Shincheonji Church of Jesus Draws 80,000 Attendees in Cheongju, Highlighting Growing Interest in Biblical Revelation

In a significant display of religious fervor, the Shincheonji Church of Jesus drew a crowd of 80,000 people to its Cheongju branch on September 8, 2024. The gathering, which included around 100 Protestant pastors, marked the 30th anniversary of the church's establishment in the North Chungcheong Province city.

The event was part of a nationwide tour by Shincheonji's General Assembly Chairman Man-hee Lee, who has been emphasizing the importance of understanding and fulfilling the prophecies in the Book of Revelation. Lee's visit to Cheongju was met with a 4-kilometer-long welcoming procession, reflecting the church's growing influence in the region.

During his sermon, Chairman Lee stressed the significance of the revealed word from the Book of Revelation, stating, "How thankful I am that God has revealed to us the words of the Book of Revelation that no one knew for 6000 years. These words are life." He urged believers to align their faith completely with these teachings.

The Shincheonji Church of Jesus, founded in 1984, has seen rapid growth in recent years, now boasting over 400,000 members worldwide with branches in more than 120 countries. The church's appeal, particularly among young adults, stands in contrast to the trend of de-religionization observed in many traditional Protestant denominations.

A survey conducted by the Pastoral Data Research Institute last September revealed that 65% of domestic Protestant Church attendees in South Korea feel "spiritually thirsty," with 55% expressing a desire for systematic Bible education from pastors. This data suggests a potential explanation for Shincheonji's growing popularity, as the church offers an eight-month regular course on Biblical studies, particularly focusing on the Book of Revelation.

The church's approach to Biblical interpretation and prophecy fulfillment appears to be resonating with a significant number of people seeking spiritual guidance. An official from the church stated, "The core of the message conveyed by the Chairman is that the prophecies of the Book of Revelation have actually come true and have appeared in physical reality."

The Zion Christian Mission Centre, Shincheonji's theological school, offers a free Bible course divided into three modules, which is open to anyone interested in studying the scriptures. This educational approach, combined with the church's emphasis on the revealed word, seems to be attracting individuals from various backgrounds, including established Protestant pastors.

As traditional religious institutions grapple with declining attendance, particularly among younger generations, Shincheonji's growth presents a noteworthy phenomenon in the landscape of contemporary Christianity. The church's ability to draw such large crowds and its focus on Biblical prophecy interpretation may prompt broader discussions about the evolving nature of religious engagement and scriptural understanding in the 21st century.

For more information about the Shincheonji Church of Jesus and its teachings, interested individuals can visit https://www.shincheonji.org/. Those seeking to learn more about the Bible course offered by the Zion Christian Mission Centre can find details at https://zcmc.org.ph/.