Church of God News

Gerald Flurry

COGwriter

Since I posted about Ronald, the self-appointed prophet, Weinland’s recent criminal investigation (see IRS Criminal Investigation of Ronald Weinland?), this seems to be a good time to post some information that Robert Kuhne has at his site regarding Gerald, the self-appointed prophet, Flurry of PCG.

Here is part of what Robert Kuhne reported:

In 1993 Gerald Flurry was arrested and taken to jail after being found intoxicated and passed out behind the wheel of his automobile. The PCG membership was never told the truth about this incident, only that he was cited for having a couple of empty beer containers inside his car.

I read the court documents and police report that are at Robert Kuhne’s website.

The court documents state:

ON OR ABOUT THE 18TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1993, THE CRIME OF BEING IN ACTUAL PHYSICAL CONTROL WAS UNLAWFULLY COMMITTED IN OKLAHOMA COUNTY, OKLAHOMA BY GERALD RAY FLURRY WHO WILFULLY AND KNOWINGLY WAS IN ACTUAL PHYSICAL CONTROL OF A MOTOR VEHICLE…WHILE HE WAS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF INTOXICATING LIQUOR…AGAINST THE PEACE AND DIGNITY OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

The documents also state that “the crime of transporting an open container of intoxicating liquor was unlawfully committed by…Gerald Ray Flurry”. Thus, the documents state that Gerald Flurry committed two crimes.

In the police report, the officer stated that Gerald Flurry was “passed out behind the wheel”. The officer stated that when Gerald Flurry was asked for his driver’s license, he said he did not have it. But the officer stated that Gerald Flurry took out a $20 bill instead. The officer repeatedly told Gerald Flurry to put the money back in his wallet and asked for his driver’s license. The officer noted the smell of “a heavy odor of liquor” from Gerald Flurry’s breath. The officer observed that Gerald Flurry “had trouble standing still without staggering”. When the officer asked Gerald Flurry if he had been drinking, he indicated that he had.

The officer “administered three field sobriety tests” and Gerald Flurry “failed all three sobriety tests”. The officer concluded that Gerald Flurry’s alcohol levels exceeded the legal maximum.

The police report then states:

“At approximately 2248 on 9-18-93 this officer informed the male subject later identified as Flurry, Gerald Ray that he was under arrest for APC and TOC.”

APC is apparently an abbreviation that means “Actual Physical Control” , essentially having a motor vehicle under your control while “under the influence of intoxicating liquor” (another court document has the abbreviation “DUI”). And TOC is apparently an abbreviation that means “transporting an open container-liquor”.

After arresting Gerald Flurry, the officer had his vehicle impounded and transported him “to Oklahoma County Jail in OKC”.

In his own handwriting, Gerald Flurry wrote (and signed):

If the District Attorney presented the evidence to a jury, they could find me guilty of the charge.

Gerald Flurry also pleaded “nolo contendre” to the charges and someone paid one or more fines on his behalf.

Of course, people do make mistakes and sometimes get arrested for them. My main point in posting this is that Robert Kuhne, who was a PCG member for some time after this, states that the PCG membership was not told the truth about this matter. The court documents apparently tell more than PCG’s membership was told about this.

There are many problems with PCG, and the self-appointed prophet is a major reason for that. But the Bible warns that because of false leaders the truth of God will be blasphemed (2 Peter 2:1-3) and since I feel that Gerald Flurry is a false leader and not God’s prophet, I feel that he has (and continues) to cause the truth problems.

An article of possibly related interest may be Teachings Unique to the Philadelphia Church of God

Laodicea Has Many Scattered Structures that Are Ineffective

COGwriter

Quite a few years ago, someone told me that he felt that David Hulme would do a better job than Roderick C. Meredith in the use of electronic media, hence he decided to follow David Hulme (who was first the president of UCG, then when he failed to get re-selected, left and founded COGaIC). The same individual also told me that he felt that the younger David Hulme would make more effective use of the internet than Roderick C. Meredith.

But what happened?

While heading UCG, David Hulme failed to lead that church to do much in the way of public proclamation (UCG only succeeded in getting its own telecast well after David Hulme’s deparatute). As head of COGaIC David Hulme has had limited television exposure as his church has apparently decided against regular production (instead it sometimes, apparently less than once per year) makes a special presentation.

