I just happened to be reading an article this morning that was dated exactly two years ago today. I believe it is worth some thought. Here’s what the article said:
According to the public record, a 61-year-old man living in the Houston suburbs is Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda; but according to him, and his followers, he’s “Jesus Christ, man, the second manifestation, the Second Coming of Christ.” He brashly proclaims: “To some I came as a thief in the night. To others I came as who I am, the Man Christ Jesus. Jesus Christ is here for the second time!” He also claims to be the Antichrist, and some of his followers have imitated their leader by getting 666 tattoos. According to one follower, “I just want to make sure it’s visible, that everyone knows my life belongs to the man.” Some estimate that Miranda has about a million followers, spread out across more than 30 countries.
This serves to remind us of what Jesus Christ said in Matthew 24:23 “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.” The man mentioned above wasn’t the first, nor will he be the last person to claim that he is Christ. The amazing thing is that some people believe them! It’s like I’ve always said, “You can stand on any street corner in the world and preach anything, and if you yell loud enough, long enough you can gather a following.” We see it all the time. People are so blind they will believe almost anything, vote almost anyway, and follow almost anyone. History proves that is the truth.
I don’t have any idea where Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda is, but I know where he and his followers will be if they don’t repent. They will all be in hell. Now, most of us would be deeply troubled if someone we love was a follower of this man, and we should be, but the truth is some are in just a bad condition. You don’t have to be a follower of a false Christ to go to hell. Every religion on earth, including many denominations that call themselves “Christian” is just as bad as the others when they teach a false gospel. Those who trust in their baptism, church membership, or good works are just as bad off as the followers of Mr. Miranda. We need to be concerned, deeply concerned for our loved ones who are guilty of this. Some people would get very vocal and do everything in their power to warn their friends and family not to follow a known false Christ. Shouldn’t we do the same when it is a “church” that doesn’t preach the truth about salvation? Think about it!
