The Figurative Treasure and the Rich — Understanding the True Wealth of the Word

Many readers encounter the Bible’s language of “treasure,” “gold,” and “riches” and wonder what these words truly signify. Are these passages referring to physical wealth, or is there a deeper message beneath the surface? Lesson 9: The Figurative Treasure and the Rich explores these questions with clarity, showing how biblical treasure symbolizes something far more precious than material possessions. Through a gentle and thoughtful approach, the seminar explains that spiritual treasure represents the unchanging Word of God—something valued not for its physical worth but for the life and truth it carries.


The seminar begins with the fundamental distinction between physical treasure and spiritual treasure. While gold and jewels are rare and precious, Scripture often uses them as metaphors for truth. Verses such as Proverbs 25:11–12 and Psalms 12:6, describing God’s words as silver refined seven times, present a compelling picture: true spiritual wealth lies in the Word itself. Even people who possess this Word—like the “sons of Zion” in Lamentations 4:2—are described as jewels. This opening invites listeners to reconsider what it means to be truly rich.


One of the most engaging sections of the seminar introduces the parable of the talents in Matthew 25. Here, the unit of money—“talent”—symbolizes divine teaching. The servants who received five and two talents represent those who not only receive the Word but also share it, increasing its value by spreading it. 


The seminar then expands on the idea of two kinds of treasure: God’s treasure and Satan’s treasure. According to the speaker, God’s treasure is the truth, while Satan’s treasure is false teaching. The descriptions of Babylon in Revelation 17 and 18, adorned with gold and precious stones, illustrate this concept of counterfeit spiritual wealth. These passages remind viewers that not all teachings that appear dazzling are rooted in truth. Understanding this distinction becomes essential for believers seeking genuine guidance.


Another memorable insight comes from the description of heaven in Revelation 21. The Holy City, New Jerusalem, is portrayed with gates of pearl, foundations adorned with twelve precious stones, and streets of pure gold. Rather than presenting a literal vision of material luxury, the seminar emphasizes the symbolism: heaven is built from the Word and from people who have been formed by it. The “jewels” are those who perceived the truth, and the “gold” is the Word that shapes them. 


The topic of being “rich” also receives careful explanation. In Scripture, a person can be rich in two ways: spiritually rich in God’s Word or spiritually rich in falsehood. Those who possess abundant understanding of the truth are described as spiritually wealthy and able to enter heaven, while those who accumulate false teachings face judgment. The seminar references verses such as Matthew 6:24—no one can serve both God and money—and 1 Timothy 6:10 to clarify the difference between physical wealth and spiritual wealth.


As the seminar suggests, striving for material riches can distract from the pursuit of truth, whereas becoming rich in the Word leads to salvation.


Rather than overwhelming viewers with every detail, the seminar builds these ideas step by step, gradually revealing why spiritual treasure matters. What makes this lesson especially compelling is its consistent focus on the Bible’s internal logic—letting Scripture interpret Scripture. Even more intriguing is how the seminar hints at the continuation of this theme: if heaven is built with spiritual treasure and spiritual jewels, what does that mean for believers today? How does one acquire this treasure? And how is spiritual richness measured?


These questions lead naturally to a sense of curiosity, encouraging viewers to explore beyond the portion covered in the summary. The seminar concludes by emphasizing that God’s Word is the treasure that brings life, truth, and salvation. However, the deeper significance—how this treasure is acquired, how it transforms a believer, and why it is essential for entering heaven—is developed more fully in the full video. The summary offers a glimpse, but the heart of the message unfolds gradually, inviting viewers to experience the complete teaching firsthand.


👉 Watch the full seminar here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hw3taa-UCdU&list=PLVRlTvy-2dtrohnft607RAO2mbf-b07ni&index=9

0 Comments

[Shincheonji Graduation Ceremony] Graduates who have found the direction and purpose of life with less anxiety and emptiness due to Bible study.

 Hello, I'm greenteawannabe. Recently, one of the corrected relatives has been hospitalized after a major accident. Don't give up on life history, and it seems that life is something that healthy people don't know what will happen later on. I think a person's values are shaped by his or her attitude toward death. I think this is especially true when I hear about the accidents and wealth of healthy people around me. Most people choose to play and eat today even if they die tomorrow because there is only one life anyway, and death is inevitable. Even in the 15th chapter of the classic, the Apostle Paul also said that if the Bible's promise is not fulfilled, none of the people are more pitiful than us, and it is better to eat and play. (1 Cor 15:19, 32) Then, what about the view of life of believers who learned the Bible? This year, the Zion Mission Center surveyed about 1,000 of the graduates who took the Bible for six months and participated in the 116th graduation c...

[Special Lecture on the Revelation of the World Invitation of Shincheonji church] As many as 521 world religious leaders will gather at the factual evidence debate.

Hello, I'm greenteawannabe. On October 30, about 500 free religious leaders from 61 countries gathered in our country to discuss the actual evidence. What is it that religious leaders of different denominations and sects, not their own scriptures, have come together for the Book of Revelation? The purpose of this meeting is to reduce conflict and promote dialogue among different religions, sects, and denominations. But why is it the Book of Revelation? The reason is that by learning and discussing the meaning and reality of the Revelation, the core of the Christian Bible, we can confirm how God's will is done to the global community and ultimately find the answer to peace by expanding the understanding between religions. That is why the number of religious leaders attending gradually increased as the program progressed, and on October 30th, it became a large-scale event attended by as many as 521 people. When I watched this program, I saw someone dressed as a monk or someone we...

[Shincheonji's Peter tribes] The church will discover the talents of teenagers? The 2nd Peter Heavenly Culture Academy ended successfully!

Hello, I'm greenteawannabe. Do you remember the fact that the Peter Heavenly Culture Academy was held last July? On the 24th, the 2nd Heavenly Culture Academy was successfully completed. I spent time playing games and playing entertainment during my school vacation, but what time did the students participate in this Heavenly Culture Academy spend during that time? If I were to say this Heavenly Culture Academy in one sentence, it can be said that it is a time to discover one's own possibilities. The second phase of the Heavenly Culture Academy consisted of 9 classes for children and 22 classes for students, and about 400 students had a satisfactory month. I thought that it was a great merit that I could learn coding in my adolescence, which I could learn only when I was a college student. I'm looking forward to what various and rich programs Peter Heavenly Culture Academy will prepare for the third term of next year, which has given teenagers a varie...

[Shincheonji Peter Tribe] Peter Heaven Culture Academy Session 3 Begins! Nurturing Youth Dreams and Hopes for Winter Break!

Hello, this is greenteawannabe. It's already been about ten days since the start of 2025. It feels like just yesterday I was pondering how to spend the new year and setting my own goals for 2025—time really flies. What are you preparing to wrap up this year and welcome the new one? It's common to reflect on this year's regrets, set new goals, and make plans. This year, Shincheonji Peter Tribe launched the 3rd session of the Peter Heavenly Culture Academy to help youth understand themselves and discover their aptitudes through diverse experiential activities. As mentioned in previous posts, the Peter Heavenly Culture Academy is an experiential lecture program designed by Shincheonji Peter Tribe to help youth discover their interests and aptitudes. This program also offered a total of 39 courses across five fields: culture, praise, sports, media, and digital. This clearly shows how much effort was invested in the youth's future for this program as well. This Peter Heavenl...