What exactly is thisAntiChrist, anyways? Like most crazy Jesus Freak stuff - the Rapture, Christmas, Easter, 666, etc. - the popular concept doesn't appear in the actual Bible and was just made up by some nuts. The word antichrist (from the Greek antíkhristos, meaning "instead of Christ") appears all of five times in the whole Bible, exclusively in the epistles John 1 and John 2.
I did some research and came up with some interesting things.
The Bible was not written in one specific year or in a single location. The Bible is a collection of writings, and the earliest ones were set down nearly 3500 years ago. So let's start at the beginning of this fascinating story.
The first five books of the Bible are attributed to Moses and are commonly called the Pentateuch (literally "five scrolls").
Moses lived between 1500 and 1300 BC, though he recounts events in the first eleven chapters of the Bible that occurred long before his time (such as the creation and the flood).
These earliest accounts were handed on from generation to generation in songs, narratives, and poetry.
In those early societies there was no writing as yet and people passed on these oral accounts with great detail and accuracy.
The earliest writing began when symbols were scratched or pressed on clay tablets. The Egyptians refined this technique and developed an early form of writing known as hieroglyphics. The Bible tells us that Moses was "educated in all the learning of the Egyptians", so he would have been familiar with the major writing systems of his time. We also read that God gave Moses "two tablets of the Testimony, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God"(Exodus 31:18). All this leads to the conclusion that the earliest writings in the Bible were set down around 1400 BC.
The writings of the thirty or so other contributors to the Old Testament span a thousand years! They recount the times and messages from Moses' successor, Joshua, to the last of the Old Testament prophets, Malachi, who wrote his little tract around 450 BC.
Then there is a 500-year period when no writings were contributed to the Bible. This is the period between the testaments, when Alexander the Great conquered much of the world and when the Greek language was introduced to the Hebrews. Indeed, they began to use Greek so much that the Hebrew language was replaced by Greek and by another language, Aramaic, which was spoken all over that area of the world at that time.
The New Testament was written during a much shorter period, i.e. during the last half of the first century AD.
It was the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, which ignited the flame that produced the New Testament, as the new faith swept across the Near East and then westward to Greece and on to Rome.
Half of the New Testament books were contributed by one man, the Apostle Paul, in the epistles he sent to groups of new Christians and to his assistants Timothy and Titus.
The Bible closes with a majestic book of visions and dramatic views of the future. It was penned by the aged Apostle John around 95 AD and describes the new heaven and the new earth when God's kingdom will embrace the universe and all rebellion and death will be a thing of the past.
But yet:
Muslim history began in Arabia with the prophet Muhammad's first recitations of the Qur'an in the 7th century AD that is.
So now how can the bible written hundreds of years BEFORE Muhammed and Islam came about actually contain references to the Antichrist being a Muslim and practically pointing the finger at Obama?
Maybe Barrack Obama is just what he appears to be...a guy out to get the job done.


Comments: 95
Yeppers Joseph.
Kind of makes you wonder if the people that believe this stuff have actually ever even read the bible.
And as far as the Muslim thing...he went to Muslim and Catholic school because his mother enrolled him.
And isnt the USA supposed to have freedom of religion? I no more associate Obama with the Jihadist Muslims as I do my wonderful christian friends being zealots that blow up abortion clinics.
so true. I saw a video of some republican who was going on and on about allowing the 10 commandments to be displayed in government buildings. The interviewer asked him how many of the commandments he could recite. The answer was...not many. I think he got no killing and no stealing. I think I knew more than he did and I avoid the bible like I avoid the Olympics.
Thanks Jim.
Muslims are not evil. Fanatics in any religion or political following may be. But Muslims are not evil by nature. No more than blue-eyed blondes from Iowa are evil. ;-)
Picture row after row of bobble head dolls...that is the problem with people who recite these rumors about Obama.
I haven't seen anything Christ-like about the boys currently in Washington.
Ruth I kind of am thinking the same thing.
Donald I dont know how you got any type of racist anything out of this. My whole point is that supposedly according to the bible it states that the antichrist is supposed to be a Muslim...when the state of Islam and the prophet Mohammed werent even around when Jesus lived and the bible was written. Regardless of whether you believe in the bible or not...facts are facts.
