Shincheonji claims that they are the Temple of the Tabernacle of Testimony, and those who did not receive the mark of the beast, but instead overcame the world.

On March 14, 1984, the Temple of the Tabernacle of Testimony became a reality through the New Heaven and New Earth, Shincheonji.

Shincheonji the first “Temple of the Tabernacle of Testimony”?

When we examine Revelation 15, we are taught that the first tabernacle will be destroyed, and the second tabernacle—the temple of the tabernacle of testimony—will be opened. This is presented as the kingdom of God, which cannot be imitated, and as the first to be established.

However, the term “tabernacle of testimony” had already been used in various Korean cults, including within what is known as the first tabernacle.

In fact, the “tabernacle temple” we are familiar with was originally a reference to the Tabernacle of the Testimony.

The following photos are from the sermon collection and reports of Yoo Jae-yeol, the leader of Tabernacle Temple.

	The members of the Tabernacle Church quote the Bible as follows as to the reason and basis for the presence of seven angels in the Korean Tabernacle Temple. ‘And after two days I looked, and the temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony was opened in heaven, and the seven angels who had the seven plagues came out of the temple, clothed in pure and shining linen, with golden bands over their breasts…
	The 27 witnesses who saw Yoo Jae-yeol’s mystical experience entered Makgye-ri, built a “Tent of Testimony” in Cheonggyesan Mountain as they had received revelation, and lived in prayer for six months. That was on April 4, 1966. This was the public beginning of the tabernacle temple. According to God’s revelation, March 14, 1966, was decided to be celebrated as Christmas, and construction of the temple began on June 1 of the same year and was completed on the 24th. I entered the <Tabernacle of the Testimony> on April 4, and after about 6 months of prayer, I left on September 24 and began evangelism in earnest…
	The house of the Lord is a house where only those chosen by the Lord can gather, and the workers who build it are the spirits of the harvesters, whom God will send down in the last days and cut off. In Revelation 15:5 And after these things I looked, and, behold, the temple, the tabernacle of the testimony, was opened in heaven… Apostle John revealed that the way to build this house is not in heaven but on earth. <Eternal Life>, Jaeyeol Yoo, p. 287
	<Eternal Life> by Yoo Jae-yeol Page 513 It is the true image of the Holy Spirit, indicating that he was prepared to be a worker in the “temple of the tabernacle of testimony to be built in the last days. The young servant in charge of the history of the seal (referring to Yoo Jae-yeol himself) Zerubbabel is a shepherd (Yoo Jae-yeol himself) who represents the will of God from the beginning of time to the end of time… It is a reminder to be a wise servant who distributes food in due season.

The changed foundation date of Shincheonji

March 14, 1984, marks the official anniversary of Shincheonji’s founding. Most members are aware that Shincheonji was established in 1984. It is known that the Chairman was in Seongbuk Detention Center from October 1980 to February 1981. Upon his release, he was placed on probation, during which he worshiped in the mountains. When his probation period ended, he formally founded Shincheonji in 1984.

However, this timeline raises some questions:

1. If worship gatherings took place in the mountains or fields during the probationary period, wouldn’t that signify the actual beginning of Shincheonji?
2. How can it be claimed that during this so-called “period of destruction,” he was engaged in a fierce struggle against his accusers, when he himself stated that his probation restricted him from worshiping freely?

There is, however, an important detail that clarifies this contradiction—evidence suggests that Shincheonji was actually founded in 1980. This aligns with early Shincheonji publications and the testimonies of its founding members.

The following excerpt is from an interview with Sang-hoon Shin, who was once identified as the True Figure of the Pale Horse in Revelation 6. Additionally, in a prior interview, Kim Dae-won also stated that Shincheonji began in 1980.

Q : Do you mean Dongsan Apartment in Bisan-dong, Anyang? Shin Sang-hoon: The basement… I introduced him there, and I helped him a lot when he started Shincheonji… I thought he was real at that time. I only got out (of Shincheonji) after asking Hong Jong-hyo. Q: Shincheonji was founded on March 14, 1984. Did you come out before that? Shin Sang-hoon : No, Shincheonji actually started on March 14, 1980.

