By COGwriter
While there has been a great increase of interest in Western religion within Korea (mainly the area of South Korea), the reality is that true Christianity is almost completely unknown there.
So why write an article about Korea?
Three scriptures immediately come to mind:
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen (Matthew 28:19-20).
14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14).
9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" (Revelation 7:9-10)
Now all the above apply to every nation and peoples. But there is something different about the Koreans.
In my opinion, overall:
... they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge (Romans 10:2).
There is a certain zeal among the Koreans I believe that God can use in these latter days.
There has only been a limited witness to Korea, and because of that, I believe that not enough knowledge of the truth of God is in Korea.
This article will briefly discuss where the Koreans came from and what is expected to happen to them. A prophetic video is also available: Syria, North Korea, and Prophecy.
The Bible teaches that all peoples descended from Adam and Eve:
And Adam called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living (Genesis 3:20, NKJV throughout unless otherwise noted).
This would include those now considered to be Korean, as well as all other groups and races of humans.
Noah had three sons. And one of them, Japheth, is believed to be the father of the oriental races, which would include the Koreans. The Bible teaches:
The sons of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. The sons of Gomer were Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. The sons of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. From these the coastland peoples of the Gentiles were separated into their lands, everyone according to his language, according to their families, into their nations (Genesis 10:2-5).
A Chinese tradition says that Korea came from a small kingdom within China:
Somewhere north of that vast region watered by the Sungari River, itself only a tributary to the Amur, there existed, according to Chinese tradition, in very ancient times, a petty kingdom called Korai, or To-li. Out of this kingdom sprang the founder of the Corean race...Arriving at their city, he became the king of the tribe and kingdom of Fuyu, which lay in the fertile and well-watered region between the Sun- gari River and the Shan Alyn, or Ever-White Mountains. It extended several hundred miles east and west of a line drawn southward through Kirin, the larger half lying on the west. Fuyu, as described by a Chinese writer of the Eastern Han dynasty (25 B.a-190 A.d.), was a land of fertile soil, in which " the five cereals " (wheat, rice, millet, beans, and sorghum) could be raised. The men were tall, muscular, and brave, and withal generous and courteous to each other. Their arms were bows and arrows, swords, and lances. They were skilful horsemen. Their ornaments were large pearls, and cut jewels of red jade. They made spirits from grain, and were fond of drinking bouts, feasting, dancing, and singing. With many drinkers there were few cups. The latter were rinsed in a bowl of water, and with great ceremony passed from one to another. They ate with chopsticks, out of bowls, helping themselves out of large dishes. It is a striking fact that the Fuyu people, though living so far from China, were dwellers in cities which they surrounded with palisades or walls of stakes. They lived in wooden houses, and stored their crops in granaries (Griffis, William Elliot. Corea, the hermit nation: I. Ancient and mediæval history. II. Political and social Corea. III. Modern and recent history 8th Edition. C. Scribner's sons, 1907, pp. 19,21).
To learn more about where the Chinese may have come from, please see the article China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters.
Koreans have their own tradition about where they come from:
Korean legends say that Tangun, who lived in the 2300's B.C., was the father of the Korean civilization. Korea developed by itself until Kija, an exile from China, led about 5,000 followers to Korea in 1122 B.C. He founded a kingdom called Chosen (Hu, Charles Y. Korea. World Book Encyclopedia, 50th edition, Volume 11. Chicago, p. 296)
Chosen is also spelled Chosun and means Morning Calm. One of Japheth's son had a name that ended with an "n" (Javan) and it may be possible that the Koreans may have partially descended from one of his descendants.
An account penned in the nineteenth century appears to claim that the Koreans (called Corea below) descended from Gomer through Ashkenaz:
According to the Tartars and Orientals, the Chinese are descended from Tchin, or Gin, the son of Japheth, and brother of Tarag, or Turk, from whom came the Turkmans. Tchin is the Ashchenaz of Scripture, the son of Gomer : and Turk is Toragmah, the brother of Ashchenaz. The Orientals call all grandsons, sons. Another division of the descendants of Aschenaz or Atchinez—as his name was pronounced in the following parts—migrated across the Imaus mountains, now the great Altai and Changai. These people spread to a vast extent, till they reached the Pacific Ocean. They formed the following nations :—
First.—The Issedones, about the river Etchine, on the borders of China and the Desert of Thamo.
Second.—The "Kin Tartars, inhabiting the territory round the north of Corea, and along the shores of the Pacific Ocean...
Tonkin, Cochin-China, Tciampa, Laos or Schan States, and Cambodia, anciently formed part of the Chinese Empire, the name of which was Tchin, so called from Atchinez, from which the names of nearly all these countries are derived.
