Analysis of Shincheonji Bible Study Lesson 82: “God’s Food and Satan’s Food”

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

Introduction

Shincheonji Church of Jesus (SCJ) Lesson 82 presents a teaching on “God’s Food and Satan’s Food,” using the metaphor of eating spiritual food to distinguish between true and false teaching. While the concept of spiritual nourishment is biblical, this lesson demonstrates SCJ’s pattern of taking legitimate biblical themes and redirecting them toward their organization and leader.

This analysis will examine the lesson through the framework of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” distinguishing biblical truth from SCJ’s distinctive interpretations using biblical, theological, and psychological lenses.

For comprehensive refutation of SCJ teachings and additional resources, please visit closerlookinitiative.com and check their SCJ Examination section.

Part 1: The Opening Framework – Setting the Stage

What the Lesson Says:

“In this class, we don’t make predictions. We state what has been fulfilled and what we are to expect according to Scripture. However, what we don’t do is say it will be like this, maybe… This is a distinction I really want you to start paying attention to, especially if you’re still hearing words from around the place. Are these people making predictions, or are they testifying to what has been fulfilled?”

Analysis from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims”:

Chapter 5 discusses how SCJ creates a false dichotomy between “prediction” and “testimony,” positioning themselves as the only ones who truly understand fulfilled prophecy.

The Manipulation:

1. Creates artificial distinction: Implies that traditional Christian eschatology is mere “prediction” while SCJ offers “testimony of fulfillment”
2. Undermines other teachers: “If you’re still hearing words from around the place” subtly dismisses other Christian teaching
3. Claims certainty: “We state what has been fulfilled” with “great confidence”
4. Sets up dependency: Only SCJ can tell you what has truly been fulfilled

The Problem:

This opening statement creates a false sense of authority and certainty. The instructor claims they don’t make predictions, only testify to fulfillment, but then proceeds to make numerous interpretive claims about Revelation that cannot be independently verified.

Biblical Response:

• Acts 1:6-7: “So when they met together, they asked him, ‘Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.'”
  • Jesus discouraged speculation about prophetic timing
• Matthew 24:36: “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
  • Even Jesus didn’t claim to know all prophetic details
• 1 Thessalonians 5:21: “Test everything; hold fast what is good.”
  • We should test all teachings, including claims about fulfilled prophecy
• 1 John 4:1: “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
  • Testing includes testing claims about prophetic fulfillment

The Reality:

SCJ’s claims about Revelation’s fulfillment in their organization are themselves interpretive predictions that cannot be verified by outside observers. They’re asking students to accept their interpretation as fact while dismissing all other views as mere speculation.

Part 2: The Concept of Spiritual Food – What’s Biblical vs. What’s SCJ

What’s Biblical:

The concept of spiritual nourishment through God’s Word is thoroughly biblical:

Biblical Passages on Spiritual Food:

1. Deuteronomy 8:3: “He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”
2. Matthew 4:4: “Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”‘”
3. John 6:35: “Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'”
4. 1 Peter 2:2: “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.”
5. Hebrews 5:12-14: “In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”

Biblical Truth: God’s Word nourishes our spirits, and we need spiritual food to grow in faith.

Where SCJ Diverges:

What the Lesson Says:

“Spiritual food is not consumed through the mouth but through the ears… Just as good physical food gives life to the flesh, good spiritual food gives life to the spirit.”

So Far, So Good. But then:

“At the second coming, the picture is quite similar. God’s food is promised to be given in the time of Revelation. It goes by a few different names. In Revelation 2:17, it is called the hidden manna. It is the food that John is told to eat, the revealed or opened word that he is instructed to eat in Revelation 10:8-11.”

The Shift:

The lesson moves from the general biblical principle (God’s Word nourishes) to a specific SCJ claim (only SCJ has the “revealed word” for this era).

Analysis from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims”:

Chapter 6 examines how SCJ uses “loaded language” – taking biblical terms and filling them with SCJ-specific meanings.

The Redefinition:

• Biblical: “Hidden manna” = Christ Himself or spiritual blessings from Christ
• SCJ: “Hidden manna” = SCJ’s specific interpretation of Revelation given through Lee Man-hee

Biblical Understanding of “Hidden Manna”:

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:

1. Written to the church in Pergamum (Revelation 2:12) – a specific first-century church
2. Promise to “the one who is victorious” – individual believers who overcome
3. Manna as symbol of Christ: John 6:48-51 – “I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven.”

