A Refutation Using “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story”

Analysis of SCJ Bible Study Lesson 10: “Basics of the Bible Part Three”

---

Introduction: The Map That Leads Nowhere

Imagine you’re planning a road trip across the country. Before you leave, a friendly stranger offers you a map. “The regular maps are incomplete,” he explains. “They don’t show the real route. But this map—this one reveals the true path that’s been hidden from most travelers.”

The map looks legitimate. It has roads, cities, landmarks—everything you’d expect. The stranger walks you through the basics: how to read the legend, understand the scale, identify major highways. His explanations are clear and confident. He even shows you how other maps have led people astray, pointing out their supposed errors and omissions.

Grateful for his help, you set out with his map. At first, the journey makes sense. The roads he marked do exist. The cities are where he said they’d be. But gradually, you notice something strange: the map keeps directing you away from major highways onto smaller and smaller roads. When you mention this, he reassures you: “The main highways are crowded with travelers going the wrong way. This route is the true path—it just looks different because most people don’t know about it.”

Miles later, you realize you’re completely lost. The “true path” has led you to a dead end. The landmarks he pointed out weren’t what he claimed. And when you try to backtrack, you discover that you’ve traveled so far from the main roads that finding your way back will take considerable time and effort. Worse, you’ve convinced several friends to follow the same map, and now they’re lost too.

This is what happens in SCJ Lesson 10.

The lesson appears to be a helpful overview of “Basics of the Bible Part Three”—teaching students how to understand Scripture’s structure, recognize different biblical eras, and follow the flow of prophecy and fulfillment. Instructor Nate walks students through concepts like the seven eras of the Bible, the importance of not adding to or subtracting from Scripture, and the order of end-times events. Everything seems educational, biblically grounded, and designed to help students better understand God’s Word.

But beneath the surface, something else is happening. The lesson is constructing an interpretive framework—a “map” for reading the Bible—that will eventually lead students far from orthodox Christianity and into Shincheonji’s heretical theology. By the time students realize where this framework is taking them, they’ve already accepted the foundations: that the Bible requires special interpretation, that understanding “eras” and “order” is crucial for salvation, that most Christians misunderstand Scripture, and that questioning this teaching means you’re “adding to or subtracting from” God’s Word.

Lesson 10 is particularly strategic because it sits at a pivotal point in the Introductory Level. Students have completed nine lessons and are now receiving what appears to be a comprehensive “biblical framework” for understanding Scripture. They don’t yet know they’re in Shincheonji. They don’t yet know that this framework will be used to convince them that Lee Man-hee is the promised pastor of Revelation, that all other churches are Babylon, and that only 144,000 people can be saved. They’re learning to read the map, unaware that it’s designed to lead them away from the true path.

Let’s examine how this lesson operates on multiple levels simultaneously, using the analytical tools from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story.”

---

Part 1: What’s Biblical vs. What’s SCJ—Distinguishing the Layers

The Surface Layer: Legitimate Biblical Concepts

At first glance, Lesson 10 contains several sound biblical principles:

1. The Bible is God’s Word

“The Bible is not randomly written by men but has God as its author, using men as His pens.”

This is orthodox Christian teaching. 2 Timothy 3:16 affirms, “All Scripture is God-breathed,” and 2 Peter 1:21 explains, “Prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

2. Prophecy and Fulfillment Are Important

“When God promises something, it will take place. So, prophecies that are given must be fulfilled.”

This is biblically accurate. God does fulfill His promises (Isaiah 55:10-11, Numbers 23:19).

3. Don’t Add to or Subtract from Scripture

“One must not add or subtract ideas from the pure and perfect word of God.”

This principle comes directly from Revelation 22:18-19 and Deuteronomy 4:2.

4. Understanding Biblical Context Matters

“If we do not properly identify the time we are living in, our actions will be incorrect.”

Understanding biblical context and progressive revelation is legitimate biblical interpretation.

This is why the lesson is effective. As Chapter 2 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story” explains, Shincheonji operates by presenting “Two Realities, Same Story.” The biblical content is real, but it’s being used to construct an interpretive framework that will later be weaponized to support heretical teachings.

---

The Hidden Layer: SCJ’s Interpretive Framework

Beneath the biblical teaching, the lesson is building several theological and psychological frameworks that are uniquely SCJ:

1. The “Sealed Bible” Framework

The lesson introduces the concept that the Bible has been deliberately obscure and requires special interpretation:

“God intentionally speaks in figurative language for two reasons: 1) To protect His plans from Satan, who would like nothing more than to disrupt God’s plans. 2) To instill a hidden meaning within the prophecy.”

