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

SCJ Intermediate Level – Lesson 58: “Special Lesson: Faith and Knowledge in the New Covenant”

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Introduction: The Calendar That Controls Your Life

Imagine you’ve just started a new job at a company that seems professional and well-organized. During orientation, your supervisor hands you a company calendar. “This is how we track time here,” she explains. “We don’t use the standard calendar—we have our own system that’s more accurate and meaningful.”

At first, this seems odd, but she explains convincingly: “The regular calendar is arbitrary. January 1st has no real significance. Our calendar is based on the company’s founding—a truly important event. Once you understand our system, you’ll see how much clearer everything becomes.”

So you start using their calendar. You learn their months, their holidays, their way of marking time. Gradually, you stop thinking in terms of the regular calendar. When someone mentions “March,” you have to mentally translate it into your company’s system. When national holidays come, they feel less significant because they’re not on your company calendar.

Months pass. You realize you’ve missed family birthdays because you weren’t tracking the regular calendar anymore. You’ve confused appointments because you’re thinking in the company’s time system while everyone else uses the standard one. You’ve become isolated from the normal rhythm of life because you’re living by a different calendar.

Then one day, you discover something disturbing: the company’s calendar isn’t just different—it’s designed to control. By getting employees to stop using the standard calendar, the company makes them dependent. Employees lose track of time in the outside world. They become disoriented when trying to function outside the company. They can’t easily coordinate with family and friends who use the normal calendar. The company calendar isn’t about accuracy—it’s about control.

When you try to go back to the regular calendar, you find it surprisingly difficult. Your mind automatically translates everything into the company’s system. You’ve been trained to see time their way, and unlearning this takes conscious effort.

This is what happens in SCJ Lesson 58: “Special Lesson: Faith and Knowledge in the New Covenant.”

The lesson appears to be a thoughtful Bible study about covenants—specifically, the New Covenant established by Jesus. The instructor, Nate, discusses biblical passages about Noah, Moses, and Jesus. He emphasizes the importance of “discerning the times” and having “the appropriate faith for the era we are in.” He encourages students to understand what God is doing “today” rather than focusing only on the past. Everything seems biblically grounded and spiritually mature.

But beneath the surface, something else is happening. This lesson is teaching students a framework for understanding time and God’s work that will eventually make them see Shincheonji as the fulfillment of the New Covenant and the “present time” as the era of Revelation’s fulfillment through SCJ. By the time students realize what this framework implies, they’ve already internalized it: that understanding “the times” means recognizing SCJ’s claims, that having “correct faith” means accepting SCJ’s interpretations, and that “keeping the New Covenant” means joining their organization.

The lesson is particularly strategic because it’s labeled a “Special Lesson” and comes at Lesson 58—deep in the Intermediate Level, approximately five months into the study program. Students have already invested massive amounts of time (180-200+ hours). They’ve been conditioned to distrust their own understanding, to see everything figuratively, to believe the Bible was “sealed” until now, and to view other churches as “Babylon.” Now they’re being taught the framework that will make SCJ’s ultimate claims seem logical: “We are living in the time of Revelation’s fulfillment. This is the era of the New Covenant. You must discern the times and act accordingly—which means joining us.”

The brilliance of this deception is that it uses legitimate biblical concepts (covenants, discerning the times, understanding prophecy) and applies them in a way that serves SCJ’s organizational claims. Students are taught to constantly ask, “What is God doing today?” and “What should I be doing in this era?” These are good questions—but SCJ provides answers that lead students away from Christ and into organizational dependence.

By teaching that “a sign that someone has not truly perceived our time is an insistence and focus on the past without acknowledging what is happening today,” SCJ creates a framework where anyone who doesn’t accept their claims about present fulfillment is dismissed as spiritually blind. By emphasizing that “things cannot be opened if they aren’t happening,” SCJ prepares students to believe that Revelation is being fulfilled right now—specifically, in their organization.

But is this how the Bible actually teaches us to understand covenants and discern the times? Does Scripture support the idea that we’re living in a unique era where new revelation is being given and prophecies are being fulfilled in ways that require joining a specific organization? And most importantly, what happens to genuine biblical faith when it’s replaced by organizational loyalty disguised as “keeping the New Covenant”?

Let’s examine Lesson 58 through the Two Lenses framework from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story”—using both the Reflectional Lens (understanding how this teaching affects students psychologically and spiritually) and the Discernment Lens (testing whether this teaching aligns with Scripture and sound doctrine). We’ll see how SCJ takes the legitimate biblical teaching about covenants and transforms it into a framework that serves their organizational claims while obscuring the Bible’s actual message about the New Covenant established by Christ.

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Part 1: The Reflectional Lens—Understanding the Psychological Framework

The Study Reminder: Building Investment and Dependency

The lesson begins with a review of study tips and test preparation strategies. Notice how the instructor frames this:

“In our previous session, we conducted a thorough review of the test questions up until number 9. I hope that exercise proved rewarding for everyone, allowing you to comprehend the answers more deeply, making them easier to remember when you grasp the reasoning behind each correct response.”

Then he provides five study tips:

1. Take many quizzes
2. Study and quiz 5 questions at a time
3. Write questions on first page and write answers on second page
4. Write the Test Word for Word
5. Read the verses

The Psychological Purpose:

This opening serves multiple functions:

Purpose 1: Reinforce Investment

By spending time reviewing study strategies and emphasizing the importance of test preparation, the instructor reminds students of their massive investment. They’re not just attending classes—they’re studying, taking quizzes, memorizing answers “word for word,” and preparing for tests. This level of commitment creates psychological pressure to continue: “I’ve invested so much effort; I can’t quit now.”

Purpose 2: Create Performance Pressure

The emphasis on tests, correct answers, and memorization creates performance pressure. Students must prove they understand by passing tests. This shifts the focus from genuine learning to performance—getting the “right” answers to advance. As the instructor says, “Write the test word for word, right? No paraphrasing if you can do it that way.”

This isn’t education—it’s indoctrination. True education encourages understanding principles and expressing them in your own words. Requiring word-for-word memorization ensures students internalize SCJ’s exact phrasing and framework.

Purpose 3: Establish Authority

By positioning himself as the one who provides “tips” and guidance on how to study, the instructor establishes his authority. Students become dependent on his methods, his explanations, his framework. They’re not learning to study Scripture independently—they’re learning to study SCJ’s materials according to SCJ’s methods.

Purpose 4: Normalize the Demand

The casual tone (“Has anyone started taking mini quizzes for themselves? Is it helping with recall?”) normalizes the extraordinary demand. Students are expected to:

• Attend class 3 times per week (2 hours each = 6 hours/week)
• Attend small groups
• Meet one-on-one with their evangelist
• Study for tests
• Take self-quizzes
• Memorize answers word-for-word
• Read assigned verses repeatedly

This is a massive time commitment—easily 10-15 hours per week. By discussing it casually and providing “helpful tips,” the instructor makes this extreme demand seem normal and manageable.

Chapter 11 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Deception Tactics—How Shincheonji Gradually Leads People Astray,” explains how SCJ uses incremental demands to create dependency. Each small increase in commitment seems reasonable, but the cumulative effect is overwhelming. Students become so invested in time, energy, and identity that leaving becomes psychologically unbearable.

The “Yeast of Heaven” Opening: Creating Urgency and Inadequacy

The lesson begins with a cryptic statement:

“Yeast of Heaven

It’s not everything to just carry around a recording (of the sermon) or a book with you – you have to seal the Word in your thoughts and your hearts (Heb 8:10). You must be a diligent and good believer, not a lazy one.”

Unpacking the Manipulation:

Element 1: The Mysterious Title

“Yeast of Heaven” is not explained. It’s presented as something students should understand, creating a sense that they’re missing something if they don’t immediately grasp its significance. This creates intellectual insecurity—students feel they need the instructor’s explanation to understand.

Element 2: The Inadequacy Message

“It’s not everything to just carry around a recording or a book with you” implies that what students are currently doing isn’t enough. Even if they’re attending classes, taking notes, and studying, they’re falling short. They need to do more—specifically, they need to “seal the Word in your thoughts and your hearts.”

Element 3: The Moral Judgment

“You must be a diligent and good believer, not a lazy one” creates a moral binary: diligent/good vs. lazy/bad. Students who struggle with the demanding schedule or who question the teaching are implicitly labeled “lazy.” This creates shame and pressure to prove they’re “diligent and good.”

Element 4: The Hebrews 8:10 Misuse

The instructor references Hebrews 8:10 to support his point. Let’s look at this verse in context:

Hebrews 8:8-10: “But God found fault with the people and said: ‘The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.'”

What the passage actually teaches:

This is a quote from Jeremiah 31:31-33, describing the New Covenant God would make through Christ. The point is that under the New Covenant, God’s law would be internalized—written on hearts rather than on stone tablets. This is accomplished by the Holy Spirit, who dwells in believers and transforms them from within.

Romans 8:3-4: “For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

2 Corinthians 3:3: “You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”

The New Covenant promise is that the Holy Spirit writes God’s truth on believers’ hearts. This is God’s work, not human effort. It’s grace, not performance.

How SCJ Distorts This:

SCJ takes this promise of God’s gracious work through the Spirit and turns it into a demand for human effort: “You have to seal the Word in your thoughts and your hearts… You must be a diligent and good believer, not a lazy one.”

This shifts the New Covenant from grace to works, from God’s action to human performance, from the Spirit’s transformation to organizational indoctrination. Students must work hard to “seal the Word” (meaning SCJ’s interpretations) in their hearts through memorization and study.

This is a fundamental distortion of the New Covenant—and it’s just the beginning of the lesson.

The Hope Statement: Defining Success in SCJ’s Terms

The lesson states the goal:

“Our Hope: To have the correct faith and knowledge according to our time and keep the New Covenant!”

This sounds biblical and positive. Who wouldn’t want “correct faith and knowledge” and to “keep the New Covenant”? But notice what’s happening:

The Redefinition Process:

“Correct faith and knowledge” will be defined as:

• Accepting SCJ’s interpretations
• Believing their claims about fulfillment
• Understanding their framework
• Joining their organization

“According to our time” will be defined as:

• Recognizing that Revelation is being fulfilled now
• Understanding that SCJ is the fulfillment
• Acting urgently to join and recruit

“Keep the New Covenant” will be defined as:

• Following SCJ’s teachings
• Remaining loyal to their organization
• Not leaving or questioning
• Recruiting others

By the end of the curriculum, students will understand that “keeping the New Covenant” means being part of Shincheonji. Leaving SCJ will be presented as “breaking the New Covenant” and losing salvation.

The Psychological Effect:

This hope statement creates:

1. A standard to meet: Students must have “correct” faith and knowledge (implying their current faith and knowledge are incorrect)
2. Time pressure: This is specific to “our time” (implying urgency and that this opportunity might pass)
3. A covenant to keep: This creates obligation and fear of failure (what if I don’t keep it?)
4. Organizational loyalty disguised as biblical faithfulness: “Keeping the New Covenant” will ultimately mean staying in SCJ

The Era Framework: Setting Up SCJ’s Claims

The core of the lesson’s psychological manipulation is the “era framework”:

“The crucial aspect today is discerning the times and having the appropriate faith for the era we are in.”

The instructor then provides examples:

Noah’s Era: If you lived during Noah’s time and said, “I thought we were supposed to not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil,” Noah would say, “Oh, wrong era, wrong time. This is what God is telling us to do today.”

Moses’ Era: If you lived during Moses’ time and said, “But I thought we were supposed to wait for the ark,” Moses would say, “Oh, wrong era. Do what I have recently said. This is what God is telling us to do today.”

The Conclusion: “So the things we need to do and realize are era-specific.”

The Manipulation:

This framework appears logical and biblical. God did work differently in different eras. Noah’s generation needed to get on the ark. Moses’ generation needed to observe Passover. Jesus’ generation needed to recognize Him as Messiah.

But notice what the framework is designed to do:

Step 1: Establish the Pattern

God works differently in different eras. What was right in one era might be wrong in another. You must discern what God is doing “today.”

Step 2: Create the Warning

“A sign that someone has not truly perceived our time is an insistence and focus on the past without acknowledging what is happening today.”

This creates a category for dismissing anyone who doesn’t accept SCJ’s claims: they’re “focused on the past” and haven’t “perceived our time.” They’re like people in Noah’s day who insisted on keeping old commands instead of getting on the ark.

Step 3: Apply to Jesus’ Time

The instructor references Luke 12:54-56, where Jesus rebukes people for not discerning the times. This creates a parallel: just as people in Jesus’ day failed to recognize Him despite prophecies, people today are failing to recognize what God is doing (which will be revealed as SCJ’s fulfillment of Revelation).

Step 4: Reveal “Our Present Time”

“So everyone, what is our present time? It is the time of revelation. How do we know? Because we are learning the open word. Fulfillment is taking place. That’s what the open word means. Things cannot be opened if they aren’t happening.”

This is the payoff. Students are being taught that:

• We’re living in “the time of revelation”
• Revelation is being fulfilled now
• The “open word” proves this (meaning SCJ’s teachings)
• If you’re learning these things, it means they’re being fulfilled

The Psychological Trap:

This framework creates a powerful psychological trap:

1. You must discern the times (legitimate biblical principle)
2. Failure to discern means spiritual blindness (creates fear)
3. The sign of discernment is recognizing present fulfillment (defines success in SCJ’s terms)
4. We’re learning the “open word,” which proves fulfillment is happening (circular reasoning)
5. Therefore, you must accept that Revelation is being fulfilled in SCJ (the conclusion students are being led to)

Anyone who questions this reasoning is dismissed as someone who “has not truly perceived our time” and is “insisting and focusing on the past without acknowledging what is happening today.”

This is classic cult epistemology: create a framework where questioning the group’s claims is redefined as spiritual failure. Students can’t question without being labeled as blind, stuck in the past, or resistant to God’s current work.

