{"id":24194,"date":"2014-05-25T07:01:46","date_gmt":"2014-05-25T15:01:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/?p=24194"},"modified":"2014-05-24T02:11:16","modified_gmt":"2014-05-24T10:11:16","slug":"lcg-on-prophets-rare-but-look-for-the-fruits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/doctrine\/lcg-on-prophets-rare-but-look-for-the-fruits\/","title":{"rendered":"LCG on Prophets: Rare, But Look for the Fruits"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n“Elijah in the wilderness<\/em>“<\/p>\n

COGwriter<\/a><\/p>\n

In the current edition of the Living Church News<\/em> by the Living Church of God<\/a> (LCG) is the following by its Dexter Wakefield:<\/p>\n

Special Gifts<\/strong><\/p>\n

To serve the needs of the Church, God\u2014through His Spirit\u2014gives different members different gifts. \u201cThere are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills\u201d (1 Corinthians 12:4\u201311).<\/p>\n

Notice that each of these gifts is a practical tool for serving the needs of God\u2019s Church and His Work. The much-misunderstood gift of \u201ctongues\u201d is not a matter of one person babbling and barking, while another \u201cinterprets\u201d the noise. Rather, as happened on the first Day of Pentecost after Christ\u2019s resurrection, the Spirit gave Christ\u2019s followers the ability to speak and understand multiple languages they had not humanly learned. Similarly, the gift of \u201cprophecy\u201d is primarily the gift of inspired speech, and can be exercised in a strong sermon that covers no \u201cnew ground\u201d but simply explains with clarity and power the meaning of Bible prophecy and end-time events. \u201cProphets\u201d in the sense of Elijah are rare, and when we encounter a man who declares himself a prophet we had better be sure of his fruits before we listen to him. Most self-proclaimed \u201cprophets\u201d are deceived, or are cunning deceivers\u2014or both\u2014and those who have God\u2019s Spirit have the ability, and the responsibility, to discern their fruits and their genuineness.<\/p>\n

The Spirit of Revelation and of Prophecy<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Apostle Paul urged all of God\u2019s people to use His Spirit for spiritual vision and the revealing of things that others cannot see.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Much of what he wrote above is correct.<\/p>\n

Statement on 1 Corinthians<\/strong><\/p>\n

Let’s look at some of the statements in the order Dexter Wakefield wrote them.\u00a0 Let’s start with the following:<\/p>\n

To serve the needs of the Church, God\u2014through His Spirit\u2014gives different members different gifts. \u201c…to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits … the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually … (1 Corinthians 12:4\u201311)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Yes, as it states in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, there are differing<\/em> gifts AND prophecy is one of them.\u00a0 But also notice that the discerning of spirits IS NOT taught as being given to all.<\/p>\n

Gift of Prophecy<\/strong><\/p>\n

Let’s look at another of Dexter Wakefield’s statements:<\/p>\n

Similarly, the gift of \u201cprophecy\u201d is primarily the gift of inspired speech, and can be exercised in a strong sermon that covers no \u201cnew ground\u201d but simply explains with clarity and power the meaning of Bible prophecy and end-time events.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Dexter Wakefield is correct that for most of the time, one with a prophetic gift is properly explaining biblical prophecy and end time events.\u00a0 That occurs in the Continuing<\/em> Church of God<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It should be noted certain leaders of other COGs (including in LCG in some instances) have disqualified themselves on certain matters of prophecy, especially when they insist on matters that are wrong, or at best questionable\u00a0<\/strong> (see Who is the Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians 2?<\/a> and\u00a0Is the Future King of the South Rising Up?<\/a> and\u00a0The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27<\/a> and\u00a0The Elijah Heresies<\/a> and\u00a0Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?<\/a> and The Falling Away: The Bible and WCG Teachings<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Furthermore, notice two other portions of the New Testament:<\/p>\n

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets?\u00a0 (1 Corinthians 12:27-29)<\/p>\n

