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[Hang Gang Daily News] Analyzing Key Doctrines of the Christian Gospel Mission

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The Fire Judgment Should Be Seen as a Metaphor… The End Times Are a Time of Transition

Original article in Korean here

The Christian Gospel Mission (https://www.cgm.or.kr) has attracted attention for its unique interpretation the Bible, Christianity’s scripture. Rather than a literal approach, they offer a rational and scientifically consistent interpretation that contrasts with the traditional views of established churches. Especially in the 1980s, many young people and intellectuals were drawn to the Bible-based teachings of CGM’s founder, Rev. Jeong Myeong-Seok, and they played a key role in the growth of CGM into what it is today.

Additionally, there is a constant stream of people knocking on the doors of CGM. Why is it that the members of CGM can maintain their faith firmly in place despite outside influences, and why do so many still take an interest in CGM and seek to join? We believe the key to the secret lies in the words of Pastor Jeong Myeong-Seok.

In this installment of our series on the mission’s key doctrines, we will discuss the topic “The Fire Judgment Should Be Seen as a Parable… The End Times Are a Time of Transition” with the help of an official. The Bible (English: Bible) is composed of the Old Testament and the New Testament <Editor’s Note>.

Biblical Prophecies of Fire Judgment and the End Times

People are terrified and frightened by the Bible’s prophecies of a fiery judgment at the end of time. Let’s take a look at a typical passage about the end times and fire judgment.

<2 Peter 3:10-13>

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare…. (emphasis added)… That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

Christianity teaches that the heavens will melt away, all of humanity on earth will perish, and only those who believe in Jesus will survive. This is a grave misunderstanding if one attempts to take the Bible literally.

Some may recall the excitement surrounding the year 2000, both in Korea and globally, with millennium prophecies, the Y2K bug, and more. According to the teachings of Rev. Jeong Myeong-Seok, the members of the Mission Church had known for 20 years before the year 2000 that these biblical references did not describe a judgment in which all mankind would be judged and destroyed, the earth would cease to exist, and everything on earth and in heaven would melt away. In reality, the earth did not disappear at the end of 1999 or in 2000 as Christianity had claimed.

“The earth is eternal. It continues to exist.”

Those who listened to and followed CGM teachings have no fear of the end of the world and continue to believe in God.

The Old Testament Predicts Judgment at the Time of Jesus

So, how should we understand the Bible’s statements about the end times and judgment? Earlier, we discussed how the Bible is not to be taken literally, but rather, viewed and understood symbolically.

<Ecclesiastes 3:15>

Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.

The Bible contains Old Testament prophecies foretelling the time of Jesus’ return, as well as various judgments and end-time events that will unfold when Jesus returns. By examining how the judgments and prophecies about the end times from Jesus’ return have already come to pass, we can understand how they will be fulfilled in the present age.

God says in the book of Ecclesiastes, “What happened before will happen again.”

History is recurring.

First, let’s look at Old Testament prophecies about the end times and judgment by fire.

<Malachi 4:1>

“Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them.”

<Isaiah 9:19>

By the wrath of the Lord Almighty the land will be scorched, and the people will be fuel for the fire; they will not spare one another.

<Isaiah 66:15-16>

“See, the Lord is coming with fire, and his chariots are like a whirlwind; he will bring down his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. 

For with fire and with his sword the Lord will execute judgment on all people, and many will be those slain by the Lord.”

Before Jesus came to earth, it was said through the prophet Malachi that a day of fierce and unquenchable fire would come, and the proud and all who do evil would be consumed like a dust with a consuming fire. Through the prophet Isaiah, it was said that God would descend in a flame of fire and judge with fire and sword.

Seeing these statements, people who believed in the Bible believed in the destruction and end of the world and taught that only those who believed in God and in Jesus would be raptured to heaven. Someone once said, “There are more than ten thousand atomic bombs on the earth, and it only takes a few of them to disintegrate the earth. Eventually there will be a war, and it will happen,” causing people to tremble in fear and terror. There is nothing more terrifying than the fear of death.

Did Jesus judge with fire?

