Gerald Flurry, in his vanity, has appropriated several Biblical titles for himself. Can Christ and pride go together? Flurry is the founder of Philadelphia Church of God, known as a totalistic offshoot of Worldwide Church of God. The following was sent to us by a former member.
Also read: Leaders of Totalistic Groups Have These Traits in Common.
In the July-August 2000 issue of PCG’sRoyal Vision magazine on the inside of the front cover it is written:
“About our cover. The various biblical titles associated with an end-time prophet who comes on the scene just before Jesus Christ’s return.”
On the front cover the following titles are illustrated:
Malachi
The Knocker
Joel
Watchman
Teacher of Righteousness
Elisha
Lawgiver
King
THAT PROPHET
Ambassador
A Voice
Zechariah
Counselor
Micah
Breaker
Habakkuk
In his booklet, Who is “That Prophet”? Flurry has also given himself further titles:
Ezekiel
God’s Chief Ruler
Amos
Eliakim
Father
The Elder
Obadiah
Messenger
In the magazine (and the booklet) Flurry attempts to link himself to all these titles. Here is an astounding statement he has made:
“God’s ministers must understand this concept deeply and lead God’s people to magnify my office–which is really God’s office.” (Royal Vision, July-Aug. 2000 issue, p. 30
The previous statement is an exact quote. That is blasphemy in my judgment. I am a manager at a business but I do not equate my office as a manager with my employers office.
To illustrate how illogical Flurry is read the following quote from page 1: “You will not know a prophet by how many followers he has. Or how much property he purchases.”
Who in their right mind would believe you could tell a prophet by how much real estate he bought? He did not even have the sentence properly structured. Flurry has purchased so much land recently that it is obsessing his already twisted judgment.
In the January-February 2001 issue of Royal Vision Flurry now teaches his duped followers that, “When someone is called into GOD’s family, he or she moves from the ‘love toward neighbor’ category into the ‘love toward GOD’ category. That person moves into the GOD category–into the realm of the first great commandment.”
This is a direct quote from page 17 of the above mentioned magazine. I have it right here on my desk. I was a PCG member from December 1995 until September 2000 and I know that Flurry is a liar and a blasphemer because no human moves into the GOD category in this life. Flurry even stated in the same issue most of the PCG ministers are confused about this subject and that is why GOD is teaching it to him more deeply. If Flurry is the kind of minister GOD is using then nobody will have to throw me in the lake of fire–I think that I would jump in voluntarily.
While we were still in the PCG, Flurry was claiming that he was/is “that Prophet” mentioned in John 1. Anyone with basic Biblical knows that only JESUS CHRIST is THAT PROPHET. Flurry also claims at least 16 Biblical titles. The man is totally deluded and belongs in a room with rubber walls.
By J.C. (former PCG member)
Update: Flurry has also given himself the title of “The Nail in a Sure Place” and “Joshua.”
Note: That Prophet one of the books listed to renounce on “Confession and Freedom From Specific Cult/Occult Strongholds.”
“I BELIEVE I’M GOD’S PROPHET.” (Gerald Flurry, May 1, 2004 sermon)
Gerald Flurry Now Claims to Be an Apostle:
Flurry finally thought it time to take things one step further and has now claimed to be an Apostle. Following are quotes from his November 8, 2010 “Dear members and co-workers in Christ” letter: [bolding mine]
Isn’t it logical to think God would have another apostle crying out to this world before the greatest event to ever occur in the universe? p. 3.
If the voice preceding ours [HWA] was an apostle, is it logical–we just want the truth of God, that’s all–that the voice following him would also be an apostle? p. 3.
I must say honestly that I believe the fruits of an apostle are here [in PCG]. p. 8.
If the Work is to be raised up “as in the days of old,” and in those days there was an apostle, isn’t it logical that there would be an apostle today? I believe that is what God is showing us. p. 8.
There are signs of an apostle! Again, I think we can look at this Work–including the college and God’s house and everything we are doing–and see those signs. p. 9
And to help us do this Work “as in the days of old,” He [God] does give us an apostle today, just as He did then. p. 9.
I think the office of an apostle is a sign that God wants us to do still a GREATER WORK than what we have done–but in an extremely short amount of time.
The qualification for an apostle is to have seen the living Christ and been personally commissioned by Him. Does this fit with Gerald Flurry (or Herbert Armstrong)? We know it doesn’t, so wouldn’t they be considered “lying apostles”? (Revelation 2:2)
Also read: Found Problems With Gerald Flurry Declaring Himself to Be an Apostle (December 1, 2010 letter to ESN) which shows there are no “apostles” today, only false ones.
A false teacher will talk about how “humble” he is, but pride can never be concealed for long. The Word of God clearly reveals that pride is a terrible sin and God hates it:
“For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that
humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke 14:11).
“The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way,
and the froward mouth, do I hate” (Proverbs 8:13).
“He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (I Corinthians 1:31).
“Therefore let no man glory in men” (I Corinthians 3:21).
It is also interesting to consider that while Gerald Flurry has said Herbert W. Armstrong was the “Elijah to come” (and he, Flurry, calls his own position “a type of Elisha’s office”1, the Elijah in the Old Testament delivered the children of Israel from their bondage to false gods. One must ask if Flurry’s teachings, in actuality, are a system of bondage and the “god” that is taught in PCG is nothing but a false god?
Similarities to Herbert Armstrong:
Many who were in Worldwide Church of God in the early years will remember that Herbert Armstrong likewise accepted titles such as “prophet,” “Elijah,” “Ezekiel,” and “Apostle,” and that many things which were common place in WCG are now extant in PCG with GF:
“Armstrong is accepted as a prophet by many of his adherents. The author has documented proof that in recent years ‘acceptance’ of this supposition was required of some before being admitted to the membership. Armstrong’s church [WCG] generally accepts him as a prophet.” (Armstrongism: Religion or Rip-Off? – An Exposé of the Armstrong Modus Operandi by Marion J. McNair, 1977, p. 52) [emp. ours]
“Dean Blackwell*, one of Armstrong’s leading ministers stood before a membership group of over 8,000 in St. Petersburg, Florida (Oct. 8, 1974) and eulogized Armstrong for TWO SOLID HOURS. Constant references were made to Ezekiel and Elijah. … Blackwell inferred that members who hadn’t done so should accept Armstrong as a prophet while he is still living.” (Armstrongism: Religion or Rip-Off? – An Exposé of the Armstrong Modus Operandi by Marion J. McNair, 1977, p. 53) [emp. ours]
“This work [Armstrong] is fulfilling the fourth chapter of Malachi, ‘Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” (stated by Dean Blackwell, October 8, 1974, before 8,000 members at the St. Petersburg, Florida feast; quoted in Armstrongism: Religion or Rip-Off? – An Exposé of the Armstrong Modus Operandi by Marion J. McNair, 1977, p. 55) [emp. ours]
By D. M. Williams
Exit & Support Network™
Note: Dean Blackwell remained with WCG until his death on April 14, 2003.
“Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.” ~Jeremiah 14:14
Footnote:
1 That Prophet, Part Five, “The Elisha Work,” Gerald Flurry
Back to Articles on Gerald Flurry
Back to Mike’s Enlightenment Page (PCG exposed)