Channel 7 recently reported that a South Korean messianic doomsday cult called “Shincheonji Church of Jesus” has a growing presence in Australia, after getting a foothold in Perth (ref. 1). ABC News also had a story about them a few years ago (ref. 2). Christian-like sects and cults are a dime a dozen across the world. Often, there is a messianic figure. And often, they violently implode. Here in Australia, this group is aggressively and deceptively proselytising, especially to international students, offering a kind of Bible study and a social circle. Theologically, Shincheonji is completely wrong, deemed heretical even by various denominations of Christianity including Baptists, Presbyterians, and Anglicans. Besides spreading a false theology of doomsday and salvation, Shincheonji is financially fleecing its members, and even deliberately breaking up families. Furthermore, anyone that attempts to leave the group is threatened with harm, a hallmark of a cult.
The founder, one Lee Man-hee, was once a Presbyterian in South Korea. In 1984, he started Shincheonji and developed his own ideas about the apocalypse and about the kingdom of God. Lee claims to be a messenger of Jesus Christ, unique in the world in that he is the only person currently imbued with “the spirit of Jesus Christ”.
By the spirit of Jesus Christ, I suppose, Shincheonji means the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit is the spirit of the Son of God (ref. Galatians 4:6). On this matter, I have said before, at this point in time, no one in the world has the Holy Spirit, not even ordained priests and pastors of mainstream denominations.
Not even me, someone actually chosen to be a light at this time of darkness (ref. Isaiah 49:1). All the world has right now is a well-translated Bible (ref. Mark 13:31): the original Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek being the inspired words of God (ref. 2 Timothy 3:16). Not even angels of God will speak to anyone as ministering spirits to convey information from heaven. This is because it would be impossible to tell an angel from a demon, especially now when millions of demons are roaming about. For these reasons, logic and correct interpretation and signs from heaven matter. Furthermore, the future is one complete picture, where every piece of the puzzle fits nicely in place. You must figure it all out if you want to be correct.
I suppose, Lee Man-hee would have described himself as the messiah, had it not been for the fact that he is genetically South Korean. I say this because their approach to the 12 tribes of Israel has nothing whatsoever to do with Israel. Instead, in their view, the 12 tribes are 12 sections of their organisation in the nation of South Korea.
This is not unlike the so-called Black Hebrew Israelite movement, whose fundamental teaching is that the 144000 are all blacks, because according to them true Israelites are somehow black. Never mind that ancient Assyria did not scatter the kingdom of Israel towards the south, which would have been the continent of Africa, because immediately south of Israel, the kingdom of Judah remained intact. The Bible is clear that Assyria scattered Israel to the east, to the west, and to the north.
Speaking of the 144000, what caught my attention about Shincheonji is their theology of the 144000. Shincheonji claims that only 144000 “true believers” will be elevated to the position of “high priest” in the after life.
First of all, this challenges what I have been saying about the 144000 – that the 144000 will be a celestial army of the kingdom of God, every individual with ancestry to Israel, aka Jacob, and every individual a virgin man chosen and predestinated by God to serve him as a soldier during the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ and beyond.
Don’t miss this point: the saints are chosen and predestined by God! No Christian can work harder or believe more to become a saint. Either a man is a saint or he is not. By the way, the verses that Calvinism misappropriated for their heretical theology of salvation at the time of the Reformation are actually verses that speak of the coming army of the saints. This army has been a secret hidden in the Bible until now and until me!
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus… According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children [sons of God, “saints”] by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will [saints understand Bible prophecy!], according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself
Ephesians 1:1-9
Besides challenging the truth, Shincheonji’s unique theology of the 144000 has had the effect of fostering competition among their members to do more for their movement – to donate more, to recruit more, to expand more, and so on. Thus, their interpretation and teaching essentially constitute a con, a type of financial fraud. If only, the authorities could put two and two together.
Come to think of it, many Christian denominations in modern times and especially in these last days are also all about money – receiving tithes or “financial blessings” as they would put it. The Bible describes the pastors and priests of these types of churches as thieves and liars. These are they who steal from God, and they who swear falsely by his name.
Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it. I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.
Zechariah 5:3-4
Picture the prosperity gospel types that emanate from Mystery Babylon. Many of them argue, if you “bless” them then God will “bless” you.
Of course, South Korea has become the way it has, with its many heretical cults, because of the treacherous influence of Mystery Babylon – ie. her spiritual fornication with the kings of the earth.
… Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
Revelation 17:1-2
This is why on the Korean peninsula, in due time, I am sure atheist North Korea together with atheist China will do great things for the LORD of hosts.
From a spiritual standpoint, an atheist is neutral. Those that are neutral at least will be given time and opportunity to figure out things. By contrast, those that are with Satan and those that are advancing the cause of Satan are outright enemies of God.
Now, I should take this opportunity to draw attention again to the striking prophecy of Jeremiah 51, wherein the Bible says, after the day of the LORD, the 144000 saints of Jesus Christ will break in pieces “the shepherd and his flock”. By the shepherd and his flock what is meant is heretics and the like.
The portion of Jacob is not like them; for he is the former of all things: and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: the LORD of hosts is his name. Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms… I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his flock…
Jeremiah 51:19-23
Remember, once Jesus Christ returns to the earth to begin the kingdom of God, all preaching of Christianity across the world will be done by ministers that are ethnically Jewish – human men by then actually imbued with the Holy Spirit. The involvement of the real Holy Spirit means, it will be as if God is preaching to the world.
But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
Isaiah 61:6
The saints might also help out once in a while. But even here, it will be essentially the work of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ himself will also teach from Zion, as king of the kingdom of God.
And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Isaiah 2:3
In this way, Christendom will be corrected and renewed.
The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
Psalms 118:22-23
When Jesus Christ spoke of Psalms 118 in his day as the Son of man, he referred to the kingdom of God and his Millennial Reign.
Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you [that generation], and given to a nation [this generation] bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
Matthew 21:42-44
This is because the kingdom of God and its “trees of righteousness” will bring forth good fruits (righteous and truly saved people), and furthermore the cornerstone that is the power of the kingdom, namely Jesus Christ, will be very fierce to all that continue to challenge the truth.
Of course, cults such as Shincheonji will not be allowed to carry on.
Such wrath is necessary for the greater good!
So, as Jeremiah 51 prophesies, God will break in pieces the shepherd and his flock through the army of the 144000 saints of the 12 tribes of Israel.
No human or technology will be able to challenge a saint. Either a heretic repents in time, or else that person will be burnt to ash.
If a heretic prays to his god for help and so a rebellious angel shows up, then we will give them both hell.
Put not your trust in princes [rebellious angels], nor in the son of man [humans], in whom there is no help.
Psalms 146:3
Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? … Know ye not that we shall judge angels? …
1 Corinthians 6:2
Long ago, the Catholic church did hold inquisitions and burnt heretics at the stake, but that was due to demons misappropriating this idea.
It should be Jesus Christ that judges the world, rather than a pope or a pastor.
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts…
1 Corinthians 4:5
The judgement of Jesus Christ, which will be righteous (ref. 2 Timothy 4:8, “righteous judge”), begins on the day of the LORD.
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge [the righteous judge] and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven [angels and saints] followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
Revelation 19:11-14
On that day, the army of the 144000 saints will be a new reality. This will be a world in which the meek will inherit the earth and even prosper.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:5
References:
1. 7 News (24 October 2024), “Church of Shincheonji: Inside the alleged cult and tactics former members say were used to control them”, 7news.com.au
2. “This Korean sect has thousands of devotees, but ex-believers lost faith and money”, youtube.com/watch?v=LBeklhqz4AE