HWA begins this chapter with his usual glut of dramatic, attention-grabbing questions, calling them "paradoxical facts."  Advertising has taught him how to quickly get the customer’s attention with excitement and uses such words as, "And here’s another shocker!" "The truly amazing truth..." "It is an intriguing story!"  The reader—anticipating another chapter of mesmerizing "mysteries"—is quickly hustled into the seat of a departing train, no longer realizing that the track is headed in the wrong direction.

Let’s examine some of HWA's "paradoxical facts" on p. 159:

1. God says he is not a respecter of persons.  Is he, then, a respecter of nations? Does he have a favorite?
   
   

2. Did you ever realize that God denied his chosen people salvation—save only their prophets?  That the chosen nation was given only material and national promises—that God's Holy Spirit was inaccessible to them?
   
   

3. Did it ever occur to you that the Holy Bible is the book of and concerning only that one people Israel?  And that other nations are mentioned only if and as they came into contact with Israel?

These rhetorical questions are designed to entice the reader to investigate these "facts" and satiate his curiosity. HWA was confident that his target market—Bible illiterates—wouldn’t have the faintest idea how to refute him.  If one doesn’t know the Bible, one certainly wouldn’t have a thorough knowledge of the history of Israel, since they are intertwined.  HWA knew that most Americans’ knowledge of Israel and the Jews doesn't extend beyond the Holocaust and the endless Middle Eastern conflicts broadcasted on TV.  He was banking on our ignorance and was amply rewarded.

This fifth chapter of the MOA should be appropriately re-entitled, "Sensationalism Sells!"  Noteworthy are the "factual statements" made without any detailed proof to back them, the unveiling of "The master KEY" [Israel’s modern identity], the word "PURPOSE" [HWA’s personal spin], and the frightening apocalyptic details placed at the end of the chapter.  HWA will successfully divert the reader’s attention with authentic-sounding details, interspersed with melodramatic phrases, all designed to dupe the reader into believing that the British-Israel doctrine came from the Bible.  Let’s observe this technique used below (p. 159-160):

And here’s another shocker!—almost totally unrealized today by Christianity—even by Judaism and not recorded or understood by historians!  The northern kingdom of Israel was not Jewish! 

The truly amazing truth about Israel is a mystery totally unknown by any religion—by Christianity—be even Judaism!

Yes indeed, HWA promises to dish up some "shocking facts."  These facts are "not recorded" and are "almost totally unrealized" by everyone—even the very people these facts concern.  We needn’t say where this is leading.  The reader is expertly hustled along with intriguing details so he doesn’t have a chance to pause and ask himself whether he is truly willing to stake his eternal life on unrecorded facts—facts that cannot be verified outside of HWA’s organization.  Yet this is exactly what COG converts do!  They are told to "prove all things" but the only thing they have proven is Herbert Armstrong's point of view.

Let’s ponder these sensational "facts," which are nothing but disguises to keep the reader distracted from the Bible’s true message: 

Fact #1 asks whether God is a respecter of nations and whether or not He has a favorite.  The question is set up to make the reader believe that God does indeed have a favorite nation (Israel), and from there, the reader will be informed that the United States and Britain are modern-day Israel, and by believing this privileged piece of information, one will gain "the KEY" to unlock Bible prophecy.  He will also be offered the opportunity to become a part of the elite "favorite."  Salvation will be found through "national identity" and not through faith in Christ alone.  Once the convert is convinced he is an Israelite that is simply "unaware of his true identity," he will be misled into performing Sabbath-keeping and other O.T. laws as "requirements" in order to "qualify" for his salvation. 

Fact #2 informs us that the chosen nation of Israel was given only material and national promises, and that God’s Holy Spirit was inaccessible to them.  This "fact" is a set up that will later use the material prosperity and national dominance of the U.S. and Britain as "proof" that they are Manasseh and Ephraim (descendants of Israel).  HWA will successfully downplay and deflect the reader’s attention away from the third and most important promise:  the promised "seed"—Jesus Christ.  HWA’s main goal is to emphasize salvation through belief in the modern identity of the nation of Israel, not through belief in the Savior. 

Fact #3 states that the Holy Bible is the book of and concerning only one people—Israel—and that other nations are mentioned only if and as they came into contact with Israel.  Once again, the focus is shifted away from Jesus, and onto the importance of the nation of Israel, so HWA can build on his British-Israelism dogma.  The Holy Bible concerns all of mankind.  The first few chapters of Genesis record the beginning of mankind’s creation and fall; the remainder of the Bible concerns mankind’s redemption by the Savior who would come from a tribe of Israel.  As usual, HWA will draw attention away from a person's identity in Christ and onto the importance of finding ones identity in Israel. 

By asking these questions, HWA is constructing another set up: 

They [Israel] were chosen for a special PURPOSE preparatory to the ultimate establishment of the kingdom of God!  (p.160)

Naturally, HWA will set himself up as the one who is preparing for the establishment of this kingdom.  He claims that, "One cannot understand the real purpose and incredible potential of man without this vital knowledge." (p.160).  Notice as the reader delves into the MOA, he is being led further and further away from salvation through Jesus Christ as the "vital knowledge" and instead, is titillated with yet another mystery.  He employs the word "purpose" to pique the reader’s curiosity.  After pages of building up suspense, HWA finally produces "the master KEY" that will unlock all the Bible mysteries "closed until our present time." (p. 164).  The sense of euphoria the reader experiences of finally possessing "the KEY" that is going to "unlock 90 percent of prophecy" is inexplicable.  This is exactly what HWA wants.  HWA gives the reader the illusion of empowerment, another clever advertising ploy.  What the reader doesn’t realize is that this "key" is nothing more than extra-biblical revelation.  All cults engage in extra-biblical revelation, a practice that makes the Bible "come alive" with every private interpretation.  Good scholarship is no longer a requirement for proper understanding of the Scriptures—only an ingrained belief that God is directly working through His "appointed prophet" as he divinely interprets Scripture.  Salvation through Jesus Christ is tossed to the side.  The reader, convinced that the Bible is filled with mysteries waiting to be unlocked by the key now in his possession, is eager to get on with this exciting adventure. 

Let’s look at a few examples of extra-biblical revelation [bolding mine, comments in blue type mine]: 

First, Abraham was a man of very outstanding qualifying abilities.  Undoubtedly he, with his sons Isaac and Israel, shall, in the resurrection and kingdom of God, occupy a position next under Christ himself.  The kingdom of God will be a spiritual kingdom including both Church and State—earth wide.  These, as a team, probably will be next in line of authority under CHRIST—and over both church and state. (p. 171).  (No scriptural proof given, just pure speculation.) 

Of the nation ISRAEL, Moses, whom God raised up as their leader and lawgiver…in all probability will be under the Abraham-Isaac-Jacob team, but head over the national governments of the world during the coming millennium.  And probably Joshua, who succeeded Moses, will be Moses’ assistant in that office of worldwide national governments. (p. 171-172)  (No scriptural proofs given, more speculation.) 

Among them, Elijah probably will be head, under Christ and Abraham-Isaac-Israel, over the Church, worldwide.  John the Baptist may be under Elijah.  There are indications that the prophet Daniel will be head over all gentile nations, and under Moses and Christ. (p. 174)  (No scriptural proofs, continued speculation.) 

He [Jeroboam] also changed the holy festivals of the seventh month to the eighth month.  There is a strong indication that he also changed the seventh day Sabbath to Sunday, the first day of the week. (p. 180)  (First sentence is scriptural, second sentence cannot be verified through Scripture.  One must take HWA at his word.)  [Read my article: Did Jeroboam Change the Sabbath to Sunday?]  

