Imagine for a moment that you have a friend who recently joined a Bible study group. Throughout the sessions, they delve deep into topics like “prophecy and fulfillment,” exploring how God’s promises are being realized in the present day. Central to their discussions is the assertion that Babylon will face divine judgment by fire. Intrigued and perhaps concerned, you decide to learn more about this group and its teachings.
Upon researching, you discover that this Bible study group aligns closely with Shincheonji, a religious organization led by Lee Manhee. Shincheonji is known for its unique interpretations of the Bible, particularly concerning prophetic fulfillment. However, as you delve deeper, you uncover a pattern of failed prophecies and frequently updated doctrines within the group. This raises red flags about the group’s doctrinal consistency and authenticity.
Confronting the Believer: A Biblical Challenge
Armed with concerns about Shincheonji’s teachings, you approach your friend to discuss the discrepancies you’ve found. You bring up Deuteronomy 18:20-22, a passage often cited to discern true prophets from false ones:
“But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, is to be put to death.” (Deuteronomy 18:20, NIV)
Your intention is to persuade your friend that Shincheonji’s evolving doctrines and failed prophecies indicate a doctrinal misalignment with biblical teachings. However, your friend counters by introducing the concept of progressive revelation. They argue that the fulfillment of the Book of Revelation is unfolding over time and that Lee Manhee, referred to as the “Faithful and Wise Servant,” is not infallible. Instead, he is continually receiving and interpreting new revelations, explaining that as events unfold, the understanding of these prophecies becomes clearer. They further cite Matthew 24:45-47, portraying Lee Manhee as the servant who “gives food at the proper time,” thereby justifying any doctrinal adjustments as timely and necessary.
Shincheonji vs. Jehovah’s Witnesses: A Comparative Analysis
This scenario might initially seem specific to Shincheonji, but it mirrors dynamics observed in other religious movements, such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Both groups exhibit patterns where leadership adjusts interpretations to align with unfolding events, often in response to failed prophecies. However, Shincheonji seems to receive a “free pass” for these adjustments, while groups like Jehovah’s Witnesses face scrutiny and criticism.
Why does Shincheonji get leniency for its evolving fulfillments and prophecies? One might speculate that it’s because Shincheonji claims to possess the “true” interpretation of the Bible. Yet, a basic contextual analysis reveals numerous doctrinal issues within Shincheonji, undermining its claims of authenticity.
The Open Scroll: Shincheonji’s Prophetic Mechanism
Central to Shincheonji’s theology is the concept of the “Open Scroll,” rooted in Revelation 10. According to Shincheonji, Lee Manhee “ate” the open scroll, symbolizing his receipt and internalization of divine revelations concerning the end times. This act is supposed to grant him profound insights into the fulfillment of Revelation’s prophecies.
Pre-COVID-19 Teachings: Detailed Prophetic Understanding
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Shincheonji’s teachings were assertive and detailed. Lee Manhee claimed to have a comprehensive understanding of Revelation’s fulfillment, interpreting events with precision. Excerpts from his writings, such as The Physical Fulfillment of Revelation (2014), illustrate this confidence:
The Physical Fulfillment of Revelation, 2014, p.97 –
“Roughly 2,000 years ago, 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 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 positioned himself as the “new John,” privy to all events described in Revelation, both spiritual and physical. He emphasized that he received direct revelations from an angel, enabling him to interpret and testify about these prophecies with divine authority.
Further reinforcing this position, Lee wrote:
“Apart from Jesus, John is the only other one who ascends into and descends from heaven to testify about what he sees and hears. ‘What must happen after these things’ refers to all the events John sees in the spiritual kingdom of heaven. In other words, John sees all the events described in Revelation 4-22, including when the spiritual throne of God described in Revelation 4 returns to unite with God’s people in the physical world.”
(The Physical Fulfillment of Revelation, 2014, p.428)
Lee also asserted his unique role:
“The new John, who listens to the explanation of Revelation from the angel, is the only one who knows the truth of these mysteries.”
(The Physical Fulfillment of Revelation, 2014, p.428)
And further:
“The angel God sends to Apostle John to show the servants what must soon take place acts as God’s spiritual spokesperson. John, whom the angel visits, acts as God’s physical spokesperson. The angel shows Apostle John what must soon take place; he shows him the events of the entire book of Revelation.”
(The Physical Fulfillment of Revelation, 2014, p.428)
In another passage, Lee elaborates on his role:
“Just as Jesus testified about the fulfilment of the Old Testament, the new John testifies about the fulfilment of the New Testament. The angel Jesus sends from the spiritual world for the churches reveals all the events of the book of Revelation to the new John. This pastor becomes the messenger of Jesus and testifies on Jesus’ behalf according to what he has seen and heard.”
