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

Lesson 129: Rev 21 – The Promised New Heaven and New Earth

Viewing Through First-Century Christian, Historical, and Literary Lenses

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Introduction: The Final Lessons and the Explicit Claim

You’re sitting in the classroom. It’s been over 9 months now. You’ve completed Parables, Bible Logic, and now you’re on Revelation 21. Only one lesson remains after this: Revelation 22. Then New Family Education. Then Passover. Then full membership in one of the 12 tribes.

The finish line is in sight.

The instructor begins: “Now in the language of the promised pastor, how do you say new heaven and new earth?”

The class responds in unison: “Shincheonji.”

“So we’ll be learning about Shincheonji today, new heaven and new earth, and why it is the place God has promised to return to and why we need to be those who are at this place.”

Shincheonji = New Heaven and New Earth.

This is the most explicit organizational claim you’ve heard in the entire curriculum. For 15+ months, you’ve been learning about the fulfillment of Revelation through Shincheonji’s history. You’ve learned that Lee Man-hee is the promised pastor, the one who overcomes, the witness who saw and heard everything. You’ve learned that the Tabernacle Temple was God’s tabernacle, that its betrayal and destruction fulfilled Revelation 13. You’ve learned that only those sealed in Shincheonji’s 12 tribes can attend the wedding banquet. You’ve learned that the first resurrection means joining Shincheonji.

But now, the claim is even more direct: Shincheonji IS the new heaven and new earth.

Not just a fulfillment of prophecy. Not just the place where fulfillment occurred. Not just the organization that understands Revelation. But the actual new heaven and new earth promised in Scripture.

The instructor continues: “And we need to be those who are at this place because there are many blessings promised to those who are at this place.”

You must be at this place. Not just believe the teaching. Not just understand the interpretation. But physically be at this place—Shincheonji—to receive the blessings.

The instructor then reviews Revelation 20 and emphasizes the timeline: “March 14th, 1984 marked the beginning of the 1,000 years where God and Jesus Reign.”

March 14, 1984. This is the date when, according to Shincheonji, the thousand-year reign began. This is when the new heaven and new earth (Shincheonji) was established.

“It has now been 41 years since March 14th, 1984. In Shincheonji, we use a unique dating system that starts from the beginning of the thousand years. We are currently in Shincheonji year 41, and dates are written as SCJ year followed by month and day (MMDD). For example: 410314.”

A unique dating system. Shincheonji year 41. This is how the organization dates events—not from Christ’s birth (AD), but from March 14, 1984, the beginning of their “thousand-year reign.”

The instructor then shifts to urgency: “What actions are needed at this time? We need to flee—and not just partially flee. While some might think ‘I’ve learned a little bit of the Open Word, I’m good to go,’ we must actually enter the place where God and Jesus have promised to be.”

We must flee. Not just learn. Not just understand. But physically enter the place—Shincheonji.

The instructor uses the examples of Noah and Lot:

Noah: “The flood came. However, the flood did not destroy everybody. An ark appeared… Similarly, at the second coming, something like this must happen again. An ark must appear—but not a literal ark… Rather, a place of salvation will appear, and we must be in this place. Being outside this place means death in the flood.”

Lot: “During the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot and his family received explicit instructions to flee to the mountains with a crucial warning: ‘do not look back.'”

The message is clear: Shincheonji is the ark, the mountain, the place of salvation. You must be in this place or face judgment.

The instructor warns: “People today are very attached to their own ‘Sodoms’ and ‘Gomorrahs.’ While these cities are no longer called by these ancient names, they are now represented by ‘Babylon.’ Though the name has changed, spiritually it remains the same place, and it too faces judgment. According to Revelation 8:8, this judgment will come by fire. ‘I do not want to be here when this happens. And I don’t want you to be there either.'”

Judgment by fire is coming. If you’re not in Shincheonji (the ark, the mountain, the new heaven and new earth), you’ll be destroyed.

The instructor continues: “When God tells us to flee, one of the actions He will examine is whether we fled when asked to flee, or if we made excuses. Some might say, ‘This is too different from what I learned before.’ People often say, ‘I’m not comfortable with this or that,’ or ‘This is different from what I was taught in the past.’ But what kind of excuses can we really make to God?”

No excuses. If you don’t join Shincheonji, you’re making excuses to God. You’ll be judged for not fleeing when told to flee.

“Actions are important. Actions matter, and we will be judged according to what we have done.”

Works-based judgment. Your actions determine your fate.

The instructor then asks: “What determines this judgment? What standard are people compared to? The answer is all 66 books of the Bible… A person’s actions are compared to the word. So we must ask ourselves: How are we doing? When placed on God’s scale, are we heavy or light? We better be heavy.”

You must be “heavy” on God’s scale. Your actions must measure up. You must do enough.

This is Lesson 129—the penultimate lesson. After 15+ months of study, you’re being told explicitly:

1. Shincheonji = New Heaven and New Earth
2. You must be in this place (Shincheonji) to be saved
3. Judgment by fire is coming on everyone outside Shincheonji
4. You cannot make excuses—you must flee to Shincheonji
5. Actions matter—you’ll be judged by your works
6. You must be “heavy” on God’s scale

The pressure is immense. The fear is palpable. The urgency is overwhelming. Only one lesson remains before New Family Education, then Passover, then full membership.

This is the final push. This is where organizational salvation is made explicit. This is where the fear of judgment is maximized. This is where works-based salvation is emphasized. This is where the claim is made clear: Shincheonji IS the new heaven and new earth, and you must be in it to be saved.

As we examine this lesson through the lens of first-century Christian understanding, historical context, and careful biblical interpretation, we’ll discover that:

1. Shincheonji is NOT the new heaven and new earth
2. March 14, 1984 is NOT the beginning of the thousand-year reign
3. Organizational membership is NOT required for salvation
4. Judgment is NOT based on works but on faith in Christ
5. The new heaven and new earth are God’s future creation, not a human organization
6. First-century Christians would NOT have understood Revelation 21 as describing Shincheonji

For those seeking additional resources and support, visit https://closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination for comprehensive analysis of Shincheonji’s teachings, testimonies from former members, and resources for families.

Let’s begin by examining what Revelation 21 actually teaches about the new heaven and new earth, then explore how Shincheonji distorts this teaching, and finally address the dangerous implications of this explicit organizational claim.

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Part 1: Understanding Revelation 21 – The New Heaven and New Earth

The Biblical Text

Revelation 21 is one of the most beautiful and hope-filled chapters in all of Scripture. It describes God’s ultimate plan for creation—the new heaven and new earth, the New Jerusalem, and God dwelling with His people forever.

Let’s examine the key sections:

Revelation 21:1-4 (NIV):

“Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'”

Revelation 21:5-8 (NIV):

“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.’ He said to me: ‘It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.'”

Revelation 21:9-27 (Summary):

An angel shows John the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. The city is described in magnificent detail:

• It shines with God’s glory, like a precious jewel
• It has a great, high wall with twelve gates (three on each side)
• Twelve angels at the gates, with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel written on them
• The wall has twelve foundations, with the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb
• The city is laid out as a square, 12,000 stadia in length, width, and height
• The wall is 144 cubits thick
• The city is made of pure gold, as pure as glass
• The foundations are decorated with precious stones
• The twelve gates are twelve pearls
• The great street of the city is pure gold, transparent as glass
• There is no temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple
• The city does not need the sun or moon, because God’s glory gives it light
• The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it
• The gates will never be shut
• Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful
• Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life will enter

First-Century Christian Understanding

To understand what first-century Christians would have understood from Revelation 21, we need to consider the Old Testament background, the historical context, and the literary genre.

1. Old Testament Background: The Promise of New Creation

The concept of “new heaven and new earth” comes from the Old Testament prophets, particularly Isaiah:

Isaiah 65:17-19:

“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more.”

Isaiah 66:22:

“As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,’ declares the Lord, ‘so will your name and descendants endure.'”

The prophets spoke of God’s ultimate plan to renew all creation—to create new heavens and a new earth where righteousness dwells, where there is no more sin, suffering, or death, where God dwells with His people forever.

2. The New Jerusalem

The image of the New Jerusalem also comes from the Old Testament. Jerusalem was the city of God, the place where God’s temple stood, the center of worship. But the prophets spoke of a future, perfected Jerusalem:

Isaiah 60:1-3, 19-20:

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn… The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end.”

Ezekiel 40-48:

Ezekiel’s vision of the restored temple and city, with God’s glory returning to dwell there.

3. First-Century Understanding of Revelation 21

First-century Christians reading Revelation 21 would understand it as the fulfillment of these Old Testament promises. They would see:

A. God’s Ultimate Plan for Creation

The new heaven and new earth represent God’s ultimate plan to renew all creation. This is not just a spiritual reality or an organizational development—it’s the complete renewal of the cosmos.

2 Peter 3:10-13:

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.”

Peter speaks of the same reality—the present heavens and earth will be destroyed by fire, and God will create new heavens and a new earth.

Romans 8:19-21:

“For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.”

All creation is waiting for redemption. God’s plan is not just to save individual souls, but to renew all creation.

B. The End of Sin, Suffering, and Death

Revelation 21:4 promises: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

This is the ultimate hope—no more sin, suffering, death, or pain. The curse of Genesis 3 is reversed. All things are made new.

C. God Dwelling with His People

Revelation 21:3 declares: “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”

This fulfills God’s covenant promise throughout Scripture: “I will be your God, and you will be my people.” God will dwell directly with His people—no more separation, no more temple needed, because God Himself is present.

D. The Perfected City

The New Jerusalem is described in magnificent, symbolic detail. First-century readers would recognize the symbolism:

• Twelve gates with names of twelve tribes: Representing all of God’s people (Old Testament Israel)
• Twelve foundations with names of twelve apostles: Representing the New Testament church
• Perfect cube (12,000 stadia in each dimension): Echoing the Holy of Holies in the temple, which was a perfect cube—the entire city is now the Holy of Holies, the dwelling place of God
• Pure gold, precious stones, pearls: Representing the glory, beauty, and value of God’s presence
• No temple: Because God Himself is the temple—His presence fills the entire city
• No sun or moon: Because God’s glory is the light
• Gates never shut: Representing eternal security and welcome
• Nations walking by its light: Representing the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through him

E. A Future Reality

First-century Christians would understand this as a future reality—something that will occur when Christ returns, when the present age ends, when God completes His redemptive plan.

Revelation 21:5:

“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!'”

This is future tense. God will make everything new. This hasn’t happened yet.

F. Continuity with the Entire Biblical Story

Revelation 21-22 brings the biblical story full circle:

• Genesis 1-2: God creates heaven and earth, places humans in a garden, dwells with them
• Genesis 3: Sin enters, humans are expelled from God’s presence, death enters the world
• Genesis 3 – Revelation 20: The story of redemption—God working to restore relationship with humanity
• Revelation 21-22: God creates new heaven and new earth, places humans in a city (the perfected garden), dwells with them forever, no more sin or death

The new heaven and new earth is the restoration and perfection of God’s original creation plan.

What First-Century Christians Would NOT Understand

First-century Christians reading Revelation 21 would NOT understand:

❌ That the new heaven and new earth is a human organization founded in Korea in 1984
❌ That the New Jerusalem is Shincheonji’s organizational structure
❌ That “entering the city” means joining Shincheonji
❌ That the twelve foundations are Shincheonji’s twelve tribes
❌ That this is happening now in the present age
❌ That you must physically be in a specific organization to participate
❌ That the thousand-year reign began on March 14, 1984
❌ That there’s a special dating system based on an organization’s founding

Why?

Because:

1. The text describes cosmic renewal, not organizational development
2. The text describes the end of death, suffering, and sin—which clearly hasn’t happened
3. The text describes God dwelling directly with all His people—not an organization claiming to be the dwelling place
4. The text describes a future hope, not a present organizational reality
5. The symbolism points to the fulfillment of Old Testament promises about God’s ultimate plan, not to a modern organization
6. The message is hope for persecuted Christians that God will ultimately triumph and dwell with them forever

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Part 2: Shincheonji’s Claim: “Shincheonji = New Heaven and New Earth”

The Explicit Claim

Lesson 129 makes the most explicit organizational claim in the entire curriculum:

“Now in the language of the promised pastor, how do you say new heaven and new earth? Shincheonji.”

This is not subtle. This is not implied. This is explicit: Shincheonji = New Heaven and New Earth.

The instructor continues: “So we’ll be learning about Shincheonji today, new heaven and new earth, and why it is the place God has promised to return to and why we need to be those who are at this place.”

Key Claims:

1. Shincheonji IS the new heaven and new earth prophesied in Revelation 21
2. This is “the place God has promised to return to”
3. We must be “at this place” (physically in Shincheonji)
4. There are “many blessings promised to those who are at this place”

How Shincheonji Interprets Revelation 21

Based on the lesson, Shincheonji interprets Revelation 21 as follows:

Claim 1: Revelation 21:1-7 Elaborates on Revelation 20:4-6

“The book of Revelation 21 serves as the first of the ending summaries of Revelation. The actual events described in Revelation conclude in chapter 20, which marks the end of the chronological events. Chapters 21 and 22 function as retellings and expansions of content that was previously introduced and explained in Revelation chapters 1 through 20. Specifically, the first 7 verses of chapter 21 elaborate further on the content found in Revelation 20:4-6.”

What This Means:

Shincheonji claims that Revelation 21-22 are not describing future events, but are “ending summaries” that retell and expand on events already described in Revelation 1-20. Specifically, Revelation 21:1-7 elaborates on the first resurrection (Revelation 20:4-6).

Claim 2: The New Heaven and New Earth Began on March 14, 1984

“March 14th, 1984 marked the beginning of the 1,000 years where God and Jesus Reign.”