(Source: Painter, John Thomas. Ethnology: or The history & genealogy of the human race: Or, The History & Genealogy of the Human Race. Baillière, Tindall & Cox, 1880 Original from Oxford University Digitized Jul 3, 2006, p. 106)
Some within Church of God circles have also speculated that the Chinese and Koreans have descended from Magog (e.g. Generations of Japheth. Church of God News. Chicago District, 1965). On this point, I have not seen convincing evidence--but am simply not sure either way. It is not impossible that perhaps some descendants from Magog intermarried with some of the descendants of Ashkenaz and likely Javan.
Since Japheth means "expansion" (which the orientals have done in terms of numbers) I believe that the oriental races (and some of the Caucasians), including the Koreans somehow descended from Japheth--but specifically through whom is harder to determine. The Korean language was originally written using Hanja (Chinese characters) pronounced in the Korean way.
Although the Roman Catholic Church and Protestant churches have had a presence in the Republic of Korea (South Korea) for a long while, the fact is that those churches have made many changes in doctrine that most in Korea do not realize are changes from the early Christian Church (and the Bible). And many were compromises with pagan sun-god religions such as Mithraism.
A leading Protestant scholar (Harold Brown) has admitted:
It is impossible to document what we now call orthodoxy in the first two centuries of Christianity (Brown HOJ. Heresies: Heresy and Orthodoxy in the History of the Church. Hendrickson Publishers, Peabody (MA), 1988, p. 5).
In other words, much of what now passes for "orthodox Christianity" did not exist in the first two centuries after Jesus was crucified and resurrected. This is basically because while there was only one original church, another major group emerged in the second century who changed certain original Christian practices and became what most now seem to feel represent "orthodoxy" (for details, please see Early Church History: Who Were the Two Major Groups Professed Christ in the Second and Third Centuries?).
Also, notice what one Roman Catholic writer has written:
Protestants of many traditions are now espousing recent Protestant traditions and modern schisms; yet they all claim the early Church as their own--asserting that they are the rightful heirs to the teachings of our Lord, the apostles, and the Fathers of the apostolic Church. Are they? Do they have a legitimate claim to the theology of the early Church? Was the "early Church essentially Protestant" in her theology and polity, or was she Catholic? (Ray, Stephen K. Upon This Rock. St. Peter and the Primacy of Rome in Scripture and the Early Church. Ignatius Press, San Francisco, 1999, p. 15).
Well, what if the early Church was the Church of God with its "Nazarene practices", which is neither Protestant nor Roman Catholic? What if that is what the Bible and early writings demonstrate?
Notice the following teachings of early Christianity--all of which are accepted by the true Church of God (often called Nazarenes in the first four or five centuries) and only a relatively few of which are practiced/taught/still accepted by Roman Catholics, Orthodox, or Protestants (though early leaders considered as "saints" by the Catholics also held them):
Baptism was by immersion and did not include infants.
The complete Bible with the proper Old Testament and New Testament was relied on by the true Church in Asia Minor.
A Non-trinitarian view, that acknowledged the Holy Spirit, was held by the apostolic and post-apostolic true Christian leaders.
Birthdays were not celebrated by early Christians.
Born-Again meant being born at the resurrection, not at the time of conversion (which is a type of begettal).
Celibacy for Bishops/Presbyters/Elders was not a requirement.
Church Governance was properly hierarchical.
Christmas was not observed by any professing Christ prior to the third century, or ever by those holding to early teachings.
Deification of Christians was taught by the early leaders of the Church.
Duties of Elders/Pastors were pastoral and theological, not predominantly sacramental--nor did they dress as many now do.
Easter per se was not observed by the apostolic church.
The Fall Holy Days were observed by true early Christians.
The Father was considered to be God by all early professing Christians.
Holy Spirit was not referred to as God or as a person by any early true Christians.
Hymns were mainly psalms, not praises to Christ.
Idols were taught against, including adoration of the cross.
Immortality of the soul or humans was not taught.
Jesus was considered to be God by the true Christians.
The Kingdom of God was preached.
Leavened Bread was removed from the homes of early Christians when the Jews did the same.
Lent was not observed by the primitive church.
Limbo was not taught by the original church.
Military Service was not allowed for true early Christians.
Millenarianism (a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth, often called the millennium) was taught by the early Christians.
Monasticism was unheard of in the early Christian church.
Passover was kept on the 14th of Nisan by apostolic and second century Christians in Asia Minor.
Pentecost was kept on the same day that the Jews observed it by all professing Christians.
Purgatory was not taught by the original apostolic church.
The Resurrection of the dead was taught by all early Christians
The Sabbath was observed on Saturday by the apostolic and post-apostolic Church.
Salvation was believed to be offered to the chosen now by the early Church, with others being called later, though not all that taught that (or other doctrines) practiced "the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3).
God's Six Thousand Year Plan for humankind to rule itself was believed by early professors of Christ.
Sunday was not observed by the apostolic and original post-apostolic Christians.
The Ten Commandments were observed by the apostolic and true post-apostolic Christians--and in the order that the genuine Church of God claims they are in.
