The Evolution of Shincheonji: A Deep Dive into Korean Cult History (Part 3)

The video transcript has been paraphrased.

[Chris] (0:00 – 0:48)

Hello, my name is Chris, and today we’re covering another episode on the history of Korean cults. We will focus on Shincheonji and examine their fulfillment of revelation to uncover what really happened despite their claims. I am a former member of Shincheonji, and there’s a new website available at closerlookinitiative.com/scj. I highly recommend that anyone researching this group check it out. Our aim is to provide a theological counter to the Shincheonji group and to illustrate how certain doctrines have developed, been updated, and changed. We will have much more material coming soon. Now, Pastor Yang, please introduce yourself.

[Pastor Yang] (0:49 – 1:12)

Hi, this is Pastor Yang. I am a researcher, counselor, and cult expert in South Korea, and I’m here to present on the history of Shincheonji—explaining how they were formed and how they developed. It is my privilege to be here today. Thank you for having me. Now, Steve, please introduce yourself as well.

[Steve] (1:12 – 1:55)

Yes, I’m Steve with the group Exposing the Cults. We currently have a YouTube channel—please like and subscribe—and our websites will be available soon. We cover various Korean cults. While Chris is a former member of Shincheonji, I have also completed all the Shincheonji’s classes, studied deeply, and accumulated extensive materials over the past few years. I have also researched other groups like the World Mission Society Church of God. I am very concerned about these organizations, and I’m thankful to be part of this discussion. Today, we’re diving deep into the history of these Korean groups with an expert like Dr. Yang, who is knowledgeable in the language and literature and has conducted extensive research. We truly appreciate you being here.

[Chris] (1:57 – 2:00)

Alright, Pastor Yang, please take the stage.

[Pastor Yang] (2:01 – 4:51)

Last time, we reviewed the history of Korean cults beginning in 1917, covering figures such as Kim Sung-do, the Queen of the South, Baek Nam-ju, and other notable individuals like Kim Baeng-mun, who was once the master of the Pakteseon (“Olive Tree”) movement and later the leader of the Unification Church, as well as Moon Seon-myung. We also discussed how Kim Jong-gyu founded the Prayer Mountain (Hoseong Prayer Mountain) and his son, Yoo Jae-yeol.

Today, we will focus on Yoo Jae-yeol and examine how Lee Man-hee approached Yoo Jae-yeol, eventually leaving his tabernacle temple to form his own cult. Lee Man-hee initially joined Pakteseon’s Olive Tree movement but, after becoming disillusioned, moved to Yoo Jae-yeol’s tabernacle temple. He was disappointed by Yoo Jae-yeol’s prophecy that the world would end in three and a half years—an obvious fraud. Subsequently, Lee Man-hee followed Mo Kyung-duk, a former member of Yoo Jae-yeol’s tabernacle temple, who started the Eighth Church. Mo Kyung-duk, who was once an instructor for the Unification Church, even claimed to be the “Shiloh” prophesied in Genesis 49:10. However, within six months, Lee Man-hee realized that Mo Kyung-duk was also a false savior.

After this, Lee Man-hee returned to his hometown for seven years. Later, Baek Man-bong—a former member of the tabernacle temple—sent some people to invite Lee Man-hee to become his disciple. Lee Man-hee followed Baek Man-bong, only to be disappointed again, and ultimately, he established his own group.

This brief history illustrates how Lee Man-hee founded Shincheonji after encountering four different false cult leaders.

[Steve] (4:52 – 6:22)

Yeah, we could call him the original cult hopper, right? It’s pretty bad. But one thing I want to point out is that I’ve studied many different cults, and a common theme among them is that they present an official narrative. They provide the official story on their websites, in their books, and in their classes—but then you have the actual story.

I don’t think I’ve seen any group that has engaged in more historical revisionism than Shincheonji, because we can now factually prove that much of what Lee Man-hee says is completely false right from the beginning. We’re going to dive into this today.

I was just listening the other day to what I believe was Lee Man-hee’s latest seminar on Revelation. As usual, he goes through his timeline: “I started as a farmer; I was in the military,” and so on. However, there’s no way to make this history fit together. He implies that before he went to church, no one ever taught him anything, and he claims to have had visions—visions where a ball of light appeared to him, prompting him to follow the faith. Yet, when I was in a Shincheonji newcomers’ class, they mentioned that his involvement was only brief.

[Pastor Yang] (6:22 – 8:24)

Here is a brief history of how Lee Man-hee formed his own cult. Today, we’re going to take a quick look at Park Tae-sun—whom we reviewed last time—and then move on to Yoo Jae-hyuk, Mo Kyung-deuk, Baek Man-bong, and finally Mr. Lee.

So, what is the olive tree? As you all know, the olive tree is a symbol that represents an olive press—a title that symbolizes the one who pours out the Holy Spirit. He claimed that he had received the Holy Spirit, which made him an overcomer. In his view, he wasn’t just anointing the Spirit; he was pouring it out.

Whenever he held a large convention or Bible seminar, a mysterious phenomenon occurred, which he termed the “Holy Dew Ghost.” Have you ever heard of it? While he was praying and preaching, the Holy Spirit would appear like dew.

Let me show you the picture. This image was presented as evidence by Park Tae-sun’s olive tree movement to prove his work as the “Holy Ghost Dew.” Such phenomena occurred during his Bible seminars—attendees even reported a unique, caramel-like fragrance in the air, indicating that different spiritual forces were at work.

[Steve] (8:25 – 8:26)

Manifestations of the Spirit.

[Pastor Yang] (8:26 – 11:53)

Yes—manifestations of various spirits. He established ministries of prophecy, signs and wonders, and judgment. These claims attracted many people at the time. He would show pictures as evidence, and those who attended his conventions and Bible studies reported experiencing mysterious phenomena firsthand.

Many people gathered. After Park, Yoo started his Tabernacle Temple. Yoo’s family, along with about 20 others, established the Tabernacle Temple in 1966. It was claimed that Yoo had a special spiritual experience when he “ate the scroll” on March 1st. Typically, many religious leaders in Korea partake in this scroll-eating ritual in the mountains—a phenomenon often accompanied by the appearance of a huge light, similar to the experiences of shamans.

Yoo’s teachings had a tremendous impact, especially on those who had been part of Park’s Olive Tree Movement. Over 700 people, disillusioned by Park Tae-sun’s scandals—including bribery and other financial controversies, as well as his claims of being a Heavenly Father with the Holy Spirit (even after the passing of his wife)—moved to Yoo’s Tabernacle Temple in the late 1960s.

