Will You Be Ruling Over Ten Cities?

Parable of the 10 Minas

Will You Be Ruling Over Ten Cities?

In my last post, I discussed how Herbert Armstrong confused human notions about governance and the exercise of authority with God's conception of those things. Indeed, we demonstrated that his failure to comprehend the profound differences between the two models led him to twist the meaning of the Kingdom of God! To be more precise, we made it very clear that Armstrong's emphasis on GOVERNMENT and RULERSHIP was misguided, and it twisted his understanding of what the Gospel of the Kingdom of God was all about. In this post, we will demonstrate that it also twisted his understanding of one of Christ's parables about the Kingdom (It actually twisted Armstrong's understanding of many parables, but we don't have the space or time to go through all of them here).

In the nineteenth chapter of Luke, we read:

11 The crowd was listening to everything Jesus said. And because he was nearing Jerusalem, he told them a story to correct the impression that the Kingdom of God would begin right away. 12 He said, “A nobleman was called away to a distant empire to be crowned king and then return. 13 Before he left, he called together ten of his servants and divided among them ten pounds of silver, saying, ‘Invest this for me while I am gone.’ 14 But his people hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We do not want him to be our king.’
15 “After he was crowned king, he returned and called in the servants to whom he had given the money. He wanted to find out what their profits were. 16 The first servant reported, ‘Master, I invested your money and made ten times the original amount!’
17 ‘Well done!’ the king exclaimed. ‘You are a good servant. You have been faithful with the little I entrusted to you, so you will be governor of ten cities as your reward.’
18 “The next servant reported, ‘Master, I invested your money and made five times the original amount.’
19 ‘Well done!’ the king said. ‘You will be governor over five cities.’
20 “But the third servant brought back only the original amount of money and said, ‘Master, I hid your money and kept it safe. 21 I was afraid because you are a hard man to deal with, taking what isn’t yours and harvesting crops you didn’t plant.’
22 ‘You wicked servant!’ the king roared. ‘Your own words condemn you. If you knew that I’m a hard man who takes what isn’t mine and harvests crops I didn’t plant, 23 why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’
24 “Then, turning to the others standing nearby, the king ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one who has ten pounds.’
25 ‘But, master,’ they said, ‘he already has ten pounds!’
26 ‘Yes,’ the king replied, ‘and to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. 27 And as for these enemies of mine who didn’t want me to be their king—bring them in and execute them right here in front of me.’”

In his explanation of this parable, Herbert Armstrong wrote: "Now notice in verse 17, the one who had gained ten pounds is given authority to RULE CITIES - 'have thou authority over ten cities'! To the one who had gained five pounds, he said, 'Be thou also over five cities.' This is speaking of the SECOND COMING OF CHRIST and of His delegating authority to rule to saints converted during this Christian era, between Christ's first and second appearings (sic) on earth. This parable, then, was spoken to make clear to us that the Kingdom of God is a literal GOVERNMENT, to be set up AT CHRIST'S SECOND COMING - and not before!" - Just What Do You Mean - Kingdom of God? Armstrong also observed on another occasion "Some resurrected saints will rule over ten cities, some over five (Luke 19: 17 -19)." - Tomorrow - What It Will Be Like

Unfortunately, Mr. Armstrong always had trouble interpreting symbolism because of his obsession with literalism. He seems to have forgotten what a parable is! In their article, What is a Parable? Christianity.com provides this definition of a parable: "A parable is a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, as told by Jesus in the Gospels. The word "parable" comes from the Greek word 'parabolē,' which means 'comparison' or 'illustration.' Parables typically employ everyday situations and characters, making them accessible to a wide audience." In the writings of Herbert Armstrong referenced in the preceding paragraph, he seemed to understand that the nobleman represented Christ, but he quickly abandons any notion of symbolic meaning and declares that this passage means that resurrect saints will be ruling over literal cities in God's Kingdom! In other words, he is making the parable conform to his understanding that the Kingdom of God is all about "GOVERNMENT."

Now, let's return to the parable itself and reread it without Mr. Armstrong's obvious bias. According to Luke, why did Jesus give this parable? Didn't he tell them this story "to correct the impression that the Kingdom of God would begin right away?" Isn't it obvious that Christ's disciples had the same obsession with a literal, human-like kingdom that Herbert Armstrong developed? Didn't Christ's disciples think in terms of Christ overthrowing Roman rule and restoring the Davidic Kingdom? In this connection, please review Acts 1:6-8. Do you think that the parable is about actual money being distributed to Christ's disciples? Is it possible that the story is pointing to the gifts of the Holy Spirit being distributed to them? Is it possible that the story is suggesting that those servants should be about the business of growing in grace and knowledge - developing the fruits of that Spirit which were entrusted to them? Is it possible that the story is suggesting that those individuals who have grown the most in love, kindness, and mercy will be the greatest in the Kingdom? Indeed, wouldn't such an interpretation be more consistent with our understanding of the definition of a parable? What do you think?

