Introduction: In recent years, thousands of Christians in India, Nepal, Myanmar, Philippines and other Asian countries are being contacted on Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp and TikTok by people preaching about Almighty God. They look like true Christians, they quote Bible verses, they sing worship songs and they seem very loving. But their real teaching is hidden at first. They slowly teach that Jesus has already returned as a Chinese woman. Many innocent believers who do not know the Bible deeply have been deceived and have left their churches. Who is this woman? What is her real history? What does the Bible say about this claim? In this article we will study the full truth about Yang Xiangbin and her movement and we will refute it with the clear and final Word of God so that you can be protected and can protect your family.
Detailed Background of Yang Xiangbin and Her Partner Zhao Weishan
Yang Xiangbin was born in 1973 in a small city in Heilongjiang Province in northern China. She came from an ordinary working family and was not highly educated. She failed the national college entrance examination and suffered from psychological problems after that failure. She was married at a young age and had a child, but her marriage did not last long and ended in divorce. After that she joined a local house church and started claiming that she had visions and that God was speaking directly through her. She began to write down her supposed revelations and called them the words of the Holy Spirit.
In 1989, she met Zhao Weishan, a man who was already a leader of a house church movement called the Shouting Church in China. Zhao Weishan was born in 1951, also in Heilongjiang. He was more educated and clever than Yang. He was already married with children, but he left his wife and family and began to live with Yang Xiangbin. Zhao saw that Yang had some influence over simple believers, so he used her as a figurehead. He declared himself to be the High Priest and the Man Used by the Holy Spirit to administrate the work of God, while he declared Yang to be the incarnate Almighty God, the female Christ. Together in 1991 they officially started the cult called Eastern Lightning. In 2000, because the Chinese government started cracking down on the cult for illegal activities, both Zhao and Yang fled to the United States and sought political asylum. They are now believed to be living in New York, controlling the whole organization worldwide through the internet, publishing books, videos and collecting huge amounts of money from followers. Their relationship is not a true biblical marriage but a partnership for building a religious empire.
The Church of Almighty God: Origins and Beliefs
The Church of Almighty God, also called Eastern Lightning, was officially founded in China in the year 1991. It branched out from a previous group called The Shouters house church movement. The founder and administrative leader is Zhao Weishan, born on December 12, 1951, in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province. He was a former physics teacher. The spiritual leader who is worshipped as God is Yang Xiangbin, born in 1973, also from Heilongjiang, who is also called Deng or Lightning Deng in internal literature. Zhao is called by followers as The Man Used by the Holy Spirit and The High Priest, while Yang is worshipped as the incarnate Almighty God, the female Christ. In 1995, the Chinese government banned the group as an evil cult, xie jiao. According to Chinese government sources, the group has between 3 to 4 million followers worldwide, while independent scholars estimate around 2 million. After crackdowns, Zhao and Yang fled to the United States in 2000 and are now believed to be operating from New York. Their official website is http://holyspiritspeaks.org. Their main scripture is not only the Bible but their own book called The Word Appears in the Flesh, and they teach three ages: Age of Law under Jehovah, Age of Grace under Jesus, and now Age of Kingdom under Almighty God, the female Christ.
They Add a New Book and Preach Another Gospel
The Holy Bible gives us a very serious warning about the last days, that many false Christs and false prophets will arise and deceive many people, and if it were possible they would deceive even the very elect of God. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself warned us about this in Matthew chapter 24 verse 24. Today we are seeing this prophecy fulfilled right before our eyes through a dangerous cult that originated in China known as Eastern Lightning, also called the Church of Almighty God. This group was started by Zhao Weishan who declared Yang Xiangbin to be the second coming of Jesus Christ.
The most dangerous claim of this cult is that the Bible is outdated and must be replaced. They say the Bible only records the past work of God in the Age of Law by Jehovah and the Age of Grace by Jesus, but now we are in the Age of Kingdom and we need new words from the female Christ. Their book called The Word Appears in the Flesh is said to be superior to the Bible. But the Bible very clearly teaches that the canon of Scripture is closed. In Revelation chapter 22 verses 18 and 19, God warns that if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues written in this book. Eastern Lightning does exactly what God forbids. Second Timothy chapter 3 verses 16 and 17 says all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is sufficient to make the man of God perfect. We do not need another book.
