Back to SCJ Bible Study - Intermediate Level | Bible Logic

This lesson discusses the “Spirit of Truth” or “Counselor” that Jesus promised to send after his departure. At his first coming, Jesus was the Counselor who spoke on God’s behalf, along with John the Baptist coming in the spirit of Elijah. Jesus promised to send another Counselor – the Spirit of Truth – whose role is to guide into all truth, speak what he hears from Jesus, teach about future things concerning Jesus, and make known Jesus’ revelation. The Spirit of Truth is identified as the mighty angel in Revelation sent by Jesus with the little scroll containing the once-sealed revelation, which he gave to John to write down. So the Spirit of Truth prophesies and testifies to the words of Jesus’ revelation that was once sealed but now opened, fulfilling Jesus’ promise that he would no longer speak figuratively but tell plainly about the Father. The main idea is that the Spirit of Truth is the angelic messenger sent to reveal Jesus’ full revelation and prophecies yet to be fulfilled after his first coming.

Shincheonji holds distinct theological views that differ from mainstream Christian denominations, yet it also shares some common teachings. This overlap can sometimes blur the lines between their beliefs and those of traditional Christianity. Therefore, it is essential to exercise critical thinking and discernment to differentiate between these shared elements and the unique doctrines they present.

While their interpretations warrant careful examination through a critical and biblical lens, it is equally important to approach these matters with an open yet discerning mindset.

The following notes were documented in person during Shincheonji’s 9-month Bible Study Seminar. They provide insight into the organization’s approach to introducing and explaining its beliefs to potential new members, often referred to as the ‘harvesting and sealing.’ This process is described as being ‘born again’ or ‘born of God’s seed,’ which involves uprooting the old beliefs and replanting new ones. This uprooting and replanting must occur continuously. By examining this process, we can gain a better understanding of the mindset and beliefs held by Shincheonji members.

Review with the Evangelist

Memorization

John 14:2-3

2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Yeast of Heaven

God, the creator of the heavens and the earth, had to leave (earth) because of man, and the devil has been ruling over it as if he owns it. God’s purpose is to restore all creation to its original state and to live on earth (1 Cor 15:27-28).

Eternal life is under God’s jurisdiction. What we must do is believe in this Word that God has promised.

Our Hope: To find and listen to the Counselor in spirit and flesh at the Second Coming!

We’re going to discuss something profound and intricate. I want everyone to concentrate more on listening attentively. Sometimes, we have a tendency to try and take notes simultaneously, which can make it challenging to listen effectively. With this lesson, more than others, I encourage you to prioritize listening over note-taking. We will make all the notes available for you to refer to if you need to revisit any points you may have missed. However, it’s crucial to focus on comprehending the main points being conveyed to avoid any misunderstandings.

The Spirit of Truth, The Counselor

Jn 16

Our main reference chapter for today is John chapter 16. And this is part two of what we were discussing in the previous lesson.

Remember, John chapters 13, 14, 15, and 16 are all part of the same event and conversation that Jesus had with his disciples. Jesus washed his disciples’ feet and then began to speak to them. He began to preach to them, washing their hearts as well, and giving them many beautiful promises that they can hold on to and wait patiently for.

So, the spirit of truth, the counselor, is going to be our main focus for today, in John chapter 16.

Our hope is to find and listen to the counselor in spirit and flesh at the second coming.

There is an important point that I want to make here to help this make a little bit more sense for later. At the second coming, there are two counselors. And we’ll explain that today.

Previous Lesson Review

Review

What we have learned from the previous session. One of the main points we covered, of course, was the place prepared by Jesus, right?

We looked at John 14, and some key points that we discussed there were:

1.- The place prepared by Jesus is the Holy City, New Jerusalem. This is the place that Jesus prepared.

2.- The 12 tribes of the new spiritual Israel are named after the 12 disciples, due to Jesus’s promise.

In the four gospels, where did Jesus promise to take the 12 disciples up to heaven with him to judge the 12 tribes? It was in Matthew 19:27-28, where Peter asked Jesus, “We have given up everything to follow you. What will there be for us?” Jesus replied, “You will sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel at the renewal of all things.” And Jesus, as the keeper of his promises, kept his promise.

Each of the 12 disciples’ names is on the 12 gates of the Holy City, New Jerusalem. Their names are there on the foundations, as mentioned in Revelation 21:14.

So Jesus kept his promise, and they are sitting on the 12 thrones, ready to judge the 12 tribes of Israel. Now, when we say “judge,” judgment usually has the connotation of something bad, right? Something bad happened, and now judgment is coming. But to judge ultimately means to determine what is right and what is wrong. We actually all want to be judged by God, Jesus, and the word.

When we are judged, we want to be found right according to the word. Does that make sense? So judging does not only mean bad things are coming, like “You failed.” It also means, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been weighed according to the word and found heavy,” like that.

3.- The Holy City, New Jerusalem, comes to sheep-like believers. Sheep-like believers, as we see in Matthew 25.

In Matthew 25, it talks about the types of people to whom the Holy City, New Jerusalem, will come and what those people need to do and be like. They need to be wise virgins who have sufficient lamps and oil. They need to be those who take the five or two talents they have received, which is, of course, measures of understanding of the word that represents treasure, and produce more, meaning evangelize.

The person with five talents went out and bore five more fruits. The person with two talents went out, evangelized, and bore two more fruits, producing a profit for God, which is just like saying, “be fruitful and multiply.” But the person with only one measure of understanding of the word buried the word that he had and did nothing with it.

So he was called wicked and lazy and was cast out. Let’s not be like him. And then we see the sheep-like believers versus the goat-like believers.

The sheep-like believers, as Jesus goes on to explain, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit those who are in prison, and many more things. But this is actually a prophecy, so figurative language is being used.

We should be the people that, of course, yes, do those things physically. But we should also do the exact same things spiritually. To clothe someone who is naked means to give them proper word, doctrine, and action.

To feed someone who is hungry means to give them the food that is the word that feeds their spirit. To give water to the thirsty means to give the food that is like water to someone who is spiritually thirsty. So, the equivalent of everything Jesus mentioned we should do physically, we should also do spiritually too.

Those are the people that heaven will say, “Yes, welcome to the right, where the sheep are, like that.” So, let’s be like that.

4.- To make sure that we are like that, there are qualifications, things that Jesus told us are important to do.

And all of those qualifications can be summarized with one thing: do God’s will. And this summarizes everything we talked about because God’s will is detailed in his word.

When we live according to the word, we are living according to God’s will:

We will be born of his seed
Be harvested
Be sealed
Belong to one of the 12 tribes
Do not add and subtract
Have our name in the book of life
Prepare our lamps, oil, and wedding clothes.

All of those things are summarized in doing God’s will, which is the word of Revelation, among other things.

Reminder:

Place prepared: Holy City New Jerusalem
12 Tribes of New Spiritual Israel named after 12 disciples (Mt 19:27-28)
Holy City New Jerusalem comes to sheep-like believers (Mt 25)
Qualifications to enter Heaven! (Summary: Do God’s Will)

A reminder of our introduction to John 14-16. John 13-16 are part of the same conversation between Jesus and the 12 disciples.

The same event is happening at the same time. In John 13, Jesus observes his disciples speaking. In John 14, Jesus promises to prepare a place for them, stating that he will go and come back, that he and the Father are one, and if you’ve seen Jesus, you’ve seen the Father.

Then, in John 15, he figuratively represents himself as the true vine, and his disciples as the branches. He tells them that they are already clean because of the word that he had spoken to them, and that if they remained attached to him, they will bear much fruit. And then we get to John 16, where he promises them that a spirit of truth, a counselor, will be sent to them while he is away.

And because he is away, this spirit of truth will be sent. All of this can be understood by John 14:29, where Jesus said, “I have told you now before it happens, so that when it happens, you will believe.”

John 14:29: Told before → When it happens → Believe

One thing I want us to understand about why God and Jesus have to work this way, and this will help us contextualize everything really well, or at least I hope.

If you think about it from God’s situation, God is a being that his creation can no longer see or interact with using our physical senses in the way that we used to be able to. And because we’re a very visual, auditory, tactile, and sensory people, depending on our senses to navigate the world around us, God often gets ignored by people when we can’t interact with him through those five senses. There are many generations of people who have never even had a single thought about God in heaven.

So how does God, in that situation, let us know he exists? Because he can’t just do things and expect us to know it was him. What does God have to do in order to allow us to know that it is really him who is at work?

He has to tell us he is going to do something before, so that when he actually does the thing, we can reference it and say, “Oh, yes, this is indeed God who is at work.” Does that make sense, everyone?

That’s how God makes himself known to us – that God is a living God, and that he is alive and working today. He is not the God of myth and the God of old things that our ancestors spoke about, but he is the God of now, and he is living and active.

And when you come to that realization, then you become excited about what God is doing today and what he has promised that he will do in the future.

1.- Understanding The Spirits of God

Let’s delve into today’s topic. We’re going to first explore understanding the spirits of God. This is going to be crucial for us. To comprehend the spirit of truth, we need to first grasp the spirits of God. Recall the beginning of the class when we drew that massive cloud.

Remember that? We split the cloud into two. On one side, you had God, and the four stars around him represented the four living creatures. On the other side, we had Satan and the demons. Satan, who used to be one of God’s stars, one of the four living creatures or the guardian cherub, had his own thoughts and ideas about wanting to become God.

So he convinced other angels around him to betray God with him, and they were cast out of heaven. Now, the spiritual world that was once unified, holy, and true is divided into two, where there is holiness and evil. There is now truth and lies. A discernment must take place. Before evil existed, there was no need to declare holiness.

It’s akin to when Paul discussed the relationship between the law and sin, a profound concept but essential to understand. He said that before the law, there couldn’t have been sin because the law makes sin known. Before evil existed, there was no need to say, “I am holy.”

It was only after evil’s existence that clarification became necessary: “I am true. I am holy,” because the opposite now exists.

GOD

One thing to understand about God is that, of course, he is holy. So what does John 4:24 say about God?

John 4:24

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship him in spirit and in truth.

So God is a spirit. But what else is God?

Leviticus 19:2

“Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.

Be holy because I, your God, is holy.

So God is a spirit. And God is holy. So God is a holy spirit. Let’s continue exploring this further.

JESUS

I want us to examine some intriguing aspects about Jesus.

Revelation 1:12-13

12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone “like a son of man,” dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.

This is the testimony of John and how he encountered Jesus. However, at that time, he could not really recognize it as Jesus because the entity or person that appeared to him was so brilliant.