Chapter 9 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Epistemology Trap—How SCJ Controls What You Can Know,” explains this manipulation in detail. SCJ creates a system where their interpretations are self-validating: if you understand them, it proves they’re true; if you don’t understand them, it proves you’re spiritually blind. There’s no way to question from within the system.

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The “Discerning the Times” Teaching: Biblical or Manipulative?

The core of Lesson 58’s teaching is that believers must “discern the times” and have “appropriate faith for the era we are in.” This sounds biblical—Scripture does speak about discerning the times. But let’s examine whether SCJ’s use of this concept aligns with Scripture or distorts it.

What Does the Bible Actually Teach About “Discerning the Times”?

The Luke 12:54-56 Passage:

Let’s look at the passage the instructor uses:

Luke 12:54-56: “He said to the crowd: ‘When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, “It’s going to rain,” and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, “It’s going to be hot,” and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?'”

The Context:

Jesus is speaking to crowds during His earthly ministry. He’s rebuking them for their ability to predict weather patterns while failing to recognize Him as the Messiah despite clear signs.

What were the signs they should have recognized?

1. Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah: Prophecies about His birthplace (Micah 5:2), His virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14), His ministry (Isaiah 61:1-2), His suffering (Isaiah 53), and many others
2. John the Baptist’s testimony: John identified Jesus as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29)
3. Jesus’ miracles: Healing the sick, raising the dead, casting out demons—signs that authenticated His identity
4. Jesus’ teaching: His authority and wisdom were evident to those who listened with open hearts
5. The timing: Daniel 9:24-27 prophesied the timing of Messiah’s coming, and many Jews were expecting the Messiah around this time

What Jesus was rebuking:

Jesus was rebuking the people for:

• Ignoring or misinterpreting clear Old Testament prophecies
• Rejecting the testimony of John the Baptist
• Explaining away Jesus’ miracles rather than recognizing their significance
• Hardening their hearts against His teaching
• Failing to recognize that the Messiah they claimed to be waiting for was standing before them

The key point: The signs were already given in Scripture. The people had the Old Testament prophecies. They should have been studying these prophecies and watching for their fulfillment. When Jesus came performing the works prophesied of the Messiah, they should have recognized Him.

What Jesus was NOT saying:

Jesus was NOT saying:

• “You need new revelation to understand what I’m doing”
• “The Scriptures were sealed until now”
• “You need special interpretation to recognize Me”
• “Only a select group with special knowledge can discern the times”

The tragedy was that the signs were clear, the prophecies were available, and yet people rejected Him. As John wrote:

John 1:10-11: “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.”

How SCJ Distorts This Teaching

Now let’s see how SCJ uses this passage:

SCJ’s Interpretation:

“Jesus is rebuking these people for a particular reason. What is the reason why He is rebuking them? They knew certain things, but they lacked the ability to discern what was happening in their time… You’re able to look at the signs of the natural world or the natural environment, but you cannot look at the signs that were written in scripture. The signs that were recorded are invisible to you. So you’re unable to recognize me because either you’re unaware of the signs, which was the case for most of them, or you misinterpret the signs. You misunderstand what those signs will be like.”

The Distortion:

SCJ correctly identifies that people failed to recognize Jesus because they didn’t understand the signs. But then they make a crucial leap:

“When someone is in that situation, either unaware of the prophecies or misunderstanding them, the result is the same for both. They cannot discern the current time. Jesus was rebuking them for that inability. Because if you properly understood the signs of the times, then you would know that Jesus is the one you were waiting for. And guess what? Not everyone properly understood. This is really important. Not everyone properly understood, but those who were willing to listen and hear the explanation, then things clicked for those people, and they were able to discern the times and believe.”

The Implication:

The instructor is setting up a parallel:

• People in Jesus’ day failed to recognize Him because they didn’t understand the signs
• People today are failing to recognize what God is doing (SCJ’s fulfillment of Revelation) because they don’t understand the signs
• Just as people needed to “listen and hear the explanation” in Jesus’ day, people today need to listen to SCJ’s explanation
• Those who accept SCJ’s explanation can “discern the times and believe”

The Problem:

This creates a false parallel. Here’s why:

Difference 1: The Nature of the Signs

In Jesus’ day, the signs were:

• Clear Old Testament prophecies that anyone could read
• Physical miracles that anyone could witness
• Public teaching that anyone could hear
• A visible person (Jesus) whose identity could be verified

Today, SCJ claims the signs are:

• Hidden meanings in Scripture that require their special interpretation
• Organizational events that only they can explain
• Fulfillments that are invisible to most people
• A person (their founder) whose role requires accepting their framework

Difference 2: The Accessibility of Truth

In Jesus’ day:

• The prophecies were available in Scripture
• The signs were public and verifiable
• Anyone could examine the evidence
• The problem was hard hearts, not lack of information

In SCJ’s system:

• The “truth” requires their special interpretation
• The “signs” are only visible through their framework
• You can’t verify their claims independently
• The problem is supposedly lack of their teaching

Difference 3: The Role of Explanation

In Jesus’ day:

• Jesus explained how He fulfilled prophecy (Luke 24:27, 44-47)
• The apostles showed from Scripture that Jesus was the Messiah (Acts 17:2-3)
• The explanations pointed to Scripture and to Jesus’ public ministry
• Anyone could verify the claims by examining Scripture and the evidence

In SCJ’s system:

• SCJ explains how their organization fulfills prophecy
• The explanations require accepting their interpretive framework
• The claims can’t be verified independently
• You must accept their authority to understand

The Fundamental Difference:

Jesus’ call to “discern the times” was a call to:

• Study the Scriptures you already have
• Recognize the fulfillment of clear prophecies
• Accept the evidence of public miracles
• Believe in Him based on verifiable signs

SCJ’s call to “discern the times” is a call to:

• Accept their special interpretation of Scripture
• Believe their claims about hidden fulfillments
• Trust their authority over your own understanding
• Join their organization as proof of discernment

These are fundamentally different. Jesus pointed people to objective evidence that could be verified. SCJ points people to their own interpretive framework that requires accepting their authority.

The “Era-Specific” Framework: Sound Principle or Manipulation?

The instructor teaches that “the things we need to do and realize are era-specific,” using Noah and Moses as examples. Let’s examine whether this principle is biblical and how SCJ uses it.

The Biblical Truth:

It’s true that God worked differently in different eras of redemptive history. Theologians call this “progressive revelation”—God revealed His plan gradually over time, with each stage building on the previous ones.

Examples of Different Eras:

1. The Patriarchal Era (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob):

• God worked primarily through family promises
• No written law yet
• Sacrifices were offered, but no formal priesthood
• The focus was on God’s covenant promises to Abraham’s descendants

2. The Mosaic Era (Moses through the Prophets):

• God gave the written Law at Sinai
• The priesthood and sacrificial system were established
• The Tabernacle (later the Temple) was the center of worship
• Israel was called to be a holy nation set apart from other nations

3. The Era of Christ (Jesus’ earthly ministry):

• Jesus came as the fulfillment of the Law and Prophets (Matthew 5:17)
• He established the New Covenant through His death and resurrection
• The Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost
• The gospel went to all nations, not just Israel

4. The Church Era (Pentecost to Christ’s Return):

• The church is the body of Christ, made up of all believers
• The gospel is proclaimed to all nations
• Believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit
• We await Christ’s return and the final resurrection

The Pattern:

Each era built on the previous one and moved God’s redemptive plan forward. The promises to Abraham were fulfilled through Moses’ deliverance of Israel. The Law given through Moses pointed forward to Christ. Christ fulfilled the Law and established the New Covenant. The church proclaims Christ and awaits His return.

The Key Point:

Each transition was marked by:

• Clear divine revelation (God spoke directly, or through prophets, or through Christ)
• Public, verifiable events (the Exodus, the giving of the Law, Jesus’ miracles and resurrection)
• Fulfillment of previous prophecies
• Continuity with God’s previous revelation (each era built on and fulfilled the previous)

How SCJ Uses This Principle:

SCJ takes this legitimate principle and applies it in a manipulative way:

SCJ’s Claim:

“A sign that someone has not truly perceived our time is an insistence and focus on the past without acknowledging what is happening today.”

The Implication:

• We’re in a new era (the fulfillment of Revelation)
• This era requires new understanding (SCJ’s teachings)
• Those who don’t accept this are “focused on the past”
• You must “acknowledge what is happening today” (accept SCJ’s claims)

The Problem:

Problem 1: False Parallel

SCJ is creating a false parallel between:

• Legitimate biblical transitions (Abraham to Moses, Moses to Christ, Christ to the Church)
• Their claimed transition (Church era to “Revelation fulfillment era”)

But there’s a crucial difference: the biblical transitions were clearly prophesied, publicly verified, and marked by undeniable divine action. SCJ’s claimed transition is based on their interpretations, requires accepting their framework, and can’t be independently verified.

Problem 2: Misidentifying the Current Era

The Bible teaches that we’re currently in the Church era—the time between Christ’s first coming and His second coming. This era is characterized by:

• The gospel being proclaimed to all nations (Matthew 24:14)
• The church being built (Matthew 16:18)
• Believers being indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9-11)
• Waiting for Christ’s visible return (Acts 1:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

Acts 1:6-8: “Then they gathered around him and asked him, ‘Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 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.'”

Jesus explicitly told the disciples it wasn’t for them to know the times or dates. Their job was to be His witnesses. This is still the church’s job today—proclaiming Christ and making disciples.

2 Peter 3:3-4, 8-9: “Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, ‘Where is this “coming” he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.’… But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

Peter teaches that we’re in an extended period of God’s patience, during which the gospel is proclaimed and people come to repentance. This is the current era—not a new “Revelation fulfillment” era.

Problem 3: Creating False Urgency

By claiming we’re in a new era that requires immediate recognition and response, SCJ creates false urgency. Students are taught that they must “discern the times” and act now, or they’ll miss their opportunity.

But Scripture teaches that the current era—the Church age—has lasted nearly 2,000 years and will continue until Christ returns. There’s no biblical basis for claiming we’ve entered a new era that requires joining a specific organization.

Problem 4: Dismissing Legitimate Concerns

The “era framework” allows SCJ to dismiss anyone who questions their claims. If you point out that their teaching contradicts historic Christianity, they can say, “You’re focused on the past.” If you note that their interpretations don’t match how Scripture has been understood, they can say, “You haven’t discerned the times.” If you express concern about their organizational claims, they can say, “You’re insisting on old ways instead of acknowledging what God is doing today.”

This framework makes it impossible to question from within the system. Any objection is redefined as spiritual blindness or resistance to God’s current work.

The “Open Word” Claim: Revelation or Deception?

The instructor makes a crucial claim:

“So everyone, what is our present time? It is the time of revelation. How do we know? Because we are learning the open word. Fulfillment is taking place. That’s what the open word means. Things cannot be opened if they aren’t happening. So keep that in mind as we study for today.”

Unpacking the Claim:

Claim 1: We’re living in “the time of revelation”

Claim 2: We know this because we’re “learning the open word”

Claim 3: “Fulfillment is taking place”

Claim 4: “Things cannot be opened if they aren’t happening”

The Logic:

The argument is circular:

1. We’re learning the “open word” (SCJ’s teachings)
2. The fact that we’re learning it proves it’s being “opened”
3. Things can only be “opened” if they’re being fulfilled
4. Therefore, Revelation is being fulfilled now
5. Therefore, we’re in “the time of revelation”

The Problem:

This is circular reasoning. The conclusion (we’re in the time of revelation) is assumed in the premise (we’re learning the open word, which means fulfillment is happening).

But let’s examine the biblical concept of “opening” Scripture to see if SCJ’s use is legitimate.

Biblical “Opening” of Scripture:

Luke 24:44-45: “He said to them, ‘This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.’ Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.”

Jesus “opened” the disciples’ minds to understand how the Old Testament pointed to Him. This wasn’t new revelation—it was understanding existing Scripture in light of Christ’s fulfillment.

Acts 17:2-3: “As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. ‘This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,’ he said.”

Paul “opened” (explained) the Scriptures to show that Jesus fulfilled the prophecies about the Messiah. Again, this wasn’t new revelation—it was showing how existing prophecies were fulfilled in Christ.

Revelation 5:1-5: “Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?’ But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.'”

Revelation 5:9-10: “And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.'”

In Revelation, only Christ (the Lamb who was slain) is worthy to open the scroll. This represents Christ’s authority to execute God’s plan of judgment and redemption. The “opening” happens through Christ’s work, not through human interpretation.

The Pattern:

Biblical “opening” of Scripture involves:

• Understanding existing Scripture in light of Christ’s fulfillment
• Recognizing how prophecies point to and are fulfilled in Christ
• Christ’s authority to execute God’s redemptive plan
• The Holy Spirit illuminating believers’ understanding

What Biblical “Opening” Does NOT Involve:

• New revelation beyond what’s in Scripture
• Special interpretation available only to one group
• Hidden meanings that contradict plain readings
• Organizational claims about fulfilling prophecy

How SCJ Distorts This:

SCJ claims that:

• The Bible was “sealed” and incomprehensible until their founder received revelation
• “Opening” the word means understanding their interpretations
• The fact that they’re teaching these interpretations proves fulfillment is happening
• Only those who accept their teaching have the “open word”

This distorts the biblical concept completely. The Bible wasn’t sealed waiting for SCJ—it’s been open to all believers through the Holy Spirit since it was written. Understanding Scripture doesn’t require joining SCJ—it requires the Holy Spirit’s illumination and careful study in context.

