Shincheonji Uganda Church Hosts Public Bible Exam on Revelation, Signs MOUs with Local Churches

The Thomas Tribe of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, organized a public Bible examination focused on the Book of Revelation at the Global Hotel in Kampala, Uganda. A total of 200 individuals participated, comprising 100 Shincheonji Church members and 100 local pastors. The two-hour test featured 100 questions designed to assess knowledge of Revelation's content and interpretation.

According to the Shincheonji Uganda Church, the examination was not intended as a competition but as a means to differentiate orthodox doctrine from heresy, aligning with Chairman Lee Man-hee's emphasis on Revelation as the standard of faith. Chairman Lee has frequently cited Revelation 22:18–19 as biblical justification for such tests, underscoring their role in discerning true teaching from falsehood. This approach reflects the church's commitment to scriptural accuracy and theological rigor, which has implications for how Christian communities engage with prophetic texts and evaluate doctrinal claims.

One pastor who took the exam expressed personal reflection, stating, "I've always considered Revelation to be a compass for faith, but I'm ashamed that I never properly learned it. I'll study again to better understand prophecy and fulfillment." This sentiment highlights the potential for such events to prompt reevaluation of biblical education among clergy, potentially influencing pastoral training and congregational teaching standards. A Shincheonji Church member observed that many pastors struggled with the questions, noting, "Unlike Shincheonji members, many pastors found the questions difficult and couldn't answer according to scripture. Now that even ordinary believers like me can easily understand Revelation, I hope this knowledge will spread and bring change throughout Uganda's Christian community." This disparity raises questions about theological education disparities and could drive reforms in how Revelation is taught across denominations.

Following the examination, seven churches signed memoranda of understanding to collaborate with the Shincheonji Uganda Church, signaling growing institutional partnerships. The church also reported that several denominations have recently decided to officially affiliate with Shincheonji Church, indicating expanding influence. A representative of the Shincheonji Uganda Church emphasized, "Knowing the reality of Revelation is the first step to leading believers in truth. We hope more pastors will learn the Word and grow together." This focus on Revelation as foundational to Christian leadership could reshape theological priorities within participating churches, potentially affecting sermon content, Bible study curricula, and ecumenical dialogue.

The Shincheonji Uganda Church has experienced significant growth since its establishment in 2015 with 27 members, now boasting over 8,400 members. This expansion, coupled with recent affiliations and MOUs, suggests the church's methodology—including public Bible exams—may be influencing Uganda's religious landscape. The event's emphasis on Revelation as a doctrinal benchmark could encourage other churches to adopt similar assessment tools, potentially standardizing biblical literacy metrics across denominations. For readers, this development matters as it reflects evolving approaches to religious education and inter-church relations, with possible impacts on how faith communities navigate scriptural interpretation and collaboration in increasingly pluralistic societies.