This lesson covers several metaphors and parables from the Bible related to fishing, nets, ships, and the sea. The main points are: Fishermen represent evangelists/pastors who “catch” people with the net of God’s word to bring them to salvation. The fish are people who need to be “caught” and brought into the ship, which represents the church/place of deliverance. There will be a separation of the “good fish” (righteous) from the “bad fish” (wicked) at the end times. Ships sinking in the sea represents judgment, while God’s pure “sea of glass” represents His crystal clear word. The process of how the word/revelation is opened is outlined, going from God to Jesus to an angel to John to the servants (people/churches). Discerning true words requires them being fulfilled prophecies with a testimony, not going beyond what is written in Scripture. The key is being caught by the right “fishermen” with the true word and brought aboard the right “ship” for deliverance in the end times. Understanding these metaphors is crucial.
Shincheonji holds distinct theological views that differ from mainstream Christian denominations, yet it also shares some common teachings. This overlap can sometimes blur the lines between their beliefs and those of traditional Christianity. Therefore, it is essential to exercise critical thinking and discernment to differentiate between these shared elements and the unique doctrines they present.
While their interpretations warrant careful examination through a critical and biblical lens, it is equally important to approach these matters with an open yet discerning mindset.
The following notes were documented in person during Shincheonji’s 9-month Bible Study Seminar. They provide insight into the organization’s approach to introducing and explaining its beliefs to potential new members, often referred to as the ‘harvesting and sealing.’ This process is described as being ‘born again’ or ‘born of God’s seed,’ which involves uprooting the old beliefs and replanting new ones. This uprooting and replanting must occur continuously. By examining this process, we can gain a better understanding of the mindset and beliefs held by Shincheonji members.
Figurative meanings:
Ship = Church | Net = The Word | Fish = People
Sea Captain = Pastor | Sailors = Evangelists and Church Staff
Passengers = Saints or Congregational Members
Secrets of Heaven: Figurative Fisherman, Net and Ship
There are several parables we are covering today: "Secrets of Heaven," "The Figurative Fisherman," and "Fish and Ship." There are actually a few more we will discuss, but these are the main ones.
1. The fisherman represents pastors/evangelists who do the work of catching people.
2. The net represents the word. It is the tool they use to catch people.
3. The fish are the people (saints) being caught in the net.
4. The ship is the church (organization) where the caught fish are brought.
This explains the logic of Matthew 13:47-50, but we'll examine why each element means what it does.
Of course, the fish are being pulled from the sea, their home.
Let's think about this:
Do fish realize they live in the sea? No, because it is all they know. The water is their home and normal environment. So being caught in a net is terrifying and strange, as they are pulled from home.
But the fish doesn't know it's being brought to a better spiritual place. In reality the fish will be eaten, but spiritually we want to be "served up" to God. We want to be in His cooking pot, offered to Him.
This connects to being attached to the right tree as fruit or a leaf, or the right trunk as a branch.
It's the same with the ship. Returning to the fish example - when first caught, the fish struggles to escape the net. Nearby fish see this uncomfortable experience.
It's like when people encounter God's Spirit and it completely changes their life. They struggle to deal with the life change. Not easy.
When God redirects your path, it's uncomfortable but leads you somewhere better.
So don't fight the change. Stay in the net, even though it's taking you from a once comfortable place.
Our hope is to be caught in the net by the right fisherman at the second coming, because there are good and bad fishermen then.
Figurative Ship
Main Reference
Matthew 13 47-50
47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Some very important points are mentioned here by Jesus that we need to keep in mind.
One of the first things mentioned is that when the net is cast into the water, it catches all kinds of fish.
It is only after the fish are caught that they are then sifted or separated. This closely mirrors the wedding banquet analogy in Matthew 22, where many were called in from the streets to the banquet, and only after briefly entering did the sifting begin.
"Excuse me, sir, why aren't you wearing the proper wedding clothes?" and they were asked to leave.
The net catches all varieties of fish. And then, as Jesus said, the good fish are separated from the bad.
Hmm, I'm uncertain about this one. Good fish. Good fish. And I'm unsure about that one too. And what happens to them?
They are thrown back into the sea, which is where we don't want to be.
Why? Because a fiery furnace awaits.
This is not merely a parable imparting a moral lesson. This is prophecy.
So let's examine this prophecy more closely.
1. Physical characteristics of Fishing
1. Fishermen made their living from the sea through fishing. They relied on the ocean as their source of income.
2. The fish live in the sea; that is their home, where they find comfort.
3. The net is the tool used to catch the fish.
4. The ship is designed to float above the sea, not to become part of it.
A boat that sinks into the sea has failed its primary purpose. It must remain above the sea.
2. Spiritual (True) Meaning of Fishing
Matthew 4:19
19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
The figurative fish represents people.
They are individuals who need salvation, yet do not realize they require deliverance. These are the ones you must reach. You need to bring them in. And I will instruct you how.
The first humans to be evangelized were more than just the disciples.
The disciples were the first converts brought into Jesus's ministry.
Does this logic make sense?
The disciples were the first "fish" caught in Jesus's figurative net. Subsequently, they assisted Jesus in gathering more followers.
Refer to the book of Habakkuk for more information about the analogy between fish and people.
Habakkuk 1:14-17
14 You have made people like the fish in the sea, like the sea creatures that have no ruler.
15 The wicked foe pulls all of them up with hooks, he catches them in his net,
he gathers them up in his dragnet; and so he rejoices and is glad.
16 Therefore he sacrifices to his net and burns incense to his dragnet, for by his net he lives in luxury and enjoys the choicest food.
17 Is he to keep on emptying his net, destroying nations without mercy?
A very important passage is prophesied in the book of Habakkuk. What do we see in verse 14?
You have made people like fish in the sea, like sea creatures that have no ruler. The wicked enemy pulls them all up with hooks. He catches them in his net, he gathers them in his dragnet, and so he rejoices and is glad. Therefore, he sacrifices to his net and burns incense to his dragnet.
Remember our hope for today.
Remember what I said: to be caught by the right fishermen, because there are other fishermen not doing the good kind of fishing.
So, what is the net these fishermen are using to grab people?
Not the true work. What about false work?
This is why Jesus and his disciples had to come and do the right kind of fishing, with the net that is the word.
Because there is a bad net of lies and falsehoods that people are also using to grab people, and they burn incense to their net like that.
A very deep prophecy that was fulfilled at the time of the first coming.
Remember, Matthew 23:15. The Pharisees. You travel across land and sea, but when you catch someone, you make them twice as much a son of hell as you are.
So, it's important for us to know and understand where the right sea is and where the right fishermen are so that we can be caught by the right net, by the truth, the true word.
3. Spiritual (True) Meaning Ship
We're going to actually look at a historical example. The most famous ship in the whole Bible.
Genesis 7:1
The Lord then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.
We've covered figurative fishing so far. God wants to save you and your entire family. Why? Because He has found you righteous. Why? Because when God promises judgment, He does not want to judge the righteous along with the wicked. He always extracts the righteous first before bringing judgment. Guess what? Revelation is actually very similar to this, as God's pattern does not change.
How God extracts the righteous is a point of debate, and we'll get to those topics later. But understand that this is how God operates. He always extracts the righteous first before He brings judgment.
The same thing happens with Lot as well. Abraham pleaded with God to save Sodom because he understood his relative Lot was there. Abraham kept pleading. Perhaps Sodom would have still been around, but he stopped at 10, which means there weren't even 10 righteous people in the entire city. It was only Lot. But God did not want to destroy Lot along with the wicked. So, He extracted Lot, and then judgment came.
What about at the time of the second coming? The same pattern will occur. So, let's understand that more. Historically, the ark, which is, of course, a big old ship, was used to save Noah and his family. His entire family was saved because Noah was righteous. What about you, Harvest Class? How will your family be safe because of your efforts, because of your work?
Keep going because God can then use you to reach so many people. But if you stop, then there's no hope for them too. That's the logic that God has established. You're the connection. That's why you are here.
That's why you were the first in your family to hear the open word. It's not an accident.
So, Noah built the ark; it took him approximately a hundred years to build the ark. And as he was teaching about what was to come, many people looked at him and scoffed, "Nonsense." And they kept on with their daily lives, eating and drinking, marrying and being given in marriage, paying no attention to what was about to come.
Until the floodwaters took them all away, and by that point, it was too late.
We like to think of God as having infinite grace and infinite mercy. But eventually, the doors of the ark shut. Eventually, fire rains down from above.
So, you have to act when the time is right to act. If you do not act, you die.
That's how it's always been. This is why Jesus mentioned Noah and Lot at the second coming.
The coming will be like this.
Matthew 24:37-39
37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
At the coming of the Son of Man, the days will be similar to the days of Noah and Lot. Jesus mentions, and delivers a different message, "Remember Lot's wife." The reason he mentioned this is because Lot's wife, as they were escaping together, her heart was too connected to the place from which they had to escape. And she decided to follow her heart to see the place, and it cost her her life.
When a fish escapes from the sea, it bites too. Sometimes it wants to go back to the sea because it has not yet realized the value of the ship for which it is being caught onto. It's still being pulled up. If it jumps out of the net prematurely, then it will never realize the glory of the ship that awaits it. Remember Lot's wife.
So, if Jesus says, "The days of Noah will be like the days of Lot," that means a place will appear at the time of the second coming that will be like a spiritual ark, not a literal ark, right? If someone is building a literal ark, that is not the place to which you are to go because nothing significant will happen at that place.
In fact, there is a life-sized ark built in Williamstown, Kentucky, in the United States. It's a giant structure, right? Probably fun to visit, but not a place where we should be like, "Alright Jesus, we're waiting for you here. Everybody bring the snacks?" That's not what we should be doing. But a spiritual ark will appear as promised.
