Herbert Armstrong's Tangled Web of Corrupt Leaders

Saturday, March 30, 2024

Restored Church of God: Excited Mooning In Wadsworth


 


New Moonish Excitement

Inept false teacher David C. Pack cannot get something as basic as when the New Moon occurs correctly, even when he tries. There is either staggering incompetence on the Third Floor at The Restored Church of God Headquarters, or this is another example of mind-control manipulation and intentional deception packaged as reality originating from a perverted sense of apostolic authori-tah.

Since The Restored Church of God began publicly privately observing New Moons, letting useful idiots like Edward Winkfield repeat it was a "wonderful, wonderful thing," the spiritually corrupt “non-profit” organization cannot seem to find its sea legs about when they should keep it.

As previously reported, Church Administration announced they were officially blowing off the February 2024 New Moon observance, punctuating the doubts of their resolve.

February 3, 2024 – Member Services and Announcement Bulletin
New Moon Update

Please note that with the new moon of Adar 1 falling on the Sabbath of February 10, there will not be a Friday evening Bible study from Headquarters on February 9.
The messages you will hear during Sabbath services will provide ample spiritual food, so there is no need for a separate new moon Bible study.

The Restored Church of God established that a New Moon occurring on a Friday could be skipped due to the ample spiritual food provided on the Sabbath. Sunday keepers will store that in their back pocket for the next time they are pressed about the Seventh-Day Sabbath.

So much for God’s gift of revealed end-time knowledge. If RCG can blow off a Friday New Moon, of course, they can blow off a Sunday New Moon. And despite the contradictory proclamations of David C. Pack, that is exactly what The Restored Church of God did.

New Moon-flavored “The Greatest Unending Story! (Part 498)” was delivered on March 11, 2024. 

But that was not on the New Moon. The New Moon was on Sunday, March 10. Not on March 11. Only inquisitive brethren with internet access could know that for sure.

David C. Pack is playing a shell game with the moon phases, just as he does with the Scriptures.


David C. Pack creates his own version of reality. His words make something true even when it is not. He repeats falsehoods and counts on sleepy brethren to not fact-check him. The utterances of David C. Pack do not hold up to scrutiny or even remembrance.

Flashback Part 496 – March 2, 2024
@ 44:39 That’s why I’m telling you, [chuckles] you just do not wanna miss the next two messages Sabbath and then Monday evening at the New Moon.

Flashback Part 497 – March 9, 2024
@ 01:19 We will meet again on Monday at the New Moon, and I'll finish what I don’t cover tonight.

 

Making a judgment call pertaining to David C. Pack’s character is a binary decision.

A) Pastor General David C. Pack is incompetent.
B) Pastor General David C. Pack is a willful liar.

To be entirely fair, “C) Both” is a reasonable option, though it was not provided.

David C. Pack and the complacent enablers at Headquarters should leave the calculations for the moon cycles to the experts. Maybe they cannot bring themselves to rely on the moon nerds at NASA. After all, what could those math and science-minded heathens possibly know about the nature of the moon phases?

According to false apostle David C. Pack, the New Moon occurred on March 11. With some Photoshop chops, the Art/Graphics Department can alter this infographic to align with its fraudulent doctrinal narrative.

Download the complete PDF from NASA to build your own Moon Phase Calculator.

For those who prefer accurate information over the duplicitous propaganda of The Restored Church of God, mooninfo.orgis a worthy stop on your fact-finding journey.


 

 


With the available abundance of accurate technological information for calculating the exact moment of a New Moon, why would Pastor General David C. Pack repeat over and over that it was on Monday, March 11, instead of what everyone else in the world knew to be true: Sunday, March 10?

His arrogant, nefarious motivations were intentional.

He did not want to speak on Sunday because of the ample spiritual food provided on the Sabbath. Since he believes himself to be an apostle, whatever he says on earth is bound in heaven. Yes, David C. Pack thinks to change times and laws. In remarkable ways, David C. Pack makes the Bible come alive. It is as if he intentionally tries to make the Scripture’s warnings point to him.

Part 498 – March 11, 2024
@ 00:16 …so we can have the New Moon meal afterwards. I'm trying to remember if I've spoken on a New Moon, I was starting to say. Can't remember if I did.

