Does Revelation Prove that Obama is the Anti-Christ?
The Question
It's a question that won't go away. Did the Apostle John see Obama as a world leader thousands of years ago and write Revelation to warn us? Did we miss the warnings? What do we really know about the book of Revelation?
The Title of this Article
I admit it, I used a deliberately provocative title to get your attention.
There's a lot in the Book of Revelation that people find fascinating. It is primarily a symbolic book. If you ask 10 biblical scholars to interpret the symbols, you'll likely get 20 different answers. Because it's symbolic, people can interpret it to mean a lot of things.
One of the popular interpretations these days is that Obama is the anti-christ. Now, I'm not a fan of Obama, and I think he's doing most everything wrong. And he may even be the antichrist for all I know. But to "prove" it would require leaps of reasoning I'm not willing to put into a single article. And if he his, so what?
So, rather than address "the future" or "end times", or if Obama is the Antichrist I'd like to examine the Book of Revelation more like I examine any other book of the Bible, using three principles:
1. Understand the complex things in light of the simple things.
Since the book of Revelation is fairly complex, it's best to start with a few easy things and discover how much "good stuff" is in even the simple parts.
2. Christocentric Hermeneutics
Basically this is the principle that says the entire bible is about Jesus, so when we read the bible, the question we ask is, "What is this saying about Jesus?"
3. Guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus told us He would send the Holy Spirit to "Guide us in all truth" (John 16:13). A relationship with God is just that, a relationship, although many religions and denominations have rites and ceremonies regarding "the right way" to hear the Holy Spirit, what is required most of all is the willingness and desire to learn about more Jesus.
So, before trying to use the book of Revelation to determine what the end of the universe will be like, or trying to decode the name of the Anti-Christ, or identify "The Beast" as Obama ... there are three things that Jesus reveals about Himself in the book through his words, actions and images that are very clear and should serve as the foundation to understanding the other parts of the book.
Lion of the Tribe of Judah
The Lamb that was Slain
First: Jesus is King
The imagery of Christ in the book is powerful and dramaticly majestic.
From the beginning of the book:
Revelation 1:5:..Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.
And throughout the book:
Revelation 17:14: He is Lord of lords and King of kings;
Revelation 19:16: And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
If one is to believe that the Book of Revelation is true, regardless of any symbols or prophesies, one must see that Jesus authority is absolute and his right to rule over all people has been established.
Observe John's description reaction to seeing Him.
Revelation 1:14-16: 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.
Revelation 1:17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.
He is not "just as good" as Buddah or Mohamed. These men may have or may not have been great humans. But the absolute superiority of Jesus is clear.
All of creation is standing before the Throne of God and there is something wonderful, something awesome something that will shatter the cosmos in a scroll ...
Observe John's reaction to the scroll in Revelation 5:4:
So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it.
No one was found worthy. Not Buddah. Not Mohamed. Not any king. Not any president. No saint. No martyr. No soldier. No pacifist. No pastor, priest or holy man or holy woman. There is a scroll that contains God's will for humanity and no one who ever lived is worthy of even looking at it.... except ...
... as John is weeping ....
Revelation 5:5-6: But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to lose its seven seals.6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain,
11-12: 11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!"
Jesus alone is King because Jesus alone is worthy.
Ah ... but what was in the scroll that only a worthy King can open? More of that in the third point. That's the really, really cool part.
Second: The Grace and Truth of The King
John, the author of Revelation observed this about Jesus when he wrote His biography in the Gospel of John: (John 1:1,14):
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Grace and Truth ... Why is that important?
Grace without truth leads to over-indulgence and injustice. Anyone can do anything without consequence.
Truth without grace leads to legalism and rules. Every action must have a consequence. Every injustice must be punished.
The simplest example of Grace and Truth can be found in John 8:10-11 where the religious leaders brought him a woman caught in adultery:
John 8:10-11: 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" 11 She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."
When He said: "Neither do I condemn you;" - That was grace.
When He said: "go and sin no more." - That was truth.
He loves us enough to take us just as we are. And he loves us too much to leave us there.
In Revelation his Grace and Truth is revealed to the seven churches in Revelation Chapters 2-3, He shows his style of Grace and Truth:
First he observes what is good ... "I know your good works" He will say. That's His Grace.
Then He says. "Yet, I have this against you ..." and then explains the problem. That's His Truth.
Then He says, "Here's how to correct it." ... That's His Grace.
Then He says, "If you don't ... here's what will happen. That's His Truth.
Jesus is a King with the perfect balance of Truth and Grace ... Justice and Mercy.
The Bride Was Arrayed in Bright Linen
Third: The King and His Bride
In the book of Genesis we saw that God intended for mankind to rule the earth in perfect relationship with God. But, the relationship with God was broken and mankind's authority on earth was usurped.
Man, God's own image was stolen from Him by deception and mis-trust. And yet ...
In Revelation 19:7-8 we read: 7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
Jesus is claiming all who claim Him as His bride. All of creation is rejoicing, every angel and every creature of God, is called to rejoice at the reunification of God and His creation.
We are shown the image of a beautiful woman at her wedding feast dressed in the finest gown.Look at the bride's dress. in the last part of verse 8: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
With all of creation looking at us, Jesus chooses to focus the attention of the reunification of God and man on WHAT WE DID RIGHT!!
