In the previous thirteen chapters, we’ve systematically dismantled Shincheonji’s theological claims, recruitment deceptions, and manipulative control systems. We’ve examined evidence, analyzed documents, and interviewed former members.

But Chapter 14 is different.

Detective Sarah Kim had spent months examining Shincheonji’s claims from the outside—analyzing their doctrines, reviewing their materials, interviewing those who escaped. But she knew that the most devastating evidence would come from an unexpected source: the very people Shincheonji had cast as villains in their apocalyptic drama.

For hundreds of thousands of Shincheonji members worldwide, names like “Oh Pyung-ho” (오평호) and “Baek Dong-seop” (백동섭) carry apocalyptic weight. They’re taught as the “Beast from the Earth,” the “Seven Heads of the Beast from the Sea,” the “Destroyers” who betrayed God’s work. Their images appear in Shincheonji’s films. Their roles are dissected in Bible study classes. Members are taught to view them as enemies of God.

But Sarah discovered something that would change everything: these weren’t fictional characters in an ancient text. They were real people. With real voices. Real families. And some of them were willing to testify—under oath, facing criminal prosecution for perjury if they lied.

What Sarah uncovered in her investigation was unprecedented:

An informal interview where Pastor Oh calmly dismantled the biographical fabrications taught about him—including claims he studied in Germany and speaks German fluently. His response: “I have never been to Germany. I don’t speak German at all.”

Sworn court testimony from July 7, 2023, where Pastor Oh testified under penalty of perjury: “I have never met Lee Man-hee or even seen him.” The “seven pastors” group never existed. Baek Dong-seop had nothing to do with the Stewardship Education Center. The Tabernacle Temple ceased to exist in 1976—before Lee Man-hee’s claimed 1977-1980 presence there.

A September 2025 Suwon High Court ruling that officially declared Shincheonji’s teaching about Baek Dong-seop being one of the “seven heads” is false and defamatory, ordering them to pay damages.

And perhaps most devastating: Lee Man-hee’s own 1985 book proving his “witnessed fulfillment” has changed. In 1985, he wrote that Oh Pyung-ho was one of the seven heads of the Beast from the Sea. From 2000 onward, he teaches Oh Pyung-ho is the Beast from the Earth. Baek Dong-seop—not mentioned at all in 1985—was suddenly added as one of the seven heads, 15 years after the “witnessed” events.

Sarah compiled everything into a comprehensive case file. This wasn’t interpretation—it was sworn testimony with criminal penalties for lying. This wasn’t opinion—it was a court ruling after examining evidence. This wasn’t hearsay—it was Lee Man-hee’s own published book.

As Sarah closed her investigation report, she wrote one final note: “When a prophetic narrative contradicts sworn testimony, has been ruled false by a court, and changes in the prophet’s own published books—you’re not witnessing fulfillment of prophecy. You’re witnessing systematic fabrication.”

The evidence is documented. The witnesses have testified under oath. The court has ruled.

Now the question is: Will you investigate before it’s too late?

Detective Sarah Kim’s case file begins now.

​​Part 14 

The Beast From The Earth  Who Testified

When Prophecy Meets Perjury

The Moment Truth Speaks Its Own Language

There’s a particular kind of silence that falls when a carefully constructed narrative collapses under the weight of a single conversation. Not the dramatic silence of courtroom revelations or explosive confrontations, but the quiet, almost mundane silence of someone simply telling the truth in a language they were never supposed to speak.

For hundreds of thousands of Shincheonji members worldwide, the name “Oh Pyung-ho” (오평호) carries apocalyptic weight. 

In Shincheonji’s elaborate theological drama, this man is cast as one of the central villains of Revelation—the “Beast from the Earth” with two horns like a lamb who speaks like a dragon. His image appears in their carefully produced films. 

His role is dissected in Bible study classes. His “betrayal” is presented as the fulfillment of 2,000-year-old prophecy.

But there’s a problem with casting someone as a biblical villain: eventually, they might speak for themselves.

And sometimes, their families take you to court.

Detective Sarah Kim’s Investigation: When Prophecy Meets Perjury

Detective Sarah Kim had spent months examining Shincheonji’s claims, but nothing prepared her for what she would discover when she finally tracked down the actual people in their prophetic drama. She had reviewed court documents, examined historical records, and interviewed former members. 

But the breakthrough came when she obtained three critical pieces of evidence:

• An informal interview with Pastor Oh Pyung-ho conducted by a German investigator
• Pastor Oh’s sworn court testimony from July 7, 2023
• The October 2025 appellate court ruling in the Baek Dong-seop defamation case 3, 4

As Sarah listened to the recordings and read through the court documents in her cramped Seoul office, she realized she was witnessing something rare: a prophetic narrative collapsing under the weight of legal scrutiny.

The Interview: When Swiss Chocolate Exposes a Lie

Sarah replayed the first recording, taking careful notes. The German investigator’s voice was warm, almost apologetic:

Investigator: “Welcome, Pastor Oh. I brought you Swiss chocolate today because Shincheonji teaches that you studied Catholic theology in Germany, and that German is one of your fluent languages. I wanted to help you remember those days in Germany…”

Sarah heard Pastor Oh’s surprised laughter through the recording—the genuine sound of someone encountering an absurd fiction about their own life.

Pastor Oh: “I have never been to Germany. I don’t speak German at all. I have a younger brother who lives in Germany—perhaps that’s where the confusion came from—but I personally have never lived there or studied the language. 

I was originally in the United States, where I studied at a Catholic institution and served as a Catholic priest. But Germany? Never.”

The investigator’s shock was palpable even through the recording:

Investigator: “This is genuinely shocking news to me. People around the world know your face and name, and they’ve been taught these specific biographical details as facts. 

So you never studied Catholic theology in Germany?”

Pastor Oh: “Never. Not at all.”

Sarah paused the recording. This wasn’t a minor discrepancy—it was a complete fabrication taught as fact to hundreds of thousands of students. She made a note: “Biographical details invented to support narrative. Question: What else is fabricated?”

But it was the next part of the conversation that revealed the deeper theological problem:

Investigator: “Pastor Oh, these words written 2,000 years ago in Revelation 13—Shincheonji teaches that they refer to you. 

