In the world of Armstrongism the doctrine of the King of the South has had a long and muddled history. Before World War II Herbert W. Armstrong (HWA) said Ethiopia was the King of the South. Fascist Italy's conquest of Ethiopia in 1936-7 was interpreted by HWA to be the fulfillment of Daniel 11:40. HWA taught that Mussolini was the Beast who would forge Europe into an unstoppable military superpower that would conquer the United States and Britain. Later HWA changed his mind and said Hitler fulfilled this role. (Naturally these were false prophesies.) Even after Hitler died HWA and his collaborators such as Roderick C. Meredith insisted that Hitler simply went into hiding, even as late as 1965.
After World War II HWA continued to teach that Ethiopia was the King of the South, as may be seen in his booklet, The Middle East in Prophecy. That booklet, published in 1948, 1954 and 1972, made no mention of a future King of the South. (Incidentally PCG's Stephen Flurry plagiarized that booklet in 1998.)
But what use was the King of the South doctrine unless it could be used to make WCG lay members fearful of the future? And so in time, beginning in the 1960s, other leaders of Armstrong's following, such as Garner Ted Armstrong and Keith Stump, began to teach that there would be a future King of the South. But unlike PCG today they were inclined to say the King of the South would arise among the Arabs.
As Tkach began to implement his changes within WCG after HWA's death in 1986 many WCG members left wishing to continue following HWA's teachings. PCG was simply one of many such groups that arose during this turbulent time. Early on Gerald Flurry claimed to be the bearer of "new revelation" that HWA did not know about and introduced various doctrines to PCG and altered not a few teachings from HWA's WCG. One of these "new revelations" Flurry introduced that made PCG stand out from the other COG groups was his declaration that Iran was the King of the South. This change appears to have occurred in 1994. Even though in the Bible south meant south of what is now the State of Israel and by that Biblical standard Iran is east, not south, PCG quickly embraced this doctrine.
Ever since then PCG has constantly demonized and stirred up anger and fear of Iran in order to convince readers that Gerald Flurry is the one man God is working through. When the terrorist attacks of 9/11 occurred PCG shamefully used that tragedy to demonize Iran as the "head of the snake" and to say that Iran was the main source of troubles for the United States in the Middle East. PCG's writers also constantly claim Iran is preparing to make nuclear weapons. Many news events are presented as evidence of Iran's rise and Iran will help plunge America into a most frightful catastrophe in order to glorify their leader as a prophet.
(PCG actually teaches that a German-led European super power will destroy America and Britain nevertheless PCG's writers try very hard to frighten their readers that other countries, including Iran, are to be feared as well.)
Amazingly PCG's writers, as far as I can tell, have never talked about the overthrow of Mohammad Mosaddegh in 1953. How short sighted is that? Maybe later events involving Iran would make more sense to PCG's writers if they paid more attention to that shameful and tragic event.
If any Iranians read this I would just like to say that the Philadelphia Church of God is not important within the United States. It is a small sect that seem to be composed of about 5000 members. (They tend to be quite secretive about such matters.) PCG's writers stir up fear about Iran because they are trying to scare their predominantly American followers into thinking nuclear World War III is just about to occur. They do this in order to scare PCG members into giving lots of money to PCG. In 2012 PCG made $19.5 million in income largely by peddling such fear mongering nonsense and telling their followers that they must pay lots of money to PCG in order to please God. PCG is trying to make money out of their predominantly American followers. That is the real reason why PCG's writers talk of Iran so irresponsibly.
Also most Americans do not want war with Iran. Most Americans are not like these chickenhawks. Actually PCG actually orders their followers not to join the armed forces. This is a doctrine they inherited from HWA who plagiarized that doctrine from the Jehovah's Witnesses. Yet hypocritically PCG's writers and leaders irresponsibly glorify war to their shame and do so in an irresponsible way.
There are problems in Iran, some of them quite serious, but ultimately the Iranian people must solve these issues for themselves.
