Analysis of SCJ Lesson 22: “Secrets of Heaven – Figurative Rod (Staff)”

A Refutation Using “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story”

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Introduction: The Staff of Authority

Imagine you’re lost in a foreign city at night. A police officer approaches, badge gleaming under the streetlight. “You shouldn’t be here,” he says with concern. “This area is dangerous. Follow me—I’ll take you somewhere safe.” Grateful, you follow him through winding streets. He explains the city’s layout, points out landmarks, and speaks with such authority that you never think to question him.

But gradually, you notice something odd. The streets are getting darker, not lighter. The buildings look increasingly abandoned. When you hesitate, he taps his badge. “See this? This is my authority. I’m a police officer. You need to trust me.” His uniform looks right. His badge looks authentic. His confident tone suggests he knows exactly where he’s going.

Hours later, you realize he’s led you to an isolated warehouse district. The “badge” was a clever fake. The “uniform” was a costume. The “authority” was nothing but a prop and a performance. By the time you understand you’ve been deceived, you’re miles from where you started, completely dependent on someone who never had legitimate authority at all.

This is what happens in SCJ Lesson 22.

The lesson appears to be a solid biblical teaching about the “rod” or “staff” as a symbol of God’s Word and godly leadership. Instructor Nate walks students through passages from Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Revelation, explaining how the rod represents both God’s Word and those who faithfully teach it. He contrasts true shepherds (like Moses and Jesus) with false shepherds (like Pharaoh and the Pharisees). Everything sounds orthodox, biblically grounded, and spiritually enriching.

But beneath the surface, something else is happening. The lesson is constructing a framework that will eventually position Lee Man-hee as “the one who overcomes” (abbreviated as “OWO” in the lesson materials)—the person who receives the “iron scepter” of authority at the Second Coming. By teaching that authority comes from having the “opened” Word, the lesson prepares students to accept that only those with SCJ’s interpretation have legitimate spiritual authority.

This lesson sits at position 22 in the Introductory (Parables) Level—strategically placed after students have learned about “sealed” and “opened” Scripture, symbolic interpretation, and the need for special revelation. Students are now being taught about spiritual authority and how to recognize it. The criteria being established will eventually point to one conclusion: Lee Man-hee has the “iron scepter,” making him the legitimate spiritual authority for this age.

By the time students realize where this teaching leads, they’ve already accepted the framework: that spiritual authority comes from having the “opened” Word, that most Christian leaders are like the blind Pharisees, that a special person receives the “iron scepter” at the Second Coming, and that questioning this authority means rejecting God’s plan. The “badge” looked authentic. The “uniform” seemed right. But the authority was never legitimate.

Let’s examine how this lesson uses legitimate biblical teaching to build an illegitimate claim to authority, and how the principles in “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story” expose the manipulation.

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Part 1: What SCJ Teaches in This Lesson

The Surface Teaching (What Students Hear)

The lesson presents a straightforward symbolic interpretation of the rod/staff in Scripture:

Physical Characteristics of a Rod:

• A tool for walking and support
• Used for guiding and directing
• Provides protection and defense
• Serves as an instrument of correction
• A scepter represents kingly authority

Spiritual Meaning #1: Rod = God’s Word

• Psalm 23:4: “Your rod and your staff, they comfort me”
• Jeremiah 23:29: “Is not my word like fire… and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?”
• Isaiah 11:4: “He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth”

The rod represents God’s Word, which guides, comforts, corrects, and judges.

Spiritual Meaning #2: Rod = A Person Who Has God’s Word

• Isaiah 36:6: Pharaoh is compared to a “splintered reed” (unreliable)
• Moses carried a staff and was God’s reliable instrument
• Jesus was the “rod of God” at the First Coming
• The Pharisees and Sadducees were “Satan’s rods” (false shepherds)

The Iron Scepter:

• Revelation 2:26-27: The one who overcomes receives authority (the iron scepter)
• This represents “ecclesiastical authority”—authority in spiritual matters
• Jesus received this authority from the Father (John 17:2)
• At the Second Coming, this authority is given to “the one who overcomes” (OWO)

Key Framework Being Established:

1. Spiritual authority comes from having God’s Word
2. There are two types of shepherds: God’s shepherds (reliable) vs. Satan’s shepherds (unreliable)
3. True shepherds have the “opened” Word; false shepherds have “sealed” understanding
4. At the Second Coming, a specific person (“the one who overcomes”) receives the iron scepter
5. Believers must discern who has legitimate spiritual authority

The Subtext (What’s Really Being Established)

Beneath this seemingly biblical teaching, several problematic foundations are being laid:

1. Preparation for Lee Man-hee’s Authority Claim: The lesson introduces “the one who overcomes” (OWO) who receives the iron scepter at the Second Coming. Students don’t yet know this refers to Lee Man-hee, but the foundation is being laid. Later lessons will reveal that Lee Man-hee claims to be this person.

