21st Century False Prophets
By COGwriter
False prophets are warned about in the Bible.
Jesus taught His followers to:
15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. (Matthew 7:15)
The Apostle Peter warned:
1
But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. (2 Peter 2:1-3)
Have we seen false prophets who claim to be Christians in the 21st century?
Yes.
Consider also that the Apostle Paul warned:
1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come ... 13 ... evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:1,13)
Massive deception is prophesied for the 21st century. False prophets have been and will be part of that deception.
In this article, I plan to mention and discuss several as well as warn that many are too dismissive of prophets in the 21st century.
Here is a link to a related sermon: 21 Century False Prophets.
True Prophet vs. Imposter?
Back in 1986, the late WCG evangelist L. Leroy Neff wrote an article titled Imposter--or--True Prophet -- Which? Here is some information from it:
A letter from a subscriber in the Philippines reads:
"Jesus speaks of false prophets and false Christs that will come and deceive many, including the chosen ones. When I read this, I was terribly confused and this made me write this letter to you. "I have a question. How will one be able to tell a false prophet from a true one? I know very well that the true prophets of Jesus are here in our world and are spreading the Gospel. But Jesus said the false prophets will deceive many. This means that these prophets will deceive many. This means that these prophets are good impostors. "
So, how will one distinguish the impostor from the real one?"
Knowing the answer to this question is vital for all Christians today, as Jesus was primarily warning His followers about events of our time - now! Do you know the answer from the Bible? Many think they know and do not. You had better be sure, as your salvation could depend on whether you have the right answer. How can you tell the impostor from the true servant of God? The answer will probably be quite surprising to many people, because they are using an unscriptural basis for evaluation.
Jesus said, "Many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many" (Matthew 24:5, King James). This text says that these deceivers would come in Christ's name. If they come in His name, they claim to come by His authority. Secondly, they say that He (Jesus) was the Christ (Messiah). They come in His name, say He is Christ and yet deceive the many, not the few. To do this, these deceivers must come as the ministers,. teachers and prophets of Christ. But how will they succeed in deceiving others?
Some people have assumed that the large church denominations who come "in Christ's name" must be right, simply because they have many members, are accepted in the religious community, have a long history or are well respected. But Christ's statement makes it obvious that these are not the criteria for determining who is false and who is true! (Neff LL. Imposter--or--True Prophet -- Which? Good News, December 1986, pp. 10-11)
The Bible teaches that there will be true vs. false prophets. The Bible says to listen to prophets from God and it also tells how to determine that a prophet is false. Notice the following:
17 “And the Lord said to me: ‘What they have spoken is good. 18 I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. 19 And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him. 20 But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.’ 21 And if you say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which the Lord has not spoken?’— 22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him. (Deuteronomy 18:18-22)
So, God's people are to listen to His prophets, but do not need to heed the false ones. False ones can be determined by whether or not they are faithful to the word of God as well as those claim to prophesy something that did not come to pass.
The old Worldwide Church of God published the following in its article titled BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS:
"Wolves in sheep's clothing," Christ called them. Will you be misled by a soft and fleecy exterior? Here is help from God's Word to see through the disguise.
God reserves His strongest condemnation for those who claim to be speaking for Him, but are actually leading people away from the true God.
(Fahey RE. BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS. Good News, May 1979)
The above article then referred to Jeremiah 23:25-40, which is shown below in the NKJV:
25 "I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in My name, saying, 'I have dreamed, I have dreamed!' 26 How long will this be in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies? Indeed they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart, 27 who try to make My people forget My name by their dreams which everyone tells his neighbor, as their fathers forgot My name for Baal.
28 "The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream;
And he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully.
What is the chaff to the wheat?" says the Lord.
29 "Is not My word like a fire?" says the Lord,
"And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
30 "Therefore behold, I am against the prophets," says the Lord, "who steal My words every one from his neighbor. 31 Behold, I am against the prophets," says the Lord, "who use their tongues and say, 'He says.' 32 Behold, I am against those who prophesy false dreams," says the Lord, "and tell them, and cause My people to err by their lies and by their recklessness. Yet I did not send them or command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all," says the Lord.
33 "So when these people or the prophet or the priest ask you, saying, 'What is the oracle of the Lord?' you shall then say to them, 'What oracle?' I will even forsake you," says the Lord. 34 "And as for the prophet and the priest and the people who say, 'The oracle of the Lord!' I will even punish that man and his house. 35 Thus every one of you shall say to his neighbor, and every one to his brother, 'What has the Lord answered?' and, 'What has the Lord spoken?' 36 And the oracle of the Lord you shall mention no more. For every man's word will be his oracle, for you have perverted the words of the living God, the Lord of hosts, our God. 37 Thus you shall say to the prophet, 'What has the Lord answered you?' and, 'What has the Lord spoken?' 38 But since you say, 'The oracle of the Lord!' therefore thus says the Lord: 'Because you say this word, "The oracle of the Lord!" and I have sent to you, saying, "Do not say, 'The oracle of the Lord!'" 39 therefore behold, I, even I, will utterly forget you and forsake you, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and will cast you out of My presence. 40 And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.'" (Jeremiah 23:25-40)
So, it is clear that 1) there will be false prophets and 2) God will punish them.
False Prophets
The old Worldwide Church of God (WCG) published the following:
Do you know what a false prophet is? How would you recognize one if you saw one? Or heard one? Are they easily identified — or are they shrouded in obscurity? Are false prophets in the minority — or are they to be found in abundant supply? Does it pay to be a false prophet — and is there any future in it?
SOME DEFINE "a false prophet" as any minister with whom THEY DO NOT AGREE! Simply because a man says something that sounds strange or different from the religious statements they are accustomed to hearing, does that make him a "false prophet"? To many it would.
People have odd ways of evaluating a minister's authenticity! Some consider the size of a man's following as the measure of his worth. Others feel it is his personality or approach or appearance that identifies him as a true servant of God! Others still feel that a minister's credentials or the letters after his name or perhaps his linkage with the religious establishment is the crucial criterion.
A False Prophet Is NOT a True Prophet
Yet, in plain point of fact, NONE of these "popular signs" is the sign of a true minister of God — if we are to judge using the Bible as our standard.