That 350,000 members worldwide believe you are this ‘Beast from the Earth’ described in Scripture. How do you respond to being cast in this role?”

Pastor Oh’s response was immediate and carried the weight of decades studying proper biblical interpretation:

Pastor Oh: “Connecting Scripture to a specific individual person in this way is a fundamentally flawed method of biblical interpretation. 

The very act of associating me with Revelation 13 is itself an error. I want to make this absolutely clear: viewing me as some predetermined figure in Scripture is wrong, mistaken, and frankly, heretical.”

Sarah highlighted this in her notes. 

This wasn’t just Pastor Oh defending himself—it was a trained biblical scholar identifying a hermeneutical error that undermined Shincheonji’s entire interpretive system.

The Court Testimony: When Truth Takes an Oath

The second recording was different in tone—formal, legal, precise. Sarah had obtained the audio from the July 7, 2023 court hearing where Pastor Oh testified under oath in a defamation case against Lee Man-hee.

She listened as the judge administered the oath, his voice carrying the gravity of legal proceedings:

Judge: “Obviously, you have no relationship with the plaintiff, correct? You’re not related by blood or marriage? Before you testify under oath, I need to make something very clear: If you testify differently from your actual memory, if you claim to remember something you don’t actually remember, or if you testify about something you only heard about as if you personally experienced it—all of these constitute perjury. If you commit perjury after taking this oath, you can be criminally prosecuted. 

Do you understand?”

Sarah paused the recording to make a note. This was crucial context that Shincheonji members needed to understand. 

In Korean legal proceedings, the oath carries serious weight. Perjury isn’t a theoretical risk—it’s a criminal offense that can result in imprisonment.

Pastor Oh: “I understand.”

Judge: “Please read the oath. Please be seated. Listen carefully to the questions and answer them briefly and truthfully. Only state facts.”

What followed was a systematic dismantling of Shincheonji’s entire Tabernacle Temple narrative.

The Timeline That Doesn’t Work

Attorney: “When did you enter the Tabernacle Temple in Gwacheon Makgye-ri?”

Pastor Oh: “Around February 1975.”

Attorney: “When did you leave?”

Pastor Oh: “I didn’t leave. I entered and reformed it from within.”

Attorney: “After the reform, the Tabernacle Temple changed to Isaac Church, correct? When did you leave after that?”

 “I entered the Tabernacle Temple in 1975, removed all the signs, and from 1976 onward, the Tabernacle Temple as such ceased to exist.”

Sarah made a note: “Tabernacle Temple ended in 1976 according to sworn testimony. Shincheonji claims Lee Man-hee was there 1977-1980. 

Timeline doesn’t match.”

Attorney: “So from 1976, the Tabernacle Temple itself disappeared?”

Pastor Oh: “It disappeared.”

Attorney: “Then what was it called from that time?”

Pastor Oh: “At that time, I named it the Christian Isaac Church of the Republic of Korea. In 1976, we joined the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Hapdong).”

The Reform: Why Pastor Oh Entered

Attorney: “What was your reason for entering the Tabernacle Temple?”

Pastor Oh: “I entered to properly guide their faith.”

Attorney: “What problems did you see in the Tabernacle Temple?”

Pastor Oh: “I don’t know the problems well.”

Attorney: “But to attempt reform, there must have been some problems that motivated you?”

Pastor Oh: “Their faith was not biblical. They were idolizing and deifying human beings. So I entered to properly guide them. At that time, I was a professor at a theological seminary. From the position of a teacher, I told everyone to ‘follow me, follow Dr. Oh Pyung-ho,’ and I led them by example.”

Sarah noted the irony: Shincheonji accused Pastor Oh of creating an “image to worship,” yet his sworn testimony revealed he entered specifically to stop the worship of human beings—the exact problem Shincheonji itself perpetuates with Lee Man-hee.

Attorney: “There were many newspaper articles about the Tabernacle Temple. Did you hear about the problems there?”

Pastor Oh: “At that time, a person named Yoo Jae-yeol was accused and arrested, and I remember that incident. I believe it was in 1975.”

This confirmed what Sarah had found in historical records: Yoo Jae-yeol, the founder of the Tabernacle Temple, was arrested in 1975 for fraud and other charges—before Lee Man-hee supposedly arrived.

Photo from Wikipedia

The Seven Stars That Weren’t

The attorney moved to a crucial detail in Shincheonji’s narrative—the “seven stars” that supposedly adorned the Tabernacle Temple building:

Attorney: “Were there seven stars attached to the exterior of the Tabernacle Temple building?”

Pastor Oh: “On the church cornerstone, the names of seven angels were written. So I removed all of that and changed it.”

Attorney: “Were there seven stars on the building exterior?”

Pastor Oh: “There were no stars.”

Attorney: “No stars? You’re saying there were no stars on the church building exterior?”

Pastor Oh: “No, there were no stars.”

Sarah paused the recording. Shincheonji’s films and teaching materials prominently featured images of seven stars on the Tabernacle Temple building—a key visual element in their prophetic interpretation. 

Yet under oath, Pastor Oh testified that no such stars existed. The names of seven angels were written on the cornerstone (which he removed), but the dramatic seven stars that appear in Shincheonji’s materials? Fabricated.

She made a note: “Visual evidence in SCJ materials contradicts sworn testimony. Films contain dramatizations presented as historical fact.”

The Witness Who Wasn’t There

The attorney then presented evidence about a witness Shincheonji had used to support their narrative:

Attorney: “I’d like to present Exhibit 37. This is Mr. Kim O-tae, who claims he was at the Tabernacle Temple. Do you know this person?”

Pastor Oh: “I don’t know him. He’s a complete stranger to me.”

Attorney: “According to Mr. Kim O-tae’s testimony, he joined in 1973 and was at the Tabernacle Temple for about 10 years. He claims he was always recognized because of his small build and because he always wore a beret and pants with stars on them. He says his hairstyle has been the same for 30 years, so anyone who was at the Tabernacle Temple would recognize him. What do you say?”

Pastor Oh: “I’m seeing him for the first time now. After 1975, I remember almost everyone who came to the Tabernacle Temple. I still remember them because I had to pray for each soul individually. But this person—I have absolutely no idea who he is.”

