Has Bob Thiel been prophetically wrong for the past 12 years as reported by Gary Leonard of ‘Banned by HWA’?
Artist’s conception of the Apostle Paul before King Agrippa II where
he asked, “DO YOU BELIEVE THE PROPHETS?” (Acts 26:27)
(Photo from 1932 book, now in the public domain)
The Bible teaches:
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest you also be like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest he be wise in his own eyes. (Proverbs 26:4-5)
Jesus sometimes answered detractors and sometimes He did not.
Although Gary Leonard, the webmaster at the Banned by HWA , has never met me, nor even spoken with me, he regularly posts insults, sarcasm, and improper information about me as he hates leaders related to the Church of God. On rare occasion, I will bother to refute some of his posts. This will be one of those times, basically to set the record straight for people interested in the truth.
After seeing yesterday’s COGwriter post titled, Sermon: 24 Items to Prophetically Watch in 2024, Gary Leonard posted the following at the Banned by HWA website:
This brings us today to our very own resident prophet of God dreamed into being as the foundations of the world were being created. Assigned to be revealed on earth in the perilous end times as God’s most important human to ever walk the earth, after Jesus of course, but above all others, this great prophet would arise from the ashes of Armstrongism to bring truth and light to a hurting world. This prophet would be the last chance anyone in humanity would have to be saved before Satan is unleashed to wreak havoc worldwide. Only true followers of this mighty prophet would be able to discern the time they need to flee to Petra, Sella, or some other godforsaken place in the Middle East where all devoted followers would be subjected to 3 1/2 years of hearing him preach.
Never in the history of the Church of God movement has a man as great and important as Bob Thiel the Great Bwana to Africa and 100 Caucasians been more prophetically endowed than we see in him today. A world-renowned scholar on everything imaginable, from the Mayans to end-time prophecy, the Great Bwana is the most quoted man spiritually converted man ever to appear on MSNBC and in the Washington Post. These news organizations stood in awe as the wisdom of the Great Bwana astounded them all as he spoke. Never had they heard such mind-altering information!
As the new year starts all kinds of people are making their yearly predictions on what they expect to happen in 2024. For prophecy addicts this is a very important time to get their messages out even though their track records have all been epic failures the previous year. Yet, they march on to victory! Onward Christian Soldiers!!!
Anyway, back to our favorite resident prophet of Armstrongism, the Great Bwana to Africa and 100 Caucasians has released his list of prophetic things to watch for in 2024. Anyone with half a brain can see these are nothing more than current news stories or just daily events that happen all the time. It is so easy for COG false prophets to search for articles and news stories to prop up their utterances.
The Great Bwana Mzungu writes:
Sermon: 24 Items to Prophetically Watch in 2024
Dr. Thiel goes over 24 items to watch in 2024 and points out events that were related to several of them in 2023:
1. Scoffing in the Last Days2. Immorality Prophecies Being Fulfilled3. Media, Internet, and Other Censorship4. Weather Sorrows and Troubles5. Earthquakes and Volcanoes6. The White Horse of the Apocalypse7. Strife and the Red Horse of War8. Trade Issues9. The Deal of Daniel 9:2710. Knowledge Increasing11. Debt12. US Dollar Dominance will Decrease13. CBDC and 66614. Gold15. Unrest, Terror, and the Dividing of the USA16. Europe Will Work to Reorganize17. Europe Will Have a Great Army and Many Ships18. Steps Towards the Formation of the King of the South19. The Time of the Gentiles will Lead to Armageddon20. Jews Readying to Sacrifice21. Inventions of Evil Things22. Totalitarian Steps23. Preparation for the Short WorkDr. Thiel goes over prophetic scriptures (in 2 Timothy, Habakkuk, Amos, Daniel, Matthew, Mark, Romans, Revelation, Isaiah, 2 Corinthians, Psalms), including those that must be fulfilled before the start of the Great Tribulation, as well as others that also need to be fulfilled before Jesus returns. When are some prophetic events expected and not expected to be fulfilled? Could we see events in 2024 in the Middle East involving Israel that would lead to the Great Tribulation starting in 3 1/2 years and Jesus returning in 2031? Dr. Thiel goes over many biblical items and ties them in with world events that happened and are in the process of happening.Here is the list of years where the Great Bwana Bob was wrong:
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Gary Leonard saying that I was wrong about each of those years is not the truth.
