News of Those Once Affiliated with the Global Church of God

Since the November 1998 takeover of the old GCG by the board in the U.S., those once with GCG went to many places. Nearly 80% of the members and the majority of the ministers ultimately went with the Living Church of God (LCG), 8-15% went with the Church of God, a Christian Fellowship (CGCF) and smaller percentages ended up with David Pack's Restored Church of God (RCG) (which was formed after the GCG board put him out), Harold Smith's Church of God Fellowship, Northwest (CGFnw), and other groups (at least one which is outside the U.S. uses the term Global Church of God). On July 1, 2001, eight ministers resigned from CGCF and formed the Church of the Eternal God (CEG), similar in name, but not related, to the Eternal Church of God (ECG--founded by a minister removed from the original GCG ministry for impropriety) about a month later CGCF (USA) dissolved and most still with it ended up in the United Church of God (UCG). One former GCG minister (Ronald Laughland) became pastor of the Wholeworld Church of God. In 2004, Raymond McNair, having been in GCG, CGCF, LCG, then went on his own and formed Church of God, 21st Century (COG21); later he became ill and died. Don Haney, once in GCG/LCG, formed the Church of God In Peace and Truth. In 2005, Ben Faulkner, who was in GCG and LCG, formed the Church of the Sovereign God (CotSG). In 2006, Charles Bryce who was in GCG and LCG left, and formed the Enduring Church of God (En COG). In 2010, several of the main leaders who went to UCG from CGCF left it and went to a group called COGWA. A couple of people, like Norman Edwards (Servants' News), left GCG well before the 1998 takeover (he has Port Austin Bible Campus). In 2013, Rod Reynolds left LCG and formed COG Messenger. On 12/15/11, a minister in good-standing with LCG anointed Bob Thiel with oil and prayed that God would grant him a double-portion of His Spirit (see also How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God): and things have not been the same since (Bob Thiel still, of course, supports the goals and biblical beliefs of Philadelphia era of the Church of God). Website links for most of those who were once part of GCG and that have websites can be found at the COGlinks page. In 2012, certain heresies were officially introduced and/or confirmed by LCG. After concluding that insufficient value was placed on the truth (and keeing their word) by certain leaders of LCG and that they no longer held to biblical church governance and could not as is be used to lead the final phase of the work (see also Why Bob Thiel Left the Living Church of God), on 12/28/12 Bob Thiel was led to form and then announced the beginning of the Continuing Church of God. This page reports on those groups that somehow once had ties to the old GCG.

12/28/13 a.m. Today marks the 1st anniversary of the official declaration of the beginning of the Continuing Church of God (CCOG). CCOG needed to form once it was determined that there was clearly insufficient integrity and concern about the truth in LCG, and that its remaining leadership could not possibly hold the 'Philadelphia mantle"--this was demonstrated conclusively to me at least by a letter that was sent that day (for details, see Response to a Letter from Dr. Roderick C. Meredith Dated December 28, 2012).

For details about some of what has been accomplished by CCOG in its first year, please check out Continuing Church of God first year anniversary: What is being accomplished?

12/27/13 a.m. Last June, I was contacted by a group in northern France that was once part of GCG. Their representative asked about possible cooperation with the Continuing Church of God. My response was to urge them to check out what we believe, and if they were interested, perhaps they could provide us with some of our information translated into the French language. And now they have--here is a link to something that they translated for us: Leçon 1 En francés.

And this ties to the next announcement.

We now have the first lesson available online of our Study the Bible Course.  This course is highly based upon the original 58 lesson Bible Correspondence Course that began in the 1950s and was put out by the old Radio Church of God.

We need to be able to provide people with helpful information.  As Jesus commanded:

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; (Matthew 28:19-20)

The original 58 lesson Bible Correspondence Course is dated and uses language that many in the 21st century have difficulty with.  It is our hope and prayer that our Study the Bible Course will not only be familiar to people who knew about the old course from the Radio Church of God, but will be of immense assistance to those who do not have a Church of God background.

We plan to have the Study the Bible Course available in multiple languages, and we have already received translations of it into three additional languages (Spanish, French, and Kiswahili) as I write this.  We expect to also get it in Mandarin Chinese, Tagalog, and Telugu as there are translators for those languages that have already received the English version to translate from.  We also hope to get other languages, and hope our translators into Dutch, German, and Jingpho will ultimately be able to translate this as well.

We hope to put the course up on various CCOG websites, and have currently done so on the www.ccog.org and www.cdlidd.es websites.

Study the Bible Course

Lesson 1 In English
Lección 1 En castellano
Somo 1 Katika Kiswahili
Leçon 1 En francés

We plan to have one new lesson per quarter in English, and hopefully many other languages as well. We in the Continuing Church of God are serious about fulfilling Matthew 24:14 and Matthew 28:19-20 as we work to lead the final phase of the work.

12/24/13 a.m. After considering how many improper attacks have been posted online against me by various ones (including a couple more by an LCG minister who continues to demonstrate that LCG is not what it claims to be--hopefully those there will stop their improper attacks), I came across something that the late Herbert Armstrong wrote:

PERSECUTORS HAVE CALLED me a "false prophet." Now how would you KNOW whether the accusation IS true- or false?...

Actually, it probably is not very important to you to know whether my persecutors are right or wrong, when they call me dirty names, hurl epithets, resort to innuendo, impute sinister motives, strive to discredit, attempt character assassination. What is important to YOU is whether what you read in The PLAIN TRUTH really is the truth - whether what you hear over The WORLD TOMORROW broadcast is true- not whether I , as an individual, am true or false.

I think our readers know by now that we always say: " DON' T believe what we say because you believe in us." We say " Listen with open mind, without prejudice, then CHECK UP in your own Bible-prove whether it is true, and BELIEVE what you find proved!" I don't seek to induce people to believe in ME- I seek to lead them to believe in JESUS CHRIST! (Armstrong HW. Personal from the Editor. Plain Truth, May 1966, pp. 2)

We in Continuing Church of God (CCOG) urge people to believe the truth and check it out. We have information on numerous websites and two YouTube channels. Satan is the accuser of the brethren, and sadly many in the COGs these days prefer to rely on improper accusations and will not truly check us out to see if what we are teaching is true (including our responses to accusations).

12/20/13 p.m. For the fourth time in almost as many weeks, Wallace Smith of the Living Church of God decided to try to persuade people that the internet results that the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) websites receive should be overlooked.

After the third time he did so, I posted something at the COG page (LCG leader again continues to attempt to discredit).

This time, Wallace Smith almost brought himself to the point of actually naming the COGwriter.com website, but instead somewhat misidentified it. But with what he did do, he at least specifically admitted that COGwriter.com's worldwide Alexa popularity ranking is higher than LCG's. But after that, he then used other measures with the intent to try to persuade people that LCG is more popular.

What he is basically doing is saying do not look at the 'score,' but notice how many fans and/or players one side has. And this will help confuse those who do not realize that the actual 'score' shows who is ahead--in this case, worldwide popularity and reach over the internet.

Well, certainly, LCG is more popular with certain forms of social media. LCG has more members, has had a full-time employee dedicated to 'social media,' and has specifically suggested that its members 'like' it on Facebook etc. The fact that it has more Facebook 'likes' and CCOG does not to focus on Facebook does not prove LCG is more effective in proclaiming the gospel over the internet. Perhaps I should add that LCG probably has spent 50-100 times as much as CCOG has on the internet this year.

Wallace Smith also said that LCG is more popular on Quantcast, a service mainly directed towards commercial advertisers who target the USA. Statistically, I have proven that Quantcast does not even properly rank USA visits, thus its results are not credible. Quantcast emphasis is not popularity, but one time visitors. And Quantcast's focus is the USA--not outside the USA. And if it is mainly getting someone from the USA to once view a site that LCG's internet focus is, that is their choice.

But notice what Jesus taught:

14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14)

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20)

Alexa is currently the best independent ranking of popularity, not for the USA or within a group, but for the entire planet.

Those in LCG can try to persuade themselves otherwise, but the reality is that its worldwide internet popularity (excluding YouTube) is less than that of the Continuing Church of God.

And while LCG is more popular than CCOG on YouTube (which I have mentioned here before), LCG also has serious content issues (which I have also alluded to here)--which I believe is a major problem that those still in LCG have chosen to discount or overlook.

While there is little point in addressing all of Wallace Smith's direct and indirect accusations against me, I will state that LCG does not hold the Philadelphia mantle. I have tried to provide facts (see this page, etc.). I have tried to explain what various ones in LCG have and have not done (see Response to a Letter from Dr. Roderick C. Meredith Dated December 28, 2012), how they violate Matthew 18 (see What About the Living Church of God? Are there Doctrinal Differences with the Continuing Church of God?), how they mis-teach about the falling away (see The Falling Away: The Bible and WCG Teachings), how the wrongly insist on the improper identity of the man of sin (see Who is the Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians 2?), etc. Proclaiming and insisting on errors is proof that LCG's not reaching people with the full truth as their members have hoped that they do, even if LCG does better with certain measurements..

Anyway, I hope that those truly interested in the truth will carefully study the information at the COGwriter.com website, not allow themselves to be swayed by improper attacks, and will realize that it is the Continuing Church of God that truly is leading the Final Phase of the Work.

12/17/13 a.m. A reader asked me to send her a hard-copy of my article Why Not the Restored Church of God?, which I did. This is what she sent me in an email today:

Thank you for sending this.  I have started reading it and could not put it down.  I use to be a member of RCG, and I can state that around the Feast of Tabernacles for 2011, we were asked to send not only our excess tithe in but to dig deep and send extra which the money went to help build the buildings...Each Sabbath service we were asked to give and send to HQ to help build the buildings.

My response began as follows:

Yes, RCG is not what they profess to be.  The excessive financial focus as well as the focus on David Pack and minor issues, in my view, questions whether they are truly a COG.  It is not that it probably does not have any real COG members, but the leadership does not act like Jesus would want them to.

RCG's issues should be obvious. Then again, other groups whose leaders were once in GCG have obvious issues that they overlook or rationalize away as well.

12/14/13 p.m. In another thinly veiled and improper attack against me, Wallace Smith of the Living Church of God posted the following:

This particular fellow likes Alexa, and for good reason. It is the only “measuring” instrument that I know of that makes his internet efforts look so decent. I explained why that is in my post. However, this time he has trotted out a quote from a source that seems supportive: a website called “seomastering.com.”

Before looking at what the website actually says, it’s worth noting two things. One is that I’ve read that many “SEO” folks like Alexa because it is so easily manipulated to make websites seem better than they are...

“Alexa ranking is deeply tilted towards web sites which have many webmaster viewers. This is because web masters are much more likely to have Alexa toolbar installed.” (page: http://www.seomastering.com/seo-articales/alexa-ranking.php)

Note: The last comment is under the section of their page titled “Troubles with the Alexa Rank.”

Ha! Convenient, huh? :) Maybe our Alexa fan should check out his sources better. Could have been too busy patting himself on the back. Admittedly, it’s hard to do type on your blog and pat yourself on the back at the same time. (I know. I’m currently having the same difficulty. :) )

Actually, the hits keep on coming.

That last webpage talks about how to increase your Alexa rankings. If your Alexa ranking was a good read of your site’s actual popularity, then the way to increase your ranking should be “improve your popularity.” (Duh.) However, check out the list: It is full of all sorts of “cheats” and “shortcuts” that, with one exception, have absolutely nothing to do with having a truly popular website. Rather, they are exactly the sort of things that I explained in my post would impact a website that has a perverse appeal to COGers, who are known to have a disproportionate number of Alexa toolbars installed...

In the case of our Alexa fan, the users with an unusually high are COGers...

Again: If someone is aware of these things and he continues to use Alexa as evidence of the “greatness” of his personal work, he is either being dishonest or he is self-deluded.

Thus, in addition to passing on insults, Wallace Smith is flatly accusing me of being dishonest or self-deluded. He also later in his post claims my use of (verifiable) numbers is deceitful.

The facts prove that neither of those accusations against me are true.

Wallace Smith also posted:

And as for the “flag draping” Alexa fan I mentioned parenthetically up there who keeps beating the same drum–no matter how tattered and torn that drum gets–forgive me as I mix my metaphors by recommending a prescription: (1) Read Proverbs 20:10 & 23, (2) consider what you’ve claimed of others concerning having (ahem) a “love of the truth”, and (3) prayerfully study Matthew 7:3-5.

My apologies for those who find all of this minutia boring. Frankly, I do too. But when minutia is used to deceive (even self-deceive) and accuse, it’s helpful to get some honest perspective. Thankfully, it doesn’t seem to be convincing anyone, as I have heard of literally zero people who find such figures convincing. But in the event that anyone ever does get confused by such nonsense and “horn tooting”, hopefully this can be a resource for them.

Wallace Smith's "perspective" on this is not, in my view, honest. I am also not 'flag draping.' Yet, if he is saying that most of the people he knows prefer to believe a lie than the facts, that is sad, though probably true. LCG simply does not have the Philadelphia mantle anymore, so it is little surprise that most there will accept these improper attacks against me as valid and will choose not to believe the truths I try to report. And the truths about CCOG's and LCG's Alexa rankings are so easy to demonstrate.

Notice that Wallace Smith did not deny the truth that LCG's Alexa popularity is less than COGwriter and CCOG. Instead, he resorts to attacks, false claims, and improper insinuations. If you are in LCG, you might want to ask yourself what LCG is so afraid of related to me that it again has to resort to making improper assertions and hoping that people will not believe the facts? If I were Wallace Smith, I would be ashamed to report that those I and apparently got along with would not be moved by the truth--but that is what he has done.

Furthermore, it was only because someone else associated with LCG seemed to believe what Wallace Smith posted and mentioned that post in an email yesterday, which is where I learned of them (I long ago learned not to trust Wallace Smith's judgment on many matters, hence do not tend to frequent his website--back when I was in LCG, I attempted to follow Matthew 18 and on various occasions had others try to dispel his misinformation from him about matters, include me and my writings--so apparently now is the time to "tell it to the church"), that I decided to respond to Wallace Smith's post with the facts.

What are the facts?

  1. We in the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) do not have an Alexa tool bar attached to anything. Not COGwriter.com, not CCOG.org, not anything.
  2. We do not use Alexa cheats, etc. as until I read the post from Wallace Smith today, I was unaware that any existed (nor have I yet looked into any of them) as I only quoted a paragraph from a particular article and had not read it in its entirety (and, yes, Wallace Smith might again criticize me for that).
  3. The vast majority of people (over 90-95%) who visit COGwriter.com do not have a Church of God (COG) background.
  4. For Wallace Smith to suggest that people who have an Alexa toolbar and who are part of a COG is somehow perverse is wrong.
  5. LCG has a large staff and budget, yet according to the independent assessment from Alexa, its websites are nowhere near as popular as the COGwriter.com website. All of the official LCG websites combined do not have as much popularity as COGwriter.com and the official CCOG websites do. These are facts anyone can look up, yet apparently Wallace Smith and some others do not want this to be believed.
  6. Alexa ranking IS NOT the only measure that makes the internet efforts of the Continuing Church of God "look decent." According to other sources, such as AWStats, we have reached people in over 220 countries and territories. According to YouTube, our videos have been viewed by people in over 200 countries and territories. According to AWStats multiple millions of our articles are being accessed. We have reached people in multiple languages (we have many websites) and we currently may also be reaching more people in lands such as China than any COG ever has in the same time period.
  7. Instead of accepting reality, LCG is having minions like Wallace Smith attempt to discredit the results that the Continuing Church of God has attained.

Anyone can check out the Alexa rankings by simply going to Alexa.com and entering a website URL. Sadly, others seem to want to dissuade people from accepting the facts. Do you wish to believe the truth or are you more comfortable accepting thinly veiled accusations?

Of course, that is a problem with many in LCG. For additional examples, please see my Response to a Letter from Dr. Roderick C. Meredith Dated December 28, 2012 (note: the information is now also available in the Spanish language, see Respuesta a una carta del Dr. Roderick C. Meredith fechada el 28 de diciembre, 2012). Those who believe many of the things that people in LCG have said about me and/or the Alexa results of the Continuing Church of God have sadly chosen to believe a lie.

Philadelphians are to love their brother as well as love the truth. Those who believe these type of attacks against me and CCOG have sadly chosen to believe a lie.

Sadly, most in the COGs have become complacent in many areas and will not recognize their Laodicean condition (cf. Revelation 3:14-22).

12/09/13 a.m. Roderick C. Meredith of the Living Church of God sent out the following:

Yet...as many of you know personally—that some of the best friends I have on earth include Mr. Richard Ames, Dr. Douglas Winnail, Mr. Dexter Wakefield, Mr. Rod McNair, Mr. Wyatt Ciesielka and other fine servants of God around the world. We constantly help and encourage one another, forgive one another when necessary and have been working together in love in an unusual way that I have not experienced in God’s Work since the early 1950s.

As long as his friends do not politely, but firmly, stand up for various biblical truths, perhaps Dr. Meredith will continue to consider them as friends. On multiple occasions Dr. Meredith told me that he considered me to be his friend, yet he publicly betrayed me in various ways, including a letter he sent out last December in violation of not only friendship and love, but Matthew 18. A few weeks ago, I decided to respond to that, those interested may wish to read Response to a Letter from Dr. Roderick C. Meredith Dated December 28, 2012.

Those with long memories will realize that Dr. Meredith stated in the Fall of 1998 that there were no problems with GCG, and the GCG takeover happened shortly thereafter. Now I am not saying that that is about to happen in LCG, only that his statements should be considered in the light of his prior similar ones. I believe that what has been happening at LCG is that a spiritual takeover has occured and that it lost the Philadelphia mantle and is mainly, though not exclusively, a Laodicean organization, with some scattered, but outnumbered Philadelphians.

More information on those subjects are in the following:

Why Bob Thiel Left the Living Church of God Several have speculated reasons, but here is the truth. (En el idioma español: ¿Por qué Bob Thiel dejó la Iglesia del Dios Viviente?)
Journal Report on Continuing Church of God Leader Bob Thiel Bob Thiel was interviewed by The Journal News of the Churches of God related to him being a prophet, the proclamation goals of the Continuing Church of God, and why he left LCG.
Response to a Letter from Dr. Roderick C. Meredith Dated December 28, 2012 In violation of Matthew 18, Dr. Meredith publicly sent out a letter that forced Dr. Thiel to conclude that the Continuing Church of God must be formed. Here is that letter and some of Bob Thiel's comments about it.
What About the Living Church of God? Are there Doctrinal Differences with the Continuing Church of God? This article explains some information and doctrines of the Living Church of God as led by Roderick C. Meredith and some concerns about them. (En el idioma español: ¿Qué hay acerca de la Iglesia de Dios Viviente? ¿Hay diferencias doctrinales con la Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios?)
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now basically the most faithful in the Church of God, like who hold to the beliefs and practices of the Continuing Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.

12/07/13 p.m. D. Winnail of the Living Church of God had the following announcement:

Richard Ames conducted the funeral service for Mrs. Sheryl Meredith on Wednesday, where he delivered to more than 200 guests a very encouraging message on the hope of the resurrection. It was good to reconnect with many individuals who traveled to Charlotte for the funeral. In addition to friends, many members of Dr. Meredith’s family have been able to visit with him during this time.

11/29/13 p.m. Dexter Wakefield of the Living Church of God sent out the following announcement:

Subject: Important Announcement

We are very sad to announce that Mrs. Sheryl Meredith, wife of Dr. Roderick C. Meredith passed away the morning of November 29, 2013 after a long and courageous fight with cancer.  She was at home, surrounded by loving family members.  We will see her again when Christ returns, may that time be soon!

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Meredith family, and our hearts go out to them in this great loss.

Funeral arrangements are planned for Wednesday, December 4 at 2:30 PM at Forest Lawn.  More details will be forthcoming.

We have known Sheryl Meredith for many years and are saddened to hear of the loss. Mrs. Meredith's pressured departure from the old GCG board, around September of 1998, was a factor in the takeover a couple of months later.

11/27/13 p.m. This time of year tends to bring back memories of the GCG takeover that led to the formation of the Living Church of God (LCG). Essentially, this rift was caused by differences in direction between Dr. Roderick C. Meredith and many GCG board members. It partially happened because of misstatements/broken promises from Dr. Meredith and those who opposed him. Because the takeover group favored a committee-dominated government and did not have the public proclamation emphasis that Dr. Meredith had, I supported the new LCG from then until 2012.

As the result of getting various questions over details associated with my departure from LCG, I decided to put together a response to a 12/28/12 letter from Dr. Meredith that was sent to me, and then sent by Dr. Meredith's staff to dozens of others, and then released to the internet.

This month seems to be the first time I fully the letter since December 2012, and so decided to put together a response after re-reading it. Here is a link to an item titled Response to a Letter from Dr. Roderick C. Meredith Dated December 28, 2012. If you are not truly interested in learning the truth, then please do not read it--but if you can bear the truth, please read it and pray about what it means.

11/27/13 a.m. Took another look at Alexa rankings for groups whose leaders were once part of GCG today. With Alexa, the lower the number that greater the reach (Google, for example, is number 1):

  1. COGwriter.com (Continuing Church of God, Bob Thiel) 127,571
  2. tomorrowsworld.org (Living Church of God) 361,007
  3. lcg.org (Living Church of God Roderick C. Meredith) 369,469
  4. ccog.org (Continuing Church of God) 660,347
  5. hwalibrary.com (former LCG/GCG members) 2,006,433
  6. eternalgod.org (Church of the Eternal God, Norbert Link) 2,517,156
  7. judeochristianfoundation.org (Jeff Patton) 3,996,084
  8. servantsnews.com (Port Austin Bible Campus, Norman Edwards) 4,338,490
  9. globalchurchofgod.co.uk (Global Church of God, United Kingdom) 11,407,371
  10. godslawislove.org (Church of God in Peace and Truth, Don Haney) 11,659,320
  11. cgfnw.org (Church of God Fellowship, Northwest, Harold Smith) not Alexa rated; over 15,000,000
  12. cogcanada.org (Global Church of God, Canada) not Alexa rated; over 15,000,000
  13. cogmessenger.org (Rod Reynolds) not Alexa rated; over 15,000,000
  14. cotsg.org (Church of the Sovereign God, Ben Faulkner) not Alexa rated; over 15,000,000
  15. enduring.org (Enduring COG, Charles Bryce) not Alexa rated; over 15,000,000
  16. genuine-truth.com (former LCG/GCG members) not Alexa rated; over 15,000,000
  17. wwcg.org (Wholeworld COG) not Alexa rated; over 15,000,000

Note: The last seven groups are listed in alphabetical order, since they are not ranked it is difficult to know which are more popular.

There is a difference between the groups that once had connections to GCG. Only one can lead The Final Phase of the Work.

He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

11/22/13 p.m. Spoke with Jeff Patton of Judeo-Christian Foundation today. He was once in GCG until 1997 or so. He also was in other COG groups. He told me that he formed his group in 2010. His group is based out of Canada. I contacted him to see if we had certain mutual interests in Kenya.

11/15/13 p.m. Several have asked me for more details concerning literature errors and other related concerns that I had while part of LCG. So this post will mention a few.

On December 16, 2011, Dr. Meredith personally committed to making at least the most significant changes I advised related to LCG's Official Statement of Fundamental Beliefs by the end of January 2012 (he and the other Charlotte evangelists made commitments to do this in prior years as well, going back to 2008). To see what the proposed changes were click on the next link for two emails followed by the December 2011 Proposed changes to LCG's Official Statement of Fundamental Beliefs--my proposed changes to the Statement are in shown in red and explanations are shown in the footnotes that were also submitted.

As of today, the errors and other points brought up do not seem to have been taken care of according to an online check.

Beginning in 2006, I began to bring up errors and concerns related to church history, and in particular the God's Church through the Ages (GCA) booklet. For some of the later details about my concerns, see October 2012 Emails Related to GCA Booklet.  My concerns included being truthful, being accurate, and not perpetuating Catholic myths.

As of today, that GCA booklet is still being shown with those same errors according to an online check.

11/12/13 a.m. As I reported at the COG News page yesterday (see Death, Food & Water Shortages, and Destruction in the Philippines), I have asked about CCOG members who may have been affected by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. At this instant, I have not received a response. All those affected by that storm (COG or not) are in my personal prayers.

11/08/13 p.m. Just received the following in an email:

Subject: Prayer Request - Mrs. Rod Meredith and Family

Hi, Just talked to Dr. Hadden Pace to confirm that Mrs. Rod Meredith's cancer has returned she is now in hospice care.

I have regularly prayed from Mrs. Meredith for years, and did not stop after leaving LCG. Although I know Dr. Hadden Pace, this came to me from another source.

On other matters, many may wish to check out the post Dreams, the Bible, and the Continuing Church of God as it has information that I have never posted here before.

11/07/13 p.m. In my last post on this page, I mentioned the Alexa ranking of the Church of God Messenger website. This is a group associated with Rod Reynolds as the introduction above states. Here is a little more information on that group from its website:

On August 10, 2013 a group of seven persons, all members of my family, agreed to formally establish a new Church organization called Messenger Church of God. Our aim in the Messenger Church of God is to follow Jesus Christ in practicing and teaching the original Christianity of Jesus and the apostles of the New Testament.

10/30/13 p.m. It seemed that perhaps readers of this page may be interested in the popularity of the internet sites of the groups once affiliated with GCG. I have included all the main sites of the COG groups that I am aware of (note: since I do not believe that David Pack is truly part of the COG I have not included those associated with his church--for details Why Not the Restored Church of God?).

Although some prefer to believe their internet impact is higher than it is, I like to use a source such as Alexa to give a relative impact on how websites compare to the multiple millions of sites out there. One page suggested that there are about 500,000,000 websites.

Alexa is an independent internet source that looks at the overall popularity of websites based upon factors such as number of visits, repeat visits, amount of time spent at a website, amount of links clicked at the site, etc. The lower the number the greater the impact. For example, google.com has an Alexa ranking of 1, meaning it is the most popular website in the world, and facebook.com has an Alexa ranking of 2, meaning that it is the second most popular website in the world according to Alexa (number 3 is YouTube.com). Websites with Alexa rankings of over 15,000,000, as well as those too limited in reach to be ranked by Alexa, do not have much impact.

