WARNING! The Earth Is Getting Ready To Swallow Up All Of The COG "Korah's, Dathan's and Abiram's"

 

Why do so many Church of God splinter groups appear to be captained by men who clearly lost a very important argument with reality and never recovered? For a self-proclaimed elite remnant—the very crème de la crème of God’s special snowflake squad, personally selected to perform some world-shaking “mighty work”—we sure have a remarkable talent for attracting the absolute cream of the crop when it comes to unhinged, blithering, mouth-breathing leadership material. 

Common sense? Rational thought? Those poor things apparently took one look at these guys, said “hard pass,” and sprinted for the hills years ago, leaving nothing but a cartoonish cloud of dust and a note that read “good luck, you absolute clowns.” Honestly, your average garden gnome—yes, the one with the chipped hat and the thousand-yard stare—would bring more emotional stability, theological coherence, and basic human dignity to the table than 98% of the current COG “leadership” roster. And it wouldn’t even demand a second tithe.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, feast your eyes on the latest masterpiece from our favorite apocalyptic fan-fiction author, Samuel Kitchen. He’s back, baby, spinning yarns so tall they need their own zip code—something about the glorious Church of God gearing up to order the planet itself to open wide and gulp down its enemies like a cosmic Pac-Man. All perfectly timed, of course, to the sacred, mystical, numerologically significant anniversary of Herbert W. Armstrong’s checkout date. 

Remember the good old days when the die-hards used to camp out at Mountain View Cemetery every January 16 like it was the world’s saddest tailgate party, thermos in hand, binoculars ready, just waiting for HWA to burst forth from his grave like a budget-store Lazarus to single-handedly reboot the One True Church? Bless their hearts. Forty years of wilderness wandering later, even the most delusional among them have mostly shuffled off, muttering something about “maybe next decade.”

Anyway… back to Samuel’s latest award-winning entry in the Wishful Thinking Olympics.

1986-2026: FORTY YEARS IN THE WILDERNESS

On January 16, 1986 (6 Shevat) Herbert W Armstrong died in his home located in Pasadena, California.

This year, on January 24, actually marks the 40th year anniversary of his death (being the 6th day of Shevat on the Hebrew Calendar). 

 

For the love of all that’s holy and slightly unhinged—what is this relentless obsession so many COG self-appointed saviors have with slapping Hebrew calendar dates onto everything like it’s some kind of spiritual seasoning? Nobody in the real world thinks like that. Nobody cares. Normal humans say “January 16th,” not “the 6th day of Shevat". But nooo, they’ve got to sprinkle every sentence with “the Hebrew reckoning” to sound extra super-duper Biblical and oh-so-authentic. 

And then there’s our boy Samuel, who apparently spent the equivalent of forty years in the wilderness (fitting, really) digging through the Old Testament until—eureka!—he unearthed the perfect little parable to explain the spectacular dumpster fire that was the implosion of the Worldwide Church of God. Behold: the story of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Yes, those three charming gentlemen were, according to Samuel’s deep prophetic insight, divinely inserted into the Bible thousands of years ago for one sole purpose: to serve as a timeless warning so that today’s COG ministers could finally be held accountable in these perilous, super-duper-extra-special end times. Because obviously, the entire point of the Torah was to provide future ammunition for 21st-century splinter-group drama. How could we have missed it? Truly, the mind boggles at the sheer depth of this revelation.

Events to note that occurred during the 40 years: 

 

1. Korah, Dathan and Abiram, THREE SHEPHERDS(Zechariah 11:8) rose up among the assembly, against the government of God working through Moses. 

 

They were LEADERS among the Assembly! They kept the Sabbath and Holy Days, keeping the FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS. They even were present during the receiving of the Ten Commandments of God! They saw the miracles of God, and the crossing of the Red Sea, and the plagues of God in Egypt! 

 

They didn’t like how God led through His ONE MAN, Moses. They wanted to organize where THEY WERE IN CHARGE. They called “the congregation Holy” and claimed that God ”spoke through them also”. 

 

They said Moses “concentrated too much authority to himself”. 

 

How like those who came after the death of Herbert W Armstrong! 

  

Now Mr. Armstrong, was a type of Moses. God appointed the ministry in this Church through him.