The most effective COG in reaching people who actually respond to television has been Roderick C. Meredith’s LCG which received over 3,500 responses per week (which suggests a quite high viewership)

But what about the internet?

COGaIC has taken a different approach to the internet than Dr. Meredith’s LCG.

First of all, it restricts access to its cogaic webiste (church-of-god.org) so people it does not pre-approve cannot have access to its content.

This has resulted in lowered access and less effectiveness. According to Alexa (an independent worldwide internet ranking service) the cogaic website has a popularity ranking of 5,506,386–this means that 5,506,385 websites around the world are more popular than it (and also means that relatively few visit it).

LCG.org (LCG’s equivalent site) has an Alexa ranking of 837,170 which means that it is immensely more popular.

COGaIC does allow the public to view its Vision.org website. It has an Alexa ranking of 241,835. This compares to an Alexa ranking of 213,450 for Tomorrowsworld.org LCG’s (equivalent site)–basically this means that the Tomorrowsworld.org is nearly twice as popular as Vision.org.

Additionally, LCG’s Tomorrows World telecast was put on YouTube by an individual member and has had over 1,000,000 views in the past 18 months. Plus, COGwriter.com (another unofficial LCG’s supporting website) has an Alexa popularity ranking about the same as Vision.org.

Hence, as far as effectiveness on the internet or television, David Hulme’s vision has been lacking.

Hopefully, those who wish to place their top priority on proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom to the world as a witness (Matthew 24:14) will pray and meditate upon this and consider what they should do.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

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 evangelists?
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to more easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.
Church of God, an International Community (COG aic) This is the group led by David Hulme. What do they teach or stand for?
Unity: Which COG for You? Why so many groups? Why is there lack of unity in the Churches of God? Has it always been this way? What can/should be done about it?
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now basically the Living Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era was predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. Non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.

Ancient Smyrna was Greek

COGwriter

In its latest weekly update, LCG had the following news item:

The Pope Moves “Back to the Future.” Nearly 40 years ago, the Catholic Church effectively banned the Latin Mass to make people feel more a part of the liturgy. In recent years, the Pope has made the Latin Mass an “option” for Catholic parishes. Now, the Latin Mass “is to be reintroduced into every Roman Catholic parish….” When asked if the Latin Mass would be celebrated in many parishes in the future, the Pope’s senior spokesman stated, “Not in many parishes, all parishes.” This move will achieve the Pope’s wish for the Latin Mass and the “revised” (modern-language) Mass to exist side by side (Sunday Telegraph, June 15, 2008). But how long will it be before the Latin Mass totally replaces the “side-by-side” Mass? The current Pope Benedict XVI is focused on returning the Catholic Church to a more conservative time—a time when the Pope had greater power and influence over the church as a whole, and Europe in general. The Scriptures reveal that at the time of the end harlot daughters will return to their mother church. In addition, this church will grow in power and influence on the world scene (see Revelation 17). The Pope and his Vatican counselors are preparing the Roman church for a much greater role in the future (v. 18). Reinstituting the Latin Mass will force people to worship under the church’s power, while they are kept ignorant by not understanding the church’s teachings.

And while all of that is true, I would like to point out that the original “catholic church” was the Church of God in Smyrna. And the type of writings and church services that came from that area were NOT in Latin, but were in Greek. And that was also true for the Church of Rome–until probably the third century, pretty much all theological literature for the first and second centuries was in Greek.

Tertullian is called “the father of Latin theology”–yet he lived in North Africa (not Rome) and began to write just prior to and later into the third century.

The New Testament itself was written in koine Greek.

Thus Catholics who feel that they need to go back to the traditional language of the church would pick Greek, instead of Latin.  Catholics and many others who are looking for the original church really need to review church history more than they have.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

