Disfellowshipment and Marking: The Tools Of Oppression and Fear in the Church of God

 

Disfellowshipment and marking are practices rooted in biblical teachings, particularly in the Church of God and similar denominations, aimed at maintaining the spiritual purity and unity of the congregation. These practices, however, have been perceived by some as tools of oppression due to their social and emotional impact. Below, I explore why these practices were sometimes viewed as fearful within the Church of God, drawing on biblical principles, historical context, and social dynamics.

Biblical Basis and Purpose

Disfellowshipment and marking stem from New Testament directives to address unrepentant sin or divisive behavior within the church. Key scriptures include: 

 

Matthew 18:15-17: Jesus outlines a process for addressing a brother's sin, culminating in treating an unrepentant person "as a Gentile and a tax collector" if they refuse correction.

1 Corinthians 5:5, 11: Paul instructs the Corinthian church to "deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh" and to avoid associating with a brother who persists in sins like sexual immorality, greed, or idolatry. 

 

Romans 16:17: Paul urges the church to "mark" those who cause divisions or offenses contrary to doctrine and to avoid them. 

 

2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15: Believers are commanded to withdraw from those who walk disorderly but to admonish them as brothers, not enemies. 

 

In the Church of God, these practices were seen as protective measures to:

Encourage repentance (1 Corinthians 5:5, 2 Corinthians 2:6-8). 

 

Protect the congregation from the spread of sin or false teaching (1 Corinthians 5:6-7). 

 

Preserve the church’s reputation before the world (1 Timothy 6:1). 

 

The intent was to foster holiness and accountability, not to punish for punishment’s sake. Though in many cases that is exactly what it was done for, particularly in the Philadelphia Church of God and the Restored Church of God

Why These Practices Were Feared

Despite their biblical grounding, disfellowshipment and marking evoked fear and be perceived as a tool of oppression for several reasons:

 

Social Isolation 

 

Loss of Community: In tight-knit Church of God congregations, fellowship was a core aspect of spiritual and social life (Philippians 1:27). Disfellowshipment often meant a complete or near-complete cutoff from social interactions with church members, including family and friends. Paul’s instruction in 1 Corinthians 5:11 to “not even eat” with such a person emphasized this separation, which could be emotionally devastating. 

 

Public Marking: Marking, as described in Romans 16:17, involved publicly identifying someone as a threat to the church’s unity or doctrine. This could lead to public shame and ostracism, amplifying the sense of rejection. For example, announcements like “Mr. John Doe has been marked for cause” were sometimes made during services, making the individual’s status known to the congregation. 

 

Impact on Family and Friends: The obligation to avoid social contact extended to close relationships, creating tension and emotional pain. Members were taught to prioritize spiritual purity over personal ties, which could feel like betrayal or abandonment (2 Thessalonians 3:15). 

 

Spiritual Consequences

Perceived Loss of Salvation: In some Church of God teachings, disfellowshipment was framed as being “delivered to Satan” (1 Corinthians 5:5), implying a temporary removal from God’s protection. For believers who viewed the church as the “called-out body of Christ,” this could feel like a direct threat to their spiritual standing or salvation, even if the intent was to prompt repentance. 

 

Restricted Participation: Disfellowshipped members often faced restrictions on participating in sacred practices, such as taking Passover or attending certain church events. In the Church of God, where these rituals are central to spiritual identity, exclusion could feel like a profound spiritual punishment. 

 

Lack of Transparency and Consistency

Subjective Application: The decision to disfellowship or mark was often at the discretion of church leaders, such as ministers or elders. Without clear, universal guidelines, these decisions could appear arbitrary or biased, leading to perceptions of unfairness. For example, some members felt disciplined for minor infractions or doctrinal disagreements, while others were overlooked. 

 

Confidentiality vs. Public Shame: While some disfellowshipments were kept confidential, others were announced publicly, especially for widely known transgressions or to warn the congregation of a perceived threat. This inconsistency could heighten fear, as members might not know whether their discipline would remain private or become a public spectacle. 

 

Potential for Abuse: Critics, including former members, have noted that disfellowshipment could be used to silence dissent or enforce strict compliance. For instance, disagreements over doctrine or church practices could lead to marking or disfellowshipment, as seen in cases where members questioned leadership or explored different interpretations of scripture.

 Emotional and Psychological Impact

Shame and Stigma: The public nature of marking or announcements about disfellowshipment could lead to feelings of shame, particularly in small, close communities. Members feared being labeled as “disorderly” or “divisive,” which could damage their reputation and relationships.

Fear of Judgment: The process often involved confrontations with church leaders, which could feel intimidating. The requirement to confess sins or face a disciplinary council added pressure, especially for younger members or those already struggling with guilt.

Loss of Identity: For many in the Church of God, membership was a core part of their identity. Being disfellowshipped or marked could feel like losing one’s place in the “household of God” (Ephesians 2:19), leading to existential fear and alienation. 

 

Historical and Cultural Context in the Church of God

The Church of God, placed a strong emphasis on doctrinal purity and obedience to biblical commands. This was partly due to their Restorationist roots, which sought to return to New Testament practices. The fear associated with disfellowshipment and marking was amplified by: 

 

Hierarchical Structure: The Church of God often operated with strong ministerial authority, where leaders were seen as “judges in Israel”. This gave significant power to ministers, whose decisions could profoundly affect members’ lives. 

 

End-Time Beliefs: Many Church of God groups emphasized the imminent return of Christ and the need for holiness to be part of the “elect.” The threat of being excluded from the church could feel like being excluded from God’s kingdom, heightening fear. 

 

Community-Centric Culture: The church was often the center of members’ social and spiritual lives, especially in smaller congregations. Losing fellowship meant losing a support system, which could be particularly traumatic in isolated or rural settings. 

 

Critiques and Perceptions of Oppression

Former members and critics have described disfellowshipment and marking as oppressive due to:

Perceived Cruelty: Some felt the practices were applied harshly, without sufficient regard for individual circumstances. For example, a teenage girl disfellowshipped at 14 for a moral infraction reported feeling shamed and worthless, with long-lasting emotional scars. 

 

Silencing Dissent: In some cases, disfellowshipment was used to address not just moral sins but also doctrinal disagreements or questioning of church authority. This led to accusations that the practices were tools to enforce conformity rather than foster repentance. 

