A list to help those who are having a hard time understanding the terminology that their family or friends are using in the controlling WCG offshoots (and, in some cases, still in the Worldwide Church of God). This is commonly known as "loading the language" and serves to keep members from thinking critically. Read more about this and how it is used in the Armstrong groups. This list is not inclusive and may overlap in the various groups.

The Truth: What the group says they have to the exclusion of all other groups.

Here a little; there a little: How God reveals His truth.

The Gospel: Herbert Armstrong's teachings concerning the Kingdom/Government of God/Law of God and not about the Person of Jesus Christ.

Trunk of the Tree: Same as above.

God's Apostle: Same as previous.

God's man: Same as previous.

God's end-time man: Same as previous.

That Prophet: Gerald Flurry; not Jesus.

Headquarters: Central location where the group leader lives.

Building character: Becoming more submissive to Headquarters.

The Work: The needs and wants of the leader.

God's End Time Work: Same as above.

Doing the Work: Paying tithes and offerings to Headquarters in order to see to the needs and wants of the leader.

Way of Give: Same as previous.

Way of Get: Not giving to Headquarters.

The Two Trees: Symbols of the give and get way.

God's Way: Whatever the leadership decides as a course of action.

Government of God: The authority (i. e., the leader) at Headquarters.

A Government problem: What anyone in the group has if they question the Government of God.

Rebellious: Those not submissive to the Government of God.

Unconverted: Those outside the group, or anyone within the group who questions the Government of God.

Laodiceans:  Those outside the group (in PCG it also refers to members/exiters who are not submissive to the Government of God).  

Converted: Group members who submit to the Government of God.

Christians: Same as previous.

God's chosen people: Same as previous.

Inner Court: Those inside PCG

Outer Court: Those outside PCG (i.e., Laodiceans)

The Church: The name of the group; a.k.a., "God's one true Church on earth."

God's Church: Same as previous.

Small flock: Same as previous.

God's family: Same as previous.

Spiritual husband: Same as previous.

The World: That outside the group which would pull one away from the group.

Fellowship: Spending most of our time with the group.

Cursed: Bad things that happen to members when they don't obey the Government of God; bad things that happen to those who leave the group.

Calling: What is fulfilled by joining the group and being under the Government of God.

Called: Those select few that come under the Government of God.

Repent: To turn from sin and turn to the Law.

Human nature: What potential members need to repent of.

Get with the program: To get in line with the rest of the group; conform.

You just don't get it: What members and outsiders are accused of. What exactly "it" is, is never really defined.

Spiritual widow (or widower): Member who has an "unconverted" mate who is not in the group.

Satan's lies: All words that do not agree with the leader of the group.

Rumors: Same as above.

Dissidents: Those who spread the above.

Satan is attacking: When anyone tries to expose their deeds.

Judging: What dissidents do; never applies to the group leader.

Bad attitude: Questioning the leader or his teachings.

Marked: What happens to one who is blowing the whistle on the group.

The God Family: What members want to become a part of when they are spirit beings; only members in it now are God the Father and Jesus Christ.

Born Again: What happens to members if they enter the "God Family."

Salvation: What members receive if they're born into the "God Family."

Saved: Usually has "alive" on the end of it; those who live through the Great Tribulation.

The Kingdom: The Government of God administered on earth, as well as heaven.

The World Tomorrow: Same as previous.

Qualify: To make it into the Kingdom.

Reward: Members' position in the Kingdom.

Last hour: What members are now living in (for PCG it means "end of an era").

Last end: Same as previous.

End of the age: Same as previous.

End of the end time: Same as previous.

Place of Safety: Where members (who are submissive to the Government of God) hide out during the Great Tribulation; exact location never definite.

Place of final training: Same as previous.

The Sabbath: Saturday, if you travel west from Israel; Friday if you travel east.

Annual Sabbaths: Seven Sabbaths; during the holy days.

High days: Same as previous.

Holy Days: Listed in Leviticus 23; i. e., seven of them; sacrifices not included.

Feast days: Same as above.

God's Plan of Salvation: Same as previous.

The Feast: Where members head off to every Fall to receive instruction in obeying the Government of God and learning about the time they will rule with Christ (as spirit beings in "The God Family") and force people to submit to "God's Government." 

The Last Great Day: Hundred-year period of time when all who have never heard HWA's gospel will be given their "first (and last) chance" to hear and accept it.

The First Resurrection: Reserved for those in the group.

The Second Resurrection: Same as pictured by The Last Great Day; reserved for those outside the group.

The Third resurrection: Annihilation in the Lake of Fire; reserved for all those who spurned God's Government.

White Throne Judgment: Same as the third resurrection.

Heaven: There are three: The 1st is where the birds and clouds are; the 2nd is where the planets and stars are; the 3rd heaven is where God, Christ and angels reside. (Christians who are born again cannot go to #3, as their abode is the new earth.)

Hell: The grave; where everyone goes when they die.

By Exit & Support Network™
October 6, 2006
Updated July 1, 2009

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