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

SCJ Lesson 45 Analysis: “Secrets of Heaven: The Figurative Rock (Stone)”

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Introduction: The Ark That Wasn’t There

Imagine you’ve been on a spiritual journey for over five months now. You’ve invested countless hours studying the Bible in ways you never have before—learning about seals, parables, patterns, wine, oil, witnesses, and mountains. Your instructor has been patient, knowledgeable, and deeply committed to helping you understand God’s word. You’ve built meaningful friendships with fellow students who share your hunger for truth. You’ve experienced moments of genuine insight and spiritual growth.

Last week, in Lesson 44, everything finally clicked together. You learned that all the parables point to one answer: “Flee to the mountain.” Your instructor told you this is God’s will for your life—to find the mountain that appeared at the second coming and flee to it for salvation. After five months of complex theology, you finally have clarity about what God wants you to do.

But you still have questions. What exactly is this mountain? Where is it? How do you know if you’ve found it? And most importantly—are you already there, or are you still searching?

Then comes Lesson 45, and your instructor begins with a story that makes your heart race with urgency:

“Just as Jesus said in Matthew 24, the days of the second coming will be like the days of Noah and the days of Lot… Noah was preaching, ‘Get on the ark, everyone. A flood is coming.’ But how did people react? They dismissed him, saying, ‘Get out of here, Noah.’ And they continued their lives as normal, ignoring his warning. And so, what happened? Noah and his family, along with the animals, boarded the ark, and then the door was shut. By that point, even if someone banged on the door and said, ‘Noah, we believe you. The waters are coming,’ it was too late.”

The instructor pauses, letting the weight of this sink in. Then he asks the question that pierces your heart:

“So, we need to ask ourselves, am I already at this place? Do the people around me talk about what I’m learning here? Or do they carry on with their lives as if nothing is happening? Marrying and being given in marriage, working this job or that job, talking about finances and business. Maybe they’ll pray a few times and read their Bible, but they’re acting as if everything is normal with no sense of urgency. If that is everyone around me, can I be sure that I’m in the ark already? Can I be sure that I’m at the mountains we need to flee to if no one talks about them at all?”

You think about your church. Your pastor preaches from the Bible every Sunday, but he’s never mentioned the sealed book, the parables requiring special interpretation, the mountain that appeared at the second coming, or the urgency to flee. Your small group studies Scripture, but they don’t dive “one step, two steps, three steps deeper” like you’re doing here. Your Christian friends pray and read their Bibles, but they go about their lives—working, getting married, raising families—as if everything is normal.

The instructor’s words echo in your mind: “Everyone here looks pretty fishy. Everyone looks just like a fish that is swimming in the sea, minding their own business, just going about their life swimming in the sea. No one here is struggling with the word as if being caught by a net.”

A cold realization washes over you: your church isn’t the ark. The people around you aren’t in the ark. They’re like the people in Noah’s day—going about their lives, oblivious to the coming judgment, dismissing the warning. And if they’re not in the ark, and you’re with them… are you in the ark?

The instructor continues: “Here’s another thing: just because a place reads a parable and talks about it does not mean that place has the open word. The open word has a much deeper meaning than just reading a parable and describing it. That’s not what we’re doing here. I hope you realize that’s not what we’re doing here. We’re diving one step, two steps, three steps deeper than that.”

You realize with growing clarity: your church reads the Bible, but they don’t have the “open word” like you’re receiving here. They read parables, but they don’t understand them the way you’re learning to understand them. They’re not diving deeper. They’re just swimming on the surface, oblivious to what’s really happening.

The instructor then delivers the defining statement: “That mountain is not one that has been around for 500 years, 200 years, or 100 years, but one that appears at the fulfillment of Revelation. Let us be those who flee to this location.”

Your church has been around for decades, maybe centuries. But the mountain of salvation—the ark for the second coming—only appeared recently, at the fulfillment of Revelation. That means your church can’t be the mountain. They’ve been around too long. The mountain is something new, something that appeared when Revelation was fulfilled.

And you’re learning about it here, in this study. Could this be the mountain? Could this be the ark? The evidence seems overwhelming:

• This teaching appeared recently (not 500 years ago)
• This teaching explains Revelation’s fulfillment (the “open word”)
• This teaching goes deeper than any church you’ve attended
• This teaching creates urgency (unlike your church where people act normal)
• This teaching makes everything click together (unlike your church where things remain mysterious)
• This teaching is about fleeing to the mountain (your church never mentions this)

Everything points to one conclusion: this study, this organization (whatever it is—you still don’t know its name), is the mountain. This is the ark. And you need to get fully on board before the door closes.

But what if you’re wrong? What if, like the people following a false light in unfamiliar terrain, you’re being led away from safety while being told you’re being led toward it? What if the very teaching that claims to be the ark is actually leading you away from the true refuge?

This is what happens in SCJ Lesson 45.

The lesson appears to be a continuation of biblical teaching about mountains, now adding the symbol of the “rock” or “stone.” The instructor walks students through Scripture about Noah’s ark and Lot’s escape, drawing parallels to the second coming. He emphasizes urgency, discernment, and the need to find the place of salvation before judgment comes. Everything sounds biblical, urgent, and spiritually vital.

But beneath the surface, something deeply manipulative is happening. This lesson is the culmination of over five months of framework-building. Every previous lesson—about sealed books, parables, patterns, wine, oil, witnesses, and mountains—has been preparing students for this moment: the explicit revelation that their church is NOT the ark, that SCJ IS the ark, and that they must make a choice.

By the end of this lesson, students will believe:

1. Their church is not the ark/mountain of salvation – People there act normal, don’t talk about these teachings, and don’t have the “open word”
2. The ark/mountain appeared recently – Not 500 years ago, but at the fulfillment of Revelation (when SCJ was established)
3. SCJ is the ark/mountain – This is where the “open word” is taught, where people have urgency, where everything goes three steps deeper
4. They must find “the one who overcomes with the white stone” – A specific person (Lee Man-hee) who has authority to judge
5. Time is running out – Like Noah’s ark, the door will close; like Lot’s escape, judgment is coming
6. They can’t be sure they’re saved unless they’re in the right place – Creating profound anxiety about their spiritual state

What students don’t yet realize is that they’re being systematically isolated from their church, their pastor, their Christian community, and their own discernment. The biblical stories of Noah and Lot are being weaponized to create fear-based urgency. The concept of the “open word” is being used to position SCJ as superior to all other churches. And the question “Am I in the ark?” is being used to create profound spiritual anxiety that can only be resolved by full commitment to SCJ.

The lesson sits at Lesson 45 of the Introductory Level—students have now invested over five months, likely 135+ hours of study time plus homework, review, and events. They’ve built their entire theological framework on SCJ’s interpretations. They’ve begun distancing from their church. They’ve recruited friends and family. The psychological cost of recognizing deception is now extraordinarily high.

This lesson is particularly strategic because it explicitly positions SCJ as the ONLY place of salvation, using fear-based biblical narratives (Noah’s flood, Lot’s escape) to create urgency and isolation. It’s the moment when students are told: “Your church is not the ark. We are. Choose now before the door closes.”

Let’s examine how this lesson uses legitimate biblical content about Noah, Lot, and stones to build an illegitimate framework of organizational exclusivity and fear-based control, and how we can recognize and respond to this manipulation.

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Part 1: The Opening Setup—Creating Fear and Urgency

What SCJ Teaches in This Lesson

The lesson opens with a “Home Blessing” from Isaiah 2:3:

“Many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.’ The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.”

Then comes the “Yeast of Heaven” section with a challenging statement:

“Let’s stop pretending to believe and practicing a habitual faith-walk, but let’s do our utmost to work according to God’s will.”

The lesson then establishes its hope:

“Our Hope: Let’s find the one who overcomes with the white stone at the time of the second coming!”

And poses critical questions:

“Were we present at Mount Zion? These are the questions we should be asking ourselves. Let us continue to develop the ability to discern during this time, as discernment is such an essential skill for believers today.

Every time we approach the word, we should question, ‘Am I at Mount Zion, or am I not?’

We ought to ask ourselves because we desire to be where the Lamb is, don’t we? That’s where the Lamb is prophesied to be at the time of the second coming.”

The Psychological Techniques at Work

This opening is masterfully designed to create anxiety, urgency, and self-doubt:

1. Using Isaiah 2:3 to Position SCJ as Mount Zion

The “Home Blessing” quotes Isaiah 2:3, a beautiful prophecy about God’s kingdom in the last days. By opening with this verse, SCJ is subtly positioning themselves as “Mount Zion” where “the law will go out” and where people will come to learn God’s ways.

This is manipulation through association. Students hear this verse and begin to associate SCJ with Mount Zion, with the place where God teaches His ways, with the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.

2. Creating Guilt About “Pretending to Believe”

The “Yeast of Heaven” statement is psychologically devastating: “Let’s stop pretending to believe and practicing a habitual faith-walk.”

This creates guilt and self-doubt. Students think about their church experience:

• Going to church on Sundays (is that just “habitual”?)
• Praying before meals (is that just “pretending”?)
• Reading the Bible devotionally (is that not “working according to God’s will”?)

The statement implies that traditional Christian practice is fake, habitual, and not truly working according to God’s will. This creates dissatisfaction with students’ current spiritual life and positions SCJ’s teaching as authentic, real faith.

3. Introducing “The One Who Overcomes with the White Stone”

The lesson’s stated hope is to “find the one who overcomes with the white stone at the time of the second coming.”

This introduces a new figure students must find—a specific person who has “overcome” and possesses a “white stone.” This will eventually be revealed as Lee Man-hee, but for now, it creates anticipation and the sense that there’s someone specific students need to identify and follow.

4. Creating Anxiety About Location

The repeated question “Am I at Mount Zion, or am I not?” creates profound spiritual anxiety. Students are told:

• Mount Zion is where the Lamb is at the second coming
• They need to be where the Lamb is
• They should constantly question whether they’re at Mount Zion
• Discernment about location is “essential” for believers today

This creates a constant state of spiritual anxiety: “Am I in the right place? Is my church Mount Zion? How do I know?” This anxiety can only be resolved by accepting SCJ’s answer: “We are Mount Zion. You need to be here.”

5. Positioning Discernment as Location-Based

The statement “Let us continue to develop the ability to discern during this time, as discernment is such an essential skill for believers today” sounds positive—who wouldn’t want to develop discernment?

But notice what they’re being taught to discern: not truth from error, not God’s voice from false teaching, but location—”the location of Mount Zion and where it will be.”

This redefines discernment from theological and spiritual wisdom to organizational identification. “Discernment” becomes “figuring out which organization is Mount Zion,” which inevitably leads to identifying SCJ as that organization.

Why This Opening Is Dangerous

This opening is dangerous because it:

Creates spiritual anxiety about location: Students are taught to constantly question whether they’re “at Mount Zion,” creating anxiety that can only be resolved by joining SCJ.

Redefines authentic faith: Traditional Christian practices (church attendance, prayer, Bible reading) are dismissed as “pretending” and “habitual,” while SCJ’s intensive study is positioned as authentic faith.

Introduces a figure to find: The “one who overcomes with the white stone” creates the expectation that there’s a specific person students must identify and follow (Lee Man-hee).

Uses Scripture to position SCJ: Isaiah 2:3 is used to associate SCJ with Mount Zion, God’s kingdom, and prophetic fulfillment, without actually proving this connection.

Redefines discernment: Instead of discerning truth from error, students are taught to discern which organization is Mount Zion, inevitably leading to SCJ.

Biblical Response: What Is Mount Zion?

Mount Zion in the Old Testament

In the Old Testament, Mount Zion referred to:

The physical location in Jerusalem: 2 Samuel 5:7: “Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David.”

Mount Zion was the hill in Jerusalem where David established his capital and where the temple was later built.

The dwelling place of God: Psalm 9:11: “Sing the praises of the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done.”

Psalm 132:13-14: “For the LORD has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling: ‘This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it.'”

Mount Zion represented God’s presence among His people.

A symbol of God’s kingdom and salvation: Isaiah 2:2-3: “In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.’ The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”

Mount Zion symbolized God’s kingdom being established and His word going out to all nations.

Mount Zion in the New Testament

In the New Testament, Mount Zion takes on spiritual and eschatological meaning:

The heavenly Jerusalem: Hebrews 12:22-24: “But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.”

Notice: believers have ALREADY come to Mount Zion. It’s not a future place to find—it’s a present reality for all who are in Christ. Mount Zion is the heavenly Jerusalem, the spiritual reality of being in God’s presence through Christ.

The place where the Lamb stands with the 144,000: Revelation 14:1: “Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.”

This is symbolic imagery of the redeemed standing with Christ. It’s not a physical location in Korea or a human organization—it’s the spiritual reality of being united with Christ.

The foundation stone is Christ: 1 Peter 2:6: “For in Scripture it says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.'”

The stone laid in Zion is Christ Himself. Mount Zion’s foundation is Jesus, not a human organization.

Mount Zion Is Not a Human Organization

Nowhere in Scripture does Mount Zion represent a human organization that you must find and join. Mount Zion represents:

• God’s presence (in the Old Testament, where the temple was)
• God’s kingdom (in prophetic passages about the last days)
• The heavenly reality believers enter through Christ (in Hebrews 12)
• The spiritual gathering of the redeemed with Christ (in Revelation 14)

When SCJ teaches that Mount Zion is their organization, that it “appeared at the fulfillment of Revelation,” and that you must find it and flee to it, they’re distorting Scripture to create organizational dependency.

