PCG’s Gerald Flurry wrong about aspects of the Psalm 83 prophecy

Middle East in Green

PCG’s Gerald Flurry again came up with something about the prophecy of Psalm 83:

Psalm 83 Is Being Fulfilled

August 9, 2015 • 27 minutes

The first visible sign of this prophecy has now been manifested in the little Mediterranean country of Lebanon in the Middle East.

In the above video, Gerald Flurry indicates that a donation from Saudi Arabia to Lebanon of $3 billion to buy weapons from France is the first visible sign related to the prophecies in Psalm 83. He also improperly claimed that Daniel 11:40 shows a coming conflict between Germany and Iran. This is NOT the case as Iran is NOT the king of the South of Daniel 11:40. Gerald Flurry says that the French-Lebanon-Saudi Arabian arrangement is setting the stage for the fulfillment of Psalm 83. He also said that Psalm 83 tells of an alliance between the Europeans and the moderate Arabs. He also directly states, “Iraq and Iran are missing from Psalm 83.”

Before going to several more PCG claims related to Psalm 83, let us first look at some of the verses of that Psalm:

3 They have taken crafty counsel against Your people,
And consulted together against Your sheltered ones.
4 They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation,
That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.”

5 For they have consulted together with one consent;
They form a confederacy against You:
6 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites;
Moab and the Hagrites;
7 Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek;
Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;
8 Assyria also has joined with them;
They have helped the children of Lot. (Psalms 83:3-8)

Assyria is a prophecy related to Europeans (see also Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History and Germany in Biblical and Catholic Prophecy). They, as Psalm 83 shows, will make an alliance with Arab powers. But none of the peoples listed above are Iranian, and Gerald Flurry does admit this in the video. But he does not seem to see his disconnect with Iran.

PCG teaches that the king of the South will be knocked off before the US, etc. will be:

This king of the north, after conquering and securing the resources of the king of the south, is prophesied to then turn its attention to the biblical nations of Israel—specifically the United States and Britain, in addition to the Jewish state located within its newly acquired Middle Eastern territory—and to swiftly demolish them! It will strip these subjugated nations of their wealth (Hilliker J. and Morley R. The Battleground. The Philadelphia Trumpet, March 2006, p. 19).

Furthermore, PCG took this even further in 2011:

Psalm 83 is fulfilled almost immediately after a Germany-led Europe conquers Iran and radical Islam (Daniel 11:40-43).“Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. They have taken crafty counsel against thy people [Israel], and consulted against thy hidden [or sheltered] ones” (Psalm 83:1-3).

These enemies are conspiring against biblical Israel. … The mystery of the Psalm 83 prophecy is being removed. (Flurry G. A Mysterious Prophecy. Philadelphia Trumpet, May-June 2011).

Partially, because he falsely claims that Iran is the King of the South, he misunderstands Psalm 83 and Gerald Flurry has NOT removed its ‘mystery’ as he claims.

Since Herbert W. Armstrong believed that king would be Egypt and/or an Arabic Muslim leader and that Psalm 83 happens prior to the King of the South being taken over by the German-led King of the North, 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 where did he get this?

Well, not from the Bible. In my view, he got it from his own imagination.

In the May-June 2014 issue of the Philadelphia Trumpet the following was written by its leader Gerald Flurry in his article Why You Need to Watch Lebanon:

Prophecy Tells Us… the Bible specifically describes an alliance between Arab states (including the Saudis) and a European power…

And it is such European intrusion that will cause Iran to PUSH at the king of the north. Iran is going to strike back with a lot of power! However, as Daniel 11:40 states, that is going to lead to Iran’s destruction. A German-led Europe is going to conquer Iran and have controlling power over the other nations aligned with the king of the south, such as Egypt, Iraq, Libya and Ethiopia. Then, brimming with confidence following that victory, Germany will exploit its alliance with the Arabs to pursue even greater ambitions.

A Prophesied Alliance

Let’s look at a prophecy of what will occur immediately after the Daniel 11:40 prophecy. It has everything to do with Europe’s involvement in Lebanon. “They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance” (Psalm 83:4).. This is an end-time prophecy about Israel. But it is not talking only about the Jewish nation called Israel today. Anciently, Israel had 12 tribes; today there are 12 nations of Israel. We explain that truth thoroughly in The United States and Britain in Prophecy…

Verses 5-8 list a number of nations that will be allied to bring about Israel’s destruction…

Furthermore, considering that this is an end-time prophecy, there must be some people that God will give understanding to about who is who here—otherwise why even prophesy it?

While Gerald Flurry is correctly indicating that Psalm 83 will involve countries such as the USA being attacked, there are several issues with what he wrote in that article.

First, Iran, which is basically straight east of Jerusalem is NOT the King of the South.

