Was Herbert Armstrong The Elijah Of The Endtimes?

 

From an LCG source:

The topic has come up recently about whether HWA viewed himself as Elijah. Below are some excerpts from WCG literature and correspondence, which hopefully will clear it up. Members of the Church seemed to believe he was Elijah, and there is no indication that HWA attempted to correct this. The fact that the Church chose to publish, rather than squash, such comments indicates approval of and agreement with the comments, and the intent to influence the readers to favor that view.

Comments From Monthly Church Reports, PGR May 15, 1981.  

MIAMI, FL--AL KERSHA: Mr. Herbert Armstrong's sermon (delivered via the movie screen) was as strong and motivating as I have ever heard him in the 15 years I have been in the Church. The message was clear, earnest and powerful. Certainly an excellent message in preparation for the Passover and days of Unleavened Bread. In physical appearance Mr. Armstrong looked about 70; in spirit and power he sounded like a 35-40 year old man. The spirit and power that was in Elijah is obviously moving him. 

 

Weekly Letter Comments, PGR June 5, 1981. 

Yesterday we were blessed to hear from Mr. Gerald Waterhouse! I don't believe anyone left not having learned something new, or realizing even more the importance of God's Work and you (Mr. Armstrong) being the Elijah of this end time. He was, as always, very interesting and quite humorous! We are thankful for him and his helping all of us to speak the same thing. T.B. (Fincastle, VA) 

 

H.W.A. Diary by Robert E. Fahey, PGR Aug. 7, 1981. 

When Mr. Armstrong began I was all prepared to hear about the two trees once more. But I was in for a surprise. The beauty and blessings that we had seen seemed to inspire Mr. Armstrong to the sobering awareness that the national sins of the House of Joseph would cause God to remove the peace and prosperity from our peoples. "Britain and the United States are going down! And OUT!!" he thundered. "Like Elijah, I say to you, if God be God, GET OVER ON HIS SIDE! If this is God's Church, GET OVER ON HIS SIDE!" Then he went on to show that as Zerubbabel had prepared a physical temple among physical Israel for the physical Jesus to come to, so he was called to prepare a spiritual temple (the Church) of spiritual Israelites for the resurrected SPIRITUAL CHRIST to come to and make His own. 

 

Comments from Monthly Church reports, PGR Oct. 21, 1983.  

ROANOKE, VA--ROBERT PERSKY: All of the brethren who attended the Feast thought it was the best Feast ever. They all wished Mr. Armstrong had spoken longer on the Last Great Day. They always look forward with great anticipation to hearing him speak. They know he is God's end-time apostle and the "Elijah" of Malachi 4. 

 

Members' Reflections About the Church, PGR Nov 4, 1983.  

What a wonderful privilege it is to help hold up Elijah's hands and to have a small part in preparing the way for Christ to return, which shall end mankind's suffering. A.D. (Somerset, KY) 

 

From Ministerial Services, PGR June 7, 1985.  

Jesus Christ told His disciples, "Elijah truly is coming first and will restore all things" (Matt. 17:ll). The many truths of God's plan and supreme purpose for His Church and eventually all mankind have been restored in God's Church through His end-time Apostle. Yet, as Paul warns, we can, through neglect, let these things slip away from us! Mr. Armstrong has brought into sharp focus these "mysteries," now restored to God's Church, in his book MYSTERY OF THE AGES. As he has mentioned in the Refreshing Program, this is a book that should be reread as soon as we finish it the first time, in order to really soak up what God is teaching us. Learning is indeed a lifelong process. We must continue to study and review God's Word all our lives. 

 

Booklet: Inside Story of The World Tomorrow Broadcast 

But Who Is Behind All This ? 

Just as Noah, a "preacher of righteousness" (II Pet. 2 : 5 ) , stood ALONE in warning the world of his day of its impending destruction ; just as Abraham, with his family, stood ALONE in obeying God in his day; just as Moses, "whom they refused" ( Acts 7 : 35 ) , stood ALONE when God first began dealing with ancient Israel and bringing them out of slavery in Egypt; just as Elijah warned ancient Israel and cried out : "I am left ALONE, and they seek my life" ( Rom. 1 1 : 3 ); just as John the Baptist stood ALONE, not affiliated with the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes or any of the other religious groups of his day warning Israel of his day "like a voice in the wilderness" ; so Mr. Armstrong and this prophetic Work stand ALONE as God's instrument in warning the modern descendants of ancient Israel America and the British Commonwealth of Nations-of their coming national punishment, and heralding the second coming of Jesus Christ JN PERSON as King of kings and Lord of lords !  