Question: Then what did he say about March 14, 1984? Shin Sang-hoon : Lee Man-hee fixed it. Q: So he just fabricated it? Shin: He fabricated it. Q: How long were you at Tabernacle Temple? Shin Sang-hoon: I entered the Tabernacle Temple when there were servants(messengers)… I didn’t enter in ’66, and I entered in ’69. I was there for a couple of decades.

After the failed prophecy of the “Sardi’s Church”, Lee Manhee started his own cult with Hong as his secondary.

We see this also re-affirmed by Pastor Yang in episode three of the “History of the Korean Cults”.

Recreation Church (1977 – 1980)

After leaving Mr. Yoo’s Tabernacle Temple, one of the “7 golden lampstands”, Baek Man-Bong established ‘Recreation Church’ in 1977. Mr. Baek taught about creation and re-creation, claimed that he had the role of Christ and had 12 “disciples” as leaders of the church. In fact, the 12 disciples were filled on a first-come, first-served basis and Lee Man-Hee joined early and became one of Mr. Baek 12 disciples. In the ‘Recreation Church’, members including Lee Man-Hee, referred to Mr. Baek as ‘Lord’. All of this is verified by Mr. Baek himself in this video: https://youtu.be/W_0GAmSODb0?t=1218 (at 20:18).

Mr. Baek also taught that the world would end in 1980, but when the predicted date passed uneventfully many members left, including Lee Man-Hee and Hong Jong-Hyo, who founded Shincheonji together on 14 March 1980. If you’re familiar with the timeline of fulfillment taught in Shincheonji this might seem strange, since SCJ teaches that Lee Man-Hee founded it 14 March 1984, but what is the proof SCJ provides for this 1984 date? Baek Man-Bong, former teacher of Lee Man-Hee, and Hong Jong-Hyo, one of the two witnesses who founded Shincheonji with Lee, have both independently verified the 14 March 1980 founding date.

In fact, even the official Shincheonji narrative admits that the 14 March 1984 date is merely symbolic. In ‘Development of Shincheonji’ (1997) it states Lee Man-Hee was released from prison 2 Feb 1981, then from 14 March of the same year he led a small group in the mountains. They later prepared a temple in the basement of the Dongsan apartment and held worship services there from 3 June 1984, and then on 24 September 1984 it was announced that 14 March 1984 was the founding date of Shincheonji. Isn’t it strange to announce the founding date 6 months after it has passed?

1981: He was released from prison on February 2, 1981 with a suspended sentence, and from March 14 of the same year, a small group evacuated to the mountains. 1984: On February 7, 1984, after the probation period was over, he began to testify again from this time, and published the book ‘Mankind’s Greatest Concern (Religious World’s Interest)’ that informs the apostasy and destruction, and testifies to the world like a trumpet. .     On February 21st of the same year, he entered Guksabong Peak in front of Mt. Cheontaesan, Chungnam, received the Word, wrote two books, held a worship service on the mountain on March 14th, and descended on April 2nd. On June 3 of the same year, a temple was prepared in the basement of the Dongsan apartment in Bisan-dong, Anyang-si, and from that time on, worship services were officially held. Shincheonji Seonghyeon Announced on September 24 of the same year March 14, 1984 was set as the founding date of Shincheonji by Lee Seong-heon and announced for the first time.

The Claim of Lee Manhee and the Sexagonal Cycles

Due to the Sexagenary cycle , Lee Manhee also claims that it lines up with the creation of Shincheonji. Quoting Lee Manhee directly:

Creation of Heaven and Earth – pg 45

B. The six days of creation and the seventh of sabbath rest 45 Shincheonji considers the first year of the Shincheonji Era the year of the construction of the throne. March 14,1984 is the anniversary of Shincheonji. In addition, 1984 was the year the universe completed its orbit and returned to its point of origin. It is the first year of the sexagenary cycle. This is when the things of the past wither away and a new world—a world all creation has eagerly awaited—began.