The Seven Stars and the Lampstands: Preparing the Way for the Promised Pastor

In the narrative of Shincheonji’s foundation and doctrine, few roles are as critical as those of the Seven Stars, also referred to as seven messengers or angels of the seven churches. These individuals are seen as playing the same preparatory role as John the Baptist, who was called “a lamp that burned and gave light” (John 5:35). Just as John prepared the way for Jesus’ first coming, these seven figures are regarded as the forerunners preparing the path for the Second Coming.

Symbolism of the Seven Stars and Seven Lampstands

According to Revelation 1:20:
“The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.”

In Shincheonji’s interpretation, these lampstands represent churches, but more specifically, they symbolize people who shine the light of the Word. Each lamp is a person, and these lamps appear during a time of darkness to give light until the sun (representing Jesus or the revealed Word) appearsSCJ Bible Study 2024 (o…. The Seven Stars are seen as pastors who had the responsibility to prepare the way for the Lord’s return, just as John the Baptist did at the first coming.

These pastors are said to be aligned with the Seven Spirits of God (Revelation 4:5) and are used by God to begin His new work. However, according to SCJ teachings, these seven eventually fall into betrayal due to the influence of the Nicolaitans, which leads to the calling of a new figure—the Promised Pastor, also called the New John, to whom the mystery of Revelation is revealedBook – The Physical Ful….

The Role of Yoo Jae Yeol (유재열), “Angel Samson”

Among the seven stars, Yoo Jae Yeol (유재열) was assigned to the church of Ephesus, making him the first of the seven stars in both rank and symbolism. His spiritual nickname in SCJ materials is “Angel Samson”, symbolizing strength and leadership, referencing the biblical Samson.

As the leading messenger, Yoo was seen as the principal lamp, a vessel through whom the initial word of the new covenant was being prepared. In 1965, it was said that Jesus spiritually appointed the Seven Stars, and in 1966, they established the Tabernacle Temple in GwacheonSCJ Bible Study 2024 (o…. Yoo was the central figure of this temple, often leading its revival-style services and building a large following.

Yoo In Gu (유인구): Father of Yoo Jae Yeol

Yoo In Gu, father of Yoo Jae Yeol, was not one of the Seven Stars. However, he was a key elder figure in the early Tabernacle Temple and played a significant administrative and supportive role. While his son held the spiritual leadership, Yoo In Gu managed the temple’s structure and helped expand its influence. According to sources, he was respected for his charisma but also feared for his authoritative control.

Why Did Yoo Jae Yeol Leave and Entrust the Temple to Mr. Oh?

Around 1970, Yoo Jae Yeol suddenly left the Tabernacle Temple, transferring the administrative and spiritual authority to Mr. Oh Phillip (오필립), also known as “Pastor Nicholas” in SCJ narratives. The precise reason for Yoo’s departure remains layered with speculation, but several reasons emerge from the doctrinal narratives:

1. Desire for Formal Theological Education: Yoo Jae Yeol left to study theology in the United States at Westminster Theological Seminary, a respected Calvinist institution in Pennsylvania. This was a surprising move because it signaled a desire to align with mainstream theology, which differed significantly from the apocalyptic revivalism he had led.

2. Spiritual Conflict and Disillusionment: According to SCJ interpretation, Yoo began to see internal corruption and spiritual confusion growing within the Tabernacle Temple. The infiltration of false teachings (described in SCJ theology as the entry of the Nicolaitans) coincided with his loss of control.

3. Fulfillment of Prophecy: From the perspective of SCJ, this transition fulfilled the betrayal phase in the “betrayal–destruction–salvation” pattern. By passing authority to Mr. Oh—who later allegedly became the destroyer—the betrayal was set in motion, paving the way for the rise of the “one who overcomes.”

Was This Considered Betrayal?

From a biblical lens, if someone is called to prepare the way of the Lord and then abandons their post, the question of betrayal arises. In the context of Shincheonji’s theology, Yoo’s act is not immediately labeled betrayal, but his failure to fulfill the mission and his eventual abandonment opened the door to Satan’s infiltration through Mr. Oh, which did result in betrayal of the original calling. The betrayal is emphasized more on the system’s fall into false doctrine rather than on Yoo’s individual failure alone.

The Seven Stars and Their Corresponding Churches

According to SCJ interpretation and books such as The Physical Fulfillment of Revelation, these were the original seven messengers, their nicknames, and symbolic churches:

Each was seen as a lamp to shine in the spiritual darkness prior to the appearance of the “greater light,” just as John the Baptist was a lamp preparing for Jesus (John 5:35).