The popularity of those groups whose leaders formerly had GCG affiliation below is based upon Alexa rankings that were displayed by Alexa today:

  1. COGwriter.com (Continuing Church of God) 161,751
  2. lcg.org (Living Church of God) 369,469
  3. tomorrowsworld.org (Living Church of God) 375,151
  4. ccog.org (Continuing Church of God) 643,685
  5. eternalgod.org (Church of the Eternal God) 2,314,213
  6. hwalibrary.com (former LCG/GCG members) 2,857,990
  7. servantsnews.com (Port Austin Bible Campus) 5,544,429
  8. globalchurchofgod.co.uk (Global Church of God, United Kingdom) 11,584,484
  9. godslawislove.org (Church of God in Peace and Truth) 11,802,476
  10. cgfnw.org (Church of God Fellowship, Northwest) not Alexa rated; over 15,000,000
  11. cogcanada.org (Global Church of God, Canada) not Alexa rated; over 15,000,000
  12. cogmessenger.org (Rod Reynolds) not Alexa rated; over 15,000,000
  13. cotsg.org (Church of the Sovereign God) not Alexa rated; over 15,000,000
  14. enduring.org (Enduring COG) not Alexa rated; over 15,000,000
  15. genuine-truth.com (former LCG/GCG members) not Alexa rated; over 15,000,000
  16. wwcg.org (Wholeworld COG) not Alexa rated; over 15,000,000

The above suggests that the popularity reach of the Continuing Church of God exceeds almost all other one-time GCG-affiliated groups on the internet combined. Yet, that is not completely accurate as LCG's youtube presence is not included above as Alexa does not rank for individual channels. But it does show, that even without having a full-time internet staff that the Continuing Church of God does better than nearly all other GCG-affiliated groups reaching people over the internet.

There is a difference between the groups that once had connections to GCG. Only one can lead The Final Phase of the Work.

He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

10/26/13 a.m. A reader sent in the following about his view of what was really being said concerning festival attendance reported by David Pack of RCG for 2013:

David Pack wrote:

The number of new people keeping the Feast with us at Headquarters this year was 19%. The number keeping the Feast in Lake Placid, New York, this year was 22%. The number keeping it with us in Destin, Florida, this year was 16%. The number in Branson, Missouri, was 27% and the number in Salt Lake City, Utah, was 29%.

Mr Pack is saying what the percentage of new people were at his feast sites. We both know that Dave Pack's church is a revolving door with new people coming and going all the time. He simply told us how quickly people come and go at his feast sites!

David Pack reportedly had 21 Feast of Tabernacles' sites and only reported about 5 of them. He had made a prior claim that he would need additional sites for all the new people who would come to him by August 30, 2013 from the various COG groups, that apparently did not happen. Whether or not his total Feast attendance was up was not clear. What was clear is that his interpretations of various portions of Haggai and Zechariah for 2013 were totally wrong and RCG did not get the massive growth that David Pack previously boasted would happen.

10/24/13 a.m. Been traveling a lot this week, and made my first trip ever to Israel (which is where I currently am). The following is expected to be part of the weekly Letter to the Brethren in the Continuing Church of God:

On this trip, I had to connect through the airport in Istanbul, Turkey.  Being there reminded me of something I have meant to write about before—some of the similarities between Islam and Roman Catholicism.

Here are several, beginning with the first one that I thought of while walking through the Istanbul airport, how certain Muslim women appear:

There are more similarities, but the above list suggests that the two religions are not as different as they claim (despite having mostly differing rituals).

Sometime back someone sent me an article that alleged that the Church of Rome intentionally started (or at least greatly encouraged the start) of the Islamic faith according to someone with ties to the Vatican.  While that, of itself, was someone’s view, the fact is that there are certain similarities.

But one reason to point of the similarities is that I believe that because the Bible teaches that the whole world will worship the beast (Revelation 13:4,8), that for a brief time, those in Islam may temporarily do so.  I believe that this will be probably after the USA and its Anglo-descended allies are successfully attacked (Daniel 11:39).  Now, this will not last too long, as the Bible shows that the “king of the south” will soon thereafter turn against the “king of the north” and then lose (Daniel 11:40-43).  But it may be that some of the similarities of the two faiths will temporarily facilitate some Islamic semi-acceptance of the coming more ecumenical form of Catholicism.

10/11/13 p.p.m. RCG's David Pack posted the following late today:

This will be my last announcement for some time. It brings additional aspects of the Haggai/Zechariah prophecy to completion...

I have been well aware for over 40 years in the ministry of Mr. Armstrong’s position on setting dates. But in the case of the Haggai prophecy, I and every minister at our Headquarters concluded that the prophecy came in a manner that was inseparable from timing—that timing was directly attached to it. Later you will see what part of this thinking was wrong. (Pack D. A Conclusion Everyone Should Read. October 11, 2013. http://rcg.org/sep/a-conclusion-everyone-should-read viewed 10/11/13)

Let me interject that most of the thinking RCG put out on Haggai and Zechariah this year, and not only a small part of it, was wrong. It is interesting that David Pack is trying to implicate people who felt pressured by him to agree and also blame them for his errors.

In today's post, David Pack also (I decided not to post all of it) basically blamed Herbert Armstrong for errors, essentially suggesting that there was no difference between 1972 and August 30, 2013. But years before 1972, Herbert Armstrong taught that it was not likely going to be the end then, whereas David Pack pushed his position until late August 2013.

Anyway, David Pack also wrote:

Originally we took the “sixth month” to be the sixth month of God’s sacred calendar, which is Elul. This was wrong. Upon closer examination, it became clear that the reference to the “sixth month” is simply to the sixth month and second year of King Darius’ reign from when it started...A series of clues point to Haggai 1:1 being in the SPRING of the year, NOT the fall.

Haggai 1:1 records the third overall date—the first day of the sixth month. This would be early March our time.

The fourth date is in Haggai 1:15—the 24th day of the sixth month. It describes the people coming to work in God’s House. Again, this would be about April 1 in our calendar.

The fifth date is in Haggai 2:1—the 21st day of the seventh month—and would be late in April. We originally thought this was the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, but it would be more like right after Passover.

The sixth date is in Haggai 2:10—the 24th day of the ninth month—and continues through Haggai 2. This would be the equivalent of late July...

We should now at least ask: Will God’s people keep the Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread together in 2014?—in 2015?—or later? The reader may draw his own conclusions...

The answer to the first and second question is, NO POSSIBLE WAY WILL ALL OF GOD'S PEOPLE BE UNIFIED IN 2014 OR 2015 AS DAVID PACK HAS INDICATED THAT MAY. I continue to conclude that David Pack is delusional and any who believe him are allowing themselves to be deceived in many ways.

David Pack then at least admitted an error, but without real repentance:

None of this new understanding speaks to when the prophecy will be fulfilled. I will certainly never repeat such a mistake.

He then said that 5 of his 21 Feast of Tabernacles' sites were up 19-29% in attendance, without giving total results or actual numbers. Sadly, this will help persuade many of the deluded to stay with them. That is a personal and spiritual mistake.

He also had the following false statement:

A statement to all MINISTERS: God WILL reunite His people, and soon.

David Pack simply does not understand many aspects of biblical prophecy. The type of reunification that David Pack is purporting is not part of God's plan for His Church in the end (cf. Revelation 2 & 3; Revelation 12:14-17).

Some should also study the article Why Not the Restored Church of God?

10/11/13 p.m. LCG sent out the following today:

Scripture reveals that at the end of the age, a major religious figure will come on the scene who will “intend to change times and law” (Daniel 7:25). This “lawless one” or “man of sin” will oppose and exalt himself “above all that is called God or that is worshipped”—he will do away with any semblance of biblical obedience (2 Thessalonians 2:3-10). This “man of sin” will ride on a European beast power and will be instrumental in causing separated “religious daughters” to return to the mother church (see Revelation 17). (TW News & Prophecy, October 11, 2013)

LCG is again publicly pushing the above error in prophetic understanding, apparently to go along with its improper 'falling away' doctrine. What is clear from the Bible is that the man of sin on 2 Thessalonians 2 is NOT the religious leader (also known as the False Prophet) but the one the Bible also calls the King of the North (Daniel 11:36-40).

Some items of related interest may include:

Who is the Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians 2? Is this the King of the North, the ten-horned beast of Revelation 13:1-11, or the two-horned Beast of Revelation 13:12-16? Some rely on traditions, but what does the Bible teach? Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Quién es el Hombre de Pecado de 2 Tesalonicenses 2? Here is a version in Mandarin: 主编： 谁是'大罪人'？Here is a link to a related YouTube video, in English, titled Who is the Man of Sin?

The Falling Away: The Bible and WCG Teachings Who is 2 Thessalonians 2:3 referring to? Are there multiple falling aways? Here is a related link in Spanish/español: La Apostasía: Enseñanzas de la Biblia y de la WCG. There are also two YouTube videos on the subject that you can watch The Falling Away Part 1: From the Bible and Church History and The Falling Away Part 2: Positions Presented by Others.

Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.

10/11/13 a.m. The first edition of CCOG's Bible News Prophecy magazine is now out in the language of Tagalog.  Tagalog is mainly spoken by people from the Philippines, and so now the Continuing Church of God Bible News Prophecy magazine is available in four languages.  Here is the version in Tagalog in pdf. format: MGA BALITA NG PROPESIYA NG BIBLIYA January-March 2013 edition. 

The current edition (October- December 2013) is also been printed in English and Spanish (Mandarin Chinese translation is in process). The Spanish version of the October-December 2013 edition is also available as a downloadable pdf: Noticias de Profecía de la Biblia: Octubre – Diciembre 2013. The English version is also available as a downloadable pdf: Bible News Prophecy, October-December 2013 edition.

10/05/13 a.m. The improperly named Restored Church of God (RCG) posted the following:

Due to post-Feast time constraints, Mr. Pack is unable to post what will be his last announcement for some time about the Haggai/Zechariah prophecy. This long, important announcement will bring three final elements to the prophecy, and includes helpful excerpts from an extraordinary 1972 article by Herbert W. Armstrong about how Christians should view matters of prophetic timing. Next week’s announcement, to appear some time between Monday and Wednesday, will carefully explain additional matters about the prophecy’s timing that came to light a month ago. Readers will find it fascinating. No next “date” will be set, but the reader will be able to conclude for himself what may happen. Mr. Pack will explain what had not been understood.

The above is disappointing and sad. What it should say is that David Pack will repent of his errors. Instead it suggests that he will attempt to 'spin' events and deny what he was trying to say. We will see. He could still repent as that would be the best possible announcement. His prophetic understanding was absolutely wrong and if he and those in RCG really have lot of the truth, they will admit it.

10/03/13 p.m. While at the Santa Maria, California Feast of Tabernacles' site of Continuing Church of God two ladies there stated that there that they had previously been told by a minister in the Living Church of God that they needed to believe that the Jews had to have a third temple built prior to the return of Jesus Christ. I then told those ladies that this subject had come up several years prior when Richard Ames had published something in LCG's Tomorrow's World magazine, and that the editorial manager assured me in an email that LCG did not intend to teach that and never would again. Well, in 2012, I noticed that LCG seemed to change towards that improper teaching--but it was not presented, to me at least, as a firm teaching of LCG.

Notice also something in an article from LCG's Dexter Wakefield that seems to confirm this titled The Quarry of Living Stones:

Some have asked whether there will be a third temple built in the Temple Mount before Christ comes. The Bible gives indications that it will be...Is it possible that the third temple could exist in parts already? Some think that it does and could be assembled very quickly from already completed components...

Where Is the Temple Today?

In “quarries” all over the world! These living stones are being finished and ready for final transportation and assembly in Jerusalem. The temple of God exists wherever God has called out His people.

It is the real Christians today that compose the "temple of God." But, contrary to the speculations and assertions of various ones, while a Jewish temple could be built, one is absolutely not necessary for animal sacrifices to resume in Israel nor for the return of Jesus Christ. The Philadelphia mantle is no longer within LCG (cf. Isaiah 22:20-25) and problems are expected to continue (cf. Isaiah 22:14-19).

Some of those in groups like LCG who personally may think there needs to be a third Jewish temple prior to the start of the Great Tribulation will misunderstand where we will be in prophecy when it is time for the Philadelphians to flee.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Why is a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem Not Required? Although people like Timothy LaHaye teach a third Jewish temple is required, who is 'the temple of God" in the New Testament? Does the Bible require a rebuilt Jewish Temple? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Por qué no se requiere un templo judío en Jerusalén?

There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical 'place of safety' and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject--thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory. There is also a video on the subject: Might Petra be the Place of Safety?  Here is something related in the Spanish language: Hay un lugar de seguridad para los Filadelfinos. ¿Puede ser Petra?

When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2013, 2014, or 2015? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the "beginning of sorrows"? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2013 o 2014? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language video The Great Tribulation Will Not Begin Before 2017.

Why Bob Thiel Left the Living Church of God Several have speculated reasons, but here is the truth. (En el idioma español: ¿Por qué Bob Thiel dejó la Iglesia del Dios Viviente?)

09/28/13 a.m. The Feast of Tabernacles for 2013 is past and many have now returned home. Here is a link to the latest Letter to the Brethren of the Continuing Church of God: Letter: September 27, 2013.

There has been no additional update from RCG's David Pack and his failed predictions for August 2013 since 09/13/13--presumably he may post something within the next week or two.

09/18/13 p.m. The Feast of Tabernacles is upon us.

Here is the suggested format for the Feast of Tabernacles for those who will not be able to attend in person from the Continuing Church of God:

For the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles:

More sermons and related materials are expected to be uploaded at the ContinuingCOG channel during the Feast of Tabernacles.

09/17/13 p.m. The Continuing Church of God (CCOG) now has its Statement of Beliefs in the language of Swahili/Kiswahili on the internet (here is the link: KATIKA LUGHA YA KISWAHILI). This was translated by people in Kenya.

Well, after he viewed it, I received the following email from a CCOG supporter in Tanzania:

Greetings. The Statements of Belief in Kiswahili is a wonderful milestone to the people of East Africa. I do not recall any literary work of the COG that was done in this language by any group that came from WCG! This is one of the reason that made me to leave LCG when they kept ignoring my plea to do everything possible to help those brethren who couldn't understand English, who had been accepted into the church!

We in the Continuing Church of God are committed to reaching people of all nations and as many languages as we can.

Why?

Because that is what Jesus and His apostles would have us to do:

14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.   (Matthew 24:14)

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.  (Matthew 28:19-20)

10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance.  (1 Corinthians 14:10)

21 In the law it is written:

"With men of other tongues and other lips
I will speak to this people;
And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,"  says the Lord.  (1 Corinthians 14:21)

Though many will not hear and/or respond now, the gospel of the kingdom does need to proclaimed to the world as a witness.  And while some seem to believe that English is sufficient, notice that ultimately, those who respond will include people of all languages:

9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"  (Revelation 7:9-10)

We in CCOG continue to add materials in additional languages.  We are reaching people now and preparing to reach others in the future.  This all helps fulfill Matthew 24:14 and is part of the preparation for The Final Phase of the Work.

Today, we also received a translation of our magazine in the Tagalog language.  After it is formatted and placed online, I will get it linked to probably three of our websites.  One of the websites, which is not currently up (but the URL is currently owned), is targeted towards the Tagalog readership.  We are serious about reaching those that we can reach.

09/14/13 p.m. David Pack's latest post at the RCG website from last night starts off with:

NOTICE: This is the TWENTY-SEVENTH in a series of special announcements. They collectively unveil the massive, ongoing expansion that God’s Church, Work and Headquarters are experiencing. There is a reason for this expansion! The reader should contrast these announcements to the increasing bad news and bad events in UCG, LCG, PCG, COGwa and ALL splinters and slivers of the Worldwide Church of God. You must see what they are NOT announcing, and why they never will—and what GOD is bringing upon them. (Pack D. Special Announcement #27 Friday, September 13, 2013 Awesome Knowledge—and a Great Parallel! http://rcg.org/sep/awesome-knowledge-and-a-great-parallel)

Actually, it is RCG who is not clearly telling its people that David Pack was wrong, he did not understand Haggai, and his hoped for reunification did not happen. Nor will it ever.

David Pack's post also states:

If you read last week’s announcement you know we hold no doubt that God’s prophecy in Haggai and Zechariah is still very much “on.” This announcement explains additional expansive elements of the Haggai/Zechariah prophecy that none of us had yet understood.

Yes, I read last week's announcement and it is a FACT THAT DAVID PACK DID NOT UNDERSTAND HAGGAI AND PARTS OF ZECHARIAH, NOR DOES HE YET. Though sometimes he quotes portions that would truly be helpful for RCG to understand.

For example, David Pack's post has the following:

Previous announcements revealed that Haggai 1:4-11 contains God’s instruction to the remnant to “consider their ways.”

The problem is that so far, relatively few in RCG are willing to consider their ways. Their false apostle was wrong, still is wrong, and will remain wrong. The Continuing Church of God was right about this all along, yet those still in RCG are stuck believing a lie. They need to consider their ways.

David Pack also posted:

Exodus Parallels and Highpoints

God says that He heard the afflictions and sorrows of His people under harsh Egyptian taskmasters

I have long considered that David Pack was a bully and harsh taskmaster. Part of what I have based that on is what various of his former employees have told me. Furthermore, there is SO MUCH HYPOCRISY IN RCG, IT IS MAINLY THROUGH BULLYING AND INTIMODATION THAT THE ORGANIZATION, IN MY OPINION, EXISTS. Hopefully, those still there will see it.

David Pack ended the post with the following:

Do not miss what I now anticipate will be my final announcement! It explains four final elements of the prophecy that have become more clear, including hints that God left about why His plan to fulfill it was not connected to the fall Feast season.

So, this next week is his second expected final announcement. The last "final announcement" was August 2, 2013. That, and much of what he said would happen then were proven to be false. Including how David Pack has previously stated that various events had to take place in the month of Elul, which immediately proceeds the Fall Feast season. Can not those in RCG see this?

09/11/13 a.m. The Day of Atonement will be here soon (Friday at sunset).

Suggested Atonement Service

Here the suggested format for Atonement services this week from the Continuing Church of God:

Note: If you have a slow internet connection, you can watch these by starting the video, then below it (and towards the right) look for an outline of a gear--if you click on that, it will allow the YouTube video to be played with lower video quality, but at least it will not stop often--you can select a quality as low as 144p.

We recognize that the YouTube videos do not play well unless one has a high-speed internet connection, which is part of why we try (when we have them) to list related articles that can be read.

09/09/13 p.m. Apparently, many of those in RCG are in denial about what has been happening. Got the following as part of an email today:

A friend of mine, is now attending with him and says that he didnt say that it would occur on that day. That people are misunderstanding him. I read it and he said it. Now, Dave-Pack had removed it and is saying something different. My friend says to me show me the proof.

My response to the above email included:

All I have is what is at the COGwriter.com website.  The fact that David Pack is hoping to rewrite history is a shame.
 
Anyway, there are posts at the  News of those once affiliated with the Global Church of God page, the RCG article Why Not the Restored Church of God?, and some at the COG news page (RCG’s David Pack claims dozens of reasons 2013 is the year for reunification, but… and RCG’s David Pack predicts a reunification that will not happen next month  and RCG: Can you see the ‘handwriting on the wall’? Your emperor has no clothes! and RCG’s David Pack declares that ‘three shepherds’ will die on August 30, 2013. Is Bob Thiel one of them? and RCG: The Real Truth).
 
David Pack absolutely posted what I said he posted as I copied the information from his web page.  Those who wish to deny this are delusional and not willing to face the reality of David Pack's falsehoods.

But for now, let simply post some of David Pack's own words here:

“Notification” by God

Some weeks ago, when explaining the year that the prophecy is fulfilled, I listed perhaps two dozen reasons for 2013. There are perhaps twice that many more reasons that have been listed by those of us inside the process of learning what God is doing. There is no point in enumerating them all because they would merely be lampooned by scoffers and mockers who in many cases might not even respond to the prophecy when they SEE it! For those who wish to be objective, but who take as a starting point that they do not believe the year of the prophecy’s fulfillment is 2013, ask why you disagree with the internal elements of the prophecy itself. I have put in a great many hours preparing what you read because there is value in getting people to think about what will happen BEFORE it happens. The Final Announcement. August 2, 2013, http://rcg.org/sep/the-final-announcement)

Haggai Fulfilled—When Reunification Occurs

Most are by now probably wondering: When will the events described in Haggai take place? Before which Feast of Tabernacles (remember, Haggai means “My Feast”) will brethren be reunified? The answer is found by returning to Haggai 1. Verses 14 and 15 state that “all the remnant of the people…came and did work in the House of the Lord of Hosts, their God, in the four and twentieth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.” We saw in an earlier announcement that this is the 24th day of the sixth month (Elul) in God’s sacred calendar.

For now, I will merely state that the prophecy applies to THIS SUMMER—August 30, 2013. (Who Is the Modern Joshua of Haggai and Zechariah? June 29, 2013, http://rcg.org/sep/who-is-the-modern-joshua-of-haggai-and-zechariah)

Realize that a host of logistical details must be worked out for this to occur. God has been planning this event for thousands of years—at least 3,000—and His Church has been preparing for it for almost a year. Headquarters and our ministers will be ready to receive potentially a great many phone calls from splinter ministers and members even in the days and weeks before August 31.

There are certain immediate implications to Haggai 1:14-15...

First Sabbath Together

Next is the Sabbath of August 31. You may at this time of course believe or disbelieve what follows. You will later be glad it was written and can be readily referenced. Obviously, when the size of the remnant joining us becomes clearer, as well as at least generally where most of these brethren live—countries and cities—more detail can follow…and very quickly. This will include seeing how many ministers are faithful and also where they live—countries and cities.

In six short weeks, the “Church of God landscape” will forever change. Saturday, August 31 will be a Sabbath unlike any other in history. It will be the first time in decades that all of God’s people around the world will be meeting together in the same locations for services.

The Feast of Tabernacles

Next, the 2013 Feast of Tabernacles: This will also be among the most special and inspiring times in Church history. It will be a Feast of unity and harmony among all of God’s people. Everyone will keep this joyous occasion as members of The Restored Church of God in scores of sites across the world. At this time, we have 21 sites, but we anticipate adding many more. In some areas, former splinter brethren will attend our current sites. In other locations, we will have to quickly add new ones. In still other areas, splinter sites will simply become Restored sites. The total number of Feast sites, and where they are, will depend entirely on how many brethren answer the “stirring” of Jesus Christ to return to His Church, and in what areas they live. Details may begin (and only begin) to come into view on the first of the month of Elul (in God’s calendar—August 7 in the Roman Calendar). A more complete picture will emerge by Elul 24 (August 30). Right now, all are urged to have in their thinking that they will be reassigned to a new nearby Feast site, and those who choose to return to the Body of Christ will attend with what becomes a much bigger organization—probably significantly bigger than the largest splinter! (Crucial Questions—Important Answers! July 19, 2013, http://rcg.org/sep/crucial-questions-important-answers)

Last Friday’s announcement closed with when the Haggai prophecy will occur—that all brethren will be reunited this summer, in time to attend the Feast of Tabernacles together in 2013. (Recall that Haggai means “My Feast.”) This announcement presents 24 reasons for this timing. There is much proof!...The dates revealed in Haggai have nothing whatsoever to do with any decision that I made. God decided that this prophecy would be fulfilled after planning it over 3,000 years ago (it is referenced in several Psalms). I am not so arrogant as to decide what God must do and when. I repeat again, these events in NO WAY parallel the Return of Jesus Christ. This prophecy is directly tied to a date...

Last Friday’s announcement closed with when the Haggai prophecy will occur—that all brethren will be reunited this summer, in time to attend the Feast of Tabernacles together in 2013. (Recall that Haggai means “My Feast.”) This announcement presents 24 reasons for this timing. There is much proof!..

I repeat: There are many more reasons for a 2013 fulfillment, with a few of a personal nature—and others involving God moving miraculously to reveal crucial things at certain times within an extraordinarily complex prophecy that involves hundreds of verses. (Pack, David. Why Reunification THIS YEAR!, posted July 5, 2013 http://rcg.org/sep/why-reunification-this-year)

How could so many things happen in 24 hours?...Three men die- Elul 24, then everyone makes a decision that day. (Pack, David. All Brethren United Soon Part 12 Sermon--note I copied these two sentences from someone's transcript as opposed to an RCG website)

The remnant is not listening. Christ knows this—and why. He can change it. How long would He wait? Each day lost with the remnant not hearing Him is a day less for them to recover. There are only 24 days total for the people to act. The same is true with Christ organizing their move and a complex merger. There are only 24 days total for the people to act. Yet again, the same is true with ministers who may be battling other wolves in their organizations as they strive to save sheep—and to establish themselves as faithful ministers before God. There are only 24 days total for these ministers to act. (Post July 26, 2013)

Thus, David Pack taught August 30, 2013 and indicated that God told him about August 2013, which is blatantly false and that he spent MANY HOURS preparing that post.

Notice also something else David Pack wrote:

Why Reunification THIS YEAR!

...all brethren will be reunited this summer, in time to attend the Feast of Tabernacles together in 2013... the description of the YEAR of fulfillment must also be in code...

The dates revealed in Haggai have nothing whatsoever to do with any decision that I made. God decided that this prophecy would be fulfilled after planning it over 3,000 years ago (it is referenced in several Psalms)...

God’s People Disfellowshipped En Masse

A final point before looking at reasons the prophecy is “on” for August 2013. As was mentioned in last Friday’s announcement, God has actually disfellowshipped His people—putting them out of the Church—“delivering them unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh that their spirit might be saved” at Christ’s Return (I Cor. 5:5). Also read I Timothy 1:20. That God disfellowships people, usually through His ministers, should surprise no converted person...

Internally, and this is no small thing, God’s Church is truly ready to expand the Work in a BIG WAY. The prophecy features this as the MAIN PURPOSE of the remnant returning! Without the prophecy’s fulfillment, this expansion would be delayed one year—or more! Why would God notify His Church of the prophecy’s existence at the very same time our staff is ready, our websites are ready, our literature is ready and even God’s college is ready for more students if the prophecy were not imminent? Why would God notify His Church if HE were not ready? (Pack, David. Why Reunification THIS YEAR!, posted July 5, 2013 http://rcg.org/sep/why-reunification-this-year)

The God of the Bible did NOT notify David Pack this, but Satan, "the god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4, KJV), may have as Satan works with those who appear real but are "false apostles" (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

David Pack predicted and pushed an August 30th fulfillment of HIS interpretation of certain of the prophecies in Haggai.

