Analysis of Shincheonji Bible Study Lesson 32: “Secrets of Heaven: Figurative Treasure and Rich”

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

---

Introduction: The Treasure That Binds

Lesson 32, titled “Secrets of Heaven: Figurative Treasure and Rich,” presents itself as a teaching about spiritual wealth—treasure represents God’s Word, and those who are “rich” are those who have much of God’s Word. On the surface, this appears to be sound biblical teaching that many Christians would affirm.

However, as “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story” demonstrates throughout its 30 chapters, Shincheonji (SCJ) consistently operates on multiple levels. The visible teaching sounds biblical and appealing, but beneath it lies a carefully constructed framework designed to prepare students to accept SCJ’s exclusive claims and to increase their commitment to the organization.

By Lesson 32, students in the Intermediate Level (“Bible Logic”) have been conditioned through dozens of lessons to accept SCJ’s interpretive framework. Now, this lesson introduces crucial concepts that will be used to create a binary worldview, increase time commitment, and justify eventual separation from one’s church:

1. The time commitment escalation – The lesson begins by calculating students’ available time and emphasizing the need to dedicate more to “spiritual activities”
2. The binary framework – There are two kinds of everything: God’s treasure vs. Satan’s treasure, God’s rich vs. Satan’s rich
3. The covenant-keeping requirement – Only those who “keep the covenant” (which will later mean accepting SCJ’s teaching) are God’s “treasured possession”
4. The Laodicean accusation – Like the church of Laodicea, most Christians think they’re spiritually rich but are actually “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked”
5. The works-based emphasis – The “Yeast of Heaven” section emphasizes that “there’s only heaven or hell depending on your actions”

The lesson’s stated hope—”to be rich with God’s treasure and poor in Satan’s Treasure at the second coming”—sounds like a call to pursue God’s Word, but it’s actually preparing students to believe that only SCJ has God’s “treasure” and that other churches have Satan’s “treasure.”

Let’s examine this lesson through the Reflective Lens (understanding the psychological manipulation) and the Discernment Lens (testing against Scripture), as modeled in “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story.”

For comprehensive refutation of SCJ teachings, readers are encouraged to visit the Shincheonji Examination page at closerlookinitiative.com.

---

Part 1: The Time Commitment Escalation—The Boiling Frog

What SCJ Teaches:

The lesson begins with an extensive discussion about time management:

“Selecting the tasks we need to accomplish this week is essential. We have responsibilities in the world, such as taking care of our family and friends, and fulfilling our job duties. I hope these aspects of your life are progressing well. Similarly, I trust your spiritual responsibilities are also being attended to effectively. These include reading your Bible, dedicating time to prayer, studying lessons, and conducting home blessings. Striving for the right balance between worldly duties and spiritual practices is crucial. God desires a greater emphasis on Him in your daily routine.”

The instructor then breaks down a 24-hour day:

• 6-8 hours sleeping
• 2-3 hours commuting
• Time for meals
• 8 hours of work
• Remaining time should be dedicated to God

The instructor continues: “Despite our busy schedules, it is possible to dedicate a specific amount of time to God each day. On Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, for instance, you might spend 2 hours focused on spiritual activities. However, it’s important that this dedication to God extends beyond those days, ideally encompassing every day of the week.”

The Reflective Lens: The Gradual Commitment Increase

This opening segment appears to be about healthy spiritual discipline and time management. However, it’s actually a sophisticated tactic to gradually increase students’ time commitment to SCJ while making it seem like their own spiritual choice. Let’s examine the psychological dynamics:

1. The Reasonable Starting Point

The instructor begins by acknowledging legitimate responsibilities—family, friends, work. This gains students’ agreement and makes the instructor seem balanced and reasonable.

2. The False Equivalence

However, notice the subtle equation: “worldly duties” vs. “spiritual responsibilities.” This creates a dichotomy where work, family, and normal life are “worldly” (implying less important or even opposed to God), while SCJ activities are “spiritual” (implying more important and pleasing to God).

This is a false dichotomy. The Bible teaches that all of life—including work, family, and daily responsibilities—can be done for God’s glory:

Colossians 3:23-24 – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

1 Corinthians 10:31 – “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

3. The Guilt Induction

The phrase “God desires a greater emphasis on Him in your daily routine” creates guilt. The implicit message: “If you’re not spending more time on SCJ activities, you’re not giving God enough emphasis. You’re disappointing God.”

4. The Time Calculation

By breaking down the 24-hour day and calculating “remaining time,” the instructor is subtly suggesting that all non-essential time should be dedicated to SCJ. This is a classic high-control group tactic—maximizing members’ time commitment to minimize outside influences and critical thinking.

5. The Escalation Pattern

Notice the escalation: “On Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, for instance, you might spend 2 hours focused on spiritual activities.” That’s already 6 hours per week. But then: “However, it’s important that this dedication to God extends beyond those days, ideally encompassing every day of the week.”

This is the “boiling frog” technique—gradually increasing demands so students don’t realize how much time they’re committing. What starts as 2-3 classes per week eventually becomes daily Bible reading, daily prayer, daily “home blessings,” homework (memorizing SCJ’s interpretations), evangelism (recruiting new students), and eventually full-time service.

6. The Reframing of Priorities

By the end of this section, students are being conditioned to see normal life responsibilities as obstacles to spiritual growth rather than as part of their calling. The message: “Work, family, and personal time are necessary evils that take away from what really matters—SCJ activities.”

