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

Lesson 112: Revelation 8 – The Last Seal and the 7 Trumpets

Viewing Through First-Century Christian, Historical, and Literary Lenses

Introduction: The Call for Unity and the Removal of Doubt

The lesson begins with a reading from the “Yeast of Heaven”:

“All doubts be removed from one’s heart.”

Then the instructor emphasizes:

“God’s people need to be united as one. And in every way, having the same heart and the same mind and the same desire for God and his word and to represent what is being fulfilled is important. So unity is very cool. So it’s great to see that everyone is unified together today.”

Unity. Same heart. Same mind. Same desire. All doubts removed.

By this point in your journey through Shincheonji’s curriculum, you’ve invested 7-8 months. You’ve learned the parables, mastered “Bible logic,” studied Revelation 1-7, visited Mount Zion, been warned not to “look back,” been categorized as one of “three kinds of people,” been asked to raise your hand to be a priest, been told you were “created according to Revelation,” and been positioned in the timeline (“You are in Revelation 7”).

Now comes a critical reinforcement: Remove all doubts. Be unified. Have the same mind.

This is not a gentle encouragement toward Christian unity. This is a call for conformity—for the suppression of critical thinking and the elimination of questions.

The instructor continues with enthusiasm:

“We will jump into Revelation chapter 8, which is a very important chapter where a lot of things go down, the destruction begins starting with this chapter.”

“A lot of things go down.” “Destruction begins.” The language creates anticipation and drama. You’re about to learn about judgment, destruction, trumpets—the continuation of the Tabernacle Temple narrative.

But first, a review. The instructor walks through Revelation 1-7, providing chapter titles:

“Which is why we go over the titles and we’re appreciative that New John gave us these titles to summarize the content of each revelation chapter.”

“New John gave us these titles.”

Lee Man-hee—referred to as “New John”—is credited with providing the chapter titles that summarize Revelation. His authority is being elevated. He’s not just interpreting Revelation; he’s organizing it, titling it, making it understandable.

Then comes a crucial teaching: “Two levels of being sealed.”

The instructor explains:

“There are essentially two levels of being sealed, or two types of sealing: Level One… is hearing and accepting… Everyone should reach level one. Level one is, I’ve heard the fulfillment of Revelation, and I believe and accept it. Everyone should be at that level. But level two is being sealed enough to seal others. Or you can say being sealed 100%. A.k.a. being able to teach or seal others. This is the qualification necessary for someone who is going to be a part of the number (144,000).”

Two levels:

• Level One: Hearing and accepting (everyone—144,000 and great multitude)
• Level Two: Being sealed 100%, able to seal others (144,000 only)

The hierarchy is now explicit. You’re either Level One (regular member) or Level Two (elite priest). And the instructor encourages:

“So strive for level two. Shoot for the stars. And if you land at the moon, no problem. You’re still on the moon. But if you shoot for the moon, you’re going to end up in the clouds. Which means you’re going to end up back on the ground. Right? So shoot for level two.”

“Shoot for the stars.” Aim for the 144,000. Strive for Level Two. Don’t settle for being just a regular member.

Then comes the timeline—the “Three Eras of Revelation”:

1. Era of Betrayal: 1966 – September 1980
2. Era of Destruction: September 1980 – March 14, 1984 (42 months)
3. Era of Salvation: March 14, 1984 – present (ongoing, “at least a thousand years”)

The instructor asks:

“Which era are we in today? Salvation.”

You are in the Salvation era. The betrayal and destruction are past. You’re living in the fulfillment of salvation—the gathering of the 144,000 and the great multitude.

Specific dates are provided. September 1980—when the sun, moon, and stars fell. March 14, 1984—when the 42 months of destruction ended and salvation began.

These are verifiable historical claims. Did these events really happen? Do they match what Revelation describes?

The instructor explains that Revelation 7 is “still being fulfilled today”:

“So it’s been fulfilled for quite some time. And it’s still being fulfilled today.”

This justifies ongoing recruitment. Revelation 7 isn’t a one-time event—it’s ongoing. As long as people are being taught and “sealed,” Revelation 7 is being fulfilled.

Finally, the lesson introduces Revelation 8:

“Today we’re going to be focusing on the first third of the people to die. And why that happens. And how that happens.”

The “first third of people to die (spiritually)”—the judgment continues.

But is any of this biblical? Does the Bible teach “two levels of being sealed”? Are the three eras (Betrayal, Destruction, Salvation) with specific dates (1966, September 1980, March 14, 1984) really the fulfillment of Revelation? Should “all doubts be removed from one’s heart”? Is unity the same as conformity?

And most importantly: What did first-century Christians understand when they read Revelation 8? Did they think it was about events in Korea in the 1980s?

In this refutation, we will examine Lesson 112 through the dual lenses outlined in “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story”—the Reflectional Lens (examining psychological and spiritual impact) and the Discernment Lens (testing claims against Scripture, history, and logic). We will also apply the First-Century Christian lens, asking what the original recipients would have understood, and the Historical and Political lens, examining the actual events of the 1980s through verifiable evidence.

This refutation does not focus on debates between Premillennialism, Amillennialism, or Postmillennialism. Instead, it seeks to understand Revelation as the first-century church would have—as a letter of encouragement and hope written to real communities facing real persecution.

For a more comprehensive examination of Shincheonji’s claims, visit closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination.

Part 1: “All Doubts Be Removed” – The Suppression of Critical Thinking

SCJ’s Teaching: Remove All Doubts

The lesson opens with a directive from the “Yeast of Heaven”:

“All doubts be removed from one’s heart.”

This is presented as a spiritual goal—removing doubts is portrayed as faith, as trust in God’s word.

But is this biblical? Does God want us to remove all doubts, or does He invite us to bring our doubts to Him and test what we’re taught?

The Danger of Doubt Suppression

“All doubts be removed from one’s heart” is a red flag in any religious teaching. Here’s why:

1. It Prevents Critical Thinking

When you’re told to remove all doubts, you’re being told not to question, not to test, not to think critically. You’re being told to accept what you’re taught without examination.

This makes you vulnerable to deception.

2. It Creates Guilt for Normal Questions

Everyone has questions and doubts—this is normal and healthy. But when you’re told “all doubts be removed,” your normal questions become signs of spiritual failure.

“Why am I doubting? I should have no doubts. What’s wrong with my faith?”

This guilt prevents you from voicing your concerns and seeking answers.

3. It Isolates You from Help

When you feel guilty about your doubts, you hide them. You don’t talk to family, friends, or other Christians about your questions because you’re ashamed.

This isolation makes it harder to get the perspective and help you need.

4. It Serves the Organization’s Interests

Who benefits when you remove all doubts? The organization teaching you. If you don’t question, you’ll accept whatever they teach—even if it’s unbiblical.

Doubt suppression is a control tactic, not a spiritual virtue.

Biblical Response: Test Everything

The Bible does not teach “remove all doubts.” Instead, it teaches “test everything.”

1 Thessalonians 5:21:

“Test everything; hold fast what is good.”

“Test everything”—not “remove all doubts.” We’re commanded to examine teaching, to test it against Scripture, to discern truth from error.

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 commended for examining the Scriptures to test Paul’s teaching. They didn’t just accept it—they tested it. And they were called “of more noble character” for doing so.

If testing the apostle Paul’s teaching was noble, how much more should we test modern organizations’ teaching?

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.”

“Do not believe every spirit, but test.” Not every teaching is from God. We must test to discern truth from error.

Proverbs 14:15:

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

“The simple believe anything”—they remove all doubts and accept whatever they’re told. “The prudent give thought”—they think critically, ask questions, test claims.

Which does God commend? The prudent.

Biblical Examples of Doubt and Questions

The Bible is full of people who had doubts and questions—and God did not condemn them for it:

1. John the Baptist’s Doubt

Matthew 11:2-3:

“When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?'”

John the Baptist—the one who baptized Jesus, who saw the Spirit descend like a dove, who heard the Father’s voice—had doubts. He sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you really the Messiah?”

Did Jesus condemn him? No. Jesus answered his question with evidence (Matthew 11:4-6).

2. Thomas’s Doubt

John 20:24-25:

“Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.'”

Thomas doubted the resurrection. He said, “Unless I see… I will not believe.”

Did Jesus condemn him? No. Jesus appeared to Thomas and invited him to touch His wounds (John 20:26-27). Jesus addressed his doubt with evidence.

3. The Father of the Demon-Possessed Boy

Mark 9:24:

“Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!'”

This father had faith mixed with doubt. “I believe; help my unbelief!”

Did Jesus condemn him? No. Jesus healed his son (Mark 9:25-27).

4. The Disciples’ Questions

Throughout the Gospels, the disciples constantly asked Jesus questions. They didn’t understand His parables, His mission, His teaching about the kingdom.

Did Jesus condemn them for asking? No. He patiently explained (Matthew 13:36, Mark 4:10, Luke 8:9).

The Difference Between Doubt and Unbelief

There’s a difference between honest doubt and hardened unbelief:

Honest doubt says: “I want to believe, but I have questions. Help me understand.”

