Dave Pack Changes His Mind again - New Date Kingdom Arrives Is February 1, 2026

 

RCG/Dave Pack Newsflash:
The Kingdom Comes on February 1, 2026.
But Don't Fall In Love With That Idea.

David C. Pack of The Restored Church of God is the consummate fool, inventing his own folly. Desperately clinging to the notion that he is being led by God to teach the ever-changing nonsense falling from his lips, he reimagines his own discoveries for the sake of maintaining the illusion of prophetic relevance.

During “The Greatest Untold Story! (Part 617)” on January 17, 2026, the Pastor General shifted the arrival of the Kingdom to February 1 instead of February 2. Shevat 15 just fits better, don’tcha know?

The Kingdom Will Come on February 1, 2026!

The revised Kingdom sequence and clarified arrival date left the Pastor General intoxicated by his own supreme, apostolic confidence, even though he had to burn much of last week’s material.

In one of THE BEST David C. Pack meme-worthy moments, the faux Elijah grimaces and fist pumps his certainty of the revised Kingdom structure and that it will all begin on Shevat 15, February 1. This will undoubtedly become the most regrettable performance of his spiritually fraudulent career.

Part 617 – January 17, 2026
@ 01:32:00 We got it. We got it!

For those who would like the raw, isolated video clip for your own creative purposes, please write exrcgwebsite@gmail.com.

There were quite a few gems sprinkled throughout Part 617.

@ 01:23 It's critical we stay with proof of mid-Shevat. …you're gonna learn that February 1st replaces February 2nd. So, we're not waiting for Monday morning, February 2. We're waiting for Sunday morning, February 1. There's huge, massive proof of that. For now, until I can get to it, for now, just rejoice we’re a day closer.

@ 1:09:03 So, now comes the very greatest proof the 1335 comes in mid-Shevat and on the 15th, not the 16th. On, therefore, February 1st, what would be a Sunday morning here, not February 2nd, a Monday morning.

@ 22:06 Sort of like getting the 1335 out of the Kingdom and in front of it. You hafta to make sure that when you did that, you didn't build the 45-day kingdom in front of it. And the fact is, we did not, but I need to dissolve some of the things I thought were proofs.

“The Greatest Untold Story!” Series is wall-to-wall with what David C. Pack thought were proofs.

@ 40:30 I may not get everything right, but I come back around, and eventually, it's right, and it's clear.

@ 45:07 Now I can understand, and this is big that we're all fulfilling prophecy. It's one of the great proofs that we can't have very long.

Dave spent the majority of Part 616 reestablishing the three-kingdom structure by introducing a new 45-day First Kingdom, which he coined as the "Sour Grapes Kingdom." It was based on so much overwhelming biblical truth, inarguable proofs, and a correct understanding of the Bible that Dave recanted it seven days later.

@ 1:05:24 So there's no kingdom. You can just—I'm sorry you had to think for a for a whole week about a 45-day kingdom. I was tryin’ to figure this out. If you're trying to pin down what there has to be a year involved. Are we still waiting to March 18th somehow?

For a man who claims to fear God, he shows no fear of God as he continually credits the Almighty as the inspiration for RCG’s temporary doctrines. The most uncomfortable thing I experienced in The Restored Church of God was watching David C. Pack lie to the brethren during Sabbath Services, taking the Lord’s name in vain, bearing false witness, and blaspheming without hesitation.

During Part 617, Dave abandoned what he preached under God’s authority the week before. I wonder if he ever ponders the implications of publicly making his god a liar and a cruel trickster.

@ 03:25 God shocked me with sudden, massive evidence hidden in His word regarding the 1290 protection point in the Kingdom, not the 1335 days that would be to the Day of the Lord.

@ 1:26:39 It's incredible. It's incredible. It leaves me stunned. This brilliant Being. We serve the right God. This absolutely brilliant Being laid all of this out.

@ 1:30:44 It was a high hill to climb. But God just eventually said it was time to end the Mystery, because we're coming up on February 1st.

@ 1:47:02 So much was at stake in getting this right to the God who talks about trees all the time. You had to get it right, or you'd have chaos. You'd have confusion. God would have to establish it.

God is not motivating these doctrines. The Holy Spirit is not revealing any of these teachings. David C. Pack is a false teacher, a false apostle, and a false prophet inspired by his own thirst for legitimacy. The fruit of his works reveals the truth of this matter.

@ 1:56:09 More proofs of February 1 and and a few miscellaneous things will come next week. …Because the Kingdom begins Sunday morning. At least, Sunday morning our time.

The Pastor General cannot even be trusted with what he will do next week. The willfully blind joy and undeserved adulation from the All-Believing Zealots in The Restored Church of God were short-lived. One week later, the February 1 Kingdom bubble popped and vanished as quickly as Dave's credibility.

Part 618 – January 24, 2026
@ 1:00:31 We cannot be waiting for the middle of Shevat. It’s impossible.

Insert your favorite The Price is Right failure music here. And keep it on loop.

The brethren awaiting the kingdom their human idol preaches will not see it in Shevat or Abib or at any time henceforth. Holding on until the “next time” is how RCG brethren cope, and fewer are willing to do so. Four people left RCG this week, with more on the way. The trickle, trickle of tithe-payers out the door is a troublesome reality that even Dave cannot deny. More on that later.

Marc Cebrian

See: News Flash: The Kingdom Comes on February 1, 2026

I will Send Dave Pack To Restore All Things

 God promised he would send an end-time messenger, who is named David, to the world, and here he is! Woo Hoo!