To understand what a false prophet is, it is easiest to define the contrast of a true prophet, a true minister of God. ... Stop and ask yourself some candid questions. When Jesus was active in His ministry, did the religious establishment of the day accept Him? No! Christ was not endorsed by the local ministry as He preached the Gospel of the Kingdom of God in every town He visited. Just the opposite. They sought, and finally took, His LIFE! Nor did Christ teach the old established ideas that the people were accustomed to hearing. What He said astonished everyone! They realized He spoke with authority! Read it in your own Bible in Matthew 7:28-29.
Jesus had no papers or credentials from any of the then-existing schools of theology. He was not a Pharisee, a Sadducee or an Essene! In fact, people wondered at His lack of credentials and questioned how He could preach with such authority and do such miracles! They pointed out that He was merely a carpenter's son (Matthew 13:54-57). His authority was constantly in question (Matthew 21:23 and Mark 11:28).
Nor was Jesus Christ an outstanding man in appearance or stature — He was certainly not the movie-idol type. Isaiah described Jesus' appearance in chapter 53:2. Christ never stood out in a crowd and especially not because of His allegedly long hair! 'In fact, the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write that it is a SHAME for a man to have long hair! (I Cor. 11:14) Surely we can see by now that a true prophet or minister of God is not measured by his appearance, following, credentials or his association with established religion! None of these things marks a man of God!
A Real Man of God
Well then, what does identify a genuine servant of God? The Bible certainly does not leave us ignorant on this vital question! Here are three vital qualifications:
One: A true minister of God must study, preach and live by EVERY word of God! If a man tells you something that he knows disagrees with God's revealed Word, he instantly disqualifies himself from being a true minister of Christ! Isaiah 8:20 and Matthew 4:4 confirm this!
Two: A true minister must teach the SAME GOSPEL JESUS TAUGHT: The Gospel of the Kingdom of God. Of course he must teach repentance of sin, acceptance of the blood of Jesus Christ to atone for that repented sin. But more, he must teach the purpose of repentance, the purpose of Christ's shed blood: the eternal life God offers us in His Kingdom, His own Family, as His born Son, ruling with Him in God's Kingdom.
Three: A true minister must be busy doing the Work of God! Busy warning a sick and cynical world where its sin is leading it, busy broadcasting the Good News of the soon-coming Kingdom of God(Matt. 24:14), and busy publishing the Good News of an ever-loving God coming to save mankind from committing cosmocide! (Matt. 24:22)
What a man PRODUCES as a result of his ministry is another important thing to look for. What kind of fruit is being borne by his efforts? Are lives being changed for the better? Are problems being solved? Do his words contain ANSWERS, or are they mere platitudes and the quoting of poetry? God tells us a true servant can be identified by the fruits of his ministry!
Many False
Maybe you are thinking, "Well, surely there are very few ministers who would dare to deliberately twist God's Word and deceive people! Any ministers I know are sincere and honest. Fine men." And undoubtedly there are many very sincere men in the ministry! But it is possible to be sincere and yet also be very much deceived! It is entirely possible to be sincerely WRONG!
You see, God did not say the false prophets would be in the minority! God tells us there will be MANY such individuals! "For MANY [not a small minority, but the MANY!) shall come in my name (claiming to represent Christ), saying, I [Jesus] am Christ [proclaiming Jesus of Nazareth as Savior and Messiah]; and shall DECEIVE MANY." So says your Bible in Matthew 24:5, 11!
Here God shows us that vast numbers of people would be deceived by great numbers of false ministers who would falsely claim to represent Christ! In fact, God tells us that the whole world is being deceived! Read it yourself in Revelation 12:9. (Knowles B. What About False Prophets? Tomorrows World November-December 1970)
Are false prophets expected for our age?
Yes.
Jesus said:
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. (Matthew 24:8-11)
The Book of Acts and the Book of Revelation tell of true prophets for our age.
But the Apostle John was also inspired to write:
13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. (Revelation 16:13)
False prophets were expected in the 21st century according to scriptures such as Matthew 24:11 and Revelation 16:13.
Jesus also said:
15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' (Matthew 7:15-23)
So, there are, or will be, bad fruits associated with the false prophets. Jesus denounced false prophets. Also the Apostle Paul did per Acts 16:16-18. Paul also declared:
30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. (Acts 20:30-31)
So, yes, true prophets of God do denounce false ones. Some people do not want to hear it, but Paul warned against false leaders a lot. It is not "it takes one to know one" as at least one snide anti-COG writer posted online in 2026.
The old WCG commented:
Christ said we should look at the fruits. What fruits should we examine? Obviously not those in which a wool-covered wolf could most easily pass himself off as a sheep. We should expect a false prophet to attempt, with all his heart, to look like a real one, or what he thinks is a real one. As Paul wrote:
"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers [Did you know Satan has ministers?] also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works" (II Cor. 11:13-15).
We should expect a warm and ready smile. We can be confident of an outward expression of accommodation at least at first. We should also expect humility — lots of humility.
So those "fruits" are untrustworthy. What next?
Perhaps we should consider "good works" such as missionaries, converts, hospitals, drug clinics or free meals for vagabonds and vagrants?
Surely if they preach in the name of Christ, that is good fruit, isn't it? No, not necessarily, according to Jesus Christ. Right after telling us to beware of false prophets and to look at their fruits, He continued the Sermon on the Mount by saying, "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 7:21).
Referring to Christ as the Lord is not conclusive proof of good fruit. Doing what God says is.
"Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? [preaching, hospitals, missionaries] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you."
Startling as it may seem, many people who have used Christ's name, who have accomplished many beneficial works, often at great sacrifice to themselves, were never recognized by Him as His servants. They used that name falsely! (Fahey RE. BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS. Good News, May 1979)
Basically all ministers/prophets outside the Church of God clearly practice lawlessness.
But what about false prophets in the Church of God?
The old WCG published the following:
Inside the Church
Not all false prophets come from outside the Church. Some were formerly faithful servants of God, but swerved from the "straight and narrow" path.
The apostle Paul called the ministers of Ephesus together during his last visit to that ancient city. He knew that false prophets would soon descend upon the flock of God. So he alerted the leaders to the dangers that both pastors and flock would face.
"Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you [overseers], to care for [feed] the church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock." These wolves would mostly come from outside the Church.
But worse, "and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things [distorted doctrine] to draw away the disciples after them" (Acts 20:28-30, RSV).
Faithful pastors protect the flock from those who would spoil them. But some of those called and ordained in God's true Church would covet Christ's sheep. ...