What This Means:

The new heaven and new earth (Shincheonji) was established on March 14, 1984, when the thousand-year reign began.

Claim 3: Shincheonji Uses a Special Dating System

“In Shincheonji, we use a unique dating system that starts from the beginning of the thousand years. We are currently in Shincheonji year 41, and dates are written as SCJ year followed by month and day (MMDD). For example: 410314.”

What This Means:

Shincheonji dates events from March 14, 1984 (not from Christ’s birth). They are currently in “Shincheonji year 41” (2024 = SCJ year 41).

Claim 4: The Holy City New Jerusalem Joins the New Heaven and New Earth

“Revelation 21:8-21 describes a joining of two realms: the Holy City New Jerusalem located in heaven (the heaven in the spiritual world above) unites with the New Heaven and New Earth in the physical world below.”

What This Means:

The New Jerusalem (in the spiritual realm) has come down to join with Shincheonji (the new heaven and new earth in the physical realm). This is the union of spiritual and physical.

Claim 5: The Twelve Foundations Are Shincheonji’s Twelve Tribes

While not explicitly stated in the lesson excerpt, based on previous lessons and Shincheonji’s systematic teaching, the twelve foundations of the New Jerusalem (with the names of the twelve apostles) represent Shincheonji’s twelve tribes.

Claim 6: Entering the City Means Joining Shincheonji

“The final verses of Revelation 21:22-27 reveal important details about who will enter the city.”

What This Means:

“Entering the city” means joining Shincheonji. Only those who are Shincheonji members can enter.

Claim 7: You Must Be “In This Place” to Be Saved

“We must actually enter the place where God and Jesus have promised to be… An ark must appear… a place of salvation will appear, and we must be in this place. Being outside this place means death in the flood.”

What This Means:

Shincheonji is the ark, the mountain, the place of salvation. You must physically be in Shincheonji (join the organization) to be saved. Being outside means death.

The Problems with This Interpretation

Problem 1: The Text Describes Cosmic Renewal, Not Organizational Development

Revelation 21:1 states: “Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.”

The Language:

• “New heaven and new earth” = complete cosmic renewal
• “The first heaven and the first earth had passed away” = the present creation has ended

This is not describing the founding of an organization. This is describing the end of the present creation and the beginning of a completely new creation.

2 Peter 3:10-13:

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare… But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.”

Peter describes the same event—the present heavens and earth will be destroyed by fire, and God will create new heavens and a new earth.

The Problem:

The present heavens and earth have NOT passed away. The elements have NOT been destroyed by fire. Death, suffering, and sin still exist. The present creation is still here.

Therefore, the new heaven and new earth have NOT yet been created. Shincheonji is not the new heaven and new earth because the old heaven and earth are still here.

Problem 2: The Promises of Revelation 21 Are Not Fulfilled

Revelation 21:4 promises: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

The Test:

Is there death in Shincheonji? Yes. Is there mourning in Shincheonji? Yes. Is there crying in Shincheonji? Yes. Is there pain in Shincheonji? Yes.

The Reality:

Shincheonji members still die. They still experience suffering, pain, sorrow, and loss. The old order of things has NOT passed away.

Therefore, Shincheonji is NOT the new heaven and new earth, because the promises of Revelation 21 are not fulfilled in Shincheonji.

Problem 3: God Does Not Dwell Directly with Shincheonji

Revelation 21:3 declares: “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”

The Promise:

God Himself will dwell directly with His people. No more separation. No more need for temple or mediator. God’s presence will be immediate and direct.

The Reality in Shincheonji:

• Shincheonji members do not experience God’s direct, unmediated presence
• They still need teachers, leaders, and organizational structure
• They still experience spiritual struggles, doubts, and distance from God
• God’s glory does not visibly fill Shincheonji’s buildings

The Problem:

If Shincheonji were the new heaven and new earth, God would dwell directly with all members. His presence would be immediate, visible, and transformative. But this is not the case.

Problem 4: The New Jerusalem Comes from Heaven, Not Earth

Revelation 21:2 states: “I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.”

The Direction:

The New Jerusalem comes DOWN from heaven. It originates in heaven and descends to earth. It’s not built on earth by humans.

Shincheonji’s Claim:

Shincheonji is a human organization founded in Korea in 1984. It was built on earth by humans (primarily Lee Man-hee and his followers).

The Problem:

The New Jerusalem comes from heaven, not from earth. It’s God’s creation, not human organization. Shincheonji, as a human organization, cannot be the New Jerusalem because it originated on earth, not in heaven.

Problem 5: Revelation 21-22 Are Not “Ending Summaries”

Shincheonji claims that Revelation 21-22 are “ending summaries” that retell and expand on events already described in Revelation 1-20.

But this is not how the text functions. Revelation 21-22 describe the ultimate culmination—the final state, the eternal reality after all judgment is complete.

The Structure of Revelation:

• Chapters 1-3: Messages to seven churches
• Chapters 4-5: Throne room vision, the Lamb who is worthy
• Chapters 6-20: The events of judgment and redemption (seals, trumpets, bowls, Babylon’s fall, Christ’s return, millennium, final judgment)
• Chapters 21-22: The ultimate culmination—new heaven and new earth, New Jerusalem, eternal state

Revelation 21-22 are not summaries of previous chapters. They describe what comes AFTER all the events of chapters 1-20—the eternal state, the final reality, God’s ultimate plan fulfilled.

Problem 6: March 14, 1984 Is Not the Beginning of the Thousand-Year Reign

Shincheonji claims that March 14, 1984 marked the beginning of the thousand-year reign described in Revelation 20.

But as we examined in the refutation of Lesson 128, the thousand-year reign is either:

• Symbolic of the church age (from Christ’s first coming to His second coming)
• A future literal thousand-year reign after Christ’s return
• Symbolic of the eternal reign of God

The Problem:

There is no biblical basis for claiming that March 14, 1984 is the beginning of the thousand-year reign. This date is significant only to Shincheonji’s organizational history (it’s when Lee Man-hee established the organization after leaving the Tabernacle Temple).

The thousand-year reign is not tied to one organization’s founding date.

Problem 7: The Special Dating System Is Organizational, Not Biblical

Shincheonji uses a special dating system: “Shincheonji year 41” (2024 = SCJ year 41, dating from March 14, 1984).

The Problem:

This is an organizational dating system, not a biblical one. It elevates Shincheonji’s founding date to the level of Christ’s birth (which is the basis for the AD dating system).

This is cultic behavior—creating a new calendar based on the organization’s founding, as if it’s as significant as Christ’s incarnation.

Historical Examples:

• The French Revolution created a new calendar (Year 1 = 1792)
• North Korea uses the Juche calendar (Year 1 = 1912, Kim Il-sung’s birth)
• Various cults have created new calendars based on their founding or leader’s birth

Creating a new calendar is a way of claiming that the organization’s founding is the most important event in history—more important than Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection.

Problem 8: Organizational Salvation

The core problem with Shincheonji’s claim is that it makes organizational membership essential for salvation:

“We must actually enter the place where God and Jesus have promised to be… Being outside this place means death in the flood.”

The Implication:

If Shincheonji is the new heaven and new earth, the ark, the place of salvation, then you must be a Shincheonji member to be saved. Being outside the organization means death.

This is salvation by organization, not salvation by grace through faith in Christ.

The Biblical Reality:

Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone:

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.”

Acts 16:31:

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”

Romans 10:9:

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

Salvation requires faith in Christ, not membership in an organization.

Problem 9: The Symbolism Points to Christ and God’s Ultimate Plan, Not to Shincheonji

The symbolism of Revelation 21 points to Christ and God’s ultimate plan to renew all creation:

• New heaven and new earth: God’s complete renewal of creation
• New Jerusalem: The perfected people of God (both Old and New Testament believers)
• Twelve gates with twelve tribes: All of God’s people (Israel)
• Twelve foundations with twelve apostles: The church built on apostolic teaching
• Perfect cube: The entire city is the Holy of Holies—God’s presence fills everything
• No temple: God Himself is the temple—His presence is direct
• No sun or moon: God’s glory is the light
• River of life, tree of life: Restoration of Eden, eternal life

This symbolism points to God’s ultimate plan, not to a human organization founded in 1984.

Problem 10: First-Century Christians Would Not Understand This

First-century Christians reading Revelation 21 would understand it as the ultimate hope—God’s promise to renew all creation, end sin and death, and dwell with His people forever.

They would NOT understand it as describing an organization that would be founded in Korea 1900+ years later.

Why?

Because:

1. The text describes cosmic events (end of present creation, new creation), not organizational development
2. The promises (no more death, suffering, tears) are clearly not yet fulfilled
3. The message is hope for persecuted believers, not a prediction about a future organization
4. The symbolism points to God’s ultimate plan, not to organizational structure

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Shincheonji’s Timeline Claims

Lesson 129 presents a specific timeline with March 14, 1984 as the pivotal date:

The Claims:

1. “March 14th, 1984 marked the beginning of the 1,000 years where God and Jesus Reign.”
2. “It has now been 41 years since March 14th, 1984.”
3. “In Shincheonji, we use a unique dating system that starts from the beginning of the thousand years.”
4. “We are currently in Shincheonji year 41.”
5. “Dates are written as SCJ year followed by month and day (MMDD). For example: 410314.”
6. “This is the format used when the chairman writes letters, dating them with the Shincheonji year 41.”

What Actually Happened on March 14, 1984?

To understand Shincheonji’s timeline claims, we need to understand the actual historical events. According to “SCJ’s Fulfillment of Revelation Part 1 and Part 2,” which document the historical reality of Shincheonji’s claims:

The Actual History:

1980-1984: The Tabernacle Temple Period

• Lee Man-hee was a member of the Tabernacle Temple (Jangmak Seongjon), led by Yoo Jae-yeol
• Shincheonji teaches that the Tabernacle Temple was “God’s tabernacle” that fulfilled Revelation 13
• The Tabernacle Temple experienced internal conflicts, power struggles, and eventually split

March 14, 1984: Lee Man-hee Leaves and Founds Shincheonji

• After conflicts within the Tabernacle Temple, Lee Man-hee left (or was expelled, depending on the account)
• On March 14, 1984, Lee Man-hee officially established Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony
• This was not a divine event witnessed by the world, but an organizational split and new church founding

The Reality:

March 14, 1984 is significant only as the date when Lee Man-hee founded Shincheonji after leaving the Tabernacle Temple. It’s an organizational founding date, not a cosmic or prophetic event.

The Problems with the Timeline Claims

Problem 1: March 14, 1984 Is an Organizational Founding Date, Not a Prophetic Fulfillment

What Shincheonji Claims:

March 14, 1984 is when:

• The thousand-year reign began
• The new heaven and new earth (Shincheonji) was established
• God and Jesus began to reign
• The fulfillment of Revelation 20-21 occurred

The Reality:

March 14, 1984 is when Lee Man-hee founded a new religious organization after leaving another religious organization. This is an organizational event, not a cosmic or prophetic event.

The Evidence:

1. No cosmic signs: The heavens did not open, angels did not appear, the world did not witness any supernatural event
2. No transformation of creation: Death, suffering, sin, and pain continued unchanged
3. No recognition: The Christian world (and the world at large) did not recognize anything significant happening on this date
4. Organizational conflict: The date marks an organizational split, not divine intervention

Problem 2: The Thousand-Year Reign Is Not Tied to an Organizational Founding

As examined in the refutation of Lesson 128, the thousand-year reign (Revelation 20:4-6) is understood by Christians in various ways:

Amillennial View:

• The thousand years is symbolic of the entire church age (from Christ’s first coming to His second coming)
• We are currently in the thousand years
• Christ reigns now through His church

Premillennial View:

• The thousand years is a literal future period after Christ’s return
• Christ will reign physically on earth for a thousand years
• This has not yet occurred

Postmillennial View:

• The thousand years is a symbolic period of gospel triumph before Christ’s return
• The church will gradually transform the world through the gospel
• Christ reigns now and will return after this period

What All Views Agree On:

The thousand-year reign is NOT tied to the founding of one organization on a specific date in 1984. The thousand-year reign is about Christ’s reign, not about an organization’s founding.

The Problem:

Shincheonji claims that the thousand-year reign began on March 14, 1984 when Lee Man-hee founded the organization. But there is no biblical basis for tying the thousand-year reign to one organization’s founding date.

This is eisegesis (reading into the text) rather than exegesis (drawing meaning from the text).

Problem 3: The Special Dating System Elevates the Organization Above Christ

Shincheonji uses a dating system that starts from March 14, 1984 (Shincheonji year 1). They are currently in “Shincheonji year 41” (2024).

The Implication:

By creating a new dating system based on Shincheonji’s founding, the organization is claiming that March 14, 1984 is as significant as (or more significant than) Christ’s birth.

The Standard Dating System:

• BC/AD (Before Christ/Anno Domini – “Year of our Lord”): Dating from Christ’s birth
• BCE/CE (Before Common Era/Common Era): Secular version of the same system

The world’s dating system is based on Christ’s birth because His incarnation is the most significant event in history—God became man to save humanity.

Shincheonji’s Dating System:

• SCJ year: Dating from Shincheonji’s founding (March 14, 1984)

By creating a new dating system, Shincheonji is claiming that their founding is the most significant event—more important than Christ’s birth.

Historical Parallels:

Throughout history, totalitarian regimes and cults have created new calendars to claim ultimate significance:

1. French Revolution: Created a new calendar with Year 1 = 1792 (the founding of the First French Republic)
2. North Korea: Uses the Juche calendar with Year 1 = 1912 (Kim Il-sung’s birth)
3. Fascist Italy: Used a calendar dating from the March on Rome (1922)
4. Various cults: Create calendars based on their founding or leader’s birth

Why Do They Do This?