Chapter 6 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Sealed Book Claim—Examining SCJ’s Central Premise,” thoroughly refutes SCJ’s claim that the Bible was sealed. The chapter shows that:

1. Daniel’s prophecies were sealed until their fulfillment in Christ, not until SCJ’s founder appeared
2. Revelation was never sealed—it was written to be read and understood by first-century churches (Revelation 1:3)
3. The Holy Spirit guides all believers into truth (John 16:13), not just one organization
4. Scripture is clear in its essential message—the gospel and the way of salvation are plain to all who read with faith

SCJ’s “open word” claim is a manipulation tactic designed to make students believe they’re receiving special revelation that proves SCJ’s claims. But it’s based on a false premise and circular reasoning.

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Part 3: The Covenant Framework—Biblical Truth or SCJ Distortion?

The main body of Lesson 58 focuses on understanding covenants, specifically the New Covenant. Let’s examine whether SCJ’s teaching about covenants aligns with Scripture.

The Biblical Teaching on Covenant

The instructor correctly identifies that “covenant” means “promise”:

“So, what does a covenant mean? What is a covenant? A one-word explanation for covenant is promise.”

This is accurate. The Hebrew word berith (covenant) and the Greek word diatheke (covenant/testament) both refer to a binding agreement or promise.

The instructor continues:

“If you keep the covenant, you will receive this. If you do not keep the covenant, you will receive that. Very simple, but it is a promise. And every covenant, especially God’s covenant, is comprised of two aspects. It is comprised of the law and comprised of prophecy.”

Evaluating This Teaching:

Part 1: “If you keep the covenant, you will receive this”

This is partially true but incomplete. Biblical covenants do have conditions and consequences. However, the nature of the New Covenant is fundamentally different from the Old Covenant in this regard.

Old Covenant (Mosaic Covenant):

The Old Covenant was conditional—blessings for obedience, curses for disobedience:

Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 15: “If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God… However, if you do not obey the LORD your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come on you and overtake you.”

Israel’s relationship with God under the Old Covenant depended on their obedience. When they obeyed, they were blessed. When they disobeyed, they were cursed. The problem was that they couldn’t keep the covenant perfectly:

Romans 8:3: “For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.”

The Law revealed sin but couldn’t overcome it. This is why a New Covenant was needed.

New Covenant:

The New Covenant is fundamentally different. It’s based on God’s grace and Christ’s finished work, not on human performance:

Hebrews 8:6-7: “But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises. For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another.”

Hebrews 8:10-12: “This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

The New Covenant promises:

1. Internalized law: God writes His law on hearts through the Holy Spirit
2. Personal relationship: “I will be their God, and they will be my people”
3. Direct knowledge of God: All believers know God personally
4. Complete forgiveness: God forgives wickedness and remembers sins no more

The Foundation:

The New Covenant is founded on Christ’s sacrifice:

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

Hebrews 9:15: “For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”

Christ’s blood establishes the New Covenant. His death paid for sins and made forgiveness possible. The New Covenant isn’t based on our performance but on His finished work.

The Difference:

Old Covenant: “If you obey, you’ll be blessed; if you disobey, you’ll be cursed” (conditional, based on human performance)

New Covenant: “Christ has obeyed perfectly and paid for your sins; believe in Him and you’re forgiven” (based on grace, received through faith)

Galatians 3:10-14: “For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.’ Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because ‘the righteous will live by faith.’ The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, ‘The person who does these things will live by them.’ Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.’ He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.”

The Problem with SCJ’s Framing:

By saying “If you keep the covenant, you will receive this. If you do not keep the covenant, you will receive that,” the instructor is framing the New Covenant in Old Covenant terms—as conditional, based on human performance.

This sets up SCJ’s later teaching that “keeping the New Covenant” means following their instructions, accepting their interpretations, and remaining in their organization. Students will be taught that leaving SCJ means “breaking the New Covenant” and losing salvation.

But this contradicts the New Covenant’s nature. The New Covenant is kept by Christ, not by us. We receive its benefits through faith in Him, not through organizational membership or perfect understanding.

Part 2: “Every covenant is comprised of law and prophecy”

The instructor teaches that every covenant has two aspects: law (things to do daily) and prophecy (things that can only be kept at the proper time).

Evaluating This Framework:

This framework isn’t entirely wrong, but it’s incomplete and will be used to serve SCJ’s agenda.

Biblical Covenants Do Include Commands and Promises:

The Abrahamic Covenant:

• Command: “Walk before me faithfully and be blameless” (Genesis 17:1)
• Promise: “I will make you into a great nation… and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:2-3)

The Mosaic Covenant:

• Commands: The Law (Ten Commandments and the rest of the Law)
• Promises: Blessings for obedience, warnings of curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28)

The Davidic Covenant:

• Promise: “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16)
• Fulfillment: Ultimately fulfilled in Christ, the eternal King from David’s line

The New Covenant:

• Foundation: Christ’s sacrifice (Luke 22:20)
• Promises: Forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, eternal life (Hebrews 8:10-12)
• Response: Faith in Christ (John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9)

So yes, covenants include both present responsibilities and future promises. But the way SCJ will use this framework is problematic.

How SCJ Will Use This Framework:

The instructor is setting up a distinction between:

1. “Law”: Daily activities (which will be defined as following SCJ’s teachings)
2. “Prophecy”: Things that can only be kept at the proper time (which will be defined as recognizing and joining SCJ when Revelation is “fulfilled”)

The instructor emphasizes:

“But the most important part is actually the prophecy. And the prophecy can only be kept at a proper time, meaning that it cannot be kept all the time. But when things take place, then people are intended or supposed to keep that part of the covenant as well. And it’s so important that if someone breaks the prophecy part of the covenant, they’ve broken the whole thing.”

The Setup:

This is setting up SCJ’s claim that:

• The “prophecy part” of the New Covenant is being fulfilled now (in SCJ)
• You can only “keep” this part by recognizing the fulfillment (joining SCJ)
• If you don’t recognize and respond to the fulfillment, you’ve “broken the whole thing”
• Therefore, your salvation depends on joining SCJ

The Problem:

This completely misunderstands the New Covenant. The New Covenant isn’t something we “keep” by recognizing organizational fulfillments—it’s something Christ established through His death and resurrection, and we receive its benefits through faith in Him.

What the New Covenant Actually Requires:

Faith in Christ:

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: “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.”

The New Covenant is received through faith in Christ—believing that He died for your sins and rose again. This is the requirement, not understanding special interpretations or joining a specific organization.

Continuing in Faith:

Colossians 2:6-7: “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

Hebrews 10:23: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”

Believers are called to continue in faith, growing in Christ and living according to His teaching. But this is empowered by the Holy Spirit, not achieved through organizational membership.

The Assurance:

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

John 10:28-29: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”

Those who are in Christ are secure. Nothing can separate them from God’s love. Their salvation doesn’t depend on recognizing organizational fulfillments or maintaining membership in a group.

The Contrast:

Biblical New Covenant:

• Established by Christ’s sacrifice
• Received through faith in Him
• Maintained by the Holy Spirit’s work
• Secure because it’s based on Christ’s finished work
• Assurance comes from God’s promises

SCJ’s Version:

• Requires recognizing their fulfillment claims
• Received through understanding their interpretations
• Maintained by organizational loyalty
• Insecure because it depends on your performance
• Assurance comes from being in the “right” organization

These are fundamentally different gospels.

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The Main Reference: Luke 22:14-20

The lesson uses Luke 22:14-20 as its main reference for understanding the New Covenant. Let’s examine this passage carefully to see what it actually teaches and how SCJ will use it.

The Biblical Text:

Luke 22:14-20: “When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.’ After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, ‘Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’ And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'”

The Context:

This is the Last Supper—Jesus’ final Passover meal with His disciples before His crucifixion. Jesus is instituting what Christians call the Lord’s Supper or Communion, using the Passover meal to point to His coming sacrifice.

Understanding the Passover Background:

To understand what Jesus is doing here, we need to understand the Passover:

The Original Passover (Exodus 12):

When Israel was enslaved in Egypt, God sent ten plagues to convince Pharaoh to release them. The final plague was the death of the firstborn. God instructed each Israelite family to:

1. Take a lamb without defect
2. Slaughter it at twilight
3. Put the blood on the doorframes of their houses
4. Roast and eat the lamb
5. Be ready to leave Egypt

Exodus 12:12-13: “On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.”

The lamb’s blood protected the Israelites from judgment. This became an annual memorial feast, reminding Israel of God’s deliverance.

The Prophetic Significance:

The Passover lamb pointed forward to Christ:

1 Corinthians 5:7: “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.”

John 1:29: “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'”

1 Peter 1:18-19: “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”

Just as the Passover lamb’s blood protected Israel from physical death, Christ’s blood protects believers from spiritual death. Just as the lamb had to be without defect, Christ was sinless. Just as the lamb was slaughtered, Christ was crucified. Just as the blood had to be applied to the doorframes, Christ’s blood must be applied to our lives through faith.

What Jesus Is Doing at the Last Supper:

Jesus is using the Passover meal to reveal its ultimate meaning—it was always pointing to Him:

1. “This is my body given for you”

The bread represents Jesus’ body, which would be broken (crucified) for us. Just as the Passover lamb was eaten, Jesus’ sacrifice must be received by faith.

2. “This cup is the new covenant in my blood”

The cup represents Jesus’ blood, which would be poured out to establish the New Covenant. Just as the Passover lamb’s blood brought deliverance, Jesus’ blood brings forgiveness and eternal life.

3. “Do this in remembrance of me”

Just as the Passover was an annual memorial of God’s deliverance from Egypt, the Lord’s Supper is a regular memorial of Christ’s deliverance from sin and death.

The New Covenant Connection:

When Jesus says, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood,” He’s referencing Jeremiah’s prophecy:

Jeremiah 31:31-34: “The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD. “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

The New Covenant Promises:

1. Internalized obedience: “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts” (accomplished by the Holy Spirit)
2. Personal relationship: “I will be their God, and they will be my people” (direct access to God through Christ)
3. Universal knowledge of God: “They will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest” (not limited to priests or special mediators)
4. Complete forgiveness: “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (permanent, not needing repeated sacrifices)

How This Is Fulfilled:

Through Christ’s Sacrifice:

Hebrews 9:11-14: “But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”

Christ’s sacrifice was:

• Once for all: No need for repeated sacrifices (Hebrews 10:10)
• Perfect: He was without sin (Hebrews 4:15)
• Effective: It actually cleanses consciences and removes sin (Hebrews 10:22)
• Final: No other sacrifice is needed or possible (Hebrews 10:26-27)

Through the Holy Spirit:

2 Corinthians 3:3, 6: “You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts… He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

Ezekiel 36:26-27: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”

The Holy Spirit dwells in believers, writing God’s law on their hearts and empowering them to live for God. This is the fulfillment of the New Covenant promise.

Through Faith:

Romans 3:21-26: “But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.”

The New Covenant is received through faith in Christ. His sacrifice is applied to us when we believe. This is how we enter the New Covenant relationship with God.

What the New Covenant Actually Means

Based on Scripture, the New Covenant means:

1. Christ’s Sacrifice Is the Foundation

The New Covenant was established by Christ’s death on the cross. His blood was poured out to pay for sins and make forgiveness possible.

2. Forgiveness Is Complete

Under the Old Covenant, sins were covered temporarily by animal sacrifices that had to be repeated. Under the New Covenant, sins are forgiven permanently through Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice.

Hebrews 10:11-14: “Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”

3. The Holy Spirit Indwells Believers

Under the Old Covenant, the Holy Spirit came upon certain people for specific tasks. Under the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit permanently indwells all believers.

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.”

1 Corinthians 6:19: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?”

4. Access to God Is Direct

Under the Old Covenant, only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and only once a year. Under the New Covenant, all believers have direct access to God through Christ.

Hebrews 10:19-22: “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”

5. It’s for All Who Believe

The New Covenant isn’t limited to ethnic Israel or to a special group—it’s for all who believe in Christ.

Galatians 3:26-29: “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

6. It’s Based on Grace, Not Works

The Old Covenant said, “Do this and live.” The New Covenant says, “Christ has done it; believe and live.”

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

Titus 3:4-7: “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”

How SCJ Will Distort the New Covenant

Now that we understand what the New Covenant actually is, let’s see how SCJ will distort it.

SCJ’s Framework (Based on Later Lessons):

By the end of the curriculum, students will be taught that:

1. The New Covenant Has a “Prophecy Part” That Can Only Be Kept at the Right Time

SCJ teaches that the New Covenant includes prophecies (particularly in Revelation) that can only be “kept” when they’re being fulfilled. Students must recognize the fulfillment and respond appropriately.

The Problem: The New Covenant isn’t primarily about recognizing prophetic fulfillments—it’s about Christ’s finished work and our relationship with God through Him. While prophecy is part of Scripture, salvation doesn’t depend on correctly interpreting and responding to every prophetic detail.

2. We’re Living in the Time When Revelation Is Being Fulfilled

SCJ teaches that Revelation’s prophecies are being fulfilled now, specifically through events in their organization. This is “the time of revelation” that the instructor mentions.

The Problem: This claim has been made by many groups throughout church history, and all have been wrong. The biblical pattern is that Christ’s return will be visible, unmistakable, and universal—not hidden in one organization’s events.

3. Recognizing and Joining SCJ Is “Keeping the New Covenant”

SCJ teaches that the New Covenant is “kept” by recognizing their fulfillment of Revelation and joining their organization. Those who don’t do this have “broken the covenant.”

The Problem: This makes salvation dependent on organizational membership rather than faith in Christ. It adds human requirements to God’s grace. It contradicts the New Covenant’s nature as a gracious gift received through faith.

4. Leaving SCJ Is “Breaking the New Covenant”

SCJ teaches that once you’ve joined them, leaving means breaking the New Covenant and losing salvation. This creates fear and prevents people from leaving even when they have doubts.

The Problem: This contradicts the New Covenant’s security. Those who are in Christ are kept by God’s power, not by organizational membership. True believers can’t lose their salvation by leaving a human organization.

