Shincheonji Perspective
By the time the “scroll” was given to the “New John”, the Angel of Revelation 10 was able to give the New John the open scroll, which resulted in him having a deep understanding of God’s word, especially the book of Revelation, alongside its fulfillment.
Creation of Heaven and Earth, p. 8-9
In the same way, the sealed books that the prophet Isaiah and Apostle John saw in their visions are hidden revelations of future events. God said, “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a her land may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time”, (Hb 2:2-3, NIV).
In essence, Shincheonji teaches that Habakkuk 2:2-3 points to their church as the site of the fulfillment of biblical prophecies, with Lee Man-Hee as the key figure revealing the previously sealed truths of the Bible, particularly Revelation. They see their interpretation as the only correct and complete understanding of the Bible, leading to salvation for those who believe.
With the scroll being opened, the Kingdom and Priests of Shincheonji are able to sing the “New Song”, which is the fulfillment of the Book of Revelation.
Understanding the Context of Habakkuk 2
When looking at Habakkuk 2:2-3, we need to address the context of what is being taught.
Using the context, we can actually see that God was speaking to the prophet Habakkuk, and Habakkuk understood the prophecies that God was telling him before they happened.
Habakkuk then was wondering why God would use the Babylonians to punish Israel, and overlook the Babylonian’s evil.
To see this, let’s actually use the context of the prophet Hababbkuk.
Purpose of Habakkuk chapters 1 and 2
The purpose and intent of Habakkuk chapters 1 and 2 is to answer the question as to why God was using the wicked Babylonians to punish Israel.
Summary and Overview of Habakkuk chapters 2 and 3
The prophet is deeply troubled by the moral decay in Judah and questions God’s apparent inaction. God reveals that He will use the Babylonians as a means of judgment, which further perplexes Habakkuk because of Babylon’s own wickedness.
But, God doesn’t forget about the wickedness of the Babylonians, and promises the prophet Habakkuk that Babylon will be punished and destroyed.
God provides Habakkuk with a vision that reassures him that the judgment is certain and will happen at the appointed time. The vision is a broader declaration of God’s justice—not just against Judah, but also against Babylon. The righteous are called to live by faith in the midst of these unfolding events.
By using the context, the reader can plainly see the following:
- This shows that the Prophet Habakkuk could actually understand the prophecy about the destruction before it was fulfilled
- This shows that the vision and prophecy of Habakkuk 2 was about God punishing the Babylonians for their wickedness, not about a future Messianic church in the book of Revelation.
Habakkuk 1 Context
Let us go ahead and break down chapters 1 and 2 even further:
Habakkuk’s First Complaint (Habakkuk 1:2-4):
The Situation: Habakkuk is deeply troubled by the rampant injustice, violence, and wickedness in Judah (the southern kingdom of Israel). He cries out to God, asking why He allows such evil to persist without intervention.
Key Question:
“How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, ‘Violence!’ but you do not save?” (Habakkuk 1:2).
God’s First Response (Habakkuk 1:5-11):
God’s Answer: God responds to Habakkuk’s complaint by revealing that He is raising up the Babylonians (Chaldeans), a fierce and ruthless people, to bring judgment on Judah for their sins.
Description of the Babylonians: The Babylonians are described as a powerful and terrifying nation, swift in conquest and brutal in their methods. They are God’s instrument of judgment against Judah.
Key Verse:
“Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told” (Habakkuk 1:5, NIV).
Habakkuk’s Second Complaint (Habakkuk 1:12-17):
Struggle with God’s Plan: Habakkuk is perplexed by God’s choice to use the wicked Babylonians to punish Judah. He acknowledges that God is holy and just but questions how God can allow such a wicked nation to execute judgment on His own people.
Key Question:
“Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?” (Habakkuk 1:13).
Context of Habakkuk 2
The Watchman’s Position (Habakkuk 2:1):
Habakkuk’s Vigilance: After his second complaint, Habakkuk positions himself as a watchman, waiting for God’s response. He is eager to understand how God will address his concerns.
Key Verse:
“I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint” (Habakkuk 2:1).
God’s Response (Habakkuk 2:2-3):
The Vision: God instructs Habakkuk to write down the vision He is about to give, ensuring that it is clear and understandable so that it can be communicated to others. This vision is a prophecy of judgment that will come to pass in due time.
