A sermon by Dr. Song Yongcheon, Director-General of World Mission Headquarters at the Cheon Seung Church on February 9, 2025
Opening Remarks
Dear beloved members of the Cheon Won Gung Cheon Seung Church, greetings!
As we enter the 13th year of Cheon Il Guk, I am honored to greet the members of Cheon Seung Church for the first time. First and foremost, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to our Heavenly Parent and the True Parents of Heaven, Earth, and Humankind for guiding us to this moment.
As you saw in the video, the entire schedule of the “Commemorative Week for the Holy Birth of the True Parents of Heaven, Earth, and Humankind and the 12th Anniversary of Foundation Day” was devoutly offered before Heaven, with the entire community uniting as one, centering on Cheon Mu Won, and gathering the sincere devotion of blessed families worldwide. In particular, this commemorative week was a precious time in which, more than ever, we became one centering on True Mother, expressing our heartfelt gratitude to our Heavenly Parent as citizens of Cheon Il Guk, harmonizing together, and deepening our bonds as one family.
I extend my deepest gratitude to the members of Cheon Won Gung Cheonseung Church for your devotion in offering victory to True Mother. Additionally, I would like to take this moment to once again convey, on behalf of all Cheon Seung Church members, our heartfelt gratitude and congratulations to the True Parents of Heaven, Earth, and Humankind on their Holy Birth with a big round of applause! (Applause)
Beloved Brothers and Sisters,
We are a chosen community of destiny, born and united through True Parents, as their true sons and daughters, and as brothers and sisters centered on True Parents. At this time, please take a moment to warmly greet the beloved children of True Parents, your brothers and sisters beside you.
“Welcome!” (Welcome!)
“We love you!” (We love you!)
Thank you.
Additionally, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Cheonshim Choir, who have graced today’s sacred service with their beautiful praise, offering glory to Heavenly Parent and True Parents. The Cheonsim Choir, whose songs always bring great grace. Let’s give them a big round of applause! (Applause) Thank you.
Hoondok Reading
Beloved Members of Cheon Won Gung Cheons Sung Church,
As we prepared for the Commemorative Week for the Holy Birth of the True Parents of Heaven, Earth, and Humankind and the 12th Anniversary of Foundation Day, True Mother gave a very special message at this meaningful juncture, as we ushered in the hopeful 13th year of Cheon Il Guk. Now, we will read the words True Mother gave during the leaders’ assembly on the 3rd day of the 1st month by the heavenly calendar in the 13th Year of Cheon Il Guk.
“At the conclusion of every prayer, you must say, ‘I pray with gratitude in my name, so-and-so, a blessed central family attending our Holy Mother Han. Aju.’ This is the same for everyone around the world.”
“At this time, all blessed families who are united with and attending Holy Mother Han must take responsibility. The era of praying in the name of True Parents has now passed, and now, it is Holy Mother Han. Especially in the 13th year of Cheon Il Guk, Holy Mother Han is at the center of attending Heavenly Parent in the physical world. This is true not only for the Christian cultural sphere but for all of humanity. Through the great providential epic of the Chosen Korean People, the long-concealed existence of Heavenly Mother is now being revealed. As a result, the era of one human family and a world of peace will take shape.” (January 31, 2025) Aju! (Aju)
The words we have just read were spoken by True Mother upon her return from Heavenly America, at the very first leaders’ assembly held to mark the beginning of the 13th year of Cheon Il Guk. True Mother regards this new year with special significance and has provided new guidance on how to conclude our prayers in this new era.
She has instructed that:
1. Blessed families should conclude their prayers with:
“I pray with gratitude in my name, [one’s name], of a blessed family attending our Holy Mother Han. Aju.”
2. Blessed children should conclude their prayers with:
“I pray with gratitude in my name, [one’s name], as a child of a blessed central family attending Holy Mother Han. Aju.”
3. First-generation members who have not yet received the Blessing should conclude their prayers with:
“I pray with gratitude in my name, [one’s name], attending Holy Mother Han. Aju.”
This time, I would like to share words under the theme, “The Chosen Blessed Families Attending Holy Mother Han,” centering on the message True Mother gave on the 3rd day of the 1st month in the 13th year of Cheon Il Guk, along with the motto she proclaimed at the start of this year.
The Providential Time: The Era of Substantially Attending the Creator Heavenly Parent
Beloved Cheon Won Gung Cheon Seung Church members,
To achieve providential victory, three essential factors are required: time, direction, and speed.