Believers Are Already at Mount Zion

The most important truth that SCJ obscures is this: if you are in Christ, you are already at Mount Zion.

Hebrews 12:22: “But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.”

The verb “have come” is perfect tense—it’s an accomplished reality. Believers have already come to Mount Zion through faith in Christ. You don’t need to search for it, identify it among competing organizations, or flee to it. If you’re in Christ, you’re already there.

The Danger of Redefining Mount Zion

When a group redefines Mount Zion as their organization and teaches that you must find it and flee to it for salvation, they’re:

1. Adding to the gospel: Salvation becomes faith in Christ PLUS joining their organization
2. Creating fear and anxiety: “Am I at Mount Zion? How do I know? What if I’m wrong?”
3. Positioning themselves as essential: “You must be here to be where the Lamb is”
4. Distorting Scripture: Taking passages about God’s kingdom and applying them to their organization

Chapter 9 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Gospel According to Shincheonji (And Why It’s Not the Gospel),” addresses this directly: “When a group teaches that being in the right organization is necessary for salvation or for being ‘where the Lamb is,’ they’ve departed from the gospel. The gospel is that Christ came to us, died for us, and rose for us. We come to Him by faith, and in Him we have everything we need. We don’t need to find the right organization—we need to trust the right Savior.”

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Part 2: The Noah and Lot Parallels—Weaponizing Fear

What SCJ Teaches About Noah and Lot

The lesson’s main teaching uses the stories of Noah and Lot to create urgency about finding and fleeing to “the mountain”:

Matthew 24:37-39: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.”

The instructor explains:

“Jesus warned that the time of his second coming would be like the days of Noah and Lot. So, if we think about Noah’s story, no one else was asked to build an ark. It took Noah approximately a hundred years to construct the ark… During that time, he was also preaching, ‘Get on the ark, everyone. A flood is coming.’ But how did people react to Noah’s warning? They dismissed him, saying, ‘Get out of here, Noah.’ And they continued their lives as normal, ignoring his warning. And so, what happened? Noah and his family, along with the animals, boarded the ark, and then the door was shut. By that point, even if someone banged on the door and said, ‘Noah, we believe you. The waters are coming,’ it was too late.

So, the ark appeared as a place of salvation, and the flood was the judgment that came. Lot’s story is identical… Lot and his family were called to escape from the place that was about to be judged by fire from above. They were instructed to flee to the mountains. So, the mountains were a place of salvation, a place of refuge from the judgment that was taking place. Just as the ark represented salvation.

At the time of the second coming, what Jesus is saying is that a place of salvation will appear before the judgment comes. And we are all together at that place of salvation so that we can avoid receiving the plagues and the punishment that is coming for the place that will be judged.”

The Critical Application

Then comes the devastating application designed to isolate students from their churches:

“So, we need to ask ourselves, am I already at this place? Do the people around me talk about what I’m learning here? Or do they carry on with their lives as if nothing is happening? Marrying and being given in marriage, working this job or that job, talking about finances and business. Maybe they’ll pray a few times and read their Bible, but they’re acting as if everything is normal with no sense of urgency. If that is everyone around me, can I be sure that I’m in the ark already? Can I be sure that I’m at the mountains we need to flee to if no one talks about them at all?

Everyone here looks pretty fishy. Everyone looks just like a fish that is swimming in the sea, minding their own business, just going about their life swimming in the sea. No one here is struggling with the word as if being caught by a net.”

What’s Being Established

This teaching establishes several devastating beliefs:

1. There’s a Specific Place of Salvation That Appears Before Judgment

SCJ is teaching that just as Noah’s ark and Lot’s mountains were specific places of salvation before judgment, there’s a specific place (organization) at the second coming that believers must be in to avoid judgment.

2. This Place Is Characterized by Urgency and Unusual Teaching

The “place of salvation” is identified by:

• People talking about these teachings
• A sense of urgency (not acting like everything is normal)
• “Struggling with the word as if being caught by a net”
• Not just going about normal life (marrying, working, etc.)

3. If Your Church Doesn’t Have These Characteristics, It’s Not the Ark

The application is clear: if people at your church:

• Don’t talk about sealed books, parables, mountains, witnesses, etc.
• Go about normal life without urgency
• Pray and read the Bible but act like everything is normal
• Aren’t “struggling with the word”

Then your church is NOT the ark. You’re not in the place of salvation. You’re like the people in Noah’s day who dismissed the warning and continued their normal lives.

4. You Can’t Be Sure You’re Saved Unless You’re in the Right Place

The repeated question “Can I be sure that I’m in the ark already?” creates profound spiritual anxiety. Salvation becomes location-dependent: you must be in the right organization (SCJ) to be saved from coming judgment.

The Psychological Impact

This teaching has devastating psychological effects:

Creates Fear About Current Church

Students begin to view their church with suspicion and fear:

• “People here act normal—are they oblivious to coming judgment?”
• “My pastor doesn’t teach about the sealed book or the mountain—does he not know?”
• “Everyone just goes about their lives—are they like the people in Noah’s day?”
• “I don’t see urgency here—am I in the wrong place?”

Creates Isolation

The teaching explicitly isolates students from their church community:

• “Everyone here looks pretty fishy”
• “Everyone looks just like a fish… minding their own business”
• “No one here is struggling with the word”

Students begin to see their church members as spiritually asleep, oblivious, and possibly doomed.

Creates Urgency to Commit to SCJ

The implicit message is clear: SCJ is the ark. This study is the place of salvation. You need to fully commit before the door closes (like Noah’s ark) or judgment comes (like Lot’s escape).

Creates Guilt About Normal Life

The teaching creates guilt about living a normal life:

• Getting married (“marrying and being given in marriage”)
• Working (“working this job or that job”)
• Managing finances (“talking about finances and business”)
• Even praying and reading the Bible (“they’ll pray a few times and read their Bible, but…”)

All of this is presented as evidence of spiritual complacency, like the people in Noah’s day who were oblivious to coming judgment.

Biblical Response: Understanding Jesus’ Warning

What Jesus Actually Said

Let’s look at what Jesus actually said about the days of Noah:

Matthew 24:36-39: “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.”

What Jesus Was Teaching

Jesus was making several points:

1. The timing of His return is unknown

“About that day or hour no one knows” (v. 36). Jesus’ return will be unexpected.

2. Life will seem normal

People will be “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage”—normal life activities. This doesn’t mean people are spiritually asleep or disobedient; it means life will seem normal when Christ returns.

3. The return will be sudden and unexpected

“They knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came” (v. 39). Christ’s return will be sudden, catching people off guard.

4. Therefore, always be ready

The point is not “find the ark and get in before the door closes.” The point is “always be ready because you don’t know when Christ will return.”

What Jesus Was NOT Teaching

Jesus was NOT teaching:

• That there’s a specific organization (ark) you must find and join
• That normal life activities (marriage, work, etc.) indicate spiritual complacency
• That you can identify the “ark” by looking for unusual urgency or teaching
• That salvation depends on being in the right physical location or organization

The Ark Was Literal; The Application Is Spiritual

Noah’s ark was a literal boat that saved Noah’s family from a literal flood. The application to Christ’s return is not that there’s another literal ark (or organizational equivalent), but that:

1. Christ’s return will be unexpected (like the flood) 2. Many will be unprepared (like those who dismissed Noah) 3. Believers must always be ready (unlike those who were caught off guard)

The “ark” for believers today is not an organization—it’s Christ Himself:

1 Peter 3:20-21: “…in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Peter uses Noah’s ark as a type of baptism, which points to salvation through Christ’s resurrection. The “ark” is Christ and His saving work, not a human organization.

Living Normal Life Is Not Spiritual Complacency

Jesus’ description of people “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage” is not a criticism. These are normal, good activities. Jesus is simply saying that life will seem normal when He returns—people will be going about their daily lives.

The Bible never teaches that normal life activities (work, marriage, family, etc.) are evidence of spiritual complacency. In fact, Scripture encourages these:

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12: “and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”

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

Hebrews 13:4: “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”

Working, providing for family, and getting married are good, biblical activities. They’re not evidence that you’re spiritually asleep or not in the “ark.”

The Danger of Creating False Urgency

SCJ creates false urgency by:

1. Claiming the “ark” has appeared (SCJ’s organization)
2. Claiming judgment is imminent (you must get in now)
3. Claiming normal life indicates spiritual complacency (if you’re not obsessed with their teaching, you’re asleep)
4. Claiming you can’t be sure you’re saved unless you’re in their organization (creating profound anxiety)

This is manipulation, not biblical teaching. Jesus’ warning was “always be ready” (because His return is unexpected), not “find and join the right organization” (creating dependency and fear).

True Readiness for Christ’s Return

The Bible teaches that readiness for Christ’s return comes through:

Faith in Christ: John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Living in obedience: 1 John 2:28: “And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.”

Watching and being alert: Mark 13:33: “Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.”

Faithful service: Matthew 24:45-46: “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.”

Notice: readiness is about faith, obedience, alertness, and faithful service—not about organizational membership.

Chapter 15 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Sealed Book, the Open Book, and the Fully Sufficient Book,” addresses this manipulation: “When a group uses biblical warnings about readiness to create organizational dependency—teaching that you must be in their organization to be ready for Christ’s return—they’ve twisted Scripture for control. Jesus’ warnings about readiness are about personal faith and faithfulness, not organizational membership. The ‘ark’ for believers is Christ Himself, not a human organization claiming to be the place of salvation.”

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Part 3: The “Open Word” Deception—Positioning SCJ as Superior

What SCJ Teaches About the “Open Word”

One of the most damaging parts of Lesson 45 is the explicit positioning of SCJ as superior to all other churches through the concept of the “open word”:

“Here’s another thing: just because a place reads a parable and talks about it does not mean that place has the open word. The open word has a much deeper meaning than just reading a parable and describing it. That’s not what we’re doing here. I hope you realize that’s not what we’re doing here. We’re diving one step, two steps, three steps deeper than that.

The open word means the explanation. Let’s review once more: the open word means the explanation of prophecy and its fulfillment. It’s not merely explaining a good story and ending there. That’s not what we’re doing. It is the explanation of prophecy and how it has been fulfilled in the past tense, meaning fulfillment must happen first.

Then, the explanation can follow… What are we doing now? We are studying the explanation of prophecy by looking at the parables and describing how they are fulfilled. This has appeared, so now we can know. We’ll be going over the who, the what, the when, the where, the why, and the how. The 5 W’s and 1 H.

That is what the open word really means, not ‘We read a parable in church, a…'”

What’s Being Established

This teaching establishes a devastating hierarchy:

Level 1: Traditional Churches

• Read parables and talk about them
• Explain good stories
• Surface-level understanding
• Don’t have the “open word”

Level 2: SCJ

• Dive “one step, two steps, three steps deeper”
• Explain prophecy AND its fulfillment
• Provide the “5 W’s and 1 H” (who, what, when, where, why, how)
• Have the “open word”

The message is unmistakable: Every church you’ve ever attended is inferior to SCJ. They don’t have what we have. They’re on the surface; we’re diving deep. They read parables; we explain fulfillment.

The Psychological Impact

This teaching has several devastating psychological effects:

1. Creates Spiritual Elitism

Students begin to see themselves as spiritually superior:

• “I’m learning things three steps deeper than my church”
• “My pastor just reads parables; I’m learning fulfillment”
• “Other Christians are on the surface; I’m diving deep”
• “They don’t have the open word; I do”

This creates pride and separation from other believers.

2. Invalidates All Previous Christian Experience

Everything students learned in church is now dismissed as surface-level:

• Your pastor’s sermons? Just reading parables
• Your Bible studies? Not diving deep enough
• Your Christian education? Doesn’t have the open word
• Your spiritual mentors? They don’t know what you now know

This creates a clean break from students’ previous Christian foundation, making them dependent on SCJ for all spiritual understanding.

3. Creates Dependency on SCJ

If SCJ is the only place with the “open word,” the only place diving “three steps deeper,” the only place explaining prophecy’s fulfillment with “5 W’s and 1 H,” then students are completely dependent on SCJ for spiritual truth.

They can’t go back to their church (it’s surface-level). They can’t trust other Christian teachers (they don’t have the open word). They can only trust SCJ.

4. Makes Leaving Psychologically Impossible

Once students believe SCJ has something no other church has—the “open word,” the deep understanding, the explanation of fulfillment—leaving becomes psychologically devastating:

• “If I leave, I’ll go back to surface-level understanding”
• “If I leave, I’ll lose the open word”
• “If I leave, I’ll be like everyone else who doesn’t know what I know”
• “If I leave, I’ll be going backward spiritually”

This creates powerful psychological barriers to leaving.

Biblical Response: What Is the “Open Word”?

The Word of God Is Already Open

The Bible never teaches that God’s word is “sealed” and requires a special organization to “open” it. In fact, Scripture teaches the opposite:

Psalm 119:130: “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”

God’s word gives understanding to the simple (not just to elite organizations). It unfolds naturally as we read and study it.

2 Corinthians 3:14-16: “But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.”

The “veil” over Scripture is removed in Christ, not through a special organization. Anyone who turns to the Lord can understand Scripture.

Ephesians 3:4: “In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ.”

Paul expects that by simply reading his letter, believers will understand. He doesn’t say “you need a special organization to explain this three steps deeper.”

The Holy Spirit Opens Scripture

The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit, not a human organization, opens Scripture to believers:

John 16:13: “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”

1 Corinthians 2:12-13: “What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.”

1 John 2:27: “As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.”

The Holy Spirit teaches believers. We don’t need a special organization claiming to have the “open word”—we have the Holy Spirit.

