Prophecy and Fulfillment (Actual Reality) – Glossary
In Shincheonji theology, “Actual Reality” refers to the belief that every biblical prophecy, especially in Revelation, must be fulfilled through real people, places, and historical events, not just spiritually or symbolically. SCJ teaches that parables and visions in the Bible were deliberately hidden until the appointed time, when they would become plain and literal through physical fulfillment. They claim this fulfillment is now unfolding in South Korea, witnessed and testified by their leader, Lee Manhee, whom they call the “New John” and “promised pastor.”
This doctrine asserts that SCJ alone can reveal the physical counterparts of biblical figures and events—for example, identifying symbolic terms like “beast” or “sheep” as specific groups or pastors in the present. In their view, Revelation’s visions seen by the Apostle John are now manifesting in world history, with Lee Manhee as the only legitimate witness. Ultimately, they teach that the “Actual Reality” is the creation of Shincheonji itself as the “new heaven and new earth,” the physical kingdom of God on earth.
In Shincheonji theology, “Actual Reality”(physical reality or physical fulfillment) refers to the physical, historical events that fulfill the prophecies of Revelation and other parts of the Bible. Rather than seeing biblical prophecy as entirely spiritual or symbolic, SCJ claims that all biblical prophecy must be fulfilled in real life—with specific people, locations, and events on earth.
This concept is foundational to their belief that:
❝ The Bible’s parables and prophecies are not only spiritually true, but they also have physical counterparts that must appear at the time of fulfillment. ❞
This is how Shincheonji separates itself from traditional Christian interpretation, claiming that their teachings are not just spiritual insight—but testimony of fulfillment witnessed in actual reality.
See Terms:
Be aware that groups like Shincheonji often respond to criticism by subtly adjusting their doctrine—a common tactic involving denial, adaptation, and manipulation; is a common tactic among high-control organizations. They may gather information on critics and “flip the script,” portraying exposure as persecution or misinformation. It’s essential to carefully observe doctrinal shifts rather than accepting new explanations at face value. Stay vigilant against gaslighting through evolving teachings designed to counter today’s realities and criticisms. (Read More)
Unpacking “Actual Reality”: Revelation’s Grand Finale, Here and Now!
Ever wondered if biblical prophecies could literally unfold in our world today? For Shincheonji (SCJ), that’s not just a thought—it’s “Actual Reality”! This isn’t about vague predictions; it’s about the physical manifestation and precise fulfillment of what’s written in the Book of Revelation. Imagine a hidden blueprint suddenly becoming a tangible, real-life structure. That’s the essence of “Actual Reality”: a shift from veiled, figurative prophetic visions to discernible, physical events, people, and circumstances, finally bringing clarity to the “who, what, when, where, why, and how.”
Shincheonji teaches that many of God’s prophecies in the Bible, especially in Revelation, were spoken in parables or figurative language. The reason, they say, was to keep “the secrets of the kingdom of heaven” hidden until the appointed time (Matthew 13:10–17; Mark 4:11–12). For SCJ members, the exciting claim is that once the “Actual Reality” appears, those figures and parables are finally explained in plain terms.
They point to Jesus’ words: “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father” (John 16:25). Shincheonji interprets this as happening now, through their leader Lee Man Hee, the “promised pastor” they call the “New John” (The Explanation of Parables, p. 146).
Here’s how they frame it:
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Vision Revelation: What the Apostle John saw on the island of Patmos, visions of future events (The Creation of Heaven & Earth, p. 30).
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Physical Fulfillment / Actual Reality: What is unfolding today, those same visions appearing in the physical world, witnessed and explained by Lee Man Hee, the “New John.”
This teaching is also tied to the “open scroll” of Revelation 10. Shincheonji interprets it as Lee Man Hee receiving and fully understanding Revelation, becoming what they describe as a “walking Bible” and “messenger of the covenant” (The Explanation of Parables, p. 147). In their view, this “open word” is the “Actual Reality” now being testified to the world.
