This is an ongoing series, and changes may occur until its completion. Additional articles will be added over time, with links included in the roadmap as they become available.
The Foundation of Shincheonji’s Doctrine: A Roadmap to Comprehensive Understanding
The Shincheonji Church of Jesus (SCJ) systematically teaches the Bible through a structured three-level study: Parables (Understanding), Bible Logic (God’s Plan), and Revelation (Fulfillment). Each stage is deliberately crafted to reveal progressively deeper truths about God’s will and ultimate plan.
1. Parables (Introductory) Level: Foundation of Understanding
Shincheonji emphasizes that God intentionally conceals prophecies using figurative language and parables to protect His divine plans from enemies. The Parables level teaches the spiritual meanings behind biblical symbols: seed as the Word of God, field as the world or human heart, and oil as the word of testimony. Without correctly understanding these parables, believers cannot discern truth from falsehood, nor attain salvation. This understanding forms the essential key to unlocking the sealed Word.
2. Bible Logic Level: Revealing God’s Blueprint
The Bible Logic (Intermediate) level explains the overarching, consistent narrative from Genesis to Revelation, emphasizing God’s unchanging method of working through repeated cycles of betrayal, destruction, and salvation. Students move beyond basic biblical teachings (milk) to deeper, mature spiritual teachings (solid food), recognizing the consistent patterns and logic of God’s plan across different biblical eras. This stage clearly articulates God’s ultimate purpose—to restore His kingdom by establishing a new kingdom of priests and a new heaven and earth, fulfilling His promises.
3. Revelation Level: Witnessing Actual Fulfillment
The Revelation (advanced) level centers on the actual fulfillment of New Testament prophecies, specifically those detailed in the Book of Revelation. This level provides precise testimony (5W1H: who, what, when, where, why, how) about real events, real people, and real places involved in fulfillment, emphasizing the role of the one who overcomes—the Promised Pastor, also known as New John (Lee Man-hee). Students learn that genuine faith is not just believing in prophecies but believing in their tangible fulfillment, and actively participating in establishing the new spiritual Israel, Shincheonji’s 12 tribes.
SCJ’s foundational doctrines
This roadmap outlines SCJ’s core teachings categorized clearly under the Three Important Promises in Revelation, preparing students for in-depth exploration.
Three Important Promises in Revelation
1. Promised Teaching
- Open/Revealed Word: Initially sealed prophecies, communicated through parables, are plainly revealed during fulfillment. Understanding parables is essential to recognizing true fulfillment.
- Importance of Understanding Parables: Without first understanding parables, believers cannot discern the true Word of Testimony and recognize the fulfillment accurately.
- God’s Will, Plan, and Purpose: Understanding the parables and God’s word is fundamental to discerning His will, plan, and purpose—restoring His kingdom on earth and establishing eternal fellowship with humanity.
- 8 Steps of Creation and Recreation: This cyclical pattern (selection of people, covenant, betrayal, destruction, judgment, new shepherd, salvation, re-creation) outlines God’s consistent method of working through biblical history.
2. Promised Pastor
- Role of the New John: Also known as “the one who overcomes,” Lee Man-hee receives and testifies to the revealed fulfillment of Revelation, providing precise testimony about the events, people, and locations.
- Word of Testimony: True believers must accept and obey the Word of Testimony provided by the Promised Pastor, as it represents the complete and tangible fulfillment of God’s promises.
- Flow of Revelation: Betrayal, Destruction, and Salvation: The Promised Pastor clarifies the sequential events of Revelation, helping believers recognize the current fulfillment of prophecy involving traditional Christianity’s betrayal, Babylon’s destruction, and the salvation available in Shincheonji.
- Urgency of Harvesting and Sealing: The testimony provided by the Promised Pastor emphasizes urgency in recognizing the time of fulfillment, being harvested, sealed, and participating in the first resurrection and eternal life.
- Salvation: The Promised Pastor reveals the path to true salvation by clearly explaining how to discern and participate in the fulfillment of prophecies, ensuring believers secure their eternal life within the new kingdom established by God.
3. Promised Kingdom and Temple
- Mount Zion (Shincheonji): Identified as heaven on earth, Mount Zion is the promised place where believers gather to escape judgment upon Babylon (traditional Christianity) and be saved.
- Creation of the Twelve Tribes: Believers must be sealed and included in one of Shincheonji’s 12 tribes to enter heaven, emphasizing the urgency of participation in SCJ’s Bible studies for spiritual preparation and salvation.
- Destruction of Babylon (False Teachings): God’s kingdom can only be established after the destruction of Babylon, which symbolizes false teachings prevalent in traditional Christianity.
- Wedding Banquet of the Lamb: Spirits and Flesh United: Heaven descends upon believers, uniting spirits and flesh into immortal beings at the Wedding Banquet of the Lamb, underscoring the importance of accepting the fulfilled testimony and joining the new spiritual Israel established by Shincheonji.
Why Students Find Shincheonji Bible Study Compelling
- Structured Clarity: The Shincheonji Bible Study is methodically structured into three distinct levels, making complex theological concepts accessible and understandable to students. The gradual progression from foundational parables to complex fulfillment creates an intuitive learning curve.
- Interactive Learning: Through frequent use of visual aids, systematic frameworks, and clear categorization, students easily grasp theological concepts, enabling deeper engagement and retention.
- Emotional and Social Integration: Testimonies from ex-members indicate Shincheonji’s approach also leverages emotional and social dynamics. Regular group studies and supportive communities foster a sense of belonging, making it easier for students to accept and conform to Shincheonji’s doctrines.
- Intellectual Satisfaction: The emphasis on clear logical progression, prophecy fulfillment, and tangible evidence appeals to those seeking intellectual and spiritual certainty, contributing significantly to the acceptance of Shincheonji’s teachings.
Revelation’s Significance
- Revelation encapsulates the ultimate conclusion of God’s 6,000-year work, marking the completion of prophecy and the establishment of God’s eternal kingdom.
- Importance of Prophecy and Fulfillment: In Shincheonji doctrine, prophecy and its precise fulfillment form the very core of faith. Without prophecy, God’s promises would remain ambiguous. Fulfillment provides clarity and verifiable testimony, confirming the authenticity of God’s word and the identity of the true kingdom and Promised Pastor.
Importance of Understanding, Obedience, and Testimony
- Understanding: Discernment of prophecy and parables through accurate understanding is foundational.
- Obedience: Believers must actively follow and obey the teachings revealed in fulfillment.
- Testimony: Accepting the verified Word of Testimony ensures true participation in God’s final work and ultimate salvation.
This structured roadmap provides clarity and prepares the groundwork for in-depth study of Shincheonji’s comprehensive theological narrative.