WCG Heresies!
Consider the following points in which the teaching of
the Worldwide Church of God is NOW at variance with Scripture: [This was
written in 1991.]
1) Christ's broken body is no longer regarded
as the enormous physical sacrifice necessary so we can all be physically
healed (Is. 53:5) The Bible indicates His sacrificial atonement was DUAL –
physical and spiritual (I Pet. 2:24), as are many aspects of God's plan.
Such duality runs through the Bible from beginning to end.
But apparently the church administration do not think so
anymore. They spiritualise away the magnitude of the price Christ paid
willingly so we could be healed.
If we carelessly spurn the immense love of God by such
faithless teaching we will forfeit the blessing of receiving His miraculous
power for our healing. Is it any wonder MOST are no longer healed?!
As the apostle Paul stated in I Cor. 11:30, "for this cause many are weak
and sickly among you and many sleep" (are dead) – because they did not
discern the incredible sacrifice He paid for our healing! (v. 29)
Such a subtle change in the healing doctrine as the
church now espouses goes practically unnoticed, but it DENIES the
Lord that BOUGHT US! (II Pet. 2:1). It denies HIS GREAT LOVE!
What an insult! What blasphemy!!
2) Divorce and remarriage
The New Testament does not support remarriage following
separation (Mark 10:11-12, Matt. 19:9). The Bible condemns divorce – i.e.
permanent separation with no chance of reconciliation (Mal. 2:16 RSV, Matt.
19:3-9). Notice in Matthew 19:6 Christ said, before ever there was a
converted church, "What God has joined together, let not man put
asunder." God, therefore, joins all marriage unions.
Currently, the WCG claims there are certain unions God
has not bound because one party is "converted" and the other party is not,
basing this incorrect teaching on [a misunderstanding of] I Cor. 7. However,
when I Cor. 7 is carefully examined with CHRIST'S TEACHING in mind it
supports what our Saviour said, that ALL unions are bound in heaven.
Notice I Cor. 7:26 – "Are you bound (in marriage) to a
wife? Seek not to be loosed". Also I Cor. 7:39 – "The wife is bound
by the Law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband is dead,
she is at liberty to be married to whom she will, only in the Lord."
The Worldwide Church of God administration justifies its
present incorrect teaching on divorce and remarriage by misappropriating the
words "under bondage" in I Cor. 7:15, claiming they make the separated party
free to remarry when the text, in context, says no such thing! It
does not say the person is free to remarry, but free to separate, if
the situation is just too intolerable because of the then "present distress"
(v. 26).
The Greek word rendered in the KJV "under bondage" is "douloo",
meaning "to enslave". It connotes a servitude never intended in marriage. It
is not referring to the marriage union. "Bound", in I Cor. 7:27,
referring to the marriage union, is a totally different word "deo". It does
not say the marriage was not bound in heaven – Christ said all unions
are bound in heaven (Matt. 19:6). Paul is here saying that, although the
marriage is consummated, the unconverted party is free to leave if he or she
finds the situation intolerable. No unconverted brother or sister should
ever feel restricted or trapped, for "God has called us to peace" (I
Cor. 7:15). Christians should never impose their wishes or will on others.
But, if any Christian brother or sister depart, as
tragic as that situation may be, they are commanded BY GOD ("not I, but the
Lord", I Cor. 7:10) to remain separate or be reconciled (v. 11).
Of course! That's what Christ said. Because, if any
remarry following separation, THEY COMMIT ADULTERY (Matt. 19:9). The only
exception Christ allowed for was "porneia" – i.e. prostitution [and other
sexual infidelity]. If a wife [or husband] committed prostitution after
being married, the man was free to remarry. That is all! (Matt. 19:9).
So strict and so dogmatic was Christ about the sacrosanct
nature of marriage that the disciples were aghast. They exclaimed that it
would be better then not to get married in the first place! (Matt. 19:10).
The permissive, liberal approach towards divorce and
remarriage today has now permeated the teaching of the Worldwide Church of
God and is far removed from the original intent of the instructions of our
Saviour. It is heresy!
