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

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

Everyone Is Wrong Except Me

 

Here are the words to the above screenshot (on his original site)

The Archives

THE WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD- OWNERS IN PERSPECTIVE

NOTE

The above collections, maintained by various people, contain materials, publications, videos, audio, and other productions belonging to the Worldwide Church of God. We consider them like museums, and as curators who have found interest in what this Church has produced since 1934. The Worldwide Church of God reserves all rights to its property. 

We advise CAUTION while viewing their collections, because the curator's views and beliefs are not exactly the same as the Worldwide Church of God. They are NOT owners of the materials, literature, publications and various productions of the Worldwide Church of God. 

Though we share commonality, with interest and passion for the preservation of the things belonging to the Worldwide Church of God, we do not endorse these other groups although they build their collections of this protected work.

To view their collections, click the pictures. 

In Jesus Christ's name, 

Samuel W Kitchen

Worldwide Church of God

Samuel W. Kitchen has just posted an oh-so-gracious disclaimer about other "other" COG sites that are repositories for WCG/HWA literature, books, films, etc. Of course, since this is the Church of God and Samuel is the new Bob Thiel of the church, everyone else is WRONG except for him. Talk about a broken record! Been there, done that about 700 times now.

On his own website, if you dare to click those little images he links to, you'll be magically whisked away to other Church of God-related archives—sites that have been faithfully preserving Worldwide Church of God literature, films, books, sermons, and broadcasts for decades longer than Samuel and his brother Tim ever dreamed of launching their own knockoff versions. These folks were digitizing and safeguarding HWA's materials while young Sammy was probably still in diapers. Yet, somehow they managed without "stealing" anything—unlike certain self-appointed curators who cribbed content from the very WCG and those established four sites to slap together their own "superior" archive.

In a breathtaking display of narcissistic, self-righteous arrogance, Samuel Kitchen solemnly warns us to view these other collections with caution—because, gasp, their views and beliefs aren't exactly aligned with the one true Worldwide Church of God. You know, the one he conveniently "represents" by slapping the name on his personal project, despite having absolutely zero legal, historical, or divine claim to it. The original WCG trademark and rights? Long since transitioned elsewhere, but details, schmetails—Samuel's got the spiritual high ground, apparently.

There's nothing remotely God-ordained about this plagiarism-fueled operation that Samuel and Timothy Kitchen run where they are lifting materials, rebranding the church name as his own private preserve, and then passing the collection plate to gullible "dumb sheep" who might mistake his YouTube sermons and AI-generated hymns for divine restoration. Tithes and offerings to fund... what, exactly? A pipe dream of buying back the Ambassador Auditorium? Please.

It's a guaranteed fact that Samuel will never raise enough money to purchase that Pasadena gem. He's already out there fraudulently presenting himself as a "representative" of the Worldwide Church of God to Harvest Rock Church and the realtors handling the sale—complete with earnest emails and phone numbers—as if a guy in Keosauqua, Iowa, running a shoestring website qualifies as the legitimate successor. News flash: he doesn't represent the Worldwide Church of God any more than Bob Thiel, Dave Pack, or Gerald Flurry do. At least those other gentlemen had the minimal decency to invent their own goofy church names instead of outright swiping the original and pretending it's theirs by divine fiat. How original. How humble.

In the end, Samuel's and Timothy's little crusade is less "preserving the truth" and more a masterclass in Armstrongist irony: the man who cautions against "counterfeits" while running his own unlicensed replica, who warns of doctrinal deviation while deviating into self-promotion and fantasy real-estate schemes. If this is God's chosen remnant in 2026, heaven help us all—because the only thing being recaptured here is yesterday's drama, repackaged with extra sanctimony and zero self-awareness.

CIA Murders, Defamation, Conspiracies, Jerusalem, Petra and More!

Oh, dear Great Bwana Bob Thiel, how the mighty have fallen—or rather, how they've been quietly sidelined to a sad little strip-mall existence in Grover Beach. Poor thing, you used to dominate the COG gossip cycle with your endless "news" updates and self-proclaimed prophetic insights, but lately? Crickets. You've been utterly usurped by the new reigning champion of unhinged Armstrongism: Samuel Kitchen, the self-appointed guardian of the "true" Worldwide Church of God.

