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The 'end times' and the 'last days' are a topic throughout almost all the churches. The up and coming American election is not excluded from the debate. The last biblical book 'The Revelation of Jesus Christ' draws a lot of attention. It contains predictions that are interpreted as relevant to the world stage at this time. These predictions, or prophecies, are give in the form of some very beautiful analogies or 'picture stories' characteristic of the record of the Holy Spirit of the Arc of the Covenant. Some people believe that these analogies actually describe what is happening in the spirit realm while material events occur on earth. Others believe that the beautiful descriptives merely formed the vision experienced by John, enabling him to communicate in a type of picture code about events that would take place on the world stage in the last days. Others believe that the book of Revelation suggests a combination of the two in many ways. And others avoid the subject whenever and wherever they can.
Many non Christians take an interest, but don't know where to start.
The whole picture communicated by the book is obviously important, and everyone has their favorites. The scriptures that crop up most in the 'last days' debates are:
Revelation 6: 1 And I saw when the lamb opened one of those seals, and I heard, as it were, the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying; come and see.
Revelation 6: 5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, come and see. And I beheld a black horse; and he that sat on it had a pair of balances in his hand. 6:6 and I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, a measure of wheat for a denarius, and three measures of barley for a denarius, and hurt not the oil and the wine.
Revelation 18: 10-19. ...Standing far off in fear of her great torment, saying alas, alas, that great city Babylon, in one hour her judgement has come. The merchandise of gold and silver, and all the precious stones, and of pearls, and of purple, and silk and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner of vessels of Ivory, and all manner of vessels of of most precious wood, and of brass, and of iron, and marble, and Cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and chariots, and souls of men. And the fruits that your soul lusted after are departed from you, and you shall find them no more at all. The merchants of all these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand far off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing; and saying alas, alas, the great city, that was clothed in fine linen and decked in scarlet, purple and gold, and precious stones, and pearls! For in one hour all her great riches is come to nought.
( There are a few more verses here, amounting to the same.)
These verses ( amongs others in the bible) are those thought to suggest a global financial crash, a devastating world economic disaster in the last days.
Revelation 16:8-9 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, who has power over all these plagues, and they neither repented nor gave him glory.
These verses are those thought to have predicted global warming and the increasing temperature of the earth at this time.
There are also verses about the fusion of kingdoms to form a new world structure, ( the Babylon referred to) and global financement. There are 'picture stories' about a 'beast' and a false Messiah, or prophet, referred to as two 'beasts'. These two 'beasts' are clearly described as tools of Satan, referred to a dragon. These figures in John's vision apparently strongly suggest the spirit the apostles describe as 'the spirit of the Antichrist .' They indicate that there will be formed on earth what's commonly referred to as a new order, whose representative on earth, a false prophet /Messiah figure , will control the 'beast subjects'; no one will be able to buy and sell with the mark of the 'beast.' There is an indication that one of the heads of the first "beast" will be badly 'wounded', and that its wound is to be somehow healed, which causes people to marvel.
The apostles describe the antichrist spirit thus: 'For many deceivers have gone out into the world. They refuse to acknowledge Jesus the Messiah as having become human. Any such person is a deceiver and an antichrist'.
Continued:
Revelation 13: 1-18 And I stood on the land of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were the feet of a bear, and in his mouth the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him power, and his seat, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed; and all the world wondered at the beast. And they worshiped the dragon which gave power to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying who is like him? Who can make war with him? And there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and a power was given to him to continue forty two months. And he opened his mouth to blaspheme against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and all those who dwell in heaven. And it was given to him to make was with the saints, and to overcome them; and power was given to him over kindreds, and tongues and nations. All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. ...and I beheld another beast coming out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon.
The inference here is that the beast with the horns like a lamb is a 'false prophet'. The true 'Lamb' slain before the foundations of the world refers to Jesus. Continued:
'And he exercises all the power of the first beast before him, and causes the earth and all who dwell in it, to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he does great wonders, and makes fire to come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceives all who dwell on the earth by means of the miracles that he had power to do in the sight of the beast, saying to them that dwell on the earth that they should make an image to the beast, which had been wounded by the sword, and did live. And he had power to give life to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, to receive a mark in their right hand or on their foreheads; and that no man may buy or sell, save that he had the mark, or the name, of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let he who has understanding count the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man; and his number is six-hundred threescore and six'. (666.)
