Ron Weinland—Spectacularly Wrong!

In the spring of 2011, a false prophet named Harold Camping terrified millions around the world with his prediction that the rapture—and the end of Earth—would come on May 21, 2011. Of course his prophecy failed. He did not repent, but rather recomputed a new “correct” date—five months later, October 21, 2011. When this date also failed, as did his earlier date in 1994, Camping claimed events had come to pass “spiritually.” He was little heard from for almost five months until publicly apologizing in early March and asking for forgiveness. I explained in an article and a video, before each date he gave, that no one needed to worry. Millions read and viewed this material and came to realize this man amounted to a prophecy fiction writer.

Some time before, a lesser known “prophet,” Ronald Weinland (of the Church of God – PKG), had spun his own theory about how Christ would return on May 27, 2012. He began pushing in earnest his end-time scenario—through extensive ad campaigns much like Harold Camping—five and a half years earlier in late 2006, in belief that the Great Tribulation would begin on December 14, 2008. (Also paralleling Harold Camping, Ron Weinland has had to recompute events and dates because of failed prophecies.)

Make no mistake: May 27, 2012 will come and go. It will look much like May 26 and May 28. Jesus Christ will NOT return on May 27—or at any time in 2012! Neither is there the slightest chance He will return for several years after. Upon reading the following material, you will not doubt this. Much worse than Harold Camping, who never knew any of the truth of prophecy, Ron Weinland presumably once did understand at least a little. Today, claiming to be an apostle, a prophet, the end-time Elijah and the chief one of the Two Witnesses (he claims his wife is the other), this man is a deluded imposter. He would be a footnote were he not deceiving thousands of people who think he knows what he is talking about. He does not!

No Desire to Attack a Person

True ministers of God strive to never attack other human beings. They are for the truth rather than against people—and there is a big difference. Therefore, I have determined to actively resist and teach against any false doctrines that are deceiving people among the splinters. However, this subject presents a unique problem with this policy.

When a leader teaches a false concept or doctrine, it rarely has anything to do with himself. Generally, the heresy can be clearly singled out and countered without having to necessarily address the man who teaches it. For instance, if someone teaches that Christians are “born again” in this life or “the Sabbath is done away,” it is easy to counter such claims with the truth, without addressing the particular man or men teaching these errors. But consider! What if the wrong teaching is inseparable from who and what a leader says that he is?

Does a true minister say, “I cannot dispel this kind of false teaching because if I do I would also attack its author”? The reasoning might continue, “I know that this man is deceiving thousands of God’s people, but I cannot address his error, or try to help those he is deceiving, because I would also be attacking him, not just his error.” The problem could go further. If a man claimed to be Moses, Elijah or one of the Two Witnesses, must we give him a “free pass” because, in dispelling such an outrageous heresy, we would also appear to be attacking the man making the claim? What if someone stated that God had revealed to him that he was an apostle? Can we not question—prove!—him, asking for facts, evidence and fruit? What if he asserted himself to be Christ as some are foretold to do? The question looms even larger.

When Elijah mocked the prophets of Baal, was he attacking them? No! God inspired Isaiah to “Cry aloud and spare not!…Show My people their sins!” (58:1). This article does that.

Do not be duped into believing that if a minister fights for Christ’s sheep (John 10:11-13) who are being deluded by a leader elevating himself into extraordinary offices that he does not hold, the minister has attacked, slandered or name-called the man. Think. And understand that somebody had to write this article, even at the risk of being called an accuser, or attacker. (This section also applies to future articles of a similar nature.) It is my hope you understand what is at stake.

True or False!

The Bible says prophets fall into one of two categories—true or false. All prophets—past, present or future—are one or the other. They cannot be both, and they cannot be in-between. Within the category of false prophets are two types: Those who claim to be a prophet, but falsely foretell events, not being inspired by the true God—and those who do not necessarily claim to be a prophet, but who teach falsely about prophecy—and for that matter any other aspect of God’s Word. The latter would include false teachers and false ministers. Like false prophets, false teachers assert they are vested with God’s authority. Rather than falsely prophesying future events, they teach false doctrines supposedly from the Bible. Therefore, Jesus’ warnings about false prophets also apply to false teachers, who work in the same way.

Ronald Weinland is a complete fraud, and one who is breathtakingly ignorant of even the most rudimentary elements of prophecy—of events that should be impossible to misunderstand. He is utterly wrong—and in his case spectacularly so, and on virtually every point! The Bible does not validate any of his prophetic ideas. You are about to see this.

But first comes all-important background and set up. What follows could be short, medium, long or very long. I have chosen the latter for obvious reasons. The patient reader will understand why—and will not be disappointed! (Also, books, booklets and a number of links to detailed World to Come broadcasts are listed at the end for the serious reader, the one who wants the truth of Bible prophecy.)

Ripe for Religious Entrepreneurs

Ever since Jesus Christ announced He would return, the idea of His Second Coming has been a subject of speculation, ridicule, general discussion, fascination and fancy. This has continued for 2,000 years. With opinions everywhere, there has been an explosion of material presenting popular scenarios, ideas, theories, suppositions and interpretations of what will occur at and just before Jesus’ Return.

People have always wanted to know what the future holds. They have also always consulted soothsayers, fortune-tellers, clairvoyants, palm-readers, so-called prophecy experts, prophetic texts—alongside the Bible—to learn it.

Let’s be clear: World trends and conditions are worsening, and now more dramatically. This has caused many to look to the Bible for answers. They want clarity and authority. Everyone wants to know what is coming. This opens the door to “religious entrepreneurs,” who can take advantage of the situation, and seize the opportunity to spew prophetic trash to snare the unwitting and unwary. Preying upon the average person’s biblical ignorance, these can easily gain a following—and a cash reward, besides. Books on prophecy are often best-sellers.

Jesus goes straight to the biggest problem that would exist at the end. Notice: “The disciples came to [Jesus] privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the world [or age]?” (Matt. 24:3). In the context of prophetic events and trends to precede His Return, Jesus’ detailed answer begins with: “Take heed that no man deceive you” (vs. 4).

There are an unending and growing number of deceivers at work today. Are their followers “taking heed”? How many are carefully doing their homework? Ron Weinland is only one. There are others.

The world will see many more false prophets in the years ahead, and this will be deadly serious. Far beyond simple predictions, they will perform miracles—displays of supernatural power—that even hardened skeptics will be unable to dismiss (Matt. 24:24 and II Thes. 2:9). You will witness staggering events, and beyond what you can begin to imagine! These will come soon!

Truth of the Bible

Before looking at the wrong prophetic “understanding” Ron Weinland has concocted, what is the truth of end-time prophecy? And what did Herbert W. Armstrong teach? Since prophecy is a full third of the Bible, we can only take time to present the most basic picture and points necessary to expose the Weinland inventions.

Most who write about the Bible do not realize that this Book interprets itself, that if a symbol is mentioned within a prophecy—any prophecy!—and virtually every prophecy involves symbols—the Author of this greatest of books would not leave the most crucial questions, those involving all humanity, subject to human interpretation. He would provide clues—necessary vital keys!—to understanding the large portions of His Word devoted to future events. He would also make known that He is the Author of the Bible. And He would make absolutely clear that the Bible is a book backed by His authority—that it is His divinely revealed instruction book—and that this need not merely be “accepted on faith.”

God would provide proof of all the things He says!

The Bible commands: “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (I Thes. 5:21). This certainly applies to prophecy. You need not accept the opinions of ill-informed, self-appointed “experts.”

Tragically, most who read Bible prophecy remain in near total ignorance of its size and scope. They are completely unable to recognize the speed, sequence and timing of its prophecies. And this is on top of not truly comprehending what any of them means! So many just cannot untangle the maze of what happens when, as well as where and to whom—and WHY!

The interested reader will want to view my 2-part World to Come broadcast series titled “26 Prophetic Events in Exact Sequence Before Christ’s Return!” It reveals in detail all that lies ahead.

