Back to SCJ Bible Study - Introductory Level | Parables

The lesson covers the parable of the “figurative mountain” which represents finding salvation by fleeing to the fulfillment of end times prophecies when that time comes. Mountains figuratively depict churches/organizations. There are three prophesied types: betrayal mountain (once belonged to God), destroying mountain (of Satan), and salvation mountain (Mount Zion where the Lamb and 144,000 are). The salvation mountain is where God’s people must flee when the “abomination of desolation” appears, in order to receive eternal life. The characteristics of a literal mountain correspond to spiritual concepts about the word of God and people. The lesson emphasizes understanding this parable and being prepared to heed God’s command to flee to the prophesied place of salvation.

Shincheonji holds distinct theological views that differ from mainstream Christian denominations, yet it also shares some common teachings. This overlap can sometimes blur the lines between their beliefs and those of traditional Christianity. Therefore, it is essential to exercise critical thinking and discernment to differentiate between these shared elements and the unique doctrines they present.

While their interpretations warrant careful examination through a critical and biblical lens, it is equally important to approach these matters with an open yet discerning mindset.

The following notes were documented in person during Shincheonji’s 9-month Bible Study Seminar. They provide insight into the organization’s approach to introducing and explaining its beliefs to potential new members, often referred to as the ‘harvesting and sealing.’ This process is described as being ‘born again’ or ‘born of God’s seed,’ which involves uprooting the old beliefs and replanting new ones. This uprooting and replanting must occur continuously. By examining this process, we can gain a better understanding of the mindset and beliefs held by Shincheonji members.

Figurative meanings:

Mountain = Church

Review with the Evangelist

Our Hope: To find the mountain promised to appear at the second coming and flee!

Secrets of Heaven: Figurative Mountain

We’re going over the figurative mountain parable, which is a parable that will shift your entire view of what God and Jesus intend for us to do.

I need everyone’s best attention and focus today. Please take really good notes, and we’re actually going to draw a lot of pictures today. Please draw along with us too. It doesn’t matter what your drawing ability is, but you’re going to want to see these graphics again when you’re studying this, so please draw along with us today.

This is such an important parable, and the reason why it’s my favorite is because it brings many parables together in one.

And it makes everything click together, making a lot of sense. That’s what this lesson does, and it helps us know, “Okay, this is where God wants me to go.” A question I get a lot as a Bible teacher is, “What is God’s will for my life?” I get that question a lot.

And I desperately wish I could say when that question is asked, “Flee to the mountain,” right? But often times, that person hasn’t even started studying the parables, so I can’t say that answer, or it will not make sense, so I say, “Study the word, and the word will guide you,” right?

And now the word has guided us to understand this very important parable.

So let’s all take a moment and write down what we believe the mountain represents. By this time, enough hints have been dropped that some of you might guess correctly. But know that the only reason you’re able to guess correctly is because you’ve been studying so far, and God’s natural logic is beginning to click into place.

So at the end of the lesson, please remind me to ask who got the answer right. But we won’t go over the answer just yet because there are a few things I want to cover first. But please write down what you believe the mountain represents.

Our hope for today is to find the mountain promised to appear at the second coming and flee!

What did the passage say? Our hope is to find the mountain, and a key part of this hope is promised to appear at the second coming, which means the mountain has not always been around.

Which means it hasn’t always been possible to flee to this place. It is only possible to flee once it has appeared. So keep that in mind.

Previous Lesson Review

Review

ONE – In the previous lesson, we learned about figurative oil, particularly olive oil. We understood that the oil represents the word of testimony from a witness, and not just any witness, but one who has seen and heard what is prophesied to take place. Keep that in mind.

So, a witness who is appointed or anointed to see and hear what has been fulfilled, to witness the fulfillment.

If you go to court, one major form of evidence is eyewitness testimony. In most courts and cases, having someone who saw and heard the events and can provide a detailed and accurate account can be used as evidence.

Not every person is a trustworthy eyewitness. Sometimes, people’s eyewitness testimony is inaccurate because, in high-intensity situations, they tend to forget, mix up details, or misplace events.

What I’m saying is, there are many people who claim to have witnessed something, but the testimony of the true witness, what they say they saw and heard, will always align with the word.

The word is the second form of confirming the true witness. So, keep that in mind.

Let’s explore a bit more about what Jesus was called in the Book of Revelation so that we can understand it better.

Yes, he was, in fact, the first coming witness.

Revelation 1:5-6

5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

Jesus Christ is the faithful witness.

What did Jesus witness? What did he see? There were actually many correct answers here.

He came from heaven, and he has seen and heard everything from the Father. John 5 states, “I testified to you what I saw and heard in heaven.”

What else did Jesus testify? Let’s see an example. First, let’s review what a testimony means.

A testimony is much more than just saying, “God did this for me today. Let me tell you about what God has done.” That’s not what we mean.

What we mean is answering the who, what, when, where, why, and how—the 5Ws and 1H. That’s the type of testimony we should be expecting at this time.

So, we asked everyone the reflection question: Am I a wise or foolish virgin? If we really understood the lesson, we would understand that.

Oh, if I don’t know who, what, when, where, why, or how, then I don’t yet have the oil, and I need to get more. And have we covered who, what, where, why, and how? So, let’s get the oil. That’s why we are here.

To illustrate how Jesus was able to provide the who, what, when, where, why, and how—let me show you an example.

Mark 7:6-8

6 He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:

“‘These people honor me with their lips,

but their hearts are far from me.

7 They worship me in vain;

their teachings are merely human rules.’[a]

8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”

Jesus said this in verse 6, and Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you.

Who? The Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the teachers of the Law.
What? They followed human traditions and not the word of God.
Where? Jerusalem.
When? 2,000 years ago.
Why? Because they broke the Covenant and no longer kept it.
How? Through the teaching of the opened word like that.

That’s what a testimony is. We now have these details because Jesus saw and heard them.

So, what should we expect in our time? The same level of specificity.

Not vagueness, like a news event where perhaps only one verse aligns with it, but it doesn’t align with anything else.

A detailed account of who, what, when, where, why, and how will align with many verses.

All of the verses. That’s what we should be waiting for.

TWO – In the time of the Old Testament and the New Testament, two olive trees are prophesied to appear. These two olive trees figuratively represent two witnesses or the two anointed servants, who have a specific role to fulfill.

In Revelation 11, we see that it is Jesus who says, “I am sending my two witnesses.“ So, if someone were to tell you that Jesus didn’t promise to send anyone at the time of Revelation, that person doesn’t truly understand the scriptures.

Because Jesus did promise this, as stated in Revelation 11: “I will send my two witnesses.” Keep these details in mind so that we’re not deceived by someone who doesn’t understand the scriptures, or who hasn’t bothered to read them, or who just says what feels good rather than the true word.

We can no longer rely on what merely comes to mind; we must flee from such false hopes and instead sow the seed of the lesson found in the parable of the two witnesses.

3. Because we want to be wise virgins who welcome the master, we need oil. And not just a little bit of oil, but a sufficient amount to keep our lamps burning continuously.

Reminder:

1. Oil = Word of Testimony from the witnesses (Fulfillment) Revelation 1:5-6

Testimony means: WWWWWH Mark 7:68

2. Two Olive Trees = Two witnesses (anointed) Revelation 11

3. We need the Oil to be a wise virgin!

God’s Will

At the beginning, I asked the question: What is God’s will? This is something I often get asked, but God lets us know His will, though it may not always be straightforward right away.

Amos 3:7

Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.

The Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing His plans to His servants, the prophets. So, God’s plan, also known as His will, is first delivered to the prophets.

What is the job of that prophet? When they hear something from God, they write it down. Why do they write it down?

It is for the people in the future—who will witness the events of God’s plan unfolding. They will need evidence that this is, in fact, what God had planned. A witness is the one who makes God’s plan known, testifying to the fulfillment of God’s plan. They will see it, hear it, and testify to it. So, the job of the witness is to testify, “This is what God has done according to what has been prophesied.”

And this prophecy is the reason why we have to wait, right? This is a time of waiting, as stated in Habakkuk 2:2-3. It’s often a long time that we have to wait for God’s promise to be fulfilled.

But how blessed are those who exist at the time when it is fulfilled?

Let me say this again to everyone. Is everyone listening carefully? You are more blessed than Peter, more blessed than John, James, Matthew, Luke, Mark, David, Solomon, Samuel, Elijah, and Elisha. You’re more blessed than every other person detailed in the Bible. Why? Why are you more blessed than all of them? What do we get to see that they could not see?

The fulfillment of prophecy and the open word. As Jesus said in Matthew 13:16-17, “Blessed are your eyes because they see and your ears because they hear.” You are finally able to witness what many righteous men have been waiting for but could not see in their lifetime because it was not time. You’re more blessed than them! You’re more blessed than those guys because they too were like, “Jesus, what are the signs of your coming and the end of the age?” And Jesus could only speak to them in parables.

So they’re like, “Man! I guess we’re going to have to wait.” But how excited do you think they are when Revelation is fulfilled? “I know, it’s happening. Let’s go.” It’s happening just like that. I pray they receive it well. Please listen. This is the word we died for. This is why we died like that.

So what is God’s will for our life? For His prophecies to be fulfilled and for us to be a part of what He is doing.

Let’s look at God the same way an adult looks at their parents. A child’s relationship to their parents is “Me, me, me. I’m hungry, tired, thirsty, sleeping.” Some of us had a life of faith like that before. I did. “God, what can you do for me? God bless me. God give me this. God give me that.” What is God’s will for my life? “If you want me to do this or this,” we’re very close down here.

When someone becomes mature with the word, how do they interact with God? They say, “God, what can I do for you?” Because they want to be a part of what God is doing. They want to be a part of God’s work. This totally shifts the way they approach God. No longer are they asking for physical things; they are asking for understanding. “God, I want to understand your word. Help me do it. This parable represents something, but I don’t fully comprehend it. Please help me.”

“Please use my evangelist to give me the true word properly so I can understand because I want to be a part of what you’re doing today.” That’s what a mature believer does.

That’s how a mature believer approaches God, seeking understanding and fulfilment of God’s prophecy, rather than fleeing from false hopes or lies. A mature believer asks, “God, let me be a part of your work. Help me understand the lesson and the seed of your word.” Let us strive to be a part of what God is doing.

Reminder:

Amos 3:7 God’s plan will to Prophet (sealed word) —-> Waiting (Habakkuk 2:2-3) —->

God’s plan fulfilled to Witness (open word) —-> Testify (Matthew 13:16-17)

Figurative Mountain

Main Reference

Matthew 24:15-16

15 “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

We’re going over this parable, so let’s break it down step by step.

Jesus referred to a prophecy from the book of Daniel. Interestingly, Daniel also saw many fascinating things, didn’t he?

Daniel said, “God, what does this mean? What is the end of these things?” And God replied, “Seal it up, for it is not for you.”

It is for people of a future time. This is found in Daniel 12. So, Jesus is quoting what Daniel said.

However, Jesus is quoting what Daniel said in Matthew 24 when he’s talking about the future.

This means the prophecy Daniel spoke was not for the time of the first coming but for the second coming.

That’s why Jesus referred to it, kind of like passing it on.

So, let’s draw the picture of what we see here in Matthew 24:15-16.

We see an abomination.

And this abomination enters a holy place.

This holy place is then referred to as Judea. This, of course, is a figurative representation.

And it says when the abomination enters this holy place, those who are in Judea must do what?

Flee to the mountains.

When we look at this, we should instantly have similar reflections. We should be thinking about other things that are very similar to this.

If we go back to the time of Lot, God actually said that Lot and his family should do a very similar thing.

Should we see?

Genesis 19:17

As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!”

God instructed the messengers to tell Lot, “Flee to the mountains. Don’t look back.” Why? Because destruction was taking place in the place they had to flee from.

When it says “flee,” it means to move at full speed. Don’t move slowly and look around, for if you do, things will not end well for you. Remember Lot’s wife, who looked back at the destruction taking place and turned into a pillar of salt. We should do the same, everyone.

When we realize it is time to flee, we cannot look back but only forward to the destination, the mountains.

Keep this in mind because Jesus said in John 16:25, “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.”

So, this diagram that we’re drawing here is critical. We’re going to draw it dozens of more times, and each time we draw it, it will become more and more detailed. We’ll fill in things, understanding what this place represents, what the abomination represents. These details will begin to fill in, and a clearer picture will appear over time as we continue to study.

But this is our main reference for today. Let’s first understand the place that we need to flee to, the mountains, which represent the fulfilment of prophecy and hope.

1. Physical Characteristics of the Mountain

So now, let’s look at the physical characteristics of a mountain and draw a mountain with me. And when you draw it, draw it big. Really big. Think about the physical characteristics of a mountain. Draw it really big.

Okay, so when you look at a mountain, a really big mountain, there are main things that you find on a mountain. Think about a mountain range, and think about a really big one, like one that reaches high into the sky.

At the top of mountains, there are clouds, right? So you’ll find clouds at the top of mountains. Do clouds have a spiritual meaning? Oh, yes, they do. What do clouds represent? Like in Hebrews 12:1, you are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Or you can even look at Ezekiel 1. When Ezekiel began to see his visions of heaven, he first saw a cloud. And then he saw angels ascending and descending from the clouds. So clouds spiritually represent the symbol of the invisible spiritual world.

Clouds produce a particular liquid. They occasionally drop this liquid upon us. And when they do, we have to bring an umbrella. What is the liquid that clouds drop on us on a regular basis? A really important liquid for life. Water, that’s right. Water. Clouds drop water. And we know what water represents. Water represents the word, as mentioned in Deuteronomy 32:2.

But I also want to give us a bonus.

Isaiah 55:10-11

10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,

and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

So, what does God also compare snow to? The word, right? That makes a lot of sense. Water and snow are the same thing, just different temperatures. God said, as the rain and the snow fall from the heavens, so too does my word, and my word does not return to me without fulfilling the reason for which I sent it. Just as the water returns to the sky in the water cycle, so too does God’s Word complete its purpose. What I speak will be fulfilled, like water falling on a high place.

That water collects, and when it collects, what does it form? A spring. And that spring becomes the source of water on Earth. Of course, the water falls from the clouds above. And now we know what a figurative spring represents, don’t we? What is a figurative spring? A pastor and a temple, as mentioned in John 4:13-14 and Ezekiel 47:1-2.

And then, when the spring forms, it releases the water flowing from it. And that water becomes a stream, a river. And that river flows, often flowing into the sea. What is a figurative river? The heart of a disciple or evangelist, who takes the word of life they received and flows it to many people, as described in John 7:37-38.

And wherever a river flows on a mountain, what can you also expect to find? What do you find around rivers and in natural systems?

You find rocks, animals like amphibians, birds, sheep. You can find all manner of animals dwelling on a mountain, dwelling around where the river is flowing because at that location, there is life.

You also find fish in the water. So, we should start getting a different image now because we’ve talked about all these things: animals, fish, rocks, trees, soil. Hmm, what do all these parables mean? What do all these parables about trees, rocks, animals, and soil represent? Living creatures, right? But they’re all representing a particular entity.

People.

They’re all representing people.

We have many verses that talk about this, like 1 Peter 1:20-14, which says all men are like grass. Or, for example, Matthew 25, which talks about sheep and goats. Or 1 Peter 2, which testifies about the rocks, saying, “You too are now living stones” (1 Peter 2:4-5). You see Jesus calling for fishers of men in Matthew 4:19.