The Timing: God reassures Habakkuk that the vision will be fulfilled at the appointed time, even if it seems to delay. The key message is to wait patiently and trust in God’s timing.
Key Verses:
“For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay” (Habakkuk 2:3).
The Content of the Vision (Habakkuk 2:4-20):
the Righteous and the Proud: God contrasts the proud, who trust in themselves, with the righteous, who live by faith. This sets the stage for the unfolding judgment on the wicked.
Woes Against Babylon: The rest of Habakkuk 2 contains a series of “woes” pronounced against the Babylonians, detailing the judgment that will come upon them for their own sins—violence, greed, idolatry, and injustice. Though God uses Babylon as an instrument of judgment, they too will face divine retribution.
In essence, Habakkuk 2:2-3 is a divine assurance that God’s plans for justice will be fulfilled in due time, and this context makes it clear that Habakkuk did indeed understand the vision. He knew that it pointed to the impending judgment on Judah and eventually on Babylon, emphasizing the certainty of God’s righteous judgment. This context directly challenges interpretations that seek to apply this passage to unrelated modern-day events or movements.
Shincheonji Response:
They may suggest that the righteous living by faith is tied to adherence to their teachings.
Christian response:
The response outlines that the call to live by faith in Habakkuk 2:4 is a general principle for God’s people during times of uncertainty and judgment. It is not exclusive to any particular group but is a timeless truth applicable to all believers, further undermining the exclusivity claimed by Shincheonji.
Dual Fulfillment?
Shincheonji Response:
Shincheonji may make the following argument:
In Hab 2:3 – Though it delays, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay long.
Points to a future time when God would send a messenger to reveal the hidden secrets.
Christian Response:
The context of Hab 2:3 is talking about the upcoming destruction by Babylon; something that God plainly revealed to the prophet Habbakuk, and is the reason why the back and forth dialog between God and the prophet occurred.
Shincheonji Response:
While Shincheonji may acknowledge the historic fulfillment of Hab 2:2-3, they may also make the argument of a “spiritual” dual fulfillment of the chapter. They could argue that the prophecy also points to a later, more significant fulfillment. They might assert that just as the vision in Habakkuk was about the fall of a great and oppressive power (Babylon), the prophecy could be seen as foreshadowing a final, eschatological revelation of truth, which they believe is realized in their movement.
Shincheonji might draw parallels between Habakkuk’s vision and the Book of Revelation, suggesting that both texts deal with the ultimate revelation of God’s plan and the judgment of the wicked. They could claim that Lee Man-Hee, as the “New John,” has received the final, unsealed revelation that was hidden in the scriptures, thus fulfilling both the prophecies of Habakkuk and Revelation.
Christian Response:
Shincheonji is making the argument of “double fulfillment”. The principle of double fulfillment in biblical prophecy typically applies to Messianic prophecies, where an immediate historical event prefigures a later, greater event (e.g., the virgin birth prophecy in Isaiah 7:14, with an immediate and a Messianic fulfillment). Not all prophecies are subject to double fulfillment, especially when the context clearly indicates a specific, time-bound event, as in Habakkuk’s case.
For the application of Habakkuk’s case, There is no clear textual or theological basis to apply a double fulfillment to Habakkuk 2:2-3. The context of Habakkuk is focused on the specific judgment of Babylon and the faithfulness of God during that time. Unlike prophecies clearly identified as Messianic, Habakkuk’s prophecy is not presented as having a future, eschatological counterpart.
The language of Habakkuk is clearly laid out to be fulfilled in the immediate future, ie, the destruction of Babylon and the punishment of Judah, not a future eschatological “promised pastor”.
The “appointed time” referred to in Habakkuk 2:3 is directly linked to the historical events of that era, not a distant eschatological event.
Habakkuk and Revelation are distinct prophecies addressing different issues and eras. The former is about immediate judgment and the righteousness of God in history, while the latter deals with the ultimate culmination of God’s plan in eschatology. There’s no textual evidence in Habakkuk suggesting it should be linked with the eschatological visions in Revelation.
Using the book of Habakkuk as a way to justify the open and revealed word of Lee Manhee, and tying it into Revelation 5 and 10, is another example of Shincheonji adding and subtracting to God’s word by going beyond what the text is saying.