Hardened unbelief says: “I refuse to believe, no matter what evidence you show me.”

God welcomes honest doubt. He invites our questions. He provides evidence. He patiently teaches.

What God condemns is hardened unbelief—the refusal to believe despite evidence.

When Shincheonji says “all doubts be removed from one’s heart,” they’re treating honest doubt as if it were hardened unbelief. They’re making normal questions into spiritual failures.

This is not biblical.

Why Shincheonji Wants Doubts Removed

Shincheonji wants doubts removed because:

1. Their Claims Don’t Hold Up to Scrutiny

If you test their claims—about the Tabernacle Temple, the specific dates, the interpretation of Revelation—you’ll find problems. The historical evidence doesn’t match their narrative. The interpretation doesn’t align with what first-century Christians would have understood.

If you remove all doubts, you won’t test these claims.

2. Doubts Lead to Questions, Questions Lead to Leaving

Many former members report that their doubts eventually led them to research, ask questions, and ultimately leave. Shincheonji knows this.

If they can get you to suppress your doubts, you’re less likely to leave.

3. Doubt Suppression Creates Conformity

A group where everyone has “removed all doubts” is a group where everyone thinks the same, questions nothing, and follows without resistance.

This serves the organization’s interests, not your spiritual growth.

What You Should Do with Your Doubts

If you have doubts about Shincheonji’s teaching:

1. Don’t Suppress Them

Your doubts are not signs of spiritual failure. They’re opportunities to seek truth.

2. Bring Them to God

Psalm 62:8:

“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”

Pour out your heart to God—including your doubts and questions. He is your refuge, not an organization.

3. Test What You’ve Been Taught

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

Test Shincheonji’s claims against Scripture, history, and logic. If they’re true, testing will confirm them. If they’re false, testing will reveal it.

4. Seek Outside Perspectives

Talk to Christians outside Shincheonji. Read testimonies from former members. Research the historical claims independently.

Don’t let Shincheonji isolate you from other perspectives.

5. Remember: Truth Welcomes Examination

If Shincheonji’s teaching is true, it will stand up to examination. Truth is not afraid of questions.

If they pressure you to “remove all doubts” without allowing examination, that’s a sign their teaching may not be true.

Part 2: “Unity” as Conformity – Same Heart, Same Mind

SCJ’s Teaching: Unity Means Same Heart, Same Mind

The instructor emphasizes:

“God’s people need to be united as one. And in every way, having the same heart and the same mind and the same desire for God and his word and to represent what is being fulfilled is important. So unity is very cool. So it’s great to see that everyone is unified together today.”

Unity is presented as:

• Same heart
• Same mind
• Same desire
• Representing what is being fulfilled (Shincheonji’s interpretation)

This sounds spiritual—”God’s people united as one.” But what does biblical unity actually mean?

Biblical Unity vs. Conformity

The Bible teaches unity, but not uniformity or conformity.

Biblical unity is:

1. Unity in Christ, Not in Interpretation

Ephesians 4:3-6:

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Unity is based on:

• One body (the church)
• One Spirit (the Holy Spirit)
• One hope (eternal life in Christ)
• One Lord (Jesus Christ)
• One faith (trust in Christ for salvation)
• One baptism (identification with Christ)
• One God and Father

Unity is not based on:

• Same interpretation of Revelation
• Same understanding of the Tabernacle Temple
• Same acceptance of Lee Man-hee as “New John”
• Same belief about specific dates (1966, September 1980, March 14, 1984)

Shincheonji’s “unity” is conformity to their specific interpretation—not biblical unity in Christ.

2. Unity That Allows Diversity

Romans 14:1-5:

“Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them both. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.”

Paul teaches that believers can have different convictions on disputable matters and still be unified in Christ. “Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind”—not “everyone must have the same mind.”

Unity doesn’t mean everyone thinks exactly the same. It means we’re united in Christ despite our differences.

3. Unity That Encourages Different Gifts

1 Corinthians 12:4-6:

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.”

Unity includes diversity of gifts, service, and working. We’re not all the same—we have different roles, different gifts, different ways of serving.

Shincheonji’s “same heart, same mind, same desire” eliminates this diversity and demands conformity.

4. Unity That Speaks Truth in Love

Ephesians 4:15:

“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”

Biblical unity includes “speaking the truth in love”—which means we can disagree, correct each other, and discuss different perspectives.

Shincheonji’s “unity” doesn’t allow for speaking truth if it contradicts their interpretation. You must have “the same mind”—their mind.

The Danger of Conformity Disguised as Unity

When “unity” means “everyone must think the same,” several dangers arise:

1. It Suppresses Individual Conscience

Romans 14:5: “Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.”

God gave you a conscience and a mind. You’re responsible before Him for what you believe—not before an organization.

When “unity” requires you to suppress your own convictions and adopt the group’s thinking, that’s not biblical unity—it’s conformity.

2. It Prevents Correction

Proverbs 27:17:

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

We grow through interaction, discussion, even disagreement. “Iron sharpens iron”—we refine each other’s thinking.

But if everyone must have “the same mind,” there’s no sharpening. There’s no correction. Errors go unchallenged.

3. It Creates Groupthink

Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon where the desire for harmony and conformity leads to irrational decision-making. People suppress dissent, ignore warning signs, and follow the group even when it’s wrong.

Shincheonji’s emphasis on “same heart, same mind, all doubts removed” creates the perfect environment for groupthink.

4. It Serves Leadership’s Control

Who benefits when everyone has “the same mind”? The leadership. If everyone thinks the same, no one questions, no one challenges, no one leaves.

“Unity” becomes a tool for control, not a spiritual virtue.

Biblical Response: Unity in Diversity

The biblical model is unity in diversity:

1 Corinthians 12:12-14:

“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.”

The body has many parts—different, diverse, with different functions. But they’re united as one body in Christ.

This is biblical unity: diverse individuals united in Christ, not uniform conformity to one interpretation.

Philippians 2:2:

“Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.”

“Like-minded” in context means sharing the same attitude of humility and service that Christ had (Philippians 2:3-8), not having identical interpretations of prophecy.

The “same love” and “one in spirit” refer to loving one another and being united in the Holy Spirit, not conforming to organizational teaching.

Questions to Ask

If you’re being told to have “the same heart, same mind, same desire”:

1. Am I being asked to conform to Christ, or to an organization’s interpretation?

2. Am I allowed to have different convictions on disputable matters, or must I agree with everything the organization teaches?

3. Can I voice concerns or questions, or is that seen as breaking unity?

4. Is diversity of thought welcomed, or is conformity demanded?

5. Who benefits from this “unity”—my spiritual growth, or the organization’s control?

If “unity” means you can’t question, can’t think differently, can’t voice concerns—that’s not biblical unity. That’s conformity and control.

Part 3: “New John Gave Us These Titles” – Elevating Human Authority

SCJ’s Teaching: Lee Man-hee Provides Chapter Titles

The instructor explains:

“Which is why we go over the titles and we’re appreciative that New John gave us these titles to summarize the content of each revelation chapter.”

Lee Man-hee—called “New John”—is credited with providing the chapter titles for Revelation:

• Revelation 1:1-8: The Summarized Conclusion of the Entire Book of Revelation
• Revelation 1:9-20: The Beginning of the Events of Revelation and the Mystery of the Seven Stars and the Golden Lampstands
• Revelation 2-3: The Letter Sent to the Messengers of the 7 Churches
• Revelation 4: The Throne and Structure of God in the Spiritual Realm
• Revelation 5: The Book Sealed with 7 Seals
• Revelation 6: The Judgement of the Sun, Moon, and Stars of the Former Heaven that Betrayed
• Revelation 7: The Newly Created 12 Tribes of New Spiritual Israel

The instructor says:

“If you are understanding the chapters and can even recite them. It means that at the very least you understand the main points just by the title alone.”

These titles are presented as helpful summaries. But they’re doing much more than summarizing—they’re interpreting.

The Problem: Titles Shape Interpretation

Consider Revelation 6’s title: “The Judgement of the Sun, Moon, and Stars of the Former Heaven that Betrayed.”

This title assumes:

• The sun, moon, and stars are people (leaders)
• They “betrayed” (moral judgment)
• This is about “former heaven” (the Tabernacle Temple)
• This is “judgment” on them

But these are all interpretive assumptions. The title presents them as facts, but they’re actually Shincheonji’s interpretation.

By memorizing these titles, you’re not just learning chapter summaries—you’re internalizing Shincheonji’s interpretation as if it were the obvious meaning of the text.

The Problem: Elevating Lee Man-hee’s Authority

By attributing these titles to “New John” (Lee Man-hee), Shincheonji is:

1. Positioning Him as the Authoritative Interpreter

He’s not just one teacher among many—he’s “New John,” the one who can summarize and title the chapters of Revelation.

2. Making His Interpretation Seem Divinely Inspired

If he’s “New John,” then his titles carry the same authority as John’s original writing. His interpretation becomes as authoritative as Scripture itself.

