HWA introduces his final "unsolved mystery"—the Kingdom of God—and predictably, the "world's churches, theologians and Bible scholars" can't solve it. (p. 293) To understand HWA's contrived "Kingdom of God" is to understand what a man envisions Utopia to be: No more illness, death, poverty, violence, suffering—only peace and prosperity. These have been the eternal cravings of mankind, and HWA capitalizes on it. HWA will substitute the glory of Heaven for the glory of this "new world order." This World of Tomorrow, according to HWA, will be racially pure and separate, completely rebuilt from being wasted by war. There will be "total literacy," perfect weather, a sound economic structure and it will be ruled by top down Government. This "government of God" will enforce all the ordinances kept by the followers of HWA. Men will be "forced to live in peace." Following the Millennium, HWA will complete his grandiose vision with three resurrections, culminating into the finale—the Headquarters Church of the Universe coming down from heaven and permanently establishing itself on the new earth. The great majority of mankind who has been converted into spirit beings (gods, actually) will be free to create life on all the dead planets throughout the universe for all eternity, while Earth will be the central Universe Headquarters.

REDEFINING THE TRUE GOSPEL

HWA begins this chapter with the falsehood that there was a violent controversy in the early church as to what is "the gospel of Jesus Christ." He informs us that all church history was destroyed during the first 100 years of the church and then a counterfeit church arose shortly afterward, which has espoused a false gospel since. Not to worry—HWA assures his readers that the "true gospel" has now been fully restored, 1900 years later (by him, of course), and is now being preached all over the world today. Let's examine what that "gospel" is that HWA is calling the "True Gospel" or "the gospel OF Christ."

This Kingdom of God, HWA insists, is the "good news" or "gospel" about the Kingdom and not about Christ. HWA claims that Christ came as a Messenger of that gospel:

Jesus was a Messenger sent from God with a message, and that message was THE KINGDOM OF GOD. (p. 294)

Why do churches disagree on what actually is "the gospel of Christ"? (p. 293)

It seems today that all churches have lost the gospel of Jesus Christ. (p. 294)

Yet few preach about the kingdom of God today, for they have lost all knowledge of what it is! (p. 294)

Not one is right! Could anything seem more incredible? (p. 295)

What is the one and only gospel of Jesus Christ? THE WORLD DOES NOT KNOW! (p. 295)

If all churches have lost this gospel, then that leaves only one that hasn't. Again, the set up is complete. The subtitles on pages 294 and 295 read, "Not One is Right!" and "CHRIST'S Gospel." HWA will now introduce his rendition of the gospel. (Carefully observe how the simplicity of the gospel will evolve into a very complicated gospel). Jesus, he claims, did not come as a personal savior, but as a messenger, bringing the good news of the Kingdom of God, which he claims is "the only true gospel" (pg. 298). Here is an obvious shift away from the Savior. Just in case one doesn't believe his version, he will spell out the seriousness of the situation:

It is necessary to believe that GOSPEL to be saved! And how can you believe it, unless you know what it is? (p. 295)

And God Almighty, through Paul, pronounced a double curse on man or angel that would DARE preach any other gospel! (p. 296)

Why, then, do so many DARE to preach so many other gospels? The good news of THE KINGDOM OF GOD is something you must understand, and BELIEVE, in order to be saved! Jesus Christ said so! YOU had better be finding out what it is! (p. 296)

The set up here is plain. The assumption HWA wants the reader to make is that he isn't guilty of preaching the wrong gospel. If the reader doesn't have a solid understanding of the gospel, he cannot refute what he doesn't know. HWA speaks boldly, confident that he, only, has the true gospel. At this point, the reader knows he knows so little, and HWA seems to know so much. The reader will convince himself that HWA must certainly be from God and he doesn't want to miss the boat to salvation. Along with this, HWA will resort to intimidation tactics.

Why, then do so many DARE to preach so many other gospels? The good news of THE KINGDOM OF GOD is something you must understand, and BELIEVE, in order to be saved! (p. 296)

A severe pronouncement of a "double curse" is given by HWA toward to those that preach the gospel about Jesus. In other words, HWA openly insists that the "world's churches" preach a false gospel about Christ, and to believe in that gospel spells disaster for the reader. With options like that, what choice is the reader likely to make? An expert salesman will always make the customer think he is making a deliberate choice, but in reality, he isn't.

Again, HWA cleverly guides the reader toward his organization:

...But does any, except God's true church, proclaim the true gospel of the kingdom of God today? (p. 294)

On page 296, HWA states, "The apostle Paul preached THE KINGDOM OF GOD (Acts 19:8; 20:25; 28:23, 31)." HWA gives a string of Scriptures that contain the phrase "Kingdom of God" to validate his point. What the unsuspecting reader doesn't know is that HWA omitted two Scriptures containing the key phrase "kingdom of God" because they clearly contradict his teaching that the gospel isn't about Jesus. Let's look these missing Scriptures below:

But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. (Acts 8:12)

And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. (Acts 14:21-23)

Earlier, HWA challenged the reader, stating that he "better be finding out what gospel is!" and insisted "The good news of THE KINGDOM OF GOD is something you must understand, and BELIEVE, in order to be saved! Jesus Christ said so!" If HWA was truly sent from God and personally trained by Jesus Christ, then he would have wanted to show—from Scripture—what Jesus said concerning what one should "believe," right? Would a good Bible teacher challenge the reader to find out what he needs to believe yet fail to supply him with the Scriptures using the word "believe" so he can know exactly what it is that the Bible says he needs to believe? The reader will not see HWA quote Scriptures like these in the MOA:

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life...(John 3:36)

Jesus answered and said unto them, "This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." (John 6:29)

Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. (John 14:1)

But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (John 20:31)

And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. (I John 3:23)

Verily, verily I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)

Be it known unto you all and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom God raised up from the dead... Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:10, 12)

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus...And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he [the eunuch] answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. (Acts 8:35, 37)

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house (Acts 16:31)

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved...For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:9, 13)

The Bible clearly states that belief in the name of Jesus Christ is how one gains eternal life, not belief in HWA's "Kingdom of God" (and all that it entails) gospel. Predictably, the Scripture Index at the end of the MOA does not contain any of these crucial Scriptures. This is outright deceit when one omits the very words of Jesus and the direct instructions of the apostles as to how one can gain eternal life. This is the simplicity of the gospel. We can believe what these Scriptures say, or we can slog through 70 pages of confusing text written by HWA about this coming "Kingdom."

HWA harangued his followers to "keep the Commandments," but here we see him contradict Scripture. In 1 John 3:23 quoted above, we see that the commandment given is that "we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ..."—the very thing that Biblical Christianity has said all along—the very thing that HWA said wasn't the gospel. In addition, members are taught that "The Work" is financially supporting HWA so he can get the gospel preached so the "end" will come. But the above Scripture says "the work of God" is for one to believe on Jesus Christ, the One He has sent.

Does Scripture teach a coming Kingdom of God? Absolutely. But just because Scripture is inerrant doesn't mean HWA is inerrant. Contrary to what HWA has told his readers, there are Christian churches that do believe in the future return of Jesus Christ and His coming kingdom. But they do not outline minute details that aren't in Scripture (see The 14 Executives later in this article), nor do they omit Scriptures in order to blind people to the simple process of salvation. To intentionally divert attention away from what Jesus accomplished on the Cross and deny people salvation is reprehensible. Belief in a coming kingdom of God¹ and belief in Jesus Christ as Savior isn't contradictory, as HWA wants his readers to believe.

A FALSE PROPHET AT WORK—WHEN WILL THIS KINGDOM BE ESTABLISHED?

This seventh chapter of the MOA will clearly identify HWA as a false prophet. When is this great Kingdom of God supposed to be ushered in? [bolding mine]

...News before it happens—of the most colossal event of all earth's history certain to occur in your lifetime—during the very next few years! (p. 298)

So mark carefully the time element! In the days of these kings"—in the days of these ten nations or groups of nations that shall, IN OUR TIME, resurrect briefly the Roman Empire...(p. 301)

Yes, in OUR TIME! (subtitle, p. 301)

Therefore, we are CLOSE to the coming of Christ! We are now very near the END of this world! (p. 303)

The MOA was written in 1985, over 20 years ago. When HWA emphasized the words "our time" he meant it for the time that he was living.  He gave his followers the impression that he fully intended to be alive at the Second Coming. He was supposed to be a dual type of Moses (applying the duality principle), and would lead his followers into the Promised Land (The Wonderful World Tomorrow). But this did not come to pass.