These are the scriptures that appear to inspire most of the current interest.
A good link here.
Many Christians have expressed the belief that the 'secular humanistic style of thought' rife at the moment has been artfully brought about by Satan over the last few decades as a false solution to the terrible dilemmas he instigates, and that he's created a climate in which people can be lead to believe ' the people' can solve all world dilemmas and have no need to turn to God and repent. The false Messiah, the 'son of perdition', often referred to as 'the Antichrist', it has long been thought, will seize power in such a climate. Secular humanism is not specified in the Revelation scriptures. There is a 'New World religion' coming to the fore at the moment. It's secular humanism based, but it goes much further. It's based on encouraging people to come together and glorify themselves as if they are people who do not need salvation but are "'gods' in the making". Barack Hussein Obama is being hailed as the head of the movement and ost of the media and his followers are calling him an "enlightened being."
The scriptures indicate that Satan will put forward a penultimate false Messiah figure in the 'end times' as a false solution to the problems he created or instigated himself.
To the Christian, politically motivated humanism has always had an air of impurity, of insincerity. There's a a sense that it's a lame impersonation of the Holy Spirit and Jesus' ministry. Besides both, it is distinctly lame and incapable. C.S. Lewis in his Narnia's 'The Last Battle' portrays the "beast and its prophet" as a circus merchant and a part- lame, half witted performing lion.
The 'Obama's messianic complex' debate is rife all over the web and Global TV. The subject is gaining massive readership. (Here, some Christians and non Christians comment- link also leads to media comments on Christians, which are not usually reliable, and also throws out a lot of general Internet stuff ; not usually the place for widespread Christian comment.) The Mainstream press in every other place but ours ( sleepy UK) take the matter up. Many Christians with different associations are blogging it, and have been for some time, an example here. Many Christians wrote blogs on the matter during Obama's rising, another example here. Some are better researched than others.
The popularity of the subject and a great many of the remarks being made often appear to be the reflection of a repressed desire to understand the end time scriptures; where a small group expressly targeting Obama for twisted political purposes is concerned, it seems to be about a right wing, racist mentality; where's there's a Conservative objection to Obama, a lot of public schoolboy style, humorous Obama send ups. There are also many people who express an intellectual interest, a free thinker's interest. There are many Christians and Jews following the situation, interested in the bible prophecies about the 'end times.'
The following scripture also refers to the 'Antichrist, the false Messiah figure':
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, ( the second coming of Jesus) except there come a falling away first, and that a man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. - II Thessalonians 2:3-4
Thanks to the pace of life alone and modern communication tools we all spend less time on considered spiritual thought, investment in gradual and worthwhile friendships, or careful education for its own sweet sake. The 9/11 terrorist tragedy and associated events have succeeded in convincing governments of their need to tighten their control over the daily lives and freedoms of we the little people. Security bases are strategically armed to an unprecedented extent. Our world banks ( and notably, Israeli banks) have dramatically failed, and are being taken over, bailed out or dominated by governments worldwide in collaborate measures designed to stave off a global economic catastrophe. Our politicians are announcing a fusion of of goals and ideals in order to unite under the banner of global financial management. Micro chip identity facilities are being designed which people will be encouraged to wear on their wrists, inside their skin. They are not here quite yet, but when they are ready, they will not take long to install. And in 'response', a questionable, culty style 'we, the people, can sort this out ourselves' veiled in humanism is making its way onto an emerging spiritual and political stage.
The 'Obama has a Messiah complex' site, (here) that collects 'Obama cult spirit?' debate data is an interesting read for anyone who hasn't checked Obama out against the scriptures carefully. So is its partner site, satirically named 'Obama the Messiah. (Here). 'Unlike the right wing pro-McCain false Christianity on the Internet the sites make some very interesting points about the Obama worship , idol worship and excessive enthusing over saviour style political figures, and remark that idolization of the kind that a vast crowd are showing Obama is at least abit eerie, culty, as some might see it; conceivably tantamount to the spirit that the bible's apostles describe ( along with false religions) as that of 'the antichrist'. Here, the 'American Thinker' raises objections to the cult style of the Obama following.
The'antichrist' as depicted in the book of Revelation's analogies is apparently the 'beast like a leopard, the beast with feet like a bear' (the beast whose wound was healed) and the 'beast with horns like a lamb' . These are owned by the Dragon, who represents Satan. These 'beast' pictures represent satan and his plans on earth in the 'last days'.