 

Lack of Restoration: While the biblical goal was restoration (2 Corinthians 2:7-8), some members felt that the path back to fellowship was unclear or overly punitive, leaving them permanently alienated. 

 

Counterperspective: Protective and Redemptive

Church leaders and defenders of the practice argue that disfellowshipment and marking were not meant to oppress but to protect and redeem:

Repentance as the Goal: The ultimate aim was to encourage the individual to repent and return to fellowship, as seen in Paul’s instructions to forgive and restore a repentant sinner (2 Corinthians 2:7-8).

Protection of the Church: By removing unrepentant sinners or divisive individuals, the church sought to maintain its holiness and prevent the spread of sin or false teaching (1 Corinthians 5:6-7). 

 

Love and Discipline: Discipline was framed as an act of love, akin to a parent correcting a child (Hebrews 12:6). Leaders were encouraged to act with humility and care, not pride or anger. 

 

Disfellowshipment and marking were fearful tools in the Church of God because they leveraged the power of social and spiritual exclusion in a community where fellowship was central to identity and salvation. The threat of isolation, shame, and perceived spiritual jeopardy created significant emotional and psychological pressure. While rooted in biblical principles aimed at repentance and church purity, the application of these practices sometimes lacked consistency, transparency, or compassion, leading to oppression. For some, the fear stemmed not from the practices themselves but from their potential for misuse or overly harsh implementation, particularly when they disrupted personal relationships or silenced honest inquiry.

David D

Crackpot prophet tries using Ai to scare you. Fails miserably, as usual.

One of the many things the Church of God was adept at was taking certain books of the Bible and wielding them as tools of fear-mongering to scare members into submission. The longer members were kept living in fear, the more compliant they became to other absurdities passed off as "truths." Church leaders and ministers loved to thunder and pound podiums when discussing end-time prophecy, warning that if you did not submit, you were destined for the lake of fire. Their eyes would glaze over with giddy delight at the thought of so much violence. They never showed that same passion when it came to talking about Jesus and grace, but that’s another post.
We now turn to God’s most highly favored holy prophet to ever grace the Church of God movement. No one—and I repeat, NO ONE—in the entire history of the church has ever been filled with more truth, mind-boggling dreams, double blessings, and Mayan nonsense than our Great Bwana Bob Mzungu Thiel, the Joshua destined to come in the end times, the end-time Habakkuk, the end-time Elijah, and the only "double blessed" holy anointed representative of the Most High. Legion and his demons tremble at the mere mention of the Great Bwana Bob. World leaders stand in awe and tremble at his amazing words—that is, if they even know who he is.
This time, the holy anointed one is salivating over the Book of Daniel. He took a step further and used Grok’s AI program to design a scary picture of himself, apparently with the idea of scaring us into submitting to his amazing words.
Fortunately for all of us, salvation is now only available through the amazing, yet improperly named, "Continuing" Church of God. No other Church of God on the face of the earth knows when the proper time to flee will be. Only the true followers of the one true Man will know exactly when it is time to flee to Petra or some other God-forsaken stinkhole in the deserts of Jordan. No other group of people will be such an amazing witness to the world and to the church, especially the sad-sack, lazy Laodiceans who refused to join up with God’s most important man. You all know who you are!

Daniel 11:32-38: Philadelphian Persecution and Witness

This is the seventh part of a multi-sermon series intended to cover the Book of Daniel. This sermon covers each and every verse from chapter 11 verse 32 through verse 38. This sermon focuses on prophetic items related to the Philadelphian Christian remnant being persecuted, while also being a witness. 

Dr. Thiel explained how Christians can learn more so that God may use them to “instruct many,” as is prophesied in Daniel 11:33. 

He also mentioned how they can be used by God to give a witness to help with the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14 and that unless others make major prophetic changes they will not know when the Great Tribulation will begin until it is too late for most to flee for protection. 

He pointed out with scriptures, as well as quotes from other Church of God writers, why various persecution and witness scriptures are pointing to the end time Philadelphians. 

Dr. Thiel also cited Greco-Roman Catholic prophecies against Sabbath-keepers and those that point to the burning of ‘Judea-Christians.’ 

The relevance of church government, literature, and allowing God to work with His people –and His oracles — were discussed. 

He discussed the scriptural timing in Daniel 11 regarding when the faithful will flee. 

Dr. Thiel quoted passages from 2 Thessalonians 2, Daniel 11, and Revelation 13 to prove that the ‘man of sin’ is the King of the North and not the ‘false prophet’ two-horned beast, despite other COGs not accepting that. 

After quoting Daniel 11:38, Dr. Thiel brought out historical information about the impact of Emperor Constantine pushing the Greco-Roman Catholics to become militaristic, and cited followers of Martin Luther who later condemned the faithful for not engaging in military warfare. 

He asserted that Philadelphian Christians will be a witness related to the kingdom of God, 

a witness when instructing many, 

a witness when being persecuted, 

a witness when fleeing, 

a witness by not being militaristic, and 

a witness by being in the place of protection in the wilderness (Revelation 12:14-16).

Proof-texting and Cherry-picking in Armstrongism

 

Proof-texting and Cherry-picking in Armstrongism

 

If there was anything the Church of God was good at, it was proof-texting and cherry-picking.

 

Proof-texting refers to the practice of using isolated Bible verses to support a specific doctrine or belief, often without considering the broader context, original intent, or related scriptures. In Armstrongism, the teachings and doctrines of Herbert W. Armstrong and the Worldwide Church of God (WCG), proof-texting has been noted as a significant method of biblical interpretation, particularly in establishing distinctive doctrines that diverge from mainstream Christianity.

 

Herbert W. Armstrong emphasized a literal interpretation of the Bible, claiming his teachings were divinely revealed and represented the "restored true Gospel." Critics argue that Armstrong's approach often involved proof-texting, where specific verses were selectively cited to support doctrines such as British Israelism, Sabbath observance, dietary laws, and the rejection of the Trinity, without fully engaging with the broader biblical context or historical-critical methods. This approach is seen as contributing to the controversial nature of Armstrongism, as it sometimes led to interpretations that conflicted with traditional Christian theology or other biblical passages.