So often we focus on what we have done wrong! But Jesus is holding us up and telling everybody in the universe what we did RIGHT!
And what about the scroll? What of the piece of vellum with writing all over it and seven seals that only the Lion of Judah and the Lamb Who Was Slain could even look at, much less open? What was in it?
As soon as the Lamb is handed the scoll, before He even opens it, all of humanity begins to sing...
Revelation 5:9-10: And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth."
The Lion of Judah, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Lamb who was slain - The Bridegroom of all whom he as chosen and who have also chosen Him - has returned the authority of humanity over the earth that God always intended for us to have.
This is not the domination of tyranny and violence we normally think of when we think of authority. This is the authority of the Grace and Truth, the mercy and Justice of the King of Kings.
Look at the reaction of all of creation to the restoration of humanity's authority under the King of Kings:
Revelation 5;13: And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: "Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!"
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. (Revelation 22:21)
Comments
AUTHORThank you DH.
No I really was not poking fun, I think I wrote it up before she started using that Avatar. Although I don't agree with much of Judah's Daughter's eschatology, I find the exploration of possibilities interesting, and I actually like a lot of what she has to say.
I just prefer a different approach.
I really, really don't like Obama, but the fact that he fell out of popular favor so quickly is probably proof by itself that he's not the anti-christ.
I'm as guilty of this than most, but these days, the use of hyperbole to make a point is starting to get out of hand, especially in politics, when painting your enemy.
Good hub. Refreshing to see a focus on Jesus as after all it is the revelation of Christ. Nearly every commentary I've read focuses on 7 headed beasties and microchip implants.
Having just read a hub by Judah's Daughter where she includes a study linking Barak Obama to to the 'Hebrew' baraq o bamah or Lucifer falling from Heaven, in a thinny veiled attempt to link him to the antichrist, I did for a moment wonder if your picture for this hub was poking fun at her avatar. But that would be naughty wouldn't it.
- AUTHOR
I honestly don't think he is ... the title was a little bit tongue-in-cheek because a lot of mis-information was being spread around conservative circles about what Revelation said ... and frankly some of it was just plain silly.
The people this was primarily addressed to, bible-believing conservative Christians, have better things to do with their beliefs than use bits and pieces of them to make people they disagree with more evil than they are ... now, I think the combination of Obama and this congress is the worst mess the US has had in a long time ... but nowhere NEAR the evil of anti-Christ.
The Justice of God is complicated and it is one of the aspects that I accept by faith ... the books of Habbakuk and Jeremiah shows just how complicated the issue is.
Thank you for visiting and commenting!
This is a great hub that explains and exemplifies many of the writings found in the Book of Revelations. It does not answer the initial question about Obama being OR not the anti-Christ, but I suppose it was meant to be that way and I do appreciate the fact and the freedom you give your readers to draw their own conclusions.
I liked best the part about Grace and Truth and I feel strongly about the need to see every action having consequences, but as we know, that rarely happens; just look at recent events. I did not see any heads rolling for causing a near collapse of the economy; in fact, just the opposite is true – they rewarded themselves with more millions in bonuses while millions of regular people lost 50% of their investment, not to mention their houses and their jobs.
Where are the consequences of such criminal acts?! I would like to know, so I can accept the justice that God promised the rest of us..
- AUTHOR
Yeah, GW ... As James says, "Count it all Joy".
This was a great read!
I believe that those who truly know God will know the 'beast' and his minions and will not be fooled nor scared. They will praise God for his arrival, sorting and making everything anew-no more tears-no more pain-just beautiful peace--something this world has not known for a very, very long time. I praise God tonight!!!
Wonderful hub! The title caught my attention as my husband and I had a very similar conversation with his parents recently. My husband raised the question and his parents pooh-pooed the very idea. I will not go so far to say that he is, but I will say he scares the crap out of me!
Nice hub. I am not sure if i would go as far as to say that Obama is the Antichrist, but he certainly matches a few characteristics!
I am interested to see how the public will vote in the next election after 4 years of Obama...I am thinkin republican
Hi there
Interesting hub.
God speed
..or maybe John saw George Bush and we missed that warning too.
Thank-you for sharing a deep and complex subject. I hadn't noticed your hubs before and It made a change for me to read.
That's a way to have an open mind BDazzler. You have to have all the key players in place before you get the screen write.
Defence Secretary Robert Gates or whoever the current one would be that makes fire come down from the sky with those precision bombs.
13:13And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 13:14And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast
- AUTHOR
Hey Carrie!
Yeah, I saw your hub ... it was awesome, and I recommend it highly.
White Horse ... still waiting for that screenplay! :))
And then Albert goes on to be employed by Donald Trump. Jezy gets her own million dollar show. Read in wikipedia about Bernard Kerik.
America loves these people and worships their false gods and gives them money and praise.
Let a black man get out of prison and see if he gets a nice job.
The ten horns are hating me.
Babylon is fallen and become the hold of every devil and foul spirit and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
The same group or type of people control your 401k's and the interest on your mortgage and interest on your credit cards.
They hide behind their coward lawyers and coward judges and coward buddies in the government.
