PCG has misunderstood the situation between Russia and Iran–do you?

Russian Sukhoi Su-34 Strike Fighter (Alex Beltyukov)

Last year, PCG’s Callum Wood reported the following:

Russia and Iran: The Middle East ‘Axis of Evil’

August 22, 2016

On August 16, Syria’s rebel-held city of Aleppo and the Idlib and Deir al-Zour provinces were hit hard. Unlike air strikes of the past, the payloads dropped from the Russian Tupolev-22M3 long-range bombers were particularly potent. The New York Timesquoted a radiologist in Aleppo who said the bombings on that day were “intensive and massive.”Flanked by Su-34 tactical bombers, the long-range Tu-22M3s dropped larger-than-usual payloads on targets that, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense, included five ammunition dumps, three command posts, training camps and militants from both the Islamic State and Jabat al-Nusra.

The bombings signified a historic turning point in the Middle East, not for their ferocity, but because of where the planes came from. Ordinarily the long-range bombers take off and land in Russia—being too large for Syrian air fields. But on August 16, the bombers flew from Iran.

A Turning Point for Iran

For the first time since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Iran allowed a foreign power to operate from one of its air bases. The bombers are now stationed at Hamadan air field in the northwest of the country. …

By working with Russia, Iran proves the two nations are walking in tandem—at least in Syria. …

Moscow and Tehran have steadily worked toward full military cooperation.

That was not a turning point for Iran. Iran and Russia are not walking in tandem. Notice something that Voice of America and the New York Times reported the day PCG posted this:

August 22, 2016

TEHRAN — Russia has stopped using an Iranian air base for launching airstrikes on Syria for the time being, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said Monday, just hours after the Iranian defense minister criticized Moscow for having “kind of show-off and ungentlemanly” attitude by publicizing their actions.

There was no immediate response from Moscow, which had used the Shahid Nojeh Air Base to refuel its bombers striking Syria at least three times last week.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi told reporters in Tehran that the Russian airstrikes on militants in Syria were “temporary, based on a Russian request.”

“It is finished, for now,” Ghasemi said, without elaborating.

Last week, Russia announced it used the airfield, located some 50 kilometers (31 miles) north of the Iranian city of Hamedan. Iranian officials only confirmed Russia’s presence a day later.

Earlier Monday, state TV quoted Iran’s defense minister as saying that Russia “will use the base for a very short and fixed span.” http://www.voanews.com/a/russia-iran-base-for-syria-strikes/3474602.html

August 22, 2016

The Russian Defense Ministry says all Russian warplanes that were based in Iran, from which they launched airstrikes in Syria, have returned back to Russia. http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2016/08/22/world/middleeast/ap-syria-the-latest.html

Now this does not mean that Iran and Russia will not cooperate at all, but for PCG to say that Russia’s temporary use of the base in Iran “proves the two nations are walking in tandem” is/was not the case.

PCG often seems fixated on proving wrong prophetic understanding of its leader, Gerald Flurry, correct. Thus, that is probably part of why Callum Wood wrote what he did.

Of course, you cannot PROVE that something wrong is right. But some can assert that it is or hint that events support a conclusion, even when they do not.

Several years ago, PCG’s Gerald Flurry claimed to have received some type of inspired message that made him conclude that Russian President Vladimir Putin is the “prince of Rosh” in Ezekiel 38 (see PCG’s Gerald Flurry points to Russia’s Putin as the ‘Prince of Rosh’ of Ezekiel 38:2 and Vladimir Putin mobilizes troops, while pro-Russian supporters demonstrate in east Ukraine; but PCG is still not right about the ‘prince of Rosh’). This is in error and also contradicts writings from the late Herbert W. Armstrong who taught that Ezekiel 38 happens after Jesus returns (for details see PCG’s Gerald Flurry points to Russia’s Putin as the ‘Prince of Rosh’ of Ezekiel 38:2).

The July 2014 issue of The Philadelphia Trumpet had this in an article from Gerald Flurry which stated the following:

A prophecy in Ezekiel 38 gives us some of these important details. “And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him” (Ezekiel 38:1-2). These verses begin in the latter days (verses 8, 16) before the Great Tribulation, the Day of the Lord and Christ’s Second Coming.