Their teaching is not just outside the Bible, it is against God because it preaches another gospel. The standard of truth for every Christian is the Bible alone. If any teaching does not agree with the Bible we must reject it completely. Eastern Lightning teaches a different God, a different Christ, a different way of salvation and a different Bible. The Apostle Paul warned in Galatians chapter 1 verse 8 that though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. The gospel they preach says believing in Jesus is not enough, you must believe in the female Christ to be purified. This is another gospel and according to the Bible it is accursed and must be avoided by all true believers.
One of their most deceptive tricks is the misuse of Matthew chapter 24 verse 27 where Jesus says for as the lightning cometh out of the east and shineth even unto the west, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Eastern Lightning says lightning from the east proves their movement started in eastern China, so God has appeared in the east as a Chinese woman. This is terrible twisting of Scripture. If we read the context from verse 23 to 26, Jesus was warning us not to believe those who say Christ is hidden here or there in a secret place. The lightning analogy does not mean location, it means visibility. Just as lightning is visible to everyone in the sky, so the coming of Jesus will be public, glorious and sudden, not secret and hidden in a house in China. Revelation chapter 1 verse 7 says every eye shall see Him.
God Became Flesh Only Once as Jesus Christ
The core heresy of this cult is the doctrine of double incarnation. They say God was incarnated first as a man Jesus and now again as a woman. The Bible teaches that the Word became flesh only once and forever. John chapter 1 verse 1 says in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God, and verse 14 says and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. This great miracle happened once in Bethlehem about two thousand years ago. There is no verse in the entire Bible that speaks about God being incarnated twice in two different genders. First Timothy chapter 2 verse 5 says for there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
The Bible is very firm that Jesus Christ is the one and only incarnation of God and His incarnation is final and eternal. Jesus rose from the dead as a man, He ascended to heaven as a man, and He will forever remain the man Christ Jesus in His resurrected glorified body. Hebrews chapter 13 verse 8 says Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. He does not change His gender or identity.
Furthermore, the teaching about how Jesus will return is very clear in the Bible and it destroys the claim of Eastern Lightning completely. After Jesus rose from the dead He was taken up into heaven before the eyes of His disciples. In Acts chapter 1 verses 9 to 11, two angels told the disciples, this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven. The phrase this same Jesus is very important. The same Jesus who went up will come down. He will not be born again as a baby. He will not come as a new person named Yang Xiangbin.
The Bible also teaches that Christ died once for all and there is no need for another incarnation or sacrifice. Hebrews chapter 9 verse 28 says so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many, and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Hebrews chapter 10 verse 10 says we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. The work of salvation was finished on the cross when Jesus said it is finished in John chapter 19 verse 30. Eastern Lightning says the work of Jesus was only half done and only forgave sins but did not remove sinful nature, so another incarnation is needed. This is a lie that insults the perfect and finished work of Christ. His blood is sufficient to save us completely as First John chapter 1 verse 7 says.
Why God Will Never Come as a Woman
We must also understand why God will never come as a woman for salvation. The pattern of redemption is through a man because sin entered through a man. Romans chapter 5 verse 12 says as by one man sin entered into the world and death by sin, so death passed upon all men. Verse 19 says for as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. The first man Adam brought sin, so the last Adam Jesus, who is a man, had to bring righteousness. First Corinthians chapter 15 verse 45 calls Jesus the last Adam.
The character of God also disproves this cult because God is unchanging. Malachi chapter 3 verse 6 says for I am the Lord, I change not. God does not change His plan or nature. The Bible always refers to God as Father and Jesus as Son. There is no biblical precedent where God incarnates as a woman to fulfill redemptive work. The idea that God must become both male and female to complete His work is man made philosophy taken from Chinese yin-yang thinking, not from the Bible. It is cultural syncretism, mixing Chinese philosophy with Christianity, which produces a false religion. Isaiah chapter 40 verse 8 says the word of our God shall stand forever, it does not change with culture.
Another false teaching of this cult is that God changes His name in every age. They say in the Old Testament He was Jehovah, in the New Testament He was Jesus, and now His new name is Almighty God. They misuse Revelation chapter 3 verse 12 where it talks about a new name. But the Bible teaches that the name of Jesus is above every name and will remain forever. Philippians chapter 2 verses 9 and 10 says God hath highly exalted Him and given Him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow. Acts chapter 4 verse 12 says neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.