Now let's look at another false claim by HWA:

Well, there is the Strong Hand from somewhere. If that unseen Hand does not exist, humanity will not survive on earth another 25 years, or less! I know whereof I speak, for no organization on earth has a more knowledgeable grasp and understanding of world conditions, trends, and causes, than ours. We know where the world is heading... (The Ambassador College Correspondence Course, 1969, Lesson 5, p. 15). [bolding mine]

Speaking with arrogant confidence, HWA, back in 1969, stated that he knew the earth wouldn't survive another 25 years. Yet the world has, but HWA hasn't. Notice carefully how he gives his "organization" credit for having this knowledge—more than any on earth. Clearly we see HWA make a prophecy that did not materialize within the time period he pronounced with great certainty. The last issue of the 1969 Ambassador College Correspondence Course had these final words:

There is very little time remaining. You now know only a minority of humanity will remain alive just a few years from now. You have been warned of the terrible physical suffering and mental agony the immediate future will bring...A place of safety is promised...YOU can be one of those who step into eternity. The way is plain. Draw near to God and His Church!

Only by drawing near to Christ who is the Head of the "Philadelphia" Church—and having continuing contact with God's Headquarters Work—will you make the spiritual growth required. And having a share in the Work of God's Church you can share in her place of safety.

Very soon, world events will prevent many from being able to have contact with this Church. Don't wait to go through the terrible Tribulation with the sleepy, lukewarm "Laodicean" Church. Act now!!" (The Ambassador College Correspondence Course, 1969, Lesson 44, p. 16)

After completing the AC Correspondence Course, these sentences leave little doubt that HWA uttered false prophecies. Notice that HWA says to draw near to God and His Church, equating involvement with his organization to developing a direct relationship with Christ. He offers the promise of divine protection—the place of safety—but only if one becomes a part of his church and shares in its "Work." The recruit hardly notices that he must no longer trust in Christ for eternal life, but he must now be dependent upon the organization for protection. HWA ridiculed the traditional church for "coercing people into accepting Christ," but using coercion to scare people into his church didn't seem to bother his conscience in the least.

Cult leaders are also known for their duplicity and deceit, which they intentionally use to cause cognitive dissonance in their recruits. A prime example of this is shown on the previous page of this very same lesson in which HWA states:

COMMENT: Some have foolishly set dates, sold their houses, closed their businesses and quit work. Others locked themselves in their homes or waited in caves for the end of the world! Of course, Christ did not come! (The Ambassador College Correspondence Course, 1969, Lesson 44, p. 15) [emp. mine]

HWA foolishly set dates while bashing others who have done the same. HWA also promised divine protection in the caves of Petra, while discounting the whole notion altogether. He was very clever at covering all his bases. When 1975 rolled around, and members did these very things, he could scold them and say, "I never said to do that" and declare his innocence. Never mind the members were fed a steady diet of fear and date-setting up to that point. When my family began attending in 1983, we had heard rumors about the "1975 in Prophecy" fiasco. We asked our minister about this event. His response? "Well, Mr. Armstrong saw that world events were transpiring in a direction that could have been the beginning of Christ's imminent return. He never said that Christ would definitely return, but members went out and sold their homes and businesses because they thought Christ was returning at that time." In other words, it was the dumb members' fault for believing HWA in the first place! 

Does this mean that Bible prophecy isn't true? Will Jesus return and will there be a Millennium? Positively, yes. The Bible clearly states these things will happen. But how do we put this in proper perspective? Here is an interesting insight:

THE TIME OF CHRIST SECOND COMING

No One Knows the Day Nor the Hour (Matt. 24:36-42; Mark 13:32; cf. Acts 1:7)

The Scriptures tell us enough regarding the time of Christ's coming to satisfy our faith, but not our curiosity. These statements of the Master should be sufficient to silence that fanaticism which is so anxious to tell us the exact year, month, and even the day when Christ will come. This day is hidden in the counsels of God. Jesus Himself, by a voluntary unwillingness to know, while in His state of humiliation, showed no curiosity to peer into the chronology of this event. We should not nor ought we to want to know more than Christ did on this point... (The Great Doctrines of the Bible, 1949, pp. 241) [emp. mine]

Isn't it interesting that a "deceived scholar" would listen to the words of Jesus and teach others to not make end time prophecies concerning Christ's return? Why does HWA have such a hard time believing and obeying Jesus in this matter?

Now let's look at HWA update his end time predictions in the MOA:

The whole purpose of the DREAM [speaking of Daniel the prophet's dream] was to reveal GOD'S GOVERNMENT—the fact that God RULES—the truth of THE KINGDOM OF GOD—the very thing that is the one and only true GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST! And, secondly, to reveal—preserved in writing for us TODAY—what is to happen "in the latter days"—actually within the next two decades—THIS LAST HALF OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY! (p. 298) [bolding mine]

What does the Bible say about all this? "But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak...even that prophet shall die" and "When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him." (Deuteronomy 18:20, 22)

HWA's prophecy did not come to pass "during the next few years," nor "this last half of the twentieth century." Decades have passed. The Great Tribulation did not occur in the time frame given by HWA, nor did the United States of Europe invade the United States and Britain and take them captive. World War III never happened. We must no longer believe the words of this false prophet, nor the words of those who try to carry forward his burned out torch of falsehoods.

LIES AGAINST BIBLICAL CHRISTIANITY CONCERNING LUKE 1:31-33

Again, we see the same methods used by HWA before he introduces a new topic. He must discredit, misrepresent, and malign traditional churches. Once feelings of mistrust are in place, the reader will open his mind to "other alternatives." Ceaseless in his tirades against Biblical Christianity, HWA makes the following sensational claims:

How amazing—what a tragedy—that in church services and gospel preaching today, one seldom, if ever, hears of Christ as coming king and world ruler. (p. 303)

Why do the professing Christian churches omit all these scriptures about Christ coming and of his ruling the earth? (p. 305)

In reference to Luke 1:31-33, HWA states:

Why do the churches of this world never mention any of these scriptures? Millions have attended churches all their lives and never heard any of these scriptures about Christ becoming a king or about the coming kingdom of God. (p. 304)

HWA claims that:

The churches of this world never mention these Scriptures in Luke 1. (p. 304)

Millions have attended churches all their lives and never heard any of these Scriptures. (Ibid. 304)

Although HWA claims that these Scriptures aren't read in church services today, he completely disregards the fact that these very Scriptures are read in Christian churches everywhere around the world—during Christmas! HWA knows this, but he wants to stir up feelings of righteous indignation against traditional Christian churches even if he has to lie to do it! Luke 1:31-33 are core Scriptures of the gospel:

And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Christian churches celebrate the birth of Christ and His coming as the Son of God, the Savior. The traditional Christmas story begins with the angel announcing to Mary that she has found favor with God, and has been chosen to give birth to the Savior. From there, the story progresses to Jesus being born and placed in a manger, and the shepherds visiting the stable to witness "a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11) Look again at the two claims against Biblical Christianity that HWA makes concerning these Scriptures. Can one really believe that these Scriptures are "never mentioned?" Can one really have "attended church all their life" and "never heard any of these Scriptures"? Contrary to HWA's claims, these very Scriptures are even memorized by children and recited during Christmas plays. Can you imagine a Christmas pageant that would skip over them? It would certainly leave out crucial details such as the virgin birth, and who Jesus is. The Bible wouldn't make sense without them. The Christian church clearly understands that Jesus Christ is King NOW and forever.

