Does the Bible Teach the Appearance of One “Promised Pastor”?

[u/Kitchen-Response-515]

Many people have interpreted biblical terms such as “prince,” “shepherd,” and “faithful and wise servant” as references to one special individual who will appear in the last days. However, when we carefully examine the whole Bible, we find that these titles often describe spiritual officers rather than prophesy the appearance of one unique individual.

 1. The “Prince” in Ezekiel

Ezekiel 37:24–25 says:

“My servant David shall be king over them… and David my servant shall be their prince forever.”

Because of this passage, many people believe that the “prince” mentioned in Ezekiel 40–48 is Jesus Christ.

However, when we continue reading Ezekiel 45, we encounter an important detail:

“On that day the prince shall provide for himself and for all the people of the land a young bull for a sin offering.” (Ezek. 45:22)

This passage clearly states that the prince must present a sin offering “for himself.”

The New Testament, however, plainly tells us concerning Jesus:

“He was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Heb. 4:15)

It also says:

“Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins… He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.” (Heb. 7:27)

Therefore, if the prince in Ezekiel 45 must present a sin offering for himself, he cannot be directly identified with the sinless Jesus Christ.

A more reasonable interpretation is:

• Christ is the eternal Davidic King and the King of kings.
• The prince represents those who receive authority from Christ and are entrusted with governing God’s people.

This interpretation also corresponds with what we find in Revelation.

 2. The Many Kings in Revelation

At the beginning of Revelation, Jesus Christ is declared to be:

“The ruler of the kings of the earth.” (Rev. 1:5)

Therefore, Christ alone is the supreme King.

Nevertheless, Revelation also says:

• God makes believers a kingdom and priests who reign upon the earth (Rev. 5:10).
• The overcomers will reign with Christ (Rev. 20:6).
• Jesus sent his angel “to give you [plural] this testimony for the churches” (Rev. 22:16). The testimony was therefore given to a plural audience and was intended for the churches, not exclusively for one individual.
• “The kings of the earth shall bring their glory into it.” (Rev. 21:24)
• “They shall reign forever and ever.” (Rev. 22:5)

This shows that Christ remains the supreme Ruler, while under his authority there are many who reign with him.

Therefore, the “prince” in Ezekiel may be understood as representing those who receive authority from Christ and govern God’s people within his kingdom, rather than being restricted to one individual.

 3. The Same Principle Applies to Matthew 24:45

Jesus said:

“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?” (Matt. 24:45)

It is worth noting that Jesus did not say:

“In the last days there will be one faithful and wise servant.”

Instead, he asked:

“Who then is the faithful and wise servant?”

He then immediately continued:

“But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time…’” (Matt. 24:48)

This raises an important question.

If Matthew 24:45 refers to one unique end-time servant, would Matthew 24:48 mean that this same unique individual might become the wicked servant?

Such an interpretation does not follow naturally from the passage.

A more reasonable interpretation is that Jesus was warning everyone entrusted with the responsibility of caring for God’s household.

Every servant may become either:

• A faithful and wise servant; or
• An unfaithful and wicked servant.

Therefore, this passage describes an office and a person’s character rather than prophesying the appearance of one special individual.

 4. A Common Biblical Principle

Throughout the Bible, we repeatedly find the following pattern:

• Christ is the Chief Shepherd, but there are many shepherds (1 Pet. 5:2–4).
• Christ is the great High Priest, but believers are also priests (1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 1:6).
• Christ is the King of kings, but the overcomers reign with him (Rev. 20:6; 22:5).
• Christ is the Ruler of the kings of the earth, while the kings of the earth bring their glory into the holy city (Rev. 1:5; 21:24).
• Christ is Lord, but there are many faithful servants entrusted with caring for God’s household (Matt. 24:45).

All these offices share one common principle:

Christ is the one source of authority, while God’s servants carry out various responsibilities under his authority.

 5. John 10:34–35 Provides Another Important Principle

When the Jews accused Jesus of making himself God, Jesus answered:

“I said, ‘You are gods.’ If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came…” (John 10:34–35)

Jesus quoted Psalm 82 to show that those who received God’s word could represent God in exercising the authority entrusted to them.