To each his own in this country I was told.
I study the Torah and scripture references throughout the Bible. I believe.
It has thrown me a couple of times, because I was raised in nominal christian churches. Didn't really learn anything there either. Remember sneaking into the Lutheran church where we lived and another girl and I played church and went and got some of those wafers that they serve at communion. If we had gotten caught, my rear would still be stinging. Good thing they didn't have a baptisimal fount, we may have tried to drwon each other.
I have and do read Revelation. Seems the "church" isn't mentioned after the fourth chapter. Anyone else find this to be true? Or is this a believer smashing party?
I have allot to learn, do any of you?
Barbara S.
No Jesus would not be impressed by politicians.
I think Obama is just a charasmatic man. People are drawn to him. I hope they know what they're doing.
"The Dead Sea Scrolls consist of roughly 1,000 documents, including texts from the Hebrew Bible, discovered between 1947 and 1979 in eleven caves in and around the Wadi Qumran (near the ruins of the ancient settlement of Khirbet Qumran, on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea) in Israel. The texts are of great religious and historical significance, as they include practically the only known surviving copies of Biblical documents made before 100 AD, and preserve evidence of considerable diversity of belief and practice within late Second Temple Judaism" Wikipedia
My donation to the history lesson....
Gerald I think Obamas ancestory being both black and white may lead to more tolerance and a desire to help people,....not just blacks not just whites.
While I appreciate your sentiment...I wasnt aware that Obama is a devout Muslim..not that there is anything wrong with being a Muslim.
I think he is in a very unique situation...when you talk about white people he is one of them.
When you talk about blacks he is also one of them.
I am just hoping he will be a great president of the PEOPLE.
I did read your article closely.
I'm sorry my being a smart a-- didn't come across as I intended.
Guess you have to get to know me a bit for my dry sense of humor to come out in all the worng places.
Barbara S.
Thats what makes life so much fun.
I live in a censor free and free thinking zone:)
Barack Obama could never, ever fit the description given in the Book of Daniel.
Period. The End. Sorry to disappoint those who are trying so hard to make it so.
You don't need the Book of Revelations to get a good look at this man, although Revelations does seem to align with the Book of Daniel.
Barack Obama's platform is founded -- to a large extent -- on UNITY, or bringing people together, despite their differences, whatever those differences may be.
To seem to disparage any religion, religious beliefs, or religious writings is a form of dividing; just ain't cool, and most certainly shall cause bad feelings. Frankly, it doesn't bother me, but not everyone is like me.
On the other hand, those people who are calling Barack Obama the Anti-Christ have exposed themselves -- many would claim "Christianity", but I call it "Christendom", and like my mother used to say,
They are the ones who shall burst the bottom [of Hell] out with their brand of so-called "Christianity", for they are no more Christian (disciples of Christ) than I am the man in the moon.
Apparently one of his grandfathers was present at the liberation of Buchenwald but when Obama mentioned it he called it Auswitch. A mistake I would have made too as Auswitch is the more well known of the two camps. The McCain camp leaped on that one stating the Soviets liberated Auswitch so Obama's grandfather would have been a commie if he was present at the liberation of Auswitch.
Get real people!
A Conversation With God... Yada' means: "to know in a relational sense." Yahweh is God's personal name. It conveys "I Am" and "I Exist." Therefore, Yada Yahweh is an invitation "to know Yahweh" and "to understand our existence."
My interpretation of this is, "To be at complete understanding of ourselves and in peace and harmony with the world we live in".
My opinion of course…
Kath - If you haven't figured out who 666 referred to yet it is the number of Nero Ceasar
What is it with someone always calling a presidential canidate the anti-christ? This seems to be the norm anymore.
I am the anti-Chrysler!
Danyale you mean he would screw up our perfect country that Bush has built? You just really didnt get it did you?
Neetah the point was that people are claiming that it almost points the finger at Obama being the antichrist in the bible when in reality there is no references to Muslims in the bible because there werent Muslims then. I am not at all trying to discredit the bible....in fact just the opposite.
Thanks Dorothy,
Kathleen yeppers grasping at straws.