3) Authority in the Church
The text of Matt. 16:19 and Matt. 18:18, as rendered in
the King James Version, "I will give unto you (Peter) the keys of the
Kingdom of Heaven: and whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in
heaven, and whatsoever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven",
has been used by the church 'hierarchy' to justify their 'prerogative' to
"change times and laws" (Dan. 7:25), if need be (A prerogative of only God
Himself (Dan 2:21). These same scriptures are also used [in Catholic
circles] to ascribe infallibility to the Pope.
But what may seem like limitless power vested in the
church 'authorities' by Christ turns out to be nothing of the sort when you
check the intent of the original Greek text. The above scriptures when
correctly translated from the Greek literally read, "I will be giving you
the keys to the Kingdom of the heavens, and whatsoever you should be
binding on earth shall be those things HAVING BEEN BOUND in the heavens,
and whatsoever you should be loosing on the earth shall be those
things HAVING BEEN LOOSED in the heavens." (See Concordant Literal New
Testament, a non- denominational translation from the Greek as literally as
possible).
"The keys of the Kingdom" involve understanding.
Understanding God's plan, His purpose, and His Word. "A good understanding
have all they that DO" (Ps. 111:10) – i.e. all those who put His teachings
into practice.
If the administration had been correctly following
Christ's teachings to them not to lord it over the members (Matt. 20:25-26,
Luke 22:25-27) they would have recognized how wrong their misconception of
Matt 18:18 was. The ministry are supposed to be servants. Servants are 'below'
those they are serving, not 'above' them! The approach of Philippians
2:3 should be in their minds!
The only authority vested in the ministry or the
so-called 'government' in the church is mentioned in Luke 9:1 – and is
authority over demons to cast them out, to heal the sick, and to correctly
preach the gospel. There's precious little of that kind of authority being
exercised in the WCG today!
So what laws or rules can the church administration make
that are binding over the membership? NONE! (Matt. 20:25-26) There is only,
"One Lawgiver who is able to save and destroy" (Jas. 4:12). That is why
Christ emphasised not one jot or tittle of the Law was to be altered (Matt.
5:18).
The current Worldwide Church of God teaching on authority
is another blasphemy!
Christ is the only one who legitimately has all power and
authority (Matt. 28:18). To assume that this authority is passed down
through the hierarchical structure of the ministry of the church is to miss
the point of Christ's simple teachings. The Government of God in the church
is just that! The Government of God! God's Government, not man's. It
is the rule of God the Father, and Christ the Son. And that's where it ends
– at the moment!
For the WCG leadership to claim they have the AUTHORITY
of Christ [in the sense of lordship over others] is another blasphemy and is
condemned in II Thes. 2:3-4.
4) Babylon in the Church/Church Government
The present form of church government looks to the
leadership of men, not Christ! It is an identical form of the
government of Babylon, from which we are told to come out (Rev. 18:4)
because GOD regards such as WHOREDOM (Rev. 17:1-5). Herbert W Armstrong
pointed out as long ago as Feb. 1939 (Good News article, "Did Christ
Reorganise the Church?") that such rulership of the church is none other
than an IMAGE of the BEAST!! What he wrote there, has never been disproved
either by himself or anyone else. Because it cannot be. IT IS TRUTH, and
truth eternal (Jas. 1:17).
Church leaders have failed to comprehend the significance
of that revelation from God, and have not applied that understanding in the
churches, hence wrong governmental structures prevail. Even Mr Armstrong
himself only a few years later overlooked this when incorporating the Radio
Church of God, which later became the Worldwide Church of God.
It is significant that, before His departure, Christ gave
no guidelines for us to follow on church government other than to make the
blunt statement that prevailing concepts of rulership were to go! (Matt.
20:26). 'Rulership' of the members was to give way to persuasion and
leadership by example (see Paul's letters. 20 times he uses the term
"beseech you" when if he thought he had authority from Christ he could have
used "command you" instead). Only later did the church revert to an illicit
autocratic model when Diotrephes' regime hijacked the flock in John's care
(III Jn.).
The individual churches of God in the first century were
not organised together but were separate, and basically autonomous. The
common bond was the Spirit of God not the leadership of men. Human
organisation quenches the spontaneous working of God's Spirit. God wants us
to follow the leadership of Christ's Spirit as He leads us (Rom.
8:14) individually.