He was not speaking on the New Moon. How many brethren knew that? How many hirelings at Headquarters knew that? The timid mollusks at Headquarters cannot be trusted, and they prove that by their commission and omission.

Yeah, I am looking right at you, Bradford G. Schleifer. You fancy yourself a technology and science enthusiast, which means you absolutely knew the New Moon was on Sunday. How thin is your moral resilience these days? You can keep slicing off more of your flexible sincerity for the sake of sucking up to Dave and his madness, but only for so long. Unless your conscience is already seared with a hot iron.

@ 32:08 Now, we’re keeping a New Moon.

The data-whore goofballs at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration say otherwise.

David C. Pack is a liar. It is not what he does but who he is.

That observation is a provable fact. Identifying a wolf as a wolf is not condemning him to the Lake of Fire. The warnings in the Bible are there for a reason. David C. Pack is his own worst enemy and we all know he can name some names.

I would relish the opportunity to prove David C. Pack is a liar to the State of Ohio. This is one of the many reasons why The Restored Church of God will not take legal action against exrcg.org. Being compelled to open their records, having a jury of our peers listen to hours of the Pastor General claiming to be sent by God, listing the failed dates for the return of Jesus Christ, and then getting David C. Pack on the stand to just let the guy talk… wow. That would be the trial of the century here in Medina County. My buddy Peter told me he would fly down from Canada to sit in the gallery. Stiff drinks and laughter would carry us through each night.

 


Despite not actually speaking on the New Moon, David C. Pack was super-excited to share his New Moon-themed material with the brethren. He discovered an annual three-day New Moon festival in the Bible, sprinkled "in code" in the Old and New Testaments.

Jonathan, David, and Saul kept this event. So did Daniel. Even Jesus Christ observed it between the lines of the New Testament verses. Like an elephant in the clouds, David C. Pack can see what others cannot.

@ 24:41 Nobody understands this. But it’s as plain as day when God opens it up. And remember, Daniel being unsealed is a sign that we’re near the end. I never understood this until recently. We couldn’t have been near the end. But I do now.

The unsealing of Daniel has been a laborious, fickle process.

Flashback Part 211 – October 24, 2019
@ 1:05:27 Now for a truly astounding discovery… And without understanding this verse, Daniel could never be considered unsealed. So… today and not before today, is Daniel fully unsealed.

Flashback Part 282 – January 22, 2021
@ 1:44:27 Daniel has been unsealed. We’re near the time of the end.

Dave was jazzed to teach about the New Moon observances he discovered. He was almost giddy.

Part 498 – March 11, 2024
@ 32:46 Jonathan, David, Saul kept a three-day New Moon. Yearly New Moon. It’s all through the Bible.

@ 32:59 I'm gonna show you in the New Testament. Christ kept it. Christ turned water into wine on the third day of the annual three-day yearly New Moon celebration.

@ 33:32 That's an important thing to know because, at the Millennium it opens with that three days of the Feast. And the Father's gonna have the world keep those three days several times before this monster rises. We're waiting for one in about 28 days. Little less now.

@ 34:50 Christ’s first miracle was on the third day of the yearly New Moon celebration. It just says “on the third day.” Not the third day of a wedding because the way [chuckles] you can't have a wedding go three days. On the third day of this three days, there was a wedding, and that's a nice thing.

@ 1:09:54 But I wanna plant a seed. We may get all the way to April 8th. I hope so. Because if anything happens before that, it will be very unpleasant based on the verses I think I understand. Very unpleasant [chuckles] and pray nothing happens. But I am not convinced it’s gonna be that way.

@ 1:12:12 I’m I I know a little more than I’m telling you, but I’m not gonna I’m not gonna assert it because I’m not sure. It’s but. Some of the most complicated thing I’ve ever read.

The illusion of unproven understanding at work.

@ 1:54:22 Had we learned all of this too soon, we would have ended the pursuit of knowledge and not learned so many other fascinating things. If we learned this too soon. And I wanted to say that. That’s a huge thing to consider. Think of all that we learned because it took eight-and-a-half years.

By that logic measurement, taking another twenty years would be even better from a knowledge-pursuit standpoint.

Flashback Part 10 – January 9, 2016
@ 1:50:24 Try to imagine. We could not be told or shown too early about the First Dominion or we would have read Revelation 22 before it was true! Do you understand?

