Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq, Jan. 1, 2025 By AimanAbir18plus – Own work, CC BY 4.0, Wikipedia
In the modern age, religious deception has taken increasingly sophisticated and dangerous forms. Cultic leaders often appropriate the language of Scripture and prophecy to validate themselves and recruit followers. A striking example is Lee Man-hee, founder of the South Korean movement Shincheonji, whose theology eerily parallels the methods and rhetoric of Ahmed Al-Hassan (Aba Al-Sadiq)—a rising figure in the Middle East claiming to be the eschatological successor to Jesus, Muhammad, and all previous prophets.
⚖️ A Dangerous Shift from Biblical and Islamic Orthodoxy
Both Shincheonji and the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light are built around a single charismatic figure who redefines Scripture to assert exclusive authority over salvation and divine truth. These leaders do not merely claim to teach the truth—they claim to be its final embodiment.
⚠️ Lee Man-hee and Shincheonji: A Cult of Allegory and Control
Founded in 1984, the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony presents itself as the only true church. Lee Man-hee claims to be the “Promised Pastor,” uniquely appointed to reveal the hidden meanings of Scripture and open the “sealed scroll” of Revelation. He claims Jesus’ second coming is spiritual, that only Shincheonji offers salvation, and that he is the sole living authority over God’s will.
Shincheonji’s Distinctive Heresies:
- Jesus’ second coming is spiritual, not physical.
- Lee Man-hee is the “eternal life cord” between humanity and God.
- The “Seal of God” is given only through joining Shincheonji.
- Salvation requires works and loyalty to Lee.
- Complete rejection of other churches as counterfeit.
Tactics:
- Infiltration of other churches through NGOs.
- Indoctrination disguised as Bible studies.
- Targeting vulnerable individuals through social outreach.
🧿 Ahmed Al-Hassan (Aba Al-Sadiq): The Self-Proclaimed Spirit of Truth
Like Lee, Ahmed Al-Hassan, also known as Aba Al-Sadiq, claims to be the divinely appointed successor to Jesus and Muhammad. In his book The Goal of the Wise, he cites John 16:13, a verse about the Holy Spirit, and applies it to himself—claiming to be the “Spirit of Truth” who will guide humanity in the end times.
He asserts that:
- He alone is the fulfilment of the “Seventh Covenant.”
- Salvation now hinges on allegiance to his authority.
- Biblical prophecy, Islamic Hadith, and apocryphal writings (e.g. Gospel of Judas) all point to him.
- He is the final divine ruler of a new Edenic kingdom.
He blends Islamic eschatology, Christian Gnostic texts, astrology, numerology, and mystical reinterpretation to create a cultic theology of exclusive salvation through his person.
🔍 Comparative Analysis Table
| Aspect | Lee Man-hee (Shincheonji) | Ahmed Al-Hassan (Aba Al-Sadiq) |
|---|---|---|
| Claim to Authority | Claims to be Jesus’ eschatological successor, the “Promised Pastor” | Claims to be Jesus’ eschatological successor, the “Spirit of Truth” (John 16:13) |
| Return of Christ | Spiritual only, fulfilled in Lee | Spiritual/metaphorical, fulfilled in himself |
| Exclusive Salvation | Only through Shincheonji and his seal | Only through accepting the Seventh Covenant via him |
| Bible Interpretation | Allegorical; only Lee can interpret correctly | Esoteric; numerology, astrology, and Gnostic reinterpretation |
| Scriptural Abuse | Revelation reinterpreted around himself | Bible + Qur’an + apocrypha twisted to point to himself |
| Recruitment Tactics | Hidden Bible studies, NGO fronts, social media outreach | Online ministries, mystical claims, aggressive prophecy marketing |
| View of Others | All other churches are false | All existing religions are corrupt and invalid |
| Authority Claims | “Eternal life cord” to God | “Divine ruler” of a new Eden; inheritor of all prophetic missions |
📚 Misuse of Scripture: Spirit of Truth vs. Holy Spirit
In The Goal of the Wise, Ahmed Al-Hassan claims:
“The one whom Jesus spoke of in John 16:13 is none other than the Qa’im… He is the Spirit of Truth who does not speak on his own authority.”
But John 16:13 clearly refers to the Holy Spirit, not a man. Jesus tells His disciples:
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. For he will not speak on his own, but will speak only what he hears…” (John 16:13, ESV)
The early church and historic Christian orthodoxy unanimously interpreted this as referring to the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost—not the arrival of a future individual claiming to be divine.
Claiming this for himself is a blasphemous act of scriptural hijacking—one that mirrors Lee Man-hee’s claim that he alone can “open the sealed scroll.”
🛑 Final Warning: The Same Blueprint
Both Lee Man-hee and Ahmed Al-Hassan:
- Redefine Christ’s return as spiritual and fulfilled in themselves.
- Reject all traditional doctrine and religious leadership.
- Claim exclusive divine authority and salvation through their name.
- Twist Scripture to validate themselves.
- Employ manipulation, secrecy, and apocalyptic urgency.
They embody what Jesus warned of:
“Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will lead many astray.” (Matthew 24:5)
✅ What Should Believers Do?
- Test every claim by the Scriptures. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
- Know that Jesus warned us in advance. (Matthew 24:24)
- Recognize that the Gospel is already complete. (Jude 1:3)
- Reject any message that adds or contradicts biblical truth. (Galatians 1:8–9)
“The truth shall make you free.” – John 8:32
“Test all things; hold fast what is good.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:21
The spiritual danger of leaders like Lee Man-hee and Ahmed Al-Hassan cannot be overstated. They offer a false hope based on deception and lead followers into bondage—not truth.