Traditional Christian Interpretation:

• Hidden manna = Christ Himself, the true bread from heaven
• White stone = Acquittal, acceptance, or new identity in Christ
• New name = Intimate relationship with God

SCJ’s Interpretation:

• Hidden manna = Their specific teachings about Revelation’s fulfillment
• Given through one person = Lee Man-hee as the one who received and distributes it
• Organizational access = Only available through SCJ

The Problem:

By redefining “hidden manna” as their specific teachings rather than Christ Himself, SCJ:

1. Shifts focus from Christ to their organization
2. Creates dependency on their interpretation
3. Implies that other Christians don’t have access to this “food”
4. Makes salvation contingent on accepting their teachings

Part 3: The Two Trees – Biblical Foundation Misapplied

What the Lesson Says:

“In the Garden of Eden, there were two types of trees that provided food appealing to the eye. Generally, there were two kinds of trees: the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil… The fruit represents words.”

Biblical Foundation:

Genesis 2:9: “And the Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”

Genesis 2:16-17: “And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.'”

Genesis 3:22: “And the Lord God said, ‘The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.'”

What’s Biblical:

1. Two trees existed in Eden ✓
2. Eating from the forbidden tree brought death ✓
3. The tree of life offers eternal life ✓
4. This has spiritual significance ✓

Where SCJ Adds Their Spin:

What the Lesson Says:

“The fruit represents words… Eve was not deceived by a thing that sparkled. She was deceived by words.”

Then later:

“Tree of Life in every Era:

1. God (Genesis)
2. Jesus → Jesus’s disciples (First Coming)
3. Jesus → New John and the 12 tribes (Second Coming)”

Analysis from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims”:

Chapter 11 examines how SCJ creates patterns in Scripture that lead to their organization and leader.

The Pattern Creation:

1. Step 1: Establish biblical principle (trees = sources of spiritual nourishment)
2. Step 2: Create a pattern across eras (tree of life appears in each age)
3. Step 3: Apply to present (SCJ is the tree of life today)
4. Step 4: Identify opposition (all other churches are the tree of knowledge of good and evil)

The Problems:

Problem #1: “Fruit = Words” is Partially True but Misapplied

What Jesus Actually Said:

Matthew 12:33-37: “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.”

Context:

• Jesus was using a metaphor to describe people and their words
• He was not reinterpreting Genesis 2-3
• The Genesis trees were literal trees in a literal garden
• The fruit was literal fruit that had spiritual consequences

The Distinction:

• Jesus’ metaphor: People are like trees; their words are like fruit
• Genesis account: Actual trees with actual fruit that represented a test of obedience
• SCJ’s conflation: Mixes the metaphor with the literal account to create their interpretation

Biblical Scholars’ Understanding:

The tree of the knowledge of good and evil represented:

• A test of obedience – Would Adam and Eve trust God’s word?
• Moral autonomy – The desire to determine good and evil independently from God
• Rebellion – Choosing one’s own way over God’s clear command

Genesis 3:5-6: “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it.”

The Real Issue:

• Not: Eve was deceived by false teaching (though the serpent did lie)
• But: Eve chose to disobey God’s clear command because she desired to be like God

Problem #2: “New John” as the Tree of Life

What the Lesson Says:

“At the second coming, the tree of life is the new John who is being used by Jesus and the 12 tribes.”

Analysis:

“New John” is SCJ’s term for Lee Man-hee, whom they believe is the fulfillment of John in Revelation.

Biblical Response:

Revelation 22:1-2: “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.”

Key Points:

1. The tree of life is in the New Jerusalem – The eternal city that comes down from heaven
2. It’s by the river flowing from God’s throne – In God’s direct presence
3. It bears fruit continuously – Twelve crops, one each month
4. Its leaves heal the nations – Universal blessing

The tree of life is not a person or organization; it’s part of the eternal paradise God will create.

Additional Context:

Revelation 22:14: “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.”

• Access to the tree of life = Entering eternal life with God
• Requirement = Washed robes (cleansed by Christ’s blood, Revelation 7:14)
• Not = Membership in a specific organization

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 to eternal life, not any human leader or organization

Problem #3: Other Churches as “Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil”

What the Lesson Says:

“Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil:

1. Satan, the demons
2. False teachers and their congregation members”

Then later:

“At the second coming, who represents the tree of knowledge of good and evil? Satan, demons, false teachers, and their congregation members.”

The Implication:

All churches outside SCJ are the “tree of knowledge of good and evil” – they’re feeding people poison that leads to spiritual death.

Analysis from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims”:

Chapter 15 examines how SCJ creates an us-vs-them mentality by demonizing all other Christian groups.

The Problems:

1. Sweeping condemnation: All non-SCJ churches and their members are lumped together as Satan’s tools
2. No nuance: No recognition that other churches preach the gospel, worship Jesus, serve communities
3. Self-elevation: Only SCJ has the “tree of life”
4. Justifies separation: Creates rationale for leaving one’s church and cutting off relationships

Biblical Response:

Matthew 7:15-20: “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”

How to Identify False Teachers (Biblical Criteria):

1. Their doctrine about Christ:
   • 1 John 4:2-3: “This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God.”
   • 2 John 1:7: “Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.”
2. Their lifestyle:
   • Matthew 7:16: “By their fruit you will recognize them”
   • Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control”
3. Their teaching about salvation:
   • Galatians 1:8-9: “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!”
4. Their character and motives:
   • 2 Peter 2:1-3: “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them… In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories”

The Question:

Do traditional Christian churches:

• Preach Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior? Yes
• Teach salvation by grace through faith? Yes
• Worship the Triune God? Yes
• Serve their communities? Yes
• Display the fruit of the Spirit? Often, yes

Do they have perfect understanding of every prophetic detail? No – but neither does any human organization, including SCJ.