2. Delegitimizing Existing Christian Leadership: By comparing modern Christian leaders to the Pharisees and Sadducees (who couldn’t understand Scripture), the lesson prepares students to reject their pastors’ concerns about SCJ. The implicit message: your pastor is like the blind Pharisees who rejected Jesus.

3. Creating Dependency on SCJ’s Interpretation: The lesson emphasizes that true authority comes from having the “opened” Word. Since SCJ claims to have the only correct “opened” interpretation, this means only SCJ leaders have legitimate authority.

4. Establishing Unfalsifiable Authority: The lesson teaches that questioning spiritual authority means you’re like the Pharisees who rejected Jesus. This creates a psychological trap: if you question SCJ’s authority, you’re proving you’re on the wrong side.

5. Redefining “Ecclesiastical Authority”: The lesson introduces the concept of “ecclesiastical authority” (teaching authority in spiritual matters) and connects it to the iron scepter. This prepares students to accept that Lee Man-hee has unique teaching authority that supersedes all other Christian teachers.

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Part 2: Analysis Through “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story”

Chapter 18: The Real Test of Authority

Chapter 18 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story” is titled “The Real Test of Authority: Distinguishing Genuine from Counterfeit Authority.” This chapter provides the exact framework needed to evaluate this lesson’s claims about spiritual authority.

The Authority Problem in This Lesson:

The lesson teaches that spiritual authority comes from having the “opened” Word. The instructor states:

“Jesus has supreme authority granted from the Father to rule in spiritual matters for the salvation of many. Moving forward, we must test claims of religious authority against Scripture.”

This sounds reasonable—we should test authority claims against Scripture. But notice what’s actually being established:

1. Authority is redefined: The lesson defines authority as having correct interpretation (“opened” Word) rather than being appointed by God and confirmed by the church
2. The test is circular: Students are told to test authority against Scripture, but they’re also taught that only those with SCJ’s interpretation can correctly understand Scripture
3. A specific person is positioned: The “one who overcomes” (OWO) receives the iron scepter—setting up Lee Man-hee’s authority claim

Chapter 18’s Biblical Response:

The chapter explains that biblical authority is tested through multiple criteria:

1. Consistency with Scripture’s clear teaching:

• Acts 17:11: The Bereans “examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true”
• 1 John 4:1: “Test the spirits to see whether they are from God”

True authority doesn’t fear scrutiny. Paul commended the Bereans for fact-checking him against Scripture.

2. Confirmed by multiple witnesses:

• 2 Corinthians 13:1: “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses”
• Matthew 18:16: Jesus Himself established this principle

Biblical authority is never based on one person’s claim. It’s confirmed by multiple witnesses and the broader church.

3. Produces fruit of the Spirit:

• Matthew 7:15-20: “By their fruit you will recognize them”
• Galatians 5:22-23: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control

True spiritual authority produces these fruits, not fear, isolation, and dependency.

4. Points to Christ, not to self:

• John 5:39-40: “These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life”
• 2 Corinthians 4:5: “For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord”

True authority points people to Christ, not to a human leader or organization.

Biblical Response to the “Iron Scepter” Claim:

The lesson’s interpretation of Revelation 2:26-27 is problematic in several ways:

1. Context of Revelation 2:

Revelation 2:26-27 is part of Jesus’ letter to the church in Thyatira:

“To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’—just as I have received authority from my Father.”

The lesson interprets “the one who overcomes” as a single individual (Lee Man-hee) who receives unique authority. But context shows this is a promise to all faithful believers in Thyatira:

• Revelation 2:24-25: “Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira… Only hold on to what you have until I come.”
• Revelation 2:26: “To the one who is victorious…” (singular used generically for any believer)

This is similar to how Jesus uses singular language generically elsewhere:

• John 3:16: “whoever believes” (singular, but applies to all believers)
• Matthew 16:24: “Whoever wants to be my disciple” (singular, but applies to all disciples)

The promise is to all overcomers in Thyatira, not to one special person at the Second Coming.

2. The “Overcoming” Theme in Revelation:

Revelation repeatedly promises rewards to “the one who overcomes”:

• Revelation 2:7: “To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life”
• Revelation 2:11: “The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death”
• Revelation 2:17: “To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna”
• Revelation 2:26: “To the one who is victorious… I will give authority over the nations”
• Revelation 3:5: “The one who is victorious will… be dressed in white”
• Revelation 3:12: “The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God”
• Revelation 3:21: “To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne”

Are all these promises to one person (Lee Man-hee)? Or are they promises to all faithful believers who overcome through faith in Christ?

