The Next Time Your Minister Tells You : "Time is short. Obey, Pray, Pay and Stay"....

Consider this while gyrating in your seats, following and funding  the hallucinations and delusional theology of others, hour after hour, day after day, week after week and year after year.  

Real life time indeed is short.  Do you really want to spend it driving for hours, sitting for hours, agreeing with what you hope is so based on absolutely no proof that it is so and thinking all the time about the unknowable future as presented by men who can't know either no matter how  hard they pretend to? 

How about your children?  Are you wasting their youth and holding them back from the real wonder of being alive NOW?

Are you hurting their real education by making them sit through a fake one?

Are you wasting their free time to explore meaningful and real life wonders and knowledge listening to Dave Pack and Gerald Flurry present you and them with  fake and badly mistaken ones. 

They won't thank you when they get older. In time you won't feel so great about it either.

You'll wish you had used your life time for other pursuits, lived in the your present moments and not in the future ones of delusional thinkers. 

You'll get really, really put out with yourself , sooner or later, over this experience you are having out off choice, guilt or fear not to think as others tell you to think.

I understand the spell that mere Bible readers and tale weavers can have on a person. I understand the kind of Bible fear that can hold one in a place they'd really rather not be if they felt they had a choice.  I understand the feeling of not having a choice.  I understand the fear of dying and then what?  

But to be clear.  Others as well, but specifically Dave Pack and Gerald Flurry are selling you snake oil. They are untrained in the actual history, origins and background of scripture.  They are not really Apostles and their authority is self derived if authority is important to you. They have been badly mistaken in the past and are more so now than ever. It will only get worse. You give them a pass on this because you believe it's a good thing to have more time but it is really just more time to waste on their illusions and delusions. 

They are not telling you THE truth.  They are telling you their "truth" and it is going to blow up in everyone's faces sooner or later. Giving your mind and the minds of your children over to them to fill will prove to be the biggest mistake , in hindsight, you will ever regret in your life. 

In time, just as Joseph Tkach Sr is said to have lamented when he was dying,  "I have been so stupid", so will they and so will you IF you don't reconsider the path these men are leading you down. 

Trusting in their visions is not faith. It truly is the substance of what we hope is true based on absolutely no evidence that it is true. These men are badly mis- taken in their views and they have taken you with them on their mis-taken journey.   It is a farce and dangerous to your mental, emotional and spiritual well being.

My hope is that waking up is in the future of those who might benefit from being reminded of the fact that YOUR life is short too and to choose wisely how when there is much evidence that the current course, with these men and others through the Bible, is off course. 

Why Do We Do that?

Are you really gyrating in your seats or just afraid to give voice to your doubts and skepticism?

Please allow past prophetic foolishness and failures to inform the future outcomes of the present ones.   It's NOT about "the timing" or being "given more time."  It's about being mistaken, wrong and making up theological tales that have no basis in reality.  If you are seeking a stable and encouraging spiritual  "New Covenant" home and community, it will never be found driving way to far, giving too much support  for way too little in PCG, RCG and any church lead by one delusional leader and his enforcers. 

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." (George Santayana)

2013:  David C Pack    

Making the Bible mean what it never meant since 1974

Announcement #21

Why Unification THIS Year

2013

David C Pack

"Now comes a series of reasons Haggai’s prophecy will be fulfilled this year. (2013) They are summarized, with only a very little detail added. More could be said of each, but the descriptions given will suffice to those willing to think just a little about them. Realize there are over 30 more reasons—many of them very powerful—that I have left off the list because some will be covered later or because they would only be recognized as proofs by our Headquarters ministry (involving various miracles, some big). Readers would be largely unable to appreciate them as proofs:

" Understanding the meaning of the prophecy, starting with Haggai 1:2, automatically carries the requirement of taking a position on it. This cannot be avoided after one learns it. Think about this. The position of the remnant is that “the time is not come” to rebuild God’s House. Are they right or wrong? God indicts their thinking, meaning they are wrong! If the prophecy is not now, the net effect would be that God agrees with the remnant’s view. Worse, so should those currently in God’s one Church because they now know the meaning of the prophecy. Think this through. One does or does not agree with the remnant. God does not—and we do not. The time is now!  (2013) Let’s go further.

