Herbert Armstrong's Tangled Web of Corrupt Leaders

Saturday, June 27, 2020

Dave Pack and his inability to keep his ministers

double click to enlarge for an updated picture of defections

The further Dave Pack descends down the rabbit hole with his wild and heretical doctrines and teachings, more and more of his ministers/leaders are leaving the church.

This ongoing exodus of ministers and employees in Wadsworth has been noticeable by the membership. So much so that Dave has an article about it.

When Ministers Disappear… 


It has been a fact of life for nearly 2,000 years in God’s Church: Members periodically choose to leave, or must be removed from, the Body of Christ. Many factors can be involved, but the painful result is the same: They are gone.
 
Everything is a test for the brethren when you are a Church of God members. God is always doing something to provoke you and see if you are worthy to stand before him. But then, this is the god of Armstrongism. There are higher standards, apparently.

At the emotional level, this can be a source of considerable sorrow for those close to such a person. On the spiritual level, it becomes a test for brethren: Will we love Jesus Christ more than any human being, no matter what was our relationship with him or her? Will we choose to follow a human being out of God’s Church, Work and Way—or will we continue to follow Christ? Our remaining His disciple (student) turns on whether we pass this “exam”: “There went great multitudes with Him: and He turned, and said unto them, If any man come to Me, and hate [love less by comparison] not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:25-26). This obviously includes friends.

 
But sometimes the member who leaves is also a minister. Those in his pastorate are accustomed to his leadership—his style of counseling, his presence in front of the congregation at services, his messages, his personality. He has been, at least outwardly, a local representative of God’s government. Some leave after a relatively short time, while others may have been in the Church or the ministry for decades.


This particular loss can be a greater trauma for God’s people, described by Him as sheep who follow shepherds (Heb. 13:20). They are also gone, but sometimes with greater aftermath…


The aftermath comes because so many place ministers and the words they say on par with the Bible and Jesus himself.  How many decades have we been told that when a minister speaks it is if God himself was standing before us and delivering the message?

Dave then goes on to list some of the reasons people leave and why members should never be discussing such matters.


In some cases, it becomes clear that a man can no longer serve in the ministry, but that he can and should continue in the Church as a lay member in good standing.



At other times, a man may be removed both from the ministry (and if an employee, terminated) and disfellowshipped, but he then eventually returns as a lay member after some period of time.



In a third and rare scenario, a man may be removed from the ministry as well as membership (disfellowshipped) for some period of time, but can be reinstated both as a lay member and eventually as a minister.



So it is important not to jump to conclusions when you learn that a man who once served in the ministry is no longer in that role. His actions and attitude, and the gathering of additional facts and background, make all the difference in what his future holds.



However, sometimes a man exits both the ministry and Church at the same time, and in a hostile manner.



I cannot imagine many ministers who resigned and then go back into the church. Almost every single one we have been told about has stayed far away from Dave's current mess.

Dave next makes an attempt to stop any member from following a minister out, especially when they have come to realize Dave and his nefarious doctrines are wrong and evil to the core. Dave warns members that they are wolves.


This brings an additional level of difficulty to the test: The one who may have taught you and exhorted you to be faithful and steadfast on the path to the kingdom of God has now forgotten to apply his own counsel, and no longer practices what he has preached. And he may be actively contradicting Scripture, Headquarters and his own previous sound counsel through divisive, unauthorized contact with members.



At this point, Christ has another term to describe him: A wolf (Matt. 7:15John 10:12)!



The wolf Dave is talking about is none other than himself. The Chief Wolf of the Restored Church of God. However, Dave has to discredit these men with all his might. They are wrong, not him.


“Grievous Wolves”

 

At this point, an excerpt from a section in Mr. Pack’s Splinter Explanation Packet book Should Accusers Be Answered?titled “Beware of ‘Grievous Wolves!’” adds perspective:

 

“The book of Acts records an admonition—and sobering warning—that the apostle Paul gave to the elders at Ephesus—one that applies in all eras of God’s Church: ‘Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He has purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also OF YOUR OWN SELVES shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears’ (Acts 20:28-31).