 

Key Examples of Proof-Texting in Armstrongism:

 

• British Israelism: Armstrong taught that modern-day British and Americans are descendants of the lost tribes of Israel, a key doctrine for understanding biblical prophecy. This belief relied on selective interpretations of Old Testament promises to Israel, such as those in Genesis 12:3 and 15:6, often ignoring New Testament passages like Romans 11:25, which emphasize God's continued plan for Israel and the inclusion of Gentiles without replacing Israel. Critics note that this doctrine was supported by citing specific verses while overlooking broader biblical narratives that do not align with Anglo-Israelism.

 

• Sabbath and Holy Days: Armstrongism emphasizes strict observance of the seventh-day Sabbath and Old Testament festivals (e.g., Passover, Feast of Tabernacles). Verses like Genesis 2:2-3 and Leviticus 23 were used to argue that these practices are mandatory for Christians, often without addressing New Testament passages (e.g., Colossians 2:16-17) that suggest these laws were fulfilled in Christ. This selective use of scripture is cited as an example of proof-texting, as it prioritizes certain texts over others to support the doctrine.

 

• Non-Trinitarian Theology: Armstrong rejected the Trinity, teaching that God is a family rather than a triune being. He cited verses like John 1:1 to argue that Jesus was not eternally the Son, ignoring broader theological contexts and passages like Matthew 28:19, which imply a triune relationship. Critics argue this selective use of scripture distorts traditional Christian doctrine by focusing on isolated texts.

 

• Three Resurrections and Annihilationism: Armstrong taught a unique eschatology involving three resurrections, with the second offering a "second chance" for salvation, and annihilationism (complete destruction rather than eternal punishment). These ideas were supported by citing verses like Revelation 20:4-14, but critics highlight that this interpretation conflicts with Hebrews 9:27, which states there is no second chance after death. This selective use of scripture is seen as proof-texting to justify a distinct eschatological framework.

 

Critics argue that Armstrong's proof-texting often ignored the literary, historical, and cultural context of verses, leading to misinterpretations. For example, his literalist approach rejected textual criticism and broader biblical themes, which some claim "doomed his interpretations to failure."

 

The church was great at cherry picking, too. By focusing on verses that supported his doctrines while dismissing or reinterpreting contradictory passages, Armstrong's method is accused of creating a biased theological framework. This approach is seen as undermining the coherence of biblical teaching.

 

Armstrong's reliance on proof-texting reinforced a rigid doctrinal system, where questioning interpretations was discouraged. This is reflected in his claim of being "God's Apostle," demanding loyalty to his teachings as divinely inspired.

 

Scholars note that proof-texting in Armstrongism contrasts with hermeneutical approaches that emphasize contextual analysis and the unity of scripture. For instance, mainstream Christian theology uses a canonical approach, ensuring interpretations align with the Bible's overall message, whereas Armstrong's method often prioritized his unique doctrines.

 

Armstrong and his followers maintained that his teachings were biblically grounded, not proof-texted, but rather the result of intensive Bible study guided by divine revelation. They argued that mainstream Christianity itself relied on "traditions of men" (e.g., Mark 7:5-9) rather than scripture, and that Armstrong's approach restored original Christian practices. For example, supporters claim that his emphasis on Sabbath and Holy Days was rooted in clear biblical commands, not isolated verses, and that critics misrepresent his method as proof-texting to dismiss his teachings.

 

After Armstrong's death in 1986, the WCG underwent significant doctrinal shifts toward mainstream evangelicalism, renaming itself Grace Communion International (GCI) in 2009. This shift was partly a response to criticisms of proof-texting and doctrinal errors, leading many ministers and members to form splinter groups that continue to adhere to Armstrong's original teachings. These groups still face accusations of proof-texting when defending doctrines like British Israelism or annihilationism.

 

Proof-texting in Armstrongism is a central point of contention, with critics arguing that Herbert W. Armstrong's selective use of scripture to support doctrines like British Israelism, Sabbath observance, and non-Trinitarian theology often ignored broader biblical context and led to controversial interpretations. While Armstrong and his followers believed their teachings were biblically sound and divinely inspired, the reliance on isolated verses contributed to accusations of hermeneutical error. Understanding this practice requires examining both Armstrong's methods and the broader principles of biblical interpretation, such as contextual analysis and hermeneutics, to avoid the pitfalls of proof-texting. Sadly, the average COG member has no idea what contextual analysis and hermeneutics are. Thus, they easily jump from one splinter group to the next that they feel best practices the proof-texting they need to keep their faith secure and unchallenged.

 

David D

 

Hebrew Roots Movement, Armstrongism, And Their False Assumptions

The Whole Bible? YES! 

The Hebrew Roots Movement? NO! 

Paul's Ethnic Gospel? Yes and No!

Herbert Armstrong and his followers often scolded traditional Christians for their focus on the New Testament and their apparent disregard for the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). He and his followers bragged that they used the WHOLE BIBLE - NOT just a small portion of it. Now, while we should all be willing to acknowledge that traditional Christianity's use and understanding of the "Old" Testament has often been woefully inadequate, other folks (like Armstrong and his followers) have swung to the opposite extreme and have over corrected for the insufficiency of their more traditional brothers and sisters in the faith!

These folks point out that the early Church was entirely Jewish in nature, and that the only Scriptures available to Christ and his apostles were those of the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament). Once again, while I would not characterize this observation as inaccurate, I would point out that it doesn't represent the WHOLE story of First Century Christianity! Unfortunately, in their attempt to correct how more traditional Christians have used and understood Scripture, they have often ignored the work and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth and his disciples in the New Testament! To put it more bluntly, they have effectively placed themselves under the terms of God's Covenant with Israel! (Armstrong adopted Torah Sabbath and festival observance, clean and unclean meats, tithing, etc.)

In this connection, notice these statements taken from a website of the Hebrew Roots Movement:

The Hebrew Roots Movement is a general term used for an emerging grassroots spiritual awakening taking place worldwide with Christians returning to the original first century faith, beliefs, and understanding of the Scriptures as taught by the Messiah, Early Church and Apostles. Hebrew Roots is not a denomination or church, but rather a mindset seeking to emulate Jesus (Y'shua) as much as possible.

Hebrew Roots Christians are often called "Whole Bible Believers" due to our teaching of and obedience to the Word of God (All of It). We follow the first-century foundation of the faith: that every disciple of Jesus (Y'shua) is to walk (live) just as he did, in obedience to the Old Testament laws and commandments of God.

