Rick Shabi of UCG, The Same Old Tired Stuff

Rick Shabi of UCG, The Same Old Tired Stuff

A friend recently invited me to review two presentations by the President of the United Church of God, Rick Shabi. The first, The Man of Sin Revealed?, is the same old vitriol against the Roman Catholic Church which only Armstrongites and Protestants of three hundred years ago could truly appreciate. In this instance, he excoriated Pope Francis for allowing the blessing of same-sex relationships. According to Rick, homosexuals need to be kept on the outside looking in – that they are entirely undeserving of God’s blessing! For Mr. Shabi, the Pope has changed God’s Law and made good that which is perverted and bad.

The truth, however, is that the Pope’s recent declaration is far cry from an endorsement of same-sex relationships. As a recent article in America: The Jesuit Review pointed out, “As noted in ‘Fiducia Supplicans,’ Pope Francis’ response to the dubium on blessing same-sex unions ‘provided important clarifications for this reflection and represents a decisive element of the work of the Dicastery.’ While acknowledging that the church ‘has a very clear understanding of marriage...and it is much more than a mere ‘ideal,’’ the pope insists that ‘pastoral prudence must adequately discern whether there are forms of blessing, requested by one or more persons, that do not convey an erroneous conception of marriage. For when a blessing is requested, it is expressing a plea to God for help, a supplication to live better, a trust in a Father who can help us live better.” In other words, the position of that church on same-sex relationships has NOT changed – the Pope was simply calling for a little more kindness toward the folks who find themselves in those circumstances. The article went on to quote Francis as saying: “in our relationships with people, we must not lose pastoral charity…. The defense of objective truth is not the only expression of this charity.” (See How Pope Francis Reconciled Church Teaching with Blessings for Same-sex Relationships)

The not so subtle insinuation of Mr. Shabi’s message is that Pope Francis is probably the “man of sin” referenced in II Thessalonians 2:3. This is all part and parcel of the old Armstrongist message that the Catholic Church is the great false church spoken of in the book of Revelation. He reiterates the Armstrongist interpretation of the “little horn” mentioned in the book of Daniel and pointed to the pope and the Roman Catholic Church as the obvious fulfillment of that prophecy. Of course, he completely ignored the history of Herbert Armstrong’s modifications of God’s Law, and Mr. Armstrong’s horrendous record relative to relating biblical prophecies to current institutions and events. In other words, Mr. Shabi appears to be very comfortable with repeating the mistakes of the past and clinging to understandings which have been thoroughly discredited here and elsewhere over the last fifty years.

Mr. Shabi’s second presentation, A Biblical Worldview, was recorded for the church’s Beyond Today program. In the space of a little over twelve minutes, Rick asserted that the equally discredited notion that the English-speaking peoples of the earth are the descendants of the Israelites of old, and that this “fact” explains the current “decline” that those nations are experiencing. Not surprisingly, this observation centered around some comments by the notorious right-wing commentator, Tucker Carlson. In a speech to Canadians, Tucker noted that the nations of the “Anglosphere” are in trouble, and “they are on the brink of becoming not salvageable.” The former Fox News commentator, also humbly noted that he didn’t fully understand why this phenomenon was happening, “because I am not God.”

Mr. Shabi, of course, seized on the also long ago discredited Armstrong teaching about British-Israelism as the perfect explanation for the phenomenon that Tucker had so eloquently noted. For Mr. Shabi, God had blessed these nations (Britain, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States) because of promises he had made to their “ancestor” Abraham in the distant past. Rick even expanded on Herbie’s teaching a tad by insisting that the United States had drawn its form of government from a passage in Isaiah. For him, this passage from that book demonstrated his point: “For the Lord is our judge; the Lord is our lawgiver; the Lord is our king; he will save us.” (Isaiah 33:22, ESV) You know: judge – judiciary, lawgiver – legislative, king -executive. Don’t worry – it didn’t make sense to me either!

Mr. Shabi encouraged his audience to “Just look at the commonalities of these nations and their mindsets and their beginnings. Is there any other group of nations like them that share such ideals and success? All these nations are, or at least were, Christian nations, generally following the Bible and precepts outlined in it. Those principles, when followed, do result in blessings. And when a nation or individual departs from them, God justifiably takes away those blessings. It is a fact that you reap what you sow.” Of course, he completely ignored in these remarks the FACT that these “Christian nations” stole land and wealth from indigenous peoples all over the earth, engaged in the slave trade and slavery, ravaged the earth, denied status and rights to minorities, and imposed an imperial system on nations weaker than them. Never mind all that, those nations are CURRENTLY engulfed in wickedness and decline!

