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)

In Shincheonji (SCJ) theology, Mr. Yoo Jae-yeol (유재열) — often referred to as “Mr. Yoo Jr.” — plays a multi-layered, complex role woven through various figurative identities, parables, and prophetic fulfillments drawn from the Book of Revelation and associated Old and New Testament typologies. His symbolic representations evolve across different stages of SCJ’s narrative: from the foundational beginnings in the Tabernacle Temple, to his fall and betrayal, and finally to his role in fulfilling specific prophetic events, all interpreted through Shincheonji’s unique theological framework.

Apostasy and Betrayal: From Star to Prostitute

In Revelation 6 and Revelation 17, the sun, moon, and stars fall and darken. SCJ interprets this as the apostasy of the Tabernacle Temple and its leadership. Yoo Jr., who once was a shining lamp, is said to have become a fallen star, aligning with the figurative Wormwood in Revelation 8–9 who poisons the waters (teachings), leading to the spiritual death of many.

Yoo Jr.’s fall is marked by two major acts:

1. Kicking out his father, Yoo In-gu, also known as “King Emmanuel,” who was said to have been the original appointed head of the seven stars. This is seen as the beginning of betrayal (Revelation 2)All combined.

2. Installing Mr. Oh as a new leader, who was not part of the original seven stars. Mr. Oh is linked to Revelation 13’s beast from the earth and to the fallen star in Revelation 9. This marked the temple’s full descent into corruptionSCJ Bible Study 2024 (o…All combined.

In SCJ’s narrative, Yoo Jr.’s actions fulfill the betrayal of the “former heaven” in Matthew 24:29 and Revelation 6, where stars fall and the heavenly bodies are darkened. His name becomes linked to the prostitute of Revelation 17, a religious entity that once belonged to God but turned to worldly and false doctrines.

Representative of the Seven Messengers and Tabernacle Judgment

Despite his fall, SCJ doctrine paradoxically elevates Yoo Jr.’s role by claiming that he represented all seven messengers. Therefore, any letter of warning or rebuke written to him—such as Lee Man-hee’s spiritual letter of repentance—is treated as if sent to all seven. This is a key point SCJ uses to connect the letters of Revelation 2–3 to Yoo Jr. and validate the prophecy’s partial fulfillment.

In Revelation 6, the Tabernacle Temple (the first heaven) is judged and destroyed, but a small seed is left for recreation. Yoo Jr. is symbolically tied to this destruction, and his failure serves as the backdrop that justifies the need for a new tabernacle—the Temple of the Tabernacle of Testimony—under the leadership of “the one who overcomes,” Lee Man-hee.

Conflicting Legacy: Holy and Apostate

Yoo Jr. is both glorified and vilified in SCJ’s framework. On one hand, he was a lamp, a figure of spiritual enlightenment, a star chosen by God. On the other, he is also the very embodiment of the fallen shepherd, the woman clothed with the sun who became the harlot (Revelation 12 → Revelation 17), and the agent of betrayal through whom destruction entered. This dual image serves SCJ’s theological model of betrayal → destruction → salvation, making him a crucial component in the prophetic unfolding.

Parables and Theological Implications

Yoo Jr., like the lamp in Revelation 1:20, was once a carrier of the truth, but his fading flame is likened to stars that fall from heaven. In SCJ parabolic language:

• Lamp = evangelist or messenger bearing the word (Ps 119:105, Mt 5:15)

• Star = one who gives spiritual light (Dan 12:3, Gen 37:9)

• Falling star = one who abandons truth and leads others into darkness (Rev 8:10–11)

• Prostitute = a religious organization that betrays covenant with God (Rev 17:1–6, Hos 2:2)

His Many Figurative Identities:

1. The Middle Star of the Seven Stars

Yoo Jae-yeol (유재열) is identified within Shincheonji theology as the star —that is, the angel or messenger—of the church in Ephesus, which is the first among the seven churches mentioned in Revelation 1:20 and Revelation 2:1. According to SCJ, each “star” represents a spiritual leader tasked with preparing the way for Jesus’ return. These stars are understood to be literal people through whom the Spirit of God works temporarily during a time of spiritual night. They serve as lamps during the absence of the “greater light”—the Promised Pastor at the Second Coming—just as John the Baptist did before Jesus at the First Coming.

2. The Lamp That Burned First (Early Witness of the Word)

In the symbolic framework of Revelation 1:12–20, the “seven golden lampstands” represent the seven churches, and the “seven stars” in Jesus’ right hand are interpreted as the angels (messengers) of those churches. Shincheonji teaches that Yoo Jae-yeol, as the first star, was a lampstand—bringing limited light during the spiritual night.

