Crackpot Prophet On Stay At Home Passover Keeping

One thing you do have to hand to Herbert Armstrong is that he genuinely appreciated quality. Whether it was in his personal home, the beautifully maintained college campus, its facilities, or the polished visual presentation of Church of God speakers and television backgrounds, the man insisted on excellence. Almost every COG splinter group has carried at least some of that commitment to quality forward into their video programs and public image.

Well… almost every group.

Enter our most highly favored Crackpot Bob.

For the last thirteen years, the very concept of “quality” appears to have never once crossed his mind. His videos are a visual trainwreck: crooked bookcases, bizarrely arranged books, random doorknobs hovering behind his head, file cabinets, and perpetually creased banners. The clutter is every bit as distracting as his constant arm-waving and hyperactive bouncing in that oversized leather chair.

And here we are, just days away from the most sacred observance of the year for Armstrongists, and our bouncing, flouncing prophet has delivered yet another banger. While solemnly lecturing his dwindling band of faithful on how to properly observe Passover at home, viewers are treated to a glorious, wide-open view straight into his closet — proudly displaying his impressive collection of magic, holistic  and overpriced ju-ju pills.

Quality all the way, folks. Truly inspiring.

Wade Cox: Mohammad himself presided over the Council of the Church of God in Mecca.

 

The convoluted world of Wade Cox continues its glorious downward spiral, plunging ever deeper into the cesspool of official Church of God stupidity!

Did you know that when Satan supposedly destroyed the true church centuries ago, God heroically sent it into exile in Mecca — where it was viciously persecuted by those pesky Jews and Baal worshippers? Oh yes, those dastardly Jews completely destroyed the pure, harmonious understanding between the Church, the Scriptures, and the Koran!

Apparently, the Prophet Mohammad himself presided over a Council of the Church of God right there in Mecca. He was a good Biblical Unitarian, you see, and was divinely inspired to dictate the Koran as the church’s official handbook.

The full reality, according to Cox’s fevered imagination, is even more epic: God sent His prophets, then the Messiah, then the elders and prophets of the Church. Satan destroyed it all using Baal worshippers. Then, when the church was relocated to the Arabs, Satan once again used Jews and idolaters to wreck their understanding. The same Baal worshippers destroyed the beautiful relationship between the church, the Scriptures, and the Koran.

Most people don’t realize that Mohammad was actually leading a Council of the Church of God — a perfectly Biblical Unitarian structure, just like the Koran itself. The poor Church at Mecca was so persecuted by Baal worshippers that they had to flee to the sister Sabbatarian Unitarian Churches in Abyssinia in 613 CE during the First Hijrah (see Cox’s groundbreaking absurdity Commentary on the Koran: Surah 19 Maryam).

Because the rest of the Church of God has stubbornly refused to follow Wade Cox’s mindless rantings, they have all been declared utterly unfit for the Kingdom of God. As usual, the only true followers in these end times are the lucky few inside Cox’s little cult. All other Armstrongites have been officially pronounced dead and spewed out of the mouth of Cox’s god like so much lukewarm vomit.

But don’t worry — God is not losing the battle! He wisely chose from the foundation of the world those special souls who could survive without falling into “erroneous doctrines” or the lusts of the flesh. Everyone else? Simply not fit for the Kingdom. Even the two major sectors of the Churches of God in the last days have been judged, found wanting, declared spiritually dead, and spectacularly spewed out.

If you want any hope of being saved and making it into the Kingdom in the First Resurrection, there’s only one narrow path: You must become a groveling follower of Wade Cox. You must repent and be baptized by Wade Cox himself or one of his hand-picked “authorized Sabbath-keeping ministers” into his exclusive little club.

The only true church today is a Unitarian Sabbatarian Church of God that keeps both the Old Testament and believes in the Koran. Oh — and those Unitarian Sabbatarian Mohammedans had better make damn sure they don’t follow the Hillel calendar of the Jews. It was those wicked Hillel followers who made it impossible for Islam (the true Church of God of the Middle East) to be saved!

To qualify for the First Resurrection, you must repent and be baptized as a repentant adult by an authorized minister of the one true Sabbatarian faith. The church must be a Unitarian Sabbatarian Church of God that strictly follows God’s Calendar (No. 156) — without any of those nasty Jewish postponements, according to the Temple System.

The evil Hillel Calendar of modern Judaism shamelessly postpones Holy Days based on filthy Oral Traditions from the Egyptians and Babylonian intercalations. The idolaters of Mecca simply threw out the intercalations entirely, turned the Juma’ah preparation period into a lazy Friday afternoon prayer service, ditched God’s Sabbaths, went to work like pagans, and thereby doomed Islam as the Church of God in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, the pseudo-Christian Sun and Mystery cults had the nerve to switch the Sabbath to Sunday and murdered anyone who refused to join their pagan party (see Cox’s absurd paper The Jumaah: Preparing for the Sabbath).

Why is the Church of God forever infested with so many brain-dead fools who feel compelled to reinvent history to prop up their own twisted, perverted understanding?

The truly pathetic part is that there are, somewhere out there, people who are actually stupid enough to follow these delusional morons.

Wade Cox, The Offical Church of God Simpleton Calls All Splinter Group Followers As "Less Intelligent"

One thing you can always count on in Armstrongism is its endless supply of theological simpletons. The various Churches of God are packed wall-to-wall with men whose “deep biblical understanding” comes exclusively from whatever Herbert Armstrong, Rod Meredith, or the latest self-appointed COG splinter guru happened to scribble down that week.

Naturally, there’s always one standout — the undisputed Chief Simpleton — and while the Great Bwana Bob Thiel is currently giving a strong performance, the crown still belongs to Wade Cox, one of New Zealand’s most delightfully unhinged Armstrongite gurus.

This guy is so gloriously off-the-wall that he makes Bwana Bob look like a model of sanity and restraint. Quite the accomplishment.

Like Bwana, Cox keeps his circus afloat thanks to a tiny band of loyal donors from New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. He, too, is strangely convinced that the overwhelming majority of his followers reside in Africa. In fact, he has the sheer audacity to claim that a large chunk of African Muslims are secretly part of his flock. At one point, this raving genius solemnly declared that nearly half the African continent had joined his little cult.