Within the Tabernacle Temple, conflicts eventually arose between Father Yoo and his son, Yoo Jae-yeol. Father Yoo was very strict, while Yoo Jae-yeol grew increasingly popular and resisted his father’s control. Ultimately, Father Yoo was expelled in 1967. Lee Man-hee, who had once listened to Yoo’s teachings, was deeply impressed and began attending Yoo Jae-yeol’s Tabernacle Temple.

In the Tabernacle Temple, if you look to the left, you can see Yoo In-gu (Yoo’s father), Yoo Jae-yeol, Shin Gwang-il (the nephew of Yoo Jae-yeol), and Shin Jong-han (also known as Elder Moses), who is the cousin of Yoo In-gu.

[Steve] [ 11:55 – 12:25 ]

Let me say one thing. An important perspective from us is that the Tabernacle Temple was essentially a cult—a strange group. Much like the Hosang Prayer Group, it exhibited cult-like characteristics. For instance, the seven messengers each had their own names (such as Emmanuel, Solomon, and Stamson), which made it very different from an orthodox Christian group. We want to clarify this point at the outset: it was very much a cult in its day.

[Pastor Yang] [ 12:25 – 16:24 ]

His main teaching centered on the secrets of the seven stars, as described in Revelation 1:20—the very same teaching found in Shincheonji. He also discussed the seed of God versus the seed of Satan and the hidden meanings in parables. Additionally, he referenced Matthew 7:21 and Isaiah 34:16, verses that are famous in Shincheonji teachings.

He claimed that the Tabernacle Temple was the Mount Zion, as revealed in Revelation chapter 14, and that the heavenly Tabernacle of the Covenant was made accessible through the Tabernacle Temple. He even took on the spiritual name “Faithful and True,” mirroring Lee Man-hee’s spiritual name.

Furthermore, he stated that he was a white horse—a messenger symbolized by a white horse. He taught that true salvation is both physical and spiritual: those who bear the seal will not experience bodily death, and God’s new work will arise. As referenced in Jeremiah 31:22, the Lord will create something new on earth—the woman will return to the man. Essentially, his teachings derive from the concept of eternal life, and his sermons closely mirror those of Lee Man-hee.

It seems that Lee was deeply impressed by these teachings, memorizing much of what was said. According to him, the woman represents Jesus, the man represents a child, and the child is a messenger who will bring about a new salvation. His name, Faithful and True, designates him as a messenger riding a white horse who reveals every hidden parable with literal fulfillment. He even stated that the one through whom the word of God came is called God (referencing John 3:35), and that only those who follow the revealed word will be saved.

He went on to claim that existing churches do not offer salvation. According to his prophecy, the world would end on November 30, 1969. Therefore, the Tabernacle Temple was established in 1966 with the expectation that the world would end three and a half years later. The youth wing of the Tabernacle Temple eventually collapsed because his prophecy failed to materialize.

Following this eschatological fiasco, the Tabernacle Temple fell into a deep and rapid decline. Scandals involving youth bribery and corruption began to emerge. One of its most famous instructors, Beck Manbong (also known as Solomon), eventually left the Tabernacle Temple.

Lee Man-hee himself departed from the Tabernacle Temple and later, along with Hong Jong-yo, filed a lawsuit in 1971. In September 1975, Yoo Jae-ho was arrested in connection with a fraud case—not just one case, but among 40 others.

[Steve] (16:25 – 16:29)
Is this the same Mr. Hong who started Shincheonji with Lee Man-hee?

[Pastor Yang] (16:30 – 31:15)
Yes, yes. Actually, Hong Jong-yo was also in Tabernacle Temple, and he gave a lot of money to the Tabernacle Temple because of Yoo.

Later, he sued Yoo along with Lee Man-hee. This report comes from a Korean newspaper called Dong-a Daily (the spelling is incorrect in the source), dated April 1975. It states that Yoo declared himself as an olive branch, angel, prophet, and king, proclaiming that those who obey the words of the kings would gain eternal life even at the end of the world. He gathered approximately 2,000 followers nationwide and led a collective relocation to the middle slopes of Cheonggye Mountain. From that time, Cheonggye Mountain became a holy mountain for cult leaders and their followers.

With the labor of his followers, a church building—spanning over 800 pyeong (approximately 2,640 square meters or 0.65 acres)—and Yoo’s luxurious private residence were constructed. It is reported that Yoo indulged in extravagant pleasures, including driving luxury cars, frequenting high-end bars, nightclubs, and engaging with prostitutes, all while using offerings collected from his followers. Another newspaper, Gyeongyang Daily, in September 1975, reported that Yoo was accused of embezzlement and fraud. Around that time, in 1975, this case was huge news throughout Korean society, with almost every newspaper reporting on it.

In April 1970, Yoo deceived a follower named Park Eun-hee, who was a 60-year-old elder at the time, into believing that a church check would bounce due to debts. He took a 1.2-carat diamond from her and sold it for 1 million won, using the money for his personal entertainment expenses. Similarly, in March 1971, he obtained a plot of land owned by another follower, Park Jong-hwa—a 40-year-old woman—located in Cheongnam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, which was valued at 1.5 million won at the time (a value that would be over 15 billion won in today’s terms). By mortgaging it for 1 million won under false pretenses, Yoo allegedly swindled a total of approximately 20 million won. Furthermore, when the Tabernacle Temple was investigated by the police as a cult, it is reported that he collected an additional 10 million won from his followers as hush money.

In the publication Tabernacle and Disappointment on November 30, 1969, Yoo Jae-yeol’s prediction of the end of the world and the advent of a new world did not come to pass, leading to huge disappointment among the followers. Consequently, many people left the Tabernacle Temple and began to claim leadership for themselves.

Looking at the cult genealogy, one can see that from Yoo Jae-yeol came figures such as Baek Man-bong, Mo Kyung-deuk, Kim Poong-il, Lee Man-hee, Hong Jong-hyo, Shim Jae-kwon, Jung Chang-rae, and Gu In-hye. A large number of cult leaders emerged, which clearly shows his influence.

Regarding the emergence of Mo Kyung-deuk and subsequent conflicts: Mo Kyung-deuk asserted that he was the physical fulfillment of Shiloh, as mentioned in Genesis 49:10. However, when he made this claim, the Tabernacle Temple, represented by elder Moses Shin Jong-hwan (one of the seven messengers), expelled him on the grounds that there was no substantial revelation to support his claim. Mo Kyung-deuk did not offer anything new compared to Yoo Jae-yeol’s teachings; therefore, Moses Shin Jong-hwan dismissed his claim.