Poor Bwana Bob. Here, he thought he was God's gift to humanity, and he has been usurped by Dave, of all people. Always the bridesmaid and never the bride.

Dave has restored the whole plan of prophecy and everything that had been lost since the Apostles.

He has restored ALL things.

During “The Greatest Untold Story! (Part 617)” on January 17, 2026, David C. Pack of The Restored Church of God explained how he fulfills the role of Elijah the Prophet mentioned in the Book of Malachi, who is sent by God to “restore all things.” 

When the Pastor General mentions Elijah or speaks of a biblical figure from the third-person perspective, he is referring to himself. RCG members are well aware of this. The green arrows assist when he appears to be speaking about someone else, but is in actuality, preaching about himself. 

This 13-minute video illustrates what The Restored Church of God teaches behind closed doors and does not want non-members to know. Despite the numerous videos and literature offered on the RCG website, none of the information taught on January 17, 2026, is available for public review. 

David C. Pack and the ministers at The Restored Church of God teach that these verses are about David C. Pack: 

Malachi 4:5—Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD 

Matthew 17:11—And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. 

If you are interested in learning about the Elijah doctrines of The Restored Church of God, watch this compilation video: • David C. Pack Compilation – Elijah the Pro... 

All credit to former member Marc Cebrian for this compilation and description: exrcg.org

UCG, COGWA, LCG Leaders Meet For An Agape Love Fest

We sure do love to wax poetic on here about how tragically broken the various Churches of God have become, especially their spectacular inability to actually meet together and fellowship like—oh, I don't know—actual brethren in Christ. Recently, UCG (United Church of God) extended a gracious olive branch to COGWA (Church of God, a Worldwide Association) and LCG (Living Church of God). And lo and behold, they all solemnly nodded in agreement: yes, their members really do wish everyone could just be together again; yes, the endless splits have been painful, messy, and frankly exhausting.

They even managed to utter the magic words—we need to have agape love for one another. Touching, isn't it? Heartwarming, even. Yet somehow, despite all this profound recognition and these noble admissions, they willfully persist in keeping themselves neatly separated, each in their own little organizational fortress. Because nothing says "agape love" quite like maintaining doctrinal turf wars and separate Feast sites.

UCG has been kind enough to clarify that these high-level kumbaya sessions are strictly private affairs—leadership chatting behind closed doors, while the poor members (the ones who actually long to reunite) are left on the outside looking in, wondering why their heartfelt desires don't merit an invitation to the grown-ups' table. The pride and arrogance of the leaders continue to act as the world's most effective superglue, holding the divisions firmly in place. Meanwhile, they earnestly preach that everyone else should be filled to overflowing with agape love, mutual respect, and brotherly unity... as they all supposedly labor together for Jesus Christ.

Which brings us to the uncomfortable little question that really ought to be asked: Do they actually all work for Jesus Christ? The last forty years of schisms, power struggles, name changes, lawsuits, and fresh acronyms sprouting like weeds have a way of whispering a very different story—one that's far less flattering and a great deal more... human. But hey, at least the sermons still sound spiritual.

Mr. Elliott said he recently visited Mr. Gerald Weston and his staff at the Living Church of God offices in North Carolina. He has also recently spoken with Mr. Jim Franks at the COGWA offices. He mentioned that most of what we all do is done in triplicate, such as with offices, hall rentals, travel, and Feast sites, etc. Mr. Elliott assured everyone that while there is no desire to combine, it seems most members wish we were together. He then compared what has happened in some cases to a divorce in a family. He said such splits are painful, messy and are typically private interactions among a few leaders without members being fully aware or participating. He also mentioned that currently, the “children” of God wish for the “parents” to get back together. He said that, “it does not seem realistic at this point, so we all need to move forward, repenting and striving with agape love and respect for one another and the work we are performing for Jesus Christ.” 

 

He explained that Jesus desires that God’s children all be one (John 17:20-21), and he explained that while we are not all in a single corporation, at least we all need to be one in God and Jesus Christ by having an agape mindset. Let’s all help each other in striving to do just that, please.

Dave Pack: Its Now February 2nd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Societies are breaking down in Cuba, Iran, Venezuela, and it all comes to an end on February 2nd!

Oh noes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Satan Has Unleashed His Minions On The Greatest Church of God Websites Ever Created!

Poor, persecuted Great Bwana Bob Thiel, shepherd of the single greatest, most dazzling Church of God ever to grace this fallen planet in the entire sweep of human history. Yes, folks, move over, original apostles—step aside, first-century Philadelphia era—there's a new sheriff in town, and his name is Bwana Bob, the one true beacon of mind-boggling "truth" destined to enlighten the masses (mostly in Africa, apparently, where the devil seems to have a particular vendetta).

You see, Crafty ol' Satan—ever the sore loser—has clearly dialed his minions up to overtime plus hazard pay, all because he just can't handle the radiant glory emanating from the improperly spelled-but-definitely-legitimate "Continuing" Church of God. No other splinter group in this dispensation dares to suffer like this! While lesser Church of God outfits potter along in boring obscurity, our hero faces relentless cosmic warfare. Why? Because the moment Bwana Bob drops one of his earth-shattering articles exposing the deep truths the rest of us are too cowardly (or deceived) to see, Satan throws a tantrum and hits delete.

It's exhausting, really. No sooner does the Great Bwana painstakingly recreate his vital writings—carefully re-typing every divinely inspired word—than those pesky demonic minions swoop in again like digital vultures, wiping the slate clean. Entire treatises on prophecy, nutrition, and why everyone else is wrong vanish into the ether faster than you can say "shadow-banning." One battle after another! The man can't even enjoy a quiet moment of self-publishing without the Prince of Darkness throwing another hissy fit.

