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

SCJ Lesson 43 Analysis: “Secrets of Heaven: Figurative Oil (Olive Oil)”

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Introduction: The Oil That Runs Out

Imagine you’re preparing for a long journey through the night. You’ve been told that the journey will be difficult, that many won’t make it, and that the key to success is having enough oil for your lamp. A guide approaches you with a special offer: “I have oil that others don’t have access to. The oil most people are using will run out. But my oil—the true oil—will keep your lamp burning until the end.”

He shows you his lamp, burning brightly. He explains that this oil comes from a special source, revealed only recently. “For 2,000 years,” he says, “people have been using the wrong oil, or not enough oil. But now, at this critical moment, the true oil has been revealed. You need this oil to make it through the night.”

Grateful and anxious, you begin purchasing his oil. Week after week, you return for more. He teaches you about the oil—its source, its properties, how to recognize true oil from false oil. You invest time, money, and energy into obtaining this oil. You tell your friends and family about it. You distance yourself from those who question whether this oil is really necessary.

But gradually, a troubling question emerges: What if the oil you already had was sufficient? What if this “special oil” is actually leading you away from the true source? What if, by the time you realize the deception, your original lamp has gone out and you’ve spent all your resources on oil that doesn’t actually work?

This is what happens in SCJ Lesson 43.

The lesson appears to be a straightforward Bible study about oil symbolism—exploring the parable of the ten virgins, the concept of the Holy Spirit as oil, and the importance of being prepared for Christ’s return. The instructor, Nate, walks students through Scripture passages, emphasizes the need for discernment, and encourages them to have “enough oil at the second coming to be a wise virgin.”

But beneath the surface, something dangerous is being constructed. The lesson is building a framework that will eventually position SCJ’s teachings as the “oil” believers need for salvation. Just as Lesson 41 established three Passovers and Lesson 42 established new wine as SCJ’s interpretations, Lesson 43 establishes that “oil” represents the revealed word—specifically, SCJ’s explanation of Revelation’s fulfillment.

The lesson also introduces a critical manipulation technique: teaching students how to “test spirits” in a way that will actually prevent them from properly testing SCJ’s claims. By establishing that “God’s ways don’t make sense from human standards” and that discomfort with teaching is normal, SCJ is preemptively neutralizing students’ critical thinking and legitimate concerns.

By the end of this lesson, students will have accepted that:

1. Oil represents the Holy Spirit/word, specifically the “revealed word” for today
2. The “new wine” (SCJ’s teachings) requires “oil” (understanding) to receive properly
3. There is true oil and false oil (SCJ’s teachings vs. traditional church teachings)
4. Having “enough oil” is critical for salvation at the second coming
5. Testing spirits means checking against Scripture, but God’s ways won’t make logical sense
6. If teaching feels confusing or uncomfortable, that’s actually evidence it’s from God

What students don’t yet realize is that the “oil” is SCJ’s interpretation of Revelation, the source of this oil will be identified as Lee Man-hee, and “having enough oil” will mean completing SCJ’s study program and accepting their full theology. The parable of the ten virgins will be weaponized to create fear that without SCJ’s oil, students will be shut out of the kingdom.

The lesson sits at Lesson 43 of the Introductory Level—students have now invested over five months of study. They’ve absorbed extensive foundational concepts, built deep relationships within the study, likely distanced from their home church, and are experiencing strong identity formation as enlightened insiders. The psychological cost of leaving is now very high, making it increasingly difficult to recognize and respond to manipulation.

Let’s examine how this lesson uses legitimate biblical content to build an illegitimate framework, and how we can recognize and respond to this deception.

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Part 1: The Opening Setup—Emotional Manipulation and Commitment Reinforcement

What SCJ Teaches in This Lesson

The lesson opens with an emotionally manipulative statement from the instructor:

“Thank you so much for coming this evening and overcoming what I’m sure may have been many challenges. However, we know that God is always able to guide us through those challenges when we have a level of determination. And that determination is rooted in God, no matter what. I am here to hear this word. So let it help me overcome whatever situation is happening in my life.

My car may have broken down today. My job may have gotten on my nerves today. My child might have fallen sick. But whatever may have happened, by making the decision to be here, those things will resolve themselves.”

Why This Opening Is Manipulative

This opening appears to be encouraging and pastoral, but it’s actually accomplishing several manipulative goals:

1. Praising Commitment Over Wisdom

The instructor praises students for “overcoming challenges” to attend the study. This creates positive reinforcement for prioritizing the study over other responsibilities and concerns. Students are being conditioned to see attendance as evidence of spiritual determination, regardless of what they’re sacrificing to be there.

But biblical wisdom sometimes means recognizing when something is not worth the sacrifice. If your child is sick, the wise and godly response might be to stay home and care for your child—not to attend a Bible study and expect that “those things will resolve themselves.”

Proverbs 27:12: “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.”

Wisdom involves recognizing danger and responding appropriately. SCJ is teaching students to ignore warning signs and push through discomfort, which is the opposite of prudence.

2. Making Magical Promises

The statement “by making the decision to be here, those things will resolve themselves” is a magical promise with no biblical basis. The Bible never promises that attending a Bible study will cause your car to fix itself or your sick child to heal.

This is prosperity gospel thinking—the idea that spiritual actions automatically produce material blessings. It’s manipulative because it:

• Creates false expectations (things will resolve themselves)
• Attributes resolution to attendance (rather than to God’s sovereignty or practical action)
• Makes students feel guilty if things don’t resolve (maybe I didn’t have enough determination)
• Reinforces attendance as the solution to life’s problems

3. Creating Emotional Dependency

By suggesting that attending the study helps “overcome whatever situation is happening in my life,” the instructor is creating emotional dependency on the study. Students begin to see the study as their source of help, comfort, and problem-solving—rather than seeing Jesus as their source.

Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Jesus invites the weary to come to Him, not to a Bible study. The study should point people to Jesus, not position itself as the solution to life’s problems.

4. Reinforcing Sunk Cost

The opening acknowledges that students have overcome “many challenges” to be there. This reinforces the sunk cost fallacy—the psychological tendency to continue investing in something because you’ve already invested so much.

Students are reminded of their sacrifice (overcoming challenges), which makes them less likely to question whether the sacrifice is worth it. “I’ve already invested so much—I can’t stop now.”

Chapter 4 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Slow Fade: How Deception Works Gradually,” addresses this: “Manipulative groups understand the power of incremental commitment. Each small commitment makes the next one easier. Each sacrifice makes it harder to walk away. By the time you realize what you’ve committed to, you’ve invested so much that leaving feels impossible.”

Biblical Response: True Wisdom and Priorities

The Bible teaches us to prioritize wisely and to recognize when something is not from God:

Matthew 6:33: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Seeking God’s kingdom first means prioritizing what God values—not what a human organization demands. God values:

• Caring for family (1 Timothy 5:8)
• Wisdom and discernment (Proverbs 4:7)
• Obedience to His Word (John 14:15)
• Love for others (John 13:34-35)

If attending a Bible study requires neglecting these priorities, then the study is not from God.

1 Timothy 5:8: “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

If your child is sick and you attend a Bible study instead of caring for them, you’re not demonstrating spiritual determination—you’re neglecting your God-given responsibility.

James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

God gives wisdom to help us make good decisions about priorities. We should ask Him for wisdom about how to use our time, not blindly commit to attending every study session regardless of circumstances.

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Part 2: The Review—Reinforcing the Framework

What SCJ Teaches in the Review

The lesson provides a review of Lesson 42, emphasizing:

“In the previous lesson, we learned about the figurative new wine and new wineskins. We reviewed that the new wine represents the new, revealed, or open word. Specifically, that word is for our time, the New Testament prophecy and fulfillment. That is the wine we need today.

So, the new revealed word, also known as the Old or New Testament prophecy and fulfillment. The new wine, 2,000 years ago, were the words of Jesus where He was explaining Old Testament prophecy and fulfillment. However, today, 2,000 years later, the new wine for us is the explanation of the prophecies of our time.

The things that Jesus promised would come at the end times, and of course, the book of Revelation, that is the wine we should all be drinking today. But of course, there is also maddening wine that exists – many people’s thoughts and opinions about what is happening without what we’re going to learn about today.”

What’s Being Established

This review reinforces several critical framework elements:

1. The “New Wine” Is SCJ’s Interpretation of Revelation

The review makes explicit what was implied in Lesson 42: the “new wine” for today is “the explanation of the prophecies of our time”—specifically, “the book of Revelation.”

This is setting up the claim that SCJ’s interpretation of Revelation is the “wine we should all be drinking today.” Just as Jesus explained Old Testament prophecy and fulfillment, someone today (who will be revealed as Lee Man-hee) is explaining New Testament prophecy and fulfillment.