We have seen men rise up and create new church organizations, disagreeing with how God governed through the Worldwide Church of God. Disagreeing with the apostle whom Christ placed over them. 

 

Like Korah, Dathan, Abiram, they reject the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and the government of God.

And because they rejected His Government, their proclamation of His Kingdom being restored to this earth, is distorted and twisted. The event is SURE TO HAPPEN, but because they have rejected how Christ is governing His Church, they are leading people AWAY FROM GOD.(Deut.18;19-20; Deut. 13:1-7) 

 

The god of Armstrongism has got to be the most pathetic, limp-wristed, incompetent deity ever hallucinated into existence by the fevered minds of men. Satan’s got more gold stars on his scorecard than this supposed Almighty has. In fact, the Prince of Darkness is so ridiculously overpowered these days that he’s basically running the entire show—actively worming his way into the minds of every single COG splinter group like some kind of spiritual termite. Every. Single. One.

Except, of course, for the one shining beacon of purity: Samuel Kitchen. (And maybe Aaron Dean… for now. Poor Aaron’s street cred is evaporating faster than a puddle in the desert sun, so don’t get too attached.)

Samuel, in his infinite prophetic wisdom, has issued a solemn, thunderous warning to all the false shepherds infesting the COG splinter scene: [dramatic pause for effect] …and we’re all just dying to hear what fresh apocalyptic word salad he’s about to serve up next. Stay tuned, faithful remnant. The end is nigh… apparently.

Now for the last FORTY YEARS these men have done their deeds! God has sent warning through His servant. As a WITNESS AGAINST THEM. 

 

But when the TWO WITNESSES step into the office of Moses and Aaron, there will be sufficient witnesses to put men to death (2-3 witnesses). That is why you see the THREE SHEPHERDS in the wilderness falling and being swallowed up by the earth.

And it gets worse:

“And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.” 

 

Let’s break down verse 16. 

 

We see Satan “persecuting the woman” in verse 13. 

 

Through that persecution the woman QUALIFIES for the promise mentioned in verse 14.
(see Revelation 3:8-11) 

 

Now verse 16…. 

 

1.”And the Earth helped the woman”. 

 

This is where the events of what happened to Korah, Dathan and Abiram occur. The earth opened up and SWALLOWED the camps and groups OPPOSING the Government of God, which had ROSE UP AMONG THE ASSEMBLY! Which came from the Worldwide Church of God? 

 

2.”and the earth opened up her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth” 

 

When the church goes to Jerusalem, and flees to the mountains, ARMIES (pictured by floods) will pursue the Church and God will cause the earth to open up and SWALLOW THEM. 

 

But what happened to Korah, Dathan and Abiram, came by way of the LEADING MAN of the Two Witnesses. He warned, and therefore when they didn’t listen, consequences came. 

 

At the close of the FORTY YEARS, the TWO WITNESSES remained, while none of the rebels INSIDE THE ASSEMBLY lived. They all were gone by the time THEY ENTERED the promises! That was to send a MESSAGE TO THE CHURCH! 

 

God was putting down a POWERFUL “AMEN”. He meant what He said! 

 

So this year, marks the 40 year anniversary of the death of Herbert W Armstrong, and the Worldwide Church of God has been spiritually fed through obedience to what was given through him. 

 

Those who oppose do not enter the promises but died in the wilderness. 

 

It’s time we listen to God’s Warning! EXIT THESE GROUPS! We are the Worldwide Church of God! REPENT and BELIEVE GOD! 

 

Is it really any wonder the once-mighty COG was permitted to dissolve into a sad little puddle of nothingness? Please. No sane person on God’s green earth is clamoring for the “restoration” of that charming little authoritarian nightmare so many nostalgic holdouts still wet their dreams over. It was vile. It was corrupt. It was abusive to its members in ways that would make a cult expert blush—and surprise, surprise, the same toxic “church government” blueprint is still being flogged like a dead horse in every aberrant splinter group that clings to it today. 

Newsflash: it doesn’t need to be restored. It never did. It never will. The universe has already voted, and the verdict is a resounding “hard pass.”