So, let's understand a little bit more about ships and their context at the second coming because there are consequences for being on the right ship or a wrong ship.
Revelation 8:8-9
8 The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, 9 a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
This passage contains numerous significant prophecies, which we will explore in greater depth in the coming days.
We observe that a mountain is ablaze, and it is thrown into the sea. This catastrophic event has severe consequences, resulting in the destruction of a third of many things.
Notably, it also destroys a third of the ships, causing them to sink into the sea. For those aboard these ill-fated vessels, the situation is dire, akin to the Titanic tragedy. They too would sink into the waters as the ships go down.
This raises the question: What becomes of those whose livelihoods depend on these ships? What fate awaits them in the wake of such a calamitous event?
Revelation 18:17-19
17 In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’
“Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. 18 When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city?’ 19 They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out:
“‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth!
In one hour she has been brought to ruin!’
Revelation 18 discusses the judgment of Babylon. We'll cover this topic in more detail in the future. But know that Babylon is the place that had captured God's people at the time of the second coming. Remember when we read Revelation 18:2-4, right? Where God says in verse 4, "Come out of her, Babylon, my people," so that you will not share in her sins or be judged with her plagues, for I will judge Babylon for what it has done to my people.
Who are God's people at the time of the second coming? These are the questions we should be asking ourselves. Am I still in Babylon, or have I already come out? These are the questions we should ponder upon as well. I don't want to be one who is still in Babylon when God says, "Come out of that one."
But then he talks about those who made their living from the sea, every sea captain. So if the ship is a church that God uses to rescue His righteous from destruction, then who is the sea captain?
Okay, so on Earth, who will Jesus and God work through, or who should they be working through? Pastors. What about the sailors? So the sea captain commands the ship as the ship is going. They have those who work with the captain to carry out necessary tasks for that ship to function properly. Who are these people?
Like followers of the church and those who work at the church? You can say evangelists. Those would have duties in the church staff. Those who made a living on the sea. Then there are those who travel by ship. Who are those who travel by ship?
The saints, the congregation members.
So the sea captain is the pastor, the sailors are the evangelists or church staff, disciples, worship leaders, etc. And the passengers, those who travel by sea, they are the saints or congregation members. The members of that place. So we want to be those who are part of the right ship, just as it's important to be part of the right tree.
It's important to be part of the right basket. It's important to be cooked in the right cooking pot. It's important to be a part of the right body. We'll talk about that this week.
Let me talk about the body. It is also important to be part of the right ship. So this week will be all about the importance of affiliation. It's so important, critically important, for the time, especially of the second coming.
There is one thing I wanted to make sure I've mentioned about the sea.
4. Two Types of Sea
We have already discussed Satan's sea, mentioned in Isaiah 27:1, the sea of Leviathan that God desires to judge. This represents Satan's world. However, there is also God's sea.
Revelation 4:5-6
5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. 6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.
John's vision of heaven depicts a sea of glass, representing the Word of God, which is as clear as crystal. Unlike a murky sea with darkness, this water is transparent and pure, reflecting the clarity and infinity of God's flawless Word.
The vastness of this sea symbolizes the depth and boundlessness of God's Word. As we delve into it, we can go deeper and deeper, continually discovering more. Its clarity signifies the presence of light everywhere.
What John witnessed was a representation of the Word of God, as clear as crystal. This Word cleanses our inner being, similar to how Jesus said to His disciples in John 15:3, "You are already clean because of the words I have spoken to you." This sea of glass is the good sea, separate from the bad sea, which represents the world.
God's sea of glass symbolizes the boundless and crystal-clear nature of His Word.
Looking back at this sea, it is prophesied that Satan's sea will eventually disappear by God's grace, allowing life to abound afterwards.
5. Sea is Healed
Ezekiel 47:8-11
8 He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah,[a] where it enters the Dead Sea. When it empties into the sea, the salty water there becomes fresh. 9 Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. 10 Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds—like the fish of the Mediterranean Sea. 11 But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt.
If you continue reading, though, it talks about the sea that is not fresh in verse 11, but the swamps and marshes will not become fresh. They will be left for salt. So, verse 11 talks about the sea that is not healed by that water, the sea that is very stubborn, for example, that refuses to hear the truth. However, in the places where the river flows and that word of truth is accepted, the water becomes fresh, and life springs up in that location.
As you can see, the ships let down nets into the water. It's very cool. The Lord God is continuous and speaks to itself. It's indeed very cool. So there's a prophecy here in the book of Ezekiel that the sea water will eventually become fresh in select places. And when this happens, as the Word of God is flowing from the temple, something wonderful occurs.
Habakkuk 2:14
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
Oh, what do we see here? The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord.
To what extent? As much as the waters cover the sea. Let it be so.
May God's words fill the earth like the sea does.
However, this sea is in contrast with the bad sea prophesied to go away.
In Revelation 21:1, it says, "For the first heaven and the first Earth passed away, and there was no longer any sea."
But what sea goes away? It cannot be the literal sea, for if the literal sea went away, the Earth would die. You see, it is a critical part of the ecosystems of this planet that God created.
It's not literal. And if we continue interpreting Revelation literally, we will never understand it.
So what sea goes away when there is a new heaven and a new earth? Satan's world of falsehood goes away.
And everyone will have the truth, as stated in Habakkuk 2:14. Let that be now.
It's coming. Do you believe in God's promises? So, how will this take place? Lastly, I promise we will use this whole space down here to talk about it.
It is so critical to our understanding of the open word. We talked about the word being opened, but we haven't yet discussed how.
Everyone, how is the word opened? Yes, are you ready? But in a second.
Deep breath.
How is the word opened? How does this process take place? Because it is a process.
Let's see step by step, so that as we continue in the course, this will lead us to be able to discern what is true from what is not, as we discussed in the beginning.
6. How the Word is Opened
And this content will cover a bunch of times throughout the course. You'll see this many, many times.
Revelation 1:1-3
The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
These are some of the most important verses in the entire Book of Revelation. Here is God's logic. God initiated this process first, ultimately. Let's go back to when we were in grade school. In grade school, we had to write papers. So many papers! Some students loved writing papers, while others hated it. But one thing our teachers always instructed us to do for structuring our papers was: Tell us what you're going to tell us. Tell us. And then tell us what you told us. That's the structure of every single paper you've ever written in school. Guess what? God did it first.
God did it first. So the first few verses of the Book of Revelation actually summarize the entire book, all the way up to verse 8. Verses 1 to 3 are critical because they show how the rest of the book will be formatted and how it will take place.
So let's break it down step by step. Okay, let's go back to verse 1:
It says the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending His Angel to His servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
There are no accidents in the Bible. The Word of God and the testimony of Jesus, they go together like this. They always go together. Then the truth abounds—the word and the testimony, and you see the word and the testimony many times in the Book of Revelation.
John, who received the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
This part of the prophecy summarizes the whole Book of Revelation, all the way really up to verse 8, but these 3 verses are critically important.
So let's understand the significance of the sequence from God to Jesus to the angel to John to the servants.
What is it that goes from God and eventually ends up at the servants? We'll see this in more detail in the Book of Revelation.
Revelation 5:1
Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.
There is a book sealed with seven seals in God's hand. Later on, in chapter 5, it states that no one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth could open that sealed book or look inside.
When the Apostle John witnessed this in his vision, he came to the realization that if this book cannot be opened, there is no salvation. God's work cannot be concluded or finished. That's why John was weeping. Then, one of the elders said to him, "Do not weep, for there is one who can open the scroll, and it is the Lamb who was slain."
Revelation 5:7
He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.
He, being the Lamb, takes the scroll from God, right? So remember verse one: 'The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him.'
Then, what does Jesus do with this scroll?
Revelation 6:1
I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!”
Jesus begins to open the seals. As you continue reading through Revelation 6, you'll see that Jesus opens seal one, seal two, seal three, seal four, seal five, and seal six. The last seal is opened in Revelation 8:1, and now that little scroll, which is the book of Revelation itself, is opened. This means that Jesus opened it. We'll understand this more as we study further. However, the scroll that was once sealed in God's hand was given to Jesus, and Jesus one by one opens it.
You'll notice that each time Jesus opens a seal, events take place. An angel appears. Judgment happens. Events are occurring, meaning that the term "opening" signifies fulfillment. This is why it is called Jesus's revelation because he was the only one able to understand and know what God had sealed and then make the events happen one by one. So when the book is opened, Jesus doesn't just keep it in his hand. Remember Revelation 1:1-3, he then does something with that book.
Then what does Jesus do with this scroll?
Revelation 10:1-2
Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. 2 He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land,
Behold, what is this glorious angel holding in his hand? It is a little scroll. Where did this little scroll originate from? It came from Jesus. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John. And this angel is holding the open scroll that Jesus had just unveiled! Are you all following along? Does it make sense to everyone? So what does this signify? What action will the angel take with the scroll that is now in his possession?
Revelation 10:8-11
8 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: “Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.”
9 So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, “Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but ‘in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.’ 10 I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. 11 Then I was told, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings.”
Let's examine Revelation 10:8-11. We see that the angel gives John the little scroll that Jesus had opened, which was once sealed in God's hand. John takes the scroll and eats it. Then, he is instructed, "Go now and prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings. And give what I have given you to them." Intriguing.
Now, is the Apostle John still alive? No, he has been dead for a long time, approximately 2,000 years.
Remember the question the Ethiopian eunuch asked Philip in Acts 8:34. As the eunuch was reading the book of Isaiah, he noticed Isaiah saying things like "I saw, I heard, it was shown to me." The eunuch was a bit confused and asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about? Himself or someone else?"
Then Philip began explaining from that very passage of Scripture, telling him about Jesus. Meaning, Isaiah was not talking about himself. Isaiah only saw those things in a vision, but someone else came later and lived out the events. Isaiah saw what was to come, which was Jesus.
