Church of the Great God

By COGwriter

Church of the Great God (CGG) was ran by John Ritenbaugh who died May 28, 2023.

Sadly, like many groups, CGG does not place its top priority on proclaiming the Gospel. Unlike some of the other groups, John Ritenbaugh originally seemed to consider that to be one of the best things about his group.

This article includes quotes from CGG as well as comments which show that while CGG has a certain faithfulness, in certain areas it has departed from "the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints' (Jude 3).

It should be pointed out that CGG has changed a little, so some of the quotes here seem outdated as CGG has decided to place a bit more emphasis on gospel proclamation now than it did its first decade or so of existence.

CGG's Original Statement of Purpose

"Feeding the flock was always the first function of the priesthood of the Old Covenant church, and continues as the first function of the ministry of the New Covenant church...

A subtle danger lurks when preaching the gospel to the world is the main focus. Though the individual member may feel good that he is doing something as part of a visible work, he may in reality be lured into neglecting his most important responsibilities: overcoming and presenting a godly personal witness to the world. The busyness of doing an external work subtly becomes equated with righteousness. Improving statistics become the measure of growth. As the body "grows," the need to eradicate sin seems to disappear. It seems as though "saving" other people is easier than working on the self. But we need to work hard at casting the beam out of our own eye before we start telling others of their problems (Matthew 7:1-5)...

Most of us have our spiritual heritage firmly anchored in the ministry of Herbert W. Armstrong. We owe very much of what we know and what we have become to God’s working through him. But he claimed that no man taught him. In a long letter to brethren and co-workers he states, "No man taught me these truths. As the original apostles were taught by Jesus in person, so was I taught by Jesus Christ in writing. It is the same word—the same teaching" (March 19, 1981, p. 5). He did not mean that he did not read or research into other men’s writings on biblical topics, but that spiritual truth and understanding always came out of God’s Word. A little later in the letter he adds, "He used me in building the Philadelphia era of His church—and in proclaiming His gospel in all the world! . . . God has never removed a man called to a specific leadership or assignment or commission until his mission is completed." Mark well his last statement. Mr. Armstrong’s mission is completed—it cannot be revived. The church’s mission has taken a turn...

I have repeatedly said that I am not against preaching the gospel to the world. However, apart from brief historical spurts, it has always been secondary to feeding the flock. It must be...

We are doing a work none of the major groups who have left the WCG in recent years is doing. In producing sermons, articles and booklets to feed converted people, we are teaching Christian living principles in a more detailed, specific and deeper way than others have attempted. Far from being self-centered, we are sharing what we have with others. The booklets and tapes are finding worldwide distribution. We are preaching the gospel!...

The term "evangelist" gradually changed from a function directed toward the world to a high office within the church. In this modern era, Herbert Armstrong, an apostle, did the public preaching, and evangelists administered internal church functions...

God does not seem to be blessing the attempts of others to preach to the world. Maybe the next effective public preaching will be that of the Two Witnesses" (Ritenbaugh J. Statement of Purpose. Forerunner magazine, June 1993).

"What makes the CGG different from other churches of God? Primarily our emphasis on "feeding the flock" (rather than preaching the gospel to the public)" (Frequently Asked Questions, 1st Question, CGG Web Site).

How Does CGG Claim to Differ from the Old WCG?

From CGG's website circa 1996,

"How do CGG’s beliefs and practices differ from what Herbert Armstrong taught and practiced?"

CGG's answer,"Very little, although we have made a few refinements, which are listed below:
We seek more input from the membership than was the practice of the WCG in times past.
We count Pentecost differently one year in nine, on average.
We teach that, at the least, the individual should mark the passages of the new moons, though no specific service for this festival is outlined in the Bible.
On the issue of divorce, we define porneia to be sexual immorality, that is, fornication as well as adultery and other sex sins.
Our perception of prophecy, though based on the model given to us by Herbert Armstrong, is slowly changing as events add details to what we know. The details and types will come clear in ways we cannot expect him to have imagined."

I disagree with the 'very little' comment. Not only does CGG do new moons and count Pentecost differently, as mentioned before CGG has changed the emphasis from proclaiming the Gospel to "feeding the flock" and distanced itself from teaching church eras. Thus, CGG is very different from WCG under Herbert Armstrong. (Information on the date of Pentecost is included in the article Pentecost: Is it more than Acts 2?).

But in 2008, its answer is a bit different than what it had before:

How do CGG’s beliefs and practices differ from what Herbert Armstrong taught and practiced?

Very little, although we have made a few refinements, which are listed below:

• We place a greater emphasis on "feeding the flock," that is, instructing our members in "the whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:27). We proclaim the same gospel of the Kingdom of God that Jesus did (Mark 1:14-15), primarily through our various Internet sites.
• Though we employ a similar organizational structure, we seek more input from the membership than was the practice of the WCG in times past.
• We count Pentecost differently one year in nine, on average, when Passover falls on a weekly Sabbath.
• We acknowledge that having faith in God for healing does not preclude the use of medical expertise to return to health.
• On the issue of divorce, we define porneia broadly, as "sexual immorality" of all kinds, that is, fornication as well as adultery and other sex sins.
• We teach that a Christian should note the passage of the new moons, as they are key in determining God's Holy Days on the Hebrew calendar. The Bible outlines no specific, commanded service for this festival.
• Our perception of prophecy, though based on the model given to us by Herbert Armstrong, is slowly changing as events add to what we know. The details and types will come clear in ways we cannot expect him to have imagined due to the passage of time.

Thus, there is inclusion that gospel proclamation has become a higher priority for CGG than before, but instead of spending for media such as television, it seems to prefer the internet.

In this respect, CGG is a bit like David Pack's Restored Church of God (RCG). RCG originally did not believe that gospel proclamation should be a top priority, but now it uses the internet. Apparently, after a while, congregations and their leaders possibly decide that perhaps a church should try to reach others.

In CGG's December 2007 ministerial conference, public proclamation seemed to be one of the main subjects, hence the emphasis of CGG seems to have changed, as did the answer to the above questions.

CGG seems, to me at least, to go out of its way to discourage gospel proclamation. Notice something from 2011 (bolding mine) where it discusses Jesus' words in Matthew 24:14:

Matthew 24:14 has been one of the most-quoted scriptures during the last few decades of the church of God: "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."

As we know, the Feast of Tabernacles pictures the Millennium, which is the fulfillment of the gospel of the Kingdom of God. By the time Jesus Christ returns, the good news of His Kingdom will have been preached, and the end of the present age will have come. Everyone on earth will have heard that message, and some will have repented while others will have been destroyed. But the Kingdom that has been anticipated for thousands of years will finally be a reality.

This verse is frequently interpreted as a command—or at least used to justify a certain course of action—but the plain fact is that it is a prophecy. It is a statement of a definitive future event, rather than an instruction. Consider for a moment what this prophecy does not say. There is no mention, either in the verse or in its context, of who will have done this preaching. ("This Gospel of the Kingdom Shall Be Preached" by David C. Grabbe, Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," May-June 2011. http://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Library.sr/CT/PW/k/1526/Gospel-of-Kingdom-Shall-Be-Preached.htm#ixzz1frYPwm9W)

The above is a classic example of not allowing the Bible to interpret itself. If CGG would have gone a few chapters later, it would have noticed that Jesus also said the following:

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20)

Thus, there is a mention of who was supposed to preach--the leaders in His church. Also, the Apostle Paul made it clear that preachers were necessary for the gospel to be proclaimed:

14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!" (Romans 10:14-15),

This anti-proclamation position of CGG is not scriptually justifable (for more details, see also the article Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on the Work of Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert Armstrong Change that Priority?).

What About Herbert W. Armstrong?

CGG, like many in order to justify not doing the work of proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom as a witness, raised several arguments concerning Herbert Armstrong finishing the work, while also claiming they have changed his teachings "Very little."

Other groups have mentioned this quote,

"Also a door was to be opened for this leader and/or the Philadelphia era of the Church to fulfill Matthew 24:14: 'And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached to all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then the end shall come'...These prophecies have definitely been fulfilled" (Mystery of the Ages, p.291).

From this (and similar statements) CGG and others have argued that Mr. Armstrong felt that the preaching work was finished. That is simply incorrect.

