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The book then traces the deep history of the savior concept, from ancient myths and tribal shamans to the rise of world religions. It reveals how the longing for salvation is rooted in fear, suffering, andoftenselfishness.

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Who is the True Savior, Messiah Jeong Do-ryeong?
Humanity has always waited for a savior. From the messianic hopes of Judaism and Christianity, to the Maitreya in Buddhism, the Mahdi in Islam, or countless modern cult leaders who claimed divine authorityevery age has clung to the dream of someone who would rescue us from despair. But as this book asks sharply: What use is a savior if they arrive too late?
Kim Jin-sil’s Who is the True Savior, Messiah Jeong Do-ryeong? is not just another religious or philosophical reflectionit is an urgent wake-up call. The book begins with the stark realities of our age: climate catastrophe, rising nuclear threats, extreme inequality, pandemics, and the unchecked power of artificial intelligence. Political leaders are paralyzed by self-interest, economic elites chase short-term gains, and religions, instead of guiding humanity, often exploit fear through what the author calls “Messiah marketing.” With billions praying for salvation, why does the world only grow worse?
The book then traces the deep history of the savior concept, from ancient myths and tribal shamans to the rise of world religions. It reveals how the longing for salvation is rooted in fear, suffering, andoftenselfishness: “save me, save us, even if others perish.” This selfishness explains why savior movements across historyfrom Hong Xiuquan’s Taiping Rebellion to Jim Jones, David Koresh, and cult leaders in modern Koreahave ended in violence, tragedy, and disillusionment.
Kim does not stop at critique. In the later chapters, the book turns to the conditions of a true savior in the new era. A genuine redeemer, the author argues, will not claim divine status, nor seek wealth or power. Instead, the true savior must:
Solve real-world problems through action, not empty promises.
Speak in a universal human language, beyond doctrines and dogmas.
Live as an example of altruism, embodying the very values they preach.
Reject the temptation to call themselves a “savior” at all.
And then comes the book’s most provocative conclusion: the savior is not one person at all. The final chapters insist that every human being must become a savior in their own capacityby practicing altruism, building solidarity, and taking responsibility for the survival of our civilization. Salvation will not descend from heaven; it must rise from within us.
This is not a comfortable book. It challenges religious exclusivism, exposes the failures of false messiahs, and questions whether waiting for a redeemer has become humanity’s most dangerous illusion. But it is also a deeply hopeful book. By redefining the very idea of Messiah, it empowers readers to see themselves as agents of salvation in an age of global crisis.
Who is the True Savior, Messiah Jeong Do-ryeong? is both an indictment of blind faith and a manifesto for ethical responsibility. If you have ever wondered why so many have claimed to be messiahs, why humanity still suffers despite billions of prayers, or what it really means to “be saved” in the 21st centurythis book is the most urgent, unsettling, and inspiring guide you will find.