He said it was someone like the son of man, holding seven stars in his right hand and walking among seven golden lampstands. Then we see the writing of the letters in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. Let’s see who is speaking here.

In your Bibles, if you have a red letter Bible, what color are the letters in Revelation 2 and 3?

Red. Whose voice are these letters? Jesus’ voice.

In Revelation 2:1, it says, “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, these are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands,” as John saw in the previous chapter. But then how does the verse end?

In Revelation 2:7, it says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit is saying to the churches.” Who is speaking? Jesus.

Who is called the spirit? So now Jesus is the spirit.

Well, what about Mark 1:21?

Mark 1:21

“What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

Jesus is now a spirit, and Jesus is the Holy One. So he too is a Holy Spirit.

Regarding angels – there are many angels, and they do many amazing things. There are numerous angels, and they are awesome.

Hebrews 1:7,14

7 In speaking of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels winds,

his servants flames of fire.”

14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

So the angels are spirits. But what else are the angels?

Mark 8:38

If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

So what else are the angels, everyone? Holy spirits.

Interesting. To summarize all of this. All spirits of God are holy spirits. All of them.

And any of them can be sent to do the work of a holy spirit, because they all do one will. Whose will? The will of the Father. They’re all holy spirits.

So keep that in mind.

2.- The Advocate (Counselor) at the First Coming

Let’s now discuss an important topic for today – the counselor.

To understand the counselor that Jesus promised, we need to comprehend the original counselor or advocate that was sent.

ONE – The Counselor’s Role

First, let’s define what a counselor or an advocate is.

The primary job of a counselor is twofold: to teach and protect.

Consider your guidance counselors in school, for example. Their role is to assess your current position as a student and recommend the best course of action on behalf of the school to help you reach your academic goals. Alternatively, a guidance counselor may assess the physical and mental health of students and recommend the best treatment if needed.

A spiritual counselor performs a similar task – assessing the spiritual condition of the person they are speaking to and recommending the best spiritual treatment. They protect that person as it is their job to speak on their behalf.

Therefore, the complete definition of a counselor is a teacher who protects and teaches with grace, extending much grace to those for whom they are responsible.

A counselor must speak on behalf of others. A guidance counselor will speak on behalf of the student to the school and on behalf of the school to the student. They act as a mediator in both directions, similar to a lawyer ensuring that both parties understand all the terms of an agreement before signing a contract.

It’s a comparable role to someone we love.

Reminder:

The Counsellor’s will:

1.- Teach
2.- Protect

TWO – Who is the counselor in the First Coming?

1 John 2:1

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

Oh, interesting. So, everyone, who was the counselor at the first coming? Jesus.

Jesus was the counselor at the first coming, which means His job was to be our messenger, our mediator, our counselor, and He is the advocate, the one who spoke on our behalf, the one who stood between us and the wrath of God, which we very much deserve, who speaks for us. Let’s understand this a little bit more by seeing some additional verses to really put this together.

As all things begin, they begin with God. And God has a will or hope in mind that He wants to restore what was lost and to commune with what was lost again. So, God is actually in the position of a sender.

Ever since the time of Adam and Noah, God has sent one to speak on His behalf to the people.

Let me actually show you an example of this so that we can really see how it was done in the past and how it is done in the same logic afterwards.

Exodus 4:14-17

14 Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you. 15 You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. 16 He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. 17 But take this staff in your hand so you can perform miraculous signs with it.”

As God appointed Moses, Moses, who had a speech impediment, was apprehensive. He said, “I’ve been slow of tongue and speech. I’m not the person for the job.”

And, of course, God responded, “You are, because I picked you. But because I know you need help, I’m sending your brother Aaron to you, and he will be glad when he sees you. And I am going to put words in your mouth, and you are to give these words to Aaron so that he will speak on behalf of you to the people.”

“But the words that he speaks will not be Aaron’s words, and they also won’t be your words either, Moses. They will be my words. And you will be as if you were God to him.”

“Not that you are God, but like you are God, because the logic is the same. The words are the same. They come from the same source, like that.”

So, at the time of the first coming, whose job was it to speak the words of God to the people? Jesus.

And Jesus affirmed this many times when he said, like in John 17:8, “For I gave them the words you gave to me.” “For I gave them the words that you gave to me. And they accepted those words and believed that you had sent me.” So, the logic is the same, and it is consistent from beginning to end.

It’s the same. The logic is the same. So, God always sends someone who will then speak the words of God on his behalf.

Jesus said in John 14:24, “The words I speak are not my own. They belong to the father who sent me.” So, Jesus spoke on behalf of God.

To whom? Who needed to hear God’s words?

The people of Israel. The ones that listened to those words initially were the twelve disciples. So, as Jesus was speaking on God’s behalf, the twelve disciples were listening.

But guess what? The twelve disciples did not keep these words to themselves by God’s grace. They also spread the gospel to many people.

So, really, these words are also for us as well. So, when we’re hearing these words from God spoken through Jesus, what are we supposed to do with those words? Accept. That’s our job.

We accept the words that are spoken by the advocate, by the counselor, understanding and believing that those words truly came from God. Because if you don’t believe the messenger, it ultimately means you don’t believe the one who sent the messenger either, even if you proclaim with your mouth that you do.

John 13:20

I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”

Anyone who accepts me, accepts the one who sent me.

And anyone who accepts me, accepts the one who sent me. If you accept the one I sent, Jesus is speaking, then you accept Jesus. And if you accept Jesus, you accept the Father who sent him.

However, Jesus says the opposite is also true. In John chapter 15:23, he said, “Anyone who hates me, hates the Father too.” You cannot deny Jesus and still accept God.

It does not work like that. It is not the logic that God established, because Jesus was sent by God.

And Jesus promised that he would send someone who will speak on his behalf. That is the position of those who rejected Jesus, yet still felt like they were justified before God. No, first, you have to accept the one sent.

You cannot skip this process and go directly to God. It does not work like that. You have to go through the one who was sent.

That is why Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” Except through me.

So when we come to Jesus, it is like coming to God. And what does God, or what does Jesus do for those who come to him? He has a job to do concerning us, does he not?

Hebrews 2:14-18

14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Glory to God. Jesus, who took our form so that he knows what it’s like to be us, and it’s hard to be us, did so. He did this so that he, as our high priest, can petition on our behalf to God.

Jesus’ job is to petition on our behalf to God, saying, “God, forgive them. I know what it’s like to be like them. It’s hard. They’re trying their best.” And his blood atones for our sin.

So Jesus was our first advocate, our first counselor. He can help those who are being tempted because he too was tempted, though he never sinned. Glory to God.

Very cool. But Jesus also promised a few things.

The way the advocate works is that the advocate does not speak their own words but speaks the words of the one who sent them. Of course, we just talked about the case between God and Jesus.

Both the sender and the advocate are one. Two as one. They’re of the same will, the same promise, and the same accord. They are one. The sender and the advocate.

If you think about wartime, there was always a person whose job was to relay a message to the enemy side. And that person was supposed to, in normal circumstances, receive special protections. Oh, that’s an envoy.

You cannot kill that person. They have a message for us. In fact, killing the messenger was a declaration of war or a declaration of acceleration of battle because that person is supposed to receive special treatment, as they’re not here to kill but to deliver a message.

Jesus: Came in God’s Name

There was also someone else who came in a very similar way, representing the relationship between God and Jesus.

John 5:43

I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him.

So whose name did Jesus come in? In God’s name.

He came in God’s name. He then goes on to explain, “If I came in my own name, you would accept me. But because I say I come in the name of God, you reject me.” A very frustrating experience, for sure, for Jesus and all the others who were sent by God too, and people often did not believe them. But there was another who came in a very similar way, which is also very sad if we understand how it ended up.

John the Baptist: Spirit and Power of Elijah | Mt 11:14, Mt 17:10-13

Luke 1:17

And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

So again, who is this about? John the Baptist.

And he was supposed to come in the spirit and power of Elijah. Ah, yes.

If John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah, then it was as if Elijah’s spirit was working through him. This is the reason why John the Baptist was able to speak a word different from anyone else around him. Why he too was able to speak in a little bit of the parables, like we see in Matthew chapter 3, where he said, “You brood of vipers,” just like Jesus did.

“I can only baptize with water. But there is one who is coming after me who will baptize you in the spirit and fire. And he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat.”

He was speaking parables. Amazing. Because the spirit of Elijah was working through him.

So, the goal is to understand the relationship between the sender and the advocate. That relationship is very special and has continued even into our time.

Let us also consider the other verses mentioned here. Jesus confirmed what the angel Gabriel said to Zachariah, the father of John the Baptist. Keep these things in mind.

Jesus confirmed that John was, in fact, the Elijah that was promised in Malachi chapter 4. In Malachi 4, there is the prophecy that Elijah will come and set the people straight. And that was fulfilled through John the Baptist.

Quick Review

We’re discussing the Counselor today. The things we’re talking about are important because we’re understanding the relationship between the spirits and those whom the spirits use, and why it must be done this way.

First, we talked about how all the spirits that belong to God are Holy Spirits, and all of them can be sent to do the job of a messenger – one who speaks on behalf, delivers the will of God in any given situation, and delivers the power of God in any given situation. When we think about an advocate or counselor, their job is to teach and protect, and to do so with grace.

At the first coming, our Counselor, our Mediator, our Teacher, was Jesus. He spoke on our behalf to God, and he spoke to us on God’s behalf. Everything went through Jesus. He also petitioned on our behalf because he was once in flesh and understood what it is like for us as those who are tempted with sin. So, he could advocate for us on our behalf, and, of course, his blood washes our sin too.

It was like the situation with Aaron and Moses, where Moses was like God to Aaron – not that Moses was God to Aaron, but because Moses spoke God’s words through Aaron, and Aaron spoke those same words to the people. This was the logic of God, always using someone to speak to the people – someone that people can interact with while speaking the words of God. And that was the truth when Jesus came at the first coming.

Even John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah, and Jesus confirmed that he was the prophesied Elijah who was to come. Here’s what’s interesting about people when we’re reading prophecy, which was the case then too: when the people came, they would ask, “Are you Elijah?” Understanding that Elijah, who was taken up to heaven in the fiery chariot in First Kings and Second Kings, probably wouldn’t be Elijah himself who would come back and speak to us, but someone like Elijah must come and speak on our behalf. And Jesus told us that that person had come, and it was John the Baptist.

So, what about the situation today?

3.- The Spirit of Truth, The Counselor

How can we understand an advocate or counselor that is relevant for our current era? Let’s analyze the concept of ‘the spirit of truth.

