Controversial Pastor Links Obama's Gay Marriage Endorsement to...the Future Rise of the Antichrist

The Rev. Robert Jeffress of First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, will release a new book this month that is sure to spark theological and political debate, particularly because of its mention of President Barack Obama's support of gay marriage -- and the Christian belief in the coming of the Antichrist.

In his new book, "Perfect Ending," Jeffress makes it clear that he doesn't believe President Barack Obama is the Antichrist, a key figure in End Times theology, though he makes an important distinction about Obama's endorsement of same-sex marriage, according to excerpts published by Religion News Service.

"For the first time in history a president of our country has openly proposed altering one of society’s (not to mention God’s) most fundamental laws: that marriage should be between a man and a woman," the author writes in "Perfect Ending."

This undated photo provided by First Baptist Church shows The Rev. Robert Jeffress. (Image source: AP Photo/First Baptist Church, Luke Edmonson)

He continues, "While I am not suggesting that President Obama is the Antichrist, the fact that he was able to propose such a sweeping change in God’s law and still win reelection by a comfortable margin illustrates how a future world leader will be able to oppose God’s laws without any repercussions."

So while he's by no means directly comparing Obama to the Antichrist, Jeffress believes that the dearth of push back following the president's decision not to defend traditional marriage shows how easy it will plausibly be for the Antichrist to openly reject God's laws and still gain acceptance.

Jeffress told Religion News Service that he's particularly worried about Americans losing their rights for what is being dubbed "a greater good."

"How it can be that this leader is able to usurp freedom of speech with little or no opposition?" the pastor said of Obama. "People will be conditioned to surrender personal rights for the so-called greater good."

This isn't the first time Jeffress has linked Obama's rise to the Antichrist. Just before the 2012 election, he preached that, if President Barack Obama were to win re-election (the reality of which came just two days later), America would be set on a dangerous path toward Armageddon.

President Barack Obama speaks about his Promise Zones Initiative, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. (Image source: AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

“I want you to hear me tonight, I am not saying that President Obama is the Antichrist, I am not saying that at all,” he preached. “But what I am saying is this: the course he is choosing to lead our nation is paving the way for the future reign of the Antichrist.”

Jeffress also ignited controversy in 2011 with comments he made about Texas Gov. Rick Perry and 2012 Republican presidential Candidate Mitt Romney.

"Rick Perry’s a Christian. He’s an evangelical Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ," Jeffress said in in Oct. 2011. "Mitt Romney’s a good moral person, but he’s not a Christian. Mormonism is not Christianity, it has always been considered a cult by the mainstream of Christianity."

"Perfect Ending" will be released on Jan. 21.

(H/T: Religion News Service)

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