“The Old Testament prophets received God’s plans in parables that were intentionally unclear until later fulfilled. These parables have hidden meanings that allow the reality to be understood after the events occur.”

What’s Biblical: The Bible does contain prophecy, symbolism, and figurative language. Jesus did speak in parables (Matthew 13:10-17). Some prophecies were not fully understood until their fulfillment (1 Peter 1:10-12).

What’s SCJ: The lesson is teaching that the Bible has been deliberately “sealed” and incomprehensible until someone with special knowledge explains it. This sets up the later revelation that Lee Man-hee is the only one who can “unseal” the Bible.

Biblical Response:

While the Bible contains mysteries and prophecies that required fulfillment to be fully understood, the New Testament presents Scripture as clear and accessible to all believers:

Scripture is understandable:

• “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple” (Psalm 119:130)
• “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105)
• “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Notice: Scripture makes us “thoroughly equipped”—not partially equipped, not needing additional revelation, but thoroughly equipped.

The Holy Spirit teaches all believers:

• “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26)
• “As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him” (1 John 2:27)

The New Covenant provides direct access:

• “This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest” (Hebrews 8:10-11)

The New Testament does not teach that the Bible has been “sealed” for 2,000 years awaiting a special interpreter. It teaches that the Holy Spirit indwells all believers and gives them understanding of God’s Word.

The Progression:

At Lesson 10, students are learning that:

• The Bible is written in parables and symbols
• These have “hidden meanings”
• Understanding requires special knowledge of how to interpret

By Intermediate Level (Lesson 65+), they’ll be taught that:

• The Bible has been “sealed” since it was written
• No one could understand it for 2,000 years
• Only Lee Man-hee received the revelation to “unseal” it

By Advanced Level (Lesson 98+), they’ll be taught that:

• Lee Man-hee is the “promised pastor” who alone can interpret Revelation
• His interpretations are authoritative and cannot be questioned
• Salvation depends on learning and accepting his interpretations

The foundation is being laid at Lesson 10, but students don’t yet see where it leads.

---

2. The “Era” Framework

The lesson emphasizes the critical importance of identifying which biblical “era” we’re living in:

“Eras are very important in the Bible. If we do not properly identify the time we are living in, our actions will be incorrect.”

“If we do not know the era, our actions will be incorrect, and the knowledge being preached will be incorrect or inaccurate or even obsolete for the time we are living in.”

The lesson then presents seven biblical eras, culminating in:

“7. The Period of Revelation and Re-creation: After a gap where God was largely silent, the last era focuses on the fulfillment of Revelation and God’s re-creation of the heavens and earth. We seem to be in this period now. Understanding Revelation helps confirm this.”

What’s Biblical: Understanding progressive revelation and biblical history is legitimate. God did work differently in different periods (the Law, the Prophets, the Gospel age).

What’s SCJ: The lesson is teaching that we are currently in “the Period of Revelation and Re-creation,” which means Revelation is being fulfilled right now. This sets up the later teaching that Lee Man-hee is the fulfillment of Revelation’s prophecies.

Biblical Response:

The New Testament does teach that we are in the “last days,” but this period began with Christ’s first coming, not with a specific modern fulfillment of Revelation:

We’ve been in the “last days” since Pentecost:

• “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people” (Acts 2:17, quoting Joel 2:28)
• Peter applied this prophecy to Pentecost, indicating the “last days” began then
• “In these last days he has spoken to us by his Son” (Hebrews 1:2)
• “He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake” (1 Peter 1:20)

The “last days” is the entire church age:

• From Christ’s first coming until His second coming
• Characterized by the Spirit’s presence, the church’s mission, and waiting for Christ’s return
• Not a specific short period when Revelation is being fulfilled in Korea

Christ’s return is sudden and visible:

• “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him” (Revelation 1:7)
• “For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man” (Matthew 24:27)
• “They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:30)

The biblical teaching is that Christ’s return will be unmistakable—visible to all, not hidden in the events of a specific organization in Korea.

The Manipulation:

By teaching students that we are in “the Period of Revelation and Re-creation,” SCJ creates urgency and importance around their teaching. Students begin to think:

• “This is the most important time in history”
• “Understanding Revelation is crucial for my salvation”
• “I need to learn what’s happening right now”
• “Missing this means missing God’s work”

Later, when they learn that SCJ claims to be the fulfillment of Revelation, they’ll have already accepted that Revelation is being fulfilled in our time, making SCJ’s claims seem more plausible.

