Dear 1 Corinthians 10:31,

          Thank you very much for your reply: http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/july2012/1cor1031-72.htm   I understand that Obama is a very touchy subject around here. But I am old enough to have seen my share of Antichrist contenders come and go by the wayside.  So, you are going to have to forgive my reluctance to accuse anyone of being the Antichrist prior to his revealing.

          That being said, I do believe that the future Antichrist is alive and well.  In fact, we probably agree that all of the main players (i.e. leaders) of the Tribulation period are alive and well.  So, why couldn’t Obama be one of the ten kings or some other important player?  Why insist that he can only be the Antichrist?  Is it because he is arrogant and self-centered?  Well, a lot of leaders can fit that bill. 

          Take a look at the passage from 1 Timothy 2:2-4 one more time:

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

          Did you really absorb that?  God wants all men to be saved – that includes Obama.  (If it is God’s will that all men be saved, then shouldn’t we pray for the salvation of all men?)  Now, really look at the passage.  We are to make requests for, pray for, intercede for, and give thanksgiving for everyone – whether you like it or not, that includes Obama.  I am not telling you to do this; the Word of God is telling you to do this. 

          You assume that Obama has already crossed the line away from salvation – that he is beyond prayer.  But how can you know this for sure?  When I brought up the fact that only Judas and the Antichrist are called the “son of perdition,” I wanted to show by example how Jesus treated a "son of perdition."  For 3 ½ years He communed with Judas, gave him the position of treasurer, allowed him to see His supernatural abilities firsthand.   He did all of this before Judas crossed that line.  He gave Judas the best opportunity to get to know Him – the best chance to change his course to perdition.  He showed mercy to Judas.  Are you now saying that you know better than Jesus? 

          No offense, but Jesus regularly hung out with the undesirables of His day.  We are to be in the world but not of it.  Look, I am not asking anyone to have Sunday supper with Obama.  But would you turn down the opportunity to witness to him if it presented itself?  Or are you so revolted by the idea that God could show mercy to Obama – the same way that Jonah was revolted by the idea that God could show mercy to Nineveh – that you would run in the other direction and see him damned?

          Our God is a God of Mercy, and each and every one of us should be thankful for that fact.  Otherwise, we would all be headed for the Lake of Fire.  Judas will be without excuse when he stands before the Judgment Seat.  Jesus gave him every opportunity not to become the son of perdition.  Likewise, I believe that the Antichrist will be given the same duration of mercy that Judas was given.  The ministry of the Two Witnesses will precede the reign of the Antichrist by 3 ½ years.  During that time, the Two Witnesses will warn the world and the Antichrist of what will come.  So, he too will be without excuse.

          Christians should try to reflect their Lord – to hate the sin, but to love the sinner.  Take a look at that passage from 1 Timothy one last time.  There is a benefit to us when “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men (KJV).”  We will “live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”  Sometimes, God wants us do things that we may not want to do – like praying for Obama – because it will have a benefit to our own well-being.  If you think about it, there is logic to it.  Having a contentious spirit against another cannot have a positive effect on anyone’s psyche.

          So, I will pray for Obama because I believe that the Bible exhorts me to do so.  I will not assume that he has reached the point of no return until (if and when) he is revealed to be the Antichrist.  (See 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12.)  In the meantime, I will respect your opinion that he is the Antichrist and I hope that you will respect my decision to wait and see.

          Maranatha.  

                   – Lisa Taylor