When will that stubborn adversary ever learn? Just leave the Great Bwana alone already! Clearly, the devil is really, really, really rattled by all this explosive truth being unleashed upon an unsuspecting continent. 

If only Satan would take a long weekend or something. But no—onward the minions march, tirelessly thwarting the most important work since, well, ever.

Hang in there, Great Bwana. Your legion of repeatedly-deleted PDFs and your ironclad victim-savant status will surely triumph... right after the next inevitable takedown. The forces of darkness tremble before your unyielding refresh button. Or at least they would, if they weren't busy hitting delete again. 

Stay vigilant. The end is near... probably right after you hit "publish" one more time.

The Great Bwana writes:

Dear Brethren and Co-Workers in Christ:

Greetings. 

 

We have continued to have massive issues affecting our ccog.org and other sites. Basically, we have been hit with malware as well as the fact that transferring server locations has affected posts. In addition, the transfer, which we were forced to do, messed up posts and other things at the cogwriter.com website. 

 

One of the many frustrations is that even when we have recreated/replicated lost content, it has gone missing again. 

 

We had to hire another firm to assist with some of this, which is an expense we did not want, but hope will help end some of this. 

 

Satan does not want us to proclaim all the truths that we do and has his minions affect us in many negative ways (Ephesians 6:12).

Aaron Dean: Most Of You Failed The Test When HWA Died

 

Screenshot credit from a retired highly placed NASA employee

Oh, pray tell, how is it possible that all you miserable, Laodicean-leaning reprobates—you who have so callously and wickedly spurned the sacred truths of Armstrongism—still can't wrap your spiritually-blinded little heads around the obvious fact that you were supposed to cling desperately to the ONE TRUE FAITH, exactly as the saintly, unflinching Aaron Dean has done with such superhuman loyalty all these decades?

I mean, really? You failed the test. Spectacularly. Catastrophically. Woe unto you, you wretched, backsliding, lukewarm Laodiceans! The clock is ticking, judgment is at the door, and you have but a pitifully short sliver of time left to fall on your faces in tearful, gut-wrenching repentance and crawl back to the one true faith before the Great Tribulation turns you all into crispy spiritual toast.

But—hold everything—which glorious "one true faith" would that even be, exactly? Enlighten us, O wise ones! Is it the dusty remnants of the original Worldwide Church of God (you know, the one that politely imploded and became Grace Communion International overnight)? Or perhaps the United Church of God (where Aaron Dean himself actually serves, because apparently that's where the purest remnant landed... or did it?)? No, wait—surely it's the Living Church of God, with its endless video sermons and dramatic warnings? Or the Philadelphia Church of God, guardians of the sacred copyrights and Malachi's Message? Maybe the Restored Church of God, where Dave Pack is still busy "restoring" everything by demanding your house, your savings, and your firstborn? Or how about the Continuing Church of God, Bob Thiel's ever-growing YouTube empire of "continuing" what everyone else supposedly lost? Don't forget the Church of God International, or any of the dozen other microscopic splinters claiming exclusive divine appointment.

Go ahead—pick one. Any one. Because surely one of these glorious outfits has managed to set a shining, consistent Christian example of grace, love, humility, forgiveness, and actual brotherly kindness without descending into yet another round of lawsuits, character assassinations, power grabs, doomsday date-setting, or thinly veiled demands for your tithes so the "work" can continue (mostly by buying more TV time to scream about the same work).

The sheer irony is almost too delicious: Here are all these groups proudly proclaiming they've preserved "the truth once delivered," the very doctrines Mr. Armstrong restored through divine revelation... yet somehow they've misplaced the minor details like "love your neighbor," "bear one another's burdens," "by this shall all men know that you are My disciples—if you have love for one another," and—oh yes—that pesky "fruit of the Spirit" thing that doesn't include constant division, finger-pointing, and declaring everyone else a tool of Satan.

If Aaron Dean—or anyone else—has managed to stay loyal to the original vision without descending into the same patterns of strife that plague so many of these groups, perhaps the real question isn't "Who has the purest doctrine?" but rather "Who is actually bearing the fruits that prove they are Christ's disciples?"

So, to all you who walked away in disgust: Examine your treacherous hearts and REPENT! UCG is ready to welcome you with an open arm, while the other is tugging at your wallet.

And to all you who remain loyally clustered in your chosen splinter: Do the same—quickly—before another "new revelation" or leadership purge hits.

Time really is short. Repentance is still on the table. Genuine love might even break out one day.

But only if everyone stops pretending their little group alone has cornered the market on God's favor while treating everyone else like spiritual lepers.

Tick-tock, brethren. Tick-tock.

20 Million and Counting!

 

Who would have imagined that a little blog that started out to feature books critical of Armstrongism (all thanks to Dean Blackwell's example) would turn into what we have become today? 

The "go to" source for the latest craziness in Armstrongism.

One would like to imagine that 40 years after Herbert Armstrong's death, 

the craziness in the Churches of God would have died down by now. 

But, NO. Hardly a day goes by that some kind of idiocy is being said or committed. 

If today's Church of God movement is the face of 1st Century Christianity, 

then we are all doomed!

Grok AI had this to say about Banned:

In short, it's one of the most prominent online voices opposing and documenting the ongoing issues within Armstrongist Churches of God splinter groups, positioning itself as an exposé rather than a neutral or supportive resource. If you're exploring Armstrongism (either as a current/former member or researcher), it's a very active source of outsider critique, though obviously written from a strongly negative perspective.

