For Enhanced Credibility

The little tidbit below is from a forward in COGWA's Discern magazine titled, Christianity’s Strange Story, by Clyde Kilough that covers articles about Christianity, Pentecost, and Constantine.

It starts off about Pentecost and makes the claim that almost all Christian churches today claim Pentecost as part of their story. They supposedly do it to "enhance their story" about themselves, unlike the Churches of God, who use it to...uh... enhance the story about themselves. Armstrongism is sooooo fun!

Pentecost—it’s an odd word with a strange story.
Its Greek origin simply means “count 50” (referring to calculating its timing), but there is nothing simplistic about its Old Testament origin and New Testament explanation. Together they reveal some of the deepest meanings of God’s work with humanity. 

 

Today virtually all Christian denominations commemorate Pentecost, claiming (for enhanced credibility) to trace their lineage to that holy day in the first century that clearly marks the beginning of the Church.

Armstrongism is also guilty of this! It claims direct lineage to the 1st century church and claims to practice 1st century Christianity, which it clearly does not do.

Armstrongism has taken in all kinds of myths and stories to enhance its credibility and perfect image over the pagan so-called Christians that they see surrounding it. We have the absurd British Israelism myth, the one true church, the becoming God as God is God, church eras, church government, and many more extra-biblical enhancements that make Armstrongism unique.

Kilough goes on to say this:

That day’s events literally altered the course of world history. We cannot fathom what today’s world would be without the impact of the religion(s) that emerged. Even hardened skeptics are forced to admit that something powerful occurred. How else could a body of believers suddenly appear, quickly permeate the Roman Empire, and so upset the established religions that they would rail against Christians as “these who have turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6)? 

 

Today, though, it’s the world that appears to have turned Christianity upside down. Or is it possible that an imposter “Christianity” that Jesus Himself forewarned us about is now reaping the fruit of the seeds it sowed long ago? That’s another topic in this issue: “How an Emperor Corrupted Christianity.”

What about today's imposter Christianity that permeates the Churches of God? We see men like Bob Thiel, Dave Pack, and Gerald Flurry who have made a mockery of Christianity, the church, and Jesus himself. Liars in the Chruch of God are given places of honor in today's COG movement, so Armstrongism shouldn't be so quick to condemn the "worldly" Christians around them. 

That’s part of traditional Christianity’s strange post-Pentecost story. It’s akin to a “switched at
birth” shocker, with the aged Christianity not much resembling its infant counterpart. What happened?

If you want to see a "switched at birth shocker," then look at the abysmal mess that Armstrongism is in today! How can any of them honestly believe they are practicing 1st-century Christianity? How can any of them claim to be heirs of the Holy Spirit sent at Pentecost?

AiCOG:Comparing Cults: Armstrongism vs. Adventism Spiritual Cousins or Doctrinal Doppelgängers?

Armstrongism and Adventism—two groups that claim to have restored the “true faith while branding traditional Christianity as hopelessly corrupted. At first glance, they may seem like distant theological relatives, but a closer look reveals just how much they have in common. Both movements emerged from the ashes of William Miller’s failed 1844 prediction, both are obsessed with the Sabbath, both demand legalistic obedience, and both thrive on exclusivity and fear-based theology. And while they insist they are vastly different, the reality is that they are spiritual cousins, marching to the beat of the same doctrinal drum.

But how do these groups stack up against biblical Christianity? Let’s take a deep dive into their tangled beliefs, theological missteps, and their tendency to major in the minors.

A Tale of Two Prophets: Ellen G. White and Herbert W. Armstrong

Adventism has Ellen G. White, Armstrongism has Herbert W. Armstrong—two self-proclaimed spiritual authorities whose followers treat their words as infallible. White’s endless stream of visions and writings gave rise to doctrines like the Investigative Judgment, dietary restrictions, and an almost obsessive emphasis on the Sabbath. Meanwhile, Armstrong took a different route, declaring himself the sole revealer of God's truth in the 20th century, weaving together British Israelism, feast-keeping, and end-times hysteria.

Both figures left behind an undeniable legacy, but the real problem is how their followers treat their writings. While Christians rely on the Bible as the final authority, these groups give their founders’ interpretations a level of reverence that should be reserved for Scripture alone. When your theology is built around a single person's writings rather than the Word of God, you're already off to a bad start.

The Sabbath Obsession: A Badge of Honor or a Theological Distraction?

Few doctrines unite Armstrongites and Adventists more than their shared love for Sabbath observance. Adventists claim that worshiping on Sunday is the mark of the beast, while Armstrongites insist that failing to keep the Sabbath is proof that mainstream Christianity is deceived.

