The Church of Almighty God / Eastern Lightning: 10 False Myths

Most of what you find on the Internet about The Church of Almighty God is false. Here is why, and where to look for more reliable information.

The Church of Almighty God (CAG) is the largest Chinese Christian new religious movement. It is also known as “Eastern Lightning.” It has been founded in 1991, and after its rapid growth alarmed the Chinese regime, it was banned in 1995. It was heavily persecuted since, with hundreds of thousands arrested, hundreds of cases of torture, more than one hundred well-documented instances of death while in custody or as a consequence of police mistreatment, and several cases of organ harvesting. In the 21st century, to justify the persecution, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has launched a massive campaign of fake news against the CAG. Unfortunately, despite having been debunked by independent Western scholars, the fake news has been uncritically spread by some Western media and is still widely available on the Web, where Chinese propaganda is also active with anonymous or pseudonymous texts. Here is a guide to the most common myths and fake news.

Virginia Christian Film Festival | The Musical Drama "Xiaozhen's Story" Wins Best Feature Film Award

Virginia Christian Film Festival | The Musical Drama "Xiaozhen's Story" Wins Best Feature Film Award

The American Christian Film Festival was founded in order to serve as a concentrated exhibit of outstanding Christian film and television works. Each year, hundreds of films are shortlisted for the exhibition, including full-length movies, musicals, cartoons, documentaries, educational videos, and more.

 　　On October 7, 2017, at Menchville Baptist Church at two o’clock in the afternoon local time, film festival organizer Mr. Richard took the lead and made a speech. Afterward, award-winning films were shown for the attendees, and awards were conferred. The musical, Xiaozhen’s Story, raked in nine awards, including those for best director, best feature film, best musical score, and so on, thus becoming one of most closely followed and excellent films at this year’s festival. 

　　This musical centers on the metamorphosis of the life of the Christian Xiaozhen. A true story, it tells of how people are enticed by money and fame into forfeiting their humanity, growing distant from God, losing their direction and goals in life, and heading toward the terror and helplessness of falling from grace. Through twists and turns, the fates of the characters are very moving and invocative, and by way of one climax after another, the plot triggers the audience into wondering such things as: Just what is happiness? What is the value and meaning of life? Who can save people from their lives of suffering, and bring them happiness and light? The lyrics used in the screenplay come from utterances spoken to all humanity by the Creator. They express God’s concern, hopes, and care for humans, pointing out the way to all those who are profoundly suffering and have been led astray, and bringing them the gospel and hope! 

“The Light of Truth” journalist Han Xi reports from Newport News in Virginia

　　Eastern Lightning, The Church of Almighty God was created because of the appearance and work of Almighty God, the second coming of the Lord Jesus, Christ of the last days. It is made up of all those who accept Almighty God's work in the last days and are conquered and saved by His words. It was entirely founded by Almighty God personally and is led by Him as the Shepherd. It was definitely not created by a person. Christ is the truth, the way, and the life. God's sheep hear God's voice. As long as you read the words of Almighty God, you will see God has appeared.

Testimony of a Christian: How She Overcame the Temptation to Have an Affair (Part 1)

By Xiyue, Henan Province

      One evening, Jingru was tidying her place.

“Ring, ring.” The phone began to ring. She answered it and a strange yet familiar voice sounded in her ear: “Hello! It’s Wang Wei. You’re home!”

      “Wang Wei?” Jingru was somewhat astonished: Why was he calling her now after so many years?

      “Yes … I’m home. What’s up?” asked Jingru in surprise.

      “Long time no see. I’d like to take you for a ride. I’m on my way to your place and will arrive soon. Wait outside your door for me!” said Wang Wei.

      After she’d hung up, Jingru’s heart began to race, and her thoughts immediately returned to those days at school …

     Jingru had not only grown to be pretty, but she also got good grades, and many boys in the school, including Wang Wei, pursued her. In order to get himself into Jingru’s world, Wang Wei employed all kinds of ways to get closer to her, like passing messages, writing letters and giving her presents to express his feelings for her. But Jingru was an obedient, sensible girl, and she didn’t want her studies to be affected or to disappoint her parent’s expectations of her because of some emotional distraction, and so she always adopted an indifferent attitude in the face of Wang Wei’s persistent pursuit. But Wang Wei didn’t give up just because Jingru gave him the cold shoulder, and several years later Wang Wei was still pursuing her just as he’d always done. His persistence began ever so slightly to move Jingru’s heart, but she was only slightly moved. Later, a few female classmates began to appear around Wang Wei, and they would follow him around all day long. Jingru’s tranquil heart began to surge, and she thought she could use this circumstance to test Wang Wei for a semester; if he remained unmoved by these girls and kept pursuing her, then she would relent to his pursuit …

Christian Variety Show | Testimony of the Faith of a Christian "Escaping the Cage" (2018 Crosstalk)

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Every Christian in The Church of Almighty God fully recognizes that Almighty God is the return of the Lord Jesus.