This is actually the logic of all prophecies concerning a person. Remember: "OPAGH" - Objects, People, Animals, Geographic locations, and Historical events. A person themselves can become a parable if they are a prophet. This topic is profound, and we'll cover it many times as we continue to study. But keep those things in mind because in every chapter of Revelation, you will see "I saw, I heard, it was shown to me." It was what John was shown. But who is the prophet talking about - himself or someone else? I'll leave you with that thought.
Very important. This is how the word is opened. As prophesied, we went through verse by verse, right? From God to Jesus to the angel to John to many peoples, nations, languages, and kings. Peoples - congregation members. Nations - churches! Languages - doctrines! Kings - pastors! And we'll understand more as we study further.
Memorization
Matthew 24:37-39
37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
Instructor Review
SUMMARY
We examined the metaphors of fishermen, fishing, and ships. We explored how we can confirm whether a word is true or not.
A word is considered true when it is fulfilled, and there is a testimony to support it. The word and the testimony must be present together.
Spiritual fishing occurs when one possessing the word delivers that word to people, like casting a net to pull them from their comfortable place into a better place. This is what Jesus did with his disciples, and it is the essence of evangelism.
Like Noah's Ark, the ship represents a place for the deliverance of God's righteous people. The ship's captain is akin to a pastor, the sailors are those who work on the ship and make their living from it, and the passengers are the saints, the congregation members.
However, we know that in the time of Revelation, there are ships that sink into the sea, becoming part of the falsehood – a terrible fate, as prophesied.
In contrast, there is God's sea of glass, clear as crystal – God's clear word that washes our inner beings. It sits in front of His throne, transparent and illuminated, with no darkness to be found.
Lastly, we covered how the word is open and comes from God, sealed in His right hand. It goes from God to Jesus, to the angel, to John, and then to many people's nations, languages, and kings who receive that word.
And so it unfolds. Let us be excited, for there is much more to come. Stay focused, stay calm, stay with the word – the word and the testimony, and you will never be misled.
Let's Us Discern
Analysis of Shincheonji Bible Study Lesson 36: "Secrets of Heaven: Figurative Fisherman, Net and Ship"
Using "Testing Shincheonji's Claims: Two Lenses, One Story"
Introduction: The Net That Divides
Lesson 36, titled "Secrets of Heaven: Figurative Fisherman, Net and Ship," presents itself as a straightforward teaching about biblical symbolism—fishermen represent pastors, the net represents God's Word, fish represent people, and the ship represents the church. On the surface, this appears to be basic biblical interpretation that any Christian teacher might offer.
However, as "Testing Shincheonji's Claims: Two Lenses, One Story" demonstrates throughout its 30 chapters, Shincheonji (SCJ) consistently operates on two levels: the visible teaching (which sounds biblical) and the hidden agenda (which prepares students to accept SCJ's exclusive claims). Lesson 36 is a masterclass in this dual-layer approach.
By this point in the Intermediate Level ("Bible Logic"), students have been conditioned through dozens of lessons to accept SCJ's interpretive framework. Now, Lesson 36 introduces a crucial concept that will be used to justify leaving one's church and family: the distinction between "right" and "wrong" fishermen, "good" and "bad" nets, "true" and "false" churches. The lesson's stated hope—"to be caught in the net by the right fisherman at the Second Coming"—sounds innocent, but it's preparing students to believe that only SCJ represents the "right fisherman" and only SCJ's teaching is the "right net."
Most significantly, this lesson introduces SCJ's verification methodology—"the law and the testimony"—which sounds biblical but will be twisted to mean that only Chairman Lee Man-hee can provide valid testimony because only he "witnessed" Revelation's fulfillment. This is the foundation for SCJ's entire exclusive authority claim.
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 Fisherman Parable—Setting Up the Binary
What SCJ Teaches:
The lesson begins by establishing symbolic meanings:
- The fisherman represents pastors/evangelists who catch people
- The net represents the Word (the tool for catching people)
- The fish are the people (saints) being caught
- The ship is the church (organization) where caught fish are brought
The instructor emphasizes: "Our hope is to be caught in the net by the right fisherman at the second coming, because there are good and bad fishermen then."
He uses an extended metaphor about fish being pulled from the sea (their comfortable home) into a net (uncomfortable but leading somewhere better), encouraging students: "So don't fight the change. Stay in the net, even though it's taking you from a once comfortable place."
The Reflective Lens: The Psychological Setup
This teaching appears to be about spiritual growth and change, but it's actually laying groundwork for several manipulative dynamics:
1. The Binary Framework: Right vs. Wrong Fishermen
The lesson establishes that there are "right" and "wrong" fishermen—good pastors and bad pastors. This binary thinking is a hallmark of high-control groups. The implicit message: You need to discern which fisherman has caught you. If you're in the "wrong" net (wrong church), you need to get into the "right" net (SCJ).
Chapter 12 of "Testing Shincheonji's Claims: Two Lenses, One Story," titled "When Narrative Becomes More Important Than Truth," addresses this binary thinking. The chapter explains how oversimplified categories (right/wrong, true/false, us/them) prevent nuanced thinking and make it easier to control members' worldview.
2. Normalizing Discomfort and Resistance
The extended metaphor about fish struggling in the net is psychologically significant. The instructor is preparing students for the discomfort they'll feel as they:
- Distance from family and friends
- Leave their home church
- Embrace teachings that contradict mainstream Christianity
- Face opposition from loved ones
By framing this discomfort as normal and even positive ("being pulled from a comfortable place to somewhere better"), SCJ preemptively neutralizes resistance. When students feel uncomfortable, they'll remember: "The instructor said this would be uncomfortable. He said not to fight the change. This must mean I'm being pulled to something better."
This is a sophisticated form of psychological manipulation identified in Chapter 11 of "Testing Shincheonji's Claims: Two Lenses, One Story," titled "The Isolation Strategy: When Progressive Revelation Becomes Progressive Control." The chapter explains how groups claiming exclusive truth systematically prepare members to accept isolation from outside influences by reframing it as spiritual growth.
3. The Authority Transfer Mechanism
Who determines which fisherman is "right" and which is "wrong"? Who decides which net is "good" and which is "bad"? In SCJ's system, it's ultimately Chairman Lee Man-hee and the organization he leads. Students are being prepared to accept that judgment without realizing it yet.
4. The Emotional Hook: "Don't Fight the Change"
The instruction "don't fight the change" is directed at students' internal resistance. When doubts arise ("Should I really leave my church? Should I distance from my family?"), students will remember this teaching and suppress their concerns, believing resistance is a sign they're "fighting" God's work.
The Discernment Lens: What Does Scripture Actually Teach?
Let's examine whether SCJ's "fisherman" teaching aligns with biblical truth.
Biblical Truth #1: Jesus Did Use Fishing Imagery
The Bible does use fishing imagery to describe evangelism and discipleship:
Matthew 4:18-19 - "As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 'Come, follow me,' Jesus said, 'and I will send you out to fish for people.'"
Luke 5:10 - "Then Jesus said to Simon, 'Don't be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.'"
So far, SCJ's teaching aligns with Scripture. The problem comes in how they apply this imagery.
Biblical Truth #2: The Context Matters—What Was Jesus Teaching?
When Jesus used fishing imagery, what was He teaching? Let's examine the full context:
Matthew 4:18-22 - Jesus called fishermen to follow Him and become "fishers of people." The context is about discipleship and evangelism—bringing people to Jesus, not to an organization.
Luke 5:1-11 - After a miraculous catch of fish, Jesus tells Peter, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will fish for people." Again, the context is about bringing people to Jesus through the gospel message.
The Biblical Pattern:
- Fishing represents evangelism—sharing the gospel
- The "catch" represents people coming to faith in Jesus Christ
- The goal is bringing people to Jesus, not to a specific organization
The SCJ Distortion:
- Fishing represents bringing people into SCJ's organization
- The "right fisherman" is SCJ's evangelist; the "wrong fisherman" is any other pastor
- The goal is bringing people to accept Chairman Lee Man-hee's revelation
Biblical Truth #3: The Parable of the Net—What Did Jesus Actually Teach?
SCJ references Matthew 13:47-50, the parable of the net. Let's examine what Jesus actually taught:
Matthew 13:47-50 - "Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
What Jesus Was Teaching:
- The net catches "all kinds of fish" - The gospel goes out to everyone, and the church includes all types of people
- The separation happens "at the end of the age" - Judgment is future, not present
- Angels do the separating - God judges, not human organizations
- The criteria is "wicked" vs. "righteous" - Judgment is based on moral/spiritual condition, not whether someone accepts one person's interpretation of Revelation
What Jesus Was NOT Teaching:
- There are "right" and "wrong" fishermen (pastors) in the present age
- You need to discern which net (church) is correct and switch to it
- One organization represents the "right fisherman" and all others are wrong
- Accepting a specific teaching or leader determines whether you're a "good" or "bad" fish
Chapter 9 of "Testing Shincheonji's Claims: Two Lenses, One Story," titled "The Parable Puzzle: How SCJ Redefines Biblical Interpretation," addresses this pattern extensively. The chapter explains how SCJ takes Jesus' parables and reinterprets them to support their exclusive claims, ignoring the original context and meaning.
Biblical Truth #4: Unity in the Body of Christ
The New Testament emphasizes unity among believers and warns against the kind of divisive thinking SCJ promotes:
1 Corinthians 1:10-13 - "I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be completely united in mind and thought. My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, 'I follow Paul'; another, 'I follow Apollos'; another, 'I follow Cephas'; still another, 'I follow Christ.' Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?"
Paul condemns the very thing SCJ promotes—dividing believers into factions based on which leader or organization they follow. The biblical pattern is unity in Christ, not division based on which "fisherman" caught you.