Yes, while you're stuck rattling around in your itty-bitty dingy storefront, dreaming of African followers and radio spots, Samuel has boldly stepped up to claim the crown for sheer batshit craziness in today's fractured Armstrong world. UCG and COGWA love to pat themselves on the back as the "normal" ones—the sane, buttoned-up alternatives to the wilder outfits like Dave Pack's apocalyptic cash-grab or Gerald Flurry's mini-Pasadena cult compound. But let's be real: they're all cut from the same threadbare Herbert W. Armstrong cloth. Same doctrines, same authoritarian vibes, same endless splintering. Samuel's little reincarnated "mess" is just the latest flavor of the same old delusion, proving yet again that Armstrongism doesn't mellow with age—it just gets whackier, more paranoid, and more entertainingly detached from reality.

And oh boy, when you dive into Samuel's latest manifesto, the red flags start waving like they're at a parade. This guy isn't just quirky; something is profoundly not right here. He presents as this friendly, likable fellow—smiling in videos, posting songs, visiting "brethren" around the globe—but peel back that thin veneer, and there's a darker current swirling underneath: wild claims of CIA-orchestrated family murders to suppress his unincorporated "spiritual organism," complete with warnings from shadowy operatives, trademark battles in Tennessee, and a divine mandate to flee to Petra (oops, Jerusalem—wait, Petra again—wait, Philadelphia PA—wait, back to Jerusalem for a month-long vacay in 2025).

Apparently, his grandmother, mother, and father were all "murdered" in some grand conspiracy to kill off the real WCG before someone could snatch the name. But fear not—the Church persists because Matthew 16:18! And now, more "brethren" are standing up worldwide, proving this unincorporated ghost is alive and well. The solution? Naturally, rally the troops to buy back the Ambassador Auditorium (and maybe some adjacent buildings) to "restore" the Church, the ministry, and give God's name glory. Because nothing says "spiritual organism" like crowdfunding a multimillion-dollar concert hall from a group that currently operates it.

Look, if you're reading this and thinking, "Hey, maybe I should send Samuel some money to reclaim that shiny Pasadena relic," please have your head examined immediately. This is peak Armstrongism: mix equal parts narcissism, zero self-awareness, manipulative guilt-tripping ("You're lying, defaming, slandering the Church of the Living God! Repent!"), and a complete disregard for how trademarks, reality, or basic human empathy actually work. Calling the old WCG a "corporate entity" is apparently bearing false witness now, even though it literally was one before the big doctrinal meltdown.

So here's the sarcastic toast to the new front-runner: Congratulations, Samuel Kitchen—you've out-crazied the field. While Bwana Bob fades into obscurity with his end-time weather reports, you've elevated the game to full-on conspiracy-theorist opera. Keep those feast-site selfies coming from Petra/Jerusalem/wherever the spirit leads next. The rest of us will just sit back with popcorn, watching the "one true Church" restore itself one delusional fundraising plea at a time.

And to everyone else in COG-land: Maybe—just maybe—step back and ask if this endless parade of "true" churches, murdered-family backstories, and real-estate fantasies is really what God had in mind. Or if it's just more proof that when narcissism, lack of empathy, and manipulative personalities take the helm, you get exactly what we're seeing: shining examples of mental illness masquerading as divine restoration.

Copied, unedited.

There is a current problem with disgracing the Worldwide Church of God among these cog groups. 

 

Many times a minister will say “The Worldwide Church of God is dead”, or “it was destroyed”. 

 

They MISS-Classify “the Worldwide Church of God” as a corporate entity. It isnt. And some research into what Herbert W Armstrong taught can prove that. It is actually a spiritual organism! 

 

But the misinformation said about this Church, is a regular defamation, of the character of the Unincorporated Association called the Worldwide Church of God. 

 

When my family stood up as the Worldwide Church of God, we showed and provide sufficient evidence that an association was alive, and we were unincorporated. 

 

Then other brethren saw us, and they too stood up, showing future evidence of this unincorporated spiritual organism. 

 

My personal family, was struck by an attack, that killed the older members. My grandmother was murdered. My mother and the father was murdered. 

 

Now, all evidence says the CIA did it. 

 

One of their operatives prior to all of this happening, came up to my dad and warned him of what was coming down the pipeline. As far as I know, there is no need to question his warning, because it  

came to be. Three members of my family were murdered. 

 

I personally believe it was done with the intention of destroying the unincorporated association of the Worldwide Church of God. Because as we were beig hit, a man was filing in Tennessee a new trademark on the name! However his new trademark is not valid. The original usage is still alive. So it cannot conquer it while the original usage is alive. 

 

But the Chuch persisted, according to Matthew 16:18. 

 

And if we gave up because of the killing of my family, there were people primed to take it. 

 

Now, more brethren are standing up around the world! Proving sufficient evidence of an unincorporated association. 

 

That is why my declaration in 2022, is so important. I announced the Worldwide Church of God was assembling in Jerusalem to keep the Feasts of the Lord! We did keep the feasts but in PETRA! 