What Do Roman Catholic Scholars Actually Teach About Early Church History? Although most believe that the Roman Catholic Church history teaches an unbroken line of succession of bishops beginning with Peter, with stories about most of them, Roman Catholic scholars know the truth of this matter. This eye-opening article is a must-read for any who really wants to know what Roman Catholic history actually admits about the early church.
Location of the Early Church: Another Look at Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome What actually happened to the primitive Church? And did the Bible tell about this in advance?
Apostolic Succession What really happened? Did structure and beliefs change? Are many of the widely-held current understandings of this even possible? Did you know that Catholic scholars really do not believe that several of the claimed “apostolic sees” of the Orthodox have apostolic succession–despite the fact that the current pontiff himself seems to wish to ignore this view?  Is there actually a true church that has ties to any of the apostles that is not part of the Catholic or Orthodox churches?  Read this article if you truly are interested in the truth on this matter!
The Smyrna Church Era was predominant circa 135 A.D. to circa 450 A.D. The Church led by Polycarp, Melito, Polycrates, etc.
Polycarp of Smyrna: The Heretic Fighter Polycarp was the successor of the Apostle John and a major leader in Asia Minor. Do you know much about what he taught?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Living Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions.
Hope of Salvation: How the Living Church of God differ from most Protestants How the Living Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background.
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to more easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.

VS.
Ronald Weinland Says His Books and His Interpretations of the Bible Are What He Wants Potential Supporters to Study. The COGwriter Site Instead Urges Those Interested in Him and End-Time Prophecies to Spend More Time Checking His Writings with the Bible.

COGwriter

Yesterday, I noticed that an anti-COG site posted the following about Ronald Weinland:

Ronald Weinland is being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the Internal Revenue Service. They are looking into his taxes beginning with tax year 2004 and including all of years since. An investigation by the IRS CID should not be confused with a more common taxpayer audit.

The IRS CID is described:
“The Criminal Investigation Division (CID) is the IRS police department. With the help of the court system, CID puts people in jail. They don’t wear uniforms like police, but they carry gold badges and guns like police. If somebody says they are from CID of the IRS, you or somebody you know is under criminal investigation and may go to jail.” (source: Ronald Weinland’s Personal Great Tribulation)

I refrained from posting anything about this until I could investigate further. And while I do not in any way endorse much of what is at this anti-COG site, Mike from the above site sent me many documents (that I received today) that certainly look real–and I do appreciate his cooperation on this matter.

Having seen those documents, it seems that the IRS is conducting some type of a criminal investigation of Ronald Weinland (to see them yourself, you can go to Ron Weinland’s Armageddon with the IRS).

Of course, just being audited by the IRS, including the criminal portion may or may not be significant as (from what I read in other sources) the IRS is deciding to use their criminal arm more and more even when it is uncalled for–especially for Americans who tend to go overseas somewhat frequently–which Ronald Weinland does (and that of itself is not criminal nor should it be discouraged).

But this audit does suggest another possible problem for Ronald Weinland.

But even if he has no real problem with the I.R.S. (and presuming he will be cleared, he would not), the fact is that Ronald Weinland is not God’s prophet and is a false leader that should not be listened to. My concerns about him have always been primarily theological.

Two articles of possibly related interest may include:

Concerns About Ronald Weinland’s Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God Ronald Weinland falsely claims to be one of the two witnesses God is raising up and that the end will come in 2008. Is he a false prophet? He has at least one other view that suggests that he is not part of the COG.
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–and Ronald Weinland is one of them–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.

Vatican-Based Cardinal Walter Kasper

COGwriter

In a speech to the Anglicans in Canterbury England, Vatican-based Cardinal Walter Kasper reiterated his earlier position admitting that there was NOT a single bishop who ruled all of Christendom from the beginning.

Notice what Zenit.org, a pro-Vatican news source reported:

In brief, I argued that unity, unanimity and koinonia (communion) are fundamental concepts in the New Testament and in the early Church. I argued: “From the beginning the episcopal office was “koinonially” or collegially embedded in the communion of all bishops; it was never perceived as an office to be understood or practised individually.” Then I turned to the theology of the episcopal office of a Church Father of great importance for Anglicans and Catholics alike, the martyr bishop Cyprian of Carthage of the third century.

His sentence “episcopatus unus et indivisus” is well known. This sentence stands in the context of an urgent admonition by Cyprian to his fellow bishops: “Quam unitatem tenere firmiter et vindicare debemus maxime episcopi, qui in ecclesia praesidimus, ut episcopatum quoque ipsum unum atque indivisum probemus.” [“And this unity we ought firmly to hold and assert, especially those of us that are bishops who preside in the church, that we may also prove the episcopate one and undivided.”] This urgent exhortation is followed by a precise interpretation of the statement “episcopatus unus et indivisus”. “Episcopatus unus est cuius a singulis in solidum pars tenetur” [“The episcopate is one, each part of which is held by each one for the whole.”] (De ecclesiae catholicae unitate I, 5).