Ephesians 4:4-6 - "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
The emphasis is on unity—"one body," "one Lord," "one faith"—not on finding the "right" organization among many wrong ones.
Chapter 20 of "Testing Shincheonji's Claims: Two Lenses, One Story," titled "The Community of Faith: How the Church Actually Works," contrasts SCJ's divisive, exclusive model with Scripture's teaching about the universal church united in Christ.
Part 2: The "Law and Testimony" Doctrine—Setting Up Exclusive Authority
What SCJ Teaches:
The lesson introduces a crucial verification methodology based on Isaiah 8:20:
"What are the 2 things mentioned in verse 20 that one needs to know what the truth is? These 2 things are particularly important: the law and the testimony."
The instructor explains: "'To the law and the testimony' means revealing the details about what God has done as he said he would do and pointing to the realities. This is what God said in His Word and here is how what God said has been fulfilled."
He then connects this to Deuteronomy 18:18-22, emphasizing that a true prophet's words must come true: "The first key discernment method: Does what this person say come true? Doesn't it happen as he said it would? Was it fulfilled?"
The lesson concludes: "With these 2 things, the law and the testimony, someone can know if something is true. If the testimony is missing, and it often is, then that person should not be listened to."
The Reflective Lens: The Verification Trap
This teaching sounds biblically sound—of course we should test whether prophecies come true! However, SCJ is setting up a sophisticated trap:
1. The Reasonable Starting Point
The lesson begins with something everyone can agree with: We should test teachings against Scripture and verify whether prophecies are fulfilled. This is biblical (Acts 17:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:21). By starting here, SCJ gains students' agreement.
2. The Subtle Redefinition
Notice how SCJ redefines "testimony." The instructor clarifies: "When it says testimony here, this is not talking about personal testimonies, like 'Let me tell you about what God did for me today.' That's not what it's referring to in this passage."
Instead, SCJ defines "testimony" as "revealing the details about what God has done as he said he would do and pointing to the realities"—i.e., explaining how prophecy was fulfilled by identifying the physical realities.
This redefinition is crucial because it sets up SCJ's central claim: Only Chairman Lee Man-hee can provide valid "testimony" because only he "witnessed" the fulfillment of Revelation's prophecies in 1984. Therefore, only he can point to "the realities" behind Revelation's symbols.
3. The Exclusive Authority Claim
The logic SCJ is building:
Premise 1: To know truth, you need both "law" (Scripture) and "testimony" (witness of fulfillment)
Premise 2: Revelation's prophecies have been fulfilled (in 1984, in SCJ's organization)
Premise 3: Chairman Lee Man-hee witnessed this fulfillment
Conclusion: Therefore, only Lee Man-hee can provide valid "testimony," and only those who accept his testimony have both "law and testimony"
This is why the instructor says: "If the testimony is missing, and it often is, then that person should not be listened to." The implicit message: Your pastor doesn't have "testimony" (didn't witness Revelation's fulfillment), so he shouldn't be listened to. Only SCJ has both law and testimony.
4. The Circular Verification System
This creates a closed verification system:
- Question: How do we verify SCJ's claims?
- SCJ's Answer: Through "law and testimony"
- Question: How do we verify the testimony?
- SCJ's Answer: Chairman Lee Man-hee witnessed it
- Question: How do we verify his witness?
- SCJ's Answer: It aligns with Scripture (as interpreted by SCJ)
- Question: How do we verify the interpretation?
- SCJ's Answer: Through the testimony of the one who witnessed it (Lee Man-hee)
The verification is circular—SCJ's claims can only be verified within SCJ's own framework, making genuine verification impossible.
Chapter 13 of "Testing Shincheonji's Claims: Two Lenses, One Story," titled "The Verification Problem: Evaluating Claims, Evidence, and Witnesses," addresses this issue extensively. The chapter explains how SCJ creates a closed verification system where their teachings can only be verified by their own interpretive framework.
The Discernment Lens: What Does Isaiah 8:20 Actually Mean?
Let's examine Isaiah 8:19-20 in its proper context:
Isaiah 8:19-20 - "When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? Consult God's instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn."
The Historical Context:
Isaiah was writing to Judah during a time of crisis. The people were tempted to consult mediums and spiritists (forbidden practices) instead of trusting God. Isaiah tells them to consult "God's instruction" (the Torah, God's revealed law) and "the testimony" (the prophetic witness about God's character and promises).
What "Law and Testimony" Meant:
- "Law" (Torah/Instruction): God's revealed Word—His commands, promises, and character as revealed in Scripture
- "Testimony" (Prophetic Witness): The consistent witness of God's prophets about His faithfulness, His plan, and His requirements
The point: Test everything against God's revealed Word and the consistent testimony of His prophets. Don't seek secret knowledge from mediums; seek truth from God's revealed Word.
What Isaiah Was NOT Teaching:
- That future prophecies require one person's exclusive "testimony" to be understood
- That "testimony" means one person's claim to have witnessed secret fulfillments
- That most teachers lack "testimony" and shouldn't be listened to
- That you need a special witness to understand Scripture
The Biblical Pattern of Verification:
Scripture provides multiple ways to verify truth, not just one person's exclusive testimony:
1. Test Against 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."
Even Paul's teaching was tested against Scripture. No teacher—not even an apostle—was above scrutiny.
2. Test the Fruit:
Matthew 7:15-20 - "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them... Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit."
Jesus taught that we recognize true and false teachers by their fruit—their character, their impact, their consistency with God's nature.
3. Test the Spirit:
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."
John provides a theological test: Does the teaching acknowledge Jesus Christ as God incarnate? This is a test SCJ ultimately fails, as they teach Jesus is merely a "model" and that salvation requires accepting Lee Man-hee's revelation, not just faith in Christ.
4. Test Through Community Discernment:
1 Corinthians 14:29 - "Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said."
Even prophetic messages were to be weighed by the community, not accepted without question from one authoritative source.
The Biblical Standard:
Truth is verified through:
- Multiple witnesses (2 Corinthians 13:1)
- Consistency with prior revelation (Galatians 1:8-9)
- Fruit/character (Matthew 7:15-20)
- Theological orthodoxy (1 John 4:1-3)
- Community discernment (Acts 15, 1 Corinthians 14:29)
- The Holy Spirit's witness (John 16:13, 1 John 2:20, 27)
SCJ's model—one person's exclusive testimony that can only be verified within their own framework—contradicts the biblical pattern of verification through multiple, independent sources.
Chapter 18 of "Testing Shincheonji's Claims: Two Lenses, One Story," titled "When One Voice Claims to Speak for God," contrasts SCJ's exclusive model with Scripture's teaching about how God reveals truth through multiple witnesses and the community of faith.
Part 3: The Deuteronomy 18 Application—Preparing for the Promised Pastor
What SCJ Teaches:
The lesson emphasizes Deuteronomy 18:18-22, particularly the test for true prophets:
"The first key discernment method: Does what this person say come true? Doesn't it happen as he said it would? Was it fulfilled? That's discernment method number one. If someone says something in the name of the Lord and it does not come true, then that person is not one that speaks for God."
The instructor then warns: "Many people have made bold claims related to God over the last 100 years, for example. They say, on this day, everyone be ready. And people sit there and nothing happens. You might think, oh it must have been a fluke or maybe I misheard. That person should not be followed anymore."
The Reflective Lens: The Ironic Warning
This teaching is deeply ironic because it describes exactly what SCJ and Chairman Lee Man-hee have done—made bold claims that didn't come true. Let's examine the psychological dynamics:
1. The Legitimate Biblical Principle
The lesson begins with a legitimate biblical principle: Test whether prophecies come true (Deuteronomy 18:21-22). This is sound biblical teaching.
2. The Selective Application
However, SCJ applies this test selectively:
- They use it to dismiss other teachers and organizations
- They don't apply it to Chairman Lee Man-hee's failed predictions
- They redefine "fulfillment" to mean whatever happened in their organization, regardless of whether it matches the prophecy
3. The Preemptive Defense
By teaching students to dismiss teachers whose predictions fail, SCJ is actually preparing students to dismiss concerns about Lee Man-hee's own failed predictions. When someone points out that Lee's prophecies didn't come true, students will think: "That person is just trying to discredit God's true messenger. I should not listen to them."
4. The Authority Transfer
The lesson is preparing students to see Chairman Lee Man-hee as the fulfillment of Deuteronomy 18:18—the prophet like Moses whom God promised to raise up. In later lessons, students will learn that Lee is this prophet, that his words have come true (according to SCJ's redefinition of fulfillment), and therefore he must be listened to.
The Discernment Lens: Applying the Test to SCJ
Let's apply the very test SCJ teaches to SCJ itself. Has Chairman Lee Man-hee made predictions that didn't come true?
Failed Prediction #1: The 1980s Timeline
In the 1980s, Chairman Lee Man-hee taught that the events of Revelation were being fulfilled and that the end would come soon. Specific timelines were given. These predictions did not come true.
Failed Prediction #2: The 144,000
SCJ teaches that exactly 144,000 people would be sealed by a specific time. When this didn't happen, they adjusted the teaching, claiming the sealing is ongoing. This is moving the goalposts—redefining the prophecy after it fails.
Failed Prediction #3: The Nature of Fulfillment
SCJ claims Revelation was fulfilled in 1984 in their organization in Korea. However, Revelation describes:
- Cosmic signs (sun darkened, stars falling, Revelation 6:12-13)
- Global impact (every nation, tribe, language, Revelation 7:9)
- Visible return of Christ (every eye will see Him, Revelation 1:7)
- Physical resurrection (the dead rise, Revelation 20:4-6)
None of these occurred in 1984 in SCJ's organization. SCJ redefines everything as "spiritual" fulfillment, but this is not what Revelation describes.
