It’s becoming an annual event; someone sets a date for the end of the world, the second coming of Christ or some other cosmic event. They ramp up a media campaign, promoting their prophet, declaring the date for Christ’s return or Judgment day. They plaster billboards across the globe, their followers engage in frenzied activity, and they gain increasing media attention as the date approaches. Then the prophetic day passes uneventfully. The False Prophet then disappears into oblivion (at least for a while). Skeptics gloat over another failed prophecy. Disappointed followers disperse asking “How were we deceived?” The cause of Christ is damaged and the Christian message discredited.
Last Year’s Date--May 21, 2011
Last year’s false prophet was Harold Camping of Family Radio. He predicted Christ would return on May 21, 2011 and the apocalypse on October 21, 2011. Neither event happened. Christians shouldn’t be surprised, since Jesus Christ said "no one knows the day or the hour" (Matt. 24:36). One year later, it’s happening again (only worse).
This Year’s Date--June 30, 2012
This year the “magic date” is supposed to be June 30, 2012—that’s the “day of transformation.” That’s the day on which, according to Hispanic preacher, J. L. de Jesús Miranda, he and his followers will be transfigured from mortality to immortality, to have a bodies like the resurrected Christ’s. It is also the day of Armageddon, on which (he claims) all non-believers will be destroyed. But De Jesus is more than a prophet; he calls himself “the Jesus Christ Man,” who is both Jesus Christ reincarnated and the Antichrist! Last year events manifest Harold Camping to be a false prophet. This year J. L. de Jesús Miranda risks being exposed as both a false prophet and a false Christ. Christians shouldn’t to be surprised by this phenomenon. Jesus declared “many false prophets will arise and will lead many astray.”(Matt. 24:11). The Apostle John cautioned, “do not believe every spirit, but prove the spirits whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1). Jesus also warned that, “false Christs and false prophets will arise” (Matt. 24:24; Mark 13:22). The non-fulfillment of De Jesus’ prophecies on Saturday, June 30, 2012 will prove that he belongs in this latter category.
The news items below summarize J. L. de Jesús Miranda’s life and extravagant claims.
Nigel Tomes.
Who is José Luis de Jesús Miranda
José Luis de Jesús Miranda (born April 22, 1946 in Puerto Rico) is the founder and leader of Growing In Grace International Ministry, Inc., based in Miami, Florida, USA. De Jesús Miranda claims to be both Jesus Christ reincarnated and the Antichrist. He exhibits a “666” tattoo on his forearm. He has referred to himself as “The Man Christ Jesus” [“Jesucristo Hombre" in Spanish]. De Jesús Miranda has a large following, mostly among Hispanics. In 2007 the Dallas Morning News [Texas, USA] reported that de Jesús "preaches to followers in some 35 nations, mostly in Latin America, and has 287 radio programs and a 24-hour Spanish-language TV network." De Jesús' broadcasts are received in over 103 countries.
In early 2007 De Jesús Miranda claimed that he was the Antichrist. He uses this title because (he alleges) people should no longer to follow the "Jewish teachings" of Jesus of Nazareth. De Jesús Miranda claims people ought to follow the Apostle Paul’s teachings through him.
“666” Tattoos
Most recently, De Jesús’ followers have shown their support by getting “666”tattoos on their bodies. "666", de Jesús says, is …the number of the Antichrist. A gallery of followers tattooed with the number “666” may be seen on his official website.
De Jesús and his followers celebrate Christmas each year on April 22, as this is his birthday--the day de Jesús was born and therefore they claim it is the "real" Christmas.
De Jesús Miranda has publicly announced the day of his "transformation", where he will be made immortal just as happened to the body of Jesus of Nazareth. He has announced that as of April 19, 2011 there are 438 days left. [That takes it to around June 30, 2012] [Wikipedia]
Religious Sect sets the ‘Transformation’--June 30, 2012
Armina Ligaya, National Post Staff May 1, 2012
Beaming with pride, Doris Rosado watches her teenage daughters, get the number “666” tattooed on their wrists. That number is tied to the Antichrist, but this St. Catharines, Ont., family belongs to a obscure Christian sect for which “666” is a positive symbol of their group’s messianic leader.
“They wanted to do it,” Ms. Rosado, said at the tattoo parlor. “But now it’s more important because we’re counting down—[to June 30, 2012]… I’m so proud.”
De Jesus Miranda— Christ’s Second Coming?
For this family, and other members of Growing in Grace Int., these tattoos demonstrate their faith as true believers of Jose Luis de Jesus — who they fervently believe is the second coming of Jesus Christ— before a day of reckoning they believe will wipe out most of humanity.
The group claims branches in five Canadian cities and members in more than 130 countries. They believe that on June 30 2012 (or July 1 across the dateline), their US-based leader-- Jose de Luis de Jesus Miranda--and his followers will be transformed. To spread the word they put up billboards in Toronto this week featuring Mr. de Jesus.
“Countdown to the Transformation, June 30, 2012”
“That day-- June 30, 2012--the body of Jose de Luis de Jesus, who is a human like you and me, his flesh is going to be immortal…. He’s going to be living forever. And that will happen to him, but also his followers” the group’s bishop declared.
But “All those that are not believers are going to be destroyed,” he warned.
June 30--Endowed with Superpowers
Mr. de Jesus also predicts that the “transformation” will endow him, and his loyal followers, with superpowers, such as the ability to fly and walk through walls, said the bishop’s daughter. “[We can] run and not get tired. Go through fire and not get burned …. I could be talking to you right now, and then I could go through that wall. So, you’ll know there is a difference,” she said.