After being expelled from the Tabernacle Temple, Mo Kyung-deuk began his own gatherings in Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do, which is about a one-and-a-half to two-hour drive from Cheonggyesan in the South Belt. He started his own meetings and began teaching a slightly modified version of the original doctrines. During that period, Lee Man-hee, deeply disappointed by Yoo Jae-yeol’s teachings and behavior, joined Mo Kyung-deuk’s gatherings. Consequently, the Tabernacle Temple recognized that Lee Man-hee was drifting toward Mo Kyung-deuk’s group, which led to conflicts and eventually resulted in Lee Man-hee’s excommunication from the Tabernacle Temple around 1971. At that point, Lee Man-hee was appointed as a sixth apostle and became one of the 12 disciples in Mo Kyung-deuk’s group.

Soon after joining, Lee Man-hee became deeply immersed in Mo Kyung-deuk’s teachings. However, having already experienced the leadership of previous cult leaders like Park Tae-sun and Yoo Jae-yeol, he quickly realized that Mo Kyung-deuk was not a true savior. Growing increasingly disillusioned, Lee Man-hee eventually decided to return to his hometown of Cheongdo—a journey that took almost a day given the undeveloped highways at that time. Before fully separating from Mo Kyung-deuk’s influence, he visited Park Tae-sun and Yoo Jae-yeol, and then distanced himself from Mo Kyung-deuk, ultimately spending seven years in his hometown from 1971 to 1978. During this period, he reflected on his life and the teachings of the Bible. Many who had experienced these cult teachings were left waiting for another savior who would physically fulfill the Bible’s prophecies.

I heard these stories from one of the seven education leaders among former Shincheonji members. He had once been with Pastor Shin, who was younger than him, and he had already experienced the teachings of cult leaders such as Yoo Jae-yeol and Park Tae-sun.

Two years ago, I asked him, “Why do you follow Lee Man-hee?” He replied that after experiencing the enormous charisma of those cult leaders, he could not find any other pastor who spoke in a similar way. He had been waiting for another promised pastor—a Paraclete—who would fulfill the physical prophecies. When he heard of someone whose teaching resembled that of Yoo Jae-yeol, he decided to listen to his message. Although the message was not entirely clear, he felt that this might be the final Paraclete, and that is why he chose to follow Lee Man-hee.

Lee Man-hee, a popular preacher who later founded the Recreation Church, had been a well-known figure in Yoo Jae-yeol’s Tabernacle Temple, where he was known as Archangel Michael among the seven messengers. His popularity was significant.

It appears that Lee Man-hee enjoyed a certain favor with Paik Man-bong. He claimed that while the Tabernacle Temple fulfilled only the word of God, he was the one who would fulfill all the physical realities described in the Book of Revelation. As a result, he founded the Recreation Church in 1977.

Around 1978, Lee Man-hee joined Paik Man-bong’s Recreation Church. Before inviting Lee Man-hee, Paik Man-bong sent founding members—John Hae-in, Cho Yong-hwan, and Caleb Shim Jae-kwon—who knew Lee Man-hee well from his time at the Tabernacle Temple. They persuaded him to move to Seoul and become one of his disciples.

Lee Man-hee then relocated to Seoul with his brother and followed Paik Man-bong’s teachings. He became known as the 11th disciple, while his younger brother, Lee Man-chun, became the 12th apostle.

During this period, Paik Man-bong’s teachings centered on the end times. His message was similar to those of his predecessors, like Yoo and Park, predicting that the end would come in three and a half years. When this same prediction was repeated and the expected events did not occur, a split emerged. Paik Man-bong then declared himself a spiritual father, judge, and the second coming of Jesus.

On March 14, 1980, his prophecy failed when his attempt to stop the rising sun at Cheonggye Mountain did not succeed. He had claimed that if he were a true prophet, king, and second coming of Jesus, the sun would stop rising when he commanded it. His failure proved that the three-and-a-half-year end-times prophecy was a lie.

[Steve] (31:16 – 31:22)
Why did he pick March 14? That’s a very auspicious day for Shincheonji.

[Pastor Yang] (31:22 – 31:33)
Actually, that date is the day after he started—exactly three and a half years later when he began his own church.

[Steve] (31:33 – 31:56)
Oh, from the early days. That’s really interesting because from 1978 to 1980—when Lee Man-hee was involved in an offshoot cult—this was exactly the period during which he was supposed to write the seven letters to the seven spirits, according to Shincheonji. However, he was no longer with the Tabernacle Temple; he had joined another cult, moving from one group to another.

[Pastor Yang] (31:57 – 32:15)
If you look at the creation account in Lee Man-hee’s book, he slightly altered the date when he sent the letter to the seven messengers. It’s all fabricated.

[Speaker 4] (32:16)
Yeah.

[Pastor Yang] (32:16 – 33:27)
It was all fabricated. After his prophecy failed, disputes arose between Baek Man-bong, Lee Man-hee, and others such as Hong Jong-hyo. They decided to separate from him after a huge conflict. Lee Man-hee was angered and disappointed—he even sued those involved. During this time, he was deceived repeatedly, reportedly four times by Mok and Baek. Allegedly, those with him recalled that while ascending Cheonggye Mountain together, Lee Man-hee confided to others that if the prophecy failed, he would start his own church. True to his word, he established his own church immediately after the failure, perhaps as a preemptive measure.

[Steve] (33:28 – 33:30)
And this is the same mountain, right?

[Pastor Yang] (33:30)
Right.

[Steve] (33:30 – 33:37)
After he witnessed the light, Lee Man-hee ascended the mountain and cut his blood to consecrate that very spot.

[Pastor Yang] (33:38 – 33:50)
Exactly. This mountain experience is reminiscent of those in previous cults—there is only one holy mountain.

[Chris] (33:50 – 33:58)
Yeah, apparently. I feel kind of sorry for him because he was deceived four times. Now he is deceiving many others, but regardless…

[Pastor Yang] (33:58 – 34:59)

Consider this: if you believe he is the true prophet but then he fails and disappoints, your entire worldview and value system collapse—only to be rebuilt and collapse again. He experienced this cycle four times.

Eventually, he began to believe that the word of God is true and that no one else truly understands or realizes the secrets of God’s kingdom. Yet, those who claim that their physical fulfillment will succeed ultimately fail. Perhaps it means that God should send someone else to fulfill the prophecy—someone who truly understands these secrets.

In his mind, he thought, “I am the one who understands the prophecy and its secret. Isn’t it time for God to send me as the promised pastor to fulfill the prophecy?” This was the chain of thought that emerged after repeated failures.

[Steve] (35:00 – 35:23)

Consider this: I recall the World Mission, the Church of God, and similar groups. In 1988, it was predicted that Song Hong would arise with 144,000 followers—but he died at 85, and it never happened. This entire movement followed a familiar pattern: they raise hopes by declaring that the end is near and even setting a specific date, only for it not to come to pass. Then they must deal with the aftermath.