The Greek words used in the New Testament identifying
rulers of the day (politarches, architrik, archisun and archon)
are distinct from terms used in the context of the church. The church was to
be diametrically different. Conventional oppressive rulership – 'lording' it
over others – was to give way to service (Luke 22:25-27). The verbs rendered
poorly as "to rule over" in the KJV actually connote leadership by example
or guidance (hegeomai), shepherding (poimaino), or setting
before or providing for (proistemi). None of these words imply any
oppression, but true love. And none of them imply absolute authority over
their 'subjects'.
Those in ministerial (serving) capacities are to treat
their brethren as equals (Matt. 23:8 – "you are ALL brethren" i.e.
ministry and members), even looking up to and esteeming them (Phil.
2:3). Interestingly, the word translated here "esteem" is the same Greek
word elsewhere rendered to "rule over" (hegeomai). Obviously then,
conventional translations do poor justice to the original meaning intended
in these Biblical texts because prevailing attitudes in this darkened world
have not changed. And that is true in the Worldwide Church of God today.
Ministers are still wrongly imbued with great authority
and power, and lord it over 'their' subjects at (their) will! Such is
totally unscriptural, but was prophesied (Is. 52:5).
"Submit to authority". You hear that misleading
exhortation frequently from the Worldwide Church of God hierarchy. That
would be fine if they rightly meant Christ's authority, but they
don't. They mean their authority, which they falsely claim to have.
They have taken to themselves the authority that is God's, and His alone!
Another blasphemy!
The church – composed of the individual members – is the
Body of Christ (Eph. 1:23, I Cor. 12:27). Christ is the HEAD (Eph. 5:23,
Col. 1:18) of the church – not a mortal man or a mortal administration. The
Church is subject to Christ (Eph. 5:24), not to men who want to
control it.
Consider for a moment the depth of the statement that the
'ecclesia', or church members, comprise the Body of Christ (Eph. 1:23).
Should any minister – any man – feel he has the spirituality to challenge
Christ, or have the temerity to control, to judge, or to guide the Body of
Christ? Does any man think he can make rules or laws for Him? Does any man
think he can offer advice to Jesus Christ? Because that is what it amounts
to if any man or group of men claim the authority which the leaders of the
Worldwide Church of God claim for themselves.
As Christ is the HEAD of His church, men must withdraw
from doing the membership's thinking for them. The head leads all the
individual parts of the body. The head co-ordinates all members. The head
guides, leads and directs. The head motivates and prompts the members into
action.
These are functions that belong to Christ. Let not men
blaspheme His name by assuming to themselves such godly prerogatives.
There is no scriptural evidence to show that God uses the
leader of the organisation more than any others in the church. God's Spirit
is given freely to all members (I Cor. 12:7-12). Nor is there scriptural
support for the long-held view in the church that truth is revealed through
the governmental structure only, and not through individual members. Indeed
the Bible contradicts this prejudicial view-point, God looks to any who
submit to Him in humility (Is. 66:2, 57:15, Jas. 4:8).
Matthew 23:10 tells us not to look to any man as our
master on earth. But that's just how the ministry in the church ARE
regarded!
The title 'Mr' is derived from the term 'master'. And it
has been strongly emphasised in the church that the ministry should be
addressed as 'Mr' by the congregation.
Such tradition is anti-biblical and contrary to the
example of all the New Testament apostles. It sets the minister up above the
members, instead of him being on the same level as the brethren (Matt.
23:8). Another blasphemy!
5) Who is our Mediator?
In Matthew 23:8 Christ tells us not to call any man our
leader on earth, for One is our leader – Christ!
Christ is our spiritual leader, not Mr Tkach, or any
other man! (Including the human author of this letter).
But Worldwide Church of God tradition has been to look to
the human leader as though he were infallible (another blasphemy!), a belief
which is shared with the apostate church of Rome, and their leader the Pope.
To rely implicitly on his direction, assuming that he is always led
by Christ is unbiblical and a dangerously careless assumption!
We should follow human leaders only as they follow Christ
(I Cor. 11:1). If they deviate from God's Word then we should follow God and
not men (Acts 5:29). And we should feel free to do so. Free from pressure of
human tradition and rules which say that we cannot think for ourselves in
this manner.
Christ will lead us, if we allow Him to (Rom. 8:14). He
is our Mediator between us and the Father (Heb. 2:17, 9:15), it is to Him we
should look (Heb. 12:2) not to a mortal. He is our High Priest (Heb. 5:10,
4:14).
