Why Not the Restored Church of God?

Facts and Opinions By COGwriter

On May 3, 1999, less than six months after he supported the takeover of the Global Church of God (GCG) by the board, this new board disfellowshipped David Pack. Within weeks, David Pack founded the Restored Church of God (RCG). Thus, RCG came into existence about six months after the Living Church of God (LCG) formed.

Several have asked me about RCG and various ones affiliated with RCG asked me to write more about what RCG teaches and to compare that to what LCG teaches.

I should state at the beginning of this article, that RCG members may not like the truth that this article contains--but if they truly have a love of the truth, I believe that they will benefit from it.

First, I would like to start by discussing some of the similarities between the two groups. The leaders of both groups were once in the Worldwide Church of God (WCG) and then in the original GCG. The leaders of both groups each had personal contact with Herbert W. Armstrong (HWA), though Dr. Meredith's contacts were much more frequent and over a much longer period of time. Both LCG and RCG claim to teach the 18 truths that HWA claimed to restore to the church.

Both LCG and RCG claim to "Contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all delivered for the saints" (Jude 3). Unlike some groups with origins in WCG, both LCG and RCG believe that booklets are an essential part of their work. Both groups agree on most doctrinal issues as well.

With so many similarities, one may wonder, how come they are not together?

LCG believes,

The New Testament pattern was to proclaim the Gospel first and then to feed the sheep (Dattalo, Fred. Church Government and Church Priorities. Living Church News. Jan-Feb 1999; p.7).

So the primary function of the true Church of God is to GO to all nations and preach the same powerful message Jesus preached about the coming Kingdom of God! (Meredith, Roderick C. Should You Be Baptized? Booklet. 1999; p. 17).

THE CHURCH, ITS NAME AND ITS MISSION...1. To preach the true Gospel of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14; Matthew 24:14; Ezekiel 3 and 33), and the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 8:12) to all nations as a witness (Official Statement of Fundamental Beliefs. Living Church of God).

When RCG formed, David Pack stated that RCG stood for "precision of doctrine". Later he wrote,

What are the priorities of Restored?
1. To gather and feed the flock of God and to teach them to hold fast to the exact precision of doctrines as handed down by Jesus Christ, through the apostles and prophets, including our own end-time apostle, Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong...
3. To be found doing the Work of preaching the gospel, as led by Jesus Christ, and as He gives us funds and time to do so in this age (Pack, David. Why the Restored Church of God. Booklet. 2000. pp.18-19).

Thus RCG started off teaching that preaching the Gospel should be its third priority as funds allow. And is now mainly an internet ministry when it comes to proclaiming the Gospel.

Yet, Herbert Armstrong, who RCG claims to follow, taught,

In Matthew 28:19-20, God's order is 1) go and preach the Gospel (compare with Mark's version, same words of Jesus, Mark 16:15); 2) baptize those who repent and believe; then after that, 3) teach them to observe the commandments" (Armstrong, Herbert. Autobiography, p. 523).

But the commission to 'feed the flock' is second to that Great Commission (Armstrong, Herbert. Here's Good News. Good News, April 1951).

Similar to PCG, RCG seems to think that a Laodicean warning message is what the Philadelphia portion of the COG should proclaim. Notice what David Pack claimed in his 21st Century Apostle sermon, part 2:

Mr. Armstrong was a messenger to the 6th era. And even revealed that there are such men, 7 of them. He trained me to do the same. Mr. Armstrong was a Apostle. Yes brethren I hold that office. I do...

If I am not an apostle...I was not sent as a messenger to Laodicea...

I will not take a lot of titles...I never worried about Mr. Armstrong's titles...

This office outranks your leaders.

Notice that David Pack took the title of apostle and the title as a messenger to Laodicea. The idea of being a messenger to Laodicea is clear proof that RCG does not have the same Philadelphia work that the WCG under HWA had.

A review of RCG's website and literature clearly shows that its emphasis, like that of PCG, is not to proclaim the gospel message, but to focus on chastising those who are in other Church of God fellowships (repeatedly referred to by David Pack as those affiliated with the "splinters"). This should be one of the most obvious changes that those with a WCG background will note if they read much of RCG's materials.

Its Internet is Proof it is the Church?

Although it is unclear how RCG now spends its funds, it now seems to believe that its internet presence is proof that it has preached the gospel adequately:

Major Milestone—All 193 Nations Reached!: Through the Internet (used by well over 1 billion people) and other means, The Restored Church of God has now officially reached every country on earth! The last three were Comoros, Nauru and, finally, on Saturday, June 17, Equatorial Guinea.

This is a milestone within an end-time prophecy to be fulfilled by the one undivided Church through which Jesus Christ works. He foretold that just before the age ends the true gospel of the kingdom of God—the coming world-ruling supergovernment He would lead with the saints—would be announced to every nation: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matt. 24:14)...

Reaching all 193 nations (most are reached every week) is another undeniable proof that the all-powerful, living Jesus Christ heads and directs but one Church and Work—The Restored Church of God! (Pack D. Major Milestone—All 193 Nations Reached! 6/23/06 on the internet).

Huh?

LCG has reached over 200 nations/territories and accomplished that years before RCG did. Thus, by that standard, RCG should have been supporting LCG. FWIW, I know the COGwriter site has reached close to 200 nations/territories too (but no, not most every week--mainly the largest 1/2 each month).

Anyway, having one or more hits from each nation has been obtained by other COGs (I suspect that both UCG and Barnabas Ministries did this years ago too--as undoubtedly several of the other COG sites most likely have), hence RCG should be a bit more careful on how it tries to spin this. It is not unique in this accomplishment.

While the internet is a useful gospel proclaiming tool, it, of itself, does not prove that Jesus Christ is directing the Restored Church of God. Again, if that is the criteria, then the first to do that (which WAS NOT RCG) would seem to have accomplished this better (as well as those COGs who have reached even more nations and territories than 193).

Instead, it seems to me at least, that once RCG noticed it got close to reaching 193 nations, that it decided that this should be the new standard, but the fact that others had done this before should be ignored.

Is this not obvious to RCG supporters as well?

Furthermore, while David Pack indicated how much better RCG's internet impact would be in 2008, independent statistics show that RCG's impact has dropper dramatically in 2008. For details, please look at the news item Decline of the False Apostle. Furthermore, the Alexa rankings on September 9, 2008 show that thercg.org (RCG's best ranking site) is simply not having the impact of the COGwriter website--cogwriter.com is more popular (214,605 vs. 256.417).

RCG simply does not do the Philadelphia-era work, David Pack's words notwithstanding..

(RCG also has changed its view on "personal websites"--please see Appendix B at the end of this page.)

The Work

The fact that LCG is on approximately 200 television and 18 radio stations broadcasting from many countries is proof to any with eyes to see and ears to hear that LCG truly believes:

...the primary function of the true Church of God is to GO to all nations and preach the same powerful message Jesus preached about the coming Kingdom of God!" (Meredith, Roderick C. Should You Be Baptized? Booklet. 1999; p. 17).

The fact that Jesus set that as the priority shows that LCG's priorities are biblical.

In his last letter, Herbert Armstrong rebutted all arguments about the work being over as he specifically wrote,

It may be that the Work that God has given me to do is complete, but not the Work of God's Church, which will be faithfully doing God's Work till Christ, the True Head of this Church, returns...Remember brethren, this is not the work of Herbert W. Armstrong...The greatest work lies ahead...Never before in the history of the Church has it been possible to reap so great a harvest. It has only been made possible through modern technology, beginning with the printing press, radio, television...Each of you must commit yourself to support God's Work...God's work must push ahead as never before. God is opening up new doors in television" (Armstrong, Herbert. Letter, 1/10/86).

It should be noted that WCG under Herbert W. Armstrong spent between 35-42% of its income on the first commission, the same as the Churches led by Roderick Meredith. And LCG has been the only COG with audited and public financial statements to back up this claim.