 

Just as Elijah trained the "sons of the prophets" to aid him in ancient Israel 

( II Kings 2 : 35); just as John the Baptist had his disciples and assist ants ; just as Jesus Christ Himself trained young men as disciples to assist Him in the ministry as He stood ALONE against religionists of His day; so Mr. Armstrong has founded the Ambassador Colleges to train dedicated servants of God who bring forth the "fruits" showing that Goo has called them to aid in this ministry of preaching the true Message of God's soon coming, world ruling Government, and standing ALONE as God's "watchman" (Ezek. 33:2) to warn modern Israel of exact and SPECIFIC punishments from God! These prophesied punishments on our people are right NOW beginning to have a great effect on the lives of every one of you who is 1'eading this booklet.' As I have already shown you, the men in this Work of God are alert, intelligent, successful and balanced men. But we DARE to preach a Message that is definitely DIFFERENT from the hackneyed, sentimental ideas going about today under the name of "religion." 

 

Mystery of the Ages, pp. 290-291 

This era of the Church was to produce fruit. To this era-or to its human leader-God had set before it an open door. It is recorded in I1 Corinthians 2:12 and also Acts 14:27 how Christ opened the door for Paul to go into other countries to preach the gospel. This Church and/or its leader had but little strength. Neither were of great and powerful stature in Satan’s world but those of this era were faithful to the Word of God. Though much of the original gospel truth, imparted to the original apostles by Jesus in person, had been lost, it was restored through the Bible to this era of God’s Church who were faithful in keeping it. It is revealed in Malachi 3:l-5 and 4:5-6 that God would raise up one in the power and spirit of Elijah, shortly prior to the Second Coming of Christ. In Matthew 17:11 Jesus said, even after John the Baptist had completed his mission, that this prophesied Elijah “truly shall first come, and restore all things.” Although it is plainly revealed that John the Baptist had come in the power and spirit of Elijah, he did not restore anything. The human leader to be raised up somewhat shortly prior to Christ’s Second Coming was to prepare the way-prepare the Church-for Christ’s coming, and restore the truth that had been lost through the preceding eras of the Church. Also a door was to be opened for this leader and/or the Philadelphia era of the Church to fulfill Matthew 24:14: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” It was to be at a time when, for the first time in the history of mankind, the weapons of mass destruction were produced that could erase all humanity from the earth (Matt. 24:21-22). This also was to occur just before the Second Coming of Christ (verses 29-30). These prophecies have now definitely been fulfilled. The true gospel has been restored and has now gone in power into every nation on the face of the earth.

Has Bob Thiel Now Declared Himself One of the Two Witless Witnesses?

from anon... 

Bob Thiel continues his journey through La La Land with his mentally disturbed mind now saying he is Elijah and is one of the two witless witnesses. We knew it would only be a matter of time till his mind cracked and he declared himself a witless witness. He was already so far down the rabbit hole that there is nothing left for him to be.  

Never has the Church of God seen a more successful and amazing church in its entire history. More importantly, never has there been a Church of God leader as magnificent and awesome as Bob Thiel. Even with all the boasting from Dave Pack, there is none like Bob Thiel.

Although people like the discredited Ron Weinland and David Pack have claimed to be ‘Elijah,’ neither of them are.

But, guess who is that Elijah...Come on, make a guess... 

Yet, the Bible does show that there will be an ‘Elijah’ who is alive before Jesus returns and that it is likely that he will be one of the two witnesses. And as Jesus is likely to return within the next couple of decades, it is reasonable to consider that he must be alive today.

Bob Thiel has been on a one-man war in declaring himself as the only COG leader who has restored church history, doctrine, and the message of the kingdom of God. And, he is the ONLY COG leader who has publications in 100 different languages. But then, as usual, Thiel throws in his wimpy capitulation that he MIGHT not be that man.

Could he be one who has restored information on church history, doctrine, prophecy, and the reason that God created anything? Could he be one reaching people around the world with the Gospel of the Kingdom of God in nearly 100 different languages? Or has God not chosen to have him do much at this stage? 

Of course, he has to throw Herbert Armstrong into the mix using him as a tool to claim Herbert was speaking about The Bob to come. 