2. The Pattern of Progressive Revelation

SCJ is establishing a pattern:

• Old Testament era: Prophecies given, not understood
• First Coming: Jesus explained Old Testament prophecy and fulfillment (this was the “new wine” then)
• Second Coming: Someone explains New Testament prophecy and fulfillment (this is the “new wine” now)

This pattern makes it seem logical and biblical that there would be new revelation at the second coming. But this pattern is not biblical—it’s a human invention designed to insert SCJ into the biblical narrative.

3. The Definition of “Maddening Wine”

The review defines “maddening wine” as “many people’s thoughts and opinions about what is happening without what we’re going to learn about today.”

In other words:

• True wine = What SCJ teaches about Revelation
• Maddening wine = What anyone else thinks about Revelation

This is a self-serving definition that positions SCJ as the only source of truth and dismisses all other perspectives as “maddening wine.” It’s preparing students to reject any interpretation of Revelation that doesn’t align with SCJ’s teaching.

4. The Urgency of “Drinking” This Wine

The statement “that is the wine we should all be drinking today” creates urgency. It’s not optional—we “should” be drinking this wine. The implication is that without this wine, we’re spiritually malnourished or deceived.

Biblical Response: The Sufficiency of Scripture and the Holy Spirit

The Bible Is Already “Open”

SCJ repeatedly uses language about the “revealed” or “open” word, implying that the Bible was closed or sealed and now needs to be opened by SCJ. But the Bible is already open and understandable to all believers through the Holy Spirit:

2 Timothy 3:16-17: “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.”

Scripture thoroughly equips believers. It doesn’t need to be “opened” by a special organization.

2 Peter 1:3: “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”

We have everything we need through knowing Christ. We don’t need SCJ’s “revealed word” to supplement what God has already given.

The Holy Spirit Teaches All Believers

The New Testament clearly teaches that all believers have the Holy Spirit as their teacher:

1 John 2:27: “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.”

All believers have the Holy Spirit’s anointing. We don’t need a special organization to teach us—the Holy Spirit teaches us through Scripture.

John 16:13: “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”

Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would guide believers into all truth. This promise was for all believers, not just for a special group in Korea 2,000 years later.

There Is No “New Wine” Beyond the Gospel

The gospel is complete and final. There is no new revelation beyond what has been given in Christ and recorded in Scripture:

Hebrews 1:1-2: “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.”

God has spoken definitively through His Son. There is no need for additional revelation beyond Christ.

Jude 3: “Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.”

The faith was “once for all entrusted”—not partially delivered, awaiting completion by SCJ. The complete faith has already been revealed.

The Danger of Adding to Scripture

When SCJ claims to have “new wine” (new revelation about Revelation’s fulfillment), they’re adding to Scripture. This is explicitly forbidden:

Revelation 22:18-19: “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.”

This warning comes at the end of Revelation—the very book SCJ claims to be revealing. God warns against adding to or taking away from Revelation’s prophecy. SCJ’s claim to have special revelation about Revelation’s fulfillment is adding to Scripture.

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Part 3: The “New Wineskins” Teaching—Identity and Recruitment

What SCJ Teaches About New Wineskins

The review continues:

“In order to receive this new wine and be able to keep it so that it does not burst us, we must become new wineskins. New wineskins represent a person’s heart, and specifically, the new wineskins are the shepherd or pastor, you can say the new pastor or new shepherd, and the disciples – those that follow that new shepherd.

At the time of the first coming, the new shepherd or the new pastor was Jesus, who came and taught a new word that no one knew about, that no one was expecting. This is the reason why they reacted the way they did to Jesus because everything He was saying was brand new. And so they thought, ‘Is this the truth?’ And they started looking for ways to either discredit Jesus so that they don’t have to believe in the new thing that is being taught to them.”

What’s Being Set Up

This teaching is setting up several dangerous ideas:

1. The “New Shepherd” Pattern

SCJ is establishing a pattern:

• First Coming: Jesus was the “new shepherd” teaching “new wine”
• Second Coming: There is a “new shepherd” teaching “new wine” today

This pattern will eventually lead to the identification of Lee Man-hee as the “new shepherd” for today. Just as Jesus was the new shepherd at the first coming, Lee Man-hee is the new shepherd at the second coming.

2. The Parallel Between Jesus and SCJ’s Leader

By drawing parallels between how people reacted to Jesus and how people might react to SCJ’s teaching, the lesson is preparing students to see rejection of SCJ as equivalent to rejection of Jesus.

The logic being established:

• Jesus taught new things that people didn’t expect
• People tried to discredit Jesus because His teaching was new
• SCJ teaches new things that people don’t expect
• People try to discredit SCJ because its teaching is new
• Therefore, rejecting SCJ is like rejecting Jesus

This is a false parallel. The fact that both Jesus and SCJ teach “new” things doesn’t mean they’re equivalent. Many false teachers throughout history have taught “new” things. Newness doesn’t validate truth.

3. Preemptive Defense Against Criticism

The statement “they started looking for ways to either discredit Jesus so that they don’t have to believe in the new thing” is preparing students to interpret criticism of SCJ as evidence of spiritual resistance, not as legitimate concern.

When family members, pastors, or friends raise concerns about SCJ, students will think: “They’re just trying to discredit this teaching because it’s new and they don’t want to believe it—just like people did with Jesus.”

This preemptive defense makes it very difficult for students to receive legitimate warnings about SCJ.

Biblical Response: Testing All Teaching

Jesus’ Authority Was Evident

When Jesus taught, His authority was evident through:

His fulfillment of prophecy: Jesus fulfilled specific, detailed prophecies about the Messiah (Isaiah 53, Micah 5:2, Psalm 22, etc.). His life, death, and resurrection matched what the prophets had foretold.

His miracles: John 10:37-38: “Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”

Jesus’ miracles authenticated His claims. He healed the sick, raised the dead, calmed storms, and ultimately rose from the dead Himself.

His perfect life: John 8:46: “Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me?”

Jesus lived a sinless life. His character matched His claims.

His alignment with Scripture: Jesus’ teaching perfectly aligned with and fulfilled the Old Testament. He didn’t contradict Scripture—He fulfilled it.

SCJ’s Leader Has None of These

Lee Man-hee:

• Does not fulfill specific prophecies about the Messiah (those were fulfilled by Jesus)
• Does not perform miracles to authenticate his claims
• Is a fallible human being, not sinless
• Teaches doctrines that contradict Scripture when properly understood

The parallel between Jesus and Lee Man-hee is false. Jesus had divine authority authenticated by prophecy, miracles, sinless life, and Scripture. Lee Man-hee has none of these.

We Are Commanded to Test All Teaching

The Bible commands us to test all teaching, not to accept it simply because it’s “new”:

1 John 4:1: “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.”

We must test teaching, even if it seems spiritual or biblical. The existence of false prophets means we can’t simply accept teaching at face value.

Acts 17:11: “Now 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.”

Even Paul’s teaching was examined against Scripture. The Bereans were commended for this, not criticized. If Paul’s teaching needed to be tested, how much more should SCJ’s teaching be tested?

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

Test everything—not just some things, not just things that seem obviously false. Everything. And hold fast only to what is good (what aligns with Scripture and produces good fruit).

The Danger of the False Parallel

Chapter 20 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Danger of Creative Fulfillment,” addresses this false parallel:

“SCJ wants you to see Lee Man-hee as a Jesus-figure—someone who, like Jesus, brings new revelation that people resist because it’s unfamiliar. But this parallel is manipulative. Jesus had divine authority authenticated by prophecy, miracles, and resurrection. Lee Man-hee has none of these. The fact that both taught ‘new’ things doesn’t make them equivalent. Many false teachers throughout history have taught ‘new’ things. Newness doesn’t validate truth—alignment with Scripture, good fruit, and divine authentication validate truth.”

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Part 4: The Building Metaphor—Psychological Pressure to Retain Everything

What SCJ Teaches About Building

The lesson emphasizes the importance of remembering all previous lessons:

“Remember, we’re building a house, a temple, a building. It starts from the foundation, the basics. And then we build up from there brick by brick, stone by stone. If stones are missing, your temple is going to collapse, especially when we start putting heavy things on top. So, let’s make sure we don’t forget anything.”

The instructor also recommends:

“This is a great study tactic just so you’re going through all your notes and you’re looking for the name of the parable, the meaning, and the verse. And if you do that for all the verses, you will have a much clearer and complete understanding up to this point because by this point, we should be able to remember all the parables, right?

If you’re forgetting parables, the lessons we’re going to learn are going to become difficult to understand, right? They build on each other.”

Why This Is Psychologically Manipulative

This building metaphor appears to be good educational practice (review and retention), but it’s actually creating psychological pressure:

1. Fear of Collapse

The statement “if stones are missing, your temple is going to collapse” creates fear. Students are told that if they forget any lesson, the entire structure will collapse. This creates anxiety about forgetting and pressure to constantly review.

But biblical truth doesn’t work this way. Understanding one biblical concept doesn’t require perfect retention of dozens of previous concepts. The gospel is simple enough that a child can understand it (Matthew 18:3).

