Beware of False Antichrists

Anyone familiar with my writings knows that I advocate the true Antichrist as the solution to the world's problems. I teach that the Antichrist is the second of the two messiahs prophesied in the Bible as part of God's redemptive plan.

The majority of Christians have erred in assuming that Jesus Christ is the sole messiah. The Bible states that a messiah would bring light to the Gentiles. Isaiah 49, for example. This undoubtedly is Jesus Christ, who's Christian Movement has grown to be a prominent world religion particularly among non-Jews. However, the Bible states that a messiah (presumably not Jesus Christ) would lead the literal Jews back to a literal Promised Land. Isaiah 11:12. This latter work is the specific purpose the second messiah, the Antichrist.

The appearance on the world scene of a man who has seriously styled himself "The Antichrist" is a fulfillment of prophecy. Unfortunately, he is false. In the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew, Jesus warned, "Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many" (verses 4 and 5).

There would have been no reason for Jesus to issue this warning if neither He nor the early Christians had a belief in the concept of dual messiahs.

It has come to my attention that Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda calls himself "The Antichrist". Miranda, leader of the Florida-based Growing in Grace church, claims a following of 2 million people. Miranda reportedly teaches that sin and the devil do not exist.

There are a great number of identifying characteristics of both the person and mission of the true Antichrist. Among these characteristics are:

1. The true Antichrist will have a coherent religious philosophy that unites the monotheistic faiths.

2. Within the framework of his teachings, the true Antichrist will explain rather than deny the roles of sin and Satan.

3. The true Antichrist is Jewish by birth or conversion. The lineage of both his mother and father is noted in the Bible.

4. The true Antichrist, in a manner consistent with that of Jesus Christ, comes by signs and wonders.

5. The true Antichrist will not claim to be Jesus Christ, as does Miranda.

6. The true Antichrist will rebuild the Temple site in Jerusalem.

7. The true Antichrist will have and initiate a viable Middle East peace plan, etc., etc., etc.

Miranda has not shown that he satisfies these conditions.

It is dangerous to err in ascribing to oneself the title "The Antichrist". Miranda is playing a dangerous game. David Koresh, himself a self-styled Christ, and 74 followers of his Branch Davidians were destroyed in a fiery conflagration at their Waco, Texas compound just fourteen years ago.

In summary, it appears that Miranda is preying on the superstition of his followers. His teachings do not accord with the Bible.

However, given that Miranda may be exaggerating the number of his followers, his popularity underscores the potential appeal of the true Antichrist, when he publicly manifests.