It is said that Jesus came to throw real fire to the ground. So, did he actually judge with fire? Jesus never judged with fire, throwing it all over the place like an arsonist. So, what did he mean? The Bible compares the words of life to fire, as it says, “Are not my words like fire?” <Jeremiah 23:29>. The Bible also clearly states that “the tongue is a tongue of fire <James 3:6>”. In other words, we are judged by our words, not by fire, as it says, “He who rejects me and does not receive my words will be judged by my words, <John 12:48>”.

<Luke 12:49>

“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!”

Jesus came to throw fire on the earth, and he was expressing his frustration, wishing their hearts would be ignited. Just as we say in our lives, “This is so frustrating, why can’t you understand me?” Jesus felt the same way. When he said that God judges by fire and sword, he didn’t mean fire and sword literally, but rather the Word like fire, the Word like a sword.

Why is the Word compared to fire?

The Word and fire have similar properties.

Why did Jesus compare the Word to fire? First, fire is known for its ability to burn away things. Just as fire burns away impurities, the Word also says, “Stop doing it. Repent,” and when we repent and stop, the Word burns away the unclean things. Secondly, fire is characterized by its ability to create new things. We melt iron ore with fire and shape it into various objects; similarly, we are born again as a new person after hearing the fiery Word, which creates a new heart and new decisions in us. Thirdly, just as fire is a light that illuminates darkness, the Word is a light that illuminates people’s religious ignorance. Just as fire has many uses and is essential for life, the Word is essential for our faith.

There are many metaphors for the Word in the Bible. Ecclesiastes 12:11 says, “The words of the teacher are like well-driven nails. When you hear good words from a great person, it sinks deep into your heart, is accepted, and you don’t forget it —you keep thinking about it. This is a metaphor for believing, following, and saying “Amen” to the words of truth. The Word sticks to one’s heart like a nail.

The Bible likens the Word to many things: an axe, a sword, an iron cage, a sickle, and a rod of righteousness. Fire is a metaphor for the Word.

The Bible uses many metaphors for the Word, such as axe, sword, iron cage, sickle, and a rod of righteousness.

The end times signify a transition, not a literal end.

The phrases “latter days” and “end times” appear multiple times in the Bible. In <Genesis 6:13>, <Ezekiel 7:6>, and <1 Peter 1:20>, we see that Jesus’ time was the time of the end prophesied in the Bible. In <Hebrews 1:2, 9:26> and <1 John 2:18>, we can see that the end of the world is not the literal end of the world that perishes and disappears. In the Bible, the “end of the world” does not refer to the literal destruction of the world, but rather to the conclusion of God’s sovereignty during the Old Testament era in salvation history. The Old Testament era, which continued from Adam, was an era of believing in God as a servant, but when Jesus came and proclaimed the Word, a New Testament era of believing in God as a son began. Naturally, the Old Testament era has ended, that is, the end of the age, and a new transition has taken place.

The end of the old age is the beginning of the new age, just like the end of spring and the beginning of summer, and the end of summer and the beginning of fall, for example. It’s a transition to something new. The old always ends, and the new begins. Just as the seasons—spring, summer, fall, and winter—cycle continuously, the concept of the end times also follows a cyclical pattern in history. Therefore, the end of the world does not mean that everything on earth will disappear. The Bible says that the earth is forever (Ecclesiastes 1:4).

Transitioning seasons

Rather, the end times are a transition toward an ideal state. Just like moving from elementary school to middle school or from middle school to high school, it is a progression to a more refined and ideal stage. It is not something to fear, but rather a hopeful and positive transformation.

Turn of the Ages

Jesus said, “It is finished,” before He died on the cross (John 19:30). However, if one interprets the Bible literally, the world did not end, which would suggest that Jesus did not fulfill Old Testament prophecy. So, how did Jesus fulfill the prophecy concerning the end of the world? This can be understood by examining 2 Corinthians 5:17 and 2 Peter 3:13.

This does not mean that physical houses were made new, nor that the sun, moon, and stars were recreated, nor that the church itself was physically renewed. Rather, the essence of this new era is the new Word that God proclaims through the Savior of the world. It signifies that the Old Testament era—governed by the Mosaic Law—came to an end with the Messiah, Jesus, and transitioned into a new era: the New Testament era.

In this way, Jesus fulfilled both the conclusion of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament by proclaiming the new Word of the New Testament era.

What kind of age is this?

