LCG Friday Night Smackdown: LCG members need to strive to stop being instruments of Satan

First, we had Gerald Weston talking about how powerful his adversary is and now we have Doug Winnail doing his Friday Night Smackdown of LCG members and this same adversary. Apparently, LCG members are letting rumors, lies, false doctrines, and divisive ideas lead them straight into Satan's clutches. Their reprobate minds then lead them to thwart the plan of God so that his kingdom can't come when he had originally planned it.  Pretty heavy burdens to place upon LCG members' shoulders!

As usual, it is all LCG members' fault because they are so inept in stopping the crafty wiles of Satan from influencing them. Jesus might be able to help them if they only knew about him. Plus, their inability to resist Satan's influence has thwarted the Kingdom of God from happening sooner than needed and has delayed the return of Christ, again.

Satan’s Devices: God raised up His Church to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God (Mark 16:15), to warn the world of a coming judgment (Matthew 24), and to prepare a people to reign with Jesus Christ (Luke 1:17). Satan has tried to thwart this mission down through history. He inspired misguided individuals to physically attack and murder Jesus, go after His disciples, and cause division and spread vicious rumors and false doctrines to disrupt the Work of the early Church (1 Corinthians 1:10–13; 2 Corinthians 11:26; Galatians 1:6–9; 2 Timothy 4:14). Satan’s goal has not changed. The Bible reveals that we are in a spiritual war with a cunning adversary (Ephesians 6:10–20), who is still using the same devices today (2 Corinthians 2:11)—physical attacks, rumors, lies, false doctrines, divisive ideas, and doing whatever seems right in one’s own eyes (Judges 21:25). All this leads to confusion that distracts us from our mission and disrupts the Work of God. This is why the Apostle Paul urged the early Church to be of “the same mind and... the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10) and to “hold the traditions which you were taught” (2 Thessalonians 2:15). Peter also warned that we must be able to recognize and resist the efforts of Satan to thwart the plan of God with his divisive schemes (1 Peter 5:8–9). We must all strive to avoid being instruments in Satan’s hands if we want to be in the coming Kingdom of God.
Have a profitable Sabbath, Douglas S. Winnail

Satan is running rampant in the LCG just like he is in the world

 

Gerald Weston writes about the most powerful god of the Church of God movement, so powerful that faith in Christ cannot even stem his adversarial actions. He uses bitterness to infect church members' minds so that they no longer care about LCG's "truth". Once LCG members reject LCG teachings they are immediately consumed by hatred! Who knew? That pesky adversary uses rumors about LCG corruption to destroy the minds of members.

That creature is so powerful that he has complete reign to work anywhere he likes in the Church of God. Jesus is apparently powerless in his presence. Forget about the Holy Spirit at work in Christians, since he doesn't exist, Satan can have a field day doing whatever he can to lead LCG members out of the fold!

Greetings from Charlotte, 

 

In these opening comments I want to highlight a fact that even some in the world are coming to recognize.There is an evil spirit at work today dividing people: politically, ethnically, culturally, racially, religiously, and in every other way possible. One part of what has been called “The Lord’s prayer” is “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13). How often do we pray this? Satan is a far greater adversary than some realize, and he will use any issue he can to divide us, if we allow him to do so. But as Jesus implies in the sample prayer, this is not a fight we can win on our own strength. We need God’s Spirit working in us. Note also that Jesus, on the night in which He was betrayed, instructed His disciples, including Peter, to “Pray that you may not enter into temptation” (Luke 22:40, 46). We know how that turned out, as Peter’s emotions—in this case, fear— got the best of him. As humans, we too often allow our emotions to rule us and lead us to do things that we should not. Scripture warns us not to allow bitterness to take root in us (Hebrews 12:15). Once that happens, a person no longer cares about truth, only hatred and his or her perceived grievance. We know that we ought not act on rumors, but how often do we get caught up in believing things we want to hear but that may be totally untrue, or slightly altered or twisted to present a false reality? Satan is working in this world to destroy mankind, and he is working anywhere in the Church that he can to divide and destroy us. Let us remember to plead with God daily to “deliver us from the evil one,” and let us do our part by humbly drawing close to God so that the devil will flee from us (James 4:1–7).—Gerald Weston

Self Righteous COG Member Causes Issues Between Two COG Groups Cooperating With Each Other

“Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.”