Jesus said:
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 5:11-12)
So yes, Gary Leonard, Jesus said I am blessed when you post all kinds of insults, evil, and false things about me.
Now, before going further, while I normally do not look at the comments at the Banned by HWA website, this time I did. As it turns out, the first person to comment about what Gary Leonard posted put forth the following:
Bob’s predictions have been accurate, so far.
The above commenter was right about that.
Furthermore, related to each and every one of those twelve years, I posted that those who claimed that the Great Tribulation would start or Jesus would return in those years was wrong, and gave biblical reasons for that. And, of course, I was right.
Regarding 2012 and Mayan matters, by the end of 2012 world events aligned/confirmed at least 32 predictions in my 2012 book. Some details can be found at the following link: End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something?
In 2013, I wrote that Russia would end up with at least some territory of Ukraine, that happened in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea–and it did not give it back despite sanctions, like some hoped in 2019.
On January 28, 2020, someone who calls himself “Tonto” posted posted the following related to me and the coronavirus at the anti-COG site Banned by HWA :
Tonto said…
- If Thiel was such a great prophet, then why didn’t he specifically and directly warn the world about this coronavirus several weeks ago?
The next day, I responded with:
Actually, I specifically warned about risks associated with the coronavirus in 2013 (see Coronavirus: A new risk for humans? and Saudi Arabia warning visitors to Mecca about coronavirus risk) and 2014 (see Saudi Arabia, MERS, and Missiles and Infection-gate: A dangerous scandal hitting the USA?). Additionally, I have also warned also about human engineered pathogens without mentioning the coronavirus in 2018 (see DARPA to weaponize insects to spread viruses across the population… sinister plans exposed by team of scientists) and 2019 (see DARPA: ‘Militarized Microbes’ To Spread GMO Bacteria). Humans messing around with viruses, like what was being officially done in Wuhan, poses risks. And I have warned about those risks, including research involving the coronavirus for years.
Pretty much every day, I pray and ask God to assist me choosing topics to write about. And a few times in the past, that has specifically included the coronavirus.
On February 22, 2022, two days before Russia’s ‘special military operation’ into Ukraine began, I posted:
I expect that Donetsk and Luhansk will either be annexed by Russia and/or join its Eurasian Economic Union.
On September 30, 2022, Russia formally annexed Donetsk and Luhansk.
In 2022. for another example, I made a speculative prediction about Karl Theodor zu Guttenberg which was confirmed in November 2023 (see Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg is to become a ‘media brand’? Another COGwriter speculative prediction confirmed?).
Consider also the following summary of various predictions:
Coincidences or Divine Intervention?
Category Event Fulfillment Prediction During late August 2008, Bob Thiel told LCG minister Davy Crocket that unless evangelists would implement certain matters that God was about to strike a top LCG leader with something. LCG’s top evangelist, Roderick C. Meredith, suffered a ministroke on September 19, 2008. Prayer On February 4, 2009, Dr. Meredith asked Bob Thiel to pray that he would live another 7 – 15 years, so Bob Thiel did. Dr. Meredith died on May 18, 2017–a little over 8 years after that prayer. Predictions In July 2009, Bob Thiel’s book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect went to press. By December 22, 2012, 32 predictions in that book were at least partially fulfilled. For details, go to https://www.cogwriter.com/Confirmed2012BookEvents.htm Possible Divine Intervention During the Feast of Tabernacles in October 2009, an odd feeling came over me that pointed to looking to see if the beginning of sorrows may have began. After researching and finding that events consistent with the ride of the 1st horseman occurred, I telephoned Dr. Roderick C. Meredith and told him. While his church had taught that the beginning of sorrows had not begun prior to that, it taught shortly after that telephone call that it had begun. Speculative
PredictionOn June 24, 2010, Bob Thiel warned that “Certain biblical, Chinese, and other prophecies…discuss that how Australia itself may become taken over. By virtue of her timing, Julia Gillard may inadvertently pursue policies that will lead to the fulfillment of various end time prophecies.” On November 10, 2011, because an agreement with Julia Gillard, US troops were stationed in Darwin, Australia, and by November 18, 2011 China pointed to this as a reason to consider military action against Australia. Speculative
PredictionsFrom 2010 to 2015, Bob Thiel made and/or posted speculative predictions related to Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg.