Followers of David Pack can decide to prefer a rewrite of history, but this suggests that they wish to believe and love a lie--this is biblically very dangerous ()!

09/09/13 a.m. There was something else that David Pack of the improperly named Restored Church of God (RCG) posted on 9/06/13 that perhaps should be cited and commented on now:

I Corinthians 13 speaks of prophecy in the context of love: “Love never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail [every prophecy eventually fails when it is fulfilled and turns into history—it fails at that point to any longer be prophecy] (Pack D. How Long Will You Wait for God’s Prophecies? 09/06/13 http://rcg.org/sep/how-long-will-you-wait-for-gods-prophecies)

Prophecies that come to pass DO NOT FAIL ("cease" was a better translation than "fail" in 1 Corinthians 13:8). Here is how the NIV renders that verse:

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. (1 Corinthians 13:8)

The Greek terms that the KJV translated as "fails" and "fail" were NOT the same words and had different technical meanings. Prophecies cease to be for the future once they are fulfilled--God's prophecies do not fail (Isaiah 55:11). In order to try to minimize the fallout from his false and failed predictions, David Pack is trying to confuse people with what "fail" means. David Pack failed to teach God's word about Haggai, etc. properly (cf. Jeremiah 23:28). Properly understood biblical prophecy does not predict things that do not come to pass.

As it turned out, world events aligned with at least 33 biblically-understood predictions in my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect (for some details, see the beginning of the article End of Mayan Calendar 2012--Might 2012 Mean Something?)--the predictions that I wrote did not fail, but became confirmed. But events failed to confirm David Pack's dated ones.

But the problem David Pack has is even worse than that. He does not understand the gospel or God's plan for His church in the 21st century.

On May 3, 2013, David Pack posted:

All attempts by brethren to “unite the groups” have failed. Neither has an “Elijah” arrived to bring everyone together (as some falsely anticipated, claiming Mr. Armstrong did not fulfill this role).

We must add that David Pack's attempt to “unite the groups” has also failed. But part of David Pack's failure was he started off with one or more false premises.

David Pack still fails to realize that unification of all of God's people at this time was NEVER God's plan.

There is a reason that the Book of Revelation shows at least four groups at the time of the end: Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and the biggest group at the end, Laodicea.

As far as Elijah, the only time that all real Christians will be brought together under 'Elijah' will be after the start of the Great Tribulation and when people recognize him as one of the two witnesses. But there will not be a unified "corporation" then. David Pack continues to err based upon his false tradition, as he does not truly understand the scriptures nor the power of God (cf. Mark 12:24).

Several times, I have brought up the failed false prophet Ronald Weinland of the Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God and compared some of what he did with David Pack. The Don't Drink the Flavor Aid site reminded everyone that back in 2008, David Pack had the following to say about Ronald Weinland’s excuses:

Now this goofy fellow who moved to the Middle East and proclaimed things that were going to happen all through the Spring and into the Summer, and supposedly as recently as Wednesday was another big date. Of course none of it happened. He’s a false prophet. But what did happen is, he explained that things are taking longer than he’d thought. He actually publicly chastised himself for speaking perhaps a little presumptuously when nuclear destruction didn’t happen. Now what he should do is look in the Old Testament and see exactly what God says you should do with a false prophet. I didn’t note him announcing that should occur. God said don’t fear such a person. Just put them to death. That’s the end of it. But instead people will continue to listen to somebody who’s blown a trumpet and screamed that he’s false.

The above quote is not currently at RCG's own website, but I recall seeing it reported years ago. Those in RCG need to realize that by David Pack's own standards, he is false.

09/07/13 a.m. Since my last post on this page, I received some email related to RCG. Here is part of one of them:

As a former member of RCG, I have been following Mr. Pack's dramatic and equally delusional "Special Announcements" as well as your updated comments in CCOG's News section regarding his false predictions. You are likely aware of his latest, Special Announcement #26, just posted today. Early, in paragraph 3, Mr. Pack states, "Earlier announcements have been corrected." HE WASN'T KIDDING! I went back in my MAC's history in an attempt to resurrect the original postings but to no avail. One of them, Special Announcement #21, originally entitled "Why Reunification THIS YEAR!" , changed before my very eyes to "Why Reunification SOON!" Hopefully, you or someone has kept the original copies of these "announcements." This man is doing everything in his power to blind his members and maintain his power.

Mr. Pack wrote the following in the 2nd paragraph of page 48 of his 2008 (reprinted 2011) book entitled IS "THAT PROPHET" ALIVE TODAY? - The Rise of False Prophets: "If a man predicts an earthquake...or any other major event for a specific date, and it occurs even a few hours into the next day...this is a failed prophecy, disproving the prophet’s authority! Close is not good enough. Actually, the chilling truth is that being close means that the man is connected to EVIL ELEMENTS IN THE SPIRIT WORLD!" (emphasis his). Was he aware that he was writing about himself?

Keep up the good work in updating His Church about this false prophet, false Apostle and false minister of God.

David Pack fulfilled his own criteria for being a false prophet by August 31, 2013. And notice that David Pack's criteria is that predictions had to happen no later than when "a man predicts" otherwise he is false. Cannot those in RCG see this?

As far as David Pack's post yesterday, he also wrote:

I will explain a week after the Feast EXACTLY what was misunderstood about the prophecy’s timing. It appears we will not be waiting a long time—not another year—for its fulfillment. (Earlier announcements have been corrected.)...

Before covering vital points and scriptures that all should now keep in mind, it is of course obvious there was an error in the prophecy’s timing. There may be other details that are wrong. I always knew this and said it to the Church more than once...

Of course, some may just go home. Unavailable to you will be healings, blessings and almost daily exciting announcements of God’s Church and Work. (Just view our “Behind the Work” film right after the Feast of Tabernacles to see the sharp contrast with your group.) Or would you rather support the exciting Work of God being done in His Church, under His government, in His full truth, while experiencing the peace, joy, love and unity only possible in one Church?

The only real alternative you have is to follow Christ’s Spirit back to His Church.

Think hard about what you will do. You do not need to wait until our next “Fruits” letter highlights how we continue to explode in growth and the reach of the Work while other groups do not. You need not miss out.

Do not stake your salvation on the timing of the Haggai/Zechariah prophecy. I repeat a final time. (Pack D. How Long Will You Wait for God’s Prophecies? 09/06/13 http://rcg.org/sep/how-long-will-you-wait-for-gods-prophecies)

David Pack spent months on his earlier announcements, now is "correcting them." He is now indirectly admitting error without indicating a need for his repentance. David Pack claimed to speak with God's authority about Haggai 2 and August 2013 and was clearly wrong. RCG is NOT doing "the Work" nor is it leading the final phase of the work (see also The Final Phase of the Work here is a related YouTube sermon video titled The Final Phase of the Work. The written article has been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra. There is also a sermonette length video titled Leading the Final Phase of the Work).

David Pack made a big deal about his details prior to August 30 and now he does not want people to realize that he was acting in the capacity of a false prophet.

Recall that the Bible teaches:

20 But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.' 21 And if you say in your heart, 'How shall we know the word which the Lord has not spoken?' — 22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him. (Deuteronomy 18:20-22)

However, it seems to me that people in RCG are afraid of David Pack and his words about the Church and salvation keep them afraid. Yet, since David Pack is a false apostle, his teachings about his church being the right one, etc. are wrong. People need to believe their Bibles above the words and writings of David Pack.

Now, to attempt to excuse himself, David Pack also wrote:

I join the apostles who misunderstood certain prophetic timelines. (But so have all of you old-timers in the Church done the same.) I could not deny what appeared to be the obvious year of this incredibly unique prophecy—unlike all others where one could not know the year, such as the day of Christ’s return. With one of my roles to warn God’s people, I could not just pass over the timing-related elements of the prophecy. The prophecy carried a certain urgency. (Pack D. How Long Will You Wait for God’s Prophecies? 09/06/13 http://rcg.org/sep/how-long-will-you-wait-for-gods-prophecies)

Yet, this is in many ways a red herring argument. While various true apostles felt that certain matters would occur in their lifetimes, no true apostle ever wrote that so much would happen in a particular day and month that did not happen. Of course, false apostles like Ronald Weinland of the Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God did.

But there is no proof that any other apostle said something would happen in a few weeks or on a specific date and not had it happen. But this has historically been true of false prophets and false apostles. And David Pack is a false apostle.

I believe that part of why he plans on sending out other letters is to try to hold on to more in RCG between now and the end of the Feast of Tabernacles. Hopefully, many in RCG will see that there 'emperor' has no cloths and is clearly not God's apostle (RCG: Can you see the ‘handwriting on the wall’? Your emperor has no clothes!). David Pack has in the past directly and indirectly belittled me, yet, I was always right about August 2013 and he was always wrong.

David Pack is still wrong about Haggai 2 and people need to realize it was more than just the date he was wrong about. He is not 'Joshua' nor God's apostle as he claims.

09/06/13 p.m. David Pack of the improperly named Restored Church of God (RCG) posted the following:

We have the numbers! It is clear that some brethren ARE “considering their ways.”...

I will explain a week after the Feast EXACTLY what was misunderstood about the prophecy’s timing. It appears we will not be waiting a long time—not another year—for its fulfillment. (Earlier announcements have been corrected.) Next Friday, I will post another one detailing three crucial elements that were previously unexplained, with three more to be explained after the Feast.

Make no mistake. THE PROPHECY STANDS. Because it was never my prophecy, but rather God’s, it WILL come to pass. The whether and what of the prophecy have not changed, only the WHEN...

If you stay where you are, you have chosen to continue under false leaders in a place of division and deception, one drenched in false doctrine and under a false government, all while witnessing accelerating collapse around you. (Pack D. How Long Will You Wait for God’s Prophecies? 09/06/13 http://rcg.org/sep/how-long-will-you-wait-for-gods-prophecies)

So, David Pack is asking for more time, while also trying to claim he had some success. But what he said would happen did not. While he is referring to other groups about false leaders, he needs a mirror. David Pack has proven to be false once again. And this should be dramatic enough for all interested in the real truth to realize that. David Pack did not repent, which to me at least, is additional proof he is not truly part of the Church of God. The "numbers" he referred to today pale in comparison to HIS ASSERTIONS AND BOASTS earlier this year. The August 30, 2013 date MOST CERTAINLY WAS DAVID PACK'S--IT NEVER WAS GOD'S.

Notice something David Pack previously wrote:

At this time, we have 21 sites, but we anticipate adding many more. In some areas, former splinter brethren will attend our current sites. In other locations, we will have to quickly add new ones. In still other areas, splinter sites will simply become Restored sites. The total number of Feast sites, and where they are, will depend entirely on how many brethren answer the “stirring” of Jesus Christ to return to His Church, and in what areas they live. Details may begin (and only begin) to come into view on the first of the month of Elul (in God’s calendar—August 7 in the Roman Calendar). A more complete picture will emerge by Elul 24 (August 30). Right now, all are urged to have in their thinking that they will be reassigned to a new nearby Feast site, and those who choose to return to the Body of Christ will attend with what becomes a much bigger organization—probably significantly bigger than the largest splinter! (Crucial Questions—Important Answers! July 19, 2013, http://rcg.org/sep/crucial-questions-important-answers)

What he wrote above did not come to pass. Perhaps I should that one of the reasons that David Pack gave for his August 30, 2013 date was so people would have enough time to change from going to other Feast of Tabernacles' sites, to RCG sites. And obviously, thousands did not do that.

Notice in his "Final Announcement" post of August 2, 2013, David Pack posted:

“Notification” by God

Some weeks ago, when explaining the year that the prophecy is fulfilled, I listed perhaps two dozen reasons for 2013. There are perhaps twice that many more reasons that have been listed by those of us inside the process of learning what God is doing. There is no point in enumerating them all because they would merely be lampooned by scoffers and mockers who in many cases might not even respond to the prophecy when they SEE it! For those who wish to be objective, but who take as a starting point that they do not believe the year of the prophecy’s fulfillment is 2013, ask why you disagree with the internal elements of the prophecy itself. I have put in a great many hours preparing what you read because there is value in getting people to think about what will happen BEFORE it happens. The Final Announcement. August 2, 2013, http://rcg.org/sep/the-final-announcement)

Thus, David Pack indicated that God told him about August 2013, which is blatantly false and that he spent MANY HOURS preparing that post. So, his error was no accident. The fact that he called that post The Final Announcement (while making another today with future ones planned) reminds a lot of Ronald Weinland of the Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God as he used terms like "final warning" and "final witness," yet continued to spue out his error after being proven wrong. David Pack's coming explanation of "three crucial elements that were previously unexplained" also reminds me of some of Ron Weinland's improper explanations.

David Pack's followers need to pay closer attention to the Bible than David Pack's assertions and boasts. Notice the following:

1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 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)

12 But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 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 11:12-15)

David Pack clearly has caused the way of truth to be blasphemed by CLAIMING to be part of the Church of God, while publicizing predictions that were proven to be false. And he has long used 'covetous words.' Sadly, those in RCG seem to want to follow a false apostle. Hopefully, that does not include you if you have followed him in the past.

09/05/13 a.m. Late yesterday, David Pack's improperly named Restored Church of God (RCG) posted the following:

Upcoming Announcements

Mr. Pack will be posting two or three more “Friday Announcements” in the coming weeks. These will explain in detail additional expansive elements of the Haggai/Zechariah prophecy. They will open your eyes to things that God has long intended to do in His end-time Work that no one ever understood before, and you will see that His Word is plain!

The first will be this Friday, and will cover interesting points and scriptures everyone should keep in mind now. The next one or two will bring clarity to certain questions about “dates,” and how brethren should now view the “when” of the prophecy’s fulfillment.

It sounds like RCG is hoping to 'spin' this and suggest that David Pack was not the false prophet he was proven to be. Lest anyone fall for what RCG will likely announce, recall that David Pack posted:

When will the events described in Haggai take place? Before which Feast of Tabernacles (remember, Haggai means “My Feast”) will brethren be reunified? The answer is found by returning to Haggai 1. Verses 14 and 15 state that “all the remnant of the people…came and did work in the House of the Lord of Hosts, their God, in the four and twentieth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.” We saw in an earlier announcement that this is the 24th day of the sixth month (Elul) in God’s sacred calendar.

For now, I will merely state that the prophecy applies to THIS SUMMER—August 30, 2013. (Who Is the Modern Joshua of Haggai and Zechariah? June 29, 2013, http://rcg.org/sep/who-is-the-modern-joshua-of-haggai-and-zechariah)

It was David Pack who insisted this would occur THIS SUMMER (caps in source). He was clearly in error.

David Pack also posted:

I have taught prophecy ­extensively—­and ­correctly!—the truth of established understanding—­for over 40 years, probably much, much more than ANY other pastor during this same period. I wanted people to know what lies ahead. (Pack DC. HAGGAI: A Prophecy for OUR TIME! (Part 1). May 3, 2013)

Yet, his track record is not good. I, for one, was right about him being wrong about his reunification. And have been right on hundreds of predictions--David Pack, however, clearly was in error.

"Eric," who claims he was part of RCG, wrote the following:

I left the Restored Church of God about one month ago. I moved out to, lived, and worked in Wadsworth, Ohio at the RCG Headquarters for two months. Many of the things I went through and witnessed caused me to leave. Now with David C. Pack's "remnant prophecy" a complete flop, it is another good reason I left.

While at Headquarters, I saw a lot of scared and unhappy individuals. There was a superficial look of happiness, but I sensed a lot of uneasiness in many of the members. There was a lot of pressure from those on the top of the church government to get certain projects done, whether it was putting up chandeliers, getting a room ready for a certain date, getting the landscaping in place, or constructing a waterfall. What came down from the top was immediate priority and had to get done when they wanted. Everyone felt the pressure, no matter what department you worked in. Some lacked sleep...

While ministers, ministers' wives, and others in the upper echelon at HQ ogled over expensive chandeliers, fancy wooden trim, waterfalls, and a well-striped and manicured grounds, there were many members who were hurting physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. Ministers live in expensive housing, drive in fairly expensive new vehicles. Many of the lay members were always required and admonished to give more. It was never enough. The RCG would pursue projects they didn't immediately have the funds for, so they would pressure the congregations through weekly announcements and sermons to raise more funds. Now the RCG has recently purchased over 50 more acres of land!...

David Pack's remnant prophecy was another big reason I left. I had a bad feeling about it the closer the month of August came. He claimed that part of the books of Haggai and Zechariah indicated that three splinter group leaders would die by fire on the same day and that many of those members of the splinters would flock to Restored Church of God by the Sabbath of August 31st. Clearly, none of that has happened, and unfortunately many of the members have poured out immense amounts of funds, resources, and endless fundraising to get ready to absorb this supposed remnant. Many sold houses and properties and have given up most or almost all of what they had. I miss a lot of the friends I made in RCG. I feel bad for them, because I know that a lot of them have invested a lot of time, money, and assets to "the church."...

For anyone who is thinking or looking to joining Restored Church of God, you now have a false prophet / apostle / high priest / Joshua / whatever you want to call it to look up to and follow. He set a date for something to happen. He felt that God revealed it to him through Scripture. The event never happened. The RCG just purchased over 50 more acres of land which was expected to be paid for by the "remnant" who never came. Break it down and keep it simple. (Eric. 09/01/13. http://www.exitsupportnetwork.com/recovery/testimony/whyleft.htm viewed 09/04/13)

I have been reporting for at least 14 years that RCG had the wrong priorities, misunderstood prophecy, etc. I have long reported that RCG was about David Pack's ego and his desire for buildings, supporters, and money. And, of course, I repeatedly wrote that David Pack's hoped for reunification based upon his misinterpretation of Haggai, etc. would not happen.

09/04/13 a.m. The Feast of Trumpets begins tonight after sunset.

Here is our (CCOG) suggested format for services for this Holy Day:

Note: If you have a slow internet connection, you can watch these by starting the video, then below it (and towards the right) look for an outline of a gear--if you click on that, it will allow the YouTube video to be played with lower video quality, but at least it will not stop often--you can select a quality as low as 144p.

If you prefer audio messages to audio-visuals ones, go to the YouTube link for the message, click on SHOW MORE related to the description. You will then see something that says, "Download MP3." Below that is a link to an MP3 file. Most computers (and even some cellular telephones) will allow MP3 files to be downloaded and played. So, this is an option we have made available (but we are also looking into ways to try to improve that as well).

09/01/13 a.m. In its latest update, read at some of its church services yesterday, LCG had the following:

Voodoo...the growing acceptance of pagan practices long ago imported from Africa is significant in ways that few realize.  Bible prophecies indicate that just before Jesus Christ returns to this earth, there will be a “falling away” or spreading “rebellion” against God’s way of life as revealed in the Scriptures (2 Thessalonians 2:3).  It will be a time similar to the days of Noah when “all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth” (Genesis 6:5-12; Matthew 24:36-38). This end-of-the-age resurgence of paganism will result in serious consequences as human populations increasingly reject the laws of God (Isaiah 24:5-6; Daniel 8:23-24).

Jamaica, like other professing Christian nations, is slowly allowing sinful ways to creepback into what was once an Obeah-rejecting society. For more information on this phenomenon, be sure to view Dr. Roderick Meredith’s powerful sermon on “The Great Rebellion.”

LCG continues push its misunderstanding of what the New Testament actually teaches about the falling away in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. This, oddly, is a doctrine that it has chosen to identify its 'uniqueness' by. Partially because of this, it no longer understands certain aspects of doing the work, and is not Leading the Final Phase of the Work (nor does it any longer seem to understand much of what that final phase is).

For more details on these matters, check out the following:

The Falling Away: The Bible and WCG Teachings Who is 2 Thessalonians 2:3 referring to? Are there multiple falling aways?

Here is a related link in Spanish/español: La Apostasía: Enseñanzas de la Biblia y de la WCG. There are also two YouTube videos on the subject that you can watch The Falling Away Part 1: From the Bible and Church History and The Falling Away Part 2: Positions Presented by Others.

The Final Phase of the Work What is the final phase of the work? Who will lead it? Do you have the courage to support it? Here is a related YouTube video titled The Final Phase of the Work. The written article has been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra.

This morning I noticed that both LCG and RCG are specifically running ads to try to get people to not support the Continuing Church of God. Their priorities, as well as focus, are in error, as are several of their doctrines. Hopefully, people will prove from the Bible which group best stands for the truth. We in CCOG have NOT spent money on ads to try to turn people away from groups like LCG and RCG. I do, however, try to post the truth about them and others, and those interested can freely check my posts and articles.

Update 09/03/13 a.m. The more I think about some of how LCG and RCG have tried to spend tithe money to try to turn people away from the Continuing Church of God, the more it is clear that they are not doing so to fulfill Matthew 24:14 nor Matthew 28:19-20. We will see how, respectively, the leaders of LCG (cf. Isaiah 22:15-19) and RCG (cf. 2 Peter 2:1-2) will end up. Both need to repent, and quickly.

08/31/13 a.m. This morning, I noticed that RCG made a new news post/update last night. Instead of commenting about its massive growth and reunification (which did not happen), instead it added more photographs about its building project. Shifting the focus towards that does not change the fact that David Pack has been proven wrong. What will his followers now do as they should all realize that he was wrong today?

Will they anoint their eyes and admit the real truth? David Pack was never God's apostle and was very wrong about August 30, 2013.

08/30/13 p.m. It is now several hours past sunset in Jerusalem and 24 Elul has ended. So, if I were one of the three "obstructionist shepherds" that David Pack of his improperly named Restored Church of God (RCG) said would die by now, he was clearly wrong. He was also wrong about a lot of HIS interpretation of the prophecies in Haggai.

As I posted at the Church of God News page late yesterday (RCG: Can you see the ‘handwriting on the wall’? Your emperor has no clothes!), David Pack's errors should be obvious by now.

David Pack believed that if he built some buildings that this would impress those in various COGs so much, that they would feel compelled to come to him as that is what he started to publicly teach as far back as 2007.

RCG's website, as of today, still says the following:

The Restored Church of God is pleased to announce its magnificent World Headquarters in Wadsworth, Ohio, USA.

While he saw a magnificent building, the rest of us who have not gone with him saw a building. While he considered the building project proof he was right, others saw it as proof that RCG spent money on a building. He wanted his church clothed in a building, while neglecting the weightier matters of the law (Matthew 23:23-24) and the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20). Those who remain with him are showing that they are spiritually naked (Revelation 3:17-18).

When RCG formed in 1999, David Pack stated that RCG stood for "precision of doctrine." Shortly after that 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).

RCG's emphasis was wrong from the beginning and hopefully more will see that. Notice what David Pack has claimed has been his focus for the past 14 years:

For over 14 years, The Restored Church of God has focused on leading those of like mind back to one group. (Pack D. “BACK TOGETHER” What This Means! : June 7, 2013)

The above shows that David Pack's focus has not been on fulfilling Matthew 24:14 nor leading what I have termed "The Final Phase of the Work." And his emphasis and related predictions did not happen on August 30, 2013 as he claimed they would. So, we will see how he may deny or twist this (wanting more time is a common response to this type of failure--though repentance is what he and others truly need).

Notice something else that David Pack wrote:

I have taught prophecy ­extensively—­and ­correctly!—the truth of established understanding—­for over 40 years, probably much, much more than ANY other pastor during this same period. I wanted people to know what lies ahead. (Pack DC. HAGGAI: A Prophecy for OUR TIME! (Part 1). May 3, 2013)

David Pack wrote the following statement in his July 5, 2013 letter:

Mr. Armstrong knew the ancient Zerubbabel having been born to a man named Shealtiel had nothing to do with his prophetic fulfillment of this role. The same would be true of the modern Joshua regarding the irrelevancy of the ancient figure Josedech...Of interest, God revealed to me during ELUL four years ago my role as the modern Joshua.

Notice that David Pack claimed that God revealed to him that he was Joshua about four years ago.  Yet, while the “god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4, KJV) may have done that, certainly was not the Creator God of the Bible!

The Bible teaches:

21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21, KJV)

Those who remain in RCG after this have not proven all things and seem to prefer to believe and love a lie--that will not bode well for them (Revelation 22:15).

David Pack never had hands laid on him to ordain him to be an apostle. And he never was God's apostle.

12 But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 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 11:12-15)

1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 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)

David Pack was never a true apostle. His teachings about his reunification by August 30, 2013 have been proven to be false. Because of David Pack's excessive fascination with money, it would seem that RCG may well have financial problems and eventually have some form of bankruptcy.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Why Not the Restored Church of God? This group, led by David Pack, claims to be the most faithful. The information in this article suggests otherwise. Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Por qué no la Iglesia de Dios Restaurada?
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them. Here is a related article in the Spanish language ¿Por qué estar preocupado acerca de falsos y heréticos líderes?.
How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God There are many false prophets. How can Christians determine who is a true prophet? There is also a sermon-length video titled How to determine if someone is a true prophet of God. Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Cómo determinar si alguien es un verdadero profeta de Dios?
Leading the Final Phase of the Work Matthew 24:14 will be fulfilled and RCG is not the group doing this.  Who is leading the final phase of the work?  What did Herbert Armstrong and the old WCG teach about that and about prophets?  Does Bob Thiel meet the criteria that the Bible and the old WCG set?  What is the proof?  What has the Continuing Church of God been doing?
Attending the Church of Choice This article discusses whose choice is important to worship God; should you attend the church of your choice or the church of God's choice?
Unity: Which COG for You? Why so many groups? Why is there lack of unity in the Churches of God? Has it always been this way? What can/should be done about it? Here is a related article in the Spanish language: Unidad: ¿Cuál Iglesia de Dios para usted?
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now basically the most faithful in the Church of God, like the beliefs held of the Continuing Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.
Are the Laodiceans the Modern Sadducees and Pharisees? Discusses similarities of the Sadducees and Pharisees to various COGs in this end-time.