Tradition had some impact on the second century Christians, but was never supposed to supercede the Bible.
The Trinity was not a word used to describe the Godhead by the apostolic or second century Christians, though a certain threeness was acknowledged.
Unclean Meats were eaten by the early allegorists, but not by true Christians.
The Virgin Birth was acknowledged by all true ante-Nicene Christians.
Almost none who profess Christianity hold to all of those beliefs.
The Continuing Church of God agrees with all the positions above, which were part of "the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3).
It also specifically traces its history from the Apostles like Peter, Paul, and John through Polycarp, Polycrates, and other early leaders in Asia Minor.
More on history, can be found in the free online pdf booklet, Continuing History of the Church of God.
Korea has received a limited witness to the truth. In addition to having Bibles, some of the message of the Church of God has sometimes made its way into Korea.
Herbert W. Armstrong was the leader of the old Worldwide Church of God in the 20th century. And he spoke to many world leaders, including Korean ones. But not to the degree that he wanted to. Here are three reports related to some of his efforts:
On this present trip, we left Pasadena Monday, March 6, flew out to Honolulu, stopped overnight, then Tuesday morning flew (one stop for fuel at Wake Island) to Tokyo. We did not disembark, but Dr. and Mrs. Ohama came aboard our aircraft and flew with us to Seoul, Korea. Dr. Ohama is the leading educator of Japan, and perhaps the leading nonofficial adviser to the Government. He has visited both our Pasadena and Texas campuses, and addressed the student bodies. I had never been to Korea before. Dr. Ohama and I had expected to have a meeting with the President of Korea, but, as frequently happens with heads of state, emergency matters came up that prevented. However, I did have a very fine meeting with the Minister of Education and his two chief aides ....(Armstrong H.W. Coworker letter, March 26, 1972, in Autobiography of Herbert W. Armstrong, Volume 2).
Last Wednesday night, in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, I was given just such an opportunity. I did not know of it in advance. But a banquet was held in a special banquet room of my hotel in my honor. Present were Ambassadors representing the governments of Japan, Korea, Cambodia, Ethiopia and Israel, the President of the University, and Her Royal Highness the wife of the recent Prince Regent of Thailand, and other important guests. I was given a very warm -- even emotional -- introduction, and asked to speak (Armstrong H.W. Coworker letter, September 24, 1973, in Autobiography of Herbert W. Armstrong, Volume 2).
A trip has been planned from Tokyo to Seoul, South Korea, to meet with the President. I was to be accompanied by the Japanese Minister of Labor, Toshio Yamaguchi. I had become ill and was forced to return to Pasadena from Orr, Minnesota, early in the morning, too ill (Armstrong H.W. Coworker letter, December 9, 1985, in Autobiography of Herbert W. Armstrong, Volume 2).
So, one of the last international trips that the late Herbert W. Armstrong planned before he died (he died on January 16, 1986) he intended to go to Korea and meet with South Korea's President. His old Plain Truth magazine also had a half dozen articles or so that were focused on Korea.
Herbert W. Armstrong may have also spoken to a couple of gatherings that included some leaders from "the Democratic People's Republic of Korea" (North Korea), but again that would be a highly limited witness. Yet since he wrote, "It is now true that this Gospel has been proclaimed within every nation on earth by the Worldwide Church of God (Letter 1/86)" it appears that he believed he did reach North Korea.
Perhaps I should add that because of prophecies involving "the kings from the east" cooperating at the end (cf. Revelation 16:12; Daniel 11:44), we in the Churches of God have long felt that somehow North and South Korea would likely be unified (or at least work more closely together) prior to the return of Jesus Christ. The literal translation of Revelation 16:12 is "the kings of the sunrise" and thus this would seem to have to include Korea--which amongst the most eastern of the nations.
But it could take a battle or more for that to happen. One that may not turn out well for the North Korean leadership.
Yet, caution is advised for any who think that since the USA can defeat North Korea militarily that North Korea would not try to set off a nuclear device (either through a launch or throw some other means) that could hurt South Korea or the USA. Jesus spoke of a time of troubles prior to the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:4-8) and North Korea may well fit in with those. Consider the following:
Expert: North Korea prepping EMP attack on U.S.
February 3, 2016
WASHINGTON – North Korea is preparing to launch a satellite capable of detonating a nuclear weapon more than 100 miles over the United States, creating an electromagnetic pulse that could destroy America’s electrical grid system, a former director of the U.S. Strategic Defense Initiative said...
Former Ambassador Henry Cooper – who was President Ronald Reagan’s chief representative in the “Star Wars” initiative negotiations with the Soviet Union and SDI director under President George H.W. Bush – said North Korea is preparing its Sohae satellite complex for a launch on a southern trajectory, which is said to be a test.
Cooper told G2 Bulletin the United States lacks sufficient anti-ballistic missile defenses in the southern part of the U.S., especially if the satellite turns out to be a nuclear device that could orbit above the U.S. and explode at a high altitude, affecting the lives of all Americans.