The answer is clear from Revelation itself:

• Revelation 12:11: “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony”
• 1 John 5:4-5: “Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

“Overcoming” in Revelation refers to all believers who remain faithful to Christ, not to one special individual.

3. The “Iron Scepter” Imagery:

The “iron scepter” language comes from Psalm 2:9:

“You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

Psalm 2 is a messianic psalm about the Messiah’s reign. The New Testament applies this to Jesus Christ:

• Revelation 12:5: “She gave birth to a son, a male child, who ‘will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.’ And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne.”
• Revelation 19:15: “Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter.'”

The iron scepter belongs to Christ, not to a human leader. Revelation 2:26-27 promises that faithful believers will share in Christ’s authority when He returns, not that one person receives Christ’s unique authority.

This is consistent with other New Testament promises:

• 2 Timothy 2:12: “If we endure, we will also reign with him”
• Revelation 20:4: “They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years”
• Revelation 22:5: “And they will reign for ever and ever”

All faithful believers will reign with Christ, not one special person.

Chapter 19: When Claims Cannot Be Tested (Unfalsifiable Prophecy)

Chapter 19 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims” examines unfalsifiable claims—assertions that cannot be tested or proven wrong. This lesson creates an unfalsifiable authority structure:

The Unfalsifiable Framework:

The lesson teaches:

• True authority comes from having the “opened” Word
• Only those with the “opened” Word can correctly understand Scripture
• If you question this authority, you’re like the Pharisees who rejected Jesus
• The “one who overcomes” receives the iron scepter at the Second Coming

This creates a system where:

• If you accept the teaching → You’re a humble sheep following the true shepherd
• If you question the teaching → You’re a proud Pharisee rejecting God’s authority
• If you seek outside verification → You’re relying on “blind guides” who can’t understand Scripture

How can students test whether Lee Man-hee actually has the “iron scepter”? The lesson provides no objective criteria—only the claim that he has the “opened” Word, which students must accept on faith.

Biblical Response:

The Bible provides objective criteria for testing authority claims:

1. Prophecy must be 100% accurate:

• Deuteronomy 18:21-22: “You may say to yourselves, ‘How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?’ If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken.”

Has Lee Man-hee made prophecies that didn’t come true? Yes—documented false prophecies include predictions about the timing of the Second Coming and specific events that didn’t occur as predicted.

2. Teaching must align with apostolic doctrine:

• Galatians 1:8-9: “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!”
• 2 John 1:9-10: “Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God”

Does SCJ’s teaching align with historic Christian doctrine? No—their claims about Lee Man-hee contradict the apostolic teaching that Christ alone is the way to the Father (John 14:6) and that salvation comes through faith in Christ alone (Acts 4:12).

3. Authority is confirmed by the church:

• Acts 15: The Jerusalem Council tested Paul’s teaching and confirmed it
• 1 Corinthians 14:29: “Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said”

Has Lee Man-hee’s authority been confirmed by the broader Christian church? No—he’s been rejected by Christian leaders worldwide as teaching heresy.

Chapter 20: The Danger of Creative Fulfillment

Chapter 20 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims” warns about “creative fulfillment”—how adaptation, gap-filling, and selective interpretation create false narratives. This lesson demonstrates that technique through its handling of the “iron scepter” prophecy.

The Creative Fulfillment in This Lesson:

The lesson takes Revelation 2:26-27 (a promise to all faithful believers) and creatively reinterprets it as a prophecy about one special person at the Second Coming. This requires:

1. Ignoring context: The promise is to the church in Thyatira, not to a future individual
2. Selective reading: Focusing on “the one who overcomes” while ignoring that this phrase appears seven times in Revelation 2-3, always referring to faithful believers generally
3. Adding meaning: Introducing the concept of “ecclesiastical authority” and connecting it to the iron scepter, even though the text doesn’t make this connection
4. Gap-filling: Since the text doesn’t identify who “the one who overcomes” is, SCJ fills the gap with Lee Man-hee

Biblical Response:

Chapter 24-25 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims” (“The Scarlet Thread”) examines the Bible’s unified narrative. When we read Revelation in light of the whole Bible, the “overcoming” theme is clear:

Old Testament Background:

• Genesis 3:15: The promise that the woman’s offspring would crush the serpent’s head
• Throughout the OT, God’s people “overcome” by trusting God despite opposition

New Testament Fulfillment:

• Romans 8:37: “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us”
• 1 John 5:4-5: “Everyone born of God overcomes the world… Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

Revelation’s Application:

• Revelation 12:11: “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb”
• Revelation 21:7: “Those who are victorious will inherit all this”

The “overcoming” theme is about all believers who remain faithful to Christ, not about one special person receiving unique authority.

