Charles Manson (b. 1934)

The leader of the murderous, drugged-out “Family” that shocked America in 1969 was influenced by the Bible . . . and also by the Beatles, Scientology, LSD, environmentalism, and a life spent mostly in prisons.

Manson claimed (sometimes) that he was Christ. His followers believed that Manson/Christ was going to bring about the final world battle in which the Family would emerge to rule.

Totally ignoring Jesus’ words about forgiveness, mercy, and nonviolence, Manson read the New Testament book of Revelation and connected it with—strangely enough—the Beatles.

Manson believed the group’s White Album was sending him messages about how to launch the world revolution and destroy the Establishment.

According to Manson, chapter 9 of Revelation connected with the song “Revolution No. 9” on the White Album. The four angels of Revelation 9 were the four Beatles, the “breastplates of iron” were the Beatles’ electric guitars, and so on.

Manson was not the first person to get strange ideas from Revelation. The book’s symbolism has fascinated and puzzled people for centuries.

While the main purpose of Revelation was to bring hope to persecuted Christians, people with twisted minds have often read their own sinister meanings into it and ignored the Bible’s message of mercy and love.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Pure and Powerful

Zig Ziglar

Too often, we value all received messages equally. God’s Word, though, is more precious and valuable than any other message sent to us. The psalmist describes God’s message as “pure words” that are like silver processed “seven times” in the furnace.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Secret of Contentment

Zig Ziglar

Somewhere along the way, Paul learned the secret of contentment. He realized that possessions, fame, beauty, and other earthly things can be pleasant for a while, but they can never produce genuine contentment. That comes from the inside.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Jesus is the Lord of Life

Jack Graham

Jesus is the Lord of Life, and that's the topic, that's the theme of the Gospel of John, and certainly John chapter 10 which is one of the well-known passages in all of the Bible. Jesus had enemies. You know that, right? While He was loved and beloved by multitudes, many rejected Him.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Blessing which the Cross Affords

Jimmy Swaggart

This is the first mention of the Cross, although in shadow, after the Fall. The Lord told Satan through the serpent that victory would come by the Seed of the woman. Ironically, woman has no seed, with the exception of One, Who was the Lord Jesus Christ.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Light which Redeems the Soul

Jimmy Swaggart

The darkness that was here prevalent was taken away only by the Spirit of God, as He moved upon the face of the waters. As someone has well said, The Moving of the Holy Spirit is the first sign of life.