Compared to the formation of other groups whose leaders were once part of the old Worldwide Church of God, there have been several things that were unique about our formation. Some actually, were more similar to the start of the old Radio Church of God.

Like the fact that Herbert W. Armstrong left Church of God, Seventh-day (CG7) because it would not teach truth that it admitted, and I left the Living Church of God (LCG) because it would not fix errors it said it would (see also Why Bob Thiel Left the Living Church of God).

Herbert Armstrong and I believed that Christians were to do what God says.

1. Doing What the Bible Says

Of course, all actual Christians groups claim to do what the Bible says.

But will they really do so if it parts were not included in their tradition?

Notice the following:

10 And Moses commanded them, saying: "At the end of every seven years, at the appointed time in the year of release, at the Feast of Tabernacles, 11 when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. 12 Gather the people together, men and women and little ones, and the stranger who is within your gates, that they may hear and that they may learn to fear the Lord your God and carefully observe all the words of this law, (Deuteronomy 31:10-12)

I first attended the Feast of Tabernacles in 1977. Since then through 2012, in my years in the Worldwide/Global/Living Church of God, this was not really done.

Now, there was one exception. While I had given sermonettes at various Feast of Tabernacles sites, I had never given a sermon. The first year I was asked to give a sermon at the Feast of Tabernacles was 2006.

I decided that the Book of the Law needed to be read, so that is what I did in a sermon.

As it turns out, 2013 was the first year for the Continuing Church of God to hold the Feast of Tabernacles and I covered that entire Book of the Law in the sermons I gave at the two Feast of Tabernacles sites I attended (when I was at the other, they watched the videos which were uploaded so they got the entirety taught). Here are links to those sermons:

DEUTERONOMY. Here are links to sermons covering Deuteronomy: Deuteronomy 1-4, Deuteronomy 5-12, Deuteronomy 13-17, Deuteronomy 18 - 24, Deuteronomy 25-30, and Deuteronomy 31-34.

In hindsight, after CCOG formed, it occurred to me that 2013 was seven years from the first time I attempted to do this and thus this looked liked God's timing. We have also told our sermon speakers to do this at all festival sites in 2020.

Well, what about listening to Jesus in the New Testament?

Jesus told His followers the following:

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20)

The first part of verse 20 was not something I ever saw was intentionally done by any Catholic, Protestant, or COG group. It is not that the COG groups do/did not teach Jesus' commands. But none I was aware of intentionally did this.

How does one intentionally do this?

Well, by covering all the words in the New Testament directly attributed to Jesus.

Has CCOG done this?

Yes.

We intentionally have done sermons covering every verse of the gospels as well as every other verse in the New Testament attributed to Jesus.

Need proof.

Here are links to sermons that have done that:

MATTHEW Here are links to twelve sermons covering the 28 chapters of Matthew: Matthew 1-2: Greek or Aramaic, Jesus, and the Star?, Matthew 3-5: John the Baptist, Temptations, and the Beatitudes, Matthew 6-7: Charitable Deeds, the Rosary, Prayer, the Golden Rule, and Faith, Matthew 8-10: Married Clergy, Faith, Coming Persecution, and the Ecumenical Agenda, Matthew 11-12: John the Elijah, Sodom, Unpardonable Sin, & 3 Days and 3 Nights, -14: Parables, Mustard Seeds, Birthdays, and Faith, Matthew 15-16: Tradition, Signs of the Times, and The Rock & Peter, Matthew 17-18: Transfiguration, Elijah to Come, Taxes, and Forgiveness, Matthew 19-20: Transgender? Divorce? Purgatory? The first shall be last?, Matthew 21-23: 'Palm Sunday,' Come as You Are?, and the Greatest Commandments, Matthew 24: Temple Destruction, Sorrows, Tribulation, and the Return of Jesus, and Matthew 25-28: Midnight Cry, False Christians, Resurrection, & Teaching what Jesus Taught.
MARK Here is a link to a sermon covering all of Jesus’ words in the Gospel of Mark: What did Jesus teach in the Book of Mark? Here is a link to six sermons covering all the verses in the Gospel of Mark: Mark 1-2: Author, Prophecy, & Miracles, Mark 3-5: Healing, Demons, and Parables, Mark 6-9: Tradition, John’s beheading, Elijah, and Restoration, Mark 10-12: Marriage, Divorce, Needle Eye, Greatest Command, & Taxes, Mark 13: Temple, Four Horsemen, Troubles, Great Tribulation, and Gospel Proclamation, and Mark 14-16: Jesus’ Priorities & Betrayal, the Resurrection, Signs, and Reaching the World.
LUKE Here are links to eight sermons covering the entire 'Gospel of Luke': Luke 1-2: John the Baptist, Mary, and the Census, Luke 3-6: John the Baptist, Jesus’ genealogy, Satan’s Influence, and the Sermon on the Mount, Luke 7-9: Miracles, Purpose of Parables, Kingdom of God, and Women Supporting the Ministry, Luke 10-11: The 70, Doing the Work, the Good Samaritan, Prayer, and Signs, Luke 12-13: Priorities, Delayed Fruit Bearing, Little Flock, Prophecy, and the Narrow Way, Luke 14-16: The Lost Sheep, the Prodigal Son, the Rich Man and Lazarus, Luke 17-20: Faith, the Kingdom, Gathering, Prayer, & Rewards, and Luke 21-22: Giving, Sorrows, Persecution, Tribulation, Fig Tree, and Violence. The last sermon also covers Jesus' words in the Book of Acts.
JOHN Here are links to a seven-part sermon series covering the entire 'Gospel of John': John 1-3: Anti-unitarian, Wine, Being Born Again, & Heaven, John 4-6: Jesus and the Samaritan Woman, Miracles and the Bread of Life, John 10-12: Sheep, Hirelings, Lazarus/Soul Sleep and ‘Palm Day’, John 13-15: Footwashing and the Words of Jesus, John 16-18: Truth, Trinity, and Pontius Pilate, and John 19-21: Do not only try, do what God wants.
REVELATION This is a link to a sermon covering words Jesus spoke as recorded in the Book of Revelation and in first and second Corinthians: Revelation: Jesus’ Final Words.

Additionally, this is so.mething I instructed our ministers in Africa and Europe to do while visiting them in Nairobi, Kenya in February 2017.

Furthermore, related to commands, we also produced a book: The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, Christianity, and the Beast.

These actions help show that we have restored listening to God these seven years.

It would seem to be Laodicean (or worse) to think that intentionally fulfilling Matthew 28:20a is unimportant.

That is not true.

Sadly, people seem to want to believe lies.

The BBC reported:

19 November 2017

In 2010, a landmark study by two psychologists showed that facts fails to sway our opinions. Indeed, Brendan Nyhan and Jason Reifler argued that fact-checking can actually make us more entrenched in our political biases.

When someone presents us with evidence contrary to our beliefs, we feel under siege and dig in our heels. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42031670 accessed 11/19/17

Christians, especially non-Philadelphian ones (cf. Revelation 3), want to believe the lie that they and their church situation is fine and pleasing to God. But Jesus did not find it that way.

Things are not always as they seem to us.

9 "The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?
10 I, the Lord, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give every man according to his ways,
According to the fruit of his doings. (Jeremiah 17:9-10)

Those of us in the Church of God have had a variety of tests and trials. Satan wants us to be discouraged so that we do not make it. We cannot believe the lie that we do not reap what we sow. We must strive to produce the Philadelpian fruits that God wants from us.

We have to look past this present physical existence to the future coming Kingdom of God. We must listen to God and constantly remind ourselves, "that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:19).

God's Grace

When my wife Joyce and I decided we had to separate from our former COG group, we had to walk out on faith.

We could have possibly lost our business and livelihood as running CCOG takes much time away from our business.

We considered the cost, but through God's grace our business has continued even as we have worked on an unpaid basis for CCOG.

We clearly are not hirelings (John 10:11-13)–ministering for a paycheck.

