Dutch Sheets Pens Commentary on President Obama's Victory

New Apostolic Reformation preacher Dutch Sheets recently posted a commentary on the aftermath of the 2012 presidential election at his website. In the commentary, Sheets lists different religious explanations for why President Obama won the election, pointing out the merits or flaws of each explanation. The subtext, it seems, is that President Obama's re-election is a negative event that believers are struggling to understand.

On the question of whether President Obama and his policies are part of some divine judgment meant to "wake us up", Sheets insists that President Obama's policies will "increase judgments." He offers this vitriolic jab at Democrats, abortion, LGBTQ persons, and Muslims.

"I certainly believe America is and will continue to reap judgment. And I believe the fruit from the reelection of Barack Obama will be our most severe judgment to date. Let us not forget that the political party Americans just voted back into power boldly favors abortion, homosexuality, homosexual marriage, and that they voted God and the support of Israel out of their platform. And, I might add, boo-ed when God was put back in the platform after the potential fallout was realized. God is not mocked, however, and will have the last word.

Our economy will suffer greatly. The financial devastation and quality-of-care deterioration associated with socialized medicine will be staggering; more liberal, pro-abortion. Constitution disregarding, anti-God Supreme Court justices will be appointed (meaning more babies will die, marriage will be dishonored and immorality will be defended); Islam will be emboldened; our military will be weakened; and devastations from natural disasters will continue and perhaps increase. This is the short list."

Sheets is also confident that God has endured enough alleged "mocking" from President Obama, who will be declared "deficient" as per Daniel 5.

"I don't know what form the judgment of the Lord will take, but I am quite confident that God has put up with all of the mocking He intends to from Barack Obama, and that Daniel 5 is now his passage. I say this without malice or ill will, but nonetheless, confidently."

For context, in Daniel 5, God had numbered King Belshazzar's reign because the king worshipped pagan gods and failed to humble himself. Through a sign interpreted by Daniel, God warned Belshazzar that his kingdom would be divided among the Medes and Persians. Belshazzar was later assassinated, and Darius the Mede took control of his kingdom. Obviously, Sheets' use of this chapter as a warning to the president has extremely ominous overtones.

In conclusion, Sheets' commentary suggests that President Obama's re-election was not only an unfortunate event, but a portent that heralds judgment from God. After painting a horrifying (to right-wing Christians, at least) picture of a second Obama term, Sheets cites a Biblical passage of violence and judgment. This reveals much about his political views that I find unsettling.

To read Dutch Sheet's entire commentary, "Response to the Presidential Elections of 2012",  click here. 

(Hat tip to Right Wing Watch)