(Fahey RE. BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS. Good News, May 1979)
We have seen many false teachers who came out of the Worldwide Church of God.
Furthermore, let's look at a few former Worldwide Church of God ministers who claim to be prophets and/or Elijah the prophet (note: there were one or two others from WCG who claimed to be, who died that this article will not cover).
The three I plan to mention who were once part of WCG are Gerald Flurry, David Pack, and Ronald Weinland. As well as some false predictions by Wade Cox and Alton Billingsley.
Gerald Flurry
Gerald Flurry is a self-appointed prophet who has added non-biblical requirements to be a church member and in many ways violated scriptures. Although he claims to teach the law, his numerous anti-scriptural positions show that he does not truly understand nor teach it. Plus, he has made numerous false prophecies. See also: PCG: Teachings Unique to the Philadelphia Church of God.
Although he and David Pack like to point to their church buildings as proof of their legitimacy, the old WCG warned:
Some would expect to find a true minister or prophet in a large and beautiful church building. Yet, during the history of the early Church, there is no mention of church buildings. Instead we read that the Church was not a building at all, but the people who were called out of this world to become the Church. The people (the Church) met in various buildings, sometimes in Church members' homes (Romans 16:5, I Corinthians 16:19, Philemon 2). Paul preached for two years while under house arrest in rented facilities. He probably had both living quarters and a meeting hall of some kind (Acts 28:30-31). (Neff LL. Imposter--or--True Prophet -- Which? Good News, December 1986, pp. 10-11)
That said, let's go over a few of Gerald Flurry's false prophetic positions (and these are not the only ones).
1. He claimed that Joseph Tkach was the man of sin in his original Malachi's Message booklet. Then after he died, Gerald Flurry switched that to Joseph Tkach, Jr. (See also PCG: Teachings Unique to the Philadelphia Church of God). Yet, neither of them have, nor will, fulfill the biblical criteria for that.
Let me add that many other COGs also misunderstand the identity of the 'man of sin,' yet they normally have not claimed that this applied to one of the Tkachs (for details, see Who is the Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians 2?).
2. Gerald Flurry wrote the following:
Donald Trump Is Going to Win This Election
November 9. 2020
This past Friday night, Joe Biden held a big parade and made a victory speech. Saturday, the American news media decided to declare him the winner of the election and the president-elect of the United States.
It does appear strongly that this man will be America’s next president. But I absolutely do not believe that at all. Regardless of how things look right now, I am confident that Donald Trump will remain president. …
Unfulfilled Prophecies
The Trumpet has been explaining biblical prophecies that apply to Donald Trump and to America—specific end-time prophecies that must be and will be fulfilled.
We have shown how President Trump is here to stop the destructive spirit that is working to destroy America. …
But looking at this modern-day Jeroboam, you have to say God gave Israel a “savior”—at least to the extent that He wouldn’t let these enemies bring down the nation. He has been blocking this movement to “blot out the name of Israel [which includes America] from under heaven.”
And is his job finished? No, it isn’t. So I don’t believe at all that he is going to disappear from the scene!
The Trumpet has also pointed to a prophecy in Amos 7 that tells us a lot about this end-time Jeroboam. None of that prophecy has yet been fulfilled—but we can be sure that it will be, and President Trump must be in power for this to take place. God is going to fulfill every prophecy of His Bible! …
Donald Trump certainly has his problems, and God sees those—but He chose him as a savior—temporarily—for this nation! https://www.thetrumpet.com/23137-donald-trump-is-going-to-win-this-election
While God will fulfill every prophecy of His Bible, Gerald Flurry has a history of misunderstanding and misinterpreting biblical prophecies. THIS ELECTION meant the one in November 2020. Gerald Flurry wrote that Joe Biden would NOT be President of the USA and he was “confident that Donald Trump will remain president.” But he did not.
Nor, by the way, is Donald Trump the USA's savior.
PCG posted:
December 17, 2020
Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry’s cover story for the January 2021 Trumpet issue is titled “Why Donald Trump Will Remain America’s President.” It explains that President Trump will remain in office because of Bible prophecies in 2 Kings 14 and Amos 7. Now that the Electoral College has voted for Joe Biden, some earthshaking frauds are going to have to be exposed for these prophecies to be fulfilled. https://www.thetrumpet.com/23279-prominent-election-attorney-stock-up-on-guns-and-ammunition/print
Gerald Flurry was clearly wrong about “prophecies.” Donald Trump did not remain in office. This does not mean that there was no fraud in the 2020 election, but Gerald Flurry's insistence that Donald Trump would remain USA president were wrong. Nor were exposing earthshaking frauds for Donald Trump to be involved in biblical prophecies.
3. Furthermore, notice another of Gerald Flurry's errors that he wrote:
2 Kings 14:28 gives us insight into what is happening during the pause in Trump’s rule, between his first and second term. ...
President Trump could also lead some states to secede from the union. That would lead to some kind of warfare.
Verse 28 of 2 Kings 14 strongly indicates that Mr. Trump recovers his presidency by some kind of warring—not voting.
It seems certain to me that this will happen before the next presidential election in 2024—unless there would be some kind of war and voting combined. But 2 Kings 14:28 does not even hint of an election.
(Flurry G. What Will Happen After Trump Regains Power. Philadelphia Trumpet, July 2021 https://www.thetrumpet.com/23957-what-will-happen-after-trump-regains-power)
Gerald Flurry was predicting some type of 'war' that would put Donald Trump in office before the 2024 election (I bolded his statement above to make it easier for people to notice that he has been wrong about that). That did not happen. Gerald Flurry has a documented history of error.
The New Testament teaches:
21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
Gerald Flurry’s insistence that Donald Trump would remain in office shows that he failed the test.
4. As far as Amos 7 goes, PCG’s Gerald Flurry was proven wrong on something else he wrote and published in April of 2017:
A Time of Extreme Urgency
Amos “warned the people that the supreme moment of their success was but the prelude to their doom” (Soncino commentary). This is what we are looking at with Donald Trump assuming the American presidency. Some people believe there was good news in this election. The Republican side was ecstatic. Right after the election, Rush Limbaugh said, “We just got our country back!” But they didn’t! The “good news” is a mirage. It is a false hope.
This is actually a prelude to America’s doom. A man is on the scene whose house God is going to take out by the sword! Conditions in America may improve for a short time. It may even help the work of God. But its ultimate end is destruction. Our people are going to face the wrath of God until they repent!