Looking at those scriptures from the perspective that the 'son of perdition' (popularly referred to in modern times as 'the Antichrist') is one penultimate ( world significant) false Messiah who is to appear at the end of times: which of these 'beast' images refers to the 'son of perdition' on earth, the false Messiah who'll appear in the end times? The 'beast whose wound was healed', or the 'beast with horns like a lamb'? Does the "beast whose wound was healed" depict the emerging 'global governance' or does it depict the 'son of perdition', the penultimate false Messiah who is to emerge on earth?
Is this 'son of perdition', this 'false Messiah' who will emerge on earth specifically depicted by the image of the 'beast with horns like a lamb?'
This interesting chart depicts the 'Dragon', the 'beast', and 'the false lamb' as 'The False Trinity', which suggests that the false lamb figure, the 'beast with horns like a lamb' depicts the false Messiah who is to emerge on earth as a man in the last days ( usually referred to as 'the Antichrist'.)
The true Messiah, the true Lamb of God, Jesus, prophesied of course. He was a teacher, a deliverer, a healer, a prophet, etc. These roles were all part of his ministry. He is the true Messiah. Prophecy was part of his ministry on earth.
Some people believe that Revelation's 'beast like a leopard' with 'feet like a bear', 'whose wound was healed' depicts a 'beast system' comprising this world's dominant systems that exist in opposition to Christ. An interesting analysis of that view here.
Also here, referring uniquely to page linked.
There is the important line about the "beast's authority" : 'and the Dragon ( satan) gave him his seat, and great authority'.
The 'son of perdition(the 'Antichrist' )who appears on earth as a man will be a 'false Messiah' figure, a 'false lamb', a 'wolf in sheeps clothing', the book suggests.
The false Messiah figure, 'the son of perdition' (the Antichrist',) will apparently be an ambitious world leader who emerges at a time of great economic fragility, at a time when the sun has started burning the earth, who craftily proposes a saving style and a tolerant and peaceable set of solutions just when things get unbearably dangerous ( Cue: worn out you tube pictures of America's warmongering, finance jeopardising, right wing Bush administration represented by McCain, Obama's opponent, distorting the gospel of Christ to their own political advantage and getting unbearably dangerous). He'll be a self styled Messiah figure. Attractive and genuine in appearance, apparently: at face value, politically correct; a smooth talker. This apparently plausible world leader, the 'Babylon' leader, will propose a new world order and destroy people with promises of peace and he'll disrespect and deny the name of Jesus. Much of the world will go out after him. That's what the book suggests. A 'false lamb' will emerge, acting like something of a Messiah figure yet speaking artful lies. A wolf in sheep's clothing, effectively. And he'll take centre stage.
'There is surely everything good about defending human rights ( interpreted as defending good and fair treatment of poeple) provided you keep human rights out of politics. There are faithful Christian human rights organisations. Justice , and compassion for the oppressed human condition, were essential components of Jesus Christ's ministry. There is, though, according to scripture, everything amiss about demanding 'your automatic rights' as a sinful human being while dismissing your own need for love and forgiveness, while refusing to acknowledge your own need for humility and repentance before God. This, the bible indicates, is what the penultimate false Messiah 'the son of perdition' will encourage people to do.'
The true Lamb, Jesus, tells mankind that our hearts are wrong, filled with sin, and 'the state of this planet', we've done it to ourselves; that while sinless, he died for our sins in our place, and took God's punishment for sin so we would be acceptable to the Holy Spirit, provided we repent and accept his grace ( forgiveness). On the third day after his crucifixion Jesus rose from the dead. Whoever believes in Jesus as their Lord and saviour shall have eternal life.
In response to allegations about his faith, or lack of it, Obama has recently announced that he's a Christian who reads his bible daily . What his political opponents are trying to do with his image is a matter that will reflect them of course. However, most of the 'Messiah Obama' style logos come from his own campaign, and as for professing Christianity, he was taking a very different line earlier this year, and he made a case for a saving 'new world order' (you tube list here) which would be a very odd thing for a gospel Christian leader to want to come out with, to say the least. Here's what was called the Obama New World Order speech in full.
A good article containing the 'New World Order' ( One world government) details here.