Again, HWA resorts to repugnance against "traditional Christianity" by lumping them with the vilest of the vile:

But will humanity shout with joy, and welcome him in frenzied ecstasy and enthusiasm? Will even the churches of traditional Christianity? [emp. mine]

They will not! They will believe, because the false ministers of Satan (II Cor. 11:13-15) have deceived them, that he is the Antichrist. The churches and the nations will be angry. The churches and the nations will be angry at his coming (Rev. 11:15 with 11:18), and the military forces will actually attempt to fight him to destroy him (Rev. 17:14)! (p. 306-307) [emp. mine]

HWA gives a graphic description of the consequences of joining forces with them:

This rotting of their flesh off their bones will happen almost instantaneously— while they are still on their feet. (p. 308)

The setup again, is clear. Who in their right mind would want to fight against Jesus Christ and go through something this gross? Once again, HWA wins. The above is an example of how HWA implanted subconscious fear in the minds of his followers. Is there any wonder why church members are so rejecting and caustic toward the mainstream church? This is one of the main reasons why those who exit the various churches of God are unable to keep traditional holidays. HWA's literature continually reminds them that partaking of any holidays, outside of what the organization allows, is falling into the trap of "false Christian ministers." If members go along with anything that is approved by the traditional church or society, they are automatically in league with the Antichrist, and will suffer agonizing punishment. Members do not even realize the fear and phobia induction used by HWA to keep them in check. So successful is this method, that members who exit from the organization still cannot bring themselves to celebrate traditional holidays—even years after they have left.

TO THE MILLENNIUM... AND BEYOND!

Church members believe that the Feast of Tabernacles depicts the coming Millennium. When will the Millennium, the "Wonderful World Tomorrow" begin? According to HWA, after church members, who are "counted worthy to escape," flee to the place of safety, they will undergo their "final training" for 3-1/2 years in the fortified citadel of Petra. Petra is located in the Middle East in the country of Jordan. Members believe they will wait there, supernaturally protected, until the Second Coming of Christ. The rest of the world will go through the Great Tribulation. Just before the worldwide nuclear holocaust destroys the entire planet, Christ will return and stop mankind from complete annihilation. Then the First Resurrection will occur and church members will be transformed ("born again") from flesh and blood beings into spirit beings. This is the "salvation" they have long awaited.  At that time Christ will usher in a thousand years of peace, also known as the Millennium, and members will rule with Him.

Members believe they will teach the survivors to conform to the rules of God's government during the Millennium. Of course, the problem is that many teachings of HWA have changed throughout the decades. Since HWA taught, "the dead know nothing" then faithful members who have died will come up in this First Resurrection with obsolete beliefs. These born-again spirit beings will not be unified, resulting in confusion for this new millennial government.

HUMAN NATURE DOESN'T DISAPPEAR DURING THE MILLENNIUM

In addition to resurrected church members, Bible saints, and the Great Multitude, the Millennium will consist of people who survived the Great Tribulation and the battle of Armageddon. Although Satan will be restrained during the Millennium, on page 311 HWA reveals that "complete utopia cannot be ushered in all at once" due to the "acquired satanic attitude" that man will retain. "Multiple millions will still hold to the attitude of rebellion—of vanity, lust, and greed." Then HWA promises that with the recruit's help, this can be overcome through re-education.

WORLD PROBLEMS SOLVED

From here, HWA assures us that the world's problems will be solved during this time.

The world's population explosion will be rectified by reclamation of land from fertile desserts and oceans, and provision of pure water sources. Weather patterns will be changed – even the nature of wild animals will be changed. Everyone will be completely literate, speaking the same language, and the economy sound. On page 324, HWA states, "Once each 50 years, all debts, public and private, will be canceled, completely." It is interesting to note that HWA never practiced this "Year of Jubilee" with his own church members, even though his church was in existence for over 50 years. He insisted that the tithing laws be upheld (obviously, he didn't want to wait for the Millennium to institute tithing), but swept the Year of Jubilee under the rug.

LAWS OF HEALTH REVISITED

As stated earlier in the MOA, HWA was a master at progression. In the previous chapter, he carefully mentions the Laws of Health and implies that Jesus Himself observed them and never broke them. He will progress further with this thought, this time, offering the reader a highly coveted prize—perfect health—and one need not wait until the Millennium to achieve this.

HWA never rests in his assaults against Biblical Christianity, even concerning issues of health:

Why should we be so willing to believe such a perfect state of health and joy is impossible? Why are all these Scriptures ignored by professing Christian preaching? Instead they picture going to heaven with idleness and ease and no accomplishment. (p. 318) [emp. mine]

There are blessings for observing the laws of health—absolute guarantees good health will result—and that sickness and disease will become in the third and fourth generations a thing of the past. (p. 319) [emp. mine]

The bait is carefully set. First we observe HWA dangling a tantalizing promise of "perfect health and joy." Next, he must ensure that the competition ("professing Christianity") offers an inferior product and will quickly malign its product—heaven. Who wants to wait until heaven to be healed when HWA can offer his product NOW? For those readers who suffer from poor health, this offer will we hard to resist.

Once in the organization, members are expected to abide by these "laws of health." Abstaining from unclean foods (pork, shellfish) is only the beginning. The ability to abstain from particular foods will be used as a "spiritual yardstick" for members to measure their spiritual progress. Any illnesses (even a common cold) are seen as a "broken health law" and members must pray for forgiveness. They are to be anointed with oil by an elder and not see a physician for medication.

When the unsuspecting reader writes away for the "free" literature, he will learn that using doctors is the equivalent to paganism and worshiping other gods:

Patients often face costly doctor and hospital bills, painful suffering and sometimes premature death because they lack faith in the God Who reveals Himself as our Healer.

Comment: For centuries, Israel's only means of healing was through the power of the Almighty God. He was their healer! There were no doctors or physicians in Israel. That is, not until they began to turn to the pagan ways of the heathen nations around them.

The same conditions of obedience to God's commandments and not looking to other gods for our healing apply today. Because of not abiding by these conditions, a lot of people who have a little understanding about divine healing, and actually believe in it, are not being healed! (The Ambassador College Correspondence Course, 1969, Lesson 43, p. 13) [all bolding mine]

The Laws of Health are simply another system to keep members under control. If they get sick, they believe they have committed a "physical sin," and ask God for forgiveness instead of seeking medical attention. If they remain sick, they feel tremendous guilt. Fellow members question whether there is "some secret sin" that the ill person is hiding when there is no evidence of divine healing. Although HWA claims that the laws of health are "absolute guarantees," he fails to mention that members in his church do not experience "a perfect state of health and joy" and die just like everybody else in the world. Members succumb to cancer, heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, etc., even after abiding by these health laws. (HWA himself suffered a major heart attack, and his wife died from a bowel obstruction. Joseph W. Tkach Sr. died from cancer). The truth of the matter is that there are no guarantees that observing these supposed "laws of health" will prevent all sickness and disease, let alone cure them.

Although HWA berates Christian churches for being completely ignorant, he does not point out what they do understand: What goes into the man doesn't make him unclean—it’s what comes from his heart that makes him unclean. (See Matthew 15: 11, 18) Traditional Christian churches are concerned about one's spiritual health for they understand that Jesus is the cure to spiritual sickness.

NO TEMPTATION

HWA informs his readers that Satan will not be in the millennial kingdom to tempt them:

Happily they [people converted during the Millennium] then will not have to overcome Satan. But they shall have to overcome all evil impulses, habits or temptations, innate within themselves. (p. 350)

Members understand that they will already be converted to spirit beings at the moment of Christ's return and will no longer be human. They will rule over the survivors of the Great Tribulation and teach them the O.T. laws. Everyone will be forced to keep the Sabbath, the Holy Days, tithing, health laws and other ordinances practiced in his organization, which were a part of the Mosaic Covenant.