 

“Grasp what Paul was saying. He could foresee that vicious men, whom he labels ‘wolves,’ would eventually ‘enter in’ the congregation with the sole purpose of spiritually tearing God’s sheep to pieces—‘not sparing’ them. Even more remarkably, he knew that some of the very men standing before him would turn away from the truth, and also attempt to divide the Church and ‘draw away’ members. How many still believe such basic, impossible-to-misunderstand warnings?

 

“Paul then reminded the men that he had warned them for a full three years about the dangers that lie ahead. He did this because he understood the seductive power of the devil—his ability to ensnare human beings, and then employ them toward his own ends. Paul wrote this to Timothy: ‘In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the SNARE of the devil, who are taken captive by him at [Greek: “to do”] his will’ (II Tim. 2:25-26).



“Paul may have been more right than he knew, as two men close to him—Clement and Linus—eventually became leaders of the counterfeit Church at Rome!

 

“As has occurred time and again through the ages, wolves have arisen among God’s people—from among the elders, the ordained ministry!—intent on drawing away brethren after themselves.



Of course, this is not something that Dave did. No splinter group leader ever claims they drew people away to themselves in order to set up a new group. If they did that then they would disqualify themselves as true leaders.
 

“Make no mistake: Christ’s ministers are duty bound to protect His flock from damage at the hand of thieves and destroyers: ‘The thief comes not, but for to STEAL, and to KILL, and to DESTROY: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.’ Christ calls a minister who does not defend the flock ‘a hireling… [who] sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees: and the wolf catches them, and scatters the sheep. The hireling flees, because he is a hireling, and cares not for the sheep’ (John 10:10-13).”

 

“In any trial, God’s people must listen for the voice of TRUTH—Christ’s voice (John 10:3-518:37).”



God's people must use wise discernment to lead them out of the Restored Church of God and as far away from Dave as they can get. The problem in this is that members have had it ground into them that they are incapable of making proper decisions without the ministry involved.  So when people start questioning they think they are turning their back on God and the church.

In a further attempt to put fear into his followers, Dave continues with big bad meanie Satan.  You remember that guy, he is more powerful than Jesus Christ in the Churches of God.
 

Discern the Spirit Behind the Man 

 

“We must never forget that God works through flesh—and so does Satan! It is the responsibility of all Christians to distinguish those God is using from others who show themselves to be agents of a different god (II Cor. 4:4). Paul spent all of II Corinthians 11 explaining how to discern one from the other.

 

“We serve a frank—a sometimes painfully blunt—God. We must never be afraid to see men for what they are. Recall the way Scripture describes false leaders:

·       ‘Serpents…a generation of vipers’ (Matt. 23:33)

·       ‘Foxes in the desert’ (Ezek. 13:4)

·       ‘Men of corrupt minds…reprobate [void of judgment]’ (II Tim. 3:8)

·       ‘Dogs’ and “evil workers’ (Phil. 3:2)

·       ‘Whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness’ (Matt. 23:27)

·       ‘Blind guides’ (vs. 24)

·       ‘Hypocrites’ (vs. 13-1523252729)”


Sadly, Dave is too blind to see that everything single thing he just listed describes him to a T! 
 



The Way of the Wolf


Looking at the animal to which God specifically compares false ministers who attack the flock is instructive.

Wolves inflict most wounds on their prey by biting, taking advantage of their sharp teeth and strong jaws.

In the case of “grievous [human] wolves,” the primary weapon is also the mouth—but in this case, it is used to spew harmful words. Recall Paul’s warning to those at Ephesus. He knew that predators would get into the Church, intent on causing damage, and that some were standing right in front of him. He warned that such words are “perverse.” The Greek word used here, along with its root words, illustrates a “twisting,” “corrupting,” “distorting,” “misinterpreting,” “reversing” and “turning around” of things that are true—whether true doctrines or the truth of events, factual accounts, attitudes and fruits. This latter meaning is a big one because so often these wolves turn around facts by claiming that it is Headquarters that has turned them around—even when many witnesses were involved.

This is the pattern of a wolf in the Church: He uses perverse words to sow division, cause discord, drop innuendo, plant troubling suggestions, instill doubt, and generally attempt to take members—YOU!—off the path toward salvation.