We must reverence no man (Matt. 23:7-10). Reverence
Christ!
6) Neglected offices in the Church
If there is any command structure under Christ in His
church indicated in scripture it is noted in I Cor. 12:28. "God has set some
in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after
that those with miracle working powers, gifts of healing, (physical)
supports, (physical) pilotage, species of languages" (See Concordant Literal
New Testament – closest to the original Greek meaning).
The presence of prophets in the church today is not
recognized by the hierarchy of the Worldwide Church of God, for the obvious
reason that the legitimate authority of the ministry comes below that of
prophets in the above mentioned list, inspired by God! Prophets are either
ridiculed or ignored, or both. Their messages are denied. Yet God regards
the function of prophets to the Church as more important than that of its
teachers. Without the prophets the church would lack direction.
This sad state of affairs is what you are witnessing (if
you are willing to have your eyes opened by God – Matt. 25:2) today in the
demise of the WCG.
7) Gifts of the Spirit
The contents of one of the most important chapters
in the New Testament is virtually totally ignored today by the Worldwide
Church of God. I Cor. 12 describes spiritual gifts bestowed by God on ALL
His chosen – all those who want to receive them, that is, for we must first
desire them! (I Cor. 12:11).
But the subject of gifts of the Spirit is rarely taught
and even more rarely practised within the WCG. The first gift mentioned is
that of wisdom (v. 8). These are words of wisdom given you from God. But the
administration will be reluctant to admit that because such words given to
'ordinary' members would hurt their pride, their power and their prestige.
Faith and the gifts of healing are mentioned in the next
verse (v. 9), but how often is real faith exhibited in the Worldwide Church
of God today? Tragically, not very often (Luke 18:8).
When are members permitted to offer gifts of healing to
their brethren? When are members in the Worldwide Church of God encouraged
to offer physical help to their sick brethren? Or are they dissuaded from
doing good to others on the grounds that such would be interfering in the
lives of others? Or be misconstrued to be "putting pressure" on others to
accept forms of therapy the "church" would not want to "sanction"?
How far we have drifted from the love of Christ which
yearns to help others and which should not be quenched! (I Thes. 5:19, Jas.
4:17).
What about the power to work miracles? There are servants
of Christ today in the world who have raised the dead!! But they are
not in the Worldwide Church of God. [Benson Idahosa in Nigeria, inter-
national evangelist Reinhard Bonnke, Morris Cerullo, Benny Hinn, and
others]. They heal the sick too and cast out demons!! Something
Christ said can only be done through the power of God (Luke
11:14-20).
There may be many others too, for all we know, for God's
work is not exclusive, nor narrow. God knows ways to do His Work that we do
not know or understand. Indeed even while Christ was walking this earth
completing a major part of God's great plan the disciples encountered
another individual casting out demons in the name of Christ. The disciples
had told this man to cease doing so because they felt Christ had not
authorised him to do so. But Christ did not agree, and told the disciples to
leave this person to do his work, for it was His work. (Mark 9:38-41)
What about the gifts of tongues? That may often be
communication with angels (I Cor. 13:1). But these manifestations are
frowned upon and even condemned by the Worldwide Church of God. Yet God says
"none of them is without signification" (I Cor. 14:10). Tongues are a
sign (I Cor. 14:22). Tongues should not be forbidden, (as they were by Mr
Armstrong, see WCG booklet, "The Tongues Question") yet they have been and
remain forbidden today, besides which, the right environment for their
development and expression does not exist.
When have you witnessed definite, undeniable,
miraculous healings in the Worldwide Church of God? Or witnessed demons cast
out to free people from Satan's bondage? Such gifts were promised to ALL
who believe (Mark 16:17). Where are they? Others outside the WCG display
them! Why not in the WCG?
Does the Worldwide Church of God deny the power of God?
(II Tim. 3:5). It does, and you need to turn away from such (ibid.).
8) Where and what is God's True Church Today?
The Worldwide Church of God has in the past regarded
itself as the one and only true church of God. It has been exclusivist and
consequently judgemental towards others. Although they do not openly adopt
such a dogmatic approach today, do they understand where the True Church is?
The Bible nowhere says that the True Church will be one physical
organisation. Indeed it is not a physical organisation, but a
spiritual organisation. Consequently it is comprised of individuals from
several physical organisations, if those individuals are led
by the Spirit of Christ (Rom. 8:14).
