Roe v. Wade Overthrown

Politico broke the story. The US Supreme Court is set to overturn Roe v. Wade and let the individual states decide how to manage abortion instead of following the 49 year old precedent of respecting abortion as a right guaranteed by the federal government.

It is reasonable to assume that the Armstrongite groups will be pleased with this development. Similar to evangelical churches and the Roman Catholic Church the Armstrongites tend to teach that abortion is forbidden within their religion. (Fred Dattolo, "Is Abortion Murder?," Tomorrow's World, March-April 2001, pp. 14-17.) At times LCG even compare abortion to the Holocaust even though most American Jews support abortion being legal. (Douglas S. Winnail, "Abortion: A Modern Holocaust?," Tomorrow's World, March-April 2005, pp. 10-13, 29.) But despite this stance it does appear that the old WCG did encourage abortion under certain extreme circumstances as is evident in an article for The Plain Truth which was published in 1985.

Having read the draft opinion by Justice Alito it cannot help but be noted that there is little discussion about the inevitable negative effects of such a ruling upon women in the United States. One cannot help but think about Savita Halappanavar, a woman who died on October 28, 2012 in Ireland after her request for an abortion was denied. The outcry over her death help lead Ireland into legalizing abortion. 

Also noteworthy is what happened to Agnieszka T., a woman in Poland who died of sepsis after being denied an abortion on January 25, 2022. She was the mother of three children. Recently Poland passed a law making abortion very difficult to get. Because of that restrictive law tragic events like this are now happening in Poland.

Knowing of such events it seems certain that harrowing events like this will happen in the United States once a ruling allowing states to restrict abortion is made law. It is to be wondered at if the right wing judges in the US Supreme Court are not worried about these consequences of their ruling.

(Knowing how passionately views are held on this issue on both sides I am not interested in trying to change peoples' religious views on abortion. Many unconnected to Armstrongism also condemn abortion. So if one were to criticize the anti-abortion stance such a person would be criticizing many other people outside of the Armstrongite groups. On this blog I wish to focus on Armstrongism. But I cannot help but express sadness at what will inevitably occur under laws that severely restricts access to abortion. We need to see things as they are, not what we wish them to be.)

Overview of the September-October 2017 Issue of LCG's Tomorrow's World Magazine

LCG publishes a recruitment magazine with the intention of gaining more triple tithes paying converts to join the organization behind that recruitment magazine, the Living Church of God. LCG has released a new issue of that recruitment magazine (September-October 2017).

Let's take a look at what LCG's leadership have to say this time.

The editors are Gerald Weston, Richard Ames, Wallace Smith, Gary Ehman, John Robinson, Robert Tyler, Stuart Wachowicz, Adam West and William Williams.

This issue has a circulation of 293,000. For July-August 2017 it was 282,000. For May-June 2017 it was 355,000. For March-April 2017 it was 417,000. For January-February 2017 it was 412,000. More circulation figures may be seen in a previous post.

The magazine continues to reprint a narrative which was originally published back in 1958 written by the late Roderick C. Meredith vilifying the mainstream Protestant churches as illegitimate by condemning the initial leaders of the Protestant Reformation.

It is evident how old this narrative is by noting the books cited in this article.

• Alzog, Johannes. Manual of Universal Church History. 1878.

• Bainton, Roland. Here I Stand. 1978.

• Bettenson, Henry. Documents of the Christian Church. 1950.

• Fisher, George. History of the Christian Church. 1887.

• Hausser, Ludwig. The Period of the Reformation. 1873.

• Hurlburt, Jesse Lyman. The Story of the Christian Church. 1918.

• Orchard, G. H. (George Herbert.) A Concise History of Foreign Baptists. [Volume 1 of this narrative dates back to 1855.]

• Vedder, Henry C. A Short History of the Baptists. 1907.

• Walker, Williston. A History of the Christian Church. 1918. [Link omitted due to quality issue with at least one previously offered source.]

It is so strange seeing how Meredith cited these old sources when making his polemic delegitimizing the mainstream Protestant churches. Many of them were quite old when this narrative was first published in 1958.

Michael Heykoop has a little article condemning mixed martial arts.

Gerald Weston has an article discussing juvenile delinquency.

Douglas Winnail has a little article insisting that the rise of the British Empire was God's will even though he lives in a nation which gained independence only after being compelled to wage war upon the British authorities for eight years.

Richard Ames has an article scare mongering about the possibility of the annihilation of humanity by nuclear warfare.

Simon R. D. Roberts has a little article discussing the Duke of Edinburgh's Awards and the recent retirement of the Duke of Edinburgh from public duties.

The Question and Answers insists the vision mentioned in Acts 10 does not abolish restrictions regarding meats mentioned in the Old Testament. LCG teaches that Old Testament restrictions regarding meats are still to be observed by Christians today.

Jonathan McNair has a little article calling upon parents to give their children chores to do.

Wyatt Ciesielka has an article talking about terrorism and insisting that the problem of Al Qaeda-like extremism will be solved after Christ returns.

There are letters printed. Out of the six published only one originates from the United States.

Here's one letter from Jamaica from a person commenting on Meredith's death.

I regret the passing of Dr. Roderick C. Meredith. I have been listening to him for over 20 years on radio and TV and have joined the Tomorrow’s World Magazine Bible studies, so I have come to know him and love him. To his family and many friends, be encouraged, we will see him again in the life to come. I will know him personally then.

Here's a letter from the Philippines.

Please continue my free subscription of Tomorrow’s World Magazine. It’s very interesting to read. I’ve learned a lot about world events through the eye of Bible prophecy, and about what is going on in our troubled world as we face unprecedented dangers and crises and the time of Jesus Christ’s return draws nearer. So, please continue my subscription, for I want to be one of those who follows our Savior’s instruction to “watch and pray” (Luke 21:36) as we approach the end of the age.  

May I request also from your good office a free copy of your informative booklets [booklet which calls for the observance of Jewish holy days mentioned in Leviticus 23 as interpreted by LCG], [a booklet which implies that only LCG is the true church] and [a booklet insisting that the final Pope will be a miracle worker who will prop up a future European empire.]

Here's a letter from Australia questioning LCG's doctrine of soul sleep, the teaching that once one dies he or she enters a state of unconsciousness until resurrected in various resurrections in the future. This idea is also present in other Adventist churches originating from the Millerites of the 1830s-1840s such as the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

In a recent TV programme you spoke about people who die not going directly to be with their Heavenly Father but sleeping until the resurrection. In Ecclesiastes 12 at the end of verse 5 we read, “Then man goes to his eternal home.” Also verse 7 says, “and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” Surely we are a Spirit rather than a Soul? In Matthew, we read about the transfiguration of Jesus where there appeared Moses and Elijah. I would appreciate your comments on these scriptures.

LCG naturally insists that their interpretation is correct. They say the human spirit is in humans but not a human and that it is not conscious. They say the transfiguration was only a vision which did not literally happen. Here is part of their response.

The Bible says that there is a spirit in man, not that he is one (e.g., Job 32:8). And while our spirit does return to God upon our death, it does not represent a “conscious entity” of any sort, as Ecclesiastes itself makes plain, stating that “the dead know nothing” (Ecclesiastes 9:5)—an observation verified by many other passages. And Jesus clearly described the event in which Peter, James and John saw the future, glorified bodies of Moses and Elijah as a vision, and not as a current reality (Matthew 17:9).

Here's a letter from Ontario insisting that Canada is becoming increasingly intolerant towards this person's views.

I find the changes in morality today disturbing. But as you say, the knowledge of a future world ruled by Christ, when peace will be the Law of the land, gives me comfort and faith in a very challenging society that is becoming more intolerant to Christian ideals.

And so we see that LCG's leadership have produced another issue of their recruitment magazine to attempt to get more people to join their organization and to persuade once again to their members that LCG's leadership is worthy of being followed and accepting their tithes. There is no need to follow LCG to become a Christian.

***

LCG and many of the other COGs insist nothing can be done to improve the Earth until Christ returns. We must not live in despair or think that our efforts are useless. The COGs are wrong to be so pessimistic. But there are many opportunities to help people and improve society. For instance helping people in need because of Hurricane Harvey.

Here Are Ways You Can Help People During Hurricane Harvey.

How to get (and offer) help after Hurricane Harvey.

