From the TeachingtheWord Bible Knowledgebase

The outright worship of Barack Obama as "God" - "Jesus" - and "our Lord and Savior" is but a foreshadowing of the coming worship of Revelation's Beast and Dragon.

Obama Crucified as "The Truth"

In 2008, an artist named Michael D'Antuono created a painting called "The Truth" picturing Barack Obama posed as Jesus Christ crucified with a crown of thorns, on the backdrop of the United States presidential seal. The painting was scheduled to go on display at a 2008 exhibition in New York City, but the event was canceled due to widespread public outrage. But four years later, public thinking has changed. In November 2012 the painting went on display in an art exhibition at a community college in Boston, with only scattered and ineffectual protests.

According to news reports, D'Antuono claims that "the crucifixion of the president was meant metaphorically. My intent was not to compare him to Jesus." Such a claim is simply not credible. Depicting anyone as a man crucified and wearing a crown of thorns, and calling this piece of so-called art "The Truth" (a title that Jesus Christ claimed exclusively for Himself, John 14:6) can have no other meaning.

"Our Lord and Savior Barack Obama"

What many people do mean has become increasingly clear. On November 25th, 2012 at the Soul Train Awards program, televised worldwide on the BET Network, performer Jamie Foxx (pictured below) whipped up the crowd of thousands to a hand-waving, jumping-up-and-down frenzy by shouting, "First of all, give an honor to God and our Lord and Savior Barack Obama! Barack Obama!"

This moment from the show, which was also used in promotional advertising by the network, was available for viewing online for a few hours, but was then withdrawn after a public outcry began. Before that happened, we downloaded a copy and now have it on file.

"Obama is Greater Than Jesus"

Obama's being called "Lord and Savior" is but one of many examples of the unprecedented worshipful adulation being given to an American president who is without doubt the most anti-Christian man ever to hold the office.

On December 28, 2009 an editorial appeared in Politiken, Denmark's largest and oldest newspaper, titled "Obama Greater Than Jesus." It said, "He comes from humble beginnings and defends the weak and vulnerable, because he can identify himself with their conditions. And no we are not thinking of Jesus Christ, whose birthday has just been celebrated - but rather the President of the United States Barack Hussein Obama."

The newspaper stated that if a comparison were to be made between Jesus and Obama, "it would, of course, inevitably be to Obama's advantage." And this: "Obama is, of course, greater than Jesus - if we have to play that absurd Christmas game."

Politiken's editors cited Obama's plan for a health care takeover by the government, as proof that he has at heart the needs and interests of all, while "on the other hand, we have Jesus' miracles that everyone still remembers, but which only benefitted a few." The paper called Barack Obama "the practical saviour of our times."¹

"I've Been Saved" by Obama

In a September, 2008 opinion essay in the Smith College Sophian titled "I Will Follow Him: Obama As My Personal Jesus," associate editor Maggie Mertens wrote this:

Obama is my Jesus.

While you may be overtly religious and find this to be idol-worshipping, or may be overtly politically correct and just know that everything in that sentence could be found offensive, I'm afraid it's true anyway.

As with many spiritual enlightenments, mine came in the middle of a bleak, hopeless period of my life. . . .

Then I found my miracle. Stumbling through my hopeless world, afraid to turn to anyone with my political questions of morality, my concerns about the afterlife of the country I called home, a voice spoke to me.

Barack Obama bore to me his testimony. . . .

Mertens said she was rejecting the Baptist church of her younger days because

I came to Jesus/Obama.

I've officially been saved, and soon, whether they like it or not, the rest of the country will be too. I will follow him... In the name of Obama, Amen.²

"Messiah" and "God"

During the 2008 election campaign, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farakhan declared that when Barack Obama speaks, "the Messiah is absolutely speaking." A website called "Is Barack Obama the Messiah?"³ was begun during the 2008 campaign and continues today. It is filled with "Messianic" images of Obama such as the picture titled "The Transfiguration of Obama" (below left, with financier George Soros seated at his left hand), a 2008 campaign poster (below right), and several official White House "halo" photos including the two beneath.

At the top of the website is this quotation from Barack Obama himself, at a campaign appearance in New Hampshire: "... a light will shine through that window, a beam of light will come down upon you, you will experience an epiphany...and you will suddenly realize that you must go to the polls and vote for Obama."

The website includes this blasphemous revision of Matthew 3:16-17 - "... And when Jesus OBAMA was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.' "

The website also includes this blasphemous revision of Jesus' model prayer: "Obama be Thy Name; Thy change shall come; Thy will be done."