29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. 30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. (1 Corinthians 14:29-33)<\/p>\n

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith (Romans 12:6).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Apostle Paul<\/a> makes it clear that not all prophets. Prophet is an office and prophets are to prophesy.\u00a0 LCG’s position is that it has NO prophets (which is likely the case as I stopped attending late on 12\/28\/12).<\/p>\n

But it should be noted that its top leader had repeatedly taught in the past that God may consider Bob Thiel to be a prophet (see How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Rarity Does Not Mean None<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dexter Wakefield continued with:<\/p>\n

\u201cProphets\u201d in the sense of Elijah are rare,<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

True.\u00a0 But rare does not mean that there are not and cannot be any.\u00a0 Now while Dexter Wakefield did not make that error, many have concluded that rare means none.\u00a0 The New Testament is clear that God has prophets who prophesy (1 Corinthians 12:28-30) and will do so in the last days (Acts 2:17-18).\u00a0 Those in LCG and all other COGs need to realize this.<\/p>\n

As far as ‘Elijah,’ the position of the Church of God since the beginning is that there would be three biblical ‘Elijahs.’\u00a0 The original Elijah (e.g. 1 Kings 17:1), John the Baptist (Matthew 7:12-13), and an Elijah to come at the very end of the church age (Malachi 4:4-6) to restore all things (Matthew 17:11).<\/p>\n

LCG has taught that Elijah will either be a man younger than its Roderick C. Meredith (Meredith, Roderick C. The Elijah Question. VTE 131, May 19, 2001<\/span>) or that the Elijah is not a person but an “Elijah-type work” fulfills the Elijah prophesies in Matthew 17:10-11 and Malachi 4:4-6 (Winnail D. The Mission of the Church. Living Church News, March-April 2006, p. 7).\u00a0 The ‘Elijah’ will be a person.<\/p>\n

As far as rarity goes, I would ask, “How many people were told by an actual top evangelist in the Church of God\u00a0 that God may consider him to be a prophet?”\u00a0 In the 20th and 21st centuries, there is only one who comes to mind (details are in the article How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God<\/a>).\u00a0 So, while prophets are “rare,” and being told one is a prophet by an ordained evangelist is also rare, rarity does not mean that there are none.<\/p>\n

As far as “Elijah” goes, he is to “restore all things” (Matthew 17:11).<\/p>\n

Even the Living Church of God<\/a> has taught about restoration–yet LCG has NOT restored what it says should be done. Here are some items published and written by its Dr. Meredith:<\/p>\n

\n

RESTORE TRUE CHRISTIANITY!<\/h3>\n

What would it mean to restore the original Christianity of Christ and the apostles? What differences would we find if the “original Christianity” of the New Testament was genuinely taught and practiced once again?<\/p>\n

Wow!<\/strong> This restoration would involve far more<\/em> than most of you probably realize! (Meredith RC. Do You Live by What Christ Taught? Tomorrow’s World magazine, May-June 2006)<\/p>\n

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE TRUTH?<\/h3>\n

This magazine can give you the genuine answers to these questions because we in this Work of the living God are earnestly trying to restore “Apostolic Christianity”the original Christianity of those who lived in the time of Jesus and the Twelve Apostles. We feel that although most modern churchgoers are sincere and well-meaning, they are absolutely deceived regarding the major issues of life, death and the hereafter. They are certainly deceived if they think for one minute that they are practicing true “biblical Christianity!” Meredith RC. What Happened to the Truth? Tomorrows World magazine, November-December 2003)<\/p>\n

