Tap Dancing Ambiguous COG Prophet Says Petra May Not Be The Final Place Of Safety, But It Could Be, Maybe...

 

There is one thing that self-appointed Church of God prophets are good at is tap dancing around certain subjects. Unlike the real prophets of old, who actually predicted things, our crop of self-appointed ne'er-do-wells, tap dance around and make ambiguous thought-farts on how they think things should be.

Today, the Church of God's biggest know-it-all is trying to get you to believe that Petra may not be the final place of safety. Nothing sets Armstrongsm apart from most of Christianity than this pet doctrine.  For decades, thanks to Loma Armstrong, the church has taught that right before the tribulation hits that all of the countries of the world would expel Church of God members and ship them off to Petra where they would receive special training to be kings, priests, and god's in some magical world to come.

Then the church imploded and hundreds of self-appointed gurus set themselves up as the one and only true Church of God. This created a massive public relations crisis in the COG movement. How could they ALL claim that they alone were going to Petra? Who was going to be in charge when they all showed up at once and started their little bitch fests and power struggles. What a nightmare scenario this presented! Then, to top that off, there were Christian outside the Armstrongite movement that also belive in Petra as a place of safety. How can the true Christians share Petra with so-called Christians?

James Malm solved that problem and claimed his few followers were going to go to Pella. Other COG ministers claim people will be protected in place, wherever they are.  Today, we have the Great Bwana to Africa and Savior of 299 Caucasians trying to convince us that Petra may be just a stopping off point as true believers move on to a new location at Bozrah.

Where might the place of safety in the wilderness be? 

 

Someone asked me about the possibility of Bozrah being the “place of safety.” 

 

Many have wondered if Petra could be the place. 

 

After doing some scriptural research, I ran across the following warning about Petra and Bozrah possibly being the place from Tim McHyde: 

 

Is Petra the “Prepared Place” of Safety For Israel or You? 

 

Petra, Jordan was once the stronghold of the Edomites and later the capital city of the Arab Nabateans. … 

 

Will Petra become the number one safe destination of Israelites in the end times, as well? Some people think so and feel they have Bible prophecy to back this up. 

 

The most popular version of the speculation around Petra is that the Jews escaping from the Battle of Armageddon will find refuge there. Some Old Testament passages mentioning the city are used to support this idea … 

 

Others, believe Petra to be the place that the “true church” will be protected in fulfillment of Revelation 12. 

 

Both views argue based on Scripture and the city’s excellent defensive structure. It is mountainous and its main entrance is a long narrow rock wadi, called the Siq. What better location for people to be safe from attack, right? 

 

Supporters also claim that the city could hold 144,000 people, the number of Israelite evangelists listed in Revelation 7 and 14. The Worldwide Church of God believed that there would be 144,000 of their members who made it to there. 

 

The Petra theory has its appeal. But is it truly grounded in Scripture or even realism? …

If you search the Bible for the name of the city Petra, you will not find it. Instead of that modern Greek name for the city, you have to search for the Hebrew equivalent, Sela (or Selah). Both words mean rock. … 

 

It seems like the main basis of the Petra speculation is the area’s natural features. .. The springs have dried up long ago. … 

 

As far as how many people can comfortably live there, it’s woefully inadequate. This is a small city with an estimated past top population of 20,000. Whether you think Israel or Christians will be sent by God there, it equals far, far more than 20,000 or double that. The remnant of either Israel or the church is more likely to be in the millions. … 

 

As for the theory about Israel fleeing the land before Armageddon, that also is problematic.

A little later the doubly-blessed self-appointed prophet proclaims:

While I do agree, based upon many scriptures, that Jordan seems to be the place and God will likely use a prophet to say when (and where), I disagree with the author’s view on many points–Jordan, to cite one example, will NOT be evacuated. But I do agree that Revelation 12:14-16 is talking about protection for faithful Christians and NOT physical Israel. As far as the old Worldwide Church of God goes, it speculated, but did not insist, on Petra being the place. 

 

Petra is large enough for the Philadelphian Christians to be protected–and they are the ONLY Christians promised protection from the Beast (cf. Revelation 3:7-10)–most Christians will NOT be protected (cf. Revelation 12:14-17). 

Nothing frosts the butts of self-appointed COG prophets more than having to accept there might be other non-COG Christians, or worse yet, other COG members there when they arrive. 

The reason I found this article was because of looking for views of some on the place of safety and Bozrah. 

 

As far as Petra or Bozrah go there are several clues in the Bible that suggest that a Jordanian location makes sense. But part of this is based upon where the place of protection is not.