Ezekiel 38:16 is not possibly prior to the start of the Great Tribulation. Notice what God inspired Ezekiel to write:

14 “Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “On that day when My people Israel dwell safely, will you not know it? 15 Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army. 16 You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes.” (Ezekiel 38:14-16)

So, a power from the far north, which would seem to have to be Russian-led as it is the only major military power in the far north now, and may be the only one also in the future, will come. Yet, notice that this happens when Israel is “dwelling safely.” While Ezekiel 38 does mention Russia and Iran, the tiny nation of Israel is not now a “land of unwalled villages” with “a peaceful people who dwell safely” as other verses in Ezekiel 38 point out (see Ezekiel 38:10-11).

Can anyone seriously believe that Israel is a nation of peaceful people dwelling safely? Even yesterday, I saw a news report that some rocket hit Israel.

Despite what Gerald Flurry and certain others believe, we are not particularly close to the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38. Those who believe otherwise are in error.

To compound error, the September 2014 issue of The Philadelphia Trumpet had this in an article from Gerald Flurry:

A prophecy in Ezekiel 38 gives us some of these important details. “And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him” (Ezekiel 38:1-2). These verses begin in the latter days (verses 8, 16) before the Great Tribulation, the Day of the Lord and Christ’s Second Coming…One other Russian people is mentioned in Ezekiel 38:2. There is controversy over how the Hebrew word rosh should be translated in this verse. The King James Version uses the adjective “chief.” But the correct rendering (used by the Moffatt, New King James and others) uses the word not as an adjective, but as a proper noun: Rosh. Thus, that verse should read, “the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal.”…

The restoring of Russia’s power by Vladimir Putin—the prince of Russia—was prophesied! He has already solidly allied Russia with China. The prophecy about the prince of Russia includes that main alliance.

Other nations are leaning toward an alliance with Russia. Several of them are prophesied to join.

The only question is whether or not Putin personally finishes the entire prophecy.

The ending of that mighty “kings of the east” powerhouse is also prophesied.

I bolded the sentences above as they clearly contradict what PCG declared five years ago. Notice what PCG used to teach:

One reason Rosh is typically not translated as a proper noun is that scholars believe Rosh, unlike the other names listed in Ezekiel 38, was not a known land or a name of a person…

Why Our Forecasts Are Accurate

The change in the translation in Ezekiel 38:2 was done in disbelief that a prophecy in Ezekiel’s time could so obviously and clearly name a nation, its people, rivers and major cities, a thousand years before it was formed! But the meaning of this prophecy and the identity of the people contained in it is not hidden to those who will believe what the Bible says.

Mr. Armstrong simply believed what was revealed in the Bible, and that is why he could so boldly predict that Russia would not attack America!

The Trumpet follows in the tradition of Mr. Armstrong. By believing what the Bible has to say, this magazine makes strong forecasts concerning the major world powers that have proven accurate and will continue to be proven true.

What does Ezekiel 38 say will happen to the Russian people? “Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him” (verse 2). This prophecy for the Russians and Chinese will occur after the great and terrible events that lead to Jesus Christ’s return—events recorded in the book of Revelation.

Revelation 9:1-12 describe a European beast power, after occupying Jerusalem and enslaving the end-time nations of Israel, preemptively attacking Russia and China out of fear. Then Russia, China and other Eastern powers, collectively called “the kings of the east,” amass a 200 million-man army and counterstrike the European army. This clash kills one third of mankind! (verses 13-21).

Then what is left of these armies will gather in Armageddon to challenge and attack Christ in Jerusalem upon His return! Christ will utterly destroy these armies and begin His reign by gathering the scattered descendants of Israel around Jerusalem.

This is when the prophecy of Ezekiel finally occurs: after Christ’s return, when the descendants of Israel have been resettled. The remnants of the Russians and Chinese, evidently still too proud to be ruled by Christ, attempt to spoil the obedient and prosperous Israelites. Ezekiel 38:14-16 describe this attempt to overthrow Christ’s rule. In this attack, they are defeated in one final statement to mankind that He is the Eternal! (You can read a more detailed explanation of this prophecy and the future of Russia and its allied nations in our free booklet Russia and China in Prophecy.)

What is in store for Russia in the meantime? Nearly 60 years later, will Mr. Armstrong’s prediction continue to be proven true?

Today, the world is in an even worse condition than when Mr. Armstrong printed that headline. The threat of nuclear war is even higher than in the peak of the Cold War. Several rogue states have acquired or are acquiring the means to wipe whole nations off the map. America’s global dominance is again being challenged, not just by one nation but by many different major powers. Major powers all over the world such as China, the European Union and Iran are increasing their military capabilities, while a debt-burdened U.S. is shrinking its own.