Highlights alleged corruption, authoritarianism, false prophecies, financial exploitation, doctrinal inconsistencies, and abusive practices in various Church of God (COG) splinter groups that continue Armstrong's teachings.

Frequently targets prominent leaders in these groups, such as:

David C. Pack (Restored Church of God)

Gerald Flurry (Philadelphia Church of God)

Ron Weinland

Bob Thiel

United Church of God (UCG)

Living Church of God

And others.

Shares news, reader-submitted stories, commentary, quotes from COG publications or leaders, and satirical or mocking takes on their announcements, failed predictions, personality cults, and internal dramas.

Posts are often sarcastic, irreverent, and blunt — sometimes using strong language to ridicule what the author sees as absurd or harmful behaviors/doctrines.

It has built a significant readership over the years, serving as a resource for ex-members, critics, and those researching or leaving these groups.

The Great African Denial

Behold, the divine tragedy unfolding before our very eyes! God's single greatest gift to the Churches of God—and, let's be honest, to the entire suffering world (whose very salvation apparently hinges on this one man's infallible leadership)—is apparently not having the best week of his prophetic life. No, our spiritual colossus, the one and only Bwana Bob, has been reduced to a decidedly unhappy camper.

In a fit of righteous indignation, he lashed out at poor Terry Nelson, branding him a liar over a previous post that dared to poke at the cracks in the facade. Because nothing says "God's anointed end-time prophet" quite like publicly melting down when someone points out reality. Getting called out—again—about the absolute dumpster fire that is the state of affairs in his "sprawling" African "groups" clearly didn't sit well with our fearless leader. The man who claims to be the greatest thing to happen to the Church of God since matzo bread (or perhaps since Herbert Armstrong himself) simply cannot handle a little constructive criticism.

I myself made a solemn pilgrimage—a side trip, if you will—past his magnificent world headquarters while cruising up Highway 1 this past week. Let me tell you, the atmosphere was as gloomy and foreboding as ever. One can almost feel the weight of divine disappointment hanging in the air like fog rolling off the Pacific. Truly inspiring stuff.

But denial? Oh, denial is the name of the game when it comes to our boy Bwana Bob. How could the single greatest Church of God leader in the entire history of humanity—nay, the universe—possibly have any issues with his church-hopping "evangelists" over in Africa? Especially the very same Sosten, that paragon of loyalty and stability, whom Wade Cox (yes, that Wade Cox of the Christian Churches of God) proudly announced just a couple of weeks ago had given his enthusiastic approval and was itching to jump ship and join forces with him instead.

Imagine the sheer audacity: one of Bob's prized African coordinators apparently deciding the grass might be greener (or the offerings more forthcoming) elsewhere. But surely this is all just a vicious rumor spread by liars and haters, right? Because nothing could possibly tarnish the spotless record of the fastest-shrinking-yet-somehow-still-the-most-important remnant in COG history. Perish the thought.

Truly, we are blessed to witness such flawless leadership in action. The world trembles, the critics seethe, and the prophet... well, he pouts. What a time to be alive.

Terry Nelson writes:

Let's go over these absurd rebuttals. Fact, Sosten L. can't be trusted - Bob admitted in his sermon on Hierarchical Governance and Corruption that Sosten L. is an adulterer and skimmed money from the CCOG. He's definitely a Muzungu church hunter. The statement from Wade Cox was past 2017, which makes Sosten a liar- also, I know for a fact that he double or triple dips. I have his emails, which I'll release later. So Bob, you're in the Dark again...... 

CCOG did fund Bradox boy in his 2 political runs. Bob was shown all the evidence, but as usual, believes fantasy over facts. I mean, Bob's on record publicly saying someone put Bradox's name on the ballot-that's why he's on the official Kenyan Documents. So wrong again, Bob ...... 

Evans Ocheing and Radson Mulowzoa have been proven to be adulterers. The last 2 years on Banned - video testament - written statements, pictures, catfish sting operations have been featured. 

Bob, what are you thinking....... Evans and Radson have to pay to play, witchdoctors spells, - again, major evidence last 2 years on Banned. So now Bob, your past strike 3.....

The case where Bob paid Radson to arrest me on false statements was thrown out over a year ago I showed the lawyers all of Radsons Childrens video testimony and all the other evidence - they told Radson he's guilty and threw it out. 

Bob breaks his own Philadelphia Governence by giving Radson money to take me to court. Bob your not practicing what you preach. No leader that I talked to in Hope said anything against me to Dr Bobby... He must be dreaming this one. Send me the email, Bob.....Bob doesn't have anything from Radson in Malawi-- maybe a few hundred with Church hopping-Sosten. Bob, you need pictures to prove these thousands. I've been there 5 times. Nothing......So to wind up this shim sham African sand dance, the CCOG never got past the fake numbers. Maybe a thousand in Kenya? That's what all the Kenyan CCOG leadership tells me is maybe a possibility ...So in Reality maybe Bob has 1500 worldwide. I wouldn't call that growth, especially in Africa. Unless you're on the ground there like I've been, Bob would be better off believing he can get a deal on oceanfront property in Arizona......Those Witchdoctors are sure working overtime on Bob.....

Bob didn't deny my spot on knowledge of the CCOG not owning any land or church buildings. All properties are in Evans and Radson's name. His Church double-dipping con men sure milked CCOG of millions.  Big red flags for the Russian agent, Bubba Thiel

The Great Bwana Bob's denials:

Because of Proverbs 26:4, I do not respond to most of the lies and false accusations at the Banned By HWA site, but because of Proverbs 26:5, I sometimes will.