Consider also the following statements from the Apostle Paul:

33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'” (Acts 20:33-35)

Supporting the weak and poor (Galatians 2:10; Romans 12:13; cf. James 2:14-16; Hebrews 13:16; Isaiah 58:7; Proverbs 28:27) is something that Christian leaders are supposed to do. This is something restored in the CCOG.

Sure, biblically, we were aware that I am entitled to a salary (1 Corinthians 9:14), and perhaps one day my wife and/or I will take a salary.

But consider something that the Apostle Paul wrote:

26 ... because of the present distress — that it is good for a man to remain as he is: (1 Corinthians 7:26)

Now, while he was talking about remaining then in marital status (and my marital status is the same as it has been for the last 38 years), it is because of the present distress in Africa that I have not taken a salary. Because I have not, we have had funds to send to the poor and hungry in Africa, as well as to fund what could be called 'missionary trips' to places in Africa and elsewhere.

As far as Africa and elsewhere go, there are people who were once part of the old WCG who did not know what to do, some for many years. Through God's grace, they were led to CCOG. There are others that God is leading to CCOG who were not part of WCG.

The Bible says God calls--we in CCOG are striving to listen to God.

2. Misunderstandings, Laodiceans, Revilers, and Persecution

The Bible warns that various ones want to suppress the truth:

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, (Romans 1:18)

We are seeing this.

Actually, when CCOG began, false statements were released about me.

Denials of facts, etc. were made. If people would have been told the truth, more who have the "love of the truth" would have supported us when we began.

Some, like those in New Zealand, had suspected that our prior organization had integrity problems. When they read about what had happened with me (see Why Bob Thiel Left the Living Church of God), they realized that it rang true.

Furthermore, a couple of others in New Zealand were impacted by a dream, and then they believed.

Some scattered people came with us in different nations. But most Christians have not come with us for many reasons, including falsehoods and misunderstandings about me or the CCOG.

Consider the following:

12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:12-13)

My "online reputation" has been highly trashed by liars. Some of which claim to be in the Church of God, as well as by many who once claimed to be COG. They have called me a liar and/or false repeatedly--not because they cite any lie I made, but because they do not agree with how I have taught and/or interpretted matters.

Differences in interprettations are not lies--branding me a liar and false, as various apostates, Laodiceans, and others have done, is them bearing false witness, in violation of the ninth commandment.

Notice the following that was said about Jesus:

"We know that this Man is a sinner" (John 9:24).

Jesus was not a sinner--yet this was so commonly taught that people believed it.

Jesus taught:

18 "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, 'They hated Me without a cause.' (John 15:18-25)

And I and the CCOG have been hated without a proper cause.

Jesus also taught:

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:10-12)

Hence, those wrongly persecuted are subject to God's blessings.

One anti-COG site, when condemning me, put something up to the effect that prophets do not use words like maybe, might, possibly, etc. Well, they do if they are not directly prophesying, and sometimes even when they were. And most of the time when they speak, prophets are not prophesying.

The Old Testmament shows that prophets like Isaiah (Isaiah 47:12), Jeremiah quoting God Himself (Jeremiah 26:3, 51:8), and Daniel (Daniel 4:27) used the word "perhaps" (NKJV). The Psalmist (Pslam 106:3), Ezekiel (Ezekiel 17:14; 20:26), Hosea (Hosea 8:4), Amos (Amos 1:3), Habakkuk (Habakkuk 3:16), Zechariah (Zechariah 6:7, 8:9, 11:10, 11:14), Malachi (Malachi 2:5), and Paul (Romans 11:32, 15:4) used the word "might." Paul used the term "perceive" once when he was making a prediction that turned out to be in error (Acts 27:10, 42-44).

At least two anti-COG sites have put forth false statements about my education (see Banned, Ambassador Watch, Living University, and my Ph.D. and Th.D.).

As it turns out, I may be the most often improperly maligned COG leader alive today. Lies and misinformation from those in the former group I was part of are widely accepted. Plus, the lies, inuendoes, and false information about me from anti-COG types on the internet seem to increase almost every day.

But, as Jesus said, that would happen to prophets. Which shows that Jesus expected His church to have prophets after He would be resurrected.

This was a prophecy for NOW.

The late Herbert W. Armstrong stated that he felt that the Bible was mainly directed towards the Philadelphia remnant:

It has been seeming more and more to me, as the years go by, that the Bible was written primarily for the Philadelphia era of the Church. It has not been understood previously to now. (Mission of the Philadelphia Church Era. Sermon given on December 17, 1983

Since there were no ordained prophets during his time, presuming some truth to his statement, then the statement from Jesus about prophets is related to the time right now.

Now, many Laodiceans point to statements from Herbert Armstrong to claim that there can be no prophets now, that there were none after Revelation was written, etc. But the New Testament supports the view that there would be prophets after it was written.

Furthermore, consider that in a document believed to be put together by Church of God leaders in Smyrna, called the The Martyrdom of Polycarp, is the following:

16:2 In the number of these was this man, the glorious martyr Polycarp, who was found an apostolic and prophetic teacher in our own time, a bishop of the holy Church which is in Smyrna. For every word which he uttered from his mouth was accomplished and will be accomplished. (The Martyrdom of Polycarp. In: Holmes M. The Apostolic Fathers--Greek Text and English Translations, 3rd printing 2004, pp 222-249)

It appears that "prophet" was one of Polycarp's roles. The fact that he was a traveling prophetic teacher (he visited Rome as well as parts of Asia Minor) indicates he was a prophetic evangelist.

Herbert W. Armstrong endorsed him as COG, as well as Melito:

It is significant that after his release John trained Polycarp elder of Smyrna, a city near Ephesus in the province of Asia. ... At neighboring Smyrna, Polycarp presided over the Church of God for half a century after John's death. Polycarp stood up boldly for the truth while many fell away and began having fellowship with the Catholic bishops of Rome. History relates that following the example of Peter, Paul and John, Polycarp wrote many letters to congregations and individuals, though all these have perished, save one in an edited version. (Armstrong HW. The Church They Couldn't Destroy. Good News, December 1981)

Eusebius, historian of the early centuries of the Church, speaks of the true Christians observing Passover on the 14th of Nisan ...

"'We observe the exact day; neither adding, nor taking away. For in Asia also great lights have fallen asleep, which shall rise again on the day of the Lord's coming, when he shall come with glory from heaven, and shall seek out all the saints. Among these are Philip, one of the twelve apostles ... and, moreover, John, who was both a witness and a teacher, who reclined upon the bosom of the Lord ... and Polycarp in Smyrna, who was a bishop and martyr; and Thraseas, bishop and martyr from Eumenia ... the bishop and martyr Sagaris ... the blessed Papirius, or Melito ....All these observed the fourteenth day of the passover according to the Gospel, deviating in no respect, but following the rule of faith' " (Ecclesiastical History, book V, chapters XXIII and XXIV). (Armstrong HW. The Plain Truth About Easter. WCG booklet, 1973)

Early writing say that Melito of Sardis was considered to be a prophet.

Back in 2006/2007, I translated Melito's Greek text from H. Paulsen Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 1.5. Und Die, commonly referred to as Melito's On the Prophets. I submitted the following as a rough translation of the first part of it:

You give the gift of prophecy through your spirit in your way ... (Melito, On the Prophets. Translated by Bob Thiel from the Greek from the H. Paulsen Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 1.5. Und Die)

Melito was a second century Church of God leader who Christians considered to be a prophet. Since Melito was considered as a prophet, he may have written that first line to remind his critics and supporters that God decides how to give the gift of prophecy, not humans. By the way, note that I translated and submitted this well before Dr. Meredith told me in October of 2008 that God may consider me to be a prophet as well as years before I had the double-portion anointing. As COG leader Melito wrote, God gives the gift of prophecy HIS way.

Sadly, many people think God needs to give the gift of prophecy according to THEIR (Laos) Way/Judgement (Dike) (Laodicea). Since Melito was considered as a prophet, he may have written that first line to remind his critics and supporters that God decides how to give the gift of prophecy, not humans.