If this quote, which was published in 1985, meant that Mr. Armstrong felt the preaching work was finished, one would expect that he would have gone off all television and radio stations then. Instead, he remained on them until he died. His last letter stated,

"It may be that the Work that God has given me to do is complete, but not the Work of God's Church, which will be faithfully doing God's Work till Christ, the True Head of this Church, returns...Remember brethren, this is not the work of Herbert W. Armstrong...The greatest work lies ahead...Never before in the history of the Church has it been possible to reap so great a harvest. It has only been made possible through modern technology, beginning with the printing press, radio, television...Each of you must commit yourself to support God's Work...God's work must push ahead as never before. God is opening up new doors in television" (Letter, 1/10/86). (Note: Comments about Aaron Dean and this letter are included in the article Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on the Work of Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert Armstrong Change that Priority?).

And to be sure that this portion of the work would continue after he died, Herbert Armstrong insured that there were other men designated to continue to make television programs after his death. When I asked the late Dibar Apartian if Mr. Armstrong told him to stop doing this in the event of his death, Mr. Apartian responded, "To the contrary, he told me he wanted me to go on more stations". This concept is confirmed by Mr. Armstrong in his third to last letter, "I thank God that he has organized this present work of his so thoroughly that regardless of the outcome of my present illness, the work will continue right on to the Second Coming of Christ" (Letter dated 12/23/85). Thus it seems clear that Mr. Armstrong felt that he was the leader of the Philadelphia era, but that if he died prior to the time of the end, that he considered that the Church should continue to preach the gospel to the world!

Another problem with CGG and others who have taken some of Mr. Armstrong's quotes out of context, is that while it is true Mr. Armstrong seemed to feel that he personally succeeded in preaching the gospel of the kingdom to all the world as a witness, it is not true that he felt the true Church should stop placing its top priority on proclaiming. For example, in what appears to be the second to the last letter from Mr Armstrong, he wrote, "It is now true that this Gospel has been proclaimed within every nation on earth by the Worldwide Church of God" (Letter 1/86). He then listed that 90 million booklets, magazines, articles, and correspondence course lessons had been sent out in 1985 (and never mention the Worldwide News which was for members only). Instead of suggesting that the publishing portion of the work was over, he wrote (in the same letter), "Now let's keep it up in 1986!" (Letter 1/86).

But the fact is that Herbert W. Armstrong taught the the work of proclaiming the gospel to the world as a witness was to continue by the Church until 45 days prior to the abomination of desolation spoken of in Daniel 11:31, essentially about the time the Philadelphia portion of the church is to flee to a place of safety. Notice two quotes that prove this:

And the abomination that maketh desolate set up." What is this abomination? This refers to Daniel 11:31 and Matthew 24:15...From this time (Daniel 12:11) to Christ's coming will be 1290 days. Now, verse 12, "Blessed is he that waiteth, and comes to the 1335 days." Never before have we understood these periods of 1260, 1290. and 1335 days. But it seems evident, now, a blessing is pronounced on us--GOD"S CHURCH--who wait and endure until the 1335 days--approximately 1335 days prior to Christ's coming. But since no one can know the day or hour of His coming, we probably shall not be able to know the exact day this 1335 days begins. But apparently that is the time when OUR WORK SHALL END. That will be a time when the UNITED Europe shall appear--the revival of the medieval "Holy Roman Empire." We shall then be warned, and readied to be taken to a place of refuge and safety from the Great Tribulation. Forty-five days later "the beasts armies" will surround Jerusalem. Thirty days later 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. And Jacob's name was named on Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh (Gen. 48:16). At that time a third of the people in our nations will die, or shall have died, by famine and disease epidemics; another third will dies of the war--our cities being destroyed (Ezek. 6:6), and the remaining third will be carried to the land of our enemies as slaves (Ezek. 5:12). Armstrong HW. The Time We Are In, Now. Pastor General's Report-Vol 1, No. 15, November 20, 1979, Page 2).

"Revelation 3:7-13 'And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth.' The great door that God has opened to this work is the facility to go into all the world and preach the gospel; the door of radio, the door of the printing press, plus many other such doors. God has set before us an open door that no man can shut it, and He will when the work is finished and the Philadelphia Church goes to a place of safety" (What is the "Laodicean Church"? Plain Truth. August 1959, p.10).

It should be noted that biblically speaking, the great task of making the Bride ready immediately before the return of Jesus Christ will completed by the Sardisians and the Laodicean's going through the tribulation (Revelation 3:3;18-19;12-17) and the Philadelphians (Revelation 3:10) being trained at a place in the wilderness (Revelation 12:14-16; called in COG circles, The Place of Safety).

Herbert Armstrong stated that the commission to the Church was to proclaim the gospel and...

"to provide the first actual harvest of mortal human beings" (Mystery of the Ages, pp.206, 232). How can this be done if the gospel is not being proclaimed? Mr. Armstrong wrote, "God has given his Church dual responsibility: 1) 'Go ye into all the world' and proclaim the good news--announcement--of the coming kingdom of God. 2) 'Feed my sheep'. But in feeding the 'sheep', developing in them God's spiritual character, God has given them their part in supporting, backing up, the great commission: 'Go ye in into all the world' "(Mystery of the Ages, p.265).

Church of the Great God emphasizes "feeding the flock," though the ministry recognizes the responsibility of the church to preach the gospel to the world too. There are several reasons for choosing this course.

1. Those coming out of the WCG, including the ministry, have been badly damaged spiritually. Why would God want to bring people into yet another church that was also lacking His Spirit and love? Therefore, to restore people's relationship with God, feeding the flock became the top priority of the church.
2. The ministry sought to avoid being presumptuous by appointing themselves to do the preaching of the gospel to the world, suggesting that they are Herbert Armstrong's successors (Jeremiah 23:21-22). God is fully capable of letting His true ministers know when He wants them to do something in this area. (http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/About.history 04/17/07)

Let us read what Mr. Armstrong actually wrote on this subject, "evangelists were used in carrying forth the message. Other leaders--ordained ministers--were stationary, yet even the local pastor of a church may hold evangelistic services in his area--not the 'soul-saving crusade' type, but lectures announcing and proclaiming as a witness the coming kingdom of God (the true gospel)! This entire great commission--proclaiming the good news of the coming kingdom, and 'feeding the sheep'--is a combined administration and function of the Church. The individual lay member has his vital part in proclaiming the good news (gospel) to the world...it is done also by radio and television and in print" (Mystery of the Ages, pp.265-266).

I would state that it is NOT presumptuous for evangelists like Dibar Apartian would continue to publicly proclaim the gospel the same way Herbert Armstrong had them do. Sadly, CGG, and many other groups simply wish to reason around the truth here.

But What Did Jesus Teach?

While it is clear that Herbert Armstrong thought the Church should place its highest priority on proclaiming the Gospel, Christians are to be followers of Jesus Christ. As Mr. Armstrong mentioned, Jesus said to get the Gospel out.

In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), talents were given to the servants "according to his own ability" (vs. 15). The one with the least ability reasoned that the best thing he could do was to hide the talent and return it when the master returned. Instead of praising him, the master, "answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant...Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth' " (vs. 26, 28-30). Jesus does not want us to be unprofitable servants, even if we have the least amount of talents He expects us to do our part in supporting the work.

Another interesting view is the story which immediately follows the one about the talents (Matthew 25:31-46):

"When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left...Then they also will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?' Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me' " (vs. 31-33, 44-46).

These are people who said they would have done the work if they understood that is what Jesus wanted, however they did not minister to those Jesus wanted them to minister to.

"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached to all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then the end shall come" (Matthew 24:14).

The end has not yet come. Jesus also does not want us to give up early:

"Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing" (Matthew 24:44-46).

There is another place in the Bible I found where people felt they needed to take care of themselves as first priority instead of doing the work. It is in the book of Haggai:

"Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai saying, 'Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?' " (Hag 1:3-4).

God felt they should do His work first:

" 'You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?' says the LORD of hosts. 'Because my house is in ruins, while every one of you runs his own house' " (Hag 1:9-10).

This second temple may be analagous for the need to do the work of proclaiming the Gospel to the world as a witness after the dismantling of the prior efforts. It appears that God says He will not bless those who take care of themselves instead of doing God's work (see also The Temple and the Work).

Lack of high rank is not an excuse. God used a deacon (Stephen), one who was only supposed to serve tables, to get His message out and even get a vision from God (Acts 6-7).