Chapter 11 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Isolation Strategy: When Progressive Revelation Becomes Progressive Control,” addresses this time commitment escalation. The chapter explains how high-control groups gradually increase demands on members’ time to create dependency and minimize outside influences.

The Discernment Lens: What Does Scripture Teach About Time and Priorities?

Biblical Truth #1: All of Life Is Sacred

The Bible does not divide life into “worldly duties” and “spiritual responsibilities” in the way SCJ does. All of life is meant to be lived for God’s glory:

Romans 12:1 – “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

Our “true and proper worship” is offering our whole lives—including work, family, rest, and service—to God.

Ephesians 5:15-17 – “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

Making the most of every opportunity doesn’t mean filling every moment with religious activities. It means living wisely in all areas of life.

Biblical Truth #2: Family Responsibilities Are Sacred Duties

Far from being “worldly duties” that compete with spiritual life, caring for family is a sacred responsibility:

1 Timothy 5:8 – “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

This is strong language. Neglecting family responsibilities is not spiritual—it’s a denial of faith.

Ephesians 6:4 – “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

Parenting is a spiritual responsibility, not a “worldly duty.”

Biblical Truth #3: Work Is a Calling, Not a Distraction

The Bible presents work as a calling and a way to serve God, not as a necessary evil:

Ephesians 4:28 – “Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.”

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 – “For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ‘The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.’ We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat.”

Paul commands believers to work diligently, not to minimize work in favor of endless religious activities.

Biblical Truth #4: Rest Is a Gift from God

The Bible teaches that rest is a gift from God, not time “wasted” that should be spent on religious activities:

Exodus 20:8-10 – “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work.”

God commands rest. It’s not optional or a sign of spiritual weakness.

Mark 6:31 – “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'”

Jesus recognized His disciples’ need for rest and encouraged them to take it.

Biblical Truth #5: Beware of Groups That Demand Excessive Time

The New Testament warns against those who would burden believers with excessive demands:

Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Jesus’ yoke is easy and His burden is light. If a religious group is making your life increasingly burdensome and exhausting, that’s a warning sign.

Galatians 5:1 – “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

The Pattern of High-Control Groups:

High-control groups typically follow this pattern:

1. Start with reasonable requests – A few hours per week for Bible study
2. Gradually increase demands – Add homework, “home blessings,” evangelism
3. Create guilt about other commitments – Frame work and family as “worldly” distractions
4. Maximize time commitment – Fill members’ schedules so they have no time for outside relationships or critical thinking
5. Isolate members – As members spend more time with the group, they naturally drift away from family, friends, and church

This is exactly what SCJ is doing in this lesson’s opening section.

Chapter 15 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “What Pastors and Counselors Discover,” includes testimonies from former members who describe how SCJ’s time demands gradually consumed their lives, damaging their marriages, careers, and health.

---

Part 2: The Binary Framework—Two Kinds of Everything

What SCJ Teaches:

The instructor establishes a key principle:

“The figurative treasure is the word. But just like a rod and light, a person who has the word also becomes like treasure to God. And one who is rich is a person with much word; someone who is rich in what matters. But remember, there are two kinds of seed, two kinds of trees, two kinds of yeast, two kinds of fire. So someone can be rich on God’s side. But someone can also be rich on Satan’s side. We will understand that in this lesson.”

The stated hope: “Our hope for us today is to be rich in God’s treasure and poor in Satan’s treasure at the time of the second coming. We want to be extra rich with what God is giving but dirt poor with what Satan is offering.”

The Reflective Lens: The Black-and-White Worldview

This teaching appears to be about discernment—recognizing that there’s truth and error, good and evil. This is biblical. However, SCJ is using this truth to create a rigid binary worldview that will be used to divide people into two camps: those with SCJ (God’s side) and everyone else (Satan’s side). Let’s examine the progression:

1. The Biblical Starting Point

The Bible does teach that there are two kingdoms—God’s kingdom and Satan’s kingdom, light and darkness, truth and lies. By starting here, SCJ gains students’ agreement.

2. The Pattern Establishment

By reminding students of previous lessons (“two kinds of seed, two kinds of trees, two kinds of yeast, two kinds of fire”), the instructor is reinforcing a pattern of binary thinking. Everything fits into one of two categories.

3. The Subtle Application

However, notice what’s being set up: There are two kinds of “rich” people—those rich in God’s treasure (word) and those rich in Satan’s treasure (word). This will be applied to mean:

• God’s treasure = SCJ’s teaching (the “opened word”)
• Satan’s treasure = Other Christian teaching (tradition, denominational doctrine, anything that contradicts SCJ)

4. The Either/Or Pressure

By framing everything as binary (God’s side vs. Satan’s side), SCJ eliminates nuance and creates pressure: “You’re either with us or against us. There’s no middle ground. If you’re not accepting our teaching, you’re on Satan’s side.”

This is a classic cult tactic known as “black-and-white thinking” or “splitting.” It prevents critical thinking by eliminating the possibility of legitimate disagreement or alternative perspectives.

5. The Fear Motivation

The stated hope—”to be rich with God’s treasure and poor in Satan’s treasure”—creates fear: “What if I’m rich in the wrong treasure? What if I think I have God’s Word but I actually have Satan’s lies?”

