COGWA: Cost Of New Auditorium Has Increased 50% - Tithe Slaves To The Rescue!

CGWA is still trying to figure out what they want to do with their proposed multi-use auditorium they want to build on their "campus" as well as a new "education" center. Costs continued to rise after they submitted plans to the city in 2017.

COGWA tithe slaves will soon be expected to fork over more money to fund this new facility.

Before I conclude this letter, I wanted to give you a brief update on where we are with the potential building of an auditorium on our property here in McKinney, Texas. We are currently in the process of negotiating with three contractors (we began with five) to see if this project will be viable. We were surprised that from the time we began our planning for this potential auditorium, building costs have gone up exponentially, by 50 percent according to some. To be perfectly clear, our goal from the beginning was to pay cash for any new building, or possibly pay mostly cash with a small, short-term loan that could be paid off in two or three years. If we can’t arrive at a price that we can afford, then we will put the project on hold until we have the cash to complete what we started. This should be determined in the next few weeks. At that time, I will meet with the Ministerial Board of Directors, and a decision will be made as to whether we: (1) put the project on hold for possibly another year, (2) cancel the project or (3) go forward with building. The determining factor will be the cost. I will keep everyone informed when a decision is made.

 

International Women's Day! Celebrate COG Women

 

Today is International Women's Day. 

Who was the woman/women in the church that helped your spiritual growth?

The chances are high that if you had a spiritual mentor who was a woman she certainly knew more about the Bible than your minister or church leader ever did.

We can almost be guaranteed that the Great Bwana Bob Mzungu Thiel 

will preach a sermon condemning it.

Crackpot Prophet Claims He Was "PUSHED OUT" Of His World Headquarters Building! Oh, Noes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Satan continues his wiley was causing God's most important man to ever exist in human history to move his sacred butt out of his world-class headquarters in Grover Beach to a dingy warehouse. Ho, the humanity!!!!!! The trials and tribulations of a self-appointed Church of God prophet. 

Satan has always been perturbed by the holy one himself, the Great Bwana to Africa, and the occasional 100 Caucasians. Never has Satan had to deal with such an awesome Church of God leader like the Great Bwana. Since everything the Great Bwana does is so extraordinary Satan has to double down with his persecution. Tornadoes, heavy rain, and a flat-roofed office building all created the perfect storm to disrupt the mind-boggling though improperly named "continuing Church of 'god'".

The suffering martyr writes:

We have now been pushed out of our offices and into cramped aisles in the warehouse as our ceilings are in the process of being removed and replaced because of water damage related to the tornado that hit last month. Because of the construction, the church telephone line (which is analog) is not functional and probably may not be for a couple of weeks. However, email still works. Sorry for any difficulties this may cause some of you.

Satan is also continuing to cause problems with setting up a Feast site. The Great Bwana can't do one in Arroyo Grande, CA since Living Church of God will be there. 

Let me add that we contacted another city in Texas where we are considering holding the Feast of Tabernacles for the USA in this year. Although we have gotten several responses from different locations, so far we have received no acceptable quotes (meeting room rates quoted were many times higher than appropriate) from the four cities we contacted in Texas. We continue to work and pray about this.

How Dare You Ask A Minister A Question!

 

Why is it that the Church of God ministry and its leaders have always been so afraid of questions? If one dared to ask a question about doctrine, church issues, or the Bible, the spittle would start flying, faces would turn red with veins popping as they angrily shut you down. How DARE YOU question God's anointed! How DARE YOU!

How many times did you witness Herbert pounding his desk as he bellowed at the members? Remember red-faced Rod Meredith with his veins popping in his forehead yelling at members?

One thing I have always done at the church I attend when leading new member classes is to tell people to question. Just because a minister says something, does not mean you have to agree with it. It is not necessary to always have the answer and just when you think you have the answer another question should arise. That's the only way a person grows mentally or spiritually.

Armstrongism has always despised questions. Sure, they would allow questions at Bible Study services, but if a question was too deep or too close to the power structure, it was either mocked or placed in the "we will get to this later" pile. Most of the time mocking and ridiculing was the route to go. Humiliate people in front of others and they will never question again. Lesson learned.

I am an [elderly] man who was disfellowshipped from the Worldwide Church of God in 1974. My problem with the WCG ministry (or their problem with me) was that I refused to simply accept what they taught as if their words came directly from God’s lips. They tired (and were often seriously offended) by my constant questions, to the point where one day they simply asked (forced) me to leave the WCG. 

 

Since then, (except for a hiatus of some twenty years), I have tried to keep abreast of the many changes and upheavals of the WCG and its many offshoots. Although I have had no affiliation with any of these groups, I have over the past fifty years tried to engage several of the ministry (about 12-14) in a discussion of their more egregious teachings. Not one of these men would honestly consider my concerns, let alone discuss them with me. They have collectively, for many years now, simply chosen to ignore my queries so that I no longer even try to reach out to them. 