The irony? The early church worshiped on Sunday as a celebration of Christ’s resurrection (Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:2). Paul even warned against making Sabbath-keeping a requirement (Colossians 2:16-17). Yet, both groups insist that proper worship hinges on this one issue, elevating a ceremonial law above the gospel itself. If the apostles had emphasized the Sabbath as much as these groups do, one would expect the New Testament to be filled with stern warnings about Sunday worship—but it’s not. Instead, we get repeated affirmations that salvation is by grace, not by law-keeping.

Prophetic Faceplants: When Your Predictions Have a 0% Success Rate

Both movements were born out of prophetic failure. William Miller, the grandfather of Adventism, confidently predicted Christ’s return in 1844. When that didn’t happen, his followers scrambled to explain the blunder, leading to the invention of the Investigative Judgment doctrine—a theological band-aid designed to salvage their credibility.

Armstrongism took a different approach, with Herbert W. Armstrong predicting Christ’s return multiple times, each one proving just as wrong as the last. His successors have continued the tradition, adjusting the timelines and insisting that “this time, we’ve got it right.” Meanwhile, Scripture is clear that false prophets are marked by their failed predictions (Deuteronomy 18:22). But why let a little thing like biblical truth get in the way of a good doomsday forecast?

The “One True Church” Syndrome

Both groups suffer from an exclusivity complex. Armstrongites claim that only their splintered mess of groups represents God’s true work on Earth, while Adventists teach that they are the remnant church, holding the final truth before Christ’s return. This mindset creates a cult-like atmosphere where questioning leadership is forbidden, and leaving the group is seen as abandoning God altogether.

The New Testament, however, paints a different picture. The church is not defined by a denomination or adherence to Old Covenant laws, but by faith in Christ (Romans 10:9-10). Salvation is not found in a particular group, but in the person of Jesus Himself. Yet both Armstrongism and Adventism build walls of legalism that separate their followers from the broader body of Christ.

The Law, the Feasts, and the Never-Ending To-Do List

While Adventists fixate on the Ten Commandments (especially the fourth one), Armstrongites go even further, insisting that Old Testament feast days are mandatory for Christians. Never mind that Paul explicitly calls these things shadows that have been fulfilled in Christ (Colossians 2:16-17)—for these groups, grace isn’t quite enough. There must always be an extra layer of works, lest their followers become too comfortable in their salvation.

The gospel, however, tells a different story. Christ’s work on the cross was sufficient (John 19:30). The New Covenant sets believers free from the burdens of the law (Galatians 5:1). Yet these groups continue to chain their followers to a system of rules and regulations that Christ Himself fulfilled.

The Fear Factor: Scaring People Into Obedience

Armstrongites warn of an imminent Great Tribulation where only their faithful remnant will be spared. Adventists, not to be outdone, insist that the world will soon enforce Sunday worship, leading to mass persecution of Sabbath-keepers. Both rely on fear-mongering to keep their followers in line, using worst-case scenarios to drive compliance.

Contrast this with the message of orthodox Christianity: assurance in Christ, security in salvation, and a faith built on love rather than fear (1 John 4:18). The gospel invites people to rest in Christ’s finished work—not to live in perpetual anxiety over whether they’re obeying enough rules to make the cut.

Conclusion: A Gospel Distorted

At their core, both Armstrongism and Adventism fail the gospel test. Instead of pointing people to salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), they burden their followers with law-keeping, exclusivity, and theological fear tactics. Their leaders claim to have rediscovered “lost truths,” yet in reality, they have simply repackaged old heresies under new names.

So, are Armstrongism and Adventism spiritual cousins? Absolutely. Are they legitimate expressions of Christianity? Not even close. If you want legalism, fear, and theological confusion, these groups have plenty to offer. But if you want the true gospel, look to Christ—not to a prophetess in the 1800s or a self-proclaimed apostle with a failed track record.

Comparing Cults: Armstrongism vs. Adventism © 2025 by Ai-COG is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0 

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The Illusory Truth of David C. Passover

The Illusory Truth of David Passover

A popular manipulation and mind control technique inside The Restored Church of God is the use of verbal repetition. A blatant lie becomes biblical truth only because it is said over and over again.

Pastor General David C. Pack preaches his revolving door of private interpretations as Holy Spirit-inspired knowledge. Pasting verses that temporarily support his narrow viewpoint, he drills ideas into members’ minds until his fantasy becomes a reality.

For many years at Headquarters, while working in Media Production Services, I was instructed that speakers should not invoke Mr. Pack's name or comment on what he taught. Those moments were cut from the messages before they were distributed to the church.

But then the policy changed. It became acceptable for men to praise the Pastor General and even reinforce his doctrines by parroting his points.

When useful idiot and department torpedo Edward L. Winkfield III began praising his boss and preaching about Dave’s topics, I knew it was time to go. Ed’s slobbering love fest was right on the heels of Dr. Frederik Jaco Viljoen urging the brethren to stay in the present truth and forget recent parts of “The Greatest Untold Story!” Series.

