What is the World Mission Society Church of God? Overview and Historical Background The World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG) is a religious group founded in South Korea in 1964 by Ahn Sahng-hong (1918–1985). Since its inception, it has spread internationally, gaining followers who accept its teachings regarding the identity of Ahn Sahng-hong as the second coming of Christ and the existence of a “God the Mother,” often identified with a living individual named Zahng Gil-jah. This group’s doctrinal claims diverge from mainstream Christian understandings of the Trinity, the person of Jesus Christ, and the sole revelation of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Below is a comprehensive look at the WMSCOG’s history, beliefs, and how they compare with the consistent teaching of Scripture as preserved and transmitted throughout church history. Origins and Founding Figures Ahn Sahng-hong originally came out of a Seventh Day Adventist tradition. After founding the WMSCOG, he taught that Jesus’ promise of a second coming (Matthew 24:30–31) had been fulfilled in his own person. Upon Ahn Sahng-hong’s death, leadership within the movement continued, culminating in a further doctrinal development that centers on the concept of “God the Mother.” Zahng Gil-jah is regarded by adherents as the embodiment of “God the Mother,” effectively elevating her to a divine status. This stance finds no parallel in historic Christian teaching. Instead, Scripture counts the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as the only persons of the one God (Matthew 28:19). Key Doctrinal Beliefs 1. Ahn Sahng-hong as the Second Coming Christ: The group teaches that Ahn Sahng-hong’s ministry fulfilled Jesus’ promise to return. However, mainstream Christian belief relies on verses such as Acts 1:11—“This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you saw Him go into heaven”—which implies a future, visible, and glorious return of Christ, not limited to any one region or person. 2. God the Mother: One of the WMSCOG’s most distinctive teachings is the claim that the Bible points to both a God the Father and a God the Mother. They often refer to passages like Galatians 4:26: “But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.” Historic Christian interpretation, consistently supported by early church writings and extant Greek manuscripts, views the “Jerusalem above” as an allegorial reference to the heavenly city (Hebrews 12:22–24), not a literal female deity. 3. Observance of the Passover and Sabbath: The group emphasizes observing specific Old Testament feasts (particularly the Passover) and worship on the seventh-day Sabbath as essential. While the Sabbath and feasts highlight God’s redemptive plan in Scripture, the New Testament repeatedly affirms that Jesus’ sacrifice is sufficient (Hebrews 10:10–14), with His resurrection celebrated weekly by the early believers on “the first day of the week” (Acts 20:7). 4. Eschatological Focus: The WMSCOG generally promotes an imminent end times narrative. This includes a particular emphasis on fulfilling certain prophetic timelines—though it departs from the consistent biblical teaching that only God knows the precise details (Mark 13:32). Comparison with Scriptural Authority 1. Nature of God: Scripture repeatedly affirms the oneness of God in three persons: “Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is One” (Deuteronomy 6:4). The New Testament reveals this one God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14). References to “Mother God” are not sustained by the biblical corpus, as all major Greek manuscripts and early church writings consistently identify God as eternally Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 2. Second Coming of Christ: Testament copies—supported by thousands of Greek manuscripts dating from the earliest centuries (including portions of the Gospel of John from as early as the second century)—uniformly teach Christ’s return in glory (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17). There is no textual or historical support for a hidden second coming ascribed to a single individual in the 20th century. 3. Salvation and the Resurrection: Believers cling to the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus as the cornerstone of salvation (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). Archaeological and textual evidence (including the Dead Sea Scrolls’ witness to Messianic prophecies and the early manuscripts of the Gospels describing the resurrection) consistently affirm the historicity of the biblical account. No extrabiblical revelation from a recent figure is necessary for salvation (Ephesians 2:8–9). 4. Validity of Biblical Miracles and Historical Veracity: Archaeological discoveries like the Sennacherib Prism (corroborating Assyrian campaigns referenced in 2 Kings 18–19) and historical sites like the remains of Jericho’s walls attest to the Bible’s historical reliability. Geological studies of biblical sites such as the Red Sea region have added plausibility to various Old Testament accounts, supporting the trustworthiness of Scripture. Common Points of Controversy 1. Claims of New Revelation: The WMSCOG’s stance that Ahn Sahng-hong delivered a new, divinely inspired message conflicts with passages that emphasize the finality of revelation in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1–2). 2. Use of Allegory and Symbolism: Many WMSCOG teachings hinge on symbolic interpretations of passages (like identifying the “Bride” in Revelation 22:17 as a literal “Mother God”), contrasting with the interpretive approaches used by biblical scholars throughout history who recognize figurative language rather than new deities. 3. Scriptural Context and Translation Issues: Some critics point to how WMSCOG materials selectively quote translations that appear to support their doctrines, bypassing the consistent reading of the original languages upheld in widely used critical texts of the Old and New Testaments. Response from a Biblical Perspective Numerous biblical passages caution believers about claims of new or additional Christs (Matthew 24:23–24). Historically, the church upholds that Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and promised return are unique and unrepeatable events in God’s redemptive plan. Scripture underscores the singular work of Christ on the cross, His bodily resurrection, and His ascension, with no mention of another unique Messiah in modern times. As emphasized in Galatians 1:8, “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse!” This warning applies to any message that deviates from the core apostolic teaching. Practical Considerations for Those Encountering WMSCOG 1. Examine the Scriptures Thoroughly: As the Bereans did (Acts 17:11), one should carefully test any new doctrine against the entirety of the biblical text, noting that the Word of God is internally consistent (Psalm 119:160). 2. Assess Historical and Manuscript Evidence: Weighted evidence from ancient manuscripts, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls and a host of New Testament papyri, show the reliable transmission of the biblical text. Where WMSCOG materials propose doctrinal additions, these are not found in original manuscripts. 3. Consider the Centrality of the Resurrection: The historical and miraculous reality of Jesus’ resurrection is foundational (Romans 10:9). Dr. Gary Habermas and other scholars highlight multiple independent lines of historical evidence. No additional savior figure or mother deity is testified to in the earliest Christian sources, nor is such teaching essential for salvation. 4. Remain Grounded in the Gospel of Grace: Ephesians 2:8–9 reminds us that salvation is a gift of grace, not contingent upon keeping particular feasts or finding revelatory experiences outside of Christ’s sufficiency. Thus, believers can rest securely in Jesus’ completed work. Conclusion The World Mission Society Church of God presents a set of beliefs focusing on the notion of a second coming of Christ in Ahn Sahng-hong and the existence of a divine “God the Mother.” These views vary markedly from historic Christian doctrines that recognize the triune nature of God, the unique and future return of Jesus, and the supremacy of Scripture as the final authority. Current manuscript, historical, and archaeological evidence strongly supports the trustworthiness of the biblical record, which does not point to a new messiah or the emergence of another deity. Passages that speak of Christ’s bride and the Jerusalem above center on the body of believers and the heavenly city, rather than proclaiming a fourth person of God. Those exploring the WMSCOG’s claims are encouraged to measure each teaching within the larger context of Scripture, church history, and the gospel of Christ, “holding to the standard of sound teaching” (2 Timothy 1:13). |
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