And yes — some of these wandering souls bounce between Cox’s group and Bwana Bob’s faster than a chameleon on espresso.

Cox, in classic Armstrongite fashion, is utterly convinced that he is the smartest man in the entire Churches of God movement. Everyone else, in his humble opinion, is “simple and erroneous.” That’s why we still need the Day of Atonement, you see — because the church is “composed of all grades of people, such as those that make mistakes and for those that are less intelligent…”

Oh yes, brethren. This is the glittering face of Armstrongism in 2026.

According to Cox, we dutifully observe the 7th of Abib — the sacred Sanctification for and of the Simple and the Erroneous (Ezekiel 45:20). On this day we fast. Why? Because apparently Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice wasn’t quite enough. We need to give it a little annual boost by fasting for the intellectually challenged among us. Wouldn’t want to let Jesus hog all the glory, after all.

As the great theologian Wade Cox explains, citing Ezekiel 45:20:

And so you shall do on the seventh day of the month for everyone who has sinned unintentionally or in ignorance. Thus you shall make atonement for the temple.

He then graciously breaks down the Hebrew word kaphar for the rest of us slow learners, reminding us that this day is all about reconciling the house of God — specifically “for every one that erreth and for him that is simple.”

In other words, the whole point of this extra-biblical ritual is to provide yearly spiritual cover for all the dim bulbs and blunderers who make up the bulk of the COGs.

Truly, it doesn’t get more profound than that.

This, dear friends, is what passes for advanced theology in the twilight years of Armstrongism.

We observe 7 Abib, the Sanctification for and of the Simple and the Erroneous (Ezek. 45:20). On this day we fast. Why do we do this? Was not Christ's Sacrifice enough for the process for all time? Are we trying to do something that was done by Christ and usurp Christ's prerogative? 

 

Ezekiel 45:20  And so you shall do on the seventh day of the month for everyone who has sinned unintentionally or in ignorance. Thus you shall make atonement for the temple.

(cf. also Heb. 5:1-2.)

 

The text here says make atonement for and the word in the Hebrew is Atonement (SHD 3722 Kaphar  ie kawfar) meaning the prime root to cover (spec. with bitumen) in the sense of to expiate, or condone, to placate or to cancel: thus it has the meanings to appease, make an atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, to pitch, purge (away), put off, reconcile or make reconciliation. The word is used here in the sense ofmake reconciliation and it is in that sense that it is rendered as reconcile in the KJV both for this text and for the text in Leviticus 6:30 for the reconciliation of everything in the house of God for the acceptance of its offerings. The KJV for Ezekiel 45:20 reads: And so thou shalt do the seventh day of the month for every one that erreth and for him that is simple: so ye shall reconcile the house.   

 

Thus the Temple of God or House of God is composed of all grades of people such as those that make mistakes and for those that are less intelligent and can’t understand many aspects of the faith.  A good example is the Worldwide Church of God offshoots who are so misled by their ministry that they follow the Hillel calendar and keep the feasts and the Solemn Assemblies on the wrong days and sometimes in the wrong months; and so we must fast for their error and ignorance, and also for that of Israel and Judah and the nations that understand even less.

 

The major aspect of the Passover is that there must be reconciliation of the House of God such that all are reconciled to their brothers before they go to the altars of the Passover.

It is in this sense that the fast is used and commanded in the Book of Joel and then taken up in Ezekiel following on from the commands in Joel to Sanctify a Fast in relation to this period from the New Moon of Abib on Ezekiel 45:18-24 and the preparations continue to 7 Abib (45:20) and on to the 14 Abib at the Passover Preparation and Sacrifice and then on to 21 Abib for the next seven days of the Feast. 

And as a special reward for all his groundbreaking theological contributions to the movement, Wade Cox has officially earned this well-deserved honor:

Personal Speculation in the Church of God: A Serious Abuse of the Pulpit

For decades, personal speculation has been the driving force behind much of the preaching in the Churches of God. This problem first exploded across the COG scene many years ago and has only intensified since the great apostasy that shattered the Worldwide Church of God (the Mother Church) in the late 1980s and 1990s. Today, the entire Church of God movement is riddled with abusive speculators such as Bob Thiel, Dave Pack, Gerald Flurry, Ronald Weinland, Alton Billingsley, and virtually every human head of the hundreds of splinter groups now in existence.

Almost everything these leaders preach is pure speculation rather than solid biblical fact. Instead of faithfully teaching what Scripture clearly states, they repeatedly offer their own private interpretations, prophetic guesses, date-setting, and imaginative theories — presenting them as if they were direct revelations from God or authoritative “new truth.” Sermons and booklets are filled with bold claims about exactly when the Great Tribulation will begin, who the “man of sin” is, which nation will invade another, or how specific current events are fulfilling obscure prophecies down to the month or even the day.

This practice is not harmless. Nathan Albright has written a White Paper on this issue: “The Importance of Teaching What the Bible Says from the Pulpit and Avoiding Personal Speculation as an Abuse of the Power of the Pulpit”. It explains that the pulpit is a sacred trust, not a platform for personal opinion or philosophical display. A minister is a steward of divine revelation (1 Corinthians 4:1–2), not its owner. When a preacher substitutes personal theories, political opinions, or imaginative conjectures for biblical exposition, he abuses the authority God has given him and distorts the sacred office.

The fragmentation following the great apostasy created the perfect environment for speculation to flourish. When the Worldwide Church of God largely abandoned the teachings of Herbert W. Armstrong, thousands of members fled into dozens — eventually hundreds — of splinter groups. With no central authority and intense competition for members, many new leaders felt pressure to distinguish themselves. The easiest and most effective way? Claiming special prophetic insight or “understanding” that others lacked. This turned the pulpit into a stage for one-upmanship rather than humble exposition of Scripture.

The results have been devastating on multiple levels:

• Repeated Prophetic Failures and Loss of Credibility History shows a clear pattern: leaders make specific predictions that do not come to pass, yet they rarely repent or stop. Instead, they often revise the dates, spiritualize the failure, or blame the members for not having enough faith. This cycle has repeated for decades across many groups. When predictions collapse, members experience disillusionment, bitterness, and shaken faith. Some leave the Church of God entirely, while others become cynical and distrustful of all ministry. The credibility of the entire movement suffers, making it harder to reach new people with the true gospel.