This fear will be used to make students doubt their previous Christian teaching and accept SCJ’s interpretation as the only safe option.

Chapter 12 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “When Narrative Becomes More Important Than Truth,” addresses how SCJ creates binary narratives that eliminate nuance and prevent critical thinking.

The Discernment Lens: What Does Scripture Teach About Discernment?

Biblical Truth #1: Yes, There Are Two Kingdoms

The Bible does teach that there are ultimately two kingdoms:

Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

John 8:44 – “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

1 John 5:19 – “We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.”

So SCJ is right that there are two kingdoms. However, the question is: How do we identify which kingdom someone belongs to?

Biblical Truth #2: The Test Is the Gospel, Not One Organization’s Interpretation

The Bible provides clear criteria for identifying truth from error:

1 John 4:1-3 – “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.”

The test is whether someone acknowledges Jesus Christ—His deity, His incarnation, His death and resurrection, His lordship.

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! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!”

The test is whether someone preaches the true gospel—salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone.

The Question for SCJ:

Does SCJ preach the biblical gospel? On the surface, they claim to. But their practical theology adds requirements:

• You must accept Chairman Lee Man-hee’s interpretation of Revelation
• You must understand the “opened word” to be truly saved
• You must be part of SCJ to be among the 144,000
• Salvation depends on your actions and understanding, not just faith in Christ

These additions contradict the biblical gospel.

Biblical Truth #3: Not All Disagreement Is Satanic

SCJ’s binary framework implies that any teaching that differs from theirs is “Satan’s treasure.” But the Bible shows that faithful Christians can disagree on secondary issues while maintaining unity on the gospel:

Romans 14:1-5 – “Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, because God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.”

Paul teaches that believers can disagree on secondary matters (“disputable matters”) while maintaining unity. Not all disagreement is a matter of God vs. Satan.

Philippians 3:15-16 – “All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.”

Paul acknowledges that mature believers may “think differently” on some points, and he trusts God to clarify these differences over time.

Biblical Truth #4: The Danger of Claiming Exclusive Truth

When a group claims that only they have God’s truth and everyone else has Satan’s lies, that’s a warning sign:

1 Corinthians 8:2 – “Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know.”

1 Corinthians 13:12 – “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

Paul, an apostle who received direct revelation from Christ, acknowledged that his knowledge was partial. How much more should we be humble about our understanding?

The Irony:

SCJ accuses other Christians of being “rich in Satan’s treasure” (false teaching), but SCJ’s own teaching exhibits the characteristics of false teaching:

• Adds to the gospel – Requires accepting Lee Man-hee’s revelation
• Claims exclusive authority – Only they have the “opened word”
• Creates division – Separates believers from the body of Christ
• Uses deception – Doesn’t reveal their identity or full teaching upfront
• Produces isolation – Separates members from family, friends, and church

Chapter 17 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Logical Contradiction in SCJ’s Gospel,” addresses how SCJ’s binary framework is used to dismiss all other Christian teaching while claiming exclusive access to truth.

---

Part 3: The Covenant-Keeping Requirement—Redefining God’s Treasure

What SCJ Teaches:

The instructor uses Exodus 19:5-6 as the foundation:

“‘If you keep my covenant,’ meaning obey my words, my law. If you do that, then you will become, out of the entire world, my treasured possession. One who is ultra-valuable to me, one that I find irreplaceable. So, when we’re looking at figurative treasure and rich, this is the mindset with which we should understand it. God is calling a people his treasured possession, those who do what? Those who keep another thing that is critical and treasured to God: the Covenant.”

The instructor then defines:

• Treasure = The Word
• Rich = Person with much word
• If keep covenant → Treasured Possession

The Reflective Lens: The Conditional Love Setup

This teaching appears to be about obedience and faithfulness—God values those who keep His covenant. This is biblical. However, SCJ is using this truth to set up a conditional relationship with God based on performance. Let’s examine the dynamics:

1. The Biblical Starting Point

Exodus 19:5-6 is a legitimate passage about God’s covenant with Israel. By starting here, SCJ gains students’ agreement that God values obedience and covenant-keeping.

2. The Subtle Redefinition

However, notice what’s being set up: “Keeping the covenant” will later be redefined to mean accepting SCJ’s teaching. The logic:

• Premise 1: God’s treasured possession are those who keep His covenant
• Premise 2: The covenant is God’s Word
• Premise 3: SCJ has the true Word (the “opened word”)
• Conclusion: Therefore, only those who accept SCJ’s teaching are keeping the covenant and are God’s treasured possession

3. The Performance Pressure

By emphasizing “if you keep my covenant,” SCJ creates performance pressure: “Am I keeping the covenant well enough? Am I treasured by God, or am I failing?”

This will be used to drive students to greater commitment to SCJ’s activities and teaching.

4. The Exclusivity Claim

The implicit message: If you’re not part of SCJ (not accepting the “opened word”), you’re not keeping the covenant, and therefore you’re not God’s treasured possession. This creates fear of being outside God’s favor.

5. The Old Covenant Misapplication

By applying an Old Covenant passage (Exodus 19:5-6) without reference to the New Covenant, SCJ is setting up a works-based relationship with God rather than the grace-based relationship the New Testament teaches.

Chapter 21 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Heart of God: What God Really Wants,” contrasts SCJ’s performance-based system with the biblical gospel of grace.