Shincheonji illustrates “Actual Reality” with various biblical narratives, pinpointing their contemporary fulfillments:
Prophetic Figures and Groups: Those mysterious figures in Revelation are explained by SCJ as real people and groups. For instance, the “seven heads and ten horns” in Revelation 13 are interpreted as seven actual pastors and ten real authority figures appearing today. Even seemingly simple terms like “sheep,” “dog,” or “beast” become “Actual Realities” representing believers, betraying pastors, or those ignorant of God’s word.
Biblical Events Fulfilled Today: Major biblical events, such as the “war between God and the dragon” (Revelation 12) or the “judgment of Babylon” (Revelation 18), are seen as having physical fulfillments. The “great multitude in white” emerging from “great tribulation” (Revelation 7) is presented as a current or recent reality. Interestingly, while Chairman Lee Man Hee initially connected COVID-19 to the “great tribulation,” later statements framed it as a “catalyst” or part of an ongoing tribulation. This shows how interpretations can shift or clarify over time.
The Ultimate Goal: New Heaven and New Earth (Shincheonji): The grand finale of “Actual Reality” is the creation of the “new heaven and new earth” (Revelation 21). Shincheonji identifies itself as this new kingdom and new people, the fulfillment of the Lord’s Prayer and the physical Mount Zion (The Creation of Heaven & Earth, pp. 6, 30). This new creation, Shincheonji, founded on March 14, 1984 in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, is considered the start of the Shincheonji Era (The Creation of Heaven & Earth, p. 32).
The Harvest (Matthew 13): The parable of the weeds and the wheat (Matthew 13:24-30, 37-39) is interpreted as a prophecy about a literal “harvest” during the “end times.” The “wheat” (believers “born again of the imperishable seed,” the “word of God”) are physically gathered into “God’s barn,” which Shincheonji identifies as its 12 Tribes.
SCJ doctrine teaches that the Bible unfolds in three main eras:
Era of Creation (the Physical Realm)
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Old Testament times, physical Israel
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Events and people were physical, not yet spiritualized
Era of Jesus’ First Coming (the Spiritual Realm Begins)
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Jesus speaks in parables (Matt 13:34) and hides the truth in metaphors
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He plants the seed of the gospel but does not complete all prophecy
Era of Revelation’s Fulfillment (the Physical–Spiritual Realm)
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According to SCJ, Revelation is fulfilled not symbolically but through actual historical events beginning in South Korea, involving real people and places
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This fulfillment is what they call the “actual reality” or “physical fulfillment”
1. John 14:29
“I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.”
➤ Interpreted by SCJ as proof that prophecy must be physically fulfilled in real life in order to be believed.
2. Revelation 1:1-3
“The revelation from Jesus Christ… to show his servants what must soon take place.”
➤ SCJ interprets this as Jesus showing future events that must actually occur, not just be spiritualized.
3. John 19:30
“It is finished.”
➤ Used by SCJ to argue that the Old Covenant was fulfilled in Jesus, but the New Covenant (Revelation) still required a future fulfillment.
In SCJ theology, Lee Man Hee is described as the only person who has “seen and heard” the events of Revelation’s fulfillment, making him the sole legitimate witness. This claim is central to the idea of “actual reality.”
From The Physical Fulfillment of Revelation, p. 10:
❝ Just as Moses saw and testified to the fulfillment in Exodus, and Jesus to the fulfillment of the New Testament, today there must be a witness to the events of Revelation who has seen and heard the actual fulfillment in reality. ❞
SCJ teaches that just as Moses and Jesus fulfilled prophecy in the physical realm, Lee Man Hee now testifies to the events of Revelation that they believe began in 1984 in Gwacheon, South Korea.
Why “Actual Reality” Is Central to SCJ Belief
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It Validates the SCJ Organization
SCJ presents itself as the only church that has seen and received the fulfillment of Revelation.