RESTORING ORIGINAL CHRISTIANITY…<\/h3>\n

Through this very Work, we are beginning to restore original Christianity<\/strong>. This is a major reason<\/em> for this Work of the living God at the end of this age. All who respond to His teachings will certainly have a “head start” in preparing to be those kings and priests Christ is now training to assist Him in ruling all the world in the coming Kingdom of God. (Meredith RC. Restoring ORIGINAL Christianity! Tomorrow’s World magazine, July-August 2011)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The truth about early and apostolic Christians is that it is PROVABLY NOT IN LCG AND IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT than Dr. Meredith realizes (for details, check out October 2012 Emails Related to GCA Booklet<\/a>). When I was in LCG in 2011, I was trying to help them restore much of it; Dr. Meredith agreed, but then failed to keep his word. Dr. Meredith’s failure to keep his word on that and other matters was a major reason that the Continuing<\/em> Church of God<\/a> had to form.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Where has the historical knowledge of early Church of God been most fully restored?<\/p>\n

In the Continuing<\/em> Church of God!<\/p>\n

A booklet which has proof of that would be: Continuing History of the Church of God<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Does this mean that nothing else is left to be restored?<\/p>\n

No. But it does mean that based upon the criteria published by the LCG that CCOG is the group that has done this restoration the best. CCOG has also restored aspects of faith in God’s word, aspects of salvation, and biblical prophecy better than LCG and many other groups (for a few example, see Who is the Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians 2?<\/a> and Is the Future King of the South Rising Up?<\/a> and The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27<\/a> and The Falling Away: The Bible and WCG Teachings<\/a> and The Elijah Heresies<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Although I have not “restored all things,” nor am I insisting that I personally must be the prophesied Elijah, the reality is that I and CCOG have restored what Dr. Meredith repeatedly wrote needed to be.<\/p>\n

Fruits<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dexter Wakefield continued with:<\/p>\n

and when we encounter a man who declares himself a prophet we had better be sure of his fruits before we listen to him<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I totally agree.\u00a0 The Bible talks about personal (Luke 3:8), doctrinal (Luke 6:43-45), prophetic (Matthew 7:16-20), and proclamation fruits (Matthew 7:16; John 15:16).\u00a0 The Bible encourages the production of “good fruits” (Matthew 7:16).<\/p>\n

Would fruits of a real converted prophet include any of the following?<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Standing up against teaching wrong materials about Church of God history, some of which perpetuate Catholic myths?\u00a0 See October 2012 Emails Related to GCA Booklet<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  2. Standing up against publishing “Fundamental Beliefs” that are in error and opposed to scripture? See December 2011 Proposed changes to LCG’s Official Statement of Fundamental Beliefs<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  3. Standing up against prophetic errors that are opposed to the Bible? See The Falling Away: The Bible and WCG Teachings<\/a> and\u00a0Is the Future King of the South Rising Up?<\/a> and Who is the Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians 2?<\/a> and LCG and PCG insisting on 10 or 11 \u2018nations\u2019 for the Beast? What does the Bible teach?<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. Boldly proclaiming the truth to the world as a witness? See Isaiah 58:1 and Matthew 24:14.<\/li>\n
  5. Praying for decades for the gift of prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:1-5) and then unexpectedly being anointed for a double-portion of God’s spirit (cf. 2 Kings 2:9-13).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Doing all of the above, as well as standing up against violent sports, made me unpopular in certain LCG circles.\u00a0 Because of that, improper statements were published about me (e.g. Roderick C. Meredith’s Accusatory Letter to Bob Thiel<\/a>).\u00a0 Jesus taught:<\/p>\n

    11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely<\/strong> for My sake.\u00a0 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you<\/strong>.\u00a0 (Matthew 5:11-12)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Contrary to scripture I was publicly and wrongly attacked in September 2012.\u00a0 Despite that I endured that and continued to try to work with LCG evangelists, ministers, and Council members.\u00a0 Despite this, I again was publicly and wrongly attacked (see Roderick C. Meredith’s Accusatory Letter to Bob Thiel<\/a>) contrary to the Bible (Acts 23:5; Matthew 18:15-17; Galatians 6:1).<\/p>\n

    After the second attack, it was clear that further attempts at reconciliation would be futile as various evangelists had broken their word and it was not possible that LCG had the character to possibly hold the Philadelphia or lead the final phase of the work (cf. (Acts 23:5).<\/p>\n