According to HWA, even though Satan is "put away," men will still have to overcome "evil impulses, habits or temptations." Members, now spirit beings, believe they will correct these errant men before they succumb to their evil deeds. Members will suddenly appear, and instruct wayward people just as they are in the throes of sin. As "God" members will be able to read the minds of potential sinners and prevent them from indulging in their wrongdoing:

COMMENT: In the world tomorrow, those now qualifying to rule under Christ will be ever-present and ever-ready to speak or act, both to teach and to nip in the bud any attempted act of disobedience. Because they will be composed of spirit, they will be able to come and go as necessary, to pass through walls, or simply disappear, just as Christ was able to after His resurrection (John 20:17, 19, 25-27; Luke 24:31). (The Ambassador Correspondence Course, 1972, Lesson 4, p. 14)

Again, the members fail to perceive what a daunting job this will be. Today, there are over six billion people in the world. If only 1% of them survive the Great Tribulation, that leaves at least 60 million survivors. If these sixty million survivors sin daily, there will have to be endless instruction, as spirit beings (members) appear and disappear from person to person, in an effort to stop sin (Isa. 30:20-21). HWA ridiculed Heaven as a place of idleness and ease, but the member never realizes how much work HWA has in store for his converts in this coming paradise. Somehow, they must manage not only to correct potential sinners, but also rebuild the destroyed earth back into a paradise known as The Wonderful World Tomorrow. The worldwide urban renewal and vast engineering projects of Job will be taking place during this time. And what about the Sabbath? Will these members have time off on the Sabbath? What if sin doesn't take time off for the Sabbath?

Many female members have small children and some may be pregnant when they flee to the place of safety. By the time Christ returns and the First Resurrection occurs, these women will have toddlers or preschoolers who will remain human. How will they ever get to spend any time with their children? Members are told that their obedient human children will become princes and princesses of high honor in the World Tomorrow, and that they will be taken well care of. Again, HWA contradicts his own dogma to "turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers" (Malachi 4:6). How can this be done if the fathers (and mothers) aren't present, and somebody else is raising their child? And how many of these children would gladly give up "status and prestige" just to spend time with their own parents? Nobody will ever ask them because in this new world order, everyone will do what they're told without resistance or question. This is the main reason member's children are not allowed to participate in traditional holidays, or celebrate birthdays. They must forgo these worldly pleasures of today in order to inherit their lofty positions in the World Tomorrow. So even the children are placed in a situation where they are pressured to conform to the rules in order to gain their reward (or at least make their parents look good so they can gain theirs). Members believe that their children are "sanctified" and are "set apart for a holy purpose." If the parents can "qualify" for their salvation, then their children will be awarded these earthly ruling positions. So much is speculated, yet HWA has his followers believing that these imaginings are derived from Scripture.

ALL WILL KEEP THE FEAST (ZECHARIAH 14)

Further, on pages 328-329, HWA again mentions the seven annual Festivals of God. He lambastes Christian churches again:

Today the professing Christian world rejects God's Holy Days; holy to him, but which a deceived "Christianity" hates. They observe instead the pagan days—Christmas, New Year's, Easter, and others—"which God hateth"! Many know and confess that these are pagan—but they argue, "We don't observe these in worshiping the pagan gods, we use their customs in worshiping Christ and the true God."

But false "Christian" ministers taught that God's Festivals were "part of the old Mosaic system—not for us today." The clergy deceived and prejudiced the people. The people were deceived into believing that Christmas, New Year's, Easter, etc., were days Christ ordained.

Christians do not believe all of these holidays are "ordained" and to say so is a gross misrepresentation. Many holidays are civil holidays and the Christian church does not command its followers to keep them. Such holidays are New Year's, President's Day, Memorial Day, Mother's and Father's Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and others. The church understands what Paul taught in Romans 14 that observance of certain days are optional according to one's conscience. Christmas and Easter are set apart as holy days because they center around the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Although many Christians believe these two are the most important to observe, they do not force others to observe them, nor declare as anathema those who don't. The Lord's Supper or Holy Communion is considered an ordained ceremony in Christian churches. As far as "God's Festivals" being part of the old Mosaic system, this is entirely true. But since the reader knows little to nothing about this "Mosaic system" he cannot refute what HWA is saying. Notice, again, the set up: to agree to keep traditional holidays, one is labeled as deceived and prejudiced. The reader may not understand what the Mosaic system is, but he doesn’t want to allow himself to be deceived! And this is the reaction that HWA is looking for. Jehovah's Witnesses also do not observe any religious or civil holidays, nor birthdays. Why doesn't HWA mention these millions of "faithful followers" who hold the same beliefs?

HWA points to Zechariah 14:17-19 as proof that all will keep God's Holy Days when Christ returns. Is this true? Will the world keep the Feast of Tabernacles sometime in the future? According to Scripture, yes. Does this mean that we are to keep them today? According to Scripture, no. Paul, in Romans 14, had the perfect opportunity to spell out Holy Day observances as commands for converts. But does he? In verses 5-6, Paul states, "One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it." Paul isn't speaking about liking one Holy Day or Sabbath day better than another. HWA taught that High Holy Days were not optional. But here, Paul clearly gives the believer the option to not observe a particular day unto the Lord if he so wishes.

Predictably, HWA does not give Biblical Christianity any credit for understanding the future observance of the Feast of Tabernacles and hides this fact from his readers. Since HWA taught that any Christian literature printed outside of his organization was filled with deception and prejudiced, let's see what The Bible Knowledge Commentary has to say about Zechariah 14:17-19:

That Gentiles will go to Jerusalem to worship does not mean they will become Jewish proselytes, as in Old Testament times. Millennial religious worship will not be a restored Judaism but a newly instituted worldwide religious order embracing both Jews and Gentiles. It will center in Jerusalem and will incorporate some features identical with or similar to certain aspects of Old Testament worship. One of these aspects is the annual celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles. The need to go to Jerusalem is partially explained by the presence there of the object of worship—the King, the Lord Almighty, that is Jesus Christ who will be ruling on the throne of David in Jerusalem. (14:16). Worshiping annually in Jerusalem will be necessary for the people to enjoy fertility of crops. Those nations that neglect or refuse such opportunities for worship will forfeit water supply. For most nations this simply means they will have no rain. But Egypt, whose irrigation depends not on rain (at least not directly) but rather on the flooding of the Nile, will still experience the plague of drought, as punishment from the Lord, as will all the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. (The Bible Knowledge Commentary, 1983, p. 1571)

I even asked a "deceived and prejudiced" Baptist pastor about these verses. He readily agreed with the above. He also noted, "What will be instituted in the future does not mean that we are required to do it during the present church age. … God does not require Christians today to keep the Feast of Tabernacles, but in the Millennium, this ordinance will be re-established for that particular time only. God can add or annul religious observances to suit His purposes, and has done so throughout history."

If this "deceived Christian" pastor "hated" God's Holy Days, his answer didn't reflect this.

THE NEW COVENANT

HWA briefly discusses the New Covenant as something that is future and to begin at Christ's return:

In short, under the New Covenant, which Christ is coming to usher in, what we shall see on earth is happiness, peace, abundance and justice for all...(p. 327) [emp. mine]

HWA will continue his discussion of the New Covenant by distorting Hebrews 8:10 as "proof" that converts are to keep the law. Why doesn't HWA mention any other Scriptures that discuss the New Covenant? Is it because out of five Scriptures he chose the only one that mentioned the "law"? What could HWA be hiding? HWA failed to quote Matthew 26:27-28, Mark 14:23-24, Luke 22:20 and I Corinthians 11:25. Since these verses are worded similarly, I only quote one:

Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. (Luke 22:20) [emp. mine]

The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible shows that diathēkē  is the Greek word for "testament" in the above verses and means:

prop. a disposition, i.e. (spec.) a contract (espec. a devisory will: —covenant, testament). [bolding mine]

Likewise, J. Vernon McGee states the following:

We have what is known as a New Covenant today; we call it a new testament. The New Testament is actually a New Covenant which God has made, and it is in contrast to the old covenant of the Old Testament. (Thru the Bible With J. Vernon McGee, Vol. 5, Hebrews 8:6, p. 559) [emp. mine]

HWA didn't quote these for three reasons: One, because they dispel the notion that the New Covenant is "still future"; two, because they show that Jesus fulfilled his role as Messenger of the New Covenant, not "messenger of the Kingdom" (discussed at the beginning of this chapter concerning Malachi 3:1); and three, because they speak of the blood of Christ which is shed for the remission of sins. This is such a monumental event in history, yet HWA dedicates only three small paragraphs to discuss the New Covenant! There are 363 pages of text in the MOA—shouldn't this tell us something?