• Doctrinal Drift and Spiritual Confusion Speculative preaching erodes doctrinal clarity. Congregations begin treating human guesswork as inspired truth, leading to confusion, division, and spiritual instability (Ephesians 4:14). Members spend more time debating the latest “prophetic update” than growing in holiness, love, or practical Christian living. The Bible becomes a puzzle book for end-time timelines rather than the living Word that equips believers for every good work.

• Cult of Personality Over Christ When preachers promote their own interpretations as “God’s revelation through me,” the focus shifts from Scripture to the man in the pulpit. Loyalty is demanded toward the leader’s latest theory rather than to Christ and the plain Word of God (1 Corinthians 1:12–13). This fosters authoritarian control, where questioning the speculation is treated as rebellion against God Himself. The result is a toxic environment that resembles a cult of personality far more than the humble, Bible-centered fellowship of the early Church.

• Erosion of the Fear of the Lord and Reverence for Scripture Bold speculation about divine mysteries teaches listeners to treat God’s revelation lightly. It implies that human insight can add to, improve upon, or even replace what God has already clearly said. This normalizes irreverence. Instead of cultivating awe and trembling at God’s Word, members learn to chase the next exciting “revelation.” Over time, this weakens genuine faith and opens the door to further error.

• Spiritual and Psychological Coercion Because sincere believers rightly revere the pulpit, they are especially vulnerable. Leaders who equate their fears, preferences, or failed guesses with “the will of God” exercise coercive control over consciences. Members may feel pressured to give more money, isolate from family in other groups, or remain in unhealthy situations “until the prophecy is fulfilled.” This violates pastoral ethics and Christian liberty, turning the shepherd into a taskmaster.

• Institutional Decay and Endless Division Churches that tolerate or encourage speculation from the pulpit eventually suffer theological decay, loss of trust, and repeated schisms. The focus on the preacher’s latest theory rather than the immutable Word of God leads to more splits, more tiny groups, and more isolation. Instead of unity in the faith, we see competition, accusations, and a scattered remnant that cannot effectively do the work God has called the Church to do.

Nathan Albright's White Paper rightly warns that when opinion masquerades as revelation, the pulpit becomes abusive. To speculate beyond what Scripture actually says is not “deep insight” or “prophetic zeal.” It is spiritual malpractice. It distracts from the core gospel message, discourages biblical literacy, and replaces the freedom of God’s Word with the tyranny of human personality.

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White Paper: The Importance of Teaching What the Bible Says from the Pulpit and Avoiding Personal Speculation as an Abuse of the Power of the Pulpit

Posted on October 14, 2025 by nathanalbright

Edge Induced Cohesion Blog

The pulpit occupies a sacred trust within the community of faith. It is not a platform for personal speculation or philosophical display, but a solemn charge to communicate the Word of God faithfully. This white paper examines the ethical, theological, and practical imperatives of confining pulpit teaching to what Scripture actually says. It warns against the creeping tendency of ministers to substitute personal theories, political opinions, or imaginative conjectures for biblical exposition—an act that constitutes an abuse of authority and a distortion of the sacred office.

I. The Nature of the Pulpit as a Sacred Trust

Divine Commission and Accountability The preacher stands as a steward, not a proprietor, of divine revelation (1 Corinthians 4:1–2). The words spoken from the pulpit are not personal property but entrusted truth. A minister’s authority derives entirely from fidelity to God’s Word; deviation converts stewardship into self-promotion. The Power of Influence The pulpit shapes consciences and directs lives. The hearers assume that what they are being told is the Word of God rightly divided (2 Timothy 2:15). Misusing this trust through speculation or conjecture exploits spiritual authority for personal ends. The Ethical Boundary Between Teaching and Storytelling A sermon may employ illustrations or analogies, but the moment a preacher speaks in the name of God about that which God has not revealed, the act crosses from illustration into invention—a violation of Deuteronomy 18:20 and Revelation 22:18–19.

II. The Dangers of Personal Speculation

Doctrinal Drift and Confusion Speculative preaching erodes doctrinal clarity. Congregations begin to treat theological guesswork as inspired truth, leading to confusion, division, and spiritual instability (Ephesians 4:14). Cultivation of Personality over Principle When preachers promote their own interpretations as truth, the pulpit becomes a stage for charisma rather than conviction. The result is a cult of personality that displaces reverence for God’s Word (1 Corinthians 1:12–13). Erosion of the Fear of the Lord To speculate boldly about divine mysteries teaches listeners to treat God’s revelation lightly. Instead of cultivating awe, the preacher normalizes irreverence by implying that human insight can rival divine revelation.

III. The Biblical Mandate for Faithful Exposition

Preach the Word, Not the Self (2 Timothy 4:2–4) Paul commands Timothy to “preach the Word,” not to entertain the hearers with opinions or fables. The apostolic model of preaching emphasizes reading, explaining, and applying Scripture. Pattern of Expository Ministry Ezra and the Levites “read from the book of the law of God, distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading” (Nehemiah 8:8). This remains the pattern for all who handle the Word publicly. The Model of Christ and the Apostles Jesus consistently grounded His teaching in “It is written,” demonstrating submission to the authority of Scripture even as the incarnate Word. Likewise, the apostles preached “according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4).

IV. The Abuse of the Pulpit as a Power Structure

When Opinion Masquerades as Revelation The pulpit becomes abusive when preachers use its authority to sanctify personal conjecture. This blurs the line between divine and human speech, misleading the congregation into obedience to human will rather than divine command. Psychological and Spiritual Coercion Listeners who revere the pulpit are vulnerable. When leaders equate their preferences or fears with the will of God, they exercise coercive spiritual control, violating both pastoral ethics and Christian liberty. Institutional Consequences Churches that tolerate speculation from the pulpit eventually suffer theological decay, loss of trust, and internal schism. The congregation’s faith becomes grounded in the preacher’s personality rather than in the immutable Word.