First, “the providential time” is a preordained factor set by Heavenly Parent. Throughout history, when central figures and the chosen people failed to fulfill their responsibilities, this time was extended. Now, centering on the Only Begotten Daughter, True Mother, we are welcoming the spring of the providence and we are standing in the 13th year of Cheon Il Guk Year, the period of the completion of Heaven’s providence.
At the beginning of 2024, True Mother stated: “The coming completion year, the13th year of Cheon Il Guk, will mark the Entrance Ceremony of the Cheonil Sanctum in Cheon Won Gung. In preparation for this, there must be no shadows in any aspect.” (January 1, 2024). And on the 3rd day of the 1st month in the heavenly calendar (January 31, 2025), marking the 13th year of Cheon Il Guk, she emphasized: “Do you know how long Heaven has been waiting for the 13th year of Cheon Il Guk? I, too, have walked this path alone.” (January 31, 2025)
Furthermore, in this year’s motto for the new year, she proclaimed: “The 13th Year Cheon Il Guk is the time to substantially attend the Creator, Heavenly Parent.” (January 1, 2025). By proclaiming this, True Mother declared that the 13th year of Cheon Il Guk is the “time to substantially attend the Creator, Heavenly Parent,” and she provided new guidance regarding the conclusion of our report prayers in accordance with this providential time.
From this perspective, let us briefly reflect on the providential time and the nature of prayer in different historical eras.
Since before the concept of “prayer” was fully developed, humanity has sought to communicate with Heaven through various ways. Even after prayer became systematized, its form and meaning evolved depending on the era and circumstances. Since it is difficult to discuss prayers from all eras, today we will focus on the historical changes of prayer in the providence of the chosen people.
1. Prayer in the Old Testament Age was communal and ritualistic, which is closely tied to sacrificial offerings. The Israelites prayed during temple sacrifices, with priests acting as intermediaries.
A representative example is King Solomon’s dedication prayer for the temple:
“Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way.” (1 Kings 8:23)
In the Old Testament, the relationship between God and humanity was expressed as “Lord and servant.” The key responsibility of the chosen people was to follow God’s will wholeheartedly and uphold the covenants. Thus, the Old Testament Age was the “Era of Righteous Deeds,” and its prayers can be called “Prayers of the Old Testament Age of Righteous Deeds.”
2. With the birth of Jesus Christ, prayer in the New Testament Age became more personal, emphasizing a closer relationship with Heaven. Jesus taught:
“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.” (Matthew 6:9-13)
He further instructed: “And I will do whatever you ask in my name.” (John 14:13)
Thus, in the New Testament Age, believers addressed God as “Father” and prayed in Jesus’ name, with no need for priests as intermediaries. Jesus emphasized faith and taught us to pray for daily sustenance, forgiveness, and deliverance from evil. This age, the age of faith, is therefore known as the “Era of Righteous Faith,” and its prayers can be called “Prayers of the New Testament Age of Righteous Faith.”
After passing through the Old and New Testament ages, we have now entered the Completed Testament Age with the advent of the True Parents. In this era, prayers were no longer offered in Jesus’ name but rather in the name of True Parents. In 1999, a historic transition occurred when True Parents instructed Blessed Families to conclude their prayers in their own names, as families blessed by True Parents. This marked a shift to the “Era of Righteous Attendance,” and the prayers of this era are known as “Report Prayers of the Completed Testament Age of Righteous Attendance.”
And today, True Mother has proclaimed the opening of Cheon Il Guk and the Foundation Day, establishing the foundation for the restoration of seven nations, seven religions orders and continents, thereby declaring the settlement of Cheon Il Guk. Now, in this era of the substantial Cheon Il Guk, True Mother has dedicated the Cheonil Sanctum in Cheon Won Gung, where Heavenly Parent will dwell in substantial rest. And at last, we welcome the 13th year of Cheon Il Guk with the ” Entrance Ceremony of the Cheonil Sanctum in Cheon Won Gung,” signifying the fulfillment of the heavenly providence and the completion of human history.
As if proclaiming the arrival of this new era, on the 3rd day of the 1st month of the 13th year of Cheon Il Guk, True Mother opened the era of praying in the name of a “Blessed Family attending Holy Mother Han.” Through this, she made it clear how precious and blessed this providential time is for us. True Mother also stated, “The 13th year of Cheon Il Guk is the time to substantially attend the Creator, Heavenly Parent” (2025.1.1). This emphasizes that the era of Cheon Il Guk is the “Substantial Era of Righteous Attendance beyond the Completed Testament,” and that our prayers must be “prayers of gratitude practicing attendance in the era of Cheon Il Guk.”