---

3. The “Order of Fulfillment” Framework

The lesson emphasizes a specific order of end-times events based on 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3:

“Paul states that the Day of the Lord – the day we await – will not arrive until three key events occur in sequence: 1. A rebellion or betrayal 2. The revelation of the man of lawlessness, doomed to destruction 3. The Day of the Lord itself – the day of our salvation”

“In fact, if someone claims to testify to the fulfillment of Revelation but does not explain it in the context (flow) of these passages, they do not truly understand what they are speaking about and should not be heeded.“

What’s Biblical: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 does describe events that precede the Day of the Lord. Understanding biblical prophecy in context is important.

What’s SCJ: The lesson is creating an interpretive framework that will later be used to “prove” that Revelation is being fulfilled through specific events in SCJ’s history. Notice the strong language: if someone doesn’t explain Revelation according to this framework, “they do not truly understand” and “should not be heeded.”

This is pre-emptive dismissal of all other interpretations. Students are being taught that there is only one correct way to understand Revelation’s fulfillment, and SCJ has it.

Biblical Response:

While 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 does describe events before the Day of the Lord, the passage is warning against deception, not providing a detailed timeline for identifying hidden fulfillments:

The context of 2 Thessalonians 2:

Let’s read the full passage:

“Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4)

Paul’s purpose:

• To correct false teaching that the Day of the Lord had already come
• To warn against being “easily unsettled or alarmed”
• To tell them not to be deceived

The irony: SCJ uses this passage (warning against deception about the Day of the Lord) to deceive people into thinking the Day of the Lord is being fulfilled through SCJ’s events.

The “man of lawlessness”:

Paul describes someone who:

• Opposes and exalts himself over everything called God
• Sets himself up in God’s temple
• Proclaims himself to be God
• Performs counterfeit miracles, signs, and wonders (v. 9)
• Uses every sort of evil to deceive (v. 10)

The question: If we’re looking for someone who exalts himself, claims divine authority, sets himself up as the mediator between God and people, and leads people away from orthodox Christian faith… might that describe Lee Man-hee more than it describes whoever SCJ claims is the “man of lawlessness”?

The warning about deception:

“The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)

Paul warns about:

• Counterfeit signs and wonders
• Deception through displays of power
• Refusing to love the truth
• Believing the lie
• Powerful delusion

This describes cultic deception perfectly. Groups like SCJ use:

• Impressive biblical knowledge (display of power)
• Seemingly miraculous growth and organization (signs and wonders)
• Deceptive recruitment (wickedness that deceives)
• Rejection of orthodox Christian truth (refusing to love the truth)
• Acceptance of false teaching (believing the lie)

The Progression:

At Lesson 10, students learn:

• There’s a specific order to Revelation’s fulfillment
• Understanding this order is crucial
• Those who don’t explain it this way “should not be heeded”

By Intermediate Level, they’ll learn:

• The “betrayal” happened when a specific pastor left SCJ
• The “destruction” happened when that pastor’s church was judged
• The “salvation” is happening now through SCJ

By Advanced Level, they’ll learn:

• Lee Man-hee is the “one who overcomes” who witnessed these events
• His testimony is the only true understanding of Revelation
• Accepting his testimony is necessary for salvation

The framework created at Lesson 10 makes this later teaching seem logical and biblical, even though it’s neither.

---

4. The “Don’t Add or Subtract” Weapon

The lesson strongly emphasizes not adding to or subtracting from Scripture:

“One must not add or subtract ideas from the pure and perfect word of God. This is why God tells us not to do this.”

“If someone adds their own interpretations to scripture without having directly heard or seen the reality being described, they are essentially guessing. Adding one’s own unfounded thoughts can lead others astray from the truth.”

“We must study scripture thoroughly to understand it fully, so that when we explain the Word of God, especially the Book of Revelation, we never add or subtract from the original meaning.”

What’s Biblical: Revelation 22:18-19 and Deuteronomy 4:2 do warn against adding to or subtracting from God’s Word.

What’s SCJ: The lesson is weaponizing this principle to prevent students from questioning SCJ’s interpretations. Later, when students encounter SCJ’s bizarre interpretations of Revelation, they’ll have been pre-conditioned to think: “I shouldn’t question this, because that would be adding my own thoughts. I need to accept what I’m being taught, because the teacher has ‘directly heard or seen the reality being described.'”

