Samuel Kitchen writes:
Mr Armstrong had to separate himself from the payroll of the Oregon Conference, because they wanted him to preach false doctrines. He cooperated with them, but he didn’t receive wages from them. He continued to preach the truth of God.I think Mr Dean should follow his example.I spent most of my life observing my father as a servant of Christ, following Christ and Christ being with him.When we began looking at other groups to see where Christ was working, we found no group.Christ began using me.
How many times have we heard this exact same phrase made by almost every splinter group self-appointed leader? Jesus no more appointed Samuel than He did Bob Thiel to his position.
Samuel continues:
It would be easier for me to go to the UCG, or some other group and become a member of that group. Maybe I’d find a wife and have a family of my own. Maybe I wouldn’t have to struggle against persecution as much, and maybe I wouldn’t be such an outcast.But what keeps me here, is the Word of God! I believe what it says! I gave myself to Jesus Christ! I have no other purpose in this life. I didn’t choose this, I was chosen.I didn’t raise up the Worldwide Church of God. Christ did through His apostle.I didn’t choose Aaron Dean and appoint him, Christ did through His apostle.He’s like a Joshua getting ready to exit Babylon. He thinks he has to be a Daniel. But God already gave the marching orders, and how can the Temple be restored if the servants who were appointed give up and refuse to return?It takes one voice, like the Barry Manillo song goes. Im trying to stand up and be encouraging. I might end up with more scars because of it but man , family means a lot to me. Why can’t I put value on the Family of God? You deserve to live, don’t ya?I believe God’s Word that says the Worldwide Church of God will come back together.(Zechariah 2) The Philadelphia candlestick still exists and will be protected!Christ intervenes and returns when He does for the Elects sake. He loves this Church!Now i may be ridiculed and laughed at and scorned, for fighting for this family, this Worldwide Church of God, but im just following Jesus Christ.What about you brothers and sisters?I do get lonely sometimes, because I don’t have anyone here with me. But I do have God, Christ and my spiritual family.And that’s encouraging.The family is growing. I can’t wait to see who will be there.
24 comments:
There are plenty of competent mental health authorities in Jerusalem. Let's hop that when Samuel goes there later this year, he receives the help he needs, whether he has requested it or is involuntarily committed to it as a result of a visible psychotic break.
Right, where have we heard this before?
I’m not claiming to be any leader. I believe Jesus Christ used my dad to encourage brethren to hold fast and endure trials and tribulations.
I believe I should be an encouraging factor among the people of God. I seem to be the only one fighting for the Philadelphia candlestick, this Worldwide Church of God. Others seem to want to consume it into their new group, I’m striving to stir up the Holy Spirit among God’s people, for them to BE the Worldwide Church of God.
Maybe that’s disagreed upon by many of you. You seem to hold it in such contempt, but you seem to be content on drinking a muddy footprint, and complaining how it isn’t pure. I’m about separating the Holy from the profane. Not my interpretation but what the Word of God determines.
I’m trying to capture values that are right and good, and emphasize them. That’s not delusional.
This life isn’t about how much you take from it.
It’s about how much you give and put into it.
I’m tired of lies winning out. I’m tired of people making fun of attempts done by people to seek and find the good in things.
I feel Christ has been using me to strengthen the good and right parts that need strengthening among the people of the Worldwide Church of God membership and ministry.
If I die tonight, I will sleep well knowing that is what is in my heart.
I’m not here for money.
Not here for people to follow me.
Not here for the attention.
But I here to encourage, to support and emphasize the good and right values of God.
I kinda sorta always felt badly for David ben Ariel, too. Considering all the crap visited upon all of us by Herbert W. Armstrong, it's probably amazing that there aren't more or these people coming out of the woodwork. If they were meanspirited, you could hate them and think they deserved what they brought upon themselves. But some of them are not,
Take it easy Samuel. You seem sincere and conscientious. However, our having been called "the elect" for so long can make us feel special in unhealthy ways. This isn't very uncommon. I worked with an orthodox Jew at one time and he wanted to go to the Holy Land, but he knew his own personality and said he had some reservations because some Jews that visit the Holy Land begin thinking they are the Messiah. He knew a couple of people that experienced this, but it went away.
I think you need to separate yourself from this obsession and it too will go away. The Lord has already given us what we need.
I am delusional! I'm obsessed with a guy whose false prophecies could fill an Ambassador Auditorium. I have no new ideas but I'll try to resurrect the spirit of HWA harder than Saul looking to the ghost of Samuel.
The internet is awash with messiah’s. Religious and political.
Nothing to see here. I don’t doubt as humans, especially in the western world, move away from religious belief, the craving for something tangible with meaning will become more acute. There is a ready market out there for messianic messages and the people who peddle them. We read God will send a strong delusion among many. These are interesting times. And no, HWA was no prophet. What is troubling is not the messiahs that abound, it is the anti semitism that is growing in leaps and bounds within the western world. 1930s again, who would of thought?