"Barack Obama has been mocked for having a Messiah complex, but one democrat strategist thinks he has not gone far enough in proclaiming himself "the One." "
A few details on the New World Order here.
A few commenters clain that Barack Obama's name adds up to 666 in Hebrew Gematria. I have not verified this claim.
So did the Emperor Nero Ceasar's name, its components added up to either 616 or 666. ( Links to Wiki intro.) Numerous Roman/Latin titles associated with demagogues have added up to 666 in Hebrew gematria. Including those appropriated by numerous Popes.
Here, Louis Farrakhan, from Barack's home town, who appears to have encouraged Barack in his early run for the White House, calls Barack 'the Messiah' in front of a vast audience of young people. This teacher comes across as a smooth cult merchant..
Here, Obama rejects and denounces Farrakhan's support when questioned, but appears to have to be persuaded. He does not seem concerned about it specifically.
Assuming the bible text is correct, which every Christian does, it's not unreasonable to presume that the Roman empire, those first persecutors of both Christians and Jews in some ways generated the current world leadership state. The antichrist spirit legacy, as it were. The dispensation of the early Roman empire.
Certain elements are clearly preoccupied with this one '666' scripture verse to an unhealthy extent. They do not, seem to be demonstrating the wisdom requisite to deciphering the mysterious scriptural end time puzzle, to my opinion. :-). Others are spending a lot of time on interesting issues such as Obama's refusal to wear the American pin badge, and Obama's refusal to salute. Which seems to have perplexed many of the States, who -bible or no bible-are t least bemused about electing someone of Islam instruction at this time whatever his faith. He failed to salute on a platform one time, and it does look very conspicuous on photo.
Scripture suggests that both the beast and the false lamb of the book of Revelation will refuse to worship or salute anything except 'the beast' and they will make everyone else do the same on pain of loss of survival ( according to scripture).
Christians are supposed to refuse to worship or revere anything except Christ, the Father, and the Holy Spirit (the true Trinity). Might Barack Obama be trying to show that he instinctively feels that a 'nationalist Zeitgeist' has overtaken the States for far too long?
He's expressed a belief that the United states is 'wounded', and that this 'wound can be healed' if 'we the people' make enough effort. 'Yes we can' is his main slogan.
And the place was abuzz when he changed the American Presidential seal, leaving old school America incredulous. Comments that his using his new and adapted 'seal' on his campaigns is illegal and unconstitutional have fallen on deaf ears, swept aside by the Obama swoon.
Jewish and Christian scholars are having problems with Barack's own personal attacks on Deuteronomy, Leviticus ( he distorts both) and the Sermon on the Mount. ( Videos associated to this one do not necessarily come recommended as per.) Here's another: evangelical leader James Dobson, who has not stayed out of politics, puts forward his views. He was quick to notice that Barack Obama complained about the Sermon on the Mount while referring to the security services of America.
The Sermon on the Mount given by Jesus Christ contains the beatitudes, including 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.'
Many Christians believe that the 'mark of the beast' described in Revelation may turn out to be the micro-chip or 'verichip' identity process which people will apparently be ultimately asked to wear inside the skin on their hands or foreheads. Another comment here. Here, an American documentary, pointing out that the hands, wrists and forehead are particularly involved in the coming official biometric identity processes. Here, a British scientist opines. According to the bible, as soon as you willfully take on the 'mark of the beast', as soon as the mark is on your wrist or on your forehead, that's it. No more Holy Spirit intervention, no further offer of salvation, no more forgiveness, no more grace. That's it. You'll be identified as belonging to Satan and the Heavenly Father's Lamb, Jesus, will exclude your name from the book of life.
One conceivably obvious objection to the 'Obama is the false Messiah' claim is that there is absolutely nothing in the bible to suggest that the false Messiah, (often called the 'Antichrist') should be an educated and seemingly inspirational mixed race man. ( Many of his speeches, promises and confidence episodes are historically those of a rising demagogue; here he almost promises to permanently end all poverty, genocide and even disease! And if this were not enough, he throws in a promise about changing the climate....) There is no comment in Revelation on the 'son of perdition's'/false Messiah's ethnicity in the book of Revelation ; why would there be? There is a clear suggestion that the false Messiah/'son of perdition' will come to power in a country or combination of countries that leads in world finance. For our generation this does point to America . It makes a lot of sense that this penultimate, world significant 'false Messiah' figure should have some Islam education; Islam is a violation of God's scripture and in the last days, Israel will be attacked, and the 'son of perdition' will set himself and his religion/world order up in the the temple of God, according to scripture .The City of Israel, Jerusalem, has suffered ceaseless persecution from religious and political leaders. Muslim Palestine has suffered persecution distress.
