The figurative sea represents the world under Satan’s deceptive rule and influence. It contains undrinkable, mixed waters from many sources – representing the abundance of false teachings and lack of truth. It is a place of darkness and ignorance of the true, life-giving word. At Jesus’ first coming, the corrupt religious system of Judaism had become the figurative “sea” that God’s people were trapped in. At the Second Coming, the “sea” refers to the fallen state of Christianity and organized religion, called “Babylon” in Revelation, from which God’s people must come out. Beasts and a prostitute power arise from this sea/Babylon to deceive the nations. God’s people are called to escape the sea/Babylon and its deceptions by learning to rightly understand the coded parables and prophecies that reveal the truth.
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:
Sea: Satan’s World
Secrets of Heaven: Figurative Sea
In our previous two lessons, we discussed the nature of the sea, concluding that it is not an ideal location. So, what exactly is the sea?
The sea represents the world, a realm where numerous elements are intertwined.
Our hope is to possess the insight to separate ourselves from the sea upon the second coming, as it is not a favorable environment to remain in.
Figurative Sea
Main Reference
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.
Let us examine this parable further, as Jesus breaks down some important points.
In the next lesson, we will analyze the figurative meanings of the fisherman, ship, net, and sailors. We will explore the figurative significance of the sea, depicted as a great lake.
What do the fish symbolize? What do the fish caught in the net represent?
People.
How can we be certain?
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
As Jesus meets his disciples, he uses figurative language, as he often does. He says to the fishermen, who were used to fishing for literal fish, “Come, and you will become fishers of men,” meaning you will become gatherers of people.
You will help gather people to me.
So when Jesus speaks this parable, where does everyone start?
At the beginning of this parable, there are no exceptions. This is everyone’s starting place – in the sea, the lake. (Matthew 13:47)
The net is then let down to catch them. And what happens as they are caught?
There is a great separation. There is a great sifting.
Good fish end up in the basket. Bad fish end up back in the starting place, the sea, which we do not want because the sea is not a good place to be.
So, what is your end? Back in the sea or gathered in the basket, which is where we want to be?
In understanding the parable, Jesus calls this the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of heaven is like a net let down into the sea to catch all kinds of fish. The fish are then separated.
Let’s understand what the sea represents so that we can be sure to get out of it.
We need to know what it is so that we can get out effectively.
1. Physical Characteristics of the Sea
Our famous Bible verses that we use to talk about the truth are Romans 1:20 and Hosea 12:10.
These verses state, “I spoke to the prophets, gave them many visions, and told parables.” Through that, God is saying, “This is how I operated before the word was fulfilled.”
So parables are spoken using figurative language and creation to teach us about spiritual matters.
Let’s look at what we can learn about the spiritual meaning of the sea by examining the physical sea.
1. The sea contains much water, but none of it is drinkable.
2. The sea is made up of water from many different locations – mixed sources.
Everything eventually ends up in the sea: all the trash, all the filth, all the salt. All these things end up in the sea.
It is a mixed place, so we cannot drink from it. It is contaminated.
In fact, if someone is lost at sea, it is better for them not to drink anything or they will survive longer.
If you drink seawater, the salt content will dehydrate you faster than the water will hydrate you, and you will die. It is undrinkable and leads to death. So the mixed sources of the water lead to death.
3. The sea is a place of darkness.
Sunlight only penetrates so far before the rest of the sea is all dark. So if you’re deep sea diving, you have to bring lights with you. Otherwise, you’re totally blind because the sunlight does not reach that deep. So it is a place of darkness.
This is why the sea is not a good place spiritually either.
When a place becomes like the sea spiritually, it exhibits all of these characteristics.
I hope you’re starting to understand the parables based on what we’ve already studied. Are we making these connections these days?
We should keep those other parables in mind, and things should start coming together. If not, please ask questions so we can help you understand these parables.
So in summary, the sea is a place of much undrinkable water from mixed sources, where all things end up, and it is a place of darkness.
2. Spiritual (True) Meaning of the Sea
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying in bed. He wrote down the substance of his dream.
2 Daniel said: “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea. 3 Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea.
Daniel sees a dream. He sees a vision. Which means what?
It means the dream or vision will be communicated in the language of heaven, which is parables. This is not an accident.
So, Daniel sees a vision of four beasts coming out of the sea.
These are scary beasts emerging from the sea. The vision should sound familiar, as you’ve read another book with similar themes that we’ll connect later.
Now, let’s understand what this vision signifies.
The explanation is subsequently provided.
16 I approached one of those standing there and asked him the meaning of all this.
“So he told me and gave me the interpretation of these things: 17 ‘The four great beasts are four kings that will rise from the earth.
The four beasts represent the four kings or kingdoms prophesied to emerge. As described, these rulers will arise out of the earth.
The passage states that the beasts arose from the sea, which symbolizes the earth or world at large, as some Bible versions relate it.
So the sea serves as a figurative meaning for the world.
Let’s examine who Scripture conveys as the ruler of the sea/world.
13 It was you who split open the sea by your power; you broke the heads of the monster in the waters.
14 It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan and gave it as food to the creatures of the desert.
The verses mention that it was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan, the sea monster.
For those familiar with Greek mythology, Leviathan is akin to the Kraken – a giant, coiling sea creature that roams the oceans.
The writer of this Psalm uses figurative language to describe this particular monster, likening it to a long, coiling serpent.
The lyrics seem to be asking who was able to defeat this formidable foe, before confirming that it was “you” who crushed Leviathan. The passage goes on to say “Let’s see for sure”, likely referring to looking at the full text to confirm that the “you” in question did indeed conquer the monstrous Leviathan.
In that day, the Lord will punish with his sword— his fierce, great and powerful sword—
Leviathan the gliding serpent, Leviathan the coiling serpent; he will slay the monster of the sea.
Leviathan, the coiling serpent, also known as the monster of the sea.
It is God’s will to crush this monster. But then, who is this monster that dwells in the sea?
This monster is the ruler of the sea.
From reading scripture, we should be able to know who this already is, but we will continue reading to find out more.
He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.
We see in the book of Revelation a dragon, and this dragon is called the ancient serpent, also known as the devil.
Why is this serpent called ancient? Because he has been present for a long period of time, and there has been a war for 6,000 years since the time period of Genesis.
In Genesis, he was called a serpent, and in Revelation, he is called a dragon.
Why the change in names?
What activities has Satan been engaging in all this time?
Can we demonstrate it?
What has he been doing?
As described in 1 Peter 5:8 – “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” – he has been devouring people for 6,000 years. Now he is a powerful dragon, not to be underestimated.
Let us be aware of these things.
The sea, the world, is Satan’s dwelling place.
We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
We know that we are of God, but the whole world is under the control of the evil one, as stated in 1 John 5:19.
So when someone sees something terrible happening in the world and blames God, their blame is misplaced. Ever since Adam’s original sin, this world has been the domain of Satan – filled with wars, famines, plagues, corruption, death, mourning and crying.
Sickness and disease did not originate from God, but are part of Satan’s domain and influence in this fallen world. Let us rightly place the blame where it belongs.
What does “whole world” really mean in this context?
It refers to the hearts and spirits of humankind that are under Satan’s deception and control.
The verse is not referring to animals, dogs and cats – they have done nothing wrong.
It has always been about people.
To state it a bit more precisely: evil spirits are the core problem, working through willing human hosts, often without people realizing it.
So while spirits are the unseen root cause, they operate through mankind to carry out Satan’s schemes.
People become used by dark spiritual forces, whether knowingly or unwittingly.
3. Sea at the First Coming
11 “The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine through the land— not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.
12 People will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the Lord, but they will not find it.
During the time of spiritual famine, men will wander from sea to sea, looking for the word of the Lord. But they will not find it; it will elude them. So they’re going from place to place without the Word of God.
And of course, they’re not going to find the Word of God in a place where the Word of God is not present.
And what will they remain as they go from sea to sea?
Desperately thirsty, wanting the truth, but they will not find it until the right time.
That’s the situation that was prophesied in the Old Testament.
Let’s see the fulfillment of this prophecy now at the first coming.
Let’s turn to John 8 to see who became the sea.
41 You are doing the works of your own father.”
“We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Imagine these words being spoken to those trying their very best to faithfully keep the law of Moses.
They were just trying to do everything their parents had told them, and their parents’ parents had told them, and their parents’ parents’ parents had told them.
Then this guy from Nazareth comes in and tells you, “God is not your father. Abraham is not your father. Your father is the devil.”
How might they have reacted to Jesus’ bold statements?
“Who is this guy? Get out of here! Are you not right in your mind, demon-possessed? And a Samaritan?” That is what they say in the next verses in the same chapter.
