Russia Jails “Jesus of Siberia”

4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.

23 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time.

26 “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. (Matthew 24)

Russia Jails “Jesus of Siberia”

Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz

A Russian court has sentenced Sergei Torop, a former traffic officer who claimed to be the reincarnation of Jesus , to 12 years in prison for harming the mental and physical health of his followers. The 64-year-old cult leader, known to his followers as “Vissarion,” was convicted alongside two associates for maintaining a religious organization that violated civil rights and caused physical harm to members.

Torop founded the Church of the Last Testament in 1991, following his loss of employment as a Soviet traffic policeman in 1989. Claiming to have received a divine revelation during Russia’s post-Soviet chaos, he attracted thousands of followers who believed his assertion that he was “the living word of God the Father.”

The cult established remote settlements in Siberia, including one called “Sun City” or the “Abode of Light,” where approximately 300 core followers lived in isolation. Torop imposed strict rules on his disciples, prohibiting meat consumption, alcohol, tobacco, and the use of money. His followers even restarted their calendar from 1961, the year of his birth, and celebrated his birthday on January 14 instead of Christmas.

Russian investigators found that between 1991 and 2020, Torop and his associates used “psychological violence” to exploit followers for money and labor. The court determined that the cult leaders caused “moral harm” to 16 people, serious physical harm to six individuals, and moderate harm to one additional person. The group also stole more than 5 million rubles ($63,000) from the regional budget.

Among those who joined the cult were professionals, including “doctors, teachers, colonels of the Red Army, a former minister of Belarus, and pilgrims from Cuba, Bulgaria, Belgium, Australia, and Germany.” A 2017 BBC documentary revealed disturbing practices, including training young girls whose parents were followers to become “future brides of worthy men.”

This case serves as a stark reminder of Scripture’s clear warnings about false prophets and messiahs. Jesus Himself warned us in Matthew 24:24: “For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”

The case demonstrates several warning signs Christians should recognize:

• Claims of divine revelation or special status – Any person claiming to be Jesus, a prophet, or having exclusive access to God’s truth should be rejected outright.
• Isolation from family and community – Healthy Christian fellowship builds up families and communities rather than separating believers from loved ones.
• Financial exploitation – While the Bible teaches generous giving, legitimate Christian ministries don’t use psychological manipulation to extract money from followers.
• Authoritarian control – Biblical leadership serves and equips believers for ministry, rather than demanding absolute submission to human authority.

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