You also see trees, like Jesus and his disciples.

A mountain is a place where the spirits of heaven reside. It’s where the word is delivered from the mouth of a pastor and flows through evangelists and disciples to feed people. What do you call this kind of place? A Church.

A mountain represents a Church or temple, an organization where God’s people gather.

You see why it’s my favorite? It brings everything together, all the parables we’ve been learning so far.

Now we understand why, so that we can comprehend what kind of place Mount Zion needs to be – a place full of Life.

I think back to some wonderful experiences I had in college. At the beginning of class, we talked about what our favorite mountains were.

I really wanted to participate, so I thought, “Okay, I’m just going to tell them when the lesson goes on.”

I went to school in Knoxville, Tennessee, right in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, which are the Smoky Mountains.

My friends and I would often hop in our cars and drive an hour and a half eastward to get deeper into the mountains, and we’d hike up the mountain early in the morning, at crack of dawn.

We’d leave around 3:30 am to catch the sunrise. When we climbed to the peak, it was still dark.

We were kind of really tired but really excited. We’d get to the top and then see the sun peer through these trees. It was so good, and we just felt grateful and energized.

At that time, this was long before I learned the open word. If I were to go through that experience again, I would have a very different experience.

Because I would be looking at all the things around me and think, “Oh, church, all people. Oh, this represents that. Wow, isn’t God beautiful? Isn’t he amazing?” I would have a totally new appreciation for the outdoors because I understand that God designed it all for a reason.

So when you’re walking about on the street and you see a tree, be thankful. “Wow, look how beautiful trees are. God helped me find a place like this that’s life for so many different things.”

When you walk about and see a little animal, you say, “Wow, look how cute this animal is, and this animal is so well taken care of by the animal’s master. Lord, help me find someone who can take care of me well, and let me be someone who is a good master too, like that. Lord, wow, this creation…”

Quick Review

We looked at the figurative mountain, which we now understand represents a temple, church, or organization. Mountains are the culmination of many things related to God’s people.

Mountains have clouds, rain, and they form springs. The springs flow, and wherever the water goes, there is life too. Trees, animals, rocks, plants—water, all of these things are there. And that water from the rivers flows into the sea. The sea that is dark but then becomes fresh by the water that flows into it. So, evangelists take the water of life out into the world, and they deliver it to many people. They get on ships with nets, and they catch fish. And they do sifting, right? All the parables are one; they’re all together like that.

We looked at the figurative mountain and the main reference verse for today, which is a prophecy we’ve been reading pretty much since the beginning of the class. I’m sure you’ve been wondering what this prophecy means. Well, now we have a slightly better idea.

Soon, we will learn about the abomination in more detail. If you’ve been paying attention, you probably know what this abomination already is. So we’ll get to that. And then we’ll also learn about the holy place in more detail as we go along.

And then we looked at the physical characteristics of a mountain. A mountain is a place of many things. And God really likes mountains, doesn’t He? God loves mountains. When Noah’s ark came to rest, it came to rest on Mount Ararat, on top of a mountain. When God spoke to and worked with Moses, He too met God on the mountain where he saw the burning bush and spent a lot of time with God on Mount Sinai. When He asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Abraham had to travel up a mountain. And then God talks about another mountain, a very special mountain, one that He calls His dwelling place, Mount Zion. That’s what we’ll be looking at today.

So let’s be sure to take note of the things that God finds important and let ourselves find them important too. We looked at soil, right? Soil should make sense to us too. Luke 8, Mark 4:13, and Matthew 13:4 talk about the four fields, right? That’s soil.

Now let’s look at verses that directly compare mountains to churches so that we can see it in the word as well.

2. Spiritual (True) Meaning of Mountain

Isaiah 2:1-3

1 This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:

2 In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.

3 Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob.

He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.”

The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

So, what did verse 2 say? In the last days, the Mountain of the Lord’s Temple will be established as the highest or the chief among the mountains. God has been using this figurative terminology for a long time because He represents mountains as holy places for Him. He speaks very special things about this temple because it will be a place that is very special.

What are some of the things we learned about this place? The Mountain of the Lord’s Temple will be established as the highest or the chief among the mountains. So, although there are many mountains, in the last days, one mountain will appear that will be the chief or highest. The chief or highest mountain will appear at the end times, and at this place, many peoples will come and say, “Let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob.” It is not an accident that the term “house” is used here; God’s house represents a temple.

What happens at this temple? He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths. The law will go out from Zion; from this mountain, the law will go out from this place, the law, also known as the word. But which word will come from Zion? And the word of the Lord will go from Jerusalem.

But see another verse that talks about a spiritual mountain being a house or temple for the Lord.

Hebrews 12:22-23

22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,

You have come to Mount Zion, the Church of the Firstborn, where many wonderful things happen. Angels gather there in joyful assembly. So, if we want to be those who find Mount Zion, we need to find this type of place – a place where heaven dwells and angels gather in joyful assembly.

In review, a mountain figuratively represents a church, and not just any church. It represents the church that appears at the end times, where people are supposed to go.

Now, let’s look at the three types of mountains that appear at the time of the second coming because there are three types. When we think about three types, we should be reminded of a previous lesson where we learned about three types. Does anyone remember what previous lesson taught us about three types?

BDS, right. When we looked at animals in prophecy. Does anyone remember what scripture details betrayal, destruction, and salvation? Let’s look at the three types of mountains, and they follow the same flow of revelation fulfillment.

3 types of Mountains

Betrayal, Destruction and Salvation

Second Coming Prophecy

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3

Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 is a really important parable or prophecy. It details the order in which the prophecy will be fulfilled. First, betrayers appear. A rebellion happens. Then, a man of lawlessness, doomed to destruction, appears and causes destruction. After that, the day of the Lord, the day of our salvation, can happen. This flow has to occur in that sequence.

So, if someone claims to be the witness we’re waiting for, they need to be able to detail the events of betrayal, destruction, and salvation in accordance with that order. They should explain what happened in relation to the betrayal, what happened in relation to the destruction, and what will happen in relation to the day of the Lord, the salvation. Otherwise, I mean, no thank you. I’m not interested in that claim.

So, let’s first look at the mountain related to betrayal. We’ll examine the prophecy related to that mountain in the Old Testament and also in the New Testament as well.

Mountain of betrayal

One key characteristic to understand about the mountain of betrayal is that it was a mountain that once belonged to God. However, it then descended to belong to Satan, meaning that they once had the word. But because of their betrayal, they lost the word.

Ezekiel 36:1-4

“Son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel and say, ‘Mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord. 2 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: The enemy said of you, “Aha! The ancient heights have become our possession.”’ 3 Therefore prophesy and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because they ravaged and crushed you from every side so that you became the possession of the rest of the nations and the object of people’s malicious talk and slander, 4 therefore, mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Sovereign Lord: This is what the Sovereign Lord says to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys, to the desolate ruins and the deserted towns that have been plundered and ridiculed by the rest of the nations around you—

Hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “The enemy said to you, ‘Aha, the ancient heights have become our possession.'”

Is God really worried about the literal mountains of Israel that one can climb up on a trail? No, He is speaking figuratively. The mountains of Israel represent all the people who once belonged to God but now belong to the enemies.

“Oh, my church, my temple, the place where I want to dwell, but now I cannot because you belong to the enemies.”

God is not concerned about the physical mountains but rather the figurative meaning they represent. The “ancient heights” symbolize the fulfillment of prophecy, a parable of the word. The people have fled from the true God and embraced lies and false hope. The seed of God’s lesson is that His people have turned away from Him.

New Testament Prophecy

Revelation 8:8

The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood,

Revelation 8:8 is very important. It is a chapter that details judgment. And we’ll understand more about this judgment in the lessons to come. But what do we see here? A mountain. A huge mountain is all ablaze. And this mountain is then thrown into the sea. Oh my goodness, we should start to understand what this means because we now know all of the parables related to this prophecy. We know what the fire is. The fire is the word that consumes and judges. The mountain is a church, and the sea is Satan’s world. A church was judged and became part of the world. Revelation 8:8.

The question is, which one? That’s what we should be asking. We will continue to study. But that means that a mountain was from the Mountain of Betrayal. It is being judged and becomes part of the world. Okay, let’s now look at the mountains that were destroyed.

Destroying Mountains

The destruction and destroying of mountains always belong to Satan. They never belong to God in the first place. So, let’s look at this type of mountain in Old Testament prophecy. Such mountains always belong to Satan.

Old Testament Prophecy

Jeremiah 51:6-8, 25

6 “Flee from Babylon!

Run for your lives!

Do not be destroyed because of her sins.

It is time for the Lord’s vengeance;

he will repay her what she deserves.

7 Babylon was a gold cup in the Lord’s hand;

she made the whole earth drunk.

The nations drank her wine;

therefore they have now gone mad.

8 Babylon will suddenly fall and be broken.

Wail over her!

Get balm for her pain;

perhaps she can be healed.

25 “I am against you, you destroying mountain,

you who destroy the whole earth,”

declares the Lord.

“I will stretch out my hand against you,

roll you off the cliffs,

and make you a burned-out mountain.

“Woe to you, O destroying mountain.”

Earlier in the chapter, God compared this destroying mountain to which nation? Babylon. Oh, that makes a lot of sense. God has always called Babylon a destroying nation because they physically destroyed God’s people in historical times.

Now, God is using the terminology of Babylon figuratively in parables and prophecy to represent a place that carries out the same type of destruction on God’s people. Let’s see the same Babylon in New Testament prophecy now.

New Testament Prophecy

Revelation 17:1, 9-10

1 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters.

9 “This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. 10 They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while.

Revelation 17 talks about the prostitute. Later on, in verse 5, we see that this prostitute is called the mother of Babylon or Babylon, the mother of prostitutes.

She sits on a beast with seven heads and ten horns. Then, in verses 9 and 10, it states that these seven heads and ten horns represent seven hills. Hills figuratively represent mountains. Now, things make more sense regarding the figurative representation of heads, horns, and tails that we learned about earlier.

Do we remember that lesson? Heads represent leaders. Horns represent authority figures, and the tail represents false prophets who do the work of destruction.

So, Satan’s mountains, symbolizing evil forces, also appear at the time of the second coming. Alright, enough about the mountains that are portrayed in our destruction and the mountains that carry out that destruction.

Mountain of Salvation

Let’s now look at the mountains that represent the work of Salvation, the work of saving. And these mountains, of course, belong to God and always will. These mountains have the word, which has always belonged and will always belong to God.

Old Testament prophecy

Isaiah 28:16

So this is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tesSee, I lay a stone in Zion. Then let’s read Isaiah 60:14 to see what this Zion is like.ted stone,

a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;

the one who relies on it

will never be stricken with panic.

See, I lay a stone in Zion. Then let’s read Isaiah 60:14 to see what this Zion is like.

Isaiah 60:14

The children of your oppressors will come bowing before you; all who despise you will bow down at your feet and will call you the City of the Lord, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

We will call you Zion, the Holy City. Who is the “you” that is talked about in this passage?

The “you” refers to Jesus.

Jesus was the one who appeared, and Mount Zion, at His first coming, represented His organization and ministry.

Like His 12 disciples, people were supposed to come to Jesus to receive the promised word, the promised law.

He was the place where God dwelled.

The same thing is prophesied to happen at the second coming.

New Testament Prophecy

Revelation 14:1-3

Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. 3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.

So, what did John see? Then he looked, and there before him was the Lamb. Who was the Lamb? It represents Jesus. And He is standing on Mount Zion. And He is not alone on this mountain, is He? With Him, there are 144,000 who have His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. And John heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound he heard was like harpists playing their harps. And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. Well, let’s continue to fill in this picture of Mount Zion, to see who else is with the 144,000.

Revelation 7:9,14

9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

14 I answered, “Sir, you know.”

And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

So, it’s not just the 144,000 who have a special role of singing the new song, but also a great multitude that no one can count, from every tribe, people, language, and nation, who wash their robes and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. Wow, this place sounds great, doesn’t it?

But there is a word that must come from this place. Don’t worry; we’ll have a whole lesson on figurative language very soon. But what is the word or the law that must come out from this place?

Well, we know the flow of how Revelation is opened, right? Can someone describe the opening of Revelation to us? How is the word opened?

It goes from God to Jesus, to the angel, to New John. The Apostle John is gone. Then New John is to give that word to many servants, to many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.

Revelation 10:8-11

8 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: “Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.”

9 So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, “Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but ‘in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.’[a]” 10 I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. 11 Then I was told, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings.”

Then I was told, ‘You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.’ This represents the fulfilment of a prophecy, meaning you must give the word you have eaten to them. Why? Because they need to flee and come to this place to escape the place in which they are. But they don’t realize it yet.

So, let us flee to this place.

Now, you might be wondering, what is this place? How do I find it? The parable of the seed provides a lesson and hope. The word ‘flee’ does not represent a literal fleeing but a figurative one, fleeing from false lies to the true hope found in this place.

Psalms 43:3

Send me your light and your faithful care,

let them lead me;

let them bring me to your holy mountain,

to the place where you dwell.

Send forth your light and your truth. Light? Psalms 119:1-5 refers to it.

Ah, that’s the word. Truth. Oh, John 17:17 mentions it.

What is the light in truth? It is the word. The word will guide you to where God dwells.

So, let us trust in the light and truth, and they will guide us.

Memorization

Isaiah 2:3

3 Many peoples will come and say,

“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,

to the temple of the God of Jacob.

He will teach us his ways,

so that we may walk in his paths.”

The law will go out from Zion,

the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

Instructor Review

Summary

We learned about the figurative mountain. A mountain represents a church, temple, or organization. A mountain is a place where clouds, water, snow, springs, rivers, trees, rocks, animals, and soil all dwell together in harmony. Part of the reason God really likes mountains, right? At this place, the water from the clouds above rains on the springs. And the springs or temple flow that water down, and wherever that water goes, there is life for people, animals, plants, and trees.

The spiritual understanding is the Word of God from the Spirits, from Heaven. It comes down, and a pastor delivers that word to the evangelists, disciples, and congregation. And these excited people who are receiving life go out into the sea to catch fish and make the seawater fresh. That’s the church. And this temple or church should be the place where God dwells, the place where God is, the place where even the angels gather in joyful assembly. But unfortunately, we know that there are three types of mountains that appear at the time of the second coming.

Some mountains that once belonged to God but betray. Some mountains that never belonged to God and only do the work of destruction. But a mountain that appears does the work of salvation. So this is the place to which we need to flee.

When the time of the second coming begins to be fulfilled and the abomination appears.

Review with the Evangelist

Review

Today, we took a look at the figurative meaning of the mountain, right? The harvest-clad mountain. Why are we diligently studying the word these days? Our ultimate goal as believers is to receive eternal life, right? How can we ensure that we receive eternal life? How can I make sure that I am one who goes to heaven?

Do you remember Matthew 7:21? It talks about this very topic. It says, “Not everyone who says ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter, but only those who do the will of My Father.” Only those who do the will of the Father will enter. But how am I learning about the mountain? What if I don’t flee?

Is God telling me to do this, right? If I don’t do the will of God, I don’t flee. That’s like the faith mentioned in James 2 as well. If I truly believe, there has to be an action to back that up, right?

If a doctor says I’m allergic to nuts, and I continue to eat nuts, I don’t really believe what he’s saying, not even a little bit. Right? There has to be an action that is backed up by what I hear and what I believe. If I truly believe it, I’ll act accordingly, won’t I?