Creating a new calendar is a way of:

• Claiming that the organization/regime is the center of history
• Reorienting members’ sense of time around the organization
• Separating members from the outside world (which uses a different calendar)
• Elevating the organization/leader to divine or ultimate significance

The Problem:

Shincheonji’s dating system is a cultic practice that elevates the organization above Christ. It claims that Shincheonji’s founding is the pivotal event in history, more significant than Christ’s incarnation, death, and resurrection.

Problem 4: The Timeline Doesn’t Match Revelation’s Sequence

According to Revelation’s sequence:

Revelation 19: Christ returns, defeats the beast and false prophet Revelation 20:1-3: Satan is bound for a thousand years Revelation 20:4-6: The first resurrection, saints reign with Christ for a thousand years Revelation 20:7-10: After the thousand years, Satan is released, final battle, Satan defeated Revelation 20:11-15: The great white throne judgment, final judgment of all the dead Revelation 21-22: New heaven and new earth, New Jerusalem, eternal state

The Sequence:

1. Christ’s return
2. Satan bound
3. Thousand-year reign
4. Satan released and defeated
5. Final judgment
6. New heaven and new earth

Shincheonji’s Timeline:

According to Shincheonji:

• March 14, 1984: Thousand-year reign begins, new heaven and new earth established
• Currently (2024): We are in Shincheonji year 41, in the middle of the thousand-year reign
• Future: Satan will be released at the end of the thousand years

The Problem:

According to Revelation’s sequence, the new heaven and new earth come AFTER the thousand years, AFTER Satan’s final defeat, AFTER the final judgment.

But Shincheonji claims the new heaven and new earth (Shincheonji) was established at the BEGINNING of the thousand years (March 14, 1984).

This contradicts the sequence in Revelation.

Problem 5: The Promises of the Thousand-Year Reign Are Not Fulfilled

Revelation 20:4-6 describes the thousand-year reign:

“I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years… Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.”

The Promises:

• The martyrs are raised (first resurrection)
• They reign with Christ
• They are priests of God and Christ
• The second death has no power over them

The Reality in Shincheonji (Since March 14, 1984):

• Physical resurrection has not occurred (martyrs are still dead)
• Shincheonji members still die (the second death still has power in the sense that physical death still occurs)
• The reign is limited to organizational leadership, not the cosmic reign described in Revelation

The Problem:

If March 14, 1984 marked the beginning of the thousand-year reign described in Revelation 20, we would expect to see the promises fulfilled. But they are not.

Problem 6: The Timeline Creates False Expectations

By claiming that March 14, 1984 marked the beginning of the thousand-year reign, Shincheonji creates specific expectations:

If we are currently in year 41 of the thousand years (2024), then:

• In approximately 959 years (around the year 2983), the thousand years will end
• Satan will be released
• The final battle (Gog and Magog) will occur
• The final judgment will occur
• Then (after 2983) the new heaven and new earth will come

But Shincheonji also claims:

• The new heaven and new earth (Shincheonji) already exists (since 1984)
• We are already in the new heaven and new earth

The Contradiction:

Shincheonji claims both that:

1. We are in the middle of the thousand-year reign (year 41 of 1000)
2. The new heaven and new earth (which comes AFTER the thousand years according to Revelation) already exists

This is contradictory and creates confusion about the timeline.

Problem 7: No Biblical Basis for the Date

The Question:

Where in Scripture does it say that the thousand-year reign would begin on March 14, 1984?

The Answer:

Nowhere. There is no biblical prophecy that points to this date.

How Shincheonji Arrives at the Date:

Shincheonji doesn’t claim that Scripture predicts March 14, 1984. Instead, they claim that March 14, 1984 is when the fulfillment occurred—when Lee Man-hee founded Shincheonji after the events at the Tabernacle Temple.

The Problem:

This is circular reasoning:

1. Shincheonji claims that Revelation 20-21 has been fulfilled
2. When asked when it was fulfilled, they point to March 14, 1984
3. When asked why March 14, 1984 is significant, they point to Shincheonji’s founding
4. When asked how we know Shincheonji’s founding fulfills Revelation 20-21, they point to their interpretation of Revelation

There is no independent verification. The only “evidence” that March 14, 1984 is significant is Shincheonji’s claim that it’s significant.

The Biblical Teaching on Dates and Times

Jesus’ Teaching:

Acts 1:6-7:

“Then they gathered around him and asked him, ‘Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.'”

Jesus explicitly told His disciples that it’s not for us to know the times or dates of prophetic fulfillment. The Father has set these by His own authority.

Matthew 24:36:

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

No one knows the day or hour of Christ’s return—not even Jesus Himself (in His incarnate state), only the Father.

The Warning:

Throughout history, many groups have claimed to know specific dates for prophetic fulfillment:

• William Miller predicted Christ’s return in 1844 (leading to the “Great Disappointment”)
• Jehovah’s Witnesses predicted 1914, 1918, 1925, 1975
• Harold Camping predicted May 21, 2011
• Countless others have made date predictions

All have been wrong.

The Pattern:

When a group claims a specific date for prophetic fulfillment, and that date passes without the obvious fulfillment of the prophecy, the group typically:

1. Reinterprets the prophecy to claim it was fulfilled spiritually or invisibly
2. Adjusts the date and makes a new prediction
3. Claims that the fulfillment occurred but only they can see it

Shincheonji’s Approach:

Shincheonji follows pattern #1: They claim that March 14, 1984 was the fulfillment, but it was a spiritual/organizational fulfillment that only they recognize. The rest of the Christian world doesn’t see it because they don’t have the “open word.”

The Problem:

This is the same pattern used by every failed date-setting group. When the obvious fulfillment doesn’t occur, they claim it was fulfilled in a way that only they can perceive.

The True Timeline

What Does Scripture Actually Teach About the Timeline?

1. Christ Has Already Come (First Coming)

Jesus was born, lived, died, and rose again approximately 2000 years ago. This is historical fact.

2. We Are in the “Last Days”

Hebrews 1:1-2:

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.”

The “last days” began with Christ’s first coming. We have been in the last days for 2000 years.

Acts 2:16-17:

“No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.'”

Peter, on the day of Pentecost, declared that they were in the “last days” prophesied by Joel.

3. Christ Will Return (Second Coming)

Acts 1:11:

“‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.'”

Jesus will return physically, visibly, in the same way He ascended.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17:

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

Christ’s return will be unmistakable—with a loud command, the voice of the archangel, the trumpet of God.

4. We Don’t Know When

Matthew 24:42-44:

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

We don’t know when Christ will return. We must always be ready.

5. After Christ Returns, the Final Events Will Occur

The exact sequence is debated among Christians (premillennial, amillennial, postmillennial views), but all agree:

• Christ will return visibly and unmistakably
• The dead will be raised
• Final judgment will occur
• God will create new heavens and a new earth
• God will dwell with His people forever

6. The New Heaven and New Earth Are Future

2 Peter 3:13:

“But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.”

Peter says we are “looking forward to” the new heaven and new earth. It’s future, not present.

Revelation 21:5:

“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!'”

Future tense. God will make everything new. This hasn’t happened yet.

The True Timeline:

1. Christ’s first coming (approximately 2000 years ago) ✅ Fulfilled
2. The church age / last days (from Christ’s first coming until His return) ✅ We are here
3. Christ’s second coming (future, date unknown) ⏳ Not yet fulfilled
4. Resurrection, judgment, and final events (after Christ’s return) ⏳ Not yet fulfilled
5. New heaven and new earth (after all judgment is complete) ⏳ Not yet fulfilled

March 14, 1984 does not appear in this timeline because it has no biblical significance.

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Part 4: The Fear-Based Urgency: “We Must Flee”

The Urgency Message in Lesson 129

Lesson 129 contains intense urgency and fear-based messaging:

The Language of Urgency:

1. “What actions are needed at this time? We need to flee—and not just partially flee.”
2. “We must actually enter the place where God and Jesus have promised to be.”
3. “Being outside this place means death in the flood.”
4. “I do not want to be here when this happens. And I don’t want you to be there either.”
5. “When God tells us to flee, one of the actions He will examine is whether we fled when asked to flee, or if we made excuses.”
6. “We cannot make excuses to God when He has clearly told us what we should do, especially when things are taking place as promised.”
7. “Actions are important. Actions matter, and we will be judged according to what we have done.”
8. “Let’s make sure that we are on the right track. Amen? We can do it.”

The Two Examples: Noah and Lot

The instructor uses two biblical examples to create urgency:

1. Noah and the Ark

The Biblical Story:

Genesis 6-9 tells the story of Noah. God saw that humanity was wicked and decided to send a flood to destroy the earth. But Noah found favor with God. God instructed Noah to build an ark, and Noah obeyed. When the flood came, Noah, his family, and the animals in the ark were saved. Everyone outside the ark perished.

Shincheonji’s Application:

“In the Time of Noah… The flood came. However, the flood did not destroy everybody. An ark appeared—though it didn’t just appear out of nowhere. Someone built it. One person was appointed to build this ark, which became the place of salvation. Similarly, at the second coming, something like this must happen again. An ark must appear—but not a literal ark. It won’t be a giant boat that we can visit or buy tickets to see. Rather, a place of salvation will appear, and we must be in this place. Being outside this place means death in the flood.”

The Message:

• Just as Noah’s ark was the place of salvation from the flood, Shincheonji is the place of salvation at the second coming
• Just as one person (Noah) was appointed to build the ark, one person (Lee Man-hee) was appointed to build Shincheonji
• Just as everyone outside the ark died in the flood, everyone outside Shincheonji will die in judgment
• You must be “in this place” (Shincheonji) to be saved

2. Lot and the Mountains

The Biblical Story:

Genesis 19 tells the story of Lot. God decided to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of their wickedness. Angels came to rescue Lot and his family. They instructed Lot to flee to the mountains and not look back. Lot’s wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt. Lot and his daughters fled to the mountains and were saved.

Shincheonji’s Application:

“In the Time of Lot… The significance of Lot’s story shows how they were pulled out from a place destined for destruction, and they were given a specific destination for their salvation. Their destination was the mountains. The instruction was clear—they were to flee to the mountains. During the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot and his family received explicit instructions to flee to the mountains with a crucial warning: ‘do not look back.’ People today are very attached to their own ‘Sodoms’ and ‘Gomorrahs.’ While these cities are no longer called by these ancient names, they are now represented by ‘Babylon.’ Though the name has changed, spiritually it remains the same place, and it too faces judgment. According to Revelation 8:8, this judgment will come by fire.”

The Message:

• Just as Lot was instructed to flee to the mountains, we must flee to the mountain (Mount Zion/Shincheonji)
• Just as Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by fire, Babylon (all other churches) will be destroyed by fire
• Just as Lot’s wife looked back and died, we must not look back at our old churches or old understanding
• You must flee to Shincheonji or face destruction by fire

The Problems with This Fear-Based Urgency

Problem 1: Misapplication of Noah’s Ark

The Biblical Reality:

Noah’s ark was a physical structure that saved Noah, his family, and the animals from a literal, global flood. This was a historical event that occurred thousands of years ago.

Jesus’ Teaching:

Matthew 24:37-39:

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

Jesus used Noah as an illustration of His second coming. The point is:

• Unexpectedness: Just as people in Noah’s day didn’t expect the flood, people won’t expect Christ’s return
• Suddenness: Just as the flood came suddenly, Christ’s return will be sudden
• Judgment: Just as the flood was judgment, Christ’s return will bring judgment

The Point Is NOT:

• That there will be a literal ark at the second coming
• That one organization is the “ark” of salvation
• That you must join a specific organization to be saved

The Problem:

Shincheonji takes Jesus’ illustration about unexpectedness and suddenness and turns it into an organizational claim: “Shincheonji is the ark; you must join to be saved.”

This is eisegesis (reading into the text) rather than exegesis (drawing meaning from the text).

The True “Ark”:

If we’re going to use the ark as a metaphor for salvation, the true “ark” is Christ Himself, not an organization.

1 Peter 3:20-21:

“…who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Peter uses the ark as a type (foreshadowing) of salvation through Christ’s resurrection. The ark saved Noah’s family through water; baptism (which symbolizes union with Christ in His death and resurrection) saves us through Christ’s resurrection.

The ark points to Christ, not to an organization.

Problem 2: Misapplication of Lot’s Escape

The Biblical Reality:

Lot was instructed to flee Sodom and Gomorrah because God was about to destroy those specific cities for their specific wickedness. This was a historical event.

Jesus’ Teaching:

Luke 17:28-30:

“It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed.”

Again, Jesus uses Lot as an illustration of His second coming. The point is:

• Unexpectedness: People were going about normal life, not expecting judgment
• Suddenness: Judgment came suddenly
• Finality: There was no second chance once judgment began

The Point Is NOT:

• That all churches except Shincheonji are “Sodom and Gomorrah”
• That you must flee to a specific organization (the “mountain”)
• That looking back at your old church means you’ll be destroyed like Lot’s wife

The Problem:

Shincheonji takes Jesus’ illustration about suddenness and finality and turns it into an organizational claim: “All other churches are Babylon/Sodom; you must flee to Shincheonji (the mountain) or be destroyed.”

The True Application:

Jesus’ point in both illustrations (Noah and Lot) is: Be ready. Christ’s return will be sudden and unexpected. Don’t be caught unprepared.

How do we prepare?

Not by joining a specific organization, but by:

• Trusting in Christ for salvation (faith)
• Living in obedience to God (holiness)
• Watching and waiting for Christ’s return (readiness)

Matthew 24:42-44:

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

Problem 3: Creating Fear of Judgment

The lesson creates intense fear of judgment:

• “Being outside this place means death in the flood”
• “Judgment will come by fire”
• “I do not want to be here when this happens. And I don’t want you to be there either”
• “We will be judged according to what we have done”

The Effect:

This fear motivates students to join Shincheonji. The message is clear: If you don’t join, you’ll be destroyed in judgment.

