Church of God News

A winter scene seems to fit a request for a winter fast. 

Yesterday I received someone’s opinions and announcement in the following email:

SUBJECT: Christian COG “Philadelphia Fast” — Sabbath Jan 5, 2008

Many of those receiving this letter already know about the Philadelphia Church of God (PCG), which is being ministered by a man named Gerald Flurry.

On December 10, 2005, Mr. Flurry decreed that his church members should entirely shun anyone — including even their own closest family members — who had previously been disfellowshiped from “the Church” and/or judged as “marked”, by a PCG church leader of appropriate authority and ranking — basically, to shun all those who are deemed sinners by the PCG’s own judgment!

Mr. Flurry’s mandate can be found here:    https://www.cogwriter.com/PCGNon-contactPolicy-PGRDecember2005.pdf.pdf

…

As a result of this mandate, there have been reported many horror stories, for unfortunately many within Mr. Flurry’s flock have fallen for this false teaching hook, line, and sinker.

Examples of Family Situations:

One example which comes to mind is of an unbaptized teen boy in Cincinnati, OH, who upon seeking baptism was warned by his aging grandmother that she would never speak to him again if he was not baptized into the Philadelphia COG, thus negatively affecting his baptism decisions which could be potentially detrimental to his walk with Christ during his adolescent years.

His parents had already been rejected by her, but she requested to have the grandchildren visit.  The grandkids decided they would not see their grandmother since she had rejected their father and mother.

In Lexington, KY, a lady with terminal cancer and a member of PCG was told by the doctors she had but a few months to live, which proved to be correct.  During her last months of life, her own son was not allowed to visit his dying mother.  She petitioned Gerald Flurry, who eventually gave his consent for the mother to receive her son on her deathbed.

These are only two examples, but there are many people within the family of Christ among various congregations who have been and continue to be witness to several other such tragedies.

God’s will is to grow His family.  However, this decree from Flurry to the PCG congregation is only serving to cause destruction in God’s family — this surely cannot be the will of God!

So, what can we as brothers & sisters in Christ do about this to help?  Many have been praying about the situation, but now we feel we need to do something more.

Recently, one of our brethren in our local church congregation whose family has been persecuted by these events, announced that his entire family was partaking in a fast from food and water for this cause.

We talked about it and came to the conclusion that we would like to participate in a global day of fasting as a result of this continued persecution of God’s children.

Action:

Therefore, we have decided to hold a special Christian COG “Philadelphia Fast” on Jan 5, the first Sabbath of 2008.

In this fast we pray in the name of Christ, that the Father will intervene in order to touch the hearts and minds of Gerald Flurry along with his PCG leadership and members unto repentance and healing, so as to put an end to this teaching which is plaguing the growth of God’s family…

With love and in Christ YHWH,

Comments by COGwriter 

The “independent” sender did, at my request, provide his name, but did not want it posted.  While I believe that PCG members need our prayers to open their eyes, I left out certain portions above because of length and doctrinal concerns.

This is the second one to contact me about PCG in the past month or so who wants to warn people about PCG, but does not want his identity known.

There apparently is something about PCG that gives some who wish to post about it pause.

Anyway, as I have written before, I do not consider that the Philadelphia Church of  God is part of the Philadelphia portion of the Church of God. 

Furthermore, I am wondering if PCG has many that are actually part of the COG as I believe that Gerald Flurry keeps deviating so obviously from COG teachings that those truly in the COG will finally see this and go elsewhere.

Two 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.
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.

COGwriter

This morning, the anti-COG AW site’s webmaster posted:

I was a foundation member of the Church of God, International in New Zealand. Hey, it was a long time ago.

CGI was founded in the late 1970s by those who apparently felt that Garner Ted Armstrong should not have been disciplined to the point of being put out of the old Worldwide Church of God by his father (Herbert W. Armstrong) who basically put GTA out for adultery and rebellion.