Even slick-haired politician Bradford G. Schleifer has become Dave’s cheerleader. The Headquarters hirelings circle the wagons around their human idol to protect him from the fiery darts of discerning minds and fair questions. Quoting the Bible to your field mollusk will invoke a firm response. Ask those who have tried.

The brethren of The Restored Church of God may not understand Dave's teachings, but they somehow believe them. Why?

False ideas repeated ad nauseam tunnel into their minds until they passively accept them as true. They will forget how they “proved” a concept because they never did. Their critical thinking was beaten into submission by frequent and unrelenting repetition.

The Psychologia article Mind Control Techniques To Be Aware Of examines standard manipulation techniques. Those who attend The Restored Church of God should take careful note.

Isolation | Criticism | Social Proof & Peer Pressure | Fear of Alienation | Repetition | Fatigue

Repetition
Constant repetition is another powerful persuasion tool. …chances are someone may attempt to use repetition to manipulate you into thinking and behaving in a certain way.

When the broken prophecy record skips 569 times, even the stoutest of disbelievers are negatively affected by the long-term exposure to deceit and biblical corruption, allowing their minds to accept pure manmade malarkey as God-led revelations.

As reported in the 2023 article, Talking Until It’s True, the exrcg.org website has exposed how the delusional Pastor General manifests his own version of reality by simply speaking words.

Once Dave determines his words are practically from God’s lips, anything taught for months can become “immutable church doctrine” with accompanying table pounding and dramatic pauses. Until he decides to blow it off in eleven seconds because only he is blessed with such authority.

The phenomena The Restored Church of God suffers from is the Illusory Truth Effect, which Psychology Today explains in detail. The article nails down what David C. Pack and the complacent Headquarters hirelings are doing and how repetition affects the human brain. It should be a fascinating read for any RCG member.

What Is The Illusory Truth Effect?
The illusory truth effect is the tendency for any statement that is repeated frequently—whether it is factually true or not, whether it is even plausible or not—to acquire the ring of truth. Studies show that repetition increases the perception of validity—even when people start out knowing that the information is false or when the source of the information is known to be suspect.

The article makes another key point: “Repeated statements, whether they are factually true or false, are easier to process—they create processing fluency, which lends them validity.”

Welcome to The Restored Church of God. Many doctrines taught during “The Greatest Untold Story!” Series feel true because the repetition of preposterous falsehoods lends to validity. What David C. Pack preaches does not need to be authentic because repeating similar statements continuously gives the brain the impression they are accurate.

David C. Pack replaces words in the Bible to reflect his perverse self-aggrandizement. He deceives those members who do not pay attention by endlessly inserting his own ideas onto the page.

Employing repetition to create illusory truth, David C. Pack imprints these fraudulent teachings upon the brethren of The Restored Church of God:

1 Samuel 2:35 – Elijah is the faithful priest
Isaiah 11:1 – Elijah is the twig
Isaiah 41:2 – Elijah is the righteous from the east
Isaiah 58:1 – Elijah will cry aloud and spare not
Ezekiel 34:23-24 – Dave is "My servant David."
Zechariah 3:1 – Dave is Joshua, the High Priest
Habakkuk 2:2 – Dave rushes to call it out and make it plain
Matthew 24:43 & Luke 12:39 – Dave is the goodman of the house
Luke 12:43 – Dave is the servant found so doing
Mark 13:34 & John 10:3 – Dave is the porter
Revelation 10 & 11 & 16 – Dave is the Messenger to the Seventh Era
Revelation 10:7 – Dave ends the Mystery of God
Revelation 10:9-11 – Elijah eats the book and prophesies again
Revelation 11:1-2 – Elijah measures the Temple
Revelation 22 – Elijah is the angel talking with John
Revelation 22:10 – Dave unseals the Book of Revelation

That selection is far from complete. The Restored Church of God accepts all those statements as true simply because David C. Pack says so.

Those unbiblical teachings manufactured by David C. Pack stand unchallenged by the brethren and are defended with the approval of the entire Headquarters and field ministry. No shred of truth exists in any of those doctrines, and not a single word is found in the Bible.

David C. Pack is not Elijah. He is not Joshua, the High Priest. He is not an apostle. He is not a prophet. He claims to be these things by repetition so that worn-out members no longer question how they came to believe the lies.

David C. Pack uses the Bible as an illusory truth device to trick brethren into believing what can be easily proven false. All he has to do is keep reading the verses and inject his ideas.

While researching the All Eyes on Passover article, quotes from David C. Pack claiming his last name means “Passover” flooded my notes. Repeating this for decades, he clings with all his might because it furthers the delusion that he is God’s chosen end-time servant. If his name really is Passover, then that makes him special.