America worships criminals and donates their money to these people so they can be waxed rich and live deliciously!
These people will never walk through the gates of heaven. God just wanted to let them know in advance.
They couldn't buy Jesus and they can't buy their way into heaven.
They do know what they do.
Jezebel hated Elijah too. The evil must get rewarded? Church of Thyatira.
Jeanine Pirro hired a detective named Kerik. Both were involved in charity and one in an alleged charity scandal. Pirro hired Kerik to put bugging devices in the family yacht to catch her husband, Albert, cheating on Jeanine. Albert has known ties to the mob. Jeanine is a prophetess, she was a district attorney, lawyer, judge, and now has her own show as a Judge.
2:19I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 2:20Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 2:21And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 2:22Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Jeanine ran against Andrew Cuomo for the state attorney general of New York and lost.
2:26And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
I was born in Westchester County NY.
From Wikipedia:
Jeanine Ferris Pirro (born June 2, 1951) is an American lawyer, prosecutor, former Judge, and politician from the state of New York. A Republican from Westchester County,
Jeanine Pirro was the Republican nominee for New York State Attorney General in 2006, losing to Democrat Andrew Cuomo
Pirro is currently under state and federal criminal investigation for allegedly hiring former New York City police commissioner Bernard Kerik to arrange an illegal recording of her husband, whom she suspected of adultery.
Jeanine Pirro's husband, Albert Pirro, has been an influential private real-estate attorney and lobbyist. In 2000, he was convicted on 66 counts of federal tax fraud. Pirro had hidden $1 million in income from the Federal Government between 1988 and 1997, claiming dozens of personal luxuries as business expenses, including his $123,000 Ferrari and his wife's Mercedes-Benz.[21] He served 17 months in prison. Although only suspended from the practice of law for his wrongdoing by New York's Appellate Court (2nd Dept.) in May 2003, he was later disbarred by the US Supreme Court in January 2004. [22]
Albert Pirro also has been accused of having mob connections. In an FBI tape recording of a conversation between convicted gangster Gregory DePalma and associates, DePalma claimed that "the DA's husband [Albert Pirro]" had shared information about the DA's investigation of a corrupt local cop with a reputed mob associate named Robert Persico.
On November 8, 2007, in White Plains, New York, Kerik was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiracy, tax fraud and making false statements. Prosecutors say Kerik received about $255,000 in renovations to his Riverdale, Bronx, apartment from a company seeking to do business with the city of New York and concealed the income from the Internal Revenue Service.
Way to go jezy and al and saint bernard !
And in the MOVIE !!!
Hi BDazzler! What really ministered to me the most was what you said about grace and truth. I've written a hub also about A False Prophet of the Last Days, but it is summarized with the most important point I think all followers of Jesus Christ should remember:
Timothy was one of Jesus' original twelve disciples. What is a disciple? The very root of the word disciple is that of the word discipline. Disciple means student. Do you want to follow Christ and be a disciple? How can you protect yourself from the many false prophets and teachers yet to infiltrate the earth in the last days? People that don't know how to study may panic and follow those they think can be trusted.
In the book of 1 Timothy, Chapter 2, verses 14 & 15 (New American Standard) it states, "Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless, and leads to the ruin of the hearers. Be dilligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth."
The Bible also states in Hosea 4:6 that "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." Is it any wonder why so many "cults" are comprised of ex-Catholics that used to only rely on the priest for thier Bible knowledge? Study for yourself! Don't be victimized or "destroyed" because you don't know better and end up following a cult.
I recommend the following Bible study ministry highly. It's called Precepts Ministries and their study tools and methods are utilized by multiple Christian churches!! Follow this link and ask your church about it! You will then be better able to understand the meaning of the limited English translation of the Bible, which was originally written in Hebrew (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament).
http://www.precept.org/site/PageServer
Remember this: in 1 Corinthians 13:12-13 the Bible states, "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face [upon Christ's return]; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."
You will know Christians by their LOVE. Though we only know in part right now (not all of the mysteries of God are known), know this: that the Word of God and any further prophesies of God WILL NOT CONTRADICT the written Word of God! NO EXECPTIONS! God bless you!
Bravo!!! *standing ovation* that was excellent White Horse. You got me hizzoookkkkeed!
Really it was good. Can you write the screen play now. I think it is good. I would totally go see it. What is the ending like? Does Jesus really marry a bunch of whores. Come on... this is a cliff hanger.
12:44Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. 12:45And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. 12:46I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. 12:47And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 12:48He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.12:49For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 12:50And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
19:17And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 19:18That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
19:19And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
Their white fine and fancy white lawyer paperwork.
19:8And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
should smite the nations and he shall rule them with a rod of iron:
We don't take useless lying lawyers.
19:21And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth:
End of Movie
Have you ever heard of case law? That's where they use previous cases as a reference to the existing case and it makes it easier and easier to make a decision based on previous rulings in civil cases. 3:14And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
case law: gold tried in the fire: 3:18I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich
frivolous lawsuits: 3:18 and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear
My friend is a mostly blind attorney and he has to use special glasses to see: chap. 3:18 and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see
You can dig Scalia's name out of Laodiceans.
