Flurry never mentions the peace and rest that can be found through faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. If he did, there would be no need for members to remain in PCG.

Since GF teaches that the "spiritual catastrophe" of the WCG is prophesied in Amos, we find him quoting a number of times from the book of Amos.

Let's notice some of his words from The Lion Has Roared:

"People who heed God's warnings shall be protected in a place of safety."

Where do the Scriptures clearly say this? This belief of a "place of safety" was originally taught by Herbert Armstrong during his days of "warning the world." It held out a feeble hope for those in WCG who "held fast." GF, however, holds out little hope that most of his members will be there.

"The leaders in the United States and Britain will know that the Philadelphia Church of God came out of the Worldwide Church of God. The leaders of the nations could enlist the WCG in an attempt to stop the PCG's message."

Can we see how preposterous this statement is?

"If you have received God's Spirit, you must make sure you are right with God."

As far as Flurry is concerned, being "right with God" means being in PCG and obeying the government of PCG. The Scriptures show we are "right with God" when we are in Christ.

"Many people have fallen away because they have gotten bitter against a minister or another member."

Do people fall away because they "have gotten bitter against PCG ministers or members," or do they courageously begin to rightly question and confront GF's (assumed) authority and his interpretation of Scripture?

"We are not setting dates, but Christ is roaring from the Philadelphia Church. It 'panic time,' whether people realize it or not."

While Gerald Flurry says he's "not setting dates" is he not revving members up (instilling panic) and causing them to believe his false prophecies?  

"But there is another Zion that roars for God--the Philadelphia Church. When the lion roars, it's time to become galvanized and respond to God--or be caught in the Great Tribulation."

Interpretation: "It's time to respond to Flurry, or meet your doom." This is a twisting of Scripture in order to implement groundless fears.

"The point is this--when you see the division in God's own Church, the end is perilously close!"

Flurry wants his members to view the changes in the WCG (which began after HWA died in 1986 and peaked in 1995) as the time when "God's church" started becoming Laodicean. Therefore, the necessity for PCG to form.

He tells us that he's "not setting dates," but his many allusions to "the end" are rampant in his literature.

"The Great Tribulation is almost here."

This kind of fear and dread will produce anxiety about the future.

"The nations of Israel1 look upon God as being extremely hard."

Is it not Flurry who is "extremely hard"?

"Now God is precisely measuring our peoples by His standard of righteousness and justice--with a plumbline. Our peoples are under God's fierce scrutiny--and condemnation."

This is nothing but trying to incite more anxiety about the future, leading to dependency on the PCG. Christ died for all our sins. We are made the righteousness of God in Him when we believe in Him. But GF has people continually fearing his "God" and working for their salvation.

Over and over in this book Flurry uses certain phrases to frighten people such as, "dark time," "the nearness of the end, "the end is extremely near." Yet Jesus tells us over and over, "Be not afraid" and "fear not."

Many more harmful, and unhealthy statements, could be pointed out in this book that are not only lies, but very possibly demon inspired.

Those who have left PCG have testified to the bondage that enslaved their minds and souls while under the influence of Gerald Flurry and how they are now beginning to gain back the freedom (including their mind) that had been taken from them.

In coming to understand the true God, compared to the "PCG God," we can see that the tender mercy of God, through His Son Jesus, gives "light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." (Luke 1:79) There is no fear in such truth.

God is a God of love. Nothing can ever separate us from His love. (Romans 8:38-39) We can have comfort and peace through Him, who understands all that we have gone through.

By D. W.
Exit & Support Network™
August 14, 2007

Footnote by ESN:

1 "Nations of Israel," according to Gerald Flurry (and Herbert Armstrong), are the English speaking nations, such as Great Britain and America, whom he says are modern-day Israel.

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