The Problem:

This is fear-based manipulation. It uses the threat of judgment to pressure people into organizational membership.

The Biblical Reality:

For Believers:

Romans 8:1:

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Believers in Christ are not condemned. We don’t need to fear judgment because Christ has taken our judgment upon Himself.

John 5:24:

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”

Believers will not be judged (for condemnation). We have crossed from death to life.

1 John 4:18:

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

God’s love drives out fear. We don’t serve God out of fear of punishment, but out of love and gratitude.

For Unbelievers:

Yes, those who reject Christ will face judgment. But the solution is not joining an organization—it’s trusting in Christ.

John 3:36:

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”

The issue is belief in Christ, not organizational membership.

Problem 4: “No Excuses” Pressure

The instructor says: “When God tells us to flee, one of the actions He will examine is whether we fled when asked to flee, or if we made excuses. Some might say, ‘This is too different from what I learned before.’ People often say, ‘I’m not comfortable with this or that,’ or ‘This is different from what I was taught in the past.’ But what kind of excuses can we really make to God?”

The Message:

If you don’t join Shincheonji, you’re making excuses to God. You’ll be judged for not obeying when told to flee.

The Effect:

This prevents critical evaluation. Any hesitation, doubt, or concern is framed as “making excuses to God.”

The Problem:

This is thought control. It prevents students from:

• Pausing to evaluate the teaching
• Researching outside perspectives
• Seeking counsel from family or other Christians
• Listening to their conscience or the Holy Spirit’s leading

Any hesitation is labeled “making excuses,” which creates guilt and pressure to proceed despite doubts.

The Biblical Reality:

Testing Teaching Is Not “Making Excuses”:

1 Thessalonians 5:21:

“Test everything; hold fast what is good.”

We are commanded to test everything, not to accept everything without question.

Acts 17:11:

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

The Bereans tested even Paul’s teaching against Scripture. They were commended for this, not condemned for “making excuses.”

1 John 4:1:

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

We must test teachings because there are false prophets. Testing is not making excuses—it’s biblical discernment.

Legitimate Concerns Are Not “Excuses”:

If students have concerns like:

• “This is different from what I learned before” (from Scripture, from church history, from mainstream Christianity)
• “I’m not comfortable with this” (conscience or Holy Spirit warning)
• “This seems to contradict Scripture” (biblical discernment)

These are legitimate concerns that should be explored, not dismissed as “excuses.”

Problem 5: The Urgency Prevents Careful Evaluation

The intense urgency (“we must flee,” “judgment is coming,” “no excuses”) creates pressure to act immediately without careful evaluation.

The Effect:

Students feel they must:

• Complete the curriculum quickly
• Proceed to New Family Education immediately
• Passover without delay
• Join a tribe and commit fully

Any delay feels dangerous—like staying in Sodom when judgment is coming, like being outside the ark when the flood arrives.

The Problem:

Major life decisions—especially spiritual commitments—should be made with careful thought, prayer, and discernment, not under pressure and urgency.

The Biblical Principle:

Proverbs 19:2:

“Desire without knowledge is not good—how much more will hasty feet miss the way!”

Hasty decisions without knowledge lead to missing the way.

Proverbs 14:15:

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

The prudent give thought to their steps—they don’t rush into decisions.

God Is Patient:

2 Peter 3:9:

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

God is patient. He doesn’t pressure us into hasty decisions. He gives us time to think, pray, and seek understanding.

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Part 5: Organizational Salvation: “Must Be in This Place”

The Core Message of Lesson 129

The core message of Lesson 129 is organizational salvation: You must be in Shincheonji to be saved.

The Explicit Statements:

1. “Why it is the place God has promised to return to and why we need to be those who are at this place.”
2. “We must actually enter the place where God and Jesus have promised to be.”
3. “A place of salvation will appear, and we must be in this place. Being outside this place means death in the flood.”
4. “We must flee to the mountains.” (Mount Zion = Shincheonji)
5. “I do not want to be here when this happens. And I don’t want you to be there either.” (referring to being outside Shincheonji when judgment comes)

The Implication:

• Shincheonji is the place of salvation
• You must physically be in Shincheonji (join the organization) to be saved
• Being outside Shincheonji means death/judgment

This is organizational salvation—the belief that membership in a specific organization is necessary for salvation.

The Problems with Organizational Salvation

Problem 1: Salvation Is by Grace Through Faith in Christ, Not by Organizational Membership

The Biblical Gospel:

Ephesians 2:8-9:

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Salvation is:

• By grace: God’s unmerited favor, not earned
• Through faith: Trusting in Christ, not joining an organization
• A gift: Freely given, not achieved through organizational membership
• Not by works: Not by what we do (including joining an organization)

Acts 16:31:

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”

The requirement for salvation is belief in Jesus, not membership in Shincheonji.

Romans 10:9:

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

Salvation requires:

• Declaring Jesus as Lord
• Believing in His resurrection

It does not require joining Shincheonji.

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 in Jesus has eternal life. Not “whoever joins Shincheonji,” but “whoever believes in Jesus.”

The Problem:

Shincheonji makes organizational membership necessary for salvation. This contradicts the biblical gospel, which teaches that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone.

Problem 2: Christ Is the Only Way to the Father, Not an Organization

John 14:6:

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

Jesus is the way to the Father. Not Shincheonji, not any organization—Jesus alone.

Acts 4:12:

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

Salvation is found in Jesus alone. There is no other name—not Lee Man-hee, not Shincheonji—by which we must be saved.

1 Timothy 2:5:

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.”

Christ is the only mediator. We don’t need an organization to mediate between us and God.

The Problem:

By claiming that you must be “in this place” (Shincheonji) to be saved, Shincheonji makes the organization a mediator between people and God. But Christ is the only mediator.

Problem 3: The Church Is All Believers, Not One Organization

The Biblical Doctrine of the Church:

The church (Greek: ekklesia) is the body of all believers in Christ, not one specific organization.

Ephesians 1:22-23:

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

The church is Christ’s body—all believers everywhere, not one organization.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13:

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

All believers are baptized by one Spirit into one body. This is the universal church, not Shincheonji.

Ephesians 4:4-6:

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

There is one body (the universal church), one Lord (Jesus), one faith, one baptism, one God. This unity is in Christ, not in organizational membership.

The Problem:

Shincheonji claims to be THE church, the only place of salvation. But the biblical church is all believers in Christ, not one organization.

Problem 4: God Dwells in All Believers, Not in One Organization’s Buildings

Shincheonji claims to be “the place where God and Jesus have promised to be.” But Scripture teaches that God dwells in all believers:

1 Corinthians 3:16:

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

Believers are God’s temple. God’s Spirit dwells in us, not in organizational buildings.

1 Corinthians 6:19:

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

Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. God dwells in us individually.

2 Corinthians 6:16:

“For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.'”

We (believers) are the temple of the living God. God lives with us and walks among us.

The Problem:

Shincheonji claims that you must be “in this place” (Shincheonji’s physical locations) because that’s where God is. But God dwells in all believers, not in specific organizational buildings.

Problem 5: This Creates a Salvation Monopoly

By claiming that Shincheonji is the only place of salvation, Shincheonji creates a salvation monopoly—they alone have the means of salvation.

The Implications:

• All other churches are Babylon (home for demons)
• All other Christians are not saved (unless they join Shincheonji)
• You cannot be saved outside Shincheonji
• Leaving Shincheonji means losing salvation

The Problem:

This is cultic thinking. Cults characteristically claim:

• We alone have the truth
• We alone have salvation
• You must be a member to be saved
• Leaving means losing salvation

The Biblical Reality:

Salvation is available to all who believe in Christ, regardless of organizational affiliation:

Romans 10:13:

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Everyone who calls on Jesus’ name will be saved—not just Shincheonji members.

John 10:9:

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

Jesus is the gate. Whoever enters through Him (not through Shincheonji) will be saved.

Problem 6: This Contradicts the Doctrine of the Invisible Church

Christian theology distinguishes between:

The Visible Church:

• Local congregations and denominations
• Imperfect, containing both true believers and false professors
• Various expressions across cultures and times

The Invisible Church:

• All true believers in Christ, known only to God
• Perfect, containing only true believers
• United by the Holy Spirit, not by organizational membership

The Point:

Salvation is not determined by membership in a visible organization (like Shincheonji), but by genuine faith in Christ, which makes one part of the invisible church (all true believers).

The Problem:

Shincheonji conflates the visible and invisible church. They claim that their visible organization (Shincheonji) is identical to the invisible church (all true believers). Therefore, if you’re not a Shincheonji member, you’re not part of the true church and not saved.

But this contradicts Scripture’s teaching that the true church is all believers in Christ, known only to God, not defined by membership in one visible organization.

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The Works-Based Message in Lesson 129

Throughout Lesson 129, there’s a strong emphasis on works-based judgment:

The Explicit Statements:

1. “What determines this judgment? What standard are people compared to? The answer is all 66 books of the Bible… A person’s actions are compared to the word.”
2. “So we must ask ourselves: How are we doing? When placed on God’s scale, are we heavy or light? We better be heavy.”
3. “When God tells us to flee, one of the actions He will examine is whether we fled when asked to flee, or if we made excuses.”
4. “Actions are important. Actions matter, and we will be judged according to what we have done.”
5. “Let’s make sure that we are on the right track.”

The Message:

• You will be judged by your actions
• Your actions will be compared to the Bible
• You must be “heavy” on God’s scale (have enough good works)
• God will examine whether you fled (joined Shincheonji) when told to flee
• Actions matter—you must do the right things

This is a works-based salvation system—the belief that salvation depends on your actions, your obedience, your performance.

The Image: God’s Scale

The instructor uses a powerful image: “When placed on God’s scale, are we heavy or light? We better be heavy.”

The Implication:

God has a scale. Your actions are weighed on this scale. If you’re “heavy” (enough good works), you pass. If you’re “light” (not enough good works), you fail.

The Effect:

This creates:

• Anxiety: “Am I heavy enough? Have I done enough?”
• Uncertainty: “How do I know if I’m heavy enough?”
• Pressure: “I better be heavy—I need to do more”
• Performance mentality: “I must perform well to pass God’s judgment”

The Problem:

This contradicts the biblical gospel, which teaches that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works.

The Biblical Teaching on Judgment and Works

The Tension:

Scripture contains two seemingly contradictory teachings:

1. Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works
2. We will be judged according to our works

How do we reconcile these?

The Resolution:

1. Salvation Is by Grace Through Faith, Not by Works

Ephesians 2:8-9:

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Salvation is by grace (God’s unmerited favor) through faith (trusting in Christ), not by works (what we do).

Titus 3:5:

“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”

God saved us not because of our righteous works, but because of His mercy.

Romans 3:20:

“Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.”

No one is declared righteous by works. Works reveal our sin, they don’t save us.

Romans 4:4-5:

“Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.”

If salvation were by works, it would be wages (earned), not a gift. But salvation is a gift to those who trust God, not to those who work.

Galatians 2:16:

“Know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.”

We are justified (declared righteous) by faith in Christ, not by works.

2. We Will Be Judged According to Our Works

Romans 2:6:

“God ‘will repay each person according to what they have done.'”

2 Corinthians 5:10:

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”

Revelation 20:12:

“And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.”

Matthew 25:31-46:

Jesus’ parable of the sheep and goats—people are separated based on their actions (feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned).

3. How Do We Reconcile These?

The Key: Works Are the Evidence of Faith, Not the Basis of Salvation

James 2:14-17:

“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

James teaches that genuine faith produces works. If there are no works, the faith is dead (not genuine).

James 2:18:

“But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.”

Works are the evidence of faith. You demonstrate your faith by your works.

James 2:26:

“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”

Just as a body without spirit is dead, faith without works is dead. Genuine faith produces works.

The Resolution:

• Salvation is by faith alone (we are justified by faith, not works)
• But genuine faith is never alone (it always produces works)
• Works are the evidence of genuine faith (they demonstrate that faith is real)
• Judgment examines works to verify faith (works reveal whether faith is genuine)

Illustration:

Think of it like a tree:

• The root = faith (invisible, underground)
• The fruit = works (visible, above ground)

The tree is alive because of its root (faith), not because of its fruit (works). But if a tree is truly alive (has genuine faith), it will produce fruit (works). If there’s no fruit, the tree is dead (faith is not genuine).

Judgment examines the fruit (works) to verify that the root (faith) is genuine.

4. The Judgment of Believers vs. Unbelievers

For Believers:

Romans 8:1:

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Believers are not condemned. We don’t face judgment for condemnation because Christ took our condemnation.

John 5:24:

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”

Believers will not be judged (for condemnation). We have crossed from death to life.

But believers will face judgment for rewards:

1 Corinthians 3:12-15:

“If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.”

Believers’ works will be tested. Some will receive rewards, others will suffer loss of rewards. But even those who lose rewards will be saved.

For Unbelievers:

Revelation 20:11-15:

“Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.”

Unbelievers will be judged according to their works. But the ultimate issue is whether their name is in the book of life (whether they have faith in Christ). Those whose names are not in the book of life are thrown into the lake of fire.

The Point:

Works are examined in judgment, but:

• For believers: Works determine rewards, not salvation (which is secure in Christ)
• For unbelievers: Works reveal the absence of genuine faith, confirming condemnation

5. The Standard: Christ’s Righteousness, Not Our Works

The Problem with “God’s Scale”:

Shincheonji’s image of “God’s scale” suggests that your works are weighed, and if you’re “heavy enough,” you pass.