This is one reason prophecy is directed to 7 churches
(Rev. 2 and 3) – signifying a perfect number of groups of God's people.
Moreover, some of God's chosen will be scattered and not allied with any
physical organisation. The link with God is spiritual, not physical, and it
is individual not through any physical organisation that calls itself a
'church'. The 'ecclesia' are 'called out' and not 'together led' as
'synagogue' of men means literally in the Greek. Being led together in a
physical church does not constitute true church membership, so the true
church cannot be one physical organisation.
Even now many different groups have "appeared" in diverse
parts of the world who have been quite separate from the groups mentioned in
the "History of the Church" series in the Plain Truth. They keep the Holy
Days and the Sabbath Day, together with the gospel teachings, and yet they
have not joined with the Worldwide Church of God, when they have become
aware of them. It is obviously not God's will that one group of people reach
out to the whole world, but that God will reach out to the whole world
through the individuals with whom He is working, in or out of an
organisation.
If there were only one physical organisation that
constitutes God's Church, why do these groups of true believers keep
'appearing' around the world in such diverse places as South America,
Central America, Transylvania, the Ukraine, China, Africa, the near East,
etc? Churches that are not dead spiritually, as 'Sardis', in the 1920's, but
very much alive!
Along with those who are true to God in 'the'
organisation are those who are not. The tares grow alongside the wheat
(Matt. 13:24-30). That is why two shall be in one bed, one shall be taken
and the other left (Luke 17:34). It is also why there are 'goats' together
with the 'sheep' (Matt. 25:32-33). (The type of goats and sheep talked of
here looked very similar and could not easily be distinguished from a
distance). You do not hear biblical warnings such as these expounded any
more in the Worldwide Church of God!
Revelation 2 and 3 also describes the spiritual pitfalls
weaknesses and traits we as Christians need to overcome. These
characteristics are present in every group of people, every church. But they
are also historically chronicled. For example, the Church starts with
'gusto' and first love (Ephesus), but ends in complacency and blindness
(Laodicea). This is an historical account. After all, prophecy is merely
history in reverse. God can run the whole 'play' backwards if He wants to –
and He has done in Revelation, for our benefit. If we believe Him we
can learn.
But it seems the Worldwide Church of God leadership do
not want to learn anymore, fulfilling their identity with the last era. For
they conveniently claim the concept of church 'eras' is not demonstrable and
is illogical. Why? Could it be that they don't want to be identified for
which era they are?
If it is not a legitimate implication of the meaning of
Rev. 2 and 3 then why is the wording to Sardis, "You have a name that you
live, but are dead" (Rev. 3:1) and, "You have a few names in Sardis who have
not defiled their garments..." (v. 4)? Prophecy is dual in meaning and
significance. True, it is not merely referring to 'eras', but more
importantly it is trying to warn us to beware the prevalence of the mortal
drift into complacency that will characterise the last era of the Church. It
is the tragic state of spirituality that will be prevalent at the very end.
God warns us so we can repent (Amos 3:7, Rev. 3:2, 3:19).
"Behold I (Christ) stand at the door and knock, if any
man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and dine with
him and he with me." (Rev. 3:20).
9) The 7000 year plan of God
Ps. 90:4 and II Pet. 3:8 reveal that one day can be to
God as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. [Archbishop] Usher
deduced Creation to be circa 4004 BC by genealogical studies of the
Scriptures and history. And the Bible reveals a Millennial day in Revelation
20 when the world will be at rest (Heb. 4:8-9), typified by the 7th day of
Creation week (Heb. 4:4).
We know Christ came approximately 4 BC and died 31 AD
[approx.], before He was spiritually resurrected. If the other 6 days of
Creation represent the 6000 years of man's toil from his beginning to the
start of the Millennium, we don't have long to go before that age ("aeon" –
Greek) begins.
The Worldwide Church of God now dismiss as fact the 7000
year plan (see page 25 Plain Truth, Oct. 1991), preferring to believe in the
fiction of radio-carbon dating and geological hypotheses. Radio-carbon
dating is not provable as accurate, and there is evidence to suggest that
all living organisms can vary the amounts of radioactivity present within
themselves [by their internal metabolic processes]. Moreover some organisms
can produce radioactive isotopes biologically. Some scientists openly
voice their scepticism of the dating technique.