Amos 7:7-17 show that our time is very limited. What is going to happen in the next four years or perhaps even less?
This is one of the strongest, most urgent warnings in the Bible!
“Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit” (verse 14). Amos had no formal seminary or college training. God simply gave him a job. Even without “credentials,” God used this man!
“Now therefore hear thou the word of the Lord: Thou sayest, Prophesy not against Israel, and drop not thy word against the house of Isaac. Therefore thus saith the Lord; Thy wife shall be an harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line; and thou shalt die in a polluted land: and Israel shall surely go into captivity forth of his land” (verses 16-17). Amos had a very different view from Amaziah: He knew this was a message from God!
“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord” (Amos 8:11). How will this famine of the word come about? God’s Church will be forced to leave. No one will be here to deliver the message anymore. When this faithful remnant of God’s people is taken to a place of safety, God’s message will cease, except what we do from there. The nations of Israel have had over 80 years to heed this message, but soon they will not be able to even find it.
Verse 14 talks about people who are going to “fall, and never rise up again.” This is talking about 50 percent of God’s own Laodicean or lukewarm church who will lose their eternal lives! What a tragedy—the greatest tragedy in this end time! …
If there are protesters who can stand up and speak out so boldly against President Trump, shouldn’t the people of God speak out boldly? We have to warn this nation! Verse 2 concludes, “and the habitations of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither.” The Anchor Bible says the subject here is a cosmic holocaust—a nuclear holocaust! God is about to send nuclear fire! (see also verses 4, 7, 10, 12, 14; 2:2, 5). https://www.thetrumpet.com/14642-who-is-the-modern-day-jeroboam viewed 01/21/21
No, 50% of Laodiceans DID NOT lose their eternal lives by April of 2021, which was four years after Gerald Flurry’s article was officially published (it actually was published a month or so earlier). Gerald Flurry is wrong about that. And while the USA may well experience a nuclear fire, it also has not happened. Gerald Flurry is NOT God’s prophet.
The Bible teaches:
22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him. (Deuteronomy 18:22)
Yet, many still follow him, despite his being proven falseness.
Ronald Weinland
There was a former United Church of God (UCG) minister named Ronald Weinland. He claimed to be one of the two witnesses and that the 1290 days of Daniel 12 began in 2007. He also claimed that there would not be a president after George Bush. Ronald Weinland did an interview on The Mike McConnell Show Radio on April 7, 2008. Here is something he stated:
MM: We should see we’ll see dramatic changes between now, now and June or July.
RW:Absolutely. Yeah there’s there’s not gonna be a question in people’s minds when these things begin. These are not gonna be normal things that just happen as a uh consequence of what normal weather patterns or things of that nature there that uh this is going to be of…intensity. It’s not’s going to be a small thing. These are going to be very widespread things that begin to take place.
MM: Well what’s likely to happen and I know this sounds facetious but I’m not. But if anything were to happen they’d just blame it on global warming.
RW: Well the first time they will but when uh nuclear weapons go off they can’t blame that on uh global warming. During this first stage the forty-five days to ninety days that’s exactly what people will do. You’re exactly right . But after that period of time it’s going to it’s going to change dramatically as things of terrorism begin to take place in this country because we have four trumpets that are going to take place here over six months to a year’s period of time and as they take place it’s going to bring this, the United States here to demise. We are we are not we are at our end as far as our country is concerned. I’ve made many comments on different interviews here that we may be able to scrounge together having elections in November but there will not be a new president take office in January…
RW: If it doesn’t pan out the only thing I would do is uh . So if I responded to anything at all was to explain to people I was a false prophet that’s the only answer. That I’m no longer a minister.
MM: So if by Labour Day we’re still having a picnic.
RW: Well then I’m I’m through.
MM: Then you would find a different line of work.
RW: Absolutely ...
The USA was not nuked. The fact that Barack Obama became President of the United States on January 20, 2009 should be clear proof that Ron Weinland was also in error on that point. Yet, Ron Weinland did not change his line of work as he said he would. Ronald Weinland made a variety of other false claims such as he claimed to be one of the two witnesses God is raising up, that the Great Tribulation began on March 18, 2008, Jesus would return late September 2011, that Jesus would return on May 27, 2012, and later that Jesus would return on May 19, 2013 (see also CGPKG: Concerns About Ronald Weinland's Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God).
David Pack
There is David Pack, who declared himself the Elijah. He made wrong pronouncements about Jesus returning and the start of the 1335 days of Daniel 12 (see RCG again wrong on the return of Jesus and the start of the 1335 days)--he also made other numerous wrong predictions of Jesus returning (some are in the article RCG: Why Not the Restored Church of God?).
Someone who knew David Pack, told me over a decade ago, that when my name was brought up his demeanor visibly changed. In my view, David Pack was upset with me for often pointing out his many early doctrinal and prophetic errors.
In 2026, former RCG employee Marc Cebrian posted the following:
111 Failed Dates From March 2022 to February 2026
140 Failed Dates Since August 30, 2013 https://www.exrcg.org/blog/tag/Religion
RCG/Dave Pack Newsflash:
The Kingdom Comes on March 18, 2026!
Oops. Let's Change That to February 2.
Uh Oh. I Really Meant February 1.
David C. Pack of The Restored Church of God enjoys the thrill of finding the day that cannot tarry after ten long years of toil and disappointment. Ever-rushing to call out recycled malarkey, the Pastor General is mentally and physically exhausted as he continues to hunt his religious white whale across the stormy seas of Bible prophecy. ...
Dave was ... stewing in his spirit-inspired certainty during “The Greatest Untold Story! (Part 615)” on January 3, 2026, when he landed back on Abib 1 for the fourth year in a row.
Part 615 – January 3, 2026
@ 00:42 Only when all competing dates passed before the last possible date can you have full confidence a date cannot tarry.
@ 07:58 But I do know absolutely and completely when the this Kingdom [7-year] comes, and we're gonna go home knowing that much today. Absolutely. I waited, I was suspicious, I've been suspicious. And I'm gonna show you we finally are gonna reach the date where it's impossible that it's wrong, and you'll know that.
It must give the brethren the warm fuzzies when Dave gets all absolute about his current belief. Here are words Dave likes to say that never age well:
@ 13:17 But I I will I will stake everything on what I'm gonna tell you…
@ 13:40 How about it's about time to say the 7-Year Kingdom begins when all the others did on Abib 1. So if you want to write it down, put down March 18th. ...
