Jan 22, 2009

Is Barack Obama The Antichrist?

By Britt Gillette

For over a year now, I’ve heard people from various walks of life speculate that Barack Obama is the Antichrist. Why is this? Well, there’s a number of reasons. Unprecedented crowds of adoring fans throwing themselves at an American politician – both in the United States and abroad. Spectators crying and fainting after hearing him speak. Worldwide adoration and praise, with a near universal belief among supporters that Barack Obama can bring “change” which will bring about world peace… Oh, and talk of a civilian defense force stronger than the U.S. military doesn’t help – that only adds fuel to the fire.

Throw in a few stories like the following, and it’s easy to see why some are drawing a link between Barack Obama and the bible’s most infamous world leader…

Obama Is Like Biblical Joshua

From CNSNews:

President Barack Obama is similar to the Biblical character of Joshua and Martin Luther King Jr. was like Moses, boxing promoter Don King told CNSNews.com on Tuesday. Celebrities, including Jay-Z, Smokey Robinson, Don King, Denzel Washington, and Oprah Winfrey, spoke with CNSNews.com in the hours before the inauguration just a few feet from the rostrum where Obama was sworn-in as the nation’s 44th president. They spoke about how Obama had changed their lives and which Biblical character they think he most resembles. [More…]

While Barack Obama’s ascendancy to the office of President of United States is historical in nature, it only makes light of his accomplishment to compare him to biblical heroes of the past. This tendency of supporters to ascribe a quasi-religious significance to Barack Obama’s career is exactly what makes so many people uneasy. American politicians aren’t usually treated with such reverence.

I Pledge Allegiance to Obama

From WorldNetDaily:

In a new YouTube video produced by Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Productions, dozens of celebrities – television and movie actors, sports heroes, musicians and more – describe how they will pledge to “be the change” and “be a servant to our president.” [More…]

Again, the United States is unique among the world’s nations in that it was founded on the basic idea that government and government office holders should exist to serve the people – not the other way around. In contrast, totalitarian governments are founded on the premise that the people exist to serve the state and its leaders. The zealotry with which some people submit their lives to a mere man is what has so many people worried.

The article continues:

Actors Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher begin the closing scene by saying, “I pledge to be a servant to our president and all mankind.”

Need I comment?

World Greets Obama With Jubilation and Worry

From the Sydney Mourning Herald:

Millions followed the inauguration around the world and underscoring the huge show of faith, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said: “We are eager for him to get to work so that with him we can change the world.” British Prime Minister Gordon Brown hailed Obama’s inauguration as a “new chapter in both American history and the world’s history.” Obama was a “man of great vision,” Brown said. “He’s not only the first black American president but he sets out with the determination to solve the world’s problems.” [More…]

Even fellow heads of state are quick to assign messianic significance to Barack Obama. He’s going to “change the world” and “solve the world’s problems.” Where does this blind faith in Obama come from? It’s no wonder that skeptics have speculated over Obama’s ultimate legacy.

So back to our original question. Is Barack Obama the Antichrist?

As students of the bible, we can confidently say, “No.” How can we be so confident?

Because the bible has a lot to say about the life of the Antichrist, and the life of Barack Obama simply doesn’t match the narrative. In The Nationality of the Antichrist, I lay out the biblical case for the Antichrist’s ethnic and national background. Although much debate surrounds his national identity, the Book of Daniel clearly states that the Antichrist will come from among the people whose armies destroy the Temple:

“A ruler will arise whose armies will destroy the city and the Temple.” Daniel 9:26 (NLT)

The Romans destroyed the Temple. Therefore, the Antichrist will arise from among the geographic and ethnic descendants of the Roman Empire. Barack Obama doesn’t fit this profile. Neither his ties to Kenya, Hawaii, or Illinois qualify him in this respect.

In addition, the bible outlines other aspects of the Antichrist’s life which simply don’t fit with the idea that Barack Obama is the Antichrist, but an extensive review of these is well beyond the scope of a blog post. Needless to say, no one should lie awake at night worried that Barack Obama is the Antichrist.

However, watchful observers should note the danger of the atmosphere surrounding Obama’s rise to political stardom. The frenzied crowds and zealous support portend a day when the real Antichrist will arrive on the scene. The political ascendancy of Barack Obama and the aura which surrounds his image only serves to set the stage for that day.