SEOUL, South Korea — The Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, asserts it is the only church globally whose members fully comprehend the Book of Revelation. The church, led by Chairman Lee Man-hee, emphasizes a strict adherence to the biblical text, particularly Revelation 22:18-19, which warns against adding to or subtracting from the book, stating such actions would prevent entry into heaven.
Shincheonji reports that its members undergo intensive Bible study at the Zion Christian Mission Center, progressing through elementary, middle, and high school-level courses before graduation. The church has gained international attention for holding four consecutive graduation ceremonies with over 100,000 graduates.
Chairman Lee Man-hee frequently preaches this message, urging followers to internalize the Book of Revelation. In line with this emphasis, Shincheonji’s General Assembly Education Department administers a “Sealing Confirmation Test” to its worldwide membership. These weekly exams, which began online during the COVID-19 pandemic and are now conducted in person, aim to ensure members become “living Bibles.”
A Shincheonji representative stated that the church believes the true understanding of Revelation comes from the testimony of those who witnessed its fulfillment. The representative contended that the broader Christian community lacks this understanding, leading to misinterpretations of the text.
The representative further addressed the “cult” label often applied to Shincheonji by Catholic and Protestant denominations. “Shincheonji Church of Jesus… has all its members mastering the Book of Revelation. However, both the Catholic and Protestant churches, including their pastors and congregation, have added to or subtracted from the Book of Revelation. So, I urge you to judge who is truly orthodox and who is truly a heretic based on the Bible.”
The weekly Bible exams at Shincheonji focus on the prophecies within the New Testament Gospels and the entirety of the Book of Revelation. The church explains these exams serve as a training method to inscribe God’s word in the hearts of its members and uphold the New Covenant Revelation.
According to Shincheonji’s General Assembly Education Department, the average score on the “Sealing Confirmation Test” from January to April was 99%, with a 97% participation rate. Notably, 99.9% of those who took the test scored above 90%. The church views these statistics as evidence of its members’ dedication to biblical teachings.
A Shincheonji representative commented on the criticism the church faces, stating, “Today, most Christians are neither aware of nor interested in the prophecies of the Four Gospels in the New Testament or the teachings of the Book of Revelation. Yet, they blindly label Shincheonji as a cult… If the teachings of Shincheonji Church of Jesus are wrong, please provide evidence from the Bible.”
Despite the controversy, former pastors who have joined Shincheonji attest to the church’s adherence to biblical teachings. Pastor Kim stated that he realized Shincheonji practices the Bible more faithfully than any other church and that its members possess a greater understanding of the entire Bible than he did as a pastor. Pastor Choi Kwang-sun echoed this sentiment, urging other churches to evaluate Shincheonji based on its teachings rather than simply defaming it.
A Shincheonji representative concluded by emphasizing the importance of discerning truth from falsehood based on the Bible and identifying those who truly understand the New Testament and the Book of Revelation.
