Israel Deports Doomsday Cult Back To Denver

New York Post/January 12, 1999
By Charlie Brennan

JERUSALEM - Fourteen Christian cultists suspected of planning a mass suicide or other violence in Jerusalem to usher in the second coming of Jesus were deported back to Denver today, authorities said.

Israeli police escorted the handcuffed members of Concerned Christians to collect their belongings yesterday before putting them aboard an early-morning Air Canada flight.

Police arrested the group Sunday after a four-month surveillance .

The 14 were among 60 members of the Denver-based group that disappeared in September amid suspicions they were a doomsday cult who believe Jesus will return in the year 2000.

Police sources said the group arrived in Israel Sept. 22 with three-month tourist visas and $3 million in cash and travelers checks. All denied they intended violent acts.

But officials here were investigating reports that the group intended to kill themselves or attack the Al-Aqsa Mosque as a prelude to the rebuilding the Jewish Temple - which some Christians believe is necessary before the return of Jesus.

There was no word about the whereabouts of the cult leader, Monte Kim Miller, who has prophesied that he will die in Jerusalem during 1999 and be resurrected three days later.

Three members of the cult were questioned by police about the whereabouts of other members.

The lawyer, Eran Avital, said theyfeared the United States would be destroyed soon.