In SCJ theology, a lamp symbolizes a person who holds and shines light (the Word of God), though not the complete light. It aligns with John 5:35: “John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.” Likewise, Yoo was perceived to have received revelation from Jesus and was considered a spiritual light, though temporary, just like John the Baptist.

This “lampstand” role ended once the “greater light” appeared—meaning, in their belief, Lee Man-hee was the Promised Pastor who fulfilled the prophecies and brought the complete Word (i.e., open scroll).

3. Samson: A Figure of Strength, Struggle, and Downfall

Yoo Jr. is also figuratively associated with Samson from the Old Testament — a judge of Israel known for his supernatural strength and tragic downfall due to betrayal and compromise. In Shincheonji, this comparison highlights both the spiritual calling and fatal weakness of Yoo Jr. Like Samson, he was set apart, strong, and chosen, but ultimately betrayed his calling. The parable warns that spiritual strength without obedience leads to destruction.

4. The Woman in Revelation 12: The Bride Who Fled into the Wilderness

One of the more unique representations of Yoo Jr. is as the woman clothed with the sun in Revelation 12, who gives birth to a son and escapes into the wilderness to avoid the dragon. While traditionally this figure is often interpreted as Israel or the Church, SCJ reinterprets this woman as a symbolic reference to Yoo Jr. when he fled to the United States to study theology at Westminster Seminary in 1980.

This flight is seen as the wilderness retreat (Revelation 12:6), symbolizing his spiritual hiding or escape during a time of persecution and upheaval in the Tabernacle Temple. His departure is said to fulfill the prophecy that the woman would flee into the desert for “a time, times, and half a time” — a hidden season that also aligns with the 3.5-year prophetic cycle SCJ often invokes.

4. The Star That Fell from Heaven: Apostasy and Wormwood

Yoo Jr., once a spiritual lamp, later became what SCJ refers to as the star that fell from heaven — a reference drawn from Revelation 8:10–11, where the star named Wormwood falls and turns the waters bitter. This “fall” refers to his betrayal by introducing Mr. Oh Pyeong-ho (identified as the Beast from the Earth) into the Tabernacle Temple as a teacher, who later took over the temple and altered its doctrine.

While Wormwood itself is ultimately identified as Mr. Oh, it was Yoo Jr. who brought him in. Thus, his role is seen as facilitating the fall — as someone who turned from light to darkness and initiated the contamination of spiritual waters (symbolizing false teachings corrupting pastors and evangelists).

5. The Prostitute and the Beast: His Spiritual Unfaithfulness

In SCJ’s figurative system, Yoo Jr. is also indirectly tied to the prostitute of Revelation 17 and the beast imagery. Though Mr. Tak and Mr. Oh take on the full identity of the Beast from the Sea and Earth, respectively, Yoo Jr.’s involvement in “handing over” the Tabernacle to them renders him as spiritually adulterous — one who “rides the beast” by aligning with worldly power and theological corruptionSCJ Bible Study 2024 (o….

His betrayal is also depicted as the sun, moon, and stars falling (Revelation 6:12–14), symbolizing the complete collapse of the former heavenly structure, i.e., the Tabernacle TempleAll combined.

6. The Beast from the Earth (Facilitator), Not the Beast Himself

Yoo Jr. is not directly the Beast from the Earth — that title belongs to Mr. Oh — but he becomes the facilitator or gateway through which the beast is introduced. SCJ interprets Revelation 13:11’s beast that looked like a lamb but spoke like a dragon as the ultimate figure of deception. Yoo Jr., in SCJ theology, makes way for this deception by trusting and empowering Mr. Oh.

7. Zerubbabel: Misused Identity

Interestingly, early publications by Yoo Jr. himself described him as Zerubbabel — the temple builder in Zechariah 4. While Shincheonji now condemns his betrayal, his own writing reflects that he once saw himself as a prophetic builder and restorer of God’s house on earth.

These roles evolve from light to darkness, from chosen vessel to betrayer. Each parable and image — star, woman, Samson, lamp, prostitute — maps Yoo Jr.’s transformation from divine favor to judgment, forming the narrative core of Shincheonji’s doctrine of betrayal, destruction, and eventual salvation.

In Shincheonji (SCJ) theology, Yoo Jae-yeol (유재열) plays a significant yet paradoxical role as both a spiritual leader and a symbol of betrayal. Born sometime in the mid-20th century, he would have been in his late 30s to early 40s during the key events between 1980 and 1984. As the head pastor of the Tabernacle Temple—what SCJ allegorically calls “heaven” in Revelation—Yoo Jae-yeol is symbolically represented as the woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars (Revelation 12:1).