 


Despite the repeated claims of David C. Pack, Part 498 was not delivered on the New Moon. They had a New Moonish service and meal because The Restored Church of God refused to observe it correctly.

They skipped it in February. They missed it in March. They just do not take it seriously.

Understanding the motivations behind obvious error points to willful lying or spectacular incompetence on the behalf of all the “leaders” at Headquarters. If any hireling knew it was wrong and failed to bring it forward, they are a coward. If the information was ignored, then the Campus in Wadsworth exposed itself again as a nest of dark trickery. Yeah, the True Church indeed.

Which is it, Brad? Are you guys knowingly wicked or are you guys ignorantly stupid?

David C. Pack perverts the Bible to make it say what he wants. He adds to and takes away from the words of the prophecy of the book. The New Moon doctrines are a new game he plays with the brethren. Using sleight of hand magic, he keeps the members guessing what is real when the answer is right in front of them.

The Kingdom of God will not arrive on April 8, 2024. World Hell will not “break out” before April 8.

The darkness that settles over the Headquarters Campus on April 8 will not just be the total solar eclipse but a perfect illustration of the lack of light, love, and truth emanating from David C. Pack and The Restored Church of God.


Marc Cebrian

See: New Moonish Excitement 







Friday, March 29, 2024

LCG: What is it with their endless obsession with Germany?


I have good news and bad news.

Russia is mass killing in Ukraine
Haiti is a failed state.
Mexican cartels are indiscriminately killing people.
The USA is in a state of civil war.


And what is the bad news?


It has always amazed me how the church has consistently made it their job to be fearmongers. There is always some tragedy, famine, war, or death looming on the horizon ready to strike down all of the rebellious people of the world while the chosen elite yuk it up in Petra or Pella depending on where your resident guru has deemed the place of final training. They for some reason chose to remain oblivious to the beauty in the world that surrounds them, the beauty in the everyday lives of fellow humans and most importantly in their members.

Satan is always looming directly overhead ready to cause havoc, After all, he is the most talked about entity that the church has placed high on the pedestal. Members know more about him than they do that weird Jewish dude named Jesus.

Plus, the church has always needed a scapegoat in order to make themselves look more important and highly chosen. 

None is on the receiving end of this blaming and shaming game than Germany is. From Herbert Armstrong's day down through Rod Meredith and Gerald Weston, Germany was the great bogeyman
Mereidht just loved a good concentration camp with meat hooks and ovens. Nothing seemed to delight him more than seeing Americans gassed in concentration camps or taken away as slaves to Europe.

Week after week, Germany is the headliner for LCG prediction addiction:


This Work has long warned that Europe and Germany will shift into a war-production mode, becoming the military and economic powerhouse known in the Bible as “the beast.” For decades, this warning has appeared far-fetched to many. But that is changing! With the increasing “Russian threat” on their border, Germany has been forced to move into a mindset of war preparation. In January, 300 experts visited Berlin at the request of the Bundeswehr (German Foreign Policy, February 20, 2024) to explore coordinating military and civil actions in the event of war on the continent. Germany’s Operationsplan Deutschland sets out actions needed for the “militarisation of German society as a whole,” and this recent meeting occurred in accordance with that plan. Should war break out, all elements of German society must be able to work together. Germany has greatly increased military spending, is exporting more military hardware, and broke ground last month on a new artillery shell factory (Deutsche Welle, February 12, 2024). Germany’s education minister has even suggested that schools should prepare pupils for war and foster a positive relationship with the armed forces (Deutsche Welle, March 17, 2024).

However, Germany is not alone in preparing for war. In a recent op-ed, European Council President Charles Michel said, “Europe must strengthen its defence capabilities and shift to a ‘war economy’ mode in response to the threat posed by Russia (Reuters, March 18, 2024). He clearly warned, “If we want peace, we must prepare for war.” He also suggested changing the rules of the European Investment Bank to allow for the support of the European defense industry.

Germany and Europe are on the threshold of significant changes. War rhetoric is returning, the engine of the military industrial complex is rumbling, and Bible prophecy is proving right, yet again. To learn what the future holds for Europe, watch “The Beast of Revelation.


From an LCG source 

PCG Idiot Cal Culpepper: "A wife has to be a whore in the bedroom.”