The Real Issue:

SCJ condemns other churches not for denying Christ or preaching a false gospel, but simply for not accepting SCJ’s specific interpretation of Revelation. This is not a biblical criterion for identifying false teaching.

Part 4: John 6 – Eating Jesus’ Flesh and Drinking His Blood

What the Lesson Says:

“Jesus aimed to convey this point to the people. After performing the physical miracle of feeding them physically, Jesus intended to feed them spiritually. However, they were not truly ready for his spiritual food, nor did they ask for it, nor did they return to receive more.”

Biblical Foundation:

The lesson correctly identifies that John 6 moves from physical feeding (5,000 people) to spiritual teaching (eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking His blood).

John 6:53-58: “Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, yet they died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.'”

What’s Biblical:

1. Jesus is the bread of life ✓
2. We must “eat” His words/teaching ✓
3. This gives eternal life ✓
4. Many rejected this teaching ✓

What the Lesson Misses:

The Full Context of John 6:

John 6:35: “Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'”

John 6:40: “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.'”

John 6:47: “Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.”

Key Point:

“Eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking His blood” is explained by Jesus Himself as believing in Him.

The Equation:

• Eating Jesus’ flesh = Coming to Jesus + Believing in Him
• Drinking Jesus’ blood = Looking to the Son + Believing in Him
• Result = Eternal life + Resurrection at the last day

What Jesus Was Teaching:

1. He is the source of eternal life – Not just a teacher, but the very sustenance of spiritual life
2. We must receive Him personally – “Eating” and “drinking” are intimate, personal acts
3. Belief in Him is essential – The metaphor points to faith in Christ
4. He will raise believers at the last day – Future bodily resurrection

What SCJ Does:

The lesson uses John 6 to establish the concept of “spiritual food” (correct) but then redirects it:

• From: Believing in Jesus Christ
• To: Accepting SCJ’s interpretation of Revelation

The Subtle Shift:

“To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. There’s nowhere else for us to go. That’s the mindset of one who has realized the nourishing food they are now receiving.”

Then later:

“It was the mindset just like Peter’s when we hear the open word. We need to feel just like Peter.”

The Manipulation:

1. Peter’s statement was about Jesus personally: “Lord, to whom shall we go?”
2. SCJ applies it to their organization: “Where else can we go for the open word?”
3. Creates equivalence between rejecting SCJ and rejecting Jesus

Biblical Response:

John 6:68-69: “Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.'”

Peter’s Confession:

• “You” = Jesus Christ personally
• “You have the words of eternal life” = Jesus Himself, not an organization
• “You are the Holy One of God” = Recognizing Jesus’ divine identity

The Difference:

• Biblical: Nowhere to go but to Jesus Christ
• SCJ: Nowhere to go but to SCJ’s teachings

This is a crucial distinction that shifts ultimate allegiance from Christ to an organization.

Part 5: The Pharisees as the “Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil”

What the Lesson Says:

“The tree of life or the tree of the knowledge of good and evil had appeared again. And so, people at that time had to make a decision: Will we eat the true words or continue receiving the lies?… The tree of life appeared again. But that means that the tree of the knowledge of good and evil also appeared again. What form did the tree of the knowledge of good and evil take? The Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the teachers of the law.”

Analysis from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims”:

Chapter 14 examines how SCJ uses the Pharisees as a template to condemn modern churches.

The Pattern:

1. Pharisees rejected Jesus = Religious leaders of their day rejected God’s truth
2. Modern churches reject SCJ = Religious leaders today are rejecting God’s truth
3. Therefore: Modern churches = Modern Pharisees

The Problems with This Comparison:

Problem #1: The Pharisees’ Actual Sins

Matthew 23 lists Jesus’ condemnations of the Pharisees:

1. Verse 3: “They do not practice what they preach”
2. Verse 4: “They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders”
3. Verse 13: “You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces”
4. Verse 23: “You have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness”
5. Verse 25: “You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence”
6. Verse 27: “You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead”
7. Verse 28: “On the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness”

The Pharisees’ Core Problem:

• Hypocrisy: Outward righteousness, inward corruption
• Adding burdens: Making religion harder than God intended
• Greed and self-indulgence: Using religion for personal gain
• Neglecting justice and mercy: Focusing on rules while ignoring love
• Shutting the kingdom: Preventing people from entering God’s kingdom

The Question:

Are traditional Christian churches guilty of these things simply because they don’t accept SCJ’s interpretation of Revelation? No.

