The Church of God-PKG (Ronald Weinland)

There seems to be no one outside of Herbert Armstrong who has given so many false prophecies as Ronald Weinland of The Church of God, Preparing for the Kingdom.

Note: If you have a loved one who has recently gone into this group, or is becoming involved, be sure and read: If You Have a Loved One in a Deceptive, Exploitive Group.

Brief History:

Ron Weinland, born in 1949, was disfellowshipped from WCG in 1996 and joined United Church of God where he was a minister for two years.

In 1997 he founded the Church of God, Inc. In 2000 the congregation split and the name was changed to The Church of God-PKG (Preparing for the Kingdom of God), which is presently located in Cincinnati, Ohio. He proclaims that The COG-PKG is the only one out of all the WCG offshoots that has “continued as God’s true church” and that we “are in the final stages of the last era.”

Weinland believes that Herbert Armstrong “restored God’s truths and “was the apostle to God’s church in the Worldwide Church of God until his death in January 1986” and that Joseph Tkach Sr. was the “man of sin” and the “son of perdition.

Claims He Makes:

He believes The Church of God- PKG is the only physical organization God is working with.

In his Biography he says that he is: “God’s last apostle in a long lineage of apostles, beginning with the original 12…”, “the last apostle to God’s Church before Christ returns to establish God’s Kingdom…” and “a prophet and end-time apostle.”

Read: Ron Weinland’s All or Nothing Statement (from those who have “the truth”).

Continual Date Setting:

In December 2005 Weinland claimed he was one of the two witnesses. In July 2006 he said the Great Tribulation would begin in 2008. In April 2008 he proclaimed that the work of the two witnesses of Revelation had begun. That same year members began stockpiling food. He later changed the date to November 2008. By late June 2008 he predicted Christ would return on Pentecost 2012.

He wrote a book in November 2008: God’s Final Witness in which he predicted deaths:

“The most notable deaths early on, which are yet to come to pass, will be the two remaining television presenters in the Living Church of God. The sound of this thunder will be intensified by the early deaths of the leaders of the Philadelphia Church of God, the Restored Church of God and the Church of the Great God. Then, those in the largest scattered group, who think they have escaped, will be lifted up to believe that God is with them because they are so filled with pride. But, when that happens, the deaths of many in the United Church of God will begin.”

By December 2009 he said he was not only a prophet but also an apostle. He said he would “fulfill the prophecies of the Elijah to come and of Zerubbabel.”

He has predicted Christ’s return numerous times– September 29, 2011; May 2012; May 19, 2013, etc.

Writes Book While Imprisoned:

On November 10, 2011 Ronald Weinland was indicted by the IRS for Tax Fraud. Read: June 20, 2012 letter: Ron Weinland Convicted of 5 Counts of Tax Evasion and on House Arrest.

In February 2013, he began a three-year prison term.

Weinland says that during the time he was “falsely imprisoned” he was given to write a third book (“As John was given the book of Revelation to record while imprisoned”) entitled Prophesy Against The Nations, which is “the last warning that God is now giving to mankind” and “God’s last warning to those of His Church who were scattered after the Apostasy.”

He says that the period for when WWIII can occur is “from the early 2019 to early 2020” and that there will be ten nations, European countries, uniting under the Antichrist.

More False Prophecies:

Weinland said on his website on December 25, 2018, “Indeed, if final catastrophic end-time events do not begin to be manifest for all to see in the next few months, then the next possible date for Christ’s return would be on Pentecost, May 31, 2020.”

In order to give himself an out when this does not occur, he says, “As God is specific and precise concerning timing for when events can become fulfilled prophetically, if things in this world continue as they are beyond that date in 2020, then the next possible time for the Messiah’s return will be several years beyond that.”

His home page continues to proclaim tireless warnings such as: “Time is running out for people to become more adequately prepared for a Third World War” and “There may only be months or even weeks left to prepare for these horrific things that are fast closing in.”

His latest booklet is “When the Countdown Ends” with a picture of bombed out cities on the cover. The book focuses on “a timeline that is a continuing countdown to WWIII” and is “God’s last warnings.”

Conclusion:

Ron Weinland has been proven time and again to be a false prophet. When his prophecies fail, he blames the membership. His numerous failed prophecies have become tiring causing many to call him a liar.

A good book to read is: When Prophecy Fails by Leon Festinger which shows how, in spite of failed prophecies, members in apocalyptic groups will usually make some other excuse and go right on believing.

The Church of God-PKG is an apocalyptic, deceitful, and authoritarian organization. For more info regarding such groups and the methods they use, see our section: Mind Control & Exploitation.

By D. M. Williams
Exit & Support Network™
April 27, 2020
Updated August 20, 2020

“And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor comes to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: …” ~Deuteronomy 18:22

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” ~I John 4:1

Letters Received on The Church of God-PKG:

Ron Weinland and His False Prophecies

Dave Pack Attacks Ron Weinland

False Prophet Ronald Weinland Indicted by the IRS for Tax Fraud

Ron Weinland Charged with Not Paying $357,000 in Taxes