So, there’s a command to flee to the mountain, isn’t there? Like we see in Matthew 24:15. It’s to flee to the kind of mountain prescribed, not just any mountain. As you’ve seen, there are all types of mountains represented.

Right, just as God gives prophecy in an order: the betrayal, destructions, and salvation. It’s in that same way we understand the mountain: the mountain of betrayal, the mountain of destruction, and the mountain of salvation as well.

Where do we want to find ourselves today? God says to flee to the mountain, a very specific place that we are supposed to flee to. So even in Revelation 14, when God says to flee to the mountain, he’s not talking about the mountain of betrayal.

He’s not talking about the mountain of destruction. We need to flee to the mountain of salvation where the Lamb is, where Jesus is, where these 144,000 are. Which we will learn more about in the days to come as well.

All right, so I pray that we really have the heart to not just listen to the lesson and have this as head knowledge but be those who always see ourselves in the word. Be those who always realize that we have to have actions according to the word as well.

Back to SCJ Bible Study - Introductory Level | Parables

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

SCJ Lesson 44 Analysis: “Secrets of Heaven: Figurative Mountain”

Introduction: The Mountain That Wasn’t There

Imagine you’re on a spiritual journey, seeking to understand God’s will for your life. You’ve been studying the Bible for months now, learning about symbols and parables, feeling like pieces of a puzzle are finally coming together. Your instructor has been patient, knowledgeable, and encouraging. You’ve invested countless hours, built meaningful relationships, and experienced moments of genuine spiritual insight.

Then one day, your instructor says something that makes everything click: “I get asked all the time, ‘What is God’s will for my life?’ And I desperately wish I could say, ‘Flee to the mountain.’ But I can’t say that until you’ve studied the parables. Now the word has guided us to understand this very important parable.”

Your heart races with anticipation. After five months of study, you’re finally going to learn God’s specific will for your life. The instructor emphasizes how critical this lesson is: “This is such an important parable… it’s my favorite because it brings many parables together in one… it makes everything click together… it helps us know, ‘Okay, this is where God wants me to go.'”

He tells you that there’s a mountain—a specific place—that was promised to appear at the second coming. This mountain “has not always been around,” he explains. “It is only possible to flee once it has appeared.” And the implication is clear: this mountain has now appeared, and you need to find it and flee to it.

Everything you’ve learned over the past five months suddenly seems to point to this moment. The sealed book that needed opening. The parables that required special interpretation. The new wine that represented revealed word. The oil that symbolized testimony from a witness. All of it was leading here—to the revelation that there’s a specific place, a mountain, where God wants you to go.

But what if the mountain isn’t what it seems? What if, like a mirage in the desert, this mountain appears real and necessary from a distance, but disappears when you get close enough to examine it biblically? What if the very idea of a physical “mountain to flee to” at the second coming is a human invention, not a biblical promise?

This is what happens in SCJ Lesson 44.

The lesson appears to be a fascinating Bible study about mountains in Scripture—exploring their symbolic meaning, their role in biblical prophecy, and their significance for believers today. The instructor, Nate, walks students through passages about witnesses, testimony, and God’s will, building anticipation for a profound revelation about where God wants believers to be.

But beneath the surface, something dangerous is being constructed. This lesson is the culmination of five months of framework-building. Every previous lesson—about sealed books, parables, patterns, wine, oil, and witnesses—has been preparing students for this moment: the revelation that they must “flee to the mountain,” which will eventually be identified as SCJ’s organization and physical locations.

By the end of this lesson, students will believe:

There is a specific “mountain” that appeared at the second coming
Finding and fleeing to this mountain is God’s will for their life
This mountain is identified through a “witness” who provides testimony with “5Ws and 1H” (who, what, when, where, why, and how)
Without this witness’s testimony (the “oil”), they are foolish virgins who will miss God’s will
The mountain “has not always been around”—it only appeared recently
All previous parables point to this mountain as the answer

What students don’t yet realize is that the “mountain” is SCJ’s organization, the “witness” is Lee Man-hee, the “testimony” is his interpretation of Revelation’s fulfillment, and “fleeing to the mountain” means committing fully to SCJ. The biblical concept of mountains as symbols of God’s kingdom and presence is being hijacked to create organizational dependency.

The lesson sits at Lesson 44 of the Introductory Level—students have now invested over five months, likely 130+ hours of study time plus homework and review. They’ve built their entire theological framework on SCJ’s interpretations. They’ve distanced from their home church. They’ve recruited friends and family. The psychological cost of recognizing deception is now extremely high.

This lesson is particularly strategic because it explicitly answers the question “What is God’s will for my life?” with “Flee to the mountain”—making SCJ membership not just beneficial, but essential to obeying God’s will. It’s the moment when all the abstract theology becomes concrete and organizational: “This is where God wants you to go.”

Let’s examine how this lesson uses legitimate biblical content about mountains to build an illegitimate framework of organizational dependency, and how we can recognize and respond to this manipulation.

Part 1: The Opening Setup—Creating Anticipation and Commitment

What SCJ Teaches in This Lesson

The lesson opens with an unusually intense appeal for attention and engagement:

“We’re going over the figurative mountain parable, which is a parable that will shift your entire view of what God and Jesus intend for us to do.

I need everyone’s best attention and focus today. Please take really good notes, and we’re actually going to draw a lot of pictures today. Please draw along with us too. It doesn’t matter what your drawing ability is, but you’re going to want to see these graphics again when you’re studying this, so please draw along with us today.

This is such an important parable, and the reason why it’s my favorite is because it brings many parables together in one.

And it makes everything click together, making a lot of sense. That’s what this lesson does, and it helps us know, ‘Okay, this is where God wants me to go.’ A question I get a lot as a Bible teacher is, ‘What is God’s will for my life?’ I get that question a lot.

And I desperately wish I could say when that question is asked, ‘Flee to the mountain,’ right? But often times, that person hasn’t even started studying the parables, so I can’t say that answer, or it will not make sense, so I say, ‘Study the word, and the word will guide you,’ right?

And now the word has guided us to understand this very important parable.”

The Psychological Techniques at Work

This opening is masterfully designed to create maximum psychological investment:

1. Declaring This Lesson Will “Shift Your Entire View”

The instructor opens by saying this lesson “will shift your entire view of what God and Jesus intend for us to do.” This creates enormous anticipation and signals that something paradigm-shifting is about to be revealed.

After five months of study, students are primed for this moment. They’ve been told repeatedly that understanding requires completing the full framework. Now they’re being told this lesson brings everything together and reveals God’s specific intention for their lives.

This is a classic manipulation technique: create anticipation for a “big reveal” that will make everything make sense. Students who have invested months of time and energy are desperate for this payoff—for the moment when all the complex theology finally clicks into place and shows them what to do.

2. Demanding Unusual Levels of Attention and Engagement

The instructor makes an unusually intense appeal: “I need everyone’s best attention and focus today. Please take really good notes, and we’re actually going to draw a lot of pictures today. Please draw along with us too.”

This serves multiple purposes:

Creates a sense of importance: If the instructor needs your “best attention,” this must be critically important.

Increases engagement through multiple modalities: Listening, note-taking, and drawing all increase retention and psychological investment. The more actively engaged you are, the more committed you become to the content.

Creates kinesthetic memory: Drawing the pictures creates physical memory of the content. When you later review your notes and see your own drawings, you’ll have stronger emotional and cognitive connection to the material.

Makes the content feel more concrete: Abstract theology becomes concrete when you draw pictures of it. The “mountain” becomes a real thing in your mind, not just a concept.

3. Positioning This as the Integration Point

The instructor says this is his “favorite” parable “because it brings many parables together in one… it makes everything click together.”

This positions Lesson 44 as the integration point—the moment when all previous lessons converge into a coherent whole. Students who have been struggling to see how all the pieces fit together are promised that this lesson will make it all make sense.

This is psychologically powerful. After five months of complex, sometimes confusing theology, students desperately want integration and clarity. The promise that “this lesson makes everything click” is enormously appealing.

4. Revealing the Answer to “What Is God’s Will for My Life?”

The instructor shares that he’s frequently asked, “What is God’s will for my life?” and that he “desperately wishes” he could answer “Flee to the mountain,” but he can’t say that until people have studied the parables.

This is a profound manipulation. The instructor is:

Positioning himself as having the answer to life’s biggest question: He knows what God’s will is for your life, but he couldn’t tell you until now because you weren’t ready.

Creating insider/outsider dynamics: Those who haven’t studied the parables can’t understand the answer. But you’ve studied, so now you’re ready for the answer.

Making the answer organizational: “Flee to the mountain” will eventually be revealed as joining SCJ. So God’s will for your life is joining this organization.

Validating all previous investment: All the time you’ve spent studying was necessary preparation for this moment. You couldn’t have understood God’s will without going through this process.

5. Framing This as the Word’s Guidance

The instructor says, “And now the word has guided us to understand this very important parable.”

This frames the journey as the word itself guiding students, not as the instructor teaching his interpretations. It makes the process seem organic and divinely led, rather than humanly orchestrated.

Why This Opening Is Dangerous

This opening is dangerous because it:

Creates enormous psychological pressure to accept what follows: After being told this will shift your entire view, bring everything together, and reveal God’s will for your life, you’re primed to accept whatever is taught. Rejecting it would mean rejecting the answer to life’s biggest question.

Positions organizational membership as God’s will: By saying “flee to the mountain” is the answer to “What is God’s will for my life?” and then later revealing the mountain as SCJ, the lesson makes joining SCJ equivalent to obeying God’s will.

Validates all previous investment: Students who have invested five months are told this is the payoff moment—everything has been leading here. This makes it psychologically very difficult to walk away.

Uses multiple engagement techniques to increase commitment: Listening, writing, drawing, anticipating—all increase psychological investment and make the content harder to question later.

Biblical Response: What Is God’s Will?

The Bible does address the question “What is God’s will for my life?” But the answer is very different from “Flee to the mountain” (join SCJ).

God’s Will Is Revealed in Scripture

Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

God’s will is discerned through transformed minds that test and approve. It’s not a secret answer that requires five months of study to understand.

1 Thessalonians 4:3: “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality.”

God’s will includes sanctification—growing in holiness. This is for all believers, not just those who join a specific organization.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

God’s will includes rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks. These are attitudes and practices, not organizational membership.

Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

God’s will is already shown—act justly, love mercy, walk humbly. It’s not hidden in complex parable interpretations.

God’s Will Is Not Organizational Membership

Nowhere in Scripture is God’s will defined as joining a specific human organization. God’s will is:

Believing in Jesus Christ (John 6:40)
Being sanctified (1 Thessalonians 4:3)
Giving thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Doing good (1 Peter 2:15)
Suffering for righteousness if necessary (1 Peter 3:17)

These are universal callings for all believers, not specific organizational commitments.

God’s Will Is Knowable Through the Holy Spirit

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.”

The Holy Spirit guides believers into truth. We don’t need a human organization to tell us God’s will—we have the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:14: “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”

God’s children are led by the Spirit, not by human organizations claiming to know God’s will.

The Danger of Claiming to Know God’s Specific Will for Others

When a teacher claims to know God’s specific will for your life (join our organization), that’s a red flag. While Scripture gives general principles for God’s will, specific life decisions are made through:

Prayer and seeking God
Wisdom and discernment
Counsel from mature believers
Circumstances and opportunities
The Holy Spirit’s leading

No human teacher should claim to know that God’s specific will for your life is joining their organization. That’s manipulation, not biblical guidance.

Chapter 18 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Real Test of Authority,” addresses this: “When a teacher claims to have the answer to ‘What is God’s will for my life?’ and that answer is joining their organization, you’re no longer dealing with biblical teaching—you’re dealing with organizational recruitment disguised as spiritual guidance. God’s will is revealed in Scripture and discerned through the Holy Spirit, not dispensed by human organizations as the reward for completing their study program.”

Part 2: The Review—Redefining Oil as Witness Testimony

What SCJ Teaches in the Review

The lesson provides a review that significantly develops the “oil” concept from Lesson 43:

“In the previous lesson, we learned about figurative oil, particularly olive oil. We understood that the oil represents the word of testimony from a witness, and not just any witness, but one who has seen and heard what is prophesied to take place. Keep that in mind.

So, a witness who is appointed or anointed to see and hear what has been fulfilled, to witness the fulfillment.

Not every person is a trustworthy eyewitness. Sometimes, people’s eyewitness testimony is inaccurate because, in high-intensity situations, they tend to forget, mix up details, or misplace events.

What I’m saying is, there are many people who claim to have witnessed something, but the testimony of the true witness, what they say they saw and heard, will always align with the word.

The word is the second form of confirming the true witness. So, keep that in mind.”

What’s Being Established

This review makes a critical shift from Lesson 43’s teaching about oil:

Lesson 43: Oil represents the Holy Spirit/word, specifically the “revealed word” about Revelation

Lesson 44: Oil represents “word of testimony from a witness” who has “seen and heard what is prophesied to take place”

This shift is setting up that:

There is a specific witness who has seen Revelation’s fulfillment
This witness’s testimony is the “oil” believers need
This witness is “appointed or anointed” for this role
The true witness’s testimony “will always align with the word”
There are false witnesses whose testimony doesn’t align

This is preparing students to accept Lee Man-hee as the “appointed witness” whose testimony about Revelation’s fulfillment is the “oil” they need to be wise virgins.

The “5Ws and 1H” Standard

The lesson then introduces a critical standard for evaluating testimony:

“Let’s explore a bit more about what Jesus was called in the Book of Revelation so that we can understand it better. Yes, he was, in fact, the first coming witness.”

Revelation 1:5-6: “and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.”

“Jesus Christ is the faithful witness. What did Jesus witness? What did he see? There were actually many correct answers here. He came from heaven, and he has seen and heard everything from the Father. John 5 states, ‘I testified to you what I saw and heard in heaven.’

What else did Jesus testify? Let’s see an example. First, let’s review what a testimony means.

A testimony is much more than just saying, ‘God did this for me today. Let me tell you about what God has done.’ That’s not what we mean.

What we mean is answering the who, what, when, where, why, and how—the 5Ws and 1H. That’s the type of testimony we should be expecting at this time.”

The lesson then provides an example using Mark 7:6-8, showing how Jesus identified:

Who: The Pharisees, Sadducees, and teachers of the Law
What: They followed human traditions, not God’s word
Where: Jerusalem
When: 2,000 years ago
Why: Because they broke the Covenant
How: Through teaching of the opened word

The instructor concludes: “That’s what a testimony is. We now have these details because Jesus saw and heard them. So, what should we expect in our time? The same level of specificity.”

What’s Being Set Up

This teaching is setting up several critical claims:

1. There Must Be a Modern Witness Like Jesus

By establishing that Jesus was a “witness” who provided specific testimony with “5Ws and 1H,” SCJ is creating a pattern:

First Coming: Jesus was the faithful witness who testified to what he saw and heard
Second Coming: There must be a faithful witness who testifies to what he saw and heard

This pattern will lead to identifying Lee Man-hee as the “faithful witness” for the second coming.

2. True Testimony Requires Specific Details

The “5Ws and 1H” standard creates a test: true testimony must answer who, what, when, where, why, and how with specific details.

This sounds reasonable, but it’s actually setting up a trap. SCJ will claim that only Lee Man-hee can provide this level of specificity about Revelation’s fulfillment, therefore only he is the true witness.

But this standard is arbitrary and unbiblical. The Bible never requires that understanding prophecy fulfillment means identifying specific people, places, and dates with the precision SCJ demands.