What About 'Feeding the Flock'?

CGG, like some others, claim that they do not need to place a priority on proclaiming the Gospel of the kingdom to the world as witness, they claim they are tasked primarily with 'feeding the flock'. It would seem, however, that to attempt to get the bride ready with an inward focus, instead of an outward focus to proclaim the Gospel, leads to a somewhat selfish bride.

Jesus, said, "And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give" (Matthew 10:7-8). He did not say to stop giving after He died, to the contrary He taught, "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you and lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age' " (Matthew 28:18-20). Notice that Jesus told the disciples to do both, as Herbert Armstrong also wrote, but to first go to all the nations.

Those who do not believe that proclaiming the gospel should be an extremely high priority would do well to read these passages from James, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves" (James 1:22) and "Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith, and I have works.' Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?" (James 2:17-20).

Some who do not believe the preaching work is necessary often focus on this verse, "Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready" (Rev 19:7). They seem to feel that making themselves ready should now be the goal of the Church. But, when Jesus was asked about the sign of His coming, His focus was to preach to the nations, then the end would come (Matthew 24:14)--He did not say to stop doing the work after any man died and then just take care of one's self. Jesus also said, "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it" (Mark 8:35).

Proverbs 3

A lady sent me the following in an email:

Hi Dr. Thiel -  I have been getting something called, " Daily Verse and Comment" from the Bereans (CGG) since a few months before we found CCOG. The majority of these comments have to do with guiding you in spiritual growth, and it has been quite beneficial to me.

The one that I received this past Sabbath is the first one that has puzzled me. It refers to Proverbs 3:5-6. The Bereans say that God wants us to trust in him and follow His instructions, and if we do, He will  "smooth and make straight the road ahead for us.....He will go before us and remove obstacles and sweep potential problems aside."

I don't see this as true. I see a large percentage of people in a very small church (CCOG), having grave and/or multiple challenges in their lives. So much so, that I have been perplexed by it. I now will refer back to what I heard you say in a sermon. You said that the ones who are called at this time, will be tested and tried now. (Something similar to that )

To me, it sounded as though the people now called, should expect just the opposite of what the Bereans are saying, and not a smooth road. Did I misunderstand what you said, or am I misunderstanding something about it? Thank you (Subject: Berean CGG Article. Email to COGwriter@aol.com on 2/15/2016)

My response to her included the following:

Proverbs 3:5-6, does not say that God will smooth out everything if we trust Him.  It is saying if we trust Him things will work out best for us.

 

Notice what Peter wrote in 1 Peter 4:17-18

 

17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 

Judgment being on us now means that we will face trials and tribulations.

 

Jesus said, in John 16:33, "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

 

So, yes, we should expect tests and trials.

 

Furthermore, consider, what James 1:2-5 teaches, "2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

 

The smooth way is not what we were promised in this life.  We were promised that if we do it God's way and trust Him, it will work out for us best (Romans 8:28), not that we will not have difficulties.

 

While the Laodicean COGs have certain truths, they also promote various errors, which you can see in this case,

God does not promise that Christians will not have tests and trials (see also Persecutions by Church and State).

Prophets and Our Times

In the CCOG email called The Berean dated September 18, 2016, John Ritenbaugh had written the following:

Deuteronomy 18:15-18

(15) "The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear, (16) according to all you desired of the LORD your God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, "Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, nor let me see this great fire anymore, lest I die." (17) "And the LORD said to me: "What they have spoken is good. (18) I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him.
New King James Version

All of us desire to know the future so we can be prepared for it. We want to be in control of our destinies and not at the mercy of events. However, some have this desire so strongly that they set themselves up as channels through which the future is revealed.

Such people have misled many. Deuteronomy 18, along with chapter 13, warns against such people. Whether they are called diviners, charmers, spiritists, or channelers, using methods like reading tea leaves, casting lots, or conducting séances, they are to be seriously and carefully avoided because there is no godly reality to their prognostications. Those seeking to know are being misguided, putting themselves at the mercy of lying demons, or at the very least, imaginative men and women.

At other times, simply following a church tradition regarding a prophecy can also mislead a person. This occurs because someone in the past, sincerely believing he understood a particular prophecy, began preaching his belief, and many in his audience then believed without the resources to prove the interpretation wrong. Due to frequent repetition, it came to be accepted as truth.

It is important for us to understand that prophets were not merely temporary and occasional expedients God would turn to. They played a vital and continuing role in Israel, especially in those times before the Word of God was widely distributed. This is why God makes provision for them within the law. He shows in many places that those He appoints to the prophetic office will always preach the keeping of the commandments of God as evidence of the Source of their inspiration. They will teach the conservation of past truths even as they break new doctrinal ground.

They both forthtell - that is, proclaim a message truthfully, clearly, and authoritatively to those for whom it is intended - and they will on occasion, but not always, foretell - that is, predict events before they take place.

It is misleading to believe these verses in Deuteronomy 18 apply only to Christ. His is undoubtedly their ultimate application, but the promise and description applies to all true, God-ordained prophets. Notice some of the identifiers in these verses:

1. God established the foundational pattern for the prophetic office in Moses ("like me").

2. God will raise a prophet up from among the Israelitish people. Later biblical sources show he might be drawn and appointed from any of the tribes and from any occupation. In other words, he did not have to be a Levite.

3. He will perform the function of a mediator between God and men (verses 16-18).

4. He will stand apart from the system already installed. He will not be antagonistic to the system, but he may be very antagonistic to the sins of those within the system, especially the leadership.

5. God will directly appoint and separate him for his office. Thus, the thrust of his service as God's representative is direct and authoritative. By contrast, the priest's function flowed from man to God by means of sacrifice - far less direct and more appealing and pleading than demanding. The New Testament ministry combines elements of both, but parallels the prophet's function more than the priest's.

Simply and broadly, a prophet is one who is given a message by another of greater authority and speaks for him to those for whom the message is intended. Thus, Moses was God's prophet, but Aaron was Moses' prophet.

Without a doubt, when we hear the word "prophet," we immediately think of the Old Testament. This is a natural reaction because that is where most of them appear in the Bible. Our memory instantaneously brings forth names like Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and David - all great men. However, without a doubt, the two greatest prophets of all time appear in the New Testament: John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. John the Baptist is the last and greatest under the Old Covenant, and Jesus Christ is the first and greatest of the New.

While I am not about to analyze all of John Ritenbaugh's points, the reality is that most real Christians will NOT accept biblical criteria for prophets in this age. An article of related interest is titled check out the article How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God.

Europe Not the Beast?

The following is from a CGG sermon transcript from its website and was titled Where is the Beast Part I:

My entire 43 years in the church I have been taught, and I have taught, that we should look for the Beast to arise in Europe; but where is it? Perhaps the most deceiving of all is that Europe isn’t acting much like the Beast described in the book of Revelation. Doesn’t the scripture say, “Who can make war against the Beast?” Doesn’t that exclamation give you a fairly specific picture? Do you know of anybody that fears Europe? Internationally, Europe as a whole is a joke in terms of terrifying power. Europe is not coming together in the way that we anticipated. Europe is not becoming the colossus that we expected to see arise. Europe is, in reality, disunited, flat on its back politically, economically, militarily, and religiously.

There are many errors with the above.

First, the Europeans are uniting and, notwithstanding the Brexit, its influence is growing larger.

Second, they do have major military plans. For years it has been working on the Galileo GPS system which it intends to use for military purposes (see EU, UK, US, Asia, & Galileo).  Europe also has started to test the Large Hadron Collider (see Why Prophecy? Because the LHC Will Not End the World Next Week), which is considered as the premier physics project in the entire world–this is attracting many of the leading scientists and is likely to improve its military abilities.

The Bible is clear that the Europeans (Assyria in prophecy) do not think that they wish to be militaristic, but that it is clearly part of their nature.  Notice:

5 “Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger
And the staff in whose hand is My indignation.
6 I will send him against an ungodly nation,
And against the people of My wrath
I will give him charge,
To seize the spoil, to take the prey,
And to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
7 Yet he does not mean so,
Nor does his heart think so;
But it is in his heart to destroy,
And cut off not a few nations (Isaiah 10:5-7).