08/24/13 a.m. Earlier this year, David Pack of his improperly named Restored Church of God (RCG), started a series of posts about "reunification." Basically these posts are based upon a false hope that David Pack has that once he built at least part of his hoped for headquarters buildings, that those in the various COG groups would flock to him. He decided that portions of the Book of Haggai pointed to the fulfillment of his dreams on August 30, 2013. Here are some statements from David Pack's posts related to his fantasy (bolding his):

All of God’s people wish they were back together. This is heard everywhere. But these many thousands have come to believe it is “just not time” to be in one organization. If you feel this way, you are about to see why this is wrong. God not only wants His people together again, but is planning to bring it about...If you are in the United Church of God (UCG), Living Church of God (LCG), Philadelphia Church of God (PCG), Church of God, a Worldwide Association (COGwa), or any other splinter or sliver that came out of the WCG, this will be the single most important article you will ever read...the Work of The Restored Church of God is mushrooming and exploding—think of just our media efforts going up like a rocket all over the world! Thousands of letters are arriving each week at our Headquarters, and we now project it cannot be long before this number will be over 10,000...

All Will Come Here! ...

A towering question faces YOU—and you must confront it: Must every person with God’s Spirit—regardless of where they now attend—come to The Restored Church of God or lose the Holy Spirit? Yes, absolutely! If not, the Scripture would be broken (John 10:35)—and in many places!...You have been duly warned. (Pack D. Back Together Soon, http://rcg.org/sep/gods-people-back-together-soon.html)

Haggai Fulfilled—When Reunification Occurs

Most are by now probably wondering: When will the events described in Haggai take place? Before which Feast of Tabernacles (remember, Haggai means “My Feast”) will brethren be reunified? The answer is found by returning to Haggai 1. Verses 14 and 15 state that “all the remnant of the people…came and did work in the House of the Lord of Hosts, their God, in the four and twentieth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.” We saw in an earlier announcement that this is the 24th day of the sixth month (Elul) in God’s sacred calendar.

For now, I will merely state that the prophecy applies to THIS SUMMER—August 30, 2013. (Who Is the Modern Joshua of Haggai and Zechariah? June 29, 2013, http://rcg.org/sep/who-is-the-modern-joshua-of-haggai-and-zechariah)

There are certain immediate implications to Haggai 1:14-15...

First Sabbath Together

Next is the Sabbath of August 31. You may at this time of course believe or disbelieve what follows. You will later be glad it was written and can be readily referenced. Obviously, when the size of the remnant joining us becomes clearer, as well as at least generally where most of these brethren live—countries and cities—more detail can follow…and very quickly. This will include seeing how many ministers are faithful and also where they live—countries and cities.

In six short weeks, the “Church of God landscape” will forever change. Saturday, August 31 will be a Sabbath unlike any other in history. It will be the first time in decades that all of God’s people around the world will be meeting together in the same locations for services. Words cannot describe the excitement and happiness that will be everywhere soon after this reunification. In many areas, much of or possibly even entire congregations might “roll over” into The Restored Church of God. Brethren will have had weeks to prepare for this and to “consider their ways” before God. Those who come will have been led to return to the Body of Christ the day before this Sabbath. Reread this last sentence.

Realize that a host of logistical details must be worked out for this to occur. God has been planning this event for thousands of years—at least 3,000—and His Church has been preparing for it for almost a year. Headquarters and our ministers will be ready to receive potentially a great many phone calls from splinter ministers and members even in the days and weeks before August 31.

The Feast of Tabernacles

Next, the 2013 Feast of Tabernacles: This will also be among the most special and inspiring times in Church history. It will be a Feast of unity and harmony among all of God’s people. Everyone will keep this joyous occasion as members of The Restored Church of God in scores of sites across the world. At this time, we have 21 sites, but we anticipate adding many more. In some areas, former splinter brethren will attend our current sites. In other locations, we will have to quickly add new ones. In still other areas, splinter sites will simply become Restored sites. The total number of Feast sites, and where they are, will depend entirely on how many brethren answer the “stirring” of Jesus Christ to return to His Church, and in what areas they live. Details may begin (and only begin) to come into view on the first of the month of Elul (in God’s calendar—August 7 in the Roman Calendar). A more complete picture will emerge by Elul 24 (August 30). Right now, all are urged to have in their thinking that they will be reassigned to a new nearby Feast site, and those who choose to return to the Body of Christ will attend with what becomes a much bigger organization—probably significantly bigger than the largest splinter! (Crucial Questions—Important Answers! July 19, 2013, http://rcg.org/sep/crucial-questions-important-answers)

Last Friday’s announcement closed with when the Haggai prophecy will occur—that all brethren will be reunited this summer, in time to attend the Feast of Tabernacles together in 2013. (Recall that Haggai means “My Feast.”) This announcement presents 24 reasons for this timing. There is much proof!...The dates revealed in Haggai have nothing whatsoever to do with any decision that I made. God decided that this prophecy would be fulfilled after planning it over 3,000 years ago (it is referenced in several Psalms). I am not so arrogant as to decide what God must do and when. I repeat again, these events in NO WAY parallel the Return of Jesus Christ. This prophecy is directly tied to a date...The men leading PCG, LCG, UCG and COGwa are God’s ENEMIES!...

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

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

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

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

6) Related to this, the buildings on our campus can very soon handle significantly more staff than we have now. This is already true without the other two buildings scheduled for completion in the late fall. However, this extra size works perfectly if the prophecy occurs this year.

7) Also related, but separate, our infrastructure is ready to receive and serve a much larger flock this fall! This includes field ministry being ready, but also other things...

I repeat: There are many more reasons for a 2013 fulfillment, with a few of a personal nature—and others involving God moving miraculously to reveal crucial things at certain times within an extraordinarily complex prophecy that involves hundreds of verses. (Why Reunification THIS YEAR!, posted July 5, 2013 http://rcg.org/sep/why-reunification-this-year)

Complete Destruction!

We learned that God is bringing “desolation” on the splinters…the objective person concludes that God foretells complete desolation of the splinters and slivers…

Some Final Points

Next consider that God has never dealt with people or done with leaders exactly as He plans with the three shepherds. In fact, there may be other miraculous events immediately surrounding this one…

Of course, many are eager to learn “Who are the three shepherds?” We will know soon enough. But we might ask: Which three leaders are the greatest obstructionists to God’s stated purpose in Haggai—returning HIS people to doing HIS Work? (The Final Announcement. August 2, 2013, http://rcg.org/sep/the-final-announcement)

There is NO PROOF whatsoever that RCG could be right about this. People will not lose God's Spirit if they do not support RCG. God was not "moving miraculously to reveal" this August 30th lie date to David Pack, though Satan might (cf. Ephesians 2:1-2). RCG will not have more than 13,000 Philadelphia-era Christians by August 30, 2013 (which is about the number it would need to be larger than the largest COG 'splinter'). How much has RCG been preparing for something that will not really come? If they truly listen to David Pack, it would be a lot. A lot of wasted time and effort. An "objective person" should realize that this is basically a delusion.

I have absolute confidence that David Pack is wrong about a lot of this and there is no possible way that any significant amount of Philadelphian remnant Christians will go to him and become part of his church by August 30, etc. I will be correct. It is likely that David Pack will make excuses and otherwise backpedal. He will probably say something to the effect that he told everyone that he was not a prophet, what he wrote was not prophetic, and thus he was just being enthusiastic like some of the New Testament apostles, not one of which ever specified a false date like David Pack has been doing.

On July 26, 2013, David Pack posted:

Before continuing we must also grasp something repeated from before. I am neither a prophet nor have I any self-prescribed authority to bring any prophecies. What will be shown is entirely GOD’S prophecy—from HIS WORD—explained and conveyed through the only office He ever uses to bring biblical truth to His Church (Acts 2:42; Eph. 2:20). The Bible warns that “no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation” (II Pet. 1:20). But God does work through His chosen servants. In fact, He never reveals His Plan through anyone else...

Most are aware of Amos 3:7 and God’s promise there: “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He reveals His secret unto His servants the prophets.” (This means one or more prophets must record every future action that God intends to carry out.) But few ever think through that someone has to teach the MEANING of what the prophets recorded. Otherwise, the secret remains a secret. False prophets and false teachers never get these secrets right because God is not using them. He works through the servant that He IS using, and the explanation is both correct and makes sense against ALL related verses. The bigger the prophecy—and this one is GIANT—the greater the importance for God to “reveal His secret.” Recall that Haggai himself is called “the Lord’s messenger” who brings “the Lord’s message” to His people. Haggai contains BIG secrets. Thus, at God’s selected time, someone—think about this—SOMEONE, from somewhere—has to explain this “Lord’s message” to God’s people or Haggai cannot be a messenger—to anyone. It is that simple. This is MY role.

Notice that David Pack also posted that he was NOT a prophet, so how can he claim that being a prophetic messenger is his role? Yet, he does and people in RCG accept this blatant falsehood (to learn more about prophets, please see How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God).

A while back, a reader told me that David Pack had made some outrageous claims in one or more of his sermons that he did not have in his weekly posts. Some notes from someone who listened to David Pack's sermon were sent to me and details are in the post: RCG’s David Pack declares that ‘three shepherds’ will die on August 30, 2013. Is Bob Thiel one of them? Here are some of statements that a reader sent me that he said he heard David Pack make:

All Brethren United Soon Part 12

How could so many things happen in 24 hours?

Minute 26. Three men die- Elul 24, then everyone makes a decision that day.

Minute 29. Certain things about this prophesy is very complex, others are very simple.

Minute 30. No way everything could happen in one day.

Minute 32. Do you care most how the 3 Shephard’s die?  In their sleep, by fire?

Do you care who they are?

If God tells us then I want to know otherwise it doesn’t matter.

You are going to find out how they die and who they are.

Minute 33. I know their names 100% sure. Don’t want the names out yet. Now I’m certain I know.

Do you care where it happens? I don’t know where it will happen.

I know how they die and who they are. I’m certain.

Minute 34. How about when they die?  They die sooner then we thought.

Do they die together or separately. I know they die together.

Two culminating events. The death of these men is the first. The central point is God is going to bring his people back together/unify his people.

The '24 hours' is supposed to be August 30, 2013. This is not what will happen (and if I am one of the three shepherds that is supposed to die, that won't happen either). David Pack's speculations will be proven to be wrong. We will see how long he will live and how long his new 'empire' will last (cf. 2 Peter 2:1-3).

By this time next week, hopefully many in RCG will realize that David Pack was truly wrong about his understanding of Haggai and various other prophetic passages. David Pack will likely dismiss this and claim that he really was not being specific. Yet the reality is that what he did was quite specific, and will be soon proven to be wrong.

Sadly many in RCG will likely still stay with him. In RCG, as well as many of the other groups once part of GCG and/or WCG, people confuse loyalty to an organization with loyalty to God. The reality is that many simply confuse what they perceive as faith with their own perceived self-interest.

In RCG, and some other places, many confuse their own covetousness with faith. I have long believed that RCG has one of the biggest covetous issues of groups claiming to be COG (cf. 2 Peter 2:1-3). Those there really do need to anoint their eyes (Revelation 3:18) and see the truth.

This would be an excellent time for them to consider what will happen when David Pack's predictions simply do not happen as he indicated. RCG is not now, nor has it ever been a Philadelphian organization (Revelation 3:7-13). Even if it is even part of the COG, RCG would seem to have ones not part of the COG, have many who would be Pharisaical Laodiceans (see also Are the Laodiceans the Modern Sadducees and Pharisees?), as well perhaps having some relatively few confused Philadelphian Christians.

Those in RCG also might wish to spiritually consider the following prophecies:

1 Woe to the rebellious children," says the Lord,
"Who take counsel, but not of Me,
And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit,
That they may add sin to sin; (Isaiah 30:1)

10 Who say to the seers, "Do not see,"
And to the prophets, "Do not prophesy to us right things;
Speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits. (Isaiah 30:10)

12 Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel: "Because you despise this word, And trust in oppression and perversity, And rely on them, 13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you Like a breach ready to fall, A bulge in a high wall, Whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant. 14 And He shall break it like the breaking of the potter's vessel, Which is broken in pieces; He shall not spare. So there shall not be found among its fragments A shard to take fire from the hearth, Or to take water from the cistern." (Isaiah 30:12-14)

People in RCG have been hearing a lot of David Pack counsel that does not come from the God of the Bible. His predictions are not based upon God's Spirit, but he has been prophesying deceits that those in RCG seem to want to hear. David Pack, in my view, has long been a spiritual oppressor. I, and not David Pack, will again be proven right before September 2013. It would seem that the Bible helps demonstrate that it would be sinful for any to remain part of RCG.

Notice also:

27 But Micaiah said, "If you ever return in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me." And he said, "Take heed, all you people!" (2 Chronicles 18:27)

Either David Pack is right about that effectively all of God's people will come to him on August 30, 2013 or I am right that they will not. Just because David Pack is not God's apostle, does not mean that someone such as I do not have a prophetic role from God. Those in RCG, and elsewhere, need to consider how they should act and what they should do (see also How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God). "Take heed, all you people!" (2 Chronicles 18:27).

08/19/13 p.m. Some may be wondering what is happening with the improperly named Restored Church of God (RCG) as it supposedly is supposed to become larger than the largest of the groups that had origins in the old Worldwide Church of God. David Pack, while he may have made other statements, has not posted any news at his improperly named Church of God News page.

Late today I spoke with a leader in the largest group WCG-derived COG. That leader has not seen evidence that RCG is gaining significant amount of members from his group. Nor does this seem to be the case with other groups, some of which I have also had contact with.

Since my article Why Not the Restored Church of God? shows up on the first page when people do a Google search of the improperly named Restored Church of God, it would seem that there would be a massive increase in views if indeed, massive numbers were going over to RCG. But alas, that is not the case.

Since I will be right that RCG will will not get massive Philadelphian growth this month, what will David Pack do?

Well, unless Satan performs a sign or lying wonder, RCG is not going to get massive growth David Pack has claimed he would get this month (and he will not get massive Philadelphian growth even if Satan performs some RCG-related wonder) nor will I (if I am supposed to be one of the three obstructionist shepherds he referred to) die on August 30, 2013. So, how might this all be spun? There are several possibilities.

First of all, David Pack may again state that he is not a prophet and was not making predictions. The reality is that David Pack is not a prophet (see also How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God; here is a related link in Castellano/Spanish/español: ¿Cómo determinar si alguien es un verdadero profeta de Dios?). Yet, he was making predictions.

Second of all, once some are proven false, he could theoretically admit that. But as that is not consistent with his past style (in my view, he has used denial in the past when he made certain types of mistakes). A more likely scenario is that David Pack may semi-apologize, say that a portion of Haggai and/or Zechariah did come to pass but that in his enthusiasm he was a little early and that more will be fulfilled later. He will likely point to his buildings as proof about the physical temple being restored and claim that all who would respond to God's Church at this time are with him.

Sadly, many of his followers will likely accept that type of explanation. But if they truly had the "love of the truth" they would realize that David Pack is not God's apostle nor does RCG represent the Philadelphia portion of the Church of God. The clock is ticking on his predictions that will not come to pass.

08/14/13 p.m. Since its formation, the Continuing Church of God has used the 1974 edition of The Bible Hymnal of the old Worldwide Church of God (WCG) for its song book and made it available online.  But it was always our goal to produce additional song books by the Feast of Tabernacles for 2013.

Since the formation of the Continuing Church of God several had asked if other hymns, such as those composed by Dr. Ross Jutsum could go into the new hymnal.  So, after a series of attempted, and finally successful, contacts, an arrangement between the the Continuing Church of God and Nazarene Books with Dr. Jutsum was agreed to and finalized last week.  So certain additional hymns from Dr. Justum were added to the song book.   The late Herbert W. Armstrong had long ago approved the hymns by Dr. Jutsum for use in WCG church services.  Many will recall such titles by Dr. Jutsum as By This Shall All Men Know, How Good and How Pleasant, and It Won’t Be Long Now.

So, the new 2013 hymnal of the Continuing Church of God consists of all the hymns, etc. that were in the 1974 edition of The Bible Hymnal of the old Worldwide Church of God, plus 17 additional pages added after them for the additional ten hymns that were composed by Dr. Jutsum.  The front and back covers were changed (the front cover shows the remains of what could be the oldest Christian worship building; see also Church of God on Jerusalem’s Western Hill).

Now, I, through Nazarene Book, have arranged to make the paperback edition of The Bible Hymnal via Amazon.   The Continuing Church of God is not selling the book, but Nazarene Books via Amazon is.  The list price for The Bible Hymnal is $8.99, but Amazon is temporarily selling it for $8.54.  Since Amazon has recently been selling used 1974 editions of The Bible Hymnal of the old Worldwide Church of God (WCG) for USD$22.73, and since the new version of The Bible Hymnal contains all the same unedited hymns, etc. that the 1974 edition contains (plus more), some looking for a COG hymnal may find it a bargain.

Mainly since Dr. Jutsum’s hymns have not been released into the public domain, Amazon has a copyright notice on the book The Bible Hymnal.  If you go to Amazon, it has a ‘Look Inside’ feature that allows you to see that this truly is the slightly expanded 1974 WCG hymnal with the added hymns.

08/09/13 p.m. Here is a link to the Continuing Church of God Letter to the Brethren of August 9, 2013. Even though it just came out today and the sermonette it recommends was only uploaded late yesterday, hundreds have already viewed the suggested sermonette: Will the UK Lose Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands? There is also information related to this in the new article: Will the UK Lose Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands?

Additionally, perhaps this would be a good place to post information on the recommended sermon for this Sabbath: Should you keep the Fall Holy Days?  There is also a related article titled: Did Early Christians Observe the Fall Holy Days? 

More information about what has been happening in the Continuing Church of God is in that Letter to the Brethren dated August 9, 2013.

08/06/2013 p.m. As I post this, the sun has already set in Jerusalem and in the areas east of it. This means that the first day of the month of Elul on the Hebrew calendar has begun in many areas of the world. If you read this after sunset on August 6th in your area, you too are reading this after Elul 1 began this year.

David Pack, who founded the improperly named Restored Church of God (RCG), made a post dated 7/26/13 where he explained what is now supposed to be happening starting Elul 1 this year:

There is a personal element to the Zechariah prophecy. Previous announcements explained that a loving God has a Master Plan to bring every individual with His Spirit back to His Church. Every true Christian around the world who does not take action—at the certain crucial moment revealed in Haggai 1:12—I repeat, will lose God’s Spirit. Put another way, there will be no remnant of the remnant! Those who resist the powerful “stirring” of God’s Spirit in them—who continued ignoring the persistent voice of Christ—have ended their relationship with God. God is unmistakably clear that this is what happens to such people.

It is the SPIRIT OF GOD that begins to work with people on Elul 1—August 6/7. Haggai 1:4-11 is Christ beginning (through His Spirit) to speak to His sheep—using His “voice,” just as people do—on this day. Read John 10:1-15 and verse 27!

We learned that God’s people are waiting for reunification, but mistakenly believe it is not yet time. When God provides a clear opportunity, He expects His people to ACT—and quickly! Haggai 1:12 makes plain that a forced choice—by God—lies just over the horizon! This announcement explains this moment of decision. I repeat yet again: those who do not come—laymember, minister, rich, poor, young or old—will LOSE GOD’S SPIRIT! Both Haggai and Zechariah support and confirm one another in this regard. God will be DONE with those who do not follow HIM to HIS House to do HIS Work!

As I posted before, neither Zechariah nor Haggai are teaching that the critical moment for David Pack's claimed reunification starts on or after sunset August 6, 2013. David Pack is delusional and does not understand many parts of the Bible. If you will look up the passages in Zechariah nor Haggai yourself, you will NOT see that God has prophesied that people will start losing His Spirit during this month of Elul this year if they do not join RCG. David Pack remains wrong about this.

When the masses of God's people do not flock to his Restored Church of God by August 30, 2013, it appears that David Pack will claim that despite evidence to the contrary, all of God's people will still have come with him.

Why? Essentially because he is teaching that all that do not come with him this month will lose God's Spirit. Thus, unless he repents, apparently he will claim that those not with him by then are not God's people (see also my post on this page of 07/07/13 a.m.).

David Pack is not what he claims to be and hopefully more will realize that. The reality is that unless Satan performs a sign or lying wonder, RCG is not going to get massive growth David Pack has claimed he would get this month (and he will not get massive Philadelphian growth even if Satan performs some RCG-related wonder).

Sadly many will still follow him, for many reasons, including the fact that they responded to his covetous words and gave him assets that he was not truly entitled too--but hopefully some will plainly see that David Pack was wrong about what would happen in August 2013, and realize that he is also wrong about much more.

08/03/13 a.m. Here is more of what RCG's David Pack posted last night, which he titled The Final Announcement:

It has been fascinating to see which ministers in the splinters will not even wait to see if they could be wrong in disagreeing with the explanation in these announcements. Rather they are speaking out against the meaning of the prophecy, thus choosing to end their ministry—choosing to give themselves no chance to continue serving God’s people. This is because they have gone on public record against how Christ is regathering His flock (recall Matthew 12:30-32)—and because they do not want to give up their positions of power.

David Pack is wrong about much in his announcements. Based upon what the Bible really says, one does not need to wait until August 30, 2013 to realize that (August 30, 2013 corresponds with the date of Elul 24 on the Hebrew calendar, which is when David Pack has claimed various events that will not happen, will happen). And yes, I intentionally do want to make a public record that I have denounced him before he is proven wrong on many points this month. David Pack is "mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God" (Matthew 22:29).

David Pack also wrote:

Complete Destruction!

We learned that God is bringing “desolation” on the splinters. I promised last week to present six biblical proofs that after the prophecy is fulfilled the splinter “houses” will be gone or well on their way out. All competition to God’s true Work will be eliminated. Here are GOD’S proofs, not mine:

(1) Haggai 1:11 reveals that God calls for a “drought,” more correctly translated “desolation,” involving a list of very distinct categories within the splinters. The categories that God lists are comprehensive—complete. One of my previous announcements explained them. “Desolation” means desolation, not something short of desolation. God’s plain meaning is that He plans to destroy these organizations. On what basis would you disagree with the meaning of desolation?

David Pack is continuing to be delusional as he is suggesting that all COGs but his will be destroyed this month. The above are his false interpretations and are NOT God's proofs. Jesus was clear that there would be different groups at the end, and not just one. Specifically, some associated with Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea (see Revelation 2 and 3). Furthermore, Jesus made it clear that one set of Christians would be protected in a place in the wilderness (Revelation 12:14-17, and the other would not be (Revelation 12:17). Will David Pack blame God for his posts being wrong? Yet, it is David Pack who simply does not understand many end time prophecies, and unless he repents, he will use allegory and/or otherwise spiritually explain away why groups such as the Continuing Church of God will still exist next month.

David Pack also posted:

(1) II Peter 1:19-2:22—Many points apply here—there are many parallels—but who are those “made [Grk: born] to be taken and destroyed” in the context of the “swift destruction” of II Peter 2:1 after having “made merchandise of the brethren”? Who are these men described as “among you,” meaning among the brethren?

(2) Acts 20:28-32—“Grievous” wolves means “weighty” or “authoritative” wolves—top wolves—and Paul also describes these wolves as “among you.” What was it that Paul knew—“For this I know”—that caused him to warn as he did—day and night for three years with tears? Ponder this.

Yet, the above applies to him. Few in the history of the COG have been as greedy as David Pack (see post on this page 07/20/13 a.m.). It is swift destruction that 2 Peter 2:1-3 mentions that applies to him. David Pack historically acts like a sarcastic bully and is a grievous wolf. And I have been warning about him for over 14 years--see Why Not the Restored Church of God?

David Pack has long believed that if he could build his headquarters that others would be impressed (see post on this page 07/20/13 a.m.) and his delusions would come to pass. But he is misleading people. He is a false and heretical leader (see also Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders?)

08/02/13 p.m. Just posted the following at the Church of God News page: RCG’s David Pack claims dozens of reasons 2013 is the year for reunification, but…

I expect to post something on this GCG News page within the next several days related to David Pack that I probably will not post at the Church of God News page. Normally, I put more of the RCG details at the GCG News page, but as it is easier to link to the direct items on the Church of God News page, I sometimes post there.

07/28/13 a.m. Noticed that David Pack's post of 7/26/13 also shared some of how, in my view, he plans to explain away the likely lack of growth that RCG will have on August 30th:

There is a personal element to the Zechariah prophecy. Previous announcements explained that a loving God has a Master Plan to bring every individual with His Spirit back to His Church. Every true Christian around the world who does not take action—at the certain crucial moment revealed in Haggai 1:12—I repeat, will lose God’s Spirit. Put another way, there will be no remnant of the remnant! Those who resist the powerful “stirring” of God’s Spirit in them—who continued ignoring the persistent voice of Christ—have ended their relationship with God. God is unmistakably clear that this is what happens to such people.

It is the SPIRIT OF GOD that begins to work with people on Elul 1—August 6/7. Haggai 1:4-11 is Christ beginning (through His Spirit) to speak to His sheep—using His “voice,” just as people do—on this day. Read John 10:1-15 and verse 27!

We learned that God’s people are waiting for reunification, but mistakenly believe it is not yet time. When God provides a clear opportunity, He expects His people to ACT—and quickly! Haggai 1:12 makes plain that a forced choice—by God—lies just over the horizon! This announcement explains this moment of decision. I repeat yet again: those who do not come—laymember, minister, rich, poor, young or old—will LOSE GOD’S SPIRIT! Both Haggai and Zechariah support and confirm one another in this regard. God will be DONE with those who do not follow HIM to HIS House to do HIS Work!

Neither Zechariah nor Haggai are teaching that the critical moment for David Pack's claimed reunification starts August 6/7, 2013. David Pack remains delusional. I had wondered before if David Pack would claim that all of God's people will have come with him by claiming that those people that did not come with him are not God's people (see my post on this page of 07/07/13 a.m.). And apparently that is what he is planning to say.

David Pack is not what he claims to be and hopefully more will realize that. The reality is that unless Satan performs a sign or lying wonder, RCG is not going to get massive growth David Pack has claimed he would get next month (and he will not get massive Philadelphian growth even if Satan performs some RCG-related wonder). It is likely that David Pack will backpedal and/or redefine other terms as well. Sadly many will still follow him.

