Expert: Elder Greg Madden - 6/7/2009

Question
Dr. Bateman-I am also a Baptist, but most important, I'm a Christian. I have been struggling w/ the thought that President Obama is an important link to the "End Times". Do you have any thoughts on this matter?

Answer
Mandy,

Hope you don't mind, but your question was placed in the "question pool" and I though I could help.  Though some have claimed President Obama to be the "antichrist", I would have to disagree. Let me share what I have learned about this subject...

Typically, there are at least two inherent flaws when this question is asked. First, in the United States, and surely other nations, many seek to demonize those with whom they disagree politically. Calling a man the antichrist is essentially declaring him to be Satan incarnate. Some on the far right were convinced that President Bill Clinton was the antichrist. Some who hold to far left political views were convinced that President George Bush was the antichrist. Now, those who disagree with the political views of Barack Obama are throwing the antichrist label at him as well. This political demonization is ridiculous, as the biblical indicators of who is the antichrist have nothing to do with conservative or progressive politics. Second, Christians in the United States tend to forget that the end times revolve around the nation of Israel, not the United States. The Bible nowhere explicitly prophesies the existence of the United States. While the United States may have a role in the end times and/or with the antichrist, it is just as possible that the United States will not even exist in the end times.

There is rampant misinformation being spread around that makes unbiblical statements about the antichrist, attempting to create links with Barack Obama. One of the most common states that the antichrist will be a man of Muslim/Arab descent, in his 40s, and will rule for 42 months (close to the length of a U.S. presidency). The Bible nowhere says anything about the ethnicity, religion, or age of the antichrist. Further, Barack Obama vehemently denies accusations that he is a Muslim, and he is not of Arab descent. The “42 months” concept is taken from Revelation 13:5-8, but there is absolutely nothing to connect the 42 months with the 4-year (48 months) tenure of a U.S. President. Intentional misinformation like this is deceptive and counterproductive. It likely will, in fact, make it more difficult to recognize the true antichrist once he appears on the scene.

With the distractions and misinformation put aside, that still leaves the question—is Barack Obama the antichrist? First, let’s look at a few things that argue against Barack Obama being the antichrist. There is some debate among Bible prophecy experts as to the ethnicity of the antichrist. Some believe that the antichrist will be of Jewish descent, as he would have to be a Jew to claim to be the Messiah. Others believe that the antichrist will come from a revived Roman Empire, most likely identified with modern-day Europe. Barack Obama is the son of a white, non-Jewish mother, and a black, non-Jewish, Kenyan father. He is neither Jewish or European (unless the United States is considered part of Europe in terms of Bible prophecy). Ethnically/racially speaking, Obama does not seem to match what the Bible says about the antichrist. Also, Barack Obama claims to be a Christian and claims to have faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior. While anyone can make such claims, it seems highly unlikely that the antichrist would even claim/pretend to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

Let’s look at a few items that the Bible ascribes to the antichrist that are similar to traits possessed by Barack Obama. Barack Obama is undeniably a charismatic, intelligent, determined, and revolutionary individual. Often, hundreds of thousands of people attend events when Obama speaks. Believing him to be a great leader is one thing; mass-hysteria and complete devotion are another thing entirely. Barack Obama seems to have the ability to lead and inspire millions of people. The antichrist, who will be the leader of a one-world governmental system in the end times, would have to also possess such traits. It will take just such a person to deceive the entire world in the end times (2 Thessalonians 2:11). The Bible prophesies that the antichrist will come to power peacefully (Revelation 6:2) and will rule the earth in a time of tremendous peace and prosperity, which will then be followed by the evil and devastation of the end times (Revelation chapters 6-19). Barack Obama’s message of world unity and peace is similar to what the Bible says about the beginning of antichrist’s reign. Further, Barack Obama seems to favor a “big government” approach to solving the world’s problems. While the end times’ one-world government is far beyond anything that Obama is proposing, his view of government does lead in that general direction.

Probably the most important factor in identifying the antichrist is the nation of Israel. The Bible teaches that the antichrist will create a 7-year peace covenant with the nation of Israel, but then break the covenant after 3.5 years (Daniel 9:27). The antichrist will then essentially attempt a second Holocaust, the annihilation of the nation of Israel and Jews around the world. Barack Obama has stated his strong support for the nation of Israel. Obama claims that he will come to Israel’s defense should it be attacked. At the same time, Barack Obama has made some unclear statements regarding his support of Israel. Obama has had relationships with individuals and groups that have anti-Semitic tendencies. This claim of support for Israel, contradicted by dubious statements and troubling relationships, does seem reminiscent of what the Bible says about the antichrist and the nation of Israel.

So, is Barack Obama the antichrist? While Obama does possess some traits that are similar to what the Bible says about the antichrist, the same could be said for many of today’s world leaders. Further, there are serious questions regarding whether it is even possible that the antichrist could be a non-Jewish / non-Semitic person. As with many of the powerful people in the world today, the answer to the question, “Is Barack Obama the antichrist?” has to be “wait and see.” Second Thessalonians 2:3 states that the antichrist, “the man of lawlessness,” will be revealed – it will be abundantly clear who he is when the time comes. Rather than speculating and demonizing, our responsibility is to be wise and discerning, based on what the Bible says about the antichrist.(gotquestions.org)

Hope this helps.

Elder Greg Madden