A couple of weeks prior to the election of the President of the USA, an online Christian magazine posed a question to their subscribers. The question was, "Do you think that Barack Hussein Obama could be the Antichrist? Give reasons for your answers." The first thought that came to my mind was that this was the usual Christian paranoia on the identity of the Antichrist. The Bible has made it very clear that no one will know the identity of the Antichrist until he is revealed in due time by God. That time will signal the start of the seven years of Great Tribulation.
When the election results indicated that Mr Obama would win the presidency, the world jumped to their feet in global applause. The Indonesians clamoured to have an educational link with Mr Obama and the Kenyans followed up immediately with an heritage link that was echoed throughout the world. Congratulatory notes flowed in fast and thick from the four corners of the world including the Middle East which normally remained placid and silent. Economic hopes were high as shares surged upwards when news broke that Mr Obama had won. The euphoria was unprecedented and so was the election of the first African American to presidency. Having seen the universal aftermath of the election of this American president with the economic crisis as the backdrop, one has to admit that the world has experienced something preceding generations could not envisage even in their wildest dreams. The world had been clamouring for a saviour to deliver them out of this global economic slump! It was a picture reminiscent of what the Bible prophesied some 2,000 years ago!
Revelation 13:8 prophesied, "And 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." The identity of "him" is found in the preceding verses. Revelation 13:4-5 testifies, "And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months." The world will worship both the Dragon (i.e. Satan) and the Beast (i.e. the Antichrist). What could ever bring the world to their knees, cause countries to surrender their national sovereignty and call one from a different country their king and god? Perhaps a greater and more catastrophic global economic disaster like the one we are experiencing now? The uncontrollable overnight bankruptcy of multi-billion dollar banks with an innumerable number of smaller banks following suit have left in their wake a freefalling economy that has stumped the most experienced and brilliant economists. Economic giants that were viewed as unsinkable "titanics" have sunk most ignobly beneath the cold dark waves of the economic tsunami that has transformed the economic horizon forever just as the sinking of the Titanic transformed the design of ships and sea travel.
Based upon what we have seen, one very important truth to note is that the world is very ready to receive the Antichrist. He is a genius who will solve the world's problems with a brilliant plan. Daniel 7:8 describes him as a brilliant man and a gifted orator (as seen in the phrase "eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth speaking great things"), "considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things." Today, the technological mechanics are in place and are here to stay as the world was able to watch "live" when the votes for Mr Obama and Mr McCain were counted and announced on a state by state basis. The world was gripped and mesmerized by Mr Obama with his ingenious campaign trail that spanned 21 months. His effortless speeches reduced his opponents to "also ran" and the outcome was predicted with such accuracy months before the election. Mr Obama worked tirelessly for that prize - to sit in the White House and become the most powerful man on earth for the next 4 years!
The 21st century Christian is living in very momentous times. Not only is history being made now but prophecies are being fulfilled before his eyes. Only the spiritually blind will not be able to see. Jesus rebuked His enemies in Matthew 16:1-3 with these words, "The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?" Is Christ rebuking us too?
God's children must see that the signs preceding the return of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ are being fulfilled with every passing global event. Matthew 24:24 warns that great signs and wonders will be done in the last days before Christ's return (the alternate name of the Charismatic Movement is Signs and Wonders Movement); Matthew 24:14 teaches that the gospel will be preached throughout the world (already accomplished with modern technology); 2 Thess. 2:1-3 says that there will be a falling away of the Christian Faith before the Antichrist is revealed (the rise of the ecumenical movement in the 20th Century is the falling away) and many more.
Christians who are born again must know that these signs are warnings from their Heavenly Father to His beloved children of the impending last days of manˇ¦s existence. If children will not believe their own Heavenly Father, who will? Therefore, Christians, we must be vigilant and not be deceived by the message of the Evil One that there will be peace on earth even as he solves the worldˇ¦s economic, political and religious crises. There can be no peace without Christ. Christ will return to bring peace. Satan and the Antichrist and the False Prophet will deceive the world by ushering in false peace (read 1 Thess 5:3). The world will believe the Antichrist but we must not and cannot! Vigilance coupled with the clear understanding of God's perfect Word will keep the Christian in good stead. But be diligent and not slothful. Every Christian must get his head out of the sand of greed and stop building his life on sinking sand. All the things of this earth are sinking sand. They will all be destroyed by fire. 2 Peter 3:7 warns, "But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.¨ Preach the gospel, live holy lives, defend Godˇ¦s perfect Word and pray without ceasing, serve the LORD constrained by Christ's love, for these are the "good works" that we have been saved to do till our Lord returns.
Is the world ready for the Antichrist? The Antichrist is ready . . . . . . for the world!
May all who have eyes to see, see and ears to hear, hear! God help us!