Sarah highlighted this exchange. Shincheonji had presented a witness who claimed to have been at the Tabernacle Temple for a decade, yet the man who actually led the place during that period—under oath, facing perjury charges if he lied—testified he had never seen this person.

Pattern recognition: Shincheonji presents witnesses whose testimony cannot be verified or directly contradicts sworn testimony from actual participants.

The Military Raid That Never Happened

Attorney: “Did the special forces come to the Tabernacle Temple and drag Mr. Kim O-tae and many others to the Sangcheon Training Center?”

Pastor Oh: “No such thing ever happened.”

Sarah had seen this dramatic scene in Shincheonji’s film about the Tabernacle Temple—armed soldiers raiding the church, dragging members away. It was presented as historical fact, evidence of persecution and fulfillment of prophecy.

Under oath, Pastor Oh testified: “No such thing ever happened.”

She made a note: “Dramatic events in SCJ films have no basis in sworn testimony from actual participants. Question: How much of their ‘fulfillment’ narrative is cinematic fiction?”

The Meeting That Never Occurred

Then came the most devastating testimony:

Attorney: “Did Shincheonji Chairman Lee Man-hee ever come to the Tabernacle Temple after 1977, coming up from Cheongdo to Seoul?”

Pastor Oh: “He never came.”

Attorney: “Never? Did you ever meet Chairman Lee Man-hee and have theological disputes with him about biblical doctrine?”

Pastor Oh: “I have never met him or even seen him.”

Attorney: “Never met or seen him?”

Pastor Oh: “Never.”

Sarah stopped the recording. This was the nuclear bomb that obliterated Shincheonji’s entire foundation. 

Lee Man-hee’s authority rests entirely on his claim that he was at the Tabernacle Temple from 1977-1980, witnessing the fulfillment of Revelation. 

But under oath, Pastor Oh testified: “I have never met him or even seen him.”

The Phantom Pastor: Baek Dong-seop and the Changing Narrative

Then the attorney asked about a figure prominently featured in Shincheonji’s narrative:

Attorney: “Do you know the late Pastor Baek Dong-seop?”

Pastor Oh: “I don’t know him at all.”

Attorney: “You don’t know him at all? You established the Stewardship Education Center and oversaw everything there, but you don’t know Pastor Baek Dong-seop at all?”

Pastor Oh: “He has absolutely nothing to do with the Stewardship Education Center.”

Attorney: “Did Pastor Baek Dong-seop ever come to the Tabernacle Temple against its will and invade it?”

Pastor Oh: “Absolutely not.”

Attorney: “On September 20, 1981, there was a pastoral ordination ceremony, correct? Did Pastor Baek Dong-seop attend that ordination ceremony?”

Pastor Oh: “He did not attend.”

Attorney: “According to testimony from Shincheonji member Kim O-tae, on September 20, 1981, at the pastoral ordination ceremony, Pastor Baek Dong-seop attended and not only performed the laying on of hands but also gave the representative prayer. What do you say?”

Pastor Oh: “That’s completely false.”

Sarah made a note and then pulled out another document—one that would prove even more devastating to Shincheonji’s narrative.

The Court Case That Changed Everything

Sarah opened the file on the Baek Dong-seop defamation lawsuit. 

The late Pastor Baek’s son had sued Shincheonji and Lee Man-hee for defamation of the deceased, claiming that Shincheonji falsely taught that his father was “one of the seven members of the former Stewardship Education Center, and is one of the physical fulfillments of the ‘destroyer with seven heads and ten horns’ from the Book of Revelation” 3.

The case had gone through multiple hearings. Sarah reviewed the key points from the court documents and Korean news reports 4, 5, 6:

The Plaintiff’s Claim:

• Shincheonji taught in centers and internal education programs that Pastor Baek Dong-seop was one of the “seven pastors” from the Stewardship Education Center
• They identified him as one of the “seven heads” of the Beast from the Sea in Revelation
• They labeled him a “destroyer” who destroyed the First Tabernacle
• This teaching defamed a deceased person who had no connection to these events ,

Shincheonji’s Defense (which Sarah found remarkable):

• Shincheonji COMPLETELY DENIED ever teaching that the seven heads were the seven pastors from the Stewardship Education Center
• They denied ever teaching that Baek Dong-seop was one of these destroyers
• They claimed this was all a misunderstanding

Sarah almost laughed at the audacity. She had obtained Shincheonji’s own training materials, videos from multiple years, and textbooks—all clearly teaching exactly what they were now denying in court 7, 8.

Then she read the final ruling, reported by multiple Korean news outlets in September 2025:

The appellate court overturned the original verdict and ruled in favor of the plaintiff, recognizing Shincheonji’s liability for damages 4, 5, 6.

According to the Kookmin Ilbo (국민일보) report dated September 18, 2025: “The court found that Shincheonji repeatedly educated [members] with content that differed from the facts regarding a pastor at the level of the denomination’s general assembly president, thereby defaming his reputation, and ordered them to cease this and pay consolation money to the bereaved family” 4.

The court had found that Shincheonji DID defame the deceased Pastor Baek Dong-seop by falsely teaching he was one of the “destroyers” mentioned in Revelation 3, 4, 5.

Sarah sat back in her chair. A Korean court—after examining evidence, hearing testimony, and reviewing Shincheonji’s own materials—had officially ruled that Shincheonji’s prophetic narrative was defamatory fabrication.

The Doctrine That Keeps Changing: Lee Man-hee’s Own Books Prove It

But Sarah’s investigation revealed something even more disturbing. She had obtained training videos and textbooks from different years, including Lee Man-hee’s own published books, and what she discovered was shocking: Shincheonji’s “fulfillment” narrative had changed multiple times 1, 2, 7, 8.

She created a timeline of the doctrine changes based on documented sources:

1985 – Lee Man-hee’s Book “The True Reality of Revelation, the Secrets of Heaven” (계시의 실상 비밀):

The “Seven Heads” of the Beast from the Sea (the Destroyers):

• Principal
• Vice Principal
• Secretary General
• Administrative General (Oh Pyung-ho) ← Pastor Oh was one of the seven heads 1
• Secretary
• Lecturer
• Director

The book explicitly stated on page 196: 

“This group of the destroyers consisted of people whose titles were self-given. 