David was not mean spirited and had a deep love for the Jewish people and was genuinely likable by those in contact with him. The problem was Armstrongism totally warped his mind. I think at one point he was even arrested in Israel and deported, but its been so long ago. Interstingly enough, Grok knew about him:
-------------------------
David Ben-Ariel, born David A. Hoover on January 10, 1960, in Toledo, Ohio, was a Christian-Zionist writer, blogger, and advocate for biblical prophecies related to Israel and end-times events. He was deeply influenced by the teachings of Herbert W. Armstrong and was an active member of the Worldwide Church of God (WCG), participating in its observances such as the Feast of Tabernacles.
Later, he became associated with offshoot groups like the Philadelphia Church of God but was eventually disfellowshipped for his political activism and views.
Ben-Ariel legally changed his name to reflect his self-identified heritage as a descendant of the biblical tribes of Israel (via British-Israelism doctrines) and his affinity for Jerusalem, which he interpreted as "Ariel" or "Lion of God."
Background and Early LifeBen-Ariel grew up in Toledo, tracing his ancestry to early American settlers, including passengers on the Mayflower.
His religious journey began with the WCG, which shaped his worldview around Armstrongism—a set of beliefs emphasizing Sabbath-keeping, Holy Days, the lost tribes of Israel, and prophecies about a revived Holy Roman Empire in Europe.
In 1980, at age 20, he made his first trip to Israel with the WCG to celebrate Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles), an experience that ignited his lifelong passion for the country.
Travels, Activism, and Time in IsraelBen-Ariel visited Israel 11 times and lived there for five years, volunteering on eight kibbutzim across the country, including Ramat Yohanan, Sdot Yam, and Shoval.
He remained in Israel during the 1991 Persian Gulf War, enduring Scud missile threats.
A fervent supporter of Jewish sovereignty over the Temple Mount, he participated in demonstrations with groups like the Temple Mount Faithful and advocated for the construction of a Third Temple, aligning with his interpretation of biblical prophecies.
In 1996, Israeli authorities deported him after accusing him of plotting to damage the Al-Aqsa Mosque, a charge he vehemently denied, attributing it to political motivations following Yitzhak Rabin's assassination.
He was detained for three weeks in Jerusalem's Russian Compound prison before expulsion, and his visa was denied until 2005 despite interventions from U.S. officials like Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur and Senator Mike DeWine.
Writings and BeliefsBen-Ariel authored Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall, a book promoting WCG-inspired prophecies about Europe's unification as a "beast power," the role of the United States and Britain as modern descendants of ancient Israel, and warnings of divine judgment for moral decay.
Critics noted its stream-of-consciousness style, lack of scholarly rigor, and controversial statements, including racially charged views on Gentiles and opposition to certain minority rights, which some labeled as extreme or racist.
He maintained numerous blogs and websites to disseminate his ideas, often defending Armstrong's legacy against changes in the post-1986 WCG, which shifted toward mainstream evangelicalism.
Later Life and DeathBen-Ariel continued his online advocacy from Toledo, focusing on Middle East politics, biblical interpretation, and criticism of global institutions like the UN.
He passed away on March 27, 2011, at age 51, from complications related to health issues (though specifics were not detailed publicly), at Hospice of Northwest Ohio.
He was survived by his mother, three sisters, and extended family.
Services were private, with donations encouraged to Hospice of Northwest Ohio.
Kind of cargo cult-y, isnt it?
There will always be aspects of history from every era that are similar or familiar, 9:08. From what we know about the first century, in Israel, a part of the Roman Empire, there were many messianic types, rebels who would rise up and gain moderate followings. The Jews were familiar with the writings of the prophets, and many were anxiously awaiting a messiah who would come in great strength, and would deliver them from the oppression imposed upon them by the Romans. This is why they failed to recognize Jesus, who did not come as the warrior-messiah for whom they deeply longed, but as the suffering Messiah who died to pay the penalty for the sins of mankind.
Revelation, traditionally apocalyptic literature of the period, depicted the type of Messiah the Jews anticipated, and for whom many of the observant ones are still waiting.
In our own contemporary times, there are many gurus and wannabe gurus. Some aspire to be the one, others are patiently awaiting for the one. The HWA model became stopped in its tracks by the death of HWA, and the lack of a credible successor. Some who were raised to believe that he was God's endtimes Apostle are still waiting for that credible successor. Things have not unfolded in any way as HWA conditioned them to anticipate. This has caused some to have great angst, and others to believe that they are that successor.
BB
Great word BB, concerning these present day gurus, instead of finishing their course with joy, like Paul. These wannabes spend all their energy on an end time platform endorsing their self elevation.