Church of perGAMOS / GAMbinOS Mafia. Many of these lawyers have already worked for the mafia if you do your homework.
2:17He that hath an ear, let him hear To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna
Witness protection program.
and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
They've already made war with the one on the white horse. The false prophet was a woman.
The movie is looking good !
The antichrist was someone who persecuted the early church or came from the early church. The falling away came even before John passed on. Nero, Trajan persecuted the church. The early Popes instituted law instead of grace, as did the historical Protestants. Paul in Galatians spoke of legalism as the biggest single false doctrine that existed.
The author of Thesselonians said that the mystery of inequity was already working. That was the legalism of those who claimed to be Christian but believed in law instead of revealed grace.
I believe the legalism of the Pope and of Constantine as ruler of the "church" was the establishment of antichrist.
Let me give you an example of this legalism, grace means that the gospel is the power of God. Yet the legalists teach that the law convicts of sin. Those both cannot be true.
Other examples of legalism were the setting up of a holy day, Sunday, and infant baptism in place of Old Testament circumcision. We know that the official position of Paul was there was no holy day, but the weak could have one if they wanted. Also, infant baptism was not the replacement of circumcision, but rather a spiritual circumcision of the heart.
And in the "movie", the great whore "Mystery Babylon" is that great city that reigneth over the kings of the earth; could be lawyers and judges with their hand in the cookie jar or as part of a think tank. Lawyers are sometimes thought of as whores, because they work both sides of the law. The first and the last is the A and the Z in the alphabet. Alan Dershowitz came out of Yale and now is at Harvard.
Alan wrote a book "A knife that cuts both ways" chap. 1:16 and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword:
5:3And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
George Bush came out of Yale. Obama came out of Yale.
The movie is starting to look good. This might be the new learning channel !
- AUTHOR
Someone, I admit that we are in what may very well be the end times. As I examine history, WWI seems to fit the four horsemen, for example, better than any of the others.
As I said, I try to understand the complicated symbolism in light of the plain text. And over the years, I've discovered it's more complex than many people seem to understand.
I think Jesus said it best in Acts 1:7. That's clear. So, I interpret revelation in light of Acts 1:7.
I agree it's interesting. But not worth freaking out over :)
The woman mentioned in revelations reminds me of the bride of Jesus christ,with him representing the bridegroom.
Unfortunately she commits fornication seducing the kings of the world instead.
Well, you have to admit that with all of the financial and political problems in the world ,at this time ,one can't help but think of the new testament ,and the end times passages in revelations
- AUTHOR
Thank you everyday! I've been enjoying your writing as well!
There is so much more to Revelation than tribulations. I'm glad that you took the time to explain an element of Revelation that doesn't have to do with Obama and the anti-Christ during these difficult times.
I love Revelation. Once I got used to the way it is written it became one of my favorite books of the Bible! Thank you!
- AUTHOR
LOL!
Yeah, it happens ALLL the time. One time I was going somewhere and I kept making wrong turns. And this was a place I went ALL the time, near my house.
Long story short, I ended up talking to this newly homeless woman who just needed to hear that she wasn't invisible to God. (There was more but that's all the good parts.)
Na, I don't want to. *stamping feet and slaming door* lol. :D
Does this happen to you; complete strangers tell you their life story? It happens a lot to me. I gotta tell ya... the things I hear make me love people a gazillion times more.
Though sometimes I hear things I prolly shouldn't have heard and sometimes I wonder how relevant it was and other times I cannot stop laughing with them and then other times I just cannot stop thinking about it.
This happen to you too?
- AUTHOR
Hey Sandy! Yeah, we are definintely still children, and like children, we grow!
Interesting where to comments went. I just read them all. I gotta say white horse was very entertaining. lol -God picking on us little humans lol, that worse then stepping on ants. LOL- something like that.
I tend to agree that the more I read it, the more obsure the symbolism becomes and often change my mind to the meanings, which always brings me back to the parables in which case you can always find them useful in any circumstance... the miracle being that they are written in such a way that they can be used for everything.
Like it has been said: (a misquote I am sure but something like this) God's stupidity is greater then all human intellect. Or as I like to say now, "my 145 watt brain is like a 1 watt bulb compared to God's. :D
Revelations, I really try not to think too much about it these days other than what the Angels say to the churches. For whatever reason I feel like it is for everyone to account for themselves. Almost as if we all have those really great things that Jesus' speaks of and at the same time we also do all those bad things.
Anyways, when it comes down to it, I just pray every night that God doesn't do those things and if He does then I hope that He will be a lot kinder than what it says... hoping for mercy and all.
You know the other day, a few weeks ago, I saw something. Now I don't know if it was vision or not because it seemed soo real.
Anyways, I was walking my dog around the complex and I saw two bunnies. It was odd because they were in the middle of an apartment complex just hanging out... where did they come from???
Even stranger is that when I saw them they didn't run and my dog didn't bark at them... my dog barks and chases everything from birds to flies and passing dogs. So ( I know it horrible) even while I was like "oh look star bunnies, go get um.." She didn't budge as if they weren't even there.
Though life has been weird lately too. So you know God answered the prayer I asked about moving and stuff... well just a couple weeks ago my boyfrined and I were out in the desert Glamis...