Ed true. Thanks.
Wade yes the 666 another interpretation of the bible that doesnt exist in the bible. didnt the Omen movies start that fad?
What makes Obama a devout Muslim?
I'm tired of the debates centering around Obama, but what disturbs me even more is that some crazy religious wingnut, who believes Obama is the anti-christ will act on his fear, and possibly harm him.
antichrist." If this is true, the Republican Party should be renamed the Antichrist Party.
And sorry to disabuse some of you on this forum of you wrong belief that Senator Obama is a Muslim--he ain't. Please, also, learn to distinguish between Muslim culture and being a devout Muslim following the Five Pillars of Islam.
Debra W, May 28, 2008, 9:04am EDT"
Debra, if no one has killed Bush what makes you think they can get to Obama?
I understand what you are saying. Here's the thing: the thing gets scary, and people are scary in the way they take things and twist them around. Don't have a Bible nearby, so I'm going strictly by memory.
Book of Daniel, Chapter 12, (I think), when it talks about this man not regarding the "God of his fathers". Common phrase, which not only the Israelites uses, but (according to my Persian relatives who are Muslim), Muslims use it too, for they too claim to be the sons of Abraham. I already knew that, but since I am not of the Muslim faith, I defer to a relative who is of that faith.
So then, what they who are ignorant would say? Senator Obama's father was Muslim and therefore, it applies to him, that being Christian,
"he shall not regard the God of his Fathers"
See how easy to twist, although Christians DO regard Abraham, but people will do whatever they want to do, and take anything out of context to serve their purpose.
Thanks Lori, I knew where you were coming from, but these days -- how did Obama term it, "the Silly Season"? It is so easy for anything that is said to be taken out of context, but I did hear you.
:=)
\pouts a little
Thanks Neetah.
Ardie the Antichrist Repubs...you may be onto something there.
It was a hamster....dang Moggy I am so bad with my rodent species sometimes.
Rachel so true but I am still not convinced Reagan wasnt the antichrist:)
Thanks Michael.
There are several minor antichrist minnions on gather.
Chandra once again you are a non secular blessing to me:)
Barry has to be a brother.
Thanks Debra.
Spencer he isnt a devout Muslim. But since he did go to Muslim school about 40 years ago it counts dont ya know
From what I read in the First Epistle of John the antichrist is the liar who denies that Jesus is the Christ, one who denies the Father and the Son. That is Chapter 2 v 22 but prior to in Ch 2 v 18 it states that "even now many antichrists have risen" obviously more than one antichrist.
Now this was written by John, as some have pointed out appx 95 AD and his writing was referring to the present. Not our present time but his, back then. At this time he was facing heracy from the Gnostics so I would think those are he referred to as the antichrist. Which I haven't studied the Gnostics that much but what I have learned they just weren't all that bad. I think he was scared that he would loose the members of his church based on Christianity to them. However, based on his definition of the Anti-Christ anyone who is not Christian (part of his church at that time) was the antichrist. Which encompasses far more than Muslims and I have never heard anyone proclaim that the Anti-Christ would be Muslim. To top that off Senator Obama is not Muslim. So I am not sure why that was thrown in at the end. Even though the Prophet Mohammed did not make the scene until well after Jesus, the Qu'ran goes back further and gives Ishmael - the son of Abraham through his wife Sarah's handmaid, a more positive view than the Christian and Judiac beliefs do. The Qu'ran believes that Ishmael was the son that Abraham was called upon by God to sacrifice instead of Issac. So they too address some history prior to their prophet being on earth and all.
I am also a bit confused why you state that prior to the written times (Genesis and such) that stories were passed down with great detail and accuracy orally. Of course they were passed down orally, but what makes anyone think that during that time there was any more accuracy and detail in their passing of stories orally than exist now. Did you ever play that game in grade school where the teacher whispers something in the first student's ear and then that student whispers it to the next and so on and so on until it is to the last student who repeats what they heard and it is never the same by that point and that is with immediate passing of the story.
