Lee Man Hee

(As understood and promoted by Shincheonji Church of Jesus)

Birth and Early Life
Lee Man Hee was born on September 15, 1931, in Cheongdo, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, into a poor farming family. His grandfather, a man of faith, named him “Man-Hee,” meaning “complete light,” after dreaming of a bright light shining upon his daughter-in-law. From a young age, Lee practiced prayer devoutly, developing a habit of praying on mountain tops every Sunday morning and evening, though he initially did not attend a formal church.

Military and Spiritual Awakening
During the Korean War, Lee served as a combat soldier. It was during these war-torn years, facing death and hunger, that he began seeking God more earnestly, often praying under the stars. One night, a large star appeared to him, and soon after, he experienced what he describes as a spiritual encounter—he saw a “person from heaven.” He made a blood covenant with God and pledged his life to serve Him. This moment marked a turning point that led to intense spiritual discipline and trials.

Calling and Ministry Formation
Lee claims he was later directed by a heavenly voice to go to the Tabernacle Temple in Gwacheon. Although he served there, he became disillusioned with what he saw as corruption in the church. He attempted to reform it, but opposition forced him to leave. He returned to his hometown, where he devoted himself for seven years to a rural renewal movement. It was during this time that he received the command to send letters of repentance to the leaders of the Tabernacle Temple, initiating his prophetic mission.

Vision of Revelation Fulfilled
Lee testifies that he is the one who has “seen and heard” all the events of Revelation fulfilled in the physical world (Revelation 22:8,16). According to SCJ, Revelation was fulfilled in South Korea starting from 1984, and Lee was the only person to witness its entire process. He claims to be the one who “received and ate the open scroll” from Revelation 10 and that Jesus sent him as His messenger to testify to all the churches.

“No one has testified to the reality of the Revelation for 2000 years, but Jesus chose me to testify.”
— Lee Man Hee, November 2024 Word SeminarTestimony on the Fulfil…

Founding of Shincheonji
As more people gathered to hear his testimony, Lee formally established the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony. He refers to this community as the “kingdom of God created on earth as it is in heaven,” fulfilling Revelation 21.

Global Evangelism and Peace Missions
Lee has traveled the world through the “Word Crusade” seminars. In 2014, he was invited to Mindanao, Philippines, where he mediated the first civilian peace agreement between Muslim and Christian groups through his NGO, HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light). He has since remained active in interfaith dialogues and educational programs, claiming to fulfill Isaiah’s vision of peace.

Symbolic Titles and Roles Given to Lee Man Hee by Shincheonji

Shincheonji teachings associate Lee with numerous symbolic titles drawn from the Bible:

Shincheonji asserts that Lee is not Jesus, but is the chosen spiritual representative of Jesus—his “advocate” or “promised pastor.” However, many critics claim this borders on deification, due to the exalted roles and near-messianic status Lee holds in SCJ theology.

Key Life Events (with Age References)

Additional References & Links

• SCJ USA Official Page on Lee: https://www.scjus.org/promised-pastor/

• Press Release (Philippines Testimony, April 2024): 24-7 Presswire Article

• Shincheonji Word Seminar Report (Nov 2024): PRNewswire

• Watchdog Uganda Article on Revelation Seminar: https://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20241124/174806

The story of Lee Man-hee and Shincheonji is often framed as a triumph over the corruption of a previous era. Yet, a closer look at the history reveals an uncanny, and perhaps ironic, parallel between Lee Man-hee’s current challenges and the very scandals he once denounced in the Tabernacle Temple, led by his former spiritual leader, Yoo Jae-yeol. This reflection explores the striking similarities in allegations, leadership behavior, and the use of a “persecution” narrative by both figures, inviting a deeper understanding of accountability in religious organizations.

The Tabernacle Temple: A Precursor to Shincheonji’s Controversies

To understand the present, it’s crucial to delve into the past. Yoo Jae-yeol founded the Tabernacle Temple (장막성전) in the late 1960s, a millenarian sect that garnered significant attention. Yoo, a charismatic young figure, proclaimed himself the “young servant” who had received divine visions, quickly attracting over 2,000 followers who even relocated to a communal compound in Gwacheon, South Korea, in anticipation of an apocalyptic event prophesied for September 1969.

