Just when you thought Bob Thiel could not get any worse, he comes along today telling everyone that he has all the necessary requirements to be a true prophet.
COGWA recently published a list of requirements that a Church of God member should hold up to measure all the wannabe prophets in the Church of God. I doubt very much that Chris Moen and the Church of God Worldwide Association had that in mind that what they published applied to Bob Thiel. The ONLY way this list applies to Bob Thiel is that he meets absolutely NONE of these qualifications. Period!
Read it here: Four tests to prove whether a prophet is true
We need to carefully consider God’s Word—the Bible—in order to discern between false and true prophets. The Bible provides four tests to determine the genuineness of a prophet.
1. Does the conduct of the prophet reflect godly character?
Jesus and the apostles warned many times about deceptive prophets. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:15-17).
These prophets can be identified by their “fruits”—a term used metaphorically by Jesus to describe one’s actions and character. The law of God is the only standard we have to determine whether someone’s fruits are good or bad. True prophets will live in accordance with God’s law.
2. Do the predictions of the prophet come true?
Moses instructed ancient Israel: “When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him” (Deuteronomy 18:22).
The Bible gives a few exceptions. It shows that God has the prerogative to change His mind, as was the case with Jonah’s prophecies about Nineveh (Jonah 3:10). Also, this does not mean that God’s true servants couldn’t be wrong about timing, as Paul was in assuming he would be alive at Christ’s return (1 Thessalonians 4:15).
Except in circumstances like these, if a prophet’s predictions do not come to pass, then he or she is not a true prophet.
3. Are the words of the prophet consistent with Scripture?
God explained to those who foolishly seek knowledge from mediums and wizards, “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:19-20).
Peter declared that the apostles could truthfully attest to many fulfilled Bible prophecies concerning the life and deeds of Jesus Christ. “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. ... And we have the prophetic word made more sure” (2 Peter 1:16, 19, Revised Standard Version).
Peter also stated that true prophets do not speak their own words. As Peter wrote, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20, emphasis added).
4. Do the people benefit spiritually from the prophet’s ministry?
God’s desire was that ancient Israel would serve as a model nation and represent Him to the nations around them. Israel would be blessed as it fulfilled God’s expectation.
With this background, God warned His people, “‘Behold, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,’ says the LORD, ‘and tell them, and cause My people to err by their lies and by their recklessness. Yet I did not send them or command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all,’ says the LORD” (Jeremiah 23:32; also read verses 13-14).
The results of a prophet’s ministry can also indicate whether this person is a false or true prophet.
Here is what the lying false prophet claims:
Although COGWA left out some criteria, even eased upon the above criteria, there is one person in one of the COGs that meets all those criteria, and he is not part of COGWA, but physically heads up the Continuing Church of God(CCOG).Its amazing that there are people out there that actually believe this load of malarkey. Armstrongism has been filled with these lairs for decades. Self serving men who claim special "anointed" or "double blessed" status in order to make a name for themselves after they have maligned by their leaders they idolize.
Thiel is so full of his lying self that he claims that Jesus will reward those that believe he is a prophet and follow him.
Consider also that Jesus taught:I can state for a FACT that Bob Thiel is NOT a prophet and is NOT a minister of God.
41 He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. (Matthew 10:41)
Jesus is telling His followers that if a true prophet is out there, that they need to follow.
Of course all of those that refuse to believe he is a prophet are labeled as Laodicean's. That old fall back that liars in the Church of God try to use to discredit critics.
Yet, in this Laodicean time (Revelation 3:14-18), most real Christians will not listen to what Jesus said on this and many other matters.
While some discount prophecy and prophets, notice what Jesus admonished His faithful to do:
35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man. (Luke 21:35-36)
Are we not a lot closer to the end now than when Jesus stated that? Should you not be watching world events as properly explained in the light of Bible prophecy?
The various Laodiceans will not properly understand end time prophecy, and that will contribute to them NOT fleeing when they should (cf. Matthew 24:15-21; Revelation 12:14-17).
Why is it that the Church of God is filled with so many of these delusional idiots? Every single COG prophet throughout the COG history has been proven a liar. Herbert Armstrong, Garner Ted, Hoeh, Meredith, Flurry, Pack, Thiel, Waterhouse, on and on the list can go. Liars all!
Actually, Laodiceans are very like unicorns.
ReplyDeleteIt boggles the mind that someone would make such absurd and ridiculous statements about himself, without the least little twinge of embarrassment. Could anyone imagine Elijah, or Jeremiah spending so much time making a case for their own prophethood when their time could be more effectively used by actually prophesying? Isn't that what makes people realize or believe that someone is a prophet rather than a bunch of petulant whining?
If the gals from "Clueless" lived in Arroyo Grande, they'd be flashing the "L" sign at this little wannabe in the supermarket!
BB
We must judge by the fruits and in so doing we must conclude by his words and actions that he is indeed a prophet. A prophet of Baal, not a prophet of God.