V. Principles for Faithful Preaching

Textual Fidelity Every sermon should clearly identify, interpret, and apply Scripture. The text must control the message, not the other way around. Transparency of Interpretation Where interpretation is uncertain, the preacher must admit uncertainty rather than disguise it as revelation. Humility protects both the truth and the hearers. Doctrinal Consistency Preachers should anchor every message in the broader biblical witness, ensuring harmony with established doctrine and the full counsel of God. Accountability Structures Churches should maintain oversight mechanisms to ensure that pulpit teaching aligns with Scripture—peer review among elders, post-sermon Q&A, or theological training refreshers.

VI. Restoring Reverence for the Word

Renewed Emphasis on Biblical Literacy Congregations must be trained to discern the difference between what Scripture says and what a preacher merely imagines. The mature congregation becomes a safeguard against pulpit abuse. Cultivation of Expository Habits Teaching line by line through books of the Bible minimizes the temptation to speculate. The preacher’s role becomes that of a guide rather than an oracle. Repentance for Misuse of Authority Ministers who have used the pulpit for self-expression should publicly repent and recommit to faithful exposition. Restoration of trust begins with honesty before God and the flock.

VII. Conclusion: The Call Back to Scriptural Authority

The pulpit must be reclaimed as a platform for truth, not theory. When preachers restrict themselves to what the Bible actually says, they liberate their hearers from the tyranny of personality and return them to the freedom of God’s Word. To speculate beyond revelation is not creative theology—it is spiritual malpractice. The preacher’s calling is not to say something new, but to say again what God has already said, with clarity, conviction, and humility.

Appendices

Appendix A: Scriptural Citations on Preaching and Authority

Appendix B: Historical Examples of Pulpit Speculation and Its Consequences

Appendix C: Practical Framework for Sermon Review and Accountability

Appendix D: Training Outline for Expository Preaching

Are You Worthy to Take the Passover?

You Are Made Worthy to Take the Passover — Not by Self-Examination and Works, 

but by 

Grace Alone Through Faith in Christ

The Silent Pilgrim

Right now, during the Passover season, many in the Armstrongist Churches of God are engaged in intense self-examination. They  review their lives, search for sin, purge “leaven” (symbolizing sin), and strive to ensure they will not partake of the bread and wine “unworthily.” The fear is real: if they are found lacking in obedience to the law—Sabbath-keeping, tithing, holy days, or developing “God’s character”—they risk being guilty of the body and blood of the Lord (1 Corinthians 11:27), or even jeopardizing their hope of eternal life in the Kingdom.

This annual ritual of striving to make yourself acceptable before Passover is rooted in a serious misunderstanding of the gospel. It turns the Lord’s Supper into a test of your own worthiness through works, rather than a celebration of Christ’s finished work that has already made you worthy.

The Biblical Meaning of “Examine Yourself”

Paul’s instruction in 1 Corinthians 11:28—“Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup”—does not mean you must prove yourself worthy by perfect law-keeping or spiritual performance. The context is clear: “unworthily” refers to the manner of partaking—with selfishness, division, or without recognizing the Lord’s body and the meaning of His sacrifice (1 Corinthians 11:17-22, 29).

Paul is not telling believers to earn worthiness through self-effort. He is calling them to discern the significance of what Christ has done and to partake in a spirit of repentance and faith, not hypocrisy or ritualism.

You Are Already Made Worthy in Christ — Before Any Self-Examination

The liberating truth of the New Covenant is this: You do not make yourself worthy to remember Christ’s death. Christ has made you worthy by His death.

• On your own, no one is worthy: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). No amount of annual self-examination, law-keeping, or character development can change that.

• But in Christ, you are made worthy the moment you trust Him alone for salvation: “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14).

• God the Father has already qualified you: “Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light” (Colossians 1:12).

Your acceptance at the Passover table (the Lord’s Supper) is not based on how well you examined yourself or kept the Old Covenant law this year. It is based on being in Christ—clothed in His perfect righteousness.

Justification, Sanctification, and Worthiness Are Gifts of Grace, Not Earned by Works

Armstrongism mixes justification (being declared righteous) with sanctification (being made holy), teaching that while Christ’s sacrifice covers past sins, you must keep the law (including annual Passover observance with strict self-examination) to remain acceptable and qualify for immortality. This adds human works to the gospel and creates ongoing fear and uncertainty.

Scripture refutes this clearly:

• Justification is by faith alone, not works of the law: “We know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ… because by works of the law no one will be justified” (Galatians 2:16). “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).

• Sanctification is both positional (instant at salvation) and progressive (ongoing by the Spirit): “But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11). It flows from grace, not from striving under the law (Romans 6:14; Galatians 5:18).

• Good works, including honest self-examination and putting away sin, are the fruit of faith, not the root of your acceptance (Ephesians 2:8-10). The law was a tutor to lead us to Christ, not a means to make us worthy (Galatians 3:24).

If your worthiness at Passover depends on your performance this year, then Christ’s sacrifice was not enough. But Jesus cried from the cross, “It is finished!” (John 19:30). His blood fully paid for every sin—past, present, and future.

The True Freedom of the Passover (Lord’s Supper)During this season, instead of anxiously examining yourself to see if you measure up, rest in this gospel truth:

You are justified.

You are sanctified positionally.

You are being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

You are made worthy—fully accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6).

Self-examination is still valuable, but it should lead you to the cross, not to self-reliance. Confess any known sin, receive afresh the cleansing of Christ’s blood, and partake with joy and gratitude, not fear.

The Passover symbols point to Christ, our Passover Lamb who has been sacrificed (1 Corinthians 5:7). Because of Him, there is “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). You do not have to prove yourself worthy year after year. You are already worthy in Him.

This is the freedom Armstrongism’s system of law and annual striving cannot give. The true gospel declares: Come to the table not because you have made yourself acceptable, but because Christ has made you acceptable forever.

Rest in His finished work this Passover season. “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14). You are secure in Him.

Is It Hot Outside? Our Crackpot Prophet Knows Why

 

Is it hot outside today? 

Well, congratulations, you pathetic, sniveling, lukewarm Laodicean cretins — God Himself is personally roasting you like the worthless spiritual slob you are. Every drop of sweat rolling down your pathetic face is divine judgment screaming that the end times are finally here (again). This isn’t just summer, you dullard — it’s the Almighty’s special weather report telling you that you’re about to be left behind like the miserable failure you’ve always been.

