5:42
Radson Mulozowa speaking in Malawi
This is a message in the Chichewa language from CCOG Pastor Radson Mulozowa given on the Sabbath of December 9, 2023 in Malawi.
Since the November 1998 takeover of the old GCG by the board in the U.S., those once with GCG went to many places. Most of the members and 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), Harold Smith's Church of God Fellowship, Northwest (CGFnw), the Continuing Church of God (CCOG), 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 then 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 died and that group disbanded. Don Haney, once in GCG/LCG, formed the Church of God In Peace and Truth, renamed Congregation of God in Peach and Truth--which looks to be legally inactive. In 2005, Ben Faulkner, who was in GCG/LCG, formed the Church of the Sovereign God (CotSG). In 2006, Charles Bryce who was in GCG/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/Shepherd's Voice), left GCG well before the 1998 takeover (he has 'Nashville Christian Media').. 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, accepted, and/or promoted 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 (CCOG). In 2013, Rod Reynolds left LCG and formed COG Messenger In August 2020, Sheldon Monson left LCG and was 'marked' by LCG on 8/19/20 and then on 9/05/20 he announced Church of God Assembly (CGA). In 2023, Terry Nelson (former GCG/LCG/CCOG) co-formed Hope of Israel Worldwide Church of God. The Continuing Church of God (CCOG) is the second largest group, in terms of members, of those groups whose leaders were once part of GCG (LCG is largest). This page reports on those groups that somehow once had ties to the old GCG.
12/30/23 a.m. Despite false claims from some associated with Hope of Israel, the Continuing Church of God did not lose whole nations in Africa in 2023, nor was its false November 18, 2023 claim that 3,000 in the CCOG in Malawi and Mozambique were going to leave the CCOG to join with Hope true (see 12/07/23 a.m. update on this page).
Instead, as reported it its Letter to the Brethren: December 28, 2023, the Continuing Church of God has 1,000 more congregants in more than it had a year ago--total of 9,000 worldwide. And that does not count a leader in Malawi assocaited with many large congregations who has asked to join with us that we are still checking out.
The Continuing Church of God has been, and still remains, the fastest growing x-WCG group in the 21st century. The Continuing Church of God has the fruits that Jesus pointed to (Matthew 7:15-20).
12/20/23 a.m. Aleksandar Sanislavljevic left the Hope of Israel (HOIWWCOG) group in Serbia. Someone forwarded me what he said about it (with me using "xxx" for the names of two in Serbia as their status is unclear):
I/We am/are all right. Slobodan and I separated of the HOIWWCOG. We are still waiting for the decision of xxx and xxx . I will send you 6 reasons why we have made that decision. ...
Reasons for leaving the congregation HOIWCOG:
1) During the sermon unnecessary mention a problems which happen inside the Ecclesia (during a several months). And digressions that are not related to the topic of the sermon.
2) Inadequate usage of a tithe.
3) Inadequate preparing for the God’s Feast (some of them in 2021/2022/2023.).
4) Allowing certain potential members to attend the Holy Assemblies, who do not keep the Sabbath as a day of rest for a long time. And result was that some of them had had inappropriate statements, which caused elder’s frustration. And that frustration had a negative impact on all baptized members in Serbia.
5) Elder’s laziness to maintain personal hygiene and his personal space. The excuse is that he has no time...
6) Immature behavior in public in some situations.
Prior to this loss, Hope of Israel only had seven or eight people in Serbia, including its elder there. So, it looks like it lost between 1/4 to 1/2 of membership in Serbia. HOIWWCOG also has been facing losses in Kenya, Malawi, and Mozambique according to reports that I have recently received. Aleksandar Sanislavljevic, Slobodan Balovic, one of those who I identified as "xxx" (I did not know the name of the other one), the elder in Serbia, and various others in HOIWWCOG have been in my regular prayers.
12/15/23 p.m. Former RCG (Restored Church of God) employee Marc Cebrian believes that RCG has either stopped paying its ministry or is about to drastically cut their pay. For more details, here is a link: Marc Cebrian reports that the Restored Church of God seems to expect to reduce pay or even stop paying its ministry.
12/15/23 a.m. Former RCG (Restored Church of God) employee Marc Cebrian posted the following:
The topic of New Moons is sure to be THE hot topic at RCG socials until Dave walks it back into the cardboard box tucked on that dusty high shelf in the garage. But, in the meantime, during Part 480, he had to squeeze past another reminder that Herbert W. Armstrong of The Worldwide Church of God was Not-Nearly-As-Usable-By-God-As-We-Used-To-Think. How could a man claiming to be an apostle during his lifetime die misunderstanding so many of the things he taught and still be considered an apostle?
Dave may want to chew on that one for a bit.
Part 480 – November 18, 2023
@ 1:09:38 Now, it's all this. It's the proverbial it’s just easy-peasy. It’s simplicity. We had a couple people quit the church, “I’m not gonna keep New Moons. Mr. Armstrong didn’t teach it.” Mr. Armstrong said it was optional.
Yet, Dave is making it mandatory due to “because I say so” theology.
@ 1:09:51 So, then maybe they shoulda just stayed and not kept New Moons. They’da been in bad shape, but still. But, no, the the the that the the they're not they're not gonna stay.
Since when is that an option in The Restored Church of God? Dave must not have been in the room for Eager Edward Winkfield’s New Moon Smilefest. There was no mention of compliance wiggle room for the more discerning members.
If some members fled the biblical corruption and prophetic insanity, that means not all of them are entirely asleep or spiritually destroyed yet. Maybe there is hope for more to wake up and walk out of the religious horror show in Wadsworth.
@ 1:09:59 Even though New Moons is mentioned. What’d I read? Twenty times in between Sabbaths and Holy Days. You’re to observe them. Forever.
Also, twenty times NOT commanded. Forever once the Kingdom gets here. God willing, I shall be observing New Moons when Jesus Christ returns. But not now.
@ 1:10:08 “No, Mr. Armstrong didn’t teach it.” Mr. Armstrong didn’t teach any of these Kingdoms. So, you know, let’s just get rid of ‘em.
Dave is accidentally on to something here. Usually, his mocking and misspeaks tend to be truthful when his declarations slide onto the false side of the reality partition.
Then, Dave projects what a dead man will say to him after he is resurrected to learn of the trashing his “not-really” protégé did to a majority of his doctrines.
@ 1:10:16 I’muh-nuh see him someday, and he would say to me, I know what he’d say ‘cause I spent so many hours talking about prophecy with him. More than any other man.
David C. Pack was not privy to Herbert W. Armstrong’s phone schedule. Dave has no idea who HWA spoke to when, how often, or for how long. This is a fantasy from the corrupted imagination of a sad little man who so desperately wants to be relevant to the legacy of The Worldwide Church of God. At the same time, he systematically dissolves their doctrines. He reduces his "Father in the Gospel" to a religious footnote who partially understood the Sabbath, Holy Days, tithing, interracial marriage, and a version of British Israelism.
RCG has many problems and issues and wrong teachings.
As far as new moons go, here is a link to an article about them: New Moons.
12/12/23 p.m. The following is the latest video uploaded to the CCOGAfrica channel:
5:42Radson Mulozowa speaking in Malawi
This is a message in the Chichewa language from CCOG Pastor Radson Mulozowa given on the Sabbath of December 9, 2023 in Malawi.
Here is a link to Radson speaking last Sabbath: Radson Mulozowa speaking in Malawi.
Even those who do not understand Chichewa will be able to notice that Radson Mulozowa is not bedridden and is able to move about as reported accurately in the 12/07/23 a.m. update here last week.
12/10/23 a.m. Former RCG (Restored Church of God) employee Marc Cebrian posted that David Pack said the following:
There's not a chance in the world Christmas will ever be kept again.
Of course, that will be wrong. Multiple millions will celebrate Christmas this month.
However, Christmas will cease to be observed after Jesus returns.
12/08/23 a.m. In its newsletter today, CEG had the following:
Europe Must Become a Superstate
The Telegraph wrote on December 1:
“The European Union should become a single megastate as it is not working in its current form, according to… Mario Draghi, who led the European Central Bank (ECB) and served as [Italy’s] prime minister during the pandemic… It made no sense, the former premier said, to have 27 separate national armed forces and 27 separate drug control agencies…
“Mr Draghi… has hopes of becoming the next president of the European Council, according to Italian media reports. ‘By expanding the European Union to 28 members [prior to Brexit] we made a colossal error: to think that it could work with the rules that were put in place when there were just 12 members,’ Mr Draghi said in a speech in Rome. For the EU to have a future in a multicentric world dominated by big powers such as the US and China, ‘it should become a state’, Mr Draghi said…
“The former prime minister compared the EU in its current state unfavourably with ancient Rome, lamenting that it had no common foreign policy or single army. He criticised the bloc for not being engaged enough in the Israel-Gaza crisis, saying ‘it needs to do more’… ‘The European market is too small,’ he said, adding that European companies often sell up or move to the US once they become successful.”
The comparison with ancient Rome is interesting; given the fact that the coming United States of Europe will be the tenth resurrection of the ancient Roman Empire.
The Record wrote on December 1:
“Charles Michel, the president of the European Council — the EU body that sets the bloc’s political direction — proposed on Thursday the creation of ‘a European cyber force … equipped with offensive capabilities’… Michel said: ‘I feel that the time has come to create a real union of defence, coupled with a true defence single market.’”
Up until now, Europe stated their forces should be used strictly for defensive purposes.
Yes, we will see Europe become more of a superstate. Europe also will become a military power under a leader called the Beast (Revelation 13:1-4). Europe's military destiny is also foretold in Daniel 11 which teaches Europe will have a "great army (vs. 25), conquer the USA (cf. vs. 39), have "many ships" (v. 40), and conquer a confederation of Isamically-dominated lands (vss. 40-43).
On that last point, however, CEG wrongly disagrees as it has insisted in its July 30, 2004 News Update, "the prophecy in Daniel 11:40 has ALREADY BEEN FULFILLED."
Fpor more related to Daniel 11:40, see the article: Is the Future King of the South Rising Up?
12/07/23 a.m. Yesterday, someone forwarded me the following from A. Veljic (formerly WCG/UCG/COGaic/CCOG) of Hope of Israel:
The Malawian government sources inform us that Mulozowa is a skeleton as(s) is eating him away. It is interesting to note the three ailments Mulozowa has been diagnosed with so far. Those are: tuberculoses, HIV (AIDS) and some kind of intestinal disease which causes his intestines to come out. Is such a sick person capable of traveling anywhere, let alone to a foreign country (Mozambique)? Radson Mulozowa is actually dying we learn from the Malawian government sources, but Bob Thiel has presented him as alive and kicking, and traveling around to stregthen CCOG.
After seeing that, I sent the above to Radson Mulozowa in an email late yesterday. Radson responded this morning by suggesting that we do a WhatsApp video call to see how he is doing.
Radson was outside when I called (hence he was not confined to bed as a dying man could be) and I saw him walking during much of the call. He does not look like a skeleton--he looks like he did when I saw him in person back in 2017.
I asked him about each of the three health matters that A. Veljic brought up.
Radson said that, yes, he had tuberculosis, but has been treated for it and is fine. I can confirm that his voice and breathing were fine, and that he did not cough once during our ten or fifteen minute call.
Radson also said that he did not have HIV nor is he having any problems with his digestion.
What brought all this up is that at the anti-COG Banned by HWA site, Terry Nelson (former LCG/CCOG) posted the following about me and the CCOG:
All his so called 3,000 members in Malawi are completely gone. Hope of Israel Worldwide Church of God has completely taken Malawi/ Radson Mulozowa is dying/
Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 10:20:00 AM PST
Related to that, I reported the following in the CCOG Letter to the Brethren: November 23, 2023:
Those statements are not true.
First of all, we did not just lose 3,000 people in Malawi. Just like the fact that we did NOT lose whole nations in Africa earlier in 2023 when some who chose not to be Philadelphian claimed that we did. Anyway, yes we still have people in Malawi.
