Imanhee, in a Letter to Followers: "The COVID Crisis Is the Natural Fulfillment of Biblical Prophecy"

Lee Man-hee, President of Shincheonji Church of Jesus / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung, Reporter Han Seunggon] It has been revealed that Lee Man-hee, the chairman of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Shincheonji), sent a special letter to believers claiming that the rapid increase in confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is a process in which the revelations and prophecies recorded in the Book of Revelation are being fulfilled.

According to Shincheonji on the 2nd, Chairman Lee recently delivered a letter to believers titled "Official Document No. 115 - Chairman's Special Letter."

Regarding the rapid spread of COVID-19, Chairman Lee stated, "The fact that 144,000 people have received the 'seal' is a great tribulation," and claimed, "As recorded in the Book of Revelation, after this tribulation, a white multitude appears, so (the spread of COVID-19) is the natural order of this fulfillment."

The 'seal' refers to passing the test conducted within the Shincheonji denomination and joining the church. Shincheonji believes that among the believers affiliated with each tribe after joining, 144,000 will be saved at the end of days.

Chairman Lee encouraged believers by saying, "Although you are going through difficult times, please endure as this is the fulfillment of the word," and "In the end, it will be conquered by God's reign, so let us keep the promised word."

On the 1st, the Seoul Metropolitan Government filed a complaint with the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office against Lee Man-hee, the General Pastor of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, and the leaders of 12 tribes on charges of murder, assault, and violation of the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act. / Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, the Seoul Metropolitan Government filed a complaint with the prosecution on the previous day (the 1st) against Chairman Lee and the Shincheonji leadership on charges including murder.

Seoul stated, "We have filed a complaint with the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office against Chairman Lee Man-hee and the 12 tribe leaders on charges of murder, injury, and violation of the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act."

They explained the background of the complaint, saying, "Starting with the 31st confirmed case on the 18th of last month, the proportion of confirmed cases related to Shincheonji has exceeded half of all confirmed cases," and "In this situation, the accused have the obligation to voluntarily undergo testing and ensure that other believers cooperate with testing and epidemiological investigations to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but the accused have refused testing and have taken no measures to actively encourage believers to cooperate with quarantine authorities."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.