The Shincheonji Church of Jesus, led by General Assembly Chairman Lee Man-hee, recently concluded a significant 20-day evangelism seminar focused on the Book of Revelation. The event's finale, held at the church's Jeonju location in South Korea, drew massive crowds and global attention, with over 117,000 viewers tuning in worldwide, including more than 200 pastors participating online.
The seminar's conclusion was marked by a festive atmosphere, featuring performances from a military band and traditional folk music troupe. The event's popularity was evident as attendees began arriving four hours before the official start time, with church members lining a kilometer-long route to welcome participants. Due to overwhelming interest, the venue reached capacity, forcing some potential attendees to be turned away for safety reasons.
A notable aspect of the event was the presence of over 250 pastors from various denominations who attended in person. Chairman Lee Man-hee delivered a compelling lecture, encouraging attendees to critically engage with the teachings and draw parallels between Jesus fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and the current fulfillment of Revelation. He emphasized the importance of understanding one's identity in the scriptures and urged participants to personally verify Shincheonji's teachings.
The event's conclusion was emotionally charged, with two pastors from other denominations presenting Chairman Lee with a bouquet, expressing gratitude for the insights gained about Revelation and pledging to share this knowledge within their communities. This gesture underscores the seminar's potential impact on inter-denominational understanding and cooperation.
The scale and reception of this event highlight the growing influence of Shincheonji Church in religious discourse, particularly concerning the interpretation of Revelation. The seminar's success in attracting a diverse audience, including pastors from various denominations, suggests a potential shift in how different Christian groups engage with each other's interpretations of scripture. This event may spark further dialogue and collaboration among different Christian denominations, potentially influencing future theological discussions and interpretations of apocalyptic literature.