3. Students Don’t Yet Have the Oil

The review includes this critical statement:

“So, we asked everyone the reflection question: Am I a wise or foolish virgin? If we really understood the lesson, we would understand that. Oh, if I don’t know who, what, when, where, why, or how, then I don’t yet have the oil, and I need to get more. And have we covered who, what, where, why, and how? So, let’s get the oil. That’s why we are here.”

This creates anxiety and urgency. Students are told that if they don’t know the “5Ws and 1H” about Revelation’s fulfillment, they don’t have the oil, which means they’re foolish virgins who will be shut out of the kingdom.

This is fear-based manipulation. It creates dependency on SCJ to provide the “oil” (testimony with 5Ws and 1H) that students need.

Biblical Response: The Role of Witnesses

Jesus Is the Faithful Witness

The Bible does call Jesus the “faithful witness”:

Revelation 1:5: “and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.”

Revelation 3:14: “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.”

Jesus is the faithful witness because:

He testified to what He saw and heard from the Father (John 8:26)
He revealed God’s nature and will (John 1:18)
He fulfilled prophecy and testified to its fulfillment (Luke 24:44-47)
His testimony was authenticated by miracles and resurrection (Acts 2:22-24)

But This Doesn’t Create a Pattern Requiring Modern Witnesses

SCJ’s logic is: “Jesus was a witness at the first coming, therefore there must be a witness at the second coming.” But this pattern is not biblical.

Jesus’ role as witness was unique because He:

Came from heaven and testified to what He saw there (John 3:31-32)
Was God incarnate and revealed the Father (John 1:18, 14:9)
Fulfilled Messianic prophecies in His person and work
Died for sins and rose from the dead, authenticating His claims

No human can replicate Jesus’ role as witness. Lee Man-hee did not come from heaven, is not God incarnate, did not fulfill Messianic prophecies, and did not die for sins and rise from the dead.

The Apostles Were Witnesses, But Their Testimony Is Complete

The apostles were also called witnesses:

Acts 1:8: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:21-22: “Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was in and out among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

The apostles witnessed:

Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection
The fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in Jesus
The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

Their testimony is recorded in the New Testament and is complete. We don’t need additional apostolic witnesses because the apostolic testimony is already given.

Revelation Itself Is the Testimony

The book of Revelation is itself the testimony of what John saw:

Revelation 1:1-2: “The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

John already testified to what he saw. His testimony is the book of Revelation. We don’t need another witness to testify to what John already testified to.

All Believers Are Witnesses

The New Testament teaches that all believers are witnesses to Christ:

Acts 1:8: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses.”

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.”

All believers witness to Christ and the gospel. There’s no special class of “appointed witnesses” who alone can testify to Revelation’s fulfillment.

The “5Ws and 1H” Standard Is Arbitrary

SCJ’s claim that true testimony must answer “who, what, when, where, why, and how” with specific details is an arbitrary standard not found in Scripture.

The Bible never requires this level of specificity for understanding prophecy. In fact, many prophecies are intentionally general, allowing for multiple levels of fulfillment or application.

For example:

Joel’s prophecy about the Spirit being poured out (Joel 2:28-29) was fulfilled at Pentecost (Acts 2), but Peter says “this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel”—he doesn’t provide “5Ws and 1H” with specific names and dates
Jesus’ prophecies about the destruction of the temple (Matthew 24) were fulfilled in 70 AD, but we don’t need to know the specific names of every Roman soldier to understand the fulfillment
Many of Revelation’s prophecies are symbolic and don’t require the kind of specific identification SCJ demands

The “5Ws and 1H” standard is designed to make students dependent on SCJ’s specific claims about people, places, and events in Korea, which they will present as the only testimony that meets this standard.

The Danger of Requiring a Human Witness

When a group teaches that you need a specific human witness to understand Scripture or have the “oil” for salvation, that’s adding to the gospel:

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 human witness.

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. We don’t need additional testimony from a human witness to be equipped.

Chapter 9 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Gospel According to Shincheonji (And Why It’s Not the Gospel),” addresses this: “When a group adds requirements beyond faith in Christ—whether it’s understanding specific interpretations, accepting a human witness’s testimony, or joining an organization—they’ve departed from the gospel. The gospel is simple: believe in Jesus Christ for salvation. Anything added to that is a different gospel, which Paul says is really no gospel at all (Galatians 1:6-9).”

Part 3: The “Two Witnesses” Teaching—Setting Up Lee Man-hee

What SCJ Teaches About Two Witnesses

The review continues with teaching about two witnesses:

“In the time of the Old Testament and the New Testament, two olive trees are prophesied to appear. These two olive trees figuratively represent two witnesses or the two anointed servants, who have a specific role to fulfill.

In Revelation 11, we see that it is Jesus who says, ‘I am sending my two witnesses.’ So, if someone were to tell you that Jesus didn’t promise to send anyone at the time of Revelation, that person doesn’t truly understand the scriptures.

Because Jesus did promise this, as stated in Revelation 11: ‘I will send my two witnesses.’ Keep these details in mind so that we’re not deceived by someone who doesn’t understand the scriptures, or who hasn’t bothered to read them, or who just says what feels good rather than the true word.

We can no longer rely on what merely comes to mind; we must flee from such false hopes and instead sow the seed of the lesson found in the parable of the two witnesses.”

What’s Being Set Up

This teaching is setting up several critical claims:

1. There Are Two Witnesses Prophesied for the Second Coming

By referencing Revelation 11’s two witnesses, SCJ is claiming that Jesus promised to send two specific people at the time of Revelation’s fulfillment.

This will eventually lead to identifying two specific individuals in SCJ (including Lee Man-hee) as these two witnesses.

2. Those Who Don’t Accept This Are Deceived

The statement “if someone were to tell you that Jesus didn’t promise to send anyone at the time of Revelation, that person doesn’t truly understand the scriptures” is preemptively defending against objections.

When pastors, family, or friends say “Jesus didn’t promise to send new witnesses,” students will think: “They don’t understand Scripture. Jesus did promise this in Revelation 11.”

3. Traditional Teaching Is “False Hope”

The statement “we can no longer rely on what merely comes to mind; we must flee from such false hopes” positions traditional Christian teaching as “false hope” that must be fled from.

This creates urgency to abandon traditional church teaching and embrace SCJ’s interpretation.

Biblical Context: The Two Witnesses in Revelation 11

Let’s examine what Revelation 11 actually teaches about the two witnesses:

Revelation 11:3-12: “And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth. They are ‘the two olive trees’ and the two lampstands, and ‘they stand before the Lord of the earth.’ If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.

Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city—which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where also their Lord was crucified. For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.

But after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, ‘Come up here.’ And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.”

What Does This Passage Teach?

The two witnesses in Revelation 11:

Prophesy for 1,260 days (3.5 years)
Are clothed in sackcloth (sign of mourning/repentance)
Have miraculous powers: fire from mouths, power to stop rain, turn water to blood, cause plagues
Are killed by the beast from the Abyss
Lie dead in the street for 3.5 days while the world celebrates
Are resurrected and ascend to heaven while enemies watch

Does This Describe Lee Man-hee and SCJ?

Let’s apply this description to SCJ’s claims:

Do SCJ’s “witnesses” prophesy for exactly 1,260 days? No. Lee Man-hee has been teaching for decades, not 3.5 years.

Do they have miraculous powers? No. Lee Man-hee doesn’t call fire from his mouth, stop rain, turn water to blood, or cause plagues.

Were they killed by the beast and lay dead in the street? No. Lee Man-hee is alive and has never been killed and resurrected.

Did they ascend to heaven while enemies watched? No. This hasn’t happened.

Conclusion: The description in Revelation 11 doesn’t match SCJ’s claims about their witnesses. If the passage is meant to be taken literally (as SCJ claims for other parts of Revelation), then their witnesses don’t fulfill it. If it’s symbolic, then SCJ’s specific identifications are unfounded.

Alternative Interpretations

Biblical scholars have offered various interpretations of the two witnesses:

1. Symbolic of the Church’s Witness

Many scholars see the two witnesses as symbolic of the church’s prophetic witness during the time between Christ’s ascensions and return. The number “two” represents sufficient witness (Deuteronomy 19:15), and the imagery draws on Moses (plagues) and Elijah (stopping rain), representing the Law and the Prophets.

2. Literal Future Witnesses

Some scholars believe these will be two literal individuals who will appear during the tribulation period, possibly Elijah and Moses (or Enoch), who will have miraculous powers and be martyred.

3. Historical Fulfillment

Some scholars see this as having been fulfilled in the early church’s witness in Jerusalem before the city’s destruction in 70 AD.

What All These Interpretations Have in Common

All mainstream interpretations recognize that:

The passage describes miraculous, supernatural events
The witnesses have powers that authenticate their divine appointment
The passage doesn’t describe anything resembling SCJ’s organization in Korea
If taken literally, the events are clearly visible and undeniable (bodies lying in the street, resurrection, ascension)

None of these interpretations support SCJ’s claim that Lee Man-hee and another SCJ leader are the two witnesses.

The Danger of False Identification

Throughout history, many groups have claimed to identify the two witnesses:

Various cult leaders have claimed to be one of the two witnesses
Different groups have identified historical figures as the two witnesses
Some have claimed the two witnesses are organizations or movements

All of these identifications have been proven false. The pattern is always the same: force Revelation’s imagery onto contemporary people or events without proper authentication or fulfillment of the actual description.

SCJ is following this same pattern—claiming to identify the two witnesses based on their interpretive framework, not based on actual fulfillment of Revelation 11’s description.

Part 4: The “Mountain” Teaching—Creating Organizational Dependency

What SCJ Teaches About the Mountain

The lesson’s main focus is on the “mountain” that believers must flee to:

“Our hope for today is to find the mountain promised to appear at the second coming and flee!

What did the passage say? Our hope is to find the mountain, and a key part of this hope is promised to appear at the second coming, which means the mountain has not always been around.

Which means it hasn’t always been possible to flee to this place. It is only possible to flee once it has appeared. So keep that in mind.”

The instructor also asks students to write down what they believe the mountain represents, building anticipation for the reveal.

What’s Being Set Up

This teaching is setting up several critical claims:

1. There Is a Specific Mountain to Flee To

SCJ is claiming there’s a specific, identifiable “mountain” that believers must flee to at the second coming. This mountain is not symbolic or spiritual—it’s a specific place or organization.

2. This Mountain Only Recently Appeared

By saying the mountain “has not always been around” and “it is only possible to flee once it has appeared,” SCJ is claiming this mountain appeared recently—when SCJ was established.

3. Finding and Fleeing to This Mountain Is Essential

By making this “our hope,” SCJ is positioning finding and fleeing to the mountain as essential for salvation or being ready for Christ’s return.

4. This Mountain Is God’s Will

As the instructor said at the beginning, when people ask “What is God’s will for my life?” he wishes he could say “Flee to the mountain.” This makes fleeing to the mountain (joining SCJ) equivalent to obeying God’s will.

Biblical Context: Mountains in Scripture

Mountains have rich symbolic meaning in Scripture. Let’s examine the biblical context:

Mountains as Places of Revelation

Throughout Scripture, mountains are places where God reveals Himself:

Mount Sinai: Where God gave the Law to Moses (Exodus 19-20)

Mount Carmel: Where Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18)

Mount of Transfiguration: Where Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John (Matthew 17)

Mount of Olives: Where Jesus ascended and will return (Acts 1:11-12, Zechariah 14:4)

Mountains as Symbols of God’s Kingdom

Mountains often symbolize God’s kingdom or presence:

Isaiah 2:2-3: “In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.’ The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”

Daniel 2:35, 44-45: The stone that becomes a great mountain represents God’s eternal kingdom that will never be destroyed.

Psalm 48:1-2: “Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain. Beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth, like the heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King.”

Mountains as Places of Refuge

Mountains are sometimes places of refuge or escape:

Genesis 19:17: Lot is told to flee to the mountains to escape Sodom’s destruction

Matthew 24:16: Jesus tells those in Judea to flee to the mountains when they see the abomination of desolation

What Mountains Represent

In biblical symbolism, mountains typically represent:

God’s presence and revelation
God’s kingdom and authority
Places of worship and encounter with God
Stability and permanence
Sometimes, places of refuge in times of judgment

The Mountain Is Not a Human Organization

Nowhere in Scripture does “mountain” represent a human organization that you must join. When Scripture speaks of God’s “holy mountain” or the “mountain of the LORD,” it refers to:

God’s presence (not an organization)
God’s kingdom (not a human institution)
Places of worship (temples, not organizations)
Spiritual realities (not physical memberships)

The “Flee to the Mountains” Passages

SCJ likely references passages about fleeing to mountains to support their teaching. Let’s examine these:

Matthew 24:15-16

Matthew 24:15-16: “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.”

Context: Jesus is warning about the coming destruction of Jerusalem (which happened in 70 AD). When the Roman armies surrounded Jerusalem, Christians were to flee to the mountains (literal mountains in Judea) to escape the destruction.

Historical Fulfillment: According to early church historian Eusebius, Christians in Jerusalem did flee to Pella (in the mountains) before Rome destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD, and they were spared.

What This Doesn’t Mean: This passage doesn’t teach that there’s a spiritual “mountain” (organization) that believers must join at the second coming. It’s a specific warning about a specific historical event.

Revelation 12:6, 14

Revelation 12:6: “The woman fled into the wilderness to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.”

Revelation 12:14: “The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach.”

Context: This is symbolic imagery about the church (the woman) being protected during a time of persecution. The “wilderness” or “place prepared” represents God’s protection, not a literal location or organization.

What This Doesn’t Mean: This passage doesn’t teach that believers must find and join a specific organization. It’s about God’s sovereign protection of His people during persecution.

The Danger of Literalizing Symbolic Language

SCJ’s method is to:

Take symbolic language about “mountains” or “fleeing to the wilderness”
Claim these refer to a literal organization
Identify their organization as the fulfillment
Create urgency that believers must join or be left out

This is eisegesis (reading meaning into the text) rather than exegesis (drawing meaning from the text). The passages about mountains don’t teach what SCJ claims they teach.

Part 5: God’s Will and Amos 3:7—Creating Dependency on SCJ’s Prophet

What SCJ Teaches About God’s Will

The lesson includes teaching about how God reveals His will:

“At the beginning, I asked the question: What is God’s will? This is something I often get asked, but God lets us know His will, though it may not always be straightforward right away.”

Amos 3:7: “Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.”

“The Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing His plans to His servants, the prophets. So, God’s plan, also known as His will, is first delivered to the prophets.

What is the job of that prophet? When they hear something from God, they write it down. Why do they write it down?

It is for the people in the future—who will witness the events of God’s plan unfolding. They will need evidence that this is, in fact, what God had planned. A witness is the one who makes God’s plan known, testifying to the fulfillment of God’s plan. They will see it, hear it, and testify to it. So, the job of the witness is to testify, ‘This is what God has done according to what has been prophesied.’”

What’s Being Set Up

This teaching is setting up that:

God reveals His will to prophets (Amos 3:7)
Prophets write down what God reveals (for future witnesses)
Witnesses see the fulfillment and testify to it (this is Lee Man-hee’s claimed role)
To know God’s will, you need the witness’s testimony (creating dependency on SCJ)

The logic being established:

God’s will → revealed to prophets → written in Scripture → fulfilled in history → witnessed by appointed witness → testified to believers → believers must accept witness’s testimony to know God’s will

This creates a chain of dependency where knowing God’s will requires accepting SCJ’s witness (Lee Man-hee).