It is reported that the 'Nazarenes' of the fifth century had at least one prophet:

In his Commentary on Isaiah Jerome quotes some fragments from an exegetical work by an unknown Nazoraean author which he did not, however, take directly from one of their writings, but probably from Apollinaris's commentary on the same prophet. (Skarsaune O, Hvalvik R, editors. Jewish Believers in Jesus: The Early Centuries. © 2007 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., p. 473)

The old Radio/Worldwide Church of God taught that these Nazarenes were COG Christians (Hoeh H. A True History of the True Church. RCG, 1959).

Further, notice something from the old Radio Church of God (which Herbert Armstrong was the human leader of):

Paulician Church Government

The Paulicians claimed to be THE "holy universal and apostolic church" founded by Jesus Christ and his apostles. Of the false churches, they would say: "We do not belong to these, for they have long ago broken connection with the church."

They taught that the Church is not a building, not just an organization, but an organism — the body of truly converted baptized persons, which has continued unbroken with the apostolic traditions from its beginning. Jesus Christ was and is the HEAD of that Church.

Paulicians also taught that the Scripture is for the layman as much as for the minister. They continually urged the people to check the Scriptures for themselves, and accused the priests of hiding the Scriptures in order to deprive the people of the truth and of making monetary profit in addition by dispensing a SUPPOSED word of God in its place. ...

Four of their greatest leaders, the Paulicians called APOSTLES and PROPHETS. ...

Any greatness is not of the man, but of the OFFICE. No man is qualified for it but through the Holy Spirit.

Though you might not respect the MAN, YOU had BETTER respect that OFFICE!

THAT office is of God. (Lesson 50 - I Will Build My Church, Part 2. 58 Lesson: Ambassador College Bible Correspondence Course, 1965)

The New Testament endorsed prophets, at least one or two are believed to have been around in the second century A.D., and the old Radio Church of God taught that they existed beyond New Testament times.

In addition, and quite importantly, notice something from the Book of Acts:

The New Testament, itself, clearly teaches that there would be prophets at the end times (Acts 2:17-18). This is something else we in the CCOG have restored,

And, BTW, Herbert Armstrong realized, for example, that the two witnesses were prophets, and hence that there would be prophets in the true church before Jesus returned.

Now, you might say, "not so fast," you claiming to be prophet does not make you one. And that is true. There are other reasons (see Church of God Leaders on Prophets and How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God).

But Laodiceans and others often will not recognized God's prophets.

Why?

Partially because of pride according to former GCG board member Norman Edwards, but also because they refuse to accept the standards that Jesus set (for information on both, see the article How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God).

Laodiceans often have another type of pride. They pride themselves that they did not listen to a "worthless shepherd" (Zechariah 11:17) who apostatized. So, many think that they are right to be 'independent.'

Jesus warned the Philadelphians:

11 Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. (Revelation 3:11)

Sadly, independents have let others do that.

They will not heed or truly believe the following since they felt that they themselves stopped apostasy:

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head — Christ — 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Yet, there were at least writings from faithful shepherds that helped the independent and other Laodiceans. But their pride tends to persuade them that they are fine to remain as they are.

But they are not and are not growing in the type of love they need to, which they could if they would properly change.

Recall that Jesus taught:

22 And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. (Matthew 10:22-23)

He did not say to give up when persecuted, but to change locations.

Yes, people can be hurt emotionally, and even physically, but they are not to rely on their own understanding and not support the Philadelphian work.

Now, CCOG has been cheated by various ones, at different times, in at least three African countries and one Latin one.

Should we then have given up on Africa?

After the first time, I spoke with a leader of another COG who, after being cheated by at least two in Africa, said he would no longer even send anything to Africa.

While that may sound rational, it certainly is not biblical to not support the poor or to take steps to reach people in poor areas like Africa.

Jesus taught Christians to turn the other cheek and willingly suffer losses (Luke 6:27-30).

Furthermore, the Bible shows that Christians can be cheated (cf. Acts 20:29-31; Philippians 3:18-19; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 2 Peter 2:1-3). Joshua and the leaders of Israel fell for lies themselves, for a time (Joshua 9:3-17). Interestingly, in the one letter we have from Polycarp of Smyrna, he four times mentions and warns against the love of money (see Polycarp's Letter to the Philippians).

In CCOG's case, the initial cheating ended up getting someone to come with us who began translating our materials into Kiswahili. Another cheater, brought people to us, and after we discovered him and put him out, even though some went with him, we ended up with more people in his country than he ever did. It would have been nicer to reach those people without the cheater as part of the process, but that is what happened.

Notice what the Apostle Paul wrote:

15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. (Philippians 1:15-18)

So, yes, people can come even if they first were attracted by leaders who preached from selfish ambitions. And this is not just in places like Africa, we have people in North America and the Philippines who, initially, heard from leaders in CLAIMED Church of God groups that I have doubts about their leaders conversions.

The Apostle Peter wrote:

14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled." 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (1 Peter 3:14-17)

So, yes, we suffered some emotionally and financially when some deceived us.

Yet, we were blessed with massive growth in Africa.

What happened brought the following to mind:

10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10)

6 In the morning sow your seed,
And in the evening do not withhold your hand;
For you do not know which will prosper,
Either this or that,
Or whether both alike will be good. (Ecclesiastes 11:6)

The Apostle Paul reported that he had "perils among false brethren," but that did not stop him from going forth and doing the work.

3. Start of the Radio Church of God

Similar to Herbert W. Armstrong who refused a salary from the Church of God, Seventh-Day prior to the formation of the Radio Church of God, I on two occasions turned down financial offers (one offer was a salary, the other was less clear--essentially Dr. Meredith said his church should pay me) from the Living Church of God, sometime prior to the start of CCOG.

Many anti-COG posters on the internet have falsely claimed that the Church of God is all about financial enriching the leaders of the respective churches. In my case, I will add that I have never taken a salary from the Living Church of God or Continuing Church of God. This does not mean that I never would, but I have not--nor has my wife Joyce.

But for CCOG, it should be clear this was about integrity and the ability to lead the final phase of the work. It most certainly was not financial. And as finances go, we probably spend a higher percentage of our income to support the poor, widows, and orphans in Africa than all the COGs who have over 100 congregants. Of course, Jesus said, "it is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35).

Notice also more of what the New Testament teaches:

15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. (Hebrews 13:15-16)

14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe — and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? (James 2:14-20)

Despite comments from critics, supporting the poor and hungry is something Philadelphian Christians should do.

But what about the start of the old RCG?

Now, consider that Herbert W. Armstrong claimed his wife Loma had a dream in the 20th century from God that preceded the start of the old Radio Church of God.

Though many discount all dreams, many also forget that Herbert W. Armstrong believed that his wife Loma D. Armstrong had a dream from God, although it took him some years to accept the validity of it:

Within 30 or 60 days after our marriage God spoke to my wife in what might have been an intense unusual dream, or a vision -- but it was years later before we came to realize that this really was a message from God.  (Armstrong HW.  Brethren and Co-worker letter, November 28, 1956)

Loma and Herbert Armstrong were married in 1917. In the dream they were specifically told that they would have a work to do. Furthermore, the bright lights in the dream may have had to do with doing a work (cf. Matthew 5:16)--a work that seemed to vanish and return (flash). Thus, there was a dream from given to a woman in the 20th century that preceded the start of the old Radio Church of God that Herbert W. Armstrong led. The Radio Church of God represented the start of the Philadelphia era and the Philadelphian work--a work that is not finished (cf. Matthew 24:14-15)--and Herbert W. Armstrong claimed that a dream given to his wife was from God, prior to the start of the Philadelphia era (more details on dreams is in the article Dreams, the Bible, the Radio Church of God, and the Continuing Church of God).

Since the Philadelphia era was raised up years after that dream, a question to ponder is would God do anything similar to point to the continuation of the end-time COG remnant of the Philadelphians? Consider that in Loma Armstrong's dream that there were two sets of flashing stars. Herbert Armstrong is now dead and there was a pause between the work God had him to do and the completion of the final phase of the work to finally fulfill Matthew 24:14 (cf. Isaiah 29:14?).