Spiritual Significance of the Woman Giving Birth and Fleeing

According to SCJ’s figurative interpretation, Yoo Jae-yeol gave birth spiritually to the male child—interpreted as Lee Man-hee (이만희), the “New John” and overcomer—through the testimony and tribulation within the Tabernacle Temple. When the spiritual “dragon” (Satan) attempted to devour the male child (Revelation 12:4), the woman (Yoo) fled to the wilderness (desert), a place God prepared for her for 1,260 days—interpreted literally as three and a half years (Revelation 12:6). This escape to the desert is said to correspond to Yoo Jae-yeol’s real-life departure to the United States around October 1980, where he reportedly studied theology.

Spiritually, SCJ views this move as the woman being carried away on the wings of an eagle to safety, a parallel drawn from Revelation 12:14. The “desert” is not a literal wasteland but a place without the word, a spiritually dry environment that SCJ associates with Western theological seminaries like WestminsterSCJ Bible Study 2024 (o…. While some reports question whether he truly studied at Westminster Theological Seminary, the allegory remains central to SCJ’s teachings.

The Return of Mr. Yoo and the Mark of the Beast (Revelation 13)

Upon returning from the United States in 1984, Mr. Yoo reappeared during a pivotal moment. SCJ identifies the date September 20, 1981, at 2:00 PM as the historical fulfillment of Revelation 13—the moment when 17 pastors were appointed by Mr. Tak through a single ordination ceremony. On this day, Yoo Jae-yeol, known spiritually as Samson, returned and gave what is called the “special word,” invoking God for strength “one more time”.

In SCJ’s framework, Revelation 13 speaks of the mark of the beast being placed on the right hand and forehead of the people (Revelation 13:16). Figuratively, this means that believers were acknowledging false teachings by raising their right hands (signifying allegiance) and being anointed as pastors by false shepherds (represented by the mark on the forehead). Mr. Yoo’s reappearance at the ordination is interpreted as his full cooperation with the destroyers—thus becoming both an apostate and an agent of destruction in SCJ theology.

Summary of the Figurative Roles

Early Foundations: Yoo Jae-yeol and the Tabernacle Temple

Yoo Jae-yeol (유재열) rose to prominence as the teenage founder of the “Tabernacle Temple” (장막성전) in the late 1960s, a breakaway millenarian sect that would later profoundly shape Shincheonji’s theology[s][s]. Born in 1949, Yoo was inspired by Korea’s burgeoning end-times movements. He initially followed a preacher named Kim Jong-gyu at the Hosaeng (“Prayer Mountain”) Prayer Center, but left in 1966 after witnessing Kim’s sexual liaison with a young female follower[s]. Yoo, then just 17, claimed to have received a divine vision appointing him to a great mission[s]. In March 1966, he established the Tabernacle Temple near Mt. Cheonggye in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province[s]. He cast himself and his family in prophetic roles: Yoo proclaimed he was the “young servant” who had eaten the open scroll of Revelation (an allusion to Revelation 10) and the “Spirit of Truth” counselor promised in John 14:26, while his father Yoo In-gu took the title “King Immanuel” as co-leader[s]. From the start, the Tabernacle Temple centered on apocalyptic prophecy – particularly the Book of Revelation – and extravagant claims about Yoo’s divine appointment[s].

Doomsday Prophecy and Rapid Growth

In 1969, Yoo Jae-yeol galvanized his flock with a bold prediction: the end of the world was imminent, set to occur in September 1969[s]. He preached that only those who gathered in the Tabernacle Temple compound would survive the coming fiery judgment. The prophecy sparked a fervor. By that year, over 2,000 believers had relocated to the sect’s makeshift “refuge” community near the Cheonggye Mountain reservoir in Gwacheon[s]. Entire families quit jobs or school and moved into communal living under Yoo’s guidance, sacrificing everything in hopes of being among the saved. However, September 1969 came and went with no apocalypse. The failed doomsday prophecy began sowing seeds of doubt among followers. Even so, Yoo pressed on – in 1971 the group constructed a new headquarters in Makgye-ri, Gwacheon, doubling down on their end-times mission despite the prophetic embarrassment[s].

This period also brought Lee Man-hee (이만희) into Yoo’s orbit. Lee, a former follower of the “Olive Tree” revivalist sect, joined the Tabernacle Temple around 1967–68 after hearing of Yoo’s burgeoning movement[s]. Lee labored zealously in the commune (even donating all his possessions to the cause) and initially regarded Yoo as a mentor figure. But the failed 1969 prophecy and other troubles soon tested Lee’s loyalty[s][s].