Everyone, let us offer a round of applause in gratitude to True Mother, who has taught us about this “providential time” and given us new guidance for our prayers! (Applause)
The Direction of the Providence: The Status of the Heavenly Mother
Beloved Blessed Families of Cheon Won Gung Cheon Seung Church,
To achieve victory in the providence, three essential factors are required: time, direction, and speed. The second factor is direction. The “direction of the providence” has always been presented to humanity through the central figures sent by Heaven throughout the history of the providence of salvation. Now, in this providential era of Cheon Il Guk, the Only Begotten Daughter, True Mother, whom Heaven has sent, is guiding us by setting the direction for this age.
On the 3rd day of the 1st month of the 13th year of Cheon Il Guk, True Mother stated:
“Christianity and the world’s religions must recognize Holy Mother Han. When they do, they will all develop and become one. The Lord of the universe is the Heavenly Mother, the Creator who gives birth to life. Without a mother, life cannot be born. When we become one with the Mother, peace will come to families, nations, and the world.” (January 31, 2025). She also emphasized: “The path to North-South unification cannot be achieved through a male-centered approach. Only when politicians, Christians, and the people of this nation accept and attend Holy Mother Han can a unified Korea be realized.” (January 31, 2025)
Defining the feminine aspect of Heavenly Parent, the Heavenly Mother, is not an easy task. However, the Bible presents aspects of divine femininity, which can be expressed as nurturing, protection, compassion, rebirth, patience, and wisdom. Due to the Fall, however, human history has emphasized qualities such as indifference, rivalry, judgment, consumption, power, violence, oppression, and ignorance instead. As a result, conflict and division have persisted, causing deep sorrow to Heavenly Parent.
True Mother, at the young age of seventeen, offered a prayer of determination to Heaven: “I know that what hurts God’s heart more than anything else are the religious conflicts that take place in God’s name. Without fail, we will end them.” (True Mother’s Memoir page 88) She further declared: “God can no longer be seen solely as the Heavenly Father; God, the Heavenly Parent, is the harmonious perfect union of Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother.” (True Mother’s Memoir page 317). During the 2025 New Year’s breakfast, she recalled her resolve at seventeen, stating: “Until now, human history has been male-centered. As a result, there has been constant unrest and ceaseless conflict. The peace of a household depends on the mother. Fallen humanity needs a mother. Because I understood this, I resolved to take responsibility.” (January 1, 2025). She further affirmed: “Now is the era in which the long-hidden presence of the Heavenly Mother is being revealed, and through this, the global family of humanity and world peace will be established.” (January 31, 2025)
True Mother, on the recent celebration on the Holy Birth if True Parents, said: “It feels like just yesterday that I resolved at seventeen years old, yet now I am already eighty-two.” As the Only Begotten Daughter, True Mother has dedicated her life to revealing the Heavenly Mother, whose existence had been concealed throughout human history. She has established the complete status of Heavenly Parent, seeking to bring an end to the history of division and lead us into a substantial world of peace. Now, in this era, True Mother earnestly calls upon the chosen blessed families living with her to unite completely with her and advance toward realizing a peaceful world.
The Speed of the Providence: The Attitude of the Chosen Blessed Families
Beloved Members of Cheon Won Gung Cheon Seung Church,
The final factor necessary to achieve victory in providence is speed. The providential time has been determined by Heavenly Parent, and the direction of providence has been presented to us by True Mother, the Only Begotten Daughter. However, the final element, “the speed of the providence,” depends entirely on how faithfully we, the children of Heavenly Parent and True Parents, as the chosen blessed families, fulfill our responsibilities. True Mother has already revealed the key to this in this year’s motto, which is: “Become true sons and daughters of Cheon Il Guk who fulfill our responsibility as the chosen people in unity with True Parents.”
What color is a swan? Most people would answer, “White.” In fact, there is even an old English saying that searching for a “black swan” is an exercise in futility, as for centuries, it was believed that black swans simply did not exist.
However, in 1697, black swans were discovered in Australia, proving that the belief “All swans are white” was no longer an absolute truth. As a result, the “Black Swan” became a symbol for questioning assumptions and approaching life with humility.
The famous Western philosopher Immanuel Kant believed that neither experience through the body nor knowledge through reason alone could lead to absolute truth. So, if not through experience nor reason, how did he propose that people could know certain truth?
Kant introduced the concept of “a priori”, a Latin term meaning “from the beginning” or “from the start of something”. In Korean, this is translated as “선험적 (seon-heom-jeok),” meaning pre-experiential. In simple terms, it refers to knowledge that exists before any experience. The concept of “pre-experiential” (선험적) is the opposite of “empirical” (경험적). Kant argued that true and certain knowledge is not found in the empirical, but in the a priori. In other words, experience is subjective, limited, and varies from person to person, whereas the a priori, which exists prior to experience, is universal and remains the same regardless of circumstances or individuals.
