This lesson covered the importance of keeping the new covenant, which is the law found in the Book of Revelation. The old covenant given through Moses was broken by the people, so God promised a new covenant through Jesus Christ. As our high priest, Jesus mediates this superior covenant with better promises.
To keep the new covenant means having God’s laws written on our hearts and minds so we understand and live by them. This allows us to take proper action based on the fulfillment of Revelation’s prophecies happening now. Those who master Revelation without adding or subtracting from it will be gathered as God’s people from all directions to form the 12 tribes.
The greatest blessing of keeping the covenant is not an easy life, but being empowered to overcome trials and sufferings, just as Christ did. This prepares us to inherit the kingdom, have sins forgiven, and dwell in the New Jerusalem. Keeping the new covenant law is crucial for being part of God’s ultimate purpose – the new heaven and new earth.
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.
The Law of the New Covenant That Must Be Kept
Heb 8
Today, we will discuss the law of the new covenant that must be kept. You might think of the old covenant as a law that had to be followed, but the new covenant is also a law we must observe.
Remember, all covenants in the Bible consist of two parts. First, there is the law part, which relates to daily actions people must take. Second, there is the prophecy part, meant to be fulfilled at the proper time when events unfold.
Our main reference is Hebrews chapter 8. We’ve been focusing on Hebrews and Galatians because they are crucial chapters concerning the time of the second coming.
The law of the new covenant that must be kept involves things we should do daily when the appropriate time arrives. Our hope is to be among those who know and keep this new covenant law, which is revelation on our hearts and minds.
Why on our hearts? Because the word must be sealed in our hearts to be sealed at Mount Zion. And why on our minds? So it can flow from our mouths.
To put it more concisely, we believe with our hearts and understand with our minds. One must first understand, then believe. This is why God often mentions both the mind and the heart.
These two aspects must work together. It’s difficult for someone to believe in something they don’t understand, and it’s equally challenging to understand something they don’t believe in. The two cannot be separated; they must come together. We’ll discuss the importance of this shortly.
The Three Things to Guide Us
Before we begin today’s lesson, there are three important things I want to discuss. These three things will help us better understand what is happening.
We actually started the class by emphasizing the importance of these three things. It’s crucial to always remember the basics. We should never forget the fundamental principles.
ONE – Understanding (Know) → Faith → Actions
Understanding is crucial. Without it, people cannot operate as God intends. They won’t be where God needs them or do what God requires. Lack of understanding prevents someone from working with God effectively. This is why God emphasizes the importance of knowing Him.
People are destroyed due to a lack of knowledge. They no longer know or understand God, which is why Satan successfully destroys them.
Understanding doesn’t come from one’s own mind or intellect. Many intelligent people in the Bible couldn’t understand it. Consider the Ethiopian eunuch, who managed an entire country’s treasury. Someone unintelligent couldn’t run a country’s finances. Yet, when he read Isaiah, he still didn’t understand. Understanding is not intuited; it is given and received. It is taught.
Even if someone reads the Bible, certain things might remain hard to understand because puzzle pieces are missing. Philip provided the Ethiopian eunuch with the missing pieces. When the eunuch asked Philip who the prophet was talking about, Philip filled in the gaps.
As the Ethiopian eunuch understood that Isaiah was prophesying about Jesus, he became excited because he finally understood the word. He had the missing pieces for complete understanding. It wasn’t intuited or reasoned; it was given.
When someone receives understanding and knowledge, faith follows. The Ethiopian eunuch, now understanding Jesus, was excited and rejoicing. He wanted to be baptized immediately. After Philip disappeared, the eunuch returned to Ethiopia and spread the gospel. His faith led to actions.
The next two important concepts are God’s purpose and God’s promise. Although they sound similar, they are different but closely related.
TWO – God’s Purpose → Creation of 12 Tribes of New Spiritual Israel (Kingdom of Priests)
God’s ultimate purpose is His end goal. What does He truly desire?
We often asked ourselves, “God, what is Your will?” In reality, we were asking, “God, what is Your will for my life?” We were looking inward when we should have been looking outward.
What is God’s purpose? What is His ultimate will?
His ultimate will, as mentioned before, is the creation of the 12 tribes of new spiritual Israel.
If you consider it, the creation of the 12 tribes has always been His desire, even from the beginning. He started first with the physical Israelites. He wanted a holy nation and a kingdom of priests through which He could work to save the entire world.
That purpose was reset at the first coming with a new 12 tribes of spiritual Israel who went out to save the entire world. But Jesus knew that there would be weeds among the wheat and that night was coming. So one more time, a creation of the 12 tribes of new spiritual Israel, a kingdom of priests.
You can also say kingdom and priests. That’s God’s ultimate purpose. Why?
Because these people will heal all nations and restore the world to the way it was before, with the help of heaven in the spiritual world that will come down.
So healing all nations is God’s purpose – to restore what was lost. But He needs a people in order to do that.
THREE – God’s Promise- the 12 Tribes is the conclusion of the New Thing.
God’s promise can be understood as a step-by-step blueprint or set of instructions for accomplishing His purpose. If we consider the purpose as the ultimate goal, then the promise represents the path to reach that goal. This path, or blueprint, is revealed through the new covenant.
The new covenant revelation outlines the steps needed to progress from our current state to the creation of the 12 tribes that will heal all nations. It’s important to note that the creation of these 12 tribes marks the conclusion of the new thing God is doing.
1.- The First Covenant (Old Covenant)
Today, we will examine the first covenant, also known as the old covenant. Our objective is to gain a deeper understanding of the covenants. Therefore, we will delve into them in detail during this lesson.
First Covenant Law: God → Moises → Priests → Gifts for the Law → Tent of Meeting
The old covenant or the new covenant.
The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man. 3 Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer. 4 If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already men who offer the gifts prescribed by the law. 5 They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” 6 But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises.
Hebrews 8:1-6
Apostle Paul, the writer of Hebrews, discussed many deep concepts that we need to break down step by step to understand how the new covenant applies in similar ways to the old one.
Firstly, he makes a point about the high priest, who had a very special job. Let’s review some of our diagrams that we haven’t seen in a long time. It’s good to have a reminder of what we’ve covered previously.
In Exodus 19:5-6, God establishes a covenant with his chosen people, the Israelites, to fulfill the promise he made to his servant Abraham 400 years earlier. This first covenant was given through Moses, the Old Testament mediator, to the Israelites. It included many instructions that the people had to keep – several hundred, in fact. The most familiar are the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20.
Part of the instructions Apostle Paul mentions here are the gifts for the law. In verses 3 and 4, it says, “Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. And so it was necessary for this one, Jesus, also to have something to offer. If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there were already men who offered gifts prescribed by the law.”
Verse 5 states, “They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and a shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was to build the tabernacle, ‘See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.'” These were very specific instructions that Moses and the priests had to follow so that God would not bring down wrath upon them.
The temple built according to heaven, which we’ve seen many times, was the Tent of Meeting. The high priest would take the gifts and offer the sacrifices on the altar of sacrifice. After the sacrifice, they would wash their hands in the bronze basin to cleanse themselves. They had to do this all before entering the first curtain into the Tent of Meeting, which is this part right here.
The Tent of Meeting was inside, while this area was outside. Upon entering, they would light the lamps, prepare the table of consecrated bread, and light the golden altar of incense.
After completing this process, they could enter through the curtain separating the holy place from the most holy place. Inside the most holy place was the cover of atonement, which covered the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark contained the golden jar of manna, tablets of the covenant, and Aaron’s staff that had budded. All these items mentioned are a shadow of the future, a copy and shadow of heaven, not the reality.
This is why Paul describes Jesus’ promises as better. Everything they had to do yearly was a reminder of sins, which could not permanently take away the people’s sins. It was a reminder of sins that pointed to a future permanent atonement of sin.
Hebrews 8:6 states, “But the ministry Jesus has received is…” Pay attention to this phrase, as it’s very important. Why is the term “received” used? The ministry Jesus has received is from God. As Jesus often said, “The words I speak, these words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me” (John 14:24).
One more thing to reveal: all of this atonement was done for the full 12 tribes of physical Israel, to atone for all their sins. The physical 12 tribes received atonement, or a yearly reminder of sins, through the actions performed inside the Tent of Meeting. It was for them as well.
New Covenant Law: God → Jesus: High Priest → Better Promises | Hebrews 3:1
At the time when Jesus came, Paul explains that Jesus established himself as a mediator of a better promise. Referring back to verse 6, it states that the ministry Jesus received is superior to theirs, just as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one. This new covenant is founded on better promises.