Those with a WCG background might find the following quote from Herbert W. Armstrong of some assistance here as he wrote: 

Those called into the Church were called not merely for salvation and eternal life, but to learn the way of God’s government and develop the divine character during this mortal life in the Church age …

Also Malachi 4:5-6 pictures the Elijah to come at the very end of the Church age (Mystery of the Ages. 1985, pp. 201, 349).And when was the “Church age” supposed to end according to Herbert Armstrong’s old church? Notice: 

 

God has set before us an open door and no MAN can shut it. God can shut it, and He will when the work is finished and the Philadelphia Church goes to a place of safety. …The Laodicean Church is not going to be worthy to escape to a place of safety. When it is too late, they will find that the Church of Philadelphia has gone to safety (What Is the “LAODICEAN CHURCH”? Good News August 1959 Vol. VIII, Number 8).

Now since the Church age has not ended, and the Day of the Lord has not yet come, then it follows that Elijah was to come on the scene publicly after this was written. His restoring of “all things” means that he is to be restoring information that the true Church of God once understood, but later must have lost or misunderstood

Again, Thiel claims he is the only one restoring all things to the church.  

The problem is that just as many would not hear Elijah’s or John the Baptist’s messages, relatively few will pay much attention to the end time Elijah as well.

Thiel has been having fits over the last few years that 99% of the COG movement ignores him and his message. No one cares about what he preaches, particularly Living Church of God members. They know him for the liar he is. Rod Meredith, Dibar Apartian, Herbert Armstrong would all have a fit to see Thiel making such absurd claims.

I can state for a fact that Bob Theil is NOT Elijah. He is NOT one of the two witless witnesses. He is NOT a minister of God and is NOT a legitimate leader of a Church of God.

Good News! You Have 4-5 Years To Do What You Want Till The Tribulation Hits in 2025 (or later, maybe much later, or...)

It is official! The only True Prophet of God on earth today has decreed that the trib will not happen till at least 2025, or maybe later. That means we have 4-5 more years to do what we want and enjoy life!  No more sitting in some dank high school gym, Masonic Lodge, or sitting at home dressed in Sabbath wear listening to your favorite prophet speak for 4.5 hours as he goes over 176 points on why he is The Man! Now it is time to party down!  Enjoy life while you can!

The Great Tribulation Cannot Start Before 2024!


Those who believe and understand what the Bible actually teaches realize that the Great Tribulation cannot begin before 2024.
While years ago I wrote that the Great Tribulation could start during Donald Trump’s first term (which ends in January of 2021), it should now be more certain for others to realize that this is so.
Jesus gave a variety of signs/events that had to happen prior to the start of the Great Tribulation in Matthew 24. Not only have many not happened, a preceding event in Daniel 9:27 involving the confirmation of a seven-year deal still has not happened. Since it did not happen as of yet, this means that it is not possible for the Great Tribulation to begin for at least 3 1/2 years (half of a biblically-prophetic week).

I imagine Jesus is getting pretty pissed at having to constantly cancel his second coming (or 3rd if you are Dave Pack) because people in the Churches of God just aren't ready. Plus, with so many prophets running around speaking in his name, I imagine it is hard to keep track of which one he is supposed to be returning to. 

At this instant, unless we see more major conflict in the Middle East between now and the end of the Summer and Daniel 9:27 fulfilled in the Fall, it is unlikely that the Great Tribulation can begin prior to 2025.
People who claim to be COG, like Ronald Weinland and the late James Malm, have repeatedly been in error as to timing as they have looked to their own understanding instead of what the Bible teaches.

I find it funny to watch the various self-appointed prophets of Armstrongism constantly claiming the other guy is wrong, while they never are. It does not require much thinking by COG members or the public to know that Ron Weinland is a liar. He proved that in 2008 when he became the laughing stock of San Franciso and the COG.

The Great Tribulation is coming, but it will not begin in 2020 or 2021.

The problem boys and girls is that NO ONE outside the True Prophet's group has the intelligence or theological understanding to know WHEN the trib is about to hit so they can skedaddle to Petra and start decorating caves and digging latrines. Because you are not in his little cult, you CANNOT know when to flee or when the trib is about ready to hit. What an inconvenience!

That being said, please understand that the COGs associated with the Sardis and Laodicean churches cannot possibly know when the Great Tribulation will begin unless they change..