They go on to slander Jesus because they are unable to recognize what had happened to them.
What happened?
Satan, the monster of the sea, sunk their ships. They’re now a part of the sea, and he is their ruler; he is their father. And they didn’t know it. That’s the problem.
A fish does not know it is in the sea. The sea is home; it’s comfortable. When it is caught in the net, it bites because it’s uncomfortable. “What’s going on? Oh, I’m not home anymore.”
They’re flipping back and forth; they’re not happy, right? It’s like being caught in the net.
The truth hurts them. So what do they do?
They flop around, hoping to be put back into the sea where it’s comfortable.
Harvest class, who here is struggling?
Who is doing this? I don’t know.
Who’s doing that? Let’s not fight.
So Jesus had to tell them their reality, their identity, and reveal who were the ones that were being used by the spirits to keep them trapped in the sea, in a place where they didn’t understand anything.
15 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.
28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
33 “You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?
Jesus is rebuking the Pharisees and Sadducees, saying to them, “You travel over land and sea just to win a single convert. But by doing so, you actually make that person twice as condemned as yourselves. You drag them down to your hypocritical level. They would have been better off never meeting you.”
It would have been better for them not to encounter you.
But now, instead, what kind of destructive teachings are you imparting to them? Hypocrisy and wickedness – that is what you spread, not life-giving truth, because you do not possess life-giving truth.
Who is the source of your doctrines? Of course, it is Satan, a spirit who was operating through the Pharisees.
And wherever the Pharisees and Sadducees go, they preach deception, hypocrisy, and wickedness, disguised as adherence to the law of Moses.
They claim to teach the law of Moses, but in reality it is hypocrisy that they spread.
This is why Jesus calls them a brood of vipers. Because they have taken on the traits of the spirit that is using them.
They have assumed the same evil identity.
Just as a rod becomes an extension of the person wielding it, and a lampstand and lamp together become one instrument of light, the same principle applies here.
A spirit that uses a person turns that person into an instrument of the spirit as well. The logic is the same.
So wherever the Pharisees and Sadducees travelled, too did their destructive teachings spread.
And they would pull all who listened to them down into the same hypocrisy and condemnation that defined them, making their converts twice as condemned as they were.
So what was this destructive belief system at the time of Jesus’ first coming?
It was the world of Judaism that had gone astray and become a trap.
The Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians, and Zealots – all those who comprised the Sanhedrin at the time – represented this.
The Sanhedrin was the gathering of all the different factions of that era. They had become the corrupt rulers over the law and the people. And Jesus rightly called them serpents, identifying the true serpent, Satan, who was operating through them.
And what is the end result for those whom Satan uses, if they are made aware of this manipulation but still refuse to repent?
Eternal destruction is their fate.
33 “You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? 34 Therefore I am sending you prophets and sages and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. 35 And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36 Truly I tell you, all this will come on this generation.
The Pharisees were not present when Abel died or when Zechariah, son of Berekiah, was killed.
The Pharisees did not kill the prophets. Rather, it was the same spirit, the Leviathan spirit, working through others.
This spirit led them to kill the Son of God.
Consequently, the same judgment came upon the Pharisees too.
The real culprit is the spirit behind a person’s actions.
We must make a habit of looking beyond outward appearances to identify the spirit at work.
The flesh itself causes problems, yet often an unseen spirit prompts individuals and evades blame.
When we see someone teaching falsehoods, we may be tempted to angrily confront them.
However, we should instead pray that the spirit influencing them will release its grip. Then, we can provide the truth to cast that spirit away appropriately.
I urge you not to teach yet if you have not mastered the Word. First, become firmly grounded so you can avoid trouble.
This is the true battlefield – not flesh and blood, but spirits. We must not slander people, thereby wasting time and missing the real target.
Let us understand that the events around Christ’s first coming teach us about his second coming.
The two are very similar.
4. Sea at the Second Coming
The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. 2 The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.
So, at the time of Revelation’s fulfillment, a beast will appear that has seven heads and ten horns, resembling a lion, a leopard, or any other animal seen before.
Literally, this does not align with known animals. How then should we interpret this? Not in a negative way, as it closely resembles what Daniel saw previously.
Therefore, prophecy foretells a beast with seven heads and ten horns emerging from the sea. We will cover the figurative meaning of this beast in an upcoming lesson, so hold questions for now. There will be a whole lesson on this image.
So when the Second Coming occurs, there will be a sea present from which this multi-headed, ten-horned beast will emerge.
Let’s examine who ultimately rules this beast – it is Satan, but Satan appoints someone to lead it directly.
Who?
One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. 2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.”
3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.
A prostitute, holding a golden cup filled with the wine of her adultery, sits on the beast with seven heads and ten horns.
The prostitute sits on many waters.
So then, let’s understand this more.
15 Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.
The many waters are people, multitudes, nations, and languages.
What do these represent? How can we understand this more?
We actually have already covered it. Remember Ezekiel 11:3 which states “This city is like a cooking pot.”
This refers to a city or nation. So what are these people, nations, languages, and kings that are mentioned?
In fact, this terminology is said many times throughout the book of Revelation, slightly differently depending on the passage, but it’s all talking about the same thing.
Let’s understand this more.
2 With a mighty voice he shouted:
“‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’ She has become a dwelling for demons
and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal.
3 For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries.
The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.”
4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say:
“‘Come out of her, my people,’ so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues;
Whose people? My people.
Who is the “MY” here? “Come out of her, My People,” so that you will not share in her sins.
God’s people. Where are they? In Babylon. God’s people are in Babylon, which means God’s people are in the sea. Hence, Matthew 13:47-50.
So, what is God’s plan when the kingdom of heaven is being fulfilled?
One revelation is being fulfilled: to send ships that have nets to let them into the sea to catch all kinds of fish and then separate the fish.
All of the parables connect. They’re all saying the same thing.
So, what is the sea at the second coming? Who are the people, multitudes, nations, and languages? A multitude.
I’m going to summarize the writing here:
People, multitudes, nations, and languages equal churches.
Ezekiel 11:3 and Matthew 5:14 state: “A city on a hill cannot be hidden unless it has been sunk in the sea.”
The sea at the second coming is Babylon that God’s people must come out of – Babylon that has captured God’s people. That is what we see at the second coming.
We should be asking ourselves, “Have I come out of the sea yet?
Or am I still drinking seawater?
Hoping it will give me light when instead it is killing me.” Didn’t Jesus tell us to flee in Matthew 24:15-16?
The same parable told over and over again, just like the harvest. So, I hope you’re putting these things together.
God and Jesus did not use their words carelessly. All of their words are intentional, intentional in a way to protect their plan of salvation so that Satan will not be able to interrupt it.
He’ll try, and he’ll get some people.
But will he get you? It’s up to you.
The notion that God predetermines where someone is going to go is not biblical. Everyone has a choice. Everyone chooses their final destination place.
I choose to be with God. But if I decide to make that choice, I need to do what God tells me I need to do. But that means I have to understand what God needs me to do. That’s why you’re here. Glory to God.
Let’s get out of the sea.
Well, first, where is the sea?
Am I in it now?
Well, if everyone around me has no idea what the sea is, and we’re all fish who are very comfortable in the sea, we’re all world-loving already, carrying on with our normal lives, unaware of what’s going on – that’s the problem.
That’s why Jesus said, “The time of the second coming will be like the days of Noah,” not an accident.
Nothing is an accident. Everything is intentional.
Let’s have some urgency. Now’s the time. Let’s go. Let’s run.
Let’s master the word so we can be ready.
About what God intends to do with the coiling serpent, that ancient serpent that Leviathan intends to crush him, defeat him.
But if you think about a serpent that coils, they coil slowly around their target and slowly squeeze the life from within them until they die. Then they eat them whole. And Satan does that to people too.
They’ll slowly coil around you – trouble by trouble, trial by trial, squeeze the life out of you – unless you pick up your sword and cut him in half. And you pull him off; you have to fight.
It’s not just gonna happen. “God saved me. God, just come and save me.”
We don’t want to be in that situation where God has to deliver us like we’re such in a bad situation that God has to deliver us. God gave us all the tools to fight.
Hey, pick up your sword!
Learn the skills so you don’t cut yourself and others be able to parry correctly. But you have to work. It takes work. Let’s work. We can do it.
Memorization
In that day, the Lord will punish with his sword— his fierce, great and powerful sword—
Leviathan the gliding serpent, Leviathan the coiling serpent; he will slay the monster of the sea.
“After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast—terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns.
