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.
I went there today because my friend invited me and I’m really thankful I went! It’s definitely different than what I’ve heard before… but all the bad talk about Mr. Lee is derogatory and unnecessary. I can’t say truly until I learn more… but I’m thankful they offered a follow-up study option. The people were all so friendly, too. Thanks for this post.
It’s a cult. Bull sh*t stuff.
Didn’t Jesus say to love, forgive and bless one another? Yet you are cursing the Christian Instructor from Korea,then aren’t you the cult for going against Jesus’ teaching? I went to the Seminar on Saturday and actually sat in the front to hear what the Instructor had to say. Every words he spoke were from the scripture that it was even difficult for me, who studied the Scriptures for over 15 years, to catch up with all the verses he spoke. I was amazed by the message he spoke. It sounded like a new teaching yet… it was clear and accurate. Before you call an individual or a group a cult, please examine yourself… and test your faith.
Be careful with the words you say. You can tell a lot about a person with their words. Why are you saying “cult” when nothing but curses come out of your mouth. Please read the Bible more. Galatians 5:22-23.
Jesus never cursed FYI
I was really doubting when i entered but so glad i didnt leave my seat and truly try to see if this man was of God so i tested the spirits by his words. Before the event i actually highlighted a lot of the main key things that are hard to understand in revelation and he went over it and gave all clear answers! im really glad i did that before i went over it or id have been lost and mad and left like others did. btw.. why are you cursing? geesh… its because of believers like you my friends dont ever come to know God. They always complain and talk about why go to church, why learn the bible? christians do this bad and this and they curse… seriously… can you stop? im asking really from my heart please :[ i want my friends to be saved tooo!
I think your name says it all of who you are. shame on you
Today was a blessing. I now know God is truly with Mr. Lee.
After all the controversy, I’m glad I went. Calm down people! This man is not a cult – I heard it for myself an he’s just speaking purely from the word. Loved every bit of it and I’m glad someone approached me with the flyer. I’ll definitely do the follow-ups!
You’re right. This man is not a cult. There are so many other things in this world to be making a stink about – just relax for goodness sake.
Is it the END TIMES for New Santa Ana? Oh my God! I hope not. Admin has not reserved a seat for me on his Ark yet. And We were supposed to float down the Santa Ana river together.
I had this Dream that I reached out for you across the beach but when I tried to approach, there were all these tiny snails that stuck to the bottom of my feet. It took me forever to remove them one by one, and then I woke up. What does that mean? I need to start keeping my dream diary.
I was there today!!! I can honestly say at first I was hesitant but as he went verse by verse and continually only gave God the glory I knew this was truth. If its written in scripture it’s truth!! For anyone who doesn’t believe and says “search the scripture” I think they are reading commentaries because instructor Lee speaks DIRECTLY from scripture. I cannot wait to learn more!!!! I hope this continues to reach out to those who are in darkness and we can all unite as one in one truth!!!
First, thank God. Through this instructor is so shocking and the word was the truth. This time to revive the love of God, clearly feel that.
I was skeptical before I went and the protesters out front definitely threw me a little, but I heard it for myself and the guy spoke truth.
People can talk bad about him all they want, but the fact of the matter is, it’s all found in the bible.
that’s my story and i’m stickin to it
I am so glad I went. I was so hooked – I’ve never heard the bible explained that clearly. I really believe that Man Hee Lee is one that has been promised. Who would commit their whole life testifying like this after being persecuted and beat so much? And not to forget never once getting paid for a seminar. Who does that? I really believe that what he is speaking truth. I can’t wait to learn more!!!
Okay so I went to this seminar and I have to be honest, this guy went way over my head. He was quoting the Word left and right! I mean it seemed like with everything he said there was a verse to back it up. And I am definitely not use to this kind of preaching, but man he was like connecting the whole bible together ot and nt! The thing is he actually was making sense. Though I didn’t understand it at first, it made a lot more sense when I reread the chapters he had explained, at home. His preaching sparked my curiosity, I had to sign up for more.