However, the failed doomsday prophecy in 1969 marked the beginning of the Tabernacle Temple’s unraveling. Disillusionment grew, and by the early 1970s, accusations of financial corruption and abuse began to surface. Lee Man-hee, then a devoted member, became a whistleblower, filing a lawsuit against Yoo and his leadership in 1971, alleging over 40 counts of fraud, intimidation, and other misdeeds. Lee himself claimed to have surrendered all his wealth to the group and felt utterly defrauded.

The investigations that followed painted a grim picture:

• Fraud and Embezzlement: Yoo was found to have amassed personal wealth, including a luxurious house, by extorting forced donations and labor from his followers. Properties, farms, and even factories belonging to believers were signed over or mortgaged under false pretenses. Authorities noted an abnormally high mortality rate within the community due to harsh conditions and malnutrition.
• Sexual Misconduct: Despite breaking from his own previous teacher over a sex scandal, Yoo and his elders were accused of sexually abusing female members under the guise of spiritual authority.
• Abuse of Power and Intimidation: Yoo’s leadership reportedly retaliated against defectors and critics by lodging false counter-complaints with authorities, illustrating an attempt to weaponize the legal system to silence dissent. He was even charged with “false allegations” (무고).

These revelations culminated in Yoo Jae-yeol‘s arrest in September 1975 by the Seoul District Prosecutor’s Office. He was charged with fraud, embezzlement, violence, and identity theft. In 1976, Yoo was convicted of fraud and sentenced to prison, serving approximately 2.5 years. His imprisonment led to the virtual implosion of the Tabernacle Temple, with thousands of followers dispersing in disillusionment.

Shincheonji Under Lee Man-hee: A Reflection of the Past?

Decades later, Shincheonji, founded by Lee Man-hee in 1984, faces a strikingly similar array of allegations and legal challenges. This is particularly ironic given that Shincheonji’s foundational doctrine explicitly casts Yoo Jae-yeol as the “betrayer” in its narrative of “betrayal, destruction, and salvation,” a man who led the Tabernacle Temple to ruin.

Here’s a comparison of the claims and allegations:

• Financial Misconduct: Just as Yoo was convicted of funneling church funds for personal gain, Lee Man-hee faced similar accusations. In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lee was arrested and indicted for embezzling ₩5.6 billion (approximately $4.6 million USD) of church funds. While he was acquitted of infectious disease charges, he was convicted of embezzlement and other offenses in early 2021, receiving a suspended prison sentence. This conviction directly mirrors the financial crimes for which Yoo Jae-yeol was imprisoned.
• Abuse of Power and Sexual Misconduct: Recalling the sexual misconduct that plagued Yoo’s ministry, Lee Man-hee has also been accused of sexual exploitation. In 2024, a former senior Shincheonji instructor, Gong Hee-sook, filed a lawsuit alleging years of coerced sexual favors by Lee under the guise of spiritual authority. Shincheonji vehemently denies these claims, but the public scrutiny and the nature of the allegations draw a direct parallel to the abuses reported in the Tabernacle Temple.
• High-Control Tactics and Secrecy: Both organizations have been described as employing high-control tactics. The Tabernacle Temple under Yoo was known for its secretive nature, intensive recruitment, and communal living, with members discouraged from outside contact. Similarly, Shincheonji is frequently labeled a “pseudo-Christian cult” that uses deceptive recruitment (e.g., members posing as ordinary students or friends to lure targets into Bible studies) and coercive control tactics like “love-bombing,” relentless schedules, sleep deprivation, and isolation from non-believers. Universities worldwide have issued warnings about Shincheonji’s infiltration tactics. In 2022, a South Korean court explicitly ruled “Shincheonji Deceptive Evangelism” as illegal, defining it as members secretly teaching doctrines while hiding their affiliation.
• Authoritarian Rule and Dynastic Tensions: Yoo Jae-yeol was regarded as a divinely appointed figure. Lee Man-hee, too, is revered as a self-proclaimed messiah and the “victor” who overcame the corruption of the prior generation. However, just as Yoo’s absolute power led to abuses, reports have surfaced within Shincheonji of infighting over wealth and succession, with Lee’s own family members embroiled in disputes over church assets. These incidents suggest a lack of transparency and accountability, echoing the very “spiritual corruption” Lee once condemned. Recent reports from June 2025 also highlighted criticisms of Lee Man-hee for allegedly using a private convoy with sirens to control traffic and receiving preferential treatment during court-ordered legal education sessions, raising further questions about accountability and special privileges.