The AW webmaster now has views that support atheism, disbelieving parts of the Bible, suggesting that the deuterocanonical books are just as valid as the rest of it, and other non-COG views.

CGI itself finally put GTA out that church for other acts not becoming a married man (let alone a minister).  GTA then founded the Intercontinental Church of God, which his son Mark has ran since GTA’s death.  Other CGI related groups also formed.

Anyway, the news item is that CGI’s website is currently unavailable as it is apparently undergoing an upgrade for it states:

We are undergoing website improvements.  We apologise for the inconvenience.

I rarely report much about CGI as it is perhaps the largest of the small groups that rarely updates its website.  Historically, it seems to come up with ideas to keep it current, but follow through seems to have been lacking.

CGI really has limited reach as far as I can tell, except in Jamaica.  There, its minister Ian Boyne, seems to have a fairly effective outreach and utilizes techniques that CGI itself does not seem to do (or at least do as effectively) in the USA.

Speaking of Jamaica, my family went there once for the Feast of Tabernacles.  Below we are on a “banana boat” in Jamaica:

Five articles related to groups that had affiliation with CGI include (note, Oasis Ministries is another group, but I have not written a lengthy article on it yet–though I have posted about it):

Intercontinental Church of God Garner Ted Armstrong’s last group; now led by Mark Armstrong.
Teachings of the Church of God, International This article focuses on where CGI differs from the old WCG.
Church of God, Southern California This article discusses some of how David Antion’s group differs from the old WCG.
Church of God Outreach Ministries This was a CGI spin-off who says it is not a church.
Teachings of Christian Educational Ministries Ron Dart’s confederation (not a church).

The Worldwide Church of  God’s old Pasadena campus properties are once again in the news: 

Developer has 30 days to respond to default warning

San Gabriel Valley Tribune, CA – Nov 15, 2007

ALTADENA – Problems are mounting for Dorn Platz & Co., the developer of a major redevelopment project on the city’s west side.

Los Angeles County officials have warned Dorn Platz that because of several outstanding financial disputes at its Lincoln Crossing project, the firm was in default of its development agreement with the county.

Dorn Platz is also facing problems with its complex Ambassador West project in Pasadena, one of the largest in the city’s history, on 19.72 prime acres of the former Ambassador College campus.

The developer – the third in eight years to propose a project for 19.72 acres of the former Ambassador College campus – is embroiled in a lawsuit with Harvest Rock Church over the six-story, 440,000-square-foot Sunrise Senior Living complex.

The church claims the building, which adjoins the church-owned Ambassador Auditorium, encroaches on its property.

Last week, Standard Pacific Homes pulled out of the project, leaving Dorn Platz looking for another builder for 70 condominiums on the site.

Ambassador West will include 46 apartments in existing buildings – including affordable units – in a project that would preserve 72 percent of the landscaped site as open space.

http://www.sgvtribune.com/ci_7455871?source=most_emailed

There have been problems and difficulties in selling and “developing” what used to be the site of the headquarters of God’s church–though now there is almost nothing Christian about it any more.

COGwriter 

As regular readers of this page are aware, we in the COGs do not believe that what passes for mainstream Christianity is truly Christian.

It appears that some long-term reporters of  mainstream Christianity are losing whatever faith they had as they closer observe and report on it.

Notice the following news story:

Burnout on the God beat – second top religion writer calls it quits

Reuters – November 16, 2007 Paris, France – Covering religion may be harmful to your faith. Two leading religion journalists — one in Britain, one in the United States — have quit the beat in recent months, saying they had acquired such a close look at such scandalous behaviour by Christians that they lost their faith and had to leave.

Stephen Bates, who recently stepped down as religious affairs writer for the London Guardian, has just published an account of his seven years on the beat in an article entitled “Demob Happy” for the New Humanist magazine. Bates followed the crisis in the Anglican Communion for several years and even wrote a book on it, A Church At War: Anglicans and Homosexuality.

