This is apart of the sub-series, “Answering Revelation”, where I go over the doctrinal issues of how Shincheonji interprets the book of Revelation. In this specific article, I am answering the question of whether or not Shincheonji correctly interprets the Beast with 7 Heads and 10 Horns correctly using only the Bible.
Before reading this article, I suggest that you begin with the refutation of Shincheonji’s interpretation of what a “beast” is.
The Doctrinal issues with the “Beast with 7 Heads and 10 Horns”
Using the established hermeneutics, mainly through the use of context, let’s do the same thing but with the “horns”, and then we will do the same thing but with the “head” in another article.
Be aware that groups like Shincheonji often respond to criticism by subtly adjusting their doctrine—a common tactic involving denial, adaptation, and manipulation; is a common tactic among high-control organizations. They may gather information on critics and “flip the script,” portraying exposure as persecution or misinformation. It’s essential to carefully observe doctrinal shifts rather than accepting new explanations at face value. Stay vigilant against gaslighting through evolving teachings designed to counter today’s realities and criticisms. (Read More)
Shincheonji’s Perspective
Shincheonji would refer to the following verses to justify their definition of a horn
Psalm 18:2 – “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
SCJ interprets “horn of my salvation” as “authority or power of salvation,”
and from there, they generalize:
Horn = authority or power (symbolically).
Then, they invert the meaning:
- If horn is authority, then a broken horn represents the loss of authority, and no horn means no authority like a lay-person.
Then, we can see a Beast with 10 horns in Daniel 7:7-8, 20-24:
“It had ten horns… and another horn, a little one, came up among them… the ten horns are ten kings.”
This would be their primary precedent.
- Horn = “ruler or person with authority”
Then in Revelation, they would spiritualize it:
In Revelation, the horns are not literal kings but pastors or leaders who hold spiritual authority.
“He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.”
SCJ argues: because a horn represents power or authority, it can also represent a person who exercises or lacks that authority depending on context.
“And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads…”
They combine this with Daniel 7:
- 10 horns means 10 pastors
- Heads means the main leaders over them
They continue this chain of metaphors to then make the claim:
Each horn represents a person without authority (evangelist or member), under the heads (pastors) who have authority.
“The ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast.”
SCJ then uses the above reference to make the claim:
- “These horns have no authority yet but later receive authority.”
- Therefore, “horn” = person without authority who later gains it — a “layperson” or “evangelist” who later becomes a “head/pastor.”
| Step | Verse | Their Claim |
| 1 | Psalm 18:2 / Luke 1:69 | “Horn” = power/authority. |
| 2 | Daniel 7:7–8, 24 | “Horn” = ruler or king → “person with authority.” |
| 3 | Revelation 13:1 / 17:12 | “Horns” = people (or pastors) without authority, later gaining it. |
| 4 | Conclusion | “Horns” = lay members or evangelists of false churches under the “heads” (pastors). |
A Christian Response – What does a “horn” represent?
Shincheonji’s interpretation is…interesting, to say the least.
Now for the response, this will be two fold. First, I will show an overview of the Bible and the references of the horn, and then the second part will be looking at the context of the verses that SCJ uses to justify their own definition and interpretation.
Old Testament
| Verse | Meaning |
| 1 Samuel 2:10 | “He will exalt the horn of His anointed.” → Horn = strength, victory, or exaltation. |
| Psalm 75:10 | “All the horns of the wicked I will cut off, but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.” → Horn = power, dominance. |
| Daniel 7:24 | “The ten horns are ten kings.” → Horn = ruler or kingdom (authority itself). |
| Zechariah 1:18–21 | “These horns are the nations that scattered Judah.” → Horn = power of nations, not individual members. |
The consistent meaning is strength or ruling power, not powerlessness.
New Testament
| Verse | Meaning |
| Luke 1:69 | “He has raised up a horn of salvation” = Christ as the power of salvation. |
| Revelation 5:6 | “The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes…” = perfect power and wisdom of Christ. |
| Revelation 17:12 | “The ten horns are ten kings…” = ten rulers allied with the beast. |
“Horn” = symbol of strength, rulership, or divine power.
Why is SCJ wrong?
| Issue | Explanation |
| Genre Confusion | They merge poetry (Psalms), prophecy (Daniel), and apocalyptic imagery (Revelation) into one symbol dictionary — ignoring each genre’s intent. |
| Direction Inversion | In Scripture, horn = power; SCJ inverts it to mean lack of power. There is no textual precedent for “horn = person without authority.” |
| Missing Authorial Control | Daniel and Revelation both define “horns” as kings. SCJ redefines “horn” as “layperson,” contradicting explicit definitions within the text. |
| Circular Reasoning | They assume Revelation is a parable, then use that assumption to redefine every symbol, which they then use to prove Revelation is a parable — circular logic. |
| Adding to Scripture | Revelation 17:12 explains itself. SCJ ignores this, inserting their own meaning, violating Rev 22:18–19 and Prov 30:6. |
A balanced Perspective
Using a more consistent hermeneutic, let’s see how the Bible defines “horn”.
Daniel 7 → Revelation 13 → Revelation 17 form a prophetic continuity:
- “Horn” always = ruler, power, or kingly authority.
- “Beast” = empire or system
- “Heads” = successive or composite powers
In Scripture, the image of the horn consistently conveys strength and deliverance, not a secret code for future prophecy. Each biblical author employs the image according to their literary and theological purpose: Daniel uses it in a political sense, David in a devotional one, and John in an apocalyptic context. Across these writings, the horn stands as a symbol of might and divine authority.
Shincheonji claims that the “horn” represents a person without authority, such as an evangelist. However, this interpretation has no basis in Scripture. Throughout the entire Bible, the horn never symbolizes a powerless or subordinate figure. Whenever it appears metaphorically, it signifies authority, kingship, or divine power.
By redefining the horn as a symbol of weakness, Shincheonji is not interpreting the Bible but adding to it. This inversion distorts the original meaning and imposes a new layer of interpretation foreign to the biblical text.