If Dave can convince RCG members that his name has biblical significance, it would reinforce his legitimacy as the one to end the Mystery of God, despite the 124 date failures since August 2013.

Part 248 – April 11, 2020
@ 57:40 Like I said, my name’s David Passover. I’ve studied these things a bit.

@ 58:00 You can imagine I’d take a little more interest. I was 18 years old, and Dr. Hoeh walked up to me and introduced himself to me and wanted to tell me, "You know, your name means Passover, and you're a Levite." I said, "Now, you're you're a Levite." I said, "Oh, well, how how do you know?" I mean, I was in awe. I'd read his articles. I'm just I'm not I'm 18 years old, and I've been on campus about two or three weeks, and he said, "Well, because your last name is Passover." "Really?" So, I was pretty young when I learned that. That was 53 years ago.

Someone please resurrect Dr. Herman Hoeh and punch him in the face. That guy did the members of The Restored Church of God no favor putting such a notion into Dave’s head. The last thing you want to do to a budding narcissist is plant the seed that his name suggests he is destined for greatness.

Anything can have significance to Dave. Even his coital partner can foster prophetic implications.

Part 248 – April 11, 2020
@ 02:14 I’m I’m, you know, I know the subject of Passover thoroughly. You know, remember, my name is David Passover. And then so, I guess, my wife would be her name is Vernia. That means Spring. Her name is Spring Passover. So, if you got the name Passover, and I learned that as a freshman in college, then, you know, I I know what Passover means.

Those quotes were from five years ago. If you think Dave got it out of his system, think again. 

Part 560 – March 1, 2025
@ 1:32:36 As you’ve heard me say many times, why is my last name Passover?

@ 1:32:54 I read that I read that that God’s servant prepares the Passover. …so I’m thinkin’, “That’s interesting,” as I know who that servant is. So, why is my last name Passover?

@ 1:33:22 Names are important. Was it or just just a wild it, just a coincidental thing that that's my last name? And I I would say No. It's not. Passover is dead on. Abib 1 is close.

Dave drags his parents into his fantasy world to prove how extra special he is in his god's eyes.

Part 564 – March 22, 2025
@ 1:19:11 You know, when your last name is Passover, it kinda stays with you. And when your father and mother in 1944, Mr. and Mrs. Passover, got married on the first day of Passover. They didn’t know it. …brethren, I don’t say this stick in your head, but that stuck in my head like you just wouldn’t even believe. When your name is David Passover, and your parents were bapti–were were were, I’m sorry, were married a marriage on Passover, it just you you it just gets you. I just have to ex–and you've known, and I'm known for almost 60 years what Pack means.

Dave will not let anyone forget how exceptional he is by proving through repetition.

Part 423 – February 25, 2023
@ 35:19 The Jews have long expected Elijah to be active during the Passover. …I mean, every time I think of my last name, I’m I think of the the Passover season.

Part 435 – April 15, 2023
@ 1:03:07 And by the way, finally, finally, I understand why my last name is Passover. Jews all know that. David Passover. In fact, it's David Passover, in a way, to start the year and end twice. Not the first Passover. The second Passover.

Part 479 – November 11, 2023
@ 1:25:07 So, no wonder the Jews say they set a place for Elijah at Passover. They they do have the Old Testament. They expect to see him at Passover. And I would look, and I would say, "My last name is Passover."

His blind, desperate belief in the significance of his last name changes his perception of church doctrine. His private interpretations guide him, not God’s Spirit.

Part 488 – December 30, 2023
@ 1:42:03 I I thought to myself, “What am I missing? My last name is Passover. My name isn’t David Abib 1.” And I’m trying to figure out why would God give me the name Passover if it’s Abib 1. Well, it isn’t Abib 1.

Part 505 – April 6, 2024
@ 38:18 My name is not David Abib 1, it’s David Passover, which is kind of interesting. I’ve thought about that many, many times. You've heard me cite it.

Those are not all the instances, but they get the point across.

Ask any member what their Pastor General's last name means, and they will tell you "Passover." Not because they researched and proved it but because of the illusory truth effect.

David C. Pack teaches illusory truth and can waft away doctrines with the wave of a hand because they consist of smoke and mirrors.

Despite claiming his last name means Passover, David C. Pack has been prophetically wrong about the arrival of the Kingdom of God 124 times. Special name or no special name, the man is still a blaspheming hypocritical liar, false prophet, false apostle, and biblical charlatan.

Another illusory truth is how often the Book of Daniel has been unsealed, resealed, and unsealed again at the end of the Series. I sense another Frank Kelley Compilation on the horizon.

Part 211 – October 24, 2019
@ 1:05:37 And without understanding this verse, Daniel could never be considered unsealed. So today, and not before today, and you won't doubt this in about three minutes today and not before today is Daniel fully unsealed.