There is also a video clip of an interview with Rep. Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. (D-IL), in which he says that Barack Obama's nomination for president is "so extraordinary that another chapter could be added to the Bible to chronicle its significance."

In June 2009, Evan Thomas of Newsweek magazine said this during an interview on the MSNBC program Hardball: "In a way, Obama is standing above the country, above the world. He's sort of God. He's going to bring all different sides together." And, "He's the teacher. He is going to say, 'Now, children, stop fighting and quarreling with each other.' And he has a kind of a moral authority that he can do that."⁴ ABC News reporter Terry Moran said, "Barack Obama is...taking a step down into the Oval Office."⁵

Is Obama "The Beast"?

Some Christians have gone so far as to claim or predict that Barack Obama is the embodiment of the prophecy of the Beast in Revelation chapter 13:

So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:4-8).

However, many national leaders over the centuries have had, and have cultivated, a "Messianic" persona and a cult following. Many have blasphemed Christ, claimed to be the embodiment of God, or had followers who did so. In the twentieth century there were Adolph Hitler and Mao Zedong, and in past centuries Napoleon and the Caesars of Rome. All have passed from the scene and into Hell. This is the destiny of Barack Obama as well, if his heart remains hardened toward Jesus Christ.

It is true, however, that these men and their acolytes prefigure the beast and false prophet who will step onto the scene at the time of the Great Tribulation. All these historical figures have spoken "great things and blasphemies" and in various ways have made "war with the saints." At the end of the age, one will come who will surpass all of these. He will be given authority "over every tribe, tongue, and nation" and "all who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life."

Christ's Defeat of the Beast

But the next chapter of Revelation tells us of the end of those who follow after this coming world ruler:

"If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name." Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus (Revelation 14:9-12).

And in Revelation chapter nineteen, we read of the ultimate defeat of the Beast:

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.

Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS...

And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone (Revelation 19:11-20).

Why Are People Worshipping Obama?

Christians need to understand that those who are worshipping an American president are doing so simply because sinful humanity will worship anyone but Jesus Christ. With Israel of old they say, "We will not have this man to reign over us" (Luke 19:14). But they will give their loyalty to any charismatic figure who promises to bring peace, prosperity, and security, and appears able to make good on his promises. And at God's appointed time, the unsaved mass of humanity will give its undivided loyalty to one who appears to have been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound miraculously healed (Revelation 13:3-4, 14). All the world will marvel, and will say, "Who is like the beast?"

In stark contrast, the true Christian does not put his trust in the rulers of this world (Psalm 118:9, 146:3), but worships and trusts in the One whose name is "KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS" - and by whose sovereign permission this earth's rulers hold their power and dominions for a limited time (Colossians 1:15-17).

Christians Need Not Fear

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church, which was in a state of great confusion and concern about the second coming of Jesus Christ. He comforted and encouraged them to expect the return of the Lord for His saints before the man of sin is revealed:

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.

But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing (1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11).

This current adulation of a human ruler is also a reminder of passages like the account of the death of Herod in Acts chapter twelve, which declare to us in bold terms that Christ is on the throne of the universe, those who usurp His glory will not go unpunished, and the propagation of His truth is the sole business of His church regardless of anything the unregenerate may do:

So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, "The voice of a god and not of a man!" Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.

But the word of God grew and multiplied. (Acts 12:21-24)

True "Hope and Change"

Christians are truly the only ones who can proclaim genuine "hope and change" to a lost and dying world, on the authority of God's Word:

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you (Titus 2:11-15).

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17-21).

References:

1. "Obama is Greater Than Jesus," Politiken, http://politiken.dk/newsinenglish/article868683.ece, as viewed on 12/29/2009.

2. Maggie Mertens, "I Will Follow Him: Obama is My Jesus" in the Smith College Sophian, http://media.www.smithsophian.com/media/storage/paper587/news/2008/09/18/
Opinions/i.Will.Follow.Him.Obama.As.My.Personal.Jesus-3440311.shtml, as viewed on 12/10/2009.

3. The website address is http://obamamessiah.blogspot.com.

4. Video appears at http://mrc.org/notablequotables/bestof/2009/category.aspx?page=12, as viewed on 12/28/2009.

5. Video appears at http://mrc.org/notablequotables/bestof/2009/category.aspx?page=11, as viewed on 12/28/2009.

tq0218

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