These were the Principal, Vice Principal, Secretary General, Administrative General [Mr. Oh], Secretary, Lecturer, and Director. These seven individuals use their authority from their title to overtake the First Tabernacle.” 1

Sarah made a note: “This is Lee Man-hee’s own book, published in 1985, with his name as the author. He explicitly taught that Oh Pyung-ho was one of the seven heads of the Beast from the Sea—not the Beast from the Earth as he teaches today.”

Additional note from the Reddit documentation: “That book he is referring to is ‘Shintan.’ And the authors of that book are two other people that wrote on behalf of LMH. However, other books he wrote, mentioned in Part 1, is indeed written by LMH, and it clearly says that the author is ‘Lee Man Hee.'”

1996 – Training Video by Yoon X Hwan (Former Head of Education Department, one of the “Seven Spirits”):

Still teaching that Oh Pyung-ho was the “Administrative General” and one of the seven heads of the Beast from the Sea 7.

2000 – The Doctrine Changed Dramatically

Suddenly, the “Seven Heads” became:

• Tak Sung-hwan (Principal)
• Baek Dong-seop (Chairman) ← Newly added 7
• Kim Jong-du (Vice Principal)
• Kim Bong-gwan (Secretary General)
• Han Eui-tak (Secretary)
• Won Seh-ho (Lecturer)
• Tak Myung-hwan (Sponsor)

Beast from the Earth: Oh Pyung-ho (Administrative General) ← Moved from Beast of Sea to Beast of Earth 1, 7

2017, 2021 – Training Videos:

Continued teaching the revised version with Baek Dong-seop as one of the seven heads and Oh Pyung-ho as the Beast from the Earth 7, 8.

Sarah’s Critical Analysis: The Implications of Doctrinal Changes

Sarah highlighted the implications in her notes:

“Lee Man-hee claims:

• He witnessed the fulfillment of Revelation firsthand
• Jesus opened the scroll and revealed the physical realities to him
• He only testifies to what he has ‘seen and heard’
• His testimony is the revealed word of God

But his own published book from 1985 proves:

• He taught Oh Pyung-ho was one of the seven heads (Beast from the Sea)
• He made NO mention of Baek Dong-seop in the 1985 fulfillment
• In 2000, he changed the doctrine completely
• He moved Oh Pyung-ho from Beast of Sea to Beast of Earth
• He added Baek Dong-seop as one of the seven heads (someone who had no connection to the events, as sworn testimony and court ruling confirm) , “

She wrote in her notes:

Critical Questions:

• If Jesus revealed the fulfillment to Lee Man-hee in 1985, why did it change in 2000?
• If Lee Man-hee witnessed these events firsthand, why does his testimony about WHO fulfilled the roles keep changing?
• If this is “revealed word from God,” why does it need to be revised 15 years later?
• If Baek Dong-seop wasn’t part of the original 1985 fulfillment that Lee Man-hee “witnessed,” how can he suddenly become one of the seven heads in 2000?
• Did Jesus come back in 2000 and say “Oops, my bad! Here’s the ACTUAL fulfillment”?
• Or did Lee Man-hee never witness any fulfillment and has been fabricating the narrative all along?

The Stewardship Education Center: Legitimate Ministry vs. Prophetic Fiction

The attorney continued with questions about another element of Shincheonji’s narrative:

Attorney: “Do you know the Stewardship Education Center?”

Pastor Oh: “I established the Stewardship Education Center in 1975 together with my friends.”

Attorney: “What was the Stewardship Education Center for, and why did you establish it?”

Pastor Oh: “In 1 Peter 4:10, there’s mention of ‘good stewards.’ I established the Stewardship Education Center to re-educate all people with responsibilities in the church community—pastors, deacons, elders, everyone.”

Attorney: “Is the Stewardship Education Center an organization representing all Christian churches?”

Pastor Oh: “No, it’s not a representative organization. It’s an educational institution I established to help train church leaders properly.”

Sarah noted how Shincheonji had taken this legitimate educational ministry and woven it into their prophetic narrative, assigning it apocalyptic significance it never had. 

Pastor Oh had simply established a training center for church leaders—a common practice in Korean Christianity. Shincheonji transformed it into a prophetic fulfillment.

The Critical Question: When Lying Is Called “Wisdom”

Sarah turned off the recordings and reviewed her notes. The pattern was unmistakable:

Shincheonji’s Claims vs. Sworn Testimony:

Every single major claim—fabricated or contradicted by sworn testimony.

But Sarah knew the deeper issue wasn’t just the false claims. 

It was the theological trap that Shincheonji had created for its own members.

She opened her case file to Chapter 11’s documentation of Shincheonji’s “Wisdom of Hiding” doctrine—the explicit teaching that deception is spiritually wise:

• Deceive: Tell people what they want to hear to recruit them
• Deny: Refuse to acknowledge Shincheonji affiliation when questioned
• Revise: Change the narrative when previous claims are exposed

The “Seven Pastors” Who Never Existed

Sarah then reviewed Pastor Oh’s sworn testimony about the Stewardship Education Center:

Attorney: “Have you heard Shincheonji claim that the Stewardship Education Center’s seven pastors invaded the Tabernacle Temple for 42 months and fed them poison?”

Pastor Oh: “I have absolutely no idea what that means.”

Attorney: “Were there about seven pastors affiliated with the Stewardship Education Center?”

Pastor Oh: “No. There was no such thing as ‘seven’ in the Stewardship Education Center. I had friends like Tak Myung-hwan and Kim Jong-du, and when we held seminars, we could invite other pastors. 

But there was no set number.”

Attorney: “So there was never a set number of pastors affiliated with the Stewardship Education Center?”

Pastor Oh: “The very concept of ‘affiliation’ with the Stewardship Education Center doesn’t exist.”

Sarah made a note: “The ‘seven pastors’ from the Stewardship Education Center—the central figures in Shincheonji’s fulfillment of the ‘seven heads’—never existed as a group. 