The Assyrians settled in central Europe, and the Germans, undoubtedly, are, in part, the descendents of the ancient Assyrians. (p. 183).  (No scriptural proof, no historical references given to back up statements.  If the Germans indeed are "undoubtedly" ancient Assyrians, then it wouldn’t be difficult to give credible references.) [Read my article: The Origins of   Assyria and Germany.]  

However, the so-called Lost Ten Tribes—the kingdom of Israel —continued into Western Europe and Britain.  We cannot be positive in respect to the various tribal identities today, but probably France or at least the northern French are the tribe of Reuben.  Ephraim and Manasseh journeyed on into the British Isles. (p. 183)  (No scriptural proof, no historical references.  See my research article: Where are the Tribes of Israel Located?  If HWA cannot be "positive" then why does he spend a whole chapter revealing these "facts" and calling them "proof"?  In the next chapter of the MOA, he will build on these statements, and repeat them as if they were concrete information. )

And in his prophecy for these latter days Jacob said, "Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall" (Gen. 49:22).  In other words, Joseph—Ephraim and Manasseh jointly and together—was to be a colonizing people in this latter day, their colonies branching out from the British Isles around the earth. (p. 186)  (Complete distortion of this verse.  Yes, it does say that Joseph would be fruitful, but it clearly does NOT say he would be "a colonizing people branching out from the British Isles around the earth."  Read the verse carefully.)  

Once the reader has come this far into the MOA, his loyalty will once again be tested through acceptance or rejection of these (and numerous other) "revelations."  Notice the use of the words, "probably," "may be," "indication," "undoubtedly"—this is the failsafe vocabulary of a false prophet.  When his prophecies fail, he can backtrack and state, "I didn’t say 'definitely,' I said, 'probably.'  In other words, his prophecies are subject to change.  Having been burned by countless false prophecies¹, it appears that HWA has learned to tailor his language to cover his bases.  Remember, HWA spends a great deal of time convincing readers that nobody but him has the Truth, and that God is personally working through him and nobody else.  He gives us the impression that God is personally speaking to him and revealing very important facts to him that the world needs to know before it is blown to bits.  But under closer examination, we see nothing but the language of speculation knitted between all these "shocking truths."  

Just in case the reader isn’t convinced of these astonishing facts, HWA will frighten him with "impending worldwide holocaust" at the end of the chapter.  HWA must resort to exploitive tactics to help the reader "make up his mind"—believe these truths, and be spared.  Disbelieve, and they will be doomed.  Once again, HWA scores. 

BLIND OBEDIENCE

The Old Testament story of Abraham is a historical account of how the nation of Israel came into being.  It is an inspiring story of the faith of this one man, whom the promise of the seed of the world’s salvation would come through.  Unfortunately, HWA uses Abraham for his own diabolical purposes.  Let’s observe what HWA has to say concerning him.

First, HWA uses Abraham’s "calling" and will outline his "very special purpose" into the remainder of the MOA.  Second, HWA must sever any previous religious beliefs concerning Abraham with scornful remarks toward traditional Christian doctrines (That purpose, HWA says, was not to "give him salvation." or "get him into heaven.")  Third, HWA will quote his own writings to verify his own beliefs concerning Abraham.  (“I quote now from a book I wrote more than 50 years ago, The United States and Britain in Prophecy…).  Of course HWA would quote his own writings—it’s the only source that would agree with his teachings!  Tobacco companies quote their own "research" to prove that cigarettes don’t cause heart disease or cancer, and HWA engages in the same practice.  He certainly can’t give the name of the book he plagiarized to verify this information lest one figure out in a hurry that none of this intriguing, shocking information was originally his.² Once the reader writes away for a "free copy" of the US&BIP book, he will be further poisoned to accept this erroneous teaching as "truth."³ 

What appears to be a narrated description of Abraham actually is a clever set up.  The reader does not realize that he is constantly being disarmed into accepting unquestioned obedience from HWA and his organization.  Look at what is emphasized concerning Abraham [bolding mine]: 

God was calling him because he had seen in this man the potentialities of obedience to God and of leadership.

Here was a command, which a condition and a PROMISE, provided the condition of obedience was met.…

[God’s own flesh-born nation]…was started with one man who obeyed God without question, and accepted his divine rule. 

Did Abram stop to argue and reason? 

Did Abram quibble, resist, argue, rebel?  He certainly did not! 

There was no arguing with God.  There was no human reasoning that God was all wrong.  There were no foolish questions…

"Abram departed."  Just plain, unquestioned obedience! (p. 160)

Now on page 163, the set up is complete.  We see that the unsuspecting reader is being outright manipulated to emulate Abraham in order to gain salvation: 

And we must become like Abraham, and through Christ, one of his children, if we are to inherit the promise of eternal life in God’s kingdom.

The same pattern of trickery is used over and over again by this clever con artist. The customer is being led to make the choice that the salesman wants him to make.  Once in the organization, the convert will be expected to "obey God’s government without question."  In his zeal to please God, the transferal of  "obeying God’s voice" (which Abraham did) to "obeying God’s government" (which HWA wants his readers to think Abraham did) quietly takes place without the convert even realizing it.  This is why COG members are compliant and do not engage in any form of "questioning."  Converts believe they are imitating Abraham, which they believe is a requirement for inheriting eternal life.  What they failed to realize is that Abraham heard God’s voice directly.  We see in Scripture that there were several personal encounters with God throughout Abraham’s lifetime.  In some of the encounters, there was a clear, audible voice, which could not be mistaken as anything or anybody else, but God Himself.  In other events, angels manifested themselves as men to deliver God’s message to Abraham.  In either case, Abraham knew beyond the shadow of a doubt, that he was dealing directly with the Creator.  This is why Abraham obeyed without question.  He knew exactly whom he was dealing with.  This is not the same as blind obedience to an organization that claims to run "God’s government" on earth.  HWA will do his best to confuse the two throughout the MOA.  Notice how he places the story of Abraham’s unquestioned obedience just before he unleashes his questionable dogma—an undoubtedly calculated maneuver. 

2520-YEARS PUNISHMENT

From where did HWA get the mathematical formula for the "2520 Years Punishment"?  (It is no secret that HWA plagiarized the false teaching of British-Israelism from G. G. Rupert, J. H. Allen, and John Wilson.⁴ )  But it might be of interest to known from where HWA and others may have derived their magic "2520" formula. 

In 1823, a gentleman named John Aquila Brown, began publishing the 2520 calculation and scheduled Christ’s return for 1917.  This was over 100 years before God revealed this to HWA. Other men, such as Nelson Barbour and Charles Taze Russell picked up on this, took the numbers from Brown, and concocted their own formula for predicting the Second Advent.⁵

The following is an article⁶, written by Charles Taze Russell of the Watchtower Society.   Notice the early date of 1876—long before HWA began to be “called and commissioned” by God.  The similarities are unmistakable [bolding mine]:

GENTILE TIMES:  WHEN  DO THEY  END?

BY CHAS. T. RUSSELL

[From: The Bible Examiner  Vol. XXI, No.1 (Whole No. 313),  October 1876, pages 27-28.   Reprinted in Investigator 55, 1997 July]

"Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."—Luke xxi. 24.

Doubtless our Lord intended to communicate to His disciples some knowledge, and possibly it was addressed more to the disciples in our day, than to the early church.