He also made others since.
By late 2017, 7-11 predictions (depending on how they are included) related to Herr Guttenberg were at least partially fulfilled. For details, go to https://www.cogwriter.com/karl-theodor-zu-guttenberg-king-of-the-north.htm
A speculative prediction in 2022 was confirmed in 2023. For details go to: https://www.cogwriter.com/news/prophecy/karl-theodor-zu-guttenberg-is-to-become-a-media-brand/
Prayer Although told by two LCG ministers (Dr. Jeff Fall and Gary Ehman) in the late Fall of 2011 that he did not need to have hands laid on him to be a prophet, Bob Thiel prayed that something would happen related to his ‘prophet’ situation in a planned December 2011 trip to Charlotte, North Carolina. On December 15, 2011, Gaylyn Bonjour anointed Bob Thiel and prayed that he be granted a double-portion of God’s Spirit. Gaylyn Bonjour said this was reminiscent of the passing of the mantle, that he realized what he may have unintentionally did, and that what he did could not be undone. This answered Bob Thiel’s prayer. Gaylyn Bonjour also confirmed on November 28, 2019 his belief that his prayer was answered. Prayer On December 16, 2011, Richard Ames prayed that Bob Thiel would continue his evangelical/prophetic efforts and LCG evangelists Dr. Meredith and Dr. D. Winnail gave Amen concurrence–as did Bob Thiel. Bob Thiel has continued evangelical/prophetic efforts and has been the human leader of the fastest growing COG group in the 21st century, known as the Continuing Church of God. These show the fruits of a true prophet, consistent with Jesus’ criteria in John 7:15-20. Prediction On December 19, 2011, Bob Thiel tried to meet with Dr. Meredith to tell him that it seemed God was telling him that his wife Sheryl was about to be struck with something serious. In Dr. Meredith’s letter dated 1/12/12, he reported that his wife Sheryl (who was much younger than he) was stricken with stage four cancer. She later died on November 29, 2013. Speculation On May 12, 2013, I warned in an online post about the threat of new coronaviruses and speculated that “novel” diseases could be a threat. In 2019, a “novel coronavirus,” later renamed COVID-19 emerged and devastated peace and normalcy around the world. In 2020, I tied that in with the possibly start of the ride of the 2nd horseman of the Apocalypse. Prediction On December 5, 2013, Bob Thiel posted that governments, particularly in Europe, would one day not allow cryptocurrencies like BitCoin to be private and unregulated. In late November 2021, the European Union released a paper called “Proposal for EU Regulation on Markets in Crypto-Assets.” On December 7, 2022, the EU passed rules to rules that are to “be extended to the entire crypto sector, obliging all crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) to” eliminate the possibility of privacy through various customer “due diligence” requirements. Predictions In a book published on January 19, 2017, Bob Thiel listed many predictions related to the upcoming Donald Trump presidency. Plus he published others at cogwriter.com In a book published on January 20, 2021, Bob Thiel listed many predictions related to the upcoming Joe Biden presidency.
