📰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.
"Heaven is wherever God is. At the Second Coming, it is where the 12 tribes of Shincheonji are"
Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony
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Heaven in the Bible refers to the place where God resides. 2000 years ago, John the Baptist and Jesus both said to repent, for the kingdom of heaven was near. When asked about the kingdom of heaven, Jesus said, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is in your midst." (Luke 17:20-21).
In Matthew 13, through parables, 'the kingdom of heaven' was likened to 'a man who sowed good seed in his field', 'yeast', and 'a merchant looking for fine pearls'. 2000 years ago, the Spirit of God came to Jesus and worked through him, and the angels were with him. Jesus, upon whom the heaven of the spiritual realm descended, sowed the seed of the word of God and delivered words of instruction that change our hearts through the word of unchanging truth. In Matthew 13, Jesus spoke about the kingdom of heaven in parables. In John 14, Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6) and said, “No one comes to God except through me.” Therefore, going to Jesus, whom God, the angels and heaven were with, was going to heaven at the first coming.
In Matthew 13, through parables, 'the kingdom of heaven' was likened to 'a man who sowed good seed in his field', 'yeast', and 'a merchant looking for fine pearls'. 2000 years ago, the Spirit of God came to Jesus and worked through him, and the angels were with him. Jesus, upon whom the heaven of the spiritual realm descended, sowed the seed of the word of God and delivered words of instruction that change our hearts through the word of unchanging truth. In Matthew 13, Jesus spoke about the kingdom of heaven in parables. In John 14, Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6) and said, “No one comes to God except through me.” Therefore, going to Jesus, whom God, the angels and heaven were with, was going to heaven at the first coming.
Although God came to this earth as promised in the Bible, the chosen people did not believe and did not welcome Jesus, but rather persecuted him. On the contrary, it was the Gentiles who believed and accepted him. As a result, Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven would be taken from them, and given to people who would receive it (Matthew 21:43).
God, who created the heavens and the earth, wants to live with people on this earth. However, like in the days of Adam, Noah and the first coming of Jesus, God and the kingdom of heaven had no choice but to leave the chosen people because they forsook their covenant with God and sinned. God, who left, has since been carrying out an arduous 6,000-year work of restoration in order to live again with His creation on the earth.
God, who created the heavens and the earth, wants to live with people on this earth. However, like in the days of Adam, Noah and the first coming of Jesus, God and the kingdom of heaven had no choice but to leave the chosen people because they forsook their covenant with God and sinned. God, who left, has since been carrying out an arduous 6,000-year work of restoration in order to live again with His creation on the earth.
Before He was crucified, Jesus spoke the words of John 14, which were like his last will. Jesus said to his disciples, “I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” Two things can be considered here: that Jesus will come again, and that He will come with the place He has prepared.
What kind of place did Jesus prepare after he left? This is not referring to the dwelling place of God in the physical world, but the kingdom of God in the spiritual world. Looking at the words of Revelation 21, the kingdom of heaven in the spiritual world is the holy city, New Jerusalem, that comes down from God from heaven. Why is it called the 'new' Jerusalem? This is because it is the kingdom of heaven in the spiritual realm, where God, Jesus and the 12 apostles and other martyred spirits gather. That is why it is said that the walls of the kingdom of heaven in the spiritual world are made of twelve foundations, and upon them are written the names of the twelve apostles of Jesus (Revelation 21:14). This kingdom of heaven is the 'Jerusalem above' in Galatians 4, the kingdom of the spiritual realm seen in Revelation 4 that will descend, and the kingdom of God that we hope to see come to this earth according to the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6. The kingdom of heaven will come to this earth at the time of the Lord's Second Coming.
Where is the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming? In Revelation 3:12, it is said that both God and Jesus and the holy city of Jerusalem come down to the one who overcomes.
Why do they come down to the one who overcomes? At the time of the fulfilment of Revelation, the one who overcomes fought and overcame Satan's Nicolaitans who invaded the tabernacle of the seven stars and the seven golden lampstands that prepared the way for the Lord. By winning this battle, God's promised salvation, power and kingdom can be fulfilled and become a reality on this earth (Rev 12:10). That kingdom is the 12 tribes of spiritual new Israel, created through the work of harvest and sealing, as recorded in Revelation 7 and 14. These 12 tribes are the new heaven and new earth, Shincheonji, which is created after the first heaven and the first earth passed away in Revelation 21. Shincheonji is the kingdom of God on this earth, created in the image and likeness of heaven, just as the Lord's Prayer says that what is in heaven will be done on earth.
Why do they come down to the one who overcomes? At the time of the fulfilment of Revelation, the one who overcomes fought and overcame Satan's Nicolaitans who invaded the tabernacle of the seven stars and the seven golden lampstands that prepared the way for the Lord. By winning this battle, God's promised salvation, power and kingdom can be fulfilled and become a reality on this earth (Rev 12:10). That kingdom is the 12 tribes of spiritual new Israel, created through the work of harvest and sealing, as recorded in Revelation 7 and 14. These 12 tribes are the new heaven and new earth, Shincheonji, which is created after the first heaven and the first earth passed away in Revelation 21. Shincheonji is the kingdom of God on this earth, created in the image and likeness of heaven, just as the Lord's Prayer says that what is in heaven will be done on earth.
This is where the holy city of New Jerusalem will come. God and Jesus, and those who have fallen asleep in Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:14), that is, the martyred souls, will all come. It is said that there will be no more tears, death or pain because heaven in the spiritual world will come to Shincheonji. If we do not enter this Shincheonji, our faith will be in vain.
When God, Jesus, and the kingdom of heaven come, only those who are qualified to enter the kingdom of heaven can do so. In Matthew 25, Jesus said that only a wise virgin who prepares their lamp and oil will welcome Jesus, the bridegroom. Jesus also said that sheep-like believers will inherit the kingdom of God prepared since the creation of the world. Today, we must meet Jesus with these qualifications. At this time, it is to those who seek and knock with an earnest heart that the gates of heaven will be opened (Matthew 7:7-8).
"Heaven is where we go when we die. The church and congregation will both go to heaven."
Korean Church
Pastor A, Presbyterian Church
"When we die, our souls go to heaven forever. That is why we are saying that we will really participate in the feast in heaven. We will meet our parents who have gone before us, and we will also meet fellow believers and share in our eternal fellowship. It is very easy to go to this heaven. If you die now, you can go there right away. Whenever we die, our souls go straight to heaven, led by the angels. As believers, we can die in certain comfort."
Pastor B, Full Gospel Church
"He said that the dead will rise first, and we who are alive will be transformed and lifted up into the air. I know that the Son of Man is standing near the door, and all these things will be accomplished before this generation passes. One generation equals 50 years. One generation since the founding of Israel comes to an end in 1998. So one generation will pass away in around the year 2000.
(January 14, 1990) This is a prophecy that the world will soon be destroyed by God's judgment. All of us who survive will be transformed and be raptured into the air, and we don't know at what moment that will come.
(September 19, 1993) The Lord is saying that the countdown of the last days has already begun with the independence of Israel. The church must prepare to be raptured into heaven. God's plan of history is eschatological."
Source: http://www.newscj.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=893890
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