Shincheonji Church's Interfaith Revelation Lecture Draws Record Global Participation

The Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, recently concluded its 3rd Special Lecture on Revelation Open to All Nations, marking the largest gathering in the series with over 1,000 total attendees. This international exchange program, designed to foster interfaith dialogue and peace, brought together 440 religious leaders from 59 countries for three nights and four days of scriptural study centered on the prophecies and fulfillment recorded in the Bible's Book of Revelation.

Held in Cheongju, South Korea, under the theme "The Path of Understanding Led by the Bible, the Path of Peace Walked Together by Religions," the event represents a significant expansion of interreligious cooperation. The growth trajectory demonstrates increasing global interest in cross-denominational dialogue, with the first special lecture in February 2024 attracting approximately 80 leaders from 10 religious denominations across 28 countries, while the second gathering later that year included about 270 religious leaders representing 57 countries.

Participants across religious traditions emphasized the unifying power of the scriptural teachings presented. Venerable Yulyeoseongwon, head of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, noted that "the reason Shincheonji is reviving and developing further is the 'power of the Word.' It was a time to confirm that this Word is the path to unity for humanity, transcending religious barriers." This perspective highlights the event's significance in bridging theological divides through shared scriptural engagement.

Islamic leader Mohammed Usman from Eswatini praised the curriculum's approach, stating that "Shincheonji Church's curriculum that conveys peace and truth is perfect," while emphasizing the importance of achieving the peace that all humanity hopes for. Such endorsements from diverse religious leaders underscore the program's effectiveness in creating common ground across faith traditions.

The educational component yielded substantial results, with 317 religious leaders participating in an examination on the Book of Revelation, of which 154 achieved perfect scores. Furthermore, 125 participants—42 from Korea and 83 from abroad—who successfully completed seven weeks of lectures and examinations were appointed as honorary Bible instructors, creating a network of trained interfaith ambassadors equipped to continue the dialogue in their home communities.

This growing interfaith initiative matters because it represents a concrete model for religious cooperation in an increasingly polarized global landscape. By creating structured opportunities for leaders across faith traditions to engage deeply with shared scriptural texts, the program demonstrates that theological differences need not prevent collaborative study and mutual understanding. The rapid expansion from 28 to 59 participating countries within three sessions indicates a global hunger for such interreligious engagement.

The implications extend beyond the immediate participants, as the appointed honorary Bible instructors return to their communities carrying both specialized knowledge and experience in cross-denominational dialogue. This creates ripple effects that can influence local interfaith relations and contribute to broader peacebuilding efforts. The program's focus on the Book of Revelation—a text with significance across multiple Christian traditions and interest from other faiths—provides a particularly potent foundation for discussion given its prophetic nature and varied interpretations.

For the religious community worldwide, this initiative offers a template for how structured scriptural study can serve as bridge-building mechanism rather than a source of division. The measurable outcomes, including examination results and instructor appointments, provide tangible evidence of knowledge transfer and commitment to ongoing engagement. As religious tensions continue to surface in various global contexts, the success of this program suggests that focused, educational approaches to interfaith dialogue may offer sustainable pathways toward mutual understanding and cooperation.