The crosstalk Escaping the Cage tells the story of how Christian Xiaolan was persecuted and locked in her home for a month by her Communist Party official father, where she was unable to take part in church life, and her experience of escaping her home and running away. A once-happy family was split apart, a daughter left her mother, and her father held a deep grudge against her. Who was the chief architect? And who gave Xiaolan faith and strength, and led her to escape her cage and walk the correct path in life?

Gospel Movie clip (5) - A Christian's Wonderful Rebuttal of the Notions of a Three-Self Pastor

he CCP invites a pastor with the Three-Self Church to try to brainwash and convert a Christian. The Christian and the pastor open up a wonderful debate in response to the notions thrown out by the Three-Self pastor. How will this Christian push back against the pastor? Why will this attempt by the CCP at brainwashing and conversion end in failure?

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Expression of Almighty God

About the Church of Almighty God

Investigating the Eastern Lightning

The Lord Jesus Himself prophesied that God would incarnate in the last days and appear as the Son of man to do work.

Why There Are Different Christian Denominations?

By Zhou Tao

My Confusion

    Several years ago, I was often out on business. At all of my stops, I would seek a meeting place on weekends, off my own bat, to share the Lord’s words and pray. But after some of the meetings, the church leaders would ask me, “Brother Zhou, which denomination do you belong to? What are the doctrines of your church?” I was always taken aback and would reply, “I believe in the Lord Jesus, and I don’t belong to any denomination. We all are family in Christ.” But they would answer, “Now there are many churches, but only our church is the true one, only our church encompasses all the others.” Later, what baffled me even more was that when I returned to my hometown church my church friends asked me what doctrines I’d heard in other churches. We got into quarrels over different understandings of Bible verses, and could never reach an agreement. Our meetings often ended bitterly. Many years passed, and no matter where I went, what impressed me was the multitude of denominations and how they were all critical of each other. Seeing this, I thought of the words in the Bible, “One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Eph 4:5–6). We all believe in the Lord, read the Bible and the words of the Lord; why are there so many Christian denominations? What is the root of this? Which one is in line with the Lord’s will? Full of confusion and puzzlement, I eagerly wanted to find the answers.

Christian Video | Chronicles of Religious Persecution in China | "To the Brink and Back"

Christian Video | Chronicles of Religious Persecution in China | "To the Brink and Back" | The Church of Almighty God

Since it came to power in mainland China in 1949, the Chinese Communist Party has been relentless in its persecution of religious faith. It has frantically arrested and murdered Christians, expelled and abused missionaries operating in China, confiscated and destroyed countless copies of the Bible, sealed up and demolished church buildings, and vainly attempted to eradicate all house churches.

2019 Christian Movie Trailer | "Baptism by Fire" | Based on a True Story (English Dubbed)

Christian Movie Trailer | "Baptism by Fire" (English Dubbed)

The Lord Jesus said, "Not every one that said to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of My Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 7: 21). Just how should we pursue to become people who do the heavenly Father's will and are obedient to God, so that God will bring us into the kingdom of heaven?

Christian Song Enze was arrested and imprisoned by the Chinese Communist Party for seven years because he believed in God and preached God's gospel. After his release, he insisted on continuing to expend for God by spreading the gospel. He feels that by forsaking his home and career, laboring, and working, he is doing God's will, and that he is certain to gain God's approval and be brought into the kingdom of heaven by God. Later, Song Enze's son becomes seriously ill, putting his life in danger, over which Song Enze bears a grudge against God, attempts to argue with God, and even loses his desire to do his duties. Through what is shown to him by the facts of his situation and the revelations in God's word, Song Enze realizes that his many years of forsaking and expending for God were originally an attempt to barter for God's grace and blessings, and that he is not someone obedient to God. Finally, through seeking, he finally learns how to pursue to escape his corrupt dispositions, become truly obedient to God, and be saved by God.