Isaiah thus indicates this place will be a fortress of rocks for those that escape from the nations (note: the escaping from the nations suggests that groups with origins in CGI, such as ICG and CEM, are in error for teaching that God intends to protect people where they are). 

 

It is also of interest to note that those that escape will be assembled–they are not lone independents–this is also consistent with Zephaniah 2:1-3

Gather yourselves together, yes gather together, O undesirable nation, Before the decree is issued, Or the day passes like chaff, Before the day of the LORD’s fierce anger comes upon you, Before the day of the LORD’s anger comes upon you! Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the LORD’s anger. 

 

The Hebrew words translated as Zephaniah means “Yahweh Hides” or “Yahweh Has Hidden” (Holy Bible: Vine’s Expository Reference Edition, p. 826). Notice that a decree is issued, apparently by a church leader–and I believe that the leader will be part of the Continuing Church of God. This would seem to happen after the gospel has been preached enough to the world as a witness (Matthew 24:14), Jewish sacrifices are stopped, and the abomination is set up (Daniel 9:27; 11:31) per Jesus’ statements in Matthew 24:15-16. 

 

It remains my prayer that those who are Philadelphians and are scattered in groups will soon assemble together, before it is too late.

A little later Bwana Bob talks about Bozrah.

In terms of its location from Jerusalem, Petra (Sela on some Bible maps) is mainly south and slightly east of Jerusalem. Bozrah is also in the right general direction, as are other locations in Jordan. 

 

Now it is also possible that the actual place of protection could simply just be near Petra or perhaps the location will be far from it.

In the early days of Armsgtrongism, Petra was not that much of a tourist destination. Now it is packed with hundreds of thousands of tourists a year. Bwana Bob can't have those tourists coming in and gawking as his 299 Caucasians and their 3,000 Africans.

Realize that Petra is one of the leading, if not THE leading, tourist destination in Jordan, hence there could be economic and other factors against that precise location itself (though if only a small amount of Christians flee, that might be tolerable, and even helpful to, the tourist industry possibly as a ‘side-show’ or to be of cultural or prophetic interest). Other than the aspect of caves (which does not mention the amount of caves), it should be noted, that many other areas in Jordan also are in the right direction and fit the description of the place–so it is possible that the Church may flee into Jordan and not stay in Petra, but somewhere else in Jordan or a neighboring area. 

 

It is also possible that the true Philadelphian Christians will stay in Petra for a time and then go elsewhere–and that is something I have written about before.

The thought of having to spend 3 1/2 years listening to Bwana Bob preach as he bounces and flounces is not a sight to imagine or desire. 

Gerald Flurry Declares Fast For November 21 Concerning Their Desire To Move Into Jerusalem

 

The boys in Edmond Oklahoma have been looking for quite some time in opening an office in Jerusalem where they can be at the center of the soon coming tribulation that they want to happen to the City and the world.

The Philadelphia Church of God actually had an office there for a while which was the home of Lil'Stevie until they had to sell the building in order to buy the Edstone mansion and start a new cult college in England. By that time Gerald Flurry's grandkids were becoming immersed in Celtic dance competitions and needed transportation around the world and by the fact that Gerald Flurry could not fly commercial jets because he would have to sit next to unclean people or possibly a Laodicean ex-WCG member. So PCG had to spend more millions of dollars on a personal jet for Gerald and Lil'Stevie.

But now, as the end-times are only a few short months away, at least in PCG speak, the PCG thinks they need an office in Jerusalem where they can be front and center for terrible end-time events soon to hit the world. It also gives them immediate access to the streets of Jerusalem where they think the two witless witnesses (PCG members, of course) will preach in the streets, be martyred, and then be resurrected live on television for the world to see.

In order for this to happen PCG needs to brainwash its members into fasting for the day and then will be hit up with financial requests to buy new buildings in Jerusalem.

Exit and Support Network reports:

GF Declares Worldwide Fast for November 21:
November 8, 2021
This is from a short letter from GF: “We are facing several major decisions that have to be made. One of those decisions is what all we need to do in Jerusalem. There are other decisions to be made that we will discuss with you later. We want to make sure that God is behind what we decide to do. Therefore, I am declaring a worldwide fast for God’s people on the 21st of November. Please pray fervently for us to do God’s will and finish His work.” –N. S.

Another reason that PCG needs access to Jerusalem is that they and they alone will be working with Christ in the new Temple to be built there where they will work with their "husband" dispensing the law.

The Millennial Temple 

The Prophet Ezekiel describes that temple in wonderful detail. It will be patterned after God’s heavenly temple, the seat of His throne today. It will have a footprint of half a million square feet, occupying about 13 acres. That is where God’s Philadelphians of today will live! 

