Updated: Korean Bible instructor Man Hee Lee packs the Crystal Cathedral

UPDATE: According to Eric Lee, “We had over 600 request to follow up and learn more about the instructor and also the fulfillment of Revelation.”   Click here to see the official event follow-up press release.  And click here to see more pictures taken at this event.

I visited the former Crystal Cathedral today (it is now knows as Christ Cathedral), where throngs of mostly young Koreans and other believers came together to listen to the ministry of Instructor Man Hee Lee, a self-avowed expert on the Book of Revelation.

There had been some consternation in the week leading up to the event as a number of evangelical Christians complained that Lee is the head of a cult.  One woman at today’s service even ran up to the front of the church and started yelling.  She was quickly removed although Lee asked that she be allowed to speak – in the lobby.

The sermon was in Korean, but we were all given headsets and the sermon was translated into several languages including English and Spanish.

Lee was born in Korea in 1931, which means that he is 81 years old – and I have to say he looks pretty well kept for being in his eighties.  Lee claims a lineage that can be traced back for 500 years.  That may sound like a lot but Korea is an ancient country.   He also says that he was visited by Jesus himself, in Korea, and that he “saw and heard the events of Revelation.”

Lee’s lineage dates back to the Joseon empire, according to Wikipedia, which is when bronze making techniques were imported from China, according to PBS.  Koreans created the first world’s first metal moveable type in the 12th century.  By 1522, the German preacher Martin Luther was printing the first Bible’s produced on such presses, according to Wikipedia.  Lee referred to Luther today when he repeatedly admonished those at the service to read the Bible.

While urging followers to read the Bible fits in nicely with leading Evangelical thought, Lee does hold a controversial position in that he believes we are already “fulfilling Revelation.”  But his take on Revelation is not like anything I have heard before.  For one thing, Lee is expert at translating the book of Revelation in terms of analogy.  He sees much of the text as symbolizing ideas.

During the sermon Lee patiently made his way through each chapter of the Book of Revelation, explaining what he feels the symbols mean.  While he has been critized as a false prophet, he took false prophetst to task during his speech.

So are we in the end times?  That is hard to say.  There is no mistaking that we live in dark times considering all the unrest and death in the Middle East, and the horrible shooting here in the U.S. just this week, at a screening of the new Batman film in Aurora, Colorado.

I had a chance after the sermon to ask Lee about the Aurora shooting – and about the increase in atheism among our youth.  Lee paused then answered firmly in Korean that we need to be knowledgable in the Bible and that this is especially true of our young people.

Art Pedroza Editor
Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.
Art Pedroza

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

View Comments

  • Thank you for the wonderful article!

    I am currently out of the country, but had I been in LA, I would have certainly attended this event. I can testify that I have heard Mr. Lee speak over 300 times and he never uses notes--instead, I am the one furiously writing notes.

    I am overjoyed that so many people decided to check out the studies after the seminar. Be diligent with your Bibles open. And also be patient because you will have zillions of questions that will be answered logically through the word. You will love it! And you will thank God again and again!

    I grew up as a logical believer, so I was very objective about this study, checking carefully.
    I would also like to say thanks to my friend who introduced me to Shinchonji years ago. To God be the glory that the word is opened today!

  • Due to the dense content of Revelation and limited time span of 2 hours, Instructor Lee didn't explain the fulfillment of Revelation in thorough detail as much as he wanted to. He simply introduced the overall content on Saturday. So I highly recommend--no, I sincerely urge-- anyone who believes in the Bible, in the teachings of Jesus Christ, to sign up for the follow up study of the seminar and see for yourself the details of the fulfillment of Revelation.

  • Dear Santa Ana News Team,

    Thanks for posting this article about Instructor Man Hee Lee the way it is, not twisting the story for the few selective people. This is what we need.

    Thank you.
    Hyunju

  • i honestly dont understand why so many people make up stories and persecute instructor Lee. those who persecute and point fingers should be ashamed and should think twice before calling themselves christian. Jesus taught us to love, not hate.

  • at the seminar the word was hard to keep up.. but what really stuck to me was the confidence in the speaker. i dont think such confidence comes from ignorance, but i felt like he really did know something. and without notes or anything he spoke so clearly... maybe this is the work of the spirit...

    • I'm just glad I was a part of it. I don't want to argue with anyone. Just have an open mind and open heart. Look at the Scriptures. See who's right.

  • What amazed me the most is that the speaker spoke everything according to the bible and he was testifying for 2 hours straight. I'm so thankful that I got to see hear him speak. I really thank God.

  • I loved the seminar! It seemed so well organized and then to have an instructor that was in his 80's speak but not even slightly seem tired through his talk nor be moved or shaken by anything going on around him was amazing! he actually seemed to encourage those who were against what he had to say to say what they needed to and to really examine the Bible for themselves. Most others would shun or judge those who did something like this. He seemed to have a true heart of God. I know that he was meant to come here!

  • The true fulfillment of Revelation according to Scripture is being testified at Shinchonji. Don't regret later for doubting and listening to false rumors, but come and hear for yourself now!

  • Something new, never heard of before, is being taught here. That's why all these pastors and seminary school students are coming out here to learn. :)

  • Wow, great coverage News Santa Ana! I've heard about this event a lot through the grapevine, but it's good to get an objective news perspective :-)

    My pastor attended and he was very moved, now he wants all of us church leaders to attend the follow-up Bible studies next week. He told me that a lot of local pastors are also checking this out... I hope News Santa Ana keeps tabs on this revival movement! Thanks!

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