Let us then search what times the prophecy, which was in Christ, did signify. Of course, if it be one of the secret things of God, we cannot find out; but if a secret, why should Jesus mention it?  If, on the contrary, it is revealed it belongs to us.  Shall we guess and suppose?  No: let us go to God's treasure-house; let us search the Scriptures for the key.

Jesus does not foretell its treading under foot of the Gentiles, as Rome had her foot upon them at that time. He does tell us, however, how long it will continue so, even the disciples thought, "that it was he which should have DELIVERED Israel."

We believe that God has given the key.  We believe He doeth nothing but he revealeth it unto His servants.   Do we not find part of the key in Lev. xxvi. 27, 33?   "I, even I will chastise you seven times for your sins;  ...and I will bring your land into desolation...and will scatter you among the heathen." Israel did not hearken unto the Lord, but disobeyed him, and this prophecy is now being fulfilled, and has been since the days of Zedekiah, when God said, "Remove the diadem, take off the crown, ...I will overturn, overturn, overturn it, ... until He comes whose right it is, and I will give it unto Him."

Comparing these Scriptures, we learn, that God has scattered Israel for a period of seven times, or until "He comes whose right" the Government is, and puts an end to Gentile rule or governments. This gives us a clue at least, as to how long until the Jews are delivered.   Further, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, the head of gold, is recognized by God as the representative of the beast, or Gentile Governments. "A king of kings and wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field, and the fowls of the air, hath God given into his hand."  Dan. ii. 38.  God has taken the crown off Zedekiah and declared the Image, of which Nebuchadnezzar is the head, ruler of the world until the kingdom of God takes its place (smiting it on its feet); and, as this is the same time at which Israel is to be delivered,  (for "Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled"), we here get our second clue,  viz.: these two events, noted of the Scriptures of truth —"Times of Gentiles," and  "Treading of Jerusalem," are parallel periods,  commencing at the same time and ending at the same time;  and, as in the case of Israel,  their degradation was to be for seven times, so with the dominion of the Image;  it lasts seven times,  for,  when in his pride the  "Head of Gold"  ignored  "The God of heaven," the glory of that kingdom  (which God gave him,  as a representative of that Image,)  departed, and it took on its beastly character,  which lasts seven times.  Dan. iv. 23, —and,  (prefigured by the personal degradation for seven years, of Nebuchadnezzar, the representative) until the time comes when they shall acknowledge, and "give honor to the Most High, whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom." Dan. iv. 34; for all the ends of the earth shall remember and turn unto the Lord when He is the Governor among the nations.

Our next question naturally, is, How long are seven times? Does God in his word, furnish us any clue from which to determine the length of that period? Yes, in Revelations we learn that three and one-half times, 42 months, and 1260 prophetic days, literal years, are the same (it has for years been so accepted by the church,) and it was so fulfilled: if three and one-half times are 1260 years, seven times would be twice as much, i.e., 2520 years.  At the commencement of our Christian era, 606 years of this time had passed, (70 years captivity, and 536 from Cyrus to Christ) which deducted from 2520, would show that the seven times will end in A.D. 1914:  when Jerusalem shall be delivered forever, and the Jew say of the Deliverer, "Lo, this is our God, we have waited for Him and He will save us."  When Gentile Governments shall have been dashed to pieces; when God shall have poured out of his fury upon the nation, and they acknowledge him King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

But, some one will say, "If the Lord intended that we should know, He would have told us plainly and distinctly how long."  But, no, brethren, He never does so. The Bible is to be a light to God’s children;—to the world, foolishness. Many of its writings are solely for our edification upon whom the ends of the world are come. As well say that God should have put the Gold on top instead of in the bowels of the earth; it would be too common; it would lose much of its value. So with the truth; but,  "to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom."

We will ask, but not now answer, another question: If the Gentile Times end in 1914, (and there are many other and clearer evidences pointing to the same time) and we are told that it shall be with fury poured out; a time of trouble such as never was before, nor ever shall be; a day of wrath, etc., how long before does the church escape? as Jesus says,  "watch, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape those things coming upon the world."

Brethren, the taking by Christ of His Bride, is evidently, one of the first acts in the Judgment; for judgment must begin at the house of God.

So we see the concept of the 2520 years was not revealed solely to HWA, nor is he the first to engage in the futility of predicting Christ’s return.  A. N. Dugger, (father of Andrew Dugger, COG 7th Day) also ascribed to this calculation.  When HWA started in the religion business in 1934, he knew that Russell’s calculations were proven false.  Jesus did not return in 1914 as they predicted.  HWA was captivated by British-Israelism, which he plagiarized and introduced to Andrew Dugger.  Though initially interested, Dugger eventually rejected it.  He felt the information was significant, but simply couldn’t figure how use it.  But HWA did.  By taking the 2520 years punishment and adding to the Assyrian captivity date (since the Babylonian date had proven false), he arrived with 1800.  He looked for a significant historical event (The Louisiana Purchase in 1803) and from there, applied the British-Israel doctrine.  He had his followers so absorbed by the unfolding of prophetic details during the 1800’s, that he had hoped nobody would notice and question the formula, which we will look at next.     

WHICH “YEAR” IS USED?

In the 1967 United States and British Commonwealth in Prophecy, HWA breaks down the formula for the 2520 years punishment [bolding mine]: 

But did you notice I said that a prophetic "time" is a 360-day year?  Why not a year of 365 1/4 days?  Why not a solar year? (p. 145) 

In ancient biblical times, a year was figured on a basis of twelve 30-day months.  Previous to the time, in Moses’ day, when God gave His people the sacred calendar, the 30-day month was used. (p. 146) 

…But the 42 months of Revelation 13:5 is the same amount of time as the 1260 days of Revelation 12:6.  So the 42 months were 30-day months. (p. 146) 

…and the whole expression is 3 1/2 prophetic "times," which is a literal 1260 days—or 3 1/2 years of thirty-day months.  Seven of these "times," then, would be 2520 days—and on a day-for-a-year basis, 2520 years! (p. 146) 

A prophetic "time," then, is a 360-day year—or a plain 360 days. (p. 147)

Observe that HWA plainly stated that the sacred calendar consisted of twelve 30-day months.

After entering the organization, converts are taught that the calendar used today is pagan, and the 365-day system descended from the Egyptians.  Members were issued a copy of God’s Sacred Calendar where the Hebrew months are printed alongside the pagan months.  The holy days are highlighted so members know the precise days to keep.  Why is all this so important?  Let’s examine what HWA has written concerning God’s "sacred calendar" [bolding mine]: 

Here is the true calendar for all mankind.  Its principles go back to the very first chapter of the Bible, where the sun and the moon were appointed to be for signs, seasons, days, and years (Gen. 1:14). 

This is the calendar Israel used when God led the nation out of Egypt.  It has been in continual use for more than 3,400 years since.  In all major respects except one, it is the same calendar used from the days of the earliest patriarchs to the exodus from Egypt. 

This calendar has been called the "Hebrew Calendar," but it long antedated the Hebrew peoples—having its origin in the days of Enos, Seth and Adam when men first determined the average length of the lunar month.  (God’s Sacred Calendar, 1985-1986)

So we see that this "sacred calendar" issued to church members is the "true calendar," it has been in continual use for over 3,400 years, and has its origin all the way to Adam.  HWA made sure we understood that this twelve month, 30-day calendar was not a Hebrew invention, but was given directly from God.  Now let’s see another major contradiction made by HWA [bolding mine]: 

The word month means moon.  A new month begins with a new moon.  At first quarter the month is one quarter gone; at full moon half a month has passed.  Months have 30 and 29 days alternately with a few minor variations on some years.  Seven years of a nineteen-year time cycle have a 13^th month called Adar II. (God’s Sacred Calendar, 1985-1986)

So what happened to the God-ordained calendar of twelve 30-day months?!? According to the 1985-86 edition of God’s Sacred Calendar, the months of Nisan, Sivan, Ab, Tishri, Shebat and Adar I have 30 days, while the months of Iyar, Tammuz, Elul, Heshvan, Kislev, Tebeth, and Adar II have 29 days respectively!

