The Lawlessness & Great Falling Away of Sabbatai Zevi

I’ve been captivated by the story of Sabbatai Zevi, a man who in the 17th century convinced thousands that he was the long awaited Messiah. In our previous posts we have uncovered the beginnings of Sabbatai's rise to false messiahship, his charismatic wonders rooted in a counterfeit spirit, and the false prophet who emboldened his movement. In today's post we will take a closer look at how he ultimately apostatized in the end and lead many of his followers astray.

A Man of Lawlessness

Sabbatai Zevi was not just a misguided teacher—he was a man of deep delusion and spiritual rebellion. In the 17th century, he rose to fame by claiming to be the long-awaited Jewish Messiah. For a weary and exiled people, his message sparked hope. But behind the charismatic words and mystical experiences, there was no true deliverance, only confusion. Zevi manipulated the deep hunger of the Jewish people for restoration and redemption, offering a counterfeit promise that led many astray.

One of the most disturbing aspects of his movement was how he encouraged his followers to intentionally break Torah as a form of mystical obedience. ⚠️‼️

He taught that in the Messianic era, the old laws were no longer binding, and that acts once considered sinful could now become “holy” if done with the right spiritual intention. He encouraged public violations of kosher laws, fasting on feast days and feasting on fast days, and even the recitation of forbidden or blasphemous prayers. He reversed sacred rhythms as a way to demonstrate “freedom from the law” in what he claimed was a new spiritual age. His teachings were soaked in Lurianic Kabbalah and antinomian mysticism, warping the truth that Torah is eternal and good. Instead of pointing to the Messiah who fulfilled the Torah perfectly, he offered a lawless imitation—a counterfeit kingdom that glorified rebellion.