But this raises the question: How heavy is heavy enough? How many works are sufficient?

The answer is: You can never be heavy enough. No amount of works can meet God’s perfect standard.

Romans 3:23:

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

All have sinned. All fall short. No one’s works are sufficient.

Isaiah 64:6:

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”

Even our righteous acts are like filthy rags before God’s perfect holiness.

The Solution: Christ’s Righteousness

We are not saved by our righteousness, but by Christ’s righteousness credited to us:

2 Corinthians 5:21:

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Christ, who had no sin, took our sin. We, who have no righteousness, receive His righteousness.

Philippians 3:8-9:

“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”

Paul considered his own righteousness (his works) as garbage. He wanted to be found in Christ, having Christ’s righteousness through faith.

The Point:

On God’s scale, we are all “light” (insufficient). But Christ is “heavy” (perfectly righteous). When we trust in Christ, His righteousness is credited to us. God sees us as “heavy” not because of our works, but because of Christ’s righteousness.

The Problems with Shincheonji’s Works-Based System

Problem 1: It Creates Anxiety and Uncertainty

The Question:

“When placed on God’s scale, are we heavy or light? We better be heavy.”

This creates anxiety: Am I heavy enough? Have I done enough?

The Problem:

In a works-based system, you can never be sure you’ve done enough. There’s always more you could do:

• Study harder
• Attend more services
• Recruit more people
• Be more obedient
• Show more commitment

This creates perpetual anxiety and uncertainty.

The Biblical Alternative:

Romans 8:38-39:

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

In Christ, we have certainty. Nothing can separate us from God’s love. Our salvation is secure, not because of our works, but because of Christ’s work.

1 John 5:13:

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

We can know we have eternal life. Not hope, not guess, but know—because it’s based on Christ’s work, not our works.

Problem 2: It Makes Salvation Dependent on Performance

The Message:

“Actions are important. Actions matter, and we will be judged according to what we have done.”

The Implication:

Your salvation depends on your performance. You must:

• Flee when told to flee (join Shincheonji)
• Not make excuses (don’t question or hesitate)
• Be heavy on God’s scale (do enough works)
• Stay on the right track (maintain organizational obedience)

The Problem:

This makes salvation dependent on performance, not on grace.

The Biblical Alternative:

Romans 11:6:

“And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.”

Grace and works are mutually exclusive as the basis of salvation. If salvation is by grace, it’s not by works. If it’s by works, it’s not by grace.

Problem 3: It Focuses on External Actions Rather Than Heart Transformation

Shincheonji’s Focus:

• Did you flee (join Shincheonji)?
• Are you heavy on God’s scale (enough works)?
• Are you on the right track (organizational obedience)?

The focus is on external actions—organizational membership and obedience.

The Biblical Focus:

1 Samuel 16:7:

“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

God looks at the heart, not just external actions.

Matthew 23:25-28:

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”

Jesus condemned the Pharisees for focusing on external appearance while neglecting the heart.

Ezekiel 36:26:

“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.”

God’s work is heart transformation, not just external conformity.

Problem 4: It Misunderstands the Purpose of Good Works

Shincheonji’s Understanding:

Good works (joining Shincheonji, obeying organizational requirements) are necessary to be “heavy” on God’s scale and pass judgment.

The Biblical Understanding:

Good works are:

A. The Result of Salvation, Not the Cause

Ephesians 2:10:

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

We are created in Christ Jesus to do good works. Good works are the result of being created in Christ, not the cause.

B. The Evidence of Genuine Faith

James 2:18:

“Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.”

Good works demonstrate genuine faith. They are the evidence, not the basis.

C. The Expression of Gratitude

Romans 12:1:

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

Good works are our response to God’s mercy—an expression of gratitude and worship, not an attempt to earn salvation.

D. Prepared by God

Ephesians 2:10:

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

God prepares good works in advance for us. We don’t generate them to earn salvation; we walk in them as God’s prepared path.

Problem 5: It Ignores the Impossibility of Self-Salvation

The Reality:

If salvation depends on being “heavy” on God’s scale (having enough good works), then we must ask: How heavy is heavy enough?

The Answer:

God’s standard is perfection:

Matthew 5:48:

“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

James 2:10:

“For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.”

Even one sin makes us guilty of breaking the entire law.

The Problem:

No one can meet this standard. No one can be “heavy enough” on God’s scale through their own works.

Romans 3:10-12:

“As it is written: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.'”

No one is righteous. No one does good (perfectly). All fall short.

The Solution:

Romans 3:21-24:

“But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

Righteousness comes through faith in Christ, not through our works. We are justified freely by grace through Christ’s redemption.

Problem 6: It Creates a Performance-Based Relationship with God

In a Works-Based System:

Your relationship with God is based on performance:

• If you perform well (heavy on the scale), God accepts you
• If you perform poorly (light on the scale), God rejects you

This creates:

• Fear: “What if I’m not heavy enough?”
• Guilt: “I should be doing more”
• Shame: “I’m not measuring up”
• Distance: “God is disappointed in me”

In the Gospel:

Your relationship with God is based on grace:

• God accepts you because of Christ’s work, not your performance
• Your standing with God is secure in Christ
• You serve God out of love and gratitude, not fear and obligation

This creates:

• Assurance: “I am secure in Christ”
• Freedom: “I don’t have to earn God’s love”
• Joy: “God delights in me because of Christ”
• Intimacy: “I can approach God with confidence”

Hebrews 4:16:

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

We approach God with confidence, not fear. We receive mercy and grace, not judgment based on performance.

The True Gospel: Salvation by Grace Through Faith

The Core Message:

Ephesians 2:8-10:

“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. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

The Order:

1. Salvation by grace through faith (v. 8-9)
2. Created in Christ Jesus (v. 10a)
3. To do good works (v. 10b)

Good works are the result of salvation, not the cause. We are saved by grace, then created in Christ to do good works.

The Assurance:

Romans 5:1:

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

We have peace with God—not anxiety about whether we’re “heavy enough,” but peace because we’re justified through faith.

Romans 8:1:

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

No condemnation. Not “condemnation if you’re not heavy enough,” but no condemnation for those in Christ.

The Freedom:

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 from the burden of trying to earn salvation through works. We should not be burdened again by a works-based system.

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Part 7: The Structure of Revelation 21 and Shincheonji’s Interpretation

Shincheonji’s Structural Interpretation

Lesson 129 presents a specific structure for Revelation 21:

The Three-Part Structure:

1. Revelation 21:1-7: Elaborates on Revelation 20:4-6

“The book of Revelation 21 serves as the first of the ending summaries of Revelation. The actual events described in Revelation conclude in chapter 20, which marks the end of the chronological events. Chapters 21 and 22 function as retellings and expansions of content that was previously introduced and explained in Revelation chapters 1 through 20. Specifically, the first 7 verses of chapter 21 elaborate further on the content found in Revelation 20:4-6.”

2. Revelation 21:8-21: Details the Holy City New Jerusalem Joins the New Heaven New Earth

“Revelation 21:8-21 describes a joining of two realms: the Holy City New Jerusalem located in heaven (the heaven in the spiritual world above) unites with the New Heaven and New Earth in the physical world below.”

3. Revelation 21:22-27: Who Will Enter the City

“The final verses of Revelation 21:22-27 reveal important details about who will enter the city.”

Problems with This Structural Interpretation

Problem 1: Revelation 21-22 Are Not “Ending Summaries”

Shincheonji’s Claim:

“The actual events described in Revelation conclude in chapter 20, which marks the end of the chronological events. Chapters 21 and 22 function as retellings and expansions of content that was previously introduced and explained in Revelation chapters 1 through 20.”

The Problem:

This is not how Revelation 21-22 function. They are not summaries or retellings of previous chapters. They describe the ultimate culmination—what comes after all the events of chapters 1-20.

The Actual Structure of Revelation:

Revelation can be understood as having several sections:

Chapters 1-3: Letters to Seven Churches

• Messages to specific churches in Asia Minor
• Commendations, rebukes, promises

Chapters 4-5: Throne Room Vision

• God on the throne
• The Lamb who is worthy to open the scroll

Chapters 6-20: The Events of Judgment and Redemption

• Seven seals (6:1-8:5)
• Seven trumpets (8:6-11:19)
• The woman, dragon, and beasts (12-13)
• The 144,000 and harvest (14)
• Seven bowls (15-16)
• Babylon’s fall (17-18)
• Christ’s return and victory (19)
• The millennium and final judgment (20)

Chapters 21-22: The Ultimate Culmination

• New heaven and new earth (21:1-8)
• New Jerusalem (21:9-27)
• River and tree of life (22:1-5)
• Final exhortations and promises (22:6-21)

The Point:

Revelation 21-22 describe what comes after all the events of chapters 6-20. They are not summaries, but the final destination—the eternal state after all judgment is complete.

Evidence from the Text:

Revelation 21:1:

“Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.”

“Then” (Greek: kai) indicates sequence. After the events of chapter 20 (millennium and final judgment), then John sees the new heaven and new earth.

Revelation 21:4:

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

This describes a state that comes after all judgment—when death itself is destroyed (which happens in Revelation 20:14).

Revelation 21:5:

“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!'”

Future tense. God will make everything new. This is the final act, not a summary of previous acts.

Problem 2: Revelation 21:1-7 Does Not Merely Elaborate on Revelation 20:4-6

Shincheonji’s Claim:

“Specifically, the first 7 verses of chapter 21 elaborate further on the content found in Revelation 20:4-6.”

Revelation 20:4-6 (The First Resurrection):

“I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.”

Revelation 21:1-7 (New Heaven and New Earth):

“Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ 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.’ He said to me: ‘It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.'”

The Comparison:

Revelation 20:4-6:

• Describes the first resurrection
• The martyrs come to life
• They reign with Christ for a thousand years
• They are priests of God and Christ
• The second death has no power over them
• This occurs during the thousand years

Revelation 21:1-7:

• Describes the new heaven and new earth
• The old heaven and earth have passed away
• The New Jerusalem comes down from heaven
• God dwells with His people
• No more death, mourning, crying, or pain
• The old order has passed away
• God makes everything new
• This occurs after the thousand years and final judgment

The Difference:

These are not the same event. Revelation 20:4-6 describes events during the thousand years. Revelation 21:1-7 describes the eternal state after the thousand years and final judgment.

The Problem:

Shincheonji conflates these two different events to support their claim that the new heaven and new earth (Shincheonji) was established at the same time as the first resurrection (March 14, 1984).

But the text shows these are sequential events:

1. First resurrection (Revelation 20:4-6) → during the thousand years
2. Final judgment (Revelation 20:11-15) → after the thousand years
3. New heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1-8) → after the final judgment

Problem 3: The “Joining” of Two Realms

Shincheonji’s Claim:

“Revelation 21:8-21 describes a joining of two realms: the Holy City New Jerusalem located in heaven (the heaven in the spiritual world above) unites with the New Heaven and New Earth in the physical world below.”

The Implication:

The New Jerusalem (spiritual realm) comes down to join with Shincheonji (physical realm). This is the union of spiritual and physical.

The Biblical Reality:

Revelation 21:2:

“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.”

Revelation 21:10:

“And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.”

The New Jerusalem comes down from heaven. But this is not describing the union of a spiritual realm with Shincheonji. It’s describing God’s ultimate plan—the complete renewal of creation where heaven and earth are united.

The Biblical Concept:

Throughout Scripture, there’s a theme of heaven and earth being reunited:

Genesis 1-2:

• Heaven and earth are created
• God walks with humans in the garden
• Heaven and earth are in harmony

Genesis 3:

• Sin enters
• Humans are expelled from God’s presence
• Heaven and earth are separated

The Rest of Scripture:

• God works to restore relationship with humanity
• The tabernacle and temple are places where heaven and earth meet
• Prophets speak of a future restoration

Revelation 21-22:

• Heaven and earth are reunited
• God dwells directly with humanity
• The curse is removed
• All things are made new

The Point:

The New Jerusalem coming down from heaven represents God’s ultimate plan to reunite heaven and earth—to dwell directly with His people in a renewed creation.

This is not about a spiritual realm joining with Shincheonji. It’s about God’s cosmic plan to renew all creation.

Problem 4: Who Will Enter the City?

Shincheonji’s Implication:

“The final verses of Revelation 21:22-27 reveal important details about who will enter the city.”

The implication is that only Shincheonji members will enter the city.

The Biblical Reality:

Revelation 21:27:

“Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

Who enters?

Those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Who are these?

Revelation 13:8:

“All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.”

Those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life are those who do not worship the beast—those who belong to Christ.

Philippians 4:3:

“Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.”

Paul refers to fellow believers whose names are in the book of life.

The Point:

Those who enter the New Jerusalem are those whose names are in the Lamb’s book of life—all believers in Christ, not just Shincheonji members.

How Do Names Get in the Book of Life?

Revelation 20:15:

“Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.”

The book of life determines eternal destiny. Those whose names are in it are saved; those whose names are not are condemned.

The Basis:

Names are in the book of life based on faith in Christ:

John 3:16:

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

Revelation 21:6:

“To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.”

The invitation is open to all who are thirsty—all who desire salvation. It’s a gift, not earned by organizational membership.

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Part 8: The Progression of Indoctrination at the Final Stage

Where Students Are Now

By Lesson 129, students are at the penultimate lesson—only three lessons remain (Revelation 22, and two final lessons) before New Family Education, Passover, and full membership.