There is no need for the United States to go to war with Iran. There are non-violent ways to resolve problems between the United States and Iran and these non-violent paths should be followed, not war.
*******
Here are some of the articles PCG has made demonizing Iran. A few quotes and comments are included as well. Whenever possible authors are listed but many articles are written anonymously.
1998
August
Merchants of Death by J. Tim Thompson
2001
November
The Head of the Snake by Joel Hilliker
2003
May
Helping Iran Go Nuclear
June
Is Iraq About to Fall to Iran? by Gerald Flurry
Prophecy Comes Alive in Iraq! by Joel Hilliker
November
Why We Cannot Win the War Against Terrorism by Gerald Flurry
2004
September-October
Hezbollah-Palestinian Alliance Exposed by Donna Fraser
December
The Coming War Between Catholicism and Islam by Gerald Flurry
2005
January
Election Rigging, Iran Style by Joel Hilliker
February
The Precious Jewel of Iran's Plan by Joel Hilliker
July
Iraq, Iran Announce Military Cooperation by Joel Hilliker
Evidence of Iran’s Conquest of Iraq
September-October
The New Islamic Superpower by Joel Hilliker
December
Russia, China Stand Up to EU
2006
February
Oil Bourse to Strengthen Prestige of Europe, Iran
March
Why Iran Can Afford to Be Insane by Brad MacDonald
May
Exposing Iran's Lies by Timothy Oostendarp
Iran is King by Brad MacDonald
July
The Only Solution to the Middle East Crisis by Gerald Flurry
August
Iran Seeks Global Anti-U.S. Axis
September
The Only Solution to the Mideast Crisis by Gerald Flurry
Venezuela Allies With America’s Enemies by Robert Morley
November-December
Lighting Iran's Fuse by Ron Fraser
November
Imperial Iran
December
Iran Moves to Dominate Middle East by Joel Hilliker
2007
January
Rafsanjani on the Rise in Iran
The Architect of the Iraqi Insurgency
March
The U.S. Looks to Iran for Iraq Solution
April
UN Selects Iran and Syria for Disarmament Commission Posts
May
Should America Ally With Arabs Against Iran? by Joel Hilliker and Timothy Oostendarp
Peace Through Diplomacy: Can It Work? by Brad MacDonald
June
Iran Flashes Trump Card, Again
July
Japan Drops Dollar to Buy Iran’s Oil by Robert Morley
Iran, Russia About to Sign Massive Arms Deal
August-September
Iran Threatens to Strike Back at U.S.
August
Iran Muzzles and Executes Dissenters Under Sharia Law by Robert Morley
German Banks Terminate Business With Iran
September
Egypt and Iran Ally Against Potential U.S. Military Action
October
Negotiating With Terrorists by Stephen Flurry
November
Is the Syria-Iran Alliance Beginning to Crack? by Stephen Flurry
(Little did Stephen Flurry know in just a few years the Syrian people would rise up to resist Assad's tyranny and Assad ran to Iran and received all kinds of assistance from them, including getting fighters from Hezbollah to fight and die in Syria to protect Assad's tyrannical privilege and power while being indoctrinated to believe they fight for a noble cause. Clearly Stephen Flurry does not know what he is talking about.)