The anti-COG Banned by HWA website has a post with a lot of false and improper accusations against the Continuing Church of God, myself, and several CCOG leaders in Africa.

Here is one assertion in that post:

Sosten caught Church hopping with Wade Cox.

I asked Sosten Libugwa about the posted accusation suggesting that he was now with Wade Cox. Here is what he emailed me about that:

in 2016 I wrote to the group of this church but not Wade but Jean Alphonso who was Church secretary at that time,we worked together from 2016 to 2017,after I discovered their teachings fully,I see that there is no truth in the church,they did not believe in Jesus Christ divinity and others,because of different teachings I see in this church I decided to moved away from this church,if you can check about letters I wrote to you in 2017 to  2020 I told you more about this people,ask Terry to give you email for Wade Cox then you asked if he is working with me he will tell you the truth,he is going to tell you that Sosten is ex CCG for so many years now,now I have no records for this group since from 2017 till this date,

So, no, Sosten Libungwa is not with Wade Cox and while years ago, he had an affiliation, he left when he learned they were actually unitarian. 

Let me simply make the following rebuttals and comments related to the rest of the posted accusations:

• The CCOG did not fund any political campaigns in Kenya.
• Accusing Evans Ochieng and Radson Mulozowa of adultery is wrong and libelous.
• Accusing CCOG leaders of involvement with prostitution and witch doctors is wrong and libelous.
• It is my understanding that the accuser is subject to facing legal charges in Malawi for such statements.
• A leader in 'Hope of Israel' recently sent me an email confirming that the accuser is wrongly making improper statements.
• The posted assertions that "Bob has nothing in Malawi. 3 or 4 thousand disappeared" are false. We have thousands in Malawi in the CCOG.
• The CCOG is not shrinking. We even gained congregations in Africa and South America within the last 6 months.
• The CCOG has 9000 congregants in Africa.
• The CCOG remains the fastest growing x-WCG related group in the 21st century.
• Jesus said, "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matthew 5:11-12) "and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). 

Those who post falsehoods and believe lies at the Banned by HWA site remain in my prayers.

 

Is Bob Thiel A Russian Agent Sent To Deceive The Church?

 

Bob Thiel has been having a huge meltdown lately, claiming his prophecies are coming true with recent things Trump has said here in the US and in Davos. It is a literal wet dream come true for Bob. Of course, there is NOTHING he predicted that is unusual or sent by God to his amazing brain. Everything he says he has predicted is drawn straight from news stories and other conservative news aggregators that he reads that fit his narrative. Everything single thing he has "predicted" has been things discussed by people all over the world.

Are all of his mental contortions actually just a Russian disinformation act to deceive Church of God members? Facebook seems to think so:

Dave Pack: March 18, 2026. It is IMPOSSIBLE It Is Wrong!

 

Ponderings on HWA, Leaving LCG and Todays Political Climate and the Church

The story below is from Facebook and is also by a former writer who posted here occasionally. It is his take on joining the Living Church of God at age 19, waking up and recognizing the dissonance, and leaving it and Armstrongism behind. He also wonders about how Herbert Armstrong would be reacting to todays political climate.

I exited a doomsday bible cult almost six years ago. Today is the 40th anniversary of the death of the founder of that cult. His name was Herbert W. Armstrong, and his cult was called the Worldwide Church of God.

I joined this cult when I was 19, just dropped out of college, emotionally vulnerable, confused, obviously scared, and full of anxiety and undealt with childhood stuff.

Nevertheless, it provided the safe space I needed; an alternative reality - a bubble. A place that said the world is so messed up and unfixable because of Satan, the devil, and there was nothing to do but sit back and wait for Jesus to return in (always 3-5 years) to fix everything. All I had to do was pray, pay, stay, and obey.

And that is what I did for 20 years. But then, I started acknowledging the cognitive dissonance that was growing inside my mind. I started challenging the doctrines and could see many of the teachings did not align with the scriptures. I learned the difference between eisegesis and exegesis.

I've expressed this before, but it was learning that Jesus as the Word (Greek: logos) in John 1:1, which means "rational thought," that gave me the green light to question without fear.

By now, the internet was fully developed. The Information Age was here. I studied the character of the now-dead founder. And what I found was a man remarkably similar to Donald J. Trump.

His own father described him as stupid and lazy. He spent his life up to his 40's grifting in sales positions and failing even when it was hard to do in the 1920's. Then he found religion during the Great Depression and managed to preach his way into a pastoral position in the Church of God, Seventh Day.

Arguing he could not preach what one man commanded in the church's hierarchy, he set out to start his own religion based on two key doctrines the Seventh Day Church refused to teach:

1. British-Israelism, a soft version of white supremacy.

2. Commanded observance of annual holy days outlined in the Old Covenant with the ancient nation of Israel.

For a decade, he built an audience using the power of radio out of Pasadena CA. Also during this time, he was commuting to Pasadena, taking his daughter, Dorothy, with him while his wife and sons were left behind, starving most of the time. From the time Dorothy was 13 till she married at 23, HWA was having a sexual relationship...excuse me, HWA was raping her.

HWA learned that grifting religious fear on the radio was making him a lot of money. He eventually opened a college to train young boys, whom he would send all over the country to start churches. These young boys were taught to teach only and exactly what he said.

By the 1960's, he had quite a money-making machine that required members to send 10% of their pre-tax income to him. Another 10% was required to pay for annual holy day meetings and conventions. And another 10% to be sent to Headquarters every 3rd and 6th year of 7-year cycles, to "help the poor and widows" in the cult. In addition, letters would regularly be sent out, frightening (already shit-poor) people into sending in offerings for buildings and additional pet projects. Always with urgency to "finish the Work."