One more thing. All of this brings another passage of Scripture to mind. In the thirteenth chapter of Matthew, we read:

10 His disciples came and asked him, 'Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?'

11 He replied, 'You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. 12 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. 13 That is why I use these parables, For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.'" (Matthew 13:10-13, NLT)

Is it just me, or does that suggest anything to you about Herbert Armstrong's status as a disciple of Jesus Christ?



Posted by Miller Jones/Lonnie C Hendrix

LCG Members Need To Be More "Jesus Like" So They Can Make It Into The Kingdom

 

Work, work, work...

Stay Focused: Jesus taught, “Seek first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33), and He warned against being sidetracked by the cares of this world (Matthew 13:22). The Holy Days just ahead picture the culminating events in the Plan of God, and Satan will use all kinds of devices to distract us from focusing on God’s plan for mankind (2 Corinthians 2:11). Atonement pictures the time when Satan’s influence on the world will be removed. The Feast of Tabernacles pictures the coming Millennial reign, when Jesus Christ and the Saints will reign on this earth and “restore all things” (Acts 3:19–21). The Last Great Day looks forward to a time when all who have ever lived will be resurrected into a very different world to finally learn the Truth (Revelation 20:5; John 7:37–38). During the Feast, make time to pray for the sermons and for God’s people. Take some quiet time to reflect on why you are at the Feast and how you can be a light and serve others. Identify changes you need to make to become more like Jesus Christ so you can be in God’s coming Kingdom.
Have a profitable Sabbath and a wonderful Feast,
Douglas S. Winnail

Ex Member Stories - Interview with Scott Williams and how UCG Destroyed his father's life - Part II

 

Scott Shares How Elder Father Was Ex-Communicated by United Church of God - Affecting His Health - Eventually Killing Him. Scott shares how he believes today, More on his 10 years of breakdown and dealing with this. How did he get out and why. What he still struggles with today - "the wall" he put up (and likewise his father) in order to protect ourselves. The moment we stop playing god in our lives and in the lives of other and the process of "Surrender". The splintering of the church and still splintering to the point of so much splitting, division and splintering that we begin to go straight to God.

Facebook: Ex-Worldwide Truth Seekers 

Facebook: Angela's Inspirations 

Dan & Angela Clark - YouTube Chanel: Ex-JW Cult Recovery Life After Religion

YouTube: Ex-Worldwide Church of God Truth Seekers

I Am The Apokathistemi Sent To Restore All Things

 

California has always been known as the land of fruits and nuts, and no one is nuttier than our Great Bwana Bob Mzungu Thiel, the anointed one set apart by God as the foundations of the world were whirling about. A man so awesome that he was to rise up in the late 20th century to bear witness to the church and the world as a prime example of what happens to deluded men when mental illness and deviant doctrines of the church join forces.

Today the Great Bwana is all in a snit thanks to Gerald Flurry claiming that Herbert Armstrong was the Elijah and restored all things to the church. This just frosts the Great Bwana's butt to no end. How dare Flurry proclaim such a thing when he, the Great Bwana Bob, is the REAL endtime Elijah who has restored all previous as well as new truth to the church! How dare Flurry say otherwise!

Christ said this Elijah would “restore all things.” Mr. Armstrong then noted, “Now John the Baptist didn’t restore anything. They already knew about the law, and he called them to repentance; but he didn’t have to give them sermons about what all the law is. They knew that. He just called them to repent and turn to another way, and baptized them.”

The “restore all things” part of Christ’s statement is at the heart of what makes this the most pivotal end-time prophecy.

There are many end-time prophecies, and people naturally tend to focus on the ones about wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes and supernatural disasters. Some people focus on things like blood moons.

But this prophecy is what Jesus Christ focused on.

This prophecy is directly connected with His Second Coming: He said this man would restore all truth within the Church just before the Day of the Lord. This is a sign of the nearness of Jesus Christ’s return that you must not ignore!

And what makes this even more important is that this prophecy has already been fulfilled!

Already Fulfilled

There was a man who fulfilled this preparatory role in the end time. A man who did “restore all things.”

That man was Herbert W. Armstrong.

This did not sit well with the Great Bwana Bob. After all, he is the chosen one sent by God for this end time age to warn the world and the church to repent and return to the one true faith. The Great Bwana writes:

Herbert W. Armstrong did restore various doctrinal truths to the COG, but Herbert W. Armstrong did not restore all things–though he did claim to restore at least 18.

