José Luis de Jesús Miranda is the founder and leader of Creciendo en Gracia (Growing In Grace International Ministry, Inc.) a ministry that teaches the doctrine of Grace and is based in Miami, Florida USA. Miranda's followers believe that he is the reincarnation of God on Earth, Jesus, the apostle Paul, an angel and an archangel. He refers to himself as the Antichrist and exhibits a "666" tattoo on his forearm. He has also previously referred to himself as "Jesus Christ in the flesh".
Current movement
In 2007, the Dallas Morning News reported that Miranda "preaches to followers in some 35 nations, mostly in Latin America, and has 287 radio programs and a 24-hour Spanish-language TV network." Creciendo en Gracia has been described as a cult by cult expert Rick Ross, and others.
In early 2007, he acknowledged others' claims that he was the Antichrist and explained that the term is true. He says it applies because people are no longer to follow the Jewish teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, and start acknowledging his (Miranda's) mission on the cross. According to Miranda, "Antichrist" means "no longer following Jesus of Nazareth as he lived in the days of his flesh". Naturally, controversy has surrounded these declarations.
Most recently, followers have shown their support by getting "666" tattoos on their bodies. "666", Miranda explains, is not a sign of the devil (he preaches that the devil was destroyed), but the number of the Antichrist. The Antichrist, he says, is a term he accepts because "we are no longer supposed to follow Jesus of Nazareth, therefore we are antichrists."
His followers often shout at Catholics and smash statues of holy figures in front of Catholic Churches.
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