CG7-Denver, for one example, believes that most events in the Book of Revelation have already been fulfilled, so they are not officially looking for it. And the Laodicean churches have added extra, non-biblical events/requirements to precede the Great Tribulation, that are not necessary and hence those who believe them will NOT believe that the Great Tribulation will start until it is too late (see also The Laodicean Church Era).

As usual, our wanna-be self-appointed True Prophet has a long list of points to prove he is right and everyone else is wrong. It is a laundry list of some of the most idiotic stuff you could ever read and comes from a mind that constantly lives in a state of make-believe. It is a psychotic fantasy dream world, literally!

You will quickly see that he considers all other COG's to be blithering idiots and incapable of interpreting scripture. He and he alone is The Man!

Here is a listing of some of the wrong prophetic views of real and claimed COG groups:

1) Many COG groups (ICG, CGI, UCG, COGaIC, CG7-D, CGG, CEM, etc.) do not officially teach and/or do not believe in the idea of Church eras (The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3), though they sometimes teach about the churches of Revelation. They tend to take more of a preterist (past) view of those churches, despite the fact that many statements made to them had to have future prophetic ramifications (e.g. Revelation 1:19; 3:3; 3:10). Because of that they do not teach certain prophetic aspects of this, most do not see their own problems and will have to go through the Great Tribulation.

2) Many COG groups do not believe that the Gospel of the Kingdom still needs to be preached to the world as a witness per Matthew 24:14 (e.g. GCW, PCG), do not really make that a high priority (e.g. COGWA, CGG), or do so in less than truly loving the truth, hence do not have the real Philadelphian work. As only the Philadelphians are promised to be protected from the hour of trial that will come on the whole world, they will not understand when Matthew 24:14 is fulfilled or when to flee per Matthew 24:15. Hence they do not have or lead the Philadelphian work. Only the Philadelphians are promised to be protected from the hour of trial that will come on the whole world. There you have it once again, your salvation rests in his hands. There is no other COG or any church anywhere in the world that can protect you from the hour of trial coming. No one!

3) At least three groups misunderstand the Gospel and COG doctrines so much (PCG, CGPfK, and RCG) that I question if their top leaders are actually converted members of the COG. Two of those leaders have had major predictions be proven false (CGPFK and RCG).

I don't need to question whether our True Prophet is converted or not, it is plain as day. He is not. He is not even Christian because he denies the very one he claims to follow.

4) Many, if not most, COG groups do not realize that the Great Tribulation begins with the King of the North invading the USA. UK, and/or their Anglo-Saxon descended allies (Daniel 11:39).

Pure unadulterated bunk! This is the fantasy world he has been dreaming about for years. Even Rod Meredith mocked his understanding on this, as did most LCG ministers.

5) Many COG groups misunderstand the identity of the King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43), and some have the wrong prophetic sequence regarding the King of the South (see PCG and LCG do not understand the end-time King of the South sequence–do you?). This is not the order that Daniel 11 teaches (see Who is the King of the North?). This view overlooks the fact that since the Great Tribulation is the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7), that it begins with the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies like the United Kingdom getting invaded (cf. Daniel 11:39). Some of the groups cling to this sequential error, because it was once held by the late Herbert W. Armstrong, who changed his view by 1979 (Armstrong, Herbert W. The Time We Are In, Now. Pastor General’s Report-Vol 1, No. 15, November 20, 1979). Since the King of the North will eliminate those of the strongest fortresses (the USA, Canada, etc.) in Daniel 11:39, prior to invading the King of the South in Daniel 11:40, those who hold to this view will not know when the Great Tribulation will begin until after it has started.

The only person who knows what will happen is our True Prophet. He and he alone has the answer. Herbert and his crew were too dumb to understand prophecy. God had to finally give the truth to our True Man!

6) Some (CEG, GCG-UK) teach that there is no biblically-required King of the South, while at least one group is unsure (CGF-NW)–but this is an error (see also Is the Future King of the South Rising Up?). This error contributes to other prophetic errors that those groups have.


7) Some have insisted that the final King of the South will be from the nation of Ethiopia. This is partially based upon a mistranslation in the KJV version of the Bible as well as a position that the late Herbert Armstrong once held. However, he changed his position in the 1960s and 1970s to an Arabic-Muslim confederation. Those who insist that the final King of the South must be Ethiopia will not possibly realize that the Great Tribulation will begin until it is too late (RCG once held that position, but later changed it; in 2018 LCG has pushed involvement, but not specifically kingship for Ethiopia).


