Herbert Armstrong's Tangled Web of Corrupt Leaders

Saturday, January 20, 2024

David C. Pack – My Prophetic Sins



David C. Pack – My Prophetic Sins

 

Nobody is shocked that David C. Pack of The Restored Church of God un-ended his “Greatest Unending Story!” Series. After all, Part 500 is not going to deliver itself.

 

Seasoned veterans do not believe the Pastor General even when he confidently declares it finished, with only divine intervention thwarting that certainty.

 

Flashback Part 489 – January 6, 2023

@ 1:41:51 So, we’re on the clock. This is the end…Lacking something akin to an oracle, the Series is officially done. I’ve told you all that I know.

 

There are no reports of oracles or visiting angels from RCG. This means Dave just changed his mind.

 

@ 1:42:29 I don’t have anything else to say. I’ve corrected the things WE got wrong. We’re done. We're on the clock, and it literally can be (by any standard that I can see) any time in the next 21 days. Godspeed the earlier dates. Good night.

 

The prophetic countdown timer to January 27 on exrcg.org was short-lived. Sliced avocados laugh at David C. Pack’s doctrinal longevity.

 

You could hope most members do not alter their daily routines and ignore the futile “Watch Mode” as the faux timetable leads to electrifying nothingness. But they are still paying this man to lie to them every week, so anything is possible.

 

During "The Greatest Unending Story! (Part 490)" on January 13, 2024, the plan for the Kingdom of God was improved, and the Tammuz Cooking Table was adorned with even more crystalware the brethren purchased. That extra fraudulent Third Tithe income sure does come in handy.



Altering the kingdom structure required altering the table, which required altering the timeline.

 

Jesus Christ Returns on Passover 2024

Sunset on April 21 is 8:13 PM ET


Part 490 – January 13, 2024

@ 1:00:54 If that’s true, then you’re gonna meet Abraham and Abraham Lincoln on the same day in about 99 days out after we figure out just how long this Kingdom to Israel is.

 

@ 1:09:22 When you came in here this morning, the soonest you could meet Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was Passover of 2025. But, now you’re wondering, “Am I gonna meet them at Passover of 2024?”



@ 1:33:11 So, if everything I’ve said has the only obvious answer in sight, then, in 99 days, you’ll look up and see a completely different sky while enjoying The Great Supper and the Feast of Wine on the Lees in the presence of every person who’s ever lived. In other words, all saints will take the symbols with Jesus Christ this Passover. Not in 2025. There’s no other way I can find to read it.

 

After David C. Pack gets wind of the total solar eclipse in Wadsworth while it is Abib 1 in Jerusalem, he will make more serious “corrections” to his crowded table. Wait for it.

 

 

The bulk of Part 490 was a Great Undoing of Part 489. Dave spent a lot of effort proving that when the Bible says a year, it means a year, not fifteen months. Yes, he really does waste the brethren’s Sabbath with such nonsense correcting errors he authored.

 

@ 00:51 We’re gonna blow some things up. Put ‘em back together and see a picture that is almost infinitely better than what you now believe between now and the time we break for dinner.

 

Only fools trust the words of David C. Pack. In this, he is vaguely cognizant.

 

@ 10:49 But I wanna be willing to say all the way through this Series when I’ve had things wrong.

 

@ 11:07 And you’ll the next thing I tell you that you you can love that I was wrong there. The next thing I’m gonna tell you you will love it that I was wrong. And I do, too.

 

If that is the standard, there is a lot of “love” in The Restored Church of Another god. But that appears to be the only kind. David C. Pack is not as smart as Forrest Gump because even Forrest knows what real love is.

 

Part 490 was a 108-minute Correct-A-Thon. No wonder Dave needs to sit. Vehemently un-teaching his own doctrines a week after vehemently teaching them must be exhausting. Sprinkling a little apologetics and framing the “WE” angle throughout always lessens the sting.

 

@ 08:26 So, did WE make a mistake in concluding that…

 

@ 09:08 And did WE miss some things? …Did WE miss something?

 

@ 11:27 Now, I missed something, and I wanna talk about it.

 

One of Dave’s many problems is sleep deprivation.



@ 30:14 These are things I’ve been wrestling and wrestling and wrestling and wrestling with for years now. And, you know, consoling myself when I'm frustrated, and I'm up at night. Often, Sabbaths for me end around two to three in the morning because I'm thinking about all the things that I covered and other things. And God has blessed me with a lot of energy, and so I'm most grateful.