Scandals Uncovered: Fraud, Exploitation and Abuse

By the early 1970s, disillusionment within the Tabernacle Temple was growing. Scandals of financial corruption and abuse began to leak out, drawing scrutiny from authorities and the press[s][s]. In 1971, a group of disgruntled members – Lee Man-hee among them – formally lodged complaints against Yoo and his top leaders[s]. They accused Yoo of swindling devotees and other misdeeds. Lee himself later testified that he had “surrendered all (his) wealth in 1967” to Yoo’s group only to feel utterly defrauded[s]. On September 7, 1971, Lee and another follower filed a lawsuit listing over 40 separate allegations of wrongdoing by Yoo Jae-yeol and his lieutenants[s]. This marked a dramatic public rupture between mentor and protégé – Lee effectively became a whistleblower, turning Yoo’s previously hidden abuses into a matter of record.

Over the next few years, investigations uncovered a shocking pattern of fraud and exploitation at Tabernacle Temple. Prosecutors found that Yoo had amassed a fortune and built himself a luxurious house using devotees’ forced donations and labor[s]. Followers’ homes, farms and even factories had been signed over or mortgaged to the sect under false pretenses, effectively extorting believers’ property on the promise of salvation[s]. Converts were told to obey absolutely and were even denied adequate food – authorities noted an abnormally high death rate in the community, as members toiled under harsh conditions and malnutrition[s]. Financial corruption was accompanied by gross sexual misconduct: Yoo and some of his “elders” “sexually abused female members” of the sect[s]. Ironically, the very man who broke from his own teacher over a sex scandal ended up perpetrating similar abuses. Former insiders recounted that Yoo, who styled himself as the holy “young servant,” took advantage of his charisma and claimed divine authority to prey on vulnerable women in his flock[s]. These accounts of rampant fraud, sexual exploitation, violence, and cultic control blew the lid off the once-secretive group. By 1975, the Tabernacle Temple’s name was splashed in the newspapers amid mounting public outrage.

Criminal Charges and Imprisonment

The accumulating allegations culminated in a police crackdown. In September 1975, the Seoul District Prosecutor’s Office (Yeongdeungpo branch) arrested Yoo Jae-yeol, then 26, along with several associates[s]. Yoo was charged with an array of crimes, including fraud, embezzlement, violence, and even identity theft[s]. Notably, prosecutors also charged him with making false allegations against his own members[s]. This refers to evidence that Yoo’s leadership had retaliated against defectors and critics by framing them or slandering them – essentially using false police reports to silence whistleblowers. Such charges underscore how Yoo attempted to weaponize the law against dissenters within the temple, creating a climate of fear.

During the investigation, grisly details emerged. One prosecutor recalled that “the mortality rate was very high wherever the Tabernacle Temple was located, and all the property of believers was extorted without providing meals”[s]. Investigators described how Yoo had corralled some 2,000 followers into Gwacheon to construct a grand church and his personal villa using their unpaid labor[s]. He and his inner circle seized believers’ homes, land and businesses, leaving many destitute[s]. Female congregants were sexually violated under the guise of spiritual authority[s]. These findings painted a picture of a pseudo-religious fiefdom built on coercion and deceit.

In 1976, Yoo Jae-yeol was convicted on the fraud charges. Reports indicate he initially received a 5-year prison sentence[s]. However, through appeals or clemency, his term was later shortened to roughly two and a half years[s]. (Sources vary: one account notes a 5-year sentence in 1976 that ended up as 2.5 years served[s], while Korean records mention 2.5 years imprisonment with 4 years probation[s].) Regardless, Yoo spent the mid-1970s behind bars for his crimes. The fall of such a young “prophet” – arrested at 26 for fleecing and abusing his flock – became national news in Korea[s]. The Tabernacle Temple sect virtually imploded in the aftermath. Thousands of followers scattered in disillusionment once their “king” was exposed as a fraud[s]. By one estimate, as many as 5,000 devotees left following Yoo’s indictment[s]. Some drifted back to mainstream churches or gave up religion; others gravitated to new fringe groups. Yoo’s once-thriving apocalyptic movement was effectively leaderless and in disarray.

Cover-ups, Counterattacks, and Community Reactions

Prior to his arrest, Yoo Jae-yeol had frantically tried to cover up or justify the scandals as they came to light. Within the temple community, he invoked the classic cult playbook of denial and persecution narrative. By all accounts, Yoo never admitted wrongdoing to his followers. Instead, he portrayed external accusations as “satanic” attacks or lies spread by traitors. When defections grew, Yoo tightened internal discipline – forbidding contact with “worldly” outsiders and urging members to have faith that trials were prophesied. He also demonized those who spoke out. Notably, when Lee Man-hee and others filed suit in 1971, Yoo’s camp retaliated: they lodged false counter-complaints to authorities claiming he was the victim of slander[s]. This resulted in the aforementioned “false allegations” (무고) charge against Yoo – evidence that he attempted to frame or intimidate defectors through legal means[s]. Moreover, Yoo’s indictment for “violence” suggests his enforcers may have physically coerced or threatened individuals who questioned him[s]. Several sources recount that members who doubted Yoo’s teachings were ostracized or harshly disciplined. In sum, Yoo tried to mask the sect’s crimes with spiritual rationalizations and fear tactics: he insisted the faithful must “close ranks” against outside persecution, even as evidence of his corruption became undeniable.