07/26/13 p.p.m. Read over again David Pack latest weekly post tonight. Here is more of what he wrote:

Before continuing we must also grasp something repeated from before. I am neither a prophet nor have I any self-prescribed authority to bring any prophecies. What will be shown is entirely GOD’S prophecy—from HIS WORD—explained and conveyed through the only office He ever uses to bring biblical truth to His Church (Acts 2:42; Eph. 2:20). The Bible warns that “no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation” (II Pet. 1:20). But God does work through His chosen servants. In fact, He never reveals His Plan through anyone else. The many sermons I have given, including much of what you have read and will read, bring God’s interpretation of symbols and terms that He uses, not my private opinions. The reader will find that Zechariah 11 is in code. But nothing within it is complicated. Each verse has a clear explanation if we just allow the Bible—meaning GOD!—to interpret the meaning through other scriptures. The “code” it is written in becomes easily unlocked.

Most are aware of Amos 3:7 and God’s promise there: “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He reveals His secret unto His servants the prophets.” (This means one or more prophets must record every future action that God intends to carry out.) But few ever think through that someone has to teach the MEANING of what the prophets recorded. Otherwise, the secret remains a secret. False prophets and false teachers never get these secrets right because God is not using them. He works through the servant that He IS using, and the explanation is both correct and makes sense against ALL related verses. The bigger the prophecy—and this one is GIANT—the greater the importance for God to “reveal His secret.” Recall that Haggai himself is called “the Lord’s messenger” who brings “the Lord’s message” to His people. Haggai contains BIG secrets. Thus, at God’s selected time, someone—think about this—SOMEONE, from somewhere—has to explain this “Lord’s message” to God’s people or Haggai cannot be a messenger—to anyone. It is that simple. This is MY role.

David Pack is correct that he is not a prophet. However, he is NOT properly interpretting various scriptures and prophecies as many of his predictions, which he is calling interpretations, will NOT come to pass. The Bible absolutely does NOT predict that all of God's people will unite into the Restored Church of God by September 1st of 2013. David Pack's claim that interpretation is "MY role" is right in the sense that he has appointed himself an interpreter--but various of his interpretations will be wrong.

I have wondered how David Pack was going to try to spin his assertions about events and dates once facts prove him wrong, and the admission from him that, "I am neither a prophet nor have I any self-prescribed authority to bring any prophecies" seems to be a partial indication of how he will try to have 'damage control' after August 30, 2013.

If he or others want to know how to determine if someone is a prophet of God, here is a link to the article How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God (here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Cómo determinar si alguien es un verdadero profeta de Dios?). There is also a sermon-length video titled How to determine if someone is a true prophet of God.

07/26/13 p.m. David Pack made his latest weekly post. Here is some of what he wrote:

Zechariah 11:8: “Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and My soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred Me.”

Now the second culminating event. We saw the “shepherds” throughout Zechariah cannot be religious leaders overseeing congregations (flocks) in the world. Otherwise, which “three” ministers would it be referencing? We could never know. And what would the removal of ANY three worldly ministers, occurring in ANY particular month, ever have to do with God being able to feed a flock that was being slaughtered? Remember, we saw this flock is His flock. No matter how influential any three worldly ministers were, their removal from power would not affect GOD’S PEOPLE. Protestant ministers and Catholic priests are not deceiving God’s people. Do you know a single person who thinks they are?...

Further, verse 9 in Psalm 44 describes the people there as being “cast off.” This is the equivalent of being “delivered to Satan” in order to learn big lessons and ultimately receive salvation. Read I Corinthians 5:5, I Timothy 1:20 and then Job 1 and 2 if you do not believe God delivers even His greatest servants into the hand of the devil in order to teach them crucial matters about their character.

But the time has come for God to deal with these three men. They have gone from being in God’s purpose to being IN HIS WAY. For over two decades, modern enemies have thwarted God’s Work. Top leaders have bought and sold God’s people to enrich themselves. These wolves have kidnapped the brethren, stolen God’s tithes and blocked HIS Work from advancing to the size and scope that it must...

Some will ask: WHEN exactly will Christ remove the three men? Starting with the fact that Christ is a shepherd, we might ask: How long would a shepherd tolerate wolves who are threatening His flock when He holds the power to address them? It will certainly not be on the last day of His purpose, but rather some time likely well before that date. The following should help. The remnant is not listening. Christ knows this—and why. He can change it. How long would He wait? Each day lost with the remnant not hearing Him is a day less for them to recover. There are only 24 days total for the people to act. The same is true with Christ organizing their move and a complex merger. There are only 24 days total for the people to act. Yet again, the same is true with ministers who may be battling other wolves in their organizations as they strive to save sheep—and to establish themselves as faithful ministers before God. There are only 24 days total for these ministers to act. We will see how long Christ waits...

The death of three shepherds is basically a footnote in God’s GRAND and AWESOME plan to retrieve His flock and put them to work in the greatest Work God has ever done on the face of the earth. THAT should be your focus—and this begins with CONSIDERING YOUR WAYS when God’s “attention-getter” comes to pass.

It is not my purpose to tell you who the three shepherds are, what day they will be removed or how they die. God will supply answers to those questions soon enough.

In this post, I believe that David Pack demonstrated his cowardice as he believes three shepherds would die, but refuses to either name even though he essentially claimed in a sermon that 100% knew who they were.

BTW, if I actually am possibly one of the three shepherds whose death David Pack believes is eminent, I will add that I have NOT "bought and sold God’s people to enrich" myself as the work I have done has cost me financially and I do not even draw a salary from CCOG (nor previously LCG or GCG). And I am not going to die this month nor next month.

David Pack is not God's apostle, nor should any real Christian follow him (see also Why Not the Restored Church of God?).

07/24/13 a.m. At the end of my 07/19/13 post, I mentioned that I planned to post more information, including information not in the David Pack' posts. So, I have done so today.

Before getting to that, the following was something that I intentionally left off earlier related to David Pack's 07/19/13 post that he wrong:

Surely by now, if you have been reading regularly, you realize that things miraculous are scheduled to occur. But what they are remain completely unexpected. There is SOBERING news inside the GOOD news of God’s awesome purpose for His people in the immediate days ahead.

Why did I leave it out? Well last week, I learned that David Pack had made some outrageous claims in one or more of his sermons that he did not have in his weekly posts. Some notes from someone who listened to David Pack's sermon were sent to me and details are in the post: RCG’s David Pack declares that ‘three shepherds’ will die on August 30, 2013. Is Bob Thiel one of them? But I will put a couple of statements here that a reader sent me:

All Brethren United Soon Part 12

How could so many things happen in 24 hours?

Minute 26. Three men die- Elul 24, then everyone makes a decision that day.

Minute 29. Certain things about this prophesy is very complex, others are very simple.

Minute 30. No way everything could happen in one day.

Minute 32. Do you care most how the 3 Shephard’s die?  In their sleep, by fire?

Do you care who they are?

If God tells us then I want to know otherwise it doesn’t matter.

You are going to find out how they die and who they are.

Minute 33. I know their names 100% sure. Don’t want the names out yet. Now I’m certain I know.

Do you care where it happens? I don’t know where it will happen.

I know how they die and who they are. I’m certain.

Minute 34. How about when they die?  They die sooner then we thought.

Do they die together or separately. I know they die together.

Two culminating events. The death of these men is the first. The central point is God is going to bring his people back together/unify his people.

Although I have not listened to David Pack’s recent sermons (and more details are in the post RCG’s David Pack declares that ‘three shepherds’ will die on August 30, 2013. Is Bob Thiel one of them?), the above seems consistent with certain statements that he has posted.

The 24th of Elul is August 30, 2013.  If I, Bob Thiel, am actually one of the three that are supposed to die, and I am supposed to die with the other two, this is even more extreme delusion on the part of David Pack.

When I learned about this, I thought I had a pretty good idea who the three might be (and conveyed that to another COG group that had interest). According to the same source that provided me the transcript, supposedly I (Bob Thiel) may be one of the three shepherds that David Pack 100% believes will die by the end of August 2013. However, as David Pack did not clearly state that in a source I have been able to verify, he, presuming I remain alive which I will be, will likely deny he was referring to me as one of the three.

If David Pack is 100% certain then I challenge him to publicly so state. I am 100% certain that I am not going to die then and hopefully this will prove to RCG supporters that he is wrong about this and many other matters. Even if I am not one of the three (and my writing this may get him to make another disparaging comment or two about me), does David Pack have the courage to name names this close to his August 30th date?

Furthermore, David Pack's assertions about God's people flocking to him by next month are not only delusional, but foolish. He, like Ronald Weinland, is making certain claims and predictions that will not come to pass. Sadly, because people still have followed Ron Weinland, despite him being proven wrong on numerous predictions, many have so much of their money and emotions invested in David Pack that some likely still will be with him in September 2013, despite the fact that a number of his bold predictions for August 2013 will be proven wrong.

Notice something that applies to David Pack:

1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 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).

I have written for years that I believed that 2 Peter 2:1-3 specifically applied to people such as CGPFKG's Ron Weinland and RCG's David Pack. As far as covetous words go, back in November 2007 I posted that David Pack gave a sermon essentially demanding all significant assets from his deluded followers (see David Pack of the Restored Church of God Declares: “Go get those assets and get them here”); the less deluded followers did not do that.

Ronald Weinland's predictions were proven wrong sooner, and some his judgment has come (he is in federal prison, a few years after his first date was proven wrong; see also Concerns About Ronald Weinland's Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God ). David Pack's judgment is coming. Watch!

As I have said in the past, this will not end well for those who are part of the improperly named 'Restored Church of God.' See also the article Why Not the Restored Church of God? (here is also a version in the Spanish language: ¿Por qué no la Iglesia de Dios Restaurada?)

07/23/13 a.m. The Continuing Church of God has finally received formal approval of its tax exempt status as a church by the State of California which back-dated the approval to the date it officially accepted CCOG's incorporation papers. While contributions to the Continuing Church of God were always deductible for those in the 49 US states, this approval was necessary for those in the State of California to also be able to deduct their contributions.

As far as an idea of what the Continuing Church of God has been doing to lead the final phase of the work, its latest Letter to the Brethren gives details that some may wish to check out.

07/20/13 a.m. Along with his post yesterday, RCG's David Pack included some photos of at one of his new buildings. One reason that this is relevant is that years ago I noticed that David Pack said that part of the real reason for RCG to get such buildings was to apparently impress the other COG groups (which he calls splinters or slivers).

The following are approximate quotes (I tried to type verbatim and the following is fairly close) in one of what may be his most bizarre/delusional sermons, apparently 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"

And here is some of what David Pack taught in his nearly three hour RCG 2008: The Great Turning Point sermon in Dec 2007/January 2008:

A new building is now necessary...A new world headquarters' building for God's work...We are planning to break ground this year...We proposed phasing four buildings in our plan...

The campus does the work of God...it will also make a powerful statement to the splinters...

We are going to have a building fund...it is part of the grand pattern of the past.

Now that David Pack has some of those buildings, I believe that he is impressed, as are some of his followers. But those of us who are truly part of the most faithful remnant of the Phildelphia church era are not.

David Pack's tactics have long been inappropriate and have reminded me of bullying. The following scripture is one he is helping to fulfill:

1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 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? And by misunderstanding the entirety of the gospel message, does not David Pack deny the Lord? Those that follow David Pack do not seem to realize that they have responded to his 'deceptive words,' but in fact that is how he speaks, and what they have done. This will not end well for those who are part of the improperly named 'Restored Church of God.' See also the article Why Not the Restored Church of God? (here is also a version in the Spanish language: ¿Por qué no la Iglesia de Dios Restaurada?)

07/19/13 p.m. Today, RCG's David Pack posted the following about his claim that all will support RCG:

Specifics

Previous announcements explained that the group in Haggai described as “this people” by God, who now reside in separate church “houses,” suddenly come to understand the reason behind their decades of failed efforts. “ALL” of God’s people are foretold (twice—Hag. 1:14; 2:4) to return from their houses to work again in God’s House. A full reunification is foretold! We saw that Haggai describes a process that lasts 23 days, but culminates in a single day. God states that everyone “CAME and did work IN the House of the Lord.” This of course means they were SOMEWHERE ELSE—they were OUTSIDE God’s House—and returned to it to be put back to work INSIDE (“in”) it. Also, having been occupied elsewhere, they had NOT been doing GOD’s Work.

There are certain immediate implications to Haggai 1:14-15...

First Sabbath Together

Next is the Sabbath of August 31. You may at this time of course believe or disbelieve what follows. You will later be glad it was written and can be readily referenced. Obviously, when the size of the remnant joining us becomes clearer, as well as at least generally where most of these brethren live—countries and cities—more detail can follow…and very quickly. This will include seeing how many ministers are faithful and also where they live—countries and cities.

In six short weeks, the “Church of God landscape” will forever change. Saturday, August 31 will be a Sabbath unlike any other in history. It will be the first time in decades that all of God’s people around the world will be meeting together in the same locations for services. Words cannot describe the excitement and happiness that will be everywhere soon after this reunification. In many areas, much of or possibly even entire congregations might “roll over” into The Restored Church of God. Brethren will have had weeks to prepare for this and to “consider their ways” before God. Those who come will have been led to return to the Body of Christ the day before this Sabbath. Reread this last sentence.

Realize that a host of logistical details must be worked out for this to occur. God has been planning this event for thousands of years—at least 3,000—and His Church has been preparing for it for almost a year. Headquarters and our ministers will be ready to receive potentially a great many phone calls from splinter ministers and members even in the days and weeks before August 31. Mail will also explode, but we are ready for it. We must do our part to ensure as orderly a process as possible for receiving God’s people on that Sabbath.

Of course, human beings are free moral agents. Obviously, some brethren and ministers will choose not to return—with this number being few, many or anywhere in between. In some areas there will be splits in the congregation, with some ready to obey God and others not. Emotions will potentially run high, possibly on both sides. We will work out how and where those determined to return will meet with Restored Church of God congregations and brethren. No one will be overlooked throughout this process. The Great Shepherd—Jesus Christ—will make sure of this!...

The Feast of Tabernacles

Next, the 2013 Feast of Tabernacles: This will also be among the most special and inspiring times in Church history. It will be a Feast of unity and harmony among all of God’s people. Everyone will keep this joyous occasion as members of The Restored Church of God in scores of sites across the world. At this time, we have 21 sites, but we anticipate adding many more. In some areas, former splinter brethren will attend our current sites. In other locations, we will have to quickly add new ones. In still other areas, splinter sites will simply become Restored sites. The total number of Feast sites, and where they are, will depend entirely on how many brethren answer the “stirring” of Jesus Christ to return to His Church, and in what areas they live. Details may begin (and only begin) to come into view on the first of the month of Elul (in God’s calendar—August 7 in the Roman Calendar). A more complete picture will emerge by Elul 24 (August 30). Right now, all are urged to have in their thinking that they will be reassigned to a new nearby Feast site, and those who choose to return to the Body of Christ will attend with what becomes a much bigger organization—probably significantly bigger than the largest splinter!...

Tithes and Offerings

Finally, all must know where to send tithes and offerings. This must be understood from “day one.”

David Pack is delusional, and has tended to be obsessed with money. God's people are not going to come to his improperly named Restored Church of God. While some may come, the end result of some of David Pack's improper ravings and predictions is that RCG will have problems, likely including eventually, some problems paying off at least some of his building project debt.

One interesting point is that David Pack apparently feels that he will have significantly over 13,000 people (which is the approximate size of UCG, the largest of what he would call a splinter group). There absolutely will not be over 13,000 of God's people with the improperly named Restored Church of God before the end of August 2013.

BTW, there is some information that I plan to post here sometime next week from David Pack, that has thus far not been in his latest written weekly rants, that some may conclude further helps prove that he has gone over the edge. Those in his ego driven church hopefully will see the truth before the Feast of Tabernacles.

07/13/13 a.m.There are two items in David Pack's post yesterday that I would like to comment on further here. David Pack wrote:

God’s people can again experience the peace that existed during the Worldwide Church of God while it was on track. Realize a wonderful place—an awesome future opportunity—awaits you. We all look forward to thousands of people returning to God’s Church. Brethren will again “dwell together in unity” (Pas. 133:1), walking together in the “bond of peace” (Eph 4:3). The I Corinthians 1:10 picture of complete unity will again be the case for ALL God’s people.

David Pack has never publicly reported his membership, so it is difficult to know for certain how many are with him. But if he believes that there are tens of thousands in the 'splinters/slivers' as he tends to call them, that multitude will not be coming with him next month.

David Pack also wrote:

Some or many ministers may be torn over these announcements, wondering if I could be right. Haggai is a book in your Bible! His prophecy WILL soon come to pass. No other explanation of it fits—and none but Gerald Flurry is even offering an explanation. (When has that man gotten ANYTHING about prophecy right?) The only thing you could question is whether the timing of this year is correct. Last Friday’s announcement made this plain, revealing many reasons (there are almost 40 more) that the prophecy is “on” for 2013.

There is a lot to question, more than his inaccuate timing, about what David Pack has written related to Haggai--and despite him suggesting that only PCG's Gerald Flurry has written about this, that is in error as I have in the past and David Pack is aware of at least some of my writings on that as he claimed to read my article titled Who Are The Two Witnesses?

On July 5, 2013 David Pack posted:

Mr. Armstrong knew the ancient Zerubbabel having been born to a man named Shealtiel had nothing to do with his prophetic fulfillment of this role. The same would be true of the modern Joshua regarding the irrelevancy of the ancient figure Josedech...Of interest, God revealed to me during ELUL four years ago my role as the modern Joshua.

David Pack is not 'Joshua' as he claims nor was the later Herbert W. Armstrong 'Zerubabbal' as he claims (see also his 6/28/13 post for more related claims from him). Let me make perfectly clear from Herbert Armstrong's own writings that Herbert Armstrong was NOT Zerubbabel. Notice:

Read what God says of those who say and do that Now WHEN is the TIME of this prophecy in Revelation? Read right on. Chapter 11 is merely a chapter division written by MEN. But John's book of Revelation continues right on. The apostle, in his vision, is told now by this same angel to rise and MEASURE THE TEMPLE. But LEAVE OUT the court which is for the Gentiles, for they shall tread down the Holy City for 3 1/2 years. So the TIME of our prophecy is at least 3 1/2 YEARS before Christ's coming--before THE GREAT TRIBULATION before the beginning of the DAY OF THE LORD and before the seventh angel blows the last trumpet! Then it continues on into the massage of the TWO WITNESSES--also referred to and perhaps identified in Haggai and Zechariah. And THEY SHALL PREACH A LAST WARNING TO THE WHOLE WORLD FOR 3 1/2 YEARS! (Armstrong HW. Co-worker letter, November 19, 1976)

Since Herbert Armstrong died, he obviously was not one of the two witnesses, and his reference to those two identified in Haggai and Zechariah is a reference to an end time Zerubbabel and Joshua. Thus, Herbert Armstrong was not Zerubbabel. On at least two occasions, one of which was dated 5/25/12, David Pack wrote that the two witnesses must report to an apostle, and once that he would train them--which means that he is not 'Joshua' according to what Herbert Armstrong taught. More on information on Zerubbabel and Joshua can be found in the articles The Temple and the Work and Who Are The Two Witnesses?

07/12/13 p.m. David Pack continued his weekly posts today, with this afternoon's post being directed towards the COG ministry. This time I wrote about it at the COG News page. Here is a link to it: RCG’s David Pack predicts a reunification that will not happen next month.

07/12/13 a.m. The latest edition of the Continuing Church of God's Bible News Prophecy magazine is now out and available in pdf. format: Bible News Prophecy, July-September 2013 edition.

Here is the Table of Contents:

3 Who is the Man of Sin? Is the “man of sin” in 2 Thessalonians 2 the Beast or the False Prophet? What does the Bible really teach?

6 Disproving Evolution as the Origin Of Life Many wish to believe that life randomly sprang up.  But what does the Bible and real science show?

9 The Canon of the New Testament   Many try to claim that the Church of Rome canonized the New Testament, but really was it not first known in Asia Minor by Church of God leaders?

17 Overcoming is Important  The Bible does not teach that we need to do nothing.  It teaches that God’s people are to be overcomers.

20 Korea in Prophecy: Any Witness? Korea has been in the news a lot in 2013. The Bible reveals the origins of the Korean people and their role in prophecy.  What is God’s plan for the Koreans?

28 The Fall Holy Days  This article has information about the Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles, and the Last Great Day.

35 When are God’s Biblical Holy Days? Here is a calendar of God’s Holy Days from 2013 through 2017.

Back Cover: Internet and Radio This shows where can people find the message from the Continuing Church of God.

It is our largest magazine thus far, so allow it time to download and open.

07/07/13 a.m. There is something else to add here from the latest post (07/05/13) by RCG's David Pack. Here it is:

The truth from the prophecy is that God is about to begin working with YOU. (But this includes those not even reading the announcements.) Although more explanation will appear in the remaining announcements, understand for now that God is going to have to traumatize His people with an event that will shock every last person in the splinters who has the Holy Spirit (and a great many who don’t). This will lead to God opening your eyes. It will take all of these actions for most to finally ACT. Whether you agree or disagree at this point is not relevant. What is important is that you know what is coming.

Presuming that David Pack is claiming that God will traumatize His people by August 30, 2013 to get them to support RCG, this shows that he is delusional. Basically he seems to believe that his understanding of Haggai means that God is about to do something dramatic to get people to support his Restored Church of God next month. David Pack is wrong as God is NOT about to 'traumatize His people' to get them to support David Pack's organization.

The question is how will David Pack handle this after August 30, 2013? Will he declare that because perhaps some few may declare that they came with him in 2013 that he was right? Will he declare that all of 'God's people' are with him? Or will David Pack claim to have overlooked something and give himself more time? Or? Either way he will be wrong as his prediction is false.

Will he claim because RCG's expected Feast of Tabernacles attendance is higher than its 2012 figures that he was right? When most people in the COGs attend non-RCG sites will he claim that they are not truly COG?

David Pack is making a false prediction and is not leading God's work (see Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? and Why Not the Restored Church of God? and Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? and The Final Phase of the Work) Hopefully this will show those in RCG that David Pack is not 'God's Apostle' as he claims. Those in RCG really need to study the scriptures better if they want to know the truth about church governance (The Bible, Peter, Paul, John, Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, Roderick C. Meredith, and Bob Thiel on Church Government) and how would be a prophet of God (How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God).

7/05/13 p.m. RCG's David Pack kept up with his absurd weekly posts by making another today. Basically, and as I have suggested before, David Pack is claiming that there will be a major reunification of "God's people" on August 30, 2013 based upon his misread of the Bible, but he also is setting the stage for him to apparently declare that those not with him after then will not be God's people. Notice some of what he wrote:

Why Reunification THIS YEAR!

...all brethren will be reunited this summer, in time to attend the Feast of Tabernacles together in 2013... the description of the YEAR of fulfillment must also be in code...

The dates revealed in Haggai have nothing whatsoever to do with any decision that I made. God decided that this prophecy would be fulfilled after planning it over 3,000 years ago (it is referenced in several Psalms). I am not so arrogant as to decide what God must do and when. I repeat again, these events in NO WAY parallel the Return of Jesus Christ. This prophecy is directly tied to a date. You should be able to clearly see this. The reader will see in subsequent parts of the last of these Friday announcements that there is more information than I can share in one announcement. It must appear in its own context in the next few weeks. Once you see the evidence laid out, you will understand the last statement.

God’s People Disfellowshipped En Masse

A final point before looking at reasons the prophecy is “on” for August 2013. As was mentioned in last Friday’s announcement, God has actually disfellowshipped His people—putting them out of the Church—“delivering them unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh that their spirit might be saved” at Christ’s Return (I Cor. 5:5). Also read I Timothy 1:20. That God disfellowships people, usually through His ministers, should surprise no converted person...

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

To answer that last part, God has not revealed this nonsense to David Pack. He is leaning to his own faulty understanding. As far his own faulty imaginations,, David Pack continued with items such as the following:

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

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

David Pack is not the biblical Joshua (some information on that is in the article Who Are The Two Witnesses?) as well as the 06/29/13 a.m. post on this page. He also makes the following false claim:

23) With God’s people split up, it is now almost impossible to do a powerful Work.

The above is simply not true. David Pack does not understand what the Bible teaches about the Work at the end:

41 'Behold, you despisers,
Marvel and perish!
For I work a work in your days,
A work which you will by no means believe,
Though one were to declare it to you.'(Acts 13:41)

David Pack is walking by sight and not by faith. The final phase of the work is being done. Notice also what the Bible teaches:

6 This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:
'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,'
Says the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6)

7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

5 Look among the nations and watch —
Be utterly astounded!
For I will work a work in your days
Which you would not believe, though it were told you. (Habakkuk 1:5)

David Pack and others with him do not understand how God works. Neither, however, do most others who claim to be Christian during this time of Laodicean dominance.

Those truly interested in supporting the final work that we in the Continuing Church of God are leading may wish to study the article on the final phase of the work

06/29/13 a.m. There were a lot of improper and outrageous claims in the post by RCG's David Pack yesterday. Essentially, he has declared himself as an/the end time Joshua and that thousands will soon recognize this. Here are some of his exact words:

This TWENTIETH announcement reveals the identity of the modern Joshua. It shows how to know who is Mr. Armstrong’s true successor...

Mr. Armstrong in time came to realize that he would die, and without knowing Joshua’s identity (Hag. 1:2, 12, 14; 2:2, 4 and parts of Zech. 3 and 6). He of course knew that Joshua must follow Zerubbabel (himself) and be revealed in his time. As with learning that he was Zerubbabel, and then teaching this to the Church, Mr. Armstrong realized that Joshua would at some point similarly learn his own identity and also similarly teach it to the Church...

So, like Zerubbabel, Joshua is a human being—one man!—who lives just before and up to the time of Christ’s Return...

I was saved, but also helping save others (recall the names Joshua and Jeshua) through my early books and “90 Reasons to Follow the Truth” sermons that helped many thousands leave the WCG. I never looked to be the leader...

The one who was not looking for personal opportunity WAS chosen. Thousands will soon have to come to grips with this.

3:3: “Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.”

At first glance, this is NOT a flattering picture...

I certainly did remain in a spiritually filthy environment in the Global Church of God for years (this also describes the latter WCG years)...

