Oprah Winfrey Was Right!

Oprah Winfrey was quoted as saying "It feels like hope won" by the BBC. She is absolutely correct, hope has won! Unfortunately for Oprah, she was referring to the victory by President Elect Barack Hussein Obama instead of Jesus Christ's victory over death. Isaiah prophesied about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and His victory over the enemies of His people in Isaiah 25:8.

"He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; The rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; For the LORD has spoken." (NKJV)

Later, following the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul referred to Isaiah's prophesy in 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 showing that His victory over death had been fulfilled - once and for all.

"Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed--in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."

"Oh Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?"

The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (NKJV)

Praise God that the Lord Jesus Christ set aside His glory and became a man. Praise God that the Lord Jesus Christ died in our place, drinking completely from the cup containing the Father's wrath. Praise God that Jesus Christ is risen!

Oprah's hope is sadly misplaced in a man, Barack Hussein Obama. While he might be the President Elect of the United States, he certainly can NOT give us the hope of everlasting life. To place your eternal hope in a man; any man, is foolishness. A man might provide you with worldly comforts, but no man can save your soul for all eternity - save our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Just remember what the Apostle Paul said above; this promise of everlasting life is for the brethren. Are you one of the brethren? Are you a child of God? Praise God if you are!

Is Barack Hussein Obama a child of God? He has publicly stated that he is a Christian. Of course, he has publicly stated that he is pro-abortion, going so far as to say that if his daughters "make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby." He also said that it was "above my pay grade" when asked to answer when life begins. (Quotes from the televised interview with Rick Warren on 16 Aug. 2008)

When asked about getting to heaven, Barack Hussein Obama answered that he believes that Jesus Christ died for his sins and through God's grace and mercy he could have "everlasting life". (LA Times quote during a campaign event in North Carolina) He then continued to state that he believes Jews and Muslims and non-believers who live moral lives are as much "children of God" as he is. (Associated Press) As an example, he spoke about his late mother who was "not a believer."

"[S]he was the kindest, most decent, generous person that I have ever known," Obama said, according to the Times. "I'm sure she is in heaven even though she may not have subscribed to everything that I subscribe to."

As a Christian, I know that the Bible is God's holy, living, infallible, inerrant communication of truth to man.

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" - Heb 4:12 (NKJV)

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." - 2 Tim 3:16-17 (NKJV)

Given that description of scripture, we can consider Barack Hussein Obama's "christianity". He is pro-abortion, though scripture clearly states:

"You shall not murder." - Exo 20:13 (NKJV)

Perhaps aborting the unborn is not murder. Remember, it was "above [his] pay grade" to state when he believed life begins.

"For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb." - Psa 139:13 (NKJV)

Our Creator is at work, forming our parts while we are covered in our mother's womb. What a glorious picture of His love and compassion on us while we are still unborn. God is at work forming us from the beginning. So, are we "better" than God in believing we can undo that which He is doing? As a Christian, I know that I am nothing compared to my Heavenly Father.

Also, he wouldn't want his daughters "punished with a baby", so he seems to consider unplanned pregnancy a punishment.

"Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward." - Psa 127:3 (NKJV)

Well, either our Heavenly Father is in error or Barack Hussein Obama is. I believe any true Christian can discern the answer.

As we continue, let us turn to the next topic - getting into heaven. Barack Hussein Obama believes that anyone (Christian, Jew, Muslim, and non-believer alike) can get into heaven because we are all "children of God". The Lord Jesus Christ himself said:

"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." - Jhn 14:6 (NKJV)

That clearly shows that the Lord Jesus Christ is the only way into heaven. If anyone can get into heaven, be they believers or non-believers, then He died on the cross for absolutely no reason. Only those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, believe in what He did, and place their trust in Him will ever enter into heaven.

Barack Hussein Obama, I am truly sorry about your late mother. I also understand that you would like nothing more than for her to be in heaven right now. However, once again scriptures are very clear about our works (e.g., being kind, generous, loving, hard working, etc.).

"But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away." - Isa 64:6

In comparison to God's holiness, even our best attempts at "being good" are like filthy rags to Him. If you want to truly understand that, look up the meaning of the word for filthy in that passage. We are born in sin (Psa 51:5 and 58:3), and we will die in sin unless we willingly give ourselves over to the Lord Jesus Christ - crucifying the flesh (Gal 5:24). I'm sorry, but if your mother was not a true Christian, then she will not enter heaven.

So, what does all this mean? Is Barack Hussein Obama a true Christian (recognized by God as one of His own), or is he a self-proclaimed "christian"? Can Barack Hussein Obama be right and the Lord Jesus Christ wrong? I will let you decide.

"If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth." - 1 John 1:6 (NKJV)

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." - 1 John 1:8 (NKJV)

"He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." - 1 John 2:4 (NKJV)

"Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also." - 1 John 2:22-23 (NKJV)

While I offer up a few passages from 1 John above, I encourage everyone to read, study, and pray over the entire Book of 1 John (and all of God's holy scripture). While it is easy for people to take passages out of context, study this Book and see for yourself what a true Christian is. Take the tests given in these passages of scripture and know if you are one of the brethren.

Pray that Oprah Winfrey will have her eyes and ears opened to God's truth. Pray that her heart will be pierced and convicted by God. Pray that she will find true hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. Pray likewise for President Elect Barack Hussein Obama.

"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence." - 1 Tim 2:1-2 (NKJV)

"Christ in you, the hope of glory." - Col 1:27b (NKJV)

I hope and pray that everyone who reads my humble ramblings will be blessed with discernment, wisdom, and understanding from our Heavenly Father above. Grace be with you!

Blessings in Christ,
Ric Crooks