Within the collapsing commune, some loyalists remained in denial, rationalizing that their leader’s imprisonment was a test of faith or fulfillment of prophecy. But many others felt betrayed. Long-time followers who had given their youth and wealth to Yoo saw the revelations as a shattering betrayal of trust. One former member, Elder Kim Dae-won, later labeled Yoo a “spiritual swindler,” concluding that the entire enterprise had been built on lies[s]. The faithful were forced to reconcile how their “Spirit of Truth” could fall so disgracefully. This internal crisis set the stage for significant shifts in allegiance – including Lee Man-hee’s eventual rise as an alternative figure.

Lee Man-hee’s Rift with Yoo: Lawsuits and “Threats”

The relationship between Yoo Jae-yeol and his one-time disciple Lee Man-hee deteriorated rapidly amid the 1969–1971 fiascos. Lee initially was a devoted evangelist in the Tabernacle Temple, but became disenchanted after the failed prophecy and Yoo’s excesses[s]. According to Tak Myeong-hwan’s authoritative account, Lee claimed he “had all his property plundered” by Yoo’s group and saw through the fraud[s]. Lee left the commune around 1970 and returned to his rural hometown for several years[s]. Crucially, Lee Man-hee took action against his former mentor: he was the primary complainant who filed the police report in 1971 that ultimately led to Yoo’s arrest[s]. Contemporary news archives confirm that Lee’s 1971 complaint listed roughly 40 counts of fraud, intimidation (공갈), and other charges against Yoo and even named one of Yoo’s top “angels,” Kim Chang-do, as co-defendant[s]. This legal broadside by Lee and others directly triggered the prosecution that put Yoo behind bars in 1975[s].

Given this history, a natural question arises: Did Yoo Jae-yeol ever threaten Lee Man-hee during or after these events? In the literal sense of personal harm, there is no documented instance of Yoo physically menacing Lee. By the time Yoo was arrested in 1975, Lee had long since distanced himself (living in obscurity in Gyeongsang Province throughout the early ‘70s)[s]. However, indirectly Yoo did lash out against Lee through the courts. Lee’s lawsuit clearly angered Yoo’s camp – as noted, Yoo attempted a counter-suit or false accusations, which may well have targeted Lee among others[s]. Those false charges did not hold up, but they illustrate Yoo’s willingness to legally attack his ex-followers. Additionally, Yoo’s followers likely vilified Lee as a “betrayer” or troublemaker once he defected. Some sources suggest that within the remaining Tabernacle Temple community, Lee was denounced as having “fallen into Satan’s deception” after he left. In effect, Yoo and his loyalists symbolically threatened Lee by branding him an enemy of the faith.

After Yoo’s imprisonment and the dissolution of his sect, there is little evidence of direct contact between the two men. Yoo Jae-yeol, upon release in 1980, abdicated his religious role and eventually emigrated to the United States[s], pursuing business ventures. Lee Man-hee, on the other hand, resurfaced to start Shincheonji by 1984. Yoo did not overtly interfere with Lee’s new group, at least not publicly. If anything, Yoo faded from the religious scene – though decades later in 2020, Korean media rediscovered him as the wealthy “ex-cult leader” living quietly as K-pop star Psy’s father-in-law[s]. By that time, Lee had eclipsed his old mentor, and Yoo showed no interest in revisiting their conflict. In summary, while Yoo legally and rhetorically counter-attacked Lee in the 1970s (with false claims and demonizing rhetoric), there is no record of any physical threat or ongoing intimidation after Yoo’s sect fell apart. Their clash played out primarily in the courtroom and the court of public opinion, rather than through violence.

Collapse of the Tabernacle Temple and Membership Shifts

The organizational fallout from Yoo’s scandals was catastrophic for the Tabernacle Temple. Membership plummeted in the mid-1970s as news of his fraud spread. Many believers simply left in disgust or despair. One contemporary source noted that “5,000 followers… became dispersed” when Yoo was exposed[s]. The once-thriving Gwacheon commune turned into a ghost town. Even Yoo’s inner circle fragmented: some of his seven “angel” co-founders had already defected earlier (for example, Baek Man-bong “Angel Solomon” quit in 1969 and later started his own apocalyptic sect[s]). Those who remained until the end saw their leader led away in handcuffs.