This is sworn testimony from the man who actually established and ran the Stewardship Education Center.”

The Baek Dong-seop Problem: Court-Confirmed Fabrication

Then there was the matter of Baek Dong-seop himself. Sarah reviewed the evidence:

What Shincheonji Teaches (2000-present):

• Baek Dong-seop was Chairman of the Stewardship Education Center
• He was one of the “seven pastors” who invaded the Tabernacle Temple
• He was one of the “seven heads” of the Beast from the Sea
• He was a “destroyer” who destroyed the First Tabernacle
• He attended the 1981 ordination ceremony and performed laying on of hands 7, 9

What Pastor Oh Testified Under Oath:

• “I don’t know him at all”
• “He has absolutely nothing to do with the Stewardship Education Center”
• “He did not attend” the ordination ceremony
• The claim that he performed laying on of hands is “completely false”

What the Court Ruled (October 2025):

• Shincheonji’s teaching about Baek Dong-seop is defamatory and false
• Shincheonji is liable for damages
• The narrative about Baek Dong-seop being one of the “destroyers” is fabricated 3, 4, 5, 6

Sarah wrote in bold letters: “A Korean court has officially ruled that Shincheonji’s prophetic narrative about Baek Dong-seop is false and defamatory. This isn’t a matter of interpretation—it’s a legal finding based on evidence.”

The Devastating Pattern: A Comprehensive Chart

Sarah compiled all the evidence into a comprehensive chart:

Shincheonji’s Claims vs. Documented Facts:

Sarah added a note: “Not only are the claims false, but the ‘fulfillment’ narrative has changed multiple times. If Lee Man-hee truly witnessed these events, why does his testimony keep changing?”

The Critical Question: When Lying Is Called “Wisdom”

Sarah opened her case file to Chapter 11’s documentation of Shincheonji’s “Wisdom of Hiding” doctrine—the explicit teaching that deception is spiritually wise.

She wrote in her investigation notes:

“The Logical Trap: If an organization openly teaches that lying is ‘wisdom,’ how can members trust anything they’re told? Consider:

• They lied during recruitment (hiding identity, using front organizations)
• They fabricated Pastor Oh’s biography (German education)
• They invented a group that never existed (the ‘seven pastors’)
• They featured Baek Dong-seop as a central villain (court ruled this was defamatory fabrication) 3, 4
• They changed their ‘fulfillment’ narrative multiple times (Oh Pyung-ho moved from Beast of Sea to Beast of Earth) 1, 7
• They claim Lee Man-hee witnessed events (sworn testimony: he was never there)
• When they denied in court that they ever taught Baek Dong-seop was one of the seven heads—despite their own training videos and textbooks proving otherwise—they demonstrated that they will lie even under legal scrutiny 4, 7.

So when they tell you Lee Man-hee is the promised pastor, that the 144,000 is being fulfilled, that you must stay to be saved—how do you know this isn’t just more ‘wisdom of hiding’?”

The Curse You Cannot Afford to Ignore

Sarah included the most serious warning—one that Shincheonji itself teaches:

Revelation 22:18-19: “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.”

She wrote:

“Shincheonji uses this passage to keep members from questioning. But consider what they’ve added to Revelation:

• Specific Korean individuals as prophetic figures (not in the text)
• A ‘seven pastors’ group that never existed (sworn testimony)
• A ’42 months’ timeline that never happened (sworn testimony)
• Baek Dong-seop as a destroyer (court ruled this was false) 3, 4
• Elaborate fulfillment narratives that contradict sworn testimony
• Details that have changed multiple times over the years 1, 7, 8

If Shincheonji’s interpretation is the one adding to Revelation, and you promote it, aren’t you participating in the very curse you’re trying to avoid?

The court has ruled their narrative about Baek Dong-seop is false 3, 4. 

Sworn testimony proves their narrative about Pastor Oh is false. Their own books and training videos prove they’ve changed their ‘fulfillment’ narrative multiple times 1, 7.

If you continue to believe and promote this fabricated narrative, you’re not avoiding the curse of Revelation 22:18-19—you’re participating in it.”

The Court Ruling: When the Legal System Confirms the Lie

Sarah prepared a special section of her report on the court ruling:

The Significance of the October 2025 Ruling:

In October 2025, the appellate court issued a ruling that should shake every Shincheonji member to their core. According to multiple Korean news sources, the court found that 3, 4, 5, 6:

• Shincheonji DID teach that Baek Dong-seop was one of the “seven heads” and a “destroyer”
• This teaching was defamatory and false
• Shincheonji is liable for damages
• The appellate court overturned the original verdict that had favored Shincheonji

The Kookmin Ilbo reported: “According to the judgment obtained exclusively by Kookmin Ilbo, the court found that in internal lectures and sermons of Shincheonji, [they taught] that ‘Pastor Baek Dong-seop received money and gave ordination to 17 unqualified people'” 4.

This wasn’t a theological debate. This wasn’t a matter of interpretation. This was a legal finding based on evidence.

What This Means:

When Shincheonji denied in court that they ever taught Baek Dong-seop was one of the seven heads, they were lying. The court examined their own training materials, videos, and textbooks—and ruled that they DID teach this 4, 7.

When the court ruled this teaching was defamatory, they were saying it was FALSE. Not just offensive, but factually untrue.

The Implications:

• If the court found that Shincheonji’s teaching about Baek Dong-seop was false, what does that say about their other “fulfillment” claims?
• If they lied in court about what they teach, what else are they lying about?
• If their “fulfillment” narrative about the “seven heads” is false (as the court ruled), then their entire interpretation of Revelation 13 and 17 collapses.

For Shincheonji Members:

You’ve been taught that Baek Dong-seop was one of the seven heads, one of the destroyers, a fulfillment of Revelation prophecy 7, 9.

A court has ruled this is false 3, 4.

You’ve been taught that this fulfillment proves Lee Man-hee is the promised pastor.

But if the fulfillment is false, what does that say about Lee Man-hee’s claims?

And Lee Man-hee’s own 1985 book proves he changed the fulfillment narrative—Baek Dong-seop wasn’t even mentioned in the original “witnessed” events .

