“This is the first time I’ve experienced such free and warm interaction. I felt true peace within the truth,” said a religious leader who attended the 3rd International Revelation Seminar. The seminar has grown into a hub for fostering unity among religious leaders.
The Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (President: Man Hee Lee; hereinafter Shincheonji Church of Jesus), announced on November 6 that it successfully concluded the 3rd International Revelation Seminar, held from October 30 over three nights and four days.
The International Revelation Seminar is an international exchange program that explores interfaith dialogue and peace through the study of prophecy and fulfillment recorded in the New Testament’s Book of Revelation. Since the first seminar in February 2024, participation from countries and religious denominations has expanded, establishing the seminar as a global platform for dialogue among religious leaders.
This 3rd seminar, themed “The Path of Understanding Led by the Bible, the Path of Peace Walked by Religions Together,” drew over 1,000 participants, including 440 religious leaders from 59 countries—the largest turnout in the seminar’s history.
Uniting Religions Through Revelation
Participants agreed that the “truth” learned through Shincheonji carries power.
Seongwon Yulryeo, a monk of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism attending for the first time, said, “I believe the reason Shincheonji is flourishing and advancing is the power of the Word. This seminar confirmed that the Word can transcend religious barriers and unite humanity.”
Leaders from Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Confucianism, and other faiths discovered similarities among scriptures and messages of peace while studying prophecy and fulfillment in Revelation.
Mohamed Usman, an Islamic leader from Eswatini, praised the seminar: “The Shincheonji curriculum perfectly conveys peace and truth.”
The enthusiasm for scripture study was evident in the World Religious Leaders Revelation Quiz at the end of the program, with 317 participants from 60 countries, 154 of whom achieved perfect scores. After completing the seven-week program and examinations, 125 participants—42 domestic and 83 international—were appointed as Honorary Bible Teachers.
Experiencing Harmony Through Emotion and Dialogue
Beyond lectures, the seminar included:
- Joint prayers for global peace
- “The Path to Heaven” Bible OX Quiz
- “Time Travel in the Bible,” a theatrical experience exploring the shepherd’s perspective
- Roundtable discussions promoting a culture of peace
Participants described the seminar as an emotional and interactive space where they laughed, cried, and experienced empathy and unity.
One Buddhist monk remarked, “We accomplished things unimaginable in Buddhism. Seeing a monk lecture on the Bible and Shincheonji representatives discuss Buddhism was eye-opening and educational.” A Presbyterian pastor said, “Through cultural exchange, we see hope in sharing religious values and understanding, and moving toward unity.”
From Inspiration to Action
The seminar concluded at the Shincheonji Peace Training Center, where over 1,000 participants—including 440 religious leaders—united in a call for harmony.
Practical peace initiatives were also shared. Sok Buntheun, Director of Higher Buddhist Education under Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Religion and a participant in the 2nd seminar, held Revelation lectures at Cambodian Buddhist temples to continue interfaith dialogue. Attendance grew from 120 religious leaders last year to 850 leaders this year, including both religious and social leaders.
Sok Buntheun noted, “215 participants signed the Interfaith Peace Pledge, committing to ongoing participation in exchange programs. This was a historic moment where religious and societal leaders actively chose peace.” He also announced plans for a Religious Peace Education Camp in January 2025 to expand peace-building efforts.
At the seminar’s conclusion, all participating religious leaders read a resolution pledging to fulfill their mission of spreading truth and peace and guiding humanity toward salvation.
A Shincheonji Church representative said, “This seminar confirmed that the Bible contains universal truths for humanity, not just teachings for one religion. Through the Word, participants gained understanding of each other’s faith and restored the fundamental mission of religion—peace and harmony.”
President Man Hee Lee emphasized, “We must reflect on past conflicts that strayed from God’s will and become spiritual leaders who uphold the values of truth and peace. Through dialogue and communication, let us achieve the peace that is God’s hope and our hope.”
For context, the first seminar in February 2024 included 80 leaders from 28 countries and 10 denominations, while the second seminar last year was attended by 270 religious leaders from 57 countries.