    What about proclamation fruits?<\/p>\n

    Through my writings on COGwriter and for the Continuing<\/em> Church of God, I have reached millions of people in over 220 countries over the internet.\u00a0 According to how one views the Alexa independent internet popularity rankings, COGwriter is more popular than all the LCG websites combined.\u00a0 The Bible teaches that the work of God will be done, “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit” (Zechariah 4:6) and that is what has been happening through CCOG.<\/p>\n

    I have also reached millions regularly over radio interviews, plus have had hundreds of thousands of views of our videos on the Bible News Prophecy<\/a> and\u00a0ContinuingCOG<\/a> YouTube video channels.\u00a0 Part of why I am using the term “I” because Dexter Wakefield said to look at the fruits of one claiming to be a prophet.<\/p>\n

    We have also sent printed literature around the world and I have been to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South Pacific, North America, and South America to proclaim the gospel (Matthew 24:14; 28:19-20).\u00a0 In most of those places, I have also been involved with baptisms.<\/p>\n

    The fruits are there.\u00a0 And those fruits are there WITHOUT THE DOCTRINAL HERESIES AND FALSE PROPHETIC PRONOUNCEMENTS OF OTHER COG GROUPS.<\/p>\n

    If I had been willing to compromise doctrinally while in LCG, I could have accepted a salary I was offered by Dr. Meredith on at least two occasions (it was not specifically predicated upon me being willing to compromise, it is just that I felt that unacceptable compromise would have been required if I was an employee of LCG).\u00a0 I did neither.<\/p>\n

    In terms of character issues, notice something that Jesus taught:<\/p>\n

    45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.\u00a0 46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?\u00a0 47 He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.\u00a0 (John 8:45-47)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    No one ever “convicted me” of sin in that type of context.\u00a0 Instead, like David was falsely accused of pride by an envious brother (1 Samuel 17:28), I, too, was on 12\/28\/14 in a letter from Dr. Meredith, and like David, I denied it (cf. 1 Samuel 17:29; Roderick C. Meredith’s Accusatory Letter to Bob Thiel<\/a>).\u00a0 It should be noted that in violation of Matthew 18:15-17, Dr. Meredith made that accusation publicly despite the fact that neither Dr. Meredith nor my local minister had EVER raised that subject with me or made that accusation.\u00a0 Which of us had the proper fruits?\u00a0 The one who tried to comply with Matthew 18:15-18 or the one who did not feel he was subject to those scriptures?<\/p>\n

    When I told LCG I would not be back on 12\/28\/12, I did so without having lined up groups to support me.\u00a0 Would not a prophet truly walk by faith and not by sight (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:7?\u00a0 That is what what happened and believe that this should be considered as another proper fruit.<\/p>\n

    As far as my genuineness, the fact that I still do not take a salary for this work should demonstrate that I am not any type of a hireling (cf. John 10:12-13; Ezekiel 34:2-6).<\/p>\n

    But what about other fruits?<\/p>\n

    The Apostle Paul admonished Christians to pray for the gift of prophecy in 1 Corinthians 14:1-5.\u00a0 For decades, I obeyed that biblical admonition.\u00a0\u00a0On October 3, 2008, Dr. Meredith (Presiding Evangelist of the Living Church of God) called me and said to me, \u201cGod may consider you to be a prophet<\/strong>.\u201d\u00a0Notice that this came from a long-time evangelist and did not first come out from me. It was Dr. Meredith who first brought up the topic about Bob Thiel being a prophet. I had never mentioned my prayers related to this prior to that telephone conversation, and when I did then, he concurred that I had been doing what the Bible said to do.<\/p>\n