Now, more than ever, it is vital to know what will happen in world affairs in the near future. Who will strike whom? You will know only if you believe your Bible! (Vejil D. The Origins of Modern Russia (Part 5). Philadelphia Trumpet, July 2011)

I bolded the paragraph above as it clearly contradicts what Gerald Flurry (the self-appointed and false prophet of PCG) now teaches.

Notice PCG had the audacity to state that this explanation of Ezekiel 38, which they now contradict, was an example of why their forecasts were right. PCG’s forecasts are not always accurate. They are often wrong, and those who rely on them above the Bible will not possibly know when the Great Tribulation will begin.

Sadly, in that respect PCG is not the only claimed COG that will not know–a list of 36 errors in prophetic understanding that various ones who claim to be COG is in the article The Laodicean Church Era.

But I will also add here that many Protestant prophecy watchers also misunderstand Ezekiel 38. Many improperly feel that Ezekiel 38 is for our day, when the verses in that chapter clearly show that it is not (for details, check out the article Ezekiel 38: For Russia & Iran in Our Day?). Iran will align with Russia as Ezekiel 38 suggests, but not now.

Jesus spoke of a time of wars and rumors of war as part of the beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24:7-8). And that is part of what we are seeing now with Iran, Russia, and Syria. While the beginning of sorrows occurs prior to the start of the Great Tribulation (cf. Matthew 24:21), the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38 does not.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Ezekiel 38: For Russia & Iran in Our Day? Is Ezekiel 38 about to be fulfilled? A related video is available titled Ezekiel 38: For Russia, Ukraine, & Iran Now? Another could be Russia, Iran, Syria, & the Bible (Code).
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 tries to look faithful.
The Eurasian Union, the Kings of the East, and Bible Prophecy Is there a Eurasian union that will be formed? Is one being formed right now? Are any leaders working on that in the 21st century? Does the Bible teach that there will be a Eurasian union? If some type of Eurasian union is formed, who might it benefit and who will it destroy? A related video would be Is The Eurasian Union Rising?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2016, 2017, or 2018? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2016 o 2017? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon videos: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives and Can the Great Tribulation begin before 2020? A shorter video is: Can the Great Tribulation Start in 2016?
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? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2024 or 20xx? There is also a video titled The 6000 Year Plan: Is the end of humanity’s reign almost up? Here is a link to the article in Spanish: ¿Tiene Dios un plan de 6,000 años?
Russia and Ukraine: Their Origins and Prophesied Future Russia in prophecy. Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end? There is also a video sermon available: Russia in the Bible and in Prophecy and a video sermonette available: Ukraine in Prophecy?
Iran in Prophecy Is Iran in Bible prophecy? If so, what does the Bible teach? What names, other than Persia, may be used to describe Iran? There is also a YouTube video titled Iran In Prophecy.
Damascus and Syria in Prophecy Will Bashar Assad hold power as he has it? Does the Bible show that Damascus, the capital of Syria, will be destroyed? What will happen to Syria? Will the Syrians support the final King of the South that the Bible tells will rise up? Which scriptures discuss the rise and fall of an Arabic confederation? Does Islamic prophecy predict the destruction of Syria.
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach? Here is a link to a video, also titled Is Russia the King of the North?
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? You can also see a YouTube video sermons Why Teach the Kingdom of God? and The Gospel of the Kingdom.
Jerusalem: Past, Present, and Future What does the Bible say about Jerusalem and its future? Is Jerusalem going to be divided and eliminated? Is Jesus returning to the area of Jerusalem? There is also a related YouTube video you can watch titled Jerusalem To be divided and eliminated.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing.
The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27 This prophecy could give up to 3 1/2 years advance notice of the coming Great Tribulation. Will most ignore or misunderstand its fulfillment? Here is a link to a related sermon video Daniel 9:27 and the Start of the Great Tribulation.
How Will Middle East Peace be Brought About? Can humans bring peace to the Middle East? Here is a link to a related video: Middle East Peace? When?
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 the remnant of that era is basically the most faithful in the Church of God, like who hold to the beliefs and practices of the Continuing Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. The Laodiceans are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG or its offshoots. They do not properly understand the work or biblical prophecies and will face the Great Tribulation if they do not repent. One video of related interest is 17 Laodicean Errors in Prophecy.