Scripture Interprets Scripture

The best interpreter of Scripture is Scripture itself. We understand difficult passages by comparing them with clearer passages, understanding context, and allowing the whole counsel of God to inform our interpretation.

We don’t need an organization claiming to dive “three steps deeper” with secret knowledge. We need careful, contextual study of God’s word, illuminated by the Holy Spirit.

The “5 W’s and 1 H” Standard Is Arbitrary

SCJ’s claim that the “open word” means providing “who, what, when, where, why, and how” for every prophecy is an arbitrary standard not found in Scripture.

Many prophecies are intentionally general, allowing for multiple applications or levels of fulfillment. God doesn’t require us to identify specific people, places, and dates with the precision SCJ demands.

For example:

• Joel’s prophecy about the Spirit being poured out (Joel 2:28-29) was fulfilled at Pentecost, but Peter doesn’t provide “5 W’s and 1 H” with specific names and dates beyond “this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel”
• Many of Jesus’ parables are intentionally open-ended, teaching principles rather than predicting specific events with identifiable people and places
• Revelation’s symbolic imagery often resists the kind of specific identification SCJ demands

The “5 W’s and 1 H” standard is designed to make students dependent on SCJ’s specific claims about people, places, and events in Korea, which they present as the only teaching that meets this standard.

The Danger of Spiritual Elitism

When a group teaches that they have something no other church has—deeper understanding, the “open word,” special revelation—that’s a red flag:

Colossians 2:18: “Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind.”

Paul warns against those who claim special knowledge that “disqualifies” others. This is exactly what SCJ does—claiming they have the “open word” that other churches don’t have, effectively disqualifying all other Christian teaching.

1 Corinthians 8:1: “Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that ‘We all possess knowledge.’ But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.”

Knowledge (especially claimed superior knowledge) puffs up. It creates pride and division. True Christian teaching builds up in love, not in claims of superiority.

Romans 12:3: “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”

We should not think of ourselves more highly than we ought. When a group teaches that they’re diving “three steps deeper” than everyone else, they’re cultivating pride, not humility.

All Believers Have Access to God’s Truth

The beauty of the gospel is that all believers have access to God’s truth:

Matthew 11:25: “At that time Jesus said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.'”

God reveals truth to “little children”—simple believers—not just to elite organizations claiming superior knowledge.

James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

God gives wisdom generously to all who ask. You don’t need a special organization—you need to ask God.

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.”

The Bereans were commended for examining Scripture themselves to verify Paul’s teaching. They didn’t just accept claims of superior knowledge—they tested everything against Scripture.

This is what we must do with SCJ’s claims. Don’t accept their assertion that they have the “open word” and are diving “three steps deeper.” Test their teaching against Scripture, read in context, illuminated by the Holy Spirit.

Chapter 18 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Real Test of Authority,” provides comprehensive analysis: “When a group claims to have knowledge, understanding, or revelation that no other church has, that’s not a sign of spiritual superiority—it’s a red flag for deception. The Holy Spirit is given to all believers, Scripture is accessible to all who read it prayerfully, and God’s truth is not the exclusive possession of any human organization. Claims of superior knowledge create pride, dependency, and isolation—the opposite of what the Holy Spirit produces in believers’ lives.”

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Part 4: The “Rock/Stone” Teaching—Introducing the Judge

What SCJ Teaches About Rock/Stone

The lesson introduces the parable of the rock/stone with two meanings:

“Rock and stone are interchangeable; they mean the same thing. Interestingly, the figurative rock actually has two meanings. So, what are the figurative meanings of rock or stone? Let’s think of two meanings.

We need to consider what rocks and stones do and how they were used in the biblical history, and why they are commented on in the book of Revelation.

1. Rocks represent the word of judgment and a word that carries out judgment.
2. The Rock represents a Pastor who receives authority to judge.

As we study the parable for today, let’s keep in mind how important it is to recognize this and find this person in our time, considering these two meanings.

Our hope for today is to find the one who overcomes, who has the white stone. At the time of the second coming, the White Stone is very special, and we will read about it today.”

What’s Being Set Up

This teaching is setting up several critical claims:

1. There’s a Specific Pastor Who Receives Authority to Judge

By defining “rock” as “a Pastor who receives authority to judge,” SCJ is preparing students to accept that there’s a specific pastor (Lee Man-hee) who has been given divine authority to judge.

2. This Pastor Has “The White Stone”

The reference to “the one who overcomes, who has the white stone” points to Revelation 2:17, which will be used to identify Lee Man-hee as this overcomer.

3. Finding This Person Is Essential

The statement “let’s keep in mind how important it is to recognize this and find this person in our time” creates urgency about identifying this pastor with the white stone.

4. This Person Has the Word of Judgment

By connecting “rock” with both “word of judgment” and “pastor who receives authority to judge,” SCJ is positioning this pastor as having divine authority and the word of judgment.

The Reference to the White Stone

The “white stone” comes from Revelation 2:17:

Revelation 2:17: “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.”

SCJ will use this verse to claim that:

• Lee Man-hee is “the one who is victorious” (the overcomer)
• He has received the white stone
• He has a new name (which SCJ interprets as a new spiritual identity/authority)
• He has received hidden manna (which SCJ interprets as revealed word)

Biblical Response: What Does Rock/Stone Represent?

Christ Is the Rock

Throughout Scripture, the primary identification of “the Rock” is God Himself, and in the New Testament, Christ:

Deuteronomy 32:4: “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.”

Psalm 18:2: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

1 Corinthians 10:4: “and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.”

Christ Is the Foundation Stone

1 Peter 2:4-6: “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.'”

Matthew 21:42: “Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the Scriptures: “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes”?'”

Christ is the cornerstone, the foundation stone. No human pastor can claim this role.

Believers Are Living Stones

1 Peter 2:5: “you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

All believers are “living stones” built on Christ the cornerstone. There’s no special class of “rock pastors” with authority to judge.

The White Stone in Revelation 2:17

Revelation 2:17: “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.”

Context: This is part of Jesus’ letter to the church in Pergamum. Jesus is addressing the whole church, promising rewards to “the one who is victorious.”

Who is “the one who is victorious”?

In Revelation, “the one who overcomes/is victorious” refers to all believers who remain faithful to Christ:

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

Everyone who believes in Jesus is an overcomer. It’s not a title for one special person (Lee Man-hee)—it’s the identity of all believers.

What is the white stone?

Biblical scholars have offered various interpretations:

1. A token of acquittal: In ancient courts, white stones were used to signify acquittal (black stones for guilty verdicts). The white stone represents being declared righteous in Christ.

2. A ticket to the messianic banquet: White stones were sometimes used as tickets to feasts. The white stone represents admission to the heavenly feast.

3. A symbol of victory: White stones were given to victors in athletic competitions. The white stone represents victory in Christ.

4. A symbol of new identity: The “new name” on the stone represents the believer’s new identity in Christ.

All of these interpretations understand the white stone as a promise to all overcomers (all believers), not as a special token given to one person who then has authority over others.

The Danger of Claiming to Be “The Overcomer”

When someone claims to be “the overcomer” with the white stone, they’re:

1. Claiming a promise meant for all believers: The promise is to all who overcome, not to one special person
2. Claiming special authority: By positioning themselves as the unique overcomer, they claim authority over other believers
3. Pointing to themselves rather than Christ: The focus shifts from Christ (the true Rock and Overcomer) to a human leader

Christ Alone Has Authority to Judge

John 5:22: “Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son.”

2 Timothy 4:1: “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge.”

James 4:12: “There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?”

Christ alone has authority to judge. No human pastor—not Lee Man-hee, not anyone—has been given divine authority to judge humanity.

Believers Will Judge with Christ, Not Instead of Him

1 Corinthians 6:2-3: “Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the matters of this life!”

Revelation 20:4: “I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God.”

Believers will participate in judgment with Christ in the age to come. But this is:

• Future (not present)
• Corporate (all believers, not one special person)
• Under Christ’s authority (not independent authority)

No human has present authority to judge as God’s appointed judge on earth.

Chapter 19 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Promised Pastor: Messianic Claims and Biblical Reality,” addresses this directly: “When a human leader claims to be ‘the overcomer’ with the white stone, claiming authority to judge and special revelation, they’re making messianic claims that belong to Christ alone. The ‘overcomer’ in Revelation is every believer who remains faithful to Christ. The Rock is Christ, not a human pastor. And the authority to judge belongs to Christ alone, not to any human organization or leader. Claims to be the unique overcomer with special authority are not signs of divine appointment—they’re signs of dangerous deception.”

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What SCJ Teaches About the Three Mountains

The lesson provides a review of the “three mountains” teaching from Lesson 44, but with more explicit organizational identification:

“In the previous lesson, we explored the figurative mountain. The figurative mountain represents a church, temple, or organization. There are three types of mountains, two of which belong to Satan, although one of those once belonged to God, and the other that belongs to God.

The mountain that betrayed is a church that once had the word but lost that word due to falsehood that invaded. As a result, they betrayed, and they were then destroyed by the destroying mountain or the destroying church that sent seven heads and ten horns into them to crush them. However, there is also the mountain of salvation that must appear.

Mount Zion, where the law comes from, the new song is sung, and where the lamb dwells. This location is the one we need to find at the second coming. And that mountain is not one that has been around for 500 years, 200 years, or 100 years, but one that appears at the fulfillment of Revelation. Let us be those who flee to this location.”

What’s Being Established

This review makes several explicit claims:

1. Traditional Churches Are “The Mountain That Betrayed”

The “mountain that betrayed” is described as:

• “A church that once had the word but lost that word”
• Invaded by falsehood
• Betrayed God
• Destroyed by the “destroying mountain”

This clearly refers to traditional Christian churches. SCJ teaches that Christianity once had truth but was corrupted, betrayed God, and has been destroyed (spiritually).

2. There’s a “Destroying Mountain” (Babylon/Satan’s Forces)

The “destroying mountain” is described as:

• Belonging to Satan
• Sending “seven heads and ten horns” to crush the betrayed mountain
• A “destroying church”

This refers to what SCJ identifies as Babylon—false religious systems that destroyed traditional Christianity.

3. SCJ Is “Mount Zion,” the Mountain of Salvation

The “mountain of salvation” is described as:

• Mount Zion
• Where “the law comes from”
• Where “the new song is sung”
• Where “the lamb dwells”
• “The one we need to find at the second coming”
• “Not one that has been around for 500 years, 200 years, or 100 years”
• “One that appears at the fulfillment of Revelation”

This explicitly identifies SCJ as Mount Zion. The timing reference (“not 500, 200, or 100 years”) rules out all existing churches and points to SCJ’s establishment in 1984.

4. Students Must “Flee to This Location”

The command is clear: “Let us be those who flee to this location.” Students must leave their churches (the mountain that betrayed) and join SCJ (Mount Zion, the mountain of salvation).

The Psychological Impact

This teaching has devastating psychological effects:

1. Demonizes Traditional Churches

Students’ churches are now explicitly identified as:

• Betrayers of God
• Having lost the word
• Invaded by falsehood
• Destroyed by Satan’s forces

This creates revulsion and fear toward their own churches. How can students stay in a church that has “betrayed” God and been “destroyed”?

2. Creates Urgency to Leave

If traditional churches are the “mountain that betrayed” and SCJ is the “mountain of salvation,” the logical conclusion is urgent: leave the betrayed mountain and flee to the mountain of salvation.

3. Positions SCJ as the Only Place of Salvation

By identifying SCJ as Mount Zion where “the lamb dwells,” SCJ is claiming to be the only place where Jesus is present. If you want to be where Jesus is, you must be in SCJ.

4. Uses Timing to “Prove” SCJ Is the Fulfillment

The statement that the mountain “is not one that has been around for 500 years, 200 years, or 100 years, but one that appears at the fulfillment of Revelation” is designed to make students conclude: “My church has been around for decades or centuries. SCJ appeared recently. Therefore, SCJ must be the mountain that appeared at Revelation’s fulfillment.”

This is circular reasoning disguised as biblical proof.

Biblical Response: The Three Mountains Teaching

This Teaching Is Not Biblical

The “three mountains” framework (mountain that betrayed, destroying mountain, mountain of salvation) is not found in Scripture. It’s SCJ’s invention, designed to:

• Demonize traditional churches
• Position SCJ as the only place of salvation
• Create urgency to leave churches and join SCJ

Let’s examine what Scripture actually teaches:

The Church Has Not Been Destroyed

Matthew 16:18: “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

Jesus promised that His church would not be overcome. The church has faced persecution, heresy, and corruption throughout history, but it has never been destroyed. God has always preserved a faithful remnant.

The True Church Is All Believers in Christ

Ephesians 1:22-23: “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”

Colossians 1:18: “And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.”

The church is the body of Christ—all believers everywhere who are united to Christ by faith. It’s not limited to one organization that appeared in 1984.

There Are True Churches and False Churches

The Bible does acknowledge that there are true churches (faithful to the gospel) and false churches (teaching false gospels):

Galatians 1:6-9: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!”

2 Peter 2:1: “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.”

But the distinction is not “all traditional churches are false and SCJ is true.” The distinction is based on the gospel: churches that preach salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone are true churches; churches that add requirements to the gospel or deny essential Christian doctrines are false.

