Former RCG Headquarters Minister Ken Orel Warns About David C. Pack

Former RCG Headquarters Minister Ken Orel 

Warns About David C. Pack

Ken Orel resigned from his 15-year ministry in The Restored Church of God in May 2025. He is a former Headquarters Pastor and worked as a field minister in California, Arkansas, Georgia, and Australia. Ken came to the same conclusion as everyone who leaves RCG: Pastor General David C. Pack is a false prophet, false apostle, and false teacher.

The former “Chicago Heavy” has written a passionate plea to the remaining brethren of The Restored Church of God using the Bible to reason together, warning them of the damaging doctrines of David C. Pack and The Restored Church of God.

“He Only Has to Be Right Once—How Good People Are Being Led into Confusion and a Snare”

“He Only Has to Be Right Once—How Good People Are Being Led into Confusion and a Snare”

By Ken Orel

July 29, 2025

Proverbs 14:15
The simple believe every word: but the prudent man looks well to his going.

There is a spirit of error moving in the Church of God landscape—a spiritual infection spread by those who claim to speak for God. Pastor General David C. Pack of The Restored Church of God has made hundreds of prophetic claims about the return of Jesus Christ.

Every one of them has failed. And yet, some of his followers still say, “He only has to be right once.” Sadly, that is not faith. That’s a delusion. And worse, it mocks God.

Many sincere, faithful believers are being weighed down by confusion, anxiety, and the painful tension between what they are told and what they see with their own eyes. 

David C. Pack is only interested in one thing—being right. That doesn’t sound right. It does not matter that people are losing hope, suffering, being driven away, and even scolded because of their unbelief. It is a tragedy of the ages during this last era of the Church.

God is not confused about prophecy. When someone claims His authority and speaks in His name, when that thing does not come to pass, God calls it rebellion, and He warns that such lies make the hearts of the righteous sad. 

This article is a call to those in The Restored Church of God who are weary, confused, or afraid. It’s to those who have endured so much heartache and frustration.

Dear brethren of The Restored Church of God, don’t you think it’s time to return to the comforting and reliable voice of the true Shepherd, Jesus Christ, instead of a fallible human being who continues to cause you to hope in things that don’t come to pass?

You Have Made the Righteous Sad

False prophecy is not a harmless mistake. It’s a violation of trust. It’s an act that causes spiritual distress, doing significant harm to God’s people. In Ezekiel 13:22, God says to the false prophets: “Because with lies you have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad...”

Whether deceiving or just being self-willed and deceived, the liars Ezekiel warns about project a false reality in God's name by misrepresenting His will. This act burdens faithful brethren with confusion and doubt. When men like David C. Pack teach dates for Christ’s return while claiming to be led by God’s Holy Spirit, yet fail over one hundred times, it doesn't produce faith—it produces disillusionment. So many wonderful, sincere people have been chased away because of this one man’s strange teachings. Many have had to depart because their hearts were made sad. They came because of the promise of a safe place, solid in doctrine and vision, but they had no choice because their hearts were broken. Their faith was shaken in things that were not true. There’s a difference between building faith and subverting it. David C. Pack made the heart of the righteous very sad.

The spiritual trauma produced by deceivers causes havoc in people’s lives. Compounding the psychological toll, each failure is brushed off with a shrug, and a new “amazing” timeline is presented that undermines hours of previous teaching. People aren’t stupid. 

This never-ending prophecy series is starting to feel like a total scam, almost like he’s toying with us. It’s gotten to the point where a set date no longer even needs to fail before another one is established. Something is very wrong. Are the people who have finally thrown up their arms and have left because of feeling betrayed the only ones who recognize something is wrong?

The brethren say, “Mr. Pack only has to be right once.” But Scripture says otherwise.

Deuteronomy 18:22
When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken, but the prophet has spoken it presumptuously: you shall not be afraid of him.

Brethren, be not afraid of David C. Pack or men like him. God says they are false. Another (and within the context, much stronger) meaning of that word for “you shall not be afraid of him” is, “don’t abide with, dwell, gather together, remain with, or sojourn with.” God’s direction is very clear—don’t have anything to do with this man or any like him. Why? Because they can derail your eternal life.

The Standard of God’s Spokesmen

Contrast the quality of false prophets with the example of Samuel, a true prophet.

1 Samuel 9:6 (NKJV)
Behold, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honorable man; all that he says surely comes to pass.

“All that he says surely comes to pass.” That is the ultra-high standard of a prophet.

The Hebrew word translated as “honorable” means “weighty, esteemed, or glorious.” It's from the same root as the word used for the glory of God. That sets a high bar.

Consider what people are really saying when they say he only has to be right one time.  “He’s always wrong, but that’s okay. Someday, when he is right, then he will finally prove the mockers and scoffers wrong!”

What?!? Do we really think God supports that kind of broken thinking?  

When God’s prophets speak, their words carry weight because they reflect His voice. To mimic that voice falsely is to mock God Himself. It is not mere error—it is spiritual theft, stealing the authority of God to prop up human imagination and self-will.