 Directly related, why (or how) would God command the remnant to “Go…build the House!” (Hag. 1:8)—but not mean NOW? (2013) How could He mean some undetermined future year? Why would God tell them (twice) to “consider their ways”—but not mean that they should do this now? Try to imagine God saying, “Consider your ways, but take your time. There’s no hurry. In fact, take years to think it over—even though you have been out of My Church for 20 years! You don’t have to DO anything now.”

 Also related, if God waited 2,500 years to reveal the prophecy’s meaning (3,000 years when various related much older Psalms are considered), is not His waiting done? Does His revealing it not signal that He has reached the time to fulfill it rather than having reached a point one, two or three years out?

Next, why would God wait longer? What would He wait for? The remnant is absolutely ripe for deliverance.

"Now comes a series of reasons Haggai’s prophecy will be fulfilled this year. (2013) They are summarized, with only a very little detail added. More could be said of each, but the descriptions given will suffice to those willing to think just a little about them. Realize there are over 30 more reasons—many of them very powerful—that I have left off the list because some will be covered later or because they would only be recognized as proofs by our Headquarters ministry (involving various miracles, some big). Readers would be largely unable to appreciate them as proofs:

 Internally, and this is no small thing, God’s Church is truly ready to expand the Work in a BIG WAY. The prophecy features this as the MAIN PURPOSE of the remnant returning! Without the prophecy’s fulfillment, this expansion would be delayed one year—or more! Why would God notify His Church of the prophecy’s existence at the very same time our staff is ready, our websites are ready, our literature is ready and even God’s college is ready for more students if the prophecy were not imminent? Why would God notify His Church if HE were not ready?

Maturing interest from many in the world due to one year of explosive television expansion requires many more laborers in the ministry by this autumn.

The Restored Church of God is experiencing an AWESOME period of growth and development at this time—in the run up period just prior to the prophecy’s fulfillment. This is putting it mildly! To us, this is powerful indication that we are on the right track for this year—that God is not only pleased with His Church, but that He is helping it get ready.

 If the prophecy did not happen this year, (2013) the remnant would remain another year (or more) undergoing ever worsening false ways. Worse off, they would have a commensurate shorter time to spiritually recover before the Tribulation. Think worse condition, less time to recover.

If reunification occurred next year (or any year after), those with God’s Spirit would have one more year cut off from God’s Church. This carries the potential for more to quench the Holy Spirit (I Thes. 5:19) and lose salvation.

The readers of the Haggai prophecy announcements (this is #21) who believed them would be the most disillusioned and the biggest candidates to QUIT everything if God did not return His people to one House this year! This would work directly against what God is doing—directly opposite His overall purpose.

Further desolation (Hag. 1:11; 2:16-17) from God of the splinter “houses” would practically wipe out the few remaining senior leaders in them. This includes pastors and elders, all of whom are NEEDED TO CARRY OUT THE BIG WORK!

 The onset of all future years would never come with clarity—with any certainty! Would God leave thousands who are now aware of this prophecy in such a condition? Hardly

 Next, for those who will see the value of how to pursue spiritual matters, there is this: After fervently seeking God about it, not one reason the prophecy is off this year (2013) ever emerged in the minds of even one of our 16 Headquarters ministers! I (we) have NEVER prayed about, studied over, meditated on, fasted about and counseled with other ministers regarding a subject more than this one—in fact no other subject is even close!

 Similarly, as questions emerged throughout our pursuit of truth with the many details of the prophecy, so many of these details kept coming clear as direct answers to prayer. And these were often immediate.

 Recall Haggai 1:13: “Then spoke Haggai the Lord’s messenger in the Lord’s message unto the people…” Haggai is the messenger to God’s people, with what is an all-important message from God. Would not God make clear in such a unique message He describes as “the Lord’s message unto His people” the correct date for action? What kind of message would it be if people did not know WHEN TO CARRY IT OUT?