Overview of the July-August 2017 Issue of LCG's Tomorrow's World Magazine

LCG publishes a recruitment magazine with the intention of gaining more triple tithes paying converts to join the organization behind that recruitment magazine, the Living Church of God. LCG has released a new issue of that recruitment magazine (July-August 2017).

Let's take a look at what LCG's leadership have to say.

There is no mention in this recruitment magazine of the matter of Republican legislators trying to pass a bill which, if passed, would take away the health insurance of 22 million Americans. Many of those who read this recruitment magazine will lose their health insurance if that proposed bill passes and LCG's leaders have nothing to say about that very important matter in this issue.

This issue has a circulation of 282,000 issues. This is a dramatic decline from a circulation of 539,000 issues which was enjoyed by the March-April 2016 issue. This issue's figure is by far the lowest circulation figure LCG's recruitment magazine has revealed since they started noting its circulation figures back in 2014. (See the circulation figures at the end of this post.)

Gerald Weston has a personal article remembering Roderick C. Meredith after his death on May 18, 2017. The article contains the following statement.

He chose the latter, and—at age 62—he began the Global Church of God in 1993, later to be known as the Living Church of God, in an effort to restore original Christianity. (p. 3.)

The magazine publishes the third part of a series of articles by the late Roderick C. Meredith discussing Martin Luther. The purpose of these articles is to delegitimize the Protestant churches to make readers more inclined to join the organization producing the recruitment magazine, namely the Living Church of God.

It is based on a narrative of his he made back in 1958. (See pages 17-22 for the part equivalent to this issue's article.) The article's age is indicated by the fact that Meredith tends to cite old books in this article. Here in alphabetical order are all the books cited in this article. Note that they are all quite old.

• Alzog, Johannes. Manual of Universal Church History. 1878.

• Bainton, Roland. Here I Stand. Abingdon Press, 1978.

• Bettenson, Henry. Documents of the Christian Church. G. Cumberlege, Oxford University Press, 1950.

• D’Aubigne, Merle. History of the Reformation. Delmarva Publications, Inc., 1846. [The first edition of that work was published in French between 1835 and 1853.]

• Fisher, George P. The Reformation. Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1896.

• Hausser, Ludwig. The Period of the Reformation. American Tract Society, 1873.

• Lindsay, Thomas. A History of the Reformation. C. Scribner’s Sons, 1906.

With the exception of the works by Bettenson and Fisher all these works can be read at archive.org. Bettenson's book is available on the Amazon Kindle Store. Only Fisher's book is currently out of print.

Winston Gosse has an article discussing worries about old age pensions in Canada.

John Meakin has an article discussing the American War of Independence exploiting the time of year.

The Questions and Answers article promotes the doctrine of the "Great White Throne Judgment," the teaching that after the one thousand year millennial rule of Christ all of humanity who had not yet been "called" by (LCG's) God will be resurrected and given a chance to gain salvation by converting to LCG's religion.

Douglas Winnail has an article claiming that LCG's God performed miracles to make America triumph during the American War of Independence.

Adam West has an article discussing the Chunnel.

Wallace Smith has an article discussing storms.

Phil Sena has an article discussing teenagers who are distressed by LCG's teaching present day society will soon be utterly destroyed in the Great Tribulation thus discouraging them from making plans for the future. That is a serious problem that many of those who have since left Armstrongism talk about. But since those who make this recruitment magazine make their living thanks to people who believe such things.

There are letters. For whatever reason none of the letters published are listed as being from the United States.

One letter is used by the recruitment magazine's editors to promote the dubious doctrine of the Wednesday crucifixion, a teaching that is used to belittle the Christian churches that worship on Sunday.

Here's one letter from Jamaica.

I thank you and the Tomorrow’s World team for taking the time to respond to my requests and for giving me information that is vital to living in today’s world. I’m grateful for this program. Keep on doing God’s work.

Here's one letter from the Philippines.

Please continue send me your wonderful magazine because the evidence you give with biblical quotes and factual statistics makes it such a wonderfully knowledgeable and inspiring magazine. No other magazine has opened my eyes and cleaned my mind as your magazine has done. I wait anxiously for each new magazine to come.

Here's one letter from Australia. This persons boasts of having an ancestry traceable back to the High Kings of Ireland.

Thank you for your information regarding The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy. It leads to a great understanding of the Bible and its prophecies. It is very well researched. My own family history traces back to the High Kings of Ireland and the Milesian dynasty. Regarding the Bible studies, I have finished Lessons 1–4. Would you please send me Lesson 5–8 and the Lesson 1–4 test answer key? Your Tomorrow’s World magazines are very informative. Thank you for your assistance with my studies of the Bible.

Actually anyone with Irish ancestry is in all likelihood related to those ancient sovereign rulers since they lived so long ago.

And so we see that LCG's leadership have produced another issue of their recruitment magazine to attempt to get more people to join their organization and to persuade once again to their members that LCG's leadership is worthy of being followed and accepting their tithes. There is no need to follow LCG to become a Christian.

Postscript: Circulation Figures

(Here are the rest of the circulation figures for LCG's recruitment magazine. July-August 2017 was 282,000 issues. May-June 2017 was 355,000 issues. March-April 2017 was 417,000 issues. January-February 2017 was 412,000 issues. November-December 2016 was 423,000. September-October 2016 was 415,000. July-August 2016 was 509,000. May-June 2016 was 513,000. March-April 2016 was 539,000. January-February 2016 was 527,000. November-December 2015 was 514,000. September-October 2015 was 510,000. July-August 2015 was 505,000. May-June 2015 was 497,000. March-April 2015 was 487,000. January-February 2015 was 492,000. November-December 2014 was 472,000. September-October 2014 was 458,000. July-August 2014 was 457,000. LCG's recruitment magazine did not reveal its circulation figure before the July-August 2014 issue.)

Letters to LCG's Tomorrow's World (1999-2001)

LCG's recruitment magazine, Tomorrow's World, features a page of letters sent to them by their readers. They often provide compact accounts of persons bedazzled by what they had read in LCG's recruitment magazine who are often unaware of the problems that exist among the COGs. Most of these letters give little warning that there is anything odd or disquieting about LCG or the COGs in general.

Let's take a look at the letters published by LCG's recruitment magazine, Tomorrow's World.

During the split within the Global Church of God about 80% of its members left to join Roderick C. Meredith and start up the Living Church of God in late 1998. Their recruitment magazine, Tomorrow's World, began to be published with its May-June 1999 issue. In the third issue they began to publish some of the letters they received.

October-December 1999

Here's one letter from Buff Bay, Portland, Jamaica praising an article that promoted the discredited idea that Germans are the descendants of the ancient Assyrians.

Thank you for the first copy of Tomorrow’s World. I am impressed, not only with the quality but also the content. I was especially enlightened by the article “The Fourth Reich.” May God continue to bless you so that this marvellous work can continue.

Here's one letter from a prisoner in Mississippi. How tragic it is to think of people in such a difficult situation being vulnerable to being recruited in this way.

I watch your Tomorrow’s World telecast every Sunday. It gives me more understanding in Bible prophecy than I get here in prison. Here we have many denominations— they all talk about how we must improve our lives, but do not talk about Bible prophecy. Is one-third of our Holy Bible prophecy? Then why don’t these professing Christians teach us about prophecy? No wonder this world of ours is headed toward destruction. Thank you for opening up my mind, heart, soul and eyes to this most precious understanding of world events and how they coincide with Bible prophecy. Your booklets, magazines and other reading materials have given me true understanding. I can reread these teaching aids along with my Bible and see what God is trying to teach all of us. Thank you so very much for your programs and for the materials you offer on your programs. May God bless you all in your work!

January-February 2000

Here's one letter from Mississippi enthusiastic about the magazine from a person who used to read WCG's recruitment magazine, The Plain Truth.

I am so excited about getting the literature coming to me once again. When I started reading the May–June issue of Tomorrow’s World I could not put it down. It is so much like the Plain Truth I used to get. Keep up the good work!

Here's one letter from Couva, Trinidad and Tobago.

Tomorrow’s World is helping me to build myself up spiritually. May the good Lord show His choicest blessings on each and every one of you all who make Tomorrow’s World possible around the world to help me and people like me.

Here's one letter from Long Island, New York, praising the magazine for speaking out against racism. The letter alludes to what is called "Christian Identity," a virulently racist doctrine which insists that Jews are bodily descendants of Satan the Devil which stemmed from the original British Israelism movement.

