ExUCG Member Debunks British Israelism

 

Ken Young, an exUCG member has written a book debunking the British Israelism myth that currently occupies the minds of many Church of God leaders and ministers.

I'm an unofficial bootee from the United Church of God, mainly because of a documentary I made about HWA in 2017. Though I had reservations about COG doctrines before this, the manner in which I was disfellowshipped resolved the matter for me. Since Christ's disciples may recognize each other by their love one for another, my eviction proved to me, once and for all, that I had NOT been attending "God's church". This convinced me I needed to go back and "prove all things".

After several years of intense study, I have gathered enough scriptural evidence to completely debunk British-Israelism, mandatory tithing, and many of the COG's other carnal-minded doctrines. I have put all this evidence in a handful of ebooks which I would like to make freely available to everyone.

Because of the times we live in, and the COG messages I have heard, I believe there is more danger of the churches of God using fearmongering to extort money from sincere but naive Christians now than perhaps ever before. CrossedWord.net

Are the United States and Britain Israel?

A refutation of major arguments which support "Anglo-Israelism", the "identity" movement, racism, and other carnal-mindedness.

This book is written for all those who, like me, were once associated with the Worldwide Church of God, or any of its “splinter groups” (or COG's) who adhere to Herbert W. Armstrong's teachings. For decades, he taught that the US and much of Europe were collectively the lost tribes of Israel. In his book The United States and Britain in Prophecy he called this idea the “master key” to unlock all bible prophecy. And he claimed God revealed this information to him personally, as one of a select number of “restored truths”:

“Another thing restored to us is our own roots, our identity, who we are. We [within the USA] are the tribe of Manasseh of the lost ten tribes of Israel, and no other Church on earth knows it. That knowledge has been restored into this Church, and God restored that to me 53 years ago.” (Armstrong, MOTPCE) 

 

However, “Anglo-Israelism”—or “British-Isralism”—did not originate with Armstrong. His work is clearly influenced by Judah's Scepter and Joseph's Birthright, written in 1902 by J. H. Allen, a preacher in the Church of God (Holiness). In 1874, Edward Hines first published Forty-Seven Identifications of the British Nation With the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel; and still earlier, in 1840, John Wilson published Lectures on our Israelitish Origin. 

 

Though the COG’s seldom admit it, this idea has been floating around protestant circles for centuries. The theory first came into public perception in nineteenth-century England, at a time when the church of England (or Anglican church) was the only game in town. Today, we are accustomed to religious freedom, but back then such freedoms simply did not exist. That was one big reason the pilgrims left England to colonize the Americas. 

 

We may remember King Henry VIII created the church of England because the Pope wouldn't permit him to divorce his wife and marry Ann Bolyn. Since then, every British monarch has held the title 'Supreme Head of the Church of England'. Back then, these monarchs controlled every facet of religion in England. This is why the puritans colonized America, and why Tyndale went to Germany to publish the first mass-produced English-language Bible, as we will see later in this series.

 

Back then, it would have been very difficult, if not impossible, to publish a book whose doctrines the church of England did not already agree with. In simple terms, they must had the crown’s permission to teach this doctrine. Indeed, some of the first published authors espousing this certainly claimed to be clergymen of the church of England. Thus, by definition, British-Israelism served as royalist propaganda. 

 

Most sources trace British-Israelism back to Richard Brothers, who in 1794 published A Revealed Knowledge of the Prophecies and Times. Brothers believed this knowledge made him God’s apostle of a new religion, calling himself “Prince of the Hebrews” and claiming to be a literal descendant of David. Since he believed Israel to be great Britain—and therefore his subjects—this claim led to his arrest for treason; but instead of serving a prison sentence he was ultimately institutionalized (Wikipedia, “Richard Brothers”). Have we heard any other people claiming to be God’s apostle, and the direct descendant of king David? If so, Brothers did it first. 

 

From this point onward, because of my desire for brevity and penchant for alliteration, I will refer to Anglo-Israelism proponents as either “AI-Advocates” because they support AI, or “BI-Bigots” because they are uniquely close-minded and intolerant of every other opinion on the subject. But honest AI-advocates must admit the scriptures don't support AI. There are no scriptures which explicitly state Israel migrated to Europe—so they SPECULATE and reinforce it by cherry-picking from historical accounts.

