On the eve of this Easter, the cult "Shincheonji" from South Korea once again "successfully" launched a new wave of "mission" through online platforms.
Presumably, some Christians have received this or similar information on WeChat: "I have received an invitation to the Asia Federation held on April 9. The theme is War and Peace in the Last Days, based on Matthew 24. I heard that it is a Christian event for tens of thousands of people, and I really want to go. Are you free to join me? You can sign up for a seat. It is said that there will be a big crowd. Seats may not be available if you sign up late. Please pray for this, and God will arrange the time for us. We make plans, and God guides our steps. Faith is to rely on God and entrust ourselves to Him. It is pleasing to God that we set time aside to get close to Him. That said, He will definitely make a way out for us. Do you think this is feasible? (Praying hands)”
After being inactive for two years due to the outbreak of the Korean epidemic, "Shincheonji" is indeed "returning" this time. It still propagates with “a great fanfare” as before.
Two years ago, in February 2020, against the backdrop of the global pandemic, the "Shincheonji" executives in the South Korean headquarters deliberately concealed the whereabouts of their followers to avoid government scrutiny. As a result, a "super-spreading incident" occurred in the Daegu area of South Korea, which in turn led to a vicious epidemic across the country. This emerging religious group, "Shincheonji", was identified as the culprit in detonating the epidemic in South Korea in its public opinion. Shincheonji became denounced and censured by the Korean society. In August of the same year the founder of Shincheonji, Lee Man-hee, was ordered to be detained in Suwon Detention Center by the court for allegedly violating South Korea's "Infectious Disease and Control Act" and embezzling the public funds of the organization. Subsequently, Lee was indicted. Eleven core backbones of the organization were also indicted.
This incident has dealt a great blow to the cult. Although South Korea did not take the opportunity to ban it, its social reputation plummeted.
However, "Shincheonji" made a comeback after two years against expectations, and its action was "astonishing". In the past, they launched the "Bible Study Class" and "Free Theological Training Class". This time the operation was under the banner of "Global Event Forum", with "President Lee Man-hee" as the keynote speaker. It seemed to be of executive level. Moreover, a nondescript organization named "Shincheonji Chinese Council" was created.
Called "War and Peace in the Last Days" with the scripture of Matthew 24, the topic launched this time was indeed very eye-catching. This might be attributed to the heat of the Russian-Ukrainian war. To strike while the iron was hot, "Shincheonji" issued an invitation letter for Easter after the "Global Forum" was "successfully" held on April 9.
People may have noticed that whenever "Shincheonji" is making a big move, messages start to pop up in WeChat groups, sending friend requests in private, getting close to you in a “sweet talk” way, and forwarding you an invitation letter or a link to the "meeting".
This indicates that many Christians' WeChat groups have been infiltrated by "Shincheonji" members. These heretical members sneak into various groups and quietly observe the group activities. When it's time to make a big move, they add you as a friend, get close to you enthusiastically, and send you invitations or links to various resources to get you involved.
"Shincheonji" is still rampant even though it has been exposed and attacked in a variety of ways in recent years. It would stage a "resurrection" and "returning" every time after a dormant period. Especially during the current pandemic when churches are withholding gatherings, it takes advantage to steal sheep and convert people through all kinds of makeovers. It has caused a great amount of harm to the churches in China.
- Translated by June Chen
在今年的复活节来临前夕，来自韩国的邪教“新天地”又一次“成功”地通过网络平台发起新一轮“传教”浪潮。
想必有些弟兄姊妹在微信上都收到过这样或者类似的信息：
“我有收到一个邀请，4月9日举行的亚洲联合会，讲马太福音24章的内容，主题：末世的战争与和平，听说是上万人的基督徒盛会，我很想去参加，您有空和我一起参加吗？可以报名占到席位，据说是人比较多，晚了的话会报不上，也把这个事情放在祷告中，神一定会为我们预备时间的，人心筹算自己的道路，神指引我们的脚步，信仰是倚靠交托神，神喜悦我们预备时间亲近神，所以也一定会开出路的。您看这样是否可行？[合十] ”
在“新天地”由于曾经引爆韩国疫情而沉寂了两年后，这一次真的是“卷土重来”，而且依然是像以前一样“大张旗鼓”地进行宣传。
两年前的2020年2月，在全球新冠开始蔓延的背景下，由于在韩国本部的“新天地”高层刻意隐瞒其教徒行踪躲避政府检查，导致韩国大邱地区发生了“超级传播事件”，进而导致疫情向全国恶性扩散。
这个新兴宗教团体“新天地”被韩国公众舆论认定是引爆韩国疫情的罪魁祸首，而新天地也就此成为韩国社会谴责和声讨的对象。 就在同年8月份，“新天地”教主李万熙因涉嫌违反韩国《传染病预防法》以及挪用该机构公款，被法院裁定羁押于水原看守所。随后，李万熙遭到起诉，同时被起诉的还有其11名核心骨干。
这起事件对“新天地”的打击很大，虽然韩国没有借机对其进行取缔，但其社会名声已经是一落千丈。