[Chris] (35:24 – 35:29)

Quick question for Steve: how many times have the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ predictions of the end of the world failed?

[Pastor Yang] (35:29 – 35:31)

Right, true.

[Chris] (35:31 – 35:39)

How many times, Steve? Six times—only six times.

Okay, cool. I’d also like to call out SCJ, the Korean J Doves, because we’re witnessing a similar pattern.

[Steve] (35:39 – 35:41)

The Church of God has done it three times.

[Chris] (35:41 – 35:42)

Oh, three times.

[Steve] (35:42 – 36:05)

These are classic examples of apocalyptic groups: the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Shincheonji, and the World Mission/I Church of God. One sociologist noted that they exist on the knife’s edge of the end, constantly maintaining the suspense that the end is just around the corner. That’s the mentality of these groups—they are perpetually looking forward to the anticipated end.

[Pastor Yang] (36:05 – 36:21)

Among those who have researched cults, we refer to these phenomena as the “eschatology business.” It is, indeed, a business that makes sense—one that collects money at the right time.

[Steve] (36:21 – 36:56)

Meanwhile, the Bible states in Deuteronomy 18 that if a prophet among you rises and his prediction fails to come to pass, you shall not fear him. In Old Testament times, such false prophets or cult leaders would have been immediately cast out of Jerusalem at the first sign of a failed prophecy. We see similar actions in the Tabernacle and Temple periods, as exemplified by figures like Mr. Bake. According to Old Testament law, one should not fear these prophets; instead, one should distance oneself from them.

[Pastor Yang] (36:59 – 37:50)

Let me briefly recap the history of Lee Man-hee. He first went to Parkinson’s, then to UJL, and afterward to Mokyung-do. Disappointed, he moved to a smaller town.

After spending seven years there, followers of Baek Man-bong visited his house and invited him, along with his brother, to become the 11th disciple. They followed him, but he experienced another failure. He stayed with Parkinson’s for over 10 years—while for you it was approximately two and a half to three years, then another six months, then another six months—until he eventually started his own venture.

Steve (37:51 – 38:38)
“And you know, another good observation is that the progression seen in all these groups—whether it’s the Olive Tree Movement, the Tabernacle Temple, or Mr. Baek—is that they start on a certain path and then gradually veer off track. The central leader begins to claim divine status, saying, ‘I’m Jesus, I’m God.’ We see this with J.Y. Suh, and Park Tae-sung does the same thing.

Baek is trying to set himself up as a divine figure. Although Lee Man-hee doesn’t go quite as far, he is presented as the next best thing in fulfilling everything in the Bible—even nearly surpassing Jesus. It’s really disturbing how these groups evolve towards seeking power by making their leaders divine.”

Chris (38:39 – 38:55)
“One observation I want to make for our viewers is that SCJ claims Lee Man-hee received a divine revelation. However, his history clearly shows that this is not true. He simply took a bit of everything from various cult doctrines and made his own recipe.”

Pastor Yang (38:56 – 40:29)
“He copied from leader to leader—most of the content was taken directly. One thing we can notice about the eschatology of cult leaders is that, as we know, Park Tae-sung’s eschatology failed, as did yours, and Baek Man-bong’s as well.

When Lee Man-hee started his own group, Shincheonji, around that time, you can see on the bottom right how Kim Geon-nam and Kim Byung-hee—two individuals from the Unification Church—met Lee Man-hee, heard his story, and were converted. They then decided to document Lee Man-hee’s story as the promised pastor by writing a book titled The Birth of God, Shincheonji. In this book, it is prophesied that three and a half years after Lee Man-hee started his group, Shincheonji would rise up; that in the following three and a half years, all of God’s prophetic works would be fulfilled and the end would come. This prophecy is exactly as written in The Birth of God.”

Steve (40:29 – 40:31)
“They really loved that three-and-a-half-year motif.”

Pastor Yang (40:32 – 40:41)
“And yes, it failed. That’s why Hong Jong-il was deeply disappointed, ended up in conflict with them, and eventually left to start his own Tabernacle Temple.”

Steve (40:43 – 40:54)
“Now, Shincheonji will deny that Lee Man-hee ever knew about the prophecy in The Birth of God, Shincheonji, even though it was clearly used in promotional materials. It’s evident that Lee Man-hee was aware.”

Pastor Yang (40:54 – 42:32)
“Indeed, Lee Man-hee tried to erase that part of his history—a mistake he made later on. He claimed that if you listened to and obeyed his words, the end would come in one or two years. Year after year, he repeated this promise, and those who follow Shincheonji firmly believe that if they work hard on evangelism, the end will eventually come. Yet, more than 40 years have passed, and people continue to be deceived into engaging in what is essentially a counterfeit form of evangelism. This is truly tragic.

At this point, I’d like to briefly discuss the content related to other cult leaders. For example, consider Kim Poong-il—the man in the white shirt with a flower on his left chest. He originally claimed to be ‘Shilla,’ and his church was initially called the Shilla Church. Later, he changed the name of the church to Sebit, New Light, Lighthouse Central Church. Let me briefly explain this man, Kim Poong-il.”

Chris (42:33 – 42:34)
“Deja vu.”

I have finished processing the text.

2/2

o3-mini

You said:

remove “”

ChatGPT said:

Reasoned about cults and leaders’ narratives for 4 seconds

Below is the revised text with the quotation marks removed:

Steve (37:51 – 38:38)
And you know, another good observation is that the progression seen in all these groups—whether it’s the Olive Tree Movement, the Tabernacle Temple, or Mr. Baek—is that they start on a certain path and then gradually veer off track. The central leader begins to claim divine status, saying, I’m Jesus, I’m God. We see this with J.Y. Suh, and Park Tae-sung does the same thing.

Baek is trying to set himself up as a divine figure. Although Lee Man-hee doesn’t go quite as far, he is presented as the next best thing in fulfilling everything in the Bible—even nearly surpassing Jesus. It’s really disturbing how these groups evolve toward seeking power by making their leaders divine.

Chris (38:39 – 38:55)
One observation I want to make for our viewers is that SCJ claims Lee Man-hee received a divine revelation. However, his history clearly shows that this is not true. He simply took a bit of everything from various cult doctrines and made his own recipe.

Pastor Yang (38:56 – 40:29)
He copied from leader to leader—most of the content was taken directly. One thing we can notice about the eschatology of cult leaders is that, as we know, Park Tae-sung’s eschatology failed, as did yours, and Baek Man-bong’s as well.