<Luke 12:56>

“You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?”

We must discern the times of our lives, the times of nations, and the times of history. But above all, we must first recognize the times of God’s work. To receive blessing rather than destruction, we must prepare for the time of transition. When we hear the Word proclaimed in this age and step into the new era, we are transformed and step into the new era. We undergo transformation, just as a slug transforms into a cicada.

The judgment by fire refers to judgment by the Word, which in turn signifies salvation through the Word. Just as in Jesus’ time 2,000 years ago, Jesus—who has returned as a spirit in this age—is setting people’s hearts ablaze with the fiery words of truth through His chosen messenger in the flesh. Moreover, God is ushering in a new era that transcends both the Old and New Testaments, prepared for those who believe in and love Him.

Written by Kang Min-soo (Reporter)

Data provided by Na Myung-man (Christian Gospel Mission Education Center)

23-year jail sentence for Pastor Jeong… but why are so many people speaking up for him?

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Why would the General of the Korean Army, fellow comrades in the Korean War, hundreds of thousands of followers from different walks of life and various countries, put their reputation on the line to speak up for Pastor Jeong Myeong Seok? This would not be the case if he was truly a beast, a criminal, a brain-washer, a cult, and all the other inhumane labels given by the media, stoked by a small group of naysayers. (see video at the end of this article)

Why would there be zero concrete evidence, but only verbal accusations or questionable audio recordings, if what the naysayers said were true? Why do the naysayers need to stoop so low as to utilise a sensationalistic platform like Netflix to stoke negative public opinion against Pastor Jeong in the midst of the trial, instead of giving the court a fair and unbiased setting to make its decisions?

Pastor Jeong was convicted in South Korea based on a downright biased and unfair setting. When people speak up for him, they are labeled as “brain washed” and so regarded as unreliable sources by the court and media. Isn’t the court and media brain-washed (by their own prejudices) as well, and hence unfit to preform its duty of ensuring justice?

People are speaking up for Pastor Jeong because they have genuinely experienced his life and teachings, and are motivated to put their reputations on the line to speak up for the injustice. A 23-year jail sentence means little about whether Pastor Jeong is guilty, if the sentencing is faced with numerous problems highlighted earlier. South Korea, please wake up and sort out your problematic courts and social problems. Cases like Pastor Jeong’s and the suicide of a teacher over unjustified accusations are symptoms of a wider societal fracture that will only lead to a national decline.

Stop the injustice against Pastor Jeong Myeong Seok in South Korea

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Every individual, regardless of their position in society or religious affiliation, should be considered innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The right to a fair trial is a fundamental human right, enshrined in both domestic and international law. 

Unfortunately, ever since the sensationalized program, “In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal,” was aired in March, the trial of Pastor Jung Myung Seok became negatively influenced by countless unethical broadcasts and publications of fake news, which has instigated a modern-day witch hunt of Pastor Jung and Christian Gospel Mission members. 

Please sign this petition if you are an advocate of basic human rights, fundamental freedoms, and the eradication of fake news.

Korean leader Jung Myung Seok sexually assaulted 100 Taiwanese women? Taiwan Providence urgently declares 4 points: No female students have been victimized

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2023-03-08 21:14

Entertainment Center / Reported by Chen Ciling

“In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal” tells about “Korean cults” and uncovers Jung Myung Seok’s evil deeds.    (Picture / subtitle from Netflix)

The Netflix documentary “In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal” mainly speaks about “Korean cults” and introduces the deeds of 4 cult leaders. It sparked discussions as soon as it was released. Among them, there is a discussion that the new religious group founded by Jung Myung Seok (정명석), the Christian Gospel Mission, also known as Providence, has been sexually assaulting female believers. It is alleged that the victims are spread across many places, including Taiwan. In this regard, the Christian Gospel Mission Taiwan Providence Church issued a 4-point statement on the evening of today (8th), emphasizing that the female members of the Christian Gospel Mission have not been violated or selected to bathe together as reported by the media.

