A Warning of Impending Punishment OR....

A Warning of Impending Punishment OR An Announcement of Salvation Through Jesus Christ?

As longtime readers of this blog know, I have devoted a great many posts over the years to attacking the messaging of the Armstrong Churches of God. Why this focus? Because they are preaching a FALSE Gospel! Instead of the good news which the New Testament is all about, they insist on preaching a warning message to the English-speaking nations of the world. Indeed, the contrast is stark. It is the difference between hope and doom! In other words, the messaging of the ACOGs is the antithesis of the real message which God intended for his people to deliver to the world!

In the January-February edition of their Beyond Today magazine, the United Church of God has published an article by John LaBissoniere titled God's Urgent Warning Message to You. The Armstrongian hook for the article reads: "God sent an urgent warning message through Ezekiel to the nations of present-day Israel. Discover what this prophetic message includes and why it has vital significance for you." Hence, we see that the article is based on the completely discredited (and wholly fanciful) teaching that the English-speaking nations of the world are the descendants and heirs of the Israelite tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh.

LaBissoniere opens the article by pointing out that God made the prophet Ezekiel a "watchman" to the House of Israel. He contends that Ezekiel's message wasn't simply for the Jewish captives in Babylon, but that his message was also for the Israelites. John went on to state that: "As his prophetic warning message applies to the last days, we should recognize that it’s destined to reach the nations of present-day Israel and not just the Jewish people of today’s state of Israel. It will surprise many to learn that the modern Israelites are primarily the people of the major English-speaking countries, including the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand (see the study guide offered at the end of this article for the biblical and historical evidence)."

LaBissoniere continued: "Looking ahead, God foresaw a society that turned away from Him and His righteous biblical values and corrupted itself by ungodly, fleshly, materialistic behavior. As Ezekiel wrote, 'The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great, and the land is full of bloodshed, and the city full of perversity' (Ezekiel 9:9). This passage pertains to contempt for law and order and the fostering of moral depravity. Again, the conditions Ezekiel decries are evident in today’s nations—not just the original audience of his day. His message is for now." In other words, this warning message for the ancient Israelites has been transformed by Armstrong and his agents into a warning message for the U.S., Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Moreover, the message incorporates yet another feature of the Armstrong heresy: that God expects Christians, Jews, and English-speaking folks to continue to obey the commandments of Torah - the tenets of the Old Covenant with Israel. What about the New Testament? you ask. The author of the article drags the Apostle to the Gentiles into his argument: "Instead of a righteous, commandment-keeping society, in our age we see an expansion of what the apostle Paul wrote about the debased culture of his day: 'Being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful' (Romans 1:29-31).

La Bissoniere went on to say: "In abandoning godly values, many people in America and the other formerly blessed nations of modern-day Israel surrendered themselves to moral decadence, selfishness, greed, dishonesty, bribery, injustice, thievery, drug and alcohol abuse, sexual deviance, and violence. Of course, these iniquities are not exclusive to the contemporary nations of Israel, since the entire world is awash in sinful conduct (Romans 3:23). For this man and his Armstrong Church of God brethren, God's message for these folks is a warning of impending wrath and punishment for sins. It is decidedly NOT about how God decided to redeem mankind from his sins and cure us of their effects and consequences! In other words, the United Church of God's message is that God is pissed, and he's about to kick our asses up around our shoulders!

Of course, the real Gospel message was summarized by Christ in his meeting with Nicodemus. He said: "For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him." (John 3:16-17, NLT)

Paul described the message to the Christians at Rome by saying: "The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name...For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, 'It is through faith that a righteous person has life.'" (Romans 1:3-5 and 16-17, NLT)

Likewise, Paul wrote to the saints of Galatia: "Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen. I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ." (Galatians 1:4-7, NLT) This passage, of course, is followed by Paul's double curse on anyone who would dare to bring a different message (Galatians 1:8-9)!

What about you? Are you going to heed United's warning message? OR Are you going to accept the Good News about Jesus Christ, and what he has done for you? Which one sounds like good news to you?

Miller Jones/Lonnie C Hendrix 

An Example of Blindly Following A COG Cult Leader

The Great Bwana posted this on his blog from a member of his African church. While I am sure the gentleman is sincerely seeking to follow God, he has been blinded by the deception and false teachings of the Great Bwana. 

He goes on to ridicule other COG's in the area as being beneath him. He says he will "die" being loyal to Bob's cult.