A number of Republican socalled Christian 'enthusiasts' have demonstrated high level racism and in some cases behaviours evocative of the Klu Klux clan of old Southern America. Though it appears that the Klu Klux Klan have in fact endorsed Barack Obama.
Then there is the matter of the attractive and dignified ( if somewhat hard faced) Michelle and the two beautiful children. Isn't it abit off to suggest the head of their family might be the 'Antichrist', the 'false Messiah'?
The bible indicates that if Satan enters into a person, that is something that occurs between Satan and that person. 'And Satan entered into Judas', the bible explains; he entered into Judas just before Judas went to inform the Sanhedrin of Jesus' whereabouts so that they could have him crucified. Judas was an ordinary man. He might have had six sisters an an Aunt , it's irrelevant, apparently. Satan entering into a person, by scriptural definition, usually seems to be invited by a rare person's extreme anti Christ and political ambition. There is no specific suggestion in Revelation that Satan will enter into a specific person , 'son of perditition' in the 'last days', but looking at the whole of the scriptures, people see it as apparent.
If it can be assumed that Satan raises demagogue figures, it may be assumed that Satan's attempted to out do the scripture prophecies and raise a powerful Antichrist/'son of perdition' figure before the time defined by scripture, in the past. ( Adolf Hitler would be a good example. Many people believed Hitler was posessed by Satan himself on account of his staggering, bewilderingly successful attack on the first Israel, among other activities. Note: Hitler is a very picture of everything hideous to our generation. But it's important to remember that at the time of his rising, deceived multitiudes thought him inspiring and a real solution to world problems. He kept his hideous plans about war and about Israel quiet for quite a while.) The bible does clearly state that Satan continually tries to out maneuver the Lord and the Lord's scriptures. Why then, someone recently asked, would he condemn himself by finally raising a powerful false Messiah with potential global power at a time that corresponds entirely with the scripture Revelation verses?
Satan's been condemned by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, defeated by Jesus Christ, and he knows it. Why admit it now, and raise the 'Antichrist' to correspond with Revelation scripture entirely? Perhaps because he knows his time is short, as the bible says? There is also the matter of Satan's unfathomable desire for worship, to have people praying to him, his long time war on God, as the bible describes it.
He's defeated by Jesus; he'll put forward a 'Messiah' of his own, the bible says, and take souls with him to perdition. Most Christians believe that over the past half century he's been spending artful time creating a world situation wherein false prophets and false Messiahs of his choosing can take control to an unprecedented extent. (Some people believe that after Adolf Hitler he revised his tactics a little and that in this age he's raised more of a smooth idealist, less of an authoritarian. Might raising demagogues successfully always have been a question of the country in which the demagogue is being raised and the Zeitgeist established in that place? A difficult question to answer.)
Here is an interesting contribution ( this is from the bible, the apostle Paul, sent me by a reader):
' "And you know what is restraining him (the man of sin) now so that he may be revealed in his his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains it will do so until he is taken out of the midst. And then the lawless one will be revealed, and the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by his appearing and his coming. The coming of the lawless one by the activity (energeian) of Satan will be with all power and signs and wonders of falsehood, and with every deceit of unrighteousness in those who are to perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. On account of this God will send upon them a working of error, to make them believe what is false (literally the lie); so that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness."
Many people can see that there is something ' creepy' about political Obama at the best of times. His following is very humanism-culty, generated by a media system that ostensibly doesn't belong to Christ.
People in the States are being asked to choose between 'creepy' and ' right wing warmonger'.
Now there's an investigation into Obama's birth certificate. 'Is he an American citizen at all'? 'Where is he from'? 'What is this 'birth certificate' printed on his web site?' ( There are associated links to that audit where many people into it.) He wrote a book about his dreams in 1995, 'Dreams from my father.' It's being asked: 'isn't that a bit of an unusual thing for a future president of the US to be doing that far in advance? Destiny, premonition, ambition, or -what? And he has only met his purported natural father once in his life. According to one photo.
Here, a link exploring the many 'concerned citizens' investigations into his birth certificate and place of birth.