The old covenant is being surpassed by the new covenant, which is founded on better promises by our high priest. In the first covenant, the mediator (Moses) and the high priests were different people. However, at the time of Jesus’ first coming, our mediator and high priest became the same person: Jesus. He fulfills both roles.
Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.
Hebrews 3:1
Jesus serves as our high priest. As mentioned in Hebrews 8, he is seated at the right hand of God in this role. Jesus gave us a new covenant, which is established on better promises. This covenant is intended for those who gather at Mount Zion. The covenant was established for the people who would assemble on the mountain. Naturally, they would gather at the first coming on the spiritual mountain that Jesus established.
Israel as a Title for One who Overcomes
Jesus was called by a special name in Old Testament prophecy, which is often overlooked. This name points to part of his role or duty. Let’s examine an additional verse to see what Jesus is called here.
The sons of your oppressors will come bowing before you; all who despise you will bow down at your feet and will call you the City of the Lord, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah 60:14
This verse is talking about Jesus. How do we know it’s not referring to John the Baptist, Apostle Paul, or Peter? The answer lies in the title of Israel, which is given to the one who overcomes.
Let’s remember the lesson: Israel is a title meaning “one who struggles with God and overcomes.” Jesus receives this title because, as He said in John 6:33, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, for I have overcome the world.”
If Jesus is Zion, then Mount Zion represents His church and organization. It’s a copy and shadow of what exists in heaven. This is why Jesus said He was in heaven, came down, and is now sharing what He has seen there.
This message is for the 12 tribes of spiritual Israel, which includes anyone who hears and believes the gospel. At the second coming, a new spiritual Israel will emerge from these believers. They will gather on a new mountain, established after events of betrayal and destruction.
The two covenants are closely tied. The old covenant was for physical Israel, while the new covenant opens it up to all believers. Some aspects of the new covenant are only possible to fulfill in our time and era. Those who lived before these things were possible won’t be held accountable for them. However, we who exist when these things are possible will be held accountable.
Keep these things in mind as we continue our discussion.
Bible History
Let’s quickly review Bible history. We will work to understand how we fit into this equation a bit more clearly.
A Shadow that pointed to a Reality
I want to explain this concept once more because I believe some people might not fully understand what I’m saying. Let me clarify it again. We have the old covenant, which God gave through Moses.
This old covenant included many requirements for the Israelites. It contained instructions for their ritualistic practices, including the yearly sacrifice for the atonement of sin. Everything they did was a copy and a shadow of what existed in heaven and what would occur in the future – the reality that would appear. All these practices and rituals pointed to Jesus, who was the true embodiment of everything they were doing at that time.
The reality fulfilled in Jesus
Jesus became the fulfillment of the prophecies about Zion and Israel. He represents the overcomer, the one who triumphs. Through Jesus, the new covenant was established as he fulfilled the old covenant. This new covenant was given through Jesus, replacing the old one.
Jesus preparing a place for the second coming
As our high priest, Jesus offers us better promises, saying, “I am preparing a place for you.”
Although He is departing now, He will return, not just alone, but with all of heaven accompanying Him. Upon His return, there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain for those awaiting us at the place He will return to: Zion, Mount Zion, as mentioned in Revelation 14 and Revelation 21. These are the better promises we are waiting for.
These promises were beyond the comprehension of people under the old covenant. They were expecting a redemption, unaware that it had already come and would come again.
To better understand these concepts, let’s examine how they fit into the context of history.
2.- Bible History
Let’s revisit Bible history once again. We have likely discussed Bible history in nearly all of our lessons, but it’s always crucial to review it to ensure we don’t forget.
Old Testament
First Covenant (Law) → Moses | Ex 19:5-6, Ex 12:7-8, Ex 20:3, Ex 12:13
In this period of Bible history, we begin with Moses and the covenant given through him. There were several important requirements for the Israelites. To escape from Egypt, they had to put blood on their door frames and eat the flesh of the lamb, as described in Exodus 12. By doing this, the angel of death would pass over their houses, allowing them to flee Egypt.
Blood plus Flesh
The Israelites were instructed to eat the flesh and apply the blood to the door frames, as detailed in Exodus 12. These actions were necessary for their escape from Egypt, as the angel of death would pass over their homes.
One of the primary laws given was found in Exodus 20:3, which stated, “Do not worship any other gods before me.”
First Covenant Broken → Solomon | 1 Kings 11, Hos 6:7
Sadly, the Israelites struggled to follow this crucial instruction. The covenant was most severely broken when Solomon introduced foreign entities into Israel, which greatly angered God.
Promise of New Thing → Jeremiah | Jer 31:27, Jer 31:31
As a result, God allowed Israel to be destroyed, split into two kingdoms, and conquered by Assyria and Babylon. This period of destruction lasted for 70 years.
During this time, prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah began to record God’s plans for something new. One of the most significant prophecies is found in Jeremiah 31, which we discussed extensively in Intermediate. This prophecy speaks of a new thing, including the sowing of two seeds and the establishment of a new covenant.
First Coming
Fulfillment of New Thing → Jesus | Mt 13:24-30, Lk 22:14-20
The new thing began to be fulfilled at Jesus’ first coming. We’ve seen these concepts before, so we’ll move quickly. The fulfillment of the new thing started with Jesus’ birth, as mentioned in verse 22, where the woman surrounds the man. Throughout his ministry, Jesus was sowing the good seed.
Blood plus Flesh → New Covenant | Jn 19, Mt 27, Heb 9:28
Jesus sowed the good seed during his entire three-and-a-half-year ministry. In Matthew 13, he teased us about it through a parable, essentially explaining what he was doing. On the night of Passover, before his arrest, Jesus established the new covenant with his 12 disciples, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this in remembrance of me.” This created communion.
We now understand that the power doesn’t come from the bread and grape juice (or wine), but from the promise behind them. Jesus promised not to eat or drink of this again until the kingdom of God comes (Luke 22:16-18).
Jesus gave us instructions to follow. Some of his teachings include:
- Treat others how you want to be treated.
- Do not judge, or you will be judged.
- Blessed are thee…
- Knock and the door will be opened.
- Seek and you will find.
- To be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, become a servant and the least.
- Forgive others, or you will not be forgiven.
For most of our Christian faith, we focused on these instructions rather than prophecies. When we did consider prophecies, we often added or subtracted parts based on opinions or guesses. Meanwhile, people emphasized the importance of loving as Christians.
We sometimes forget these teachings today, but we should always remember the basic instructions Jesus gave us. These were his daily guidelines for us.
It is finished
Jesus’ death on the cross and the shedding of his blood accomplished one of his two main missions at the first coming. His second mission will be fulfilled at the second coming. When Jesus said, “It is finished,” he meant that the Old Covenant was concluded and complete. Everything he was supposed to do at the first coming was done.
Now, Jesus is working on what he needs to do for the second coming. This includes preparing a place for those he promised, ensuring the gospel spreads worldwide so people hear about him and wait for him, and building the Holy City, New Jerusalem, with his 12 disciples.
For the last 2,000 years, Jesus has been doing these things. When the time comes, he will open the seals of the sealed book in God’s hand. This way, when he returns, as mentioned in Hebrews 9:28, he can bring salvation.
Second Coming
New Covenant Law → The Book of Revelation
The book of Revelation contains all the details I’ve been mentioning. Revelation represents the fulfilment of the New Covenant law.
Since Jesus’ first coming, our primary responsibility has been to love, forgive, bless, and encourage one another. For the past 2,000 years, these daily tasks were our main focus, as that’s all we could do at the time.
Now, however, our priority should shift to the events occurring as prophecy is fulfilled. We should ask ourselves: What is God and Jesus asking me to do today that those in the past couldn’t do because it wasn’t the right time?
Our current focus should be on mastering the New Covenant law, which is found in the book of Revelation. Everything Jesus promised comes to fruition when Revelation is fulfilled. This is why we equate Revelation with the New Covenant.
Jesus said, “I will not eat and drink of this again until the kingdom of God comes.” He also stated that the cup represents his blood, and his flesh and blood are his words and promises.
Now, understanding its importance and why we should keep it, we will delve into this New Covenant.
3.- New Covenant
ONE – Fault with Old Covenant: The people
7 For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. 8 But God found fault with the people and said : “The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 9 It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. 10 This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
Hebrews 8:7-10
Let’s explore what Apostle Paul was discussing at the end of this important chapter.