He said it would be difficult to distinguish a test from an actual attack, and the best way to counter such a threat to the U.S. homeland is to knock out the missile at the time it begins its trajectory over a southern polar route. But he acknowledged such an action would be politically unpalatable.
However, if the North Korean satellite turned out to be a nuclear device and is detonated over 100 miles above the U.S, it could destroy all life-sustaining critical infrastructures that rely on the national grid, potentially leading to the death of most Americans within the following year.
All grid-dependent systems could suffer, including food- and water-supply chains, fuel-supply systems, communications, banking and finance. http://www.wnd.com/2016/02/expert-north-korea-prepping-for-emp-attack-on-u-s/#rJOsh4BgfziddHZ4.99
February 20. 2016
Concerns about Pyongyang's nuclear arsenal have largely revolved around whether the country could eventually launch a warhead at neighboring South Korea, or even the United States itself. Yet the country's recent actions have converged with percolating fears about the U.S.'s antiquated power grid—which a growing number of observers say is vulnerable to asymmetric threats.
The possibility of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack—defined as the detonation of a nuclear device at high altitude that produces an electromagnetic wave that can either damage or destroy electronic systems—has been mooted since at least the Cold War, the Center for Security Policy notes, while solar flares can also trigger the same effect.
Yet its the threat of a malicious attack on the more than 450,000 milesof high voltage transmission lines that comprise the U.S. power lattice that has some experts worried. It has been a generic concern in national security circles for years. However, North Korea's suspected test of a hydrogen bomb in late January—combined with its firing of a rocket just days ago—has fanned new EMP fears among observers who have warned about the issue for years.
"The technology of building a super EMP weapon is understood and at least by circumstantial evidence…the North Koreans know how to do it," said Henry (Hank) Cooper, a director at the think tank Foundation for Resilient Societies and a former arms control official under Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. http://www.cnbc.com/id/103403232
July 26, 2016
On March 9, 2016, Kim Jong-Un for the first time stated that North Korea had accomplished the miniaturization of nuclear warheads that are compatible with ICBM’s. Admiral William Gortney, Commander of US NORTHCOM was in front of a Senate Committee on March 10, 2016 briefing them on the potential North Korean nuclear threat. The Admiral stated it was “prudent to assume Pyongyang had the ability to miniaturize a nuclear warhead” and deliver it via ICBM that could actually strike the continental U.S.
Finally, (and the most compelling proponent of the danger posed by North Korea), Dr. Peter V. Pry, the foremost expert on EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse) threats by established and rogue nations has long upheld that Iran and North Korea hold an EMP first strike as central to their current military doctrines. Pry has spent countless hours briefing Senate Investigating Committees on the dangers of an EMP strike by these two nations. http://www.shtfplan.com/headline-news/the-threat-is-real-and-imminent-the-next-world-war-will-be-initiated-by-a-first-strike-utilizing-an-emp-weapon_07262016
Yes, North Korea is an EMP threat to the USA. I have warned about this for years. Now, more and coming forward about this.
Canada is also at risk:
February 1, 2016
Canada and the United States are currently vulnerable to an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack that has the potential to destabilize our power grid, water systems, food supply chain and more...
CIA analyst Dr. Peter Pry’s attempts to educate policy-makers and the military on the need to protect our electrical grid. If an enemy detonated a nuclear missile above the skies of North America, it could take out our grid for months. Countries like North Korea and various terrorist groups have already shown they can successfully launch EMP missiles.
“This is a bigger threat than the classic nuclear war we talk about,” Pry explained during a recent visit to Toronto. “It will kill a lot more people. One bomb will basically end your civilization.
“We’re not just talking about destroying electronics — at the end of the day we’re talking about killing millions of people. But it’s the old fashioned way — through starvation and disease and societal collapse.” ...
“When it comes to issues of national and homeland security, this is why we have government,” says Pry. “Even the strictest constitutionalist should be able to support a bill that is basically for the purpose of providing for the national and homeland security of the American people so that a failed state like North Korea can’t kill 90% of our population with one bomb.”
The challenge is the issue doesn’t appear to be a priority in Canada. Representatives from CSIS, the RCMP and Public Safety Canada all confirm that attacks to what’s called “critical infrastructure” are concerns of theirs, but it appears no recent reports specifically mention EMP. It’s unclear to what degree government experts are studying the issue. http://www.torontosun.com/2016/01/31/how-to-protect-canada-from-a-crippling-attack
How prepared Canada and the USA actually are for this remains an open question, but the risk is great.
An EMP attack could well be one of the 'troubles' that could affect the USA, Canada, and/or various others during the 'beginning of sorrows' that Jesus spoke of (Mark 13:8).
North Korea has made various threats. Notice:
North Korea threatens pre-emptive nuclear attack
April 14, 2017
North Korea says it is “on the brink of war” with the U.S.