 

Manifesting doctrines when he is mentally exhausted has not proven to be a track record that ensures success or longevity. Spending so much time late at night thinking about things that have to be refuted in the following message may not be the most effective use of time. Rinse and repeat for eleven years.

 

@ 43:00 Maybe the Sixth King is the absolute monster from hell that’s called the antichrist and the wolf-thief-killer-destroyer. This is what I’m thinking. This is what keeps me up at night trying to figure out, “Am I getting this right? Am I getting it right?”

 

Insert your obvious answer HERE.

 

For David C. Pack being such a bitter, angry man, he sure does express a lot of self-empathy. The infant narcissist nestled in his core desperately projects on the audience the forgiveness he craves.

 

@ 44:17 You’re beginning to understand why this has been the story of Mr. Pack going, “Three kingdoms. Four kingdoms. Three kingdoms. Four kingdoms. Three. Four. Three. Four.”

 

@ 59:08 I hope you’ll have (maybe) a little more compassion [chuckles], and I’m sure you do. You're here, and you've been very faithful with the enormous challenge of all this. Three kingdoms. Four kingdoms. Three. Four. Three. Four.

 

 

One of Dave’s most dangerous problems is mistakenly believing he is in the Bible and that he was specially trained to fulfill an essential role in God’s plan. History proves that this is not the case.

 

@ 1:01:11 "It's not for you to know," remember? But it may be for others so that if I do figure it out, [chuckles] I will tell you. But I may not figure it out. It’s tied directly to when I finish the Mystery. And as I am want to say, nobody can possibly believe that the Mystery was finished before I explained [these] things…

 

@ 1:01:39 I’ve gotta make it plain. That’s my charge.

 

No one charged David C. Pack with any of this. No one on earth. No one in heaven. This is his own failed self-assignment.



@ 1:03:51 I couldn’t figure it out. Passover in in in [chuckles] in truly blotted out my uh my uh. Oh, what what can I say? My my prophetic sins in this (if you wanna put it that way). I mean, you know, it it just was impossible to figure out.

 

His laughing during that statement is almost as disturbing as the statement itself. There is a hint of self-awareness that eleven years of fraudulent teachings is a sin. David C. Pack fits the biblical definition of a false prophetfalse apostlefalse teacherantichrist, and foolish shepherd. Deep down, he must know this.

 

The light-hearted manner of his pointing to a corrupted Passover forgiving his corrupted doctrines is the product of a corrupted mind moved by a corrupted spirit.

 

 

During Part 490, Dave did not utter, "Passover is on Abib 15." Even once. Perhaps Church Administration received a bulk of concerned emails from nervous brethren that their Pastor General was botching Passover, too. That kind of wicked meddling is something they should be worried about.

 

Sadly, David C. Pack’s Passover abomination did not keep the visiting brethren away. They got to hear their human idol offer patronizing comfort in person because all is well at Headquarters.

 

@ 1:43:33 …and watch everything get cleared up. So, that’s pretty obvious that we’re right on track, but just not in the way we thought because what God is gonna do is infinitely better.

 

The road to truth is paved with errors that get better each time.

 

@ 1:33:45 Now, I'll say this: if you don’t think I’m right, I’ll betcha hope I am because I don’t know how to explain all those questions…

 

If The Restored Church of Another god was populated with spiritually aware individuals, they would hope against David C. Pack ever being right. He preaches a deceitful, cruel god who chose an inept magician to confuse sincere people into unintentionally worshipping a false prophet who loves preaching about himself.

 

@ 1:34:00 It’s impossible to argue with this. Impossible.

 

After Part 491 is delivered this afternoon, we will see how impossible it really is to argue with this.

 

Clearheaded people recognize that David C. Pack will never be right about prophecy because the True God is not using him to end the Mystery of God. He is no apostle. He is not receiving divinely inspired knowledge. His mouth is unable to speak the truth.

 

David C. Pack's actual prophetic sins are an issue for him and God to sort out. I do not know what is in the man’s heart, but we can all witness what comes out of his mouth.

 

And that is enough to know: flee before it is too late.