In verse 7, Paul states, “For if there had been nothing wrong with the first covenant, no place would have been sought for another.” Two crucial points emerge from this:
1.- God’s intention for the first covenant was for physical Israel.
2.- If they had kept their covenant, our world would be drastically different today. Imagine 3,500 years of people keeping the covenant; when Jesus came, they would have welcomed him with open arms.
God’s intention was for everything to be concluded with the first covenant. There would be no need for a new covenant if they had fulfilled their role. This is the critical point Paul makes in verse 7.
Unfortunately, God found fault not with the law or Himself, but with the people. So, God created a new strategy by establishing a new covenant, which ultimately culminates in the law of revelation.
The new covenant is the law of Revelation.
This new covenant required Jesus’ birth, preaching, miracles, death on the cross, and the apostles spreading the gospel for the last 2,000 years. All these events had to take place for this prophecy to be fulfilled. From the beginning, God intended to end everything by doing something new.
In verse 10, we read, “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts.”
Why? The laws are placed in their minds so they can understand, and on their hearts so they can have faith and believe. When mind and heart align, a person can act according to the word that is in their mind and heart.
For example, if I’m walking down the street in Atlanta and see something unsavory, Matthew 7:1 might come to mind: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged.” This prompts me to repent and consider how I can help instead. Without the word in my head, I might continue in sin, unaware of my wrongdoing.
Having the word within us is critically important. If the word is not in you, you cannot live according to it and please God. You won’t have the right kind of faith, know the promises you’re waiting for, or act as Jesus instructed us.
Just as a judge needs to know the law to judge fairly, we need God’s law in our minds and hearts to discern right from wrong, truth from lies. This discernment is spiritual in nature, not condemnation, but the ability to judge appropriately according to God’s word.
The standard of judgment at the second coming will be the book of Revelation.
The promise that God and Jesus have left for us is the standard of judgment at the second coming, which is the book of Revelation.
If someone does not know Revelation or ignores it, how can they do the necessary things outlined in the book? This is why it is so important that we study and know these things. God said to put it on our minds and hearts.
This is what God is allowing us to do today. We emphasize review, doing home blessings, and studying for the test. Not for the good of the evangelists, as we too had to go through the same process. We all have to do this – every single believer at the time of the second coming.
There are two ways that Revelation is interacted with at the time of the second coming. We, of course, want to be the first way:
1 – Master The Book of Revelation
Wait for the word to be opened and master what has been opened and fulfilled.
2 – Add and subtract
The other way to interact with Revelation, which we do not want to do, is to add and subtract. This is because heaven will be taken away from us, our share in the tree of life. The plagues in the book will be added to us. We definitely do not want this, yet many are unfortunately doing this now.
This used to be us too. I definitely added to and subtracted from Revelation before I heard the open word. But when I learned, I stopped doing these things and was determined to master this word that I had received, well enough to even teach it to others.
By God’s grace, I’m able to do that now. We’re very close to Revelation. How close? After the intermediate test, Revelation begins. That’s in two weeks.
We’re almost there. We’ll go through the book chapter by chapter, verse by verse. We will not only see the meaning of the parables and the logic of God, but we’ll also see the reality – who, what, when, where, why, and how it was fulfilled. This is so that we can understand and act.
I hope you’re excited. We’re almost there.
Reminder:
– Fault with the old covenant: the people
– What is the new covenant: Law of Revelation.
– The standard of Judgement at the second coming is the Bood of Revelation
11 No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 12 For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” 13 By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.
Hebrews 8:11-13
ONE – How to Keeo the New Covenant?
Let’s examine Hebrews 8:11. This verse refers to those who keep the new covenant. These individuals have recorded God’s law in two places:
- Their mind
- Their heart
This means they know and understand the contents of God’s law and can act accordingly. Such actions include:
- Preparing the lamp oil and wetting clothes
- Fleeing
- Being sealed
- Being harvested
- Being part of the 12 tribes
Additionally, these covenant-keepers help others do the same. They will be the fulfillment of the prophecy about those who come from the north, south, east, and west to take their seats in the kingdom of God.
TWO – Those who kept the New Covenant | Hebrews 8:13
Remember Matthew 8:10-12, where Jesus prophesied about two groups of people:
2.1 – Subject of the Kingdom | Rev 6 → Not harvested → Traditional churches today
There will be the subjects of the kingdom. We discussed them previously. These are the people who are supposed to be part of the kingdom but are kicked out. Because they are kicked out, they no longer participate in the kingdom’s blessings. They are the ones who do not keep the covenant and are not harvested.
Currently, those who fit this category are, as we talked about in the previous lesson, the traditional churches of today. They don’t know about Revelation’s fulfillment and unfortunately add and subtract from Revelation. They are the ones receiving the invitation but denying it, saying, “We are okay. We are good as we are.”
2.2 – Those who come from North, South, East and West | Rev 7 → Harvested → Sealed 12 Tribes
However, there will be many – a great multitude, in fact – who hear the call from Mount Zion and decide, “I must be harvested. I must keep the new covenant.” They will become the sealed 12 tribes of Revelation 7. These people will do many wonderful things and receive many blessings.
One thing I want to discuss here is how they come about. Remember Luke 22:16-18 → Rev 5:9-10, Rev 14:14-16, Rev 7:1-14.
Creation of the 12 Tribes → Keep New Covenant
Jesus said, “I will not eat or drink of this again until the kingdom of God comes.” So the goal of God, Jesus, and all of heaven will be to establish the kingdom and come. Therefore, there must be a creation of 12 tribes at the second coming – people who keep the new covenant.
Their mission will be to keep the new covenant. They will put God’s law in their minds and write it on their hearts. That is the new covenant. Are we doing that these days? I hope the answer is yes.
These people will be the 144,000 – the first fruits. They will be the first to sing the new song and will be like priests, teaching the world. There will also be a great multitude in white, who will wash their robes in the blood of the lamb. They will hold palm branches in their hands. This will be everyone else who is part of the 12 tribes, who aren’t part of the 144,000 but are still blessed.
The ones who are most blessed are those who suffered the most, sealed themselves 100%, and whom God will use directly to heal the nations.
Blessings
My goal, and I hope yours too, is to be at Mount Zion. Let’s review the blessings these people receive and discuss blessings in general as we close the lesson.
I feel there’s a slight misunderstanding about what it means to be blessed, so I want to address this as we conclude.
The important blessings are promised to those who keep the new covenant, which is revelation. Remember, the covenant must apply to people who know about and believe in the book of Revelation.
It does not apply to people who don’t believe in Revelation. They cannot be a part of the new covenant if they don’t believe in the book, if they don’t believe in Jesus, or if they don’t believe in the New Testament.
The covenant cannot apply to those people. It must apply to those who know, believe, and keep the book.
4. – The Blessing for Keeing New Covenant
ONE – The Ability to Overcome
Those who keep New Covenant → Blessed | Mt 5:10, Jn 15:18-20, Jn 16:33, Ro 8:17-18
Revelation 1:3
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.
Blessed are those who keep the words of this prophecy. Those who keep them will be blessed.
What does it mean to be blessed?
Being blessed doesn’t mean we no longer have worldly problems. It doesn’t mean we’re living on easy street or that we no longer have any issues. That’s not what being blessed means.
ONE – Problems will not go away
Jesus didn’t promise that believing in Him would make all our problems disappear. He didn’t say, “Believe in me, and you’ll never have to lift a finger again.” That’s not what it means to be blessed. In fact, being blessed includes things we don’t like, even things that sometimes cause suffering.
TWO – Be Persecuted
In Matthew 5:10, Jesus describes blessing in various ways. He says, “Blessed are those who are persecuted.” Is persecution a problem or trouble? Yes, it is. It’s baked into what it means to be a true child of God.
We shouldn’t think, “My life hasn’t gotten easier, so am I not being blessed?” That’s the wrong way to think. Persecution is part of the package. Why? Because we live in a fallen world, and we’re trying to swim in the opposite direction. The world and traditional churches are moving one way, and we’re trying to swim the other way. Of course, there will be persecution when that happens. People won’t understand what you’re doing or the sacrifices you’re making. It won’t make sense to them.
John 15:18-20 says, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.”
If Jesus was persecuted for standing out amongst the crowd, and He was; if Jesus was persecuted for teaching a new word, and He was; if Jesus was persecuted to the point of death on the cross – I pray that doesn’t happen to us – but there will also be heavy persecution at the second coming. That’s why Jesus was concerned.
Ability to Overcome
What does it truly mean to be blessed? Being blessed means being given the ability to overcome challenges. It’s not about having an easier life, but about gaining the strength to become an overcomer.