Another characteristic of wolves is that they prefer to attack in groups. (The “lone wolf” is the exception rather than the rule.) You may have seen film footage of three or four wolves taking turns biting an animal such as a moose, sometimes following and harassing their prey for miles, until the soft tissue trauma and blood loss take their inevitable toll and the larger animal falls to the ground.
For an ex-minister that has now become a predator, this group dynamic involves finding others of like mind—or, if there are none, still suggesting that there is a “larger movement” afoot. (And even lone wolves can come together if there is a common purpose.) You may hear statements like “Others are concerned…I am hearing from other people…there is trouble in the field.” As the saying goes,

“Misery loves company,” even if that company is imaginary. This has been happening for decades—in fact 2,000 years.
 
After rambling on about how poor Herbert Armstrong had ministers leave under his watch, Dave continues with this:

Recent Departures


Three “cases in point” are particularly instructive. They are included to help provide glimpses of how various men’s actions might play out. They are but a tiny sampling of all the things that can happen.

 
It is generally known that a younger local elder (having been previously demoted to this rank) at Headquarters recently left the Church. He came to believe that he was above counsel and correction, basically melting down when he faced setbacks and reversals and things did not go his way.
It turns out there was another man here, quite a bit older and longer in the Church, who played a chief role in destroying this man. Due to his lack of credibility and basic human warmth, the latter is not a man who poses much threat in terms of drawing followers after him. But in this age, it seems that virtually anyone can mislead at least a few people into giving up their crown—and this man has certainly tried to do that, targeting members, particularly certain women, with phone calls full of “feigned words” (II Pet. 2:3).

 
This same man was patiently worked with at Headquarters over a long period of time on a number of spiritual issues. Verses such as “he that covers a transgression seeks love” (Prov. 17:9) applied, so long as this man was willing to move forward.

 
But in the end this man also could not handle correction or reversals. Having also been demoted, then removed from the ministry, he was given the opportunity to continue as a lay member, upon repentance and with certain conditions being met. But he did not meet these requirements, and was accordingly removed from membership entirely, some days before the Feast of Tabernacles. (He later claimed to “resign” his membership. His claim is false—he had already been removed about 10 days earlier.)
 
All-powerful Satan strikes again. When one is conditioned to see satan lurking behind every decision and tree, it is pretty easy for someone when they are interrogated to fall back into church speak and say the "correct" things.

The man had very recently acknowledged to a group of seven ministers that he was in the snare of the devil (II Tim. 2:26). He later voiced that he “went to a dark place,” spiritually, and “may have gone too far”—which, as he clarified for the ministers present, meant committing the unpardonable sin. Yet he has now “reconsidered,” and believes that the Church’s leadership does not measure up to his standards of righteousness!

 
Stunningly, he has openly stated (to lay members whom he contacted after his departure in an attempt to win their sympathy and turn them against Headquarters) that he had proven The Restored Church of God is the true Church, and that all other groups are “compromising.” 
 

Despite this, he has chosen to stay home (forsaking assembly—Heb. 10:25), and attack the group and the leader who taught him what should not be compromised! Incredible! This irrational thinking is telling evidence, a result of being cut off from the Spirit of a sound mind (II Tim. 1:7).

 

Shortly after this, a third man, this time in the field, also had to be removed and disfellowshipped. In his case, profound self-righteousness and arrogance had become a pattern, to the point where he eventually stated he had never committed an error in judgment during his entire ministry! Having a fantastically elevated view of himself, he was routinely insubordinate and repeatedly spoke against God’s Headquarters in conversations with certain lay members. This, coupled with a severely unbalanced mindset in nearly every area of life—again, evidencing extreme lack of sound mind—were the fruits by which he became known. Finally, he displayed open disrespect and outright scorn toward Mr. Pack in a dinner during the Feast—all of this witnessed by three other ministers, their wives and Mrs. Pack. 

 
There will be more ministerial losses before the end of the age—this is one of the tests God’s people must expect. Whenever they come—sooner or later—you must pass the test. 

Dave is particularly concerned about one thing when it comes to his ministers leaving. They need to stop criticizing him. Imagine men being so pathetic that they date question him! Ghastly days!

Speaking Against Government—in a Different Light

In most cases, a minister who is turning against the Church begins to speak critically of its human leadership. 