The rate of decay of carbon 14 (Radioactive carbon) may
be constant now, but it may not have been constant throughout history. The
pre-flood world was different from today. The atmosphere was not the same as
today, for a start. It had never rained before the flood, as we experience
rain today (Gen. 2:6), so a rainbow did not become a phenomenon until after
the flood (Gen. 9:13). There is probably a much different exposure to
certain forms of radiation today than there was at that time – radiation
forms from the earth and radiation forms from 'space'. Hence we cannot rely
on the arch-deceiver (Rev. 12:9). He can easily make things appear to
be much older than they really are, by leading our supposed learned men of
science to false conclusions.
If we rely on man's reasoning and intellect rather than
having faith in the authenticity of the Bible we will trip up and
become deceived (Matt. 24:24).
Peter introduces the 1000 year analogy (II Pet. 3:8) with
the words, "... be not ignorant of this one thing". Apparently the WCG has
now become ignorant of this one thing. They have joined the ranks of the
scoffers Peter warned of in v. 3, deluding themselves and others (albeit
subtly!) that Christ's return is along way off (v. 4). Such complacency will
blind them to the imminence of Christ's return until it is too late (Matt.
25:11-12, 24:40).
10) Doctrinal changes are not openly discussed
The membership of the Worldwide Church of God are not
openly made aware of doctrinal changes and watering down of the Eternal
Truths of God's Word. Most are asleep to what is going on Notice Matt. 25:5
– all the virgins slumbered and slept!.
You have not been notified that books and booklets on
prophecy have been withdrawn from circulation, and that HQ recommends
prophecy is not preached or expounded from local church pulpits. Yet God's
Word says you ought to be able to rely on prophecy – "Whereunto you
do well that you take heed" (II Pet. 1:19). Why institute such a
silent philosophy? Because God has taken away His understanding from them
(Rom. 1:21).
The "Book of Revelation Unveiled at Last" is no longer
unveiled. The U.S. and Britain in Prophecy is no longer available. It has
been withdrawn. Nothing has been substituted to replace them.
"Mystery of the Ages" by H W Armstrong has been withdrawn
and thousands of copies were destroyed to prevent them being
circulated, whilst the membership were told it was not available because the
cost of re-editing and reprinting was too great. The memory and literature
of H. W. Armstrong is being systematically eradicated as fast as possible.
This of itself would not be wrong if new understanding from God's Word made
this necessary, but this is not the case, and Bible based revelation is
being withdrawn and is not being replaced by Truth.
The doors that were open to Philadelphia are one by one
being closed on Laodicea (Rev. 3:8). And the Worldwide Church of God seems
to want to conveniently and quietly blend into the sea of Protestant
denominations, until her light goes out.
That's why doctrines are being subtly compromised and why
you hear so many rumours and hints of changes to come. That's why WCG Media
Relations spokesman Michael Snyder, in an open and published interview with
representatives of other denominations, is prepared to state that
everything – all doctrine – is under review! What? Even the Eternal
Truths of God? [This is a prophetic warning! Remember, this was
written more than three years before WCG made more devastating
doctrinal changes!]
How are the mighty fallen!
The once powerful tool in God's Hands that should have
been a light to the world has become burned out, and scarcely a flicker of
light remains!
The time has come to refill those lamps with oil! (Matt.
25:6-9).
11) Doctrines of Demons
This prophecy in the letter to Timothy was inspired by
Jesus Christ for "the latter times" (I Tim. 4:1-2). Any who think these days
are not the "latter times" are either "blind" (Rev. 3:17) or "asleep" (Matt.
25:5). And true to His Word, God's people ARE being bombarded today
by doctrines of demons in the very church that once clung so tenaciously to
God's Truth!
The words of v. 2 that are used to elucidate the intended
meaning of doctrines of demons are very revealing. The Greek word usually
rendered "lie" is "pseudos". But in Tim 4:1-2 God
is trying to convey an important point to the hearer. A unique expression is
used, "pseudologos" meaning "speaking lies", in hypocrisy (from "hupokrisis").
The lies that are hardest to detect are slight twists of
the truth. So slight that they still sound like the truth and are virtually
indistinguishable from it. Satan knows full well that blatant lies will be
too obvious for God's people to trip up over.