The Lord Jesus warned us many times about false Christs like Yang Xiangbin. In Matthew chapter 24 verses 4 and 5, He said take heed that no man deceive you, for many shall come in my name, saying I am Christ, and shall deceive many. In verses 23 to 26 He said then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there, believe it not, for there shall arise false Christs and false prophets and shall show great signs and wonders insomuch that if it were possible they shall deceive the very elect. Yang Xiangbin claiming to be Christ is exactly what Jesus warned about. In Luke chapter 21 verse 8 Jesus said take heed that ye be not deceived, for many shall come in my name saying I am Christ, go ye not therefore after them.
The Spirit of Antichrist and Evil Methods
The Apostle John gives us a clear test to identify the spirit of antichrist. In First John chapter 4 verses 1 to 3 he says beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God, because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God, every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God, and this is that spirit of antichrist. Eastern Lightning denies that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh once for all and is sufficient. By saying Jesus is not enough and we need a female Christ, they deny the true Jesus. Therefore they have the spirit of antichrist. Second Corinthians chapter 11 verses 13 to 15 warns that Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Eastern Lightning also uses very aggressive and deceptive methods of evangelism which are not from the Holy Spirit. There are many testimonies from former members and from Christian pastors in China that this group uses kidnapping, blackmail, financial temptation, sexual seduction and even physical threats to force people to join. They especially target existing Christians in house churches and slowly isolate them from their family and pastor until they are fully controlled. True Christianity never forces anyone to believe. Jesus said in Revelation chapter 3 verse 20, behold I stand at the door and knock, if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him. Jesus knocks, He does not break the door. Galatians chapter 5 verses 22 and 23 says the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Fear and manipulation are not from the Holy Spirit but from the devil.
Many innocent believers are confused because the followers of Eastern Lightning use Christian language, they quote Bible verses, they sing worship songs, they cry and seem very zealous. But zeal does not prove truth. Second Corinthians chapter 11 verses 13 to 15 says such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. Satan does not come with horns, he comes looking like an angel of light. That is why we must not judge by emotion or by zeal, but by doctrine. Does their doctrine agree with the Bible from Genesis to Revelation? The answer is no, it does not. Matthew chapter 7 verse 15 says beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
What is the true blessed hope of every believer regarding the second coming? The Bible teaches that our blessed hope is the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ as Titus chapter 2 verse 13 says. Our hope is not a secret Chinese woman living in New York. Our hope is Jesus Christ coming in the clouds with power and great glory as Matthew chapter 24 verse 30 says. First Thessalonians chapter 4 verses 16 and 17 says for the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first, then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord. This is our true future.
How to Protect Yourself and Final Warning
The consequences of following this false teaching are very serious and eternal. Second Peter chapter 2 verse 1 says but there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. If a person leaves the true Jesus Christ and follows Yang Xiangbin as god, that person is denying the Lord who bought him with His own blood and will face eternal judgment. That is why we must love those who are trapped in this cult and try to bring them back to the true gospel with gentleness and truth. Jude verse 23 says others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
So how can we protect ourselves and our churches from this deception? First, we must know our Bible deeply and daily. Psalm 119 verse 11 says thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. If you know the true Jesus very well, you will quickly recognize the fake Christ. Second, we must stay connected to a Bible believing local church and be accountable to godly pastors as Hebrews chapter 13 verse 17 says obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves. Cults always try to isolate you from your pastor and your family, so never allow anyone to separate you from your church. Never accept a private Bible study from strangers online who call themselves Almighty God preachers. Third, we must test everything with the Bible like the Berean Christians in Acts chapter 17 verse 11 who searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so. Never believe any new revelation, dream, vision, or book that claims to be greater than the Bible. Isaiah chapter 8 verse 20 says to the law and to the testimony, if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Any teaching that says the Bible is outdated has no light in it. Colossians chapter 2 verse 8 says beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Eastern Lightning is exactly that, philosophy of men, not after Christ.
Conclusion: The teaching of Yang Xiangbin as the female Almighty God is fake, false, heretical, and extremely dangerous. It is out of the Bible, it is against God, it denies the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, it denies the one and only incarnation of God in Jesus Christ, and it leads precious souls to eternal hell. God came into flesh as Jesus Christ once for all, and He will never come into flesh as a woman. The next time He appears, it will be the same Jesus Christ returning in glory to judge the world and to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. Therefore I urge every reader, if you have been contacted by people from Eastern Lightning on Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp or any social media, do not listen to them, block them, and have no fellowship with them. As Second John verse 10 and 11 says, if there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed, for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. Avoid false and fake teaching and keep your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone until He comes again.
