It's another sunny day in COG prophetland and our favorite COG prophet is getting so tired of being mocked that he is not a legitimate COG prophet that has to drag out Norm Edwards to bring him some legitimacy.
You remember Norm Edwards, another self-appointed church leader who thought he was the final authority on all kinds of church matters, so much so that started The Shepherds Voice magazine and bought land in Port Austin, Michigan where he thought COG members would flock to for all kinds of classes. That never materialized, but he did start a recovery program for addicts at the campus which did help a lot of people in recovery and integration back into society. Edwards later sold the campus and moved on to other things.
Our most superfantabulous COG prophet to ever lead a COG in the history of humanity, who in spite of being the Great White Bwana to Africa, is still seeking to find legitimacy in the eyes of COG members who continue to mock and ignore him. Bwana Bob Thiel probably has this emblazoned upon his mirror in his bathroom so he can see it every day,
"A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country,
and among his own kin, and in his own house." Mark 6:4)
The Great Bwana has once again posted a long article by Norm Edwards on the "need" for prophets in the church today more than we need their "prophecy". Jesus apparently isn't good enough, so, like all corrupt humans, there needs to be someone physical to look up to. Jesus is not adequate.
Bwana Bob writes:
Many are fascinated with prophecy and speculative interpretations.
But less interest in any possible genuine prophets at this time.
Norman Edwards, a former board member of the old Global Church of God, wrote an article Need Prophets More than Prophecy.
After a long screed by Norm, Bwana Bob has this to say:
Norman Edwards runs Nashville Christian Media and has been the editor for Shepherd’s Voice magazine. He is not part of the ContinuingChurch of God, where, I function as its human leader (and am an anointed prophet; the only known such prophet in any legitimate Church of God group).
It still fascinates me how Bwana Bob can lie so much about his self-appointment and ordination. God never planned this, was part of it, or sanctified him as a prophet. That is a fact that he can't refute.
But of course, I am an unconverted backsliding Laodicean heathen who refuses to acknowledge Bob's prophethood status. Bwana Bob has some choice words for people like me (and you):
While Norman Edwards and I have long disagreed about aspects of church governance and various matters of doctrine (and I would have suggested a different title, etc. for his article), we both agree that many who are in or claim to be in the Church of God (COG) wrongly do not accept that God has any prophets today. We also agree that most have severe difficulty to identify one who really is a prophet because of various unscriptural biases and improper criteria that they have.
What improper criteria?
This?
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. Matt 7:15
For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Matt 24:24
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 Peter 2:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. 1 John 4:1-6
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. 2 Cor 11:13-15
But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.’ And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word that the Lord has not spoken?’— when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him. Deut 18:20-22
Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. Jer 23:16
For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. Romans 16:18
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 2Tim 4:3-4
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. 2 Peter 2:1-3
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Matt 7:15-20
The Bwana continues with this:
Because of false prophets in a couple of COG-related groups and a disbelief in prophets by most of the COG groups, the non-Philadelphian COGs have a lot of severe prophetic misunderstandings.
The entire COG movement has NEVER had any PROPER prophets in their midst in its modern-day history and this includes Herbert Armstrong, Richard Ritenbaugh, Gerald Waterhouse, Rod Meredith, Gerald Flurry, Dave Pack, Ron Weinland, and the host of other self-appointed know-it-alls over the decades.
As Norman Edward’s article points out, it is scriptural to now have prophets according to the New Testament. But many who truly believe that they live by the word of God have discounted or overlooked what the Bible actually teaches and/or have been influenced by others who have done the same or worse. The COG has at least one demonstrably true prophet today, yet most in the greater COG world seem to be able to ignore the truth about that, like most ignored John the Baptist and others in their day.
What utter bullshit! Bob Thiel is NOT a true prophet and that is a fact!
The Great Bwana also says:
The current problem is that most end time Christians are Laodicean and instead of using God’s criteria, they use their own.
More smelly bullshit! If anything that the COG's do have right. its the fact that most do not see the need for yet another beta-male liar standing up pounding their underdeveloped chest proclaiming, "look at me!"
All any of these fools do is take the focus off of the One they are supposed to be following but refuse to.
Don’t listen to the sermons of the prophets.
It’s all hot air. Lies, lies, and more lies.
They make it all up.
Not a word they speak comes from me.
Jeremiah 23:16