Barack has apparently denied writing this book during his campaign, though many state that he introduced them to the book. Here, the Wiki introduction to Barack's family.
Is the ground absolutely ripe for 'deceitful kings' and warmongers to spring up who'll wage wars and put forward false ideas and falsely claim they 'act in Jesus name', and a 'false Messiah' who'll spring up and claim to 'rescue us all from the mess'? It looks as if it is.
Jesus on John the baptist:Matthew 11:13-14 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
Matthew 17:12-13 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already.... then the disciples understood that he spoke unto them of John the Baptist.
Mark 9:13But I say to you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done to him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.
Elijah, who was to come again, and imminently precede the true Messiah, Jesus. John didn't look much like everyone's conception of the rising Elijah, beautifully imagined by Caravaggio, wandering in and out of the desert and shouting 'prepare the way of the Lord' at passers by. It certainly wasn't what the Sanhedrin were expecting at the time. They were pompously disgusted. While the grave of Caiaphas, the High Priest who orchestrated Jesus' assassination, has turned up in Israel ( together with the remnants of the priest's pointedly unresurrected bones) the old Sanhedrin anti Jesus and John 'media' is irretrievable. But supposing we could glance at afew 'anti Jesus and John' propaganda scrolls. They might look something like the press campaign conducted by a modern faction.
(There was never anything political about Jesus; however, many of those who assassinated him were motivated by world politics. )
How hard are people to please! ;-) Jesus again:
Mathew 11: 17-19 But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the markets, and calling to their fellows, and saying, we piped for you, and you did not dance; we mourned for you, and you did not lament. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'he has a devil.' The son of man came eating and drinking and they say ' behold a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!' But wisdom is justified by her children.'
The Obama family have reacted vociferously against 'Barack is a Muslim' allegations which they now state they see as an emotive spiritual snipe.
See the McCain video below. This video was made by the republican political party, who were interested in the suggestions so many people were making that Barack Obama is perhaps 'the Antichrist.' Here (click) and article on the McCain ad.
It is an obvious send up, humourous, but observe the way Obama is speaking. Very serious. The Obamas profess of late, in response to allegations about Obama's faith reaching an extraordinary height, that Obama is a serious Christian. There appears to be insufficient honest comment on the times from either political party. Much of America an its media has behaved very badly indeed over this whole campaign, sometimes worse than the political opponents themselves; only a very base mentality would enjoy it. Both sides have handed out a personal bashing.
Here Obama demonstrates that it's about shouting, idealist rhetoric and question evasion.
Some pictures of the Obama adulation. Countless Obama followers demonstrate that it has gone way beyond politics, it is fanatical religion. Nothing about following Jesus is fanatical; Jesus is the way of true freedom, righteous order, justice and peace. Fanaticism and deception is the way of the cult leader.
There can be no doubt that the recent events in America have moved us all to a new place of awareness of the motives of those in the political spectrum and have provoked significant interest in the consequences of spiritual or intellectual gullibility on our part.
Jesus' advice on the end times is simple. Stay out of politics and false worship (a significant part of 'Babylon'), be obedient to his teaching, and do not deny his name. Go about your daily business; show love to your brother; forgive. Love your Lord your God with all your heart and all your mind, and love your neighbour as yourself. Confess your failings continually to him. 'I come as thief in the night', he states, about his unannounced return. If this is what he finds you doing when he comes looking, he'll honour you. This way of life may seem unglamorous and pointless to most of this world, but it is evidently very precious in the sight of God.
The main Obama campaign video: The lines 'this is my American prayer' and 'If you get to the top of the mountain remember me,' are separate and distinct. The song puts itself forward as an enthusiastic prayer chorus speaking for the long time persecuted, those who've been hurt and humilated by the hypocrite West. 'this is the church you can't see' is particularly poignant.
Who is this 'American prayer' worship song being directed to? Not the Lord, apparently.
We know that the poor and the needy, the persecuted, those rejected by sanctimonious religious institutions and abused this world's social systems were important to Jesus; scripture tells us they still are. The the song suggests a 'we can turn off the dark tonight' that and fails to mention Jesus. The bible explains that satan is capable of elaborate deceptions, 'even masquerading as an angel of light'. Everyone has heard Obama talk about uniting religions and forming a new, united prayer style that is not Christian. ( The verse containing the line 'Give me your tired, your poor and huddled masses, you know they're yearning to breathe free' is an obvious concern if political history is anything to go by.) To many people it's an attractive seeming song; good music.