3. Creating Dependence on His Teaching

You need “New John’s” titles to understand Revelation. Without him, you can’t properly understand the book.

This creates dependence on Lee Man-hee rather than on the Holy Spirit and Scripture.

Biblical Response: Scripture Interprets Scripture

The Bible does not need a “New John” to provide titles and interpretations.

2 Timothy 3:16-17:

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Scripture itself is sufficient for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training. We don’t need a “New John” to make it understandable.

2 Peter 1:20-21:

“Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

“No prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation.” Prophecy came from God through the Holy Spirit.

We should interpret Scripture by Scripture, with the Holy Spirit’s guidance—not by accepting one man’s titles and interpretations as authoritative.

John 16:13:

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

The Holy Spirit guides believers into truth. We don’t need a “New John”—we have the Holy Spirit.

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.”

“You do not need anyone to teach you”—because you have the Holy Spirit’s anointing. This doesn’t mean we don’t benefit from teachers, but it means we’re not dependent on one human authority to understand Scripture.

The Danger of Elevating Human Teachers

Throughout history, groups have elevated human teachers to positions of unique authority:

• Gnostics claimed special teachers had secret knowledge
• Medieval church elevated the Pope as the sole interpreter of Scripture
• Cult leaders claim unique revelation or authority

The pattern is always the same:

1. Claim unique authority to interpret Scripture
2. Make followers dependent on that interpretation
3. Use that dependence to control beliefs and behavior

Shincheonji follows this pattern by elevating Lee Man-hee as “New John” who provides authoritative titles and interpretations.

The Bible warns against this:

1 Corinthians 3:4-7:

“For when one says, ‘I follow Paul,’ and another, ‘I follow Apollos,’ are you not mere human beings? What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.”

Paul rejects the elevation of human teachers. “What is Paul? Only servants… neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God.”

If Paul—an actual apostle—rejected such elevation, how much more should we reject the elevation of modern teachers like Lee Man-hee?

How to Approach Revelation Without “New John’s” Titles

You don’t need Lee Man-hee’s titles to understand Revelation. Here’s how to approach it biblically:

1. Read Revelation in Its Historical Context

Ask: What would first-century Christians have understood? What was their situation? How would they have heard this letter?

Resources:

• “How First-Century Christians Read Revelation Like a Political Cartoon”
• “The Revelation Project” by Dr. Warren Gage and Dr. Chip Bennett

2. Let Scripture Interpret Scripture

Revelation is full of Old Testament imagery. Understand the Old Testament references to understand Revelation.

3. Focus on the Main Message

Revelation’s main message is: Christ is Lord, He will judge evil, He will vindicate His people, and He will make all things new.

You don’t need elaborate titles and interpretations to understand this central message.

4. Rely on the Holy Spirit

John 14:26:

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

The Holy Spirit teaches believers. Pray for His guidance as you read Scripture.

5. Consult Multiple Perspectives

Read commentaries from various scholars and traditions. Don’t rely on one person’s interpretation (whether Lee Man-hee or anyone else).

Truth is found through careful study, multiple perspectives, and the Holy Spirit’s guidance—not through dependence on one human authority.

Part 4: “Two Levels of Being Sealed” – Creating Hierarchy

SCJ’s Teaching: Two Levels of Sealing

The instructor introduces a critical concept:

“Now, I wanted to talk about what it means to be sealed, because I think there’s a little bit of confusion still. So I’ll do a quick summary of what this means. There are essentially two levels of being sealed, or two types of sealing:”

Level One:

“We can call it, is hearing and accepting. Like we see in John 3:31-34, certifying that God is truthful… Level one is, I’ve heard the fulfillment of Revelation, and I believe and accept it. Everyone should be at that level.”

Level Two:

“But level two is being sealed enough to seal others. Or you can say being sealed 100%. A.k.a. being able to teach or seal others. This is the qualification necessary for someone who is going to be a part of the number (144,000). Because their job is going to be that of priest.”

The instructor clarifies:

“So everybody should be level one. So this is 144K and the GM [great multitude]. But the second level is the 144K specifically.”

Then comes the encouragement:

“So we’re not confused? So strive for level two. Shoot for the stars. And if you land at the moon, no problem. You’re still on the moon. But if you shoot for the moon, you’re going to end up in the clouds. Which means you’re going to end up back on the ground. Right? So shoot for level two.”

Understanding the Two-Level System

This teaching creates an explicit hierarchy:

Level One (Regular Members):

• Heard and accepted Shincheonji’s teaching
• Believe the fulfillment of Revelation
• Part of either the 144,000 or great multitude
• Sealed, but not “100%”

Level Two (Elite Members):

• Sealed “100%”
• Able to teach and seal others
• Qualified to be part of the 144,000
• Will be priests

The message is clear: “Everyone should reach Level One, but strive for Level Two. Shoot for the stars (144,000).”

The Psychological Impact

This two-level system serves several purposes:

1. It Creates Aspiration

“I don’t want to be just Level One. I want to be Level Two—sealed 100%, part of the 144,000, a priest.”

This aspiration motivates increased commitment, time, and effort.

2. It Creates Performance Pressure

“Am I sealed enough? Have I reached Level Two? Can I teach others? Am I qualified to be part of the 144,000?”

Your status depends on your performance—how well you’ve learned, how well you can teach.

3. It Justifies Hierarchy

The 144,000 (Level Two) are priests who will “heal all nations” and “lead people.” They’re the elite, the leaders, the specially qualified.

The great multitude (Level One) are regular members—saved, but not elite.

This hierarchy justifies organizational structure and authority.

4. It Motivates Recruitment

To reach Level Two, you must be “able to teach or seal others.” This means recruiting—bringing others to Shincheonji and teaching them.

The two-level system motivates recruitment by making it a requirement for elite status.

Biblical Response: All Believers Are Sealed by the Holy Spirit

The Bible does not teach “two levels of being sealed.” It teaches that all believers are sealed by the Holy Spirit when they believe.

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.”

Key points:

• When you believed, you were sealed (not after completing a course or reaching Level Two)
• The seal is the Holy Spirit (not knowledge of Shincheonji’s interpretation)
• The seal guarantees your inheritance (it’s complete, not partial or “Level One”)

There’s no “Level One” and “Level Two” sealing. When you believe in Christ, you are sealed by the Holy Spirit—completely, fully, 100%.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22:

“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”

God “set his seal of ownership on us”—all believers, not just an elite 144,000. The seal is the Holy Spirit in our hearts.

Ephesians 4:30:

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

Believers are “sealed for the day of redemption”—the seal is complete and permanent, not partial or conditional on reaching “Level Two.”

The Problem with Performance-Based Sealing

Shincheonji’s two-level system makes sealing dependent on performance:

• Level One: You’ve heard and accepted
• Level Two: You can teach and seal others (requires knowledge, ability, recruitment)

But biblical sealing is based on faith in Christ, not on performance:

Romans 4:5:

“However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.”

“To the one who does not work but trusts God”—righteousness (and sealing) comes through faith, not through achieving “Level Two” status.

Galatians 3:2-3:

“I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?”

We receive the Spirit (the seal) by believing, not by works. Trying to reach “Level Two” through performance is “trying to finish by means of the flesh”—it’s returning to works-righteousness.

All Believers Are Priests

Shincheonji teaches that only Level Two (the 144,000) are priests. But the Bible teaches that all believers are priests:

1 Peter 2:5:

“You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

All believers are “a holy priesthood”—not just 144,000 who reach Level Two.

1 Peter 2:9:

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

All believers are “a royal priesthood.” This is your identity in Christ—not something you achieve by reaching Level Two.

Revelation 1:5-6:

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

Christ “has made us to be a kingdom and priests”—all of us who are freed by His blood, not just an elite 144,000.

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.'”

Those purchased by Christ’s blood—from every tribe, language, people, and nation—are made “a kingdom and priests.”

There is no two-level system. All believers are priests.

The Danger of “Shoot for the Stars”

The instructor says: “Shoot for the stars (Level Two). And if you land at the moon (Level One), no problem.”

This sounds motivational, but it creates several problems:

1. It Makes Your Worth Dependent on Achievement

“If I reach Level Two, I’m a star. If I only reach Level One, I’m just the moon.”

Your value becomes dependent on your level of achievement in the organization.

**But in Christ, your value is inherent—you’re a child of God, sealed by the Holy Spirit, a priest and part of God’s kingdom. This doesn’t depend on reaching Level Two.

2. It Creates Competition

“I want to be a star, not just the moon. I need to work harder, learn more, recruit more.”

This creates competition among members—who’s reaching Level Two, who’s still at Level One.

But the Bible teaches cooperation, not competition:

1 Corinthians 12:25-26:

“So that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”

“No division… equal concern for each other”—not competition for elite status.

3. It Justifies Endless Demands

“To reach Level Two, you need to study more, attend more events, recruit more people, give more time and money.”

The goal of “Level Two” justifies endless demands on your time, energy, and resources.

4. It’s Never Enough

Even if you reach “Level Two,” there’s always more:

• Can you teach better?
• Can you recruit more?
• Can you seal more people?
• Are you really “100%” sealed?