The Instructor's Own Warning Applies:
The instructor says: "If someone says something in the name of the Lord and it does not come true, then that person is not one that speaks for God. You should not be listening to that individual."
By SCJ's own standard—the biblical standard of Deuteronomy 18—Chairman Lee Man-hee's claims should be rejected because his predictions have not come true as he said they would.
Chapter 19 of "Testing Shincheonji's Claims: Two Lenses, One Story," titled "The Timeline Trap: When Prophecy Becomes a Puzzle Only One Person Can Solve," addresses SCJ's failed predictions and how they redefine fulfillment when prophecies don't come true as predicted.
Biblical Truth: The Prophet Like Moses
Let's examine what Deuteronomy 18:18 actually promises:
Deuteronomy 18:15, 18 - "The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him... I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him."
Who Is This Prophet?
The New Testament clearly identifies this prophet as Jesus Christ:
Acts 3:22-23 - "For Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.'"
Peter, speaking under the Holy Spirit's inspiration, identifies Jesus as the prophet like Moses.
John 1:45 - "Philip found Nathanael and told him, 'We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.'"
John 5:46 - "If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me."
Jesus Himself claimed to be the fulfillment of Moses' prophecy.
The Biblical Pattern:
The "prophet like Moses" is Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate prophet, the final Word of God:
Hebrews 1:1-2 - "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe."
God's ultimate revelation is Jesus—not a 20th-century Korean leader claiming to be a new prophet.
Chapter 16 of "Testing Shincheonji's Claims: Two Lenses, One Story," titled "The Promised Pastor Problem: When Human Leaders Claim Divine Authority," addresses how SCJ's claim that Lee Man-hee is the "promised pastor" contradicts the New Testament's teaching that Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about God's messenger.
Part 4: The John 3 Application—Misusing Jesus' Words
What SCJ Teaches:
The lesson references John 3:31-33, where John the Baptist speaks about Jesus:
"John the Baptist is speaking here. He says, 'The one who is from above speaks as one from above.' This means his words are not his own, but come from God above. Is this not what God said in Deuteronomy 18 in the prophecy? 'I will send from among you a prophet, and he will speak My words.'"
The instructor connects this to the "law and testimony" theme: Jesus spoke God's words and testified to what He had seen and heard, therefore He had both law and testimony.
The Reflective Lens: The Bait and Switch
This teaching uses a classic bait-and-switch tactic:
1. The True Starting Point
The lesson correctly identifies that Jesus is the prophet from Deuteronomy 18, the one who speaks God's words. This is biblically accurate.
2. The Subtle Shift
However, SCJ is setting up a parallel: Just as Jesus was the prophet who spoke God's words and testified to what He had seen, so Chairman Lee Man-hee is a prophet who speaks God's words and testifies to what he has seen (Revelation's fulfillment).
This parallel is never stated explicitly in Lesson 36 (it will be revealed in later lessons), but it's being prepared here. Students are learning the pattern: A true prophet speaks God's words and testifies to what he has seen. Later, they'll learn that Lee Man-hee fits this pattern.
3. The False Equivalence
The problem is that Jesus and Lee Man-hee are not equivalent:
Jesus:
- Is God incarnate (John 1:1, 14)
- Spoke with inherent divine authority (Matthew 7:28-29)
- Performed miracles validating His claims (John 10:37-38)
- Fulfilled specific, detailed Old Testament prophecies (Luke 24:44)
- Rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3-8)
- Is worshiped as Lord and God (John 20:28, Philippians 2:9-11)
Lee Man-hee:
- Is a human being claiming special revelation
- Speaks with claimed authority based on his testimony
- Has not performed validating miracles
- Has not fulfilled specific Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah
- Has not risen from the dead
- Should not be worshiped (and SCJ claims they don't worship him, though the practical effect is similar)
Creating a parallel between Jesus and any human teacher is problematic and potentially blasphemous.
The Discernment Lens: What Does John 3:31-33 Actually Teach?
Let's examine John 3:31-33 in context:
John 3:22-36 - This passage records John the Baptist's testimony about Jesus. John's disciples are concerned that Jesus is baptizing and everyone is going to Him (v. 26). John responds by explaining Jesus' superiority:
John 3:31-36 - "The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them."
What John the Baptist Was Teaching:
- Jesus is "from above" - He has divine origin, unlike earthly teachers
- Jesus testifies to what He has seen and heard - He speaks from direct knowledge of heavenly realities because He came from heaven
- God gives Jesus the Spirit without limit - Jesus has the fullness of God's Spirit in a way no human teacher does
- Everything is in Jesus' hands - He has ultimate authority
- Eternal life comes through believing in Jesus - Salvation is through faith in Christ, not through accepting any human teacher's testimony
What John Was NOT Teaching:
- That other human teachers can claim similar authority by saying they "testify to what they have seen"
- That the pattern of "testifying to what one has seen" can be replicated by future teachers
- That salvation requires accepting a human teacher's testimony about prophetic fulfillment
The Unique Nature of Jesus' Testimony:
Jesus' testimony is unique because:
John 1:18 - "No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known."
Jesus can testify to heavenly realities because He is God incarnate. No human teacher—including Chairman Lee Man-hee—can claim this.
John 6:46 - "No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father."
John 8:23 - "But he continued, 'You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.'"
Jesus' testimony carries authority because of His divine nature and origin. A human teacher claiming to "testify to what he has seen" in spiritual/prophetic fulfillment is not equivalent.
Chapter 17 of "Testing Shincheonji's Claims: Two Lenses, One Story," titled "The Logical Contradiction in SCJ's Gospel," addresses how SCJ's teaching that salvation requires accepting Lee Man-hee's testimony contradicts the biblical gospel of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
Part 5: The "Sea" Teaching—Preparing for Church Condemnation
What SCJ Teaches:
The lesson reviews the previous lesson's teaching about the "sea":
"The sea represents the world, particularly the world under Satan's influence... But from God's perspective, He is most concerned about people. God's people are often dragged into the sea themselves by not keeping their covenant with God, by embracing different temptations around them, and continuing to act as if they are still God's people. Not realizing that from God's viewpoint, they no longer are."
The instructor emphasizes: "This is why Jesus had to awaken them in John 8, telling them they had transitioned from being above the sea to now being part of the sea. Their ship had sunk and been destroyed. So in every era, God's people are the actual sea we need to worry about."
The Reflective Lens: The Condemnation Setup
This teaching is preparing students to see their own churches and fellow Christians as "the sea"—as spiritually dead, under Satan's influence, no longer truly God's people. Let's examine the psychological progression:
1. The Reasonable Starting Point
The lesson begins with a biblical truth: People can claim to be God's people while living in disobedience. This is a legitimate biblical concern (see Matthew 7:21-23, Titus 1:16).
2. The Subtle Expansion
However, SCJ expands this to mean that most Christians and churches have "sunk into the sea"—they claim to be God's people but aren't really. The criteria for being "in the sea" will ultimately be: not accepting SCJ's teaching.
3. The John 8 Misapplication
The lesson references John 8, where Jesus told the Jewish religious leaders they were children of the devil, not children of Abraham. SCJ applies this to modern Christians: Just as those religious leaders thought they were God's people but weren't, so modern Christians think they're saved but aren't (unless they accept SCJ's teaching).
This is a profound misapplication of John 8, which we'll examine below.
4. The Isolation Justification
By teaching that "God's people are the actual sea we need to worry about," SCJ is preparing students to see their home churches as spiritually dangerous. This justifies:
- Leaving their church
- Distancing from Christian family and friends
- Rejecting input from pastors and mature believers
- Seeing SCJ as the only "ship above the sea"
Chapter 11 of "Testing Shincheonji's Claims: Two Lenses, One Story" explains how this isolation mechanism works—teaching members that outside Christians are spiritually deceived, making it psychologically impossible to receive corrective input from those outside the group.
The Discernment Lens: What Does the "Sea" Actually Represent?
Let's examine biblical sea imagery:
In Revelation:
Revelation 13:1 - "The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea."
Revelation 17:15 - "Then the angel said to me, 'The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.'"
In Revelation, the sea represents the nations—the tumultuous mass of humanity, particularly in opposition to God. The beasts that emerge from the sea represent political/imperial powers that arise from and rule over the nations.
The Biblical Pattern:
The sea represents:
- The nations/peoples of the world (Revelation 17:15)
- Chaos and danger (Psalm 46:2-3)
- The realm from which anti-God powers emerge (Revelation 13:1)
What the Sea Does NOT Represent:
- Churches that don't accept one organization's teaching
- Christians who haven't received special revelation
- Believers who remain in their home churches rather than joining SCJ
The John 8 Misapplication:
Let's examine what Jesus actually said in John 8:
John 8:31-47 - Jesus is speaking to Jewish religious leaders who:
- Rejected Him as Messiah despite witnessing His miracles
- Sought to kill Him (v. 37, 40)
- Claimed Abraham as their father but didn't act like Abraham (v. 39-40)
- Ultimately would crucify Him
Jesus told them they were children of the devil because they rejected God's Son and sought to murder Him. This is about rejecting Jesus Christ Himself, not about failing to accept one person's interpretation of Revelation.
The Crucial Difference:
John 8 is about rejecting Jesus Christ—God incarnate, the Messiah, the Savior.
SCJ's application is about rejecting Chairman Lee Man-hee's interpretation of Revelation.
These are not equivalent. Rejecting Jesus is rejecting God. Rejecting SCJ's interpretation is exercising biblical discernment.
Who Are God's People?
Scripture is clear about who belongs to God:
Romans 8:9 - "You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ."
Those who have the Spirit of Christ belong to Christ—not just those who accept one organization's teaching.
1 John 5:1 - "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves his child as well."
John 1:12 - "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."