The Discernment Lens: What Does Scripture Teach About Being God’s Treasured Possession?

Biblical Truth #1: The Old Covenant Context

Let’s examine Exodus 19:5-6 in its proper context:

Exodus 19:3-6 – “Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, ‘This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.'”

The Context:

This is God’s covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai. God had just delivered Israel from Egypt and was establishing them as His chosen nation. The covenant was conditional—”if you obey… then you will be my treasured possession.”

The Problem:

Israel failed to keep the covenant. The entire Old Testament is the story of Israel’s repeated failure to obey God’s law, leading to exile and judgment.

Romans 3:19-20 – “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.”

The law (the Old Covenant) was never meant to be the final solution. It was meant to show us our need for a Savior.

Biblical Truth #2: The New Covenant Changes Everything

The New Testament reveals that God has established a New Covenant through Jesus Christ:

Hebrews 8:6-13 – “But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises. For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another… By calling this covenant ‘new,’ he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.”

The New Covenant is “superior” and “established on better promises.” What are these better promises?

Jeremiah 31:31-34 – “‘The days are coming,’ declares the LORD, ‘when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,’ declares the LORD. ‘This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, “Know the LORD,” because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,’ declares the LORD. ‘For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.'”

The New Covenant promises:

1. Internal transformation – God’s law written on hearts, not just external obedience
2. Direct relationship – All will know the Lord personally
3. Complete forgiveness – Sins remembered no more

Biblical Truth #3: We Are God’s Treasured Possession Through Christ

Under the New Covenant, we become God’s treasured possession not by our performance but by faith in Christ:

1 Peter 2:9-10 – “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

Notice:

• Peter applies the Exodus 19:5-6 language to New Covenant believers
• We are God’s “special possession” (treasured possession) not because we perfectly keep the law, but because God “called you out of darkness”
• This is about God’s mercy, not our performance

Ephesians 1:4-6 – “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.”

We are chosen “in love,” predestined “in accordance with his pleasure and will,” and given grace “freely.” This is not conditional on our performance.

Titus 3:4-7 – “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”

We are saved “not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” We are justified “by his grace.”

Biblical Truth #4: Obedience Flows From Love, Not Fear

The New Testament does call believers to obedience, but it’s obedience that flows from love and gratitude, not from fear of losing God’s favor:

John 14:15 – “If you love me, keep my commands.”

Obedience is the fruit of love, not the root of acceptance.

1 John 4:19 – “We love because he first loved us.”

God’s love comes first. Our response (love and obedience) flows from His initiative.

Romans 8:1 – “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

If we’re in Christ, there’s no condemnation. Our status as God’s treasured possession is secure.

The Danger of SCJ’s Teaching:

By applying Old Covenant conditional language without the New Covenant context, SCJ creates a performance-based relationship with God:

• “If you keep the covenant (accept SCJ’s teaching), you’re God’s treasured possession”
• “If you don’t keep the covenant (reject SCJ’s teaching), you’re not treasured by God”

This contradicts the New Testament gospel of grace.

Chapter 22 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Grace Disconnect: When Salvation Becomes Performance,” addresses how SCJ’s teaching undermines the biblical gospel of grace through faith.

---

Part 4: The Laodicean Accusation—You Think You’re Rich, But You’re Poor

What SCJ Teaches:

The lesson uses Revelation 3:17-18 as the main reference:

“We have the messenger in the church of Laodicea. He proclaims, ‘I am rich.’ Yet, what does Jesus say to this individual? ‘You do not realize that you are, in fact, not rich. You are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.’ Jesus then advises him to buy gold refined in the fire. What could this mean? This gold must symbolize something spiritual because a person who is physically poor is aware of their poverty… However, this individual does not recognize their state.”

The Reflective Lens: The Spiritual Poverty Accusation

This teaching appears to be about spiritual blindness—the danger of thinking you’re spiritually rich when you’re actually poor. This is a legitimate biblical warning. However, SCJ is using this passage to accuse most Christians of being spiritually poor like Laodicea. Let’s examine the dynamics:

1. The Biblical Warning

Jesus’ letter to Laodicea is a genuine warning against spiritual complacency. By starting here, SCJ gains students’ agreement that spiritual self-deception is dangerous.

2. The Implicit Application

However, notice what’s being set up: The church of Laodicea thought they were rich but were actually poor. The implicit message: “Your church thinks it has God’s Word, but it’s actually spiritually poor. You think you’re spiritually rich, but you’re actually wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.”

3. The Fear Creation

This creates profound anxiety: “What if I’m like Laodicea? What if I think I’m spiritually rich but I’m actually poor? How can I know?”

4. The Solution Setup

Jesus counsels Laodicea to “buy gold refined in the fire.” SCJ will interpret this “gold” as the “opened word”—their exclusive teaching. The message: “To become truly rich, you need to buy (receive) the gold (opened word) from us.”

5. The Church Condemnation

While not stated explicitly in this lesson, the groundwork is being laid: Most churches are like Laodicea—they think they have God’s Word, but they’re actually spiritually poor. Only SCJ has the true “gold.”

Chapter 13 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Church Under Attack: How SCJ Undermines Your Faith Community,” addresses how SCJ systematically undermines students’ confidence in their churches.

The Discernment Lens: What Does Revelation 3:14-22 Actually Teach?

