tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31044396097907392992024-03-13T03:38:19.328-07:00Christian Analysis of Shincheonji's Movement.This blog is for people who have doubts about a religious movement in South Korea called Shincheonji (SCJ), a church that conducts many Bible studies online. We are Christians who believe we must be careful about leaders who claim to be final prophets with secret knowledge of Jesus´ return to earth (Mt. 7:15, Mt. 24:4,5, I Jn. 4:1, I Tim. 4:1). Our purpose is not to unkindly attack SCJ (or sincere SCJ members), but help others carefully test their fruit.
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104439609790739299.post-69476179149334956352010-06-07T14:51:00.019-07:002021-02-16T08:50:55.476-08:00Why So Many People Study with Shincheonji. Why Doubt it?Dear reader,<br />
<br />
Thank you for taking these topics to heart.<br />
<br />
For the last two hundred years, accounts of supernatural entities (angels, Jesus, a spirit of prophecy) have appeared to apocalyptic leaders with detailed explanations about the last chapter of Christianity - information about the Messiah's return to earth and the true meaning of ambiguous prophecies.<br />
<br />The visions are intriguing because they unlock puzzling Bible predictions on the end-times. Ironically, they give answers to questions the Bible itself does not answer on its own. This makes it interesting. Further, the information is used by their leader to convince others it must be from God. Leaders then recruit people with detailed studies about their revelation-vision, which becomes their primary focus. <br />
<br />
With spiritual discernment, we know that just because explanations come from a supernatural experience or vision, it does not necessarily mean it is true. Anyone who studies recent Christian history knows that many sincere leaders have been deceived by spirit entities and visions. The Apostle Paul warned that Satan and his messengers can masquerade as legitimate servants of God (2 Cor. 11:14,15).<br />
<br />These apocalyptic leaders also contend that they have been given a unique anointing or have had seals opened and explained before their eyes. Therefore, all Christians must now listen to them to receive eternal life and be a part of final salvation. <br />
<br />
The new information from the leader brings a new freshness to the Bible. One young lady I know admitted that she started studying with Shinchonji because she was attracted to the freshness and newness of it all. The Bible had become routine at that point in her life.<br />
<br />
Others on the SCJ testimonial page have said that it was amazing to hear Shinchonji give such clarity and sureness when talking about biblical prophecies. They wrote that no Christian minister was able to answer their Bible questions. Only SCJ's explanations and details were found to be clear. <br />
<br />Others have joined SCJ with a sincere heart to be a part of what God is doing. To paraphrase a SCJ member, ¨If you hear that Revelation is being fulfilled in front of your eyes, why wouldn't you want to test it out for yourself?¨ The zeal and passion in the group often impresses people as well. <div><br /></div><div>So, why would many average Christians or Christian leaders question the veracity of these visions to end-time leaders? Why doubt SCJ? What causes devoted believers not to join them?<br />
<br />
<i>First</i>, information directly from Jesus Christ´s revelation warns of deception, false messengers and spiritual lies from deceptive spirits all masked as Jesus´ final representative or revelation (Mt. 24:4,5, I Tim. 4:1, Lk. 21:8, I John 4:1, 2 Pet. 2:1, etc.). This means that the Christian world is to stay away from any final messenger or spokesperson who appears in Jesus´ name. <br />
<br />
It is equivalent to a father warning his son never to open the door to masked strangers. Yet, many masked strangers continually appear claiming to be sent by the father. The warnings protect the son from harm. The same is true with Jesus Christ and his words about final leaders in the end (Lk. 21:8).<br />
<br />
<i>Secondly</i>, even though Christians have varying ideas about the end-times, one point that is evident in the Bible is that Jesus Christ returns himself without a mask, not as an invisible spirit via a human leader (I Thess 4:16, Acts 1:11, Mt. 24:30). The same resurrected Jesus is the one who returns (Acts 1:11). When leaders declare that Jesus Christ´s spirit is working through them, embodying his return, it is a different Jesus.<br />
<br />
<i>Third</i>, Shincheonji follows the same pattern as other groups in history whose revelations and spiritual knowledge distort precious truths from Christ. This casts doubt on the spiritual sources behind the information. We observe this pattern in harmful movements in Christian history, such as Gnosticism, and in recent organizations such as the Watchtower Society.<br />
<br />
These groups emphasize secret or revealed visions from God, yet the information distors elementary truths about salvation, Jesus of Nazareth, or some aspect of God´s identity. Shincheonji does this with the Trinity, Jesus´ identity, the Holy Spirit, and redemption (i.e. more focus on being ¨in the know¨ than salvation from sin).<br />
<br />
<i>Fourth</i>, another reason Christians distrust final leaders is because they become the final authority in their group. They exalt themselves above the Bible (in practice, not theory) because they claim a unique anointing from God, which makes them the official interpreter/teacher of prophecies, parables, and other passages. This means the Scriptures can be made to mean anything the interpreter reveals them to mean. <br />
<br />
The most obvious problem is when outside Christians see that meanings are ¨poured¨ into the Scriptures instead of letting the Scriptures give us the meanings. One Shincheonji instructor told one individual to put aside everything he thought the Bible was revealing and only listen to the revealed word in SCJ. In Christian experience, this is backwards. God´s voice in the Scriptures correct end-time revelations (2 Tim. 3:16, Mt. 4:4,7,10), not the other way around.<br />
<br />
<i>Lastly</i>, Christians disregard messages from visions that are contrary to God's heart and character. When two people know each other well, it is easy to recognize messages which are contrary to the way they think or talk. A case in point is when someone hacks a friend´s e-mail account and sends messages that they would never write. The content proves the author is someone else.<br />
<br />
In summary, although leaders with revelations from the invisible world bring freshness and new explanations to Bible prophecies, it is important to be alert when other inconsistencies and signs appear.<br />
<br />
In the articles that follow, we attempt to look at some of these and other points in more depth.<br />
<br />
Thank you for your interest, and God bless.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000ee;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></u></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000ee;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></u></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104439609790739299.post-46378081995683562982010-06-02T13:42:00.025-07:002016-10-01T07:47:44.293-07:00Testimony of a Former SCJ Member.<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 19.9733px;">Dear reader,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 19.9733px;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 19.9733px;">The following testimony, which is used with permission, was sent to us and describes various aspects of the Shincheonji movement. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 19.9733px;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Testimony of a Former SCJ Member.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-GB">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b><b style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b><b style="text-indent: -18pt;"><u><span lang="EN-GB">Introduction.</span></u></b><br />
<b style="text-indent: -18pt;"><u><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Until recently
I was involved in a religious group from South Korea called Shinchonji/ Shincheonji
(Korean for “New heaven and earth”). Shincheonji (“SCJ”) is today operating in
many countries around the world. </span>In my
opinion, this is a radical group that poses significant threats to society
although many of the people involved are wonderful, humble people that are
simply trapped in a cycle of continuous religious manipulation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">I have personally
seen how SCJ has caused much damage to many people’s lives (advocating that
people leave their jobs to take up the cause) and relationships (with the group
even advocating that people must sever ties with their family members if they
oppose the group). </span>Deceit and
lies are the main tools used to further its primary goal: recruiting new
members.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">The purpose of this letter is to bring this
religious group to the light.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">My story is
as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-GB">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><u><span lang="EN-GB">How I became involved with SCJ.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b><br />
<b><u><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA">I became involved in a Bible study program last
year after a friend told me about a Bible school/course that he highly
recommended. I am a Christian and at the time I was feeling that my spiritual
life was not where it should have been. I had not been a committed member of a
church or a cell group. When this opportunity came along, I thought it would be
a good opportunity to rekindle my relationship with God through His Word. I was
told that I had to commit to attend two sessions per week for six months. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">I
committed to this and after a few one-on-one sessions with introductory lessons
(called “BB lessons”), I was interviewed by two senior members of the Bible
school, because I was told that there were too many people interested in the
program and that I had to effectively be “accepted” to attend. This almost made
me a bit nervous but I was very relieved when I was accepted for attendance. I
started the program with about 15 other people. I noticed that there were many
Korean members in the Bible school moving between classes and assisting in
different ways.</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">Fast forward a month and I was busy with
the introductory part of the Bible school which I found fantastic – we looked
at the structure of the Bible, the flow of history, the covenants, the consistency
of prophecies and fulfilment, and also the figurative language in the Bible. It
was very new, refreshing and very exciting and I felt that I could understand
some things for the first time. By this time the lessons increased to three
times a week and were close to three hours each, which I found a significant
challenge due to my already busy schedule. Nevertheless, I pressed on as I had
committed for six months and I believed that I was privileged as there were
other people who weren’t accepted to attend the program.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">As the weeks progressed it became apparent
that there was a very clear flow that the instructors were following, and it
felt like we were steering towards a specific conclusion, but I could not quite
put my finger on it, and I received the same answer for many of my questions,
namely, that everything will be answered when the time is right. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">When, at this time, I asked the head
instructor more about the name of the Bible school or its affiliations, he said
that it is a very small organisation that you will not find anywhere on the
internet, and that it is named “Parachristo/Para Christo¨. This, I would later find, was a
lie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Fast forward a further two months and we
increasingly began to focus on the importance of the figurative language, parables
and prophecies in the Bible. For example: Mark 4 from verse 11 says:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-ZA">And
He (Jesus) was saying to them</span></i><span lang="EN-ZA">, <i>To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but those who
are outside get everything in parables, so that WHILE SEEING, THEY MAY SEE AND
NOT PERCEIVE, AND WHILE HEARING, THEY MAY HEAR AND NOT UNDERSTAND, OTHERWISE
THEY MIGHT RETURN AND BE FORGIVEN. </i></span>From this the verse it was deduced that it
is necessary to be able to understand figurative language and the parables in
order to receive atonement and to be saved, which was something I could not get
my head around.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">It became clearer that the program was
based on an intellectual interpretation of the Bible and the actual
requirements for atonement. Simply put: you had to understand the parables and
the figurative language as taught by this specific Bible school in order to be
saved. We continued to ask many questions, but got the same answer: that
everything will become clear when the time is right.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA">By this time I must add that our attendance
to the classes were almost aggressively policed, and virtually no excuses were
accepted for not being able to attend class, as we were told to decide what is
more important: God or worldly things. There was a growing sense of urgency in
an environment which was diligently managed by the group leaders. They were
constantly asking us about our understanding and our thoughts, and in order to cement
this, they attempted to meet up with us on a one-on-one basis every week, in
addition to the normal classes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">Around this time we also examined specific
verses relating to mountains, and that the interpretation of a figurative
mountain is a congregation where people gather. For example Mark 13:14 says: <i>When you see 'the abomination that causes
desolation' standing where it does not belong -then let those who are in Judea
flee to the mountains.</i> We were then told about the physical reality of this
figurative mountain being a specific congregation, and the instructor asked us
if we were willing to go there. We were
told that we would then see the physical reality of what was promised in
Hebrews 12:2, namely... <i>you have come to Mount Zion and to the city
of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the
general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to
God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">The instructor then posed the question
again, asking whether we would like to go to this physical congregation. As if
programmed to do so, one of our fellow classmates put up their hand and said, “Yes,
let us go!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">Fast forward another week or so and the
class was preparing to go to the physical Mount Zion. There was a great sense
of anticipation among the instructors and some of our class members, and we had
to prepare a short show that would be performed in front of the congregation.
For the occasion we had to dress a certain way, black and white with ties.
Before entering the temple, we watched a video that instructed us to conduct
ourselves in a certain way, including the correct way to great each other by
bowing, correct ways to sit and the correct way to kneel when praying. This
really felt a bit weird but I pushed my uneasy thoughts aside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">When we arrived at the congregation, we
were welcomed like celebrities. It felt a bit odd but we went with the
celebration. We entered into a congregation of several hundred people that were
singing in Korean and clapping and swaying in a certain way. We were welcomed
as the <i>first fruits in heaven</i>, and
told that we are in fact passing over from death to life. All of this was
happening without me ever committing to anything other than a 6 month Bible
school. Suddenly, now, we were part of a congregation which taught a new kind
of salvation, which is only attained by their message, and this church was
considered "heaven"- the physical reality thereof. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">At this time it was revealed that half of
our supposed class members were in fact already members of the congregation,
and that they were effectively acting as agents among the other class members
to ensure that everything was run smoothly. In fact, they were referred to as “Maintainers”.
The person who put up her hand in class when we were asked if we would like to
go to Mount Zion was, in fact, also a maintainer. This was a clear act of
deception in my opinion. In class we also personally overheard testimonies of
these maintainers, posing as if they have heard the content of these lessons
for the very first time, which was not true.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">Suddenly it was clear that the group’s true
agenda was much more than simply a Bible school. We were recruited into a
specific religious group by using false pretences. When asked about this, the
group’s reasoning was clear: <b>it is acceptable
to use deceit and lies if it serves God’s purposes</b>. They use the example of
Jacob lying to Isaac when he said that he was in fact Esau, in order to obtain
the prophesied blessing. They say that because God’s ways are higher than
men’s, although we might perceive it as wrong, it can also be a tool used to fulfil
God’s will (to substantiate this, they also used Isaiah 55:8 which states <i>For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">They also use the verse in Matthew 10, <i>I am sending you out like sheep among
wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes, </i>which they interpret as being
able to lie if a situation requires it. But, they do not elaborate about the
next part in the verse which says: <i>and be
as innocent as doves</i>. In fact, later on, one of the Ministry Department leaders
told me, “If Satan and his agents are able to use lies in this battle, why
can’t we?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-GB">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><u><span lang="EN-GB">After “passing over” and becoming
part of the congregation</span></u><span lang="EN-GB">.</span><u><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">Our class was now accepted into the
congregation and, henceforth, we were expected to attend the congregation’s
services twice a week – on a Wednesday and a Sunday, as mentioned in Numbers 19, which says that <i>whoever touches the dead
body of any person shall be unclean seven days. He shall cleanse himself with
water on the third day and on the seventh day, and so be clean</i>. They
interpreted this explaining that any person that is not part of the
congregation is, in fact, spiritually dead and because we would be in contact
with them throughout the week, we should attend the services where the
spiritual life-giving water (or the new word that we are being taught), is
shared. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">Church services consisted of singing
certain prescribed songs, men and women sitting apart, and then lots of fervent
prayer with a sermon broadcasted and translated video of the leader preaching
usually somewhere in Korea. Often we would be asked to come an hour early
before the three hour long service to get “training” and afterwards we met in
cell groups or departments for another hour or two.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">We were now attending five, three (3) hour
sessions every week and once again our attendance was strictly enforced. And now, a further requirement was set – we
had to start introducing other people into the Bible school sessions. I told
them that I did not yet feel comfortable inviting people as we had not yet seen
the full picture and we have not yet received the answers that we were
promised, but of course there is an arsenal of verses that can be used to
reiterate the importance of spreading the gospel, which they duly utilised.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">We further completed the intermediary and
advanced sections of the program in order to get a full understanding of what
was happening. At the time most of the teachings seemed feasible, especially
due to the finely-planned and incremental nature of progression, and the path
of least resistance was indeed to at least finish the program. The pressure to invite new people into the Bible
school increased, and at a stage we were required to give daily feedback on the
progress on that front, which they refer to as “evangelising”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">I continued to be part of the congregation
for some time after completing the six month program, in order to give it a
fair chance and to make sure that I understand the teachings. In order to
qualify as a full member, one needs to write three tests, and achieve a score
of at least 90%, among other things. This includes signing a pledge and
evangelising at least on person, after which you can “graduate” and become a
true member of the congregation and have your name written in the “Book of
Life”, which, believe it or not, is the church’s registry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">I wrote all three tests before deciding
that there are too many inconsistencies with the congregation’s teachings and
the Bible, and I quit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-GB">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><u><span lang="EN-GB">SCJ’s identity and basic theology</span></u><span lang="EN-GB">.</span><u><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">Before I continue, I need to plainly state
that the things that I will describe to you now will sound like utter and clear
nonsense, but I can assure you that if you have been slowly and steadily
indoctrinated with their teachings, it can be very, very convincing and
powerful. The program of indoctrination is so cleverly put together that it
appeals to intellectual people. The teachings start with things that most
people would agree with, and then they gradually introduce the more eccentric
doctrines. I believe that it is a very subtle form of brainwashing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">This theology is believed by over a 140,000
people around the world that sacrifice their entire lives, relationships,
studies, careers, and families. I have heard of couples getting divorced on
account of this group and friendships broken and families torn apart. And all
this is justified by the group, using the scriptures where Jesus said His
message will separate families. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">I was convinced at a stage. I know of many
professionals and educated individuals with many academic degrees, who have
given up their careers in order to further this cause. But I now sincerely
believe that this is a false doctrine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">Let me give you two examples used by SCJ to
justify the dramatic nature of their claims and teachings, and also to get
members to challenge their existing belief systems/way of thinking.</span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-ZA">Firstly, in John 6:56-66, Jesus says “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood
remains in me, and I in them.” This was a difficult teaching for many of His
disciples to comprehend, as it sounded bizarre to them, hearing it for the
first time. It was outside of their frame of reference. For this very reason,
many of His disciples stopped following Him – only twelve remained. This
example is used to explain to SCJ members that even though a teaching may sound
bizarre/ strange/ different to anything your frame of reference would allow –
it can be in line with God’s will (God’s thoughts are higher than ours even if
it does not fit in with our frame of reference or understanding). Another
example used is that Jesus told his disciples to steal a donkey (as in Luke
19:29-34) – from which it is extrapolated that God’s ways may also involve
doing things that humans perceive as morally wrong. This example is also used
to justify lying. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">In terms of the identity of the congregation
I describe, it was a branch congregation of an international religious group
called Shincheonji (SCJ). SCJ believes that the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is
here. The word Shincheonji is Korean for “New heaven new earth” and that is
what they believe their congregation is: the physical reality of heaven; the
mount Zion or new heaven and new earth as described in Revelation. In fact,
they teach that the book of Revelation is a prophecy that is being fulfilled
today, and that you need to be able to interpret the figurative language of
Revelation in order to attain atonement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">The South Korean leader of this
congregation, Mr. Man Hee Lee, is a well-known international peace advocate. He
teaches that <b>he</b> is a messenger to
the current generation (just like Moses was the messenger in Old Testament
Times and Jesus was the messenger at the time of the First Coming). He teaches
that an angel appeared to him and revealed to him the fulfilment of all the
events of the Second Coming, as is prophesied in the book of Revelation. <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">Further, Man Hee Lee proclaims that he is the
Advocate/ Comforter that is promised by Jesus in the book of John 14:16<i>: And I will ask the Father, and he will
give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever</i>. Further, you
need to accept him as such, and the messenger of this generation. All people who
do not accept him as such are compared to the Jews who did not accept Jesus at
the time of the First Coming. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">Man Hee Lee is also referred to as <i>the one who overcomes</i> as mentioned in Revelation. He is also referred to as the physical fulfilment of <i>the male child</i>, the one who sits on God’s throne, and the one who
is currently ruling all nations with an iron sceptre (all from Revelation).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">Essentially, you have to be part of SCJ and
accept the message of Man Hee Lee, who is referred to as </span><span class="ya-q-full-text"><span lang="EN-US">Seon
Saeng Nim or simply “SSN”</span></span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-ZA">(which is “Teacher” in Korean) in order to attain salvation. SSN
calls all other churches "Babylon" and "Satan’s pastors"
and basically says that the ¨Holy Spirit" as we understand it, does
not exist – in fact “there are many holy spirits”. The Trinity is rejected. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-GB">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><u><span lang="EN-GB">Summary of SCJ’s teachings</span></u><span lang="EN-GB">:</span><u><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol";">- </span><span lang="EN-ZA" style="background: white;">God loves mankind, and has been looking for a way to reunite with humans
as they have fallen in sin. God wishes to dwell with man as He did with Adam
and Eve.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "symbol";">-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-ZA" style="background: white;">For the past 6,000 years, God has appointed different messengers in
different generations: Adam, Noah, Moses, and Jesus. This messenger would be
the one “where God is at” – the human used by God to reach His chosen people. God’s
people had to listen to/follow these messengers in order to be saved. In Noah’s
and Moses’ cases it was physical salvation – you had to listen to Noah to be
included in the Ark and you had to listen to Moses in order to be saved from
slavery in Egypt. In Jesus’s case, it was spiritual salvation – you had to
follow Jesus in order to receive atonement. But, in each generation, the people
God sends His messenger to, betray him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "symbol";">-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-ZA" style="background: white;">Jesus was a messenger of God and came according to the Old Testament
prophesies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "symbol";">-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-ZA" style="background: white;">Jesus spoke in parables which were actually prophecies about the Second
Coming: centred on the creation of SCJ and emergence of another messenger,
namely Man Hee Lee (SSN); the Advocate/Comforter that Jesus promised in John
14:16. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "symbol";">-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-ZA" style="background: white;">SSN is God’s chosen pastor in today’s generation and the one “where God
is at”. The Holy Spirit/ Spirit of Truth that Jesus promised in John 14:16 is only
in him; the Spirit of Truth indwells SSN. Therefore SSN is the
Advocate/Comforter/Counselor that will guide us in all truth and speaks on
behalf of God (as in John 16:13). This is the full and true meaning of the Holy
Spirit promised by Jesus. The Holy Spirit, as understood by the rest of the
world, is false.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "symbol";">-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-ZA" style="background: white;">Only SSN can bear testimony to Revelation’s physical fulfilment and give
a new and inspiring interpretation about the Word and what it really means – as
no one could before. This includes revelation about the current time, the time
of the second coming of Christ. This has been revealed to SSN by an angel of
God. SSN is proclaiming this message at the proper time, as the faithful and
wise servant who gives food (spiritual food, the Word of God) at the proper
time (see Matthew 24:45).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "symbol";">-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-ZA" style="background: white;">God, Jesus and SSN are working together to restore God’s kingdom on
earth through establishing his New Heaven and New Earth spoken of in Revelation
(after which the church is named) so that God can dwell again with humans on
the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "symbol";">-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-ZA" style="background: white;">SSN is gathering the elect: 144,000 chosen people who are being sealed
with this new testimony (the 144,000 chosen people who are sealed as in
Revelation 7). The 144,000 chosen people are divided into the 12 tribes of the
new spiritual Israel. These 12 tribes
are the 12 main groups within SCJ. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "symbol";">-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-ZA" style="background: white;">The Holy Spirit at the Pentecost was just a foreshadow of the marriage
between spirit and flesh that is to come, where Jesus and the 144,000 spirits
of the martyrs will come and marry/merge with the bodies of 144,000 SCJ
members who are fully sealed with the Word of Testimony of the Messenger (SSN).