I guess I just don't understand why you did this this way. You got my attention with your title but where was the follow through. First Jesus Freak stuff like Christmas and Easter are not mentioned as holidays in the Bible but were made to observe and remember the Birth of Jesus and his Rising from the Tomb after being crucified. Events which are well recorded not only in the New Testament but in history itself. And if Christians choose to mark these days each year with rememberance I dont find that any freakier than a Jewish person celbrating Chaunakah or Passover, which are to remember events that are well documented in the Old Testament and in History. But yet you throw in some facts, assumptions and basic notes on the time line of the writings of the Bible then throw Mohammed's time line out there and somehow try to tie in that the anti-christ is going to be Muslim...but what does that have to do with anything? Is it about trying to keep spreading a lie about Senator Obama's faith, which should not make a hill of beans to anyone but he is not a Muslim and is a Christian. Because that is the only possible thing I can conclude because the title doesn't match that writing. Is it just me???
Reverend Deborah
But I am not happy that you are no better than any other Hater by calling us Jesus Freaks.
Obama is not a true American he has other ties.... Watch out ! If he gets in office and all of you that vote for him DO NOT CRAB when he screws you in the A$$. I am feel bad for people who actually believe his crap. Just because he claims he is Christian he still is a Hater! I hope I do not hear any of you crying if he gets into office and you are not the right color or religion.
If someone tells you that they talk to god nightly and he calls them on the phone and whatnot what would you call them? A freak?
'
No, I don't know and cannot allow myself to get so low as to consider that.
What if Barack were the anti-christ and Michelle Obama the great whore? How about OPRAH? Hmmm... would that be an interesting combo. This is all tongue in cheek of course, because between the anti Christ and references to Hitler throughout this campaign there has to be some sanity about who's who and what's what in the American devil arena.
If you are a vanilla/chocolate swirl ice cream cone in America, it tends to confuse people......this also goes with religion.......
A little bit of this and a little bit of that with a well rounded character is not considered a plus.
You got 2 choices Democrat or Republican.
You got 2 candidates black and white.
You got 2 of everything.
That's it. Make your choice.
There seems to be a problem with SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE......this was the very thing that brought the settlers here from England. If we are still making the same stupid mistakes....what have we learned nothing? I don't know anymore.
No I don't believe that Mr. Obama is the Anti-Christ. I think that is asinine.
This has nothing to do with the true Christian Church. As a matter of fact I am pretty sure if Jesus were here today he would not be Republican or Democrat at all. Nor belong to any political party at all.
I am embarrassed by fellow Americans who even worry over if he is Muslim or once was. This shows ignorance about the majority of Muslims and ignorance in our Constitution in Separation of Church and State which is right up there and is about the Government staying out of the practices of religion.
So what if he went to a Muslim anything? I worked at an Episcopal school and I am not nor have I ever been and Episcopalian, nor were all the students there.
As for the definition of anti-christ - which is anyone who denies the father and the son, since he does not deny this and is a Christian then pooey on those who keep bringing up lies and inuendo to sway an election.
As for if he becomes President in regards to Janet's off the wall comments his only tie to another country is by his father being from another country. By that definition all US Presidents and most of us have ties to other countries. The idea that he will somehow sell the US out or trample over people who are not of his race or religion is just ignorant beyond ignorant and reminds me of Nazi propaganda. The bigger the liar the more likely you can sell it.
Amd even thought his religion is irrelevant regardless of if you want to believe that or not it really is. Yes he is a Christian. If he is a Hater I have yet to hear or read anything from him that would indicate that as a matter of fact the evidence (real not conjured) points in the opposite direction but the same can not be said of your comment which indicates that you are a Hater. Are you afraid of that he will enslave the white race or something? Seriously your words lead me to believe something I don't wish to believe about you and I hope I am wrong.
So once again.
He is not a hater.
He is not a Muslim
He has never been a Muslim
He is not the anti-christ.
He does have a very good record of introducing, supporting and voting for legislation that was rightous and good for the people, all the people. I dare you to find one issue he has tried to get passed that in turn backfired and caused more harm than good,
What he is is an intelligent, poised, professional, well spoken citizen of the country who may very well and I pray he will be the next President of this country. It isn't just the phrase hope. But I see a country I love that needs the hope to heal and rebuild and come back together.
www.geocities.com/bookofmichael