Problem #2: Who Actually Resembles the Pharisees?

Let’s compare:

Pharisees:

• Claimed exclusive understanding of Scripture ✓
• Added requirements beyond faith for righteousness ✓
• Created insider/outsider groups ✓
• Used fear and guilt to control ✓
• Elevated their leaders to special status ✓
• Condemned those who disagreed ✓

SCJ:

• Claims exclusive understanding of Revelation (“open word”) ✓
• Adds requirement of accepting their interpretation for salvation ✓
• Creates wheat/weeds, light/darkness divisions ✓
• Uses fear of being “burned” or “judged” ✓
• Elevates Lee Man-hee to unique prophetic status ✓
• Condemns all other churches as “tree of knowledge of good and evil” ✓

Traditional Christian Churches:

• Preach salvation by grace through faith in Christ ✓
• Don’t claim to have all prophetic details figured out ✓
• Recognize unity with other believers in Christ ✓
• Focus on gospel, not organizational loyalty ✓
• Point to Christ, not human leaders ✓
• Welcome dialogue and questions ✓

The Irony:

SCJ accuses others of being Pharisees while exhibiting many Pharisaical characteristics themselves.

Problem #3: Jesus’ Actual Criticism

Matthew 23:15: “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you do, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.”

The lesson quotes this verse, then says:

“You Pharisees, you brood of vipers. How will you escape being condemned to hell? You will travel over land and sea, meaning that you have much zeal, tons of zeal. And you will make a lot of effort to win a single convert. When you do, you do not make that person someone who has life. Instead, you make that person die. You make those people sons of hell.”

The Application:

The lesson implies this describes traditional churches. But let’s examine who this actually describes:

The Pharisees made converts “sons of hell” by:

1. Teaching salvation by works rather than by grace
2. Adding human traditions to God’s requirements
3. Creating self-righteousness rather than humble faith
4. Focusing on external compliance rather than heart transformation

Who Does This Today?

Traditional Christianity teaches:

• Salvation by grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9)
• Freedom in Christ (Galatians 5:1)
• The sufficiency of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
• Direct access to God through Christ (Hebrews 4:16)

SCJ teaches:

• Salvation requires accepting their interpretation of Revelation
• Freedom comes through understanding their “open word”
• Scripture needs their special revelation to be understood
• Access to God’s kingdom requires their organization

The Question:

Who is adding requirements to the simple gospel? Who is making converts dependent on organizational knowledge rather than simple faith in Christ?

Part 6: The Second Coming Application – The Real Agenda

What the Lesson Says:

“At the second coming, the picture is quite similar. God’s food is promised to be given in the time of Revelation. It goes by a few different names. In Revelation 2:17, it is called the hidden manna. It is the food that John is told to eat, the revealed or opened word that he is instructed to eat in Revelation 10:8-11.”

Then:

“Peoples, congregations, nations, churches. Languages, doctrines, kings, pastors. They all need to hear what is taking place. So that they can flee.”

Analysis from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims”:

Chapter 13 examines SCJ’s “harvest” doctrine and how it’s used to recruit from other churches.

The Framework:

1. God’s food at the second coming = SCJ’s teachings
2. Satan’s food at the second coming = All other church teachings
3. People must “flee” = Leave their churches and join SCJ
4. “Come out of Babylon” = Come out of traditional Christianity

The Verses Used:

Revelation 10:8-11: “Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: ‘Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.’ So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, ‘Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but “in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.”‘ I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. Then I was told, ‘You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings.'”

Revelation 18:4: “Then I heard another voice from heaven say: ‘Come out of her, my people,’ so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues.”

SCJ’s Interpretation:

• John eating the scroll = Lee Man-hee receiving revelation from Jesus
• “Prophesy again” = Lee Man-hee teaching about Revelation’s fulfillment
• “Peoples, nations, languages, kings” = Churches and pastors who must hear
• “Come out of her” = Leave traditional churches and join SCJ
• “Babylon” = All Christianity except SCJ

Biblical Context:

Revelation 10 Context:

1. John himself is the one eating the scroll in his vision
2. This is part of John’s prophetic experience recorded in Revelation
3. “Prophesy again” refers to John continuing to write Revelation
4. The scroll contains God’s judgments that will be bitter to experience but sweet to know God’s justice will prevail

Revelation 18 Context:

Revelation 17:1-5 identifies Babylon:

“One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, ‘Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.’ Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. The name written on her forehead was a mystery: BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”

Traditional Interpretations of Babylon:

1. Historical Rome: The Roman Empire that persecuted Christians
2. Apostate religion: False religious systems that oppose God
3. Worldly systems: Political/economic systems opposed to God’s kingdom
4. End-times coalition: A future alliance against God’s people

What Babylon is NOT:

• Churches that preach the gospel of Jesus Christ
• Believers who worship the Triune God
• Christians who trust in Christ alone for salvation