Timeline Calculation:

Introductory Level (Parables):

• Lessons 1-64
• Duration: Approximately 20 weeks (about 5 months)
• Total class time: 128-192 hours (64 lessons × 2-3 hours each)

Intermediate Level (Bible Logic):

• Lessons 65-97 (33 lessons)
• Duration: Approximately 10 weeks (about 2.5 months)
• Total class time: 66-99 hours (33 lessons × 2-3 hours each)

Advanced Level (Revelation):

• Lessons 98-132 (35 lessons completed so far)
• Duration: Approximately 8 weeks (about 2 months)
• Total class time: 70-105 hours (35 lessons × 2-3 hours each)

Total Investment by Lesson 129:

• Total duration: Approximately 38 weeks (about 9.5 months)
• Total class time: 264-396 hours
• Plus: Countless additional hours in one-on-one sessions, Wash Day services, special events, personal study, and organizational activities

Current Position:

• Lesson 129 out of approximately 132-135 total lessons
• About 97% through the curriculum
• Only 3-6 lessons remaining before New Family Education

This is the final stage before full organizational commitment.

The Psychological State at This Stage

1. Maximum Investment

Students have invested:

• Time: Nearly 10 months, 264-396 hours in classes alone, plus countless additional hours in one-on-ones, Wash Day services, events, personal study
• Emotional energy: Deep relationships with evangelist and classmates, complete identity transformation
• Mental energy: Mastering the entire interpretation system from Parables through Revelation 21
• Relationships: Severely strained or broken family relationships, complete isolation from non-Shincheonji friends
• Identity: Complete identity as one of the sealed, the 144,000, the bride, a citizen of the new heaven and new earth

The sunk cost is enormous. After nearly 10 months and hundreds of hours, leaving feels impossible.

2. Complete Worldview Transformation

Students’ entire worldview has been completely transformed:

Before Shincheonji:

• Mainstream Christian understanding
• All Christians are part of the body of Christ
• Churches are communities of believers
• Salvation is by grace through faith

Now (After nearly 10 months):

• All other churches are Babylon (home for demons)
• Only Shincheonji is the true church, the new heaven and new earth
• Salvation requires organizational membership (born of God’s seed, sealed, part of 12 tribes, name in registry, physically in Shincheonji)
• Lee Man-hee is the promised pastor, essential for understanding Scripture
• The thousand-year reign has already begun
• Shincheonji uses a special dating system
• Family’s concerns are “persecution from Satan,” “making excuses to God”
• Outside information is “Satan’s domain”
• Questioning is lack of “complete faith,” “making excuses”
• You must be “heavy” on God’s scale through actions and organizational obedience

This complete worldview transformation makes it nearly impossible to consider alternative perspectives.

3. Anticipation of Completion

After nearly 10 months and hundreds of hours of study, students are finally approaching the finish line:

• Only 3-6 more lessons after this
• Then New Family Education
• Then Passover
• Then full membership in one of the 12 tribes

This anticipation creates powerful forward momentum. Students are so close to completion that stopping now feels like wasting everything.

4. Explicit Organizational Identification

Lesson 129 makes the most explicit organizational claim: Shincheonji = New Heaven and New Earth.

This is no longer subtle. Students are being told directly that Shincheonji is the fulfillment of God’s ultimate promise—the new heaven and new earth.

5. Organizational Salvation Fully Established

By Lesson 129, organizational salvation is fully established:

• You must be “in this place” (Shincheonji) to be saved
• Being outside means death in the flood, destruction by fire
• Shincheonji is the ark, the mountain, the place where God dwells
• You cannot make excuses—you must flee to Shincheonji
• Actions matter—you will be judged by whether you joined when told to

6. Works-Based System Emphasized

Lesson 129 emphasizes works-based judgment:

• You will be judged by your actions
• You must be “heavy” on God’s scale
• Actions matter—you must do the right things
• God will examine whether you fled (joined Shincheonji) when told to

7. Fear Maximized

Multiple sources of fear converge:

• Judgment by fire: Coming on all outside Shincheonji
• Death in the flood: If you’re outside the ark (Shincheonji)
• God’s scale: Are you heavy or light?
• No excuses: God will examine whether you fled when told to
• Looking back: Like Lot’s wife, you’ll be destroyed if you look back

8. Pressure at Maximum

Multiple sources of pressure converge:

• Sunk cost: “I’ve invested nearly 10 months and hundreds of hours; I can’t stop now”
• Social pressure: Evangelist, classmates, organizational expectation of completion
• Fear: Missing salvation, judgment by fire, death in the flood, being “light” on God’s scale
• Urgency: “We must flee,” “judgment is coming,” “no excuses”
• Anticipation: “I’m so close to completion and full membership—only a few lessons left”
• Identity: “I am a citizen of the new heaven and new earth; this is who I am”
• Explicit claim: “Shincheonji IS the new heaven and new earth—this is God’s ultimate plan”

9. Information Control Fully Internalized

By this stage, information control is completely internalized:

• Automatic dismissal of doubts (“lack of complete faith,” “making excuses to God”)
• Automatic dismissal of family concerns (“persecution,” “looking back at Sodom,” “making excuses”)
• Automatic dismissal of outside information (“Satan’s domain”)
• Automatic defense of Shincheonji against any criticism
• Automatic acceptance of organizational teaching (“say amen quickly,” “show agreement”)
• Automatic acceptance of organizational claims (“Shincheonji = new heaven and new earth”)

These thought-stopping mechanisms operate automatically, preventing critical evaluation.

The Specific Indoctrination Tactics in Lesson 129

Let’s identify the specific indoctrination tactics operating in this penultimate lesson:

Tactic 1: Explicit Organizational Identification

“Now in the language of the promised pastor, how do you say new heaven and new earth? Shincheonji.”

This is the most explicit organizational claim in the curriculum. Shincheonji IS the new heaven and new earth.

Effect: Makes organizational membership essential for participating in God’s ultimate plan.

Tactic 2: Timeline Claims with Special Dating System

“The thousand-year reign has begun… We are currently in Shincheonji year 41.”

This creates a new calendar based on the organization’s founding, elevating it to cosmic significance.

Effect: Reorients students’ sense of time around the organization, separates them from outside world, claims organizational founding is as significant as Christ’s birth.

Tactic 3: Fear-Based Urgency

“We must flee… Being outside this place means death in the flood… Judgment will come by fire.”

This creates intense fear of being outside Shincheonji.

Effect: Motivates organizational membership through fear of judgment.

Tactic 4: Organizational Salvation

“We must actually enter the place where God and Jesus have promised to be… Being outside this place means death.”

This makes organizational membership essential for salvation.

Effect: Creates dependency on the organization for salvation.

Tactic 5: Works-Based Judgment

“When placed on God’s scale, are we heavy or light? We better be heavy… Actions matter, and we will be judged according to what we have done.”

This creates anxiety about performance and works.

Effect: Creates perpetual anxiety, uncertainty, and pressure to perform.

Tactic 6: “No Excuses” Pressure

“What kind of excuses can we really make to God?… We cannot make excuses to God when He has clearly told us what we should do.”

This prevents critical evaluation by labeling any hesitation as “making excuses to God.”

Effect: Prevents pausing, questioning, researching, or seeking counsel.

Tactic 7: Misapplication of Biblical Examples

Noah’s ark and Lot’s escape are applied to Shincheonji as the place of salvation.

Effect: Uses biblical authority to support organizational claims.

Tactic 8: Creating Forward Momentum

“Let’s make sure that we are on the right track. Amen? We can do it.”

This creates forward momentum toward completion and full membership.

Effect: Prevents pausing to evaluate; focuses students on the next step.

Tactic 9: Structural Reinterpretation

Claiming Revelation 21-22 are “ending summaries” that retell previous chapters.

Effect: Supports the claim that the new heaven and new earth (Shincheonji) was established at the same time as the first resurrection.

Tactic 10: Maximizing Sunk Cost

After nearly 10 months and hundreds of hours of investment, students are told explicitly that Shincheonji IS the new heaven and new earth, the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan.

Effect: Makes leaving feel like rejecting God’s ultimate plan, wasting nearly 10 months and hundreds of hours, and losing salvation.

The Progression from Lesson 1 to Lesson 129

Let’s trace the progression of indoctrination from the beginning to this penultimate lesson:

Introductory Level (Parables) – Months 1-5:

• 64 lessons over 20 weeks
• 128-192 hours of class time
• Hook: Free Bible study, no organizational connection revealed
• Foundation: Symbolic interpretation system introduced
• Separation begins: “Don’t go beyond what is written” (don’t compare with other sources)

Intermediate Level (Bible Logic) – Months 5-7.5:

• 33 lessons over 10 weeks
• 66-99 hours of class time
• Deepening: More complex symbolic system
• Authority established: Shincheonji has the correct interpretation
• Isolation increases: More time commitment, relationships deepen

Advanced Level (Revelation 1-11) – Months 7.5-8.5:

• Approximately 11-12 lessons over 4 weeks
• 22-36 hours of class time
• Revelation begins: Organizational history as Revelation’s fulfillment
• Identity shift: You could be part of the 144,000
• Investment increases: Exams, Wash Day services, organizational involvement

Advanced Level (Revelation 12-18) – Months 8.5-9:

• Approximately 7-8 lessons over 2 weeks
• 14-24 hours of class time
• Demonization: All other churches are Babylon, home for demons
• Requirements introduced: Must be sealed, part of 12 tribes
• Fear maximized: Judgment coming on Babylon, must come out
• Wedding introduced: The goal, the ultimate fulfillment

Advanced Level (Revelation 19) – Week of Month 9:

• 1 lesson
• 2-3 hours of class time
• Wedding details: Four requirements, all met through Shincheonji
• Organization made essential: Cannot participate without Shincheonji
• Anticipation builds: Completion near

Advanced Level (Revelation 20) – Week of Month 9:

• 1 lesson
• 2-3 hours of class time
• Transition begins: From learning to commitment
• First resurrection: Organizational membership presented as resurrection
• “Heavenly culture” introduced: Organizational practices as biblical
• “Passing over” emphasized: Baptism into Shincheonji as entering God’s kingdom
• “Complete faith” demanded: Unquestioning acceptance of fulfillment claims
• New Family Education introduced: Next phase of indoctrination

Advanced Level (Revelation 21) – Week of Month 9.5:

• 1 lesson (Lesson 129)
• 2-3 hours of class time
• Explicit organizational identification: Shincheonji = New Heaven and New Earth
• Timeline solidified: Special dating system, organizational founding as cosmic event
• Organizational salvation explicit: Must be “in this place” to be saved
• Fear maximized: Judgment by fire, death in flood if outside Shincheonji
• Works-based judgment: Must be “heavy” on God’s scale
• “No excuses” pressure: Any hesitation is making excuses to God
• Final push: Only 3-6 lessons remain before New Family Education and Passover

The progression is carefully designed to:

1. Hook students without revealing organizational connection
2. Establish Shincheonji’s interpretive authority
3. Gradually increase time commitment and isolation
4. Transform identity and worldview completely
5. Demonize all alternatives
6. Make organizational membership essential for salvation
7. Create urgency and anticipation for completion
8. Transition from learning to organizational commitment
9. Make explicit organizational claims (Shincheonji = new heaven and new earth)
10. Maximize fear, pressure, and sunk cost to carry students through to full commitment

By Lesson 129, students are:

• Completely invested (nearly 10 months, 264-396 hours of class time, plus countless additional hours)
• Completely isolated (from outside information and relationships)
• Completely convinced (worldview totally transformed)
• Completely committed (anticipating completion and full membership)
• Completely controlled (information control internalized, thought-stopping automatic)
• Facing the explicit claim (Shincheonji IS the new heaven and new earth)
• At the final stage (only 3-6 lessons remain before full organizational commitment)

This is the most critical juncture because:

1. Explicit Organizational Claim

For the first time, the claim is made explicitly: Shincheonji IS the new heaven and new earth. This is no longer implied or suggested—it’s stated directly.

2. Final Lessons Approaching

Only 3-6 lessons remain. After that, New Family Education, then Passover, then full membership. This is one of the last opportunities to pause before full commitment.

3. Maximum Pressure with Minimum Critical Thinking

All pressure tactics converge (sunk cost of nearly 10 months and hundreds of hours, social pressure, fear, urgency, anticipation, identity, explicit claim) while critical thinking is at its lowest (information control internalized, “no excuses” demanded, questioning prevented).

4. Organizational Salvation Fully Established

The message is clear and explicit: You must be in Shincheonji to be saved. Being outside means death. There are no excuses.

5. The Trap Is Fully Set

Students have:

• Invested too much to leave (nearly 10 months, hundreds of hours, entire identity)
• Too many people to disappoint (evangelist, classmates, organizational expectations)
• Too much to lose (salvation, according to Shincheonji)
• Too close to completion (only 3-6 lessons left)
• Nowhere else to go (all other churches are Babylon)
• No ability to evaluate critically (information control internalized, “no excuses”)
• Explicit understanding (Shincheonji IS the new heaven and new earth)

6. Public Commitment Imminent

Passover is approaching. Once students are baptized into Shincheonji, leaving becomes much harder:

• Public declaration of membership
• Deeper organizational involvement
• More relationships within the organization
• More time commitment
• More identity investment
• More organizational expectations
• Full membership in one of the 12 tribes

What This Means for Students

If you’re at this stage, you need to understand:

1. This Is the Final Push

Lesson 129 is part of the final push before full commitment. The explicit claim (Shincheonji = new heaven and new earth), the fear (judgment by fire), the pressure (“no excuses”), and the anticipation (only a few lessons left) are all designed to carry you through to baptism and full membership.

2. The Investment Is Enormous But Not Irredeemable

You’ve invested nearly 10 months and hundreds of hours. This feels like too much to walk away from. But consider: Would you rather “waste” 10 months by leaving now, or waste the rest of your life by staying in false teaching?

The sunk cost fallacy says: “I’ve invested so much, I can’t quit now.” But wise decision-making says: “I’ve invested a lot, which is why I need to carefully evaluate whether to invest more.”