The criteria for being God's child is faith in Jesus Christ, not membership in SCJ or acceptance of Lee Man-hee's revelation.
Chapter 21 of "Testing Shincheonji's Claims: Two Lenses, One Story," titled "The Heart of God: What God Really Wants," contrasts SCJ's exclusive, works-based system with the biblical gospel of grace through faith in Christ.
Part 6: The Progression of Indoctrination—Where Lesson 36 Fits
By Lesson 36, 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
- Key Lessons: Seed/field/tree parables, establishing figurative interpretation
Intermediate Level (Bible Logic) - Including Lessons 36-39:
Lesson 36 (Fisherman, Net, Ship):
- Goal: Establish binary thinking (right/wrong fishermen, true/false churches) and introduce "law and testimony" verification
- Method: Teaching that there are good and bad fishermen, and that true teachers must have both law and testimony
- Effect: Students begin to see their own churches as potentially "wrong" and learn that most teachers lack valid "testimony"
- Psychological Preparation: Normalizing discomfort with change, preparing for isolation
Lesson 37 (Beast):
- Goal: Establish categories of "understanding" vs. "beast-like"
- Method: Teaching that those who don't understand the Word are spiritually deficient
- Effect: Students begin to see themselves and others through SCJ's binary framework
Lesson 38 (Sealed/Opened Word):
- Goal: Establish that Scripture has been inaccessible until now
- Method: Teaching the "sealed and opened word" theology
- Effect: Students believe they need SCJ to access the "opened" meaning
Lesson 39 (No Room for God's Word):
- Goal: Undermine confidence in previous faith and outside authorities
- Method: Comparing mainstream Christians to Jesus' opponents
- Effect: Students doubt their previous beliefs and isolate from outside input
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 only one with valid "testimony"
- Effect: Students accept SCJ's complete authority and Lee's unique position
The Strategic Function of Lesson 36:
Lesson 36 serves several strategic functions in the indoctrination process:
1. Introducing Binary Thinking
The "right/wrong fisherman" framework trains students to think in binaries: true/false, us/them, enlightened/deceived. This makes it easier to later categorize their own church as "wrong" and SCJ as "right."
2. Normalizing Discomfort
The extended metaphor about fish struggling in the net prepares students for the discomfort they'll experience as they distance from family, leave their church, and embrace controversial teachings. When discomfort comes, they'll remember: "The instructor said this would be uncomfortable. This must mean I'm being pulled to something better."
3. Establishing the Verification Framework
The "law and testimony" teaching establishes the framework that will later be used to claim only Chairman Lee Man-hee has valid authority. Students are learning: "A true teacher must have testimony (witness of fulfillment). Most teachers don't have this. Therefore, most teachers shouldn't be listened to."
4. Preparing for Church Condemnation
The "sea" teaching prepares students to see their own churches as spiritually dead—"ships that have sunk into the sea." This makes it psychologically easier to leave their church and reject input from their pastor.
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 36 Is Really Teaching
Let's identify the hidden messages beneath the surface teaching:
Surface Message:
"Fishermen represent pastors, the net represents God's Word, fish represent people, and the ship represents the church. We should be caught by the right fisherman and brought into the right ship."
Hidden Subtext:
1. Your Church Is Probably the Wrong Ship
There are "right" and "wrong" fishermen, "good" and "bad" nets. Your current church is likely the "wrong ship"—one that has "sunk into the sea." You need to find the "right ship" (SCJ).
2. Your Pastor Lacks Valid Authority
True teachers must have both "law and testimony." Your pastor has law (Scripture) but lacks testimony (witness of fulfillment). Therefore, he shouldn't be fully trusted. Only SCJ has both.
3. Discomfort Means You're Growing
If you feel uncomfortable distancing from family, leaving your church, or accepting SCJ's teachings, that's normal—like a fish struggling in the net. Don't fight the change. The discomfort means you're being pulled to something better.
4. Most Christians Are "In the Sea"
God's people have "sunk into the sea" by not keeping covenant with God. Most Christians claim to be saved but aren't really (from God's perspective). Only those who accept the "opened word" are truly above the sea.
5. You Need Special Testimony
Understanding truth requires both law (Scripture) and testimony (witness of fulfillment). Since most teachers lack testimony, you need to find the teacher who has it (Chairman Lee Man-hee, though he's not named yet).
6. Leaving Your Church Is Obedience
If your church is "in the sea" and your pastor lacks valid testimony, then leaving your church and joining SCJ is not rebellion—it's obedience to God. You're being caught by the "right fisherman."
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 to see my church as dead and my pastor as lacking authority. It happened so gradually that it felt natural."
Part 8: Critical Questions for Discernment
If you're studying with SCJ or considering their teachings, here are essential questions to ask:
About the "Right Fisherman" Teaching:
- Does the Bible teach that there are "right" and "wrong" churches/pastors in a binary sense, or does it teach that all believers are part of one body in Christ? (1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Ephesians 4:4-6)
- If your church is the "wrong ship," what specific biblical criteria make it wrong? Is it because they don't accept SCJ's interpretation of Revelation? Is that a biblical criterion?
- Does categorizing churches as "right" or "wrong" based on one organization's teaching align with Jesus' teaching about unity? (John 17:20-23)
About "Law and Testimony":
- Does Isaiah 8:20 actually teach that you need one person's exclusive "testimony" to understand Scripture, or is it teaching to test everything against God's revealed Word?
- How do you verify Chairman Lee Man-hee's claim to have "witnessed" Revelation's fulfillment? What evidence exists beyond his own testimony? Can his testimony be independently verified?
- If "testimony" means witnessing prophetic fulfillment, why doesn't the New Testament require this for understanding Scripture? The apostles taught that Scripture is sufficient (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and that all believers have the Spirit's guidance (1 John 2:20, 27).
About Failed Predictions:
- Has Chairman Lee Man-hee made predictions that didn't come true? If so, doesn't Deuteronomy 18:22 (which SCJ cites) say such a person "has spoken presumptuously" and shouldn't be followed?
- When SCJ's predictions don't come true, do they admit error or do they redefine what "fulfillment" means? Is this honest handling of prophecy?
About Your Experience:
- Has SCJ's teaching led you to see your church, pastor, and Christian family as spiritually deficient ("in the sea")? Is this producing love and unity or judgment and division?
- When you feel uncomfortable with SCJ's teachings or with distancing from loved ones, do they validate your concerns or tell you "don't fight the change"? Is this respecting your discernment or manipulating you to suppress doubts?
- Are you becoming more connected to the broader Christian community or more isolated? Does SCJ encourage you to discuss their teachings with your pastor and family, or do they discourage it?
About Authority:
- Who ultimately determines which fisherman is "right" and which church is the "right ship"? Is it SCJ's organization? If so, how is this different from any group claiming exclusive truth?
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 "Fisherman" Teaching
For Those Currently Studying with SCJ:
1. Test the Binary Thinking
SCJ teaches binary categories: right/wrong fishermen, true/false churches, us/them. But the Bible teaches that the church is one body with many parts (1 Corinthians 12), that believers should maintain unity (Ephesians 4:3), and that we should not judge one another (Romans 14:10-13).
Ask yourself: Is SCJ's binary thinking producing unity or division? Love or judgment? Humility or superiority?
2. Verify the "Law and Testimony" Claim
SCJ claims that true teachers must have both "law and testimony," and that Chairman Lee Man-hee has valid testimony because he witnessed Revelation's fulfillment. But:
- How can you independently verify his witness?
- Do his descriptions of fulfillment match what Revelation actually describes?
- Does the New Testament require this kind of exclusive testimony for understanding Scripture?
Read Isaiah 8:19-20 in context. Is it really teaching what SCJ claims?
3. Apply the Deuteronomy 18 Test to SCJ
SCJ emphasizes Deuteronomy 18:22—test whether predictions come true. Apply this test to Chairman Lee Man-hee:
- Research his predictions from the 1980s
- Investigate the 144,000 timeline claims
- Compare his descriptions of Revelation's fulfillment with what Revelation actually describes
If his predictions haven't come true as he said they would, then by SCJ's own standard (and the biblical standard), he shouldn't be followed.
4. Seek Outside Perspectives
Talk to your pastor about SCJ's "fisherman" teaching. Ask:
- Is it biblical to categorize churches as "right" or "wrong" based on one organization's interpretation?
- Does Isaiah 8:20 really teach what SCJ claims?
- What do biblical scholars say about Revelation's fulfillment?
If SCJ discourages you from seeking outside input, ask yourself why. Truth can withstand scrutiny.
For Those Who Have Left SCJ:
1. Unlearn the Binary Thinking
You may have internalized SCJ's categories: right/wrong, true/false, enlightened/deceived. Recognize that the Christian life is more nuanced. Churches have strengths and weaknesses. Pastors are human and imperfect. But that doesn't make them "wrong fishermen" or "ships in the sea."
2. Rebuild Trust in Your Church Community
SCJ taught you to see your church as spiritually dead. Rebuilding trust takes time. Look for:
- A church that teaches the Bible faithfully
- Pastors who point you to Jesus, not to themselves
- A community that welcomes questions and encourages growth
- People who love you unconditionally, not based on your acceptance of specific teachings
3. Process the Manipulation
Recognize that the "don't fight the change" teaching was manipulation designed to suppress your legitimate concerns. Your discomfort was likely the Holy Spirit's warning, not resistance to God's work.
Give yourself permission to feel angry about the manipulation. Seek counseling if needed. Connect with others who have left high-control groups.
4. Rediscover the Gospel
SCJ taught a complex system: right fishermen, law and testimony, sealed and opened word, promised pastor. The biblical gospel is simpler:
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 through faith in Jesus Christ alone. You don't need to find the "right fisherman" or accept special testimony. You need Jesus.