When it comes to the Philadelphia Church of God cult and its absolutely crazy ministers you never know what kind of idiocy you will hear next, especially when it comes from the mouth of Cal Culpepper. When Culpepper was in Pasadena as a student he wasn't known to the the brightest bulb in the pack. Conceited, arrogant, and very narcissistic are the only words to describe him. Sadly these are the kind of fools that the church tended to steer towards ordination.


Shocking Words Cal Culpepper Told My Kids:
March 26, 2024
This was told to me by my daughter and ex-son in law as was told to them by Cal Culpepper and Greg Nice in a so called counseling session with Culpepper and Nice. 
 
Culpepper told my kids, “A wife has to be a whore in the bedroom.” Upon uttering this, Greg Nice got huge eyes but later told my kids, “I don’t remember him saying such a thing.” And Culpepper stated, “This is from Gerald Flurry himself.” 
 
At the time my kids told me this, I was totally convinced this so called “church” is actually another one of Satan’s cults! Shortly after this, Cal Culpepper kicked my kids out of the cult (“church”) and fortunately my daughter is thrilled to not be in it any more, but my idiot ex-son-in-law still sends in well over $3000 a month in tithes (buying his way back in) would be my guess. Exit and Support Network

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Bob Thiel Sinks To New Low Trying To Shame The Late Aleksandar "Sasha" Veljic



Kolchak has left a new comment on your post "Crackpot Prophet Weighs In On Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse":

1:13, isn't Bob the one who's vile when he rakes in the latest news tragedies into his revolving door to print back out again, but with spin meant to prop himself up with it? (ok or to prop up his hierarchical prophet-office?) (under the guise of propping up the bible ya, ya ok ok)

As a short stature person, he's always trying to be seen above the crowd of taller folk, to have them all turn toward him as a main event center of attention. (ME, ME, look at me, Gaylyn anointed ME as a top hierachical prophet!)

Bob's sicker than normal spouts are when he now likens the late Sasha challenging Bob, to as if Sasha was kicking Jesus in the pricks...THAT is the scripture BOB USES now to accuse Sasha of doing some kind of "kick" onto Bob/& or Jesus?, by citing Acts 9:5 onto our late friend Sasha : "Last week, the troubled (cf. Acts 9:5) Aleksandar ‘Sasha’ Veljic died (see Aleksandar ‘Sasha’ Veljic died). I have known of him since 1994"

Bob now hits Sasha with Acts 9:5 NKJV:

5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. [a]It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

(Bob believes Sasha doing that particular kick onto Jesus/& or onto Bob).

VERY uncomfortable to see a church leader shaming his former beloved late ordained Elder that way.

Is Bob so "almost Jesus-like" that if anyone is uncomfortable with Bob, then they therefore are uncomfortable with Jesus (in Bob's view that is)?

Watch Bob spin a reply to this now, soon. He'll Dave-Pack-back-track and say, "well they took it out of context again, like they did claiming I said (things like) death is necessary/well timed/needed/welcome/a friend of relief during travail/etc".

The only thing Sasha was (rightly) "troubled" about, was how true Christians tend to dislike the "world's corrupt systems" : (1 John 2:15-17 NKJV : 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.) And many of the sincere, including Sasha, can find life troubling when we witness all the injustices rampant.

(note : Sasha's ENTIRE LIFE was ALL about 1 John 2:15-17)! Many can attest to it!

Bob pokes at Sasha as if there were mentally "troubling" matters, and Bob's doctorate should be revoked if he tries to psychologically diagnose Mr. Veljic or anyone so poorly. When Sasha simply followed scripture and was humbly troubled at global & local injustices.

Now, Bob has doormat patsy supporters writing this site is vile, at 1:13 Anon. I think I am ashamed at Bob's "Meredith-ish" rude abrasive personality masquerading as if he is a living embodiment of the bible itself.

(the one who's "troubled", is the short fella hollering out kind of like "the-squeaky-wheel-gets-the-grease")

Spiritual Narcissism In The Church



At this point in the lives of those who have been part of Armstrongism over the decades, we have all known narcissists in the church. Sadly, a large percentage of the leadership of the hundreds of splinter groups are spiritual narcissists. They are the best men the church has ever seen leading the best COG's since the apostles walked this earth. God speaks in and through them and all should do well to heed their perfect words. Don't ever think of questioning them...


