On Saturday the world survived the Day of Judgment but not without the Reverend
Sun Myung Moon telling a Las Vegas crowd that a sacred reign of peace on earth
indeed is imminent and that the nation of Korea will play a leading role.
In a prophetic speech to 3000 at the elite Aria Hotel in Las Vegas, Rev. Moon,
92, declared that “God had raised and prepared the Korean over a period of
thousands of years” to receive the Lord of the Second Advent. Looking fit and
vigorous at the podium where he spoke for two hours, Rev. Moon explained that
the Korean people have a mission from God to share their cultural legacy of
filial piety, fidelity, and loyalty with the world and that “Korea will now
become God’s homeland and God’s hometown.” Worldwide changes of Biblical
proportions are coming in two years, Rev. Moon predicted, adding that by Jan,
13, 2013, “the Union of the Spiritual and the Physical Worlds” will be
established on earth for the first time” and that “[the world] will enjoy
tranquility and happiness in the sacred reign of peace.”
Possibly invoking the apocalyptic Biblical phrase, “As the light travels from
the East to the West,” Rev. Moon began a fast-paced 10-nation speaking tour in
Seoul on Easter Sunday and made his final speech in Las Vegas. Rev. Moon has
been investing in peace-building organizations for decades and showed no sign of
slowing down in the month of May. In just the past week, he spoke to an overflow
crowd of German families and community leaders at the avant-garde Tempodrom
inBerlin; and to an audience of diplomats, political figures and faith leaders
at the United Nations Palais de Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. In Madrid, Rome,
Athens, Istanbul, Oslo and London, he called for a new commitment by leaders of
all faiths to put aside doctrinal and ritual differences and work together to
create what he calls “One Family under God.”
Las Vegas, often dubbed “Sin City,” drew several references in his speech. In
his view, Las Vegas is both worse than Sodom and Gomorrah and yet precious to
God, because it has the potential to become a thriving center for families
seeking entertainment and the riches of ecological wonders nearby. “Las Vegas is
a very precious place. We will see if I am able to change it,” he said.
Ministers of several Christian denominations were on hand, including Rev. Dr.
Stephen Thurston, president of the National Baptist Convention. Dr. Thurston
gave the invocation in which he thanked God for making Rev. and Mrs. Moon “True
Parents” and making them models of love for mankind.
Tributes to Rev. Moon were offered by Reverend and Mrs. Moon’s youngest son,
Rev. Hyung Jin Moon, International President of the Holy Spirit Association for
the Unification of World Christianity and by Rev. In Jin Moon, President and CEO
of the Unification Church USA.
“This date (May 21, 2011) is indeed a historical date. There are many prophecies
about it, and great scholars of the Bible have studied the significance of the
day, which marks the day when the Lord of the Second Advent will arrive,” she
said, adding that “Our True Parents have brought to us the symbolic significance
of the day.”
An unusual aspect of the day was a charity gaming tournament to benefit the
Salvation Army and two other nonprofits in Las Vegas. Rev. Moon has expressed
the hope that leaders of the gaming industry will use some of their vast
resources to work with him to help Las Vegas gain a new reputation as a city of
giving to the less fortunate.
By way of example, hundreds joined a charity slot tournament at the Aria Resort,
to benefit the Salvation Army which received a check for $50,000. The Galilee
Camps, which give some of Las Vegas’s neediest children the chance of a summer
camp on the shores of Lake Tahoe, received $10,000. Safe-Faith United, which
provides services to battered and abused women and children, received a further
$10,000.
Rev In Jin Moon explained in her tribute to her parents: “Our True Parents
challenge all of us to help them turn this Sin City into a Shining City on a
hill. So, what others see as a Sodom and Gomorrah can also become a wonderful
city of giving.”
TESTIMONIES OF THOSE WHO ATTENDED THE MAY 21ST EVENTS
From: Doug Burton and Celine Tardy
On the Slot Machine Tournament:
Rev. MichaelYakawich, Billings, Montana
In my community there is no more noble an act than contributing to a
community-based organization such as the Salvation Army. I am honored to be here
to contribute money to the Salvation Army.”
REACTIONS TO THE FOUNDER’S ADDRESS:
Rev. Willie Weston, Pentecostal Pastor of Church of God in Christ in Chicago:
The speech today [of True Father] was timely, very timely. The Kingdom of God is
unfolding right before our eyes. We are actually living it. We are helping to
make it happen…”
Mr. Gayoklanichi J. Ayala, Native American spiritualist from Montana
“I am a spiritual person. Something happened today during TF’s speech. True
Father turned something upside down in the spiritual world, and I felt it.
Globally. Not just one level. It was like True Father restored a position that
had been broken before by the disunity of many people. Today, he shot right to
the top. And it taught me a lesson: I have to unite with True Father 100 percent
– like a military type.”