Furthermore, another reason it is not true that the Hope of Israel “has completely taken Malawi,” is the fact that a leader of a large group in Malawi (who was never part of Hope of Israel) has asked to come back to the Continuing Church of God. And we heard from this contact well before as well as shortly after Terry Nelson made his post about taking over Malawi.
Unrelated to the internet claims, since September we have been planning to send evangelist Evans Ochieng to Malawi to check on several matters there, including to meet with the group leader who wants to be back with us.
In an email yesterday, Radson Mulozowa wrote:
My health is fine and I was in Mozambique today but what has remained is my knees joint are becoming weaker if I walk long distance but they have advised me to get a bicycle to ride everyday … but outsiders are not happy on how the work is going as God is opening up doors to be reached.
While we all “die daily” (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:31), Radson is indicating that Terry Nelson’s comment about him dying (which I sent to him) was not accurate.
That said, it is sad that many seem to like to pass on tales without caring if they are really true.
Notice that the Bible teaches against that:
15 … In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor. 16 You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people … (Leviticus 19:15-16)
20 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out;
And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.
21 As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire,
So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles,
And they go down into the inmost body. (Proverbs 26:20-22)Though disappointing, even many considering themselves to be Christians have been talebearers. All people should be careful about making accusations as well as passing on unproven accusations of others.
The Bible also warns:
2 You shall not follow a crowd to do evil (Exodus 23:2)
Yet, we have seen professing Christians do so by accepting and/or passing on various improper and unsubstantiated comments.
Furthermore, the Bible teaches:
15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. (Titus 1:15-16)
Sadly, there are some that were once with us (in the CCOG and/or old WCG) that seem to prefer to believe and promote gossip.
Jesus warned:
12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. (Matthew 24:12)
That prophesy was for our time and we have seen this. And, that not only includes those that have completely fallen away from the truth, but also those with a Laodicean attitude towards the Philadelphian-led work of Matthew 24:14 and other biblical commissions.
The last chapter of the last book of the Bible contains the following:
14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. (Revelation 22:14-15)
Many do not properly do His commandments, but prefer gossip and lies.
Jesus said:
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:10-12)
Many have said bad things about me and others in the CCOG that are not true.
A. Veljic's writing came in response to the above.
Yet, I reported exactly what Radson's email stated.
Also, let me add that Radson Mulozowa denied that we have had the massive losses of members in Malawi and mentioned to me today that one of the leaders that had left us for Hope of Israel has asked to come back to the CCOG. I told Radson to have that man send me his request in writing in order for us to possible reconsider him and those who went out with him.
A. Veljic and Terry Nelson remain in my prayers.
That said, for more of what is also going on with the CCOG, check out our Letter to the Brethren: December 7, 2023.
11/23/23 a.m. In its Letter to the Brethren: November 23, 2023, the Continuing Church of God reported that it has now had its English language booklet,The Gospel of the Kingdom of God, translated into over 1000 languages/dialects.
Now, since relatively few modern people know ancient Hebrew, Aramaic, AND Koine Greek, which are the languages that the Bible was written in, we need translations to understand the Bible.
But as people also need help understanding the Bible from the ministry (Acts 8:31-35; Romans 10:12-15; Ephesians 4:11-16), having booklets and other literature in multiple languages helps answer the question Philip asked someone reading the Bible:
30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me? ” (Acts 8:30-31)
Literature in various languages help guide those to better understanding.
The Bible shows that this ultimately results in followers from all over and in all languages:
8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:8-10)
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 7:9-11)
14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed. (Daniel 7:14).
Thus, it makes sense to get materials into whatever languages God will open up to us.
More on that can also be found in the article: Preaching the Gospel in Over 1000 Languages.
11/10/23 p.m. In its newsletter today, CEG had the following:
In the near future, a Third Temple will be built on the Temple Mount: Beginning with Chapter 40 of Ezekiel, the plans for what will become the Third Temple are carefully described; Zechariah 6:12-13 notes that the BRANCH (a reference to Jesus Christ) will inspire and guide the construction of the new Temple; Malachi 3:1 reveals that “the Lord” will return and come to the Temple; Paul writes of a future Temple of God being occupied by “the man of sin” (a designation of the “false prophet”—an influential religious personage) in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4; and Revelation 11:1-2 speaks of an existing Temple of God at the beginning of the work of the Two Witnesses.
The building of the Third Temple is one of the many things of prophecy which deal specifically with the Jewish People and which will lead up to the return of Jesus Christ.
CEG continues to push the idea that a massive 'third temple' is needed before Jesus returns. What is biblically required is that daily sacrifices are implemented and then stopped (cf. Daniel 9:27, 11:31, 12:11)--and that just requires an altar, which the Jews already have. While the Jews may build something else, no massive temple is needed. The Jews of the 21st century cannot possibly build 'the temple of God.' That is something all Christians should realize--yet CEG refuses to recognize that fact. More on the temple matter can be found in the article: Why is a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem Not Required?
11/06/23 a.m. On 11/02/23, LCG posted the following written by its Dr. Doug Winnail:
Watch World Events! Jesus told His disciples to watch for the fulfillment of Bible prophecies that indicate the coming end of the age and His imminent return (Matthew 24:36–44). Yet, these same scriptures indicate many will be shocked and surprised because they have not been told what to watch for! This is why God has given His Church “a more sure word of prophecy” so the Church can function as a watchman to proclaim the real significance of specific world events (2 Peter 1:19–20, KJV; Ezekiel 3:17–20).
Dr. Winnail would do well to tell those of LCG that he, Richard Ames, and the late Dr. Roderick C. Meredith, in multiple meetings with me, said that I was correct on a variety of prophetic matters that they also admitted that LCG was wrong about. To this date, despite Dr. Meredith promising to resolve this and correct LCG's errors by the end of January 2012, they still remain. LCG does NOT have the "sure word of prophecy" and unless its leaders repent of teaching prophetic errors and teach the truth on matters many of them realized, those in LCG will NOT possibly know when the Great Tribulation will start (to cite one example) until it is too late for most to flee. Details are in the article: LCG: What About the Living Church of God? Are there Doctrinal Differences with the Continuing Church of God?
I continue to pray for the leadership and others in LCG.
10/09/23 a.m. Hope of Israel's Terry Nelson (former LCG/CCOG) posted the following at the anti-COG Banned by HWA site:
Sadly Bob Thiel has deceived himself about his prophet status, as a real prophet of God would never have to keep the validation scheme continually being brought up.
- A real prophet of God would have signs and direct revelation from God and not have sketchy dreams as proof of his prophethood.
- A real prophet of God would never be so deceived on such a massive scale and be financially supporting evil false ministers and supporting abuses and covering up or turning a blind eye to reality.
- A real prophet of God would never use the excuse of saying I'm entitled to a salary, so the money I send to Africa is really my salary, so it really isn't God's money, it's my salary I'm entitled to receive.
As Jesus said many "are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God" (Matthew 22:29).
The Bible makes none of those statements disqualifying one as a real prophet of God (nor did I ever say that anything is not also God's money). Nor did Terry Nelson cite any scriptures when he made that post.
Anyway, let's deal with the three points from that "accuser of the brethren."
First one about prophets and dreams.
In the past, Terry Nelson did accept my report on dreams.
But now, he seems to have lost knowledge of that and related scriptures.
God said:
Hear now My words:
If there is a prophet among you,
I, the Lord, make Myself known to him in a vision;
I speak to him in a dream. (Numbers 12:6)
The Apostle Peter said:
17 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.
18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days;
And they shall prophesy. (Acts 2:17-18)
So, yes, the God of the Bible uses dreams to communicate to prophets and dreams were prophesied for the end times. And the CCOG has confirmed signs and prophecies--see also Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18?
Let me also add that in 2013 I wrote that Russia would end up with at least some territory then claimed by Ukraine, and also put out a video a couple of days before its 'Special Military Operation' into Ukraine (watch Russia, Ukraine, Babylonian Europe, and Prophecy). In 2013, 2014, and later, I warned about the risk of corona viruses prior to the COVID pandemic. Those were the most world affecting events since the CCOG formed and I wrote about them before they happened. I have also warned that a major regional conflict involving Israel would take place before the end (as recently as within the last week in a sermon titled: When Does the 6000 Years End? 2031? 2035?) and such will be the case.
Sadly, many "are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God" (Matthew 22:29). For more details on prophets, check out the article: Church of God Leaders on Prophets.
The second statement Terry Nelson posted is about the acceptance of massive deception.
The fact is that I have removed leaders from Kenya, Malawi, and Mozambique for corruption. Additionally, at least two of them who are now in the Hope of Israel signed a statement on September 4, 2022 that the allegations against CCOG minister Radson Mulozowa were false and that they would not make such allegations again. Their statement, along with the signature page, is shown on this page dated 09/23/23 p.m.
Jesus was also accused of being associated with corrupt ones (Luke 7:34). Furthermore, even if I missed any corruption, recall that Jesus wrote, "Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?" (John 6:70). Thus, by accepting the view of the post at Banned, one would have disqualified Jesus. Making errors in judgment does not disqualify prophets--if so, that would have also disqualified the Apostle Paul (see also How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God). And even ALL is Asia Minor turned away from Paul (2 Timothy 1:15)--but that did NOT disqualify the prophet and Apostle Paul.
Third point, neither my wife nor I take a salary from the CCOG--and we are lawfully and scripturally entitled to one. Instead, the funds that we would have taken basically go to Africa. This helps fulfill Romans 11:25 (see What About Romans 11:25 and the Full Number of the Gentiles?) as well as other scriptures. Remember, also, that Jesus warned: 'Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?' (Matthew 20:15). We should not be criticized because we have chosen to not accept a salary, but instead have chosen to support the poor and those with spritual needs in Africa.
Related to prophets, in a radio broadcast, the late Herbert W. Armstrong taught the following:
True prophet ... Watch and see if it {what he says} comes to pass--and you can know that man has been called {by God} to be a prophet. (Armstrong HW. Proof of a True Prophet. World Tomorrow Radio program. HA535B.MP3)
Events confirming what the prophet said by one called of God is part of the proof. And that is also consistent with Deuteronomy 18.
Notice something, now, that Herbert W. Armstrong wrote:
You may search the Bible from beginning to end. You'll find the true prophets, apostles, ministers of God put first emphasis on the right CAUSE, not the effect. They proclaim THE WAY that leads to peace, happiness, security, and finally, eternal life. In Bible language, this means that God's Word, and God's true prophets and ministers put first emphasis on God's LAW...God sends HIS prophets and ministers to proclaim the RIGHT WAY, to show people that they are going the WRONG WAY, to cause them to turn around and get back on the RIGHT WAY through Jesus Christ by God's free grace. (Armstrong HW. Personal from the Editor. Plain Truth, May 1966, pp. 2, 44-45)
True prophets of God most certainly do teach God's law and way of life--and I have and do (see our free online booklets: The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, Christianity, and the Beast and Christians: Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, Biblical instructions on living as a Christian).
A real prophet would also work to help fulfill Matthew 24:14, which is part of why we now have had our booklet, The Gospel of the Kingdom of God, translated into over 800 languages/dialects, with more on the way.
The CCOG has attempted to spend funds wisely and has been the fastest growing Church of God in the 21st century. The CCOG does have the fruits of a prophet.
Sadly, many have fallen for inuendo and other tactics of Satan throughout the church age. In the CCOG, "not ignorant of his devices" (2 Corinthians 2:11). Terry Nelson and many with him are in my prayers.
09/28/23 a.m. The Feast of Tabernacles begins at sunset tomorrow evening. Information about that festival can be found in the CCOG Letter to the Brethren: September 28, 2023.
Locations of sites around the world, along with links to some festival-related sermons, can be found at the following link: Feast of Tabernacles' Sites for 2023.
09/25/23 p.m. I noticed that the Banned by HWA site has speculated that when I wrote, "someone else there may have been arrested" in the preceding post, that supposedly I may have been referring to Radson Mulozowa of the Continuing Church of God. Here is some of what Banned posted:
Bob, you KNOW that it is not true. Yet you deflect trying to not tell the truth to your dwindling followers.