God directly intervened with a dream that years later led to the beginning of the Philadelphia era of the COG.

Throughout the Radio/Worldwide Church of God, Herbert Armstrong had anticipated he would fulfill the second part of the dream and be alive when Jesus returned.

Not only did that not happen, his long-time aide, Aaron Dean confirmed with me on August 15, 2017 that it was not until the last year or so of his life that Herbert Armstrong realized that he would NOT be around until Jesus returned. Therefore, if his wife's dream was from God, as he claimed it was, there was still to be fulfillment of the second part of it.

Furthermore, notice something that was in Herbert W. Armstrong's last letter:

The greatest work lies ahead ... Never before in the history of the Church has it been possible to reap so great a harvest. It has only been made possible through modern technology, beginning with the printing press, radio, television ... Each of you must commit yourself to support God's Work...God's work must push ahead as never before. God is opening up new doors in television (Letter, 1/10/86).

Consider that since Herbert Armstrong did not teach that the second part of his wife Loma's dream was fulfilled and that he also taught a greater work was going to happen after his death. It is greater because it will fulfill Matthew 24:14, etc. That is the work that we in the Continuing Church of God are leading (see The Final Phase of the Work and Preparing for the 'Short Work' and The Famine of the Word).

Now consider the following:

1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. … 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? (Hebrews 2:1,4)

It used to be that people with a former Worldwide Church of God background generally believed the dream that the late Loma Armstrong had prior to the formation of the Radio Church of God was a sign from God.

Yet, since that dream had multiple parts, and the final part was NOT fulfilled when her husband, the late Herbert W. Armstrong was alive, Philadelphian Christians should have looked for its future fulfillment.

Instead, those who are/became Laodicean have ‘drifted away’ from that. And furthermore, they have tended to discount all dreams.

Was God done with dreams?

No, at least not according to the Bible or even the old WCG. As its Personal Correspondence Department in the old WCG sent out a letter on dreams and stated the Bible showed that future dreams from God to His people were expected. It then had a date change added to it and here is a quote from that one:

Thank you for your question concerning visions or dreams. The Bible reveals that in times past servants of God were given visions and dreams for specific reasons and/or to convey special messages. ...God has used this means of communication in the past and will do so again (Acts 2:17; Joel 2:28) (L052 Worldwide Church of God, 1989)

As the WCG did not publicly acknowledge any such dreams after that letter was sent, the interpretation must be that God would later use dreams (it should be mentioned that the original date of L052 was prior to 1986--hence it was not a change by the Tkach Administration).

So obviously more dreams were expected!

4. Acts 2:17-18

Non-believers and Laodiceans often will not accept how God works-they also do not understand (or care enough if they do), which church has the leadership mantle.

On the one hand, some claim that they need to see evidence of divine intervention to show the most faithful Christian church.

On the other hand, most will not accept that one of the ways that God intervenes is through dreams.

Although some of the prophets in the Hebrew scriptures did miracles, and some of the apostles in the Greek scriptures were also prophets, no one who was considered a prophet and not an apostle is shown as doing dramatic miracles (e.g. John 10:41).

But God sometimes does things more quietly--like with "a still small voice" (1 Kings 19:12). Dreams remind me of "a still small voice." Although Elijah accepted that God worked that way (1 Kings 19:13-18), most of the Laodiceans do not.

The Bible records that God often has used dreams to give messages (Genesis 20:3-7, 28:10-17, 31:10-13, 31:24, 37:5-10, 40:5-18, 41:1-32; Numbers 12:6; Judges 7:13-15; 1 Kings 3:5-15; Daniel 2:3-45, 4:4-27, 7:1-28; Matthew 1:20-25, 2:12, 2:13, 2:19, 2:22; Acts 16:9). But often they are not from God (Ecclesiastes 5:7; Zechariah 10:2).

As it turns out there were at least seven people with dreams associated with the CCOG.

The Bible shows that God often chooses to work with prophets through a dream:

6 “Hear now My words:
If there is a prophet among you,
I, the Lord, make Myself known to him in a vision;
I speak to him in a dream. (Numbers 12:6)

Notice that the above says that God will speak to His prophet in a dream. Many do not want to hear about dreams, but those with that attitude fail to realize that God has used dreams to convey His Philadelphian work.

Dreams are prophesied for the end times:

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 2:14-18)

Earlier doctrine was mentioned.

Herbert W. Armstrong stated the following in a sermon titled Mission of the Philadelphian Church Era given December 17, 1983:

This afternoon I want to speak on the mission of the Philadelphia era of the Church (this Church today) in comparison to the first Church, or the first era of the Church (the Ephesus era of the Church). It has been seeming more and more to me, as the years go by, that the Bible was written primarily for the Philadelphia era of the Church. It has not been understood previously to now. The Bible was not all written yet during the beginning of the Church (during the Ephesian era, the first era of the Church) ...

So He said, "Elijah truly shall come;" but He said "and restore . . . things". Now John the Baptist didn't restore anything. They already knew about the law, and he called them to repentance; but he didn't have to give them sermons about what all the law is. They knew that. He just called them to repent and turn to another way, and baptized them. He was John "the Baptist." But this is speaking of one Jesus said (after John the Baptist had completed his mission), "Elijah truly SHALL come and restore all things".

Now next, he's coming to prepare the way before Christ. ...

Matthew 17:11-12 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elijah truly SHALL FIRST COME, and [Get this.]restore all things. (12) But [He continued.] I say unto you, That Elias is come already [Referring now to John the Baptist, who came in the power and spirit of Elijah, as he said specifically in another place.], and they knew him not, and have done unto him whatsoever they listed.

Well, they put him to death; and he had been beheaded, his head chopped off. They didn't recognize him.

Now it is speaking about a second—just as a Second Coming of Christ, a second coming of a messenger to prepare the way before Him. As John the Baptist was the physical messenger in the physical wilderness of Jordan, so there would be a messenger with a message—with a VOICE CRYING OUT in the SPIRITUAL WILDERNESS of the modern Twentieth Century

But thanks and praise to God, He HAS restored knowledge. That is all God's doing. None of us can be anything more than human instruments. If I have been willing to do anything, it is only because God Himself brought about circumstances to compel me and make me willing, whether I wanted to be or not; and even then I can take no credit whatsoever. It was all the doing of God, through Jesus Christ.

In the area of doctrine, the CCOG has restored more knowledge than other groups we are aware of.

This includes information about Jesus (see Proof Jesus is the Messiah), church history (see Continuing History of the Church of God), faith (see Faith for Those God has Called and Chosen) and Where is the True Christian Church Today?), prayer (Prayer: What Does the Bible Teach?), doctrine (see The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN Why Did God Create Anything? Why did God make you? and Universal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God’s plan of salvation), the ten commandments (see The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, Christianity, and the Beast), and prophecy (Laodicean Errors in Prophecy and The Dangerous Rise of Preterists).

Plus produced other books such as Should You Observe God’s Holy Days or Demonic Holidays?, The Gospel of the Kingdom of God, Is God Calling You?, Is God’s Existence Logical?, Dating: A Key to Success in Marriage, a practical dating guide for Christians, Christians: Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, Biblical instructions on living as a Christian.

Why God made anything and the purpose of humans is something the CCOG has restored in more detail that any COG in centuries (see The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN Why Did God Create Anything? Why did God make you?).

God created what He did to make eternity better.

God made people in order for them to be able to give love in a unique way to make eternity better.

Through the tests and trials in this life, Christians build character and be witnesses in this age and support the work. Furthermore, that after they are resurrected they will be able to give love in a unique, and indvidual, way forever in order to make eternity better for themselves and everyone else.

The reason God made anything has been more fully restored in the CCOG then other other Church we are aware of.

Now, notice something Jesus told Philadelphia:

7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,

'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens": 8 "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie — indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. (Revelation 3:7-11)

CCOG was the first, and may be the only COG, that lists the 18 truths that Herbert Armstrong felt God had him restore to the Philadelphia portion of the COG, as part of its Statement of Beliefs:

1. True Gospel (A booklet of related interest is: The Gospel of the Kingdom of God.)

2. Purpose of God (A book of related interest may include The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN Why Did God Create Anything? Why did God make you?).