Wow! I heard so many negative comments leading up to this event, but after hearing him finally I was amazed. He is truly anointed by God. It was definitely different from anything I have ever heard. I really felt like I was taking part in what Isaiah says in 48:6-8, hearing new things, hidden things, things that I had never heard.
Everybody were saying, does she not read the bible? because he’s talking all from the Bible. She needs to read the Bible. i didn’t see or hear anything that stayed away from the Scriptures. I’m sohappy and grateful i was able to join the event yesterday. I was a noon believer, an atheist but i truly believe in the Bible now. The Bible finally makes sense to me!!! Thank you for the seminar, Mr. Lee! And thanks for posting this article, Santa Ana news team! You are awesome! 🙂
It was a very challenging testimony. Certainly different than what I had previously heard Revelation explained as. But should it really surprise us if Revelation fulfills differently than we were expecting? Isn’t that exactly what happened at the first coming? I think I’m going to take the follow up classes to see how it’s explained in detail before deciding if it’s truth. I think it’s only fair to hear the full explanation before passing judgment. But look at how many Pastors have taught us incorrectly about Revelation, starting with Hal Lindsey. I think this alternate explanation deserves to be heard out.
Heres a link for you people…
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1IAhDGYlpqY
I went to the seminar not knowing what to expect but also having an open mind.. I was astonished at how clear the teaching was. it opened my eyes to the actual meaning behind scripture versus attempts to interpret them with no sound basis. I realized how little I really know about the Bible, which is prompting me to do the follow-up studies.
Honestly when I first received a flyer for this event and heard what it was going to be covering, I was crazy skeptical and thought it was going to be another one of those gimmick ‘free, but please donate all your money here events’
I was wrong.
Luckily I brought my bible and a notebook with me because the speaker spoke without any sort of break which is impressive on itself. Especially considering a woman interrupted with some craziness on her own. He really did speak with a confidence that I’ve never seen before.
I still have to confirm that all that he said was according to scripture, but so far so good. The book of revelation had always been a no-no for me, but now… i’d love to learn more in detail.
Thank you New Santa Ana for this unbiased and honest post. I believe everyone, believer or non believer should always have an open mind to test what they see and hear to verify for themselves what is correct and incorrect. I was actually at this event, and I was amazed at Instructor Lee’s teaching. He truly is someone used by God and is able to testify to Revelation like no one else ever before. If this isn’t truth and a clear understanding of Scripture then I don’t know what is. Thank you again, and I truly hope all believers will be able to hear this teaching and come to find truth themselves.
Thank you Santa Ana also for your post. Though I wasn’t at the event, your post provided lots of information on the instructor and the seminar. I feel like I got a good inside coverage on the event. 🙂
If you could provide more that’d be even more great!!
I was really glad to have come out. I saw lots of people insisting that this man was wrong and I can see why they’re so pushy now (sort of). If I said I was chosen by Jesus directly, I would probably get lots of grief too and would deserve it– IF it didn’t really happen and I didn’t have anything to show for it. This man, however, asked to BE judged by us, so that if we disagree, we can call him out based on what the Bible says. Many pastors say that too, but I could tell he MEANT it. He was so genuine in what he says he saw, that I really was curious to see what the follow-up classes are about. I think to claim such huge things, there has to be proof of some type, which these classes probably offer. I’ll have to check those out to see myself– I am looking forward to it.
To be a part of this event was such a blessing. I have always been so pessimistic and hopeless regarding the end times, but after the event, I felt so much more hopeful than ever regarding Revelation. All thanks to God sending Instructor Lee to Garden Grove to testify to what he saw and heard in Revelation. To hear how much he has been ridiculed, spat upon, beaten up, even assassination attempts, and yet he still manages to stand up at the pulpit all by himself with a huge smile on his face to testify to the words that almost got him killed by man… thank you so much Man Hee Lee, for remaining strong and keeping faith in God’s commands. And thank you God and Jesus, for continually working in this corrupt world.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment! The event at the Crystal
Cathedral was very, very interesting. Everyone there was kind and welcoming
I heard things about Revelation that I have never heard before and I have been in
bible study for years. I am excited about the followup studies so that I can learn more.