What is spiritual narcissism? These narcissists are at your church, yoga class and more by Charles Trepany

Narcissists are everywhere − and, yes, that includes church
 
If you've been involved in a church, yoga class, meditation group or other religious or spiritual community, odds are you've come across a spiritual narcissist, or a narcissist who uses spirituality and religion as a means to garner attention and validation, also known as narcissistic supply, to control others. 
 
By no means does someone being religious or spiritual mean they're a narcissist. Rather, psychologists say, spiritual narcissists distort religion and spirituality to cater to their own selfish interests, as well as to punish and abuse others.

Even if you have only been part of Armstrongism for a short while, you already know how distorted from reality it all is.

Spiritual narcissists will often take religious teachings out of context in order to gaslight people into doing what they want them to do or to justify their own mistreatment of others. If you speak out or raise questions to a spiritual narcissist, expect a smear campaign, in which the narcissist criticizes your faith, spiritual practice and morals. 
 
Like all narcissists, spiritual narcissists also lack empathy, caring only about themselves. Because of this, being perceived as spiritual and enlightened is often more important to them than actually being spiritual or enlightened. 
 
"They act like they speak for God and, if you don’t do what they want, then you’re against God. Essentially, they put themselves between you and God and claim that if you don’t do whatever they want you to do, then you’re not a 'true believer' or that you’re a bad person," Cole says. "They never practice what they preach." 
 
In extreme scenarios, spiritual narcissists may even start cults or become cult leaders, says Stephanie Sarkis, a psychotherapist and author of "Healing from Toxic Relationships: 10 Essential Steps to Recover from Gaslighting, Narcissism, and Emotional Abuse."

"Anyone that's in a position of power can inflict narcissistic abuse on others, and, particularly when it's a spiritual organization, you have people that might be vulnerable, that may be more of a target for narcissists," Sarkis says. "There's inherent power in leading a group of people." What is spiritual narcissism? These narcissists are at your church, yoga class and more

UCG Is More Unifed Than Ever And Ready To Take On The Catholic Church As The End Times Draws Nigh

 

After UCG's recent turmoil in Italy with another defecting minister, UCG has come out to say that the Italian church is as strong as ever and stands in fear of NO man or the Catholic Church. 

Why do so many Armstrongist churches have to thump their little chests instead of acting like real grace-filled Christians?

As for exposing the "evils of the world" the COG has a long history of running off at the mouth in sermons and sad magazine articles and then doing nothing. They can't even keep their own churches morally or spiritually clean, so why really worry about the world?

Most importantly, the Church there is united and at one with God, poised and ready to do the work God has called us all to do. God has been doing a work in Italy for years, dating all the way back to the time of the apostle Paul. Rome was the seat of the gentile world then, and Paul witnessed strongly of God’s ways. Today, Italy is the seat of the leader of one of the world’s leading religions. As time moves forward, God will lead His true Church in the work to be done in Italy, without fear of man, as we preach the truth and hope of the gospel and expose the evil of this world (Ephesians 5:11). Where He leads, we will follow. He will provide the direction and reveal His will as we move forward.

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Crackpot Prophet Weighs In On Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse


 

Why is it that whenever a significant news story hits the airwaves self-appointed lying Church of God prophets have to open their fly traps and run off at the mouth about it? Not only do they have absolutely no qualifications in discussing these incidents, but their looney prophecy schtick makes them look even dumber.

Enter the scene with our Great Bwana Bob Mzungu Thiel, God's greatest prophet to ever walk the green hills of this earth. Being so amazingly important he was even part of the conversation by the Holy Trinity as they were forming the foundations of the world. After much debate, they settled on the Great Bwana Bob to arise in the perilous end times as the true savior of the church to reconcile it to the Father so they could all go to Petra together and learn to be future gods and goddesses, coequal with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The loss of the godly message would be so severe in the end times that there could only one person who could restore the truth once delivered, the Great Bwana Bob Mzungu. With his keen insight into Mayan culture, tornadoes, and mold, he would be God's mouthpiece in the end times.

By believing he is soooooooooo important, he now feels he has to weigh in on everything that happens in the news, which brings us to today.

Bad and deadly events happen and people are often surprised by them. 
 
The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge would seem to be in that category.