Thank you for Roderick C. Meredith’s Personal in the July-September issue. I am so glad to know that your magazine rejects the racism that some associate with the Biblical understanding of the identity of the British descended peoples. Our Savior was a Jew, and we must as Christians have no place in our hearts for anti-Semitism or racism of any kind. Thank you for that inspiring message.

March-April 2000

During the Global Church of God era the editors of their recruitment magazine, The World Ahead, made a point of including one letter that criticized them. In the first few issues of LCG's Tomorrow's World they did not do that. Perhaps the stresses of setting up a new COG group made them reluctant to publish such letters in their recruitment magazine. Starting with this issue they resumed that practice with this letter.

You people are the biblical definition of a fool. I doubt very seriously you will go to heaven, and if you do you will be very low because of the curse Christ spoke of to those who change the word of the Gospel.

Here's one letter from Tyler, Texas from a person who seems to be unaware of how marketing "free" booklets is sustained by anticipating that a critical mass of people will start donating and eventually tithe to LCG. The booklets are sent with the anticipation that donations will be sent in response. They send out the booklets to get more income and members.

I would like to take this time to say “thanks” for all the literature that is presented on the Telecast for FREE! As we all know there are few things FREE in this old world any more. So thanks again!

Here's one letter from Big Sandy, Texas praising the writings of Mark Mendiola. In 2006 Mendiola would leave LCG for Dave Pack's Restored Church of God and later would leave again to join Don Billingsley's Church of God Faithful Flock.

I just want to thank you for adding Mr. Mark Mendiola to your writing staff. His articles are so good—hard-hitting, like Mr. Armstrong’s were. I think it is wonderful to be able to read such powerful articles.

Here's one letter from Williamson, South Carolina from a person involved with the COGs since 1975 praising LCG's "Bible Study Course" as teaching things this long time member had never learned of.

I have been in God’s Church for 25 years, yet I am learning things from the Bible Study Course that I never knew before. I especially appreciate the choice of what seem like the “perfect” scripture verses to answer the particular questions being asked. All of the questions and answers tie in so smoothly to the main topic question of each section; as you look them up, you realize how completely they support and answer the question. It is a very satisfying feeling to be studying such “plain truth” again! I know I am growing in knowledge; I just pray that I will also grow in the application of that knowledge.

May-June 2000

Here's one letter from Los Angeles, California praising an earlier issue as being the best this author had seen in years.

Wow! Talk about meat in due season! The Tomorrow’s World issue of March-April 2000 really impressed me as to how well each article builds on the others and of how well everything ties in together. Each article stands on its own, and yet they all fit perfectly together. Each one makes a strong case for God, and all together give a powerful witness which cannot be refuted or denied! Never had I seen so much unity and cohesiveness in a magazine since the Plain Truth under Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong. You touched on all areas of life which certainly affect each and every one of us. These articles truly keep pace with our world and our lives today. Thank you for your timely issue. My congratulations to Dr. Meredith and all the writers for making this the best magazine in the world!

Here's one letter from Washington, DC praising the magazine. The author expresses sadness about the Tkach changes.

First let me say that I am glad there is someone carrying on Mr. Armstrong’s legacy. I was sad to learn of the tragic results when the Worldwide Church of God changed Mr. Armstrong’s teachings and doctrines. It made me question my faith and the church. Then I saw your television program and learned that my spiritual education was not in vain. Thank you for continuing Mr. Armstrong’s ministry and restoring my faith.

The page also contains an editor's note apologizing for including a photo of a woman reading a Christmas themed children's book in an earlier issue.

Editor’s Note: A photo in the March-April Tomorrow’s World showed a Russian lady reading from a book that appears to have a Christmas theme on its cover. As that issue’s “Holidays or Holy Days?” article explains, Christ’s followers should not observe man-made holidays that conflict with God’s law. The photo was not meant to suggest otherwise, and we apologize for any confusion it may have caused.

July-August 2000

Here's one letter from Montreal praising an article in an earlier issue and stating that it inspired the author to take LCG's "Bible Study Course." LCG teaches that mainstream churches are illegitimate in (LCG's) God's eyes for not worshiping on the seventh day Sabbath.

I just received my first copy of Tomorrow’s World, and read the article “What is True Christianity?” It really got to my heart. The article was refreshing and heart-rending, and I will send in the form for the Bible Study Course. I have been searching and praying to know God’s will for me, and have so far only come up with confusion, and enjoyed the forthrightness and outspokenness of that article. I believe that “belief” means not just saying it, but living as He showed the way. Thank you very much for this very encouraging and courageous magazine.

Here's a letter from Ottawa, Canada praising LCG's "Bible Study Course" and relating that the author shared some of LCG's teaching of British Israelism with a work colleague. British Israelism's teaching that white Americans and British are descended from the lost ten tribes is not true.

I enjoyed very much the first lesson of the Bible Study Course. I believe it is truly up to the high standard set by Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong. Well done! I had the opportunity to give a copy of the first lesson to a fellow worker of mine who has expressed a sincere desire to know what the Bible teaches. He is very impressed with the content and quality of the first lesson, and he continues to show an eagerness to learn more. When I told him about modern Jacob and what is ahead, he told me it made complete sense to him. We have had a lot of hearty discussion. Keep up the good work!

Here's one letter from Adelaide, Australia enquiring about an article that condemned racism.

I read the January-February 2000 Tomorrow’s World and really enjoyed everything in it. It really encourages me to see there are other people out there who have faith in a God they cannot see. One letter mentioned a Personal in the July-September 1999 issue against racism. Currently, at school, I am doing research on racism relating to religion. I would really appreciate it if you could send me the July-September 1999 issue, because I believe it could really help me.

Here's one letter from Chicago praising LCG's doctrine of the Great White Throne Judgment.

Thank you so much for the article “Is There Life After Death?” by Richard Ames, in the March-April 2000 issue. It is so comforting to see, from the Bible, that my unsaved family is not going to burn in eternal hellfire just because they did not have the chance to hear the true Gospel message. Just as I have had a chance now, they too will have their chance. The article showed from Scripture that our God is fair, loving and merciful.

September-October 2000

Here's one letter from Jackson, Mississippi praising LCG's doctrine of the Great White Throne Judgment as providing comfort to her after her husband of sixty-five years had passed away.

Thank you for Tomorrow’s World. I have read “Is There Life After Death?” three times. I lost my husband after 65 years of marriage. I can’t let go, but the reading of that helps. I want to know more about the word of God. I used not to like the Old Testament, but now I love it so much. There is so much history. It was not real to me, but now I see real people, and know God is real. God is revealing more to me. Your publications help me to understand more. I look up all the scriptures in the Bible. Please pray that I can understand the Word and know what God wants me to do. Thank you.

Here's one letter from Etobicoke, Canada praising LCG's magazine.

I want to thank you for all the booklets and the Tomorrow’s World magazine I have received. I have also been watching your program on VISION television. It certainly opened my eyes to all the Truth about the Word of God in the Bible. With your careful and diligent research, explanations and hard work on the content of all the articles, it really amazed me. When I read an article and find it to be true after referring to my Bible, I feel the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Here's a letter from Toronto praising LCG's magazine as a continuation of WCG's Plain Truth.

In today’s world, it is good to see the things written about in Tomorrow’s World. Thank you for carrying on from where the Worldwide Church of God left prior to Mr. Armstrong’s death. Your articles and booklets are not only timely but also a source of inspiration for unlearning the false ways of this world under Satan, and learning the true ways of God. Your ministry helps one and all see the real light. Keep shining!

Here's one letter from Melvin, Kentucky, stating that the author used LCG's "Bible Study Course" in the author's church since they did not have any more study materials. This indicates that this church is not aligned with HWA's teachings. One wonders how quickly it will become apparent to those people that they teach things contrary to what is taught in most Christian churches.

I love all the magazines you send me. They are so spiritually uplifting. I would like to have your Bible Study Course. I am a member of a Bible study group, but they ran out of lessons and they have desperately tried to find some at Bible bookstores, but to no avail. After I read all of your material, I give it to our pastor and he reads it and leaves it in the church for the congregation to read. I hope you will continue sending me anything on the Word of God.

November-December 2000

Here's one letter from Baltimore condemning religion influenced by feminism.