From David C. Pack’s own words:

Is “That Prophet” Alive Today? The Rise of False Prophets, p. 48
“If a man predicts an earthquake (in 1994), or any other major event for a specific date, and it occurs even a few hours into the next day–and this happened with the one claiming to be That Prophet (referring to Gerald Flurry)--this is a failed prophecy, disproving the prophet’s authority! Close is not good enough. Actually, the chilling truth is that being close means that the man is connected to EVIL ELEMENTS IN THE SPIRIT WORLD!”

If ANYONE misses the mark as a prophet—even one time—God considers that one FALSE. Don’t fall for, “I was telling, not foretelling.” In God’s eyes, prophets do not get second chances. The damage has been done, and the imposter has been exposed.

Teaching Rebellion

Jeremiah 28:16
You have taught rebellion against the Lord.

Jeremiah gets right to the point when addressing Hananiah after he utters a single false prophecy.

Just one false prophecy. Compare that to the over 130 failed teachings of David C. Pack. Rebellion isn’t always loud and angry—it’s often hidden in soft-spoken certainty and “new revelations.”

By consistently speaking what God has not said, people like David C. Pack undermine the fear of God, damage the credibility of Scripture, and lead others to depend on them rather than Jesus Christ. 

Sincere brethren are literally making this man into an idol. That is rebellion, and it carries a cost.

The Fruit of False Prophets: Division, Control, and Fear

Matthew 7:16
You will know them by their fruits.

The fruit of false prophecy is not peace—it’s fear, fatigue, confusion, and division. Congregations fracture. Families splinter. Brethren exhaust themselves trying to “hold on” just a little longer for a return date that never arrives. But no worries. There is always another one offered on the horizon, keeping them hooked.

What has been the fruit of these many prophetic timelines? Encouragement? Peace? Joy? Or confusion, division, and fatigue? This is not the fruit of Jesus Christ. It is the fruit of human ambition.

True shepherds point people to Jesus Christ—not to themselves. True apostles don’t build personal kingdoms or glorious campuses. They lay their lives down for others.

Brethren, do not believe someone who has been discredited. Believe someone who “all he says comes to pass.” 

The Presumption of Forcing God's Hand

Ezekiel 13:6
They have envisioned futility and false divination, saying, “Thus says the Lord!” But the Lord has not sent them; yet they hope that the word may be confirmed.

There’s an unsettling element nestled within Ezekiel’s rebuke. It reveals something even more disturbing than deception—presumption. These false prophets speak as if from the mouth of God, even though He has not sent them. Then, they stand waiting—hoping God will fulfill the lie anyway. The members of The Restored Church of God are party to this by complacently listening to something that consistently proves untrue.

It’s a warped expectation that God will bend His will to protect “Mr. Pack’s” credibility. God help the person who does not think that EVERY word spoken out of their mouth will be accounted for. This demonstrates absolutely no fear of God whatsoever. 

And God help the person who knows by their conscience that something is just off. And yet they continue to blindly follow the blind.

Anticipating God will fulfill the lie is not faith. This places God in the impossible position of either allowing lies to go unchallenged or publicly exposing those who claimed His authority.

It’s no wonder God says just a few verses later in Ezekiel 13:8, “I am indeed against you…”

This is the very spirit we see among modern false prophets. To be clear, David C. Pack is not the only one, but he just so happens to be the most pervasive and dangerous.

Those who have proclaimed to “unlock” the dates and timing for Jesus Christ’s return have failed over and over again, then deflect from that reality by quietly updating the timeline with a reinterpretation of Scripture. The prophetic failure is spun as being part of the process of unsealing a deeper mystery, while God uses that disappointment as a test to measure a believer's commitment. We are on trial right now! God is testing the genuineness of our faith. He is proving who is gullible and who will believe what He says. There is too much riding on our success or lack thereof. 

All the while, members, along with the Pastor General, “hope the word may be confirmed.” They continue hoping that perhaps someday, somehow, something will validate the doctrinal error.

God will not endorse rebellion to protect a reputation built on false visions. David C. Pack’s actions speak louder than his words. He does not care for the people he is hurting. Life is too good in his palace to consider the carnage he’s causing.

Come Out From Among Them

There comes a time when staying silent is no longer love—it’s complicity.

To remain in a system that repeatedly steals God’s name, gaslights failure as being “right on track,” and shames those who are just weary by not listening any longer is a form of bondage.

Revelation 18:4
And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.”

You are not powerless. You are not alone. You are not beyond rescue. You are loved by God—and He is calling you to come out before it's too late. Do not allow your loyalty, friendships, or plain social comfort to cause you to sit and do nothing.

James 4:17
...to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

If you're having conscience problems because you know that David C. Pack and The Restored Church of God are off track, and you continue to do nothing, well, the verse says it all. Fear God—not a man who will attack and make fun of you, as someone God was not working with anyway. It hurts, but you have to be determined to stand up for the truth.

Acts 17:30
Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent...