Now, because people died unexpectedly, does that mean that those most affected by the fires were necessarily worse sinners than those less affected? 
 
The biblical answer is no. 
 
Notice the words of Jesus:

45…He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:45)

4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. (Luke 13:4-5)

But Jesus did prophesy wars, earthquakes, famines, and troubles:

8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:8).

We continue to see troubles in many parts of the world. 
 
Most people do not think that catastrophic events can happen to them. 
 
But all need to be spiritually prepared. 
 
Jesus taught paying attentions to world events and prophecy is important:

34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36)

Notice Jesus said to watch and pray ALWAYS. He was referring to prophetic matters, particularly those with deadly effects. 

Apparently, these people who died on the bridge and those shocked by the event were not praying enough nor paying attention to world events in prophecy - as interpreted by the Great Bwana Bob Thiel.  

Jesus realized that if people did not pay attention to prophecy and pray always, they would not properly take the steps to “be counted worthy to escape all these things.” Yes, God uses prophecy as a motivator for people. Remember that God used Jonah to warn Nineveh (Jonah 3:1-4) and they repented (Jonah 3:5-9), and they did not get the punishment they were going to get then (Jonah 3:10). 
 
Jesus specifically told the Laodiceans, in a prophecy, that they needed to repent (Revelation 3:19) or face consequences (Revelation 3:14-19, and that they would be rewarded for doing so (Revelation 3:20). The Laodiceans are Church of God Christians “who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:17). 
 
Do not be like those of Siloam or those on the Francis Scott Key Bridge who did not know and then perished.

Why does the Great Bwana Bob Mzungu always have to come off as a pile of condescending shit? 


Monday, March 25, 2024

Living Church of God: Pride Or Humility - Which One Does The Church Excel In?

As hard as it might be, who could have ever imagined a Church of God lecturing its members about pride and humility? Shocking, I know!


Pride vs. Humility: Bible prophecies reveal that in the last days many will be proud, boastful, haughty, and headstrong (2 Timothy 3:1–5). Our modern secular world promotes pride in race, gender, sports teams, national identity, and personal accomplishments. Humble people are viewed as weak. Yet, few today understand what God reveals in the Scriptures about these two important qualities. The Bible clearly states that pride is a source of contention (Proverbs 13:10) and that “pride goes before… a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). However, God says that He looks on the humble (Isaiah 66:2), that He raises up the humble (Psalm 147:6), and that humility leads to honor in God’s sight (Proverbs 15:33). As we approach the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread, we need to examine ourselves and ask some searching questions: Am I really a humble person, or have I absorbed the mode of thinking and acting of this misguided world? We need to remember that humility brings blessings, but pride brings big problems. Let’s strive to develop the qualities that God wants to see in each of us, “to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God”(Micah 6:8).
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail

When Is It The Right Time For A Person To Die?



Bob Thiel has some nerve, eh?

To tell us : 

...notice that when God’s people die, they rest. As other scriptures show, death is like sleep.

Why do they die when they do?

Because they die when it is best for them.

It may be best because they will cease physical suffering.

It may be because negative events are coming that they would be best to avoid.

It may be because they refuse to properly repent further. Bob Thiel: Why Do Christian People Die?

Hmm-mm...

When A.C. alumna Mrs. Amy Allwine was violently killed by pious church hubby Steven (when HE decided it was time for her to "go"), was that really "when it is best" for her (as Bob teaches)?

She was a beloved dog trainer, & a good cook often fond of baking, and receiving many compliments for her many wholesome endeavours.

Bob has some nerve, to 1/2 the time say no one should kill... then, the other 1/2 of the time, to conversely insinuate that "God apparently led Mr. Steven Allwine to end Mrs. Allwine's life in 2016"!

I for one am not going to put up with some Podium Premier to shuffle cards of faith in my head like that in a quagmire of zonked "logic".

It's not clear if he's stating that everyone's death is timed best, or if the lesson covers only church members "time".

Was Bathsheba's 1st husband Uriah "meant" to have his death occur at a time convenient for David after ogling Mrs. Uriah as his personal eye-candy? Bob will have cookie-cutter reasoning on that event & for others. (even though we will probably hear from someone that Jesus' lineage came from Bathsheba etc.) How do we process that info respectfully? Doesn't it hurt a little bit, while we remain open-minded to at least accept it I suppose...