 Since the apostasy, God had not wanted the remnant back in His Church, but now He does. He would first reveal the remnant to His leader, then tell him how they would return, and finally that He meant NOW. This was the order in which these things became apparent.

Imagine God not revealing the year the remnant is coming—but only the day and month. Vast amounts of time would have been wasted by His leaders studying and preparing for something that was not imminent. Would God put His Church in such a position?

    Of interest, God revealed to me during ELUL four years ago (2009) my role as the modern Joshua.

 Also of interest, I and The Restored Church of God learned about the New Testament remnant last ELUL (August). Let’s ask: Would timing of when we were shown the prophecy not be tied to its unique timing of fulfillment during the very next available ELUL?

We might ask: does the DEVIL know the prophecy is on? For those who understand how the devil works—that he counterfeits EVERYTHING God does—a variety of counterfeit theories have recently appeared about how God is going to reunite His people. Should not the devil be expected to do this at the time it would cause the most confusion? You will soon see that most of these theories are coming from men standing on the wrong side of this prophecy.

With God’s people split up, it is now almost impossible to do a powerful Work. (This might be the one area where the splinter leaders would agree.) God’s Church is largely stymied in working with both brethren and the world because of the confusion and deception from top leaders about where God’s Church is, who has the truth, who is carrying on after Mr. Armstrong, who is doing the true Work, etc. (Reread #22.) There is no other way to proceed than for God to remove leaders who have lulled with deceit many thousands who were blind (Rev. 3:17) to begin with.

 World conditions cry out for a big Work NOW!!!—not one or more years from now (2013.)

LCG: Who Is Really In Charge? Weston the "acting" Head Or....

From a  reader:

What the readers here at Banned likely don't firmly grasp is that LCG is a corporation. Corporations have owners. 

Someone's name is on the bank account and it isn't Gerald Weston.

RCM appointed Gerald Weston as the acting head evangelist. Kind of like the CEO if you will. 

What the members of LCG should be asking is where does the money trail end?

LCG brings in 8-10 million dollars a year. If they folded shop tomorrow and paid all their debts, who would be the benefactor?

There is no way on earth that Rod Meredith (who had about 3 lawyers) just gave Gerald Weston the keys to the coffers. I can almost guarantee that Lil' Jimmy and his brothers will be set for life. 

I'm not judging. Hell, I'd do the same thing if I had a multi-million dollar company! But the LCG minions are in total denial about the money and the power in their little splinter group. 

Wake up people! LCG is a business. Send your money if you must but at least understand where it is going.

PS - It would be awesome if Gerald Weston forged his name to a bunch of LCG checks in the middle of the night to steal money to start another splinter group just like Spanky did!

LCG: Is It One Big Happy Family Or Is The Wall Starting To Crack?

LCG's Doug Winnail has a post up to encourage LCG members to remain true to the LCG message.  It has long been reported that LCG has a strong undercurrent brewing from within with people who are sick of the abuse going on and those who follow every utterance from on high as if God was speaking.

There are 3 kinds of people currently in LCG.  There are those that see issues and abuse going on and see the need to change church teachings on certain subjects.  There are those that are waiting to see what explosion is going to happen with control of the church since Meredith's' death  Then there are those that blissfully and blindly sit by and believe the Living Church of God is the most unified COG out there.

LCG knows there are issues brewing under the surface and are constantly trying to hold the crumbling wall together.  With power struggles already brewing and people bucking to be seen in control, it is not going to be a pretty picture in a few months.  Of course, it is the member's fault and never that the church leadership has some serious issues it needs to correct.  How dare you sit in judgment of the church!  Shame on you!!!!!

Big Picture or Loose Bricks?