@ 2:15:14 Now, as far as I can see, Daniel and Revelation are now unsealed. And you know all that happens after Christ comes. I believe quickly.

Flash forward six years and lament, RCG brethren.

Part 561 – March 8, 2025
@ 21:31 So, learning the 1335 and thus, in a way you could say, “The final, great unsealing of Daniel,” seems to invoke Habakkuk 2, where it'll surely come. After a final message is a tiny, tiny micron.

The Book of Daniel, being unsealed by David C. Pack, is either the illusory truth or the real truth.

Part 278 – January 7, 2021
@ 53:42 It’s inarguable. You you you there no way out of it. And no one ever knew it. That is truly the last jot and tittle of Daniel being unsealed.

Part 282 – January 22, 2021
@ 1:44:27 Daniel has been unsealed. We’re near the time of the end.

Part 439 – May 2, 2023
@ 00:46 Daniel is now unsealed. Mostly because we found the Sixth Head. …And until you found this this great first head, you certainly couldn’t say the Book of Daniel was unsealed. That you could be near the time of the end.

Part 494 – February 24, 2024
@ 20:18 Truly, it’s this prophecy that has been sealed to the time of the end. And I’m gonna unseal it in in in powerful fashion before we leave tonight.

Part 498 – March 11, 2024
@ 24:41 Nobody understands this. But it’s as plain as day when God opens it up. And remember, Daniel being unsealed is a sign that we’re near the end. I never understood this until recently. We couldn’t have been near the end. But I do now.

Part 501 – March 30, 2024
@ 1:35:47 I can tell you that every space and every syllable in Daniel is unsealed, and you're supposta be at the time of the end.

Part 530 – August 10, 2024
@ 1:04:58 As we go on over to Daniel 10, it’s perfect for me to say. You know, understanding that 1335 and what I'm gonna tell you right now, truly, surely, truly Daniel is unsealed. We hafta be near the time of the end. The Little Book of Revelation is open, and so is Daniel.

@ 1:15:13 Surely, Daniel is unsealed. If all of this is not correct in timing, can’t argue with you can’t argue with all the different things that happen. I and and they’re all tied to timing. But if there’s something wrong, then God is doing something with timing that we just cannot yet know.

Part 533 – August 31, 2024
@ 01:40 And, believe me, God unsealed Daniel in a most spectacular way.

@ 02:47 Incidentally, Daniel being unsealed is its own great proof of time being short. Until this verse alone was unsealed, there’s no way the Book of Daniel was unsealed.

Part 545 – November 15, 2024
@ 1:29:27 Daniel is now, finally, completely unsealed, and this is a metric. We must be at the time of the end.

These words should ring hollow because the needle on the broken record keeps skipping, creating a melodic resonance of illusory truth based on deceit.

Whether the myth perpetuated in The Restored Church of God is that David C. Pack’s last name means “Passover,” or the Book of Daniel is unsealed, or Jesus Christ will return on Abib 1, or Elijah is talking to Zechariah, the illusory truth effect is alive in well, and the brethren let it happen.

RCG’s lies are not sequestered to prophetic interpretations but permeate the church culture. Fearful reiteration warps the brains of the brethren to believe:

If you don’t understand this, God isn't working with you.
People leave saying, "I know this is the true church, but this is taking too long."
You're headed to the Lake of Fire if you don't pay Common.
Disbelieving the latest date is a faithless act.
Question RCG's government is questioning God.

The wolves in sheep’s clothing like Bradford Schleifer, Edward Winkfield, Carl Houk, and Jaco Viljoen want what Dave wants—the willful ignorance of the brethren disguised as patience. The Headquarters hirelings are banking on members to continue being complacent sheeple who are averse to holding their leaders accountable.

Weary brethren strain to understand the deluge of frantic, conflicting information dumped on them each week. Not understanding what David C. Pack teaches has nothing to do with intellect or spiritual comprehension or indicates wisdom. It is pure nonsense that even Dave does not believe.

Fool me once; shame on you.
Fool me twice; shame on me.
Fool me 124 times; why are you still there?

Brethren of The Restored Church of God, stop allowing yourselves to be manipulated by men who make merchandise of you. Listen carefully to your Pastor General. Prove all things and hold fast to that which is good. Believe your Bibles.

Do not accept the illusory truth of David Passover.

Marc Cebrian

See: The Illusory Truth of David Passover

AiCOG: Comparing Cults: Armstrongism vs. Mormonism The Odd Offshoots of Christianity

 

Comparing Cults: Armstrongism vs. Mormonism

The Odd Offshoots of Christianity

by AiCOG

Christianity has seen its fair share of offshoots, but few have managed to build full-fledged religious empires out of creative reinterpretations of doctrine quite like Armstrongism and Mormonism. Both claim to be the one true restoration of the faith, both thrive on apocalyptic urgency, and both have an unhealthy obsession with their human founders. If we put them in a room together, they might just form a new sect called the Church of Fraud of Latter-Gay Snakes.