The 1st Century Church and apostles, in following the example of the Jesus (Y'shua), also obeyed and taught the Torah as the foundation to the walk of every disciple. This included the Apostle Paul as seen in Acts 24:14, Romans 2:13, Romans 2:20, Romans 3:31, and Titus 2:13-14. Hebrew Roots Christians do not obey God's laws to be saved, they obey God's laws because they are saved. They have a deep love and passion for God (1 John 5:3) which produces a deep desire to live their daily lives in a way that is pleasing to God - that is, in a way that attempts to live without sin (without offending God).

See - Hebrew Roots of Christianity (above quotations)

See - The Hebrew Roots Movement: What It Is and What It Isn't

In defense of these teachings, like Armstrong, they employ a number of "proof-texts" (some of the same ones used by Mr. Armstrong and his followers):

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. - I John 3:4, KJV

Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.- I John 3:4, ESV

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. - I John 5:3, KJV

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. - I John 5:3, ESV

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets...Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 5:17-19, KJV

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 5:17-19, ESV

The problems with both the Hebrew Roots Movement and Armstrongism originate in a bunch of false assumptions which are NOT rooted in Scripture or the history of early Christianity:

1. They assume that the provisions of Torah represented the eternal and universal manifestation of God's Law - instead of the terms of God's Covenant with the ancient Israelites.

2. They assume that because Jesus, his apostles, and the Jerusalem Church observed the Sabbath and Holy Days that all Christians are obligated to follow that example.

3. They assume that the New Covenant is really only a slightly modified/enhanced/updated version of the Old Covenant.

4. They assume that their devotion to Torah identifies them as the obedient of God and is proof that they revere ALL of the Bible, not just some Proverbs, Psalms, and the New Testament (like those poor misguided Traditional Christians).

5. They assume that the original teachings of Christ and the Apostles were corrupted over time, and that most of the visible Church adopted pagan customs and celebrations and strayed from obedience to God's Law.

Now, as this blog has pointed out in many different posts over the years, ALL of these assumptions are FALSE! The TRUTH is that they are guilty of the very thing which they accuse Traditional Christianity of doing! They cherry-pick the Scriptures and history to support their teachings about Torah observance - instead of reaching conclusions based on an objective evaluation of ALL of the evidence. Consider the following (think of this as an abbreviated summary of a number of the past posts on this blog):

1. Over and over again, the commandments and rituals of Torah were addressed to the Children of Israel! (Exodus 12:3, 47, 50, 19:3-5, 20:1-2, 25:2, Leviticus 4:2, 12:2, 23:2, Numbers 5:6, 6:2, 27:8, Deuteronomy 1:1, 4:1, 5:1, etc.)

2. Jesus, his apostles, and the Jerusalem Church were all practicing Jews (including Paul). Hence, we would EXPECT to find them observing the provisions of Torah! Moreover, as Christ came to this earth to fulfill the Hebrew Scriptures (Torah, Prophets, and Writings), we would EXPECT to find him doing just that!

3. Once the Church finally began to carry Christ's Gospel to the Gentile world, the great Jerusalem Council decided that Gentile Christians would NOT have to become Jews and observe the provisions of Torah! (Acts 15:1-35 and Galatians 2, 3)

4. The Old Testament makes very clear that the Children of Israel repeatedly violated the terms of God's Covenant with them, and that he eventually divorced and disowned them! (Isaiah 50:1, Jeremiah 3:8, 11:10, 31:32, Hosea 8:1, Zechariah 11:10) Likewise, both testaments make plain that God intended to make a NEW Covenant with the people of Israel and the other nations of the earth. (Jeremiah 31:31, Hebrews 8:1-13, 12:24)

5. If we truly accept Jesus as the Messiah/Christ, we must believe that he represented the fulfillment of the Hebrew Scriptures. We must believe that he came to this earth to fulfill them, and that he accomplished that mission. Indeed, this is the basis of the Christian faith: that Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled the symbolism AND requirements of Torah perfectly, and that he offered himself as an innocent - an entirely righteous individual - to pay the penalty for OUR SINS! (Isaiah 53:1-12, Matthew 1:21, 5:17, Mark 15:28, Luke 4:16-21, 24:44, John 1:29, 45, 13:18, 17:12, 19:24, 28, 36, Acts 5:31, 13:38, 28:23, Romans 3:21, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14, 2:17) I have also written a number of posts demonstrating that the Hebrew Scriptures pointed to Christ (especially Torah).

6. Christ identified two of the commandments of Torah as encompassing the whole of the Law: Love for God, and each other. Christ identified these commandments as the ones to be written on the hearts of his followers, and the things that would identify them as his disciples to the world. (Deuteronomy 6:5, Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 7:12, 22:34-40, Mark 12:28-31, Luke 10:25-28, John 13:31-35, 15:9-17, Romans 13:9-10, I Corinthians 13, James 2:8-13, I John 2:7-11, 3:1-24, 4:7-21) Please note that the Two Great Commandments summarize the Ten Commandments given to Israel, and the Ten summarize all of the 613 individual commandments of Torah which reflected the terms of God's covenant with Israel. In other words, ALL of the other commandments of Torah are elaborations of the TWO! Why did Israel need such a detailed list of commandments? Because they were mostly a carnal people who did NOT have access to the Holy Spirit!

7. ALL of the practices of the early Christian community reflected an emphasis on Jesus of Nazareth and his work (including the celebration of the Eucharist, Resurrection, repentance, baptism, fellowshipping, gift of the Holy Spirit, birth of Christ, his mother, works and writings of his apostles, prayers, songs, healings, exorcisms, etc.). Indeed, history reflects the fact that Christianity was very effective in almost completely eradicating paganism and supplanting it with faith in Jesus as Messiah! In other words, the narrative that paganism eventually swallowed up and supplanted Christianity is the exact OPPOSITE of what history reveals on this subject!