The global economy will collapse as currency markets “fail” and governments around the world will be forced to resign. These predictions are based on biblical passages, she adds. “The world’s not going to end. What is going to end is the system…. All the governments and the currencies will fall. The new government of the 666 will take over,” she said.
Billboard Campaign
The group’s billboards feature a picture of Mr. de Jesus, with such messages as “666, number of wisdom”or “Countdown to the transformation June 30, 2012.” The group is eyeing billboards in Ottawa and Kitchener. They have put up billboards in at least 10 countries, including the U.S., Brazil and Puerto Rico, she said.
Mr. de Jesus, had a vision in 1973 of two angels coming to him. “The body of Christ manifested in Jose de Luis de Jesus, and all of a sudden, that’s when he knew,” Ms. Cooley said.
De Jesus founded Growing in Grace, [Spanish: Cresciendo en Gracia,] in 1986 in Puerto Rico. His teachings are based on the writings of the Apostle Paul, Ms. Cooley says.
“Stupid people who believe stupidities”
The group has come under fire and accused of being a cult. Mrs. Regina Albarracin of Florida, whose son became estranged from his family after he joined the group, said its members are “brainwashed.” “They’re stupid people who believe in stupidities,” she told the Miami New Times. “They’re like those people in Waco, Texas. When you go there, you get brainwashed.”
Flow of Funds—Follow the Money
Questions have been raised about funds flowing from followers into the group’s coffers.
The church had been paying $144,000 a year in alimony to de Jesus’ first wife, … according to the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel (2007). Also, followers’ donations went to a Colombian bank account in J. L. de Jesus’ name, the paper reported. De Jesus said the Colombian bishop controlled the money… [but] some went to de Jesus’ wife, including about $60,000 for a condominium…
The group has roughly 200 members in Canada, including branches in Toronto, St. Catharines, Montreal and Calgary. Its newest branch is in Vancouver.
The group’s Ontario’s members congregate in hotel conference rooms for online broadcasts. In Niagara Falls, a few dozen members sat in rows facing a screen. The sermon-like Spanish broadcast was streamed live online, beaming in images from gatherings around the world. Members listened to speakers and sang along with the hymns. “We’re the ones who will live eternally,” they sang in Spanish.
De Jesus Disappears from Public View
Usually, Mr. de Jesus addresses his followers online. But on April 22, 2012, his 66th birthday, he gave his last speech before retreating from public view.
In a YouTube video and on their website, Mr. de Jesus called his followers to enter into the final countdown until (he says) their government will come into power. It’ll be “a government (he declared) where we will govern everything with a perfect order. This is my last farewell for you. The time is finished… We will see each other soon in Armageddon.”
Q: "Who is Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda? Is he the Antichrist?"
Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda’s following has all of the classic signs of a cult. There is the claim to extra-biblical authority by way of the vision of Christ “integrating” with him. There’s the fact that Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda is the sole, undisputed leader of his movement, who exerts total authority over his church and ministry. There is the teaching of exclusive doctrine such as the non-existence of the devil, hell and sin, the futility of prayer, and the irrelevancy of God’s moral code (the 10 Commandments). He exploits his people financially, living a lavish lifestyle well beyond his reported means based on the generosity of his followers. Finally, there is a defective Christology. He claims he is greater than Jesus Christ and that his teachings supersede those of Christ. He even refers to himself as the Antichrist and sports a “666” tattoo on his forearm. He claims that since He is Christ, worship of Jesus Christ is invalid. His more zealous followers are receiving 666 tattoos to declare their allegiance to him.
The Bible predicts that there will be people coming in the last days claiming to be Christ. In Matt. 24:5 Jesus tells His disciples, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.” One of the signs that the end times are indeed approaching is the rise of false messiahs—people claiming to be the second coming of Jesus Christ….
Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda’s doctrines include the following: He claims there is no sin …But the Apostle John said that “if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). Romans 7 is a testament that even the Apostle Paul struggled with sin in his life…
Miranda claims there is no devil [Satan], yet Peter—after the resurrection of Jesus—says that Satan goes about like a “roaring lion” (1 Peter 5:8). Finally, Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda regards prayer as futile (useless, pointless) But, how can we regard prayer as futile when Jesus taught us to pray? Jesus also practiced prayer throughout His ministry. Plus, the Apostle Paul opens his letters with prayer, and frequently asks for his readers to pray for him. Far from being futile, prayer is vital to the Christian life.
Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda is a false messiah and a heretic. He claims to be the second coming of Jesus Christ despite the biblical evidence that belies his claims. His teachings don’t lead people to greater holiness and righteousness. They’ll likely lead people to licentiousness and debauchery (no sin + no law + no hell = no consequences). Finally, look at the man’s life. He lives way beyond his means off the “generosity” of his followers. Jesus lived a peasant’s life with “no place to lay His head” (Matt. 8:20)—He took advantage of no one. The Bible tells us to “beware of false prophets.” Concerning false prophets, we “will recognize them by their fruits” (Matt. 7:15-16). Judge Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda by his fruit and it becomes abundantly clear that he is not “Jesus Christ Man.”
Is Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda the Antichrist?
The next question arises—is Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda the Antichrist? Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda claims to be the Antichrist. He (and his ardent followers) sport a “666” tattoo; but he’s not the Antichrist. The Antichrist will be a world leader, a satanically-empowered dictator, a man that enraptures people with his very presence. Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda is not such a man—at least not yet. De Jesus Miranda is nothing more than a charismatic cult leader, a charlatan, a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and another in a long line of false prophets and false messiahs. He is an antichrist, not THE Antichrist. [www.GotQuestions.org]
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