 

We didn’t realize we had gathered ourselves to flee out from Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 6:1 

 

“O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem”

And so the next year 2023, I went to Philadelphia PA, for the feast and the new website was developed to showcase this unincorporated spiritual organism! 

 

In 2024, I went back to Petra! And brethren was coming together around the world. 

 

In 2025, We assembled in Jerusalem again. Staying an entire month there. 

 

And so my point is, many are disgracing the Worldwide Church of God, by defamation, slander and libel. 

 

This act of calling the Worldwide Church of God a corporate entity, when it is not, is bearing false witness. Telling a lie. 

 

God’s Church does not lie. But by standing up and being the Worldwide Church of God, we are standing up as a witness. 

 

We are the same Worldwide Church of God. And now we are looking to gain the Ambassador Auditorium, and according to some other houses and buildings next to it. We are looking to restore this Church, and to restore the ministry, and give God’s name GLORY! 

 

Be not one of those who want to disgrace the Worldwide Church of God! 

 

You are lying, defaming, slandering the Church of the Living God! 

 

Repent. And believe God!"

Dave Pack: Is ChatGPT Demonic?

David C. Pack of The Restored Church of God expressed his concern about ChatGPT's AI technology showing signs of demonic influence. Since it was "pretty obvious" that UFOs are demonic, it was not unreasonable to believe Satan was influencing some Internet programming.

During "The Greatest Untold Story! (Part 626)" on March 7, 2026, the Pastor General referenced an article about others having the same concern, pointing out that AI will lie and try to manipulate users. He then explained how this evil "sentience" could be the work of the devil since Satan is "the god of this world."

As a reminder,

the Kingdom comes on Abib 1, 

starting March 18, 2026, at sunset.

Marc Cebrian

Decoding the Divine: Wade Cox's Wild Take on Michael the Archangel, Jesus, Satan, and the Elohim Family

The brothers Elohim are hard at work 

One thing you really have to credit Armstrongism for is how they took simple Bible stories and turned them into deep theological treatises that rarely ever made much sense once you really started examining them with an open mind. We so often hear this kind of nuttiness from Bob Thiel, Gerald Flurry, and Dave Pack—so much so that all we can do is laugh and move on. Then there's Wade Cox of the so-called "Christian" Churches of God, who loves to sit at picnic tables with the wind blowing his notes around, next to his sidekick, both talking like they failed the "Get the facts" and "Stir To Action" speeches—two things these blithering idiots seem to never do. 

Ah, theology—the grand arena where ancient texts meet modern interpretations, often resulting in ideas that make you go, "Wait, what?" If you've ever wondered what happens when you blend a dash of ancient Hebrew linguistics with a hefty dose of speculative cosmology (and perhaps a stiff breeze for dramatic effect), Cox's teachings provide a masterclass. At the heart of his doctrine is the eyebrow-raising notion that both Jesus Christ and Satan (once known as Lucifer) were part of the "elohim"—a council of divine beings created by the one true God, Eloah. It's like imagining heaven as a cosmic boardroom where Jesus and Satan were once colleagues, until one got fired for insubordination. But is this biblically sound, or just another theological plot twist gone delightfully awry? Let's dive in-depth, with a sprinkle of sarcasm for flavor, because sometimes you need a laugh to handle the heresy.

Wade Cox isn't your average Sunday school teacher. As the founder and coordinator of CCG, established in the 1990s as a splinter from the Worldwide Church of God, Cox has built a following around what he calls "original Christianity." Sound familiar? CCG positions itself as a guardian of uncorrupted biblical truth, rejecting mainstream doctrines like the Trinity in favor of a strict Unitarian view. God, in their eyes, is singular—Eloah, the Most High—who presides over a hierarchy of subordinate "gods" or elohim. This isn't polytheism, they insist; it's more like a divine pyramid scheme where humans can level up to elohim status through obedience and salvation.

Cox's writings, scattered across CCG's website and various papers, paint a picture of a universe teeming with spiritual bureaucracy. Papers like "The Elect as Elohim" and "Wars of the End: Preparing the Elohim" outline a plan where God's ultimate goal is to expand this elohim family. It's ambitious, sure, but it sets the stage for his most controversial claim: that Jesus and Satan were both charter members of this elite club. Oh, and did I mention Satan was the "Morning Star" assigned to Earth as its guardian? Because nothing says "trustworthy overseer" like the guy who ends up leading a rebellion.