8) Several COG groups (like CGG, RCG, PCG, COGWA) clearly misunderstand Daniel 9:27, the second half of which ties in with Daniel 11:31 and Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:15. Those who misunderstand it will not have a proper pre-warning of what is happening nor likely know when the Great Tribulation will begin.

Neither will any follower of our True Prophet, because none of this stuff is true. The church overall has spent 8 decades feeding us one bullshit story after another and not once has any of it been true when it comes to prophecy. All have been totally ignorant of prophecy and still are because that is where their focus is and not on the one to come. That inconvenient dude is always left by the wayside as the COG prepared to fight off the rampaging hoards of Germans, Muslims and Chinese or whoever the current boogeyman the church needed as a scapegoat.

9) Various COG groups (UCG, COGWA, COGaIC, RCG, and CGOM, come to immediate mind, but they are not the only ones) have so many areas of undefined prophecy that they will not know what certain events will mean. And groups who define matters wrongly will have problems that way as well (PCG and LCG come to immediate mind, but so do nearly all other COG claimed groups).


10) A couple of groups, such as Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God and Triumph Prophetic Ministries, have been repeatedly proven wrong about their dates for the start of the Great Tribulation and the return of Jesus Christ. Those who rely on the leaders of those groups really do not understand biblical prophecy. 

As has our True Prophet, Rod Meredith, Gerald Weston, Herbert Armstrong, Garner Ted, Herman Hoeh, Dean Blackwell, John Rittenbaugh, and all the rest of the prophecy nuts in the church. 

11)  Certain groups teach improper interpretations of the 1335, 1290, and 1260 days of Daniel 12 (CGPFK is one) or have other problems with that (most other COG groups) that they will not understand when the Great Tribulation will start. Herbert Armstrong changed his view on this by 1979 and many never understood the change.

12)  Most COG groups fail to understand Habakkuk 2:2-8 and hence are not properly getting the warning out to the USA and UK. PCG totally misses it, and LCG, while it once would teach it, has backed off because of what appears to be internal politics. The rising ‘time bomb’ of USA debt is something that needs to be pointed out and Habakkuk 2:2-8 points out the biblical threat that this poses. It should be proclaimed and we in CCOG are doing it. Many do not realize that Habakkuk 2:2-8 is related to fleeing and the start of the Great Tribulation, that the time will come when those Philadelphians who understand it in its proper timeframe will flee, and is one of the reasons for the attack against the indebted descendants of the tribes of Joseph.

13)  At least one group (LCG) is no longer certain that France or certain other Israelitish nations will support the Beast power. This differs from the position specifically taught by the late Dibar Apartian as well as what the Bible teaches. Those who misunderstand this are likely to not possibly realize when the final Beast power has formed.

Dibar Apartian was not a sound theologian and made some of the most idiotic predictions and biblical interpretations ever. He caused a lot of damage over the decades with the junk he preached. 

14)  Many COG groups have various ‘Elijah heresies’ (CGI-derived groups and RCG come to mind). Because of this, they will not be able to recognize the final Elijah.

Every single COG out there that believes any human leader of any of the COG's is Elijah is a fool. That includes believing the self-appointed True Prophet we are expected to believe. 

15)  Some think that either there is no Elijah to come (ICG) or that it is the church and not an individual (cf. LCG), which goes against Jesus’ teachings on the subject in Mark 9:12-13 (for more details, see The Elijah Heresies).

Lazy Christians who need to be told what to believe and need an Elijah to come and save them because they have never been taught about what Jesus did and accomplished.  They need some self-appointed twit in the church to be their saviour and tell them what to do. Jesus cannot do anything for them, but our True Prophet can!

The COG has had literally hundreds of Elijah's pop up on the scene over the decades claiming they were the true Elijah.  I remember one who picketed with huge signs in front of the Hall of Ad in the 1980s for weeks on end, till his prophecy failed. He was a self-appointed liar like our True Prophet. 

16)  Many groups do not understand the differing persecutions (and other matters) to come in Daniel 7:25, 11:30-39, Matthew 24:9-22, and Revelation 12:14-17, hence when the prophesied wave of persecution initially hits the Philadelphians primarily (and not them), they will not see this persecution as evidence that the Great Tribulation is about to begin. The old Radio Church of God specifically applied the persecuting scriptures of Daniel 11:32-35 to the end time Philadelphian church.