Samuel’s grand vision of himself single-handedly resurrecting the Worldwide Church of God under his benevolent shepherding? Yeah, that’s never going to happen. Not in this lifetime, not in the next. Aaron Dean will shuffle off this mortal coil still loyally collecting his UCG pension. And Samuel? He’ll spend his golden years in the same tireless, fruitless quest he’s been on for decades—staring at the horizon, waiting for Herbert W. Armstrong to come striding back from the grave to personally anoint him and reboot the glory days.

Spoiler: the grave is staying quiet. The glory days are staying dead. And the rest of us? We’ll just keep living in the real world, where calendars have normal months, and God doesn’t need constant man-made excuses for why everything keeps going spectacularly wrong when it comes to COG prophecies.

UCG Members Asked To Reflect Upon Their Church Name And Its Meaning

 

United Church of God members—brace yourselves for the profound spiritual exercise of the century: deeply reflect on your organization's name. Yes, that's right, folks. Pause your adoration of Jelly for a moment and ponder the cosmic significance of these immortal words: "United Church of God, an International Association." How well do you really understand what it means? How urgently do you need to figure out how to "support" that precious brand? Because clearly, that's the hill to die on.

Who needs soul-searching reflection on Jesus—the guy they supposedly follow—and all those pesky "implications" like love, humility, sacrifice, you know, the boring stuff? Nah. The real priority is navel-gazing over a corporate logo. The COG's ongoing plunge into ever-deeper levels of sheer absurdity is honestly breathtaking. Truly inspiring work.

If someone is actually following Christ (as they loudly claim), the church name should be about as relevant as the color of the carpet in the office building. People would just see living examples of Jesus walking among them. Except... yeah, that has literally never happened. And "united"? Please. They've never managed to stay united longer than it takes for the next power struggle to brew.

But hey, apparently slapping "Church of God" on your splinter group's letterhead instantly makes it the One True Church™. Never mind the hundreds (thousands?) of other splinters who've proudly worn that label over the decades—95% of whom never actually represented Jesus or followed Him in any meaningful way. They all just end up as fertilizer after passing through the Big Sandy "digester." Poof—gone, forgotten, irrelevant. All those tithes? Down the memory hole. What a legacy.

And let's not forget the word "united" in their fancy title. When, pray tell, has the UCG ever been united? Oh right—that massive, glorious split where the church got torn to shreds, a huge chunk of the ministry and members stormed off to form COGWA, and everyone involved practiced peak brotherly love by stabbing each other in the back with gusto. Truly the pinnacle of Christian unity. Bravo. Keep reflecting on that name, though—I'm sure it'll fix everything.

From the President...

What’s in Our Name?

Our organization’s name, United Church of God, an International Association, (UCGIA) was developed by those who assembled at Indianapolis, Indiana in May of 1995. The components of our Church’s name have important aspects.

“Church of God”

This is the core of the name because it is the Bible’s most frequent designation for the New Testament body of believers. An example is an instruction to the elders whom Jesus appointed as shepherds of His sheep: “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). It conveys God’s direction for unity in belief, mission and purpose for which Jesus prayed, “Holy Father, keep through Your namethose whom You have given Me” (John 17:11, emphasis added).

“United”

“That they may be one as We are” (John 17:11). This word signifies that we are striving for oneness with God and each other in our commitment to faithfully follow the way of life established by God and His Son, Jesus Christ, in the Holy Scriptures. Adding “United” to the “Church of God” also helps distinguish our organization’s name from many others and underscores our identity.

“an International Association” 

This was added to appropriately reflect the worldwide scope of the Church and its activities as Jesus instructed: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). The founding elders recognized it as an association of global, national councils working in unity with the Council of Elders with support from the U.S. home office. Paul’s writings reflect the broad work of God’s Church throughout the world: “Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God” (1 Corinthians 10:32).

The full name with “an International Association” italicized also serves the practical purpose of differentiating the U.S.-registered entity from our international entities registered as UGC-Canada, UCG-Australia, UCG-East Africa, etc.

So, the name United Church of God reflects both theological grounding (Church of God from Scripture), practical distinctiveness (United), and an International Association (IA) reflects the collaborative nature of the work around the world.

The recognition of God as supreme Head, His Spirit and Word as our catalysts of unity in doctrine and love, and His calling of saints from every nation, tribe and tongue all combine in our name. These elements He has provided to us at this time.