Furthermore, under Herbert Armstrong's leadership, it was taught:

The great door that God has opened to this work is the facility to go into all the world and preach the gospel; the door of radio, the door of the printing press, plus many other such doors. God has set before us an open door that no man can shut it, and He will when the work is finished and the Philadelphia Church goes to a place of safety (What is the "Laodicean Church"? Plain Truth. August 1959, p.10).

Yet, David Pack wrote,

Since Mr. Armstrong was not sure whether or not the open door was placed in front of Philadelphia or himself as its messenger, I have no intentions of acting presumptuously declaring it to be one way or the other. I sincerely do not know. I suspect that door is either closed or closing and have felt that this has probably been happening for some number of years (Pack, David C. Is the Work Finished? Booklet. 2000. p. 55).

It appears that David Pack answers the questions What is a True Philadelphian? and Should the Church Still Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert Armstrong Change that Priority? differently than those in LCG do and differently than HWA and Jesus did.

Look at what Jesus revealed to John,

"See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name" (Revelation 3:8).

No one can (or would) shut the door to the Philadelphia era! (until going to a place of safety--that is precisely what Herbert Armstrong's church did teach and what the Living Church of God still teaches). I suspect that David Pack does not understand this completely.

However, now that RCG has a significant internet presence (though his ratings declined in 2008--please see Declines of the False Apostle and False Prophet), David Pack seems to be saying that without prioritizing the gospel proclamation, that RCG alone has accomplished the gospel proclamation that now needs to be done. Notice that in a later online version of essentially the same booklet, that David Pack has changed his position:

Misunderstanding scriptures such as this, many have come to believe that the Work as the Church and Mr. Armstrong did it for many decades is now finished, with all such responsibility to continue completed (Pack, David C. Is God's Work Finished? Booklet. version online 12/19/06) .

It appears to me that David Pack was not Philadelphian when he began RCG and that he had no intention to have anything like a Philadelphia work. However, after his internet presence grew, he publicly decided that the work was not finished and that others misinterpretted the open door scriptures (but of course, that originally included him).

Perhaps I should mention that in 2008, his internet impact dropped and his thercg.org site now has about the same impact as the www.cogwriter.com website (and my site does NOT pay to advertise to get impact like his--hence my results are probably more significant).

Heresies

While David Pack and I have documented that the United Church of God (UCG) and Philadelphia Church of God (PCG) teach/tolerate heresies, David Pack takes it a step further by inaccurately stating that RCG is the only group that does not tolerate heresy (Pack, David. Why the Restored Church of God? Booklet. 2000).

And he also wrote,

Mr. Armstrong utilized the technological innovation of radio (coupled with the printed word) at the optimum time to carry the gospel to the world. To a lesser extent, certain early Sardis ministers utilized the printing press to spread the gospel. Add to this equation, the new technological innovation of computers coupled with the internet. This opens the potential for The Restored Church of God, as sole custodians of the full truth, to do a significant Work, as we rapidly approach the most crucial juncture in history. While Mr. Pack is not an apostle or a prophet, he is a pastor leading God’s people back into the full truth. The Philadelphian Work and remnant, being gathered together at this time, just before this age ends, is still alive and well! (Pack, D. The History of God's TRUE CHURCH, RCG Booklet, 2001, p. 74).

In order to attempt to demonstrate why it is right, RCG announced a list of heresies in its 12/15/00 update (the list was originally online, but no longer is) which it believes demonstrates that all the 'splinter groups' are committing apostasy (I presume some of this list is in his 'splinter group' booklet and other later reports from RCG). Although David Pack does not specifically identify the groups by name (except accidentally once), a review of the 12/15/00 list shows that towards the beginning many of the heresies involve UCG and independents and that towards the end most involve PCG.

A few listed are odd beliefs from some fairly small groups. Some mentioned (e.g. #40-makeup,#45-tithing on net,#52-church attendance) apply to some degree to LCG, but by David Pack's own definitions, they are not heresies (Herbert Armstrong allowed them all at one time or the other). Several others which David Pack may have directed towards LCG are incorrect, incomplete, or pulled out-of-context. There are also a few (not directed towards LCG) that David Pack's point is not clear.

It is true that most of the 176 items in the David Pack wrote in his heresy list are heresies. And although the Bible is supposed to be the standard for doctrine and the determination of heresy, David Pack wrote,

Therefore, the standard for what appears on this list will be the teachings of Mr. Armstrong.

Yet, the following claimed 'heresies' by David Pack were to some degree taught/tolerated by Herbert Armstrong (my comments follow each in parentheses):

38. Interracial marriage may be unwise but it is neither wrong nor sin. (HWA did not disfellowship members in his Pasadena congregation for this. God apparently allowed at least two interracial couples on the ark, Genesis 6.)
39. Baptized people may date and marry unbaptized people without any longer being disfellowshipped. (HWA did not disfellowship members in his Pasadena congregation for this.)
40. Wearing makeup is permitted because it is falsely described as "just an administrative matter" or explained away by saying that "Mr. Armstrong went back and forth on it." (HWA did change his position on this matter several times--I have lived close enough to Pasadena for the past 31 years years to know this--also there are scriptural reasons supporting its permission; click here for an article on makeup.)
42. It may be said that there are five resurrections with three "major" resurrections. (I heard this preached in WCG when HWA was alive--it is not a teaching that there will be five future resurrections, but that there were other resurrections in the Bible.)
45. Most brethren now tithe on net income instead of gross. (HWA allowed nearly all non-US brethren to do this.)
52. An open-door policy now governs church attendance. (HWA initially had an 'open door' policy, then made it a nearly closed door policy, then opened it up again. Most of the COGs allow people with a WCG/COG background to attend without a loyalty declaration before attendance, but these are not normally open-door policies in the Protestant sense.)
69. Before being baptized, people no longer need to leave worldly clubs and organizations (i.e. Moose Lodge, etc.). (Although I never joined the Moose or anything similar, WCG encouraged this on at least two occasions while HWA was alive.)
76. Seeking accreditation for Ambassador College was not wrong, contrary to what Mr. Armstrong said. (HWA wrote, "As you probably know, we are now in process of pursuing accreditation. Already two visits have been made to our campus by accreditation committees." Letter 1/21/71--Herbert Armstrong's original intent was for AC to be accredited per its 1947 catalog. Although in some writings HWA wrote against accreditation, in others he acknowledged that it could have been fine, but that some misled him in certain areas. Herbert W. Armstrong had no problem with regional accreditation for Imperial Schools: in the period 1965-1968 it became regionally accredited by WASC (the Western Association of Schools and Colleges). And after that occurred, HWA wanted WASC to accredit Ambassador College. But it did not occur. HWA objected to accreditation in 1968. Then in 1971, he changed his mind and wanted AC to apply again. And that time, AC did attain candidacy status for accreditation. He was pleased with that. But due to delays on AC's part and internal issues, it was not obtained. He was not pleased with that).
107. The "very elect" of Matthew 24:24 cannot be deceived. (While it is true that Satan deceives the whole world, it is also true that there is an area where it is not possible to deceive the elect--as Matthew 24:24 states, "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.")

Another Area David Pack Claimed to Differ from HWA

This section is from Charles Jahrsdorfer's old site,

Just a little over 2 years ago a great many Christians found themselves in the midst of another "Church Split." One point of accusation and/or distinction was the role of women in positions of authority in God's Church. Quite a controversy erupted over Mrs. Meredith's role on the Board of the Global Church of God...While, simply put, it was Mr. Meredith's opinion there was nothing wrong with his wife's position on the board, David C. Pack adamantly OPPOSED IT! The following quotes are for historical purposes. They are meant to illustrate David C. Packs EVER changing opinion on God's NEVER changing Truth.

"In fact, in our September Board meeting, they even-over my objections- removed my wife Sheryl, from the Board..." 11/21/98 Emergency Letter by Mr. Meredith. "I finally had to draw the line when they removed my wife from the board,"... 11/27/98 Update by Mr. Meredith.