Mr. Yoo Jae-yeol as “Angel Samson” and His Role in the Betrayal

Yoo Jae-yeol, known spiritually as Samson in Shincheonji’s narrative, was once regarded as a righteous messenger appointed by Jesus to guide the congregation of Ephesus—the first of the seven churches. His early leadership within the Tabernacle Temple, a precursor to Shincheonji, was seen as divinely commissioned. However, according to SCJ doctrine, he later failed to overcome the Nicolaitans—representing false pastors or Satan’s servants—and allowed their teachings to corrupt the Tabernacle Templethe true story of Shinc….

From SCJ’s theological lens, this failure to protect the doctrine and spiritual integrity of the Tabernacle Temple was not merely human weakness but a spiritual betrayal. He is labeled both a fallen star and the beast from the earth (Rev 13), having once received authority but ultimately becoming a vessel for destructionthe true story of Shinc….

This transition—from a messenger of Jesus to an agent of apostasy—is dramatized within Shincheonji as an essential turning point in their understanding of Revelation. It explains why judgment falls on the Tabernacle Temple in Revelation 6 and why a new promised pastor (Lee Man Hee) must arise to gather the remnant.

Conclusion: Preparing the Way for the Second Coming

The Seven Stars, according to SCJ teachings, served a divine role in preparing the Tabernacle Temple, which symbolized the fulfillment of prophecy at the time of the Lord’s Second Coming. Though they began in light, their eventual fall became the spiritual setting into which a new messenger—Lee Man Hee (New John)—would rise as the one who overcomes and testifies the fulfillment of Revelation.

This pattern mirrors how John the Baptist, a righteous man, prepared the way yet diminished so that Jesus might increase (John 3:30). Similarly, the Seven Stars prepared the way, but their fading paved the way for a new light to be revealed.

Yoo Jae-yeol in Shincheonji History: Shincheonji vs. Outside Perspectives

Yoo Jae-yeol and the Tabernacle Temple (Pre-Shincheonji Origins)

Yoo Jae-yeol was the young founder and leader of the “Tabernacle Temple” (장막성전) in the 1960s – a group that Shincheonji regards as the prophetic precursor to its own establishment. In 1967, future Shincheonji founder Lee Man-hee joined Yoo’s Tabernacle Temple in Gyeonggi Province[s]. Yoo was only a teenager (often said to be 17 or 18) when he rose to prominence, and even Lee Man-hee – then in his 30s – was impressed by the youth’s sermons and became one of Yoo’s followers[s]. Under Yoo’s charismatic leadership (he was revered as the “little lamb”), the Tabernacle Temple attracted thousands of followers by the late 1960s[s]. Notably, Yoo’s movement predicted an imminent apocalypse (claiming that November 1, 1969 would be the end of the world), and taught that the Tabernacle Temple was a secret refuge to survive the end-times[s].

However, when the prophesied date passed without incident, many disciples – including Lee Man-hee – grew disillusioned. Lee Man-hee himself later testified that he had “lost all his possessions” following Yoo in those years[s]. Discontent culminated in legal action: in the 1970s Yoo Jae-yeol was accused by his followers of fraud and other crimes. By 1975 he was arrested and indicted on dozens of charges (around 40 counts including fraud and extortion)[s]. He was convicted – receiving a 5-year prison sentence in the first trial – though this was reduced on appeal to a 2.5-year sentence, suspended for 4 years[s]. After this scandal, Yoo stepped down from leading the Tabernacle Temple[s].

Shincheonji’s doctrine portrays these events as the “betrayal” and “destruction” of the first Tabernacle: According to Shincheonji’s official narrative (the “Fulfillment History” taught to members), Yoo Jae-yeol had initially been “the promised pastor” of the Tabernacle but “betrayed” his mission. Shincheonji teaches that Yoo “handed over” the Tabernacle Temple to outsider pastors – labeling Yoo as the prophesied “betrayer” (배도자) of 2 Thessalonians 2:3 and those outsiders as the “destroyers” (멸망자)[s]. One of those outside figures was Pastor Oh Pyeong-ho, a former Catholic priest-turned-Presbyterian minister whom Yoo had invited into the group. Oh Pyeong-ho later helped integrate the remaining Tabernacle congregation into a mainstream Presbyterian denomination around 1980, in an effort to “reform” the cultic elements[s]. In Shincheonji’s theology, however, this was cast as a nefarious act: they allege that Oh’s “Stewardship Education Institute” group infiltrated and “destroyed” the Tabernacle Temple – corresponding to the “beast” or “seven heads” in Revelation[s]. Meanwhile, Lee Man-hee and a small group of loyalists left the fallen Tabernacle (Lee exited in 1971)[s], and a decade later Lee founded Shincheonji (in 1984) claiming to be the new chosen leader who overcame those betrayers and destroyers.