2. Dependency on the System

By emphasizing that lessons “build on each other” and that forgetting parables will make future lessons “difficult to understand,” SCJ is creating dependency on their system. Students feel they can’t understand the Bible without perfectly retaining all of SCJ’s interpretations.

This contradicts the biblical teaching that Scripture is understandable to all believers through the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:27, 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

3. Sunk Cost Reinforcement

The more students invest in memorizing SCJ’s parable interpretations, the more committed they become to the system. If you’ve spent months memorizing that “fire = word,” “tree = pastor,” “wine = teachings,” etc., you’re psychologically invested in this framework. Abandoning it would mean all that effort was wasted.

4. Preparation for Complex Theology

The statement “especially when we start putting heavy things on top” is preparing students for increasingly complex and problematic theology. The “heavy things” will be SCJ’s full theology about Lee Man-hee, the 144,000, the fulfillment of Revelation, etc.

Students are being told that if they don’t perfectly retain all previous lessons, they won’t be able to understand these “heavy things.” This creates pressure to accept complex theology even when it doesn’t make sense, because “I must be missing a stone in my foundation.”

Biblical Response: The Simplicity of the Gospel

The Gospel Is Simple

The biblical gospel is simple enough for anyone to understand:

1 Corinthians 15:1-4: “Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”

This is the gospel: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again. It doesn’t require memorizing dozens of parable interpretations. It doesn’t require a complex system of symbols and fulfillments. It’s simple, clear, and accessible.

Romans 10:9-10: “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. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”

Salvation requires faith in Jesus—not perfect retention of complex interpretations.

Jesus Welcomed Simple Faith

Jesus commended simple, childlike faith:

Matthew 18:3-4: “And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'”

Children don’t have complex theological systems. They have simple trust. Jesus says this is what we need for the kingdom of heaven.

Luke 10:21: “At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.'”

God reveals truth to “little children”—those with simple, humble faith—not to those who have memorized complex systems.

The Danger of Complex Systems

When a group creates a complex system where understanding requires perfect retention of dozens of interpretations, and where forgetting any piece causes “collapse,” that’s a red flag. This is how manipulative groups create dependency:

Colossians 2:8: “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”

Complex philosophical systems can take people captive. The gospel frees us from such systems and points us to Christ alone.

2 Corinthians 11:3: “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”

Paul feared that believers’ minds would be led astray from “sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” SCJ’s complex system does exactly this—it leads minds away from simple devotion to Christ and into devotion to a system of interpretations.

Chapter 13 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Psychology of Deception: Why Smart People Fall for False Teaching,” explains: “Complex systems create the illusion of depth and sophistication. They make you feel like you’re learning profound truths that others don’t understand. But often, complexity is a smokescreen for deception. The gospel is profound in its simplicity, not in its complexity. When a group requires you to master a complex system of interpretations before you can understand ‘the truth,’ that’s a warning sign.”

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Part 5: The “Testing Spirits” Teaching—Weaponizing Discernment

What SCJ Teaches About Testing Spirits

The lesson moves to 1 John 4:1 and provides teaching on testing spirits:

1 John 4:1: “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.”

The instructor explains:

“The Apostle John tells us about the importance of testing the spirits because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This should actually begin to give you a key as to what it means to test the spirits.

Let’s diagram a little bit more about what this means, testing the spirits. How many types of spirits are there? Raise your hands. Count your fingers; there are two types of spirits. There are holy spirits or good spirits, and there are evil spirits or bad spirits.

And how do these spirits work? How do they operate? What do they do?

Spirits work through words. And words, of course, lead to thoughts and actions. John 6:63, when Jesus said, ‘The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.’ So, though we cannot see spirits with our naked eyes in normal circumstances, we can hear them. So, how can one hear a spirit? It is by listening to the words of the one the spirit is using. That’s how we can discern between one spirit and another.”

What’s Right and What’s Wrong

What’s Right:

The instructor correctly notes that:

1. We should test spirits (1 John 4:1)
2. There are two types of spirits (good and evil)
3. Spirits work through people’s words
4. We can discern spirits by examining what people say

These are legitimate biblical observations.

What’s Wrong:

The problem is what comes next. SCJ will use this framework to:

1. Position their teaching as from the Holy Spirit (good spirit)
2. Position all other teaching as from evil spirits
3. Create a simplistic binary where you’re either with SCJ (good spirit) or against them (evil spirit)
4. Suppress critical thinking by labeling concerns as “evil spirits”

The lesson continues:

“A Holy Spirit, or God’s Spirit, or a good spirit will speak through one who speaks the truth, John 17:17, ‘Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.’ But a spirit working through the opposite person will speak lies, like John 8:40-44. Satan speaks lies. It is his native language, or he is the liar and the father of lies.

So, one cannot truly know unless they are able to discern. One whom an evil spirit is using speaks lies, but one whom the God spirit is using speaks the truth.

So then, how do we discern who is speaking what? How do we discern? We listen first, but what is the next thing we need to do?

We need to check the scriptures. But how can you check the scriptures if you’re not familiar with them? This is why studying is so important. Because familiarity with the scriptures is the first line of defense when you’re hearing something. If you don’t have that first line of defense, everything you hear sounds good or sounds bad, and you can’t discern which is which.”

The Manipulation in This Teaching

This teaching sounds biblical, but it’s actually setting up several manipulations:

1. Circular Reasoning

The logic being established:

• Good spirits speak truth
• Truth is found in Scripture
• You need to know Scripture to discern truth
• SCJ is teaching you Scripture
• Therefore, SCJ’s teaching is truth from the Holy Spirit

This is circular reasoning. It assumes that SCJ’s interpretation of Scripture is correct, then uses that assumption to validate SCJ’s authority.

2. Dependency Creation

The statement “how can you check the scriptures if you’re not familiar with them?” creates dependency on SCJ. Students are told they need to be familiar with Scripture to discern truth, but SCJ is the one teaching them Scripture. This makes them dependent on SCJ for discernment.

But the Bible teaches that all believers have the Holy Spirit as teacher (1 John 2:27). We don’t need to complete SCJ’s study program to understand Scripture.

3. Suppression of Outside Input

The emphasis on “familiarity with the scriptures” as “the first line of defense” will be used to dismiss input from pastors, family, and other Christians. If they raise concerns about SCJ, students will think: “They’re not familiar with Scripture the way I am now. I can’t trust their discernment.”

This isolates students from legitimate sources of wisdom and accountability.

4. Preparation for Rejecting Concerns

When family members or pastors raise concerns about SCJ, students will use this framework to dismiss those concerns: “They’re speaking from an evil spirit because they’re not speaking truth. I know it’s not truth because it contradicts what I’m learning in this study, which I know is from the Holy Spirit.”

This creates a closed system where SCJ’s teaching is assumed to be from the Holy Spirit, and anything that contradicts it is assumed to be from evil spirits.

Biblical Context: How to Actually Test Spirits

Let’s examine what 1 John 4:1-6 actually teaches about testing spirits:

1 John 4:1-6: “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. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.”

What is John’s test for spirits?

The primary test: “Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.”

The test is christological—does the teaching properly acknowledge Jesus Christ? Specifically:

• That Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah, the Son of God)
• That He came in the flesh (He was truly human, not just a spirit)
• That He is from God (He has divine authority and nature)

This test was designed to counter early heresies that denied either Jesus’ humanity (Docetism) or His divinity (Arianism).

The broader test: Does the teaching align with apostolic testimony?

Verse 6 says, “We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us.” John is saying that those who know God will listen to apostolic teaching. The test is whether teaching aligns with what the apostles taught.

What John is NOT saying:

John is NOT saying:

• That you need to complete a study program to discern spirits
• That familiarity with one organization’s interpretation is the key to discernment
• That everyone who disagrees with your interpretation is speaking from evil spirits
• That complex symbol interpretation is how you test spirits

How to Actually Test SCJ’s Teaching

When we apply John’s test to SCJ, we must ask:

1. Does SCJ properly acknowledge Jesus Christ?

While SCJ uses Jesus’ name, their system ultimately:

• Makes Jesus’ sacrifice insufficient (requiring SCJ’s “revealed word” for salvation)
• Adds Lee Man-hee as a necessary mediator
• Shifts focus from Jesus’ finished work to understanding interpretations
• Makes organizational membership necessary for salvation

This fails John’s test. Teaching that adds requirements beyond faith in Christ does not properly acknowledge Jesus as sufficient Savior.

2. Does SCJ’s teaching align with apostolic testimony?

The apostles taught:

• Salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9)
• Jesus as the only mediator (1 Timothy 2:5)
• The sufficiency of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
• The Holy Spirit as teacher for all believers (1 John 2:27)
• The priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9)
• The simplicity of the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

SCJ’s teaching contradicts all of these apostolic doctrines. Therefore, by John’s own test, SCJ’s teaching is not from God.

Additional Biblical Tests

The Bible provides other tests for teaching:

Does it produce good fruit?

