Christ AND Antichrist?
He claims a million followers in 30 countries
Jose de Jesus’ beginning was anything but grand. Born in Puerto Rico, de Jesus grew up poor, living in government housing. He stole for a living to pay for his teenage heroin addiction and admits to eight felony charges that put him behind bars for nine months.
Like many, de Jesus says he was born again in prison. From there he moved to the United States, where he became involved in church youth groups, and eventually a minister in Boston. But it was a vision, de Jesus says, that turned him from man of God to being God.
His followers do seem happy. They greet him with mariachi bands at airports and often collapse in tears when they see him preach. But when he speaks to them, it is without theatrics. No holy rolling, no healing – it’s a pretty straightforward lesson in the fundamentals of what he believes. And it’s an upbeat, no-fault, sin-free message. This self-proclaimed Jesus does not believe in sin, hell, the devil or damnation of any kind. One of his sayings: ‘Jesus Drank Wine Because He Didn’t Have Dewar’s’
There are no rules in de Jesus’ church. Anything goes when you follow “Jesus of Suburbia.” But he is serious about being the Second Coming of Christ. And along with his followers, he also has many detractors. Some who think he’s the devil incarnate and others who think he’s just a charlatan and a con man. One of the things that makes him so hated, so controversial, is that he preaches the Catholic Church is evil, and his followers burn pictures of the pope and hold protests outside churches.
13abc.com
Analysis:
One thing not abundantly evident from the above quote is how de Jesus’ considers himself both the Christ and the antichrist. His claim is that “anti” means “after” or “next.” He has actually tattooed the number 666 (cf. Revelation 13:8) on his body, and encourages his followers to do the same.
The prefix “anti” means “over against” or “contrary to.” It references individuals who would falsely claim to the be Christ, or allay themselves against the true Messiah. (Mattthew 24:5; 1 John 2:18; 4:3).
De Jesus’ claim that he is the “Antichrist” is certainly true in the sense that his claim to be the Christ is false. His libertine theology and ignorance of the Bible show him clearly to be a false teacher, and worthy of condemnation.
The big story here is the gullibility of his followers. They remind one of the Mormons, who have accepted the book of Mormon and Joseph Smith as a prophet, when the evidence so strongly points to a fraud. Truly, the scripture is true which states, “they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Timothy 4:4).
