In the year 1648...
Illustration
In the year 1648, Sabbetai Zevi shocked the Jewish world by speaking God's name YHWH, as written, in front of the altar. Symbolically, this was the beginning of Sabbetai's messianic career. Sabbetai believed he was the messiah.
Sabbetai was expelled from Smyrna (modern day Turkey) and wandered through Greece, Thrace, Palestine, and Egypt, teaching and gathering followers. He boldly predicted that in the year 1666, a year many Christians believed Christ would return, he would be crowned as king of kings in Constantinople. Many Jews throughout the world believed that Sabbetai was indeed the messiah.
However, Sabbetai's plans didn't quite turn out as expected. He was captured by Turkish authorities, and the sultan himself ordered him to perform a miracle or convert to Islam. Zevi converted, leaving many Jewish believers stunned. The most firm believers in Sabbetai were not shaken, however, and Sabbetians still exist today, believing that Sabbetai's conversion was part of a secret mission, and that he is in heaven awaiting the appropriate time of his return.
Jesus warned his disciples, "Many will come in my name ..."
