false messiah
Fraudulent spiritual leader
A false messiah is someone who falsely claims to be a savior or divinely appointed leader.
The term comes from Jewish and Christian traditions about figures who would deceive people by pretending to be the promised Messiah.
It extends to any charismatic leader whose followers believe he will deliver them but who proves fraudulent or destructive: History is littered with false messiahs and their ruined followers.
- antichristsOpponents of Christ
- second comingAwaited return of greatness
- end timesProphesied apocalyptic conclusion
- lieDeliberate falsehood
- Jewish historyRecord of Hebrew civilization
trick · wolf in sheep's clothing · snake oil salesman · David Koresh · eschatology · Jewish mysticism · charisma · Judaism · deception · manipulation · promise · chosen one · cult · true believer · blind faith · Kabbalah · Charles Manson · cult leader
- MessiahsChrist, anointed one, Jesus, chosen one, promised one
- religious fraudfake guru, charlatan, prosperity gospel, televangelist, cult leader
- Jewish Messiahanointed one, redeemer, anointed king, future king, chosen one
- Messianismanointed one, chosen one, promised one, Christ, second coming