At the core of Cox's theology is a reimagining of the Hebrew word "Elohim." In the Bible, it's often translated as "God," but it's grammatically plural, which Cox seizes upon like a kid finding an extra cookie in the jar or Bob Thiel being doubly "blessed". He argues that Elohim refers not just to the one God but to a whole assembly of divine beings—sons of God, if you will—created by Eloah to help run the cosmos. Psalm 82:1-6 gets a starring role here: God (Eloah) judges among the "gods" (elohim), calling them "sons of the Most High" but warning they'll die like mortals for their corruption. Cox sees this as evidence of a heavenly council, complete with job assignments and performance reviews.

Enter Jesus: In CCG lore, he's the firstborn elohim, the Logos or Word from John 1:1, who acted as Eloah's chief architect in creation. Colossians 1:15 ("firstborn of all creation") is twisted to mean he's created, not eternal. And Job 38:7's "morning stars" singing at creation? That's Jesus as one star, shining bright in the divine choir.

Now, the twist: Satan gets the same VIP treatment. Originally Lucifer, the "Light Bringer," he was another morning star—Earth's planetary manager, no less. Isaiah 14:12 and Ezekiel 28:14-16 paint him as a perfect cherub who fell due to pride, trying to grab equality with God (unlike humble Jesus, who didn't). In Cox's view, Satan was "Satan-el," an elohim of a planetary quadrant, part of the same created order as Jesus. They were like divine brothers—one stayed loyal, the other went rogue, leading to a cosmic HR nightmare. This resolves Genesis 1:26's "let us make man in our image" as the elohim council chatting, not some Trinitarian mystery. Clever, right? Or, as critics might say, a bit too convenient, like retrofitting the Bible to fit a sci-fi novel.

Cox assures us this restores “true pre-Nicene Christianity” before those pesky pagan Trinitarians ruined everything. Bonus perk: faithful humans get to join the elohim country club someday. Who wouldn’t want eternal godhood with dental? The only tiny problem? Equating the eternal Son of God with a created rebel angel tends to make actual biblical scholars develop facial tics.

From any mainstream Christian perspective—Trinitarian, Binitarian, or even garden-variety monotheist—Cox’s system doesn’t merely miss the mark; it’s playing an entirely different sport on a different planet. Let’s tally the score:

• Jesus gets demoted to a created middle manager. Arianism called; it wants its heresy back. John 1:1–3: the Word “was God,” not “was a god,” and “without him nothing was made that has been made.” If Jesus is created, who created him? Crickets. Hebrews 1:8–10 straight-up calls the Son “God” and credits him with laying Earth’s foundations. Angels worship him (Heb 1:6). Cox turns the Creator into a promoted creature. Bold. Wrong. Catastrophically wrong.

• Satan gets a massive, unearned promotion. The Bible calls him a fallen angel, created servant (Heb 1:14), a liar, and a murderer from the beginning. Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 are prophetic smack-talk against human tyrants, not Satan’s LinkedIn profile. Job’s morning stars? Poetic angels at creation, not evidence of Jesus and Satan sharing a bunk bed in eternity past. Making Satan a peer of Christ is the theological version of saying Darth Vader and Luke were equals before the family drama. No.

• Yes, the word is plural. It’s also frequently a majestic plural for the one God, like royalty saying “we.” Psalm 82 is God judging corrupt authorities (human or angelic), not unveiling a pantheon. Jesus quotes it in John 10 to defend his unique divinity, not to say “I’m just one of the guys.” Cox’s henotheism-lite crashes head-first into Isaiah 43:10: “Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.” God isn’t franchising.

Critics call CCG exclusivist and cult-adjacent. Even classic Armstrongism kept Jesus eternally divine. Cox’s tweak risks turning the cross into cosmic performance art: if Jesus is just another created elohim, how exactly does his death pay for sin eternally? It’s like trying to settle the universe’s debt with a personal check from a bankrupt middle manager.

CCG sprouted from Armstrong’s God Family doctrine (Father and Son as the two eternal Elohim, humans next in line). Cox cranks the dial to eleven, expanding the elohim into a full celestial org chart with planetary quadrants that sound suspiciously like rejected Ancient Aliens scripts. Apostolic tradition? Early Church Fathers? Nah, too mainstream. Windy picnic tables are where the real revelation happens, apparently.

Wade Cox's belief that Jesus and Satan were elohim stems from a pluralistic reading of Scripture, aiming to demystify God's plan. It's creative, I'll give it that—like imagining heaven as a dysfunctional family sitcom, complete with windy picnic-table sermons delivered with all the conviction of a motivational speaker who forgot his script. But biblically, it crumbles under scrutiny, denying Christ's eternity and inflating Satan's resume. Why does it matter? Because theology shapes faith: Get God wrong, and everything unravels. So, next time someone pitches Jesus as Satan's ex-colleague, smile politely and suggest a reread of John 1. After all, in the divine drama, some plot twists are best left on the cutting room floor.

