Shincheonji Church Hosts Record-Breaking Interfaith Revelation Lecture

The Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, recently concluded its 3rd Special Lecture on Revelation Open to All Nations, which represented the largest gathering in the event's history with over 1,000 total attendees. This international exchange program, held under the theme "The Path of Understanding Led by the Bible, the Path of Peace Walked Together by Religions," brought together 440 religious leaders from 59 countries for three nights and four days of activities centered around biblical prophecies and their fulfillment in the Book of Revelation.

The event's growth trajectory demonstrates its increasing significance in global interfaith dialogue. The first special lecture held in February 2024 attracted approximately 80 leaders from 10 religious denominations across 28 countries. By the second special lecture later that year, participation had expanded to about 270 religious leaders representing 57 countries. The latest gathering's scale indicates growing international interest in this unique approach to interreligious understanding through biblical study.

Religious leaders from diverse traditions expressed appreciation for the program's content and approach. Venerable Yulyeoseongwon, head of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, noted that "the reason Shincheonji is reviving and developing further is the 'power of the Word.'" He emphasized that the event provided confirmation "that this Word is the path to unity for humanity, transcending religious barriers." Mohammed Usman, an Islamic leader from Eswatini, described Shincheonji Church's curriculum as "perfect" for conveying peace and truth, while stressing the importance of achieving the peace that all humanity hopes for.

The educational component of the event yielded significant results, with 317 religious leaders participating in an examination on the Book of Revelation. Of these participants, 154 achieved perfect scores, demonstrating the effectiveness of the teaching methodology. Additionally, 125 participants who successfully completed seven weeks of lectures and examinations were appointed as honorary Bible instructors, including 42 from Korea and 83 from abroad. This development suggests the potential for broader dissemination of the program's approach to biblical interpretation across multiple religious traditions and geographic regions.

The Special Lecture on Revelation Open to All Nations continues to evolve as a platform for international religious exchange, with each iteration attracting greater participation and engagement from diverse faith communities. The event's focus on shared biblical study as a means to foster interreligious understanding and peace represents an innovative approach to addressing global religious divisions. The growing attendance numbers and positive feedback from participants across religious traditions indicate the program's potential to contribute to broader interfaith cooperation and mutual understanding in an increasingly interconnected world.