Then they make it their official doctrine! I hope we see why this is a bad idea. COG booklets on this subject focus upon the promises to Abraham, Isaac's blessing, and Israel's dispersion; but they almost never delve into the new testament. God explains many deep truths through Paul, which such booklets ignore. Instead, they give us lots of history and speculation. Generally speaking, we cannot learn much of God's word without putting many scriptures together —including those of the new testament.

See Are the United States and Britain Israel? for the complete book.

For those interested, Ken has a website up with other topics that will be relatable to Church of God members. CrossedWord.net

LCG: "...do what you know you need to do while you can. This world is going in a very bad direction …"

 

The final words of encouragement from Gerald Weston:

It is human nature to postpone difficult decisions and to think “I can change later.” I well remember growing up and hearing several of my friends say they were going to live for today until they got old and then they would, in effect, come to a deathbed conversion. The problem is that later in life it is not always so easy to make needed changes. How many I have seen over the years who ran out of time while trying to get right with God. Sickness, family entanglements, and other circumstances make it difficult at best, and how does one approach God while knowing he or she was playing games with Him? It is impossible to “fool God” with this kind of plan! 

 

I hope none of you will try to be like my young friends by postponing what you know you should do. All of you have a head start in the right direction. You believe in God. You are striving to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). You chose to be a supporter of this Work in carrying the good news of the Kingdom of God to this world (Matthew 24:14). You are doing your part in helping us “Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter” (Proverbs 24:11). 

 

I urge you dear friends and co-workers, do what you know you need to do while you can. This world is going in a very bad direction and none of us can afford to be caught off guard. Thank you for your prayers and support. God sees your faithfulness. And thank you for the kind letters we receive from you. Your encouragement is noticed and appreciated.
Sincerely, in Christ’s service,
Gerald E. Weston

Imagine what would happen if these guys actually found their "sabbath rest" in that dude they claim to follow? 

PCG: In Order To Progress Spiritually, Even Thought The Spirit Is With You, It is Not Enough

 In Armstrongism it is a never-ending battle to ever please its god. Even when the Holy Spirit is with the person it is not enough. It is an endless list of rules, do this, do that, and maybe, just maybe, that cranky god will bless you. It is no wonder so many in the COG are repressed and lonely. What hope do they have? If they trusted the Spirit to guide them they would soon be free of the shackles of the law and the stupid rules and regulations the COG's enforce on their members. But no, they prefer the safety of the rules, constantly afraid to step out in freedom.

In order to progress spiritually, we must be led by the Holy Spirit of power, and really use that Spirit. The Holy Spirit doesn’t take over—we must use it. And if we let God work in us, real spiritual growth will take place! Daily we have to overcome with God’s Spirit! The inner man is renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16). 

 

You can’t really give your life to God, build the character of God, and do the Work of God until you have the Spirit. Even when it is working with you, that is not enough. It must be in you and empower you, or you don’t get the job done. You don’t will and do. You may will, but you don’t do what God wants you to do or achieve what He wants you to achieve. Gerald Flurry, The War of the Wills

LCG: Civilization Is Unraveling! Only Those Zealously Doing The Work Will Be Protected

 

More from Gerald Weston. 

Let the fear-mongering run amok! 

Where would the COG be today without its fear-mongering? 

Instead of resting in peace with the one they claim to follow, regardless of worldly situations, Weston and other COG leaders live in a constant state of fear and trembling.

Whether the pandemic, war, supply chain issues, or the high cost of filling our tanks, these problems are all self-inflicted, in the context of the world at large, though you personally had little to do with it. Civilization is unraveling, and people see this. It is during times of instability and desperation that leaders come to the fore who can look good at the beginning, but who may take the world down a destructive path. Napoleon, Hitler, and Mussolini came to power as problem solvers, but their leadership did not work out well in the end. 