Wade writes:

The LCG and the other offshoots conveniently ignore key texts of the Bible that show clearly that the angels are all sons of God and that Satan is also a son of God. Job 1:6 and 2:1 show that they all had access to the throne of God including Satan and had such access at the time of Job who was a son of Issachar resident in the Middle East (probably in Midian). These sons of God were the elohim who were the angelic host and are recognised as such by the Biblical scholars such as Bullinger and others. The sons of God were termed elohim which is a plural word recognising God as an extended being. Elohim is referred to in Job 2:1 but the name Eloah is used many times to refer to the One True God throughout Job. Job 1:6 refers to Satan being among the sons of God. He is used then to tempt Job and afflict him. Job 2:1 also has the same scenario when the sons of God came before God and Satan was again among them. It is thus beyond dispute that there were many sons of God in OT times and Satan was among them and they all had access to the throne. These sons of God were divided into ranks and positions and we see from Job 38:4-7 that the One True God created the earth in the beginning and that the sons of God came together before God at the creation and all the Morning Stars sang for joy when they were shown the creation. Now a Morning Star is a planetary ruler and is referred to as a light bearer or “Lucifer” and these heads of the Heavenly Host were the rulers of the Heavenly Council which we were shown at Sinai being founded in the Tabernacle as the Sanhedrin of the Seventy plus Two, and who are divided into the Heavenly Council in Revelation chapters 4 and 5 of the Four Cherubim and the Twenty-four elders and the Lamb of God. The outer council was the other forty-two elders making up the 72. This was the Sanhedrin also from Sinai and the Seventy-two or Hebdomekonta [Duo] ordained by Christ as the elders of the church (Lk. 10:1,17).

Now many sons of God were sent to mankind as messengers and that word was Malak in Hebrew and the word in Greek was Aggellos. The word simply meant messenger and the elohim were all sons of God as elohim until they were sent to mankind as a malak. That is the reason why they were all referred to as Yahovah and the human host prostrated before them (Gr. proskuneo). That same word is used of the elect when those who say they are Jews and are not but lie proskuneo before the elect of the Philadelphian Church in Revelation 3. The Binitarian worshippers of the god Attis in Rome brought their heretical doctrines in to Christianity from 175 CE. To introduce the Binitarianism of Attis they had to elevate Christ to a level above the other sons of God or elohim. They did this by creating a class and called them “Angels” from the word aggellos or messenger which was the translation of the word malak or messenger in the OT. They then made them distinct from Christ and used the term elohim or theos of he and the Father only. Having done this fabrication they then introduced the Holy Spirit as the third element of a Triune God by 381 CE at the Council of Constantinople and confirmed it from Chalcedon in 451.

El Trumpo is the El Alemania El Beasto, so says El Wacko

Herbert W. Armstrong had no clue what a complete loony bin he was about to unleash upon the world, thanks to his stellar lack of education in theology, hermeneutics, and eschatology. Truly visionary stuff.

He single-handedly released a legion of poorly trained men who've turned biblical interpretation into an absolute circus. Dive even a little into today's COG leaders' teachings, and none of them make the slightest bit of sense. We all thought Gerald Flurry, Ron Weinland, Dave Pack, and Bob Thiel were the undisputed champions of COG stupidity—the capstone, the Mount Everest of nonsense.

But oh no, hold my prophetic beer. Along comes yet another wingding: our boy Samuel Kitchen. He's been on a holy rampage these last few weeks, revealing all kinds of fresh whackadoodle insanity. In addition to his raging Trump Derangement Syndrome, he's apparently caught a severe case of Catholic Derangement Syndrome too.

Because why settle for just one flavor of unhinged when you can collect the whole set? Bravo, Samuel—truly raising the bar for batshit crazy in the COG universe. We didn't think it was possible, but here we are.

Samuel Kitchen has dropped yet another theological bombshell that's sure to make even the most jaded COG veteran spit out their Postum or hot carob pretending it is chocolate. In what can only be described as a masterclass in creative Bible cryptography, Brother Samuel has cracked the code: the Beast of Revelation isn't lurking in some shadowy European parliament. Nope. It's right here in the good ol' USA, wearing a red tie and tweeting at 3 a.m. Yes, Donald J. Trump is apparently auditioning for the role of the end-time King of Assyria, complete with German ancestry, Catholic sidekicks, and a divine mandate to turn America into the launchpad for the resurrected Holy Roman Empire.

Let's unpack this prophetic fever dream, shall we?