Add the twelve months together for a total of 354 days! (6 months x 30-days = 180 days, plus 6 months x 29 days = 174 days; 180 + 174 = 354 days).  Now add in the 13^th month of Adar II (354 days + 29 days = 383 days).  Either date is a far cry from the sacred number of 360. 

Naturally, this brings us to the next problem—if the "sacred calendar" isn't made up of 360-day years, but of 354 days (give or take a sacred month), then how can HWA calculate the 2520-year punishment correctly? HWA spells out the formula he used to calculate the punishment in The United States and British Commonwealth in Prophecy:

And on this "year-for-a day principle,"⁷ it becomes seven 360-day years—a total of 2520 days. (p. 145, 1967)

HWA uses the number of days per year and multiplies it by 7 to gain the total number of years that Israel was to be punished.  When applying this calculation to the 12-month sacred calendar (354-day year x 7 years), we end up with a 2478 years punishment.  Years containing the 13^th month created a 383-day year (383-day x 7 years) giving us a 2681 years punishment.

This problem with the sacred calendar did not escape HWA’s attention.  Back in 1940, HWA addressed problems with the calendar in a Good News letter.  In this extracted portion of the letter, HWA states (bolding mine):

4) These facts prove there had to be an intercalary, or 13^th, month ADDED to the year SEVEN TIMES in each 19 years. God has set the sun, the earth, and the moon in motion so that once every 19 years the sun and moon come into conjunction. That is, once in 19 years there will be a new moon on March 21st, for example. There are SEVEN more new moons in each 19-year solar-lunar cycle than there are solar months, (12 to the year). Thus God's great time cycle, written in the heavens, is based upon SEVEN—God's complete number, signifying Sabbath—added to TWELVE, the number of Tribes of Israel, number of Jesus' original apostles, etc.! Since this is true, the ONLY POSSIBLE METHOD by which months can begin on new moons, and yet the solar year can be retained, is to add a 13^th  month every two or three years, 7 times in 19 years. Nowhere do the Scriptures specifically mention an intercalary month, yet these facts of astronomy and these Bible facts PROVE it was used. (GOOD NEWS, 1940, "How to Figure Passover")

HWA informs us that the solution is gained by adding a "13^th," or "intercalary" month, seven times in a 19-year time cycle.⁸  He clearly and emphatically states that this "is true, the ONLY POSSIBLE METHOD" to correctly calculate the number of days per sacred year.  Notice that HWA avoided saying that this calculation resulted in a 360-day year.  He also avoided performing the calculations, even though it would have been easy enough for him to do.  Once again, we ask, could HWA be hiding something?  Let’s perform the calculations using the formula HWA outlined:

12 years x 354 days per year = 4248 days

7 years x 383 days per year = 2681 days

4248 days + 2681 days = 6929 total days in a 19-year time cycle

Take 6929 days and divide it up by 19 years and the total number of average days per year equals 364.68, or when rounded off—365 days per year—the exact number that HWA claimed was derived by the pagan Egyptians!⁹

As if this wasn’t amusing enough, trying to figure out these intricate calculations only gets worse!  You see, HWA is using a 360-day calendar formula and applying the punishment against a 365-day Julian calendar.  He has calculated 42 months of 30-days, but if we go by the calendar that he insists was in use since the time of Adam, and isn’t Hebrew in origin, then we must use 42 months of either 29 or 30 days.  But even if we stick to the 360-day year, our Julian calendar is 5¼ days longer per year.  After 2520 years, the punishment is off by 36 years! (5.25 extra days x 2520 years = 13,230 days.  Divide this by a 365 ¼ day year (13,230 days / 365.25 year = 36 years).  The national punishment should have ended in somewhere around 1764-1767, depending on which date HWA makes up his mind to use (1800 or 1803 A.D. minus 36 years) as the correct expiration date of the punishment.

If HWA insists on using the 360-day year, then God’s "sacred calendar" must be disqualified since it is comprised of 29 and 30-day months for a total of 354 days (plus a 13^th month added in 7 times in a 19-year cycle, and as we discovered, averages out to the pagan 365 days).  If HWA insists that the sacred calendar is of divine origin, then he has been silent in pointing out the discrepancies of this system.  We see him use the 360-day year to perform the 2520-year calculations, which clearly conflict with God’s sacred calendar—the very one that HWA says has been in use since Adam—the very one that he made us believe that Daniel was using for these numbers.  The whole 2520 years of punishment cannot be properly calculated nor applied to today’s system, which is exactly what he did!  

The Jewish calendar that was issued to members in 1985 was not the true calendar used since the beginning of time, as HWA made his followers believe.  The whole intricate system of calculating the sacred calendar was lost after the temple was destroyed in 70 A.D.  The Jewish calendar that was re-created around 100-150 A.D. was so far off that the early church fathers noted that the Jews would keep the Passover twice in some years! (See my research on The Quartodeciman Controversy). This was the main reason why the early church quit relying on the Jews for the correct time of year to observe the resurrection on Sunday.  HWA was clearly aware of the problem, which he addressed in 1940, and then again in 1968.

Now let’s look at some peculiar remarks concerning the Sacred Calendar made by HWA in his 1940 letter [bolding mine]:  

5) Now, our problem is, WHEN, and HOW OFTEN, DID God ordain these intercalary months should be added?

Research reveals two basic points on this question, 1st, GOD DID NOT RECORD IT IN THE BIBLE, which gives us absolutely NOTHING more to go on that I have stated above. 2nd, History is vague on the subject, shedding little light that can be asserted and trusted. Yet we know God gave HIS PEOPLE a FIXED RULE for calculating TIME PERIODS, and for figuring WHEN to hold the Festivals of Jehovah. Otherwise, the prophecies, so full of definite time-periods, can never be understood. Otherwise God's people could not obey Him!

We learn in the Bible the men of old did have understanding of the times. They knew how to figure time. "Of the children of Issachar, were men that HAD UNDERSTANDING OF THE TIMES, to know what Israel ought to do." (I Chron. 12:32). See Esth. 1:13.   (GOOD NEWS letter 1940, "How to Figure Passover")

Once again, we see HWA resort to contradicting remarks to prove his version of the sacred calendar as being "correct."  He admits that this formula of adding the 13^th month seven times to a nineteen-year time cycle is not recorded in the Bible!  But then he turns right around and states that God gave his people a "fixed rule" for calculating "time periods," but doesn’t say where God recorded this "fixed rule."  He cleverly throws up a smokescreen with an irrelevant statement:  "Of the children of Issachar, were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do."  What was that supposed to mean?  He never elaborates.  If he’s referring to ancient Issachar, then they’re one of the "lost ten tribes" which had been taking into captivity, completely losing their identity—so why would they continue keeping the ancient calendar if they had forgotten they were Israelites?  If he is speaking of modern day Issachar, Herman Hoeh has identified them as the nation of Finland.¹⁰   So we must conclude that HWA should be using a Finnish calendar and not a Jewish calendar since he clearly says Issachar “knew how to figure time”!  Like every lie, more lies have to be fabricated to cover the initial lie.  
By the apostle’s own admission, he states that the accuracy of the calendar is vital to understanding prophecies.  Take away the accuracy, the prophecies cannot be calculated, and the whole system falls like a house of cards.  HWA deceptively engineered the belief that he was using a divine calendar, even issuing copies to the membership months before his death.  He simply could not admit he was wrong because he clearly understood the ramifications of such an admission.  He knew it would bring his divine "calculations" under scrutiny—and once proven "false," would bring his apostleship under scrutiny.  