 

It is comforting to think that mankind will muddle through this time of instability, that we will have a “soft landing” for inflation, or that Russia and Ukraine will cut a deal, and Europe will get back to normal. It is comforting to think that famine will be averted in the Middle East and Africa where Ukraine and Russia supply most grain products. Comforting as such thoughts may be, this is not likely reality. 

 

We do not know every twist and turn along the way to the supreme crisis at the end of the age that will usher in the return of Jesus Christ to save humanity from foolish, sinful ways, but we know that we will see conditions far worse than they are today. The Bible indicates there will be a time of short-term prosperity (Revelation 18), but ultimately, many of us will live to see the greatest time of trouble the world has ever known (Matthew 24:21-22; Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 12:1).

Yet, there is hope for the people of God. Revelation 12 speaks of a time in the future when God will protect His zealous ones in a wilderness place on earth. After Satan tries one more time to knock God off His throne, he will be cast back down (vv. 7-10). He will immediately go after the true Church of God (vv. 12-13), but God will take His people to a place of safety on earth (v.14). This is not a “rapture,” a doctrine in which many falsely place their hope. Heaven is never spoken of as a “wilderness” in Scripture. This is a place on the earth where a small flock will be saved from Satan’s clutches and will experience a deliverance similar to what the children of Israel saw when they fled from Egypt (vv. 15-16). 

 

The last verse of Revelation 12 confirms that the prophecy is not about physical Israel, but about the Church of God. Not all true Christians (and that is far fewer than most people realize) will be protected during the three-and-a-half years of the Great Tribulation and Day of the Lord. “And the dragon was enraged with the woman [the Church], and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (v. 17). Clearly there are two groups of true Christians spoken of in these verses—those who are zealously doing the Work for which they are called (see Revelation 3:8-10) and those who keep God’s commandments and have the testimony of Jesus Christ, but are self-satisfied and complacent (compare Revelation 3:15-19).

LCG And Its Incredible Impact Around The World!

 

Gerald Weston sent out a letter to the faithful today that told them what an incredible impact the church is having on the world. Bob Thiel was seen whimpering in the corner by the crooked bookcase. It is interesting that whenever LCG comes up with statistics of their amazing work, Bob Thiel has to post his stats and make them better than LCG's.

Dear Brethren and Co-workers with Christ, 

 

Do you realize how much of an impact this Work that you are a part of is having upon our world? We know that we are incredibly small in number, but it might surprise you that about half our membership lives outside North America. In addition to our offices in the U.S. and Canada, we have offices in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, along with smaller in-home offices in other locations. Tomorrow’s World magazines are printed in the United States, Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines, and our Tomorrow’s World telecasts are produced in Canada as well as the United States. 

 

Our Tomorrow’s World subscription list continues to grow toward 600,000, and our combined English, Spanish, and French YouTube subscribers are also closing in on the same figure. This only scratches the surface of all our initiatives. With your help, we are doing a significant Work, but we are still a very little flock (Luke 12:32).

Notice how Gerald Weston skirts the issue of mandatory tithing in the LCG that keeps these things rolling out. He makes it seem like the church is filled with members who "freely give" instead of forced tithing.

We are often asked how we do all this without charging for our resources. As I explained at one of our recent Tomorrow’s World Presentations, we do not build “church” buildings, as that would consume vast sums that can go to preaching the good news of Christ’s coming Kingdom and warning the Israelite nations and the world of the disaster we are bringing upon ourselves. We follow Proverbs 23:23, “Buy the truth, and do not sell it,” and Christ’s instruction, “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8). Therefore, instead of building elaborate facilities, we rent rooms and halls to fit the needs of local congregations. That is why you will generally not see marquees with “Living Church of God” on the streets of your city. But if you are interested in locating a Sabbath-keeping congregation near you, or speaking with a minister in your area, just let us know. You can call or write us or go to lcg.org and click on “Attend With Us” at the bottom of the page.

If the LCG and most any other COG had actual buildings IN communities, they would have a better response. They could show the world and the community that they actually care. Instead, they continue to isolate themselves with exclusivity and look at those daring to walk into a church service as outsiders.