Dear Evans,Bob 

 

Church greetings, a video clip for the baptism in Malawi, this is conducted at Mpasa church yesterday on 5 January 2025, they were 45 candidates some was from nearest churches, this is the first baptism in Malawi in 2025, there is no dream in my life to join other fake group of churches,those are not churches but groups of games where boys are going for physical and belting,all my power,my strength and my dream I will die as ccog member,I have nothing to do with them ,I have done with them,what this people do is to buy people with money,I can’t do this,don’t think that I can do this, Sosten

Did God Send Fires To Los Angeles Because Of Sins Of Continuing Church of God Leaders?

 

It took a while, but God's greatest gift to humanity finally opened his self-appointed prophetic mouth and weighed in on the devastating CA fires. Never has the Church of God in its entire history ever had a more perfect prophet in its midst than it does with Great Bwana Bob. Even Herbert Armstrong trembles at his feet, knowing that The Great Bwana Bob is more intelligent and accurate than he ever was. The Great Bwana writes:

Wildfires happen every year. But what has been happening in the Los Angeles basin has been worse than most thought could happen there. 

 

As regular readers of this page are aware, I have repeatedly warned of weather problems coming.

As has every news station and knowledgable leaders in the state. 

Back in 2009, in my book, 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, I wrote that the following was about to happen: 

 

Odd weather patterns result in food shortages and natural disasters. Matthew 24:7

The world is actually in a berserk transition, as the real age of peace is not yet here. It may be a period of chaos. It is the beginning of sorrows. Matthew 24:8

Since that was published, we have had record smashing heat, unprecedented fires, and odd weather problems. While the Apocalypse is NOT yet here, these issues should serve as a wake-up call. 

 

The above was “predicted” if you will, because of what Jesus taught:

7 … And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:7-8).

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)

Jesus has absolutely no connection to anything Bob is claiming, and those Bible verses in no way refer to Bob or anything he predicted.

What we have here in the Los Angeles basin is a mixture of inept governance by a corrupt Governor and an idiot Los Angeles mayor and a once-in-a-lifetime weather pattern that all converged at once. This is no more a sure sign of the end times than Dave Pack and Bob speak for God.

Anyway, we get to the real cause for the fires, according to the Great One, the gays.

The all-knowing one writes:

The Bible shows that God uses weather to get people’s attention. Sometimes to punish, sometimes to lead to repentance, and other times to consider that God, not humankind, is in control. 

 

Notice the following:

8:1 When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. 3 Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake. (Revelation 8:1-5)

20 But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. 21 And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts. (Revelation 9:20-21) 

 

While the above is for a future time, in a sense, it parallels what we are seeing today. Lack of repentance from sexual immorality and other sins is a factor in what the secularists tend to call climate change–but they do not see the connection. Any who claim to believe the Bible should. 

 

The Bible shows that weather problems can be a warning to people that society is going in the wrong direction (Amos 4:7-12). Notice also God’s use of fire between three thousand and four thousand years ago:

24 Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the Lord out of the heavens. 25 So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. (Genesis 19:24-25) 

 

And why did it happen?

7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. (Jude 7) 

Could the fires in CA be happening because it allows a false prophet to reside here and allow the adultery and other sexual shenanigans in the improperly named "continuing" Church of God to continue? After all, sexual immortality has had a long reign in the leadership of the church down through the decades. Maybe instead of the usual scapegoats the false prophet uses perhaps it is time the false prophet starts to look inwardly at the degenerate mess his own church is in. Is he the cause of California's suffering?

Why mention this in the 21st century? Because God turned:

6…the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly (2 Peter 2:6) 

 

Notice also the following:

11 “I overthrew some of you,

As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah,

And you were like a firebrand plucked from the burning;

Yet you have not returned to Me,”

Says the Lord.

12 “Therefore thus will I do to you, O Israel;

Because I will do this to you, 

Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!” (Amos 4:11-12) 

 

Fires should get people to consider. But will people in the USA or the other Anglo-descended areas heed? 

 

The sorrows and troubles are just beginning and will get much worse.

Perhaps it is time the Churches of God clean up their messes and actually follow the One they claim to follow, yet never do. 

 

COG Leader With No Children Lectures Parents On How To Raise Children

 

Living Church of God's current leader, Gerald Weston has an article about children and childrearing that he published in a "personal" to the faithful recently. Weston is one of the last people who should be lecturing parents about children, considering how the youth in Canada despised him when he was over them.

One would also assume that if an article was being written, it would start off with some praise, then have some constructive criticism and suggestions, and then end with praise. But, no, this is the COG, after all, and it's better to just start off on the cranky side and stay that way. Rebellious children and Laodiceans with bad attitudes provide ample fuel for satan to enter children and deceive parents, according to some COG leaders.

We recognize that children are sometimes at odds with their parents, to a great degree because there are considerable differences in their experience. A parent naturally knows more than a child, just as a longtime Church member should have a greater perspective of God’s Way and the Church—where it has been, how our adversary is working against us, and how small trends grow into big ones.