Chapter 13: The Verification Problem

Chapter 13 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims” addresses how to evaluate spiritual claims that cannot be independently verified. This lesson creates a verification problem by teaching about authority in a way that makes it impossible to objectively test.

The Verification Problem:

The lesson teaches that true spiritual authority comes from having the “opened” Word. But how can students verify who has the “opened” Word? The lesson provides no methodology except:

1. Circular reasoning: Those with the “opened” Word can understand Scripture; if you understand Scripture correctly, you have the “opened” Word
2. Appeal to results: True shepherds guide people correctly; if people are being guided, the shepherd must be true
3. Comparison to Jesus: Jesus had the “opened” Word and was rejected by religious leaders; if someone is rejected by religious leaders, they might be like Jesus

None of these provide objective verification. Students are left dependent on the instructor’s claims.

Biblical Response:

The Bible provides verifiable criteria for testing spiritual authority:

1. Public, verifiable fulfillment:

• Luke 24:44-47: Jesus pointed to fulfilled prophecy as verification of His authority
• Acts 2:22: “Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know”

Jesus’ authority was verified by public events that people could witness and confirm.

2. Consistency with previous revelation:

• Isaiah 8:20: “Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.”
• Acts 17:11: The Bereans examined the Scriptures to verify Paul’s teaching

True authority is consistent with God’s previous revelation, not contradictory to it.

3. Confirmation by multiple witnesses:

• John 5:31-39: Jesus appealed to multiple witnesses—John the Baptist, His works, the Father, and the Scriptures
• 2 Corinthians 13:1: “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses”

Lee Man-hee’s authority claim is based solely on his own testimony and SCJ’s interpretation—there are no independent witnesses confirming his claims.

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Part 3: The Psychological Progression

The Indoctrination Process at Lesson 22

By Lesson 22, students have been in the Parables course for approximately 7-11 weeks. Let’s examine what’s happened psychologically:

1. Authority Confusion: Students have been taught:

• The Bible was “sealed” and required special interpretation
• Most Christians and Christian leaders don’t understand Scripture correctly
• True understanding comes from having the “opened” Word
• There are true shepherds and false shepherds

This creates confusion about authority: Who can I trust? My pastor says one thing, but this teacher says another. How do I know who’s right?

2. The Answer Provided: This lesson provides the answer: True authority comes from having the “opened” Word. The “one who overcomes” receives the iron scepter of authority at the Second Coming.

Students don’t yet know this refers to Lee Man-hee, but they’ve accepted the framework. When Lee Man-hee is later revealed as “the one who overcomes,” students will have already accepted that this person has unique spiritual authority.

3. Delegitimizing External Authority: By comparing Christian leaders to the Pharisees and Sadducees, the lesson pre-emptively discredits any concerns students’ pastors might raise about SCJ:

“The Pharisees and Sadducees were religious leaders who couldn’t understand Scripture. They rejected Jesus. Your pastor might be like them—unable to understand the ‘opened’ Word and rejecting God’s true messenger.”

4. Creating Identification: Students are encouraged to identify as “sheep” who follow the true shepherd’s voice:

“Let’s be like sheep—not gullible as the world sees it, but knowing and listening to the Shepherd’s voice through knowing God’s Word.”

This creates positive identity: I’m a humble sheep following the true shepherd, not a proud Pharisee rejecting God’s messenger.

5. Fear of Being Wrong: The lesson creates fear of being on the wrong side:

“You do not hear because you do not belong to God” (John 8:47, applied to the Pharisees).

The implicit message: If you reject this teaching, you might not belong to God. This fear keeps students from questioning even when they have doubts.

Biblical Response: How Jesus Actually Established Authority

The contrast with Jesus’ method is instructive:

Jesus provided verifiable evidence:

• John 10:37-38: “Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”

Jesus didn’t say, “Just trust me because I have the ‘opened’ Word.” He pointed to verifiable evidence—His works, fulfilled prophecy, and consistency with Scripture.

Jesus welcomed scrutiny:

• John 5:31-39: Jesus appealed to multiple witnesses to verify His authority
• John 8:46: “Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me?”

Jesus invited people to examine His claims, not to accept them blindly.

Jesus’ authority was confirmed by God:

• Matthew 3:17: “And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'”
• John 12:28-30: God spoke from heaven, confirming Jesus’ mission

Jesus’ authority wasn’t based solely on His own claims—it was confirmed by God in ways others could witness.