By mid 2019, events aligned with at least 19 predictions related to the Trump Administration. For details go to https://www.cogwriter.com/donald-trump-prophecy.htm
By the year after Joe Biden took office, his Administration had already fulfilled numerous predictive warnings in that book. Some detailed proof can be found in the following: Have published COGwriter warnings about Joe Biden come to pass?
Prediction In 2013, in an article about the future of Ukraine and Russia, Bob Thiel said that at least part of the territory in Ukraine would support Russia. On March 18, 2014, Russia officially annexed Crimea. Prediction On March 18, 2019, Bob Thiel posted: It remains my view that Crimea and at least parts of eastern Ukraine will ultimately align with Russia. International sanctions will not stop biblical prophecies from being fulfilled. Sanctions did not stop Russia. Prediction On February 22, 2022, two days before Russia’s ‘special military operation’ into Ukraine began, Bob Thiel posted: I expect that Donetsk and Luhansk will either be annexed by Russia and/or join its Eurasian Economic Union. On September 30, 2022, Russia formally annexed Donetsk and Luhansk. Prediction In a book printed in July 2023 titled,
Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America?, Bob Thiel had the following statement on page 293 of the print edition and page 317 of online version of my book is the following statement:Gold will set records in U.S. dollar terms.
According to CNBC, this happened on Sunday, December 3, 2023. Then CNN reported it also occurred on Monday December 5, 2023. https://www.cogwriter.com/news/prophecy/as-predicted-gold-hits-an-all-time-high-against-the-usa-dollar/
Surely not all of those are coincidental or the result of news analysis (particularly those related to the late Dr. and Mrs. Meredith).
Now, it is not just me saying that the predictions in my books have come to pass. On August 24, 2020, I received the following unsolicited email from someone I had not spoken to for three years and who was not in any COG:
Hi Bob, it’s your old radio promoter XXXXX XXXXXX, and I remembered your name after seeing some Thiel headlines recently. I’m not doing media anymore, but it’s neat to see how your were right in your predictions.
Anyway hope things are going well otherwise,
Jesus 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. (Matthew 7:15-20)
Conformed predictions are certainly a fruit of a true prophet.
The fact that the Continuing Church of God has been the fastest growing xWCG group in the 21st century is also a fruit for those who have an ear to hear (Revelation 3:13).
The Apostle Paul made the following comments:
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22)
27 … Do you believe the prophets? (Acts 26:27)
Many of those at the Banned by HWA website despise prophecies and do not believe the prophets–do not be like them!
That said, another commenter at the Banned by HWA website, posted the following related to Gary Leonard’s post related to the 24 items to prophetically watch in 2024:
10. Knowledge Increasing
Not in CCOG!
That is also a lie.
Much knowledge has been increased in the CCOG.
Here is a summary related to some:
Dreams & Signs of Acts 2:17-18
Why God Created Anything
Why God Created Human Beings
Church History–and how it supports the COG contending for the original faith.
Laying on of Hands Succession and List
Violent Sports (see also Is American Football Evil?)
Details and Ramifications of Being Non-Trinitarian (see also Did the True Church Ever Teach a Trinity?)
The Final Phase of the Work and Preparing for the ‘Short Work’ and The Famine of the Word
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God translated into over 1000 languages–while working on more (see also Preaching the Gospel in Over 1000 Languages)–and while distinguishing between the millennial and post-millennial phases of the Kingdom of God.
Romans 11:25 and the Full Number of the Gentiles
Prophecy (watch also 50+ Laodicean Prophetic Errors)
Habakkuk 2 and Debt (e.g., see Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel)
Identity of the Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians 2
Daniel 11:39 and the Start of the Great Tribulation
USA-Samaria Identification
Mark of the Beast
Information on the Third Resurrection (see also 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 reason there was a Passover and Atonement sacrifice (see Should You Keep God’s Holy Days or Demonic Holidays?).
More details are in the links as well as as in the article: Continuing Church of God, Elijah, and Restoring All Things.