 (Psalm 41:1) 

“But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” 

(1 John 3:17)

 

COGNews has an entry up from Bill Goff today about an issue he has faced due to a meddlesome COG member stirring up a stink between Goff and the Christian Biblical Church of God. CBCG is run by Fred Coulter.

Bill Goff has been running a successful organization in Kenya for many years now that feeds impoverished children and others, Kenya Hands of Hope.

Thank you for your quick response in helping to bring food to our impoverished Brethren. May God bless each and every one of you! As many of you know, another young girl from the Rongo congregation died from starvation. But thanks to your quick action, the hunger situation was eased. We distributed Maze and Beans to the starving groups. We also distributed Wheat, Cassava, Millet and Sugar to the widows and remote orphans so they could continue making nutritional porridge. Your Brethren are so Very Very thankful to you for helping them during their dire need. The children were also very thankful (and happy) to have food to eat as you will see in the pictures below — See August 12, 2022

Goff goes on to write about what transpired between Goff's organization and Fred Coulter's Christian Biblical Church of God:

Now I have something sad to report on and bring to your attention. I’m hoping that you will pray about it, because it’s a very serious matter. A while back I reported that Fred Coulter stepped in and joined hands with us in helping our impoverished brethren, and it was a wonderful thing, we were able to assist more of our suffering brethren by working together. Sad to say, that help came to an abrupt end yesterday. Apparently someone informed Fred that my beliefs differ from some of what he teaches. There are a number of doctrines that not only I, but other members of the Body of Christ differ on, but that shouldn’t stop us from helping our brethren who are suffering and literally starving to death at this time. 

 

Too many pulpits in the church of God are too quick to terminate all relation, and sever ties because of differences in beliefs. Now there are Scriptural instructions concerning this matter, and times when some do need to be dealt with, like in Romans 16:17 where we are told to “Mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrines which ye have learned; and avoid them”.
Let us be sure we understand what the Scripture is saying here: that word “divisions” means disunion, dissension, division, sedition. Sedition means to conduct or speech exciting people to rebel against the authority or a state or monarch, and division means disagreement between two or more groups producing tension or hostility. 

 

Brethren, I don’t think I fit into that category. We had no hostility or tension, and there was no rebellion against any authority. On the contrary, we were working together quite well. Fred was even sending me all of the contacts he receives from people in various countries on the continent of Africa, and I was checking them out. Even that was working out quite well. 

 

As I said, there was no problem between Fred and I, things were going on quite well. There was no contention or hostility between us, fact is there was much good fruit being produced, especially in assisting our impoverished widows and orphans who have been suffering significantly. 

 

Christian Biblical Church of God joining hands with us in assisting our suffering brethren was a wonderful thing, it was answered prayer. We have been praying for more to join hands with us to help our suffering and starving brethren. Whoever approached Fred, and caused him to stop assisting our suffering brethren should be ashamed of themselves. The sad part is that now more of our brethren will continue to suffer. Please pray that Fred will continue to assist them. Those funds go directly to our starving widows and orphans, no doctrinal issues should come between us in helping our brethren who are literally starving to death at this time. (This attempt to divide us is the work of our arch deceiver.)

Nothing would surprise me that this was a follower of Bob Thiel, bitter over another COG stepping into Africa. Plus, Thiel is very vocal with his hatred of cooperation between churches, whether they be "worldly" or Armstrongite Churches of Glod. When his group is the only right church then this creates an issue with cooperation with others. 

Plus, I can guarantee this person was an entitled American who has zero concerns about the plight of those in Africa, and most certainly a person who has never given financially to such organizations. After all, the official COG mantra has always been - Don't worry about them now, God will help them in the millennium to live properly like we do in America.