Thirdly, like the old WCG under Herbert W. Armstrong, we in the faithful teach that the ten toes of Daniel 2 are referring to a union that is fragile:

42 And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile (Daniel 2:42).

This clearly does apply to the Europeans.

Fourthly, the ecumenical efforts of the Catholics, led by the recent popes and those like Cardinal Walter Kasper (Catholic/Orthodox: Ecumenicalism Required) are setting the stage for a religious revival in Europe.  Once the Europeans clearly determine that radical Islam cannot be tolerated (and they are moving in that direction now), most WILL embrace an ecumenical form of Catholicism.

Furthermore in that same sermon, CGG’s John Ritenbaugh also stated:

Even though Europe is planning uniting far beyond the prophesied ten nations, to twenty-five nations by 2007, the attempt to unite, combined with the laws being enacted by those people in Brussels—enacted to make standards uniform—are producing the opposite effect, because each of these nations involved has personal interests to protect. The more laws that are enacted by this group in Brussels, the more it is irritating these other nations. Europe is, in fact, declining in many areas important to being a super power that reflects what the Bible shows the world-dominating Beast to be.

And of course, instead of shrinking, the European Union has gotten larger.  And many more nations are trying to join it.  And I should add that the Bible does not state that the EU is limited to ten current nation states.  Notice specifically what the Apostle John was inspired to write:

12 The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast (Revelation 17:12).

The fact that they do not have a kingdom as of yet, but will receive authority for a short while indicates that these are not ten current nations, but will be some type of future political entity that will apparently transcend current national boundaries (see also Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?).

Now later in that same sermon, John Ritenbaugh added this disclaimer and odd comments:

With that foundation, I want to emphasize to you that what I’m going to speak on from here on is not church doctrine. I am thinking out of the box. I’m speculating, based on what I see going on right now, and I’m actually looking to you for help, for ideas, for criticisms and suggestions. Now events may happen that will change my point of view in the future, but right now it looks like either a major portion of “the Beast” may be arising in the nations of Israel, led by the United States and the United Kingdom, or the woman riding the Beast in Revelation 17 consists of the nations of Israel, led by the United States and the United Kingdom. That is the one that I presently consider most likely at this point.

Well, he can state that this is not church doctrine, but if those in his church do not believe that the Europeans are to be the Beast power and that the Anglo-Americans are, then it shows that he is leading his followers down the wrong path on this just like he has on other doctrines/speculations/etc.   Furthermore, if this is not CGG’s position, then perhaps it should take steps to remove it from CGG’s official website as this quote was still there as of 12/06/11.

Notice also:

Events may happen that will change my point of view in the future. At this time, though, it looks as if either 1) a major portion of the Beast may be arising in the nations of Israel led by the United States and United Kingdom, or 2) the woman riding the Beast in Revelation 17 consists of the nations of Israel led by the United States and the United Kingdom. This second possibility is the most likely at this point. (Ritenbaugh JW. The Beast and Babylon (Part One).  Forerunner, "Personal," March-April 2004)

Now, since John Ritenbaugh has indicated he is willing to consider changing his position, perhaps CGG should study the following:

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry…
6 “Will not all these take up a proverb against him, And a taunting riddle against him, and say, ‘Woe to him who increases What is not his–how long? And to him who loads himself with many pledges’? 7 Will not your creditors rise up suddenly? Will they not awaken who oppress you? And you will become their booty (Habakkuk 2:3,7).

The above clearly applies to the Americans being destroyed in the end times as it is the USA which is the most indebted nation in the history of humanity.  And as Habakkuk reported at the appointed time of the end, it is the indebted who would be destroyed by their creditors.

Thus, the USA and its Anglo-nation allies are NOT destined to become the ultimate economic power of the world.  To the contrary, they are now in decline while the Europeans are rising up.

Perhaps those in CGG will reconsider their positions here. For if they do not, they will not see what truly is happening.

Misunderstands Zephaniah 2

Someone sent me the following which was part of the ‘Church of the Great God’s Daily Verse and Comment: for March 24, 2024:

 Zephaniah 2:1-3

(1) Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together,
O undesirable nation,
(2) Before the decree is issued,
Or the day passes like chaff,
Before the LORD’s fierce anger comes upon you,
Before the day of the LORD’s anger comes upon you!
(3) Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth,
Who have upheld His justice.
Seek righteousness, seek humility.
It may be that you will be hidden
In the day of the LORD’s anger.
New King James Version   Change your email Bible version

Some in the church of God today teach that just because a person is part of a certain group, he will escape this wrath. However, the mention of fleeing implies a generality rather than a promise given as an absolute certainty. According to traditions retained from history, all of the apostles except for John suffered violent deaths from persecution.

Are we more deserving of safety than they were? Paul writes in Romans 14:12, “So then, each of us shall give account of himself to God.” Revelation 2:23 confirms individual judgment during Christ’s evaluation of the Thyatira church, without a doubt part of His church: “I will kill her children with death, and all the church shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.”

We must not allow ourselves to think presumptuously that we deserve to be hidden. God is the Master, and we are slaves bought at a price with Christ’s blood. He is the Master Potter, forming and shaping us into the character image of Jesus Christ. If He determines that we need the shaping that Tribulation will bring, then He will not hesitate to set that path before us. If He believes we need to glorify Him before men, He will do the same. …

— John W. Ritenbaugh

Since it is the Continuing Church of God that most directly teaches about Zephaniah 2:1-3, this, CGG’s improper and misworded comments are mainly directed towards the CCOG. Yet, CGG is misunderstanding the Bible here.

First of all, the fact that God told Zephaniah to write to “gather together,” this shows some grouping is involved.

What group?

According to Jesus, it is the Philadelphian Christians who are promised protection Revelation 3:7-13, not other Christians.

We do NOT teach that claiming membership in CCOG means one will be protected. CGG’s denouncement was improper and overly broad.

Yes, CGG is right that this protection is based on individual factors, yet the FACT is that a gathering together is prophesied, which means in the end their will be a particular group.

Second, there will be a an absolute fleeing per Revelation 12:14-16, and not all Christians will per Revelation 12:17.

Thirdly, the correct understanding of Zephaniah 2:1-3 is that in the end times, Christians must gather together with the group that God will have a decree issued in, and that if people heed that and other scriptures, they can be hidden/protected from what is coming.

Additionally, in the CCOG we tell people to heed the words of Jesus when He stated:

34 “But take heed to youarselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36)

So, all individuals should strive to be counted worthy, as not all Christians are promised protection above.

Notice further that Jesus said to watch and pray ALWAYS. He was referring to prophetic matters. THIS CAME FROM JESUS, BUT MANY SCOFF AT PROPHECY for differing reasons (cf. 2 Peter 3:1-7)–yet being a scoffer of prophecy is a mistake (cf. 2 Peter 3:8-9).

Jesus realized that if people did not pay attention to prophecy and pray always, they would not properly take the steps to “be counted worthy to escape all these things.”

Yes, God uses prophecy as a motivator for people. Remember that God used Jonah to warn Nineveh (Jonah 3:1-4) and they repented (Jonah 3:5-9), and God relented of the punishment they were going to get at that time (Jonah 3:10).

Jesus specifically told the Laodiceans, in a prophecy, that they needed to repent (Revelation 3:19) or face consequences (Revelation 3:14-19), and that they would be rewarded for doing so (Revelation 3:20). The Laodiceans are Church of God Christians “who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:17).

Hence, the late John Ritenbaugh looks to be misleading in what he was implying and writing.

In the CCOG, we do not teach being a member of CCOG assures one will be protected, and we also teach that there are Philadelphian Christians in other organizations. But we also teach that the CCOG best represents the Philadelphian remnant of the Church of God and that we do not believe any other organization is Philadelphian.

Now, let’s again see what God inspired the Prophet Zephaniah to write:

1 Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together, O undesirable nation, (Zephaniah 2:1)

Although it has certain misunderstandings, the Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary correctly realized that the gathering together was intended for a religious group or assembly:

Zephaniah 2:1

Gather yourselves together – to a religious assembly, to avert the judgment by prayers, (Joel 2:16, “Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders,” etc.) (from Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright © 1997, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

When are they to gather together?

2 Before the decree is issued, Or the day passes like chaff, Before the Lord’s fierce anger comes upon you, Before the day of the Lord’s anger comes upon you! (Zephaniah 2:2)

The gathering is to take place well before the day of the Lord (which happens about 2 1/2 years after the Great Tribulation of Matthew 24:21 begins) and before some type of decree is issued.