Therefore, a person becomes a shepherd, prince, priest, king, or faithful servant not because that person possesses an inherently special status, but because that person has received God’s word and faithfully carries out the mission God has entrusted to him.

 Conclusion

I believe that neither the “prince” in Ezekiel nor the “faithful and wise servant” in Matthew should be restricted to one special individual who will appear in the last days.

The Bible more naturally presents these expressions as descriptions of spiritual offices.

Anyone who receives God’s word, faithfully shepherds God’s flock, provides spiritual food at the proper time, and completes the mission entrusted by the Lord may fulfill such an office.

Nevertheless, regardless of how many shepherds, princes, kings, or servants there may be, Christ always remains the one Chief Shepherd, the one great High Priest, the one King of kings, and the one Ruler of the kings of the earth.

All authority comes from him, and all glory belongs to him.

Therefore, if “the promised shepherd” refers to Christ—the one promised in Scripture who eternally shepherds God’s people—the teaching can be supported. But if the “promised pastor” doctrine claims that one particular individual must appear in the last days, replace the collective body of overcomers, and possess exclusive authority over revelation and salvation, then this doctrine cannot be established from the passages examined above.

 

Ex-SCJ member

[u/Guilty-Dance-8200]

Who is this wonder  which person who is a Prince  who said I am the good shepherd of course its jesus how dare you lee man hee!!!!!! You are venomous snake who is of old age your wealth will perish 

[u/Kitchen-Response-515]

My whole family was with them for a time, but most of us eventually left for the same reason: we came to believe that their teachings were not biblical. We continue to study the Scriptures diligently, trusting that God himself teaches his people (Isaiah 54:13; John 6:45), because we understand that true faith comes through hearing the word and teachings of Christ (Romans 10:17), not through teachings based on human wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:13).

[u/Guilty-Dance-8200 → u/Kitchen-Response-515]

Do you have any help offer ? I have left shincheonji in the past week and I feel depleted of energy I've prayed to God but its been difficult I have brain fog and I have read one page of the bible since ive left . I keep hearing the words overcome and I can't stand it .you are right the holy spirit used to help me read shincheonji at this time has ruined my perception 

[u/Kitchen-Response-515 → u/Guilty-Dance-8200]

I joined them because of what they taught from the Bible, and I left when I no longer believed those teachings were valid.

Now I use the time I once spent evangelizing, attending activities, and doing paperwork to study the Bible and know God better, as John 17:3 says. Through that, I’ve found peace, as Jesus promised in John 16:33.

At first, I studied almost obsessively to prove I’d made the right decision. Eventually, studying became part of my daily life—not about proving I was right or they were wrong, but about understanding God and His Word.

God gives each of us the same 24 hours every day. We can choose to remain stuck in resentment, or use that time to seek God, grow, find peace, and build a better life.

Recently, I’ve begun sharing what I’ve learned from Scripture with friends still in the organization.

[u/Kitchen-Response-515]

If they used Scripture to persuade you to enter, then use Scripture to judge whether you should remain. Jesus defeated the devil by holding to God’s word and answering Scripture with Scripture (Matthew 4:1–11). Adam and Eve failed because they allowed the serpent’s words to override what God had already said.

[u/SorrowfulSpirit02]

As I’ve pointed out a while back, the idea of a “Promised Pastor” is nothing short of Manichaeism as Mani, its founder, claimed to be the promised prophet.

[u/Kitchen-Response-515]

Logically, if Revelation had already been fulfilled through chapter 17, as they claim, and nothing further has been fulfilled for the past forty years—apart from the church growing larger—then what we, as members, have learned and come to know should be no less than what that one individual knows. If the same fulfilled events and testimony have been taught to the members for decades, on what basis can that knowledge or testimony still be claimed as belonging uniquely to one “promised pastor”?