How can anyone look at the COG today as an example of Godly love? A love that is supposedly unsurpassed since the 1st Century Christians gathered together. A love that exemplifies the coming Kingdom of God. The Church of God today has very few groups that exemplify true love for others. 

Who would want to be part of a kingdom where these kinds of people will supposedly be teachers and right-hand assistants to Christ?

That Other Crackpot Prophet Claims That Without His Books Real Christians Will Be Unable To Fully Teach In The Millennium.

 

Our other favorite crackpot prophet is back with another doozy today letting the Churches of God know that unless they read his books and booklets they will be unable to FULLY teach people in this present age and in the millennium to come. Also, regular COG members cannot understand the Bible without his books and booklets.

It has always fascinated me how these men leading various COG's think their theological background is significant enough to be writing books on church teachings, prophecy, and history. None of them have a theological education outside of the Church of God. Their entire theological foundation is based upon Herbert Armstrong's interpretations of the Bible after a 6-month study in a public library, and from directly plagiarizing at least 3 books.

We should know by now that since God set into motion the ministry of the Great Bwana to Africa BEFORE the foundation of the world was ever established and foreordained him to be doubly blessed after almost being jailed, to be for us in these latter days the most important man to ever walk this earth. He is our appointed latter-day Elisha, Amos, Joshua, Zechariah, and one of the two witless witnesses.

His teachings are so mind-blowing that when the end times hit that he and only he will be able to determine WHEN it is time to flee and where to go to. No other COG can do this!

After pontificating on Herbert Armstong's Seven Laws of Success booklet, the Great Bwana writes about education:

Not only can the right education “open doors,” it helps many people become more productive. It helps people live up to more of their potential. 

 

The Apostle Peter wrote:

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (1 Peter 3:15, KJV)

Don't be naive to think that you can get knowledge out of a seminary or a university. We all know by now where true education comes from and is found in these latter days. 

Only Philaldphian Christians in the CORRECT Church will have the Holy Spirit and be able to discern these things:

How can Philadelphian Christians take action and instruct many if they are not prepared? 

 

First, notice that the Holy Spirit will assist according to Jesus:

18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. (Matthew 10:18-20)

No Christian outside of the improperly named "continuing" Church of "god" can ever have the Holy Spirit working through them, even though the CCG denies the Holy Spirit. 

Even so, his members need to be ready to give an answer when necessary:

You need to be prepared as the Apostle Peter wrote to be able to give answers to those who ask. 

 

The Apostle Paul wrote the following:

15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:14, NKJV)

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV)

The Great Bwana goes on to say that Christians need to study the Bible diligently and rely upon church literature to explain it all to them.

The Bible is the word of truth. Christians need to study diligently, which includes not only reading the Bible and paying attention to sermons, but also to read church literature. 

 

One of the reasons is that parts of the Bible are not always easy to understand, as the Apostle Peter pointed out:

14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation — as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. (2 Peter 3:14-16, NKJV)

The Great Bwana then has the audacity to write this:

Notice again one is to be ‘diligent’ so one will not be moved by untaught and unstable people.

Never in the history of the church has it been overrun by so many false teachers and self-appointed prophets and apostles. Never have we seen such a large number of unstable men as we have leading various COGs today!

Church members are too stupid to understand the Bible and need to be "taught" by the Great Bwana on what it actually means. That is the entire purpose of the ministry today in the church.

This also means that God’s people need to be taught. 

 

In addition to studying the word of God on their own, this is part of why God has a ministry:

26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. 27 So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. (Acts 8:26-31)

The ministry and the writings of the Prophet/Apostle/Great Bwana are the necessary means by which church members are educated.

Yes, the true ministry helps people be able to speak the truth in love. 

 

Now that books are more widely available than in New Testament times, books from ministers can also assist in teaching end time Christians. 

 

While we have many, the following look to be particularly applicable to the ‘instruct many’ prophecy related to predominantly Philadelphian Christians:

The Great Bwana then goes on to list several of his books and booklets and then makes this proclamation:

Now that does not mean our other books and booklets are not important to know–and they can also be referred to–and all are found at the following link: CCOG Free Books and Booklets. 