-VS- "Doctrinal Changes & Explanations" Sermon by David C. Pack

A women on the board, that’s usurping authority over a man…Over and over again we tried for months and months to go to Mr. Meredith about his wife on the board. The simple reality was he wouldn’t take her off. He sighted Mrs. Armstrong having been on the board in the 60’s. The reality was the board played no role back then. It didn’t do any of the thing the board does today. Boards weren’t even important in the state of California but because of the litigious society we are in now there is a fellow named the attorney general of California who watches theses thing very carefully. Whether you live by your by laws. Because your by laws define how you do thing B-Y- L-A-W. Whatever your bylaws say you have to do! You can make them say what you want but what ever they are you have got to live by them or you open yourself up to legal attack. That was another reason I why I gave you the three reasons why we could not have Mrs. Meredith on the board that’s just the plain and simple fact of it. More could be said. A Women on the Board- That's usurping Authority".

If a women having a role on a Corporate board is usurping Authority over a man, what would you call a women who is a TRUSTEE of a Church and also it's TREASURER? MRS. PACK. That's right! Dateline News Page has learned and confirmed by several past RCG employees, Mrs. Pack is listed as the Church TREASURER and is also a Church TRUSTEE. So, where is David C. Pack's OUTRAGE now? (END OF QUOTES FROM CHARLES JAHRSDORFER).

I would add that Dr. Meredith's position regarding his wife was the same as HWA's and disagree with David Pack's assessment. I feel competent to say that as I am chairman of the board of two California corporations, one of which is non-profit.

Daniel and the King of the South

David Pack, who claims to stand for "precision of doctrine", essentially re-wrote HWA's Middle East in Prophecy booklet. But there is at least one editorial change that stands out.

Here is HWA's version,

Verse 43 says the Libyans and Ethiopians (observe that after its conquest by Mussolini, Ethiopia is not again referred to as the king of the south) shall be at his steps (Armstrong, HW. Middle East in Prophecy (1948, 1954, 1972 version).

RCG's David Pack seems to have eliminated that insert from his version,

Then, verse 43 says, “the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.” shall be at his steps.” (Pack, David. The Mid-East in Prophecy. Copyright © 2001, 2002, 2004 by David C. Pack).

RCG's position is that Ethiopia is the King of the South, as David Pack specifically wrote:

The King of the South is Ethiopia Once again, only Ethiopia continued and remained independent in East Africa from the time of the Roman Empire. Therefore, no other country or government could fit as the king of the south—i.e., by having been a part of the ancient land controlled by the “king of the south.” Remember, verse 40 explains that the setting is the time of the end. Once again, only Ethiopia continued and remained independent in East Africa from the time of the Roman Empire. Therefore, no other country or government could fit as the king of the south—i.e., by having been a part of the ancient land controlled by the “king of the south.”

And although HWA once felt that Ethiopia was a king of the South, HWA changed his position on the future king of the South, but RCG has not. This once again shows a lack of precision of doctrine on RCG's part. The following is from an article that was produced under HWA's leadership:

Bible prophecy reveals the coming emergence of an Arab-Moslem confederation in the Middle East. It is referred to in prophecy as "the king of the south" (Dan. 11:40). This confederation will play a crucial role in end-time events. (Seeing the World Through Islamic Eyes. Plain Truth, June 1983).

Thus from HWA's own booklet as well as the Plain Truth article, it should be clear that HWA was no longer convinced that Ethiopia must be the future king of the South.

Yet because RCG now teaches that the King of the South must be Ethiopia, unless David Pack CHANGES his position, those associated with RCG will certainly be deceived by the development of the actual king of the south, and hence not understand prophetic fulfillment. Thus, RCG will clearly turn out NOT to be the group to be part of in order to be protected in the place of safety.

Furthermore, if Ethiopia is to be the King of the South, world events suggest that it would take a tremendously long period of time before it could be in that type of position (and this would also seem to contradict a statement I once heard David Pack make that there would be much less time until the end than LCG has stated there would be).

For those unfamiliar with Ethiopia, perhaps it should be pointed out that Ethiopia is not Arabic, is only about 40% Moslem, does not have a powerful military (in spite of being able to help Somalia recently), and does not have economic might (it is among the poorest countries in the world), thus it is not likely to lead an Arab-Moslem dominated king of the South. It is not the type of country that would seem to be able to push at the King of the North and cause it to respond with a military whirlwind. And while this does not mean that it is not possible that one may rise from Ethiopia to lead the king of the South, it does not seem that Ethiopia itself is the likely leader (more information is included in the article Is There a Future King of the South?).

It really seems a stretch to teach that the end is within several years and that Ethiopia will be such a force that the EU will have to invade it.

Do those associated with RCG understand that?

Furthermore, David Pack took another stand against a teaching of Herbert W. Armstrong with his sermon on the 1335. Notice what his website stated:

While many understand what happens 1,260 days before Christ returns, as well as what happens 30 days earlier (the 1,290 date), no one understands what happens at the 1,335 days, referenced in Daniel 12:12 (NEWS AND UPDATES. Date: 2007-11-16 New Sermon. http://www.thercg.org/news.html viewed 11/21/07).

...one elder commented here at headquarters, if people can't be motivated by a clarion call to finish the work such as this, why will those same people somehow believe the internal signal given to the church of the 1335? Why would they believe it? (Pack DC. Clarion Call -- The Time is NOW! Sermon of 11/03/07).

Apparently David Pack has not read what Herbert W. Armstrong taught about this as Herbert W. Armstrong basically did understand it--and it is not an internal signal. This is just another example of RCG deviating from proper prophetic knowledge. More information on what Herbert W. Armstrong taught is in the article Who is the King of the North?

Sideburn Heresy

In a booklet by David Pack it states:

It was a ceremonial custom of the heathen to cut and trim beards and hair into special shapes that would honor a particular pagan deity—often the sun god... Conversely, a round bald spot may have been shaved on the head. (This is one reason that a male should not shave off his sideburns. Doing this also makes him appear feminine) (Pack. D. Did Jesus Have Long Hair? PROPER HAIR LENGTHS AND STYLES IN GOD’S CHURCH. http://www.thercg.org/articles/djhlh.html Viewed 12/20/07).

This is sideburn teaching is not one I recall from Herbert W. Armstrong. Thus, I who do shave my sideburns cannot be in RCG, because of this heresy--nor perhaps can those of American Indian descent as their males normally do not have sideburns to even be able to shave them.

Furthermore, the last time I saw a picture of David Pack, he seemed to have shaved his sideburns, so perhaps he might wish to reconsider what he wrote here. However, it is of interest to note that RCG often seems to be excessively focused on appearance--something that the Apostle Paul warned against (2 Corinthians 10:7).

144,000 Heresy?

As mentioned earlier, David Pack defined heresy as doctrines that differ from "the teachings of Mr. Armstrong". Yet he clearly does that himself.

Regarding the identity of the 144,000, Herbert Armstrong wrote:

WHO Are the 144,000?

You have probably heard many interpretations. They are all in error. Men are unable to interpret this prophecy. The first thing to notice is that the TIME of the sealing of this 144,000 is yet in the future--it is after the Great Tribulation and the heavenly SIGNS, and just before the plagues of God's Judgments! It has not happened yet!

Second, this prophecy is plain, and means just what it says-- 144,000 of the 12 tribes of Israel--12,000 of each tribe. Where are they today? Where are the lost ten tribes?

But these 144,000 are not all! "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands... And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Rev. 7:9, 13-14) (Armstrong HW. The Book of Revelation Unveiled at last!. WCG, 1972, p. 35).

But notice what RCG now claims that David Pack:

144,000 Explained: David C. Pack’s sermon series identifying the 144,000 and the Great Multitude has now been posted. An object of speculation for decades, this mysterious group has never been understood until now. You will learn why it could not be unlocked until God’s time came. The problem with the endless human theories is their authors simply could not recognize this subject to be like a 1,500-piece puzzle. This kept them from looking for and assembling every piece, without which they had no chance of reaching the correct conclusion—of seeing the full picture. Nor then was there any chance of comprehending the colossal implications of this incredible Bible doctrine! (NEWS OF THE WORK http://www.thercg.org/news.html Date: 2006-12-09).

