Name and Meaning of “Shincheonji”

Shincheonji, officially known as “Shincheonji, Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony,” is a religious group whose name carries profound symbolism. The Korean term “Shincheonji” translates to “new heaven and new earth” in English, drawing inspiration from biblical events described in Revelation 21:1 and 15:5. The group interprets this concept metaphorically, believing it represents the replacement of traditional churches with their own organization, which they consider to be God’s kingdom on Earth.

The basic premise of Shincheonji is that God chose, in 1966, to restore the truth which had been lost to a group of seven men in South Korea who formed a church called the Tabernacle Temple, which also fell away through apostasy and betrayal, but then was again restored as Shincheonji Church by Lee Man-hee who overcame. The “new heavens and new earth” are not to be understood literally (and neither are most of the events of Revelation) but this refers to the passing away of the traditional churches to be replaced by God’s kingdom of Shincheonji. The meaning of the Book of Revelation was hidden in parables so that no one in heaven or on earth has been able to understand the truth for 6,000 years until now when Revelation’s fulfillment is taking place. All of the events of Revelation have already had their physical fulfillment in South Korea in the past few decades, except for some of the events of chapters 18 to 20 which will soon be fulfilled. 

Shincheonji’s theology is built on the belief that the true interpretation of the Bible was lost shortly after Jesus’ ascension and the death of his disciples. They claim that when the Book of Revelation was given to John in 95 AD, it was “sealed,” meaning its true meaning was hidden. This belief forms the foundation for their claim that mainstream Christianity has been operating without the correct understanding of scripture for nearly two millennia. According to Shincheonji, this sealed truth remained hidden until Lee Manhee, their founder, was allegedly anointed by Jesus in spirit in 1977 (Revelation 1:17) and given the “open scroll” to eat in 1980 (Revelation 10). This event is seen as the fulfillment of Revelation 1:17 and Revelation 10. Consequently, Shincheonji teaches that Lee Manhee is the only person with the true interpretation of the Bible, especially the Book of Revelation.

This belief system naturally leads to the conclusion that salvation can only be found within Shincheonji, as they claim to be the sole possessors of the correct biblical interpretation. It also explains why they view mainstream Christianity as corrupt and apostate – in their view, these churches have been operating without the true understanding of scripture for centuries. The group’s recruitment strategies, which involve presenting themselves as a non-denominational Christian organization while actually promoting Lee Manhee’s interpretations, are a direct result of this theology. They believe they are spreading the only true understanding of the Bible’s messages, which they consider essential for salvation. This belief justifies, in their view, the use of deceptive practices in recruitment, as they see it as necessary to bring people to what they consider the true path to salvation.

Leader of Shincheonji

Founded by Lee Manhee, who claims divine appointment and a unique understanding of the Bible, the group asserts that he fulfills prophecies from the Book of Revelation.

While the Apostle John “saw and heard” the fulfillment of the Book of Revelation in prophecy, being sealed with “parables” (or metaphors), citing Hosea 12:10, the “New John” saw and heard the physical realities of the fulfillment of the Book of Revelation.

The Physical Fulfillment of Revelation, prologue

Apostle John saw the revelation of Jesus in a vision on the Island of Patmos, which is now part of Greece. At that time, John wrote the book of Revelation as a prophecy to be fulfilled in the future. Today, I [Lee Manhee] have witnessed the fulfillment of the prophecies of Revelation, which were promised by our Lord, and I have written this book according to the explanation given to me by the spirit. I testify that the reality and the explanation thereof recorded in this book are true.

Lee Manhee’s self exaltation

Lee Manhee writes himself into the Book of Revelation and the New Testament, as shown below:

• He is the Messenger in Rev. 1:1
• He is the “one who overcomes’ in Revelation chapters 2 and 3
• The one who wrote the letters to the seven churches of Revelation chapters 2 and 3.
• He is the pillar in God’s temple Rv 3:12
• The one who went up to heaven in Rev. 4:1.
• He was in front of the throne in Rev. 5
• He is the one that is sealing the 144,000 in Rev. 7.
• He is the golden censer of Rev. 8:3-5.
• The one who eats the little book in Rev. 10.
• He was one of the Two Witnesses of Rev. 11
• He is the Seventh Trumpet in Rev. 11:15ff.
• He is the male child born in Rev. 12:5f.
• He is the white horse that Jesus rides on in Rev 19:11.
• He is the bride of Christ of Rev. 19 and Rev. 21
• He is the Messenger who speaks of in Rev. 22:16.

• He establishes the kingdom of God on earth and seals believers for salvation.
• Faithful and Wise Servant (Mt 24:45)
• The Advocate (John 14-16)
• He is the “tree of life” in the Bible and will sit on God’s throne

Establishment and Locations

Established on March 14, 1984, Shincheonji has expanded globally, with headquarters in Gwacheon, South Korea, and branches in several countries including the U.S., Europe, Australia, and South Africa. 

The official foundation date of Shincheonji is on March 14, 1984, the day when the “New Heaven and New Earth” was created. This was also the day that Satan was captured, the start of the Millennial Kingdom, and the day that the Universe restarted its orbit.

The Physical  Fulfillment of Revelation (2014), page 495 –

“The thousand years mentioned in Rv 20:7 are the period during  which Satan is bound in chains and locked up in the abyss. They are also the period during which those who participate in the first resurrection reign with Christ. This millennial kingdom began the day the twelve tribes of New Spiritual Israel were established (i.e., on March 14, 1984). The twelve tribes have been established here on Earth just as God’s will is done in heaven” 

The Creation of Heaven and Earth page 45 – “The Korean term used for sixty sexagenary cycles is yookship gahp-janyeon . The sexagenary cycle (one cycle = 60 years) originates from the Chinese cyclic numeral system of sixty combinations of two basic cycles: the ten Heavenly Stems and the twelve Earthly Branches. These were used to number days and years. It takes sixty sexagenary cycles (60 x 60 = 3,600 years) for the universe to complete its orbit. Shincheonji began in the first year of its current orbit.”