Just before we left he hands me a rock and it's a lava rock. I said, what is a lava rock doing out in the desert? Anyways I kept it, had that dream I told you about and the next day my boyfriend gets notice of the job and then I asked you for a prayer and then it turns out... well you know.
So, how interesting life is when you follow the signs that God puts practically in your hands... I wonder why no ones listens when God is working His magic? I suppose disbelieving is something that only happens when people grow up.
I guess that means we are still children. ;)
- AUTHOR
Hi, Somone, BG etc. thanks very much for stopping by and commenting.
I do believe the bible is true. I have been teaching it and researching it for nearly 30 years. What I have discovered is that the more I know, the less obvious the symbolism in the book becomes.
The point I was hoping to make is that within all the confusion and symbolic images, there are some very clear truths that we can start with, that should serve as a basis for other interpretations.
I do believe that focusing on the current idenity of the beast and the judgements misses the entire point of the book, which is the Kingship of Jesus.
Sometimes, I wonder if some of the focus on the beast, judemetns etc. is a bit scewed. I believe that since scripture interprests scripture, that our foucs should be determined by Philippians 4:8-9, and the curses, evil, judgemetns etc. should be acknowledged primarily so we see the goodness of God being so much greater than the observed evil.
While I believe these judgements to be symbolically, if not literally, true, I also believe that God is clearly revealing that there is something far greater to run TO rather than trying to scare people.
I think some of the obsession with the scariness is missing the point of the book. But I've only been on this for 30 years, which from an eternal perspective is quite small and I've changed my mind several times during the course of the study!
Remember ,it,says in revelations that a woman mounted a scarlet beast which had seven heads and ten horns.The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits.They also represent seven kings.THE seven KINGS WILL FOR ONE HOUR SHARE WITH THE BEAST THE EXERSISE OF ROYAL AUTHORITY,AND THEY WILL CONFIR THEIR POWER AND AUTHORITY UPON THE BEAST.THEY WILL WAGE WAR UPON THE LAMB,BUT THE LAMB WILL DEFEAT THEM.
The ten horns will come to hate the WHORE ;THEY WILL STRIP HER NAKED AND LEAVE HER DESOLATE!
"The whore is the seducer of the ten horns,and seven kings"!
THE WOMAN IS THE GREAT CITY THAT HOLDS SWAY OVER THE KINGS OF THE EARTH.THE KINGS OF THE EARTH HAVE COMMITTED FORNICATION WITH HER,AND MERCHANTS ALL OVER THE WORLD HAVE GROWN RICH ON HER BLOATED WEALTH.YOUR TRADERS WERE ONCE THE MERCHANT PRINCES OF THE WORLD,WITH YOUR SORCERY YOU DECIEVED THE NATIONS!
"In my mind,it's likely that the woman is a false prophet behind the Catholic church,and THE ZIONIST radical's in ISREAL in sofar as they,and their offshoots around the world have worldly power over the nations of the world".
THEN THE BEAST AND THE KINGS OF THE EARTH,AND THEIR ARMIES MUSTERED TO DO BATTLE.
THE BEAST WAS TAKEN PRISONER,TOGETHER WITH THE FALSE PROPHET WHO HAD WORKED MIRICLES IN IT'S PRESENCE AND DELUDED THOSE THAT HAD RECEIVED THE MARK OF THE BEAST AND WORSHIPED IT'S IMAGE!
Bgamall - {{Since Rome is the seat of world unbelief, that is the government of Rome, it could be that one of the Emperors or even the Pope is the man of perdition, but certainly not a president of the United States. Bush was a devil but he isn't the man of perdition. Lol.}}
I would hazard a guess that more than half of the people in the world have never heard of Rome. The 'government of Rome' is a city council that looks after sewers, roads and local taxation. The Vatican is independent of Rome and is the centre of the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church is the biggest Christian church in the world. You, as a Christian (I think?) choose to reject most Christians. Looking in from the outside, that's funny! 'The man of perdition' - sorry, but that's funnier still. You believe this stuff??
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Hey BG! Thanks for stopping by! (If you see an unapproved comment in your hubtivity it's because this got posted twice)
I think your theory/observation about the introduction of false doctrines is supported by the parable of the wheats and the tares.
Well, lets face it, the Bible talks about a falling away and the man of perdition being revealed. I believe that the falling away was very quick after the passing of the apostles. The reason I believe that is because the doctrines and teachings of the early church fathers past the apostles had a lot of errors and false teachings.
Since Rome is the seat of world unbelief, that is the government of Rome, it could be that one of the Emperors or even the Pope is the man of perdition, but certainly not a president of the United States. Bush was a devil but he isn't the man of perdition. Lol.
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Hi Ed, welcome to Hub Pages and Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
I have said something like this because iran is talking about armgedion and now that we have a popular leader we can blame everything on bush and give it to them.
And in the movie everyone thought it was all a joke. And they find out that this is the Noah's Ark, so to speak of, in the bible. The appearance of a Christ and the warnings that Doctor Michio Kaku just released about 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hujQg2E_fDw ar... just two more signs that God is fed up with the...............feds! But the joke is really on them.