3. God’s Plan through the Holy Days (A booklet of related interest is: Should You Observe God’s Holy Days or Demonic Holidays?)

4. Proper Church Government (Two articles of possibly related interest may include The Bible, Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Roderick C. Meredith on Church Government and Polycarp’s Letter to the Philippians.)

5. Who and What is God? (An article of related interest may include One God, Two Beings Before the Beginning.)

6. What and Why is Man? (Two articles of possibly related interest may include What is the Meaning of Life? and Did Early Christians Believe that Humans Possessed Immortality?, as well as the book: The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN Why Did God Create Anything? Why did God make you?)

7. Spirit in Man (An article of possibly related interest may include Did Early Christians Believe that Humans Possessed Immortality?)

8. Firstfruits In this Age (An article of related interest may include Pentecost: Is it more than Acts 2?)

9. Knowledge of What the Millennium Truly Is (An article of related interest may include Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism and a 6000 Year Plan?)

10. Truth About the Holy Spirit (An article of related interest may include Did Early Christians Think the Holy Spirit Was A Separate Person in a Trinity?)

11. Christians are Begotten Now (An article of related interest may include Born Again: A Question of Semantics?)

12. Born-Again at the Resurrection (An article of related interest may include Born Again: A Question of Semantics?)

13. Identity of Physical Israel (An article of related interest may include Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel.)

14. How the Identity of Israel Opens Up Understanding of Bible Prophecy (An article of related interest may include Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel.)

15. Second and Third Tithes (An article of related interest may include Is Third Tithe Still Valid Today?)

16. Identity of Babylon and Her Daughters (Three articles of possibly related interest may include Europa, the Beast, and Revelation, Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Genuine Church of God?, and Hope of Salvation: How the Genuine Church of God differ from most Protestants.)

17. Satan has Deceived the Whole World (An article possibly related interest may be The Day of Atonement–Its Christian Significance.)

18. We Are to Be Separate (Two articles of related interest may include Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? and Overview: How Does the Church of God Agree and Disagree with Other Faiths Professing Christ?)

(Statement of Beliefs of the Continuing Church of God)

We also have the 'correct list'--we use Herbert W. Armstrong's list given 12/17/83 (many use the improper Tkach list from the Worldwide News, August 25, 1986; see also The 18 Restored Truths: Do You Know What the First Changes the Tkach Administration Made?), plus teach these truths in more accurate detail than others we are aware of.

In addition, we have taken steps to correct doctrinal errors. The old Global and Living Church of God required my sons to complete the old Radio Church of God Bible Correspondence Course as a prerequisite to baptism. Yet, both sons would come to me when they found clear errors (the most common being that the scripture cited as 'proof' was not correct--but there were exaggeration and other errors as well).

Since a course to study the Bible is helpful for Christian growth, in the CCOG we decided to use the old lessons of the Bible Correspondence Course as a template--to insure the subjects would be covered--but with updating for scriptural accuracy, timeliness, doctrinal accuracy, and with additional scriptures. This has resulted in a restored course that is improved and appropriate for the 21st century (see Study the Bible Course: Lesson 1 In English).

In terms of restoration, we also did two things I never saw in any of the COGs (other than myself try to do)  had previously been part of which were discussed earlier. One was accomplished in 2013 (see The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time to Learn the Law). And the other, teaching all Jesus commanded (Matthew 28:19-20) was accomplished in 2016, but expanded afterwards.

I mentioned to CCOG member Steve Dupuie that anyone could have done these things, but no one else had. His view was no, God had CCOG do them as others would not. Going through all of Jesus' words may not be exciting enough for some, but it is a command.

And in CCOG we followed it.

You might not view this as important if your church leaders have not done this yet. Many will not leave the group they are with even based on their own criteria--but shouldn't faithfulness to God's word count?

As far as other group's specific doctrinal errors go, here are links to articles about many groups--COGs and others:

What About the Living Church of God? Are there Doctrinal Differences with the Continuing Church of God? This article explains some information and doctrines of the Living Church of God as led by Roderick C. Meredith and some concerns about them. (En el idioma español: ¿Qué hay acerca de la Iglesia de Dios Viviente? ¿Hay diferencias doctrinales con la Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios?)
Church of God, (Seventh Day): History and Teachings Nearly all COG's I am aware of trace part of their history through some affiliation with this group. Loren Stacey is the president of the largest CG7 group (Denver). Do you know much about them?
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.
Independent Members of the COG: Herbert W. Armstrong Comments, Plus Questions and Answers What did Herbert W. Armstrong teach about being independent of the organized Church? Should independents who claim to accept Herbert W. Armstrong's teachings support the end time Philadelphian work?
Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God This article provides quotes information from the two of the largest groups which had their origins in WCG as well as commentary.
Concerns about Church of God, a Worldwide Association Known as COGWA, this is the largest group that came out of the United Church of God.  Here is some history and concerns about it. UCG's former president Clyde Kilough and UK CEO Peter Hawkins are part of it.
Teachings Unique to the Philadelphia Church of God Simply calling oneself 'Philadelphia' does not make one so (see Revelation 3:7-9), nor does Gerald Flurry calling himself "that prophet" make it so. This article provides many quotes from this group which tries to look faithful.
In Their Own Words: Doctrinal Differences Between the old United Church of God and the old Global Church of God Older quotes from the leadership and some of the membership of these two organizations are included without added commentary (until the end and the 7/31/98 update) which highlighted some of the differences between them.
Church of God, an International Community (COG aic) This is the group led by David Hulme. It seems to minimize parts of biblical prophecy.
Beware, Doctrinal Compromise is in the Air! Discusses some doctrines that CGCF may have had to change in order to merge with United.
Teachings of the Christian Churches of God This group reject's the deity of Jesus and has other unusual teachings.
Why Not the Restored Church of God? This group, led by David Pack, claims to be the most faithful. The information in this article suggests otherwise. Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Por qué no la Iglesia de Dios Restaurada?
It's Not Stedfast This group, was led by Arlen Berkey. It claimed it was the most faithful, but like others had different priorities.
God's Church, Worldwide is another group to claim it is the most faithful, but like others has different priorities.
Intercontinental Church of God ICG was Garner Ted Armstrong's last group; it is now led by Mark Armstrong.
Teachings of the Church of God, International This article focuses on where CGI differs from the old WCG.
Teachings and Practices of Legacy Institute Works mainly in Asia and is led by Leon Sexton. It has various misunderstandings.
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 that says it is not a church.
Teachings of the Christian Churches of God This group, led by Wade Cox, reject's the deity of Jesus and has other unusual teachings.
Teachings of Triumph Prophetic Ministries William Dankenbring's ministry--incorrectly speculates on various dates and holds to some odd doctrines.
Concerns About Ronald Weinland's Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God Ronald Weinland falsely claimed to be one of the two witnesses God is raising up, that the Great Tribulation began on December 14, 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. Why else does the Bible show that Ron Weinland is a false prophet? He has other views which show he may not be part of the Church of God.?
Worldwide Assembly of Yahweh This is what I'd call a sacred name group.
Church of God, In Truth This is what I'd call a calendar group.
Church of the Great God This group, led by John Ritenbaugh, says the bride must first be made ready (it de-emphasizes the priority of public proclamation of the gospel). Might this lead to a selfish bride? This group also seriously seems to misunderstand end-time prophecy.
Error-Ridden James Malm Not Doing an Elijah Work James Malm is one who misunderstands and improperly maligns.
Teachings of Christian Educational Ministries Ron Dart's confederation (not a church).
Christian Renewal Ministries International They teach Hebrew.
Banned by HWA and Ambassador Watch There are various ones that oppose the Church of God, but they will not prevail (Matthew 16:18). This is an article about some anti-Church of God tactics.
Is the Genuine Church of God a Cult? There are misleading statements on the internet that this article tries to address.
Christian Biblical Church of God and its Teachings Fred Coulter's group--they tend to explain conspiracies, calendar issues, and have a "sea of glass" teaching.  Plus they produce books on various subjects.
Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God differs from most Protestants How the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background. As far as some changes affecting Protestantism, watch the video Charismatic Kenneth Copeland and Anglican Tony Palmer: Protestants Beware! [Português: Esperança do salvação: Como a igreja do deus difere da maioria de protestantes]
Beware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction! What is going on in the Protestant world? Are Protestants turning back to their 'mother church' in Rome? Does the Bible warn about this? What are Catholic plans and prophecies related to this? Is Protestantism doomed? See also World Council of Churches Peace Plan.
The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert W. Armstrong This article clearly shows some of the doctrinal differences between 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 genuine Church of God is NOT Protestant. Do you really know what the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther taught and should you follow his doctrinal example? Here is a related sermon video: Martin Luther and Herbert Armstrong: Reformers with Differences.
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing 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. [Português: Qual é fiel: A igreja católica romana ou a igreja do deus?]
Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? (And the Protestants) Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Is doctrinal compromise good? Here is a link to a related video Should you be concerned about the ecumenical movement?
Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction? Is the interfaith movement going to lead to lasting peace or is it warned against? A video sermon of related interest is: Will the Interfaith Movement lead to World War III? and a video sermon is also available: Do You Know That Babylon is Forming?
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Continuing Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics Unity between these groups will put them in position to be part of the final end time Babylon that the Bible warns against as well as require improper compromise.
Similarities and Differences Between the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Continuing Church of God Both groups claim to represent the original Christian faith.  Do you know much about them? Both groups have some interesting similarities, but many major differences. Would you like information on how to deal with Jehovah's Witnesses? A related sermon is also available: Jehovah's Witnesses: Right and Wrong Teachings?
Messianic Judaism Beliefs Differ from the Continuing Church of God Both groups keep the seventh-day Sabbath, but have important differences in doctrines and practices. Here is a link to a related sermon: Messianic Jewish Beliefs.
SDA/CCOG Differences: Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 The genuine Church of God is NOT part of the Seventh-day Adventists. This article explains two prophetic differences, the trinity, differences in approaching doctrine, including Ellen White. Did Ellen White make prophetic errors? Did Ellen White make false prophecies? Here is a version in the Spanish language: SDA/COG Diferencias: La bestia de dos cuernos de Apocalipsis y 666. Here is a sermon in the English language: CCOG and SDA differences and similarities.
Seventh-day Adventist President Ted Wilson's Comments on the Remnant Church Ted N. C. Wilson spoke on the SDAs striving to be the "remnant church", but what do the related scriptures actually teach?
Some Dissimilarities Between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) and the Continuing Church of God The genuine Church of God is not related to the Mormons and this article explains some differences and a couple of similarities. Also, might certain LDS prophecies apply to Mitt Romney?
Differences Between Islam and the Continuing Church of God What are some of the main differences? Are there any similarities? A video of related interest is titled: Islam: Any Christian Concerns or Similarities?