 

The anger and contempt I once had for the ministry has been replaced by feelings of disappointment and sorrow. And yet, no matter how wrong-headed I consider many of these men to be, I have chosen to believe that somewhere in their hearts and minds, some (perhaps even most) of them truly believe they are doing God and their members a service. Exit and Support Network

LCG: We are the Watchman...

 

Why is it that all of the Churches of God have to picture themselves as special and called out from all the rest of the COG's? Each splinter group is better than the other and doing a mightier work.

There is nothing unique about LCG claiming to be The Watchman. Our favorite crackpot prophet, the Great Bwana Bob Mzungu Thiel claims he is. Dave Pack and Gerald Flurry claim they are. Ron Wienland claims he and his dingy wife are. Alton Billingsley imagines himself as the guy. COGWA and UCG think they are. David Hulme is so insignificant now that no one cares what he is anymore... is he dead or still alive? And. then there is the Living Church of God...sigh.

Notice how perturbed Winnail is by the fact that most Christians promote Jesus as coming to save sinners. Ghastly Days! LCG can't have their Jesus doing such an effeminate thing! They expect to judge the world in the millennium when they are gods and goddesses, ruling with rods of iron, with Rod Meredith and Herbert Armstrong sitting at the right-hand side of Jesus Christ.

The Church as a Watchman: Many churches feel their mission is to tell the world that God loves everyone, and that Jesus came to save sinners. However, Jesus told His disciples to be alert and watch for specific events that will mark the approaching end of the age and His imminent return (Matthew 24:42–44). Those events will include religious deception and persecution, spreading violence and war, numerous catastrophes, and selfishness and personal pursuits of pleasure (Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21; 2 Timothy 3:1–5). Jesus also said the last days would be like the days of Noah and the time of Sodom and Gomorrah (Matthew 24:37–39; Luke 17:26–30). As the world appears to spin out of control, Jesus said unless He returns, human beings would self-destruct (Matthew 24:21–22). Just as God sent prophets to warn the ancient nations of Israel and Judah, God has commissioned His Church to be a watchman and warn the Israelite nations and the world of the dangers ahead and to preach the good news of the coming Kingdom of God (Ezekiel 3:17–18 and 33:1–6; Mark 16:15). Let’s stay focused on this important mission.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail

Meet the Living Church of God Video by Mario Espinoza

 

This presentation provides background information on the church organization that calls itself the “Living Church of God”. The presentation has information about its origins and history, their claims and practices, its doctrines, as well as its leadership and organizational characteristics. The purpose of this presentation is to give the viewers the facts and evidence they need, so that they are well informed about this organization and to demonstrate to you the viewer, beyond a reasonable doubt, the truth - that this organization and its leaders do not, in fact, represent the original beliefs, teachings and practices of Jesus Christ, the original apostles and the Church of God in the New Testament.

LCG and Armstrongism are heretical because they are preaching another Jesus, a different spirit, and a different gospel; and they explicitly deny the fundamental and essential doctrines of the Christian faith as evidenced and taught from the Holy Bible (2 Corinthians 11:3-4; Galatians 1:6-9; Romans 16:17-18; 2 Thessalonians 3:13-15).

In hope, love and outgoing concern, I pray to the LORD Father in Heaven that He would grant that a clear testimony will emerge from the information discussed in this presentation to all who are seeking "the Truth", to all who are in the Body of Christ, and that it will be a blessing to all who are in any of the Armstrong splinter groups or anyone who may be contemplating joining any of the Armstrong splinter groups. I also hope and pray that the information provided will be edifying to people everywhere, but especially to those who are members of the Living Church of God (LCG).

Lastly, I love LCG and pray that God will use the information discussed in this presentation to open the eyes, minds, and hearts of the LCG ministry and laity, and cause them to work towards theological reform which would bring their beliefs, teachings and practices into harmony with the Holy Scriptures. If LCG continues refusing the clear testimony of the Holy Bible, then may God draw people out of LCG and the other groups and into a saving relationship and knowledge of Jesus Christ and His true sound doctrine; and I ask this in His Son, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christs' name. Amen. If you would like to engage in Christ-centered dialogue about the content of this video, you may contact me through my Website page. The link can be found on my channel. Take Care and God Bless.

Mario Espinoza

The Easiest Dating of The Exodus: A National Origins and Founding Myth

Ten Reasons Why the Bible’s Story of the Exodus is Not True

And why it really matters.

Full article here

Note: Edited for brevity here. The entire article is at the link above.

The story of the Exodus, in conjunction with others in the first five Books of the Old Testament, often referred to as the Books of Moses, the Torah or the Pentateuch, has been the foundation for three major religions and some minor ones.

History has many examples of nations, cities, ethnic groups and even families who proclaim their origin based on a mythological story or a highly exaggerated one. These “founding stories” seek to unify and exalt their group. Such stories in no way make the reality of their existence illegitimate.

