Several Christs have been emerging in different parts of the world, all of them claiming they are the second coming of Jesus. While some believers have already started to look up to these self-proclaimed messiahs, religious skeptics have mindfully turned to Christ’s words in Matthew 24:5, that says many people will try to fool the world’s population by referring to themselves as Christ.

“For many shall come in My name, saying, ‘I am Christ,’ and shall deceive many,” reads the passage.

In Australia, Alan John Miller, also known as AJ, along with his partner Mary Luck, says he can remember details from his past life as Jesus Christ. Luck adds to Miller’s account saying she is the reincarnation of Mary Magdalene, one of Jesus’ most faithful followers. Both Miller and Luck allege that they were married and birthed a daughter together in their past lives.

“I have very clear memories of the crucifixion, but it wasn’t as harrowing for me as it was for others like Mary who was present,” said Miller.

The duo, which runs an organization called Divine Truth in Queensland, has appeared on various television shows to share with the world stories of their past lives. Usually, Miller’s audience consists of approximately 100 people, some of whom have given up their belongings and relations just to be closer to the “messiah.”

In Siberia, Sergey Anatolyevitch Torop, also known as Vissarion, started to refer to himself as Christ after serving as a traffic officer in Russia, a job from which he was fired in 1990. Torop went on to set up the Church of the Last Testament, which preaches ideologies from various religions including Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism. Reportedly, Torop has more than 5,000 followers, some of whom gather regularly at the “messiah’s” church to hear him speak. About 2,000 of his followers have come together to live in a small settlement that is dedicated to Torop’s worship. In addition, his sermons have been compiled in a book that runs 10 volumes. Affectionately, 53-year-old Torop, who sports an attire and hairdo just like Christ, is referred to as Jesus of Siberia by his followers. He has a total of six children from two marriages, the first of which ended in him divorcing his wife so he could marry a 19-year-old girl, who had been living with him since she was only 7 years old.

“I am not God. And it is a mistake to see Jesus as God,” he told reporters in 2002. “But I am the living word of God the Father. Everything that God wants to say, He says through me.”

In Brazil, Alvarro Theiss, also known as Inri Cristo, has been saying since 1979 that he is the true reincarnation of Christ. He heads Suprema Ordem Universal da Santmssima Trindade, which has a shelter for his followers, most of whom happen to be women. 66-year-old Theiss, dresses up like

Jesus Christ and ensures his followers dress up in blue dresses with a rope around their waists. Everyone living with Theiss practice a vegan lifestyle.

Theiss supports abortion, opposes capitalism and has been banned in several countries including the United States, Britain as well as Venezuela after being arrested more than 40 times on various charges. On Theiss’ 24-hour internet channel, messages from the “messiah” are aired for followers round the clock.

“My mission is to prepare the elect, the survivors of the inevitable nuclear hecatomb that will culminate in the end of this chaotic world, for the formation of the new earthly society, which will strive to fulfil the Creator’s will,” he said.

Photo Credits: Wikimedia