In an interview with CBS News’ Ben Tracy, one of the nation’s senior officials has accused the Trump administration of wanting to “annihilate” his country and blamed the escalating tension on the Korean Peninsula squarely on the U.S. and South Korea. …
North Korea’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Han Song Ryol sat down with Tracy in Pyongyang for a 40 minute interview, and he didn’t mince any words. …
“If the U.S. comes up with a dangerous military option, then the first card is in our hands. We’ll deal with it with our pre-emptive strike. This means war,” Han said.
Tracy sought to clarify Han’s remark; “So you are saying if you feel North Korea is going to be attacked, you will use nuclear weapons?”
“Of course,” Han replied.
April 14, 2017
WASHINGTON —
U.S. President Donald Trump has renewed threats to take “care of” the North Korean nuclear threat amid expectations of a new nuclear test this weekend, prompting a defiant response Friday from a senior official in Pyongyang.
“If the U.S. comes with reckless military maneuvers then we will confront it with the DPRK’s pre-emptive strike,” said
North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Han Song Ryol, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
“We’ve got a powerful nuclear deterrent already in our hands, and we certainly will not keep our arms crossed in the face of a U.S. pre-emptive strike,” Han said in an exclusive interview with the Associated Press.
A day earlier, Trump had responded emphatically to reports that North Korea is poised to detonate an underground nuclear device as early as Saturday to mark the anniversary of the birth of the nation’s founder, Kim Il Sung.
“North Korea is a problem,” Trump said at the White House. “The problem will be taken care of.”
Han, in the interview Friday, blamed Trump for raising tensions on the Korean peninsula, saying that his “aggressive” tweets were “making trouble.” He said the situation is now in a “vicious cycle” of escalating tensions. http://www.voanews.com/a/trump-in-fresh-warning-north-korea-will-be-taken-care-of/3809090.html
April 14, 2017
North Korea’s army vowed a “merciless” response to any US provocation, the official news agency reported Friday. A statement of KCNA, which cited Washington’s recent missile strike on Syria, said the administration of President Donald Trump had “entered the path of open threat and blackmail against the DPRK”. http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-04-14/air-china-suspends-flights-north-korea-kim-vows-merciless-response-any-us-provocatio
So the same day, two North Korean leaders in two separate interviews, plus another one on the radio, basically threatened the USA with a preemptive nuclear attack. North Korean mouthpieces seem unified on this. This is not good for North Korea.
North Korean politicians have often been playing a dangerous game with their country and their people, and hopefully they will realize that an EMP or nuclear attack is not in their interests.
While North Korea is not prophesied to take over the USA (Europe is per Daniel 11:39, etc.), as I wrote in the past, it certainly is possible that it may decided to actually launch one or more missiles at the USA in the future (or take other “terroristic actions; cf. Leviticus 26:26). But if it does, North Korea will not fare well.
Since the Koreans are Asians and occupy the “land of the sunrise” (Revelation 16:2), for years I have written that I expect that they will reunify. The reunification of North and South Korea is consistent with biblical prophecy. But North Korea may take unusual actions before then, and it may regret doing so. Whether this reunification will be because of a war involving the USA, South Korea, or something else (such as waiting until Revelation 9:16; & 16:2), is not clear.
But the situation in Korea will change. As Jesus said, “37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” (Mark 13:37).
People from Korea visit the COGwriter website regularly (we get thousands of page view each year), and have also visited the official website of the Continuing Church of God www.ccog.org. We also have the website ccog.asia where we hope to add more items in the Korean language. We also have an earlier version of this article that has been machine-translated into the Korean language (see 한국의 언어로 : 한국 예언, 모든 증인에?) to provide some of the gospel kingdom and warning message to Koreans who may do internet searches in their native language. South Koreans are relatively heavy internet users and using the internet may be the best way, at this instant, to reach Koreans. We have had visits on the internet from North Korea as verified by AWstats.
To reach more Koreans, we also have had the article What is the Gospel? professionally translated into the Korean language: 복음이란 무엇인가?
Other Church of God groups (COG) have also reached Korea; and, in the past, I met some people with Korean heritage in one or more COG groups.
Despite that, it is unclear if any real COG members are actually living in North or South Korea.
So while there has been some witness to Korea, it has been a limited one--especially in North Korea.
Now the Bible makes it clear that the Gospel will be preached into all the world as a witness (Matthew 24:14; watch also the video Implications of Matthew 24:14), thus additional witness will come to Korea. But even then, it may be a relatively limited witness.
It is my hope and prayer that God will move the hearts of one or more who can translate significant portions of the materials of the Continuing Church of God into the Korean language. If so, more of a witness can happen soon.
The Bible teaches:
28 For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, Because the LORD will make a short work upon the earth (Romans 9:28).
This "short work" will likely include some witness into Korea (cf. Matthew 24:14). Some of the foundations which are being laid now.