Now, having said all of that, more traditional Christianity has tended to neglect the Hebrew Scriptures. Indeed, many of them seem to have forgotten that those writings ALL pointed to Jesus Christ, and that the apostles and early Church employed them to teach about him! Nevertheless, they have generally understood that Christ has fulfilled the requirements and meaning of Torah for them. Likewise, they have generally understood that they will NOT be justified or rewarded by/for obeying the commandments of Torah! (Romans 3:20, Galatians 3:11, 24)

Now we come to the question of Paul's Ethnic Gospel (a post by James Wood about a book by Jason Staples for First Things. Wood writes:

According to Staples, Paul’s gospel represents not an abandonment of Israel’s ethnic identity but its restoration—accomplished paradoxically through the incorporation of Gentiles. The inclusion of Gentiles is not a detour from Israel’s story but a key to its fulfillment. Paul proclaims not salvation from ethnicity, but rather an ethnic salvation. His gospel is steeped in the “restorationist” hopes of Second Temple Judaism. In this historical-theological framework, a distinction emerges: “Jews” designates the descendants of the southern kingdom of Judah, whereas “Israel” refers to the full twelve tribes, especially the lost northern tribes who were exiled and assimilated by Assyria. The northern tribes’ exile constituted an “ethnic death,” as these Israelites were scattered among and absorbed by the Gentiles—a process Staples calls “gentilization.” Their recovery required not merely return but resurrection. And this resurrection, Paul proclaims, occurs through the in- gathering of Gentiles—its partial accomplishment during Paul’s lifeand its future complete fulfillment. Since Israel has been scattered among and assimilated by the nations, her salvation depends on salvation’s coming to Gentiles (Rom. 11:11–26). God, in his providence, uses this dilemma to accomplish his original promise for his chosen people: that the blessing of Abraham should come to all nations (Gal. 3:14; cf. Rom. 11:12). As Staples provocatively puts it, “Where Israel had become gentilized, now Gentiles were effectively being Israelitized, transformed from one ethnicity to another and integrated into the ethnic people of Israel.”

Yes, Paul certainly did teach that Gentiles had been transformed into Abraham's descendants and coheirs of the promises made to him (Romans 2:28-29 and Galatians 3:5-9). He also taught that There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. (Galatians 3:28-29, ESV) And, in that same epistle to the saints at Rome, he wrote: For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (Romans 8:14-17, ESV) In other words, whether we are Israelites or Gentiles, our faith in Christ (and what he has done for us) makes us God's children and co-heirs with Christ of the promises made to Abraham.

We must never forget that both Abraham and his physical descendant(s) were chosen to bring the blessings of God to all of humankind, NOT because they were special, or the sole object of his attention and affection! In a sense, Paul's teaching is that God has used the Israelites to bless humankind, and humankind will be employed to bless the Israelites - and BOTH are SAVED through Jesus Christ! What do you think?

 Miller Jones/Lonnie C Hendrix

Glynn Washington: Why was he in an end of days white supremacist doomsday cult?

 

See full story here: The birth of Snap Judgment: How the end of the world became the beginning of Glynn Washington’s story

Glynn Washington, the voice behind Snap Judgment, grew up in a white supremacist doomsday cult.

In this episode, Glynn opens up about what that did to his worldview, and how walking away from it all led him to understand the extraordinary power of storytelling. 

It’s a conversation about survival, identity, and the magic of stories that refuse to offer any easy endings.

Crackpot Prophet On Praying To The East

God's most favorite self-proclaimed prophet, the Great Bwana Bob Thiel, steeped in Mithraic and pseudo-Catholic beliefs, is once again railing against churches that pray facing east. As usual, his annual tirade is filled with Armstrongist myths and proof-texting, decrying the practice as rooted in Mithraism. He conveniently ignores that early Christians prayed facing east in anticipation of Jesus Christ’s Second Coming, based on biblical passages like Matthew 24:27, which likens the Son of Man’s return to lightning from the east. This eastward orientation symbolized hope in Christ’s return. Furthermore, early Christian churches were often aligned toward Jerusalem—where Jesus lived, died, and resurrected—which, in many regions, was roughly eastward, reinforcing the tradition of praying toward the holy city.

Ironically, the Great Bwana Bob overlooks that Herbert W. Armstrong, a key figure in his mythology, had the Ambassador Auditorium built facing east. Church members prayed and worshiped facing eastward, while Herbert himself turned his back to the east—and, symbolically, to the risen Lord—while emphasizing legalism and adherence to the law.

The Ambassador Auditorium, often called the "House of God," is also rife with Masonic symbolism. A man who helped construct the building, during a tour I gave him after the church’s collapse when the auditorium stood empty, pointed out its symbolic features. He noted the building’s cubic shape (excluding the lobby), which aligns with Masonic and Qabalistic symbolism, where the cube represents the universe’s ordered structure and the pursuit of divine wisdom. 

The auditorium’s use of purple, a color Herbert W. Armstrong favored for its association with royalty (reflecting the belief that believers would become kings in the future), aligns with Masonic symbolism, where purple represents divine wisdom. Likewise, the extensive use of gold in the auditorium’s design echoes Masonry’s view of gold as a symbol of the perfected soul, illuminated by divine truth, complementing the cube-shaped building’s polished surfaces. Notably, gold leaf adorned the underside of the stairs from the lower level (symbolizing hell) and extended to the upper level, representing light and enlightenment. Additional features, such as the specific number of columns and a hidden room in the auditorium’s ceiling, further suggest intentional Masonic influences in the design.

The auditorium incidentally has 26 columns. 

In Masonry, it is a connection to YHWH. In Qabalistic tradition, which influences some Masonic symbolism, the number 26 is significant because it is the numerical value of the Tetragrammaton (YHWH, the Hebrew name of God) in Gematria: Y (Yod) = 10, H (Heh) = 5, W (Vav) = 6, H (Heh) = 5, totaling 10 + 5 + 6 + 5 = 26. This name represents divine essence, creation, and the ineffable nature of God, which aligns with Freemasonry’s focus on the Great Architect of the Universe (G.A.O.T.U.).

The Tetragrammaton is referenced in certain Masonic degrees, particularly in the Royal Arch (York Rite), where the "Lost Word" and the divine name are central themes. The number 26, while not explicitly highlighted in rituals, could symbolize the divine presence or the sacred knowledge Masons seek, connecting to the spiritual perfection represented by the cube (Perfect Ashlar) as a symbol of the completed self aligned with divine order.

The cube, as the Perfect Ashlar, symbolizes the perfected universe or the Mason’s spiritual temple. In Qabalistic thought, the cube represents the "Cube of Space," a model of creation encompassing all directions and aspects of existence. The number 26, tied to YHWH, could be seen as underpinning the cube’s divine structure, reflecting the divine blueprint of creation within the lodge.

In numerology, 26 reduces to 8 (2 + 6 = 8). The number 8 is not as prominent in Freemasonry as numbers like 3, 5, or 7, but it can symbolize infinity, regeneration, or cosmic balance (due to the shape of the infinity symbol, ∞). In some esoteric traditions, 8 represents a new beginning or spiritual rebirth, which aligns with the Masonic journey of self-improvement and enlightenment.

