Introduction : On August 15, 1945, Korea gained freedom and liberation from 36 years of oppression, sorrow, and slavery under the tyranny of Japan. In those days, many Korean young men were killed in battle. Many young women were forced to become prostitutes, and many middle-aged people had to work in coalmines and suffered from forced labor. The crops produced by many old men and children were offered to the government. People barely managed to stay alive by eating herbs, roots, and tree bark. Their iron pots, spoons, and chopsticks were even taken to make shells and cannons. Korean blood was chilled by the surveillance of Japanese police. I´m not saying this because I heard it from others. I´m saying this because of what I experienced at that time. On the day of liberation, I saw everyone sing the national anthem waving our national flag made in haste, and all of the streets were filled with many people. The Japanese army and police had to run away, and their police stations were destroyed as well as "Kamidana", a temple for worshipping their idols. I was so impressed, and I even remember the words of a song we sang. When we meet with the new spring in this land, the national flower burst into bloom in our garden. Brothers and sisters, let´s not forget today, and enjoy our freedom. Jesus came down to earth to give us another kind of freedom and liberation. It is existence liberation and freedom for humankind.


1. Good news to the poor
    Since the fall of Adam, God deserted humanity and the land was cursed.
    Humankind became slaves to the curse and poverty (Jer 17:5, Isa 1:28)
    1) Spiritual poverty - Died spiritually, lost communication with God, and had a
        mysterious existence (Jas 4:14, 2Co 4:4)
    2) Poverty of life - Humankind had to toil in the land cursed with thorns and thistles,
        and by the sweat of his brow he could eat bread (Ge 3:17, Ecc 2:22-23)
    3) Good news (Mt 4:17, 9:35, Jn 14:6)
        (1) Humankind was quickened in spirit, was reconciled with God, and has become
             prosperous by finding his/her true self (Ro 5:10, 2Co 5:17)
        (2) Liberated from the curse and became a child of God (Gal 3:13-14, 2Co 8:9)

2. Freedom for the prisoners
    1) Became a captive of the devil - Living under the devil´s control (Jn 8:44, Eph 2:2)
    2) Became a captive of sin - the yeast of sin corrupts character (Jn 8:34, Eph 2:3)
    3) Gained freedom and liberation through Jesus (Eph 2:4-5, Gal 5:1)

3. Recovery of sight for the blind
    1) Since the fall, Adam was dead in spirit and he lost the spiritual realm, for he became
        spiritually blind (Ps 10:4, Mt 6:23)
    2) An existence without the spirit - Only knows science or experience by rationality and
        the senses (Col 2:8, Tit 3:11)
    3) Reopens spiritual eyes (Jn 3:3-7, 2Co 4:6, Col 1:13-14)

4. Release to the oppressed
    1) The oppressed are the people whose human rights are deprived - Why not talk
        about the human rights of North Korea? (Ps 14:4, Eze 34:4)
    2) People who were oppressed by the devil, lost freedom in life - People who have
        spiritual and physical disease (Ac 10:38, Jn 14:1)
    3) Liberation through Jesus
        (1) At the crusade in Mongolia, a delighted mother with her son (a deaf-mute)
        (2) Came on a stretcher and walked out (Jn 10:10, Lk 10:19, Isa 9:4, 30:26)


Conclusion : We have gained freedom and liberation from 36 years of slavery because of the Allied forces and especially by the U.S., instead of by our own strength. This is a gift of grace. We are not able to gain freedom and liberation from slavery in our lives by our own strength and ability. We can receive true freedom and liberation in our lives free of charge-only through the gift of faith.