Remember boys, it is always about government and power! Never mind that every single one of these splinter group leaders, including Dave, rebelled against that government they claim to be bound to. Dave rebelled at least 3 times in order to start his own group. 

Dave also includes rebelling against church government as a rebellion against Jesus Christ.

It seems that many brethren do not understand the seriousness of criticism toward Headquarters. They do not equate it with criticism of Jesus Christ as Head of the Church, and as a result they are most often willing to hear it and say nothing. They do not bring it to the attention of the ministry or Headquarters, forgetting a clear instruction in Leviticus 5:1: “If a soul sin [this can be many things], and hear the voice of swearing [or similar things], and is a witness, whether he has seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity.”

Dave then warns members to report these devious men, though he wants to make sure there is no "informant" system in the church.  This is hilarious as the chruch has functioned this way from the very beginning.  People ratted each other out over everything, from member against member, member against the minister, minister against other ministers, ministers against members, chruch group against church group, and apostle against apostle. 
 

The goal is not to create a fear-engendering “informant system” within the Church, which would quench the joy that is to characterize every Christian (Gal. 5:22). But words that are clearly divisive and destructive cannot be tolerated!

 

At this point, an account from the New Testament enters the discussion. Paul wrote to Timothy that he had delivered two members, Hymenaeus and Alexander, to Satan for a purpose—so they would “learn not to blaspheme” (I Tim. 1:20).

 

Consider: to blaspheme means to “speak evil of.” How likely was it that these two members had walked through the congregation directly cursing God, or blatantly speaking evil against Him? Who has ever even heard of such a thing?

 

So it is highly unlikely this is what they were doing. It is likely that these two were speaking evil against God’s government—the human instruments through whom He works. In the case of Hymenaeus, we learn in II Timothy that he also spread the heresy that there is no coming resurrection of the dead (2:17-18).


Dave then goes on to call all ministers who leave the church as subhuman and animals.
 

Peter describes such critics as the “unjust” who do not fear to criticize those in authority: “…chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; and shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time” (II Pet. 2:9-13). 

 
“Natural brute beasts” can be translated “carnal, irrational animals.” Let that SINK IN!—God describes certain people as operating at a subhuman level—ANIMALS! 


Even worse, Dave claims they are "spiritually murderous" and consumed by "devilish conduct." 
 

How Much Should Be Said?

 

Typically, when a minister is removed, the related developments and decisions do not need to be broadcast around the world by Headquarters, but rather kept on a local basis where there is a need to know.

 
 

At some point, you may notice that a man is simply no longer pictured in the Manpower Brochure, or does not appear in the annual Behind the Work video. This was a regular occurrence in the Worldwide Church of God, and will occasionally happen in this age.

 

If one becomes spiritually murderous, divisive and dives headlong into devilish conduct, such would be marked and disfellowshipped. But many are content to simply disappear, move on to another “career phase,” and merge back into the world and its covetous pursuits.

 

But there is another reason to keep “announcements” minimal—and it is big: What if the man repents, comes back into membership, and even the ministry? In this case, keeping a lower profile for the event would best serve the man, particularly if he is not a threat to the Church.

 

Brethren, take note: Those who want to “know more” about a particular man leaving, after hearing either a local or broader announcement, are usually sending the message that they simply do not trust Christ’s leadership of the Church. This amounts to spending time looking sideways or backward, and dwelling on the negative, rather than moving forward and focusing on the positive, as Paul instructed the Philippians: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (4:8).

 

Naturally, we would rather focus on, for example, growth, healings, the Work advancing and new men being ordained. For example, we have added 13 new ministers in the past ten months. One man has been reinstated into the ministry, with others likely to follow. (Keep watching for more of both.)


Dave then has to list a bunch of steps that loyal church members need to follow in order to remain faithful to Dave's god:
 

Brethren, when a minister “disappears,” there are ways to avoid generating unnecessary confusion, of which God is not the author. This is accomplished by following these general rules:

 

1) Resist the urge to “fish” for information either from ministers or lay members, regarding what has happened to this man. In other words, resist the tendency to have itching ears (II Tim. 3:4). Try to imagine if the entire Church always needed to “know more” about such men. The Work would have to almost stop until the requisite answers had been distributed to thousands of people. And what if halfway through the process, more facts came out, or the situation changed in some way? Do we start over with clarification for the first half to avoid confusion with what the second half is hearing? You see the point.