This is the blessing we should be praying for: not for our lives to become easier, but for us to grow stronger and withstand all the obstacles Satan may put in our path.
Jesus’ words in John 16:33 reflect this idea. He said, “I have told you these things so that you may have peace.” He also stated, “In this world, you will have trouble.” Are Jesus’ words true? Absolutely.
He continues, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” This is the essence of being blessed: becoming an overcomer. Are we ready to become overcomers today? Will we let nothing stand in our way? Let’s commit to this goal. We can achieve it.
Our Lord and Savior has already shown us the way by overcoming first. He has provided us with the example to follow.
17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Romans 8:17-18
It’s truly a blessing to share in Christ’s sufferings, and I certainly am. More than three times a week, I prepare lessons and meet with you. I worry about you, cry for you, and pray for you constantly. Though it may not always be apparent, I’m constantly praying that Satan doesn’t snatch you up.
I plead, “Please God, protect these precious people. Don’t let him get them.” This worry is always on my mind.
Yet, I know that God will overcome. It’s challenging, and I feel much like Apostle Paul. He too was worried, which is why he wrote the epistles. He was concerned about the people to whom he had given spiritual birth. It was like experiencing birth pains; he was deeply worried.
I find myself praying, “Please God, protect them. I won’t always be here with them.” We should be asking for the blessing of overcoming.
As it says in verse 12, referring back to Hebrews 8:12, “I will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more.” This is God’s promise to us: our sins are forgiven. He will forgive our wickedness and remember our sins no more.
Additional blessings.
Revelation 1:5-6 speaks of our faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. It describes Him who loved us and freed us from our sins by His blood, and who made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father. To Him be the glory and power forever. Amen.
Regarding the place where these people gather, we can refer to John 14:1-4.
In Revelation 21, almost the entire chapter describes the holy city, New Jerusalem. It comes down to the new heaven and new earth, along with those who are gathered there. May we all be among them.
The new heaven and new earth should include you and me. How should we be at that time?
Matthew 25:31-33 suggests we should be sheep-like believers. These believers are obedient to the shepherd and follow him wherever he goes. May we all be such followers.
These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among men and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb.
Revelation 14:4
Let this be about us. We follow the Lamb wherever He goes. Wherever the Lamb is, we are there too.
This is our mindset. This is our whole approach. We are like the sheep-like believers.
We should strive to be them. We should not be goats, because goats are unruly.
The goats are put on the left. They do not inherit heaven. But the sheep do.
Memorization
10 This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 11 No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 12 For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
Hebrews 8:10-12
Let’s Us Discern
Analyzing SCJ Lesson 91: The Law of the New Covenant That Must Be Kept
A Comprehensive Analysis Using “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story”
Introduction: When Grace Becomes Law
Imagine being in a Bible study about the new covenant. The instructor teaches about God’s promises, about the law written on our hearts, about understanding and faith. Everything sounds biblical, even freeing.
But then, subtly, the lesson shifts:
- “The new covenant is also a law we must observe”
- “The law of the new covenant that must be kept involves things we should do daily”
- “Why on our hearts? Because the word must be sealed in our hearts to be sealed at Mount Zion”
- “God’s ultimate purpose is the creation of the 12 tribes of new spiritual Israel”
- “The creation of these 12 tribes marks the conclusion of the new thing God is doing”
Wait—what just happened? We started with biblical teaching about the new covenant and ended with the implication that there’s a “law” to keep, specific actions required, being “sealed at Mount Zion” (SCJ), and God’s purpose is creating “12 tribes” (SCJ’s organizational structure).
This is SCJ Lesson 91, and it demonstrates what Chapter 8 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story” calls “The Shifting Standards of Salvation”—taking the glorious freedom of the new covenant and subtly transforming it back into law-keeping, organizational requirements, and performance-based acceptance.
Let’s carefully examine this lesson, distinguishing biblical truth about the new covenant from legalistic manipulation.
Part 1: The Setup – “Understanding → Faith → Actions”
What SCJ Says:
The lesson begins with “Three Things to Guide Us”:
ONE – Understanding (Know) → Faith → Actions
“Understanding is crucial. Without it, people cannot operate as God intends. They won’t be where God needs them or do what God requires. Lack of understanding prevents someone from working with God effectively.”
“Understanding doesn’t come from one’s own mind or intellect… Understanding is not intuited; it is given and received. It is taught.”
“Even if someone reads the Bible, certain things might remain hard to understand because puzzle pieces are missing… When someone receives understanding and knowledge, faith follows… His faith led to actions.”
The Two Lenses Analysis:
What’s Biblical:
- Understanding is important (Proverbs 4:7)
- Faith comes from hearing God’s word (Romans 10:17)
- Faith produces actions (James 2:17)
- The Ethiopian eunuch needed help understanding (Acts 8:26-39)
- God gives understanding (Psalm 119:34)
What’s Uniquely SCJ (The Setup):
- The implication that understanding comes only through their teaching (“puzzle pieces are missing”)
- The framework: understanding → faith → actions (setting up performance requirements)
- The suggestion that without their teaching, you can’t understand the Bible
- The emphasis on “where God needs them” and “what God requires” (organizational positioning)
- The setup that creates dependency on their interpretation
Biblical Refutation:
Let’s examine what Scripture actually teaches about understanding, faith, and the role of teachers:
1. The Holy Spirit Teaches Believers:
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 believers, not just one organization.
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’s anointing teaches all believers.
Yes, God uses teachers:
Ephesians 4:11-13:
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
But notice:
- “Christ himself gave” – plural teachers, not one organization
- “To equip his people” – for their own ministry, not dependency
- “Until we all reach unity” – the goal is maturity and unity, not organizational control
2. Scripture Is Sufficient:
2 Timothy 3:16-17:
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
“Thoroughly equipped” – Scripture itself equips believers.
Psalm 119:105:
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
God’s word is the light, not one organization’s interpretation.
3. The Ethiopian Eunuch Example:
Yes, Philip helped the Ethiopian eunuch understand Isaiah 53. But let’s look at what happened:
Acts 8:30-35:
“Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ Philip asked. ‘How can I,’ he said, ‘unless someone explains it to me?’ So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him… Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.”
What Philip did:
- Explained one passage (Isaiah 53)
- Pointed to Jesus (not to an organization)
- Shared the gospel (not a complex system requiring months of study)
Acts 8:36-39:
“As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?’ And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.”
Notice:
- Immediate baptism – No months of classes required
- Philip disappeared – The eunuch didn’t need ongoing dependency
- “Went on his way rejoicing” – He had what he needed: Jesus
SCJ uses this story to justify their teaching system, but the actual story shows the opposite:
- Simple gospel message
- Immediate response
- No ongoing organizational dependency
4. The Danger of “Missing Puzzle Pieces”:
SCJ claims: “Even if someone reads the Bible, certain things might remain hard to understand because puzzle pieces are missing.”
This creates:
- Dependency – “You need us to give you the missing pieces”
- Inadequacy – “The Bible alone isn’t enough”
- Control – “Only we have the complete picture”
But Scripture says:
Psalm 19:7:
“The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.”
“Making wise the simple” – God’s word is accessible, not requiring elite knowledge.
Luke 10:21:
“At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.'”
“Revealed them to little children” – God’s truth is accessible to the humble, not just to those with special organizational knowledge.
5. Understanding → Faith → Actions:
Yes, this progression exists in Scripture. But notice how SCJ uses it:
SCJ’s framework:
- Understanding comes only through their teaching
- Faith follows their understanding
- Actions = organizational requirements (“where God needs them,” “what God requires”)
Biblical framework:
- Understanding comes through the Holy Spirit and Scripture (John 14:26, 2 Timothy 3:16)
- Faith comes from hearing God’s word (Romans 10:17)
- Actions = fruit of the Spirit and love for God and others (Galatians 5:22-23, Matthew 22:37-40)
The difference:
- SCJ: Understanding → Faith → Organizational Performance
- Bible: Word + Spirit → Faith → Love and Good Works
Part 2: God’s Purpose = “12 Tribes of New Spiritual Israel”
What SCJ Says:
TWO – God’s Purpose → Creation of 12 Tribes of New Spiritual Israel (Kingdom of Priests)
“God’s ultimate purpose is His end goal. What does He truly desire? His ultimate will, as mentioned before, is the creation of the 12 tribes of new spiritual Israel.”