Marc Cebrian

See: David C. Pack – My Prophetic Sins


Satan's Allies On Banned Continue To Make Fun Of The Greatest Church Of God Leader In The History Of Humanity


 

It's a rainy day in California and our most highly favored Church of God leader to ever exist in human history has a beef with Satan and this blog. Apparently, the Great Bwana to Africa and 100 Caucasians has no faith in his God to protect his little itty-bitty group from the crafty wiles of Satan, the favorite fall guy of Armstrongism whenever things go bad in the church. It is never the fault of the bumbling idiots leading certain COGs, but always Satan. Yet, here he is, working behind the scenes on this blog to torment and make fun of the greatest man to ever walk this earth. No one is more theologically correct than the Great Bwana Bob Mzungu Thiel the Chief Overseer of Africa and an occasional Caucasian.

Satan is apparently ramping up his anger at the most highly chosen and theologically correct Church of God since the first century. No other Church of God compares today and that has Satan really ticked off. 

According to the Great Bwana Bob Mzungu, Satan is working behind the scenes on this bog attack and making fun of the best Church of God since Rod Meredith apostatized from the Worldwide Church of God. Bwana Bob Mzungu's vanity even extends beyond Meredith to encompass the entire span of true Christians since Jesus walked the green hills of England.

All of you little demons operating here need to shake in fear at what the Great Bwana has to say:

Some of Satan’s allies at Banned by HWA website continue to post lies about those of us in Continuing Church of God (CCOG) as well as other COGs. 
 
Yes, some who claimed to be with us in the old Worldwide Church of God, as well as some who claimed to be with us in the CCOG have turned aside and became false accusers. The Apostle John ran into similar issues as he wrote:

19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. (1 John 2:19) 
 
That is consistent with Satan’s hope as he is called the “accuser of the brethren” which he does do day and night (Revelation 12:10), so it is no great surprise if his lying human assistants spread lies regularly. 
 
If you are not part of a COG (Church of God), Satan hopes you will dismiss the true Christian faith as a false cult–this is something he and his followers have done throughout history.

All of you satanic minions here need to stop it! STOP IT NOW! 

The Great Bwana continues:

Jesus, Himself, said that people who claimed to believe the Bible often denounced God’s prophets:

11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12) 
 
Notice the following evil that was posted at Banned by HWA:

Bob Thiel has lied to us from day one about God speaking to him in dreams, that he is the only COG doing the work, that he is a prophet, that he is Elisha, Elijah, Zephaniah, Joshua, and many other appropriated personalities (about the only thing left to call himself is Legion). Has Bob ever apologized and will he EVErRapologize for lying to us? 
 
Now the above is false witness from Gary Leonard (the webmaster of the above site and the one who posted that). 
 
Satan hopes you will believe lies. 
 
One of the Ten Commandments is, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16). 
 
Yet repeatedly, Gary Leonard has borne false witness. 
 
There is no point in me, Bob Thiel, apologizing for telling the truth. 
 
Gary Leonard and those who believe his lies need to repent.

I have NOTHING to repent of when calling out Bob Thiel as a self-appointed false prophet and false teacher of Armstrongism. God no more had a part in starting the improperly named "continuing" Church of "God" than He did when Ron Wienland started his group. 

Bob is nothing more than another narcissistic self-absorbed man to think he is God's latest tool on earth to preach the truth. But none of this matters because Gaylyn Bonjour laid hands on crazy Bob and reportedly "double blessed" him. Gaylyn Bonjour had no idea the power grab that the Great Bwana-to-be was hatching in his mind when Gaylyn laid hands on his already swollen head. LCG members have repeatedly said that Bonjour regretted ever doing so.

The truth is on December 15, 2011, LCG minister Gaylyn Bonjour, while laying hands on me, was moved by the Holy Spirit to pray that God would grant me a “double portion” of His Spirit, which Gaylyn Bonjour said was reminiscent of the passing of the mantle from Elijah to Elisha as recorded in 2 Kings 2:9-13. He has always publicly concurred with me that is what happened. 
 
Furthermore, on November 28, 2019, Gaylyn Bonjour stated that he believed that God answered his prayer regarding Him granting me a double-portion of His Spirit. 
 
Additionally, on November 28, 2019, Gaylyn Bonjour also stated that he tells those who ask:

I have known Bob Thiel since 1986. He has always been honest, dedicated, and sincere. 
 
And that includes what I have written about him, dreams, and the prophet matter. My teaching  about what happened is accurate and not false. I have not lied about this. 

