Tensho Kotai Jingu Kyo or Odori shukyo is a new Japanese religion which was started after the outfall of World War 2 as an apocalyptic cult in predicting the soon and immanent destruction of the world. These kind of cults are very effective in winning the hearts of people due to the uncertainty and fear which motivate people to hope towards there being a plan of salvation from such a destructive force especially in light of the devastation of this significant war. However as time continues to lapse without the occurrence of this global event it appears that this sense of immediacy is less probable 60 years after the fact as the world has reduced some of its nuclear stock piles. The atomic bomb was a devastating event and even though there continues to be a global nuclear threat there are other nations which seem to hold these unstable regions in check. Perhaps it seems likely that something of this magnitude could occur again especially since we have had two world wars back to back in this 20th century but in turn there have also been more sophisticated ways to prevent these events from happening in the future whether it be through the diplomatic relations with the formation of the UN or the sophistication of satellite technology to make every effort to keep such a doomsday event from happening.
Nonetheless these end time predictions seem real but there has always been and will continue to be these prophets of doom in every age whether it be Nostradamus or the cult Aum Shinrikyo but inevitably the world as we know it will not ultimately come to an end not through the technological advances and efforts of men but as God himself pours out His final judgment and wrath upon the earth against sinful and rebellious mankind.
Now regarding the origin of this movement it was founded by Kitamura Sayo and her inspiration came from the demonic possession of a spirit snake who then revealed itself as the god Tensho Kotai Jingu or the Shinto goddess Amaterasu Omikami who commissioned Kitamura to save the world and after following a series of possessions she supposedly become a living goddess. Amazingly enough the bible personifies and describes Satan or the Devil as a serpent who deceives others. Anyway just because someone has a spiritual experience does not automatically qualify that person to define their spiritual encounter as ultimate or essential truth as there have been copious amounts of individuals who have made such claims of exclusivity. Even the assertions of healing and miracles can not ascertain the nature of this situation as these signs may be under the inspiration of evil spirits.
Mt 24: 23-24
3 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
1 John 4:1-2
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
The methodology to accomplish this salvific task would take the form of a dance routine as a means to restore peace and harmony at the moment that this cataclysmic event of world destruction was about to take place. However there have been other wars since the establishment of this sect and if it has failed to squelch these military skirmishes then how convincing is it to having any kind of global impact. Finally in all due respect it seems that this whole program is untimely as it proceeds after Japan’s most devastating event and it appears to be a reactionary result rather than a precautionary warning as it would have been more appropriate for her to have had this directive or revelation prior to Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Also this dance is said to deliver others from evil spirits and bring relief to those who are in distress. Ironically it is self defeating to claim deliverance from evil spirits when it was the spirit possession of this demonic kami that possessed her to begin with and instead of closing the door it opens up and invites these demonic entities to take up residence in ones soul with the lie that somehow these demonic beings will be saved. What they don’t understand is that they are destroying themselves as these evil spirits have no need to convert as their intention and assignment is to steal, kill and destroy. Moreover these demonic personages have deceived them into believing that as practitioners they are the demons path to salvation who in reality are maggots who have infested their host to carry out the plans and will of their master and commander namely Satan towards creating this false and counterfeit religion.
It is also believed that the escalated frenzy of the ritual of this ecstasy dance combined with the formula of prayer or oinori, esoteric sayings of na myo ho ren ge kyo and improvised songs will somehow mystically lead to obtaining a special knowledge concerning the secrets of the universe as gaining a since of control in harnessing the divine insight and power which more commonly is a form of witchcraft and it is this same kind of seduction from the serpent who tricked Eve in the garden of Eden to thinking that she will become as wise as God. Furthermore this is said to somehow affect others as to purify their souls and yet based on the efforts of this small group where is the evidence of this as being any kind of significant reality? Moreover they believe that they will redeem all evil spirits yet whose to say that the spirit that has originally possessed Kitamura was none other than an evil deceptive spirit or that it is even possible to transform these spirits?
One of the other healing effects is said to come through prayer as achieving a non-ego or muga. Yet everything about their spiritual leader smacks of self exaltation as feeding on her self indulged ego as a savior of the world or mankind; earning her the honorific title as Ogami-Sama or great goddess. Furthermore this improvised buddhist philosophyas believing this prayer is a method of eradicating passions and attachment which is the cause of suffering is a flaw in and of itself as it is self contradictory with a preoccupation towards a desire to personally benefit in removing suffering and misfortune.
In conclusion it is positive to recognize the demise of humanity and the spiritual influences that is at work within the universe and though it is instinctive to react to such causation it is the approach which makes all the difference in the world. Trying to rebuild or refashion a modern day Tower of Babel to unify mankind through a religious effort as creating a path to heaven will only lead to confusion, not fulfillment and in the end will be disappointment and failure due to the impotent efforts of a frail humanity who is the subject not the object of this fulfillment which exclusively rests in the work of the Almighty God of Heaven Himself who will sovereignly bring about such a peace process as restoring order to the chaos of the universe. In the final analysis it will be Jesus who will bring about a world of refuge for every tribe, tongue and nation as His kingdom will be an everlasting one.
Again we all feel the burdensome effects of mankind’s moral failures and have witnessed the devastation of natural calamities but these realities only serve to yearn-fully remind us about the fulfillment and presentation of the One who is the main event as ushering in this final age or dispensation with a new wold order of peace under His omnipotent and supreme rule and reign as the Prince of Peace. Therefore peace and happiness will not be firmly established until Christ returns to the earth and sets up His prevailing kingdom.
Romans 8: 18-23
8 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
Revelations 21:4
4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Isaiah 2:4
4 He shall judge between the nations,
and shall decide disputes for many peoples;
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war anymore.
And their spears into pruning hooks;
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
Neither shall they learn war anymore.
Isaiah 11:6-10
6 The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat,
and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together;
and a little child shall lead them.
7 The cow and the bear shall graze;
their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra,
and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den.
9 They shall not hurt or destroy
in all my holy mountain;
for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
10 In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.
Whether it be earthquakes, tsunamis, economic disaster, solar flares, meteorite impacts, anarchy, zombies, prophecies of Nostradamus, Mayan calendar, invasion of extra terrestrials, polar shift, overpopulation, disease, pandemic, biological or germ warfare, nuclear launches from North Korea or Iran, global warming, etc. the bottom line is that the best prepping you can ever do is to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.
John 16:33
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 14:27
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Mt 11:28-30
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
How to have a relationship with God
Other links
Tensho Kotai Jingukyo Resources
Encyclopedia of Religion Second Edition, copyright 2005 Thomson Gale a part of The Thomson Corporation, Lindsay Jones Editor in Chief, Vol.12, pg.8369, Brian Bocking
Encyclopaedia Britannica,Inc., copyright 1993, Vol.11, pg.637, Tensho Kotai Jingu-kyo
Religions of the world: a comprehensive encyclopedia of beliefs and practices/ J. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann, editors; Todd M. Johnson, World Religious Statistics; Donald Wiebe, Introduction-2nd ed., Copyright 2010 by ABC-CLIO, LLC. Reproduced with permission of ABC-CLIO, Santa Barbara, CA.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2007