THREE – Another Acounselor

John 14:16-17

16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

Ah, interesting. Let’s break down what Jesus said.

He said, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate.” That’s right, another.

Why another?

Another counselor because Jesus was the first counselor, and he was leaving.

So Jesus promised to send another counselor. And what did Jesus say about this counselor? He said, “He will give you another counselor to be with you forever.”

“The spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you will know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”

So, a few key things to note about this other counselor:

Number one, John 14:16, that he will be another counselor. Why? Because Jesus was the first counselor, and Jesus is now in heaven, building the holy city, New Jerusalem. That’s what he’s up to. But he promised to send another.

Number two, John 14:17, what’s really important here is that the spirit of truth will dwell in and speak through a person. “For he will be in you, and you will know him,” though the world will not accept him.

Now, some key phrases that Jesus mentioned often as he was speaking this to his disciples are the words “will.” Jesus said this many times as he was speaking in these verses.

So, keep that in mind. It is very important.

FOUR – Sent by Jesus

The counselor that will be sent by Jesus – what will this counselor do? What is the logic behind this counselor being sent by Jesus?

John 14:26

But the Counselor, 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.

So, what did Jesus say in verse 26? “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name.”

Now, He is referred to by three names: the Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit, and the Counselor. Remember, all spirits that belong to God are holy. Verse 26 states, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name.”

The logic is that God sent Jesus in God’s name, and Jesus is sending the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ name. The Spirit of truth, the Counselor.

And what will that Spirit do? “He will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.”

Keep this in mind too: The Spirit will teach and remind of all things that Jesus spoke.

Quite an important detail. Let’s continue about the promised Counselor, the Spirit.

Because Jesus said some more things about this Counselor that is promised.

FIVE – Role and Duty

John 16:12-16

12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all 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. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

16 “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”

There are so many amazing things to discuss here. Let’s talk about it.

Jesus has much more to say, more than can be comprehended at the moment. He has been speaking to them for several chapters in the Gospel of John.

Specifically, Jesus has been speaking to them for four chapters: 13, 14, 15, and now 16. He has been speaking for a considerable time.

Jesus is saying, “I have much more to share, but you cannot handle it all right now. However, the spirit of truth will guide you into all truth.”

And he (the spirit of truth) will not speak on his own. He will only speak what he hears.

And he will take from what is Jesus’ and make it known to us. Let’s break this down. The role and duty of the counselor (the spirit of truth) is:

As it says in verse 15, this spirit will take from what is Jesus’ and make it known to us.

And all things that belong to the Father belong to Jesus too. Keep that in mind.

The role of the counselor is:

He will lead into all truth.
He will not speak on his own but will speak only what is heard.
He will teach about future things, things that are yet to come.

I hope you’re picking up on who this spirit is. I’m leaving lots of hints.

We’ll see if we’re picking up on it. This spirit will also prophesy about many things, prophesying the words of Jesus.

So, the spirit of truth has many duties: prophesying the words of Jesus, leading into all truth, speaking only what is heard, and teaching about future events. A very important job.

Reminder:

Role of the Counselor:

Leading into all truth
Speaks what’s heard
Teach future things of Jesus

– Prophesying the words of Jesus

Now that I understand this a little bit better, be thinking about which spirit this is. Don’t answer yet.

Keep in mind what Jesus said about the spirit. Hopefully, it should eliminate some spirits from your mind regarding who this spirit is.

Knowing these things, the spirit will speak only what is heard, not of its own.

And it will teach about future things.

SIX – Prophecy and Fulfillment

The final topic we will discuss is understanding who the spirit of truth is in greater detail. We will now refer to John chapter 16, verse 25. This verse should be instantly recognizable to all of us, but we will revisit it once more.

John 16:25

“Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.

A time is coming, although I have been speaking figuratively.

First Coming: Jesus → Parables (prophecy)

During his first coming, Jesus spoke in parables, which represented prophecy, as I have been speaking figuratively.

Second Coming: Another Counselor → Comes and Speaks Plainly (Fulfillment)

A time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of figurative language but will tell you plainly about my Father.

How will Jesus do this? Through another Counselor.

The Counselor’s job will be to speak what has been fulfilled according to prophecy.

Actual Reality

So, who is the spirit of truth? Well, we have actually already known the spirit of truth, and it is not who you think.

No, it is not the new John. The new John is a person, not him.

Not him. But we have actually already talked about the spirit of truth many times in the class, just didn’t know it yet.

Who is the spirit of truth?

[Student]

The Holy Spirit.

[Instructor]

Which Holy Spirit?

[Student]

The angel.

[Instructor]

Which angel?

[Student]

The angel that talks to John.

[Instructor]

Some of you don’t seem convinced. So, let’s see him one more time.

Revelation 1:1-3

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

What is it? The revelation of Jesus Christ.

So whose revelation is it? It is Jesus’s revelation.

He will take from what is Mine.

God gave it to him to show his servants what must soon take place.

He (Jesus) made it known by sending his angel to his servant John.

Pause.

He made it known. How? By sending his servant (angel) to John.

To John. That’s right. The very one he (Jesus) promised.

In John chapters 14, 15, and 16, the same spirit is mentioned. Remember, Jesus said, “He (the spirit) will lead you into all truth. He will not speak on his own. He will only speak what is heard, and he will not speak on his own behalf. But he will take from what is Mine and make it known to you.”

How? By going to John, giving him the scroll to eat, and John has to testify. We have been talking about it since the beginning of the class.

Remember, I am emphasizing the importance of specificity. We have to be specific when it comes to scripture. Our problem, for the longest time, is painting the scripture with a broad brush. It says “Holy Spirit” in this scripture, and it says “Holy Spirit” in that scripture, and they are all capitalized, so it must be the same spirit. No, all the spirits that belong to God are holy.

So, the process, as all things begin, they begin with God. And Jesus said in John 16, “All things that belong to the Father are Mine.” They belong to me.

And if you think about it, that is what the apostle Paul was trying to make known to us in 1 Corinthians 15:27-28, when it says, “For he has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that everything has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. So that God may be all in all.

That is what was important to God, so God put everything under Jesus. So everything that belongs to God belongs to Jesus. If we look at the process of the delivery of revelation, which belongs to Jesus, why? Because he opened it.

It first started in a sealed state, sealed in God’s right hand, with seven seals. And then God gives it to Jesus, as mentioned in Revelation 5:7. And Jesus begins to open those seals, as described in Revelation 6 and Revelation 8:1 (six seals in chapter 6 and the last seal in 8:1). But Jesus did not keep this sealed book to himself. He also sent it to the spirit of truth.

And I want us to read a few things about this spirit to really understand deeply. And I know because of time, this might go on a little bit longer, but I’m going to try and wrap it up. I want us to understand why this is the spirit that Jesus promised.

God | Rev 5:1

If we go to Revelation chapter 4, pay attention to the appearance of God here. Let’s turn to Revelation chapter 4.

I will read because there are a few things I want to share. Revelation chapter 4, verses 1-3:

“After this, I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.’ At once, I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone seated on it. The one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne.”

So, some things to keep in mind about the one seated on the throne: the figure represents God, surrounded by a rainbow.

Jesus | Rev 5:7, Rev 6, Rev 8:1

Now, let’s go to the book of Revelation, chapter 1.

Let’s read about Jesus’ appearance in Revelation chapter 1, verses 9-16. I will read it.

It says, “On the Lord’s day, I was in the Spirit. And I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,

which said, ‘Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches:

Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.’ I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned,

I saw seven golden lampstands. And among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet, and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white as snow, his eyes were like a fiery flame, his feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.

In his right hand, he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.” So, this describes Jesus’ appearance.

Note that.

The Mighty Angel | Rev 10:1-2

Let’s go to Revelation 10:1-2, which describes a figure with a face like the sun. You can’t look directly into the sun, so let’s read Revelation chapter 10, verses one and two.

It says, “Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head. His face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. He held a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land.” An interesting appearance indeed. Why does he look like God and Jesus?

Because he is also the Holy Spirit, sent by them. That’s right. He is the “another counselor” promised by Jesus. He is their advocate, and he speaks on their behalf. That’s why he looks like them. This is the specific Holy Spirit that Jesus promised. Keep this in mind.

Prophecy of Revelation and Evidence of its Fulfillment

Promised Shepherd | Rev 10:8-11, Rev 22:8

Jesus promised this here. I’m not saying this is the Holy Spirit mentioned in other places in the Bible. I’m saying this is the specific Holy Spirit that Jesus promised. And what does this spirit do with the little scroll that lay open in his hand? What did he do with that scroll? He gave it to John.

And then, what did John do? John ate the scroll that he was given. The word that was opened, Jesus gives it to the mighty angel. Because the mighty angel’s job is to make known what belonged to Jesus. And there’s something that this spirit says that I love, which is so important. If we go to Revelation 10:5-6, we’re still in Revelation 10.

This angel says, “Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. And he swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, and the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, ‘There will be no more delay.'”

He will take from what is mine and make it known to you. Make known what must soon take place. What must soon take place is very important. There will be no more delay.

So this angel then gives the open scroll to John. And John was told, “Eat this, and it will taste as sweet in your mouth as honey. And though it tastes as sweet in your mouth as honey, in your stomach, it will become sour.”

And we’ve talked about why. Because he realizes what he then has to do with the word that he eats. He then must prophesy or testify to many peoples, nations, languages, and kings. And out of those peoples, nations, languages, and kings, there will come a people who will be harvested.

12 Tribes → Servents | Rev 22:16

And who will become the twelve tribes of Israel? The servants that are promised in Revelation 1:1-3.

So, how do spirits work, everyone? Through people.

As we’ve discussed earlier, spirits work through flesh.

So, we’ll have the spirit of truth, the counselor in the spirit, and the counselor in the flesh. But the words they speak are not their own words, but the words of God and Jesus. So, they cannot take credit for the words. They are told to testify because it did not come from them. It comes through them.

Let’s read two additional verses.

Revelation 22:8, 16

8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me.

16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

The angel referred to is the spirit of truth.

Jesus said, “I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright morning star. I have sent my angel or messenger, who will come together with the message that I am sending to them.” This revelation is what Jesus meant when he said, “I have much more to tell you, much more than you can now bear.”

Imagine if Jesus had told the revelation to the disciples at that moment when they were struggling to be washed by Jesus’s hands. Imagine Peter at that point, hearing the revelation, saying, “Lord, don’t just wash my feet then, wash my whole body too.” They weren’t ready for the revelation, not yet. They still had a ways to go. That’s why Jesus said that, but later on, after the disciples became legends and were martyred, and John being the last living disciple, he was ready to receive the words of revelation. And then he wrote them down, and now we have God’s final plan that must be fulfilled and explained to the people.