After Yoo’s conviction, the Tabernacle Temple as an entity did not survive long. In March 1980, amid South Korea’s new military regime crackdown on cults, Yoo formally stepped down as the sect’s leader[s]. In a last bid to save the organization, Yoo appointed a mainstream Presbyterian pastor, Oh Pyeong-ho, to take over[s]. The idea was to legitimize the group in the eyes of authorities by bringing it under a traditional denomination’s wing[s]. Pastor Oh promptly incorporated the Tabernacle Temple into the Presbyterian Church, even renaming it the “Church of Isaac”[s]. Effectively, the Tabernacle Temple ceased to exist as an independent cult by 1980. Any remaining members were absorbed into standard Presbyterian congregations under Oh’s guidance, or drifted elsewhere. Yoo Jae-yeol, freshly out of prison in 1980, left Korea for the U.S. in October of that year and “officially dismantled” his church[s]. He reinvented himself as a businessman, distancing from the stigma of his past. (Today, Yoo, now in his mid-70s, lives as a wealthy real estate investor; he reportedly owns a 200 billion KRW building in Seoul and resides in a luxury villa, far removed from his cult leader days[s].)

For those who had once devoted themselves to Yoo, the collapse was traumatic. Some core believers from Tabernacle Temple went on to join Baek Man-bong’s “Re-Creation Church” in the late 1970s (Baek, one of Yoo’s former lieutenants, formed his own splinter sect promising a new Second Coming in 1980)[s]. In fact, Lee Man-hee himself joined Baek’s small group of “Twelve Disciples” in 1977[s], hoping to find the fulfillment that Yoo’s movement failed to deliver. That experiment ended in March 1980 when Baek’s prophecy likewise fizzled out, prompting Lee to break away after yet another disappointment[s]. All these schisms and reshuffles of membership in the wake of Yoo’s downfall set the stage for Shincheonji’s founding. Lee Man-hee gathered a handful of loyal remnants and, in June 1984, officially founded Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony – pointedly referencing the “Tabernacle” in its name as a sort of successor to Yoo’s group[s].

Theological Fallout: Shincheonji’s Narrative of Betrayal and Salvation

Yoo Jae-yeol’s scandals and the demise of the Tabernacle Temple did not merely fade into obscurity – they were rewoven into the very theology of Shincheonji. Lee Man-hee recast the turbulent events he lived through into a providential narrative of “betrayal, destruction, and salvation,” which today remains a central doctrine of Shincheonji[s]. According to Shincheonji teaching, the Bible’s prophecies unfold in a three-part sequence: first God’s chosen “tabernacle” betrays the covenant, then destroyers invade and devastate it, and finally salvation comes through a new leader (the “promised pastor”) who overcomes the betrayal[s].

In this schema, **Yoo Jae-yeol is explicitly cast as the “betrayer”*[s]. Lee asserts that Yoo’s Tabernacle Temple was the “first heaven” that broke the covenant through corruption and falsehood. The very word “betrayal” (배도) in Shincheonji parlance alludes to how Yoo and his followers allegedly “abandoned their promise with God” by succumbing to greed and deception[s]. For instance, in one of Lee Man-hee’s books, he describes the Tabernacle Temple members at the end as having “received the mark on their forehead and right hand” by aligning with secular authorities – a symbolic way to say they betrayed God (invoking Revelation 13)[s]. Yoo’s fall from grace – his fraud, sins and eventual imprisonment – is thus framed as the fulfillment of the prophesied Great Betrayal that must precede the end-times harvest.

Next in the Shincheonji narrative comes “destruction” (멸망). Here the role of the “destroyer” is assigned to Pastor Oh Pyeong-ho and the Stewardship Education Institute that merged with the Tabernacle Temple[s]. Lee teaches that after Yoo (the betrayer) had made the Tabernacle Temple spiritually bankrupt, God allowed outsiders (the “Nicolaitans”) to invade and trample the church for 42 months[s]. This is an allusion to Revelation 11–13, where Gentiles trample the holy city for 42 months and the beast with seven heads (interpreted as seven pastors in Shincheonji) conquers the tabernacle. In Shincheonji’s interpretation, Oh Pyeong-ho and the seven Presbyterian ministers of his Stewardship Center correspond to the “seven heads” of the beast who seized the Tabernacle Temple, turning it into a Presbyterian church (the “Church of Isaac”) for a literal 42 months (early 1980 to late 1983)[s]. Lee labels these men the “Nicolaitan sect”, comparing them to the Balaam-like corrupters of the early church[s]. He asserts that the true reason the Tabernacle Temple fell was this spiritual invasion, rather than merely Yoo’s personal failings. (Notably, outside historians point out that Lee’s version is a revisionist narrative – in reality, it was Lee’s lawsuit and Yoo’s arrest that “destroyed” the Tabernacle Temple[s], but Shincheonji doctrine downplays Lee’s role in toppling Yoo, since labeling Lee as the cause of destruction would contradict his savior role.)