Who does God want to gather together in some type of group?

The end time Christians. Notice what Jesus stated and something the Apostle Peter wrote:

19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:19, NKJV)

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10, KJV)

This is a peculiar people. These are people who the world does not desire. These are Philadelphian Christians.

How do we know that Zephaniah 2:1-3 is related to Christians?

Because the decree is for the end time and because of what else God inspired Zephaniah to write:

3 Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth, Who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. (Zephaniah 2:3a)

The above is a reference to Christians as they are to be the “meek of the earth” (Matthew 5:5) and to Philadelphians who “have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility.” These are Philadelphian Christians who understand that church leaders need to have integrity and are willing to be humble enough to accept the authority of a church led by a low-level prophet in the absence of a clear apostle (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11-15). They are humble enough to not think that they should remain ‘independent,’ as many who once were part of the old Worldwide Church of God, during this Laodicean time, have done.

Laodicea basically means “people decide” and most Christians in the end time have sadly decided not to follow true church governance for many reasons that they feel are justified, but that goes against what they biblically should do (see also The Bible, Peter, Paul, John, Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, Roderick C. Meredith, and Bob Thiel on Church Government).

Why does God tell them they may wish to be gathered together? So:

3…It may be that you will be hidden In the day of the Lord’s anger. (Zephaniah 2:3b)

Interestingly, the Hebrew words translated as Zephaniah means “Yahweh Hides” or “Yahweh Has Hidden” (Holy Bible: Vine’s Expository Reference Edition, p. 826).

Why have I written that Zephaniah 2:1-3 has to do with Philadelphian Christians?

For they are the only ones who will actually ‘gather together’ as they should.

Why?

Because it is they who will lead the final phase of the work and it is only to the Philadelphians that Jesus promises to protect from the coming hour of trial, also referred to as the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord:

7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,

‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: 8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie — indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”‘ (Revelation 3:7-13)

Notice that the Philadelphians are doing the work of God, have kept God’s word, have not denied Christ’s name/authority, and are persevering in the truth.

Yet, other churches around at the end, such as the remnants of Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) and Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6) are not promised that protection. Nor are the many Laodiceans (Revelation 3:14-22)–even if they are somehow gathered together–as they have gathered together in places that Jesus did not wish them to.

Are not all real Christians going to be protected?

No. The Book of Revelation is clear that after the Philadelphians are persecuted (cf. Daniel 7:25a; 11:29-36), that group will flee to a place of protection, while the rest of the true Christians will not flee and then be subject to severe persecution:

13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. 14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. 16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 12:13-17)

What kind of decree will be issued?

A decree that may allow those who are gathered together and who listen to it an opportunity to be protected (Zephaniah 2:1-3). A decree that the Philadelphians will listen to and flee.

When is a decree to be issued? After an event that Jesus told of that He tied to the writings of the Prophet Daniel:

15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), (Matthew 24:15)

14 “So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), (Mark 13:14a)

What did Jesus say happens next?

16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. (Matthew 24:16-21)

Notice also:

5 Declare in Judah and proclaim in Jerusalem, and say:

“Blow the trumpet in the land;
Cry, ‘Gather together,’
And say, ‘Assemble yourselves,
And let us go into the fortified cities.’
6 Set up the standard toward Zion.
Take refuge! Do not delay!
For I will bring disaster from the north,
And great destruction.” (Jeremiah 4:5-6)

The decree to ‘gather together’ will be repeated in the area of Judah just before the time of great destruction.

Why a decree?

Apparently, to make it easier for people who read what Jesus said, to better understand that Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14 and Daniel 9:27b and Daniel 11:31 had been fulfilled.

By whom will the decree be made?

The Bible says:

7 Surely the Lord God does nothing,
Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.
8 A lion has roared!
Who will not fear?
The Lord God has spoken!
Who can but prophesy? (Amos 3:7-8)

The prophet may make the decree personally and/or pass it on to another authority in the church to make.

Who is the only Church of God in the 21st century to teach all of this?

The Continuing Church of God.

If you are not with the group that is leading the final phase of the work will you not be able to flee if you wait until the last moment? While that may be remotely possible for some, remember that God inspired Zephaniah to admonish God’s people to ‘gather together…before the decree is issued.’

Most will discount this and many will scoff. Most COGs do not have anyone considered to be a prophet, and in those other than CCOG who claim to have prophets, those prophets have been proven to be false (e.g. PCG, CGPFKG, TPM). But the Bible says that there will be prophets in the last days and that God does communicate with them in dreams (see Dreams, the Bible, the Radio Church of God, and the Continuing Church of God and/or watch Dreams, COGs, and One Man Rule).

Error in Daniel Calculation

Richard T. Ritenbaugh wrote:

Daniel 9:25-27

Verses 26-27 are very specific that the Messiah would work for three and a half years, half of a week, before being "cut off." When we add three and a half years to AD 27, we find that Christ's ministry ended in AD 31, the year of His crucifixion and resurrection. ...

The starting point of the seventy weeks is stated in verse 25: a decree to rebuild Jerusalem. "The command" should be "a command." The Persian emperors made four decrees in all, so we have a choice of which one fits best with the facts. The only viable decree is the one made by Artaxerxes I in 457 BC. This is the return under Ezra the scribe (Ezra 7:1-10).

Gabriel splits the first sixty-nine weeks into seven weeks (forty-nine years) and sixty-two weeks (434 years). During the forty-nine years from 457 to 408 BC, Jerusalem was being rebuilt. After this time Jerusalem was a fully functioning trade center and fortress. This fulfills the prophecy exactly.

Adding the 434 years to 408 BC brings us to AD 27 (adding one year for passing over the non-existent year 0). accessed 03/14/24  

Yet, notice what Daniel 9:25 states:

26 And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself;

Since Richard T. Ritenbaugh has Jesus beginning His ministry in 27 A.D., it makes no sense that the 62 weeks of Daniel 9:26 ends there. So, he should have picked an earlier year to start like 405/404 for his numbers to match. https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Topical.show/RTD/cgg/ID/7396/Rebuilding-Jerusalem.htm

Three Angels Not Angels?

In a sermon on the Three Angels, John Rittenbaugh stated:

Well, one of the first questions that come up is: Where does this prophecy fit within the time-line of events?

Now, most folks when they read this would say, "Well, it must take place near the end of the tribulation, possibly as the Day of the Lord is beginning. Does it not say, in verse 7, for the hour of His judgment has come?"

So, right on the surface this seems like the Day of the Lord, right?

Well, just to make you think a little bit, let us go back to I John 2:18 where similar wording is used. This is what I mean about the details making one wonder. John is writing to the first century church near the end of his life, and he says:

I John 2:18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.

So, when is the last hour? Could it be now? ...

Do you see the problem here?

Where do we put the proclamation of The Three Angels? It becomes a bit of a question. It seems to be in an inset. And our only understanding of the chronology comes from the context of the eight verses which are there.

So, I am not going to answer the question. This is why I told you that you might find this a bit disturbing, or unsettling, because I do not want to answer the questions right now. I want you to think, could it possibly be some other time than the very end? How far back does it go?st century church? Or is it specifically that last little bit of time at the end, the Day of the Lord? ...

The second troubling detail in all of this is the word 'Angel.'

"Why is this troubling?" you might say? Well, this is the normal Greek word, Angelon, or Angelos, (Angelos is the base root word, and Angelon is the exact word found here in the Greek). But, this word does not necessarily mean a spirit being. In Greek, "Angelon" simply means a messenger, an envoy; one who is sent to announce or proclaim.

Now, granted, in most contexts and in most cases the context usually describes a spirit being. And that would go throughout the New Testament. If it says Angelon, or Angelos, or any form of them, it is usually speaking of a spirit being, one of God's angels. But it does not have to.

Especially in prophetic contexts, this interpretation becomes a bit more dicey. ... How about here in Revelation 14:6—is this a spirit being angel flying in the midst of heaven? Or is it more symbolic of a human being who is doing something for God? Like I said, there are questions. It is not all cut and dry when you look at it.