He went on and on and on about how March 18 was the day they had been waiting for. Abib 1 is “the day that cannot tarry,” because this one is as hard as diamond, and the brethren will be “absolutely unable to doubt March 18.” ...
Part 616 – January 10, 2026
@ 01:06 We are seven years for a kingdom right here [7 glass on table]. In that regard, March 18th is locked with 1335 days thought to be within it. Abib 1 is a hard date. But it's the fifth day of a week. Aren't we to look for a third day? ...
@ 51:53 The 1335, on God's authority, I'm telling you, is not in the in the seven years. If it is, we could never know it. It would be utterly contrary to all the things I've told you. ...
@ 1:09:11 I don't take any credit. I couldn't possibly figure any of this out without the help of God. ...
@ 1:32:27 It can't go on. We're looking for a year where 45 days before an Abib it's a Tuesday. Or, if you will, a Monday night or if you will, a Monday morning here when it's Monday night, sundown in Jerusalem. Remember, you touch 1335. But just touch it. That'd be a Monday morning. February 2nd. ...
Part 617 – January 17, 2026
@ 01:23 It's critical we stay with proof of mid-Shevat. …you're gonna learn that February 1st replaces February 2nd. So, we're not waiting for Monday morning, February 2. We're waiting for Sunday morning, February 1. There's huge, massive proof of that. For now, until I can get to it, for now, just rejoice we’re a day closer.
God is NOT helping David Pack and giving him wrong dates. David Pack is NOT acting on God's authority.
Anyway, God's kingdom will not come before 2033.
Wade Cox
There is also the unitarian Wade Cox, who has repeatedly been wrong (see CCG’s predictions have proven to be wrong). Wade Cox has an article that he updated with numerous tables.
Here is one updated in 2020 from him:
2014-15 NATO is forced to occupy the Middle East in the nations listed from Daniel 11:40-43. Russia, with the complicity of China, forces the escalation of the War of the Fifth Trumpet which is a biochemical war into the release of the Four Angels at the Euphrates from Tartaros for this final phase. War of the Sixth Trumpet starts.
2022-2025 Messiah intervenes and subjugates the nations. …
2018- 2022 Two Witnesses of Revelation 11:2 prophesy over the same time and the earth is subdued by the wars of the fifth and sixth trumpet at the same time. Trumpets The Heavenly Signs
2022-2024 Advent of Messiah
2022-2024 The fall of the nations and the battles of Armageddon. …
2021-2022 Passover is the probable last time for the two Witnesses to be in place in Jerusalem. Droughts of the two Witnesses commence. 2024 Probable last date for the return of the Messiah …
(Christian Churches of God No. 272 Outline Timetable of the Age (Edition 7.0 19981121-20021020-20061108-20101025-20111122-20120601-20131228-20171220-20200508)
The following was an update he had when I visited CCG’s site in 2023:
Outline Timetable of the Age (Edition 7.5 19981121-20021020-20061108-20101025-20111122-20120601-20131228-20171220-20200508-20221231)
Table 1 …
| 2021-2024 |
Period of the possible Advent of Messiah and subjugation of the planet. |
| 2027/8 Jubilee |
Fortieth Jubilee since ministry of Messiah. |
| ********* |
***************** |
| 2028 |
Thousand years of the Millennium begins under Messiah. |
… Table 2 …
| 2018-2024 |
Period of the Witnesses and the
Advent of the King-Messiah at Jerusalem. |
| 2027 |
Jubilee of the end of the age. |
| 2028 |
Millennial rule from Jerusalem. |
… Table 3 …
1916-1948 |
Establishment of the Jewish homeland. |
| 2021-2027 |
Return of the King. |
… Table 5 …
2027 |
The fortieth Jubilee of the Sign of Jonah. Every rule and every authority and every religious system of this world or of this age is destroyed. |
| ******* |
***************** |
| 2028 |
The millennial system commences under the Law of God. |
… Table 9 …
2022-2025 |
Messiah intervenes and subjugates the nations. |
| 2027/28 |
Fortieth Jubilee year. Messiah takes total rule of the planet. |
| 2028 |
First year of the Jubilee of Jubilees since the Reading of the Law with Ezra and Nehemiah. |
… Table 12 …
| 2023/4-2026/7 |
Witnesses arrive and teach for 1260 days; they are killed and lie in the streets for three days. They are resurrected and rise to meet Messiah. False prophet killed; First Resurrection of the dead. |
| 2026 and
2027
2027 |
Subjugation of the planet under the seven vials of the wrath of God and the battles of Armageddon. The European system is destroyed then the kings of the East are brought down over the dried up basin of the Euphrates to the valley of Jezreel.
The second exodus of Israel. |
| 2027 |
The fortieth Jubilee since Messiah and the forty-ninth since the second Temple and the restoration under Ezra and Nehemiah (cf. Reading the Law with Ezra and Nehemiah (No. 250)). |
| 2028 |
First year of the Jubilee of Jubilees; the beginning of the Millennium (see the paper The Golden Jubilee and the Millennium (No. 300)). |
http://www.ccg.org/weblibs/study-papers/p272.html
This is in error. There is no possibility that the millennium can begin before 2033. Many of the other events pointed to have simply not happened. Wade Cox will be proven wrong on the millennium, jubilee, and other matters. Certain events that Jesus pointed to have not yet occurred which render Wade Cox’s dates impossible.
Alton Billingsley
Alton Billingsley is the leader of the Church of God Faithful Flock.
He once told me on the telephone that the reason he was on his own was that he wanted his own following and was afraid he would lose it if he were part of another COG.
The anti-COG Banned by HWA website posted the following quote from Alton Billingsley:
Possibly close to the Passover, April 4, 2023, will begin the famine to last for three and one-half years that God in heaven above is bringing on His people, the House of Joseph, America and Britain, and other tribes of Israel.
Prophecy also makes known the devil will release Assyria-Germany from the bottom- less pit. Therefore, bringing into existence the Holy Roman Empire sometime during the year, 2024.
Then the severity of the famine, with pestilence, Covid 19 mutating into the black plague, will commence destroying America in particular—then the same to come upon the other Israeli nations in 2026! All this is to be followed by nuclear warfare (
Ezekiel 5:12
)—with the lone exception of Judah. Her fate will come later.