Let's Us Discern
Analysis of Shincheonji Bible Study Lesson 35: "Secrets of Heaven: Figurative Sea"
Using "Testing Shincheonji's Claims: Two Lenses, One Story"
Introduction: The Sea of Separation
Lesson 35, titled "Secrets of Heaven: Figurative Sea," presents itself as a straightforward teaching about biblical symbolism—the sea represents the world, a place of spiritual danger from which believers need to escape. On the surface, this appears to be basic biblical interpretation that many Christian teachers might offer when discussing apocalyptic imagery.
However, as "Testing Shincheonji's Claims: Two Lenses, One Story" demonstrates throughout its 30 chapters, Shincheonji (SCJ) consistently operates on multiple levels: the visible teaching (which sounds biblical) and the hidden agenda (which prepares students to accept SCJ's exclusive claims and to separate from their churches, families, and previous faith communities). Lesson 35 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 without question. Now, Lesson 35 introduces a crucial concept that will be used to justify complete separation from one's church and Christian community: the idea that most Christians are spiritually "in the sea"—contaminated, in darkness, leading to death—and only those who accept SCJ's teaching can "get out of the sea."
Most significantly, this lesson introduces the "faithful and wise servant" of Matthew 24:45-47, preparing students to accept that Chairman Lee Man-hee is this servant appointed by Jesus to give "food at the proper time" (the "opened word"). This is the foundation for SCJ's entire authority structure and their claim that only through Lee Man-hee can one receive true spiritual nourishment.
The lesson's stated hope—"to discern and get out of the sea at the Second Coming"—sounds like a call to spiritual vigilance, but it's actually preparing students to believe that leaving their church and joining SCJ is the only way to "get out of the sea."
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 "Faithful and Wise Servant"—Setting Up the Promised Pastor
What SCJ Teaches:
The lesson begins by reviewing the "spring and river" imagery from previous lessons, then introduces Matthew 24:45-47:
"Jesus is speaking here, and he is the master who will go away and return. This means Jesus is not the faithful and wise servant; Jesus appoints the faithful and wise servant. He will give food at the proper time. As we studied earlier, what is the proper time? It is the open word. So a spring that God and Jesus are using today should be able to give food at the proper time, the open word, the life-giving water that keeps the other servants in the household nourished."
The instructor emphasizes: "Jesus will appoint a faithful servant who will provide food at the proper time."
The Reflective Lens: The Authority Transfer
This teaching appears to be about faithful service and spiritual nourishment, but it's actually laying the foundation for SCJ's most central and problematic claim: that Chairman Lee Man-hee is the "faithful and wise servant" appointed by Jesus to give the "opened word" to believers today. Let's examine the psychological progression:
1. The Reasonable Starting Point
The lesson begins with Jesus' parable about a faithful servant. This is a legitimate biblical passage. By starting here, SCJ gains students' agreement that Jesus will appoint someone to provide spiritual food.
2. The Subtle Redefinition
Notice the key redefinition: "food at the proper time" is equated with "the open word"—meaning SCJ's interpretation of Revelation as revealed exclusively to Chairman Lee Man-hee. This connection is stated as if it's obvious, but it's actually a significant leap that students have been conditioned to accept through previous lessons.
3. The Present Application
The phrase "a spring that God and Jesus are using today" shifts the parable from a general teaching about faithful service to a specific claim about the present moment. The implicit message: This prophecy is being fulfilled now, and there is a specific person who is this "faithful and wise servant."
4. The Exclusive Authority Claim
While Chairman Lee Man-hee is not named in this lesson (he will be revealed more explicitly in later lessons), the groundwork is being laid: There is one person appointed by Jesus to give "food at the proper time" (the opened word), and only by receiving from this person can you be spiritually nourished. This creates complete dependency on SCJ's teaching and Lee Man-hee's authority.
Chapter 16 of "Testing Shincheonji's Claims: Two Lenses, One Story," titled "The Promised Pastor Problem: When Human Leaders Claim Divine Authority," addresses this issue extensively. The chapter explains how SCJ's interpretation of Matthew 24:45-47 contradicts the passage's actual meaning and creates an unhealthy authority structure.
The Discernment Lens: What Does Matthew 24:45-47 Actually Mean?
Let's examine Matthew 24:45-47 in its proper context:
Matthew 24:45-51 - "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,' and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
The Context:
This parable comes in the middle of Jesus' Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25), where He's teaching His disciples about:
- The destruction of the temple (fulfilled in 70 AD)
- Signs of the end times
- The need for watchfulness and faithfulness
- The uncertainty of the timing of His return
What Jesus Was Teaching:
- A General Principle, Not a Specific Prophecy: Jesus is teaching a general principle about faithful service, not prophesying about one specific person who would be "the" faithful servant. The parable uses a hypothetical scenario ("Who then is...?") to teach all believers about faithfulness.
- The Application Is to All Believers: The point is that all believers should be like faithful servants—ready for the master's return, faithfully serving, not abusing their position. This is confirmed by the parallel passage in Luke 12:41-48, where Peter asks, "Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?" Jesus responds by continuing the parable, indicating it applies to all who have been given responsibility.
- The Warning Is About Unfaithfulness: The parable's main point is the warning in verses 48-51 about the unfaithful servant who abuses his position, thinking the master won't return soon. This is a warning against complacency and abuse of spiritual authority.
- "Food at the Proper Time" Means Faithful Teaching: In context, "food at the proper time" simply means faithful, consistent teaching of God's Word—not special revelation or "opened word" available only through one person.
What Jesus Was NOT Teaching:
- That He would appoint one specific person as "the" faithful and wise servant
- That this servant would have exclusive authority to interpret Scripture
- That "food at the proper time" means special revelation not available to other believers
- That identifying and following this specific servant is necessary for salvation
The Biblical Pattern of Spiritual Leadership:
The New Testament presents a very different model of spiritual leadership than SCJ's "one faithful servant" model:
Ephesians 4:11-13 - "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."
Notice:
- Christ gives multiple types of leaders (plural)
- Their purpose is to equip all believers for service
- The goal is that "we all" reach maturity—not that we all depend on one person
Acts 20:28 - "Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood."
The Holy Spirit appoints multiple overseers (plural) to shepherd God's people—not one exclusive servant.
1 Peter 5:1-4 - "To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ's sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away."
Peter addresses multiple elders and emphasizes:
- They are fellow servants, not exclusive authorities
- They should not "lord it over" those in their care
- Jesus is the Chief Shepherd—the ultimate authority
The Danger of the "One Servant" Model:
When one person claims to be "the" faithful and wise servant appointed by Jesus, several problems arise:
- Concentration of Power: All spiritual authority is concentrated in one person, making accountability impossible
- Elimination of Discernment: Questioning the leader becomes questioning Jesus' appointment
- Spiritual Dependency: Believers become dependent on one person rather than growing in their own relationship with God
- Potential for Abuse: History shows that exclusive spiritual authority often leads to spiritual, emotional, and sometimes physical abuse
Chapter 18 of "Testing Shincheonji's Claims: Two Lenses, One Story," titled "When One Voice Claims to Speak for God," contrasts SCJ's exclusive, hierarchical model with Scripture's teaching about distributed leadership and mutual accountability in the body of Christ.
Part 2: The "Sea" Symbolism—Preparing for Church Condemnation
What SCJ Teaches:
The lesson establishes the "sea" as a negative symbol by examining its physical characteristics:
- The sea contains much water, but none of it is drinkable
- The sea is made up of water from many different locations—mixed sources (contaminated)
- The sea is a place of darkness
The instructor applies these characteristics spiritually: "This is why the sea is not a good place spiritually either. When a place becomes like the sea spiritually, it exhibits all of these characteristics... So in summary, the sea is a place of much undrinkable water from mixed sources, where all things end up, and it is a place of darkness."
The lesson then references Daniel 7:3, where beasts emerge from the sea, and explains that the sea represents the world from which evil kingdoms arise.
The Reflective Lens: The Contamination Narrative
This teaching appears to be about spiritual danger in the world, but it's actually laying groundwork for a much more specific condemnation: that most churches and Christians are spiritually "in the sea"—contaminated, in darkness, leading to death. Let's examine the psychological progression:
1. The Reasonable Starting Point
The lesson begins with legitimate observations about the physical sea (undrinkable, mixed, dark) and connects these to biblical imagery. This is a reasonable interpretive approach that gains students' agreement.
2. The Subtle Expansion
However, SCJ gradually expands "the sea" to mean not just the secular world, but also churches and Christians who don't accept SCJ's teaching. While this isn't stated explicitly in Lesson 35, it's the clear direction of the teaching and will be made more explicit in subsequent lessons.