The next long portion comes in three sections: (1) The Church’s long understood truth of basic end-time prophecy, (2) statements from Mr. Armstrong proving its correctness (all of which is now lost to Ron Weinland and his followers), and finally (3) what Weinland teaches, in his own words.

The Coming Beast and False Prophet

We first examine crucial understanding about what must still take place on the world scene before and into the Tribulation. Comparing Revelation 13, Revelation 17 and Daniel 7, with Daniel 2, brings full understanding of the scope and magnitude of the various “beasts” that these chapters describe, and the system they represent. Numerous Old Testament scriptures also refer to these different beasts—long understood in God’s Church for who they are—but these chapters are the most critical to understand. Combined, they reveal a staggering prophecy about latter-day events that will affect all humanity in your lifetime! These are not prophecies that can be dismissed, rejected or “dumbed down” to some kind of spiritual fulfillment only applying to God’s Church.

Revelation 17:8-9 describes a “Beast” that ascends out of a “bottomless pit.” Verse 12 shows that this Beast involves 10 kings who shall “receive power” and unite to bequeath it to a leader who will take the role of the final Beast. This will be the seventh, and last, short-lived resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire—arising now in the heart of Europe! A United States of Europe is coming—and now lies just ahead. When it appears, the entire world will stand in shocked amazement. This has obviously not happened!

In Revelation 13, the apostle John describes a Beast with seven heads, 10 horns and 10 crowns. This chapter contains a symbolic description of the “Beast”—and a description of “another Beast” with “two horns” (vs. 11). The first Beast represents the Roman Empire—a political kingdom. The two-horned Beast there represents the headquarters of an influential, false prophetic “woman” that controls the first Beast. This chapter also describes both the “image” and “mark” of the Beast.

Revelation 17 also describes a “woman,” which is a false church that rides the Beast with seven heads and 10 horns. The Beast she is riding is a powerful world empire that exists until Christ returns. Two individuals, “the Beast and the False Prophet,” will lead this religious-governmental system. Revelation 16:13-14 describes demons as having the power to “work miracles” through their system.

The embodiment of the final Beast will be a charismatic figure who arrives on the world scene shortly BEFORE the Great Tribulation begins. This man has not yet been identified.

Also, the final, world-charming False Prophet will lead the world to worship the Beast (Rev. 16:2; 19:20)! This deception will be so profound (18:3)—and so widespread—that we saw these men will actually deceive all mankind into fighting Christ at His Second Coming (16:9, 13-16; 17:13-14). Neither has this man yet been identified!

The work of the False Prophet will continue up to Armageddon. Revelation 16:14 states, “For they are the spirits of devils [demons], working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.”

Two major forces (the Beast and the men of the East) will see Jesus Christ coming out of the clouds (Acts 1:11-12). Considering Him their greater threat, they will unite, forming an alliance to fight what they perceive to be their common enemy. These men will be angry, and will not submit to God. They will think the true Christ is actually the “Antichrist” and will “make war with the Lamb” (Rev. 17:14).

But, again, none—NONE!—of this has yet happened, or even started! And more setup on the world stage still needs to occur BEFORE these things can even begin to happen. However close these “run up” events may now be, Weinland’s idea of there just being weeks before Christ’s Return becomes ludicrous on its face in light of this last subhead.

The First Four Seals

Something else that is world-shattering must grow much worse before the Tribulation can come into view.

The first four seals of Revelation 6 are represented by four riders, on four different-colored horses. The opening of the first seal describes a white horse. This seal represents false Christianity, with deceivers foretold to grow much worse during the last days in deluding the masses. This has certainly been happening, and will grow worse. The second seal is depicted by a red horse, representing worsening war, terror and violence. This is also happening, and will also grow much worse. The third seal describes a black horse, which symbolizes extreme and worldwide famine. This is also increasingly underway, and, again, will also grow much worse. Finally, the fourth seal is pictured by a pale horse and represents pestilence or disease. New diseases are appearing, and will appear. The same with old diseases. Much, much more could be said about these horsemen and the details of the first four seals, but space does not permit fuller descriptions.

However, when the fourth seal of pestilence is described, something else is contained in the passage. It becomes one of the very greatest reasons Ron Weinland’s “interpretation” is not worth the paper it is written on: “When He had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death—and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them”—all four horses and riders (false Christianity, war, famine and disease—the first four seals) in the context—“over the fourth part of the earth [one in every four people!], to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth” (vs. 7-8).

Grasp the awesome magnitude of what you read before continuing, and ask if anything like this has happened.

Final world trouble starts with religious deception (the first seal of Revelation), which results in war (the second seal), followed by famine and disease (the third and fourth seals). Factor in both intensifying “great” earthquakes (Luke 21:11)—and volcanoes—along with what Mark’s gospel calls “troubles,” as well as an overlooked reference to “with the beasts of the earth,” and the picture comes far short of the world scene today.

Nearly incomprehensible nightmarish prophecies will soon strike all nations of the world. The Bible is plain on this subject—with scriptures that are impossible to misunderstand. But one glance at the world today shows that the Four Horsemen are far from running full speed. This means the fifth seal is still some distance in the future, however short.

Jesus Himself stated that, as bad as all of this is, “all these are [just] the beginning of sorrows” (Matt. 24:8; Mark 13:8). The first four seals are mere lead-up to things infinitely worse!

The Fifth Seal

Now let’s examine whether it is even possible—prophetically—for any part of 2012 to be Christ’s Return. We have to establish the timing of certain events. Follow carefully. First I will explain some most basic points. Then you will see Mr. Armstrong corroborate my words. Afterward we will look at Ron Weinland.

All of God’s people are familiar with the terms “Tribulation” and “Great Tribulation.” The Bible speaks of this period as one of unprecedented world trouble and suffering. Jesus described this time as unparalleled in history: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matt. 24:21). This verse plainly establishes the Tribulation as the single worst time in all world history. Take this verse for exactly what it says. He added, “There shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down…” (Luke 21:23-24). This describes a time of truly great fear and horror for the modern peoples and nations descended from Israel.

The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah also spoke of this time. In Jeremiah 30, God is speaking to Israel and Judah: “These are the words that the Lord spoke concerning Israel and concerning Judah. For thus says the Lord; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. Ask you now, and see whether a man does travail with child? Wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it” (vs. 4-7).

This is a shocking description of punishment foretold to come on the modern descendants of Israel and Judah. Unmeasured fear and horror accompany this national chastisement. Its language so obviously parallels Jesus’ description in Matthew 24 and Luke 21 (and also Mark 13).

The prophet Daniel also spoke of this time: “At that time…there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time your people shall be delivered…” (12:1).

Christ, Daniel and Jeremiah all describe this worst time ever. Think. There cannot be several times that are all the worst time of all time! These must all be speaking of the same period.

The phrase in Jeremiah 30: “it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble” unlocks vital meaning and explains who suffers Satan’s wrath in this time of terrible anguish and misery. Many Old Testament prophecies describe the scope and severity of national punishment that God plans for the peoples descended from Jacob. Their modern lands will be destroyed by the Beast, and many millions will be taken into captivity at his hands. None of this has even begun to happen.

Here are two more shocking passages from the prophet Ezekiel: “The sword is without, and the pestilence and the famine within: he that is in the field shall die with the sword; and he that is in the city, famine and pestilence shall devour him” (7:15), and repeated and expanded by God for emphasis is also, “Thus says the Lord God; As I live, surely they that are in the wastes shall fall by the sword, and him that is in the open field will I give to the beasts to be devoured, and they that be in the forts and in the caves shall die of the pestilence” (33:27). The picture just within these several passages is almost too horrifying to contemplate.

The Great Tribulation will be a time of terrible suffering for both physical Israel and the less vigilant, lukewarm “remnant” of spiritual Israel, the Church (Rev. 12:17). But numerous verses in Revelation show it will be a time of general prosperity for many non-Israelitish nations—when the Beast’s “merchants” bring much “buying and selling.” (These nations will be punished during the time of God’s wrath—the seventh seal—the fearsome Day of the Lord.)