But Cyprian goes even one step further: he not only emphasises the unity of the people of God with its own individual bishop, but also adds that no one should imagine that he can be in communion with just a few, for “the Catholic Church is not split or divided” but “united and held together by the glue of the mutual cohesion of the bishops” (Ep. 66,8)…(Kasper, Cardinal Walter. Cardinal Kasper to Anglican Communion “The Aim of Our Dialogue Has Receded Further”. CANTERBURY, England, JULY 31, 2008 (Zenit.org)).

Cardinal Kasper is not the only Roman Catholic scholar to admit this. The truth is that informed Catholic scholars know that what most people think happened (Peter was bishop of Rome and anointed Linus to take the “cathedra” to rule over all of Christendom who then passed it on to a line of bishops simply is not the case.

Notice what a Catholic priest and professor of theology published:

ALTHOUGH CATHOLIC TRADITION, BEGINNING IN the late second and early third centuries, regards St. Peter as the first bishop of Rome and, therefore, as the first pope, there is no evidence that Peter was involved in the initial establishment of the Christian community in Rome (indeed, what evidence there is would seem to point in the opposite direction) or that he served as Rome’s first bishop. Not until the pontificate of St. Pius I in the middle of the second century (ca. 142-ca. 155) did the Roman Church have a monoepiscopal structure of government (one bishop as pastoral leader of a diocese). Those who Catholic tradition lists as Peter’s immediate successors (Linus, Anacletus, Clement, et al.) did not function as the one bishop of Rome (McBrien, Richard P. Lives of the Popes: The Pontiffs from St. Peter to Benedict XVI. Harper, San Francisco, 2005 updated ed., p.25).

The truth is that the Roman Catholics (and Eastern Orthodox for that matter) simply do not have the type of apostolic succession that their members have been normally led to believe that they have.

The only universally accepted apostle to “bishop” transfer of leadership for the 1st and 2nd centuries that continued until at least the end of the 2nd century was through Polycarp of Smyrna. And while the Catholics and Orthodox claim Polycarp to be one of their saints, the truth is that only the Church of God has the same teachings and practices of that original church (such as Passover and the Millennium–teachings that were later condemned by the Greco-Roman leaders).

All this and more is documented in the following articles:

Apostolic Succession What really happened? Did structure and beliefs change? Are many of the widely-held current understandings of this even possible? Did you know that Catholic scholars really do not believe that several of the claimed “apostolic sees” of the Orthodox have apostolic succession–despite the fact that the current pontiff himself seems to wish to ignore this view? Is there actually a true church that has ties to any of the apostles that is not part of the Catholic or Orthodox churches? Read this article if you truly are interested in the truth on this matter!
What Do Roman Catholic Scholars Actually Teach About Early Church History? Although most believe that the Roman Catholic Church history teaches an unbroken line of succession of bishops beginning with Peter, with stories about most of them, Roman Catholic scholars know the truth of this matter. This eye-opening article is a must-read for any who really wants to know what Roman Catholic history actually admits about the early church.
Location of the Early Church: Another Look at Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome What actually happened to the primitive Church? And did the Bible tell about this in advance?
Polycarp of Smyrna: The Heretic Fighter Polycarp was the successor of the Apostle John and a major leader in Asia Minor. Do you know much about what he taught?
Melito of Sardis Who was this 2nd Century Church Leader? What Old Testament did he list? What did he teach that most who call themselves Christian later change?
Thraseas Thraseas died circa 160 in Smyrna, but oversaw the churches from Eumenia.
Sagaris Sagaris died circa 166-167 and oversaw a church in Laodicea of Asia Minor.
Papirius He died circa 170 and oversaw churches from Smyrna.
Polycrates of Ephesus He was an early church leader that claimed to continue the practices of the Gospel, John, Philip, Melito, and Polycarp, while refusing to accept traditions that came from Rome.
Passover and the Early Church Did the early Christians observe Passover? What did Jesus and Paul teach? Why did Jesus die for our sins?
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it. Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near?
Hope of Salvation: How the Living Church of God differ from most Protestants How the Living Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background.
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Living Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions.
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Orthodox Church and the Living Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to more easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.