Hopefully, many Koreans will pay attention to it sooner than later.
God will also raise up two witnesses around the start of the Great Tribulation that some in Korea will listen too (cf. Revelation 7:9-10).
Yet many will not. (For more about those witnesses, please read the article Who Are The Two Witnesses?)
There is a Chinese prophecy dating from the Tang Dynasty (June 18, 618 – June 4, 907) that mentions Korea. It also seems to support the concept of pan-Asian cooperation (although it only mentions three nations) after someone (who is apparently not really trustworthy) rises up in the West:
Beautiful people come from the West. Korea, China and Japan are gradually at peace (Pui-Hua R. Ancient Chinese Prophecies Till the End of the World. AuthorHouse, Bloomington (IN), 2008, p. 85).
All negative forces are subservient…China now has a saint. Even if he is not that great a hero (ibid, p. 89).
The Bible warns of two European leaders (one primarily political and the other primarily religious) who will rise up in the end-time and deceive many. Whatever 'peace' occurs during this time will not last and will end in disaster (cf. Revelation 19:17-21).
It would seem that the "beautiful people" in that Chinese prophecy may be referring to the Beast and his false prophet (the final Antichrist) which apparently will impress peoples in places including the orient. The one referred to as "a saint" will likely be "the false prophet." As a trading nation, Korea will prosper under this system (cf. Revelation 18:11-19).
When people in Korea and elsewhere see the Beast power they will marvel:
8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is (Revelation 17:8).
They will marvel because of the great wealth, because they did not think Europe would gain such prominence, and because its leadership will have performed various signs and wonders.
Catholic prophecies suggest that the Koreans will accept the faith that will be called "Catholic":
Cardinal La Roque (c. 18th century): A regeneration of Faith will appear in Asia (R. Gerald. The Prophets and Our Times. Nihil Obstat: L. Arvin. Imprimatur: Philip G. Scher, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno, November 15, 1941. Reprint 1974, TAN Books, Rockford (IL), p. 193)
Elizabeth Canori-Mora (died 1825):...Such is the glorious triumph reserved for the Catholic Church; she shall be praised, honored and esteemed by all men. All men shall become Catholics, and shall acknowledge the Pope as Vicar of Jesus Christ." (Connor, Edward. Prophecy for Today. Imprimatur + A.J. Willinger, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno; Reprint: Tan Books and Publishers, Rockford (IL), 1984, p.24)
Pope Francis has visited South Korea as part of his evangelistic and interfaith attempts. Pope Francis affected Catholics, Protestants and others with his interfaith and other messages. The interfaith movement is dangerous (see Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction?).
It should be noted that other Catholics have suggested that a faith called Catholic will be that of an "antipope," the False Prophet, the final Antichrist:
Oba Prophecy: It will come when the Church authorities issue directives to support a new cult, when priests are forbidden to celebrate in any other, when the highest positions in the Church are given to perjurers and hypocrites, when only the renegades are admitted to occupy those positions (Dupont, Yves. Catholic Prophecy: The Coming Chastisement. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1973, p. 115).
Yves Dupont {Catholic writer interpreting A. Emmerick}: They wanted to make a new Church, a Church of human manufacture, but God had other designs...The Holy Father shall have to leave Rome, and he shall die a cruel death. An anti-pope shall be set up in Rome (Dupont, p. 116).
Ted and Maureen Flynn (readers and reporters Catholic prophecies): Catholic prophecy warns us of severe problems facing the papacy in these end times…chaos will be within our midst. An Antipope will seize papal authority…It will be those who hold fast to the truths of the faith who will be labeled as the perpetrators of this horrible schism, according to some visionaries (Flynn, Ted and Maureen. The Thunder of Justice. MaxKol Communications, Inc. Sterling (VA), 1993, p. 255).
Priest Herman Kramer (20th century): Antichrist will have a forerunner or prophet, who will prepare the way for him...This false prophet possibly at the behest of Antichrist usurps the papal supremacy…His assumed spiritual authority and supremacy over the Church would make him resemble the Bishop of Rome…He would be Pontifex Maximus, a title of pagan emperors, having spiritual and temporal authority. Assuming authority without having it makes him the False Prophet...Though he poses as a lamb, his doctrines betray him...His principles and dogmas to be accepted...it will comprise emperor-worship...with the persecution of true believers (Kramer H.B. L. The Book of Destiny, pp. 318,319).
...Antichrist, if he ever were of or in the Church, shall be an Apostate and a renegade out of the Church, and he shall usurp upon it by tyranny, and by challenging worship, religion, and government thereof, so that himself shall be adored in all the Churches of the world which he list to leave standing for his honor. And this is to sit in the temple or *against the Temple of God, as some interpret. If any Pope did ever this, or shall do, then let the Adversaries call him Antichrist (Annotations on The Second Epistle of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians. The Original and True RHEIMS NEW TESTAMENT of Anno Domini 1582 , p. 423).