The Sixth and Seventh Seals

Next comes the sixth seal—the heavenly, or astronomical, signs: “I beheld when He had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casts her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind” (Rev. 6:12-13).

How do we know that the heavenly signs come directly on the heels of the Great Tribulation? Here are Christ’s words: “Immediately after the tribulation [the fifth seal] of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken” (Matt. 24:29).

The arrival of the heavenly signs will herald a tremendous overall change in the direction—and speed!—of events. This is understood by continuing in Revelation 6, a few verses later. Let’s read: “For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” (vs. 17).

The seventh seal—the Day of the Lord, or Day of God’s Wrath—follows the Heavenly Signs. This is when heaven and Earth are shaken! This time reveals God’s awesome power! It is comparable to nothing that has ever happened before, or ever will again. Many prophecies in both the Old and New Testaments also explain and describe this period. This entire-world-changing event will be truly colossal in nature.

The prophet Joel was speaking of this time when God’s tremendous power and great wrath will be displayed when he said, “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and dreadful Day of the Lord come” (2:31).

The terrible period of God’s wrath is foretold to last an ENTIRE YEAR—after the initial two and a half years of the Tribulation. Here is how Isaiah described it: “For it is the day of the Lord’s vengeance, and the year of recompenses for the controversy of Zion” (34:8). Jeremiah refers to this period as “the year of…visitation” (11:23; 23:12—also see Ezek. 4:6 and Num. 14:34).

No matter Weinland’s spin—and this should be manifestly obvious—none of this is yet happening! NONE OF IT! So then, the most terrible war, famine and plagues still lie ahead.

Three Overlapping Time Periods: 1,335 Days—1,290 Days—1,260 Days

The Bible reveals that a certain very specific amount of time must elapse between the start of the Tribulation and the Return of Christ. This is understood by examining three critical prophetic time periods. The Great Tribulation and Day of the Lord together last 1,260 days, or three and a half years before Christ’s Return. The others are “1,290 days” and “1,335 days.”

Luke 21:35-36 describes how God’s people “escape” the “snare” that comes on “all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.” Revelation 3:10 describes how God will “keep” His faithful remnant from “the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” Revelation 12:14 describes the Church (those who are faithful) as “flying into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times and half a time from the face of the serpent.” This three and a half years is the same “42 months” referenced a few verses earlier in Revelation 11:2. This speaks of “the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread underfoot forty and two months.” Three and a half years and 42 months equal 1,260 days. So then, with the Church to be protected for only 1,260 days, there are 30 days before it arrives at its designated place of protection. None of this is new. Whatever number have forgotten it today, the entire Worldwide Church of God (WCG)—150,000 people—once knew this inside and out. No one doubted it. In fact, Ron Weinland once believed and probably taught it.

The “1,290 days” appears in Daniel 12:11: “And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.” These are obviously also literal days, beginning with the setting up of the abomination of desolation. This abomination involves the Jews’ sacrifices being stopped, a religious figure in the holy place and, the most obvious aspect of it, the city of Jerusalem being surrounded by armies (Luke 21:20). Weinland’s ideas about this long understood abomination are akin to the worst nonsense one can imagine and are not worthy of much discussion. Proverbs 26:4 tells you this.

The 1,335-day period is introduced one verse later in Daniel: “Blessed is he that waits, and comes to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days” (vs. 12). Starting 45 days before the 1,290-day “mile-marker,” the 1,335 date also counts down to the Return of Christ. This moment signals the end of God’s Work of preaching the true gospel and warning the world’s greatest nations. The 1,335 is when God’s people are “taken” to—gathered in—Judea for flight to safety. Then, when the abomination is set up—45 days later—events culminate in Jerusalem and the Church flees from Judea. The 45-day period permits the Church time to be brought from around the world to what we will see to be Judea. (In a longer scriptural exercise, beyond the natural bounds of this article, the 45-day period can be fully proven.)

Since Daniel prefixes the event beginning the 1,335 days with “blessed is he that waits,” this is designated as the signal, with a possible accompanying event—at this specific time—for which the Church has patiently waited. Review and understand these scriptures: Matthew 24:13; 10:22; Luke 21:19; Revelation 3:10 and 14:12.

The arrival of the critical 1,335 days moment is something that will only be known to those in God’s one, undivided Church. An internal signal will be given by the Church’s Head, Jesus Christ (Col. 1:18-19; Eph. 1:22-23). Of course, no man could be the source of such a signal. Real faith will be required. Carefully prepared beforehand, God’s people will plainly understand when Christ is “revealed” (Luke 17:30).

So then, these three periods begin with different events, but end with the same event—Christ’s Return!

Unmistakable Timing

Understand. The Church is still waiting for the 1,335 mile marker! Incredibly, Ron Weinland has events today as near the end of the Day of the Lord, which of course has not started and just itself lasts an entire year. (His comments about this come later.) The obvious truth is that Christ’s Return has to be at least three years and eight and a half months from now—but this is only if the 1,335 days began today! The same is obviously true of the Great Tribulation that comes 75 days later. In fact, a variety of other things must occur before the 1,335 days can even begin. It is critical to realize that certain biblically described pre-conditions, which must precede the Tribulation—however close these now are—are themselves not yet here. (Incidentally, the silly, what I call, “7-year-agreement-split-down-the-middle” theory, promulgated by evangelical Protestants and now adopted by the Living Church of God—which is a complete butchering of Daniel 9:26-27—is almost as foolish as is Weinland’s concoction to the knowledgeable Bible student.)

There is not remotely enough time before May 27 to fit these things—1,335 days is longer than a few weeks!!! It is therefore absolutely impossible—IMPOSSIBLE!—for May 27 to be the date of Christ’s Return! No one should look toward this date as anything of import except that it is one of God’s Holy Days—Pentecost!

It is possible, however, that something of significance could happen on or around May 27 because the demon world has a general idea of prophecy, and these fallen spirits do everything in their power to thwart God’s Master Purpose for mankind by counterfeiting events. They could pull some trick or stunt to confuse the gullible. Recognize this. However unwitting, false prophets are guided by the demon world. The devil knows how to influence his agents toward focus on certain dates and events that Satan is permitted by God to control within God’s overall Plan.

God’s servants understand the basic framework of His overall prophetic timetable and plan. They are not confused about “what happens next” when certain prophecies take place. Many prophecies involve a tremendous amount of understanding that God makes available, and with all necessary details. They understand exactly what lies ahead for all mankind, and for themselves—IF they are faithful.

What Mr. Armstrong Taught

Now for Mr. Armstrong’s teaching from his booklet The Book of Revelation – Unveiled at last!:

“I want you to notice a consistent principle in this prophecy of Matthew 24, and of the 6th chapter of Revelation. Seven successive things, or events, are to occur. As an example: The very first condition Jesus foretells is that of false preachers, misleading and deceiving, not the few, but the many!”
“…Jesus named these four things:
“1st, false teaching about Christ, doing away with His true Gospel.
“2nd, wars, climaxing at this crisis at the close of this age in world wars—nation against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. We are now in the second recess between stages of world war!
“3rd, famine, and 4th, pestilence, or epidemics of disease which follow in the wake of great famines and wars.
“And that’s where we are, right now! And this is just the beginning of the colossal world events prophesied…”
“The first two world wars have occurred. Rumors of wars will continue. Next to strike the earth are famine, disease epidemics and World War III—all of such staggering magnitude as this world has never dreamed!
“But now compare that with the first four seals of Revelation 6. Here is the revelation of Jesus Christ. Here is Jesus’ own interpretation, in plain language, of these mystic symbols of the four horsemen.”