Our True Prophet claims that he and he alone will be persecuted before any of the other COG's are. Because the other COG's are not being persecuted like he is, they will not know it is time to flee.

Never has the COG had a self-appointed leader filled with such a persecution-complex as we have with our True Prophet. This poor guy claims he is constantly being persecuted. He has no idea what persecution is as he sits in his nice home each night with his stomach full and his trusty glass of wine close by as he listens to the Young Ambassadors sing songs from the '70s and '80s and he dreams of days gone by when Rod Meredith actually liked him. Those were the good old days!

17)  Most groups that came out of groups once led by the late Garner Ted Armstrong (ICG, CGI, CEM, etc.) do not seem to teach that there is a physical place of safety (despite what Revelation 12:14-16 teaches), hence they will not be inclined to flee towards one just prior to the start of the Great Tribulation.

18)  Most ‘independents’ do not believe that they need to ‘gather together’ prior to the time to flee despite what Zephaniah 2:1-3 teaches, hence it is not likely they will be inclined to flee together when a group they are not part of does just prior to the start of the Great Tribulation.

Like Dave Pack, our True Prophet had a nightmare where a "demon" told him that it was his job to gather in all the wayward COG's and independents out there and bring them into his group so that there can be a final push and so he can bring as many to Petra as possible. 

19)  At least one group (PCG) misunderstands the final Prince of Rosh. Those who insist on a pre-return of Jesus Christ for the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38 will be disappointed as that is in scriptural error.

20)  At least one COG group (CG7-D) basically teaches that most of the events of Revelation have already taken place and no one needs to worry about coming persecution. Jesus warned those of Sardis to be careful about losing the doctrinal understandings they had (Revelation 3:1-6), and this loss of prophetic knowledge proves that those in Sardis will not know when the Great Tribulation will begin.

If there was a Sardis era, which there isn't in this day and age, it is the only COG that is actually doing a work and making a difference in people's lives.  HWA, Meredith, and others used to mock the Church of God Seventh Day as being the Sardis era because they rejected a lot of the dreamed-up stuff HWA tried to foster off on them. COG7 ahs more members and baptizes more people in a year than all the COG's combined. They actually make a difference in peoples lives, unlike the present hodgepodge of floundering COG's

21)  At least one COG group (LCG) erroneously believes that the abomination of desolation of Daniel 11:31 occurs after the King of the North invades the King of the South. Since this will not happen that way, those who hold to that position will not understand when the Great Tribulation will begin.

22) At least one group (RCG) totally misunderstands various prophecies in Haggai and Zechariah and expect a type of reunification that is not prophesied. Those who rely on this and other misinterpretations will not know when the Great Tribulation will begin.

23)  At least one group (LCG) erroneously teaches that the ‘Falling Away’ warned about in 2 Thessalonians 2 has mainly to do with the world and Protestants and not the Church of God. This improper emphasis seems to be leading to a falling away of certain prophetic understandings for those who hold to it.

24)  Some groups teach (UCG, COGWA, LCG, CEG) that the man of sin who sits in the temple of God (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4) is the Antichrist/false prophet, not the Beast of the Sea. Yet, it is this Beast of the Sea, the final King of the North. So, when this happens, those who hold to the wrong position will not understand its prophetic ramifications. The Beast identity of the ‘son of perdition’ (cf. Revelation 17:7-11) is important to understand in the end times.

Most people realize that the man of sin sits in Arroyo Grande. Has the church ever had a bigger sinner that our True Prophet?

25)  At least two groups teach that the ‘man of sin’ is (or could be) Joseph Tkach, Jr. (PCG, COG-FF). This absurd position also partially leads to many other misunderstandings.

26)  At least one group (RCG) has declared Satan will enter a COG leader to make him the man of sin.

I think this may have already happened. Never has the church had a man in its midst with more dreamed up self-aggrandizing qualifications than our True Prophet. From fake double blessings, wild fantastical nightmare/dreams, retracted blessings of Rod Meredith and so much more. Only a possessed mind that is on the verge of a psychotic break can come up with so much of this stuff.