God forbid if kids act like kids and have fun:

“Take care of the small stuff and you don’t have to sweat the big stuff.” Dr. Kermit Nelson, director of the Summer Education Programs in the Worldwide Church of God, understood this. He implemented policies that guided campers away from trouble. He knew that practical jokes easily escalate, so he instructed counselors to nip such behavior in the bud immediately, rather than wait until it got out of hand. He took care of the “small stuff.”

Weston then equates kid's fun with evil:

The Bible is not silent on this subject. Solomon wrote, “Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil” (Ecclesiastes 8:11). He also counseled, “The beginning of strife is like releasing water; therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts” (Proverbs 17:14). Yes, it is easier to stop a problem when it is small than to stop it when it has grown large.

Weston continues:

I have seen this principle at work in child-rearing when parents think they know more than the One who created us. Young parents desire to do the best they can for their children, so they often look for advice outside of the Bible in programs that sound good. These programs often counsel against any kind of physical punishment and instead advise reasoning with even a very young child. Of course, those of us who are older have seen the results of that approach.

We often hear that we should “follow the money,” and this also applies to child-rearing advice. Tapes, books, seminars, and catchy-sounding phrases such as “love and logic” make big money for those promoting them. However, the biblical message from the beginning is that there is a tree of knowledge that involves good and evil. These child-rearing programs have some good—otherwise, they wouldn’t sell—but they are not based on the truths found in Scripture.

When parents read such books, they immediately deny the Bible and God:

So, when programs such as these fly in the face of the word of God, we must ask: Do I really believe the Bible is inspired by God? Do I believe it is well-meaning but out of date? If it is wrong about child-rearing, what else is it wrong about? Can I pick and choose what to accept in its pages? These questions need serious consideration.

What does your rebellious little piece of shit deserve? A switch on his rebellious bottom!

God tells us, “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him” (Proverbs 22:15). A better translation for rod might be switch. While the purpose of this verse is not to say that spanking with a rod or switch is required, it does tell us that spanking in some form or fashion is a legitimate and helpful tool for disciplining young children. And some of my friends have told me that being told to go out to a tree and spend time finding a good switch that would be used to punish them was very instructive! 

God tells us, “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him” (Proverbs 22:15). A better translation for rod might be switch. While the purpose of this verse is not to say that spanking with a rod or switch is required, it does tell us that spanking in some form or fashion is a legitimate and helpful tool for disciplining young children. And some of my friends have told me that being told to go out to a tree and spend time finding a good switch that would be used to punish them was very instructive!

God’s word advises us to stop a problem while it is still small. “He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly” (Proverbs 13:24). Do you believe that? Can physical discipline be administered in love? Do you believe the Bible when it tells us about the chastening inherent in God’s love? “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives” (Hebrews 12:5–6). Discipline should be motivated by love, not anger. Too often, parents will try ideas that sound good, only to find that in the end they do not work—then finally, out of frustration, some parents will go overboard, spanking in anger.

Weston is NOT happy that corporal punishment of a child is considered wrong by so many:

In our modern world, which clearly does not have a good record of child-rearing, any form of physical discipline is frowned upon—and in some places is illegal, though many jurisdictions allow for spanking on the buttocks with the hand (and even many “experts” agree with this practice). Going against lawful authority can result in a child being removed from the home, which is the worst of all possible outcomes unless there is real abuse going on. Even if such discipline is legal, wisdom dictates that disciplinary action should be carried out in private—and no kind of discipline should ever be excessive or given in uncontrolled anger. And actions that cause real or permanent harm, such as hitting with a fist or drawing blood, are never acceptable! 

He ends wih this:

I remember a single mother whose four-year-old was totally out of control. My wife and I were visiting them one day when she volunteered, “I know that this is wrong, but I hate my son.” She was frustrated and honest. Reasoning with her child did no good. 

 

While we were there, he was acting up as usual, and I explained to this mother that her son had no incentive to listen to her. She needed to tell him once, then spank him for disobedience if he failed to respond. She followed the advice immediately, but gave him only a gentle “spanking” that did little but anger him. I then explained that the spanking needed to be enough to provide a little pain on his bottom—not harm, but definitely an unwanted experience. So, she again followed the advice. This time, he let out not an angry cry, but a hurt one—and he soon came over to hug her. 

 

This was one of those occasions when someone truly listened and put counsel into practice. Within a few weeks, this four-year-old was transformed into a delight to be around. But if parents do not gain control of a four-year-old, what will they do when he is 14 and his logic tells him that drugs are a good idea? It is important to instill respect for parental guidance early, while any problems are still small. 