Matthew 7:15-20: “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them… Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.”

SCJ’s fruit includes:

• Deception (hiding identity)
• Division (breaking up families)
• Manipulation (using fear and guilt)
• Exploitation (demanding excessive time and resources)
• Pride (creating spiritual elitism)

These are bad fruits, indicating bad teaching.

Does it align with Scripture when read in context?

Acts 17:11: “Now 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.”

When SCJ’s interpretations are examined against Scripture read in context, they consistently fail. They require forcing Scripture into predetermined frameworks rather than letting Scripture speak for itself.

Does it point to Christ or away from Him?

2 Corinthians 11:3-4: “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.”

SCJ’s teaching leads minds away from “sincere and pure devotion to Christ” and toward devotion to their system, their organization, and their leader. This is a different Jesus, a different spirit, and a different gospel.

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Part 6: The Isaiah 55:8-9 Manipulation—Preempting Logical Objections

What SCJ Teaches Using Isaiah 55:8-9

The lesson includes a critical manipulation under the heading “Here’s how not to discern”:

Isaiah 55:8-9: “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'”

The instructor explains:

“Consider the words that God is speaking through the prophet Isaiah, ‘For my ways and my thoughts are higher than your ways and thoughts.’ Oftentimes, God’s ways and thoughts are confusing. They do not make sense from the world’s standards or human standards. However, God does not initially speak a word for it to make sense to you. He is asking you to obey regardless of how much physical logic it makes.

For instance, to walk around ci…” [text cuts off]

Why This Is Dangerous Manipulation

This teaching is one of the most dangerous manipulations in the entire SCJ curriculum. Here’s why:

1. It Preempts Critical Thinking

By teaching that “God’s ways don’t make sense from human standards” and that “God is asking you to obey regardless of how much physical logic it makes,” SCJ is preemptively neutralizing students’ critical thinking.

When students encounter teaching that doesn’t make sense, that contradicts Scripture, or that raises red flags, they’ll think: “It doesn’t make sense to me, but that’s actually evidence it’s from God. God’s ways are higher than my ways. I should obey even though it doesn’t make logical sense.”

This is extremely dangerous. It removes the safety mechanism of reason and discernment that God gave us.

2. It Misuses Scripture

Isaiah 55:8-9 is not teaching that God’s ways are illogical or that we should accept teaching that contradicts reason. Let’s look at the context:

Isaiah 55:6-9: “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'”

What is Isaiah teaching?

Isaiah is contrasting God’s merciful, forgiving nature with human vindictiveness. The wicked might think, “God won’t forgive me—I’ve sinned too much.” But God says, “My thoughts are not your thoughts. I am more merciful than you can imagine. I will freely pardon.”

The point is that God’s mercy exceeds human expectations, not that God’s ways are illogical or that we should accept teaching that doesn’t make sense.

3. It Creates a Closed System

When a group teaches that “if it doesn’t make sense, that proves it’s from God,” they’ve created a closed system where nothing can falsify their claims:

• If teaching makes sense → It’s from God
• If teaching doesn’t make sense → It’s from God (because God’s ways are higher)

This is unfalsifiable. No matter what happens, it confirms the group’s claims. This is a hallmark of manipulative systems.

4. It Contradicts Biblical Teaching About Reason

The Bible repeatedly appeals to reason and invites us to think:

Isaiah 1:18: “Come now, let us settle the matter,’ says the LORD. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.'”

God invites us to “settle the matter”—to reason together.

Acts 17:2-3: “As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead.”

Paul reasoned from the Scriptures, explaining and proving his points. He didn’t say, “This doesn’t make sense, but believe it anyway because God’s ways are higher.”

1 Peter 3:15: “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”

We should be able to give reasons for our faith. Christianity is reasonable, not irrational.

5. It Enables Abuse

When leaders teach that “God is asking you to obey regardless of how much physical logic it makes,” they enable spiritual abuse. This teaching can be used to justify:

• Unbiblical practices (“It doesn’t make sense, but obey anyway”)
• Harmful demands (“It seems wrong, but God’s ways are higher”)
• Contradictory teaching (“It contradicts what we learned before, but God’s thoughts are higher”)

This is how manipulative groups maintain control—by removing the safety mechanism of reason and discernment.

Biblical Response: God Invites Reason and Discernment

God’s Ways Are Wise, Not Illogical

God’s ways are higher than ours in the sense that they are wiser, more merciful, more just, and more loving than we can fully comprehend. But they are not illogical or contradictory:

Romans 11:33: “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!”

God’s wisdom is deep and sometimes beyond our full understanding, but it is wisdom—not irrationality.

Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

This verse is often misused like Isaiah 55:8-9. But it’s not saying “don’t use your understanding.” It’s saying “don’t rely solely on your own understanding—trust God’s wisdom, which is greater.”

We Are Called to Use Discernment

The Bible repeatedly calls us to use discernment, wisdom, and reason:

Proverbs 4:7: “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”

Proverbs 14:15: “The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.”

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

Hebrews 5:14: “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”

We are called to distinguish, discern, test, and think—not to blindly accept teaching that doesn’t make sense.

When God’s Commands Seem Strange, There’s Always a Reason

Yes, God sometimes gives commands that seem strange (like walking around Jericho seven times). But there are key differences between biblical examples and SCJ’s manipulation:

1. Biblical commands came with clear divine authentication (miracles, prophecy fulfillment, direct revelation)

2. Biblical commands were specific and limited, not ongoing demands for blind obedience

3. Biblical commands had purposes that became clear, even if not immediately

4. Biblical commands never contradicted previous revelation

SCJ’s teaching has none of these characteristics. They demand ongoing blind obedience to teaching that contradicts Scripture, without divine authentication, and without clear purpose beyond organizational control.

The Danger of This Teaching

Chapter 8 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Anatomy of Spiritual Manipulation,” addresses this technique:

“One of the most dangerous manipulation tactics is teaching people to distrust their own discernment. When a group teaches that ‘if it doesn’t make sense, that actually proves it’s from God,’ they’ve removed your ability to recognize deception. God gave you a mind, reason, and the Holy Spirit’s discernment for a purpose—to recognize truth and reject falsehood. Any teaching that tells you to suppress these God-given tools is itself a red flag.”

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What SCJ Will Teach About Oil

While the full teaching on oil is not included in the excerpt provided, the lesson clearly establishes the foundation:

“Our Hope: To receive and have enough oil at the second coming to be a wise virgin!”

“So, what does the oil signify?

Our hope is to receive and have enough oil at the second coming to be a wise virgin. Having enough is the key.”

This is referencing the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13, where five wise virgins had enough oil for their lamps and five foolish virgins did not.

What SCJ Is Setting Up

Based on SCJ’s pattern and the setup in this lesson, they will teach that:

1. Oil = The Holy Spirit/Word (this is biblically accurate in itself)
2. But specifically, oil = The “revealed word” about Revelation’s fulfillment (this is where they deviate)
3. Having “enough oil” = Understanding SCJ’s complete teaching about Revelation (this is the manipulation)
4. Wise virgins = Those who accept SCJ’s teaching and complete their program (this is the false application)
5. Foolish virgins = Christians who reject SCJ or don’t have “enough” understanding (this creates fear and urgency)

The parable of the ten virgins will be weaponized to create fear that without SCJ’s “oil” (their revealed word), believers will be shut out of the kingdom at Christ’s return.

Biblical Context: The Parable of the Ten Virgins

Let’s examine what Jesus actually taught in Matthew 25:1-13:

Matthew 25:1-13: “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”

What is Jesus teaching?

Jesus is teaching about readiness for His return. The key themes are:

1. The bridegroom’s return is certain but the timing is unknown

“The bridegroom was a long time in coming” (v. 5) and “you do not know the day or the hour” (v. 13). Jesus will return, but we don’t know when.

2. Readiness requires preparation

The wise virgins prepared by bringing extra oil. The foolish virgins were unprepared. When the bridegroom came, only those who were ready could enter.

3. Readiness cannot be transferred

The wise virgins couldn’t share their oil with the foolish ones. Each person must be individually prepared.

4. Those who are not ready will be shut out

When the foolish virgins returned, the door was shut and the bridegroom said, “I don’t know you.”

What does the oil represent?

In biblical symbolism, oil often represents:

The Holy Spirit: Oil was used to anoint prophets, priests, and kings in the Old Testament, symbolizing the Holy Spirit’s empowering presence.

Zechariah 4:2-6: Zechariah sees a lampstand with two olive trees providing oil. The angel explains: “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.”

Spiritual readiness and faith: The oil represents the spiritual preparation, genuine faith, and relationship with God that enables believers to be ready for Christ’s return.

What does it mean to have “enough oil”?