The Bible has this to say about the advisory working behind the scenes to bring men like Bob Thiel into power in order to deceive many through the false teachings of Armstrongism (quoting Bob): 

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, (1 Peter 5:8-9)

44 … He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. (John 8:44)

The Great Bwana continues: with his never-ending butthurt that no one, including everyone in LCG believes his dreams nightmares. He still imagines himself as the ONLY legitimate Church of God out there! Hilarious!

Satan hopes that YOU will be lazy and not believe. Satan hopes YOU will not take the time to check out the truth on this. Satan does NOT want YOU to accept that God really has been providing and fulfilling dreams in the 21st century. 
 
Satan wants YOU to think that there are no serious differences between the legitimate COGs so not being part of CCOG is fine. 
 
Satan wants YOU, like most Christians these days, to be Laodicean and not see if these things are so? 
 
Why? 
 
Because he knows Jesus said for unrepentant Laodicean Christians, “I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’” (Revelation 3:16-17).

You poor ignorant COG members, backsliding Laodiceans, and atheists just cannot comprehend how magnificent the Great Bwana is!

Now, what about the dream complaints from Gary Leonard? 
 
Satan does not want you to believe that God has been using dreams in the 21st century. Yet, the Bible records that God often has used dreams to give messages, mainly to men (Genesis 20:3-7, 28:10-17, 31:10-13, 31:24, 37:5-10, 40:5-18, 41:1-32; Numbers 12:6; Judges 7:13-15; 1 Kings 3:5-15; Daniel 2:3-45, 4:4-27, 7:1-28; Matthew 1:20-25, 2:12, 2:13, 2:19, 2:22; Acts 16:9), and possibly at least once to a woman (cf. Numbers 12:6; Judges 4:4-16). Though most dreams that people have are not from God (Ecclesiastes 5:7; Zechariah 10:2). 
 
Well, although all real Christians claim to believe the Bible, many do not take all of it seriously enough. Satan wants true Christians to fall away or to be sufficiently Laodicean that they will not take various last days prophecies, such as in Acts 2:17-18, seriously enough to act upon that knowledge.

Everyone who is serious HAS acted and REFUSED to join or acknowledge Bob Thiel and his little cult as the final end-time church. Not only that, the ENTIRE Church of God movement has refused to acknowledge him so he has to resort to deceiving people in Africa. They are far enough away to not know about his shenanigans and outrageous lies.

Satan does not want you to take inspired, confirmed dreams seriously. He wants you opposed, or at best lukewarm, to that biblical idea. Satan wants you to have enough doubts about God and His promises so that you will be “a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8).

Those who believe the false assertions at the Banned by HWA website are among those that love and practices lies.

Those who do so should repent. 
 
Jesus taught:

44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:44-45) 
 
Gary Leonard remains in my prayers. 
 
Which is more sensible? The truth or rants from accusers of the brethren? 
 
Jesus said, of prophets, “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16). 
 
The Continuing Church of God has been the fastest growing xWCG group in the 21st century. The fruits are there for those with eyes to see and “ears to hear” (Mark 4:23)–but non-believers (Deuteronomy 29:4) and the bulk of end-time Christians do not (cf. Revelation 3:14-22). 
 
Anyway, what Satan continues to hope is that you will believe lies, not believe that God actually has sent fulfilled dreams to those in the Continuing Church of God, and that you will not look into the details to see if it is so–like the Bereans of old did in Acts 17:10-11. 
 
If you are not part of CCOG, Satan wants you to stay away from it. 
 
He does not want you to be dedicated or noble enough to see if what is written here (and in the related links) is really true. 
 
Can you accept the truth or do you prefer the lying assertions from sites like Banned by HWA?


 


 

 

Friday, January 19, 2024

The Lone Prophet Podcast


 




In a compelling continuation of David Brown's story, "The Cult Next Door Podcast" presents "The Lone Prophet." We unravel the complexities of David's journey from Worldwide Church of God to a mainstream Christian church, only to be drawn back into Armstrongism and eventually becoming a member and minister in Crusade Church.

Listeners are immersed in David's recounting of the conditioning that shaped his path, exploring the twists and turns that led him from one religious community to another.

The episode concludes with David's recounting of an invitation to the Feast of Tabernacles, an event hosted by Crusade Church in Arkansas. This enigmatic glimpse sets the stage for the next chapter in David's story, leaving listeners eager to uncover the unfolding events in the next installment.