The scriptures explain that the heights of the 'political sphere' were worthless to Jesus Christ, who turned down Satan's offer of all the Kingdoms and instead laid down his own sinless life in order to take the penalty for mankind's sin, all of our sins. On the third day after his crucifixion he rose from the dead. He tells us that if we repent, and turn to him, we will live, and know the Heavenly Father we'd lost as a close personal defender and friend.
Mathew 4 verse 8: And again, the devil took him up to an exceedingly high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them, and said to him, " All these things I will give you, if you fall down and worship me."
Mathew 4 vs 9: Then Jesus said to him, 'Go from Me, Satan, for it is written, you shall worship the Lord your God alone, and him only shall you serve.'
Will you tell me what you see?
If you get to the top of the mountain,
Remember me.'
The euphoria responsible for the present turmoil in the States will die down. There has been so much propaganda and counter propaganda, it's a little difficult for anyone to discern the road Obama will take after it does. When it does, there will be the CIA to run, and there's usually a lot of gratuitous style press nuisance when a president takes office. The happy clappy motor will cease and Barack Obama will be under heavy, merciless media scrutiny, unless he takes over the media entirely. Here, he's being accused of blethering idiocy and deceitful self contradiction.
It will all be a very interesting watch; no question.
Opinions vary on the Obama question.
A lot of writers and viewers are comparing Barack Obama to Adolf Hitler with interest. Here's an example of a determined standpoint.
Here's another.
A lot of people have noticed that Obama's tactics with his 'Obama Youth' are almost identical to those used in the 'Hitler Youth' movement. Here.
A further example here. This audit points out that the brainwashing of youth groups is always a part of a dictatorial regime.
Israel's press have spent their usual dilligent research time examining Obama's stories about his background and seem particularly concerned about the fact that he was deliberately unclear about being involved with Islam and its political proponents. Understandable, given the current state of Jerusalem. This debate is relevant to the Christian from the perspective outlined and from the wider scriptural perspective, given the end time prophecies about the extreme vulnerabilities that the city of Jerusalem will experience during the period predicted in the book The Revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 John 4: 21, the bible: Little children, stay away from idols.
*****
Disclaimer: the book of Revelation quotes have been produced and analyzed here to the best of my honest ability. If you feel you have a correction to make, by all means send it.
I do not have a view on this subject. We are told to 'watch and pray.' That is all I am doing.
Though I never thought much of Barack Obama, ( I hadn't really looked at him or checked him out until recently, since doing so I reject him entirely) I do not dispute the beauty of some of the melodies, harmonies and speech content that despot Obama is putting forward. (Melody is often present. Look at your history.) They're tempting to people at times; they make people wonder.
Christians who read their bibles ( yes Barack, lots of us do) won't be slow to observe that the temptation in the garden of Eden must have been similar, mustn't it. According to the bible, a fallen Archangel, once created by God, the tempter had been the God appointed head of music in heaven before he fell, and since, he's been capable of masquerading as an 'angel of light' ....since before time as we know it began. He came to the garden of Eden to offer an alternative to the love of God to the first two people on earth, effectively saying ( in part) 'You can do it by yourselves. All you need are knowledge and beauty. You don't need God, he lied'.
'It was a creed, written in the founding documents, that declared the destiny of a people: Yes we can.'
(Line from one of Obama's key campaign songs.)
My opinion as a Christian on Barack? We're told to 'watch and pray' as far as anything relating to end times and debates is concerned. Is Barack Obama a dangerous and deceitful rising demagogue? That's obvious. As yet, we don't know exactly what he'll do.
There is a lot of discussion at the moment about an increasing need for spiritual warfare in Christian's lives.
I think it's pretty obvious that every Christian will be observing this guy's behaviour carefully.
Here's a Christian boy singing for 'The Peace of Jerusalem' ( the City and the Church) a prayer request from Jesus he sets out in the Revelation of Jesus Christ. You saw it. :-) Courtesy Cafe Sozo. Here again.
'Joel 2:32 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance… (WIKIPEDIA) SOZO - the Greek word which means to heal, cure, to make well; to rescue from danger, to save; to cause something to change to an earlier, correct or appropriate state; to renew.'