This isn’t condemnation—it's an invitation to free yourself from bondage. God is patient, but He is not passive. He is calling every person—regardless of how they were misled—to turn back to Him instead of being in love with an organization or idolizing a “mighty man.” 

Rediscover that first love of the truth! God warned those in the Ephesian era who had “bourne and have had patience and for my name’s sake have labored and have not fainted (Revelation 2:3) to regain your first love (:4)! And commended those who “cannot bear them that which are evil, and you have tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and have found them liars” (Revelation 2:2). It’s okay to reveal sin and deception. Consider you could be saving someone’s life!

False prophets hope their words “may be confirmed,” but that doesn’t mean you should, too. 

Can you imagine Jesus speaking to the crowds and being caught lying? How about being caught with repeated inconsistencies? 

The wonderful remaining brethren in RCG are losing sight of why they were called. The whole point of all this is to be prepared to rule in the God Family. We have been given God’s Spirit first (firstfruits) to allow us the opportunity to train for something incomprehensible. Look at what your calling has devolved into by ignoring obvious bad fruit. If this is truly the man who is leading us into the kingdom (and a very small group at that), then God help us all. We are not allowed to casually drift along, not make a stand, and hope we make it to being kings and priests. God calls this era “lukewarm” for a reason! 

If your heart aches with sadness from experiencing false prophesying, manipulative teachings, and the slow erosion of trust in God’s Word, then you are hearing the Spirit. Do something! Save yourself! You should not continue to passively linger in this group that is heading off a cliff. At some point, inaction will seal your fate.

If you love the truth, do not align your loyalties to wicked men who bring false hope and disappointment to our brethren. Avoid such places and such men.

Nobody will ride someone else's coattails into the kingdom, especially the coattails of someone who does not fear God nor respect His precious word. Don’t lose sight that it is this time in human history when false prophets and apostles will explode on the Church of God landscape and be testing us. What if these few false prophets and apostles that we are aware of are not even the most seductive and dangerous ones to come? God, in His mercy, is trying to get us ready to fight against false apostles and prophets. The road ahead is going to be dangerous and wild.   

Revelation 3:20
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock...

If you are holding onto the empty hope that “Mr. Pack only has to be right once,” you are waiting around for that organization to change. The cold truth is that The Restored Church of God will not change as long as David C. Pack is at the helm. 

He cannot show you the way to salvation. Jesus Christ is your Savior, and He is waiting for you to answer His knock at the door. For years, people have not been hearing Christ's voice in that compromised house. People—good, faithful people—have been fleeing. Is it because we’re the rebellious ones who reject God? Or are we the ones who actually care and can see wolves in sheep’s clothing? 

Allow the voice of truth to cut through the Babylon of perpetual prophetic fantasies. Do you have the courage and conviction to leave your comfortable organization to go where God is directing you? Most will not act because it is too hard. “What will people think of me? I’ve been taught I’ll lose my salvation if I leave the Restored Church of God, the one true Church.” 

You have hard decisions to make—every begotten child of God has always had to make tough choices. If your loyalty is to God and not to anyone else, you must choose between remaining in Babylon or fleeing to follow the truth.

“Mr. Pack only has to be right once.”

Ask yourself: Is that really the standard God has given us at the end of the age? Are you comfortable putting all your eggs into that one flimsy basket?

Your decision could have eternal implications, so take the time and think it through. You are not the only one troubled by what is going on. Do something before it is too late.

Originally posted by Marc Cebrian

See: He Only Has To Be Right Once

Why Are LCG Members Always Being Reminded To Be Team Players?

 The Church of God's power structure

It's another day in our vibrant, beautiful world, yet Living Church of God members are being criticized for not being team players. Can they ever get it right? 

Unfortunately, Armstrongism has ingrained in its members the belief that they are the lowest of society, unworthy to stand before God. Despite this, they face constant reminders of their perceived worthlessness. As members, they’re placed several levels below the revered, enlightened leaders. Remember, boys and girls, God calls the dogs of the world, and you are right there under the table with the rest of them. You can't be a team player if you are fighting for the crumbs under the table.

Apparently, if they aren't team players working toward a common goal, they may not even be considered Christians. Weston lists several other issues, but his points seem to highlight problems with the church's ministry rather than the members themselves.

Are You a Team Player? Just as Jesus chose His disciples to help preach the Gospel, God has called us to be part of a team. Effective team players have skills and perspectives that can be identified and learned. Christian team players must be focused on the same goal—the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33)—and work together to preach the Gospel to the world (Mark 16:15). They avoid saying or doing things that offend others (1 Corinthians 10:32). They are forgiving (Matthew 6:14–15). They focus on the positive (Philippians 4:4) and look for ways to serve others and contribute to the mission of the team (Matthew 20:26–28). Effective team players learn to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9) and are able to defuse tense situations with calm words (Proverbs 15:1). They don’t make negative comments about or sit in judgment of other members of the team (James 4:11), but they are teachable, willing to listen and make adjustments to achieve the goal (Matthew 7:1–5). They appreciate that a team is made up of individuals with different talents and abilities, just like the body has different parts with important functions (1 Corinthians 12). Good team players learn to love their neighbors (Matthew 5:43–48). Jesus’ disciples had to develop these vital qualities—and so must we. Let’s all strive to be more effective team players!
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail

Did LCG Ramp Up Number Of Ministers At Summer Camp Because Of Reported Demon Possession Or Another Reason?