Now, a mitigating factor, here, is indeed this angel is flying in the midst of heaven. How many men have you seen flying in the midst of heaven? Well, not so quick! You have to remember that the book of Revelation is a book of symbols. And an angel flying in the midst of heaven may not be an angel flying in the midst of heaven. This is what John saw, but that may not be what God means by this.

Of course, that would be the literal interpretation—an angel flying in the midst of heaven. And it is also the most likely interpretation—an angel flying in the midst of heaven with this message. https://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/library/sermon/id/1537/three-angels.htm accessed 02/01/22

While the timing is not abundantly clear, it is clear from the context of Revelation 14 that the three angels are angelic beings, not human beings. More on that can be found in the article: Church of God on the Three Angels' Messages and 'Babylon'.

"John Ritenbaugh focuses upon the precarious relationship existing between God and the modern descendants of Abraham. Sadly, modern Israel (largely composed of America and the British Commonwealth) has earned (breaking, through her spiritual fornication and idolatry, the marriage covenant with God) the label,"Babylon the Great" — the "Great Whore" of Revelation 17 and 18 - a powerful global merchandizing and economic entity. We desperately need to spiritually extricate ourselves from the Babylonish system that threatens to enslave us. No other nation fits the description of the great whore more than self-absorbed modern Israel - sitting complacently in the position of a pampered leader arrogantly holding (temporarily anyway) the Beast (consisting of multiple gentile nations) in check- unfortunately setting the standards of immorality for the entire world. At the end time, the bulk of the church is being called out of the decadent House of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh). " (Ritenbaugh J. Where is the Beast (part 8)? Abstract of Sermon transcript, 8/16/2003).

The above represents a major prophetic change embraced by CGG that those of the Philadelphia remnant of the COG would disagree with (for more information see, Europa and the Beast of Revelation).

'Seventy Weeks Are Determined...'

...chapter 9, Daniel...

Protestants try to ascribe the covenant of verse 27 to the Antichrist because "he," they say, refers to "the prince who is to come." But this cannot be! Remember the poetic organization! The key is the word "many." It is literally "the many," and whenever it is used in the Old Testament, it refers to either the covenant people Israel or to the saints, that is, true believers. (Ritenbaugh RT. 'Seventy Weeks Are Determined...' Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," December 1994. http://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Library.sr/CT/PW/k/569/Seventy-Weeks-Determined.htm viewed 11/24/13)

The reality is that R. Ritenbaugh has badly misunderstood this passage (see The 'Peace Deal' of Daniel 9:27). Unless he changes, he and his followers will not understand when the Great Tribulation will start until it is too late. This passage is explained in depth in the article When Will the Great Tribulation Begin?

"Many have put forth explanations for both the early and the late methods, but this article will answer those arguments for the late method put forth by a Bible study given by John Ritenbaugh on August 26, 2000 (similar material was covered in his article in the December 2000 Forerunner magazine, published by the Church of the Great God, PO Box 471846; 800-878-8220 / 803-802-7075; www.cgg.org). In this study he explained his belief that in 2001 the majority of the Church of God will be keeping Pentecost one week too early. Mr Ritenbaugh referred to the changes that the Worldwide Church of God made in 1974 on the counting of Pentecost. While he agrees with the WCG change from Monday to Sunday, he feels that the change from the late to the early method of counting Pentecost in these unusual years was wrong. He even speculates that this later change was made without Herbert Armstrong’s knowledge and approval. Whether or not he was aware of the change, Herbert Armstrong and the WCG (including Mr Ritenbaugh) kept Pentecost using the early method in 1974, 1977 and 1981. Mr Ritenbaugh changed back to the late method in 1994. This places Mr Ritenbaugh in sync with the Roman Catholics for counting Pentecost, and at odds with the majority of Church of God groups which use the early method. I will be the first to state that the majority is not always right, and majority opinion constitutes no proof whatsoever. But in this case, I will say that the weight of Scriptural evidence shows that the early method is correct" (Beattie, Sanford. Counting Pentecost in 2001. Servant's News, Jan/Feb 2001, p.12).

CGG is small in membership, with about 400 persons attending services each week in about 50 small groups in the United States, Canada, and Port of Spain, Trinidad. Other smaller groups are located in France, the Philippines, Australia, South Africa, and Zambia. Membership growth is slow, primarily due to the emphasis upon "feeding the flock" with little effort to proselytize new members, except through their websites. The church indicates it has "over 1,500 people" on their active postal mailing list, nearly 41,000 receiving its magazine, Forerunner, and over 78,800 subscribers to their daily email newsletter, "The Berean: Daily Verse and Comment." An indeterminable number attend virtual Sabbath services at home each week by listening to the Fort Mill, South Carolina, congregation's services via live Windows Media and RealAudio stream.

Position on Born Again

In a June 2009 sermon, a transcript of which is available at CGG's website, John Ritenbaugh taught:

How does one explain “this or that” regarding this “born again” question? It is very helpful to know that being “born again” is an entirely spiritual operation…

It should be easy to understand why there can be confusion over the words. We can interpret it only by what they can legitimately be translated into. They can be translated as “begotten again, “born again,” “born anew,” or “born from above.” And this may seem a little bit wild, but it is true. It can even be understood as “from a beginning” or “at a beginning.”

Now on the basis of how God deals with us in the rest of the New Testament, and after John 2 and 3, it must be understood as “born again,” and not “begotten again.” God never even one time speaks of us as being in a womb as an embryo or a fetus…Nicodemus’ error was sincere, and Herbert Armstrong’s error was sincere. (Source: Ritenbaugh J. Born Again Sermon, Part 2, June 20, 2009)

So while John Ritenbaugh admitted that the terms translated as “born again” can be translated as “begotten again”, he decided against the idea of teaching that God spiritually begets His offspring in this life who are then born again at the resurrection.

CGG has made doctrinal changes, as well as inaccurate changes (in my opinion) to prophetic understandings as well.  All should compare what their church teaches with the Bible. An article of related interest may include Born Again: A Question of Semantics?

Position on Church Eras

One of the best known and strongest beliefs held by those who came out through the scattering of the Worldwide Church of God is that Revelation 2 and 3 describe eras—that is, seven long periods of time, from the founding of the church during Christ's lifetime right up to the present and continuing on to Christ's return.

But is this true? Is there any part of it that might be true?...

Now Herman Hoeh traced out the roots of the Radio Church of God by seeking doctrinal similarities of religious groups named in histories written (in some cases) as long as 2,000 years ago. Interestingly, information that he found about groups determined that they were spiritual ancestors of the present-day church of God, and all of this interesting information came from the groups' enemies.

He found names like the Nazarenes, the Bogomils, the Paulicians, the Athengany, Waldensians, Lollards, Sabbatarian Baptists, and there were others besides. He also found the names of some of the leaders of those groups, such as Polycarp, Polycrates, Constantine of Mannanali, Peter du Bois, Peter Waldo, Walter Lollard, Stephen Mumford, and two men whose first names only were recorded: one named Arnold, and the other Henri.

These organizations and men were then fitted by Herman Hoeh into the list of churches in Revelation 2 and 3 according to the time periods in which the organizations existed and the men lived. Thus Dr. Hoeh was able to arrive at a chain, apparently linked through the centuries by common doctrines.

There is no doubt that the church has continued to have an unbroken life from the time it was founded because Christ did not die. But the question remains: was it Christ's intention that we should understand Revelation 2 and 3 through this "eras" method of interpretation? I believe that even if it is possibly a true interpretation, it is because God's Word often serves more than one purpose. But it is still neither the most accurate, nor the most important one.

So now we have CG7, UCG, COGaic, CBCG, and CGG either not teaching church eras or teaching against them. Those that do not properly understand Church eras will simply not understand certain events related to the purpose of the Church (which is what all of those previously listed COGs have problems with their priorities) as well as not properly understand certain events related to end time prophecy.

Those who fail to heed Jesus' repeated admonitions to the Churches of Revelation 2 and 3 do so to their peril. And while the groups that no longer embrace the idea of Church eras tend to reason around that, the fact remains that those who are not part of the remnant of the Philadelphia Church are destined to go through the Great Tribulation.

