Circle of Apostasy: Russian Mysticism & the Rise of Charismatic Extremes | Converging Apostasy

John and Steve discuss the intersection of Russian mysticism and modern charismatic extremism, beginning with a humorous account of a road trip through Houston that leads into a serious exploration of converging apostasy from both the political right and left. They contrast bumper sticker slogans to introduce the overlap between nationalist rhetoric and esoteric spirituality. This opens a deep dive into neoplatonic angelology in music and pop theology, especially Trisha Yearwood's "Bringing the Angels," which Steve argues mirrors mystical beliefs about calling down supernatural powers through human will—a trend also observed in Latter Rain and NAR movements. They trace how charismatic extremism mirrors historic Russian sects such as the Khlysts (Khlysty), led by figures who claimed to be Christ and used ecstatic rituals, self-flagellation, and euphoric dance. John connects this directly to William Branham and later figures in the NAR who blur the line between prophet and messiah. As they examine how these mystical movements migrated from Russia to the U.S. and Canada, they expose disturbing parallels—such as public nudity, arson, and authoritarian religiosity—while tying in American Christian identity teachings, Branham's relationship with political figures, and occult influencers. The conversation ends with a preview of a future episode continuing this historical analysis. ______________________ Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR: Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962  Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K  ______________________ - Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham  - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org