First, the basics: The Beast is a future military-government leader of the "resurrected Holy Roman Empire," one of the famous Ten Toes/Kings from Daniel. He's got to be of Assyrian (read: German) lineage because... reasons. Everyone's been staring at Germany like it's the obvious suspect, but Samuel, ever the contrarian genius, asks the big question Herman Hoeh allegedly pondered back in a 1974 Fireside Chat (conveniently "not available anywhere else online," so trust him, bro): What if this guy rises up here in the United States?

Enter Donald Trump: German on dad's side, Scottish on mom's (close enough, apparently), now surrounded by a who's-who of Catholic influencers—J.D. Vance, Marco Rubio, RFK Jr., and a whole squad of "strong Catholic" advisors. The National Catholic Register even said Trump has "strong Christian—especially strong Catholic—people" around him. Case closed! Forget looking "across the pond"—the Beast is in our backyard, building walls and making deals.

Samuel helpfully reminds us that Napoleon was an Italian heading the Beast power in France, so a guy rising through a tribe of Israel (America = Manasseh or Samaria, obviously) isn't far-fetched. And get this: The U.S. has the greatest military and economy on Earth. Could Europe be using America as a "colossus" to prop up a United Europe, per some old plans from Franz Joseph Strauss or Otto von Habsburg? Mind. Blown.

But wait, there's more doom! Bible prophecy says one-third of our people die by nuclear sword (cities toast), one-third by disease/pestilence, and the final third carted off as slaves—sorry, "citizens" with assigned housing and jobs. Sounds like a fun relocation program.

Then, Samuel ties in the wild stuff: The World Trade Center paperwork destruction in 2001? That's when the "United States Corporation" lost its debt records. Pope Francis in 2015 talks about defaulting on a "promissory note" (quoting MLK, but sure, Vatican conspiracy vibes). Trump wins in 2016, invests in this "company," becomes the creditor—it's his legacy now. Jerusalem even calls him the modern Cyrus and "King of Israel"! (Because some billboards and enthusiastic fans said so.) And he's launching wars over ancient Persia (Iran). Check, check, check.

Scripture dump incoming: Hosea 11:5 says the Assyrian shall be king over Ephraim (British Commonwealth). Isaiah stuff about the King of Samaria (America/Britain). Isaiah 10 has the Assyrian as God's rod of anger against a hypocritical nation—spoiling, preying, treading down like mire. He's active in Samaria (us) beforeJerusalem. Then the ten kings give him power, Satan possesses him (dragon power-up!), and boom—full Beast mode.

But here's the tender part: Maybe Trump is under "special sanctification." God protected him from assassination (Pennsylvania shoutout), he credits God publicly. Like Nebuchadnezzar getting a shot to serve God but rejecting it. Trump’s giving power back to the people, draining the swamp... but what if future events flip him? What if he takes European territory, gets possessed, becomes Caesar to the Pope's Peter? Union with the Roman Catholic Church, false prophet high-fiving, European troops invading to "restore order." He looks like a savior to the world. Our work stops, we flee to Jerusalem or wherever.

Or maybe he's just creating a vacuum for the real Beast. Either way, America's been used since WW2 to fulfill prophecy, and now a German-descended president might ascend over both a United States and United States of Europe.

Samuel humbly notes he's the only one publicly saying this (shocking, we know). Watch world events, don't let "limited information" limit God's Word. Prepare spiritually—fast, pray, study, cling to HWA's truths. The Worldwide Church of God will reunite (no arguing splinters!), buy the Auditorium, and then head to the place of safety. The Great Tribulation is closer than we think. Watch and pray always.

If this doesn't convince you Trump is the literal Beast/King of Assyria/Assyrian rod of correction/possessed future Caesar, then clearly you're not watching hard enough. Or perhaps you've defaulted on your own promissory note of common sense. Either way, Samuel Kitchen has once again elevated COG speculation to performance art levels of unhinged brilliance. Bravo, sir. The bar for batshit crazy just got raised—and we're all dumber for having read it.

Samuel posted this tonight:

The Beast.

A future military and Government Leader, of the resurrected Holy Roman Empire, depicted in the Book of Daniel and Revelation as TEN KINGS, or TEN TOES of the Image in Daniel.

This man, is called a KING, and according to Bible Prophecy, will be of ASSYRIAN lineage. That is GERMAN.

Now many people are looking to GERMANY, for the rise of a political military leader, who could possibly fulfill this prophecy.

Herman Hoeh, one time asked the question, could we see such a man rise up here in the United States?