The Persecution Card: A Familiar Defense

Perhaps one of the most striking parallels is the consistent use of the “persecution” narrative by both Yoo Jae-yeol and Lee Man-hee to deflect criticism and avoid accountability.

When facing legal troubles and public scrutiny, Yoo Jae-yeol reportedly portrayed his predicament as being hounded as a “cult” leader to justify dissolving the Tabernacle Temple. He never admitted wrongdoing to his followers, instead framing external accusations as “satanic” attacks or lies spread by traitors. This created an “us versus them” mentality, insulating his leadership from genuine introspection.

Today, Shincheonji, which views itself as the righteous successor after Yoo’s betrayal, has adopted an eerily similar defense.

• COVID-19 Response: During the COVID-19 outbreak, when accused of obstructing disease control efforts by withholding membership lists, Shincheonji leaders and advocates protested that the church was being scapegoated and discriminated against, rather than admitting any organizational mishandling. While Lee Man-hee was acquitted of these specific infectious disease charges by the Supreme Court in August 2022, the broader narrative of being unfairly targeted persisted.
• Legal Challenges: Official statements from Shincheonji frequently decry “religious oppression” and accuse outsiders of unfairly targeting their rapid growth. For instance, Lee Man-hee publicly urged authorities to prevent “religious persecution” after an event was shut down due to protests from other churches, claiming rival religious groups “oppose and persecute Shincheonji…due to its rapid growth.”
• Global Scrutiny: As investigations into Shincheonji’s activities have spread globally (e.g., arrests in Singapore, parliamentary inquiries in Australia), the church consistently frames these actions as “discrimination against a specific religion” and vows legal redress. In Singapore, investigations led to arrests of Shincheonji members in 2020 for operating an unregistered sect and using deceptive recruitment methods through front entities like “Heavenly Culture, World Peace & Restoration of Light” (HWPL).

This narrative, while designed to galvanize believers and foster loyalty, also conveniently insulates the leadership from hard questions and prevents genuine accountability. It’s a common tactic seen in various contexts, not just religious groups. For example:

• Religious Sects: The Church of Scientology has frequently invoked “religious persecution” to dismiss fraud charges, conflating legal accountability with an attack on their faith.
• Political Figures: Politicians investigated for corruption often cry “witch hunt” or political persecution to delegitimize the inquiry, shifting focus from their actions to an external enemy. Former Peruvian President Alan García, investigated for bribery, claimed to be a “victim of political persecution” when seeking asylum.
• Corporate Scandals: Companies facing malpractice allegations, like Huawei when indicted for fraud, have dismissed charges as “political persecution” to avoid engaging with evidence.

As one commentator noted, “Accountability isn’t persecution.” While genuine persecution exists, the “persecution card” is often overplayed as an excuse to evade responsibility. This mindset can lead to:

• Avoidance of Transparency: If inquiries are labeled as persecution, there’s little incentive for honest disclosure.
• No Internal Corrections: If leaders never acknowledge faults, abuses can persist unchecked.
• Alienating Outsiders: Consistently denying fault and blaming external forces erodes credibility with objective observers.