This is how the martyrs come to life to serve with God and Christ as per
Revelation 20:4-6.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "symbol";">-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-ZA" style="background: white;">SSN is the one who overcomes, and is sitting on God’s throne. He is
currently ruling all the nations (see Revelation 2:26-27).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "symbol";">-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-ZA" style="background: white;">All nations have drunk “the maddening wine of adultery” spoken of in
Revelation. In other words, they have accepted Satan’s doctrine (mixed
teachings consisting of the thoughts of men and their interpretations of God’s
word). If they do not accept SSN’s message, they are lost and will not be
saved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "symbol";">-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-ZA" style="background: white;">SSN pursues world peace as part of God’s promise in the Bible – to bring
world peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-GB">6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><u><span lang="EN-GB">My reasons for leaving</span></u><span lang="EN-GB">.</span><u><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">My <u>first</u> main reason for leaving was
the blatant use of lies and deceit, and promotion of using it. This was a
reason that was reasonably easy to formulate, as it is clear from many verses
in the Bible that lying is not acceptable, even if good things result from
lying (see Romans 3:7-8).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">My <u>second</u> main reason, which was
also relatively easy to formulate, was the veneration of a human being as the
new Saviour (or as it was sometimes euphemised, you need to follow Man Hee Lee
in order to be saved at the time of the Second Coming). Jesus said that He
Himself would return, and therefore Jesus remains my sole Saviour. 1 Timothy
2:5 plainly states: <i>For there is one God
and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">Within SCJ, there is a new central figure:
Man Hee Lee, and he is venerated and praised. For example, songs are sung in
the congregation meetings, including the following excerpts of songs which
refer to praising Man Hee Lee:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span></i>
<i><span lang="EN-ZA">Let
us praise the king of kings<br />
Let us praise the Advocate of God<br />
Let us praise Advocate, who will rule heavens and the earth<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA">And<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-ZA">Thank
you, the One Who Overcomes,<br />
I will praise your name forevermore and evermore<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-ZA">Amen<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">My <u>third </u>main reason relates to
reason two above – the fact that SCJ changes the fundamental gospel of Jesus
Christ, as it is being preached that there is a new saviour: Man Hee Lee.
Galatians 1:7-9 states plainly:<span class="text"> <i>Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to
pervert the gospel of Christ.</i></span><i> <span class="text"><sup>8 </sup>But even if we or an angel from heaven should
preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s
curse!</span> <span class="text"><sup>9 </sup>As we have already said, so
now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you
accepted, let them be under God’s curse!</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">My <u>fourth</u> main reason was formulated
by considering the following warning from </span><span class="italics1"><span lang="EN-ZA">Deuteronomy 18: when a prophet
speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass,
that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it
presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him."</span></span><span class="italics1"><span lang="EN-ZA"> Every year, Man Hee Lee releases a “slogan”
for a particular year. Below is a photo showing the slogan of 2014:</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-ZA"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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</v:imagedata></v:shape><span lang="EN-ZA"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yQIEwK9BJ0M/VqTY_q5TC-I/AAAAAAAAAHM/7YKpK4wLHGY/s1600/Promise.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="42" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yQIEwK9BJ0M/VqTY_q5TC-I/AAAAAAAAAHM/7YKpK4wLHGY/s320/Promise.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">During 2014, a big international peace summit was held in Seoul, called the World Alliance of Religions for Peace, or WARP Summit. As you can see from the above photo, this was one of the events
that Man Hee Lee indicated would occur in 2014, which it did. It was brought
about by the effort, discipline and dedication of SCJ members (they organised
it from all over the world). In retrospect, it was called a “heavenly promise
that was fulfilled”. However, the completion of the 12 tribes did not take
place. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">Therefore, one of the “heavenly promises” that was given by Man Hee Lee did
not materialise. One needs to
question the reliability of a person who states that he has received the
revelation of the fulfilment of all the events in the current times. As an
aside, the completion of the 12 tribes refers to each of the 12 tribes (groups)
of SCJ which needs to reach a number of 12,000 members each, which is also
deduced from Revelation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">My further reasons for leaving were the
many inconsistencies when compared to the Bible, and it took a bit more time to
formulate. The six month course was mostly done in the form of a guided tour
through the Bible, but we would focus on specific books, and we never focused
on what Jesus did on the cross, for example. After completing the six month
program, I finally had a bit of free time again to do Bible study on my own
time (although one of the things that SCJ does is that they try to keep you as
busy as possible with congregation meetings, evangelising, encouraging you to
become a maintainer, etc. – so much so that in some cases they would ask for
your schedule in order to see, when you have free time). </span><br />
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">When I made the time
to consider other parts of the Bible, I found many inconsistencies with SCJ’s
teachings. For example, looking at Acts, it is clear that the Advocate/Comforter that Jesus promised to the disciples, was in fact a helper in the
form of the Holy Spirit that was sent to them after Jesus ascended, rather than
an exclusive indwelling in a specific person, 2,000 years after Jesus ascended.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-GB">7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><u><span lang="EN-GB">A few reasons why SCJ is so
successful.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b><br />
<b><u><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Imagine a
group of around 150,000 people around the world with a single purpose at heart –
a purpose they deem more important than their lives/careers/families. People
who are not afraid to use deceit in order to further their most important goal:
growing the organisation. SCJ is such an organisation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">One of their primary strategies is their seemingly
voluntary peace/community upliftment organisations and projects, which is used
to lure prospective members. A very good international case study is called “Mannam”,
which <i>was </i>a charitable organisation
that was used as a front for Shincheonji, and is a subject that you can easily
find on the internet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">Mannam has subsequently been replaced by
other organisations, namely the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), </span><span lang="EN-US">Heavenly Culture World Peace
Restoration of Light (</span><span lang="EN-ZA">HWPL) and the </span><span lang="EN-US">International Women’s Peace Group</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-ZA">(IWPG), which today are the main cover
organisations for SCJ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">They have hosted several international
peace rallies including the WARP summit mentioned above. This was a very big
event, but the reality was that many of the attendees (if not most - I do not
want to make up statistics), were SCJ members. Therefore, although the numbers
of attendees created a spectacular scene, it was at least somewhat skewed by
SCJ members who attended without disclosing the true reason for their
attendance. Many of these attendees were sponsored to attend in some way
(including international travel costs). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-ZA">SCJ also has smaller scale and often
community-based groups that also aim to involve new prospects, under the pretence
of predominantly community upliftment projects.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span></u>
<u><span lang="EN-ZA">Other strategies used by SCJ:<o:p></o:p></span></u><br />
<u><span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB">a)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">They request that members
continuously click on pro-SCJ websites in order to boost the rankings on
Google, so that these websites appear first when SCJ is Googled. Further,
members are told not to visit anti-SCJ websites, as it will corrupt them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB">b)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">They meticulously monitor members,
using social messaging services such as Whatsapp. If members cannot attend
services, it is done via Skype. If a member shows any signs of non-commitment
or doubt, they would immediately escalate it to the congregation leaders. Some
of the senior members are very strong manipulators. Emotion is often use to
bring challenging individuals back in line.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB">c)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">Much (if not most) of the time spent
in the bi-weekly sermons, is spent by Man Hee Lee and other leaders reiterating
the fact that SCJ is orthodox and really, really, really… the only true church
of Jesus Christ. All other churches and pastors belong to Satan and is referred
to as “Babylon”. SCJ members are continuously told that they are the chosen
ones and because of this, they will face persecution, but that they must
persist and be victorious, run harder, work harder, etc. because the work they
are doing is of eternal importance and if they are victorious, they will rule
all nations with the ¨One Who Overcomes¨ (Man Hee Lee).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB">d)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">SCJ has training sessions, some of
which are compulsory, teaching members how to “evangelise” new members, telling
their members how to act/dress etc., and also how to handle confrontations/
challenges/ apologetics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB">e)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">As soon as there is an external
group or a church that openly opposes SCJ, all members are warned rigorously. In some cases, members have to memorise verses
and write tests, for example we had to write a test about the Christian Council
of Korea (CCK) – a church that opposes SCJ. Answers needed to be memorised and
reproduced verbatim in this compulsory test. One dares not to ask about this,
otherwise you are met with fierce questioning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB">f)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="text-indent: -18pt;">There are many structures in SCJ:
including the Men’s Department, Women’s Department, Youth Department, and so
forth. Each person becomes part of a cell group, and it is driven home that
anything your immediate superior requests of you or instructs you to do, should
be considered an instruction directly from God, because the
teachings/instructions, etc. flow like live-giving water (as in Rev 22:1 which
states </span><i style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-ZA">the river
of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and
of the Lamb)</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="text-indent: -18pt;">.
Rhetoric like this is continuously repeated and one is continuously told to not
follow your own thoughts because you need to renew your mind and recalibrate
everything according to God’s will (Romans 12:2 states </span><i style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-ZA">Do not conform to the
pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind</span></i><span lang="EN-ZA" style="text-indent: -18pt;">).</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB">g)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-ZA">The organisation is very coordinated and finely planned. Each of the
12 tribes has a specified geographic area and focus/target areas for expansion,
and must give feedback on their expansion strategies and success on an ongoing
basis. Non-performing leaders are removed/redeployed.</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB">h)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">The environment in SCJ is
fear-driven. If you do not perform, specifically if you do not evangelise,
there is a problem. Man Hee Lee himself said in one of his sermons, “If you do
not evangelise, I will kick you out”. Unfortunately many people, especially
younger members, simply cannot stand against such oppression and manipulation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I pray that
the above testimony may help members and former members of SCJ and their
families in whatever way possible.<br />
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<span style="color: #333333;"></span><span style="color: #333333;"></span><span style="color: #333333;"></span><span style="color: #333333;"></span><span style="color: #333333;"></span><span style="color: #333333;"></span><span style="color: #333333;"></span><span style="color: #333333;"></span><span style="color: #333333;"></span><span style="color: #333333;"></span><span style="color: #333333;"></span><span style="color: #333333;"></span><span style="color: #333333;"></span><span style="color: #333333;"></span><span style="color: #333333;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104439609790739299.post-43035263862824228922010-06-02T13:40:00.013-07:002016-11-12T10:03:06.591-08:00Shincheonji´s Deceptive Practices.Dear reader,<br />
<br />
How would you feel if you learned that a missionary was using distorted conversion stories to obtain financial support? What if a youth minister used false degrees to get hired at a church? Or, what if Christians invented stories about other religious leaders to enourage others to discredit those groups?<br />
<br />
These questions deal with Christian conduct and behavior (or Christ-centered ethics).<br />
<br />
One simple test to measure Christian ethics is the question, ¨What would Jesus Christ do, say, or think about the situation?¨ Although no devoted Christian is perfect, we all desire to model his kindness, forgiveness, honesty, love, etc. In other words, believers should never act or promote that which opposes his character.<br />
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When we test what is happening (and what has happened) in Shincheonji, we discover that members resort to deceptive practices to recruit others and hide their identity. <br />
<br />
In my own case, I remember a family member inviting me to a Bible study online by a seminar student (SCJ teacher) who needed to teach others to graduate from their seminary. This is a line other SCJ members have used too. Some people have testified that their SCJ instructor avoided telling them their organization´s name, or they used fictitious names. <br />
<br />
One SCJ couple infiltrated churches to invite others under the guise of a normal Bible study. A former SCJ member told us of a Shinchonji instructor who posed as a pastor in a non-denominational church. Still another person mentioned that SCJ has ¨maintainers¨ who take the study with newcomers and pretend they are learning the teachings for the first time. <br />
<br />
When I confronted one SCJ teacher about this, they replied that deception is justifiable because Christian churches are full of spiritual lies, traditions of men, and Satan's seed (teachings). They said deception can lead Christians to SCJ and even outsmart the devil´s schemes. They also said their identity should be kept secret because of so much critical information on the internet and in the media about SCJ.<br />
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However, to devoted Christians, these arguments are weak and unconvincing. <br />
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Using deception goes against Christ´s righteous standards and even common ethics. In Romans 12:17, Paul instructs believers to do what is right ¨in the eyes of everyone¨. When people who are not Christians learn of SCJ´s deceptive practices, it is a poor testimony.<br />
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In Eph. 4:25 and 1 Pet. 2:1, those in Christ are instructed to never lie to other believers and to get rid of all deceit. This is an underlying and basic principle in the Christian life.<br />
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Think for a moment how you would feel if someone from a religious group used deception to recruit you? It actually backfires. It casts doubts on the group´s credibility in the other areas too. One Christian lady noted that SCJ´s deceptive practices made her not want to listen to anything else they taught.<br />
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In addition, SCJ´s argument that using deception is needed to outwit the kingdom of darkness is unimpressive. <br />
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In Jesus´ time, the world was full of darkness and evil influences in the Roman empire. Yet, the apostles and early Christians relied on Jesus´ example and sacrifice, the beauty of his message, his miracles, and the power of the Holy Spirit to convince outsiders (I Thes. 1:5, Rom. 1:16, I Cor. 2:4, Ac. 1:8). In the book of Acts, the disciples spoke boldly and openly about Jesus. <br />
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If SCJ´s revelation is true, they should be able to rely on the truthfulness of the message to convince others. Jesus said that his sheep hear his voice (Jn. 10:16,27), which leads to another question. Would the real Jesus approve of using deceit to attract Christians?<br />
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To devoted followers, it is spiritually contradictory and seems like something from lying spirits. Deceit makes Christians more doubtful of Shincheonji since righteousness and unrighteousness do not mix (2 Cor. 6:14).<br />
<br />
One Shinchonji instructor said that they are willing to do anything (even ¨cut off someone´s hand,¨ to quote Jesus´ words) to bring others into Shincheonji. But, surely there is a limit. The end does not justify the means, especially when related to something as significant as Jesus' kingdom.<br />
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One of the clearest moral teachings in Israel was that all forms of lying and deceit are detestable to God (Prov. 6:16-19). Such conduct negatively impacts people who are important to God. Lying involves withholding information, hiding something, or misguiding others for an ulterior purpose.<br />
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Christians outside SCJ can quickly discern that using deceit to spread truth is a sign of error. The Apostle John writes, ¨I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and you know that <b>no lie comes from the truth</b>¨ (I Jn. 2:21).<br />
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For more information on this topic, please listen to the podcasts on this blog.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104439609790739299.post-937936344740297052010-06-02T13:35:00.006-07:002016-07-30T07:25:27.091-07:00History Before Shincheonji: Where was Manhee Lee?<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 100%;">Dear reader, </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 100%;">One phenomenon in Christian history is how apocalyptic leaders and movements give birth to other movements that claim to be the final movement in Christianity.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 100%;">The following report sent by a professor in California substantiates Manhee Lee's involvement in three other Korean end-time movements before Shincheonji. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">A Short Genealogy of the Shinchonji Church of Jesus (1)</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">Here is some information on historical and theological connections between the Shinchonji Church of Jesus and other apocalyptic Korean movements. Manhee Lee (b. 1931), the founder of the Shinchonji Church of Jesus, originally belonged to a faith-healing group begun by Tae Sun Park (b. 1915) (S. Lee 139). This group was known as the Olive Tree Movement, because Mr. Park linked himself to the return of Christ as one (or both) of the two witnesses or olive trees in Revelation 11 (Grayson 209; Moos 117). (His followers, in fact, revised Wesley’s hymn to read “Joy to the world, the Olive has come” [Moos 116]). Mr. Park also identified himself as the mysterious, ever-victorious figure who comes from the east in Isaiah 41:2 (Grayson 209). His followers called him the “Righteous Man of the East,” and they (or he) claimed he would never die—or, at least, that the last day of the world would come within his lifetime (Moos 120). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">The Olive Tree movement was the largest and fastest growing of the new, syncretic Korean religions after the Korean War (Grayson 208). By 1963 it had gained from 800,000 to 2,000,000 followers in over 300 congregations (Moos 119). Many of the followers lived in specially constructed industrial communities outside of Seoul that made a variety of “Zion” products—everything from blankets and underwear to caramels and artificial flowers (Moos 113). The movement also had a popular presence in rural areas, where Mr. Park’s distinctive white churches, with crimson crosses painted atop crenellated towers, dotted the countryside (Grayson 207). By the mid-to-late 1960s, it seemed to some observers that Mr. Park’s movement would supplant mainline Protestant groups in South Korea (Grayson 208).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">Mr. Park was an industrialist and elder in the Presbyterian Church who was attracted to revivalist movements. He himself had a growing sense that there must be more to Christian faith than the Presbyterians seemed to offer. While helping to lead an all-night revival meeting for 20,000 people in southern Seoul in 1955, he received a vision of fire and water descending from heaven. He then came down from the platform and massaged the head of a man identified as a cripple, and Mr. Park’s helpers then cried out that the man could walk. By sunrise, after Mr. Park had circulated among the crowd and massaged many heads and limbs, his helpers shouted to great applause that he had healed 1,000 people (Grayson 208; Moos 115-116). Thus the Olive Tree movement was born.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">Park was expelled from the Presbyterian Church in 1956 on charges of heresy. He claimed in return that he was a truer Christian than the ones who denounced him, and his followers continued to call him Elder Park. It should be noted here that a vexed relationship with the Presbyterian Church has marked not only Mr. Park’s movement but also all of his successor movements, all of which have regarded themselves as supra-denominational (Grayson 208; Moos 117).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">The worship services that evolved in the Olive Tree movement were somewhat Presbyterian in form but came to involve hours of frenzied hymn-chanting, hand-clapping, and drum-beating. Many followers, both women and men, deserted their families to donate all their worldly possessions in order to gain eternal life on Mr. Park’s terms.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> According t</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">o the anthropologist Felix Moos, “Women followers were observed to be especially eager to offer whatever possessions they had—rings, watches, clothing; some ardent believers were even seen shedding their skirts during revival services since they had nothing else to give” (119).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">Mr. Park was accused, among other things, of injuring and defrauding his followers, and he was sentenced to two and a half years in jail in 1959. But a regime change resulted in a swift pardon, and Mr. Park spent only a few months in prison (Grayson 208; Moos 117-18). Scandals connected with Mr. Park and his family from the 1970s onward, however, resulted in mass defections (Grayson 208). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">By 1969, Manhee Lee had already abandoned the Olive Tree movement to join another—the Tent Temple movement. The Tent Temple—or the Temple of the Tabernacle—was founded by Jae Yul Yoo (b. 1949), also known as the “Young Servant.” Mr. Yoo had previously been a follower of Jogkyu Kim and his Hosang prayer house. When Mr. Kim became involved in a sexual scandal with a female member, however, Mr. Yoo left the group with a handful of members and started his own (S. Lee 138).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">According to Mr. Yoo, Jesus spoke only in parables and secrets. Since the end times were now said to be imminent, these parables and secrets needed to be illumined, and Mr. Yoo alone could properly do this. His method of interpretation was to match each passage of Scripture with its hidden twin. For, according to Mr. Yoo, all verses come in secret pairs (S. Lee 139). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">Mr. Yoo also taught that the Lord had prepared a secret room near the reservoir of Mt. Chungkye, on the southern outskirts of Seoul, as a refuge of escape from the battle of Armageddon. After the chosen saints entered this valley, the world would be covered by fire. Then the saints would be made into kings to rule the world (S. Lee 138-39). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">Mr. Yoo’s Tent Temple movement grew to 5,000 members in the 1970s. The group shrank when Mr. Yoo was accused of fraud. Mr. Yoo subsequently gave up his leadership of the movement, donated its assets to the Presbyterian Church, and moved to the United States in 1980, where he now pursues a private business and denounces the teachings of Manhee Lee, in part because Mr. Lee was critical of Mr. Yoo’s defection from his own movement (S. Lee 139, 143). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">Manhee Lee’s Shinchonji Church of Jesus is one of several apocalyptic groups that came out of Mr. Yoo’s Tent Temple movement. Two other such groups are Poong Il Kim’s Saegwang Central Church and the late In Hee Koo’s Heaven Gospel Witnessing Association (S. Lee 139). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">Mr. Kim, founder of the Saegwang Central Church, was originally an evangelist for Mr. Park and then a follower of Mr. Yoo. He founded his own movement in 1974. Like Mr. Yoo, he held that all passages in the Bible are secretly paired—and that one must know these secret pairings to be saved. He named himself “The Counselor” or “Another Counselor.” According to Mr. Kim, the Kingdom of Heaven would soon be established in Korea, and the abode of salvation would be in his church alone. In 2009, he publicly confessed in a newspaper that he was not the divine Counselor after all, and he repented and apologized. However, he has maintained leadership of his movement, and he continues to insist that believers can only receive their salvation through the Saegwang Central Church (S. Lee 140-42).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">Like Manhee Lee, In Hee Koo of the Heaven Gospel movement had been part of Tae Sun Park’s group and, also like Manhee Lee, had joined the Temple Tent movement in the late 1960s. He started his own Heaven Gospel movement in 1971 after receiving a vision in which he was commanded to “receive the worship of the nations.” He was imprisoned as part of a government crackdown on pseudo-religions in 1975, and he died in prison in 1976. Among his teachings: (1) the Korean flag was a symbol for God and contained the meaning and message of Scripture; (2) Scripture itself was a system of parables, secrets, symbols, and mirrored shadows; (3) the saints should learn the words of God directly from those who had received the Spirit of God; (4) the second coming of Christ would take place in Korea; (5) Mr. Koo himself embodied that second coming; (6) judgment day would arrive on November 10, 1973. When judgment day did not arrive as predicted, many of his followers literally wanted their money back. Other followers, however, even after Mr. Koo had died, continued to believe that they had witnessed in him the second coming of Jesus (S. Lee 141-43).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">After Mr. Koo’s death, the Heaven Gospel movement divided into many branches. Among them, The Korean Jesus Churches of Heavenly Gospel Evangelical Association became the best known. This group was headed by Chong Il Choi, who represented himself as the “wife “of Mr. Koo. He was regarded as the “Lamb” who embodies the second coming of Christ in Revelation. Mr. Choi also claimed that he could perfectly interpret all sixty-six books of the Bible. Each of the branches of the Heaven Gospel movement vigorously asserts itself as the only path of true belief (S. Lee 141).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">Manhee Lee’s Shinchonji Church of Jesus is the third main offshoot of the Tent Temple movement. In addition to being a follower of Mr. Sun and then of Mr. Yoo, Mr. Lee subsequently followed Man Bong Baek, who claimed to be God and was referred to by many as “Solomon.” Mr. Baek, like Mr. Koo, also stipulated a date for the end of the world. When this date came and went, Mr. Baek’s followers deserted him. Mr. Lee gathered some of these to form the Shinchoji Church of Jesus (SCJ). Manhee Lee dates the official beginning of SCJ as 1984, which, he says, is “the year that the universe completed its orbit and returned to its point of origin” (M. Lee 44).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">Like others from the Tent Temple movement, Manhee Lee asserts that the Bible is made up of parables and secrets, and that one must understand the exact meaning of these passages in order to be saved. Manhee Lee, as the “promised pastor,” is the only one who can impart a complete mastery of the scriptures. Also like others from the Tent Temple movement, Mr. Lee asserts that the new heaven and new earth will begin in Korea. When the number of the saved reaches 144,000, the era of Shinchonji will begin at Gua Chun City, located in the same valley designated by Mr. Yoo. At this time, or by this time, the souls of 144,000 martyrs, having waited in heaven, will enter the bodies of the 144,000 SCJ saints. Mr. Lee himself, like Mr. Sun before him, claims that he will never die, and that his followers will partake of his “fleshly immortality,” a sort of redefined resurrection, through becoming the recipients of the spirits of the dead martyrs. At present, Manhee Lee is in his early 80s and not in good health. Recently, several leaders within SCJ have departed from the organization to begin their own movements, each leader claiming to be divinely anointed and uniquely possessed of the truth of the scriptures (S. Lee 140-43).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">In summary, then, SCJ is one of three Korean apocalyptic movements that were all derived from Mr. Yoo’s Tent Temple movement. In addition, the leaders of all three of these movements were originally involved in Mr. Park’s Olive Tree movement. At least two of these third-generation movements, including SCJ, have in turn given rise to further, somewhat similar moveme</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-US">nts. </span><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">Also in summary, it can be seen that SCJ demonstrates a number of common features with one or more of these related movements:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">A leader who claims divine appointment or divine identity, revealed through a vision.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">This leader’s claim of complete and exclusive understanding of the scriptures.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">A focus on the parables of Jesus and other figurative or “secret” portions of scripture—or other portions understood by the leader as figurative.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">An understanding of the leader’s exact interpretation of the parables and other figurative portions of scripture as prerequisite to a person’s salvation.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">The claim that no other leader or group offers the way of salvation.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">The claim that the leader will never die.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">The claim that the leader has a messianic role in the end times, which are imminent or in fact have already begun.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">The claim that Korea is a focal point of action in the end times.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">The claim that the valley of Mt. Chungkye in particular will be a refuge and gathering place for believers in the end times.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">The future role of these believers as rulers of the world. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , serif;"> </span></li>