Let’s examine the letter to Laodicea in its proper context:

Revelation 3:14-22 – “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

What Was Laodicea’s Problem?

1. Lukewarmness – They were “neither cold nor hot”—spiritually complacent
2. Self-sufficiency – They said, “I am rich… and do not need a thing”
3. Spiritual blindness – They didn’t realize their true spiritual condition
4. Material wealth – Laodicea was a wealthy city, and the church had become comfortable and self-reliant

What Was Jesus’ Solution?

1. Buy gold refined in the fire – True spiritual wealth that comes through trials
2. White clothes – Righteousness and purity
3. Salve for eyes – Spiritual sight and discernment
4. Repent – Turn from complacency and self-reliance
5. Open the door – Let Jesus in for intimate fellowship

The Key Question:

Does this description fit most Christian churches today? Let’s consider:

Are Most Churches Materially Wealthy and Self-Sufficient?

Some churches in wealthy nations may struggle with materialism, but many churches worldwide are poor, persecuted, and dependent on God. The Laodicean accusation doesn’t fit the global church.

Are Most Churches Lukewarm?

While some churches may be complacent, millions of Christians worldwide are fervently serving God, sacrificing for the gospel, and even facing martyrdom. To claim all churches are “Laodicean” is a gross generalization.

What Is the “Gold Refined in the Fire”?

SCJ interprets this as their “opened word.” But in context, it likely refers to:

1. Faith tested through trials –

1 Peter 1:6-7 – “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

2. True spiritual riches – Not material wealth or even religious knowledge, but genuine relationship with Christ

Proverbs 8:10-11 – “Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.”

The Danger of SCJ’s Application:

By applying the Laodicean accusation to all other churches, SCJ:

1. Creates fear – “What if my church is Laodicean? What if I’m spiritually poor?”
2. Undermines confidence – “I can’t trust my church’s teaching”
3. Positions themselves as the solution – “Only we have the true ‘gold'”
4. Ignores their own issues – SCJ exhibits many cult characteristics (deception, control, isolation) but claims to be the only spiritually rich group

The Irony:

Jesus’ words to Laodicea could actually apply to SCJ:

• “You say, ‘I am rich'” – SCJ claims to have exclusive understanding of Scripture
• “You do not need a thing” – SCJ claims they don’t need input from other Christians or churches
• “You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked” – SCJ doesn’t recognize their spiritual poverty—their lack of grace, their deception, their control

Chapter 20 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Community of Faith: How the Church Actually Works,” defends the value and purpose of the church against SCJ’s accusations.

---

Part 5: The Works-Based Emphasis—Heaven or Hell Depends on Your Actions

What SCJ Teaches:

The “Yeast of Heaven” section states:

“One must truly be clothed in God’s image. So you must think about what percentage of yourself resembles God. There’s only heaven or hell depending on your actions. The Word is life and the Word is the seed. It’s when the Word goes in that one becomes a living being. If we have the right hearts, the heavens and earth rejoice and their hope is fulfilled.”

The Reflective Lens: The Performance Anxiety

This brief section contains a profound theological shift from grace to works. Let’s examine the implications:

1. The Self-Assessment Pressure

“What percentage of yourself resembles God?” This question creates anxiety and self-focus: “Am I good enough? Do I resemble God enough?”

2. The Works-Based Salvation

“There’s only heaven or hell depending on your actions.” This is a clear statement of works-based salvation—your eternal destiny depends on what you do.

3. The Conditional Transformation

“It’s when the Word goes in that one becomes a living being.” This suggests that receiving the Word (SCJ’s teaching) is what makes you spiritually alive.

4. The Performance Pressure

“If we have the right hearts, the heavens and earth rejoice.” This creates pressure to have “the right hearts” (accept SCJ’s teaching and live accordingly) to please heaven.

Chapter 22 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Grace Disconnect: When Salvation Becomes Performance,” addresses how SCJ’s works-based emphasis contradicts the biblical gospel.

The Discernment Lens: What Does Scripture Teach About Salvation?

Biblical Truth #1: Salvation Is by Grace Through Faith, Not Works

The New Testament is absolutely clear on this:

Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Salvation is:

• By grace – God’s unmerited favor
• Through faith – Trusting in Christ, not our performance
• Not from yourselves – Not earned or achieved
• The gift of God – Freely given
• Not by works – Not dependent on what we do

Romans 3:23-24 – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

We are “justified freely by his grace”—not by our actions.

Titus 3:5 – “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.”

Biblical Truth #2: Our Actions Don’t Determine Heaven or Hell

SCJ states: “There’s only heaven or hell depending on your actions.” This directly contradicts Scripture:

Romans 4:4-5 – “Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.”

If salvation depended on our works, it would be wages we earned, not a gift. But salvation is a gift received by faith, not wages earned by works.

Romans 10:9-10 – “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”

Salvation comes through believing and confessing—faith, not works.

Biblical Truth #3: Good Works Are the Result, Not the Cause

The Bible does teach that believers should do good works, but these works are the result of salvation, not the cause:

Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

We are created in Christ Jesus to do good works—works follow salvation, they don’t produce it.

James 2:17 – “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

James is teaching that genuine faith naturally produces works. He’s not saying works save us, but that real faith is evidenced by works.

Galatians 5:6 – “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”

Faith “expresses itself” through love—love is the fruit, faith is the root.