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 Biblical Ecclesiology
Help your congregation understand what the Bible teaches about the church—that it's one body with many parts, that unity is essential, that no one organization has exclusive truth. This provides a foundation for recognizing SCJ's divisive teaching.
2. Address the "Law and Testimony" Claim
Teach Isaiah 8:19-20 in context. Help people understand:
- What "law and testimony" actually meant in Isaiah's context
- How the Bible teaches us to verify truth (multiple witnesses, fruit, consistency with Scripture, community discernment)
- Why one person's exclusive testimony is not the biblical pattern
3. Equip People to Test Prophecy
Teach Deuteronomy 18:21-22 and help people apply it consistently—to all teachers, including those claiming special revelation. Teach them to:
- Research claims carefully
- Compare predictions with outcomes
- Not make excuses for failed predictions
- Apply the same standard to all teachers
4. Create Safe Spaces for Doubt
People join SCJ partly because they feel they can't express doubts in church. Create a culture where:
- Questions are welcomed
- Doubt is seen as part of faith's journey
- People can disagree on secondary issues without being seen as "wrong"
- Truth is pursued together, not dictated from above
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 Right Fisherman
Lesson 36 asks: "Who is the right fisherman?" SCJ's answer: Chairman Lee Man-hee and his organization, because they have both "law and testimony."
But the Bible's answer is different. The right fisherman is Jesus Christ:
John 21:1-14 - After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples while they were fishing. He told them where to cast their net, and they caught a miraculous number of fish. Then Jesus prepared breakfast for them on the shore.
Jesus is the true fisherman. He calls us to follow Him:
Matthew 4:19 - "'Come, follow me,' Jesus said, 'and I will send you out to fish for people.'"
We don't need to find the "right fisherman" among competing organizations. We need to follow Jesus Christ—the one who died for our sins, rose from the dead, and offers eternal life to all who believe in Him.
John 10:27-30 - "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one."
If you belong to Jesus, you are secure in His hand. You don't need to find the "right ship" or the "right fisherman." You need Jesus.
Acts 4:12 - "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."
Not in Chairman Lee Man-hee's name. Not in Shincheonji's organization. In Jesus' name alone.
"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 increasingly uncomfortable, that discomfort may be the Holy Spirit's warning. Don't let SCJ's "don't fight the change" teaching silence your God-given discernment.
If you've left SCJ and are recovering from being taught your church was "in the sea" and your pastor was the "wrong fisherman," know this: If your church taught you to trust in Jesus Christ for salvation, they taught you the most important truth. They were not the "wrong fisherman." They pointed you to the right Savior.
And if you're a pastor concerned about SCJ's influence, don't give up. Keep teaching truth. Keep loving people. Keep pointing them to Jesus. The true Shepherd will protect His sheep.
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 Fisherman, the true Shepherd, the true Savior, the true Lord.
Outline
Understanding Biblical Metaphors: A Deep Dive into Fishing, Ships, and the Word of God
I. Introduction: Setting the Stage
- This section introduces the main biblical metaphors that will be discussed throughout the lesson: the fisherman, the net, the fish, and the ship.
- It provides a brief overview of these metaphors, linking them to Matthew 13:47-50.
II. The Figurative Fisherman and the Net: Bringing People to God
- This section delves into the meaning behind the fisherman, the net, and the fish as spiritual metaphors.
- It explains that the fisherman represents pastors or evangelists, the net symbolizes the word of God, and the fish represent people who need salvation.
- It highlights the initial discomfort and struggle people experience when encountering God's transformative power.
III. Discerning Truth in a Sea of Opinions
- This section emphasizes the importance of discerning truth from falsehood, particularly in a world saturated with information.
- It examines Deuteronomy 18:18-22 and Isaiah 8:19-20, highlighting two key methods for identifying truth: the fulfillment of prophecy and alignment with the "law and the testimony."
- It uses the example of Jesus's ministry to illustrate how the Word of God and its fulfillment through testimony are intertwined.
IV. The Internet as a Modern Sea: Navigating the Depths of Information
- This section draws a parallel between the biblical sea and the modern internet, cautioning against relying on the internet as a source of truth.
- It emphasizes the internet's chaotic and confusing nature, urging readers to prioritize the Word of God as the ultimate source of truth and guidance.
V. The Figurative Ship: A Place of Refuge and Salvation
- This section shifts focus to the ship as a metaphor, using the story of Noah's Ark as a foundational example.
- It explains that the ship symbolizes a place of refuge and salvation, particularly during times of judgment and upheaval.
- It connects this metaphor to the second coming of Jesus, suggesting the emergence of a "spiritual ark" for God's people.
VI. The Peril of Wrong Ships: The Destruction in Revelation
- This section examines passages from Revelation 8 and 18, highlighting the destruction of ships as a symbolic representation of judgment and the consequences of being affiliated with the wrong entities.
- It introduces the concept of Babylon as a place that entraps God's people, urging readers to consider their own affiliations and ensure they are not aligned with falsehood.
VII. Defining Roles: Who is Who on the Spiritual Ship?
- This section further explores the ship metaphor, assigning specific roles to individuals within the context of a spiritual ship.
- It identifies the pastor as the captain, evangelists and church staff as sailors, and congregation members as passengers.
- It stresses the importance of being part of the right "ship" or community of faith.
VIII. Two Seas: God's Word vs. Satan's World
- This section contrasts two types of seas: the sea representing Satan's world of falsehood and the sea of glass representing God's Word.
- It draws upon imagery from Revelation 4:5-6 and Ezekiel 47:8-11 to highlight the purity and life-giving nature of God's Word, emphasizing its power to transform and heal.
IX. The Healing of the Sea: A Prophecy of Transformation
- This section explores the prophecy in Habakkuk 2:14, which foretells a time when the earth will be filled with the knowledge of God's glory like the waters cover the sea.
- It contrasts this hopeful vision with the disappearance of the "bad sea" in Revelation 21:1, signifying the eventual eradication of falsehood and the triumph of truth.
X. Unveiling the Mystery: How the Word is Opened
- This section delves into the process of how the Word of God is opened and revealed, using Revelation 1:1-3 as a guiding passage.
- It traces the journey of the sealed scroll from God to Jesus to the angel to John, highlighting the sequential revelation and fulfillment of prophecy.
- It emphasizes the importance of understanding the symbolism within Revelation and recognizing that John's visions point to future events and individuals.
XI. Conclusion: Embracing the Word and Testimony
- This section summarizes the key takeaways of the lesson, reinforcing the importance of the Word of God and its fulfillment through testimony as the foundation for discerning truth.
- It encourages readers to remain focused on the Word and resist being misled by falsehood, promising further exploration of these concepts in future lessons.
A Study Guide
The Figurative Language of Faith: A Study Guide
Quiz
Instructions: Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each.
- What does the fisherman represent in the biblical parables discussed in the source material?
- Explain the symbolism of the net in the context of spiritual fishing.
- What does the sea represent in the biblical metaphors? What are the characteristics of this sea?
- How is the act of fishing portrayed as both a positive and a negative action?
- What is the significance of the ship, and who are its key figures (captain, sailors, passengers)?
- Explain the two types of "sea" discussed in the text and how they differ.
- Describe the prophecy concerning the healing of the sea and its significance.
- According to the source material, how can we determine the truthfulness of a religious message?
- How is the Word of God opened, and what is the significance of this process?
- Explain the analogy between the structure of a school paper and the Book of Revelation.
Answer Key
- The fisherman represents pastors and evangelists who are responsible for spreading the Word of God and bringing people to salvation.
- The net represents the Word of God, which is used to "catch" people and draw them towards a spiritual life. It acts as the tool for evangelization and spiritual growth.
- The sea symbolizes the world, specifically the world that is under the influence of Satan. It is characterized as mixed, dark, and filled with undrinkable water, representing the confusion, temptation, and spiritual dangers of the world.
- Fishing is portrayed positively when done by righteous fishermen using the true Word of God to lead people to salvation. It is portrayed negatively when false prophets use deceptive words and teachings to lead people astray, "catching" them in a harmful way.
- The ship symbolizes the church, offering a safe haven and guidance for believers. The captain represents the pastor, the sailors represent the church staff and evangelists, and the passengers symbolize the congregation members or the "saints."
- The text describes two types of seas: Satan's sea, which represents the world of falsehood and temptation, and God's sea, depicted as a sea of glass, clear as crystal, representing the purity and clarity of God's Word.
- The prophecy states that the sea (representing the world) will be healed by the flow of God's Word, becoming fresh and supporting abundant life. This signifies the eventual triumph of truth over falsehood and the widespread acceptance of God's Word.
- The truthfulness of a religious message can be determined by examining its fulfillment and whether it is supported by testimony. Both the word itself and the evidence of its fulfillment should be present.
- The Word of God is opened through a process that begins with God giving the sealed scroll to Jesus, who then opens it, revealing its contents. An angel then delivers the opened scroll to John, who consumes it and is commanded to prophesy, signifying the spreading of the revealed truth.
- The source material draws an analogy between the "tell them what you're going to tell them, tell them, and tell them what you told them" structure of a school paper and the structure of the Book of Revelation. The opening verses of Revelation summarize the entire book, much like an introductory paragraph, foreshadowing the events and themes to follow.
Additional Questions
1. What is the true meaning of figurative fisherman, net, fish and ship?
- Fisherman = pastor (evangelist) (Matthew 4:19)
- Net = the world (Matthew 13:47-48)
- Fish = people (saints) (Habakkuk 1:14-17)
- Ship = church (organization) (Genesis 7:1, Matthew 24:37-39, Revelation 8:8-9)
2. How many types of sea are there at Second Coming? What are they?
Two types:
- God’s sea of glass: word of God that washes our inner being (Revelation 4:5-6)
- Satan’s sea: Babylon that has captured God’s people (Revelation 18:2-4)
3. How is the word opened at Second Coming?
- God —> Jesus —> Angel —-> John —-> People, nations, languages and kings.