But no one would understand Haggai’s message—GOD’S message (also Hag. 1:3)—if another messenger were not sent to explain it.

So obviously, that man would be Joshua, the figure found throughout Haggai!...

While the Bible seems to teach of an end time Joshua (see also Who Are The Two Witnesses?), this 'Joshua' is not David Pack. David Pack is delusional. Eventually the empire he is building for himself will fall. He seems have been claiming that thousands in various COGs will come to him by the end of August 2013. But I suspect when things do not go that way, he will instead claim that they are no longer part of the body and/or "I never knew you" (Matthew 7:23), and declare that he reached thousands, and all he really meant was that he had to give them a type of final warning/witness.

David Pack is one who is fulling the following prophecy:

1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 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).

Those that follow David Pack do not seem to realize that they have responded to his 'deceptive words,' but in fact that is how he speaks, and what they have done. Covetousness is embedded with RCG. This will not end well for those who are part of the improperly named Restored Church of God.

P.S. I also noticed that David Pack quoted the following from Herbert W. Armstrong:

“Further, ‘The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house (the first temple); his hands shall also FINISH IT!’ So far as I know, GOD HAS NOT RAISED UP ANYONE ELSE TO FINISH THIS WORK HE HAS USED ME IN DOING!

Yet, Herbert W. Armstrong died in January 1986. And while his personal work was finished, the final phase of the work of God has not been finished and Herbert W. Armstrong cannot lead that. Yet it is clear that David Pack claims to be 'Joshua' because he says that Herbert Armstrong was 'Zerubbabel.' However, since Herbert W. Armstrong did not finish the work, according to what he wrote, he was not Zerubbabel. And of course, David Pack is not 'Joshua.'

06/28/13 p.m. RCG's David Pack finally decided to partially keep his word the second time (after he did not the first) and formally announce the following today:

Haggai Fulfilled—When Reunification Occurs

Most are by now probably wondering: When will the events described in Haggai take place? Before which Feast of Tabernacles (remember, Haggai means “My Feast”) will brethren be reunified? The answer is found by returning to Haggai 1. Verses 14 and 15 state that “all the remnant of the people…came and did work in the House of the Lord of Hosts, their God, in the four and twentieth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.” We saw in an earlier announcement that this is the 24th day of the sixth month (Elul) in God’s sacred calendar.

For now, I will merely state that the prophecy applies to THIS SUMMER—August 30, 2013.

There will NOT be a reunification of Philadelphians involving David Pack unless he and his other followers repent and leave RCG.

06/26/13 p.m. I was just informed that Mrs. Leona Bonjour died a few moments ago. She had cancer for some time. I was present when she was ordained a deaconess in Fresno--I believe that the most of the congregation clapped when they heard she was going to be ordained. She was the wife of Gaylyn Bonjour, who is currently a minister in the Living Church of God. I have known the Bonjours for over 26 years. She will be missed.

06/22/13 a.m. In his update yesterday, I noticed that RCG's David Pack did not keep his word and name "the year and very day" his hoped for reunification would happen.

Instead, he mentioned buildings, income, and items related to the buildings. He also wrote that he would make a big announcement next week. One would think if he was credible he would have kept his word, but this does not seem that important to him.

While one can be forgetful, that is not what seems to have happened with David Pack--he seems to be focused more on building an audience and showing off his buildings than keeping his word. But as I have long had problems with David Pack's priorities, this is not a surprise to me.

06/20/13 p.m. Had some communications today with a European group that was once part of GCG. They are now looking at the Continuing Church of God and seeing how they may wish to cooperate as well as possibly affiliate with CCOG.

06/08/13 a.m. In his letter he posted yesterday, RCG's David Pack had the following:

For over 14 years, The Restored Church of God has focused on leading those of like mind back to one group...the size of God’s Church will soon be much larger than the largest splinter—probably many thousands more...

This is a good place to add an inset explaining WHY the elements of this announcement can happen quickly—as advancements do now in God’s Church. Brethren will again be unified under one leader. The Government of God that Christ administers in His Church is more efficient and effective by far than the humanly contrived “junk” masquerading as “government” in the splinters. We also have God’s blessing in our efforts. They do not, but rather just think they do. Like so many other elements explained in this series, these governments will be miraculously CLOSED DOWN—and SOON!...

In two weeks—after one more important set up announcement—I will announce the year and very day that this reunification will happen. But I am not a prophet! Understand. I have NO AUTHORITY to make my own proclamations about anything regarding prophecy.

I would like to make three basic comments about the above.

First, it shows that fulfilling Matthew 24:14 is not, and has not been, the focus of RCG. It also shows that fulfilling Matthew 28:19-20 is not its focus. Hence, David Pack is telling any who think about it that he and his group has not and will not lead what I have called "The Final Phase of the Work" (here is a related YouTube video titled The Final Phase of the Work; the written article has also been translated into Spanish: La Fase Final de la Obra). The fact that his focus is on other groups closing down should explain to all with eyes to see and ears to hear that his focus remains wrong.

Second, RCG is not God's Church if that is supposed to mean that David Pack is God's top human leader (he is not) or that his Restored Church of God is actually Philadelphian (which it is not). Actually, Pharisaical is perhaps one of the best ways to describe that work (see also Are the Laodiceans the Modern Sadducees and Pharisees?). Those who wonder should carefully study the article Why Not the Restored Church of God?; here is a link to a version in the Spanish language: ¿Por qué no la Iglesia de Dios Restaurada?

And thirdly, David Pack is correct that he is not a prophet and that he has "NO AUTHORITY to make" his "own proclamations about anything regarding prophecy." He has made wrong prophetic announcements, misunderstands prophecy, and has been misleading people prophetically (some of that is covered in the article Why Not the Restored Church of God?).

To learn more about the role and requirements to be a prophet please check out the article How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God (there is also a sermon-length video titled How to determine if someone is a true prophet of God; here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Cómo determinar si alguien es un verdadero profeta de Dios?).

05/31/13 p.m. In his letter he posted today, RCG's David Pack had the following:

The apostle Paul foretold a closing “short work” (Rom. 9:28), and God’s ONE Church will complete it!

All the big splinters do not grasp the colossal importance of what is at stake in the true Work of God today. Only one or two organizations even begin to remember, let alone comprehend, that a powerful warning must reach 600 million Israelites throughout many nations and territories before the Tribulation strikes.

While a lot of that is true (and more than just Israelites need to be reached, which is something that RCG apparently does not truly comprehend, cf. Matthew 24:14), RCG is NOT the group that God is using or will use to fulfill Romans 9:28.

Notice that when RCG formed a proclamation work was the third priority if funding allowed:

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).

(See also the article Why Not the Restored Church of God?).

On the other hand, the Continuing Church of God reached more nations in its first four months of existence that RCG did for its first five years. For more on the final phase of the check out the following:

The Final Phase of the Work What is the final phase of the work? Who will lead it? Do you have the courage to support it? Here is a related YouTube video titled The Final Phase of the Work. The written article has been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra.

05/25/13 a.m. in his letter yesterday, RCG's David Pack posted the following:

This is the FIFTEENTH in a series of special weekly announcements that appear every Friday. They collectively unveil the massive, ongoing expansion that God’s Church, Work and Headquarters are experiencing. There is a reason for this expansion! The reader should contrast these Friday announcements to the increasing bad news and bad events in UCG, LCG, PCG, COGwa and ALL splinters and slivers of the Worldwide Church of God. You must see what they are NOT announcing, and why they never will—and what GOD is bringing upon them.

He again is insisting that ALL have bad news, and his weekly rants should be contrasted with other groups. As far as what RCG itself is or is not announcing, let me state that it still does not understand the Gospel of the Kingdom, its focus is often a diatribe against others, and it does not seem to understand or teach the way of give.

Those interested in seeing what the Continuing Church of God is announcing each week, should go to our Letters to the Brethren page. True Philadelphia Christians should be able to contrast what we announce and emphasize and contrast that to the improper focus and misunderstanding that RCG has. The suggested Continuing Church of God YouTube video sermon suggested for today is titled: The Ten Commandments: Loving God.

David Pack, also wrote:

false teachings (often about prophecy) have also appeared throughout all of these organizations.

Actually, I have pointed out in my article, Why Not the Restored Church of God?, that RCG has false teachings, improper priorities, wrong focus, and false prophetic understandings. Those there need to study the Bible more and not be misled by the leadership there.

David Pack, in his letter, also basically accused all those not with him of having the 'spirit of error.' This, oddly, is what the Living Church of God (LCG) declared last year is what those that do not agree with LCG's changed position on the falling away matter have (see The Falling Away: The Bible, WCG, and LCG Teachings).

David Pack has long followed the 'spirit of error' and LCG's falling away teaching is also erroneous.

Are you brave enough to see and act on the truth about those groups?

05/21/13 a.m. Received the following from an LCG prayer request source this morning:

Michael O'Byrne

Yesterday I heard the bad news that our pastor, Mr. Rod King, has been diagnosed with Stage 3 of prostate cancer, the most aggressive type. He will continue working in the UK, but his extensive travelling must cease for some time. Now he needs our prayers for his complete healing - the restoration of his health, strength, vigour and energy - that he may return very soon to serve God in his very special enthusiastic and joyful manner to which we had become accustomed and in which we have taken such delight. Our faith must not be shaken and when we pray and ask for his healing we know that the words Jesus spoke to be true, when He said, " Ask and you WILL receive . . . . ". Those words were not spoken lightly. It wasn't a throw-away remark, but a guarantee from the Son of God. So praying, we WILL receive!

I had received a more limited report yesterday and this is confirmation. Rod King is one of the four presenters for LCG's telecast. Without going into details, my experience with him is that he (as well as many others in LCG) can make improper decisions because of church politics. That being said, I will pray for him and encourage others to do so.

05/19/13 a.m. Yesterday, LCG had a "must play" sermon titled "The Great Rebellion," also known as the "falling away" (which is a term also often used in that sermon) by its top leader, Roderick C. Meredith. The reason of this degree of emphasis by him for this is that many people still clinging to LCG do not agree with the incorrect position that LCG has said will set itself apart from other COGs. ("This will be an issue that will clearly set apart the Living Church of God from others" per Winnail D. The Falling Away. Must-Play DVD DVE704, June 1, 2012.)

And what is that?

LCG's position, as now repeatedly and publicly espoused by two of its top Charlotte-based evangelists, is that the "falling away" of 2 Thessalonians 2:3 is not a departure from the true faith, but a further departure from God by "billions" who do not accept otherwise the truth of the Bible.

LCG has, for some apparently carnal reasons, chosen to define itself by a doctrinal change that is wrong and in conflict with scripture. Why would any choose to overlook this?

In the "must-play" sermon, Dr. Meredith cited at least three Protestant commentaries for proof. But oddly, when the text of one was shown, one of those commentaries that Dr. Meredith was referring to correctly taught that the falling away meant, "the falling away from the faith."

Of course, that contradicts the position that Dr. Meredith was espousing as he specifically taught in that same sermon that the "falling away" is not a departure or falling away from the true Christian, Church of God, faith.

During that sermon he also pointed to his longevity in the ministry as a major reason he was correct--and while longevity can be helpful, is not properly teaching and obeying the word of God what God really wants?

In his "must-play" sermon, Dr. Meredith claimed that a reason that some did not agree with his position is that they started reading 2 Thessalonians in chapter 2, and that if they started reading earlier in 2 Thessalonians, they would supposedly realize that the Apostle Paul was not writing about brethren falling away from the Church of God. Yet, one of my points on this has specifically long been that 2 Thessalonians 1 and other passages make it clear that Paul was writing to true Christians and warning them not to leave the true faith.

Notice, for example, how 2 Thessalonians 1 begins:

1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, (2 Thessalonians 1:1-4)

2 Thessalonians is clearly a book written to people that the Apostle Paul felt were in the true Church of God. If one reads the entirety of chapter 1 of 2 Thessalonians, this confirms it even further.

Also notice the following:

15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast...(2 Thessalonians 2:15)

The Apostle Paul is clearly telling the brethren to "stand fast"--these are the same brethren we warned not to be part of the "falling away" in 2 Thessalonians 2:3.

Notice also three more times the term “stand fast” is shown in the New Testament (NKJV):

13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. (1 Corinthians 16:13)

1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. (Philippians 4:1)

8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 3:8)

Many are staying with LCG despite the fact that it repeatedly is insisting as defining itself by a doctrinal change that is simply inaccurate. This, combined with its erroneous 'man of sin' teaching and other matters should tell all that are truly part of the Philadelphia remnant that the mantle left LCG by the end of 2012. Yet, most seem to think it is fine to accept improper and unbiblical teachings if an organization says to do so.

Back in March 1960 in a Plain Truth article on the second commandment, Dr. Meredith called that type of loyalty to an institution as idolatry as he wrote, "One of the most common forms of modern idolatry is the making of an idol out of one’s church..If you blindly obey the dictates of your family, your church or society instead of the direct commands of God, you are guilty of IDOLATRY. That group or institution becomes an IDOL to you in place of the true God!...You must study God’s Word-willingly be corrected by it-and TREMBLE before its authority over your very life!" (Meredith RC. Second Commandment. Plain Truth, March 1960, p. 27). Nowadays he seems to think such obedience to his church over scripture is loyalty.

Christians are to be loyal to the Bible and to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29), if there is a conflict. And in LCG there certainly is.

I have gone over this "falling away" doctrine in the past and urge those who will truly believe the Bible first to check out what I have found out about this:

The Falling Away: The Bible and WCG Teachings Who is 2 Thessalonians 2:3 referring to? Are there multiple falling aways? Here is a related link in Spanish/español: La Apostasía: Enseñanzas de la Biblia y de la WCG.

There are also two YouTube videos on the subject that you can watch The Falling Away Part 1: From the Bible and Church History and The Falling Away Part 2: Positions Presented by Others.

05/18/13 p.m. Perhaps I should add that in his letter yesterday, RCG's David Pack posted the following false hope that he has:

First recall that verses 12 and 14 both use the term “ALL” to describe the remnant returning to work in God’s House...n weeks to come, it will also become clear why God specially emphasizes that His “covenant” will continue with this people...For now, just know that God is unmistakably clear that this is what happens to such people. In weeks to come, this moment of decision will be more fully explained. We saw that the people are waiting for reunification, but mistakenly believe it is not yet time. When God provides a clear opportunity, He expects His people to ACT—and quickly! I repeat: those who do not—whether laymember or minister, rich or poor, young or old—will LOSE GOD’S SPIRIT!

With this background, we now begin examination of Haggai 2.

Verses 1-2: “In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the Lord by the prophet Haggai, saying, Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying…”

The next phase of this prophecy is described as taking place 26 days later—on what is the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles (not the Last Great Day). Do not miss the shift forward in timing, and recall that Haggai means “My [God’s] Feast.” Think of this short book as containing a “Feast related” prophecy, but especially in regard to the second chapter. This is one great reason proving the people all return to God’s Church on the 24th day of the sixth month (Elul) of God’s sacred year!

So, if he means the 24th day of Elul this year (August 30, 2013 on the Roman calendar)--which is what it seems that he is doing, he is very delusional and/or will decide that whoever with him them represent all that he believes are in God's Church. If so, maybe he will stop his focus on trying to attract what he calls the 'splinters'? David Pack is wrong about this and other matters (see also Why Not the Restored Church of God?).

P.S. His post again demonstrates that David Pack is NOT God's apostle nor is he blessed with a proper and accurate knowledge of prophecy (to learn more about New Testament era prophets. please check out How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God). David Pack's repeated and continual emphasis on reaching those who he believes are part of the COG and not the world shows that he totally misunderstands the totality of true work of the Philadelphia era of the Church of God.

P.P.S. Decided to add one more quote here from David Pack's letter of 5/17/13. Notice that he also wrote:

The reader should contrast these Friday announcements to the increasing bad news and bad events in UCG, LCG, PCG, COGwa and ALL splinters and slivers of the Worldwide Church of God.

Notice that David Pack clearly is claiming the above about ALL COG-related groups. Since David Pack considers that the Continuing Church of God is a COG "splinter" or "sliver," the above statement from him related to it is FALSE! The Continuing Church of God continues to have increasing good news about its proclamation efforts, additional supporters, and gaining information in additional languages to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom of God (for regular details, simply go to the Letters to the Brethren page and read any or all of the letters there). This one fact alone should show RCG supporters and potential supporters that David Pack's bold assertions cannot be trusted as this one related to Continuing Church of God is clearly wrong.

05/17/13 p.m. Today RCG's David Pack posted the following false hope that he has:

ATTENTION MINISTERS

A statement to all MINISTERS: God WILL reunite His people, and soon. Ministers for decades have been “scattering” them—and working “against” Christ (Matt. 12:30)...

God’s duly appointed government will REMOVE you from office. You are STRONGLY counseled to at least remain NEUTRAL in the face of your headquarters asking or even demanding you to resist what “RCG is teaching”...

Now aware of God’s awesome purpose, you should in fact desire to “get out front” of what He is doing in order to help the maximum number of people.

David Pack is basically hoping that COG ministers will come to him or at least not speak the documented and biblical truth about him. God is NOT uniting His people with RCG. Does he mean this year for 'soon'? Something like that is not possible unless massive repentance occurred with David Pack and many others there. I have opposed RCG for about 14 years and still will. Those interested in the truth may wish to read the article:

Why Not the Restored Church of God? Here is a version, just translated, into the Spanish language: ¿Por qué no la Iglesia de Dios Restaurada?.

05/11/13 a.m. RCG's David Pack posted the following diatribe:

A statement to all MINISTERS: God WILL reunite His people, and soon. Ministers for decades have been “scattering” them—and working “against” Christ...

Most of you grew liberal in the 1970s—this was “strike one” in God’s sight. But you were forgiven by a loving and merciful God and given another chance. However, many of the same men grew far more liberal and heretical in the second “go-around” through the 90s, and all the way to the present—this was a very great “strike two” in God’s sight. But His plan is to forgive you AGAIN, upon repentance. If you fight His Purpose NOW—read “God’s People Back Together—SOON!”, and other recent announcements—the result will be “strike THREE,” and you will be OUT of the ministry by your own choosing. God’s duly appointed government will REMOVE you from office. You are STRONGLY counseled to at least remain NEUTRAL in the face of your headquarters asking or even demanding you to resist what “RCG is teaching”—when God’s Spirit in you should be making clear that what we are announcing is GOD’S teaching. Tell your flock you are “waiting to see,” and if circumstances so require, tell your headquarters that you are going to follow God not them when push comes to shove. Tell them you are “sitting this one out.” Do not trust that your current leaders will be able to save your ministry.

I, for one, will not remain "neutral" and continue to speak out against him and his improper teachings (see, for example, Why Not the Restored Church of God?). David Pack is not God's apostle, misunderstands prophecy, and is not leading a Philadelphian work. I consider that he is highly ego-driven and uses covetous words which sadly appeal to some. For years I have believed that the following applied to him:

1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 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).

Now, David Pack also referred to his writing “God’s People Back Together—SOON!” Here are some quotes from it:

All Will Come Here!...

History will record that The Restored Church of God gathered the flock, to be with Christ, rather than helped to scatter it—as UCG, LCG, PCG, COGwa, COGaic and so many others are doing! The distinction turns on which church has the full truth and much fruit to back up claims that God leads it, not to mention that this Church still must believe there IS only one Church.

Soon, all of God’s people will know what The Restored Church of God is. They will come to remember and recognize the Church that is the same as the one they used to know. They will return to it, or refuse and quench God’s Spirit forever. No one else is telling Christ’s brethren (YOU) this. This is in part because all other leaders have forgotten what God’s Church looks like...

You have been duly warned.

I state emphatically, on God’s authority, that every last person—member or minister—throughout the world who is determined not to lose God’s Spirit—certainly many thousands—is coming to The Restored Church of God.

History has recorded that David Pack is not what he claims to be. Let me state that "all" will not come with the Restored Church of God. David Pack's assertions do not change the truth--he also obviously does not understand Church eras as the New Testament shows at least four types of groups (Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea) at the end who have God's Spirit. And they will not all be part of the same corporation--the Church, according to the Bible and the late Herbert W. Armstrong, is a spiritual organism (for quotes on that, please see COGwriter Position on Other Churches and Religions).

David Pack's claims and bullying tactics have affected some, but as he simply is not leading the Philadelphia work, his prediction that "All Will Come Here!," meaning RCG, is a false statement. Those truly interested in the end time work of God may wish to check out the article The Final Phase of the Work and/or watch the video sermon also titled The Final Phase of the Work (the written article has been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra).

My article Why Not the Restored Church of God? has more information about him and why RCG is not what David Pack asserts it is.

05/09/13 p.m. Someone voluntarily translated some of the materials of this page into the Spanish language. Click here for GCG news in Spanish.

05/05/13 a.m. RCG's David Pack has launched a series of weekly letters attacking various COG's and making various claims that many more will come and support RCG. In his latest letter (posted May 3, 2013 titled HAGGAI—A Prophecy for OUR TIME! (Part 1)) he goes a little into prophets:

By David C. Pack

NOTICE: This is the TWELFTH in a series of special weekly announcements...

False Prophets Plaguing God’s People

If brethren had better understood prophecy—had through the years been hearing the clarity of its many crucial truths for our time—they would not be following raging false prophets like Gerald Flurry or outright fiction writers like Ron Weinland, who mangles EVERYTHING about prophecy! Recent, newer self-appointed “prophets”...

Think of the splinters. Large—Gerald Flurry. Medium—Ron Weinland. Small—not worth naming.

The "Small" group he is referring to according to one or more reports is intended to be the Continuing Church of God (CCOG). While he does not mention CCOG or me by name, he had one or more other comments indicating that we were part of his intended targets. There are various reasons he does not wish to mention me, one of which is that it may get potential followers to do an internet search to see what I have reported about his church (my article Why Not the Restored Church of God? ranks high on Google searches for "Restored Church of God").

While David Pack make a couple of correct statements about why CGPFKG's Ron Weinland is wrong, he never attempts to do that about me--instead he uses his usual broad-brush dismissal, which again shows he really can explain biblically where I may be wrong, but that is another matter.

Anyway, David Pack then makes the following claim:

I have taught prophecy ­extensively—­and ­correctly!—the truth of established understanding—­for over 40 years, probably much, much more than ANY other pastor during this same period. I wanted people to know what lies ahead.

The above is wrong and easily disproven. He actually has not taught "extensively" on various points I have noticed (his "extensive" teachings are more along the line about why he is right and other COG "splinter" groups are wrong).

As far as "correctly,"m teaching prophecy goes, when he originally formed RCG he plainly taught that "Ethiopia" was the King of the South. He then, correctly, changed his view on that (though his staff has denied he actually changed). He also originally taught that the proclamation of the gospel was his third priority, as funding may allow (Pack, David. Why the Restored Church of Go? Booklet. 2000. pp.18-19)), hence showing he misunderstood the importance of the prophecy of Matthew 24:14. Although I recall him indicating in a sermon many years ago that the Great Tribulation would need to begin by this year, I did not write the quote or the sermon name and date down, but, in my mind at least, this showed me he did not have a correct prophetic understanding of certain events.

David Pack also made some bizarre teachings about the Synagogue of Satan in 2012 (see What is the Synagogue of Satan?). David Pack also does not understand and accurately teach who the "man of sin" is, but we in the Continuing Church of God do (see the article Who is the Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians 2?; there is also a brief YouTube video on this topic titled Who is the Man of Sin?). More prophetic misunderstandings that David Pack has taught are also in the article Why Not the Restored Church of God?

Getting back to his 5/3/13 letter, David Pack also wrote:

Mr. Armstrong in time came to realize that he would die, and without knowing Joshua’s identity. It is not the immediate purpose here to identify Joshua. That will come later. But it is important to realize that Mr. Armstrong knew he was Zerubbabel and that Joshua would follow Zerubbabel and be revealed in his time. As with learning that he was Zerubbabel, and then teaching this to the Church, Mr. Armstrong obviously realized that Joshua would similarly learn his own identity and also similarly teach it to the Church.

If David Pack is suggesting that he or someone really attached to RCG is that "Joshua," he is also in error. (Some information about Zerubabbel and Joshua is included in the article Who Are The Two Witnesses?) David Pack is not God's apostle and does not have the proper grasp of prophecy that he is trying to insist that he has (see also Why Not the Restored Church of God?).

05/03/13 p.m. It has been reported that LCG's Dr. D. Winnail sent out the following and, supposedly, that certain negative aspects of this writing were intended to be directed towards me and the Continuing Church of God (CCOG):

The Internet presence of the Church is growing, and lives are being changed. The Gospel of the Kingdom of God and the message of salvation through Jesus Christ are being preached, and the world is being warned about sobering events that lie just ahead. Little stay-at-home groups are simply unable to do a work of this magnitude or carry out this God-given mission. This is the big picture to keep in mind instead of being caught up looking for loose bricks!

Irrespective of who might have been meant (and since CCOG has the biggest known work of a group that has such a high percentage of "stay-at-home" people, it is not unreasonable to consider that CCOG was a group this was targeted towards), the above has scriptural problems.

The last two lines from the Dr. Winnail quote above seem to be an improper interpretation of scriptures such as the following:

32 Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32)

7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

6 This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:
'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,'
Says the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6)

5 Look among the nations and watch —
Be utterly astounded!
For I will work a work in your days
Which you would not believe, though it were told you. (Habakkuk 1:5)

Like CCOG, the late Herbert W. Armstrong also started out with very few actual congregations, but mainly had a "stay-at-home" church that was served through the technology of the time (that is part of why he called it the Radio Church of God). He had the faith to believe and do the work anyway, despite CG7 being much larger than his group at the time. Surely, various ones have not forgotten that aspect and pattern of COG history.

Now, in the 21st century, I have tried to demonstrate a similar pattern to those with ears to hear (Matthew 11:15; 13:8-9)--we in the CCOG have already demonstrated sufficient magnitude to get the gospel to the world as a witness (Matthew 24:14). We are having significant impact on this God-given mission.

I believe that people should keep the real big picture (what the Bible actually teaches as well as the lessons of the start of the Philadelphia era of the Church of God) in mind. Perhaps this would be a good time to mention that the Continuing Church of God has reached millions of people in over 210 countries and territories in the past four months through the internet, radio, personal contact, and the written word.