VS.
Ronald Weinland Says His Books and His Interpretations of the Bible Are What He Wants Potential Supporters to Study. The COGwriter Site Instead Urges Those Interested in Him and End-Time Prophecies to Spend More Time Checking His Writings with the Bible.

COGwriter

In today’s sermon, Ronald Weinland again continued on his 1 John topic.

He mainly avoided discussing prophecy except when he wrongly discussed that he believes that the abomination of desolation being in the holy place has already happened.

Of course, according to Jesus, that is when His people are to flee (Matthew 24:15-16)–and that is also when the 1290 days of Daniel 12:11 begins. But since according to Ronald Weinland that abomination happened several years ago, he obviously misunderstands prophecy.

Ronald Weinland also claimed that he cannot keep up anymore with all the people that contact his church. But, he neglected to mention the trend that his internet effectiveness is being reduced.

Notice what Alexa.com reported about his leading website a few moments ago:

The ranking for the week dropped to 211,430 (Alexa updated apparently today). This is a major drop from last week (it was 80,000 better last week) and now is similar to the ranking for the COGwriter.com website (215,529).

Thus, the false prophet (Ronald Weinland) and also false apostle (David Pack, see GCG News) who had the greatest internet impact of any who CLAIM to be part of the Church of God are finally having significantly less internet impact. At the rates of their declines, hopefully they will both be irrelevant in the near future. Of course, since they both mainly got impact through paying for ads in Google (and probably other sources) and COGwriter never has, it is possible that either one of them will someday sink more money into internet advertising to attempt to persuade themselves that they are not becoming less relevant.

However, their irrelevance would be a good thing as I believe that both Ronald Weinland and David Pack fulfill the warnings in 2 Peter 2:

2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.

Some articles of related interest may include:

Concerns About Ronald Weinland’s Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God Ronald Weinland falsely claims to be one of the two witnesses God is raising up and that the end will come in 2008. Is he a false prophet? He has at least one other view that suggests that he is not part of the COG.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples ofthe United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin?
Why Not the Restored Church of God? This group, led by David Pack, claims to be the most faithful. The information in this article suggests otherwise.
Who Are The Two Witnesses? What is their job? What does the Bible reveal? What has the Church of God taught on this subject? Might even Roman Catholic prophecies give some clues here?
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–and Ronald Weinland is one of them–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.

Rendering of PCG’s Intended Armstrong Auditorium (Rees Associates)

COGwriter

In the September 2008 edition of its Philadelphia Trumpet, PCG’s self-proclaimed prophet Gerald Flurry announced the following:

If you have been reading the magazine for a while, you have probably noticed how we say that if our nations would repent and turn to God, they could avoid those prophesied curses.

However, I believe God is directing us to change that focus.

If you study the biblical prophets, there came a point when their warnings no longer spoke about repentance. They were simply bold statements of fact—spoken as a witness against those peoples who had rejected God. I strongly believe our nations today—particularly the United States and Britain, modern descendants of the biblical nation of Israel—have passed the point of no return. The hope of their turning to God during this age has been eclipsed by the magnitude of their rebellion!

This indicates that time is indeed very short before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The increase in catastrophic events shows God strengthening His correction. Thus, I believe God simultaneously wants to strengthen and intensify the prophetic warning—in the hopes of reaching those individuals who exhibit a teachable attitude and a willingness to accept His guidance.

It is my fervent hope that you, dear reader, are one of those individuals.

I have directed our writers to begin thinking more deeply about how to reach out and supply you with the understanding you need to recognize the unparalleled urgency of these times. We want to make sure we are concentrating intensively on the most significant prophecies that are unfolding in today’s world. We want to prove to you how God told us these things would happen and just how they would end.

At the same time, we want to show you the hope—the wonderful, sure hope that exists beyond this evil age! God gives us that prophetic hope to motivate us and to keep us stirred and uplifted, even amid accumulating tragedies. “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28).

PCG has had other changes in emphasis in the past.

Since Gerald Flurry claims that Iran is the prophesied future King of the South, I suspect that perhaps Gerald Flurry may be thinking that if Europe is part of some attack against Iran soon, that this will fulfill Daniel 11:40-41. If that is correct then since he believes that the King of the North will do this prior to an invasion of the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, then presumably PCG believes that invasion of the Anglo-powers would be shortly thereafter.

However, like other self-appointed false prophets, Gerald Flurry has certain prophetic points in error (and out of order). But since PCG has thousands of supporters, it may reach more with its incorrect understanding of prophecy than some of the other false prophets I have reported on here.