Covenants were ratified with the blood of a sacrifice. This blood of the New Covenant was Christ's own blood, shed for the remission of sins. This covenant was ratified at His death and Christians have a part in it now.² HWA skipped over the fact that the New Covenant is established on better promises—spiritual promises—the provision of a Savior and being able to be redeemed now through the blood of Jesus. (Readers must write for booklets that will twist this teaching around). Others who have critiqued HWA’s literature have also noted a purposeful dependency that HWA tries to create in his other publications:

With such overwhelming proofs of HWA being wrong on the new birth, one has to suspect him of evil motives. Does he want to destroy assurance of salvation in order to make people dependent upon himself? This seems to be true in several of his misleading articles. (Armstrongism's 300 Errors Exposed (by 1300 Bible verses), S. E. Anderson, 1973, p. 113) [emp. mine]

Yes, indeed, he does.

THE PERFECT GOVERNMENT

HWA informs his readers that this "government of God" will be a perfect government, and was "planned" from the beginning. This perfect government will replace the bungled 6,000-year rule of Satan on earth. HWA will now give details of how this government will be organized. It will consist of both church and state, and be broken down to a national and international level with a "topflight team" in charge under Jesus Christ. A Headquarters Church will be established to re-educate the world. Let's examine HWA's vision of this new government.

THE 14 EXECUTIVES OF THE TOP FLIGHT TEAM

Let's look at another contradiction of HWA. On page 299, he states,

Men ought never to interpret the Bible. The Bible gives us GOD'S OWN INTERPRETATION!

Well spoken. But has HWA followed his own advice? Let's look and see. On pages 334-335, under the subtitle "The Pattern of Government Organization" HWA states:

God has not told us, in so many words, precisely how his coming world super government will be organized. Yet he has given us the general pattern. He has told us specifically where 14 high executives (including Christ) will fit in. And from them we may deduce a great deal of the remaining government structure. Much of the coming structure of government is at least strongly indicated by what is plainly revealed.

In the paragraph above, we see HWA use a technique called "double-speak." This technique, which uses "contradicting terms," keeps people confused so they are unable to process information clearly.

Now let's closely examine the above paragraph. HWA plainly states [bolding mine], "God has not told us...precisely how His coming world super government will be organized" but quickly flip-flops and states, "He has told us specifically where 14 high executives (including Christ) will fit in." He flip-flops again and admits that every thing else concerning this government structure is "deduced." Then he flip-flops again and tries to convince readers that these things are "plainly revealed." Are they? Or are they plainly made up? Once the technique of double-speak is employed, HWA will use the phrase "We know," repeated five times following this contradicting paragraph. He must quickly regain a foothold in the minds of his readers before they can process these contradictions.

Let's see if HWA lets the Bible interpret itself, or whether he does the interpreting. We will examine whether God has told HWA specifically, in Scripture, where these 14 high executives will fit in.

Executives #1, #2, and #3—Abraham, Isaac and Jacob:

What is plainly revealed indicates, then, that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will function as a topflight team, with Abraham as chairman of the team, next under Christ in the coming world government of God. (p. 336). [emp. mine]

Where in Scripture is this specific statement "plainly revealed"? The verse given by HWA in Luke 13:28 is a warning to those who will be shut out of the kingdom when the time comes for the Master to shut the door. It says nothing about a "topflight team" and Abraham being the chairman. Men ought never to interpret the Bible.

Executives #4 and #5—Moses and Elijah:

Certainly the indication is given us that, under Christ as King of kings, and under Christ's top team—the "fathers"—will be Moses over all organized national and international government; and Elijah, over all organized church, religious and educational activity. (p. 337)

Although HWA makes the above definite statements, he gives no definite Scriptures to back up what he has declared. He gives Matthew 16:27-17:9 as his scriptural proof, but they say nothing about Moses heading up an "organized national and international government," nor Elijah being "over all organized church, religious and educational activity." Appearing at the Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah, speak with Christ about His impending death in Jerusalem. Luke 9:30-31 state this plainly:

And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

But HWA does not give this particular Scripture in order that the Bible can interpret itself. Since he believes, "There is absolutely NO Scripture in all the Bible that promises HEAVEN as the "reward of the saved," and "NO Scripture speaks of the saints—true Christians—going to heaven when they die!"³ Therefore, he must concoct another explanation as to why Moses and Elijah appear in glory with Christ at the Transfiguration. He teaches that the Transfiguration is a future "vision" of "church and state" united again under Christ in the World Tomorrow. Here again, is another example of how HWA points to one Scripture to prove his teaching (giving Matt 16:27-17:9 as an example) while ignoring another that disproves his point (ignoring Luke 9:31 and which further describes Moses and Elijah speaking to Christ). Why would a "vision" be conscious of Christ's impending death and be speaking to him about it? Moses and Elijah represent the law and the prophets which both foretold Christ's death. Luke 9:31 clearly states that this is what the three of them were discussing.⁴

HWA can't resist mentioning the three schools ("or colleges" as HWA gladly inserted) that Elijah established at Bethel, Jericho and Gilgal (p. 337-338). Why? Members understand this to be a form of the "duality principle" covered in the introduction of MOA. HWA built three colleges—one in Pasadena, California, one in Big Sandy, Texas and one in Bricket Wood, England. Since members believe that HWA is the modern-day Elijah (see chapter seven, page 348 of the MOA under "Elijah to Come in Our Day"), this serves only as a reminder to his elevated status as a prophet of God.

Executive #6—King David:

King David, resurrected, immortal, in power and glory, will be king, under Moses, over all twelve nations of Israel (Jer. 30:9; Ezek. 34:23-24; 37:24-25). Each of the original twelve apostles will be king, under David, over one of these then super-prosperous nations (Matthew 19:28) (p. 338)

But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them. (Jeremiah 30:9)

And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it. (Ezekiel 34:23-24). [emp. mine]

And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: …(Ezekiel 37:24) [emp. mine]

Executive #7—Daniel:

HWA writes:

But what of the gentile nations? Who will be given top positions of rule over them? ...The prophet Daniel will be made king over them all, directly under Moses. (p. 339)

It is an interesting possibility, in passing, to consider that Daniel's three colleagues...Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—might serve as a team directly with and under Daniel, even as the three "fathers" very possibly may serve as a team directly with and under Christ himself. (p. 340)

The only scriptural proof that HWA was able to give was Ezekiel 14:14, 20 and Daniel 12:13.

"...Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness, " say the Lord GOD. (Ezekiel 14:14) (repeats in verse 20)

But you, go your way till the end, for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days. (Daniel 12:13)

Again, HWA takes these Scriptures and interprets through them what is simply not there. These do not say that Daniel will be made "king over the gentile nations directly under Moses." These Scriptures, in context, simply say that Daniel's (and Noah's and Job's) righteousness could deliver no one but himself, and that God has promised Daniel that he would come up in the Resurrection. HWA also makes a statement concerning Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, which he, himself, can give no supporting Scriptures. If "the Bible gives us God's OWN INTERPRETATION," then we do not see God's interpretation agreeing with HWA's interpretation here. Again, HWA speculates about Scripture, the very thing he warns against.

Executive #8—Paul:

HWA launches into a discussion as to whether Daniel or Paul will head the gentile nations. His conclusion?

The indication, then, seems to be that Paul will be given position over all gentile nations, but under Daniel. (p. 341).

Although HWA states that Paul's position under Daniel is "clearly indicated from what God has already revealed," he can give no Scriptures to prove this statement. Those in the various churches of God are taught to "Prove All Things" and "Don't Believe Me—Believe Your Bible!" and certainly they believe that they do. But what they do not perceive is the method that their revered leader uses. He makes a string of false statements, inserts a correct statement with what seems to be supporting Scriptures, and then summarizes the meaning of the Scriptures while ignoring any Scriptures that could annul his theories. Because the Scriptures he gives seem to support what he is saying, the novice will not catch this tricky method.

Executive #9—Noah:

This is quite comical.