When Lee Man-hee started his own group, Shincheonji, around that time, you can see on the bottom right how Kim Geon-nam and Kim Byung-hee—two individuals from the Unification Church—met Lee Man-hee, heard his story, and were converted. They then decided to document Lee Man-hee’s story as the promised pastor by writing a book titled The Birth of God, Shincheonji. In this book, it is prophesied that three and a half years after Lee Man-hee started his group, Shincheonji would rise up; that in the following three and a half years, all of God’s prophetic works would be fulfilled and the end would come. This prophecy is exactly as written in The Birth of God.

Steve (40:29 – 40:31)
They really loved that three-and-a-half-year motif.

Pastor Yang (40:32 – 40:41)
And yes, it failed. That’s why Hong Jong-il was deeply disappointed, ended up in conflict with them, and eventually left to start his own Tabernacle Temple.

Steve (40:43 – 40:54)
Now, Shincheonji will deny that Lee Man-hee ever knew about the prophecy in The Birth of God, Shincheonji, even though it was clearly used in promotional materials. It’s evident that Lee Man-hee was aware.

Pastor Yang (40:54 – 42:32)
Indeed, Lee Man-hee tried to erase that part of his history—a mistake he made later on. He claimed that if you listened to and obeyed his words, the end would come in one or two years. Year after year, he repeated this promise, and those who follow Shincheonji firmly believe that if they work hard on evangelism, the end will eventually come. Yet, more than 40 years have passed, and people continue to be deceived into engaging in what is essentially a counterfeit form of evangelism. This is truly tragic.

At this point, I’d like to briefly discuss the content related to other cult leaders. For example, consider Kim Poong-il—the man in the white shirt with a flower on his left chest. He originally claimed to be Shilla, and his church was initially called the Shilla Church. Later, he changed the name of the church to Sebit, New Light, Lighthouse Central Church. Let me briefly explain this man, Kim Poong-il.

Chris (42:33 – 42:34)
Deja vu.

[Pastor Yang] (42:34 – 43:10)
Yeah. This guy wrote a couple of books, and one of them is Heaven Swindlers. The book claims that the existing churches and pastors say that if we believe in Jesus Christ, then we can enter heaven—but that is nothing more than swindling. According to him, you cannot enter heaven by that means; it’s all fraud and trickery. Instead, you have to believe in what God has promised in a new era. Another book is titled The Tree of Life.

[Steve] (43:11 – 43:19)
Now, what did he add to the gospel? That’s what cults always do—they add extra requirements. What exactly did he add?

[Pastor Yang] (43:19 – 46:17)
Yeah, exactly. His teachings essentially echo those of Shincheonji, which originally came from Yoo Jae-yeol. Let me briefly explain his book, Heaven Swindlers. Actually, before we continue, note that this is one of several figures with similar ideas—they learned from the same leader.

In his book, there is a picture from their 13th graduation ceremony in 1991. Around that time, the Zion Theological Seminary had already started at Shiloh Church (Kim Pung’s church), and Shincheonji later copied the Shiloh system. According to Shin’s testimony, he even asked Lee Man-hee to start similar systems in Shincheonji. In that sense, they were the ones who originally started the Zion Theological Seminary.

Then, in his book, to the right, a Bible verse is shown. It is one of the key verses they claim, stating that eternal life comes from knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ. This verse is typical and well-known in Shincheonji teachings.

The book’s contents are then summarized in a table (translated from Korean). It begins with Heavenly Swindlers, Chapter One:

• Why do you need to know the Bible to be saved?
  The Bible is fulfilled according to its recorded prophecies.
• Why can Jesus be known through the Bible?
  The Bible is God’s blueprint.
• Six secrets recorded in the Bible.
• The Bible was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
• The Bible is recorded in parables and allegories.
• The Bible is written in parables attributed to prophets.
• The Bible reveals the end from the beginning, recorded as the Alpha and Omega.
• The Bible is recorded in pairs, leaving nothing out.
• The Bible consists of historical accounts, prophetic teachings, and instructional words.

This functions much like an introductory Bible course.

[Chris] (46:17 – 46:21)
Yeah, this is exactly the same as my Bible study class. It’s insane.

[Pastor Yang] (46:21 – 46:21)
Okay.

[Chris] (46:21 – 46:22)
Wow.

[Pastor Yang] (46:22 – 48:32)
In Chapter Two, the text discusses the mission of the Holy Spirit across the ages. It explains that the Spirit of God worked through Moses in the Old Testament, then through the prophets following Moses and Abraham, and later through leaders like Moses, David, and others. It describes the era of the “dove-like” Holy Spirit, the era of the “fiery” Holy Spirit, and finally, the work of the Holy Spirit in the last days.

It goes on to claim that Adam is not the ancestor of all humanity—Adam was not the first human being. This teaching, along with others such as the idea that humans were selectively recreated, that Eve was separately created from a recreated Adam, and that animals and fallen stars (with Lucifer not being Satan, but the serpent having been secretly created as Satan), is found not only in Shincheonji but also in other similar groups influenced by Ujaeyo and Park Taeseon.

The text then covers Chapter Seven, which explains:

• The identity of John the Baptist who “went to hell.”
• The birth and mission of John the Baptist.
• The encounter and conflict between John the Baptist and Jesus.
• The downfall of John the Baptist.

These interpretations closely mirror those of Shincheonji. Additionally, in Chapter Seven, the allegory of the ten virgins symbolizing heaven is discussed, again aligning with Shincheonji’s interpretation.

So, if you look at the books of these leaders, you’ll notice that their teachings are almost identical. Incredible, isn’t it?

[Steve] (48:33–48:36)
It wasn’t an original thought from Lee Man-hee’s head.

[Pastor Yang] (48:36–48:49)
No—it’s all copied. Everything is replicated. If you really want to translate these materials, you can share the PDF files. Essentially, they’re all the same.

[Steve] (48:50–49:12)
Especially in North America, where Shincheonji is active, people often have no chance to learn about it except through shows like this. They simply assume that Lee Man-hee received this incredible doctrine directly from God. It’s so different from Babylon, so it must be true—even though it’s derived from other sources.

[Pastor Yang] (49:13–49:47)
Right. If you examine the books by cult leaders such as Kimbungi, Kimpungil, and Shinjegon, as well as those from the Rainbow Tabernacle Temples and Kuinhoe, they are essentially identical. Even the JMS books—the introductory, beginner-level JMS textbook by Jung Myung-suk—mirror those of Shincheonji, I assume, alongside the Bible.

[Chris] (49:47–49:58)
For example, AMSA 11, Hosea 12:10, Isaiah 34:16, Matthew 13:11–15, and Matthew 13:35—all the same.

