“Those who believe believe in order to know and proclaim 'truth'. If there is something that even the established churches do not know, they must learn it. Is Shincheonji growing? If so, it must be that God is doing the work of revival because there is 'truth.'”
Chairman ManHee Lee of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Shincheonji Church of Jesus) held a conference with journalists and pastors. It is an expression of his will to resolve misunderstandings through open dialogue, explaining the history and purpose of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, which is taking various steps for the purpose of mutual growth and harmony with the established churches.
On the afternoon of the 18th August, Chairman Lee held a meeting with pastors and journalists at Shincheonji Peace Training Institute in Cheongpyeong, Gyeonggi province, on the subject of 'The Path Forward for the Korean Church (Part 2)', following the initial conference held on 19th July. “This meeting is based on the saying, 'In the last days, many will rush here and there and knowledge will increase,' and the key is to discuss the exchange of plans between Shincheonji, Church of Jesus and the established denominations,” an official from Shincheonji Church of Jesus explained.
The site where the meeting was held was crowded with journalists and pastors. The 180 seats prepared for the event were filled early. Dozens of people who could not find their seats stood in the back and listened. One attendee said, “I think the general interest seems to be growing since Chairman Lee personally answered questions.”
Journalists and pastors questioned Chairman Lee about various issues, such as the secret to Shincheonji's growth, preaching by the laity, qualifications for pastors, the controversy over heresy, and the prophecy and fulfilled realities of the Book of Revelation. Chairman Lee answered questions openly and without hesitation.
Regarding the reality of today's religious world, Chairman Lee pointed out, “It is written that if you add to or subtract from the Book of Revelation, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven, but most of you (pastors) have added to or subtracted from the Book of Revelation.”
Chairman Lee said, “What percentage of people in today's world truly follow the Bible? Most of them have added or subtracted from the Book of Revelation,” he said. “Shincheonji Church teaches everyone, from the young to the elderly, to inscribe the Book of Revelation onto the tablets of their hearts and become a walking Bible.” He continued, “God gave this book at the cost of his Son's life, so all pastors must teach their members correctly.”
In addition, when asked about the standard of heresy and orthodoxy, Chairman Lee said, “Heresy means to teach the Word incorrectly. We have to proclaim what is true.”
When asked why Shincheonji is growing, he repeatedly asked that one confirms the fulfilment of the Book of Revelation, which Shincheonji testifies about.
Chairman Lee said, “Those who believe naturally seek the truth. If asked about the secret of Shincheonji’s growth, I would answer like this.”
Chairman Lee also emphasised that religious people should unite their minds about world peace, including the reunification of South and North Korea.
He said, “I not only prayed before God for peace in our world, but I also went around the world 13 times and called for peace.” He continued, “I met Christian pastors and talked about religion. For world peace, religious people should also discuss and exchange with the same mind.”
He also reiterated that “religions must become one,” and that “we must not curse or slander each other.”
Chairman Lee's active dialogue with the media and pastors can be understood as an expression of his will to further accelerate exchanges and communication between the religious world in the future.
Chairman Lee said at the last press conference, “We testified to the reality of the fulfilment of the Book of Revelation, but we all know that the relationship is not good because we are misunderstood by the churches.” Revealing his will to communicate, he said, “We need to become one and improve by sharing knowledge.”
To this end, a new paradigm of 'Bible-based discussion' between churches was presented, and a 'lay preaching system', which was not seen in existing churches, was introduced and opened to the public. During the meeting, an 11-year-old youth member delivered a sermon on the topic of 'Seed and Harvest' in Matthew 13, drawing attention.
An official from Shincheonji Church of Jesus explained, “Recently, lay sermons are being held at every Wednesday worship service at Shincheonji Church of Jesus.”
About 180 journalists and pastors who attended the meeting showed a positive response. A pastor who signed an MOU with Shincheonji gave his testimony directly and said, “Unlike general churches, Shincheonji does not use its own interpretation or commentary whatsoever, and it is accurate to say that the prophecies have appeared in reality,” and he was convinced that “only the revealed word can change the corruption of the existing religious world.”
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