A good question for each of us is, “How closely am I aligned with the meanings of my church, the United Church of God, an International Association?” Now is a great time to consider how these elements are reflected in our personal lives. Only by truly aligning with what each term represents does the Church’s name genuinly reflect that I am a part of it. One tool I have found helpful is our booklet, “This is the United Church of God.” Let's take time to deeply understand our individual responsibility to live out these terms as true members in Christ’s body.

Jesus never said to reflect upon the name of the church you are in and see how well everyone is aligned with the name of your church. What garbage!

Jesus laid out some very clear (and often challenging) expectations for those who want to truly follow Him as His disciples. These come directly from His teachings in the Gospels, particularly in passages like the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), the call to discipleship, and the Great Commission.

Here are the core expectations Jesus repeatedly emphasized:

Supremacy of Love for God: Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, prioritizing Him above all earthly relationships, even family and self.

Sacrificial Love for Others: Love your neighbors and enemies, forgive those who wrong you, and serve the poor and downtrodden.

Radical Transformation: Live a life mirroring Christ's example, becoming an agent of change, goodness, and truth in the world, not just a believer.

Follow and Obey: Follow Jesus' commands and teachings, making Him the center of your life and allowing Him to lead.

Bearing the Cross: Be willing to suffer and carry your own cross, embracing sacrifice and self-denial for His sake. 

Practical Implications:

Mission & Witness: Go and make disciples, teaching others to obey Jesus' commands, and be His light in darkness.

Spiritual Discipline: Engage in prayer and fasting, relying on God, not self.

Living Sacrifice: Offer your whole life as a "living sacrifice" to God, demonstrating devotion.

Perseverance: Expect persecution and hardship, but find reward in God's grace and eternal life.

In essence, Jesus asks for a complete reorientation of life around Him, demanding total commitment, transformation, and active love for God and humanity, lived out publicly and privately.

 

2026, The Centennial Year of HWA Finding God's Word That Had Been Lost In Portland Oregon Library

Central Library

One hundred years ago, in 1926, our intrepid hero Herbert Armstrong bravely marched into the
Portland Public Library—yes, that cutting-edge theological powerhouse—to, in the most humble and selfless way possible, prove his wife wrong. What followed was the legendary six-month super-intensive Bible study (now lovingly preserved as one of the foundational myths of the entire movement).

There, in the hallowed, musty corners where old paper, glue, and ink slowly decompose into that unmistakable “vintage library” perfume permanently scorched into your nostrils, Herbert miraculously rediscovered God’s True Message—a message that had somehow been misplaced for a casual 1,900 years.

Apparently, the Almighty managed to smuggle His forgotten truth all the way from the Middle East, through Europe, over to Britain, across the stormy ocean, and then across the wild and treacherous American frontier… only to be carefully shelved in the dim, dusty stacks of a 1926 public library in Portland, Oregon. And then—pure divine serendipity—Herbert, in just six short months of casual browsing, managed to locate every single piece of it. What are the odds?

Mind you, this wasn’t one of those dusty, overfunded historical theological libraries in Europe, where actual scholars had been arguing theology for centuries with thousands of deeply researched volumes. No, no. This was a public library. You know, the place where ordinary people checked out novels, children’s books, and the occasional almanac. But sure, it was obviously brimming with the secret keys to the universe that God Himself had lost track of.

Because clearly, while the Creator was busy daydreaming Bob Thiel into existence, He accidentally misplaced His own Word so thoroughly that even He couldn’t find it for nearly two millennia… until Herbert W. Armstrong, unemployed and heroically ignoring his family from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every single day (including weekends), finally cracked the code. Is it any surprise the Armstrong family turned out so wonderfully well-adjusted and emotionally healthy?

This is the COG version of the Mormons' "This is the Place" monument, a place that Herbert Armstrong’s six-month library odyssey supposedly unlocked 1,900 years of divine lost mail. The Philadelphia Church of God still leads pilgrimages to that very public library, where the faithful can tread the same carpet and breathe the same musty air, convinced they’re walking on holy ground rather than checking out the self-help cult recovery section. It’s a fitting monument to a movement built on the unshakable belief that God chose a struggling salesman in Portland, Oregon—rather than, say, a seminary or a cathedral—to rediscover His truth. One can’t help but marvel at the sheer audacity of it all: a six-month crash course in a municipal reading room that launched an entire American sect, fractured families, and, a century later, still inspires guided tours. If that isn’t peak religious irony, it’s hard to imagine what is.