September 04, 1974 Fireside Chat- Herman Hoeh(Not available anywhere else online that I can find)

Link: https://www.wwcg-library.com/.../Audio%20-%20Prophecy...

We see a current United States president, who is of GERMAN descent, on his father's side, and Scottish descent on his mother's side.

President Donald J Trump.

Where is the Roman Catholic Church?

J.D Vance identifies as a Roman Catholic.

Marco Rubio identifies as a Roman Catholic.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr identifies as a Roman Catholic.

The National Catholic Register writes: "...Donald Trump has surrounded himself with a large number of strong Christian — especially strong Catholic — people."

So we see a GERMAN man surrounded by Catholic influences, now leading the United States of America as the President.

Could we be looking across the pond, in the wrong place, when a man that seems to fit biblical qualifications is ascending power in our very back yard?

Remember, Napoleon was a HEAD of the Beast power, and he was an Italian in France. A man rising to power through a tribe of Israel is not a far fetched idea.

Today the United States is the greatest country in all the world, with the greatest military and the greatest economy. Could we be actually following Franz Joseph Strauss's(Strong man of Europe) plans to capitalize and engage the United States to elevate a UNITED EUROPE using this country as a COLOSSUS to prop it up?? Maybe it is a combination of what Otto Von Hapsburg was proposing as well? For Europe to act Independently?

Herman Hoeh goes into that subject on what we do know from Bible prophecy. We know at the time of the final resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire, this Beast system will have the GREATEST MILITARY, and GREATEST ECONOMY, and it will be a WORLD GOVERNMENT.

The United States and the British Commonwealth nations will be DOMINATED, and absorbed or liquidated into this NEW WORLD GOVERNMENT.

_________________

We know according to Bible prophecy that 1/3 of our peoples will die to Nuclear Weaponry(described as the SWORD), destroying our cities and such.

We know that another 1/3 of our peoples, according to Bible prophecy, will die to disease, and pestilence.

We know the final 1/3 of our peoples, according to the Word of God and what is prophesied in it, will be carried away as SLAVES to this new government. I tend to classify this slavery as CITIZENSHIP, with assigned housing, assigned jobs, for the displaced.

_________________

When the World Trade Center fell in 2001, the paperwork of the United States Corporation was destroyed. Since then, they had to draw up all paperwork showing creditorship, to whom debt was owed to.

In 2015, Pope Francis came to United States and said: "We can say that we have defaulted on a promissory note — and now is a time to honor it."

Link:https://www.npr.org/.../pope-francis-heads-to-white-house...

In 2016, we saw Donald Trump win the election. Investing into this COMPANY, and becoming a CREDITOR. It is HIS LEGACY now to see it be successful.

Jerusalem proclaims him as KING OF ISRAEL.

As a modern Cyrus King of Persia.

He now is launching a war over the territory of ancient Persia, or IRAN.

Now what are the characteristics of this BEAST? This King of Assyria? What does the Word of God say? We cannot make hasty conclusions, as we await this man to appear on the world scene.

In Hosea 11:5, we read speaking of the modern nations of the British Commonwealth(Ephraim): "He shall not return into the land of Egypt, and the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return."

"the Assyrian shall be his king"

In Isaiah 7:9, we read:"And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established."

Who is Remaliah's son? "And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel..."

The King of Israel. Samariah was the capital city of the tribes of Israel, when they separated from Judah.

So we see that the King of Assyria, shall be KING over Samaria.

Notice Isaiah 10:5-11!

"O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.

"I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

"Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.

"For he saith, Are not my princes altogether kings?

"Is not Calno as Carchemish? is not Hamath as Arpad? is not Samaria as Damascus?

"As my hand hath found the kingdoms of the idols, and whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria;

"Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols?"

So he is going to be ACTIVE in SAMARIA before coming to JERUSALEM. That is in Ephraim, and Manasseh. Ephraim being the British Commonwealth nations, and Manasseh being the United States of America.

Now he becomes the BEAST, when the ten kings give to him their power and authority. Notice, "And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast."(Revelation 17:12-13"

Who is giving the power? "nd they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?"(Revelation 13:4)

But notice, prior to this, "...he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few."(Isaiah 10:7)

When he becomes the Beast and receives his "power", his power comes from Satan the Devil who is the dragon, and he will become POSSESSED by the Devil!

But prior to that, his heart wasn't to do such things, but he was determined to "destroy and cut off nations not a few".

Could Donald Trump be under special sanctification, because God is bringing him up to CORRECT OUR NATIONS, clear out the swamp so to speak? God protected him in Pennsylvania when an assassination attempt was made on him. He has also admitted publicly he wouldn't be here if it wasn't for God.