Since HWA said he understood who it was in 1972, and RCG says no one knew until late 2006, that RCG is not teaching what HWA taught about it.

I listened to some of part 3 of David Pack's 144,000 message. In it, he teaches:

The splinters...do not get it right because God would not reveal it to them...Gentiles can be part of the 144,000...You are all one in Christ...The twelve tribes are not talking about the twelve tribes of Israel (Pack David. The 144,000 and the Great Multitude. Part 3. Posted 12/09/06).

But Herbert W. Armstrong taught (bolding mine):

The 144,000 are 12,000 from each of the literal tribes of Israel. (Rev. 7:4) They are sealed by the Holy Spirit. IN their foreheads, and it is THE FATHER'S NAME that is sealed there. (Rev. 14:1) The TIME of this sealing, then, is yet future - after the Tribulation, after the heavenly signs, after the SIGN of Christ's coming appears in heaven (Armstrong HW. The key to the Book of Revelation. WCG, 1972, p. 10).

Notice that what LCG teaches is consistent with HWA's teachings:

Genesis introduces the number 12 with Jacob’s 12 sons who gave rise to the 12 tribes of Israel. Throughout the Torah, 12 is used as the number indicating "organizational beginnings." When we look at Revelation, we again see this same pattern. Revelation 7 recounts the sealing of the 144,000 with 12,000 selected from each of the 12 tribes (Ogwyn, John. Revelation: The Mystery Unveiled. LCG Booklet).

Sadly, David Pack, who has now directly contradicted Herbert Armstrong's teaching on this matter, is another man who was unable to interpret this prophecy. David Pack is NOT an apostle who is faithful to the teachings of Herbert Armstrong. Herbert Armstrong taught the identity, we in LCG believe that, but David Pack is contradicting those teachings.

In the same message, David Pack claims that while knowledge of the 144,000 is important, he states that the knowledge of who the final Elijah is, is more important (David Pack was an erroneous understanding concerning Herbert Armstrong here).

Since David Pack claims that believing that HWA is the only one who could be the end-time Elijah, and that knowledge is more important than who the 144,000 are, why would David Pack blatantly contradict HWA's teachings here?

The 144,000 is simply another prophetic area that RCG is not faithful to the teachings of either the Bible or Herbert W. Armstrong.

It appears that RCG intends to have various differencs in prophetic understanding than HWA had. And I suspect, more based upon the opinions of David Pack than upon the Bible.

A New Command?

In David Pack's September 7, 2000 letter to the "Brethren, Co-Workers and Subscribers" he wrote,

...I have abided by that most difficult commandment to not answer accusers. And I'll ask you when deciding whether I am guilty of the accusations against me, to consider how well or poorly I have followed God's command to "not answer our accusers...Some months ago I wrote and we distributed a booklet entitled Should Accusers Be Answered? If you read that booklet, you know that God commands us to not answer our accusers.

It should be noted that there is no command in the Bible to not answer our accusers. There are several scriptures which suggest that wisdom should be employed in providing or not providing an answer, but to state that there is a biblical command when there is not, seems like heresy to me--it should be pointed out, however, that when David Pack was approached on this, he admitted his error.

Jesus Himself also warned that it was incorrect to "strain a gnat and swallow a camel" (Matthew 23:24), which is what RCG appears to do at times.

But He Endorses Others Who Violate His "most difficult commandment to not answer accusers"

While I have written this article and a few other things about RCG, I never have considered that honest theological reporting was being an accuser. But I have been told that David Pack's demeanor visibly (and negatively) changes when my name is mentioned (I was told this a couple of years ago by an RCG member) and so, he apparently considers me to be an accuser (or at least one of concern).

And while David Pack has taken a few shots against me in the past (but without using my name as that may get people to better realize that he is an accuser of the brethren--actually in RCG's first "strategic report, I was apparently the subject of nearly 1/4 of it), he apparently seems to feel that using someone else to do that is fine.

False Accuser

David Pack himself engages in making various accusations which I believe are clearly false. For one such example, in references intended to slam LCG's RC Meredith he wrote,

It is this man's heresy to suggest otherwise in order to build a case for himself or one of the Two Witnesses (his statements suggest he may be hoping to be both) to be the Elijah (I WILL SEND ELIJAH TO RESTORE ALL THINGS. RCG Booklet, Copyright © 2002, 2003, 2004 by David C. Pack)

What is the truth?

R.C. Meredith has gone on record and publicly stated (in a video sent to all LCG churches and videogroups) that he is not that Elijah. :

I am not that Elijah...It will probably be a younger, better looking, man (Meredith, Roderick C. The Elijah Question. VTE 131, May 19, 2001).

Notice carefully, that R.C. Meredith gave the above sermon before David Pack wrote the above. Yet David Pack continues to blatantly state the opposite.

Also, on February 6, 2005, RC Meredith also privately told me, without me asking him about it, that he does not believe he will be one of the two witnesses--he specifically said he believes he will not be, but that only God Himself knows. David Pack is trying to place false motives on RC Meredith that simply are not true (the same inaccurate imputation of motives happened to David, before he was king, I Samuel 17:28).

Furthermore, in a bible study David Pack apparently alleged that RC Meredith made 26 doctrinal changes. Those allegations and truthful answers to them are provided in the article Did Roderick C. Meredith Actually Make 26 Doctrinal Changes? (Note: David Pack repeated most of them in his article directed against the Living Church of God, even though he clearly should know that many of his accusations are inaccurate.)

Amazingly, RCG has this false statement at its website from Ernest Owino:

LCG’s leader has asserted that Mr. Armstrong was not the Elijah used to “restore all things” to God’s Church (“The Elijah Question” sermon, May 19, 2001).

I carefully listened to that sermon and will state that R.C. Meredith did not assert that Herbert Armstrong was not the Elijah--he said HWA could have been, but that God may raise someone else up and the longer it takes from the death of Herbert Armstrong until the end, the more likely someone else may be raised up--which is consistent with what HWA himself actually taught (for true information on this subject, please read the article The Elijah Heresies).

Specifically, in that sermon R.C. Meredith stated about Herbert Armstrong, "He could have been the Elijah to come".

RCG, as far as I am concerned, does not really stand for precision of doctrine for those who actually care about the truth.

The Elijah Question

Perhaps, one of the areas that David Pack is most known for has been his insistence that Herbert W. Armstrong was the final Elijah. But is his position based on the Bible?

Here is some of what he wrote,

And John was also not "a prophet." Since he was a forerunner of Mr. Armstrong, this fact is important. Christ said that he (this one who was a type of Elijah) was actually "MORE THAN a prophet." This is a fascinating statement! The Bible says the Two Witnesses "are prophets" (Rev. 11:3, 10). Mr. Armstrong was an apostle. This means he also was "more than a prophet" (I Cor. 12:28-29; Eph. 4:11) and, at the same time, more like John the Baptist than either of the Two Witnesses...A related point needs examination. Mr. Armstrong has been accused of being a "false prophet" many times. Here is the point-and most never seemed to understand this: Mr. Armstrong was NEVER a prophet. He was always "more than" a prophet-he was an apostle! To those who apparently went out to "see a prophet," you missed the entire point of one of the greatest reasons why Mr. Armstrong was the final Elijah! It is also one of the reasons we can now see, in retrospect, his office was greater than that of the Two Witnesses (I, like the rest of the Church, once thought he would be one of them). He was an APOSTLE. They will be PROPHETS. To assert that the final Elijah will be one of the Witnesses is to, in fact, diminish-reduce-the office of Elijah (I WILL SEND ELIJAH TO RESTORE ALL THINGS. RCG Booklet, Copyright © 2002, 2003, 2004 by David C. Pack).

The Bible, in Malachi 4:5, states that "Elijah the prophet" is to be sent--I do not believe that God is diminishing the role of the future Elijah by calling him a prophet. David Pack is correct that the two witnesses are prophets and that HWA said he was not a prophet.