“If you consider it, the creation of the 12 tribes has always been His desire, even from the beginning. He started first with the physical Israelites… That purpose was reset at the first coming with a new 12 tribes of spiritual Israel… But Jesus knew that there would be weeds among the wheat and that night was coming. So one more time, a creation of the 12 tribes of new spiritual Israel, a kingdom of priests.”
“Because these people will heal all nations and restore the world to the way it was before, with the help of heaven in the spiritual world that will come down.”
The Two Lenses Analysis:
What’s Biblical:
- God desired a holy nation (Exodus 19:6)
- Jesus chose 12 apostles (Matthew 10:1-4)
- Believers are a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9)
- God’s purpose is to reconcile all things (Colossians 1:20)
- The church is called to make disciples (Matthew 28:19)
What’s Uniquely SCJ:
- The claim that God’s “ultimate purpose” is creating “12 tribes of new spiritual Israel”
- The framework: Physical Israel → First coming spiritual Israel → Second coming spiritual Israel (SCJ)
- The implication that the church for 2,000 years was incomplete (“weeds among wheat”)
- The claim that their organization is the fulfillment of God’s ultimate purpose
- The equation: 12 tribes = SCJ’s organizational structure under Lee Man-hee
Biblical Refutation:
This is a core SCJ teaching that needs careful examination. Let’s look at what Scripture actually says about God’s purpose:
1. What Is God’s Ultimate Purpose?
Ephesians 1:9-10:
“He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.”
God’s ultimate purpose: “to bring unity to all things… under Christ.”
Not: “to create 12 tribes of new spiritual Israel in Korea in 1984.”
Colossians 1:19-20:
“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”
God’s purpose: “to reconcile to himself all things… through his blood.”
This was accomplished at the cross, not waiting for an organization 2,000 years later.
Ephesians 3:10-11:
“His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
“Through the church” – The universal church, all believers “That he accomplished in Christ Jesus” – Already accomplished
2. The “12 Tribes” in Revelation:
We’ve addressed this in previous analyses, but let’s review:
Revelation 7:4-8:
“Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel…”
As Chapter 26, Part 10 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story” explains, first-century Christians understood this symbolically:
12 tribes × 12,000 each = 144,000
- 12 = God’s people (12 tribes, 12 apostles)
- 1,000 = Completeness
- 144,000 = Complete number of God’s people (all believers)
Revelation 7:9 immediately follows:
“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”
The 144,000 (symbolic) = the great multitude (all believers).
3. All Believers Are the “Israel of God”:
Galatians 6:16:
“Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God.”
“The Israel of God” = All who follow Christ by faith.
Romans 9:6-8:
“For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children… In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring.”
“Children of the promise” = All believers, not a specific organization.
Galatians 3:28-29:
“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
All who belong to Christ = Abraham’s seed, spiritual Israel.
4. The “Kingdom of Priests”:
Exodus 19:6:
“You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”
This was God’s promise to Israel. But who fulfills this now?
1 Peter 2:9:
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
“You are” – Present tense, all believers “A royal priesthood” – All believers are priests
Revelation 1:5-6:
“To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.”
“Has made us” – Past tense, already accomplished “A kingdom and priests” – All believers
Revelation 5:9-10:
“And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.'”
“From every tribe and language and people and nation” – Universal, not one organization “You have made them” – Already accomplished through Christ’s blood
5. The Dangerous Claim:
By claiming God’s “ultimate purpose” is creating “12 tribes of new spiritual Israel” (their organization), SCJ:
- Diminishes Christ’s work – Implies His work was incomplete
- Diminishes the church – 2,000 years of believers were just “weeds among wheat”
- Establishes organizational necessity – “God’s purpose is fulfilled through us”
- Creates elite status – “We are the 12 tribes, the kingdom of priests”
- Makes everything about them – God’s eternal purpose = their organization
But Scripture is clear:
Ephesians 3:20-21:
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
“Glory… in the church” – The universal church, not one organization “Throughout all generations” – Not just one generation in Korea
Part 3: God’s Promise = “The 12 Tribes Is the Conclusion of the New Thing”
What SCJ Says:
THREE – God’s Promise – the 12 Tribes is the conclusion of the New Thing.
“God’s promise can be understood as a step-by-step blueprint or set of instructions for accomplishing His purpose. If we consider the purpose as the ultimate goal, then the promise represents the path to reach that goal. This path, or blueprint, is revealed through the new covenant.”
“The new covenant revelation outlines the steps needed to progress from our current state to the creation of the 12 tribes that will heal all nations. It’s important to note that the creation of these 12 tribes marks the conclusion of the new thing God is doing.”
The Two Lenses Analysis:
What’s Biblical:
- God makes promises (2 Corinthians 1:20)
- The new covenant is God’s promise (Hebrews 8:6-13)
- God has a plan for redemption (Ephesians 1:9-10)
- God is doing a “new thing” (Isaiah 43:19)
What’s Uniquely SCJ:
- The claim that the new covenant is a “step-by-step blueprint” for creating their organization
- The framework: God’s promise = path to creating the 12 tribes (SCJ)
- The implication that “the new thing” = their organization
- The claim that their organization’s creation is “the conclusion” of God’s work
- The equation: New covenant revelation = instructions for joining/building SCJ
Biblical Refutation:
Let’s examine what Scripture actually teaches about God’s promise and “the new thing”:
1. What Is the New Covenant?
Jeremiah 31:31-34:
“‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,’ declares the Lord. ‘This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,’ declares the Lord. ‘I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, “Know the Lord,” because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,’ declares the Lord. ‘For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.'”
The new covenant includes:
- “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts” – Internal transformation
- “They will all know me” – Direct relationship with God
- “I will forgive their wickedness” – Complete forgiveness
This is about relationship and transformation, not organizational structure.
Hebrews 8:6:
“But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.”
Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant, not an organization.
Luke 22:20:
“In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'”
The new covenant is in Jesus’ blood, not in organizational membership.
2. What Is “The New Thing”?
Isaiah 43:18-19:
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
In context, God is speaking about bringing Israel back from exile. But prophetically, this points to:
2 Corinthians 5:17:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
“The new thing” = New creation in Christ, for all believers.
Revelation 21:5:
“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'”
“I am making everything new” – God’s ultimate renewal of all creation.
The “new thing” is NOT:
- One organization in Korea
- A specific group of 144,000 people
- A “conclusion” in 1984
The “new thing” IS:
- New creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)
- New covenant relationship (Hebrews 8:6-13)
- Ultimate renewal of all things (Revelation 21:5)
3. The New Covenant Is NOT a “Step-by-Step Blueprint” for Organizational Membership:
SCJ claims the new covenant is “a step-by-step blueprint or set of instructions for accomplishing His purpose” (creating their organization).
But the new covenant is about:
Relationship:
Jeremiah 31:33:
“I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
Forgiveness:
Jeremiah 31:34:
“For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
Internal Transformation:
Ezekiel 36:26-27:
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”
The new covenant is about God’s Spirit transforming hearts, not about following organizational steps.
4. The Dangerous Reduction:
By claiming the new covenant is a “blueprint” for creating their organization, SCJ:
- Reduces the new covenant from glorious grace to organizational steps
- Makes it about performance rather than relationship
- Creates dependency on their interpretation and structure
- Misses the point – The new covenant is about what God does in us, not what we do for an organization
Hebrews 8:10-12:
“This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
“No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord'” – Because all will know God directly through the new covenant.
This contradicts SCJ’s claim that you need their teaching to understand God’s word.
Part 4: The New Covenant as “Law That Must Be Kept”
What SCJ Says:
From the title and introduction:
TITLE: The Law of the New Covenant That Must Be Kept
“Today, we will discuss the law of the new covenant that must be kept. You might think of the old covenant as a law that had to be followed, but the new covenant is also a law we must observe.”
“The law of the new covenant that must be kept involves things we should do daily when the appropriate time arrives.”
“Why on our hearts? Because the word must be sealed in our hearts to be sealed at Mount Zion. And why on our minds? So it can flow from our mouths.”
The Two Lenses Analysis:
What’s Biblical:
- The new covenant includes God’s law written on hearts (Jeremiah 31:33)
- Believers are called to obey God (John 14:15)
- We should have God’s word in our hearts and minds (Psalm 119:11)
- Love fulfills the law (Romans 13:10)
What’s Uniquely SCJ:
- Calling the new covenant “a law we must observe”
- The emphasis on “must be kept” and “things we should do daily”
- The connection to “being sealed at Mount Zion” (their organization)
- The implication that there are specific requirements to fulfill
- The transformation of grace back into law-keeping
Biblical Refutation:
This is one of the most dangerous distortions in SCJ’s teaching. Let’s carefully examine what Scripture says about the new covenant and law:
1. The New Covenant Is NOT About Law-Keeping:
The entire point of the new covenant is freedom from law-keeping as a means of righteousness.