By This Standard, SCJ Is a False Church

Let’s test SCJ against the biblical standard:

Does SCJ preach salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone? No. SCJ adds requirements: understanding their interpretations, accepting Lee Man-hee as the promised pastor, joining their organization, being in the “right place” (Mount Zion/SCJ).

Does SCJ affirm essential Christian doctrines? No. SCJ denies or distorts:

• The deity of Christ (teaching He’s a created being)
• The Trinity (teaching it’s a false doctrine)
• The sufficiency of Scripture (teaching it was sealed and requires their interpretation)
• The finished work of Christ (teaching believers must complete salvation by being in SCJ)
• The nature of the church (teaching only SCJ is the true church)

Does SCJ produce good fruit? No. SCJ produces:

• Deception (hiding their identity for months)
• Division (separating believers from their churches and families)
• Fear (creating anxiety about being in the wrong place)
• Pride (teaching members are spiritually superior)
• Control (demanding total commitment and obedience)

Conclusion: By biblical standards, SCJ is a false church teaching a false gospel, not the “mountain of salvation.”

Mount Zion Is Not a Human Organization

As discussed earlier, Mount Zion in Scripture represents:

• God’s presence (in the Old Testament)
• God’s kingdom (in prophetic passages)
• The heavenly reality believers enter through Christ (Hebrews 12:22)
• The spiritual gathering of the redeemed with Christ (Revelation 14:1)

Mount Zion is not a human organization that appeared in 1984. It’s the spiritual reality of being in God’s presence through Christ.

Believers Have Already Come to Mount Zion

Hebrews 12:22: “But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.”

If you are in Christ, you have already come to Mount Zion. You don’t need to find it, identify it among competing organizations, or flee to it. You’re already there by faith in Christ.

The Danger of Organizational Exclusivity

When a group teaches that they are the only true church, the only place of salvation, the only place where Jesus dwells, that’s a red flag for cultic behavior:

Characteristics of cultic exclusivity:

• “We are the only true church”
• “All other churches have been destroyed/corrupted”
• “You must be in our organization to be saved”
• “Jesus is only present where we are”
• “Leaving us means leaving God”

This is exactly what SCJ teaches. And it’s the opposite of biblical Christianity, which recognizes that:

• The true church is all believers in Christ, across all denominations and organizations
• Jesus is present wherever believers gather in His name (Matthew 18:20)
• Salvation is in Christ, not in organizational membership
• There are faithful churches in many denominations and traditions

How to Identify a True Church

Instead of SCJ’s “three mountains” framework, the Bible gives us clear criteria for identifying true churches:

1. They preach the gospel of grace: Galatians 1:8-9: “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!”

2. They affirm essential Christian doctrines:

• The deity of Christ
• The Trinity
• Salvation by grace through faith
• The authority and sufficiency of Scripture
• Christ’s death and resurrection
• Christ’s return

3. They practice biblical church discipline: Matthew 18:15-17: Church discipline for unrepentant sin

4. They practice the ordinances:

• Baptism
• The Lord’s Supper

5. They produce good fruit: Matthew 7:16-20: “By their fruit you will recognize them”

• Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)
• Love for one another (John 13:35)
• Care for the poor and vulnerable (James 1:27)

By these biblical criteria, many traditional churches are true churches, while SCJ is a false church teaching a false gospel.

Chapter 11 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Church: Christ’s Body or Organizational Franchise?” addresses this directly: “When a group teaches that they are the only true church and all others have been destroyed or corrupted, they reveal not biblical faithfulness but cultic exclusivity. The true church is the body of Christ—all believers everywhere who are united to Him by faith. It exists in many denominations, traditions, and expressions. No single organization can claim to be the exclusive ‘Mount Zion’ or ‘mountain of salvation.’ Such claims are not signs of divine appointment—they’re signs of dangerous sectarianism that divides the body of Christ and leads people into bondage.”

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Part 6: The Isolation Strategy—”Can I Be Sure I’m in the Ark?”

What SCJ Teaches to Create Isolation

One of the most psychologically damaging parts of Lesson 45 is the explicit strategy to isolate students from their churches by making them question whether they’re “in the ark”:

“So, we need to ask ourselves, am I already at this place? Do the people around me talk about what I’m learning here? Or do they carry on with their lives as if nothing is happening? Marrying and being given in marriage, working this job or that job, talking about finances and business. Maybe they’ll pray a few times and read their Bible, but they’re acting as if everything is normal with no sense of urgency. If that is everyone around me, can I be sure that I’m in the ark already? Can I be sure that I’m at the mountains we need to flee to if no one talks about them at all?

Everyone here looks pretty fishy. Everyone looks just like a fish that is swimming in the sea, minding their own business, just going about their life swimming in the sea. No one here is struggling with the word as if being caught by a net.”

The Isolation Test

SCJ provides students with a “test” to determine if they’re in the ark:

Test Question: Do the people around you talk about what you’re learning in SCJ?

If YES: You might be in the ark (though this is unlikely since you’re probably the only one in your church taking this study)

If NO: You’re definitely NOT in the ark. You’re surrounded by people who are spiritually asleep, going about normal life, oblivious to coming judgment—just like the people in Noah’s day.

This “test” is designed to make students conclude: “No one at my church talks about sealed books, parables, mountains, witnesses, or fleeing to Mount Zion. Therefore, my church is NOT the ark. I need to find the ark (SCJ) and get in.”

The Characteristics of “Not Being in the Ark”

According to this teaching, if you’re not in the ark, people around you:

1. Go about normal life – “Marrying and being given in marriage, working this job or that job”
2. Talk about mundane things – “Talking about finances and business”
3. Have basic religious practice but no urgency – “Maybe they’ll pray a few times and read their Bible, but they’re acting as if everything is normal”
4. Don’t talk about SCJ’s teachings – They don’t discuss sealed books, parables, mountains, etc.
5. Look like fish swimming in the sea – “Minding their own business, just going about their life”
6. Aren’t struggling with the word – “No one here is struggling with the word as if being caught by a net”

The Psychological Impact

This teaching creates devastating psychological isolation:

1. Students View Their Church Through a Negative Lens

Every aspect of normal church life becomes evidence that they’re NOT in the ark:

• People getting married → They’re like Noah’s generation, oblivious
• People working → They’re focused on mundane things, not spiritual urgency
• People discussing finances → They’re worldly, not spiritual
• People praying and reading the Bible → It’s just surface-level, not deep like SCJ
• People living normal lives → They’re spiritually asleep

2. Students Feel Alienated from Their Church Community

The language is deliberately alienating: “Everyone here looks pretty fishy… just like a fish that is swimming in the sea, minding their own business.”

Students begin to see their church members as:

• Fish (not humans with whom they have spiritual fellowship)
• Minding their own business (not engaged in God’s work)
• Swimming in the sea (lost, not in the ark)
• Not struggling with the word (not truly seeking God)

This creates emotional and spiritual distance from people who were previously their spiritual family.

3. Students Experience Profound Spiritual Anxiety

The repeated question “Can I be sure that I’m in the ark already?” creates profound anxiety:

• “What if I’m wrong about my church?”
• “What if I’m not in the ark and judgment is coming?”
• “What if I’m like the people in Noah’s day who dismissed the warning?”
• “What if the door closes and I’m left outside?”

This anxiety can only be resolved by accepting SCJ’s answer: “We are the ark. Come fully into our organization.”

4. Students Feel Pressure to Leave Their Church

The logic is inescapable:

• The ark is the place of salvation
• My church doesn’t have the characteristics of the ark
• SCJ does have the characteristics of the ark
• Therefore, I must leave my church and join SCJ

5. Students Feel Superior to Their Church

The teaching creates spiritual pride:

• “I’m learning things they don’t know”
• “I see the urgency they don’t see”
• “I’m struggling with the word; they’re just swimming along”
• “I’m preparing for judgment; they’re oblivious”

This pride further isolates students from their church community.

Biblical Response: The Isolation Strategy

This Is Manipulation, Not Biblical Discernment

The “test” SCJ provides is not biblical discernment—it’s psychological manipulation designed to isolate students from their churches. Let’s examine why:

1. Normal Life Is Not Evidence of Spiritual Complacency

As discussed earlier, Jesus’ description of people “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage” is not a criticism. These are normal, good activities that will be happening when Christ returns.

The Bible never teaches that:

• Getting married indicates spiritual complacency
• Working a job indicates worldliness
• Discussing finances indicates lack of spiritual depth
• Living a normal life indicates being spiritually asleep

In fact, Scripture encourages these activities:

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12: “and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”

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

Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”

Working, providing for family, and living responsibly are biblical virtues, not evidence of spiritual complacency.

2. Not Discussing SCJ’s Teachings Is Not Evidence of Being Outside the Ark

The fact that your church doesn’t discuss sealed books, parables requiring special interpretation, mountains representing organizations, or fleeing to Mount Zion is not evidence that they’re spiritually asleep—it’s evidence that they’re not teaching SCJ’s false doctrines.

A church that preaches:

• Salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone
• The sufficiency of Scripture
• The deity of Christ and the Trinity
• The finished work of Christ on the cross
• The hope of Christ’s return

…is teaching biblical truth, even if they don’t discuss SCJ’s interpretive framework.

3. “Struggling with the Word” Is Not the Goal

SCJ’s statement that people should be “struggling with the word as if being caught by a net” misunderstands the purpose of Scripture.

The Bible is meant to:

• Reveal God and His will (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
• Lead us to salvation in Christ (John 20:31)
• Equip us for good works (2 Timothy 3:17)
• Transform us into Christ’s likeness (2 Corinthians 3:18)

The Bible is not meant to be an endless puzzle that requires “struggling” with complex interpretations. When Scripture is read in context with the Holy Spirit’s illumination, it’s clear and life-giving:

Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

Psalm 119:130: “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”

If you’re constantly “struggling” with Scripture and it never becomes clear, that’s not a sign of deep study—it’s a sign that you’re being taught a false interpretive framework that obscures rather than illuminates God’s word.

4. Spiritual Urgency Is Not the Same as Anxiety

SCJ creates false urgency through fear and anxiety:

• “Am I in the ark?”
• “Is the door about to close?”
• “Will I be left outside when judgment comes?”
• “Are the people around me spiritually asleep?”

This is not biblical urgency—it’s anxiety-based manipulation.

Biblical urgency is different:

Romans 13:11-12: “And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

Biblical urgency motivates us to:

• Live holy lives
• Share the gospel
• Serve others
• Use our time wisely
• Be ready for Christ’s return

It doesn’t create anxiety about whether we’re in the right organization or fear that we might miss salvation.

5. The “Ark” Is Christ, Not an Organization

As discussed earlier, the “ark” for believers is not a human organization—it’s Christ Himself:

Acts 4:12: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

John 10:9: “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.”

John 14:6: “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'”

If you are in Christ by faith, you are in the ark. You don’t need to find a specific organization. You need to trust in Jesus.

How to Resist the Isolation Strategy

If you’re experiencing this teaching and feeling isolated from your church, here’s how to resist:

1. Recognize the Manipulation

This teaching is designed to isolate you from your church by making you view normal Christian life as evidence of spiritual complacency. It’s manipulation, not biblical discernment.

2. Value Your Church Community

Your church community—people who pray, read the Bible, work jobs, raise families, and live faithful Christian lives—are not “fish swimming in the sea.” They’re your brothers and sisters in Christ, and their normal, faithful lives honor God.

3. Test the Teaching

Ask yourself:

• Does the Bible really teach that normal life activities indicate spiritual complacency?
• Does the Bible really teach that I need to be in a specific organization to be saved?
• Does the Bible really teach that churches not discussing SCJ’s interpretations are spiritually dead?
• Does my church preach the gospel of grace through faith in Christ?
• Does my church affirm essential Christian doctrines?
• Does my church produce good fruit?

If your church preaches the gospel and affirms essential Christian doctrines, it’s a true church—regardless of whether it discusses SCJ’s teachings.

4. Talk to Your Pastor

Share what you’re learning with your pastor. A faithful pastor will:

• Help you see the biblical problems with SCJ’s teaching
• Affirm the sufficiency of Christ for salvation
• Reassure you that you don’t need to be in a specific organization
• Help you understand Scripture in context
• Provide pastoral care and guidance

5. Reconnect with Your Church

Resist the isolation by:

• Attending worship regularly
• Participating in small groups or Bible studies
• Serving in ministry
• Building relationships with other believers
• Sharing your struggles and receiving support

Your church is not the enemy. SCJ’s teaching is designed to make you think your church is spiritually dead so you’ll leave and join them. Don’t fall for this manipulation.

Chapter 13 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Psychology of Deception: Why Smart People Fall for False Teaching,” explains this isolation strategy: “One of the most effective tools of deceptive groups is isolation—making members feel alienated from their previous community so they become dependent on the new group. This is accomplished by teaching members to view their church through a negative lens: normal Christian life becomes ‘spiritual complacency,’ faithful preaching becomes ‘surface-level teaching,’ and loving community becomes ‘fish swimming in the sea.’ Once members feel isolated from their church, they’re vulnerable to full commitment to the deceptive group, which positions itself as the only place of true spirituality, depth, and salvation. Recognizing this isolation strategy is critical to resisting it.”

