By Staff Reporter
WINDHOEK, Aug. 9 — Members of Shincheonji Church of Jesus around the world have been giving sermons on the Bible book of Revelation, without any prior preaching experience. This is part of the church’s initiative to “shepherd all the saints,” which they have been advocating since their founding.
Members ranging from teenagers to people in their 70s have been given the opportunity to preach on Revelation during the church’s Wednesday worship services. They have tackled topics and themes from a book like Revelation with confidence, even though experienced pastors often hesitate to do so.
One member, Thobekani Qiniso Mbambo, said, “I would have never thought that I, a normal congregation member, would even receive such an opportunity. It was only when I was preparing that I realized that congregation members of Shincheonji have mastered the book of Revelation.”
Another member, Zinhle Basi, added, “It’s time we show that Shincheonji is the place that can testify the book of Revelation with confidence as we have the revealed word. Congregation members aren’t usually just chosen to share the word in many churches.”
Nic Ngcobo, a 29-year-old male member, said that “before joining Shincheonji Church I did not know the Bible, let alone the book of Revelation, but now I can clearly testify the truth that all believers must know.”
Ngcobo said that through the opportunity to preach on Revelation, he was filled with so much gratitude to be used by God to testify the truth found in Biblical scripture. “In preparing I realized how clear and simple it is to understand the word taught at Shincheonji – everything from Genesis to Revelation, even the reality of the prophecies that were made in the Bible.”
All members of Shincheonji Church of Jesus participated in the church’s EQUIPPED Bible Course. It is an internationally run course meticulously compiled and curated to help Christian believers of any level of understanding and knowledge of Biblical scripture to get back to the basics. It consists of three phases which focus on explaining how all the books of the Bible are connected to reveal God’s desire to reconnect with His creation, discovering the meaning of the parables in the Bible and the new covenant made by Jesus at the time of His first coming. And lastly, understanding the meaning of the book of Revelation.
According to Craig van Niekerk, a church spokesperson, Shincheonji has been inundated with requests from believers across Southern Africa showing interest to participate in this Bible course. Recently, the church launched the course online giving anyone from anywhere access to study the Bible from Genesis to Revelation free of charge.
Interested parties can visit the EQUIPPED Bible Course website at be.equipped.co.za
Ji-yeon, the General Education Director of Shincheonji Church said, “Our aim is to ensure that all saints, from young children to senior group members thoroughly master the Bible and be able to give sermons as evidence of their understanding of Scripture.”
He also remarked that “In this world, there is no other denomination where saints can master and lecture on the Book of Revelation as we do in Shincheonji. Now, instead of simply criticizing us, others should verify right and wrong based on the Bible.”
Those who are interested to hear the Word are welcome to join the online course. All courses are free-of-charge, and anyone who wants to know the Word, both pastors and ordinary believers, is welcome to join. For more information visit: be.equipped.co.za