3. The Claim Is Explicit But Unbiblical

Shincheonji IS the new heaven and new earth—this is the explicit claim. But as we’ve examined, this claim contradicts Scripture:

• The new heaven and new earth come after the present creation passes away (it hasn’t)
• The promises of Revelation 21 (no more death, suffering, tears) are not fulfilled in Shincheonji
• The new heaven and new earth are God’s cosmic renewal, not a human organization
• First-century Christians would not understand Revelation 21 as describing Shincheonji

4. Organizational Salvation Is Not Biblical

You must be “in this place” to be saved—this is organizational salvation. But Scripture teaches salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone, not by organizational membership.

5. Works-Based Judgment Creates Anxiety

“Are we heavy or light on God’s scale?”—this creates perpetual anxiety. But Scripture teaches that salvation is by grace, not works. We are secure in Christ’s righteousness, not our own performance.

6. Fear-Based Urgency Is Manipulation

“We must flee,” “judgment by fire,” “death in the flood”—this is fear-based manipulation. But Scripture teaches that perfect love drives out fear. God doesn’t pressure us through fear.

7. “No Excuses” Prevents Critical Evaluation

“What kind of excuses can we really make to God?”—this prevents you from pausing, questioning, researching, or seeking counsel. But Scripture commands us to test everything, not to accept everything without question.

8. You’re at Maximum Vulnerability

The combination of massive investment (nearly 10 months, hundreds of hours), complete isolation, transformed worldview, organizational dependency, internalized information control, explicit organizational claim, and imminent public commitment makes you maximally vulnerable. You’re less able to evaluate critically than at any previous point.

9. The Pressure Is Intentional

The urgency, fear, anticipation, “no excuses” pressure, and explicit claim are intentional tactics to carry you through to full commitment without pausing to evaluate.

10. You Don’t Need Shincheonji

Despite nearly 10 months of teaching and the explicit claim that Shincheonji IS the new heaven and new earth, you don’t need Shincheonji to:

• Be saved (salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone)
• Participate in the new heaven and new earth (all believers will participate)
• Have a relationship with God (Christ is the only mediator)
• Understand Scripture (the Holy Spirit teaches believers)
• Live a proper Christian life (the Holy Spirit produces fruit in believers)

11. Leaving Is Still Possible

Despite the massive investment (nearly 10 months, hundreds of hours), explicit claim, and pressure, leaving is still possible. Many people have left at this stage and found freedom, healing, and genuine faith in Christ.

The time you’ve invested is not wasted if it leads you to truth. Better to leave now than to invest years or decades more.

12. Your Family’s Concerns Are Valid

If your family has concerns about Shincheonji, those concerns are likely valid. They see things you can’t see because you’re too close and too invested. Don’t automatically dismiss their concerns as “persecution” or “making excuses.”

13. You Have the Right to Pause

You have the right to pause, step back, research, pray, and seek counsel before making a public commitment (baptism). Don’t let pressure, sunk cost, fear, or “no excuses” rhetoric push you into a decision you’ll regret.

Nearly 10 months of study doesn’t obligate you to continue. It gives you reason to carefully evaluate before proceeding.

For Family Members

If your loved one is at this stage:

1. This Is the Final Push Before Full Commitment

Your loved one is at Lesson 129, with only 3-6 lessons remaining. After the final lesson, they’ll enter New Family Education, then Passover, then become full members. This is one of the last opportunities to reach them before public commitment.

2. The Investment Is Enormous

They’ve invested nearly 10 months and hundreds of hours. The sunk cost is massive. They feel they can’t walk away after investing so much.

Help them understand: The sunk cost fallacy. Just because they’ve invested a lot doesn’t mean they should invest more if the teaching is false.

3. They’re Being Told Shincheonji IS the New Heaven and New Earth

The claim is now explicit. They’re being told that Shincheonji is God’s ultimate plan, the fulfillment of all prophecy, the only place of salvation.

4. They’re Under Enormous Pressure

They’ve invested nearly 10 months and hundreds of hours. They’re so close to completion (only a few lessons left). The fear is maximized (judgment by fire, death in flood). The pressure is intense (“no excuses,” “we must flee”). The anticipation is overwhelming.

5. Don’t Give Up

Even at this late stage, people can still leave. Continue to express love and concern.

6. Provide Outside Information

Share resources like this refutation, testimonies from former members, and biblical teaching. Even if they dismiss it initially, it may plant seeds of doubt.

7. Maintain the Relationship

Don’t cut off the relationship. Maintain connection so they have somewhere to turn if they decide to leave.

8. Pray

Pray for God to open their eyes, protect their mind, and give them courage to evaluate critically and leave if necessary.

9. Seek Support

Connect with other families affected by Shincheonji. Visit https://closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination for resources and support.

10. Be Prepared for Passover

If they proceed to Passover, be prepared. This is a public commitment that makes leaving harder, but it’s not impossible. Many people have left even after passover.

11. Don’t Lose Hope

Even if they proceed to full membership, don’t lose hope. People can leave at any stage. Continue to love them, maintain connection, and pray.

12. Understand the Sunk Cost

The nearly 10 months and hundreds of hours invested create enormous psychological pressure to continue. Help them understand that this investment is not wasted if it leads to truth, and that leaving now is better than investing years or decades more in false teaching.

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For Students Currently in Shincheonji’s Bible Study

If you’re currently studying Lesson 129 or have recently completed it, these questions are designed to help you think critically about what you’re being taught. You don’t need to answer these questions to anyone else—they’re for your own reflection and discernment.

Take your time. Think carefully. Pray. Research. Seek counsel from trusted people outside Shincheonji.

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Questions About the Core Claim: “Shincheonji = New Heaven and New Earth”

1. The Explicit Claim

Lesson 129 explicitly states: “Shincheonji = New Heaven and New Earth.”

• Is this claim based on what the text of Revelation 21 actually says, or is it based on Shincheonji’s interpretation system?
• Would a first-century Christian reading Revelation 21 understand it as describing an organization that would be founded in Korea in the 1980s?
• Why would John write to seven churches in Asia Minor about an organization that wouldn’t exist for 1900+ years and would be located in a country they’d never heard of?

2. The Promises of Revelation 21

Revelation 21:4 promises: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

• Do Shincheonji members still die?
• Do Shincheonji members still experience mourning, crying, and pain?
• Has the “old order of things” passed away, or is the world still experiencing sin, suffering, and death?
• If these promises are not fulfilled in Shincheonji, how can Shincheonji be the new heaven and new earth?

3. The Passing Away of the First Heaven and Earth

Revelation 21:1 states: “Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.”

• Has the first heaven and first earth passed away?
• Is the physical universe still here?
• According to 2 Peter 3:10-13, the present heavens and earth will be destroyed by fire before the new heavens and new earth are created. Has this happened?
• If the first heaven and earth have not passed away, how can the new heaven and earth (Shincheonji) exist?

4. God Dwelling with His People

Revelation 21:3 declares: “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them.”

• Do you experience God’s direct, visible, unmistakable presence in Shincheonji?
• Is God’s glory visibly filling Shincheonji’s buildings the way it filled the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-35) and temple (1 Kings 8:10-11)?
• If God is dwelling directly with Shincheonji, why do you still need teachers, leaders, and organizational structure to mediate between you and God?

5. The New Jerusalem Coming from Heaven

Revelation 21:2 states: “I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.”

• Did Shincheonji come down from heaven, or was it founded on earth by humans in the 1980s?
• If the New Jerusalem comes from heaven (God’s creation), how can Shincheonji (a human organization) be the New Jerusalem?

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Questions About the Timeline Claims

6. The Special Dating System

Shincheonji uses a special dating system starting from the organization’s founding, calling it “Shincheonji year 41.”

• Why does Shincheonji need its own dating system?
• What does it mean that the organization dates events from its founding rather than from Christ’s birth?
• Historically, what kinds of organizations create their own calendars? (Consider: totalitarian regimes, cults)
• Does creating a new calendar suggest that Shincheonji’s founding is as significant as (or more significant than) Christ’s incarnation?

7. The Beginning of the Thousand-Year Reign

Shincheonji claims the thousand-year reign began with the organization’s founding.

• Where in Scripture does it say the thousand-year reign would begin with the founding of an organization in Korea in the 1980s?
• How do you know this date is correct? What independent verification exists outside of Shincheonji’s claims?
• If Shincheonji is wrong about this date, what else might they be wrong about?

8. The Sequence in Revelation

According to Revelation’s sequence:

• Revelation 19: Christ returns
• Revelation 20:1-6: Thousand-year reign
• Revelation 20:7-15: Final judgment
• Revelation 21-22: New heaven and new earth
• If the new heaven and new earth come AFTER the thousand-year reign and final judgment (according to Revelation’s sequence), how can Shincheonji claim both that the thousand-year reign began in the 1980s AND that the new heaven and new earth (Shincheonji) was established at the same time?
• Doesn’t this contradict the sequence in Revelation?

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Questions About Organizational Salvation

9. “Must Be in This Place”

Lesson 129 repeatedly emphasizes: “We must be in this place” (Shincheonji) to be saved.

• Where in Scripture does it say you must be a member of a specific organization to be saved?
• What does Ephesians 2:8-9 say about how we are saved? (“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.”)
• What does Acts 16:31 say? (“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”)
• Do these verses mention organizational membership as a requirement for salvation?

10. The Ark and the Mountain

Lesson 129 uses Noah’s ark and Lot’s escape to the mountains as examples, claiming Shincheonji is the ark/mountain of salvation.

• When Jesus used Noah as an illustration (Matthew 24:37-39), was His point that there would be a literal ark at His second coming, or was He teaching about unexpectedness and readiness?
• If we’re going to use the ark as a metaphor, who is the true “ark” of salvation—an organization, or Christ Himself?
• When Jesus used Lot as an illustration (Luke 17:28-30), was His point that all churches except one are “Sodom and Gomorrah,” or was He teaching about sudden judgment?

11. All Other Churches Are Babylon

Throughout the curriculum, you’ve been taught that all churches except Shincheonji are Babylon (home for demons).

• Does this mean that all Christians throughout history who were not Shincheonji members were not saved?
• What about the apostles, the early church fathers, the Reformers, missionaries, martyrs—were they all part of Babylon?
• If salvation requires Shincheonji membership, how were people saved before Shincheonji existed?

12. Christ as the Only Mediator

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

• If Christ is the only mediator between God and humanity, why do you need Shincheonji to mediate?
• Can you have a relationship with God through Christ alone, or do you need organizational membership?

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Questions About Works-Based Judgment

13. God’s Scale

Lesson 129 asks: “When placed on God’s scale, are we heavy or light? We better be heavy.”

• How heavy is “heavy enough”? How many works are sufficient?
• Can you ever be certain you’ve done enough to be “heavy” on God’s scale?
• What does this teaching do to your sense of security in Christ?
• Does this create anxiety, or does it create peace?

14. Salvation by Grace or Works?

• What does Ephesians 2:8-9 teach about the basis of salvation? (“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.”)
• If salvation is by grace through faith (not by works), why does Lesson 129 emphasize that “actions matter” and you’ll be “judged according to what we have done”?
• Are these two teachings compatible?

15. Assurance of Salvation

• Based on Shincheonji’s teaching, can you be certain of your salvation?
• Or do you always wonder: “Have I done enough? Am I heavy enough on God’s scale? Have I been obedient enough?”
• Compare this with 1 John 5:13: “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” Can you know you have eternal life, or can you only hope?

16. The Standard

• If you’re being judged by your works, what is the standard? How good do you have to be?
• What does Matthew 5:48 say? (“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”)
• What does James 2:10 say? (“For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.”)
• Can you meet this standard through your own works?
• Or do you need Christ’s righteousness credited to you (2 Corinthians 5:21)?

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Questions About Fear and Pressure

17. Fear-Based Motivation

Lesson 129 uses intense fear to motivate joining Shincheonji:

• “Being outside this place means death in the flood”
• “Judgment will come by fire”
• “I do not want to be here when this happens. And I don’t want you to be there either”
• Is fear a biblical motivation for serving God?
• What does 1 John 4:18 say? (“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”)
• Should you serve God out of fear of judgment, or out of love and gratitude for His grace?

18. “No Excuses”

Lesson 129 says: “What kind of excuses can we really make to God?… We cannot make excuses to God when He has clearly told us what we should do.”

• Is pausing to think critically “making excuses to God”?
• Is researching outside perspectives “making excuses”?
• Is seeking counsel from family or other Christians “making excuses”?
• What does 1 Thessalonians 5:21 command? (“Test everything; hold fast what is good.”)
• What does Acts 17:11 commend? (“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”)
• Is testing teaching against Scripture “making excuses,” or is it biblical discernment?

19. Urgency

Lesson 129 creates intense urgency: “We must flee… We need to flee—and not just partially flee.”

• Why the urgency? Why must you decide immediately without time to think, pray, research, and seek counsel?
• Does God pressure people into hasty decisions, or does He give time for careful consideration?
• What does Proverbs 19:2 say? (“Desire without knowledge is not good—how much more will hasty feet miss the way!”)
• What does Proverbs 14:15 say? (“The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.”)

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Questions About the Investment and Sunk Cost

20. The Time Investment

You’ve invested nearly 10 months and hundreds of hours in Shincheonji’s Bible study.

• Does the amount of time you’ve invested prove that the teaching is true?
• Or could you have invested nearly 10 months in false teaching?
• Is it better to “waste” 10 months by leaving now, or to waste years or decades by staying in false teaching?

21. The Sunk Cost Fallacy

The sunk cost fallacy says: “I’ve invested so much, I can’t quit now.”