 

The outer precinct around the temple, described in the last nine chapters of Ezekiel, will occupy about one square mile of land. The headquarters city itself will only be about 7½ miles square. Considering that it will be the command center for the whole world’s system of governing, that is quite an efficient headquarters facility. 

 

God’s law will begin flowing from that city to the wide world. Word will spread—person to person, family to family, town to town, nation to nation—about happenings in Jerusalem. News of its construction projects and activities, of classes being taught there, will supply headlines around the globe. 

 

The living waters of God’s Spirit will flow from there (Zechariah 14:8). 

 

“And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one” (verse 9). All peoples will have one supreme King—one world government—one religion. They will begin to see the benefits of righteous leadership. They’ll experience the joy of living under God’s government. 

 

Jerusalem will become “the joy of the whole earth”! (Psalm 48:2). God’s earthly headquarters will set the standard for the world! 

 

Where Will People Get Nourishment 

 

What an exciting future we have to look forward to, living and working with our Husband in that headquarters facility. Being a priest at headquarters is a wonderful thing—even today. It is a great blessing to be stationed right in the middle of all the action. In that future headquarters, surely we will often shake our heads and say, What a privilege!  

 

”Only these Philadelphians from the end-time firstfruits will rule from God’s headquarters temple forever!” Mr. Flurry wrote in Ezekiel—The End-Time Prophet. “Why won’t the Laodiceans be at headquarters in God’s Kingdom—even if they repent in the Great Tribulation? Because they are not qualified! They don’t have a headquarters mentalityTODAY! The people who will be at headquarters in God’s Kingdom are the people who have a strong headquarters focus now.” We are receiving specialized training, developing that headquarters focus with this parcel of land in Oklahoma. That is why God plans to place us in the Jerusalem temple and says we will go no more out (Revelation 3:12). 

Only devout and true PCG members will be able to live in this temple and have direct access to Christ. they will be the ONLY ONES who will be able to draw near to God.  

Those who remain loyal to God today will inhabit special rooms in the headquarters temple. Our offices will be near God’s office. We will have special access to Christ—the only ones who come near to God (Ezekiel 40:45-46; 44:15-16). As His helpmeet, we will serve Him—seeing to His needs, helping Him directly. A Visit to Millennial Headquarters!

 

Gerald Flurry: After Satan's 1986 battle in heaven with God, should we let this evil old slut intimidate us?

 

Anyone who has grown up in the Church of God movement, pre-1986, knows the stories and sermons that were pounded into us about Satan rebelling against God eons ago in a great battle of heaven who was then cast down to earth by God. That epic battle is what destroyed all the planets in the entire solar system and filled each one of them with pockmarks of the heavenly stars thrown around by Satan and his demons and the heavenly host as they fought each other.  In COG mythology, this is also what destroyed the dinosaurs here on earth. 

This includes all of the billions of universes out there that were destroyed because of this epic battle, except for earth. Of all of those desolate worlds that would have been perfect for Satan to be cast down to, and remember there are billions and billions of planets, stars, and galaxies floating around out there, this is the place Satan was thrown down to in order to make all of our lives miserable. Humanity got the short end of the stick. 

In COG mythology, Satan has been running amok on this earth deliberately making the lives of COG leaders miserable and thwarting their amazing "works". According to the professional mythologists in the Philadelphia Church of God, there was a SECOND battle in heaven as Satan and his demons left this earth and tried to enter heaven in 1986 to battle God and the heavenly host for a second time (this happened all because Herbert decided to die). There was once again an epic battle in heaven as Satan almost got the upper hand, but magical God and his angels finally repelled Satan back to earth where he set about destroying the one true church.

Gerald Flurry states in one of his many recent articles about the glories of "empire" had this to say about this epic battle:

Around the time that Herbert W. Armstrong, died, Satan and his demons directly attacked God for the first time since before the creation (verses 7-8). God and His angels repelled him and also confined him and the demons to the Earth (verses 9-12). Then Satan attacked God’s Church! (verse 13). That is why the Church was absolutely decimated: 95 percent of God’s own people—the people He was training to rule with Jesus Christ—quickly turned away from God.

Why is the god of the Church of "god" such a weak impotent god? He handpicks people to be church members (since they can't do it themselves) and then lets Satan make their lives miserable and leads 95% of them out of the church into atheism or into one of the 500+ splinter personality cults of Armstrongism. What a cruel prankster god!

This god cared so little about his special little group of chosen ones that he was unable to stop Satan from entering their minds and leading them astray and who will soon be killing most of them off in the great battle of Armageddon, the ultimate battle of Empires.