3. The Contamination Theme
The emphasis on "mixed sources" and "contamination" is particularly significant. This language will be used to describe mainstream Christian teaching as "mixed"—combining truth with error, making it spiritually poisonous like seawater. The message: Just as drinking seawater leads to death, so accepting "mixed" teaching (any teaching that doesn't align with SCJ's interpretation) leads to spiritual death.
4. The Darkness Theme
The emphasis on the sea as a "place of darkness" prepares students to see their current churches as places of spiritual darkness. Later lessons will contrast this with SCJ as the place of "light" and "opened word."
5. The Urgency Creation
The lesson's stated hope—"to discern and get out of the sea at the Second Coming"—creates urgency. The implicit message: We're living in the time of the Second Coming, the sea is dangerous, and you need to get out now. Getting out means leaving your church and joining SCJ.
Chapter 11 of "Testing Shincheonji's Claims: Two Lenses, One Story," titled "The Isolation Strategy: When Progressive Revelation Becomes Progressive Control," explains how this contamination narrative is used to justify complete isolation from previous faith communities and relationships.
The Discernment Lens: What Does the "Sea" Actually Represent in Scripture?
Let's examine biblical sea imagery in its proper context:
In the Old Testament:
Genesis 1:9-10 - "And God said, 'Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.' And it was so. God called the dry ground 'land,' and the gathered waters he called 'seas.' And God saw that it was good."
The sea is part of God's good creation, not inherently evil.
Psalm 104:25-26 - "There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number—living things both large and small. There the ships go to and fro, and Leviathan, which you formed to frolic there."
The sea is portrayed as part of God's creation, demonstrating His power and creativity.
In Prophetic/Apocalyptic Literature:
Isaiah 57:20 - "But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud."
Here, the sea is used metaphorically for the restlessness of the wicked.
Daniel 7:2-3 - "Daniel said: 'In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea. Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea.'"
In Daniel's vision, the sea represents the nations/peoples from which empires arise. This is apocalyptic imagery about political powers, not about churches or believers.
Revelation 13:1 - "The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name."
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 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:
In apocalyptic literature, the sea typically 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 (Daniel 7, Revelation 13)
What the Sea Does NOT Represent:
- Churches that don't accept one organization's interpretation
- Christians who haven't received special revelation
- Believers who remain in their home churches rather than joining SCJ
- "Mixed" teaching that combines biblical truth with other perspectives
The Matthew 13 Parable:
Let's examine the parable SCJ references:
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 Kingdom Includes All Types: The net catches "all kinds of fish"—the gospel goes out to everyone, and the church includes all types of people
- Separation Is Future: The separation happens "at the end of the age"—at final judgment, not in the present age
- God Does the Separating: "The angels will come and separate"—God judges, not human organizations
- The Criteria Is Moral/Spiritual: The separation is between "wicked" and "righteous"—based on one's relationship with God, not on whether one accepts a specific organization's teaching
What Jesus Was NOT Teaching:
- That believers should separate themselves from other believers in the present age
- That one organization represents "out of the sea" while all others are "in the sea"
- That "getting out of the sea" means leaving your church and joining a specific organization
- That the separation is based on accepting special revelation or interpretation
The New Testament Teaching on Unity:
The New Testament emphasizes unity among believers, not separation based on which organization one belongs to:
John 17:20-23 - "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."
Jesus prayed for unity among all believers—not separation into "in the sea" and "out of the sea" groups.
Ephesians 4:3-6 - "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 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."
Paul emphasizes "one body"—the universal church united in Christ, not divided into true and false organizations.
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?"
Paul condemns the very thing SCJ promotes—dividing believers into factions based on which leader or organization they follow.
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 3: The "Mixed Sources" Accusation—Undermining Trust in Christian Teaching
What SCJ Teaches:
The lesson emphasizes that the sea is dangerous because it contains "water from many different locations—mixed sources":
"Everything eventually ends up in the sea: all the trash, all the filth, all the salt. All these things end up in the sea. It is a mixed place, so we cannot drink from it. It is contaminated. In fact, if someone is lost at sea, it is better for them not to drink anything or they will survive longer. If you drink seawater, the salt content will dehydrate you faster than the water will hydrate you, and you will die. It is undrinkable and leads to death. So the mixed sources of the water lead to death."
The Reflective Lens: The Purity Narrative
This teaching uses a powerful metaphor—drinking seawater leads to death—to create fear about "mixed" teaching. Let's examine the psychological dynamics:
1. The Legitimate Concern
The Bible does warn about false teaching and the need to discern truth from error. This is a legitimate concern that gains students' agreement.
2. The False Dichotomy
However, SCJ creates a false dichotomy: Either teaching is "pure" (SCJ's interpretation) or "mixed" (contaminated with error, leading to death). There's no middle ground, no recognition that faithful Christians throughout history have held different interpretations on secondary issues while maintaining unity on core gospel truths.
3. The Purity Claim
The implicit message: SCJ's teaching is "pure water" from one source (Chairman Lee Man-hee's revelation), while all other Christian teaching is "mixed" and therefore poisonous. This creates:
- Fear: "If I listen to my pastor or read Christian books, I might be drinking poisoned water"
- Dependency: "I need to get all my spiritual nourishment from SCJ to ensure it's pure"
- Isolation: "I should avoid 'mixed' sources and only listen to SCJ"
4. The Gradual Application
While Lesson 35 doesn't explicitly say "your church is the sea," students are being conditioned to make this connection. In later lessons and through informal conversations with SCJ members, they'll learn that:
- Their church teaches "mixed" doctrine (combining truth with tradition, error, or human wisdom)
- Their pastor is "in the sea" (doesn't have the "opened word")
- Only SCJ has "pure" teaching (the unmixed, opened word from the faithful servant)
Chapter 12 of "Testing Shincheonji's Claims: Two Lenses, One Story," titled "When Narrative Becomes More Important Than Truth," addresses how this purity narrative is used to dismiss any teaching that doesn't align with SCJ's interpretation, regardless of its biblical faithfulness.
The Discernment Lens: What Does Scripture Say About Truth and Error?
Biblical Truth #1: We Should Test All Teaching
The Bible does call us to discern truth from error:
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 - "Test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil."
1 John 4:1 - "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."
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."
So SCJ is right that we should test teaching. The question is: How do we test? And does SCJ's teaching pass the test?
Biblical Truth #2: The Test Is Scripture, Not One Person's Interpretation
The Bereans tested Paul's teaching against Scripture—not against one person's exclusive interpretation. They had access to the Old Testament Scriptures and could verify whether Paul's teaching aligned with God's revealed Word.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 - "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
Scripture is sufficient to equip believers for "every good work"—we don't need one person's exclusive "opened word" beyond Scripture.
Biblical Truth #3: Unity on Essentials, Liberty on Non-Essentials
Historic Christianity has maintained unity on core gospel truths while allowing diversity on secondary issues:
Romans 14:1-5 - "Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. One person's faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, because God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind."
Paul teaches that believers can disagree on secondary matters while maintaining unity. Not all differences represent "mixed" or poisoned teaching.
The Core Gospel:
What are the essentials that all Christians must agree on?
1 Corinthians 15:3-5 - "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve."
The gospel essentials:
- Christ died for our sins
- He was buried
- He rose on the third day
- He appeared to witnesses
Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ, not by works or special knowledge.
The Test for SCJ:
Does SCJ's teaching align with these gospel essentials? This is the crucial question. While SCJ claims to teach these truths, their practical theology adds requirements:
- You must accept Chairman Lee Man-hee's interpretation of Revelation
- You must understand the "opened word" to be truly saved
- You must be part of SCJ to be among the 144,000
These additions contradict the biblical gospel of salvation by grace through faith alone.
Biblical Truth #4: False Teaching Is Identified by Specific Criteria
The Bible provides specific criteria for identifying false teaching—not just "it's mixed" or "it's from multiple sources":
Galatians 1:8-9 - "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God's curse!"
False teaching is identified by whether it contradicts the gospel, not by whether it comes from "mixed sources."
2 Peter 2:1-3 - "But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories."
False teachers are identified by:
- Denying the Lord
- Depraved conduct
- Exploiting people
- Fabricating stories
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."
False teachers are recognized by their fruit—their character and the results of their teaching.
The Irony:
SCJ accuses mainstream Christian teaching of being "mixed" and poisonous, but SCJ's own teaching exhibits the characteristics of false teaching:
- Adds to the gospel: Requires accepting Lee Man-hee's revelation for salvation
- Creates division: Separates believers from the body of Christ
- Demands exclusive authority: Claims only they have the "opened word"
- Uses deception: Doesn't reveal their identity or full teaching upfront
- Produces isolation: Separates members from family, friends, and church
Chapter 17 of "Testing Shincheonji's Claims: Two Lenses, One Story," titled "The Logical Contradiction in SCJ's Gospel," addresses how SCJ's teaching contradicts the biblical gospel while claiming to be the only pure source of truth.
