Church of Almighty God

Overview

The group reportedly originated in China around 1991. In China it operated under the name "Eastern Lightning"; in South Korea it uses the name "Church of Almighty God," sometimes shortened to Quannengshen ("Almighty God sect"). Its founder is Zhao Weishan, who reportedly left a gathering associated with the Chinese "Shouters" (呼喊派) movement to establish the group. A woman named Yang Xiangbin was later revered as "Almighty God" and as the returned Christ, with Zhao Weishan reported to be the figure behind her. The group's headquarters is reportedly in New York.

The group became widely known among Korean churches in January 2013, when a series of full-page advertisements for it began appearing in major South Korean daily newspapers.

Principal Claims and Doctrines

The name "Eastern Lightning" is taken from Matthew 24:27: "For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." The group interprets "the east" in this verse as China and claims that the Second Coming of Christ has taken place in China.

Research reports by Korean denominations summarize the group's claims as follows:

• Jesus came the first time as a man for the forgiveness of sins; Christ has now come again to China as a woman to grant salvation and eternal life.
• The redemptive work (deliverance from sin) of Jesus Christ was incomplete, and a "female Christ" has come to complete it.
• The Bible belongs to a past age and no longer needs to be read; writings published by the group take its place.
• Salvation is obtained through obedience to the female Christ.

The group also reportedly teaches that God, having come to judge the world in the last days, chose China as the most backward nation in the world.

Assessments by Major Korean Denominations

• Presbyterian Church of Korea (Tonghap): In a June 2013 notice, it first urged its members to be on guard. At its 98th General Assembly in September of that year, it declared the group a "heretical cult," citing its denial of the Trinity, its view of Jesus Christ as a creature (a created being), and its claim that salvation requires obedience to the female Christ.
• Presbyterian Church in Korea (Kosin): At its 63rd General Assembly in 2013, it declared the group heretical, objecting to its doctrines of the Trinity, Christ, and salvation.
• Korean Methodist Church: At its 31st General Conference in 2014, it declared nine groups heretical, including Shincheonji and the Unification Church; this group was among them.
• Presbyterian Church in Korea (Hapshin): At its 102nd General Assembly in 2017, it assigned its Committee on Heresies and Cults to study the group, and at its 103rd General Assembly the following year (2018), it declared the group heretical.
• Presbyterian Church in Korea (Baekseok Daeshin) (now Baekseok): It declared the group heretical at its 2018 General Assembly.

Cult counseling organizations such as the Korea Christian Cult Counseling Association have also published materials on how to counsel members of the group.

The Group's Position and Response

The group regards itself as the true church that follows the returned Christ and claims that its doctrines fulfill biblical prophecy, specifically Matthew 24:27. Members who have come to South Korea have applied for refugee status on the grounds of religious persecution in China, and when their applications have been denied, they have contested the decisions through administrative lawsuits. An official response by the group to the denominations' theological criticisms has not been confirmed, and this section requires further information.

Social Controversies

• Crackdowns in China: The group has drawn the attention of Chinese public security authorities and the media. According to one analysis, many members moved to South Korea after the Chinese government intensified its crackdown in the early 2010s.
• Refugee applications: Many members reportedly entered South Korea through Jeju Island without visas and applied for refugee status. Family members from China held a press conference at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, where they complained that their relatives had cut off contact and left for Korea, and alleged that the group was abusing the refugee system.
• Land purchases in Boeun, North Chungcheong Province: Members reportedly purchased properties, including a youth hostel, in Sanoe-myeon, Boeun County, North Chungcheong Province, where they have lived communally. In 2021, Boeun County released data on land purchases by foreigners and stated that local residents were concerned about the increase in land purchases by Chinese nationals, particularly members of this group.