"The Lone Prophet" stands as a captivating exploration of the subtle forces that guide individuals into and within cults, offering a glimpse into the intricate web of beliefs and conditioning that shape their journeys

A full list of the 21 episodes can be found here: The Cult Next Door.

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Jon Brisby on "The Truth About Anti-Church of God Literature"



The Truth About Anti-Church of God Literature?


In their booklet with the same title as this post (minus the question mark), Church of God, The Eternal lamented that "Virtually every doctrine in the Church of God is now being questioned." For anyone who is familiar with the Armstrong Churches of God, this title and statement will immediately call to mind the word "hypocrisy." Considering the fact that most ACOG literature is a continuous and relentless attack on the doctrines/practices of traditional Christianity, this charge regarding "Anti-Church of God" literature smacks of "the pot calling the kettle black!"

In the same opening paragraph of COG Eternal's article, they assert that "the present proliferation of literature assailing church beliefs was promoted by the doctrinal changes which took place in the Worldwide Church of God during 1973-74." Really? Might it have something to do with problems inherent to the teachings of Herbert Armstrong? Is it possible that the numerous prophetic failures and the implosion of the Worldwide Church contributed to the phenomenon? The article even admits that more than a dozen splinter groups formed as a consequence of the demise of the parent church! Even so, later in the article, it is asserted that "the failure of an organization does not abrogate truth." I would agree with that statement, but I would also question the judgment of any individual who didn't question whether such a failed organization actually possessed the truth in the first place!

Once again, for those who are familiar with ACOG culture, the first question that this article poses about ACOG critics will come as no surprise. They ask: "Did they ever believe?" Armstrong and his minions have always reasoned that anyone who would abandon their "truth" must have never really been converted in the first place! Of course, the reasoning offered in the article to support this conclusion is circular.

They assert that the folks who have repudiated their doctrines must now believe that they were deceived in the past - "Yet, not one of these writers has admitted it." Really? I have freely admitted here and elsewhere that I allowed myself to be deceived by Herbert Armstrong. Contrary to their assertion, there was a time when I (and other critics) really believed Armstrong's teachings and even tried to convince others of them. Likewise, I have also repeatedly acknowledged my own culpability in all of this - my failure to do my due diligence in investigating and researching what Herbert was teaching!

The COG Eternal article also asserts that the literature that is critical of ACOG teaching presents "incongruous arguments" - which they claim is a manifestation of the prejudice that infects their critics. To support this charge, they offer ONE example of someone making different arguments about the size of the old Worldwide Church to suit the needs of the criticism they are putting forward. Once again, that sounds an awful lot like "the pot calling the kettle black." Herbert Armstrong and his minions twist and ignore Scripture and history to support their teachings about the history of their organization, the history of traditional Christianity, and the biblical identities of modern nations without blinking an eye. In other words, does ACOG criticism of the teachings of traditional Christianity manifest their prejudice against Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox Christians?

Another favorite argument against their critics which finds its way into this present article is their charge that their critics are motivated by emotional reactions to the past. This is probably one of the most pernicious arguments that these folks have always employed against their critics. It is a form of gaslighting. If someone is emotional, they are not being rational and objective. This argument also undermines the validity of the real experiences of the many folks who have been hurt/harmed/deceived by the ACOGs. This argument is also the cousin of the argument that their critics are simply being rebellious and/or are manifesting a "bad attitude." In other words, your criticisms aren't based on reality - they are the product of your own warped and twisted mind or thinking! In this way, they get to dismiss the criticisms without ever actually addressing/answering them.

The article goes on to assert that "distortions render everything questionable." There they go again! They are completely oblivious to and unapologetic for, their own distortions of Scripture, history, and science! Yet, all of those distortions and incongruities inherent in their own history and teachings never provoke a single question about the validity of their own culture! It never occurs to them to question the doctrines based on those distortions or the flawed men who formulated them in the first place. They never think to question the likelihood that Almighty God would use men with such glaring personal failures to "restore truth" to His Church!