The Last Question of Humanity - On the Brink of Destruction, Where is the Savior?
Even at this very moment, the Earth's average temperature is rising. The Arctic ice is melting at a faster rate than expected, and the Amazon rainforest has started to emit carbon dioxide instead of absorbing it. We may have already passed the "point of no return" that scientists around the world are unanimously warning us about. The deadlines of 2030 and 2050 keep getting pushed forward, and the sustainability of human civilization is becoming increasingly uncertain.
At the same time, nuclear weapons are deployed around the world, poised to strike with just the push of a button, threatening to wipe out billions in an instant. The war between Russia and Ukraine, the endless conflicts in the Middle East, and the tense situation in the Taiwan Strait all carry the potential to escalate into a third world war at any moment. Economically, while a small group of wealthy individuals monopolizes more than half of the world's wealth, billions of people are suffering from extreme poverty.
COVID-19 has starkly revealed the devastating consequences of human selfishness. Wealthy nations hoarding vaccines, isolationist policies focused solely on their own citizens... Instead of uniting in the face of a global crisis, humanity has become even more divided. Meanwhile, the root causes of all this-environmental destruction and ecosystem disruption-persist unabated. The next pandemic could be more deadly, spread more rapidly, and threaten the very survival of humanity.
The advancement of artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technology could further accelerate this crisis. A handful of companies now possess the power to control the future of humanity, but it is questionable whether they are considering the interests of all humankind. The benefits of technology are concentrated among a few, while the majority face the risk of being left behind. In this critical situation, where is the global leadership we so desperately need?
Political leaders around the world are preoccupied with safeguarding their own national interests, while economic elites are solely focused on maximizing short-term gains. International organizations are hindered by the interests of powerful nations, preventing them from making any meaningful decisions. So, what about religion? Is religion truly offering solutions in this time of crisis?
Currently, over 85% of the global population believes in some form of religion. There are 2.4 billion Christians, 1.8 billion Muslims, 1.1 billion Hindus, and 500 million Buddhists. With so many people believing in God, hoping for salvation, and offering prayers, isn't it strange? Despite the vast number of religious followers, why does the world seem to be getting worse? With more than 7 billion people turning to God in various ways, why is the Earth heading towards destruction?
What is even more astonishing is that nearly every religion predicts the arrival of a savior. Christians have been awaiting the Second Coming of Jesus for 2,000 years, Buddhists are anticipating the appearance of Maitreya, Muslims are waiting for the Mahdi, and Jews are expecting the Messiah. In Korea, many religious groups are also looking forward to the emergence of Jeong Do-ryeong or various other saviors.
They all believe that "when the time comes," "at the appointed time," someone will arrive to solve all the problems. They are convinced that a savior will appear to judge evil, save the righteous, and build a new world. But this raises a question: Will such a savior truly come? If so, when will they arrive? And what if humanity perishes before they do?
Let's pose a more fundamental question: What use is a savior if they arrive after humanity has been wiped out? If a redeemer appears only after the Earth is devastated and civilization has collapsed, can that truly be called salvation? Or, if everything ends before the savior arrives, could it be that the hope for salvation we've held onto was nothing more than an empty dream?
Looking back at history deepens this question even further. Throughout time, countless individuals have claimed to be saviors. In China, Hong Xiuquan started the Taiping Rebellion, asserting that he was the brother of Jesus, but it ultimately ended in a devastating civil war that claimed millions of lives. In Korea, several people have also declared themselves to be the Messiah or the Second Coming, yet the world remains unchanged.
There have even been cases where individuals, like Shoko Asahara in Japan, claimed to be saviors and committed acts of terrorism, or like Jim Jones and David Koresh in the United States, led their followers to mass suicide. All of these figures insisted that they were the true saviors and that only those who followed them would be saved. However, their ends were all tragic, and the fate of their followers was no different.
How, then, can we distinguish between a true savior and a false one? By what criteria can we recognize a genuine redeemer? Or is the very notion of such a savior nothing more than an illusion from the start?
What is even more perplexing is the case of the great saviors spoken of in established religions. Did the founders of religions like Jesus, Buddha, and Muhammad truly proclaim themselves as saviors? What were their original teachings, and how have they been distorted over time? Moreover, why have the religions created in their names become so exclusive and conflict-ridden?
Looking at the current state of the religious world, the questions only deepen. Many religious leaders are selling salvation as if it were a commodity. They provoke the anxiety and desires of their followers with claims like, "The more you donate, the greater the blessings you'll receive," "You must attend our church to be saved," and "Only our religion holds the truth." Is this truly what religion should be about? Can such religions really save the world?
The situation in Korea is even more complex. Some large churches are colluding with political powers to receive special privileges, and certain groups continue to cause social disturbances. Many are caught up in a prosperity gospel, focusing more on worldly gains than on enlightenment or spiritual liberation. In such circumstances, can religion truly play a role in salvation?
A more serious issue is that many religious individuals tend to be escapist. They ignore real-world problems with thoughts like, "The world will end anyway," "True believers will be raptured," or "We'll be rewarded in the afterlife." They show little concern for pressing issues such as environmental destruction, war, hunger, and disease that are happening right now. Is this attitude truly reflective of the essence of religious faith?
What, then, is the alternative for non-religious people? Some believe that science and technology will solve all our problems. However, isn't the advancement of science and technology actually creating new risks? Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and nuclear technology could be tools to save humanity, but at the same time, couldn't they also become weapons of destruction?
Some people believe that reforms in political or economic systems can solve our problems. However, no political regime or economic system has managed to address humanity's fundamental issues so far. Whether it's capitalism or socialism, democracy or dictatorship, haven't all systems ultimately been corrupted and distorted by human selfishness and desire?
So what, then, is the answer? Who will save humanity from this desperate situation? What kind of being is a true savior? Or is there a way for humanity to save itself without a savior?
This book begins with this very question. We are living in an era that is both the most despairing and the most full of potential in human history. The collapse and destruction of civilization seem imminent, yet at the same time, we have more knowledge and technology than ever before to overcome these challenges. The real issue is whether we have the wisdom and determination to use that knowledge and technology in the right direction.
Through this book, we will first explore why humanity has long awaited a savior, delving into the psychological and religious backgrounds behind this anticipation. We will then analyze why all those who have claimed to be saviors throughout history have ultimately failed. In particular, by closely examining various messianic movements in Korea, we will identify the issues inherent in the belief in a savior.
We will also examine in detail how severe the crisis of modern civilization is and why it cannot be resolved through existing religious or political systems. Finally, we will explore who the true savior might be, whether such a figure is truly necessary, and how we can recognize them if they exist.
This is not a study driven by mere curiosity. It is an urgent quest for the survival of humanity. We don't have much time left. We can no longer afford to cling to misguided expectations and false hopes. What we need now are accurate assessments and realistic solutions.