By understanding this concept, I think we can gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of True Mother’s words. From childhood, True Mother knew Heavenly Parent as her Parent, made the firm resolution “I will do it”, and walked the path to fulfill Heavenly Parent’s dream. As the Only Begotten Daughter, she realized her identity and restored the long-hidden status of Heavenly Mother, establishing the complete status of Heavenly Parent. Furthermore, True Mother has dedicated her entire life to revealing the original position of Heavenly Parent and fulfilling His dream. Having lived such life, she said:
“Do you know how long Heaven has been waiting for the 13th year of Cheon Il Guk? I, too, have walked this path alone.” (2025.1.31)
True Father, who walked the path of the Returning Messiah, once said on September 8, 1957:
“Why did Jesus declare himself to be the Only Begotten Son of God? Jesus presented this challenging condition to the people of his time so that those who truly believe in him and call out to Heaven with sincerity would experience exponential spiritual growth.” (003-021, 1957.09.08)
Jesus’ declaration of being the Only Begotten Son was not merely a title—it was a way to challenge the faith of the Jewish people, to catalyze the growth of their faith. In the same way, we must know that True Mother’s proclamation of the Only Begotten Daughter and the new phrase “Holy Mother Han” in prayers serves to awaken and nurture the faith of blessed families, urging us to complete our responsibilities.
Two thousand years ago, Jesus said to a disciple who asked to see the Father:
“Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.” (John 14:10-11)
On February 5, 2025, True Mother proclaimed: “The ‘Holy Mother Han’ whom you attend is the substantial Heavenly Mother. You, the blessed families, are those who attend Heavenly Mother. Because you are united with ‘Holy Mother Han,’ you should also attend in the name of ‘Holy Mother Han’.” (2025.2.5). This means that “Heavenly Mother” dwells within True Mother. In other words, Blessed Families who attend True Mother must understand that attending True Mother, who has fully revealed the status and essence of the long-concealed “Heavenly Mother” in human history, is itself attending Heavenly Mother.
True Mother has given this new proclamation by including the phrase “attending Holy Mother Han,” thereby fully revealing the long-hidden Heavenly Mother. Through this, she seeks to promote the spiritual maturity and completeness of Blessed Families.
Like many others, I often rely on experience and reason to judge what is true. Even though I have attended True Parents for a long time, there are still profound providential truths, the essence of Heavenly Parent, and the value and status of True Parents that I have yet to fully grasp. However, through True Mother’s words, I experience daily repentance and spiritual rebirth.
Especially this time when True Mother said, “I have walked this path alone.” (2025.1.31) I once again deeply reflected on my own shortcomings while serving True Mother.
Beloved Members of Cheon Seung Church,
We must reflect on the depth of our own faith. From the perspective of Heavenly Parent and True Parents, our faith may be so shallow that it is entirely transparent. True Parents know our situation all too well, and that is why they give us guidance, so that we may grow in faith and complete our responsibilities. We must become one with True Mother’s words.
Once again, let us offer a warm round of applause in gratitude to True Mother, who continues to walk the lonely path for the sake of the providence. (Applause)
Thank you.
The Conditions to Become True Son and Daughters of Cheon Il Guk
Dear beloved members of the Cheon Won Gung Cheon Seung Church,
At the beginning of this year, True Mother gave us a new motto, to “become true sons and daughters of Cheon Il Guk who fulfill our responsibility as the chosen people in unity with True Parents”. As we conclude, let us reflect on the conditions necessary to become true children of Cheon Il Guk in unity with True Parents.
During her closing remarks in a report prayer, True Mother emphasized the following:
“The hope for the future lies in the second and third generations. You must become one and, as pure water, expand and reach out to a wider world. If all nations, not just the Korean people, come together as one family under the Creator, Heavenly Parent, there will be no need for war. We are all sibling nations. Siblings who attend Heavenly Parent. Siblings should not fight. Instead, we should all fulfill our duty of filial piety to our Parent. That is everyone’s responsibility.” (January 31, 2025)
On the day of True Parents’ birthday, during the ” Cheon Il Guk Pledge Service,” True Mother came before us with a radiant and joyful heart, saying: “Did everyone receive the holy birthday rice cakes? Enjoy them! I am so happy to meet you all in good health. It feels like just yesterday that I made my determination at 17 years old and set out on this path, but now, I am already 82.” (February 3, 2025). On this day, True Mother’s appearance was truly beautiful, and she radiated joy.