Romans 6:14:
“For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”
“Not under the law, but under grace.”
Galatians 5:1:
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
“Do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” – Don’t go back to law-keeping.
Galatians 3:2-3:
“I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?”
Paul rebukes those who start with grace but try to finish with law-keeping.
2. The Law Written on Hearts Is Different:
Yes, Jeremiah 31:33 says:
“I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.”
But this is NOT about:
- External rules to follow
- Organizational requirements
- Performance-based acceptance
This IS about:
- Internal transformation – God changes our desires
- The Spirit’s work – God empowers us to live righteously
- Love as fulfillment – Love fulfills the law
Romans 8:3-4:
“For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”
“The righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us” – Not by our effort, but by the Spirit.
Ezekiel 36:27:
“And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”
“I will put my Spirit in you and move you” – God’s Spirit empowers, we don’t earn it.
3. Love Fulfills the Law:
Romans 13:8-10:
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
“Love is the fulfillment of the law.”
Galatians 5:14:
“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”
The “law” of the new covenant is love, not organizational requirements.
4. The Contrast:
Old Covenant:
- External law written on stone
- “Do this and live” (Leviticus 18:5)
- Brought death because no one could keep it (2 Corinthians 3:6)
- Pointed to our need for Christ (Galatians 3:24)
New Covenant:
- Internal law written on hearts
- “Believe and live” (John 3:16)
- Brings life through the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:6)
- Fulfilled in Christ (Romans 10:4)
SCJ’s Teaching:
- “Law that must be kept”
- “Things we should do daily”
- “To be sealed at Mount Zion” (organizational requirement)
- This is old covenant thinking dressed in new covenant language
5. The Galatians Problem:
The book of Galatians was written to address exactly this issue—people adding requirements to the gospel of grace:
Galatians 1:6-7:
“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.”
“Turning to a different gospel” – Adding requirements perverts the gospel.
Galatians 2:21:
“I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”
If righteousness comes through law-keeping, Christ’s death was pointless.
Galatians 5:4:
“You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.”
“Fallen away from grace” – Trying to be justified by law-keeping separates from grace.
6. The “Sealed at Mount Zion” Claim:
SCJ says: “The word must be sealed in our hearts to be sealed at Mount Zion.”
This creates:
- Organizational requirement – You must be at “Mount Zion” (SCJ)
- Performance-based – You must have the word “sealed in your heart” (memorize their teaching)
- Conditional acceptance – Being sealed depends on organizational membership
But Scripture says:
Ephesians 1:13-14:
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”
“When you believed, you were marked… with a seal” – The Holy Spirit seals all believers at salvation.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22:
“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”
“Both us and you” – All believers are sealed.
Sealing is God’s work at salvation, not organizational membership.
Part 5: The Psychological Framework – From Grace to Performance
Techniques Used in Lesson 91:
As analyzed through “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story”:
- Creating dependency (Chapter 13) – “Understanding comes only through our teaching”
- Redefining biblical terms (Chapter 8) – “New covenant = law that must be kept”
- Establishing organizational necessity – “To be sealed at Mount Zion”
- Performance requirements – “Things we should do daily”
- Elite status – “We are the 12 tribes, God’s ultimate purpose”
- Transforming grace into law – “The new covenant is also a law we must observe”
The Cumulative Effect:
By the end of this lesson, students have been conditioned to believe:
- They can’t understand the Bible without SCJ – “Puzzle pieces are missing”
- God’s ultimate purpose is their organization – “Creation of 12 tribes”
- The new covenant is about organizational requirements – “Law that must be kept”
- Being sealed requires organizational membership – “Sealed at Mount Zion”
- There are daily requirements to fulfill – “Things we should do daily”
- Understanding → Faith → Actions (organizational performance)
This creates:
- Dependency on the organization for understanding
- Performance anxiety – “Am I doing enough?”
- Legalism – Grace transformed back into law-keeping
- Organizational necessity – “I must be at Mount Zion to be sealed”
- Loss of gospel freedom – Burdened with requirements
The Contrast with the Gospel:
SCJ’s framework:
- New covenant = law that must be kept
- Understanding comes only through their teaching
- God’s purpose = their organization
- Being sealed = organizational membership
- Daily requirements to fulfill
The Gospel:
- New covenant = grace and freedom (Galatians 5:1)
- Understanding comes through the Holy Spirit (John 14:26)
- God’s purpose = reconciliation through Christ (Colossians 1:20)
- Being sealed = Holy Spirit at salvation (Ephesians 1:13)
- Live by the Spirit, not by law (Galatians 5:16)
This is what Chapter 8 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story” calls “The Shifting Standards of Salvation”—taking the glorious freedom of the gospel and transforming it back into performance-based religion.
Part 6: Testing the Claims – Questions to Ask
As Chapter 27 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story” emphasizes, “Your Investigation Begins” with asking good questions:
About the New Covenant as “Law”:
- If Romans 6:14 says “you are not under the law, but under grace,” how can the new covenant be “a law we must observe”?
- If Galatians 5:1 says “do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery,” is calling the new covenant “law that must be kept” going back to slavery?
- If 2 Corinthians 3:6 says “the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life,” is emphasizing “law that must be kept” focusing on the letter?
About Understanding and Teaching:
- If 1 John 2:27 says “you do not need anyone to teach you” (because of the Holy Spirit’s anointing), why claim understanding comes only through their teaching?
- If 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says Scripture “thoroughly equips” believers, why are “puzzle pieces missing”?
- If the Ethiopian eunuch was baptized immediately after hearing about Jesus (Acts 8:36-39), why do SCJ students need months of classes?
About God’s Purpose:
- If Ephesians 1:10 says God’s purpose is “to bring unity to all things… under Christ,” how is it about creating one organization?
- If Colossians 1:20 says God’s purpose is “to reconcile to himself all things… through his blood,” wasn’t this accomplished at the cross?
- If 1 Peter 2:9 says all believers are “a royal priesthood,” how are SCJ members exclusively the “kingdom of priests”?
About Being Sealed:
- If Ephesians 1:13 says believers are sealed “when you believed,” how is sealing dependent on organizational membership?
- If 2 Corinthians 1:22 says God “set his seal of ownership on us,” isn’t this God’s work, not organizational?
- If the sealing is “the promised Holy Spirit,” how can it be about being at “Mount Zion” (SCJ)?
Part 7: The Heart of the Gospel – Grace, Not Law
What SCJ Presents:
A gospel where:
- The new covenant is “a law we must observe”
- Understanding comes only through their teaching
- God’s ultimate purpose is their organization
- Being sealed requires being at “Mount Zion” (SCJ)
- There are daily requirements to fulfill
- Performance determines acceptance
What Scripture Presents:
THE NEW COVENANT IS GRACE:
Hebrews 8:10-12:
“This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
Key elements:
- “I will put” – God’s action, not ours
- “I will be their God” – Relationship
- “They will all know me” – Direct access to God
- “I will forgive” – Complete forgiveness
This is about what God does, not what we must do.
FREEDOM, NOT LAW:
2 Corinthians 3:17:
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” – Not law-keeping.
Galatians 5:13:
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
“Called to be free” – Freedom is the call, not law-keeping.
LIVE BY THE SPIRIT:
Galatians 5:16-18:
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”
“If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”
Galatians 5:22-23:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
“Against such things there is no law” – The Spirit produces fruit, not law-keeping.
CHRIST IS THE END OF THE LAW:
Romans 10:4:
“Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.”
“Christ is the culmination [end] of the law” – For righteousness.
Romans 7:6:
“But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.”
“Released from the law” – To serve in the Spirit’s way.
THE GOSPEL IS SIMPLE:
John 3:16:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
“Whoever believes” – Not “whoever joins the right organization and keeps the law.”
Ephesians 2:8-9:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
“By grace… through faith… not by works.”
Acts 16:30-31:
“He then brought them out and asked, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.'”
“What must I do to be saved?” “Believe in the Lord Jesus.”
Not: “Join our organization, memorize our teaching, fulfill daily requirements, be sealed at Mount Zion.”