Despite their theological differences, Armstrongism and Mormonism share an eerie number of similarities, especially in how they twist scripture, demand cult-like loyalty, and add extra-biblical revelations. While orthodox Christianity remains rooted in the teachings of Christ and the apostles, these two movements have concocted alternate histories, bizarre eschatologies, and extra-scriptural authorities that would make even the most eccentric televangelist blush. So, let’s take a ride through the land of self-proclaimed prophets, angelic encounters, and prophetic date-setting, all while contrasting these heretical hijinks against real Christian doctrine.

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1. Self-Appointed Prophets and the Art of Self-Promotion

Cults:
Both Armstrongism and Mormonism are built on the charisma (or narcissism) of their founders. Joseph Smith and Herbert W. Armstrong were men of vision—quite literally, in Smith’s case, since he claimed to see angels giving him golden plates. Armstrong, on the other hand, didn't need plates; he simply received "truth" that had supposedly been lost for 1900 years.

Christianity:
Orthodox Christianity, by contrast, isn’t reliant on a single human figure for legitimacy. Jesus Christ alone is the foundation (Ephesians 2:20), not a conman with an overactive imagination or a failed ad-man turned apostle. Real Christianity doesn’t hinge on the latest visionary’s new revelations but on the unchanging truth of the gospel.

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2. Extra-Biblical Scripture: Because One Bible Just Isn't Enough

Cults:
Mormons have the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. Armstrongists don’t technically have a second Bible, but they may as well, given the sheer volume of Armstrong’s writings treated as inspired. Reading Armstrong’s "Mystery of the Ages" is practically a rite of passage for the faithful, much like a young Mormon memorizing passages from Joseph Smith’s works.

Christianity:
Orthodox Christianity, however, sees the Bible as a complete and sufficient revelation from God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). No need for hidden plates, angelic visitations, or restored truths from men who conveniently declare themselves the only ones to receive them.

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3. The Cult of Personality: When Leaders Become Demigods

Cults:
Mormonism has Joseph Smith and a long succession of "prophets, seers, and revelators." Armstrongism had Herbert W. Armstrong, and when he died, the movement splintered into various factions, each with its own leader vying for the title of supreme Restorer of Truth™. The legacy has continued, with figures like Jon Brisby and Stephen Flurry ensuring that devotion to Armstrong remains alive and well.

Christianity:
Meanwhile, Christianity revolves around Christ (Colossians 1:18). No apostolic succession of self-proclaimed prophets is needed. Christians are called to follow Jesus, not the latest leader who claims divine authority.

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4. Restored Truth Syndrome: Everyone Else Got It Wrong Until NOW

Cults:
Armstrongism and Mormonism both thrive on the belief that historical Christianity completely lost the truth for centuries—until their respective leaders conveniently rediscovered it. Mormons claim the church went apostate after the death of the apostles, while Armstrongists believe Christianity went off the rails shortly after the first century, only to be corrected by Armstrong in the 20th century.

Christianity:
But if Jesus promised that the gates of hell would not prevail against His church (Matthew 16:18), how could Christianity have been lost for nearly two millennia? Orthodox Christianity doesn’t suffer from this messiah complex; it trusts that God preserved His word and His church throughout history.

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5. Eschatology: The End is Always Near!

Cults:
Both movements have a flair for the dramatic when it comes to the end times. Mormons have their elaborate prophecies about America’s role in the last days, while Armstrongists have spent decades predicting the Great Tribulation (spoiler: it’s always just a few years away). When dates fail, they just move the goalposts—a strategy that would make doomsday cults proud.

Christianity:
Meanwhile, biblical Christianity acknowledges that while Christ will return, we don’t set dates or indulge in conspiracy theories (Matthew 24:36). The gospel isn’t about fear-based urgency but about faith in Christ.

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6. Works-Based Salvation: Jumping Through Hoops for the Kingdom

Cults:
Mormonism and Armstrongism both preach a form of works-based salvation. Mormons require temple rituals, celestial marriage, and a lifetime of good standing with the church to reach the highest heaven. Armstrongists insist on Sabbath-keeping, holy day observance, and dietary laws, treating grace as something to be supplemented with proper rule-following.

Christianity:
Christianity, on the other hand, teaches salvation by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). No temple endowments, no required feast days—just faith in Jesus Christ. The gospel is simple, but that doesn’t sell as well as an intricate system of legalistic hoops.