The Fundamental Distortion:

SCJ takes the New Covenant—which is about Christ’s sacrifice, God’s grace, and salvation through faith—and transforms it into a system of organizational loyalty. They replace:

• Christ’s finished work with their fulfillment claims
• Faith in Christ with understanding their interpretations
• Grace with performance (recognizing and responding correctly)
• The Holy Spirit’s work with organizational membership
• Assurance based on God’s promises with fear of breaking the covenant

This is not the biblical New Covenant. It’s a distortion that serves SCJ’s organizational interests while obscuring the gospel.

The Testament/Covenant Connection

The lesson includes an interesting moment where the instructor asks someone to read Luke 22:20 from the King James Version:

Luke 22:20 (KJV): “Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.”

The instructor then explains:

“Ah, did you catch it? This is something we went over at the very beginning of the class. And of course, we’ve repeated it, but testament and covenant mean the same thing. Testament is just an old English word for covenant. That’s why it says testament in the King James version because it was made approximately 500 years ago when it was written. So the new covenant is the same as the new testament.”

Why This Matters:

This explanation is actually correct and helpful. “Testament” and “covenant” do mean the same thing. The Greek word diatheke can be translated either way.

But notice what SCJ is doing: They’re emphasizing that “New Testament” = “New Covenant” to prepare students for their later teaching that the New Testament (the book of Revelation specifically) contains the “prophecy part” of the New Covenant that must be “kept” by recognizing its fulfillment in SCJ.

In other words, they’re connecting:

• The New Covenant (Christ’s promise of salvation)
• The New Testament (the biblical books)
• The book of Revelation (prophecy)
• SCJ’s fulfillment claims (what you must recognize and respond to)

This creates a framework where rejecting SCJ’s claims about Revelation means rejecting the New Covenant and therefore rejecting salvation.

The Biblical Reality:

Yes, “New Testament” and “New Covenant” are the same word. But:

1. The New Covenant Was Established by Christ’s Death

The New Covenant isn’t a book—it’s a relationship with God made possible by Christ’s sacrifice. The New Testament books describe and explain this covenant, but the covenant itself is the relationship.

2. The New Testament Books Are Scripture

The 27 books of the New Testament are inspired Scripture that teach us about Christ, the gospel, the church, and Christian living. They include historical accounts (Gospels, Acts), letters to churches (Paul’s letters, general epistles), and prophecy (Revelation).

3. Revelation Is Part of Scripture

Revelation is the final book of the New Testament. It’s prophetic literature written to encourage first-century Christians facing persecution and to reveal God’s ultimate victory over evil.

4. Understanding Revelation Doesn’t Require Joining SCJ

Revelation can be understood by careful study in its historical and biblical context. Christians have studied and benefited from Revelation for 2,000 years without needing SCJ’s interpretations. While Christians disagree on some details of Revelation’s interpretation, they agree on its main message: Christ wins, evil is defeated, God’s people are vindicated, and creation is renewed.

5. Salvation Doesn’t Depend on Correctly Interpreting Revelation

The gospel is clear: Christ died for our sins and rose again; whoever believes in Him has eternal life. This is the message of the New Covenant. While Revelation is valuable and important, salvation doesn’t depend on correctly interpreting every symbol or recognizing specific organizational fulfillments.

The Danger:

By connecting the New Covenant with the New Testament with Revelation with their fulfillment claims, SCJ creates a package deal: accept all of it or reject all of it. This makes students feel that questioning SCJ’s interpretation of Revelation means rejecting the New Covenant and therefore rejecting salvation.

But this is a false connection. You can:

• Believe in the New Covenant (Christ’s sacrifice and salvation through faith)
• Accept the New Testament as Scripture
• Study and value the book of Revelation
• Reject SCJ’s interpretations and claims

These are not all-or-nothing. The New Covenant is about Christ, not about one organization’s interpretation of prophecy.

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Part 5: The Progression of Indoctrination—Where Lesson 58 Fits

To fully understand Lesson 58, we need to see where it fits in SCJ’s overall indoctrination process. Let’s trace the progression from the beginning of the curriculum to this point.

The Introductory Level: Parables (Lessons 1-30)

The Foundation:

In the Introductory Level, students learn:

1. The Bible was “sealed” with parables that couldn’t be understood until now
2. Everything is figurative: Heaven = tabernacle, earth = people, stars = pastors, etc.
3. Only those with “the key” (SCJ’s interpretations) can understand
4. Other churches don’t understand because they read “literally”
5. You’re privileged to be learning these “secrets”

The Psychological Effect:

By the end of the Introductory Level, students:

• Distrust their own understanding of Scripture
• Depend on SCJ’s interpretations
• Feel special and privileged
• View other churches as ignorant or deceived
• Are invested (90-100 hours of classes plus study time)

The Key Lesson (Lesson 28):

As analyzed in previous refutations, Lesson 28 on the Lampstand is particularly strategic. It teaches that the lampstand (church) can become corrupted and need to be removed, preparing students to believe that existing churches have failed and a new church (SCJ) is needed.

The Intermediate Level: Bible Logic (Lessons 31-60)

The Framework:

In the Intermediate Level, students learn:

1. How to connect biblical passages using SCJ’s framework
2. The pattern of betrayal, destruction, and salvation that supposedly repeats throughout Scripture
3. The “war” between Jerusalem (true church) and Babylon (false churches)
4. The “heaven and earth” framework (heaven = tabernacle, earth = people)
5. Covenants and their “prophecy parts” that must be kept at the right time

The Psychological Effect:

By the middle of the Intermediate Level, students:

• Have internalized SCJ’s interpretive framework
• Automatically interpret everything figuratively
• See patterns that “prove” SCJ’s claims
• Are deeply invested (180-200+ hours)
• Have likely distanced from their original church
• Feel they’re learning things no one else knows

Where Lesson 58 Fits:

Lesson 58 comes near the end of the Intermediate Level (Lesson 58 of approximately 60). At this point:

What Students Have Already Learned:

1. The Bible was sealed and incomprehensible without SCJ
2. Everything must be interpreted figuratively
3. Heaven = tabernacle/church, earth = people
4. There’s a war between Jerusalem (true church) and Babylon (false churches)
5. Churches can become corrupted and be destroyed
6. God works differently in different eras
7. You must discern the times and respond appropriately

What Lesson 58 Adds:

1. The covenant framework: Covenants have “law” (daily activities) and “prophecy” (time-specific fulfillments)
2. The importance of the “prophecy part”: If you break the prophecy part, you’ve broken the whole covenant
3. The “era” emphasis: You must have the right faith for the right era
4. The “time of revelation”: We’re living in the time when Revelation is being fulfilled
5. The urgency: You must recognize what’s happening “today,” not focus on the past

What’s Coming Next:

After Lesson 58, students will move into the Advanced Level (Revelation), where they’ll learn:

1. Detailed interpretation of Revelation using SCJ’s framework
2. SCJ’s founder’s role as the “promised pastor” who fulfills Revelation
3. Specific events in SCJ that supposedly fulfill Revelation’s prophecies
4. The “144,000” and SCJ’s organizational structure
5. The urgency of joining SCJ to be part of the “new heaven and new earth”

The Strategic Purpose of Lesson 58:

Lesson 58 is strategically placed to:

1. Prepare for Revelation Study

Students are being taught that we’re in “the time of revelation” and that “fulfillment is taking place.” This prepares them to believe that Revelation is being fulfilled now, specifically in SCJ.

2. Create the “Era” Framework

By emphasizing that different eras require different responses, SCJ prepares students to believe that the current era requires joining them. Just as Noah’s generation needed to get on the ark and Moses’ generation needed to observe Passover, this generation needs to join SCJ.

3. Establish the “Prophecy Part” Concept

By teaching that covenants have a “prophecy part” that can only be kept at the right time, SCJ prepares students to believe that “keeping the New Covenant” requires recognizing and responding to Revelation’s fulfillment (in SCJ).

4. Dismiss Objections in Advance

By teaching that “a sign that someone has not truly perceived our time is an insistence and focus on the past,” SCJ creates a framework for dismissing anyone who objects based on historic Christian teaching. If you point out that SCJ’s teaching contradicts 2,000 years of Christianity, they can say, “You’re focused on the past instead of recognizing what God is doing today.”

5. Create Urgency

By emphasizing that this is a unique time requiring immediate response, SCJ creates pressure to act quickly. Students feel they must make decisions now or miss their opportunity.

The Cumulative Effect

By Lesson 58, students have been conditioned through approximately 5 months and 200+ hours of study to:

Intellectually:

• Distrust their own understanding
• Accept SCJ’s interpretive framework automatically
• See everything through SCJ’s lens
• Believe they’re learning hidden truths

Emotionally:

• Feel privileged and special
• Fear missing out or being left behind
• Experience urgency about responding correctly
• Feel anxious about “breaking the covenant”

Socially:

• Have invested massive time and energy
• Have formed relationships within SCJ
• Have likely distanced from their original church
• Have possibly recruited friends or family

Spiritually:

• Believe their salvation depends on understanding correctly
• Feel they must “keep the covenant” by responding to fulfillment
• See leaving as “breaking the covenant” and losing salvation
• Identify their spiritual state with organizational membership

The Trap:

By this point, students are deeply trapped:

1. Investment: They’ve invested 5 months and 200+ hours. Walking away feels like admitting they wasted all that time.
2. Identity: They’ve come to see themselves as privileged recipients of special knowledge. Leaving means losing this identity.
3. Relationships: They’ve formed friendships within SCJ. Leaving means losing these relationships.
4. Fear: They’ve been taught that leaving means breaking the New Covenant and losing salvation. This creates intense fear.
5. Isolation: They’ve distanced from their original church and possibly from family and friends who expressed concerns. They have nowhere to go if they leave.
6. Framework: They’ve internalized SCJ’s interpretive framework so deeply that they can’t read Scripture without it. Even if they leave, the framework persists.

Chapter 11 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Deception Tactics—How Shincheonji Gradually Leads People Astray,” explains this progression in detail. The chapter shows how SCJ uses incremental commitment, social pressure, information control, and fear to trap students in a system they entered innocently.

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Tactic 1: The “Discernment Test” Framework

One of the most powerful manipulation tactics in Lesson 58 is what we might call the “discernment test” framework. Let’s examine how this works psychologically.

The Setup:

The instructor teaches that throughout history, people have faced tests of spiritual discernment:

• Noah’s generation: Had to recognize that God was calling them to get on the ark
• Moses’ generation: Had to recognize that God was calling them to observe Passover and leave Egypt
• Jesus’ generation: Had to recognize that Jesus was the Messiah

The Pattern:

In each case:

1. God was doing something new
2. It required recognizing what God was doing “today”
3. Those who insisted on old ways missed it
4. Those who discerned correctly responded and were saved
5. Those who failed to discern were lost

The Application:

The instructor then applies this to students:

“So everyone, what is our present time? It is the time of revelation. How do we know? Because we are learning the open word. Fulfillment is taking place.”

The Psychological Trap:

This framework creates a powerful psychological trap:

Element 1: You’re Being Tested

Students are taught that they’re facing a test of spiritual discernment right now. Just as people in Noah’s day, Moses’ day, and Jesus’ day were tested, you’re being tested today.

Element 2: The Stakes Are Eternal

The test isn’t trivial—it determines your eternal destiny. Those who failed the test in previous eras were destroyed (Noah’s flood) or missed salvation (rejecting Jesus). The implication is clear: fail this test and you’ll lose salvation.

Element 3: The Test Is About Recognizing “Today”

The test isn’t about understanding theology or living righteously—it’s specifically about recognizing what God is doing “today.” You must discern that we’re in “the time of revelation” and respond accordingly.

Element 4: Questioning Is Failing

If you question whether we’re really in “the time of revelation,” you’re demonstrating that you’ve failed the test. You’re like people who insisted on keeping old commands instead of getting on the ark, or like people who rejected Jesus because He didn’t match their expectations.

Element 5: Accepting Is Passing

If you accept that we’re in “the time of revelation” and that SCJ’s teaching represents the “open word,” you’ve passed the test. You’ve demonstrated spiritual discernment. You’re like Noah who built the ark, or like the disciples who recognized Jesus.

The Result:

This framework makes it psychologically very difficult to question. Questioning is redefined as spiritual failure. Accepting is redefined as spiritual success. Students feel they must accept or risk eternal consequences.

The Biblical Problem:

This framework distorts how God actually tests His people. Let’s look at biblical tests of discernment:

Testing Prophets (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 could be tested by whether their predictions came true. This was an objective test anyone could apply.

Testing Spirits (1 John 4:1-3):

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God.”

True teaching can be tested by whether it confesses Jesus Christ. This is an objective test based on clear doctrine.

Testing Teaching (Acts 17:11):

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

Even apostolic teaching should be tested against Scripture. The Bereans were commended for examining Paul’s teaching, not for accepting it without question.

The Pattern:

Biblical tests of discernment involve:

• Objective criteria that can be verified
• Comparison with existing Scripture
• Examination of claims against evidence
• Freedom to question and test

SCJ’s “Test”:

SCJ’s test involves:

• Subjective acceptance of their framework
• Reinterpretation of Scripture according to their system
• Circular reasoning (you’re learning the “open word,” which proves fulfillment is happening, which proves you should accept the teaching)
• Pressure not to question (questioning means you’re failing the test)

These are opposite approaches. Biblical discernment encourages testing and verification. SCJ’s framework discourages questioning and demands acceptance.

Tactic 2: The “Era Specificity” Manipulation

Another powerful tactic is the emphasis on “era specificity”—the idea that what’s right changes from era to era.

The Teaching:

“The things we need to do and realize are era-specific… A sign that someone has not truly perceived our time is an insistence and focus on the past without acknowledging what is happening today.”

The Psychological Effect:

Effect 1: Relativizes Truth

By emphasizing that truth is “era-specific,” SCJ creates a framework where what was true in the past might not be true today. This makes students more willing to accept teachings that contradict historic Christianity—after all, we’re in a new era.