Think about this very carefully when you are thinking, “Okay, but I thought…” The spirit of truth speaks of the words of Jesus, so they must be the words that Jesus spoke that needed to be fulfilled, not what someone thinks they are hearing or thinks they understand on any given day, but the words that must be fulfilled at a specific time that was Jesus’s, that is now needing to be made known to us.

Specifically, I’m talking about the spirit promised by Jesus in these chapters, the spirit of truth that represents the fulfillment of Jesus’s prophecy and parable, the word that must flee from lies and false hope, the seed that contains the lesson for this time and era, the open revelation that was once sealed.

Memorization

John 14:26

But the Counselor, 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.

John 16:25

“Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.

Instructor Review

SUMMARY

This is a continuation of what we learned in the previous lesson.

First, let us understand the spirits of God. All of the spirits of God are holy. Any one of them can be sent to perform a particular task for God, to make known what needs to be revealed at the proper time. The role is that of an advocate, a counselor who speaks on behalf of God.

During Jesus’ first coming, he was our counselor. He spoke on God’s behalf to us and spoke on our behalf to God. Even individuals like John the Baptist were advocates of the spirit, with the spirit working through them, in John’s case, the spirit of Elijah.

However, Jesus specifically promised that a spirit would come after he had gone. This spirit would dwell and speak through a person, through us, through you. Jesus promised that this spirit would come in his name and would remind us of everything that he had told us. The spirit would take from what belongs to Jesus and make it known to us, leading us into all truth. The spirit would not speak on its own but would speak what it has heard and teach about the future things concerning Jesus, teaching what will soon take place.

Jesus promised that he would no longer speak in parables when the time comes but would speak plainly. So, how does that take place? It is when revelation is being fulfilled. God will finally give the sealed book, sealed with seven seals, to Jesus. Jesus will open the seven seals, and as he opens them, the book of Revelation will be opened, meaning the events begin to take place.

When they start being fulfilled, they happen quickly, for there will be no more delay. They happen so swiftly that people are surprised that things have already taken place, such is the speed at which it occurs. It is then given to the angel, the spirit of truth, the counselor that Jesus promised, whose appearance is like that of God and Jesus because he speaks on their behalf.

After swearing to God that there will be no more delay, he gives the open book to John. John eats it, and when he does, it is sweet in the mouth but sour in the stomach. John is told to speak what has been given to him to many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.

What is he speaking? All of Revelation being fulfilled – what has been fulfilled and what is yet to be fulfilled. Everyone needs to hear these words.

Back to SCJ Bible Study - Intermediate Level | Bible Logic

Let’s Us Discern

Sources

Report - Discern

Analysis of Shincheonji Bible Study Lesson 84: “The Spirit of Truth, The Counselor”

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

Introduction

Shincheonji Church of Jesus (SCJ) Lesson 84 presents a teaching on “The Spirit of Truth, The Counselor,” focusing on John 14-16 and Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit. This lesson demonstrates SCJ’s most sophisticated theological maneuver: redefining the Holy Spirit’s identity and work to point toward their leader, Lee Man-hee, as the one through whom the “spirit of truth” speaks.

While the lesson contains biblical content about Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit, it systematically redirects this promise away from the third person of the Trinity toward a human messenger. This analysis will examine the lesson through “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story,” 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 Setup – “All Holy Spirits”

What the Lesson Says:

“All spirits of God are holy spirits. All of them. And any of them can be sent to do the work of a holy spirit, because they all do one will. Whose will? The will of the Father. They’re all holy spirits.”

Analysis from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims”:

Chapter 6 examines how SCJ uses technically correct statements to build toward incorrect conclusions.

What’s Technically True:

God is spirit (John 4:24) ✓
God is holy (Leviticus 19:2) ✓
Jesus is called the Holy One (Mark 1:24) ✓
Angels are spirits (Hebrews 1:7, 14) ✓
Angels are called holy (Mark 8:38) ✓

The Problem:

By establishing that “all spirits of God are holy spirits,” the lesson creates ambiguity about the identity of “the Holy Spirit” in Scripture. This sets up the ability to claim that any reference to “the Holy Spirit” or “a holy spirit” could refer to different spirits, not specifically the third person of the Trinity.

Biblical Response:

The Holy Spirit is Not Just “A” Holy Spirit:

Matthew 28:19: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Three distinct persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit
One name (singular): The Triune God
The Holy Spirit is a specific person, not just any holy spirit

Acts 5:3-4: “Then Peter said, ‘Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.'”

Lying to the Holy Spirit = lying to God
The Holy Spirit is God (third person of Trinity)
Not: Just any holy spirit or angel

2 Corinthians 3:17-18: “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 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.”

The Lord is the Spirit – Divine identity
The Spirit transforms us – Divine work
Not: An angel or messenger spirit

John 14:16-17: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”

Another advocate – Like Jesus (divine)
To be with you forever – Eternal presence
Lives with you and will be in you – Indwelling presence
The world cannot accept him – Because He is spiritual, not because He’s an angel

The Distinction:

Biblical Teaching:

The Holy Spirit = Third person of the Trinity, God Himself
Holy angels = Created beings who serve God
These are not interchangeable

SCJ’s Setup:

All spirits of God = “holy spirits”
Creates ambiguity about which spirit is which
Allows reinterpretation of “Holy Spirit” passages

Part 2: The Counselor at the First Coming

What the Lesson Says:

“So, everyone, who was the counselor at the first coming? Jesus. Jesus was the counselor at the first coming, which means His job was to be our messenger, our mediator, our counselor, and He is the advocate, the one who spoke on our behalf.”

What’s Biblical:

1 John 2:1: “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.”

Jesus is our advocate ✓
He speaks to the Father on our behalf ✓

1 Timothy 2:5: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.”

Jesus is our mediator ✓

Hebrews 7:25: “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”

Jesus intercedes for us ✓

So far, the lesson is biblically accurate.

Where the Lesson Sets Up the Problem:

What the Lesson Says:

“At the first coming, our Counselor, our Mediator, our Teacher, was Jesus… But Jesus also promised a few things… Jesus promised to send another counselor.”

The Setup:

Jesus was the counselor at the first coming ✓
Jesus promised another counselor ✓
Therefore: There must be a human counselor at the second coming ✗

The Subtle Shift:

By emphasizing Jesus as a human counselor (which He was, being fully God and fully man), the lesson prepares students to accept a human counselor at the second coming, rather than understanding the Holy Spirit as the divine counselor Jesus promised.

Biblical Understanding:

Jesus’ Unique Role:

Hebrews 1:1-3: “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.”

Jesus is the final revelation – Not one of many counselors in a series
He is the exact representation of God – Unique, not a pattern for others
In these last days – The final era, not just the first coming

The “Another Counselor”:

John 14:16: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever.”

The Greek word “allos”:

“Another of the same kind” – Another divine advocate like Jesus
Not: Another human messenger in a series
The Holy Spirit is divine, like Jesus

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.”

The Advocate = The Holy Spirit (explicitly identified)
Not: An angel or human messenger

Part 3: John the Baptist and the “Spirit of Elijah”

What the Lesson Says:

“John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah… If John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah, then it was as if Elijah’s spirit was working through him.”

Luke 1:17: “And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

What’s Biblical:

John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah ✓
This means he had similar ministry and message ✓
He prepared the way for the Lord ✓

Where SCJ Misapplies This:

The Implication:

The lesson uses John the Baptist as a pattern:

Elijah was a prophet (Old Testament)
John the Baptist came “in the spirit of Elijah” (First Coming)
Therefore: Someone must come “in the spirit of John” (Second Coming) = Lee Man-hee

The Problem:

“In the spirit and power of Elijah” ≠ Elijah’s spirit possessing John

What “Spirit and Power of Elijah” Actually Means:

Luke 1:17 explains: “to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Similar ministry: Calling people to repentance
Similar boldness: Confronting religious leaders
Similar message: Prepare for the Lord
Not: Elijah’s spirit literally working through John

Jesus’ Explanation:

Matthew 11:14: “And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.”

“If you are willing to accept it” – Figurative fulfillment
He is the Elijah – In the sense of fulfilling that role
Not: Elijah’s spirit literally in John

Matthew 17:12-13: “But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.’ Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.”

Elijah has already come = John fulfilled that role
Figurative fulfillment of Malachi 4:5-6
Not: Literal reincarnation or spirit possession

John the Baptist’s Own Words:

John 1:21: “They asked him, ‘Then who are you? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the Prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.'”

John denied being Elijah literally
He was Elijah in the sense of fulfilling that prophetic role
Important distinction

The Difference:

Biblical Understanding:

“In the spirit and power of Elijah” = Similar ministry and message
Figurative fulfillment of prophecy
Not literal spirit possession

SCJ’s Application:

“In the spirit of” = That spirit literally working through the person
Creates pattern for Lee Man-hee to be “in the spirit of John”
Misses the figurative nature of the language

Part 4: The “Another Counselor” – The Critical Shift

What the Lesson Says:

“He said, ‘And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate.’ That’s right, another. Why another? Another counselor because Jesus was the first counselor, and he was leaving. So Jesus promised to send another counselor.”

Then later:

“Number two, John 14:17, what’s really important here is that the spirit of truth will dwell in and speak through a person. ‘For he will be in you, and you will know him,’ though the world will not accept him.”

Analysis from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims”:

Chapter 9 examines how SCJ reinterprets the Holy Spirit to point toward their leader.

The Setup:

Jesus was a counselor (human)
Jesus promised another counselor
This counselor will be “in you”
Therefore: Another human counselor through whom a spirit works

The Critical Misinterpretation:

What Jesus Actually Said:

“Another advocate” – Greek “allos parakletos” (another of the same kind)
“To be with you forever” – Permanent, eternal presence
“The Spirit of truth” – Identified as the Holy Spirit (v. 26)
“Lives with you” – Present tense (already with them in Jesus)
“Will be in you” – Future tense (after Pentecost)

The Context:

John 14:18-20: “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.”

“I will come to you” – Jesus comes through the Holy Spirit
“You will see me” – Spiritual sight through the Spirit
“I am in you” – Through the indwelling Holy Spirit

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.”