Yes, I’m afraid that as I listened to Rick Shabi’s messages, I experienced a little bit of déjà vu. Sure, the faces have changed, but the message of the United Church of God is like a blast from the past. The TRUTH is that these messages are basically the same old stuff that Herbert Armstrong preached in the last century. Sad, so sad!

Lonnie Hendrix

Gerald Flurry On How Not To Deceive Yourself

Considering that Gerald FLurry is not aging well and suffers continued health issues, the fun boys in Edmond had to drag up one of his old articles to repost. it is about finding true happiness and avoiding self-deception. 

Flurry writes:

Did you know that you can hear the Word of God and, at the same time, deceive yourself? Self-deceit destroys your happiness and deprives you of blessings. It makes your Bible muddled and confusing in many ways—in fact, God says He will actually hide His revelation from you! 

 

However, if you overcome self-deceit, you will have a strong spiritual house that can weather any storm. Your life will overflow with joy and happiness. God will pour out blessings on you. You will understand your Bible better. These are all promises from God!

So how do you not deceive yourself and remain happy? Keep the law!!!!!!!!

How many truly happy people do you know? Many reject Christ’s example and successfully gain temporary pleasures. But those pleasures do not bring real happiness, and they do not last. God created us to be continuously filled with hope, joy and vision! How much of those qualities do you see in the world today? A big reason for the prevalence of unhappiness is self-deception. 

 

Jesus also said, “[B]lessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it” (Luke 11:28). We must go beyond simply hearing God’s Word. We must guard it, protect it, live by it. When we do that, Christ promises we will be blessed.

When has Gerald Flurry or the rest of the Church of God ever "guarded, protected, and lived by the law"? Why is the god of the Church of God so impotent that it cannot guard and protect its word? The dude lost it for 1,800 years until Herbert discovered it in an Oregon library. Not a very powerful god, I would say.

Oh, by the way. Christ's blessings come from following him, not the law,

Flurry continues, describing the current state of affairs in the COG movement:

Some people were following Jesus and even calling Him “Lord,” or master.That surely seemed right and good. But here is what Christ said to them: “[W]hy call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). 

 

This is shockingly serious! These people felt very righteous! They followed Jesus around. They wanted to hear His words. They regarded themselves as His followers. But they would not do what He said! They were self-deceived! Christ boldly told them, I’m not your master if you don’t do what I say! There’s no point in calling me Lord unless you obey what I’m telling you to do!

They regard themselves as His followers yet do not do what he says or even understand what is accomplished. 

He then goes on to describe building your foundation upon a rock, something the Church of God movement has never done. They built their houses and still build their houses upon a man.

Christ went on to emphasize the importance of what we do with what God teaches us. “Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock” (Luke 6:47-48). 

 

What a marvelous picture! When you do as God commands, your life becomes stable and grounded—because you are building your life on the Rock! Hearing and then doing the word of God gives you great spiritual strength. Violent storms, difficulties and trials can arise, yet they will not shake you. No problem can cause you to leave Jesus Christ! 

 

What happens if you don’t do as God commands? “But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great” (verse 49). 

 

This man didn’t build on the Rock—Jesus Christ. He may have heard Him. He may have agreed with Him. But he did not do what He said. Matthew 7:26-27 say this man built his house on sand. When the flood came, the foundation of this house washed away in an instant. Many people who hear what God says fail to concentrate on applying it. Because they are not doing these words, they have no strength. Once a trial comes, their house quickly falls in, and they leave Christ.

At the first moment of "trial" in the Church of God all we have ever seen happen is people getting angry, then rebelling against church government, and then pitching a royal hissy-fit and starting their own group. Then, those same issues rear their ugly heads in the new group and more splits happen. Then more splits. All the while leaving Jesus sitting all alone in the local Masonic Lodge or local union hall as they split and splinter bitching and moaning about how bad things are. All of their houses are quickly falling apart.

World Renown Prophet Continues To Bear His Heavy Cross

 

I can't beleive he was stupid enough to say this. 

How US Navy's Bill the Goat Figures Into Prophecy - Yeshua House

 

Just when you think Armstrongism can't get any crazier, it does. This time it is from a sacred names splinter group that has Armstrongism ties. It is like reading an alternate universe version of our Great Bwana Bob Mzungu Thiel but in the same looney dimension.

Daniel 8:19, And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be. 20 The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. 

 

You would think Daniel who was one of the main rulers of Babylon at the time would have been able to figure out if this Ram was the country he lived next to…or if it was to appear in the End Time. He needed to be told the identity of the Ram and the Goat because these are not national symbols but are connected to how they conduct war and conquer their enemies. 

 

Daniel 8:21, And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. 22 Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power. 

 

While Alexander of Grecia is often depicted as either wearing a leopard skin or riding a horse spotted like a Leopard indicative of the speed with which he conquered…at that time it was not his national symbol. It became associated with him due to how he conducted war against his enemies. 