The Characteristics of Babylon (Revelation 17-18):

1. Commits adultery with kings (17:2) – Political/religious alliance
2. Intoxicates earth’s inhabitants (17:2) – Deceives the whole world
3. Persecutes believers (17:6) – “Drunk with the blood of God’s holy people”
4. Engages in commerce (18:3) – “The merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries”
5. Lives in luxury (18:7) – “She glorified herself and lived in luxury”
6. Claims to be invincible (18:7) – “I sit enthroned as queen. I am not a widow; I will never mourn”

The Question:

Do traditional Christian churches:

• Form political alliances to persecute believers? No
• Deceive the whole world? No (they preach the gospel)
• Persecute God’s people? No (they ARE God’s people)
• Focus on wealth and luxury? Some do, but this isn’t characteristic of most
• Claim invincibility? No

The Reality:

Babylon represents systems and powers opposed to God, not faithful Christian churches that preach Christ crucified and risen.

Part 7: Psychological Manipulation Techniques

Technique #1: Creating Binary Choices

What the Lesson Does:

“Have we come out yet? Or are we trying to dip our toe into both? Are we eating both foods? Have we not realized where Satan’s food is yet? At this point, we need to realize these things. Now is the time to realize.”

Analysis from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims”:

Chapter 18 discusses how SCJ uses false dichotomies to pressure decision-making.

The Binary:

• Option A: Eat God’s food (SCJ’s teachings) exclusively
• Option B: Eat Satan’s food (any other teaching) and die

No Middle Ground:

• Can’t test SCJ’s teachings while remaining in your church
• Can’t take time to discern
• Can’t maintain relationships with non-SCJ Christians
• Must choose NOW

The Pressure:

1. Urgency: “Now is the time to realize”
2. Fear: “Satan’s food” leads to death
3. Guilt: “Are we trying to dip our toe into both?”
4. Shame: “Have we not realized yet?”

Biblical Response:

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

• Testing takes time
• Discernment requires wisdom
• Rushing decisions leads to mistakes

Proverbs 14:15: “The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.”

• Wisdom means careful consideration
• Not impulsive decisions based on pressure

Acts 17:11: “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”

• Even apostolic teaching was tested
• Daily examination over time
• Checking against Scripture

The Truth:

Healthy teaching welcomes testing and doesn’t pressure immediate, all-or-nothing decisions.

Technique #2: Redefining Peter’s Confession

What the Lesson Does:

“To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. There’s nowhere else for us to go. That’s the mindset of one who has realized the nourishing food they are now receiving… It was the mindset just like Peter’s when we hear the open word. We need to feel just like Peter.”

Analysis from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims”:

Chapter 10 examines how SCJ redirects devotion from Christ to their organization.

The Original:

John 6:68-69: “Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.'”

Peter’s Statement:

• Addressed to Jesus personally: “Lord, to whom shall we go?”
• About Jesus’ identity: “You are the Holy One of God”
• About Jesus’ words: “You have the words of eternal life”
• Personal relationship: Direct address to Jesus

SCJ’s Application:

• Applied to their organization: “Where else can we go?”
• About their interpretation: “The open word”
• About their teachings: “The nourishing food they are now receiving”
• Organizational dependency: Can’t leave SCJ

The Manipulation:

By applying Peter’s confession to their organization, SCJ:

1. Equates leaving SCJ with leaving Jesus
2. Makes organizational loyalty = faithfulness to Christ
3. Creates emotional bond to organization using Scripture about Christ
4. Prevents critical examination (leaving = abandoning Jesus)

Biblical Response:

1 Corinthians 3:11: “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

• Christ is the foundation, not any organization

Colossians 2:6-8: “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 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.”

• Our life is in Christ, not an organization
• Beware of being taken captive by human tradition

Hebrews 12:2: “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”

• Our eyes should be on Jesus, not a human leader or organization

Technique #3: The “Discernment” Trap

What the Lesson Does:

“We have to be discerning at this time. We know Satan likes to copy, so when his words are coming out, they sound almost like God’s words. But if we do not have the spirit of discernment, we can intake that and think it is God’s word. Let’s be those who are discerning, so our spirits will not die at this time.”

Analysis from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims”:

Chapter 21 examines how SCJ uses the language of discernment while actually discouraging it.