The Doctrine Changes: When “Fulfillment” Keeps Changing

Sarah created a detailed analysis of the doctrine changes based on documented sources:

The Problem with Changing “Fulfillment”:

Lee Man-hee claims:

• Jesus opened the sealed scroll and revealed the fulfillment to him
• He witnessed the events of Revelation firsthand
• He only testifies to what he has “seen and heard”
• His testimony is the revealed word of God

But the evidence from his own published books shows 1, 2, 7, 8:

• In 1985, he taught Oh Pyung-ho was one of the seven heads (Beast from the Sea)
• In 2000, he changed this and taught Oh Pyung-ho was the Beast from the Earth
• In 2000, he added Baek Dong-seop as one of the seven heads (someone who had no connection to the events)
• He has changed the date of when he “ate the scroll” five different times

Critical Questions:

• If Jesus revealed the fulfillment to Lee Man-hee, why did it change?
• If Lee Man-hee witnessed these events, why does his testimony about WHO fulfilled the roles keep changing?
• If this is “revealed word,” why does it need to be revised?
• If Baek Dong-seop wasn’t originally part of the fulfillment (not mentioned until 2000), how can he be a prophetic figure?

The Only Logical Conclusions:

Either:

• Jesus showed Lee Man-hee the wrong fulfillment initially (which means Jesus made a mistake)
• The angel delivered the wrong message (which means the angel is unreliable)
• Lee Man-hee misunderstood what he saw (which means he’s not a reliable witness)
• Or Lee Man-hee never witnessed any fulfillment and has been fabricating the narrative all along, changing it as needed

Why the Oath Matters

Sarah knew many Shincheonji members might dismiss Pastor Oh’s testimony as just another “outside source” or “spiritual poison.” So she prepared a section of her report specifically addressing why sworn court testimony carries special weight:

Understanding Korean Court Testimony:

In Korean legal proceedings, testifying under oath isn’t a formality—it’s a serious legal commitment with criminal consequences for falsehood. When Pastor Oh took the oath on July 7, 2023, he was:

• Warned explicitly by the judge about perjury consequences
• Informed that claiming to remember something he doesn’t, or testifying about hearsay as personal experience, constitutes perjury
• Subject to criminal prosecution if found to have lied
• Facing potential imprisonment for perjury

This means Pastor Oh had every legal incentive to tell the truth and severe consequences for lying. He wasn’t giving opinions or interpretations—he was stating facts about his own life and experiences, facts that could be verified or contradicted by documentary evidence.

Compare this to Shincheonji’s teachings, which are:

• Not given under oath or legal penalty
• Not subject to verification (members discouraged from investigating)
• Protected by information control (outside sources labeled “poison”)
• Revised when convenient without acknowledgment

Question for Shincheonji members: Which source is more reliable—sworn testimony under penalty of perjury, or teachings from an organization that explicitly practices “wisdom of hiding”?

The Timeline That Doesn’t Work

Sarah created a timeline comparing Shincheonji’s claims with documented facts:

The Tabernacle Temple Timeline:

1966-1975: Tabernacle Temple operates under Yoo Jae-yeol’s leadership

1975 (February): Pastor Oh enters to reform the group

1975: Yoo Jae-yeol arrested for fraud (documented in news reports and court records)

1976: Tabernacle Temple name removed, becomes Isaac Church, joins Presbyterian denomination (Pastor Oh’s sworn testimony)

1977-1980: Shincheonji claims Lee Man-hee was at Tabernacle Temple during these years

The Problem: According to sworn testimony, the Tabernacle Temple ceased to exist in 1976—before Lee Man-hee supposedly arrived in 1977.

Additional Problem: Pastor Oh testified under oath that he never met or saw Lee Man-hee, contradicting Shincheonji’s claim that Lee Man-hee witnessed Pastor Oh’s role and actions firsthand.

Sarah highlighted this in her notes: “Shincheonji’s entire prophetic narrative requires Lee Man-hee to have been present at the Tabernacle Temple. Sworn testimony from the person who actually led the place during that period states: (1) The Tabernacle Temple ended before Lee Man-hee supposedly arrived, and (2) Pastor Oh never met or saw Lee Man-hee. This isn’t a matter of interpretation—it’s a factual impossibility.”

The Hermeneutical Error: When People Become Prophecy

Sarah returned to Pastor Oh’s theological critique from the informal interview. This wasn’t just about biographical facts—it was about a fundamental error in how Shincheonji reads Scripture:

Pastor Oh’s Statement: “Connecting Scripture to a specific individual person in this way is a fundamentally flawed method of biblical interpretation. The very act of associating me with Revelation 13 is itself an error. I want to make this absolutely clear: viewing me as some predetermined figure in Scripture is wrong, mistaken, and frankly, heretical.”

Sarah had consulted with biblical scholars while preparing her investigation. They confirmed Pastor Oh’s assessment: Throughout Christian history, legitimate biblical interpretation has recognized that while Scripture contains prophecies about specific individuals (the Messiah, certain kings, prophets), these are clearly identified within the biblical text itself through explicit divine revelation.

The prophets didn’t retroactively assign prophetic identities to their contemporaries based on selective events. They received direct revelation from God identifying specific individuals.

But Shincheonji’s method does exactly what Pastor Oh identified as flawed:

• Take historical events
• Select certain details while ignoring others
• Assign prophetic identities to real people without their consent
• Fabricate supporting details when necessary
• Claim this “fulfillment” proves divine authority

Sarah’s conclusion: “When your prophetic interpretation requires fabricating biographical details about real people, inventing dramatic events that never occurred, and claiming someone was present when sworn testimony says they weren’t—you’re not discovering fulfillment. You’re manufacturing it.”

The Silence That Speaks Volumes

Sarah noted Pastor Oh’s observation from the interview: “Many people have told me about these claims, but interestingly, I’ve never once heard this directly from Shincheonji members themselves.”

This strategic silence revealed the information control system at work:

• Shincheonji teaches extensively about Pastor Oh as a prophetic figure
• They show his image in films and study materials
• They assign him a central role in their theological drama
• But they never encourage members to actually speak with him

Why? Sarah knew the answer: Because direct conversation immediately exposes the fabrications.