Archbishop George A. Stallings
Founder of Imani Temple inWashington, D.C.
Today’s event in Las Vegas, marking the Parents’ European tour, came at a
pivotal moment in time. Just at the point when so many prognosticators predicted
the end of the world, True Parents ushered in a new era of love, peace and
unity. The old order passed away today, and a new world was unfurled and
celebrated. We are witnessing in our time the dawning of the Age of Cheon Il
Guk!
Jaff Adshead – Seattle, Washington
What astounded me today was almost the machine that could create something like
this – a phenomenal well-oiled machine. With the slot tournament, the donations
to charity -- getting everyone here. I’ve been to many events, but it struck me
how this all fit together. And even though I’m not much of a dancer, I got out
there tonight and jumped around a bit. I enjoyed that too.
What also struck me was the whole thing about it being Judgment Day. Actually, I
had called one of the people we ran into that were passing out the flyers saying
the 21st is Judgment Day, and said: “Why don’t you go to Las Vegas and see if
there is anything there. You know, come to an event that might shed some light
on this.” Although they didn’t come, I think it’s really interesting how a lot
of things are culminating at this time. And Father has this amazing, optimistic,
or rather realistic, view of the ideal world coming, while the rest of the world
is freaking out this is the end.
I am also glad that the band name, “Sonic Cult.” was clarified tonight. I can
see the PR in In Jin Nim working on how we can create a positive view of the
movement. In Jin Nim is creating a new culture for our movement by really
putting all our best parts out there for the world to see.
Mami Ogawa, Tokyo
“I felt really loved by True Parents. This was my first time to be really close
to them. The most precious thing for me was that TP were always smiling. We
look at the young people dancing at the gala, and they look so glamorous – like
movie stars. Not like the 2nd gen we see in Japan. I feel like the historical
era has really changed. “
Heidi Iseda, WFWP Chairwoman in Los Angeles
Our guest at today’s event was Darlene Helstrom a life coach, who came with her
husband. She said she just loved to see our young Unificationists dancing. She
said that she could feel the purity of our young people, and added, “ I can’t
believe my eyes.”
Kumi Okazaki, estranged Unificationist from Wakayama, Japan,
“ I was so moved. Thank you! It was like angels were flying in the room…"
ON SONIC CULT
Amalia Kim – California
(On Sonic Cult)
This was my first time to see Sonic Cult. I see them as very professional with
quality up to par with any rock band. They have a good vibe and spirit that will
attract people when they first see our church, as well as change old concepts
for people.
Sarah Canack (2nd Gen)
I really love Sonic Cult every time they play. I’m really blown away by the
sincerity. They are really throwing it back in everyone’s face that we should be
proud of who we are. Once people can really see the band members for who they are then they’ll
definitely be respected.
Rev. Bienvenue Mbobile, from Congo:
“I am a musician, and a minister of music in the Houston church. Sonic Cult is
so professional! They are ready to go out into the world and witness to True
Parents. Since I saw them last year, their lyrics sound so much more meaningful."
TESTIMONIES FROM PARTICIPANTS OF ORIGINAL DP WORKSHOP
Bishop Hill from Portland, Oregon
“Kids are leaving the church in droves, but not this church.” According to Rev.
Krishneck, Bishop Hill has been struggling with ODP until Rev Jenkins told him
to sit in the front. Now he likes it a lot, Rev. Krishneck says.
Mr. Hubert Arnoldi founder of Religion Roundtable, lay pastor of Unification
Church in Stuttgart, Germany, UPF chair in Stuttgart:
“When I go back to Germany, I will tell them that the world is entering a new
era of religious leadership. We will tell them the details of the ODP workshop.
And they will be inspired, because interfaith efforts in Germany are rising in
popularity.”
Ron Pine, 41 year member of the church
The Original Divine Principle Workshop as it has revealed God to me is the most
traumatic, life-giving series I have heard. And my fellow workshop colleagues
feel the same way. We never thought of God as having sexual organs, or a belly
button…it’s profound.”
Daniel Stringer, media Consultant in Ottawa, Canada
“From a political perspective, it was very significant to hear the insights on
headwing ideology from Rev. Yu at the ODP workshop. I loved the gala, too. I
have two kids who love this music. In retrospect, I have always thought that we
would break through in the First World only after the children of Korean couples
– who were born and raised in North America – took over the movement. It is
happening.”
JanVan Zutphen, Environmental Planner, City of Annapolis MarylandI
I loved the hike to Red Rock Canyon on Thursday with Randy Francis and Dan
Stein. I am having a deep experience at the ODP workshop -- God’s heart at the
beginning of creation. Also, it was amazing to witness Hyung Jin Nim’s respect
and honor for True Father at HDH on Friday. He wanted to give TF a message but
TF just kept going on and on. Finally, Hyung Jin Nim just stepped away.
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