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<span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>Works Cited</b></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">Grayson, James Huntley. <i>Korea: A Religious History</i>. London: Routledge Curzon, 2002.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">Lee, Man-Hee. <i>The Creation of Heaven and Earth</i>. Republic of Korea: Shinchonji Press, 2009.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">Lee, Seung Yun. “The Genealogy of Cults: ‘The Tabernacle-Temple Denomination.’” <i>Modern Religion </i>April 2011: 138-43.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif;">Moos, Felix. “Some Aspects of Park Chang No Kyo—A Korean Revitalization Movement.” <i>Anthropological Quarterly </i>July 1964: 110-20.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">(</span><span style="background-color: white;">1). Researched by professor Paul Willis, willis@westmont.edu, revised July, 2012.</span></span> <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104439609790739299.post-17380437999064399342010-06-02T13:33:00.002-07:002016-11-12T08:49:56.882-08:00Why are SCJ Interpretations so Different?Dear reader<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">, </span><br />
<br />
If you are a Christian and have conversed with end-time groups, you may have asked yourself, ¨How in the world did they get that interpretation from this verse or that word?¨ It seems spiritually bizarre and puzzling.<br />
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Some people feel conversations with end-time groups are pointless because Christians show them one set of verses while members of these groups retaliate with other verses (or even use the same ones with different interpretations). For example, Shincheonji interprets those ¨in the light¨ in I Thess. 5:1-8 to refer to SCJ members with the revealed word, whereas Christians view this as all believers in Christ Jesus.<br />
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The reality is that Christians and followers of end-time movements use different ¨glasses¨ (or approaches) to explain meanings in the Bible. This leads to some important questions about biblical interpretation.<br />
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What method should Christians use to interpret the Scriptures? What approach do final prophets or end-time groups use? Why are interpretations so different? <br />
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There are two methods that have been historically unsafe and dangerous. Even though these approaches claim to possess divine help and guidance, they are based more on human authority. Below is a brief description and analysis of them.<br />
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1. Group-Guided Approach.<br />
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This method is based on the notion that God guides a specific group of leaders to explain meanings and concepts of the Christian faith. The Watchtower Society or the Catholic <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Magisterium</span> are primary examples. Leaders of these groups emphasize that God´s Spirit gives them interpretative authority, which is why Christians need them. <br />
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One result of this approach is that it forces Christians to depend more on human leaders as opposed to seeking God and relying on his help. In addition, leaders end up developing spiritual traditions, teachings, or rules that go beyond what is written. Many of these traditions become the central focus of the group and are even elevated above the simple message of Christ.<br />
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Lastly, because these leaders consider themselves interpreters by divine appointment, they become the real authority above the Bible. Moreover, they do not humbly receive correction from the Bible by devoted Christians outside their group. <br />
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2. Prophet-Revealer Approach.<br />
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This method is based on the belief that God appoints a prophet to be Jesus´ final spokesperson on earth in the end. Through visions, dreams, and revelations, this prophet brings new knowledge regarding Jesus´ second coming and salvation. They believe they are filled with God´s power and Spirit, much like the prophets in the Old Testament. <br />
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Members in end-time groups are taught to put aside previous concepts about God and the Bible as they learn new information from the prophet. Their leader offers interpretations that ¨makes sense¨ of mysterious or unfulfilled prophecies. The prophet´s authority is also magnified because they insist all other Christians are spiritually blind and in darkness.<br />
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What serious problems emerge with this method? <br />
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First, Jesus Christ cautions all Christians to stay away from final prophets who take his place and assume his authority in the end (Mt. 24:4,5, Lk. 21:8). This is a common sign of error in all end-time groups. <br />
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Even so, prophets in end-time groups assert God has sent them as a final prophet. They point to ¨revealed¨ prophecies in the Bible foretelling their coming and authority. One example in SCJ is the idea that the Bible has promises of a final pastor in the end. Yet, it is suspicious when only the prophet sees certain texts as prophecies and the language (and context) from the Scriptures communicates something else.<br />
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Unbeknownst to them, members subtly believe a prophecy based more on human authority than the Bible.<br />
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This leads to a second problem - too much interpretative authority in the hands of one person. Interestingly enough, a prophet offers new light about Bible verses, words, Scripture connections, figurative meanings, prophecies, etc., almost entirely based on an, ¨I say so authority.¨ For instance, Manhee Lee says that the interpretation of ¨east¨ in Rev. 7 refers to Korea because he ¨knows where the east is¨ (Creation of Heaven and Earth, p. 194), but not based on the Scriptures.<br />
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As members become more and more involved in their organization, the danger is that the prophet´s interpretations are viewed as more inspired than the Bible itself. Thus, any Bible verse or explanation which contradicts their prophet must be in error, especially from Christians outside their group. <br />
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Lastly, something is spiritually amiss when a final prophet is said to be filled with God´s Spirit, yet modifies Jesus´ identity and the clear message of salvation through Christ. They make ¨prophetic knowledge¨ about the Bible a requirement for eternal life instead of being united to Christ Jesus. <br />
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3. The Christian Model: Holy Spirit and Bible-Method.<br />
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This is the safest and most efficient way to interpret the Scriptures. As Peter said, ¨His divine power has given us<b> everything we need</b> for life and godliness through our knowledge of him¨ (2 Pet. 1:3).<br />
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As we give our lives to Jesus Christ, believers can rely on God's presence to help them understand <i>the important truths</i> from God (i.e. everything we need for life and godly living). Regardless of one´s church or denomination, the important truths can be known and experienced by all believers. The Scriptures preserve and communicate God´s redemptive message in Christ (2 Tim. 3:16) to all those who sincerely seek him. <br />
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Thus, the biggest and most important spiritual truths can be understood without an authoritative leader or group (1 Jn. 2:27, Ps. 119:97-104). In Christian thinking, the clear language in the Bible is superior to a final prophet´s explanations, not the other way around. <br />
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In closing, understanding that Shincheonji uses a prophet-interpretation method explains why their interpretations are so innovative and puzzling. This is why Christians and SCJ members can have Bible discussions and be talking past each other. They are using two different methods to interpret the Bible.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104439609790739299.post-25331863296341441222010-06-02T13:30:00.002-07:002016-01-24T05:16:44.316-08:00Listen to Podcasts Evaluating Shincheonji/Shinchonji.Three family members took the time to create the podcasts below (please scroll down). Here are a few comments to add to what they point out.<br />
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1. Podcasts: The Doctrine Devoid of Repentance/God´s Holiness and Justice.<br />
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They mention how end-time groups focus heavily on prophetic knowledge and de-emphasize repentance and the solution humans need - Jesus' remedy for sins in our place. This is the focus in the New Testament revelation - the importance of being ¨united to Christ¨ and ¨having the Son¨. Although Manhee Lee's two books in English acknowledge that Jesus died for our sins, the real emphasis is on the ¨revealed knowledge/word¨ as the final requirement for salvation (See pages 328-333 in ¨Creation of Heaven and Earth¨).<br />
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¨Those who receive the word of revelation from the new Apostle John, believe it, and obey <b>are freed from their sins</b>¨ (The Truth Regarding Revelation's Fulfillment, p. 5). ¨No one attains salvation simply by claiming to have been saved or to be orthodox....Only those who believe in and keep the revelation of the New Testament <b>will go to heaven</b>¨ (The Truth Regarding Revelation´s Fulfillment, pp. 57, 94).<br />
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2. Podcast: Shincheonji's Fruit of Deception.<br />
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They mention how Shinchonji uses and justifies deception. Most followers of Christ (and even non-Christians) see this as a bad testimony. <i></i><br />
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3. Podcast: A Different Jesus.<br />
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Throughout the history of Christianity, revelations from the spirit world have been giving end-time prophets a different definition of Jesus Christ, God, or the Holy Spirit. Instead of letting the written word correct spirit-guided revelations, end-time leaders use spirit-guided revelations to correct what Christians throughout the centuries have seen in the written word.<br />
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Here are the broadcasts.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104439609790739299.post-13390114807841716662010-06-02T13:29:00.009-07:002016-11-25T08:57:34.146-08:00Is Genesis 1-3 a Concealed Prophecy for a Pastor?<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dear reader,</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Many end-time leaders <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">teach</span> they are the final interpreters or <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">prophets </span>of the Christian faith due to a revelation given to them by <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">heavenly creatures </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">or J<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">esus Christ himself. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It is a<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">n extremely powerful spiritual assertion. </span>At the same time, Christ and the apos<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">tles <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">give </span>many </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">warnings of dece<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ption <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">from final lead<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ers </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>(Lk. 21:8, <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I John 4:1, M<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">t. 24:24, I Tim. 4:1). </span></span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In Shinc<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">heonji, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Manhee</span> Lee claims to have received a revelation or <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">revealed word </span>from <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">divine </span>beings about the meaning and physical fulf<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">illment of the </span>Bible´s last prophecies. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Manhee </span>Lee <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">holds </span>that he is the final pastor in a long line of chosen pastors. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">To support this teaching, he uses <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Adam as the first chosen pastor. </span>Thus, Ge</span>nesis 1-3 becomes a figurative account of how God <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">chooses his first</span> pastor. ¨Thus, understanding Genesis 1 literally and thinking that it records the creation of the natural world raises many contradictions. The order of creation <b>is recorded figuratively </b>to hide the secret of the creation of God's world from the evil one¨ (Creation of Heaven and Earth, p. 33).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The following description is a condensed version of Manhee Lee's explanation of a pastor in the beginning (Creation of Heaven and Earth, pp. 33-51). Notice the figurative meanings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>1<sup>st</sup> Day</b> – God is looking for a light, which represents a pastor. Jesus, a chosen pastor, also claimed to be a light (Jn. 12:46, Jn. 8:12).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>2<sup>nd</sup> Day</b> – God creates the expanse/sky, which represents the tabernacle/heaven of the chosen people. The sun, moon, and stars are part of the expanse/sky, which refer to Jacob and the chosen people in the Bible (Gen. 37:9,10). Water represents the ¨revealed word¨ from the pastor (Dt. 32:1,2, Am. 8:11). The water above is the revealed word and the water below is lies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>3<sup>rd</sup> Day</b> – The land that appears refers figuratively to the chosen people and their tabernacle. Both the tabernacle/sky and the land refer to the chosen people. ¨The dry land that appears on the third day and the heaven created on the second day both refer to God´s tabernacle¨ (Creation of Heaven and Earth, p. 39). The vegetation, plants, and trees refer to believers (Is. 40:6-8, Dt. 32:2). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>4<sup>th</sup> Day</b> – The great light of this day is the chosen pastor. The moon represents evangelists in the position of a mother. The many stars are believers in the position of children, but they have different levels of glory (I Cor. 15:41). They are given authority to rule over the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>5<sup>th</sup> Day</b> – The water represents God´s word (Am. 8:11), the fish represent believers (Hb 1:14, Mt. 4:18-22; Mt. 13:47-50), and the birds represent the spirits that belong to God. On the fifth day the holy spirit comes as a bird to carry out its work. Filling the earth means that people are evangelized. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>6<sup>th</sup> Day</b> – The cattle, creeping things, and wild animals represent the four beasts in Rev. 4:6,7. The four living creatures of the spiritual world are heaven´s army. On this day an organization, like the four living creatures in the spiritual world, is created on earth. This is what Moses did when he built the tabernacle on earth (Ex. 25:8,9). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">On page 47 of his book, he concludes, ¨Once again, the creation account of Gn. 1 is a spiritual re-creation, stated in the terms of a physical creation. This creation is not limited to a specific generation. It is repeated over and over until all of Revelation is fulfilled. This process of creating heaven and earth takes six thousand years, which is likened unto six days. The re-creation of heaven and earth in Gn 1 is completed six thousand years later in Rv 21 (Rv. 21:6).¨ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Is this revelation th<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">e true explanation of Genesis chapters 1-3? Why doubt it?</span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">First<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, although many Christian think<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ers have used figurative meanings for <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Genesis in the past, this explan<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ation<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> seems <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">far-fetched and beyond the simple meanings given. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">T</span></span>he verses used in support of his figurative meanings<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">are</span> disconnected and forced. For example, Jesus said his disciples would be fishers of men, but this does not mean that ¨fish¨ refer figuratively to men</span><i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> in Genesis</i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. In conte<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">xt, </span>Jesus used this <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">analogy </span>for fishermen to help them understand de<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">eper </span>spiritual truths, <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">as with </span>other parables (Mt. 13:47-50). </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Another misapplication is <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">connecting</span> the metaphor of beasts (those who lack knowledge in Prov. 30:2,3) to beasts and animals in Genesis. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">These examples bring to light a central problem. (See the article on SCJ Interpreta<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">tions.)</span> The authority for making these connections is subtly based on ¨I say so¨ or ¨My revelation makes it so¨ <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">authority </span>(followed by Scripture connections or spiritual reasoning), but <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">not based on the<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span>Scriptures the<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">mselves</span>. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">W</span></span>hen a final prophet is the one who makes th<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ese interpretations, <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">it is subjective revelation<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, not pro<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">of-supported or </span>objective.</span> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">nother </span>problem is that Manhee Lee´s figurative explanations and arguments agains<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">t <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">a <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">literal interpre<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">tation </span></span></span></span>(i.e. millions of years of life on earth, the appearance of Cain´s wife, Cain´s fear of being killed by other people, and the appearance of light on the fourth day) end up creading more spiritual problems than answers.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">For example, he claims that Adam was not the first <i>real physical </i>man. Adam was only the first man to receive God´s word (i.e. the first chosen pastor). Mr. Lee states that other beasts (men without God´s word) existed before Adam. Adam even had parents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">¨Second, the Bible implies that <b>Adam had parents</b>. God told Adam to leave his parents and unite with his wife (Gen. 2:24). If Adam really was the first human God created, how could he have had parents? <b>Clearly, Adam was not the first human</b>. <b>Although there were people living before Adam</b>, because God gave Adam the breath of life that makes him a living being, God decided that Adam was the first ¨man.¨ Anyone with a physical body that lacks God´s breath of life is a mere lump of earth…The fact that no man had yet been created in this passage means God had not yet <b>chosen a pastor</b>…<b>There were many people before Adam, but because they did not know God and they did not have God´s word, they were considered beasts</b>.¨ (Creation of Heaven and Earth, pp. 58, 59, 61).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This means God created people at the beginning of time<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>, </i></span><i>before</i> Adam appeared, who did not have his word<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">s</span>. This creates spiritual problems. Why would the first humans not have God´s words? How long did these humans exist without God´s Word? These and more questions complicate things with his figurative explanation (1). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">U<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">s</span>ing figurative language to m</span></span>ake Genesis 1-3 about a chosen pastor<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> is a way to <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">validate Mr. Lee´s claim about hi<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">mself - the need for a final <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">chosen pastor in Revelation. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This i<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">s not <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">new. </span></span>Man</span></span></span></span></span>y apocalyptic leaders interpret symbols or words to self-validate their group or authority. (Joseph Smith said that the ¨stick¨ in Ez. 37:15-17 was a figurative symbol for the Mormon revelation.) But, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">this is circular since the ¨revealer-prophet¨ is the one who reveals these meanings instead of the written word. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Another problem with this figurative explanation is that Manhee Lee makes Gen. 1-3 a spiritual parable about <i>the creation of a pastor instead of a real account of God's glory and power in creating a physical world from nothing</i>. Shincheonji changes the story and focus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The message God reveals is that the human race needs a savior to restore a broken creation and bring humans back into a perfect and beautiful relationship with God. It is a promise and blessing repeated in Gen. 12 that finds its <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">answers in </span>the Messiah<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, not a final pastor who is not the Messiah.</span> Even early Jewish sources recognized the importance of the <i>Messianic</i> promise after the creation account (2).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">___________________</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(1) An unbiased reading of the Scriptures state that Adam was the first man to be alive, not receive God´s words. ¨Thus, it is written, ´The first man, Adam, became a living being´¨ (I Cor. 15:45). Before Adam, there were no other men. This is why he is called the first. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(2) </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">¨The Palestinian Targum testifies that in Gen. iii.15 there is promised a healing of the bite in the heel from the serpent, which is to take place "at the end of the days, in the days of the King Messiah." In the Palestinian Midrash to Genesis (Bereshith Rabba xii) we read: "The things which God created perfect since man sinned have become corrupt and do not return to their proper condition until the son of Perez (i.e. according to Gen. xxxviii. 29, Ruth iv. 18 ff. the Messiah out of the tribe of Judah) comes." </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: -18pt;"><a href="http://hadavar.org/drupal/book/export/html/107">http://hadavar.org/drupal/book/export/html/107</a>,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: -18pt;"> Accessed July, 2013.</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104439609790739299.post-47508575469578850742010-06-02T13:29:00.008-07:002016-03-06T06:32:59.033-08:00Will Manhee Lee Never Experience Death?<div style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MDGoS36MnbY/TObMn0VZ7TI/AAAAAAAAAAU/DBQ2fsdqNOs/s1600/imagendemanheelee.BMP" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MDGoS36MnbY/TObMn0VZ7TI/AAAAAAAAAAU/DBQ2fsdqNOs/s1600/imagendemanheelee.BMP" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541341375961361714" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MDGoS36MnbY/TObMn0VZ7TI/AAAAAAAAAAU/DBQ2fsdqNOs/s400/imagendemanheelee.BMP" style="float: left; height: 360px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 284px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Dear reader,</span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></b></span></span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">What would you think if someone told you that a man in his 80´s would never see death? Most Christians around the globe would be astounded to know that </span></b></span></span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">M</span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;">anhee</span><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Lee has taught </span></b></span><b style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">he will physically live forever.</span></b><br />
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<b style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This claim is made within an apocalyptic context, but it is also one that Christian historians have seen in other end-time groups. </span></b><br />
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<span style="clear: left; display: inline !important; font-size: 100%; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="clear: left; display: inline !important; font-size: 100%; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">End-time leaders have commonly taught that they would never die. They were certain that they were experiencing the last events of human history and Christianity - the tremendous promises in Revelation, including death itself being destroyed. </span></div>
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<a href="http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j181/CaptPorridge/Mannam/MrLeesm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j181/CaptPorridge/Mannam/MrLeesm.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">In the case of </span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Manhee Lee</span><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">, he teaches that Jesus Christ (a spirit) has uniquely united to his flesh</span></b></span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">. In other words, Lee is the flesh (body) that Jesus</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">'</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> spirit works through in the last days. It is the</span><i> first</i><span style="font-weight: normal;"> flesh-spirit union of many more to come. It is also a time that will see death destroyed. </span></span></b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">As one SCJ instructor declared, ¨Mr. Lee will never die.¨ </span></b></span><b style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></b></span><b style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This belief</span></b><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> should be taken seriously</span></span><b style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> because, as time progress, the world will be able to see if it comes to pass or not. </span></b>In Christian thinking, prophets who make prophecies or predictions in God's name are to be carefully scrutinized. It constitutes one of God's safest tests to believers. </div>
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If the words of the prophet do not happen, regardless of how amazing the prophetic explanations from the leader seem to be, God is not backing the leader or their teachings. According to Dt. 18:22, prophecies that do not materialize mean that either the leader did not receive a revealed word from God or that they spoke presumptuously.</div>
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¨If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place
or come true, that is a message the LORD <b>has not spoken</b>. That prophet
has <b>spoken presumptuously</b>. Do not be afraid of him¨ (Deut. 18:22a). <br />
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When God promises to do something, he carries out his words. When it is a false messenger, he foils them. Isaiah 44:24-26 declares, ¨I am the LORD who <b>foils the signs of false prophets</b>...