The COG Eternal article then attempted to portray critics of the ACOGs as NOT practicing Christian love. They say that "true Christians...will attempt to avoid sarcasm," and "do not make specific sins of others public." Does that mean that Paul's first letter to the saints at Corinth branded him as a false Christian? You remember, the epistle where he ridiculed the congregation's tolerance of a man who was openly having an affair with his father's wife. So, Paul's sarcasm and public outing of that man was inappropriate in a "true" Christian? The article goes on to suggest that the primary objective of everyone should be to protect the truth - the clear implication being that the personal bad behavior of folks who preach the "truth" must NOT be revealed to the public!

Finally, the article advocates compartmentalization in evaluating the performance of the ACOGs. According to COG Eternal, the "truth" can be divided into three distinct and separate categories: doctrine, prophecy, and administration. This allows them to acknowledge that the ACOG culture has been responsible for many prophetic and administrative failures and still insists that those failures have no impact on the veracity/validity of doctrine. Now, do I really need to talk about the interrelatedness of these things? OR Are the problems with their compartmentalization of "truth" apparent to my readers? Do I really need to cite and quote all of the passages of Scripture that deal with exposing false teachers, teachings, and prophets? (Just in case, here are a few for those who may be interested: Deuteronomy 4:2, Matthew 7:15, Romans 16:17-18, Galatians 1:6-9, Ephesians 5:11, II Timothy 4:3-4, etc.) Is that enough? Does that nail it down?

by Miller Jones/Lonnie C Hendrix

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

UCG: Turmoil In Italy and Those So-called Christians In Hong King

 


2024 got off to a great start in the United Church of God. It took a typical broad swipe at Christians in Hong Kong and kicked out a pastor in Italy.

Rick Shabi said this about "Christians" in Hong Kong:

Visit to Hong Kong
As Debbie and I left the Philippines, it was just a two-hour flight to Hong Kong. The congregation there is small—there were 12 people in attendance that Sabbath, plus six online. But they are dedicated, warm and friendly. Following Sabbath services, we spent the rest of the day with all the members of the congregation, getting to know each other better and listening to their questions and ideas. 

Notice he just has to put Christian in quotes. It's just like our lovable buffoon Bwana Bob Thiel who has to call Christians "so-called". How can we be so silly to forget that there are no REAL Christians outside of Armstrongism? 

Hong Kong is a vibrant and modern city, and very much “Christian,” as there are Catholic and Protestant churches everywhere. There are opportunities in this city to spread the gospel. Terry Franke, an elder from Alaska who pastors the Hong Kong congregation, has been working on a new website. We discussed how the gospel could be preached in this area, using ads and short social media posts that would get the public’s attention and strike to the core of their errant beliefs.

7.5 million people dwell in the Hong King territory and there are only around 20 members? How can UCG expect to spread its gospel of the law when its focus is hardly ever on Jesus? They have had 29 years of opportunities to "grow" their church in Hong Kong and it has never chosen to do so. 

Shabi then goes on to talk about the recent UCG turmoil in Italy where another rebellious UCG preacher rebelled against proper church government (just like the leaders of UCG did when they apostatized from the Worldwide Church of God in a fit of rebellion). 

From Hong Kong we traveled on to Milan, Italy. As you know, the Church in Italy has seen some difficult times in the past month. Based on his behavior, actions and words, the Council of Elders had no choice but to revoke the ministerial credentials of Angelo Di Vita, who was the pastor there. Sadly, he no longer attends with us and has declared himself “independent and autonomous” from UCGIA.

UCG is under the fantasy that they can recruit new members from the Catholic Church, much like our lovable buffoon Bwana Bob thinks he can. 

We had the opportunity to spend a considerable amount of time with the brethren, not only at Sabbath services, but also in the days leading up to the Sabbath. What a wonderful, committed group of people! There was joy in the congregation and a sense of looking to the future to what can now be accomplished in Italy, as part of our commission to preach the gospel to all nations. In a country that has long been Catholic and with the Pope’s recent ruling to bless same-sex couples, people may be looking for answers, realizing the Catholic Church has failed them. We believe God will call new people in Italy and the Church there is now ready to welcome them as part of God’s Body.

99.99999% of the people in Italy have no idea who or what the United Church of God is or what its gospel message is. 

 

Philadelphia Church of God Idolatry

 


This picture tells you everything you need to know about where the focus of 
the Philadelphia Church of God is. 
Imagine baking a Mystery of the Ages and Malachi's Message cake. 
Jesus is appalled.

From PCG's X (Twitter) account

Another cake celebrating the 34 years of the existence of the cult.