Effect 2: Dismisses Historic Christianity

When students point out that SCJ’s teaching contradicts 2,000 years of Christian belief and practice, SCJ can respond: “That’s the past. You need to focus on what God is doing today.” This dismisses the entire history of Christian theology and interpretation.

Effect 3: Creates Urgency

If truth is era-specific and we’re in a unique era, then you must act now. You can’t wait or delay—this opportunity is specific to this time.

Effect 4: Prevents Comparison

By teaching that different eras have different truths, SCJ prevents students from comparing their teaching with biblical patterns. When you point out that SCJ’s methods don’t match how God worked in Scripture, they can say, “Different era, different methods.”

The Biblical Problem:

While it’s true that God worked differently in different eras of redemptive history (as we discussed earlier), there are crucial continuities:

God’s Character Doesn’t Change:

Malachi 3:6: “I the LORD do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.”

Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

James 1:17: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

God’s character, nature, and moral standards don’t change from era to era.

God’s Methods Have Consistent Patterns:

While specific commands might change (dietary laws, sacrificial system, etc.), God’s methods have consistent patterns:

1. Clear revelation: God speaks clearly through prophets, Scripture, or Christ
2. Public verification: God’s work can be verified through signs, miracles, fulfilled prophecy
3. Consistency with previous revelation: New revelation builds on and fulfills previous revelation; it doesn’t contradict it
4. Focus on God’s glory: God’s work exalts Him, not human organizations

The Gospel Doesn’t Change:

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!”

Paul emphasizes that the gospel doesn’t change. Anyone preaching a different gospel—even an angel—should be rejected. The gospel isn’t “era-specific.”

The Core Message Is Consistent:

Throughout Scripture, the core message is consistent:

• God is holy and humans are sinful
• Sin separates us from God
• God provides a way of salvation through sacrifice
• Salvation is received through faith
• God calls His people to live righteously

The specific forms change (animal sacrifices point to Christ’s sacrifice, the temple is replaced by the church, etc.), but the core message is consistent.

The Problem with SCJ’s Use:

SCJ uses “era specificity” to:

• Justify teachings that contradict Scripture
• Dismiss historic Christian theology
• Prevent comparison with biblical patterns
• Create urgency and pressure

This isn’t legitimate recognition of different eras—it’s manipulation that allows them to introduce teachings that contradict God’s revealed truth.

Tactic 3: The “Circular Validation” System

Perhaps the most insidious tactic in Lesson 58 is the circular validation system:

The Argument:

1. “We’re learning the open word”
2. “Things cannot be opened if they aren’t happening”
3. “Therefore, fulfillment is taking place”
4. “Therefore, we’re in the time of revelation”
5. “Therefore, you should accept what we’re teaching”

The Problem:

This is circular reasoning. The conclusion (we’re in the time of revelation) is assumed in the premise (we’re learning the open word, which means fulfillment is happening).

Let’s break down why this is fallacious:

Premise 1: “We’re learning the open word”

This assumes that what SCJ is teaching is actually “the open word” rather than just their interpretation. But this is precisely what needs to be proven, not assumed.

Premise 2: “Things cannot be opened if they aren’t happening”

This assumes that “opening” Scripture means recognizing present fulfillment. But as we’ve seen, biblical “opening” of Scripture means understanding existing revelation in light of Christ, not recognizing new fulfillments.

Conclusion: “Therefore, fulfillment is taking place”

This conclusion only follows if you accept the premises, which are themselves questionable.

The Circular Nature:

• How do you know we’re in the time of revelation? Because we’re learning the open word.
• How do you know this is the open word? Because fulfillment is taking place.
• How do you know fulfillment is taking place? Because we’re learning the open word.
• How do you know we’re learning the open word? Because we’re in the time of revelation.

This is a closed loop. There’s no way to verify the claims from outside the system. You must accept the premises to reach the conclusion, but the premises assume the conclusion.

The Psychological Effect:

This circular system creates a self-validating framework:

If you accept it: Everything confirms it. Every lesson you learn “proves” that fulfillment is happening, which “proves” you’re in the right place, which “proves” you should continue.

If you question it: You’re told you’re failing to discern the times, focusing on the past, or resisting God’s work.

There’s no way to question from within the system. The system is designed to be self-confirming.

The Biblical Alternative:

Scripture provides objective criteria for testing claims:

Fulfilled Prophecy (Deuteronomy 18:21-22):

Prophets could be tested by whether their predictions came true. This is objective and verifiable.

Consistency with Scripture (Isaiah 8:20):

“Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.”

Teaching should be tested against existing Scripture. This is objective and verifiable.

Fruit (Matthew 7:15-20):

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.”

Teachers can be tested by their fruit—their character, their impact, their consistency. This is observable and verifiable.

Confession of Christ (1 John 4:2-3):

Teaching should be tested by whether it confesses Jesus Christ. This is clear and verifiable.

These are objective tests that can be applied from outside the system. SCJ’s circular validation system can only be “verified” from within the system, which means it’s not actually verifiable at all.

Tactic 4: The “Investment Reinforcement” Strategy

Throughout Lesson 58, the instructor reinforces students’ investment:

The Study Tips Section:

The lesson begins with extensive discussion of study methods, test preparation, and memorization techniques. This serves to:

1. Remind students of their investment: “Look how much effort you’re putting in—quizzes, memorization, study time”
2. Normalize the demand: “Here are tips to make it easier” (implying the demand is reasonable)
3. Create performance pressure: “Write the test word for word” (you must perform to advance)
4. Establish dependency: “Follow these tips” (you need our guidance to succeed)

The Psychological Principle:

This leverages the psychological principle of “escalation of commitment” (also called “sunk cost fallacy”). The more you invest in something, the harder it becomes to walk away, even if you have doubts.

How It Works:

Stage 1: Initial Investment

You start attending classes. It’s interesting, and you’re learning. The investment is small (a few hours per week).

Stage 2: Increasing Investment

Classes increase in frequency. You’re now attending 3 times per week, plus small groups, plus one-on-one meetings. You’re studying for tests. You’re memorizing answers. The investment grows to 10-15 hours per week.

Stage 3: Identity Investment

You start to identify as someone who “understands the Bible” in ways others don’t. You’ve learned “secrets” that most Christians don’t know. Your identity becomes tied to this knowledge.

Stage 4: Social Investment

You’ve formed friendships within the group. You’ve likely distanced from your original church. You may have recruited friends or family. Your social world is increasingly centered on SCJ.

Stage 5: The Trap

Now you have doubts. But walking away means:

• Admitting you wasted 5 months and 200+ hours
• Losing your identity as someone with special knowledge
• Losing your friendships within the group
• Facing the people you recruited and admitting you were wrong
• Returning to your original church and admitting you were deceived

The psychological cost of leaving is enormous. So even when you have doubts, you’re likely to suppress them and continue.

The Reinforcement:

Lesson 58 reinforces this investment by:

• Spending time on study tips (reminding you of the effort required)
• Emphasizing tests and memorization (creating performance pressure)
• Teaching that you’re in a unique time requiring urgent response (making the investment seem crucial)
• Implying that questioning means failing the discernment test (making doubts seem dangerous)

The Biblical Problem:

Jesus taught that following Him might require leaving things behind, but He never used deceptive manipulation to trap people:

Luke 14:28-30: “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.'”

Jesus encouraged people to count the cost before committing. He didn’t use incremental commitment to trap them.

John 6:66-67: “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. ‘You do not want to leave too, do you?’ Jesus asked the Twelve.”

When many disciples left, Jesus didn’t manipulate them to stay. He even asked the Twelve if they wanted to leave. He gave them freedom to choose.

The Contrast:

Jesus’ Approach:

• Clear about the cost upfront
• Gave people freedom to leave
• Didn’t use manipulation to retain followers
• Based commitment on truth, not investment

SCJ’s Approach:

• Hides the cost initially (doesn’t reveal they’re SCJ)
• Gradually increases commitment
• Uses investment to trap people
• Makes leaving psychologically unbearable

These are opposite approaches. Jesus’ way honors human dignity and freedom. SCJ’s way manipulates and traps.

Tactic 5: The “Authority Establishment” Pattern

Throughout Lesson 58, the instructor establishes his authority in subtle ways:

Method 1: Providing “Tips”

By positioning himself as the one who provides helpful study tips, the instructor establishes himself as the expert who knows how students should learn.

Method 2: Explaining “Correctly”

The instructor explains what passages “really mean” and what people in Jesus’ day “should have understood.” This establishes him as the authority on interpretation.

Method 3: Defining Success

The instructor defines what it means to “discern the times” and have “correct faith.” This establishes him as the arbiter of spiritual success.

Method 4: Dismissing Alternatives

The instructor dismisses those who “focus on the past” or “insist on old ways.” This establishes that his perspective is the only valid one.

The Cumulative Effect:

By the end of the lesson, students have been conditioned to:

• Trust the instructor’s guidance on how to study
• Accept the instructor’s interpretations as correct
• Measure their spiritual state by the instructor’s standards
• Dismiss perspectives that differ from the instructor’s

This creates dependency. Students can’t verify claims independently because they’ve been taught that independent study might lead them astray. They need the instructor’s framework to understand Scripture.

The Biblical Problem:

Scripture teaches that the Holy Spirit guides all believers:

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.”

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.”

While believers benefit from teachers (Ephesians 4:11-12), we’re not dependent on any human teacher for understanding. The Holy Spirit teaches all believers.

The Berean Example:

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

Even Paul—an apostle—commended people for testing his teaching against Scripture. No teacher should claim authority that prevents students from independent verification.

The Contrast:

Biblical Teaching:

• Points to Scripture as the authority
• Encourages independent study and verification
• Commends those who test teaching
• Acknowledges the Holy Spirit’s role in guiding believers

SCJ’s Teaching:

• Points to their instructors as authorities
• Discourages independent study (you might misunderstand)
• Dismisses those who question
• Replaces the Holy Spirit with organizational teaching

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Part 7: Biblical Alternatives—What the New Covenant Really Means

After examining how SCJ distorts the New Covenant, let’s look at what Scripture actually teaches. This section provides the biblical alternative to SCJ’s framework.

The True Nature of the New Covenant

Foundation: Christ’s Sacrifice

The New Covenant is founded entirely on Christ’s sacrifice:

Hebrews 9:15: “For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”

Hebrews 10:10: “And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

Christ’s death accomplished what the Old Covenant sacrifices could never do—it actually removed sin. This is the foundation of the New Covenant.

Promise: Complete Forgiveness

The New Covenant promises complete, permanent forgiveness:

Hebrews 10:17-18: “‘Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.’ And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.”

Under the Old Covenant, sins were covered temporarily and had to be atoned for repeatedly. Under the New Covenant, sins are forgiven permanently. God remembers them no more.

Gift: The Holy Spirit

The New Covenant includes the gift of the Holy Spirit:

Ezekiel 36:26-27: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”

Acts 2:38-39: “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. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.'”

The Holy Spirit indwells believers, transforms them from within, and empowers them to live for God.

Access: Direct Relationship with God

The New Covenant provides direct access to God:

Hebrews 10:19-22: “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings.”

We don’t need human mediators (priests, special teachers, organizational membership). We have direct access to God through Christ.

Basis: Grace, Not Works

The New Covenant is based on grace, not human performance:

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

Titus 3:5: “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.”

Salvation isn’t earned by understanding correctly, performing ritually, or maintaining organizational membership. It’s received as a gift through faith.

Security: Kept by God’s Power

Those in the New Covenant are kept secure by God’s power:

1 Peter 1:3-5: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”

John 10:28-29: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”

Our security doesn’t depend on our performance or organizational membership. We’re kept by God’s power.

How to Enter the New Covenant

Through Faith in Christ:

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: “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.”

You enter the New Covenant by believing in Jesus Christ—trusting that He died for your sins and rose again, and committing your life to Him as Lord.

Not Through:

• Understanding special interpretations
• Recognizing organizational fulfillments
• Joining a specific group
• Achieving perfect knowledge
• Performing rituals correctly

The Simplicity of the Gospel:

The gospel is simple enough for a child to understand:

• You’re a sinner separated from God
• Jesus died to pay for your sins
• Jesus rose from the dead, proving His victory over sin and death
• If you believe in Him, you’re forgiven and receive eternal life

This is the New Covenant message. It’s not complicated. It doesn’t require years of study or special knowledge. It requires faith.

How to Live in the New Covenant

By the Spirit’s Power:

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

Romans 8:13-14: “For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”

Living in the New Covenant means walking by the Spirit—depending on His power to live righteously.

In Community with Other Believers:

Hebrews 10:24-25: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

1 John 1:7: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

The New Covenant life is lived in community with other believers—encouraging, supporting, and serving one another.

Growing in Christ:

2 Peter 3:18: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”

Colossians 2:6-7: “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

The New Covenant life involves growing in grace and knowledge of Christ—becoming more like Him.

Serving Others:

Galatians 5:13: “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”

1 Peter 4:10: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

The New Covenant life involves using your gifts to serve others and build up the body of Christ.

The Assurance of the New Covenant

Based on God’s Character:

2 Timothy 2:13: “If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.”

Numbers 23:19: “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?”

Our assurance is based on God’s faithfulness, not our performance.

Sealed by the Holy Spirit:

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

The Holy Spirit is the seal guaranteeing our inheritance. This isn’t something we can lose by leaving an organization.

Promised by Christ:

John 6:37: “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.”

John 10:27-28: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

Christ promises that those who come to Him will never be driven away and will never perish.