• Are you continuing because you’re convinced the teaching is true, or because you’ve invested too much to quit?
• If you discovered the teaching was false, would you have the courage to leave despite the investment?
• What would it take for you to consider that Shincheonji’s teaching might be wrong?

22. The Finish Line

You’re so close to completion—only a few lessons left, then New Family Education, then full membership.

• Does being close to the finish line prove that you should finish?
• Or should you pause before full commitment to carefully evaluate what you’ve been taught?
• Is it wise to make a major life commitment (full organizational membership) without pausing to research, pray, and seek outside counsel?

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Questions About Information Control

23. Outside Information

Throughout the curriculum, you’ve been taught to avoid outside information about Shincheonji.

• Why doesn’t Shincheonji want you to research outside perspectives?
• If Shincheonji’s teaching is true, wouldn’t it stand up to scrutiny?
• What are they afraid you’ll discover if you research?

24. Family Concerns

If your family has expressed concerns about Shincheonji, you’ve been taught to dismiss those concerns as “persecution” or “making excuses.”

• Is it possible your family sees things you can’t see because you’re too close and too invested?
• Is it possible they love you and are genuinely concerned for your well-being?
• Have you given them a fair hearing, or have you automatically dismissed their concerns?

25. Testing Teaching

Scripture commands us to test teaching (1 Thessalonians 5:21, Acts 17:11, 1 John 4:1).

• Have you tested Shincheonji’s teaching against Scripture?
• Have you compared Shincheonji’s interpretation with mainstream Christian interpretation?
• Have you researched what biblical scholars, church historians, and theologians say about Revelation?
• Or have you only heard Shincheonji’s perspective?

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Questions About First-Century Understanding

26. The Original Audience

Revelation was written to seven churches in Asia Minor in the first century.

• Would those first-century Christians have understood Revelation 21 as describing an organization that would be founded in Korea 1900+ years later?
• Or would they have understood it as God’s promise to ultimately renew all creation and dwell with His people forever?
• Why would John write to them about events they couldn’t participate in and an organization they’d never know about?

27. The Message of Hope

Revelation was written to encourage persecuted Christians.

• How would it encourage them to know about an organization that would exist 1900+ years in the future?
• Or would it encourage them to know that God would ultimately triumph, defeat evil, and dwell with His people forever?

28. The Symbolism

Revelation 21 uses rich symbolism: new heaven and new earth, New Jerusalem, twelve gates, twelve foundations, precious stones, no temple, no sun or moon, river of life, tree of life.

• Does this symbolism point to an organization’s founding and structure?
• Or does it point to God’s ultimate plan to renew all creation, the perfection of God’s people, and the restoration of Eden?

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Questions About the Gospel

29. The Core Gospel Message

What is the gospel (good news)?

• Is it: “Shincheonji has been founded; you must join to be saved”?
• Or is it: “Christ died for our sins, rose from the dead, and offers salvation by grace through faith to all who believe”?

30. Faith in Christ or Faith in Shincheonji?

Where is your faith placed?

• In Christ’s finished work on the cross?
• Or in Shincheonji’s organizational structure, Lee Man-hee’s interpretation, and your own organizational obedience?

31. The Object of Worship

Who or what are you ultimately serving?

• Christ, the Lamb who was slain, who redeemed people from every tribe, language, people, and nation?
• Or an organization founded in Korea in the 1980s?

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Questions for Honest Self-Reflection

32. Why Are You Continuing?

Be honest with yourself: Why are you continuing in Shincheonji’s Bible study?

• Because you’re genuinely convinced the teaching is true?
• Because you’ve invested too much to quit?
• Because you’re afraid of losing salvation if you leave?
• Because your evangelist and classmates expect you to finish?
• Because you don’t want to disappoint people?
• Because you don’t know what else to do?
• Because you’re afraid to face your family and admit they were right?

33. What Would Change Your Mind?

What evidence would it take for you to consider that Shincheonji’s teaching might be wrong?

• If you can’t think of anything that would change your mind, is your belief based on evidence or on commitment regardless of evidence?
• Are you willing to consider alternative perspectives?
• Or have you already decided that Shincheonji is right no matter what?

34. The Cost of Staying vs. Leaving

Consider the cost of both options:

Cost of Staying:

• Continuing in potentially false teaching
• Broken or strained family relationships
• Isolation from non-Shincheonji friends and community
• Years or decades invested in an organization that may be false
• Perpetual anxiety about being “heavy enough” on God’s scale
• Works-based system instead of grace
• Organizational dependency instead of freedom in Christ

Cost of Leaving:

• “Wasting” the nearly 10 months and hundreds of hours invested
• Disappointing evangelist and classmates
• Losing Shincheonji friendships
• Admitting you were wrong
• Facing family and rebuilding relationships
• Starting over in understanding Scripture and Christian faith

Which cost is greater? Which decision will you regret more in 10 years? In 50 years? In eternity?

35. Peace or Anxiety?

How do you feel about your standing with God?

• Do you have peace, knowing you’re secure in Christ’s finished work?
• Or do you have anxiety, wondering if you’re “heavy enough,” if you’ve done enough, if you’ll be accepted?

What does Romans 5:1 promise? “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Do you have this peace?

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Questions About What’s Next

36. New Family Education

After completing the curriculum, you’ll enter New Family Education.

• Do you know what New Family Education involves?
• Have you researched what former members say about this phase?
• Are you prepared for deeper organizational involvement and commitment?

37. Full Membership

After New Family Education, you’ll become a full member of one of Shincheonji’s twelve tribes.

• Do you understand what full membership entails?
• What will be expected of you in terms of time, money, evangelism, and obedience?
• Are you prepared to commit your life to this organization?

38. The Point of No Return?

Many people feel that once they complete the curriculum and become full members, leaving becomes nearly impossible.

• Are you making this decision freely, or under pressure?
• Are you making this decision with full information, or only with Shincheonji’s perspective?
• Have you paused to research, pray, and seek outside counsel before this major commitment?

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Final Questions for Deep Reflection

39. If Shincheonji Is Wrong…

If Shincheonji’s teaching is wrong:

• What have you lost by joining? (Time, relationships, potentially salvation if you’re trusting in organizational membership rather than Christ)
• How will you feel in 10 years? 20 years? When you’re old and looking back on your life?
• Will you regret not pausing to research and evaluate critically before committing?

40. If Shincheonji Is Right…

If Shincheonji’s teaching is right:

• Why are you afraid to research outside perspectives? Wouldn’t the truth stand up to scrutiny?
• Why does Shincheonji use fear, pressure, and urgency rather than patient, loving persuasion?
• Why does Shincheonji isolate you from outside information and relationships?
• Why does Shincheonji’s teaching contradict the clear message of Scripture about salvation by grace through faith?

41. The Most Important Question

Where is your trust?

• In Christ alone—His finished work on the cross, His righteousness credited to you, His promise that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life?
• Or in an organization—its structure, its leader, its interpretation, your membership and obedience?

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.”

Do you believe in Jesus? Then you have eternal life.

Not because you joined an organization. Not because you’re “heavy” on God’s scale. Not because you fled to the “ark.” But because you believe in Jesus.

That’s the gospel. That’s the good news. That’s the truth that sets you free.

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What to Do with These Questions

1. Don’t Dismiss Them

Your first instinct may be to dismiss these questions as “persecution,” “Satan’s attack,” or “making excuses.” But these are legitimate questions that deserve honest answers.

2. Take Time to Think

Don’t rush. Take time to think carefully about these questions. You’ve invested nearly 10 months—surely you can invest a few more days or weeks to carefully evaluate before full commitment.

3. Research

Research outside perspectives. Read testimonies from former Shincheonji members. Read what biblical scholars say about Revelation. Compare Shincheonji’s interpretation with mainstream Christian interpretation.

Recommended resources:

• https://closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination
• “Testing Shincheonji’s Claims: Two Lenses, One Story” (the document this refutation is based on)
• Testimonies from former members
• Commentaries on Revelation by respected biblical scholars

4. Pray

Pray for wisdom, discernment, and courage. Ask God to show you the truth, whatever it is.

James 1:5:

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

5. Seek Counsel

Talk to trusted people outside Shincheonji—family members, pastors, Christian friends. Get outside perspectives.

Proverbs 11:14:

“For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.”

6. Test Everything

1 Thessalonians 5:21:

“Test everything; hold fast what is good.”

Test Shincheonji’s teaching against Scripture. Does it align with the clear teaching of God’s Word? Or does it contradict it?

7. Don’t Let Fear Decide

Don’t make this decision based on fear—fear of losing salvation, fear of judgment, fear of disappointing people, fear of wasting your investment.

Make this decision based on truth. Where is the truth? In Christ and His Word.

8. You Have the Right to Pause

You have the right to pause before full commitment. Don’t let anyone pressure you into a decision you’re not ready to make.

If Shincheonji’s teaching is true, it will still be true in a few weeks or months. If it’s not true, you’ll be glad you paused to evaluate.

9. Remember: Leaving Is Possible

If you decide Shincheonji’s teaching is false, leaving is possible. Many people have left and found freedom, healing, and genuine faith in Christ.

It won’t be easy. You’ll face loss—of time invested, of relationships, of community. But you’ll gain truth, freedom, and genuine relationship with God through Christ.

10. The Gospel Is Simple

The true gospel is beautifully simple:

• You are a sinner (Romans 3:23)
• You cannot save yourself (Ephesians 2:8-9)
• Christ died for your sins and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
• Salvation is offered as a free gift to all who believe (John 3:16, Romans 10:9)
• You can know you have eternal life (1 John 5:13)

No organizational membership required. No works-based judgment. No fear. No anxiety. Just grace, faith, and assurance in Christ.

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Conclusion: The True New Heaven and New Earth

What Revelation 21 Actually Teaches

Revelation 21 is not about Shincheonji. It’s about God’s ultimate plan for all creation.

The True New Heaven and New Earth:

1. God’s Cosmic Renewal

The new heaven and new earth is God’s plan to completely renew all creation—not just spiritual reality, but physical reality. The entire cosmos will be made new.

2 Peter 3:13:

“But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.”

Romans 8:21:

“…that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.”

2. The End of Sin, Suffering, and Death

In the new heaven and new earth, there will be no more sin, suffering, death, or pain. The curse of Genesis 3 will be completely reversed.

Revelation 21:4:

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

3. God Dwelling with His People

God will dwell directly with His people. No more separation. No more need for temple or mediator. God’s presence will be immediate and direct.

Revelation 21:3:

“Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”

4. The Perfection of God’s People

The New Jerusalem represents the perfected people of God—all believers from all times, united in Christ, dwelling with God forever.

Revelation 21:2:

“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.”

5. The Restoration of Eden

Revelation 22 describes the river of life and tree of life in the New Jerusalem—echoing the Garden of Eden. God’s plan comes full circle: from Eden lost to Eden restored and perfected.

6. A Future Hope

The new heaven and new earth are future—they will come when Christ returns, when the present age ends, when God completes His redemptive plan.

Revelation 21:5:

“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!'”

Future tense. God will make everything new. This hasn’t happened yet.

The True Gospel

The gospel is not: “Shincheonji has been founded; you must join to be saved.”

The gospel is: “Christ died for our sins, rose from the dead, and offers salvation by grace through faith to all who believe.”

1 Corinthians 15:3-4:

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”

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.”

Romans 10:9:

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

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.”

The True Hope

Our hope is not in an organization founded in Korea in the 1980s.

Our hope is in Christ—His finished work on the cross, His resurrection, His promise to return, His plan to renew all creation and dwell with His people forever.

Titus 2:13:

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

1 Peter 1:3-4:

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you.”

The True Freedom

Freedom is not found in organizational membership, works-based performance, or fear-based obedience.

Freedom is found in Christ—in His grace, His finished work, His righteousness credited to us.

John 8:36:

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

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.”

2 Corinthians 3:17:

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

The True Assurance

Assurance is not found in wondering if you’re “heavy enough” on God’s scale, if you’ve done enough, if you’ve been obedient enough.

Assurance is found in Christ—in His promise that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

1 John 5:11-13:

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

Romans 8:38-39:

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

An Invitation

If you’re currently in Shincheonji’s Bible study, this is an invitation:

Pause. Think. Research. Pray. Seek counsel.

Don’t let fear, pressure, sunk cost, or urgency push you into a decision you’ll regret.

Test everything. Hold fast what is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

If you discover that Shincheonji’s teaching is false, you have the freedom to leave. Many have left and found genuine faith, freedom, and healing in Christ.

If you’re struggling with doubts, that’s okay. Doubts are not sin. Doubts are an opportunity to seek truth.

Seek, and you will find. (Matthew 7:7)

For Those Who Have Left

If you’ve already left Shincheonji, or if you’re in the process of leaving:

You are not alone. Many have walked this path before you.

You are not a failure. Recognizing false teaching and having the courage to leave is a sign of strength, not weakness.

You are not beyond hope. God’s grace is sufficient. His love is unfailing. His arms are open.

Healing is possible. It takes time, but healing from spiritual abuse is possible. Seek support from trusted pastors, counselors, and former members who understand.

The true gospel is waiting. Not a gospel of works, fear, and organizational salvation, but the gospel of grace, faith, and freedom in Christ.

The Final Word

Shincheonji is not the new heaven and new earth.

The new heaven and new earth are God’s future plan to renew all creation, end sin and death, and dwell with His people forever.

You don’t need Shincheonji to participate in this plan.

You need Christ.

Believe in Him. Trust in His finished work. Rest in His grace.

That’s the gospel. That’s the truth. That’s the freedom Christ offers.

John 8:32:

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

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For additional resources, testimonies from former members, and support for families affected by Shincheonji, visit:

https://closerlookinitiative.com/shincheonji-examination

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May God grant you wisdom, discernment, courage, and peace as you seek truth.

Amen.