All the non-Philadelphian churches, whose prophetic teachings I have looked into, have one or more prophetic misunderstandings that will prevent them from knowing when the Great Tribulation will start until it is too late.

As far as prophetic teachings go, here is a list of some prophetic errors that other groups claiming to be Church of God have:

1. Many COG groups (ICG, CGI, UCG, COGaIC, CG7, CGG, CEM, etc.) do not officially teach and/or do not believe in the idea of Church eras (The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3), though they sometimes teach about the churches of Revelation. They tend to take more of a preterist (past) view of those churches, despite the fact that many statements made to them had to have future prophetic ramifications (e.g. Revelation 1:19; 3:3; 3:10). Because of that they do not teach certain prophetic aspects of this, most do not see their own problems and will have to go through the Great Tribulation.
2. Many COG groups do not believe that the Gospel of the Kingdom still needs to be preached to the world as a witness per Matthew 24:14 (e.g. GCW, PCG), do not really make that a high priority (e.g. COGWA, CGG), or do so in less than truly loving the truth (cf. Jeremiah 48:10; see Why Bob Thiel Left the Living Church of God), hence do not have the real Philadelphian work. As only the Philadelphians are promised to be protected from the hour of trial that will come on the whole world, they will not understand when Matthew 24:14 is fulfilled or when to flee per Matthew 24:15. Hence they do not have or lead the Philadelphian work. Only the Philadelphians are promised to be protected from the hour of trial that will come on the whole world (see also There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra ). See also 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?
3. At least three groups misunderstand the Gospel and COG doctrines so much (PCG, CGPfK, and RCG) that I question if their top leaders are actually converted members of the COG. Two of those leaders have had major predictions be proven false (CGPFK and RCG).
4. Many, if not most, COG groups do not realize that the Great Tribulation begins with the King of the North invading the USA. UK, and/or their Anglo-Saxon descended allies (Daniel 11:39; see Who is the King of the North?; see also USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses).
5. Many COG groups misunderstand the identity of the King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43), and some have the wrong prophetic sequence regarding the King of the South (see PCG and LCG do not understand the end-time King of the South sequence–do you?). This is not the order that Daniel 11 teaches (see Who is the King of the North?). This view overlooks the fact that since the Great Tribulation is the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7), that it begins with the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies like the United Kingdom getting invaded (cf. Daniel 11:39).  Some of the groups cling to this sequential error, because it was once held by the late Herbert W. Armstrong, who changed his view by 1979 (Armstrong, Herbert W. The Time We Are In, Now. Pastor General’s Report-Vol 1, No. 15, November 20, 1979).  Since the King of the North will eliminate those of the strongest fortresses (the USA, Canada, etc.) in Daniel 11:39, prior to invading the King of the South in Daniel 11:40, those who hold to this view will not know when the Great Tribulation will begin until after it has started.
6. Some (CEG, GCG-UK) teach that there is no biblically-required King of the South, while at least one group is unsure (CGF-NW)–but this is an error (see also Is the Future King of the South Rising Up?). This error contributes to other prophetic errors that those groups have.
7. Some have insisted that the final King of the South will be from the nation of Ethiopia. This is partially based upon a mistranslation in the KJV version of the Bible as well as a position that the late Herbert Armstrong once held. However, he changed his position in the 1960s and 1970s to an Arabic-Muslim confederation. Those who insist that the final King of the South must be Ethiopia will not possibly realize that the Great Tribulation will begin until it is too late (RCG once held that position, but later changed it; in 2018 LCG has pushed involvement, but not specifically kingship for Ethiopia).
8. Several COG groups (like CGG, RCG, PCG, COGWA) clearly misunderstand Daniel 9:27, the second half of which ties in with Daniel 11:31 and Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:15. Those who misunderstand it will not have a proper pre-warning of what is happening nor likely know when the Great Tribulation will begin. (see also The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27).
9. Various COG groups (UCG, COGWA, COGaIC, RCG, and CGOM, come to immediate mind, but they are not the only ones) have so many areas of undefined prophecy that they will not know what certain events will mean.  And groups who define matters wrongly will have problems that way as well (PCG and LCG come to immediate mind, but so do nearly all other COG claimed groups).
10. A couple of groups, such as  Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God and Triumph Prophetic Ministries, have been repeatedly proven wrong about their dates for the start of the Great Tribulation and the return of Jesus Christ.  Those who rely on the leaders of those groups really do not understand biblical prophecy.
11. Certain groups teach improper interpretations of the 1335, 1290, and 1260 days of Daniel 12 (CGPFK is one) or have other problems with that (most other COG groups) that they will not understand when the Great Tribulation will start. Herbert Armstrong changed his view on this by 1979 and many never understood the change.
12. Most COG groups fail to understand Habakkuk 2:2-8 and hence are not properly getting the warning out to the USA and UK (see Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel). PCG totally misses it, and LCG, while it once would teach it, has backed off because of what appears to be internal politics. The rising ‘time bomb’ of USA debt is something that needs to be pointed out and Habakkuk 2:2-8 points out the biblical threat that this poses. It should be proclaimed and we in CCOG are doing it. Many do not realize that Habakkuk 2:2-8 is related to fleeing and the start of the Great Tribulation, that the time will come when those Philadelphians who understand it in its proper timeframe will flee (see also There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra), and is one of the reasons for the attack against the indebted descendants of the tribes of Joseph.
13. At least one group (LCG) is no longer certain that France or certain other Israelitish nations will support the Beast power (see Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?). This differs from the position specifically taught by the late Dibar Apartian (see The ‘Lost Tribe’ of Reuben: France in Prophecy?) as well as what the Bible teaches (see Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?). Those who misunderstand this are likely to not possibly realize when the final Beast power has formed.
14. Many COG groups have various ‘Elijah heresies’ (CGI-derived groups and RCG come to mind). Because of this, they will not be able to recognize the final Elijah.
15. Some think that either there is no Elijah to come (ICG) or that it is the church and not an individual (cf. LCG), which goes against Jesus’ teachings on the subject in Mark 9:12-13 (for more details, see The Elijah Heresies).
16. Many groups do not understand the differing persecutions (and other matters) to come in Daniel 7:25, 11:30-39, Matthew 24:9-22, and Revelation 12:14-17, hence when the prophesied wave of persecution initially hits the Philadelphians primarily (and not them), they will not see this persecution as evidence that the Great Tribulation is about to begin. The old Radio Church of God specifically applied the persecuting scriptures of Daniel 11:32-35 to the end time Philadelphian church (see also Persecutions by Church and State).
17. Most groups that came out of groups once led by the late Garner Ted Armstrong (ICG, CGI, CEM, etc.) do not seem to teach that there is a physical place of safety (despite what Revelation 12:14-16 teaches), hence they will not be inclined to flee towards one just prior to the start of the Great Tribulation (see also There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra).