 

2) If you receive an email, phone call, letter or social network contact from the terminated minister, do not respond. EVER! If his name appears on your phone’s caller ID, do not pick up. You are so commanded by God, not Headquarters (Rom. 16:17II Thes. 3:614II Tim. 2:16).

 

3) Do tell Headquarters as soon as possible. (If you do not give this notice, you are saying that you do not care if such men pull out of the Church others who may not be as strong. This also sends the message that you are sympathetic.) 

 
4) Then tell your local minister as soon as possible. (Of course, if your local minister is the one who has gone off-track, see rule #3!!!)
 

5) Pray fervently about the situation, asking God that you not be tempted and that He would help all others in the same way.

 

Following these steps carefully and prayerfully ensures that, in the case of an attack on the flock, each of us can be part of the solution rather than part of the problem.


These ministerial defections and attack are a sure sign that the end is approaching and that Dave is about to do amazing work:
 

Attacks Come Before Leaps Forward

 

[Author’s Note: The context here references mid-2007.] “For some time, perhaps about six months, or so, Mr. Pack spoke a number of times to the staff about major leaps forward that must be just over the horizon for the Work of God. This was because we were suffering a series of defections, difficulties, persecution and trials, including the death of his wife and the near death of one of his sons—severe trials for both the Church, collectively, and Mr. Pack, personally—among other things.

 

“In fact, the Work did soon after witness far and away the greatest leaps (plural) forward we have seen. Very, very dramatic advancements came on the heels of these trials. Nothing that we have previously experienced compared to the kinds of announcements we went on to make and are still making.

“Just as Mr. Armstrong endured intense trials prior to each breakthrough in preaching the gospel, during this final gun lap we saw the same—and will probably remain under greater or lesser attacks for the rest of the age.

 

“The Church always used to understand that severe trials winnowed out trouble-makers—that they caused, as Mr. Armstrong put it, ‘all the rotten apples to fall from the tree.’”

 

Prepare Now

 

Grasp this, brethren: Though God is on His throne, and Christ is the Head of the Church, these things can and will happen. But we have been forewarned, and “forewarned is forearmed”—having advance notice gives us time to prepare for spiritual battle.

 

This article is not the result of any great, broad expression of concern in the wake of a few ministerial losses. Quite the opposite. God’s people have been wonderfully stable, with not a single member at Headquarters following either of the two men who left, or the third man described above. 

 

It is intended to be an inoculation—a measure to prevent unnecessary future losses—particularly for those who are very new to the Church and have not yet seen these types of events.

 

This will simply be part of the landscape for the rest of the age. Recent losses are only a simple “pop quiz” compared to coming future events. Remember! False prophets are foretold to arise from the midst of the Church—and some will perform miracles, powered by demons (an example of “lying wonders”—see II Thes. 2:9). Never forget that Satan wants to snatch your crown from off your head! And the pattern of history is that he uses human beings as agents to do this.


That wily Satan is a busy guy! With so many Church of God now to look after I am surprised he can handle it all.


Sadly, in some cases, part of the test is not getting “caught up” with a few lay members who may choose to follow a false minister out of the Church. If certain people or households are “subverted” (Titus 1:11), doubt can begin to creep in: “Others are leaving…maybe there’s something to this!”
 

But invariably there is no real “bandwagon” gaining momentum. Rather, some sheep have simply been convinced to cease following true shepherds in favor of a wolf, being somehow unable to see his teeth or his claws.

 

To maintain perspective, the next time you hear about the ordination of one or more ministers, review this article. And when you hear that one or more ministers have left, review it again. Also, reading for review every year or so Mr. Pack’s book Should Accusers Be Answered? has become part of the Church’s spiritual diet. His recent sermons “The Devil—Deceive, Divide, Destroy,” and “Satan—8 Levels + 1” were not merely “sermons for that Sabbath.” They are hallmark messages—classics—that should be reviewed. So much is at stake in how you handle the devil—and in not letting him “handle” you!