Part 4: The Daniel 7 Application—Misusing Apocalyptic Imagery
What SCJ Teaches:
The lesson references Daniel 7:2-3, where Daniel sees four beasts emerging from the sea, and explains:
"Daniel sees a vision. He sees a dream. Which means what? It means the dream or vision will be communicated in the language of heaven, which is parables. This is not an accident. So, Daniel sees a vision of four beasts coming out of the sea... The four beasts represent the four kings or kingdoms prophesied to emerge."
The lesson uses this to establish that the sea represents the world from which evil powers emerge.
The Reflective Lens: The Pattern Establishment
This teaching appears to be straightforward biblical interpretation, but it's establishing a pattern that will be misapplied:
1. The Legitimate Interpretation
Daniel 7's beasts do represent kingdoms/empires (Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome). The sea represents the nations from which these empires arise. This is standard biblical interpretation.
2. The Pattern Transfer
However, SCJ is establishing a pattern: visions use "the language of heaven" (parables/symbols), and these symbols can only be understood through proper interpretation. Later, this pattern will be applied to Revelation, with the claim that only Chairman Lee Man-hee can properly interpret Revelation's symbols because only he witnessed their fulfillment.
3. The Authority Claim
By emphasizing that visions require special interpretation, SCJ is preparing students to accept that they need an authoritative interpreter—someone who can decode the "language of heaven." That someone, they'll later learn, is Lee Man-hee.
The Discernment Lens: How Should We Interpret Apocalyptic Literature?
Biblical Principle #1: Apocalyptic Literature Has Patterns
Apocalyptic literature (Daniel, Revelation, parts of Ezekiel and Zechariah) does use symbolic imagery with recurring patterns:
- Beasts often represent kingdoms/empires
- Horns often represent kings or powers
- Waters/seas often represent nations/peoples
- Numbers often have symbolic significance
These patterns are recognizable to readers familiar with the genre. The symbols aren't arbitrary codes requiring one person's exclusive interpretation.
Biblical Principle #2: Context and Cross-Reference
Apocalyptic symbols are interpreted through:
- Immediate context: What does the passage itself explain?
- Biblical cross-reference: How is this symbol used elsewhere in Scripture?
- Historical context: What would the original audience have understood?
- Theological consistency: Does the interpretation align with the rest of Scripture?
For example, in Daniel 7:
- The text itself explains that the beasts are kingdoms (v. 17, 23)
- Historical context helps identify which kingdoms (Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome)
- The theological point is that God is sovereign over earthly powers
Biblical Principle #3: Apocalyptic Literature Was Meant to Be Understood
While apocalyptic literature uses symbolic imagery, it was meant to be understood by its original audience and by the church throughout history:
Revelation 1:3 - "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."
A blessing is pronounced on those who read and hear Revelation, implying it's meant to be understood—not sealed until one person in the 20th century can decode it.
Revelation 22:10 - "Then he told me, 'Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near.'"
John was explicitly told NOT to seal Revelation. It was meant to be accessible to the churches to whom it was written.
Biblical Principle #4: The Core Message Is Clear
While some details of apocalyptic literature may be debated, the core message has always been clear:
- God is sovereign over history
- Evil powers will oppose God's people
- God will judge evil and vindicate His people
- Believers should remain faithful through persecution
- Christ will return and establish His kingdom
You don't need one person's exclusive interpretation to understand these core truths.
The Danger of the "Exclusive Interpreter" Model:
When one person claims to be the only one who can interpret apocalyptic literature, several problems arise:
- Contradicts Scripture's Own Claims: Revelation says it's meant to be read and understood, not sealed until one person can decode it
- Eliminates Accountability: If only one person can interpret, there's no way to verify or challenge the interpretation
- Creates Dependency: Believers become dependent on one person rather than growing in their own understanding
- Enables Manipulation: The interpreter can make the symbols mean whatever supports their agenda
Chapter 7 of "Testing Shincheonji's Claims: Two Lenses, One Story," titled "The Revelation Rewrite: How SCJ Transforms the Final Book," addresses how SCJ's approach to Revelation contradicts the book's own claims about its purpose and accessibility.
Part 5: The Progression of Indoctrination—Where Lesson 35 Fits
By Lesson 35, 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 35-39:
Lesson 35 (Figurative Sea):
- Goal: Establish that most Christians are spiritually "in the sea" (contaminated, in darkness) and introduce the "faithful servant" who provides the "opened word"
- Method: Teaching that the sea represents spiritual danger and that Jesus appointed a specific servant to give "food at the proper time"
- Effect: Students begin to see their churches as spiritually dangerous and learn that they need the "faithful servant's" teaching
- Psychological Preparation: Creating fear of "mixed" teaching, establishing urgency to "get out of the sea"
Lesson 36 (Fisherman, Net, Ship):
- Goal: Establish binary thinking (right/wrong fishermen, true/false churches)
- Method: Teaching that there are good and bad fishermen, and true teachers must have both "law and testimony"
- Effect: Students categorize their church as potentially "wrong" and learn that most teachers lack valid authority
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 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 "faithful servant," the only one with the "opened word"
- Effect: Students accept SCJ's complete authority and Lee's unique position
The Strategic Function of Lesson 35:
Lesson 35 serves several strategic functions in the indoctrination process:
1. Introducing the "Faithful Servant" Concept
By introducing Matthew 24:45-47 early, SCJ plants the seed that Jesus appointed a specific person to provide spiritual food. This prepares students to accept Chairman Lee Man-hee in this role.
2. Creating Fear of Contamination
The "mixed sources" and "poisoned water" imagery creates fear about receiving teaching from anyone other than SCJ. This justifies isolation from outside input.
3. Establishing Urgency
The stated hope—"to discern and get out of the sea at the Second Coming"—creates urgency. Students are being conditioned to believe:
- We're living in the time of the Second Coming
- The sea (their current church) is dangerous
- They need to act now to "get out"
4. Preparing for Church Departure
By teaching that the sea represents spiritual danger and that most people start "in the sea," SCJ is preparing students to see their departure from their church not as abandonment but as obedience—"getting out of the sea."
5. Justifying Exclusive Authority
By establishing that only the "faithful servant" can provide "food at the proper time" (the opened word), SCJ is preparing students to accept exclusive dependence on Chairman Lee Man-hee's teaching.
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 6: The Subtext—What Lesson 35 Is Really Teaching
Let's identify the hidden messages beneath the surface teaching:
Surface Message:
"The sea represents the world, a place of spiritual danger. We should be like faithful servants providing spiritual nourishment, and we should discern and get out of the sea."
Hidden Subtext:
1. Your Church Is "In the Sea"
While not stated explicitly, the groundwork is being laid: Your church is spiritually "in the sea"—contaminated with mixed teaching, in darkness, leading to death. You need to leave your church to "get out of the sea."
2. Your Pastor Is Not the Faithful Servant
Jesus appointed a specific "faithful servant" to give "food at the proper time" (the opened word). Your pastor doesn't have this role. He's not providing the "proper" food because he doesn't have the "opened word."
3. Chairman Lee Man-hee Is the Faithful Servant
Though not named yet, the lesson is preparing you to accept that Chairman Lee Man-hee is the "faithful servant" appointed by Jesus. Only through him can you receive "food at the proper time."
4. Mainstream Christian Teaching Is Poisonous
Like seawater that looks like water but leads to death, mainstream Christian teaching looks like truth but is "mixed" and contaminated. Listening to your pastor, reading Christian books, or attending your church is like drinking seawater—it will kill you spiritually.
5. Only SCJ Has "Pure" Teaching
SCJ's teaching is "pure water" from one source (the faithful servant's opened word). All other teaching is "mixed" and therefore dangerous. You should only receive spiritual nourishment from SCJ.
6. Leaving Your Church Is Urgent
We're living in the time of the Second Coming. The sea is dangerous. You need to "get out" now. Staying in your church is spiritual suicide.
7. Isolation Is Obedience
Separating from your church, family, and Christian friends isn't abandonment—it's obedience to God. You're "getting out of the sea" as Jesus commanded.
Chapter 14 of "Testing Shincheonji's Claims: Two Lenses, One Story," titled "The Testimony Vault: Voices From Inside the System," includes testimonies from former members who describe how these hidden messages became clear only after leaving. One former member stated: "I didn't realize I was being taught that my church was spiritually dead and my pastor was unqualified. It happened so gradually through these symbolic teachings that I accepted it without questioning."