Claim That the Azazel Goat Represents Jesus

While Jewish authorities and the old Worldwide Church of God published that the Azazel goat of Leviticus 16 had to do with Satan (see The Day of Atonement--Its Christian Significance), CGG claims that goat is actually Jesus, not Satan

Here is some of its rational:

The two goats of the unique Day of Atonement ceremony are first mentioned in Leviticus 16:5, which contains an often-overlooked detail: “And he shall take from the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats as a sin offering, and one ram as a burnt offering” (emphasis ours throughout unless otherwise noted).

The “two kids of the goats” together are a single sin offering .. .A reason the animals had to be of the highest quality is that they were offered to God, who deserves only the best. A second reason is that every sacrificial animal prefigured the Savior, who was entirely without blemish or defect.

In the symbolism of a substitutionary sacrifice, an innocent participant is chosen to bear the sins of the guilty. However, this utterly fails to apply to Satan, for his millennia of sin make it impossible for him to be pictured as unblemished or innocent. (The Berean. Sent: Monday, September 18, 2023 at 08:17:12 AM EDT Subject: Leviticus 16:5 (Daily Verse and Comment)

CGG misunderstands Leviticus 16. Notice the following:

5 And from the assembly of the sons of Israel he shall take two he goats of the goats for sin, and one ram for a burnt-offering. (Leviticus 16:5, Smith's Literal Translation; Note that it does not state that the goats are both for sin offerings. We see in verse 15 only one of the goat's is described as "the sin offering.")

8 And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for Jehovah, and the other lot for Azazel. 9 And Aaron shall present the goat upon which the lot fell for Jehovah, and offer him for a sin-offering. 10 But the goat, on which the lot fell for Azazel, shall be set alive before Jehovah, to make atonement for him, to send him away for Azazel into the wilderness. (Leviticus 16:8-10, ASV)

8 ‘And Aaron hath given lots over the two goats, one lot for Jehovah, and one lot for a goat of departure; 9 and Aaron hath brought near the goat on which the lot for Jehovah hath gone up, and hath made it a sin-offering. 10 ‘And the goat on which the lot for a goat of departure hath gone up is caused to stand living before Jehovah to make atonement by it, to send it away for a goat of departure into the wilderness. (Leviticus 16:8-10, YLT)

15 "Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering, which is for the people, bring its blood inside the veil, do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat and before the mercy seat. (Leviticus 16:15, NKJV)

Note that the second goat is NOT later called a sin offering--only the goat to be killed was later identified that way--but when initially chosen, it was unclear which goat would be the sin offering before the lots were cast.

Christians note the parallels between the first of the two goats with Jesus being the sin offering in verse 9 and the second of the two goats with Satan (the Azazel goat).

As far as CGG's point about sacrificial animals go, consider that the goat that was released to the wilderness was not sacrificed, which invalidates the position that all sacrificial animals had to be without physical blemish.

Could Satan or his ministers outwardly appear to be without blemish?

Yes, as the Apostle Paul wrote:

14 ... For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:14-15)

That is part of why lots were cast to determine the goat for the sin offering and the other for Azazel.

Relating to the goats and Day of Atonement, the late Herbert W. Armstrong wrote:

Meaning Pictured by Day of Atonement

The Day of Atonement pictures a wonderful and great event, to take place after the Second Coming of Christ, which the world is in total ignorance of because it has failed to see the true significance of these annual Sabbaths holy unto the Lord. It has failed to keep them as a constant reminder of God's plan of redemption!

The symbolism is all expressed in the account of the events of the Day of Atonement, as carried out before the crucifixion, in the 16th chapter of Leviticus.

Verse 5 "And he [Aaron, or the high priest] shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering. . . ."

Verse 6 The high priest offered a sin offering for HIMSELF and his house.

Verses 7 and 8 "And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; the one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat" (margin, Hebrew, Azazel).

Now because this has not been understood because there are many different views and opinions and ideas and explanations of this, we here pause sufficiently to go into this in some detail. Let us, therefore, regardless of our own former convictions, study with open minds, without prejudice, proving all things. We want truth!

The key to the whole explanation lies in a correct understanding of the meaning of Azazel. This word does not occur elsewhere in the Old Testament. The Comprehensive Commentary has: "Spencer, after the oldest opinions of the Hebrews and Christians, thinks Azazel is the name of the Devil, and so Rosen. . . . The word scapegoat signifies the goat which went away. " The One Volume Commentary says: "The word 'scapegoat' in the AV. is not a translation." It is merely an interpretation of the supposed meaning by the translators.

True, the English word "scapegoat" signifies "one who bears blame or guilt for others." But "scapegoat" is an English word, and is not a translation of the Hebrew word Azazel. The word "scapegoat," and the meaning attached to this English word, is not a translation of the Hebrew word Azazel, and therefore it is not the word inspired originally. Continues the One Volume Commentary: "Azazel is understood to be the name of one of those malignant demons."

Types of Christ and Satan

These two goats were, of course, types. Notice, it was necessary to be decided by lot, which one was qualified to represent Christ, and which Azazel. Some say BOTH were qualified. The scripture does not say this. Let us not assume it. Now a "lot" is a solemn appeal to God to decide a doubtful matter. It is a sacred religious ceremony. It included a supernatural act of God. ...

Notice, men were unable to decide which goat was qualified to represent Christ. This involved an appeal to God to decide! "One lot for the Lord, and the other lot for Azazel." Now one lot was for the Lord this goat typified Christ but the other lot was not for the Lord, did not typify Christ, but Azazel Satan! These words most naturally suggest that Azazel is the name of a person, here contrasted to the Eternal! Notice the contrast one for the Lord, the other for Azazel.

Now the goat which God selected through lot, to represent Christ was slain, as Christ, its antitype was slain. But the other goat selected by God to represent Azazel was not slain, but was driven, alive, into an uninhabited wilderness. It was not a resurrected goat, symbolizing the resurrected Christ, for it never died. The uninhabited wilderness, to which this goat was driven, cannot, as we shall show, represent heaven, where Christ went. Heaven is neither uninhabited, nor a wilderness.

After God designated which goat represented Christ and which Azazel, the high priest (verse 11) killed the bullock for a sin offering for himself, then took the burning coals of fire and the sweet incense into the Holy of Holies, also sprinkling the blood of the bullock before the mercy seat, typical of the throne of God, covering the tables of testimony (the law). This the high priest was required to do in order to purify himself to officiate, and to represent Christ as High Priest. In the antitype, this was not done, for Christ, our High Priest, had no need of this purification as the typical substitutionary priests did.

Now the Levitical high priest was ready to go out and officiate.

Next, the goat which God selected by lot to represent Christ, as the sin offering of the people, was killed. Thus the sins of the people were borne by the goat, even as Christ, finally, once for all, bore our sins on the cross. But Christ rose again from the dead, and ascended to the throne of God in heaven.

Now, who, or what, from this point on in the Levitical ceremony, typified the resurrected Christ, who went to heaven? Some say the goat representing Azazel. Let us see.

The risen Christ, now at the right hand of the throne of God in heaven (I Peter 3:22), is called what? Our High Priest! What was the earthly type of God's throne? The uninhabited wilderness? No! That is where the live goat went!

The earthly type of God's throne was the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies. After Christ died, He went to the heavenly mercy seat interceding for us, as our High Priest. ". . . Entereth into that within the veil; whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec" (Hebrews 6:19-20).

Now, again, who, or what, in the Levitical ceremony of the Day of Atonement, typified the risen Christ, our High Priest, who went within the veil to God's throne in heaven? The one goat had been slain. It represented the slain Christ. It can no longer represent the risen Christ. The slain Christ was not our High Priest, because the Levitical priesthood, with its high priest, did not end until Christ rose from the dead and ascended to heaven as a High Priest after the order of Melchisedec. But the risen Christ was High Priest. Now WHO took this part in the Levitical ceremonies, temporarily re-enacted year by year, on this eternal Holy Day? Why, so obviously a child could see, it was the Levitical high priest, not the goat representing Azazel!

The High Priest Type of Christ

As soon as the slain goat was dead, who went within the veil, presenting the blood of this goat before the typical throne of God?

Leviticus 16:15-16 "Then shall he [the high priest] kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and [now the high priest himself typifying the work of the risen Christ] bring his blood within the veil . . . and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat: and he shall make an atonement for the holy place. . . ."

And so it was the high priest taking blood within the veil, to the mercy seat, that typified the risen Christ figuratively taking HIS blood, once for all, within the veil to the very throne of God in heaven, there to intercede for us as High Priest. Surely this is so plain a child can see.