Biblical Truth #4: We Cannot Resemble God Enough to Earn Salvation

SCJ asks: “What percentage of yourself resembles God?” The implication is that we need to resemble God enough to be saved. But Scripture teaches:

Isaiah 64:6 – “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”

Even our best efforts (“righteous acts”) are “like filthy rags” compared to God’s holiness.

Romans 3:10-12 – “As it is written: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.'”

No one is righteous enough. No one resembles God enough to earn salvation.

The Gospel Solution:

Since we can’t resemble God enough to earn salvation, God provides salvation as a gift:

2 Corinthians 5:21 – “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Jesus, who perfectly resembled God, took our sin so we could receive His righteousness. This is substitutionary atonement—the heart of the gospel.

Philippians 3:8-9 – “What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”

Paul, one of the most zealous and accomplished religious people in history, considered all his efforts “garbage” compared to the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ.

The Danger of SCJ’s Teaching:

By teaching that “there’s only heaven or hell depending on your actions,” SCJ:

1. Contradicts the gospel – Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works
2. Creates anxiety – “Am I doing enough? Do I resemble God enough?”
3. Produces pride or despair – Either “I’m doing well” (pride) or “I’m failing” (despair)
4. Misses the point – The gospel is about what Christ has done, not what we do

Chapter 21 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Heart of God: What God Really Wants,” contrasts SCJ’s performance-based system with the biblical gospel of grace.

---

Part 6: The Progression of Indoctrination—Where Lesson 32 Fits

By Lesson 32, students have been systematically prepared through a carefully designed progression. Let’s map how this lesson advances the indoctrination process:

Introductory Level (Parables):

• Goal: Establish that the Bible requires special interpretation
• Method: Teaching that parables have hidden meanings only revealed to the chosen
• Effect: Students learn dependency on SCJ’s interpretive method

Intermediate Level (Bible Logic) – Including Lessons 31-39:

Lesson 31 (Clothes/Robes):

• Goal: Establish that clothes represent heart, actions, and doctrine
• Method: Teaching that washing robes means repenting and changing through God’s Word
• Effect: Students learn that they need to constantly “wash” themselves through SCJ’s teaching

Lesson 32 (Treasure and Rich):

• Goal: Establish binary thinking (God’s treasure vs. Satan’s treasure), increase time commitment, create performance anxiety
• Method: Teaching that treasure = the Word, there are two kinds of “rich,” and salvation depends on actions
• Effect: Students feel pressure to dedicate more time to SCJ, see teaching as binary (SCJ vs. everyone else), and feel anxiety about their spiritual state
• Psychological Preparation: Time commitment escalation, binary worldview creation, works-based anxiety

Lessons 33-39 (Water, Spring/River, Sea, Fisherman, Beast, Sealed/Opened Word, No Room):

• Goal: Complete the framework for exclusive authority and justify leaving one’s church
• Method: Teaching that water = Word, SCJ is the “spring,” most Christians are “in the sea,” there are right/wrong teachers, understanding requires the “opened word”
• Effect: Students see their churches as spiritually dead and SCJ as the only source of truth

Advanced Level (Revelation) – Coming Next:

• Goal: Reveal Chairman Lee Man-hee’s exclusive claims
• Method: Teaching that Lee is the “one who overcomes,” the “Promised Pastor,” the source of the “treasure,” the only one with the “opened word”
• Effect: Students accept SCJ’s complete authority and Lee’s unique position

The Strategic Function of Lesson 32:

Lesson 32 serves several strategic functions:

1. Increasing Time Commitment

The opening section calculates students’ available time and emphasizes dedicating more to “spiritual activities.” This prepares students for escalating demands on their time.

2. Establishing Binary Thinking

The “two kinds of everything” framework creates black-and-white thinking that will be used to divide people into SCJ (God’s side) vs. everyone else (Satan’s side).

3. Creating Performance Anxiety

The emphasis on “keeping the covenant,” “resembling God,” and “heaven or hell depending on your actions” creates anxiety that drives greater commitment to SCJ.

4. Undermining Other Churches

The Laodicean accusation plants the seed that most churches think they’re spiritually rich but are actually poor, preparing students to leave their churches.

5. Setting Up the “Treasure” Claim

By establishing that treasure = the Word, SCJ prepares students to accept that the “opened word” (SCJ’s teaching) is the true treasure that most churches lack.

Chapter 11 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story” maps this entire progression, explaining how each level builds psychological dependence while gradually revealing more controversial claims.

---

Part 7: The Subtext—What Lesson 32 Is Really Teaching

Let’s identify the hidden messages beneath the surface teaching:

Surface Message:

“Treasure represents God’s Word. Those who are rich have much of God’s Word. We should be rich in God’s treasure and poor in Satan’s treasure. We need to keep God’s covenant to be His treasured possession.”

Hidden Subtext:

1. You Need to Dedicate More Time to SCJ

The opening time calculation is preparing you to accept escalating demands on your time. Work, family, and personal time are “worldly duties” that compete with “spiritual responsibilities” (SCJ activities).

2. Everything Is Binary—You’re Either With Us or Against Us

There are two kinds of everything: God’s treasure vs. Satan’s treasure, God’s rich vs. Satan’s rich. You’re either on God’s side (SCJ) or Satan’s side (everyone else). There’s no middle ground.