Jesus pointed to Scripture’s fulfillment:

• Luke 24:27: “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.”
• John 5:39: “These are the very Scriptures that testify about me”

Jesus showed how He fulfilled Scripture, not how He had a special “opened” interpretation that contradicted what Scripture plainly said.

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Part 4: Distinguishing Biblical Truth from SCJ Framework

What’s Biblical in This Lesson?

It’s important to acknowledge what’s actually true and biblical:

1. God’s Word is compared to a rod/staff:

• Psalm 23:4: “Your rod and your staff, they comfort me”
• Isaiah 11:4: “He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth”

This is legitimate biblical metaphor.

2. Spiritual leaders should be tested:

• 1 John 4:1: “Test the spirits to see whether they are from God”
• Acts 17:11: The Bereans examined the Scriptures daily

This is biblical wisdom.

3. There are true and false teachers:

• Matthew 7:15: “Watch out for false prophets”
• 2 Peter 2:1: “There will be false teachers among you”

This is biblical truth.

4. Jesus had unique authority:

• Matthew 28:18: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me”
• John 17:2: “You granted him authority over all people”

This is orthodox Christian teaching.

5. Believers will reign with Christ:

• 2 Timothy 2:12: “If we endure, we will also reign with him”
• Revelation 20:4: “They came to life and reigned with Christ”

This is biblical promise.

What’s Uniquely SCJ?

The problematic elements are subtle but significant:

1. The claim that one person receives unique authority at the Second Coming:

• Biblical: All faithful believers overcome and will reign with Christ
• SCJ: One special person (“the one who overcomes”) receives the iron scepter

2. Authority based on having “opened” interpretation:

• Biblical: Authority is tested by consistency with Scripture, confirmed by witnesses, and produces fruit of the Spirit
• SCJ: Authority comes from having SCJ’s specific interpretation

3. Delegitimizing all Christian leadership:

• Biblical: Test teachers, but respect legitimate spiritual authority (Hebrews 13:17)
• SCJ: All Christian leaders are like the blind Pharisees

4. The “ecclesiastical authority” concept:

• Biblical: Church leaders have teaching authority within the church (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9)
• SCJ: One person has unique “ecclesiastical authority” over all believers globally

5. The “OWO” abbreviation:

• Biblical: “The one who overcomes” refers to all faithful believers (1 John 5:4-5)
• SCJ: “OWO” is a title for Lee Man-hee specifically

The Blurred Lines

The genius of this lesson is how it blurs biblical truth with SCJ framework:

Example 1: Testing Authority

• Biblical truth: We should test spiritual authority (1 John 4:1)
• SCJ addition: The test is whether they have the “opened” Word (SCJ’s interpretation)
• Result: Students accept SCJ’s test while thinking they’re being biblically discerning

Example 2: True vs. False Shepherds

• Biblical truth: There are true and false teachers (Matthew 7:15)
• SCJ addition: True shepherds have the “opened” Word; false shepherds (including most pastors) don’t
• Result: Students reject their pastors’ concerns while thinking they’re avoiding false teachers

Example 3: The Iron Scepter

• Biblical truth: Faithful believers will reign with Christ (Revelation 2:26-27, 20:4)
• SCJ addition: One person receives unique authority (the iron scepter) at the Second Coming
• Result: Students accept Lee Man-hee’s authority claim while thinking they’re believing biblical prophecy

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Part 5: The Larger Pattern

How This Lesson Fits SCJ’s Overall Strategy

This lesson is part of a carefully designed progression:

Lessons 1-15: Foundation

• Bible is “sealed” and requires special interpretation
• Symbols have hidden meanings
• Most Christians don’t understand Scripture correctly

Lessons 16-25: Building the Framework

• Specific symbols are defined (seed, tree, field, harvest, scales, fire, rod, etc.)
• Each symbol is connected to SCJ’s interpretive system
• Students learn to see Scripture through SCJ’s lens

Lesson 22’s Specific Role:

• Introduces the concept of spiritual authority
• Establishes criteria for recognizing true authority (having the “opened” Word)
• Introduces “the one who overcomes” who receives the iron scepter
• Delegitimizes Christian leadership by comparing them to Pharisees

Later Lessons (Intermediate/Advanced):

• Reveal that Lee Man-hee is “the one who overcomes”
• Teach that SCJ is the fulfillment of Revelation’s prophecies
• Position Lee Man-hee as having unique authority over all believers

The Progressive Disclosure:

Students at Lesson 22 don’t know:

• That “OWO” refers to Lee Man-hee
• That they’re being prepared to accept Lee Man-hee’s authority claim
• That the “iron scepter” teaching will be used to position Lee Man-hee as having authority over their lives

But the foundation is being laid. When Lee Man-hee is later revealed as “the one who overcomes,” students will have already accepted:

