1999 Doomsday Prophecy: The Third False Prediction and the Suffering of Members

The World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG) did not abandon its apocalyptic narratives even after the failure of its 1988 doomsday prophecy. In 1999, the church declared December 31, 1999, at midnight as the new end of the world, once again plunging its followers into confusion and anxiety. This prophecy cunningly combined Ahn Sahng-hong’s writings with the global Y2K panic, causing immense financial and psychological harm to its members. Below is a detailed account of the development and impact of the 1999 prophecy.

1. Background: Fallout from the 1988 Doomsday Failure

• The Church’s Response to the 1988 Failure:
  • After the 1988 doomsday failed to materialize, church leaders Kim Joo-cheol and Zahng Gil-ja introduced new logic to maintain trust among their followers.
  • Delayed Apocalypse Theory:
    • They claimed the apocalypse had only been postponed, urging members to remain faithful.
  • Ahn Sahng-hong’s Records:
    • Ahn’s book "While the Bridegroom Was Delayed, They All Became Drowsy and Slept" became a central text, citing that while 1988 had passed without incident, the world would definitely not last beyond 2012.
    • They calculated this date using a biblical reinterpretation of the 168 days Moses spent receiving the second tablets of the Ten Commandments and applied it to the Adventist Church’s founding year (1844), yielding 2012 as the apocalyptic year.

2. Emergence of the 1999 Doomsday Prophecy

• Exploiting Y2K Fears:

  • The Y2K phenomenon, which warned of potential global chaos due to computer malfunctions, was a significant concern in 1999.
  • Media outlets speculated on the possibility of economic collapse, large-scale disruptions, and even nuclear war.
  • Kim and Zahng used these fears to assert that the world would end before 2000.

• Setting the Date:

  • The church pinpointed December 31, 1999, at midnight as the exact moment of the apocalypse.
  • "God’s Fairness" Argument:
    • They argued that 2000 was a fair midpoint: 12 years after the failed 1988 prophecy and 12 years before the next apocalyptic marker in 2012.
  • Urgent Warnings:
    • Members were told to prepare immediately, as the end was imminent.

3. Chaos and Sacrifices Among Followers

• Survival Preparations:

  • Members frantically stocked up on emergency supplies, such as food, medicine, and survival gear.
  • This led to significant financial strain as they invested heavily in these preparations.

• Massive Financial Contributions:

  • The church urged followers to “store treasures in heaven,” citing scripture to justify demands for donations.
  • Members were told their earthly possessions were meaningless in the face of imminent apocalypse, resulting in large-scale wealth transfers to the church.

4. Failure of the Prophecy and Leadership's Evasion

• No Doomsday, No Accountability:

  • When the world did not end on December 31, 1999, church leaders offered no official explanation.
  • Instead, they criticized members for their “lack of faith,” asking, “Are you a wicked servant who only watches for the time?”
  • Disillusioned members began leaving the church, while others struggled to reconcile their faith with the failed prophecy.

• Contradictory Actions by Leaders:

  • Even as they predicted the world’s end, Kim and Zahng oversaw the construction of a 100-billion-won church building in Bundang, set to be completed by October 2000.
  • This glaring contradiction further eroded trust among members.

5. Significance and Impact of the 1999 Doomsday Prophecy

• A Case of Religious Psychological Manipulation:

  • The 1999 prophecy exemplifies how the church exploited global panic (Y2K) for financial and psychological gain.
  • Members were left with economic hardships and shattered trust, while the leadership evaded accountability.

• Repetition of a Pattern:

  • The 1988, 1999, and 2012 doomsday predictions reveal a recurring pattern within the church:
    • After each failed prophecy, the leadership fabricated new timelines to maintain control over followers.
    • This systematic behavior resembles organized fraud rather than genuine religious belief.

Conclusion: The Nature of the 1999 Doomsday Prophecy

The 1999 prophecy was not merely a misinterpretation of scripture but a calculated exploitation of fear and faith for material gain.

• The leadership skillfully combined Ahn Sahng-hong’s writings with contemporary anxieties (Y2K) to deepen members’ dependency on the church.
• Despite the failure of their predictions, they avoided responsibility and continued crafting new apocalyptic narratives to sustain their influence.

This incident significantly damaged the church’s credibility and intensified public scrutiny of its fraudulent practices. It remains a stark reminder of the dangers posed by manipulative religious organizations.