As a result, all other churches are labeled “Babylon” (Rev 17–18) because they do not recognize the actual reality of fulfillment. -
It Makes SCJ Doctrine Seem Irrefutable
SCJ instructors argue that if someone denies the fulfillment, they are not simply disagreeing with interpretation but rejecting reality itself.
This creates a high-pressure belief system: “If this is real, how can you walk away from it?” -
It Reframes the Gospel
Instead of salvation through faith in Jesus alone, SCJ teaches that salvation comes by recognizing and believing in the fulfilled word through the “promised pastor.”
Additional References for more Exploration
Shincheonji claims that they have the fulfillment of the Book of Revelation, and that in order for one to receive salvation, one must believe in the testimony of their leader, Lee Manhee.
Shincheonji claims that the “New Covenant”—the Book of Revelation—is central to their faith. According to them, understanding its prophecy and fulfillment is essential, as it constitutes the “word of testimony” that believers must know, perceive, and understand. This includes both their commentary on Revelation and their claims of its fulfillment.
When engaging with an SCJ member, they often appeal to their interpretation of Revelation’s fulfillment as proof of their faith. However, examining how their teachings have been revised, altered, and reinterpreted over time exposes inconsistencies and reveals that their claims are not grounded in truth but rather in faulty logic and a deceptive testimony.
Although SCJ now acknowledges a doctrine of “progressive revelation,” this was not always their stance. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, they taught that Lee Manhee had complete knowledge of Revelation’s physical fulfillment in advance, asserting that he received direct communication from God, Jesus, and the angels.
Deuteronomy 18:20-22 warns believers to test a prophet to determine whether they truly speak on behalf of God. When scrutinizing SCJ’s shifting interpretations and supposed fulfillments, it becomes evident that they fail this biblical test—despite their recent attempts to justify past inaccuracies under the guise of progressive revelation.
In the following articles, I provide a detailed analysis of the discrepancies in Shincheonji’s ever-changing claims regarding who fulfills what, the shifting dates, and even the evolving identities of key figures in the Book of Revelation. I examine contradictions in their teachings, such as their changing interpretation of the beast of the earth, the failed fulfillments of Revelation 7 and Revelation 18 that later required updates, and the broader inconsistencies in their prophetic timeline. Through these examples, I demonstrate why Shincheonji’s testimony about Revelation’s fulfillment is neither reliable, trustworthy, nor true.
Click here to see the many changes of Shincheonji’s fulfillment.
Shincheonji (SCJ) teaches that the “open scroll” in Revelation 10 is distinct from the sealed scroll of Revelation 5. They claim that the open scroll represents the word of testimony given at the Second Coming, when hidden mysteries of Scripture are revealed only through the “Promised Pastor,” Lee Manhee. SCJ connects this to Ezekiel’s prophetic visions and argues that just as Ezekiel was commanded to eat a scroll, so too must the new chosen pastor receive and proclaim the word hidden until now. In their framework, Christianity has been in spiritual darkness since the apostles, with no one able to correctly understand the Bible. Only now, through Lee’s revelation, can believers gain true understanding and salvation.
This interpretation fails to recognize the historical and literary context of Revelation. The scroll of Revelation 10 is not the same as the scroll of Revelation 5. The Greek terms differ: biblion (Rev. 5) describes a complete, sealed scroll held by Christ, symbolizing God’s redemptive plan, whereas biblaridion (Rev. 10) means a smaller scroll, symbolizing John’s prophetic role in proclaiming God’s message. There is no biblical basis for inserting a “new John” or a Korean pastor as the exclusive fulfillment. The imagery of eating the scroll comes directly from Old Testament prophetic tradition (e.g., Ezekiel 2–3, Jeremiah 15:16), where prophets internalized God’s word before proclaiming it. Revelation continues this symbolic pattern, applying it to John, not to a future figure 2000 years later.