• That one person receives unique authority at the Second Coming
• That this authority comes from having the “opened” Word
• That questioning this authority means rejecting God’s plan
• That Christian leaders who oppose this are like the Pharisees

The Testimony Pattern

Chapter 14 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims” shares testimonies from former members. A common theme regarding the “rod/authority” teaching:

“I was taught that Lee Man-hee had the ‘iron scepter’—unique spiritual authority as ‘the one who overcomes.’ When I questioned SCJ’s teachings, I was told I was rebelling against God’s appointed authority. This made it psychologically impossible to leave—I thought leaving SCJ meant rejecting God Himself. It took me months after leaving to realize that Lee Man-hee’s authority claim was based on misinterpreted Scripture, not on legitimate biblical authority.”

This lesson creates that psychological trap. The “iron scepter” teaching becomes a tool for controlling members by making them believe that questioning SCJ means questioning God.

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Part 6: Practical Application and Warning Signs

For Current Students: Questions to Ask

If you’re currently taking this course, here are critical questions to consider:

1. About the “one who overcomes”:

• Does Revelation 2:26-27 actually say this is one specific person, or could it refer to all faithful believers?
• Why does 1 John 5:4-5 say “everyone born of God overcomes the world”?
• If “the one who overcomes” is one person, why does Revelation use this phrase seven times (Rev 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21)?

2. About the iron scepter:

• Does Revelation 19:15 say Christ rules with the iron scepter, or that a human leader does?
• If believers “reign with Christ” (Rev 20:4), doesn’t that mean we share in His authority rather than one person having unique authority?
• How can I verify who has the “iron scepter”?

3. About spiritual authority:

• What objective criteria can I use to test authority claims?
• Why am I being taught that Christian leaders are like the Pharisees?
• Is this teaching producing confidence in Christ or dependency on human leadership?

4. About the comparison to Pharisees:

• Did Jesus reject the Pharisees because they tested His claims, or because they rejected evidence?
• Didn’t Jesus provide verifiable evidence of His authority (miracles, fulfilled prophecy)?
• Am I being discouraged from testing claims or encouraged to test them?

5. About where this is leading:

• Who is “the one who overcomes” that this lesson refers to?
• What will I be expected to believe about this person in later lessons?
• Why isn’t the organization telling me upfront who they believe has the “iron scepter”?

For Family and Friends: Warning Signs

If someone you love is taking this course, watch for these signs:

1. Authority confusion:

• Questions their pastor’s authority or teaching
• Suggests their pastor doesn’t understand Scripture correctly
• Compares Christian leaders to the Pharisees

2. New vocabulary:

• Uses phrases like “opened Word” vs. “sealed Word”
• Talks about “the one who overcomes” or “OWO”
• Mentions “iron scepter” or “ecclesiastical authority”

3. Shifting loyalty:

• Shows increasing deference to the Bible study instructor
• Treats the instructor’s interpretation as authoritative
• Becomes defensive when the instructor’s teaching is questioned

4. Preparation for revelation:

• Hints that there’s a special person at the Second Coming
• Suggests that most Christians don’t recognize God’s true messenger
• Draws parallels between current times and Jesus’ rejection by religious leaders

5. Isolation from church authority:

• Stops seeking pastoral counsel
• Dismisses concerns from Christian leaders
• Increasingly separates from church community

For Pastors and Counselors

Chapter 15 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims” shares insights from pastors who have helped people leave SCJ. Key recommendations regarding the “authority” teaching:

1. Clarify biblical authority: Help the person understand how biblical authority actually works:

• Authority is tested by Scripture, confirmed by witnesses, and produces good fruit
• No human has unique authority over all believers—Christ alone has that authority
• Church leaders have authority within their congregations, but not global authority

2. Examine the “overcoming” theme: Walk through Revelation 2-3 together, showing that “the one who overcomes” appears seven times and refers to faithful believers generally, not to one special person.

3. Address the Pharisee comparison: Point out that:

• The Pharisees rejected Jesus despite overwhelming evidence (miracles, fulfilled prophecy)
• Testing authority claims is biblical (Acts 17:11, 1 John 4:1)
• Jesus welcomed scrutiny and provided verifiable evidence

4. Provide objective criteria: Help the person develop objective criteria for testing authority:

• Does the teaching align with historic Christian doctrine?
• Is the authority confirmed by the broader church?
• Does it produce fruit of the Spirit or control and fear?
• Does it point to Christ or to a human leader?

5. Be patient: Understand that accepting SCJ’s authority structure creates deep psychological investment. Questioning Lee Man-hee’s authority feels like questioning God. Deconstruction takes time.