09/25/23 a.m. Apparently I misread something. I thought I read that Hope of Israel's Sasha Veljic reported that a cofounder of that organization, an accuser of the brethren named Terry Nelson, had been arrested--that apparently that was not the case. I apologize for my misunderstanding and post. It is my understanding that some in Malawi want to question Terry Nelson and someone else there may have been arrested.
Notice how deceitful Bob is here...
That person arrested was his very own minister! God forbid if Bob had to admit that publicly on his blog.
No, Radson Mulozowa was not arrested--even though Banned posted that he was. I was not being deceitful, yet various ones at Banned have been. The man I was referring to as possibly being arrested was/is a deacon in the Hope of Israel, who I was told is now out on bail.
While the police did question Radson Mulozowa last week, he was not arrested, but Radson said he did provide information to rebut various complaints others raised.
09/25/23 a.m. Apparently I misread something. I thought I read that Hope of Israel's Sasha Veljic reported that a cofounder of that organization, an accuser of the brethren named Terry Nelson, had been arrested--that apparently that was not the case. I apologize for my misunderstanding and post. It is my understanding that some in Malawi want to question Terry Nelson and someone else there may have been arrested.
09/23/23 p.m. Former RCG (Restored Church of God) employee Marc Cebrian posted that David Pack said the following in Part 468 of a sermon on September 9, 2023:
Our income is down because of the horrific policies that are in place in the world today. Inflation is ravaging a lotta pocketbooks in the church. Yours. ... But it's ravaging the church's pocketbook, as well. Banks are nervous. The little banks are struggling. It’s a challenge to keep rolling.
As long-time readers of this page are aware, I have long expected RCG to have major financial problems and to one day implode. Partially, that is based on the following that the APostle Peter wrote:
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 has long used "covetous words." Hopefully, more in RCG will wake up.
09/23/23 p.m. The Banned By HWA site has a post from Terry Nelson with a picture showing that John Machemba is with his 'Hope of Israel' church. Related to that, Terry Nelson wrote:
I just you a Video on my Recent trip to Malawi to uncover Deep corruption in the Continuing Church of God. When Evans Ocheing went there on his trip in Early August 2023 he made claims in Dr. Thiels Letter to the Brethren that John Machemba our Deacon in Mwanza Congregation joined back with CCOG, ... Sadly Dr. Thiel believes everything that Evans Ocheing and Radson Mulozowa tell him, all I can say now is this is the End of CCOG in Africa as Dr. Thiel will have to accept the truth on many things that Aleksandar Veljic, and I have to told him over the past 18 months ...
I mean Thiel even believed Radson's lie that I was trying to impersonate him down in Malawi, he even published that in his Letter to the Brethren 2 weeks ago. Now you can see how Deceived. and Gullible he is when he claims to be a Prophet of God. I think not. Terry A.Nelson. Cry aloud spare not
It is sad that Terry Nelson is writing and passing on such nonsense.
First of all, here is ALL I made public in the Letter to the Brethren in August about John Machemba from Evans Ochieng:
MACHEMBA
After visiting Sabandere and discussed with him, we all move to meet Machemba and his people. Since it was late because we took much time with Sabandere. We visited Machemba late when it was growing dark. We couldn’t manage to meet all people who are Keeping sabbath with him. …
(Here is a link to the Letter to the Brethren: August 3, 2023.)
I did not trust John Machemba and never said he was a deacon back with us like Terry Nelson claimed. I only reported that part of Evans' report which showed that he met with him. I was unwilling to post that John Machema was back with us as neither I nor Evans Ochieng were convinced.
For additional proof, secondly, here is the part of Evans' letter that I did not include in the Letter to the Brethren: August 3, 2023:
But what I want to say, after a long discussion with machemba I noticed that the group of machemba are not fully in CCOG except machemba and few people. He told us something which is very funny that part of the congregation is with CCOG and part of it are not with CCOG. And yet they are keeping Sabbath at one place. I didn't trusted these words from machemba because there is no way how the believers and non believers can keep Sabbath at one hall at the same time and yet they don't believe on one thing. So pastor I didn't trust machemba and his words, so I told pastor Radson Molozwa to go back in Malawi after we made all trips to revisit machemba again and talk with him. Even though from his mouth, he was saying that he is in CCOG but me personally I didn't trust him fully.
So, no, we were not naive and falsely trusting. We had our doubts, hence we did not claim John Machemba was back with us as Terry Nelson posted.
Thirdly, I did investigate claims againt Radson Mulozowa with people in Africa. Related to one of those times, I received the following statement and following signature page (which has John Machemba's signaturue):
When I presented that to Terry Nelson last year, he told me that John Machemba had set him up.
Now, he apparently claims John Machemba is with him.
Fourth, I never wrote that Terry Nelson said he impersonated me. I presume he is referring to something I wrote in the Letter to the Brethren: September 14, 2023, but he seems to have not read that carefully enough.
Fifth, it is false to claim that this is the END of the Continuing Church of God in Africa--Terry, by the way, has made similar claims over the past 5- 7 months (plus had other assertions in 2022 that were in error related to Africa). The fact is that I communicate with various ones in African countries on a regular basis and we have over 7,000 there that say they are with us. The Continuing Church of God remains the fastest growing xWCG group in the 21st century.
Sixth, as far as complaining about true prophets goes, like Terry Nelson has again done, Jesus said:
11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12)
It is sad that Terry Nelson has misled people and tried to say all kinds of evil against me and others (including his claims of being influenced by witch doctors, which he said before). But there are people who believe and love lies--and should repent (cf. Revelation 22:14-15). Terry Nelson and the naysayers at Banned remain in my prayers.
09/21/23 a.m. In its Letter to the Brethren: September 21, 2023, the Continuing Church of God had the following:
This week we received twenty-seven more translations of our English language booklet The Gospel of the Kingdom of God. We have received over 700 translations and the number continues to rise almost every week. Let us all rejoice (cf. Romans 15:10) in that and not be “weary in well doing” (2 Thessalonians 3:13) as we continue to take steps to prepare for the short work (Romans 9:28; see Preparing for the ‘Short Work’ and The Famine of the Word) as well as to assist with the fulfillment of various prophecies such as are shown in Matthew 24:14 and Revelation 7:9. Throughout the entire church age (which began at Pentecost in Acts 2 and which ends after Jesus returns with the seventh and last trumpet), no Church of God group has ever translated information on the good news of the Kingdom of God in anything close to the number of languages and dialects that we in the Continuing Church of God have had done.
Matthew 24:14 will be fulfilled, and yes, that prophesy, specifically along with Revelation 7:9, points to the use of multiple languages.
Yes, we in the CCOG continue to take bold steps related to the The Final Phase of the Work, which includes reaching Gentiles (see also What About Romans 11:25 and the Full Number of the Gentiles?) in multiple languages.
09/09/23 p.m. Former RCG (Restored Church of God) employee Marc Cebrian posted the following at the anti-COG Banned by HWA website:
Everything has a reasonable and natural limit. Brethren of The Restored Church of God, if you believe the words of David C. Pack and remain in that abominable pit of heresy, you are running out of excuses. May God have mercy on you.
For over fifty years, brethren have been mistakenly thinking they were reading about Jesus Christ throughout their Bible. During “The Greatest Untold Story! (Part 465),” David C. Pack corrected that error. We were actually reading about him.
In 2005, David C. Pack made himself an apostle.
In 2009, David C. Pack made himself Joshua the High Priest.
In January 2015, David C. Pack made himself Elijah the Prophet.
In December 2015, David C. Pack made himself That Prophet.
In 2023, David C. Pack has declared himself the Branch.
David Pack is not God's apostle, Joshua the high priest, Elijah, that Prophet, or the Branch. I also tend to doubt his conversion.
09/09/23 p.m. Last Sabbath, YouTube censored and removed one of our videos as "inappropriate" (see YouTube censors and removes ‘New Transgender Study’ as the ‘Censorship Industrial Complex’ expands). Yesterday, I decided to write a short appeal. I said that I did not believe that a scientist referring to a scientific study or a Christian quoting scriptures was inappropriate. Shockingly, YouTube seems to have agreed as they reinstated the video.
While we continue to see more and more censorship, Jesus said:
4 I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. (John 9:4)
And while some COG groups overly “keep silent,” hence pull-punches in proclamation, the reality is that the work will be done and it will trigger persecution.
While we can, we are to:
1 Cry aloud, spare not;
Lift up your voice like a trumpet;
Tell My people their transgression,
And the house of Jacob their sins. (Isaiah 58:1
So, yes, we do take some risks that Big Tech and others do not like, but we must do the work that God wants us to do.
08/18/23 a.m. Noticed the following at the COG Messenger site today:
In the United States financial donations by an individual to churches and certain other organizations are tax-deductible to the extent that the aggregate of such contributions does not exceed 50 percent of the taxpayer’s contribution base (adjusted gross income) for the taxable year (26 USC 170).
Section 508(c) of the Internal Revenue Code provides that churches are not required to apply for recognition of Section 501(c)(3) status in order to be exempt from federal taxation or to receive tax deductible contributions. Churches are automatically exempt from Federal income tax, in accordance with the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States. “Congress shall make no law regarding an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” (U.S. Constitution, First Amendment). Contributions to churches are deductible by donors under 26 USC 170.
COG Messenger is correct on both of those points.
The following are related to not needing to be 501(c)(3) registered and some of the benefits for not doing so:
501(c)(3)? Why the Continuing Church of God chose a better option Churches in the USA do NOT have to register as 501(c)(3). Why would they? Why is what CCOG did better?
A sermon of related interest is titled: CCOG, a corporation sole, not a 501(c)(3).
08/04/23 a.m. Former RCG (Restored Church of God) employee Marc Cebrian posted the following at the anti-COG Banned by HWA website related to statements made in June and then last week by David Pack:
@ 10:16 But anybody who has Common out there, we want to hit it.
@ 10:42 But I would just ask…all of you listening…Can you do more? Sell all…this is a great time to be thinking about that. (Pack D. Part 451, Part 2 – June 14, 2023)
@ 1:34:23 …one of the problems is, we’ve got two months to go. What is that? Conditions will worsen. The implications of how God uses the next two months are great. Just trust me on that. I may have big decisions to make, or they may be made for me.
@ 1:38:00 But, I still wondered, you know, if that's what God wanted to do, then we were gonna be ready to do it.
@ 1:38:06 We were not gonna continue as we are. So, I began to make major cuts. I announced, for instance (and believe it, this is just the first one), but I think the cuts start with me, so I already had in mind long before I knew this, my wife was gonna step aside, and I'm gonna give up her salary. But I’ma take a ten percent cut. I was planning to stay here for the Feast. Mr. Schleifer knows this. I wasn't gonna travel. The price of renting an airplane is an abomination, and I won’t do it again.
@1:38:42 And I’ll give up half my secretary.
@ 1:38:44 And then I realized if I do that, I been preachin', and then I could look at the other ministers and start meddlin’. [Laughs] 'Cause that's preachin’. Long as I’m makin’ the cuts. But, after that, it’s time to meddle. And [laughs] have fun. There's some men nervously laughing right now out there. [Laughs] So hoping the Kingdom comes.
@ 1:39:13 But, there’d be other cuts. More much streamlining. Cuts of various kinds. Fairly dramatic, and it would put us in a powerful position IF God did not add (we'll call it) an accelerant. (Pack D. Sermon, Part 461 – July 29, 2023)
David Pack has long been highly covetous of money he is not entitled to. His term "common" basically means he wants members of RCG to liquidate any assets they can and send the funds to him.
For over a decade, I have written that the following was applicable to RCG:
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)
Furthermore, as long-term readers of this page are aware, I have long expected RCG to have serious financial problems. So, it looks like some are now becoming apparent. Anyway, yes, RCG will have even more serious financial problems.