He took his fear-mongering to television, becoming what was really the model for TV evangelism that followed after him. He claimed he was an end-time Apostle sent by Jesus Himself to restore the true teachings of the bible to the last generation. He said he was the prophet, Elijah, prophesied about by Jesus. He set 1975 as the year Jesus would return.

Just as 1975 came and went, so did scandal after scandal concerning sexual promiscuity and crimes, including money laundering and theft. Despite all that, his cult continued to grow, reaching over 150,000 members and raking in over 200 million dollars a year by his death in 1986.

With no strong leader to follow him up, the cult collapsed by 1993. It was at this time that pastors and evangelists were starting their own competing continuation of HWA's teachings. It has been estimated that there are still over 300 factions started since. The four largest groups today being:

1. The United Church of God

2. The Philadelphia Church of God

3. Church of God, A Worldwide Association

4. The Living Church of God

I stumbled across the Living Church of God in 1992 (originally the Global Church of God, 1992-1998). The imploding of the Worldwide Church of God at the time was brilliantly explained away using prophesy, saying the "falling away" from the true teachings of the true end-time church had to happen first, then Jesus would return and fix everything. And this would, of course, happen in just 3-5 years.

I watched 3-5 years go by for two decades before it started being clear to me that these cults have no idea what they are talking about.

I remember in 2016, as Trump bullied his way to the top of the Republican ticket, members of the cult and even the leadership subtly supported him. This was a problem because one of the core doctrines of the cult was that we do not participate in the "politics of the world." I even preached against supporting Trump one Sabbath. But from that year on, siding with the political conservative climate was more obvious in the writings of the cult and in conversations with fellow members.

These cults, sometimes quietly, sometimes openly, support the MAGA movement right along with the rest of Evangelical churches in America. Some of those members who would argue with me regularly on social media all the way to Trump's 2nd inauguration have oddly disappeared from social media.

I say stay away from all Christian churches in America today unless they are Progressive Christian churches.

If Herbert W. Armstrong was alive today, he would undoubtedly be a Trump supporter and would most likely had been a guest at the Inauguration, as he spent the waning years of his life flying around in a personal jet giving expensive gifts to heads of state and royalty.

Both grifters. Both pedophiles. Both are malignant narcissists. Both low IQ. Both lazy. Both bipolar. Both I would be deeply ashamed to have ever followed. I gave over six figures of my hard-earned income over a 20 year period to one of them (by extension of copy-cat cults following his death).

But I thank Donald J Trump because he helped me to "see" Herbert W. Armstrong. So I left that religious cult and avoided joining a political cult. I am free now because that is what the truth does. But it comes at a steep price the longer you fight against it.

For the love of all things good and decent, stay away from any groups that claim they are right about everything, have everything figured out, demonize (other) people who disagree with them, use fear to grow, label the core teachings of Jesus, "toxic empathy," and value obedience over morality.

EDB

RCG/Dave Pack Newsflash: The Kingdom Comes on March 18, 2026! Oops. Let's Change That to February 2. Uh Oh. I Really Meant February 1.

 

RCG/Dave Pack Newsflash:

The Kingdom Comes on March 18, 2026!

Oops. Let's Change That to February 2.

Uh Oh. I Really Meant February 1.

David C. Pack of The Restored Church of God enjoys the thrill of finding the day that cannot tarry after ten long years of toil and disappointment. Ever-rushing to call out recycled malarkey, the Pastor General is mentally and physically exhausted as he continues to hunt his religious white whale across the stormy seas of Bible prophecy.

Dave knows that unless he can deliver the goods by nailing down the date for the arrival of ANYTHING biblical, he is just another wacky former Ambassador College graduate with a non-credentialed degree in outdated theological tomfoolery.

Just like his doppelgänger, Gerald Flurry, unless he accurately discovers the real start of the Kingdom to Israel, or the Kingdom of God, the return of Jesus Christ, the beginning of the 1335, or actual worldwide calamity, he will need to face the reality that he is not a prophet, not an apostle, and God had nothing to do with the decades of his blowhard meanderings.

With each prophetic failure, the picture must shift to continue the illusion of legitimacy. Keeping brethren perpetually on the hook, he and his enablers sell the concept that their journey's end is just over the horizon. They just need to hang on and endure one more shift in understanding.

The Kingdom Will Come on March 18, 2026!

Dave was all piss and vinegar, stewing in his spirit-inspired certainty during “The Greatest Untold Story! (Part 615)” on January 3, 2026, when he landed back on Abib 1 for the fourth year in a row. 

Part 615 – January 3, 2026
@ 00:42 Only when all competing dates passed before the last possible date can you have full confidence a date cannot tarry.

@ 07:58 But I do know absolutely and completely when the this Kingdom [7-year] comes, and we're gonna go home knowing that much today. Absolutely. I waited, I was suspicious, I've been suspicious. And I'm gonna show you we finally are gonna reach the date where it's impossible that it's wrong, and you'll know that.

It must give the brethren the warm fuzzies when Dave gets all absolute about his current belief. Here are words Dave likes to say that never age well:

@ 13:17 But I I will I will stake everything on what I'm gonna tell you…

@ 13:40 How about it's about time to say the 7-Year Kingdom begins when all the others did on Abib 1. So if you want to write it down, put down March 18th.

