📰The Bible is one of the best-selling and most widely distributed books in history, yet it is also considered to be among the least understood. The Bible, which is referred to as the New Covenant and Promise of God, in which 'the way to heaven and salvation' is presented, differs in theologians' interpretations that make it difficult to understand. These differing interpretations have been the cause of the rise of denominations with each one establishing their own doctrine. With the increase in online church services and gatherings resulting from the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, there has been growing interest in the comparison of various church doctrine. This paper, therefore, attempts to provide readers with the opportunity to compare differing Biblical teachings without interpretation. Among a host of online sermons and Bible-based teachings, the contrasting doctrine between the established Church and Shincheonji Church of Jesus, which has drawn public interest throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, is hereby compared and summarised. Best efforts have been made to provide a summary of Shincheonji Church of Jesus' understanding of the Bible. Judgment as to what is right or wrong is left to the reader’s discernment.
"The ‘end times’ do not refer to the end of this world, but the end of the corrupt Christian world, which is the time of harvest"
Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony
The meaning of the word 'end-time' is translated from Korean as 'end of the world', or 'end of humanity'. Therefore, it is commonly upheld that the end times marks the frequent occurrence of swine flu, Covid-19, devastating tsunamis and earthquakes. If these global diseases, natural disasters and wars are signs of the end times, then when, where and how long must these disasters occur before Jesus returns? The argument that the last days recorded in Matthew 24 appear after various disasters is an arbitrary one that interprets the Bible literally without understanding the true will or plan of God that has been hidden in the language of parables.
Matthew 23 records the events that took place in Jerusalem, Israel, when Jesus came to this earth at his first coming.
On the other hand, Matthew 24 is a book of prophecy that records the time of the Lord's Second Coming. In Matthew 24, the first thing Jesus said is that the temple in Jerusalem would be thrown down without a single stone left on another. When the disciples heard this, they asked Jesus when this would happen and what signs would mark his coming and the end of the age. Jesus' response is recorded within the content of Matthew 24. In addition, the location of the events recorded in Matthew 24 refers to the temple in Jerusalem in verse 2, so it does not take place in the world, but in the temple. Jesus first said to be careful not to be deceived by others, and that there would be famines, earthquakes and wars between nations and kingdoms. Jesus said that this would mark the beginning of birth-pains.
The entities involved in this war are Spiritual Jerusalem (Church) - the kingdom of God - and Babylon, the kingdom of demons that destroyed Jerusalem. Through this war of doctrine, the ruins of the temple in Jerusalem, where God dwells, will fall and the temple will be destroyed. So Jerusalem became a place where righteousness departed and iniquity prospered. Jesus said that there would be a spiritual famine there, void of the word of God - which is the spiritual food - and that there would be an earthquake as the chosen people of God are deceived and their hearts shaken.
Moreover, the sun, moon and stars that darken and fall in Matthew 24:29-31 due to this tribulation are spiritual, not physical, as seen in Genesis 37:9-11. The sky with the sun, moon and stars symbolising Jacob's family, the chosen people, refers to the place where God's chosen people reside. In such a spiritual world of night, there will be the work of harvest whereby Jesus sends his angels to sound a loud trumpet call from one end of the heavens to the other, gathering people from the east, west, north and south. At that time, the chosen people become the ripened firstfruits born of the word of truth.
When these events occur, the Son of Man will be right at the door - a sign for believers waiting for the Lord's anticipated Second Coming. The end of the world is the time of harvest, and the time of harvest is the end of the Christian world, which includes the church and its pastors, and the prophecies reach their fulfilment. This is the end of spiritual Israel, not the end of the literal, physical earth. This is evidence of the end times. At the Lord's Second Coming, Jesus comes as a thief with His angels to harvest and seal the ripened grain (believers) in order to create a new kingdom and new people of God. A new gathering will unfold through the sound of trumpets.
"Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, abnormal temperatures and outbreaks of disease are all signs of the end times. You only need to live a life of faith"
Established Korean Church
Pastor A of the Presbyterian Church
"People say that this era is the end of everything. Abnormal temperatures, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions take place, and the weather pattern goes wild. The ozone layer is destroyed, pollution reaches extreme levels and strange diseases arise. We're now living in the end times. It's important that we live wisely."
Pastor B of the Presbyterian Church
"People say that this era is the end of everything. Abnormal temperatures, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions take place, and the weather pattern goes wild. The ozone layer is destroyed, pollution reaches extreme levels and strange diseases arise. We're now living in the end times. It's important that we live wisely."
Pastor B of the Presbyterian Church
"There is a claim that our country will become an advanced and leading country when the Lord returns. However, when the Lord's Second Coming really comes and world history is over, what's the benefit of being an advanced and leading country? No one can perfectly understand the word about these end times. We can just know it in part."
There are three calm responses to the last days and the Second Coming of Jesus. Just trust this. Firstly, Jesus will definitely return. This is the conclusion of the book of Revelation. Secondly, however, no one knows when. Thirdly, one must, therefore, always be awake.
We must not be found lacking when Jesus returns. If Jesus comes at 12 midnight, then we have to make sure to complete everything in the afternoon. You have to do the dishes, take care of the kids when they go to school, and you have to come home from work and prepare for bed. Just because Jesus is coming, you shouldn't even be lounging on your sofa. All of these are blessings the Lord has given us. Anyone who believes in Jesus is always ready. This is how you do well in your life of faith."
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