Only true Phialdphians who are members of the improperly named "continuing" Church of "god" will be able to instruct people during the Millenium with the TRUTH! Other lesser Phlialdlaphains (if they make it through the tribulation) who have not read the Great Bwana's significant works will be unable to fully teach church history, heresies, and prophetic understanding! Read it and weep Gerald Weston and Dave Pack!!! 

Non-Philadelphians will not know enough to instruct many in this age. Oh yes, they will teach people during the millennium. But, the lack of knowledge of church history, development of heresies, and proper prophetic understanding will prevent most non-Philadelphians from fulfilling the “instruct many” prophecy in Daniel 11:32. 

In the millennium those who survived will be eager to read about the history of the Great Bwana and his little group. That is why Bwana Bob has written his books. They will be teaching tools in the Millenium! 

Because some of what people in the world will be interested in will be a bit historical, and to them unique, the listed books were written. These books are part of the CCOG preparation for the short work. 

So there you have it, brethren! Get off your lazy Laodicean butts and support the greatest work the church has ever seen in the entire scope of Christian history! However, you must be willing to let God use you when he reveals the great Bwana to Africa is his true remnant leader! 

If YOU are willing to be used by God and will support the true Philadelphian remnant leader, God may well have YOU instruct many. Either directly, or at least, indirectly.

Start studying Bwana Bob's books right now! You have a huge teaching job ahead of you! 

Thank Goodness My COG Is Not Like Dave Pack's Church!

. 

This deserves more discussion:

This guy's hold on people after all the false prophecies and teachings is so sad and a lesson. Many in the COGs think to themselves, "He is a nut. We're not like that." 

Yeah, not quite. But you still follow the teachings of a man, HWA, who made false prophecies and teachings. And make no mistake, many of your beliefs are based on Armstrong's teachings and not direct teachings from the Bible. 

Just a few of Armstrong's false teachings not in the Bible that require little argument to rebut: 

1) Our doctrine (or being in select organizations) makes us real Christians. No, According to the BIBLE, Faith in Christ's atoning blood is what makes one a real Christian. Please show me where more than faith is required. 

2) You must understand the supposed meaning of the holy days to be a real Christian. No, this is all Armstrong. The Bible simply does not state anything of the sort. Before Sinai and after Christ (for new believers) there is no evidence of this teaching. Yet despite this, groups like COGWA require not just observance but yet even more indoctrinated belief of the MEANING of these days and bluntly states, "Without an understanding of the holy days you are not called." Sad.

3) The real church will be called "The Church of God". These groups actually believe that having that name is a prerequisite to being a legitimate church. First off, "Church of God" is incorrectly translated into English from the Greek "Ekklesia Theos" which means "those of God's who are called out". It's a description, not a title of an organization. 

Further, the term "church" draws from the greek "kurikon" maybe passing through the Germanic "kirche" (which was not itself used before the 8th century). "Church" more directly came from the old English "cirice" and "Circe" who btw was a pagan greek goddess, but maybe that is neither here nor there. But, still, neither of these terms were used before the 13th century. And "church" itself was not used until the late 16th century. King James had the Bible translated in 1611 and set forth several rules for translation to support terms used by the Anglican "Church" one such rule was that the term ekklesia be translated as "church" rather than the more accurate "assembly" or "congregation" or "called out".  

So, what we have is a doctrine of the COGs that would indicate no one was a true group of real Christians until they used the term "church of God" which never occurred until the 17th century. Further, there are pagan elements to the etymology of the term "church". Shame! Further still (and painfully silly for most Christians to read), this argues against the ridiculous COG claim that their "church of god" goes back to the time of Jesus. How could it, if they must be called "the Church of God"? The COGs actually hang onto this false English translation as a doctrine.

Strangely enough this ridiculous doctrine actually led to my further questioning of the COGs. I agree the whole thing is silly, but it is a doctrine. 

Sorry, longer than I intended. There are many more false and silly doctrines, but I think the three above are indefensible if you claim your doctrines are from the Bible and not fully founded on the doctrine of Herbert Armstrong.