December
Russia Delivers First Shipment of Nuclear Fuel to Iran
Enriched Confidence: Post-NIE Iran
Ahmadinejad: U.S. Report a “Victory” for Iran
2008
January
Nuclear Iran Means Nuclear War by Gerald Flurry
Pakistan and the Shah of Iran by Gerald Flurry
Iran and Latin America Developing “Narco-Terrorism”
Merkel: Must Protect Israel
February
America Is Copying Chamberlain’s Mistakes by Gerald Flurry
Iran Inaugurates New Space Center, Launches Rocket
March
Iran-Egypt Alliance Prophesied by Gerald Flurry
May
Iran Conquered Lebanon, Now What? by Gerald Flurry
Israel: Iran Could Have Nuclear Weapons by Summer 2009
Washington Upset Over Iran-Europe Energy Deal
Syria Reaffirms Loyalty to Iran
June
Syria Helped Iran Develop Weapons-Grade Plutonium
August
Iran Conquered Lebanon--Now What? by Joel Hilliker and Gerald Flurry
2009
January
Iran Sends Explosives Lab to Venezuela
February
Iran Launches First Satellite
March
Iraq Sides with Iran by Richard Palmer
Iran Slaps America’s Friendly Hand
July
PA Holds First-Ever Meeting With Iran by David Vejil
August
How President Obama’s Cairo Speech Will Shake the Nations by Gerald Flurry
September-October
Surrendering to Iran by Stephen Flurry
September
Why Trouble in Iran Will Lead to War by Joel Hilliker
(This is a false prophecy. The pro-democracy protests of 2009 did not lead to war. Clearly PCG's leaders do not know what they are talking about.)
October
Who Bombed Pan Am Flight 103? by Stephen Flurry
December
Iran Sends Message to Iraq—and U.S.
2010
January
9/11 and the Head of the Terrorist Snake by Stephen Flurry
Iraqi Prime Minister Caves to Iran
Iran, Turkmenistan Launch New Gas Pipeline
February
Iran: The German Solution by Brad MacDonald
Leader of Iranian Militant Group Arrested
Ten Fulfilled Prophecies
April
Man Does Not Know His Greatest Enemy by Gerald Flurry
(Flurry wrote the following in this article:
Man is facing total annihilation of all human life, perhaps in a decade or less. That is especially true when you consider the mad leader of Iran, who is about to get nuclear weapons and is eager to use them. Iran is by far the greatest terrorist-sponsoring nation in this nuclear world—madness that no nation or group of nations has been willing to take a stand against—yet. The country’s leader, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, believes a nuclear war would hasten the return of his version of the Messiah.This is a false prophecy. What Flurry did not know is that soon afterwards Ahmadinejad would lose the confidence of the Supreme Leader and later be replaced.)
August
Is Iraq About to Fall to Iran? by Joel Hilliker
October
Iran Takes Over OPEC by Robert Morley
December
Iran Gets Pushy with Pakistan
2011
January
The History Iran Forgot by Brad MacDonald
Iran-Backed Hezbollah Topples Lebanon’s Government by David Vejil
Iran: Main Supplier of Weapons to Hamas
February
Iran Provokes—Germany Reacts by Ron Fraser
March
Why Iran Is Sweating Bullets by Brad MacDonald
Iranian-Backed Insurgents Call for an Islamic Revolution in Ethiopia by Andrew Miller
Saudi-Iranian Conflict Builds in Bahrain
Iranian Propaganda Film Claims Jerusalem Is About to Be Conquered
April
Libya and Ethiopia Reveal Iran’s Military Strategy by Gerald Flurry
Prophecy Comes Alive in Egypt!
May-June
A Mysterious Prophecy by Gerald Flurry
(This article was discussed in a previous post.)
May
Iran Working on Nuclear Trigger
U.S. to Be in Range of Iran’s Nukes?
July
Pakistan Draws Closer to Iran
August
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Commander Becomes OPEC President
Iran Protects Centrifuges Inside Mountain
The Man Who Rules Iraq
September
Iran Helped Plan 9/11 by Joel Hilliker
(This article was discussed in a previous post.)
October
Egypt and Libya to Join Iran’s Terror Network by Gerald Flurry
November
Germany Mulls War With Iran by Ron Fraser
North Korea Helping Iran With Nuclear Program
2012
January
Europe, Iran and Bible Prophecy Come Alive in the Strait of Hormuz! by Brad MacDonald
Iran Wants War. It Is About to Get One. by Joel Hilliker
February
Want War? Then Continue Ignoring Iran by Brad MacDonald
Iran Offers to Invest in Egypt
Iran Developing Missiles to Reach Europe and U.S.