Several articles of related interest may include:

Teachings Unique to the Philadelphia Church of God Simply calling oneself ‘Philadelphia’ does not make one so (see Revelation 3:7-9), nor does Gerald Flurry calling himself “that prophet” make it so. This article provides many quotes from this group which claims to be faithful.
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? What does the Bible say?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? There is a Mayan calendar prediction for change in 2012. 2012 changes were also centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans and the Hindu Indians (who were not even on the same continent). Do these Mayan/Hindu/Hopi prophecies have any value? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012?
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse What is the Book of Revelation trying to tell us about them? Does the first one deceive many?

COGwriter

The following news item was of interest:

Seal of King Zedekiah’s minister found in Jerusalem dig

More proof of people and events of the Bible are being uncovered.  Perhaps this may encourage more will pay more attention to what it teaches.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Bible: Fact or Fiction? This is a booklet written by Douglas Winnail that answers if the Bible is just a collection of myths and legends or the inspired word of God.
Read the Bible Christians should read the Bible. This article gives some rationale for regular bible reading.
What is the Appropriate Form of Biblical Interpretation? Should the Bible be literally understood? What do the writings of the Bible, Origen, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Augustine show?
Bible and Historical Resources on the Internet Electronic bibles, Two Babylons, early Christian literature, photos, and even links to old Herbert W. Armstrong materials.

6.7 Earthquake in Northridge California Destroyed the Above Building of Kaiser Permanente As Well as Various Freeway Overpasses and other Buildings on January 17, 1994. The Northridge quake was over 10 times as powerful as the Chino Hills 5.4 quake on July 29, 2008

COGwriter

Since it is now August 2008, I felt that this would be a good time to review something from another one who incorrectly believes that he has God-given prophetic abilities.

On May 30, 2008, I received the following email from Tim Carpenter:

As I wrote on May 31, 2008 (see Another Self-Appointed Prophet?), while I am glad that he likes my articles, I have been to his website in the past and simply do not believe that he has God-given prophetic abilities (he also seems to have ignored the facts that I have given for why the Great Tribulation could not begin in 2008 and why it cannot begin before 2012). Nor did I move from, nor plan to move away from, California. He is correct that I do not believe he can predict earthquakes.

On March 22, 2008, Tim Carpenter posted:

UPDATE: 3-22-2008: IT IS NOW TIME TO MOVE INTO THE PLACES OF SAFETY. THERE IS NOT MUCH TIME. YOU MUST MOVE NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW!!!!!!!!!!!! IF YOU BELIEVE THIS AND HAVE REPENTED FROM YOUR PASS PAGAN CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS AND ACCEPT THIS WEBSITE AS GIVEN BY GOD AND ACCURATE, YOU MAY CONTACT ME FOR DETAILS. Everyone MUST be in place as soon as possible ASAP in 2008!

Of course, his pronouncement was premature as the biblically-required events (such as those in Matthew 24:15-16 and Daniel 11:27-31) have not yet occurred, hence it was not time in March 2008 to flee (though there is a place of safety, for details please see There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra).

Now, despite the fact that the July 29, 2008 quake did not kill anyone (according to the reports I have seen), Tim Carpenter feels that it fulfills his “prophecy”. Despite news stories trying to show the worse, CNN reported, “the California earthquake caused only minor damage”–not quite what one would expect from a prophesied “major earthquake”.

On May 22, 2008, he posted something at you-tube where he claimed:

An earthquake, a major one.  Not just a five or six…When this is fulfilled you’ll know this is truly of the Lord…It was confirmed to me by the Lord Jesus Christ…

People will be hurt. I’m not talking about a three-pointer. I’m talking about a big one.

He now has an article titled JULY 29, 2008 California Earthquake fulfillment. But notice some of the main statements in that article:

I know I was wrong on how strong it would be for July.