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Part 7: The Progression of Indoctrination—Where Students Are Now

The Journey to Lesson 45

By Lesson 45, students have been studying for over five months. Let’s trace their psychological and spiritual journey to this critical point:

Months 1-2 (Lessons 1-15): Foundation laying

• Bible was “sealed” and incomprehensible without special interpretation
• Parables hide meaning requiring SCJ’s framework
• God has a repeating pattern throughout history
• Prophecy requires fulfillment to be understood
• Students need this teaching to understand Scripture

Months 3-4 (Lessons 16-30): Framework building

• Symbols have specific meanings established by SCJ
• Historical events are parables for future fulfillment
• Students are like faithful remnant (Caleb, Bereans)
• Discomfort with teaching indicates spiritual growth
• Traditional church teaching is incomplete or wrong

Months 4-5 (Lessons 31-43): Identity formation and theological deepening

• Three Passovers pattern (OT, First Coming, Second Coming)
• Flesh and blood = words of life (John 6)
• Students are “royal priesthood” receiving “new word”
• Wine = teachings; new wine = SCJ’s revealed word
• Oil = Holy Spirit/word, specifically testimony from witness
• Must have “enough oil” to be wise virgins
• God’s ways don’t make logical sense (suppress critical thinking)
• Testing spirits means checking Scripture, but through SCJ’s lens

Month 5 (Lesson 44): Integration and organizational commitment

• All previous lessons converge into one answer: “Flee to the mountain”
• The mountain is a specific place that recently appeared
• Finding and fleeing to this mountain is God’s will for your life
• A witness provides testimony (5Ws and 1H) about Revelation’s fulfillment
• Without this witness’s testimony (oil), you’re a foolish virgin
• This lesson “brings many parables together in one”
• This lesson reveals where God wants you to go

Month 5+ (Lesson 45): Explicit organizational identification and isolation

• Traditional churches are “the mountain that betrayed”
• SCJ is “Mount Zion,” the mountain of salvation
• You must flee from your church to SCJ
• Noah’s ark and Lot’s mountains parallel SCJ as the place of salvation
• You can test whether you’re in the ark by whether people around you discuss these teachings
• If people at your church live normal lives, you’re NOT in the ark
• SCJ has the “open word” that goes “three steps deeper” than other churches
• There’s “one who overcomes with the white stone” (Lee Man-hee) you must find
• Time is running out—the door will close like Noah’s ark

What Students Have Accepted

By the end of Lesson 45, students have likely internalized:

1. Cognitive Framework:

• Bible requires special interpretation through SCJ’s comprehensive system
• All symbols have fixed meanings established by SCJ
• God’s pattern repeats with SCJ as current fulfillment
• There is a specific witness (Lee Man-hee) whose testimony is essential
• There is a specific mountain (SCJ) where believers must flee
• Traditional churches are “the mountain that betrayed”
• SCJ is “Mount Zion” where the Lamb dwells
• SCJ has the “open word” that other churches don’t have
• Understanding requires the witness’s testimony with “5Ws and 1H”
• There’s “one who overcomes with the white stone” (Lee Man-hee) with authority to judge

2. Identity Beliefs:

• They are wise virgins who have received oil (witness’s testimony)
• They are part of the faithful remnant who understand God’s will
• They have been guided by the word to this understanding
• They are ready to flee to the mountain (SCJ)
• They are diving “three steps deeper” than other Christians
• They have the “open word” that others don’t have
• Other Christians are foolish virgins without the oil
• Their church is “the mountain that betrayed”
• People at their church are like fish swimming in the sea, spiritually asleep
• They must leave their church and join SCJ to be in the ark

3. Behavioral Commitments:

• Attending study multiple times per week (5+ months, 135+ hours)
• Extensive homework, review, and memorization of all parables
• Drawing pictures and creating visual memory of the framework
• Significant distance from home church and traditional teachings
• Viewing church members through negative lens (spiritually asleep, oblivious)
• Recruiting others into the study
• Defending SCJ against criticism using provided defenses
• Preparing to make full organizational commitment (flee to the mountain)
• Likely reducing church attendance or participation
• Possibly hiding involvement from pastor or church leaders

4. Emotional Investment:

• Deep relationships with instructor and fellow students
• Excitement about finally understanding God’s will for their life
• Relief that everything is “clicking together” after months of complex theology
• Anticipation about the mountain being fully revealed
• Fear of being outside the ark when the door closes
• Anxiety about loved ones who haven’t received this teaching
• Strong defensiveness when SCJ is criticized
• Alienation from church community
• Guilt about living normal life (work, family, etc.)
• Pride about having deeper understanding than other Christians

5. Psychological Defenses:

• “All the parables point to this—it must be true”
• “Everything clicks together—that proves it’s from God”
• “I’ve been guided by the word itself to this understanding”
• “My church is the mountain that betrayed—I need to leave”
• “People at my church are spiritually asleep—they act like everything is normal”
• “SCJ goes three steps deeper—other churches just read parables”
• “I have the open word—other Christians don’t”
• “I need to be where the Lamb is—that’s Mount Zion (SCJ)”
• “If I leave, I’ll be outside the ark when judgment comes”
• “I’ve invested five months—I can’t stop now when I’m finally understanding God’s will”

The Psychological Techniques at Work in Lesson 45

Several powerful psychological techniques converge in Lesson 45:

1. Fear-Based Urgency Through Biblical Narratives

The Noah and Lot stories are used to create intense fear:

• Noah’s ark: The door closed and it was too late
• Lot’s escape: Judgment came suddenly
• Application: You must get in the ark (SCJ) before it’s too late

This creates urgency based on fear of missing salvation, not based on love for Christ and desire to follow Him.

2. Isolation Through Negative Comparison

Students are taught to view their church through an explicitly negative lens:

• “The mountain that betrayed”
• “Fish swimming in the sea”
• “Acting as if everything is normal”
• “Just praying a few times and reading the Bible”
• “Not struggling with the word”

This systematically alienates students from their church community, making them dependent on SCJ.

3. Spiritual Elitism Through “Open Word” Claims

Students are taught they have something no one else has:

• The “open word”
• Understanding “three steps deeper”
• Explanation of prophecy and fulfillment
• The “5 Ws and 1 H”

This creates pride and reinforces the belief that leaving SCJ means going backward spiritually.

4. Organizational Identification Through Timing

The statement that the mountain “is not one that has been around for 500 years, 200 years, or 100 years” is designed to make students conclude: “My church has been around too long. SCJ appeared recently. Therefore, SCJ is the mountain.”

This uses circular reasoning to “prove” SCJ is the fulfillment.

5. Authority Claims Through “The Overcomer”

Introducing “the one who overcomes with the white stone” prepares students to accept Lee Man-hee as having divine authority to judge. This positions students to submit to his authority completely.

6. Sunk Cost Escalation

By Lesson 45, students have invested:

• Time: 45 lessons × 1.5-2 hours = 67.5-90 hours of class time, plus homework, review, drawing, and events = likely 150+ hours over 5+ months
• Relationships: Deep bonds with instructor and students, possibly recruited friends/family, significant distance from church
• Identity: Seeing themselves as wise virgins, those with the open word, those diving three steps deeper, those ready to flee to the mountain
• Cognitive effort: Memorizing dozens of parable interpretations, building complex theological framework, creating visual representations
• Emotional energy: Excitement, fear, hope, anxiety, pride, alienation all tied to SCJ’s system

The psychological cost of walking away is now extraordinarily high. Students think: “I’ve invested so much. I’ve learned so much. I can’t go back to my church now—they’re the mountain that betrayed. I need to complete this journey and fully commit to SCJ.”

7. Creating Anxiety That Only SCJ Can Resolve

The repeated question “Am I in the ark?” creates profound spiritual anxiety that can only be resolved by accepting SCJ’s answer: “We are the ark. You need to be fully committed to us.”

This is psychological manipulation—creating a problem (anxiety about salvation/location) and then positioning yourself as the only solution.

The Cost of Involvement at This Stage

By Lesson 45, the cost of involvement is substantial and accelerating:

Spiritual Cost:

• Deeply distorted understanding of Scripture, salvation, and the church
• Dependence on human organization rather than on Christ alone
• Fear-based relationship with God (am I in the ark? will the door close?)
• Separation from healthy Christian community and pastoral care
• Viewing faithful Christians as spiritually asleep or compromised
• Pride about having superior knowledge
• Vulnerability to complete organizational control
• Identity tied to being in SCJ rather than being in Christ

Relational Cost:

• Significant strain with family who see the changes and are concerned
• Distance or separation from church community
• Viewing church members through negative lens (fish swimming in the sea)
• Conflict with friends who raise warnings
• Recruitment of others into the system (creating guilt and responsibility)
• Deep emotional bonds with SCJ members (making leaving feel like abandoning family)
• Isolation from non-SCJ relationships
• Possible deception of pastor and church leaders about involvement

Psychological Cost:

• Constant anxiety about being in the right place
• Fear of missing salvation or being outside the ark
• Cognitive dissonance when teaching contradicts Scripture or logic
• Suppression of critical thinking (taught that this proves it’s from God)
• Identity confusion (who am I apart from this group and this understanding?)
• Difficulty trusting own judgment (taught to distrust human logic)
• Spiritual pride combined with fear (I have the open word, but am I in the ark?)
• Alienation from previous spiritual foundation

Practical Cost:

• 150+ hours invested over 5+ months
• Ongoing time commitment (multiple studies per week, homework, drawing, review, events)
• Reduced church involvement (attendance, service, small groups)
• Possible financial contributions (though likely minimal at this stage)
• Energy diverted from work, family, education, and other responsibilities
• Possible impact on job performance, academic performance, or family responsibilities
• Preparation for larger commitment when fully revealed as SCJ

The Point of Maximum Vulnerability

Lesson 45 represents maximum psychological vulnerability. Students are:

Deeply invested: 5+ months, 150+ hours, complex framework memorized, relationships built

Explicitly told their church is false: “The mountain that betrayed”

Explicitly told SCJ is the only place of salvation: “Mount Zion where the Lamb dwells”

Given a test that proves their church isn’t the ark: “Do people around you talk about these teachings? No? Then you’re not in the ark.”

Told time is running out: Like Noah’s ark, the door will close

Positioned to accept full revelation: The “one who overcomes with the white stone” will be revealed as Lee Man-hee

At this point, the psychological barriers to leaving are enormous:

• Sunk cost: “I’ve invested five months—I can’t walk away now”
• Identity: “I’m someone with the open word, diving three steps deeper”
• Relationships: “My closest friends are in this study”
• Purpose: “I finally know God’s will—flee to the mountain”
• Fear: “If I leave, I’ll be outside the ark when judgment comes”
• Pride: “I can’t go back to surface-level Christianity”
• Isolation: “My church is the mountain that betrayed—where else would I go?”

However, it’s never too late to recognize deception and return to truth. The psychological barriers are real and powerful, but they’re not insurmountable. Many people have left SCJ even after years of involvement. The key is recognizing the manipulation and having the courage to walk away despite the cost.

Chapter 13 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” titled “The Psychology of Deception: Why Smart People Fall for False Teaching,” explains: “The deeper you go into a deceptive system, the harder it becomes to leave—not because the teaching becomes more convincing, but because the psychological cost of leaving increases. You’ve invested time, relationships, identity, and hope. You’ve distanced from your church and built your spiritual life on this framework. Walking away means admitting you were deceived, losing community, and starting over. But the cost of staying is far greater: your spiritual freedom, your relationship with Christ, and potentially years of your life. The courage to leave, even after significant investment, is not weakness—it’s wisdom. And God’s grace is sufficient to restore what has been lost.”

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Part 8: Biblical Refutation of Key Claims

Claim 1: “Traditional churches are ‘the mountain that betrayed’—they once had the word but lost it due to falsehood”

What SCJ Teaches: Traditional Christian churches are “the mountain that betrayed”—they once had God’s word but lost it when falsehood invaded, they betrayed God, and they were destroyed by the “destroying mountain.”

Biblical Response:

The Church Has Not Been Destroyed

Matthew 16:18: “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

Jesus promised that His church would not be overcome. Throughout 2,000 years of history, the church has faced:

• Persecution (Roman Empire, communist regimes, Islamic persecution)
• Heresy (Gnosticism, Arianism, Pelagianism, and many others)
• Corruption (medieval abuses, scandals, moral failures)
• Division (East-West split, Protestant Reformation, denominational divisions)

But through it all, God has preserved His church. There has always been a faithful remnant preaching the gospel, affirming essential Christian doctrines, and living for Christ.

The Gospel Has Been Faithfully Preserved

Jude 3: “Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.”

The faith was “once for all entrusted”—delivered completely in the apostolic era. It has been faithfully preserved and passed down through church history.

The core gospel message has remained unchanged:

• Jesus Christ is God incarnate
• He died for our sins
• He rose from the dead
• Salvation is by grace through faith in Him alone

This gospel has been preached continuously for 2,000 years. It has never been lost.

Church History Shows Faithful Preservation

Throughout church history, we see:

Early Church (1st-3rd centuries): Apostles and their disciples faithfully preaching the gospel, establishing churches, and writing Scripture

Church Fathers (2nd-5th centuries): Leaders like Irenaeus, Athanasius, Augustine defending orthodox doctrine against heresies

Medieval Period (6th-15th centuries): Despite corruption in institutional church, faithful believers preserving Scripture, preaching the gospel, and living for Christ

Reformation (16th century): Recovery of biblical doctrines of grace, Scripture’s authority, and salvation by faith alone

Modern Era (17th-21st centuries): Global spread of the gospel, missionary movements, continued faithful preaching

The church has never been destroyed. God has always preserved a faithful remnant.