You see it wouldn't be fair if the one that created the universe and the earth and the sun, came down and picked on little humans. It would be worse than stepping on an ant. That's why he sent the lamb slain from the foundation, the one that doesn't fit in like the "norm" into society. People worship all the football stars and the pretty people up on stage or the ones with the pearly whites and their artificial smiles on the TV shows. The golden reed he communicates to these people with is a computer. 21:15And he that talked with me had a golden reed
God doesn't have to prove himself.
God is the only one that could see the future and knew exactly who the seven spirits were going to touch. The suffering servant.
I would strike all the evil people down, but I am only flesh and blood like them.
They already know.
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Could be, MM ... and thanks! (Some of the comments I referred to were from unregistered users, were a bit abusive and were denied ...) When I set the option to allow only signed in users to post I lost the comments from non-registered users that I didn't deny.
I dunno about that. The comments appear to be supporting what you actually SAID versus what critics might have expected you to say or rah rah revelationists might have expected you to say. Nice work -- you successfully derailed both "camps" LOL! MM
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Thanks again, Juliana ... MM, thank you, I suspect based on a few of the comments that some people have read only the title!
Hello bdazzler! I concur with what's been said above. Very informative, thoughtful and best of all (IMHO) reasonable/reasoned hub! I, too, find it refreshing to find a positive "Jesus is love" spin rather than gloom, doom and utter destruction. Bravo! And yes -- your intriguing title did an excellent job of pulling me (and others) in. MM
I second that as I love Spring ... But I am glad you are back and I am looking forward to more writing.:)
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Hey Julina! Yeah, I'll be on a bit more, but I am being hammered with off-line commitment, so I'll be around less. I will however, try to keep writing. The summer's on it's way, and i will (hopefully) be spending less time online and more outside!
I am glad to see you hear too!!! No more MIA as we have been waiting for a new one and it is finally here!!!:)
WhiteHorse: That is an unusual concept but it could make an interesting movie although the media is not the Anti-Christ.:)
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Sorry if denied temporarariiy shows up on hubtivity white horse, I was deleting some spam. I undenied yours. Thanks for stopping by.
To determine who the anti-christ is, first you have to determine who is the Christ? Or how would Christ run the world.
If Christ determines that all men are created equal and that the man in the fields should make the same pay as the government officials and everyone else across the board, then all those who oppose equal pay or even equal rights for all, are the anti-christ. Look how long it took women and blacks to get equal rights. Now women are fighting for equal pay. But only to match the men in those fields of work. The rich and powerful have a large ego that makes them think they are more important than a mechanic or a plumber and they belittle them by paying them the lower wages. The anti-christs are the ones that make up the artificial spirits such as, lower class, middle class, upper middle class, and upper class. They determine the pay scale by the education they receive in most cases. There are people that make plenty of money that are the exceptions to the rule. For example, singers, movie stars and a few other lucky ones.
The president and the man or woman that grows the food are equally important. One feeds both, and the other protects both.
It doesn't matter who the anti-christs are. They are not in the book of life. And they never will be until ALL MEN AND WOMEN ARE TREATED AND PAID EQUAL.
CNN and Fox News and the rest of the media and the United States government are the anti-christs.
The beast with seven heads and ten horns is the media. They like having serfs and said screw you God.
chap. 18 of revelations, "for thy merchants were the great men of the earth"
The white house and the government and the media and their rich friends are the great white throne in the bible.
20:11And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
God is the only one that can see the future.
Do you know how I know all this? Because I'm the SCARlet colored beast in chapter 17. The man with the scars. hubpages.com/hub/The-truth-behind-the-book-of-Revelatons
The White Horse is a pickup truck.
You don't have to worry about any anti-christ. Same way they screw everyone else over is the same way I'm letting them know in advance they will never walk through the gates of heaven and they will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Just kidding man. Great Idea for a movie though, right?
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Someone,Thanks for reading and stopping by.
As far as Obama being "The Anti-CHRIST" ,he went to a muslim school when he was living in Jakarta ,then he went to a Christian church in Chicago while a senator of Illinois. I saw a video on u-tube where he made remarks putting down Christians who cling to their guns and religon.It,doesn't look good,as far as pre-election coverage of his run for president.Since then,he has tried to make friends with muslims,around the world.If,he is quote "The Anti-Christ" he certainly is playing the part ,so far,now if he "fools the whole world" as it says in the new testament ,then he may well be the one who ,"talks like a lamb,but ,rules with an Iron fist ! But,wait didn't George W. Bush do that too? As well as his father,and Ronald Wilson Reagan -six letters in his first ,middle and last names,as stated in the new king james version of the bible?Well now just how many "BEASTS" are there? In revelations,it states ,that the BEAST has "SEVEN HEADS and TEN HORNS.The seven heads are seven hills,on which a scarlet woman sits,they also represent seven KINGS.The ten horns are ten countries.Then it says there is an eighth beast,that was alive,and is alive no longer ,but would return to life.It could be that,it's a reference to the Roman Empire which infiltrated the Roman catholic church ,and took it over for the purpose of controling the people,this being like a lamb,in wolfs clothing.Ergo,the protestants,came into being as a way for true christanity to continue,including other offshouts of christianity.Remember,the Monarchies of England Ireland,and Scotland ,were all subject to being crowned ,by the papacy.The pope being claimed as "The RULER of the world through the "KINGDOM of GOD,which is respresented by the VATICAN which is a CITY and COUNTRY ,with all of the accutriments of legal governments ,such as diplomats.Lest we forget ALL the wars that were proclaimed in the name of religion.As well as religons influence on our attitude towards non-believers ! Enough said!