(The Physical Fulfillment of Revelation, 2014, p.550)
Lee further challenges conventional pastoral authority:
“Which pastor should believers follow? Should we follow a general pastor who learns the Bible incompletely from a conventional theological seminary, who is ordained by men, and who becomes a pastor capable of preaching only within his own denomination? Instead, should we not follow the true promised pastor anointed directly by Jesus himself (Rev 1:17-19), the pastor who sees God’s kingdom spiritual kingdom (Rev 4), the pastor who receives and eats the open book (Rev 10), and the pastor to whom an angel is sent to show and explain all the events of Revelation (Rev 22)?”
(The Physical Fulfillment of Revelation, 2014, p.563)
Lastly, Lee emphasizes the immediacy and truth of his revelations:
“Since, however, this is the time of the fulfillment and the prophecies have been fulfilled in the blink of an eye, I am ready to testify in detail according to the reality and truth I have witnessed and the explanation I have received from the spirit.”
(The Physical Fulfillment of Revelation, 2014, p.9)
Throughout these quotes, it is evident that Lee Manhee presented himself as having a detailed and comprehensive understanding of Revelation’s fulfillment, positioning himself as the authoritative interpreter of biblical prophecy.
Post-COVID-19 Shift: Progressive Revelation and Doctrinal Flexibility
The advent of COVID-19 marked a significant shift in Shincheonji’s prophetic framework. The pandemic, unforeseen in previous teachings, challenged the group’s earlier claims. In response, Shincheonji adjusted its doctrine, portraying Lee Manhee’s revelations as progressive. This means that while Lee may not have all the details initially, his understanding evolves as events unfold.
Shincheonji leaders now assert that Lee Manhee focused on the “end state” of Revelation, leaving the intricate details to be revealed progressively. This rationale explains past misinterpretations, such as the incorrect identification of the Beast of the Earth or misattributing the pandemic to demonic forces.
The “Faithful and Wise Servant”: A Misapplied Parable
Shincheonji’s defense hinges on Matthew 24:45-47, where Jesus speaks of a “Faithful and Wise Servant” who is entrusted with responsibilities and acts appropriately when commanded. Shincheonji interprets Lee Manhee as this servant, suggesting that any doctrinal shifts or missteps are part of fulfilling his divinely appointed role.
“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.”
(Matthew 24:45-46, NIV)
However, this interpretation raises significant doctrinal concerns:
- Contextual Misalignment: The parable in Matthew 24 emphasizes faithfulness and diligence in service, not the necessity of doctrinal flexibility in response to failed prophecies or changing circumstances.
- Doctrinal Evasion: By claiming that Lee’s understanding is progressively revealed, Shincheonji effectively sidesteps biblical standards for prophetic authenticity, as outlined in Deuteronomy 18:20-22.
Click here to read more about the doctrinal issues of the “Faithful and Wise Servant”.
Doctrinal Issues and Bypassing Biblical Tests
Shincheonji’s evolving interpretations undermine critical biblical principles designed to identify true prophets, which also shows how Lee Manhee and the leadership of SCJ is exalted over what the Bible plainly warns us about.
The frequent changes in doctrinal teachings, especially following failed prophecies, suggest a lack of divine inspiration. According to Deuteronomy 18:20-22, a true prophet’s words must align consistently with God’s will.
“But if you are to say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word that the Lord has not spoken?’— when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.”
(Deuteronomy 18:21-22, NIV)
By asserting that Lee Manhee receives only partial revelations, Shincheonji grants him carte blanche to reinterpret doctrines as needed, diminishing accountability that God commands from his followers and servants.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses Parallel
The Jehovah’s Witnesses have similarly faced criticism for adjusting doctrines in response to failed prophecies, such as predictions about the end times. Both Shincheonji and Jehovah’s Witnesses demonstrate a pattern where leadership revises teachings to maintain group cohesion despite prophetic setbacks. However, Shincheonji’s claim to possess the “true” biblical interpretation allows it to navigate these challenges with seemingly less external criticism.
Conclusion: Evaluating Shincheonji’s Prophetic Claims
Shincheonji’s approach to prophecy and fulfillment, particularly through the concept of the Open Scroll and the role of Lee Manhee, raises significant theological and doctrinal questions. While the group claims progressive revelation as a means to explain past missteps, this strategy conflicts with biblical teachings designed to discern genuine prophetic authority.
For believers seeking truth, it is essential to critically evaluate such claims against the unchanging standards of Scripture. Deuteronomy 18:20-22 serves as a crucial test for prophetic legitimacy, emphasizing consistency, accountability, and alignment with God’s revealed word. As Shincheonji continues to evolve its doctrines, adherents and observers alike must remain vigilant, ensuring that faith remains grounded in biblical truth rather than shifting interpretations.