UNITED STATES—On the morning of the January 11, approximately 700 pastors from across the country gathered at a church in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province. These attendees included current and former pastors from major denominations, such as the Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK), which boasts the largest congregation size in the country. It is unusual for so many pastors from various denominations to convene in one place.

The purpose of their gathering was to attend the “Shincheonji Word Seminar: Evidence of Revelation Fulfillment,” which began at 2 p.m. They came to listen to a lecture by Lee Man-hee, Chairman of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony. Despite the bitter cold, with temperatures plunging below freezing, pastors from diverse denominations filled the lecture hall.

The relationship between Shincheonji and traditional churches is reaching a new turning point. Following the disclosure of the “Fulfilled Reality of Revelation,” perceptions of Shincheonji Church of Jesus among traditional church pastors have started to change positively. This shift has led to a rapid increase in pastors from conventional denominations, who previously distanced themselves from Shincheonji, now reaching out.

The growing interest in Shincheonji Church of Jesus among many pastors is creating a significant stir within the religious community. Last year alone, a total of 61 “Word Seminars on Evidence of Revelation Fulfillment” hosted by Shincheonji Church of Jesus were held, attracting 3,500 current and former pastors nationwide, further underscoring this trend.

Moreover, pastors have shared reviews such as, “This is a revelation message you can’t hear in traditional denominations,” and, “I would definitely recommend my fellow pastors to listen to it as well.” These testimonials have spread through word-of-mouth, naturally increasing attendance at the seminars.

As evidence of this growing interest, more than 700 pastors attended the seminar held in Cheongju, setting a record for the highest pastor participation to date.

The seminar was packed to capacity, with not a single seat left empty. Many attendees arrived 1–2 hours before the event began to secure their spots. A significant number of participants had traveled from provinces such as Gangwon and Busan. One attendee, who arrived around 11 a.m., shared, “I had brunch because I planned to skip lunch, and I got here early. It’s an honor just to have a seat near the front,” expressing excitement.

As the lecture time approached, the atmosphere grew increasingly vibrant. The seminar opened with a warm greeting: “Pastors, welcome!” This was followed by a series of performances to welcome the attendees, including a drum and geomungo traditional folk music performance by an arts troupe, as well as a praise team’s relay of hymns, which deeply moved the audience.

Before the lecture, General Secretary Lee Gi-won, acting as the host, expressed gratitude, saying, “Thank you to all the pastors who have opened their hearts and attended despite the cold weather. This event serves as a ‘bridge’ connecting God’s Word with the hearts of countless believers and is a miraculous occasion that breaks down barriers not only between denominations but also between religions.”

He continued, “Chairman Lee has been holding these Word Seminars tirelessly from the beginning of this year. The purpose of these gatherings is rooted in Revelation 22:18–19, ensuring that nothing is added to or taken away from Revelation, and out of a desire for everyone to enter the kingdom of heaven.”

When Chairman Lee Man-hee took the stage, the hall erupted in thunderous applause. During the over-hour-long lecture, pastors demonstrated keen interest in Revelation, busily taking notes.

Chairman Lee began his lecture by stating, “We need to reflect on whether we correctly understand the meaning of Revelation as promised by God and Jesus.” He emphasized, “Just as the prophecies of the Old Testament were fulfilled, we must recognize that the prophecies in the New Testament’s Revelation will also surely be fulfilled.”

He continued, “True faith is believing in the reality that has been fulfilled according to the words of the Bible. If the reality of Revelation is testified, pastors and believers must confirm it.”

As he provided evidence for the events, metaphors, and realities described in Revelation chapters 1 through 22, the pastors listened attentively in silence.

Lee stated, “Shincheonji is a place created according to the words of Revelation. If you are curious about what has been created, come and ask. Even a doctor of theology has no connection to God, eternal life, or heaven unless they are created according to Revelation.”

In sharing his testimony, he said, “I was a rural farmer who had never been near a theological seminary, but God showed me and taught me. Even a child can understand if God reveals it to them. You must frequently meet with Him, converse with Him, and know what must be known.”

He further stressed, “To fully understand Revelation, one must know the reality of chapters 1 through 22. You need to verify who you are according to the Bible and whether you have been created according to Revelation. Those who seek eternal life must pursue this.” Addressing the pastors, he urged, “Let us confirm the Word and unite in God.”

He concluded by saying, “Pastors must understand Revelation perfectly, without adding or subtracting. Knowing the meaning of the Word and the fulfilled reality of each part is the essence of perfect faith.”

During his lecture, Chairman Lee Man-hee maintained a clear and firm tone, occasionally interjecting with lighthearted jokes that elicited laughter and fostered rapport with the pastors.

The pastors responded enthusiastically to Chairman Lee’s passionate lecture, reflecting a sense of urgency about fulfilling their duties as pastors by aligning with the Word.

Pastor Lee (58, male), who attended the seminar, shared in an interview with the media, “Before coming here, I had been studying the original text of the Bible and became curious about metaphors and Revelation. Interestingly, it was around that time that I first encountered Shincheonji’s teachings through a fellow pastor.”

 

He continued, “At first, I was fearful, but after listening for myself, it was different. Today, what stood out to me most was Revelation chapter 10. The structure of Revelation, where the message is spread through the one who eats the scroll, left a strong impression.”

He urged his fellow pastors, saying, “If pastors apply this Word, it could be greatly beneficial for their ministry.”

Pastor Jeong Ok-hee, who attended the seminar for the second time, shared her thoughts: “I’ve always believed that only God can judge whether something is heresy. Ironically, hearing Shincheonji being labeled as heresy by others made me curious enough to want to hear for myself.” She added, “Listening to the Word gave me a chance to reassess who is genuine and who is not. Ultimately, confirming the reality of Revelation has made me grateful to be someone who does not add or subtract from the Word.”

Choi (68, male), a pastor ministering in Gwangju, shared, “Since last year, I’ve been attending the Word Seminars through an acquaintance I met at seminary. Before hearing the teachings, I mistakenly believed the false rumor that Chairman Lee was the Counselor mentioned in the Trinity. After listening to the Word, I realized it was a misunderstanding.”

He confessed, “Hearing the phrase, ‘Don’t judge something as heresy without knowing the Word,’ made me reflect on myself. I want to apply the prophecy and fulfillment of Revelation to my ministry.” He also praised the teachings, saying, “Shincheonji’s Bible lectures are unparalleled. I’ll definitely recommend them to fellow pastors.”

The Shincheonji Church of Jesus Word Seminars are garnering significant attention not only domestically but also globally. In fact, the number of online viewers of the seminars exceeded 10 million last year. In Korea alone, this equates to roughly one in five people watching. Additionally, within Korea, 779 churches have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) for Word exchanges, and 83 churches have changed their signage to reflect their collaboration with Shincheonji.

Globally, 13,448 churches across 88 countries have signed MOUs with Shincheonji Church of Jesus, encompassing 1.1 million online viewers. Furthermore, 1,535 churches in 44 countries, representing 105,704 members, have changed their signage.

A church representative stated, “Shincheonji (Church of Jesus) is experiencing rapid growth annually, expanding globally. We encourage people to witness and verify the prophecy and fulfillment of Revelation, which has appeared in substance for the first time in 2,000 years.”