Performance-based systems are never satisfied. There’s always another level, another goal, another demand.

Biblical Response: Rest in Christ

The gospel offers rest, not endless striving:

Matthew 11:28-30:

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

Jesus offers rest—not “shoot for the stars,” not “strive for Level Two,” but rest.

Hebrews 4:9-10:

“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.”

We rest from our works—we don’t strive to reach Level Two through 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.”

Salvation (and sealing) is by grace through faith—not by reaching Level Two through works.

You are fully sealed when you believe in Christ. You are fully a priest. You are fully part of God’s kingdom. You don’t need to “shoot for the stars” to earn what Christ has already given you by grace.

SCJ’s Teaching: Revelation Divided into Three Eras

The instructor provides a timeline framework:

“So briefly. Revelation is split into three mini eras:

1. The Era of Betrayal.
2. The Era of Destruction.
3. The Era of Salvation.

Which era are we in today? Salvation.”

Then specific dates are provided:

Era of Betrayal:

“Which of course started in 1966. When the TT [Tabernacle Temple] was established. Until September of 1980. When the TT was destroyed. When the 7 stars resigned and destruction began. That was the era of betrayal. And that’s when at the end of this era is when the winds blow. And the sun, moon, and stars go dark and fall. That’s September 1980.”

Era of Destruction:

“Destruction – from September 1980 to March 14th. 1984 is the 42 months of destruction.”

Era of Salvation:

“So we’re in salvation era today. And salvation goes on for at least a thousand years. Until the end of Revelation.”

The instructor emphasizes:

“Which means the era of betrayal and destruction have already taken place.”

Understanding Shincheonji’s Timeline

Shincheonji’s framework divides all of Revelation into three sequential eras with specific dates:

1. Betrayal (1966 – September 1980):

• Tabernacle Temple established (1966)
• Spiritual Israel exists but becomes corrupt
• Ends with sun, moon, stars falling (September 1980)
• Corresponds primarily to Revelation 2-6

2. Destruction (September 1980 – March 14, 1984):

• 42 months of destruction
• Corresponds to Revelation 8-9, 11, 13
• Judgment on the corrupted Tabernacle Temple

3. Salvation (March 14, 1984 – present, “at least a thousand years”):

• Sealing of 144,000 and gathering of great multitude
• Corresponds to Revelation 7, 14, and beyond
• Ongoing today at Shincheonji

This framework creates several impressions:

1. Certainty: “We know exactly where we are—in the Salvation era.”

2. Urgency: “Betrayal and destruction are past. We’re in salvation now. This is your opportunity.”

3. Legitimacy: “These events happened on specific dates. They’re historical facts.”

4. Positioning: “You are living in the fulfillment of Revelation—the Salvation era.”

The Problem: Imposing Modern Events on Ancient Text

The fundamental problem with this framework is that it imposes 20th-century Korean events onto a 1st-century letter written to churches in Asia Minor.

When John wrote Revelation around 95 AD, was he writing about:

• Events that would happen 1,900 years later in Korea?
• A church called the Tabernacle Temple that would be established in 1966?
• A man named Lee Man-hee who would witness these events?

Or was he writing to encourage first-century Christians facing persecution under Rome?

The answer is clear when we consider the opening of Revelation:

Revelation 1:1:

“The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John.”

“What must soon take place”—from the perspective of first-century readers, not events 1,900 years in the future.

Revelation 1:3:

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

“The time is near”—for the first-century recipients, not for people in the 20th century.

Revelation 22:6:

“The angel said to me, ‘These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.‘”

Again, “must soon take place”—this was relevant to the original recipients.

Revelation 22:10:

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

“The time is near”—John was told not to seal up the prophecy because it was relevant to his contemporaries.

If Revelation was primarily about events in Korea in 1966-1984, why would John be told “the time is near” and “what must soon take place”?

The first-century Christians needed encouragement in their persecution—not information about events 1,900 years in the future that would be irrelevant to their situation.

What First-Century Christians Understood

When first-century Christians read Revelation, they understood it through their own context:

Their Situation:

• Living under Roman Empire
• Facing persecution for refusing to worship the emperor
• Seeing fellow believers martyred
• Wondering: Will God vindicate us? Will evil triumph? Should we compromise to survive?

Revelation’s Message to Them:

• Christ is Lord, not Caesar
• God will judge the Roman Empire (symbolized as “Babylon” and the “beast”)
• Those who remain faithful will be vindicated
• A new heaven and new earth are coming
• Hold fast—Christ wins in the end

The “three eras” they would have understood:

Not: Betrayal (1966-1980), Destruction (1980-1984), Salvation (1984-present)

But:

1. Present suffering under Rome’s persecution
2. Coming judgment on Rome and all who oppose God
3. Future glory in the new heaven and new earth

These weren’t sequential historical eras with specific dates—they were theological realities:

• We suffer now
• God will judge evil
• We will be vindicated in the end

This message was immediately relevant to first-century Christians. Shincheonji’s three-era framework with Korean dates would have been completely meaningless to them.

The Historical Reality: What Actually Happened in 1966-1984?

Shincheonji claims specific events in Korea fulfill Revelation. Let’s examine the historical reality:

1966 – Tabernacle Temple Established:

According to available historical information, a pastor named Yoo Jae-yeol (also spelled Yu Jae-yul) started a group called the Tabernacle Temple (장막성전, Jangmak Sungjon) in South Korea. He taught unorthodox doctrines and claimed his church was the fulfillment of biblical prophecy.

Lee Man-hee joined this group as a follower.

September 1980 – “Sun, Moon, Stars Fall”:

Conflicts arose within the Tabernacle Temple:

• Leadership disputes
• Doctrinal disagreements
• Power struggles
• Financial issues

Several leaders left or were expelled. The organization fractured.

Lee Man-hee was involved in these conflicts. He was part of the disputes that led to the fracturing.

September 1980 – March 14, 1984 – “42 Months of Destruction”:

After the Tabernacle Temple fractured, various splinter groups formed. Lee Man-hee started his own group, which eventually became Shincheonji.

During this period, there were ongoing conflicts between the various groups that had split from the Tabernacle Temple.

March 14, 1984 – “Salvation Era Begins”:

Shincheonji claims this date marks the beginning of the “Salvation era”—when the sealing of the 144,000 and gathering of the great multitude began.

In reality, this is when Lee Man-hee’s group (which became Shincheonji) began to consolidate and grow after the conflicts of the previous years.

The Problem: Retrofitting and Self-Serving Interpretation

This is a classic case of retrofitting—taking events you were involved in and claiming they fulfill prophecy:

1. Lee Man-hee joined the Tabernacle Temple (1966) 2. The Tabernacle Temple had internal conflicts and fractured (1980) 3. Lee Man-hee was involved in these conflicts 4. Lee Man-hee started his own group after the fracturing 5. Lee Man-hee then claimed:

• The Tabernacle Temple was the “tabernacle of heaven” in Revelation
• The conflicts were the fulfillment of Revelation 6 (sun, moon, stars falling)
• The period after was the fulfillment of Revelation 8-9 (destruction)
• His group’s formation was the fulfillment of Revelation 7 (salvation)
• He himself was the “white horse” and “New John” who witnessed it all

This is self-serving interpretation. Lee Man-hee takes events he was part of (and arguably contributed to) and claims they fulfill Revelation, positioning himself as the prophesied witness.

It’s like saying:

• “I joined a church”
• “The church had a split”
• “I started my own group after the split”
• “Therefore, I am the fulfillment of Revelation, and my group is God’s chosen organization”

This logic doesn’t hold up.

The Problem: Unverifiable Claims

How do we know:

• The Tabernacle Temple was the “tabernacle of heaven” in Revelation?
• The conflicts of 1980 fulfill Revelation 6?
• The period 1980-1984 fulfills Revelation 8-9?
• March 14, 1984 marks the beginning of the “Salvation era”?

We know these things only because Lee Man-hee says so. There’s no independent verification—just his interpretation of events he was involved in.

Compare this to biblical prophecy fulfillment:

Micah 5:2 (prophecy):

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

Matthew 2:1 (fulfillment):

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, the king heard this and was disturbed.”

This fulfillment is:

• Clear: Jesus was born in Bethlehem, just as prophesied
• Verifiable: Multiple witnesses, historical records
• Recognized: Even Herod’s advisors knew the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:4-6)

Shincheonji’s claimed fulfillment is:

• Unclear: Requires elaborate interpretation to connect events to prophecy
• Unverifiable: Only Shincheonji’s interpretation identifies these events as fulfillment
• Unrecognized: No one outside Shincheonji sees these events as fulfilling Revelation

The Problem: Flexible Timeline

Shincheonji’s timeline has been adjusted over the years. As documented in “SCJ’s Fulfillment of Revelation Part 1 and 2,” the specific dates and interpretations have shifted as events didn’t unfold as initially claimed.

This is a sign of human interpretation, not divine revelation. True prophecy doesn’t need to be adjusted and reinterpreted as events unfold.