Tank
Thanks for your comments BB.
You are so right, things have not unfolded as Herbie thought and taught. And this has caused some angst and confusion amongst the sheep. And exposed his few remaining and dwindling followers as folk up a creek without a paddle.
The theological underpinnings of this movement, mainly BI have been found entirely false and simply untenable. Sadly that does not deter some from peddling Herbs messages. Cheers.
I suspect that some people are looking at the world scene and secretly begining to ponder whether some of HWA's prophesies are true. This could be a factor in why I'm experiencing increased persecution.
Samuel Kitchen, I'm glad you're zealous for the things that are right and good. The thing I don't understand is, why are you so determined that God's work must be organised under the name "Worldwide Church of God"? The Bible says nothing of "Worldwide Church of God", only of Jesus Christ being the head of the church. Isn't it enough for God's people to obey and worship God, and God's will shall be accomplished? Humans and human institutions are ephemeral, but God endures forever. Jesus is Lord and head of all those who put their trust in Him.
Whatever your motives, why do you keep insisting that Aaron Dean should join you? Just leave him alone, or else go where he goes, i.e. to UCG?
“When we began looking at other groups to see where Christ was working, we found no group. Christ began using me.”
Kinda sounds like Elijah whining to God that he’s the “only one” left and then God revealing to him that He’s got at least 7000 men who haven’t bowed the knee to Baal. So just coz you don’t “see” God “working” where or how or with whom you think He should doesn’t mean He’s not. God is never limited to our expectations and observations.
This is a prime example of the cultish mindset HWA instilled into his followers which I have grown to strongly dislike ie “only” those who observe the seventh day Sabbath and/or the holy days and/or have a COG background and/or have undergone the ritual of laying on of hands etc are teaching “the truth!” Everyone outside this set of man-made Armstrongist criteria calling themselves “Christian” ain’t worth listening to and their books, etc should be ignored.
That’s not discernment—that’s elitism masquerading as truth! The irony is that many of us who joined the WCG or its offshoots came from other churches because we were open-minded and valued critical thinking—until we were told to shut that off once we accepted Armstrongism. Even COG ministers have often borrowed their “new truths” from non-COG sources, hypocritically applying their set of rules to the members while absolving themselves from the same not unlike Christ condemned the Jewish religious leaders for doing in His day (cf Mat 23:3-4)!
Byker Bob, BB, Friday, August 15, 2025 at 7:31:11 AM PDT, wrote in part:
"...From what we know about the first century, in Israel, a part of the Roman Empire, there were many messianic types, rebels who would rise up and gain moderate followings. The Jews were familiar with the writings of the prophets, and many were anxiously awaiting a messiah who would come in great strength, and would deliver them from the oppression imposed upon them by the Romans. This is why they failed to recognize Jesus, who did not come as the warrior-messiah for whom they deeply longed, but as the suffering Messiah who died to pay the penalty for the sins of mankind...."
******
And today, most of us have been taught to believe in: "... the suffering Messiah who died to pay the penalty for the sins of mankind..."; however, is that particular Messiah just "another Jesus?"
For decades I’ve heard talk about Jesus paying the penalty for our sins. Did Jesus make it possible for mankind to “magically” avoid the penalty of sins? Shouldn’t mankind pay that penalty? If a Messiah paid the penalty, then what was that benefit?
We may ask: how/why must a "... suffering Messiah ..." die to "...pay the penalty for the sins of mankind..."?
We probably all learned it from HWA/WCG, but we were also told by the apostle Paul that: "...For the wages of sin [is] death;…" Romans 6:23
Why/how would some Messiah pay any penalty, those wages of sin, for sins of anybody?
After all, we all have sin(s) involved in all of our lives, right? What's the penalty? Death!
And death, at least once, has been appointed to all of us. And still, there are hirelings of the former WCG still preaching about what they must do to guarantee they are saved and will receive reward for what they do..for themSELVES and their followers? Did some suffering Messiah die to allow that to occur?
But, we each pay the penalty for sin(s), which will result in our death. Done deal, but is there more?
Jesus's death was the result of murder, after He was mercilessly beaten (unlike anything done with the sacrifices mentioned in the Old Testament).
When we are resurrected in the first or second (no need for a 3rd resurr) resurrection we will be sinless. Why? The sin was paid with by our own death: wages paid!
Will God be into double jeopardy? No, but Jesus' God, Jesus' Father, had already planned to reconcile (2 Cor 5:19) each of us via Jesus Christ to Himself, but what else has that God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob planned to do for each of us?
Hebrews 10:10 "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once [for all].
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."
After each of our deaths, we may have full assurance of God's gift that one sacrifice, that one offering, by God through Jesus Christ is going to sanctify us allowing us to live again.