Biblical Response to Amos 3:7

Amos 3:7 in Context

Amos 3:7: “Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.”

Context: Amos is explaining why he must prophesy. God has revealed His plan (judgment on Israel), so Amos must speak. The verse is about God’s faithfulness to warn His people through prophets before bringing judgment.

What This Verse Teaches:

God reveals His plans to prophets before acting
This ensures people are warned and without excuse
Prophets have a responsibility to speak what God reveals

What This Verse Doesn’t Teach:

That there must be modern prophets receiving new revelation
That believers need a special prophet to understand God’s will
That God’s will is hidden except to special individuals

The Prophetic Office and the Completion of Scripture

In the Old Testament, prophets received direct revelation from God and wrote Scripture. But the prophetic office functioned differently after Christ:

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’s final and complete revelation is in His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the ultimate prophet, and His revelation (recorded in the New Testament) is complete.

The Gift of Prophecy vs. The Office of Prophet

The New Testament does mention prophecy as a spiritual gift:

1 Corinthians 12:10: “to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.”

But this gift of prophecy is different from the Old Testament prophetic office:

Old Testament Prophets:

Received direct revelation from God
Wrote Scripture
Spoke with absolute authority (“Thus says the LORD”)
Authenticated by miracles and fulfilled predictions

New Testament Prophecy Gift:

Edifies, encourages, and comforts the church (1 Corinthians 14:3)
Must be tested and evaluated (1 Corinthians 14:29, 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21)
Doesn’t add to Scripture
Doesn’t carry the same authority as Scripture

No New Revelation Beyond Scripture

The Bible is clear that Scripture is complete and sufficient:

Scripture thoroughly equips believers. We don’t need new revelation from modern prophets.

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 progressively revealed through modern prophets.

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 at the end of Revelation (and the Bible) warns against adding to or taking from God’s revealed word.

We Don’t Need a Modern Prophet to Know God’s Will

God’s will is already revealed in Scripture:

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

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 Scripture and the Holy Spirit. We don’t need a modern prophet claiming to reveal God’s will.

The Danger of Claiming Prophetic Authority

When someone claims to be a prophet revealing God’s will, we must test that claim:

Deuteronomy 18:21-22: “You may say to yourselves, ‘How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD?’ If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed.”

True prophets’ predictions come true. False prophets’ predictions fail.

Matthew 7:15: “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”

Jesus warned about false prophets. We must be discerning, not automatically accepting anyone who claims prophetic authority.

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 those who claim to speak for God, not blindly accept their claims.

Chapter 18 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Real Test of Authority,” provides comprehensive analysis: “When someone claims prophetic authority—claiming to reveal God’s will, interpret sealed prophecies, or provide testimony necessary for salvation—we must test that claim rigorously. The tests include: Does their teaching align with Scripture? Do their predictions come true? Do they produce good fruit? Do they point to Christ or to themselves? Does their teaching create freedom or bondage? SCJ’s claims fail all these tests.”

Part 6: The Psychological Progression—Where Students Are Now

The Journey to Lesson 44

By Lesson 44, students have been studying for over five months. Let’s trace their psychological and spiritual journey to this critical point:

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

Bible was “sealed” and incomprehensible without special interpretation
Parables hide meaning requiring SCJ’s framework
God has a repeating pattern 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 established by SCJ
Historical events are parables for future fulfillment
Students are like faithful remnant (Caleb, Bereans)
Discomfort with teaching indicates spiritual growth
Traditional church teaching is incomplete or wrong

Months 4-5 (Lessons 31-43): Identity formation and theological deepening

Three Passovers pattern (OT, First Coming, Second Coming)
Flesh and blood = words of life (John 6)
Students are “royal priesthood” receiving “new word”
Wine = teachings; new wine = SCJ’s revealed word
Oil = Holy Spirit/word, specifically testimony from witness
Must have “enough oil” to be wise virgins
God’s ways don’t make logical sense (suppress critical thinking)
Testing spirits means checking Scripture, but through SCJ’s lens

Month 5+ (Lesson 44): Integration and organizational commitment

All previous lessons converge into one answer: “Flee to the mountain”
The mountain is a specific place that recently appeared
Finding and fleeing to this mountain is God’s will for your life
A witness provides testimony (5Ws and 1H) about Revelation’s fulfillment
Without this witness’s testimony (oil), you’re a foolish virgin
This lesson “brings many parables together in one”
This lesson “makes everything click together”
This lesson reveals where God wants you to go

What Students Have Accepted

By the end of Lesson 44, students have likely internalized:

1. Cognitive Framework:

Bible requires special interpretation through SCJ’s comprehensive system
All symbols have fixed meanings established by SCJ
God’s pattern repeats with SCJ as current fulfillment
There is a specific witness (to be revealed as Lee Man-hee) whose testimony is essential
There is a specific mountain (to be revealed as SCJ) where believers must flee
All previous parables point to this mountain as the answer
Understanding requires the witness’s testimony with “5Ws and 1H”

2. Identity Beliefs:

They are wise virgins who have received oil (witness’s testimony)
They are part of the faithful remnant who understand God’s will
They have been guided by the word to this understanding
They are ready to flee to the mountain when it’s fully revealed
Other Christians are foolish virgins without the oil
Traditional church teaching is “false hope” to flee from

3. Behavioral Commitments:

Attending study multiple times per week (5+ months, 130+ hours)
Extensive homework, review, and memorization of all parables
Drawing pictures and creating visual memory of the framework
Significant distance from home church and traditional teachings
Recruiting others into the study
Defending SCJ against criticism using provided defenses
Preparing to make organizational commitment (flee to the mountain)

4. Emotional Investment:

Deep relationships with instructor and fellow students
Excitement about finally understanding God’s will for their life
Relief that everything is “clicking together” after months of complex theology
Anticipation about the mountain being fully revealed
Fear of being a foolish virgin without enough oil
Anxiety about loved ones who haven’t received this teaching
Strong defensiveness when SCJ is criticized

5. Psychological Defenses:

“All the parables point to this—it must be true”
“Everything clicks together—that proves it’s from God”
“I’ve been guided by the word itself to this understanding”
“My instructor knows God’s will—flee to the mountain”
“Critics don’t understand Scripture (Revelation 11 promises two witnesses)”
“Traditional teaching is false hope—I must flee from it”
“If it doesn’t make logical sense, that proves it’s from God”
“I’ve invested five months—I can’t stop now when everything is coming together”

The Psychological Techniques at Work in Lesson 44

Several powerful psychological techniques converge in Lesson 44:

1. Integration and Consolidation

The instructor explicitly states this lesson “brings many parables together in one” and “makes everything click together.” This is a consolidation point where all previous teaching converges.

Psychologically, this is extremely powerful. After five months of complex, sometimes confusing theology, students desperately want integration—a moment when everything makes sense. The promise that “this lesson makes it all click” creates enormous relief and satisfaction.

When students experience this “aha moment” of integration, they attribute it to the truth of the teaching rather than to the psychological manipulation of having been given complex pieces that were designed from the beginning to fit together into SCJ’s framework.

2. Answering Life’s Biggest Question

By positioning “flee to the mountain” as the answer to “What is God’s will for my life?” SCJ is providing what every believer seeks—clarity about God’s specific will.

This is profoundly satisfying psychologically. Instead of the ambiguity of discerning God’s will through prayer, Scripture, circumstances, and the Holy Spirit’s leading, students are given a clear, specific answer: God’s will is to flee to the mountain (join SCJ).

This clarity is addictive. Once you believe you know God’s specific will with certainty, it’s very difficult to return to the humility of seeking and discerning.

3. Kinesthetic and Visual Engagement

The instructor’s emphasis on drawing pictures and creating visual representations increases psychological investment through multiple modalities:

Auditory: Listening to the teaching
Visual: Seeing the instructor’s drawings
Kinesthetic: Drawing your own pictures
Cognitive: Processing and integrating the concepts

The more modalities engaged, the deeper the psychological investment and the stronger the memory formation. When students later review their notes and see their own drawings, they’ll have powerful emotional and cognitive connections to the material.

4. Anticipation and Delayed Gratification

The instructor builds anticipation by:

Saying this is his “favorite” parable
Asking students to guess what the mountain represents
Promising to reveal the answer later
Emphasizing how important and integrative this lesson is

This delayed gratification increases psychological investment. Students are leaning forward, eager for the reveal. When it comes, they’ll experience satisfaction and relief, which they’ll associate with the truth of the teaching.

5. Sunk Cost Escalation

By Lesson 44, students have invested:

Time: 44 lessons × 1.5-2 hours = 66-88 hours of class time, plus homework, review, drawing, and events = likely 140+ hours over 5+ months
Relationships: Deep bonds with instructor and students, possibly recruited friends/family, likely significant distance from church
Identity: Seeing themselves as wise virgins, faithful remnant, those who understand God’s will
Cognitive effort: Memorizing dozens of parable interpretations, building complex theological framework, creating visual representations
Emotional energy: Excitement, fear, hope, anxiety, anticipation all tied to SCJ’s system

The psychological cost of walking away is now extremely high. The sunk cost fallacy is in full effect: “I’ve invested so much—I can’t stop now, especially when everything is finally clicking together and I’m learning God’s will for my life.”

6. Creating Urgency About the Mountain

The teaching that the mountain “has not always been around” and “it is only possible to flee once it has appeared” creates urgency. Students are told:

The mountain only recently appeared (implying SCJ’s recent establishment)
You can only flee once it has appeared (implying now is the critical time)
Finding and fleeing to this mountain is your hope (implying it’s essential)

This urgency prevents students from taking time to think critically. “I need to find this mountain and flee—there’s no time to waste questioning!”

7. Preemptive Defense Against Objections

The lesson provides defenses against likely objections:

Objection: “Jesus didn’t promise to send new witnesses” Defense: “If someone tells you that, they don’t understand Scripture. Revelation 11 promises two witnesses.”

Objection: “This teaching doesn’t align with traditional Christianity” Defense: “Traditional teaching is ‘false hope’ we must flee from.”

Objection: “This doesn’t make logical sense” Defense: “God’s ways don’t make sense from human standards—that proves it’s from God.”

These preemptive defenses make it very difficult for outside voices to reach students with concerns.

The Cost of Involvement at This Stage

By Lesson 44, the cost of involvement is substantial and accelerating:

Spiritual Cost:

Deeply distorted understanding of Scripture and God’s will
Dependence on human organization and witness rather than on Christ and the Holy Spirit
Fear-based relationship with God (am I a wise or foolish virgin?)
Separation from healthy Christian community and pastoral care
Vulnerability to complete organizational control (when mountain is revealed as SCJ)
Identity tied to being part of “the mountain” rather than being in Christ

Relational Cost:

Significant strain with family who see the changes and are concerned
Likely distance or separation from church community
Conflict with friends who raise warnings
Recruitment of others into the system (creating guilt and responsibility)
Deep emotional bonds with SCJ members (making leaving feel like abandoning family)
Isolation from non-SCJ relationships

Psychological Cost:

Constant anxiety about having “enough oil” and being ready
Fear of missing the mountain or not fleeing in time
Cognitive dissonance when teaching contradicts Scripture or logic
Suppression of critical thinking and intuition (taught that this proves it’s from God)
Identity confusion (who am I apart from this group and this understanding?)
Difficulty trusting own judgment (taught to distrust human logic)

Practical Cost:

140+ hours invested over 5+ months
Ongoing time commitment (multiple studies per week, homework, drawing, review, events)
Possible financial contributions (though likely minimal at this stage)
Energy diverted from work, family, education, and other responsibilities
Possible impact on job performance, academic performance, or family responsibilities
Preparation for larger commitment when mountain is fully revealed

The Point of No Return?

Lesson 44 represents a critical psychological threshold. Students are being told:

Everything you’ve learned points to this
This is God’s will for your life
This is where God wants you to go
You must flee to the mountain

Once students accept this, they’re positioned to accept the full revelation: the mountain is SCJ, the witness is Lee Man-hee, and God’s will for your life is full commitment to this organization.

At this point, the psychological barriers to leaving are enormous:

Sunk cost: “I’ve invested five months and everything is finally making sense”
Identity: “I’m a wise virgin who understands God’s will”
Relationships: “My closest friends are in this study”
Purpose: “I finally know what God wants me to do with my life”
Fear: “If I leave, I’ll be a foolish virgin who missed the mountain”

However, it’s never too late to recognize deception and return to truth. The psychological barriers are real and powerful, but they’re not insurmountable. Many people have left SCJ even after years of involvement. The key is recognizing the manipulation and having the courage to walk away despite the cost.

Chapter 13 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Psychology of Deception: Why Smart People Fall for False Teaching,” explains: “The deeper you go into a deceptive system, the harder it becomes to leave—not because the teaching becomes more convincing, but because the psychological cost of leaving increases. You’ve invested time, relationships, identity, and hope. Walking away means admitting you were deceived, losing community, and starting over. But the cost of staying is far greater: your spiritual freedom, your relationship with Christ, and potentially years of your life. The courage to leave, even after significant investment, is not weakness—it’s wisdom.”

Part 7: Biblical Refutation of Key Claims

Claim 1: “There is a specific mountain that appeared at the second coming that believers must flee to”

What SCJ Teaches: There is a specific “mountain” that was prophesied to appear at the second coming. This mountain “has not always been around,” and believers must find it and flee to it. This is God’s will for believers’ lives.

Biblical Response:

Mountains in Prophecy Are Symbolic, Not Organizational

When Scripture speaks prophetically about mountains, the symbolism is spiritual, not organizational:

This prophecy is about:

God’s kingdom being established and exalted
All nations coming to worship the true God
God’s word going out to all peoples

It’s not about a specific human organization appearing in Korea in the 20th century. The “mountain of the LORD” represents God’s kingdom and presence, not a human institution.

Micah 4:1-2: “In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.’ The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”

This is nearly identical to Isaiah 2:2-3, emphasizing that this is about God’s kingdom, not a human organization.

Daniel 2:35, 44-45: “But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth… In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever. This is the meaning of the vision of the rock cut out of a mountain, but not by human hands—a rock that broke the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold to pieces.”

The mountain in Daniel represents God’s eternal kingdom—”not by human hands.” It’s not a human organization that someone establishes. It’s God’s sovereign kingdom that He establishes.

The Mountain Is Christ and His Kingdom

The ultimate fulfillment of mountain prophecies is Christ and His kingdom:

Matthew 21:42-44: “Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the Scriptures: “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes”? Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.'”

Jesus is the stone/rock that becomes the mountain (kingdom). The mountain is not a human organization—it’s Christ’s kingdom.

1 Corinthians 10:4: “and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.”

The rock is Christ. The mountain (kingdom) that grows from the rock is Christ’s kingdom, not a human organization.

“Fleeing to the Mountain” Is Not About Joining an Organization

When Scripture speaks of fleeing to mountains, it’s about physical refuge in times of danger, not about joining an organization:

Matthew 24:16: “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.”

This was a specific warning about fleeing Jerusalem before its destruction in 70 AD. It’s not a prophecy about joining SCJ.

Genesis 19:17: “As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, ‘Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!'”

This was about Lot fleeing Sodom’s destruction to literal mountains. It’s not about joining an organization.

Our Refuge Is Christ, Not an Organization

The Bible teaches that our refuge is Christ Himself, not a human organization:

Psalm 18:2: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Proverbs 18:10: “The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”

Hebrews 6:18: “God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.”