Christian Movie Trailer | "The Price We Must Pay" | Based on a True Story

Christian Movie Trailer "The Price We Must Pay"

The Lord Jesus said, "Not every one that said to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of My Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). Just how should we pursue to become people who do the heavenly Father's will and are obedient to God, so that God will bring us into the kingdom of heaven?

Christian Song Enze was arrested and imprisoned by the Chinese Communist Party for seven years because he believed in God and preached God's gospel. After his release, he insisted on continuing to expend for God by spreading the gospel. He feels that by forsaking his home and career, laboring, and working, he is doing God's will, and that he is certain to gain God's approval and be brought into the kingdom of heaven by God. Later, Song Enze's son becomes seriously ill, putting his life in danger, over which Song Enze bears a grudge against God, attempts to argue with God, and even loses his desire to do his duties. Through what is shown to him by the facts of his situation and the revelations in God's word, Song Enze realizes that his many years of forsaking and expending for God were originally an attempt to barter for God's grace and blessings, and that he is not someone obedient to God. Finally, through seeking, he finally learns how to pursue to escape his corrupt dispositions, become truly obedient to God, and be saved by God.

Christian Music "The One Who Holds Sovereignty Over Everything" | Power of God (Documentary Trailer)

Harvest after watching:

From everlasting to the present, God holds sovereignty over all things in the universe. The mountain and the river which we can see, the birth, aging, sickness, and death of the human, the interchanging cycles of spring, summer, autumn, and winter, the law of all things and living beings, the rise and fall of nations throughout history… Everything shows forth the authority and power of God. The Christian Documentary faithfully shows us the creation and sovereignty of God. And we can truly feel the Creator is not far from us at all! And God's love is the truest and the most beautiful. Praise and thanks be to God!

Throughout the vast universe, all celestial bodies move precisely within their own orbits. Under the heavens, mountains, rivers, and lakes all have their boundaries, and all creatures live and reproduce throughout the four seasons in accordance with the laws of life…. This is all so exquisitely designed—is there a Mighty One ruling and arranging all this? Since coming into this world crying we have begun playing different roles in life. We move from birth to old age to illness to death, we go between joy and sorrow…. Where does mankind really come from, and where will we really go? Who is ruling our fates? From ancient times to modern days, great nations have risen up, dynasties have come and gone, and countries and peoples have flourished and perished in the tides of history…. Just like the laws of nature, the laws of humanity's development contain infinite mysteries. Would you like to know the answers to them? The Christian musical documentary The One Who Holds Sovereignty Over Everything will guide you to get to the root of this, to unveil all of these mysteries!

Watch more：
Are Almighty God and the Lord Jesus One God?

Virginia Christian Film Festival: Musical "Every Nation Worships the Practical God" Wins Six Awards

Virginia Christian Film Festival: Musical "Every Nation Worships the Practical God" Wins Six Awards

"The Kingdom has descended; the New Age has begun; God has returned!" This is the most stirring of the good tidings from The Church of Almighty God's musical—Every Nation Worships the Practical God. On January 27, 2018, this musical, bearing witness that Jesus the Savior has already returned, was shown at the Virginia Christian Film Festival. In one fell swoop, it won six awards, including Best Feature Film, Best Choreography, Best Music and Best Acting.

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Expression of Almighty God

The Return of the Lord Jesus

Why Christians Spread the Gospel?

Investigating the Eastern Lightning

About the Church of Almighty God

Christian Skit "The Village Mayor's Limits" Who Has Made Christians Homeless (Based on True Story)

My impression: 📘🌈🙏

Chinese Christians performed how the CCP government persecuted them with all manner of evil deeds, like asking them not to turn off their phones and they had to report their daily schedule to the village mayor. What’s most infuriating is that the village mayor always went to the Christians’ homes to interfere them, forcing them to sign on “the repentance letter” with full of blasphemous words. But these Christians had the word of God in their hearts. They were full of faith and strength that they relied on God and firmly followed God and not betray God. I admire their courage so much and at that same time, I can also feel the power of God’s word. Chinese Christians, great, hang in there!

The skit The Village Mayor's Limits tells the true story of a Christian husband and wife who are forced to flee because of the CCP government's persecution.

Christian Liu Ming'en is sentenced by the CCP to seven years in prison for believing in God. Even after he is released from jail, he remains a target of heavy CCP surveillance. The village mayor uses the five-household responsibility system, security cameras, house visits, and other methods to prevent Liu Ming'en and his wife from believing in God, but none of it has the desired effect. This time, the mayor again receives a priority communiqué from Party Central, after which he tries to think of ways to force Liu Ming'en and his wife to sign a letter promising to stop believing in God. After his trick fails, the police again come to arrest the two believers. To avoid arrest and continue following God and believing in God, Liu Ming'en and his wife are forced to flee their home.