God is truly working today, that is clear, but it is different than I expected. I certainly
don’t want to miss Jesus’s return. Thank you for hosting this event Crystal Cathedral!
I’m a Christian who loves the word. Born again 5 years ago, I’ve read Revelation countless times. When a nice, young man approached me with a Revelation Bible Seminar, I went.
Seminar was very well prepared. The sermon broke down Revelation like I’ve never seen before. Thank you guys for hosting this and thank the young gentleman for handing me a flyer. Thank you God and Jesus for everything!
THIS EVENT WAS AMAZING! I TRULY PERCEIVED THAT HE WAS SENT BY GOD, AND THROUGH THE WORD I CAN TESTIFY HIS TESTIMONY IS TRUE! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL REALITY I AM SO THANKFUL TO GOD THIS FULFILLMENT IN THE EAST WAS ABLE TO REACH BACK TO THE WEST! THANK YOU FOR POSTING! THANK YOU MAN HEE LEE FOR COMING! I CAN’T WAIT TO LEARN MORE! THE TRUTH LIVES AND REIGNS! FOR SO LONG I DID NOT BELIEVE MOST OF THE BIBLE OR CHRISTIANITY BC IT WAS CONTROVERSIAL AND CONTRADICTING IN ITSELF, BUT IT TURNS OUT THERES A REASON WHY!!
I gotta say, that was by far something I did not expect coming into this seminar. I thought it was going to be another interpretation, but that completely was something so different. It was a lot to take in, but strangely I felt that this was really something I wanted to know more. Hopefully I wasn’t the only one that felt this way haha.
I went to the seminar on Saturday and I’m so glad I went. Revelation is so hard for me to understand and I don’t understand why there are so many different commentaries out there trying to explain Revelation (that just makes it even more confusing). Also this seminar was free! I wish everyone came to this event. I certainly did not regret it. He was a really genuine speaker and everything he said was according to the Bible. I also loved how he used only the Bible. Hope to hear more in the future!
I went there after seeing Olu Alemoru’s previous article regarding this seminar as well. Lee was very genuine and humble. Yet he was very confident about what he was testifying. I wish I was more knowledgeable about the scripture so that I could understand the seminar fully. I will definitely check out for the follow up study!
There are lots of opinion of many people. I think it makes sense to listen to both party in order to judge what is right or wrong. Many people just believe whatever they want to believe. I think it’s time for everyone to listen to it all the way and decide.
Cult? No way! The didn’t ask for money, they didn’t push any beliefs on me, they didn’t make me sign anything or give my information. It was an option, but I chose not to do it until afterwards when was so interested in what I learned that I wanted to know more! The people there were so friendly and wonderful, and Man Hee Lee himself was so bright and full of life. I couldn’t believe it when I found out later that he is over 80! What an amazing day, I will never forget it!
Dangit! I missed the Seminar! I wasn’t able to go that day.
Did anyone record the Seminar or is there another event coming up soon? I haven’t been going to church for a while after our old pastor sold our church for his rent. I’m spiritually hungry for the word and I want to hear what the instructor has to say…
One word about this seminar: Amazing. I’m so glad I went to this event and it was free! I dont understand why anyone would want to persecute this man. He is just speaking God’s Word according to the Bible, I mean is that so wrong? Hes doing a good thing. People need to stop persecuting and learn to bless instead. I am forsure glad I went.
i was there!!! this event was nothing like what i have been to before… i really enjoyed the flag performance and the worship. the worship felt very sincere and as we sang in different languages i truly felt like although many of us are strangers, we were somehow becoming one. As i listened to the instructor speak…i was really moved. although he is old..i can see that he is testifying with all that he had…it was a hot day too..and he would wipe his face with cloth when he could. he spoke through each chapter of revelation, as much as time would allow. this was in a matter of 2 hours too! who could do that!? although it was new to me and a bit fast..im glad there is a follow up study. i am definitely going to look into it b/c although i have a lot of questions, i dont want to miss anything b/c i didnt find the answers to them.