Secondly, Gerald Flurry is teaching that the deal in Psalm 83:4-8 occurs AFTER the destruction of the King of the South in Daniel 11:40. He is in error (Note: In LCG publications, two different sequences are taught related to Daniel 11 that contradict each other; for some details, see LCG and PCG are confused about the King of the South sequence: any ramifications?).

Gerald Flurry’s position also disagrees with what the old Worldwide Church of God taught. Notice the order in the following:

King David of ancient Israel in a prophetic psalm (Psalm 83) provides additional insight into the Mideast picture. Germany (Assyria in Bible prophecy) and perhaps the rest of Europe will be in league in the future with a union of Arab nations–a vast confederacy bound together in an effort to crush out the name “Israel” from the face of the earth! This Arab-Moslem confederacy may very well be the previously mentioned “king of the south”–a sphere of power encompassing vast portions of the Islamic world.

“They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: The tabernacles of Edom [Esau or modern-day Turkey, a non-Arab but Islamic nation], and the Ishmaelites [Saudi Arabia]; of Moab [part of Jordan], and the Hagarenes [anciently these peoples dwelt in the area known as Syria today]; Gebal [Lebanon], and Ammon [modern Jordan], and Amalek [part of the Turks]; the Philistines [the modern Palestinians] with the inhabitants of Tyre [Lebanon]; Assur [whose descendants, the Assyrians, migrated to Germany] also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot [Jordan and Western Iraq]” (Psalm 83:4-8)…

But in the end, this European-Arab alliance will prove short-lived. As shown earlier, the “king of the north” of Daniel 11–the leader of the German-led European union–will ultimately turn against the Arab “king of the south,”…Daniel 11:40-41: And the king of the north shall come against him [the king of the south]…The Arab-Moslem Confederation will, of course, be thrown into chaotic disarray in the fact of invasion. (Stump K. The Arab World in Prophecy. Plain Truth, December 1979)

Turn to the astounding prophecy found in Psalm 83:1-8. David, inspired of God, predicted the coming time when ALL of Israel’s enemies would join together in an effort to crush out even the name “Israel” from the face of the earth! (Verse 4) “For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee…” (verse 5). Notice the nations making up this confederation. “Edom [Turkey], and the Ishmaelites [Saudi Arabia]; Moab [Jordan], and the Hagarenes [they anciently dwelt in the land known as Syria today]; Gebal {Lebanon}, and Ammon [Jordan] and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assur [whose descendants migrated to Germany] is joined with them; they have helped the children of Lot” {Moab and Ammon in modern Jordan). Here we see that the Arab nations mentioned are allied with Germany (Assur) which we know from other prophecies will be the military leader — naturally so — of a United States of Europe…Egypt…will provoke the prophesied United Europe (Dan. 11:40). This European power — called the “king of the north” in Daniel 11 — shall invade and occupy the “glorious land” of Palestine (verse 41). “And the land of Egypt shall not escape”(Boraker R. SYRIA RAIDS ISRAEL – Where Is It Leading? Plain Truth. November 1966)

The deal of Psalms 83:3-8 happens while the prince/King of the North is still on speaking terms with the King of the South, though they both lie to each other:

27 Both these kings’ hearts shall be bent on evil, and they shall speak lies at the same table; but it shall not prosper, for the end will still be at the appointed time. (Daniel 11:27)

PCG’s Gerald Flurry is not leading the group that is properly explaining this prophecy.

While it is true that the Europeans have made arrangements with the Arabs, Gerald Flurry’s timing is off, as are some of his specifics (like his views on Iran).

The deal of Psalm 83:3-8 takes place before the destruction of the USA, which happens in Daniel 11:39. It is AFTER the USA is knocked out of the way that the King of the South will feel emboldened enough to push against the King of the North.

Some items of 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” make it so. This article provides many quotes from this group which tries to look faithful.
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.
The Arab and Islamic 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? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims? An item of possibly related interest in the Spanish language would be: Líderes iraníes condenan la hipocresía de Occidente y declaran que ahora es tiempo para prepararse para el Armagedón, la guerra, y el Imán Mahdi.
Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History Are the Germanic peoples descended from Asshur of the Bible? Have there been real Christians in Germanic history? What about the “Holy Roman Empire”? There is also a You-Tube video sermon on this titled Germany’s Biblical Origins.
Germany in Biblical and Catholic Prophecy Does Assyria in the Bible equate to an end time power inhabiting the area of the old Roman Empire? What does prophecy say Germany will do and what does it say will happen to most of the German people? Here are links to two sermon videos Germany in Bible Prophecy and The Rise of the Germanic Beast Power of Prophecy.
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. Here is a related article in the Spanish language ¿Por qué estar preocupado acerca de falsos y heréticos líderes?
6. 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.
7. 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.
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?