可是，谁料想过了两年后，“新天地”竟然卷土重来，并且其表现令人“惊艳”。 以前他们推出的是“查经班”“免费神学培训班”，而这次操作却打出了“全球盛会讲座”的旗号，并由“李万熙总会长”亲自出马主讲，显得档次很高。而且，还搞出了个“新天地华人理事会”这样一个不伦不类的机构。
这次推出的讲题确实也很吸睛，叫“末世的战争与和平”，所用经文是马太福音24章。这个可能是蹭俄乌战争热度的。 在4月9日的“全球讲座”“圆满”举办之后，“新天地”又趁热打铁推出复活节信息邀请函。
不知大家有没有发现，每到“新天地”有大动作的时候，就在很多群里涌出不少微信小号，私下里加你好友，以“甜言蜜语”的方式和你套近乎，再给你发送邀请函或有关“会议”链接。
这说明，很多基督徒的微信群里都被“新天地”分子给渗透了。这些异端小号平时混入各个群里潜伏起来，悄悄观察里面的动态。 到了要有大动作的时候，就加你好友，热情地和你套近乎，给你推送各种邀请或相关资料链接，要把你拉下水。
近几年来，虽然“新天地”已被各种曝光和打击，但依然是如此猖獗， 每沉寂一段时间就会上演“死灰复燃”“卷土重来”，尤其是利用当前疫情期间利用很多教会暂停聚会之机，钻空子，各种改头换面偷人拉羊，对中国的教会破坏很大。
“新天地”卷土重来 复活节前夕到处拉人入教
On the eve of this Easter, the cult "Shincheonji" from South Korea once again "successfully" launched a new wave of "mission" through online platforms.
Presumably, some Christians have received this or similar information on WeChat: "I have received an invitation to the Asia Federation held on April 9. The theme is War and Peace in the Last Days, based on Matthew 24. I heard that it is a Christian event for tens of thousands of people, and I really want to go. Are you free to join me? You can sign up for a seat. It is said that there will be a big crowd. Seats may not be available if you sign up late. Please pray for this, and God will arrange the time for us. We make plans, and God guides our steps. Faith is to rely on God and entrust ourselves to Him. It is pleasing to God that we set time aside to get close to Him. That said, He will definitely make a way out for us. Do you think this is feasible? (Praying hands)”
After being inactive for two years due to the outbreak of the Korean epidemic, "Shincheonji" is indeed "returning" this time. It still propagates with “a great fanfare” as before.
Two years ago, in February 2020, against the backdrop of the global pandemic, the "Shincheonji" executives in the South Korean headquarters deliberately concealed the whereabouts of their followers to avoid government scrutiny. As a result, a "super-spreading incident" occurred in the Daegu area of South Korea, which in turn led to a vicious epidemic across the country. This emerging religious group, "Shincheonji", was identified as the culprit in detonating the epidemic in South Korea in its public opinion. Shincheonji became denounced and censured by the Korean society. In August of the same year the founder of Shincheonji, Lee Man-hee, was ordered to be detained in Suwon Detention Center by the court for allegedly violating South Korea's "Infectious Disease and Control Act" and embezzling the public funds of the organization. Subsequently, Lee was indicted. Eleven core backbones of the organization were also indicted.
This incident has dealt a great blow to the cult. Although South Korea did not take the opportunity to ban it, its social reputation plummeted.
However, "Shincheonji" made a comeback after two years against expectations, and its action was "astonishing". In the past, they launched the "Bible Study Class" and "Free Theological Training Class". This time the operation was under the banner of "Global Event Forum", with "President Lee Man-hee" as the keynote speaker. It seemed to be of executive level. Moreover, a nondescript organization named "Shincheonji Chinese Council" was created.
Called "War and Peace in the Last Days" with the scripture of Matthew 24, the topic launched this time was indeed very eye-catching. This might be attributed to the heat of the Russian-Ukrainian war. To strike while the iron was hot, "Shincheonji" issued an invitation letter for Easter after the "Global Forum" was "successfully" held on April 9.
People may have noticed that whenever "Shincheonji" is making a big move, messages start to pop up in WeChat groups, sending friend requests in private, getting close to you in a “sweet talk” way, and forwarding you an invitation letter or a link to the "meeting".
This indicates that many Christians' WeChat groups have been infiltrated by "Shincheonji" members. These heretical members sneak into various groups and quietly observe the group activities. When it's time to make a big move, they add you as a friend, get close to you enthusiastically, and send you invitations or links to various resources to get you involved.
"Shincheonji" is still rampant even though it has been exposed and attacked in a variety of ways in recent years. It would stage a "resurrection" and "returning" every time after a dormant period. Especially during the current pandemic when churches are withholding gatherings, it takes advantage to steal sheep and convert people through all kinds of makeovers. It has caused a great amount of harm to the churches in China.
- Translated by June Chen
Shincheonji Cult Stages Comeback, Enticing People Everywhere on Easter Eve