The Contrast with SCJ:

Biblical New Covenant:

• Assurance based on Christ’s finished work
• Security guaranteed by God’s power
• Confidence rooted in God’s promises
• Peace from knowing you’re kept by grace

SCJ’s Version:

• Assurance based on organizational membership
• Security dependent on your understanding and loyalty
• Confidence rooted in being in the “right” group
• Anxiety from fear of “breaking the covenant”

The biblical New Covenant brings peace and assurance. SCJ’s version brings anxiety and fear.

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For those who are studying with SCJ or know someone who is, it’s crucial to recognize the warning signs of manipulation. Let’s examine the specific red flags in Lesson 58 and throughout SCJ’s curriculum.

Warning Sign 1: Redefining Biblical Terms

What to Watch For:

SCJ consistently takes biblical terms and redefines them to serve their organizational claims:

In Lesson 58:

• “New Covenant” is redefined to include recognizing SCJ’s fulfillment claims
• “Keeping the covenant” is redefined as organizational loyalty
• “Discerning the times” is redefined as accepting SCJ’s interpretations
• “Open word” is redefined as SCJ’s teachings
• “Time of revelation” is redefined as the present era when SCJ fulfills prophecy

The Pattern:

SCJ takes legitimate biblical concepts and gradually shifts their meaning:

Stage 1: They use the biblical term correctly to establish credibility Stage 2: They add subtle qualifications (“the New Covenant includes prophecy that must be kept at the right time”) Stage 3: They apply it to their organization (“keeping the New Covenant means recognizing fulfillment in SCJ”) Stage 4: They make organizational claims central (“leaving SCJ means breaking the New Covenant”)

Why This Is Dangerous:

When biblical terms are redefined, students think they’re learning biblical truth when they’re actually learning organizational doctrine. They use biblical language but mean something entirely different.

How to Recognize It:

Ask yourself:

• Does this definition match how the term is used throughout Scripture?
• Does this definition require accepting organizational claims?
• Could early Christians have understood this term this way without knowing about this organization?
• Does this definition make salvation dependent on organizational membership?

If the answer to questions 2-4 is “yes,” the term has been redefined to serve organizational interests.

Biblical Standard:

2 Corinthians 4:2: “Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.”

Biblical teaching uses terms plainly and honestly, not deceptively or manipulatively.

Warning Sign 2: Creating False Urgency

What to Watch For:

SCJ creates intense urgency by claiming we’re in a unique time requiring immediate response:

In Lesson 58:

• “What is our present time? It is the time of revelation”
• “Fulfillment is taking place”
• “Things cannot be opened if they aren’t happening”
• “You must discern the times and respond appropriately”

The Pressure:

This creates pressure to:

• Make quick decisions
• Not delay or wait
• Not take time to verify claims
• Not consult with others who might raise concerns
• Act now or miss your opportunity

Why This Is Dangerous:

False urgency prevents careful evaluation. When you feel you must decide immediately, you’re more likely to:

• Suppress doubts
• Ignore warning signs
• Skip verification steps
• Make decisions you’ll later regret

The Pattern Throughout History:

False teachers have always created false urgency:

In the first century: Some taught that Christ’s return was imminent and people should stop working (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2; 3:10-12)

Throughout church history: Various groups have claimed they were living in the “end times” and people must join them immediately

In modern times: Cults consistently use urgency to pressure people into commitment before they can think carefully

Biblical Standard:

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

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

Proverbs 19:2: “Desire without knowledge is not good—how much more will hasty feet miss the way!”

Scripture encourages careful evaluation, not hasty decisions based on urgency.

How to Respond:

If someone is pressuring you to make quick decisions about spiritual matters:

1. Slow down: Take time to think, pray, and evaluate
2. Consult Scripture: Does the Bible actually teach what they’re claiming?
3. Seek wise counsel: Talk to mature Christians you trust
4. Test the claims: Can they be verified independently?
5. Watch for manipulation: Are they using pressure tactics?

Legitimate teaching doesn’t require hasty decisions. Truth can withstand careful examination.

Warning Sign 3: Dismissing Legitimate Questions

What to Watch For:

SCJ has built-in mechanisms for dismissing anyone who questions:

In Lesson 58:

• “A sign that someone has not truly perceived our time is an insistence and focus on the past”
• Those who question are “focused on the past instead of acknowledging what is happening today”
• Questioning is equated with spiritual blindness (like those who rejected Jesus)

The Pattern:

If you question their interpretations: “You’re not understanding spiritually”

If you point out contradictions with historic Christianity: “You’re focused on the past”

If you express concerns about their methods: “You’re resisting what God is doing today”

If you want to verify their claims: “You lack faith” or “You’re not discerning the times”

Why This Is Dangerous:

When questioning is redefined as spiritual failure, students:

• Suppress legitimate doubts
• Feel guilty for having concerns
• Fear being labeled as spiritually blind
• Stop thinking critically
• Accept claims without verification

Biblical Standard:

Scripture commends those who test teaching:

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

The Bereans were “more noble” because they tested even apostolic teaching against Scripture.

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

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.”

Scripture repeatedly commands believers to test teaching, not accept it blindly.

How to Recognize Manipulation:

Legitimate teachers:

• Welcome questions
• Provide evidence for their claims
• Encourage verification against Scripture
• Don’t pressure you to accept without examination
• Don’t make you feel guilty for having doubts

Manipulative teachers:

• Discourage questions
• Provide circular reasoning instead of evidence
• Discourage independent verification
• Pressure you to accept quickly
• Make you feel guilty or spiritually deficient for questioning

Warning Sign 4: Circular Reasoning

What to Watch For:

SCJ’s arguments are often circular—the conclusion is assumed in the premise:

In Lesson 58:

• “We’re learning the open word” (assumes what they’re teaching is “the open word”)
• “Things cannot be opened if they aren’t happening” (assumes “opening” means present fulfillment)
• “Therefore fulfillment is taking place” (conclusion based on unproven assumptions)
• “Therefore we’re in the time of revelation” (further conclusion based on previous unproven conclusion)

The Problem:

Circular reasoning can’t be verified from outside the system. You must accept the premises to reach the conclusion, but the premises assume the conclusion.

Example:

Q: How do you know Revelation is being fulfilled now? A: Because we’re learning the open word.

Q: How do you know this is the open word? A: Because things can only be opened when they’re being fulfilled.

Q: How do you know they’re being fulfilled? A: Because we’re learning the open word.

This is a closed loop with no external verification.

Biblical Standard:

Biblical claims can be verified:

Prophecy can be tested: “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” (Deuteronomy 18:22)

Miracles can be witnessed: Jesus’ miracles were public and verifiable (John 20:30-31)

Resurrection can be testified to: “He appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time” (1 Corinthians 15:5-6)

Teaching can be examined: “They received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (Acts 17:11)

How to Recognize It:

Ask:

• Can these claims be verified independently?
• Is the reasoning circular (conclusion assumed in premise)?
• Are there objective criteria for testing the claims?
• Can someone outside the system verify these claims?

If the reasoning is circular and can’t be verified independently, it’s not reliable.

Warning Sign 5: Progressive Isolation

What to Watch For:

SCJ gradually isolates students from outside influences:

Time Isolation:

• Classes 3 times per week (6 hours)
• Small groups
• One-on-one meetings with evangelist
• Study time for tests
• Total: 10-15+ hours per week

This leaves little time for:

• Original church involvement
• Family time
• Other friendships
• Independent Bible study
• Rest and reflection

Social Isolation:

• Forming close friendships within SCJ
• Distancing from original church
• Spending less time with family and friends who express concerns
• Recruiting friends and family (which creates awkwardness if you later have doubts)

Intellectual Isolation:

• Learning to distrust your own understanding
• Depending on SCJ’s interpretations
• Viewing other churches as “Babylon”
• Dismissing historic Christian teaching as “past”
• Seeing questioning as spiritual failure

Information Isolation:

• Spending all Bible study time on SCJ materials
• Not reading other Christian books or resources
• Not listening to other teachers or pastors
• Being discouraged from researching SCJ online

Why This Is Dangerous:

Isolation makes it harder to:

• Maintain perspective
• Hear alternative viewpoints
• Verify claims independently
• Get help if you have concerns
• Leave if you realize something is wrong

Biblical Standard:

Proverbs 11:14: “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.”

Proverbs 15:22: “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”

Scripture encourages seeking multiple perspectives and wise counsel, not isolation.

How to Recognize It:

Ask yourself:

• Am I spending less time with family and friends?
• Have I distanced from my original church?
• Do I have less time for other activities?
• Am I only reading one group’s materials?
• Do I feel uncomfortable discussing this study with people outside the group?
• Have people expressed concerns that I’ve dismissed?

If you’re becoming isolated, this is a serious warning sign.

Warning Sign 6: Thought-Stopping Techniques

What to Watch For:

SCJ uses phrases and concepts that stop critical thinking:

In Lesson 58:

• “You must discern the times” (stops questioning—if you question, you’re not discerning)
• “Focus on today, not the past” (stops comparison with historic Christianity)
• “Things cannot be opened if they aren’t happening” (stops questioning whether they’re actually being fulfilled)
• “A sign that someone has not truly perceived our time is insistence on the past” (stops objections based on tradition or historic teaching)

Throughout the Curriculum:

• “It’s spiritual, not literal” (stops objections based on plain reading)
• “The Bible was sealed until now” (stops objections based on how others have understood Scripture)
• “You need the key to understand” (stops independent interpretation)
• “Other churches are Babylon” (stops comparison with other Christian teaching)

How These Work:

These phrases create mental shortcuts that prevent careful thinking:

When you think: “This contradicts what Christians have believed for 2,000 years” The thought-stopper: “You’re focused on the past instead of what God is doing today” The result: You dismiss your legitimate concern

When you think: “This interpretation seems forced” The thought-stopper: “You’re reading it literally instead of spiritually” The result: You doubt your own reading

When you think: “I should verify this with other Christians” The thought-stopper: “Other churches don’t understand because they’re Babylon” The result: You don’t seek outside perspective

Biblical Standard:

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

Scripture encourages careful thinking, not thought-stopping.

How to Recognize It:

When you have a concern or question, notice if:

• There’s a ready-made phrase that dismisses it
• You feel guilty for thinking it
• You automatically suppress it without examination
• You’re afraid to voice it

These are signs of thought-stopping techniques.

How to Respond:

• Slow down: When you notice a thought-stopper, pause and think carefully
• Examine the concern: Is your concern legitimate? Does it deserve consideration?
• Seek outside perspective: Talk to someone outside the group about your concern
• Test against Scripture: Does the Bible actually support the thought-stopper?

Warning Sign 7: Special Knowledge Claims

What to Watch For:

SCJ claims to have special knowledge that others don’t:

In Lesson 58:

• “We are learning the open word” (implying others aren’t)
• “Fulfillment is taking place” (implying only SCJ recognizes this)
• “You must discern the times” (implying only those who accept SCJ’s teaching are discerning)

Throughout the Curriculum:

• “The Bible was sealed until our founder received revelation”
• “We have the key to understanding”
• “Other churches read literally and don’t understand”
• “We’re learning secrets that have been hidden”

Why This Is Dangerous:

Special knowledge claims:

• Create pride (“I know things others don’t”)
• Create dependency (“I need this group to understand”)
• Create fear (“If I leave, I’ll lose this knowledge”)
• Create elitism (“We’re enlightened; others are in darkness”)

Biblical Standard:

1 Corinthians 8:1-2: “Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that ‘We all possess knowledge.’ But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know.”

Colossians 2:2-3: “My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

True knowledge is found in Christ, not in organizational secrets. And knowledge should build up in love, not create pride or elitism.

The Gnostic Pattern:

SCJ’s special knowledge claims follow the pattern of ancient Gnosticism—a heresy the early church fought against. Gnostics claimed:

• Special, hidden knowledge
• Only the enlightened could understand
• Salvation through knowledge rather than faith
• Elite status for those “in the know”

The early church rejected this, affirming that:

• The gospel is public and clear
• All believers have access to truth through the Holy Spirit
• Salvation is through faith in Christ, not special knowledge
• All believers are equal in Christ

How to Recognize It:

Ask:

• Does this teaching claim to reveal secrets unknown to other Christians?
• Does it create a sense of elite status?
• Does it make you feel superior to other Christians?
• Does it require accepting their framework to understand?
• Could early Christians have understood the gospel without this knowledge?

If the teaching creates elitism or claims secrets unavailable to others, it’s following a Gnostic pattern, not a biblical one.

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Part 9: Responding to SCJ’s Teaching

If you’re currently studying with SCJ or know someone who is, here are practical steps for responding to their teaching.

For Those Currently Studying

Step 1: Recognize You’re Not Alone

Many people have been drawn into SCJ’s studies. You’re not foolish or gullible for being interested. SCJ’s approach is sophisticated and deceptive. They:

• Hide their identity initially
• Use legitimate biblical language
• Present themselves as a Bible study, not a cult
• Gradually introduce problematic teachings
• Use psychological manipulation techniques

Recognizing the manipulation isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of wisdom.

Step 2: Give Yourself Permission to Question

You may feel guilty for having doubts. You may have been taught that questioning means:

• You’re not discerning spiritually
• You’re focused on the past
• You’re resisting God’s work
• You’re failing the test

These are manipulation tactics. Legitimate teaching welcomes questions. God gave you a mind to think critically and to test teaching against Scripture.

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

Questioning is wisdom, not rebellion.

Step 3: Examine the Claims Independently

Test SCJ’s claims against Scripture:

Question 1: Does the Bible actually teach that it was “sealed” until SCJ’s founder?

Read Daniel 12 in context. Read Revelation 1:3. Does Scripture say it was sealed waiting for someone in the 20th century, or does it say the time of fulfillment was near for the original readers?

Question 2: Does the Bible teach that everything is figurative?

Read the Gospels. Are Jesus’ miracles figurative? Is His crucifixion figurative? Is His resurrection figurative? Or are these historical events?

Question 3: Does the Bible teach that salvation depends on recognizing organizational fulfillments?