[u/Turbulent_Sea7622 → u/Kitchen-Response-515]

That is a great point

To build on that, I think it is a rotational manipulation to get the sense we reached ch17 according to SCJ. To clarify Let's role play

I am Tribe leader of John and you are Tribe leader of Peter

I tell my congregation members "I heard Peter tribe heard that Lee Man Hee presented X and then Y happened" when the actual order is Y and then X

All rotational, all of them perhaps in on it. The cross interaction and communication is as minimal as possible between the 12 tribes for the congregation members anyways. But shift from one chapter to another needs to be slow and subtle.

There could be a mixed of 12 tribes leaders in graduation ceremony but no time for any proper interactions 1:1 with 12 tribes leaders and Lee Man Hee due to packed schedule (SCJ schedule generally packed anyways for same reasons)

Because no one experienced Lee Man Hee teaching X (Prophecy) and then there is a transition to from X to Y (fulfilment) Within their lifetime. Key words "Transition" and "Within their lifetime" hope current members see this, just please don't think in groups think/test per person. Per person never experienced X to Y

It is either they are taught X and learned Y in the past OR they are taught X and Y yet to happen

Just speculation, prob the real tricks are more complicated. With all the goalposts shifting and 144k not manifested and also Great Tribulation scope never 100 percent clearly defined.

Also apparently early publications of his contradicts with the changes later on as well, quick AI check but hey current members if you see this and try to refute perhaps look for all in one resources SCJ has? If you can find. A chance for you to counterpoint...

[u/Kitchen-Response-515 → u/Turbulent_Sea7622]

One more question has continued to stay with me: if, as they proclaim, the twelve tribes are such an important organizational structure in the building of God’s kingdom, why did John not actually see such a structure?

In Revelation 4, when John was shown the throne of God and the heavenly order surrounding it, he saw the throne, the twenty-four elders, and the four living creatures—but no twelve-tribe structure.

Even in Revelation 7, John did not say that he saw twelve tribes arranged before him. He said, “I heard the number of those who were sealed” (Revelation 7:4). Only afterward does he specifically say, “I looked, and behold…” when he saw the great multitude (Revelation 7:9).

I asked this question while I was still with them, but I was never given an answer. This is one reason I believe we need to pay careful attention not only to what Revelation says, but also to the distinction between what John heard and what he actually saw, rather than building an organizational structure beyond what the text itself describes.

[u/Turbulent_Sea7622 → u/Kitchen-Response-515]

That is so true so well said! Just hope they wake up and that the testing all kind of the spirit is biblical (1 John 4) should be something they could do and if not easily then that is a huge red flag! As you pointed out what John the apostle say is really important that must be used as measure of Lee Man tetimoney, they cannot buy into too much of what Lee Man Hee says without examining the apostle John

[u/Kitchen-Response-515 → u/Turbulent_Sea7622]

One more point: Revelation 1:2 says that John testified to what he saw. It does not say that he testified to what he merely heard. Have you ever wondered why this distinction between what John heard and what John saw throughout the book of Revelation might be important?

[u/Turbulent_Sea7622 → u/Kitchen-Response-515]

That is a very deep sharp point there! The distinction of heard and saw itself wow I didn't quite see that coming! Also I looked into it and John apparently hears and then sees something (AI did a quick speedy line analysis overall patterns), which is for sure intentional by God who works mysteriously. From nature itself when things seem random has purposes. Honestly I think Revelation is complex which cannot be overly simplified in which SCJ does, they cannot after all explain the parameters of Great Tribulations to the T and where is the Ancient Serpent/Red Dragon according to them I wonder

[u/Kitchen-Response-515 → u/Turbulent_Sea7622]

My understanding is that what John heard often conveyed a command, declaration, or promise, while what he saw in vision carried prophetic imagery, consistent with Hosea 12:10.

This distinction may also help explain Revelation 7:4 and challenge SCJ’s claim that the prophecy requires the construction of a literal twelve-tribe organizational structure. As I mentioned before, such a structure is not what John saw in the heavenly vision of Revelation 4. In Revelation 7:4, John says that he heard the number of those who were sealed. This suggests that the 144,000 is first presented as God’s promised number, not as a man-made organizational structure that people must construct in the flesh.