Many quotes and links from Jewish Rabbis and Israeli archeologists and historians will be cited throughout this article. There are some Biblical literalists (both Jewish and Christian) who maintain that the Exodus took place exactly as the Bible states. Their main argument is that the lack of archaeological and historical evidence does not rule it out.

However, as we will see, most experts and scholars dismiss the story as mythology. While some of them still maintain a faith in God, they interpret their origin story as a metaphor or presentation, just as many Christians, who acknowledge the fact of evolution and contradictions in the Bible, view them as being far less important than “the greater truth.” They say it is the power of the sweeping epic that lies in its profound and timeless message about freedom and not whether it is based upon literal historical facts.

Rabbi David Wolpe, Sinai Temple’s senior rabbi interviewed By the Los Angeles Times, said: “The truth is that virtually every modern archeologist who has investigated the story of the Exodus, with very few exceptions, agrees that the way the Bible describes the Exodus is not the way it happened, if it happened at all.”

Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman, the distinguished professor of liturgy at Hebrew Union College, in his article titled “The Bible is Fiction,” did not discuss history or archeology, but argued more broadly that the Books of Moses are fiction because their authors meant it not as science or history but as presentation. (National Origins Story)

William Dever, a convert to Judaism, and a professor of Near Eastern archeology and anthropology at the University of Arizona and one of America’s preeminent archeologists argued that “the Exodus story was produced for theological reasons: to give an origin and history to a people and distinguish them from others by claiming a divine destiny.”

Even if we ignore all these scholars and experts, there are many reasons why the very words of the Biblical account itself make the story of the Exodus implausible.

1. No evidence in history or in the ground: 

The story of the Exodus only appears in the Hebrew Bible/the Christian Old Testament and nowhere else. Not in Egyptian history, nor in any other history. Despite decades of extensive archaeological endeavors, not one trace of it has ever been found. This story describes over two million people escaping from Egypt and spending 40 years in the wilderness. That is more than twice the population of Jerusalem today. Almost all archaeologists, including those in Israel, acknowledge that it could not have possibly happened without significant evidence being left behind; yet not a trace has ever been found, even after numerous and extensive attempts to prove the historicity of this event.

 

2. An implausible start: 

The Bible tells us that all two million plus of them were informed that the very next day, they would be escaping from Egypt and had to immediately get prepared. (see Exodus 11:2–4 and Exodus 12:21–24)

In one day, over two million people, in Egypt, a very large county with no telephones or radios, were all contacted and instructed to collect treasure from their masters and then to kill a one-year old male lamb and smear its blood on the door posts of their house that night. Obviously, these slaves were apparently wealthy, as they all had houses with doors and a sizable herd of sheep so that each family was able to pull an unblemished, one-year old male lamb from it. In a normal flock of sheep, about 20% are one year old…half of those would be males.

3. A really long line: 

Two and a half million people would have created a line well over 200 miles long (at eight abreast with only three feet between each row) along with their animals, of which the Bible says they had many. They also took along much treasure. Many would have been with babies, pregnant, crippled, blind, or bedridden, and yet a line of people extending over 200 miles long were able to outrun the Egyptian army who were chasing them with chariots and horses, all in a single day and night.

Orthodox Jewish scholar Lawrence Schiffman, chairman of Hebrew and Judaic studies at New York University, said, “you’d have to be a bit crazy to accept that figure” when asked about the number of escaped slaves recorded in the Torah.

4. A load beyond measure: 

Despite the Bible saying elsewhere that they only took food wrapped in their shoulder sleeves and some treasure they obtained from the Egyptians, we see soon after this one day escape that they all had tents to live in, along with tools and weapons. They also had plenty of wood for the many required daily sacrifices that their God demanded. We see in Exodus 29:25 “You shall take them from their hands, and offer them up in smoke on the altar on the burnt offering for a soothing aroma before the Lord; it is an offering by fire to the Lord.” God loved the sweet soothing aroma of the burning animals after they were just slaughtered as it floated up to His dwelling place; which is described elsewhere as actually being the floor of the sky (firmament) where the rain and snow are stored.

Exodus chapters 35 and 39 describe numerous other items they had to have in order to build the tabernacle which was built in the center of each camp including such things as 48 15-foot solid beams overlaid with gold, and dozens of other items. Where did all of these things come from? Numbers Chapter 7 states they had six carts pulled by oxen that moved those items from camp to camp.

5. Unrealistic hygiene requirements: 

Deuteronomy 23:12–14 says, “You shall also have a place outside the camp and go out there, and you shall have a spade among your tools, and it shall be when you sit down outside, you shall dig with it and shall turn to cover up your excrement. Since the Lord your God walks in the midst of your camp to deliver you and to defeat your enemies before you, therefore your camp must be holy; and He must not see anything indecent among you or He will turn away from you.”

For those living near the center of camp, it would probably require a couple of miles each way, given the estimate of the population, animals and bare-bone infrastructure. 