[Pastor Yang] (49:58–50:02)
Yeah. That’s it for today.

[Speaker 4] (50:03–50:03)
Okay.

[Pastor Yang] (50:04–50:26)
Today, we discussed how Lee Man-hee attended Parkinson’s and Olive Tree, as well as UJL’s Tabernacle Temple. We also covered his visits to Mogyeongduk’s—the Eighth Church—and later downtown, before returning to Paengmanbong’s Recreational Church.

[Steve] (50:27–50:34)
It’s astonishing because so many doctrines and missions, like those of the Church of God, are taken directly from the Seventh-day Adventists.

[Speaker 4] (50:35–50:35)
Right.

[Steve] (50:36–50:45)
And as for JMS, they borrow directly from Moon. It’s similar to Lee Man-hee—in essence, they’re all thieves and plagiarists in these Korean movements.

[Pastor Yang] (50:46–51:03)
Exactly. These cult leaders aren’t prophesied or divinely revealed; their teachings are essentially plagiarized—stolen from other sources by their own malevolent hearts.

[Steve] (51:03–51:13)
Could you summarize once more the doctrines adopted in the Tabernacle Temple from the Olive Tree movement?

[Pastor Yang] (51:13–52:34)
Okay. God holds a secret meant for the end times. While we can be saved, we cannot fully grasp God’s secrets on our own. Therefore, God sent the promised pastor—who reveals these hidden secrets. Only by accepting his teaching and recognizing him as the Paraclete (God’s promised pastor or a second coming of Jesus) can we be saved. These secrets are primarily concealed within parables; without understanding them, we cannot know the secrets of heaven. There is only one who can reveal the true meaning of these parables, through which we can comprehend the Book of Revelation, discern where the new heaven and earth lie, and ultimately enter that realm.

[Chris] (52:34–52:55)
Quick question: You mentioned the PDFs earlier—I’ll request those and have them translated because they’re important. Also, did you research the Stewardship Education Institute (or Center), or is that for another time?

[Pastor Yang] (52:58–53:02)
Yes, probably next time.

[Chris] (53:05–53:19)
Apparently, they were supposed to be destroyed after judgment, yet we still have literature from them even five years later—the numbers just don’t add up.

[Pastor Yang] (53:19–54:04)
Perhaps next time, I can share the textbook of Cheongjigi Kyoyugun. One of the pastors wrote that textbook and used it to teach churches across Korea. By looking at the table of contents, you can see what was taught. Cheongjigi Kyoyugun isn’t inherently evil, so we’ll review its actual content next time. Please, go ahead.

[Chris] (54:04–54:11)
Yes, let’s do that. I was wondering: Were they operating as a counter-cult ministry, or were they simply trying to help churches with stewardship?

[Pastor Yang] (54:11–54:51)
Yes, indeed. The group is called the Steward Education Center, and it focuses on training church lay leaders such as deacons and elders. The textbook is all about serving God, taking on responsibilities in the church, and serving others—it doesn’t cover doctrines, Calvinist works, or the Book of Revelation. It’s purely about church service.

[Steve] (54:52–55:05)
Discipleship, indeed. It also raises significant questions—like whether the stewardship organization even investigated the Tabernacle Temple. That’s a discussion for another time.

[Chris] (55:05–55:08)
Okay, we can address that next time.

[Speaker 4] (55:08–55:08)
Okay.

[Chris] (55:09–55:29)
We’ll definitely delve into more detail on that topic. In the description of this video, I plan to include information about other churches and similar doctrines that Pastor Yang discussed, along with helpful resources and websites. Thank you, Pastor Yang, for everything.

[Steve] (55:30–55:40)
Any final remarks? Korea truly excels in this area. This discussion has been fascinating and very enlightening.

[Pastor Yang] (55:40–55:43)
Thank you. I’m glad you all enjoyed it.

Not Available

Source: Excerpts from “The Evolution of Shincheonji: A Deep Dive into Korean Cult History (Part 3)” – a discussion featuring Chris (former Shincheonji member), Pastor Yang (South Korean cult expert), and Steve (Exposing the Cults).

Overview:

This overview summarizes the main themes and important facts discussed in Part 3 of a series examining the history of Shincheonji (SCJ) and its roots within Korean cult history. The discussion focuses on the formative experiences of Lee Man-hee, the founder of Shincheonji, tracing his involvement with various other cultic groups and leaders before establishing his own movement. A key theme is the assertion that Shincheonji’s doctrines and Lee Man-hee’s claims of divine revelation are not original but rather derived and adapted from previous cults and their leaders, often involving historical revisionism and failed eschatological prophecies.

Main Themes and Important Ideas:

1. Lee Man-hee’s “Cult Hopping” Background: The discussion highlights Lee Man-hee’s involvement with four different cult leaders before founding Shincheonji:

• Park Tae-sun (Olive Tree Movement): Lee Man-hee was initially part of this group but became disillusioned. Park Tae-sun claimed to be the one who pours out the Holy Spirit (“Holy Ghost Dew”) and experienced “manifestations of various spirits.”
• Yoo Jae-yeol (Tabernacle Temple): Lee Man-hee was deeply impressed by Yoo’s teachings after leaving Park Tae-sun. Yoo claimed to have “eaten the scroll,” took on the spiritual name “Faithful and True,” taught about the “secrets of the seven stars,” the seed of God versus Satan, hidden meanings in parables, and identified the Tabernacle Temple as Mount Zion. He also prophesied the world would end on November 30, 1969, which proved false. Quote (Pastor Yang): “His main teaching centered on the secrets of the seven stars, as described in Revelation 1:20—the very same teaching found in Shincheonji.”
• Mo Kyung-duk (Eighth Church): Lee Man-hee briefly followed Mo, a former member of Yoo’s temple, who claimed to be the “Shiloh” prophesied in Genesis 49:10. Lee quickly recognized him as a false savior.
• Baek Man-bong (Recreation Church): Lee Man-hee was invited by Baek, a former member of the Tabernacle Temple, to become his disciple. Baek also predicted the end of the world in three and a half years, which failed on March 14, 1980, when his attempt to stop the rising sun at Cheonggye Mountain failed.