Biblical Response:

The warning against adding to or subtracting from Scripture is about changing the text itself or claiming new revelation, not about interpreting Scripture or testing teaching:

What “adding to” Scripture means:

• Claiming new revelation equal to Scripture (Galatians 1:8-9)
• Changing the actual words of Scripture (Revelation 22:18-19)
• Teaching as doctrine the commands of men (Mark 7:7-8)

What “adding to” Scripture does NOT mean:

• Interpreting Scripture
• Comparing interpretations
• Testing teaching against Scripture
• Questioning human interpretations

In fact, the Bible commands us to test interpretations:

• “Test everything; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
• “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1)
• “The Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (Acts 17:11)

Notice: The Bereans tested even Paul’s teaching. They weren’t “adding to Scripture” by examining whether Paul’s interpretation was correct—they were being noble and wise.

The Irony:

SCJ warns students not to “add to or subtract from” Scripture, but then SCJ itself:

• Adds the teaching that Lee Man-hee is the promised pastor (not in Scripture)
• Adds the teaching that only 144,000 can be saved (contradicts Scripture)
• Adds the teaching that all churches are Babylon (not in Scripture)
• Subtracts the clear teaching of salvation by grace through faith alone
• Subtracts the clear teaching that Christ’s return will be visible to all
• Subtracts the clear teaching that the Holy Spirit teaches all believers

Who is actually adding to and subtracting from Scripture? SCJ is.

The Manipulation:

By teaching students that questioning interpretations equals “adding to Scripture,” SCJ creates a psychological barrier against critical thinking. Students will later feel guilty for questioning bizarre interpretations, thinking they’re violating God’s command not to add to His Word.

This is a classic cult tactic: use a biblical principle (don’t add to Scripture) to prevent examination of unbiblical teaching.

---

Part 2: The Psychological Mechanisms at Work

How the Lesson Functions as Indoctrination

As Chapter 5 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story” explores, we can examine this lesson through two lenses: “Investigating Shincheonji’s Divine Blueprint vs. The Cult Playbook.” Let’s look at how Lesson 10 employs sophisticated psychological techniques:

---

1. Creating Cognitive Framework (The “Map”)

The Technique:

The lesson provides students with a comprehensive framework for understanding the entire Bible:

• Seven eras
• Four categories of content (history, teachings, prophecy, fulfillment)
• Specific order of end-times events
• Principles for interpretation

The Psychological Function:

This framework becomes the “map” through which students read all of Scripture. Once accepted, it’s difficult to see the Bible any other way. The framework feels comprehensive and logical, making students confident they now understand the Bible’s “flow.”

The Problem:

The framework is designed to lead to SCJ’s conclusions. It’s not a neutral tool for understanding Scripture—it’s a loaded framework that makes SCJ’s later teachings seem like the natural conclusion.

Analogy:

Imagine someone gives you special glasses and says, “These help you see colors correctly. Most people see colors wrong, but these glasses show the true colors.” You put them on, and everything looks different—but you’ve been told this is the “correct” way to see. You become dependent on the glasses and can’t imagine seeing without them.

That’s what this interpretive framework does. Students become dependent on it and can’t imagine reading the Bible without it.

Biblical Response:

The Bible doesn’t require a complex framework to understand. Its central message is clear:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

The gospel is simple enough for a child to understand. While deeper study is valuable, salvation doesn’t depend on mastering a complex interpretive framework.

---

2. Authority Building

The Technique:

The lesson establishes the instructor’s authority by:

• Demonstrating comprehensive biblical knowledge
• Explaining complex concepts clearly
• Correcting supposed misunderstandings
• Speaking with confidence about “what God meant”

Notice phrases like:

• “What God actually meant is…”
• “If someone claims to testify to the fulfillment of Revelation but does not explain it in the context of these passages, they do not truly understand…”
• “We must study scripture thoroughly to understand it fully…”

The Psychological Function:

Students begin to see the instructor (and by extension, SCJ) as the authority on biblical interpretation. The instructor isn’t just teaching—he’s revealing hidden truths that others miss.

The Progression:

• Lesson 10: The instructor explains biblical framework
• Intermediate Level: The instructor reveals SCJ’s identity and explains why other churches are wrong
• Advanced Level: The instructor teaches about Lee Man-hee’s authority

By the time students learn about Lee Man-hee, they’ve already accepted the instructor’s authority to reveal hidden biblical truths.