A member of the Living Church of God  sent me the latest weekly update from Gerald Weston addressed to LCG members. In it, Weston boasts about the presence of 12 ministers at this year's summer camp. Interestingly, this camp was held at the same Seventh-day Adventist facility where, the previous week, an attendee at Selden Monson's summer camp reportedly experienced possession by Legion himself, along with several lesser demons. Monson had reached out to LCG for help in casting out these demons, but Weston declined.

The LCG member comments:

Mr. Weston has written about the need for 12 ministers at this year's summer camp, claiming they were there to instill good values and traditions in the church's youth. However, many of us have heard that the real concern stemmed from the recent demonic possession of a minister's son at the Church of God Assembly summer camp, prompting LCG to ensure the safety of our children.

The excuse that Weston claims seems really shallow and a crafty diversion away from the fact that they were actually scared that the demons still might be active. 

Weston claims that these ministers were also present to set an example for our youth to demonstrate that they can actually do some physical work—setting up chairs, sweeping floors, washing dishes—for the teens to observe. This type of performative "good works" might impress the youth temporarily, but it’s a form of gaslighting that could backfire when these teens return home and some ministers resume their abusive behavior. Such visible acts won’t retain our youth in the church. Until the heavy-handed and outright abusive conduct of many in the ministry is addressed, we will continue to see our young people leave the church.

Weston's comments: 

I mention in this week’s video update that we had about ten ministers at our Texas Teen Camp, which ended earlier this week. To be more precise, we had an even dozen—some employed by the Work and others serving as unpaid elders. You may wonder why we have so many, and I think it will be helpful to explain. 

 

Having ministers at our camps gives us the opportunity to pass along values and traditions that we have built into these programs. Some people think of camp as a time for young people to have fun, and if they have fun, they are more likely to stay in the Church. This is wrong thinking. Parents strive on a daily basis to teach their children a godly way of life, and camps are helpful in reinforcing these values of courtesy, of thinking of the welfare of others, of treating others with respect, of the golden rule—the way of give as opposed to the way of get. Aunts, uncles, grandparents, and ministers have a part in supporting parents in teaching these biblical values. Camp is also an opportunity for the ministry to get to know and work with member volunteers and to instill in their minds the mission of our camps. Not everyone understands why we do things the way we do. At the Feast this year, we will take all of you into our thinking during the Behind the Work video. 

 

Another benefit of camp is that members and teens see the ministry outside of services—setting up chairs, washing dishes, sweeping floors, and doing custodial work, in addition to teaching classes. Our camps provide real-life workshops to engage with members and children. Please remember to pray for our camps—and for all the other programs the Church provides in its mission to preach the Gospel, warn the world, and feed the flock. We are more than the “Camp Church of God.”
—Gerald E. Weston

Dave Pack: Jesus Now Returning On October 6, 2025

 

Just when you think the Church of Godland can't get any more absurd, along comes Dave Pack to remove all doubt! He now claims Jesus will return on October 6, during the Feast, asserting this date marks exactly 10 years of his prophetic nonsense. Even more baffling are the employees and church members who sit there listening to his claims and believing every word.
Dave's followers have been so exploited that they can no longer recognize deception. Their cognitive dissonance has overwhelmed them, leading them to rationalize all of Dave's inconsistencies to avoid discomfort. Their lives have already been upended by giving everything to the church, so the fear of questioning Dave risks isolating them from the group's identity. They are all in this together now, until the end. Thankfully, on rare occasions, a lightbulb moment occurs, and people wake up and leave, breaking free from the controlling group dynamics.
While we may view Dave as an isolated case, he mirrors figures like Bob Thiel, Ron Weinland, and Gerald Flurry. These leaders have mastered deception by manipulating information and trust, telling their small flocks they are special and called out. This enchants believers who struggle to find a place in the world, feeding their need to feel significant and distinct from the fallen society around them. They create an "us vs. them" narrative, positioning their group as uniquely enlightened or chosen, boosting members' self-esteem and loyalty. This exclusivity is reinforced through supposed doctrinal purity, Holy day and Sabbath keeping, special insider knowledge, and specific promises of salvation—such as becoming kings, priests, and rulers of worlds at Jesus' right hand. This makes followers feel superior to outsiders, the worldly heathens, and backsliding Laodiceans. By fulfilling this psychological need, these leaders maintain control as members grow dependent on the group for their identity and purpose.

So, when October 6 arrives and Jesus chooses a different date, Dave's followers will sit there like wind-up toy monkeys, clapping their hands in delight at the announcement of a new date.