Taiwan’s Providence Church put forward a 4-point statement, refuting that the leader Jung Myung Seok had sexually assaulted Taiwanese women.  (Picture / Recapitulated from Jung Myung Seok – Our Life Tutor Facebook)

【Full Statement of the Christian Gospel Mission – Taiwan】

The Christian Gospel Mission – Taiwan began to devote itself to the local development of Taiwan in 2009. It has worked hard to study, try and practice in the fields of sports, culture, art, and public welfare. However, it has become the focus of public opinion because of Netflix and media reports. Violence is an act of harm and destruction. It not only harms individuals, but also harms the harmony and stability of the entire society. It is really unbearable to see church members face threats of violent words and bear many attacks because of reports. We are against any form of violence!

In response to recent media reports, the Christian Gospel Mission made the following statement:

1. The female church members of the Christian Gospel Mission did not report being abused or choosing to bathe together in the media. When Next Magazine published the report in 2001, when a hundred female college students were victimized at National Chengchi University, and in 2005, when Apple Daily published a report on the sexual assault of thousands of people, there were no such incidents, no substantive evidence and no victim testimonies presented. “Nearly 100 people were victimized” and “1,000 people were sexually assaulted” are the speculations of Next Magazine and Apple Daily. The School Safety Center of the Ministry of Education, in accordance with its responsibilities, stated in the letter No. 0940180806 dated January 11, 1995, that on October 15, 1994, the School Safety Center affiliated with high school vocational schools and tertiary institutions was asked to know whether any related incidents occurred on campus. So far, no school has reported any incident of victimization of students as described by the media.

2. Mr. Jung Myung Seok, the founder of the Christian Gospel Mission, was tried in South Korea courts in 2009. Due to disputes over the existence of witnesses and physical evidence, the Korean Civil Affairs Monthly published one article, “Jung Myeong Seok’s Cross: Why and for Whom?” (Article in Chinese)

I hope everyone can examine whether the trial of the case in 2009 is really uncontroversial. In the past 14 years, the Christian Gospel Mission has worked hard to show our accurate selves and our church life, and we want more people to know us not just through the claims in the media. However, because of the case in South Korea, we are constantly being questioned.

3. I hope that the media can respect the right of privacy and the freedom of religious belief of the faithful. Because the media went to the church without permission to take pictures and disturb the personal life of the faithful, it has seriously affected the rights and interests of the faithful. I hope that the public can give the faithful space with respect. This includes the recent concert held by the “Peace Symphony Orchestra and Choir” in order to promote social care, so that people who are alienated from society and themselves due to technology advances can feel the mood conveyed by the creator through music. Instead, the people involved in this choir are being stigmatized and threatened with violent attacks. I hope that the general public will not blindly follow such claims and arbitrarily forward speculative words to encourage the spread of violence.

4. The Christian Gospel Mission sincerely apologizes to the scholars and social figures who were implicated by this media report. I also thank scholars and social leaders for giving advice in academic exchange activities. I hope that everyone can respect academic exchanges and legitimate public communication, and not use public opinion to influence the lives of scholars and social leaders.

The Christian Gospel Mission is a legal religious organization deeply rooted in Taiwan. We hope that social rumors will subside and end, and we will continue to work hard for Taiwan. May God bless this beautiful island.

Video of Christian Missionary Society statement

Original Article in Chinese | Archived Original

Why did Netflix’s “In the Name of God” JMS Christian Gospel Mission Documentary Come Out?

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(Original article in Korean: 넷플릭스 ‘나는 신이다’ JMS 기독교복음선교회 편, 왜 나왔을까?)

During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the religious organization “S,” that caused the second wave of spread of COVID in South Korea, became an issue. As a result, national resistance to heretical religious groups exploded along with resistance to Christianity. On the internet, I Am Jesus, a parody of I Am a Singer, which was a composite of religious leaders calling themselves “the Second Coming Jesus,” was circulating.

Among them was Pastor Jung Myeong-seok (founder of Christian Gospel Mission, so-called JMS). Why is President Jung Myung-seok, who has lived the life of a “religious/faithful bride of Jesus,” being treated as a “self-proclaiming Second Coming Jesus”? Is it because human nature seeks stimulation? Instead of the Word of God that resolves life’s problems, or wholesome and touching stories, the propagating power of stimulating rumors and criticizing content is much more overpowering. 

This time on Netflix, a documentary called In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal was aired and spread secondary and tertiary content, once again infringing on President Jung Myung-seok and CGM members. Hold on. Here you can just press the “Back” button, saying “Oh, this article was written by a JMS believer” or “You are a cult, so you shouldn’t speak,” but I hope you can read this until the end.

