thing in common to Ravi, that is they have multiple victims. Though complaints have been filed against them and found to be true because their behaviour is so glaring, they got away with just a reprimand and never offered an apology to me. However, I’m glad that they did not apologise to me because it saves them from adding the sin of hypocrisy to their list of sins. I could see that they were unrepentant despite getting reprimanded by the oversight committee and just toned down on their bullying. Retreat is not surrender. I had no peace of mind because I know it is a matter of time when they will victimize me again.
However, I did receive apologies from the higher ups (oversight committee) just like RZIM apologised to the victims but not Ravi himself.
The oversight committee is made up of a group of people. However, there is a person whom I have to report to initially and this person was in cahoots with the pastor. He called me petty, overly sensitive and melodramatic when I voiced my complaints on more than one occasion. He even quoted the Scriptures to me about how the Lord Jesus was silent before Pontius Pilate and I should suffer silently like the Lord did. Believe it or not, the appointed role of this person was to settle grievances between church members and the pastor. All he did for me was to basically ask me to shut up because whatever I said was not a big deal. I later found out that this Pastor had been offending people from the previous church before he was transferred to the office which I had worked as church admin. This pastor could get away with offending people for so long because what he did was subtle and not obvious and that is called devious.
My plea to the critics of this video is that, “Please do not defend perpetrators whether dead or alive.” It is because your actions will protect the perpetrators (instead of the victims) and encourage would be perpetrators and prolong the suffering of the victims if you are in an appointed position of power to investigate the perpetrator.
Idky this is popping up, but thank you. It is really healing and helpful to see a man be effected this way by the things that happened to us. I'm not specifically a victim of Ravi, but of several people in my life. As I listen to this and share comments with others, I just know God will heal all of us❤ Much love and hugs to all of you out there. Im so sorry we went through such sewage😭💔 Jesus does love you 💔❤️🩹♥️💖💝🙏🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