07/05/23/ p.m.Yesterday, I noticed that Gary Leonard, webmaster at the anti-Church of God Banned by HWA site, posted the following:
If we thought things could not get any worse for Bob Thiel in Africa, they just did:
Well Folks it’s finally official with the Malawian Government getting involved. Bob Thiel’s Continuing Church of Witch Doctors, Whoopie, and Whackjobs has finally been revealed to be just that a Bogus Church of God that is Totally corrupt with Evil and Demonology.
Amos Magombo, Radsons Right Hand Man in Migowi Center And CCOG Member was caught Red Handed, digging up Dead infant Twins and Cutting off the Genitals to use in Radsons Witch Doctor Rituals. So far the Man is held in Mulanje Prison, awaiting trial and of course Radson Mulozowa has been trying to cover this up.
Radson Mulozowa’s witch doctor madness is finally catching up to him …
As usual, various of the commentators at the Banned site chimed in about this and some asserted this information about the CCOG was true.
But it is not.
First of all, Amos Magombo is not now, nor ever was, pastor Radson Mulozowa’s “right hand man.” Amos Magombo left the CCOG after I put out a leader in 2017 who had moral deficiencies in Malawi. Amos Magombo did not care for Radson and went towards the one I had put out. Though Amos Magombo asked to come with the CCOG later, he was not allowed back as a member. The arrested Amos Magombo was not an actual member of the CCOG.
Secondly, there is no proof of a connection of Radson to witch doctors. The video “proof” someone sent me last year did not show Radson in it. Also, let me add that I have seen no proof that Radson is covering this up.
Thirdly, consider that the post at the Banned site also had a tweet that was translated as follows:
Translation:Police in Phalombe have arrested two men considering that they have been found with human organs after entering the cemetery and digging up the bodies of the children twins. The spokesman for the police in the state, Jimmy Kapanja He said the two are Charles Katunga, 50 years old, from the village of Mgona and Amos Magombo, 63 years old, from Njaya village from the area of the great king Kaduya in this state. Kapanja said the police arrested the men on the 21st June 2023 at the Migowi shopping center, the merchant won’t listen to that they sell the parts. (by Ronnex Chiwanda-Phalombe: 06/22/23)
So, according to the post, those arrested (which did not involve Radson) were trying to sell body parts. They were not providing them to Radson Mulozowa for witch doctor purposes. Let me add that I did ask Radson about Charles Katunga yesterday as I did not know who he was. Charles Katunga and Amos Magombo were NOT CCOG ministers, despite a later post from Gary Leonard that asserted they were "ordained ministers." The CCOG never ordained them, nor did we consider them to be ministers.
Radson responded to that he did not know Charles Katunga, but would try to investigate. Anyway, the translation at the Banned site, that Gary Leonard posted, clearly contradicted his claim that the two arrested were digging up body parts for Radson to use for witch doctor purposes. Apparently he, and various others at the Banned site, did not see that obvious error.
So, the truth is that two people in Malawi were arrested for grave robbing and apparently trying to sell body parts at a shopping center. They were not ordained CCOG ministers, though Banned asserted that they were. There was nothing in the translated arrest report that mentioned or alluded to the CCOG nor pastor Radson Mulozowa--despite Banned's webmaster making more than one post that asserted the two arrested were CCOG ministers.
The last chapter of the last book of the Bible contains the following:
14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. (Revelation 22:14-15)
Sadly, many do not do His commandments, but prefer gossip and lies.
Jesus said:
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:10-12)
Many have said bad things about me and others in the CCOG that are not true.
Also, understand that the Philadelphian portion of the Church of God (Revelation 3:7-13) cannot be destroyed (cf. Matthew 16:18, 28:19-20). The reality is that the true church has long been “spoke against everywhere” (Acts 28:22).
As far as the CCOG position about witch doctors, see the article: Can Christians Actually be Cursed By Witches or Witch Doctors? and/or watch the video: Can Witch Doctors Cast Spells on Christians?
06/24/23 a.m. Former RCG (Restored Church of God) employee Marc Cebrian posted the following at the anti-COG Banned by HWA website related to statements made this month by David Pack:
Pre-Conference Part 447 – June 6, 2023
@ 2:02:42 Now, the fact that He’s revealing this to me, I have to be a prophet…I have to be Elijah now.
Part 450 Part 1 – June 13, 2023
@ 20:56 Nobody could ever convince me the Father doesn’t come on Av 1 [July 18 at sunset].
Part 450 Part 2 – June 13, 2023
@ 10:56 You could never ever ever move me from believing the Kingdom of God is not Av 1.
David Pack is a false prophet and will be proven false again by July 19, 2023 as that prediction cannot possibly come to pass.
06/23/23 a.m. Someone in a group calling itself the Hope of Israel Worldwide Church of God posted at an anti-COG that the following from the CCOG Letter to the Brethren: June 15, 2023 was not true and that John Machemba did not come back to the CCOG:
Pastor Dr Bob,
Greetings from Kenya.I was on fasting for some days so I delayed not to send the report as I promised. Today I was in my tomatoes garden from morning to evening. The work in Kenya has expanded that needs a lot of care. I was on fasting for the four days and praying. I can’t explain how much the work is growing not only in Kenya but Africa at large. ...
I’ve received good reports from Rwanda, Congo, Malawi and Mozambique. I sent Molozwa to go and meet with Machemba who had been calling me and wanted to come back to the Church after he rejected the rubbish in Hope of Israel worldwide church of God. He decided to come back to the church. Radson Molozwa gave me a report that their discussion went very well and Machemba is back to CCOG.This week Molozwa has been visiting congregations in Malawi. Today he was in Cheleka. ...
Evans
Anyway, this morning, I was forwarded an email that John Machemba sent:
From: John Machemba <johnmachemba55@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Jun 23, 2023, 8:38 AM
Subject: To back to the ccog
To: <cogwriter@aol.com>
How are you?
Take my greetings in the name of our Lord juses Christ. Here we discussed {our decisions} to come back to ccog ... please forgive us for everything so answer us to see what we can do thank you very much God bless you
So, yes, John Machemba and many with him rejected the pitch from Hope of Israel. Let me also add that the false accuser from the Hope of Israel again appealed to his beliefs about the power and influence of witchdoctors. It was because of his accusations about that before that motivated us in the CCOG to put out the following video: Can Witch Doctors Cast Spells on Christians?
It is sad that some who claim to be COG seem bent on destruction and spreading false gossip.
06/20/23 a.m. Former RCG (Restored Church of God) employee Marc Cebrian posted the following at the anti-COG Banned by HWA website related to David Pack:
Tammuz 1—June 20, 2023
The biggest news is that there is blood in the water in Wadsworth.
Layoffs have come to Headquarters
of The Restored Church of God.
This announcement seemed to come out of nowhere for no apparent reason, yet Dave’s financial concerns were hinted at on Day Three when he discussed world news. ...he leaned into his financial sweats by announcing six layoffs at Headquarters.
Part 451, Part 2 – June 14, 2023
@ 06:15 So, we reached a point where we realized we're gonna send some people to the field…we're doing everything we can to cut costs.
Things are going poorly enough across from Giant Eagle that they need to remove salaries from the payroll.
As long-term readers of this page are aware, I have long expected RCG to have serious financial problems. So, it looks like some are now becoming apparent. RCG will have even more serious financial problems.
06/14/23 a.m. The final phase of the work includes reaching all we can with the good news of the kingdom of God to the world as a witness–which will also bear fruit. That includes making the gospel of kingdom known in many languages.
Jesus said:
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)
29 They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. (Luke 13:29)
Those scriptures support the view that multiple languages being used to reach people before Jesus returns–and that is also specifically pointed to in Revelation 7:9,14:
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, … These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, (Revelation 7:9,14)
Yes, the Bible points to the use of multiple languages being used to reach people before Jesus returns.
While we had the English version of The Gospel of the Kingdom of God booklet translated into a couple of hundred languages in the past, we still want to reach more people in as many languages as we can.
Late yesterday, the Continuing Church of God received 34 additional translations of its English booklet, The Gospel of the Kingdom of God. While all of those are not online yet, this brings the total to an additional 182 languages the Continuing Church of God received in the last six weeks!
The CCOG is serious about fulfilling Matthew 24:14 as it prepares for the short work of Romans 9:28 (see also Preparing for the 'Short Work' and The Famine of the Word). Having made information on The Gospel of the Kingdom of God in more languages than any Church of God has done throughout the entire church age is another step that shows it is going through the "open doors" (cf. Revelation 3:7-13) to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom to the world as a witness.
06/08/23 p.m. Former RCG (Restored Church of God) employee Marc Cebrian posted the following at the anti-COG Banned by HWA website related to David Pack:
Elijah the Prophet has reemerged from his “maybe, maybe not” tomb this week.
Pastor General David C. Pack of The Restored Church of God returned to being Elijah the Prophet during “The Greatest Unending Story! (Part 447)” on June 6, 2023.
No, David Pack is not the Elijah to come. He is a proven false prophet. Plus, David Pack has not restored the types of things the final Elijah will have been involved in.
Some items of related interest may include:
The Elijah Heresies Does the Bible teach that there will be a future Elijah? Must it be Herbert W. Armstrong? Three related sermons are available Elijah: Prophecies and Heresies, Elijah, Herbert W. Armstrong, and CCOG, and 21st Century Elijah.
Continuing Church of God, Elijah, and Restoring All Things Have all things been restored? Is there restoration going on? Is there supposed to be a 21st century Elijah? Here is are links to two related sermons: 21st Century Elijah and CCOG: Restoring All Things. Here is a link to a related sermon in the Spanish language: La restauracion de todas las cosa.
05/28/23 p.m. Former RCG (Restored Church of God) employee Marc Cebrian posted the following of his comments and excerpts at the anti-COG Banned by HWA website related to another of David Pack's wrong predictions (David Pack's statements begin with "I mean):
Pentecost 2023 has fully come, and nobody was awakened by the Elijahn bedroom voice of David C. Pack ...
The Pastor General of The Restored Church of God proved his methodology is more “error and error," leaving the trial element for those who still attend his flat-growth operation.
Part 445 – May 24, 2023@ 1:15:23 I mean, if it’s not Pentecost, it’s gonna take a better person than I to ever be able to explain it. It’s just above my pay grade.
Prophecy Update – Friday, May 26, 2023
A final note came to be helpful. As you can imagine, with each passing day more is learned. I can scarcely tell you how much more we have learned in the 48 hours since the last part. In fact, there is powerful evidence the acceptable year actually ends on a Pentecost (so much more could be said here, but you actually know some of it). Pentecosts are never exactly one year apart, and God says the first period is a year. And realize that in no case is a year ever 390 days. I closed on Wednesday saying, “God either plans Pentecost or near it. But does the Bible permit near,”—then adding a few seconds later, “How long will I wait? Forever.” The case for a delay beyond Pentecost is there, but it cannot be long. I so wish we could know what God means in Hab. 2:3
regarding the moad referenced—“though it tarry, wait for it.” It is impossible for Pentecost itself to tarry. But waiting a period beyond it gives the verse some sense. Remember, we’re waiting for a “thief” event. One viable instance has us waiting exactly one more day, and another one two more days. Both cannot be right. To list more possible just near-term scenarios (there are plenty) when we don’t know which (if any) is right is a waste of time. If more should be said, I will. Otherwise, let’s wait it out!
In Christ’s service,
David C. Pack
David Pack has never understood Habakkuk 2 and, since I consider him apostate, almost all matters related to predictions are "above" his "pay grade."
05/27/23 p.m. Pentecost is tomorrow (which begins after sunset tonight). Here is a link to a sermon I did today: Let's Talk About Pentecost.