who carries out the words of his servants and <b>fulfills the predictions</b>
of his messengers ¨ (Is. 44:24b, 25a, 26a). This is a very simple and logical principle.<br />
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If so, we might ask why a large percentage of insiders remain faithful to an end-time group after a false prophecy is made. Why doesn´t such a group disintegrate? Why would members not be influenced by this?<br />
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First, many members are under a powerful spiritual spell which is not easily broken. End-time leaders are viewed as Jesus´ voice on earth. When a prophecy is changed or modified (because it goes unfulfilled), many devoted members continue without much of an uproar. They are so convinced that not even a false prophecy shakes them. <br />
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A case in point is Joseph Smith, who saw none of his major predictions come true. Yet, members of the Church of the Latter-Day saints still believe he was a true prophet. Followers who become absorbed in high spiritual expectations ironically become desensitized to God´s surest sign of spiritual error.<br />
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One person in Shinchonji mentioned that if Manhee Lee died, it would mean that God's word had failed. They did not see their thinking was backwards. If Mr. Lee's
big prediction fails, it is a sign that his revelation was not God's word. <br />
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What will happen if Manhee Lee dies?<br />
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Some Christians think that Shinchonji will just continue and appoint a successor, who will give a new explanation behind Mr. Lee´s mission. One former member of an end-time group confessed that even when her leader died she continued to believe he was still God's instrument in heaven who was watching over her. <br />
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Have SCJ leaders taught members about Dt. 18:22? It is important for people inside Shinchonji to keep God´s safe test in mind. <br />
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History shows that apocalyptic groups, when false prophecies occur, deny they made the prophecies, modify their meanings, or appoint leaders with new light and the old prophecies are either forgotten or become unimportant. However, as Christians, we must be more spiritually sensitive to God's Spirit and to end-time predictions.<br />
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Pictures courtesy of Modern Religion Monthly (현대종교 http://www.hdjongkyo.co.kr/html/index.html) and www.jmscult.com.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104439609790739299.post-67305220832492330872010-06-02T13:27:00.009-07:002016-02-24T07:33:22.336-08:00Bible Verses Used to Defend Deception.Dear reader,<br />
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According to the Scriptures, God made people in his image and gave us a conscience (Rom. 2:15, Job 27:6). The Apostle Paul, one of the greatest missionaries of all times, wrote that his methods were blameless and tried to do everything with a clear conscience (Ac. 24:15-17, I Cor. 4:4, 2 Cor. 1:12).<br />
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One lady who studied with Shinchonji admitted that she struggled with her conscience. She was instructed to be secretive, elusive, or deceitful to other Christians regarding Shincheonji.<br />
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When confronted about this point, one Shinchonji instructor tried to justify deception using the Bible. He wrote that God's ways are different from ours (Is. 55:8,9). Abraham lied about his wife and was considered righteous. Jacob deceived his family and was honored by God. Moses killed an Egyptian and was chosen by God, and Paul became everything to win everyone (I Cor. 9:19). They also cited Mt. 9:30, Mt. 10:27, Mt. 12:15-16, Mt. 17:9, and 2 Cor. 6:8.<br />
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When the Scriptures are taken as a whole, we see that deception is not a godly method. On the contrary, God instructs believers to put off falsehood (Eph. 4:25) and get rid of all deception (1 Pet. 2:1). Further, when we study the passages and examples cited, they are being used out of context.<br />
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1) Isaiah 55:8,9 does not mean that God allows people to be deceitful (i.e. about Shinchonji's Bible studies). God's point is that his ways are higher, not lower, than ours. God's standard of holiness and righteousness is much higher. Heb. 6:18 teaches us that it is impossible for God to lie.<br />
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2) Abraham's deception about his wife (Gen. 12, 20) was not approved by God (Is. 43:27). He lied about Sarah because he was acting cowardly and lacked trust in God's protection, which is why people often lie - to get out of a sticky situation instead of trusting in God. Galatians 3 and Romans 4 show that Abraham was declared righteous because of his faith against all odds, not because of his deception.<br />
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3) In the same way, Jacob was not honored by God because of his cunning actions. On the contrary, at a critical moment in his life, he was personally confronted by God (Gen. 32). This encounter forced him to come to terms with his dishonesty by answering a question about his name. Jacob had to be broken. In return, God declared that Jacob's name would be changed to Israel.<br />
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4) Moses was a murderer, but the Scriptures do not praise Moses for this action. The point is that God used people throughout the Old Testament not <span style="font-style: italic;">because of</span> their sinful actions but <span style="font-style: italic;">in spite of</span> them. God's grace redeems even the worst of sinners and sinful situations and turns them around for his glory. This shows how God's purposes can overcome our weaknesses and failures.<br />
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5) As the Messiah, Jesus was discerning enough to withhold information from his audience, but this is different than lying to the religious leaders. Christ confessed before the high priest that he had spoken openly about his teachings in the synagogues (Jn. 18:20). Jesus had no ¨deceit in his mouth¨ (I Pet. 2:21,22).<br />
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6) Does the Apostle Paul's phrase in I Cor. 9.19 of becoming ¨a slave¨ to everyone justify trickery? Paul was referring to working within the customs of these groups to win them. His conduct was much like missionaries today. They adapt and work within a different culture as a way to win people. Paul also testified that he never used trickery or deceit (2 Cor. 4:2) and his conduct was pure and blameless (1 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Thes</span>. 2:3-10).<br />
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When we reflect on the way Jesus exemplified morality, honesty, and love, it is easy to discern that his voice would not promote lies, trickery, or deception to spread truths about Revelation and his return.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104439609790739299.post-82619604714942247802010-06-02T13:26:00.012-07:002016-03-06T06:33:51.782-08:00A Misconception about Jesus Christ. Dear reader,<br />
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One of the earliest spiritual movements against Christianity was Gnosticism. In its simplest and reduced form, various Gnostic leaders and schools claimed to know more about Christ than the early Christians. They taught they had hidden knowledge (gnosis) about who Jesus was, what the universe was about, and how to be saved from the evil world/physical matter. <br />
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In response to Gnosticism, early Christians wrote the first creed in Christian history. From Gnosticism and other subsequent movements, Christian thinkers have noted a common theme - <i>dark movements present a different Christ who is supposedly more real than the Christ of Christianity</i>.<br />
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The apostles warned about erroneous ideas concerning Jesus. John wrote that any spirit that denied Jesus coming in the flesh was a spirit of the antichrist (I Jn. 4:2,3), which is what many of the early Gnostic leaders denied. Paul warned about philosophies that did not accept God´s fullness in Jesus' physical body (Col. 2:8,9). He said that no Christian worker could ¨lay any other foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ¨ (I Cor. 3:11). Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb. 13:8).<br />
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One Christian researcher stated that the same Gnostic pattern is observed today in end-time movements. Revelations to prophets from alleged angels, Jesus, or God teach a Jesus who is different in some aspect (and supposedly more accurate than the one in Christian circles). <br />
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What is one of the most common errors about Jesus Christ?<br />
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It is common for Christian cults to reveal a spirit-Christ who is resurrected as a spirit or becomes a spirit after he ascends into heaven. Since Jesus is a spirit being, he then returns invisibly to earth to indwell the leader of an end-time group or invisibly chooses and guides their movement. <br />
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Manhee Lee states that Jesus returns invisibly and unites with the flesh/body of the SCJ pastor (Manhee Lee). ¨Jesus promised that when the gospel of heaven is spread to the ends of the earth, he will return <b>in spirit </b>to unite with his promised pastor¨ (Creation of Heaven and Earth, p. 143). One Shinchonji instructor said that Jesus was transfigured after his death and became a spirit (citing the vision of Jesus in Rev. 1).<br />
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Interestingly enough, Christian leaders and thinkers realize this is not the complete picture.<br />
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First, the information in the Scriptures is that the post-resurrection Jesus is not just a spirit. Something happened to his human side. He was the first human to be glorified (Col. 1:19, I Cor. 15:20). Christ is the first man of a new, human existence. When confronted by the religious leaders, Jesus predicted something would happen to his physical body (Jn. 2:19-21). His body, not the temple in Jerusalem, would be rebuilt.<br />
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When Christ rose from the dead, he proved he was not just a spirit (Lk. 24:39). He challenged his disciples to touch his hands and feet. His body was the same in some aspects, but totally different in another sense (i.e. glorified). The body that suffered death was raised to life and never saw decay or destruction again (Ac. 2:31, 13:34). Acts 13:34 says, ¨As to his raising him from the dead, no more to return to corruption.¨ <br />
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It was a new human body in glory. In Philippians 3:21, while mentioning God´s plan to glorify mortal bodies, Paul refers to Christ´s present body in glory. ¨And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies<b> </b>so that they will be like<b> his glorious body </b>(or body of his glory in some translations)¨ (Phil. 3:21).<br />
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The disciples also believed that Jesus never lost his human side. Years after his ascension, they continued to refer to Christ as a man. ¨For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the <b>man</b> Christ Jesus¨ (I Tim. 2:5). ¨He has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a <b>man</b> whom he has appointed¨ (Ac. 17:30). In Hebrews 2, the Bible states that Jesus became humanity's high priest forever, a unique mediator who shares our human nature.<br />
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Secondly, if Jesus became a spirit after his ascension, then his human resurrection was not real. It would be a contradiction of terms. According to the definition of the resurrection, God powerfully infuses into a human body a new and higher glorified form with an indestructible nature (See I Cor. 15:42-44). In other words, a resurrected human body is designed to exist forever. This is what Jesus experienced when he rose from the dead. His body was glorified, not disintegrated or transfigured into a spirit.<br />
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When the Corinthians asked about the future resurrection body, Paul explains that it's a higher body, imperishable, greater in power and glory (I Corinthians 15:42-44). It is a body that is indestructible, which means nothing can destroy it. It´s a body that puts on ¨immortality¨ (I Cor. 15:53). Further, the word ¨body¨ in I Cor. 15 in the original language is used of a physical, material body, not an immaterial spirit-body. <br />
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End-time groups mistake ¨spiritual body¨ in 1 Cor. 15:44 for ¨spirit body,¨ which denies the physical side of the resurrection body. ¨Spiritual body¨ refers to a human body infused with new, supernatural life.<br />
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How do final leaders justify their teachings of Jesus being a spirit?<br />
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First, leaders condition members by claiming that Christianity is in spiritual darkness. They are the chosen prophets to reveal the real meaning of biblical definitions and passages. Thus, even when the written words appear to communicate something different, only the leader's revealed meaning is the correct one. <br />
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Second, instead of harmonizing all the texts about Jesus, leaders use selected verses that speak of the Spirit of Jesus. Yet, God´s voice in the Scriptures reveals two concepts regarding Jesus - his God-like nature and his glorified human side. Both are true, not just one. This is what Christian churches everywhere see - Christ is the first human of a new kind of existence, the first to rise from the dead in glory (Col. 1:19, Rev. 1:5).<br />
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These points are relevant when a leader talks about Jesus returning to earth as a spirit in a secretive way. In contrast, Jesus says he will return as a king ¨in power and great glory¨ and all the nations will see him and mourn (Mt. 24:30). According to the angels in Acts 1:11, the same Jesus who left (in a glorified body) is the <i>same</i> one coming back, not a different Jesus. Jesus, the Messiah, is not just a spirit. He is much more.<br />
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Addtional Points/Questions.</div>
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What about Shinchonji´s teaching that Jesus is a spirit based on the vision of Jesus in Revelation 1? Could not Jesus have been transfigured like in Matthew 17 (i.e. transfigured into a spirit)?<br />
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First, the image in Revelation 1 is an image of a glorified Jesus, but it is not a literal description. It reflects Old Testament images of God in glory (Dan. 7:9). Second, when Jesus was transfigured in Mt. 17, he did not become a spirit. He did not lose his physical humanity. Rather, his glory was shown through his humanity. Even Manhee Lee mentions that Jesus was still flesh. ¨On the mountain of transfiguration Jesus and his disciples were <b>still flesh</b>, but Moses Elijah, and God were spirits¨ (p. 425, Creation of Heaven and Earth). Third, the Bible teaches that even after the ascension, Jesus still possesses his human (and new glorified) body. The Apostle Paul makes this point at the end of Phil. 3:21.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></span>From these points, we see that the Bible shows that God did not destroy Jesus' humanity. On the contrary, he glorified it. I Peter 1:21 reads, ¨<span style="font-style: italic;">Through him (Christ) you believe in God, who raised him from the dead, and</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> glorified him</span>.¨ God gave him an imperishable resurrection body in glory, unlike our frail, sin-infested, and mortal bodies. Christ Jesus is the first<span style="font-style: italic;"> human</span> to put on incorruption (I Cor. 15:20).<br />
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How could a normal physical body (¨flesh and blood¨) enter heaven, a spiritual place?<br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 13.6px;">Regarding the phrase ¨flesh and bones¨ in I Cor. 15:50, it is a synonym for </span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 13.6px;">a corruptible, sin-tarnished body. This is a phrase for mortal bodies, but not immortal, resurrection bodies. The Apostle Paul is saying that a weak, dying body (i.e. flesh and blood) cannot enter heaven because it needs to put on ¨immortality¨ first (i.e. be glorified). Since Jesus´s body put on immortality, it wasn't a problem. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 85%;">His new body was no longer mortal. It was a supernatural body made for glory (i.e. a place of glory). As mentioned above, it was both the same and different as his physical body before. It was now superior in that it could defy normal limitations. This is why it is not a mortal human body. The Scriptures reveal that the Messiah´s humanity was glorified and physically taken up to heaven (Acts 1:9-11, Heb. 1:3). </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 85%;">How do you explain that Paul says that there is a spiritual body in I Cor. 15:44?</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 85%;">As mentioned above, the meaning of the ¨resurrection¨ involves a new human body (See Is. 26:19). So, keep this in mind when thinking about a resurrected ¨spiritual body¨. </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 85%;">It is not people becoming resurrected spirits. The phrase ¨spiritual body¨ in I Cor. 15:44 refers to a higher human body in contrast to mortal bodies, which are frail, corruptible, and sinful. Further, the word ¨body¨ in Greek refers to a physical body, not an immaterial body. When Jesus was raised, his body was not a spirit (Lk. 24:39). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 85%;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 85%;">A resurrection body with no human body would be like a wedding without a bride. By spiritual body, Paul is affirming that the resurrection body is not natural or normal. It is superior to the sinful body. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 85%;">The verses before and after v. 44 indicate that he is talking about a different kind of human body. </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 85%;">It is ¨spiritual¨ in the sense that it is a higher make up than the natural body. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">In Romans 8:11,23, the Bible says our mortal bodies will experience a change like Jesus<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">'</span> did. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 85%;">(1) See Shinchonji's first article on the Trinity on their website where they say that Jesus is a spirit after his ascension. </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104439609790739299.post-1507078264175237572010-06-02T13:26:00.009-07:002016-01-24T05:17:01.368-08:00Can Shincheonji be Corrected? Dear reader,<br />
<br />
What would you think of final prophets who would not let themselves be corrected by the Bible? This would seem strange and spiritually haughty. All Christians know that we must submit to God's Word and let the Scriptures correct us. All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for correction (2 Tim. 3:16). In Christian thinking, the Scriptures contain spiritual truths from Christ for our lives.<br />
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In end-time groups, final prophets use a series of statements that make it nearly impossible for Christians to correct them with God's Word. These spiritual points elevate the prophet's voice over God's voice in the written word. Even though final prophets encourage Christians to test their revelation with the Bible, their claims simultaneously make it difficult to <i>correct</i> their revelation with the Bible. This is why many end-time movements continue to exist today. <br />
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What are these points that make it difficult to correct revelations to final leaders/prophets?<br />
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<b>1. Final prophets have the power to remove what seems clear in Scripture. </b><br />
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Since final prophets claim to receive information from angels, Jesus, or God, this allows them to give the real meaning to prophetic and non-prophetic parts of the Bible. Even clear parts of the Bible can mean something different if the leader uses a different connection or a spiritual definition of a word. The true meaning of a verse in the written word does not depend on what the words communicate on their own. For instance, Ac. 1:9-11 does not mean what most Christians think it means. The final prophet has the authority to define figurative/hidden language in reference to clouds and give the right meaning.<br />
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Since Jesus and God are seen to be working through the prophet, the leader becomes the ¨revealer¨. The prophet does not submit to the written word, but reveals it. This gives unlimited interpretation power to the leader. It also means he does not have to submit to the ideas that God was making clear in the written word. <br />
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When leaders have this special anointing, it disarms Christians from using comprehensible passages in the Bible (the written word) to correct a final leader. When a group is challenged, the final leader and his group respond by saying that the true meaning of many verses is hidden. In this way, the final leader does not have to submit to the meaning that Christians clearly see God's voice saying in Scripture.<br />
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Once I met up with a leader in a movement in Latin America. When he pointed out that the Son of God did not exist before coming to earth, I told him that most Christians see the Scriptures saying the opposite (Jn. 1:1, Jn. 17:5, Mic. 5:2, Jn. 8:58, Phil. 2:6, etc.). This pastor agreed with my comment and, paraphrasing him, said, ¨What you really need is revelation knowledge to see this.¨ <br />
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Secondly, another consequence of this relates to members of these movements. When final leaders introduce new definitions, connections, and explanations to the written word, followers accept the new interpretations thinking this is what the Bible is affirming all along. They believe the Bible is saying new things even when Christians see the written word saying something else. This makes it hard to use Scriptures to correct revelations when final prophets have given the same verses new meanings.<br />
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For example, Jesus refers to a visible coming in Mt. 24:27 when he uses lightning. But, Christians cannot use this to correct Shinchonji's teaching of an invisible return because SCJ uses other verses (e.g. Lk. 10:18, Rev. 11:19) to show that lightning in Mt. 24:27 is not visible. This is why Christians and members of end-time groups can debate and get nowhere. Both sides are using the written word in different ways. <b> </b><br />
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<b>2. A final leader claims that Jesus has opened up seals to them in the Bible. </b><br />
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When a final prophet proclaims that Jesus or God has opened seals and mysteries to them in the Bible, it makes it difficult for outside Christians to refute what they reveal because the Christian world is said to only go by a closed book/sealed prophecies. Manhee Lee makes this point when talking about the importance of a revealed word and the time of unsealed prophecies (Creation of Heaven and Earth, pp. 6-9).<br />
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In Christian thinking, a revelation to a leader must still submit to the clear ideas in the written word. But, leaders with a revealed word argue that Christians are like the Pharisees in the first coming. They cannot rightly interpret the written word when the prophecies are sealed. When the Bible is made to be a completely sealed book, it implies that what most Christians see the Bible saying does not necessarily mean it is the right meaning. <br />
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One person wrote saying that one Shinchonji instructor told him and another person to completely put aside what they had thought the Bible was saying before. For example, Shinchonji gives a revealed meaning to the events in Rev. 6, 8, & 9, referring to the church of the seven golden lampstands. Most Christians, however, see the events referring to people in the whole world. <br />
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When Christians try to use the voice in God's written word to correct Shinchonji, Manhee Lee's writings claim that Christians are using a closed book, which they cannot interpret or understand correctly.<br />
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<b>3. Final leaders claim that all Christians who do not believe in their revelation are deceived by Satan and follow traditions of men.</b><br />
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In end-time movements, the group's literature has many statements about Christians being in darkness and only using traditions of men. In Christian thinking, ¨traditions of men¨ are ideas that are not clearly stated in God's written revelation. It's extra information. For example, the Pharisees held on to a Corban tradition that nullified God's command to honor one's parents (Mk. 7:9-13).<br />
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To final prophets' ¨traditions of men¨ are defined as Christian beliefs that the majority of Christian churches have about Christ Jesus and the written word. In Manhee Lee's writings, he teaches that all ministers in Christianity are either going by the traditions of men or are unscriptural and blinded. <br />
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The problem is that this forces insiders to rely more fully on what the final leader reveals to be true than what the voice in the written word is saying. This is why it is hard to correct members with the written word since they have been trained to think that the written word is only open to the final leader. They believe outside Christians are deceived by Satan's kingdom. <br />
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<b>4. Final leaders use circular reasoning/interpretation. </b><br />
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When a final prophet employs circular reasoning/interpretation, it is nearly impossible for Christians to correct them with the written word. For example, many leaders have revealed that they or their group is ¨the servant¨ in Mt. 24:45-47. The servant is the final leader, which is revealed by the final leader. But, the written word on its own does not speak of one final servant (but faithful servants in general). The leader can give this circular interpretation even if Christians see the written word saying something different. <br />
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Taken together, these four statements make it hard for Christians to correct final leaders with God's Word. In addition, leaders have much spiritual pride and confidence that no believer can answer their questions or give them better interpretations. They are the teachers and everyone in Christianity must listen to them.<br />
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Since we are supposed to humbly put ourselves under/submit to the Lord's voice in Scripture, it is important to let God's voice in the written word correct the voice in a revealed word, not the other way around. All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for correction (2 Tim. 3:16,17). When end-time leaders use these points to support new interpretations, Christians should be cautious.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104439609790739299.post-90340798729314836992010-06-02T13:24:00.011-07:002015-06-18T17:19:56.702-07:00How the Bible is Quoted.<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1361023035147_1939">