Daniel 2:44-45:

“In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever. This is the meaning of the vision of the rock cut out of a mountain, but not by human hands—a rock that broke the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold to pieces. The great God has shown the king what will take place in the future. The dream is true and its interpretation is trustworthy.”

True prophecy is “true and its interpretation is trustworthy”—it doesn’t need constant adjustment.

Biblical Response: Revelation Addresses First-Century Context

Revelation was written to address the first-century context, not to provide a timeline of 20th-century Korean events.

Revelation 2-3 contains letters to seven actual churches in Asia Minor:

• Ephesus
• Smyrna
• Pergamum
• Thyatira
• Sardis
• Philadelphia
• Laodicea

These were real churches facing real situations. The letters address their specific circumstances, commendations, and warnings.

If Revelation was primarily about events in Korea in 1966-1984, why would John write detailed letters to these seven churches about their specific situations?

The answer: Because Revelation was relevant to them in their time.

The “beast” imagery in Revelation would have been understood by first-century Christians as referring to Rome:

• The beast rises from the sea (Revelation 13:1) – Rome’s power came across the Mediterranean
• The beast has seven heads (Revelation 13:1) – Rome was built on seven hills
• The beast blasphemes God (Revelation 13:5-6) – Roman emperors claimed divinity
• The beast makes war on the saints (Revelation 13:7) – Rome persecuted Christians

As explained in “How First-Century Christians Read Revelation Like a Political Cartoon,” the imagery would have been immediately recognizable to first-century readers as referring to Rome.

They didn’t need to wait 1,900 years for the “fulfillment” in Korea. The message was relevant to them immediately.

The Danger of Date-Setting

Throughout history, groups have set specific dates for prophetic fulfillment:

• Montanists (2nd century) predicted Christ’s return in their lifetime
• Various medieval groups calculated dates for the end times
• William Miller (1840s) predicted Christ’s return in 1844 (leading to the “Great Disappointment”)
• Jehovah’s Witnesses predicted 1914, 1918, 1925, 1975 as significant dates
• Harold Camping predicted May 21, 2011 as the rapture date

Every specific date prediction has been wrong.

Jesus explicitly warned against this:

Matthew 24:36:

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

Acts 1:7:

“He said to them: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.'”

Shincheonji’s specific dates (1966, September 1980, March 14, 1984) are another example of date-setting that contradicts Jesus’ teaching.

Questions to Ask

If you’re being taught the three-era timeline:

1. Would first-century Christians have understood Revelation this way?

Would they have thought: “This is about events 1,900 years in the future in Korea”?

Or would they have understood it as addressing their situation under Roman persecution?

2. Can the historical claims be verified independently?

Is there independent historical evidence that the Tabernacle Temple was the “tabernacle of heaven” and that the events of 1980-1984 fulfill Revelation?

Or is this only claimed by Shincheonji?

3. Why would God reveal a timeline to Lee Man-hee but not to Christians for 1,900 years?

Why would Revelation be a mystery for 1,900 years, only to be revealed by one man in Korea?

4. Does this timeline serve the organization’s interests?

Who benefits from claiming “we’re in the Salvation era now at Shincheonji”?

Does this claim serve your spiritual growth, or does it serve Shincheonji’s recruitment and control?

Part 6: The “42 Months of Destruction” – Reinterpreting Revelation

SCJ’s Teaching: 42 Months from September 1980 to March 14, 1984

The instructor explains:

“Destruction – from September 1980 to March 14th. 1984 is the 42 months of destruction. And we’ll see these 42 months in more detail. When we get to Revelation chapter 11. And chapter 13. Although Revelation 8 and 9 take place during this period.”

Shincheonji teaches:

• The “42 months” mentioned in Revelation 11 and 13 refers to September 1980 – March 14, 1984
• This was a period of “destruction” following the fall of the Tabernacle Temple
• Revelation 8-9 (the trumpets) occurred during this period
• This was a specific, historical period that has ended

What the Bible Actually Says About “42 Months”

The “42 months” appears in Revelation in two places:

Revelation 11:2:

“But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months.”

Revelation 13:5:

“The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months.”

Related time periods in Revelation:

Revelation 11:3:

“And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”

1,260 days = 42 months (using 30-day months) = 3½ years

Revelation 12:6:

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

Revelation 12:14:

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

“A time, times and half a time” = 3½ years = 42 months = 1,260 days

These time periods (42 months, 1,260 days, 3½ years) appear throughout Revelation and represent a period of trial, persecution, and testing.

The Origin: Daniel’s Prophecy

This time period originates in Daniel:

Daniel 7:25:

“He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time.”

Daniel 9:27:

“He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.”

Daniel 12:7:

“The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, ‘It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed.'”

The “time, times and half a time” (3½ years) represents a period of persecution and trial for God’s people.

This imagery would have been familiar to first-century Christians from Daniel’s prophecy.

Historical Context: The 3½ Years and First-Century Understanding

For first-century Christians, the 3½ years would have evoked:

1. The Period of Antiochus Epiphanes’ Persecution

In the 2nd century BC, the Seleucid king Antiochus IV Epiphanes persecuted the Jews, desecrated the temple, and banned Jewish practices. This persecution lasted approximately 3½ years (167-164 BC) until the Maccabean revolt.

Daniel’s prophecy was understood as referring to this period (and potentially future similar periods).

2. Symbolic Period of Trial

The 3½ years (half of seven, the number of completeness) represents an incomplete, limited period of trial. It’s not forever—it’s limited by God’s sovereignty.

3. Jesus’ Ministry

Some scholars note that Jesus’ public ministry lasted approximately 3½ years—a period of proclamation before His crucifixion.

4. The Period Before Jerusalem’s Destruction

Some early Christians understood the 42 months as referring to the period leading up to Jerusalem’s destruction by Rome in 70 AD.

From 67-70 AD, Jerusalem was under siege and attack. This period of approximately 3½ years was a time of great tribulation for the Jews.

First-century Christians reading Revelation would have understood the 42 months as:

• A symbolic period of trial and persecution
• Limited in duration (not forever)
• Possibly referring to the period leading to Jerusalem’s destruction
• Possibly referring to the ongoing persecution under Rome

They would NOT have understood it as:

• September 1980 – March 14, 1984 in Korea
• Events at an organization called the Tabernacle Temple
• A specific historical period 1,900 years in the future

The Problem with Shincheonji’s Interpretation

1. It Ignores First-Century Context

Shincheonji’s interpretation requires first-century Christians to ignore their own context and understand the 42 months as referring to events 1,900 years later in Korea.

This makes Revelation irrelevant to its original recipients.

2. It Requires Accepting the Entire Framework

To accept that September 1980 – March 14, 1984 is the “42 months,” you must first accept:

• The Tabernacle Temple was the “tabernacle of heaven”
• September 1980 fulfilled Revelation 6
• The events of 1980-1984 fulfill Revelation 8-9, 11, 13
• Lee Man-hee’s interpretation is correct

These are all unproven assumptions.

3. It’s Based on Circular Reasoning

“The 42 months is September 1980 – March 14, 1984 because that’s when destruction occurred at the Tabernacle Temple. We know destruction occurred because Revelation prophesies 42 months of destruction. We know Revelation’s 42 months refers to this period because destruction occurred.”

This is circular reasoning—using the interpretation to prove the fulfillment, and the fulfillment to prove the interpretation.

4. The Dates Don’t Match

September 1980 to March 14, 1984 is approximately 3 years and 6 months—42 months.

But this assumes:

• September 1980 is the exact start date
• March 14, 1984 is the exact end date

How were these specific dates determined? By Shincheonji’s interpretation of events. The dates are chosen to fit the 42-month timeframe, not the other way around.

This is retrofitting—choosing dates to match the prophecy.

What the 42 Months Actually Represents

In Revelation, the 42 months represents:

1. A Limited Period of Trial

Revelation 11:2: The Gentiles “will trample on the holy city for 42 months.”

Revelation 13:5: The beast “will exercise its authority for forty-two months.”

The 42 months is limited—the persecution and trial won’t last forever. God has set boundaries.

2. The Time of the Beast’s Power

Revelation 13:5-7:

“The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them.”

For first-century Christians, this would have represented Rome’s persecution of the church—a limited period during which the beast (Rome) had power, but ultimately God would judge and defeat it.

3. The Time of Witness

Revelation 11:3:

“And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”

During the 42 months (1,260 days), God’s witnesses prophesy. Even in the time of trial, God’s word goes forth.

4. The Time of Protection

Revelation 12:6, 14:

“The woman fled into the wilderness to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days… The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time.”

During the 42 months, God protects His people. Even in persecution, He provides refuge.

The 42 months is not primarily about specific dates in Korea—it’s about the theological reality that:

• Persecution is real but limited
• God’s witnesses continue to prophesy
• God protects His people
• The beast’s power will end

This message was relevant to first-century Christians facing persecution, and it remains relevant to Christians facing trials today.