Current Legal Allegations and Investigations (2025)

The scrutiny on Shincheonji continues into 2025, with specific developments in South Korea and ongoing international concerns:

South Korea:

• Lee Jae-myung Administration’s Action on Petition (June 2025): The newly inaugurated Lee Jae-myung administration has indeed taken action on a petition filed on June 10, 2025, by an organization called “Recover” (part of the “Association for Restoring Religious Groups and Human Rights”). This petition, titled “Request for Search and Seizure of Shincheonji,” was classified as a “multi-departmental petition” by the Presidential Office. Officials have now ordered relevant ministries to conduct investigations into Shincheonji’s alleged illegal activities.
  • Recover’s Claims: The petition cites five alleged illegal activities:
    1. Sexual misconduct allegations involving Lee Man-hee and former general manager Goh Dong-an.
    2. Unfair labor practice allegations.
    3. Embezzlement allegations by Lee Man-hee and Goh Dong-an.
    4. Illegal receipt of unemployment benefits by members from Shincheonji Peter tribe, where followers were reportedly used as disguised labor to fraudulently obtain unemployment pay and health insurance during a four-year construction of a headquarters building. The Ministry of Employment and Labor, specifically its Gwangju branch, is investigating this.
    5. Allegations of wage violation related to monthly payments (₩300,000–₩500,000) made to full-time Shincheonji workers, potentially below minimum wage.
  • Recover asserts that Shincheonji operates not as a legitimate religious entity but as an “illegal multi-level organization” exploiting followers for labor and monetary gain. This swift response from the new administration, which took action within a week of the petition, marks a significant development in the ongoing legal oversight of Shincheonji in South Korea.
• Ongoing Criticisms of Lee Man-hee’s Conduct (June 2025): Recent reports from The Korea Herald and JTBC in late June 2025 revealed new allegations regarding Lee Man-hee’s conduct. These include:
  • Illegal Private Convoy: Lee Man-hee is accused of using a private convoy of Shincheonji members on motorcycles, equipped with red and blue sirens, to control traffic and clear his path. These individuals have no legal authority to do so, and such use of sirens is illegal under South Korean road traffic laws. This practice reportedly began after Lee experienced police escort services during a visit to the Philippines in 2016.
  • Preferential Treatment in Court-Ordered Education: Following his 2021 conviction for embezzlement and obstruction of business, Lee was ordered to complete 80 hours of “legal compliance education.” However, he allegedly received all 16 sessions one-on-one in a separate room with a foldable bed, taught by a regular staff member of the Legal Compliance Support Center, not a professional instructor. This stands in contrast to the typical group classroom setting for such education. The Ministry of Justice cited Lee’s old age and health issues as reasons for the arrangement, but critics have labeled it “royal education.”
• Political Influence Allegations: Although a 2020 prosecutor’s ruling found no evidence linking Lee to the creation of the former Liberty Korea Party, Shincheonji has faced ongoing accusations of attempting to exert political influence, including leaked chatroom conversations showing opposition to a specific candidate in South Korea’s 2022 presidential election.

International Investigations:

• Singapore (Ongoing): As noted, Singaporean authorities arrested 21 Shincheonji members in 2020 for operating an unregistered sect and using deceptive recruitment methods. Investigations into its front entities and controlling influence over young members continue.
• Australia (Ongoing Inquiry): A Victorian parliamentary inquiry in Australia, launched in 2025, continues to probe coercive cults like Shincheonji. This inquiry invites testimony on deceptive recruitment, psychological abuse, and harm to members, with ex-members speaking out in Parliament and the media about Shincheonji’s tactics of discouraging outside contact and exploiting young people through front groups.

Theological Reinterpretation: The Omission of History

Shincheonji’s own theology of “betrayal, destruction, and salvation” is a direct reinterpretation of the Tabernacle Temple’s downfall. In this narrative, Yoo Jae-yeol is explicitly cast as the “betrayer” whose corruption led to the “first heaven” (the Tabernacle Temple) breaking its covenant with God. The “destruction” is attributed to Pastor Oh Pyeong-ho and the Presbyterian Church merging with the Tabernacle Temple, described as “destroyers” or “Nicolaitans” who invaded the spiritually bankrupt church. Finally, “salvation” comes through Lee Man-hee, the “one who overcomes” who was commissioned by Jesus to establish Shincheonji as the true Tabernacle of the Testimony.