The Advocate = The Holy Spirit (explicitly identified)
Whom the Father will send – From heaven, not born on earth
In my name – Representing Jesus
Will teach you all things – Divine teaching ministry

The Fulfillment:

Acts 2:1-4: “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”

The Holy Spirit came at Pentecost
Filled the believers – Indwelling presence
This fulfilled Jesus’ promise – “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you” (Acts 1:8)

Acts 1:8: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Jesus’ promise before ascension
Fulfilled at Pentecost
The Holy Spirit is the “another counselor”

The Problem with SCJ’s Interpretation:

SCJ Claims:

The “another counselor” is a spirit working through a human (Lee Man-hee)
This hasn’t happened yet (or just happened recently)
You need this human counselor to understand Revelation

Biblical Reality:

The “another counselor” is the Holy Spirit Himself
This happened at Pentecost (Acts 2)
The Holy Spirit indwells all believers (Romans 8:9)

Romans 8:9: “You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.”

All believers have the Holy Spirit
If you don’t have the Spirit = you don’t belong to Christ
Not: Only those who follow a specific human leader have the Spirit

1 Corinthians 3:16: “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?”

God’s Spirit dwells in believers
Present tense – Already happening
Not: Waiting for a future human counselor

Part 5: The “Mighty Angel” – The Most Problematic Claim

What the Lesson Says:

“So, who is the spirit of truth? Well, we have actually already known the spirit of truth, and it is not who you think. No, it is not the new John. The new John is a person, not him. Not him. But we have actually already talked about the spirit of truth many times in the class, just didn’t know it yet. Who is the spirit of truth? [Student: The angel.] Which angel? [Student: The angel that talks to John.]”

Then:

“Let’s go to Revelation 10:1-2… ‘Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head. His face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars.’… Why does he look like God and Jesus? Because he is also the Holy Spirit, sent by them. That’s right. He is the ‘another counselor’ promised by Jesus.”

Analysis from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims”:

Chapter 8 examines how SCJ identifies specific angels in Revelation with the Holy Spirit and then connects them to their leader.

The Claim:

The “another counselor” = The mighty angel in Revelation 10
This angel = The Holy Spirit Jesus promised
This angel gives the scroll to John (Revelation 10:8-11)
“John” = Lee Man-hee (SCJ’s interpretation)
Therefore: The Holy Spirit works through Lee Man-hee to reveal Revelation

The Problems:

Problem #1: Angels ≠ The Holy Spirit

Hebrews 1:5-14 contrasts the Son with angels:

“For to which of the angels did God ever say, ‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father’?… And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, ‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’… But about the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever’… In speaking of the angels he says, ‘He makes his angels spirits, his servants flames of fire.’… Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?”

Key Points:

Angels worship the Son – They are not equal to Him
Angels are servants – Created beings
Angels are “ministering spirits” – They serve, they are not God
The Son is God – “Your throne, O God”

The Holy Spirit is God:

Acts 5:3-4: “Then Peter said, ‘Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit… You have not lied just to human beings but to God.'”

Holy Spirit = God
Not: An angel

2 Corinthians 3:17: “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

The Lord is the Spirit
Divine identity

The Distinction:

Angels: Created beings, servants, messengers
Holy Spirit: God Himself, third person of Trinity
These are not the same

Problem #2: The “Mighty Angel” in Revelation 10

Revelation 10:1-2: “Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land.”

The Lesson’s Claim:

“Why does he look like God and Jesus? Because he is also the Holy Spirit, sent by them.”

The Problem:

Looking like God/Jesus ≠ Being God/Jesus/Holy Spirit

Ezekiel 1:26-28: “Above the vault over their heads was what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.”

Ezekiel saw God’s glory – With rainbow
Angels can reflect God’s glory – They are in His presence
Doesn’t make them God

Revelation 1:13-16 describes Jesus with:

Face like the sun
Feet like bronze
Voice like rushing waters

Revelation 10:1 describes the angel with:

Face like the sun
Legs like fiery pillars
Voice like a lion roaring (v. 3)

The angel reflects divine glory, but is not divine.

Problem #3: “The Angel” ≠ “The Holy Spirit”

Revelation 1:1: “The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John.”

Jesus sent his angel – A messenger
To John – The apostle John
Not: The Holy Spirit

Revelation 22:6: “The angel said to me, ‘These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.'”

The angel is a messenger
Sent by God/Jesus
Not identified as the Holy Spirit

Revelation 22:8-9: “I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. But he said to me, ‘Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!'”

Critical Point:

The angel refused worship – “Don’t do that!”
“I am a fellow servant” – Not divine
“Worship God” – Only God is to be worshiped

If this angel were the Holy Spirit (God), he would accept worship. He explicitly refuses it.

Problem #4: The Scroll Given to John

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.'”

The Lesson’s Claim:

“This angel then gives the open scroll to John. And John was told, ‘Eat this, and it will taste as sweet in your mouth as honey.’… He then must prophesy or testify to many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.”

Then later:

“‘John’ = Lee Man-hee (SCJ’s interpretation)”

The Problem:

The “John” in Revelation 10 is the Apostle John, not a future person:

Revelation 1:1, 4, 9:

“He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John” (v. 1)
“John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia” (v. 4)
“I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus” (v. 9)

Revelation 22:8:

“I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things”

The Context:

John is writing Revelation
John is on Patmos
John sees these visions
John is told to write them down
This is the Apostle John, not a code name for someone 2,000 years later

The “Prophesy Again”:

Revelation 10:11: “Then I was told, ‘You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings.'”

John must prophesy – Continue writing Revelation
About many peoples, nations, languages, kings – The scope of Revelation’s message
This is instruction to John to continue recording the vision

Not: A prophecy about someone in the future named “John”

Part 6: John 16:25 – “Speaking Plainly”

What the Lesson Says:

“John 16:25: ‘Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.’ A time is coming, although I have been speaking figuratively. First Coming: Jesus → Parables (prophecy). Second Coming: Another Counselor → Comes and Speaks Plainly (Fulfillment).”

Analysis from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims”:

Chapter 10 examines how SCJ interprets “speaking plainly” as their leader’s explanations of Revelation.

The Claim:

First Coming: Jesus spoke in parables (figuratively)
Second Coming: The counselor speaks plainly (through Lee Man-hee explaining Revelation)
Therefore: You need Lee Man-hee’s explanations to understand

Biblical Context:

John 16:25-28: “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”

What Jesus Was Saying:

Context: Jesus is speaking to His disciples before His death and resurrection.

“A time is coming” = After His resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit

John 16:29-30: “Then Jesus’ disciples said, ‘Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.'”

The disciples understood Jesus was speaking more clearly
“Now you are speaking clearly” – Present tense, already happening
This conversation is Jesus beginning to speak more plainly

The Fulfillment:

After the Resurrection:

Luke 24:44-45: “He said to them, ‘This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.’ Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.”

Jesus opened their minds after resurrection
They could understand what was previously unclear
This fulfilled the promise to speak plainly

Through the Holy Spirit:

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.”

The Holy Spirit teaches
Reminds of Jesus’ words
Makes things clear

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.”

The Spirit of truth guides into truth
This is the Holy Spirit (as established in John 14:26)
Not: A human messenger 2,000 years later

1 Corinthians 2:10-13: “These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 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.”

The Spirit reveals God’s truth
To all believers (“us”)
Not: Only to one person who then explains to others

The Reality:

“Speaking plainly” was fulfilled:

After Jesus’ resurrection – He explained things more clearly
At Pentecost – The Holy Spirit came to teach
Through the apostles’ teaching – Recorded in the New Testament
Through the Holy Spirit’s ongoing work – Teaching all believers

Not: Waiting for Lee Man-hee to explain Revelation 2,000 years later

Part 7: Psychological Manipulation Techniques

Technique #1: Creating Confusion About the Holy Spirit

What the Lesson Does:

“All spirits of God are holy spirits… Our problem, for the longest time, is painting the scripture with a broad brush. It says ‘Holy Spirit’ in this scripture, and it says ‘Holy Spirit’ in that scripture, and they are all capitalized, so it must be the same spirit. No, all the spirits that belong to God are holy.”

Analysis from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims”:

Chapter 17 examines how SCJ creates confusion to make students dependent on their interpretations.

The Manipulation:

Creates doubt: “You thought all ‘Holy Spirit’ references were the same, but they’re not”
Positions SCJ as having special knowledge: “We understand the specificity”
Makes Scripture confusing: Students can’t trust their own reading
Creates dependency: Need SCJ to tell you which spirit is which

The Effect:

Students doubt their previous understanding
Scripture becomes a puzzle only SCJ can solve
The clear becomes unclear
Dependency on SCJ’s “expertise”

Biblical Response:

The Bible is Clear About the Holy Spirit:

John 14:26: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name…”

“The Holy Spirit” – Definite article, specific person
Sent by the Father – Divine origin
In Jesus’ name – Representing Jesus

Acts 1:8: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you”

“The Holy Spirit” – Specific person
Comes on believers – At Pentecost

Romans 8:9: “You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.”

The Spirit of God = The Spirit of Christ = The Holy Spirit
One Spirit, not multiple spirits
All believers have Him

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.”

One Spirit – Not multiple holy spirits
Unity in the Trinity

The Truth:

The Bible consistently refers to THE Holy Spirit – one specific person of the Trinity, not various angels or spirits.

Technique #2: The “Specificity” Trap

What the Lesson Does:

“Remember, I am emphasizing the importance of specificity. We have to be specific when it comes to scripture.”

Analysis from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims”:

Chapter 19 examines how SCJ uses the language of careful Bible study to introduce their unique interpretations.

The Manipulation:

Sounds scholarly: “We must be specific”
Implies others are sloppy: “You’ve been painting with a broad brush”
Positions SCJ as precise: “We understand the details”
Justifies reinterpretation: “Being specific means accepting our view”

The Effect:

Students feel they’ve been careless before
SCJ’s interpretations seem more rigorous
Questioning SCJ = Being “unspecific” or sloppy
Accepting SCJ = Being a careful student

Biblical Response:

True Biblical Specificity:

2 Timothy 2:15: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

Correctly handle the word
Not: Reinterpret clear passages

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.”

Examine the Scriptures – Test teachings
See if what Paul said was true – Even apostolic teaching was tested
Noble character = Testing, not blind acceptance

The Question:

Is SCJ’s “specificity” actually:

Careful exegesis (drawing meaning from the text)?
Or eisegesis (reading their meaning into the text)?