So you’d better fall on your knees and repent immediately and joind the only one true Philadelphian church… lest you be deemed too spiritually bankrupt to join the elite remnant hiding out in Petra, where you’ll miss the glorious opportunity to sit on a dusty rock for three and a half glorious years, listening to Crackpot Bob drone on and on about how this time his prophecies will definitely, positively, for-sure come true (unlike the last 547 times he was spectacularly wrong).

Enjoy the heat, you grievous Laodiceans. You’ve earned it.

Bible prophecy shows that before the Messiah (Jesus) returns, we will have what could be called as a global heat punishment:

8 Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. 9 And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory. (Revelation 16:8-9)

But, the above prophecy is for several years into the future–we are not too near that yet. But I believe that this will happen in the 21st century.

The Bible shows:

30 God … commands all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30)

And weather problems are one tool that God uses to urge people to repent (cf. Haggai 2:17; Amos 4:7-12). But most will not. Nor will most Christians as they should (cf. Revelation 3:14-18; see also The Laodicean Church Era).

 

We have had record temperatures this month in parts of California and elsewhere.

Most now will ignore weather changes and simply believe that weather changes all the time and the changes do not have to do with God or disobeying His laws.

Yet, the Bible shows that weird, severe, and odd weather patterns are part of the warning messages that God gives.

Crackpot Prophet Welcomes "Home" Wayward Deacon For The 4th or 5th Time Now.

Crackpot Bob has been blasting away on his teensy-weensy little horn these past few days, smugly crowing about how splendidly some Malawians are "cementing" their way back into the one true church (his, naturally, because why would there be any other?). The latest prodigal star in this revolving-door drama? None other than Louis Wahela. This poor fellow has bounced in and out of Crackpot Bob's exclusive little club so many times that even Bob himself probably needs a scorecard to keep track. 

First booted out in 2022 for whatever unforgivable sin du jour, graciously welcomed back in 2024 like a long-lost sheep, only to wander off again shortly thereafter. And now, in 2026, he's back on his knees, groveling for forgiveness from the Almighty Crackpot Bob and begging for a fresh dose of that legendary divine mercy. Truly inspiring stuff—nothing says "stable spiritual leadership" like an endless game of ecclesiastical musical chairs. What should we expect? The African COG leaders have church-hopped for decades from SDA to various COG groups. Back and forth they go as long as their honey pot is full.

Pastor Dr Bob 

How are you doing in America I would like to report that we met with pastor Evans in Migowi to tell him our great desire to come back to our mother ccog who made us to know the truth. The meeting was very successful in the way that pastor Evans has welcome me back together with Machemba and Priscilla . We met at Rufaro hotel I have suggested to come back to my former because of the behavior of the leadership as I told you later. And the decision has been made by myself not Evans has told me to do so. Am writing this letter for you to know what is on the ground . Pastor take us as prodigal son to have realized his mistake We discussed much and all is fine we greatly need your prayers and support We are thankful for accepting us to be in church evo 

May God reachly bless you 

Louis Wahela 

After the meeting we prayed together 

 

And just to complete the hilarious cycle, let's rewind the tape: back in 2022, Crackpot Bob was positively gloating online about Wahela "returning" to the holy fold (how triumphant!). Then, poof—by 2023, Wahela had slipped away again to greener (or at least different) pastures. 2024 rolls around, and Bob flings the doors wide open once more in another grand welcome-back spectacle. But alas, fidelity is fleeting; Wahela exits stage left yet again. Now here we are in 2026, and Bob is rolling out the red carpet for the third (or is it fourth?) triumphant homecoming. 

One has to admire the sheer commitment to appearances. 

Crackpot Bob is so laser-focused on puffing up those membership numbers and keeping the Caucasian tithe-payers back home feeling like their dollars are funding a thriving, unstoppable global work (rather than, say, a perpetual African yo-yo act) that he'll apparently forgive, forget, re-forgive, and re-welcome anyone who can string together a sufficiently penitent email. Numbers over integrity, optics over consistency—truly the mark of a serious end-time prophet. 

What a trainwreck masterpiece. 

Keep those revolving doors greased, Bob; the show must go on!

"Another leader in Malawi has returned"

Back in 2022, there were issues with Malawi deacon Louis Wahela, so we put him out of the CCOG. In 2023, he was recruited in the Sunuzi area by a ‘Hope of Israel’ representative. He has since repented, turned down a financial offer from Hope, and asked to come back to the Continuing Church of God. His stated reasons earlier this month included Hope not truly preaching the gospel, Hope having a negative and wrong focus, and that one of its leaders continued to display what could be called inappropriate behavior against the truth.

Louis Wahela and his related congregations came back with us a week or two ago, and he sent the following email yesterday:

From: Louis Wahela <louiswahela@gmail.com>

Date: Wed, 17 Jan 2024, 12:15

Subject: I have decided to go back to ccog

To: <cogwriter@aol.com>

Greetings pastor Bob, how are you doing today. I am totally fine and good

I write this letter to tell you that am no longer a pastor of hope of Israel church of God because I have seen that Terry and Alexander are not preaching the gospel but they are discussing how to break continuing church of God and use money to arrest mulozowa without proper reason

When he came to Malawi the meeting we had was about radson not spiritual and I told radson all that were discussed in the meeting

He further shouted at Priscilla for allowing his children to attend the youth camp meeting but in answer Priscilla told Terry that the children are worshipping with their father

Terry has been telling us to witness in court so that mulozowa can be arrested and give way for the church to progress

Since I refused to say that together with Priscilla he decided to take the motorcycle from me and they are planning to take back phone he bought for Priscilla and chiphangwi.

The truth is mulozowa did not sell the Bible’s but Terry told us to witness about that so that after everything a reward will be paid …

Thanks for welcoming me into the gospel remember that radson is very innocent but the only problem is hope of Israel is afraid of him

I have done several meetings with radson and have explained many things to him and I believe he will tell you much

I have talked with pastor Evans on video call and he totally encouraged me

Now that for me to know the gospel it’s because of radson not foster

For example foster is a Sunday keeper, how can that one lead the work of God

Yours faithfully

Louis Wahela 

 

Note: The above are his comments with his opinions on matters that affected him and others in Malawi. Basically, he has confirmed a lot of what I have believed and have been reporting here on several of those topics. Foster, despite not keeping the bibical Sabbath, has been an advisor to Hope of Israel for some time now.