18. Most ‘independents’ do not believe that they need to ‘gather together’ prior to the time to flee despite what Zephaniah 2:1-3 teaches, hence it is not likely they will be inclined to flee together when a group they are not part of does just prior to the start of the Great Tribulation (cf. Revelation 12:14-17; see also There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra). (Speaking of Zephaniah, when I mentioned in December 2019 that independents and others needed to heed his message, one anti-COG critic posted that this meant CCOG must be having income problems. While we alway would like more, US income was up 9.7% over the previous year as of 12/20/19.
19. At least one group (PCG) misunderstands the final Prince of Rosh. Those who insist on a pre-return of Jesus Christ for the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38 will be disappointed as that is in scriptural error.
20. At least one COG group (CG7) basically teaches that most of the events of Revelation have already taken place and no one needs to worry about coming persecution. Jesus warned those of Sardis to be careful about losing the doctrinal understandings they had (Revelation 3:1-6), and this loss of prophetic knowledge proves that those in Sardis will not know when the Great Tribulation will begin.
21. At least one COG group (LCG) erroneously believes that the abomination of desolation of Daniel 11:31 occurs after the King of the North invades the King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43; see PCG and LCG do not understand the end-time King of the South sequence–do you?). Since this will not happen that way, those who hold to that position will not understand when the Great Tribulation will begin.
22. At least one group (RCG) totally misunderstands various prophecies in Haggai and Zechariah and expect a type of reunification that is not prophesied.  Those who rely on this and other misinterpretations will not know when the Great Tribulation will begin.
23. At least one group (LCG) erroneously teaches that the ‘Falling Away’ warned about in 2 Thessalonians 2 has mainly to do with the world and Protestants and not the Church of God (see The Falling Away: The Bible and WCG Teachings). This improper emphasis seems to be leading to a falling away of certain prophetic understandings for those who hold to it.
24. Some groups teach (UCG, COGWA, LCG, CEG) that the man of sin who sits in the temple of God (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4) is the Antichrist/false prophet, not the Beast of the Sea. Yet, it is this Beast of the Sea, the final King of the North (Daniel 11:35-36; see also Who is the Man of Sin?). So, when this happens, those who hold to the wrong position will not understand its prophetic ramifications. The Beast identity of the ‘son of perdition’ (cf. Revelation 17:7-11) is important to understand in the end times.
25. At least two groups teach that the ‘man of sin’ is (or could be) Joseph Tkach, Jr. (PCG, COG-FF). This absurd position also partially leads to many other misunderstandings.
26. At least one group (RCG) has declared Satan will enter a COG leader to make him the man of sin (see Who is the Man of Sin?).
27. A few teach that a Jewish temple in Jerusalem must be rebuilt before Jesus returns (CBCG, RCG, COGFF, CEG, and TPM teach this, as do some in LCG). While this is remotely possible it is not required (the “temple of God” in the New Testament has to do with a Christian, not a modern Jewish, location; see Why is a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem Not Required?). Since this will not happen as a few sometimes teach, those who hold to that position will not understand when the Great Tribulation will begin.
28. At least two groups (PCG and LCG) teach that the Beast power will consist of 10 or 11 current nations in the European Union (see Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?). The European Union has 28 nation members with several others hoping to join it. And while it may lose nations, the reality is that if the Beast power rises up when there are more than 11 nations in it, those who hold to that position will not understand when the Great Tribulation will begin. Under Herbert Armstrong, the old WCG taught in at least a dozen documents (Plain Truth, Good News, Tomorrow’s World, booklets, Co-worker letter, Bible Correspondence Course) that this passage referred to 10 nations or GROUPS OF NATIONS. Presuming it will be another number of nations, those who insist on 10 or 11 will not realize when the Great Tribulation will begin.
29. Some groups (CBCG and CGG) teach that the ten kings are to be in charge of ten regions around the world as opposed to being a primarily European power (though CBCG acknowledges that 10 European regions are possible). Overlooking what will happen in Europe could mean that such a group would not understand when the Great Tribulation would begin.
30. None of the Laodicean or Sardis COGs seem to teach that the "strongest fortresses" in Daniel 11:39 refers to the USA--but it does (see also USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses). Although the evangelists at LCG all agreed I was correct about this, when I checked LCG's two major websites in 2017, there was no place where LCG teaches this--this is an improper and dangerous error of omission for LCG--and for the other claimed COGs.
31. At least two groups seem to teach that the first verse in the Daniel 11 sequence relating to the beginning of the Great Tribulation is Daniel 11:40 (LCG does this in its Official Statement of Fundamental Beliefs, whereas PCG does it elsewhere). Instead they should teach that it begins with Daniel 11:39 (see also USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses), which is shortly after Daniel 11:31, which is also consistent with the start of the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7; see also Who is the King of the North?). Those who hold to the Daniel 11:40 position will not understand when the Great Tribulation will begin.
32. The leader of at least one group (GOI, James Malm) has claimed that the Great Tribulation could begin within a year for the last 6 or so years. Since it does not recognize why this is in error, it will not truly know when the Great Tribulation will begin (but if it guesses each year, it may accidentally get it right, but will not know enough how to handle it).
33. Some independents and some groups (PCG comes to mind) insist that the late Herbert W. Armstrong was the final ‘Elijah to come’ despite the fact that he has been dead since 1986, and that death disqualifies him according to his writing about that (Mystery of the Ages. 1985, p. 349; see also The Elijah Heresies).
34. Leaders of at least two groups (CGPFK and RCG), who once insisted publicly that Herbert Armstrong must be the final Elijah, now falsely claim that they hold that role.
35. Some groups either do not believe there is an Elijah to come (CGI comes to mind) or do not believe he needs to be a person (LCG comes to mind).
36. At least one group has confused the final Elijah with the return of Jesus (LCG comes to mind).
37. At least one group has publicly claimed that God has no prophets today and will not have any until the two witnesses are empowered (LCG comes to mind). This downplays how God works (cf. Ephesians 2:20) and that the Bible teaches, "Surely the Lord God does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7) (see also How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God).
38. At least one group (CGG) teaches that the Beast power is not European.  Since the Beast power will arise in Europe, those who do not understand this will not realize when the Great Tribulation is about to begin (see also Europa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation).
39. At least one group (LCG) teaches that the European Union will collapse like the old Roman Empire. But the lessons of history and the Bible contradict that (details are in the article Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?).
40. At least two groups (BICOG and TPM) have taught that a US president is the King of the North or could be the Antichrist.
41. Nearly all COG groups and independants do not accept that God has been fulfilling prophecies of Acts 2:17-18 (see also Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18?).

