Shincheonji lesson 91: the law of the new covenant that must be kept
Lesson 91 · Intermediate
Main verses used
Links open the NET Bible.
- Hebrews 8:1-6
- Hebrews 8:7-10
- Hebrews 8:11-13
- Exodus 19:5-6
- Isaiah 60:14
- Jeremiah 31:27-31
- Matthew 13:24-30
- Luke 22:14-20
- Matthew 8:10-12
- Revelation 7:1-14
- Revelation 14:14-16
- Revelation 1:3
- Revelation 22:18-19
- Luke 18:8
- Matthew 25:31-33
- Revelation 14:4
- Romans 8:17-18
- John 16:33
- Deuteronomy 6:5-9
- Acts 8:26-39
What SCJ teaches
This section comes from class notes that an attendee wrote down during SCJ’s 9-month Bible study seminar, posted with the full Closer Look study. They are not SCJ’s printed curriculum, so the wording is the note-taker’s.
The hope and the two parts of a covenant
The board states the hope: “To be those who know and keep the New Covenant on our hearts and minds!” Every covenant has two parts: “the law part, which relates to daily actions people must take” and “the prophecy part, meant to be fulfilled at the proper time when events unfold.” The class works from Hebrews 8. The word goes on the heart “to be sealed at Mount Zion” and on the mind “so it can flow from our mouths.” The order is to understand first and then believe.
Understanding, purpose and promise
Three guides open the lesson. First, “Understanding is not intuited; it is given and received. It is taught.” The Ethiopian eunuch needed Philip to supply “the missing pieces.” Second, God’s purpose: “the creation of the 12 tribes of new spiritual Israel.” Third, God’s promise is a blueprint carried out “through the new covenant,” and the new 12 tribes mark “the conclusion of the new thing God is doing.”
Old covenant, high priest and history
The first covenant came through Moses, with priests, gifts and the Tent of Meeting as “a copy and a shadow of what is in heaven.” At the first coming “our mediator and high priest became the same person: Jesus.” Isaiah 60:14 is read as being about Jesus, since Israel is a title for “one who struggles with God and overcomes,” and “Mount Zion represents His church and organization.” The history runs from Moses, through the covenant broken under Solomon and Jeremiah’s promise, to Jesus sowing seed and making the new covenant at Passover. “It is finished” meant “the Old Covenant was concluded.”
Revelation as the new covenant
For 2,000 years believers focused on love and forgiveness. “Now, however, our priority should shift to the events occurring as prophecy is fulfilled.” The notes say it plainly: “Everything Jesus promised comes to fruition when Revelation is fulfilled. This is why we equate Revelation with the New Covenant.” The prophecy part can now be kept by fleeing to the mountain, being born of God’s seed, harvested and sealed, joining the new 12 tribes, not adding or subtracting, and preparing wedding clothes, lamp and oil.
Two ways to meet the book, and the blessing
There are two ways to meet Revelation: “Master The Book of Revelation” or “Add and subtract.” Matthew 8:10-12 is applied to two groups. The “Subject of the Kingdom” who are thrown out are “Traditional churches today,” and those from north, south, east and west become the sealed 12 tribes. The covenant “cannot apply” to anyone who does not believe the book. Being blessed “means being given the ability to overcome challenges. It’s not about having an easier life.” Persecution “is part of the package.” The listed blessings include forgiven sins, a prepared place and inheritance of the kingdom, and “Sin will be a thing of the past for these people.” Believers should be sheep and not goats, since “goats are unruly.” The class is told the test comes first and then Revelation begins.
In SCJ’s own books
Each passage was checked against the scanned page image; page numbers are as printed.
Creation of Heaven and Earth, Lee Man-hee (Shincheonji Press), page 152:
“The new covenant, simply stated, is allowing God to put his laws in our minds and write them on our hearts.”
Creation of Heaven and Earth, page 116:
“The prophecies of the four gospels and of Revelation make up the new covenant that will be fulfilled in the future.”