The Bible shows that Elijah (I Kings 18:36; II Chronicles 21:12), John the Baptist (Matthew 11:9; Luke 7:26) and the two witnesses are (Revelation 11:10) all specifically referred to as prophets. Jesus referred to John the Baptist as,

A prophet? Yes, I say to you and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it was written: Behold I send my Messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before you (Matthew 11:9-10)

So for David Pack to teach that John the Baptist was not a prophet is simply not biblically accurate.

Clearly since Jesus taught that the reason that John the Baptist was more than a prophet was because he had an important and specifically foretold job and this is also true of the two witnesses, as both of them could be considered 'a prophet and more than a prophet'.

For much more biblical information, as well as analysis of quotes from Herbert Armstrong on this subject, please read the article The Elijah Heresies.

Hurricane Katrina

The RCG website announced September 9, 2005,

Open Letter to the Splinters: In Katrina’s aftermath, Mr. David Pack has written an open letter to God’s people. All of it is a must-read.

And it included this information from David Pack,

New Orleans, the Gulf Coast—and all of America!—are reeling from Hurricane Katrina. Authorities are just beginning to deal with the aftermath...

In his October 28, 2000 sermon, Dr. Meredith mentioned that the unpardonable sin involved willful, deliberate, sinning by those with God's Spirit--the biblical and traditional Church teaching on this subject.

David Pack seems to have a different view. Charles Jahrsdorfer reports the following quote from David Pack's sermon on November 4, 2000,

So then you have to ask yourself the question, " what is it that God is doing?" that people had better not be against thereby blaspheming the Holy Spirit which is Disloyalty and unpardonable. Do you follow me? Let me say it again. We must not misunderstand this. So what is it that God is doing that people must not be against, thereby blaspheming the Holy Spirit which is disloyalty and Unpardonable. No one wants to be accused of disloyalty and if its disloyalty against God, then God says its unpardonable. Now it has to do we already know, its scattering where Christ is gathering. We already know that simply because Christ said so. Woe unto the person who seeks to scatter where Christ is gathering. All right now, how does God work today? ...God is working through people...God uses people to do His work...so clearly, if we are against any of the above...we are blaspheming the Holy Spirit. That's serious. The Church is the body of Christ. The Work that it does...the leaders that it has are all inseparable from the body of Christ. Criticizing it, is criticizing God and the work He is doing...

This is even more amazing as David Pack has written that he believes the door to proclaiming the Gospel is probably closed.

As all once associated with WCG are aware, Herbert Armstrong wrote the following in Just What Do You Mean, The Unpardonable Sin?,

WILLFUL Sinning WHEN one receives the Holy Spirit by God's grace, this Spirit dwelling in him is tentative and conditional SALVATION. But IF one again changes his mind -- changes his LIFE'S GOAL -- takes his eyes completely off the Goal of God's Kingdom, and fixes them PURPOSELY on going back to THE WAY of worldliness and sin -- IF he changes his WAY of life back to the CARNAL WAY of the world, leaving the ROAD he was traveling with CHRIST -- THEN he has set his mind on determined, premeditated, deliberate WILLFUL SIN! IF he decides he no longer WANTS to go GOD'S WAY, deliberately and intentionally changes his OVERALL ATTITUDE, and desires, and CHOOSES the world and its ways -- deliberately chooses a life of rebellion, comes to have contempt and disregard for God's Law, then that man either has done or is in danger of doing despite to God's Holy Spirit which a merciful and loving God had GIVEN by grace! SUCH A MAN is surely in grave DANGER of BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT!

Furthermore, David Pack teaches that the unpardonable sin can be repented of. Charles Jahrsdorfer reports the following quote from David Pack's sermon on November 4, 2000,

So clearly, if we are against any of the above 3 points we are blaspheming the Holy Spirit. That's serious! Now people who may be doing that now, may repent of blaspheming the Holy Spirit.

Herbert Armstrong taught,

No ordinary sin, even by a Christian, is unforgivable. Jesus said plainly that ALL sins, and blasphemies -- against even GOD -- even against Jesus Christ -- will be forgiven on repentance. It is ONLY premeditated, thought-out, planned, deliberate, intentional, willful indignity, insult, false accusation against God's HOLY SPIRIT that is unforgivable.

The Bible and LCG teaches,

Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come (Matthew 12:31-32)

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries (Hebrews 10:26-27).

David Pack is not teaching what Jesus or Herbert Armstrong taught on this matter.

Laodiceans Not Part of the True Church?

David Pack wrote,

While Laodicea means “the people rule, judge, decide,” they are still God’s people, but in a weak and confused condition. However, they do not represent His true Church, and are outside His Body. (Pack D. Where is God's True Church? RCG Booklet. 2005 edition)

This is another change from HWA's church taught, which was "the Laodicean era...they are the Church of God...the "Church of Laodicea" (What is the Laodicean Church? Good News, August 1959). As well as a change from the Bible (Revelation 3:13-14).

What RCG should consider is that the difference between the remnant of the Philadelphia era of the COG and those in the Laodicean era is that the Laodiceans have a different work than the Philadelphians. It is for this different work that Christ condemns the Laodiceans,

I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth (Revelation 3:15-16).

Christ approves of the work of the Philadelphians (vss. 7-8).

Probably the articles that are most relevant here are Are the Laodiceans the Modern Sadducees and Pharisees? and The Philadelphia Church Era.

How RCG is Not Faithful to HWA's Practices

At RCG's website under the article titled Inside the Administration of Restored it stated,

The Restored Church of God is a structured, fully formed organization that resembles The Worldwide Church of God when it was on track doctrinally and still doing the Work as it was done prior to Mr. Herbert Armstrong's death. The biggest difference is that we are, of course, much smaller.

Size, however, is not the biggest difference.

First, as mentioned previously, RCG does not place its highest priority on doing the Work of proclaiming the Gospel, which is what HWA did and taught.

Secondly, as stated in its booklet Why the Restored Church of God? David Pack acknowledges that RCG does not really have a Council of Elders like HWA had, nor does it have much in the way of a field ministry, like HWA also had--thus to say it is 'fully formed' is a stretch.

Thirdly, RCG is not on radio or television like HWA was and thus probably does not spend its the same percentage of its money on proclaiming the gospel like WCG did when HWA was alive--RCG has not made financial statements available that I have seen, but comments from those once employed by RCG suggest that RCG (as well as David Pack) does not spend 35-42% of its income on doing the Work of proclaiming the Gospel (RCG's comment about preaching the Gospel as funding allows is similar to statements made by CGCF, UCG, and others it criticizes).

The fourth way RCG is not faithful to HWA's practices, is that it is not focused on the trunk of the tree.

HWA repeatedly warned the brethren to stick to the trunk of the tree and not go out on the limb on twigs. The apostle Paul warned Timothy of the same problem in his day (I Tim 1). The apostle Paul also warned the Corinthian church of essentially the same thing. In I Corinthians 13:1-6, Paul warns that even if someone has a variety of gifts or even if they have all knowledge, if they have not love they have nothing.

If the RCG really was the continuance of the Philadelphia era of the Church, then it would demonstrate its love for the brethren (which is what Philadelphia means) by being faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19-20) and HWA by placing its top priority on proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom to the world as a witness. Instead, its writings on that subject could be best described as not hot.

The fifth way is the following quote from David Pack regarding distribution of booklets (11/10/2000),

We will not be able to send them to people of other groups, who do have a Church of God background, but who request them as sort of a "collector's item." There are a lot of people who seem to enjoy trying to receive "everything from everybody" while not actually wanting to support God's Work where the full Truth is being upheld. We will be more than happy to have anyone read these booklets online on our second website." We are not suggesting that everyone who asks for our booklets is simply a "collector." Many certainly are not in this category. However, costs do prohibit us from being able to satisfy these kinds of requests and still be able to have these booklets available for the audience to whom they are written.

Herbert Armstrong never had such a policy. He taught (as Jesus did), "Freely you have received, freely give" (Matthew 10:8).