The day before her birthday, True Mother presided over the “World Unified Service for the Victorious Entrance into Cheon Won Gung” and gave precious words of guidance. Through this event, Blessed Families worldwide renewed their commitment to achieving victory in the entrance into Cheon Won Gung. One of the moments that brought True Mother the greatest joy that day was seeing the vibrant and determined second and third-generation youth, our hope for the future.
First, at the ” Commission Ceremony of the 10th Class of UPA Envoys,” True Mother personally presented rings to three cadet representatives, warmly holding each of their hands and saying, “Well done. You have worked hard.” Then, at the “Launching Ceremony of the 2nd Phase of Heavenly Top Gun Missionaries,” she gazed at the departing missionaries with deep love and confidence. Moreover, during the “Heavenly Korea Youth Resolution Ceremony,” as a 1,000 young people reaffirmed their commitment to carrying on True Mother’s will, her heart was deeply moved.
One year ago, at the “Launching Ceremony of the1st Phase of Heavenly Top Gun Missionaries,” which included Moon Shinchul and Moon Shinheung, True Mother shared her heart, saying: “Now that I am over 80 years old, I wonder how much longer I will live… Eventually, I will go to the spirit world. When that time comes, I want to be able to say that you, my Pure Water, united with me and have expanded the environment where Heavenly Parent is honored among the 8 billion people of the world. Will you do that for me?”. Hearing this, the missionaries responded with a resounding “YES!” that shook the ground. Touched by their determination, True Mother said, “Ah… How long I have waited to hear such a beautiful and powerful voice from you… Thank you!” (February 22, 2024)
Worrying more than anyone and carrying the heaviest responsibility for Heavenly Parent’s providence, True Mother gazed upon the UPA special envoys, the second class of Heavenly Top Gun missionaries, and the thousands of young people standing before her and thought, “They have grown well. Thank you.” She was filled with deep joy. Seeing the youth, the second- and third-generation members, striving forward as pure water toward a greater world deeply moved her heart. True Mother calls these young people her direct children and expresses her love for them with words such as “diamond,” “pure white,” “pure water,” and “a needle found in a sandstorm.”
Jesus once said: “The kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Mark 10:14-15). He urged his disciples to have the humility and purity of children.
True Mother treasures the providential fruits of the past, but what she values even more is the future of the providence. That is why she has now included the phrase “Attending Holy Mother Han” in our prayers, because she is looking ahead to the future of the Family Federation. We must have the heart of pure children, completely one with True Mother, think about her words, reflect on her intentions and goals, understand the time and direction of the providence, and offer our gratitude to Mother. This is the most fundamental condition for becoming the true sons and daughters of Cheon Il Guk. Everyone! Aju? (Aju!) Aju? (Aju!) Thank you!
Conclusion
Beloved members of the Cheon Won Gung Cheon Seung Church,
There are now only 63 days remaining until the Entrance Ceremony of the Cheonil Sanctum in Cheon Won Gung, which signifies the completion of Heaven’s providence and the fulfillment of human history. On the celebration of True Parents’ Holy Birth, True Mother reflected: ” It feels like just yesterday that I made my determination at 17 years old and set out on this path, but now, I am already 82.” At the age of 17, True Mother pledged before Heaven that she would complete the providence of salvation within her lifetime. In her autobiography, she writes: “ I know that what hurts God’s heart more than anything else are the religious conflicts that take place in God’s name. Without fail, we will end them.” (True Mother’s Memoir page 88). True Mother made this solemn vow before Heavenly Parent and has dedicated her entire life to fulfilling this promise.
Beloved members of Cheon Won Gung Cheon Seung Church,
With only 63 days left until the Entrance Ceremony, this is the time for us to renew our determination and make a fresh resolution.
True devotion begins with unity. Beloved members, as Blessed Families who honor Holy Mother Han, will you become completely one with True Mother? Aju! (Aju!)
True victory is the fruit of absolute attendance. As Blessed Families who honor Holy Mother Han, will you become blessed families who fully attend and bring victory to True Mother? Aju! (Aju!)
True Mother’s joy is our joy. As Blessed Families who honor Holy Mother Han, will you embrace this golden time of your lives with victory and joy? Aju! (Aju!)
Beloved members of Cheon Seung Church,
Let us unite with True Mother’s serious and desperate heart. Let us align ourselves completely with her circumstances and hopes. As Blessed Families who attend Holy Mother Han, let us fulfill our responsibilities and become the true children of Cheon Il Guk.
Thank you!