3. Your Church Is Like Laodicea—Spiritually Poor

Your church thinks it has God’s Word, but it’s actually “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” You need to leave your church and join SCJ to become truly rich.

4. Only SCJ Has the True “Treasure”

The “gold refined in the fire” that Laodicea needed to buy is the “opened word”—SCJ’s exclusive teaching. Only by accepting SCJ’s teaching can you become truly rich.

5. Your Salvation Depends on Your Performance

“There’s only heaven or hell depending on your actions.” You need to work hard, dedicate time, keep the covenant (accept SCJ’s teaching), and resemble God enough to be saved.

6. You’re Not Doing Enough

“What percentage of yourself resembles God?” This question is designed to make you feel inadequate and drive you to greater commitment to SCJ.

7. If You’re Not Fully Committed, You’re Failing

The emphasis on “keeping the covenant” and “being treasured by God” creates pressure: If you’re not fully committed to SCJ (attending all classes, doing all homework, evangelizing), you’re not keeping the covenant and you’re not treasured by God.

Chapter 14 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Testimony Vault: Voices From Inside the System,” includes testimonies from former members who describe how these hidden messages became clear only after leaving. One former member stated: “I didn’t realize I was being taught that my salvation depended on my performance and that I needed to dedicate all my time to SCJ. It happened so gradually that I accepted it without questioning.”

---

Part 8: Critical Questions for Discernment

If you’re studying with SCJ or considering their teachings, here are essential questions to ask:

About Time Commitment:

1. Is SCJ asking you to dedicate more and more time to their activities? How much time are you spending on SCJ compared to work, family, rest, and other responsibilities?
2. Does the Bible teach that work and family are “worldly duties” that compete with spiritual life, or that all of life can be lived for God’s glory? (Colossians 3:23-24, 1 Corinthians 10:31)
3. Are you feeling increasingly exhausted and stressed by SCJ’s demands? Is this producing the “rest” Jesus promised (Matthew 11:28-30)?

About Binary Thinking:

4. Does the Bible teach that all teaching is either 100% God’s or 100% Satan’s, or that faithful Christians can disagree on secondary issues while maintaining unity on the gospel? (Romans 14:1-5, Philippians 3:15-16)
5. Is it fair to categorize all churches and Christians outside SCJ as having “Satan’s treasure”? What about churches that faithfully teach the gospel and produce good fruit?
6. Does SCJ’s binary framework allow for nuance, or does it force you to see everything as black-and-white?

About the Laodicean Accusation:

7. Does your church fit the description of Laodicea (materially wealthy, self-sufficient, complacent)? Or does your church humbly depend on God, serve sacrificially, and teach the gospel faithfully?
8. Is it fair to apply Jesus’ words to one specific church (Laodicea) to all churches worldwide?
9. Could Jesus’ words to Laodicea actually apply to SCJ? Does SCJ say, “We are rich (we have exclusive understanding) and do not need a thing (we don’t need input from other Christians)”?

About Works and Salvation:

10. Does the Bible teach that “there’s only heaven or hell depending on your actions,” or that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works? (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:23-24, Titus 3:5)
11. If salvation depends on your actions, how many good actions are enough? What percentage of resembling God is sufficient? How can you know you’ve done enough?
12. Does SCJ’s emphasis on performance produce peace and assurance, or anxiety and fear?

About Your Experience:

13. Has SCJ’s teaching led you to feel increasing anxiety about whether you’re doing enough, resembling God enough, or keeping the covenant well enough?
14. Are you experiencing the “rest” Jesus promised, or increasing burden and exhaustion?
15. Has SCJ’s teaching led you to see your church as spiritually poor like Laodicea? Is this producing love and unity, or judgment and division?

Chapter 27 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “Your Investigation Begins: The Detective’s Assignment,” provides a comprehensive framework for investigating spiritual claims through careful questioning and multiple sources.

---

Part 9: The Way Forward—Responding to SCJ’s “Treasure” Teaching

For Those Currently Studying with SCJ:

1. Evaluate the Time Demands

Take an honest look at how much time SCJ is asking you to commit. Make a list:

• Classes (how many hours per week?)
• Homework/memorization (how many hours?)
• “Home blessings” (how many hours?)
• Evangelism/recruiting (how many hours?)
• Total time per week?

Now ask: Is this sustainable? Is this healthy? Is this what Jesus meant by “my yoke is easy and my burden is light”?

Talk to your family about how SCJ’s time demands are affecting your relationships. Listen to their concerns.

2. Test the Binary Framework

SCJ teaches that there are two kinds of “rich”—God’s rich and Satan’s rich. But ask yourself:

• Does your church teach the core gospel (Christ died for our sins, rose again, salvation by faith)?
• Does your church produce good fruit (love, service, transformed lives)?
• Does your church point people to Jesus?

If the answer is yes, then your church is not “Satan’s rich.” It may not be perfect, but it’s faithfully serving God.

Don’t let SCJ’s binary framework force you to condemn faithful Christians and churches.

3. Examine the Laodicean Accusation

Read Revelation 3:14-22 carefully. Does your church actually fit this description? Or is SCJ unfairly applying this passage to all churches?

Consider: Could SCJ actually be more like Laodicea? Do they say, “We are rich (we have exclusive understanding) and do not need a thing (we don’t need other Christians’ input)”?

4. Test the Works-Based Teaching

SCJ states: “There’s only heaven or hell depending on your actions.” But read Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:23-24, and Titus 3:5.