Here is the list as it appeared in Mr. Armstrong’s above booklet:

“THE STORY FLOW of the Book of Revelation
SEALS
1) False Prophets
2) War
3) Famine
4) Pestilence
5) Tribulation
6) Heavenly Signs
7) Trumpets

1-4 Injure the earth, sea, trees, and rivers
5 First Woe
6 Second Woe
7 Third Woe or The Seven Last Plagues

(ARMAGEDDON)
SECOND COMING OF CHRIST”

Now notice this from Mr. Armstrong’s book The United States and Britain in Prophecy, under the subhead “You Can Escape This Punishment!”:

“God warns us through prophecy that our sins are fast increasing. And now the day of reckoning is here! The foreign sword always has attacked us. In this fearful, awesome atomic age, World War III will start with nuclear devastation unleashed on London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, New York, Washington, Philadelphia, Detroit, Chicago, Pittsburgh, without warning! God help our nations to wake up before it’s too late!”
“The sevenfold intensity of punishment…soon to come upon the American and British peoples is simply the prophesied Great Tribulation! It will be the most frightfully intense punishment, and time of trouble, ever suffered by any people!
“Yet you need not suffer in it.
“This terrifyingly severe punishment is simply the correction our peoples have made necessary to bring them to the ways of living which cause desired blessings, instead of terrible curses. It is correction—for the peoples’ good!
“As God lives, this punishment is soon to strike! This book has given the warning from God and His Word!
“Will the U.S. and British nations heed? They could yet avert this colossal national tragedy, if they would!
“But if you—you now reading this, you as an individual—will be corrected, voluntarily, before God lets this indescribably horrendous chastening strike; if you come to real repentance, realizing how terribly wrong you have been; if you can see yourself as you really are—as a rebellious wrong, evil person; and if you can surrender to the loving, all merciful, yet all-powerful GOD—and make it an unconditional surrender, coming to Almighty God through the living Jesus Christ as personal Savior—then no plague shall come near you! (Ps. 91:8-11), but you shall be accounted worthy to escape all these frightful things and to stand before Christ at His return (Luke 21:35-36).
“Those in the true Body of Christ shall be taken to a place of safety, until this Tribulation be over (Rev. 3:10-11, applying to those faithful in God’s Work now going to the world; Rev. 12:14; Isa. 26:20).
“But you must make your own decision—and to neglect doing so is to have made the wrong decision!
“Most people, we know only too well, will take this serious warning lightly—put it out of mind—turn to other immediate interests of no importance by comparison! That is why a loving, just, all-wise, all-powerful God is going to take away from them these unimportant counter-interests, and apply such intensified correction that they shall, finally, come to their senses, and turn to Him and His way which will bring them eternal happiness and abundant blessings!
“But you need not have to suffer this intensified correction, greater than any trouble ever suffered by humans.
“By God’s direction and authority, I have laid the truth before you! To neglect it will be tragic beyond imagination! To heed it will bring blessings, happiness and glory beyond description!
“The decision is now yours!”

Such statements from Mr. Armstrong should still evoke a chill down the spine of those who care about Bible prophecy—the truth of it. Finally, here is a brief description from Mr. Armstrong of the Day of the Lord. As you read, ask if these things have even begun to happen—never mind could they picture a time that would be now almost complete:

“Immediately AFTER our Work is finished—and NOT UNTIL THEN—this shall happen: ‘And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the ETERNAL, and for the glory of His Majesty, when He ariseth to shake terribly the earth. In that day a man shall cast his idols of SILVER and his idols of GOLD…to the moles and to the bats.’ (Isa. 2:19-21.) This is a picture of the DAY OF THE LORD, which is to follow the Great Tribulation (of probably 2½ years), which follows IMMEDIATELY after GOD’S WORK…IS FINISHED!” (Co-Worker Letter, March 26, 1968).

In short, Weinland completely alters the plain meaning of these crucial time periods! Yet he is likely to look piteously on those who “just cannot see” events as he sees them.

“Of that Day and that Hour Knows No Man…”

Ron Weinland has set a date for Christ’s Return. No matter his squealing protestations as to why this has become permissible, that he did this is its own plain violation of Christ’s command. Recognize that setting a date for Christ’s Return is disobedience to Christ, and is therefore SIN! Do not let yourself see this in any other light.

Over the years, many have predicted that monumental events will happen on certain dates. The latest craze in the world is December 21, 2012—the Mayan calendar date when supposed cataclysmic, end-of-the-world events will occur.

For true Christians, the question of when Jesus will return starts with a plain statement He made in Matthew 25:13: “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man comes.”

If people were reading even such basic verses, they would never worry about May 27, 2012 (or Dec. 21, 2012), because no one knows the day of Christ’s Return: “Of that day and that hour knows no man [this of course includes Ron Weinland], no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father” (Mark 13:32). This is also found in Matthew 24:36. These verses preclude anyone setting a date for Christ’s Return being an authority—even one who claims to have unique understanding of the Bible.

What a tragic commentary on the state of followers professing to be Christians—but who cannot logically compute such rudimentary understanding. But then, most who profess to follow Christ study little or nothing of what He actually said.

Get this! Just Mark 13:32, and related passages, rule out May 27, 2012—or any specific date—for Christ’s Return!

Weinland’s Botched Prophecy

We now examine Ron Weinland’s prophecies, which are—without exception—illogical, unbiblical and indefensible. But they are also in his case ludicrous, and in the extreme. This article can only counter a few. But before beginning, understand that Ron Weinland also makes no real pretense of agreeing with Mr. Armstrong. His ideas are admittedly his own concoction. However, like so many today, he invokes Mr. Armstrong’s name when it serves his purpose—when he thinks it will help hook shallow readers.

Realize all that follows is but the briefest sampling of prophetic elements Ron Weinland has wrong:

The Vatican, since it is considered a country, will be one of the 10 European nations that gives its power to the Beast
The first five seals of Revelation are exclusively about the Church and not the world:

First Seal = False Ministers
Second Seal = False Doctrine
Third Seal = Spiritual Famine
Fourth Seal = Repetition of the first 3 seals on the scattered Church
Fifth Seal = Announced that spiritual tribulation is nearly over
Sixth Seal = Sealing of the 144,000 & announcement of great physical tribulation about to begin
Seventh Seal = Beginning of great physical tribulation upon the world

Incredibly, he asserts that there is no literal abomination of desolation coming

2003

What follows next is a series of bizarre assertions (listed by years) that are based entirely on feelings and have nothing whatsoever to do with Bible proof. A lengthy inset becomes necessary after this first short quote to prepare the reader to go further:

“It is difficult for brethren to grasp that the first five seals are exclusively about the Church and not the physical world around us. Even the sixth seal is very much about the Church because it reveals a time for the end of spiritual tribulation upon the Church and the beginning of physical tribulation upon this world” (Time Has Run Out).

This modern soothsayer takes specific prophecies, involving physical fulfillments yet to occur, and dismisses them with very inventive “Church” fulfillment scenarios. Ironically, he has become, in a certain sense, wonderfully “skilled” at horribly butchering crucial prophecies, some so basic they would seem to be almost impossible to so misunderstand. This man reduces electrifying, world-shaking prophecies soon to strike the whole world, into nonsensical “fulfillments” that have supposedly already occurred in the Church!

In other words, the brethren who follow him are being systematically taught to look backward at what has supposedly already happened, instead of carefully looking ahead—watching!—for enormous events yet to occur (Luke 21:36).

See the grave danger many are placing themselves in—that maybe you have placed yourself in.

Classic Example

The teachings of Weinland’s long, slick brochures would be laughable if it were not for the fact that so many are being taken in by their messages. The May 2003 publication, Time Has Run Out, contains a series of articles that truly mangle and destroy correct understanding of future events in ways one could not believe possible.

These articles address such topics as the ten virgins, the spiritual temple, man of sin, desolation of the temple, clarifying the seals of Revelation, the two witnesses, etc. Mixed with incredibly wrong understanding was an article that once did correctly recognize Mr. Armstrong as the Elijah. While much of even that article is wrong, its presence subtly validates all of the prophetic junk that the rest of the publication vomits on the reader by one who calls himself “a prophet of the God of Abraham.” This same man wrote, and sells, his book The Prophesied End-Time, having advertised it in Reader’s Digest. It is a prime example of cleverly mixing truth with error. But Weinland’s thinking has now evolved into claiming himself to be the true Elijah, so even this one “good” article has become hollow and obsolete.

One could “credit” him with the shrewd tactic of initially wrapping himself with Mr. Armstrong’s office and reputation.