Numbers of congregational supporters is not the issue (cf. Psalm 118:8), love of the truth is (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:10; John 8:32), along the proper zeal to go through doors that Jesus Christ opens (cf. Revelation 3:7-8). Those who hope that they are part of the Philadelphian remnant should pray and study the Bible to determine what the proper criteria is for the true "big picture," and not mistake current size as proof of the mantle.

Integrity counts (see also Why Bob Thiel Left the Living Church of God), and I believe that integrity, love, and faith are more important than current size (though I expect, over time, major changes in size of CCOG). It appears that it will be the Continuing Church of God that will lead the final phase of the work, and that this leading has already begun.

Interestingly, the last full COGwriter article I wrote was titled The Final Phase of the Work. It is also the subject of the sermon I gave last Sabbath also titled The Final Phase of the Work (which many in CCOG will watch this Sabbath). Those interested in the truth (John 8:32) and who truly love the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10) may wish to check the article and/or sermon out.

05/01/2013 a.m. Someone in the USA who speaks Spanish, who I met in the past, just sent me an email translation of James Scarborough's letter related to his LCG departure:

Estoy enviando este email a la mayoría de los ministros de la IDV (Iglesia del Dios Viviente).  Algunos de ustedes conocen mi familia bastante bien, algunos otros probablemente no muy bien.  Hago un llamado a cualquier ministro que todavía sea fiel a la verdad, para que se entere de lo que está sucediendo.

Nuestros Antecedentes

Ralph y Patricia Scarborough, y sus ocho hijos, comenzaron a asistir con la Iglesia de Dios Universal en 1968.  Cuatro hijos más les nacieron en la iglesia a través de los años subsiguientes.  A nosotros se nos enseñaron todas las doctrinas fundamentales de la iglesia por medio del Sr. Herbert W. Armstrong hasta su muerte en 1986.  Después de su muerte ocurrió la apostasía, lo cual llevó al éxodo de aquellos que continuaron creyendo que las enseñanzas del Sr. Armstrong seguían vigentes.  En 1995 casi toda la familia Scarborough, junto con otros miles más, dejaron la IDU (Iglesia de Dios Universal) para unirse a la obra que el Sr. Meredith comenzó en 1993.  Mi padre le dijo a sus hijos que él no sería engañado una segunda vez por “nuevas verdades”.  Nosotros, como familia, apoyamos al Sr. Meredith, y a nuestro ministro el Sr. Gerald Weston, en su servicio a la Iglesia de Dios Global.

Cuando ocurrió el golpe de estado en la Global, el Sr. Meredith vino a la casa de mis padres, cenó con nosotros, y habló de la situación.  Mi padre le dijo que comenzara de nuevo, y que la mayoría de la gente le seguiría a él porque nosotros no seguimos una organización.  El Sr. Meredith se regresó a San Diego y comenzó la Iglesia del Dios Viviente.  La familia Scarborough proveyó los Servers de Computadoras, las estaciones de trabajo y toda una red, todo a costo nuestro.  Dos miembros de nuestra familia entregaron e instalaron el equipo en la sede de la IDV.  La familia Scarborough proveyó todos los servicios de internet para la IDV, gratuitamente, hasta hace unos cuantos años.  Nuestras vidas están comprometidas al servicio de Dios, Su Pueblo, y Su Obra.  Nunca hemos tratado de ganar ninguna posición o reconocimiento en la iglesia.  Usted podría detenerse aquí y decir que eso es exactamente lo que estamos haciendo al enviarles este email.  Pero, por favor, siga leyendo.

¿De qué trata todo esto?
Hace siete años algunos de nosotros comenzamos a ver cambios en el enfoque del Evangelio.  No viene al caso el si uno está de acuerdo con los cambios o no, sino que el punto es lo siguiente.  Se le dijo al Sr. Meredith que dos de los hermanos Scarborough tenían problemas con el “entendimiento mejorado” de la Viviente acerca del mensaje del Evangelio.  Esa misma semana el ministro local nos llamó a mi hermano David y a mí, a un cuarto privado después de los servicios del Sábado y preguntó, como le fue instruido por el Sr. Meredith, que si eso era verdad.  Pasamos algún tiempo explicándole el mensaje del Evangelio como a nosotros nos fue enseñado durante toda nuestra vida.  Dio la casualidad que otro ministro, que se encontraba de visita en Kansas City, fue invitado a asistir a esta reunión.  Para sorpresa nuestra él estuvo de acuerdo con mi hermano y conmigo.  Se nos intruyó, por el ministro local, el mantener privadas nuestras opiniones, a lo cual estuvimos de acuerdo ya que no teníamos ningún interés en causar división.

A través de los años subsiguientes parecieron enfocarse menos en esta cuestión, pero notamos que después de que el Sr. Bryce dejó la IDV un nuevo enfoque en Jesucristo comenzó a resurgir.  En un Día de Pentecostés recibimos un buen mensaje sobre la Pascua en el servicio de la mañana, y antes del sermón de la tarde el anciano que daría el mensaje comenzó con:  “Tal vez deberíamos mencionar aquí que hoy es el Día de Pentecostés.”  Para sorpresa nuestra él luego entró en materia hablando otra vez acerca de Jesucristo, no Pentecostés.  No mucho tiempo después de eso CAD (el Departamento de Administración de la Iglesia) envió instrucciones a todos los que darían mensajes en la Fiesta de los Tabernáculos pidiéndoles que dieran sermones sobre el tema de la Fiesta.  ¿Por qué fue necesario esto? 

Hace cuatro años empezamos a oír acerca de otras mejorías o cambios adicionales a las doctrinas de la iglesia, y finalmente después de la muerte del Sr. Apartian se hizo claro que no habría vuelta atrás.  El 25 de diciembre del 2010 escuchamos un sermón dado por el ministro local titulado:  “En el nombre de Jesucristo”.  Los mensajes que le siguieron comenzaron a enfocarse en los cambios, y a ridiculizar a quienes no los entendieran.  En enero del 2011 la familia Scarborough, con la única excepción de los de Charlotte, y un par de sobrinos, acordamos dejar de asistir con la Iglesia del Dios Viviente.  Nuestro hermano mayor hizo una cita con el ministro local y todos los miembros adultos de la familia.  El ministro fue informado de nuestra decisión y de algunas de las razones más serias por nuestra decisión.  El ministro luego le pidió a la familia que reconsiderara permanecer en la iglesia hasta que el Sr. Meredith viniera a nuestra ciudad para un evento público de El Mundo de Mañana, el cual estaba programado para justo antes de los Días Santos de la primavera.  El Sr. Meredith quería reunirse con nosotros y hablar de los problemas.  La familia estuvo de acuerdo excepto David y yo.  El Sr. Meredith vino a la ciudad y dijo quería reunirse con mi madre y mi hermano mayor únicamente, en un restaurante.  La familia rechazó la invitación porque no habría ninguna verdadera oportunidad de hablar de las cosas que a nosotros nos perturbaban en medio de ese ambiente.  Cuando le preguntamos que por qué no se reunía con nosotros en familia, él respondió que no quería estar rodeado de un montón de Scarboroughs.  Por favor, recuérdese aquí que nosotros somos la misma familia con la cual él se sentó a hablar cuando lo estaban echando de la IDG (Iglesia de Dios Global), y que le ha servido fielmente.  No había hostilidad ni enojo de nuestra parte.  Nosotros simplemente no estábamos de acuerdo con los cambios e íbamos a dejar de asistir con la IDV.  Por los siguientes meses la familia fue corregida desde el púlpito, no por nombre, sino por medio de los mensajes, diciendo que los cambios eran lo que el Sr. Armstrong había enseñado, pero en privado a nosotros se nos decía que los cambios no eran tan diferentes de lo que a nosotros se nos enseñó.  Finalmente antes de los Días Santos de otoño mi madre y uno de mis hermanos mayores tuvieron una reunión con el ministro local y el anciano local sobre el tema de la idolatría.  Mi madre preparó literatura de los tiempos del Sr. Armstrong, la cual ella trató de presentar como aquello que una vez se nos enseñó.  El Sábado siguiente el ministro, en su sermón, dijo que uno bien podría tener todo un altero de libros y aún así estar equivocado.  Esto siendo entendido por lo que era, mi hermano que estaba presente en esa reunión, calladamente se levantó y se fue.  Él inclusive dejó a sus hijos ahí pidiéndole a su hija mayor de no olvidar llevarse a casa a su hermano menor.  Mi madre se levantó y salió un poco después.  La siguiente semana la familia ya no llegó a la IDV.  En el Día de Expiación el Sr. Meredith marcó a la familia entera con la excepción de los que estaban presentes en los servicios.  Su excusa fue que nosotros no creíamos que Jesucristo fuera una parte vital del Evangelio.  Nosotros habíamos hecho muy claro, en cada plática que habíamos tenido con el ministerio, que nosotros creíamos lo que el Sr. Armstrong enseñó acerca del Evangelio del Reino.  Por lo tanto, tiene que ser que el Sr. Armstrong no estuvo de acuerdo con el Sr. Meredith.  ¿Por qué tenían que marcar a toda una familia, en un día tan solemne como el de Expiación, sólo por haberse aferrado a la verdad?  No había ninguna evidencia de que nosotros estuviéramos causando división, con la única excepción de dos personas en la familia que estaban publicando material acerca de lo que una vez se nos enseñó como la verdad.  Estas eran dos personas de entre más de sesenta.  En ningún momento trató ninguno de ellos de presentar ninguna nueva verdad.  Un año más tarde, fuimos informados de que otras personas estaban comenzando a cuestionar las nuevas enseñanzas, además de las que tienen que ver con el Evangelio.  También se nos dijo que ellos estaban siendo intimidados aún peor de lo que la familia Scarborough fue intimidada.  Fue en ese entonces que algunos de nosotros decidimos publicar la verdad acerca de lo que nosotros sabemos sobre el Evangelio, y también ya que la gente estaba diciendo que nosotros no habíamos sido marcados, pusimos la grabación del ministro leyendo la órden de nuestro marcamiento de parte del Sr. Meredith en http://www.genuine-truth.com.  Este sitio ha sido actualizado periódicamente desde entonces.

Este pasado verano el Sr. Winnail ofreció venir a Kansas City a hablar con la familia, pero no hubo interés, excepto por parte de mi hermano David y mía.  Tuvimos una cordial discusión por más de tres horas acerca de lo que nosotros veíamos como cambios.  No se resolvió nada, pero eso no nos sorprendió.  De lo último que hablamos fue de nuestro marcamiento como familia.  No se nos dio ninguna otra razón sino que fue por la forma en que nosotros nos habíamos ido.  Mi hermano David y yo nos salimos muchos meses antes que el resto de la familia, y el resto no hizo nada sino dejar de asistir.  Muchos más al presente están siendo desasociados y marcados debido a que no están de acuerdo con los cambios.  Esto suena mucho como lo que sucedió con la iglesia del primer siglo.  ¿Cuántos hoy en día han dicho que ellos no harían lo que ellos hicieron?  ¿O estaban aquellos que estaban haciendo los cambios, que ni siquiera querían recibir al Apóstol Juan, en lo correcto porque ellos tenían la autoridad?  ¡Ellos estaban desasociando a cualquiera que no estuviera de acuerdo porque no querían que nadie más oyera la verdad!

Mi hermana Glenda fue despedida por la IDV el día antes de Expiación el año pasado sólo por estar ella mandando sermones, lo cual era su trabajo.  A la IDV no le gustó que algunos de los sermones habían sido dados por el Sr. Carl McNair y el Sr. John Ogwyn, y el hecho de que algunos mensajes no están de acuerdo con las nuevas enseñanzas de la IDV.  Esto puede que no preocupe a algunas personas, pero el hecho de que ella se encontraba en medio de un tratamiento para el cáncer debería preocuparle a cualquier ser humano, ¡no se diga a nosotros como cristianos!  Ella fue llamada a la oficina del Sr. Meredith el día de ayer, y se le dijo que dejara de estar defendiendo a aquellos que han sido erróneamente marcados.  A pesar que ella sepa la verdad.  Verán, su amigo Thomas Baca II, quien había recientemente dejado de asistir con la IDV debido a las cosas que él vió estaban sucediendo en la sede, acababa de ser considerado “Enemigo de la Iglesia” sólo por haber publicado algunas de sus opiniones en el internet, y Glenda apoyó a su amigo.  El Sr. Meredith también le dijo a ella en esta reunión, que ella y toda su familia Scarborough, eran unos mentirosos.  Imagínese que ésta fuera usted.  ¿Cómo se sentiría?  Supongo que cuando uno no necesita el apoyo de alguien el tachar el carácter de esa persona está justificado.  ¿Acaso no mató Caín a Abel porque estaba enojado?  Nosotros podemos probar todo lo que decimos a cualquier persona que le interese.  El guardarse de dar falso testimonio es uno de los 10 mandamientos, nosotros no tomamos esto a la ligera.  No hemos atacado a nadie.  Solamente no hemos estado de acuerdo con los cambios.  ¿Cómo puede ser ésta la Iglesia de la era Filadelfia?  ¿Cómo puede ser ésta siquiera una Iglesia “de Dios”?  ¿Cómo puede uno seguir ciegamente a hombres que mientras caminan y hablan piadosamente, están deborando al rebaño?  Tal vez usted espera que cruzen una línea imaginaria que usted ha dibujado en la arena.  El Sr. Meredith dice que la IDV no anulará las enseñanzas fundamentales.  Bueno, ¿y qué de los 10 mandamientos?  Se me dijo que si uno tenía una imagen de un corazón, o de una cruz, o estatuas de ángeles entre sus pertenencias, que eso no era pecado, que nosotros simplemente no podemos arrodillarnos, o adorarlos.  El Sr. Meredith dio un sermón aquí en Kansas City en que dijo:  “En ninguna parte de la Biblia se nos dice que la cruz sea pagana, o que usted no pueda hacer nada con una cruz.”  Yo sé, él usa la comparación de la cerca de estaquitas de madera que se cruzan, pero ese ejemplo lo usa para hacer parecer ridícula a la persona que aborrezca la idolatría.  Un miembro dijo, después de oír ése sermón:  “El Sr. Meredith dijo que el uso de la cruz está bien”.  Los divorcios y nuevas nupcias están a la órden del día, y esto por parte de los ministros.  Créamelo, si usted no se ha enterado ya de lo que está sucediendo, usted no querrá oírlo.  Y luego está el 9º mandamiento.  Este aplica solamente a los miembros.  El ministerio puede decir cualquier cosa que ellos quieran para proteger a SU iglesia.

Nos estamos reuniendo como pueblo de Dios aquí en Kansas City, con otros que han visto los problemas y han dejado la IDV en las últimas varias semanas.  Muchos más se nos están uniendo en línea por internet.  Nosotros somos pueblo de Dios.  Conocemos la voz de nuestro Pastor, Jesucristo.  No tenemos un ministerio que nos atienda, lo cual es una pena que las ovejas tengan que salir antes que el ministerio, pero nosotros pondremos a Dios primero, y amaremos a nuestros semejantes como a nosotros mismos.  Esperaremos hasta que Dios envíe a Sus siervos fieles, pero no renunciaremos a la fe que una vez nos fue dada.  Nosotros NO estamos comenzando una iglesia; nosotros somos miembros de la Iglesia de Dios no importa qué tantas mentiras se inventen acerca de nosotros.

Si uno cree que está en la Iglesia de Dios sólo porque uno no ve un lugar “mejor” a dónde ir, entonces uno está fallando en sus responsabilidades.  Nosotros hemos pasado por esto recientemente.  Yo he visto los otros grupos, y no hay ningún lugar donde se esté haciendo lo que Dios nos instruyó, pero uno puede discernir que la IDV no es mejor que la más pequeña de ellas.  Esto puede que enoje a algunos, pero uno es conocido por sus frutos.  Si uno dice que la IDV está haciendo más de una obra que ninguna otra, bueno eso estaría volviéndose hacia David Pack.  ¿De veras se iría uno a la IDR (Iglesia de Dios Restaurada) solamente porque ellos comienzan a hacer más de una obra que la IDV?  La mayoría muy probablemente se iría con la IDDAM (Iglesia de Dios, una Asociación Mundial) si la IDV fracasa.  Yo solamente diría esto, yo he asistido con IDDAM, y veo que ellos claramente son pueblo de Dios.  Ellos también cuadran la descripción, como una organización, de Laodicea, quienes aunque tienen deseos de hacer más, su forma de gobierno no permite lo que se requiere.  Aun algunos en el ministerio de ellos entienden esta verdad.  Yo sé lo que Dios dice va a suceder con ellos, y yo quiero ser un Filadelfiano con todo lo que Dios les dice a ellos, y les instruye, a la era Filadelfia.  Recuerden la definición de Filadelfia.  ¿La ve Dios en nosotros?

James Scarborough    

The original (English) version of the above letter is shown on this page as the 04/11/13 p.m. post.

Although I personally primarily left LCG because it had so many integrity problems (Why Bob Thiel Left the Living Church of God and in Spanish/español ¿Por qué Bob Thiel dejó la Iglesia del Dios Viviente?) I was convinced that it could not, without massive repentance, possibly lead what I have called the final phase of the work (see The Final Phase of the Work and the video sermon The Final Phase of the Work), the Scarboroughs suggested that but mainly cited doctrinal issues (and there are some, see What About the Living Church of God? Are there Doctrinal Differences with the Continuing Church of God? and in Spanish/español: ¿Qué hay acerca de la Iglesia de Dios Viviente? ¿Hay diferencias doctrinales con la Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios?). One of those issues had to do with LCG's new "falling away" position which it claims is what sets it apart from other COGs (for details, see The Falling Away: The Bible and WCG Teachings and in Spanish/español: La Apostasía: Enseñanzas de la Biblia y de la WCG. There are also two YouTube videos on the subject that you can watch The Falling Away Part 1: From the Bible and Church History and The Falling Away Part 2: Positions Presented by Others).

04/30/13 p.m. Rod Reynolds resigned from the LCG ministry. He had been LCG's minister in parts of the U.S. south.

04/30/13 a.m. There are reports of various ones leaving various groups. There is one related to LCG that I plan to post about later, but for now, here is a report posted on the Don't Drink the Flavor Aid site:

Hello to PKG Members,

I understand that a considerable number of you are looking into leaving PKG after Pentecost, with this in mind I need to retract a recommendation I made to you about Restored Church of God.

Nearly one year ago I sent a letter to a number of you, in it I strongly recommended  The Restored Church of God as a church that God is working through his ministry.  After attending, listening and watching I have come to the conclusion that just as there are members with Gods spirit in PKG there are also members in Restored with Gods spirit.

But I do have to retract my recommendation to go to Restored, as there are a number of things that do not sit right. Mr Packs focus on members is to get as much cash from them as possible, he uses not going to the place of safety and hellfire for those who do not give all, and laying up your reward in heaven for those who do give all.  A small portion of what I heard:

Any one that was baptized  in PKG did not have a  valid baptism. I know of one ex PKGer that that went to Restored was not allowed to keep Passover as he was baptized in PKG.

They have what they call a splinter pack for any one coming out of a cog.  It is several hundred pages of reading and many hours of sermons, you have to then be in full agreement with it all before attending services. It is mainly pre 86 worldwide teachings with a few changes, this is a type of indoctrination that slowly draws you in, but once in you see it isn’t like worldwide was nor are some of the teachings.  But for most that get to this point it is to late as their minds have been conditioned to D Packs teachings.

Most doctrine is as taught in Worldwide under Mr Armstrong, but not all.  Changes are classed as new understanding. (present truth type of situation)  A lot of mind control takes place, as one ex Philadelphian member said:: this lot are tougher than in Philadelphia under Flurry.  Never having been in Philadelphia I cannot say if that remark was accurate or not but I would not be surprised if it was.

As you may have guessed by now, my wife and I resigned our membership in Restored and are no longer members of that church.

In conclusion I would say that for those of you looking to move on, please take a long hard look at whoever you are going to. (do not just give up, God is still doing a work in many of you)   This in no ways negates what I said about R Weinland being a false prophet,  it just means D Pack is another wolf in sheep’s clothing to watch out for.

Wishing you all the best.

Adrian Gray.

I reported about Adrian Gray's departure from Weinland's PKG group last June (see Former Weinland Elder Resigns and Posts Statements). One of the warnings I gave then was, "Sadly, Adrian Gray has now decided to follow the false and self-anointed, apostle David Pack (see also Why Not the Restored Church of God?)." Apparently now he sees that.

04/27/13 a.m. Received the following email today:

I resend you this letter from R.C. Meredith. It is in Spanish. In this letter, he tells more about 2 Thes. and the falling away. He continues misunderstanding the whole sense of this scriptural verses. He now says that the word for "apostasia" would be better translated as "rebellion". It is now very clear, al least for me, from the reading of this letter, that LCG has lost his vision, they are now blinded to the truth, and going on in their own ideas and interpretations of the Bible. Literally they are changing the meaning of the term "apostasia" and the interpretation of the passage. He says now, in this letter, that there will be a rebellion against God, and insists in the fact that the "apostasia" has nothing to do with the Church, which seems neither logical nor consequent with the clear sense of the passage of 2 Thes.

What he sent in Spanish was the following:

16 de abril del 2013

Apreciados hermanos y colaboradores en Cristo:

¡Desde nuestra sede en Charlotte, Carolina del Norte, reciban un cordial saludo! ¡Un nuevo papa ha aparecido en la escena mundial! ¿Podrá el nuevo papa católico romano, Francisco I, lograr grandes cambios en el escenario mundial? ¿Será utilizado para ayudar a promover la agitación religiosa masiva en los tiempos modernos? ¿Será, como muchos estudiantes de profecía temen, el último papa, el hombre identificado en Apocalipsis 13:13, que literalmente “hace descender fuego del cielo a la tierra delante de los hombres”?

Dios Todopoderoso nos manda observar los acontecimientos mundiales “en todo tiempo orando que seáis tenidos por dignos de escapar de todas estas cosas que vendrán, y de estar en pie delante del Hijo del Hombre" (Lucas 21:36). ¡Será muy interesante velar sobre los acontecimientos extraordinarios que tendrán lugar en los próximos años! ¡La Palabra de Dios claramente revela que la más grande rebelión en la historia humana contra el verdadero Dios está justo delante de nosotros! Está profetizado que ocurrirá justo antes y llevará directamente a la intervención de Dios en los asuntos humanos y a la segunda venida de Jesucristo como Rey de reyes. Nosotros en esta obra de Dios formamos parte de un número reducido que realmente entiende lo que está sucediendo y puede “advertirles” queridos hermanos y colaboradores de lo que se avecina, y de lo que usted tiene que hacer.

¡Por lo tanto, lea atentamente!

Una de las más importantes, pero de las más descuidadas profecías de la Biblia se encuentra en 2 Tesalonicenses 2. Después de establecer el escenario en el capítulo 1 describiendo el retorno de Cristo como “llama de fuego, para dar retribución a los que no... obedecen al evangelio”, el inspirado apóstol Pablo advierte a los cristianos a no permitir que alguien los engañe al enseñar que Cristo vendrá sin que ocurra primero la más grande rebelión contra Dios en la historia de la humanidad. El apóstol Pablo fue inspirado a escribir: “No se dejen engañar de ninguna manera, porque primero tiene que llegar la rebelión contra Dios y manifestarse el hombre de maldad, el destructor por naturaleza. Este se opone y se levanta contra todo lo que lleva el nombre de Dios o es objeto de adoración, hasta el punto de adueñarse del templo de Dios y pretender ser Dios” (2 Tesalonicenses 2:3-4, NVI). Acabo de citar de la Nueva Versión Internacional, ya que es importante que usted se dé cuenta de que muchas de las mejores traducciones indican que la palabra traducida como “apostasía”, en la versión de la Reina Valera se traduce mejor como “rebelión” del griego original. Esta palabra griega era, en realidad, un término militar que significaba “revuelta” o la rebelión contra la autoridad. ¡La idea de que este rechazo total de Dios que ha de venir es simplemente una “apostasía” de alguna enseñanza de una iglesia o grupo de iglesias, simplemente no está indicado aquí! Incluso muchos de nosotros en el pasado hemos asumido esto, ¡pero ese no es el caso cuando se entiende el contexto completo en el idioma griego original, que incluye a todo el mundo rebelándose contra el Dios verdadero!

Observe que esta expresión griega se traduce como “rebelión” en Dios Habla Hoy, la Nueva Versión Internacional, otras versiones y en inglés. Así que para entender correctamente lo que estamos hablando, es importante tener en cuenta que el término implica una rebelión mundial contra el Dios verdadero que, de hecho, va a afectar a todo el mundo de una manera que muy pocos entienden.

En el versículo 8, Pablo revela que “aquel inicuo”, que obviamente tiene varias enseñanzas religiosas que de hecho no incluyen la obediencia a los diez mandamientos, se manifestará, “a quien el Señor matará con el espíritu de su boca, y destruirá con el resplandor de su venida; inicuo cuyo advenimiento es por obra de Satanás, con gran poder y señales y prodigios mentirosos” (vs. 8-9). Así que ninguna “apostasía” local en cualquier iglesia o grupo pequeño de iglesias podría cumplir esta impresionante profecía y ciertamente, no sin el que está a cargo mostrando gran poder, señales y prodigios mentirosos.

Para aquellos de ustedes que entienden la profecía, es obvio que este gran “hombre de pecado”, o “inicuo”, se enlaza directamente con la “segunda bestia” de Apocalipsis 13. Para describir claramente al próximo líder militar y político del renacimiento final del Imperio Romano en Apocalipsis 13:1-10, el apóstol Juan describe: “otra bestia que subía de la tierra; y tenía dos cuernos semejantes a los de un cordero, pero hablaba como dragón” (v. 11). Este hombre es semejante a un “cordero”, Jesucristo. Sin embargo, ¡su mensaje es el de un “dragón” identificado en Apocalipsis 12:9 como Satanás el diablo! Este poderoso líder religioso “ejerce toda la autoridad de la primera bestia” y hace que el Imperio Romano revivido persiga a los verdaderos santos. Pero, ¡“también hace grandes señales, de tal manera que aun hace descender fuego del cielo a la tierra delante de los hombres”! (v. 13) Él utiliza estas señales para engañar a la gente en toda la Tierra para que sigan al Imperio Romano revivido y hace que todo el mundo vaya tras este “sistema” que Dios llama “Babilonia la grande”.