Masonic Context: This interpretation could connect to the Mason’s transformation from the Rough Ashlar to the Perfect Ashlar, a process of spiritual renewal akin to the cube’s perfected form. While 26 itself is not ritualistically emphasized, its reduction to 8 supports themes of eternal growth and moral perfection. 

In biblical numerology, 26 is less prominent than numbers like 7 or 12, but its connection to the Tetragrammaton makes it significant in Judeo-Christian contexts. For example, the 26th chapter of Leviticus discusses covenant blessings and curses, emphasizing obedience to divine law, which resonates with Freemasonry’s moral teachings.

The number 26 in Freemasonry likely holds symbolic significance through its Qabalistic association with the Tetragrammaton (YHWH), representing divine presence, creation, and spiritual wisdom. It connects to the cube (Perfect Ashlar) as a symbol of the perfected self and the lodge as a divine temple, and to Masonic colors like blue and gold, which evoke divine truth and illumination. While not a primary number in Masonic ritual, 26’s esoteric ties to the divine name align with the lodge’s spiritual goals, paralleling the eastward orientation of churches seeking divine light.

The cube is a significant symbol in Masonic lodges due to its deep symbolic meanings, which connect to both philosophical and spiritual concepts central to Freemasonry. Here are the key reasons for its importance, based on its use as the "Perfect Ashlar" and other symbolic interpretations:

Symbol of Perfection and Completion: The cube, often referred to as the Perfect Ashlar in Freemasonry, represents a stone that has been shaped and polished to perfection, symbolizing the ideal state of a Mason’s moral and spiritual development. The Rough Ashlar, in contrast, represents the unrefined, natural state of a person before Masonic teachings. The transformation from Rough to Perfect Ashlar signifies the Mason’s journey toward self-improvement, virtue, and enlightenment through discipline and education.

Representation of Stability and Order: The cube’s geometric properties—equal sides and perfect symmetry—symbolize stability, balance, and order. In Masonic teachings, these qualities reflect the ideal character of a Mason, who strives to live a balanced, upright life. The cube’s ability to "fill space perfectly" mirrors the stability of the earth, as noted in Plato’s association of the cube with the element of earth in his Timaeus (c. 360 BCE).

Connection to Sacred Architecture: The cube is linked to sacred spaces in various traditions, such as the Holy of Holies in Solomon’s Temple, which was a perfect cube, and the Kaaba in Islam, meaning "cube" in Arabic. In Freemasonry, the cube symbolizes the ideal temple—a spiritual edifice that Masons aim to build within themselves. The lodge itself, sometimes described as a double cube (with length twice its breadth and height), represents the universe or a perfected space for Masonic work.

Qabalistic and Esoteric Meanings: The cube is significant in Qabalistic thought, which influenced early Masonic rituals. It represents the physical world, with its six faces corresponding to the cardinal directions (North, South, East, West, Zenith, Nadir), symbolizing the totality of space and creation. The "Cube of Space" in Qabalah models the processes of creation, aligning with Freemasonry’s focus on building a moral and spiritual life.

Transformation into the Cross: In some Masonic interpretations, particularly in the York Rite, the cube is seen as transforming into a cross when unfolded, symbolizing a spiritual progression from the physical (cube) to the divine (cross). This reflects the Mason’s journey from earthly concerns to spiritual enlightenment, especially in Christian-oriented Masonic degrees.

Historical and Ritualistic Context: The cube appears in Masonic rituals and symbols, such as the Perfect Ashlar on the Junior and Senior Warden’s pedestals, representing the Mason’s progress. In some traditions, a pointed cubic stone (a cube with a pyramidal top) is used, symbolizing the "Opera Maestra" or masterpiece a Mason must achieve. The cube’s presence in lodge furnishings and rituals reinforces its role as a teaching tool for moral and intellectual development.

Connection to Churches Facing East: While the cube’s significance in Freemasonry is distinct, it shares symbolic parallels with the Christian tradition of churches facing east. Both draw on the idea of orientation toward divine light or truth—churches face east to symbolize Christ’s return, while the cube’s six faces, including the eastward direction, represent universal harmony and connection to the divine. Additionally, the cube’s association with Solomon’s Temple aligns with the eastward orientation of sacred spaces in both traditions, as the Temple’s Holy of Holies was a cubic space oriented toward spiritual significance.

The Great Bwana Bob needs to stop casting his hypocritical stones at everyone around him and look at his own mess he is entrenched in.

Historical Revisionism in Armstrongism

 

Historical Revisionism in Armstrongism 

One of the most significant criticisms leveled against Armstrongism is its reliance on historical revisionism, particularly through the doctrine of British-Israelism, which forms a cornerstone of Herbert W. Armstrong’s teachings. British-Israelism posits that the Anglo-Saxon peoples of Britain and the United States are the direct descendants of the “lost ten tribes” of Israel, a claim Armstrong used to assert that these nations held a special role in biblical prophecy. This doctrine, while appealing to national pride and a sense of divine election, has been thoroughly debunked by historians, archaeologists, and biblical scholars, revealing it as a deceptive fabrication that misled followers and shaped the Worldwide Church of God’s (WCG) identity.

British-Israelism traces its roots to 19th-century pseudo-historical theories, notably those of John Wilson and Edward Hine, who speculated that the British were descended from the tribe of Ephraim and Americans from Manasseh. Armstrong adopted and popularized this idea, claiming it was divinely revealed to him during his study of the Bible. In his book The United States and Britain in Prophecy, Armstrong argued that biblical promises to Abraham’s descendants were fulfilled in the modern Anglo-Saxon nations, positioning them as God’s chosen people. This narrative was bolstered by selective historical claims, such as alleged connections between British royalty and the Davidic line, drawn from discredited sources like J.H. Allen’s Judah’s Sceptre and Joseph’s Birthright.

Critics, such as Roger R. Chambers in Plain Truth About Armstrongism, have demonstrated that British-Israelism lacks any credible historical or archaeological evidence. Modern scholarship confirms that the ten tribes of Israel, dispersed after the Assyrian conquest in 722 BCE, were likely assimilated into other cultures, with no traceable lineage to modern Western nations. Genetic studies further refute claims of a unique Israelite heritage among Anglo-Saxon peoples. Armstrong’s reliance on outdated and speculative works, such as those by Herman Hoeh, a WCG scholar who accessed rare books to craft elaborate but unverifiable histories, compounded the deception. Hoeh’s narratives, often presented as scholarly, were inaccessible to the average member, who lacked the resources or permission to question them. This created a closed system where fabricated histories were accepted as truth, exploiting the low-information environment of the mid-20th century.