1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture




 

COGNews recently posted this:


1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture 
 
This film documentary claims to shed light on the mistranslation of the word “homosexual” in the Bible – which first appeared (in the RSV) in 1946. (The word “homosexual” was first coined in the late 19th century.) The film makers are hoping it will make the short list of nominations for the Oscars, which would substantially increase publicity of this issue.

In an interview on Forgeonline, Ed Oxford points out that Martin Luther used the word knabenschander – boy molester – in his 1534 bible version, and that 19th century German bibles say that man shall not lie with “young boys” in Leviticus 18:22 and Leviticus 20:13, and in 1 Corinthians 6:9 that “boy molesters will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

These bible verses condemn pederasty only, he argues, not homosexuality.

Why should Martin Luther use the term “boy molester”? Possibly because in his time this practice was rife within the Catholic church. Leo X (who ex-communicated Luther when the latter refused to retract his 95 theses) vetoed a motion to enact a papal bull which would have limited the number of boy lovers that the cardinals could have.

See:  Forge  Has “Homosexual” always been in the Bible?



 

38 Years and Counting

 

It is hard to believe that it has been 38 years since Herbert Armstrong died. I remember that morning vividly. I always had to drive by his house to park in the underground parking structure on the campus. When I drove by that morning there were a couple cars in his driveway, no real biggie.

Then, when I got close to the Hall of Ad I saw the flag at half mast and a flurry people going into the building. Later that morning I got a call to come to his house and was given a suitcase that was filled with his medicine. It contained a huge number of medicine vials, prescriptions, etc. I was instructed to take them to the amphitheater down by the gym and burn them all in the fire pit there.

The day quickly devolved into endless speculations what his death meant for the church. Many saw it as a sure sign that the end times had arrived and we would be fleeing soon. The craziness was off the charts.

Various HQ evangelists and high ranking ministers thought they deserved to be his replacement and got the shock of their lives when it was discovered Joe Tkach Sr. was the new Pastor General. Rod Meredith and Ellis LaRavia was sure they were going to be the chosen one. Thank God they weren't! 

And here we are 38 years later and the church is like a basket of rotting peaches. A putrid rotten mess of moldy decay covered with flies. Who could ever imagined we would have men like Bob Thiel, Gerald Flurry, Dave Pack and Ron Weinland saying the most idiotic and blasphemous things imaginable.

Almost every single Church of God out there was born in an act of rebellion and refusal to follow church government they had all so earnestly demanded of members just a few weeks earlier to their apostasy. None of these men were men of virtue and ethical standards. As each splinter group split off the shenanigans by their new leaders was shocking and disgusting. 

Is it any wonder 38 years down the road we continue to watch these groups shrink and become nothing worthwhile? Hundreds and hundreds of members continue to leave the church every year. The churches offer nothing worthwhile to the youth to keep them interested. Their appeal to the public is minuscule since they all try and operate on 1986 Worldwide Church of God models.

For most of its lifetime the church was a closed environment with leadership controlling what members read and heard. Questions led to disfellowshipment and public humiliation which kept the membership in line.

Then the internet and cell phones with internet access happened and the church lost control of its information stream at an astounding rate. Members who had long distrusted official statements from the official sources quickly discovered they had been systematically lied for for decades. Money was embezzled and used for private means of enrichment by many top church officials. Members who had struggled to fund this quagmire of corruption quickly stop supporting the church. Tens of thousands left the church entirely. 

Today the flashy veneer that some COG's use to cover up their stinking underbelly is barely sustainable. Grumbling factions are at work in many COG's today ready to  break things up yet again.

11 years from now will anyone even know what the Armstrongist Church of God movement was? Will anyone even care?


Monday, January 15, 2024

LCG: Having Troubling Trials? Well, Boo Freaking Hoo! Be Thankful!

 


God’s Perspective on Trials: Sometimes when we encounter trials and difficulties, we wonder what is happening and whether God has forsaken us. However, at such times we need to remember several fundamental scriptures. Jesus told His disciples, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). God has also promised never to leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). The Apostle Paul reminds us that “all things work together for good to those who love God” (Romans 8:28) and that even in trials, God will make a “way of escape” (1 Corinthians 10:13). James even admonished Christians to be thankful for trials, because they provide opportunities to build patience as we exercise faith in God and His promises—while we do our part to work through the challenges that we face (James 1:3–4). Let’s all strive to remember and maintain this godly perspective when we encounter trials.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail

Why Are LCG Members Not Reading Or Watching LCG Messages?

