Jesus of Suburbia? I don't think so.

Last night there was a report on ABC about a man who claims to be the second coming of Christ. This man whose real name happens to be "Jose De Jesus" claims not only to be the second coming of Christ, but also that he is the anti-christ. In his mind the anti-christ is merely the Jesus the second time around.

In a report by Jim Avila of ABC news written on March 6, 2007 Avila writes:

"A few weeks ago, in a tattoo parlor in the hip art deco district of Miami Beach, people were lining up to get "666" tattooed on their bodies, and then smiling through their pain. But these are not devil worshipers. They see themselves as devout followers of Jesus Christ. But the major difference that separates them from other Christians around the world is that the Jesus Christ they worship is alive and well — and living in the suburbs of Houston. These people belong to a new movement devoted to a man who calls himself the Second Coming of Jesus, and also claims the title of Antichrist, which to him is the next incarnation of Jesus on earth, not an evil being. To show their devotion, some followers ink themselves with "666." One follower said, "I just want to make sure it's visible, that everyone knows my life belongs to the man." Another said, "I want everyone to know I'm one of the antichrists."

I watched this special report last night during ABC's prime time report in utter disgust. While interviewing some of the children who are being raised in this so called "church" one boy told the reporter that there parents smoke, drink and party and it's OK because so does God (referring to this so-called 2nd coming of Jesus).

People have literally given this man entire fortunes believing that He is Jesus the Lord and God of the Bible, and as we have already seen are marking themselves with the number of the beast "666". Which leads us to ask, what has made this false prophet so enticing to so many people?

Well, it is the message that this fool preaches. He teaches that after Christ died and rose again that sin was done away with. Let me be clear, he says that there is no such thing as sin. We merely suffer from cause and effect. If you murder, you go to jail because you broke the law, but it is not sin and God does not disapprove. There is, therefore, no such thing as Hell or Satan for that matter. This man claims that Paul is the only New Testament writer that got it right because Paul supposedly preached that there was no sin.

Has this guy read Romans? Give me a break. Romans 3:10-20 says,

"10as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; 11no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." 13"Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.""The venom of asps is under their lips." 14"Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness." 15"Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16in their paths are ruin and misery, 17and the way of peace they have not known." 18"There is no fear of God before their eyes."

19Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin."

This teaching is antinomianism to the fullest claiming that Christ paid for sin so sin no longer exists. Is that what Scripture says? Romans 6:15-16 says,

"15What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?"

Clearly sin is still quite real and ignoring its reality is just another form of sin. Sin has not been abolished at the cross as this man claims, clearly sin is still keeping many out of heaven. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 says,

"9Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."

Hell is a real place where God sends people who do not place their trust in His son Jesus Christ. Matthew 10:28 says,

"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell."

This man is a deceiver and agent of the devil and will stand in serious judgement before the Lord. When my wife and I were watching this news report last night and looking at all the little children being brain washed to literally worship this false prophet we both immediately thought of the same verse, Matthew 18:5-6.

5"Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea."

As sad and sickening as it is to see this pathetic sight of a false teacher leading astray thousands, it should not surprise us. The true and living Christ warned us of people like this man in Matthew 24:4-5.

"4And Jesus answered them, "See that no one leads you astray. 5For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and they will lead many astray."

and again Jesus told us in Matthew 24:23-26,

"23Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There he is!' do not believe it. 24For false Christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25See, I have told you beforehand. 26So, if they say to you, 'Look, he is in the wilderness,' do not go out. If they say, 'Look, he is in the inner rooms,' do not believe it."

The Scripture assures us that there will be no mistaking the second coming of Christ, we as believers will not have any question when we see our triumphant risen Lord coming on the clouds. Look at Matthew 24:27, 29-31.

"27For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

29"Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."

What makes this mans claims different from actual Christianity is not that "Jesus is a live and well", we believe that most assuredly. What makes a difference is that we believe what the Bible teaches, and sin is real, Satan is real and Hell is real. And we believe Hell is reserved for people such as this who profane the great and glorious name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus is alive and He is holy and righteous and his wrath burns against sin and those who love their sin and Christ is jealous for his name. He does not wear Rolex watches and drive BMW's. Our Lord will return and I'd hate to be this fool when He does.

Praise God that Jesus died to save the elect and if you recognize the Christ preached in Scripture and believe on Him and Him alone for salvation you will avoid the wrath of God and enjoy the joyous wonders of Christ for all eternity.

I pray that this man too might be convicted by the Spirit of God and repent of his heinous deeds.


Here is the link to the full article by Jim Avila of ABC News:

http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/story?id=2925021&page=1


In Him -Jacob