Obama the Anti-Christ?

America - The National Catholic Weekly ^ | 2008-08-04 | Michael Sean Winters

[Alex Murphy]

A new ad by Sen. John McCain has caused controversy because of its use of religious imagery. The ad features images of Obama and Charlton Heston playing Moses. Flashing across the screen, pictures of Obama’s rapturous greeting in Berlin alternate with the phrase “The One.” The ad is an attempt at satire, poking fun at the quasi-messianic enthusiasm with which Obama was greeted in Europe. But is there more to it?

Writing in an article on Beliefnet.com, Mara Vanderslice, an evangelical Democrat and founder of the political group Matthew25.org, argues that the ad implies that Obama supporters see him as taking the place of the true Messiah, and just so as the Antichrist. “As Christians, we have one Lord and Savior. Jesus Christ. It is blasphemous to suggest otherwise,” Vanderslice wrote.

In case you think Vanderslice is seeing something that is not there, bear in mind that Hal Lindsay, an evangelical writer argued in the WorldNetDaily that “Obama’s world tour provided a foretaste of the reception he [the Antichrist] can expect to receive…it seems the world is now ready to make his acquaintance.” Lindsay was not saying Obama was the Antichrist, but he certainly was blurring the lines. The idea that Obama is somehow a precursor to the Antichrist is not very soothing either.

This blog has argued consistently that religion has a place in the public square, that our politics and our civilization have paid too high of a price for the secularization of the polity and of the culture. But, it is also that case that religion must make itself reasonable, for its own sake, but especially when it enters the public square. Hal Lindsay should be thrown under the bus with John Hagee and Jeremiah Wright. The mantle of religion does not give anyone the right to be a nutjob with impunity.

What is refreshing is that such charges are being answered from within the evangelical community. There was a time when they would have had the airwaves to themselves. Earlier this year, when James Dobson, a leading conservative evangelical, attacked Obama a website went up called www.jamesdobsondoesnotspeakforme.com. The website was the brainchild of Kirbyjon Caldwell, an evangelical preacher who gave the closing prayer at George W. Bush’s first inaugural. The discovery of divergence within the evangelical community will not only help our nation’s politics, it will help the churches regain some humility. Vanderslice’s push back against those who are trying to paint Obama as the Antichrist is more evidence that the evangelical community is gaining in maturity. They are discovering what we Catholics have known for a long time: there are many ways to apply the teachings of Christ and as a Church it is wise to follow the dictum: in essential things unity, in inessential things diversity and in all things charity.

[RexBeach]

He reminds me of the anit-Christ in the “Left Behind” series.

Kinda creeps me out.

[RexBeach]

anit s/b “anti”

[DJ MacWoW]

For some of Obamas followers, this IS nothing less than idol worship.

[woollyone]

...but Obama is actually the "imPontentate"

[RexBeach]

LOL!!!!!

[MeanWestTexan]

He certainly is creepy.

[ravingnutter]

Well, at least they didn’t call it racist ; )

[Maverick68]

ObamaChrist...

[Impeach the Boy]

Obama is not smart enough to be the Anti-Christ....the prophecies foretell of one who can deceive “even the elect”.

Obama fools only air-headed liberals, the media, College Professors, and the cast and crew of Girls Gone Wild.

[fanfan]

Well, we are still not sure where he was born.

Just sayin’

[elpadre]

more people need to see that series (Left behind). it’s amazing to note the sameness.

[GoCards]

Good Gravy! Everthing McCain puts out is racist, too religious, too mean. McCain ought to just go and pull the Obama for President lever. Somebody has thin skin.

[fanfan]

Obama fools only air-headed liberals, the media, College Professors, and the cast and crew of Girls Gone Wild.

Think about it. That is today's Elect.

The Church leaders, the Members of the Democrat Party, the politicians of Europe, the terrorists in the Middle East, Hollywood Stars, ad nauseum.

I guess the question is how do you define "elect"?

[RexBeach]

How about this? Mr. Obama is a sissy boy.

[Miss Didi]

Somebody has thin skin.