SCJ’s Claim Is Historically False

SCJ’s claim that the church “lost the word” and was “destroyed” is historically false. The evidence:

Scripture has been preserved: We have thousands of manuscript copies of the New Testament, showing faithful preservation of God’s word

Essential doctrines have been maintained: The deity of Christ, the Trinity, salvation by grace, Christ’s death and resurrection—all have been consistently affirmed throughout church history

The gospel has been continuously preached: In every generation, faithful believers have preached salvation through Christ alone

Faithful churches exist today: Millions of churches worldwide preach the gospel and affirm essential Christian doctrines

The church has not been destroyed. SCJ’s claim is a false narrative designed to position themselves as the only true church.

The Danger of Claiming All Other Churches Are False

When a group claims that all other churches have been destroyed or corrupted and only they have the truth, that’s a red flag for cultic behavior:

2 Timothy 3:5: “having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”

Titus 3:10-11: “Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.”

Groups that divide the body of Christ by claiming exclusive truth are not demonstrating biblical faithfulness—they’re demonstrating sectarian pride.

Claim 2: “SCJ is Mount Zion, the mountain of salvation that appeared at the fulfillment of Revelation”

What SCJ Teaches: SCJ is Mount Zion, the mountain of salvation that appeared recently (not 500, 200, or 100 years ago) at the fulfillment of Revelation. This is where the Lamb dwells, where the law comes from, and where believers must flee.

Biblical Response:

Mount Zion Is Not a Human Organization

As discussed extensively earlier, Mount Zion in Scripture represents:

In the Old Testament:

• The physical hill in Jerusalem where the temple was built
• God’s dwelling place among His people
• A symbol of God’s kingdom and salvation

In the New Testament:

• The heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22)
• The spiritual reality of being in God’s presence through Christ
• The gathering of the redeemed with Christ (Revelation 14:1)

Mount Zion is never presented as a human organization that appears at a specific time and place in history.

Believers Have Already Come to Mount Zion

Hebrews 12:22-24: “But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.”

Notice the verb tense: “you have come” (perfect tense—completed action with ongoing results). Believers have already come to Mount Zion through faith in Christ. It’s not a future place to find—it’s a present reality for all who are in Christ.

The Lamb Dwells with All Believers

Matthew 18:20: “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Matthew 28:20: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Revelation 3:20: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

Christ dwells with all believers who gather in His name, not just with one organization. He is present wherever believers are, not exclusively in SCJ.

The Timing Argument Is Circular Reasoning

SCJ’s argument is:

1. The mountain appears at the fulfillment of Revelation
2. The mountain is not one that has been around for 500, 200, or 100 years
3. SCJ appeared recently (1984)
4. Therefore, SCJ is the mountain

This is circular reasoning. It assumes what it’s trying to prove:

• It assumes Revelation was fulfilled in 1984 (unproven)
• It assumes the “mountain” is a physical organization (unbiblical)
• It assumes recent appearance proves divine origin (false logic)

By this logic, any organization founded in the 20th century could claim to be “the mountain that appeared at Revelation’s fulfillment.” The argument proves nothing.

Many Groups Have Made This Claim

Throughout history, many groups have claimed to be the “true church” that appeared at the fulfillment of prophecy:

• Jehovah’s Witnesses (founded 1870s)
• Seventh-day Adventists (founded 1860s)
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints/Mormons (founded 1830)
• Unification Church (founded 1954)
• Many others

All of these groups claimed that:

• Previous churches had been corrupted
• They were the restoration of true Christianity
• They appeared at the fulfillment of prophecy
• Believers must join them to be saved

All of these claims have been proven false. SCJ is following the same pattern.

The Danger of Organizational Exclusivity

1 Corinthians 1:12-13: “What I mean is this: One of you says, ‘I follow Paul’; another, ‘I follow Apollos’; another, ‘I follow Cephas’; still another, ‘I follow Christ.’ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?”

Paul rebuked the Corinthians for dividing into factions based on human leaders. How much more should we reject divisions based on claiming one organization is the exclusive “Mount Zion”?

Ephesians 4:4-6: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

There is one body—the church, which is all believers in Christ. No single organization can claim to be the exclusive body of Christ.

Claim 3: “You can tell if you’re in the ark by whether people around you talk about these teachings and have urgency”

What SCJ Teaches: You can test whether you’re in the ark (place of salvation) by observing whether people around you talk about SCJ’s teachings and have a sense of urgency. If they’re living normal lives and don’t discuss these teachings, you’re not in the ark.

Biblical Response:

This Test Is Not Biblical

The Bible never provides this kind of “test” for identifying true churches or determining if you’re saved. The biblical tests are:

Test 1: Do they preach the gospel? 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!”

The test is whether they preach salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone, not whether they discuss SCJ’s interpretations.

Test 2: Do they affirm essential Christian doctrines?

• The deity of Christ
• The Trinity
• The authority and sufficiency of Scripture
• Salvation by grace through faith
• Christ’s death and resurrection
• Christ’s return

Test 3: Do they produce good fruit? Matthew 7:16-20: “By their fruit you will recognize them… every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.”

The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control

Test 4: Do they love one another? John 13:35: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

These are the biblical tests for true churches and true disciples. Not whether they discuss SCJ’s teachings or have the kind of anxiety-based “urgency” SCJ creates.

Normal Life Is Not Spiritual Complacency

As discussed extensively earlier, living a normal life—working, getting married, raising families, managing finances—is not evidence of spiritual complacency. These are biblical activities that honor God.

Assurance of Salvation Is in Christ, Not in Organizational Membership

1 John 5:11-13: “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

Assurance of salvation comes from having the Son—faith in Jesus Christ. It doesn’t come from being in the right organization or having people around you discuss certain teachings.

Romans 8:16: “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”

The Holy Spirit testifies to our salvation. We don’t need to test whether we’re in the ark by observing our church—we trust in Christ and the Spirit’s testimony.

The Danger of Creating False Tests

When a group creates false tests for salvation or for being in the “right place,” they’re adding to the gospel:

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, not by being in the right organization or having the right kind of urgency.

Claim 4: “SCJ has the ‘open word’ that goes ‘three steps deeper’ than other churches”

What SCJ Teaches: SCJ has the “open word”—the explanation of prophecy and its fulfillment with “5 Ws and 1 H.” Other churches just read parables and talk about them, but SCJ dives “one step, two steps, three steps deeper.”

Biblical Response:

The Word of God Is Already Open to All Believers

As discussed extensively earlier:

Psalm 119:130: “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”

2 Corinthians 3:16: “But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.”

1 John 2:27: “As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you.”

God’s word is open to all believers through the Holy Spirit’s illumination. We don’t need a special organization claiming to go “three steps deeper.”

Depth Is Not the Same as Complexity

True biblical depth is not about complex interpretive frameworks or layers of hidden meaning. It’s about:

Understanding God’s character more deeply: Ephesians 3:18-19: “may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Applying Scripture to life more fully: James 1:22: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

Growing in Christlikeness: 2 Corinthians 3:18: “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

True depth is transformation, not information. It’s knowing Christ more deeply, not mastering complex interpretations.

Claims of Superior Knowledge Are a Red Flag

Colossians 2:8: “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”

1 Timothy 6:20-21: “Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have swerved from the faith.”

Claims of superior knowledge or deeper understanding are often signs of false teaching, not genuine spiritual depth.

The Gospel Is Simple Enough for a Child

Matthew 18:3: “And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.'”

1 Corinthians 1:27: “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”

The gospel is simple enough for a child to understand: Jesus died for our sins, rose from the dead, and offers salvation to all who believe. We don’t need to dive “three steps deeper” with complex interpretations to be saved or to grow spiritually.

The Danger of Spiritual Elitism

When a group teaches that they have understanding others don’t have, they create:

• Pride (we’re spiritually superior)
• Division (we’re different from other Christians)
• Dependency (we need this group for spiritual truth)
• Isolation (we can’t go back to surface-level Christianity)

This is the opposite of what the Holy Spirit produces:

Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

True spiritual depth produces humility, unity, freedom, and love—not pride, division, dependency, and isolation.

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Red Flags in Lesson 45

If you’re currently taking SCJ’s study and you’ve reached Lesson 45, here are critical red flags to recognize:

1. Your Church Is Explicitly Called “The Mountain That Betrayed”

You’re being told that your church—where you’ve worshiped, learned, served, and grown—is “the mountain that betrayed.” This is not biblical discernment; it’s manipulation designed to separate you from your spiritual community.

Ask yourself: Does the Bible really teach that all traditional churches have betrayed God and been destroyed? Or is this a false narrative designed to make me dependent on SCJ?

2. SCJ Is Explicitly Identified as “Mount Zion”

You’re being told that SCJ is Mount Zion, the place where the Lamb dwells, the mountain of salvation. This is organizational exclusivity—claiming that only one organization is the true church.

Ask yourself: Does the Bible teach that Mount Zion is a specific human organization? Or does it teach that believers have already come to Mount Zion through faith in Christ (Hebrews 12:22)?

3. You’re Given a “Test” That Isolates You from Your Church

You’re told to test whether you’re in the ark by observing whether people around you discuss SCJ’s teachings and have urgency. This “test” is designed to make you conclude that your church is not the ark.

Ask yourself: Is this a biblical test for true churches? Or is it a manipulative tool designed to isolate me from my church and make me dependent on SCJ?

4. Normal Christian Life Is Portrayed as Spiritual Complacency

You’re told that people who work, get married, manage finances, and live normal lives are like the people in Noah’s day—oblivious to coming judgment. This creates guilt about normal, biblical activities.

Ask yourself: Does the Bible really teach that working, getting married, and living responsibly are signs of spiritual complacency? Or does Scripture encourage these activities as ways to honor God?

5. SCJ Claims to Have What No Other Church Has

You’re told that SCJ has the “open word” that goes “three steps deeper” than other churches. This creates spiritual elitism and dependency.

Ask yourself: Does the Bible teach that one organization has exclusive access to God’s truth? Or does it teach that all believers have the Holy Spirit who teaches them (1 John 2:27)?

6. Fear-Based Urgency About “Missing the Ark”

You’re told that like Noah’s ark, the door will close and it will be too late. This creates fear-based urgency to commit to SCJ.

Ask yourself: Does the Bible teach that salvation depends on being in the right organization before a door closes? Or does it teach that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ, available to all who believe?

7. Introduction of “The One Who Overcomes with the White Stone”

You’re told there’s a specific person you must find—”the one who overcomes with the white stone” who has authority to judge. This prepares you to accept Lee Man-hee as having divine authority.

Ask yourself: Does the Bible teach that there’s one special “overcomer” with the white stone? Or does it teach that all believers are overcomers through faith in Christ (1 John 5:4-5)?

8. You Still Don’t Know the Organization’s Name

You’re 45 lessons in (5+ months, 150+ hours) and you still don’t know the organization’s name. You’re being told to flee to this mountain, but you don’t know what it’s called.

Ask yourself: If this is God’s will for my life and the place of salvation, why has the name been hidden from me for five months? Why the secrecy?

Questions to Ask Your Instructor

If you’re in Lesson 45, here are critical questions to ask:

1. About the Mountain That Betrayed:

• “You said traditional churches are ‘the mountain that betrayed.’ But Jesus promised the gates of hell would not overcome His church (Matthew 16:18). How do you reconcile these?”
• “If all traditional churches have been destroyed, how has the gospel been preached continuously for 2,000 years?”
• “My church preaches salvation by grace through faith in Christ and affirms the deity of Christ, the Trinity, and Christ’s resurrection. By what biblical standard is it ‘the mountain that betrayed’?”

2. About Mount Zion:

• “Hebrews 12:22 says believers ‘have come to Mount Zion’ (past tense). If I’m in Christ, haven’t I already come to Mount Zion?”
• “How can Mount Zion be a specific organization that appeared in 1984 when Scripture presents it as the heavenly Jerusalem that all believers enter through Christ?”
• “If SCJ is Mount Zion, why isn’t this clearly stated in Scripture? Why do you need to use complex interpretations to make this identification?”

3. About the Ark Test:

• “You said I can test if I’m in the ark by whether people around me discuss these teachings. But the Bible tests churches by whether they preach the gospel and affirm essential doctrines. Why are you using a different test?”
• “My church preaches the gospel, affirms essential Christian doctrines, and produces good fruit. By biblical standards, isn’t it a true church?”
• “Why should I conclude my church isn’t the ark just because they don’t discuss your specific interpretations?”

4. About Normal Life:

• “You said people who work, get married, and live normal lives are like those in Noah’s day who were oblivious. But doesn’t the Bible encourage work, marriage, and responsible living (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, 1 Timothy 5:8)?”
• “How is living a faithful Christian life while working and raising a family evidence of spiritual complacency?”

5. About the Open Word:

• “You said SCJ has the ‘open word’ that other churches don’t have. But doesn’t 1 John 2:27 say all believers have the Spirit’s anointing and don’t need anyone to teach them?”
• “How can you claim exclusive access to the ‘open word’ when Scripture says God’s word gives understanding to the simple (Psalm 119:130)?”
• “Doesn’t claiming to go ‘three steps deeper’ than other churches create spiritual pride rather than humility?”

6. About the Organization:

• “We’re 45 lessons in and I still don’t know the name of this organization. When will you tell me?”
• “If this is God’s will for my life and the place of salvation, why has the name been hidden?”
• “Can I research this organization online before committing to ‘flee to the mountain’?”

7. About the Overcomer:

• “You said we need to find ‘the one who overcomes with the white stone.’ But doesn’t 1 John 5:4-5 say everyone who believes in Jesus is an overcomer?”
• “How can one person be ‘the overcomer’ when Scripture presents overcoming as the identity of all believers?”
• “What authority does this person have, and where in Scripture is this authority promised?”