“Now I am moving on,” his article concludes. “It was time to go. What faith I had, I’ve lost, I am afraid – I’ve seen too much, too close. A young Methodist press officer once asked me earnestly whether I saw it as my job to spread the Good News of Jesus. No, I said, that’s the last thing I am here to do.” …

Shortly before Bates called it quits, William Lobdell, who gave the Los Angeles Times first-class coverage of the Catholic Church’s sex abuse scandal in California, threw in the towel with a wrenching story of his own struggle with organised religion. His farewell story in July, “Religion beat became a test of faith“ was a moving testimony of a journalist who started off as a Presbyterian, was active with evangelicals and seriously considered becoming a Catholic.

But, during his eight years on the beat, the Catholic clerical sex abuse scandal put him off religion so badly that he lost his faith altogether. For an example of what he came across, take a look at Missionary’s Dark Legacy, a powerful story from 2005 about the trail of sexual abuse a Catholic missionary left behind after seven years among the Eskimos. Nearly every boy in the settlement was abused. http://www.wwrn.org/article.php?idd=26895&con=55&sec=75

The truth is that the early chuch did not have a celibacy requirement, which has devasted thousands, if not millions, of lives since it was added (please see the article Was Celibacy Required for Early Bishops or Presbyters?).

What passes for mainstream Christianity is opposed to many of the teachings and practices of Jesus, the original apostles, and the early church.  Articles that explain the history and early doctrines of the true church can be found at The History of Early Christianity page.

It is sad that most reporters and even theologians do not realize that mainstream Christianity is not at all like true Christianity.

In the November-Decmber 2007 edition of LCG’s Tomorrow’s World, D. Winnail wrote:

…we are witnessing record-breaking droughts, fires, famines, and more extreme weather conditions—floods, hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes and tidal waves—that many associate with global climate change. Is there any significance to these concurrent and calamitous events?
     Many “Bible-believing” people recognize a connection between today’s news and the ancient “end-time” prophecies recorded in Scripture…
       Jesus told His disciples that one preliminary sign of the end of the age would be a plethora of false teachers claiming to represent Him. He also warned of widespread religious confusion, escalating war and violence, terrible epidemics and diseases, and other disasters including unprecedented weather upsets—such as droughts, floods, famines and earthquakes (Matthew 24:3–10).  

Bangladesh is now suffering from a severe cyclone that has caused flooding as an Australian news service reports:

November 17, 2007 – 11:29PM

Military helicopters and ships joined relief operations, as aid workers on the ground struggled to reach victims of a savage cyclone that tore apart villages and towns in south-west Bangladesh, killing a reported 1,100 people.

Tropical Cyclone Sidr flattened tens of thousands of homes Thursday and left millions more without power in the deadliest storm in the impoverished south Asian country in more than a decade. More than a million coastal villagers were forced to evacuate to government shelters.

Rescuers battled along roads that were washed out or blocked by windblown debris to try to get water and food to people stranded by flooding. Some employed the brute force of elephants to help their efforts.

The Ministry of Disaster Management, which has struggled to collect detailed information from the devastated area because of the disruptions to power and communications, put the official death toll at 932.

“The toll is rising fast, as we receive more information from outlying areas where telephone lines have been restored,” said Mokhlesur Rahman, a ministry official in Dhaka, the capital…

At least 270 people died in Patuakhali, south of Dhaka, while neighbouring Barguna suffered at least 160 deaths, Rahman added.

The United News of Bangladesh news agency, which has reporters across the devastated region, said the count from each affected district put the death toll even higher, to at least 1,100.

The damage to livelihoods, housing and crops will be “extremely severe”, John Holmes, the UN undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, said Friday, adding that the world body was making millions of dollars in aid available to Bangladesh.  http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/Toll-in-Bangladesh-cyclone-rises-to-932/2007/11/17/1194767029307.html

Comments by COGwriter

Bangladesh broke away from India in the 1940s as “East Pakistan” with ties to “West Pakistan” then later became independent–though it has fairly strong ties with India. 