ReplyDeleteBut enough said, I refuse to contribute any more time to this megalomaniac.
if someone is a prophet, he won't spend his time trying to convince me that he is....actually, he won't care if anyone believes him or not, he'll deliver the message God gave him, and move on.
ReplyDeleteThis is what false prophets have to do. Instead of providing evidence for the truth of their prophethood by demonstrating it with predictions that consistently come true, they are forced instead to perform hand-waving and tap-dancing routines in a fruitless attempt to sell others their loads of crap, because they cannot deliver the goods!
ReplyDeletePut up or shut up. Foretell the future or go home, Bob!
ReplyDeleteThe BULLSH*T METER that you displayed appears to be defective, and needs to be fixed. The “Pack Of Lies” reading should be shown well beyond the “Total BS” mark rather than before it. If you don't know that already, then just go listen to David Pack for a while and you will know what I mean.
ReplyDelete“As Peter wrote, 'Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit'(2 Peter 1:20, emphasis added).”
And unholy men of fraud speak as they are moved by the mutterings of the unclean spirits behind the pagan prophecies that they search looking for wisdom. How stupid can they get?
"Prophets" are a human construct often providing an interesting psychiatric study
ReplyDeleteSometimes God allows events to unfold in our lives to bring to our attention deep seated flaws that need to be addressed.Often over time.But in the course of life it can become self-evident,but often not by the individual themselves,but by others,that things are abnormal.We become so obsessed by SELF.The abnormal becomes the new "reality".And we function from this foundation.And everyone gets hurt.We lose ourselves in some think bigger than ourselves,like the "church"etc.It can cover the pain of the entrapment or slavery to seemingly hopeless personal issues.But there is hope.It does not mean abandonment of faith in God.There is professional help available.But sadly for many,crash and burn can be the only way forward.And everyone gets hurt.Bob we do not question your faith.But your disconnect from reality.
ReplyDeleteOh no, he can get much worse, and I suspect he will in the near future.
ReplyDeleteSorry, Bob, you're hilariously predictable.
ReplyDelete"Prophets" are a human construct often providing an interesting psychiatric study
ReplyDelete8.52AM maybe there should be a 'Super Total BS' category for Dave Pack.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Bob can merge with the Church of the Subgenius, they may benefit from a new Bob, and surely he would fit right in:
ReplyDeleteArise Chapter 5: The Life of Bob...
True prophets would say "Thus saith Yahweh ... and leave it like it is. They would not be s running around trying to convince others that they are prophets. Their fruits would bear witness that they are either false prophets or false ones. Thus far, I have not heard one prophecy from Bob.
ReplyDeleteSo Bob, if you are a prophet, then start prophesying, other wise shut up and stop making a fool out of yourself.
False-prophets are all about profiting!
ReplyDeleteA potential true-prophet will do and say as
anon:March 8, 2016 at 7:23 AM said...
"if someone is a prophet, he won't spend his time trying to convince me that he is....actually, he won't care if anyone believes him or not, he'll deliver the message God gave him, and move on."
i'll add that a possible good prophet would deliver the message and then be content for God or time to prove it, and with little to no concern for the opinions of men.
C.O.S.O.G.
ReplyDeleteChurch of Slack of God
Slack Your Way to Salvation while living off the flock.
Slack Your Way to Salvation by entitlement.
Slack Your Way to Salvation by speaking for God.
Slack Your Way to Salvation by obsessing on the most useless shit.
+2 lol
ReplyDelete"...starts finding almost religious interpretation for the results of atrocious craftsmanship, the point after which a work’s quality as a piece of bulldada increases in inverse proportion to its ability to yell a coherent story." Church of Bob
Amen.
DBP
Bob is a basically a superstitious Catholic mystic.
ReplyDeleteThe apparitions and seers of the catholic church are important to him and he bases his religious interpretation on them.
He is a rebel as well who needed to make changes in catholic doctrine. Here the WWCG came in handy and provided him with 'mistakes' he could use to leave Catholicism.
Now he combines the mysticism of the Catholic church with the off beat doctrines of the Churches of God and finds himself a new religion with himself as the pope.
He invents persecution for himself to help validate his odd behavior.
A true test of an ACOG prophet is whether he screwed his own daughter or not.
ReplyDeleteAnother is if he has a porn collection (preferable young boys).
And let us add another. A true prophet (spelled profit) lectures extensively on homosexuality.
Hey Bob,
ReplyDeleteThe fruits of a prophet are prophecy that comes true at the designated time, way, etc.
Is that the fail buzzer I hear going off?
The fact that there are so many 'successful' Christian "prophets" cranking out their stupidity on Christian TV proves 2 things-
ReplyDelete1) Being successful, liked and experiencing growth means NOTHING when it comes to evaluating whether the person is worth believing.
2) There are suckers born every minute.
James said...
ReplyDelete1) A true test of an ACOG prophet is whether he screwed his own daughter or not.
2) Another is if he has a porn collection (preferable young boys).