Solomon wrote, “Where there is no vision, the people perish; but happy is he who keeps the law” (Proverbs 29:18, KJV and NKJV). Jesus told His disciples, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Jesus commissioned His disciples to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15), to warn the world and the nations of Israel about sobering events to come (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21) and to prepare a people to rule with Him in the Kingdom (Luke 1:17; Revelation 5:10). To accomplish this mission today requires a team that is of one mind and can work together (1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:11-16), as each individual strives to exercise the fruits of God’s Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26). This is the big picture that we need to keep our minds focused on. Yet, we can lose sight of this big picture if we begin to focus on details and issues not clearly defined in the Scriptures—the loose brick or doctrine that we feel the Church does not understand—and then sit in judgment of the Church that has been given the responsibility to do the Work and make decisions in these areas (1 Timothy 3:15; 2 Timothy 2:14-23). Jesus chided the Pharisees for their fixation on the minute details of the law, while not grasping the intent of the law (Matthew 23:23-24). The Apostle Paul repeatedly warned the New Testament Church not to be misled by different ideas about the gospel (Galatians 1:6-9), arguments over fables and genealogies (1Timothy 1:4; 4:1-6) and different views about the resurrection (2 Timothy 2:14-19). Let’s all strive to stay focused on the big picture, and not be distracted by peripheral issues.

Have a profitable Sabbath,

Douglas S. Winnail

                                                                                                                         

Gerald Flurry Continues His Mental Breakdown: Claims He Now Has The Stone of Destiny That His "jesus" Will Be Crowned Upon

From a PCG source

Gerald Flurry has made more absurd announcements regarding the dirty stone that he dug up in Oregon. It has now replaced the Stone of Scone, which was originally in the Coronation Chair in Westminister Abbey, and is now the Stone of Destiny that his bastardized "jesus" will return to and be crowned upon when he returns to earth to usher in Flurry's millennium.

A PCG source said that with his recent purchased of his 13 million dollar jet, he will now have the ability to take the stone on the plane to England where it can be placed under the Coronation Chair in Westminster Abbey so that Jesus can be properly crowned.  That is also the reason that PCG bought Edstone in order to establish a college.  That college provides him a European home base during the tribulation.  It also allows him easy access to Ireland where he still believes he will dig up the Ark of the Covenant.  With all of these magical talismans Flurry thinks he will have ultimate control and will have power under his "jesus".

Flurry Becoming More Paranoid:

May 30, 2017

In the sermon Flurry gave where he told the members that HWA's prayer rock was now the stone of destiny and Flurry the new king until Christ's return, replacing the current physical royal household, he talked about Joe Tkach Jr.'s GCI moving to North Carolina and that the Man of Sin will be closer. Also, since Tkach Jr. is very involved with evangelicals and part of them are noticing cults, he will use that power to go after PCG. --R.  From Exit and Support

LCG Members Fearful of Breaking Sabbath Are Showing Up Sick At Services

One thing Armstrongism has instilled in members is the command from the Dear Leader that they are REQUIRED to attend services every Sabbath day and to not do so is essential spitting in God's face.  Because of that, members have shown up sick at services, infecting the rest of the congregation.  Due to the fact the church prohibited members from going to doctors, disease spread rapidly through children to adults.

LCG members have been told, from on high, to STAY HOME if they are sick.  They have been instructed to call a minister or elder and have them come an anoint them or ask for an anointed cloth.

For many years, LCG members have voiced the disappointing experiences they have had with ministers when they have asked for prayers. For a large number of members, the minister and elders re too busy to assist them and generally ignore their requests.  Some have had spouses on deathbeds and the minister is too lazy to show up or even return a call.

Health Issues at Sabbath Services—Must Read

Over the years, we have asked brethren not to come to Sabbath services with a contagious illness. This is based on the quarantine principle in Leviticus 13:21, 31, 46. If you are sick, please stay home until you are well, to avoid spreading illnesses to others. This is part of showing love and consideration for your neighbor (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:39). While the Sabbath is a commanded assembly (Leviticus 23:3; Hebrews 10:24-25), and we should be at church under normal circumstances, it is not showing love if we expose others to illness. We would rather pray for you... than join you! If you do need anointing, please contact your pastor or local elder to be anointed, or, if necessary, to receive an anointed cloth. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.—Church Administration Department

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Narcissists in the Pulpit

"There just must be some personality disorder that causes people to lose their capacity for embarrassment. What other explanation could there be?"