Life has normally been hard for those in Bangladesh, and now it is once again harder.  They need our prayers and the kingdom of God to come.

But there is hope for those who died as well as those who still live as the Bible shows that God does have a plan to offer salvation to all who ever lived, including those in Moslem nations like Bangladesh.

The following two articles may be of interest:

Hope of Salvation: How the COGs differ from most Protestants How the COGs differ from mainstream Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a COG background.
Universal Salvation? There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis Do you believe what the Bible actually teaches on this? Will all good things be restored? Does God’s plan of salvation take rebellion and spiritual blindness into account?

  The late John Paul II stated that the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church were the “two lungs” of the Church. 

As the above caption indicates, the Vatican has long encouraged unity with the Eastern Orthodox Church.  And while the few Orthodox I have actually spoken to about this oppose Roman Catholic domination, it appears that the Orthodox leadership is trying to accept a modified form of this domination anyway.

Three news items, including one reported today, seem to support my view:

Cardinal calls it ‘breakthrough’ that Orthodox discuss authority

CNS – Nov 14, 2007

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The “real breakthrough” in a new Catholic-Orthodox dialogue document lies in the fact that the Orthodox were willing to discuss how authority was shared and exercised on a universal level in the early church, said Cardinal Walter Kasper.The cardinal, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, spoke with Vatican Radio Nov. 14 about the document on the unity of the church and how authority is shared and exercised on a local, regional and universal level.  http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0706519.htm

Statement of Joint Catholic-Orthodox Commission “Ecclesial Communion, Conciliarity and Authority”

Zenit – Nov 15, 2007

RAVENNA, Italy – Here is the final document of the plenary assembly of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue Between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, held Oct. 8-14 in Ravenna. The statement, which was released today, is titled “Ecclesiological and Canonical Consequences of the Sacramental Nature of the Church: Ecclesial Communion, Conciliarity and Authority.”… 

35…These Councils were ecumenical not just because they assembled together bishops from all regions and particularly those of the five major sees, Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem, according to the ancient order (taxis)…

41. Both sides agree that this canonical taxis was recognised by all in the era of the undivided Church. Further, they agree that Rome, as the Church that “presides in love” according to the phrase of St Ignatius of Antioch (To the Romans, Prologue), occupied the first place in the taxis, and that the bishop of Rome was therefore the protos among the patriarchs…

42. Conciliarity at the universal level, exercised in the ecumenical councils, implies an active role of the bishop of Rome, as protos of the bishops of the major sees…

45. It remains for the question of the role of the bishop of Rome in the communion of all the Churches to be studied in greater depth. What is the specific function of the bishop of the “first see” in an ecclesiology of koinônia and in view of what we have said on conciliarity and authority in the present text?  http://www.zenit.org/article-21012?l=english

 Vatican joins historic talks to end 950-year rift with Orthodox church

Comments by COGwriter 

No matter what is now being said, the Vatican’s ultimate objective is to increase, not decrease, the power and influence of the Roman Pope (although I am not saying that that would be Cardinal Walter Kasper’s personal view as I suspect he really simply does want more cooperation and unity for its sake alone).

As I have written many times before, I believe that the Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics, as this type of unity will lead to the Orthodox becoming part of the final Babylon that the Bible condemns, but that at least one Catholic prophet was hoping for.  Notice what the 12th century Catholic Abbott Joachim prophesied:

A remarkable Pope will be seated on the pontifical throne, under special protection of the angels. Holy and full of gentleness, he shall undo all wrong, he shall recover the states of the Church, and reunite the exiled temporal powers. As the only Pastor, he shall reunite the Eastern to the Western Church…This holy Pope shall be both pastor and reformer. Through him the East and West shall be in ever lasting concord. The city of Babylon shall then be the head and guide of the world.