Before all this, there will be a civil war, 2024-2025 (Jeremiah 51:46 “… Violence in the land ruler against ruler….”) Could the civil war begin because of the possible assassination of President Trump? Something momentous will have to happen to trigger it! The civil war will start before the finality takes place. Details will follow in other writings.
This year, 2023, will lead into unparalleled and frightening times! This nation and the world are presently asleep to what will soon befall them, similar to the pre-flood world of Noah, and Sodom and Gomorrah (Luke 17:26-30 “… so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed …”).
May God have mercy. The Ezekial Watchman
The cover letter had this:
This is a cover letter for the Ezekiel Warning Messages to begin appearing monthly on the Church of God Faithful Flock Website-Warnings from God’s use of His promised Elijah of the end-time to a people who have rejected and forgotten their God.
In view of Prophetic Biblical teachings, connected with major disastrous events, now occurring, and projected to worsen on a national and international scale over the next few years, strongly implies Jesus Christ will be standing on this earth in the year-2029. This is eight years from now, 2021. How quickly time flies!
They also make known this nation is in mortal danger of being destroyed, as a nation, along with Britain, and other nations of Israel, in the year 2026-no more than five years from now, 2021. Prophesied to be destroyed by a super-power far greater than America.
Though it has not yet appeared, it is prophesied to be fully developed by the year-2024. This is only three years from now, 2021.
Alton Billingsley was wrong about that as well as many other predictions he made.
Pastoral Writings
By
Alton B. Don Billingsley
November-December 2020 …
God speaks of those who with all their human powers of money, influence, conspiracies, cheating, stealing, or by whatever other means, seek to perform and saddle their will upon mankind in opposition to the performance of God’s will and purpose their efforts will end in failure.
Historical Duality
To illustrate consider the historical duality of King Cyrus with that of President Trump—both used by God to perform His will, and purpose. And with President Trump, God’s purpose for him to be in the White House has not yet been fulfilled as will be made known in this writing. ..
Isaiah 44:24-25
v.24 “Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb (Cyrus); I am the LORD, who makes all things, who stretches out the heavens all alone, who spreads abroad the earth by Myself.
v.25 “Who FRUSTRATES the signs of the babblers, and drives DIVINERS MAD; who turns WISE MEN backward, and MAKES their knowledge foolishness; …
28 “Who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd (as is President Trump, each one to perform God’s purpose for them), and he shall perform all My pleasure, saying to Jerusalem, “You shall be built,” and to the Temple, “Your foundation shall be laid (cf. Ezra 1:1-5; so will it be with the 3rd Temple that will be made possible by President Trump).’” …
November 3rd, 2020 has come and gone!
Since it would appear Mr. Biden has all the votes needed to become president, he has declared himself as the 46th president of the United States. …
With all of this in mind it would appear President Trump has been defeated. But has he?
President Trump has not conceded his defeat! Nor will he! …
He must be aided by Jesus Christ to remain in that office. And He will have it for there is yet a purpose for him to continue as president. …
President Trump will be used for that fulfillment following his predecessor, King Cyrus in ancient times (Ezra 1:1-2).
The Jewish people in Jerusalem are eagerly looking forward to the laying of the foundation of the 3rd Temple and are expecting President Trump to make it possible.
And it appears it will take place in the new year, 2021 or the following year 2022. Allowing for historical duality, it will take place at the time of the Feast of Trumpets (Ezra 3:6, 10-11). …
There is yet another reason why Mr. Biden will not become the new president of America. According to the spiritual significance of numbers he does not fit as a man to become the 45th president—not the 46th.
Just as God predetermined the birth and rein of King Cyrus 150 years before he was born, and even called him by name, He also foreordained, planned ahead, for the presidency of Donald Trump to become the 44th president, not the 45th president. …
The president to replace Mr. Trump is prophesied to be a woman. She will then break the glass ceiling, as promised by Hillary Clinton, who was defeated in her effort to become president in 2016.
This woman will become the 45th president of America (Isaiah 3:12; Nahum 3:12-13). She has the number of the finality of the presidency and of America. …
Once again, the numbers do not fit with Mr. Biden to become the president nor the woman who would have become the vice-president—Kamala Harris.
I denounced the idea that there could be a massive Jewish “third temple” in Jerusalem in 2021 or 2022 in January 2021, as well as a lot of his Hillary Clinton nonsense.
Let me add that Alton Billingsley predicted that Hillary Clinton would defeat Donald Trump initially and, after that did not happen, that she would take office by now. He was wrong about that and many other predictions (e.g. Biden-Harris Inaugurated: Gerald Flurry and Don Billingsley again proven wrong., CGFF’s Alton Billingsley again projects Hillary Clinton as President of the USA, but let’s also look at what he wrote before, CGFF’s Don Billingsley glosses over his error regarding Hillary Clinton, then switches to why God allowed Donald Trump to win, PCG & CGFF misidentify Herbert Armstrong as the restrainer of 2 Thessalonians 2:7, etc.).
Some have been critical of me pointing out false predictions from people who claim to be Church of God, but who are probably not truly COG, but instead are false. Because of its denial of Jesus’ divinity, I do not consider that CCG is truly a COG.
I also question the conversion of Gerald Flurry, Ron Weinland, David Pack, and Wade Cox.
All of the COG-connected false prophets have helped deceive many.
Remember how Jesus dealt with religious leaders (Matthew 7:15-23) and/or Laodiceans (Revelation 3:14-19). If the claims seem improperly prophetic or exceptionally bold, I tend to cite 2 Peter 2:1-3.
Should we be concerned about false and heretical leaders? Should they always be ignored? Should we focus on the positive about them? What did Jesus do? What does the Bible teach?
Many people do not seem to understand what Jesus was really like and what He really taught.
Protestant False Prophets
In terms of Protestants called prophets, there were those who, like Gerald Flurry, claimed that Donald Trump would remain in office. Various ones have falsely predicted the start of the Great Tribulation and the return of Jesus.
One of the most famous this century was Harold Camping who failed miserably claiming Jesus return in 2011 (see also Harold Camping's Teachings About the End of the World Do Not Agree with the Bible ).