He went on and on and on about how March 18 was the day they had been waiting for. Abib 1 is “the day that cannot tarry,” because this one is as hard as diamond, and the brethren will be “absolutely unable to doubt March 18.”

The brethren were unable to doubt it longer than Dave was because he shifted his tune the following week during “The Greatest Untold Story! (Part 616)” on January 10.

The Kingdom Will Come on February 2, 2026!

Dave started off with manipulative word games to lull his worshipers into a false sense of security.

Part 616 – January 10, 2026
@ 01:06 We are seven years for a kingdom right here [7 glass on table]. In that regard, March 18th is locked with 1335 days thought to be within it. Abib 1 is a hard date. But it's the fifth day of a week. Aren't we to look for a third day?

David C. Pack is the master of mixed messages, blending reassurance with the introduction of doubts to lead his audience into seeing things his way. He chips away at his own teaching from the previous week and takes 37 more minutes to get to the punchline.

@ 38:24 There wouldn't have been a 1335 in their mind because we're learning that's fiction. We have it wrong. We're not waiting for March 18th. We're waiting for 45 days before that.

Dave returns to a three-kingdom structure, convolutes the 1335, 1290, and 7-Year Kingdom, then invents a "clever" nickname for the 45 days before March 18, “the Sour Grapes Kingdom.”

David C. Pack has no qualms about taking the Lord's name in vain each time he puffs his chest, claiming God's authority.

@ 51:53 The 1335, on God's authority, I'm telling you, is not in the in the seven years. If it is, we could never know it. It would be utterly contrary to all the things I've told you.

He serves up humble pie to smash in the members' faces.

@ 1:09:11 I don't take any credit. I couldn't possibly figure any of this out without the help of God.

David C. Pack figured nothing out. When he soon abandons the 45-day First Kingdom before it gets close, he will refuse to consider how many times he spoke in God’s name while teaching it and gave God the credit for putting it in his head. He can never face the implications of doing this for ten years running.

After fear-mongering about Venezuela, Cuba, and Colombia with a ridiculous "society is collapsing" proclamation, Dave tied the timing of world events to the proximity of the Kingdom's arrival.

@ 1:32:27 It can't go on. We're looking for a year where 45 days before an Abib it's a Tuesday. Or, if you will, a Monday night or if you will, a Monday morning here when it's Monday night, sundown in Jerusalem. Remember, you touch 1335. But just touch it. That'd be a Monday morning. February 2nd.

You know the drill by now. Dave will get suspicious, feel uncomfortable, make a startling discovery that changes everything, and set a new date that is certain to fail.

For those keeping score, February 2 and March 18 in chronological order will be David C. Pack's failures 139 and 140. The countdown timer is running on exrcg.org.

 

 

The Kingdom Will Come on February 1, 2026!

Update: During “The Greatest Untold Story! (Part 617)” on January 17, 2026, David C. Pack changed his story again and moved the date for the start of the Kingdom to February 1.

Part 617 – January 17, 2026
@ 01:23 It's critical we stay with proof of mid-Shevat. …you're gonna learn that February 1st replaces February 2nd. So, we're not waiting for Monday morning, February 2. We're waiting for Sunday morning, February 1. There's huge, massive proof of that. For now, until I can get to it, for now, just rejoice we’re a day closer.

The members of The Restored Church of God are no closer to David C. Pack being right than they were one week ago or ten years ago. He is a blaspheming, hypocritical liar, a false teacher, a false apostle, and a false prophet. With the abundant documentation of his deceit and failures, it is foolish to believe anything the Pastor General says.

Marc Cebrian

See: RCG/Dave Pack Newsflash: The Kingdom Comes on March 18, 2026! Oops. Let's Change That to February 2. Uh Oh. I Really Meant February 1.

Gerald Weston on Herbert Armstrong

Forty years ago on January 16, 1986, Herbert Armstrong died. Various COG groups have amped up their idolization of the guy a lot in the last few days. Here are some words of wisdom from Gerald Weston about Herbert Armstrong. 

HWA brought prophecy to worldly ministers throughout their lifetime. Many never thought about it till Herb mentioned it. Forget decades of false prophecies. To the broader Christian world (and even his own church's eventual leadership), his message contained significant theological errors, unfulfilled prophecies, and departures from historic Christianity.

Several specific prophecies failed to materialize (e.g., predictions tied to 1972–1975 events, a coming "United States of Europe" under a beast power by certain dates).  It only takes ONE failed prophecy, and God says they are liars and not to be followed. Just ask Bob Thiel about that one.

An Emissary of Truth
The impact Mr. Armstrong had on religion during his lifetime was immense. You might say that he put Bible prophecy “on the map,” so to speak. It is difficult to know how many professing Christian ministers read his works and listened to his radio programs, but the number must be sizeable. In the 1960s, you could not drive anywhere in North America at night and not hear his voice, or that of his son, over the radio—usually more than once. 

 

Today, we take for granted many doctrines that God revealed through Mr. Armstrong. One is the meaning of life—that we can be born into the Family of God. This is so obvious from the Scriptures that one must wonder why it is not generally understood by all. But the answer is found in another doctrine God revealed through him. It was while Carol and I were at Ambassador College that God began to open Mr. Armstrong’s mind to a “new” doctrine. He knew that the Bible does not teach that man has an immortal soul, but he also realized that man has a capacity for intelligence shared by no other physical creature. It took him several years to come to understand the truth of the spirit in man—but today, as we read 1 Corinthians 2:11 and other passages on the subject, that truth jumps off the page.

Bob Thiel's African Debacle: Gold, Political Intrigue, Adultery, Bribes, Witchdoctors, Losing Members To Wade Cox

 

Sadly the CCOG owns nothing in Africa. 