A hundred years later, the movement still treats a random public library like it’s the burning bush, the empty tomb, and the Mount of Transfiguration rolled into one slightly dusty building with overdue fines.

If that isn’t the single most gloriously absurd origin story in modern American religion, then frankly, I don’t know what is. Bravo, Herbert. Bravo.

What a legacy. 🙄

Number 40 - The New COG Idolatry

 

It is another sunny day in COGland and the whackiness continues on unabated. Numerology has always been an important part of the church. Numbers matter. No COG is more guilty of this than the Philadelphia Church of God. Every imaginable thing turns into something sacred from the god they claim to follow.

HWA has been dead 40 years.

Gerald Flurry was fired by the Worldwide Church of God 40 years ago.

Jesus fasted for 40 days

40 is emphasized in the lives of Moses, David and the end-time Elijah—Herbert W. Armstrong.

 

It has been 40 years since Herbert W. Armstrong died. Also, there are 40 days between December 7, the date I was fired from the Worldwide Church of God in 1989, and January 16, the date Mr. Armstrong died in 1986. 

 

The number 40 occurs often in the Bible. Have you ever wondered why? It is significant in the lives of the biblical prophets, kings and judges. It occurs repeatedly in the lives of spiritual giants. The significance of this number helps us understand why the Israelites spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness; why Moses, Elijah and even Jesus Christ fasted for 40 days; and why this number is a sign for us today.

Study the number 40 in the Bible and you see that only God could have inspired the use of this number throughout the millenniums. This number is an important sign that brings God into events to show His presence. This should be very encouraging for us—especially when you consider that 40 is emphasized in the lives of Moses, David and the end-time Elijah—Herbert W. Armstrong.

The lunacy keeps on going:

When John Amos and I were fired from the wcg on Dec. 7, 1989, it was just 40 days before the anniversary of Mr. Armstrong’s death on January 16. We found that significant, and I believe it showed God’s presence was with us because we were obeying God when we got fired. In fact, that is why we were fired! The wcg leaders were forsaking God and what Mr. Armstrong taught them. 

 

The number 40 is tied to God. These 40s are not the work of man but of God! It shows that God is involved here. What could be more important than that?

The proofs just keep piling up - or maybe the crap is, it's hard to tell when it involves PCG and Gerald Flurry.

We started our campus in Edmond, Oklahoma, with 40 acres—just like the Pasadena campus under Mr. Armstrong. Both campuses were associated with the number 40.

Then he ends with this heresy:

Just think about all those 40s, and think about God’s presence. He does sometimes curse or correct us if we get away from Him and forsake Him; He must do that! But God is re-creating Himself in man—that is His goal. We are going to be sons of God—not adopted sons but real sons of God! 

 

While the Bible doesn't mention "numerology" by name, it classifies such predictive or occult uses of numbers as a form of divination (fortune-telling or seeking supernatural knowledge through means other than God). The Scriptures repeatedly and severely prohibit divination and related occult practices.The clearest and most frequently cited passage is from the Old Testament law:

Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable (an abomination) to the Lord...This passage lists several forbidden practices, and modern predictive numerology typically falls under "divination," "interpreting omens," or related categories because it seeks to uncover hidden knowledge or future events through numerical patterns. 

Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (NIV) 

While PCG and the COG do not use numerology as divination, they have elevated the use of numbers to a sacred status, especially when they can use it to promote their own group as the only true and correct COG. 

 

LCG : In the world, but not of the world...

 

It is hard to believe that here we are in 2026 and COG groups are still having to justify why they use the Roman calendar and other peripheral issues around daily life. They still like to claim that while they are of this world, they are not part of this world. That is one of the biggest cons of the church (besides British Israelism). Some are so quick to point out that they only observe biblical days and seasons, and yet the very days and seasons they celebrate in the church are all days that were patterned after the so-called Canaanite days of the ancient tribes.