6. Moses did not write any of the Torah: 

It is very easy to confirm and to understand why the overwhelming majority of Biblical scholars today have determined that the “Books of Moses,” the first five books in the Old Testament, were not written until during or after the post-exilic period (later than 586 B.C.E.) and absolutely not by Moses, who would have died many centuries before… that is, had he been a real person. ...

7. There are many anachronisms: 

Many locations named in this story were not even in existence at that alleged time, clearly proving the story was developed at a much later time than it claims to be. This is called an anachronism, one of several factors that scholars use in dating old manuscripts. An example would be a story claiming to be written at the time of George Washington but referencing a city named Seattle or referring to things such as radios. That would be proof positive that the author was not telling the truth about when it was being composed.

Moreover, specialists in the Hebrew Bible say that the Exodus story is riddled with internal contradictions stemming from the fact that it was spliced together from several texts written at different times. One passage in Exodus, for instance, says that the bodies of the pharaoh’s charioteers were found on the shore, while the next verse says they sank to the bottom of the sea.

Another is that the Edomite kings listed in Genesis 36 did not live until a time well after Moses would have died. For more detail, see Book of Joshua.

8. What would it take infrastructure wise for a community of 2,500,000 to function?

After 40 years in the wilderness, Joshua and Caleb were the only two still alive from the original 2,500,000 who escaped. The Bible indicates that the population after the 40 years was nearly the same. (603,500 before vs 601,730 after the 40 years of men over 20 years old who were able to go to war).

This problem needs little if any comment. Water distribution in the desert would require an amazing network of wells, cisterns, and piping, assuming you can find the water to begin with.Since their food was rained down for them as manna, we can skip that necessity. Sanitation would be huge, manufacturing of clothes for those born in the wilderness, hospitals, first aid stations, schools, day care, where to gather wood for the many daily sacrifices (in the desert), medicines, soap, blankets or sleeping bags for those cold nights, and countless oth er needs that cannot be ignored. Factories and mining facilities were needed as they all had spades, tools, and weapons....

9. Can the earth ever stop spinning? 

As a climax to the Exodus was the alleged conquest of Canaan. The Bible claims that God literally stopped the sun for 24 hours so that Joshua could defeat the enemy while there was still light. Physics is clear; if the earth abruptly stopped spinning for even a second, all people, animals, rocks, topsoil, trees, buildings, and so on, would be swept away into the atmosphere. No where in the world is there any record of this long day.

10. Parallels of earlier known writings: 

Mythological stories are usually built around superheroes. The story of the Exodus was written during the Babylonian captivity where most of the Jewish captives assimilated into its culture. Many did not return when King Cyrus decreed them the right to. The fact is, many liked it there and were well settled and comfortable. What were the priests to do?

One of the most famous kings known to that history was the Akkadian King Sargon. He was called Sargon the Great who conquered among other places, Mesopotamia and the Levant. He established the first real empire. He was well known in Babylonian literature and was a famous legend due to his birth story and great leadership. Note how the writers gave Moses those same attributes. Here is a brief account of his Sargon’s birth and deeds:

The following worn translation of the legend comes from J.B. Pritchard’s The Ancient Near East Volume I, pages 85–86. It reads: (The legend of Sargon)

Sargon, the mighty king, king of Agade, am I.

My mother was a changeling, my father I knew not.

The brother(s) of my father loved the hills.

My city is Azupiranu, which is situated on the banks of the Euphrates.

My changeling mother conceived me, in secret she bore me.

She set me in a basket of rushes, with bitumen she sealed

My lid.

She cast me into the river which rose not (over) me,

The river bore me up and carried me to Akki, the

drawer of water.

Akki, the drawer of water lifted me out as he dipped his

e[w]er.

Akki, the drawer of water, [took me] as his son

(and) reared me.

Akki, the drawer of water, appointed me as his gardener,

While I was a gardener, Ishtar granted me (her) love,

And for four and [ … ] years I exercised kingship,

The black-headed [people] I ruled, I gov[erned];

Mighty [moun]tains with chip-axes of bronze I con-

quered,

The upper ranges I scaled,

The lower ranges I [trav]ersed,

The sea [lan]ds three times I circled.

Dilmun my [hand] cap[tured],

[To] the great Der I [went up], I [. . . ],

[ . . . ] I altered and [. . .].

We now understand why the writers of these five books developed its main character, Moses, into someone the people could identify as being a great superhero. The same birth story as Sargon’s along with many miraculous stories and fearful commandments saying that if they followed this God, all would be wonderful, but if not, there would be nothing but dreadful pain. The writers had an extremely hard task in motivating the people to return and become unified and this story of their alleged origin was key.

The writers knew that if there was going to be a unified people, a people who were enjoying the safety of another culture and other gods; they would have to be separated from “the snares of the world,” so the “carrot and stick” approach was utilized.

This story included many acts of genocide to accomplish two main goals: the obtaining of sacred land areas, and as the Bible says, to free them from being tempted by foreign women and gods.