Rome, weakened in temporal power, shall forever preserve her spiritual dominion, and shall enjoy great peace…(Cited in Connor, Edward. Prophecy for Today. Tan Books and Publishers, Rockford (IL), 1984, pp. 31-32).

Biblical prophecy states that there will be a major unifying religion that it calls “Babylon the Great” (Revelation 17:5)–but one that the Bible warns against. 

The Orthodox (and all others) need to heed the Bible and “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.  For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities” (Revelation 18:4-5). 

The Orthodox, individually, need to reject unity with Rome.

The plain truth is that if those in the Orthodox churches will study their Bibles, they will find a lot more doctrines that the Bible and the COGs hold in common than they will in the Bible and the Roman Church. 

The fact that the COGs and the Orthodox trace their histories through cities other than Rome is also something that the two groups have in common.

Perhaps I should also mention that the Orthodox, like the Churches of God, do not accept the Protestant teaching about being “born-again” nor eternal tormenting.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Some Similarities and Differences Between the Orthodox Church and the Churches of God Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
Pope Benedict XVI and Orthodox Unity This contains some other news articles on this subject.
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the 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? This documented article answers those questions.
Europa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation discusses the largest church since the second/third century.
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.
History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Did Jesus come to promote ecumenicalism or cause division (Luke 12:51)?
The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3 Do they matter? Most say they must, but act like they do not. This article contains some history about the Church of God (sometimes referred to as the continuation of Primitive Christianity) over the past 2000 years.
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?

Pantheon of Rome: A Symbol of Unity Among Religious Error

COGwriter

Yesterday, I posted a portion of a letter to the editor in The Journal from one who indicated that the Great Tribulation could begin at Passover in 2008.  Also, I mentioned that the self-appointed “prophet” Ron Weinland states that it will start around the Fall of 2008.

In addition, to fringe COGrs, notice the following news item regarding a fringe “Orthodox” group:

Sect members dig tunnel, await apocalypse in Central Russia
RIA Novosti – Nov 13, 2007

NIZHNY NOVGOROD – Cult followers in central Russia’s Penza Region have dug a shelter, stocked it with food and are waiting for the apocalypse, which they say is due in May 2008, a local prosecutor said on Tuesday.

A total of 29 sect members, including four children, of the so-called True Russian Orthodox church have moved into the shelter, which contains underground wells, a kitchen, monastic cells and other facilities. They wrote a letter to local authorities saying they had gone underground of their own free will.  http://en.rian.ru/russia/20071113/87933595.html

FWIW, I do agree that the Eastern (including Russian) Orthodox Church is not true to its claimed apostolic roots as although it has retained some apostolic teachings, it has made/accepted many later changes which dissqualify it from being the true church today.  

Irrespective of assertions by various self-appointed ones, the fact is that the great tribulation as described in the Apocalypse (Book of Revelation) will not start in 2008.  

Why?

Well, amongst other reasons, the King of the North (Daniel 11) also known as the Beast (Revelation 13:1-10) is not ready.

While the European Union appears to  be determined to unite further to become both an economic and military power, the fact is that it is still not the economic and military power it needs to be in order to eliminate the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. 

And while Europe is filled with religious symbols and religious error, it still is not at all unified religiously at this time.

I have had three European trips in the last three and one-half years (last one in June 2007), and can state that the Europeans are simply not ready to fulfill their role as the supporters of the King of the North — the Final Beast military power yet. The Europeans do not consider that they are united, they have not accepted any type of universal religion (and while Pope Benedict XVI is working on that–this still is not ready), have not completed their Galileo project (a “GPS” system that will allow them to work independently of the US military’s system), have not finished their systems for “international prosperity”, have not acknowledged ten kings which need to be determined (Revelation 17:12), have not strengthened/unified their military enough, etc.