A New Year? In Winter? Why do we in the Living Church of God not engage in “New Year’s” parties or festivities—or even the greeting “Happy New Year”? Because the new-year celebrations our world just observed are from pagan sources, which you can read about in the commentary by the late Gary F. Ehman, “The Two Faces of New Year Celebrations,” posted on TomorrowsWorld.org this week. We live in this world, so it’s not wrong to use the Roman calendar as a part of functioning in it—but we are not to be of this world. As Jesus prayed to the Father, “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one” (John 17:15). Let’s thank God for the fact that He has called us out of ancient superstitions and customs of this world and called us into His sanctifying truth (John 17:17)!
Have a peaceful Sabbath,
Rod McNair

They love to mock Christians, whom they claim have reinterpreted days associated with pagans, such as Christmas and Easter, and yet keep days appropriated from Canaanite pagans that ancient Israel came out of.

COG groups have no problem keeping the three major biblical pilgrimage festivals (Shalosh Regalim): Passover (Pesach), Shavuot (Weeks/Pentecost), and Sukkot (Booths/Tabernacles). These holidays have deep roots in ancient agricultural harvest cycles that were common across the ancient Near East, including among the Canaanites (the pre-Israelite inhabitants of the land). Over time, the biblical authors reinterpreted and "historicized" these observances, transforming them into uniquely Israelite/Jewish celebrations tied to key events in salvation history (like the Exodus and Sinai).

The Torah itself preserves clear evidence of the festivals' original agricultural character, even as it layers on historical/theological meanings:

• Passover / Feast of Unleavened Bread — Tied to the spring barley harvest (the first grain to ripen). It falls in the month of Abib (spring), when the new planting season begins after winter rains. The emphasis on unleavened bread (matzah) and the offering of the first sheaf (omer) of barley reflects this. Some scholars propose connections to Canaanite spring rituals involving unleavened bread and apotropaic (protective) rites.
• Shavuot — Called the "Feast of Harvest" or "Day of First Fruits" in the Torah. It marks the wheat harvest (about 7 weeks after Passover) and the bringing of first fruits (bikkurim) to the sanctuary. Later rabbinic tradition linked it to the giving of the Torah at Sinai.
• Sukkot — Originally the "Feast of Ingathering" (Hag ha-Asif), the major autumn harvest festival celebrating the gathering of grapes, olives, figs, and other late-summer fruits. It was the most prominent and joyous of the three in biblical times (often just called "the Festival"). The practice of dwelling in temporary booths (sukkot) likely derives from field shelters used by farmers during the final, intensive harvest period before the rains.

These three festivals align precisely with the natural agricultural rhythm of the Land of Israel: spring barley → early summer wheat → late summer/autumn fruits.

Archaeology, Ugaritic texts from ancient Canaan, and comparative studies, hold that the early Israelites — who emerged within Canaanite culture — adapted existing regional harvest festivals rather than inventing them from scratch. This was a common process in the ancient world: new cultural or religious groups often reframed inherited seasonal rites to fit their theology.

• Sukkot shows particularly strong parallels to Canaanite autumn new-year/harvest festivals, including seven-day celebrations, temporary booths/shelters, and rituals linked to rainfall and fertility (e.g., Ugaritic texts describe similar practices for deities like Baal). Some scholars trace the sukkah itself to Canaanite customs of building ritual booths on rooftops or terraces.
• The overall pattern — three major seasonal pilgrimages to a central sanctuary — fits broader Canaanite and Near Eastern patterns of harvest thanksgiving and petitions for fertility/rain.

The biblical texts themselves show this evolution: earlier layers refer to the festivals purely by agricultural names (e.g., "Feast of Ingathering"), while later passages add historical explanations (e.g., Sukkot recalling the desert booths of the Exodus, or Passover recalling liberation from Egypt).

It's more accurate to say the biblical authors took over and transformed pre-existing Canaanite/Levantine harvest festivals than to call them simple "substitutes." The process was one of historicization and monotheization — removing pagan elements (like fertility rites or polytheistic myths) and reorienting the celebrations toward the God of Israel, the Exodus covenant, and ethical/historical memory.

This pattern is typical in the development of Israelite religion: the prophets and Torah writers repeatedly criticize purely agricultural or "Canaanite-style" observances, insisting that festivals must remember God's acts in history, not just thank nature deities for crops.