 

The angel clarifies this prophecy of the Ram and the Goat is for the End Time. I have proposed just as the angel indicated that the Ram is End Time Media and Persia now known as Iran and the great He Goat is not Grecia of Alexander’s Day, but as the angel indicated it is a great empire composing the west known as the post World War 2 USA Empire composed of the USA, United Kingdom, NATO, and various other nations around the world. 

 

Knowing that we may not find a national symbol of a goat connected with the USA we must wonder if there really is a connection. Many prophecy teachers have obsessed that the eagle is associated with the USA and we should look for connections between any scriptural reference to an eagle and the fate of the USA. 

 

Remember though that the symbols portrayed in Daniel 8 are not national symbols. This is why the great prophet Daniel couldn’t identify the characters portrayed and the angel had to tell him. The symbols that are portrayed are connected to those characters principal method and manner of conducting war. This should give us a hint. 

 

It is unequivocal. This Daniel 8 prophecy is not Alexander and it may not be “Grecia” or Ionia. It may be the great Western Empire of the USA inheritor of the End Time Grecian Empire. It may be the great Western Empire of the USA. Is there a connection between a symbol of a Goat and the means by which the USA conducts war? 

 

What is the principal means of war of the USA in the past 70 years? Air power and Naval power. The USA empire moves its Airforce to any local conflict both by air, “not touching the ground” and by Naval power through Aircraft carriers on the seas, again “not touching the ground”. The great He Goat of Daniel 8 is described by how it attacks…not by another national symbol. 

 

Daniel 8:5, And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. 6 And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power.

And what do they deem as the "proof" that the U.S. is the goat? Yeshua House grasps at straws just like our Great Bwana Bob Mzungu does. 

The fact that the Air Force/Navy has a goat mascot is the first "proof".

Bill, the goat. 

A sure sign of prophecy.

If this is true, can we find any symbol associated with the USA Airforce or Navy?

“One legend about the first association of the goat with Navy football tells of a pet goat who died at sea while aboard a Navy ship. The affection for the goat was such that the officers decided to save the skin of the animal and have it mounted upon arrival in port. Two young officers were entrusted with the skin when the ship docked in Baltimore. On the way to the taxidermist, the ensigns dropped in on their alma mater where a football game was in progress. With them -- for lack of a suitable storage place -- was the goat skin. While watching the first half of the game, one of the officers came up with an idea for some half-time entertainment. When half-time arrived, he romped up and down the sidelines cloaked with the goat skin barely covering his blue uniform. Such ungoatlike antics brought howls of laughter from the midshipmen, and the Navy victory that day was attributed to the spirit of the late, lamented goat. (https://www.usna.edu/PAO/faq_pages/BilltheGoat.php)

There is even a human named the "Goat". Prophecy comes alive in front of our very eyes! Woo Hoo!

Vice President Joe Biden smiles as Army Cadet Alex Fletcher celebrates being named the Goat of the U.S. Military Academy’s Class of 2016, in West Point, N.Y., May 21, 2016. The Goat is the last-ranking cadet to graduate and usually receives the loudest applause from the class. Biden delivered the speech at the academy's commencement ceremony. (https://dod.defense.gov/OIR/gallery/igphoto/2001542913/)

The looniness continues:

I am the first to admit I would have never dreamed of finding such a connection. But it is there. It is in the End Time and it is associated with the means and method of the USA conducting war in such a fashion that they “come from the west”…”on the face of the whole earth”… “ not touching the ground”…“come near”… and “moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him (Daniel 8:1-7). 

 

Clearly Daniel and the Angel are not describing national symbols, but are describing how these two great nations approach war. This opens the door that indeed Iran is attacked in the End Time right before the Day of the Lord by the empire of the West known as post WW2’s USA Empire. 

 

A global great horn that after this war with Iran (Media & Persia) is broken by one means or another and out of its greatness four less notable horns rise up on the global stage and out of one of those Horn’s arises the Antichrist who then conducts war to the south, east, and the Pleasant Land - Holy Land (Daniel 8:9). 

 

Geographically this lesser horn is likely Turkey and is currently a part of the Great Western Empire of the USA and NATO. 

 

Some may want to say Goats have two horns. Remember this is a prophetic vision with meaning. The goat portrayed has a singular power center behind it, unlike the Ram which has two horns or power centers behind it. The number of horns is indicative of the controlling power and authority…which in both cases end up broken.

It is time for all of you lazy backsliding Laodiceans to dust off your Bibles and join up with this one true remnant! Forget our Great Bwana Bob Mzungu Thiel! He preaches baby pablum compared to these biblically accurate chosen ones. 

Why are there no sane Church of God leaders?