1. Historical Revisionism by Shincheonji: The speakers emphasize that Shincheonji presents an official narrative that often contradicts the actual historical events of Lee Man-hee’s early involvement with other groups. Quote (Steve): “I don’t think I’ve seen any group that has engaged in more historical revisionism than Shincheonji, because we can now factually prove that much of what Lee Man-hee says is completely false right from the beginning.” Lee Man-hee’s seminars often omit or misrepresent his extensive background in these other cults.
2. Borrowing and Plagiarism of Doctrines: The discussion reveals significant overlap in the teachings of these various cult leaders, suggesting that Lee Man-hee’s doctrines are largely derived from pre-existing ideas rather than original divine revelation. Key examples include:

• Secrets of Revelation and Parables: Both Yoo Jae-yeol and later Shincheonji emphasize the need to understand hidden meanings in the Book of Revelation and parables to achieve salvation.
• Three-and-a-Half-Year End-Times Prophecies: This motif appears repeatedly with Park Tae-sun, Yoo Jae-yeol, and Baek Man-bong, and even in the early days of Shincheonji as documented in The Birth of God, Shincheonji. Quote (Pastor Yang): “They really loved that three-and-a-half-year motif.”
• The Role of a Promised Pastor/Paraclete: The concept of a specific individual sent by God in the end times to reveal hidden truths and lead to salvation is central to these groups. Yoo Jae-yeol even took on the spiritual name “Faithful and True,” mirroring Lee Man-hee.
• Similar Interpretations of Scripture: The discussion points to shared interpretations of specific Bible verses and allegories (e.g., the ten virgins, John the Baptist going to hell) between Shincheonji and groups like Kim Poong-il’s church, which itself drew from earlier leaders. Quote (Chris): “Yeah, this is exactly the same as my Bible study class. It’s insane.”

1. The “Eschatology Business” and Failed Prophecies: The speakers discuss the recurring pattern of apocalyptic groups predicting the end of the world, often with specific dates, and the subsequent crises when these prophecies fail. This creates a cycle of hope, disappointment, and the need for revised explanations or new leaders. Quote (Pastor Yang): “Among those who have researched cults, we refer to these phenomena as the ‘eschatology business.’ It is, indeed, a business that makes sense—one that collects money at the right time.”
2. The Book “The Birth of God, Shincheonji”: This book, written by former Unification Church members who joined Lee Man-hee’s early group, prophesied that the end would come three and a half years after Shincheonji’s founding. This prophecy’s failure led to disillusionment and departures from the group. Shincheonji now attempts to distance itself from this early history.
3. Comparison to Other Korean Cults: The discussion draws parallels between Shincheonji’s origins and doctrines and those of other prominent Korean cults like the World Mission Society Church of God and JMS (Jung Myung-suk), highlighting a pattern of leaders borrowing and adapting existing cultic teachings. Quote (Steve): “It’s similar to Lee Man-hee—in essence, they’re all thieves and plagiarists in these Korean movements.”

Key Quotes:

• (Pastor Yang on Lee Man-hee’s founding): “This brief history illustrates how Lee Man-hee founded Shincheonji after encountering four different false cult leaders.”
• (Steve on Lee Man-hee’s early life narrative): “He implies that before he went to church, no one ever taught him anything, and he claims to have had visions—visions where a ball of light appeared to him, prompting him to follow the faith.”
• (Pastor Yang on the nature of salvation in these groups): “Only by accepting his teaching and recognizing him as the Paraclete (God’s promised pastor or a second coming of Jesus) can we be saved.”

Potential Implications:

This discussion strongly suggests that Shincheonji’s theological foundations are not based on unique divine revelation but rather on a synthesis of ideas and practices from earlier Korean cult movements. This historical context is crucial for understanding the group’s doctrines, its leader’s claims, and the cyclical nature of its eschatological expectations. The information presented aims to provide a counter-narrative to Shincheonji’s official history and expose the derivative nature of its teachings.

Detailed Timeline of Main Events:

• 1917 onwards: History of Korean cults begins (mentioned in the previous episode). Figures like Kim Sung-do, the Queen of the South, Baek Nam-ju, Kim Baeng-mun (Pakteseon/Olive Tree & Unification Church), and Moon Seon-myung are active. Kim Jong-gyu founds Prayer Mountain (Hoseong Prayer Mountain), followed by his son Yoo Jae-yeol.
• Mid-20th Century (before 1966): Lee Man-hee joins Park Tae-sun’s Pakteseon (Olive Tree) movement but becomes disillusioned.
• Around 1966: Lee Man-hee joins Yoo Jae-yeol’s Tabernacle Temple, impressed by his teachings.
• March 1st (year unspecified, likely 1966): Yoo Jae-yeol claims a special spiritual experience of “eating the scroll.”
• Late 1960s: Over 700 people from Park Tae-sun’s Olive Tree Movement, disillusioned by scandals, move to Yoo Jae-yeol’s Tabernacle Temple. Conflicts arise between Father Yoo and Yoo Jae-yeol, leading to Father Yoo’s expulsion in 1967.
• Within the Tabernacle Temple: Lee Man-hee is deeply impressed by Yoo Jae-yeol’s teachings on the seven stars, seed of God vs. seed of Satan, hidden meanings in parables (referencing Revelation 1:20, Matthew 7:21, Isaiah 34:16), the Tabernacle Temple as Mount Zion (Revelation 14), the heavenly Tabernacle of the Covenant, Yoo’s spiritual name “Faithful and True,” the white horse messenger, physical and spiritual salvation, no bodily death for the sealed, God’s new work (Jeremiah 31:22), and the world ending on November 30, 1969.
• Around 1969: Yoo Jae-yeol prophesies the world will end on November 30th, which does not occur, leading to disappointment and the decline of the Tabernacle Temple. Scandals involving bribery and corruption emerge. Instructor Baek Man-bong leaves.
• Around 1971: Lee Man-hee leaves the Tabernacle Temple. He and Hong Jong-yo file a lawsuit against Yoo Jae-yeol. Lee Man-hee follows Mo Kyung-duk, a former Tabernacle Temple member who started the Eighth Church and claimed to be “Shiloh” (Genesis 49:10). Lee Man-hee becomes a sixth apostle and one of the 12 disciples in Mo Kyung-duk’s group within six months but becomes disillusioned. Lee Man-hee is excommunicated from the Tabernacle Temple as he drifts towards Mo Kyung-deuk’s group.
• 1971 – 1978: Lee Man-hee returns to his hometown of Cheongdo for seven years. During this time, he visits Park Tae-sun and Yoo Jae-yeol.
• Around 1978: Followers of Baek Man-bong invite Lee Man-hee to become his disciple in Seoul. Lee Man-hee moves with his brother, Lee Man-chun, and becomes the 11th disciple of Baek Man-bong’s Recreation Church. Lee Man-chun becomes the 12th apostle. Baek Man-bong teaches on the end times, predicting it in three and a half years and later declaring himself a spiritual father, judge, and the second coming of Jesus.
• March 14, 1980: Baek Man-bong’s prophecy fails when he attempts to stop the rising sun at Cheonggye Mountain.
• Post March 14, 1980: Disputes arise between Baek Man-bong, Lee Man-hee, and others, leading to their separation. Lee Man-hee, angered and disappointed, reportedly deceived four times by Mok (Mo Kyung-duk) and Baek (Baek Man-bong), establishes his own church (Shincheonji) immediately after the failure. Lee Man-hee ascends Cheonggye Mountain and cuts his blood to consecrate the spot.
• Around the time of Shincheonji’s founding: Kim Geon-nam and Kim Byung-hee from the Unification Church meet Lee Man-hee and are converted. They write the book The Birth of God, Shincheonji, prophesying that three and a half years after Shincheonji’s start, it would rise, and in the following three and a half years, all prophecies would be fulfilled. This prophecy fails.
• Later: Hong Jong-il is deeply disappointed by the failed prophecy in The Birth of God, Shincheonji, has conflict with Lee Man-hee, and leaves to start his own Tabernacle Temple.
• Ongoing: Lee Man-hee claims that the end will come in one or two years, repeated over many years. Shincheonji continues to engage in evangelism believing the end will eventually come.
• 1991: Kim Poong-il’s Zion Theological Seminary at Shiloh Church has its 13th graduation ceremony. Shin (a former Shincheonji member) testifies to asking Lee Man-hee to start similar systems in Shincheonji, suggesting Shincheonji copied this system.
• Over 40 years (from the founding of Shincheonji to the present): Lee Man-hee’s predictions of the end continue to fail, but people remain in Shincheonji.