05/18/23 a.m. LCG reported the following:
This has been an exciting and enlightening week for those of us on the Council of Elders. Nineteen of the 20 members were able to meet in person, and Mr. Robert Tyler participated online from Australia, despite the significant time difference. ... Our experiences down through the years have been different and our gifts from God are different, just as Paul explained in 1 Corinthians 12. A highlight of the meetings was the ordination to evangelist of Messrs. Peter Nathan, Jonathan McNair, Rod McNair, and Wallace Smith. Another highlight was presenting to Peter and Karen Nathan a crystal eagle in recognition of their fifty years of service in the ministry. We pray all will return home safely and energized to pass along news of the Work.—Gerald Weston
Council of Elders: Mr. Gerald Weston, Mr. Richard Ames, Mr. Steven Elliott, Dr. Jeffrey Fall, Mr. Lambert Greer, Mr. Daniel Hall, Mr. Mario Hernandez, Mr. Jonathan McNair, Mr. Rod McNair, Mr. Rand Millich, Mr. Peter Nathan, Mr. Paul Shumway, Mr. Wallace Smith, Mr. Rick Stafford, Mr. John Strain, Mr. Rob Tyler, Mr. Stuart Wachowicz, Mr. Dexter Wakefield, Mr. Adam West, Dr. Douglas Winnail
So, several in LCG have been elevated.
Gerald Weston pointed to 1 Corinthians 12 which teaches:
7. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the benefit of all. 8. For to one, a word of wisdom is given by the Spirit; and to another, a word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9. And to a different one, faith by the same Spirit; and to another, gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10. And to another, the working of miracles; and to another, prophecy; and to another, discerning of spirits; and to a different one, various languages; and to another, the interpretation of languages. 11. But the one and the same Spirit is operating in all these things, dividing separately to each one as God Himself desires. (1 Corinthians 12:7-11, A Faithful Version)
LCG does not accept that God has given the gift of prophecy as it does not accept prophets--see What About the Living Church of God? Are there Doctrinal Differences with the Continuing Church of God?, despite its founder who said that God might consider Bob Thiel to be a prophet (see also Church of God Leaders on Prophets). As far as gifts prophesied to exist now, check out the article: Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18?
05/05/23 p.m. In its newsletter today, CEG had the following:
The Challenge of the BRICS Countries
Deutsche Welle wrote on April 10:
“… the BRICS nations — Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa — are setting themselves up as an alternative to existing international financial and political forums… South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor has said worldwide interest in the BRICS group was ‘huge.’ [She said] she had 12 letters from interested countries on her desk. ‘Saudi Arabia is one,’ she said. ‘United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Algeria, and Argentina,’ as well as Mexico and Nigeria… [Subsequently, it was reported that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt and Algeria have formally requested to join the BRICS alliance; and that Iran has also shown interest in joining].
“Since the start of the Russian war in Ukraine, the BRICS countries have only distanced themselves further from the so-called West. Neither India, Brazil, South Africa or China are taking part in sanctions against Russia. This has become increasingly clear with near-historic levels of trade between India and Russia, or in Brazil’s dependence on Russian fertilizer.”
Watcher Guru added on April 28 that the BRICS countries are moving “to replace the US dollar with a new currency of global stage to settle international trade”; and that they are a challenge to the G7 countries (the US, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, the UK and Japan).
Yes, the BRICS nations want to replace the US dollar and more and more nations have asked to join the BRICS alliance (see ‘Brazil’s Lula supports trading currency for BRICS countries’ & ‘Nineteen countries expressed an interest in joining the BRICS’).
For more on these nations in prophecies, see also our free online book: Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about Africa, Asia, South America, and the Islands?
04/28/23 p.m. Some who once were part of the old WCG and then other groups (including LCG and CCOG) have oddly been trying to tell people that witch doctors can cast spells to deceive Christians. This is in biblical error--see Can Christians Actually be Cursed By Witches or Witch Doctors? You can also watch a related video: Can Witch Doctors Cast Spells on Christians?
04/06/23 a.m. Former RCG (Restored Church of God) employee Marc Cebrian posted the following comments and excerpts at the anti-COG Banned by HWA website related to another of David Pack's wrong predictions:
"The Greatest Unending Story! (Part 432)," Dave was adamant he knew the day and hour for the arrival of the Kingdom of Dave.
Part 432 – April 1, 2023
@ 29:39 What an amazing thing that all mankind will awaken into the Night To Be Much Observed [April 5].
@ 35:46 …we expect Christ sometime before sundown Jerusalem time on Wednesday. Because He can’t come to us at the start of the Night To Be Much Observed, which is (literally) 12:01 our time here…Just think, right at noon is seven o’clock sundown in Jerusalem. Noon here. Just here…He has to come to us before that. He says He does. So, sometime before noon Wednesday…is the time this has to happen.
All that repetition sounds very specific and sure. ...
Prophecy Update
April 4, 2023
We still cannot discern the precise hour. Don’t be discouraged. Wait for it!
There is a near infinite array of when and how this one week exactly sits. It will not come and go as it does in the life of every Christian. ...
The important thing is that we take the Passover symbols with the solemnity it commands, “showing the Lord’s death till He come” some time afterwards. Also, on a round earth, some of you will undoubtedly keep the Night to be Much Observed, and others will not get to it.
David C. Pack
Well, we observed the Night to Be Observed last evening in Grover Beach, California, which is one of the later places on the planet it could be observed because of its far western location. Jesus did not go to Wadsworth, Ohio last evening as David Pack taught. David Pack has repeatedly proven to be false. Relatively soon, his church will implode.
03/28/23 p.m. Various ones have been posting videos and other anti-CCOG materials online. Recently, I dealt with the related matters in the sermon: Hierarchical Governance and Corruption.
Beyond that, here is something from the Apostle Paul to consider:
15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. (Titus 1:15-16)
There are many false witnesses (cf. Matthew 26:60) and there are lot of people who seem to prefer gossip to accepting facts (cf. Proverbs 26:16,22).
03/19/23 a.m. In 1979, a number of disgruntled Worldwide Church of God members filed complaints with the State of California alleging financial corruption in the WCG. They persuaded the State of California to impose a receivership governance on the WCG until Herbert W. Armstrong got the California Second Court of Appeals to overturn this in 1980.
Although, as he admitted, in his earliest writings he was confused about the subject of proper church governance, over time, Herbert W. Armstrong believed that proper church governance was one of the 18 truths that God restored to the Philadelphia portion of the Church of God through him. He considered this a fundamental, trunk of the tree, doctrine--actually his sermon actually titled The Trunk of the Tree covered a lot about government.
Here is some of what Herbert W. Armstrong taught:
Jesus came to start God's world, and He came to start it by starting the Church. The Church was started with one Man. ... Now He came to restore the government of God on this earth. ... It's a matter of government. It's a matter that makes sense all the way through. There had to be a Church Age to have time to train people that God is calling out of the world. ... Now restitution means restoring to a former state or condition, or restoring something that had been taken away and lost. Jesus is coming to restore the GOVERNMENT of God. He's coming to knock Satan off of that throne over the world, and Christ will sit on the throne and rule over all nations. ... And then, finally, we are going to go out to the other planets all over the vast universe. ... In other words, I'm giving you THE TRUNK OF THE TREE—the roots, and the trunk, and the major branches. And the others fill in with the smaller branches, and its smaller branches than that; then the little twigs. And all those are important too. They are all part of the same tree. (Armstrong HW. The Trunk of the Tree. Sermon, October 16, 1983)
The government of God has been restored to the Church, and the government of God has been placed in the Church. You read that in Ephesians 4 and I Corinthians 12. Christ is the head of the Church and under Christ in the administration of the government are an apostle or apostles, then evangelists, then pastors, then all are called elders, all ministers all the way up clear down to the lowest. So then there are teachers and elders both speaking elders and preaching elders, deacons and deaconesses. And the Church is restored in that form of government. The Sardis Church even didn't have the right form of government (Sermon. Mission of the Philadelphia Church Era by Herbert W. Armstrong given on December 17, 1983).
God has always, in dealing with humans, worked through ONE MAN at a time — one who believed God! Some in ancient Israel challenged this one-man leadership. Some, like-wise, have challenged it today! First, Moses' own brother and sister challenged his one-man leadership. Miriam and Aaron said, "Hath the Eternal indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us?" (Numbers 12:2). And the Eternal heard it... . And the Eternal came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth ... My servant Moses is not so" (as the others), "who is faithful in all mine house ... Wherefore then were ye NOT AFRAID to speak against my servant Moses?" (verses 5-8). "And the anger of the Eternal was kindled against them" (verse 9). And Miriam was inflicted with leprosy for a while. Yet, though our members and ministers all know this, some are NOT AFRAID to speak contemptuously, in hostility or defamingly against Christ's apostle today! They need not fear ME! For I will not turn on them or strike them.
Why, then, do they not fear GOD? ... In founding God's Church, Jesus worked primarily through one man, Peter, even though He originally chose His 12 disciples. Few have ever noticed how Peter was the real leader. Jesus had told His disciples to go NOT to the gentiles, but to the "lost sheep of the House of Israel." ... Notice now PETER'S preeminence. Few have ever put all these scriptures together as I shall now do. This shows PETER was leader. ... And, though there were other apostles, God worked primarily through ONE man –PETER! Has God changed? Or is He the SAME still today? ... The Jerusalem conference (Acts 15) showed that PETER was predominant over even Paul, although Paul was the ONE MAN God worked through primarily in the ministry to gentiles. The CHURCH is GOD'S Church. (Armstrong, Herbert W. And NOW Christ Sets Church Back On Track Doctrinally. Good News, April 1979).
God has always worked primarily through ONE MAN at a time -- as Abraham, then Isaac, then Jacob, then Joseph -- later Moses, then Joshua, later Samuel, then David -- and, in the New Testament Church, PETER. (Armstrong HW. How Christ Gives The Church Its Beliefs. Good News, November 20. 1978)
The government of God is of necessity government from the top down. It cannot be 'government by the consent of the governed' ...
The Presbyterian Church is organized with the presbyters or ministers in control. The Congregational Church delegates top authority to the congregation--"government by the consent of the governed."
And so it goes. The churches of this world of Satan are organized according to humanly devised patterns. But the Bible gives explicit directions in regard to Church government. Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church. God's form of government is, indeed, hierarchical. God the Father is head over Christ--the sole Lawgiver and supreme authority...
To administer these many operations, God--not a vote of the members--"hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers." Or, as stated in more detail in Ephesians 4:11 (RSV): "And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers."
An apostle is "one sent forth" with Christ's gospel message, including the supervision of proclaiming that message to the world by means and persons other than himself. Also an apostle was given supervision over all the local congregations or churches (I Cor. 16:1). The apostle Paul had oversight over the churches of the Gentile world (II Cor. 11:28).
The prophets set in the foundation of the Church ...
Evangelists were leading ministers, proclaiming the gospel to the public, even raising up local churches and having supervision over some churches under the apostle. Therefore an evangelist may hold executive functions under the apostle in the Church headquarters or work today. An evangelist is not necessarily stationary. Pastors are stationary pastors over a local church or contingent group of local churches...
Old Testament Israel, the Church of the Old Testament, was also a nation in the world--though not OF the world as God organized it. Its GOVERNMENT was HIERARCHICAL. It was theocratic government--government from the top down--the very opposite of "democracy."
The CHURCH is organized under theocratic government, hierarchical in form. The members do not set officials in the Church. God sets EVEN THE LAY MEMBERS in the Church (I Cor. 12:18).
Jesus said explicitly, "No MAN CAN come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him" (John 6:44). The world, except for the specially called, is CUT OFF from God!
We have just covered the truth that GOD set officials to serve on the human level under Christ, in the Church. Members do not elect them. Yet in the churches of this world some believe in government by the entire congregation--"democracy"--and call themselves "Congregational." Others have organized themselves into government by ministers or presbytery and call themselves "Presbyterian." " (Mystery of the Ages, Dodd & Mead, 1985, pp.49, 242, 244, 246-247).
The 'loner'-the individual Christian' who wants to climb up into the kingdom some other way than by Christ and His way through His Church-is not being trained in Christ's manner of training, to rule and reign with Christ in his kingdom!… The person who says, 'I will get my salvation alone, outside of the Church' is totally deceived.