Biblical Response:

The Bible warns against human authorities who claim special interpretive power:

“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah.” (Matthew 23:8-10)

“As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you.” (1 John 2:27)

While teachers and pastors are gifts to the church (Ephesians 4:11), no human has exclusive authority to interpret Scripture. The Holy Spirit teaches all believers.

---

3. Creating Urgency

The Technique:

The lesson creates urgency by teaching that:

• We are in the final era (“Period of Revelation and Re-creation”)
• Understanding this is crucial for correct action
• Missing this means being in the wrong era with incorrect knowledge
• God’s purpose is salvation and eternal life, which requires understanding these prophecies

The Psychological Function:

Students feel they must understand this teaching to be saved. Missing or misunderstanding it could mean missing salvation itself.

The Manipulation:

Notice how the lesson connects understanding the “era” with salvation:

“God’s will is no longer for death, but for salvation and eternal life – that has always been His will… But first, certain events must unfold.”

“Understanding these prophecies will help us know what signs to look for.”

“We should be asking questions like who rebels, when does this happen, where does the destruction take place, who is destroyed, what is the day of the Lord, and when will it come?”

The implication: If you don’t understand these things, you might miss your salvation.

Biblical Response:

Salvation doesn’t depend on correctly identifying which “era” we’re in or understanding complex prophetic timelines:

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.” (John 3:36)

Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ, not by correctly understanding prophetic timelines or identifying which biblical era we’re in.

---

4. Inoculation Against Outside Input

The Technique:

The lesson pre-emptively dismisses other interpretations:

“If someone claims to testify to the fulfillment of Revelation but does not explain it in the context (flow) of these passages, they do not truly understand what they are speaking about and should not be heeded.”

“If someone adds their own interpretations to scripture without having directly heard or seen the reality being described, they are essentially guessing.”

The Psychological Function:

Students are being taught that:

• There’s only one correct way to understand Revelation (SCJ’s way)
• Other interpretations are “guessing” and should be ignored
• People who don’t follow this framework “do not truly understand”

When students later encounter pastors, family members, or Christian resources that contradict SCJ’s teaching, they’ll have already been conditioned to dismiss those sources as people who “don’t truly understand” and are “guessing.”

The Progression:

• Lesson 10: Other interpretations don’t follow the correct “flow” and should be ignored
• Lesson 11: Opposition from family/friends is persecution that proves you’re right
• Intermediate Level: All other churches are “Babylon” that has fallen away from truth
• Advanced Level: Only Lee Man-hee has the true interpretation; all others are false

Biblical Response:

The Bible encourages testing and examination, not dismissing all other views:

“Test everything; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

“The Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” (Acts 17:11)

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1)

Truth welcomes examination. Deception fears it.

---

Part 3: The Specific Theological Distortions

Where This Lesson Departs from Biblical Christianity

Let’s examine specific teachings in this lesson that depart from orthodox Christian theology:

---

1. The Nature of Biblical Revelation

What SCJ Teaches (Lesson 10):

“God intentionally speaks in figurative language for two reasons: 1) To protect His plans from Satan, who would like nothing more than to disrupt God’s plans. 2) To instill a hidden meaning within the prophecy.”

“The Old Testament prophets received God’s plans in parables that were intentionally unclear until later fulfilled.”

The Problem:

This teaching suggests that God deliberately made His Word unclear to hide it from Satan, and that the Bible contains “hidden meanings” that require special knowledge to understand.

What the Bible Actually Teaches:

God’s Word is meant to be understood:

“The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” (Psalm 119:130)

“I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob’s descendants, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I, the LORD, speak the truth; I declare what is right.” (Isaiah 45:19)

God’s wisdom is revealed, not hidden:

“However, as it is written: ‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no mind has conceived’— the things God has prepared for those who love him— these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10)

Notice: God has revealed these things by His Spirit—not hidden them for 2,000 years.

The mystery of the gospel has been made known:

“Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.” (Ephesians 3:2-5)

Paul says the mystery has been revealed and that by reading his letter, people “will be able to understand” it. He doesn’t say it remains sealed awaiting a future interpreter.

God doesn’t hide truth from Satan to protect His plans:

God’s plans cannot be thwarted by Satan knowing them. God openly declared His plan of redemption (Genesis 3:15), and Satan’s attempts to stop it (killing Jesus) actually fulfilled it. God’s sovereignty means He doesn’t need to hide His plans to protect them.

---

2. The “Era” Teaching and Revelation’s Fulfillment

What SCJ Teaches (Lesson 10):

“7. The Period of Revelation and Re-creation: After a gap where God was largely silent, the last era focuses on the fulfillment of Revelation and God’s re-creation of the heavens and earth. We seem to be in this period now.”