And while “Galileo” itself is not a biblical requirement, the idea of having its own powerful military clearly is (see Revelation 13:4). There are also events in Daniel 11, Matthew 24, and other prophecies that I do not believe have been fulfilled to the degree necessary for the actual final 3 1/2 year great tribulation to begin in 2008 (though it will start in the future, and actually could begin several years from now).

Notice this verse describing the Beast:

So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” (Revelation 13:4).

Even though even Catholic prophecies indicate a great ruler to arise in Europe who will eventually destroy the English (for documentation, see the article Who is the King of the North?), there simply is not such a person who could be ready for this by 2008.

The September-October edition of The Journal: News of the Churches of God is finally out.

It has an article about a CGI minister in the CIA, mentions the separate UCG and Jim O’Brien winter family events, the death of Mrs. Billingsley (more on that is at the GCG News page), and some Feast-related reports.

Its front and back pages can be viewed from www.thejournal.org/issues/issue122/jf103107.pdf

Probably one of the more interesting items is that another semi-independent is indicating the possible the start of the great tribulation in 2008:

In an article, Mac Overton wrote:

When we were in Greece in June 2007, my wife Joyce took a photograph of the following which is actually named “Sunday Church”.

Sunday Church, Naxos Greece 

Two articles of related interest may be:

Comments on the Teachings of Ron Wallen, Philip Neal, Kenneth W., GRUMPS, Jesse Arellano, and others who Profess(ed) that WCG has God’s Authority Can one still believe what Herbert W. Armstrong used to teach and still be in WCG? This article addresses this important issue.
Sunday and Christianity Was Sunday observed by the apostolic and true post-apostolic Christians? How clearly endorsed Sunday?

COGwriter 

Norman Edwards, a one-time GCG member, sent out an email stating, “SETTLEMENT AGREED!”.  He has been involved with a particular property in Michigan for over three years and a related lawsuit for over two related to his PABC.

Norman Edwards’ email about it being over stated:

We presently intend to produce a small brochure explaining the concepts behind the Port Austin Bible Campus and bring it to a wide Sabbatarian audience: Church of God groups, Church of God Seventh Day groups, Messianic Jewish groups, Seventh Day Baptists and others. We hope to make our facilities available to these groups for low-cost camps and retreats next summer.

We would like to invite anyone who is interested in helping us with these plans to come and visit during the upcoming Thanksgiving holidays. We realize that this will not be practical for most of you, but for a few, it might. Some are already planning to come. Please call or e-mail if you do, so you can be assured a room on campus.

If you would like to help in some way, but cannot come to the Thanksgiving meeting, please e-mail or write to us.

We intend to produce another issue of Servants’ News as soon as possible, and hope to keep publishing it every two months.

After three long and difficult years, we now feel more determined than ever to make this ministry a reality and a blessing to others.

He then cited the entire decision by Michigan Judge Knoblock.  Here are parts of it:

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that there is no admission by either party of any wrongdoing in their agreement to amicably to resolve the issues in the within cause and all claims and counter claims in this cause not provided for in this Judgment are hereby dismissed with prejudice. It is further the intent of this Judgment for the parties hereto to waive any claims or causes of action either might have against the other as of the date of entry of the Judgment, whether or not plead in this cause of action.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that the plaintiff, Williams, and the Defendant, Edwards, acknowledge and agree that Homer Kizer has not, is not, and will not be authorized by Terry Monte Williams to speak or write on behalf of Plaintiff, Williams.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that Plaintiff, Williams, shall vacate the premises he occupies on property titled in the name of Defendant Trust within 60 days of entry of this Judgment.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that no costs are awarded to either party.