Crackpot Prophet Claims A Catholic Priest Recognizes That He Holds All Of The Qualifications Of A Prophet

 

It was only a matter of time before our esteemed Bwana Bob Mzungu Thiel scoured the earth to find a Catholic theologian whose description of a prophet perfectly matches himself. Truly, no one on this planet is more qualified to claim the title of prophet than our Great Bwana!

In his blog post, he begins by criticizing Gerald Flurry, dismissing Flurry’s claim that his plagiarized book, Malachi’s Message, is the “little book” of Revelation.

PCG also claims:

Malachi’s Message is an unwritten part of The Book of Revelation…The Little Book is a prophetic section of The Book of Revelation (Gerald Flurry, Philadelphia Trumpet Sept./Oct. 1992, “The Little Book” article pg. 6,7).

The angel over the Laodicean era had the little book in his hand. One of his major responsibilities was to get the little book delivered.

The little book has seven thunders. The whole Bible is referred to as a book—not a “little book” (Ezekiel 2:9-10; Revelation 5:1-2). So this passage is not referring to the Bible. The little book is only a small portion of what John saw in the book of Revelation. … Notice, the angel “cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth” (verse 3). It is like a lion’s roar. It is a message that has one blast of thunder after another—a series of seven thunders. The little book has an image of terror! It is prophecy about catastrophe! (FLurry G. The Little Book. Copyright © 1995, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2016, 2019 Philadelphia Church of God) 

 

That is opposed with what Jesus said, “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book” (Revelation 22:18). PCG has claim to have added to the prophecies of Revelation. 

 

It’s quite ironic coming from the Great Bwana, whose outlandish biblical interpretations pile on so much extraneous fluff that they make Flurry look tame by comparison.

Our Great Bwana is visibly irked that Flurry and other COG leaders dare to claim prophetic status, when it’s abundantly clear to the entire world—or at least it should be—that Bwana Bob is THE ONE TRUE PROPHET!

He then eagerly expounds on a Catholic theologian who outlined the criteria for a prophet:

Regarding prophets, Roman Catholic priest Msgr. Charles Pope wrote the following:

Samuel was surely one of the most significant prophets of the Old Testament and lived at a critical time, as Israel shifted from the time of the judges to the time of the monarchy. Ultimately, it was he who would see Israel through the difficult time of Saul’s reign and prepare and anoint them for David’s kingship to follow. 

 

What, then, are some of the ways in which God prepares Samuel and every prophet (this means you) for mission? Consider these five. 

 

1. The CLOSENESS of a great Prophet – In the first reading, we find the young Samuel sleeping in the temple of the Lord. In those days, the temple was not yet in Jerusalem nor was it a permanent building; it was a tent structure in Hebron. Samuel, as one in training for temple duties, is sleeping near the Ark of the Covenant, which carried the presence of God. Thus we see that a great prophet begins and remains so by staying close to the Lord. 

 

We must do the same if we wish to be great prophets to our family and friends. How will parents give prophetic witness to their children if they are distant from the Lord? How will a priest preach with authority and power if he does not stay close to the Lord? 

 

How do we draw close to the Lord? Daily prayer, devout reading of Scripture, frequent confession, weekly reception of Holy Communion, and a spirit of wonder and awe. Ask for these virtues. Stay close to the Lord. Great prophets stay close to the Lord. 

 

2. The CONSTERNATION of a great Prophet – The first reading depicts Samuel as struggling with some confusion as to what he is hearing and from whom. God is calling, but Samuel doesn’t get it. He struggles to figure out what is happening to him. A look at the call of the great prophets reveals that most of them struggled with their call. Moses felt old, inarticulate, and inadequate. Jeremiah felt too young; Isaiah, too sinful. Amos would have been content to remain a dresser of sycamores. Most of the prophets felt overwhelmed and experienced consternation. 

 

Samuel eventually figures it out who it is that is calling him and begins his journey. He had to listen for a while to do that, however. 

 

How about you? Many of us too would want to run if God made it clear that He had something for us to do. In a way, that is a proper response, for pride is a bad trait. To be troubled, to experience a bit of consternation and anxiety, helps us to remain humble and to keep leaning on the Lord. 

 

What is the Lord asking of you? Perhaps, like Samuel, you struggle to understand at first. Stay close to God and things will eventually become clear. 

 

The great prophets struggled, but that is the point. They struggled with God for an answer and for a vision. 

 

3. The CONNECTEDNESS of a great Prophet – Notice that Samuel does not discern on his own. He seeks counsel from a wiser man. Although Eli is not a perfect teacher, God does make use of him to help Samuel. 

 

We, too, ought to seek good, strong spiritual influences, friends and clergy, to help us to discern. Scripture says, Seek counsel from every wise man (Tobit 4:18). It is a bad idea to try to discern alone. We should cultivate relationships with wise and spiritual men and women in our journey. 

 

The great prophets were connected to spiritual leaders and teachers. They read and consulted other prophets. God does not just call us to a vertical, private relationship with Him. He also calls us to a horizontal relationship with others. Seek wise counsel—great prophets do. 