Having enough oil means:

• Genuine faith in Jesus Christ (not just outward profession)
• Ongoing relationship with God (not just initial conversion)
• Spiritual readiness (living in obedience and expectation of Christ’s return)
• The Holy Spirit’s presence (which all true believers have)

What Jesus is NOT teaching:

Jesus is NOT teaching:

• That oil represents understanding of complex prophecy interpretations
• That having enough oil means completing a study program
• That you need special “revealed word” from a human organization
• That some Christians have oil and others don’t based on organizational membership

The Key Point: This Is About Genuine Faith

The parable distinguishes between genuine believers (wise virgins) and false professors (foolish virgins). Both groups appeared similar—they all had lamps, they all went out to meet the bridegroom, they all fell asleep. But when the bridegroom came, the difference became clear: the wise had genuine faith (oil), while the foolish had only outward profession (lamps without oil).

This is consistent with Jesus’ other teachings about true vs. false disciples:

Matthew 7:21-23: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'”

The issue is not knowledge or performance—it’s genuine relationship with Jesus (“I never knew you”).

How SCJ Misuses This Parable

SCJ will misuse this parable in several ways:

1. Redefining “Oil” as Their Revealed Word

SCJ will claim that the oil represents their specific teachings about Revelation’s fulfillment. This makes salvation dependent on understanding their interpretations rather than on faith in Christ.

But Jesus taught that salvation comes through faith in Him:

John 6:28-29: “Then they asked him, ‘What must we do to do the works God requires?’ Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.'”

The work God requires is believing in Jesus—not understanding SCJ’s interpretations.

2. Creating Fear About Not Having “Enough”

By emphasizing “having enough is the key,” SCJ creates anxiety. Students will constantly wonder: Do I have enough oil? Have I understood enough? Have I studied enough? This creates psychological dependence on SCJ to provide more “oil.”

But the Bible teaches that believers can have assurance of salvation:

1 John 5:13: “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

We can know we have eternal life through faith in Christ. We don’t need to live in constant anxiety about whether we have “enough.”

3. Positioning SCJ as the Source of Oil

SCJ will position themselves as the source of this oil—the organization that provides the “revealed word” you need to be a wise virgin. This makes them necessary for salvation.

But the Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is given to all believers at conversion:

Romans 8:9: “You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.”

If you belong to Christ, you have the Spirit. You don’t need SCJ to provide “oil.”

Ephesians 1:13-14: “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”

When you believe, you receive the Holy Spirit as a seal and guarantee. This happens at conversion, not through completing SCJ’s study program.

4. Dividing Christians Into Categories

SCJ will use this parable to divide Christians into wise virgins (SCJ members) and foolish virgins (other Christians). This creates spiritual elitism and justifies separation from the broader church.

But the Bible teaches that all true believers are part of one body:

1 Corinthians 12:13: “For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.”

All believers have been given the one Spirit. There aren’t two categories of Christians based on organizational membership.

The True Meaning: Be Ready Through Faith in Christ

The parable of the ten virgins teaches us to be spiritually ready for Christ’s return through genuine faith and relationship with Him. This readiness includes:

1. Genuine Faith

Hebrews 11:6: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

2. Ongoing Relationship

John 15:4-5: “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

3. Obedient Living

1 John 2:3-6: “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”

4. Watchful Expectation

1 Thessalonians 5:6: “So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.”

5. The Holy Spirit’s Presence

Romans 8:16: “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”

This is what it means to have “enough oil”—not understanding SCJ’s interpretations, but having genuine faith in Jesus Christ, maintained through ongoing relationship with Him by the Holy Spirit’s power.

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Part 8: The Psychological Progression—Where Students Are Now

The Journey to Lesson 43

By Lesson 43, students have been studying for over five months. Let’s trace their psychological and spiritual journey:

Months 1-2 (Lessons 1-15): Foundation laying

• Bible was “sealed” and incomprehensible
• Parables hide meaning requiring special interpretation
• God has a pattern that repeats throughout history
• Prophecy requires fulfillment to be understood
• Students need this teaching to understand Scripture

Months 3-4 (Lessons 16-30): Framework building

• Symbols have specific meanings (lampstand, tree, fire, water, etc.)
• Prophets can be parables pointing to future fulfillment
• Historical examples serve as warnings for today
• Students are like Caleb with “a different spirit”
• Discomfort with teaching means spiritual growth

Months 4-5 (Lessons 31-42): Identity formation and recruitment preparation

• Three Passovers (Old Testament, First Coming, Second Coming)
• Flesh and blood = words of life
• Students are “royal priesthood” receiving “new word”
• Their job is to help others “receive that same word”
• Wine = teachings; new wine = SCJ’s revealed word about Revelation
• There are true vines (pastors) and false vines

Month 5+ (Lesson 43): Psychological control and preemptive defense

• Oil = revealed word needed to be a wise virgin
• Having “enough oil” is critical for salvation
• Testing spirits means checking Scripture, but God’s ways won’t make logical sense
• If teaching doesn’t make sense, that’s evidence it’s from God
• Must remember all previous lessons or “temple will collapse”
• Criticism of SCJ is like criticism of Jesus (both taught “new” things)

What Students Have Accepted

By the end of Lesson 43, students have likely internalized:

1. Cognitive Framework:

• Bible requires special interpretation through SCJ’s lens
• Symbols have fixed meanings established by SCJ
• God’s pattern repeats in every era with SCJ as current fulfillment
• Understanding requires completing SCJ’s comprehensive system
• If teaching doesn’t make logical sense, that proves it’s from God

2. Identity Beliefs:

• They are part of a special, enlightened group (royal priesthood)
• They have received “new word” and “oil” others don’t have
• They are wise virgins preparing for the second coming
• They are like the Bereans, Jesus’ disciples, and Caleb—faithful remnant
• Other Christians are foolish virgins without enough oil

3. Behavioral Commitments:

• Attending study multiple times per week (5+ months now)
• Extensive homework and review to memorize all parables
• Distancing from home church and traditional teachings
• Recruiting others into the study
• Suppressing doubts and critical thinking
• Defending SCJ against criticism

4. Emotional Investment:

• Deep relationships with instructor and fellow students
• Excitement about being wise virgins with oil
• Fear of not having “enough oil” or missing the second coming
• Anxiety about loved ones who are foolish virgins
• Defensiveness when SCJ is criticized

5. Psychological Defenses:

• “If it doesn’t make sense, that proves it’s from God”
• “Criticism is like what Jesus faced—it validates the teaching”
• “My family/pastor doesn’t understand because they lack oil”
• “I can’t trust my own logic—God’s ways are higher”
• “If I forget lessons, my temple will collapse—I must keep studying”

The Psychological Techniques at Work

Several powerful psychological techniques are operating in Lesson 43:

1. Fear-Based Motivation

The emphasis on “having enough oil” creates fear-based motivation. Students are afraid of:

• Being a foolish virgin shut out of the kingdom
• Not having enough understanding at the second coming
• Their temple collapsing if they forget lessons
• Being deceived by “maddening wine” from other sources

This fear drives continued commitment even when doubts arise.

2. Suppression of Critical Thinking

The Isaiah 55:8-9 teaching is explicitly designed to suppress critical thinking. When students have concerns, they think: “It doesn’t make sense to me, but that’s because God’s ways are higher. I should obey anyway.”

This removes the safety mechanism that would normally help people recognize deception.

3. Isolation from Outside Input

Students have been taught to:

• Distrust their own logic (God’s ways are higher)
• Distrust family and pastors (they don’t have the oil/revealed word)
• Distrust other Christians (they’re drinking maddening wine)
• Trust only SCJ (the source of true wine and oil)

This isolation makes it very difficult for outside voices to reach students with truth.

4. Identity Investment

Students now see themselves as:

• Wise virgins (vs. foolish virgins)
• Royal priesthood (vs. ordinary Christians)
• Truth-seekers (vs. those deceived by maddening wine)
• Faithful remnant (like Caleb, Bereans, Jesus’ disciples)

This identity is deeply rewarding and makes leaving psychologically costly. Leaving would mean:

• Admitting you’re a foolish virgin, not a wise one
• Losing your special identity
• Returning to “ordinary” Christian status
• Facing those you recruited

5. Sunk Cost Escalation

By Lesson 43, students have invested:

• Time: 43 lessons × 1.5-2 hours = 65-86 hours of class time, plus homework, review, and events = likely 120+ hours over 5+ months
• Relationships: Deep bonds with instructor and students, possibly recruited friends/family, likely distanced from church
• Identity: Seeing themselves as wise virgins, royal priesthood, enlightened insiders
• Cognitive effort: Memorizing dozens of parable interpretations, building complex theological framework
• Emotional energy: Excitement, fear, hope, anxiety all tied to SCJ’s system

The psychological cost of walking away is now very high. The sunk cost fallacy makes students think: “I’ve invested so much—I can’t stop now. That would mean it was all wasted.”

6. Preemptive Defense Against Criticism

Students have been given multiple defenses against criticism:

• “Jesus was criticized too—criticism validates truth”
• “They’re speaking from evil spirits, not the Holy Spirit”
• “They don’t have the oil/revealed word to understand”
• “They’re drinking maddening wine from false teachers”
• “God’s ways don’t make sense to human logic”

These defenses make it very difficult for family, pastors, or friends to reach students with concerns.