I was so happy to read in your July-August 2000 issue the article “Have You Been Sold a Different Gospel?” by Douglas S. Winnail. In my “quest” during the ‘90s, I had heard about feminists saying that the Bible had been written by men and that a feminine godly being was really the true power. I was almost persuaded then. How naïve I was! It says in the Bible that “lack of knowledge” will destroy a nation. My lack of knowledge almost destroyed me! Thank you for sharing this knowledge to help others.

Here's one letter from Toronto praising Meredith's booklet which insists that weather related disasters are the wrath of LCG's God.

I read and reread the Who Controls the Weather? booklet. It is so timely, and sobering as we see the disruptions and suffering all around the United States and elsewhere around the world. Your booklet makes it plain why mankind is suffering so badly from these weather calamities. Thank you for your teaching!

Here's one letter praising a booklet by Meredith for insisting that Christians must worship on Saturday.

Thank you so much for your booklet Which Day Is the Christian Sabbath? My wife and I have discussed this for years, and your booklet explained the Bible truth so clearly. We are so happy to receive your magazine and other literature.

January-February 2001

Here's one letter from Ripton, Vermont that praises an article by Meredith that called for people to not vote in the presidential election.

Thank you for the cover story in the NovemberDecember issue of Tomorrow’s World—“How Would Jesus Vote for President?” It is just so clear and to the point. The cover itself is an eye-catcher, for the eyes of our country. Most anyone who looks at it will have to be moved off confusion and onto the Truth.

Here's one letter from Naples, Maine, criticizing LCG's ban on voting.

I just received the newest issue of Tomorrows World magazine; and I am deeply disappointed in your stance [in “How Would Jesus Vote for President?”] concerning voting. We were instructed by Jesus to “render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s” and certain laws made by man, which you advise us to follow, can only be changed by man. It is not accurate to say it does not matter which candidate gets elected, as there is an obvious choice between blatant evil and concerned good. Your advice to fellow Christians not to bother voting is like voting for the blatant evil, as you do not make a stand for the good. Currently, like it or not, we are citizens of this country; and accountable for how we handle this stewardship.

This ban on voting is designed to make followers less invested in dealing with public affairs and redirect their attention to the group and withdraw their attention from public affairs.

Here's one letter from Downers Grove, Illinois praising LCG's "Bible Study Course" for enlightening him and providing conversations with his brother.

I just wanted to write a short note to tell you how much I am enjoying the Bible Study Course. I have been in many Bible classes throughout my lifetime, but this study goes into the deeper things of the Bible, and I love it. My brother is also enrolled in this same study, and we compare our thoughts and have long conversations about what we are learning. Than you again for this study; I’m sure that when I have finished all these lessons I will have much more knowledge.

March-April 2001

Here's one letter from New Haven, Michigan stating that the author's family will no longer keep "pagan holidays" after reading LCG's condemnation of such festivals. HWA and many of the COGs ban many traditional holidays which has the effect of making people socially dependent upon the group for participating in celebrations approved by HWA and his imitators.

I must say that I am stirred up after reading “What Is Hidden by the Holidays?” (in the November-December 2000 Tomorrow’s World). My family will no longer be keeping pagan holidays. I find your magazine wonderful!

Here's one letter from Los Angeles praising LCG as a continuation of HWA's WCG. Although the author talks of the "demise" of WCG and the Plain Truth they were both still operating but no longer taught Armstrongism.

I was encouraged to see your program on the air this past week. I wasn’t sure if anyone was continuing to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom since the demise of the WCG and the Plain Truth magazine. When I came across your program Tomorrow’s World, I was happy to see that the true Gospel was still being taught.

Here's one letter from LCG headquarters' hometown at the time, San Diego.

I needed that November issue of Tomorrow’s World. That was one of the best written articles on the holidays, and how Satan has tricked this country and a big portion of the church on how Christmas came about. Don’t ever get weary of doing good—you are making a difference.

May-June 2001

Here's one letter from Sunland, California praising LCG for publishing a virulently anti-Catholic article which denounced the Roman Catholic Church as being the great whore of Revelation 17. Promoting this idea that has been taught for centuries in certain churches is here praised as courageous.

Your article on “The Harlot of Revelation 17” was AWESOME! Thank you for your courage.

Here's one letter from Beach Park, Illnois praising LCG for printing an article condemning abortion even though many other churches also condemn abortion. The author of that article, Fred Dattolo, would leave LCG to join PCG later that year.

Thank you for the excellent article “Is Abortion Murder?” in the March-April 2001 issue of Tomorrow’s World. Of all the articles I have read by religious authors, yours is the best by far, for showing that there is life in the blood, there is a spirit in the human and there is a dual principle of spiritual and physical birth.

Here's one letter from a devotee of Wicca condemning LCG's condemnation of the occult.

I recently had the misfortune to stumble across one of your articles. I have studied the occult since I was five and I have been an active Wiccan since I was 16. All in all, I’m a normal, happy teen, who just happens to have a different religion. I do not worship Satan or any form of evil! No true pagan would! All we say is that perhaps God is a bit different from what the Bible says. We are a peaceful, understanding, nature loving, and tolerant religion. All we ask is freedom to practice our beliefs and understanding. I don’t hate you, though your misguided attempt to shove your ideas down people’s throats is what makes the world the sad place it is today. I pity you. You people are worse than any plague or disaster that could come along, because you had the ability to stop yourselves.

Here's one letter from Paris, France praising LCG's "Bible Study Course" which teaches people to view the Bible the way LCG's leaders teach.

I find your Bible Study Course very inspiring, for clarity of expression and trueness of the text, for topics discussed and counsel given. Your Bible Study Course has opened my spiritual eyes to understanding God’s Plan, and helped me to understand the future events that will concern mankind. May Jesus Christ and the love of God be with you!

Here's one letter from Wilson, Louisiana praising LCG's "Bible Study Course" as enlightening to the author even though the author had been involved with the COGs since about 1976.

I have been in God’s Church close to 25 years. I have heard many sermons on the material covered in the first four Bible Study Course lessons. I have performed personal research and many personal Bible studies on that material; still, I found the first four lessons very interesting and fruitful. We should all pray for all God’s people to study this course.

July-August 2001

Here's one letter from Guyana in which the author expresses a reluctance of continuing to celebrate Easter. LCG and many of the COGs forbid the celebration of Easter and other traditional festivals such as Christmas and birthdays.

The Tomorrow’s World television program has been a blessing. I have been celebrating Easter for a very long time, but after the inspiring program I saw on Sunday, April 15, 2001, I realize that I need to know more. Don’t ever get weary of doing good—you are making a difference. Thank you also for the March-April 2001 issue of your magazine; I find it wonderful and am truly enjoying it.

Here's a letter from Montgomery, Alabama praising an article by John Ogwyn that condemned the doctrine of the rapture.

The Tomorrow’s World telecasts are great! I especially enjoyed “Secret Rapture or Place of Safety?” My prayer is that you will continue to “cry aloud and spare not.” Keep up the good work.

Here's a letter from Johore, Malaysia praising the magazine and stating that the author reads LCG's writings every Sabbath. Here we see the seventh day Sabbath being turned into a weekly indoctrination session into learning about Armstrongism.

It is a joy, I must gladly say, to receive your truthful and informative magazine, Tomorrow’s World. There are many times I have been surprised and intrigued by the topics in your many articles— one can truly feel the Truth through and through, and I read your issues over and over, each Sabbath.

Here's a letter from Hempstead, New York praising LCG as a continuation of HWA's WCG.

Thank you for my subscription to Tomorrow’s World. I was a Plain Truth subscriber for a good many years. Since the death of Mr. Armstrong, I have felt that somewhere the true Gospel must be being preached today. May God bless you all who are involved in this great Work.

Here's a letter from San Diego agreeing with LCG's pessimistic view of changes in society.

I have received the March-April 2001 issue of Tomorrow’s World magazine, and I feel truly blessed to be on your mailing list. My heart was really lifted after reading “Families in Flux” by John Ogwyn. The article touched perfectly on the family structure in America. I enjoy reading the materials you send to me, and I am learning a lot. Thanks a bunch for helping me find my way.

Here's a letter from Morrisville, Vermont praising LCG's condemnation of all churches outside of the COGs. The author also states that a virulently anti-Catholic article by Roderick C. Meredith "should wake people up".