Read John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Romans 10:9, Ephesians 2:8-9. What do these verses say is required for salvation? Do any of them mention understanding special interpretations or joining a specific organization?

Question 4: Does the Bible teach that leaving a church means losing salvation?

Read Romans 8:38-39, John 10:28-29, 1 Peter 1:3-5. What do these verses say about the security of believers? Can anything separate us from God’s love? Can anyone snatch us from Christ’s hand?

Step 4: Seek Outside Perspective

Talk to Christians outside SCJ:

• Your pastor or church leaders (if you’re still connected to a church)
• Mature Christian friends or family members
• A Christian counselor who understands cults
• Former SCJ members who can share their experiences

You may feel uncomfortable doing this because SCJ has taught you that:

• Other churches don’t understand
• People who express concerns are “Babylon”
• Seeking outside perspective shows lack of faith

These are isolation tactics. Legitimate teaching doesn’t fear outside examination.

Proverbs 11:14: “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.”

Step 5: Research SCJ

Look up information about Shincheonji online:

• Former member testimonies: Many people have left SCJ and shared their experiences
• Christian apologetics resources: Organizations like the Closer Look Initiative (closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination) have documented SCJ’s teachings and methods
• News articles: SCJ has been involved in controversies (including COVID-19 outbreak in South Korea) that reveal their practices

You may have been discouraged from researching online because:

• “People who left are bitter”
• “Online information is false”
• “You should only trust what you learn in class”

These are information control tactics. If SCJ’s teaching is true, it can withstand examination. Truth doesn’t fear investigation.

Step 6: Consider the Fruit

Jesus said you can recognize false teachers by their fruit:

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

Examine the fruit of SCJ:

Deception:

• They hide their identity initially
• They use front organizations
• They recruit under false pretenses
• They gradually reveal their true teachings

Division:

• They separate people from their churches
• They create distance between family members
• They label other Christians as “Babylon”
• They create an us-vs-them mentality

Control:

• They demand extensive time commitments
• They pressure people to recruit
• They use fear to prevent people from leaving
• They control information and discourage outside research

Spiritual Abuse:

• They make salvation dependent on organizational membership
• They create anxiety about “breaking the covenant”
• They use guilt and shame to control behavior
• They redefine biblical terms to serve their agenda

Does this fruit match what Jesus described as good fruit?

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

Step 7: Make a Decision

After examining the evidence, you need to make a decision:

If you conclude SCJ’s teaching is false:

1. Stop attending classes immediately: Don’t feel you need to finish or give them a chance to respond. You don’t owe them anything.
2. Cut off contact: SCJ will likely pressure you to return. They may:
   • Call and text repeatedly
   • Send people to your home
   • Use guilt and fear tactics
   • Claim you’re “breaking the covenant”

   You have the right to end contact. Block numbers if necessary.

3. Reconnect with your church: If you’ve distanced from your church, reach out to your pastor. Explain what happened. Most churches will welcome you back with understanding and support.
4. Seek support: Consider:
   • Talking to a Christian counselor who understands cults
   • Connecting with former SCJ members
   • Reading resources about spiritual abuse and recovery
   • Spending time in prayer and Scripture to renew your mind
5. Warn others: If you recruited friends or family, warn them about SCJ. If you know others studying with SCJ, share your concerns.

If you’re still uncertain:

1. Take a break: Stop attending classes for a few weeks. Tell them you need time to think and pray. If they pressure you or refuse to respect this, that itself is a red flag.
2. Study Scripture independently: Read the Bible without SCJ’s materials. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you.
3. Continue researching: Read more about SCJ from multiple sources.
4. Pray for wisdom: Ask God to reveal the truth and give you discernment.

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

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If someone you care about is studying with SCJ, you’re likely feeling concerned, frustrated, or helpless. This section provides guidance for how to help.

Understanding What They’re Experiencing

The Psychological State:

Your loved one is likely experiencing:

Intellectual Investment:

• They’ve spent 200+ hours studying
• They’ve learned an entire interpretive framework
• They feel they’re understanding the Bible in ways they never did before
• They believe they’re learning hidden truths

Emotional Investment:

• They feel special and privileged
• They’ve formed close friendships within SCJ
• They experience the excitement of “discovering” new things
• They feel they’re part of something important

Social Investment:

• They’ve likely distanced from their original church
• They may have recruited friends or family
• Their social world is increasingly centered on SCJ
• They fear losing these relationships if they leave

Spiritual Investment:

• They believe their salvation depends on understanding correctly
• They fear “breaking the covenant” if they leave
• They see leaving as rejecting God’s work
• They’ve been taught that questioning is spiritual failure

The Result:

Your loved one isn’t just learning information—they’re being psychologically manipulated and spiritually abused. They’re trapped in a system designed to make leaving psychologically unbearable.

Why They Can’t See It:

They can’t see the manipulation because:

1. It was gradual: They didn’t join a cult—they joined a Bible study that gradually became cultic
2. It uses biblical language: Everything sounds biblical, so it seems legitimate
3. It provides answers: SCJ provides clear, confident answers to difficult biblical questions, which feels satisfying
4. It creates dependency: They’ve learned to distrust their own understanding and depend on SCJ’s framework
5. It isolates them: They’re not hearing alternative perspectives that might raise concerns
6. It reframes criticism: Any concerns are dismissed as “focusing on the past” or “not discerning the times”

What NOT to Do

Don’t Attack or Condemn:

Saying things like:

• “You’re in a cult!”
• “How can you be so stupid?”
• “You’re being brainwashed!”
• “You need to leave immediately!”

Why this doesn’t work:

• It puts them on the defensive
• It confirms what SCJ has taught them (that people will oppose them)
• It damages your relationship
• It makes them less likely to listen to you

Don’t Issue Ultimatums:

Saying things like:

• “If you don’t quit, I’m cutting you off”
• “Choose between them and your family”
• “You’re not welcome here if you continue”

Why this doesn’t work:

• It forces them to choose, and they’ll likely choose SCJ
• It isolates them further, making them more dependent on SCJ
• It confirms SCJ’s teaching that family will oppose them
• It removes your ability to influence them

Don’t Argue Doctrine Endlessly:

Getting into detailed arguments about:

• Specific interpretations
• Symbolic meanings
• Prophetic fulfillments
• Technical details

Why this doesn’t work:

• They’ve been trained to defend SCJ’s interpretations
• They have ready answers for common objections
• It becomes a battle of interpretations rather than addressing the core issues
• It’s exhausting and usually unproductive

Don’t Give Up:

Saying things like:

• “Fine, do what you want”
• “I can’t help you”
• “You’re on your own”

Why this doesn’t work:

• It abandons them when they need you most
• It confirms SCJ’s teaching that outsiders don’t understand
• It removes a crucial lifeline they’ll need if they decide to leave

What TO Do

Maintain the Relationship:

Priority #1: Keep the relationship intact. This is more important than winning arguments or forcing immediate change.

How:

• Continue to express love and concern
• Spend time together doing non-religious activities
• Show interest in their life beyond SCJ
• Be patient and kind, even when frustrated
• Pray for them consistently

Why this matters:

• If they decide to leave, they need to know they have somewhere to go
• Your relationship is a lifeline connecting them to reality outside SCJ
• Love is more powerful than arguments

Ask Questions Rather Than Make Statements:

Instead of telling them what’s wrong, ask questions that help them think:

About Time Commitment:

• “How much time are you spending on this each week?”
• “Do you feel you have enough time for other important things?”
• “How is this affecting your other relationships?”

About Methods:

• “Why do you think they didn’t tell you upfront that this was Shincheonji?”
• “Does it concern you that they used a different name initially?”
• “What do you think about organizations that hide their identity?”

About Teachings:

• “How do you know their interpretation is correct?”
• “What would happen if you questioned their teaching?”
• “Have you compared their teaching with what other Christians believe?”
• “How do you test whether something is true?”

About Pressure:

• “Do you feel pressure to attend every class?”
• “What would happen if you took a break?”
• “Do you feel free to question or disagree?”
• “How do they respond when people have doubts?”

About Fruit:

• “How has this affected your relationship with your church?”
• “How has this affected your family relationships?”
• “Do you feel more peace or more anxiety?”
• “Does this produce the fruit of the Spirit in your life?”

Why questions work:

• They help your loved one think critically without feeling attacked
• They can’t be dismissed as easily as statements
• They plant seeds of doubt that may grow over time
• They show you’re genuinely interested, not just attacking

Provide Information Gently:

Share information about SCJ, but do it carefully:

Good approaches:

• “I care about you, so I did some research on Shincheonji. Would you be willing to look at what I found?”
• “I read some testimonies from people who left SCJ. Their experiences concerned me. Would you be open to reading them?”
• “I found this article about SCJ’s methods. I’d like to discuss it with you if you’re willing.”

Resources to share:

• Former member testimonies
• Articles from Christian apologetics organizations
• News articles about SCJ controversies
• This refutation document
• “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story”

Why this approach works:

• It shows you care enough to research
• It provides information they may not have
• It’s offered, not forced
• It opens dialogue rather than closing it

Share Your Concerns Specifically:

Instead of general condemnation, share specific concerns:

Focus on methods, not just doctrine:

• “I’m concerned that they hid their identity initially. That seems deceptive.”
• “I’m worried about how much time this is taking from other important things.”
• “I’m troubled that they discourage you from talking to people outside the group.”
• “I’m concerned that they make you feel guilty for questioning.”

Focus on fruit:

• “I’ve noticed you seem more anxious lately. Does this teaching bring you peace?”
• “I’ve noticed you’ve distanced from your church. Does that concern you?”
• “I’ve noticed you have less time for family. Is that what you want?”

Focus on love:

• “I love you and I’m concerned about how this is affecting you.”
• “I want what’s best for you, and some things about this group concern me.”
• “I care about your spiritual wellbeing, and I’m worried about what I’m seeing.”

Why this works:

• It’s specific and concrete, not vague accusations
• It focuses on observable effects, not just theology
• It comes from love, not judgment
• It’s harder to dismiss than general criticisms

Pray Consistently:

Pray for:

• Their spiritual discernment
• Protection from deception
• Courage to question and leave if needed
• Restoration of relationships
• God’s truth to be revealed
• The Holy Spirit to guide them

Pray with:

• Other Christians who care about your loved one
• Your church community
• Other families affected by SCJ

Why prayer matters:

• This is ultimately a spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:12)
• God can reach hearts that we can’t
• Prayer changes both the situation and us
• It keeps us dependent on God rather than our own efforts

Connect Them with Former Members:

If possible, connect your loved one with people who have left SCJ:

Why this is powerful:

• Former members understand the experience from the inside
• They can’t be dismissed as “not understanding”
• They can share what it’s like to leave and recover
• They provide hope that leaving is possible

How to do this:

• Search for former SCJ member support groups online
• Contact organizations that help people leave cults
• Ask your church if they know anyone who has left SCJ
• Share written testimonies if direct contact isn’t possible

Be Patient:

Understand that:

• Leaving a cult is a process, not an event
• They may need to come to realization gradually
• They may leave and return multiple times before finally leaving
• Recovery takes time even after they leave

Your role:

• Be consistently loving and available
• Don’t give up, even if progress seems slow
• Celebrate small steps (questioning, taking a break, etc.)
• Be ready to help when they’re ready to leave

James 5:16: “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

If They Decide to Leave

Provide Immediate Support:

When they decide to leave, they’ll need:

Emotional Support:

• Reassurance that they’re making the right decision
• Understanding about what they’ve been through
• Patience with their recovery process
• Celebration of their courage to leave

Practical Support:

• Help cutting off contact with SCJ (blocking numbers, etc.)
• Accompaniment if SCJ members show up at their home
• Help finding a Christian counselor if needed
• Support in reconnecting with their church

Spiritual Support:

• Help renewing their mind with biblical truth
• Patient answers to questions about what they learned
• Guidance in reading Scripture without SCJ’s framework
• Prayer and encouragement

Social Support:

• Help rebuilding relationships damaged by SCJ involvement
• Introduction to healthy Christian community
• Friendship and regular contact
• Inclusion in normal activities

Understand the Recovery Process:

Recovery from cultic involvement takes time:

Immediate Phase (Days to Weeks):

• Relief at being free
• Possible fear of retaliation or “breaking the covenant”
• Confusion about what to believe
• Grief over lost time and relationships

Processing Phase (Weeks to Months):

• Anger at being deceived
• Embarrassment about involvement
• Difficulty reading Scripture without SCJ’s framework
• Questions about everything they learned
• Grief over what they lost

Rebuilding Phase (Months to Years):

• Gradually rebuilding trust in their own judgment
• Relearning how to read Scripture in context
• Rebuilding relationships
• Finding a healthy church community
• Helping others avoid similar deception

Your Role:

• Be patient through all phases
• Don’t minimize what they experienced
• Don’t rush them to “get over it”
• Provide consistent support
• Connect them with professional help if needed

If They Won’t Leave

If your loved one refuses to leave SCJ:

Continue to:

• Maintain the relationship
• Express love and concern
• Ask thoughtful questions
• Provide information when they’re open to it
• Pray consistently
• Be available when they’re ready

Set Healthy Boundaries:

You can maintain relationship while setting boundaries:

Boundaries might include:

• “I love you, but I won’t attend SCJ events”
• “I’m happy to discuss this, but I won’t be recruited”
• “I’ll spend time with you, but not with your SCJ friends”
• “I’ll listen to your concerns, but I need you to listen to mine too”

Why boundaries matter:

• They protect your own spiritual and emotional health
• They model healthy relationships
• They show that love doesn’t mean accepting everything
• They prevent enabling

Don’t Give Up Hope:

Many people have left SCJ after years of involvement. Your loved one may:

• Gradually become disillusioned
• Experience something that opens their eyes
• Reach a breaking point
• Encounter information that causes them to question
• Be influenced by your consistent love and concern

Continue to:

• Pray faithfully
• Love consistently
• Provide information when opportunities arise
• Be ready to help when they’re ready to leave

Romans 12:12: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Taking Care of Yourself

Watching someone you love be deceived is painful. Take care of yourself:

Emotionally:

• Acknowledge your feelings (frustration, grief, anger, helplessness)
• Don’t blame yourself for their involvement
• Seek support from others who understand
• Set boundaries to protect your own wellbeing

Spiritually:

• Continue your own spiritual practices
• Don’t let this consume your entire spiritual life
• Trust God with what you can’t control
• Remember that God loves your loved one even more than you do

Practically:

• Maintain your own relationships and activities
• Don’t neglect other responsibilities
• Seek counseling if you’re struggling
• Connect with others in similar situations

Remember:

• You can’t force someone to leave
• You’re not responsible for their choices
• You can only control your own actions
• God is ultimately in control

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

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Part 11: The True Gospel vs. SCJ’s Distortion

Let’s clearly contrast the biblical gospel with SCJ’s distorted version.