 

4. The CORE of a great Prophet – Samuel is advised by Eli to say to God, Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. A great prophet listens to God, but God does not always say easy things. He often challenges, but great prophets listen very carefully to Him. They do not try to bury His word; they do not forget what He says. They take what they hear seriously and do not compromise God’s Word. 

 

What about us? It is easy to avoid listening to God or to compromise what we have heard, but great prophets listen carefully to Him by doing these things: reading and studying His word, observing how He speaks through creation and in the events of each day, studying the teachings of the Church, and listening to the small, still voice within carefully and prayerfully. 

 

Do you want to be a great prophet? Then listen. 

 

5. The CAPABILITY of a great Prophet – We see in Samuel’s life how was gradually transformed into a great prophet of God who never compromised God’s word. The text says, Samuel grew up, and the LORD was with him, not permitting any word of his to be without effect. 01/16/21  A Picture of a Prophet – A Homily for the Second Sunday of the Year 

 

Behold, the Great Bwana Bob meets every qualification of a true prophet! Bow before the magnificent Bob and gaze in awe at his divine splendor! Tragically, nearly all COG members are too blind to recognize that the Great Bob is the earthly embodiment of a godly prophet! Shame on them!

He continues by smearing other COG groups:

Because of false prophets in a couple of COG-related groups (including PCG) and a disbelief in prophets by most of the COG groups, the non-Philadelphian COGs have a lot of severe prophetic misunderstandings. 

 

Remember that the Bible teaches:

7 Surely the Lord God does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. ( Amos 3:7) 

 

So in the last days, groups who do not believe there are prophets or those who listen to false prophets will not understand.

One thing that I have noticed is that the Laodicean Christians, as well as those of the Sardis Church, misunderstand end time prophecy. 

 

Bwana Bob proceeds to roll out his 55-point list (which I am not posting here), gleefully brandished to debunk all COG leaders and cement his claim as the ONE AND ONLY true prophet of the church today. No joke!

It still infuriates the Great Bwana to no end that Rod Meredith, the Living Church of God, and the United Church of God utterly failed to acknowledge his unparalleled greatness. Blinded by their ignorance, they’ll miss the memo on when to flee to the desolate refuge in Jordan, where Bwana Bob will reign supreme.

It should be noted that leaders in the Living Church of God and/or the United Church of God confirmed to me personally that I was biblically correct on pretty much all the above points (there were some I did not discuss with them), despite the fact that their respective churches hold to several of the errors pointed out above. Those who rely too much on a compromised ministry (Ezekiel 34:7-10) to teach them prophecy that is not truly in accordance with scripture need to realize that according to Jesus’ words in Revelation 2 & 3 and Luke 21, only relatively few Christians will be protected from the hour of trial that will come upon the whole world. 

 

There are also more prophetic differences that other COG groups have from the Bible. The reality is that without the right emphasis on the final phase of the work, holding the Bible in sufficiently high regard, practicing Philadelphian love, and ignoring one anointed like Elisha, the COG groups that ignore prophetic warnings are doing so to their peril.

Unless you repent and align with the One True Bob and his extraordinary church, you’ll be left unprotected during the Great Tribulation, which he fervently longs to see devastate the world around him—especially those idle Laodiceans who dare refuse to bow to his magnificence.

Without repentance, those who hold to certain of the listed errors will NOT be protected from the coming Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21) as they will not even know when it will begin until it has already started. 

 

While some discount prophecy, notice what Jesus admonished His faithful to do:

35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man. (Luke 21:35-36)

We can all sleep soundly tonight and for the next 5, 10, or 25 years, knowing with certainty that the Great Bwana Bob is a liar and a false prophet, and no true Christian would ever follow him.

Disfellowshipment and Marking: The Tools Of Oppression and Fear in the Church of God

 

Disfellowshipment and marking are practices rooted in biblical teachings, particularly in the Church of God and similar denominations, aimed at maintaining the spiritual purity and unity of the congregation. These practices, however, have been perceived by some as tools of oppression due to their social and emotional impact. Below, I explore why these practices were sometimes viewed as fearful within the Church of God, drawing on biblical principles, historical context, and social dynamics.

Biblical Basis and Purpose

Disfellowshipment and marking stem from New Testament directives to address unrepentant sin or divisive behavior within the church. Key scriptures include: 

 

Matthew 18:15-17: Jesus outlines a process for addressing a brother's sin, culminating in treating an unrepentant person "as a Gentile and a tax collector" if they refuse correction.

1 Corinthians 5:5, 11: Paul instructs the Corinthian church to "deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh" and to avoid associating with a brother who persists in sins like sexual immorality, greed, or idolatry. 

 

Romans 16:17: Paul urges the church to "mark" those who cause divisions or offenses contrary to doctrine and to avoid them. 

 

2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15: Believers are commanded to withdraw from those who walk disorderly but to admonish them as brothers, not enemies. 

 

In the Church of God, these practices were seen as protective measures to:

Encourage repentance (1 Corinthians 5:5, 2 Corinthians 2:6-8). 

