Dear Jovial,

          I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone in thinking that BO is not the Antichrist and that we are not in the Tribulation.  The Bible is very specific about both.  The Tribulation will be a time unparalleled in history.  “For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now – and never to be equaled again.”  Matthew 24:21.  There will not be any doubt as to the timing of the Tribulation.  And the arrival of Antichrist will be accompanied by signs and wonders.  “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing.  They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.  For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.”  2 Thessalonians: 2:9-12.

          In fact, I propose that “the lie” will be the belief that the Antichrist is God.  2 Thessalonians 2:4 tells us that he will proclaim himself to be God.  And Revelation 13:11-18 tells us that the False Prophet (who should be readily identifiable by now if we were in the Tribulation) will spearhead the worship of the Beast.  “He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed.  And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men.  Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth.  He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived.”  Revelation 13:12-14.

          I have not seen any signs and wonders in connection to BO which could possibly convince the inhabitants of the earth (not just America or Democrats) that he is God.  So no, we are not in the Tribulation and no one yet has been revealed to be the Antichrist.  When either happens, however, we will be able look to Scripture and confirm it on EVERY point. 

          Maranatha.  

                   – Lisa Taylor