On April 25,1982, a number of major newspapers around the world carried a prominent full-page ad announcing that “the Christ” was here on Earth waiting for humanity to call him forth. However, these ads made it very clear that his name was Lord Maitreya and not Jesus Christ.

At the center of this “Spiritual Hierarchy” stands the World Teacher, Lord Maitreya, known by Christians as the Christ. And as Christians await the Second Coming, so the Jews await the Messiah, the Buddhists the fifth Buddha, the Moslims the Imam Mahdi, and the Hindus await Krishna. These are all names for one individual.

Maitreya, the “Master Jesus” and the New Reformation. ,br> I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. (John 5:43)

There are numerous parallels between Rick Warren’s book The Purpose-Driven Life with the New Age and Maitreya. Now here was this South African pastor pointing out the New Age parallels between Rick Warren’s The Purpose-Driven Life and “The Great Invocation,” reputedly inspired by Maitreya.

As we see signs that the Lord's appearing is nigh, we are to rejoice, but we are also to be vigilant—to watch and be sober. We are not to be deceived by false prophets and false New Age Christs like Maitreya (Luke 21:8). We are to earnestly contend for the faith (Jude 1:3), fight the good fight (1 Timothy 6:12), and press on to the higher calling of our one true Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: In what would be a cunning counterfeit of the Bible’s description of the return of Jesus with his “mighty angels” (2 Thessalonians 1:7), Maitreya states that when he reveals himself as “the Christ,” twelve “Masters of Wisdom” will appear with him.