As I think on the book of Revelations and the nd coming of Jesus--it makes sense, at leats to me, that the book of Revelations is about what Jesus did after the resurrection in the Bible when the Apostle's didn't know him and the story dropped out of sight----only it didn't ---it is the book of Revelations. When Jesus said It is done, he meant IT IS DONE. Therefore that would make the Bible Complete in that sense as his job is done here on Earth....and in Heaven..........As Above, So Below.
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Hey Juliana! Thanks for stopping by! Great to hear from you!
Now I know what you have been doing, you have been finding the right words to write. Thank God someone clarified the truth about the Anti-Christ, if everyone would poke their nose into the good book, would they not see the truth? Why does everyone have to listen to someone at the pulpit? Isn't this what the Bible is for, you are supposed to read it and learn. I have always prayed before I read revelations as an old church woman told me to do that, she said when you pray for the insight of the words, God will then open your eyes to what he is saying. :)
You're welcome.
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Ivan, thanks for reading and stopping by.
As someone who denies the concept of human beings needing religion, god or gods, I have to say it is amazing how people use the writings of their holy books to justify things that otherwise seem pretty silly. Book of revelations? To me it is just all made up stuff and basing any kind of thought or philosophy on fiction is like making the Harry Potter boks the basis for a new wave religion.
Show me other original sources, carefully researched, provable, and maybe I'll buy the idea of an end of days, revelations, etc. Until then, I have to take pass on on all this religious self-fulfilling prophecies. Thanks for writing the hub, but I whole-heartedly disagree that the book of revelations has any basis in reality.
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Cris, thanks for stopping by.
Lengo , I think I answered the question posed in my title with integrity, if you have a problem, I'll gladly meet you before the throne you may make you accusations to the King and I'll galdy accept His judgement.
Hey LG! Thanks for your input!
Pam, very interesting. The 1800s thing I was aware of. During the reformation it was widly accepted by the protestents that the papcy was the antichrist (and frankly it fits better) If I were to make that case, I'd cite some of your hubs.
I look forward to the novel. I do agree that when the focus leaves Jesus, all kinds of errors creep in.
Marco, thanks for stopping by and for your comments!
Hey mate, I really liked this hub - probably not so much about whether or not Obama is the anti-Christ but about the 3 things Jesus reveals about himself. Sometimes people question that authority without having really read the truth...
Thank you for this well-written hub and the refreshingly moderate opinions expressed in it. It's nice to read something about Revelations that isn't just a big stick meant to beat people nonbelievers over the head, and it's nice to see a Christian focusing on Jesus for a change instead of hellfire and the end of the world and whatnot.
I saw a really interesting show on the The History Channel about the origins of the whole end times strain within Christianity. It was fascinating. It seems that the Antichrist was not much a part of Christianity until the mid-1800s, when a form of Biblical interpretation that was fairly creative and arbitrary and chopped up selected passages to get numbers and dates and so forth concerning the end times. Ever since seeing that show I've been taken by the idea that people who preach about the Antichrist ARE the Antichrist. Historically speaking, these folks did create the Antichrist and the whole end times movement within the faith.
I'm working on a Left Behind type novel in which the believers are the bad guys and the nonbelievers try to resurrect Christianity from the ashes of their BS.
Lengo, breaking covenant and false witness. Well if you look at history the bible becomes falso in some instances. Now those who fail to read other things is just doing as they blame others for doing.
I think, if I read the Bible and learn who Paul really was and those time of Jesus's death, that Jesus already came back, yet no one recognized him. Then somewhere down the line it was never mentioned what happened after that in the Bible. Do you want to *speculate*?
I don't think Obama is anything like the Anti-Christ. People hate change and with that they will blame the one who os doing the changes. Let's get on with it.
If life is predestined by God, then why are we fighting--because that is how and the way God wants it. Things are going to happen the way they are going to happen--just like a game. Who wins?
The word of GOD is life...all of it. He said it when he made things happen.
Happy Easter! Remember there are to be no graven images of anything in the sky, heavens, Earth and that of God's Son Jesus---that is one of the commandments.
Oh my! Such trickery to get the word out! But your trickery undoes the Word -- Do not bear false witness.
Shall people never learn? Even those who say they know, break their own covenants.
sigh
Makes sense, but I doubt he is.
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Thanks for stopping by T.L., there's certainly a lot going on, these days !
I have been a student of Bible prophecy for a long time - we're closer than most people think!! thanks for the Hub!
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Thank you Wrinkle Expert!
Keep making an impact for Jesus! This is one of your spiritual gifts:)
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Hello Para! I think the un-nice parts need to be understood in light of the nice parts. I really do trust God to know who needs to be nuked and who needs to be hugged, and I have to admit, sometimes he hugs people I think should be nuked and nukes people I think should be hugged.