"Individual Christians"--Ex-Members
Now what about the "private," or "individual Christian," who says, "I don't want to be a part of the Church--I want to seek my salvation direct and alone with Christ." ...
The Church is ORGANIZED on GOD'S pattern of mutual teamwork and cooperation to function perfectly together. They shall become the GOD FAMILY as it shall exist at the time of Christ's Second Coming. Remember God IS that divine FAMILY! (Mystery of the Ages, pp. 270-271).
God has always, in dealing with humans, worked through ONE MAN at a time — one who believed God! Some in ancient Israel challenged this one-man leadership. Some, like-wise, have challenged it today! First, Moses' own brother and sister challenged his one-man leadership. ... That is the case of Korah, Dathan, Abiram and On.
"And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes ... famous in the congregation, men of renown: And they gathered themselves together against Moses ... Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Eternal is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Eternal?" (Numbers 16:1-3).
They accused Moses of appointing himself — though there had been ample evidence by the fruits of Moses' leadership and even miracles God did through him, that they were without excuse, just as many are today. What happened to them?
"And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up ... They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation" (verses 32-33). ...
God has always worked through one man, primarily, at a time. God chose David and worked through him. Two of his sons, at different times, conspired to wrest his throne from him. But God protected David, and those sons were destroyed! ...
In founding God's Church, Jesus worked primarily through one man, Peter, even though He originally chose His 12 disciples. Few have ever noticed that Peter was the real leader... "Simeon [PETER] hath declared ..." — And James merely CONFIRMED Peter's decision, making it official. That ought to make clear this crucial 15th chapter of Acts — the one classic example of settling any disputed doctrine in the Church. And, though there were other apostles, God worked primarily through ONE man –PETER! Has God changed? Or is He the SAME still today? ...
The Jerusalem conference (Acts 15) showed that PETER was predominant over even Paul, although Paul was the ONE MAN God worked through primarily in the ministry to gentiles. ... Acts 15. This crucial crux chapter has been misinterpreted, twisted and distorted. I have tried to take space to MAKE IT CLEAR in this article. The other apostles and ministers were all in confusion, arguing and disputing. But CHRIST silenced them by speaking through His CHOSEN chief apostle, PETER! (Armstrong HW, And NOW Christ Sets Church Back On Track Doctrinally. Good News, April 1979).
"The PURPOSE for which Christ built the Church exemplifies its WORK...1) To ANNOUNCE to the world for its witness the coming Kingdom of God...2) To prepare the people to whom God adds to the Church...God has always worked with humans. He has worked with O N E M A N at a time...The WORK consists of proclaiming the Gospel, by radio, by television, in print" (Armstrong HW. JUST WHAT IS THE WORK? PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT - VOL.3, NO.6 February 6, 1981).
God only deals through one man at a time. GOD DOES NOT WORK THROUGH COMMITTEES. God works through ONE MAN AT A TIME. I want you to notice it as we go along now. Let's understand the way of God. The world has not understood it. So God worked through one judge at a time. (Armstrong H. Building The Temple. Sermon, February 14, 1981)
Now HOW HAS GOD WORKED THROUGH HUMANS? He has always worked through one man at a time as a leader. He gave the promises on which all salvation depends to ONE MAN, Abraham. He repromised them to ONE man, Isaac, and again to Jacob. Four hundred thirty years after Abraham, God raised up ONE MAN as leader—Moses. Moses was specially trained from childhood. He didn't let Moses die until his commission of leading the chosen people to the promised land was COMPLETED, when Moses was 120 years old.
God used ONE MAN to lead the Israelites across the Jordan river into that promised land. After Joshua, at first there was no leader. Every man did what was right in his own eyes. The Israelites disobeyed God and soon became a conquered vassal nation. God raised up ONE MAN—a "judge"—to deliver them into freedom again. Again and again the nation sinned and became a vassal nation. Again each time God raised up ONE MAN to deliver them — see book of Judges.
Then God raised up ONE MAN, Samuel, specially prepared from childhood, by which GOD ruled the nation (1 Sam. 8:7). The people wanted a KING like other nations (verse 6). God allowed them to have Saul as king. Then God chose ONE MAN, David, to lead His people. (Armstrong HW. CO-worker Letter, March 19, 1981)
God ... He has always worked through ONE MAN at a time. He worked through Abraham. He worked through Moses, through Joshua, through one "judge" at a time, through Samuel, through David, through Solomon. He worked through Peter and when Peter had left the Middle East, through Paul. These men had, in greater or lesser number, staff assistants under them, but God's WORK was through the ONE MAN AT A TIME! THIS IS THE "WORK OF GOD" -- and not a humanly organized institution, operation or organization on the worldly corporate type of organization, function and procedure. (Armstrong H. Just What Is 'The WORK'? Good News, April 1981)
God never works through committees. God works only through one man at a time, and always did. All through the Bible you will find that God had to work through one man at a time. (Armstrong H. Another Civilization. Sermon, October 2, 1982)
To administer these many operations, God--not a vote of the members--"hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers." Or, as stated in more detail in Ephesians 4:11 (RSV): "And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers." ...
Evangelists were leading ministers, proclaiming the gospel to the public, even raising up local churches and having supervision over some churches ... an evangelist may hold executive functions under the apostle in the Church headquarters or work today. An evangelist is not necessarily stationary. Pastors are stationary pastors over a local church or contingent group of local churches. (Armstrong HW. Mystery of the Ages, Chapter 6)
Now what kind of a building do you have if part of the facade, one or two stones, or one or two pieces of the wood of it is over one place and some of it is over in another State, and a part of it is in another nation, and another part of it is somewhere else? Would you call it a building? And yet there are those that say; "Well I'm a loner, I'm an individual Christian. I don't want to be a part of any church organization." And then there's those who say; "I don't want to follow a man." And yet that's what they do do, they follow a man usually. And they go off into many little cliques, each one of them following one man.
Now God has always worked through one man as leader. But that man is only a leader, and always it has been God. For example, when Samuel was a prophet leading the people of God, they didn't want Samuel anymore, they wanted a human king like the other nations. God said; "It isn't you they have rejected Samuel, you weren't the real ruler, I was. They have rejected me that I should not rule over them." (I Samuel 8:7 paraphrased). This is eighth chapter of I Samuel. And, you see it was God ruling them, not Samuel.
And so it is really Christ leading the Church today, it is not I. I am only an instrument. (Armstrong H. Ephesians 3 & 4 Bible Study, January 2, 1981)
So, ask yourself, who is that one man today? Could God somehow have put him in his office and somehow confirmed it?
Anyone who had been in the old Worldwide Church of God in the 1980s, while Herbert W. Armstrong was alive, should have heard him repeatedly emphasize the importance of proper Church governance and one man hierarchical rule.
But most later (after his death in 1986) DID NOT accept this teaching, and many of those who thought they did had issues truly understanding and abiding by it--they became cold or lukewarm (see also Laodicean Church).
Now, the Laodicean churches are different than other church eras. The letter to them begins with:
14 And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write (Revelation 3:14)
All but one of the other letters in Revelation are addressed to a church using the singular--the Laodicean letter is addressed to the plural. These churches do not accept the ONE MAN at a time that God uses to lead the most faithful church.
The Laodiceans do NOT accept how God works and DO NOT accept any true prophet of God.
But does not an apostle have to designate a prophet or his successor?
No!
Consider that the person that Herbert W. Armstrong designated as his human successor (Joseph Tkach, Sr.) was not faithful--which shows God does not always choose leaders the way that humans do.
If you wish to be Philadelphian faithful, you need to know who the O N E M A N at this time leading the final phase of the work is (watch also Dreams, the Bible, the Radio Church of God, and the Continuing Church of God).
If there is some type of a crisis, what should members do?
Support that ONE MAN unless he is clearly an apostate.
Notice:
25 Now when Moses saw that the people were unrestrained (for Aaron had not restrained them, to their shame among their enemies), 26 then Moses stood in the entrance of the camp, and said, "Whoever is on the Lord's side — come to me!" And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him. (Exodus 32:25-27)
The Levites then were given the priesthood. They did not sit on the sidelines to see what would happen.
We, too, are to be priests:
6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6)
Many of the lukewarm will not make it (cf. Revelation 3:14-22).
Consider that Herbert W. Armstrong wrote:
So God set HIS GOVERNMENT in His Church. And God's government is authority from the TOP down. God the Father is in supreme authority over all. Next in authority under Him is Jesus Christ, living Head of the Church. On the human and earthly level, next in authority under Christ is His chosen apostle ... (Armstrong HW. Seven Proofs Of The True Church - Proof No. 5-6. Good News, December 4, 1978)
The Apostle Paul wrote:
28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets ... (1 Corinthians 12:28)
In absence of a clear apostle, a prophet, particularly an evangelistic one, would be expected to lead the most faithful in the Church of God.
Herbert Armstrong's writings agree with that.
Consider that in the Ephesus era, the one man was first the Apostle Peter and then the Apostle John--both were also prophetic writers. People, who claimed to be Christian leaders, turned against John (3 John 9-10).
Herbert Armstrong wrote:
It is significant that after his release John trained Polycarp elder of Smyrna, a city near Ephesus in the province of Asia. ... At neighboring Smyrna, Polycarp presided over the Church of God for half a century after John's death. Polycarp stood up boldly for the truth while many fell away ... (Armstrong HW. The Church They Couldn't Destroy. Good News, December 1981)
Polycarp, himself, essentially was a prophetic evangelist:
16:2 In the number of these was this man, the glorious martyr Polycarp, who was found an apostolic and prophetic teacher in our own time, a bishop of the holy Church which is in Smyrna. For every word which he uttered from his mouth was accomplished and will be accomplished. (The Martyrdom of Polycarp. In: Holmes M. The Apostolic Fathers--Greek Text and English Translations, 3rd printing 2004, pp 222-249)
One who succeeded Polycarp was Melito of Sardis.
Melito... was esteemed a prophet by many of the faithful. (Melito. The Catholic Encyclopedia)
Herbert Armstrong wrote Bishop/Overseer and Melito was a "true Christian" (Armstrong HW. The Plain Truth About Easter. WCG booklet, 1973).
The old WCG basically pointed to prophets in all the church eras that preceded it (see Church of God Leaders on Prophets).
God has tended to use one man at a time, with many other people--male and female--assisting--but true biblical governance is top down and hierarchical.
Herbert Armstrong taught:
God is not the author of confusion. In His Body there must be UNITY -- absolute accord -- teamwork -- all working together AS CHRIST DIRECTS AND LEADS. And so God has placed GOVERNMENT in His Church. It is the government of GOD. It is government from the top down. God the Father is at the top. Christ does nothing of Himself -- but He acts as the Father commands Him. And Christ, in turn RULES His Church. He rules it, first, thru His own chosen apostles, then next under them in rank thru evangelists, then pastors, then other elders. ...
Brethren, it is because we did not as yet ourselves fully comprehend this working of GOD'S GOVERNMENT in His Church, and because no such authority was exercised in the parent church at Eugene, Oregon, that a division came about which did split the Church there. Several whom we loved and had served in love for years turned bitterly against us and left the Church. (Armstrong HW. Christ Did Put Authority and RULE in His Church! Good News, January 1957)
Later, I heard him say refusal to accept hierarchical church governance was the main reason people left the Worldwide Church of God.
In 1979, when the State of California was interfering with the old Worldwide Church of God, notice what Herbert Armstrong wrote:
What are these freedoms that the Church is trying so hard to protect, and how do the State's actions imperil them? ... The right to maintain the Church as a hierarchical entity. The State, in essence, has sought to make the Church congregational in governance. (Armstrong HW. The Worldwide Church Of God Has Nothing To Hide - But Much To Protect! Worldwide News, April 9, 1979)
Consider all the COGs in the 21st century. Many independents are basically congregational. Also eliminate as Philadelphian, those groups that do not believe in hierarchical governance as they rejected one of the truths that many of their leaders once claimed was from God. Now, eliminate those groups that do not believe that they need to keep the priority of fulfilling Matthew 24:14 their top priority as well as those who have not had any significant reach into the world.