Cast of Characters with Brief Bios:

• Chris: Former member of Shincheonji and co-host of the podcast. He aims to provide a theological counter to Shincheonji and illustrate the development of their doctrines.
• Pastor Yang: A researcher, counselor, and cult expert in South Korea. He presents on the history and development of Korean cults, particularly Shincheonji.
• Steve: Member of the group “Exposing the Cults” and co-host of the podcast. He has extensively studied various Korean cults, including completing Shincheonji classes, and is concerned about these organizations.
• Kim Sung-do: An early figure in the history of Korean cults (mentioned in the previous episode).
• Queen of the South: An early figure in the history of Korean cults (mentioned in the previous episode).
• Baek Nam-ju: An early figure in the history of Korean cults (mentioned in the previous episode).
• Kim Baeng-mun: Initially the master of the Pakteseon (“Olive Tree”) movement and later the leader of the Unification Church (mentioned in the previous episode).
• Moon Seon-myung: Founder of the Unification Church (mentioned in the previous episode).
• Kim Jong-gyu: Founded the Prayer Mountain (Hoseong Prayer Mountain) (mentioned in the previous episode).
• Yoo Jae-yeol: Son of Kim Jong-gyu, led the Prayer Mountain. Lee Man-hee was briefly part of his Tabernacle Temple. His failed prophecy of the world’s end in 1969 led to disillusionment among followers. He faced accusations of fraud.
• Park Tae-sun: Leader of the Pakteseon (“Olive Tree”) movement. Lee Man-hee initially followed him. He claimed to be the one who pours out the Holy Spirit and experienced the “Holy Dew Ghost” phenomenon. His movement faced scandals.
• Mo Kyung-duk: A former member of Yoo Jae-yeol’s Tabernacle Temple who started the Eighth Church. He claimed to be the “Shiloh” prophesied in Genesis 49:10. Lee Man-hee followed him briefly but became disillusioned.
• Baek Man-bong: A former member of the Tabernacle Temple who later invited Lee Man-hee to be his disciple and founded the Recreation Church. He predicted the end times and declared himself the second coming of Jesus, but his prophecy failed.
• Lee Man-hee: Founder of Shincheonji. He has a history of following several other cult leaders (Park Tae-sun, Yoo Jae-yeol, Mo Kyung-duk, Baek Man-bong) before establishing his own group after the failure of Baek Man-bong’s prophecy. Shincheonji’s history often involves revising his past involvements.
• Hong Jong-yo: Was also in the Tabernacle Temple and initially supported Yoo Jae-yeol financially. He later sued Yoo with Lee Man-hee and was involved with Lee Man-hee after Baek Man-bong’s failed prophecy. He eventually left Shincheonji due to disappointment over a failed prophecy documented in The Birth of God, Shincheonji and started his own Tabernacle Temple.
• Yoo In-gu: Father of Yoo Jae-yeol, involved in the early Tabernacle Temple.
• Shin Gwang-il: Nephew of Yoo Jae-yeol, involved in the early Tabernacle Temple.
• Shin Jong-han (Elder Moses): Cousin of Yoo In-gu and one of the seven messengers in the Tabernacle Temple. He expelled Mo Kyung-duk for lacking substantial revelation.
• Lee Man-chun: Younger brother of Lee Man-hee, became the 12th apostle in Baek Man-bong’s Recreation Church.
• John Hae-in: A founding member of Baek Man-bong’s group who knew Lee Man-hee from the Tabernacle Temple and persuaded him to join.
• Cho Yong-hwan: A founding member of Baek Man-bong’s group who knew Lee Man-hee from the Tabernacle Temple and persuaded him to join.
• Caleb Shim Jae-kwon: A founding member of Baek Man-bong’s group who knew Lee Man-hee from the Tabernacle Temple and persuaded him to join.
• Kim Geon-nam: An individual from the Unification Church who met and was converted by Lee Man-hee. He co-authored The Birth of God, Shincheonji.
• Kim Byung-hee: An individual from the Unification Church who met and was converted by Lee Man-hee. He co-authored The Birth of God, Shincheonji.
• Kim Poong-il: A cult leader who was influenced by Yoo Jae-yeol and Park Tae-sun. He founded the Shilla Church (later Sebit, New Light, Lighthouse Central Church) and wrote books like Heaven Swindlers and The Tree of Life, with teachings mirroring Shincheonji’s. He also started the Zion Theological Seminary, which Shincheonji later adopted a similar system for.
• Shin (full name not given): A former Shincheonji member who had also been with Pastor Shin (younger than him) and experienced the teachings of Yoo Jae-yeol and Park Tae-sun. He testified to asking Lee Man-hee to start a theological seminary like Kim Poong-il’s.
• Jung Myung-suk: Leader of Jesus Morning Star (JMS). His introductory teachings are noted to mirror those of Shincheonji.
• Song Hong: A figure associated with the World Mission Society Church of God. A prophecy about him arising with 144,000 followers in 1988 failed.
• J.Y. Suh: A leader who claimed divine status (mentioned as a common pattern in these groups).
• Mr. Bake: Mentioned as an example from Old Testament times related to dealing with false prophets.