But Noah, in the resurrection, immortal, in power and glory, will be given the power to enforce God's ways in regard to race...It seems evident that the resurrected Noah will head a vast project of the relocation of the races and nations.... and no defiance will be tolerated. (p. 342)

Earlier in chapter 4 and chapter 5 of the MOA, I showed how HWA contradicted himself by stating that interracial marriages were against God's will, but later stated that the sons of Noah had married an Oriental and a Black woman. If Noah couldn't control the actions of his own sons, what makes HWA think that he is qualified to separate the various races? As usual, HWA can give no Scriptures that specifically state, "Noah will head a vast project of race relocation."

The Scriptures given by HWA (Deut. 32:8-9; Acts 17:26), read in context, have nothing to do with men refusing to remain in the lands given to them. Starting in verse 24 in Acts 17, Paul is speaking to the Gentiles about God, who made the world and everything in it. Paul says God needs nothing, but gives life to all. He has made all nations descend from one man, and He controls the rise and fall of nations. He establishes their specific geographical locations (Deut. 32:8) and determines the time of their existence. Why? "...So that they should seek the Lord, in hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each of us." What we really see in the Scriptures provided by HWA is that God determines the boundaries of nations and how long they will exist—not for the sole purpose of keeping them racially separated, but as Paul said—so men will seek Him and call on Him.

HWA cleverly trimmed away the true context of these Scriptures. What HWA doesn't delve into are the details. If men were returned to their original lands, what time period are we looking at? If the Romans are returned to their own lands in this vast relocation project headed by Noah, do they return to the territories held by the Roman Empire during their zenith, or do they only occupy Italy? There were no Romans during the time of Noah, so how would he know where to return them since God keeps changing the borders throughout history? What about the Assyrians? Does God remove them from Germany⁵ and return them to Iraq? Where do the Iraqis go? They certainly don't resemble the Germans of today. Should Noah go by political boundaries or by skin color? Are all blacks automatically shipped off to Africa, all whites to Europe and America, and all Asians to China and the Pacific Rim? Remember, it was HWA who taught that there are three distinct races. What about the blended races? The truth is HWA doesn't know even though he wants his readers to think he knows.

Executive #10—Joseph:

It seems evident, therefore, that Joseph will be made director of the world's economy—its agriculture, its industry, its technology, and its commerce—as well as its money and monetary system. (p. 343)

HWA quotes Gen. 39:2-3 as his proof text. God did cause Joseph to prosper in Egypt, but this Scripture nowhere states that in the future, he will be "made director of the world's economy, agriculture, industry, technology, commerce, its money and monetary system." Can you begin to see how far-fetched these statements have become? These are all suppositions made by a man who clearly stated, "Men ought never to interpret the Bible."

Executive #11—Job:

...well, surely no man who ever lived could equal him [Job] as an engineer over vast stupendous world projects. Indication is strong, therefore, that Job will be director of worldwide urban renewal, rebuilding the waste places and destroyed cities...vast engineering projects such as dams and power plants—or whatever the ruling Christ shall decree. (p. 344)

Job, indeed, was a wealthy man who had lots of children, sheep, camels, oxen, donkeys and laborers. And if this wasn't enough, God even calls him "blameless and upright." As the story unwinds, Job befalls misfortune through the hands of Satan, but in the end is redeemed and restored by God. In the entire book of Job, there is not one single Scripture that specifically states that Job will be "director of worldwide urban renewal, rebuilding the waste places and destroyed cities, etc." And neither can HWA give such a Scripture. Church of God members value the Bible and are certain they derive all their beliefs from it, but here, again, we see a plain fabrication which members believe simply because HWA has it in print.

Executive #12—Zerubbabel:

Not much is said concerning him:

At least one other man seems indicated as a top assistant in this vast administration. That is Zerubbabel. (p. 344)

But it doesn't matter. HWA only wants to seek out 14 executives because the number 14 is significant. It is the number 7 (which members consider sacred) times two. If anything can be said of HWA, it is certainly his penchant for numerology. Go back over the MOA and see how often numbers are used by him: Numbers 7 and any multiples of 7; 12 and multiples of 12; the number 19 (it’s 7 plus 12); 10 and any multiples of 10.) By paralleling Biblical numbers, HWA uses them to bolster his claims that God has ordained him.

Executive #13—John the Baptist:

Next, in this all-important Headquarters Church organization, working with and directly under Elijah, it appears, will be the resurrected John the Baptist. (p. 347)

Because John the Baptist's name is mentioned in the same verse as Elijah's, HWA concludes, "It seems logical that he should be placed with, or immediately under, Elijah." It is interesting to note that HWA stated, "Jesus said that no man who ever lived was greater than John the Baptist" (p. 347). Quickly following this statement, HWA writes about the "Elijah to Come in Our Day" (p. 348), which members readily understand is HWA. If Jesus stated that there is no greater man than John the Baptist, and John the Baptist will be serving under Elijah, where does that put HWA? The implication here is that he is equal to if not greater than John the Baptist! Members are so blinded by their loyalty to HWA that they don't realize how high a pedestal they have placed him on (and how high he has placed himself).

Executive #14—Jesus:

Nothing much is really said of Him, other than He is the supervisor of these executives. Will he wear a pinstriped suit and carry a briefcase and hold international meetings with these other 13 on a regular basis? HWA says little of Executive #14 since there wouldn't be any Scriptures to back it up (this, we can all be certain of)!

Why is it so important for HWA to pigeonhole Jesus and the biblical patriarchs into an imaginary corporate structure? Because HWA has molded Jesus into his own image. Jesus is no longer a Savior, but a big-shot corporate boss who calls all the shots without question. HWA wants his followers to believe that Jesus will rule over His executives and His kingdom like HWA rules over his executives and his organization. From this "Jesus" one can be sure that "no defiance will be tolerated" (p. 342) as none is tolerated in HWA's organization. Men will be "forced" to live in peace. Obviously, HWA has no concept of spiritual conversion.

HEADQUARTERS, THE TRUE UNIVERSE

On page 305 of the MOA, HWA cleverly redefines the "Throne of God" as the "Headquarters of the Government of the Universe." This method is known as "transferal."

He ascended to the Throne of God, Headquarters of the Government of the Universe.

Here is a subtle transfer of authority from God to an entity called Headquarters. Members unwittingly adopt the belief that "God" and "Headquarters" are one and the same. This is where the "mind meld" occurs. Once the convert adopts this erroneous belief, it is a very powerful tool used against him. To question or challenge Headquarters is equal to questioning or challenging God. God no longer speaks to the hearts of men through Scripture. Instead, Headquarters will now speak to the members and let the will of God be known through a hierarchical system.

In chapter one of the MOA, HWA informed the reader that the word "Trinity" is not found in the Bible. From there, he concludes that the Trinity doesn't exist because the word isn't found in the Bible. If this methodology is true, then HWA has failed to inform his members that the word "Headquarters" is nowhere found in the Bible either, much less the term "Headquarters of the Government of the Universe" which he lavishly parades through this chapter.

Now we will observe how cleverly HWA transfers authority from the "Headquarters of the Government" to the "Headquarters Church" forty pages later. HWA plainly states that this HQ mega church will be located in Jerusalem:

This Headquarters Church, at Christ's own world capital of Jerusalem, then, undoubtedly will be given the administration of the world's new system of education. (p. 349)

Also the indication is that the teaching of spiritual truth—of the true gospel, the spiritual conversion of the world—will be directed, worldwide, from this Headquarters Church, under Elijah and the overall direct supervision of Jesus Christ. (p. 349)

HWA will be unable to provide a single Scripture to prove these and other statements concerning this future Headquarters mega church, nor any proof that it will be under Elijah. He simply states things as if they are fact. Here, he uses the word "undoubtedly" to bolster the reader's confidence in this claim. HWA often quoted, "Where there is no vision the people will perish." He was a master at giving his followers visions of the future of his church:

But the real world evangelism will be administered by this Headquarters Church composed of resurrected immortals, under direct supervision of Jesus Christ.

One thing there will not be in the millennial Headquarters Church is a doctrinal committee of intellectual "scholars" to decide whether Christ's teachings are true doctrines.

