Rod of Iron Ministries (originally known as the World Peace and Unification Sanctuary Church) is a schismatic offshoot of the Unification Church established by Hyung Jin Moon and Kook-jin Moon. Both of them are sons of Sun Myung Moon and Hak Ja Han. Their father was the founder of the Unification Church and its leader until his death in 2012. Hyung Jin "Sean" Moon is the group's current leader.
The group exalts the AR-15 semiautomatic rifle in its ceremonies, believing it represents the "rod of iron" mentioned in the Book of Revelation that Jesus would use to assert his authority during end times. Originating in Newfoundland, Pennsylvania in 2017, it has attracted attention from some right-wing antigovernment groups and individuals who anticipate a coming civil war in the United States. Sean Moon hosts a webcast during which he discusses reports from sources such as Breitbart News and InfoWars.[1][2][3][4] The Southern Poverty Law Center characterizes the organization as an "antigovernment Christian gun cult."[5]