Louis Wahela, Radson Mulozowa, Luka Likhuva

Standing in front of the $3,000 car, Crackpot Bob bought for Radson.

Radson had lost a lot of weight, as he has HiV/ tuberculosis, it almost killed him. 

He went to the Witchdoctors to get healed, according to Louis Wahela and other sources.

Dave Pack and the Goosebumps Supercut

 

The Goosebumps Supercut is a humorous assembly of one of the manipulative techniques that David C. Pack uses on members of The Restored Church of God. The smirks and chuckling mask a darker indoctrination practice: manipulation through repetitive phrasing.

The seemingly colorful and light-hearted words signal to the members that what they are hearing from their Pastor General is so shocking, important, and precious that every member should experience a physical reaction of awe to the unique revealed knowledge.

This subconsciously reinforces David C. Pack’s legitimacy as God’s end-times vessel for delivering critical prophetic and biblical understanding. When he preaches a never-before-understood “present truth” to his very select group, because it is presented by an apostle fully empowered with God’s authority, it is to be received with due reverence to the point their skin should tighten.

After 141 failed prophetic dates for the arrival of the Kingdom of God, only those who blindly accept David C. Pack’s authority will get goosebumps from anything he says.

exrcg.org

Crackpot Prophet Desperately Trying To Let Everyone Know He Knows Whats Going On In Africa - He Doesnt

 

In a stunning confession that exposes the rot at the heart of  Crackpot Bob's improperly named  "Continuing" Church of God (CCOG), longtime deacon John Machemba has admitted the truth behind the latest round of photos and videos being paraded around to prop up Thiel’s image as a “prophet.” According to Machemba himself, evangelist Evans Ochieng and pastor Radson Mulozowa recently took pictures and videos of him — but only after paying him to claim he was still loyal to CCOG.

This isn’t ministry. This is a paid performance. Evans and Radson’s tactics are simple: stage scenes, hand over a few Kwacha, and make “Prophet Bob” feel warm and fuzzy about his supposed massive following in Africa. They know exactly what Thiel wants to hear — big numbers, loyal leaders, and “proof” that he’s the real deal — and they deliver it for cash.

Crackpot Bob is desperate. He’s so desperate to convince the world (and himself) that he knows what’s really going on in his African congregations that he swallows every staged photo, every scripted email, and every inflated report without question. It’s all delusional thinking on his part. The man can’t even get his own story straight.

Take the case of Louis Wahela. Bob publicly accepted a “repentant” Wahela back into CCOG in January 2023. Yet between then and now, Crackpot Bob has never once admitted publicly that Wahela had actually ended up with the rival Hope of Israel group — and only now, after more staged meetings and payments, is Wahela supposedly “wanting to come back” again. Radio silence from Bob on the flip-flopping. No explanation. No accountability. Just more fantasy presented as fact.

Crackpot Bob either doesn’t get it — or he’s been so thoroughly brainwashed by his own “loyal” men in Africa that he can no longer tell fantasy from reality. Evans, Radson, Machemba, Wahela, and the rest aren’t loyal ministers of God. They’re opportunists. Many have understood for years that these guys are only in it for the money. They’ll say anything, film anything, claim anything — as long as a little Kwacha ends up in their pockets.

This isn’t a church. It’s a con game. And Bob Thiel, in his desperation to be seen as the big-man prophet with thousands of African followers, is the one getting played — while the real victims are the sincere brethren being deceived and the donors whose tithes and offerings are being wasted on this African circus.

The confession from John Machemba is out. The photos and videos were bought and paid for. The numbers are fake. The loyalty is fake. And Bob’s entire African “success story” is one giant, expensive delusion.

Time for the truth to finally catch up with the so-called prophet of the improperly named "Continuing" Church of God.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

Although most Christian denominations/groups have understood the Gospel message, groups like the Armstrong Churches of God (ACOG) and Jehovah's Witnesses (JW) have fundamentally misunderstood that message. Instead of the GOOD NEWS about salvation through Jesus Christ, they preach a message about the physical restoration of God's government over this earth. In short, their message is fundamentally a political one instead of a spiritual one. Oh sure, they pay lip service to the spiritual part - admitting that that is certainly part of the message. The focus, however, is clearly on the establishment of a literal kingdom on this earth. Even worse, they claim that the Christians who preach the traditional Gospel are promulgating a FALSE gospel! Which brings us to the point of this post: Who is preaching the right Gospel?

The ACOGs and the JWs love to cite certain prooftexts to support their contention that the more traditional gospel message is incorrect. For example, in the Gospel of Matthew, after Christ's temptation by Satan, we read: "From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'" (Matthew 4:17, ESV) A few verses down from that one, we read that Jesus "went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people." (Matthew 4:23, ESV) Likewise, in the Gospel of Mark, we read: "Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.'" (Mark 1:14, ESV) Indeed, the subject of the "kingdom of God" is ubiquitous to the canonical narratives about Christ's teachings.

Unfortunately, Christ had to deal with people's expectations - just as we have had to deal with expectations in our own time. When we talk about kingdoms, most folks think about government and all that that entails - authority, power, thrones, armies, territory, etc. In other words, most folks are very practical and literal when such things are discussed. Jesus of Nazareth, however, had a completely different conception of the Kingdom of God, and it did not meet the expectations of his audience.

Christ had to contend with these expectations throughout his ministry. In the Gospel of Luke, we read: "As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. He said therefore, 'A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return.'" (Luke 19:11-12, ESV) People expected Jesus to reclaim his ancestor David's throne and immediately dispatch their Roman overlords. In short, they expected the Christ to reign from Jerusalem and forcibly put down all of his foes. In spite of numerous sermons and parables, these expectations persisted.

In the Gospel of John, we find a rather detailed account of Christ's trial before Pilate. We read: "So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, 'Are you the King of the Jews?' Jesus answered, 'Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?' Pilate answered, 'Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?' Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.' Then Pilate said to him, 'So you are a king?' Jesus answered, 'You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.' Pilate said to him, 'What is truth?'" (John 18:33-38, ESV) Notice, that when Christ was asked if he was the King of the Jews, he told Pilate that his kingdom was NOT of this world!