Biblical Response: Focus on the Message, Not Date Calculations

Rather than calculating specific dates for the 42 months, we should focus on the message:

1. Trials Are Limited

1 Peter 1:6-7:

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

“For a little while”—trials are temporary, limited by God’s sovereignty.

2. God Protects His People

Psalm 91:1-2:

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'”

God is our refuge during times of trial.

3. We Continue to Witness

Acts 1:8:

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

Even in difficult times, we continue to be Christ’s witnesses.

4. Christ Will Return and Judge Evil

Revelation 19:11-16:

“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war… On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

Christ will return, judge evil, and establish His kingdom. This is our hope.

We don’t need to calculate specific dates for the 42 months. We need to trust that God limits our trials, protects us, and will ultimately vindicate His people.

Part 7: “Revelation 7 Is Still Being Fulfilled Today” – Justifying Endless Recruitment

SCJ’s Teaching: Ongoing Fulfillment

The instructor explains:

“Revelation 7, though it takes place after Revelation 6. Which is kind of the end of this and the beginning of that. It’s still going on. So it’s a chapter that has been fulfilled ever since the sun, moon, and stars went dark and fall. As Chairman is sharing the word and people are hearing it and deciding to come out. They too are those who are being sealed and being gathering on the mountain. So it’s been fulfilled for quite some time. And it’s still being fulfilled today.”

Shincheonji teaches:

• Revelation 7 began to be fulfilled after September 1980 (when the “sun, moon, and stars fell”)
• It’s an ongoing fulfillment—happening continuously as people join Shincheonji
• As “Chairman” (Lee Man-hee) shares the word and people “come out,” they’re being sealed and gathered
• This fulfillment has been happening “for quite some time” and continues today

The Purpose of This Teaching

This teaching serves several organizational purposes:

1. It Justifies Ongoing Recruitment

“Revelation 7 is still being fulfilled today” means recruitment is not just an organizational activity—it’s the fulfillment of prophecy.

When you recruit someone to Shincheonji, you’re not just growing the organization—you’re participating in the fulfillment of Revelation 7.

This makes recruitment feel spiritually significant and prophetically important.

2. It Creates Urgency Without a Deadline

Unlike failed prophecies that set specific end dates, “still being fulfilled today” creates urgency without a falsifiable deadline.

“We’re in the fulfillment now! You need to join! But we don’t know exactly when it will be complete.”

This urgency motivates commitment without the risk of a failed prediction.

3. It Positions Shincheonji as the Center of God’s Work

“As Chairman is sharing the word and people are hearing it and deciding to come out”—Shincheonji (and specifically Lee Man-hee) is positioned as the center of God’s prophetic work today.

If Revelation 7 is being fulfilled at Shincheonji, then Shincheonji must be where God is working.

4. It Makes Members Feel Significant

“You are part of the fulfillment of Revelation 7! You’re being sealed and gathered on the mountain! You’re part of prophecy!”

This makes members feel like they’re part of something cosmically significant.

The Problem: Revelation 7 Addresses First-Century Context

When we read Revelation 7 in context, it’s clear it was addressing first-century Christians’ concerns, not providing a blueprint for ongoing recruitment in the 21st century.

Revelation 7:1-3:

“After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: ‘Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.'”

Context: The seals are being opened (Revelation 6), and judgment is coming. But before the judgment falls, God’s servants are sealed for protection.

First-century understanding:

• Judgment is coming on the Roman Empire and all who oppose God
• But God will protect His people—they’re sealed
• The seal marks them as belonging to God and under His protection

This was a message of assurance to first-century Christians: “Yes, judgment is coming. Yes, persecution is real. But you are sealed by God. You belong to Him. He will protect you.”

Revelation 7:9-10:

“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.'”

This is a vision of the ultimate gathering of God’s people from all nations—not a description of ongoing recruitment at Shincheonji.

The great multitude is “from every nation, tribe, people and language”—this is the universal church, all believers from all times and places, not specifically people joining Shincheonji in the 21st century.

The Biblical Sealing: Holy Spirit, Not Organizational Teaching

As we discussed earlier, biblical sealing is by the Holy Spirit when someone believes in Christ:

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 sealing happens when you believe—not when you complete Shincheonji’s course.

The seal is the Holy Spirit—not knowledge of Shincheonji’s interpretation.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22:

“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”

God sets His seal of ownership—all believers, not just Shincheonji members.

If Revelation 7’s sealing refers to the Holy Spirit sealing believers (which is the biblical understanding), then it’s been “ongoing” since Pentecost—not since September 1980 at Shincheonji.

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.'”

Since Pentecost, all who repent and believe receive the Holy Spirit—they’re sealed. This has been ongoing for 2,000 years, not just since 1980 at Shincheonji.

The Danger of “Ongoing Fulfillment” Claims

When an organization claims “prophecy is still being fulfilled today through our activities,” several problems arise:

1. It Makes Prophecy Unfalsifiable

“When will Revelation 7 be complete?” “We don’t know—it’s ongoing.”

“How do we know it’s really being fulfilled?” “Because people are joining and being sealed.”

This makes the claim impossible to falsify. Any recruitment can be claimed as “fulfillment,” and there’s no way to prove it’s not.

2. It Justifies Endless Demands

“We’re fulfilling Revelation 7! We need to seal more people! You need to recruit more, give more time, sacrifice more—because this is the fulfillment of prophecy!”

The “ongoing fulfillment” justifies endless demands on members’ time, energy, and resources.

3. It Prevents Leaving

“If you leave, you’re leaving the fulfillment of Revelation 7. You’re walking away from prophecy. You’re abandoning your role in God’s plan.”

The claim that Shincheonji is the fulfillment of prophecy makes leaving feel like abandoning God’s work.

4. It Centralizes Power

“As Chairman is sharing the word and people are hearing it”—Lee Man-hee is positioned as the central figure in the fulfillment.

This centralizes power and authority in one person.

Biblical Response: The Church Has Been Growing Since Pentecost

If we want to talk about “ongoing fulfillment,” we should recognize that the church—the body of Christ—has been growing since Pentecost:

Acts 2:41:

“Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”

Acts 2:47:

“And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

Acts 5:14:

“Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.”

Acts 6:7:

“So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.”

For 2,000 years, people have been coming to faith in Christ, being sealed by the Holy Spirit, and added to the church. This is the true “ongoing fulfillment”—not recruitment to Shincheonji since 1980.

Matthew 16:18:

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

Jesus is building His church—not Lee Man-hee, not Shincheonji, but Jesus.

The church is growing worldwide:

• In Africa, where Christianity is rapidly expanding
• In Asia, where believers face persecution but continue to grow
• In Latin America, where vibrant faith communities thrive
• In the West, where believers continue to gather and worship

This is the fulfillment—the global, universal church of Jesus Christ, not one organization in Korea.

Questions to Ask

If you’re told “Revelation 7 is still being fulfilled today at Shincheonji”:

1. Is this claim falsifiable?

How would we know if it’s not true? Is there any way to test this claim?

2. Does this serve the organization’s interests?

Who benefits from claiming “we’re fulfilling Revelation 7”? Does this motivate recruitment and prevent leaving?

3. What about the global church?

If Revelation 7 is about the sealing and gathering of God’s people, why would it be limited to one organization in Korea? What about believers worldwide?

4. Is the sealing by the Holy Spirit or by organizational teaching?

Does the Bible teach that sealing happens when you believe in Christ (Ephesians 1:13), or when you complete an organization’s course?

Part 8: The Progression of Indoctrination – Where Students Are Now

The Journey to Lesson 112

By Lesson 112, students have been through an intensive indoctrination process:

Beginner Level (Parables):

• Learned to distrust traditional Christianity
• Accepted the “Betrayal-Destruction-Salvation” pattern
• Formed deep friendships within the group
• Became dependent on Shincheonji for biblical understanding

Intermediate Level (Bible Logic):

• Learned pattern recognition and “Bible logic”
• Reinforced that only Shincheonji has correct interpretation
• Deepened isolation from other Christians
• Practiced interpreting everything through Shincheonji’s framework

Advanced Level – Revelation 1-7:

• Learned the Tabernacle Temple narrative
• Identified Lee Man-hee as “white horse” and “New John”
• Accepted that Revelation is being fulfilled now
• Learned about the 144,000 and great multitude
• Visited Mount Zion
• Warned not to “look back”
• Categorized as “three kinds of people”
• Asked to raise hand to be a priest
• Told they were “created according to Revelation”

Advanced Level – Lesson 111:

• Told Satan’s 6,000-year rule is ending
• Asked: “Have I been created according to Revelation?”
• Warned not to be like dogs, pigs, or betrayers
• Called to public commitment
• Taught that fulfillment of prophecy proves truth
• Given specific dates: September 1980
• Positioned in timeline: “You are in Revelation 7”
• Prepared to receive “words from the promised pastor”

Advanced Level – Lesson 112 (Current):

• Told to remove all doubts
• Taught “unity” means same heart, same mind
• Learned chapter titles from “New John” (Lee Man-hee)
• Taught two levels of being sealed (creating hierarchy)
• Encouraged to “shoot for the stars” (Level 2)
• Given three-era timeline with specific dates
• Positioned in “Salvation era”
• Told Revelation 7 is “still being fulfilled today”
• Introduced to “42 months of destruction”
• Prepared for Revelation 8 (more destruction)

The Intensification at This Stage

Lesson 112 represents further intensification:

1. Explicit Hierarchy Is Created

The “two levels of being sealed” makes the hierarchy explicit:

• Level One: Regular members (great multitude)
• Level Two: Elite members (144,000 priests)

This creates aspiration, competition, and performance pressure.