    Furthermore, although at least two LCG ministers told me that I did not need to have hands laid upon me to be a prophet, I was not convinced.\u00a0 So, I prayed that if I was a prophet that God would arrange something to happen in Charlotte, NC on a trip I was going to make there in mid-December 2011.\u00a0 God answered that prayer in a manner that I did not expect when LCG minister Gaylyn Bonjour anointed me and unexpectedly prayed that God would grant me a double-portion of His Spirit (cf. 2 Kings 2:9-13).\u00a0 Later that day, LCG’s top three evangelists told me that they would correct the issues that I had been bringing up to them for years (some in accordance with Matthew 18:15-18).\u00a0 Yet, they did not resolve matters when they said that they would.\u00a0 What kind of fruits were they displaying?<\/p>\n

    Do you believe that answered prayer can be the fruit of a prophet?\u00a0 If not, then consider that you might not be willing to understand how God often works.<\/p>\n

    Despite many issues, I was not willing to leave LCG until I was convinced that LCG could no longer possess the mantle for the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15; Revelation 3:7-12).<\/p>\n

    The Bible says that prophets will sometimes be given a dream by God (Numbers 12:6).\u00a0 And I had a dream that was confirmed.\u00a0 So did another who also became part of CCOG (see Dreams, the Bible, and the Continuing Church of God<\/a>).\u00a0 Also, there was a third dream from another who became part of CCOG in 2014 that I expect to report about as well.<\/p>\n

    As far as prophetic fruits, I have made hundreds of prophetic statements and explanations that have been confirmed by subsequent events.\u00a0 Regular readers at the www.cogwriter.com website can search this site to find many.\u00a0 There were also at least 33 associated with my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect<\/a> (those are listed in the beginning of the article titled End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something?<\/a>).<\/p>\n

    For many, these are not dramatic enough or are always lucky guesses.\u00a0 If you believe that ALL of them are, that is your prerogative.<\/p>\n

    Yet, notice also something else that Jesus taught:<\/p>\n

    39 An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. 42 The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here. (Matthew 12:39-42)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Those Jesus was speaking to would not have considered that Jonah being in the belly of the ‘great fish’ was a prophetic type of the Messiah. The Jews expected a conquering military Messiah. And while Jesus will return as such (Revelation 19), that is not how He came the first time. Most people pointed to the wrong signs, despite the truths that Jesus taught and the miracles the Father allowed Him to do (cf. John 5:30; 8:45; 10:37; 14:11).<\/p>\n

    JESUS CAME NEAR THE WHEN MANY EXPECTED THE MESSIAH. YET, SINCE JESUS DID NOT APPEAR AS MANY EXPECTED AND THEY DISBELIEVED. SOME COUNTED ON SCRIPTURES THAT THEY WERE SURE WERE PROOF JESUS WAS NOT THE MESSIAH, BUT BECAUSE THEY DID NOT UNDERSTAND ALL ABOUT JESUS, THEY WERE WRONG.<\/p>\n

    Even great prophet John the Baptist (Luke 7:38) had doubts about Jesus (Luke 7:19-21), and Jesus then decided to say that those are blessed who were not offended because of Him (Luke 7:22-23). Some will be offended by the truth and not accept it–even many Christians.<\/p>\n

    Those in Jesus’ day expected something other than Jesus.\u00a0 Jesus (Matthew 23:29-35; Luke 11:49-50) and the martyr Stephen (Acts 7:52) made it clear that people who thought that they were God’s people repeatedly have not accepted God’s prophets–even though they thought that they would (Matthew 23:30).<\/p>\n

    The fact that I have correctly explained various aspects of end time prophecy that LCG originally agreed with me on but changed (e.g. Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?<\/a>) is another prophetic fruit.<\/p>\n

    The Abilities of Those With God’s Spirit Vary<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Here is Dexter Wakefield’s last statement above:<\/p>\n

    those who have God\u2019s Spirit have the ability, and the responsibility, to discern their fruits and their genuineness.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Dexter Wakefield seems to be suggesting that this ability for discernment is universal among all Christians.\u00a0 That is flat out not the case.\u00a0 It also contradicts something he quoted from the Bible.<\/p>\n