Daniel 11:34-35 prophesied this same tragedy, which is ongoing as you read this: “And some of them of understanding shall fall.” Those God invited to build the God Family Empire, some of whom did so for decades, turned instead to the things that Satan is offering. What a tragedy! Satan is conquering them spiritually, and soon he will attack them physically.

Never fear though, there is ONE Church of God here on earth that has the ability to save your pathetic Laodicean asses, and that is the Philadelphia Church of God Empire where God's literal throne dwells today. Not even Bob Thiel's pathetic little cult can save you! Not even Dave Pack, Gerald Weston, Ron Weinland, or Victor Kubik's groups can do that! Silly Laodiceans!

The opportunity for God’s people to repent is still here. And He will protect them from Satan’s spiritual attacks and physical attacks. Those who don’t repent will have to face Satan when he comes “to make war” (Revelation 12:17). Even as this dragon attacks God’s people who rebelled against Him, He is working to save them spiritually. 

 

“And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads” (Revelation 14:1). Finally they will repent and turn back to their Father and His Family. They wouldn’t respond to God’s message before the Great Tribulation and the attacks of this evil empire, but once they are suffering and ultimately losing their physical lives, God will bring them to repentance. 

 

As powerful as this dragon and his beast power are, God is still empowering His God Family Empire. Satan has thrown down the gauntlet, and now it’s time for the warriors to rise. It’s time for God’s warriors, warriors like no one has ever seen before on this Earth except when they saw God’s very elect. It’s time for the warriors to rise, those warriors who are clothed with the sun! Should we let this evil old slut intimidate us—people clothed with the sun? Should we be daunted by some deranged archangel when we are clothed with the sun? Absolutely not!

Slut?

Clothed with the sun? Absolutely not!

A better question to ask is why are COG members being led astray by these evil deranged sluts running Church of God splinter groups? COG leaders are the ultimate sluts that members face right now.

Anyway, the little work must continue and only Gerald Flurry and his merry band of men are leading the way through the flaming arrows and storms of Satan. The Empire must prevail!

Satan is turning up the heat because he knows his time is about up! (Revelation 12:12). Should we be silent? Should we be reserved? Should we be outworked by the devil and those who follow him? God’s people are clothed with the sun, which means the Creator of the sun is behind us! Why should we fear anybody? It would be shameful if we did. The stronger their hostility gets, the stronger our message is going to get, because we are the God Family Empire.

This holy God Family Empire will soon wipe the Great Whore who will soon be causing serious trouble for the God Family Empire residing in Edmond, Oklahoma.

It is our mission to expose the dragon! Nobody else will do it. It’s up to the subjects of the God Family Empire to tell the world the truth, to remind them of the Holy Roman Empire’s bloody, bloody history, and to proclaim a warning. This is Satan’s world, and the Holy Roman Empire is Satan’s main weapon! But God’s people represent an empire far greater than Satan’s empire. 

 

Most of the people in God’s own Church have turned away from giving this warning. They say nice things about the Vatican and the Holy Roman Empire. But we can’t think that if we speak out it will just cause more problems. God is not going to accept that at all. He wants us to speak out and tell the world how evil this harlot is! We must warn America, Britain and the Jews of what is coming. If we don’t speak out, who will oppose this satanic wickedness? Who, if not God’s Family? Prophecy says they are going to kill God’s people—our spiritual family, sons of God—who don’t repent before the Tribulation. It will kill them as it has killed God’s people for centuries! Should we warn about that? When God’s saints are resurrected, what would they think of us if we didn’t warn? What would God think of us?

The Philadelphia Church of God is the one true God Family Empire on earth where its cosmic creature they call "christ" will return to and sit on its throne where it will rule in majesty and power as it dispenses justice and mercy through the hands of loyal PCG members. This will happen after the Catholic church is destroyed, of course.

We’re going to announce the death of the Holy Roman Empire, and God is going to wipe that old harlot off the face of this Earth very shortly! See, we’re about to flee for the last time ever from the Holy Roman Empire. God is going to end this madness forever after He uses it to teach some lessons.

No other Church of God out there is warning the nations of the earth about this looming battle, not even Bob Thiel! 

We are warning the physical nations of Israel and the rebels in God’s spiritual nation of Israel. We are warning that God is going to use Satan’s Holy Roman Empire to punish them for their sins and humble them. But then we will warn that evil empire and tell them that it is going to meet Jesus Christ in Jerusalem, and He is going to smash them like Israel should have done long ago! That empire will be dead forever! Then He will rule with His kings and priests, and the God Family Empire will be established forever! What a future!

Always remember the reason God is on PCG's side: it is because they have Herbert's prayer rock! Hallelujah Jesus! God in his mercy answered our prayers!