 


Those reprobates in Living Church of God are not reading their publications or watching their tired and worn out topics on the videos.  It's the same old preaching on the same old stuff from 50 years ago. Have they ever thought to refresh and update their sermon notes?

The January/February Living Church News is now being mailed to all members and prospective members. As Mr. Richard Ames always admonishes us, members should be sure to read our publications and watch our telecasts to know how Christ is leading His Church.—Gerald Weston

If Christ were actually leading the church wouldn't it be blatantly obvious to all members? 

Sunday, January 14, 2024

Relentless Search for Truth With Wade Fransson






A Relentless Search for Truth - the Making of The People of the Sign, Fransson takes the reader inside his fantastical story, including his experience with the Worldwide Church of God (which has since become Grace Communion International), zipping around the world as a church administrator, pastor, and headquarters executive, as the church struggles through its own date with destiny.

It’s a story of growing up, a story of discovery, and a story of faith. Wade Fransson has a powerful story.

Radio Toni Radio Show is broadcast live at 7pm ET Wednesdays on W4WN Radio – The Women 4 Women Network part of Talk 4 Radio on the Talk 4 Media Network. This podcast is also available on Talk 4 Podcasting.


A group I once belonged to was über-obedient. We kept many Torah Commandments, like the Sabbath, Holy days, and food laws. By having both the law and the testimony of Christ we believed we were closer to God than anyone else on earth. In some ways, maybe we were. We took God at His Word and organized every aspect of our life around obeying, following and worshiping Him.

And yet belief in proximity to God kept us from drawing any closer. My personal battle with this is described in painful personal detail across the pages of the first two books of my Trilogy.  The People of the Sign describes my involvement with the Worldwide Church of God and its 1995 implosion. That devastating fail was underscored by many members blaming the other side instead of becoming introspective. Being a victim of divorce and kidnapping helped me understand the two sides.

If You Church Hop You Will End Up With One Painful Headache!


 

Tim Kitchen has more words of wisdom for you church hopping reprobates :

In other words PERSECUTED TREMENDOUSLY!! If you don't heed God, you will be punished! Christ was flogged or scourged. And the whip was designed to dig into flesh and rip pieces out! These individuals from their groups will TEAR YOU TO PIECES spiritually, in order for you to give up your crown, to COMPROMISE God's Truth given to us! That is if you don't heed Christ's words and stay Away!
God says don't Church hop! And this ties back to DOING THE WORK KF GOD!

Further on he states what is going to happen to those who reject Herbert as Christ's apostle and are not part of the spiritual Worldwide Church of God organism:

Matthew 10
The verses starting with verse 17 explains what will happen IF you don't heed Christ's Words!
18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
If you are Not faithful and you don't heed Christ's Words to STAY AWAY from those who reject the Apostle and their words and teachings. If you don't Hold Fast. You will have to give your head in the coming martyrdom!
Notice What is said! It is to give Testimony against them and the Gentiles! This is during the Great Tribulation! If you won't obey God and give testimony as He says to, you'll do so in the Great Tribulation by giving your head! In Martyrdom!
And you will have to ENDURE IT ALL!
NOTICE the next verse.
22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved."
Every single one must endure the time coming. It is a matter will we endure it outside with Christ, OR inside these groups who are led by men who have rejected PART or any portion of the Apostle and the doctrines and teachings we were given through him, and be persecuted, Cut to pieces by wolves trying to take your crown, and martyred BECAUSE you would not heed Christ and His WORDS!!
But there is hope through all of this, if you happen to repent during this. Giving your life will GAIN it in the Kingdom. Christ is saying this is the only way to go to be in God's family IF you don't heed the first warning! Heed the First warning! Stay away from those put out! Stay away from those who REJECT the Apostle and his words(and the doctrines and teachings we hold). Dust your feet off. Don't look back as Lot's Wife. REMEMBER Lot's wife!
"Beware of men"!!!

"Beware of Men" is the most accurate thing in his post! Beware of Bob Thiel, Dave Pack, Gerald Flurry, Ron Weinland, Alton Billingsley, and the rest of the  self-appointed rebellious men who currently lead splinter groups. Find freedom in your life, walk away from them all and save your head!