6. Provide resources: Direct people to closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination for detailed refutation of SCJ’s authority claims, including analysis of their interpretation of Revelation 2:26-27 and the “one who overcomes” teaching.

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Part 7: The Biblical Alternative

How Biblical Authority Actually Works

The biblical teaching about spiritual authority is far more beautiful and safe than SCJ’s system:

1. Christ has ultimate authority:

• Matthew 28:18: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me”
• Colossians 1:18: “He is the head of the body, the church”
• Ephesians 1:22-23: “God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church”

No human has the authority that belongs to Christ alone.

2. Church leaders have delegated, limited authority:

• Hebrews 13:17: “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account”
• 1 Peter 5:2-3: “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care… not lording it over those entrusted to you”

Church leaders have authority within their congregations, but this authority is:

• Delegated (from Christ, not inherent)
• Limited (to their congregation, not global)
• Accountable (they must give account to God)
• Servant-hearted (not domineering)

3. Authority is tested by Scripture:

• Acts 17:11: “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”
• 1 Thessalonians 5:21: “Test everything; hold fast what is good”

Even apostolic authority was tested against Scripture. No teacher is above scrutiny.

4. Authority is confirmed by multiple witnesses:

• 2 Corinthians 13:1: “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses”
• 1 Corinthians 14:29: “Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said”

Biblical authority is never based on one person’s claim—it’s confirmed by the community of faith.

5. All believers share in Christ’s authority:

• Luke 10:19: “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy”
• Ephesians 2:6: “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus”
• Revelation 20:4: “They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years”

All believers, not one special person, share in Christ’s authority and will reign with Him.

The True Meaning of “Overcoming”

The biblical teaching about overcoming is encouraging and inclusive:

1. Overcoming is through faith in Christ:

• 1 John 5:4-5: “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

“Overcoming” isn’t about having special knowledge or interpretation—it’s about faith in Jesus.

2. Overcoming is by the blood of the Lamb:

• Revelation 12:11: “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”

We overcome through Christ’s sacrifice, not through human achievement or special understanding.

3. Overcoming is for all believers:

• Romans 8:37: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
• 1 Corinthians 15:57: “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Every believer in Christ is an overcomer, not just one special person.

4. Overcoming leads to shared reign with Christ:

• 2 Timothy 2:12: “If we endure, we will also reign with him”
• Revelation 5:10: “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth”

All faithful believers will reign with Christ, not one person receiving unique authority.

How to Actually Study Revelation 2:26-27

Instead of SCJ’s approach (isolating the verse and reinterpreting it to refer to Lee Man-hee), here’s how to study it in context:

1. Read the entire letter to Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29):

• Who is Jesus addressing? The church in Thyatira
• What is the problem? A false prophetess named Jezebel is leading people astray
• What is Jesus’ command? “Hold on to what you have until I come” (v. 25)
• Who receives the promise? “The rest of you in Thyatira” (v. 24) who remain faithful

2. Compare with other “overcoming” promises in Revelation 2-3:

• All seven churches receive “overcoming” promises
• Each promise is to faithful believers in that church
• The promises are varied (tree of life, crown of life, hidden manna, white stone, etc.)
• All promises are to “the one who overcomes” (singular used generically)

3. Understand the “iron scepter” imagery:

• The phrase comes from Psalm 2:9 (messianic psalm about Christ’s reign)
• Revelation 12:5 applies it to Christ: “She gave birth to a son… who ‘will rule all the nations with an iron scepter'”
• Revelation 19:15 applies it to Christ: “He will rule them with an iron scepter”
• Revelation 2:26-27 promises that faithful believers will share in Christ’s authority

4. Let Scripture interpret Scripture:

• 1 John 5:4-5: “Everyone born of God overcomes the world”
• Romans 8:37: “We are more than conquerors through him who loved us”
• 2 Timothy 2:12: “If we endure, we will also reign with him”

The “overcoming” theme is about all believers who remain faithful to Christ.

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Conclusion: The Path Forward

For Those Currently in SCJ’s Course

If you’re reading this while taking SCJ’s Bible study, you’re at a critical juncture. The “rod/authority” teaching has likely created questions: Who has real spiritual authority? How can I know who to trust? What if I’m following the wrong shepherd?

But consider this: Biblical authority is verifiable, not secretive.