One of my good friends is one of the best moms I know. She knows which of her kids respond to threats, which respond to hugs, and which respond to spanking. I figure God's probably better than she is at that ... so I trust Him to reveal Himself to you in His own way and in His own time in a way you can accept ... all I can do is show people want I've seenthe best I can.
Thanks very much for stopping by, I always enjoy your comments!
Hi BDazzler - I agree that it is a nicely presented and well written hub. In fact it is rather nicer than the Book of Revelation itself which contains a great many threats of foul punishments for non-believers like me :)
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Hi Misty! Thanks so much for dropping by. I thought about you and our conversation about our responsblity to nature when I wrote the paragraph on Revelation 5:13.
Lovely Hub BD, and so well worded as always :)
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Yes, LG we see in the parable of the sower that the earth is a type and shadow of the human heart ... continue your work!
Hugs Sandy!
Sandar, You are correct --forcing just makes it worse and so does thrusting it down other's throats for them to see it in only their way. Jesus didn't care what you looked like, as in physical features, and he didn't care what nationality you were, he called to everyone. His folowers were in those days theives, prostittutes and the like--well if you go by what the Bible says and what some christians want to see of it. I think he went with anyone who would follow him. He is unconditional love-which means no string atached. He also will come to each individual in their time of need in the way that the individual can handle. God already knows us and he knows what we can and cannot handle and how he can appear to us at any given moment so that we can understand him and he us.
Well back to breaing my back trying to mix the new dirt with the old and refreash it......something like Jesus does to us.
I Love and saw Jesus and he is my life. Whatever he calls me to do, I do it and I do know the difference between evil and goodness---sometimes they are mixed for us to shose and then sometimes they are mixed so that you have the evil to know how to do the good---a silver lining to all things we as human's deem as evil when in fact it is not.
Love to all!
Hi LG, It does include everyone but not everyone wants it. It shouldn't be forced and it if it never had been (as Jesus never forced anything) then maybe more would say yes Jesus is worhty of being Lord of lords and King of kings.
He did mean it for the world but we cannot change what doesn't want to change itself. And I love what BDaz wrote because it is true. Jesus always looks first for what is good and what is right and finds it in us and told us that we should always look for what is good and that I can give a Holy AMEN to!
much love,
sandra
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Eddie, Lady G - Thanks for stopping by, and Amen!
Eddie, that makes alot of sense. I thank you for that little piece of advice and it includes everyone, which is what I think Jesus meant for the world.
BDazzler,
I do like the way you understand the complex in light of the simple. We should never let something that is unclear contradict that which is clear. Amen
I was once given this good advice; no matter what scripture you find yourself reading, take it and run to the cross of Jesus.
Since the Holy Spirit is the author of the Word of God it only makes sense that we should ask Him to enlighten us.
He (Jesus) is worthy. Praise God
Blessings ~ eddie
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You're very welcome Vlad! Thanks for stopping by!
Absolutely very well said. Thank you.
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Thanks Christi! May God bless you as well!
Nice hub Bdazzler! God bless you!
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Hey LG ... One thing I know, nobody can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit, and nobody speaking by the Spirit can say Jesus is cursed.
So many of us get caught up to much about "end times" conclusions and making people believe our conclusions. And we fail to love. Whichs is "not good".
I like C.S Lewis' "Mere Chrstianity" ... we agree on what we can agree on :)
Scriptures written by man, for man and interpreted by man.
God is an option
He definitely needs a third coming.
Great Hub. As in one of the forums someone brought up the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Well in the doxology the last line is "world withot end, Amen". The world has no end and I think the end means the end of the world as one knows it an is personal. I did a report on the book os Revelations in high school in a class The Bible as Liturature. My translation or meaning that I got fromit got me a "D". So you know how far I got past that.
I love Jesus, he saved my life. Without him I would have committed suicide. From his teachings and his love that was poured out to me and I readily accepted it, the Jesus depicted in the Bible is not quite the same as I experienced and for that I am judged as not knowing the true Jesus. Jesus taught me not to judge and to forgive and he also showed me what UN-conditional love is, and what some chistians are doing is not anywhere near that. Were did that go?
I also thought about the second coming. I believe that he already did that after his resurrection. He did come back but the Apostles did not know him. Did Jesus just go away or what happened to him after that. He did come back and he stated he would, but then the Bible makes no mention of what happened after that.
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Hey Sandy! The church's first love is Jesus. But, just as love can fade in a marriage (thus more of the bride/groom metaphor) the love of the church for Jesus had begun to fade. Hating evil is fine, but loving Jesus is SO much more important. If we fail to love Jesus, all of our other stuff really doesn't matter much.
When we remember our first love for Jesus, we can focus on the important part ... our relationship with him.
Thanks for asking the question ... I think I may have been getting a bit caught up in hating evil!
That's very good. I am wondering, besides being sidetracked by the hot girls and bollywood ads, when the angel of the church of ??(I forget) well...He says, I know the labors you endured and the works you have done and how much you have endured but I have this against you.
Remember how far you have fallen and repent and remember what you first loved or I will remove your lampstand. However you do have this, you hate evil doers as I hate evil doers...
What could that mean? Remember what you first loved and how far you have fallen?
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