We conclude with several more quotes from Rabbis and Jewish scholars:

Again, from William Dever, the professor of Near Eastern archeology and anthropology at the University of Arizona said; “The Exodus story was produced for theological reasons: to give an origin and history to a people and distinguish them from others by claiming a divine destiny.”

Ze’ev Herzog continued, “Scholars have known these things for a long time, but we’ve broken the news very gently, the old emphasis on trying to prove the Bible has given way to more objective professionals aiming to piece together the reality of ancient lifestyles.”

“Among Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist Jews, there is a much greater willingness to see the Torah as an extended metaphor in which truth comes through story and law,” said Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, dean of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles.

The first mention of Israel in recorded history is ironic. It was engraved by the Egyptian Pharaoh on the famous Merneptah Stele dated to 1205 B.C.E., about two centuries after Israel would have been well settled in Canaan.

,,,,

Not one trace of evidence after decades of diligent investigation with the most advanced technological tools.

Not one word in Egypt’s history recording anything connected with the Bible’s account. And not one word from any other surrounding nations or states (or private historian) who would have gladly published the destruction of a mighty army by runaway slaves. That is why few scholars will defend the Bible’s account of it.

======================

A reminder for all Church of God self-appointed prophets and church leaders

 

UCG Says When It Comes To Hypocrisy In The Church It Is Best To Put On Blinders And Ignore It

Those wild and fun boys in Cincinnati have an article up on Hypocrisy in the Church by Len Martin. This is pretty interesting considering the church that published this had some of the biggest hypocrites the church has ever seen when they backstabbed the Mother Church in order to save their incomes.

Martin writes:

I came into the Church as a child, and in my 50-plus years of being in the Church, I have observed many things that made me shake my head and wonder what people were thinking. 

 

I recall a couple of occasions when I was a teenager, when my friends and I would observe people in church doing things they shouldn’t be doing, or behaving in ways we knew were not right. As time went on, several of my friends began commenting about those other people, calling them hypocrites. Eventually, most of my friends left the Church and the reason some of them gave was, “They’re all a bunch of hypocrites!”

He goes on to talk about how the church area he was in brought in unconverted worldly basketball players to play on the church team with the stipulation that they had to attend church services every week. Boys, being boys, did it begrudgingly and then partied hearty on Friday nights and Saturdays after church. Such heathens! 

Martin relates his mother's response when he complained bout the hypocrisy:

I remember talking to my mother about the hypocrisy of it all and what to do about it. My mother’s advice was simply this, “You need to be like a race horse with blinders, so you can keep your focus on eternal life in the Kingdom of God.” Horses wear blinders (also called blinkers) to restrict their field of vision and keep their attention focused straight ahead, blocking out any distractions around them.

He continues:

As it relates to Christians, a hypocrite denotes a person who has the outward show of having virtuous character, being morally pure or exercising religious beliefs or principles, when the person really does not. The Greek word translated “hypocrite” can literally mean, “an actor under an assumed character (stage player)” and occurs 20 times in the New Testament. In 17 of those occurrences the word is used by Jesus Christ to rebuke the scribes and Pharisees. 

 

In Matthew 6, with each instruction Jesus gave regarding charitable giving, prayer and fasting, He instructed us to not be like the hypocrites (Matthew 6:1-2, 5, 16). It’s worth noting that the Greek words translated “they have their reward,” signify a receipt in full. In other words, they have their entire reward and there is no other reward awaiting them. 

 

The greatest number of occurrences of “hypocrite” in a single passage can be found in Matthew 23. In this chapter, Jesus declares woes upon the scribes and Pharisees seven times, calling them hypocrites (Matthew 23:13-29). A woe is a declaration of grief or indignation. 

 

In all 20 instances of the word “hypocrite” or “hypocrites” used in the New Testament to label a person or group, it was always Jesus speaking. Does this tell us anything?

He then warns that sometimes what you think is hypocrisy, is not.

When we see what we believe is hypocrisy, we feel that something is wrong, or not fair. But just because we see what appears to be hypocrisy does not mean it really is because we do not know the heart of the person. The Apostle Paul, in several of his letters to the various churches, asked the brethren to imitate God. “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children” (Ephesians 5:1). “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). 

 

Being in the Church does not make us perfect, so we all struggle in our efforts to be like Christ and we still sin (Romans 3:23). We might observe what we believe to be hypocrisy, but we don’t see that person at home in private, praying to God, repenting of their sins and asking forgiveness. When repentance is genuine, God promises to forgive (1 John 1:9). If we are not careful, we might wrongly label someone a “hypocrite” when they are genuinely striving daily to be like Christ and simply fall short.

So brethren, don't let the hypocrites in the church cause you to leave., after all, your leaders are not perfect so cut them a break.

Being in the Church does not make us perfect, so we all struggle in our efforts to be like Christ and we still sin (Romans 3:23). We might observe what we believe to be hypocrisy, but we don’t see that person at home in private, praying to God, repenting of their sins and asking forgiveness. When repentance is genuine, God promises to forgive (1 John 1:9). If we are not careful, we might wrongly label someone a “hypocrite” when they are genuinely striving daily to be like Christ and simply fall short.