Dear reader,<br />
<br />
If you were to meet up with two deceptive spirits that were going to interpret the Bible, how do you think they would do this? This question is at the heart of end-time groups.<br />
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Here are some possibilities. <br />
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1. Contexts (verses before and after a verse) would be ignored.<br />
2. Clear verses would be ignored or de-emphasized in favor of new information.<br />
3. Connections between verses are made that no one else sees.<br />
4. New meanings are given to difficult verses.<br />
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These are just a few examples.<br />
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This question is important because end-time leaders teach that a spirit or spirits (Jesus, an angel, the
Holy Spirit, etc) appeared to them in a vision and gave them important
Bible explanations about the end of the world. These leaders say
they have a special anointing to explain the Bible. In Shinchonji, Manhee
Lee is reported to have received information from God, Jesus, and
angels. <br />
<br />
As Christians, we are told not to believe every spirit, but to test them (I John 4:1). In Christian thinking, when spirits claiming to be angels or Jesus communicate messages that distort, twist, or misapply God's Word, something is amiss. Below is an edited summary from a book on some of the most common techniques used by end-time teachers or preachers who do not rightly divide the Bible (1).<br />
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<b>1. BIBLICAL HOOK:</b> A text of Scripture is quoted as a way to make readers think the text is affirming what the author is saying. However, when the text is consulted carefully, it speaks of something else.<br />
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Both Shinchonji and the Watchtower Society quote Mt. 24:45-47 to prove that God chooses a final servant (their leader/s) to guide the Christian world in the end. However, when Christians read these verses carefully, they see Jesus referring to all faithful disciples in the end. Another example is when Shinchonji uses 1 Thess. 5:1-11 to interpret those in the light as those with the revealed word, when God's voice in the written word refers to believers at large. <br />
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<b>2. IGNORING THE IMMEDIATE CONTEXT:</b> A text of Scripture is quoted but removed from the surrounding verses which form the immediate framework for its meaning.<br />
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When Jesus uses lightning in Mt. 24:27 for <i>visibility</i>, he is rebutting the idea of a secret or regional appearance/return to earth. Shinchonji removes the meaning from its context, quoting other verses (Lk. 10:18, Rev. 11:19) to show that lightning in Mt. 24:27 should mean <i>invisibility</i>. Another example is Jer. 31:27 where God is prophesying a restoration for Israel (in context), but Shinchonji links it to Jesus' parable of the two seeds in Mt. 13.<br />
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<b>3. COLLAPSING CONTEXTS:</b> Two or more verses which have little or nothing to do with each other are put together as if one were a commentary of the other(s).<br />
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In Manhee Lee's revelation, he teaches that Jesus (a pastor) is the light in Jn. 8:12 and makes this the commentary/link to the light (a pastor) being chosen on the first day of creation in Gen. 1. Shinchonji makes the metaphor of a ¨beast¨ (one without God's knowledge/ungodly leaders) in Prov. 30:2,3 and Is. 56:9-11 a commentary for the ¨beast¨ in Rev. 13 (a false pastor without God's revealed word). <br />
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<b>4. OVERSPECIFICATION:</b> A more detailed or specific conclusion than is legitimate is drawn from a biblical text.<br />
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Manhee Lee quotes Hos. 12:10, which speaks of parables and visions in general, to support that the Apostle John figure in Revelation is a prophecy for a future leader (Mr. Lee). However, Hos. 12:10 does not specify that this refers to the Apostle John. Another example is taking the Counselor-promise in Jn. 14,16 to specifically include another flesh-human body (Mr. Lee). <br />
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<b>5. WORD PLAY:</b> A word or phrase from a biblical translation is examined and interpreted in a different language as if the revelation had been given in that language.<br />
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This happens with the Korean language in Shinchonji. When referring to the Counselor, Manhee Lee quotes the word, ¨Bohaesa,¨ (Korean-Chinese) to re-inforce the idea of a teacher with grace. He also quotes a Korean word, ¨tongdal,¨ (mastery, thorough knowledge) for ¨search¨ in 1 Cor. 2:10 to show that the Apostle John has perfect mastery of the Bible. The word in Greek for ¨search¨ or ¨examine¨ does not mean mastery. See the article on the Counselor.<br />
<b><br /></b><b>6. THE FIGURATIVE FALLACY:</b> Either making literal language out of figurative language or mistaking figurative language for literal language.<br />
<b><br /></b>In Manhee Lee's book, he argues that this is the problem with the Christian world: incorrectly making figurative language literal. He fixes the problem. In Christian thinking, the written word (when given) is the key. For example, Jesus refers to the real temple in Jerusalem in Mt. 24:1,2, but Mr. Lee makes it figurative because the word ¨temple¨ can often be figurative. He does not let the context determine the meaning.<br />
<b><br /></b><b>7. SELECTIVE CITING:</b> To substantiate a given argument, only a limited number of texts is quoted. The total teaching of Scripture on that subject would lead to a conclusion different from that of the writer.<br />
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According to Shinchonji's revelation, the post-ascension Christ is a spirit who works through Manhee Lee's body/flesh. One SCJ member cited different verses referring to the Spirit (of Jesus) in Revelation and Galations to prove this. Yet, other verses reveal that Jesus is not <i>only</i> a spirit, but also a superhuman (the first glorified human). Both are true because the Messiah has two natures. Another point is pointing to some verses where God rejects Israel in the prophets, but not accepting the verses where God promises to fully restore Israel in the prophets. See other articles on these points for additional information.<br />
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<b>8. INADEQUATE EVIDENCE:</b> A hasty generalization is drawn from too little evidence. It is based only on the authority of the leader or group´s interpretation.<br />
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In Manhee Lee's book, <i>Creation of Heaven and Earth</i>, the connections and explanations in Revelation are based on Mr. Lee's authority. For example, he interprets the ¨east¨ in Rev. 7 as Korea. But, it is based on Mr. Lee's authoritative explanation of ¨heaven¨ and his own authority/testimony of being the Apostle John figure who knows the physical fulfillment of the events. See the article on the 144,000 in Rev. 7.<br />
<b><br /></b><b>9. CONFUSED DEFINITION:</b> A biblical or Christian term is misunderstood or misdefined in such a way as to be rejected.<br />
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Shinchoji misdefines the Christian definition of the Trinity. Christians familiar with this topic know that this happens in other spirit-revelations to final prophets. In Christian teaching, there is a careful distinction between one God being and three God persons. However, Shinchonji argues that when Christians refer to the Trinity, they are referring to<i> three beings</i> and <i>one being</i> (instead of the real definition of<i> one being</i> and<i> three persons</i>). See the article on the Trinity for more information.<br />
<b><br /></b><b>10. </b><b>WORLD-VIEW CONFUSION:</b> Scriptural concepts, ideas, or symbols which have a particular meaning within the cultural framework of the Bible are lifted out of that context, placed within the frame of reference of another system and given a meaning that differs from their intended meaning.<br />
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Shinchonji's revelation teaches that the spirits of the martyrs will come back to earth and unite with the flesh of those believers at the first resurrection in Rev. 20. This is the meaning of the resurrection, which is more of a mixture of eastern ideas of reincarnation than a Christian one. The biblical concept of the resurrection refers to a spirit being united to a person´s own flesh that God re-creates and glorifies, similar to what happened to the Lord Jesus, who is the firstfruits of future resurrections (I Cor. 15:20, Rom. 8:11, Phil. 3:21, Is. 26:19). See other articles on this point.<br />
<b><br /></b><b>11. VIRTUE BY ASSOCIATION:</b> Either a leader associates his or her teachings with figures accepted as authoritative by traditional Christians, or a leader's situation is likened to people and events in the Bible.<br />
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Shinchonji considers their situation to be like Christ's in the first century. All other Christian leaders are compared to the Pharisees who misinterpreted the Messianic prophecies and would not listen to Jesus. In the same way, Christians today do not understand the end-time prophecies and do not listen to Manhee Lee. Or, just like Paul had to leave his teachings and hear Jesus' voice, Christians must leave their pastors and follow Mr. Lee's voice. Comparisons and associations like this are made in SCJ's literature.<br />
<b><br /></b><b>12. ESOTERIC INTERPRETATION: </b>The assumption is that the Bible's prophecies contains hidden, esoteric meanings which are opened only to those who are initiated into its secrets. The interpreter declares the significance of biblical passages without giving much, if any, explanation for his or her interpretation.<br />
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Manhee Lee and other apocalyptic movements in South Korea have taught that the parables are written in coded/secret information to keep God's plans hidden from Satan. Also, when reading Mr. Lee's interpretations of Revelation, it seems that the revealed word ¨revealed¨ meanings, but did not submit to the clear ideas that come from the written word in Revelation. See other articles on this point. In the end, the revealed meanings and Bible connections in Shinchonji are based Manhee Lee's authority.<br />
<b><br /></b><b>13. SUPPLEMENTING BIBLICAL AUTHORITY:</b> New revelation from post biblical prophets either replaces or is added to the Bible as authority.<br />
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The real voice that the Christian world must listen to is the revealed word, which is the interpreter of the written word. The revealed word is considered God's Word. Even if the Bible affirms something different at face value, people are taught to listen to the revealed word. The written word, especially in relation to prophecies about Jesus´ return, is said to be sealed from other Christians. This makes the leader's voice the voice of understanding and authority (even above God´s voice in the Bible).<br />
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___________________________<br />
(1) Taken and adapted from this webpage on James Sire's book, ¨<a href="http://www.apologeticsindex.org/b03.html">Scripture Twisting</a>¨. <a href="http://www.apologeticsindex.org/b03.html">http://www.apologeticsindex.org/b03.html</a><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104439609790739299.post-64744008746714356972010-06-02T13:23:00.003-07:002015-06-18T17:20:59.538-07:00Does Rev. 8,9 Refer to a Church in South Korea?<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
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Dear reader,</div>
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Shinchonji teaches that an angel and a spirit-Jesus appeared to Manhee Lee on a mountain in South Korea. Also, SCJ believes that the Counselor-Holy Spirit promises in Jn. 14,16 are fulfilled by the Spirit uniting to Mr. Lee's flesh in the end-times. Thus, Mr. Lee is an important figure in the end.</div>
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In Shinchonji thinking, he is the Apostle John figure in Revelation through whom Jesus' spirit works in the last days. He is one of the two witnesses in Rev. 11, the main fulfillment of the one who overcomes in Rev. 2,3, and the white horse (flesh) that Jesus' spirit uses to return to earth in Rev. 19. The appearance of an angel and a spirit-Jesus to Manhee Lee is believed to be the physical fulfillment of Rev. 1:1-3 and Rev. 10.</div>
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When a pastor in the Christian world makes these claims, we must be cautious as Christians and test the revelations with the Bible (I Jn. 4:1, I Tim. 4:1). Many leaders have been deceived by voices from the spirit world. Of course, testing is not unkindly attacking a leader or their followers, who are loved by God. But, it is important to avoid deception.</div>
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One of the most effective tests is to see if a revealed voice (i.e. the leader's message) matches the voice in God's written word. In Christian thinking, God's voice found in the written word is far superior to spirit-revelations to end-time leaders. Let's look at an example in Revelation 8 and 9.</div>
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According to Manhee Lee's book, <i>The Truth Regarding Revelation´s Fulfillment</i>, Jesus chose a special church in South Korea (the Church of the Seven Lampstands). However, this church betrayed Jesus' words and was invaded by a false pastor and his associates. (The intruders are known as the ¨destroyers¨ or ¨Nicolaitans¨ and the church members who betrayed are the ¨betrayers¨.) These are two of the important mysteries in Revelation.</div>
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Manhee Lee interprets Rev. 8 and 9 to refer to the betrayal and destruction of the Church of the Seven Lampstands. Since these church members betrayed Jesus (and refused to repent after being warned about the destroyers/Nicolaitans), they are punished. The plagues in Rev. 8 and 9 refer to the punishment of those in the Church of the Seven Lampstands who refused to repent.</div>
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¨<b>This plague of the seven trumpets is a punishment for the church of the seven golden lampstands</b> (Rv. 6:15,16). They are punished because they entered the caves and rocks of the gentiles even after receiving Jesus' letter telling them to repent and overcome the Nicolaitans (Rev. 2,3). <b>The church of the seven golden lampstands was specially chosen by God, but they failed him.</b> If God's chosen church betrayed him, just imagine the condition of the rest of the world's churches¨ (Creation of Heaven and Earth, p. 198).</div>
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What follows is a condensed, figurative explanation of Rev. 8 and 9 from Manhee Lee's book, <i>Creation of Heaven and Earth</i> (pp. 197,198). For a fuller description, please consult his book.</div>
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1. In the first trumpet (Rev. 8:7), God's chosen people who betrayed represent the earth, trees and grass.</div>
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2. In the second trumpet (Rev. 8:8,9), the creatures in the sea symbolize the chosen people who betrayed, and the ships are the churches of the chosen people.</div>
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3. In the third trumpet (Rev. 8:10,11), the springs and rivers refer to pastors and evangelists from the chosen people.</div>
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4. In the fourth trumpet (Rev. 8:12), the sun, moon, and stars represent the pastors, evangelists, and congregation members of the tabernacle of the chosen people (from the church of the seven lampstands). They are destroyed.</div>
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In Rev. 8:13, Manhee Lee teaches that when the eagle speaks of the people on earth and the next three trumpet sounds, it refers to the <i>people of the tabernacle of the seven golden lampstands</i>. ¨An eagle flying in midair calls out three loud ´woes´ to those who live on the earth...<b>The people of the earth</b> are the <b>people of the tabernacle of the seven golden lampstands</b>¨ (Creation of Heaven and Earth, p. 198).</div>
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5. In the fifth trumpet (Rev. 9:1-11), the locusts are interpreted as false pastors who torture the betrayers. The abyss refers to the churches of the Nicolaitan destroyers (who invaded the Church of the Seven Golden Lampstands).</div>
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6. In the sixth trumpet (Rev. 6:13-21), the heads of the horses are interpreted as seven pastors and their tails are false prophets (i.e. pastors who betrayed) that belonged to the seven pastors. The fire, smoke, and sulfur are the doctrines of the false pastors <b>who kill people's spirits</b>.</div>
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Manhee Lee summarizes chapter 9 in this way, ¨In this chapter, Jesus judges the chosen people from the church of the seven golden lampstands that betrayed (Rv. 6), and these betrayers enter a gentile church. Even after seeing a third of their spirits killed there, they still refuse to repent¨ (Creation of Heaven and Earth, p. 201).</div>
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What problems do we discern with these interpretations from the spirit revelations Manhee Lee received?</div>
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First, Manhee Lee's perception of the Church of the Seven Lampstands is a problem since it was an apocalyptic movement in South Korea. (See the article about the history of Mr. Lee before Shinchonji.) Mr. Lee was involved in this movement and others before founding Shinchonji.</div>
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Second, when Christians read through Rev. 8 and 9, the voice in the Scriptures does not correspond to Manhee Lee's explanation in several points. </div>
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For example, God's voice in the written word does not suggest the events are happening in a local area on earth (i.e. South Korea), but the earth at large (Rev. 8:7, 8:13, 9:18). Manhee Lee interprets ¨earth¨ and ¨inhabitants of the earth¨ as symbols for the congregation members of the Church of the Seven Lampstands, but the meaning in the written word refers to all the people in the world. In the Olivet discourse, Jesus also confirmed that a time of universal distress unparalleled in history would come in the end (Mk. 13:19,20).</div>
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The context of Rev. 8 and 9 is one of great distress on the whole earth where humans seek relief from their suffering. After the fifth plague, people ¨<b>seek death</b>, but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will allude them¨ (Rev. 9:6). Shinchonji's pastor interprets these deaths and suffering in spiritual terms, but who would seek spiritual deaths because of suffering? Interpreting ¨deaths¨ as dying ¨spiritually¨ and ¨people on earth¨ to ¨people in the Church of the Seven Lampstands¨ is a voice that differs from the Bible's revelation.</div>
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This point leads to a conclusion that many Christian apologists notice in end-time groups. The leader's interpretations of the Bible become the meaning of the text instead of the Bible's self-revelation. Apocalyptic leaders claim that they have an anointing that gives them a hidden, deeper meaning that has been sealed in Revelation. Thus, in their groups, their explanations are more inspired than the meanings from the text.</div>
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For instance, when Rev. 9:20,21 says that the inhabitants of the earth refused to repent, Manhee Lee teaches that it is because they betrayed Jesus. However, there is no indication from the text that they were Christians (from a church congregation, like in Rev. 2 and 3). The written word states that they did not repent of<i> their great evils and sins</i> - worshiping idols, committing murder, acts of sorcery, sexual behavior, and thefts (Rev. 9:20,21). The Bible does not reveal that they used to be a chosen people, but humankind at large.</div>
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¨<b>The rest of humankind</b>, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands or give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk. And they did not repent of their murders or or their sorceries or their fornication or their thefts¨ (Rev. 9:20,21, NRSV).</div>
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As mentioned above, end-time prophets with revelations from the spirit world (angels, Jesus, the Spirit of prophecy, or God) consider themselves ¨revealers¨ of the written word. They reveal the real, hidden interpretations to prophecies and make new connections that no Christian sees. Their voice is God's Word to their followers (even if the written word affirms something else).</div>
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In Christian thinking, this is a severe error. The voice in the written word is more reliable than a new voice from final leaders, especially when voices from the spirit world inspired the leaders. Jesus' first sign of the end is pastors or prophets who come in his name (i.e. as his spokesperson on earth) and demand all Christians to follow them (Mt. 24:4,5, Lk. 21:8). One of the most important ways to discern spiritual error is when the voice in the Bible does not match what the leader is revealing.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104439609790739299.post-23408056537180628542010-06-02T13:22:00.000-07:002016-01-24T05:18:21.602-08:00Jesus' Warnings in the Olivet Discourse. Dear reader,<br />
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Imagine walking with Jesus Christ and being able to converse with him about the end. When the disciples asked the Lord about his return, what was his first sign? Jesus gave an important sign that is <i>before</i> the Apostle John's visions in Revelation. This first sign concerns future leaders who would appear and take his place (Mt. 24:4, Lk. 21:8).<br />
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When Christians study the writings of other apocalyptic groups, this point emerges. One simple lady once said that she did not join an apocalyptic group when she heard the members continually praise and exalt the role of their prophet. In practice, they emphasized their leader more, not the Lord Jesus. <br />
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While reading Manhee Lee's book, I thought about this point too. Does the revelation to Mr. Lee put Mr. Lee on a level that takes the Son of Man's place? To find answers to this question, we need to analyze the specific signs Jesus reveals about final leaders in the Olivet discourse (Mt. 24, Mk. 13, Lk. 21).<br />
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1. ¨<i>For many will come in my name</i>¨ (Mt. 24:4). The Lord says that a leader will come in his name (i.e. claim to be his authority and representative on earth). In Shinchonji, Manhee Lee claims to come in Jesus' name. ¨The next advocate, the holy spirit of the advocate who comes from heaven at the second coming, <b>comes in Jesus' name</b>¨(Creation of Heaven and Earth, p. 437).<br />
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2. ¨<i>Many will come in my name, saying I am he</i>,¨ (Mk. 13:5). Jesus says that the leader will announce to everyone that he is the one everyone was waiting for in the end. He is linked to the Messiah's presence. In the same way, Manhee Lee teaches that he is the body/flesh that people see when Jesus' spirit returns to earth. <br />
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¨Jesus promised that when the gospel of heaven is spread to the ends of the earth, he will return <span style="font-weight: bold;">in spirit to unite with his promised pastor</span>¨ (Creation of Heaven and Earth, p. 143). Manhee Lee states that he is "the flesh" through whom Jesus appears in Rev. 19. ¨John sees heaven open and someone called 'Faithful and True' riding a white horse leading the armies of God (Rev. 19:11)...The spirit chooses <b>one flesh</b> as its horse and works through that person. At the second coming, Jesus chooses the one who overcomes (Rev. 3:12) as his horse and works through him (Rev. 6:2)¨ (Creation of Heaven and Earth, pp. 246,247).<br />
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3. ¨<i>I am he and the time is at hand</i>,¨ (Lk. 21:8). Jesus says that a leader not only proclaims to be the savior-Messiah's presence, but he announces the coming of the end of the age. In Manhee Lee's book, he writes that he is witnessing the end of the age and that the time is at hand. ¨...the prophecies in the New Testament exist to testify about the promised pastor who acts <span style="font-weight: bold;">as a savior</span>¨ (Creation of Heaven and Earth, p. 177). ¨<span style="font-weight: bold;">Today the time that was appointed </span>for Revelation's fulfillment has finally come¨ (p. 564).<br />
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4. ¨...<i>they will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect</i>.¨ The Lord teaches that final leaders will perform signs to convince people, almost convincing the elect (Mt. 24:24). A sign is necessary to give the leader credibility and convince many. Manhee Lee states that mastery of the Bible's prophecies is a spiritual sign that he is the chosen pastor (i.e. explanations of Revelation).<br />
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5. <i>¨At that time if anyone says to you, Look, here is the Christ...There he is, out in the desert, do not go out... or here he is in the inner rooms, do not believe it.¨</i> Jesus states that some will announce how the Lord returns. They will point to a hidden or secret return (Mt. 24:26,27, Lk. 13:21). In Shinchonji's article on Rev. 1:7, Shinchonji teaches that Jesus comes back in an invisible way and the final pastor is the one everyone sees. <br />
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When thinking about these signs from the Lord Jesus, we see that he expects us to wait for him, not a leader who comes in his name or embodies a spirit return of Christ. When leaders of apocalyptic movements appear, they say they come as servants of the Lord but end up ruling, judging, and saving the Christian world in place of the Lord. In Manhee Lee's book, the emphasis is noticeably on Mr. Lee and his final role. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104439609790739299.post-18787926924127089772010-06-02T13:21:00.001-07:002016-03-06T06:12:46.133-08:00Questions for Intellectual Christians.Dear reader,<br />
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Shincheonji/Shinchonji teaches that Jesus' words, Jesus' spirit (and, by extension, Jesus' intelligence) is uniquely tied to their human pastor, Manhee Lee. He is the Lord Jesus´ representative in the last days - the flesh/body Jesus Christ uses on earth to fulfill his promises in Revelation. This is why Mr. Lee's voice is considered the voice of Christ.<br />
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If you were a spiritual detective, what would make you or other thinking Christians doubt this claim? What mistakes, contradictions, problems, practices, or lack of information would lead you to a different conclusion? If a movement is from God, it should be sound in all areas, not just in Revelation.<br />
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Christian intellectuals who study characteristics of Christian cults (end-time movements) in history notice a common feature from the kingdom of darkness. Visions from spirit beings (angels, Jesus, or God) will <span style="font-style: italic;">inaccurately</span> represent Christianity or exaggerate claims to make it seem like they are the only ones who are spiritual and in the light. Everyone else is in darkness. <br />