We flee to God for refuge, not to a human organization. Our hope is in Christ, not in SCJ.

The Danger of Organizational Dependency

When a group teaches that you must join their organization to be safe, to fulfill God’s will, or to be ready for Christ’s return, that’s a red flag:

Matthew 24:23-26: “At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time. So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.”

Jesus explicitly warned against claims that the Messiah or the kingdom is in a specific location that you must go to. He warned that false messiahs and false prophets would make such claims.

SCJ’s teaching that there’s a specific mountain (organization) you must flee to fits Jesus’ warning about false teachers saying “here he is” or “there he is.”

Claim 2: “Oil represents testimony from a witness who has seen and heard Revelation’s fulfillment”

What SCJ Teaches: Oil represents “word of testimony from a witness” who has been “appointed or anointed to see and hear what has been fulfilled.” This witness provides testimony with “5Ws and 1H” (who, what, when, where, why, how), and without this testimony, believers are foolish virgins.

Biblical Response:

Oil Represents the Holy Spirit

As discussed in the Lesson 43 refutation, oil in Scripture represents the Holy Spirit:

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.”

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.”

Oil represents the Holy Spirit’s presence and empowerment, not a human witness’s testimony.

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 a human witness’s testimony to have “oil.”

The Holy Spirit Teaches 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. We don’t need a human witness to teach us—we have the Spirit’s anointing.

The Parable of the Ten Virgins Is About Genuine Faith

The parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) distinguishes between genuine believers (who have the Holy Spirit) and false professors (who don’t). It’s not about having a human witness’s testimony:

Matthew 25:11-12: “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.'”

The issue is relationship with Christ (“I don’t know you”), not possession of a human witness’s testimony.

We Don’t Need Human Witnesses for Salvation

Salvation comes through faith in Christ alone:

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.”

Acts 16:31: “They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.'”

Romans 10:9: “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.”

Salvation requires faith in Jesus, not acceptance of a human witness’s testimony about Revelation’s fulfillment.

The Danger of Adding Requirements to Salvation

When a group teaches that salvation or readiness for Christ’s return requires accepting a human witness’s testimony, they’re adding to the gospel:

Galatians 1:6-9: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!”

The gospel is salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone. Adding the requirement of accepting a human witness’s testimony is a different gospel, which Paul says is really no gospel at all.

Claim 3: “Jesus promised to send two witnesses at the time of Revelation (Revelation 11)”

What SCJ Teaches: Revelation 11 promises that Jesus will send two witnesses at the time of Revelation’s fulfillment. These are two specific individuals (implied to be Lee Man-hee and another SCJ leader) who witness Revelation’s fulfillment and provide testimony.

Biblical Response:

Revelation 11’s Two Witnesses Have Specific Characteristics

As discussed earlier, Revelation 11:3-12 describes two witnesses with very specific characteristics:

Prophesy for exactly 1,260 days (3.5 years)
Clothed in sackcloth
Have miraculous powers: fire from mouths, power to stop rain, turn water to blood, cause plagues
Are killed by the beast from the Abyss
Lie dead in the street for 3.5 days while the world celebrates
Are resurrected and ascend to heaven while enemies watch

SCJ’s “Witnesses” Don’t Match This Description

Lee Man-hee and SCJ’s claimed witnesses:

Have not prophesied for exactly 1,260 days (Lee Man-hee has been teaching for decades)
Do not have miraculous powers
Have not been killed and resurrected
Have not ascended to heaven

If Revelation 11 is meant to be taken literally (as SCJ claims for their interpretations), then their witnesses don’t fulfill it. If it’s symbolic, then SCJ’s specific identifications are unfounded.

Revelation 11 May Be Symbolic

Many biblical scholars understand Revelation 11’s two witnesses symbolically:

Symbolic of the Church’s Witness: The two witnesses may represent the church’s prophetic witness during the time between Christ’s ascension and return. The number “two” represents sufficient witness (Deuteronomy 19:15).

Drawing on Moses and Elijah: The powers described (plagues, stopping rain) echo Moses and Elijah, representing the Law and the Prophets—the complete witness of Scripture.

Already Fulfilled: Some scholars see this as having been fulfilled in the early church’s witness before Jerusalem’s destruction in 70 AD.

Regardless of Interpretation, It Doesn’t Support SCJ

Whether Revelation 11 is understood literally or symbolically, it doesn’t support SCJ’s claims:

If literal: The witnesses must have the miraculous powers described, be killed and resurrected, and ascend to heaven. SCJ’s witnesses don’t match this.

If symbolic: The passage represents the church’s witness or Scripture’s witness, not two specific individuals in Korea.

The Danger of False Identification

Throughout history, many groups have falsely identified themselves or their leaders as the two witnesses:

Various cult leaders have claimed to be one of the two witnesses
Different groups have identified historical figures as the two witnesses
Some have claimed the two witnesses are organizations or movements

All of these identifications have been proven false. SCJ is following this same pattern of false identification.

Claim 4: “God’s will is revealed to prophets (Amos 3:7), so we need a modern prophet to know God’s will”

What SCJ Teaches: Using Amos 3:7 (“Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets”), SCJ teaches that God reveals His will to prophets, and therefore believers need a modern prophet (implied to be Lee Man-hee) to know God’s will.

Biblical Response:

Amos 3:7 Is About God Warning Before Judgment

Amos 3:7 in context is about God’s faithfulness to warn His people through prophets before bringing judgment. It’s not teaching that there must always be prophets receiving new revelation.

Hebrews 1:1-2 Shows God’s Final Revelation Is in Christ

God’s final and complete revelation is in His Son, Jesus Christ. We don’t need modern prophets receiving new revelation—we have Christ’s complete revelation recorded in Scripture.

Scripture Is Complete and Sufficient

Scripture thoroughly equips believers. We don’t need modern prophets to supplement Scripture.

The faith was “once for all entrusted”—not progressively revealed through modern prophets.

The Holy Spirit Guides Believers Into Truth

The Holy Spirit guides believers into truth. We don’t need modern prophets—we have the Holy Spirit.

God’s Will Is Already Revealed in Scripture

As discussed earlier, God’s will is already revealed in Scripture:

Believe in Jesus Christ (John 6:40)
Be sanctified (1 Thessalonians 4:3)
Give thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Do good (1 Peter 2:15)
Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly (Micah 6:8)

We don’t need a modern prophet to tell us God’s will—it’s already revealed in Scripture.

We Must Test Those Who Claim to Be Prophets

Matthew 7:15: “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”

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 those who claim prophetic authority. We don’t automatically accept their claims.

When we test SCJ’s claims about Lee Man-hee being a prophet/witness:

His predictions have not all come true (he predicted Christ’s return in specific years that have passed)
His teaching contradicts Scripture when properly understood
His teaching produces bad fruit (deception, division, manipulation)
His teaching points to himself and his organization, not to Christ alone

Therefore, by biblical tests, he is a false prophet.

Part 8: The Path Forward—Recognizing and Responding

Red Flags in Lesson 44

If you’re currently taking SCJ’s study and you’ve reached Lesson 44, here are critical red flags to recognize:

1. Claiming to Know God’s Specific Will for Your Life

You’re being told that God’s will for your life is to “flee to the mountain” (join SCJ). This is manipulation. No human teacher should claim to know God’s specific will for your life is joining their organization.

Ask yourself: Does the Bible really teach that God’s will is joining a specific human organization? Or is God’s will about believing in Christ, being sanctified, and living in obedience to Him? Why would God’s will for everyone be the same organizational membership?

2. Teaching That a Mountain “Appeared” Recently

You’re being told there’s a specific mountain that “has not always been around” and only recently appeared. This is setting up to reveal SCJ as that mountain.

Ask yourself: If this mountain is so critical for believers, why did it only appear recently? What about all the believers throughout 2,000 years of church history? Were they all foolish virgins because this mountain hadn’t appeared yet? Does that make sense?

3. Requiring a Human Witness’s Testimony for Salvation

You’re being taught that without a witness’s testimony (with “5Ws and 1H”), you don’t have oil and are a foolish virgin. This makes salvation dependent on a human witness.

Ask yourself: Does the Bible teach that salvation requires accepting a human witness’s testimony? Or does it teach that salvation comes through faith in Christ alone? If I have the Holy Spirit (which all believers receive at conversion), why do I need a human witness’s testimony?

4. Everything “Clicking Together”

You’re experiencing the satisfaction of everything “clicking together” and “making sense.” This feels like confirmation of truth, but it’s actually evidence of a well-designed system.

Ask yourself: Is this clicking together because it’s true, or because I’ve been given puzzle pieces that were designed from the beginning to fit into SCJ’s framework? Have I tested this against Scripture read in context, or have I only tested it against SCJ’s interpretations?

5. Isolation from Outside Input

You’re being given reasons to dismiss traditional church teaching as “false hope” and to distrust anyone who questions this teaching (“they don’t understand Scripture”).

Ask yourself: Why am I being taught to dismiss all outside input? If this teaching is true, shouldn’t it be able to withstand examination from pastors, scholars, and other mature Christians? Why do I need to isolate myself from all other perspectives?

Questions to Ask Your Instructor

If you’re in Lesson 44, here are questions to ask:

1. About the Mountain:

“You said the mountain ‘has not always been around.’ Does that mean all believers throughout church history were foolish virgins because this mountain hadn’t appeared yet?”
“When exactly did this mountain appear? Can you give me a specific date and location?”
“If this mountain is a specific organization, why doesn’t Scripture clearly identify it by name?”
“How is ‘fleeing to a mountain’ (joining an organization) different from what Jesus warned against in Matthew 24:23-26 about people saying ‘here he is’ or ‘there he is’?”

2. About the Witness:

“You said we need a witness’s testimony to have oil. But doesn’t the Bible say all believers receive the Holy Spirit at conversion? Why do I need a human witness if I have the Holy Spirit?”
“The Bible says ‘you do not need anyone to teach you’ because the Spirit’s anointing teaches you (1 John 2:27). How does that align with needing a specific witness’s testimony?”
“What if I never meet this witness or hear his testimony? Am I automatically a foolish virgin?”

3. About the Two Witnesses:

“Revelation 11 says the two witnesses have miraculous powers, are killed, lie dead for 3.5 days, and ascend to heaven. Have your witnesses done these things?”
“If Revelation 11 is symbolic, how can you make specific identifications of who the two witnesses are?”
“Many groups throughout history have claimed to identify the two witnesses, and they’ve all been wrong. How do I know your identification is correct?”

4. About God’s Will:

“You said God’s will for my life is to flee to the mountain. But doesn’t the Bible say God’s will is to believe in Christ, be sanctified, give thanks, and do good? How is organizational membership God’s will?”
“If God’s will is the same for everyone (flee to the mountain), why does the Bible talk about God having different callings for different people?”

5. About the Organization:

“We’re 44 lessons in and I still don’t know the name of this organization. When will you tell me?”
“Can I research this organization online before committing to ‘flee to the mountain’?”
“If this is God’s will for my life, shouldn’t the decision be made with full information and transparency?”

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?
Does he give you time to think and pray, or create urgency to commit?

Legitimate Bible teaching welcomes questions and verification. Manipulative teaching suppresses questions and creates urgency to commit without full information.

For Families: Helping Someone in Lesson 44

If your loved one is in Lesson 44, they’re at a critical and dangerous point. They’re being told that God’s will for their life is to “flee to the mountain” (join SCJ), and everything they’ve learned is “clicking together” to point to this conclusion. Here’s how to help:

1. Understand the Critical Nature of This Moment

Lesson 44 is a consolidation point where all previous teaching converges into organizational commitment. Your loved one is experiencing the satisfaction of everything “making sense” and is being told this is God’s will for their life.

This makes them particularly resistant to outside input. They feel they’ve finally found clarity and purpose after five months of study.

2. Recognize Their Mindset

By Lesson 44, your loved one likely believes:

They finally understand God’s will for their life (flee to the mountain)
Everything they’ve learned points to this conclusion (it all clicks together)
There’s a specific place/organization they must join
They’re wise virgins who have oil (witness’s testimony)
Traditional church teaching is “false hope” to flee from
Critics don’t understand Scripture (Revelation 11 promises two witnesses)

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 told God’s will for your life is joining a specific organization. Can you help me understand how that’s biblical?”
“You mentioned everything is ‘clicking together.’ Could that be because you’ve been given pieces that were designed to fit into their framework, rather than because it’s true?”
“If this mountain only recently appeared, what about all the believers throughout church history? Were they all foolish virgins?”
“You’ve been studying for 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 convinced that joining this organization is God’s will, but the Bible teaches that God’s will is about believing in Christ and living for Him, not about organizational membership.”
“I’m worried that you’re being manipulated through a well-designed system that makes you feel like everything is clicking together. That feeling doesn’t prove truth—it proves good design.”
“The Bible warns about false teachers who say ‘here he is’ or ‘there he is’—claiming the kingdom is in a specific location. This teaching about fleeing to a specific mountain sounds like exactly what Jesus warned against.”

5. Provide Resources

Share this analysis
Direct them to https://closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination
Offer to read Scripture together in context (especially Matthew 24:23-26, Hebrews 1:1-2, 1 John 2:27)
Suggest they talk with their pastor before making any commitment

6. Express Boundaries

“I love you, but I can’t support you joining this organization. I believe it’s deceptive and harmful.”
“I’m willing to discuss this with you, but I need you to be willing to honestly examine the teaching, not just defend it.”
“I won’t attend any events or meetings with this organization.”

7. Pray and Persevere

This is a critical moment, but it’s not too late. Many people recognize deception at this point when they:

Research the organization online
Talk with their pastor
Ask hard questions that the instructor can’t answer satisfactorily
Experience pressure to commit without full information

Your faithful presence, prayer, and truth-speaking matter. Don’t give up.

For Pastors: Responding to Lesson 44

If church members are in Lesson 44, they’re being told that God’s will for their life is to “flee to the mountain” (join SCJ). Here’s how to respond:

1. Teach on God’s Will

Preach or teach on what the Bible actually says about God’s will:

God’s will is revealed in Scripture, not through human organizations
God’s will includes believing in Christ, being sanctified, giving thanks, doing good
God’s will is discerned through prayer, Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and wise counsel
God’s will is not the same organizational membership for everyone

This directly counters SCJ’s teaching that God’s will is joining their organization.

2. Teach on Mountains in Scripture

Explain what mountains represent in biblical prophecy:

Mountains symbolize God’s kingdom, presence, and authority
Prophetic mountains (Isaiah 2, Daniel 2) refer to God’s kingdom, not human organizations
The ultimate fulfillment is Christ and His kingdom
We don’t “flee to” a human organization—we flee to Christ for refuge

3. Teach on the Sufficiency of Christ and Scripture

Emphasize that:

Christ’s revelation is complete (Hebrews 1:1-2)
Scripture thoroughly equips believers (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
The Holy Spirit teaches all believers (John 16:13, 1 John 2:27)
We don’t need modern prophets or witnesses to supplement Scripture

4. Warn About Organizational Dependency

Teach about the danger of groups that:

Claim to know God’s specific will for your life (join us)
Teach that their organization is essential for salvation or readiness
Hide their identity while demanding commitment
Create urgency to commit without full information
Isolate members from outside input

5. Reach Out Personally

If you know someone is in Lesson 44:

Contact them urgently—this is a critical decision point
Express love and concern
Ask them to delay any commitment until they’ve:
- Researched the organization online
- Talked with you about their concerns
- Prayed and sought God’s guidance
- Had time to think without pressure
Offer to meet and discuss what they’re learning
Provide biblical responses to SCJ’s teaching
Continue reaching out even if initially resistant

6. Provide Recovery Support

For those who recognize deception and leave:

Celebrate their courage and wisdom
Provide safe space to process without judgment
Help them rebuild their understanding of God’s will, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit
Address the psychological impact of manipulation
Help them reconnect with healthy Christian community
Be patient as they rebuild trust

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

Part 9: The True Mountain—Returning to Christ

Christ Is Our Rock and Refuge

In contrast to SCJ’s teaching about fleeing to a human organization (the “mountain”), the Bible teaches that Christ Himself is our rock, refuge, and mountain:

Christ Is the Rock

1 Corinthians 10:4: “and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.”

Christ is the spiritual rock. He is our foundation, our stability, our source of life.