Watch how your instructor responds:

• Does he welcome these questions or become defensive?
• Does he provide clear, biblical answers or deflect with complex interpretations?
• Does he encourage you to verify the teaching or discourage outside research?
• Does he address your concerns directly or make you feel guilty for questioning?
• Does he give you time to think and pray, or create urgency to commit immediately?

Legitimate Bible teaching welcomes questions and verification. Manipulative teaching suppresses questions and creates urgency to commit without full information.

For Families: Helping Someone in Lesson 45

If your loved one is in Lesson 45, they’re at a critical and extremely dangerous point. They’re being explicitly told that their church is “the mountain that betrayed,” that SCJ is “Mount Zion,” and that they must flee from their church to SCJ. Here’s how to help:

1. Understand the Critical Nature of This Moment

Lesson 45 is where SCJ explicitly:

• Identifies traditional churches as false (“the mountain that betrayed”)
• Identifies SCJ as the only true church (“Mount Zion”)
• Commands students to leave their churches (“flee to this location”)
• Creates fear-based urgency (Noah’s ark, Lot’s escape)
• Isolates students from their church community (the “ark test”)

This is the moment when students are told to make a complete break from their church and commit fully to SCJ.

2. Recognize Their Mindset

By Lesson 45, your loved one likely believes:

• Their church has betrayed God and been destroyed
• SCJ is Mount Zion where the Lamb dwells
• They can test whether they’re in the ark by observing their church
• People at their church are spiritually asleep (like fish swimming in the sea)
• SCJ has the “open word” that other churches don’t have
• They must flee from their church to SCJ before it’s too late
• There’s “one who overcomes with the white stone” (Lee Man-hee) they must find

3. Act with Urgency

This is not the time to wait and see. Your loved one is being told to leave their church. They may:

• Stop attending church services
• Withdraw from small groups or ministries
• Distance from church friends
• Hide their involvement from their pastor
• Prepare to make full commitment to SCJ

Reach out immediately with love and truth.

4. Ask Probing Questions

Rather than attacking SCJ directly (which will trigger defenses), ask questions that encourage critical thinking:

About the church:

• “I’m concerned that you’re being told your church has betrayed God. Can you help me understand how a church that preaches the gospel and affirms Christ’s deity and resurrection has betrayed God?”
• “Jesus promised the gates of hell would not overcome His church. If all traditional churches have been destroyed, how has the gospel been preached for 2,000 years?”

About Mount Zion:

• “You mentioned SCJ is Mount Zion. But Hebrews 12:22 says believers have already come to Mount Zion through Christ. If you’re in Christ, haven’t you already come to Mount Zion?”
• “How can Mount Zion be a specific organization when Scripture presents it as a spiritual reality for all believers?”

About the ark test:

• “I’m troubled by the ‘test’ you mentioned—that you can tell if you’re in the ark by whether people discuss these teachings. Isn’t the biblical test whether a church preaches the gospel and affirms essential doctrines?”
• “Your church preaches salvation through Christ, affirms His deity and resurrection, and produces good fruit. By biblical standards, isn’t it a true church?”

About normal life:

• “You mentioned that people who work and get married are like those in Noah’s day who were oblivious. But doesn’t the Bible encourage work and marriage as ways to honor God?”
• “How is living a faithful Christian life while working and raising a family evidence of being spiritually asleep?”

About the organization:

• “You’ve been studying for five months and still don’t know the organization’s name. Does that concern you?”
• “If this is God’s will for your life, why has the name been hidden? What are they afraid you’ll find if you research them?”

5. Share Specific Concerns

Express your concerns clearly and lovingly:

• “I love you and I’m deeply concerned about what you’re being taught. You’re being told to leave your church and join an organization whose name you don’t even know. That’s not how God works—through secrecy and manipulation.”
• “I’m worried that you’re being isolated from your church community by being taught to view them as spiritually asleep or compromised. This is a classic manipulation tactic used by controlling groups.”
• “The teaching that SCJ is the only place of salvation and all other churches have been destroyed is not biblical—it’s cultic exclusivity. The true church is all believers in Christ, not one organization.”
• “The fear-based urgency about ‘missing the ark’ is manipulation, not biblical teaching. Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ, not by being in the right organization before a door closes.”

6. Provide Resources

• Share this analysis
• Direct them to https://closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination
• Offer to read Scripture together in context (especially Hebrews 12:22-24, Matthew 16:18, 1 John 5:4-5)
• Suggest they talk with their pastor immediately
• Provide testimonies from former SCJ members

7. Contact Their Pastor

If your loved one hasn’t already told their pastor about their involvement, you may need to:

• Contact the pastor yourself
• Explain what’s happening (they’re in Lesson 45 of SCJ’s study)
• Ask the pastor to reach out immediately
• Provide resources about SCJ

The pastor needs to know that a church member is being told to leave the church and is in a critical decision point.

8. Express Clear Boundaries

• “I love you, but I cannot support you leaving your church to join this organization. I believe it’s deceptive and harmful.”
• “I’m willing to discuss this with you, but I need you to be willing to honestly examine the teaching, not just defend it.”
• “I won’t attend any SCJ events or meetings. If you want my support, you need to be willing to research this organization and talk with your pastor.”

9. Pray Fervently

This is spiritual warfare. Your loved one is being deceived and isolated. Pray:

• For their eyes to be opened to the deception
• For courage to ask hard questions
• For their pastor to reach them with truth
• For protection from further manipulation
• For wisdom in how you respond
• For God to intervene and rescue them

10. Don’t Give Up

This is a critical moment, but it’s not too late. Many people recognize deception at this point when they:

• Research SCJ online and discover the deception
• Talk with their pastor and receive biblical truth
• Ask hard questions the instructor can’t answer
• Experience pressure to commit without full information
• Realize the organization’s name is still being hidden

Your faithful presence, prayer, and truth-speaking matter. Don’t give up.

For Pastors: Responding to Lesson 45

If church members are in Lesson 45, they’re being explicitly told that your church is “the mountain that betrayed” and they must flee to SCJ. This requires immediate, urgent intervention.

1. Understand What They’re Being Taught

At Lesson 45, members are being told:

• Your church has betrayed God and been destroyed
• SCJ is Mount Zion, the only place where the Lamb dwells
• They can test whether they’re in the ark by observing the church
• If people at church live normal lives and don’t discuss SCJ’s teachings, the church is not the ark
• SCJ has the “open word” that your church doesn’t have
• They must flee from your church to SCJ before it’s too late
• There’s “one who overcomes with the white stone” (Lee Man-hee) they must find

2. Reach Out Immediately

This is not the time for passive waiting. Members are being told to leave your church. Reach out:

• Call or visit immediately
• Express love and concern
• Ask them to meet with you before making any decisions
• Provide biblical truth
• Offer pastoral care and guidance

3. Preach and Teach on Key Issues

Use your pulpit and teaching opportunities to address:

The Nature of the Church:

• The church is the body of Christ—all believers everywhere
• Jesus promised the gates of hell would not overcome His church (Matthew 16:18)
• The church has faithfully preserved the gospel for 2,000 years
• No single organization can claim to be the exclusive true church

Mount Zion:

• Mount Zion in Scripture represents God’s presence and kingdom
• Believers have already come to Mount Zion through Christ (Hebrews 12:22)
• Mount Zion is not a human organization
• Christ dwells with all believers who gather in His name (Matthew 18:20)

Assurance of Salvation:

• Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9)
• Assurance comes from having the Son, not from organizational membership (1 John 5:11-13)
• The Holy Spirit testifies to our salvation (Romans 8:16)
• We don’t need to test whether we’re in the “ark”—we trust in Christ

The Danger of Cultic Exclusivity:

• Groups that claim to be the only true church are exhibiting cultic behavior
• Organizational exclusivity divides the body of Christ
• True churches are identified by preaching the gospel and affirming essential doctrines
• Claims of superior knowledge create pride, not humility

4. Provide Biblical Responses to SCJ’s Claims

Help members see the biblical problems with SCJ’s teaching:

“The church has not been destroyed”:

• Matthew 16:18 promises the church will not be overcome
• Church history shows faithful preservation of the gospel
• Millions of faithful churches exist today worldwide

“Mount Zion is not SCJ”:

• Hebrews 12:22 says believers have already come to Mount Zion
• Mount Zion is a spiritual reality, not a human organization
• Christ dwells with all believers, not exclusively in one group

“The ‘ark test’ is not biblical”:

• Biblical tests for true churches: preach the gospel, affirm essential doctrines, produce good fruit
• Normal Christian life is not evidence of spiritual complacency
• Living responsibly honors God (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, 1 Timothy 5:8)

“All believers are overcomers”:

• 1 John 5:4-5 says everyone who believes in Jesus is an overcomer
• There’s not one special “overcomer” with the white stone
• The white stone is promised to all who overcome (all believers)

5. Expose the Manipulation

Help members recognize the psychological manipulation:

Isolation tactics:

• Teaching them to view church members as “fish swimming in the sea”
• Creating a “test” designed to make them conclude the church isn’t the ark
• Portraying normal Christian life as spiritual complacency

Fear-based urgency:

• Using Noah’s ark and Lot’s escape to create fear of missing salvation
• Teaching that the door will close and it will be too late
• Creating anxiety about being in the wrong place

Spiritual elitism:

• Claiming to have the “open word” that other churches don’t have
• Teaching they’re diving “three steps deeper”
• Creating pride about superior knowledge

Organizational exclusivity:

• Claiming SCJ is the only true church
• Teaching all other churches have been destroyed
• Positioning SCJ as the only place of salvation

6. Provide Pastoral Care

Members in Lesson 45 are experiencing:

• Profound spiritual confusion
• Anxiety about salvation and location
• Alienation from church community
• Guilt about normal life activities
• Pride about superior knowledge
• Fear of missing the ark

Provide:

• Individual pastoral counseling
• Biblical teaching on assurance of salvation
• Reconnection with church community
• Support in leaving the study
• Follow-up care to prevent return

7. Equip the Congregation

Use this as an opportunity to equip your whole congregation:

• Teach on how to recognize false teaching
• Provide resources on SCJ and other deceptive groups
• Encourage members to report if they’re approached
• Create a culture of biblical discernment
• Build strong community that resists isolation tactics

8. Connect with Other Pastors

SCJ targets multiple churches in an area. Connect with other pastors to:

• Share information about SCJ’s presence
• Warn congregations
• Coordinate response
• Support each other in pastoral care
• Share resources

9. Provide Recovery Support

For those who recognize deception and leave:

• Celebrate their courage and wisdom
• Provide safe space to process without judgment
• Help them rebuild biblical understanding
• Address the psychological impact of manipulation
• Help them reconnect with church community
• Be patient as they rebuild trust
• Use their testimony to help others

10. Don’t Give Up

Even if members initially resist your outreach, don’t give up. Continue:

• Praying for them
• Reaching out with love and truth
• Providing resources
• Expressing concern
• Offering to meet
• Welcoming them back

Many people eventually recognize deception and return. Your faithful pastoral care matters.

For more pastoral resources, visit https://closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination.

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Part 10: The True Rock and Refuge—Returning to Christ

Christ Is Our Rock

In contrast to SCJ’s teaching about finding “the one who overcomes with the white stone” (a human pastor with authority to judge), the Bible teaches that Christ Himself is our Rock:

The Rock in the Old Testament

Deuteronomy 32:4: “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.”

Psalm 18:2: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 62:2: “Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”

Isaiah 26:4: “Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.”

Throughout the Old Testament, God is identified as the Rock—the foundation, the refuge, the source of salvation and security.

Christ Is the Rock

1 Corinthians 10:4: “and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.”

Paul explicitly identifies Christ as the spiritual Rock. He is our foundation, our source of life, our refuge.

Matthew 16:18: “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

Christ (and Peter’s confession of Him as Messiah) is the rock on which the church is built. Not a human pastor, not an organization, but Christ Himself.

Christ Is the Cornerstone

1 Peter 2:4-6: “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.'”

Christ is the living Stone, the precious cornerstone. We come to Him, and we are built on Him. Not on a human pastor, not on an organization, but on Christ alone.

Ephesians 2:19-22: “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”

Christ is the chief cornerstone. The church is built on Him, not on any human leader.

Christ Is Our Refuge

Hebrews 6:18-19: “God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.”

We flee to Christ for refuge. He is our hope, our anchor, firm and secure. We don’t flee to a human organization—we flee to Christ.

Proverbs 18:10: “The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”

Safety is in the name of the Lord, not in an organization. We run to Him, not to SCJ.

All Believers Are Overcomers

In contrast to SCJ’s teaching about finding “the one who overcomes with the white stone,” the Bible teaches that all believers are overcomers:

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

Everyone born of God overcomes. Everyone who believes in Jesus is an overcomer. It’s not a title for one special person—it’s the identity of all believers.

Revelation 2:7: “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”

Revelation 2:11: “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.”

Revelation 2:17: “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.”

Revelation 2:26: “To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations.”

Revelation 3:5: “The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.”

Revelation 3:12: “The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name.”

Revelation 3:21: “To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.”

Throughout Revelation 2-3, Jesus makes promises to “the one who is victorious” (singular used generically for all who overcome). These promises are for all believers who remain faithful, not for one special person.

Romans 8:37: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

All believers are “more than conquerors” through Christ. We don’t need to find a special “overcomer”—we are overcomers through faith in Christ.