Example:

SCJ’s “Specificity”:

“The Holy Spirit in John 14 is actually the angel in Revelation 10”
“John in Revelation 10 is actually Lee Man-hee”
“The counselor is a human through whom a spirit works”

Biblical Specificity:

John 14:26 explicitly says: “the Advocate, the Holy Spirit“
Revelation 1:1, 4, 9; 22:8 explicitly identify John as the apostle
John 14:16-17 describes the counselor as dwelling in believers, not working through one person

Real specificity means reading what the text actually says, not imposing a predetermined interpretation.

Technique #3: The “Progressive Revelation” Framework

What the Lesson Does:

Creates a pattern:

Genesis: Tree of life = God
First Coming: Tree of life = Jesus
Second Coming: Tree of life = New John (SCJ)

And:

Moses: Counselor through Aaron
First Coming: Counselor = Jesus
Second Coming: Counselor = Spirit through “New John”

Analysis from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims”:

Chapter 11 examines how SCJ creates patterns across Scripture that lead to their organization.

The Manipulation:

Establishes biblical pattern (God works through people)
Shows pattern repeating (Moses, Jesus)
Implies pattern continues (Must happen again)
Applies to SCJ (Lee Man-hee is the current fulfillment)

The Effect:

Seems logical: “If it happened before, it must happen again”
Makes SCJ’s claims seem inevitable
Students accept the pattern without questioning the application
Disagreeing seems like denying the pattern

Biblical Response:

Jesus is the Final Revelation:

Hebrews 1:1-2: “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.”

In the past – Many prophets
In these last days – Through His Son
Finality – Jesus is the culmination, not one in a series

Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Jesus doesn’t change – His work is complete
Not: A series of counselors

The Pattern Actually Ends with Jesus:

Old Testament: God spoke through prophets Jesus: God spoke through His Son Church Age: God speaks through His Spirit and His Word

Not: God speaks through a new prophet every age

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.”

“Once for all” – The faith was delivered completely
Not: Progressive revelations through new leaders

Part 8: The Core Theological Errors

Error #1: Denying the Trinity

What SCJ Effectively Does:

By claiming the “Holy Spirit” Jesus promised is actually an angel working through a human, SCJ denies the Trinity.

The Biblical Doctrine:

Matthew 28:19: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Three persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit
One name (singular): One God
Equal in divinity

2 Corinthians 13:14: “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

Three persons working in believers’ lives
Distinct roles but one God

The Holy Spirit is God:

Acts 5:3-4: Lying to the Holy Spirit = lying to God

1 Corinthians 3:16: “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?”

God’s Spirit = God Himself dwelling in us

The Problem:

If the “Holy Spirit” is just an angel, then:

The Trinity is false
Jesus lied about who He was sending
Believers don’t have God dwelling in them
Christianity’s core doctrine is wrong

Error #2: Denying the Holy Spirit’s Indwelling

What SCJ Effectively Teaches:

The “spirit of truth” works through one person (Lee Man-hee), not indwelling all believers.

The Biblical Teaching:

All believers have the Spirit
If you don’t have the Spirit = you don’t belong to Christ

1 Corinthians 6:19: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?”

Your bodies (plural) = temples
The Holy Spirit is in you – All believers

Galatians 4:6: “Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.'”

God sent the Spirit into our hearts
All believers (“you are his sons”)

The Problem:

If the Holy Spirit only works through one person:

Most believers don’t have the Spirit
We need a human mediator to access God’s truth
The New Covenant promise is false

Error #3: Adding a Human Mediator

What SCJ Effectively Teaches:

You need Lee Man-hee (through whom the “spirit of truth” works) to understand God’s truth.

The Biblical Teaching:

1 Timothy 2:5: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.”

One mediator: Jesus Christ
Not: Jesus + a human teacher

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.”

Direct access to God through Christ
With confidence – No human mediator needed

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.”

You do not need anyone to teach you – The Holy Spirit teaches
The anointing (Holy Spirit) remains in you
Direct teaching from God

The Problem:

If you need Lee Man-hee to understand Revelation:

Jesus is not sufficient
The Holy Spirit is not sufficient
You need a human mediator beyond Christ

Part 9: Key Questions for Reflection

For Those Studying with SCJ:

On the Holy Spirit:

Does John 14:26 say “the Advocate, the Holy Spirit” or “the Advocate, an angel”?
Does Acts 2 record the Holy Spirit coming at Pentecost, or is that still future?
Does Romans 8:9 say all believers have the Spirit, or only those who follow one leader?
If the “counselor” is an angel, why does Acts 5:3-4 equate the Holy Spirit with God?

On the Angel in Revelation:

Does Revelation 22:8-9 show the angel refusing worship (proving he’s not God)?
Can you find any verse that says an angel is the Holy Spirit?
Does Hebrews 1 distinguish between angels (servants) and the Son (God)?
If angels are the Holy Spirit, why does the Bible distinguish between them?

On John in Revelation:

Does Revelation 1:1, 4, 9 identify John as the apostle or as a future person?
Does Revelation 22:8 say “I, John” am the one who saw these things?
Can you find any verse suggesting “John” is a code name for someone 2,000 years later?
If “John” means Lee Man-hee, why does the text identify John as being on Patmos?

On “Speaking Plainly”:

Does John 16:29-30 show the disciples saying Jesus was already speaking more clearly?
Does Luke 24:44-45 show Jesus opening the disciples’ minds after His resurrection?
Does 1 Corinthians 2:10-13 say the Spirit reveals truth to all believers or just one person?
If “speaking plainly” requires Lee Man-hee, what about 2,000 years of Christians before him?

On Mediation:

Does 1 Timothy 2:5 say there is one mediator (Jesus) or two (Jesus + a human teacher)?
Does Hebrews 4:16 say we can approach God’s throne directly or through a human?
Does 1 John 2:27 say we don’t need anyone to teach us because the Spirit teaches?
If you need Lee Man-hee to understand, isn’t that adding a mediator beyond Christ?

Part 10: Red Flags in This Lesson

Warning Signs of Spiritual Manipulation:

Redefining the Holy Spirit – As an angel, not God
Creating confusion – “All holy spirits” makes Scripture unclear
Claiming special knowledge – “We understand the specificity”
Denying clear identification – John 14:26 says “the Holy Spirit” but SCJ says “an angel”
Misidentifying “John” – Revelation clearly identifies John as the apostle
Pattern creation – Moses → Jesus → Lee Man-hee
Adding a mediator – Need Lee Man-hee to understand Revelation
Denying Pentecost – The Holy Spirit’s coming is still future or incomplete
Exclusive access – Only through SCJ can you understand
Undermining assurance – If you don’t have the Spirit through SCJ, do you belong to Christ?

From “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims” Chapter 25:

Healthy Christian Teaching:

Affirms the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)
Teaches the Holy Spirit indwells all believers
Points to Christ as the only mediator
Affirms Scripture’s clarity and sufficiency
Recognizes Pentecost as the Holy Spirit’s coming
Encourages direct relationship with God through Christ

Unhealthy Teaching (SCJ):

Redefines the Holy Spirit as an angel
Teaches the Spirit works through one person
Adds a human mediator (Lee Man-hee)
Claims Scripture is unclear without their interpretation
Implies the Holy Spirit’s coming is still future/incomplete
Creates dependency on their leader for understanding

Conclusion: Who is the Spirit of Truth?

The Biblical Answer:

John 14:16-17, 26: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth… But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things.”

The Spirit of Truth = The Holy Spirit = God Himself

Not:

An angel
A spirit working through one human
Something still to come

The Fulfillment:

Acts 2:1-4: The Holy Spirit came at Pentecost

Acts 2:38-39: “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.'”

The promise = The Holy Spirit
For all whom God calls
Already fulfilled at Pentecost

The Present Reality:

Romans 8:9-11: “You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”

All believers:

Have the Spirit living in them
Are in the realm of the Spirit
Have Christ in them through the Spirit
Will be resurrected by the Spirit

Not: Waiting for a spirit to work through one person

The Teaching Ministry:

1 John 2:20, 27: “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth… 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.”

All believers have the anointing (Holy Spirit)
The Spirit teaches all believers
You do not need anyone to teach you – Direct teaching from God
Not: Dependent on one human teacher

The Simple Truth:

You don’t need:

Lee Man-hee to explain Revelation
An angel working through a human
A “new John” to receive the scroll
Special knowledge from SCJ

You need:

Faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior
The Holy Spirit who indwells all believers
God’s Word which is sufficient (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
The Spirit’s teaching which He gives to all who ask (James 1:5)

John 16:13: “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.”

The Spirit of truth guides all believers into truth, not just one person.

Moving Forward

If You’re Recognizing Concerns:

Affirm the Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are God
Recognize the Holy Spirit’s indwelling – He lives in all believers
Trust Christ’s mediation – No human mediator needed
Read Scripture in context – Don’t accept reinterpretations
Test teachings – Even apostolic teaching was tested (Acts 17:11)
Seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance – He teaches all believers
Find a healthy church – One that affirms orthodox Christian doctrine

For More Information:

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

Detailed refutations of SCJ’s Holy Spirit doctrine
Testimonies from former members
Biblical teaching on the Trinity
Support for those leaving
Community and resources

Final Thoughts

The instructor says:

“So, how does God, in that situation, let us know he exists? Because he can’t just do things and expect us to know it was him. What does God have to do in order to allow us to know that it is really him who is at work? He has to tell us he is going to do something before, so that when he actually does the thing, we can reference it and say, ‘Oh, yes, this is indeed God who is at work.'”

This is true. God does work through prophecy and fulfillment.

But the question is: Has God prophesied that the Holy Spirit is actually an angel who will work through one human to explain Revelation?

The answer is no.

What God actually prophesied:

Joel 2:28-29: “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.”

“I will pour out my Spirit on all people” – Not just one person
Fulfilled at Pentecost (Acts 2:16-21)

Jesus’ prophecy:

John 14:16-17: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.”

Fulfilled at Pentecost (Acts 2)
The Holy Spirit came and indwells all believers

You don’t need SCJ’s reinterpretation. You have the Holy Spirit Himself.

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.”

The Holy Spirit teaches you. Trust Him, not a human organization.

This analysis uses principles from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story” to examine SCJ Lesson 84. For comprehensive refutation of SCJ teachings and support resources, visit closerlookinitiative.com and explore their SCJ Examination materials.

Remember: The Holy Spirit is God Himself, the third person of the Trinity, who indwells all believers. Anyone who redefines the Holy Spirit as an angel working through one human is teaching a different gospel.

Galatians 1:8: “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 true gospel includes the true Holy Spirit—God Himself dwelling in all who believe in Jesus Christ.