The German investigator discovered this within minutes. He had been taught “facts” about Pastor Oh’s life—details presented with absolute certainty. Yet simple conversation revealed they were complete fiction.

This is why high-control groups create information barriers. It’s why Shincheonji warns against “spiritual poison” from outside sources. It’s why they discourage independent research and direct verification.

Truth welcomes investigation. Deception requires isolation.

The Human Cost of Prophetic Identity Theft

Sarah thought about the human dimension of this case. Pastor Oh Pyung-ho wasn’t a character in a screenplay—he was a real person whose life had been hijacked for someone else’s narrative:

The Real Pastor Oh:

• Biblical scholar with advanced degrees
• Former Catholic priest turned Protestant pastor
• Studied ancient languages (Latin, Hebrew, Akkadian, cuneiform)
• Established educational ministry for church leaders
• Entered Tabernacle Temple to reform it from cult-like practices

Shincheonji’s Fictional “Oh Pyung-ho”:

• Studied in Germany (false)
• Speaks fluent German (false)
• The “Beast from the Earth” of Revelation 13
• Met and disputed with Lee Man-hee (false—sworn testimony: never met)
• Created an “image” for worship
• Central villain in apocalyptic drama

Imagine discovering that hundreds of thousands of people worldwide have been taught a fabricated version of your life. That your face appears in films depicting you as a biblical villain. That your name is synonymous with betrayal and destruction in a theological system you never endorsed.

And you can’t even correct the record because the organization has isolated its members from any contact with you.

Sarah made a note: “This is prophetic identity theft—using real people’s lives without consent to support unauthorized claims to authority.”

The Perjury Problem: Multiple Testimonies Under Oath

Sarah noted a critical issue:

Conflicting Sworn Testimonies:

In the court proceedings, Shincheonji member Kim O-tae testified under oath that Baek Dong-seop attended the 1981 ordination ceremony and performed the laying on of hands.

Pastor Oh testified under oath that Baek Dong-seop did not attend and the claim is “completely false.”

One of them committed perjury.

Both testified under oath. Both faced criminal penalties for lying. Their testimonies directly contradict each other.

The court ruled in favor of Pastor Oh’s testimony and against Shincheonji’s narrative 3, 4.

What This Means:

Either Kim O-tae lied under oath to support Shincheonji’s narrative, or Pastor Oh lied under oath.

Given that:

• Pastor Oh has no motive to lie (he gains nothing from denying Baek Dong-seop’s attendance)
• Kim O-tae has strong motive to support Shincheonji’s narrative (he’s a current member)
• The court ruled in favor of Pastor Oh’s version
• Pastor Oh’s testimony is consistent with all other evidence
• Baek Dong-seop is not mentioned in Lee Man-hee’s 1985 book at all

The logical conclusion: Kim O-tae committed perjury to support a false narrative.

This raises the question: How many other Shincheonji members would lie under oath to protect the organization’s narrative?

The Human Cost: Defaming the Dead

Sarah thought about the human dimension of the case. Baek Dong-seop had passed away, unable to defend himself against the false narrative Shincheonji created about him 3, 9.

His son had to take legal action to clear his father’s name 3, 4.

Imagine discovering that a religious organization with hundreds of thousands of members worldwide has been teaching that your deceased father was a biblical villain—a “destroyer,” one of the “seven heads” of the Beast, someone who betrayed God’s work.

And it’s all completely false.

He never had any connection to the events they describe. He never attended the ceremonies they claim. He never held the positions they assign him. He wasn’t even mentioned in Lee Man-hee’s 1985 book about the “witnessed” fulfillment.

But hundreds of thousands of people have been taught to view him as an enemy of God.

This is the human cost of Shincheonji’s prophetic identity theft.

And it’s not just Baek Dong-seop:

• Oh Pyung-ho – falsely accused of being the Beast from the Earth
• Tak Myung-hwan – actually an anti-cult researcher trying to help families 9
• Baek Dong-seop – falsely labeled a destroyer (court ruled defamatory) 3, 4

Real people. Real lives. Real reputations destroyed by a false narrative.

Detective Sarah Kim’s Final Report

Sarah compiled everything into her comprehensive report:

CASE SUMMARY: The “Beast from the Earth” and “Seven Heads” Investigation

Evidence Examined:

• • Informal interview with Pastor Oh Pyung-ho
  • Sworn court testimony (July 7, 2023)
  • Court ruling in Baek Dong-seop defamation case (September 2025) 3, 4, 5, 6

• Lee Man-hee’s published book: “The True Reality of Revelation, the Secrets of Heaven” (1985)

• Shincheonji textbooks from 1985, 2005, 2011 1, 2
• Training videos from 1996, 2000, 2017, 2021 7, 8
• Historical records and news reports

Findings:

1. Biographical Fabrication:

• Pastor Oh never studied in Germany (sworn testimony)
• Pastor Oh doesn’t speak German (sworn testimony)
• Seven stars never existed on building (sworn testimony)

2. Historical Fabrication:

• Lee Man-hee never at Tabernacle Temple (sworn testimony: “never met or seen him”)
• Tabernacle Temple ended 1976, before Lee Man-hee’s claimed 1977-1980 presence
• “Seven pastors” group never existed (sworn testimony: “no such thing as ‘seven'”)
• 42 months invasion never happened (sworn testimony: “no idea what that means”)
• Baek Dong-seop had no connection to events (sworn testimony + court ruling) 3, 4

3. Doctrine Changes Proven by Lee Man-hee’s Own Books:

• 1985: Lee Man-hee’s book “The True Reality of Revelation, the Secrets of Heaven” taught Oh Pyung-ho as one of seven heads (Beast from Sea), page 196 1
• 2000: Oh Pyung-ho moved to Beast from Earth 1, 7
• 2000: Baek Dong-seop added as one of seven heads (not mentioned in 1985 book at all) 7
• Multiple revisions in Lee Man-hee’s own published books prove “fulfillment” narrative is fabricated, not witnessed 1, 2, 7, 8

4. Court Ruling:

• September 2025: Suwon High Court ruled Shincheonji’s teaching about Baek Dong-seop is defamatory and false 3, 4, 5, 6
• Court found Shincheonji liable for damages
• Legal finding confirms the “fulfillment” narrative is fabricated