Recommended reading：📘🌈🙏💪💪💪

What exactly is the true belief in God? How should one believe in God in order to obtain His praise?

Christian Video | "Have You Truly Repented?" (English Skit)

Best Christian Video | "Have You Truly Repented?" 

The Lord Jesus said, "Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17). Once, Zhang Ming'en was a preacher at a house church. He believed in the Lord for many years, and for all that time, he preached, worked, suffered, and expended for the Lord. After he accepted God's work of the last days, he was able to accept and submit to any duty arranged for him by the church, and he believed that through these good deeds, he had achieved genuine repentance and change. But, in a church election, Zhang Ming'en watched as other brothers and sisters were chosen as church leaders and deacons, while he was given the duty of hosting meetings. Although outwardly he appeared to accept and submit, he was very unhappy with it. When his wife exposes the fact that he hasn't sincerely repented and changed, Zhang Ming'en is deeply confused: If behavioral change can't be called genuine repentance and change, then just what is genuine repentance and change? Watch the skit Have You Truly Repented? to find out the answers.

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Christian Short Film | Warnings of the Last Days From God "The Days of Noah Have Come"

Christian Movie | "Yearning" | God Reveals the Mystery of the Descent of the Kingdom of Heaven

Eastern lightning | Christian Movie | "Yearning" | God Reveals the Mystery of the Descent of the Kingdom of Heaven

Two thousand years ago, the Lord Jesus promised His followers: "I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:2-3). Because of this, generations of believers have continued to obsessively hope and pray for the fulfillment of the Lord's promise, and hope and pray that they are raptured into the heavens to meet the Lord and enter into the kingdom of heaven when the Lord comes.

This also describes this film's protagonist, Chen Xiangguang. He is an enthusiastic seeker, spreads the gospel, and bears witness to the Lord in order to welcome the Lord's coming. In spite of being dismissed from his position in a school and failing to gain understanding from his family members, he never gives up the hope in his heart. One day while in a gathering, Chen Xiangguang is arrested and thrown in jail by the Chinese Communist government. Under God's wondrous rule and arrangements, he encounters Zhao Zhiming, a Christian from The Church of Almighty God. Zhao Zhiming gives him testimony on God's appearance and work in the last days, resolving his years of notions and imagination in hoping and praying for the Lord's return. After getting out of prison, Chen Xiangguang leads his brothers and sisters to look into Almighty God's work in the last days. Everyone finally comes to understand what it is to be raptured into the kingdom of heaven, whether the kingdom is really on earth or in heaven, and how people should welcome the Lord's return ...

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Expression of Almighty God

2019 Christian Movie "The People of the Heavenly Kingdom" | An Inspirational True Story

Christian Film "The People of the Heavenly Kingdom" | An Inspirational True Story

The Lord Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3). The Lord Jesus told us that only honest people can enter the kingdom of heaven; only honest people can be people of the kingdom. This movie tells the story of the Christian Cheng Nuo's experience of God's work and the course of her pursuit to become an honest person in life.

Cheng Nuo used to be a doctor. Even after believing in God, when she encounters things that impinge on her own interest and face in her day-to-day life, she still can't help but lie and deceive. In the face of trials and tribulations she even develops misunderstandings and gripes about God, but through seeking the truth time after time and undergoing the judgment and chastisement of God's words, she gains an understanding of the root of her dishonesty and her selfish, slippery satanic nature. She begins to focus on pursuing the truth to resolve her tendency to lie and the dishonesty in her heart. Later when she is arrested by the Chinese Communist Party government while performing her duty and suffers devastating torture, she is ready to die before telling a lie and refuses to deny God. She bears a beautiful, resounding witness for God. Cheng Nuo is able to gradually become an honest person, and truly love and obey God. So what really is her story?