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For example, in Manhee Lee's book, <i>Creation of Heaven and Earth</i>, he considers pastors and evangelists in Christian circles to be unspiritual and care only about money. Yet, I have met many missionaries and ministers in poor areas of Latin America who have a genuine love for the Lord Jesus and no interest in materialism or weath. These claims by Mr. Lee are exaggerated and make it seem that he alone is reliable. <br />
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What other cases of exaggeration or misrepresentation do we see in Shincheonji? <br />
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Shincheonji, like other Christian cults/end-time groups introduce new concepts about God´s nature, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit. In doing so, they mock Christians who believe in the Trinity, the special relationship between God the Father, the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit. They all represent God´s nature but are distinct. Christian cults deceptively define this relationship incorrectly or they argue that no one really knows how to define it. The point is that they are the new revealers of God´s nature. Yet, a misdefinition constitutes a red flag. <br />
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As one Christian pointed out, ¨Since Jesus Christ is the head of Christianity and supremely intelligent, he knows the definition Christians have been using for the last 1,500 years.¨ He is not going to use an erroneous definition to convince Christians that it is erroneous. This would only hurt his cause. On the contrary, such deception and misrepresentation is a spiritual tactic from the kingdom of darkness. <br />
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Imagine you met someone who claimed that American football was an illogical sport, but they re-defined the game to make it look illogical (e.g. that teams have five down or touchdowns count as 10 points). Most people would not give them much credibility. <br />
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Once a leader of a Christian cult in Latin America met up with me to explain their group's teachings. When he mentioned the Trinity was an unbiblical doctrine, I asked him to define it first. When he did, he used an inaccurate concept of what Christians believe. To me, this was a clear sign of a spiritual error. <br />
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What about Shincheonji's position of the Trinity?<br />
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When I first started reading articles on Shincheonji´s website, I noticed two publications showing that the Trinity was not a biblical belief. Naturally, they misdefined what Christians believe and have believed to make the Trinity seem false. (See the article on this blog about the Trinity.)<br />
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I brought this point up to two different SCJ instructors independently, who were not sensitive to this point at all. Rather, their answers were defensive. They replied that there are so many confusing definitions of the Trinity in Christianity. (This is actually false.) Furthermore, in SCJ´s articles, they did not claim that there were so many definitions. As a matter of fact, they just used one oversimplified concept to disprove it. <br />
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Although some Christians do not perfectly explain (like other teachings), Christian denominations across the board hold the same belief - a belief that comes from serious study of all the passages about Jesus' human and divine nature, the Holy Spirit, and God the Father. It is really one of the most fundamental teachings in Christian history. Yet, Shincheonji's two articles use a definition that no Christian community adheres to. <br />
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One Christian confessed, ¨If Shincheonji cannot define the Trinity correctly, why would I trust them on other matters, like prophecy.¨ This is the same red flag found in other groups that have spirit-revelations from the invisible world, revelations which re-define Jesus´ identity and make salvation a matter of belief in their teachigns instead of being united to the Savior, Jesus Christ. <br />
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Another example of misrepresentation in SCJ deals with the Apostles' Creed. Shinchonji makes several harsh comments about anyone who uses the Apostles' Creed.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">¨Furthermore, because the Apostles' Creed is not found in the Bible and because<b> it is full of lies</b>, <b>no one should recite it</b>. It should be clear from the following passages why no one should recite the Apostles’ Creed.¨(1) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">¨Many cite the Apostles' Creed, which is </span><b style="font-family: inherit;">not according to the Bible</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">.¨(2) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">¨Is this not the same as the situation regarding the Apostles' Creed? The apostles never wrote the Apostles' Creed. Others created it on their own and forced all Christians to confess it¨ (3). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">¨They should stop reciting the Apostle’s Creed because <b>it contains several false doctrines</b>¨(4)</span><br />
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These statements are ironic because it means that the Jesus presence inside Manhee Lee despises the Apostles' Creed. Yet, the first Christians who wrote this creed (or statements of belief) did so to refute bizarre ideas from Gnosticism about Christ and the universe. Every line debunks misconceptions about Jesus, God, and the world. The real Jesus would know the historical context behind this creed. <br />
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One SCJ instructor wrote back and said that the creed is false for two reasons. First, it mentions Jesus being crucified under Pontius Pilate (when it was really the Jewish authorities). Second, he also stated that the reference to the ¨catholic church¨ is misleading. However, both points are easily understood within the historical context (5). <br />
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To Christian thinkers, Shincheonji's remarks of the creed being ¨full of lies¨ are exaggerated and have the same tone found in other apocalyptic movements. Contrary to what SCJ affirms, the creed is based on elementary ideas in the Christian faith (i.e. God made this universe; Jesus is God's Son, born of a real woman, died a real death in history, resurrected, and will come again to judge the living and the dead). <br />
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These points show that the spirit entities behind Manhee Lee are not accurate. To thinking Christians, SCJ is misrepresenting or exaggerating these issues, signs that the real Jesus would not give. <br />
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(1) ¨Mrs. Kim: Martyr of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" style="background-color: yellow;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" style="background-color: yellow;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" style="background-color: yellow;">Shinchonji</span></span></span>¨ <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" style="background-color: yellow;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" style="background-color: yellow;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" style="background-color: yellow;">Shinchonji</span></span></span> Website Articles. Accessed June 3rd, 2010.<a href="http://han.shinchonji.kr/zh-hans/content/mrs-kim-martyr-shinchonji">http://han.shinchonji.kr/zh-hans/content/mrs-kim-martyr-shinchonji</a><br />
(2) ¨Is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" style="background-color: yellow;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" style="background-color: yellow;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" style="background-color: yellow;">Shinchonji</span></span></span> Church of Jesus really a cult,¨ Website Articles. Accessed June 3rd, 2010.<a href="http://han.shinchonji.kr/nl/node/381">http://han.shinchonji.kr/nl/node/381</a><br />
(3) ¨Eternal life in the spirit¨ <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" style="background-color: yellow;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" style="background-color: yellow;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" style="background-color: yellow;">Shinchonji</span></span></span> Website Articles. Accessed July 15<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" style="background-color: yellow;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" style="background-color: yellow;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" style="background-color: yellow;">th</span></span></span>, 2010.<a href="http://scjpeter.blogspot.com/2009/07/scj-eternal-life-in-spirit-and-in-flesh.html">http://scjpeter.blogspot.com/2009/07/scj-eternal-life-in-spirit-and-in-flesh.html</a><br />
(4) ¨Stop your evil deeds and repent¨ Audio File. Accessed July 15<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" style="background-color: yellow;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" style="background-color: yellow;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" style="background-color: yellow;">th</span></span></span>, 2010.<a href="http://kr.blog.yahoo.com/jasminsh_scj/folder/11.html">http://kr.blog.yahoo.com/jasminsh_scj/folder/11.html</a><br />
(5) Christian leaders affirmed in the creed that Jesus truly died under the Roman ruler, Pontius Pilate. This was because the Gnostics denied that Jesus died. Christian leaders were giving historical reasons to believe that he died. Furthermore, Jn. 19:16 makes this same point about Pontius Pilate. Lastly, about the catholic church, early Christians were referring to one body of Christ, the catholic/universal church of Christ, as opposed to the Gnostic churches.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104439609790739299.post-76163947715112815152010-06-02T13:19:00.003-07:002016-01-24T05:17:29.879-08:00Shincheonji's Description of the Beast in Rev. 13.Dear reader,<br />
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Shinchonji/Shincheonji teachers receive their Bible explanations from one source, Manhee Lee, who received his information from an angel (a holy spirit), Jesus, and God.<br />
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Since the information comes from these sources (i.e. supernatural spirits from heaven), we must be careful and test it. Of course, testing is not physically persecuting a leader, who is loved by God. But, it is necessary to avoid deception (Lk. 21:8, I Tim. 4:1, I John 4:1).<br />
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When we test a leader's information, it is important to consider if the revealed voice and the written voice are the same. Does the revealed voice submit to the voice in the written word or does it only reveal meanings in the written word? Do the revealed meanings seem to be what the written word is saying? Does the revealed word make connections that seem forced or controlled?<br />
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As we become more familiar with these questions, it becomes easier to test a final leader's information.<br />
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With this in mind, let's test an important explanation given to Manhee Lee about the book of Revelation - the secret of the beast in Revelation 13. <br />
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According to Mr. Lee, it was revealed to him that a church he was attending in South Korea (the Church of the Seven Golden Lampstands) was chosen by Jesus and had Jesus' words. However, this church betrayed Christ and was destroyed by the invaders (the Nicolatians/Satan's organization). The pastor and his associates who invaded this church are the ¨beast¨ in Revelation 13.<br />
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In his book, Manhee Lee writes, ¨This chapter concerns the event of a false pastor (a beast) belonging to the world (the many waters or the sea) entering the church of the seven golden lampstands (the tabernacle of heaven) to destroy its chosen people using his ecclesiastical authority. The destroyers are called beasts because they lack knowledge of God's word just like animals (Prov. 30:2.3, Is. 56:9-11)¨ (Creation of Heaven and Earth, 217).<br />
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What is the problem with this explanation? What do we discern?<br />
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First, there is a problem with Manhee Lee's perception of the Church of the Seven Lampstands, which was an apocalyptic group in South Korea with problems of its own. It is doubtful that they possessed Jesus' words from the beginning. (See article on the history of Mr. Lee before SCJ.)<br />
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Second, Manhee Lee's sources change the meaning of a beast used in apocalyptic prophecies. When God explains the meaning of beasts and wild creatures in Daniel's prophecies, the images refer to real kings, empires, and world leaders (Dan. 7:17,24, Dan. 8:19-24, Dan. 11).<br />
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The beast in Revelation is taken from the images of beasts in Daniel, and it is expected that Christian readers around the world will understand this.<br />
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Manhee Lee uses verses in Proverbs and Isaiah (about beasts and a lack of knowledge) to change the apocalyptic meaning of a beast. What we notice is that this is a connection that is based on the authority of Mr. Lee's sources, not a connection that is taught in God's Word on its own.<br />
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Third, when we read the descriptions of the beast in Revelation, the voice in the written word points to something bigger. Rev. 13:7 says the beast has authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation. The whole world is astonished by the beast. Some are killed for defying the beast (Rev. 13:15, Rev. 20:4). <br />
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In Christian thinking, we see that God spoke to Daniel of a final ruler in the end (see Daniel 7:15-26, 8:23-25, 9:26,27, 11:33-12:11). In Dan. 11, a final king appears, which was not fulfilled in the times before Christ. This ruler/king blasphemes God, conquers the saints, invades the nation of Israel, and has authority over real countries and nations. The voice here in the written word refers to a world leader. <br />
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Manhee Lee subtracts a global meaning from God's Word in Rev. 13 and adds a local meaning. He writes, ¨The events in this chapter occur in a single place called the tabernacle of heaven (a reference to the Church of the Seven Lampstands). They do not take place all over the world¨ (Creation of Heaven and Earth, 218).<br />
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When we study the descriptions of a beast in Revelation (along with the references of a final leader in Daniel), we see that God is giving a much bigger idea of a beast than a false pastor in South Korea.<br />
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This is what we discern when we test Manhee Lee's secret about the beast in Revelation 13.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104439609790739299.post-63068054540300645822010-06-02T13:18:00.001-07:002015-06-18T17:23:08.174-07:00The Gospel: Being Saved at the End.Dear reader,<br />
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The Gospel (from the old English <span style="font-style: italic;">Godspell</span> or Good News) is the heart and light of the New Testament revelation from Christ. <br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">¨I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.¨ Is. 49:6 (cf. </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: 85%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Lk</span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">. 2:32).</span></span><br />
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As we write, people in different countries are reading about the message of Jesus, the forgiveness of sins, a communion with Christ, and God's promise of a new world to come. All kinds of people - plumbers, grandparents, teenagers, farmers, scholars - are experiencing the power behind this message. Jesus, the light of the world, continues to touch lives in our times.<br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 85%;"><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">¨It (the Good News) is the power of God for salvation of everyone who believes.¨ Rom. 1:16.</span></span><br />
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Think about people who come to know this new life and the joy they experience. To paraphrase a friend, ¨The conversion of a sinner is the most exciting miracle of all.¨ Heb. 2:3 calls this ¨a great salvation¨. Jesus himself said that there is great rejoicing in heaven (Lk. 15).<br />
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What happens when a person believes this message about the Lord Jesus? According to the written word, they are included ¨in Christ¨ and are sealed with the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul writes, ¨<span style="font-style: italic;">And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Having believed</span><span style="font-style: italic;">, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit</span>¨ (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Eph</span></span></span>. 1:13).<br />
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The Lord Jesus explained that this Gospel – God's power unto salvation - would be preached to all the nations even up to the end times (Mt. 24:14). The apostle Paul ordered disciples to persevere in the Gospel (I Cor. 15:1-3). So, we are exhorted to be faithful and proclaim this Gospel until the end.<br />
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Why is this point important? It is significant because spiritual entities (angels, Jesus, God) have been giving revelations to final prophets around the world that de-emphasize this message and replace it with a ¨new¨ gospel (a revelation-knowledge of end-time events). They do not deny the Gospel completely, but they replace it with a new one - the leader's revelation-knowledge. <br />
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Apocalyptic leaders focus so much on their revelation knowledge that the original Gospel is not emphasized. All their energy is spent spreading the group's new Gospel to the world. Their studies center on the leader's revelation and even proclaim that no one in Christianity can be saved from their sins without it.<br />
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In Manhee Lee's book, <i>The Truth Regarding Revelation's Fulfillment</i>, he writes, ¨Those who receive the word of revelation from the new Apostle John, believe it, and obey are <b>freed from their sins</b>¨ (p. 5). ¨Only those who receive the <b>revelation</b> from the new Apostle John are permitted to know Jesus, know the fulfillment, and attain eternal life¨ (p. 29). <br />
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Why is this a problem?<br />
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First, the revelation in the New Testament from Christ teaches that no messenger or angel can change or modify the original Gospel (Gal. 1:6-9). This means that spirits (angels, Jesus, or God) with revelations that make themselves necessary for salvation are in error. <br />
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Apocalyptic leaders reply that they are like Noah in the last days and their revelation-knowledge is the ark. But, the only ark in the New Testament is ¨Christ Jesus¨ and we are supposed to be in him. Col. 3:3 states, ¨For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.¨<br />
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Second, knowledge about how Jesus returns to earth does not free people from their sins. In the Christian revelation, redemption/salvation is related to sin in one's life and sin in the world. The remedy is repentance before God and relying on Christ Jesus' work on the cross (i.e. his promise to pay for our sins). Final, world redemption is about sin's presence being destroyed from this world through Christ. Personal redemption is being freed from sin's penalty before God. <br />
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Repentance and belief in Christ are the two central pillars of individual-salvation throughout the whole New Testament revelation (Mk. 1:14,15, Lk. 13:3,5, Ac. 17:30, Jn. 3:16,17, Ac. 16:29-31, Rom. 10:9,10). If someone in Shinchonji appears before God in the end, what will be the remedy/saving tool for their personal sins - being sealed by SCJ's revelation or trusting in Christ's death/blood for their sins?<br />
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God's voice in Revelation speaks of Christ's death/blood, which redeems mankind on earth (e.g. Rev. 5:9). Those who overcome in the end do so through the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 7:14, Rev. 12:11).<br />
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In the written word, the blood of Christ refers to his salvation work for our sins, not revelation-knowledge about the end. Rev. 1:5 reads, ¨To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood.¨ ¨Since we have now been justified through his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him?¨ (Rom. 5:10). ¨In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins¨ (Eph. 1:7a). <br />
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In summary, when spirit entities (angels, Jesus, or God) appear to a final prophet and proclaim that God requires believers to know their revelation to be saved, it is a different voice than the one in the written word.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104439609790739299.post-42321283368011702012010-06-02T13:16:00.003-07:002015-06-18T17:23:44.916-07:00Manhee Lee: A Flesh-Spirit Incarnation of Jesus? <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Dear reader,</div>
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Do you believe any missionary, minister, or Bible teacher could be a divine incarnation<i> just</i> like the Messiah in the first coming?<br />
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In Christian thinking, a final prophet who announces that that they are incarnated/indwelled by God or Jesus is a red flag. A leader who claims to be the flesh (or human body) that Jesus uses to return to the planet would turn Christians off. <br />
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It sounds strange, but this is what Shinchonji's promised pastor teaches about himself. Even though SCJ explains that Manhee Lee is not Jesus or God, when we read Mr. Lee's descriptions about himself, he is considered to be a unique and divine incarnation of Jesus' spirit. <br />
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After reading through Shinchonji's blog, one Christian commented that Shinchonji makes Manhee Lee the incarnated Jesus/the body of Jesus' spirit return. What made him think this? </div>
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Let's look at what Shinchonji teaches about Manhee Lee's body. What kind of spiritual indwelling does he have, according to SCJ sources? In one website article, Shinchonji reveals that God has entered Mr. Lee <i>just like</i> God entered Jesus in the first coming. <br />
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<span style="color: #333333;">¨<span style="font-weight: bold;">Just as the spirit of God</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">entered and dwelt within Jesus</span> (</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" style="color: #333333;">Jn</span><span style="color: #333333;"> 14:9-11), who overcame at the time of the first coming (</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" style="color: #333333;">Jn</span><span style="color: #333333;"> 16:33), <span style="font-weight: bold;">the holy Spirit of Truth will come and dwell within one chosen person</span> (i.e. the one who overcomes).¨(1)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span><span style="color: #333333;">¨The one who overcomes preaches the revealed word <span style="font-weight: bold;">after uniting with the spirit of the counselor</span>, who comes in the name of the Lord (</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" style="color: #333333;">Jn</span><span style="color: #333333;"> 14:16-17; </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" style="color: #333333;">Jn</span><span style="color: #333333;"> 14:26; </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" style="color: #333333;">Jn</span><span style="color: #333333;"> 16:13-14). This is similar to the time of the first coming <span style="font-weight: bold;">when God came to Jesus </span>(Matt 3:16; </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" style="color: #333333;">Jn</span><span style="color: #333333;"> 1:32)<span style="font-weight: bold;"> and united with him¨ </span>(</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" style="color: #333333;">Jn</span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: #333333;"> 10:30). (2)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 85%;"><i><br /></i></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" style="color: black; font-size: 100%;">According to Shinchonji's descriptions, the Shinchonji pastor has Jesus' spirit and the Spirit of Truth, just like when God came to Jesus. This makes Manhee Lee the second flesh of Jesus' spirit. It means that seeing Mr. Lee is seeing the physical embodiment of Jesus' return. </span><br />
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Of course, Shinchonji does not claim that Manhee Lee is God or Jesus himself. But, Mr. Lee is described as having a series of incarnations by spiritual beings (the Spirit of the Counselor, Jesus' spirit, and God). T<span style="font-size: 100%;">he presence of God is inside the Shinchonji pastor in an exclusive way. In an article on Rev. 1:7, SCJ teaches that when believers see Mr. Lee, they see the Lord. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;">¨The fact that every eye will see him means, as discussed above, that people will see the person with whom the spirit of the Advocate has united. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Seeing that person is the same as seeing the Lord</span>.¨(3)</span></div>
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When I asked one Shinchonji member if Manhee Lee was the physical-Messianic coming that most Christians were waiting for, he became silent. In the quote below, Mr. Lee is the physical body that we should expect. According to this quote, the promise of Jesus' return is fulfilled by a spirit return that comes to Mr. Lee's body, who is the chosen one. </div>
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<span style="color: #333333;">¨Jesus, during the time of his first coming, <span style="font-weight: bold;">promised that he would return</span> (</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" style="color: #333333;">Jn</span><span style="color: #333333;"> 14:1-3). He said in Matt 23:39, “For I say to you, from now on you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” Who, then, is this one who comes in the name of the Lord? He is the holy Spirit of Truth, the Counselor (</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" style="color: #333333;">Jn</span><span style="color: #333333;"> 14:16-17, </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" style="color: #333333;">Jn</span><span style="color: #333333;"> 14:26). The holy Spirit of Truth, who comes in the name of the Lord, <b>will come to dwell within one person.¨(4)</b></span><br />
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¨<b>Jesus</b> promised that when the gospel of heaven is spread to the ends of the earth, he will return <b>in spirit</b> to unite with his promised pastor (Mt. 24:47)¨ (Creation of Heaven and Earth, p. 143).<br />