The core ancient Jewish pilgrimage festivals originated as regional harvest celebrations with likely Canaanite roots, but Judaism intentionally reframed them to emphasize historical redemption, covenant, and dependence on the one God rather than seasonal cycles alone. This creative adaptation is one of the fascinating ways ancient Israelite religion distinguished itself while remaining deeply connected to the land and its rhythms.

Dave Pack Lies That All Is Right On Track For Christ's Return

 

LCG: When Jesus Returns, LCG Members Will Help Spread The Law Around The World

 

Given the horrible track record of how the church used the "law" to make members' lives miserable, isn't it comforting to know that these same people who have suffered at times will be spreading that version of the law around the world, subjugating millions more? Oh, the joy.

The Way to Peace: In our world today, especially at the end of December, we hear a lot about “Peace on earth and goodwill toward men,” yet the news is full of reports of violence and suffering. The desire for peace is universal, but that hope has remained elusive for most human beings. While world leaders talk of peace and religious leaders pray for peace—and the United Nations sends “peacekeepers” to trouble spots around the globe—the world simply does not know the way to peace (Isaiah 59:8). However, God’s word reveals that the way to peace is to learn to love and live by the laws of God (Psalm 119:165; Isaiah 32:17). The world will learn the way to peace when Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, returns to this earth and the laws of God are spread from Jerusalem by teachers who are in training now (Isaiah 9:6–7; 2:2–4; 30:20–21). Let’s prepare for that day!
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail 

 

When Jesus returns, the kingdom will be fully realized under the New Covenant. Promises like universal knowledge of God ("no longer shall each one teach his neighbor... for they shall all know me," Jeremiah 31:34) point to consummation at Christ's return and that the church, believers from all nations, inherits the blessings as the fulfilled people of God (Galatians 3:28–29; Ephesians 2:11–22).

There will be no restoration of the Old Covenant or its sacrificial system, as it was temporary and shadowed Christ's work. The future kingdom is governed by grace, internal transformation, and direct access to God through Christ alone. Jesus' return brings the full realization of the New Covenant, not a return to the Old. The Old Covenant's purpose was fulfilled in Christ and set aside.

No one has ever kept the Old Covenant in its completeness, including every single COG group today, nor has any COG member ever fully kept the Old Covenant. It was deliberately set up to be impossible to keep.

_____________________________

And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Jeremiah 31:34

Under the New Covenant, we no longer need a mediator like a pastor general, chief overseer, apostles or even prophets. We will have direct personal access to God - Joel 2:28-29. There will be total amnesty for sins not just covered (as in our annual Day of Atonement) but forgotten. The slate is wiped clean and no longer remembered. That enables the relationship with God. There will also be absolutely no need for COG leaders, evangelists, super deacons, or great Bwanas. "From the least to the greatest" implies equality, fulfilled in a messianic age where barriers dissolve.

The Old Covenant exposed sin but couldn't empower obedience or provide permanent atonement. The New Covenant provides regeneration (new heart), indwelling Spirit, and total forgiveness—enabling what the Law demanded but couldn't produce (Romans 8:3–4).

There will be no reverting to temple sacrifices, Levitical priesthood, or Mosaic regulations because that would be regression, not progress (see also Hebrews 10:1–18; Galatians 4:9–10). This directly counters any theology that expects a restored Levitical system in the future as some in COGland believe.

Even the Sabbath and holy days (as we claim to know them) will no longer be in effect. People will have their "Sabbath rest" living in the presence of Jesus. The holy days, as we claim all point to Christ, will no longer be necessary since that "point" is dwelling among us, and then would serve no function.

We will have the confidence of access. We will approach God directly through Christ, without human mediators or rituals (Hebrews 4:16; 10:19–22).

We will have the assurance of forgiveness: Sins are not just covered but removed—"remembered no more."

We will have empowered obedience: The Spirit writes God's law on our hearts, producing genuine transformation, not external conformity.

Hebrews 8 warns about returning to legalism or ritualism that denies the sufficiency of Christ's work.

In essence, Christ’s return brings the complete realization of the New Covenant in grace, making any form of Old Covenant legalism, ritualism, or hierarchical church leadership unnecessary and contrary to Scripture, thus will not require any COG-trained member wandering around the world preaching Armstrongism.