The Biblical Gospel

The Problem: Sin

Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

All humans are sinners separated from God. Sin brings death—both physical and spiritual. We cannot save ourselves.

The Solution: Christ

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.”

Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

1 Corinthians 15:3-4: “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”

God loved us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins. Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, and rose from the dead, proving His victory over sin and death.

The Response: Faith

Acts 16:31: “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.”

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

Salvation is received through faith in Jesus Christ. We trust that His death paid for our sins and His resurrection gives us new life. This is a gift of grace, not something we earn.

The Result: New Life

2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

John 10:10: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

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

Those who believe in Christ become new creations. We have eternal life, freedom from condemnation, and the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. We’re adopted into God’s family and become His children.

The Assurance: God’s Faithfulness

John 10:28-29: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”

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

Our salvation is secure because it’s based on Christ’s finished work and God’s faithfulness, not our performance. Nothing can separate us from God’s love.

The Life: Following Christ

Matthew 28:19-20: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

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

Those who believe in Christ are called to follow Him—growing in faith, living righteously, loving others, and making disciples. This is empowered by the Holy Spirit, not achieved through human effort.

SCJ’s Distorted Gospel

The Problem: Lack of Knowledge

SCJ teaches that the problem isn’t primarily sin but lack of understanding. People are lost because:

• The Bible was sealed and they couldn’t understand it
• They don’t have the “key” to interpretation
• They’re reading “literally” instead of “spiritually”
• They haven’t received the revelation given to SCJ’s founder

The Solution: SCJ’s Teachings

SCJ teaches that salvation comes through:

• Understanding their interpretations
• Recognizing that Revelation is being fulfilled in their organization
• Accepting their founder as the “promised pastor”
• Joining their organization
• Remaining loyal and not leaving

The Response: Knowledge and Organizational Membership

SCJ teaches that you must:

• Study their curriculum extensively
• Memorize their interpretations
• Pass their tests
• Recognize their fulfillment claims
• Join their organization
• Recruit others

The Result: Anxiety and Insecurity

SCJ members experience:

• Anxiety about understanding correctly
• Fear of “breaking the covenant”
• Insecurity about their salvation
• Pressure to perform and prove their commitment
• Dependence on the organization

The Assurance: Organizational Membership

SCJ teaches that assurance comes from:

• Being part of the “right” organization
• Understanding correctly
• Remaining loyal
• Not leaving or questioning

The Life: Organizational Activity

SCJ members are expected to:

• Attend classes 3 times per week
• Attend small groups
• Meet with their evangelist
• Study for tests
• Recruit others
• Dedicate their lives to SCJ’s mission

The Fundamental Differences

Why This Matters

SCJ’s gospel is a different 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!”

Paul’s warning is severe because the gospel is a matter of eternal life and death. A false gospel cannot save. It leads people away from Christ rather than to Him.

SCJ’s gospel:

• Adds requirements to faith (understanding, organizational membership)
• Shifts focus from Christ to an organization
• Replaces grace with works
• Creates insecurity instead of assurance
• Produces anxiety instead of peace

This is not the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The True Hope

The true gospel offers:

Simplicity: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31)

Assurance: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish” (John 10:28)

Peace: “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1)

Freedom: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1)

Joy: “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy” (1 Peter 1:8)

This is the gospel—good news of great joy for all people.

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Part 12: Resources and Support

For Those Leaving or Who Have Left SCJ

Online Resources:

Closer Look Initiative

• Website: closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination
• Provides detailed examination of SCJ’s teachings
• Offers resources for those affected by SCJ
• Connects people with support

Former Member Testimonies

• Search online for “Shincheonji testimony” or “SCJ testimony”
• Read accounts from people who have left
• Understand that recovery is possible

Christian Apologetics Organizations

• Many organizations provide resources on cults and false teachings
• Search for “cult recovery resources” or “spiritual abuse recovery”

Support Groups

• Look for online support groups for former cult members
• Connect with others who understand the experience
• Share your story and hear others’ stories

Professional Help:

Christian Counseling

• Seek a counselor who understands:
  • Cult dynamics
  • Spiritual abuse
  • Recovery from manipulation
  • Biblical truth

What to look for:

• Licensed counselor or therapist
• Christian worldview
• Experience with cult recovery
• Trauma-informed approach

Church Support:

Reconnecting with Church

• Talk to your pastor about what happened
• Ask for support in recovery
• Request help understanding Scripture correctly
• Seek healthy Christian community

What a healthy church provides:

• Biblical teaching in context
• Freedom to question and discuss
• Loving, supportive community
• Focus on Christ, not organization
• Grace-based, not performance-based

For Family and Friends

Educational Resources:

Books on Cults:

• “Combating Cult Mind Control” by Steven Hassan
• “The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse” by David Johnson and Jeff VanVonderen
• “Recovering from Churches That Abuse” by Ronald Enroth

Online Articles:

• Search for articles on helping someone leave a cult
• Read about cult recovery and support
• Understand the psychological dynamics

Support for Yourself:

Counseling

• Consider counseling for yourself
• Process your own emotions
• Learn healthy boundaries
• Get support for the stress

Support Groups

• Connect with other families affected by cults
• Share experiences and strategies
• Receive encouragement
• Know you’re not alone

Prayer Support

• Ask your church to pray
• Join or form a prayer group
• Pray with others regularly
• Trust God with what you can’t control

For Church Leaders

Prevention:

Educate Your Congregation:

• Teach about cults and false teachings
• Warn about deceptive recruitment tactics
• Provide resources on discernment
• Create awareness of SCJ’s methods

Strengthen Biblical Foundation:

• Teach Scripture in context
• Emphasize the gospel clearly
• Help people learn to study the Bible
• Encourage critical thinking

Build Strong Community:

• Create genuine relationships
• Provide support and care
• Notice when people are drifting
• Follow up with those who are absent

Intervention:

When Someone Is Involved:

• Reach out with love and concern
• Provide information about SCJ
• Offer support to family members
• Pray consistently
• Be patient and available

When Someone Leaves:

• Welcome them back without judgment
• Provide counseling and support
• Help them process the experience
• Connect them with resources
• Be patient with recovery

Response:

If SCJ Is Recruiting in Your Area:

• Warn your congregation
• Provide specific information about their tactics
• Teach discernment skills
• Support affected families
• Consider public awareness efforts

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Conclusion: The Calendar That Controls Your Life—Revisited

Remember the story we began with—the company that created its own calendar to control employees? By getting people to stop using the standard calendar, the company made them:

• Dependent on the company’s system
• Disoriented in the outside world
• Unable to coordinate with others
• Isolated from normal life
• Controlled through confusion

This is exactly what SCJ does with Lesson 58 and throughout their curriculum.

The Calendar SCJ Creates

SCJ’s “Era Framework”:

Just like the company calendar, SCJ creates a framework for understanding time that:

Redefines “Now”:

• “We’re living in the time of revelation”
• “Fulfillment is taking place”
• “This is a unique era requiring unique response”

Dismisses “Then”:

• “Don’t focus on the past”
• “Old ways don’t apply anymore”
• “Historic Christianity doesn’t understand”

Creates Urgency:

• “You must discern the times”
• “You must respond now”
• “Miss this and you’ve missed everything”

Makes You Dependent:

• You need their framework to understand
• You can’t interpret independently
• You must stay connected to know what’s happening

The Effect

Just like the company calendar, SCJ’s framework:

Disorients You:

• You lose your bearings in biblical interpretation
• You can’t read Scripture without their lens
• You become confused about basic Christian truth

Isolates You:

• You can’t connect with other Christians (they’re “in the past”)
• You can’t coordinate with your church (they don’t understand)
• You become separated from normal Christian life

Controls You:

• Your understanding depends on their teaching
• Your salvation depends on their organization
• Your identity is tied to their group
• Your life revolves around their activities

The Way Out

Just as the employee in our story needed to return to the standard calendar, those trapped in SCJ need to return to the biblical gospel:

The Standard “Calendar”:

The Gospel:

• Christ died for your sins
• Christ rose from the dead
• Believe in Him and you’re saved
• This is grace, not works
• This is simple, not complicated
• This is secure, not uncertain

The Standard “Time”:

The Church Era:

• We’re living between Christ’s first and second coming
• Our job is to proclaim the gospel and make disciples
• We wait for Christ’s visible, unmistakable return
• We’re not in a secret fulfillment known only to one group

The Standard “Response”:

Faith in Christ:

• Trust in His finished work
• Receive salvation as a gift
• Follow Him in obedience
• Grow in grace and knowledge
• Serve others in love
• Wait for His return

The Freedom

When you return to the biblical gospel, you experience:

Clarity:

• Scripture makes sense in context
• The gospel is simple and clear
• Truth is accessible to all believers

Connection:

• You’re part of the universal church
• You can fellowship with all believers
• You’re connected to 2,000 years of Christian faith

Peace:

• Your salvation is secure in Christ
• You don’t fear “breaking the covenant”
• You have assurance based on God’s promises

Freedom:

• You’re free from organizational control
• You’re free to think and question
• You’re free to follow Christ without fear

The Choice

Lesson 58 presents a choice—but not the choice SCJ claims.

SCJ Says the Choice Is:

• Accept their “era framework” or be stuck in the past
• Recognize their fulfillment or miss God’s work
• Join their organization or break the covenant

The Real Choice Is:

• Trust Christ’s finished work or trust human organization
• Accept the simple gospel or accept a complex system
• Follow Jesus or follow SCJ
• Freedom in Christ or bondage to a group

The Invitation

If you’re studying with SCJ, you’re facing a crucial decision. You’ve invested significant time and energy. You’ve formed relationships. You’ve learned an entire framework. Walking away feels costly.

But consider what you’re gaining:

The True Gospel:

• Salvation by grace through faith
• Security in Christ
• Freedom from performance
• Peace with God
• Assurance of eternal life

The True Church:

• Connection with all believers
• 2,000 years of Christian wisdom
• Healthy, loving community
• Focus on Christ, not organization

The True Freedom:

• Freedom to think and question
• Freedom from manipulation
• Freedom from fear
• Freedom to follow Christ

This is worth more than anything you’re leaving behind.

The Promise

Jesus said:

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.”

If you’re weary from SCJ’s demands—the constant classes, the pressure to understand correctly, the fear of breaking the covenant, the anxiety about your salvation—Jesus offers rest.

His yoke is easy. His burden is light.

Not because He demands nothing, but because:

• He’s already done the work (finished on the cross)
• He gives you His strength (through the Holy Spirit)
• He walks with you (He’ll never leave you)
• He loves you unconditionally (nothing can separate you from His love)

The Final Word

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

SCJ preaches:

• A different Jesus (one who needs their organization to complete His work)
• A different spirit (organizational loyalty instead of the Holy Spirit)
• A different gospel (salvation through knowledge and membership instead of grace through faith)

Don’t put up with it.

Return to:

• The true Jesus (who saves by grace through faith)
• The true Spirit (who indwells all believers)
• The true gospel (good news of great joy for all people)

This is the gospel. This is the truth. This is freedom.

John 8:31-32: “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'”

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Appendix: Quick Reference Guide

Red Flags in Lesson 58

1. ✗ Redefining biblical terms (New Covenant, discerning times, open word)
2. ✗ Creating false urgency (“time of revelation,” “must respond now”)
3. ✗ Dismissing legitimate questions (“focused on the past”)
4. ✗ Circular reasoning (“we’re learning the open word, so fulfillment is happening”)
5. ✗ Thought-stopping techniques (“you must discern the times”)
6. ✗ Special knowledge claims (“we have the open word”)
7. ✗ Performance pressure (“write the test word for word”)

Key Questions to Ask

1. ❓ Does the Bible actually teach that it was sealed until SCJ’s founder?
2. ❓ Does salvation depend on understanding special interpretations?
3. ❓ Does leaving a church mean losing salvation?
4. ❓ Can these claims be verified independently?
5. ❓ Does this produce the fruit of the Spirit?
6. ❓ Would early Christians have understood the gospel this way?
7. ❓ Does this bring peace or anxiety?

The Biblical Gospel (Simple Summary)

• ✓ Problem: All have sinned (Romans 3:23)
• ✓ Solution: Christ died for our sins and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
• ✓ Response: Believe in Jesus (Acts 16:31)
• ✓ Result: Eternal life (John 3:16)
• ✓ Assurance: Nothing can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38-39)

Resources

• Closer Look Initiative: closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination
• “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story” (comprehensive refutation)
• Former member testimonies (search online)
• Christian counseling (for recovery support)
• Your local church (for community and support)

If You Need Help

• Talk to your pastor or church leaders
• Connect with former SCJ members
• Seek Christian counseling
• Research SCJ online
• Pray for wisdom and discernment
• Remember: You’re not alone, and recovery is possible

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“Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)

May God grant you wisdom, discernment, and freedom in Christ.