While reviewing "The Greatest Unending Story! (Part 409)," delivered yesterday, December 10, 2022, something David C. Pack of The Restored Church of God said sparked an interesting line of thinking that captured my attention.
@ 04:08 I’ve gotta be faithful with this. He that handles the word of God cannot do it deceitfully. I know there are people in the church and people who’ve been with us who would do it much better than I would…They don’t face the pressures…The pressure is staggering. I have chest pains you wouldn’t even believe…it’s not a good thing because of the pressure to get it right. I fear God…the pressure is staggering. And over 15,000 hours of study didn’t readily reveal the problem.
The fuller comments are less than one minute.
There will be a more complete analysis when the article covering Part 409 is published.
These statements pulled me into a line of thought I would not have shared two months ago. In interviews and privately, folks ask me what I think will happen to David C. Pack and The Restored Church of God. Since I am an unordained non-prophet/non-psychic, I still say I do not know.
However, I have my theories.
For David C. Pack to admit he has chest pains is a big deal. He historically hides that type of thing. The pressure he feels to get things right flies in the face of the idea that God is guiding him into truth. God’s Spirit is moving him to unveil the Mystery of God. The Greatest Untold Story! Series is a prophecy being fulfilled.
With his admitted chest pains, his mental reality is crashing, and his body is telling him so. The physical world is colliding with his imaginary world.
The following is a work of "reasonable" fiction based on my understanding of the players inside RCG. I know these men. I worked with them for over eight years. All of this could happen. Whether it does or not is in God's hands.
David C. Pack is killing himself. The best thing for him and all the members of The Restored Church of God is to declare that he is not fit to lead. He should resign as Pastor General immediately. He should admit he has been wrong and was seduced by the excitement of figuring out Bible prophecy. After he set his first date and failed, he knew there was no turning back. The train can never stop.
Surrounded by weak enablers, he was encouraged to continue. Nobody shouted, "The Emperor is naked!" from the crowd or the third floor.
By far, 2022 has been the worst, with the continual date-setting and failures followed by even more date-setting and failures. Excuses, excuses. Blame and boo hoo. It is all figured out, but then there is something “we” missed. David C. Pack has become the very thing he warned RCG about. But, he has also become what the Bible has warned about.
He needs to stop and admit he fell into an addiction. And like all addicts, he must focus on sobriety to begin the recovery process. Until then, he cannot be trusted. He needs to put his Bible down, spend quality time with his wife, and get professional help so he can heal.
For the sake of his own health, David C. Pack steps down as President and CEO of The Restored Church of God. He resigns as Pastor General. He stops preaching.
The structure of God’s government dictates that the only living evangelist steps in to lead, which no brethren disagree with. Bradford G. Schleifer is rewarded for his years of suffering under an insufferable man. He leads a “Great Reset” on doctrine. He restores 95% of Herbert W. Armstrong’s understanding. He instructs the ministers to focus on Christian growth sermons and diminish the need to “figure out” prophecy. “God will do it in His own time,” will be a comforting principle.
There is a Great Reset Damage Control Campaign to reassure the brethren that RCG is still God's church and that this nine-year trial by fire has ended. Since Jesus Christ is the head of the church and not a man, losing David C. Pack as Pastor General is a small matter not to be concerned about. After all, Joshua took over when Moses died. Solomon became king after David. This is the Bible pattern.
RCG endures a MASSIVE wave of resignations across the globe. About half the church evaporates within the next few weeks. The hirelings at Headquarters and in the field smell the blood in the water and scatter like cockroaches when the light comes on. Some staff members see this as their chance to bolt. And bolt, they do.
Splinter groups COGwa, UCG, and LCG have a sudden influx of new members seeking refuge from a burning house. The RCG Exodus is talked about throughout the entire COG community.
The Restored Church of God putters along. For a while.
Mrs. Pack files for divorce before the U-Haul arrives. Dave’s children still do not accept his calls even though they know what is happening.
Coffee Kid and Pepper Boy are demoted for their contribution to the attempted destruction of RCG. They can keep their ordinations but are sent out into the field to learn how to shepherd. Some real pastoring experience will do them good, it is thought. But, both resign after a few weeks, deciding it is better to focus on real life and their families rather than continue to support a broken system that God is not supporting.
Brad addresses the “rising star” inside RCG, that has had his eyes on the throne. Edward L. Winkfield is sent into the field, probably to Australia or another country. This removes him from Headquarters so that he is no longer a threat to the new head honcho.
The three horses are sold at a discount or shipped off to make glue. All the properties along Hartman Road are put up for sale. The Campus land extending from Eagle Point to Hartman is on sale for development or farming.
The previous owners are offered to get their land back for pennies on the dollar. They accept and allow the grass to grow wild again in the sight of Dave's house.
Once those financial resources are depleted, the homes along Akron Road are sold. One at a time, just in case attendance and Common turns things around. But, the hull has been pierced, and the Titanic will flounder.
Without warning, Brad resigns from RCG and flees to settle someplace nice with the self-insulating nest egg he legally created with his corporate position. “How did his golden parachute get so big so fast?” will be a question former RCG members will wonder about for years.
I told you he was a savvy guy.
By this point, Dave grows a beard and wears a robe all day. He has secretly begun to study Bible prophecy again. God reveals some amazing things he wishes he had known years ago. Now, it all makes sense. It fits perfectly. The picture is finally complete. He preaches to the mirror but manages to keep it under 90 minutes each time. Part 502 is a barnburner of a message. Very inspiring.
He watches the Campus and church he built collapse from his window. It grieves him. As does the eviction notice on the chair that doubles as a dining table.
If only he had not eaten the forbidden fruit of setting dates for the return of Jesus Christ.
If only he had not self-ordained himself an apostle.
If only he had not come to see he was Joshua, the High Priest of Zechariah 3.
If only he had not believed he was Elijah the Prophet.
If only he had not taken on a name of Christ for himself, claiming he is actually That Prophet.
If only he had seen what was so plainly presented before his own eyes.
The reality is David C. Pack will not admit fault. He will not see his errors, and he will not quit. He will continue to set dates and watch them fail. The enabling hirelings will continue to agree. The brethren will continue to wait to be disappointed.
Those pressure-induced chest pains are not a sign of God's Spirit comforting him because he is right on track and fulfilling God's good pleasure. It should be a stark warning of where he is and where he is heading.
The end of him and RCG will be far worse than the scenario presented.
May God have mercy on David C. Pack.
Marc Cebrian
See: What If?