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7. Secretive Doctrines: Because a Good Cult Always Has Hidden Knowledge

Cults:
Mormons have secret temple ceremonies with handshakes that resemble something out of a Freemason playbook. Armstrongists have their "deeper understanding" of prophecy and hidden knowledge about the identity of modern-day Israel. Both groups pride themselves on having access to truths that outsiders just don’t get.

Christianity:
Christianity has no need for secret knowledge. The gospel is openly preached to all (Romans 10:9-10). There’s no need for secret handshakes, coded language, or obscure prophetic interpretations that only the enlightened few can grasp.

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Conclusion: Christianity Versus Counterfeits

Armstrongism and Mormonism share a lot in common—man-centered leadership, extra-biblical revelations, legalism, and esoteric doctrines. They twist the Bible to fit their theological narratives and demand loyalty to their self-proclaimed prophets. While they differ in specific doctrines, they both function as counterfeit versions of Christianity that elevate their founders and institutions over the simple, powerful message of the gospel.

Orthodox Christianity, by contrast, has no need for secret doctrines, apocalyptic fear-mongering, or new revelations from modern-day prophets. It stands firm on the gospel of Jesus Christ, who alone is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). No Armstrong, no Smith—just Christ.

Perhaps the next time a pair of young men on bicycles or a zealous Armstrongite tries to hand you a booklet, you can hand them a Bible and remind them that the real restoration happened 2000 years ago—and it was finished on the cross. ✝

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Comparing Cults: Armstrongism vs. Mormonism © 2025 by Ai-COG is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0

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Ai COG: Messianic Torah Observant Israel? The Armstrong Cult in Disguise

If you're feeling nostalgic for the days of Herbert W. Armstrong, but with a little more “Jewish flair” and fewer endless sermons about the “Philadelphia Era,” then have we got a group for you! Messianic Torah Observant Israel (MTOI)—the group that wants you to believe it’s all about following Jesus while adhering to every last Jewish law—is essentially Armstrongism with a yarmulke. That’s right, folks, you can now observe the Torah while pretending that you don’t know exactly where your “feast day” teachings really came from. Spoiler alert: they came from Herbert W. Armstrong.

A New Name, Same Old Cultish Vibes

MTOI may have traded in the title "Church of God" for something that sounds like a more kosher version of a Torah study group, but make no mistake: underneath the surface, it’s Armstrongism through and through. Led by “Rabbi” Steve Berkson—a former member of the Worldwide Church of God (WCG)—MTOI is a well-crafted rebranding of the same doctrine that’s been keeping its members in a state of spiritual confusion for decades.

Oh yes, Rabbi Berkson may now sport a tallit and encourage you to say "Yeshua" instead of "Jesus," but his teachings are firmly rooted in the same legalistic mindset that the Worldwide Church of God proudly embraced under Herbert W. Armstrong. The key difference? Now there’s a menorah in the front of the room instead of a framed portrait of Armstrong’s face. No wonder Berkson found it so easy to transition from Armstrongism to Messianic Judaism—he was merely stepping into the same doctrine with a slightly different wardrobe.

Self-Appointed Leaders: A Tradition of “Divine” Appointments

Ah, the classic self-appointment—nothing quite says "authentic spiritual leader" like a leader who declares themselves to be just that. Rabbi Steve Berkson is no different from his predecessor in spiritual self-promotion, Herbert W. Armstrong. Both men, in their own ways, decided that they were the “chosen ones” to lead their respective flocks, despite any formal qualifications, theological training, or external validation.

While Berkson might wear the title of “rabbi,” let’s not forget that it’s entirely self-bestowed. Just like Armstrong, who made himself “apostle” without so much as a seminary degree, Berkson has no rabbinical ordination or recognized Jewish lineage. Yet, much like Armstrong’s claim to be the “only true apostle,” Berkson operates as though his position is divinely ordained—because he says it is.

This self-appointed authority isn’t just a quirky habit—it’s a cornerstone of the group's structure. Why question a leader who has appointed himself to the job? After all, who needs a congregation of peers to validate your status when you’re convinced that God himself has granted you the title, right? Just like Armstrong’s exclusive “Church of God,” MTOI’s leadership hinges on Berkson's personal vision, not any external or historical legitimacy.

In the grand tradition of Armstrong, Berkson's followers are expected to buy into the idea that the self-appointed leader is the authority. And if you question that? Well, you’re just questioning “God’s appointed servant”—which is, of course, another classic cultic tactic.

Torah Observance: The Armstrongian Dream

When you step into an MTOI gathering, you’re not just learning about Jesus. You’re being indoctrinated into a meticulous set of rules—Sabbaths, holy days, and kosher food laws—that may make your average Orthodox Jew raise an eyebrow. But it’s not about embracing Jewish culture or tradition for the sake of deeper understanding of the Bible. Oh no. It’s about creating the illusion that, somehow, these practices make you a “true Christian” (or better yet, a “true disciple of Yeshua”). Sound familiar?