Chapter 13 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Psychology of Deception: Why Smart People Fall for False Teaching,” explains:

“By the time students reach this stage, they’ve been psychologically conditioned to resist any input that contradicts SCJ’s teaching. They’ve been given a complete framework for dismissing concerns: ‘That’s just human logic,’ ‘They don’t have the revealed word,’ ‘Criticism is what Jesus faced too.’ Every potential objection has been preemptively neutralized. This is why intelligent, biblically literate people can remain in deceptive systems—not because they’re stupid, but because they’ve been given a closed system that interprets all evidence as confirming the group’s claims.”

The Cost of Involvement at This Stage

By Lesson 43, the cost of involvement is significant and growing:

Spiritual Cost:

• Distorted understanding of Scripture
• Dependence on human organization rather than on Christ
• Fear-based rather than grace-based relationship with God
• Separation from healthy Christian community
• Vulnerability to further deception

Relational Cost:

• Strained relationships with family who see the changes
• Distance from church community and pastoral care
• Conflict with friends who raise concerns
• Recruitment of others into the system (creating guilt and responsibility)
• Deep bonds with SCJ members (making leaving feel like abandoning family)

Psychological Cost:

• Constant anxiety about having “enough oil”
• Fear of the second coming (will I be ready?)
• Cognitive dissonance when teaching doesn’t make sense
• Suppression of critical thinking and intuition
• Identity confusion (who am I apart from this group?)

Practical Cost:

• 120+ hours invested over 5+ months
• Ongoing time commitment (multiple studies per week, homework, events)
• Possible financial contributions
• Energy diverted from work, family, and other responsibilities
• Possible impact on job, education, or other commitments

The investment is now substantial, making it increasingly difficult to recognize deception and walk away.

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Part 9: Biblical Refutation of Key Claims

Claim 1: “God’s ways don’t make sense from human standards, so obey regardless of how much physical logic it makes”

What SCJ Teaches: Using Isaiah 55:8-9, SCJ teaches that God’s ways are confusing and don’t make logical sense, so students should obey even when teaching seems illogical.

Biblical Response:

Isaiah 55:8-9 in Context:

As discussed earlier, Isaiah 55:8-9 is about God’s mercy exceeding human expectations, not about God being illogical. The context (verses 6-7) is about God’s willingness to forgive:

Isaiah 55:6-7: “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.”

God’s thoughts are higher in that His mercy is greater than we imagine—not that His commands are illogical.

God Invites Reason:

Throughout Scripture, God appeals to reason and invites us to think:

Isaiah 1:18: “‘Come now, let us settle the matter,’ says the LORD. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.'”

Acts 17:2: “As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures.”

Acts 17:17: “So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.”

Acts 18:4: “Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.”

Paul repeatedly reasoned from Scripture. He didn’t say, “This doesn’t make sense, but believe it anyway.”

We Are Called to Use Discernment:

Proverbs 14:15: “The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.”

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

Hebrews 5:14: “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”

We are called to think, test, and distinguish—not to blindly accept teaching that doesn’t make sense.

When Teaching Doesn’t Make Sense, That’s a Red Flag:

If teaching contradicts Scripture, logic, or produces bad fruit, that’s a warning sign—not evidence that it’s from God.

2 Corinthians 11:14-15: “And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.”

False teachers can appear spiritual and use biblical language. The test is whether their teaching aligns with Scripture and produces good fruit—not whether it seems confusing or “higher than human logic.”

Claim 2: “The new wine for today is the explanation of Revelation’s prophecies”

What SCJ Teaches: Just as Jesus explained Old Testament prophecy (which was the “new wine” at the first coming), someone today explains New Testament prophecy, specifically Revelation (which is the “new wine” at the second coming).

Biblical Response:

The Gospel Is the New Wine:

The “new wine” Jesus spoke about was the gospel—the good news of salvation by grace through faith:

Luke 5:36-39: Jesus spoke about new wine and new wineskins in the context of His ministry bringing something new—not a new system of prophecy interpretation, but the gospel of grace.

The New Covenant:

At the Last Supper, Jesus identified the “new wine” with His blood and the new covenant:

Luke 22:20: “In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'”

The new wine is the new covenant in Christ’s blood—not human interpretations of prophecy.

Revelation Is Already Understandable:

Revelation was written to first-century churches to encourage them in persecution. While it contains symbolism, its main message is clear:

Revelation 1:3: “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”

The blessing comes from reading, hearing, and taking to heart what is written—not from waiting 2,000 years for a special organization to explain it.

Revelation 22:10: “Then he told me, ‘Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near.'”

Revelation was not sealed—it was meant to be understood by its original readers. We don’t need SCJ to “unseal” it.

The Danger of Adding “New Wine”:

When groups claim to have new revelation beyond Scripture, they’re adding to God’s Word:

Revelation 22:18: “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll.”

SCJ’s claim to have special revelation about Revelation’s fulfillment is adding to Scripture.

Claim 3: “Having enough oil means understanding the revealed word about Revelation”

What SCJ Teaches: The oil in the parable of the ten virgins represents the “revealed word” (SCJ’s teachings about Revelation), and having “enough oil” means completing their study program and understanding their interpretations.

Biblical Response:

Oil Represents the Holy Spirit:

In biblical symbolism, oil typically represents the Holy Spirit:

1 Samuel 16:13: “So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David.”

Zechariah 4:2-6: The vision of the lampstand with olive trees providing oil is explained: “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.”

All Believers Have the Holy Spirit:

The Holy Spirit is given to all believers at conversion:

Acts 2:38: “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'”

Romans 8:9: “You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.”

If you belong to Christ, you have the Spirit. You don’t need to earn or acquire more “oil” through a study program.

Ephesians 1:13-14: “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance.”

The Holy Spirit is given when you believe—not gradually through studying SCJ’s materials.

The Parable Is About Genuine Faith:

The parable of the ten virgins distinguishes between genuine believers (who have the Holy Spirit) and false professors (who don’t). It’s not about levels of understanding or completing study programs:

Matthew 7:21-23: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven… Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you.'”

The issue is relationship (“I never knew you”), not knowledge or understanding.

We Can Have Assurance:

Believers can have assurance of salvation through faith in Christ:

1 John 5:11-13: “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

We can know we have eternal life through faith in Christ—not through completing SCJ’s program.

Claim 4: “Testing spirits means checking Scripture, but you need SCJ’s teaching to understand Scripture”

What SCJ Teaches: Students should test spirits by checking Scripture, but they need SCJ’s interpretations to properly understand Scripture, creating a circular dependency on SCJ.

Biblical Response:

The Holy Spirit Teaches All Believers:

1 John 2:27: “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.”

All believers have the Holy Spirit’s anointing to teach them. We don’t need a special organization to understand Scripture.

Scripture Is Clear and Sufficient:

2 Timothy 3:16-17: “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.”

Scripture thoroughly equips believers. It doesn’t require SCJ’s framework to be understood.

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

God’s Word itself is the light—not an organization’s interpretation of it.

The Bereans Tested Paul’s Teaching:

Acts 17:11: “Now 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.”

The Bereans tested Paul’s teaching against Scripture. They didn’t need Paul to teach them how to read Scripture—they examined it themselves.

If Paul’s teaching could be tested by ordinary believers reading Scripture, then SCJ’s teaching can certainly be tested the same way.

The Test Is Christological:

1 John 4:2-3: “This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God.”

The test is whether teaching properly acknowledges Jesus Christ—not whether it aligns with SCJ’s interpretations.

When we apply this test to SCJ, their teaching fails. While they use Jesus’ name, their system:

• Makes Jesus’ sacrifice insufficient (requiring SCJ’s revealed word)
• Adds human mediators (Lee Man-hee as necessary teacher)
• Shifts focus from Jesus to their organization
• Makes salvation dependent on understanding rather than faith

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Part 10: The Path Forward—Recognizing and Responding

Red Flags in Lesson 43

If you’re currently taking SCJ’s study and you’ve reached Lesson 43, here are critical red flags to recognize:

1. Teaching That Suppresses Critical Thinking

You’re being taught that if something doesn’t make logical sense, that’s actually evidence it’s from God. This is extremely dangerous—it removes your ability to recognize deception.

Ask yourself: Does the Bible really teach that God’s ways are illogical? Or does God invite us to reason, think, and discern? When has God ever asked people to accept teaching that contradicts Scripture or logic without providing clear authentication?

2. Fear-Based Motivation

You’re being told you need “enough oil” to be a wise virgin, creating anxiety about whether you have enough understanding. This is fear-based motivation, not gospel grace.

Ask yourself: Does the gospel create constant anxiety about whether I have “enough”? Or does it offer assurance through faith in Christ? Am I motivated by fear of being shut out, or by love for Jesus?