However, a crucial omission in this narrative is Lee Man-hee’s own direct role in bringing down Yoo Jae-yeol through legal action. While the narrative acknowledges Yoo’s corruption, it downplays or omits that it was Lee’s whistleblower lawsuit that directly led to Yoo’s arrest and the Tabernacle Temple’s collapse. This omission is significant because acknowledging Lee’s active role in “destroying” the previous tabernacle would contradict his prophesied role as the pure “overcomer” who brings salvation, rather than contributing to destruction. The historical evidence, including police reports and news archives from the 1970s, clearly demonstrates Lee Man-hee’s pivotal role in exposing Yoo’s crimes.

Conclusion: The Ironic Repetition of History

The parallels between Yoo Jae-yeol‘s Tabernacle Temple and Lee Man-hee’s Shincheonji are not merely coincidental; they represent a striking and profound irony. Lee Man-hee rose to prominence by championing himself as one who overcame a corrupt religious leader, taking legal action and blowing the whistle on the very issues of financial misconduct and abuse that plagued Yoo Jae-yeol. He feared for his life and endured bad treatments, ultimately bringing down his former spiritual leader who ended up in prison. Yet, in a cruel twist of fate, Lee Man-hee now finds himself facing investigations and allegations that mirror those once leveled against Mr. Yoo.

The script has truly flipped. The very “persecution card” that Yoo Jae-yeol employed to deflect from accountability, now appears to be a go-to defense for Lee Man-hee and Shincheonji, as they face accusations of embezzlement, sexual abuse, deceptive practices, and lack of transparency. The emphasis on “spiritual attacks” and “persecution” serves to look down on testimonies that go against Shincheonji’s approved narrative, much like Mr. Yoo dismissed Lee Man-hee’s legitimate concerns as a “threat.”

This pattern is clear: “Accountability isn’t persecution.” While genuine persecution exists, the overreliance on this narrative by both Yoo and now Lee, creates an echo chamber that shields leaders from vital introspection and necessary reform. The fact that Shincheonji’s own foundational theology omits the historical reality of Lee Man-hee’s role in bringing down Yoo Jae-yeol, presenting Yoo’s corruption as an unexplained “betrayal” without detailing the legal and whistleblowing efforts that exposed it, is a stark example of controlling the narrative to fit a predetermined “savior” role.

This mirror-like repetition of history offers a sobering reflection point for observers and, perhaps most importantly, for Shincheonji members themselves. It prompts questions:

• Is Shincheonji inadvertently following in the footsteps of the very group it claims to have surpassed?
• By dismissing every controversy as “persecution,” is Shincheonji avoiding genuine accountability and transparency, much as Mr. Yoo’s group did when it blamed “outsiders” for its demise?

The Bible itself provides numerous examples of leaders and communities being called to account for their actions, even by God, and not every rebuke is an “attack from Satan.” For instance, in Revelation 2-3, Jesus directly addresses various churches, commending their strengths but also critiquing their failings and calling them to repentance. This biblical precedent suggests that self-reflection and acknowledging shortcomings are vital for spiritual health and integrity.

True leadership, whether religious or secular, is built on humility and responsibility, not divine immunity. Healthy organizations do not fear accountability; they welcome it as a means to improve. Conversely, unhealthy groups reflexively treat accountability as an attack. Breaking out of a persecution mindset does not mean abandoning one’s faith; rather, it means exercising discernment and humility, encouraging questions, being transparent with information, and taking valid criticism seriously.

The story of Lee Man-hee and Yoo Jae-yeol stands as a powerful reminder that history can, and often does, repeat itself if lessons are not genuinely learned. The integrity of any community is measured by how it responds when confronted with wrongdoing or error – whether it chooses reform and truth, or doubles down on denial and blame. The profound irony is that Lee Man-hee, who once championed accountability against his corrupt leader, now faces the same accusations and employs the same defense mechanism, echoing the very cycle he once fought to break.