Now getting back to Banned by HWA, one of the other Satanic tactics it has repeatedly done at its website is to use the “guilt by association” game. This is an old Satanic tactic that was done on more than one occasion against Jesus by some of those who rejected Him (e.g. Luke 5:30, 15:2). The Bible teaches that Satan is the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:9-10), and we have seen his allies do the same.
The Bible teaches:
16 The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes
Than seven men who can answer sensibly. (Proverbs 26:15)
Do not simply accept nonsense and other anti-CCOG statements posted at places like the Banned by HWA webmaster.
Be wise and accept the truth.
Some items of perhaps related interest include:
Banned by HWA and Ambassador Watch There are various ones that oppose the Church of God, but they will not prevail (Matthew 16:18).
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them. Here is a related article in the Spanish language ¿Por qué estar preocupado acerca de falsos y heréticos líderes?
Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18? Does any church have the confirmed dream and prophetic signs of Acts 2:17-18? Should one? Here is a link in the Spanish language: ¿Tiene la CCOG confirmadas las señales de Hechos 2: 17-18? Here is a link in the French language: Est-ce que l’Église Continue de Dieu confirme les signes d’Actes 2:17-18? A related sermon in the English language is also available: 17 Last Days’ Signs of the Holy Spirit.
Church of God Leaders on Prophets Have there been prophets throughout the church age? Are any supposed to be around in the last days? What have COG leaders stated or written about prophets? Here is a link to a related sermon: Church of God Leaders on Prophets.
How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God There are many false prophets. How can Christians determine who is a true prophet? There is also a sermon-length video titled How to determine if someone is a true prophet of God. Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Cómo determinar si alguien es un verdadero profeta de Dios?
Dreams, the Bible, the Radio Church of God, and the Continuing Church of God How has God used dreams in the past? Does God still use dreams? Did He use any involving those in the Continuing Church of God? Here is a link in Spanish: Sueños, la Biblia, la Iglesia de Dios de la Radio, y la Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios. A related sermon is also available: Dreams, COGs, and One Man Rule.
Continuing Church of God, Elijah, and Restoring All Things Have all things been restored? Is there restoration going on? Is there supposed to be a 21st century Elijah? Here is are links to two related sermons: 21st Century Elijah and CCOG: Restoring All Things. Here is a link to a related sermon in the Spanish language: La restauracion de todas las cosas.
What About Romans 11:25 and the Full Number of the Gentiles? Some in the West discount God’s calling of Gentiles, but the Apostle Paul wrote about the need for them to come to the truth before Jesus returns.
What is the Ezekiel Warning? Should the end-time descendants of Israel and Joseph be warned? What should the watchman warn about? Regarding a watchman, you can watch the following video: Go, Set a Watchman.
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from lower level leaders? Two related sermons are available The Work per HWA and the Bible and Priority of the Philadelphia Work.
Preparing for the ‘Short Work’ and The Famine of the Word What is the ‘short work’ of Romans 9:28? Who is preparing for it? Here is a link to a related video sermon titled: The Short Work.
The Final Phase of the Work What is the final phase of the work? Who will lead it? Do you have the courage to support it? Here is a related YouTube video titled The Final Phase of the Work. The written article has been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra.
Leading the Final Phase of the Work Matthew 24:14 teaches “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come ” will be fulfilled and RCG is not the group doing this. Who is leading the final phase of the work? What did Herbert Armstrong and the old WCG teach about that and about prophets? Does Bob Thiel meet the criteria that the Bible and the old WCG set? What is the proof? What has the Continuing Church of God been doing? This is a sermonette length video.
Preaching the Gospel in Over 1000 Languages Which languages are being used to fulfill Matthew 24:14?
The Philadelphia Remnant: It’s All About Love This is what CCOG teaches. It is important to remember.
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy? Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE? Here is a link in the French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui? Here is a link to a short animation: Which Church would Jesus Choose?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries and Continuing History of the Church of God: 17th-20th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, French: L Histoire Continue de l Église de Dieu and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.
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