In conclusion, there simply was no "2520 years punishment" placed on ancient Israel.  There is no biblical basis for this formula, a formula that HWA derived by lifting and combining verses out of context, just as his predecessors did.  By applying this supposed "sacred calendar" formula to a corrupt Julian calendar renders it useless.  The 360-day biblical year cannot be reconciled with the present Jewish calendar, which averages to 365 days in the 19-year time cycle.  HWA knew this, but resorted to deception and half-truths to cover his lies.  

RACIALLY — NATIONALLY — RELIGIOUSLY SEPARATED

HWA continues with his racial polemics from the previous chapter.  The statements made in this chapter have proven to be just as amusing.  There is an underlying purpose, as we shall later see.  First, we will examine some of the statements made in the current chapter.  Concerning the racial purity of Israel, HWA states [bolding mine]:   

Here was a people of almost clear racial strain, and the God believing heredity of Abraham, Isaac and Israel. (p. 169)  

GOD INTENDED TO KEEP THEM PHYSICALLY SEPARATE from other nations—both nationally (racially) and religiously. (p.173) 

For them to intermarry with other races would result in two things:  It would interbreed into other races, and mix them into other idolatrous religions!  (p. 173)    

Now let’s make some interesting observations at some more major contradictions replete in HWA’s writings [bolding mine]. 

Israel, however, always did absorb gentiles, who became Israelites through living in Israel's’ land and intermarrying.  (p. 187)  

The U.S. has become known as the "melting pot" of the world.  Instead of refuting a Manasseh ancestry, this fact actually confirms it.  

HWA engages in a whole rigmarole concerning the "racial purity" of the people of Israel, but then turns right around and says that "absorbing gentiles and intermarrying" was proof that the U.S. and British peoples are ancient Israel!  Again, we see HWA changing his standards to accommodate his erroneous beliefs.  If it wasn’t okay for ancient Israel to "interbreed" back then, why would it be okay for them to interbreed today?  Didn’t HWA teach that God is "the same yesterday, today, and forever?" 

Now let’s look at the following statements made by HWA [bolding mine]:  

He [Abraham] prevented his son Isaac from intermarrying among the dark Canaanites then in the land.  (p. 166)

The Promised Land was then called Canaan.  Canaanites, racially dark, had settled in the land. (p. 172)

Jacob had six sons by Leah, two from Rachel—all of the same original racial stock, and two each from the maids of Rachel and Leah—12 in all.  Even the maids of Leah and Rachel undoubtedly were of pure Hebrew stock.  (p. 167)  

Jesus Christ was born of the tribe of Judah, and it was necessary that HE be of the original pure racial strain, even as Noah was.  (p. 173)  

By the learned apostles’ own words, he has declared the Canaanites a "racially dark" peoples, while the twelve sons of Jacob were of pure Hebrew stock.  Now let’s examine the Scriptures concerning Jesus’ genealogy through Mary since he was born through her family line.  I have skipped through the list to the names that we need to focus our attention on in Luke 3:  

^V23Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph…^V31the son of David, ^V32the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, ^V33the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, the son of Jacob, etc. 

Isn’t it interesting that HWA failed to mention that Obed’s mother was Ruth, a Moabitess.  And if all this "interbreeding" among the heathens wasn’t bad enough, Perez’s mother was Tamar—a "dark-skinned" Canaanite! (Matt. 1:3, Gen. 38:1-30)   It appears that Jesus’ own lineage is tainted with mixed blood!  HWA tells his readers that, "it was necessary" for Jesus to be of pure [white] racial strain but Scripture plainly refutes this.  Was a "quality heredity" necessary for Christ to be descended from, or is HWA speaking on his own authority?  Was God asleep while all this interracial breeding was taking place in Jesus’ lineage?  Either God was powerless to ensure that Jesus’ genealogy consisted of "pure racial strain," or HWA has botched this one up, too.  Either the Bible is wrong or HWA is wrong.  By now, I’m sure you know.   

God’s focus was not skin color, or "quality heredity" (whatever that is supposed to mean)—God’s sole purpose for this national exclusiveness was to prevent idolatry.  He knew if the Israelites were to intermarry with the pagan nations around them, they would adopt their vile religious practices, which were an abomination to God.  We read in Exodus 34:11-16:  

"Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite. Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee: But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves: For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a-whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice. And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a-whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a-whoring after their gods."  

This proved true throughout the history of Israel.  Notice in the scriptures below that God commanded them to avoid several other heathen nations as well. HWA partially quotes Ezra 9:2 as "proof" that God was displeased with interracial marriage, but he failed to quote the previous verse, which gives the real reason why: 

Ezra 9:1: When these things were done, the leaders came to me saying, The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, with respect to the abominations of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. [emp. mine]

HWA also partially quotes Ezra 10:10-11 as another "proof" of God’s distaste for interracial relationships, but once again, fails to show the real reason God did not want them to intermarry.  When we back up to the previous verse, we find:

Ezra 9:11: which you commanded by Your servants the prophets saying, “The land which you are entering to possess is an unclean land, with the uncleanness of the peoples of the lands, with their abominations which have filled it from one end to another with their impurity. [emp. mine]

God did not single out the Canaanites because of their "dark" skin.  He condemned all of these nations because of their abominable practices.  Since HWA is a master at "omission," he naturally fails to bring to the reader’s attention that the Ammonites and Moabites descended from Lot, through incest with his two daughters.  And since Lot was Abraham’s nephew, we can conclude that they came from the same "pure racial strain" that Abraham did.  So the heathen Ammonite and Moabite nations were "white," but God commanded the Israelites not to intermarry with them either.  Obviously, skin color had nothing to do with this particular command.  God promised Abraham that the Savior would come through his family line, and He fulfilled His promise through preservation of Abraham’s lineage through the Jewish nation.  

It is interesting to note that the Bible defines the Ethiopians as having distinctive colored skin, but not the Canaanites. Jeremiah 13:23a says, "Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?"  Since HWA taught that the Bible interprets itself, we can safely conclude from this verse that Ethiopians were racially dark.  Now HWA revealed in the previous chapter that God considered interracial marriage "exceeding wickedness"—so grievous was this sin, He wiped out mankind by the Flood.  Does it make sense that God would wipe out the world because of this "sin," but allow His greatest servant—the very one who would lead His "racially pure" chosen nation—to marry interracially?  HWA conveniently overlooked Numbers 12:1 for his own benefit [bolding mine]:

And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married:  for he had married an Ethiopian woman.      

Yes, indeed, Moses, who was of pure Hebrew stock, married a racially dark Ethiopian!  "So important was this fact that it was repeated!"  How could something as important as this not catch HWA’s attention, especially since it was stated twice?  Was Moses punished for this sin?  Read Numbers 12 and find out who was punished.  God could have easily expelled Moses and made an example of him for committing the very sin that HWA says God had specifically forbidden.  HWA conveniently omitted this verse—that’s called deception.  In his list of "Who’s Who" in the Racial Purity Department, we have observed HWA engaging in gross omissions of several individuals for the sole purpose of making the Bible agree with his personal prejudices.   