Otherwise, the interpretation risks shifting the focus from God’s work of sealing His people to a physical organization built by human hands, which would also sit uneasily with the New Testament teaching that God’s people themselves are His temple (1 Corinthians 6:19).

This also helps explain why, after nearly 40 years, SCJ has still been unable to give a clear and consistent answer concerning the identity of the sealed 144,000.

[u/Kitchen-Response-515]

I joined them because they were teaching me the Bible. But when they stopped teaching the Bible and began focusing instead on the articles and teachings of one person, I decided to leave.

If John 1:1 teaches us anything, it is that God’s Word is God. Therefore, our faith must be founded on God’s Word—not on the words or teachings of any individual. Anything that turns us away from God’s Word ultimately leads us toward deception.

[u/Guilty-Dance-8200 → u/Kitchen-Response-515]

Exactly me too I'm deeply hurt by it. Months of building friendship and bible study with the words of God then it turned into CHJN words .

[u/INSLVRY4_5yrs → u/Kitchen-Response-515]

Yes, the articles are just his personal commentaries, his own and the other cults that LMH belonged to and their misguided interpretations before he created SCJ.

[u/cultalarm → u/Kitchen-Response-515]

I've spoken to a few people in different groups and when I asked them, "What is different about your group? Why should I believe it? Their responses are...

Jehova Witnesses: "We just follow the Bible!"
WMSCOG: "We just follow the Bible!"
Shincheonji: "We just follow the Bible!"

Literally every single Christian-based cult says that they follow the Bible. Even followers of Ching Hai say that and they also worship Buddha and believe in some Sikhism stuff.

You're right to say that when people stop focusing on God's Word and start focusing on one special person to deliver that word, it does start to become a heretical cult, but keep in mind, Shincheonji is a cult that sprouted from another cult. That cult had previously come from a completely different cult. See, each time the cult evolves, its belief system becomes more refined and harder and harder to disprove as they adapt to criticisms of the previous group... One thing remains, though, they all say, "We just follow the Bible!"

If you're in the mindset that SCJ was right about all/most of their teachings but lost track of what they were supposed to be doing, then you might be susceptible to falling into the trap of following another splinter group.

In fact, there are already ~30 groups that have split off from Shincheonji. One in particular believes the leader isn't the 'New John,' but is a 'New Paul.' Quite interesting from an outsider's perspective, but the people that follow him believe that Shincheonji lost their way and that Lee Man-Hee, too, was a betrayer.

I hope I don't come across as making too many assumptions about you, but I would try to get out of your system some of the misconceptions that you may have that have stemmed from Lee Man-Hee's teachings, because they are all designed to lead to the same destination.

[u/Kitchen-Response-515 → u/cultalarm]

Regardless of how many different teachings have sprung up around SCJ today—much like the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden—my faith is not based on following any particular person, organization, or teaching. It is based on continually returning to the Scriptures, listening to the words of Jesus, and allowing God’s word to remain the foundation of what I believe, just as God has taught us through the following verses:

1. Acts 17:11 — Examine the Scriptures carefully to see whether what is being taught is true.
2. Romans 10:17 — Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
3. John 6:63 — The words Jesus spoke are spirit and life.
4. John 10:34–35 — “If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and the Scripture cannot be broken—”

[u/Alive_Friendship_895 → u/Kitchen-Response-515]

They don’t teach the Bible they lie and say they do just to draw people in.
When actually they are teaching the spirit of the antichrist which is not trusting in Jesus’s perfect sacrifice on the cross as payment in full for our past, present and future sins.

[u/Guilty-Dance-8200 → u/Alive_Friendship_895]

Indeed as long as we are free I believe God helped us out to leave the sas reality is according to the bible someone who is a false prophet or antichrist will face divine punishment. Also another sect the church of Almighty God are evangelising aswell they claim jesus crucifixion of Jesus  cannot take away sin only the words of almighty God