 

At the other extreme, some in the past have thought that spanking is all that is needed to raise good children. That is a mistake—spanking is only one of the tools needed. Nevertheless, it is an important tool that is too often rejected today. Long before they spank, parents must be spending time with their children. They must teach their children about God as part of everyday family activities. Fathers are warned not to demand so much that their children become discouraged, but to “bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4; see also Deuteronomy 6:6–7; Psalm 78:2–8). 

Women need to know their place. Stay in the kitchen and make that sandwich! 

Isaiah wrote, “As for My people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, and destroy the way of your paths” (3:12). In my experience, it is often—though not always—the wife who prevents her husband from disciplining their child. When women rule the house, children often become oppressors at home and in society. Fathers must never use harsh discipline, but they must take the lead—for the sake of the family.
What it comes down to is whether we see the Bible as the word of God or not. If we do, we will stop a child’s rebellion while he is small rather than waiting to try to deal with rebellion when it is far more difficult to do so. If we are diligent to “take care of the small stuff,” we will be preparing ourselves and our families for the “big stuff”—the glorious rewards that God has in store for us at the resurrection.

When will COG leaders learn to keep their noses out of members' lives? When will members stop letting leaders control them? When will the church just let kids be kids?

to a reader

 

LCG "Take Care of the Small Stuff" A Lesson in Manipulative and Deceitful Passages

 

A reader here sent this about Living Church of God and a recent article:

Hello, I wanted to share this with you. I copied the link for the latest LCN and asked Brook to critique it for mind control. I thought it did a great job! 

 

Given the range of articles in the January-February 2025 issue of Living Church News (LCN) by the Living Church of God (LCG), here's a breakdown focusing on potential manipulative or deceitful content, along with how authors might employ mind control tactics:

Manipulative and Deceitful Passages:

• "Take Care of the Small Stuff":
• • Manipulation: Phrases like "Every little act of disobedience should be met with firm correction" could manipulate parents into feeling inadequate or overly harsh, emphasizing control over nurturing.
  • Deceit: Suggesting that neglecting small behaviors inevitably leads to significant moral decay might be an oversimplification or exaggeration, deceiving readers about the complexities of child development.
• "Kings and Priests Really":
• • Manipulation: If the article promotes gender roles in a way that limits women's spiritual roles, it manipulates through the reinforcement of traditional hierarchies, potentially using scripture out of context to justify these roles.
  • Deceit: By perhaps not acknowledging or misinterpreting passages that show women in leadership roles in the Bible, the article might deceive readers into accepting a narrow interpretation of scripture.
• "Behold the White Horse":
• • Manipulation: By possibly presenting an overly literal interpretation of Revelation, it could manipulate readers into fear or complacency about end times, discouraging critical engagement with scripture.
  • Deceit: If it claims its interpretation as the only valid one, it might deceive readers by not acknowledging the diversity of eschatological views within Christianity.

Mind Control Techniques:

• Fear and Guilt:
• • Example: Articles like "Behold the White Horse" might evoke fear of end-times events, pushing readers towards the church's interpretation for safety or salvation, or inducing guilt for not adhering strictly to church teachings.
• Isolation from Mainstream Christianity:
• • Example: By framing LCG's interpretations as the "true" ones and others as misguided or part of a "falling away," articles might isolate readers from broader Christian discourse, making them more reliant on LCG for spiritual guidance.
• Black and White Thinking:
• • Example: In "Kings and Priests Really," reducing complex theological issues like gender roles to simple dichotomies (e.g., men are leaders, women are helpers) can control thought by limiting the spectrum of acceptable beliefs or roles.
• Emotional Manipulation:
• • Example: Articles like "Take Care of the Small Stuff" might play on parents' desires to raise moral, obedient children, using emotional appeals to push a specific parenting style that aligns with church doctrine rather than individual family needs.
• Repetition and Consistency:
• • Across articles, there's likely a consistent message about obedience, authority, and the church's unique understanding of scripture, which can subtly reinforce these ideas in readers' minds as the only or best way to interpret Christianity.
• Authority and Obedience:
• • Example: By citing scripture selectively, authors might establish themselves or the church's doctrine as the ultimate authority on spiritual matters, discouraging questioning or alternative interpretations.
• Information Control:
• • By potentially not engaging with or misrepresenting opposing views or contemporary scholarship, there's control over what information readers are exposed to, shaping their understanding of Christianity in a very specific way.
• Promises of Reward:
• • Articles might imply that following LCG's teachings will lead to spiritual rewards or protection from future calamities, manipulating through the promise of divine favor or salvation.

These techniques, if present, aim to align the readers' thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors with the church's doctrine, potentially at the expense of personal autonomy or broader spiritual exploration. However, this analysis is speculative without direct access to the articles' content, based on common themes in similar publications.