3. Dependency on Organization

You’re being taught that you need SCJ’s “revealed word” to have oil, making you dependent on the organization for salvation.

Ask yourself: Does the Bible teach that I need a human organization to have the Holy Spirit? Or does it teach that all believers receive the Holy Spirit at conversion? Why would I need SCJ’s teaching if I already have the Holy Spirit as my teacher?

4. Isolation from Input

You’re being given multiple reasons to dismiss criticism: “They don’t have the oil,” “They’re speaking from evil spirits,” “Criticism is what Jesus faced too,” “God’s ways are higher than human logic.”

Ask yourself: Why am I being taught to dismiss all criticism? If this teaching is true, shouldn’t it be able to withstand examination? Why do I need so many defenses against outside input?

5. Misuse of Scripture

You’re being taught interpretations that don’t align with Scripture in context—like using Isaiah 55:8-9 to suppress critical thinking or using the parable of the ten virgins to create organizational dependency.

Ask yourself: When I read these passages in context, do they really teach what SCJ says? Or is SCJ forcing Scripture into their framework?

Questions to Ask Your Instructor

If you’re in Lesson 43, here are questions to ask:

1. About Logic and Discernment:

• “You said God’s ways don’t make logical sense and we should obey anyway. But doesn’t the Bible repeatedly call us to use discernment and reason? How do I distinguish between ‘God’s ways are higher’ and ‘this teaching is actually false’?”
• “If I shouldn’t trust my own logic, and I shouldn’t trust my pastor or family, and I should only trust this study—how is that different from a cult?”

2. About Oil and the Holy Spirit:

• “You said oil represents the revealed word. But doesn’t the Bible teach that oil represents the Holy Spirit? And doesn’t the Bible say all believers receive the Holy Spirit at conversion? Why do I need more ‘oil’ from this study?”
• “The parable says the foolish virgins didn’t have oil. Are you saying Christians who don’t take this study don’t have the Holy Spirit? Doesn’t that contradict Romans 8:9?”

3. About New Wine:

• “You said the new wine for today is explanation of Revelation’s prophecies. But doesn’t Revelation 22:10 say the book was not sealed? Why would we need to wait 2,000 years for someone to explain it?”
• “Isn’t the ‘new wine’ the gospel—the new covenant in Christ’s blood? How can there be new wine beyond the gospel?”

4. About Testing Teaching:

• “You taught us to test spirits by checking Scripture. But you also said God’s ways don’t make logical sense. So if your teaching contradicts what Scripture seems to say, how do I know whether to trust Scripture or your interpretation?”
• “The Bereans tested Paul’s teaching by examining Scripture themselves. Can I do the same with this teaching without relying on your interpretations?”

5. About Organization Identity:

• “We’re 43 lessons in and I still don’t know the name of this organization. Why is that information hidden? If this is from God, shouldn’t it be transparent?”
• “Can I research this organization online? If not, why not? What am I afraid I’ll find?”

Watch how your instructor responds:

• Does he welcome these questions or become defensive?
• Does he provide clear, biblical answers or deflect?
• Does he encourage you to verify the teaching or discourage outside research?
• Does he address your concerns directly or make you feel guilty for asking?

Legitimate Bible teaching welcomes questions and verification. Manipulative teaching suppresses questions and isolates students from outside input.

For Families: Helping Someone in Lesson 43

If your loved one is in Lesson 43, they’re at a very difficult stage. They’ve invested 5+ months, they’re experiencing strong identity formation, and they’ve been given multiple psychological defenses against criticism. Here’s how to help:

1. Understand Their Mindset

By Lesson 43, your loved one likely believes:

• They’re a wise virgin with oil while others are foolish virgins
• Criticism of SCJ is like criticism of Jesus (both taught “new” things)
• If teaching doesn’t make sense, that proves it’s from God
• You don’t understand because you lack the “revealed word”
• Their “temple will collapse” if they stop studying

2. Recognize the Psychological Defenses

They’ve been given defenses against every concern you might raise:

• “You don’t have the oil/revealed word”
• “You’re speaking from an evil spirit”
• “God’s ways are higher than human logic”
• “Jesus was criticized too”
• “You’re drinking maddening wine from false teachers”

Recognize these defenses so you’re not surprised when they use them.

3. Ask Gentle, Probing Questions

Rather than attacking the teaching directly (which will trigger their defenses), ask questions that encourage critical thinking:

• “I’m concerned that you’re being taught not to trust your own discernment. Can you help me understand how that’s biblical?”
• “You mentioned having ‘enough oil.’ How do you know when you have enough? What if you never feel like you have enough?”
• “I’ve been reading about this organization online, and I’m worried. Can we look at what former members are saying?”
• “You’ve been studying for over five months and still don’t know the organization’s name. Does that seem right to you?”

4. Share Specific Concerns

• “I love you and I’m concerned about how this teaching is affecting you. You seem anxious about having ‘enough oil’ and being ready for the second coming. That doesn’t sound like the peace Jesus promises.”
• “I’m worried that you’re being taught to dismiss anyone who raises concerns. That’s a red flag for manipulation.”
• “The Bible teaches that all believers have the Holy Spirit. Why would you need more ‘oil’ from a study program?”

5. Provide Resources

• Share this analysis
• Direct them to https://closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination
• Offer to read Scripture together in context
• Suggest they talk with their pastor (though they may resist)

6. Set Boundaries

• You can love your family member without enabling SCJ involvement
• It’s okay to say, “I won’t attend SCJ events or support this organization”
• It’s okay to limit discussions about SCJ if they become harmful

7. Pray and Persevere

Many people leave SCJ after months or even years. Your faithful presence, prayer, and truth-speaking matter, even if you don’t see immediate results.

8. Don’t Give Up

Chapter 28 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story” provides comprehensive guidance: “Helping someone leave a manipulative group is a marathon, not a sprint. They’ve been psychologically conditioned over months to resist outside input. But seeds of truth, planted lovingly and patiently, can eventually break through. Don’t give up. Your loved one is still in there, beneath the layers of indoctrination. Keep reaching out with love, truth, and prayer.”

For Pastors: Responding to Lesson 43

If church members are in Lesson 43, they’re being taught to dismiss your input as “maddening wine” from someone who lacks “oil.” Here’s how to respond:

1. Teach on the Holy Spirit’s Ministry

Preach or teach on the Holy Spirit’s role in every believer’s life:

• All believers receive the Holy Spirit at conversion (Acts 2:38, Romans 8:9)
• The Holy Spirit teaches all believers (1 John 2:27, John 16:13)
• The Holy Spirit gives assurance of salvation (Romans 8:16)
• We don’t need human organizations to mediate the Spirit’s work

This directly counters SCJ’s teaching that students need their “oil.”

2. Teach on Assurance of Salvation

Emphasize that believers can have assurance through faith in Christ:

• 1 John 5:13: We can know we have eternal life
• Romans 8:38-39: Nothing can separate us from God’s love
• John 10:28-29: Jesus gives eternal life; no one can snatch us from His hand

This counters the fear-based motivation SCJ creates about having “enough oil.”

3. Teach on Testing Teaching

Equip your congregation to test all teaching:

• Use reason and discernment (Proverbs 14:15, 1 Thessalonians 5:21)
• Check against Scripture in context (Acts 17:11)
• Examine the fruit (Matthew 7:15-20)
• Test the spirits christologically (1 John 4:1-3)

Emphasize that God never asks us to accept teaching that contradicts Scripture or suppress our critical thinking.

4. Warn About Specific Tactics

Warn about manipulation tactics like:

• Teaching that “if it doesn’t make sense, that proves it’s from God”
• Creating fear about not having “enough” understanding
• Hiding organizational identity
• Isolating members from outside input
• Giving defenses against all criticism

5. Reach Out Personally

If you know someone is in SCJ’s study:

• Contact them personally and express concern
• Offer to discuss what they’re learning
• Provide biblical responses to SCJ’s teaching
• Continue reaching out even if initially resistant
• Pray for them consistently

6. Provide Recovery Support

For those who leave SCJ, provide:

• Safe space to process the experience without judgment
• Biblical teaching to counter SCJ’s framework
• Community to replace lost relationships
• Counseling if needed to address psychological impact
• Patience as they rebuild trust and faith

For more pastoral resources, visit https://closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination.

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Part 11: The True Oil—Returning to the Gospel

The Sufficiency of the Holy Spirit

In contrast to SCJ’s teaching that you need their “oil” (revealed word) to be ready for Christ’s return, the Bible teaches that all believers already have everything they need through the Holy Spirit:

The Holy Spirit Is Given at Conversion:

Acts 2:38: “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'”

When you repent and believe, you receive the Holy Spirit. It’s not a gradual process requiring months of study—it happens at conversion.

Ephesians 1:13-14: “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”

The Holy Spirit is:

• Given when you believe
• A seal marking you as God’s
• A deposit guaranteeing your inheritance
• Proof that you belong to God

You don’t need to earn more “oil”—you already have the Holy Spirit as a seal and guarantee.