Why was HWA obsessed with racial purity?  Let’s take a closer look at the statements made by HWA throughout the MOA:

1. It is evident that Adam and Eve were created white. (p. 148)
   

2. He [Noah] was of the original white strain. (p. 148)
   

3. Here was a people of almost clear racial strain, and the God believing heredity of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. (p. 169) 
   

4. So now again we come to the question, WHY did God raise up this special Hebrew nation as "the chosen people"?...One point to notice here.  The probability is that these people were all —or nearly all—of the white racial strain, unchanged since creation. (p. 166)
   

5. God's chosen nation Israel was white. (p. 148)
   

6. Jesus was white. (p. 148)
   

7. I have my genealogy all the way back to Edward the First of England and a line extending back to King David of ancient Israel. I have been astonished to discover this genealogy and the fact that I am, on one side of my family, actually of "the house of David."  (p. 13)

We see HWA establishing his "quality heredity" through these important individuals.  This was done purely because HWA wanted to establish his authority through "sacred lineage" all the way back to David’s throne.  The unsuspecting reader, at this point, does not realize that HWA will claim that the U.S. and Britain are descended from ancient Israel.  Once he convinces readers of this "unknown, unrecorded fact," then he will convince readers that Queen Elizabeth still sits on the throne of David today.  HWA wants his readers to believe that he has a special,  "sacred connection" by bloodline to this very throne (and to Jesus), which further boosts his position as God’s divinely appointed messenger.  Now let’s see what Paul said about the importance of tracing genealogies [bolding mine]:

I Timothy 1:4: Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.  

The whole British-Israelism doctrine is nothing more than tracing endless genealogies, which Paul states we are not to do.  HWA has clearly violated this by tracing his own genealogy back to the house of David; the genealogies of Ephraim and Manasseh and the remaining tribes of Israel; and the genealogies of Assyrians and Babylonians.  As Paul said, this information did not bring about godly edification, instead it has brought fear of the ancient Assyrians (modern Germans) and Babylonians (modern Italians), and it certainly ministered questions amongst our friends and loved ones outside of the organization.  HWA admonished his converts,  "Don’t believe me—believe the Bible!”  The Bible states that we are not to give heed to these fables and endless genealogies, so we needn’t give heed to HWA’s historical fabrications.  We are free to walk away from them.  

HWA channels the reader’s focus into the direction of his own racially prejudiced beliefs, even making it appear, through misrepresenting and omitting pertinent information, that God Himself endorsed racial segregation. 

There is a second reason why HWA emphasizes racial purity.  Once the unwary person enters "the Church" (i. e., any controlling offshoot today who holds to HWA's racial teachings), he will be instructed on the "racial segregation policies" of the organization.  There will be no "dating" between the races.  Those who descended from an interracial marriage will "be told" which race they may date according to their exterior physical features.  In other words, a person’s grandmother may be white, his/her grandfather black, but if the minister thinks the convert looks more black than white, he/she will be racially categorized as black and will be prevented from dating anyone that is from the white or Asian race.  This "racial categorization" exerts an enormous amount of control over the convert.  He will have to "get approval" from the minister over who he can or cannot date or marry, which can be a monumental task if he is from a church area that has few, if any, people of his own race.  Others who entered the organization already "bound" in mixed marriages and had children, were also subject to this abuse.  When their children came of "dating age" the minister would inform them of their dating prospects, which could be severely limiting in many church areas.  If the convert "questions" this policy, he will be reminded of the Flood and God’s great displeasure over the rebellious human race for intermarrying.  If the convert does not "submit" to racial policies of the organization, he/she will be promptly put out. 

Ironically, this method of racial screening backfired.  We knew a woman who was Caucasian and she wanted to marry a Hispanic man.  It took over a year to gain "approval" after being turned down twice.  Now if HWA insists that there were three major races, then what race was the Hispanic man?  He wasn’t Asian, nor was he Black (he apparently didn’t qualify as "white").  Did it have to take over a year to figure out what he was?  What if you were from India?  You are neither pure white, pure Black, or pure Asian.  What if you’re Philippino—are you white, Black or Asian?   It is ridiculous to think that after millennia of intermarriage that people can be sorted in three untainted races.  This is an insane, unbiblical method of which Hitler would be proud.   [Note: HWA studied Hitler's book Mein Kampf]

STEALING FROM GOD

This section of the MOA is small, but loaded.  Now that HWA has gotten his readers to believe they are descendents of ancient Israel, he lays the Law down thick:

God has a financial law for our nations.  He says 10 percent of the increase, or gross income of each one of us, belongs to God for his purposes and his work. (p. 190)  

The unwary reader is then flogged with Malachi 3 for stealing from God for withholding 10 percent of his income.  Now let’s see another quote from HWA’s own mouth as he repeats the precise amount he says that God requires [bolding mine]:

But God requires only ten percent.  (p. 322)  

Notice HWA does not say "10 percent for first tithe, 10 percent for second tithe, another 10 percent for third tithe year, a tithe of the second tithe for covering feast expenses, the remainder of excess second tithe after the feast ends, seven holy day offerings, plus the building fund, S.E.P.¹¹, and a tithe from local church fundraisers."   But this is exactly what happens once the person is ensnared by the organization.   If God only requires 10 percent, why does HWA (and all the other COG splinters, such as Philadelphia Church of God, United Church of God-AIA, Living Church of God, et. al.) require more?  And why do they not tell anyone this until after they’ve entered the organization?  Can the reader see how truly underhanded this is?  

NATIONAL IDENTITY—NATIONAL CURSE

Now let’s continue with the next paragraph in this section:  

After the year 1800 we prospered because of Abraham’s obedience and God’s unbreakable promises to him.  But now having received such individual and national prosperity, we sin by stealing from God.  That has brought our nations under a curse.  We have won our last war.  Nothing but troubles now lie ahead until we repent.  (p. 191)  

Either God is unfair, or HWA has performed another major gaffe in his logic. HWA previously informed his readers that nobody, not even Daniel, understood what 90% of Bible prophecy meant. He earlier stated that, “the Bible was a coded book, not to be understood until our day in this latter half of the twentieth century." (p. xi, emphasis mine). Even the MOA jacket cover states:

He [HWA] found that the mysteries that have perplexed humans were long ago revealed by the one supreme authority of all knowledge, but in a coded message not allowed to be decoded and revealed for the world to hear—until now! (MOA, copyright 1985)

On page 294, HWA states:

It [Christ’s gospel] had not been proclaimed to the world until the first week in 1953, when for the first time in about 1900 years—a century of time cycles—it went out on the world’s most powerful radio station, Radio Luxembourg in Europe.

If HWA’s claims are true, this means that the U.S. and Britain didn’t know their true identity until 1953, when he began preaching the only true gospel.¹²   So one must ask whether it was fair for God to curse the U.S. and Britain when they didn’t know their true national identity until 1953—a whole 150 years later!  Remember, the 2520-year curse expired in the early 1800’s, and God had to bless these nations unconditionally because of Abraham’s obedience.  Now HWA claims that these nations are cursed because they didn’t tithe.  How could they tithe if they never knew their national identity until HWA revealed it to them, over a century and a half later?  Remember, one of the "Eighteen Restored Truths" was Israel’s modern identity.¹³   Isn’t this like punishing a child for breaking rules he never knew existed?