Study Guide

Outline

Outline: The Spirit of Truth and the Counselor

I. Introduction: Setting the Stage

Emphasis on Attentive Listening: This section stresses the importance of absorbing the content rather than focusing on note-taking, highlighting the intricate nature of the lesson.
Context of John 16: This section places John 16 within the broader context of Jesus’ final conversations with his disciples (John 13-16), framing the discussion of the Spirit of Truth.
Two Counselors at the Second Coming: Introduces the concept of dual counselors at the Second Coming, piquing curiosity and setting the stage for deeper exploration.

II. Review: Foundational Concepts from Previous Session

The Place Prepared by Jesus: Reviews the identification of the Holy City, New Jerusalem, as the place prepared by Jesus.
The 12 Tribes of New Spiritual Israel: Recaps the connection between the 12 tribes of the new spiritual Israel and the 12 disciples, based on Jesus’ promise in Matthew 19:27-28.
The Holy City and Sheep-like Believers: Summarizes the characteristics of sheep-like believers (Matthew 25) who will inherit the Holy City, emphasizing their actions and spiritual nourishment.
Qualifications for Entering Heaven: Reiterates the importance of doing God’s will, as detailed in His word, encompassing various aspects of righteous living.

III. God’s Communication Strategy: Unveiling His Presence

God’s Invisibility and Human Dependence on Senses: Addresses the challenge of God’s invisibility to human senses and how it can lead to His being overlooked.
Prophecy and Fulfillment as Proof of God’s Action: Explains how God uses prophecy and its fulfillment to reveal His presence and demonstrate that He is a living and active God.

IV. Understanding the Spirits of God: A Foundational Exploration

The Division of the Spiritual World: Recounts the separation of the spiritual world into holiness and evil, truth and lies, emphasizing the need for discernment.
God as Holy Spirit: Establishes God as a holy spirit, drawing upon John 4:24 and Leviticus 19:2 to highlight His spiritual nature and inherent holiness.
Jesus as Holy Spirit: Explores the concept of Jesus as a holy spirit, referencing Revelation 1:12-13, Revelation 2:1, 7, and Mark 1:21 to demonstrate the multifaceted nature of Jesus’s being.
Angels as Holy Spirits: Presents angels as holy spirits, citing Hebrews 1:7, 14 and Mark 8:38 to reveal their spiritual essence and alignment with God’s holiness.
Unity of God’s Spirits: Emphasizes the shared holiness and unity of purpose among all spirits of God, highlighting their obedience to the Father’s will.

V. The Advocate (Counselor) at the First Coming: Jesus’ Role

Defining the Counselor’s Role: Explains the dual functions of a counselor: teaching and protecting, drawing parallels with guidance counselors and spiritual mentors.
Identifying Jesus as the First Coming Counselor: Reveals Jesus as the counselor at the first coming, referencing 1 John 2:1 to highlight his role as advocate, mediator, and messenger.
The Logic of God’s Messengers: Explores the consistent pattern of God sending messengers to speak on His behalf, using the example of Moses and Aaron (Exodus 4:14-17) to illustrate this principle.
Jesus as God’s Spokesperson: Confirms that Jesus spoke on God’s behalf, citing John 17:8 and John 14:24 to emphasize his role as the conveyor of God’s words.
Accepting the Messenger, Accepting God: Explains the inseparable connection between accepting the messenger (Jesus) and accepting God, referencing John 13:20 and John 15:23 to underscore this vital point.
Jesus as the Only Way to the Father: Reasserts the exclusivity of Jesus as the path to God, drawing upon John 14:6 to emphasize the necessity of going through Jesus to reach the Father.
Jesus’ Advocacy on Behalf of Humanity: Describes Jesus’ role as high priest, interceding on behalf of humanity, referencing Hebrews 2:14-18 to explain his compassionate advocacy and atoning sacrifice.

VI. The Advocate (Counselor) at the Second Coming: The Spirit of Truth

Promise of Another Counselor: Highlights Jesus’ promise of another counselor, citing John 14:16-17 to introduce the Spirit of Truth as the advocate for the present age.
Key Characteristics of the Spirit of Truth: Identifies crucial aspects of the Spirit of Truth, emphasizing its eternal presence, indwelling nature, and invisibility to the world.
Sent by Jesus in His Name: Explains that the Spirit of Truth is sent by Jesus in His name, just as Jesus was sent by God in His name, drawing upon John 14:26 to illustrate this parallel.
Role and Duty of the Spirit of Truth: Enumerates the Spirit of Truth’s functions: leading into all truth, speaking what is heard from Jesus, teaching about future things, and prophesying Jesus’ words.
Speaking Figuratively vs. Speaking Plainly: Contrasts Jesus’ use of parables (figurative language) during his first coming with the Spirit of Truth’s role in revealing the plain truth about the Father, referencing John 16:25.

VII. Unmasking the Spirit of Truth: Revelation’s Messenger

Refuting Common Misconceptions: Addresses and clarifies misunderstandings about the Spirit of Truth’s identity.
Introducing the Angel of Revelation: Identifies the angel of Revelation as the embodiment of the Spirit of Truth promised by Jesus.
Comparing the Appearances of God, Jesus, and the Angel: Draws parallels between the descriptions of God (Revelation 4:1-3), Jesus (Revelation 1:9-16), and the angel (Revelation 10:1-2) to highlight their shared characteristics and suggest a connection.
The Promised Shepherd and the Scroll: Explains the angel’s role in delivering the open scroll to John (Revelation 10:8-11, 22:8) and John’s subsequent consumption of the scroll, symbolizing the internalization of God’s message.
The 12 Tribes as Servants of God: Connects the emergence of the 12 tribes of Israel with the servants mentioned in Revelation 1:1-3, suggesting a fulfillment of God’s plan through these faithful individuals.
Spirits Working Through People: Reiterates the principle that spirits work through people, emphasizing the interconnectedness between the spiritual and physical realms.
The Spirit of Truth as the Fulfillment of Prophecy: Positions the spirit of truth as the agent of fulfilling Jesus’s prophecy and parables, clarifying that the spirit speaks the words of Jesus that need to be fulfilled at the appointed time.
The Open Revelation and its Swift Fulfillment: Emphasizes the rapid unfolding of events described in Revelation, underscoring the urgency and importance of heeding its message.

VIII. Conclusion: Summarizing Key Insights

Reiterating the Unity and Purpose of God’s Spirits: Re-emphasizes the holiness and shared purpose of all God’s spirits, highlighting their role as advocates and messengers.
Contrasting the Roles of Jesus and the Spirit of Truth: Summarizes the distinct yet interconnected roles of Jesus as the first coming counselor and the Spirit of Truth as the advocate for the present age.
Highlighting the Importance of Revelation’s Fulfillment: Underscores the significance of Revelation’s fulfillment, emphasizing the swiftness of events and the urgent call to heed its message.

A Study Guide

Revelation Study Guide: The Spirit of Truth, The Counselor

Quiz

Instructions: Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each.

What is the primary twofold role of a counselor or advocate?
Who was the counselor at the first coming of Jesus? Explain why.
How is the relationship between God and Jesus similar to the one between Moses and Aaron?
What are three key points about the “another Counselor” promised by Jesus?
How does John 14:29 help us understand God’s way of revealing Himself to humanity?
Why is it significant that the Spirit of Truth “will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears”?
What does the Spirit of Truth “take from what is Jesus'” and make known to us?
How does the imagery of a rainbow connect God, Jesus, and the mighty angel in Revelation?
What is the significance of the statement “There will be no more delay” uttered by the angel in Revelation 10:6?
Who are the 12 tribes of the new spiritual Israel, and how are they connected to the servants mentioned in Revelation?

Answer Key

The primary role of a counselor or advocate is to teach and protect. They assess the individual’s situation and recommend the best course of action, speaking on their behalf and ensuring their well-being.
Jesus was the counselor at the first coming. He acted as our mediator and advocate, speaking to God on our behalf and delivering God’s message to humanity.
Both relationships demonstrate the concept of a sender and a spokesperson. God sent Jesus to speak His words, just as Moses, acting as a conduit for God’s message, instructed Aaron to speak on his behalf to the people.
The “another Counselor” will be with us forever, dwell in us, and speak through us, though the world may not accept him. This Counselor is the Spirit of Truth, sent by Jesus in his name.
By foretelling events before they happen, God provides evidence of His active presence and power. When His prophecies come true, we can confidently recognize His hand at work and believe in His guidance.
This emphasizes the Spirit of Truth’s role as a messenger faithfully relaying Jesus’s message. He does not add or subtract from Jesus’s teachings, ensuring the purity and accuracy of the message.
The Spirit of Truth takes Jesus’s revelation, specifically the book of Revelation, and makes it known to humanity. This includes the events of the end times, God’s final plan for humanity, and the establishment of the new spiritual Israel.
The rainbow symbolizes God’s covenant and His presence. It encircles God’s throne, appears over the angel’s head, and reflects Jesus’s glorious appearance, signifying the unified nature and shared authority of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
This signifies the urgency and swiftness with which the events of Revelation will unfold. The time for God’s plan to be fully realized has arrived, and the events will happen rapidly.
The 12 tribes are the servants who accept and heed the message of Revelation. They represent the new spiritual Israel, born from those who hear and follow the word revealed through the Spirit of Truth.

Additional Questions

1. What are Holy Spirits?

– Jesus, God, and the Angels.

Basically, all Spirits of God are Holy Spirits.

2. What is the Counselor’s will? What does this Counselor do?

– Teach and protect.

So, let’s understand this a little bit more. To teach us the truth, right, and to protect us from falsehood and lies, which is death.

So, this Counselor’s job is to teach and protect with grace.

3. Who is the Counselor at the time of First Coming?

– Jesus.

4. Who is the Counselor at the Second Coming?

– The Promised Pastor, New John.

Glossary of Key Terms

Advocate: A person who speaks or acts on behalf of another person or group.
Counselor: A person who provides guidance and support, particularly in spiritual matters.
Holy Spirit: The third person of the Trinity, representing God’s active presence and power in the world.
Parable: A story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson.
Prophecy: A message communicated by a prophet, often revealing future events or God’s will.
Revelation: The act of God making something known, specifically referring to the book of Revelation detailing the end times and God’s final plan.
Spirit of Truth: The specific Holy Spirit promised by Jesus to guide believers into all truth and reveal the fulfillment of his prophecies.
12 Tribes of Israel: The symbolic representation of the new spiritual Israel, comprised of those who accept the message of Revelation and are guided by the Spirit of Truth.