Homer Kizer, on the other hand, is less than pleased and someone sent me a link to what he wrote titled Escaping Adjudication: The Case that Continues to Divide , and includes such statements as:

On 08 November 2007, plaintiff and defendant in the Williams vs. Edwards case met in Judge Knoblock’s chambers, where a deal was being forced upon both: Michigan’s Huron County Circuit did not want to hear the case, scheduled for two days, for which Defendant Edwards had placed 41 names on his witness list. After all, deer season would begin on the 15^th, and both the judge and the attorney for Williams had plans to hunt away from the Thumb…

But the case of the missing trustees needs not be adjudicated by any court of this world for it to function as the schism that divides disciples between genuine and false (1 Co 11:19) … the disciple who eats with Edwards is on the wrong side of this schism, for Edwards has been marked as one to be avoided by the Port Austin Sabbatarian Community…

This is a person who has, unless he or she brings forth fruit worthy of repentance, marked himself or herself for death in the lake of fire. Edwards is, today, such a person. Prayers for him should be for his repentance; for today, those members of the Port Austin Sabbatarian Community that also form the Port Austin Bible Center have withheld forgiveness of Edwards’ sins (John 20:23) because of his lack of repentance.

Although I like Norman Edwards personally, I have not attempted to become familiar with enough details of this case to have much of an opinion about what happened–and apparently the judge did not see much to this and did not seem to think Norman Edwards was in the wrong.

FWIW, I think the real problem here is that like some since the apostacy in the Tkach WCG, Norman Edwards has considered that many outside of the COGs are Christians as well.  This, in my opinion, is a mistake.  It is not there there are no possible Christians outside the COGs, but the amount would be quite small and I believe that God would draw them into the COG if possible (in some lands and circumstances this may not be possible in this age).

Since most who claim Christianity are Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, SDA, Seventh-day Bapstist, JW, or Mormon, the following articles may be of interest for readers to determine if any of the non-COG groups represent true Christianity:

Hope of Salvation: How the COGs differ from most Protestants How the COGs differ from mainstream Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a COG background.
The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert W. Armstrong This article clearly shows some of the doctrinal differences between in the two. At this time of doctrinal variety and a tendency by many to accept certain aspects of Protestantism, the article should help clarify why the COG is NOT Protestant.
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the 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 Churches of God Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
5. The Sardis Church Era was predominant circa 1600 A.D. to circa 1933 A.D. Discusses Seventh Day Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, and COG-7th Day.
Similarities and Differences Between the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Churches of God Both groups have some interesting similarities, but many major differences. Would you like information on how to deal with Jehovah’s Witnesses?
SDA/COG Differences: Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 The COG is NOT part of the Seventh-day Adventists. This article explains two prophetic differences, the trinity, differences in approaching doctrine, including Ellen White.
Five Dissimilarities Between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the Church of God The COGs are not related to the Mormons and this article explains five differences.
Being Separate: What Did Herbert W. Armstrong and the Bible Teach About Where Not to Fellowship? Some believe that it is acceptable to attend groups called COG, but who are not actually. What did Herbert W. Armstrong and the Bible teach about this.

By COGwriter

Everyone affiliated with the old Worldwide Church of God realizes that Herbert W. Armstrong worked ceaselessly to attempt to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom to the world as a witness (Matthew 24:14).

The photos below show him attempting to do with with world leaders (below specifically India):

He also wrote that he did fulfill part of Matthew 24:14.  But did he mean that the church was to stop proclaiming the gospel?

No.

But when did he teach that the organized efforts to proclaim the gospel to the world would end?

That is easy. 

He felt that it would be 45 days prior to the abomination of desolation being seen as mentioned in Daniel 11:31 and then he felt that the Philadelphians would flee to a place of safety.  Notice quotes from old official writings:

“Revelation 3:7-13 ‘And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth.’ The great door that God has opened to this work is the facility to go into all the world and preach the gospel; the door of radio, the door of the printing press, plus many other such doors. God has set before us an open door that no man can shut it, and He will when the work is finished and the Philadelphia Church goes to a place of safety” (What is the “Laodicean Church”? Plain Truth. August 1959, p.10).