Similarly RCG's 10/19/01 Bulletin reports,

The Restored Church of God has never been merely a tape ministry designed to feed confused brethren who refuse to support God's Work or return to His Church. Many have grown accustomed to downloading the weekly sermon tapes without making any further commitment. Some will completely understand that this policy has served its purpose. Some may drift away to the ideas of other groups. Others may grow angry because RCG "doesn't act like everybody else."

In other words it appears that RCG is saying, if you do not send RCG money, do not expect to receive support. Not precisely what HWA's WCG did, nor consistent with what Jesus taught.

Notice that David Pack also wrote,

The Restored Church of God is simply not for everybody. We are the Church of God that is truly not going to bend a single doctrine. We are going to teach people to hold fast to all of the Truth we received from God through Mr. Armstrong (Pack, David C. Should Accusers Be Answered? RCG Booklet. 2000. p.53).

Can anyone with eyes to see claim that RCG has not bent at least one one doctrine?

David Pack Wants His Members to Liquidate Their Assets and Send it to the Restored Church of God

The following are approximate quotes (I tried to type verbatim and the following is fairly close) in one of what may be his most bizzare/delusional sermons, aparently given on 11/03/07 by David Pack to his followers in the Restored Church of God apparently titled Clarion Call -- The Time is NOW!:

"Yeah, I know, one or two can leave and say, 'Hey, you stopped preaching and started meddling, now you're messing with my goods here on earth' "

"First Timothy 6 verse 17...'Charge them that are rich in this world'...If you were born in the United States, Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, then you're rich"

"If you hold those riches, I'm telling you, you trust in them"

"Go get a big chunk out of your home. And put your money where your mouth is and send it here. And I'm not talking about one, two, three thousand either. How about ten, twenty, thirty, fifty, or one hundred thousand dollars? Go do it"

"Wives, you can be independent in this. You have 1/2 the worth of whatever you have in your house. I'm officially telling you this...Wives, legally you have the 1/2 the funds. What are you going to do about it?...Husbands...'well, my wife is not in the church'...tell her...'you don't have a voice woman' "

"Go get those assets and get them here"

"Don't sit on vast resources that we can use now"

"We are not a splinter"

"I do not covet your silver or gold...the gold and silver is God's and He will get it someway"

"We do not have the funds...plans...bookstores...We need to redesign our website...We need many hundreds of thousands of dollars to arrive at God's headquarters soon...the timing is now"

"This is different...ask Him for the faith to liquidate certain assets and give it to the work"

"I'll say it again, we are talking about liquidating existing assets...it all belongs to God and the brethren"

"We have a lot of plans so big going on in this office it would cause just this room to to rock and gyrate if you knew what was going on. We just need a lot of money and we need it post haste...I would give more if I had it"

"Herbert Armstrong wrote an article...'Prepare to greatly reduce your standard of living'...What he wrote by far, is more for us now than it was then...its all going to be taken away from us anyway brethren"

"There will be follow-up sermons. Time to bring in related points"

"Let us know how much you plan to send and when you plan to send it...You must be willing to communicate...If you do need to counsel, please do that...If you are not ready to distribute what you have...you don't believe the flow of prophecy"

"This is announcing the last blast, the clarion call as it were, to finish the work...Whether it is 4,5,7, 9 years to go, God knows...This is liquidating assets...I have the authority to tell you to do it...I have the moral and spiritual, and ecclesiastical authority to tell you to do what I have also done"

"Get it now when it requires faith...when you are dead you don't need it...if you named us in your wills, it can take us months or years to get it"

"The wives in the faith will say give everything you can...We don't have the luxury of waiting years...today, leaving everything in your will simply doesn't work"

"Now you just have a second mortgage...and frankly we flee before most of it ever becomes due"

"...some may think that they want to tap their 401k--maybe you want to let us know that...why would you want to tell us? We are starting to prepare a budget now, the needs are now...it would be nice to know now"

"Think big...Pull big triggers"

"There is only two positions you can take regarding all that I have mentioned, only two, there is no middle ground. You're either going to yield, to submit and to follow, the clarion call that the time is now or you're not. And postponing a decision is deciding not to do it...It's saying I'm going to wait until it gets closer because it is not there yet...Don't say that I'm going to wait until it gets closer, when I can see...The decision is that my treasure stays on earth or I goes to heaven. Period. I will not lay up for times to come or I will. And this is the real test of Laodicea...either hold on to your assets...or give it...God is in this decision, no question. Testing the church's faith"

"We live in the most materialistic age in the history of the world. People trust in physical things. They trust in bank accounts...If you have excess and don't need it, those verses mean you...That's the Laodicean attitude...Put your money where your mouth is...Empty your assets"

"There is only one place He works...Where the...work is...that's where God is working...one elder commented here at headquarters, if people can't be motivated by a clarion call to finish the work such as this, why will those same people somehow believe the internal signal given to the church of the 1335? Why would they believe it?"

"This is the Laodicean age...Be careful that you don't tell us how to spend your assets...It belongs to God..You don't tell God or His servants how to spend it"

"Your faith is being tested. Think about that"

"We will all fast on November 17th...I have to...ask you for a very special financial sacrifice for God's work"

"The purposes of the fast...a. To fast for God's intervention...b.Fast for personal faith and courage to follow what I am asking you to do...c. Fast for personal strength...d...Fast for faith and courage in others with more than you to give...Go get a big chunk out of your house...their assets, IRAs, and pension funds...e. Ask God to move specific properties...that they have told us they want to sell. Pray that these properties move...that is part of what this fast is about"

I have warned people for years that David Pack is not an apostle, not the leader of the faithful portion of the COG, etc. It sounds to me like he is excessively trusting in money to do the work. While money is needed to do the work, I feel that this is excessively and irresponsible for David Pack to call for people to liquidate their assets at this time. It also seems like covetousness to require what biblically, he is not entitled to.

Does not David Pack fulfill the following?

...there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies... By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber (2 Peter 2:1,3).

Are not RCG followers being exploited with deceptive words?

Because of the above RCG reported:

2007 Income: The Restored Church of God’s 2007 income grew by over 77% above 2006, far exceeding our projection of just under 40%!

What RCG failed to report is that the rate of increase is unsustainable unless they greatly increase membership as RCG has been systematically using up the tangible assets of its membership. RCG is in a sense doing what the USA has done--obtained high "prosperity" through debt acquisition--and this is not biblically desirable (please see Deuteronomy 28:44) nor is it ultimately sustainable (see Habakkuk 2:7). Going into debt is not the way of the Bible.

Perhaps I should add that although Herbert W. Armstrong often felt that there may have been less than 9 years left, he never told the membership to liquidate their assets like David Pack has now done. This is another change.

Pastors and Evangelists

The Living Church of God, while under Christ, has Roderick C. Meredith as its human head. Roderick C. Meredith was one of the five original individuals ordained an evangelist by Herbert W. Armstrong. Roderick C. Meredith is also the only one of those original evangelists still to be alive. Roderick C. Meredith never had that title taken away by anyone and still uses the same title.

On the other hand, David Pack was ordained as a pastor-ranked minister and decided that he must be more than that.

In his sermon titled 21st Century Apostle, RCG's David Pack stated,

What is my office? What is my office?...What authority do I have to make administrative judgments different from Herbert Armstrong?...Who is permitted to bind and loose in this age?...Pastors are stationary...It really doesn't apply because I had my reasons...If you know who you are in the body, then it makes sense that the human leader of the church knows his place...of course he knows...now my rank...bad news, evangelists don't do this, they bring good news...Apostle...it means a delegate...with miraculous powers (part 1)

Evangelists...Could there be an evangelist out there who could be the watchman or messenger?...They lack authority to warn...Taking bad news doesn't fit their job description...or then Christ is right back to being inconsistent. They're not permitted to go that far. And by the way, that's also what Mr. Armstrong said...So I can't possibly be an evangelist. If I could go back and use a military term, a warning is above an evangelist's pay grade. It's just that simple. They don't do it (part 2).