Of course, on a related note, such men do often teach a certain amount of truth mixed with error. This serves to attract potential followers. Believing a “prophet” to be a teacher of truth, they become more willing to explore his prophecies.

How the Sting Works

After presenting numerous gross distortions and outright perversions of the Bible’s most basic prophecies, Weinland asks questions like “Does anyone dare stand before God and deny what we have witnessed in these matters?”—or “Why can’t pastors and Church leaders admit or acknowledge that these verses have indeed been fulfilled?”—or “Do we have eyes to see?”, among others. Statements like “The evidence should be obvious to all, but many will not face this issue or admit its truth” are used throughout.

In each case, these questions or declarations are preceded or followed by various conclusions that are misguided, confused and plain wrong! What he presents is entirely—ALL!—gobbledygook. You will shortly see this.

Like the apostates, repetitive high-pressure techniques are used to scare people into accepting nonsense. Before entering the ministry, these inexperienced would-be prophets would have been better served to have spent many more hours studying the truth of basic prophecy from past literature, as well as the other teachings of Mr. Armstrong.

Extra False!

Since so many events Weinland foretold clearly did not happen, based on number and size of failures, this man is a particularly poor prophet. Among false prophets, we might say he is extra false.

While The Prophesied End-Time is also very poorly written and produced, people freely send this man God’s tithes so he can continue to take in more unsuspecting minds—just as they were taken in. Sadly, the cycle expands and continues, with every day producing more victims.

I am almost embarrassed for men who can dismiss huge future prophecies as having been fulfilled in the Church, writing things such as “It has indeed been a sobering revelation for the Church that the first five seals of Revelation have been about itself and that these seals are no longer a matter of future prophecy that is yet to be fulfilled, but are now a matter of history—seals that have already been opened” (my emphasis).

To read that the “man of sin” (II Thes. 2:3) was supposedly Joseph W. Tkach—or that Ezekiel’s hair (chapter 5) being divided into thirds also applies to the Church (not the modern nations of Israel) being divided and affected in thirds—or that the Great Tribulation is also a prophecy for what has already happened to the Church—is simply pitiful, ignorant thinking!

One more seductive statement is worth noticing: “Have you been given the ability to see and hear something that you are still resisting and fighting against?” This form of reverse psychology is so cunning and lethal in nature that the only thing left unsaid is that if you heed his warnings, “Thou shalt not surely die.” Having dealt with and cast out many demons, I know this last statement is exactly the way such spirits use psychology to maneuver and manipulate thinking.

Back to 2003

We return to specific statements from Weinland in 2003. Here is how he believes the abomination of desolation has already been fulfilled. Its folly defies description:

“Mr. Armstrong stated in numerous sermons given in the late 70’s and early 80’s that Jesus Christ would return to a spiritual temple and not a physical one. He even explained that no one on this earth at this time could build a temple that would be considered by God to be holy. Therefore, in the end of this age, there could be no abomination of desolation in a physical temple nor on any alter because those things would not have God’s presence in them and would therefore fail to be His.”
“We are now deep into the time of Matthew 24:15. Grasping the reality of how far we are in completing the fulfillment of verse 15 should sober us deeply and stir up an incredibly strong sense of urgency on our part—an urgency that has sadly been lacking for several years now within the scattered Church.
“‘When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:’ (Matthew 24:15-16).
“Our experience over the past few years ought to loudly proclaim the obvious fulfillment of these two verses.”
“We have always understood that mountains refer prophetically to governments or nations. How could this apply to the scattered Church? When an abomination of desolation began to work upon the Church, God’s Church began to scatter. This scattering also resulted in the fragmenting of the government that had existed in a single organization called the Worldwide Church of God, where the body of Christ—the spiritual organism of the Church of God—had existed for several decades. When scattering occurred, the previous government began to emerge in the form of prophetic mountains—new organizations, but scattered. Brethren had a kind of safety for a time from the immediate destruction that was working upon the Church as the abomination of desolation began” (Time Has Run Out).

Weinland just elevated today’s 300-plus splinters and slivers into “mountains” that collectively form the Place of Safety. What word applies? Astonishing? Ridiculous? Absurd? Ludicrous? Idiotic? Probably just all of the above.

2006

The following quotes are more pure gobbledygook, simply beyond any earthly reality. They come from Weinland’s October 2006 book title given below. Note the level of demonic evil pouring from this man’s mind in the short italicized paragraph of the second quote. It is almost certainly a demon speaking its feelings directly to and about the Church through this book:

“The First Thunder [of Rev. 10:3-4] is the beginning terror of war for the end-time. This is war that is prophetic for the end-time…The success of al-Qaeda’s terrorist attack on 9/11 [September 11, 2001] was the beginning of the First Thunder” (2008—God’s Final Witness).
“This Fifth Thunder is divided into three specific phases of death. (1) The first phase is death within the Church of God that was scattered. It will be specifically about a marked increase in the death of its leadership (the ministry). (2) The second phase will be a sudden escalation in the death of notable people in the world. (3) The third phase will be a sudden escalation of death in the world from plagues…This first phase of this Fifth Thunder has already begun in a very small way upon the Church of God that was scattered…
“This phase of the Fifth Thunder is one of my own choosing, which God has granted me as part of His own will and purpose for the Church…” (ibid.). (Italics and underlining mine.)

Now read this plain Scripture in Revelation 22:18 and ask if Ron Weinland could have read it: “For I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.” Invariably, false prophets believe God exempts them from such warnings. As we continue his “prophecies,” I can add that the next one elicited a very personal almost chatty letter from Weinland to me in late 2006 telling me that I—and certain other men who lead various splinters—would soon die. As you read, ask if Weinland has not himself made clear to you that he is a false prophet. WHAT he predicts is also beyond monstrous:

“It will be revealed in a very short time whether I am God’s prophet or not, as well as whether scattered Church leaders are God’s ministers any longer or not. As stated in a previous chapter [of his book], either one of these is true or neither is true. To make it absolutely clear, my petition covers more in regard to the scattered ministers. The most notable among them will be those who die toward the beginning. However, every minister who was scattered, who fails to repent early on and return to God (with me, as God’s minister, teaching them) will die during the final three and one-half years of great tribulation. They will not be in the first resurrection, and they will not see the millennial reign of God’s Kingdom on earth.
“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.
“How much more specific can one be to show that he is either of God, and indeed His prophet, or someone who has clearly stepped over the line to be dealt with by God in a speedy manner. Time will tell! And, you don’t have long to wait!” (ibid.).

Ron Weinland does not want you to focus on such prophecies, because none of them happened! He wants you to forget them! That I am alive to write this becomes its own statement of his falseness. Incidentally, not one other man he identified in this quote—not one!—is today even sick. I have not heard that any of those he singled out are even coughing—five and a half years later!

If Elijah mocked the ancient prophets of Baal, I can mock a modern one.

Rarely do false prophets hand their followers a clean, neat way to know, in their own words, whether they are true or false. Ron Weinland has done this. We should be thankful. While his teachings are false, confused and chaotic, ironically he brings astonishing clarity to the issue of how to know he is true or false.

Ron Weinland has thundered at you that he is FALSE! Will you believe his own criteria? Will you continue believing he is true when he has TOLD YOU he is FALSE? Any foolish enough to follow one who has told them “here is how I am false” cannot be reached. This article is not for you.

Another failed prophecy was written in 2006 in his book 2008—God’s Final Witness. Here is what Weinland wrote about the fall of the United States:

“By the fall of 2008, the United States will have collapsed as a world power, or it will have begun its collapse and no longer exist as an independent nation within six months after that time.”

How helpful and thoughtful that Weinland was willing to write for his followers the next statement (from the same book) so they would know when to officially reject him:

“Only the next few years can prove whether or not [my] books are true and of God. If nothing happens, then you can know positively that this is complete fiction.”

Could his instruction to followers be more clear?