27) A few teach that a Jewish temple in Jerusalem must be rebuilt before Jesus returns (CBCG, RCG, COGFF, CEG, and TPM teach this, as do some in LCG). While this is remotely possible it is not required. Since this will not happen as a few sometimes teach, those who hold to that position will not understand when the Great Tribulation will begin.

28) At least two groups (PCG and LCG) teach that the Beast power will consist of 10 or 11 current nations in the European Union. The European Union has 28 nation members with several others hoping to join it. And while it may lose nations, the reality is that if the Beast power rises up when there are more than 11 nations in it, those who hold to that position will not understand when the Great Tribulation will begin. Under Herbert Armstrong, the old WCG taught in at least a dozen documents (Plain Truth, Good News, Tomorrow’s World, booklets, Co-worker letter, Bible Correspondence Course) that this passage referred to 10 nations or GROUPS OF NATIONS. Presuming it will be another number of nations, those who insist on 10 or 11 will not realize when the Great Tribulation will begin.

29) Some groups (CBCG and CGG) teach that the ten kings are to be in charge of ten regions around the world as opposed to being a primarily European power. Overlooking what will happen in Europe could mean that such a group would not understand when the Great Tribulation would begin.


30) None of the Laodicean or Sardis COGs seem to teach that the “strongest fortresses” in Daniel 11:39 refers to the USA–but it does. Although the evangelists at LCG all agreed I was correct about this, when I checked LCG’s two major websites in 2017, there was no place where LCG teaches this–this is an improper and dangerous error of omission for LCG–and for the other claimed COGs.

All the evangelists of LCG did NOT agree with our True Prophet. That is just a fantasy of his own making. Our True Prophet was widely mocked behind his back by certain LCG evangelists and leading ministers. Do not swallow the grandiose fantasy that LCG leaders looked upon our True Prophet as a true prophet of God. They did not. That is why Meredith had to publicly rebuke our True Prophet and knock him down a lot of rungs on the ladder.

31)  At least two groups seem to teach that the first verse in the Daniel 11 sequence relating to the beginning of the Great Tribulation is Daniel 11:40. Instead they should teach that it begins with Daniel 11:39 (see also USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses), which is shortly after Daniel 11:31, which is also consistent with the start of the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7; see also Who is the King of the North?). Those who hold to the Daniel 11:40 position will not understand when the Great Tribulation will begin.

32)  The leader of at least former one group (GOI, James Malm, now deceased) has claimed that the Great Tribulation could begin within a year for the last 11 or so years. Since he did not recognize why this is in error, any his his remaining followers will not truly know when the Great Tribulation will begin.

Our True Prophet and others have been claiming the end is near for many years now.  The date keeps getting pushed back further and further as nothing happens year after year and they get older. The church is never ready. Never fear though, the True Prophet is here to tell you when the crap is hitting the fan.  You are supposed to believe you need him. You don't need that inconvenient dude who said to place your trust and faith in him and he would carry your burdens because you have been made weary from all the bloviating COG prophets.

33)  Some independents and some groups (PCG comes to mind) insist that the late Herbert W. Armstrong was the final ‘Elijah to come’ despite the fact that he has been dead since 1986, and that death disqualifies him according to his writing about that.

34)  Leaders of at least two groups (CGPFK and RCG), who once insisted publicly that Herbert Armstrong must be the final Elijah, now falsely claim that they hold that role.

As does our True Prophet. Gerald Flurry, Dave Pack, Ron Weinland, and a couple other crackpots believe they are Elijah. In order to leave them by the wayside, our True Prophet also had to claim he was Elisha, Amos, Habbakuk, Jeremiah, Joseph, Micah, Johsua, Malachai, and a host of other nonsensical names. 

35)  Some groups either do not believe there is an Elijah to come (CGIcomes to mind) or do not believe he needs to be a person (LCGcomes to mind).

36)  At least one group has confused the final Elijah with the return of Jesus (LCG comes to mind).

37)  At least one group has publicly claimed that God has no prophets today and will not have any until the two witnesses are empowered (LCG comes to mind). This downplays how God works (cf. Ephesians 2:20) and that the Bible teaches, “Surely the Lord God does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7).

There is no need for a prophet today. The one and only prophet you need has come and will come again, at some point. You don't need to worry when or about all of these lying self-appointed wannabe's littering the landscape out there. They are worthless and irrelevant in the grand scheme of things.