Thus, the religion of the "beautiful people" "from the West" will be the religion of the final Antichrist. Do NOT fall for the ecumenical (see Beware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction!) or interfaith movements (see Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction?).
Since the witness to Korea has been quite limited, the Koreans will have to make decisions based upon somewhat culturally limited information. However, since many Koreans are zealous people, some of them will likely delve into these subjects more in this age. The others, sadly, will need to wait until the "age to come."
Hopefully, this article will be helpful for many now.
Since the Asian nations, like Korea, are prophesied to be involved with Babylon and various wars, what about you?
Does this mean that you are doomed?
No. God does not require "group salvation". The Apostle Paul wrote:
...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling... (Philippians 2:12)
Thus, your personal relationship with God is not determined by what your fellow countrymen do.
Can, will, God help you during the coming tribulation?
Notice the prophecy for this latter time tribulation in the Hebrew scriptures:
29 But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. 30 When you are in distress, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, when you turn to the Lord your God and obey His voice 31 (for the Lord your God is a merciful God), He will not forsake you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them. (Deuteronomy 4:29-31)
Thus, help from God during these hard times will be available to the truly sincere who really strive for it.
Two items of related interest may include:
Just What Do You Mean -- Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
When You Sin: Do You Really Repent? This is an article by Charles F. Hunting.
Lest any have the misimpression that the Koreans are not a discerning people, it needs to be understood that the Koreans will be among the first to recognize the falsehood of this European power. But before that, there will likely be increased military cooperation among many of the Asian nations.
The Koreans will finally see that the European Beast power, also called "the King of the North" in the Bible, is not something to be worshiped or trusted.
Why do we of the Philadelphia remnant of the Church of God believe that? Because there are certain verses in both the Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation that appear to be discussing East Asian nations and the European Beast power.
Notice from the Book of Daniel:
"40 At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. 41 He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. 42 He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels. 44 But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many. 45 And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him (Daniel11:40-45).
Notice that the end time King of the North (the European Empire) will overwhelm the King of the South (a Moslem empire), but that those from the east and the north shall trouble the King of the North. This appears to be referring to China and Russia, and apparently other Asian nations (including Korea--which is one of the most "eastern" of all nations). And notice that they will be used to help cause the King of the North to come to his end.
And it is likely that by the end, both Koreas would be involved. Korea apparently part of the "kings from the east" or more literally "kings of the sunrise" of Revelation 16:12). It would seem like Korea is likely to support the coming confederation of the east that will have a 200,000,000 man army:
15 So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. 16 Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. (Revelation 9:15-16)
This will not turn out well for the participants, including any Koreans (cf. Revelation 19:17-21).
However, war is not the ultimate destiny for most Koreans. Deification is.
And even though the Bible shows that the King of the North will lose, certain Catholics are now misled as some of their prophets falsely seem to tell them that the Asians, apparently including Koreans) will be defeated:
Countess Francesca de Brillante (20th Century). "I see yellow warriors and red warriors marching against Europe. Europe will be completely covered with a yellow fog that will kill the cattle in the fields. Those nations that rebelled against the law of Christ will perish by fire. Europe will then be too large for them who survive (Dupont, p. 78).
Nostradamus (16th century): Meanwhile the great Asiatic Empire will spread across the sea and continents to destroy the Christian world (Culleton, p. 168).
David Poreus (17th century). "The Great Monarch will be of French descent, large forehead, large dark eyes, light brown wavy hair and an eagle nose. He will crush the enemies of the Pope and will conquer the East." (Dupont, p.31)
However, as the Bible will be correct (and certain Catholic prophets often shown to be wrong), it will not turn out as the Europeans hope.
Jesus warned about a future time of a great tribulation:
21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened (Matthew 24:21-22).
Since this great tribulation affects the whole world, it will affect the Koreans as well.
In Revelation 16, we also see that God will issue punishment to nearly all of humanity after Babylon (the European Empire) falls:
17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, "It is done!" 18 And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. 19 Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. 20 Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. 21 And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great (Revelation 16:17-21).
God sent the punishments to get all men, including Koreans, to repent, but most refused at first:
9 And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory (Revelation 16:9).
After all these battles and punishments, the tribulation will end. And Christ will return:
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (Matthew 24:29-30).
16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS (Revelation 19:16).
This will usher in a kingdom that will be established for 1,000 years:
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years (Revelation 20:4-6).
And people of many nations, including those of Asia, will be part of this kingdom. Notice:
9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb (Revelation 7:9).
After the thousand years are over, there will be problems, and then all will be resurrected:
7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. 11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works (Revelation 20:7-13).
It is important to note that all remaining are judged at the second resurrection, but not all are condemned.
The mainstream "Christian" view correctly teaches that there is salvation in no other than Jesus (Acts 4:10-12), as "there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (vs.12).