That “perspective” is repeated again

Actually, as a result of checking the main content of the program, I found out that the logic, flow, and information used to attack CGM are the same as before. Mr. K, the key figure of the opposing force who appears directly in the program, has continued to slander CGM with the same narrative since 1999 through SBS’ I Want to Know, MBC’s True Story Expedition in 2020, and JTBC in 2022. In President Jung Myung-seok’s sermon video, he distorted the audio and subtitles from “evangelize one out of ten [yeol-ai-ha-na jeon-do]” to “evangelize one woman [yeo-ja-ha-na joen-do],” and he did not hesitate to use only a portion of an audio recording of President Jeong Myung-seok to make a religious consultation with a [church] member in need sound like a sex crime.

And in 2023, through Netflix’s In the Name of God, using OTT (over-the-top) platform characteristics that are not restricted by broadcasting law, without hesitation, President Myung-seok Jeong and the CGM are portrayed in a sexual and provocative way.

This program is promoted by various media outlets as being objectively and credibly produced. However, it meticulously interprets the path that President Jung Myung-seok walked through one person’s one-sided logic and narrative, which is Mr. K’s. This path, which started with the Word of God that saves lives, is a history that Mr. K has never been a part of. Based on the malicious claims of those who left CGM and the one-sided allegations of the opposition, the broadcast only tarnishes this history as a “history that sexually seduces female believers.” It was done to the extent that I thought it was childish. There was no mention of how God’s words had resolved people’s life issues or how it solved Biblical questions. Instead, Mr. K himself is portrayed as an “apostle of justice who seeks to rescue those who had been harmed by President Jung Myung-seok.”

Video claims and contents: is all of it true?

On February 17th, CGM filed an application for an injunction to ban the broadcast, but the Court rejected it. “For past cases, they have cross-checked various materials such as videos and photos, and the part related to the ongoing criminal trial is in line with the plaintiffs’ statements since they have met and conducted interviews with the plaintiffs, so it is difficult to see them as false,” the Court described.

In the film, Mr. K’s argument, the tearful statements of the accusers, and the presented video and audio recordings of the female believers make people speculate, “President Jung Myung-seok really committed these crimes.” The reenactments also emotionally trigger the general public and induce them to believe that “this really happened.”

But are these allegations and contents true? It is unclear from where these materials were gathered, and whether they were really produced at the site where President Jung Myung-seok had allegedly violated the female believers. In particular, the full version and context should be clearly given for recordings that are offensive and shocking for viewers. Among the statements of the accusers in the actual film, there were many things that could be proven to be absolute lies. 

In the Name of God may end up as a source of stimulation and entertainment (or discomfort) for the public. However, CGM, which has been quietly preaching the gospel and spreading a sound view of faith, will be undermined, and the damage to its image and members will be severe.

Currently, President Jung Myung-seok is undergoing the first trial, and no decision has been made yet. The process from the prosecution of Ms. M in 2022 to the arrest and trial of President Myung-Seok Jeong was not easy from the standpoint of CGM’s opposition. Although I cannot reveal the specific trial process and the circumstances of the accusers here, there were sufficient grounds to prove that Ms. M’s claims were false. Meanwhile, the accumulated negative public opinion led to the arrest of President Jung Myung-seok. In the Name of God is the culmination of that. The accusers, including Mr. K, appear to be trying to agitate public opinion on a global scale through In the Name of God in order to lead the trial in their favor.

It is often argued that broadcasting should be fair. However, it is difficult to come up with such good broadcasts. This is because the broadcaster’s circumstances, characteristics, and financial logic have no choice but to come into play. In particular, fair broadcasts are no fun. In a reality where few people seek the Word of God, to have content encompassing CGM’s wholesome nature and image that differ from its opposition’s claims would be meaningless from the standpoint of OTT, which pursues profit. In order to make content that sells well to the public, there is no choice but to compose content that is stimulating and R-rated.

In the Name of God is a concoction of CGM opposers who cause trouble for CGM and try to justify themselves by any means beyond logic, Netflix’s pursuit of profit, broadcast producers’ desire to succeed through an OTT platform, and the general attack of Christianity which condemns CGM as heretical. Anyone who consumes content should keep in mind that there will be a certain number of hidden agendas.