    Let’s look at it again:<\/p>\n

    To serve the needs of the Church, God\u2014through His Spirit\u2014gives different members different gifts. \u201c…to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits … the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually … (1 Corinthians 12:4\u201311)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Discernment is given individually.\u00a0 If all had the same discernment, there would not be the multitude of Church of God groups these days.\u00a0 Discernment is a blessing to those who have increasing love (Philippians 1:9), and that would seem to include having a growing love of the truth.\u00a0 If those in LCG would place a higher emphasis on loving the truth, they would be able to discern that LCG does not properly understand critical aspects of end time prophecy, and they would realize that unless LCG changes to what the CCOG is teaching regarding prophetic sequences and the start of the Great Tribulation, that those in LCG will NOT be subject to protection from a great tribulation LCG will not know will begin.<\/p>\n

    Jesus clearly taught that there would be different groups of Christians in the end times in Revelation 2 & 3, and that different ones had different strengths, needs, and abilities.\u00a0 Thus, there are differing degrees of discernment.<\/p>\n

    It should also be noted that while they may have the ability, those who are NOT Philadelphians are clearly shown by scripture to not actually discern this in the very end-times.\u00a0 The Bible only promises to protect the remaining “Philadelphia Christians” from the hour of trial that will come on the entire earth.\u00a0 LCG’s prophetic errors, unless they repent of them, will prevent them from knowing when that “hour of trial” will come (see, for example Is the Future King of the South Rising Up?<\/a>).\u00a0 The non-Philadelphia Christians (and these are those who do have God’s Holy Spirit) will not be protected (Revelation 12:17) and instead will be turned over to the hand of the Beast power for a time, times, and 1\/2 a time (Daniel 7:25b).<\/p>\n

    Jesus taught, to “judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24), yet most these days seem to wish to use a different criteria.\u00a0 Jesus was misjudged by those who thought He did not meet criteria they strongly felt<\/em> that they Bible required.<\/p>\n

    Consequences of Ignoring Prophetic Interpretations<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Some in various COGs have called me a false prophet.\u00a0 But generally not because any false prophecies I supposedly made, but based on their criteria for prophets which differ from what the New Testament teaches (see How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God<\/a>).<\/p>\n

    Notice something from the late Herbert W. Armstrong:<\/p>\n

    PERSECUTORS HAVE CALLED me a “false prophet.” Now how would you KNOW whether the accusation IS true- or false?…<\/p>\n

    Actually, it probably is not very important to you<\/em> to know whether my persecutors are right or wrong, when they call me dirty names, hurl epithets, resort to innuendo, impute sinister motives, strive to discredit, attempt character assassination. What is important to YOU is whether what you read in The PLAIN TRUTH really is the truth – whether what you hear over The WORLD TOMORROW broadcast is true- not whether I , as an individual, am true or false.<\/p>\n