Finally comes “salvation” (구원) – the stage at which Lee Man-hee himself emerges as the victorious overcomer. In Shincheonji’s doctrine, Lee is the one who “overcame” Satan’s agents during those events and established the new spiritual Israel (Shincheonji). After Yoo’s tabernacle betrayed and Pastor Oh’s forces destroyed it, Lee claims he was commissioned by Jesus to create the true Tabernacle of the Testimony[s]. He is often called the “one who overcomes” (이긴자) or the “promised pastor”. Shincheonji teaches that Revelation 2-3’s prophecies of one victorious individual who exposes the falsehood in the church and restores truth were fulfilled in Lee during the early 1980s[s]. In essence, Yoo Jae-yeol’s downfall became the foil that legitimized Lee Man-hee’s ascent. Lee could point to a concrete narrative of how a corrupt ministry (Yoo’s) had betrayed God, how external forces (mainline Christian “destroyers”) obliterated that false tabernacle, and how he – as a lone faithful believer who “persevered” – received new revelation to start fresh. This storyline gave Shincheonji members a powerful mythos of betrayal and redemption, with Yoo as the villain and Lee as the hero.

Within Shincheonji, believers study these events as fulfillment of biblical prophecy. They learn that the “Tabernacle Temple incident” is the modern parallel to events in Revelation: Yoo is equated with the fallen “seven stars” who betrayed, and his sect’s collapse is the “wine of adulteries” and punishment that ensued[s]. Lee Man-hee even wrote open letters in 1980 to the seven pastors of the Tabernacle Temple (echoing Revelation’s seven letters) condemning their betrayal[s]. These letters and stories are treated almost as additional scripture within Shincheonji, reinforcing the doctrine that history unfolded in three stages: betrayal (Yoo), destruction (Oh), and salvation (Lee)[s]. Every Shincheonji member is taught this narrative to understand why their sect is the sole true successor of God’s work. The scandals of Yoo Jae-yeol, far from being buried, have been repurposed as a theological object lesson – a cautionary tale of a failed “messiah” that validates Lee Man-hee’s claim to be the authentic leader who overcame where others fell.

Legacy and Conclusion

The saga of Yoo Jae-yeol is a striking chapter in Korea’s new religious movements. What began with a teenage “messiah” preaching imminent doom evolved into a story of greed, abuse, and disillusionment. Yoo’s crimes – from embezzling devotees’ wealth to sexual assault – eventually landed him in prison in 1975[s]. The once-adored “young servant” left in disgrace, and his Tabernacle Temple disintegrated soon after. Yet, that collapse was not the end of the story. Within Shincheonji’s telling, Yoo’s betrayal was a necessary part of God’s providence, setting the stage for a new spiritual dawn. Lee Man-hee, the protege whom Yoo had allegedly threatened and defrauded, turned those experiences into the foundation of a new doctrine. He portrayed Yoo as a Judas-like figure and himself as the one who “fights and overcomes” the devil’s handiwork[s][s]. This narrative of betrayal and victory proved to be a powerful tool for Lee, helping Shincheonji recruit former Tabernacle members and others by giving meaning to the chaos of the 1970s.

In the broader context, Yoo Jae-yeol’s story also served as a caution to South Korean society about the dangers of unchecked cult leaders. His 1975 arrest was one of the early high-profile cases of a pseudo-Christian cult leader being brought to justice[s]. It foreshadowed similar scandals with other cult figures in Korea in subsequent decades. In fact, government crackdowns on “pseudo-religions” in the early 1980s (under President Chun Doo-hwan’s “social purification” policy) were in part a response to groups like Yoo’s that had caused social harm[s]. The Tabernacle Temple’s commune was demolished to make way for Seoul Grand Park in the 1980s, literally erasing the physical remnants of Yoo’s cult from Gwacheon[s].

Nonetheless, the legacy of Yoo’s misdeeds lives on in Shincheonji’s theology and collective memory. Shincheonji today has over 200,000 members worldwide, all of whom learn about the “betrayal of the Tabernacle” as a foundational truth[s]. Internal Shincheonji materials and sermons often reference Yoo (sometimes indirectly as “the steward who betrayed”) as a warning against corruption and as proof that even a chosen group can fall if not faithful. Lee Man-hee reportedly even uses Yoo’s example to instill obedience – teaching that those who oppose God’s appointed shepherd (Lee) risk the fate of Yoo’s followers who were destroyed.