[Writing | G. jams ]

* This blog collects organized material on the main issues appearing in Netflix’s In the Name of God.

Some of them can be fully explained, but some have not been made into content due to the safety of CGM members. 

Reflection on 2022

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“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

2022 was a challenging year for the world. The Russian-Ukraine War erupted taking many by surprise and continued on far longer than many expected. The global finance downturn and inflationary pressures cast a long shadow across the world. US-China tensions and the east-west bifurcation continued unabated. As if these global maelstroms were not enough, Providence faced another wave of unfounded accusations orchestrated by the same person who had more than 10 years ago done a similar act.

Regardless of these circumstances, Providence gives thanks to the Trinity and Jesus Christ for giving us the power of prayer and the word. We learnt to count the many blessings we have beyond the fear-mongering headlines. We grew to become even more united and harmonious with our brothers and sisters, to shine the light of Christ to the world in an unstoppable manner. Our founder, Pastor Jung, continues to lead by example. Even though he faces tremendous hardships, he continues to pray and write God’s words for all His people.

We are tempered by the waves and storms, like pottery glazed in the furnace, to produce the finest masterpiece. Our path may not be a bed of roses, but a journey of thorns and thistles. Yet, it is in these difficulties that true character, faith and love for God is forged. We remember Job’s story in the bible. We remember the lives all the prophets and people of God. One strange thing in common, was that they all walked the path of thorns.

We also just celebrated the Christmas with the theme “The Christmas of loving God and Jesus.” How apt. The true meaning of Christmas is God and Jesus, and what better way to celebrate than to love them. Even baby Jesus was born in a manger, not a comfortable hospital or even a hotel room. Certainly not a bed of roses.

“Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres… Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:7-8

As we wrap up this eventful year, we wish for everyone to remember the power of God’s love, that touches each and every person and every part of creation. Love always perseveres and never fails. With that, truly give thanks no matter what circumstances you are facing, for that is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ. That you may always rejoice in Him, come what may.

The writer is a longstanding Providence member of 20 years, and is happily married with 3 beautiful children of God.

[CC Herald] My Hometown Wolmyeongdong, the Valley of Signs

Special interview by Chungcheong Herald Correspondent Kim Gwang-mu / Reporter Kwon Seong-ha, with CGM President Jung Myung Seok.

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Reporter Kwang-moo Kim, 15 July 2021

Interview with the President of Christian Gospel Mission Jung Myung-seok

‘Wolmyeong-dong’ in Jinsan-myeon, Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do is a holy place where 1.1 million people from 73 countries make pilgrimages every year in search of faith.

[Special interview with Chungcheong Herald Correspondent Kim Gwang-mu / Reporter Kwon Seong-ha]

“Sometimes he appears shining like a star.. At other times he appears as soft as the moon.. At other times he appears as dazzling as the sun.. He told me to write a poem. He made me a poet”

– From the poem ‘Who made me a poet’

It started with a saying that sounded like a legend. “There are so many beautiful flowers over that mountain.”

The young poet’s heart was filled with overflowing dreams. Secretly, I ran out of hope, gasping for breath. The poet’s life flowed like a river, and flowed like a drop of water on a blade of grass. As the snow melted and flowed on a spring day, the clouds flowed by. The place where the poems flowed is Wolmyeongdong, a mountainous village in Geumsan, Chungcheongnam-do.

The original name of Wolmyeongdong is ‘Dalbitgol’. Even though it was a mountainous area where less than ten households lived, the moon was exceptionally bright. 月明洞 is the name of the village in Chinese characters.

The beautiful flower that the poet dreamed of bloomed as the ‘gospel’ in Dalbakgol.

Wolmyeongdong (144-1 Seokmak-ri, Jinsan-myeon, Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do) is a mysterious place. At first glance, it looks like any other mountainous area with a thick pine forest. However, when viewed from the sky, it looks like “Miwon Ja” took off her jacket exposing her red skin and navel.

Buildings such as stones and trees, water and waterfalls, lawns and temples evoke a passage from Dr. David Hawkins’ Homo Spiritus.