I have just read your new booklet Restoring Apostolic Christianity. It was excellent in showing people the true Church—that follows all of God’s ways and His government. It also exposed the false reformers of pagan Christianity. I also just finished reading the article “Who Is the Harlot of Revelation 17?” [in the January-February 2001 issue]. It should wake people up who are willing to acknowledge the truth.

September-October 2001

Here's a letter from High Point, North Carolina, that praises LCG as a continuation of HWA's WCG.

I wanted to let you know how moved I am by your program Tomorrow’s World, and how your intelligent interpretation of Bible verses and Bible prophecy has touched my mind and made so many things clear that I was never able to understand before. Many years ago, I watched a program with Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong called The World Tomorrow, and his teachings were very clear and concise also. I remember Richard Ames from that program, and always enjoyed his speaking on the Bible.

Here's a letter from San Salvador, El Salvador praising LCG's "Bible Study Course" and mentions the author's first test on it.

I watched the television program today, on “The Seven Laws of Success.” I am a subscriber to Tomorrow’s World magazine and to the Bible Study Course. I just took my first test, on the first four lessons of the course. Thank you very much; the Bible Study Course is edifying, the magazine is great and the television program is also excellent. May God really bless you!

Here's a letter from Auckland, New Zealand praising the magazine and the "Bible Study Course."

I am writing to you to say “thank you very much” for sending me the Tomorrow’s World magazine and the free Bible Study Course. It is an awesome message that I have learned from these lessons, and it is a big encouragement for me to seek God and read my Bible.

Here's a letter from Roadtown, British Virgin Islands.

It has been my question for a very long time: “Where will Heaven be?” Please allow me to thank you for the eye-opening and revealing article in your May-June 2001 issue, “The Reality of Christ’s Coming Kingdom.” Now I don’t have to guess anymore!

Here's a letter from Beach Park, Illinois praising an article by Winnail for explaining to the author's sister why the author refrained from shellfish and pork. There is no need for Christians to observe those rules.

This last weekend I was visiting my sister. She happened to see the May-June 2001 issue of the Tomorrow’s World magazine, and read your article “Bible Principles of Health.” Her comments to me were most interesting. For many years she knew that I do not eat shellfish or pork. She thought I had adopted Jewish laws for health and diet. My explanations have not helped her understand, until she read your article. She said that the article was excellent and very educational, and that she learned a lot from it. She said she now understands the driving force behind my practice. Thank you for your wonderful article.

November-December 2001

Here's one letter from Libreville, Gabon from a person who had started observing the Sabbath after reading LCG's writings.

Thanks so much for your continuing to send the life-changing magazine Tomorrow’s World. It has built me up in my search for perfection. Since we accepted the Sabbath teachings and you started mailing us the magazine, our lives have never been the same again. We have learned much and we are growing.

Here's a letter from Madison Heights, Michigan from an eighty-two year old person doing LCG's "Bible Study Course."

I am on Lesson Nine in the Bible Study Course. This is my first Bible study course, and at 82 years old it hasn’t been that easy for me, but I’m learning. My eyes have been opened now to see many things that I never knew. Maybe by the time I finish the Bible Study Course, I will understand so many things that have been a mystery to me. I thank you for the wonderful work you are doing.

Here's a letter from Valley City, North Dakota praising a booklet by Meredith which insists that most churches are illegitimate.

I have just finished reading your booklet Restoring Apostolic Christianity. It was very well done. what made it so educational was the fact that you quote so many respected historians. For many years I have believed that faith based on historical fact is the foundation to sustaining one’s faith. Very well done; this booklet is a must for anyone searching for the truth.

Little does the author know that the quotations are largely camouflage obscuring the fact that Meredith's ideas largely come from one man who is not even named in that booklet, namely Herbert Armstrong.

With these letters we can see the exuberance of those who believe they had found something wonderful reading LCG's writings. But many who have journeyed into the world of Armstrongism have regretfully seen that the doctrines of Armstrongism as has been taught by HWA and his imitators within the COGs have been terribly flawed and at times exploitative. Sadly many of those reading LCG's recruitment magazine will be unaware of the various problems with LCG's teachings.

To be continued...

LCG Teaching that Apostles Brought "True Christianity" to Ireland (2002)

Banned by HWA has a post up stating that UCG had published an article in 2014 that portrayed Saint Patrick as being like the COGs today.

It has long been taught in the COGs that for centuries in the distant past the church in the British Isles was very much like the COGs until they were taken over by Catholics loyal to the Pope.

This idea may also be seen in LCG's writings as may be seen in Douglas Winnail's article "Early Christianity in Europe's Western Isles" (Tomorrow's World, November-December 2002.) However in that article it is insisted that the some of the original Apostles brought Christianity to the British Isles.

The widely accepted notion that Patrick first brought Christianity to Ireland is a fable—not a fact. Numerous historical sources state that the Apostles brought true Christianity to Ireland four centuries before Patrick!

Armstrongism was started up by Herbert Armstrong when he joined the Church of God (Seventh Day) and split away from them to start up his own organization which taught his own ideas often cobbled together from other sources in a syncretic fashion, often from other Adventist sources and the Jehovah's Witnesses. To say it is a continuation of some early form of Christianity in the British Isles is nonsense.

Overview of the November 2016 Issue of Tomorrow's World

LCG has released a new issue of their recruitment magazine just in time to spoil the festive mood among those who celebrate Christmas. Let's take a look at what LCG's leaders have to say this time.

The editors of this issue are listed as Roderick Meredith, Richard Ames, Wallace Smith, Robert Taylor, Stuart Wachowitz and Adam West.

This issue has a circulation of 423,000 issues.

Roderick Meredith has a personal article insisting that mainstream Christian churches are wrong.

Meredith also has an article scare mongering that (LCG's) God will soon afflict the world with weather related catastrophes. While dwelling on that topic he insists that HWA could accurately predict the future.

Soon after I joined Herbert Armstrong in preaching and writing in The Plain Truth magazine about these prophecies, they began to occur! My wife and I were sent to Britain in the autumn and winter of 1956, and it was right then that the Suez Canal was taken away from Britain! The Suez Canal was one of the most important “sea gates” in the world at the time—and you can read about the powerful impact the loss of that canal had on the British Empire in our article “The Suez Crisis: 60 Years On,” right here in this issue. In the years immediately following that, most of the other “sea gates” began to be taken away as well: the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab el-Mandeb, the Simonstown Base—controlling the tip around South Africa—and the Strait of Malacca—controlling vast numbers of ships going through areas in the Far East. Then, President Jimmy Carter virtually “gave away” the Panama Canal—the only major sea gate controlled by America! (pp. 5-6.)

In fact HWA made numerous false prophecies that failed to come to pass. Meredith fails to mention that from 1953 onward HWA taught that the Great Tribulation would begin in 1972 with Christ returning in 1975.

Winston Gosse has a little article exploiting the memory of Alexander Graham Bell.

Richard Ames has an article giving advice on having a happy marriage.

The Q and A discusses Satan being the ruler of the world until Christ's return.

John Meakin discusses the Suez Crisis of 1956 in which Britain and France went to war with Egypt for economic reasons, namely to get the canal from the government of the land through which the canal was built through. It is insinuated that the United States' opposition to this military attack for the canal helped prompt the creation of the European Economic Community with the Treay of Rome of 1957.

Wallace Smith condemns Christmas, HWA plagiarized this doctrine from the Jehovah's Witnesses. This doctrine has the effect of isolating followers from mainstream society thus making them easier to make them socially dependent on the group.

Sheldon Monson has an article telling young people to live lives of righteousness (as defined by LCG's leaders).

Douglas Winnail has a little article insisting that mainstream Christianity is illegitimate.

Michael Heykoop has a little article insisting that the web of supposed events that LCG has long insisted will soon occur is about to happen.

There is a blistering red morning sky. The signs are there to see, but they cannot be interpreted properly without the context of God’s Holy Scriptures—the Bible. The signs are pointing to a gathering storm that would destroy mankind entirely, were it not for the prophesied return of Jesus Christ to set the world in order! Wake up! (p. 30.)

Stuart Wachowitz has an article describing the grip of the gecko.

Gary Ehman has a little article calling upon readers to be thankful.

There are letters. Here's one letter from Florida.

From my heart to yours—I’m not an educated person. What I like about your study course is that I can do it in my home at the time I choose. In your letter, you thanked me for my interest in the Bible Study Course. It is I, and people like me, who should thank you and your staff for their time, hard work and energy to make it available.