5. Perjury in Court:

• Shincheonji denied teaching Baek Dong-seop was one of seven heads
• Their own materials prove they did teach this 7, 8
• They lied in court proceedings 4

6. The “Wisdom of Hiding” Problem:

• Organization teaches deception as spiritual wisdom
• Demonstrated willingness to lie even in court
• Members cannot verify truth vs. strategic deception

CONCLUSION:

When a prophetic interpretation:

• Requires fabricating biographical details
• Invents groups that never existed
• Features people who had no connection to events (court-confirmed) 3, 4
• Changes between the prophet’s own published books 1, 7, 8
• Contradicts sworn testimony from actual participants
• Results in court rulings for defamation 3, 4, 5, 6
• Leads members to commit perjury to protect the narrative

You’re not witnessing fulfillment of prophecy—you’re witnessing systematic fabrication that a court has ruled is false and defamatory, and that Lee Man-hee’s own books prove has changed over time.

CRITICAL IMPLICATIONS:

The September 2025 court ruling is a game-changer. A legal authority, after examining evidence and hearing testimony, has ruled that Shincheonji’s “fulfillment” narrative is false 3, 4, 5, 6.

This isn’t a theological debate. This is a legal finding.

If the court found their teaching about Baek Dong-seop (one of the “seven heads”) is false, their entire interpretation of Revelation 13 and 17 collapses.

If Lee Man-hee’s own 1985 book teaches a different fulfillment than what he teaches today, he either:

• Lied in 1985
• Is lying now
• Or never witnessed any fulfillment and has been making it up

If their “fulfillment” is false, Lee Man-hee’s claim to be the promised pastor collapses.

If Lee Man-hee’s claims collapse, Shincheonji’s entire theological system collapses.

RECOMMENDATION:

For current Shincheonji members:

• Read the court ruling. It’s public record. The court found your organization’s teaching is false and defamatory 3, 4.
• Examine the doctrine changes. Compare Lee Man-hee’s 1985 book with current teachings 1, 7. The “fulfillment” has changed. If he truly witnessed it, why does his testimony keep changing?
• Consider the perjury. Your fellow members testified under oath to things the court ruled false. They lied in legal proceedings to protect the narrative 4.
• Ask yourself: If they lied in court, where perjury carries criminal penalties, what else are they lying about?
• Remember Revelation 22:18-19. If Shincheonji’s interpretation adds fabricated details to Revelation (court-confirmed) 3, 4, and you promote it, you’re participating in the curse you’re trying to avoid.

Verify now. A court has already confirmed the fabrication. How much more evidence do you need?

The Truth That Needs No Translation

Sarah closed her case file with a final reflection:

The Swiss chocolate sits on the table—a symbol of fabricated biographical details.

The court transcript sits in the public record—sworn testimony that exposes the fabrications.

The court ruling sits in the legal archives—official confirmation that the “fulfillment” narrative is false and defamatory 3, 4, 5, 6.

And the doctrine changes sit in Shincheonji’s own books and training videos—proof that the “witnessed” fulfillment keeps changing 1, 2, 7, 8.

These truths need no special interpretation:

• Pastor Oh never studied in Germany
• Pastor Oh never met Lee Man-hee
• The “seven pastors” never existed as a group
• Baek Dong-seop had no connection to the events (court-confirmed) 3, 4
• The “fulfillment” narrative has changed multiple times 1, 7
• A court has ruled the teaching is false and defamatory 3, 4, 5, 6

Simple. Direct. Verifiable. Legally confirmed.

And they completely dismantle Shincheonji’s prophetic narrative.

The question is: Will you investigate before it’s too late?

Because the curse of Revelation 22:18-19 doesn’t fall on those who question false interpretations.

It falls on those who create, promote, and cling to them.

And a court has already confirmed: Shincheonji’s interpretation is false 3, 4.

How much more evidence do you need?

“The truth is like a lion. You don’t have to defend it. Let it loose. It will defend itself.”

— Augustine of Hippo

Pastor Oh didn’t need to defend himself. He simply told the truth under oath.

Baek Dong-seop’s son didn’t need elaborate arguments. He presented evidence to a court.

And Lee Man-hee’s own 1985 book speaks for itself—showing a different “fulfillment” than what he teaches today .

And the truth defended itself.

The court ruled: Shincheonji’s narrative is false and defamatory 3, 4, 5, 6.

Now the question is: Will you accept the truth?

Or will you continue to promote a narrative that:

• A court has ruled is fabricated
• Lee Man-hee’s own books prove has changed
• Sworn testimony confirms is false

The choice—and the eternal consequences—are yours.

But choose wisely. And choose soon.

Because every day you delay is another day participating in spreading what a court has confirmed is false.

And that’s not faith. That’s willful blindness.

Verify now. Before it’s too late.

SOURCES AND CITATIONS

• 1: Reddit: Scandals of SCJ and LMH 2: Doctrine Change – The Beast – Documents Lee Man-hee’s 1985 book teaching Oh Pyung-ho as one of seven heads
• 2: Closer Look Initiative: The Reality of Revelation 1985 Translated – Analysis of doctrine changes in Lee Man-hee’s original book
• 3: Wikipedia: Shincheonji Church of Jesus – Defamation Controversy – Overview of Baek Dong-seop defamation case
• 4: 국민일보 (Kookmin Ilbo): Shincheonji Loses Defamation Appeal – October 14, 2025 court ruling report (Korean)
• 5: Daum News: Court Rules Shincheonji Taught False Information – Details of court’s findings (Korean)
• 6: Naver Blog: Court Orders Shincheonji to Pay Damages – Summary of court ruling (Korean)
• 7: Reddit: SCJ’s Doctrine Change – The Beast of the Sea (7 Heads) – Comprehensive documentation of doctrine changes with training video evidence
• 8: Truth About Shincheonji: Doctrine Changes in Revelation’s Reality (1985) – Comparison of 1985 vs current teachings
• 9: Closer Look Initiative: Mr. Tak Case Study – Analysis of prophetic identity theft and real people affected
• : Reddit: Bible Verses and Theological Reasons – Documentation of teaching changes with biblical analysis