2008

The next statement was posted June 19, 2008 under the title “New Truth.” Weinland admits what no true prophet of God would EVER have to admit—that he was wrong! But no problem. You will see he tells you to follow him, anyway. Most of his followers did and their number in fact grew:

“Some have asked why there have not been any recent postings on this site. The answer is, I have had nothing pertinent to report. I have been doing what others are doing: ‘waiting.’
“As I have stated before, I am waiting until July 16 [2008] to see whether the Second Trumpet has been blown by that time, which falls within the 90 days I have referenced. In addition, God has been showing me things concerning the First Trumpet that will be carried out throughout the time of the first four trumpets. However, I have also known that I was not yet to be speaking about those things and I am only now beginning to ‘see’ why. It is because this is for a later time.
“Since the timing of what I had stated as being the moment when the First Trumpet was blown (April 17), we have seen no clear evidence on a physical plane of the fulfillment of that trumpet, although it has been stated that such things will be revealed throughout the timing of the entire first four trumpets.
“Yet, it should be stated again that ‘nothing’ has been seen as evidence on a physical plane concerning this first trumpet, and there cannot be until later in December. So what has happened since April 17? We do clearly see an intensity in the thunders, but only in the thunders. Earthquakes are increasing in magnitude and frequency on a global scale…”
“Although there is a marked increase in the thunders, there is still no physical evidence in the trumpets. And even though I have stated July 16 as a kind of deadline for the Second Trumpet, I am now deeply convinced that nothing concerning the trumpets will have occurred by that time.
“This is not pleasant to have to address, as all of us have planned our lives on such timing. If the second trumpet sounds, with nuclear explosions in port cities, then everything will indeed be fully in line with what I’ve stated in the last interviews and in some sermons. But I do want to state again, I no longer believe that to be the case.
“The bottom line is, I must follow what I believe God is showing me. If I have jumped the gun in a couple of interviews and interjected my own understanding into the timing of events, and have thereby been presumptuous, then I will repent and move forward…”
“The bottom line is that I know I am a prophet of God and God’s minister under Jesus Christ, who is the head of the Church of God, the Body of Christ. As such, I have a job to do and I am going to do it. Some will take great delight in some of this because they do not ‘see’ what God is doing and ‘why.’
“If what I have now been given to see over the last few days (and I am deeply convicted of this already), then there will be a very big issue addressed on Trumpets of this year. It will be the 50th truth (of major basic truths) God has given His Church in this end-time.”

Nothing of any significance happened on Trumpets of 2008. The adjusted prophecy failed as badly as its original. Of course none of the “50 truths” have been true. Are you shocked? And how does this differ from Harold Camping’s 17 years of prophetic “adjustments”?

2011

Here is what Weinland wrote on November 8, 2011 in his “Time Is Running Out” website post:

“In two short months, the world will be thrust into the seventh and final phase of this end-time. This period will be marked by well over fifty percent of all Bible prophecy being fulfilled.”

Again, none of this happened. In the same November 8 post, here is how he respun his failed prophecy that the Tribulation would begin in 2008. It should be obvious to the reader that Weinland is hiding bald error behind the ruse of God’s “great mercy” (emphasis mine):

“It has not yet entered into the hearts of mankind, not even in the Church that was scattered, the level or kind of love that God has for His creation. God has chosen to give His greatest testimony (witness) at this end-time of the ‘truth’ of His mercy over the past 6,000 years. As a result, He has been withholding the timing of man’s final suffering of great tribulation in this final period. God has intervened to prevent and hold back great suffering through the major portion of this final three and one-half years of His final witness on earth. If He had not done so, the world would have suffered incredible great loss (especially in sickness, destruction, and death) to this point in time. If God had not intervened by granting great mercy upon this world, we would already be in WWIII, the United States would have already ceased to exist as a self-governing nation, and the current president would have never entered office.
“That great tribulation and suffering is still coming and so very soon now, but in God’s mercy, as with His mercy for the past 6,000 years, He has prevented from happening what mankind rightly deserves in judgment. So rather than experiencing horrendous suffering for the past three years, that period for suffering has been reduced to only a few months—and all because of God’s great mercy.
“Nearly three years have passed and now the world is about to enter the time of final suffering that man’s own ways have brought upon himself. God has shortened the time for actual suffering in great tribulation, yet the final tribulation will still occur to the same magnitude as God has prophesied through time. Dramatically shortening the duration of suffering reveals the magnitude of God’s mercy on a disbelieving and disobedient world, just as it always has been. This is God’s true witness and final testimony to man!”

I always marvel that people cannot see through such manner of plain obfuscation, but amazingly many cannot. They just cannot make themselves accept—come to grips with—the fact that they are victims of deceit, and ultimately of demonic manipulation.

We might also ask, why cannot thousands of people in LCG, UCG, COGwa, PCG and other groups make themselves see that they also are victims of deceit, except that much of it is outside prophecy and more subtle?

2012

From Weinland’s January 7, 2012 post comes an increasingly desperate denial of reality:

“January 8 of this year begins the final ‘half-a-time’ of this full prophetic period known as ‘time, times, and half-a-time.’ That day is the start of the final period of 140 days (half-a-time) that leads up to the very coming of the Messiah spoken of in those same prophecies of Daniel.”

Here are two quotes from his January 12, 2012 post, titled “Seventy Weeks Prophecy.” The latter displays a typical fascination of Weinland types with extreme “fuzzy math” proving their theories:

“As a matter of other dates that God revealed to me, through Jesus Christ, it was given earlier that Trumpets of 2008 was the beginning of the 1335 day count in the Book of Daniel that leads up to the return of Jesus Christ on May 27, 2012. The day of Christ’s return is on Pentecost which pictures the 144,000 who will return with him to reign on earth, and the beginning of this announcement to the Church was on Trumpets (2008) which announces the coming of the Messiah as King of kings.”
“It is commonly understood that the number 13 is associated with two main subjects. It is that of ‘rebellion’ and ‘apostasy.’ What number better identifies what Satan has done from the beginning and that is now soon to end? What is better associated with the description of what happened in God’s Church of December 17, 1994, than that of rebellion and apostasy?
“Yes, beginning with that day to the day Jesus Christ returns is a fulfillment of the Seventy Weeks Prophecy. It is 70 x 7 days x 13, which gives 6,370 days. Yes, it is exactly 6,370 days from the very hour that the rebellious sermon that caused the apostasy was given, to the very hour (Jerusalem time) that Jesus Christ returns. Now what are the odds of such timing being so exact and agreeing with all the other events and timing that God has given His Church? It is astronomical indeed!”

Apart from the strange focus on the number 13, the staggering ignorance revealed in such garbled thinking is not worthy of further comment. But Weinland manages to be worse in his February 10, 2012, “WWIII: The Stage Is Being Set” post that follows:

“For over sixty years, God’s Church has been warning the world about this final power that will come upon the world in the form of ten unified nations in Europe. The stage is being set and it is getting close to the time for the curtain to be raised. Just today, a headline from the EU Observer (EUobserver.com) reads: ‘Nine EU countries form splinter group on financial tax.’ It states, ‘A group of nine euro-countries led by France and Germany on Tuesday asked the Danish EU presidency to fast-track plans for a financial transactions tax – a move indicating they will forge ahead on their own in the absence of an EU-wide consensus.’
“The final ten that emerge may be somewhat different and include other countries, or it may include these same nine countries. If it is these nine, there will already be ten, as the Vatican is considered a country, and it is most definitely part of this final resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire. How close do you think it might be? How quickly can it come on the world scene? This may be it!”