Christ Alone Has Authority to Judge

In contrast to SCJ’s teaching about a pastor who “receives authority to judge,” the Bible teaches that Christ alone has authority to judge:

John 5:22-23: “Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.”

The Father has entrusted all judgment to the Son. Not to a human pastor, not to Lee Man-hee, but to Jesus Christ alone.

Acts 10:42: “He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.”

God appointed Jesus as judge of the living and the dead. No human has been given this authority.

2 Timothy 4:1: “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge.”

Christ Jesus will judge the living and the dead. This is His unique authority as God incarnate.

James 4:12: “There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?”

There is only one Judge—God. No human can claim this authority.

Romans 14:10: “You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.”

We will all stand before God’s judgment seat—not before a human pastor’s judgment seat.

We Have Already Come to Mount Zion

In contrast to SCJ’s teaching that you must find and flee to Mount Zion (SCJ), the Bible teaches that believers have already come to Mount Zion through Christ:

Hebrews 12:22-24: “But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.”

Notice the verb tense: “you have come” (perfect tense). This is an accomplished reality for all believers. Through faith in Christ, we have already come to:

• Mount Zion
• The city of the living God
• The heavenly Jerusalem
• The church of the firstborn
• God, the Judge of all
• Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant

We don’t need to search for Mount Zion among competing organizations. If we’re in Christ, we’re already there.

Galatians 4:26: “But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.”

The Jerusalem above (Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem) is our mother. We belong to it through faith in Christ, not through joining a human organization.

Philippians 3:20: “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Our citizenship is in heaven—the heavenly Jerusalem, Mount Zion. We’re already citizens through Christ.

The Church Is All Believers in Christ

In contrast to SCJ’s teaching that they are the only true church and all others have been destroyed, the Bible teaches that the church is all believers in Christ:

Ephesians 1:22-23: “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”

The church is Christ’s body—all believers everywhere who are united to Him.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13: “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.”

All believers are baptized by one Spirit into one body. The church is not one organization—it’s all believers united to Christ and to each other.

Ephesians 4:4-6: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

There is one body—the universal church of all believers. No single organization can claim to be the exclusive body of Christ.

Matthew 18:20: “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Christ is present wherever believers gather in His name. He’s not exclusively present in one organization.

Salvation Is in Christ Alone

In contrast to SCJ’s teaching that you must be in their organization (the “ark,” “Mount Zion”) to be saved, the Bible teaches that salvation is in Christ alone:

Acts 4:12: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Salvation is in Jesus’ name alone. Not in organizational membership, not in being in the right place, but in Christ alone.

John 14:6: “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'”

Jesus is the way. Not an organization, not a mountain, not a place—Jesus Himself.

John 10:9: “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.”

Jesus is the gate. We enter through Him, not through an organization.

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

Salvation requires faith in Jesus—declaring Him as Lord and believing in His resurrection. It doesn’t require joining SCJ or being in the “right place.”

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—a gift from God. It’s not by being in the right organization or having the right knowledge.

You Have Everything You Need in Christ

If you’ve been drawn into SCJ’s teaching, you may feel:

• Anxious about whether you’re in the ark
• Uncertain about whether your church is Mount Zion
• Confused about whether you need to flee somewhere
• Dependent on SCJ’s teaching and witness
• Fearful about missing salvation
• Alienated from your church community
• Pressured to make a decision about leaving your church

But in Christ, you have everything you need:

You Have Christ as Your Rock and Refuge

You don’t need to find a human “rock” with authority to judge. Christ is your Rock, your refuge, your foundation. He is firm and secure.

You Are an Overcomer

You don’t need to find “the one who overcomes with the white stone.” If you believe in Jesus, you are an overcomer. The victory is yours through faith in Christ.

You Have Already Come to Mount Zion

You don’t need to search for Mount Zion among organizations. If you’re in Christ, you’ve already come to Mount Zion—the heavenly Jerusalem, the spiritual reality of being in God’s presence.

You Are Part of the Church

You don’t need to join SCJ to be part of the true church. If you’re in Christ, you’re already part of His body—the universal church of all believers.

You Have Salvation in Christ

You don’t need to be in a specific organization to be saved. Salvation is in Christ alone, received by grace through faith. If you trust in Jesus, you are saved.

You Have the Holy Spirit

You don’t need SCJ’s “open word” or their teaching that goes “three steps deeper.” You have the Holy Spirit who teaches you and guides you into truth.

You Have Scripture

You don’t need SCJ’s complex interpretations. You have God’s word, which is sufficient to equip you for every good work.

You Have Assurance

You don’t need to test whether you’re in the ark by observing your church. You have assurance of salvation through faith in Christ and the Holy Spirit’s testimony.

An Invitation to Rest in Christ

Jesus offers something far better than SCJ’s mountain, ark, or organization:

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

Jesus’ yoke is easy and His burden is light. He offers rest, not anxiety. Peace, not fear. Simplicity, not complexity.

SCJ offers:

• Anxiety about being in the right place
• Fear about missing the ark
• Complexity requiring months of study
• Dependency on their organization and teaching
• Isolation from your church community
• Pressure to make a decision

Jesus offers:

• Rest for your soul
• Peace with God
• Simple faith in Him
• Freedom in the gospel
• Community with all believers
• Time to grow and mature

John 6:37: “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.”

Jesus will never drive you away. You don’t need to earn your place through months of study or prove you’re in the right organization. You simply come to Him by faith, and He receives you.

John 10:27-29: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”

If you’re in Christ, no one can snatch you out of His hand. You don’t need to fear missing the ark or being in the wrong place. You’re secure in Christ.

If you’re seeking God’s will for your life, the answer is simple: Come to Jesus. Trust in Him. Follow Him. Love Him. Serve Him. That’s God’s will.

You don’t need to flee to a human organization. You need to flee to Christ, who is your Rock, your Refuge, your Mountain, your Hope, your Life.

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Part 11: Conclusion and Call to Action

The Critical Moment

Lesson 45 represents one of the most critical and dangerous moments in SCJ’s indoctrination process. After over five months of study, students are explicitly told:

• Their church is “the mountain that betrayed”
• SCJ is “Mount Zion,” the mountain of salvation
• They must flee from their church to SCJ
• They can test whether they’re in the ark by observing their church
• If people at their church live normal lives, they’re NOT in the ark
• SCJ has the “open word” that other churches don’t have
• There’s “one who overcomes with the white stone” (Lee Man-hee) they must find
• Time is running out—like Noah’s ark, the door will close

This is the moment when students are commanded to make a complete break from their church and commit fully to SCJ. The psychological pressure is intense, the fear is real, and the isolation is profound.

But the mountain is a mirage. The ark is a deception. And the commitment being demanded is not to God, but to a human organization that has been manipulative from the beginning.

For Current Students: This is your moment to pause, investigate, and reclaim your discernment. You’ve been told that your church has betrayed God and you must flee to SCJ. But have you tested that claim against Scripture read in context? Have you researched SCJ online? Have you talked with your pastor? Have you asked why the organization’s name is still hidden after five months? Don’t let fear and urgency push you into a decision you’ll regret for years.

For Families: This is a critical moment to reach out with maximum urgency and love. Your loved one is being told to leave their church and join SCJ. They’re experiencing intense pressure and fear. They need your voice of truth and reason. Don’t give up.

For Pastors: This is a critical moment to intervene with pastoral urgency. Church members are being told that your church has betrayed God and they must flee. They need clear biblical teaching, personal outreach, and pastoral care. Act immediately.

The Path Forward

If you’re in SCJ’s study:

1. Stop and investigate before making any decisions. Don’t let fear or urgency push you. Research “Shincheonji” online. Read testimonies from former members. Visit https://closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination.
2. Talk with your pastor immediately. Share what you’ve been learning and get biblical perspective from a trusted Christian leader who knows you and cares about you. Don’t hide your involvement.
3. Ask the hard questions listed in this analysis. If your instructor can’t answer them satisfactorily or becomes defensive, that’s a red flag.
4. Read Scripture in context. Don’t just accept SCJ’s interpretations. Read Hebrews 12:22-24, Matthew 16:18, 1 John 5:4-5, and other passages yourself and see what they naturally mean.
5. Recognize the manipulation. The teaching that your church has betrayed God is designed to isolate you. The “ark test” is designed to make you conclude your church isn’t the ark. The fear about missing salvation is designed to create urgency. These are manipulation tactics, not biblical teaching.
6. Reconnect with your church. Resist the isolation by attending worship, participating in community, and sharing your struggles with trusted believers.
7. Know you can leave. You’re not trapped. Five months is significant, but it’s better to lose five months than to lose years or decades. God’s love for you doesn’t depend on completing this study or joining this organization.

If you’re helping someone in SCJ:

1. Act with maximum urgency. Lesson 45 is the moment when they’re told to leave their church. Reach out immediately.
2. Ask probing questions. Help them think critically without attacking them personally. Use the questions provided in this analysis.
3. Provide resources. Share this analysis and materials from closerlookinitiative.com. Direct them to former member testimonies.
4. Contact their pastor. The pastor needs to know immediately that a member is being told to leave the church.
5. Express clear boundaries. Love them without enabling their involvement. Make clear you cannot support them leaving their church for SCJ.
6. Pray fervently. Spiritual deception requires spiritual intervention. Pray for their eyes to be opened and for courage to leave.
7. Don’t give up. Many people recognize deception at this point when they research, ask questions, or talk with their pastor. Your faithful presence matters.

If you’ve left SCJ:

1. Know you made the right decision. It took courage and wisdom to recognize deception and walk away, especially after five months of investment.
2. Process the experience. Allow yourself to grieve the time, relationships, and energy invested. Seek counseling if needed to process the psychological impact.
3. Reconnect with Christ. Return to the simple gospel—salvation by grace through faith in Jesus alone. You don’t need complex interpretations or organizational membership. You need Jesus.
4. Rebuild community. Reconnect with your church. Share your experience with your pastor. Find healing in Christian community.
5. Use your experience. Your story can help others recognize and avoid deception. Consider sharing your testimony to warn others.
6. Be patient with yourself. Recovery takes time. You’ve been through psychological and spiritual manipulation. Give yourself grace as you rebuild your understanding and trust.

The True Hope

The true hope for believers is not fleeing to a human organization (the “mountain” or “ark”). The true hope is Jesus Christ Himself:

Colossians 1:27: “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

Christ in you—not an organization, not a mountain, not a place—is the hope of glory.

1 Timothy 1:1: “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope.”

Christ Jesus is our hope. Not a mountain. Not an organization. Not a human leader. Christ Himself.

Titus 2:13: “while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Our blessed hope is the appearing of Jesus Christ. We don’t need to flee to a human organization. We wait for Christ’s return with confidence and joy.

Hebrews 6:19: “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.”

This hope—Jesus Christ—is an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. You don’t need SCJ’s mountain or ark. You have Christ.

Final Words

The mountain that SCJ offers may seem necessary—it promises to be God’s will, the place of safety, the answer to all your questions, the place where the Lamb dwells. But it’s a false mountain that creates dependency, anxiety, fear, isolation, and bondage.

The mountain that God offers is different—it’s Christ Himself, the Rock of Ages, the firm foundation, the eternal refuge. He doesn’t require five months of study to reach. He doesn’t hide His identity. He doesn’t create fear and urgency. He doesn’t isolate you from Christian community. He simply invites: “Come to me.”

Matthew 7:24-25: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”

Build your life on the Rock—Jesus Christ. Not on an organization. Not on human interpretations. Not on a witness’s testimony. Not on being in the right place. On Christ alone.

He is the true mountain, the eternal refuge, the firm foundation, the living Stone, the precious cornerstone. And He invites you to come—right now, just as you are, by faith alone.

You don’t need to flee to SCJ. You need to flee to Christ.

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Additional Resources

For more information about SCJ’s teachings and how to respond:

“Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story” – Complete 30-chapter analysis providing biblical, theological, and psychological frameworks for understanding and responding to SCJ.

Closer Look Initiative – Visit https://closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination for comprehensive resources, including:

• Detailed examination of SCJ’s theology
• Testimonies from former members
• Guidance for families and churches
• Biblical refutations of specific SCJ teachings
• Support and recovery resources

Key Chapters from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims” Referenced in This Analysis:

• Chapter 9: “The Gospel According to Shincheonji (And Why It’s Not the Gospel)”
• Chapter 11: “The Church: Christ’s Body or Organizational Franchise?”
• Chapter 13: “The Psychology of Deception: Why Smart People Fall for False Teaching”
• Chapter 15: “The Sealed Book, the Open Book, and the Fully Sufficient Book”
• Chapter 18: “The Real Test of Authority”
• Chapter 19: “The Promised Pastor: Messianic Claims and Biblical Reality”
• Chapter 28: “Hope and Help—Guidance for Members, Families, Christians, and Seekers”

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This refutation was prepared using the frameworks and principles from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” a comprehensive 30-chapter analysis of Shincheonji’s theology and practices. The analysis applies biblical, theological, and psychological lenses to examine SCJ’s teaching methods and doctrinal claims, always with the goal of pointing people back to the simple, life-giving gospel of Jesus Christ.

May God grant wisdom and discernment to all who seek truth. May those who have been drawn into deceptive teaching recognize the manipulation and return to Christ, the true Rock and Refuge. May families be reunited, churches be strengthened, and the body of Christ be protected from false teaching. And may Jesus Christ—the true Mountain, the eternal Foundation, the Rock of Ages, the living Stone, the precious Cornerstone—be glorified in all things.

“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2)