The First Tkach Change
TRANSFORMED FROM TRUTH
Many readers of this page have had some affiliation with the old Worldwide Church of God. But most people do not know what the first doctrinal changes that the Tkach administration were.
It was NOT something that they started to teach–it was something that they stopped teaching.
And what was that?
The first clear doctrinal change that the Tkach administration made was to STOP teaching that the it was the Philadelphia Church and that CG7 was the remnant of Sardis.
After J. Tkach Jr. visited CG7 (in 1986, I believe), he was touched by a CG7 member who complained that he did not like being referred to as part of the “dead” church–especially since they had possibly more members than WCG did.
Joe Jr. then apparently decided that WCG should not teach that anymore. So when WCG decided to reprint Volume I of the Autobiography of Herbert W. Armstrong those type of references were be removed.
My wife Joyce and I reported the particular statements which were removed in an article in The Journal a few summers ago (please see The 18 Restored Truths: Do You Know What the First Changes the Tkach Administration Made?).
Hence the 1986 “Autobiography” that most have is not really an autobiography, but an edited one. Furthermore, I noticed that the same type of thing happened with the old The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse booklet that I reported about yesterday.
One of the big differences is that while page 40 of the 1973 version used to teach:
To this end-time “elect” doing God’s Work, Jesus says, “I know your works” behold I set before thee an open door” (Rev. 3:8). This door refers to a way being opened to preach the Gospel (II Cor. 2:12).
Today, that way is through the mass media of radio, television, the printing press, and personal evangelism.“And…no man can shut it: for thou hast [only] a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name” (Rev. 3:8).
The 1987 version omits that verse and any comments about Revelation 3:8–which was a message to the Philadelphia church.
While people without a WCG background may not consider this to be an important doctrine, the truth is that this change is, in a very real sense, the reason why WCG scattered as much as it did. People who did not believe that they were called to be Philadelphians either left the COG or became parts of groups that simply are not Philadelphian.
This is why there is currently disunity within the COGs and why there will be a lack of true unity until after Jesus Christ returns.
Philadelphians have held fast to Philadelphia era doctrine, gospel priorities, and governance. The others (which is essentially all groups but LGC) simply have not. And it was this subtle, and essentially unannounced, change that still has affected the COGs greatly.
Some articles of related interest may include:
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to 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.
Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God This article provides quotes information from the two largest groups which had their origins in WCG as well as commentary.
Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Roderick C. Meredith on Church Government What form of governance did the early church have? Which form of governance would one expect to have in the Philadelphia remnant? The people decide and/or committee forms, odd dictatorships, or the same type that the Philadelphia era itself had?
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?
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.
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