“It’s best to just keep doing your job and leave the rest to Providence. Then, God takes the last step.”

Another name for Wolmyeongdong is the Natural Temple. This is what the people of the Christian Gospel Mission (CGM) call it.

As Dr. Hawkins personally saw and wrote, Wolmyeongdong’s huge three-story building is beautiful and majestic. It is mysterious to see megaliths, which are likely to weigh several tons, standing vertically. Did God really move it?

President Jung Myung Seok (76 years old) said, “To say so would be a lie. Mowing grass in the valley, making volleyball courts to play with, and making potato fields have become training centers that come from all over the world. God works in secret. However, he gave only the words to make it beautiful, magnificent, and mysterious. I entrusted it to famous landscaping experts and they did the landscaping for my home. It was beautiful and grand, but it was not mysterious to anyone looking at it. So I asked him to stack several tons of stones vertically. Then he shook his head and left. It has been raining for a full week, and in prayer, I heard the words, ‘You should build it up.’”

Wolmyeongdong’s huge three-fold image is beautiful and majestic. It is ‘mystical’ as if the gods had moved it to see the megaliths, which are likely to weigh several tons, standing vertically.

“I didn’t know how to build it, so it kept falling apart. As amateurs, we only knew how to put stones on the soil, so there was no way it could be done. But after it collapsed five times, it was built on the sixth. Even though the rocks have collapsed, our hearts have not. It was accomplished as God’s Providence had envisioned. So, in the end, God moved it.”

I was curious about the word “Providence”. It seemed to mean something beyond the principles and laws that govern our lives and phenomena in the natural world.

“Providence is God’s will. My humble hometown, my humble and pitiful hometown was created according to the plan (as it is now) because of God’s will. Now, everyone who sees it admires it, and a lot of people come to see it. I am stunned when I see everyone (laughs).”

In fact, Wolmyeongdong is a training center that gathers all kinds of missionaries.

For over 10 years, President Jung Myung Seok and his followers took shovels and carried soil and stones to complete the project. The paths in each valley of the training center are all paths created by God’s will.

At that time, President Jung said, “To pave the road (길) is to pave the way (도). It is difficult to make a road on a mountain, but how difficult would it be to create the ‘true road’ of life?” This proverb is still being talked about.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 1.1 million people visited Wolmyeongdong training center annually. Devotees and visitors naturally come into contact with Geumsan’s special product, ginseng.

In fact, the memories of the three World Geumsan Ginseng Expo held in 2006, 2011 and 2017 are vivid in the minds of the people of Geumsan. At that time, a whopping 30,000 members of the Christian Gospel Mission from home and abroad traveled all over the Ginseng Expo.

At the 2019 Geumsan Ginseng Festival, many believers promoted the effect of ginseng and purchased it. The economic ripple effect estimated by the Geumsan-gun Office amounts to 100 billion won. It was also beautiful, majestic, and mystical that the people of Geumsan were the same.

Professor Max Weber’s ‘Protestant Ethics and the Spirit of Capitalism’, who emphasized that religion has a great influence on the protection of individual freedom and property rights, comes to mind.

The Christian Gospel Mission in Wolmyeongdong is active not only in revitalizing the local economy, but also in community service activities to relieve the suffering of Geumsan residents, such as recovering from various floods.

Wolmyeongdong is very similar to Christian Gospel Mission. For about 10 years, CGM’s founder President Jung Myung Seok was imprisoned, but CGM grew bigger.

He spread the gospel to 73 countries around the world, including Japan, Taiwan, and the United States, and established megachurches in 200 cities across the country. This is unusual in the context of the decline of the Christian generation in Korean society.

The answer was concise. It is explained that this is because they preach and follow God’s ‘Absolute Word’ as it is. He also cited an increase in the number of logical young believers.

“People see the same thing differently. Even when Judas Iscariot died, some say that he was hanged, and in other Gospels, his intestines burst and he died. The same is true of the old debate about heresies. The Bible is 90% parables. Even if a new religion emerges, God is the same. Whether in the Old Testament or the New Testament, it is God’s will that Jesus was born and preached the gospel, and that is the Word of the new age. If those words are right for the times, then we have to follow them. However, many religious leaders and theologians failed to do so. It is said that teaching according to the Bible is wrong. The younger generation is different. Religion and science must match. If God said it took only 6000 years to create the heavens and the earth, would the youth go to church? Students believe that something is true only when it is logical. It is difficult for the younger generation to accept the saying that salvation comes only by believing in the church. Everyone can be saved, but it is God’s Will that we are saved according to our deeds. God is not the only God of religion. He is the God of science, philosophy and art.”