Our work in the hands of Christ is NOT YET FINISHED, and He will not allow the Work to stop until it is finished. And when will that be?…And the abomination that maketh desolate set up.” What is this abomination? This refers to Daniel 11:31 and Matthew 24:15…From this time (Daniel 12:11) to Christ’s coming will be 1290 days. Now, verse 12, “Blessed is he that waiteth, and comes to the 1335 days.” Never before have we understood these periods of 1260, 1290. and 1335 days. But it seems evident, now, a blessing is pronounced on us–GOD”S CHURCH–who wait and endure until the 1335 days–approximately 1335 days prior to Christ’s coming. But since no one can know the day or hour of His coming, we probably shall not be able to know the exact day this 1335 days begins. But apparently that is the time when OUR WORK SHALL END. That will be a time when the UNITED Europe shall appear–the revival of the medieval “Holy Roman Empire.” We shall then be warned, and readied to be taken to a place of refuge and safety from the Great Tribulation. Forty-five days later “the beasts armies” will surround Jerusalem. Thirty days later the Great Tribulation will probably start with a nuclear attack on London and Britain–and possibly the same day or immediately after, on the United States and Canadian cities. The GREAT TRIBULATION, we shall fully then realize, is the time of “Jacob’s Trouble,” spoken of in Jeremiah 30:7. And Jacob’s name was named on Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh (Gen. 48:16). At that time a third of the people in our nations will die, or shall have died, by famine and disease epidemics; another third will dies of the war–our cities being destroyed (Ezek. 6:6), and the remaining third will be carried to the land of our enemies as slaves (Ezek. 5:12). Armstrong HW. The Time We Are In, Now. Pastor General’s Report-Vol 1, No. 15, November 20, 1979, Page 2).

The PURPOSE for which Christ built the Church exemplifies its WORK…1) To ANNOUNCE to the world for its witness the coming Kingdom of God…2) To prepare the people to whom God adds to the Church…God has always worked with humans. He has worked with O N E M A N at a time…The WORK consists of proclaiming the Gospel, by radio, by television, in print (Armstrong HW. JUST WHAT IS THE WORK? PASTOR GENERAL’S REPORT – VOL.3, NO.6 February 6, 1981).

“God has given his Church dual responsibility: 1) ‘Go ye into all the world’ and proclaim the good news–announcement–of the coming kingdom of God. 2) ‘Feed my sheep’. But in feeding the ‘sheep’, developing in them God’s spiritual character, God has given them their part in supporting, backing up, the great commission: ‘Go ye in into all the world’ “(Armstrong, HW. Mystery of the Ages, p.265).

“Since no one knows the day of Christ’s coming (Matt. 24:36 ; Acts 1:17) , we may not know the exact time when the 1335 days begin. Apparently, however, at that time, the organized efforts of God’s Work to proclaim the Gospel to the world will end. Forty-five days later, or 1290 days before the return of Christ, the beasts armies will surround Jerusalem. Those who are worthy will have been warned and taken to a place of refuge God has provided for them (Rev. 12:14-16).” (Personal Correspondence dated 2/89, Note: This is the same information that would have been in it on the day HWA died, I simply do not have that original–but note that this quote confirms what HWA wrote in the citation above). 

Thus, it should be clear to anyone with eyes to see and ears to hear that Herbert W. Armstrong felt that the gospel had to be proclaimed in an organized way by the church until just prior to the time that the Philadelphians flee to a place of safety.

Hence groups like COG-ff (who taught that the door to proclaim was closed for a while), RCG (who initially taught that the top priority should not be to proclaim the gospel), and other groups who refuse to place their top priority on proclaiming the gospel now, are not faithful to the Bible, nor the practices and teachings of Herbert W. Armstrong.

More blatant, however, are groups such as GCW and CGG who still directly teach that the church’s first priority should not be proclaiming the gospel.

And actually, there is one, and only one, COG who does and always has placed the same priority on proclaiming the gospel as Herbert W. Armstrong did, and that is the Living Church of God.

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 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.