A prime example is Evan Ocheings 2 story Church building he has in his backyard. The Feast complex buildings and auditorium,  Evans has on his Property. Evans owns it all. 

Bob has spent upwards of $500,000 or more on these projects, not to mention all other church buildings and properties in Africa.

Bob financed Evans' son Bradox Ouma Ocheings Political involvement in 2017, and in 2022, via Papa Evans. Bradox boy is now running for a 3rd run in 2027 in that same election where Bob says someone put his name on the ballot.

Also, Evans has a Gold mining operation-Bob's excuse is that it's only a small gold mining operation! What's a COG Evangelist in Africa doing owning a gold mining business????

Bob put out his yarn about how much he helps these poor people. The truth is, most of that money is spent on Evans and Radsons' adulterous escapades, bribing people and local Chiefs and villagers to pose and take pictures to manipulate Pastor Bobby in believing he has all these thousands when he has nothing really to show for except providing Money to the witchdoctors and local prostitutes. 

Bob's own words in previous articles tell the tale of when Church income drops it is because of sins. It sounds like CCOG is getting the curses, according to Bob. 

Bob has nothing in Malawi. 3 or 4 thousand disappeared. Sosten caught Church hopping with Wade Cox. The Continuing Church of God, the incredibly fastest shrinking X-WCG church of God by far. Women, Witchdoctors, Woopie, oh my!!!!

Terry Nelson

The Truth About The Truth?

 

God Does Play a Role in Your Understanding!

Herbert Armstrong taught that God had revealed a number of biblical "truths" to him that had been lost down through the ages since Christ and his apostles walked the earth. He also taught that God wasn't "calling" everyone now, and that only those few whom God had "called" would be able to understand and accept the "truths" that had been revealed to him. Unfortunately, as with many of the other things that Herbert taught, these notions about understanding biblical truth were a perversion of what Scripture actually has to say on the subject.

First, Scripture clearly states that God loves the people of this world and gave his beloved Son so that they could be saved from sin and death. (John 3:16-17) Scripture also reveals that Jesus Christ is the way to God the Father, and that he came to this earth to reveal the Father to us. (Matthew 11:27, Luke 10:22, John 10:25-38 and 14:6-11) Moreover, Scripture reveals that God has spoken to all of us through his Son, and that he has provided the clearest and most perfect revelation of the Father that has ever been shared with humankind. (Hebrews 1:1-3) Now, this is the context for the passage which Armstrong employed to teach that only the few folks whom God had "called" would be able to understand Herbie's "rediscovered truths."

In the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John, we read: "For no man can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up." (John 6:44, NLT) Without the aforementioned context, Herbert claimed that this passage demonstrated that only the folks whom God had specifically called to Christ would understand his little package of "truth." However, even without that wider scriptural context, the very context of this particular passage refutes its usefulness as a prooftext for Herbert's understanding!

Christ had just told his disciples that he was the true "bread of life" - the real manna which came down from heaven. (John 6:22-42) Now, this was NOT well received by many of the folks who heard it, and they did NOT understand how Christ could insist that folks would have to consume him to be saved. Then we read: "But Jesus replied, 'Stop complaining about what I said. For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up. As it is written in the Scriptures, ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. (Not that anyone has ever seen the Father; only I, who was sent from God, have seen him.) I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. Yes, I am the bread of life! Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.' Then the people began arguing with each other about what he meant. 'How can this man give us his flesh to eat?' they asked. So Jesus said again, 'I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me. I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever." (John 6:43-58, NLT)

Clearly, God wants EVERYONE to be saved, and he has "called" or invited EVERYONE to come to Christ in order to have access to him! Indeed, most Christians understand that Jesus was explaining to his followers that salvation is found through his broken body and spilled blood, and that he was speaking about the Eucharist which his followers would be required to participate in for the rest of their physical lifetime on this planet. In reality, NOTHING in this passage suggests or supports a claim of exclusivity of understanding!

Moreover, I believe that part of Herbert's blind spot where this teaching is concerned can be attributed to his rejection of the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. "Why do you say that?" Because Scripture reveals that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit ALL have important roles to play in our ability to understand God and his plans for us! We've already seen the role of the Father and the Son. Next, we will look at the role assigned to the Holy Spirit.

Again, in the Gospel of John, we are informed that Judas asked Christ about how he would reveal himself to them, and not to the world as a whole. Christ replied: "All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you." (John 14:23-26, NLT) A little later, in the same account, Jesus went on to say: "But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry." (John 15:26-27, NLT)

Paul wrote to the saints at Corinth that ordinary humans do not understand what God has in store for them. He continued: "But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us." (I Corinthians 2:10-12, NLT) Thus, according to Scripture, we can see that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit ALL THREE have significant roles to play in the revelation of God's will and plans to our minds!

Moreover, the passages which we have explored together make plain that the goal of the Godhead is spiritual understanding for ALL. However, even for Christians, this is NOT a "one and done" kind of phenomenon! It is NOT accomplished over the course of a few months in a public library or by reading a series of booklets. The PLAIN TRUTH is that even Christians are expected to grow in grace and knowledge. (Ephesians 4:11-13 and II Peter 3:18) Currently, we (Christians) see through a glass darkly. (I Corinthians 13:9-12) In short, we must NOT forget that the earth being filled with the knowledge of the Lord is a PROPHECY about the future (Habakkuk 2:14), it is NOT the present reality for ANYONE (including Christians). THIS is the truth about "the truth."

by Miller Jones/Lonnie C Hendrix