Part 7: Critical Questions for Discernment
If you're studying with SCJ or considering their teachings, here are essential questions to ask:
About the "Faithful Servant" Teaching:
- Does Matthew 24:45-47 actually prophesy about one specific person Jesus would appoint, or is it a general teaching about faithful service for all believers? Read the passage in context (Matthew 24:45-51) and the parallel passage (Luke 12:41-48).
- If Chairman Lee Man-hee is the "faithful servant," how can you independently verify this claim? What evidence exists beyond SCJ's own interpretation?
- Does the New Testament teach that all believers should depend on one person for spiritual nourishment, or that we should grow together in the body of Christ with multiple teachers? (Ephesians 4:11-16, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27)
About the "Sea" Teaching:
- Does the Bible teach that most churches are spiritually "in the sea," or does it teach that all believers are part of one body in Christ? (1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Ephesians 4:4-6)
- What specific biblical criteria make a church "in the sea"? Is it because they don't accept SCJ's interpretation of Revelation? Is that a biblical criterion for judging a church?
- Does categorizing your church as "in the sea" produce love and unity or judgment and division? What fruit is this teaching producing in your life?
About "Mixed" Teaching:
- Does the Bible condemn all teaching from "mixed sources," or does it provide specific criteria for identifying false teaching? (Galatians 1:8-9, 2 Peter 2:1-3, Matthew 7:15-20)
- Has your church taught you the core gospel—that Christ died for your sins, rose from the dead, and offers salvation by grace through faith? If so, how is this "poisonous" teaching?
- Does SCJ's teaching add requirements to the gospel (accepting Lee Man-hee's revelation, understanding the "opened word")? If so, doesn't this contradict Ephesians 2:8-9?
About Your Experience:
- Has SCJ's teaching led you to see your church, pastor, and Christian family as spiritually dangerous? Is this producing love or fear? Unity or division?
- When you feel uncomfortable with SCJ's teaching or with the idea of leaving your church, do they validate your concerns or tell you this discomfort means you need to "get out of the sea"? Is this respecting your discernment or manipulating you?
- Are you becoming more connected to the broader Christian community or more isolated? Does SCJ encourage you to discuss their teachings with your pastor, or do they discourage it by saying he's "in the sea"?
About Authority and Verification:
- How can you verify SCJ's interpretation of Revelation? Can it be independently confirmed, or does it require accepting their framework?
- If Revelation was meant to be "sealed" until Chairman Lee Man-hee, why does Revelation 22:10 explicitly say NOT to seal it? How do you reconcile these contradictory claims?
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 8: The Way Forward—Responding to SCJ's "Sea" Teaching
For Those Currently Studying with SCJ:
1. Test the "Faithful Servant" Claim
Read Matthew 24:45-51 and Luke 12:41-48 in context. Ask yourself:
- Is Jesus prophesying about one specific person, or teaching a general principle about faithful service?
- Does the New Testament ever identify one person as "the" faithful servant?
- Does claiming to be this servant align with Jesus' teaching about humble service?
Research what biblical scholars and commentators say about this passage. If SCJ's interpretation is correct, you should find support from sources outside their organization.
2. Examine Your Church Honestly
SCJ teaches that your church is "in the sea"—contaminated, in darkness, leading to death. But ask yourself:
- Does your church teach the core gospel (Christ's death, resurrection, salvation by grace through faith)?
- Does your church point you to Jesus or to human leaders?
- Does your church encourage you to study Scripture for yourself?
- Does your church produce fruit consistent with the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control)?
If your church faithfully teaches the gospel and produces good fruit, it's not "in the sea"—regardless of whether it accepts SCJ's interpretation of Revelation.
3. Apply the "Mixed Teaching" Test to SCJ
SCJ accuses other churches of "mixed" teaching, but apply the same test to SCJ:
- Does SCJ add requirements to the gospel (accepting Lee Man-hee's revelation)?
- Does SCJ's teaching align with 2,000 years of Christian understanding, or contradict it?
- Does SCJ produce unity or division?
- Does SCJ use deception (not revealing their identity or full teaching upfront)?
4. Seek Outside Perspectives
Talk to your pastor about SCJ's "sea" teaching. Ask:
- What does Matthew 24:45-47 actually mean in context?
- What does biblical sea imagery actually represent?
- Is it biblical to categorize churches as "in the sea" or "out of the sea" based on one organization's interpretation?
Read what biblical scholars say about Revelation. You'll find that while interpretations vary on details, no mainstream Christian scholar supports SCJ's claim that Revelation was sealed until 1984 or that it was fulfilled in their organization.
If SCJ discourages you from seeking outside input, ask yourself why. Truth can withstand scrutiny.
For Those Who Have Left SCJ:
1. Unlearn the Contamination Narrative
You may have internalized the belief that your church was "in the sea" and that most Christian teaching is "poisonous." Recognize that this was manipulation designed to isolate you.
Faithful Christian teaching that points you to Jesus, teaches the biblical gospel, and produces good fruit is not "mixed" or contaminated—it's the nourishment God provides through His body, the church.
2. Rebuild Trust in Christian Community
SCJ taught you to see the church as dangerous. Rebuilding trust takes time. Look for:
- A church that teaches the Bible faithfully in context
- Pastors who point you to Jesus, not to themselves
- A community that welcomes questions and encourages growth
- People who love you unconditionally
3. Rediscover the Sufficiency of Scripture
SCJ taught you that Scripture is "sealed" and requires one person's exclusive interpretation. Rediscover the truth:
2 Timothy 3:16-17 - Scripture is sufficient to equip you for every good work.
1 John 2:20, 27 - You have the Holy Spirit's anointing and can understand God's Word.
Psalm 119:105 - God's Word is a lamp to your feet and a light to your path—you don't need one person's "opened word."
4. Process the Manipulation
Recognize that the "get out of the sea" teaching was manipulation designed to make you leave your church and isolate from your support system. Give yourself permission to feel angry about this manipulation.
Seek counseling if needed. Connect with others who have left high-control groups. Healing takes time, but it's possible.
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 Interpretation
Help your congregation understand how to interpret apocalyptic literature:
- Context matters
- Cross-reference with other Scripture
- The core message has always been clear
- No one person has exclusive interpretive authority
This provides a foundation for recognizing SCJ's misuse of Revelation.
2. Address the "Faithful Servant" Passage
Teach Matthew 24:45-47 in context. Help people understand:
- It's a general teaching about faithful service, not a prophecy about one specific person
- All believers are called to be faithful servants
- Jesus is the ultimate Master; no human should claim His exclusive authority
3. Affirm the Church's Value
SCJ teaches that most churches are "in the sea." Counter this by affirming the value and purpose of the church:
- The church is Christ's body (1 Corinthians 12:27)
- Christ loves the church and gave Himself for her (Ephesians 5:25)
- The church is the pillar and foundation of truth (1 Timothy 3:15)
While churches are imperfect (because they're made of imperfect people), they're not "in the sea" if they faithfully teach the gospel.
4. Create a Culture of Discernment
People join SCJ partly because they're seeking deeper understanding. Create a church culture where:
- Questions are welcomed
- Bible study is encouraged
- Multiple perspectives on secondary issues are respected
- Core gospel truths are clearly taught
- Critical thinking is valued
Chapter 29 of "Testing Shincheonji's Claims: Two Lenses, One Story," titled "How Do We Know Which Voice to Trust?" provides guidance for church leaders in helping members discern truth from deception.
Conclusion: The True Spring of Living Water
Lesson 35 asks: "What is the spring at the second coming?" SCJ's answer: The "faithful servant" (Chairman Lee Man-hee) who provides "food at the proper time" (the opened word).
But the Bible's answer is different. The true spring of living water is Jesus Christ:
John 4:13-14 - "Jesus answered, 'Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'"
John 7:37-39 - "On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, 'Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.' By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive."
Jesus is the source of living water. When we believe in Him, the Holy Spirit dwells in us, and living water flows from within us. We don't need one person's "opened word"—we need Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Revelation 21:6 - "He said to me: 'It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.'"
Revelation 22:17 - "The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let the one who hears say, 'Come!' Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life."
The water of life is a free gift, available to all who come to Jesus. It's not exclusive knowledge available only through one person.
You don't need to "get out of the sea" by leaving your church and joining SCJ. You need to come to Jesus, who offers living water freely to all who believe.
John 6:35 - "Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'"
Jesus is the bread of life and the living water. He is sufficient. You don't need the "faithful servant's" "food at the proper time"—you need Jesus.
"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 with the idea that your church is "in the sea" and you need to leave, that discomfort may be the Holy Spirit's warning. Don't let SCJ's teaching override your God-given discernment.