March
Iran, Radical Islamists Taking Over North Africa by Brad MacDonald
‘Iran Wouldn’t Use the Bomb’ by Richard Palmer
May
Iran Establishes Military Presence in Iraq
Iran Makes Territorial Stand
July
Iran and the 'End of Days' by Brad MacDonald
Iran’s Largest Fireworks Display Yet by Stephen Flurry
Eritrea in Iran’s Crosshairs by Stephen Flurry
August
Egypt Shifting Away From Israel, Toward Iran by Richard Palmer
British Bank Caught Laundering Money for Iran
Iran Holds Meeting on Conquest of Jerusalem
Iran’s Nuclear Program Intended to ‘Finish Off’ Israel, Says Hezbollah M.P.
Morsi to Attend Tehran Conference
Intelligence Estimate: Iran’s Nukes Nearly Immune From Israeli Strike
September-October
Egypt Unites With Iran and Fulfills a Bible Prophecy by Gerald Flurry
September
A Dramatic Break from Iran by Richard Palmer
Is Iran a Security Threat to Canada? by Jerry Ozipko
Why Would the Muslim Brotherhood Want to Ally With Shiite Iran? by Andrew Miller
Attacks in Libya, Egypt Confirm Link With Iran by Joel Hilliker
What an Iranian Bomb Means for This World by Gerald Flurry
Ayatollah Khamenei Posters in Iraq Display Iran’s Influence
Iran: Israel Has ‘No Roots’ in Middle Eastern History
Tensions Mount in the Strait of Hormuz
October
As Western Sanctions Bite, Iran Seeks Greater Trade With Egypt
Iran Withdraws Troops From Syria
December
The Truth Revealed in the Benghazi Attack by Gerald Flurry
Is Iran Infiltrating the United States With Terrorist Sleeper Cells? by Andrew Miller
Iran and Israel Vie for Influence in Eritrea
Iran Wants to Own Both Persian Gulf and Red Sea
2013
January
Sanctions on Iran Bringing Terror Closer to the U.S.
Iranian ‘Fleet’ to Patrol Mediterranean
February
34 Years of Iran by Callum Wood
(What a terrible title! Iran has existed as a people and a nation for thousands of years.)
Iran Accelerates Nuclear Program by Anthony Chibarirwe
Why Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Is Right by Callum Wood
Netanyahu: North Korea Proves Iran Will Continue Nuclear Program
March
Iran’s Dual Path to Nuclear Arms
Iran Tests, Gaza Fires
April
Guttenberg Challenges Berlin on Iran, Israel by Ron Fraser
U.S. Influence in Iraq Continues to Diminish by Callum Wood
May
Iran Sidesteps Sanctions With Smuggling and Drug Trafficking
Iran Chairs the UN Conference on Disarmament
Iran Continues Push Into Jerusalem
The Whirlwind
June
Will Iran Try to Take Over Nigeria? by Richard Palmer
2012: Iran Sponsors More Terror, ‘Pushes’ Harder by Callum Wood
Iran Counters the U.S. and Underestimates Europe by Callum Wood
Melanie Phillips Exposes Britain’s Stupor by Brad MacDonald
Hasan Rowhani: The Moderate Extremist by Callum Wood
July
The Whirlwind Prophecy by Gerald Flurry
Was Iran Behind the Benghazi Attack? by Richard Palmer
Why Saudi Arabia Can’t Afford to Lose in Syria by Callum Wood
August
Iranian President Rowhani’s Extremist ‘Path of Moderation’ by Anthony Chibarirwe
September
Iran’s Battle for Africa by Richard Palmer
October
Iran to Negotiate With Germany, UN Security Council by Richard Palmer
Germany Works to Create ‘Counterbalance’ to Iran by Callum Wood
Is Iran About to Lose Its Proxy Hamas? by Brent Nagtegaal
Germany—the Middle East’s Middle Man by Richard Palmer
November
Saudi Arabia Buys Pakistani Nukes by Callum Wood
British Prime Minister Phones Iran, Renews Diplomatic Ties
December
Iran Claims to Have Designed Ballistic Missiles by Callum Wood
Iran Forges 'Pact of Friendship' with Afghanistan by Callum Wood
Deadly Diplomacy: Handing Our Power to Iran by Callum Wood
Geneva Won’t Stop Iran From Exploiting Loopholes by Callum Wood
The Most Shameful Phone Call in American History by Gerald Flurry
The Geneva Deal Is Worse Than You Know by Brad MacDonald
2014
January
Russian Trade to Empower Iran by Callum Wood
Broken Promises: Iran Ignores the Geneva Deal by Callum Wood
Iran's Looming Presence in the Middle East by Callum Wood
Iran’s Shah Cooperated With Herbert W. Armstrong by Gareth Fraser
Saudi Arabia’s $3 Billion Bid for Lebanon by Brent Nagtegaal
Conquering the Holy Land
(Also relevant to this topic is this post: Stephen Flurry on the Situation in Fallujah, Iraq.)