In addition to admitting he makes judgments that differ from HWA (which in other places he implies LCG should not), he contradicts HWA's teachings twice here. The first that he was a pastor, but as RCG head not stationary (also see the Mystery of the Ages, page 245). Hence, D. Pack exceeded his authority per HWA's teachings--but that is a point he would probably debate.

The second is that HWA clearly had evangelists give not only good news, but the warning message (see almost any issue of the old Plain Truth magazine as they normally contain articles written by evangelists that contain some part of the warning message)--specifically HWA had Roderick C. Meredith and Dibar Apartian (two evangelists ordained by HWA) present the World Tomorrow radio program at times. This proves that David Pack did not understand the teachings and practices of HWA's WCG--did he NOT pay attention to warning articles written by and sermons given by evangelists? Furthermore, if one carefully listens to this section of David Pack's sermon, one realizes that he simply does not understand God's governance nor the offices that God has established. (He also implies that he seems to forget that Jesus made it clear that the top man should be willing to do the lowest duties.)

Notice that the evangelist Timothy's job included more than simply giving good news, he was the preach the word--not just the good news:

Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching (2 Timothy 4:2).

Also note what Paul wrote about an evangelist in 1 Corinthians 16:10,

Now if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do.

Both Paul and HWA had evangelists do the same work they were doing. Neither restricted their teachings or forbade them from giving the warning messages, which D. Pack referred to as the bad news. But he does not seem to realize this--David Pack is constantly relying on his own interpretation of offices of the church as opposed to what the Bible actually teaches.

God allowed a deacon to give a warning message: 

"You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it." (Acts 7:51-53). 

Thus the Bible makes it clear that one DOES NOT NEED TO BE AN APOSTLE TO GIVE A WARNING MESSAGE! 

Surely, those associated with RCG should start to see what is happening there.

The Self-Proclaimed Apostle, Because He Writes a Lot

David Pack also declared in part two of his 21st Century Apostle sermon:

A lot of you are very complementary of the literature, that encourages me...I was forced to write more than any man of any age...What is God's point then in having all this work put in?...

Is it to establish an office?...

Having to write vastly more...than any servant God has ever used before. I just have to accept that...If that makes me a braggart, pray for me...

Why so much literature and why no one else? The answer is that they were not sent...

There is only one organization that is to prepare all things...

Would Mr. Armstrong tell me...I couldn't know? If you say yes, you're saying that he would say to me "Go forward" never knowing that you should.

Because, remember, if I don't hold the highest office from this point forward, now that my mind is on it, I am one presumptuous imposter. I am as fraudulent as anyone you will ever meet...Now keep that in mind...

I have to be the most accused man on the earth other than Herbert Armstrong, and he is dead...

Mr. Armstrong was a messenger to the 6th era. And even revealed that there are such men, 7 of them. He trained me to do the same. Mr. Armstrong was a Apostle. Yes brethren I hold that office. I do...

Either this work is fraudulent because an unauthorized man is doing things solely given to the highest office above him or something else has occurred. If it is a fraud, here's what it means, everything comes to an end...

If the highest office in RCG is not an apostle...then I was not sent by Christ. (part 2).

I believe it is quite presumptuous for David Pack to conclude that Herbert W. Armstrong would tell him to go forward at all. Perhaps like at least two of the evangelists that Herbert Armstrong ordained suggested to him, Herbert Armstrong (if alive) would also suggest that David Pack repent of his rebellion.

It appears that to a significant degree, David Pack is claiming that God (according to David Pack) used him to write more literature than any other servant of God of all time, and this is proof that he is an apostle.

This is NOT a standard listed anywhere in the Bible. Mainly rewriting booklets previously written by Herbert Armstrong is not the type of proof that any serious student of the Bible would accept.

Have you supporters of David Pack "searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11)?

Are you aware that the Bible warns not to be like those who think they will be heard because their many words?

For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. (Matthew 6:7-8).

Notice that when the Apostle Paul listed the proof of his apostleship, he neglected to mention writing, even though he wrote more books of the New Testament than anyone else. Consistent with Jesus' comments about fruit, Paul mentioned those truly converted as the seal of his apostleship:

Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord (1 Corinthians 9:1-2).

Where are all the baptisms and permanently improved lives at RCG?

Furthermore, if David Pack was able to write this literature because he was God's apostle, would God allow him to make so many mistakes with it?

Would God allow His most prolific writer to contradict scripture and say that John the Baptist was not a prophet?

Would God allow his apostle to state that Ethiopia is final the king of the South this late in prophetic events if Ethiopia is not that king?

Would God allow his end-time apostle to not understand about Church eras and improperly state that Laodiceans are not part of the true Church?

Would God allow his apostle to continually and inaccurately accuse the leader of the Living Church of God even when that "apostle" knew better on many of the points?

Have not others seen mistakes in David Pack's literature? The existence of which he uses as a major proof that he is an apostle?

Notice what Jesus taught:

But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned (Matt 12:36-37).

Note that the article you are now reading mainly cites David Pack's own words as proof for its conclusions.

Whosoever has ears to hear, let him hear!

Did David Pack Warn People in Advance to Not Follow Him?

In a sermon given on December 12, 1998, Bill Sheppard reported that David Pack stated :

I want to make a statement about...me...now, if I became deceived, I will never tell you what I'm going to tell you now...I am telling you if I go off into strange ideas, misconduct, rebellion, you name it, don't follow me. I want to tell you that now, because if I start doing that I'm gonna try to get you to follow me! I'm gonna come to you and tell you it doesn't apply, it doesn't mean me, no, no, no, no, no, no, it's OK to follow me because ABCD and XY and Z. Do you understand what I'm saying? Listen to me now, when I tell you don't follow me if I go off into weird ideas, or if I get off into other things that are total absolutely unscriptural conduct, because if I do I'm gonna paint it with a different face and try to get you to follow me. Do you understand what I'm saying brethren? Please remember that, because I promise you that if I become deceived, I'll forget it, and I'll want you to forget it...And I hope you'll remember it well enough to quote it right back to me...But I'll tell you what, I'm not going anywhere. (http://home.neo.rr.com/lilshep/bill/information.html#follow 8/02/06).

I believe that the above is proof that God warned people, through David Pack, not to follow David Pack! Note: The Bible is clear that God sometimes uses those He condemns to providing warning messages (two such examples would be I Kings 13:20-32 and 22:22).

Do you really want to be deceived? And should you liquidate your assets and send them to David Pack?

More Related to the Self-Proclaimed Apostle

In part 2 of David Pack's sermon, 21st Century Apostle, he stated: 

David Pack's Actions

The Bible warns not to hear an accusation against an elder unless brought by several sources (I Timothy 5:1). For a long while I would not post any of the accusations against David Pack, but scripture suggests that one should take such accusations seriously if brought by many sources.

Perhaps before going further, I should also add that David Pack has written:

Recognize that some will quickly dismiss this list—and probably outright. Of course, leaders must do this, and will generally choose one or both of two methods. First, they may return to the old pattern—yet again—of assassinating the character of RCG’s leader, because they could not compromise him in ways that this list reveals. Second, these leaders will need to find fault with certain tiny aspects of the list so that the more gullible will dismiss the entire list. But the evidence of gross doctrinal compromise and error is overwhelming for those who “anoint their eyes” to see—and who want to recover (Pack D. How LCG's Teachings Differ From Those of Mr. Armstrong and RCG. RCG website 8/05/06).

There are three points I wish to make. The first is that I went through David Pack's previous list in detail to show that he has mischaracterized LCG's teachings or simply misunderstood Herbert Armstrong (please see the article Did Roderick C. Meredith Actually Make 26 Doctrinal Changes?). And second, as this particular article shows, I have documented that David Pack has compromised himself away from the teachings of the Bible and the biblical practices advocated by Herbert Armstrong. And third, I believe this article provide some of the evidence of gross doctrinal compromise and error is overwhelming for those who “anoint their eyes” to see.

But in this section, I will mainly cite others who have had extensive personal dealings with David Pack.