If you've left SCJ and are recovering from being taught that your church was spiritually dangerous and your pastor was unqualified, know this: If your church faithfully taught you the gospel—that Jesus died for your sins, rose from the dead, and offers salvation by grace through faith—they gave you the most important truth. They were not "in the sea." They pointed you to the true source of living water.
And if you're a pastor concerned about SCJ's influence, don't give up. Keep teaching the gospel faithfully. Keep pointing people to Jesus. Keep affirming the value of the church as Christ's body. 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 spring of living water, the true bread of life, the true Shepherd, the true Lord.
Outline
Understanding the Figurative Sea
I. Introduction: The Nature of the Sea
- This section establishes the sea as an unfavorable environment and introduces the concept of the sea as a representation of the world, a place of mixed elements that believers should strive to separate themselves from.
II. Review: The Figurative Spring and River
- This section reviews previously studied concepts, highlighting the spring and river as symbols of God's word flowing from within believers and nourishing others. It emphasizes the importance of receiving and sharing this life-giving water.
III. The Faithful and Wise Servant: A Source of Nourishment
- This section analyzes the parable of the faithful and wise servant, identifying the servant as one appointed by Jesus to provide spiritual food, specifically the "open word," to other believers until his return.
IV. The Figurative Sea: An In-Depth Exploration
A. Main Reference: Parable of the Net (Matthew 13:47-50) * This section introduces the parable of the net, where fish represent people caught and separated. It highlights the sea as the starting point for all and the destination for those deemed "bad," emphasizing the need to understand the sea's symbolism to escape it.
B. Physical Characteristics of the Sea and Their Spiritual Parallels 1. Undrinkable Water: This section draws a parallel between the undrinkable seawater and the spiritual condition of the world, where mixed and contaminated sources of knowledge lead to spiritual death. 2. Mixed Sources: This section emphasizes the sea as a place where everything, both good and bad, ends up, symbolizing the world's mix of truth and falsehood, making discernment crucial. 3. Darkness: This section compares the sea's physical darkness with the spiritual darkness of ignorance, highlighting the lack of the "open word" in the world. * This subsection concludes by summarizing the sea's negative characteristics—undrinkable water, mixed sources, and darkness—and connecting them to the spiritual state of the world.
C. Spiritual Meaning of the Sea: Satan's Domain * This section establishes the sea as symbolic of the world, specifically Satan's domain. It draws on scriptural references to Leviathan, the ancient serpent identified as the devil, who rules the world and seeks to devour people.
D. The Sea at the First Coming: The World of Judaism * This section examines the state of the world during Jesus' first coming. It identifies the "sea" at that time as the world of Judaism, corrupted by hypocrisy and wickedness under Satan's influence. Jesus' rebukes of the Pharisees and Sadducees are analyzed to highlight the danger of spiritual blindness and the need to discern the spirit at work behind outward appearances.
E. The Sea at the Second Coming: Babylon and the Call to Escape * This section explores the sea's symbolism at the second coming, drawing on the book of Revelation. It identifies Babylon, characterized by its many waters symbolizing people, nations, and churches, as the sea from which a beast, ruled by Satan, will emerge. The call to "come out of her, my people" is emphasized, highlighting the urgency for believers to escape the spiritual corruption of Babylon and avoid judgment.
V. Conclusion: The Urgency to Escape the Sea
- This section summarizes the figurative meaning of the sea as the world corrupted by Satan's influence, both at the first and second coming of Jesus. It stresses the need for believers to understand and escape this spiritual trap by discerning the truth of the "open word" and resisting Satan's deceptive tactics.
VI. Review: Key Takeaways
- This section recaps the main points of the lesson, emphasizing the importance of understanding parables to unlock the secrets of heaven and prophecies. It reinforces the meaning of the sea, the characteristics of the sea at both Jesus' comings, and the call for believers to come out of Babylon. It emphasizes the need to move from spiritual blindness to discernment, using the "open word" as a weapon against spiritual darkness and as a tool for spiritual healing.
A Study Guide
Secrets of Heaven: Figurative Sea Study Guide
Quiz
Instructions: Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each.
- What does the sea symbolize in the Bible, and which specific verses support this interpretation?
- Describe three physical characteristics of the sea and explain how they relate to the sea's spiritual meaning.
- How did the Pharisees and Sadducees become like the sea during Jesus' first coming?
- What does the parable of the net in Matthew 13:47-50 teach about the kingdom of heaven and the fate of humanity?
- What is the spiritual danger of being in the "sea" at the time of Jesus' second coming?
- According to the source material, what is "Babylon" and how does it relate to the figurative sea?
- How does the source material explain the statement "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6)?
- What is the significance of the "beast" rising from the sea in Revelation 13:1-2, and who is ultimately in control of this beast?
- Explain the connection between the "prostitute" sitting on the beast in Revelation 17 and the figurative sea.
- What practical advice does the source material offer for Christians seeking to escape the figurative sea?
Answer Key
- The sea symbolizes the world, specifically the world under Satan's influence and control. This interpretation is supported by verses like Daniel 7:1-3 and 16-17, which depict beasts representing kingdoms rising from the sea.
- The sea is full of undrinkable water, indicating the abundance of false teachings and spiritual deception. It is a mixture of many sources, representing the chaotic and polluted nature of worldly influences. The sea is also a place of darkness, symbolizing the lack of spiritual understanding and the ignorance of God's word.
- The Pharisees and Sadducees became like the sea by clinging to a corrupted form of Judaism that prioritized outward appearances and legalistic interpretations over genuine faith and love for God. Their hearts were filled with hypocrisy and wickedness, and they led others astray with their false teachings.
- The parable of the net illustrates God's judgment at the end of the age. All humanity is caught in the net, but only the "good fish," representing those who have accepted Christ, will be gathered into the kingdom of heaven. The "bad fish," those who have rejected God, will be thrown back into the sea of destruction.
- The sea at the second coming represents a world filled with deception and false teachings, particularly within churches and religious institutions. Being in the sea means being caught in a spiritual trap, drinking from polluted sources of knowledge, and remaining blind to God's truth.
- "Babylon" represents a system of false religion and worldly influence that has ensnared many of God's people. It is synonymous with the figurative sea, a place of spiritual danger and separation from God.
- This statement emphasizes that even believers can be destroyed if they lack knowledge of God's word and true will. The Pharisees and Sadducees, despite their religious zeal, were ultimately condemned because they followed a distorted understanding of faith and rejected Jesus, the Messiah.
- The beast represents a powerful political and religious system that will emerge in the end times under Satan's control. The beast's seven heads and ten horns symbolize its vast reach and influence, and its blasphemous names indicate its opposition to God.
- The prostitute sitting on the beast represents a corrupt religious system that aligns itself with worldly power and seduces people away from God. The many waters on which she sits symbolize the multitude of people, nations, and languages under her influence, reinforcing the connection between the sea and spiritual deception.
- The source material urges Christians to study and understand the Bible, specifically the parables and prophecies, to avoid being deceived by false teachings. It encourages active engagement with God's word, spiritual discernment, and a willingness to separate from worldly influences and corrupt religious systems.
Additional Questions
1. What is the true meaning of sea?
- Sea = World (Daniel 7:1-3, 16-17)
2. Who were the sea at the first coming?
- First Coming = World of Judaism (John 8:41-44, Matthew 23:15,28,33)
3. Who are the sea at the Second Coming?
- Second Coming = Babylon (all nations) God’s people, believers (Revelations 17:15)
Glossary of Key Terms
- Figurative Sea: Represents the world under the influence and control of Satan, characterized by deception, false teachings, and spiritual darkness.
- Babylon: A symbol of a corrupt religious and political system that has ensnared God's people, representing a spiritual trap in the end times.
- Open Word: Refers to the revealed truth of God's word, particularly the prophecies and parables that offer guidance and understanding of spiritual matters.
- Leviathan: A monstrous sea creature symbolizing Satan, the ruler of the figurative sea.
- Beast: In Revelation, a beast with seven heads and ten horns emerges from the sea, representing a powerful political and religious system that opposes God and will rise in the end times.
- Prostitute: In Revelation, a woman sitting on the beast, symbolizing a corrupt religious system that aligns itself with worldly power and leads people astray from God.
- Fishers of Men: A metaphor used by Jesus to describe those who spread the Gospel and gather people into the kingdom of God.
- Net: In the parable of the net, it represents God's judgment at the end of the age, separating those who have accepted Christ from those who have rejected him.
- Sanhedrin: The highest Jewish council during Jesus' time, comprised of Pharisees, Sadducees, and other religious leaders who opposed Jesus and ultimately condemned him to death.