    I think our readers know by now that we always say: ” DON’ T believe what we say because<\/em> you believe in us.” We say ” Listen with open mind, without prejudice, then CHECK UP in your own Bible-prove<\/em> whether it is true, and BELIEVE what you find proved!<\/em>” I don’t seek to induce people to believe in ME- I seek to lead them to believe in JESUS CHRIST! (Armstrong HW. Personal from the Editor. Plain Truth, May 1966, pp. 2)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Notice some prophetic teachings, and ramifications of some teachings that LCG holds that differ from the Continuing<\/em> Church of God:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. The Great Tribulation begins with or 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\u2013do you?<\/a>).\u00a0 This is not the order that Daniel 11 teaches (see Who is the King of the North?<\/a>).\u00a0 LCG’s position is out of biblical sequence, those who hold to LCG’s position will not understand when the Great Tribulation will begin.<\/li>\n
    2. 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\u2013do you?<\/a>).\u00a0 Since this will not happen, those who hold to LCG’s position will not understand when the Great Tribulation will begin.<\/li>\n
    3. 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<\/a> ).\u00a0 LCG is thus not teaching its members many things that they need to know so that they will not be subject to falling away in the future.\u00a0 And while there will be COG supporters (in various groups, including likely CCOG) who will fall away (Daniel 11:30-35), LCG, in my view, is not properly preparing members for this.<\/li>\n
    4. The man of sin who sits in the temple of God (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4) is the Antichrist, not the Beast.\u00a0 Yet, this is the Beast (see Who is the Man of Sin?<\/a>).\u00a0 So, when this happens, those who hold to LCG’s position will not understand its prophetic ramifications.<\/li>\n
    5. A Jerusalem temple will be rebuilt before Jesus returns.\u00a0 While this is remotely possible (and not all in LCG insist on this), it is not required (the “temple of God” in the New Testament has to do with a Christian, not Jewish, location; see Why is a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem Not Required?<\/a>).\u00a0 Since this will not happen as LCG sometimes seems to teach, those who hold to LCG’s position will not understand when the Great Tribulation will begin.<\/li>\n
    6. 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?<\/a>).\u00a0 The European Union has 28 nation members with others hoping to join it.\u00a0 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 LCG’s position will not understand when the Great Tribulation will begin.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 LCG should not have insisted on this as it recently did.<\/li>\n
    7. The first verse in the Daniel 11 sequence relating to the beginning of the Great Tribulation is Daniel 11:40 (per LCG’s Official Statement of Fundamental Beliefs<\/em>; see also December 2011 Proposed changes to LCG’s Official Statement of Fundamental Beliefs<\/a><\/em>).\u00a0 LCG should teach that it begins with Daniel 11:39, 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?<\/a>).\u00a0 Those who hold to LCG’s position will not understand when the Great Tribulation will begin.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Some will come up with their preferred rational as why not to agree with CCOG.\u00a0 Yet, on most of those points, the old WCG taught what I believe that the Bible teaches on them (on the one or two that it did not, one is consistent with a November 1979 HWA writing and on the other an advisor to HWA told me that HWA would have agreed with me on that as well).<\/p>\n

      Additionally, at least one LCG evangelist, and normally multiple LCG ministers, told me that I was correct on each of those points.\u00a0 Instead of correcting its errors, LCG has instead insisted on positions that are in conflict with the Bible.\u00a0 LCG also has other doctrinal and character issues which are not appropriate fruits (see, for example, What About the Living Church of God? Are there Doctrinal Differences with the Continuing<\/em> Church of God?<\/a>).\u00a0 LCG also has backed off of teaching that Habakkuk 2:6-8 is an end time prophecy (which Habakkuk 2:3 teaches it is “For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak”).<\/p>\n

      Many will read this post and ignore it as they feel that they personally will not be affected by this or they will figure out prophetic matters on their own in the future.\u00a0 That will be a mistake:<\/p>\n

      1 Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together,
      \nO undesirable nation,
      \n2 Before the decree is issued,
      \nOr the day passes like chaff,
      \nBefore the Lord’s fierce anger comes upon you,
      \nBefore the day of the Lord’s anger comes upon you!
      \n3 Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth,
      \nWho have upheld His justice.
      \nSeek righteousness, seek humility.
      \nIt may be that you will be hidden
      \nIn the day of the Lord’s anger. (Zephaniah 2:1-3)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

      Those who do not ‘gather together’ to support the one with the highest ordained position who is truly a faithful Philadelphian leader will not be protected.\u00a0 The time for all to humility is now and not hope to wait until later as that will not work.<\/p>\n

      The fact is that Laodiceans believe that they do not have need to listen to any of God’s end time prophets (Revelation 13:14-18).\u00a0 It astounds me how no one in LCG ever proved me false, but instead seem to prefer to believe false statements directed towards or about me.\u00a0 Or they have criteria for prophets that are not biblical.<\/p>\n

      Of course, most did not believe the great prophet John the Baptist (Luke 28:33), nor that Jesus was the Christ (Luke 28:34) as most of the people then had different criteria than God set (cf. Luke 28:35).<\/p>\n