Theologically, SCJ’s teaching contradicts the continuity of the gospel and Christ’s completed work. From the first century onward, the church has faithfully preserved and proclaimed the Scriptures, guided by the Holy Spirit (John 14:26). Revelation was written to encourage persecuted Christians in Asia Minor, not to predict a future hidden pastor. Furthermore, SCJ’s claim that the truth disappeared until Lee Manhee undermines Jesus’ promise that the gates of Hades would not prevail against His church (Matthew 16:18). By claiming exclusive access to the “open scroll,” SCJ creates an unnecessary mediator besides Christ, contradicting passages such as 1 Timothy 2:5, which states that Jesus alone is the mediator between God and humanity. Thus, their interpretation is both historically unfounded and theologically dangerous.
Click here to read the doctrinal issues of the “open scroll”
The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ concept of “new light” comes from their interpretation of Proverbs 4:18, which describes the path of the righteous as shining brighter until full daylight. They apply this to doctrinal development, teaching that God gradually reveals clearer understanding to His people through the Governing Body. Doctrines that once seemed correct but later change are framed not as mistakes, but as progressive revelation. This is presented as proof that Jehovah is guiding His people, even when earlier teachings are abandoned or redefined.
Shincheonji (SCJ) presents a parallel idea with its doctrine of progressive revelation, though framed differently. SCJ teaches that the Bible was sealed until the time of fulfillment, and that only their “Promised Pastor,” Lee Manhee, can correctly interpret it by receiving direct revelation from heaven. Like the Witnesses, SCJ justifies past misunderstandings of Scripture as part of God’s plan, with the truth only becoming clear through their chosen leadership. Both groups, then, rely on an evolving theology where authority is tied to a leader or governing body who alone has the right to dispense God’s “food” to the faithful.
The irony is striking: both Jehovah’s Witnesses and Shincheonji claim to be the true fulfillment of Jesus’ parable of the “faithful and wise servant” who gives food at the proper time (Matthew 24:45–47). Both also emphasize the 144,000 in Revelation as an elite group tied to their organization. In practice, this means both groups place extraordinary authority in their leaders—whether the Governing Body of the JWs or Lee Manhee in SCJ—claiming only they can provide the true spiritual food of salvation. Yet each movement views the other as false, despite mirroring each other’s structure of authority, exclusivity, and evolving revelations.
In a nutshell, for Shincheonji, “Actual Reality” is the tangible, verifiable fulfillment of biblical prophecies happening right now, testified by Lee Man Hee as the “New John” or “promised pastor.” This concept forms the bedrock of their doctrine of salvation, their unique interpretive methods, and the very identity of Shincheonji as God’s new kingdom. However, it’s also a concept that invites critical analysis regarding its empirical basis and theological implications.
References
- Lee Man Hee, The Physical Fulfillment of Revelation (Shincheonji Press)
- Lee Man Hee, The Reality of the Revelation (First Printed: November 5, 1993; First Published: November 10, 1993; English Translation: May 15, 1995; Translated by Cho, Choong Hee; Published by Lee, Jun Geon, Shin Cheon Ji Publishing Co.)
- Lee Man Hee, The Creation of Heaven & Earth (Shincheonji Press, Published: November 25, 1999, Publication No. 36; Author: The Advocate Manhee Lee)
- Lee Man Hee, The Explanation of Parables (Shincheonji Press, First Edition: July 19, 2021; Author: Advocate-Manhee Lee; Design by The Design Team of the Department of Culture, General Assembly; Production by The Department of Education, General Assembly)
Please take the time to check the Bible verses we’ve provided as references. Use them as a guide for your own understanding and discernment. It’s important to verify and confirm information with external sources, witnesses, and experts to ensure validity and transparency. Additionally, remember to pray for wisdom as you seek to identify any errors and ensure that your understanding aligns with biblical teachings.