Furthermore, the late Pat Robertson stated that the Messianic Protestant Jonathan Cahn was a prophet (see Pat Robertson declared 'Harbinger' author as God's prophet). Yet, Jonathan Cahn was wrong about the blood moons and twice he was wrong about Shemitah year destruction (see also ‘Warning Signs of America’s Destruction – Jonathan Cahn’).
Partially, because of them and some lessor known figures, most in the Churches of God have rejected those claiming to be prophets.
The False Prophet of Revelation
But the most famous false prophet will soon arrive.
He and his supporters will be different than many previous ones in that there will be major signs and lying wonders. Not just from him, but also others at or near his time according to Jesus:
24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. (Matthew 24:24-25)
Yes, these will be notable and great signs. Most of the world will be deceived and fall for them.
The Book of Revelation uses the expression "false prophet" three times to refer to a particular individual. Here are those verses:
13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. (Revelation 16:13-14)
20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Revelation 19:20)
10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet ... (Revelation 20:10)
Notice that in each case, that false prophet is tied in with the beast, who himself will be a false saviour, a type of false Christ.
In Revelation 13, the Apostle John was inspired to write about two beasts:
1
Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. 2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 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?"
5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. 12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. 15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (Revelation 13:1-17)
The beast of Revelation 13:1-10 is the one that is elsewhere simply referred to as the beast in Revelation as well as the Book of Daniel. The beast of Revelation 13:11-16 is supporting the beast of Revelation 13:1-10--he is the one that is elsewhere called the false prophet as his prophesied role is the same.
Notice that he is the two-horned beast, which points to him having secular and ecclesiastical authority--such as Vatican City and the Church of Rome.
He is also the one called the Antichrist.
That is consistent with something else that the Apostle John wrote:
1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. (I John 4:1-3).
The old WCG put out the following:
In Revelation 17, the revivals are represented symbolically by the seven heads of a beast. ... One last restoration of this great political system is yet to arise. The end-time Beast will rule over this final restoration of the Roman Empire. In the book of Daniel, where he is called the "king of the north," we learn that the Beast will ultimately conquer portions of the Middle East (Daniel 11:40-41). Working hand in hand with the Beast will be the False Prophet (Revelation 16:13; 19:20), a great miracle-working religious figure. By means of lying wonders and false miracles he will command the obedience of millions (Revelation 13:13-14). ...
It will not be political craftiness alone that will propel the Beast to the top. His rise to power will be supported and encouraged by the False Prophet. The False Prophet presides over a great, centuries-old religious system labeled "BABYLON THE GREAT" in Revelation 17:5. This system is an "image" or copy in the religious sphere of the Roman civil governmental system (Revelation 13:14). This religious power is also personified as a fallen woman (Revelation 17:1) and a scarlet woman (17:3). In Bible symbolism, a woman is representative of a church (II Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 12). A fallen woman thus represents an apostate church. In Revelation 17:3, we read that this scarlet woman sits "upon a scarlet coloured beast... having seven heads and ten horns." In other words, this religious power has historically presided over the restorations of the Roman political system (symbolized by the heads), and is yet to be associated with the final restoration (seventh and last head), made up of 10 powers (the 10 horns). The Beast will be supported in his rise to power by the False Prophet. And in turn, the Beast will use his political might to enforce religious uniformity. ...
The Beast and False Prophet will together muster armies to fight the returning Christ (Revelation 16:13-16; 17:13-14). They will undoubtedly have convinced much of the world that Christ is really the Antichrist. Because of this deception, many will refuse to repent and submit to Christ at His return (Revelation 16:9). ...
The fate of the Beast, False Prophet and their armies in that confrontation was seen in vision by John (Revelation 19:11, 14-16, 19-20): "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war... "And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. "And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. "And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS... "And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. "And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone (Just What Do You Mean... ANTICHRIST? WCG reprint 1981)
What about the Church of Rome?
Notice also the following:
15 Then he said to me, "The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. 16 And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. 18 And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth." (Revelation 17:15-18)
Because of those scripture, it should be clear that the Church of Rome will be betrayed--before the false prophet being cast into the lake of fire--despite the false prophet being once part of it! This is something many true end-time COG Christians do not understand.
Since Revelation 19:20 and 20:10 show that the beast and false prophet are together after Revelation 17:15-18, that means that the final Antichrist (who I believe will be a type of antipope) will somehow support the elimination of that church. See also the article Some Doctrines of Antichrist.
This false prophet, the final Antichrist, will arise in the 21st century.
Should All Who Claim to be Prophets be Rejected?
While that has been appropriate for those I have denounced, sadly most end time Christians have been self-satisfied and/or relied on the dismissal of others to overlook what God's word says God would be doing at this time related to prophets.
Norman Edwards, a former employee of the old WCG and later a former board member of the old Global Church of God, wrote the following:
There are over 40 separate passages about prophets and their prophecies in the New Testament—so many that one might easily get tired of reading them! We have left out verses about the Old Testament prophets and New Testament false prophets to keep the list shorter. If we want God to show us what will happen in the future, we need to “desire earnestly to prophesy” (1 Cor 14:39). It is a New Testament teaching we must not ignore! ...
Do people today have faith that God is able to prophecy through people ...?
1Jo 4:1-2 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,
Note: If there were no true prophets, there would be no need to “test the spirits”—because every prophet would be a “false prophet”. But because there are both true prophets and false prophets, we need to “test the spirits”. (Edwards N. Need Prophets More than Prophecy. Shepherd's Voice, Fall 2013)
Two Wrongs Do Not Make a Right
... 37 If you claim to be a prophet or think you are spiritual, you should recognize that what I am saying is a command from the Lord himself. But if you do not recognize this, you yourself will not be recognized. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking in tongues. But be sure that everything is done properly and in order (1 Corinthians 14:31- 33, 37-40).
Simply because some congregations do not follow this scripture does not mean that there is not a proper use of spiritual gifts today. Think about this. Almost all of us would agree that we know of another church denomination or congregation that teaches erroneous doctrines. But does that error stop us from teaching the Bible? It should not. Similarly, many people do not attend church congregations because they have experienced corruption there before. But should that stop us from continuing to meet in congregations as the Bible instructs?
Two wrongs do not make a right!