Christians may think that there is no need for prophets now, but the reality is that various groups have the problems listed above and, unless they repent, they will not know what is happening until it is too late to do much, if anything, about it.

In terms of restoration, we have been Preparing for the 'Short Work' and The Famine of the Word and explained the The Final Phase of the Work.

7. Future

In the CCOG, we are still putting together materials for short work of Romans 9:28 (see also Preparing for the 'Short Work' and The Famine of the Word).

The Bible teaches:

18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. (Proverbs 29:18, KJV)

We in CCOG have the vision and have demonstrated it. As far as the law goes, check out our booklet: The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, Christianity, and the Beast.

Notice what Paul told Timothy about persecution, imposters, and evil people:

14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

So, we need to continue. Hence, as it turns out, we are called the Continuing Church of God. The word "continuing" was not chosen because of this verse, but that verse is applicable here. The actual verse that, in my view, is more related to having the word "continuing" is the following:

1 Let brotherly love continue. (Hebrews 13:1)

Greek: Hee  filadelfía  menétoo

(Interlinear Transliterated Bible. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved. [For more detail see the full copyright page.])

So, yes, we want Philadelphian love to continue.

Amos 8:12, itself, will apparently happen after Daniel 11:33 and Matthew 24:14 are fulfilled, but portions may begin as early as Daniel 11:28.

As far as the prophesied 'famine of the word,' I expect to see government agencies pressuring private companies to assist them in that. Policies of various internet firms have allowed this in the past.

In 2016, then US President Barack Obama indicated that which meet his definition of 'conspiracy theories' should not be protected speech (see ‘Obama Enters Media Wars: Why His Recent Attack On Free Speech Is So Dangerous & Radical’). The Bible teaches that a leader, called the Beast of Revelation and the King of the North will arise and mislead people:

23 "And in the latter time of their kingdom,
When the transgressors have reached their fullness,
A king shall arise,
Having fierce features,
Who understands sinister schemes.
24 His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power;
He shall destroy fearfully,
And shall prosper and thrive;
He shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people.

25 "Through his cunning
He shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule;
And he shall exalt himself in his heart.
He shall destroy many in their prosperity.
He shall even rise against the Prince of princes;
But he shall be broken without human means. (Daniel 8:23-25).

Teaching what the Bible says about this Beast of Revelation and the King of the North leader will likely be considered as a 'conspiracy theory.' Teaching the truths about what will be happening would seem to trigger the prophesied famine of the word.

In light of that, consider also the following:

June 6, 2018

The internet “cabal” of giants such as YouTube, Google and Facebook has adopted algorithms that suppress conservative sources. ...

"... Facebook – along with Google, YouTube, Twitter and Amazon – represent a new ‘Censorship Cartel’ seemingly determined to limit, restrict, define, regulate, inhibit, reduce and restrain the free flow of political speech despite its constitutional protection in the First Amendment.” ...

Farah also noted Google has censored a Christian site because it references “Jesus” and “the Bible.” Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has called the tech giants a “clear and present danger to our democratic system.” http://www.wnd.com/2018/06/limbaugh-site-hit-with-deceptive-warning/#0QfSX1BJIKh392e2.99

In light of that, consider the following from the Bible:

1 Hear my voice, O God, in my meditation;
Preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
2 Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked,
From the rebellion of the workers of iniquity,
3 Who sharpen their tongue like a sword,
And bend their bows to shoot their arrows — bitter words,
4 That they may shoot in secret at the blameless;
Suddenly they shoot at him and do not fear.

5 They encourage themselves in an evil matter;
They talk of laying snares secretly;
They say, "Who will see them?"
6 They devise iniquities:
"We have perfected a shrewd scheme."
Both the inward thought and the heart of man are deep. (Psalm 64:1-6)

Because of 'secret plots' by internet companies, in 2018b we needed another YouTube channel to separate some of our materials in order to reduce descrimination from YouTube. We also continued to look for alternatives to YouTube, and have now added other platforms (Vimeo, Brighteon, BitChute).

For the future, we currently are working on four books.

We are finishing: The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN Why Did God Create Anything? Why did God make you?

The other three books are intended to make it clearer to Protestants and Catholics why we in the CCOG have been faithful.

Ultimately, we expect that we will temporarily expand greatly in membership.

However, because of coming persecutions, many associated with the expansion will not remain.

But that, is not stopping us from moving forward.

In the next couple of years, it is my hope the books we have started on Protestantism and the original catholic beliefs will not only give a fuller witness (cf. Matthew 24:14; 28:19-20), but also result in more Gentiles being converted in accordance with Romans 11:25 (What About Romans 11:25 and the Full Number of the Gentiles?) and non-Gentiles (see What is the Ezekiel Warning?).

We also are looking into possibly of putting the Study the Bible Course into a small book for the first 16 lessons and tests.

Concluding Comments

It's been an amazing seven years.

1. Is CCOG doing what the Bible says?
2. Do misunderstandings push people to be Laodicean and not Philadelphian?
3. Where there similarities related to the start of the old Radio Church of God and the Continuing Church of God?
4. Proof of the mantle of God's favor as as shown in signs by related to Acts 2:17-18.
5. Does proclamation success and growth in the Continuing Church of God reflect God's Philadelphia blessings?
6. Has the Continuing Church of God properly restored doctrine and other matters?
7. The future.

Despite the views of naysayers who have misjudged us and/or improperly lumped us in with other COG groups, we in CCOG listening to God above tradition.

We have had confirmed dreams by at least seven people--and these are consistent with the teachings of the Bible and the old Radio and Worldwide Church of God.

We have had proclamation success: reaching people in at least 220 countries/territories via our websites, plus also reaching people in at least 220 countries/territories via our YouTube videos. We go through the open doors.

We have been the fastest growing COG in the 21st century--and we believe that our emphasis on love of the brethren and Matthew 24:14, 28:19-20 reflects God's blessing that way.

We have stood for biblical doctrinal integrity.

We have been listening to God.

CCOG has been faithfully carrying the Philadelphia mantle.

While none of that means that there cannot be any Laodiceans in the Continuing Church of God, it does help show where the Philadelphia mantle resides. It should be clear to those willing to look that CCOG best represents the Philadelphian portion of the Church of God at this time.

Can you see the hand of God in this?

If so, notice what the Apostle Peter wrote:

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. (1 Peter 5:6-10)

Jesus warned that in the end, the bulk of Christians would NOT listen to Him enough, but trust themselves and be Laodicean (Revelation 3:14-18). Do not be like the Laodiceans.

Through God's Spirit we in the CCOG have been able to have unique fruits (like dreams and radio interviews) that no other actual COG group actually has had. We have also had tremendous growth in membership, while we have reached people around the world.

In these past seven or so years, yes, I believe that we are demonstrating that we have been truly listening to God. We have been blessed by God's grace.

So, what is ahead?

We expect more brethren in more places, more literature in more languages, more doctrinal clarifications, more prophetic clarifications, and ultimately enough media attention for the coming short work (Romans 9:28; see also Preparing for the 'Short Work' and The Famine of the Word) that will lead to the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14.

We expect more animations.

We expect more growth.

We expect to lead the work in the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14, Romans 11:25, etc.

We expect to be remain the leader in terms of doctrinal understandings, historical documentation, and prophetic understandings.

Although we have a lot more to do, we in the CCOG are leading The Final Phase of the Work that we believe Philadelphian Christians will be drawn to support.

Here is a link to a related sermon: CCOG: 7 years of Restoration.

Thiel B. CCOG's 7 Years of Philadelphian Restoration. http://www.cogwriter.com/ccog-seven.htm (c) COGwriter, 2019 1221