Remember the old WCG teaching that salvation was dependent on yourability to toe the line of “biblical obedience”? Well, MTOI has just replaced "The Church of God" with a shofar and swapped out Armstrong’s self-appointed apostles for a whole new leadership structure. You’ll get the same heavy-handed focus on obedience to laws, only this time it’s “Torah observance” and “Jewish identity.”

Feast Days and the Return of the Golden Calf

MTOI is particularly obsessed with the Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot—nothing screams “genuine faith” like a tent in your backyard, right? It’s not just a fun way to celebrate biblical history; it’s presented as a necessary part of your salvation. But let’s not kid ourselves: this isn’t about honoring God’s festivals—this is about a cultish insistence that unless you observe these rituals, you might as well be throwing away your eternal life.

Sound like something you’ve heard before? That’s because, once again, this is pure Armstrongian doctrine, dressed up in the robes of Messianic Judaism. Armstrong’s people, just like MTOI’s leaders, were obsessed with specific, nit-picky rituals that had no clear biblical mandate but made the group feel elite. And who could forget the endless church-sponsored trips to Sukkot sites? In MTOI, the same idea is recycled, with Berkson at the helm, eager to remind you that your spiritual well-being is intrinsically tied to how you celebrate the “biblical feasts” that coincidentally reflect the teachings of Armstrong’s original cult.

The Cult of Personality: Just Like Armstrong, but with More Chutzpah

MTOI’s leader, Rabbi Steve Berkson, is a master at presenting himself as the humble “teacher” who is just leading people to the truth. But let’s take a step back, shall we? A leader who once belonged to the Worldwide Church of God—a man who likely learned how to manipulate and coerce people into following him during his time there—is now running a group where the leader is the authority. Does this sound familiar? It should. It’s straight out of the Armstrong playbook.

MTOI, much like Armstrong’s own churches, isn’t about the gospel of Jesus—it’s about following the leader. It’s about observing the law with the same level of intensity as if salvation depended on it. If you don’t toe the line in MTOI, you’ll quickly find yourself on the outside, just like in the good ol’ WCG days. The “community” becomes less about fellowship and more about conformity. After all, who could challenge the "Rabbi" without risking excommunication? Oh wait, that’s just the type of spiritual authoritarianism that Armstrongism thrived on, just with a more Jewish-looking façade.

The Big Hypocrisy: Armstrongism, but With a Side of "Yeshua"

The heart of the issue is simple: MTOI pretends to be a Christian organization, but it’s really just Armstrongism dressed in a new outfit.Berkson and the rest of MTOI’s leaders, who once drank deeply from the well of Armstrong's teachings, can’t help but continue perpetuating the same false doctrines. Whether it’s the emphasis on following the law as a means of salvation, or the insistence that only a select group of people are truly part of the “elect,” the doctrines are eerily familiar.

MTOI may proudly claim they’re following Jesus (or Yeshua, if you will), but the only thing they’re really following is the same legalistic, self-righteous framework that has plagued Armstrongism for generations. You can dress up these teachings in Hebrew roots and Torah observance, but at the end of the day, it’s still the same cultic mindset—your salvation is based on what you do.

Conclusion: From Armstrongism to MTOI—The Same Old Song, But with a New Mask

So there you have it: Messianic Torah Observant Israel is nothing more than Armstrongism with a kippah and a side of falafel. Whether it’s the cultish devotion to rituals, the obsession with Feast Days, or the unquestioning allegiance to a leader who knows exactly how to build a personality cult, MTOI is just Armstrongism repackaged. All the self-righteousness, all the legalism, all the exclusivity—it’s all there, only now it comes with an extra dose of “Jewish authenticity.”

But here’s the rub: The gospel of Jesus Christ is not about following rules and rituals to earn your salvation—it’s about faith in Him and the grace He offers. The real freedom and truth come from trusting in Jesus, not in human-made laws or self-appointed leaders. Jesus came to set us free from the endless cycle of trying to earn God's approval through our actions. He has already done the work, and His grace is sufficient for our salvation.

So, if you find yourself tangled in the web of legalism or lost in a cult of personality, remember that Jesus is the answer, not a list of rules or the whims of a self-proclaimed rabbi. Embrace the gospel—the good news that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. Only He can give you peace, freedom, and eternal life, and He doesn’t require a membership card to His inner circle. He’s already offered it freely to anyone who believes in Him.

MTOI can keep offering you a checklist of feasts and laws, but Jesus offers something far better: salvation by grace through faith. There’s no need for a rabbi or an apostle to point the way when Jesus has already lit the path.

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Messianic Torah Observant Israel? © 2025 by Ai-COG is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0