There was no such doctrinal committee in the first century Headquarters Church at Jerusalem...God's Church today, as in the first century, receives its teachings from the living Christ, through an apostle, just as in A.D. 31. [emp. mine]

One other tremendous organizational function will be directed from this Headquarters Church—that of direction of all the local churches over the world. (p. 350)

Initially, this vision seems exciting: Being directly under Jesus Christ in helping to convert the world? Wow! Who can resist? But upon closer scrutiny, there are a few things the reader has failed to perceive concerning this Headquarters Church, first and foremost, the lack of scriptural references. The second thing is HWA's demeaning attitude toward sound Christian scholarship. HWA knows that educated men can easily see through his false arguments and challenge these falsehoods. HWA will poison his followers to believe that examining Scriptures and coming to conclusions that negate his teachings will not be allowed in this millennial church. There will be no "doctrinal committees"—only what proceeds from the mouth of HWA—which he assures us comes directly from the living Christ and is patterned after the first century church. Of course, he does not mention Acts 15:6-21 where it clearly describes the historic Jerusalem Council. Contrary to what HWA stated above, the first "doctrinal committee" recorded in Scripture occurred in the first century and in Jerusalem. In Acts 15, we see a committee consisting of Paul, Barnabas, Peter, James, Simeon, Barsabas, Silas, and the elders at Jerusalem to decide whether or not the Gentile converts should be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses (the very law HWA taught his followers to keep). What was the result?

And God which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as He did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they....Foresomuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying "Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment. (Acts 15:8-11, 25) [emp. mine]

Here, we don't see one man calling all the shots, as HWA wants his readers to believe. Plainly stated, one shall be saved by belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, and there is no commandment given to be circumcised and to keep the law.

Thirdly, readers will not understand the full implication of this shift in authority—that all doctrinal truth will be given through an apostle, which is none other than HWA. Once in the church, HWA has his followers believing that his doctrines are Christ's doctrines, and he will ensure that they will conclude that challenging his doctrines is equal to challenging Christ Himself. Again, this is done purposefully to cause a dependency on HWA to reveal "truth" to his members.

THE THREE RESURRECTIONS

HWA taught that there would be three resurrections:

There will be three resurrections. The first resurrection takes place at Christ's second coming when all the firstfruits—the elect saints—are born again.

The second resurrection takes place after the Millennium is over. In it all the unsaved dead will be given physical life and their first opportunity to know and understand the gospel. They will have one hundred years to grow in godly character.

The third resurrection takes place when God's plan is complete. All of those wicked who have rejected God's ways and died in their sins will be raised to physical life. They will appear before the judgment seat of Christ to receive their reward—to suffer final extinction in the Lake of Fire. For them, this is the second death! They will never again be resurrected! (The Ambassador College Correspondence Course, 1965, Lesson 39, p. 13)

Now let's examine each teaching carefully.

The First Resurrection

The 144,000

As stated earlier, members believe that they are the 144,000 that are chosen to rule with Christ at His return. Below, we will see that they must make room for the Jehovah's Witnesses, who also believe that the elite 144,000 comes from their group:

The foundation of God's Messianic Kingdom was laid with the selection of Jesus' apostles (Ephesians 2:19, 20; Rev. 21:14) These were the first of 144,000 who would rule in heaven as associate kings with Jesus Christ. While on earth, these prospective corulers would spearhead a witnessing campaign, in keeping with Jesus' command: "Go...and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit." - (Matt. 28:19). (Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life, Watchtower and Bible Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 1995, p. 93).

How grand it will be when the knowledge of God fills the earth! There will be an extensive educational program under the direction of the King Jesus Christ and his 144,000 corulers. New "scrolls" will then come into use. Evidently these are God's written instructions that will serve as a basis for educating earth's inhabitants (Rev. 20:12) (Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life, Watchtower and Bible Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 1995, p. 185).

One can easily conclude that HWA did not get his ideas from God, but again from the Watchtower Society. HWA taught that his followers were the "little flock" mentioned in Luke 12:32. (Jehovah's Witnesses also use this same terminology). Members are told that God began numbering this "little flock" beginning in 1934, when HWA began "the Work." Little do they know that Luke 12:32 is taken completely out of context. Jesus was addressing his small flock of disciples directly (vs. 22), telling them not to worry because the Father would take care of all their needs (v. 29). He was not prophesying that his faithful followers would remain a small flock of believers. In fact, the parable of the mustard seed contradicts this very notion (as do other parables). This mustard seed pictures the kingdom of God beginning with one seed and then spreading out to the whole world. This has been fulfilled, as we shall see in the Scriptures quoted a little further in this section.

HWA knew members would not know enough church history to understand the math. First of all, along with the 144,000, will this also include all of the apostles, and those who were converted during the inception of the early church? According to HWA (comments in brackets mine):

The dead IN Christ at the time of Jesus' Second Coming [the First Resurrection occurs as this time] shall be resurrected to immortal God-life if they shall have died, and those still living who are IN Christ at his coming and led by his Holy Spirit shall be changed instantly to immortal God-life. They shall rule and teach with and under Christ during the thousand years... (p. 352)

Now let's do the math and see if Scripture is correct—that the kingdom of God would start out small and then grow large—or if HWA is right, and that there would only be a "little flock" of true believers throughout history. Beginning with the twelve disciples, Acts 1:15 reveals another 120 believers in their midst. After the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost, another 3,000 souls were added (Acts 2:41). In verse 47, Scripture states, "And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved." How many hundreds or thousands could this have added up to? Another 5,000 who heard the word and believed is recorded in Acts 4:4. Again in Acts 5:14, Scripture states, "And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women..." In Acts 6:1, "Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying..." and in verse 7, "Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith."

Before long, we begin to see Scripture identifying churches by name and recording continued growth:

Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, were multiplied. (Acts 9:31)

But the word of God grew and multiplied. (Acts 12:24)

And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. (Acts 13:48)

And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily. (Acts 16:5)

Books of the Bible were named after large churches in Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Philippi, Colosse and Thessalonica. The parable of the mustard seed started with one small seed (Jesus) and has grown steadily since.

In addition to the thousands of believers we see here, we must remember that HWA taught in an earlier chapter that there were seven church eras. How many more thousands of believers could this add up to? HWA taught that there would be 14 executives and "other such teams" of believers that would come up in the First Resurrection. Many of the names he gave were people who were believers before the inception of the church. Along with Daniel and Noah, will this include the 7,000 men that God reserved for Himself who did not bow down to the image of Baal during the time of Elijah? (1 Kings 19:18, Romans 11:4) HWA never says. But HWA does indeed, plainly state that the "dead in Christ" shall rise up along with those who are still alive at His Coming." These faithful "dead" will rise up along with the "living" WCG members (WCG claimed to have 150,000 during their peak in the 1990's. Read how this figure was a myth.) So how many of these "faithful dead" will there be in the First Resurrection?

History records at least as many as 250,000 Jewish Christians alone in the early church and that number may have been close to a million. Conservative estimates of those who were martyred for their faith range from 250,000 to as high as 800,000.⁶ This number is far from the "little flock" of true believers purported by HWA. So even though HWA made his followers believe there would be 144,000 "Firstfruits" and the 14 Executives of the Topflight Team ruling in the World Tomorrow, he conveniently hid the fact that there are hundreds of thousands (if not a million or more) of true believers recorded in the New Testament that would come up in this First Resurrection. He did not want to acknowledge what the Scriptures taught: that thousands believed on Him and were saved. This is why HWA cleverly covers his bases by only mentioning the 120 believers in Acts 1:15 as the "few who believed," while the other people "believed on Him" but "didn't believe His Message" (p. 356). This way, he could randomly qualify or disqualify any group throughout history as "true believers" to suit his agenda.

HWA also taught that his followers were descended from ancient Israel, thus the erroneous belief that they represented the 144,000:

COMMENT: The "four winds" of course, are symbols, but they are restrained from blowing until the "servants of God" are sealed in their foreheads. First of these to be sealed are the 144,000. They are 12,000 from each of the 12 literal tribes of Israel...(The Ambassador College Correspondence Course, 1973, Lesson 12, p. 9)

In Revelation 7, the 144,000 are sealed from each tribe of Israel—all, that is, except the tribe of Dan. Not to worry—HWA informs us that Joseph gets a double portion.

