Chapter 8 marks the transition from prophecy to physical fulfillment. According to SCJ doctrine, the breaking of the seventh seal (Revelation 8:1) means that the scroll of Revelation has been fully opened, and its contents can now be testified to. This signals the start of judgment, not upon the world in general, but specifically on the corrupted chosen people—those from the “first tabernacle” who once belonged to God but later betrayed Him.
SCJ teaches that the seven trumpets symbolize proclamations of judgment. The trumpet blowers are angelic spirits working through physical bodies to declare judgment on the betrayers. The first four trumpets describe spiritual destruction in fractions of a third:
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One-third of congregation members killed (1st trumpet)
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One-third of branch churches judged (2nd)
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One-third of pastors deceived by Wormwood (3rd)
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One-third of the spiritual sun, moon, and stars darkened (4th)
A key figure here is “Wormwood”, whom SCJ identifies as Mr. Oh, a leader who once belonged to the Tabernacle Temple but betrayed and formed a sect, polluting others with false doctrine (called “poisonous water”).
The chapter ends with a heavenly eagle (interpreted as a high-ranking angel) crying out: “Woe, woe, woe”—a warning about the three remaining trumpet judgments (Revelation 8:13).
In chapter 9, SCJ interprets the fifth and sixth trumpets (the first two woes) as further judgments against those who betrayed. These events are also understood to have already occurred spiritually in SCJ’s timeline, where the chosen people fell further by aligning themselves with outsiders (Gentiles), leading to more spiritual deaths in thirds, totaling three rounds of one-third destruction.
The fifth trumpet unleashes locusts from the Abyss, which SCJ interprets not as literal insects but as false pastors or evil spirits afflicting those without God’s seal. These figures torment people spiritually, not physically.
The sixth trumpet introduces mounted troops with fire and sulfur, symbolizing doctrines that kill spirits. Again, SCJ identifies this as a spiritual event reflecting corrupt leaders spreading destructive teaching.
Despite these woes, people do not repent, fulfilling Revelation 9:20–21.
Chapters 8 and 9 depict progressive judgment on a former chosen group that betrayed God, culminating in two-thirds of them being spiritually destroyed. According to SCJ, this was fulfilled in their recent religious history through real-world events and key figures like Mr. Oh. The goal is to awaken people to leave false churches and be sealed in the new tabernacle before final judgment.
This is an ongoing series, and changes may occur until its completion. Additional articles will be added over time as they become available.
Revelation Chapters 8–9: The Seven Trumpets of Judgment
The Fulfillment of Prophecy and the Sounding of the Trumpets Through the Overcomer, Lee Man-hee (이만희)
Heaven Stills — The Final Seal is Opened (Revelation 8:1)
With six seals broken and the judgment upon the Tabernacle Temple declared, the scroll from God, once bound in mystery, now stood fully unsealed.
“When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.” (Revelation 8:1)
The heavenly host held their breath. Judgment was not delayed — it was suspended. The silence wasn’t absence, but preparation — a divine stillness before the next wave of fulfillment.
New John — Lee Man-hee (이만희) — observed. The scroll had been opened. The letters had been delivered. The betrayal exposed. Now, the trumpets would sound.
(Source: The Physical Fulfillment of Revelation, pp. 132–135)
(Source: The Creation of Heaven and Earth, pp. 180–182)
The Golden Censer and the Prayer of the Saints
An angel approached the altar with a golden censer, filled with much incense — the prayers of the saints — and offered it upon the golden altar before the throne.
The interpretation: the censer is not merely an object, but a person — one who holds the unchanging Word of God and brings the prayers of the congregation before the Father.
In Shincheonji’s teaching, this figure is none other than New John, the promised pastor. He carries the incense of faithful prayers to God. And God responds:
“I am pleased with the prayers of the congregation members.”
The censer is then filled with fire from the altar — a metaphor for the Word of judgment — and hurled to the earth, resulting in:
- Lightning and thunder → the wrathful Word
- Earthquake → the spiritual trembling of believers
- Smoke → judgment ascending into the world
(Source: The Physical Fulfillment of Revelation, pp. 136–138)
(Source: The Creation of Heaven and Earth, pp. 183–185)
The Sounding of the Seven Trumpets: Phase Two of Judgment
Just as seven seals revealed the corruption of the Tabernacle, the seven trumpets expose and destroy it.
First Trumpet: Fire, Hail, and Blood — Judgment on Betrayers
“The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood…” (Revelation 8:7)
The trumpet represents a person of duty, someone who cries out on God’s behalf — declaring truth like a trumpet blast.
The fire is Jesus’ word of wrath, released through those dressed in white who had escaped the Tabernacle’s corruption. They cry out:
“Repent, Tabernacle Temple — for you have betrayed!”
One-third of the earth, trees, and grass — all symbols of the Tabernacle’s congregation — are judged and spiritually burned.
(Source: The Physical Fulfillment of Revelation, pp. 139–142)
Second Trumpet: A Blazing Mountain Thrown into the Sea
“Something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea…” (Revelation 8:8)
The blazing mountain is the Tabernacle Temple, judged and cast into the sea — the world of Gentile denominations. It is no longer God’s house, but the domain of the destroyers.
- Nicholas (니골라 전도사) and pastors of the Stewardship Education Institute are named as the destroyers.
- One-third of the tabernacle’s pastors and members are lost — consumed by false doctrine.
- The branch churches now bear the signboards of worldly churches.
(Source: The Creation of Heaven and Earth, pp. 186–188)
Third Trumpet: Wormwood — Bitter Waters of False Doctrine
“A great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky… Its name was Wormwood.” (Revelation 8:10–11)
Wormwood is identified as Nicholas, who corrupts the spiritual waters — turning pastors and evangelists into carriers of Satan’s doctrine.
- The rivers and springs: teachers and evangelists
- The bitter water: teachings from commentaries
- The effect: spiritual death among those who drink
The plague spreads through the education center — a spiritual “seminary” of deception.
(Source: The Physical Fulfillment of Revelation, pp. 143–147)
Fourth Trumpet: Sun, Moon, and Stars Struck
“A third of the sun, moon, and stars were struck…” (Revelation 8:12)
These heavenly lights symbolize:
- Sun → the seven messengers
- Moon → the evangelists
- Stars → the congregation
Now, their light is darkened. No longer does truth shine. Instead, Presbyterian doctrine replaces their former revelation. Calvinist teachings become law. Resistance is silenced.
“To understand God’s will, one must rely on commentaries.”
So it was taught.
(Source: The Creation of Heaven and Earth, pp. 189–191)
Chapter 9: The Abyss Opens — Plagues from the Destroyers
Fifth Trumpet: Locusts from the Abyss
“A star that had fallen… was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss.” (Revelation 9:1)
The fallen star is Nicholas, now fully possessed by Satan’s spirit. He opens the abyss — the headquarters of false teaching — and smoke and locusts pour out.
- Smoke = lies and distorted doctrine
- Locusts = pastors of the destroyer denomination
- Their sting = spiritual torment, not death
Nicholas recruits seven pastors to invade and reform the Tabernacle. Evangelists cry out under oppression:
“Is this like the time of Japanese imperialism?
I’d rather die than live under this oppression.”
Nicholas orders:
“Remove their cult-like appearance — thoroughly, absolutely, forcefully.”
They teach Calvinist doctrine for five months — suppressing all dissent.
(Source: The Physical Fulfillment of Revelation, pp. 148–152)
Sixth Trumpet: Army of Destruction
“Release the four angels bound at the great river Euphrates…” (Revelation 9:14)
These angels — messengers of hell — unleash an army of 200 million riders, breathing fire, smoke, and sulfur. Their mouths speak Gentile doctrine. Their tails — with heads like snakes — symbolize false prophets, led by seven Gentile pastors.
- One-third of the Tabernacle’s members are spiritually killed.
- All original doctrine is replaced with Calvinist thought.
- The Tabernacle is absorbed into Orthodox Presbyterianism.
Even after this spiritual death, there is no repentance.
(Source: The Creation of Heaven and Earth, pp. 192–195)
(Source: The Physical Fulfillment of Revelation, pp. 153–157)
Final Reflection: The Voice of the Overcomer
Though all seemed lost — though the Tabernacle had become one with the world — one voice remained.
At the end of Revelation 9, Lee Man-hee (이만희) — the promised pastor, New John — testifies to the fulfillment of all these things.
Through him, the trumpets have sounded.
Through him, the testimony of reality is proclaimed.
Sources
- The Creation of Heaven and Earth
- Author: Man-Hee Lee (이만희)
- Editor: Shincheonji Publishing Committee
- Translator: Shincheonji Translation Office
- Edition: 2020 Revised English Edition
- Published: May 15, 2020
- The Physical Fulfillment of Revelation
- Author: Man-Hee Lee (이만희)
- Editor: Shincheonji Publishing Committee
- Translator: Shincheonji Translation Office
- Edition: Readable English Edition
- Published: 2020
- The Reality of Revelation
- Author: Man-Hee Lee (이만희)
- Edition: 1985 First Edition (Korean), with English translation
- Translator: Shincheonji Translation Committee
Published: Shincheonji Theology Publications
Please take the time to check the Bible verses we’ve provided as references. Use them as a guide for your own understanding and discernment. It’s important to verify and confirm information with external sources, witnesses, and experts to ensure validity and transparency. Additionally, remember to pray for wisdom as you seek to identify any errors and ensure that your understanding aligns with biblical teachings.