Biker Bob

             "Does God Allow His ONLY True COG Leader To Teach Falsehoods?"

BannedHWA

Narcissism in the Pulpit

"Without doubt, the highest ranking item on our website in terms of popularity (tens of thousands of clicks), this lengthy but much-viewed article has been a help to many.

http://www.epiclesis.org/2015/05/narcissism-in-the-pulpit-2/

(Excerpts)

"Generally it takes a long time before this devious individual is identified for who and what he really is, and some of the most gifted are able to survive for years in one location. Many though will have short tenures. Depending on the size of the congregation and the perceptiveness of the leadership it may take 6 months to a couple of years before the problem is clearly perceived— that the pastor is devoid of spiritual depth, personal character, and really could care less about the welfare of the sheep. If the destructive characteristics are not identified and the narcissist is allowed to minister long-range, serious problems will manifest. The NPD pastors can be very abusive and destructive to the church, and wreak havoc in the personal lives of those closest to them— particularly staff and leadership." 

Copying Authorities:

 Most of the narcissists you will deal with in the pulpit will be educated people, with high IQs, middle class backgrounds and good schooling—but as you get to know them you will think their thinking and behaviour is not only illogical but borders on bizarre. You will have to get to know them quite well in order to understand them. Realize that their life is filled up with bits and pieces that are borrowed from other people—people whom they see as authorities in specific areas. These authorities will usually be people that they have met or know, and may not even be viewed as an authority by other people—just by the narcissist. It is from these people that the narcissist will form his opinions, tastes, ideas, specific behaviours—all those things that make up their visible lives.

“Some narcissists seek to imitate or even emulate their (ever changing) role models. It is as if by imitating the object of his envy, the narcissist becomes that object. So, narcissists are likely to adopt their boss’ typical gestures, the vocabulary of a successful politician, the dress code of a movie star, the views of an esteemed tycoon, even the countenance and actions of the (fictitious) hero of a movie or a novel.” (Vaknin)

Criticalness:

Staff members will be the brunt of nit-picky criticalness day in and day out. Nothing will ever be good enough and most everything will have be changed to suit the bosses wishes. A thick skin is a prerequisite for working around the narcissist.
“And they criticize, gripe, and complain about almost everything and almost everyone almost all the time. There are usually a favored few whom narcissists regard as absolutely above reproach, even for egregious misconduct or actual crime, and about whom they won’t brook the slightest criticism. These are people the narcissists are terrified of, though they’ll tell you that what they feel is love and respect; apparently they don’t know the difference between fear and love. Narcissists just get worse and worse as they grow older; their parents and other authority figures that they’ve feared die off, and there’s less and less outside influence to keep them in check.”

Authoritarian:

The narcissistic pastor is obsessed with who has the power in the church. They may even pick one or more people that becomes their authority and sounding board for almost every decision. They may argue vehemently with that person, but will always want to know their opinion.
“At other times, the intimidation dynamic may be more overt, such as when the NPD person directly wields his authority by making continual references to the differences in your positions of power, professional stature, status or money.” (Payson p. 39)

‘Narcissists are totally and inflexibly authoritarian…. 

They want to be authority figures and, short of that, they want to be associated with authority figures. In their hearts, they know they can’t think well, have no judgment about what matters, are not connected with the world they inhabit, so they cling fanatically to the opinions of people they regard as authority figures — such as their parents, teachers, doctors, ministers. Where relevant, this may include scientists or professors or artists, but narcissists stick to people they know personally, since they aren’t engaged enough with the world to get their authoritative opinions from TV, movies, books or dead geniuses/saints/heroes. If they get in trouble over some or another opinion they’ve put forth, they’ll blame the source– ‘It was okay with Dr. Somebody,’ ‘My father taught me that,’ etc.” (Ashmun) 

Rarely will you see a narcissist pour themselves “whole-heartedly” into their work (though they will usually tell you how many hours they put in), because they really have no passion for their work. Rather they are borrowing their opinions and preferences and tastes from whoever strikes them as an authority at the moment....'