Then, thumping his chest he lets everyone know that he is the only ONE from his entire church basketball team still left in the church. 

From the basketball team I played on as a teen, I am the only one still in the Church today. All the rest are gone, even the coach, eventually quitting the Church “because of hypocrisy.” Unfortunately, they couldn’t get past the hypocrisy they saw, and were not patient enough to wait for others to grow or allow God to work it out. It was not easy because it did not seem fair, and they ultimately gave up on the Church.

Be like Len and put on your blinders and don't look at what other people do. Ignore them and they will just go away or God will spank them later for you. Rest assured.

Like wearing horse blinders, we must keep our eyes focused straight ahead at the goal of eternal life in the Kingdom of God. Do not look at how other people behave, then use it as an excuse to quit running your race! Yes, it is hard at times, but many things in life require us to do hard things.

Earlier in this article, we read Jesus’ instructions regarding charitable giving, prayer and fasting and His statement that the hypocrites “have their reward” (Matthew 7:1-2, 5, 16). There is no other reward that awaits them.

Fight the good fight and remain loyal to the United Church of God, God's one true church. 

 

Crackpot Prophet Wants RCG Members To Leave Dave And Join Him...It Will Be A Game Changer! Woo Hoo!

 

Now that we have a couple days before the next rains hit California, our favorite crackpot prophet has time to dry out his office as a new roof is installed. The trauma of this intense persecution by Satan was tough on the guy. Never has a COG leader faced such intense persecution!

Since he wasn't able to sit in his office and sell his homeopathic snake oil supplements, he had time to sit at home cruising the internet for the latest story he could manipulate in his favor. He found it with Dave Pack's latest baloney after reading it here.

Of course, being the most incredible Church of God leader in the history of Christianity and so magnificent that God had to dream him up as the foundations of the world were being formed, he had to turn Dave's malarkey towards his own malarkey. After all, what more could we expect? Has any of these guys ever had an original thought in their heads?

In his desire to gain more Caucasian members to support him with their tithes and offerings, which incidentally are not required of New Covenant Christians, he wants RCG members to leave Dave and join up with him. By doing so this will be a big "game-changer" in their lives and his wallet.

It is sad that RCG still has people who believe David Pack. This will be a "game-changer" if those still supporting RCG wakeup to the truth.

Which is?

David Pack is not God's apostle.

As I have written here for years, I also doubt his conversion as he has shown himself to be a greedy bully and a false teacher.

It is sad that the improperly named "continuing" Church of "god" still has people who believe Bob Thiel. This will be a "game-changer" if those still supporting the Great Bwana to Africa wake up to the truth about their leader.

Which is?

Bob Thiel is a false prophet. An imposter sent to deceive sincere Christians in Africa. He is not appointed by God, nor ordained to be a Church of God leader. His dreams are not from God but from strong delusions in his head.

As I have written for years, I doubt his conversion as he has shown himself to be a greedy bully and a false teacher! 

New Video: The Hidden Cult: Secrets of the Worldwide Church of God

 

In the depths of religious history, there are organizations that stand as beacons of hope and enlightenment, and then there are those that shroud themselves in darkness, 

leaving behind a trail of twisted beliefs and unspeakable atrocities. 

The Worldwide Church of God, a seemingly harmless name for an entity with a dark past, 

belongs to the latter category. 

Founded by a charismatic and enigmatic figure, Herbert W. Armstrong, 

the Worldwide Church of God (or WCG) emerged from the shadows in the mid-20th century. 

Armstrong, a man with a tendency for prophecy and an uncanny ability to blend fact with fiction, 

set the stage for what would become one of the most controversial religious movements of its time.

Dave Pack: Premature Glory

 

Premature Glory

While I attended The Restored Church of God from July 2012 until my resignation in March 2021, one Bible verse stood out to me when I considered the preaching of Pastor General David C. Pack.

1 Kings 20:11 (ESV)
And the king of Israel answered, "Tell him, ‘Let not him who straps on his armor boast himself as he who takes it off.’”

It is a wise principle to live by. Do not claim the glory of victory before you fight the battle.

Like many passages in the Bible, David C. Pack never understood the meaning of that verse.

During “The Greatest Untold Story! (Part 494)” on February 24, 2024, the Pastor General revealed that one 7-Year Kingdom remains to fulfill Daniel 9’s Seventy Weeks Prophecy. This adjustment necessitated the deletion of the 4-Year Kingdom that he had just "proved" one week prior.

Due to his extensive research to retcon the Plan of God transforming 4-100-1000 into 7-100-1000, David C. Pack boasted in his typical fashion about his unmatched expertise and dedication that achieved heights far above all other human beings.