The Irony:

The lesson calls for “discernment” while:

1. Defining all other teachings as Satan’s food – No actual discernment needed
2. Claiming only SCJ has God’s food – Pre-determined conclusion
3. Pressuring immediate acceptance – No time for real discernment
4. Equating questioning SCJ with lacking discernment – Discernment = agreeing with SCJ

Real Biblical Discernment:

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

Biblical Discernment Tests:

1. Does it acknowledge Jesus Christ?
   • His deity
   • His humanity
   • His death and resurrection
   • His sufficiency for salvation
2. Does it align with Scripture?
   • Consistent with biblical teaching
   • Doesn’t contradict clear passages
   • Interprets Scripture in context
3. Does it produce good fruit?
   • Love, joy, peace (Galatians 5:22-23)
   • Unity among believers (John 17:21)
   • Freedom in Christ (Galatians 5:1)
   • Humility and service (Philippians 2:3-4)
4. Does it point to Christ or to an organization/person?
   • John 16:14: “He will glorify me”
   • 2 Corinthians 4:5: “We do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord”

Applying Discernment to SCJ:

1. Does SCJ acknowledge Jesus Christ?
   • They claim to, but they elevate Lee Man-hee to a position that rivals Christ
   • They make salvation dependent on accepting their teachings, not just faith in Christ
   • They identify their leader as the “male child” of Revelation 12 (traditionally understood as Christ)
2. Does SCJ align with Scripture?
   • They spiritualize clear physical prophecies
   • They claim Revelation has been fulfilled in their organization (unverifiable)
   • They redefine biblical terms with their own meanings
3. Does SCJ produce good fruit?
   • Divides families and churches
   • Creates fear and anxiety about salvation
   • Produces dependency rather than freedom
   • Elevates human leaders
4. Does SCJ point to Christ or to their organization?
   • Constant focus on their “fulfilled” prophecies
   • Emphasis on Lee Man-hee’s unique role
   • Salvation tied to organizational membership and understanding

The Real Discernment Question:

If we apply biblical discernment to SCJ’s teachings, what do we find?

Part 8: The “Come Out of Babylon” Doctrine

What the Lesson Says:

“All nations are mad and drunk on lies and false hopes. So they need to come out. Not just some people, but all people. No one is exempt from having to flee from her. Because God said, ‘Come out of her, my people.'”

Analysis from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims”:

Chapter 16 examines how SCJ uses “Come out of Babylon” to justify recruiting from other churches.

The Application:

1. Babylon = All churches except SCJ
2. “Come out” = Leave your church and join SCJ
3. “My people” = Christians in other churches who must leave
4. Universal application = Everyone must leave their church

Biblical Context:

Revelation 18:4-5: “Then I heard another voice from heaven say: ‘Come out of her, my people,’ so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.”

Context of Revelation 18:

Revelation 18:2-3: “With a mighty voice he shouted: ‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’ She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal. For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.'”

Babylon’s Characteristics:

1. Dwelling for demons (v.2)
2. Haunt for impure spirits (v.2)
3. Deceives all nations (v.3)
4. Political alliances (v.3)
5. Excessive luxury and commerce (v.3)
6. Persecutes believers (v.24): “In her was found the blood of prophets and of God’s holy people”

The Question:

Do faithful Christian churches:

• Dwell with demons? No
• Deceive nations? No (they preach the gospel)
• Form corrupt political alliances? No
• Focus on excessive luxury? Not characteristically
• Persecute believers? No (they ARE believers)

Historical Interpretations:

1. Rome: The Roman Empire that persecuted early Christians
2. Apostate systems: Religious/political systems that oppose God
3. End-times power: A future coalition against God’s people
4. Worldly systems: Economic/political structures opposed to God

What Babylon is NOT:

• Churches that preach Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior
• Believers who trust in Christ alone for salvation
• Communities that worship the Triune God

The Problem with SCJ’s Interpretation:

By identifying all non-SCJ churches as “Babylon,” SCJ:

1. Condemns faithful Christians as part of a demonic system
2. Ignores the actual characteristics of Babylon in Revelation
3. Creates justification for sheep-stealing
4. Divides the body of Christ rather than building unity
5. Elevates their organization as the only safe place

Biblical Response:

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.”

• The body of Christ is ONE, with many parts
• All believers are part of this body
• Unity comes through the Spirit, not organizational membership

Ephesians 4:3-6: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

• ONE body (not many competing organizations)
• ONE faith (faith in Christ)
• ONE Lord (Jesus Christ)
• Unity is to be maintained, not destroyed

John 17:20-21: “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

• Jesus prayed for unity among all believers
• This unity testifies to the world
• Division contradicts Jesus’ prayer

The Reality:

SCJ’s “Come out of Babylon” teaching creates division in the body of Christ, contradicting Jesus’ prayer for unity and the biblical teaching about the one body.

Part 9: The Questions at the End – Reinforcing Dependency

What the Lesson Does:

The lesson ends with review questions:

“3. For the second coming, what is God’s food and what is Satan’s food?

• God’s food = Hidden Manna (Food at the Proper Time)
• Satan’s Food = wine of adulteries (fruit of tree of knowledge of good and evil)”

“6. How can we eat God’s food today? (according to the promise)

• Matthew 24:45-47, through the faithful and wise servant who Jesus gives the food at the proper time to.”

Analysis from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims”:

Chapter 23 examines how SCJ uses review questions to reinforce their interpretations and create dependency.