3) And let us add another. A true prophet (spelled profit) lectures extensively on homosexuality.
I'll answer, and treat this as Jeopardy:
1) Who is Herbert W. Armstrong?
2) Who is Herman Hoeh?
3) Who is Roderick C. Meredith?
"Bob is a basically a superstitious Catholic mystic."
ReplyDeleteBINGO!
"He invents persecution for himself to help validate his odd behavior."
BINGO, again!!
Well, the typical post-1990 COG response would be "Mr. Armstrong never claimed to be a prophet", and then get into semantics about prophecy vs prophetic understanding and so on.
ReplyDeleteHowever, Thiel openly does make that claim, which allows him no such escape hatch.
No *I* am the prophet.
ReplyDeleteAs proof you will know that it is true because if you do not accept that *I* am the prophet then you are just playing right in to the prophecy that there will be those who will mock me when I tell them that I am the prophet. Q.E.D.
Now down to business, these things shall come to pass.. I prophesy, uh, that many will experience inclement weather somewhere this summer. Further, ummmm.. some nations will have disputes with others which might lead to a rumor of conflict, annnd... another country's leader will be accused of being corrupt. There will be many flat tires and appliances breaking just out of warranty, and also shall there be a great number of people in the world not entirely happy with their financial situations. Such as myself, for example, so please donate generously for the warnings I bring you in these ominous times. Thank you.
A recent realisation of mine is that often you need to look long and hard to see the wolf in the sheeps clothing. These wolves have often mastered wearing the sheeps clothing, getting it down to a find art form. For instance, they intermingle fake concern for their victims, with predatory behaviour, a common ploy. The sheeps clothing is also sometimes hypnotic, similar to pop groups on stage. A casual assessment often won't pick these people out.
ReplyDeleteThese wolves are easily recognized because they are so old school. The ones that are really difficult to detect are the modern sheep which have been genetically reengineered. But such wolf-like sheep are too sophisticated for Armstrongism. They have much more lucrative games to play. The ACOG wolves are like Steve Martin's "Ruprecht" character in "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" as compared to the master con man, and man of sophisticated leisure portrayed by Michael Caine.
ReplyDeleteBB
To Anon @ March 10, 2016 at 1:49 PM.
ReplyDeleteI recommend you do some in-depth study of cults and how they operate.
Read authors like Singer, Ofshe, Lifton, Ross, etc.
Learn of the dynamics.
Read about many different cults, and how they operate. Though so many seem different on the surface and have their own unique "twist" to them, there's a commonality underneath.
Learn about compliance,identification and internalization.
Learn about recruitment and retention methods.
Having that knowledge helps to go beyond 'casual assessment'.
I just read the Wikipedia article about a religion in Chicago called the Seekers.
ReplyDeleteIn it, Leon Festinger, Henry Riecken, and Stanley Schachter offer their revealing cult studies.
From that page-
"The group of believers, headed by Keech, had taken strong actions to indicate their degree of commitment to the belief. They had left jobs, college, and spouses, and had given away money and possessions to prepare for their departure on a flying saucer which was to rescue the group of true believers. She claimed to have received a message from a fictional planet named Clarion. These messages revealed that the world would end in a great flood before dawn on December 21, 1954.
After the failure of the prediction, she left Chicago after being threatened with arrest and involuntary commitment. She later founded the Association of Sananda and Sanat Kumara. Under the name Sister Thedra, she continued to practice channeling and to participate in contactee groups until her death in 1992. The Association is active to this day."
What particularly caught my eye was, "The Association is active to this day."!
It reminds me that even after HWA's so many failed prophecies and HWA's death, there are still many groups -offshoots of his original cult- that are still active today.
9.25PM. I have read many articles by the late Margaret Singer, Liftons book and others. But they deal with organizations. What I have in mind is predatory individuals. On several occasions I was taken advantage of by church members. Had I spent more time evaluating these people, it's less likely I would have been deceived. People in the church wear their Sabbath masks, and sometimes have mastered the act. Something like Satan portraying himself as an angel of light. Sometimes you have to look long and hard to pick up the deception. For instance, be on the look out for 'Freudian slips.' That is, the mask sometimes slips off for a few seconds. There's a natural tendency to shrug off such inconsistencies, for the same reason that we shrug off mis pronunciations. What I'm saying is that sometimes it takes a lot of effort to see through peoples lying mask.
ReplyDeleteIf you realize that you're in a cult, LEAVE AS SOON AS YOU REALIZE IT!!!
ReplyDeleteIf you're naive enough to not know how cult members act, it will bite you in the ass if you leave yourself open to the predatory actions of those members.
Expect subversion from them. Expect trickiness from them. Expect dishonesty from them.
Cult members are deceived and usually under the psychological control of it's leadership.
The cult's leadership isn't the only problem. Look at the larger picture. Cult members are going to go against you, too, if you go against the cult. Just because you were friends and agreed once is MEANINGLESS once you disagree.