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(1) ¨Promised Pastor,¨ <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Shinchonji</span> Website Articles. Accessed May 26<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">th</span>, 2010. <a href="http://healingallnations.shinchonji.kr/content/promised-pastor">http://healingallnations.shinchonji.kr/content/promised-pastor</a></div>
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(2) ¨Faith and the Promised Pastor,¨ <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">Shinchonji</span> Website Articles. Accessed May 20<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">th</span>, 2010. <a href="http://healingallnations.shinchonji.kr/content/faith-and-promised-pastor">http://healingallnations.shinchonji.kr/content/faith-and-promised-pastor</a></div>
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(3) ¨What is the true meaning of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">Rv</span>. 1:7?¨, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">Shinchonji</span> Website Articles. Accessed May 25<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">th</span>, 2010. <a href="http://healingallnations.shinchonji.kr/content/what-true-meaning-rv-17"> http://healingallnations.shinchonji.kr/content/what-true-meaning-rv-17</a></div>
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(4) ¨Promised Pastor,¨ <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">Shinchonji</span> Website Articles. Accessed May 26<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">th</span>, 2010. <a href="http://healingallnations.shinchonji.kr/content/promised-pastor">http://healingallnations.shinchonji.kr/content/promised-pastor</a><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104439609790739299.post-48613553615922341712010-06-02T13:13:00.003-07:002015-06-18T17:24:33.554-07:00Only the Bible? Manhee Lee's Vision on a Mountain.<div style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">
Dear reader,</div>
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In the history of world religions and end-time movements, many leaders testify that they felt the presence of spirit beings (for instance, Christ, God the Father, angels, or the Holy Spirit) or even have these spiritual beings working through them. These entities are the source behind their information - new information about a movement God accomplishes at the end of human history as we know it. </div>
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The point is that these leaders claim to be in contact with a spiritual world. They refer to powerful spiritual experiences. Naturally, many modern thinkers might explain away these experiences with natural explanations (and, in some cases, it could be true) - power, insanity, money, women, or an urge for hero status. <br />
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Yet, from a Christian perspective, there is an invisible world. The spiritual world existed before the physical world. God, who is spirit, created spiritual creatures before humans. A rebellion occurred in the spirit world and, thus, evil spirits are a reality. Satan himself can manifest as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:13) and his side has evil angels who are crafty. The Bible reveals that many of these demons inspire teachings to people and are deceptive.<br />
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Because end-time leaders are captivated by these experiences (and the seemingly logical explanations to final prophecies), they move forward in full force. However, it is important to ask how these leaders tested these spirits. When Christians look at other end-time leaders, they notice the need for testing. Mohammad, Joseph Smith, Samuel Joaquín, Ellen G. White, and others all embraced their spirit encounters as true. </div>
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What about Manhee Lee in Shinchonji? Does Shinchonji explain to their members how he tested the spirits that appeared to him? The excerpt below describes two beings (Jesus and an angel) appearing to Mr. Lee on a mountain in South Korea. </div>
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<span style="color: #333333;">¨What follows is a summary of the life of the promised pastor who received the words of the opened scroll....On Sundays, he would climb to the top of a nearby mountain for his prayers. This man had the unique experience of seeing stars in the sky during the day. At one point, during his prayers to God, he saw these stars approaching him for three days in a row....On the first day he went to church, he climbed up a mountain and made a covenant with God, swearing by his own blood. After that, the promised pastor met the Lord, who was walking among the clouds of the sky, and he received an anointing from him. The Lord commanded him to write down what he saw...After that, he received the opened scroll from an angel and was commanded to go and preach to the peoples...¨ (1)</span></div>
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If one hundred leaders appear with similar spiritual experiences, how can Christians discern if these encounters are trustworthy? Christians are warned, <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">¨</span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 100%;">Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God</span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 100%;">¨(I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Jn</span></span>. 4:1, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">NASB</span></span>).</span><br />
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Many people assume testing ¨the spirits¨ is seeing if their revelation/revealed word provides answers, interpretations, and connections that no else has in the Christian world. However, it is more effective to test if the spirits rightly divide the Bible. (See other articles on this point.) In Christian thinking, it is safer to see if the voice behind the spirit-revelation is different than the voice in the written word.</div>
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When spirit entities appear to different leaders and give them powerful explanations to Revelation and end-time prophecies, many experts look at other areas that these spirit revelations change (e.g. Jesus' identity, salvation in the end, and other passages that all Christians notice) - texts and spiritual truths that evil spirits hate or want to distort. <br />
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The other reality about this experience is that if Manhee Lee's vision is unreliable, it means that all the information received from these spirits (the parables, the flesh-spirit union, the model of betrayal, the figurative interpretations in Revelation, and all the unique teachings in SCJ) is coming from spirit entities, not the Spirit's voice in God's Word. <br />
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Lastly, when leaders contend that they are only going by the Bible, it is not completely accurate. They are only basing everything on a spiritual vision that uses the Bible. <br />
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(1) Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony,¨<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Shinchonji</span></span> Website Articles. Accessed May 22<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">nd</span></span>, 2010. <a href="http://healingallnations.shinchonji.kr/content/shinchonji-church-jesus-temple-tabernacle-testimony">http://healingallnations.shinchonji.kr/content/shinchonji-church-jesus-temple-tabernacle-testimony</a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104439609790739299.post-28502960989844130842010-06-02T13:11:00.015-07:002015-06-18T17:24:58.729-07:00Christians do not Reincarnate other Christians.Dear reader,<br />
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The Lord Jesus revealed that the Father's will was to raise us to life (Jn. 6:40). What an awesome promise!<br />
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When spiritual entities (angels, Jesus, or God) come to a final prophet, it's important to test their information with the voice in the written word. This is what we want to do here with the resurrection. According to Shinchonji, those believers who have been martyred will come back as spirits in Rev. 20 (i.e. the first resurrection) and indwell the bodies of believers on earth. Here are some quotes from the SCJ website.<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;">¨</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">Because their own bodies have long since decayed</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;">, the souls of the martyrs in heaven will enter and unite with our bodies. The martyrs and we, who are physically and spiritually alive, will marry, unite as one, and live with Christ for eternity, beginning with the promised millennium. </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">This is the truth of the resurrection</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;"> and of being born again.¨ (1)</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 85%; font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">¨According to the scriptures, when the seventh trumpet sounds, God will bring with him 'those who have fallen asleep.' In other words, those who have died in the Lord will come with him </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">as spiritual bodies</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">¨ (1 Cor 15:51-54; 1 </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">Thes</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"> 4:13-16). (2)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 85%; font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span> <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 85%; font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">¨The 'dead,' whose flesh have died in the Lord, </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">will be raised as spirits</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">. Those who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will live with Jesus for a long time just as people lived a long time before Adam sinned. Having faith in this idea is the true meaning of carrying out a life of faith. If there is a natural body, </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">there is a spiritual body</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"> as well¨ (1 Cor 15:44). (2)</span></span><br />
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In the written revelation, we notice that God's voice is saying something different. What are the clear (and unhidden) points that God revealed about the resurrection before Shinchonji appeared? Does Shinchonji's revelation rightly divide the verses quoted above? Why do Christians believe that <span style="font-style: italic;">all believers</span> will be resurrected with a new, superhuman body?<br />
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First, when we look at the meaning of the resurrection in the written word, it does not refer to a spirit resurrection or a spirit inhabiting another person's glorified body. Jesus associated it with his own human body. He prophesied that something would happen to his human body, not his spirit (Jn. 2:19-21). When God raised him from the dead, he was not a spirit. God did something to his body (Lk. 24:39).<br />
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<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">¨</span><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">Jesus answered and said to them, ´Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.´ But he was speaking of the </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">temple of His body</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">¨ (Jn. 2:19,21, NKJV).</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">¨Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I myself. Handle Me and see, </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">for a </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">spirit</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"> does not</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"> have flesh and bones as you see I have.¨ (</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">Lk</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">. 24:39, </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">NKJV</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">). </span></span><br />
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<br />
Some spirit revelations to final groups argue that Jesus became a resurrected spirit or his human body was destroyed or disintegrated. But, the written word says that the Messiah's body was raised never to decay (Ac. 2:31, Ac. 13:34) and that resurrection bodies are indestructible/imperishable (I Cor. 15:42-44). <br />
<br />
Second, according to the written word, Jesus' resurrection is the blueprint of future, human resurrections (I Cor. 15:20, Phil. 3:21). The Lord Jesus was the first resurrected human (I Cor. 15:20) and was not resurrected as a spirit (Lk. 24:39) or resurrected in the body of another living person (i.e. reincarnated).<br />
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In Christian thought, the Creator's plan is to resurrect humans in the same way that the Lord Jesus was resurrected (Rom. 8:11). Our mortal and sin-affected bodies groan now and long to be redeemed and glorified, which is our hope. This promise is for all believers, not just those who are alive in the end.<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">¨But if the Spirit of Him who </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">raised</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">raised</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"> Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">mortal bodies</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"> through His Spirit who dwells in you¨ (Rom. 8:11).</span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">¨And not only they, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">the redemption of our body</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">¨ (Rom. 8:23).</span></span></span><br />
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At the end of I Cor. 15, the voice in God's Word reveals that all of us (those who have died and those who are alive when the Lord returns) will be transformed/changed in the twinkling of an eye. The changing refers to a new, complete human nature that is glorified, like Jesus' human nature (I Cor. 15:20). The early Christians did not believe that they would come back to incarnate someone else's nature. Rom. 8:11 and Rom. 8:23 refer to God's transforming one's own mortal body.<br />
<br />
In the quotes above, Shinchonji, like other end-time movements, misinterprets I Cor. 15:44 and teaches that a ¨spiritual body¨ means an immaterial, spirit resurrection. The word ¨body¨ in Greek, however, refers to a physical body. A spiritual body is a new human body of a higher form, unlike the natural body. This is the point of the argument in I Cor. 15:20-51. The Apostle Paul reveals a new kind of human body that becomes incorruptible, indestructible, powerful, glorified, and spiritual (not a natural, sinful body).<br />
<br />
When the Lord Jesus resurrects the dead through his power, he promises to transform the old body (of sin and mortality) into a new body, like his own. This is what God's Word makes known in Phil. 3:21. God will transform bodies of humiliation. ¨He will <span style="font-weight: bold;">transform the body of our humiliation</span> that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself" (Phil. 3:21).<br />
<br />
When we put all these points together from God's written word, we see that the Creator's plan is to make new humans via resurrection life, not re-incarnate human spirits into other human bodies. For more information, see the article on the Gnostics, Spirit-Jesus, and a Spiritual Body.<br />
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(1) ¨The first resurrection and the millennium,¨ <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Shinchonji</span> Website Articles. Accessed May 20<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">th</span>, 2010. <a href="http://han.shinchonji.org/ru/content/first-resurrection-and-millennium">http://han.shinchonji.org/ru/content/first-resurrection-and-millennium</a><br />
(2) ¨New heaven and eternal life¨ Accessed July 15<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">th</span>, 2010. <a href="http://scjblog.egloos.com/348873">http://scjblog.egloos.com/348873</a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104439609790739299.post-11095562660625826122010-06-02T13:11:00.014-07:002016-01-24T05:19:46.416-08:00Experiences with Shincheonji and their Studies.<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dear reader, </span><br />
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Below are some edited excerpts of e-mails which we have received and have kept anonymous. They are from people who have had different experiences with Shinchonji/Shincheonji </div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I began to feel uncomfortable when my Christian friends wanted to attend my SCJ studies and the SCJ leader told me to be evasive with them. This felt strange and made me wonder if Jesus would agree. I started to feel odd too when I thought about the way we were supposed to spread the Shinchonji teachings. It didn<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">'</span>t feel right and I knew my Christian family would be shocked if they knew about this. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I was introduced to this group by my sister back in the summer of 2009. It was the whole one-to-one Bible study pattern. In the beginning, I didn't think anything was suspicious; I was almost fascinated how they were able to "connect-the-dots" about certain terminologies presented in the Bible. I remember learning about "birds", "fire", "trees", etc. However, when they started talking negatively about churches and pastors and how the "seed of Satan" was in them, that's when the red flag came up for me. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">About two months later, I told the guy who was teaching me that I wanted to stop, he got angry and told me where else could I get the truth...With prayer, a help from my best friend, and some research, I stopped attending the Bible study in December 2009.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">...I just wanted to encourage you to continue to spread awareness about Shinchonji and bring people back to the Gospel they've heard at first. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Thank you so much. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A sister in Christ.</span></span></span></span></div>
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I stopped taking the studies after I did some more research. I didn't like how they lie and don't tell people right off the bat that they are SCJ. They justify themselves saying that they have to be in disguise because people already have preconceived notions on SCJ that "are not true". Also, their studies (from beginning to end) point to the revelation of one man. It's all a set-up to lead to this conclusion and make people believe in the teachings of this man (i.e. explanations of parables, what everything symbolizes, how the Jews rejected Jesus because they didn't recognize him, how the "word" sounded different but still have to accept it, etc.). They emphasize the Word of God and neglect other important aspects of the Christian life: prayer, praise and worship, and service. They also have a lot of wrong interpretations. <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial";"><br />--------------------------------------------- </span></span><br />
<span class="yiv507275700hps" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;" title="대체 번역을 클릭합니다.">My</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span class="yiv507275700hps" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;" title="대체 번역을 클릭합니다.">wife</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> left me and kids three </span><span class="yiv507275700hps" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;" title="대체 번역을 클릭합니다.">years ago because of Shinchonji</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. </span><span class="yiv507275700hps" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;" title="대체 번역을 클릭합니다.">I
am Korean and know about Manhee Lee's history. When he was a young man,
he went to Joun Do Kwan's group. This leader claimed to be God<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span>and Mr.
Lee spent many years in this group. After that he was associated with two or three other (end-time) groups. There is (are) too many problems in
Shinchonji.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span">When I was in Korea, I had attended several of these studies with two other family members. It was just the three of us and a teacher. The studies started out with just going through the OT looking at verses that prophesied about Jesus' first coming, and how that was fulfilled. The lessons didn't seem threatening, and they were presented in an easy to follow format - with lots of Scripture. I found the studies interesting, and wanted to hear more because they were just so matter-of-fact and nothing "felt" wrong. I don't remember if I ever asked the name of the group or church they were associated with. When I got back home, I didn't continue the studies until my husband and I were married and then we started them online again with the three original members. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Things were ok - but then we got into the book of Revelation, and our interest kind of started to fizzle out. While I think that interpreting Revelation is a big task for anyone, we just didn't quite "get" how this group was interpreting Revelation - it seemed like maybe they were reading a lot into it. I don't remember too much specifically, but I remember sometimes thinking, "Well... maybe that's what it means... but maybe not..." I think that my husband maybe voiced the fact that he wasn't comfortable with all of it - and he felt like there was too much of an emphasis on KNOWING things and not enough on just having faith in God. He pointed out that anyone who has a desire to know God and understand His Word is going to - God isn't going to hide from anyone who is earnestly seeking after Him! I agreed with him, though a part of me was still curious about how this study ended - now I'm glad we didn't stick around to find out.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span">___________________________________________</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Something recently happened with some friends, who are in Shinchonji, that has left me greatly distraught. These friends have taken 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 and as well as Matthew 7:13-14 to mean that they are the only lovers of Truth, this God's Word, and that only those that believe as they do have been chosen to be saved at the fullness of time upon the return of our Lord. However, we know that no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation (2 Peter 1:20) and that all true believers are of One mind and One spirit (John 17:21; Romans 15:5-6; 1 Corinthians 13:11; Ephesians 4:4; Philippians 2:2; 3:15-16) in Christ Jesus<i>. </i></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-style: normal; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">During an online Bible study, another person and I were led through the Bible by my friend (in Shinchonji) going from one verse to another through a topic that he had chosen as he enthusiastically called on us to read certain passages testing our 'knowledge' of the Word by asking us periodically where certain verses were found, at which point I began feeling very uncomfortable and nervous if I was unable to produce the right answer. The 'study' felt very controlled and in the flesh not led by the Holy Spirit.</span></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-style: normal; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">By the end, my spirit was so grieved. My friend asked me to pray and I simply couldn't. When the study was over, I asked my friend if we could talk privately and told him how I had been made to feel. He told me he was grieved that I couldn't cite verses or that I had not known the answer to certain questions. I felt that He had judged the Word of God I had in my heart, which only God knows. By His grace, I desire nothing more than to have His Word in my heart and to meditate on it day and night. (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 27:4) For many years due to illness and still now, I am unable to read the Word as much as I desire because of pain (of which my friend knows nothing about - 1 Peter 4:1). At this point, I was grieved to the point of tears but praise God for His Word that began filling my mind. Romans 8:1 being the first verse.</span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Romans 8</span></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> 1There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.</span></span></span></span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">After the conversation, I continued to seek the Lord in prayer. I wrote my friend attempting to make peace in the matter but have yet to hear back. What grieves me the most is that I sense no repentance on his part but simply pride and Phariseeism, exalting himself thinking he has been given special revelation from God and that only he and those that are part of his group and come under his teaching are saved. If it were the Holy Spirit in him (for true brethren are One in Spirit), he too would feel grieved and would have made an attempt to make peace and would have responded to my efforts to do so. I had asked him certain things which he often ignored (Mt 7:20). God exhorts us to make every effort to keep the bond of peace among the brethren with the grace He gives us (Ephesians 4:3)</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Through this experience, the Lord has confirmed to me that the many untrue doctrines (1 Timothy 4:1) and teachings of men that are rampant in these last days are all an attempt to stop the spreading of the gospel. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I ask for your prayers at this time and for my friends, against the wiles of the enemy and for God's will to be done. In Jesus<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>'</i></span> name. Amen.</span></span></span></span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><i> </i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><i>__________________________________________</i></span></div>
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Two family members have become persuaded by SCJ
teaching. As you might suppose, my wife and I have been
taken by surprise, and are not a little heartbroken. After some time went by, they began to try to convince us—out of fear, I guess, that
we were not part of the 144,000. We consented to listen to a recording
of one of their teaching sessions, but they became irritated by the
questions and observations we offered after listening. At one point,
the teacher said, six times in a row, that we had to forsake our own
thinking, that our own thinking was bad, that our own thinking would get
in the way, etc. Through this I realized that mindless reverence and
submission seem to be a goal for this group...<span style="background-color: white;">The real headscratcher is that
they claim they are "just studying the Bible." We reply that they are
in fact being given Manhee Lee's questionable interpretations.
They reply that they are "just studying the Bible."</span><br />
<br />
I wanted to share some notes from a 1987 study about how and why people defect from groups like SCJ. I didn't include in my notes the main reasons that people leave, but they are mainly these: (1) perspective gained from time spent away from the group, (2) a desire to join a spouse or significant other who leaves the group, (3) disappointment that the group is not achieving its goals, (4) a feeling of being poorly treated by others in the group—not so much by fellow members as by immediate supervisors, and (5) a perception that the leaders of the group are not practicing what they are preaching.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was in SCJ and finally decided to
leave the organization after realizing that the teachings were not true.
