Global press has been publicising Shincheonji Church of Jesus’ graduation ceremony, shaking the foundations of the religious world in Korea and abroad. As a participant at the graduation ceremony, I'd like to share my experience of the graduation ceremony with you in briefJ (video link provided below).

From the very early hours of Sunday 10th November, graduates of the 12 tribes travelled by coach to the venue from all parts of Korea. The venue began to fill up in the early hours and by 11am, virtually all graduates were seated in perfectly aligned rows and columns.

At noon sharp, the presider opened the graduation ceremony and announced the full number of graduates - 103,764! Seated at the front were delegates from various political and religious circles in Korea. All 60,000 graduates stood to the Korean National Anthem performed by Shincheonji Church of Jesus’ orchestra and choir dressed in angelic white (2:22). As the most divided country in the world with a tragic history, a moment of silence was held to pay tribute to all those who had fallen in war (3:30). The presider then welcomed the invited delegates seated at the front (5:00). The initial congratulatory remark (08:15) was delivered by a senior figure within the Korean Presbyterian church, who denounced the groundless accusations made against Shincheonji Church of Jesus by the established church in Korea (notably the Christian Council of Korea) and who is a staunch advocate of Shincheonji Church of Jesus’ interfaith dialogues. He said: “I believe that the dialogue for people of faith, began by chairman Lee, will spark conversation, understanding and interaction between religious believers for religious harmony and play a significant role in loving our neighbours according to the will of God.”

The second congratulatory remark was delivered by the head of the Resident Memorial Association and former member of the National Assembly (15:57). He advocated for the work of peace that Chairman Lee is doing by uniting global religious leaders in a world where religion is responsible for roughly 80% of today’s conflicts. The third and final congratulatory remark (27:39) was given by the president of a religious institution who concluded with the words, “you are the heavenly army bearing the Cross and you are the children of God”.

Chairman Lee not only works for peace among religious leaders. Alongside 17 international law experts, Chairman Lee has drafted the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) for implementation at the United Nations' General Assembly. A presentation of letters sent by current and former heads of state to Chairman Lee advocating for the ratification of the DPCW at the UN was then displayed (42:08). This included one letter from President Trump!

As with a typical service at Shincheonji Church of Jesus, there was a time of silent prayer (44:10) and representative prayer (50:20). Then a video link to the 43,000 graduates participating via simultaneous livestream in Busan, Gwangju and cities in dozens of countries all over the world was  shown (1:02:57).  

What is of greatest grace is hearing the word from Chairman Lee who delivered a 40-minute sermon on the importance of understanding one's purpose and identity according to the Bible (1:06:02). As Jesus’ promised messenger, he is making the fulfilment of Revelation known to the churches throughout the world according to everything he has seen and heard (see Revelation 22:8, 16). Chairman Lee concluded his sermon with a beautiful prayer (1:46:07).

After the sermon, a testimony was delivered by a youth pastor who had evangelised 100 congregation members from his previous church while he was studying the true word of the Bible at Shincheonji Church of Jesus' Zion Mission Center (1:56:19). It’s a moving testimony. Man’s effort alone can not have achieved all this.

The ceremony continued with a stunning 'performance of light' and children's bouquet-giving to chairman Lee who, along with 103,764 graduates in five continents, concluded the ceremony by giving all the glory to God through a loud 'hallelujah' and 'Amen'.

Shincheonji Church of Jesus’ graduation ceremony was unlike anything the world has witnessed. As the only place that can explain the fulfilment of Revelation, it will continue to freely share the true word of the Bible. Indeed, if it maintains this pace, Shincheonji Church of Jesus is expected to exceed one million members by 2022.

To watch a replay of this unprecedented graduation, please click here⇨http://scj.so/grad2019_EN