The last short sentence seems intended to be a verbal drumroll. Now comes one more example of the strange dates and math this man uses:

“There are many dates that go far beyond mere chance, but when all are considered together they become phenomenal in scope. Nearly everyone in the Church that was scattered refuse to acknowledge the most central of all prophetic dates in this end-time. It is the date of the ‘great falling away’ or ‘apostasy’ that is recorded in 2 Thessalonians 2. That prophetic chapter is focal to understanding the final end-time, as the subject matter is the timing of the return of Jesus Christ, which is made abundantly clear in the first several verses, since that subject matter is repeated several times.
“The truth is that this apostasy occurred on December 17, 1994, when Joseph Tkach, Sr. gave his defiant sermon against the truths of God and the Church became scattered as a result of that rebellion. It was from this time that God began to reveal dates and the importance in their timing. It is astounding how anyone who was scattered can deny the importance of the timing of Joseph Tkach’s death and God’s hand in its revelation.
“Joseph Tkach, Sr. rebelled against God when he declared that the Sabbaths of God were no longer binding on God’s people. It was exactly 40 Sabbaths later, to the hour, that Joseph Tkach, Sr. died. Such timing should thunder loudly to God’s people, but it hasn’t. People seem willingly ignorant of the importance of God’s judgment that involves the number 40 in scripture. It is at this time that God began to reveal the importance of His judgment that was to run throughout this end-time (7 days x 40 = 280 days)…”
“Yes, the final prophesied collapse is at the door. At one time it was years away, then months, and now only weeks away.”

The following irrational assertions come from Weinland’s website from a section titled “Timeline Questions Revealed.” When it was posted is unclear:

“1335 Days: The sealing of the 144,000 that will make up the Government of God at Christ’s return in 2012 took place on September 30th, 2008, and 45 days later we arrived at 1290 days.
“1290 Days: The Seventh Seal was opened on the 14th of November, 2008, which signified an end to the abomination of desolation that has been working in God’s Church. This marks the beginning of an awakening for spiritual Israel—the final remnant of the Church of God that was scattered (those baptized before December 1994—approximately 3000), and will continue right up until the return of Jesus Christ. 30 days later we arrived at 1260 days.
“1260 Days: The blowing of the First Trumpet occurred on the 14th of December, 2008. That day was the beginning of the final 3 1/2 years that will eventually escalate into WW III and end at the return of Jesus Christ on Pentecost of 2012. From the start of this final 1260 days, the process began that will lead to the complete collapse of the USA and the other Israelite countries. The Second, Third, and Fourth Trumpet will occur in God’s timing, and the combination of these first four trumpets will bring about that complete collapse. God will reveal more about these events, in His time, to His two end-time prophets (and two end-time witnesses) whose job began at the start of this final 1260 days.”

These ridiculous errors—never mind any supposed 3,000 baptisms before December 1994—by themselves end all question of whether this man carries biblical authority on ANYTHING!

None should follow such a man to the kitchen, never mind the kingdom! Yet many do. And vast millions more follow men who are little better. It is a testimony to many brethren’s woeful ignorance of God’s Word that anyone—ANYONE!—would believe such unbiblical butchery as this man spews.

The folly of Weinland’s teachings, combined with his botched predictions, causes most to view his and his followers’ efforts as almost a joke. But others are swept up in them. What is not a joke is that the truth of prophecy becomes so difficult to recapture for disillusioned followers, but also others who are turned off by it all.

The Role of Pride

Finally, the following statement may reflect Weinland’s most clever use of psychology (italics mine):

“Rather than being faithful witnesses of those things we have witnessed at the end of this age, pride has filled the Church with self-importance about our own good and our own ability in handling the Word of God” (The Prophesied End-Time).

This reference to “pride” and “self-importance,” supposedly keeping people from seeing the “worth” of these theories, is truly incredible!

We must ask: Who really holds these attitudes? Pride and self-importance certainly are very much in evidence in Weinland’s writing.

The apostle Paul told Timothy not to permit “novices” to be ordained or used in positions of authority. He gave an important reason that these could not “take care of the Church of God.” Notice this, speaking of elders: “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil” (I Tim. 3:6). Novices are especially subject to pride.

I have taught prophecy extensively—and correctly—for over 40 years, probably much more than any other pastor during this same period. I usually taught very thorough class-like workshops in every one of my pastorates, covering all the basics, and more, verse-by-verse through Daniel and Revelation, with many passages included from other books.

While prophecy can be made easy to understand, most ministers in the WCG never took the time to master the established correct sequence of end-time events. They remained woefully ignorant of even the basics, and generally avoided teaching the correct understanding and flow of prophecy to the vast majority of God’s people in the WCG, even when it was on track. (Sadly, this remains true of most ministers, and therefore brethren, in the splinters today.)

In recent years, ministers long ignorant in even the rudiments of prophecy came to see that there had developed a growing “market” for people seeking to fill a long-unsatisfied void in this area. After tossing out a few prophetic “nuggets” in sermons or on websites, independent but novice ministers find the money starts rolling in and they are “off to the races.” Pride grips them. They are lifted up, feeling—“knowing”—they are “used of God.” They see themselves on a mission to reach the widest possible audience—even sending materials unsolicited, often through use of their “disciples,” who are almost breathless with excitement to assist their new spiritual captor.

These prophecy “ministries” then move forward, taking on a life of their own. Such is Ronald Weinland.

When these suddenly-self-elevated leaders give themselves over to urges of “new understanding,” they are actually completing the cycle of “falling into the condemnation of the devil.” Too unskilled in the scriptures (particularly passages about prophecy) to resist the “deeper insights” they feel are coming to them, they wind up yielding to demonic whisperings in their ears. As these men become conduits for fallen spirits, they pour out pure demonic garbage on their followers.

The result is that they destroy far more people than just themselves—and in the end they do always destroy themselves! I have seen it all too often, with name after name—past and present—coming to mind as I write this. Church of God – PKG is one of many deluded groups.

Weinland a True Prophet?

Again, Ron Weinland claims to be a prophet. But make no mistake: All his predictions are coming from a false prophet. Ron Weinland and his wife are false prophets. Almost every Scripture this man cites—without exception—is twisted, mangled and butchered. The Bible warns of such “evil men and seducers” (II Tim. 3:13) specifically in our time, but like all of its other warnings, most do not heed.

False prophets prey on the natural fascination people have with the future. The apostle John warned of them: “Believe not every spirit, but try [test] the spirits whether they are of God, because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (I John 4:1). Jesus warned, “Many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many” (Matt. 24:11), and “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matt. 7:15).

It is not always easy to detect these deceivers. None of them wear signs exposing who they are. They are smooth operators, but their teachings tear people’s understanding as wolves rip prey.

The God of the Bible would never inspire prophecies that did not come to pass—not even one! Read what He says: “...I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure” (Isa. 46:9-10).

Only God can declare the future. And Hebrews 6:18 says it is impossible for Him to lie. His Word is certain. What He foretells—God does not predict—will come to pass. Even one failed prophecy means one was not sent by God.

All of Ron Weinland’s prophecies are made from whole cloth—pure fiction. This could not be the case with true prophecies revealed by God through His Word: “We [Christians] have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto you do well that you take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place...” (II Pet. 1:19). God’s prophecies are sure. They never miss. Not one! And they do shed “light” in “dark places.” Weinland brings darkness where a little light may have existed.

Note God’s command regarding false prophets: “If you [ask] in your heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord has not spoken? [God’s answer…] When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken, but the prophet has spoken it presumptuously: you shall NOT be afraid of him” (Deut. 18:21-22). This states that men can presume to speak for God. This is very serious to God! It should also be serious to you. You must know if God sent a man—or if the man sent himself.

The true prophet Ezekiel recorded, “Son of man [Ezekiel], prophesy against the prophets of Israel...and say you unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear you the word of the Lord; thus says the Lord God; woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen NOTHING!” (13:2-3).

Think of the confusion and fear this foolish prophet’s presumptuous predictions—that came from his “own heart,” his “own spirit” (demons do not guide every such thought)—have engendered among God’s people. God declares, “You shall not be afraid of him.” While he may be sincere, he is deceived and utterly false! What was the Old Testament punishment for false prophets?: “The prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in My name [meaning, by GOD’S authority], which I have not commanded him to speak...even that prophet shall die” (Deut. 18:20). (Of course, this punishment is no longer carried out in the New Testament era.)

Again, this is serious to God. Is it to you?

Jeremiah and Peter

The prophet Jeremiah reveals more about false prophets! Two pivotal passages explain this chapter’s time setting—that it is a warning for our time! Notice: “In the latter days you shall consider it perfectly. I have not sent these prophets yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied” (23:20-21). This is a stunning statement—and powerful warning—from God for those who will receive it!