But what happens to the multitudes in Asia (including North Korea) who have not even heard the name of Christ? What about those who do not respond to Deuteronomy 4:29-31 or the two witnesses, etc.? And what happens to those born before Christ's earthly ministry? Recall that the Bible teaches that after Adam sinned, humankind was blocked from the tree of life as God had it guarded so that humans would not be able to access it on their own (Genesis 3:22-24).
Even the basic Protestant view is that unless one professes belief in Jesus prior to the first death, then salvation will be unavailable. It is perhaps because of the difference between this view and that of the genuine Church of God, that Protestants tend to label the real Church of God as a cult. The fact that our doctrines actually come from the Bible does not seem to stop them from such labeling.
The genuine Church of God teaches that God is only calling a relatively few during this age with the Day of Pentecost (also called the Day of Firstfruits, Numbers 28:26) partially explaining this. "Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures" (James 1:18).
Jesus and the Church of God teach, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him" (John 6:44). And that will be few at this time, "For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14), "Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:14).
Protestants and Catholics tend to feel, correctly, that God uses ministers to preach (Romans 10:14). Yet, the message is not always clear. In Isaiah 6:9-11 God teaches,
"Go, and tell this people: 'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.' Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return and be healed." Then I said, "Lord, how long?" And He answered: "Until the cities are laid waste and without inhabitant, The houses are without a man, The land is utterly desolate".
In other words, the bulk of the people are not to understand until after a time of great desolation.
Furthermore, the Bible reveals that God has prohibited idolaters to have proper understanding:
And the rest of it he makes into a god, His carved image. He falls down before it and worships it, Prays to it and says, "Deliver me, for you are my god!" They do not know nor understand; For He has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, And their hearts, so that they cannot understand (Isaiah 44:17-18).
They have no knowledge, Who carry the wood of their carved image, And pray to a god that cannot save (Isaiah 45:20).
Thus, is God going to condemn those who worship idols for what He has not let them understand?
Protestant and Catholic theology tends to say yes.
Those in the Continuing Church of God say no.
Unless the idolater has committed the unpardonable sin (which is unlikely) they will be judged as other uncalled people are.
Hence, the billions throughout history in Asia and Africa (and elsewhere) are not condemned to suffer forever for following practices they really do not understand.
Those who were uncalled in this age (including most people and nearly all of the Koreans, including those that have long been dead) will be offered an opportunity for salvation.
And nearly all of them will accept it. We in the Continuing Church of God teach that God will ultimately give every individual an opportunity for salvation--and that nearly every individual will accept that opportunity. All humans, including all Koreans will be called, and the vast majority of Koreans will ultimately be in God's family.
Ultimately that nearly all Koreans will be in the permanent kingdom of God. Notice some of the descriptions from the Book of Revelation:
2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:2-4).
This will be the time of real, lasting, genuine peace.
Because of their zeal, I suspect that many Koreans will put Westerners to shame. All should recall that Jesus taught:
29 They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. 30 And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last (Luke 13:28-30).
And this is likely to include many Koreans as becoming first. We in the real Church of God understand that God will offer salvation to everyone in this age or the age to come (Matthew 12:32; Mark 10:30).
Although some Protestants and Catholics seem to act otherwise, notice that Jesus did NOT teach that mostly those from Western nations in Europe and North America would be saved--those from the West have no preeminence. Many Koreans are likely to be preeminent over Westerners.
In the 21st century, the wealth of Korean appears prophesied to increase. The Asians, including the Koreans, will most likely be among the first to benefit from the coming European Empire, as well as be among those who see that it is not what it pretends to be.
God apparently plans to allow Korea and others in Asia as part of a coalition of kings from the East (which apparently include the eastern and northern Russians) to put an end to the King of the North's military ambitions.
Just because the whole world (and not just the Koreans) will be deceived by the rising European Beast power, you do not have to be. Hopefully this article has given you some reasons to look at the world and your life and will motivate to come to God now on His terms. To learn more about what happened to Christianity, a good place to start may be The History of Early Christianity page. May God call you today and grant you the understanding so that you will "pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36).
Sadly, because most in Korea do not strive know the true God now, God will punish them as well as the other inhabitants on the Earth. And apparently many will also rebel at the close of the millennium, but will not succeed.
However, since God is a God of love, He intends to resurrect the all Koreans and offer them salvation. A salvation that nearly all will accept as nearly all the Koreans who ever lived will be in the kingdom of God. A kingdom without fear or death or sorrow. A glorious and peaceful kingdom. Deification will be available for the Koreans. And that is the prophesied future for nearly all of Koreans.
A prophetic video is also available: Syria, North Korea, and Prophecy.
Thiel B. Korea in Prophecy: Any Witness? www.cogwriter.com/korea-in-prophecy.htm (c) 2009/2010/2011/2012/2013/2014/2016/2017 0603
For more on Korea and the rest of the Asians, including their ultimate fate, please see the article Asia in Prophecy.