How the lesson notes compare with the books
- What the new covenant is. Same teaching. Both read Hebrews 8:10 as God placing his laws in minds and on hearts (Creation p. 152).
- What the new covenant is made of. Difference. The notes: “The new covenant is the law of Revelation.” Creation says the prophecies of “the four gospels and of Revelation” make it up (p. 116).
What the Bible says
- Jesus calls the cup at the Last Supper the new covenant. And in the same way he took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. (Luke 22:20, NET)
- Hebrews 8:10 states what the new covenant promises, as the notes say. For this is the covenant that I will establish with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds, and I will inscribe them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be my people. (Hebrews 8:10, NET)
- The same passage says no neighbor needs to teach another to know the Lord. And there will be no need at all for each one to teach his countryman or each one to teach his brother saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ since they will all know me, from the least to the greatest. (Hebrews 8:11, NET)
- Jesus says “the sons of the kingdom” will be thrown out, in a passage that contrasts Israel with people from the east and west. When Jesus heard this he was amazed and said to those who followed him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found such faith in anyone in Israel! I tell you, many will come from the east and west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, but the sons of the kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 8:10-12, NET)
- The Bible does promise trouble to believers and calls them to courage, as the notes say. I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage—I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33, NET)
- The eunuch needed someone to guide him through Isaiah. So Philip ran up to it and heard the man reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked him, “Do you understand what you’re reading?” The man replied, “How in the world can I, unless someone guides me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. (Acts 8:30-31, NET)
Where SCJ’s reading conflicts with the Bible
This lesson says every covenant has “the law part” and “the prophecy part,” and that “The new covenant is the law of Revelation.” It says that for 2,000 years believers focused on love and forgiveness, but “Now, however, our priority should shift to the events occurring as prophecy is fulfilled.” It says “Understanding is not intuited; it is given and received. It is taught,” that God’s purpose is “the creation of the 12 tribes of new spiritual Israel,” that the covenant “cannot apply” to anyone who doesn’t believe Revelation, and that the “Subject of the Kingdom” who are thrown out are “Traditional churches today.” It adds that “every single believer at the time of the second coming” must do review, home blessings and test study. SCJ’s own book gives a simpler definition: “The new covenant, simply stated, is allowing God to put his laws in our minds and write them on our hearts” (The Creation of Heaven and Earth, p. 152). Scripture tells us what law God writes on believers’ hearts.
1. The law of the new covenant is love
The lesson says believers’ priority should shift from love and forgiveness to prophetic events.
- Jesus gave the new covenant’s command on the same night he gave the cup: “I give you a new commandment—to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. Everyone will know by this that you are my disciples—if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).
- Paul: “the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law … Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:8-10). “Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
- “if I have prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge … but do not have love, I am nothing … And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:2, 13).
Love isn’t the past era’s priority, to be replaced by prophecy. It’s what God writes on believers’ hearts. (See Lesson 45.)
2. The new covenant is in Jesus’ blood
- “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood” (Luke 22:20). Revelation wasn’t written yet.
- SCJ’s own teaching differs on this: the book says “The prophecies of the four gospels and of Revelation make up the new covenant that will be fulfilled in the future” (The Creation of Heaven and Earth, p. 116); the notes say Revelation alone. (See Lessons 58, 72, 79 and 87.)
3. Understanding is taught: But Hebrews 8:11 says each will know the Lord
The lesson uses the Ethiopian eunuch to say understanding must be taught, and that every believer must review, do home blessings and study for tests.
- Philip helped the eunuch, and he “proclaimed the good news about Jesus to him” (Acts 8:35). The man was baptized that day (8:36-39).
- The new covenant passage the lesson studies says: “there will be no need at all for each one to teach his countryman or each one to teach his brother saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ since they will all know me, from the least to the greatest” (Hebrews 8:11).
- Teachers help (Ephesians 4:11), but knowing the Lord is God’s gift to every believer: “the anointing that you received from him resides in you” (1 John 2:27). A study routine isn’t a covenant requirement. (See Lesson 87.)
