Hershey, PA and the US and Rwanda Governments Are Picking On God's Most Favorite COG

Well, it's another day in COGland and it never disappoints. Where would we all be without the weekly Letter to the Brethren from Bob Thiel to his 101 Caucasians and his church hopping African latcher-on's?

For weeks, Satan, that rascally guy, has been attacking their servers and causing bedlam. It now seems to be over as the Great Bwana did not mention it this time. However, Satan is still very busy trying to thwart the amazing work of the greatest Church of God in human history and the ONLY COG that you can belong to if you plan on escaping the tribulation.

The Great Bwana - The Chosen One has been trying to make Hershey PA a Feast site, but Satan has already booked the town for the second year in a row. No Hershey Bars for Bob!

Church services for the Feast in 2025 are to begin at sunset on October 6th and run through (including the Last Great Day) sunset October 14th in 2025.

We had once again hoped to try to go to Hershey, Pennsylvania for our primary North American site, but again some other conferences are going on there which may make it unaffordable and impractical. We also reached out to Oklahoma City, but there was no acceptable proposal–yet 

 

The Great One Chosen by God then turns his attention to the intense persecution from Amazon/US Government and the Rwandan government who are being used by Satan to thwart the world's most amazing work: 

We ordered 200 English language copies of our Bible Hymnal from Amazon Kindle to be sent to Kenya. Amazon USED TO also print our songbook for us in other African languages, but stopped doing so for us and others who published in non-European languages (I suspect from pressure from US government authorities).

Anti-Small Church Moves in Rwanda 

 

As reported here before, the government of Rwanda required all churches in that nation to own their own church building. We have assisted the brethren there get a small plot of land and provided funds for building supplies. They have been waiting to put on a roof because a government inspector stated that they had to wait as new rules for churches were about to be announced.
They have been and they are terrible. 

 

Without going into all of them, here is one section of the new rules:

(f) a list of at least 1,000 members of the community where the organization intends to operate, supporting the organization with their signatures, national identification or passport, and telephone numbers.

We do not have 100 in Rwanda, let alone 1,000.

Maybe, just maybe Rwanda is getting tired of opportunistic American cults trying to take advantage of their people. American cults have been doing this for decades.

On another note, he is bragging about being on a Seventh Day Adventist podcast spreading his message. He sees all of these people as buffoons and as a useful tool to get his message across. He bragged last week on being deceitful to them and using them for his own advantage.

I was able to be a guest on another podcast production on Monday at 6:00 am. The host was a Seventh-day Adventist and it went well. He expects it to go live on March 26th.

Here is a link to a page that has information on my earlier appearance on Monica Hansen’s The Graceful Warrior podcast

Here is a link to a page that has information on my earlier appearance on Michael Klassen’s 5 AM Podcast

Luke was inspired to write:

27 Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. (Acts 14:27)

Being a podcast guest looks to be another door which is currently opened.

The Chosen One ends with stating that you cannot escape the tribulation unless you are a supporting member of his cult.

Concluding Comments

Notice something recorded in the Book of Esther:

13 And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13-14)

Many do not see how that is a message for end time Christians today. There are many actual Christians who think that they will escape the coming ‘hour of trial,’ yet they do not think that they need to support the work of the end time Philadelphian remnant.

Those that do not support have falsely concluded they will escape–but that is a false hope.

We in the Continuing Church of God are not being silent at this time and are reaching people in person as well as in many forms of media as we strive to support the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14 as well as prepare for the short work of Romans 9:25.

Sincerely,

Bob Thiel

Pastor and Overseer

 

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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