Some statements are confusing and contradictive. It happens when it's time :

Why do they die when they do?

Because they die when it is best for them.

It may be best because they will cease physical suffering.

It may be because negative events are coming that they would be best to avoid.

It may be because they refuse to properly repent further.

Then, it can happen due to foolishness : 

Why should you die before your time? (Ecclesiastes 7:17)

While there is a time to die, notice that foolishness and wickedness can have one die earlier than what would otherwise happen.

(guess what on a side note, Bob or hardly no one else can explain why the explicit naughty passage of Ezekiel 23:20 is printed for all age groups to see...but remains off-limits in most lessons...)

Are we to gloss over how (for example, those who are of the pro-life political stance) the idea of the abortions are done at a time "not chosen by God"?

With the pollyanna la-la land approach to this subject, diseases may/or may not be worth researching to treat & cure.

(why even put on a band-aid, or have a broken bone set, or have dental hygiene cleanings?) ...or attend chemo-therapy...skin grafts...blood transfusions...

WCG used to discourage medical treatments. (then we hear of HWA's assistants being told to hide or bury or burn a briefcase full of medicines useful for seniors Mr. Armstrong's age). No wonder Bobby Fischer departed the Pasadena campus life.

Does Bob T. think criminals who kill are simply a marionette-on-strings puppet of God's without free will, & acting on behalf of God when they end someone's life...if he says deaths happen "when it's best for the person" (victim)?

Bob & the superficially like-minded will remember Dr. Jack Kevorkian, who invented a medical "device" which a terminally ill or suffering "patient" could use. And upon personally operating it, the person chooses to elect "their time to die". But all my extensive past fellowshipping in COG never expounded approval or permission for anyone to use any such kind of device like Kevorkian's. (or to use other tools for the same result).

Dibar Apartian's son left life in Pasadena at "the wrong time", not at "the correct time" or at the time which was "best".

Why does Bob think those who died of polio, smallpox, A.I.D.S., cirrosis of the liver (whether from swine trichinosis or from alcohol abuse)...or from lung cancer from smoking tobacco, all went "when it was best"? Aren't smokers and excess drinkers advised by church to stop?

Or does Bob think it was just "the right time to go"? He surely has in mind some instances of tragedy lately in the news that should "not have happened". But then his lesson says otherwise...that even avoidable tragedies occur when "they should". (although he does have that clause regarding : "Why should you die before your time? (Ecclesiastes 7:17)

While there is a time to die, notice that foolishness and wickedness can have one die earlier than what would otherwise happen."

What will be the upcoming & clever Dave Pack-style back-step on his lesson he wrote too quick? Likely, the same lesson will just be re-posted a few times per year like all the other lessons, with some cut/paste add-ons or cuts.

Even HWA made a statement I remember, something about: "no, death is not a friend, but an enemy!"


And Bob's article too many times cites death as being "welcome" or logical or needed or well-timed, & not even HWA would refer to death as a "friend".

Kolchak












Sunday, March 24, 2024

Living Church of God: We Are Excited About Our GOTO's But Know That Hardly Any Of Them Will Ever Follow Through

 

Check out this word salad from Gerald Weston:

There were 2,307 orders for Lesson One of the Bible Study Course last week, and February saw 245 GOTOs—individuals who ask about baptism, counsel, or Sabbath Services in their areas. We know that most people who order the Bible Study Course do not finish it, but those who do are more likely to become serious GOTOs. And while most GOTOs do not follow through to become members, a certain percentage do and that is why these two stats are so important.

Notice how LCG never shows what percentage of these people actually become members. LCG has dropped hundreds of millions of dollars over the years on people who are ultimately no-shows. Talk about tithe money being unwisely spent!

Aleksandar "Sasha" Veljic Servant Leadership Style vs Bob Thiel's Bobmbastic Perpetually Angry "I Am The Best" Style

 



When one steps back and looks at the leadership style of Shasha and his quiet respectful Christian approach vs the bellowing perpetually angry Bob Thiel it is shocking. Sadly, it always seems the good ones die off or are forced out of the church while the abusive leaders continue unabated in the misery they cause.

Sasha often mentioned he wasn't fully convinced that covid vaccines were ultimately safe for everyone, safe with no side effects. 

