Shincheonji Perspective

Shincheonji claims that when a person dies, if they never had the chance to hear the “open word”, or sign the “book of life”, then they will be taught in spirit prison the open word, even if they were a Christian.

Shincheonji would cite 1 Peter 3:18-20

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive,[a] he went and made a proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20 to those who were disobedient 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 1 Peter 4:6:

For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

Issues with Shincheonji’s Second Chances after Death – Lazarus and the Rich Man

In order to address the concept of the 2nd chance after dying, I will go ahead and examine some key, important characteristics of Lazarus and the Rich man in Luke 16, alongside the context of 1 Peter 3 and 4.

Lazarus and the Rich Man

In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus shares the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man:

A rich man lived in luxury while a poor man named Lazarus suffered at his gate. After both died, Lazarus was comforted in heaven, while the rich man was tormented in Hades. The rich man begged for relief and for someone to warn his family, but was told that the chasm between them was fixed and that his brothers should heed the teachings already available to them. The parable illustrates the reversal of fortunes in the afterlife and emphasizes the importance of compassion and heeding God’s word in this life.

Despite the Rich man begging for mercy from Abraham in Luke 16:24, we can see that the way Abraham responds shows that the rich man is not given a second chance, and instead, it is too late for him.

Now, a Shincheonji person may say that the Rich man did hear the word of testimony, especially since he knew who Abraham was. 

Even with that in mind, a very important detail shows up in the parable, specifically in Luke 16:26 –

And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’

Even if Abraham wanted to, there was already a separation between those who rejected God in their lives, and those who didn’t, and the cross over from Hades to Abraham’s bosom was impossible.

We can see this concept that once you are dead, the concept of a second chance is unbiblical.

1. Hebrews 9:27 –   “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”
   1. This verse is often interpreted to mean that judgment occurs immediately after death, with no opportunity for repentance in between
2. 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.
   1. This implies that judgment is based on actions done while alive in the body.
3. Ecclesiastes 9:10 – Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.
   1. This suggests that after death, there is no opportunity for further action or change.
4. John 8:24 – I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.”
   1. This implies that belief and repentance must occur before death.

Then what does 1 Peter 3:18-20 actually teach?

With the other verses in mind, let’s go ahead and see what the context says.

In 1 Peter 3:8-22, we can see that Peter is writing about believers suffering for their faith, as seen in 1 Peter 3:17 – For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

In 1 Peter 3:18, Peter mentions how Jesus suffered, and then was “made alive in the Spirit”.

1 Peter 3:19 –  After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits—

So, Jesus is “proclaiming” to the imprisoned spirits. Who are the imprisoned spirits? In 1 Peter 3:20 – to those who were disobedient 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,

In this verse, we can see a dichotomy between those who were saved by fleeing to the boat, Noah’s family, and those who were disobedient. In another letter, Peter made reference to angels who were imprisoned, specifically 2 Peter 2:4 – For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment.

Now, a Shincheonji person may push back, and say that the angels of 2 Peter 2:4 cannot be saved since they saw God in the Spirit; however, they will also have to reconcile with the above verses that clearly show that once you die in your sins, and without the mercy of God, you are put in Hades with a chasm that is not crossable.

Then, why is Jesus “proclaiming” to the spirits in prison? In the Bible, whenever God is triumphant, He also likes to “proclaim” and declare victory over his enemy. We can see this in verses like:

• 1 Corinthians 15:54-55 – When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
  • God declaring victory over death and hades
• Deuteronomy 28:7 – “The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before you”
  • This verse demonstrates God’s promise of victory to His people over their adversaries.
• Colossians 2:15 – And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross
  • This verse refers to Christ’s victory over spiritual forces through His crucifixion and resurrection.

Colossians 2:15 really drives home the point of what Christ was proclaiming to the spirits in prison.

What about 1 Peter 4:6? 

Yet again, we need to look at the context of what is being said.

1 Peter 4 addresses how Christians should live in light of suffering and persecution. Peter encourages believers to adopt Christ’s attitude towards suffering, live for God’s will, and be prepared for the judgment that all will face. The chapter emphasizes the importance of living a holy life and enduring persecution with the hope of eternal life.

1 Peter 4:6 states: “For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.”

Preaching to the Living Who Are Now Dead

The most widely accepted interpretation is that the gospel was preached to people while they were alive, but they have since died. This view is supported by the context of 1 Peter 4:5-6, which discusses the judgment of the living and the dead. The verse emphasizes that everyone, whether alive or dead, will be judged based on their response to the gospel while they were alive

Judgment and Eternal Life

The verse contrasts judgment according to human standards (“in the flesh”) with living according to God’s standards (“in the spirit”). This suggests that those who accepted the gospel and lived according to God’s will, even if they faced human judgment and persecution, will have eternal life with God

No Indication of Preaching to the Dead in Spirit Prison

The verse does not support the idea that the dead are being preached to in a spirit prison. Instead, it refers to the gospel being preached to people who are now dead but were alive when they heard it. This interpretation aligns with the broader biblical teaching that judgment is based on one’s response to the gospel during their lifetime

What about those who never heard the word of God? 

We need to recall the current state of mankind, and remind ourselves of the standard that God measures us by. 

God is perfect, and cannot tolerate sin, as seen in 1 John 1:5, and Matthew 5:48. In Matthew 5:48, Jesus sets the standard at which we need to strive for:

Matthew 5:48 – Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

We know that we cannot achieve this standard, as seen in Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

And thus, we need a savior, which is why Jesus died on the cross as our penal sacrifice.

We can also see that Jesus is the only way to the Father in John 14:6.

With that said, we can also see that God has mercy on those who may not have had the chance to either know Christ, or were not old enough to understand and articulate the importance of who Christ is and what he did for us.

• Matthew 19:14 – “But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’”
  • This verse shows Jesus’ special love for children and indicates they have a place in heaven
• 2 Samuel 12:23 – David, speaking of his deceased infant son, says “I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.”
  • This implies David believed he would be reunited with his child after death
• Isaiah 7:16 – for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.
  • references children who do not know enough “to reject the wrong and choose the right,” suggesting there may be an age of accountability

As for adults, we can also see that the law was written on their hearts, Romans 1:18-23. With that said, God also suggests that he desires none to perish.

So, what can we conclude? God will judge and be merciful to those whom he wishes to be merciful.

A Shincheonji person may say in response to this claim that everyone needs to be judged fairly and equally.

When a Shincheonji person makes reference to this, they also forget about how our salvation is completely dependent on God’s mercy on us. We all deserve judgment and eternal separation from God due to our sinful nature, that is the “same standard”; however, the Father, through his Son, Jesus Christ, made it possible for us to cross over from death to life. For an SCJ person to critique the idea that God would have mercy on someone based upon the conditions of their life is not only arrogant of them, but also shows a lack of understanding of who God is.