- Hypocrisy: The act of pretending to have moral standards or beliefs that one does not actually possess, often used to describe the actions of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
- Spiritual Discernment: The ability to distinguish between truth and falsehood, good and evil, using the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Breakdown
Timeline of Events
This lesson primarily focuses on interpreting biblical parables and doesn't present a chronological timeline of events. Instead, it draws connections between different passages to explain the symbolic meaning of the "sea" in relation to God's plan for humanity.
However, we can discern a thematic progression:
Old Testament Times:
- Prophets and Spiritual Famine: Prophets like Amos foretold a spiritual famine where people would search for God's word but not find it (Amos 8:11-12). This sets the stage for the need for true spiritual guidance.
Jesus' First Coming:
- Jesus Rebukes Jewish Leaders: Jesus confronts the Jewish religious leaders (Pharisees, Sadducees, etc.) for their hypocrisy and claims their true father is the devil (John 8:41-44). This identifies them as part of the "sea," symbolizing the world under Satan's control.
- Jesus Warns of False Teachers: Jesus cautions against false teachers who spread hypocrisy and wickedness under the guise of religious authority (Matthew 23:15, 28, 33-36). This emphasizes the dangers of remaining in the "sea" of false teachings.
Present Day and the Second Coming:
- God's People in Babylon: The lesson connects the "sea" to Babylon in the book of Revelation, emphasizing that God's people are currently trapped within this system (Revelation 18: 2-4).
- Call to Come Out of Babylon: The lesson urges believers to "come out of Babylon" and avoid sharing in its sins (Revelation 18:4). This is presented as an urgent call to action for those who wish to escape the judgment to come.
- The Beast from the Sea: The source cites Revelation 13:1-2, describing a beast with seven heads and ten horns rising from the sea. This beast symbolizes a powerful entity controlled by Satan that will emerge during the end times.
- Judgment and Separation: The lesson uses the parable of the net cast into the sea (Matthew 13:47-50) to illustrate the separation of the righteous from the wicked at the end of the age. Those who remain in the "sea" will face judgment.
Cast of Characters
Key Figures:
- God: The ultimate source of truth and salvation. The speaker calls believers to come out of Babylon and seek God's guidance through His word.
- Jesus Christ: The Messiah who came to expose the hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders and warn against false teachings. He is also the master who will return and separate the righteous from the wicked.
- Satan: The devil, also called the "ancient serpent" and "Leviathan." He is the ruler of the "sea," representing the world under his control, and seeks to deceive and destroy humanity.
Other Figures:
- Prophets: Individuals like Amos who delivered God's messages and foretold future events.
- Pharisees, Sadducees, and Other Jewish Leaders: Religious authorities during Jesus' time who are portrayed as hypocritical and aligned with Satan.
- Angels: Messengers of God who play a role in Revelation, revealing truths about the end times.
- The Beast: A symbolic figure in Revelation representing a powerful, evil entity that will arise from the "sea" (the world) during the end times.
- The Prostitute: A symbolic figure in Revelation representing a corrupt system that deceives the nations and leads them astray.
Overview
Overview: Secrets of Heaven Figurative Sea
Main Theme: The figurative meaning of the "sea" in biblical parables and its significance for believers at both the first and second coming of Jesus.
Key Ideas:
- The Sea as the World: The sea symbolizes the world, specifically the fallen world under Satan's control. This is established by referencing Daniel 7:1-3,16-17, where beasts representing kings and kingdoms rise from the sea.
"So the sea serves as a figurative meaning for the world."
- Satan as Ruler of the Sea: The lesson identifies Satan as the "monster of the sea," the Leviathan, drawing on imagery from Psalms 74:13-14, Isaiah 27:1, and Revelation 20:2. This reinforces the concept of the world as Satan's domain.
"The sea, the world, is Satan's dwelling place."
- The Sea at the First Coming: The sea at the time of Jesus' first coming represented the world of Judaism that had become a trap, controlled by the Pharisees and other religious leaders who were unknowingly being used by Satan. This is supported by John 8:44, where Jesus tells the Pharisees that their father is the devil.
"Satan, the monster of the sea, sunk their ships. They're now a part of the sea, and he is their ruler; he is their father."
- The Sea at the Second Coming: The sea at the second coming is identified as Babylon, a symbolic representation of a corrupt religious system that has entrapped God's people. The source draws on Revelation 13:1-2 and Revelation 17:1-3,15 to depict this.
"The sea at the second coming is Babylon that God's people must come out of - Babylon that has captured God's people. That is what we see at the second coming."
- Coming Out of the Sea: The source emphasizes the urgency for believers to "come out of the sea" by recognizing and rejecting false teachings and embracing the true word of God.
"Let's get out of the sea."
- The Importance of Parables: Understanding biblical parables is crucial for uncovering hidden spiritual truths, particularly prophecies related to the second coming of Jesus.
"So why is it important for us to learn the parables? So that we can understand the secrets of heaven. And most importantly, prophecies are concealed in parables."
- Spiritual Warfare: The source highlights the reality of spiritual warfare, emphasizing that the true battle is against evil spirits, not flesh and blood. Believers are encouraged to be vigilant, discerning, and equipped with the "sword" of God's word.
"This is the true battlefield - not flesh and blood, but spirits."
Important Facts:
- The source interprets the physical characteristics of the sea (undrinkable water, mixed sources, darkness) as metaphors for spiritual dangers present in the world.
- It uses the analogy of fish being caught in a net to illustrate the process of God separating the righteous from the wicked at the second coming.
- It connects the story of Noah and the flood to the urgency of preparing for the second coming.
Quotes:
- "The sea, the world, is Satan's dwelling place."
- "Satan, the monster of the sea, sunk their ships. They're now a part of the sea, and he is their ruler; he is their father."
- "The sea at the second coming is Babylon that God's people must come out of - Babylon that has captured God's people. That is what we see at the second coming."
- "This is the true battlefield - not flesh and blood, but spirits."
- "Let's get out of the sea."
Overall, the lesson presents a detailed analysis of the "sea" as a powerful symbol in biblical prophecy. It emphasizes the need for believers to be discerning and spiritually prepared in anticipation of the second coming of Jesus.
Q&A
Q&A: The Figurative Sea and Its Significance
1. What does the "sea" represent in biblical parables?
The "sea" symbolizes the world, specifically the world that has fallen under Satan's influence. It represents a realm of spiritual darkness, deception, and mixed, undrinkable sources of knowledge. This world is contrasted with the "spring" of living water, representing the true word of God.
2. How does the sea manifest at the first coming of Jesus?
At the time of Jesus' first coming, the "sea" manifested as the world of Judaism that had strayed from God's truth. The Pharisees, Sadducees, and other religious leaders, though outwardly devout, had become spiritually corrupt and under the influence of Satan. Their teachings, though claiming to be based on the law of Moses, were filled with hypocrisy and wickedness. They led people astray, further entangling them in the "sea" of spiritual darkness.
3. How does the sea manifest at the second coming of Jesus?
At the second coming, the "sea" represents "Babylon," a symbolic representation of the world's false religious systems and corrupted churches that have captured God's people. This "Babylon" is characterized by its many people, multitudes, nations, and languages, representing a vast array of deceptive doctrines and practices.
4. What are the dangers of remaining in the "sea"?
Remaining in the "sea" means remaining spiritually lost and deceived. Just as drinking seawater leads to dehydration and death, consuming the "mixed waters" of false teachings leads to spiritual death. The "sea" is a place of darkness, where people are blind to God's truth and vulnerable to the attacks of the "beasts" – symbolic representations of powerful evil forces.
5. How can we recognize if we are in the "sea"?
If we are surrounded by people who are comfortable in a world that ignores or rejects God's truth, we may be in the "sea" without even realizing it. A lack of spiritual discernment, an inability to recognize false teachings, and a preference for worldly values over spiritual ones are all signs of being caught in the "sea."
6. What is the solution to escape the "sea"?
The solution is to "come out of Babylon," to separate ourselves from the false religious systems and corrupted churches that have captured God's people. We must turn to the "spring" of living water – the true word of God found in the Bible – and allow it to nourish and guide us.
7. What is the importance of understanding biblical parables?
Understanding biblical parables is crucial for unlocking the "secrets of heaven" and comprehending the prophecies about the end times. Parables use figurative language to convey spiritual truths that might otherwise be difficult to grasp. By studying parables, we can gain a deeper understanding of God's plan and equip ourselves to navigate the spiritual challenges of our time.
8. What is our role in combating the spiritual influences of the "sea"?
We must become skilled in wielding the "sword" of the word of God, learning to discern truth from falsehood and using scripture to combat the deceptive influences of the "sea." We should also pray for those who are still caught in the "sea," asking God to break the hold of false spirits and open their hearts to the truth. We must remember that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces, and we must engage in this spiritual warfare with wisdom and discernment.