2. Doubt Suppression Is Explicit

“All doubts be removed from one’s heart”—critical thinking is explicitly discouraged.

3. Conformity Is Demanded

“Same heart, same mind, same desire”—unity is redefined as conformity.

4. Timeline Certainty Is Provided

Specific dates (1966, September 1980, March 14, 1984) create a sense of certainty and historical verification.

5. Authority Is Centralized

“New John gave us these titles”—Lee Man-hee’s authority is elevated as the one who can organize and title Revelation.

6. Ongoing Commitment Is Justified

“Revelation 7 is still being fulfilled today”—recruitment and commitment are framed as participating in prophecy fulfillment.

The Psychological State of Students

By Lesson 112, students are likely experiencing:

1. Deep Investment

• 8-9 months of weekly classes
• Significant time investment (3+ hours per week, plus study time)
• Deep friendships within the group
• Visited Mount Zion
• Made public commitments (raised hand to be a priest)
• Identity wrapped up in being part of the fulfillment
• Possibly recruited friends or family

2. Cognitive Dissonance

The tension between:

• “Remove all doubts” vs. “Test everything” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
• “Same heart, same mind” vs. Biblical unity in diversity
• “Two levels of sealing” vs. All believers sealed by Holy Spirit
• “Specific dates” vs. “No one knows the day or hour” (Matthew 24:36)
• “Shoot for the stars (Level 2)” vs. Salvation by grace, not works

3. Performance Pressure

• Pressure to reach “Level Two”
• Pressure to “shoot for the stars”
• Pressure to be sealed “100%”
• Pressure to be able to teach and seal others
• Pressure to prove you’re qualified for the 144,000

4. Fear

• Fear of being only “Level One”
• Fear of not being sealed “100%”
• Fear of missing out on being part of the 144,000
• Fear of leaving the “fulfillment of Revelation 7”
• Fear of being a “dog” or “pig” if you question

5. Isolation

• Most social life is now within Shincheonji
• Distanced from family and friends outside
• “Same heart, same mind” creates pressure to conform
• Difficult to voice doubts or questions
• Feeling like Shincheonji is the only place where you belong

6. Confusion

• Things don’t quite add up, but you push doubts away (“remove all doubts”)
• The timeline seems forced, but you’re told it’s historical fact
• The interpretation seems to ignore first-century context, but you’re told “New John” has revealed the truth
• You have questions, but you’re afraid to ask (breaking “unity”)

The Sunk Cost Fallacy Intensifies

At this point, the sunk cost fallacy is very powerful:

“I’ve invested 8-9 months. I’ve made public commitments. I’ve recruited others. I’ve visited Mount Zion. I’ve told people I’m part of the 144,000. If I leave now, all of that was wasted. I can’t admit I was wrong. I have to keep going. I have to reach Level Two. I have to ‘shoot for the stars.'”

But remember:

Proverbs 14:12:

“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”

The best time to leave a wrong path is as soon as you realize it’s wrong—not after investing even more.

Matthew 16:26:

“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”

Even if you’ve invested 8-9 months, even if you’ve made commitments—your soul is more valuable. Don’t continue on a wrong path just because you’ve invested time.

Part 9: Practical Guidance – What Should You Do?

If You’re Currently Taking This Lesson

You’ve been told:

• “Remove all doubts from your heart”
• “Be united with same heart, same mind”
• “Strive for Level Two—shoot for the stars”
• “We’re in the Salvation era”
• “Revelation 7 is still being fulfilled today”

Before you commit further, you need to:

1. Recognize the Manipulation Tactics

Understand what’s happening psychologically:

• Doubt suppression (“remove all doubts”)
• Conformity pressure (“same heart, same mind”)
• Hierarchy creation (two levels of sealing)
• Performance pressure (“shoot for the stars”)
• Authority elevation (“New John gave us these titles”)
• Timeline certainty (specific dates creating false confidence)
• Ongoing recruitment justification (“Revelation 7 still being fulfilled”)
• Circular reasoning (interpretation proves fulfillment, fulfillment proves interpretation)

These are manipulation tactics, not signs of truth.

2. Test the Historical Claims

Research independently:

• What actually happened at the Tabernacle Temple in 1966-1984?
• Can the events be verified through independent sources?
• Do the events match what Revelation describes, or is this retrofitting?
• Are the specific dates (September 1980, March 14, 1984) based on evidence or interpretation?

Resources:

• “The Real Reasons Behind the Tabernacle Temple’s Destruction and Sale”
• “SCJ’s Fulfillment of Revelation Part 1 and 2”
• Independent historical research on Korean religious movements

3. Consider the First-Century Context

Ask yourself:

• Would first-century Christians have understood Revelation as being about events in Korea in 1966-1984?
• Or would they have understood it as addressing their situation under Roman persecution?
• Does Shincheonji’s interpretation ignore the original context?

Resources:

• “How First-Century Christians Read Revelation Like a Political Cartoon”
• “The Revelation Project” by Dr. Warren Gage and Dr. Chip Bennett
• “John & Revelation Project – Part 1-8”

4. Examine the Gospel Being Taught

Ask yourself:

• Is salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone, or by reaching “Level Two” and being part of the 144,000?
• Is sealing by the Holy Spirit when you believe (Ephesians 1:13), or by completing Shincheonji’s course?
• Is Christ the center, or is Lee Man-hee (“New John”) being elevated?
• Is unity in Christ with diversity, or conformity to one interpretation?

5. Listen to Your Doubts

Despite being told “remove all doubts,” your doubts are important:

• Doubts about the timeline (does it really match history?)
• Doubts about the interpretation (would first-century Christians understand it this way?)
• Doubts about the hierarchy (is “Level Two” biblical?)
• Doubts about the pressure (is “shoot for the stars” the gospel?)
• Doubts about conformity (is “same heart, same mind” healthy?)

Don’t suppress these doubts. Bring them to God. Test what you’ve been taught.

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

6. Seek Outside Perspectives

Don’t make this decision in isolation:

• Talk to a pastor or Christian counselor outside of Shincheonji
• Read testimonies from former members
• Discuss your concerns with family or friends who can give objective perspective
• Research independently

Visit closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination for comprehensive resources, testimonies, and support.

If You’re Having Doubts

If you’re experiencing doubts, cognitive dissonance, or unease—don’t suppress them.

Your doubts are not signs of spiritual failure. They’re opportunities to seek truth.

Questions to ask yourself:

About the Timeline:

• Can the three eras (Betrayal, Destruction, Salvation) with specific dates (1966, September 1980, March 14, 1984) be verified historically?
• Do the events actually match what Revelation describes?
• Would first-century Christians have understood Revelation this way?

About the Two-Level System:

• Is “two levels of being sealed” biblical?
• Does the Bible teach that all believers are sealed by the Holy Spirit when they believe (Ephesians 1:13)?
• Is “shoot for the stars” (performance pressure) consistent with salvation by grace?

About Authority:

• Is Lee Man-hee’s authority as “New John” who provides chapter titles biblical?
• Should we depend on one human authority to understand Scripture?
• Does the Bible teach that the Holy Spirit guides believers into truth (John 16:13)?

About Unity:

• Is “same heart, same mind, same desire” biblical unity or conformity?
• Does biblical unity allow for diversity of thought and conviction (Romans 14)?
• Can you voice concerns and questions, or is that seen as breaking unity?

About Doubt:

• Is “remove all doubts” biblical?
• Does the Bible command us to “test everything” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)?
• Are your doubts signs of failure, or opportunities to seek truth?

If your honest answers to these questions raise concerns, it’s time to step back and reassess.

If You’re Ready to Leave

If you’ve decided that Shincheonji’s teaching is unbiblical and you want to leave:

1. Know That Leaving Is Not Betrayal

Leaving an organization that teaches unbiblical doctrine is not betraying God—it’s choosing truth.

Acts 5:29:

“Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than human beings!'”

If Shincheonji’s teaching contradicts God’s Word, then leaving is obedience to God.

2. Prepare for the Emotional Difficulty

Leaving will be difficult because:

• You’ve invested 8-9 months
• You’ve formed deep friendships
• Your identity has been tied to being part of the fulfillment
• You may have made public commitments (raised your hand, visited Mount Zion)
• You may face pressure from members to stay
• You may have recruited others

But difficulty doesn’t mean you’re making the wrong choice. Sometimes the right choice is the difficult one.