Related Story:

1. Scandals of Mr Yoo Jr,: Mentor-Turned-Traitor in SCJ’s Origin Story

2. Reality of the Fulfillment of Revelation – Chapter 1

Sources:

• Massimo Introvigne, “A Candid Look at Shincheonji. 1. The Story of Chairman Lee,” Bitter Winter (January 2023). Available at: https://bitterwinter.org/a-candid-look-at-shincheonji-1-the-story-of-chairman-lee/
• “Tabernacle Temple Church,” Wikipedia (updated 2024). Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabernacle_Temple_Church
• “Shincheonji Church of Jesus,” Wikipedia (updated 2025). Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shincheonji_Church_of_Jesus
• “The Shincheonji COVID-19 Outbreak: What is Shincheonji?” The Guardian (Accessed July 2025). Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/09/the-shincheonji-covid-19-outbreak-what-is-shincheonji
• Dispatch (Korea) investigative report, “He is Lee Man-hee’s Mentor… The Reality of Yoo Jae-yeol” (March 23, 2020). Available at: https://www.dispatch.co.kr/1083901 (Korean language, use translation)
• Chosun Ilbo, “Psy’s Father-in-law, Yoo Jae-yeol, Who Was Lee Man-hee’s Mentor” (March 23, 2020). Available at: https://www.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2020/03/23/2020032301905.html (Korean language, use translation)
• Kukmin Ilbo, “Real Reason for Tabernacle Temple’s Collapse? Leader Yoo Jae-yeol Jailed for Fraud” (January 16, 2020). Available at: https://jesusmedia.tistory.com/649 (Korean language, use translation)
• CDAMM (World Religions & Spirituality Project), “Shincheonji Church of Jesus” (2023). Available at: https://cdamm.org/articles/shincheonji-church-jesus
• Clare Heath-McIvor, “Cult survivors on a mission for meaningful change,” Rationale Magazine (July 1, 2025). Available at: https://rationalemagazine.com/2025/07/01/cult-survivors-on-a-mission-for-meaningful-change/
• Sophie Hayssen, “The #MeToo Movement’s Blind Spot: Scientology,” Women’s Media Center (July 26, 2021). Available at: https://womensmediacenter.com/news-features/the-metoo-movements-blind-spot-scientology
• John Taylor, “Why Do We Keep Making Excuses for Bad Christian Leaders?” RELEVANT Magazine (February 4, 2025). Available at: https://relevantmagazine.com/faith/why-do-we-keep-making-excuses-for-bad-christian-leaders/
• Marco Aquino, “Uruguay rejects former Peru president’s asylum request,” Reuters (December 3, 2018). Available at: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-peru-corruption-garcia-idUSKBN1O424H
• Associated Press, “BLM’s Patrisse Cullors to step down from movement foundation,” Politico (May 27, 2021). Available at: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/05/27/blm-patrisse-cullors-resigns-491295
• Huawei, Official Statement on U.S. DOJ Indictment (February 14, 2020). Available at: https://www.huawei.com/en/press-events/news/2020/2/statement-us-doj-indictment
• Shincheonji Church of Jesus, “Religious Persecution Should Never Happen in Our Country – Shincheonji Responds,” PR Newswire (November 7, 2024). Available at: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/religious-persecution-should-never-happen-in-our-country–shincheonji-responds-302008401.html
• Language of Leadership blog, “How to Promote a Culture of Accountability as a Leader” (February 2, 2023). Available at: https://languageofleadership.io/how-to-promote-a-culture-of-accountability-as-a-leader/
• Thir.st News (Singapore), “What you should know about the alleged cult Shincheonji” (November 12, 2020). Available at: https://thir.st/blog/what-you-should-know-about-the-alleged-cult-shincheonji/
• Elder Kim Dae-won’s testimony (interview, 2017) – first-hand account by a former Tabernacle Temple member, later posted on Reddit. (Exact link might vary, but widely referenced in anti-Shincheonji forums and analyses).
• Seoul JoongAng Daily, “Gwacheon Tabernacle Temple, 18-year-old leader Yoo, and Lee Man-hee’s Shincheonji” (March 10, 2020). Available at: https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2020/03/10/socialAffairs/Shincheonji-Gwacheon-Shincheonji-Lee-Manhee/3075306.html
• “South Korean Government confirms it will open an investigation into Shincheonji’s illegal activities,” Reddit