Indeed, right before Jesus ascended into heaven after his resurrection from death, his own disciples reflected this same expectation. In the book of Acts, we read: "So when they had come together, they asked him, 'Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?' He said to them, 'It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.'" (Acts 1:6-8, ESV) Notice that his own disciples still expected him to set up a literal, physical kingdom! This after listening to Christ's parables and messaging for over three years and having experienced his trial, death, crucifixion, and resurrection.

Why this expectation? Most of the Jews of that time were expecting a Messiah who would restore the Davidic Kingdom to Judaea. They were familiar with what the Hebrew prophets had predicted. Christ's disciples had read (or heard) the book of Isaiah. They knew about the prediction: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this." (Isaiah 9:6-7, ESV) Once again, for many Jews, there was only one way to interpret this prophecy - that the Messiah would reestablish the throne of David in the Promised Land.

Even so, the writings of the New Testament make very clear that Christ had very different notions about the Kingdom of God, and what would constitute a fulfillment of the predictions of those Hebrew prophets. In his famous Sermon on the Mount, Christ said: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3-10, ESV) What? That doesn't sound very political! Indeed, it sounds like very spiritual language - even uncharacteristic of what we would normally associate with kings and kingdoms.

As the account of this sermon continued, we are told that Jesus elaborated on commandments dealing with moral or ethical behavior. Once again, not what one would normally expect in a discussion about government. Instead, he talked about anger, lust, retaliation, loving your neighbor, giving to those in need, and how to pray to God! (Matthew 5:31-48 and 6:1-15) He went on to say: "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21, ESV) Jesus told his disciples not to worry about providing for their physical needs, but to "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:25-33, ESV)

He went on to warn them against judging each other and told them that they should worry about correcting their own faults and sins (Matthew 7:1-5, ESV). Christ told them to ask God to provide for their needs and to treat other people the same way that you yourself would like to be treated (Matthew 7:7-12, ESV). Jesus went on to use a tree as a metaphor for human behavior, saying that good trees produce good fruit and vice versa (Matthew 7:15-20, ESV).

Finally, in this long discourse about the kingdom, Christ concluded by saying: "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it." (Matthew 7:24-27, ESV) It is impossible to overstate the fact that this was NOT the kind of language that his disciples were expecting to hear about God's Kingdom!

Instead of ejecting the Romans from the Holy Land, Christ healed the sick, calmed a storm, and cast out demons who were afflicting people (Matthew 8 and 9). In fact, we are informed that "Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'" (Matthew 9:35-38, ESV) What was all of this talk about harvests? Wasn't he supposed to be setting up his administration in Jerusalem and establishing his own authority over the land?

Christ went on to compare the kingdom to a farmer planting seeds and experiencing different results based on which type of soil the seed fell into (Matthew 13:2-8, ESV). Later, he explained that the story about planting seeds was symbolic of folks who heard his message about the kingdom (Matthew 13:18-23, ESV). Next, he compared the kingdom to someone sowing good seed in his field, and then having an enemy later plant weeds in the same field (Matthew 13:24-30, ESV). Jesus also compared the kingdom to a mustard seed and a little leavening, indicating that it would begin small and spread throughout the world (Matthew 13:31-33, ESV). Once again, it is hard to overstate the fact that this was NOT the kind of language that his audience was expecting to hear about the Kingdom of God! They were expecting a political discourse, and they got instead a discussion about character and farmers harvesting crops!

Indeed, Christ's message bewildered everyone. When speaking with one of the leading religious leaders among the Jews, Jesus told Nicodemus that "unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3, ESV). Continuing the account, we read: "Nicodemus said to him, 'How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?' Jesus answered, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.' Nicodemus said to him, 'How can these things be?' Jesus answered him, 'Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.'" (John 3:4-17, ESV)

Try for just a moment to put yourself in the shoes of Nicodemus. He had been trained his entire life to look for a Messiah who would restore the Davidic kingdom, and this guy was talking about saving the world and eternal life! This was the Gospel of the Kingdom of God! Once again, this was an astounding turn of events. This was NOT what anyone was expecting from the Messiah! Moreover, the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) go on to tell the story of a Messiah who was arrested, put on trial, executed, and resurrected from the dead - never once having fulfilled their expectations of a political revolution!

What's more, when Jesus did talk about the exercise of authority/power, he did not speak of it in terms that his audience was accustomed to hearing. In the Gospel of Matthew, we read: "At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, 'Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, 'Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'" (Matthew 18:1-4, ESV) A little later, in the same account, Christ said: "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:25-28, ESV) That this was NOT the style of leadership that his followers were accustomed to is apparent in the account!

Still not convinced that Christ's message was NOT a political one? Let's take a closer look at the Gospel message his apostles were preaching.

In his epistle to the Christians at Rome, Paul wrote that he was "called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ." (Romans 1:1-5, ESV) Although he mentioned the fact that Christ was a descendant of David, he emphasized the fact that he was also the Son of God, that he had been resurrected from the dead, and that he (Paul) had been commissioned to spread this message throughout the world.

Likewise, in his letter to the saints at Corinth, Paul wrote: "I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." (I Corinthians 1:4-9, ESV) Notice that there is NOTHING of a political nature in what Paul is preaching. Instead, his message is focused entirely on what Jesus has done (and would do) for them.

Finally, in his epistle to the Christians of Galatia, Paul wrote: "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen." (Galatians 1:3-5, ESV) With this context, Paul then went on to proclaim: "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:6-9, ESV) Apparently, even in Paul's day, there were some folks who were trying to twist/pervert the Good New (Gospel) about Jesus Christ and salvation through him!

Likewise, in the epistle of Peter, we read: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (I Peter 1:3-9, ESV) Once again, we see that the focus of the message is salvation through Jesus Christ. This is the message that Christ and his apostles preached about the Kingdom of God!