The Problem:

This teaching implies that Revelation is being fulfilled in our current time through specific, identifiable events (which will later be revealed as SCJ’s history).

What the Bible Actually Teaches:

Christ’s return will be unmistakable:

“Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all peoples on earth will mourn because of him.” (Revelation 1:7)

“For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:27)

“At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.” (Matthew 24:30)

The fulfillment of Revelation is not hidden:

If Revelation were being fulfilled through events in a specific organization in Korea that most Christians don’t know about, that would contradict the biblical teaching that Christ’s return and the fulfillment of end-times prophecy will be visible to all.

We don’t need to identify a specific “era” for salvation:

The New Testament presents the entire church age (from Pentecost to Christ’s return) as the “last days” (Acts 2:17, Hebrews 1:2, 1 Peter 1:20). Christians in every generation have lived in the “last days,” waiting for Christ’s return.

Salvation doesn’t depend on correctly identifying that we’re in “the Period of Revelation and Re-creation.” It depends on faith in Christ.

---

3. The Order of Fulfillment Teaching

What SCJ Teaches (Lesson 10):

“Paul states that the Day of the Lord – the day we await – will not arrive until three key events occur in sequence: 1. A rebellion or betrayal 2. The revelation of the man of lawlessness, doomed to destruction 3. The Day of the Lord itself”

“If someone claims to testify to the fulfillment of Revelation but does not explain it in the context (flow) of these passages, they do not truly understand what they are speaking about and should not be heeded.”

The Problem:

SCJ is creating a rigid framework that will later be used to “prove” that specific events in SCJ’s history fulfill these prophecies. The strong language (“should not be heeded”) is designed to prevent students from considering other interpretations.

What the Bible Actually Teaches:

2 Thessalonians 2 is warning against deception:

Let’s read the context:

“Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way…” (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3)

Paul’s purpose is to warn against false teaching that the Day of the Lord had already come. He’s telling them not to be “easily unsettled or alarmed” by such claims.

The irony: SCJ uses this passage (warning against false claims about the Day of the Lord) to make false claims about the Day of the Lord.

The “man of lawlessness” description:

“He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:4)

This describes someone who:

• Exalts himself
• Sets himself up in God’s temple (the church)
• Claims divine authority

Question: Does this describe whoever SCJ claims is the “man of lawlessness,” or does it better describe Lee Man-hee, who claims to have Jesus’ spirit, claims to be the only one who can interpret Scripture, and demands absolute loyalty from followers?

Multiple interpretations exist:

Throughout church history, Christians have understood 2 Thessalonians 2 in various ways:

• Some see it as referring to a future Antichrist
• Some see it as fulfilled in the Roman Empire’s persecution
• Some see it as referring to ongoing patterns of opposition to Christ

The point: There isn’t one single “correct” interpretation that all Christians must accept. SCJ’s claim that their interpretation is the only valid one is arrogant and unbiblical.

---

Part 4: The Progression of Indoctrination

Where Lesson 10 Fits in the Recruitment Process

Understanding where this lesson appears in SCJ’s curriculum helps us see its strategic function:

Introductory Level (Parables) – Lesson 10:

• Students have completed 9 lessons
• They’ve learned basic SCJ interpretive framework (parables, symbols)
• They’re investing significant time (2-4 classes per week)
• They still don’t know they’re in Shincheonji
• They haven’t yet been taught SCJ’s core doctrines about Lee Man-hee

The Strategic Function of Lesson 10:

This lesson serves as a comprehensive framework that will make later teachings seem logical:

What students learn at Lesson 10:

1. The Bible has “hidden meanings” requiring special interpretation
2. We are in “the Period of Revelation and Re-creation”
3. Understanding the “order” of fulfillment is crucial
4. Those who don’t follow this framework “should not be heeded”
5. Questioning interpretations equals “adding to Scripture”

How this prepares for later teaching:

By Intermediate Level (Lesson 65+), students will learn:

• SCJ’s identity and history
• That all other churches are “Babylon”
• That specific events in SCJ’s history fulfill the “order” taught in Lesson 10

By Advanced Level (Lesson 98+), students will learn:

• Lee Man-hee is the “promised pastor” of Revelation
• His testimony is the fulfillment of Revelation
• Salvation requires accepting his testimony

The framework from Lesson 10 makes these later teachings seem like the logical conclusion rather than the radical departure from Christianity they actually are.