The Holy Spirit Teaches All Believers:

John 14:26: “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.”

The Holy Spirit teaches believers. You don’t need a human organization to teach you—you have the Holy Spirit as your teacher.

1 John 2:27: “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.”

The anointing (Holy Spirit) teaches you about all things. You don’t need SCJ’s “revealed word”—you have the Holy Spirit’s anointing.

The Holy Spirit Gives Assurance:

Romans 8:16: “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”

The Holy Spirit gives you assurance that you belong to God. You don’t need to live in anxiety about having “enough oil”—the Spirit testifies that you’re God’s child.

The Holy Spirit Empowers for Living:

Galatians 5:16: “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

The Holy Spirit empowers you to live for God and produces His fruit in your life. You don’t need SCJ’s program—you have the Spirit’s power.

The Simplicity of Readiness

Being ready for Christ’s return is not about completing a study program or understanding complex interpretations. It’s about genuine faith in Jesus Christ:

Believe in Jesus:

John 3:16: “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 6:47: “Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.”

Readiness begins with simple faith in Jesus.

Remain in Jesus:

John 15:4-5: “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Stay connected to Jesus through faith, obedience, and relationship.

Live in Obedience:

1 John 2:3-6: “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”

Genuine faith produces obedient living.

Watch and Be Sober:

1 Thessalonians 5:6: “So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.”

Live with awareness of Christ’s return and readiness to meet Him.

Have Assurance Through Faith:

1 John 5:13: “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

You can know you have eternal life through faith in Christ—not through completing SCJ’s program.

An Invitation to Rest in Christ

If you’ve been drawn into SCJ’s teaching, you may feel:

• Anxious about whether you have “enough oil”
• Exhausted by the constant studying and reviewing
• Fearful about the second coming
• Confused about whether you’re ready
• Burdened by the complexity of the system

Jesus offers something different:

Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Jesus’ yoke is easy and His burden is light. Not because His standards are low, but because He carries the weight. He did the work. He paid the price. He finished the task.

John 19:30: “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

Jesus said, “It is finished.” The work of salvation is complete. You don’t need to add to it with SCJ’s “oil” or “revealed word.” You simply need to receive it by faith.

Romans 8:1: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

If you’re in Christ, there is no condemnation. You don’t need to fear being shut out as a foolish virgin. You’re secure in Christ.

Romans 8:38-39: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Nothing can separate you from God’s love in Christ. Not lack of understanding, not incomplete study, not insufficient “oil.” If you belong to Christ through faith, you’re secure.

This is the true oil—the Holy Spirit, given freely to all who believe in Jesus Christ. You don’t earn it. You don’t work for it. You don’t study your way into it. You simply receive it by faith.

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Part 12: Conclusion and Call to Action

The Critical Moment

Lesson 43 represents a critical and dangerous moment in SCJ’s indoctrination process. Students have invested over five months. They’ve absorbed extensive teaching. They’re experiencing strong identity formation as “wise virgins” with “oil.” They’ve been given psychological defenses against all criticism. And most dangerously, they’ve been taught to suppress their critical thinking with the idea that “if it doesn’t make sense, that proves it’s from God.”

But they still don’t know they’re in Shincheonji. They still don’t know about Lee Man-hee. They still don’t know the full implications of what they’re accepting. This is by design—SCJ reveals information gradually to keep students moving forward without seeing the complete picture until they’re deeply invested.

For Current Students: This is a critical moment to pause, investigate, and reclaim your critical thinking. You’ve been taught to suppress your discernment, but God gave you a mind, reason, and the Holy Spirit for a purpose—to recognize truth and reject falsehood. Don’t let anyone take that away from you.

For Families: This is a critical moment to reach out with love and truth. Your loved one has been given defenses against your input, but seeds of truth, planted lovingly and patiently, can break through.

For Pastors: This is a critical moment to teach clearly about the Holy Spirit’s sufficiency, the simplicity of the gospel, and the danger of manipulation tactics.

The Path Forward

If you’re in SCJ’s study:

1. Reclaim your critical thinking. You’ve been taught that if something doesn’t make sense, that proves it’s from God. This is manipulation. God gave you a mind and the Holy Spirit’s discernment. Use them.
2. Research SCJ online. Look up “Shincheonji” and read testimonies from former members. Visit https://closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination.
3. Read Scripture in context. Don’t just accept SCJ’s interpretations. Read the passages yourself and see what they naturally mean.
4. Talk to your pastor. Share what you’re learning and get biblical perspective from a trusted Christian leader.
5. Ask hard questions. Use the questions provided in this analysis to challenge the teaching.
6. Recognize the red flags. Hidden identity, suppression of critical thinking, fear-based motivation, isolation from input—these are signs of manipulation, not truth.
7. Know you can leave. You’re not trapped. The sunk cost is real, but it’s better to lose five months than to lose years or decades. God’s love for you doesn’t depend on completing this study.

If you’re helping someone in SCJ:

1. Stay connected. Don’t cut off relationship, even if you’re frustrated.
2. Ask questions. Help them think critically without attacking them personally.
3. Provide resources. Share this analysis and materials from closerlookinitiative.com.
4. Pray consistently. Spiritual deception requires spiritual intervention.
5. Set boundaries. Love them without enabling their involvement.
6. Be patient. Recovery takes time. Don’t give up.

If you’ve left SCJ:

1. Know you’re not alone. Many people have left SCJ and recovered.
2. Process the experience. Allow yourself to grieve and heal.
3. Reconnect with healthy community. Find a church where you can grow.
4. Rebuild your faith. Return to the simple gospel—salvation by grace through faith in Jesus.
5. Seek help if needed. Consider counseling to process the psychological impact.
6. Use your experience. Your story can help others recognize and avoid deception.

The True Hope

The true hope for believers is not having “enough oil” through completing SCJ’s program. The true hope is Jesus Christ Himself:

Colossians 1:27: “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

Christ in you—not SCJ’s teachings in you—is the hope of glory.

1 Timothy 1:1: “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope.”

Christ Jesus is our hope—not an organization, not a study program, not human interpretations.

Titus 2:13: “While we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Our blessed hope is the appearing of Jesus Christ—not understanding Revelation through SCJ’s lens.

Hebrews 6:19: “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.”

This hope—Jesus Christ—is an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. You don’t need SCJ’s “oil” to be secure. You need Jesus.

Final Words

The oil that SCJ offers may seem necessary—it promises readiness for Christ’s return, understanding of prophecy, and security as a wise virgin. But it’s false oil that creates anxiety, dependency, and bondage.

The oil that Jesus offers is different—it’s the Holy Spirit, freely given to all who believe. It doesn’t require five months of study to receive. It doesn’t depend on completing a program. It doesn’t create anxiety about having “enough.” It’s simply received by faith in Jesus Christ.

John 7:37-39: “On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’ By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive.”

Jesus invites anyone who is thirsty to come and drink. Not “anyone who completes the study program.” Not “anyone who understands the revealed word.” Anyone who is thirsty.

And what must you do to receive the Spirit? Believe in Jesus. That’s it. Simple faith in Jesus Christ.

If you’re thirsty for truth, for peace, for assurance, for hope—come to Jesus. Not to an organization. Not to a study program. Not to human interpretations. To Jesus Himself.

He is the source of living water. He gives the Holy Spirit freely to all who believe. And He invites you to come and drink—right now, just as you are, by faith alone.

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Additional Resources

For more information about SCJ’s teachings and how to respond:

“Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story” – Complete 30-chapter analysis providing biblical, theological, and psychological frameworks for understanding and responding to SCJ.

Closer Look Initiative – Visit https://closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination for comprehensive resources, including:

• Detailed examination of SCJ’s theology
• Testimonies from former members
• Guidance for families and churches
• Biblical refutations of specific SCJ teachings
• Support and recovery resources

Key Chapters from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims” Referenced in This Analysis:

• Chapter 4: “The Slow Fade: How Deception Works Gradually”
• Chapter 8: “The Anatomy of Spiritual Manipulation”
• Chapter 13: “The Psychology of Deception: Why Smart People Fall for False Teaching”
• Chapter 20: “The Danger of Creative Fulfillment”
• Chapter 28: “Hope and Help—Guidance for Members, Families, Christians, and Seekers”

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This refutation was prepared using the frameworks and principles from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” a comprehensive 30-chapter analysis of Shincheonji’s theology and practices. The analysis applies biblical, theological, and psychological lenses to examine SCJ’s teaching methods and doctrinal claims, always with the goal of pointing people back to the simple, life-giving gospel of Jesus Christ.

May God grant wisdom and discernment to all who seek truth. May those who have been drawn into deceptive teaching find their way back to the simple, sufficient, glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. May families be reunited, churches be strengthened, and the body of Christ be protected from false teaching. And may Jesus Christ—the true source of living water, the giver of the Holy Spirit, the hope of glory—be glorified in all things.

“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” (Jude 24-25)