Pero por “humilde” que pueda parecer, el líder religioso de este sistema religioso va a ejercer un gran poder y causar una tremenda persecución. Ya que el sistema religioso que dirige, “la mujer” de Apocalipsis 17, se describe como “ebria de la sangre de los santos, y de la sangre de los mártires de Jesús” (Apocalipsis 17:6). Cientos de millones de hombres y mujeres en este sistema serán terriblemente engañados, que de hecho: “Pelearán contra el Cordero, y el Cordero los vencerá, porque Él es Señor de señores y Rey de reyes” (v. 14). Es difícil imaginar que millones puedan estar engañados. Pero la Biblia es muy clara cuando se leen todas las escrituras en cuestión. La “mujer” descrita en Apocalipsis 17, la gran iglesia falsa: “es aquella gran ciudad que reina sobre los reyes de la Tierra” (v. 18).

Finalmente, Juan fue inspirado para decirnos que salgamos de este “sistema”. Nos dice: “Ha caído, ha caído la gran Babilonia, y se ha hecho habitación de demonios” (Apocalipsis 18:2). Juan continúa: “Porque todas las naciones han bebido del vino del furor de su fornicación; y los reyes de la Tierra han fornicado con ella, y los mercaderes de la Tierra se han enriquecido de la potencia de sus deleites” (v. 3). Lo que indica claramente que “todas las naciones” de la Tierra han estado involucradas con este sistema político religioso y los que han participado en este sistema se han hecho muy ricos por medio de su masivo comercio y sistema de comercialización, ¡aunque solo por muy pocos años! Entonces Dios dice: “¡Ay, ay, de la gran ciudad de Babilonia, la ciudad fuerte; porque en una hora vino tu juicio! Y los mercaderes de la Tierra lloran y hacen lamentación sobre ella, porque ninguno compra más sus mercaderías” (Apocalipsis 18:10-11).

Casi al final de este capítulo, Dios inspira a Juan a decir: “porque tus mercaderes eran los grandes de la Tierra; pues por tus hechicerías fueron engañadas todas las naciones” (v. 23). ¡Satanás el diablo estará poderosamente involucrado con este falso sistema religioso, y lo hará participar de demonismo y brujería!

¡Lea cuidadosamente estas palabras! Porque esto indica claramente que el más masivo engaño religioso en la historia humana está ante nosotros, justo antes del retorno de Cristo, y afectará a cientos de millones de seres humanos que serán terriblemente engañados. ¡Esto es debido a su fuerte participación y la adulación de los líderes de este sistema, la “bestia” venidera y el falso profeta! Ciertamente “parecerá” ser de sabios “estar de acuerdo” con este sistema, conforme se desarrolla y gana adeptos entre miles de millones de seres humanos alrededor de la Tierra.

¿Estará usted mejor si formar parte de ese sistema? Recuerde, como ya he indicado, Dios Todopoderoso nos dice: “Salid de ella, pueblo mío, para que no seáis participes de sus pecados, ni recibáis parte de sus plagas” (Apocalipsis 18:4). Porque, ¿cuál será el resultado final de los que participen en este sistema? Al final, la Palabra de Dios nos dice: “Y la bestia fue apresada, y con ella el falso profeta que había hecho delante de ella las señales con las cuales había engañado a los que recibieron la marca de la bestia, y habían adorado su imagen. Estos dos fueron lanzados vivos dentro de un lago de fuego que arde con azufre. Y los demás fueron muertos con la espada que salía de la boca del que montaba el caballo, y todas las aves se saciaron de las carnes de ellos” (Apocalipsis 19:20-21). ¡No solo el líder político militar final, la “bestia”, será ejecutado, sino también el gran líder religioso falso, el “falso profeta”, serán quemados vivos en el lago de fuego! Y “los demás fueron muertos con la espada”. Eso, mis amigos, es el “resultado” para quienes sigan este sistema en los próximos años.

Sin embargo, millones de personas más serán absorbidas por este sistema gracias a sus “apariencias” de humildad, milagros falsos y situaciones similares. Pero los responsables de este sistema son de hecho “inicuos”, como claramente lo indican estas profecías. Ellos no enseñarán la obediencia a los mandamientos de Dios. Van a sustituir sus propios rituales y tradiciones por lo que Dios claramente les dice a todos los cristianos que hagan. Estos serán muy atractivos. Tendrán música hermosa, drama y acontecimientos inspiradores de todo tipo. ¡Estarán grandemente influenciados y, al final, serán destruidos por seguir a Satanás el diablo!

Que Dios ayude a todos ustedes, queridos hermanos y colaboradores a entender. Que Dios les ayude a comprender que hay muy pocas iglesias en esta Tierra que están dispuestas a decirles toda la verdad de lo que nos espera en el futuro. ¡En esta obra somos esa vanguardia de los que están dispuestos a predicar toda la verdad! Que Dios les ayude a entender y actuar por su propia protección y la de sus amigos y seres queridos. Que Dios nos ayude a todos a participar más plenamente en respaldar la obra que Dios Todopoderoso está llevando a cabo justo antes de la venida de Cristo. Porque el mundo necesita lo que nosotros tenemos para dar, y cada uno de nosotros debe estar inspirado en hacer su parte en el momento más trascendental de la historia de la humanidad. Que Dios les ayude a dar sus vidas a su servicio, y para ser dignos de desempeñar su parte en el Reino de Dios venidero que será establecido en esta Tierra bajo Jesucristo, como Rey de reyes.

Con amor cristiano,
Signature
Roderick C. Meredith

The above letter, part of which I posted in English on this page on the 04/17/13 p.m. post, confirms that Dr. Meredith is agreeing with what Dr. D. Winnail teaches on this matter. And this is the doctrine that LCG is teaching defines itself and separates it from the other COG groups.

For more specifics on that as well as the historical teaching on this matter, check out the following:

The Falling Away: The Bible and WCG Teachings Who is 2 Thessalonians 2:3 referring to? Are there multiple falling aways?
Here is a related link in Spanish/español: La Apostasía: Enseñanzas de la Biblia y de la WCG.
There are also two YouTube videos on the subject that you can watch The Falling Away Part 1: From the Bible and Church History and The Falling Away Part 2: Positions Presented by Others.

04/22/13 a.m. There was a problem with the link of the YouTube video related to the Who is the Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians 2? article. Please accept my apologies. It has now been corrected, so you can now watch the video Who is the 'Man of Sin'?

04/19/13 p.m. In his latest co-worker letter, LCG's Dr. Meredith has the following about the identity of the man of sin of 2 Thessalonians 2:

One of the most vital yet neglected prophecies in all of the Bible is found in 2 Thessalonians 2...

In verse 8, Paul revealed that the “lawless one”—who obviously has various religious teachings that in fact do not involve obedience to the Ten Commandments—will be revealed, “whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of his coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the workings of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders” (vv. 8-9). So no local “apostasy” in anychurch or small group of churches could possibly fulfill this awesome prophecy—and certainly not without the one who is in charge showing great power, signs and lying wonders.

For those of you who understand prophecy, it becomes obvious that this great “man of sin,” or “man of lawlessness,” ties in directly with the “second beast” of Revelation 13. For obviously describing the coming military/political leader of the final revival of the Roman Empire in Revelation 13:1-10, the Apostle John goes on to describe another “beast” who comes out of the earth and “he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon” (v. 11). So this man looks like the “lamb,” Jesus Christ. Yet His message is that of the “dragon” identified in Revelation 12:9 as Satan the Devil! This coming powerful religious leader “exercises” all of the authority of the first “beast” and causes the revived Roman Empire to persecute the true saints...the great false religious leader—the “ false prophet” (Meredith RC. LCG co-worker letter, April 17, 2013)

The above suggests that if one does not agree with the conclusion that the false prophet is the "man of sin" of 2 Thessalonians 2, then one does not understand prophecy. But is the man of sin the false prophet, the second beast of Revelation 13, or not?

The New Testament teaches that the man of sin "exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped" (2 Thessalonians 2:4).

The Old Testament teaches that the King of the North "shall exalt and magnify himself above every god" (Daniel 11:36).

The New Testament teaches that "All who dwell on the earth will worship" (Revelation 13:8) the first Beast, the ten-horned beast (Revelation 13:1).

This worship is not directed towards the false prophet. And the Bible teaches that the false prophet, the second beast of Revelation 13 "causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast" (Revelation 13:12).

Read it for yourself in your own Bible.

For more information, please read the article Who is the Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians 2? and/or watch the video Who is the 'Man of Sin'?

04/17/13 p.m. In his latest co-worker letter, LCG's Dr. Meredith has the following:

One of the most vital yet neglected prophecies in all of the Bible is found in 2 Thessalonians 2. After setting the stage in chapter 1 by describing Christ returning with “flaming fire” and “taking vengeance” on those who do not obey the Gospel, the inspired Apostle Paul warns Christians not to let anyone deceive them by teaching that Christ is coming without the most massive anti-God rebellion in human history occurring first. The Apostle Paul was inspired to write, “For that Day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, proclaiming himself that he is God” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, RSV)...The idea that this coming total rejection of God is simply an “apostasy” from some teaching of some church or group of churches is simply not indicated here! Even many of us in the past have assumed this—but that is not the case when you understand the original Greek language in the whole context which involves the entire world rebelling against the true God!

The falling away or "rebellion" from the truth does come BEFORE the lawless one is revealed--but LCG seems to have trouble realizing that--and that becomes clear as one reads more of the letter. There were other issues of prophetic misunderstanding in that letter that I will not quote or deal with here at this time, but intend to deal with at least one soon--but I will tell people that they should "prove all things" assertions without proper scriptural support is not proof (including a statement in the letter that contradicts a point from Dr. Winnail's "Falling Away" sermon about the identity of the man of sin that Dr. Winnail seemed to have right). On a positive note, at least Dr. Meredith is now indicating that his position is a change, which in May 2012 he seemed to boldly suggest otherwise.

Those truly interested in this "falling away" subject should carefully study the article The Falling Away: The Bible and WCG Teachings (here is a related link in Spanish/español: La Apostasía: Enseñanzas de la Biblia y de la WCG) as it does go through various details on this falling away matter--a matter that LCG has declared will set it apart from others, including those who accept the historical COG position, like the Continuing Church of God. There are also two YouTube videos on the subject that you can watch The Falling Away Part 1: From the Bible and Church History and The Falling Away Part 2: Positions Presented by Others.

04/13/13 p.m. Because of posts here from various ones, some wondered about my views of the gospel and its proclamation. At this time, I believe that the Continuing Church of God is the primary group that God is using and intends to use to lead the work that will finish the COG proclamation portion of Matthew 24:14. I also believe that Christ's gospel of the kingdom includes Jesus Christ, but His person is not the focus. As far as the Scarboroughs, their local minister, and discussions they had with Charlotte evangelists, I was never part of any of those. I presume that the Scarboroughs are well aware that Jesus is part of the gospel message and that LCG is well aware of the historical HWA teachings on the gospel of the kingdom.

Here are some items on the gospel:

What is the Gospel? True religion should be based upon the true gospel. What are some of the different gospels and where did they come from? Do you believe the true or a false gospel?
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? You can also see a YouTube video sermon The Gospel of the Kingdom.
Just What Do You Mean the Kingdom of God? This is booklet that was written by Herbert Armstrong answers questions about the Kingdom.

04/12/13 p.m. Got another email moments ago from James Scarborough as it appeared that perhaps his last email looked like at least a semi-endorsement of RCG:

My statement in my email about RCG is in no way an endorsement. We have looked at RCG thoroughly, and are aware of too many issues, which would make them no better an option than LCG. Anyone who has a history back to the work in the Global Church of God, and even further back to the work God did through Mr. Armstrong, would know the type of man God would use as his physical leader. Although God is looking for a strong obedient leader, He is also looking for a humble teachable man. These are qualities more rare than we once thought seeing so many strong leaders under Mr. Armstrong fell into pride and vanity.
James Scarborough

I agree, of course, that RCG is not the place. Hopefully those in it will realize that sooner than later.

(BTW, I am not opposed to posting LCG comments on certain matters, but as LCG no longer sends me certain official information this limits what I post from them.)

04/11/13 p.m. Received an email titled Disfellowshiped from James Scarborough. Because of how it begins (and he sent it to me), it looks like he would not have an issue with it being posted:

I am sending this email to most of the LCG ministry. Some of you know my family very well, some probably do not. I am reaching out to any ministers who remain faithful to the truth, so you will know what is going on.

Our Background

Ralph & Patricia Scarborough, and their eight children, began attending Worldwide Church of God in 1968. Four more children were born into the church over the following years. We were taught all the fundamental teachings of the Church of God through Herbert W. Armstrong until the time of his death in 1986. After his death the apostasy occurred, which led to the exodus of those who continued to believe the teachings of Mr. Armstrong were still valid. In 1995 almost all the Scarborough’s, along with several thousand others, left Worldwide to join the work Mr. Meredith had begun in 1993. My father told his children he would not be tricked by new truth a second time. We, as a family, supported Mr. Meredith, and our local minster Mr. Gerald Weston, in service to the Global Church of God.

 

When the takeover of GCG took place, Mr. Meredith came to my parents’ house, sat with us over dinner, and discussed the situation. My father told him to begin again, and most of the people would follow him because we do not follow an organization. Mr. Meredith went back to San Diego and started the Living Church of God. The Scarborough family provided Computer Servers, workstations and a complete network, all at our own expense. Two of our family members delivered, and installed the equipment at LCG headquarters. The Scarborough family provided all the internet services for LCG, for free, until a few years ago. Our lives are committed to the service of God, His people, and His work. We have never tried to gain any position, or recognition in the church. You may stop here and say that’s exactly what we are doing by sending this email? Please read on.

 

What is this all about?

About seven years ago some of us began to see changes in the focus of the Gospel. It is not relevant if you agree with the changes, or not; the following is the point. It was told to Mr. Meredith that two of the Scarborough brothers had problems with LCG’s “better understanding” about the Gospel message. That very week the local minister called my brother David, and I, to a private room after Sabbath services and asked, as he was instructed by Mr. Meredith, if this was true. We spent some time explaining the Gospel message as we had been taught all our lives. As it happened another minister, who was visiting Kansas City, was asked to attend our meeting. Much to our surprise he agreed with my brother and myself. We were instructed, by the local minister, to keep our opinions to ourselves, which we agreed since we had no interest in causing division.

 

Over the following years the issue seemed to become less of a focus, but we noticed after Mr. Bryce left LCG that a new focus on Jesus Christ began to emerge. One Pentecost we received a fine Passover Sermon for the morning service, and before the afternoon service the elder giving the message began with “Maybe we should mention here that it is Pentecost”. Much to our surprise he went into another sermon about Jesus Christ; not Pentecost. Not long after that CAD sent out instructions to those giving messages, at the Feast of Tabernacles, to give sermons on the topic of the Feast. Why should this be necessary?

About four years ago we started to hear of further upgrades/changes to the doctrines of the church, and finally after the death of Mr. Apartian it became clear there was no turning back. On December 25th 2010 we heard a sermon, by the local minister, titled “In the Name of Jesus Christ”. The messages following began to focus on the changes, and ridiculed those who did not understand. In January 2011 the Scarborough family, with the exception of those in Charlotte, and a couple of nephews, agreed to discontinue fellowship with the Living Church of God. Our eldest brother set up a meeting with the local minister and all the adults of our family. The minister was informed of our decision, and some of the more serious reasons for our decision. The minister then asked the family to consider remaining until Mr. Meredith came to town for a Tomorrows World public event, which was to happen just before the spring Holydays. Mr. Meredith wanted to meet with us, and discuss the problems. All agreed with the exception of David and I. Mr. Meredith came to town and said he would meet with my mother, and eldest brother only, at a restaurant. We declined because there was no real opportunity to discuss our issues in such an environment. When asked why he would not meet with us as a family, the response was that he did not want to be surrounded by a bunch of Scarborough’s. Please remember we are the same family he sat with when he was being thrown out of GCG, and who served him faithfully. There was no hostility, or anger, on our part. We just disagreed with the changes and we were going to stop attending LCG. Over the following months the family was corrected from the pulpit, not by name, but by the messages. Saying the changes were what Mr. Armstrong taught, but in private we were told the changes were not that different. Finally before the fall Holydays my mother, and one of the elder brothers, had a meeting with the local minister, and the local elder, on the topic of Idolatry. My mother prepared literature from the days of Mr. Armstrong, which she tried to present as what we were once taught. The following Sabbath the minister, in his sermon, said you could have a whole stack of books and still be wrong. This being taken for what it was; my brother, which had been in the meeting, quietly got up and left. He even left his children there asking his oldest daughter to make sure his son got home. My mother got up and left shortly after. The following week the family did not attend with LCG. On Atonement Mr. Meredith marked the entire family with the exception of those sitting in service. His excuse was that we did not believe Jesus Christ was a vital part of the Gospel. We had made it clear, in every discussion we had with the ministry, we believed what Mr. Armstrong taught about the Gospel of the Kingdom. So it must be that Mr. Armstrong did not agree with Mr. Meredith. Why would an entire family be marked, on a solemn day like Atonement, for holding on to the truth? There was no evidence we were causing division, with the exception of 2 people in the family postings about what we were once taught as the truth. That is 2 people out of more than 60. At no time did anyone try to present any new truth. A year later we were informed others were beginning to question new teachings, other than the Gospel. We were also told they were being intimidated worse than the Scarborough family had been. It was at that time some of us decided to put the truth out about what we know about the Gospel, and since people were saying we were not marked. We put out the audio of the local minister reading the marking from Mr. Meredith on http://www.genuine-truth.com. This site has been updated periodically.

 

This last summer Mr. Winnail offered to come to Kansas City to talk to the family, but there was no interest, with the exception of my brother David and I. We had a cordial discussion for over three hours about what we saw as changes. Nothing was resolved, but that was not a surprise. The last item we discussed was the marking of the Scarborough family. There was no reason given other than it was the way we left. My brother David, and I, left many months before the rest of the family, and the rest did nothing but stop attending. Many more are currently being disfellowshipped and marked over disagreements about the changes. This sounds very similar to the first century church. How many today have said I would not do what they did? Or were those making the changes, who would not even receive the Apostle John, right because they had the authority? They were disfellowshipping anyone who disagreed because they did not want anyone hearing the truth!

 

My sister Glenda was fired by LCG the day before Atonement last year just because she was sending out sermons, which was her job. LCG did not like that some of the sermons were given by Mr. Carl McNair, and Mr. John Ogwyn, and the fact some messages disagreed with LCG’s new teaching. This may not concern some, but the fact she was in the middle of cancer treatment should be of concern to any human being, not to mention us as Christians! She was called into Mr. Meredith’s office yesterday, and told to stop defending those who have been wrongfully marked. Even though she knows the truth. You see, her friend Thomas Boca II, who had recently quit attending LCG because things he saw going on at headquarters, had just been deemed “An enemy of the Church” just because he had posted some of his views on the web, and Glenda stood by her friend. Mr. Meredith also told her in this meeting that she, and her entire Scarborough family, are liars. Imagine this was you. How would you feel? I guess when you don’t need someone’s support; character assassination is justified. Didn’t Cain murder Abel because he was angry? We can prove all we are saying to anyone who cares. Bearing false witness against your neighbor is one of the 10 commandments; we do not take it lightly. We have not attacked anyone. We have only disagreed with the changes. How can this be the Philadelphian Church? How can this be any Church of God? How can you blindly follow men who walk and talk piously, while devouring the sheep? Maybe there is a line in the sand you are waiting for them to cross. Mr. Meredith says LCG will not do away with the fundamentals. Well how about the 10 commandments. I was told that if you had a heart, or cross, or statues of angels in your possession that it was not a sin, we just cannot bow down, or worship them. Mr. Meredith gave a sermon here in Kansas City where he said “nowhere in the Bible does it say the cross is pagan, or you can’t do anything with the cross”. I know he uses the picket fences comparison, but that is being used to make anyone who hates idolatry look ridiculous. A member, after the sermon, happily stated Mr. Meredith said the cross was okay. Divorce & Remarriage is out of control, and this is from the ministry. Trust me, if you don’t already know what is going on, you don’t want to. And then there is the 9th commandment. This one only applies to the members. The ministry can say anything they want to protect THEIR church.

 

We are meeting as God’s people here in Kansas City; with others who have seen the problems and left LCG over the past few weeks. Many more are joining us online. We are God’s people. We know the voice of our Shepherd; Jesus Christ. We do not have a ministry attending to us, which is so sad that the sheep have to step out before the ministry, but we will put God first, and love our neighbor as ourselves. We will wait until God sends His faithful servants, but we will not give up the faith once delivered. We are NOT starting a church; we are members of the Church of God no matter what lies are conjured.

If you think you are in the Church of God just because you don’t see a “better” place to go, then you are failing at your responsibilities. We have been down this path recently. I have seen the other groups, and there is no place doing what God instructed, but you can discern that LCG is no better than the least of them. This may make some angry, but you are known by your fruits. If you say LCG is doing more of a work than anyone else. Well that is shifting toward David Pack. Would you really go with RCG just because they start doing more of a work than LCG? Most would probably go with CoGWA if LCG fails. I would just say this. I have attended with CoGWA, and see they are clearly God’s people. They also fit the description, as an organization, of Laodicea, which even though they have desires to do more; their form of government will not permit what is required. Even some in their ministry understand this truth. I know what God says will happen to them, and I want to be a Philadelphian with all that God says to, and instructs, the Philadelphian era. Remember the definition of Philadelphia. Does God see it in us?

 

James Scarborough

While I do not believe that any should consider that David Pack is God's apostle or that RCG can be a legitimate option, I agree that COGWA has clearly demonstrated, at best, a lukewarm approach to public proclamation of the gospel. I do not agree that Christians should in any way venerate crosses and have written against them (What Did the Early Church Teach About Idols and Icons?) as well as the Falling Away matter (The Falling Away: The Bible and WCG Teachings. Here is a related link in Spanish/español: La Apostasía: Enseñanzas de la Biblia y de la WCG).

04/06/13 p.m. At his Facebook page, Thomas Baca II posted the following today:

I know many of you will hear about me being declared an "enemy of the Church" which is NOT true... I've already been declared an "enemy of the Catholic Church" by my family many years ago... yet, I am actually an enemy of nobody except the evil one!

I LOVE God's people, I do discuss biblical topics and issues, and if something is not 100 % according to God's word—I will say so... how horrible of me! I know LOTS of things that I could say, but I do NOT make it a habit of giving specifics about those things that I know... I just don't! I will NOT attack anyone, nor have I personally attacked anymore publicly already—I have been attacked myself though, by MANY for YEARS, and could have filed slander lawsuits against individuals... I never did, and I never will either—God says that we should NOT take our brethren to court, and that is why I forgave and forgot those incidents... even though I had many witnesses that would have testified in MY favor!

I do understand if many of you, not knowing ALL the details or facts, do decide to unfriend me or block me—I will not be upset with any of you... I love you all, and I know that you will probably do as you're instructed. PLEASE do as you feel is best, that is what God would want you to do. I will be vindicated in time, I will trust in the God of Israel, He is my shield... so, I have total peace in this matter.

Again, I love you all brethren... see you down the road :)

In Christian faith and love,
Thomas Baca II

Thomas Baca used to work in the video department for the Living Church of God in Charlotte, NC.

04/01/13 p.m. RCG's David Pack and LCG's Roderick C. Meredith both posted some letters:

This is the SEVENTH in a series of special weekly announcements that appear every Friday. They collectively unveil the massive, ongoing expansion that God’s Church, Work and Headquarters are experiencing. There is a reason for this expansion! The reader should contrast these Friday announcements to the increasing bad news and bad events in UCG, LCG, PCG, COGwa and ALL splinters and slivers of the Worldwide Church of God. You must see what they are NOT announcing, and why they never will—and what GOD is bringing upon them. (Pack D. 3/29/13)

My friends, this is the Work of Almighty God at the end of an age. We really do “tell it like it is.” And we really do understand biblical prophecy and are constantly proclaiming the truth about what lies just ahead for your very life...

We have recently had to drop one or two of our better television outlets for financial reasons. We are already “tightening” our belts in a number of ways. As one who has tried to give my life in Christ’s service for nearly 61 years—full-time—I ask you to join me and other servants in going “above and beyond” in supporting God’s Work at this critical time. Please do not let me down. Please do not let God down. We look forward prayerfully for your loyal response soon. (Meredith RC. Co-worker letter, 3/18/13)                    

I do not believe that RCG is the organization that God can use as Philadelphian nor do I believe that LCG is truly willing to “tell it like it is.” If so, Dr. Meredith would have told the truth about me and been bolder in proclaming various matters. Some will prefer to believe the misinformation from David Pack and some from LCG (LCG's is less obvious to many, which is part of why many keep accepting it).

LCG has had financial concerns ever since God orchestrated events that had me leave it. But, whether it gets more money or not, without massive repentance and change LCG is not the group that God is using to lead His work.

04/01/13 a.m. The Continuing Church of God has reached many since it began on radio and on the internet.

Here are statistics for the past three months for the www.cogwriter.com website only:

Month Unique visitors Number of visits Pages Hits Bandwidth
Jan 2013 100,403 173,010 353,889 1,532,964 36.71 GB
Feb 2013 124,552 183,588 400,212 1,616,512 38.42 GB
Mar 2013 126,902 201,899 401,693 1,689,421 39.94 GB

These statistics are up significantly from the prior year. Note: "Pages" refer to individual web addresses/articles, and some of them are up to 100 printed pages long.

We on the internet, of course, also have www.ccog.org, Bible News Prophecy channel, and ContinuingCOG channel--all of which are new.  50,000 YouTube views happened in our first three months of existence. God seems to have greatly blessed the reach of the Continuing Church of God.

Those who suggested that the Continuing Church of God would not have major impact were in error. Additionally, there were six radio interviews, and another is scheduled for this week. According to the hosts of those programs, we have reached millions on the radio. Those who are serious about fulfilling Matthew 24:14 should truly support the Continuing Church of God.

Click here for the previous news of those once affiliated with GCG

COGwriter, 2013