---

Part 5: Red Flags in This Lesson

Warning Signs That Should Prompt Investigation

Even without knowing this is Shincheonji, several elements of this lesson should raise concerns:

1. The Claim of Exclusive Understanding

“If someone claims to testify to the fulfillment of Revelation but does not explain it in the context (flow) of these passages, they do not truly understand what they are speaking about and should not be heeded.”

Red Flag: Why is this Bible study claiming that their interpretation is the only valid one and all others “should not be heeded”?

Healthy Christian Teaching:

• Acknowledges that sincere Christians interpret prophecy differently
• Encourages students to examine multiple perspectives
• Doesn’t claim exclusive understanding
• Welcomes questions and alternative views

2. The Hidden Complexity

The lesson teaches that the Bible has been deliberately obscure and requires special knowledge to understand:

“God intentionally speaks in figurative language… to instill a hidden meaning within the prophecy.”

“The Old Testament prophets received God’s plans in parables that were intentionally unclear until later fulfilled.”

Red Flag: Why is this Bible study teaching that the Bible is deliberately unclear and requires special interpretation?

Healthy Christian Teaching:

• Affirms that Scripture is clear on essential matters
• Teaches that the Holy Spirit illuminates all believers
• Doesn’t claim that the Bible has been “sealed” awaiting special interpreters
• Trusts that God’s Word accomplishes its purpose (Isaiah 55:11)

3. The Urgency and Fear

The lesson creates urgency by teaching that:

• We are in the final era
• Understanding this is crucial for salvation
• Missing this means having “incorrect” or “obsolete” knowledge

Red Flag: Why is this Bible study creating fear that missing their teaching means missing salvation?

Healthy Christian Teaching:

• Presents salvation as by grace through faith in Christ
• Doesn’t tie salvation to understanding complex prophetic frameworks
• Creates hope, not fear
• Trusts God’s sovereignty in salvation

4. The Pre-emptive Dismissal of Other Views

The lesson teaches students to dismiss other interpretations before even hearing them:

“If someone adds their own interpretations to scripture without having directly heard or seen the reality being described, they are essentially guessing.”

Red Flag: Why is this Bible study pre-emptively dismissing all other interpretations as “guessing”?

Healthy Christian Teaching:

• Encourages examination of different views
• Teaches discernment, not dismissal
• Welcomes input from mature Christians
• Trusts that truth will withstand scrutiny

---

Part 6: For Students Currently in This Study

Questions to Ask Yourself

If you’re currently taking this Bible study, here are some questions to consider:

About the Teaching:

1. Why is this organization claiming exclusive understanding of Revelation?
   • Are all Christians for 2,000 years wrong except this group?
   • Why would God hide truth from His church for millennia?
2. Why am I being taught to dismiss other interpretations before examining them?
   • If this teaching is true, wouldn’t it withstand comparison with other views?
   • Why the fear of examining alternatives?
3. Why does understanding complex prophetic frameworks seem necessary for salvation?
   • Doesn’t the Bible teach salvation by grace through faith?
   • Why would God make salvation depend on mastering interpretive frameworks?

About the Framework:

4. Who decides which “era” we’re in?
   • How can I verify this claim independently?
   • What if this organization is wrong about the era?
5. Why must I accept this specific “order of fulfillment”?
   • Are there other legitimate ways to understand 2 Thessalonians 2?
   • Why is this interpretation presented as the only valid one?
6. What happens if I question this framework?
   • Am I free to examine it critically?
   • Or am I told that questioning equals “adding to Scripture”?

About Authority:

7. Who has the authority to interpret Scripture?
   • Does the Bible teach that one person/organization has exclusive interpretive authority?
   • Or does the Holy Spirit teach all believers?
8. Why hasn’t this organization told me its name and full beliefs?
   • If this teaching is true, why the secrecy?
   • What else might they be hiding?

About the Fruit:

9. Is this teaching producing good fruit in my life?
   • Am I experiencing peace or anxiety?
   • Am I growing closer to God or more dependent on this organization?
   • Are my relationships strengthening or deteriorating?
10. Am I free to investigate concerns?
    • Can I research this organization online?
    • Can I discuss concerns with my pastor or Christian family?
    • Or do I feel guilty for even considering it?

Biblical Principle:

“Test everything; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

If this teaching is true, testing it will confirm that truth. If it’s false, testing it will set you free.