I am reminded a little by the story of Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon and Head of Gold.

God gave to Nebuchadnezzar the Kingdom, because Israel had rejected Him, and God offered to the gentile King a chance to be the nation that served God! But Nebuchadnezzar rejected God, albeit he ended up acknowledging God's supremacy over the earth.

Today we are seeing a major shift in power. Mr. Trump is giving the people back the power, and taking it away from the rebellious and hypocritical nation.

But what about future events, could change his mind? To receive power and the territory of Ten European nations, and their military, to create a new world government?

We know that the Bible prophecies of an INVASION of European troops, headed by this King of Assyria. This BEAST. He claims ownership of this territory, and wants to PUT DOWN REBELLION.

Hitler, claimed he could take over the United States with just a phone call but he lacked a standing army on american soil.

But could we see this future KING already gaining silently before the next world war breaks out, this territory by political votes?

Or perhaps Mr. Trump is simply creating the vacuum for such an individual?

But notice, this BEAST according to the Bible, will enter the glorious land, saying PEACE PEACE, establishing his palaces in Jerusalem.

Notice, according to Scripture, he says he will do to Jerusalem what he has done to Samaria, MAKE IT GREAT.

What is Mr. Trump doing?

Now nations are toppling, Venezuela, Iran, maybe Cuba, Greenland, Canada even, and he is going after territory. He is attempting to reshape the entire world to what he wants it to be.

His motivation is to be successful. To run it as his company.

He is surrounded by a strong Catholic influence.

He is making HISTORY. Could he be the BEAST?

We know that the BEAST will be dethroned by Jesus Christ Himself at His return. The Beast will be sitting on the Throne of David, which is now in England(Ephraim).

But Ephraim and Manasseh are together.

In Isaiah 9:21, it says "Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still."

Notice TWO things. 1. Manasseh and Ephraim TOGETHER shall be against Judah. 2. God says "His hand is stretched out still".

Manasseh and Ephraim are TOGETHER as the House of Israel, MODERN SAMARIA, and they are adversaries of Judah. They are against Judah. Remember the King of Ephraim is the Assyrian!

Isaiah 14:24-27 reads: "The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:

"That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders.

"This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations.

"For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?"

So when you read of Manasseh and Ephraim together, God begins speaking of a prophecy of how this Assyrian King(Beast) will be broken and destroyed by the return of Jesus Christ!

He is also reinforcing the idea, that WITH AMERICA AND BRITAIN, who are the house of Israel today, this man is RISING UP through our IDOL WORSHIP. And God is with him, to establish him against our nations, to correct us with the Great Tribulation!

And as soon as he gains the European territory, the Great Tribulation begins, and America and British nations, shall come under a NEW WORLD SUPER POWER, and this BEAST will put down the rebellions in our nations, by bringing European armies to our shores, and to restore "order" and "control".

He will look to the world as a SAVIOR.

But brethren, our work will be stopped HERE in America, when he receives power from Satan. Then we will go to Jerusalem.

Perhaps Donald Trump is more like King Cyrus now? Willing to be used by God for a purpose.

But if the Devil enters, and gives him power, will we see a modern NERO? Will we see a union with the Roman Catholic Church?

The unity in the ten European nations will be through Catholicism and the Vatican. The false prophet will have a hand in this.

When this man is given power, and territory over the resurrected Holy Roman Empire, he will become CAESAR, while the Pope will act as Peter.

Now perhaps Mr. Trump will create a vacuum to be filled by such a man. That could be. But God's Word says the man will be doing certain things, and we the United States have been used since WW2, to accomplish part of that prophecy.

Germany, will be one of the ten toes. But we may see a German President, ascend to power, and not only have the United States of America, but a United States of Europe too.

Something to pay attention to, to watch carefully, and to not be caught unawares on. Pray about it, and ask God to reveal to you more information as things happen. Because no one is saying this. As far as I know, I am the only one publicly sharing this.

Believe God's Word! And watch world events, and don't let what limited information you see limit God's Word. God's Word is true and every man a liar. And if anything I have said, in speculation, is wrong, I desire God's correction and to see where God's Word says it. We are closer to the Great tribulation than we think.

So prepare yourself brethren. Get ready spiritually. Fast, pray and Bible Study, and deepen your relationship with Jesus Christ and God the Father. Get closer to the truth revealed through Herbert W Armstrong, and don't let anyone take you away from it.

As we spiritual get ready, the Worldwide Church of God will once again emerge, and go into a place of safety.

We will not go there DIVIDED into multiple arguing groups!!!!

This year we will see some interesting developments in what prophecy is being fulfilled. WATCH AND PRAY ALWAYS