Glossary of Key Terms
- Fisherman: Represents pastors and evangelists who spread the Word of God.
- Net: Symbolizes the Word of God used to draw people to salvation.
- Fish: Represents people who are the target of spiritual fishing.
- Sea: Represents the world, specifically the world under Satan's influence.
- Ship: Symbolizes the church, offering a safe haven and guidance for believers.
- Sea of Glass: Represents the pure and clear Word of God.
- Babylon: Represents the forces of evil and falsehood that hold God's people captive.
- Word and Testimony: Refer to the Word of God and the evidence of its fulfillment, essential for discerning truth.
- Opening the Word: The process of revealing and fulfilling the prophecies contained within the Word of God.
- Spiritual Ark: Represents a place of spiritual refuge and salvation in the time of the second coming.
Breakdown
Timeline of Events:
This lesson does not provide a chronological timeline of events. Instead, it uses biblical metaphors of fishermen, nets, ships, and the sea to explain spiritual concepts related to finding truth, salvation, and the role of the church.
Cast of Characters:
1. God: The ultimate source of truth and the initiator of salvation. He gives the sealed scroll (representing his plan) to Jesus.
2. Jesus Christ: The Lamb of God, who opens the sealed scroll and reveals God's plan. He is the only one able to understand and fulfill God's will.
3. Angel: A messenger of God who delivers the opened scroll to John. He symbolizes the conduit through which God's revealed word reaches humanity.
4. John: The apostle who receives the opened scroll from the angel and is instructed to prophesy about it to the world. He represents the prophets and messengers who receive and share God's word.
5. Servants/People/Nations/Languages/Kings: The recipients of John's prophecy, representing all of humanity who need to hear and understand God's word. This includes:
- Congregation members (People): Those seeking salvation and spiritual guidance.
- Churches (Nations): Organizations that provide a space for worship and learning about God.
- Doctrines (Languages): The different interpretations and teachings of God's word.
- Pastors (Kings): Leaders who guide and shepherd the churches and their congregations.
6. Noah: A biblical figure who built an ark to save his family from the flood. He represents those who are righteous and obedient to God's commands, leading to their salvation.
7. Lot: Another biblical figure who was saved from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. He represents those who are extracted from judgment due to their righteousness.
8. Pharisees and Sadducees: Jewish religious leaders at the time of Jesus. They represent those who distort God's word for their own gain and mislead others away from truth.
9. Satan: The personification of evil and falsehood. He is represented by the “bad sea” that will eventually be destroyed, signifying the ultimate triumph of truth over deception.
10. Fishermen: A metaphor for those who spread God's word and bring people to salvation. They use the “net” of the word to “catch” people and bring them into the “ship” of the church.
Note: This cast of characters includes both literal and metaphorical figures. Some, like God and Jesus, are actual beings, while others, like fishermen and the sea, are symbolic representations of spiritual concepts.
Overview
Overview: The Figurative Meaning of Fisherman, Net, and Ship in the Bible
Main Themes:
- Discerning Truth: The lesson emphasizes the importance of discerning truth in a world saturated with information and varying interpretations. It asserts that relying solely on the Bible, its prophecies, and their fulfillment ("the word and the testimony") is crucial for identifying true teachings.
- Key Quotes:"A word is considered true when it is fulfilled, and there is a testimony to support it. The word and the testimony must be present together."
- "Do not go beyond the scriptures."
- "We can't just accept anything we hear and say 'Oh, it must be true.' It doesn't have the testimony applied to it - the word and the testimony together."
- Spiritual Fishing: The act of fishing is presented as a metaphor for evangelism. Fishermen represent those who possess the truth and cast the "net" of the Word of God to draw people out of the "sea" of the world and into the "ship" of the church.
- Key Quotes:"The fisherman represents pastors/evangelists who do the work of catching people."
- "The net represents the word. It is the tool they use to catch people."
- "The fish are the people (saints) being caught in the net."
- The Ship as Deliverance: The ship symbolizes a place of refuge and salvation, similar to Noah's Ark. It represents the church, offering protection from the coming judgment.
- Key Quotes:"The ship is the church (organization) where the caught fish are brought."
- "Like Noah's Ark, the ship represents a place for the deliverance of God's righteous people."
- The Sea - Two Meanings: The sea holds a dual meaning:
- Satan's Sea: This represents the world under Satan's influence, filled with falsehood and temptations. It is a dangerous place from which people need rescuing.
- Key Quotes:"The sea represents the world, particularly the world under Satan's influence."
- "The internet is the sea of seas."
- God's Sea: This represents the Word of God, depicted as a "sea of glass, clear as crystal" in Revelation. It signifies the purity, clarity, and infinite depth of God's truth.
- Key Quotes:"John's vision of heaven depicts a sea of glass, representing the Word of God, which is as clear as crystal."
- "This sea of glass is the good sea, separate from the bad sea, which represents the world."
- The Opened Word: The lesson explains the process of God's word being "opened", moving from God to Jesus, to an angel, to John, and finally to the people. This act of "opening" signifies the fulfillment of prophecy and the revelation of God's plan.
- Key Quotes:"He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ."
- "This is how the word is opened. As prophesied, we went through verse by verse, right? From God to Jesus to the angel to John to many peoples, nations, languages, and kings."
Supporting Biblical Verses:
- Deuteronomy 18:18-22 (Discerning true prophets)
- Isaiah 8:19-20 (The importance of "the law and the testimony")
- John 3:31-33 (Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy)
- 1 Corinthians 4:6 (Staying within the boundaries of scripture)
- Matthew 13:47-50 (The parable of the net)
- Matthew 4:19 (Jesus calling his disciples to be "fishers of men")
- Habakkuk 1:14-17 (People as fish caught by the enemy)
- Genesis 7:1 (Noah's Ark as a symbol of salvation)
- Matthew 24:37-39 (The days of Noah and the second coming)
- Revelation 8:8-9 (Destruction of ships during judgment)
- Revelation 18:17-19 (The fall of Babylon and its impact on those who rely on the sea)
- Revelation 4:5-6 (The sea of glass in heaven)
- Ezekiel 47:8-11 (The healing of the sea)
- Habakkuk 2:14 (The earth filled with knowledge of the Lord)
- Revelation 21:1 (The disappearance of the sea)
- Revelation 1:1-3 (The revelation of Jesus Christ)
- Revelation 5:1, 5:7, 6:1, 10:1-2, 10:8-11 (The process of opening the scroll)
Conclusion:
The lesson utilizes biblical metaphors to explain the importance of seeking truth, the role of evangelism, the coming judgment, and the ultimate salvation found in God's Word. It encourages believers to be aware of the dangers of the "sea" of falsehood, to seek refuge in the "ship" of the church, and to diligently study and live by the "opened" Word of God.
Q&A
Q&A: Spiritual Fishing, the Ship, and the Open Word
1. What do the fisherman, the net, the fish, and the ship represent spiritually?
- Fisherman: Pastors and evangelists who work to bring people to God.
- Net: The Word of God, used to draw people to salvation.
- Fish: People, especially those who need saving but don't realize it.
- Ship: The church, an organization that provides shelter and guidance for believers.
2. How can we determine if a message is truly from God?
Deuteronomy 18:18-22 and Isaiah 8:19-20 provide two key methods:
- Fulfillment: Does what the person says come true? If a prophecy doesn't happen as predicted, the message wasn't from God.
- Law and Testimony: Does the message align with God's Word and provide evidence of its fulfillment throughout history? True messages will be consistent with Scripture and demonstrate how God's Word has come to pass.
3. What types of "fishing" are there, and how can we identify the "right fisherman"?
- Good Fishing: Uses the true Word of God to draw people to salvation and into the church. Jesus and His disciples exemplify this type of fishing.
- Bad Fishing: Employs false teachings and manipulative tactics to mislead people, often for personal gain. The Pharisees and Sadducees are examples of this, as they twisted Scripture for their own benefit.
To find the "right fisherman," look for those who faithfully preach the Word of God, back up their teachings with Scriptural evidence, and whose prophecies align with the fulfillment of God's Word throughout history.
4. What is the significance of the ark as a type of "ship" in the Bible?
The ark in Genesis represents God's salvation for the righteous. Just as Noah and his family were saved from the flood, the church serves as a spiritual ark, offering refuge and deliverance for believers in the face of judgment.
5. What are the consequences of being on the wrong "ship" at the time of the second coming?
Revelation 8:8-9 and 18:17-19 describe the destruction of ships, representing churches or organizations that have fallen away from God's truth. Those who remain on these sinking ships will face judgment alongside the world.
6. What does the "sea of glass" in Revelation 4:6 symbolize?
The sea of glass, clear as crystal, represents the pure and infinite Word of God. Its clarity signifies the presence of light and truth, contrasting with the darkness and deception of the "bad sea" – Satan's world of falsehood.
7. How will the "sea" be healed in the future?
According to Ezekiel 47:8-11, the "sea," representing the world influenced by falsehood, will be healed in select places by the flowing river of God's Word. As people accept the truth, their lives will be transformed, resulting in a world filled with the knowledge of God's glory, as prophesied in Habakkuk 2:14.
8. How is the Word of God "opened," and what does this process involve?
The opening of the Word refers to its fulfillment. As seen in Revelation, God entrusted a sealed scroll to Jesus, who opened its seals one by one, bringing about prophesied events. This scroll, representing the Book of Revelation itself, was then given to an angel and ultimately to John, who was instructed to prophesy to the world. This process demonstrates how God's Word is revealed and fulfilled through a chain of faithful messengers. It also emphasizes the importance of prophecy and its connection to the testimony of Jesus Christ.