Simply because some congregations that promote “spiritual gifts” do not follow all the scriptural teaching on it, does not mean that dedicated believers can abandon these vital gifts. It becomes all the more important for godly people to do it right. The number of false prophets compared to the number of true prophets does not matter. Elijah went up against 850 prophets of Baal and Asherah. The power of God destroyed all the false prophets (1 Kings 18:17-40). (Edwards N. Spiritual Oomph! Shepherd's Voice, Fall 2015, pp. 11-12)
Basically, Norman Edwards is saying that the New Testament does tell of prophets, and that even though there can be vast multitudes of false prophets, that those who will really be the most faithful will listen to God's prophet(s). Jesus Himself also warned in His parable of the talents that some would not support the work for fear of mistakes, and Jesus condemned the one who was afraid to do what should have been done (Matthew 25:24-30).
TWO WRONGS DO NOT MAKE A RIGHT!
The existence of false prophets does NOT excuse not supporting a real one.
Herbert W. Armstrong wrote:
Always the true prophets and ministers of God have stood almost alone and opposed by the overwhelming majority in Israel. That is Israel's history of old. It is true today. (Armstrong HW. Why Russia Will Not Attack the United States, reprint 1980)
It is NOT safer to reject a true prophet because there are many false ones.
It's Not Safer to Reject All Claiming to Hold the Prophetic Role
As Norman Edwards, biblically it is not safer to reject all claiming a prophetic role.
The Apostle Peter stated:
17 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.
18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days;
And they shall prophesy. (Acts 2:17-18)
So, if we are in the last days, we should be able to find one or more prophets.
And while we know that the two witnesses will arise, Peter was talking about other than just the time of the two witnesses.
Jesus told the following about someone who thought he was playing it safe:
14 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
20 "So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.' 21 His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.' 23 His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
24 "Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.'
26 "But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
29 'For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' (Matthew 25:14-30)
Because most end-time Christians are Laodicean, they will not take the effort to determine if there are any true prophets and/or they will be dismissive and not use God's criteria.
Consider that the Book of Proverbs warns:
16 The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly. (Proverbs 26:16)
Now, most end time Christians do not believe that they are lazy, but wise.
Yet, they overlook evidence because they are uncomfortable with the idea that there could now be a prophet that they should heed.
Warnings from Jesus to Sardis and Laodicea
Most end-time Christians are not Philadelphian ones. While Jesus promises to protect the Philadelphian Christians from the coming "hour of trial" (Revelation 3:7-12), this is not the case for the remnant of Sardis nor those of the Laodicean churches.
Notice what Jesus says to those of Sardis:
1 "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,
'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. (Revelation 3:1-3)
Jesus made it clear that the Sardis remnant would lose knowledge and not know when He will return.
In the third chapter of the Book of Revelation Jesus says He is knocking, yet the Laodiceans were not listening.
14 And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
15 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
17 Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'--and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked--
18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." ' " (Revelation 3:14-22, NKJV throughout).
There are several differences in the statements to the church of the Laodiceans that do not seem to be included in the messages to the other churches.
These unique statements include: the term for the location being plural (vs. 14), being lukewarm (vs.15-16), being vomited out (vs.16), thinking they are self-sufficient while not knowing that they are miserable and blind (vs. 17), being counseled to buy gold refined in the fire (vs. 18), that those among them that Jesus loves will be rebuked and chastened (vs. 19), and that Jesus has to knock to find out if any will answer (vs. 20). Jesus also condemns their work.
Laodiceans deceive themselves and seemingly also fall for false teachings of their leaders.
While most of the Laodicean or Sardis COGs do not have someone that they call a prophet, the reality is that because they have rejected a true prophet, they have embraced and taught a variety of prophetic errors. There are many false teachings on prophecy that most end time Christianity have been taught. Here is a link to the article: Do You Hold to Any of These 50+ Laodicean Prophetic Errors?
There are also more prophetic differences that other COG groups have from the Bible. The reality is that without the right emphasis on the final phase of the work, holding the Bible in sufficiently high regard, practicing Philadelphian love, and ignoring one anointed like Elisha, the COG groups that ignore prophetic warnings are doing so to their peril.
The Laodicean Church is not going to he worthy to escape to a place of safety. When it is too late, they will find that the Church of Philadelphia has gone to safety (What Is the "LAODICEAN CHURCH"? Good News August 1959 Vol. VIII, Number 8).
Laodiceans and others who rely on non-Philadelphian understandings of prophecy will fail to "gather together before the decree is issued" (Zephaniah 2:1; watch also Zephaniah's 'Gather Together' Prophecy), and hence have to go through the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21-22), as they will not be protected (Zephaniah 2:1-3, Revelation 12:17; see also There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Near Petra).
Though some do not want to heat it, the Bible teaches:
1 Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins. (Isaiah 58:1)
Isn't that something a 21st century prophet would be doing?
As far as other fruits go, Deuteronomy 18:21-22 stated, if a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, he must be right or he is not from God.
But it is not just enough that the prophet be right not to be false. Notice also the following:
1"If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, 2 and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, 'Let us go after other gods' — which you have not known — 'and let us serve them,' 3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him. (Deuteronomy 13:1-4)
So, if the prophet does not keep and advocate keeping God's commandments and is not faithful to the word of God, he is also false.
False Prophets
Yes, there have been numerous false prophets that have arisen in the 21st century.
Like Jesus and the Apostle Paul, I have repeatedly denounded them.
Protestant prophets like Harold Camping were proven false.
The Sabbath-keeping Messianic Jonathan Cahn has been shown to be false.
Various ones claiming to be Church of God leaders such as Gerald Flurry, Ronald Weinland, David Pack, Wade Cox, and Alton Billingsley have all been shown to be false.
Jesus gave warnings to the Laodicean and Sardis Christians, yet unless they repent, they will not heed.
Nor will they be protected during the time of the Great Tribulation.
Some, improperly, think that the time of the two witnesses is the only possible prophets in the end times, but that is not what Acts 2:17-18 teaches (see also Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18?).
All should use the criteria of the Bible.
Do not accept false prophets.
Do not be Laodicean.
Do not think you are better off not proving whether or not God has any prophets at this time.
If you will not so prove, you will fact consequences according to the word of God.
Instead, it is better to accept a prophet by the word of a prophet and hence, according to Jesus, receive a prophet's reward (Matthew 10:40-41).
Here is a link to a related sermon: 21 Century False Prophets.
More on faithful prophets and the 21st century can be found in the article: 21st Century Church of God Prophets.
Thiel B. 21st Century Church of God False Prophets. (c) 2026 COGwriter https://www.cogwriter.com/21centuryfalseprophets.htm 2026 0214