Shincheonji’s Version: “Yoo’s U.S. Seminary Fable”

In Shincheonji’s official history, a dramatic point is made of Yoo Jae-yeol’s sudden disappearance and supposed theological quest abroad. They teach that in September 1980 Yoo “fled into the wilderness” – a reference to Revelation 12 – after yielding his authority to “Gentile” destroyers. Shincheonji’s own published materials (the “Shincheonji Church History” book) claim that Yoo went to the United States to study at Westminster Theological Seminary. In fact, page 44 of Shincheonji’s history book even includes a photo of Yoo Jae-yeol with a caption stating that “in late October 1980 he left for the U.S., and is shown here pursuing studies at Westminster Theological Seminary to obtain a doctorate”, interpreting this as the fulfillment of Revelation 12:6, 14 (the woman given two wings of an eagle to be nourished in the wilderness for “a time, times and half a time”)[s]. In Shincheonji’s spiritual allegory, Yoo is identified with the “woman” who temporarily escapes after the Tabernacle’s collapse, and they taught that he would return after completing his theological training[s].

It’s worth noting Shincheonji uses Bible proof-texts to legitimize this narrative. For example, Ezekiel 44:7-8 and Revelation 12 are cited alongside Yoo’s story[s]. To the faithful, this framing makes the 1980 fall of the Tabernacle and Yoo’s departure seem like a prophetic necessity rather than a simple schism. Shincheonji’s leader Lee Man-hee has consistently described Yoo as a “betrayer who broke the covenant” – essentially a cautionary figure in Shincheonji theology[s]. Internally, members are taught that Yoo’s failure and departure were all part of the divine plan paving the way for Lee Man-hee, the “one who overcomes,” to establish the true church (Shincheonji) and fulfill prophecy[s].

Outside Accounts: Facts About Yoo’s Departure and Later Life

External evidence paints a very different picture of Yoo Jae-yeol’s fate. In reality, Yoo did not attend Westminster Seminary at all – and likely never pursued formal theological education abroad. Former members of Shincheonji recount the shock they felt upon discovering this discrepancy. One ex-member described how Shincheonji’s own “cafe” forum was abuzz when someone verified with Westminster Theological Seminary that no Korean student named Yoo was ever enrolled during the period in question[s]. In fact, the photo that Shincheonji had published of Yoo supposedly at Westminster was identified as actually being taken at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, a famous landmark – not at Westminster Seminary[s]. This evidence strongly suggests that the Shincheonji account of Yoo studying in America was fabricated to fit their prophetic narrative.

What was Yoo really doing after 1980? According to news reports and court records, Yoo Jae-yeol essentially left the religious scene after the Tabernacle Temple disbanded. As part of wrapping up the group, he reportedly handed over the Tabernacle’s remaining church assets to a Presbyterian body (what Shincheonji terms “kneeling to Babylon”) and then went abroad[s]. Rather than pursuing a doctorate in divinity, Yoo transitioned into secular life. He eventually returned to Korea and reinvented himself as a businessman, founding a construction and real-estate company[s]. By the 2000s, Yoo had become relatively wealthy – investigative articles note that he owns a large building in Gangnam and a high-end villa in the UN Village enclave of Seoul[s]. He has kept a low public profile in religious matters. (One notable media revelation in 2020 was that Yoo Jae-yeol’s daughter is married to K-pop star Psy, making Yoo the singer’s father-in-law[s]. This connection reignited public interest in Yoo’s background as the one-time mentor of Lee Man-hee.)

Crucially, Yoo’s own “version” of events starkly contradicts Shincheonji’s lore – to the extent that he has commented. Decades ago, in a rare interview, Yoo Jae-yeol flatly rejected Shincheonji’s portrayal of him as a prophetic symbol. He emphasized that his departure was due to the legal troubles and disillusionment, not because of some divine mandate. (Lee Man-hee himself was among those who filed complaints against Yoo after the failed prophecy, accusing him of swindling members[s].) Furthermore, Yoo’s associates point out that he never returned to lead any ministry or to fulfill any role in Shincheonji’s story – he effectively abandoned religious leadership. In fact, Korean Christian media report that Yoo Jae-yeol eventually even left the faith altogether, describing him as having “lapsed into atheism” in later years[s]. This underscores that the grandiose Shincheonji tale of Yoo’s planned return as a doctorate-bearing pastor was unfounded.