February
The Unthinkable Will Happen! by Gerald Flurry
(Gerald Flurry writes the following in this article.
Iran is already the strongest Muslim nation. It is the king among Islamic states. It has repeatedly, boldly proclaimed its hatred of the U.S. and its intention to destroy Israel. Immediately after the Geneva deal was struck, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, called Israel the “rabid dog” of the Middle East and said the Jews were doomed to destruction! This man leads the nation that the Western world wants to trust with nuclear power!This is largely demagogic nonsense. In fact many Arab states are greatly suspicious and fearful of Iran.)
Iran Is Ready to Build the Bomb by Callum Wood
Is Iran the Enemy? by Callum Wood
Iran Exposes America’s Geneva Lies by Callum Wood
The Bloody Cedar Revolution Approaches in Lebanon by Brent Nagtegaal
March
Turkey Fights Syria, Enrages Iran by Callum Wood
Iran: Russia's Trump Card by Brad MacDonald
Ignoring the Murderer Next Door by Callum Wood
Spent in Vain by Callum Wood
History According to an Ayatollah by Callum Wood
April
Is Iran Setting Itself Up for an Attack? by Don Jacques
Iran Undermines Nuke Deal, Yet Funds Released Anyway by Callum Wood
America's Two Options with Iran by Callum Wood
Israel Wants Persia Back, Not Iran by Callum Wood
May-June
Why You Need to Watch Lebanon by Gerald Flurry
May
Khamenei Calls for More Ballistic Missiles by Callum Wood
June
Iran Needs More Time by Callum Wood
Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei Confident U.S. Has Given Up on Military Attack by Anthony Chibarirwe
Three Reasons Why Iran Is the ‘King of the South’ of Bible Prophecy
America Urges Mortal Enemy to Save Iraq
July
How Much Longer Will Sanctions on Iran Last? by Sam Livingston
August
Gaza War: Iran Rallies Muslims Against Israel by Anthony Chibarirwe
Just What is Iran Up To? by Anthony Chibarirwe
America’s Southern Border: A Terrorist’s Open Door by Kiall Lorenz
War in Gaza Reveals Divide in Muslim World
Iran Quietly Arming in the Strait of Hormuz by Callum Wood
September
Iran Rejects Offer to Join Coalition in Iraq by Callum Wood
Playing Both Sides in Syria
The King of the South is King Mswati III of Swaziland, a country located in southern Africa and surrounded almost entirely by South Africa. It is the world's southernmost kingdom. South Africa itself extends farther south, and as a commonwealth nation it could be considered a monarchy, but the relationship of South Africa to the British monarchy is a little murky since South Africa was in the British Commonwealth and then out of it and then in it again. However, even if the Queen of England is considered the head of state of South Africa, that nation could not possibly be the King of the South since 1) Elizabeth is a not a king but a queen, and 2) the white population in South Africa is descended from the Ten Lost Tribbles --- uh, I mean Tribes. So yes, King Mswati III is definitely the King of the South. Forget Iran.
ReplyDeleteNever thought about that. Good point, k-baradanikto.
ReplyDelete