But shading the real truth, just sufficient to alter the
spiritual intent of the teaching, is his aim. By such methods he can inject
sufficient error into God's Truth to cause it to cease to be the pure Word
of God. It becomes heresy and causes God's people to stumble.
We are amply warned in scripture to beware of false
teachers who would deceive us if we do not take with us the full armour of
God mentioned in Eph. 6. (Matt. 24:4,12; Matt. 7:15-20; Acts 20:29-30; II
Cor. 11:13-15; II Thes. 2; II Tim. 4:3-4; I Tim. 1:4, 6:3-6; Titus 3:9-10;
Jas. 1:25-27; II Pet. 2:1-3; I Jn. 2:18,24; II Jn. 6-7; III Jn. 9-11, Jude
4, 10-12,18; Rev. 3:20). Satan and his demons' main target is to deceive
God's church and thereby thwart God's purpose. He will try to achieve this
through any human stooges he can get hold of, who will "change the truth of
God into a lie" (Rom. 1:25).
To assume that just because you are physically a
part of "the church", therefore cannot be deceived by such clever deception,
would be as fallacious as it was for Adam and Eve to assume that because
they were physically protected in the "garden" they were equally
exempt from Satan's subtle tactics. The battle being waged is not one for
you as a physical member of any church, but an unseen, unfelt, 'undetected'
spiritual battle for control of your mind!
You must guard your mind by filling it with God's Word,
so you can ward off Satan's masterly attacks (Eph. 6:17). Make no mistake,
he has perfected such deception to a fine art. He has had millennia to do
so.
Just as he deceived Adam and Eve with a subtle twist of
the truth which ultimately destroyed them physically, Satan is managing to
deceive "the very elect" (Matt. 24:24) – with the intent of destroying us
spiritually!
Well? Are YOU awake ?
Remember. Worship God with all your MIND! (Mark
12:30).
Notice these words of insight from an old Commentary by
Henry and Scott (1841). "The Spirit, in both the Old and New Testaments,
spake expressly of the general apostasy from the faith of Christ, and the
pure worship of God. This should come in the latter times .... in the
following ages of the Church, for the mystery of iniquity now began to
work.... Giving heed to seducing spirits; men who pretended to the Spirit...
giving heed to doctrines concerning demons; doctrines which teach the
worship of ... mortal men.... This apostasy will be promoted by the
hypocrisy of those that speak lies ... professing honour to Christ, yet
opposing all His offices, and corrupting or profaning all His
ordinances...!
"The habit of villainy under the pretence of piety, would
harden their consciences."
The commentary exposes the reason for such subtle heresy,
"...thus keeping up AUTHORITY over men's consciences." i.e. controlling
them.
Continuing, "the apostle states the doctrine of Christian
liberty which we enjoy under the gospel ... it is now taken away. False
teachers are most ready to forbid as evil what God has allowed; and to
command as a duty, what He has left indifferent." (Pg. 361)
Familiar philosophy to many in the Worldwide Church of
God! The following excerpt from the same book reveals a trait of certain
ministers that will be similarly familiar to many WCG members. "We should
take heed of pride: it is a sin that turned angels into demons. The pride
and ambition of ministers on account of their office, gifts, popularity, or
success, are of a similar nature to the pride of Satan"!! (Commentary on
Romans to Revelation by Henry and Scott, Pg. 358).
"For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb,
and her mouth is smoother than oil. But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp
as a two-edged sword..." (Pr. 5:3-4). God is figuratively describing His
people being beguiled by false teachings of a church. Read on.
"Her feet go down to death: her steps take hold on hell.
Lest you should ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable
(changes, changes, changes?!) that you cannot know them!
"Hear me now therefore, O children, and depart not from
the words of my mouth. Remove your way far from her and come not
nigh the door of her house.
"Lest you give your honour to others, and you years to
the cruel: Lest strangers be filled with your wealth; and your labours be in
the house of a stranger.
"And you mourn at the last, when your flesh and your body
are consumed. And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart
despised reproof; and have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor
inclined my ear to them that instructed me." (Pr. 5:5-13)
Will you listen and heed?
This is a warning from God!
"I was almost in all evil in the MIDST OF THE
CONGREGATION AND THE ASSEMBLY" (Pr. 5:14).