Norman Edwards, who once worked with David Pack in GCG (but who is not in LCG) wrote,

Dave Pack has been a wolf in shepherd’s clothing and should not be any kind of minister or servant among the people of God. The only apology I will make for that statement is for not having clearly stated it sooner in the pages of Servants’ News. I base this conclusion on direct personal experience and the testimony of dozens of witnesses. Dave Pack is a brilliant man, a powerful speaker and a commanding personality. He has the ability to stir people into thinking they are special to God and that they are being used in a powerful way when they work for Mr. Pack. For those who work “on his side”, he is able to see everything they do in the best possible light, and to have unending mercy to overlook their sins and errors. But to those he opposes, he seems to have an unending ability to recall minute details of years-old conversations and twist them into the greatest of sins. Many witnesses claim that he simply made up lies about them and spread them to others in a most believable fashion. Several people have specifically said that they did exactly what Dave Pack asked—unjust as they thought it was—only to be disfellowshipped for it later (Edwards, Norman. Continuing the Work of WCG. Servant's News. Jan/Feb 2000).

Most former employees of RCG have not been positively disposed toward David Pack. One family, the Papays, brought up several points which any can read if they wish (here is a link to the letter from the Papays). For the record, I should state that I personally spoke with Mr. and Mrs. Papay to verify that they did write this letter and that they stated that everything it contained was true.

After David Pack resumed his attacks against Dr. Meredith, LCG finally marked him. This is a link to the letter from LCG disfellowshipping David Pack. As Dr. Meredith urged, I do pray that he and those following him will repent.

Bill Sheppard (who is not an LCG member) has a web site in which he has many letters from those once affiliated with David Pack which all essentially suggest that David Pack is not one that those wishing to be faithful should probably follow. Here a link to Bill Sheppard's site; this site will give the reader even more reasons to understand why I have concerns about David Pack. One of those letters is from former RCG Trustee Tom Munson. In it, he documents some of David Pack's questionable actions--also it in, he documents how David Pack violates his own teachings on make-up, tithing, and church attendance-- three areas of 'heresies' he seems to claim that LCG commits!

Jim Leighty, the another RCG departer, spells forth his reasons for resigning from RCG. Shortly after Jim Leighty's resignation, David Pack posted the following,

"Editor's Correction February 21, 2001 In a recent sermon (Nov. 4, 2000) I made an isolated reference to the unpardonable sin as something that can be forgiven. I misspoke! I did not mean to say this and it cannot be justified. I should have corrected it sooner. I would like to genuinely thank those who brought it to my attention. For those who are concerned with this matter, I have posted a more extensive explanation."

Sadly, David Pack did not publicly correct other doctrinal errors he made in that sermon.

Some have suggested that Dr. Meredith should have 'done something' about David Pack while in GCG. The truth is that Dr. Meredith disciplined him at least twice and demoted him twice. Some believe it was the 2nd demotion that led to the crisis in GCG. For those who felt Dr. Meredith should have done more, the following comments from Norman Edwards may shed some light on that,

I wrote several letters to Mr. Meredith during this time and failed to mention all of these complaints about Dave Pack. I believe I was wrong for not doing so. Even though we did not agree on many things, Mr. Meredith, upon hearing of all the complaints, might have taken action sooner. Nevertheless, Mr. Meredith continued to receive his own complaints about Dave Pack and eventually removed him...Dave Pack was a major force encouraging the other board members to remove Rod Meredith—by one man’s account, he was the main force (Edwards, Norman. Continuing the Work of WCG. Servant's News. Jan/Feb 2000).

Jesus' Criteria

Strength of character is much more important than strength of personality. While I do not believe strength of personality is why many are in LCG, I do believe that strength of personality is why many are in RCG.

Paul warned that there are:

...false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

Notice that Paul said there are deceitful workers who transform themselves into apostles of Christ, but can give the appearance that they are ministers of righteousness.

Just because someone may display confidence and try to sound like he is an apostle, that does not make him one. Recall that Revelation 22:15 states that those who love and practice a lie will not be in the kingdom. If David Pack is not clearly and 100% absolutely an apostle, those who support him anyway are loving and practicing a lie.

How does one tell?

In addition to heeding the warnings from the contradictions in RCG's literature, notice what Jesus taught:

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them (Matthew 7:15-20).

So what are the fruits?

Instead of looking at television stations, number of subscribers to magazines, number of ministers, and who reached the most nations the quickest (if this was a contest between LCG and RCG, LCG would win on every one of those points), let's look at baptisms.

LCG reported that its television and other media outlets have been effective in conversions/baptisms. Notice the following report:

This week our 400^th person brand-new to the telecast and the Church was baptized.  These 400 individuals found the Truth and God’s Church through the Tomorrow’s World telecast.  What is impressive is the ratio of baptisms to the number of TV viewers on our mailing list.  Back in the middle 1980s, the Church was baptizing one out of every 1,000 TV respondents who had been on the mailing list for seven years.  Today, we are seeing one out of 200 being baptized who came on our mailing list seven years ago. 

We have also had more than 400 others baptized since 1999, who came on file from the telecast, but they had previous knowledge or contact with God’s Church.  To date, the Tomorrow’s World telecast has been instrumental in more than 800 baptisms that we know about (Pyle W. Media. Weekly Update from Church Administration. Living Church of God, July 27, 2006).

RCG does not even have 800 baptized members to the best of my knowledge. Furthermore, I do not recall that it ever has publicly released membership or baptismal numbers. From 1999 to November 2007, LCG has had a total of 2,600 baptisms, from all sources, including television, personal contact, etc.

The numbers RCG seems to focus on are related to the internet, and even that is relatively new--one should not be mesmerized by its new "download counter"--there is a huge difference between getting internet hits and being converted (Luke 15:10).

Wrong Focus

As a long-time member of the Church of God, I have always felt that RCG has the wrong focus. This was confirmed when (in 2006) I spoke with one who attended RCG services for a while. He stated that RCG does not seem to tolerate certain respectful questions or opinions and tends to be harsh.

He mainly told me that RCG is strict and picky about real minor issues. For example, he stated that he was disciplined because he gave an opening prayer at services that exceeded 45 seconds. He thought he only spoke a minute or so, but said he was told that by the local PCG leader that he went on and on.

He mentioned that one is only allowed to close a prayer with two or three fairly specific statements, and that if those statements are not used prayers can sound "Protestant". I asked him if a statement is accurate or even a biblical paraphrase, can it be disallowed because Protestants tend to use to it? And he said yes. I told him that even though the COG is NOT Protestant, it is ridiculous to not use biblically appropriate statements just because the Protestants do. I believe this is worse than straining a gnat, as Jesus taught:

"It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God' " (Matt 4:4-5).

The fact that Protestants and others outside the Church of God quote or paraphrase certain parts of the Bible, this definitely does not mean that we within the COGs should not refer to those portions of scripture. We are to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

He also told me that RCG puts great emphasis on points such as having the top button of a suit coat buttoned if one is speaking at the lectern. He also mentioned other similar items that reminded me of the Pharisees.

When he joined RCG, Chris Lomas listed the following complaint against LCG as one of his faulty reasons:

Dress code of the church has slumped into worldly attire (Lomas Chris. Why I left the LCG. October 23, 2006).

(Perhaps I should comment that the dress code at this recent LCG Feast of Tabernacles, as well as at all the LCG services I have attended, are consistent with that of the old WCG. The fact that RC Meredith has repeatedly stated that we should not bother relatively new people about dress as to not unnecessarily offend them {as he correctly always states that they will normally figure out proper attire for services after a few visits} is not the same as promoting worldly attire. RCG continues to focus on trivial matters. Jesus taught, "But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless" {Matthew 12:7}.)

Makeup is also a very important issue with RCG.

Have they not read the following?

Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness (Matthew 23:28).

RCG tends to focus on unimportant and insignificant traditions (which they claim are highly significant).

Notice what Mark wrote:

"For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men--the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do." And He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition..." (Mark 7:8-9).

Notice Jesus' teaching:

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness (Matthew 23:23-28).

I have always fel