Let's look at seven claimed COG groups: PCG, LCG, RCG, COGaIC, ICG, COGPFK, and CCOG. The first six of which have major problems in their prophetic understandings as well as certain doctrinal problems (and three of those six are led by people who probably are not truly converted: PCG, RCG, and COGPFK).
Many forget that a two-part dream preceded the start of the Philadelphia era of the Church of God (for details see Dreams, the Bible, the Radio Church of God, and the Continuing Church of God). And there is no indication from any of the first six that God gave their leaders and/or potential dreams before their respective groups were formed and that those dreams were confirmed. Only one, the CCOG has had God's confirmation of dreams, like the old Radio Church of God had, plus without the doctrinal and prophetic problems the other groups clearly have (and those are documented in the articles linked to their initials PCG, LCG, RCG, COGaIC, ICG, COGPFK). If you eliminate false leaders like in RCG, COGPFK, and PCG, and eliminate groups that do not believe in ONE MAN rule like UCG, as well as those who seem to doubt it like COGWA and ICG, that only leaves CCOG or LCG--and LCG denies prophets, etc. (see also LCG: What About the Living Church of God? Are there Doctrinal Differences with the Continuing Church of God?)--plus its leader, though seemingly an able administrator, has not been restoring truths--and that is something the Philadelphian leader should be invoved with (cf. Matthew 17:11; Malachi 4:5-6; see also Continuing Church of God, Elijah, and Restoring All Things).
Now sometime in 1980, Herbert W. Armstrong had a dream he reported about:
I had a vivid example of this a couple of mornings ago, awakening from a dream. In the dream it seemed to be several years ago when the Church was smaller. There was a young man across the street who looked like a possible one of our leaders. He was about age 30, with outstanding personality and appearance, and an articulate extrovert. Then two other young men of about 30, well dressed, of somewhat impressive appearance and manner, were seen walking over and talking to him. They took pains to avoid me, and I seemed to know they were opposed to me personally.
In the dream I determined to speak immediately with the man they were trying to influence adversely. I told him I knew they were "lobbying" against the Church and against me.
"Yes," he replied, "but I have to tell you, Mr. Armstrong, I think these men have something worth listening to. They say you arrogate to yourself too much power. You make yourself the leader of the Church. They say the people ought to have all the 'say so.' The people ought to vote on who they want to be their leader and on what they want to believe and accept as Church doctrine. That sounds like a good idea to me. I think we need more DEMOCRACY."
I awoke at that point, thinking about the dream, which had stuck in my mind. But before awakening, I remember I had said to this man in the dream, "Well, the REAL QUESTION is whether this is GOD'S Church or the PEOPLE'S Church! If it is GOD'S Church, then GOD is running it, and revealing what we shall believe and teach. GOD has the 'say so'. God runs it through Jesus Christ, who is the HEAD of the Church. And Jesus Christ runs it through His chosen apostle, whom HE, not men, chose, prepared and now guides and leads. Those men are getting your eyes off of GOD — you are leaving GOD out of the picture — out of the Church. You are looking only at people! (Armstrong HW. Shall We All Leave THE CHURCH OF GOD and Join 'THE CHURCH OF PEOPLE'? Good News, September 1980)
Christians should accept biblical governance and look to the proofs and signs God provides as opposing to look to the approval of humans, which most tend to do (see also Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18?).
The old WCG, including Herbert Armstrong said dreams, prophets, and Acts 2:17-18 had future fulfillment. First from HWA:
All right, now there’s another prophecy for the people …
Joel 2:28-29 And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: (29) And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
So there is a time coming when God will start pouring out His spirit on human beings. … Day of Pentecost, 3000 were baptized. Peter preached a sermon. They were pricked in their hearts. God began to draw them. God was now… Remember He said, “I will pour out of my spirit on all flesh.” All right, there’s a duality of that. (Armstrong HW. Building The Temple. Sermon, February 14, 1981)
The Bible reveals that in times past servants of God were given visions and dreams for specific reasons and/or to convey special messages. ...God has used this means of communication in the past and will do so again (Acts 2:17; Joel 2:28) (L052 Worldwide Church of God, 1989)
As the WCG did not publicly acknowledge any such dreams after that letter was sent, the interpretation must be that God would later use dreams (it should be mentioned that the original date of L052 was prior to 1986--hence it was not a change by the Tkach Administration).
Yet, the Laodiceans do not accept that. Jesus said the following to religious Sadducees in His day:
29 ... Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. (Matthew 22:29, KJV)
Those who will not accept that God uses dreams are in the same category as those Sadducees.
One of the reasons for posting this is that Satan's minions at the anti-COG Banned by HWA website are elated+ that the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) lost about ten people this year. Eight were from Serbia. All of them rejected biblical governance for various reasons. The fact that we gained over 250 this month in Lodwar is not something they were interested in mentioning.
Anyway, at least one of the ill-informed at Banned posted things to the effect that the CCOG lost 1/2 of its Caucasian members as that poster apparently thought we had more people in Serbia than we had. Another commented that the CCOG would lose most of its African members, because we would be losing the financial support of the Serbians. That, of course is absurd. The Serbian group has been subsidized for years by the CCOG--they have never supplied the CCOG offices in the USA or Africa with money. Furthermore, the financial support given by the CCOG to Africa was one of the reason that they gave for leaving. Anyway, some at the Banned by HWA site are falsely predicting a CCOG collapse--that is simply wrong. While we do not like to lose members, and will ubdoubtedly sometimes lose more because of a new group that formed, to the best of my knowledge (not counting those we put out last year for financial corruption) we lost about ten and gained over 250 congregants this month--the CCOG remains the fastest growing x-WCGgroup in the 21st century. The assertion that entire countries (there were the 8 in Serbia--but even there one who left earlier contacted me, so we still may have 1 or 2 there) have left the CCOG is not true--which other countries? Certainly not Kenya, Malawi, Ghana, Rwanda, DRC, South Sudan, Mozambique, or Ethiopia in Africa--plus leaders in other countries like the USA, Australia, India, New Zealand, the Philippines, UK, etc. have also provided communications that they are still with the CCOG. Nor are we facing any financial crisis.
Many of the ignorant and inaccurate comments at the Banned site bring the following scripture to mind:
16 The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly. (Proverbs 26:16)
Irrespective of facts provided many at Banned prefer their own faulty judgments and accusations.
Speaking of the Banned site, someone who left us a while back, sent me something on Friday that he tried to get posted at the Banned site--but it does not look like it ever was posted. It included the following statements:
I wish nothing but the best for Dr. Thiel. I don't agree with what is happening in Africa and I feel that Dr. Thiel should handle the situation differently but I am not him. Saying that I am not against Dr. Thiel and still consider him a friend and have the utmost respect for him. ... He does have many gifts and I wish him the best. Like Paul and Barnabas they went separate ways that is how I feel about CCOG and Bob Thiel. Saying that I am not an Elder in the Church nor will I ever be one. I am just a believer and if God allows me to use my skills to help the work I will. Aleksandar Veljic is a personal friend of mine someone I have the highest respect for, and even he is not attacking Bob Thiel after leaving CCOG and has told people publicly that they should not do so. So not sure what people at banned are trying to accomplish. Bob Thiel is a great person and I honestly believe his heart is in the right place ...
Sadly, many have succumbed to gossip and innuendo. To assist those interested in the biblical truth about governance as well as to deal with various allegations of corruption, we put out the following sermon yesterday:
1:29:56Hierarchical Governance and Corruption
Does the Bible support democracy or top down government for the Church of God? Does God work, primarily, through one human leader at a time? Did the late Pastor General of the old Worldwide Church of God, Herbert W. Armstrong, repeatedly teach that God worked primarily through “ONE MAN AT A TIME, though with others (male and female) assisting that leader? Who is that one man now? Who should be eliminated as being that one man? Would we expect that one man would be part of UCG, PCG, LCG, COGWA, RCG, or CCOG? Could God have given one or more Divine signs to point out who that one man is? What type of government will be in the Kingdom of God? Are we to be preparing to be kings and priests now? Is it appropriate to want to push for a non-top down from God’s government if there is some type of corruption in the organization he leads? What about 1 Samuel 8:1-20 and 1 Samuel 12:1-5? Did Jesus have any financially corrupt with Him? What are allegations that have been raised against Radson Mulozowa, Bradox Ochieng, and Evans Ochieng? Is there any truth to any of them? If so, which? Could there have been some type of deepfake related to an alleged Facebook Messenger chat related to claims of adultery? Does Laodicea mean ‘people decide’ or ‘judgment of the people’? Should Christians be ‘independents’? What about being ‘congregationalists’? Have various accusers changed their stories or broke promises? What should those who consider themselves to be faithful Philadelphians do? Dr. Thiel deals with these and other matters.
Here is a link to the sermon: Hierarchical Governance and Corruption.
03/10\1/23 a.m. The Bible News Prophecy program is about to go on commercial radio stations in the USA. It is now scheduled to air once per week beginning March 18, 2023 on the following twelve AM/FM stations on the Wilkins Radio Network (WRN):
KKIM AM 1000 Albuquerque – Saturday 9:15 AM
KGMS AM 940 Tucson – Saturday 1:15 AM
KCNW AM 1380 & FM 96.1 Kansas City – Saturday 2:30 PM
KERI AM 1410 Bakersfield – Saturday 11:45 AM
WWNL AM 1080 & FM 103.9 Pittsburg – Saturday 11:30 AM
WSKY AM 1230 Asheville – Saturday 7:45 PM
WELP AM 1360 & FM 104.3 Greenville – Saturday 7:00 PM
WNVY AM 1070 & FM 104.5 Pensacola – Saturday 7:15 PM
Note: WWNL in Pittsburg is a 50,000 watt station, which is the most powerful that the USA FCC allows.
Radio is a proclamation door that we use to reach those we otherwise would not reach. It also assists us we work to toward doing our part to fulfill Romans 11:25 about the full number of Gentiles coming in (see also What About Romans 11:25 and the Full Number of the Gentiles?).
In addition to being on those WRN stations, the Bible News Prophecy program is on EGR (AM and Shortwave) and WRMI (Shortwave), plus we are on the air in the Philippines on one station (FM) and Africa on four stations (AM and FM). The Bible News Prophecy program is also available online.
For more details, check out the Continuing Church of God Multimedia page.
03/09/23 a.m. Former RCG (Restored Church of God) employee Marc Cebrian posted the following comments and excerpts at the anti-COG Banned by HWA website related to another of David Pack's wrong predictions:
David C. Pack of The Restored Church of God realized on Sunday that Esther’s Purim Fast was so vile in God’s sight, He would never establish any kingdom during that time. ...
“The Greatest Unending Story! (Part 427)” on March 7 was only 46 minutes long, but it was jam-packed with more expressions of mental illness and biblical buffoonery.
Part 427 – March 7, 2023
@ 08:05 God would never come on Purim.
Dave walks this back in such a pathetic manner even teenagers would roll their eyes.
@ 46:22 There is no visible path beyond this Sabbath.
The Kingdom to Israel begins at sunset on Friday, March 10, 2023. Not on Purim 2019 2023
Dave vaguely calculates this as sunset Jerusalem, 10:43 AM ET.
David Pack continues to spew out false dates. RCG is getting closer to the time it will implode.
03/03/23 p.m. Went to the Current Events page of Church of the Sovereign God page this afternoon seeing if there was news to report--but did not find anything actually new. The most recent one had to do with desolation and it was posted at:
So, that was not particularly current.
One reason that there is little reporting here about many of the groups whose leaders were once part of GCG is that many of them are not active when it comes to doing much related to growth or public proclamation.
02/24/23 a.m. In its newsletter today, CEG had the following (with its comments in italics):
Europe on Edge
Politico wrote on February 18: ... [at this year’s Munich Security Conference] ...