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Best Religious Movie Trailer | What Is True Faith in God? | "Faith in God"

Christian Film | "Faith in God 2 – After the Church Falls" | The True Story of Chinese Christians

Christian Film | "Faith in God 2 – After the Church Falls" 

Yu Congguang is an evangelist who makes a dangerous escape from a CCP mass arrest. Afterward, he makes his way to the home of Three-Self Patriotic Movement Chen Song'en. Chen Song'en's Three-Self Patriotic Movement church is demolished by the CCP, and some in the church, after listening to the teachings of their pastors and elders, pray for the CCP regime, believing that by doing so, they are keeping the words of the Lord Jesus, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). However, many believers are confused, because despite the fact that they prayed for blessings for the CCP for so many years, the CCP not only failed to repent, but even demolished their church. They wonder: Does praying for the CCP actually accord with God's will? The congregation argues about the question but can't reach a conclusion. Later, through reading God's words and the fellowship of Yu Congguang and his associate, Chen Song'en and the others learn the true meaning of the Lord Jesus' teaching to "love your enemies." They also gain discernment of the CCP's satanic essence, which is to resist God and loathe the truth, and clearly see the dangerous consequences of following the pastors and elders down the Three-Self path and relying on the protection of a satanic ruling power …

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Christian Short Film | Warnings of the Last Days From God "The Days of Noah Have Come"

Christian Musical Drama "An Uncertain Return" | Why Are Christians Homeless (English Dubbed)

Impression after watching:

Friends, hope we share the film to more people  and let them know the real situation of Christian's persecution in China, also hope more people pray for these Chinese Christians. May God give them power and faith to overcome the forces of darkness."

Christian Zhang Chengzhi is forced to flee his home because of the Chinese government's mad persecution of religious beliefs. A happy family is torn apart. But the police refuse to give up—they monitor, question, and intimidate his family members, and look for opportunities to arrest him. Zhang Chengzhi and his family miss each other, but cannot be reunited. Zhang narrowly escapes arrest time after time and in the end has no choice but to escape the country. He and his family are in different corners of the world and don't know when they will meet again …

Christian Hymn | "God's Righteous Disposition Is Unique"

Christian Hymn | "God's Righteous Disposition Is Unique"

I

God expresses His righteous disposition in unique ways and principles, not subject to control of people, events or things. And no one can change His ideas or thoughts, or persuade Him to try a different path. This is the unique nature of the Creator's righteous disposition! His righteous disposition!

II

God judges by His righteous disposition all creations' deeds and all thoughts. And based on this, He issues wrath or gives mercy. And no one can change His mercy or wrath. And only His substance can decide on this path. This is the unique nature of the Creator's righteous disposition! His righteous disposition!

III

God's righteous disposition, holy and unique; no one can violate or question this. None can possess it, created or non-created. God's wrath is holy; it can't be offended. His mercy too bears the same nature. This is the unique nature of the Creator's righteous disposition! His righteous disposition!

IV

None can replace God in His actions, created or non-created. Nor can they destroy Sodom or save Nineveh as God did. This is the unique nature of the Creator's righteous disposition! His righteous disposition! His righteous disposition!

from Follow the Lamb and Sing New Songs

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Why Does God Put Us Through Trials?

Christian Movie "The People of the Heavenly Kingdom" Clip 1 - A Christian Acts Honestly and Receives God's Blessing

The Lord Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3). Christian Cheng Nuo is a doctor. In her life, she strives to be an honest person according to the Lord's words. Once, during a dispute over a patient's treatment, she honestly discloses the hospital's mistakes to a deceased patient's family members. This in turn impacts the hospital's reputation, and she is dismissed by the hospital on the grounds of medical malpractice. Her "bad track record" causes Cheng Nuo to be repeatedly rejected during her search for a new job. She battles fiercely with herself: Telling the truth is the reason she can't find a job, but not telling the truth violates God's word…. How should she follow the Lord's words and be an honest person? Through seeking, she finally finds a way to practice the truth and be an honest person, and unexpectedly receives God's blessing in the process …

What Does “Blessed Are the Pure in Heart” in Matthew 5:8 Mean?

By Xiaoming

Editor’s Note:

    Why did the Lord Jesus teach us to be people who are pure of heart? From the examples of a blind man and the Pharisees recorded in the Bible, Jack, a Christian, has gotten a new understanding of it. Read now!

    Jack, who had just returned from evangelizing London, arrived at the door of a coffee shop around the corner at 2 p.m. as usual.

    Perhaps because the owner of this coffee shop was a Christian, there were free copies of the Bible there for every Christian friend to read. For Jack, this place was of course his first choice, because the quiet environment there enabled him to have more closeness with the Lord.

    As soon as Jack walked in, a skillful barista saw him. This barista had known Jack for a long time, therefore he knew Jack’s habits—an espresso and a Bible would be quite enough.