4. God’s purpose is to unite all things in Christ
The lesson says God’s purpose is “the creation of the 12 tribes of new spiritual Israel.”
- Paul states God’s purpose: “the mystery of his will … to head up all things in Christ—the things in heaven and the things on earth” (Ephesians 1:9-10).
- Its completion: “The residence of God is among human beings. He will live among them, and they will be his people” (Revelation 21:3). (See Lesson 81.)
5. The covenant applies to all who believe in Jesus
The notes say the covenant “cannot apply” to anyone who doesn’t believe the book of Revelation.
- Paul writes, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).
- Of Christ, Hebrews says, “he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the eternal inheritance” (Hebrews 9:15). The covenant comes through his death to all who are called.
6. Master Revelation or add and subtract: A false choice
- The lesson offers two options: “Master The Book of Revelation” or “Add and subtract.” That’s a false choice. Revelation blesses “those who hear and obey the things written in it” (Revelation 1:3), not those who master its every symbol.
- The thief on the cross mastered nothing and was told, “today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). (See Lessons 66 and 74.)
7. Matthew 8: “Traditional churches today”
- Jesus contrasted unbelieving Israel (“I have not found such faith in anyone in Israel!”) with Gentiles who believed (Matthew 8:10-12). The dividing line is faith in Jesus: “just as you believed, it will be done for you” (8:13). (See Lessons 72 and 74.)
8. Isaiah 60:14 and “It is completed”
- Isaiah 60:14 calls the restored city “Zion of the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 60:14). Jesus applies its promise to the faithful church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:9). It doesn’t support the notes’ claim that “Mount Zion represents His church and organization.” (See Lesson 63.)
- The notes say “It is finished” meant “the Old Covenant was concluded.” In the NET, Jesus said, “It is completed!” (John 19:30), marking the completion of his saving work: “by one offering he has perfected for all time those who are made holy” (Hebrews 10:14).
9. Blessing, persecution and saying sin “will be a thing of the past”
- The lesson says blessing means the ability to overcome challenges, “Persecution is part of the package,” and “Sin will be a thing of the past for these people.” Believers do face trouble: “In the world you have trouble and suffering” (John 16:33). But they confess and are cleansed now (1 John 1:9), and they become like him when he is revealed (1 John 3:2). (See Lessons 79, 87 and 90.)
What the lesson is really for
This lesson replaces love with prophecy as the heart of the covenant:
- The new covenant is the law of Revelation.
- Love and forgiveness were the old priority; now it’s prophetic events.
- Understanding must be taught, with review and tests required of every believer.
- God’s purpose is the 12 tribes; traditional churches are thrown out.
The biblical answer: the new covenant is in Jesus’ blood (Luke 22:20), and God writes his law on believers’ hearts so that they all know him (Hebrews 8:10-11). That law is love: “to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34), the fulfillment of the whole law (Romans 13:10). And the greatest of faith, hope and love is love (1 Corinthians 13:13).
What’s happening behind the lesson
These notes are our reading of the lesson text, using Steven Hassan’s BITE model (behavior, information, thought and emotional control). They describe what the text does, not the teacher’s intent. Hassan notes that not every group uses every item. Source: Steven Hassan, BITE Model, Freedom of Mind.
- Information: can make one text the only measure (our reading). “The promise that God and Jesus have left for us is the standard of judgment at the second coming, which is the book of Revelation.” In our reading, this makes the group’s explanation of that book the thing every believer is measured by.
- Behavior: can tie blessing to a study routine. “We emphasize review, doing home blessings, and studying for the test.” The notes add, “We all have to do this – every single believer at the time of the second coming.”
- Thought: can sort people into two groups. Traditional churches are “the ones receiving the invitation but denying it, saying, “We are okay. We are good as we are.”” Believers are told, “We should not be goats.”
- Emotional: can recast hardship as a sign of blessing. “Persecution is part of the package.” The instructor says, “I’m constantly praying that Satan doesn’t snatch you up.”
The hope that God will write his law on believers’ hearts, as in Hebrews 8:10, is not a control technique in itself.