The Framework:

1. God’s food = SCJ’s teachings (the “hidden manna”)
2. Satan’s food = All other teachings
3. How to get God’s food = Through the “faithful and wise servant” (Lee Man-hee)

The Verse Used:

Matthew 24:45-47: “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 whom the master finds doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.”

SCJ’s Interpretation:

• The faithful and wise servant = Lee Man-hee
• The food at the proper time = SCJ’s teachings about Revelation
• The household = SCJ organization
• Put in charge of all possessions = Lee Man-hee’s authority over the church

Biblical Context:

The Parable’s Context (Matthew 24:36-51):

This parable is part of Jesus’ teaching about His return and the need for readiness.

Key Points:

1. “Who then is…” – This is a question, not an identification
2. The parable describes characteristics of faithful servants, not one specific person
3. The emphasis is on faithfulness while waiting for the master’s return
4. The warning is against unfaithfulness (verses 48-51)

Matthew 24:48-51: “But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

The Parable’s Point:

• Be faithful while waiting for Christ’s return
• Serve others with the gifts God has given
• Don’t abuse authority or become complacent
• Be ready for Christ’s unexpected return

The Parable is NOT:

• An identification of one specific person in the future
• A prophecy about Lee Man-hee
• A justification for one person’s exclusive authority

Traditional Christian Understanding:

This parable applies to:

• All Christian leaders who are called to faithfully serve
• All believers who are called to use their gifts
• The church corporately as it awaits Christ’s return

The Problem with SCJ’s Interpretation:

1. Identifies one person when the parable describes characteristics
2. Creates dependency on that one person for “food”
3. Ignores the warning about unfaithful servants
4. Makes salvation dependent on recognizing this one person

Biblical Response:

1 Corinthians 4:1-2: “This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”

• “Us” – plural, multiple servants
• All entrusted servants must be faithful
• Not one exclusive servant

1 Peter 4:10: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

• Each of you – all believers
• Whatever gift – various gifts, not one exclusive role
• Faithful stewards – plural

Ephesians 4:11-12: “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”

• Multiple roles – apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers
• Purpose – equip all believers for service
• Goal – build up the whole body

Part 10: Key Questions for Reflection

For Those Studying with SCJ:

On Spiritual Food:

1. Does the Bible teach that only one organization has “God’s food,” or that God’s Word is available to all believers?
2. In John 6, does Jesus say “eat my flesh and drink my blood” means accepting a specific interpretation of Revelation, or does He equate it with believing in Him?
3. Does 2 Timothy 3:16-17 say Scripture is sufficient to equip believers, or that we need additional “open word” revelation?

On the Tree of Life:

1. In Revelation 22, is the tree of life a person/organization, or is it part of the eternal paradise God will create?
2. Does John 14:6 say Jesus is the way to eternal life, or that an organization is the way?
3. Can you find any verse that says the “tree of life” at the second coming is a human leader?

On Babylon:

1. In Revelation 17-18, what are Babylon’s characteristics? Do faithful Christian churches match these characteristics?
2. Does “Come out of her, my people” mean leave churches that preach the gospel of Jesus Christ?
3. If Babylon persecutes believers (Revelation 18:24), how can churches full of believers be Babylon?

On Peter’s Confession:

1. In John 6:68-69, is Peter speaking to Jesus personally or to an organization?
2. Does Peter say “You have the words of eternal life” to Jesus, or to a human organization?
3. Is it biblical to apply Peter’s confession to an organization rather than to Christ?

On Discernment:

1. Does 1 John 4:1 say “test the spirits,” or “accept one organization’s interpretation without testing”?
2. Does Acts 17:11 commend the Bereans for immediately accepting Paul’s teaching, or for examining the Scriptures daily to test it?
3. If a teaching creates fear, anxiety, and division, is that the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)?

On Unity:

1. Does Jesus pray for unity among all believers (John 17:21), or for one organization to be separate from all others?
2. Does Ephesians 4:3 say “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit,” or “separate from other believers”?
3. Does 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 say there is ONE body with many parts, or many competing organizations?

Part 11: Red Flags in This Lesson

Warning Signs of Spiritual Manipulation:

1. False dichotomies: “God’s food vs. Satan’s food” with no middle ground
2. Exclusive claims: Only SCJ has “God’s food”; all other churches have “Satan’s food”
3. Redefining biblical terms:
   • Hidden manna = SCJ’s teachings
   • Tree of life = SCJ organization
   • Babylon = All other churches
   • Faithful servant = Lee Man-hee
4. Redirecting devotion: Applying Peter’s confession to Jesus to SCJ’s organization
5. Creating urgency: “Now is the time to realize” / “Have we come out yet?”
6. Condemning others: All non-SCJ churches are “tree of knowledge of good and evil”
7. Unverifiable claims: “Wars” in Revelation supposedly fulfilled in SCJ’s history
8. Pressure tactics: “Are we trying to dip our toe into both?”
9. Guilt and shame: “Have we not realized where Satan’s food is yet?”
10. Dependency creation: Can only get “God’s food” through SCJ’s “faithful servant”