  목차

Preface / 5

Part 1: The History of Selfishness Calling for a Savior / 13

Chapter 1: The Savior Born of Suffering - Humanity's Selfish Desire / 15
Why do humans long for a savior? / 15
The Psychology of Apocalyptic Consciousness Born from Pain and Anxiety / 17
The Selfish Nature of Salvation's Great Hope: The Desire for 'Only Me' and 'Only Us' to Be Saved / 21
The Anthropological Roots of the Savior Concept / 25
Chapter 2: The Chosen People Mentality and Exclusive Salvation Doctrine / 30
The Jewish Expectation of the Messiah and Nationalistic Self-Interest / 30
"The Christian Concept of 'Only Jesus' and Religious Exclusivity" / 33
"The 'Final Prophet' of Islam and the Notion of Exclusivity in Truth" / 37
The Arrogance of the Chosen: A Class Society Created by Religion / 40

Part 2: The March of the Saviors in the Era of Predestination / 45

Chapter 3: The Rise and Fall of Western Messianic Movements / 47
The Millenarian Movement of the Middle Ages and the Tragedy of M?nster / 47
The Adventist Church and Repeated Prophetic Failures / 51
Jim Jones of the People's Temple: The Dictator Who Became a Savior / 54
David Koresh and the Waco Tragedy: The Violence of Apocalyptic Beliefs / 58
Chapter 4: Maitreya Belief and Utopian Movements in the East / 62
Hong Xiuquan of China's Taiping Heavenly Kingdom: The Delusion of Being the 'Brother of Jesus' / 62
Aum Shinrikyo in Japan: The Savior Complex Entangled with Terrorism / 67
Promises of salvation that resulted in tens of millions of victims / 71
Chapter 5: The Messiahs of the Former Heaven Era in Korea - The yearning for salvation of a divided nation / 76
The Jeonggamnok and Maitreya Millenarianism in the Joseon Dynasty / 76
The Savior Movement During the Japanese Colonial Period and After Liberation / 85
Messiahs of Modern Korea / 93
Cho Hee-sung and the Victory Altar: The Faith of Dew Spirit and Eternal Life in the Flesh / 99
Sun Myung Moon and the Unification Church: A Scholar's Betrayal and the Decline of the Church / 106
Lee Man-hee of Shincheonji: The Distortion of Revelation and the Promise of Eternal Life in the Flesh / 111
Chapter 6: Religious Power and the Business of Salvation / 117
New Religions and Established Religions: The Same Essence of Messiah Marketing / 117
The entrenched Messiah marketing of established religions / 118
The Subtlety and Risks of Messiah Marketing in Established Religions / 121
A Fundamental Reflection on Overcoming Messiah Marketing / 122