Here's one letter from California from a woman who thanks them for helping strengthen her relationship with her mother.

I have been receiving your magazines for a couple of months now, and I love them! Especially the section titled, “Tomorrow’s Youth.” I am struggling with my relationship with my mother. But whenever we sit down and read your magazine or booklets, we calm down and sometimes even laugh and talk to each other, just as mothers and daughters are supposed to. Thank you!

Here's one letter from Virginia from a person thanking LCG for not asking for money.

I love your broadcast. It’s also great to see a ministry on TV that does not try to guilt people into sending in money.

If only this person knew that LCG members are required to pay three tithes as part of the obligations of membership within LCG.

And so we see that LCG's leaders have made yet another recruitment issue to try and gt more tithes paying members for their organization.

Comments on the May-June 2016 Issue of LCG's Tomorrow's World

For an overview of this issue of LCG's recruitment magazine (May-June 2016) I recommend Gavin Rumney's post at Ambassador Watch, Tomorrow's World - Nice cover, shame about the content (May 1, 2015). For the most part it is more of the same.

The editors are listed as Roderick C. Meredith, Richard Ames, William Bowmer, John Robinson, Bruce Tyler, Stuart Wachowitz, Gerald Weston and William Williams.

The authors in this issue in order of appearance are Roderick C. Meredith, Jonathan Riley, Richard Ames, John Meakin, Rod McNair, Jonathan McNair, Douglas Winnail, J. Davy Crockett III and Wallace Smith. Circulation is 513,000 issues.

Rod McNair named his article "The Great Unraveling" after an article by Chris Hedges (p. 20). Hedges is a left wing journalist. It is quite unusual for LCG to quote a person of that political persuasion. Back in January 2007 he published a book critiquing the religious right entitled American Fascism: The Christian Right and the War on America. Do LCG's leaders realize who they are quoting from?

Hedges did not bother talking about Armstrongism in that book. Shows how (un)important Armstrongism actually is. Admittedly Hedges did quote an article from PCG once about mass layoffs in that book but he said absolutely nothing about any of the Armstrongite organizations.

Douglas Winnail insinuates that the Vikings are descended from Israelites by saying they had horned helmets.

Egyptian inscriptions reveal that among the Sea Peoples who invaded Palestine were the Shardana and Danuna (possibly the Israelite tribe of Dan) who were circumcised and wore horned helmets ..., much as the Danish Vikings of a later age have been depicted. (p. 29.)

This is incorrect. The Vikings did not wear horned helmets. That was just a illustrated exaggeration introduced in the 19th Century that has since become ubiquitous.

This recruitment magazine contains letters. Here's one from Jamaica.

Informative, eye-opening, enlightening and detailed message that outlines Original Christianity and the attempts made in proclaiming the true Christianity. God bless your ministry! I am inspired by your articles and have made the change in attending the Living Church of God.

That is the whole point of this magazine: to recruit people to join LCG. As if Jamaica didn't have enough problems already.

Here's one letter from Pakistan.

No doubt and this is very true that God’s Sabbath is Saturday. All who accept this will be blessed. I am thankful for Which Day Is the Christian Sabbath? It cleared all my doubts on this issue. God clearly said that Sabbath should be remembered. May God bless all your team.

As if Pakistan didn't have enough problems already. If only this person in Pakistan knew the problems with that booklet. Some of the problems may be seen in this critique of HWA's booklet promoting Sabbatarianism.

Here's one letter from Australia from a woman frustrated that the rest of her family happen to have their own religious views and are not interested in LCG's doctrines.

Thank you for your booklets. They are so full of the truth, and fairly easy to read and learn from. It is very hard to talk to family of what I have learned from you about the Bible, as my mother is 83 years old and has a faith mixed between Roman Catholic and Assemblies of God beliefs. My husband also has quite strong set ideas, and both are quite strong people. My daughter attends a church in Chinchilla that is a bit “jazzed up” these days. I feel unable to show my family a better way for them.

The COG organizations alienate us from our families and friends. Restrictive practices such as banning Christmas, Easter and birthdays are designed to socially isolate us from mainstream society and make us socially dependent on the group, in this instance LCG.

LCG responds to this letter by assuring her it is not necessary for her to convert them. If only this Australian woman knew the problems with LCG. This Australian does not need LCG but LCG needs the tithes and offerings of more members and donors.

And so LCG's attempts to bedazzle people into joining LCG and paying them tithes continues.

Reading Global Church News

In December 1992 Roderick Meredith left WCG and established the Global Church of God (GCG). It quickly emerged as one of the main COG splinter groups arising in the wake of the Tkach changes. They made a telecast and magazine (The World Ahead) to get more members. They also made a magazine for GCG members named Global Church News.

Awhile ago I found some PDF files of Global Church News but that source seems to be off line now. However they can be viewed in doc format here.

Let's take a look at what Global Church News said.

March-April 1995

Much discussion of the split with Tkach's WCG. Colin Adair and Dibar Apartian's entry into the Global Church of God is mentioned by Meredith.

Dave Pack is in a photo towering over a seated Meredith. Ambassador Report tried to warn people about Dave Pack. Through ignorance or conscious decision such warnings were ignored. During the turmoil of the 1998 Pack went out and established his own COG group, Restored Church of God.

Raymond McNair complains about being restricted from WCG. Now McNair finally learned to a certain degree what it was like for all those many people who were cast out of Radio/Worldwide COG over the years.

May-June 1995

Roderick Meredith complains that Armstrongites are called legalists. Of course you are.

Jonathan McNair tells his readers to "support the Work financially".

Raymond McNair moans that some label Armstrongism as a save your own skin gospel. He knew how to condemn others but did not know how to take criticism himself.

July-August 1995

Meredith defined Laodiceans as lackluster Armstrongites, not a particular organization. Douglas Winnail and Robert League joining GCG is mentioned.

Carl McNair has an article discussing the rise of GCG.

September-October 1995

Meredith discusses the prohibition against getting involved in politics and voting.

Carl McNair discusses his first attendance of the improperly observed Armstrongite Feast of Tabernacles.

George Anderson condemns talebearing. Considering the many problems that have occurred among the Armstrongites it is little wonder that the COGs' leaders try to discourage lay members from remembering things inconvenient for the COGs' 1%.

November-December 1995

Meredith mentions he used to write a poem while he was a high school student.

John Ogwyn mentions that many are hurting as a result of the splintering of WCG. An unsigned letter inquiring of Meredith's analogy of the Kingdom of God today as being like an embryo is quoted to illustrate the pain resulting from the splintering of WCG.

Raymond McNair has a question and answer column. At one point a question concerns Revelation 17. He evasively gives the answer but does not answer specifically. He taught it was the Roman Catholic Church.

January-February 1996

Meredith has a paean dedicated to HWA.

Colin Adair has an article about how to dress properly.

Raymond McNair advertises his upcoming booklet promoting British Israelism. He insists that HWA did not plagiarize J. H. Allen's book, Judah's Scepter and Joseph's Birthright. He even says he had read the two books and they are so different there was no plagiarism on HWA's part. What nonsense. Just goes to show how desperate they are to maintain HWA's prestige among the tithes paying lay members.

Douglas Winnail rejects the idea that Christianity involving believing that Jesus is the Messiah and insists it is necessary to observe the Jewish rules that HWA selected and culturally appropriated for his Armstrongism.

March-April 1996

Raymond McNair has an article insisting that the Jews are wrong to observe Passover when they do. Raymond McNair insists his understanding of this matter is correct.

Jeffrey Patton discusses the ministerial conference of January 17-24, 1996. Meredith responded to criticism that he accepted other COG groups as brethren. Meredith denounced Tkach's WCG as apostate. The World Ahead magazine had a circulation of 37,012.

Carl McNair complained that those who established UCG did not join GCG.

'Others had the opportunity to join arms with us a year ago, but they chose not to. They rejected us, personally, and that hurt, but that was their decision.' (p. 19.)

May-June 1996

Meredith condemns conspiracy theories. At the time GCG was undergoing tensions from those inclined to believe conspiracy theories.

Meredith complains that people need to be careful with their tongue.

Jeffrey Patton discusses debate over when to observe Pentecost.

Douglas Winnail tells Global Church of God members to "Use the force, Luke."

Information about how to plan for the (improperly observed) Feast of Tabernacles is mentioned.