God has already given the symbol of His rule, Mr. Armstrong’s prayer rock, to this Church and revealed that He has established a new throne of David within the Philadelphia Church of God. The preparations for the God Family Empire to assume global power are nearly complete!

But remember boys and girls, this God Family Empire can't happen unless you read Mystery of the Ages and meditate on it, after all, it is the second most important book in human history and necessary for salvation.

Mr. Armstrong concluded Mystery of the Ages by writing: “With God’s great master plan of 7,000 years finally completed—the mystery of the ages finally revealed, and with the re-creating of the vast universe and eternity lying ahead, we come finally to … THE BEGINNING.” 

 

What an inspiring way to end the second-most important book after the Bible! God inhabits eternity (Isaiah 57:15). That is something that’s totally different from anything we’ve ever known as human beings. Physically, there’s always been an end, and there’s certainly going to be an end if we don’t get into the God Family. 

 

But this vision of the God Family Empire is endless! It just goes on and on forever. 

 

Meditate on the glory of God’s Empire and what it will do for suffering human beings. That is a vision that will motivate you. It will move you to accomplish the commission God has given His Church. It will help you submit to His government. It will empower you to accomplish great exploits for God. It will give you hope and a burning desire to help proclaim this hope as much as possible. It will prepare you for your role in changing the world.It will empower you to fight, to build and to remain loyal to God, to Jesus Christ, to God’s Family and to God’s Family Empire. An Empire to Replace All Empires!

If you do all of these things and fully support the PCG with as much money as you can send them, then you too will be part of the God Family Empire. 

What a glorious day it will be when the world is ruled by the degenerate ministry of the PCG when they will finally be able to weld the sword of justice against all who disagree with them. The PCG version of the World Tomorrow will be so wonderful!

Why is the Church of God, as it sinks into oblivion, filled with so many crackpot men leading it as we have today? Never have we heard as many outrageous lies as we have in the last 35 years as each new wanna-be upstart starts his own group. Instead of following that inconvenient dude that is always on the back burner of the church, people have placed their lives in the very hands of these degenerate men. 

That inconvenient dude's way is easy and the burden is light, but not so in the Churches of God. Satan is the all-powerful god of the church, much more powerful than the name that dare not be uttered is.

As long a we're at it.....

 

The template of youth runs deep. We, as a family, and I as a child sung this of course, in the Dutch Reformed Church. I can picture my mom standing next to me singing the alto and Dad trying ever so hard to act like he could sing at all.  

I listen to this day to all the old church hymns when I just want to be calm and away from all the news, views and opinions that don't seem to matter much anymore soaking in. 

I still tear up very easily thinking back on so many good things in family who are mostly all gone now. 

And if you want to kill me off....

For all the saints, who from their labors rest,

 

One of the great hymns of Christiandom on this All Saints Day

 1. For all the saints, who from their labors rest,

who thee by faith before the world confessed, 

thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed. 

Alleluia, Alleluia!

2. Thou wast their rock, their fortress and their might;

thou, Lord, their Captain in the well-fought fight;

thou, in the darkness drear, the one true Light.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

3. O may thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold,

fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,

and win, with them, the victor's crown of gold.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

4. O blest communion, fellowship divine!

We feebly struggle, they in glory shine

yet all are one in thee, for all are thine.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

5. And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,

steals on the ear the distant triumph song,

and hearts are brave, again, and arms are strong.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

6. The golden evening brightens in the west;

soon, soon to faithful warriors cometh rest;

sweet is the calm of paradise the blest.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

7. But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;

the saints triumphant rise in bright array;

the King of glory passes on his way.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

8. From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast,

through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,

singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:

Alleluia, Alleluia! 

Now we will praise our great heroes, the ancestors of our people from times long past. Our God gave them greatness and honor, they too reflected the greatness of God in ancient times. Some of them had power over great domains and gained their fame through their strength. Others were advisors who possessed great foresight and spoke with the power of prophets. Some led the people through their wisdom, and by their knowledge of the Law of Israel, teaching the people from their wealth of understanding. Some composed great music, others wrote great poetry. Still others possessed great wealth and power, living a life of ease in their estates. All of these were known for great honor and those among them took great pride in them. Some left behind them renown, and their stories are told to this day. Others are forgotten; passed away, as though they had never existed, as if they had never been born — and their children after them did the same. But it was different with our ancestors who were true to their faith; their virtuous deeds will be remembered forever. Their progeny will last for all time and respect for their names will never die. Their bodies are at peace but their names will continue forever. Ecclesiasticus 44:1–10, 13–14