Among these, now yielding their lives to GOD and to HIS WAYS, will be the much-quoted but little-understood "144,000." There will be 12,000 from America—another 12,000 from British Commonwealth nations—12,000 Jews—12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel except Dan—but Joseph is given a DOUBLE-portion. (1975 in Prophecy, 1956)

This should bring little comfort to church members in Denmark. HWA taught that Denmark is the modern Israelite tribe of Dan. Unfortunately, those faithful members will not be part of the 144,000 according to this Scripture, even though they have faithfully tithed and kept the Sabbath and Holy Days. Why didn't HWA point this out? It would have saved many Danish members the trouble (and the money). Notice how he sidesteps the whole issue by diverting attention back to tribe of Joseph. He never addresses what will happen to Dan and how this affects the salvation of members in Denmark. And if a member is of Spanish, Italian, German, Black or Asian descent, they won't be included either since none of them are descended from Ancient Israel (see Hoeh's teachings on the Modern Identity of Israel). There are lots of church members that fall into these racial categories that have never been aware of the full implications, or questioned this teaching, even though they have been obedient and have financially backed the organization.

Now let's look at more contradictions by HWA. In chapter 6 of the MOA, we observed in chapter six HWA declaring that only a "minute few" have been called to salvation. In addition, he plainly stated that the majority of people at the inception of the church "believed on Christ" but "didn't believe Christ's message," therefore canceling them out as true believers. As early as Acts 8, HWA claimed that Simon Magus "turned his pagan religion, under the name of Christianity, into a universal religion." (p. 52) Counterfeit Christianity, he said, was already taking root right at the outset of the early church. Then a thick mist began to obscure the early church:

Already the curtain was rung down on the history of the true Church. You read of it in the book of Acts, but it doesn't go much beyond that. (p. 279)

By A.D. 150, HWA states a false church had emerged. HWA taught that Simon and his followers eventually succeeded and this is why the church was observing Sunday by this time. Given these facts, we can easily surmise that HWA did not believe that there were millions of faithful believers from the inception of the early church until A.D. 150, and certainly even less from A.D. 150 on especially since this "counterfeit church" was keeping Sunday. Sunday observance, HWA teaches, is the mark of the Beast:

And we know what Satan will do. He will enforce, by military might, the branding of the people of the world with Sunday observance—the "mark of the beast"! (Ambassador Correspondence Course, 1967, Lesson 30, p. 9)

From this, we can easily determine that HWA believed that the majority of Christians, since that time, could not be counted as true Christians because they kept Sunday and had the mark of the beast.⁷ Therefore the "true believers" have always been a "small flock" throughout history to the present day. Now let's compare this to statements made in his other booklets.

Speaking about Revelation 6:9-11, HWA states:

NOTICE that! Here is the GREAT TRIBULATION! And this fifth seal pictures it as a time of martyrdom of saints—of truly converted, begotten children of GOD!

Notice, verse 9. Those that were slain, in a former and typical Tribulation—as actually millions were slain many centuries ago—and crying out, "HOW LONG, O God, before you shall avenge our blood on the powers that martyred us?"...

NOTE IT. NOTE IT CAREFULLY! These martyrs that were killed, centuries ago, allegorically are asking how long before the second coming of Christ and the end of this age? And HERE'S the tremendous answer! It shall not occur until another Great TRIBULATION—another martyrdom of saints—until their fellow-servants and their Spirit-begotten brethren in the Lord shall be killed, as they were... (The Book of Revelation Unveiled At Last! pp. 26-27, 1972) [bolding mine]

Now we see HWA stating that there were "millions" of saints martyred many centuries ago! This doesn't sound much like a "small flock." It is interesting to note that when HWA wants his followers to feel special, he makes them believe that they are among a handful throughout history that understood and obeyed the "truth." But when he speaks against the traditional Christian church, all of a sudden he can find "millions" of true followers who have been martyred! And speaking of martyrdom, this brings us to the next contradiction.

Even though HWA declared that the Great Multitude would be divinely protected (sealed), he cannot prove it from Scripture.

The beginning of chapter 7 shows the 144,000 being sealed, but not the Great Multitude! In Revelation 7:9, 13-14, there is nothing mentioned here about this group being divinely sealed by God. In addition, what the unsuspecting reader also doesn't know is that HWA cut off the rest of the chapter. It should read:

"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations, and kindred, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of the great tribulation and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away tears from their eyes. (Rev. 7: 14-17)

Where is the throne of God? Heaven. Where did Jesus ascend to after His Resurrection? Heaven. Scripture plainly states that the Great Multitude would be found before the throne of God, and the Lamb is in the midst of the throne. This throne is in heaven. Why did HWA ignore this, claiming it to be an "allegory"? The real reason HWA claimed that the first part of Chapter 7 is literal (the 144,000 and the Great Multitude) and the rest is an allegory is because the remainder plainly dispels his anti-heaven doctrine. We see this great multitude before the throne of God, serving him day and night. HWA taught that "the dead know nothing" but clearly we see conscious beings serving the Lord in heaven. Revelation 6:9-11 clearly shows that martyrs go straight into the presence of the Lord.

Church members knew next to nothing why this teaching of the 144,000 and the place of safety was emphasized:

When those in power in Pasadena discovered, almost by accident that there was a large residue of people in the local churches who still believed in going to Petra as a place of safety and were waiting for that day, they began to realize the need to capitalize on that market. The leaders were eager to mine this unexpected rich strike. And what better man to mine this vein than Waterhouse. His earlier disgrace in their eyes was forgotten for the moment."...Then gradually as the new time frame of prophecy developed, which centered around 1972, the spin-off doctrine of going to Petra was developed and preached powerfully, especially during the annual fall festivals." (Herbert Armstrong’s Tangled Web, David Robinson, 1980, p. 236)

Money was the real motive behind this. "And through covetousness shall they [false teachers and charlatans] with feigned words make merchandise of you" (2 Peter 2:3). As long as HWA could deny salvation to his followers, indoctrinate them with fear, portray a bloody Holocaust, promise them "elite status" and divine protection, he knew members would readily whip out their checkbooks to secure their way to Petra.

AFTER THE MILLENNIUM

Satan Is Loosed

HWA taught that once the thousand years expires, Satan would be loosed for a little while to once again deceive those who have lived during the Millennium. They will amass a great army and surround Jerusalem. Christ will supernaturally defeat this innumerable army, and cast Satan into the Lake of Fire, where he will be "tormented day and night, for ever and ever." After this comes the Second Resurrection, or Great White Throne Judgment, where (according to HWA) billions who have lived will be resurrected to mortal life.

Now let's back up a bit and examine this closely.

Why doesn't HWA ever mention what will happen to all the people who aligned themselves with Satan and were defeated? These people have lived through the Millennium, obeyed the Headquarters Government, and now have rebelled against it. HWA explains that Christ will defeat the devil and he will be cast into the Lake of Fire. But what will happen to the millions who were devoured by this fire? Will they come up in the Second or Third Resurrection? HWA says, "Those who had not been in the first resurrection or called by God" will be in this Great White Throne Judgment (or second resurrection).⁸ From this, we can assume that these people have been "called by God" during the Millennium. This means, they had "their chance" at salvation, but rejected it. That leaves only one choice—they must come up in the Third Resurrection. But there's a problem. If this army, "the number of whom is as the sand of the sea," comes up in this final resurrection, then this dispels HWA's teaching that "only a few" would be punished at the Third Resurrection. (See quotes in The Third Resurrection section below).

The Second Resurrection—The Great White Throne Judgment

After Satan is cast into the Lake of Fire, there comes the Great White Throne Judgment. All who lived—from the time of Adam to Christ's second coming who weren't part of the First Resurrection—will be resurrected to mortal life. This will include the nation of Ancient Israel. This is known by members as the Second Resurrection, which they believe depicts the Last Great Day of the Feast. During this Resurrection, mankind will finally have its eyes opened to "The Truth" (HWA's doctrines) and will be offered salvation for the first time:

In this judgment is to be "the book of life," meaning many,