      What about you?<\/p>\n

      Some items of possibly related interest may include:<\/em><\/p>\n

      Elijah: Past and Prophesied<\/a> Information about the original Elijah and some information about the Elijah-related prophecies.
      \n      The Elijah Heresies<\/a> Does the Bible teach that there will be a future Elijah? Must it be Herbert W. Armstrong?
      \n      How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God<\/a> There are many false prophets, yet many overlook what the Bible teaches about how to recognize a true one. How can Christians determine who is a true prophet? This article contains a scripture-based checklist to assist with this determination.
      \n      How to determine if someone is a true prophet of God<\/a> This is a sermon on YouTube addressing a subject that most in the Church of God do not seem to have looked into very much. It discusses scriptures and dispels some improper assertions that some associated with the COG have made about prophets in this time.
      \n      Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?<\/a>\u00a0Does Revelation 17:12 teach ten nations or not? Why is this important to know?
      \n      Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders?<\/a> There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.
      \n      Who Are The Two Witnesses?<\/a> What is their job? What does the Bible reveal? What has the Church of God taught on this subject? Might even Roman Catholic prophecies give some clues here?
      \n      The Final Phase of the Work<\/a> 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. <\/a> The written article has been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra<\/a>.
      \n      Continuing<\/a><\/em> Church of God<\/a> The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God. To see how CCOG has done so far, here is a sermon Continuing<\/em> Church of God (CCOG) first year anniversary: What has been accomplished?<\/a> Here is a written link to a version of that sermon in the Spanish language: Aniversario del primer a\u00f1o de la Continuaci\u00f3n de la Iglesia de Dios: \u00bfQu\u00e9 se ha cumplido?<\/a>
      \n      CCOG.ASIA<\/a> We in the Continuing<\/em> Church of God also have the url www.ccog.asia which has a focus on Asia and has various articles in Mandarin Chinese as well as some in English, plus some items in other Asian languages. \u6211\u4eec\u5728\u7ee7\u7eed\u795e\u7684\u6559\u4f1a\u4e5f\u63d0\u4f9b\u6b64\u7f51\u5740 www.ccog.asia<\/a>, \u5173\u6ce8\u4e8e\u4e9a\u6d32\u5e76\u4e14\u6709\u5404\u79cd\u5404\u6837\u7684\u4e2d\u82f1\u6587\u6587\u7ae0\uff0c\u5176\u4e2d\u4e00\u4e9b\u7528\u83f2\u5f8b\u5bbe\u8bed\u7ffb\u8bd1\u7684\u6587\u7ae0\u4e5f\u6b63\u5728\u8fdb\u884c\u4e2d\uff0c\u51c6\u5907\u6dfb\u52a0\u5230\u8fd9\u4e2a\u7f51\u7ad9\u4e2d\u3002
      \n      CCOG.IN<\/a> This is a website targeted towards those of Indian heritage. It has a link to an edited Hindi translation of The Mystery of the Ages <\/em><\/a>and is expected to have more non-English language materials in the future.
      \n      CCOG.EU<\/a> This is a website targeted toward Europe. It has materials in more than one language (currently it has English, Dutch, and Serbian, with links also to Spanish) and it is intended to have additional language materials added.
      \n      CDLIDD.ES La Continuaci\u00f3n de la Iglesia de Dios.<\/a> This is the Spanish language website for the Continuing<\/em> Church of God.
      \n      PNIND.PH Patuloy na Iglesya ng Diyos<\/a>. This is the Philippines website Continuing<\/em> Church of God. It has information in English and Tagalog.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      “Elijah in the wilderness“ COGwriter In the current edition of the Living Church News by the Living Church of God (LCG) is the following by its Dexter Wakefield: Special Gifts To serve the needs of the Church, God\u2014through His Spirit\u2014gives different members different gifts. \u201cThere are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24194","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cog-news","category-doctrine"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t