July-August 1996

Meredith discusses the dates when GCG observes the Armstrongite Holy Days.

Meredith encourages members to observe the Feast of Tabernacles.

Raymond McNair tells members to observe their understanding of the dates of the Armstrongite Holy Days.

Raymond McNair talks about the postponements.

John Ogwyn talks about the Nicolaitans.

Fred Dattolo had an open letter defending GCG. In 2001 Fred Dattolo would switch allegiance to Gerald Flurry's PCG.

It is mentioned that a GCG member will help bear the Olympic torch.

November-December 1996

Meredith talks about the Feast and complains about rumors.

Jeffrey Patton called the Feast the best ever.

The previous Feast is discussed.

January-March 1997

Meredith boasts that GCG had an annual income of $9 million in 1996.

A financial report is included.

A story about one young GCG member getting very sick and needing to go to the hospital is mentioned.

April-May 1997

Passover is discussed.

Preparing for the improperly observed Feast of Tabernacles is discussed.

Larry Salyer talks about how great the Feast of Tabernacles is.

June-July 1997

Larry Salyer discusses Pentecost.

Douglas Winnail talks about the generation gap.

August 1997

Meredith mentions his first baptizing tour with Raymond McNair.

John Ogwyn discusses GCG's prohibition against military service.

Douglas Winnail seeks to get around the problem of saying Armstrongism is the only true form of Christianity.

Rod McNair talks about singing to please (GCG's) God.

Dexter Wakefield talks about how to prepare for the seventh day Sabbath before Friday sunset.

Finances are discussed.

October 1997

Rex Sexton discusses the symbolism behind the Day of Atonement.

John Ogwyn talks about preparing oneself for the Feast.

Norbert Link scare mongers that the Armstrongites will soon face persecution even though no such thing has happened ever since Armstrongism arose in the 1930s.

Raymond McNair encourages people to be kind.

Global Youth Camp is discussed.

Condolences are expressed at the tragic death of Princess Diana.

November 1997

Larry Salyer encourages people to be merciful.

Gary Foster made an article remembering Sydney Hegvold after he died on September 25, 1997, aged 79. It is mentioned that he was the first full time minister of WCG to join Meredith in establishing GCG.

The Feast is discussed.

April 1998

Preparing for the Feast is discussed.

Rise of LCG

Later in the year a power struggle erupted between Meredith and the Board of Directors. In the end Meredith left and managed to convince about 80% of the members to join with him in creating another COG group named the Living Church of God. The crippled GCG was unable to maintain itself in the United States and quickly disintegrated. However branches of GCG continued elsewhere.

Israel's Arms Exports to China

Back in November 2015 the Israeli peace activist Jeff Halper released an informative book discussing the State of Israel's involvement in the global arms industry. Halper mentions many fascinating topics including Israel's arms trade with China which is discussed in Chapter 2.

India and China, which until the 1990s did not even have diplomatic ties with Israel, are now among its chief trading partners, particularly in the military and security sectors. (Jeff Halper, War Against the People, 2015, Introduction.)

In Chapter 2 Halper discusses Israel's arms exports to China including how the US cancelled Israel's sale of "Phalcon airborne warning and and control systems (AWACS)" to China for $250 million in 2000 and that Israel's Lavi fighter jet was the prototype for China's J-10 fighter jet.

Israel, said one US official, became a "back door to US technology that the United States won't sell [the Chinese]," while China looked to Israel for the arms and technology it could acquire from neither the United States nor Russia. ...

[Israel] has manged to remain China's second largest arms trading partner (following Russia). China is also Israel's second top export destination after the United States and the largest in Asia. In 2013, trade with China amounted to $11 billion, as Israel supplied it with radar systems, optical and telecommunications equipment, drones, flight simulators and other weapons systems and technologies, plus upgrades in target acquisition and fire control that enhance the capabilities of the older guided missile destroyers and frigates and technology it cannot acquire from either the United States or Russia. (Jeff Halper, War Against the People, 2015, Chapter 2.)

Would the COGs would ever mention such things to their followers? Many seem to enjoy scare mongering about China. This includes PCG and LCG as may be seen in this 2000 article by Douglas Winnail.

Halper notes that the State of Israel exports arms to many countries all over the world including the United States, European countries, India, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, etc. It is not just about China.

While discussing this topic Halper cites the following articles:

• Israel's technology transfers to China, Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, June/July 1997, pp. 70-72. [An abridged version of that article may be found here.]

• US up in arms over Sino-Israel ties, Asia Times, December 21, 2004.

• The Israel-US Bilateral Relationship Needs to be Mended, National Interest, July 8, 2005.

• The uncertain future of China-Israel relations, Al Arabiya, April 4, 2014.

Learning things like this can be saddening but we must give no place to hatred.

Overview of the March-April 2016 Issue of Tomorrow's World

The latest issue of LCG's recruitment magazine, Tomorrow's World, is now out. Let us see what LCG's leaders have to say to try and convince people to join LCG (and pay three tithes and extra offerings to them while in LCG).

This issue claims a circulation of 539,000.

Roderick C. Meredith has a personal article calling upon people to study the Bible (according to LCG's interpretation).

Roderick C. Meredith also has an article telling his readers that the only hope to be had regarding the many problems facing society today is to have hope that soon Christ will return to establish a world government that will create peace and prosperity for everyone.

The Q and A condemns Easter reinforcing HWA's ban on Easter.

Michael Heykoop has an article discussing the current border disputes regarding the Arctic Ocean concerning Canada, the United States, Russia and other nations.

Richard Ames has an article assuring readers that many who had no contact with WCG or LCG will be resurrected in the Great White Throne Judgment to be given a chance to be saved then after the Millennium.

Adam West has an article discussing William Shakespeare. He mentions the Armstrongite claim that language will be purified during the Millennium.

John Meakin has an article discussing the refugee crisis in Europe. The crisis is exploited to insinuate that it will prompt Europe to unite itself into a military power fated to violently conquer the United States.

In his September 2015 State of the Union Address, EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker made farsighted and wide-ranging comments about the future direction and performance of the EU. He called for more politics, more Europe and more Union. He called for much more reform, faster progress on many fronts, and better management—particularly of the migrant crisis. Measures for a stronger single currency, a more competitive economy, a stronger presence in the world, and a fair deal for the UK were all highlighted. Widely anticipated, but being held under wraps until 2017, are as yet little-publicized EU plans for a major treaty provision defining an inner core of nations happy with the idea of a federal Europe, and an outer fringe of nations with a looser arrangement. Europe is changing fast and the migrant crisis has begun to act as a major catalyst for such change. (p. 22.)

(Meanwhile just as many refugees fled into Lebanon.)

Source.

Meakin mentions Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's murderous lackeys (ISIL/IS) in relation to the current refugee crisis but incorrectly states it was established in 2013. 

In 2013, jihadi groups formed the extreme Sunni Islamic State (IS) and established an Islamist caliphate in northern Syria stretching into Iraq. This greatly added to the violence, repression and to people's fears. (p. 21.)

This is incorrect. It was not established in 2013. It is a continuation of Al Qaeda in Iraq. May ISIL soon fall.

Phil Sena has an article encouraging young people to associate with good friends.

Wallace Smith has an article calling upon people not to observe Easter. HWA banned his followers from observing Easter and LCG continues to promote this socially isolating doctrine.

Douglas Winnail has an article praising the first five books of the Old Testament which are exploited by LCG to tell people they must join LCG.

There are letters. Here is one letter from South Dakota.

I took my new Tomorrow’s World out of the mailbox and saw what I was looking for. Is there an unpardonable sin? I rushed home to read it twice with tears. I was certain the living God would destroy me. At the same time I could not find fault with God for my sins. It’s taken me years to learn. Thank you for the knowledge. May God bless you all.

Such comforting words are used to convince people to join LCG and pay three tithes to them.

Here is an excerpt of one letter from Australia.

Thank you so much for your continued generosity in forwarding this magazine of prophecy. You help me make sense of the world I am living in and I am truly grateful. There is no way I will be part of “Babylon the Great.”

But this doctrine is used to isolate potential members from mainstream society to render them socially dependent on the group.

Here is one letter from Florida.