Part 3: Why Did All the Saviors of the Former Heaven Era Fail? / 125

Chapter 7: The Inevitable Decline Pattern of the Messiah Movement in the Formal Heaven Era / 127
Maximizing Selfishness: The Exclusive Belief That Only You Are the Savior / 127
Repeated Failures of Prophecy / 128
Secularization: The Desire for Power and Material Wealth / 129
Escapism and Mysticism / 130
The Death of the Cult Leader and the Succession Conflict / 132
Chapter 8: The Millennium Kingdom Will Not Come (Automatically) / 135
Cases of Failed Realization of the Promised Land / 135
The Structural Limitations of Building an Ideal Society / 137
The Absolute Nature of Human Responsibility from a Cosmic Perspective / 139
From Utopia to Dystopia / 141
Chapter 9: The Limitations of Religions and Saviors in the Former Heaven Era / 144
Ignorance, / 144
The ethical corruption and lack of reality awareness among self-proclaimed messiahs / 149

Part 4: The Crisis of Modern Civilization and the Consequences of Selfishness / 157

Chapter 10: The End of Civilization: No Time to Wait for the Messiah / 159
Climate Change and Environmental Destruction: A Disaster Fueled by Selfishness / 159
Global Crisis: We Don't Need a Messiah Who Arrives Late / 165
Chapter 11: The Structural Cause of Apocalyptic Modern Civilization: Selfishness / 167
The Myth of Capitalism and Infinite Growth / 167
The Collapse of Individualism and Social Solidarity / 169

Part 5: Who is the True Savior of the New Era? / 179

Chapter 12: The True Conditions of a Savior in Later Heaven Era / 181
The Definition of the Later Heaven Era: The Advent of an Altruistic Civilization / 181
Ability to Solve Real-World Problems: Proven Through Actions, Not Words / 183
Universal Language: One who communicates through the shared values of humanity, rather than specific doctrines / 185
A Model of Altruistic Living: Someone Who Guides Others Through Their Own Life / 187
Transcending the Desire for Power: One Who Does Not Claim to Be a Savior / 188
Chapter 13: The Savior as the Ontological Purpose of Human Existence / 193
The purpose of human existence is to become a perfected individual, like the Messiah / 193
The Former Heaven Era and the Later Heaven Era: From the Age of Ignorance to the Age of Advanced Science / 194
The anticipation of a savior stems from the ignorance and selfishness of innate religions / 197
The Shift from Religious Passivity to Ethical Proactivity / 199
Chapter 14: Paradigm Shift in the Savior's Role in the Later Heaven Era / 202
Characteristics of the Savior in the Later Heaven Era / 202
A Movement to Practice Social Altruism from Personal Altruism / 206
From the Selfish Messiah Movement to the Practice of Altruism Movement / 207
A Paradigm Shift from Selfish Competition to Altruistic Competition / 208
The only way to ensure the survival of modern civilization and humanity / 209

Part 6: We Must All Become Saviors / 211

Chapter 15: Becoming a Savior in Line with Your Abilities 213
How to Become a Savior: Transforming into an Altruistic Being 213
Types of Saviors 215
How to Become a Global Savior / 218
Chapter 16: Conclusion - A New Savior Has Emerged / 221
The hope of humanity lies not in waiting, but in your actions / 222
Hoping to become a global savior / 223
The Beginning of Altruistic Competition / 224
The Final Warning and Hope / 225

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