Paul knew it for he was inspired to tell us:
"…but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23
Why not?
"In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;" Titus 1:2
May we have hope, confidence, and assurance that God will keep that promise?
Time will tell...
John
6:54 Exactly the Elijah/7000 men scenario is a lesson that should be understood by them (armstrongist). Just because people are not in "their organization or group" doesn't mean they have or will partake in the mark of the beast so to speak. There are other OT and NT examples to use in this matter as well. One of them is the ministry of Paul and the other is Apollos who were able to work things out unlike these ministers in Armstrongism. They also weren't a part of the original twelve. Paul wasn't even baptized by one of the original twelve but by Ananias (let that sink in).
Also you noted how some of those ministers borrow from non COG sources, well they'll have continue to do that, when more of HWA prophecies continue to fall short of truth.
Tank
In a computer search, if no data is forthcoming as a result of a given set of search criteria, the criteria will be modified by IT or the programmer.
I don't believe that any search defined by criteria set by the Kitchens will identify anyone other than themselves who are doing the work of Christ.
The takeaway is that if you do a search based on your own self-righteousness, it is only ever going to identify yourself!
Job, anybody?
Anon, aka Tank Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 11:22:43 AM PDT, wrote:
6:54 Exactly the Elijah/7000 men scenario is a lesson that should be understood by them (armstrongist). Just because people are not in "their organization or group" doesn't mean they have or will partake in the mark of the beast so to speak. There are other OT and NT examples to use in this matter as well. One of them is the ministry of Paul and the other is Apollos who were able to work things out unlike these ministers in Armstrongism. They also weren't a part of the original twelve. Paul wasn't even baptized by one of the original twelve but by Ananias (let that sink in).
Also you noted how some of those ministers borrow from non COG sources, well they'll have continue to do that, when more of HWA prophecies continue to fall short of truth.
******
But, but, but Sam Kitchen wrote:
"...When we began looking at other groups to see where Christ was working, we found no group.
Christ began using me..."
Paul, Apollos and Ananias we know, but Sam Kitchen? Who is he? Who are you?
How did Christ "use" you? Do you know more about the 2 trees? Are you teaching additional truths? Are you no longer teaching a 3rd resurrection? Are you teaching a Mickey Mouse Millennium, still?
And Apollos?
Acts 18:24 "And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, [and] mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
:25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John."
That man was "fervent in the Spirit!" God was definitely working with him, but you? Who are you?
And Paul via Ananias?
Acts 9:10 "And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I [am here], Lord.
11 And the Lord [said] unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for [one] called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting [his] hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name s sake.
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, [even] Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized."
It is obvious that God was already working with Ananias, and intended to accomplish more work through Paul, but what about you? Who are you?
Is Jesus really "using you?"
Time will tell...
John
I believe that Sam would be much better off if he were to find another cause, one in which he could actually make a difference. This is a very unique time in history in that the animal shelters are totally overwhelmed. Many of those who have been deported had pets, and what has happened over the past months at least in my community, is that these pets were left unattended when their human companions did not come home. Consequently, there has been a huge uptick in cats and dogs which have ended up at the Humane Society, and other similar places.
This would be an area in which Sam could make a huge difference and actually get much more positive feedback as opposed to being ridiculed and trashed. Beats the heck out of chasing butterflies for another 50 years!
~Mickey D
As John would say, "“ Do any of them see that wolf?
Tank
Doing A Very Little Work
Samuel Kitchen might simply be mistaken about some important matters. As a result, Samuel might remain all alone, and Aaron Dean might remain in the UCG where he can continue to get a paycheck and be with other people.
Unless Samuel Kitchen can get his own little church's membership number above ONE, it looks like God simply is NOT working with him in a really big way. The Banned Blog is doing all the real work by giving Samuel Kitchen free advertising. Without the Banned Blog, nobody would hear about Samuel Kitchen.
Aaron Dean claimed that Herbert W. Armstrong had once offered him the job of leading the Worldwide Church of God, but Aaron wimped out and totally blew the job interview. A much more ambitious hustler by the name of Joseph W. Tkach, Sr. ended up getting the job when HWA died on January 16, 1986. After that, Aaron's next-best job offer so far seems to have been to be a little player in the much smaller UCG, which is currently less than one-tenth of the peak size of the old WCG.
Anonymous on Thursday, August 14, 2025 at 5:29:40 PM PDT said, “I kinda sorta always felt badly for David ben Ariel, too.”
David bent Ariel had proposed carving up the world with Gerald Flurry. Gerald would be the prophet of the West and David would be the prophet of the East. Arrogant little Gerald wanted it all for himself and nixed that idea. David bent Ariel went on to die of AIDS, presumably as a result of some of his past indiscretions.
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