Conflicts and Legal Challenges over Shincheonji’s Narrative

The discrepancies between Shincheonji’s teachings and outside facts have even led to legal disputes. Shincheonji has long taught that certain Christian pastors were part of the evil “destroyers” in the Tabernacle Temple story – and relatives of those individuals have pushed back. A notable case is that of the late Rev. Baek Dong-seop. Shincheonji materials allegedly named Rev. Baek as one of the “seven heads” or members of the so-called Stewardship Education Institute that “betrayed and destroyed” the Tabernacle Church in the early 1980s. In 2022, Rev. Baek’s family filed a defamation lawsuit against Shincheonji, arguing that these claims tarnished Baek’s reputation by falsely casting him as a satanic figure. During the court proceedings in late 2023, Pastor Oh Pyeong-ho (now in his mid-60s and the only surviving member of those involved in the Tabernacle’s integration) testified as a witness[s]. His testimony flatly refuted Shincheonji’s version of the Tabernacle Temple events: Oh stated under oath that he had never even met Shincheonji leader Lee Man-hee or Pastor Baek Dong-seop in person[s], contradicting the notion that they all crossed paths in some grand drama. He also insisted that Rev. Baek was never part of his “7-member” group as Shincheonji claimed[s]. In other words, Shincheonji’s “fulfillment story” of the betrayer and destroyers was a distortion – a point that was formally entered into the court record. (Shincheonji’s lawyer, in cross-examination, tried to bring up a decades-old interview where Oh supposedly admitted an ambition to “take over” the Tabernacle, but the judge cut off those questions as irrelevant[s].

Ultimately, the defamation suit over Baek’s name was dismissed – the court ruled in October 2024 that Shincheonji’s doctrinal statements about prophetic “betrayers” were not intended as factual accusations against a specific deceased individual, thus not meeting the legal standard for defamation of the dead[s][s]. However, the proceedings were revealing. They forced Shincheonji’s narrative into the light of scrutiny, and exposed clear falsehoods: for example, under questioning, Shincheonji representatives could not substantiate the claim that Rev. Baek or certain others were present in the Tabernacle Temple’s final days[s]. Pastor Oh’s court testimony, covered by Korean Christian press, declared that Shincheonji’s so-called “actual fulfillment” (실상) is historically untrue[s].

Conclusion: Contrasting the Narratives

In summary, Yoo Jae-yeol’s story is a case study in how Shincheonji’s internal history differs from outside reality. Within Shincheonji, Yoo is remembered as the one who “betrayed the covenant” and abandoned the Tabernacle Temple – an archetype of failure against which Lee Man-hee legitimizes his own authority. The sect embellishes this narrative with claims that Yoo studied in America under God’s orchestration (even drawing parallels to biblical prophecy)[s]. Outside accounts, however, show a far more mundane and arguably cynical sequence: Yoo Jae-yeol was a youthful cult leader whose end-times prophecy failed; he was prosecuted for fraud, left in disgrace, and never pursued the religious training attributed to him[s][s]. Instead of returning as some enlightened theologian, Yoo quietly became a wealthy businessman, distancing himself from the church he once led[s]. Key figures like Oh Pyeong-ho, who took over the remnants of Yoo’s church, have publicly debunked Shincheonji’s mythology point by point – from Yoo’s supposed seminary education to who really “destroyed” the Tabernacle[s][s]. All available evidence and testimony indicate that Shincheonji’s version of Yoo Jae-yeol serves its theological agenda but is not grounded in truth. The contrast between the “SCJ version” and external factual accounts couldn’t be more stark, underscoring the level of revisionism in Shincheonji’s official history.

Sources:

1. Dispatch (via Daum News) – “[그가 이만희의 스승이다]… 유재열, ‘싸이’ 장인의 실체” (Mar 23, 2020)v.daum.netv.daum.net
2. Kukmin Ilbo – “싸이 장인 유재열은 이만희 스승” (Mar 23, 2020)v.daum.netv.daum.net
3. Wikipedia: “Shincheonji Church of Jesus” – History section (accessed 2025)en.wikipedia.org
4. 성경과 교회 (Bible & Church) – “신천지 교리의 허구 (2)” (Apr 19, 2016)bibleandchurch.krbibleandchurch.kr
5. 가톨릭굿뉴스 (Catholic Good News) – 탈퇴자 수민의 증언, “신천지 실상의 인물 유○○씨 웨스트민스터 신학교 유학은 거짓” (Oct 28, 2018)pds.catholic.or.krbiblemaster.tistory.com
6. 기독교포털뉴스 – “오평호 목사, ‘백동섭 목사와 이만희 교주 만나본 적도 없다’” (Dec 13, 2023)kportalnews.co.krkportalnews.co.kr
7. 기독신문 (Kidok Shinmun) – “이만희 책 받아먹었다?… 신천지 책에는 ‘유재열이 먼저’” (Oct 2020)biblemaster.tistory.combiblemaster.tistory.com (Question & answer about SCJ history)
   
8. Amen News (교회와신앙) – “장막성전의 후예들” (Nov 2012)bibleandchurch.kr (Background on Yoo Jae-yeol and Oh Pyeong-ho)