This brings us to our next question:  To whom were the U.S. and British citizens supposed to tithe, since HWA hadn’t been born and commissioned yet? Remember, HWA insisted that all the tithes be given to his organization since he was the only one preaching the true gospel.  Why would God require these nations to give tithes since He hadn’t commissioned HWA to begin "the Work" until 1934, and, as HWA himself stated, the gospel hadn’t been proclaimed to the world until 1953, when it finally went to Europe?  The MOA jacket cover plainly states that God "did not allow these mysteries to be decoded—until now!"—that was 1985, thirty+ years past 1953!  Which date is the correct date?  Can’t God’s apostle get it right the first time?

Now let’s continue.  On page 187, HWA states [bolding mine]:

But what about the other tribes of the so-called Lost Ten Tribes?  While the birthright was Joseph’s, and its blessings have come to the British Commonwealth of nations and the United States of America, yet the other eight tribes of Israel were also God’s chosen people.  They, too, have been blessed with a good measure of material prosperity—but not the dominance of the birthright.  

We lack space for a detailed explanation of the specific identity of all of these other tribes in the nations of our twentieth century.  Suffice it to say here that there is ample evidence that these other eight tribes have descended into such northwestern European nations as Holland (Netherlands), Belgium, Denmark, northern France, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway.  The people of Iceland are also of Viking stock.  The political boundaries of Europe, as they exist today, do not necessarily show lines of division between descendants of these original tribes of Israel.  

So in 1953, the lost Israelites all over the world discovered their true identity when they heard it broadcasted on Radio Luxembourg.  Notice that HWA harps long and loud about the U.S. and Britain being "under a curse," but what about the rest of the "lost ten tribes," now that they know their true identity?  Should God only curse Ephraim and Manasseh for "being stiff-necked and not obeying God and his laws"? I don’t recall any of the other eight, modern Israelite nations keeping the Sabbath and tithing to HWA, so they must be guilty of committing the same sins as the U.S. and Britain!  HWA states that these fellow Israelites "have been blessed with a good measure of material prosperity" (which he wants readers to believe is “proof” of their identity), but they don’t share in the curses.  Hardly seems fair, doesn’t it?  (Read my research article, Where are the Tribes of Israel Located?)

In The United States and British Commonwealth in Prophecy, HWA informs his readers that the Queen of England sits on David’s throne.¹⁴   Since Radio Luxembourg has broadcasted this fact to the entire world, then it would stand to reason that the "lost ten tribes" should be tithing to the Queen of England if, indeed, she is the legitimate heir to the "Israelite" throne.  In any case, if Christ is returning to sit on this very throne, doesn’t it make sense that the modern Israelites should be tithing to the heir of the modern Israelite throne—the very throne Christ will sit on?  Why would HWA usurp the Queen’s, and ultimately—Christ’s—tithes?  So who here is really stealing from God?  Was HWA so delusional that he could remotely believe that all these "Israelitish nations" should send 10% of their gross income to him?

HWA warns Britain and America of forthcoming, divine punishment:

God will use a United Europe to punish Britain-America. Then he will use the Communist hordes to wipe out the Roman Empire. (p. 195)

This United Europe is also known as the European Common Market.  Although HWA warns the U.S. and Britain of impending invasion, he doesn’t inform them of specific nations that the Common Market is comprised of.  Could there be a reason for this?  Today, the European Common Market is made up of the following nations:  Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom.  Isn’t it interesting that the very nations that HWA says are the "lost ten tribes" are also some of the very same nations that make up the European Common Market?  Why would God send these Israelite nations (Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, and the UK), which make up half of the Common Market, to attack their own brothers?  Now that these nations know their true identity, why would they conspire with the Germans to destroy their own people?  Does this really make any sense?

Earlier in the MOA, HWA, speaking of the Common Market, states [bolding mine]:

It is clearly evident that Britain (the United Kingdom) is a member of the European Common Market.  HWA declared with unwavering certainty that Britain would not be part of the Common Market, but just the opposite has transpired.  Would God reveal flawed information to HWA, or was he (once again) speaking on his own authority?  

Now let’s see another HWA doctrinal faux pas.  Concerning the question of salvation being offered in this present age, he states [bolding mine]:  

Understand this point, which has been a mystery to the world. When God closed off the tree of life, he closed off the redemption and salvation of mankind for 6, 000 years, until the second Adam, Jesus Christ, after 6,000 years, should return to earth in supreme power and glory to unseat Satan from his throne and to rule all nations of mankind. (Under subheading, "Salvation Closed Off,"  p. 122)

Meanwhile mankind as a whole would not as yet be brought to judgment—neither condemned nor saved.  (p. 123)

Now before proceeding further, UNDERSTAND WHY only the minute FEW have so far been called to salvation—WHY the world as a whole has been CUT OFF from God—WHY the world has not yet been judged—WHY neither "saved" nor "lost"! (Under subheading, "Salvation Now Only for Minute Few,"  p. 234)

Then let's read what he has to say about salvation on page 195:

But, as salvation is given first to Israel, so is corrective punishment! 

First HWA informs us that "only a minute FEW so far have been called to salvation," but then turns right around and tells us that salvation was given first to Israel.  Now we must think very carefully about this.  Exactly how big is modern-day Israel? HWA tells us specifically that:

Together the descendents of these two lads, Ephraim and Manasseh, were to grow into the promised multitude—the nation and company of nations.” (p. 185).  

Notice that, before dividing the promises, this prophetic blessing indicated plainly that the descendants of these lads should remain together, and together grow into a great multitude…(United States and British Commonwealth in Prophecy, 1967, p. 56) 

So by HWA’s own mouth, we see that the modern Israelite nations of Ephraim and Manasseh have become "a great multitude."¹⁵   As we observed previously, he also stated that the remaining eight tribes could be traced to the nations of northwestern Europe (Holland, Belgium, Denmark, northern France, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland).  Now add them together.  Does this equal "a minute few" or is this a very large number of people—maybe even a "great multitude"?  So if HWA is correct that God is only calling, "A chosen FEW" in this present age, why does he contradict himself by stating that salvation is being given to Israel, which he clearly defines as the U.S., Britain, and eight European nations, which is certainly NOT a "minute few"?  

Now let’s look at this doctrinal flip-flop by HWA [bolding mine]:

But, as salvation is given first to Israel, so is corrective punishment! (p. 195)  

There was no conversion in ancient Israel—no salvation.  The 37^th chapter of Ezekiel reveals how those of ancient Israel will receive the Spirit of God, if willing, in the Great White Throne Judgment. (p. 239)  

At what point was salvation given to modern Israel?  HWA never says.  He states here that salvation was never offered to ancient Israel, but will be offered in the "Great White Throne Judgment."  He jumps ahead and states that salvation was given first to Israel (meaning modern day Israel) but he never says how this was accomplished or when it was accomplished.

HWA taught that redemption and salvation has been closed off to mankind for 6,000 years until Christ returns.  He states that the whole world has not been yet judged.  Remember, he says only a few are called to salvation at this present time. ("Nobody can come to the Father unless He is called.")  HWA taught that the number of true Christians was the 144,000.  Converts understand this refers only to those who are members in his church.  So if God wasn’t calling everyone outside of HWA’s church to "understand" these "truths" in the first place, how can HWA turn right around and pronounce divine "corrective punishment" for their "rebellion" when they were never called in the first place?  It hardly seems fair that God would punish people (starting first with modern-day Israel) for being "disobedient to His laws" when He’s already decided not to open their eyes until after Christ returns at the end of the 6,000-year period.  Either God has opened their minds to understand "truth" and has offered salvation to the multitudes, or He hasn’t.  HWA can’t seem to make up God’s mind which.   

