The third World Invitation Revelation Lecture, organized by the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Chairman Lee Man-hee), concluded on November 6 after four days of global dialogue, cultural exchange, and religious unity.
Described by participants as “a free and warm exchange unlike any other,” the event brought together more than 1,000 attendees — including 440 religious leaders from 59 countries — marking the largest gathering since the program’s inception.
The World Invitation Revelation Lecture is an international initiative launched in early 2024 to promote peace and understanding among different faiths through biblical discussion centered on the Book of Revelation.
With participation expanding each session, the program has become a significant platform for interfaith dialogue, transcending denominational and cultural boundaries.
Held under the theme “The Path of Understanding Led by the Bible, the Path of Peace Walked by All Religions,” the third session featured intensive study, discussions, and shared worship among leaders from Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and Confucianism. Many participants said they found deep common ground through the exploration of scripture.
Ven. Yullye Sungwon of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism commented, “I believe the reason Shincheonji continues to prosper is because of the power of the Word. This lecture showed that the Word transcends religious boundaries and unites humanity as one.”
Similarly, Mohamed Usman, an Islamic leader from Eswatini, praised the program as “a perfect curriculum that conveys peace and truth.”
Participants’ engagement extended beyond study sessions. The event included activities such as a Joint Prayer for Global Peace, a Bible quiz titled “The Path to Heaven,” a theatrical experience called “Journey Through the Bible,” and roundtable discussions on promoting a culture of peace.
Religious leaders described these activities as moments of genuine empathy and harmony.
One Buddhist abbot remarked, “Seeing monks lecture on the Bible and Shincheonji members discuss Buddhism was astonishing. It was a time of deep learning and mutual respect.”
A Presbyterian pastor added, “Through cultural exchange, we shared our understanding of faith and found hope that religions can truly become one.”
The gathering also featured the World Religious Leaders Revelation Competition, where 317 participants from 60 countries took part, and 154 achieved perfect scores after seven weeks of education and testing. A total of 125 participants — 42 domestic and 83 international — were appointed as honorary Bible teachers in recognition of their studies.
The closing ceremony highlighted real-world examples of ongoing interfaith collaboration inspired by the lecture series. Ven. Sok Bunthun, Director of Buddhist Higher Education at Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Religion, shared that he has hosted Revelation seminars in Buddhist temples since attending the previous session.
Attendance at these seminars reportedly grew from 120 to 850 participants this year, including both religious and civic leaders, with 215 signing a Peace Pledge to continue their involvement in future exchanges.
The event concluded with a joint declaration from participating leaders, pledging to “spread peace and truth” and to live out the mission of religion as a source of unity and compassion.
A representative from Shincheonji Church stated, “This lecture reaffirmed that the Bible contains a universal message for all humanity. Through shared learning, participants restored the essence of religion — peace and harmony.”
Chairman Lee Man-hee closed the event with a call to action, saying, “We must reflect on times when religions were divided and return to God’s will. Let us become spiritual leaders who uphold truth and peace. Through dialogue and communication, we can achieve the peace that both God and humanity hope for.”
