On September 8, 2024, the city of Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, witnessed an extraordinary gathering of over 80,000 members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus for a Sunday service, marking a significant event in the city. This crowd, equivalent to one-tenth of Cheongju’s population, gathered at the Cheongju Church of the Matthias Tribe, part of the Shincheonji Church, to hear a sermon by the church’s chairman, Lee Man-hee.

The event was part of Chairman Lee’s nationwide tour, which has drawn considerable attention due to his teachings on biblical prophecies, particularly the Book of Revelation.

The service also celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Cheongju Church’s founding, adding to the significance of the occasion. The gathering was not only attended by local members but also by congregants from other regions, including the John Tribe from southern Gyeonggi and Seoul, along with over 100 pastors from traditional Protestant churches.

The day’s events began early, with members lining a 4-kilometer route from Cheongju IC to the church, welcoming Chairman Lee with a procession. The attendees expressed deep gratitude for his clear and detailed explanations of biblical prophecies, especially the often misunderstood Book of Revelation. One congregant shared, “I am thankful for Chairman Lee’s teachings on Revelation. It’s something I had never encountered before in my life as a believer.”

During his sermon, Chairman Lee emphasized the importance of understanding the Bible’s prophecies, stating, “How thankful are we that God gave us the understanding of the Book of Revelation that no one knew for 6,000 years. This Word is life.” He urged his followers to align their faith 100% with the Word of God, highlighting that Shincheonji is able to present the physical fulfillment of these prophecies.

Lee’s teachings, which have remained central to the Shincheonji Church since its founding, have attracted numerous followers seeking deeper spiritual understanding. In 2024 alone, Chairman Lee has visited over 40 churches, covering a distance equivalent to more than half the circumference of the Earth, as part of his mission to share the church’s teachings on Revelation.

The impact of these teachings has been profound, with many individuals turning to Shincheonji after years of spiritual dissatisfaction in other denominations. One individual, who had spent over 30 years attending a Presbyterian church, shared how they had never found spiritual clarity until they attended one of Chairman Lee’s lectures. “The chapters of Revelation were explained clearly for the first time, and the frustrations I had with the Bible were finally resolved,” they said.

Shincheonji’s focus on a “Word-centered faith” and the “uniqueness of the revealed Word” has contributed to its rapid growth, particularly among young adults. Over 100,000 people complete Shincheonji’s eight-month Bible education course each year, a trend that contrasts with the decline in youth participation in traditional Korean churches.

According to a 2023 survey by the Pastoral Data Research Institute, 65% of South Korean churchgoers feel spiritually unfulfilled, and 55% expressed a desire for more structured biblical education from their pastors.

A representative from Shincheonji Church explained that the appeal of the church lies in its clear interpretation of the Bible’s prophecies. “What we once thought of as a fairytale, the Book of Revelation, is actually being fulfilled in reality,” they said. “Our structured curriculum and strong evidential proof attract people from diverse backgrounds, as they seek a deeper understanding of the Word.”

The Cheongju gathering, with its mix of church members and pastors from across denominations, highlights the growing interest in Shincheonji’s teachings, as more people seek answers to their spiritual questions through its unique approach to biblical prophecy.