I have to stop between sessions studying my Tomorrow’s World Bible Study Course to say thank you for the free course and all the free literature. If I didn’t receive it I sure would be in the dark. I did not know we had the Kingdom of God to look forward to. I’m also learning about the Feast days, which I knew nothing about. Now I’m learning the truth. It’s like seeing the scriptures for the first time since I’ve become acquainted with Tomorrow’s World. Thank you again for the time and literature for reaching people like me. This Tomorrow’s World is a true gift from our Savior Jesus Christ.

Here is one letter from Texas thanking LCG for supposedly providing evidence that Number 19 foresaw modern medical practices of sterilization.

I particularly appreciate your mention of the biblical instruction to use running water for cleansing purposes, referencing Numbers 19. It wasn’t until the 18th or 19th century that surgeons figured out they needed to wash their hands in running water instead of merely a basin to avoid the spread of bacteria and disease, but here it has been in God’s Word all along for thousands of years if we would only read and heed!

It is unfortunate to see that such simple statements can be used to gain the trust and respect of readers who in all likelihood are unaware of what LCG is like.

Beware, those elaborate doctrines are there to convince the potential recruit to trust LCG's leaders and then submit under the authority of LCG's leaders. One of the requirements of being in LCG is to pay three tithes and extra offerings to them for the rest of one's life or at least while one remains within LCG.

Overview of the September-October 2015 Issue of Tomorrow's World

LCG has released another issue of their recruitment magazine in order to recruit more people into LCG and get more tithes. Let us see what they have to say this time.

This issue has a circulation of 510,000. In the last issue it was 505,000.

Richard Ames has a preface article calling upon LCG members to put their hearts into strengthening LCG.

Roderick C. Meredith has an article insisting the Protestant churches are all false churches. Well of course he does not want his readers to be in the Protestant churches since then they cannot send any tithes to his LCG. As Bereans Did discussed this article.

Winston Gosse has a little article mentioning the construction of a railway in Canada.

Dexter Wakefield has an article fear mongering about deflation. If LCG members were not required to pay three tithes perhaps their finances would be in better order.

J. Davy Crockett III has a little article insisting that the United States are now in a "spiritual drought." This is stated in order to attract more members into LCG.

Adam West has a little article mentioning King Canute's command to the seas to show people how great God is.

Richard Ames has an article encouraging people to get through tough times by believing in what LCG says. Maybe if LCG members did not have to pay three tithes maybe such advice would not be so sorely needed.

The Questions and Answers discusses the curse against Canaan in Genesis 9. It includes a bizarre discussion about defining happened to Noah.

Wyatt Ciesielka has a little article fear mongering that the United Nations' inability to solve many problems is a sign that the end will soon come. (Normally Douglas Winnail writes this column. Where has Winnail gone?)

John Robinson has a little article telling the young within LCG that the way things are in LCG is normal and that the rest of the world is denied God's favor for celebrating Christmas and tolerating homosexuals.

Intriguingly Robinson alludes to the biblically inaccurate Armstrongite practice of gathering together for an eight day conference that they call the Feast of Tabernacles. But the COGs do not celebrate it the way it is described in the Bible or how the Jews celebrate it, namely by making a booth on their property and celebrating it there.

Nor was it "normal" that our family did not observe Christmas (a holiday not found in the Bible, as readers of this magazine will recognize ...). Nor was slipping away in late September or early October to spend eight days with my family at something called the "Feast of Tabernacles." To me, the Feast was wonderful. But, to my classmates, it just sounded strange, maybe even dangerous.

It is rare for LCG to mention things like this in their recruitment writings. In all the time I believed in Armstrongism (2000-8) I never saw LCG's recruitment magazine, Tomorrow's World, ever allude to how they celebrate the Feast.

Wallace Smith has a little article describing the wondrous properties of light in order to insist that LCG's God is the true God.

There are letters. Here is one from Zimbabwe.

Dear Tomorrow’s World, I have been receiving your magazine for many years now. It has opened my eyes to the truth and I now know that many traditions such as Easter egg hunts and the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, the Christmas tree and gift giving, and Halloween are not something we should follow as Christians. Your articles are always filled with many biblical truths and are eye opening. Thank you for sending this to me free of charge. I truly appreciate it. I have also received many booklets from you, which have been a blessing to me. May the Lord God pour you out a blessing from heaven above that there is not room enough to receive it for the wonderful work you do for the Gospel. May he bless you, your ministry, your employees and families.

How terrible that LCG has made this person fearful for no good reason about celebrating holidays and thinking that these holidays are somehow cursed by God and will incur divine punishment for celebrating. In all likelihood this individual does not know that this doctrine was plagiarized by HWA from the Jehovah's Witnesses and it is designed to make people isolate themselves from mainstream society so that they become socially dependent upon LCG.

Also LCG's teachings are not "biblical truths" and their writings are not free as they attempt to recruit the readers into joining LCG and as a requirement for this membership must pay three tithes to LCG for the rest of one's life.

Here is another letter from an Australian complaining about "the rapid decline of our society" and condemning Ireland's legalization of same sex marriage. 

I become overwhelmed at times with the rapid decline of our society. The Ten Commandments appear to be broken everywhere. I am disappointed at Ireland voting for same-sex marriage after being such a godly country originally. I often ask “why God, why?” and hope to have an answer one day. I am so thankful for your booklets which offer encouragement in these dark days and helps me to trust that the Lord is with me and gives me insight as to the future. My prayers are with you and all your good works.

It seems a bit odd for LCG's editors to let a reader describe Ireland as "such a godly country originally" when it has long been populated by members of a certain church which LCG denounces as the Beast of Revelation 17.

And so LCG has produced yet another magazine issue to recruit more members for LCG without telling them the full implications of joining LCG, such as paying three tithes.

But where is Douglas Winnail?

Overview of the July-August 2015 Issue of Tomorrow's World

The latest issue of LCG's recruitment magazine, Tomorrow's World, is now out. Let us see what LCG's leaders have to say to try and convince people to join LCG.

This issue claims a circulation of 505,000.

Roderick C. Meredith has a personal article trying to persuade those who identify themselves as Christians but do not attend a church to attend LCG.

Roderick C. Meredith also has an article insisting that it is his "church" is the one true church.

Through this work you have been brought in contact with the true work of God.

Utter nonsense. It is ridiculous to imagine that God is only to be found through a man who imposed HWA's divorce and remarriage policy breaking up many families simply in order to conform to HWA's strict dogma.

Gerald Weston has a little article condemning evolution.

Richard Ames has an article describing Armstrongism's dogma that there is at present no hell.

William Williams has a little article talking about how advanced computers are becoming.

Simon Roberts has a little article moaning that Britain has fallen apart since the days of World War II.

John Meakin has an article talking about Winston Churchill.

The Q and A assures the readers that private property is perfectly right and proper.

Douglas Winnail has a little article fear mongering that the world will soon collapse. He cites Noah, Sodom and Gomorrha to frighten his readers.

Jonathan McNair has a little article condemning Fifty Shades of Grey and abortion and promoting black and white thinking by denigrating the idea of grey areas in regards to morality and ethics.

There are letters. Here is one from Cameroon.

Thanks very much for the books and the magazines. Where will I start or how will I start to appreciate how much your publications have blessed me and people around me? You see the things that are happening around the world, many people see it just as random events and conflict but the Fourteen Signs Announcing Christ’s Return booklet really polished my understandings and opened my eyes to discover new things.

Be careful. These writings are made for the purpose of recruiting more people to join LCG so that they get more money from people like this person from Cameroon.

There was also a letter from a reader who was disgusted seeing the picture of innocent Egyptian Christian hostages about to be murdered by a power hungry terrorist group in Libya affiliated with Abu Bakr al Baghdadi's lackeys in Iraq and Syria. In the letter below they are referred to as ISIS.

I was both shocked and horrified when I took your magazine out of my post box to see the evil large ISIS picture on the cover. To those not familiar with your magazine, it would certainly look like a publication promoting ISIS, and not a decent and respectable Christian organization teaching the good news about the Kingdom of God coming soon.

Now I would argue that Tomorrow's World is neither decent nor respectable but I must say it never occurred to me to say it looked like propaganda for ISIS when looking at that issue. But after thinking about it why wouldn't someone think at first glance that it was affiliated with Abu Bakr al Baghdadi's lackeys?

And so this issue ends. Once again LCG's leaders have produced a magazine in order to recruit new members and to keep their followers in awe of LCG's 1% so that they continue paying the three tithes and extra offerings to LCG's leaders.