Since Herbert died never restoring all truth, this obviously means there is someone yet to do that, at least in the Great Bwana's eyes. Of course one can make one guess as to who that end time Elijah must be.

The “very end” of the Church age was not over 37 years ago! The 6000 years have NOT yet been fulfilled. Since the “very end of the Church age” has not happened, and Herbert W. Armstrong died decades ago, his writings support that there must be another Elijah. And he was referring to an individual in the Mystery of the Ages. 

The Great Bwana then drags out Dibar Apartian, as if he is a reliable source of information (he is not).  

That being said, sometimes Herbert W. Armstrong did think that he may have fulfilled the Elijah role, but he told the late Dibar Apartian (who told me) that he was NOT the Elijah. Dibar Apartian did not believe that Herbert W. Armstrong was the Elijah when we discussed this several times and he agreed with me about this. Furthermore, essentially on his deathbed, Herbert W. Armstrong admitted to his closest aide, Aaron Dean (who told me this multiple times) that there could be an Elijah to come after he died. 

 

Combining what Herbert W. Armstrong wrote in The Mystery of the Ages and the length of time since his death demonstrates that Herbert W. Armstrong could not have been the final prophesied Elijah. (Note: All hyperlinks to blasphemous heresy have been removed)

The Great Bwana Bob continues:

So there is an ‘Elijah’ past – John the Baptist. And Matthew 17:11 does NOT say that “All things” = God’s laws and all the true doctrinal teachings while WARNING His chosen people, Israel, of the Great Tribulation.

Herbert W. Armstrong could not have restored ALL THINGS (Mark 9:12) as scripture and his own writings show he could not have been the final Elijah since he died so long ago. Neither did he nor the Bible define ALL THINGS as Joel Hilliker has.

Since the Bible does teach that there will be an ‘Elijah’ who is alive right before Jesus returns (Malachi 4:5-6), thus it is not possible that Herbert W. Armstrong was the prophesied final Elijah.

Now, presuming Jesus will return within the next couple of decades, then that ‘Elijah’ would need to be alive now. And he would be part of the church that places the highest priority on the truth.

You can easily see where this is headed.

Yet, most Christians seemingly refuse to accept that.

Well, I wonder why? The church has seen some of the most idiotic men proclaim themselves over the decades as Elijah sent by God to warn the world and the church. Every single one of them has been exposed as liars. Dave Pack, Gerald Flurry, and Bob Thiel are liars all.

We in the Continuing Church of God are regularly restoring more truth about church history, Jesus, the Bible, doctrine, and prophecy. And we have done this more (and in more languages), by far, than any other group in the 21st century (COG or otherwise for that matter). Plus we have restored important truth about why God created anything and His plan for each human.

What a load of useless crap!

The crap gets thicker as the Great Bwana Bob attempts to prove that he is a prophet, the Elijah and soon to be one of the two witless witnesses. I can just picture him and Laura Weinland roaming the streets of Jerusalem together. What a hoot!

The Great Bwana then proceeds to link to one of his bouncing videos on why he is the 21st Century Elijah:

Was John the Baptist the prophesied Elijah or at least a type of Elijah? Is there an Elijah to come? Have Sabbatarians been teaching this a long time? What were 18 truths that Herbert W. Armstrong said God had him restore? Was anything to be restored in the last days, consistent with Daniel 12:4 and Matthew 17:11? Was God supposed to restore dreams and prophets in the last days? Did the Worldwide Church of God teach such would happen again? Have we seen signs of Acts 2:17-18 in the Continuing Church of God? Is Bob Thiel the final Elijah or one of the two witnesses? Why or why not? Has there been the restoration of important truths in the CCOG? Is the CCOG at least setting the foundation for the 21st century Elijah? Dr. Thiel gives information relating to all of that in this sermon.

If you truly believed the Bible then you would believe everything the Great Bwana Bob says and kneel at his feet acknowledging him as your end-time prophet, your Elijah, and 1/2 of the two witless witnesses. But none of you will do this since you are all Laodicean reprobates sent by Satan to disrupt the glorious truths the Great Bwana has to share.

Sadly, just as many would not hear Elijah’s nor John the Baptist’s messages, relatively few will pay much attention to the end time Elijah as well.   

 

That is not a surprise as most Christians in the end times are to be Laodicean, and Jesus warned the Laodiceans since they would not ‘get with the program,’ that they would be punished (Revelation 3:14-18). 

 

Of course, if you are willing to believe the truth and do what the Bible teaches, that does not have to include you.

There you have it! The Great Bwana has spoken. Repent! Return to the one true faith that even Rod Meredith rejected as did the ENTIRE Living Church of God ministry and its membership.