Breakdown

Timeline of Events

Old Testament Times:

Creation & Fall: God creates humanity and communes with them. However, sin enters the world, leading to separation between God and humanity.
God Calls Prophets & Leaders: God begins sending prophets and leaders (like Moses and Aaron) to speak on his behalf and guide humanity.

New Testament Times – First Coming of Jesus:

John the Baptist Prepares the Way: John the Baptist, filled with the spirit and power of Elijah, prepares the way for Jesus and baptizes him.
Jesus’ Ministry: Jesus comes to earth as the Word of God in flesh. He preaches, performs miracles, and fulfills prophecy. He is the first Counselor, mediating between God and humanity.
Jesus’ Crucifixion & Resurrection: Jesus dies on the cross, atoning for the sins of humanity. He is resurrected, demonstrating victory over death.
Promise of Another Counselor: Before ascending to heaven, Jesus promises to send “another Counselor,” the Spirit of Truth, to guide and teach his followers.

The Present and Future:

Revelation Given to John: The resurrected Jesus reveals the book of Revelation to John through a mighty angel, the Spirit of Truth.
John Eats the Scroll: John consumes the scroll containing the Revelation, finding it both sweet and bitter. He is tasked with sharing this prophecy with the world.
Revelation Unfolds: The events of Revelation begin to unfold rapidly, fulfilling prophecy.
Second Coming of Jesus: The timeline culminates in the anticipated second coming of Jesus, where he will judge the world and establish his kingdom.

Cast of Characters

God:

The ultimate source of truth and authority.
Sends prophets and leaders to communicate with humanity.
Gives the sealed book of Revelation to Jesus.

Jesus:

The Son of God, the Word made flesh.
The first Counselor, speaking God’s words and mediating between God and humanity.
Sacrifices himself on the cross, atoning for sin and offering salvation.
Promises to send the Spirit of Truth after his ascension.
Opens the sealed book of Revelation.

Holy Spirit:

A term used to refer to various divine messengers and spirits of God.
The Spirit of Truth: The specific Holy Spirit promised by Jesus to come after his ascension. This Spirit takes what belongs to Jesus and makes it known to humanity.
The Mighty Angel: The angel who delivers the book of Revelation to John. He is described with attributes of God and Jesus, suggesting he acts as their representative.

Prophets & Leaders (Old Testament):

Moses: Receives God’s law and leads the Israelites out of Egypt. He relies on his brother Aaron to speak for him.
Aaron: Moses’ brother, appointed by God to speak on Moses’ behalf to the people.

New Testament Figures:

John the Baptist: The forerunner of Jesus, preparing the way for his ministry. He comes in the spirit and power of Elijah.
The Twelve Disciples: Jesus’ closest followers, who witness his ministry and receive his teachings.
John: The apostle who receives the book of Revelation and is tasked with sharing its prophecy.

Other:

Satan: The fallen angel who opposes God and seeks to deceive humanity. His existence necessitates the declaration of truth and holiness.
Angels: Ministering spirits who serve God and carry out his will.
Humanity: Those who God seeks to redeem and restore to fellowship with him.
The 12 Tribes of New Spiritual Israel: Believers who inherit salvation and are named after the 12 disciples. They will reside in the Holy City, New Jerusalem.

Overview

Overview: The Spirit of Truth, the Counselor

Main Themes:

Understanding the nature of God’s spirits and their role as messengers and advocates.
Identifying the Counselor at the first coming as Jesus and exploring his role as mediator and teacher.
Recognizing the spirit of truth promised by Jesus as a distinct Holy Spirit who reveals the fulfillment of prophecy.
Unveiling the identity of the spirit of truth as the mighty angel in Revelation, who delivers the open scroll to John.
Emphasizing the importance of specificity in interpreting scripture and focusing on the fulfillment of prophecy.

Most Important Ideas/Facts:

All spirits of God are Holy Spirits, capable of being sent as messengers and empowered to act on God’s behalf. They work through individuals to convey God’s will and power.

“All spirits of God are holy spirits. All of them. And any of them can be sent to do the work of a holy spirit, because they all do one will.”

The Counselor at the first coming was Jesus, acting as mediator, teacher, and advocate between God and humanity. He spoke God’s words to the people, and petitioned God on their behalf, offering atonement through his sacrifice.

“Jesus was the counselor at the first coming, which means His job was to be our messenger, our mediator, our counselor, and He is the advocate, the one who spoke on our behalf, the one who stood between us and the wrath of God.”

Jesus promised another Counselor, the spirit of truth, who would guide believers into all truth and reveal future events. This spirit would speak only what is heard from Jesus and would not speak on its own behalf.

“But the Counselor, 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.”

The spirit of truth is identified as the mighty angel in Revelation, who delivers the open scroll to John. This angel’s appearance reflects God and Jesus, symbolizing its role as their advocate.

“Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head. His face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars.”

John, after consuming the scroll, is tasked with proclaiming the fulfilled and yet-to-be-fulfilled prophecies of Revelation. This signifies the spirit of truth revealing the fulfillment of Jesus’ words and ushering in a time of swift judgment.

“And he swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, and the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, ‘There will be no more delay.'”

Quotes from Source:

“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)
“I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him.” (John 5:43)
“The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14:17)
“He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.” (John 16:14)
“Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.” (John 16:25)

Key Takeaways:

The provided lesson presents a distinct interpretation of the Holy Spirit and the spirit of truth, focusing on their roles as messengers and advocates for God and Jesus. It emphasizes the fulfillment of prophecy through the revelation of John and highlights the urgency of the events described, as “there will be no more delay.” By analyzing the specific characteristics and actions of the spirit of truth, the text aims to provide a deeper understanding of its significance in God’s plan and its role in revealing truth to believers.

Q&A

Q&A: The Spirit of Truth, The Counselor

1. Who is the Spirit of Truth?

The Spirit of Truth is a specific Holy Spirit, identified as the mighty angel in Revelation. This angel receives the open scroll from Jesus, representing the revealed word of God, and delivers it to John. This Spirit acts as a counselor, guiding believers into all truth by revealing the fulfillment of Jesus’s prophecies and teachings.

2. What is the role of a counselor in a spiritual context?

A spiritual counselor acts as an advocate, mediator, and teacher. Their primary role is to teach and protect, offering guidance with grace. They speak on behalf of a higher authority, relaying messages and ensuring understanding between both parties.

3. Who was the counselor at the first coming of Jesus?

Jesus himself was the counselor at his first coming. He served as the mediator between God and humanity, teaching God’s words, atoning for sins, and advocating for believers before God.

4. How do spirits work in relation to people?

Spirits work through people, using them as vessels to deliver messages and carry out God’s will. John the Baptist, for instance, was filled with the spirit of Elijah. Similarly, the Spirit of Truth works through individuals to reveal God’s truth.

5. Why does the mighty angel in Revelation resemble God and Jesus?

The mighty angel shares a similar appearance with God and Jesus because this angel acts as their advocate and counselor, speaking on their behalf. This visual similarity emphasizes the connection and unity between them.

6. What is the significance of the open scroll given to John?

The open scroll represents the revealed word of God, specifically the book of Revelation. Its open state signifies the unveiling of God’s plan and the fulfillment of prophecies. John, by consuming the scroll, internalizes this revelation and is tasked with sharing it with the world.

7. Why does the scroll taste sweet in John’s mouth but sour in his stomach?

The sweetness represents the initial joy and privilege of receiving God’s revelation. The sourness, however, reflects the weighty responsibility and potential challenges that come with sharing this truth with a world that may not be receptive to it.

8. What does the phrase “there will be no more delay” signify?

This phrase, spoken by the mighty angel, emphasizes the urgency and swiftness with which the events of Revelation will unfold. It underscores the importance of heeding the message and preparing for the fulfillment of God’s plan.

[Lesson 84] The Spirit of Truth, The Counselor

The Spirit of Truth, The Counselor

Jn 16

Review

1.- Understanding The Spirits of God

GOD

JESUS

2.- The Advocate (Counselor) at the First Coming

ONE – The Counselor’s Role

TWO – Who is the counselor in the First Coming?

Jesus: Came in God’s Name

John the Baptist: Spirit and Power of Elijah | Mt 11:14, Mt 17:10-13

Quick Review

3.- The Spirit of Truth, The Counselor

THREE – Another Acounselor

FOUR – Sent by Jesus

FIVE – Role and Duty

SIX – Prophecy and Fulfillment

God | Rev 5:1

Jesus | Rev 5:7, Rev 6, Rev 8:1

The Mighty Angel | Rev 10:1-2

Prophecy of Revelation and Evidence of its Fulfillment

Promised Shepherd | Rev 10:8-11, Rev 22:8

12 Tribes → Servents | Rev 22:16

Memorization

SUMMARY

Let’s Us Discern

Analysis of Shincheonji Bible Study Lesson 84: “The Spirit of Truth, The Counselor”

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

Introduction

Part 1: The Setup – “All Holy Spirits”

What the Lesson Says:

Analysis from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims”:

Part 2: The Counselor at the First Coming

What the Lesson Says:

What’s Biblical:

Where the Lesson Sets Up the Problem:

Part 3: John the Baptist and the “Spirit of Elijah”

What the Lesson Says:

What’s Biblical:

Where SCJ Misapplies This:

Part 4: The “Another Counselor” – The Critical Shift

What the Lesson Says:

Analysis from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims”:

Part 5: The “Mighty Angel” – The Most Problematic Claim

What the Lesson Says:

Analysis from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims”:

Part 6: John 16:25 – “Speaking Plainly”

What the Lesson Says:

Analysis from “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims”:

Part 7: Psychological Manipulation Techniques

Technique #1: Creating Confusion About the Holy Spirit

Technique #2: The “Specificity” Trap

Technique #3: The “Progressive Revelation” Framework

Part 8: The Core Theological Errors

Error #1: Denying the Trinity

Error #2: Denying the Holy Spirit’s Indwelling

Error #3: Adding a Human Mediator

Part 9: Key Questions for Reflection

For Those Studying with SCJ:

Part 10: Red Flags in This Lesson

Warning Signs of Spiritual Manipulation:

From “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims” Chapter 25:

Conclusion: Who is the Spirit of Truth?

The Biblical Answer:

The Simple Truth:

Moving Forward

If You’re Recognizing Concerns:

For More Information:

Final Thoughts

Outline

Outline: The Spirit of Truth and the Counselor

A Study Guide

Revelation Study Guide: The Spirit of Truth, The Counselor

Quiz

Answer Key

Additional Questions

Glossary of Key Terms

Breakdown

Timeline of Events