The slain goat represented the crucified Jesus. The high priest, by taking the blood of this slain goat into the veil to the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies, a type of God's throne, represented and did the work of the risen Christ, who ascended to the right hand of the Majesty on high, there interceding as our High Priest. Can we honestly continue to teach that the goat representing Azazel represented the work of the risen Christ? Did this live goat take the blood of Christ within the veil, to the mercy seat?

The high priest going within the veil, into the Holy of Holies, symbolized Christ's return to heaven. The work he did while in the Holy of Holies symbolized Christ's work these 1900 years interceding for us, presenting His shed blood before the mercy seat in heaven. Now, coming back out, symbolizing Christ's return to earth, what did the high priest do?

"And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat: and Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness: and the goat shall bear upon him [Fenton: shall carry upon itself] all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness. And Aaron shall . . . wash his flesh with water. . . . And he that let go the goat for the scapegoat [Azazel] shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward come into the camp" (Leviticus 16:20-26).

The Azazel Goat Not Our Sin-Bearer

Let us get this straight!

Is there justice with God? Is not God a God of justice, as well as of compassion and mercy? Who is the real author of our sins? The devil is the author of them, even as Christ is the author of our salvation. Jesus took our guilt our blame our sins upon Himself as an innocent substitutionary sacrifice. He was an innocent victim. He loved us, and was willing to die for us. Our guilt our sins, were borne by Him, and Him alone and God forgives them when we repent and accept His sacrifice. And yet, is this, if we stop there, full justice?

The real cause the actual author of those sins was Satan the devil. Is it justice for Christ to bear guilt that is not His, while the devil goes off scot-free? Do you not suppose GOD'S great plan will finally work full justice by placing that original blame and guilt right where it belongs?

Now mark carefully this distinction. Christ bore our guilt. For we have been guilty, even though the devil was the original cause of it all. But justice certainly demands that God place right back on the head of the devil his guilt not our guilt, but his own guilt for leading us into sin. We were guilty, too and our guilt Christ bore yet all our sins belong right back on the devil as his own guilt!

Now notice another point. The Azazel goat carries away the sins of all the people already forgiven. These sins already were fully paid for by Christ's substitute sacrifice, symbolized by the killing of the innocent goat before those same sins were finally laid on the live goat. They had been previously paid for by the death of the slain goat.

The devil is the real author of all sin. Can we, then, be finally made at one with God, as long as this instigator of sin is with us? Can we not see he must first be driven away? And there would not be justice with God unless his own guilt in our sins were placed right back on his head? Is it justice for Christ to bear the devil's guilt, as well as our own guilt, for our sins? Christ has carried our sins, but must He continue to carry them? Should they not be removed entirely from us, and from the presence even of God?

Thus the killing and sprinkling of blood of the first goat visibly set forth the means of reconciliation with God, through the substituted sacrifice of an innocent victim. So finally the sending away of the second goat, laden with those sins, the expiation of which had been signified by the first goat, no less vividly sets forth the effect of that sacrifice, in complete removal of those expiated sins from the presence of God!

Satan the Accuser

Satan is the accuser of the brethren. His power over men is founded on sin. When all these sins, of which he is the author, are laid back on him, after being removed from us by Christ, then Satan shall have lost his claim on us. And no longer can he accuse us!

Thus, finally, as the acceptance of the blood of the first goat (Christ) symbolized complete propitiation, and pardon of Israel's sins, so the sending of Azazel bearing away those expiated sins symbolizes the complete removal of all sins deliverance by the atonement from the power of the adversary.

The sacrifice of the first innocent victim was the means of reconciliation with God, but not yet complete justice.

The driving away of the second live goat shows the final atonement, by placing the sins on their author where they belong, and the complete removal of the sins and their author from the presence of God and His people and thus the complete deliverance of the people from the power of Satan.

Webster says to atone means to set at one. To join in one to form by uniting. We shall not be completely joined in one, and united with God, until this is done.

Before leaving this, notice, too, that after laying both his hands on the live goat, Azazel, Aaron had to wash and cleanse himself before coming in contact with the people. So, too, the "fit man" also had to wash his clothes and bathe himself after coming in contact with the Azazel goat, before he came into the presence of the people. The symbolism is certainly that of having come in contact with the devil!

Notice, now, this act of putting these already expiated and forgiven sins on the head of this live goat does not take place until after the high priest returns from the Holy of Holies within the veil so this typified an act to take place after the Second Coming of Christ to this earth!

But if the live goat represented the resurrected Christ, then the sins Christ bore on the cross were placed by another, typified by the high priest, back on Christ, after His resurrection. Would this make sense? Is the theory of the Azazel goat being Christ consistent? No, but the plain simple meaning does fit at every turn, and IS consistent. The first goat represented the innocent Jesus who died for our sins the high priest represented the risen Christ going within the veil to the mercy seat, or throne of God in heaven, for over 1900 years and the high priest returning to place the sins finally upon the head of the live goat represented the return of Christ who will place the sins He bore on their author, the devil, and who will send him away alive into a desolate uninhabited wilderness the "bottomless pit" or abyss of Revelation 20:3.

In the 19th chapter of Revelation, we have the prophecy of the Second Coming of Christ. At the beginning of the 20th chapter, what is to happen?

Exactly what the 16th chapter of Leviticus shows. The devil is sent away the symbol here used is the "bottomless pit" symbol of an uninhabited desolate wilderness (Revelation 18:2) and he is sent there by a FIT man an ANGEL from heaven. Now the devil is not killed. He does not die. He is still alive a thousand years later after the Millennium (Revelation 20:7).

Now a few points that will come to mind. Both goats were "presented before the Lord." Can Satan be presented before the Lord? Job 1:6 and 2:1 says he has presented himself before the Lord. Note, too, Azazel was driven away from the Holy of Holies, a symbol of God's presence.

And so the annual Day of Atonement was instituted forever to keep continually before God's children and His Church the plan of redemption, to occur after the Second Coming of Christ.

And we find this annual holy day recognized in the New Testament. In Acts 27:9, when Paul was on his perilous sea voyage to Rome, it is recorded that "when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past. . . ." See the margin in your Bible. The fast refers to the Day of Atonement the 10th day of the seventh month. Now this day could not then have been past on that particular year unless that day was still in full effect and force and existence. Otherwise the Holy Spirit surely could never have inspired those words! Surely this strongly indicates that this day was still in existence and being recognized thus by the Holy Spirit. (Armstrong HW. Pagan Holidays or God's Holy Days Which?)

The Azazel goat is not Jesus.

Conclusion

CGG's focus, priorities, gospel proclamation efforts, and incorrect understanding of various doctrine and prophecy should be a major concern to any who wish to be faithful to Philadelphian teachings in the Bible.

Although it has been reported that "The doctrinal differences among the Churches of God are miniscule. You can't get a knifes edge between us on doctrines" (Dart, Ron. CEM Founder Talks About Bickering, Bridges, the Future. The Journal. July 31, 1999. p.6), this author does not believe that one can examine the teachings of groups, such as CGG, and come to that conclusion (nor apparently would Herbert Armstrong, for proof please check out some quotes from HWA on holding fast to doctrine). Here is a related article of possible interest: What is a True Philadelphian?

Laodicean Warning for God's People If you have read this far you are probably a current or former member of one of the Churches of God and may be interested in reading this warning article.
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from lower level leaders?
The Final Phase of the Work What is the final phase of the work? Who will lead it? Do you have the courage to support it? Here is a related YouTube video titled The Final Phase of the Work. The written article has been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra.
Leading the Final Phase of the Work Matthew 24:14 will be fulfilled and RCG is not the group doing this. Who is leading the final phase of the work? What did Herbert Armstrong and the old WCG teach about that and about prophets? Does Bob Thiel meet the criteria that the Bible and the old WCG set? What is the proof? What has the Continuing Church of God been doing?  This is a sermonette length video.
Preparing for the 'Short Work' and The Famine of the Word What is the 'short work' of Romans 9:28? Who is preparing for it? Here is a link to a related video sermon titled: The Short Work.
How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God There are many false prophets. How can Christians determine who is a true prophet? There is also a sermon-length video titled How to determine if someone is a true prophet of God. Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Cómo determinar si alguien es un verdadero profeta de Dios?

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