Part 494 – February 24, 2024
@ 02:19 So, let’s be sure that we’re thorough and accurate. I’m gonna show you something and then bring one powerful proof after another, and after another, and you will never walk out so inspired…

Before he states his case, he already basks in the self-satisfaction of his audience, never being so inspired because of what he has not yet taught them. That is claiming premature glory.

@ 38:57 I’ve done more research on the meaning of the word ḥēṣî than probably, you know, the Hebrew scholar who invented the word.

The honor of such a feat need not be proven with petty facts or rigorous investigation. I have pages of recorded statements like these and created this personal document available for download during my time in RCG to help prove that I needed to leave.

Here is one example.

Flashback Part 3 – November 28, 2015
@ 48:40 I’ve been studying God’s word for almost 50 years. And I've studied prophecy, I know this like no man who's ever lived. And I’m gonna tell you things over the next several weeks that are so awesome, so mind-bending, even before today.

David C. Pack has a long history of claiming premature glory. Parts 1 through 30 are no longer available in Member Services, so whatever awesome, mind-bending ideas he boasted were not worthy of preservation. Thankfully, I saved my copies of those sermons, and if you would like access, write exrcgwebsite@gmail.com.

 

During Part 494, David C. Pack explained what a world-class Bible researcher he was.

Part 494 – February 24, 2024
@ 26:26 Well, if you study the New Testament as I have and my brother has like nobody who’s ever lived (literally)…

At first, Dave was willing to share the spotlight with his non-RCG younger brother. But, like a man vying to be a successor to a Roman Emperor, that amicable alliance did not last long.

@ 28:58 And I would think I’ve studied maybe more than my brother. I’ve studied the length of Christ’s ministry more than anybody else.

There is no way he can possibly know this, but David C. Pack’s arrogant narcissism makes it true because he said it. A false apostle's words are as binding and unbreakable as the Scriptures.

@ 29:07 I can tell you exactly how long it was between certain things. But, I’ve come to realize I cannot tell you how long His ministry was.

Stop

One week prior, during Part 493, David C. Pack repeated how he would prove that Jesus Christ's ministry was preciselythree years long.

This is David C. Pack reaping premature glory for himself. He took a victory lap without running the race.

Flashback Part 493 – February 17, 2024
@ 54:41 Is there any way I could prove to you? You might just ask this question because that week is not back in play. "Is there any way that Mr. Pack could prove to us in absolute terms could he do that? Could he prove that Christ's ministry was exactly to the day, in fact, to the hour? Could he prove that Christ's ministry was three years? Meaning there’s four years left?” Could I do that? You better believe I can. I’m gonna nail it to within an hour using Christ’s own words. No scholar’s ever known. We’ll talk more about this.

Dave has a habit of stalling, leading the brethren of The Restored Church of God into believing he discovered some well-hidden Bible secret only he was meant to see when the time was right.

David C. Pack snatched the "Most Effective Speaker" Award before he gave his speech. As is his custom.

@ 56:35 I’m gonna tell you and assert, absolutely, I can do it. But it’s gonna be such a fascinating study. We're gonna hafta we’re gonna wait on that ‘cause I’m gonna knock out other things to get you ready.

David C. Pack was not getting the brethren ready. He was stalling while prematurely claiming the glory of his perceived prophetic breakthrough. I wrote an entire article focusing on his deceptive technique.

Boasting today of victories tomorrow is the David C. Pack way.

@ 1:22:51 And nobody’s ever seen this. Anymore than anybody has ever seen what I’m gonna show you in the Scriptures that proves Christ’s ministry was exactly three years and supports it and would be enough by itself as long as you believe there’s Seventy Weeks Prophecy. 

Proofs not yet proven are not proofs but just fleeting concepts that evaporate under the burden of time.

@ 1:23:11 The math on all of that is too fascinating. I won’t be able to cover it today.

More biblical math that proved to not be fascinating at all bit Dave in the keister again. No wonder the guy always preaches sitting down.

David C. Pack is so filled with gaudy hubris that he wrapped up Part 493, listing everything he neglected to cover in Part 494.

@ 2:04:47 There are some refinements. Some things I've alluded to here that we will cover. We’ll cover Escape.We’ll cover, of course, the three years of Christ’s ministry. I’m gonna explain a little more about Satan. I've still gotta get back to proving that third tithe ends at the Feast of Tabernacles…

@ 2:05:19 Show ya, that’s another four-year proof, by the way.

Dooh. Not so much. Those four years became seven and shall not be spoken of again.

@ 2:05:22 I’m gonna show you that there are two times 144,000. One out of Israel and one that are the saints at the same time. I’m gonna lay all that out.

During Part 494, David C. Pack did not lay all this out: the Escape, Jesus Christ’s three-year ministry, Satan, third tithe, or the two 144,000s. However, he is comfortable accepting the premature glory of having all those mysteries solved in his head.

If you refer all the way back to Part 492, you can spot David C. Pack borrowing J. Wellington Whimpy’s personal philosophy, “I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.”

