In a recently unearthed announcement that outraged the nation, prominent evangelist and multimillionaire Kenneth Copeland claimed that he had “made and entered [into a] covenant with God…I’m out of here, [at] 120 years old.” Copeland’s claim that he would live to 120 came after a recent health scare and drew the ire of many faithful Christians.
For context, Kopeland is associated with the highly controversial prosperity gospel, known as “health and wealth” theology, which teaches that faith and financial donations will lead to wealth and physical health. Critics have pointed out that these teachings misconstrue scripture and are ripe for potential abuse.
In any case, as we reported, Copeland told the congregation at Eagle Mountain International Church that, despite a recent surgical procedure, God had revealed when he was going to die. He said, “I had what some people would call a bad year. No, I’d never had an extended hospital stay. My appendix ruptured. I was in there for five days the first time and five more days. ”
Building out his narrative, Copeland humorously recounted the details of the surgery. He reported, “‘Hold it, hold it, hold it, hold it, wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute.” That doctor said, “What?” I said, “What do you call this [procedure]?” He said, “an appendectomy.’”
Continuing the joke, the oil baron turned preacher said, “I said, “What do you call it when you take someone’s tonsils out?” … ‘”a tonsillectomy.””What do you call it when you take a growth off of your head?” “A haircut.” And that surgeon said he got me on that one.” After his anecdote, Copeland stated, “A merry heart does good like a medicine.”
Still not done, the mega-wealthy pastor explained his reasoning. He recounted, “I had to keep doing that to keep from getting depressed and down and off my faith in that hospital, but I’ve come out to the end of it in good health. I know as well as I know my name, the Master carried me, watched over me, took care of me, and didn’t let somebody slip up. I know a young man […] the neurosurgeon slipped and now he’s in a wheelchair.”
Concluding his remarks, the controversial preacher spoke about his covenant with God and predicted the date of his death. Copeland said, “I have made and entered [into a] covenant with God and on December 6, 2056, I’ll see you all later. I’m out of here, 120 years old. You take an old, worn-out car and you put it in the shop, and you restore it as good as new or better. Well, this old 88-year-old worn-out body has been made better. The different parts have been overhauled, and now it’s finished. I am here to give thanks like never before.”
After his explosive revelation, Copeland provided his predictions for 2025. He said, “I know what’s going to happen in 2025. More opposition politically than there has ever been because the opposing team is fighting for the life of its party, not the United States people.