Be careful, GoCards...a caller in to Rush today suggested that Barry had thin skin and Rush warned her. It seems now if you call him skinny, it means you are a racist. (reallllllly rolling eyes)

[Zechariah_8_13]

He’s AN Anti-Christ, in that he opposes all Christ stands for.

But he’s not THE Anti-Christ — too many people can’t stand him, and when it comes down to brass tacks, the dude’s an egotistical idiot.

The real Anti-Christ will draw the complete adoration and absolute devotion of millions. He will not appear bumbling, self-centered and racist.

[Zechariah_8_13]

I guess the question is how do you define "elect"?

The elect is Christ's bride - The Church. Not whomever happens to be popular or powerful.

[ClearCase_guy]

The real Anti-Christ will draw the complete adoration and absolute devotion of millions.

Obama has gone international. All of Europe loves him. Muslim countries love him. Africa loves him. And a lot of Americans are going to vote for him.

Much of the world is prepared to bow to him.

[OB1kNOb]

“Obama’s world tour provided a foretaste of the reception he [the Antichrist] can expect to receive…it seems the world is now ready to make his acquaintance.”

And I made that same exact observation to my wife and friends last week without knowing that Mr. Lindsey said it. I think it's a valid observation.

[DJ MacWoW]

You Tube-Obama & the Sermon on the Mount.

[Blood of Tyrants]

The Antichrist will not fool everyone who does not know Jesus or the living God. Many will come to know the truth of Jesus Christ after the Antichrist begins his seven year reign.

[madison10]

Obama is not intelligent enough to be the anti-Christ... He may be the anti-Christ’s pet poodle, but the Obamessiah isn’t ready for the evil big-time yet.

[NRA2BFree]

Mara Vanderslice, an evangelical Democrat and founder of the political group Matthew25.org, argues that the ad implies that Obama supporters see him as taking the place of the true Messiah, and just so as the Antichrist. “As Christians, we have one Lord and Savior. Jesus Christ. It is blasphemous to suggest otherwise,” Vanderslice wrote.

Actually what Mara failed to understand was that it was poking fun at Obama because he acts like he IS the Messiah, and besides it is Christians and conservatives who are poking fun at him, and at his supporters because they swoon over him like he is the Messiah too. He's the one who left himself open to ridicule because we KNOW he's not the Messiah. HE declared that "HE is the ONE we've been wating for", and in my books that says he thinks he is the Messiah, or he knows he's the antichrist. lol..

The fact that Mara is a Democrat tells us everything we need to know. You CANNOT be a Christian and a Democrat at the same time, because the Democrat platform endorses abortion on demand and thinks that homosexuals are OK. Of course, she might not see homosexual activity as being wrong since there was so much of it in the church, but just the same, it is a grievous sin before God. Abortion is a much more grievous sin because it is the murder of an innocent little baby. She has proven, once again that all liberals are whiners!

[Blood of Tyrants]

too many people can’t stand him, and when it comes down to brass tacks,

The pre-tribulation rapture could remove the believers from the world and Obama would win in a landslide, probably all 50 states and DC.

[Zechariah_8_13]

Well it remains to be seen, but I believe when The Anti Christ arrives, the large majority of Freepers will be taken in as well. Most people who would consider themselves Christians will fall for it too.

However, if Obama brokers peace between Israel and her enemies for 7 yrs, I’m prepared to apologize...

[fanfan]

The Pope?

OK, so has he fooled the Pope?

[ClearCase_guy]

He probably is not the Anti Christ. But he does make me nervous.

As far as fooling "the elect" goes, I think that is difficult to gauge. There are many members of the clergy (gay bishops, Rev Wright, etc.) who have championed his cause. Now, if the standard is: Has he fooled everyone in the church? or Has he fooled the Pope? Then I think the bar is set very high. I suppose the true Anti Christ could do all that. But Obama has done enough to make me wonder.

[svcw]

So right.
Oprah the high priestess.

[agrarianlady]

23 “In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will arise. 24 He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people. 25 He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.