HWA claims that, "The proof that the U.S. is Manasseh is overwhelming."  Let’s take a closer look at how HWA emphasis the similarities between ancient Israel and the U.S./Britain as "proof" of their modern day identity:  

Could it be mere coincidence that it started, as a nation, with thirteen colonies?  (p. 187)

Observe, once again, the "power of suggestion" and no concrete proof.  Notice what is NOT said, as much as what IS said by HWA.  If, indeed, the thirteen colonies represent the thirteen tribes of ancient Israel, were the colonies divided into their proper tribal origins?  For instance, we saw earlier how HWA traced the identity of the remaining eight tribes of Israel to Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, France and Switzerland.  So are we to believe that these thirteen colonies were divided by the racial/family origins of the Swiss, Danish, French, Norwegians, etc.?  Why would the two tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, come to the U.S. and divide themselves into thirteen tribes, especially if their brothers already had their own territory in Europe?  When ancient Israel went into the Promised Land, we didn’t see the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh subdivide their lands into the other tribes, yet this is exactly what HWA is implying.  Of course, he doesn’t point this out because his whole purpose is to make the reader believe that these similarities are more than coincidence.  Today, the United States has grown from thirteen colonies into fifty states, another "fact" that HWA fails to emphasize (a fact that all "deceived, worldly educated" 5^th graders know) because it would detract from his erroneous comparisons.

Let’s examine the other amazing parallels that HWA uses as "proof:"  

So this prophecy shows that at the very time we were receiving God’s blessings, we were a tremendous BLESSING to the other nations of the earth—for it is our peoples who have rescued the other nations of the world time and again through the Marshall Plan, the Point Four program, the Alliance for Progress, the hundreds of millions of bushels of wheat for starving nations.  

The Hoover Program saved up vast food supplies after World War I.  It saved millions in other nations from starvation!  

Anciently, Joseph saved up the wheat and food and made it available to others.  MODERN Joseph did also…(p. 189)  

Although this chapter appears to be filled with detailed "proof" that the U.S. is modern day Joseph, HWA, in his usual modus operandi, cleverly omits pertinent information.  Once again, we must ask, could there be a reason for this? Remember, the "turning point" was "at the end of 1950" when America did not win the Korean War.  (p. 189).  Now let's look closely at the dates of these historical events that HWA has listed.  The Marshall Plan was instituted from 1948 through 1951.  The Point Four program was instituted in 1953, and the Alliance for Progress in 1961.  If America was helping these other nations, saving them from starvation—why in the world would God curse America for being generous?  Notice that these historical dates fall after the date that God supposedly began His "curse."  Could this be the real reason the HWA omitted this information? 

HWA made readers believe that The Hoover Program saved up vast food supplies like Joseph did, but in actuality, Americans sacrificed their portion of wheat, sugar and other items so they could be exported to other nations.  There were no "vast supplies in storage" and Americans were placed on rations.  President Hoover had to resort to purchasing rice from Burma, corn from Argentina, and beans from China, in order to feed these other nations after World War I.  Contrast this with Joseph, who stored food years in advance and could feed other nations without the Egyptians making any such sacrifices.  This is another distinction that HWA failed to point out.  So WHY did the Americans bless other, struggling nations throughout history?  HWA refuses to acknowledge that America is a CHRISTIAN nation, built on Christian principles.  They gave to the needy—even sacrificing their own needs—because they were believers of Christ!  They did so because they knew they were morally obligated.  

As usual, the supposed parallel between Joseph and America is nothing more than a set up:  

BUT—we are stiff-necked and rebellious toward God and his law, while our ancient forefather Joseph served and obeyed God with a whole heart.  (p. 189)

It seems that saving other nations from starvation has qualified America as being "stiff-necked and rebellious" in HWA’s eyes.  Can’t America do anything right?  Of course not!  HWA can’t con people into believing that God is ready to rain down destruction if he shows America’s virtues.  So if HWA insists that modern day Joseph is rebellious toward God’s law—then what law was Joseph obeying while in Egypt?  The Exodus was still future, the nation of Israel wasn’t founded yet, the Ten Commandments weren’t cut in stone, and the laws and ordinances of Leviticus and Deuteronomy weren’t committed to papyrus.  Are we to believe that Joseph kept the Sabbath and tithed (to who?) while he was ruler over Egypt?  Evidently, ancient Joseph was just as guilty as modern Joseph for not living up to HWA’s standard of law-keeping.  

Immediately following these ancient and modern comparisons, the next section is shrewdly subtitled "Sudden Destruction."  Before the reader has a chance to discern whether his "historic" comparisons are viable, HWA will catapult his readers into the next frightening segment.  By embellishing Micah 5, he quickly distracts the reader.  He will do his best to convince the reader that there are dire consequences for not believing his BI doctrine.  Let’s examine how HWA gives himself permission to color scripture to his advantage.  Below are verses 10 and 11 in plain, unaltered text:

(V¹⁰) And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots: (V¹¹) and I will cut off the cities of thy land, and throw down all thy strongholds:

Let’s take a careful look at the words HWA inserted in the brackets:

Yet, in this detailed prophecy, God says, "And it shall come to pass IN THAT DAY, saith the Lord, that I will cut off thy horses" ["war-horses," Moffatt translation]—tanks, ships, rockets—"out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots: and I will cut off the cities [by hydrogen bombs?] of thy land, and throw down all thy strongholds" (verses 10-11).

God says he will do this! God determines the outcome of wars (Ps. 33:10-19). (p. 189-190)

By giving his personal spin in the brackets, and adding his own words (tanks, ships, rockets, hydrogen bombs) he takes a verse intended for Israel (which he says the United States and English speaking nations are) to create fear in the reader's mind.   But this awful, “corrective disaster” is not limited to American and British peoples.  Five pages later, HWA revealed, under the subtitle, "Punishment on All Nations!" that nobody will escape.  Once again, the reader is placed in another no-win situation.  HWA backs the reader into a corner, giving him only one choice:  Heed the World Tomorrow program and become one of the scattered few who believe this "peaceful pleading."  Disbelieve and God will send the sword after him.  With options like that, is there any wonder why readers take the better offer?   

HWA captivates the reader’s imagination with his epoch legends.  Now he will captivate the reader’s heart with his staunch views against sin and immorality.  He becomes a beacon of respectability, one that isn’t afraid to speak out in our soft, sin-filled society.  He offers The Missing Dimension in Sex, a book which promises to unveil another "missing dimension of knowledge."  Voicing his disapproval against abortion, promiscuity, etc., his seemingly upright and moral stance strikes a chord in common, everyday people who are concerned about their and their children’s futures.  Who couldn't respect a man who "tells it like it is"?   His credibility takes a giant leap in the eyes of the clientele he wishes to enlist. 

The concluding paragraphs of Chapter 5, under the clever subtitle, "Jesus Foretold It” are strategically placed at the end. He capitalizes the words "END, SIGN, GREAT TRIBULATION, TROUBLE, RESURRECTION and WHEN?" and italicizes the phrase "most intense punishment."  HWA provides plenty of emotional "motivation" to push the reader into making a commitment of the heart and mind.  The promise of deliverance and a wonderful, peaceful, happy world tomorrow is waved at the end of the dark corridor.  Herbert Armstrong lures the reader into a twisted labyrinth, keeping him deeply preoccupied by the master key’s potential.  The reader is unaware that he no longer knows the way out.

By Kelly Marshall (former WCG member)
Exit & Support Network™
December 2004

Next to Chapter Six