Conclusion: The Sufficiency of Christ’s New Covenant
Lesson 91 takes the glorious freedom of the new covenant and subtly transforms it back into law-keeping, organizational requirements, and performance-based acceptance:
SCJ’s Framework:
- New covenant = law that must be kept
- Understanding comes only through their teaching
- God’s ultimate purpose = their organization (12 tribes)
- Being sealed = organizational membership at “Mount Zion”
- Daily requirements to fulfill
- Grace transformed back into law
The Biblical Framework:
- New covenant = grace and freedom
- Understanding comes through the Holy Spirit and Scripture
- God’s ultimate purpose = reconciliation through Christ
- Being sealed = Holy Spirit given at salvation to all believers
- Live by the Spirit, not by law
- Law fulfilled in love
As Chapter 21 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story” beautifully articulates, “The Heart of God” is not a God who gives freedom only to burden us with new laws. It’s a God who:
Galatians 5:1:
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Christ set us free FOR FREEDOM. Not for a new set of organizational requirements.
2 Corinthians 3:17:
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
Where the Spirit is, there is freedom. Not law-keeping.
For Those Studying with SCJ:
If you’re being taught that:
- The new covenant is “a law we must observe”
- Understanding comes only through their teaching
- God’s ultimate purpose is their organization
- Being sealed requires being at “Mount Zion” (SCJ)
- There are daily requirements to fulfill
- You must keep the “law of the new covenant”
Please consider:
- Romans 6:14 says “you are not under the law, but under grace” – The new covenant is grace, not law
- Galatians 5:1 warns against being “burdened again by a yoke of slavery” – Don’t go back to law-keeping
- Ephesians 1:13 says believers are sealed “when you believed” – Not through organizational membership
- 1 John 2:27 says the Holy Spirit teaches you – You don’t need exclusive organizational teaching
- 2 Corinthians 3:17 says “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” – Not law-keeping
- Test everything (1 Thessalonians 5:21) – Including teachings that transform grace into law
If your Bible study is characterized by:
- Increasing requirements and obligations
- Performance anxiety (“Am I doing enough?”)
- Dependency on organizational teaching
- Loss of freedom and joy
- Transformation of grace into law
These are warning signs.
Galatians 5:1:
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Christ set you free. Don’t let anyone burden you with a yoke of slavery.
For Family and Friends:
If someone you love is being taught that the new covenant is “a law that must be kept”:
- Gently remind them of the gospel of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- Ask questions about how this differs from the freedom Christ promised (Galatians 5:1)
- Emphasize that the new covenant is about what God does, not what we must do (Hebrews 8:10-12)
- Share that being sealed is God’s work at salvation (Ephesians 1:13)
- Explain that adding requirements to the gospel perverts it (Galatians 1:6-7)
- Pray for them to experience the freedom of the true gospel
Chapter 28 of “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story” provides detailed guidance for “Hope and Help – Guidance for Members, Families, Christians, and Pastors.”
Additional Resources:
For more detailed refutation of SCJ teaching on:
- The new covenant and grace vs. law
- God’s purpose and the church
- Being sealed by the Holy Spirit
- The sufficiency of Scripture
Visit: https://closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination
The Shincheonji Examination section provides comprehensive resources for understanding and responding to Shincheonji’s teachings.
Final Thoughts:
The gospel is not about transforming grace back into law. It’s not about organizational requirements and daily obligations. It’s not about being “sealed at Mount Zion” through performance.
The gospel is about freedom:
Galatians 5:1:
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.”
The gospel is about grace:
Ephesians 2:8-9:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
The gospel is about the Spirit’s work:
Galatians 5:16:
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
The gospel is about love:
Galatians 5:14:
“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”
If your “new covenant” feels like law-keeping, if it burdens you with requirements, if it creates anxiety about performance—that’s not the new covenant of Scripture.
That’s the old covenant dressed in new language.
The true new covenant is:
2 Corinthians 3:17:
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
Freedom. Grace. Spirit. Love.
That’s the gospel.
“Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story” – Available for those seeking to understand and respond to SCJ teaching with truth, love, and biblical clarity.
For more resources: https://closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” — Galatians 5:1
You were set free for freedom.
Not for a new set of laws.
Not for organizational requirements.
Not for performance-based acceptance.
For freedom.
That’s the gospel.
Outline
Outline: The Law of the New Covenant
I. Introduction: The Law of the New Covenant
- This section introduces the concept of the new covenant as a law to be observed, highlighting its two parts: daily actions and prophetic fulfillment.
- It emphasizes the importance of understanding and believing in the new covenant for effective action and spiritual growth.
II. Review: Persecution in the Kingdom of Victory
- This section reviews key points from a previous lesson on persecution, focusing on Satan as the master persecutor and how persecution differentiates those who belong to God from those who belong to the devil.
- It connects persecution to the second coming of Jesus and the need to overcome challenges to be part of the victorious kingdom, the New Heaven and New Earth.
III. Three Guiding Principles
- This section introduces three fundamental concepts to aid understanding: the progression from understanding to faith to action, God’s purpose in creating the 12 tribes of new spiritual Israel, and God’s promise as a blueprint for achieving this purpose through the new covenant.
IV. Understanding Covenants: Old and New
A. The First Covenant (Old Covenant)
- This section delves into the Old Covenant, focusing on its law, rituals, and symbolism, particularly through the Tent of Meeting and the role of the high priest.
- It explains how these elements served as a copy and shadow of the future reality fulfilled in Jesus and the New Covenant.
B. The New Covenant
- This section transitions to the New Covenant, highlighting Jesus as the mediator and high priest who offers better promises.
- It explains the significance of Jesus as “Israel,” the overcomer, and his role in establishing Mount Zion, the spiritual gathering place for believers.
V. Bible History in Context
- This section reviews key events in Bible history to demonstrate the progression from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant and its implications for the present and the second coming.
- It emphasizes the fulfillment of the new thing in Jesus, his establishment of the New Covenant, and the current need to focus on the prophetic events outlined in Revelation.
VI. The New Covenant Law: The Book of Revelation
- This section establishes the Book of Revelation as the embodiment of the New Covenant law, highlighting its significance for present-day believers.
- It contrasts mastering Revelation with the dangers of adding to or subtracting from it, urging readers to prioritize its study and understanding.
VII. Fault with the Old Covenant and Keeping the New
A. The People: The Flaw of the Old Covenant
- This section explores Hebrews 8:7-13, pinpointing the people as the flaw in the Old Covenant and emphasizing God’s establishment of the New Covenant as a new strategy.
- It underscores the importance of having God’s law in both mind and heart for understanding, faith, and action, and establishes Revelation as the standard of judgment at the second coming.
B. Keeping the New Covenant: The Importance of Revelation
- This section defines what it means to keep the New Covenant, highlighting the role of Revelation in guiding actions and fulfilling prophecies.
- It contrasts those who keep the New Covenant with those who do not, drawing a parallel with the two groups of people prophesied in Matthew 8:10-12: the subjects of the kingdom and those who come from all corners of the earth to be part of the 12 tribes.
VIII. Blessings of the New Covenant
- This section addresses common misconceptions about blessings, clarifying that they are not about the absence of problems but about the ability to overcome them.
- It emphasizes that persecution is a part of being a true child of God and that the ultimate blessing is becoming an overcomer, as exemplified by Jesus.
IX. Conclusion: Embracing the New Covenant
- This section summarizes the key takeaways of the lesson, reiterating the purpose and promise of God, the progression from the Old Covenant to the New, and the need to master Revelation.
- It encourages students to embrace the New Covenant, become overcomers, and strive for the blessings promised to those who keep it.
- It ends with a call to action to prioritize studying Revelation and living by its teachings in preparation for the second coming.
A Study Guide
The Law of the New Covenant: A Study Guide
I. Short Answer Questions
- Explain the two parts of every covenant in the Bible.
- Why is understanding crucial for faith and action according to the source?
- What is God’s ultimate purpose according to the source material?
- How does the source differentiate God’s promise from God’s purpose?
- What is the symbolic significance of the “blood and flesh” in both the Old and New Covenants?
- How does the source material define the “New Covenant”?
- According to the source, where is the law of the New Covenant found?
- What are the two ways people interact with the book of Revelation at the time of the Second Coming?
- According to the source, what does it mean to be “blessed”?
- What is the ultimate blessing for keeping the New Covenant according to the source?
II. Short Answer Key
- Every covenant has a law component outlining daily actions and a prophecy component to be fulfilled at a specific time.
- Understanding is crucial because it provides the foundation for faith. Without understanding, individuals cannot properly grasp God’s will and act accordingly. Understanding leads to faith, which then inspires action.