  South Korean Government confirms it will open an investigation into Shincheonji's illegal activities
  byu/hothand662 inShincheonji

• “Escort convoy and court perks: Shincheonji founder faces new criticism,” The Korea Herald (June 26, 2025). Available at: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10518361

A Full Explanation with Figurative Meaning

According to Shincheonji (SCJ) theology, Lee Man-hee is believed to be the only person who has seen and heard the fulfillment of the entire Book of Revelation. For that reason, he is said to fulfill numerous symbolic identities and receive all the blessings promised in Scripture to those who overcome. These identities are not considered separate roles held by different people, but titles and functions fulfilled by one man at the time of the Second Coming. Below is a comprehensive list of these roles, with detailed explanations of their spiritual and figurative meanings, as interpreted by SCJ.

These roles are not randomly assigned. In SCJ teaching, they are interconnected through parables, each one figuratively pointing to a specific role the Promised Pastor would fulfill at the time of Revelation’s fulfillment. The parables of Jesus are seen as sealed prophecies which only the one who receives the open scroll (Rev 10) can reveal in actual reality.

• The Promised Pastor: Lee is described as the one chosen by God and Jesus to testify to the physical fulfillment of Revelation. He is seen as the shepherd promised in prophecy, just like Moses was promised before the Exodus, or Jesus before the First Coming. According to SCJ, the Bible is a book of promises, and every era had a “promised pastor.” The Promised Pastor in the time of Revelation comes not to predict, but to testify what has been fulfilled (Rev 22:8, 16). He is the center of salvation at the time of the end.
• The One Who Overcomes (Rev 2–3): The seven promises given to the one who overcomes are considered figurative blessings representing spiritual authority:
  • Tree of Life: Eternal life through the Word
  • Crown of Life: Victory and kingship
  • Hidden Manna & White Stone: Secret Word and authority to judge
  • Iron Scepter: Spiritual rule over nations
  • New Name: Identity united with Jesus
  • Pillar: Permanent place in God’s dwelling
  • Sit on Jesus’ Throne: Share in Christ’s ruling authority
• In parables, overcoming is linked to the wise servant who endures persecution (Matt 24:13), the good soil that bears fruit (Matt 13), and the sheep that follow the true shepherd (John 10). Overcoming means resisting falsehood and holding to the truth.
  
  SCJ teaches that to overcome means to defeat the group of the dragon—the Stewardship Education Center (SEC)—that invaded and corrupted the Tabernacle Temple. By doing this, Lee restored spiritual order and fulfilled Revelation 12:11, thus becoming the New Spiritual Israel. Just as Jacob’s name became Israel after wrestling and overcoming, Lee is also symbolically the new Israel. He becomes the head of a new spiritual nation made up of 12 Tribes, like the 12 sons of Jacob. These tribes are organized as Shincheonji’s Twelve Tribes, which form the kingdom of heaven on earth.
  