Ask yourself: Does salvation depend on my actions, or on God’s grace through faith in Christ?

If salvation depended on actions, how could you ever have assurance? How would you know you’d done enough?

The gospel is good news: Christ has done enough. Trust in Him, not in your performance.

5. Talk to Your Pastor

Show your pastor SCJ’s materials. Ask:

• What do you think of their teaching that “there’s only heaven or hell depending on your actions”?
• Does this align with the biblical gospel?
• What do you think of their claim that most churches are like Laodicea?

If SCJ discourages you from talking to your pastor, ask yourself why. Truth can withstand scrutiny.

For Those Who Have Left SCJ:

1. Recover From Time Exhaustion

You may be physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted from SCJ’s time demands. Give yourself permission to rest.

Psalm 23:1-3 – “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.”

God wants to refresh your soul, not exhaust you.

2. Unlearn Binary Thinking

SCJ trained you to see everything as black-and-white: God’s side vs. Satan’s side, God’s treasure vs. Satan’s treasure. Recognize that this was manipulation designed to control you.

The Christian life has nuance. Faithful believers can disagree on secondary issues while maintaining unity on the gospel. Not every difference is a battle between God and Satan.

3. Rediscover Grace

SCJ taught you that “there’s only heaven or hell depending on your actions.” This may have created profound anxiety about your salvation.

Rediscover the biblical gospel:

Romans 8:38-39 – “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

If you’re in Christ, nothing—including your imperfect performance—can separate you from God’s love.

4. Process the Performance Anxiety

Recognize that SCJ’s question—”What percentage of yourself resembles God?”—was designed to create anxiety and drive you to greater commitment.

The truth: You could never resemble God enough to earn salvation. That’s why Jesus came—to give you His righteousness as a gift.

2 Corinthians 5:21 – “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

5. Rebuild Healthy Relationships

SCJ’s time demands may have damaged your relationships with family, friends, and church. Rebuilding takes time.

Reach out to those you’ve neglected. Apologize where appropriate. Be patient with yourself and others.

Chapter 28 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “Hope and Help: Guidance for Recovery,” provides detailed guidance for those recovering from involvement in SCJ.

For Pastors and Christian Leaders:

1. Teach the Biblical Gospel Clearly

Many people join SCJ because they’ve never clearly understood the gospel of grace. Make sure your congregation understands:

• Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9)
• We cannot earn God’s favor through performance
• Jesus’ righteousness is credited to us as a gift
• Assurance of salvation is based on Christ’s work, not ours

2. Address Works-Based Anxiety

When people are taught that “there’s only heaven or hell depending on your actions,” they develop profound anxiety. Teach:

• Our actions don’t determine our salvation—faith in Christ does
• Good works are the fruit of salvation, not the root
• We can have assurance because salvation depends on Christ’s finished work

Romans 8:1 – “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

3. Teach Healthy Boundaries

SCJ’s time demands are unhealthy and unsustainable. Teach your congregation:

• All of life is sacred—work, family, rest, and service
• God doesn’t demand exhausting religious activity
• Jesus’ yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30)
• Healthy spiritual life includes rest, relationships, and balance

4. Affirm the Church’s Value

SCJ accuses churches of being like Laodicea—spiritually poor. Counter this by teaching:

• The church is Christ’s body (1 Corinthians 12:27)
• Christ loves the church and gave Himself for her (Ephesians 5:25)
• The church is the pillar and foundation of truth (1 Timothy 3:15)
• While churches are imperfect, they’re not spiritually bankrupt if they faithfully teach the gospel

Chapter 29 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “How Do We Know Which Voice to Trust?” provides guidance for church leaders in helping members discern truth from deception.

---

Conclusion: The True Treasure

Lesson 32 asks: “What is the treasure?” SCJ’s answer: The Word—and specifically, their “opened word.”

But the Bible’s answer is different and far more beautiful:

Jesus Christ is the treasure.

Matthew 13:44 – “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”

The treasure is the kingdom of heaven—knowing and belonging to Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3:7-8 – “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.”

Paul considered everything—including his religious achievements—as garbage compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.

Colossians 2:2-3 – “My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

In Christ “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” You don’t need SCJ’s “opened word”—you need Jesus.

And here’s the good news: This treasure is available to all who come to Jesus by faith. It’s not earned by performance, not accessed through one exclusive organization, not dependent on your actions.

Ephesians 3:8 – “Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ.”

The “boundless riches of Christ” are available to all through the gospel of grace.

“Test everything; hold fast what is good.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:21

For comprehensive refutation of Shincheonji teachings and support for those investigating or leaving the group, please visit the Shincheonji Examination page at closerlookinitiative.com.

---

A Final Word:

If you’re studying with SCJ and feeling increasing pressure to dedicate more time, perform better, and prove yourself worthy, that pressure is not from God. The gospel is about what Christ has done, not what you must do.

If you’ve left SCJ and are recovering from exhaustion, performance anxiety, and works-based guilt, know this: You are treasured by God not because of your performance but because of Christ’s work. Rest in His finished work.

As “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story” demonstrates throughout its 30 chapters, freedom comes through seeing both the psychological tactics and the biblical truth. Use both lenses. Test everything. Hold fast to what is good.

And above all, hold fast to Jesus Christ—the true treasure, the pearl of great price, the one in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.