But I really believe that is so that there will be room for doubt at this point in time. In other words, God wants the people to have Faith. …However, the larger quake is still coming. It will occur in 2008 or 2009. And it will be at least a 6.5 but I believe it will be in the 7’s or 8’s, that is in 2008/-2009 in the California Region. What I mean by “California Region” is that it may occur in the state or it may occur in the water/ocean. The main one will be associated with a Major Tsunami…

In 2008-2009, America/Israel Will attack Iran. But before we attack Iran, There will be major explosions in America. Affected cities will include San Deigo and Detroit and NY City and other cities…

China/Russia/Japan/Korea/Vietnam will invade the US sometime between 2009-2015 thereby using the earthquakes and civil war to aid them in their invasion…

The 2008 Chino Hills earthquake occurred in southern California on July 29, 2008. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the magnitude 5.4 earthquake had an epicenter near the Chino Hills area east of California State Route 142…Preliminary reports showed no deaths or significant damage due to the physical location of the earthquake…

I am glad that he admitted that he got the strength of the earthquake wrong. Would one of God’s prophets send out a wrong prophecy?

It really does not take inspiration of God to state that in any two consecutive summer months in “the California region” there will be a newsworthy earthquake. (According to his you-tube post, parts of Nevada, bordering states, the ocean, etc. were also in “the California region”–thus he used a very large geographic area).

Also, predicting that Iran may get attacked within the next 1 1/2 years is not something that I would take as prophetic should that occur.

So, similiar to Ronald Weinland, we have another false prophet who is indicating that even though he really was not right, that people need to have “Faith” presumably that God is working through him.

Furthermore, while the Asians may support a USA invasion, the invasion will be by the European King of the North, with assistance from the King of the South (an Arab-Muslim confederation).

In his JULY 29, 2008 California Earthquake fulfillment post Tim Carpenter continued with:

How this quake points to Feb. 2009

This happened on July 29, so there you have the number “29”. It was centered 29 miles from LA. See ABC News Article. So there you have another “29”. There are TWO 29’s associated with this quake. When ever you have two signs, then you have a confirmation.

Please see the March 21 article for how “29” points to Feb. 2009!!!

So here is some of what Tim Carpenter wrote in July 28, 2008 update of his March 21 article:

The Lord was showing me the numbers 29 and 229 over and over. It eventually led me to Feb. 2009. There are many many reasons how I got led to Feb. 2009. But the quickest and easiest to explain is Feb. 2009 can be seen as 2-2009 and 2-29. And 2-9-2009 and 2-9-29.

So, today I was led to count backwards from 2-9-2009 29 weeks. And It comes to 7-21-2008!!! On July 21, 2008 the United States Attorney General said that he wants Congress to make an official declaration of War against Al Quida or how ever that is spelled…So then I noticed also that 7-28-2008 or 7-28-28 is 28 weeks to 2-9-2009!…

I AM saying, yes I AM, saying, that something WILL happen IN Feb. 2009 unless the people repent. In fact, there will be events even before Feb. 2009! But be sure to watch Feb. 2009 as well. I also say this: The mark of the beast will get geared up big time in 2009, the spiritual side AND the physical side of the mark.

I do not believe God led him to his understanding. I do not believe that God led him to count backwards to come up with the July 21, 2008 date (which is NOT July 29th, of course). By indicating that God did this, he like other delusional ones is being presumptuous–God warns against those types of “prophets”:

…when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him (Deuteronomy 18:22).

What Tim Carpenter actually “predicted” did NOT come to pass.

Notice that AFTER the July 29th earthquake, he stated that it led to the February 2009 date, on July 28, 2008 (the day BEFORE) he indicated that God led him to calculate July 21, 2008 and that July 21st possibly pointed to February 2009. But apparently he NOW feels that a minor damage earthquake is more significant than what he wrote for July 21st and even though July 29th was not a date he specified, that this is the date NOW leading to his February 2009 predictions.

Thus, his stories and explanations keep changing. The fact is that I do not believe that God led Tim Carpenter to predict a major earthquake as it was less major than Tim Carpenter specifically predicted–I do not believe that this fulfilled his “prophecy.

Those who listen to false prophets and false apostles will continue to be misled.

Those truly interested in end-time events need to pray and study their Bibles and may also wish to compare what the Bible teaches to what I have pointed out in the following articles:

Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples ofthe United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin?
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? What does the Bible say?
The Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for China? Is it a “King of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where?
Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What is prophesied for Russia? What will it do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory.
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? There is a Mayan calendar prediction for change in 2012. 2012 changes were also centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans and the Hindu Indians (who were not even on the same continent). Do these Mayan/Hindu/Hopi prophecies have any value? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Can the great tribulation start before 2012?