Shincheonji Perspective
Shincheonji makes the claim that their leader, Lee Man hee, is the “One who overcomes” in the book of Revelation. In order to receive eternal life, one must come to the place where the “one who overcomes” is at, because that is the place of where God, Jesus, and the heavens are residing.
To get to this conclusion, Shincheonji points to the previous “overcomers”:
Shincheonji correctly points out how Jacob was the “Overcomer” of the Old Testament who eventually set up the 12 physical tribes of Israel (Genesis 32:28). Jacob then sets up the 12 Physical tribes of Israel.
They also correctly point out how Jesus is the overcomer (John 16:33),who through his 12 Disciples sets up Spiritual Israel and Christianity.
Shincheonji then makes the conclusion that Lee Manhee is the next “Overcomer” mentioned in Revelation chapters 2 and 3,even citing how Shincheonji created the “12 tribes” of “New Spiritual Israel” as evidence that their leader is indeed from God, only following the Bible.
Who are the Overcomers?
While it is true that Jacob is an “overcomer”, and likewise with Jesus, we can see that in both referenced verses, the verses specify a single person in both instances.
Genesis 32:28 – Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel,[a] because you [Jacob] have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”
John 16:33 – “I [Jesus] have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I [Jesus] have overcome the world.”
In Revelation chapters 2 and 3, the phrase “one who overcomes” (or similar variations) is grammatically singular, but it refers to any individual believer who overcomes, not a specific single person. Meaning, it is a plural set of people, not a single person.
Singular Terms Used in a Plural Sense
We can see a singular word be used to target a plural set of people within the writings of the Apostle John by answering the question, “who are those that overcome?”
Let’s look at what the Bible has to say:
1 John 2:13-14 – I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
Even though the Apostle John may be talking to his church congregants, he is still using the singular “you”. Does this mean that only a single person in his church has overcome the evil one? Or that the recipients of his letter have overcome the evil one?
This shows how even though the “you” in the above verse is singular, it can also be used in a “plural” sense considering the target audience.
John then further drives the point home on “who overcomes the world” within the same letter.
1 John 5:3-5 – In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
The Apostle also does a follow up, emphasizing that those who overcome are the ones who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. This letter was written 2000 years ago, and clearly the recipients of Revelation understood what it meant to be the “one who overcomes”.
We can see other examples of the New Testament using singular words and phrases, which targets more than one person.
Matthew 7:24 – “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts on them, will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
Does this mean that there is only one wise man?
John 3:36 – “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life”.
Does this mean that there’s only one person who believes in the Son, and only one person that does not believe in the son?
2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”
Does this mean that there’s only one new creation?
Scriptural Context and Overcoming as a Process
Both a Shincheonji member and a Christian would agree that the epistle of 1 John 5:4 was written by the Apostle John, who was also influenced by God, and God breathed.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
When the Apostle John wrote about those who overcome, being influenced by the Spirit of God, God was clearly setting him up to talk about the Book of Revelation, including the overcomers referenced in Revelation 2 – 3.
Also, not all believers automatically become overcomers. Overcoming requires a daily choice to depend on Christ’s power and live by faith.
We can see this with Paul, who said in Galatians 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
It involves denying oneself, taking up one’s cross, and following Jesus. We can see this in Luke 9:23 – Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
Overcomers successfully resist the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil through the power of the Holy Spirit (1 John 5:4-5, Romans 8:37). They do not turn away from Christ when facing trials.
Addressing Shincheonji’s Interpretation
The promises of rewards to overcomers in Revelation 2 – 3 are addressed to the churches, indicating they are believers who have taken the first step of faith but are called to remain faithful.
We can see that the phrase, “the one who overcomes” is plural, almost immediately, even when considering Shincheonji’s interpretation, within Revelation itself.
At the end of each church for Revelation chapters 2 and 3, we see Jesus make the following claim:
“To the one who has an ear, let him hear…”
Does this mean that there was only one person who was listening? If so, then why did the New John send the letters to the 7 messengers? Also, why did the New John also warn the congregants of the Tabernacle Temple, and also promise anyone who came out and overcame the Nicholaitons the same promised blessings that the New John would receive?Even Shincheonji admits that the phrase of the “One who overcomes” is plural, considering how Shincheonji also teaches that those who are inside of Shincheonji also become “mini-pillars” in God’s temple for Revelation 3:12 for example, and also receive the white stone and hidden manna and are used to carry out the judgment against Babylon.