I was skeptical when I first hear about the seminar. There was so many different people out there who claim to know and understand the book of Revelation and what will happen at the end times. But because the seminar was for free and I didn’t have much to lose, so I went. It was wasn’t what I expected at all. Beside the warm welcomes and the great worship, I was truly amazed once Mr. Lee began to spoke. For a man who is over 80 years old, and who can speak of Revelation chapters 1-20 without taking a break for over 2 hours is unbelievable. He was very detailed and clear with each explanation. He spoke with a very humble and genuine heart–he only wanted to speak what he needed to say. Its really up to us if we want to believe it or not. I chose to believe.
this was a nice experience. it alwys pays off to find out for myself n that experience can’t be taken away by anyone. nevr heard anyone speak so passionately about bible alone or have seen so many nice staff working with smile. truly was blessed morning
I liked him. He testified to us for 2.5 hours, and said there’s not enough time. There was something more… So I’m going to take their Follow-up Study. The seminar was so great that I just didn’t want to end it there. I really feel like God guided me there. Also, if anyone wants to judge, please do that after you hear his testimony. I am SURE you will change your mind.
I came to the seminar with curiosity of who this speaker was and what he had to say about his testimony of Revelation (from the flyer). I was surprised to hear his thorough summary of Revelation and how he speaks with such confidence and with so much knowledge. He did not say anything that was not from the bible. He has such a big heart to even share what he was shown from God. I was glad to hear there will be a follow-up to go in full details about Revelation, I would love to learn more and see what has been fulfilled. 🙂
I went to seminar and it was amazing!
It was an amazing experience, very hard to find elsewhere these days. I’ve never seen anyone speak about such a controversial topic with such confidence. He made his points very clear strictly through the bible. Hearing him at this seminar was a big wake-up call; I realized how ignorant of the bible I was.
I got a brochure for this seminar.
I really want to go there. but, unfortunately I couldn’t go. I can feel the time was very graceful.
thank you for this article. God bless you all~~
There is so many different religions out there that teach the word differently then christians do yet i never seen christians get so crazy with protesting even with psychos that give dates of the world ending but here is this man Man Hee Lee who i heard myself speaking according to scripture from the bible and now they want to protest and act ugly wow!!! clearly saten is working too could it be that Man Hee Lee has truth!!!!!!!!!
Satan knows a whole lot about truth also. show some respect.
I think we all believers need to listen his speech.
I could feel his teaching was not his. only God’s one and our Lord’s one.
His interpretation was very clear.
We all have waited this testimony untill now.
I really thank God because I can hear and see all these fulfillment in my life time.
God bless all~~~
This is raw footage from deep inside Ward 5.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlkarj6uJdE
I was actually going to come to this, but left after talking to the protesters outside, because they said it was a cult. But I had other friends who stayed all the way through, and they said it was actually really Biblical. In hindsight I really wish I had attended at least to hear him out! They said the way he explained revelation was really fantastic.
i’m very thankful that i decided to check for myself whether what he was speaking was true or not. i don’t regret it and will never will.
I went to this seminar not really knowing what to expect. I entered being a bit skeptical but I am genuinely so thankful someone gave me a flyer for this seminar. He was so bold and confident when he spoke regarding revelation. He literally went through each chapter of revelation, and I have never heard or seen anyone do that without flaw or error. He spoke left and right referring to bible verses and to be honest, I couldnt keep up but still, I want to hear more!!
It’s so true, now I can understand, the only way to heaven is through the truth, the word, the Bible.
Wow everyone need to check this out for real.
what’s going on??
The environment that they had was really nice, too. Have you guys noticed the banners? They were so beautiful, just perfect.