- God’s ultimate purpose is the creation of the 12 tribes of new spiritual Israel, a kingdom of priests who will heal all nations and restore the world.
- God’s purpose is the end goal (the 12 tribes), while God’s promise is the step-by-step blueprint or instructions to achieve that purpose, revealed through the New Covenant.
- In the Old Covenant, the blood and flesh of the lamb were necessary for the Israelites’ escape from Egypt. In the New Covenant, Jesus’ flesh and blood, representing his words and promises, are consumed through communion, signifying our participation in his sacrifice and the promise of the Kingdom of God.
- The New Covenant is defined as the law of Revelation, outlining the specific actions and preparations needed for the Second Coming and entry into the Kingdom of God.
- The law of the New Covenant is found within the book of Revelation.
- People interact with Revelation in two ways: by mastering its contents and acting according to its prophecies, or by adding to and subtracting from it, leading to negative consequences.
- Being “blessed” does not equate to an easy life. It signifies receiving the ability to overcome challenges and grow stronger through trials and tribulations.
- The ultimate blessing for keeping the New Covenant is becoming an overcomer, following in Jesus’ footsteps and inheriting a place in the New Heaven and New Earth.
III. Additional Questions
1. What is the new covenant, and who is the mediator?
– New Covenant: Revelation – to be kept in our hearts and minds
Mediator: Jesus
2. Who keeps the new covenant?
– The 12 tribes (144,000 + Great Multitude in White)
3. What are the blessings for keeping the new covenant?
– Kingdom and Priests (Rev 1:5-6) → Sins forgiven (Heb 8:10-12)
– To whom Holy City New Jerusalem comes (Rev 21)
– Inherit the Kingdom of Heaven (Mt 25:31-33, Rev 14:4)
Blessed: Ability to overcome
IV. Glossary of Key Terms
- Old Covenant: The first covenant established between God and the physical Israelites, mediated by Moses, containing laws and rituals that foreshadowed the coming of Jesus.
- New Covenant: Defined in the source as the law of Revelation, outlining the specific actions and preparations needed for the Second Coming and entry into the Kingdom of God.
- Law of Revelation: The body of prophecies and instructions found within the book of Revelation, considered to be the guide for believers in the New Covenant era.
- Mount Zion: Symbolically represents Jesus’ church and organization, the gathering place for the 12 tribes of spiritual Israel.
- 12 Tribes of Spiritual Israel: The group of believers who keep the New Covenant and are chosen to inherit the Kingdom of God.
- Kingdom of Priests: Another term for the 12 tribes of spiritual Israel, signifying their role in mediating between God and the world.
- The Book of Revelation: The final book of the New Testament, containing prophecies and visions concerning the end times, the Second Coming of Jesus, and the establishment of the New Heaven and New Earth.
- Blessed: Receiving the ability to overcome challenges, enduring trials and tribulations while remaining steadfast in faith, ultimately inheriting the Kingdom of God.
- Overcomer: A believer who masters the book of Revelation, resists the temptations of the world, and remains faithful to God’s word, ultimately achieving victory in Christ.
- Sheep-like believers: Obedient followers of Jesus who listen to his word and inherit the Kingdom of God.
- Goats: Unruly individuals who reject God’s word and are denied entry into the Kingdom of God.
Breakdown
Overview
Overview: The Law of the New Covenant That Must Be Kept
Main Theme: This document outlines the tenets of the “New Covenant” as interpreted by the source, focusing on the Book of Revelation as its central law and emphasizing the importance of understanding, faith, and action for salvation and inclusion in the future Kingdom of God.
Key Ideas and Facts:
1. The Old Covenant and its Failure:
- The Old Covenant, established through Moses, contained laws and prophecies for physical Israel.
- It failed because the people were unable to keep the covenant, illustrated by Solomon’s introduction of foreign entities.
- “For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. 8 But God found fault with the people…” (Hebrews 8:7-8)
2. The New Covenant and its Fulfillment:
- Jesus Christ is the mediator of the New Covenant, offering “better promises” through his sacrifice.
- The New Covenant’s central law is the Book of Revelation, providing a blueprint for God’s purpose.
- Understanding Revelation leads to faith and actions necessary for salvation.
- “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts.” (Hebrews 8:10)
3. The Importance of Understanding, Faith, and Action:
- Understanding God’s word is essential for true faith and righteous actions.
- Understanding is a gift from God, not a product of human intellect.
- Faith without action is meaningless; believers must act according to the revealed word.
- “The standard of judgment at the second coming will be the book of Revelation.”
4. Blessings of Keeping the New Covenant:
- True blessing lies not in the absence of problems, but in the ability to overcome them through God’s strength.
- Blessings include forgiveness of sins, freedom from sin, a place in the Kingdom of God, and becoming part of the new heaven and new earth.
- “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.” (Revelation 1:3)
5. Consequences of Ignoring the New Covenant:
- Those who ignore Revelation, add to it, or subtract from it will face judgment and exclusion from the Kingdom.
- Traditional churches are criticized for their lack of understanding and acceptance of Revelation’s fulfillment.
- The document emphasizes the urgency of studying and mastering Revelation for salvation.
6. Imagery and Symbolism:
- The document uses the imagery of the Tent of Meeting and its rituals as a shadow pointing to the reality of Jesus Christ and the New Covenant.
- Jesus is referred to as “Zion” and “Israel,” symbolizing his role as the overcomer and the embodiment of God’s chosen people.
- The blood and flesh of the Passover lamb represent both the sacrifice of Jesus and his words and promises, which believers must consume for spiritual nourishment.
7. Call to Action:
- The document urges believers to “master” the Book of Revelation, preparing for the second coming of Christ.
- It encourages them to live as “sheep-like believers,” obedient to the Shepherd and prepared to follow him wherever he leads.
- The document ends with a strong emphasis on the transformative power of understanding God’s word and the hope of eternal life in the new creation.
Q&A
Q&A: The New Covenant and the Book of Revelation
1. What is the new covenant?
The new covenant is a superior agreement established by Jesus, replacing the old covenant given through Moses to the Israelites. This new covenant is founded on better promises and is intended for all believers, not just a specific group. It is detailed in the book of Revelation, which outlines the steps and prophecies leading to the creation of the 12 tribes of new spiritual Israel and the ultimate establishment of God’s kingdom.
2. What is the significance of the book of Revelation in the new covenant?
The book of Revelation is the cornerstone of the new covenant, providing the law and prophecies that must be kept. It acts as a blueprint for God’s plan and a guide for believers to navigate the events leading to the second coming. Understanding and mastering Revelation is crucial for salvation and for taking part in the blessings of the new covenant.
3. How does the new covenant differ from the old covenant?
The old covenant was specifically for the physical Israelites and focused on ritualistic practices, including yearly sacrifices for atonement. The new covenant, established through Jesus, is open to all believers and offers a permanent atonement through faith in Him. While the old covenant was a shadow of things to come, the new covenant represents the fulfillment of those promises and the establishment of a spiritual kingdom.
4. What does it mean to “keep” the new covenant?
Keeping the new covenant means deeply understanding its laws and prophecies as outlined in the book of Revelation. It requires having faith in Jesus and acting on that faith by following His teachings and aligning oneself with God’s plan. This includes actively participating in events like the harvest and sealing, fleeing to the mountain, and becoming part of the 12 tribes.
5. What are the blessings for those who keep the new covenant?
The blessings for keeping the new covenant are numerous and eternal. They include forgiveness of sins, freedom from sin, and a place in God’s kingdom. These individuals will inherit the new heaven and new earth, participate in the healing of nations, and experience a level of glory surpassing any earthly suffering.
6. What happens to those who do not keep the new covenant?
Those who do not keep the new covenant, particularly those who add to or subtract from the book of Revelation, will face judgment and consequences. They will be excluded from the blessings of the kingdom, potentially experiencing the plagues and curses described in Revelation.
7. What does it mean to be “blessed” in the context of the new covenant?
Being blessed in the new covenant doesn’t equate to an easy life free from problems. Instead, it signifies receiving the ability to overcome challenges and become an overcomer. This includes enduring persecution, standing firm in faith, and ultimately triumphing over the world’s trials.
8. How can I ensure I am keeping the new covenant?
To ensure you are keeping the new covenant, prioritize studying and mastering the book of Revelation. Internalize its teachings, let it guide your actions, and actively participate in the events it outlines. Embrace faith in Jesus, follow His teachings, and strive to become an overcomer, remembering that true blessedness lies in aligning yourself with God’s plan and inheriting His eternal kingdom.