  Furthermore, SCJ parallels Lee’s task to that of Moses. Just as Moses saw the heavenly tabernacle and was commanded to build it on earth (Exodus 25:9), Lee is believed to have seen the fulfillment of heaven and was commanded to build the same on earth. That structure is Shincheonji—the new heaven and new earth. Ultimately, at the Wedding Banquet of the Lamb (Rev 19), the heavenly New Jerusalem will spiritually descend and unite with this earthly temple, fulfilling “on earth as it is in heaven.” Through this union of spirit (heaven) and flesh (earth), eternal life is made possible.
• The Faithful and Wise Servant (Matt 24:45): The parable of the wise servant shows that God assigns someone to distribute “food at the proper time.” SCJ explains this food as the revealed Word. The Promised Pastor distributes this spiritual food—the open scroll (Rev 10)—to the saints who are waiting. Without it, no one can understand Revelation.
• The Male Child (Rev 12:5): The woman clothed with the sun (symbolizing the Tabernacle Temple) gives birth to a male child. The male child overcomes the dragon and is caught up to God. In parable form, this means that someone born of God’s chosen place escapes Satan’s deception and receives authority. In real life, SCJ teaches this male child is Lee Man-hee.
• The White Horse Jesus Rides (Rev 19:11): In parable language, horses often symbolize flesh (physical people). Jesus rides a white horse, meaning a clean, pure person through whom he works. The horse is not Jesus but is used by him. SCJ believes Lee is this “white horse,” the visible body that Jesus uses to fight spiritual war with the Word.
• The Iron Scepter (Rev 2:27, 12:5): The iron scepter is not a literal object, but a symbol of the authority of God’s Word, with which one can rule and judge. Parables compare this to a shepherd’s staff, which guides and disciplines the flock (Ps 23:4). Lee is said to possess this authority.
• The Open Scroll and Measuring Rod (Rev 10 & 11): Eating the scroll is likened to the Word becoming part of a person. In Ezekiel 3 and Revelation 10, this action signifies complete understanding of the prophecy. The measuring rod in Rev 11 represents the standard of judgment, i.e., the Word. The one who eats the scroll uses the Word to measure the people—symbolizing judgment and selection.
• The Bride of Christ (Rev 19, 21): Parables such as the ten virgins (Matt 25) and the wedding banquet (Matt 22) speak of the union of spirit and flesh. In SCJ, Jesus is the groom and the spirit, and Lee Man-hee is the chosen flesh, the vessel prepared to unite with the Spirit. Through this union, salvation is given.
• The Tree of Life (Rev 22:1–2): This tree bears fruit every month and its leaves are for healing. Figuratively, it represents a source of spiritual life—someone who gives eternal life through God’s revealed Word. In SCJ, this is Lee. Just as Jesus was considered the Tree of Life in his era, Lee is believed to fulfill this role in the era of the Second Coming. SCJ teaches that the Tree of Life is symbolic of the one who possesses and delivers the Word of life. Since Lee has received the open scroll, he provides the food that brings spiritual healing and eternal life. Furthermore, since the Tree of Life is located in the paradise of God, SCJ understands it to also symbolize the place where God dwells. Therefore, in this era, being united with the Tree of Life—Lee Man-hee—is like entering the kingdom of heaven itself, because God, Jesus, and the Word are said to be with him.
• The Two Witnesses (Rev 11): These two are not literal but symbolic of two people who testify together. SCJ teaches that this was fulfilled through Lee and Hong Jong-hyo, who together testified during the destruction of the Tabernacle Temple. Their “death” and “resurrection” are symbolic of rejection and vindication, linked to the parables of the stone the builders rejected (Matt 21:42).
• The Oil Seller (Matt 25:9): The five wise virgins had oil, and the foolish did not. Oil here is interpreted as the revealed Word. The seller is the one who possesses understanding. Lee, in this parable, is the one from whom the saints must receive spiritual oil to be saved.
• The Morning Star (Rev 2:28): This symbolizes the spirit of Jesus that dwells with the overcomer. Just as the day star brings light after darkness, Lee is seen as the one bringing spiritual dawn.
• New John (Rev 10, 22:16): Just as the apostle John received and wrote Revelation, New John is the actual fulfillment—not the writer of prophecy, but the one who sees it all come true and testifies to it. This role connects to the parables of the messenger, the sower, and the seed-bearing fruit (Matt 13).

All these parables—of brides and virgins, wise servants, trees and fruit, shepherds and sheep—are understood by SCJ to be figurative teachings pointing to one central reality: the appearance of a Promised Pastor who would unite the Word and spirit, overcome deception, and testify to the fulfillment of Revelation. In their view, this person is Lee Man-hee. The parables are fulfilled in his life, testimony, and the establishment of the Twelve Tribes of Shincheonji.

To reject this testimony, according to SCJ, is to reject Jesus who sent him, just as Jesus said in John 13:20.