In recent years, investigative journalists briefly turned the spotlight back on Yoo Jae-yeol, uncovering that he had quietly become very wealthy and had family ties to celebrities[s]. Yet Yoo has given no interviews expressing remorse or explaining his past. To this day, he has never publicly acknowledged any wrongdoing or apologized to his ex-followers. Within Shincheonji, Yoo’s name is spoken of as a byword for betrayal – a man who was given a chance to serve God but succumbed to greed and thus “handed over” his tabernacle to Satan’s minions[s]. In a poetic twist, the mentor who once allegedly threatened to sue or silence Lee Man-hee ended up being the stepping stone for Lee’s emergence. The scandals that Yoo tried to cover up were instead broadcast and immortalized as prophecy fulfilled.

In conclusion, Yoo Jae-yeol’s tale is one of dramatic rise and fall: an 18-year-old self-proclaimed messiah who built a following with promises of paradise, only to be exposed as a fraud and abuser, and ultimately to be recast as the villain in his disciple’s religion. The public became aware of Yoo’s crimes through brave defectors (like Lee) and media exposés in the 1970s, and law enforcement brought him to justice[s]. Yoo’s attempts to hide his misdeeds – from lying to his flock, to countersuing critics, to invoking divine authority for his actions – all crumbled under the weight of evidence. His conviction for fraud and ensuing 2½-year imprisonment in the mid-1970s signaled the end of the Tabernacle Temple experiment[s]. But that end became the beginning of Shincheonji’s narrative. Yoo Jae-yeol’s scandals, ironically, fueled a new religious mythology: one that continues to draw in followers who believe that out of the ashes of Yoo’s “betrayal” came a new, purer movement led by Lee Man-hee, the self-proclaimed victor. The story stands as a sobering reminder of how charismatic leaders can abuse power, and how even their downfall can be spun into a powerful legend by those who follow.

Sources:

• Donga Ilbo archival report, Sep. 1975 (via Naver News Library) – Investigation into the new religious group “Tabernacle Temple”, detailing charges of fraud and abuse en.wikipedia.org.
• Thir.st News (Singapore), Nov. 12, 2020: “What you should know about the alleged cult Shincheonji” – Summary of Shincheonji history (notes Yoo’s 1975 fraud arrest) thirst.sgthirst.sg.
• Wikipedia: “Tabernacle Temple Church” (updated 2024) – Historical overview with references (Yoo’s prophecy, 1975 imprisonment for fraud/embezzlement, etc.) en.wikipedia.org.
• Dispatch (Korea) investigative report, Mar. 23, 2020: “He is Lee Man-hee’s Mentor… The Reality of Yoo Jae-yeol” – Details on Yoo’s cult reign, 40+ charges, 1970s trial, and current life dispatch.co.kr.
• Chosun Ilbo, Mar. 23, 2020: report on Psy’s father-in-law – confirms Lee Man-hee’s 1971 lawsuit accusing Yoo of taking his assets, leading to Yoo’s 1975 conviction for fraud, extortion, and false charges[s][s].
• CDAMM (World Religions & Spirituality Project), 2023: “Shincheonji Church of Jesus” – Background on Lee’s time in Yoo’s sect, Yoo stepping down in 1980 under government pressure cdamm.orgcdamm.org.
• Kukmin Ilbo, Jan. 16, 2020: “Real Reason for Tabernacle Temple’s Collapse? Leader Yoo Jae-yeol Jailed for Fraud” – Investigative column debunking Shincheonji’s narrative, citing 1970s records (Lee’s role in Yoo’s arrest) jesusmedia.tistory.com.
• Elder Kim Dae-won’s testimony (interview, 2017) – first-hand account by a former Tabernacle Temple member, later posted on Reddit, describing Yoo’s prophecy, Lee’s departure and lawsuit, and Shincheonji doctrinal contradictions reddit.com.
• Lee Man-hee’s own writings, e.g. “Concern of the Religious World” and “The Physical Fulfillment of Revelation” – excerpts cited in anti-cult analyses, where Lee interprets Yoo’s fall as “betrayal” and the 42 months of destructionjesusmedia.tistory.com.
• Seoul JoongAng Daily, Mar. 10, 2020: “Gwacheon Tabernacle Temple, 18-year-old leader Yoo, and Lee Man-hee’s Shincheonji” – historical piece on Yoo’s founding of the sect and its influence on Shincheonji en.wikipedia.org.