---

Part 7: For Family and Friends of Students

How to Help Someone in This Study

If someone you love is taking this Bible study, here’s how to help:

1. Understand What’s Happening

Your loved one is being taught a comprehensive “framework” for understanding the Bible. This framework feels logical and biblical, making them confident they’re learning truth. They don’t yet realize the framework is designed to lead to SCJ’s heretical conclusions.

2. Ask Strategic Questions

Rather than attacking the teaching, ask questions that promote critical thinking:

About the framework:

• “How do you know we’re in ‘the Period of Revelation and Re-creation’?”
• “What if this interpretation of the ‘eras’ is wrong?”
• “Are there other ways Christians have understood these passages?”

About authority:

• “Who decides which interpretation is correct?”
• “Why does this organization claim exclusive understanding?”
• “What about the Holy Spirit teaching all believers?”

About verification:

• “How can you verify these claims independently?”
• “Have you researched this organization online?”
• “What do other Christians think about this teaching?”

3. Provide Resources Gently

Share resources without pressure:

• “I found this article about biblical interpretation. Would you be willing to read it?”
• “I’d love to hear what your pastor thinks about this teaching.”
• “There’s a website (closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination) that examines these teachings. Can we look at it together?”

4. Maintain Relationship

The most important thing is staying connected. SCJ wants to isolate your loved one from everyone who might help them escape. By maintaining relationship, you provide a lifeline when they’re ready to leave.

---

Part 8: The Real Biblical Framework

What the Bible Actually Teaches About Understanding Scripture

The lesson presents a complex framework supposedly necessary for understanding the Bible. But what does the Bible itself say about how to understand it?

1. Scripture Is Clear on Essential Matters

“The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” (Psalm 119:130)

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

The Bible’s testimony about itself:

• It gives light (not darkness)
• It gives understanding (not confusion)
• It’s useful for teaching (not incomprehensible)
• It thoroughly equips believers (not partially)

2. The Holy Spirit Teaches All Believers

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26)

“As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.” (1 John 2:27)

“This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts… No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.” (Hebrews 8:10-11)

The New Covenant reality:

• The Holy Spirit indwells all believers
• He teaches all believers
• We don’t need human mediators to understand God
• Direct knowledge of God is available to all

3. Salvation Is Simple

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

The gospel is simple:

• Believe in Jesus
• Confess Him as Lord
• Trust in His death and resurrection
• Receive salvation as a gift

Salvation does NOT require:

• Mastering complex interpretive frameworks
• Correctly identifying which “era” we’re in
• Understanding the “order of fulfillment”
• Learning one organization’s interpretation of Revelation

4. We Test All Teaching

“Test everything; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1)

“The Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” (Acts 17:11)

Biblical discernment means:

• Testing all teaching against Scripture
• Examining claims carefully
• Being noble like the Bereans
• Not accepting teaching without verification

This is not “adding to Scripture”—it’s obeying Scripture.

---

Conclusion: The Map vs. The Territory

Lesson 10 provides students with a “map” for reading the Bible—a comprehensive framework that seems to make everything clear. But as the saying goes, “The map is not the territory.”

SCJ’s map:

• Claims to show the “true” path
• Dismisses all other maps as incorrect
• Leads away from orthodox Christianity
• Results in dependence on the organization

The Bible itself:

• Is clear on essential matters
• Is illuminated by the Holy Spirit for all believers
• Presents a simple gospel of grace
• Creates dependence on Christ, not organizations

The Question:

Will you trust SCJ’s map, or will you trust the Bible’s own testimony about itself?

Will you accept that you need a complex framework to understand Scripture, or will you trust that the Holy Spirit teaches all believers?

Will you believe that salvation depends on mastering prophetic timelines, or will you trust the simple gospel of grace?

The Choice:

You can continue following SCJ’s framework deeper into their theology, trusting that it leads to truth.

Or you can test this framework against Scripture, examine it critically, and see if it actually aligns with what the Bible teaches about itself.

Truth welcomes examination. Deception fears it.

---

Resources for Further Investigation

For detailed examination of Shincheonji’s teachings:

• Visit https://closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination

For understanding how interpretive frameworks work:

• Review Chapters 2, 3, and 4 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story”

For biblical framework on testing claims:

• Review Chapters 10, 13, and 18 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story”

For help leaving or supporting someone who’s leaving:

• See Chapter 28: “Hope and Help—Guidance for Members, Families, Christians, and Seekers”

---

Remember: The Bible doesn’t need SCJ’s framework to be understood. It needs the Holy Spirit, who teaches all believers.

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” (John 16:13)