Forget about reading about grace, mercy, and justice, the very things Jesus preached about. That should be the spiritual diet of RCG members, not some idiotic booklet or article by Dave.
 
 
Ultimately, taking the “100 miles above earth” view, the loss of a minister is a test of faith. Will we trust God? Do we truly believe that Christ can lead the Church He promised to never leave or forsake (Heb. 13:5)? 



Dave Pack adds another home to his growing list of Wadsworth real estate





Dave and his cult just added another home to his expanding list of Wadsworth real estate. Is it his goal to buy all the homes bordering the campus where Jesus is to return to? Before long he will own all the homes on Akron Road and Hartman Road.  If he accomplishes this then he will totally enclose his campus to all outside visitors.


double click to enlarge


This was Dave previous home:



This is his new home, custom-built.  Remember he said he downsized to move here. Maybe size-wise, but certainly not cost-wise. 


One guess as to which of these is Dave's.


 

UPDATED: Great signs and works are soon coming from a certain COG splinter leader “If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you..."





We have been accused of being unable to see a prophet in our midst.  Nothing new to that, especially when it is our one and only Bwana Bob. The great Bwana has been trying to convince us for years that he is THE MAN! 

No other man in the history of the Church of God has more qualifications than he does.  

No one has had people dream about him in dreams like he has.  

No one has been doubly blessed in the manner he was, even though that so-called blessing came from a counterfeit practitioner of a fake gospel. 

No human leader of the church has ever been persecuted as much as he has. 

No other man in the church has ever come as Elisha, Elijah, Amos, Habbakuk, Johsua, and Malachi all at the same time. 

No other human leader has ever been ridiculed and publicly rebuked by Rod Merdith as much as Bwana Bob has; even Dave Pack got off more lightly than Bwana Bob did.

We are too blinded to see what an amazing man the self-appointed leader of the improperly named "continuing" Church of God is. he will soon be doing great and marvelous wonders for us to be amazed at. Because we failed to bow at his feet we will not know when it is time to go to Petra.

Such silly rebellious deceived people! We should be ashamed of dishonoring the Great Bwana!

Anonymous said...

You Guys wouldn't believe a prophet,if he was a prophet; out of all the would be Prophets in the COGs; his is the only one that was legit; Facts speak for themselves; Rod Meredith said God may consider you to be a Prophet, so did the other LCG Evangelists, also the Fruits; did you ever read his books or blogs; everything is spot on; also he truly cares for the poor and unfortunate Brethren: that the other Churches of God would be afraid to support, due to the financial drain; you at banned, just have a root of bitterness;. You know it's true. How unfortunate. Great signs and works are coming; the head church leaders of Jesus Day didn't believe either, because there hate blinded them

June 27, 2020 at 10:16 AM
Anonymous

Jesus weeps...


UPDATE:

God's greatest end-time prophet took notice that someone stood up for him here:

The facts for those who believe the Bible and are willing to believe the truth are there for those interested in being like the Bereans of old who searched the scriptures to see if things being declared were so (Acts 17:11; see also Church of God Leaders on Prophets).

Note: I do not know who the anonymous poster was nor did I ever encourage anyone at CCOG to post that or anything like that. But the biblical prophetic facts and fruits related to me are there for those with eyes to hear and ears to hear.

Here is what scripture plainly says about Bwana Bob and the rest of the lying prophets of Armstrongism. Remember that Bwana Bob depends upon lying divinations for his credibility.

Deuteronomy 13:1-5 ESV / 286 helpful votes 

“If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him. But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has taught rebellion against the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you out of the house of slavery, to make you leave the way in which the Lord your God commanded you to walk. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.


Jeremiah 14:14-16 ESV / 120 helpful votes

And the Lord said to me: “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds. Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who prophesy in my name although I did not send them, and who say, ‘Sword and famine shall not come upon this land’: By sword and famine those prophets shall be consumed. And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem, victims of famine and sword, with none to bury them—them, their wives, their sons, and their daughters. For I will pour out their evil upon them.


Matthew 7:15 ESV / 1,383 helpful votes

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

1 John 4:1 ESV / 1,327 helpful votes

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Matthew 24:24 ESV / 1,234 helpful votes

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

2 Peter 2:1 ESV / 1,153 helpful votes

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

1 John 4:1-6 ESV / 1,003 helpful votes

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. ...