Matthew 16:18: “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

Christ (and Peter’s confession of Him as Messiah) is the rock on which the church is built. Not a human organization, but Christ Himself.

1 Peter 2:4-8: “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.’ Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,’ and, ‘A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.'”

Christ is the living Stone, the precious cornerstone. We come to Him, not to a human organization.

Christ Is Our Refuge

Psalm 18:2: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Proverbs 18:10: “The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”

Hebrews 6:18: “God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.”

We flee to God for refuge, not to a human organization. Our safety is in Him, not in SCJ.

Christ’s Kingdom Is the Mountain

Daniel 2:44-45: “In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever. This is the meaning of the vision of the rock cut out of a mountain, but not by human hands—a rock that broke the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold to pieces.”

God’s kingdom—established by Christ—is the mountain that fills the earth. It’s “not by human hands”—not a human organization.

The mountain of the LORD is His kingdom, where He teaches His ways. It’s not a human organization in Korea.

God’s Will Is Simple and Clear

God’s will is not hidden in complex interpretations or organizational membership. It’s revealed clearly in Scripture:

Believe in Jesus Christ

John 6:40: “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

God’s will is that you believe in Jesus. That’s it. Simple faith in Christ.

Be Sanctified

1 Thessalonians 4:3: “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality.”

God’s will is that you grow in holiness, living a life set apart for Him.

Give Thanks

1 Thessalonians 5:18: “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

God’s will is that you cultivate a thankful heart in all circumstances.

Do Good

1 Peter 2:15: “For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.”

God’s will is that you do good, living in a way that honors Him and blesses others.

Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly

Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

God has already shown you what is good. His will is clear: justice, mercy, humility.

This Is God’s Will—Not Organizational Membership

God’s will is about:

Your relationship with Christ
Your character and holiness
Your attitudes and actions
Your love for God and others

God’s will is NOT about:

Joining a specific human organization
Understanding complex interpretations
Accepting a human witness’s testimony
“Fleeing to a mountain” (organization)

You Have Everything You Need in Christ

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

Anxious about finding and fleeing to the mountain
Uncertain about whether you have enough oil
Confused about God’s will for your life
Dependent on SCJ’s witness and teaching
Fearful about being a foolish virgin

But in Christ, you have everything you need:

You Have the Holy Spirit

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

You Have Access to God

Hebrews 4:16: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

You can approach God directly. You don’t need a human mediator or witness.

You Have Scripture

Scripture thoroughly equips you. You don’t need SCJ’s interpretations.

You Have Assurance

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. You don’t need to fear being a foolish virgin.

You Have Christ as Your Refuge

Hebrews 6:18-19: “God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”

You have fled to Christ for refuge. He is your anchor, firm and secure. You don’t need to flee to a human organization.

An Invitation to Rest in Christ

Jesus offers something far better than SCJ’s mountain:

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. He offers rest, not anxiety. Peace, not fear. Simplicity, not complexity.

John 10:9: “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.”

Jesus is the gate. You enter through Him—not through an organization. And in Him, you find pasture, provision, safety.

John 14:6: “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'”

Jesus is the way. Not an organization. Not a human witness. Not a mountain. Jesus Himself.

If you’re seeking God’s will for your life, the answer is simple: Come to Jesus. Believe in Him. Follow Him. Love Him. Serve Him. That’s God’s will.

You don’t need to flee to a human organization. You need to flee to Christ, who is your rock, your refuge, your mountain, your hope, your life.

Part 10: Conclusion and Call to Action

The Critical Moment

Lesson 44 represents one of the most critical and dangerous moments in SCJ’s indoctrination process. After five months of study, students are told that everything they’ve learned points to one answer: “Flee to the mountain.” They’re told this is God’s will for their life. They’re experiencing the satisfaction of everything “clicking together.” They’re being prepared to make full organizational commitment.

But the mountain is a mirage. The “clicking together” is the result of a well-designed manipulative system, not the confirmation of truth. And the commitment being demanded is not to God, but to a human organization that has been deceptive from the beginning.

For Current Students: This is your moment to pause, investigate, and reclaim your discernment. You’ve been told that everything points to this mountain, but have you tested that claim against Scripture read in context? Have you researched this organization online? Have you talked with your pastor? Have you asked hard questions? Don’t let five months of investment pressure you into a decision you’ll regret for years.

For Families: This is a critical moment to reach out with urgency and love. Your loved one is being told that God’s will for their life is joining SCJ. They’re experiencing the powerful pull of everything “making sense.” But they need your voice of truth and reason. Don’t give up.

For Pastors: This is a critical moment to intervene. Church members are being told that God’s will is leaving your church and joining SCJ. They need clear biblical teaching about God’s will, the sufficiency of Christ, and the danger of organizational dependency. Reach out personally and urgently.

The Path Forward

If you’re in SCJ’s study:

Stop and investigate before committing. Don’t let urgency or pressure push you into a decision. Research “Shincheonji” online. Read testimonies from former members. Visit https://closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination.
Talk with your pastor. Share what you’ve been learning and get biblical perspective from a trusted Christian leader who knows you and cares about you.
Ask the hard questions listed in this analysis. If your instructor can’t answer them satisfactorily, that’s a red flag.
Read Scripture in context. Don’t just accept SCJ’s interpretations. Read the passages yourself and see what they naturally mean.
Recognize the manipulation. The feeling of everything “clicking together” doesn’t prove truth—it proves good system design. The claim to know God’s will for your life (join us) is manipulation, not biblical guidance.
Know you can leave. You’re not trapped. Five months is significant, 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 or joining this organization.

If you’re helping someone in SCJ:

Act with urgency. Lesson 44 is a critical decision point. Reach out now.
Ask probing questions. Help them think critically without attacking them personally.
Provide resources. Share this analysis and materials from closerlookinitiative.com.
Express clear boundaries. Love them without enabling their involvement.
Pray fervently. Spiritual deception requires spiritual intervention.
Don’t give up. Many people recognize deception at this point when they research, ask questions, or talk with their pastor.

If you’ve left SCJ:

Know you made the right decision. It took courage and wisdom to recognize deception and walk away.
Process the experience. Allow yourself to grieve the time, relationships, and energy invested.
Reconnect with Christ. Return to the simple gospel—salvation by grace through faith in Jesus alone.
Rebuild community. Find a healthy church where you can grow and heal.
Seek help if needed. Consider counseling to process the psychological impact.
Use your experience. Your story can help others recognize and avoid deception.

The True Hope

The true hope for believers is not fleeing to a human organization (the “mountain”). 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 an organization, not a witness’s testimony, not complex interpretations—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 a mountain. Not an organization. Christ Himself.

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. We don’t need to flee to a human organization. We wait for Christ’s return with confidence and joy.

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 mountain. You have Christ.

Final Words

The mountain that SCJ offers may seem necessary—it promises to be God’s will, the place of safety, the answer to all your questions. But it’s a false mountain that creates dependency, anxiety, and bondage.

The mountain that God offers is different—it’s Christ Himself, the Rock of Ages, the firm foundation, the eternal refuge. He doesn’t require five months of study to reach. He doesn’t hide His identity. He doesn’t create fear and urgency. He simply invites: “Come to me.”

Matthew 7:24-25: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”

Build your life on the Rock—Jesus Christ. Not on an organization. Not on human interpretations. Not on a witness’s testimony. On Christ alone.

He is the true mountain, the eternal refuge, the firm foundation. And He invites you to come—right now, just as you are, by faith alone.

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 9: “The Gospel According to Shincheonji (And Why It’s Not the Gospel)”
Chapter 13: “The Psychology of Deception: Why Smart People Fall for False Teaching”
Chapter 18: “The Real Test of Authority”
Chapter 28: “Hope and Help—Guidance for Members, Families, Christians, and Seekers”

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 recognize the manipulation and return to Christ, the true Rock and Refuge. May families be reunited, churches be strengthened, and the body of Christ be protected from false teaching. And may Jesus Christ—the true Mountain, the eternal Foundation, the Rock of Ages—be glorified in all things.

“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2)

Study Guide

Outline

Understanding the Figurative Mountain

I. Introduction: The Significance of the Mountain Parable (Paragraphs 1-5)

This section introduces the figurative mountain parable, emphasizing its importance in understanding God’s plan and answering the question of God’s will for our lives. It highlights the need to study parables to grasp the concept of “fleeing to the mountain” and sets the stage for understanding the mountain’s significance.

II. Review: Essential Concepts from Previous Lessons (Paragraphs 6-28)

This section revisits key points from prior lessons necessary to comprehend the figurative mountain parable. It explains the concepts of:

Figurative oil: Representing the word of testimony from a reliable witness, confirmed by aligning with scripture.
The two olive trees: Symbolizing two witnesses or anointed servants with a specific role to fulfill.
The wise virgins: Emphasizing the need for sufficient oil (word of testimony) to be prepared for the Master’s return.

III. Understanding God’s Will (Paragraphs 29-42)

This section focuses on discerning God’s will, emphasizing that it is revealed through prophets and fulfilled through witnesses who testify to its fulfillment. It explains the sequence of God’s plan:

Prophecy: God reveals His plan to prophets who write it down.
Waiting: A period of waiting for the prophecy to be fulfilled.
Fulfillment: Witnesses observe the events and testify to their alignment with prophecy.
Testifying: Witnesses share the fulfilled prophecy, enabling others to understand and participate in God’s plan.

IV. The Figurative Mountain: Main Reference (Paragraphs 43-61)

This section introduces the central scripture reference (Matthew 24:15-16) for understanding the figurative mountain. It outlines:

The Context: Jesus quotes Daniel’s prophecy, indicating its relevance to the second coming.
The Command: Flee to the mountains upon witnessing the abomination in the holy place (Judea).
The Parallel: Drawing a connection to Lot’s flight to the mountains to escape destruction (Genesis 19:17).
The Figurative Nature: Recognizing the symbolic language used in the prophecy (John 16:25).
The Progressive Understanding: Emphasizing that the meaning of the elements will be revealed gradually through continued study.

V. Physical Characteristics of the Mountain (Paragraphs 62-87)

This section delves into the physical attributes of a mountain and their symbolic meanings:

Clouds: Represent the invisible spiritual world.
Rain and Snow: Symbolize the Word of God (Deuteronomy 32:2, Isaiah 55:10-11).
Springs: Represent pastors and temples (John 4:13-14, Ezekiel 47:1-2).
Rivers: Symbolize the hearts of disciples and evangelists spreading the Word (John 7:37-38).
Living Creatures: Represent people in various parables (1 Peter 1:20-14, Matthew 25, 1 Peter 2:4-5, Matthew 4:19).

VI. Spiritual (True) Meaning of Mountain (Paragraphs 88-99)

This section unveils the spiritual significance of the mountain:

Church or Temple: The mountain represents a gathering place for God’s people (Isaiah 2:1-3, Hebrews 12:22-23).
Chief Mountain: The highest mountain, appearing in the last days, represents the true church where God’s will is taught and His word goes forth (Isaiah 2:1-3).
Place of Joyful Assembly: Mount Zion is a place where angels gather and the church of the firstborn resides (Hebrews 12:22-23).

VII. Three Types of Mountains (Paragraphs 100-157)

This section categorizes three types of mountains appearing at the second coming, mirroring the sequence of betrayal, destruction, and salvation in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3.

Mountain of Betrayal: Once belonging to God, this mountain represents those who betrayed Him and lost the Word (Ezekiel 36:1-4, Revelation 8:8).
Destroying Mountains: Belonging to Satan, these mountains represent forces that destroy God’s people, symbolized by Babylon (Jeremiah 51:6-8, 25, Revelation 17:1, 9-10).
Mountain of Salvation: God’s mountain, representing the true church with the Word, symbolized by Mount Zion (Isaiah 28:16, Isaiah 60:14, Revelation 14:1-3, Revelation 7:9, 14).

VIII. Fleeing to the Mountain of Salvation (Paragraphs 158-170)

This section emphasizes the command to flee to the mountain of salvation, where Jesus and the 144,000 reside (Revelation 14:1-3). It explains:

Guidance through Light and Truth: The Word of God guides believers to the true mountain (Psalms 43:3, Psalms 119:1-5, John 17:17).
Fleeing from Falsehood to Truth: The act of fleeing is a figurative movement from lies to the true hope found in the mountain of salvation.

IX. Summary and Review (Paragraphs 171-186)

This section summarizes the figurative meaning of the mountain, highlighting its attributes and the importance of aligning actions with belief. It reiterates the need to flee to the mountain of salvation, the true church where God dwells and His will is fulfilled.

A Study Guide

Mount Zion: A Place of Refuge and Fulfillment

Study Guide

Key Concepts

Figurative Language: The Bible uses symbolism and metaphors to convey deeper spiritual truths. Understanding figurative language is crucial to grasping the intended meaning of biblical passages.
Prophecy: God reveals His plans and intentions to humanity through prophets. These prophecies often foretell future events, offering guidance and hope for believers.
The Mountain as a Symbol: The mountain serves as a recurring symbol in the Bible, representing various spiritual concepts. It can represent God’s presence, a place of refuge, a source of life, or a symbol of a church or organization.
The Abomination: This term refers to something that is detestable and opposed to God. In Matthew 24:15, it signifies an event or entity that will defile the holy place, prompting believers to flee to the mountain.
The Three Types of Mountains: The lesson identifies three types of mountains: the mountain of betrayal, the mountain of destruction, and the mountain of salvation. Each mountain represents a different spiritual entity and plays a distinct role in the fulfillment of end-time prophecies.
The Mountain of Salvation (Mount Zion): This specific mountain symbolizes the true church or organization where God dwells. It is a place of refuge, spiritual nourishment, and fulfillment of prophecy. Believers are called to flee to this mountain to escape the coming judgment and receive eternal life.
The Role of Witnesses: Witnesses play a vital role in confirming the fulfillment of prophecy. They testify to the events that align with God’s word, providing evidence and guidance for believers.
The Importance of Obedience: True faith is demonstrated through action. Believers must not only hear the word of God but also obey its commands. Fleeing to the mountain of salvation requires active obedience to God’s will.

Quiz

Instructions: Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each.

What is the significance of understanding figurative language in the Bible?
Explain the role of prophets in revealing God’s plans.
What are some of the different spiritual concepts that the mountain symbolizes in the Bible?
What does the term “abomination” refer to in Matthew 24:15, and why is it significant for believers?
Describe the three types of mountains mentioned in the lesson, and explain what each represents.
What is unique about Mount Zion, and why should believers seek refuge there?
How do witnesses contribute to confirming the fulfillment of prophecy?
According to the lesson, what is the connection between true faith and obedience?
Explain the concept of “fleeing to the mountain” in both literal and figurative terms.
What guidance is given to believers seeking to find the true Mount Zion?

