PCG on Daniel, yet Gerald Flurry is in error on two important ‘King of the South’ matters
Gerald Flurry
Recently, the improperly named Philadelphia Church of God (PCG) re-posted an old article at their thetrumpet.com website titled Understanding Daniel the Prophet which stated the following:
Chapters 10 through 12 of Daniel’s book give us one of the most extensive prophecies in the Bible. These chapters are the record of a vision given to Daniel providing the details about the rise and fall of the four world-ruling empires beginning with Babylon and ending with Rome. The domination of the Roman Empire ends with the return of Jesus Christ. Daniel saw major historical events play out centuries in advance. The prophecy is dual, having a former and an end-time fulfillment. (Philadelphia Trumpet, August 2005).
Now, the above is basically correct.
Yet, PCG’s leader, and falsely self-proclaimed prophet, Gerald Flurry has made at least two significant errors related to the sequence of Daniel 11:39-44 and the identity of the final King of the South. Here are some statements he has published with the improper identity:
The king of the south is about state-sponsored terrorism. That is how Iran became king! Daniel 11:40-43 is an end-time prophecy. It is about a nation that is always pushy in its foreign policy. It pushes until it starts a war. Having such power means that it must be a large oil-producing country. This king is close to Jerusalem, Egypt, Ethiopia and Libya.
Who else could it be in this end time but Iran? (Flurry, G. The King of the South. PCG Booklet).
We have prophesied for over 13 years that Iran would head up the “king of the south.” (Flurry G. Iran-Egypt Alliance Prophesied. Philadelphia Trumpet, March 2008, p. 33).
How could I have known so long ago that Iran would be the king of the south and clash with the Holy Roman Empire? Because of what was happening in Iran and the Middle East, coupled with Bible prophecy…(Flurry G. Libya and Ethiopia Reveal Iran’s Military Strategy. Philadelphia Trumpet, April 2011)
How could Gerald Flurry know a falsehood about Iran being the final King of the South?
Well, since Iran is mainly east of Jerusalem, it was not from geography nor the Bible. Iran might be a king of the East, but it is not the King of the South.
Since Herbert W. Armstrong believed that king would be Egypt and/or an Arabic Muslim leader, as that is what was published while he was alive by the church he was the physical leader of (see Is There A Future King of the South?), Gerald Flurry did not get this from Herbert W. Armstrong.
So, in my view, Gerald Flurry got it from his own imagination. Gerald Flurry (who calls himself “that prophet”) is in error in his prophesies. But again, I have never considered that Gerald Flurry was one of God’s prophets, nor do I now consider him to be a truly faithful COG leader.
Some may wish to see what the old Worldwide Church of God taught about that the King of the South, as it taught this would be an Arab-Moslem confederation:
But who is the ‘king of the south’?…in verse 40 we skip to ‘the time of the end’…The verse undoubtedly found partial fulfillment in the offensive of 1896…But Mussolini did not finish the prophecy…Just as there is yet to be a final ‘king of the north’…there may very well emerge in the same manner a final ‘king of the south’–an overall leader of an Arab-Moslem confederation…Germany (Assyria in Bible prophecy) and perhaps the rest of Europe will be in league in the future with a union of Arab nations…But in the end, the European-Arab alliance will prove short-lived…the ‘king of the north’ will ultimately turn against the Arab ‘king of the south’…The Arab-Moslem Confederation will, of course, be thrown into chaotic disarray in the fact of invasion (The Arab World in Prophecy. Plain Truth. December, 1979).
I do not recall seeing anything in the old WCG literature indicating that Iran would be the king of the South. Iran is basically east, not south of Jerusalem.
What is another PCG error related to Daniel 11? Gerald Flurry misunderstands certain key features in the sequence.
Back in the January 2004 issue of the Philadelphia Trumpet, Gerald Flurry wrote:
““And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon” (Dan. 11:40-41). The king of the north is a united Europe, and the king of the south is radical Islam led by Iran…Europe will win this war. But that victory will trigger some other events. Europe will then ally itself with the moderate Arabs and attack America, Britain and the nation called Israel.
Many Bible prophecies thunder that truth. (Flurry G. Personal: Russia Frightens Europe— and Fulfills Bible Prophecy. Philadelphia Trumpet, January 2004).
This sequence is in error, because the coming King of the North will eliminate the USA (the land with the strongest fortresses) in Daniel 11:39, which comes before the destruction of the King of the South in Daniel 11:40-43.
Because of relying on Gerald Flurry’s improper prophecies and error-prone prophetic interpretations, those in PCG will not understand world events at the end. Of course, those willing to accept what the Bible teaches (and who will truly live as Christians; see also Living as a Christian: How and Why? and/or watch Living as a Christian: How and Why?) can.
Will you?
Some items of possibly related interest may include the following:
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” or a variety of other titles make it so. This article provides many quotes from this group which tries to look faithful.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.
Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say? A YouTube video of related interest may be: The Future King of the South is Rising.
Living as a Christian: How and Why? In what ways do Christians live differently than others. What about praying, fasting, tithing, holy days, and the world? There is also a YouTube video related to that also called: Living as a Christian: How and Why?
What is a True Philadelphian? Many claim to be part of the Philadelphia era of the Church, but is claiming enough? This article has biblical and historical evidence about who really are the Philadelphians.
Are the Laodiceans the Modern Sadducees and Pharisees? Discusses similarities of the Sadducees and Pharisees to various COGs in this end-time.
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.
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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