Daniel 8:23

[steve86]

If he loses the election DO NOT assume he IS NOT the antichrist. His next move will be Commissioner of the European Federation...or similar.

[steve86]

Has he fooled the Pope?

NO

[Eleutheria5]

The New York Post ran an op-ed piece parodying the entire Obama campaign’s quasi-messianic trappings, including entering Berlin on a donkey (heh) and being greeted with palm fronds.

[fatboy]

Correction Zechariah_8_13, the elect are those who are saved. Not all who are saved are Christ’s bride. For example, Moses, Abraham, David, Daniel. The Church was founded after they went to sleep with the fathers.

Tom

[Impeach the Boy]

True...but Obama is NOT smart enough to fool the elect...a man who makes as many goofy gaffes as he does, can’t be the anti-Christ.

[puffer]

besides, the antichrist rules from Rome, not from America. And yes, I agree he isn’t bright enough to be the antichrist. A good candidate for that is actually Dr. Javier Solana of the EU

[Impeach the Boy]

The “elect” of the scripture are those truly saved and in Christ...there are millions upon millions world wide who call themselves Christians who may not be...Obama says he is of the “Christian tradition” but goes on to say that there are many avenues to heaven, which is 180 degress opposite of what Christ said.

[steve86]

a man who makes as many goofy gaffes as he does, can’t be the anti-Christ.

Not true. The antichrist's only notable attribute in the beginning is charisma. His mistakes and missteps, even exaggerated ones, evoke sympathy from his disciples in the early going, and establish his humanity. The "enemy", which is Christianity and the Ten Commandments, is seen as a persecuting force which causes him to err and draws his followers closer. Together they mobilize against the opposition (us) and only later do any special powers become evident.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Another thing, when Obama said, “We are the ones we have been waiting for”, was he using the collective “we” or the royal “we”? From looking at his presumptuous faux-presidential seal, his “O Force One” airplane, his personal chair that says “president”, I’m betting the latter.

[Orange1998]

After review the link did you see the part when she ask “Do you have any doubt” and BO responds “Never”. The word “never” sounded like it came from the devil lips. It was scary.

[jeffc]

Writing in an article on Beliefnet.com, Mara Vanderslice, an evangelical Democrat and founder of the political group Matthew25.org, argues that the ad implies that Obama supporters see him as taking the place of the true Messiah, and just so as the Antichrist

Yeah, so?

[Tzimisce]

Someone has been reading my blogs.

[thefrankbaum]

Do you have a link to that video? I want to see that in person...

[Salvation]

What is your opinion here?

[Salvation]

Good points.

[Alex Murphy]

What is your opinion here?

I'm a postmillennialist, not a dispensational pretribber.

[Orange1998]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/01/new-mccain-ad-compares-ob_n_116414.html

[B.R. Burton]

I did the Gematria (Hebrew alephbet numerical value calculations) on the name "Barak Hussein Obama" in Hebrew, and it didn't come out to 666. However, in the 1st century, they didn't exactly have last names, it was more names like Shaul bar Yosef, (Saul son of Yosef), or Nachman ben Ami (Nachman son of Ami). So, I typed in Barak ben Barak, and it came out to 656! Maybe I'm missing something, but I've never seen the media and the world in general salivate over someone like Obama, and that's one of the things about the anti-christ, or False Mashiach, he'll be a great guy at first, who achieves a "false peace" in the Middle east, and then he'll show his true self.

Here are my calcs:
Barak Hussein Obama = 501
Barak ben Barak = 656
Barak bar Barak = 806

Just keep watching and praying.
Shalom in Yeshua (Jesus') Name,
Benjamin

[chessplayer]

Jimmy Carter the antichrist.

http://mklasing.wordpress.com/2008/04/11/jimmy-carter-is-the-long-awaited-antichrist/

Ronald Reagan the antichrist.

http://home.mcn.net/~willfree/coincidence/reagan.htm

Bill Clinton the antichrist.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=21829

George Bush the antichrist.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0MKY/is_9_27/ai_108881880

[raynearhood]

The “dispensational pretribber” link.... you owe mw a new screen!!!