3. Reconnect with Support Systems

• Reach out to family and friends outside Shincheonji
• Find a healthy church community
• Consider counseling to process your experience
• Connect with former members who understand what you’re going through

4. Remember Your Identity in Christ

Your identity is not:

• “Former member trying to reach Level Two”
• “Part of the 144,000 at Shincheonji”
• “Someone created according to Revelation for Shincheonji’s purposes”

Your identity is:

• Child of God through faith in Christ (Galatians 3:26)
• Sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13)
• Part of the royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9)
• Loved unconditionally by God (Romans 5:8)

This identity cannot be taken away by leaving an organization.

Romans 8:38-39:

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

Nothing—including leaving Shincheonji—can separate you from God’s love in Christ.

5. Seek Truth

After leaving, take time to:

• Study Scripture in its proper context
• Learn how first-century Christians understood Revelation
• Understand the gospel of grace through faith
• Build a healthy relationship with Christ and His church
• Process your experience and heal

Resources:

• closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination
• Testimonies from former members
• Biblical commentaries on Revelation
• Books on understanding apocalyptic literature
• Healthy church communities

Part 10: The True Message of Revelation 8

What Revelation 8 Is Really About

Shincheonji will teach that Revelation 8 is about:

• The “last seal” being opened
• The “7 trumpets” beginning to blow
• The “first third of people to die (spiritually)”
• Events at the Tabernacle Temple during the “42 months of destruction” (September 1980 – March 14, 1984)

But what did first-century Christians understand when they read Revelation 8?

Revelation 8:1:

“When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.”

The seventh seal is opened—the scroll can now be fully read. But first, there’s silence.

This silence creates anticipation. Something momentous is about to happen.

Revelation 8:2-5:

“And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.”

Key elements:

1. The Prayers of God’s People

The incense represents “the prayers of all God’s people.” God hears the prayers of His people—their cries for justice, vindication, and deliverance.

First-century Christians were praying: “How long, Lord? When will you judge our persecutors? When will you vindicate us?”

Revelation 6:10:

“They called out in a loud voice, ‘How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?'”

The prayers go up before God, and then judgment comes—fire from the altar hurled to earth.

2. The Seven Trumpets

Revelation 8:6:

“Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them.”

Trumpets in the Old Testament announced:

• War and judgment (Jeremiah 4:5, Joel 2:1)
• God’s presence and action (Exodus 19:16)
• The Day of the Lord (Zephaniah 1:14-16)

First-century Christians would have understood the seven trumpets as announcing God’s judgment on their oppressors—particularly Rome.

3. The Judgments

Revelation 8:7-12 describes the first four trumpet judgments:

• First trumpet: Hail and fire mixed with blood, a third of earth burned
• Second trumpet: Mountain thrown into sea, a third of sea becomes blood
• Third trumpet: Star falls, a third of waters become bitter
• Fourth trumpet: A third of sun, moon, stars struck

This imagery echoes the plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7-10):

• Water turned to blood
• Hail and fire
• Darkness

First-century Christians would have understood: Just as God judged Egypt and delivered Israel, God will judge Rome and deliver His people.

The judgments are partial (“a third”)—they’re warnings, opportunities for repentance, not yet the final judgment.

The Message to First-Century Christians

Revelation 8’s message to first-century Christians:

1. God Hears Your Prayers

“The prayers of all God’s people went up before God”—your cries for justice are heard.

2. God Will Judge Evil

The trumpets announce judgment on the oppressive Roman Empire—God will not let evil go unpunished.

3. Judgment Is Coming, But There’s Still Time

The judgments are partial (“a third”)—there’s still opportunity for repentance before the final judgment.

4. Hold Fast

Remain faithful. God is acting. Vindication is coming.

This message was immediately relevant to first-century Christians facing persecution. It gave them hope, assurance, and encouragement to remain faithful.

Shincheonji’s Interpretation Misses This

Shincheonji’s interpretation:

• Makes Revelation 8 about events at the Tabernacle Temple in 1980-1984
• Focuses on “the first third of people to die (spiritually)”
• Ties it to the “42 months of destruction”
• Makes it about Lee Man-hee’s narrative

This interpretation:

• Ignores the first-century context
• Makes Revelation irrelevant to its original recipients
• Focuses on organizational narrative rather than God’s judgment and vindication
• Misses the message of hope and encouragement

First-century Christians didn’t need to know about events in Korea 1,900 years later. They needed to know that God heard their prayers, would judge their oppressors, and would vindicate them.

That’s the true message of Revelation 8.

The True Hope

The hope of Revelation is not:

• Being part of an organization that claims to fulfill prophecy
• Understanding the “correct interpretation” of the trumpets
• Knowing the specific dates of the “three eras”
• Reaching “Level Two” sealing

The hope of Revelation is:

Revelation 21:3-4:

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'”

God will dwell with His people. All tears will be wiped away. Death, mourning, crying, pain—all will end.

This hope is available to all who believe 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.”

“Whoever believes in him”—not “whoever joins Shincheonji,” not “whoever reaches Level Two,” but “whoever believes in him.”

Conclusion: The Choice Before You

Two Paths

You are being presented with two paths:

Shincheonji’s Path:

• Remove all doubts from your heart
• Be united with same heart, same mind
• Strive for Level Two—shoot for the stars
• Accept that we’re in the Salvation era (1984-present)
• Believe that Revelation 7 is still being fulfilled today at Shincheonji
• Trust that “New John” (Lee Man-hee) has revealed the truth
• Accept the three eras with specific dates as historical fact
• Participate in the fulfillment of prophecy by recruiting others

Biblical Path:

• Test everything, hold fast what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
• Be united in Christ with diversity of thought (Romans 14)
• Rest in Christ—salvation is by grace, not by reaching Level Two (Ephesians 2:8-9)
• Trust that God’s timing is not for us to calculate (Acts 1:7)
• Recognize that the church has been growing since Pentecost (Acts 2:47)
• Rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you into truth (John 16:13)
• Understand Revelation in its first-century context
• Share the gospel of grace through faith in Christ

Which path sounds more like the gospel of grace?

Which path sounds more like Jesus’ teaching about rest and freedom?

Which path would first-century Christians have recognized as biblical?

The Real Question

The question is not: “Am I Level One or Level Two?”

The question is: “Am I trusting in Christ alone, or am I trusting in organizational membership, performance, and human interpretation?”

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 by grace through faith—not by reaching Level Two, not by being part of the 144,000, not by “shooting for the stars.”

You Are Loved

Wherever you are in this journey—hear this:

You are loved by God—not because you’ve reached Level Two, not because you’re part of an organization, not because you’ve removed all doubts and have the same mind as everyone else—but because you are His creation, made in His image, and He sent His Son to die for you.

Romans 5:8:

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

While you were still a sinner—before you knew about Shincheonji, before you heard of the three eras, before you tried to reach Level Two—Christ died for you.

That’s the gospel. That’s the good news.

May you find freedom and rest in Christ alone.

Final Resources and Encouragement

You Are Not Alone

Thousands have walked this path before you. Many have left Shincheonji and found freedom, healing, and genuine faith in Christ.

Their testimonies and support are available at: closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination

Additional Resources

For understanding Revelation in its first-century context:

• “How First-Century Christians Read Revelation Like a Political Cartoon”
• “The Revelation Project” by Dr. Warren Gage and Dr. Chip Bennett
• “John & Revelation Project – Part 1-8”

For understanding Shincheonji’s claims:

• “Prophecy and Fulfillment”
• “SCJ’s Fulfillment of Revelation Part 1 and 2”
• “The Real Reasons Behind the Tabernacle Temple’s Destruction and Sale”
• “Betrayal, Destruction, Salvation – A Christian Response”

For understanding the gospel:

• Read Romans, Galatians, and Ephesians
• Study what “salvation by grace through faith” means
• Learn about the sealing of the Holy Spirit
• Understand your identity in Christ

A Prayer for Truth

“Heavenly Father,

I’ve been taught to remove all doubts, to have the same heart and mind as everyone else, to strive for Level Two, to believe I’m living in the Salvation era at Shincheonji. But I’m not sure this is true.

Your Word says to test everything (1 Thessalonians 5:21). I want to test what I’ve been taught.

Please give me wisdom to discern truth from error. Help me to see clearly—not through the lens of organizational teaching, but through Your Word.

If Shincheonji’s teaching is true, confirm it through Scripture and Your Spirit. If it’s false, expose it and lead me to truth.

I don’t want to suppress my doubts out of fear. I want to bring them to You and seek truth.

Help me to remember that I am sealed by Your Holy Spirit when I believe in Christ (Ephesians 1:13)—not by reaching Level Two or completing a course.

Help me to remember that my identity is in Christ—child of God, part of the royal priesthood, loved unconditionally—not dependent on organizational membership or performance.

Give me courage to seek truth, even if it’s difficult. Give me strength to make the right decision, even if it costs me relationships. Give me peace that comes from knowing You.

Thank You that nothing can separate me from Your love in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38-39)—not leaving an organization, not questioning teaching, not having doubts. Your love for me is secure.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

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

“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)

For more resources, testimonies, and support, visit: closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination