by ichthus

Shincheonji Church of Jesus

Shincheonji - SCJ - New Heaven and New Earth - The Tabernacle of the Temple of the Testimony

Profile

About

Classification:
Christian new religious movement		 Leader: Lee Man Hee (age 93)
Names:

  • Shincheonji (SCJ)
  • Shincheonji Church of Jesus
  • New Heaven New Earth
  • The Tabernacle of
    the Temple of the
    Testimony (TTT)
 Lee Man Hee Published Books: 9
Founded: 14 March, 1984 in Gwacheon, South Korea
Anniversary: 40 years
Salvation: SCJ is the true Mount Zion, plus other requirements to retain salvation.
Membership: Take their Bible Study. (6 to 9-month program, depending on the tribe).
Sign the Book of Life, member registry, and a pledge.
Type: Highly controlled group, end time, and restorationist.
Headquaters: Gwacheon, South Korea Public Perception: Secretive, cult and justify lying (wisdom of hiding)

Beliefs

Shincheonji, officially called “Shincheonji, Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony”, is a new religious group whose name means “new heaven and new earth” in Korean, drawing from Revelation 21:1 and 15:5. Shincheonji teaches that traditional churches have fallen into apostasy and that they are God’s kingdom on Earth, established as a replacement.

View of Jesus

Shincheonji views Jesus as the “Promised Pastor of the Old Testament” who fulfilled all of the prophecies in the Old Testament.

They deny Jesus as God, deny the Trinity, deny His pre-existence, and instead believe that He is an exalted creature worthy of worship.

While Shincheonji may claim that Jesus is “divine”, they do not believe that Jesus is co-equal to the Father, and instead, has a Unitarian view of God.

View of deception and lying

Shincheonji believes that lying is okay, and redefines what a lie with the “Wisdom of Hiding” by claiming that a “spiritual” lie is when one “adds or subtracts” to God’s word, citing Proverbs 30:5-6, and Revelation 22:18-19. When one contradicts or goes against the interpretation of Shincheonji, then this is “adding and subtracting” to God’s word.

View of Christianity

They believe that Christians and their Pastors are “married to Satan”, and that the church is the “home of demons”. They believe that the Christian church is the “battle field”, and that there is a “war of doctrine” between the Christian church, referred to as Babylon, and Shincheonji, the place of truth.

Shincheonji also refers to Christianity as the “First Heaven and First Earth” that fell away (Revelation 21:1), the “sun, moon, and stars” that darkened and fell away representing Christianity’s betrayal (Revelation 6, Matthew 24:36), whose commentaries are referred to as the cup in the hand of the Great Prostitute in Revelation 17.

The Promised Pastor (The One Who Overcomes)

Shincheonji believes that Jesus has appointed a specific pastor, known as the promised pastor or the one who overcomes, to lead His church at the Second Coming. This pastor is said to have received the open book of Revelation from Jesus and is the only one who can correctly interpret and testify to its fulfillment.

They believe that Lee Manhee is the “Promised Pastor of the New Testament” who speaks on behalf of God and Jesus.

Salvation

In order to receive salvation, one must go to the place where God, Jesus, and the “One Who Overcomes” is at. This place is the “New Heaven and New Earth”,  the new church that God is with where the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven are revealed.

In order for your sins to be forgiven, one must understand all of the parables and understand the prophecy and fulfillment of the entire Bible.

Shincheonji as the New Spiritual Israel

Shincheonji identifies itself as the New Spiritual Israel and the true church established by the promised pastor. They claim it mirrors God’s throne (Revelation 4) and is the location of the wedding banquet of the Lamb, making it God’s eternal kingdom on Earth.

Salvation Through the Promised Pastor

Shincheonji teaches that salvation is only possible by accepting the promised pastor’s teachings and joining Shincheonji. This involves being born again through God’s seed, receiving the seal of the word, participating in the wedding banquet, and evangelizing others.

Fulfillment of Revelation

Shincheonji claims that the prophecies in Revelation have been physically fulfilled. They interpret Revelation’s symbolic language as referring to specific events and individuals revealed through the promised pastor. Most of Revelation has been fulfilled up to Revelation 18, except for parts of Revelation 7 where the 144,000 sealed priests are still being selected. They are also waiting for the “destruction of Babylon (Christianity)” by physical fire.

Apostasy and Restoration

According to Shincheonji, the Bible shows a repeated pattern of God’s people falling into apostasy, facing judgment, and being replaced by a new chosen people. They believe traditional churches have betrayed God and that Shincheonji has been established as the true church during this era.

Opposition and Persecution

Shincheonji views opposition, particularly from traditional Christian churches, as proof of their legitimacy. They believe rejecting the promised pastor and Shincheonji will result in God’s judgment.

Shincheonji’s core beliefs center on the authority of their promised pastor, who they claim is essential for understanding Revelation, attaining salvation, and entering God’s eternal kingdom.

Salvation

Salvation is no longer just about what Jesus did on the cross, but also believing the testimony of their leader, Lee Manhee. 

The Physical Fulfillment of Revelation, Page 10: “No one can come to Jesus, gain eternal life, or enter heaven except through the one who overcomes (Revelation 10).”

They also believe that one must understand the parables, which are the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, and go to the one who God sends (John 6:29).

The Explanation of the Parables Page 146: “Those who understand the parables, the secrets of heaven, become atoned for their sins and the people of heaven. However, those who do not know them remain outside, unatoned for their sins, and ultimately face damnation (Matthew 13:10-17, Mark 4:11-12).”

For the criteria of salvation, a person must:

1. Be born of God's seed

This means accepting the teachings of the promised pastor, aka Lee Manhee, who has received the revealed word from Jesus at the Second Coming and establishes the New Spiritual Israel.

2. Receive the seal of the word

This refers to having God’s law written in one’s heart through understanding and accepting the teachings of the promised pastor about the fulfillment of Revelation. They make an emphasis on “prophecy and fulfillment”, as the Book of Revelation is the “new gospel”.

3. Wear the proper wedding clothes

This refers to having righteous acts symbolized by the fine linen robes in Revelation 19:8. This means obeying the Promised Pastor of the New Testament and the organizations leadership.

4. Possess the lamp and oil

Shincheonji interprets the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25 as signifying the importance of having both the Bible (the lamp) and the word of testimony about the fulfillment of Revelation (the oil)

5. Be registered in the Book of Life

Shincheonji believes that their church registry is the “book of life”. Anyone whose name is not found in the Book of Life shall be denied forgiveness.

6. Recruit and bear fruit

Citing John 15, if one does not bear fruit, they will be cut off and thrown away.

7. Attend the Wedding Banquet of the Lamb

This signifies participation in the first resurrection and achieving eternal life, which Shincheonji associates with their church and teachings.

8. Flee to the Mountain

This refers to finding refuge in Shincheonji, the “mountain” that provides safety and guidance during the end times. This time also signifies when the chosen people are gathered and sealed to create God’s new kingdom, this is Mount Zion, where the 144,000 are singing the “new song”.

9. Be a Part of the 12 Tribes

Membership in the 12 tribes of Shincheonji is considered a sign of being sealed and belonging to God’s new kingdom. The 12 tribes, created with the blood of Jesus, are the fulfillment of God’s 6,000-year plan.

10. Understand the New Covenant:

The New Testament, specifically the Book of Revelation, is seen as the new covenant established by Jesus. It is essential to understand and keep the new covenant to receive salvation and the promised blessings.

Structure

For the flow of information, SCJ bases their hierarchy upon their interpretation of Revelation 4.

The leader, Lee Manhee, is the “Promised Pastor”, or Advocate, who speaks on behalf of God and Jesus who receives special and divine revelation. The flow and structure of Shincheonji can be seen below.

God -> Jesus -> Chonghwejangnim (Chairman) -> HQ -> jipajangnim (tribe leader) 🡪 danim gangsanim (head of the church) -> chongmunim (general manager) -> hwejangnim (group leader) -> imwonnim -> guyeokjangnimv(cell leader) -> congregation member.

Inside of the HQ, the structure is as follows:

Chairman -> 24 Elders (Department Leaders) -> 7 Education Leaders (7 spirits before the throne) -> Tribe leader.

For the 24 Elders before the throne

  1. Department of General Management.
  2. Department of Administration
  3. Department of Internal Affairs
  4. Department of Planning
  5. Department of Finances
  6. Department of Education
  7. Department of Ministry/Theology
  8. Department of Foreign Affairs and Missions
  9. Department of Evangelism
  10. Culture Department
  11. Publications Department
  12. Department of Information and Communication
  13. Department of Praise and Worship
  14. Department of Liaising, Defense and Safety
  15. Department of Internal Missions
  16. Department of Public Relations
  17. Department of Law/Justice
  18. Department of Auditing
  19. Department of Construction
  20. Department of Sports
  21. Department of Enterprise
  22. Department of Health and Welfare
  23. Department of Traffic and Social Service
  24. International Department

For the fulfillment of the four living creatures before the throne

  1. Men’s Department
  2. Women’s Department
  3. Young Adult’s Department
  4. Senior Department

Community Engagement

  • The church engages in various community service initiatives, including charitable work and social outreach programs.
  • It promotes peace and reconciliation, often participating in interfaith dialogues.

Membership

  • Membership has grown significantly since its founding, with estimates in the hundreds of thousands, although exact numbers can vary.
  • The church has been known to attract younger individuals, often through its innovative outreach and educational programs.

Life Style

  • Keeps the 7 Basics of Faith to be a true believer in God. There are: Service, Prayer, Evangelism, Education, Volunteering, Meeting, and Offering.
  • Take constant Sealing Tests

Controversies

Shincheonji Church of Jesus represents a distinct movement within Christianity, characterized by its unique teachings and organizational structure. While it has garnered a substantial following, it continues to navigate challenges related to public perception and controversies surrounding its practices.

Controversies:

  • Shincheonji has faced criticism and controversy, particularly regarding its recruitment methods and teachings.
  • The church was heavily scrutinized during the COVID-19 pandemic, as a significant outbreak was linked to its members in South Korea in early 2020.
  • Critics often describe the church as a cult, citing concerns about its secretive practices and the control it exerts over its members.

Public Perception:

  • Shincheonji is viewed with skepticism and suspicion by some mainstream Christian denominations and religious groups.
  • Supporters argue that it provides a unique interpretation of Christianity that is relevant to contemporary society.

 

 

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