It took me over a year, after 'crossing over' and attending their
services, to leave quietly on my own terms. It is a fresh breath of
air knowing that the simple truths are all clearly stated in the word
already and Jesus Christ is our Savior.</span><br />
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<span data-reactid=".1n.1:3:1:$comment317060095090551_1761716:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:3.0.0" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14.079999923706055px;"><span data-reactid=".1n.1:3:1:$comment317060095090551_1761716:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:3.0.0.$end:0:$0:0">when I was in SCJ in october of 2010, almost 3 years ago now, they had about 100,000 members then. lee manhee gave orders to all churches that they need to double in size by 6 months. and when he gives orders, everyone obeys as he "is" jesus. fast forw</span></span><span data-reactid=".1n.1:3:1:$comment317060095090551_1761716:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:3.0.3" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14.079999923706055px;"><span data-reactid=".1n.1:3:1:$comment317060095090551_1761716:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:3.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".1n.1:3:1:$comment317060095090551_1761716:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:3.0.3.0.$end:0:$0:0">ard 3 years. didn't happen. i'm sure there are well over 144,000 people, but nothing's happened. so they would give excuses saying that the people inside the church are not real followers or giving false numbers. if the followers don't "count" as part of the 144,000...then that's also faulty bc heaven is supposed to be perfect. that's two pretty solid signs to me that something's not right (Taken from Shinchonji:Fact or Fiction).</span></span></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104439609790739299.post-37544744962617550342010-06-02T13:06:00.003-07:002015-06-18T17:25:50.371-07:00A Clue: Which Jesus Returns in Acts 1:11?<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
Dear reader,</div>
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<br /></div>
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In the written word, the authority in Christian thought, we find a voice that communicates very powerfully that the Messiah will be seen by others when he returns to the planet in power and glory (Lk. 21:27, Mk. 13:26, Mt. 16:27, Mt. 24:27-30, Rev. 1:7, Ac. 1-9-11).</div>
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This is probably one of Jesus' promises that is most overlooked by the media at Christmas and Easter. But, it is a statement the Messiah wants his followers to remember. It is not a hidden promise. Let's look again at one of the well-known texts for this in Acts 1:9-11.</div>
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¨When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven'¨ (Ac. 1-9-11, NRSV).</div>
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In the spirit world, heavenly entities (angels, Jesus, and God) have been giving secret revelations to final prophets in end-time groups to re-explain this text. They teach a figurative meaning to ¨clouds¨ and use spiritual reasoning or hidden meanings in other verses to show that ¨clouds¨ hide things. In these movements, Christians are taught that the clouds make it clear that Jesus' return will be hidden/invisible or as a spirit.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In Shiinchonji's article on Rev. 1:7, they write, ¨<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; orphans: 4;">Clouds are capable of <b>hiding things</b> from view. The fact that Jesus returns <b>with the clouds means that he is coming in spirit</b>. In Acts 1:9-11, Jesus’ disciples were staring into the sky after Jesus’ ascension, and a cloud <b>hid</b> Jesus from their sight¨ (1). </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">How can we know who has the right meaning?</span><br />
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The surest and most reliable method to test a spirit revelation to a final prophet is to let the voice in God's written word reveal the right idea. The written word should correct a revelation, not the other way around. In the written record, one phrase sheds light on this question. God's voice makes it known that ¨this same Jesus¨ or ¨this Jesus¨ is the one who returns to earth. <br />
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¨<b>This Jesus</b>, who has been taken up from you in heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.¨ (NRSV).<br />
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¨Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? <b>This same Jesus</b>, who is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner¨ (21st C. KJV).<br />
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According to the voice in the written word, the same Messiah/Jesus is coming back. This means that, regardless of any secretive or figurative meaning to clouds, the same Jesus is returning, not a different Jesus. This is an important voice in the written word because the Jesus who left was not a glorified spirit. <br />
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God raised Christ's humanity to a new glorified state, which is why the tomb was empty (Lk. 24:2-5). Jesus is the firsfruits of a new race of humans (I Cor. 15:20, Col. 1:19). The Messiah was not transfigured into a spirit (Lk. 24:39). Rather, his body never saw decay (Ac. 2:29-31, Ac. 13:35-37). Christ was the first human to be raised with a body prepared for glory. The written word shows that he still has this body (Phil. 3:21). See other articles on the resurrection for more information on this topic.<br />
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In summary, even though final leaders reveal figurative meanings to the clouds in Acts 1:11 - meanings that the written word does not teach independently - one phrase indicates that the same Jesus is coming back, not a spirit Jesus (Ac. 1:11). This harmonizes with Jesus' statement that he would be seen (Mt. 24:30).</div>
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(1) For Shinchonji's full explanation, see ¨What is the True Meaning of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Rv</span>. 1:7?,¨ <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Shinchonji</span> Website Articles. <a href="http://correctunderstandingofshinchonji.wordpress.com/tag/what-is-it-mean-by-jesus-returns-with-the-clouds/">http://correctunderstandingofshinchonji.wordpress.com/tag/what-is-it-mean-by-jesus-returns-with-the-clouds/</a>. Accessed January 11, 2014. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104439609790739299.post-79504690478112801542010-06-02T13:06:00.002-07:002016-01-24T05:18:58.970-08:00Hard Questions Posed by Shincheonji.Dear reader,<br />
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According to Shinchonji, the SCJ pastor, Manhee Lee, had an encounter with heavenly entities on a mountain in South Korea. These entities (God, Jesus, and a holy spirit/angel) gave Mr. Lee a ¨revealed word¨ or ¨revelation¨ on the prophecies related to the second coming (their meaning and their physical fulfillment). Mr. Lee says that he is the New Apostle John figure who received the scroll (the revealed word) in Rev. 10.<br />
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When heavenly entities convince a leader that their ¨revelation¨ is true and a movement is started, it's important to test this revelation. Testing, of course, is not physically persecuting a leader or their followers, who are loved by God. But, it's important to avoid spiritual deception (I Tim. 4:1, I Jn. 4:1).<br />
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Leaders in end-time movements believe their revelation is from God because a) it seems to answer all the prophecies about the last stage of Christianity and b) no one else in Christianity knows their answers to these questions. This is seen as evidence that the ¨revealed word¨ must be divine in origin.<br />
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Members in Shinchonji use the revealed word to pose questions to Christians. In SCJ literature, it is stated that no one can answer their questions about Revelation or the second coming. To Shinchonji, this demonstrates that the ¨revealed word¨ is superior to all Bible knowledge in Christian circles today.<br />
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These questions are also used to make Christans feel like they must have this knowledge (¨the revealed word¨) to be ready for Jesus' return. In his zeal, one Shinchonji member sent out more than 70 e-mails with questions to his Christian family. The message was, ¨If you don´t know the answer to these questions, you need to study with Shinchonji?¨<br />
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What is the problem with these questions? What do we discern?<br />
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First, it is suspicious when the ¨revealed word¨ asks questions<i> that the written word does not require believers to know</i>. For example, one Revelation question is, ¨What is the meaning of the white stone in Rev. 2:17?¨ But, when we listen to God´s voice in Rev. 2:17, the written word is not commanding believers to know this meaning.<br />
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The reader is able to understand that it is something wonderful.<br />
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In Rev. 1:3, God's voice states that those who read Revelation and take to heart what is written in it will be blessed. Without perfect knowledge, believers throughout the centuries have been blessed by the powerful themes that come from the written word in Revelation. But, the written word does not command us to<i> understand</i> every word.<br />
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Shinchonji members might respond, ¨This is equal to saying that it's not important to understand Jesus' words at all.¨ But, this is different. All followers of Christ believe that we should study what Jesus makes known in the Bible. The difference is when a ¨revealed word¨ emphasizes something that the written word does not emphasize. Only the revealed word requires it to be known.<br />
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Instead of trusting in Christ's power, love, and promises, people become more worried about understanding every word in Revelation that the ¨revealed word¨ asks a question about.<br />
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When God's word does not emphasize something, we can trust that God either does not emphasize the meaning or he chooses not to reveal it, which is a divine prerogative (Jn. 21:20-23, I Cor. 13:12, I Jn. 3:2). A host of topics in Scripture is unknown to the Christian world (the identity of the spirits in 1 Pet. 3:18, future activities in eternity, the time that elapsed before Satan's rebellion, and much more).<br />
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Imagine an English professor asking students, ¨When Cinderella lost her slipper in the story, what was the price of that slipper?¨ The story does not reveal the answer. In the same way, the ¨revealed word¨ in Shinchonji creates questions that the story in the written word does not ask (and then expects answers that the written word does not reveal).<br />
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(Note to reader: Many questions raised by Shinchonji fall under this analysis, but it is possible that some do not. Each question should be analyzed separately/case by case to see if it applies.)<br />
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What are some other problems with ¨revealed questions¨?<br />
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Since the ¨revealed¨ questions require answers not easily known in the written word, it slowly makes participants view the ¨revealed word¨ in Shinchonji as the primary source of truth. Shinchonji would disagree with this, but it becomes more apparent to outside Christians that the revealed word from Manhee Lee becomes the real authority in SCJ, not the written word.<br />
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When this happens, it makes it nearly impossible to correct a leader with a ¨revealed word¨ with God's written word. Revealed ¨words/revelations¨ insist that their revelation unveils the deeper connection or the real meaning in the written word (even if the written word says something different).<br />
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For example, God's word in Mt. 24:27 makes it known that the meaning of lightning is related to visibility, but the revealed word in Shinchonji cites other verses, like Lk. 10:18 and Rev. 11:19, to show that the deeper meaning in Mt. 24:27 <i>does not refer to visibility. </i>So, the revealed word ¨corrects¨ the written word, not the other way around.<br />
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A third problem with the ¨revealed word¨ is circular interpretation. One Shinchonji member once asked, ¨If Mr. Lee is not the Apostle John figure, who is?¨ But, this person did not realize that Mr. Lee (the new Apostle John) is the one who says there must be a new Apostle John. <i>When the written text is consulted on its own</i>, it does not require followers of Jesus to believe a new John is coming.<br />
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Another case is when Manhee Lee reveals that the ¨one who overcomes¨ in Rev. 2,3 refers to one person, Mr. Lee, (as a primary meaning) and to others (as a secondary meaning). Only Mr. Lee sees that this is a prophecy for a final leader. When God's Word is consulted independently, it is the exact opposite.<br />
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Fourth, when Shinchonji speaks of knowing answers to Revelation (how prophecies should be understood and how they are physically fulfilled), the assumption is that giving interpretations (and the physical fulfillment) is the same as giving the right interpretation (and the right physical fulfillment). Teachers and students of logic know this is false. A student can give answers to all the hard questions on an exam and still be wrong (even though their answers were unique and not found on any other exam).<br />
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The same is true with revelations from spirit entities to final prophets. The kingdom of darkness has been revealing end-time answers to many groups for a long time. The fact that final prophets are convinced that supernatural beings from heaven are guiding them doesn't mean that their guided answers are the right ones. Crafty, intelligent spirits can deceive humans (1 Jn. 4:1), which is why we must test them.<br />
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Testing is not merely seeing if a ¨revealed word¨ can give answers to 40 questions on Revelation that the revealed word created, which is circular. A much safer test is seeing whether or not the voice of the ¨revealed word¨ is the same voice in God's written word.<br />
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Lastly, when we test the answers from Shinchonji's revealed word, the ¨revealed word¨ seems to impose itself on the the written word. The interpretations seem controlled and self-validating. Manhee Lee says, ¨This is connected to the meaning here,¨ but other connections or meanings are possible too. It feels controlled, like in other movements with a revealed word (see the testimonial section).<br />
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For instance, what is Shinchonji's revealed answer to the ¨white stone¨ in Rev. 1:17?<br />
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God's Word has many contexts and uses for stones/rocks (Ez. 36:26, Mt. 16:18, 2 Cor. 3:3, 1 Sam. 17:50, Ac. 4:11, Mk. 16:3, etc.), but Manhee Lee's revealed word states that stones represent ¨the tools of God¨ (the words of God) used for judgment, like the stone tablets given to Moses. In the end, <i>the revealed word says the ¨white stone¨ is ultimately the revealed word (the revelation to Manhee Lee in Rev. 10).</i><br />
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¨The Bible borrows the physical qualities of a stone when it uses stones figuratively to represent the tools of God - people who pass judgment...The white stone (Rev. 2:17) that Jesus (the living stone) promised to give to the one who fights and overcomes the group of Satan (the Nicolaitans) represents the law, which is the word of the New Testament Jesus received from God. <b>This word is also the word of the open scroll from Rev. 10</b>, and it is by this word that the earth and the sea are judged (Jn. 12:48, Rv. 16)¨ (Creation of Heaven and Earth, pp. 485-487).<br />
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At a certain point, the meanings in Revelation and other prophecies become predictable - everything refers, in some way or another, to the revealed word (see Manhee Lee's book, <i>Creation of Heaven and Earth</i>).<br />
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In summary, when a revealed word appears from heavenly entities (an angel, Jesus, or God) and uses questions that it creates, puts itself above the meanings in the written word's self-revelation, or controls meanings between verses, it is a sign to Christians. It shows that the voice in God's written revelation is not the same voice from the prophet's revelation.<br />
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Thank you for considering these points and principles when testing Shinchonji's questions.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104439609790739299.post-2974697086699478252010-06-02T13:04:00.000-07:002016-09-08T07:15:30.246-07:00Question for Manhee Lee: Where is the Promise?<div style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">
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Thanks for taking these points to heart.</div>
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In the last two hundred years, many final leaders have given prophecies for themselves in the written word to assure their followers that God has chosen them. Yet, Christian researchers notice that when final leaders reveal prophecies for themselves, the biblical texts do not say what the leaders affirm.</div>
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Let´s look at an example in Shinchonji.</div>
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According to Shinchonji's public website, Manhee Lee has received information from an angel (a holy spirit), Jesus, and God. These spiritual entities, working through Mr. Lee, reveal that the New Testament announces the coming of a final pastor. To Mr. Lee, this is no exaggeration.</div>
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Manhee Lee's coming is just as big as the Messiah's first coming. He writes, ¨<b>Just as</b> the Old Testament promises Jesus Christ (Jn. 5:39), the New Testament prophesies about this promised pastor¨ (Creation of Heaven and Earth, p. 82). ¨The Old Testament testified about one person in Jesus, God's promised pastor. <b> It is no exaggeration</b> to say<b> </b>that the New Testament testifies about the one pastor Jesus promised¨ (Creation of Heaven and Earth, p. 337). ¨It could be said that the New Testament proclaims one pastor promised by Jesus¨ (Creation of Heaven and Earth, p. 429).</div>
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In Manhee Lee's book, he explains that the Bible reveals a series of pastors and chosen people in different time periods, and that there is now a final pastor (Mr. Lee) and a final chosen people (Shinchonji) in the end. Through this final pastor God accomplishes his will in the book of Revelation.</div>
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What is the problem with this claim about a promised pastor?</div>
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First, a legitimate promise in the written word is one that everyone sees. Otherwise, it is not a true promise according to the written word (the Bible). If it were a clear promise, we should expect devoted Christians from the first century on to be talking about this coming, which we do not find in Christian writings. This means it is a promise only based on Mr. Lee´s authority, not the written word.</div>
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Second, Manhee Lee's statement that his coming is prophesied just like Jesus' coming is not accurate. Jesus' coming in the Old Testament was foretold in a clear way. Although many of the details were disputed in the first century, no one disputed the Messianic promise itself. One Talmudic tradition says that the prophets spoke of nothing more important than the days of the Messiah. Multiple groups independently extracted promises of a Messiah, like the Essenes. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">The Aramaic targums (translations of the Old Testament) inserted the Messiah in many texts. Even t</span>he Samaritans believed a Messiah was to come (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_153">Jn. 4:25, 42)</span>.</div>
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Thus, when God's voice wanted his people to believe in an important coming, like the Messiah's coming, he used clear and unambiguous language. Applied to Manhee Lee's statement above, if there is a <i>similar</i> promise from God in the New Testament for a pastor, it should be equally obvious, but it´s not.</div>
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Thirdly, when we evaluate the verses used by Shinchonji for a final pastor, they are based on circular interpretation. That is, they are real prophecies only to Shinchonji. Let´s look at a few examples.</div>
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Manhee Lee teaches that the phrase ¨the one who overcomes¨ in Rev. 2,3 refers <i>primarily</i> to one individual/Mr. Lee (and, in a secondary sense, to those who overcome in Shinchonji). But, according to the testimony of the written word, it is the exact opposite. The <i>primary</i> meaning refers to all those who overcome in the churches (Rev. 2:24, 3:4), not just one individual.</div>
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An unbiased reading, confirmed by Christian communities everywhere, reveals that no one sees this as a clear prophecy for one individual. It is supposedly a secretive prediction only clear to the leader, which makes it based on his authority. The same is true for other prophecy texts.</div>
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According to Mr. Lee, the promise of the Counselor in Jn. 14,16 refers to a final flesh (pastor). But, this is only so because he re-defines the Counselor to include two aspects - the Spirit and another ¨flesh¨ through whom the Spirit of the Counselor works. Further, it is not an example of a clear prophecy. On the contrary, evidence in the text and in Acts dispels the teaching of the Counselor working through only one flesh.</div>
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Other examples can also be cited in Revelation. However, these are only clear promises to Mr. Lee, not any other Christian community. Again, apocalyptic leaders cite <i>hidden</i> prophecies for themselves based on their authority, but it needs to be shown that God in his written word has made these prophecies known. </div>
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To justify hidden or secretive prophecies in Revelation, Manhee Lee quotes Hosea 12:10 to show that that the Apostle John in Revelation refers to a promised pastor, a new Apostle John who must appear in the future. According to one source, in the Korean translation of Hosea 12:10, it states that ¨prophets can be used figuratively,¨ but this does not constitute a <i>specific</i> prophecy.</div>
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A specific promise according to the Bible is one that the voice in the written record makes known to others independently, like in the writings of the Hebrew prophets announcing the Messiah's coming. If the written word does not make this clear, the real source of authority is the leader's revelation (from heavenly entities), which other end-time leaders have used to reveal prophecies for their coming.</div>
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Imagine a U.S. judge declaring that ¨something is clear according to the U.S. Constitution¨. This would mean that other judges could open the Constitution and find it there. It would be suspicious if it were only clear to this particular judge and no other judge could confirm its clarity. It would make everything based on this judge's interpretation/perspective of the Constitution, but not the Constitution's self-revelation.</div>
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The same is true in God's Word. One Christian lady said that after looking up Bible verses given to her of a final pastor, she was more convinced that God had not made this promise in the Bible. According to the written word, God's voice led her in the opposite direction.</div>
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One Shinchonji instructor replied that perhaps God planned to hide this promise (i.e. seal it) from Christians. But, this creates more problems than it answers. First, it would make Manhee Lee's promise <i>different</i> than the promise of a Messiah in the Old Testament, which goes against Mr. Lee's statement above. Second, if God truly asks believers to follow a final pastor, it would be strange to hide this promise in his written testimony and then expect everyone to believe a promise that is not clearly revealed in the Bible.</div>
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Even though the written word gives many clear prophecies about the end, Christians have never seen a clear promise to follow a world pastor who embodies Jesus' spiritual return. Jesus' first sign of the end is a warning to stay away from leaders who come in his name and embody his expected return (Lk. 21:8, Mt. 24:4,5). See article on Manhee Lee's claim to be the flesh-spirit union with Jesus' returning spirit.</div>
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Questions for reflection. </div>
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In Latin America, there is a group that believes that their first leader was the new Aaron of the Christian world. Are there any clear prophecies for a new Aaron in the Bible? Should followers of Christ believe a promise that only a final leader makes clear to their group? </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3104439609790739299.post-25610212712605274912010-06-02T13:03:00.003-07:002016-01-24T05:20:11.024-08:00What Proof/Signs does Shincheonji have?<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Dear reader,</div>
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A young person once asked about a magician who posted amazing videos on the internet. He wondered how he made his magic tricks seem so authentic. In Christian thinking, signs are powerful. Even Jesus Christ showed his power by using supernatural signs/miracles to authenticate his identity and message (Lk. 11:17-20). </div>
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However, when Jesus spoke of the end-times, he warned about signs and miracles associated with final leaders (Mk. 13, Lk. 21, Mt. 24). He said that even the elect might be tempted to believe them. There are several reasons to be alert concerning signs. <br />
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First, the supernatural world has been giving signs for a long time. Many groups have signs. The Bahais point to fulfilled prophecy and knowledge in their leader. The Luz del Mundo in Latin America points to miracles and healings through their leaders. Mormons use the Book of Mormon. Muslims point to the Koran. Many Roman Catholics argue the Eucharist is a spiritual sign, and the list goes on. So, signs are not always safe.<br />
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One Shinchonji instructor explained that the biggest sign in SCJ is being able to interpret
Revelation. Another
Shinchonji member mentioned that Manhee Lee miraculously
recovered from being thrown into a river. Another member said that Mr. Lee is the only one who has
witnessed the events in Revelation. Other Shinchonji members formulate a list of Revelation signs/questions that no Christian can answer. </div>
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What reasons would Christians have to doubt a powerful sign? <br />
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When a sign removes a spiritual truth in the written word, Christians discern the sign is not from God. A spirit of prophecy is not going to change what God's voice in the written word was making clear to the Christian world. For example, Mohammad's revelation states that Jesus Christ did not die on the cross, but this goes against the clear message in the record of the New Testament. <br />
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Likewise, Manhee Lee's sign of Revelation explanations should not remove what God's voice in the written word was already making clear. Even though final prophets say that they have the power to give new meanings (through revealed knowledge of opened seals), the voice in the written word is still superior. Many of the understandable ideas in Revelation and other parts of the New Testament record are changed/re-defined because of Mr. Lee's sign. <br />
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Second, another reason to be careful about signs is that they distract people from the real spiritual life God wants us to live. Instead of focusing on the simple and important truths from the Lord (i.e. reaching out to others, growing in love, serving Christ with the gifts he has given us, explaining Jesus' remedy and love to others, etc.), people end up focusing too much on revelation knowledge in end-time movements.</div>
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Lastly, a sign also blinds people from accepting problems in their movement. They minimize errors by pointing to positive signs in their group. While talking to a woman in Shinchonji, she dismissed many problems by repeating that Manhee Lee was an eyewitness of the events in Revelation. She did not see how this is spiritually inconsistent. </div>
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When God's voice was instructing his people about prophecies, he warned them not to let impressive signs lead them astray from his commands (Deut. 13:1-5). The Apostle Paul also explained that no sign or supernatural being could alter God's message of the Gospel (Gal. 1:6-9). This is why a sign that makes itself the new Gospel message is not safe.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com