12) LOVE
The most important biblical teaching – the pinnacle of
God's purpose of creation in mankind – agape, God's true love, is no longer
correctly expounded or more importantly, widely felt in the Worldwide Church
of God. Yet, this is the main sign Jesus said would identify His
followers to the world around them (Jn. 13:35). Is there sufficient evidence
to 'incriminate' you? Does your "light" shine? Or do you want to
conveniently blend in to the world so your "fruits" go unnoticed?
The Worldwide Church of God cannot be told apart from
other churches in this regard. It is not a beacon or a city set on a hill
(Matt. 5:14-16). Nor is it sounding an alarm (Is. 58:1; 40:3) as all the
prophets used by God have been called to do.
Demonstrations of love can be seen from others outside
the WCG that may even shame many who claim true discipleship! But just as
most of the religious authorities in Jesus' day were a sham, so it is true
today.
That should not shock us, if we recognise Christ's
prophecies to His people. He predicted that love would wax cold within His
Church (Matt. 24:12). This prophecy was not for the world; it was a warning
for His people in the latter days (notice the "you" in vs. 4, 9 and 25).
Moreover the Greek word here translated "love" is "agape" – God's love, so
He could not be referring to the world who do not know God's love. The Bible
is primarily written for our benefit – those with whom God is
working.
Is He working in your life? Or is your love waxing cold?
You can prevent it (I Pet. 1:5-10).
But why should love in the church wax cold? (Matt. 24:12)
Because of iniquity becoming prevalent in the church (same verse) –
SIN! Whose sin?
The sins of those who spread heresies (I Cor. 11:19) that
masquerade as God's truth. The sins of men who are corrupt (Jude 4, 10-12),
who make out they are doing what God wants when they are intent on doing
evil (the doctrine of Balaam – Jude 11, Numbers 16). The sins of the leaders
in the church who are merely men-pleasers (Jude 16) not God-pleasers!
(Hirelings! Jn. 10:12) God places much blame on the leadership (Is. 3:12).
Don't forget, "a little leaven leavens the whole lump"!
(I Cor. 5:6, Gal 5:9).
Whom do you want to please? Whom do you want to follow?
Men or God?
Do you want to follow men who enact heartless policies,
devoid of agape, in casting out true members (Is. 66:5) in order to
subjugate the rest of the membership (Is. 52:1-5) and hold on to illicit
reigns of power? Men who prescribe policies that scatter the sheep (Jn.
10:12) and who do not go after the lost sheep to reconcile them and bring
them back to the fold (Luke 15:4-7; Jas. 5:19-20).
Christ is the Good Shepherd (Jn. 10:14) and he knows
His sheep. He seeks the lost sheep (Luke 15:4), and they hear His voice
(Jn. 10:14, 27). Christ knows who the hirelings are (Jn 10:12) who have
infiltrated the church (Jn. 10:1) and He will warn His sheep.
You are now warned (I Kings 19:12).
"Six things the Eternal hates, yes seven He loathes:
Haughty eyes (pride), a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a mind
with crafty plans, feet that run to mischief, a false witness that tells
lies, and he who sows discord among brethren. (Prov. 6:16-19)
Messrs Suckling and Sullivan are guilty of spiritually
perpetrating all these crimes within the very church that should be
protecting and caring for God's people. And such evils have been covered up
and condoned by the higher administration.
Where is the love of God?
Isaiah 52:1-5 is a prophecy directed to the end time
church who is told to AWAKE (v. 1) to the fact she is being held captive (v.
2) by the unconverted (vs. 1 and 5). She is abused by her rulers (v. 5) but
puts up with it (v. 3) thinking that is expected of her. Little does she
realize that God commands her to RISE UP against her captors control, and
deliver herself from her captivity (v. 2).
By remaining in such a corrupt system she condones the
very BLASPHEMIES that insult the holy name of the Mighty God, DAILY!! (Is.
52:5)
You now know the truth. What are you going to do about
it?
You have been alerted to the enemy within – a corrupt
government of men who masquerade as Christ's appointed but who are
nothing of the sort. Revelation 2:9 and 3:9 identify them as the Synagogue
of Satan! ("Together led" of Satan!)
Do you want to remain a part of a Satanic "synagogue"?