The appeal of British-Israelism lay in its ability to give followers a sense of exclusivity and purpose, positioning them as God’s chosen remnant in a world facing apocalyptic judgment. This resonated particularly in the post-World War II era, when national pride and fears of global instability were high. However, the doctrine’s deceptive nature became apparent as information became more accessible. The internet, particularly in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, exposed the historical inaccuracies of British-Israelism, with websites like herbertwarmstrong.com providing detailed refutations. Former members, such as those contributing to Escaping Armstrongism, describe the disillusionment of discovering that the doctrine they had accepted as divine truth was based on fabrication.

Armstrong’s historical revisionism extended beyond British-Israelism to his broader narrative of church history. He claimed that the WCG was the sole inheritor of “true Christianity,” preserved through a hidden lineage of Sabbath-keeping groups, while mainstream Christianity had been corrupted by paganism. This narrative dismissed centuries of Christian scholarship and relied on selective proof-texting, ignoring the complexity of early church history. For example, Armstrong’s rejection of the Trinity and traditional holidays like Christmas as “pagan” oversimplified the syncretic development of Christian practices, presenting a black-and-white view that demonized other denominations. Critics argue that this approach not only distorted history but also fostered an “us vs. them” mentality, isolating members from broader Christian dialogue and reinforcing the WCG’s cult-like control.

The deceptive nature of Armstrong’s historical claims was exacerbated by the WCG’s strict control over information. Members were discouraged from reading outside sources or questioning leadership, under threat of disfellowshipping. This ensured that fabricated histories, such as those supporting British-Israelism, went unchallenged within the church. The reliance on pseudo-scholarship and the suppression of dissent created a system where deception thrived, as members were taught to trust Armstrong’s “divinely revealed” interpretations over verifiable evidence.

The historical revisionism of Armstrongism, particularly through British-Israelism and its narrative of church history, represents a core deception that misled followers by presenting fabricated claims as divine truth. The lack of empirical support, combined with the WCG’s authoritarian structure, prevented members from critically evaluating these teachings, perpetuating a cycle of misinformation that has since been exposed by modern scholarship and former members.

David D.

Aaron Dean: Do not forsake the wife of your youth in order to be organized with those who have been disobedient (UCG).

It's hard to believe Aaron Dean would be foolish enough to follow Samuel into the new Worldwide Church of God. But this is Armstrongism, where nothing is ever normal!

This was sent to Aaron Dean.

The following are quotes from Mr. Armstrong in an article he wrote in 1939.

“The true Christian must be willing at all times to be corrected and chastened — and must continually seek to GROW in knowledge as well as in grace!”-Herbert W Armstrong(Good News Magazine, February-April 1939)

“At Mt. Sinai, God set up AN ORGANIZATION. Make no mistake about that!

“In our quest to learn WHETHER God's people should join themselves together in an ORGANIZATION, having CHURCH GOVERNMENT, let us begin by recognizing that in the beginning, at Sinai, God Himself formed His people into an ORGANIZATION, having GOVERNMENT.”-Herbert W Armstrong(Good News Magazine February-April 1939)

“It is IMPOSSIBLE to have ORGANIZATION, or GOVERNMENT, without having a MAN as the actual and real head, even tho we SAY Christ in heaven is the Head, and continue to try to believe it that way.”- Herbert W Armstrong (Good News Magazine February-April 1939)

“When God first set up AN ORGANIZATION on earth, the people who formed this organization were MARRIED to the Lord. It was this MARRIAGE that bound Him and His people together.”- Herbert W Armstrong, (Good News Magazine February-April 1939)

“It was this marriage, then, that established ORGANIZATION and GOVERNMENT among God's people.”-Herbert W Armstrong (Good News Magazine February-April 1939)

“We want to repeat that. We want you to understand it — for it is of great importance — it is the KEY FACT upon which the real truth, so long hidden, really hinges. IT WAS THE MARRIAGE THAT FORMED GOD'S PEOPLE INTO AN ORGANIZATION HAVING CHURCH GOVERNMENT!

“That being so — and it IS so, and none can deny it — then it naturally follows that THE ORGANIZATION and the GOVERNMENT of God's people, at least as ordained and sanctioned by the Lord, EXISTED ONLY AS LONG AS THE MARRIAGE UNION WHICH ESTABLISHED IT!

“If the marriage was done away, the ORGANIZATION and the CHURCH GOVERNMENT was at the same time done away. For it was only this marriage relationship which established the organization — the kingdom — the government, both civil and ecclesiastical.

“When God first proposed the Old Covenant marriage, (Ex. 19:5- 6), He promised His people that IF — notice the IF — they would be obedient, as a wife should to her husband, they would become "a kingdom of PRIESTS, and an holy NATION." In other words, a GOVERNMENT of a religious character — a CHURCH GOVERNMENT!

“This is repeated in Leviticus 26. There the blessings to accrue for obedience are enumerated, together with the PUNISHMENT for DISOBEDIENCE. And what was that punishment to be?

“Notice it! — "they that hate you shall REIGN OVER YOU . . . SEVEN TIMES" — or 2520 years! (Verses 14-28).

“Look at it, in your own Bible. If Israel, the WIFE, married unto the Lord, proves disobedient, Israel is to LOSE her government. No longer to be AN ORGANIZATION! Enemy nations shall REIGN OVER — rule over — the Israelites. “Their own government no longer will rule them. No longer will they be an organization of their own.

“This God threatened to turn the GOVERNMENT — THE ORGANIZATION, if you please, over to the GENTILES for 2520 long years, TAKING ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNMENT AWAY FROM HIS PEOPLE!”-Herbert W Armstrong (Good News Magazine February-April 1939)

Dear Mr. Dean,

“And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand.Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the Lord hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. For the Lord, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the Lord of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.”(Malachi 2:13-16)

The marriage covenant we made at baptism, is the point in our lives where we told God “All that you say to do, we will do”!

We entered into a marriage covenant with Jesus Christ and we were added to the spiritual body of Christ.