“The only people smiling at this year’s security conference are the defense contractors. Arms sales are booming by all accounts. Even Germany, which in recent years perfected the art of explaining away its failure to meet its NATO defense spending commitment, promised to reverse course. Indeed, German officials appeared to be trying to outdo one another to prove just how hawkish they’ve become.
“Chancellor Olaf Scholz vowed to ‘permanently’ meet NATO’s defense spending goal for individual members of two percent of GDP. Germany’s new defense minister, Boris Pistorius, a Social Democrat like Scholz, called for even more, saying that ‘it will not be possible to fulfill the tasks that lie ahead of us with barely two percent.’
“Keep in mind that at the beginning of last year, leading Social Democrats were still calling on the U.S. to remove all of its nuclear warheads from German soil. In other words, if even the Germans have woken up to the perils of the world’s current geopolitical state, this could well be the moment to really start worrying.” ...
Germany’s new-found militaristic approach is indeed VERY worrisome, even though Scholz’s words, on the face of it, are as dubious as the ones by Kamala Harris, but Germany’s declared position is now totally in line with biblical prophecy.
CEG is correct that Germany is taking militaristic steps that are "totally in line with biblical prophecy."
Here are links to posts at the COGwriter Church of God News page related to this 2023 Munich Security Conference:
EU leaders call for ‘new world order’ and Europe-wide air defense at the Munich Security Conference
Germany’s Patrick Sensburg essentially calls for a ‘great army’ consistent with Daniel 11:25; ‘It’s the end of the world as we know it — and Munich feels nervous’
More on Germany in prophecy can be found in the article: Germany in Biblical and Roman Catholic Prophecy.
02/15/23 a.m. Former RCG (Restored Church of God) employee Marc Cebrian posted the following excerpts at the anti-COG Banned by HWA website of another of David Pack's wrong predictions:
Part 418 – February 9, 2023
@ 18:02 The flight [from Jerusalem to the Place of Safety] takes place at sundown on a Sunday night, ten days from the Day of the Lord. So, we would say March 12th before the Day of the Lord on the 22nd. If you wanna, just keep it real with a calendar.
David Pack continues to spue out false dates.
02/10/23 a.m. Shirley Gestro, of the Continuing Church of God, sent the following report from New Zealand today:
Bible News Prophecy Flipboard Pagehttps://flipboard.com/@ProphecyNews or on the Flipboard app on your mobile, search for Prophecy News or Bible News Prophecy.Statistics:As of 9 February 2023.Followers: 4,400Magazines: 23Articles: 18,387Views: 34,649Page flips: 388,560Bible News Prophecy RadioRadio streaming server statistics for Feb 7, 2022 to Feb 6, 2023Total Listeners: 60,704Average listening time: 34 minutesTop 5 countries: USA, UK, Australia, Canada and South AfricaAnalytics for this streaming server does not provide total countries, this is something they are working on.Previous streaming server, prior to transitioning to the current radio streaming platform, statistics for June 2018 total countries: 185.BNP radio websiteFeb 1, 2022 to Feb 9, 2023Pages views: 40,000Some Top items of interest are:
- 2022-2023 Shemitahs Destruction/Reset – 6,430 views
- 5 Red Heifers and the Year 5783 – 2,450 views
BNP radio on Tune In App – 1,400 people added it to favourites.BNP Radio Pinterest PageThese are COGwriter news articles, radio content, CCOG literature, sermons, sermonettes. We have several boards some are titled Daily Bible News Updates, Bible Q & A, and Sermons, Christian Living. An article or item will be added to a board, these are called Pins.Statistics for Nov 11, 2022 – Feb 9, 2023Impressions: 37,190 (how often people see your pins, like views)Engagements: 1,490 (includes clicks and saves)Followers: 663Top board: Bible Q & A, and Sermons – 16,150 impressions.Top Pins:
- John 13-15: Footwashing and the Words of Jesus – 8,246 impressions
- Pope Francis ecumenical exorcism conference a Sign of the End? – 5,411 impressions
BNP Radio Tumblr PageArticles: 2070Followers: 177Top item of interest, re-blogged (shared) or liked, a digital poster was created for this:
- Cashlessness and 1984, by Dr. Thiel and Mr. Steve Dupuie
BNP Radio MeWe PageNov 11, 2022 – Feb 9, 2023It is a social media site, similar to facebook, but without the censorship, ads, or news feed manipulation. Content from the radio site, are added to this page, including any new literature.Followers: 310Posts: 84BNP Radio Ello PageEllo is the Creators Network. According to Ello.co:Ello is a community to discover, discuss, publish, share and promote the things you are passionate about.I only add items on this page when I create digital posters, or for posting CCOG magazines and book covers.Views: 74,200Posts: 261Top viewed items are:
- CCOG on European Gospel Radio – 8,600 views
- The Three Angel’s Messages – 4,800 views
- Is The European Beast Growing Horns? – 4,500 views
- Russian, Ukraine, Food & the Ride of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse – 1,500 views
- These Signs of the Four Horsemen Have Begun – 1,200 views
- Great Tribulation: 2026 or 2027? – 701 views
Shirley is also the person behind the basic design of the Bible News Prophecy banner that we use as a backdrop for recording our weekly sermonettes now.
As far radio goes, in addition to the online radio, we are on commercial radio in Europe and Africa, and shortwave radio covering Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, North America, and the Far East of Asia. For more details, check out the CCOG Multimedia page.
As far as Shirley Gestro herself goes, she and/or her supportive role for the Continuing Church of God was in dreams that three of our members have had–for those details, check out Dreams, the Bible, the Radio Church of God, and the Continuing Church of God.
01/16/23 a.m. Former RCG (Restored Church of God) employee Marc Cebrian posted the following excerpts at the anti-COG Banned by HWA website of David Pack's sermon this past Sabbath (January 14, 2023):
@ 1:07:49 So then, what did the Bible just directly tell you is the Day of the Lord? Abib [Nisan] 1. It’s impossible to argue with that. ...
@ 1:10:24 So, Abib 1 is March 22. One day, by the way, after winter is over. Meaning flight would be in winter…So, God is gonna start years almost dead-on within a day of spring? Well, if He does it this year, He would. Next year, it’s different. ...
@ 1:34:37 …before Christ comes, somebody is told, Make the vision, the whole forty days, make it plain on tables...and people blew it off. And it caused a lot of trouble on the planet…Which would explain why people are told, the sweet sheep of God in this room, would be told starting now, Don’t fear anything because there's gonna be plenty to fear between now and February 10th. ...
@ 1:39:30 These dates are set, and I will say before God they can only change if the Bible can change. You cannot argue with “midst of the years.” You cannot argue with the Day of the Lord. And you cannot argue with the sheer massive proof I’m gonna lay on you next time that Elijah rises before February 10th. Enjoy your evening.
While the Bible is not wrong, David Pack will again be proven wrong on the timing of both the Day of the Lord and Elijah--as 2023 is not a possible option for either based upon various statements from Jesus. David Pack does not properly understand many biblically prophecies and is again making false predictions.
For over a decade, I have written that the following was applicable to RCG:
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)
Yes, I consider that RCG's leader, David Pack, is a false teacher who causes the way of truth will be blasphemed. His destruction, in my view, has been going on for years as RCG has shrank in size as CCOG has grown.
I still expect RCG to one day basically totally implode.
01/14/23 a.m. Received the following in two emails from James Martenet related to dreams:
About month after FoT 2020 ... would be the first ... I was in a field of wheat that stretched to all horizons. It was a sunny day during harvest, and the wheat was golden, beautifully golden. There was a master of the harvest on a wagon, and there were reapers, the man on the wagon had a very black beard, was fit and had perfect teeth, and smiled broadly.
The reapers were also similar to him, and they all sang a song in the dream I understood, it was so beautiful. The reapers and the master of the harvest seemed superhuman, they were perfect of form. There were other normal folks, many whom I recognize from CCOG, and all of us had bags to carry the wheat the reapers were cutting, to the wagon. Some had large bags, others small, and some had holes in their bags. Some had bags that were empty, and they were not helping, just being busybodies, getting in the way of the ones who were working, but they could not stop the workers who were working from accomplishing the work of carrying the bags, even if they tried to…those working just kept right on being productive.
Bob Thiel had a tremendous load, it was ridiculous in size, so large that I wondered, how could he really get anything done with that tremendous load. But he was. Meanwhile some others also had large burdens, Shirley Gestro was one of them. The Master of the harvest asked why are not all the workers working? Why do some have empty bags? And he kept reminding us of the time.
He was asking me. I said I do not know what they are doing. He asked why are not more helping ... Bob Thiel..., then directly, why am I not helping more? I had a bag with a hole in it, I asked what can I do, and he told me to use my talents, and to get to work, while there is still daylight. Then my bag was fixed and full, and it kept getting fuller as those of us who had full bags placed them on the wagon, where the master of the harvest smiled at us and said “good job”. The Sun was in the afternoon, it was before sunset, but it was definably setting. The Man said, “work while you still can”, and I woke up. ...
The last time {I had the harvest dream} was in the spring of this year {2022}. Each of the dreams was slightly different: the sun was moving closer to sunset. In the last one the sun had moved closer to sunset, and in ... them {both} there was a sense of urgency.
Basically, James Martenet took that repeated dream to mean that he should support what God is doing in the CCOG. He has been assisting in video and radio spots since 2022. And yes, we are getting closer to the end.
Jesus said:
2 The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. (Luke 10:2)
Do your part to support the work and also pray for more laborers for the harvest.
More on dreams can be found in the article:Dreams, the Bible, the Radio Church of God, and the Continuing Church of God.
01/13/23 a.m. In a video done on January 4, 2023 by David Pack of the Restored Church of God (RCG) stated the following related to the Hebrew month of Tevet, 2023, and the Great Tribulation:
The Day of the Lord is perfectly, perfectly, Christ’s day–the day He became our Saviour … the 21st of this month {Tevet}, which is next Sabbath, ten days away, not quite ten, the 21st begins the Great Tribulation.
As far as Tevet and the Roman calendar date in January goes, notice the following:
14/01/2023 Saturday 21 Tevet, 5783 https://www.webcal.guru/en-GH/event_list?calendar_id=system_hebrew accessed 6 January 2023
In other words, David Pack is falsely asserting that the Great Tribulation begins between sunset tonight and ends sunset tomorrow, January 14, 2023.
He is so wrong and should pay more attention to the Bible.
The fifth seal of Revelation 6 is not about to be opened in the next day or so as the fourth seal of Revelation 6:7-8 has not been opened, nor is the Beast of Revelation 13 about to gain power as prophesied in Revelation 17:12-13.
Notice something that Herbert W. Armstrong wrote:
... the Great Tribulation will probably start with a nuclear attack on London and Britain–and possibly the same day or immediately after, on the United States and Canadian cities. The GREAT TRIBULATION, we shall fully then realize, is the time of “Jacob’s Trouble,” spoken of in Jeremiah 30:7. (Armstrong, Herbert W. The Time We Are In, Now. Pastor General’s Report-Vol 1, No. 15, November 20, 1979, Page 2).
No, the USA and UK are not going to get nuked by the Beast this weekend.
David Pack is, once again, about to be proven wrong.
01/07/23 a.m. A reader tipped me off to the following which was reported by CEG's Norbert Link in CEG's newsletter yesterday:
As some of you will recall, I was certain that Donald Trump would be reelected and occupy the White House in 2020, and I said so publicly. I should not have done that ...
I am glad that Norbert Link apologized for that. Many in the world, and some associated with the COGs, were overly focused on Donald Trump and were "certain" of things that they were wrong about.
That said, in his posted newsletter yesterday, Norbert Link later seemed to take a swipe against my article 23 items to prophetically watch in 2023 (which why it seems that the reader tipped me off to Norbert Link's article). Unlike his wrong Donald Trump statement, my statements were correct and reliable as they also were in previous similar articles. Here is a link to a related sermon: 23 things to prophetically watch in 2023.
That said, as pointed out in a sermon, Laodiceans have many prophetic errors --watch 50+ Laodicean Prophetic Errors.
Click here for the previous news of those once affiliated with GCG
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