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 ESV / 897 helpful votes

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

Matthew 24:11 ESV / 756 helpful votes

And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.

2 Timothy 4:3 ESV / 690 helpful votes

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,

Deuteronomy 18:20-22 ESV / 690 helpful votes

But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.’ And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word that the Lord has not spoken?’— when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.

Jeremiah 23:16 ESV / 590 helpful votes

Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.

Romans 16:18 ESV / 535 helpful votes

For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.



Deuteronomy 18:20 ESV / 521 helpful votes

But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.’

Luke 6:26 ESV / 510 helpful votes

“Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.

Mark 13:22 ESV / 496 helpful votes

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect.

Revelation 20:10 ESV / 474 helpful votes

And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.


Jeremiah 14:14 ESV / 465 helpful votes

And the Lord said to me: “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds.


Mark 7:6-9 ESV / 456 helpful votes

And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the com
mandment of God in order to establish your tradition!


2 Peter 2:3 ESV / 447 helpful votes

And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.


2 Timothy 4:3-4 ESV / 397 helpful votes

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Romans 16:17-18 ESV / 390 helpful votes

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.


2 Peter 2:1-3 ESV / 384 helpful votes

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

Jeremiah 23:1-40 ESV / 336 helpful votes

“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: “You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the Lord. Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the Lord. “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. ...

Ezekiel 22:28 ESV / 321 helpful votes

And her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ when the Lordhas not spoken.

Jeremiah 5:30-31 ESV / 320 helpful votes

An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule at their direction; my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes?

1 Corinthians 14:33 ESV / 313 helpful votes

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,

Matthew 24:4-5 ESV / 307 helpful votes

And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.


Matthew 7:15-20 ESV / 306 helpful votes

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ...

Jude 1:4 ESV / 303 helpful votes

For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Ezekiel 13:9 ESV / 292 helpful votes

My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and who give lying divinations. They shall not be in the council of my people, nor be enrolled in the register of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord God.


2 Peter 2:1-22 ESV / 288 helpful votes

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; ...

Isaiah 8:20 ESV / 282 helpful votes

To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.

John 14:6 ESV / 281 helpful votes

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Revelation 13:1-18 ESV / 277 helpful votes

And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. ...

Colossians 2:8 ESV / 272 helpful votes

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Jeremiah 5:31 ESV / 269 helpful votes

The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule at their direction; my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes?

Matthew 7:15-16 ESV / 266 helpful votes

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

2 Peter 2:2 ESV / 254 helpful votes

And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.

Ezekiel 13:6 ESV / 248 helpful votes

They have seen false visions and lying divinations. They say, ‘Declares the Lord,’ when the Lord has not sent them, and yet they expect him to fulfill their word.

Deuteronomy 13:1-3 ESV / 247 helpful votes

“If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

Acts 13:6 ESV / 246 helpful votes

When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus.

Deuteronomy 13:1-18 ESV / 246 helpful votes

“If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him. But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has taught rebellion against the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you out of the house of slavery, to make you leave the way in which the Lord your God commanded you to walk. So you shall purge the evil from your midst. ...

Revelation 13:14 ESV / 244 helpful votes

And by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived.

Galatians 1:6-9 ESV / 244 helpful votes

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

Lamentations 2:14 ESV / 242 helpful votes

Your prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions; they have not exposed your iniquity to restore your fortunes, but have seen for you oracles that are false and misleading.

Revelation 2:20 ESV / 241 helpful votes

But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

John 8:44 ESV / 239 helpful votes

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Deuteronomy 13:3 ESV / 234 helpful votes

You shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lordyour God with all your heart and with all your soul.

2 Corinthians 11:13 ESV / 232 helpful votes

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.

Revelation 2:2 ESV / 231 helpful votes

“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.

Revelation 13:12 ESV / 230 helpful votes

It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed.

Jeremiah 23:21 ESV / 227 helpful votes

“I did not send the prophets, yet they ran; I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied.

Jeremiah 23:14 ESV / 227 helpful votes

But in the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: they commit adultery and walk in lies; they strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from his evil; all of them have become like Sodom to me, and its inhabitants like Gomorrah.”