This marriage covenant, organized the spiritual organism together into the Worldwide Church of God. The Church of God well organized.

In the Philadelphia era, it was through one man, like Moses, in which we have been organized!

Mr. Armstrong wrote in that same article quoted above, “But what of the separated individual believer, who tries to GET his salvation all by himself or by following some MAN or any of hundreds of professing Christian denominations of our day? He is CUT OFF from that TRUE teaching, which Christ reveals to and through His apostle!

What if one in the Church disagrees on some point of doctrine? Then he is out of harmony with God's Church. And GOD HAS ONLY THE ONE CHURCH.

And all in the Church are commanded to speak the same thing — and it must be what CHRIST, either in person or by written Word, has taught His apostle.

To the church at Corinth, the apostle Paul wrote: "Now I beseech you brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing". (1 Corinthians 1:10) Some of them wanted to follow Peter, some wanted to follow Apollos, some Paul. But PAUL was their apostle and Christ taught them by PAUL.

The separated individual believer will follow his own idea of God's truth. THAT IS NOT GOD'S WAY.

God in His almighty wisdom, has raised up the CHURCH, as HIS MEANS of teaching all the SAME TRUTH — all speaking the SAME THING! Not each individual his own thing!”(end quote)

When we recognize how we received the doctrines of Christ, we do give honor by acknowledging Mr Armstrong as the instrument and apostle whom Christ used to give us what we believe! Just as the children of Israel recognized that through Moses, God was leading them!

Christ taught us by Herbert W Armstrong! The only apostle in the Philadelphia era.

So when we were baptized, we entered into a marriage covenant with Jesus Christ and then were given ORGANIZATION, or God’s Government, which formed us into the Worldwide Church of God!

That is the wife of your youth, spoken about in Malachi 2.

Now when people tell me the Worldwide Church of God was destroyed, annihilated etc, I wonder if it isn’t a demon spirit behind them talking against the marriage covenant!

To the disobedient, they lost the Lordship and Government of God, and so the organization of the Worldwide Church of God was lost to them! They left the Church!

So we see the destruction of those in various high positions within the Church, as they lost the ORGANIZATION which is connected to the marriage covenant with Christ!

Some have left the Worldwide Church of God, with complaints, with criticism, and with the goal of rewriting the New Testament marriage covenant! They organize together under terms and conditions, they put together.

Now when compared to the ORGANIZATION of the Worldwide Church of God through the apostle, of which we have already been added to spiritually….there are some big differences, and even a small difference is wrong! Why is it wrong? Because when we made a covenant with Christ, we did not dictate to Christ the terms and conditions of that covenant!

These new organizations have attempted to humanly correct Jesus Christ, concerning problems they saw with the Worldwide Church of God! Thus they have presented their own covenant, and now expect God to accept them on their own terms!

They have ran to Babylon, to incorporate, to create their ORGANIZATION. That is fornication, as we are supposed to be waiting as a bride for Jesus Christ!

We have no right, to ORGANIZE like Korah did outside of Moses, or like Aaron and Miriam did when they say they too were Holy and that God spoke through them! That is following MEN.

Now of course Paul was a man. Mr Armstrong was a man. But they were the men whom God chose and used to organize all of us in the Body of Christ!

So these COG groups are like the individuals who have left the Church to try to gain the Kingdom and enter the Kingdom of God their own way, by their own terms and conditions.

When you enter into a covenant with them and their Jesus, you deal treacherously against the wife of your youth. The Worldwide Church of God!

You realize your ministerial authority, is with your covenant you made with Jesus Christ in the Worldwide Church of God?

How can you prepare the bride, if you are floundering with another woman? Because the organization of another church, is a daughter of Babylon, and certainly not of God! And enjoying her delicacies and charms and receiving a payroll from her, interferes with your job and function inside the ORGANIZATION of the Worldwide Church of God!

Isn’t that why we can hear how the Worldwide Church of God was “destroyed” or was “annihilated”.

Have you lost the ORGANIZATION or the Government which God put inside of the Worldwide Church of God?

Does this other ORGANIZATION give you more control over things? Like Pharisees under Rome?
What happens when Rome takes full authority? It happened to Israel and Babylon!
They tried it with the 1979 receivership!

I’m a member of the Worldwide Church of God because I have a marriage covenant with Jesus Christ, and He ORGANIZED me as my head into the Worldwide Church of God, through the apostle. And if I keep my eyes on Jesus Christ who brought me here, and acknowledge whom He used to reveal His truth to me, then I am not following after men nor my own ideas!

The creation of the 1993 regional structure, was an act of disobedience. The result was the loss of the Organization called the Worldwide Church of God.

Those inside are still inside, while those who lost it have lost it. They had to go to the governments of this world in order to organize themselves and create a new covenant that JESUS CHRIST WILL NOT ACCEPT! It is that serious!

That is something I do not want to strengthen people in. To help people commit fornication and forsake the marriage covenant? Aren’t you supposed to be preparing the Bride?!? Why sabotage the bride of Christ then, by leading them to another woman? That’s what you do when you attend these groups. That’s why I haven’t attended them!

Lift up the stumbling blocks! Prepare the way so the people may escape and be ready for marriage with Jesus Christ!!!

Responsibilities are hard. Our example can lead many astray.

But remember God is a merciful and loving God, quick to forgive. As long as we humble ourselves and repent wholly unto God!

You have already been duly appointed as an administrator of the Worldwide Church of God, its work, assets and its activities. That is your ministerial assignment. You already through your marriage covenant at baptism, are part of the ORGANIZATION of the Worldwide Church of God. 

Do not forsake the wife of your youth in order to be organized with those who have been disobedient.

It may have not appeared like the UCG was founded on disobedience at the time. Satan is clever, and everyone may have had good intentions but Satan does best what he does. 

We need to acknowledge where we have been wrong, that we are wrong, and repent and turn around fully into God!

That disobedience has separated the membership and ministry of the Worldwide Church of God, to make another covenant and organize themselves into a new group. This is not holding fast.

Your obedience has been noticed by God. Has it not? I don’t see why any of this would be brought to you otherwise. This is about the Bride of Christ! And getting ready! And preparing the bride!

Let us renew our vows to God! Stop sleeping around! Stop being indifferent and lukewarm! 

Let us not deal treacherously with the wife of our youth!

In Christ’s service, May God’s will be be done and may we be the thunder that follows,
Sam Kitchen