When Jesus claimed authority, He:

• Provided verifiable evidence (miracles, fulfilled prophecy)
• Welcomed scrutiny (“Can any of you prove me guilty of sin?” John 8:46)
• Pointed to multiple witnesses (John 5:31-39)
• Was confirmed by God publicly (Matthew 3:17, John 12:28-30)

When Lee Man-hee claims authority as “the one who overcomes,” he:

• Provides no verifiable evidence
• Discourages scrutiny (questioning is compared to the Pharisees’ rejection of Jesus)
• Relies on his own testimony and SCJ’s interpretation
• Has been rejected by the global Christian church

Chapter 27 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims” (“Your Investigation Begins”) provides practical steps:

1. Examine Revelation 2:26-27 in context: Read the entire letter to Thyatira. Does it actually say one person receives unique authority, or is it a promise to all faithful believers?
2. Study the “overcoming” theme: Look up every use of “overcome” in Revelation and 1 John. Does it refer to one person or to all believers?
3. Test the authority claim: What objective evidence supports Lee Man-hee’s claim to have the “iron scepter”? How can you verify this independently?
4. Seek outside perspectives: Talk to your pastor or mature Christian friends about what you’re learning. If the teaching is true, it will withstand scrutiny.
5. Visit closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination: This comprehensive resource provides detailed biblical refutation of SCJ’s authority claims.

For Those Who Have Left

Chapter 28 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims” (“Hope and Help”) offers guidance for former members. Key points regarding the “authority” teaching:

1. The authority claim was false: Lee Man-hee doesn’t have the “iron scepter” of unique spiritual authority. Revelation 2:26-27 is a promise to all faithful believers, not to one special person. You weren’t rejecting God’s authority by leaving SCJ—you were rejecting a false authority claim.

2. You can trust biblical authority again: SCJ’s misuse of authority doesn’t mean all spiritual authority is corrupt. The Bible provides clear criteria for recognizing legitimate authority: consistency with Scripture, confirmation by witnesses, and fruit of the Spirit.

3. Christ’s authority is sufficient: You don’t need a human leader with an “iron scepter” to mediate between you and God. Christ has all authority (Matthew 28:18), and through Him you have direct access to the Father (Hebrews 4:16).

4. You are an overcomer: If you have faith in Christ, you are an overcomer (1 John 5:4-5). You don’t need to follow a human leader who claims this title—you already have victory through Christ.

For the Christian Community

The existence of teachings like SCJ’s “iron scepter” doctrine should motivate us to:

1. Teach biblical authority clearly: Help believers understand how biblical authority works—tested by Scripture, confirmed by witnesses, producing good fruit, and always pointing to Christ.

2. Model servant leadership: Church leaders should model the servant-hearted authority Jesus demonstrated (Mark 10:42-45), not the domineering control SCJ practices.

3. Encourage discernment: Teach believers to test all teaching against Scripture (Acts 17:11), not to blindly accept any teacher’s claims.

4. Emphasize Christ’s sufficiency: Our message must be clear: Christ has all authority, and through Him we have everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

5. Respond with grace: Those caught in or leaving SCJ need compassion, not condemnation. They were seeking to follow God faithfully; they were simply misled about where true authority lies.

Final Thoughts

This lesson—Lesson 22 on the figurative rod—appears to be solid biblical teaching about God’s Word and spiritual authority. But beneath the surface, it’s constructing a framework that will eventually lead students to accept Lee Man-hee’s claim to unique spiritual authority as “the one who overcomes” with the “iron scepter.”

The principles in “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story” help us see through the deception:

• Chapter 18: Test authority claims against objective biblical criteria
• Chapter 19: Recognize unfalsifiable authority structures
• Chapter 20: Watch for creative fulfillment that adds meaning to Scripture
• Chapter 13: Demand verifiable evidence, not circular reasoning
• Chapter 27-28: Know that investigation is possible and healing is available

The true gospel is better than SCJ’s counterfeit:

• Christ has ultimate authority, not a human leader
• All believers overcome through faith in Christ
• Authority is tested by Scripture and confirmed by the church
• We reign with Christ, not under a human “overcomer”
• Freedom in Christ, not control by human authority

May those reading this find freedom in Christ, who said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18)—not to a human organization or leader, but to Him alone.

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Additional Resources

For more detailed refutation of Shincheonji’s specific doctrines and claims:

Visit: closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination

This comprehensive resource provides:

• Detailed analysis of SCJ’s interpretation of Revelation 2:26-27
• Biblical refutation of Lee Man-hee’s “one who overcomes” claim
• Examination of the “iron scepter” teaching
• Documentation of Lee Man-hee’s false prophecies
• Testimonies from former members about the authority structure
• Guidance for families and counselors
• Resources for healthy understanding of biblical authority

The examination is thorough, biblically grounded, and presented with grace—exactly what’s needed to counter SCJ’s sophisticated but deceptive authority claims.

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“Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'” — Matthew 20:25-28

“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah.” — Matthew 23:8-10

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” — Matthew 28:18