From “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims” Chapter 25 – Healthy vs. Unhealthy Teaching:

Healthy Christian Teaching:

• Points to Christ as the bread of life
• Affirms Scripture’s accessibility to all believers
• Encourages unity in the body of Christ
• Produces freedom and assurance
• Welcomes testing and questions
• Builds up, doesn’t tear down
• Creates love for all believers

Unhealthy Teaching (SCJ):

• Points to organization as source of life
• Claims exclusive access to truth
• Divides believers into categories
• Produces fear and dependency
• Discourages questioning their interpretation
• Condemns other believers
• Creates isolation from other Christians

Conclusion: The Real Spiritual Food

What This Lesson Reveals:

This lesson demonstrates SCJ’s method of:

1. Starting with biblical truth (we need spiritual nourishment)
2. Building plausible framework (tree of life vs. tree of knowledge)
3. Making subtle shifts (from Christ to organization)
4. Creating exclusive claims (only SCJ has God’s food)
5. Condemning alternatives (all other churches are Satan’s food)
6. Demanding commitment (come out of Babylon now)

The Biblical Truth About Spiritual Food:

Jesus IS the Bread of Life:

John 6:35: “Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'”

• Jesus Himself is the bread, not an organization
• Coming to Jesus = believing in Him
• Result = Never hungry or thirsty spiritually

God’s Word Nourishes:

Psalm 119:103: “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”

Jeremiah 15:16: “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty.”

Matthew 4:4: “Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”‘”

• God’s Word itself nourishes
• Available to all who read Scripture
• Not limited to one organization’s interpretation

The Holy Spirit Teaches:

John 14:26: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

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 all believers
• Direct access to God’s teaching
• Not dependent on human mediators

The Gospel is Simple:

1 Corinthians 15:1-4: “Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”

The Gospel:

1. Christ died for our sins
2. He was buried
3. He rose on the third day
4. According to the Scriptures

That’s the food that nourishes:

• Not complex interpretations of Revelation
• Not organizational membership
• Not special “open word” revelation
• Just Christ crucified and risen

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

Salvation is:

• Simple – Believe and confess
• Accessible – Available to all
• Complete – Nothing to add
• Assured – “You will be saved”

The Real “Come Out” Call:

If there’s a “Come out” message for today, it’s this:

2 Corinthians 6:17-18: “Therefore, ‘Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.’ ‘I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.'”

Context: Come out from unbelief and idolatry into relationship with God through Christ.

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!”

The Warning: Come out from any teaching that adds to or subtracts from the simple gospel of grace.

If anything is “Babylon,” it’s systems that:

• Add requirements to the gospel
• Create dependency on human leaders
• Claim exclusive access to truth
• Divide the body of Christ
• Produce fear rather than freedom
• Point to organizations rather than Christ

Moving Forward

If You’re Recognizing Concerns:

1. Remember the simplicity of the gospel – Salvation through faith in Christ alone
2. Test everything against Scripture – In context, not isolated verses
3. Seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance – He teaches all believers (John 14:26)
4. Find a healthy church community – One that preaches Christ, not organizational loyalty
5. Don’t rush decisions – Take time to examine and pray
6. Seek wise counsel – Talk to mature Christians outside SCJ
7. Remember God’s character – He is love, not manipulation and fear

For More Information:

Visit closerlookinitiative.com and check their SCJ Examination section for:

• Detailed refutations of SCJ doctrines
• Testimonies from former members
• Biblical responses to SCJ teachings
• Support for those leaving or helping others leave
• Community and resources

Final Thoughts

The instructor says:

“To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. There’s nowhere else for us to go.”

Peter said this to Jesus, not to an organization.

The real question is: Where is your ultimate allegiance?

• To Jesus Christ, the bread of life?
• Or to an organization claiming to be the only source of spiritual food?

John 6:35: “Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'”

Jesus is enough.

His sacrifice is complete. His Word is sufficient. His Spirit teaches. His gospel saves.

You don’t need:

• Special “open word” revelation
• Organizational membership for salvation
• Complex interpretations of Revelation
• A human mediator beyond Christ

You need:

• Faith in Jesus Christ
• His Word (accessible to all)
• His Spirit (given to all believers)
• His church (the universal body of believers)

Hebrews 4:16: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

You have direct access to God through Christ. That’s the real spiritual food.

This analysis uses principles from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story” to examine SCJ Lesson 82. For comprehensive refutation of SCJ teachings and support resources, visit closerlookinitiative.com and explore their SCJ Examination materials.

Remember: The bread of life is a person (Jesus Christ), not an organization. Anyone who claims you must come to them for spiritual nourishment is placing themselves between you and Christ.

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. Go through Him, and you’ll find all the spiritual nourishment you need.