Revelation 16:13 ESV / 225 helpful votes

And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs.

2 Peter 1:1-21 ESV / 223 helpful votes

Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, ...

1 Thessalonians 5:21 ESV / 219 helpful votes

But test everything; hold fast what is good.

Revelation 12:9 ESV / 218 helpful votes

And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

Micah 3:11 ESV / 213 helpful votes

Its heads give judgment for a bribe; its priests teach for a price; its prophets practice divination for money; yet they lean on the Lord and say, “Is not the Lord in the midst of us? No disaster shall come upon us.”

Micah 3:5 ESV / 211 helpful votes

Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who lead my people astray, who cry “Peace” when they have something to eat, but declare war against him who puts nothing into their mouths.

1 Timothy 6:5 ESV / 199 helpful votes

And constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

Matthew 24:12 ESV / 191 helpful votes

And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.

Deuteronomy 18:21-22 ESV / 191 helpful votes

And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word that the Lord has not spoken?’— when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.

Isaiah 56:10-11 ESV / 190 helpful votes

His watchmen are blind; they are all without knowledge; they are all silent dogs; they cannot bark, dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber. The dogs have a mighty appetite; they never have enough. But they are shepherds who have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way, each to his own gain, one and all.

Matthew 7:1-29 ESV / 188 helpful votes

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. ...

2 Timothy 3:13 ESV / 181 helpful votes

While evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Acts 20:29 ESV / 181 helpful votes

I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;

Jeremiah 23:13 ESV / 176 helpful votes

In the prophets of Samaria I saw an unsavory thing: they prophesied by Baal and led my people Israel astray.

Matthew 7:22 ESV / 175 helpful votes

On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’

Revelation 13:11-15 ESV / 174 helpful votes

Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain.

2 Peter 2:10-11 ESV / 173 helpful votes

And especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority. Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones, whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them before the Lord.

Jeremiah 23:26 ESV / 173 helpful votes

How long shall there be lies in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart,

Jeremiah 28:8-9 ESV / 171 helpful votes

The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient times prophesied war, famine, and pestilence against many countries and great kingdoms. As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes to pass, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet.”

Matthew 7:21-23 ESV / 170 helpful votes

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Revelation 13:11 ESV / 169 helpful votes

Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon.

2 Timothy 3:5 ESV / 168 helpful votes

Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

Matthew 24:1-51 ESV / 168 helpful votes

Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. ...

John 10:1-42 ESV / 166 helpful votes

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” ...

Ezekiel 22:25 ESV / 165 helpful votes

The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured human lives; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst.

1 Timothy 4:1-3 ESV / 162 helpful votes

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

Titus 3:10-11 ESV / 160 helpful votes

As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

2 Thessalonians 2:9 ESV / 160 helpful votes

The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,

Revelation 17:6 ESV / 155 helpful votes

And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. When I saw her, I marveled greatly.

Jude 1:8 ESV / 154 helpful votes

Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.

Isaiah 44:25 ESV / 154 helpful votes

Who frustrates the signs of liars and makes fools of diviners, who turns wise men back and makes their knowledge foolish,

2 Thessalonians 2:3 ESV / 146 helpful votes

Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

Ephesians 4:14-15 ESV / 142 helpful votes

So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

Revelation 13:1 ESV / 139 helpful votes

And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads.

2 Peter 2:18 ESV / 138 helpful votes

For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error.

Ezekiel 13:22 ESV / 138 helpful votes

Because you have disheartened the righteous falsely, although I have not grieved him, and you have encouraged the wicked, that he should not turn from his evil way to save his life,

2 Thessalonians 2:4 ESV / 136 helpful votes

Who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

Daniel 7:25 ESV / 134 helpful votes

He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.

Ephesians 6:12 ESV / 133 helpful votes

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Jeremiah 6:14 ESV / 133 helpful votes

They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.

Revelation 13:15 ESV / 128 helpful votes

And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain.

Acts 17:10-11 ESV / 127 helpful votes

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Daniel 7:8 ESV / 126 helpful votes

I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots. And behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.

Deuteronomy 18:22 ESV / 123 helpful votes

When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.