I recently had a conversation with a member of the World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG) in Korea. After making him dumbfounded at all the false points he was making from the “Elohim Academy” preaching materials (about God the Mother),

he asked me why I no longer believed in "Mother." I told him first, all points the WMSCOG can be refuted, a lot of the points use proof-texting to prove their doctrines while ignoring context, and also that “Mother” doesn’t know me. He explained that it’s okay if 장길자 (Zhang Gil-Jah, whom they call "Heavenly Mother") forgets names or personal details about her followers because she supposedly "knows us inwardly."

But this explanation reminded me of one reason why I came to realize that the WMSCOG is a false church.

Meeting "Mother" in Person

Before the pandemic, I had the chance to meet "Heavenly Mother" at the main Pangyo temple. At the time, I was deeply devoted, believing wholeheartedly in her supposed divine nature. I had written her countless letters, revealing my deepest thoughts and personal struggles. I believed that she was reading them, fasting and praying for me by name, as I had been taught.

When I finally met her in person, my faith was shaken. It was one of the most awkward moments of my life. She didn’t know my name, where I was from, or even that I wasn’t wearing a nametag because I wasn’t part of a mission trip. The only response she gave, after being told I was a student, was to instruct me to preach on my campus and "save brothers and sisters."

This interaction left me confused and heartbroken. If she were truly divine, as the WMSCOG claimed, why didn’t she know me? I had poured out my heart to her, believing she was praying for me, yet she didn’t recognize me at all.

The Contrast Between Jesus and "Mother"

As a Catholic now, I believe in the hypostatic union—that Christ is fully God and fully man. Jesus, though fully human and subject to human pain and suffering, was also fully divine. He healed the sick, performed miracles, and, most importantly, knew His people.

The Bible provides numerous examples of Jesus demonstrating His divine knowledge of individuals, even before meeting them:

1. Jesus Knows Simon's Name and Destiny
   • John 1:42: "Jesus looked at him and said, 'You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas' (which, when translated, is Peter)."
   • When Simon was brought to Jesus, He immediately knew Simon's name and identity, revealing His divine insight.
2. Jesus Recognizes Nathanael
   • John 1:48: "How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, 'I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.'"
   • Jesus knew Nathanael intimately, even before they met, and Nathanael marveled at His divine awareness.
3. Jesus Understands the Hearts of All People
   • John 2:23-25: "Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person."
   • Unlike "Mother," who failed to recognize her followers, Jesus doesn’t need letters or external testimony to know people. He knows what is in each person, demonstrating His divinity.
4. The Samaritan Woman at the Well
   • John 4:29: "'Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?'"
   • Jesus revealed His intimate knowledge of the Samaritan woman's life, leading her to recognize His divinity.

My Turning Point

The Jesus of the Bible stands in stark contrast to the "Mother" of the WMSCOG. Jesus knew His people deeply and personally, even those He met for the first time. When I met "Mother," she didn’t know me at all. This moment revealed the truth: she is not divine.

Jesus doesn’t need letters or intermediaries to know us. He sees our hearts and understands us completely. After leaving the WMSCOG, I realized that I had been worshiping a false god who viewed me as a stranger.