Answer Key

Figurative language is essential for understanding the deeper spiritual meaning behind biblical passages. It allows us to go beyond the literal interpretation to grasp the symbolic representations and metaphors that convey God’s message.
Prophets are chosen by God to communicate His plans, will, and intentions to humanity. They often foretell future events, providing warnings, guidance, and hope for believers.
The mountain symbolizes various spiritual concepts, including God’s presence, a place of refuge and security, a source of life-giving water or spiritual nourishment, and a representation of a church or organization.
The “abomination” in Matthew 24:15 refers to something that defiles the holy place, representing an event or entity that opposes God and prompts believers to flee to the mountain for safety and protection.
The three types of mountains are: (1) the mountain of betrayal, representing a church or organization that once belonged to God but has turned away; (2) the mountain of destruction, symbolizing evil forces and those who oppose God; (3) the mountain of salvation (Mount Zion), representing the true church where God dwells and believers find refuge.
Mount Zion is unique because it is the dwelling place of God and the Lamb (Jesus), where the 144,000 and a great multitude of redeemed individuals reside. It is a place of spiritual nourishment, fulfillment of prophecy, and eternal life.
Witnesses play a crucial role in confirming the fulfillment of prophecy by providing firsthand accounts of events that align with God’s word. Their testimonies offer evidence and guidance for believers, helping them to discern the truth and make informed decisions.
True faith is demonstrated through obedience to God’s commands. Simply hearing the word is insufficient; believers must act upon it. Fleeing to the mountain of salvation requires active obedience, reflecting genuine faith and a commitment to following God’s will.
Literally, “fleeing to the mountain” suggests seeking physical refuge in a mountainous location. Figuratively, it represents turning away from falsehood and seeking the true hope and spiritual nourishment found in the mountain of salvation, the true church where God dwells.
Believers seeking Mount Zion should trust in God’s light and truth, represented by His word. By studying the scriptures and following the guidance of the Holy Spirit, they will be led to the true mountain where they can find refuge and eternal life.

Essay Questions

Analyze the use of figurative language in the parable of the mountain. How does it enhance our understanding of spiritual truths?
Discuss the significance of the abomination in Matthew 24:15 and its implications for believers living in the end times.
Compare and contrast the three types of mountains described in the lesson. How do they illuminate the choices individuals must make in their spiritual journey?
Explore the concept of Mount Zion as a place of refuge, spiritual nourishment, and fulfillment of prophecy. What qualities and characteristics should believers look for in seeking this mountain?
Explain the importance of obedience in demonstrating true faith, and how it relates to the command to flee to the mountain of salvation.

Glossary of Key Terms

Abomination: Something that is detestable and opposed to God, often signifying an event or entity that defiles a holy place.

Figurative Language: The use of symbolic representations and metaphors to convey deeper meanings beyond the literal interpretation.

Flee: To run away quickly from danger or an undesirable situation.

Holy Place: A location considered sacred and dedicated to God, such as a temple or church.

Mount Zion: The mountain where God dwells, representing the true church or organization where believers find refuge and eternal life.

Prophecy: God’s revelation of His plans and intentions to humanity, often foretelling future events.

Prophet: An individual chosen by God to communicate His message to people.

Salvation: Deliverance from sin and its consequences, leading to eternal life with God.

Testimony: A firsthand account or declaration of an event or truth, often used to confirm the fulfillment of prophecy.

Witness: An individual who observes and testifies to an event, providing evidence and confirmation of its occurrence.

Breakdown

Timeline of Events

This lesson primarily focuses on interpreting biblical parables and prophecies, specifically those related to the concept of a “figurative mountain” and the need to “flee to the mountain.” It does not provide a chronological timeline of events in a historical sense. Instead, it outlines a spiritual progression leading to the Second Coming of Christ:

1. Prophecy Given (Old Testament):

God reveals his plan to his prophets, but the fulfillment is sealed for a future time (e.g., Daniel’s prophecies).
Prophecies about various mountains are given:
Mountains representing God’s people falling under enemy control (Ezekiel 36).
Babylon as a “destroying mountain” (Jeremiah 51).
Mount Zion as the foundation laid by God (Isaiah 28).
Zion as the Holy City where Jesus dwells (Isaiah 60).

2. First Coming of Jesus:

Jesus fulfills prophecies and serves as the “Mount Zion” of his time, gathering disciples and teaching the word.

3. Time of Waiting:

The prophecies about the Second Coming and the need to “flee” are given (Matthew 24).

4. Second Coming Prophecy Unfolds (New Testament):

Betrayal: A mountain, representing a church, falls away from God and becomes part of the world (Revelation 8).
Destruction: The “Babylon” of the end times, represented by a beast with seven heads (mountains) and ten horns (authority), appears (Revelation 17).
Salvation:The Lamb (Jesus) appears on Mount Zion, accompanied by the 144,000 and a great multitude (Revelation 14).
New John receives the opened scroll and is commanded to prophesy to many people (Revelation 10).

5. The Call to Flee:

Believers are urged to “flee to the mountain” of salvation, guided by the “light and truth” of God’s word (Psalms 43).

Note: This timeline is not meant to be a literal chronological sequence of events but rather a spiritual progression. The specific events and timing of the Second Coming remain unclear.

Cast of Characters

Biblical Figures:

Jesus Christ: The central figure of Christianity. He is the “faithful witness” who came from heaven, taught the word, and fulfilled prophecy. He is the Lamb who will appear on Mount Zion at the Second Coming.
God (The Sovereign Lord): The ultimate authority and creator. He reveals his plan through prophets and judges those who betray him.
Prophets (e.g., Daniel, Isaiah, Ezekiel): Individuals chosen by God to receive and record his messages, often concerning future events.
Apostle John: The author of the Book of Revelation. He received visions and recorded prophecies about the end times.
New John: A symbolic figure in Revelation who receives the opened scroll and is commanded to prophesy. This figure represents those who receive and spread the revealed word in the end times.
Lot: A biblical figure who was instructed by God to flee to the mountains to escape the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
The 144,000: A symbolic group in Revelation who stand with the Lamb on Mount Zion. They represent the redeemed and those who have a special role in praising God.
The Great Multitude: A vast number of people from all nations who join the 144,000 on Mount Zion. They represent all those who are saved through the blood of the Lamb.
The Man of Lawlessness: A figure prophesied to appear before the Second Coming, causing rebellion and destruction.

Other Characters:

The Speaker: The individual delivering the sermon or lesson. They are an unnamed Bible teacher who emphasizes understanding the parables and prophecies to find God’s will.
The Congregation: The group of individuals listening to the lesson. The speaker addresses them directly, urging them to study, understand, and act upon the word.

Important Concepts:

Figurative Mountain: Represents a church, temple, or organization. A place where the word of God is taught and where people gather to worship.
Mount Zion: The specific mountain where the Lamb (Jesus) will appear at the Second Coming. Represents the true church and a place of salvation.
Babylon: Represents the forces of evil and destruction, both historically and in the end times.
Fleeing to the Mountain: A metaphorical act of leaving behind falsehood and seeking the truth and salvation found in the true church.
The Word: God’s message and truth, revealed through scripture and prophecy. Understanding the word is crucial for discerning God’s will and finding salvation.

Overview

Overview: Figurative Mountain Parable

Main Theme: Understanding the figurative meaning of the mountain in Biblical prophecy, particularly in relation to the Second Coming. The mountain represents a church, temple, or organization, and understanding this symbolism is crucial for discerning God’s will and aligning oneself with His plan.

Key Ideas and Facts:

Figurative Language: The Bible uses figurative language, particularly parables, to convey spiritual truths. The mountain parable is a prime example, bringing together various other parables like those about oil, witnesses, and living creatures.

“This is such an important parable, and the reason why it’s my favorite is because it brings many parables together in one.”

Mountain as a Church: The mountain symbolizes a church, temple, or organization where God’s people gather. It is a place where:

The Word of God is delivered: Clouds represent the spiritual world, and rain/snow represent the Word of God. The spring represents a pastor/temple, and the river symbolizes the flow of the word through evangelists and disciples.
Life flourishes: The presence of trees, animals, rocks, and soil represents living creatures, specifically people who are nourished by the Word.

“A mountain represents a Church or temple, an organization where God’s people gather.”

Three Types of Mountains at the Second Coming:

Mountain of Betrayal: Once belonged to God but now belongs to Satan, representing churches that have abandoned the true word.
Destroying Mountains: Belong to Satan and represent forces that cause destruction among God’s people (e.g., Babylon).
Mountain of Salvation: Belong to God and represent the true church where Jesus dwells, along with the 144,000 and a great multitude. This is the place of refuge and salvation.

Fleeing to the Mountain: The command to “flee to the mountains” signifies seeking refuge in the true church, the Mountain of Salvation. This requires:

Discernment: Identifying the true church from the mountains of betrayal and destruction.
Action: Aligning oneself with God’s will by joining the true church and actively participating in His work.

“So, let us flee to this place.” “Where do we want to find ourselves today? God says to flee to the mountain, a very specific place that we are supposed to flee to.”

Guidance from the Word: The Word of God, symbolized by light and truth, will guide individuals to the true mountain. Studying and understanding the Bible is crucial for recognizing and choosing the right path.

Psalms 43:3

Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.

Quotes:

“So, a witness who is appointed or anointed to see and hear what has been fulfilled, to witness the fulfillment.”
“A detailed account of who, what, when, where, why, and how will align with many verses.”
“You are more blessed than Peter, more blessed than John, James, Matthew, Luke, Mark, David, Solomon, Samuel, Elijah, and Elisha.”
“You have come to Mount Zion, the Church of the Firstborn, where many wonderful things happen.”

Importance:

This parable emphasizes the importance of:

Understanding biblical symbolism: To discern deeper spiritual meanings.
Seeking the true church: By recognizing the signs of betrayal and destruction.
Aligning oneself with God’s will: By actively participating in His work and fulfilling His prophecies.

The lesson aims to provide a clear understanding of the figurative mountain parable and its significance in the context of the Second Coming. It encourages readers to seek the true church, guided by the Word of God, and to participate in God’s plan of salvation.

Q&A

Figurative Mountain Q&A

What does the figurative mountain represent in the Bible?

The figurative mountain symbolizes a church, temple, or organization where God’s people gather. It’s not just any church, but specifically the church that appears at the end times, the place where people are supposed to flee to for salvation.

What are the physical characteristics of a mountain that connect to its spiritual meaning?

Mountains have clouds, which represent the invisible spiritual world. They bring rain and snow, symbolizing the word of God. The water forms springs, representing pastors and temples, and rivers, symbolizing the hearts of disciples and evangelists spreading the word. Life flourishes around rivers, symbolizing the people nourished by the word.

What are the three types of mountains that appear at the second coming?

Mountain of Betrayal: Once belonged to God but descended to Satan. They had the word but lost it through their betrayal.
Mountain of Destruction: Always belongs to Satan, represents forces that destroy God’s people.
Mountain of Salvation: Always belongs to God, represents the true church where the word is preserved and salvation is found.

Why is fleeing to the mountain important for believers?

Fleeing to the mountain means seeking out the true church and embracing the true word of God, rejecting false teachings and finding refuge in the mountain of salvation. This is essential for receiving eternal life and fulfilling God’s will.

What is the abomination that causes desolation, and why must people flee when it appears?

The abomination represents a specific event or entity that signifies the beginning of the end times. While its exact nature is not explicitly explained in this source, it signals the time for believers to flee from false teachings and seek the true mountain of salvation.

What is the significance of Mount Zion in both the Old and New Testaments?

In the Old Testament, Mount Zion represented Jesus’ ministry and organization during His first coming. It was the place where God dwelled and people could receive the promised word. In the New Testament, Mount Zion represents the true church at the second coming, where Jesus, the 144,000, and a great multitude redeemed from the earth will gather.

How can believers find the true mountain of salvation?

Believers can find the true mountain by following the light and truth found in God’s word. This involves diligently studying scripture, discerning true teachings from false ones, and seeking out a church that embodies the characteristics of the mountain of salvation.

Why is it not enough to simply have knowledge of the mountain, but also act accordingly?

True belief requires action. Just as knowing about an allergy but still consuming the allergen shows a lack of belief in the doctor’s words, knowing about the mountain of salvation but not seeking it out demonstrates a lack of true faith. Acting on the knowledge of the mountain, fleeing to it, is essential for salvation.

[Lesson 44] Figurative Mountain

Secrets of Heaven: Figurative Mountain

Review

God’s Will

Figurative Mountain

Main Reference

1. Physical Characteristics of the Mountain

Quick Review

2. Spiritual (True) Meaning of Mountain

3 types of Mountains

Second Coming Prophecy

Mountain of betrayal

New Testament Prophecy

Destroying Mountains

Old Testament Prophecy

New Testament Prophecy

Mountain of Salvation

Old Testament prophecy

New Testament Prophecy

Memorization

Instructor Review

Summary

Review with the Evangelist

Review

Let’s Us Discern

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

SCJ Lesson 44 Analysis: “Secrets of Heaven: Figurative Mountain”

Introduction: The Mountain That Wasn’t There

Part 1: The Opening Setup—Creating Anticipation and Commitment

What SCJ Teaches in This Lesson

The Psychological Techniques at Work

Why This Opening Is Dangerous

Biblical Response: What Is God’s Will?

Part 2: The Review—Redefining Oil as Witness Testimony

What SCJ Teaches in the Review

What’s Being Established

The “5Ws and 1H” Standard

What’s Being Set Up

Biblical Response: The Role of Witnesses

Part 3: The “Two Witnesses” Teaching—Setting Up Lee Man-hee

What SCJ Teaches About Two Witnesses

What’s Being Set Up

Biblical Context: The Two Witnesses in Revelation 11

Part 4: The “Mountain” Teaching—Creating Organizational Dependency

What SCJ Teaches About the Mountain

What’s Being Set Up

Biblical Context: Mountains in Scripture

The “Flee to the Mountains” Passages

Part 5: God’s Will and Amos 3:7—Creating Dependency on SCJ’s Prophet

What SCJ Teaches About God’s Will

What’s Being Set Up

Biblical Response to Amos 3:7

The Journey to Lesson 44

What Students Have Accepted

The Psychological Techniques at Work in Lesson 44

The Cost of Involvement at This Stage

Part 7: Biblical Refutation of Key Claims

Claim 1: “There is a specific mountain that appeared at the second coming that believers must flee to”

Claim 2: “Oil represents testimony from a witness who has seen and heard Revelation’s fulfillment”

Claim 3: “Jesus promised to send two witnesses at the time of Revelation (Revelation 11)”

Claim 4: “God’s will is revealed to prophets (Amos 3:7), so we need a modern prophet to know God’s will”

Part 8: The Path Forward—Recognizing and Responding

Red Flags in Lesson 44

Questions to Ask Your Instructor

For Families: Helping Someone in Lesson 44

For Pastors: Responding to Lesson 44

Part 9: The True Mountain—Returning to Christ

Christ Is Our Rock and Refuge

God’s Will Is Simple and Clear

You Have Everything You Need in Christ

An Invitation to Rest in Christ

Part 10: Conclusion and Call to Action

The Critical Moment

The Path Forward

The True Hope

Final Words

Additional Resources

Outline

Understanding the Figurative Mountain

A Study Guide