38)  At least one group (CGG) teaches that the Beast power is not European. Since the Beast power will arise in Europe, those who do not understand this will not realize when the Great Tribulation is about to begin.

39)  At least one group (LCG) teaches that the European Union will collapse like the old Roman Empire. But the lessons of history and the Bible contradict that.

40)  At least two groups (BICOG and TPM) have taught that a US president is the King of the North or could be the Antichrist.

41)  Nearly all COG groups and independents do not accept that God has been fulfilling prophecies of Acts 2:17-18 .

And there you have it, 41 useless and irrelevant points that are of no use to anyone who is a follower of Christ. Because our True Prophet has lied to us so much over the last several years and uttered many false prophecies, he is not to be believed or followed. If you are a follower of Christ and scripture you immediately know what a liar he is. Scripture condemns him.

So the next time you see Bob Thiel bloviating on his miraculousness, turn and run. Your brain and God with thank you!

COGaWA Conference Updates

Conference Update

January 8, 2011 – Approximately 400 people assembled in the ballroom of the Galt House in Louisville, Kentucky, for the Sabbath service in connection with the organizing conference of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association. Thousands more were connected via webcasts and phone lines.

In addition to the ministers and brethren who registered to attend the January 9-11 conference, brethren from near and far attended this historic occasion. An air of excitement and hope permeated the meeting room as attendees looked forward to a new beginning from which the commission of the Church might be fulfilled.
Giving the first of two split sermons, Richard Pinelli spoke on the work of Elijah that will occur prior to the return of Jesus Christ. Basing his message on the prophetic account in Malachi 4:4-6 and the concept of going in "the spirit and power of Elijah" (Luke 1:17), Mr. Pinelli reminded everyone that there is a great work to be done. After examining how the spirit of Elijah worked in the early Church, he emphasized that there will be a spirit of Elijah throughout the entire Church in the end time as every part of the Body of Christ contributes its part to the Work God is doing and is about to do.

Prior to the second message, Co-conference Coordinator Mark Winner gave the announcements and introduced the special music—a choral piece, "By Faith" by Keith and Kristyn Getty. Janel Johnson directed the 18-voice ensemble composed of ministers and wives. Prior to the performance, permission was sought of the composers and received to include the presentation on the webcast and phone connections. Many were moved by the phrases "we walk by faith and not by sight" and "the power of the gospel shall prevail."

Arnold Hampton then spoke on how we can remain calm in the midst of storms. Mixing humor with graphic descriptions, Mr. Hampton expounded Mark 4:35-41, where Jesus was sleeping on a pillow in the stern of the boat in the midst of a raging tempest that was threatening to capsize the ship. As Mr. Hampton noted, we all face storms in our lives (such as health problems, church problems, unemployment, etc.) but these can all be weathered by faith (verse 40). From the outset of this teaching experience, Jesus had said, "Let us cross over to the other side" (verse 35). It seems that He knew in advance they would make it. If we have faith in God, we, too, will make it through our storms.

After the second split sermon and prior to the closing hymn and prayer, Mike Blackwell, Co-Conference Coordinator, gave special recognition to the brethren in Louisville for their generous hospitality and service. Having hosted a Winter Family Weekend just two weeks ago for approximately 2,000 people, the same members were now providing transportation to and from the airport for conference attendees and providing a hospitality room for breakfasts and evening fellowship. A warm round of applause affirmed this well-deserved commendation.

The sound crew in Louisville reported that there were 1,180 web connections and 107 phone connections to the service by congregations and members around the world. Additionally, there were 346 web connections to the Spanish translation of the service.

The Church of God, a Worldwide Association congregation in Houston, Texas, also had 2,476 connecting to its website as it rebroadcasted the Louisville service. Some people may have connected to view it a second time. Houston's reported breakdown included these numbers of connections and locations: U.S.-2076; Canada-99; Chile-50; Mexico-37; Guatemala-22; Bahamas-19; United Kingdom-15; Singapore-13; Mauritius-13; Philippines-12; Peru-12; Columbia-11; Barbados-11; South Africa-9; Indonesia-7; El Salvador-7; Argentina-7; Germany-5; Sweden-4; New Zealand-4; Bolivia-4; Venezuela-2; Singapore-2; Ecuador-2; Dominica-2; Thailand-1; Trinidad and Tobago-1; Netherlands-1; France-1; Dominican Republic-1; Cayman Islands-1.