 

Protect the congregation from the spread of sin or false teaching (1 Corinthians 5:6-7). 

 

Preserve the church’s reputation before the world (1 Timothy 6:1). 

 

The intent was to foster holiness and accountability, not to punish for punishment’s sake. Though in many cases that is exactly what it was done for, particularly in the Philadelphia Church of God and the Restored Church of God

Why These Practices Were Feared

Despite their biblical grounding, disfellowshipment and marking evoked fear and be perceived as a tool of oppression for several reasons:

 

Social Isolation 

 

Loss of Community: In tight-knit Church of God congregations, fellowship was a core aspect of spiritual and social life (Philippians 1:27). Disfellowshipment often meant a complete or near-complete cutoff from social interactions with church members, including family and friends. Paul’s instruction in 1 Corinthians 5:11 to “not even eat” with such a person emphasized this separation, which could be emotionally devastating. 

 

Public Marking: Marking, as described in Romans 16:17, involved publicly identifying someone as a threat to the church’s unity or doctrine. This could lead to public shame and ostracism, amplifying the sense of rejection. For example, announcements like “Mr. John Doe has been marked for cause” were sometimes made during services, making the individual’s status known to the congregation. 

 

Impact on Family and Friends: The obligation to avoid social contact extended to close relationships, creating tension and emotional pain. Members were taught to prioritize spiritual purity over personal ties, which could feel like betrayal or abandonment (2 Thessalonians 3:15). 

 

Spiritual Consequences

Perceived Loss of Salvation: In some Church of God teachings, disfellowshipment was framed as being “delivered to Satan” (1 Corinthians 5:5), implying a temporary removal from God’s protection. For believers who viewed the church as the “called-out body of Christ,” this could feel like a direct threat to their spiritual standing or salvation, even if the intent was to prompt repentance. 

 

Restricted Participation: Disfellowshipped members often faced restrictions on participating in sacred practices, such as taking Passover or attending certain church events. In the Church of God, where these rituals are central to spiritual identity, exclusion could feel like a profound spiritual punishment. 

 

Lack of Transparency and Consistency

Subjective Application: The decision to disfellowship or mark was often at the discretion of church leaders, such as ministers or elders. Without clear, universal guidelines, these decisions could appear arbitrary or biased, leading to perceptions of unfairness. For example, some members felt disciplined for minor infractions or doctrinal disagreements, while others were overlooked. 

 

Confidentiality vs. Public Shame: While some disfellowshipments were kept confidential, others were announced publicly, especially for widely known transgressions or to warn the congregation of a perceived threat. This inconsistency could heighten fear, as members might not know whether their discipline would remain private or become a public spectacle. 

 

Potential for Abuse: Critics, including former members, have noted that disfellowshipment could be used to silence dissent or enforce strict compliance. For instance, disagreements over doctrine or church practices could lead to marking or disfellowshipment, as seen in cases where members questioned leadership or explored different interpretations of scripture.

 Emotional and Psychological Impact

Shame and Stigma: The public nature of marking or announcements about disfellowshipment could lead to feelings of shame, particularly in small, close communities. Members feared being labeled as “disorderly” or “divisive,” which could damage their reputation and relationships.

Fear of Judgment: The process often involved confrontations with church leaders, which could feel intimidating. The requirement to confess sins or face a disciplinary council added pressure, especially for younger members or those already struggling with guilt.

Loss of Identity: For many in the Church of God, membership was a core part of their identity. Being disfellowshipped or marked could feel like losing one’s place in the “household of God” (Ephesians 2:19), leading to existential fear and alienation. 

 

Historical and Cultural Context in the Church of God

The Church of God, placed a strong emphasis on doctrinal purity and obedience to biblical commands. This was partly due to their Restorationist roots, which sought to return to New Testament practices. The fear associated with disfellowshipment and marking was amplified by: 

 

Hierarchical Structure: The Church of God often operated with strong ministerial authority, where leaders were seen as “judges in Israel”. This gave significant power to ministers, whose decisions could profoundly affect members’ lives. 

 

End-Time Beliefs: Many Church of God groups emphasized the imminent return of Christ and the need for holiness to be part of the “elect.” The threat of being excluded from the church could feel like being excluded from God’s kingdom, heightening fear. 

 

Community-Centric Culture: The church was often the center of members’ social and spiritual lives, especially in smaller congregations. Losing fellowship meant losing a support system, which could be particularly traumatic in isolated or rural settings. 

 

Critiques and Perceptions of Oppression

Former members and critics have described disfellowshipment and marking as oppressive due to:

Perceived Cruelty: Some felt the practices were applied harshly, without sufficient regard for individual circumstances. For example, a teenage girl disfellowshipped at 14 for a moral infraction reported feeling shamed and worthless, with long-lasting emotional scars. 

 

Silencing Dissent: In some cases, disfellowshipment was used to address not just moral sins but also doctrinal disagreements or questioning of church authority. This led to accusations that the practices were tools to enforce conformity rather than foster repentance. 

