Coming of the antichrist: Banned 666 preacher on his way to Ireland for converts

Daily Mirror, UK/May 30, 2007
By Pat Flanagan

A preacher who claims he is the “Antichrist” and has the number 666 on his arm could be on his way to Ireland.

Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda has two million followers who are convinced he is the new Jesus.

De Jesus thinks he is the messiah but calls himself the Antichrist, even though the traditional meaning is a person or force opposed to Christ.

The US-based religious leader who has already been banned from three countries is now planning to visit Ireland.

De Jesus has declared war on other organised religions and even encourages children to have the “mark of the beast” 666 tattooed on their bodies.

His followers are largely in the US and Columbia but the Irish Daily Mirror has learned his message is spreading to Europe and he has supporters in Ireland, Britain, Spain and Italy.

It is known he wants to visit Europe, and in particular to speak in Dublin, and claims nations which refuse him entry will be hit by natural disasters.

To his followers De Jesus is “Christ incarnate” but to religious leaders he is seen as a dangerous cult leader who believes he is God.

Professor Daniel Alvarez, a religion expert at Florida International University who has had meetings with De Jesus’ followers, compared him to the Reverend Jim Jones.

He said: “He’s in their heads, he’s inside the heads of those people.”

De Jesus, who leads the “Growing In Grace” church, preaches that:

• There is no devil and no sin
• Followers can do no wrong in God’s eyes, and
• His church calls itself the “Government of God on Earth” and uses a seal similar to the United States.

He recently said: “The Antichrist is not the devil, he’s the being who replaces Jesus on earth.

“Antichrist is the best person in the world. Antichrist means don’t put your eyes on Jesus because Jesus of Nazareth wasn’t a Christian.

“Antichrist means do not put your eyes on Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Put it on Jesus after the cross.” De Jesus said that means him.

In a recent show of support, 30 members of his congregation went to a tattoo parlour in Miami to have 666 etched on their flesh.

Mike Garde, of Dialogue Ireland, which investigates cults and helps the families of those affected, said he is worried by De Jesus coming here.

He added: “I would be concerned, there are no statutes to deal with people like that.”