In the same vein, this is the design that Wolmyeongdong and the training center will show the future. It is CGM’s calling to create a platform to develop the talents of the younger generation based on their faith.

God is not only a God of religion, but a God of all fields of society, culture, and art.

In fact, in Wolmyeongdong, various cultural and artistic activities such as Korean traditional music, orchestra, musical, theater, cheerleading, jazz dance, martial arts demonstration, and magic show, as well as sports club activities such as soccer, volleyball, basketball, tennis, table tennis, swimming, skiing, horseback riding, and mountain climbing are held throughout the four seasons. Volunteer activities such as cultural arts volunteering, visiting Kkottongnae, and volunteering at facilities for the disabled, are also plentiful.

“While serving in the Vietnam War as a soldier twice, I contemplated the essence of religion and the eternal truth at the boundary between life and death. Religion is a life, not a theory. It is listening to the Word and putting it into practice by loving God. I think the mission of Wolmyeongdong and the training center is to convey to the world the victory of faith in Korea that has been achieved through pastoral activities for the past 43 years. We will make Wolmyeongdong, which God envisioned, into a world-class park that embodies the world of religious harmony and peace. This is why people from all over the world come to Wolmyeongdong to believe in God.”

Christian Gospel Mission is putting God’s love and word into practice through various volunteer activities.

Original Article in Korean | Archive |  Chung Cheong Herald

2021 – Made yourself anew?

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2021 has been an amazing and challenging year. While many had thought COVID-19 would be a thing of the past, new variants (Delta and Omicron) amongst other reasons caused COVID-19 to persist and even emerge more strongly in many parts of the world.

In spite of these challenges, the question the Trinity pose to us is – have you made yourself anew in body and spirit this year? This was the theme and direction from the Trinity this year, and Pastor Jung had also delivered many sermons – and led by example – on how we should change ourselves anew. Making Wolmyeongdong in new ways, giving thanks in new ways, praying at even higher levels, holding services in refreshing new hybrid ways…. these are just some examples of how Providence has changed in new ways.

Just as important is how each one of us has changed in new ways. It is easy to blame COVID-19 for not being able to do things better, but this is an opportunity for us to do things in new ways. Every crisis is an opportunity, and the bigger the crisis, the bigger the opportunity. Let’s change our perspectives towards the challenges of COVID-19 and find those opportunities to do things in new ways!

This Christmas, God’s creation continues to give Glory to God through their magnificence and beauty. God also shows himself through nature to all of us. Nature continues to make itself anew daily, in an amazing cycle of life. May we celebrate Christmas with Jesus who came to this world to save us, so that we may live renewing ourselves in a Godly manner everyday, just as nature does.

Enjoy these breathtaking pictures taken by our members, reflecting God through nature.

God’s creation renewing itself everyday.

Movie Review: Before the Wrath

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“Before the Wrath” (2020) is a must watch for people who want to understand Jesus’ fundamental teachings. It provides an incisive critique of Christian faith today, one which has lost the value of prophecy (although that forms 1/3 of bible scriptures) due to the controversial teachings of ‘day-setters’, i.e. people who had claimed to know exactly when the Jesus’ Second Coming would be.

Hence, although the prophecy of Jesus’ second coming is absolutely fundamental to Christian faith and the most significant promise, few Christians today know properly about the rapture, much less look forward to His coming, because Pastors refrain from teaching about the second coming or rapture to avoid generating controversy.

This movie unravels the context behind Jesus’ teachings, given his Galilean background, and points starkly to the fact that Jesus was referring to Himself coming back as the bridegroom with believers as his bride when he talked about his second coming. This is backed by the fact that Jesus used numerous parables from the galilean wedding, which his disciples understood very well.

Pastor Jung Myung Seok has consistently taught about the need to receive Jesus, as a bride would receive her bridegroom, and how to receive Jesus when he returns. “Before the Wrath” reinforces this message.