Hence, we have demonstrated from Scripture that the Gospel of the Kingdom of God was focused on the person of Christ and what he was doing for humankind. It was a message about salvation - the salvation of the entire earth. It was a message about faith, grace, humility, mercy, love, and forgiveness. It was NOT a message about the human conception of governance or political systems. In short, the Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the good news about salvation and eternal life through Jesus of Nazareth - THE KING OF KINGS!

Posted by Miller Jones/Lonnie C Hendrix

The Pull to Return: A Look at Why Some Feel Drawn Back to Armstrongism – And What to Hold Onto as You Decide

The Pull to Return: 

A Look at Why Some Feel Drawn Back to Armstrongism – 

And What to Hold Onto as You Decide

by The Silent Pilgrim

If you’re reading this because you once stepped away from the teachings of Herbert W. Armstrong—or from one of the Church of God groups that carry them forward—and now find yourself feeling pulled back toward that world, please know this first: your heart is not wrong for feeling this way. That deep ache, the sense of something missing, the whisper that maybe you made a mistake leaving—it’s real, and it hurts. You’re not weak, confused, or failing spiritually for experiencing it. Many, many people who have walked this same path have felt exactly what you’re feeling right now. You are not alone, and your longing deserves compassion, not condemnation.

The structure, the certainty, the community, the feeling of being specially chosen by God—these things were powerful. They gave meaning, belonging, and hope in a chaotic world. When they’re gone, the emptiness can feel crushing. Life crises, loneliness, family strains, or even just watching the news and remembering old prophecies can bring everything rushing back. It’s okay to admit that leaving didn’t magically fix everything, and that parts of the old life still call to you.

This article isn’t meant to push you one way or the other. It’s here to sit with you in the tenderness of this moment—to help you name what’s pulling at you, honor how hard this is, and give you space to breathe and think with kindness toward yourself.

Understanding the Deep Pull

Here are some of the most common reasons people describe feeling drawn back, shared quietly in letters, forums, and recovery spaces from those who’ve been there:

• When Life Hurts, the Familiar Feels Like Safety

A serious illness, the end of a marriage, losing a job, grieving a loved one, or just years of feeling adrift can make the old rules and routines feel like a lifeline again. The Sabbath rhythm, the holy days, the clear “what God expects” answers—they once provided structure when everything else felt out of control. In moments of pain, returning to what’s known can feel like the only way to find solid ground. That instinct to seek comfort is deeply human. 

•  The Heartbreaking Loneliness Without That “Family”

Services every week, the Feast of Tabernacles with its long days of fellowship, shared meals, singing, and feeling like you truly belonged somewhere—these created bonds that can feel irreplaceable. After leaving, building new friendships, especially deep ones rooted in shared beliefs, can be exhausting and slow. Some people attend a Feast “just once” to see old friends and find the warmth overwhelming. That pull toward belonging again is not a sign of failure; it’s a sign you’re wired for connection, like all of us.

• The Weight of Fear, Guilt, and “What If” Questions

The teachings about the end times, the “one true church,” the warnings about becoming Laodicean, the idea that leaving puts your salvation at risk—these messages were planted deeply. Even years later, they can resurface during hard times: “What if the Tribulation starts soon? What if I’m not protected?” Guilt over “sins” like eating unclean foods or skipping holy days can gnaw at you. And there’s often that quiet voice asking, “I gave so many years—what if I was wrong to leave?” These fears are not proof the teachings are true; they are echoes of a system designed to make departure feel terrifying. 

• Family Ties and the Pain of Division

The splits in the 1990s and beyond broke countless families apart—parents in one group, children in another, siblings not speaking. If loved ones are still inside and reaching out, or if rejoining would heal rifts or let you be close again, that longing is powerful and understandable. Wanting family harmony is not selfish; it’s natural.

• Nostalgia for Purpose and Identity

Being told you were part of God’s special remnant, with exclusive understanding of prophecy and truth, gave a profound sense of meaning. Mainstream churches can feel foreign or “pagan,” and everyday life can seem empty by comparison. The old identity was strong; losing it can leave a hole that nothing else seems to fill the same way.

These feelings don’t mean you’re spiritually deficient. High-control groups like this are built to meet real human needs so completely that stepping outside them leaves raw, unmet longing. The pull is strong because the system was engineered to be.

Questions to Hold Gently as You Reflect

No one can decide for you, but many who’ve walked this road (some who returned, some who didn’t) have found it helpful to sit quietly with questions like these, without rushing:

• What am I most afraid will happen if I don’t go back?
• What specific hurts or empty places in my life right now feel soothed by the thought of returning?
• Have I given myself permission to grieve what I lost when I left—and to look honestly at both the good and painful parts of that time?
• If fear, guilt, or loneliness weren’t driving this, would I still feel drawn for the same reasons?
• What would a life of peace and freedom look like for me, even if it meant building new community slowly?
• Am I open to exploring whether God’s love and care for me could be bigger than any one group or set of rules?

There’s no “right” answer here—only honest ones that feel true to your heart.

What Some Have Found on Both Paths

For some, returning brings real short-term comfort: renewed routines, familiar faces, restored family ties, a sense of purpose again. That relief is valid and can feel like mercy.

Others, after returning, eventually face familiar struggles—authority issues, prophecy disappointments, financial pressures, or the same controlling dynamics—and find the peace they sought doesn’t last. Cycles of leaving and returning happen because the core emotional needs keep resurfacing.

Many who choose not to return (or who return briefly and leave again) discover, slowly and painfully at first, that healing comes through addressing the wounds directly: finding safe support, rebuilding identity outside the group, experiencing grace without strings, and forming connections based on mutual care rather than shared doctrine alone. It’s not instant, but for many it becomes deeper and more freeing than what they remembered.

You Are Held in This Moment

Wherever you land—whether you step back toward a group, stay where you are while you keep seeking, or move into something entirely new—you deserve gentleness. God, if He is the loving Father the Scriptures describe, sees your struggle, your tears, your questions. He doesn’t demand perfect certainty or instant answers. He invites honest seeking, and He meets us in the mess.

You are allowed to take time. You are allowed to feel conflicted. You are allowed to want both truth and kindness toward yourself.

You don’t have to figure it all out today. Breathe. Be kind to the part of you that’s hurting. Whatever comes next, may it bring you closer to real peace, real love, and real freedom.

You matter. Your heart matters. Take all the time you need.