Flashback Part 492 – February 3, 2024
@ 1:28:00 …how there are absolutely two, two, two different 144,000s at the same time in the Day of the Lord. I will break out how I figured that out. I’ve suspected it for 27 years. Now, I’ve proved it. I’ll explain a little more about how third tithe begins at the Feast of Tabernacles. Maybe a little more about timing if I learn something.

That all sounds painfully familiar. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…

@ 1:28:30 The Lord is in His Holy Temple. What is God’s Holy Temple? Is it something we’ve not considered before? The answer is yes. And maybe we’ll talk a little more about the Sixth King. “What happened to him?” Well, I have an idea. So, I’ll detail these points if there’s time. …My last message is said to end the Mystery of God. Make everything plain.

Dave dropped the Holy Temple and Sixth King topics from his recent list. I suspect that was intentional, and he hopes the brethren forget he mentioned them.

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin is waiting with bated breath to hear what exciting new Sixth King developments Dave has to unveil.

 

Regardless of what David C. Pack covered yesterday during Parts 495 and 496, he will continue to brag today about his achievements tomorrow.

The Pastor General of The Restored Church of God does not need to follow through with his claims because just saying he has proven something provides enough premature glory to sustain his ego and falsely prop up his confidence that God is using him to fulfill end-time prophecy.

David C. Pack has earned all the honor that comes with being a false prophet, false apostle, false teacher, blaspheming liar, hypocrite, and antichrist advocate. Granting him that glory is not premature.

Marc Cebrian

See: Premature Glory

CGI: Rumbling With Jeff Reed and Vance Stinson

 

Adrian Davis: Vance & Jeff Need to Repent Before Passover!

Lonnie Hendrix

This past Sabbath (March 2), CGI Canada Pastor Adrian Davis preached a sermon titled “From the Beginning (Part 2).” Now, as with anything posted online by the Burlington congregation, the message appeared on the right-wing platform known as Rumble. Likewise, the Medina, Ohio congregation has adopted the same platform for their messaging. “Why have these two congregations adopted this particular forum?” you ask. Because of pushback they received from CGI headquarters about their right-wing political messaging and anti-public health stance during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, folks like Vance Stinson and Jeff Reed made clear to the folks in both places that they were endangering the larger church’s continued access to the YouTube platform to present their version of the Gospel message. “Why?” Because YouTube has a policy against posting false or misleading information on their platform!

In addition to their sermons, CGI Burlington has also posted a political discussion each week on Rumble. They call it “Keeping Watch,” and it usually consists of Pastors Adrian Davis, Murray Palmatier, and Deacon Jan Kowalczyk talking about current events from a conservative, Armstrongist perspective (especially events in the United States, Canada, and Europe). Folks who love Republicans, Capitalists, and isolationists and hate Democrats, Socialists, and Internationalists would probably appreciate this programming. Indeed, if you like Fox News, you’ll probably love this program.

Returning to the sermon, which is the focus of this post, Pastor Davis is not so subtly pushing back against those folks in CGI leadership who have “sowed the seeds of betrayal” by not supporting and appreciating their messaging. Indeed, Pastor Davis gives CGI a grade of a (C-) for their failure to proclaim the “truth” about things like vaccines and having the audacity to criticize their political messaging.

Pastor Davis main theme is that Jesus and Peter confronted strife and controversy by giving context to what was currently happening – telling the story “From the beginning.” For him, this means being faithful to the Torah and the Prophets. You see, unlike most Christians, Armstrongites believe that Christians are still bound by many of the tenets of the Old Covenant. Indeed, they don’t like the term “New Covenant” very much. They like to think of it as an updated or revised version of the old one! Instead of viewing the contents of Torah and the Prophets as pointing to Jesus Christ and his work, they believe that Christians should be actively applying those commandments, principles, and predictions to themselves in the here and now! For Davis, the prophets of the Old Testament and the covenant which God made with Israel and Judah were really intended for the Church and the English-speaking peoples of the world. In fact, he likens the Christian perspective on the Old Testament to a child discovering that things don’t disappear or cease to exist when they can’t see them (what’s known as object permanence). For Davis, the message is the same one that was delivered to the Israelites of old – all of that political stuff is part of the “true” Gospel.

In this way, Davis can be in a state of open defiance and rebellion against those traitors within CGI leadership while professing his allegiance to the truth of the Bible. In other words, Pastor Davis has a clear message for folks like Vance Stinson and Jeff Reed: Repent of your betrayal of folks like him, Murray Palmatier, Bill Watson, and their supporters. His real message is to the folks within CGI leadership who have opposed his messaging. Davis doesn’t see how these folks could partake of the Passover with a clear conscience. For him, John’s first epistle was meant for folks like Vance and Jeff! “How can you truly love your brother while you are opposing him at every turn?” he wonders. For Davis, these hateful/sinful folks need to get with the program and let go of their resentment of the folks like him who are standing in the light! If you’re like me, you’re probably thinking: “Man, is this guy full of himself or what?”