But he took the vaccine anyway to embark on a trip to very border-restrictive Australia, to meet someone there patiently & politlely waiting at least 7 years for their baptism service. 

The organization he & Sasha were in at that time has a fussy main top leader who reportedly later or at some point, STILL questioned the patience of the person Sasha went to baptise...while the leader constantly presides over frequent, regular & timely approvals on many, many fairly fast-track Kenyan & African baptisms.

Sasha was somewhat uncomfortable with the covid vaccine but decided in faith that it was part of service to help in spiritual matters. Is there a chance his strokes were a remote side effect of his body or genetics reaction to covid vaccine? 

Does Sasha's former leader possibly appreciate the dedicated efforts Sasha's life was all about?

The rude leader wrote an otherwise respectful brief life synopsis history of Sasha (including past Ambassador College achievements) after his passing, but took one last subtle jab at this pleasant fellow...the leader dismisses the significance of the impressive collections in Sasha's Serbian apartment, the Hope Of Israel library. The leader (Bob) then pokes one last subtle jab at Sasha, regarding : "Sasha never married, but often lived with his mother until she died a few years ago."

Sasha likely helped his Mom to serve her during any times of sharing housing with her. But his impressive home library/apartment where many church services for local & international online community were lovingly conducted, was not mentioned...although the poke of an adult's time living with a parent in a poor country holds prominece in the account from his former leader.

Commercial Break: "Five are fallen...

 ....one is, and the other has not yet come...and the Beast that was and is not...the eighth.."

 

 

"Bible Prophecy" is for the people who hear and receive it.  Bible prophecy is not something that projects thousands of years into the future, where every following generation can come up with "reasons" why it means them...and then die out having to realize it didn't mean them either. 

An excellent example of prophecy being for those in whose times it is given is the all too familiar Revelation 17. Revelation was not written for us. It was written for them who were experiencing the Siege and Fall of Jerusalem from 66 CE to the final crushing blow at Masada in 73 CE.  

And it was when Revelation fell into the category of a hopeful but now failed first century prophecy. 

REVELATION 17:

9 Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. 10 There are also seven kings. Five have fallenone is, and the other has not yet comeAnd when he comes, he must continue a short time.
 
The first seven Kings of the Roman Empire were:
 
Five have fallen,
 
1. Julius Caesar 46-44 BCE (Founder of the Julian Dynasty)
 
2. Augustus (Octavian) Caesar 27 BCE-14 CE (Considered the 1st Caesar)
 
3. Tiberious Caesar     14 CE to 37 CE
 
4. Gaius Caesar (Caligula) 37 CE to 41 CE
 
5. Claudius Caesar  41 CE to 54 CE  
 
One is
(At the time of the actual writing of the Book of Revelation)
 
6. Nero Caesar  54 CE to 68 CE     
  
The other has not yet comeAnd when he comes, he must continue a short time.
7. Galba  68 CE to 69 CE     
(Galba was Caesar for only 7 months)
=========================
Siege of Jerusalem
66 CE to 73 CE
Destruction of Jerusalem
70 CE
Final Destruction at Massada
73 CE
 
=======================================
Revelation 17:
11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the ,eighth and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
VESPASIAN
69 CE  to 79 CE
=============================
In Summary
"Revelation was the swan song of the Militant Jewish Christianity. When Jerusalem was destroyed, when Rome waxed greater and more powerful, when the *False Prophet gained more and more followers, when the book itself was proved totally false within two years, when it became evident the Jewish Messiah-Christ would not come, the Hebrew Christians lost their virility and their cult faded under the combined assault of orthodox Judaism and of ** Gentile Christianity".
The Religion of the Occident
The Apostle Paul was likely, to the Jewish Christians, the False Prophet

 *The Apostle Paul
Letter Ephesian Church in Revelation
To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. ‘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 apostles and are not, and found them to be false.
2 Timothy 1:15 Paul laments...
"You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes."
The "Province of Asia, Western Turkey, was the area where the Seven Churches were located. To the Jewish Christians to whom the Book of Revelation was written, Vespasian was the Beast and the Apostle Paul, the False Prophet. Both would go into the Lake of Fire. However, both Rome and the Apostle Paul won the day and all the days to come.
** Pauline Gentile Christianity
IMHO