 

Lack of Restoration: While the biblical goal was restoration (2 Corinthians 2:7-8), some members felt that the path back to fellowship was unclear or overly punitive, leaving them permanently alienated. 

 

Counterperspective: Protective and Redemptive

Church leaders and defenders of the practice argue that disfellowshipment and marking were not meant to oppress but to protect and redeem:

Repentance as the Goal: The ultimate aim was to encourage the individual to repent and return to fellowship, as seen in Paul’s instructions to forgive and restore a repentant sinner (2 Corinthians 2:7-8).

Protection of the Church: By removing unrepentant sinners or divisive individuals, the church sought to maintain its holiness and prevent the spread of sin or false teaching (1 Corinthians 5:6-7). 

 

Love and Discipline: Discipline was framed as an act of love, akin to a parent correcting a child (Hebrews 12:6). Leaders were encouraged to act with humility and care, not pride or anger. 

 

Disfellowshipment and marking were fearful tools in the Church of God because they leveraged the power of social and spiritual exclusion in a community where fellowship was central to identity and salvation. The threat of isolation, shame, and perceived spiritual jeopardy created significant emotional and psychological pressure. While rooted in biblical principles aimed at repentance and church purity, the application of these practices sometimes lacked consistency, transparency, or compassion, leading to oppression. For some, the fear stemmed not from the practices themselves but from their potential for misuse or overly harsh implementation, particularly when they disrupted personal relationships or silenced honest inquiry.

David D

Crackpot prophet tries using Ai to scare you. Fails miserably, as usual.

One of the many things the Church of God was adept at was taking certain books of the Bible and wielding them as tools of fear-mongering to scare members into submission. The longer members were kept living in fear, the more compliant they became to other absurdities passed off as "truths." Church leaders and ministers loved to thunder and pound podiums when discussing end-time prophecy, warning that if you did not submit, you were destined for the lake of fire. Their eyes would glaze over with giddy delight at the thought of so much violence. They never showed that same passion when it came to talking about Jesus and grace, but that’s another post.
We now turn to God’s most highly favored holy prophet to ever grace the Church of God movement. No one—and I repeat, NO ONE—in the entire history of the church has ever been filled with more truth, mind-boggling dreams, double blessings, and Mayan nonsense than our Great Bwana Bob Mzungu Thiel, the Joshua destined to come in the end times, the end-time Habakkuk, the end-time Elijah, and the only "double blessed" holy anointed representative of the Most High. Legion and his demons tremble at the mere mention of the Great Bwana Bob. World leaders stand in awe and tremble at his amazing words—that is, if they even know who he is.
This time, the holy anointed one is salivating over the Book of Daniel. He took a step further and used Grok’s AI program to design a scary picture of himself, apparently with the idea of scaring us into submitting to his amazing words.
Fortunately for all of us, salvation is now only available through the amazing, yet improperly named, "Continuing" Church of God. No other Church of God on the face of the earth knows when the proper time to flee will be. Only the true followers of the one true Man will know exactly when it is time to flee to Petra or some other God-forsaken stinkhole in the deserts of Jordan. No other group of people will be such an amazing witness to the world and to the church, especially the sad-sack, lazy Laodiceans who refused to join up with God’s most important man. You all know who you are!

Daniel 11:32-38: Philadelphian Persecution and Witness

This is the seventh part of a multi-sermon series intended to cover the Book of Daniel. This sermon covers each and every verse from chapter 11 verse 32 through verse 38. This sermon focuses on prophetic items related to the Philadelphian Christian remnant being persecuted, while also being a witness. 

Dr. Thiel explained how Christians can learn more so that God may use them to “instruct many,” as is prophesied in Daniel 11:33. 

He also mentioned how they can be used by God to give a witness to help with the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14 and that unless others make major prophetic changes they will not know when the Great Tribulation will begin until it is too late for most to flee for protection. 

He pointed out with scriptures, as well as quotes from other Church of God writers, why various persecution and witness scriptures are pointing to the end time Philadelphians. 

Dr. Thiel also cited Greco-Roman Catholic prophecies against Sabbath-keepers and those that point to the burning of ‘Judea-Christians.’ 

The relevance of church government, literature, and allowing God to work with His people –and His oracles — were discussed. 

He discussed the scriptural timing in Daniel 11 regarding when the faithful will flee. 

Dr. Thiel quoted passages from 2 Thessalonians 2, Daniel 11, and Revelation 13 to prove that the ‘man of sin’ is the King of the North and not the ‘false prophet’ two-horned beast, despite other COGs not accepting that. 

After quoting Daniel 11:38, Dr. Thiel brought out historical information about the impact of Emperor Constantine pushing the Greco-Roman Catholics to become militaristic, and cited followers of Martin Luther who later condemned the faithful for not engaging in military warfare. 

He asserted that Philadelphian Christians will be a witness related to the kingdom of God, 

a witness when instructing many, 

a witness when being persecuted, 

a witness when fleeing, 

a witness by not being militaristic, and 

a witness by being in the place of protection in the wilderness (Revelation 12:14-16).