All false prophets claim that they are sent and inspired by God, who explained that this is what happens. God wanted His people at the end of the age to be warned about their deception and, by now, you recognize that I am doing this. Notice further that these prophets are known to “lie” (vs. 25). This should strike deep fear into you, because all should greatly fear to follow one of these imposters.

If someone claims to be a prophet, he is both a liar and a blasphemer! (He makes himself God!) He may be “running,” but God has certainly not sent him! Again, this is gravely serious!

The apostle Peter compared false prophets in the Old Testament to false teachers in the New. Notice: “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you...” (II Pet. 2:1).

False ministers come in many shapes and sizes. Some specialize, particularly today, in confusing, incomplete, deceitful theories of how the future will play out. The utter nonsense of these conflicting scenarios is almost without end.

While the subject of this article, Weinland is but one of many who have sought to interpret the future.

All of these bring their own interpretations—none of them correct. The Bible warns that “no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation” (II Pet. 1:20). God works through His chosen servants—and no one else. Ephesians 4:11 and I Corinthians 12:28 show that He does occasionally send a prophet, but this would only be within His Church. In fact, Revelation 11 reveals that two final prophets will arise at the very end. But the Two Witnesses are not—and will not be—Ron Weinland and his wife.

My broadcast “The Two Witnesses—Made Plain!” will answer every basic question and many more that you have about the Two Witnesses. A great many thousands of people viewed it just within the first few days of its posting.

The Coming Spin

Having reviewed a late chapter in the “false prophets’ playbook,” Ron Weinland may in fact already be backing off from his May 27, 2012 date of Christ’s Return. Notice this from his February 10, 2012 post (italics mine):

“Although we (Church of God – PKG) hold fast to the conviction that Jesus Christ is returning as King of kings on May 27th of this year, it is understood that others fully disbelieve that such is possible in only a short time. Even if we were wrong, the ‘signs’ are all around that this world is changing rapidly for the worse, shifting quickly before our very eyes, and that very troublous times are right in front of us.”

Let’s look ahead to May 28. Jesus Christ will not have returned. The Great Tribulation will not have even started, nor will the 1,335 days. This man will not admit his prophecy failed—but no false prophet would, or the game ends. This comes from another important chapter in the “false prophets’ playbook.”

Recognize that once Ron Weinland’s prophecies fail, he has only one of four options: (1) Repent, acknowledging that he has been wrong. But, and here is the point, because they are false, such imposters NEVER do this. (2) Recalculate, claiming a prophecy was off by one year (or something similar), like William Miller of the Adventists did. (3) Spin his prophecies by claiming they were fulfilled in some mysterious or spiritual way. (4) Proclaim something akin to Christ is “in the desert” or “in the secret chambers.”

Christ warned in Matthew 24:23-27: “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before [this is then a repeated warning from Jesus]. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, He is in the desert; go not forth: behold, He is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

Prepare NOW for the second, third or fourth option! One of them will come, likely taking the form of a common tactic among false ministers—that of spiritualizing away events and scriptures that are literal in meaning. After all, Weinland’s scenario is fictionalized already—why would he not do it again? Of course he will.

But BEFORE May 27 arrives, you can know that day is NOT when Christ will return!

True Bible Prophecy

Wrong motives and the ignorance of false prophets do not negate the very real prophecies that you can know and understand! In fact, just in this article, you have already learned more of the truth of Bible prophecy than most will ever know—or, in the case of the average WCG member, remember.

To learn much more of the truth of Bible prophecy—history written in advance—read my book The Bible’s Greatest Prophecies Unlocked! – A Voice Cries Out. This is the most comprehensive book ever written on prophecy. Those who are serious about understanding what lies ahead will read it.

Most professing Christians will fall into one of two ditches: become a scoffer, believing “my Lord delays His Coming” (Matt. 24:48)—or be seduced by the more convincing false prophets just ahead. Either way, the devil—called the “god of this world” (II Cor. 4:4)—and who is the source of both attitudes—is served. His goal is to turn people from the TRUTH of prophecy—either through false, unscriptural scenarios or a simple jading of their interest.

But there will be exceptions, and you can be one of them.

It’s one thing to tell you a false prophet is wrong, but what is right? What is coming?

I repeat: If you are serious about learning the truth of all that is coming, read my book The Bible’s Greatest Prophecies Unlocked! – A Voice Cries Out.

Tragically, most Bible readers are completely unaware of awesome, impending world events, soon to involve all nations. Vast sections of Scripture are hidden from them, and remain outside their understanding. The result is that most simply have no idea what the future holds.

Many have opinions, but few know how to find the answers. Others think they already understand the prophecies of the Bible. Yet, they remain ignorant of fascinating, incredible, life-changing knowledge.

I repeat for emphasis: The real danger of false prophets is that they blur and undermine the truth of Bible prophecy. Over time, they cause people to forget what was the truth—what they once knew.

You can know—or come to remember—what the future holds. Here are books and booklets we offer about prophecy:

Also, the interested reader may wish to view the following broadcasts:

Read and view all of these materials with—and compare them to—your Bible! I am not afraid to say that. You will see what we teach is right. God gives His servants authority. I am also not afraid to speak with authority. You decide if I am God’s servant—and if it has become my duty to fulfill the command: “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up your voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins” (Isa. 58:1).

Do not fear the phony prophecy writers and supposed prophecy scholars of today. They are all WRONG! They do not know what they are talking about. God did not send them. They do not speak according to almost any other of the plain truths of His Word. They are FALSE! On God’s authority I tell you reject them! They will only confuse you.

Final Consideration

Ron Weinland is but a tiny test at the early forefront of what is coming. In fact, all of today’s deceivers are merely the front edge of a coming WAVE of false prophets who truly will “wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (II Tim. 3:13). These men will soon become much more cunning, persuasive and charismatic. We saw they will eventually perform false miracles through the power of the devil who guides them (Matt. 24:24). But first this early wave of deceivers—like Ron Weinland and so many others—will cause millions to become jaded to the truth of Bible prophecy.

Think. If you cannot resist a deluded novelist the likes of Ron Weinland, what will you do when facing the power of miracles? Get this! Much bigger deceivers are even now “throwing in the bullpen, warming up” just off the world stage. The final False Prophet is going to call fire from heaven and do a host of other “lying wonders” (II Thes. 2:9; Rev. 16:13-14) that will mesmerize and deceive the whole world!

However, seeing through Ron Weinland should be a snap. Incredibly, he has managed to get almost nothing right—NOTHING! It has been said that even a blind squirrel occasionally finds a nut. Not Weinland! He seems unable to get anything right, even accidentally. Again, if Elijah mocked the ancient prophets of Baal, I can mock a modern one.

A final word of caution: When their silliness is exposed for what it is, false prophets usually squeal like stuck hogs in protest. With his “credibility” now at stake, I realize this article might cause Ron Weinland to smear my credibility. He virtually has to. But at best his words will only carry “weight” until May 28 when his prophecy fails. The even barely discerning person will realize Weinland cannot use God’s Word in any intelligible fashion to do this.

In any event, it will be more than worth it to me if this article helps some come out of his deceit—before or after May 27. Some will join God’s Church and His Work. They will recognize that Weinland’s idea of a May 27 Return of Christ conveniently removed all such responsibility to continue God’s true Work beyond this date. Have you thought of this?

Some hope Ron Weinland goes to prison over alleged tax evasion. I don’t. If he does (informed lawyers suggest high probability), maybe it will save his and his wife’s eternal life. I cannot save them, nor can you—only they can save themselves with God’s help. We can pray for them. I do. But do not listen to one word this tragic man utters!

Finally, will you follow the truth or a man? Mr. Armstrong continually told God’s people to believe their Bibles, and I never found him in disagreement with it. I followed him as he followed Christ (I Cor. 11:1). The Restored Church of God does not bend on or in the slightest compromise any of God’s doctrines. But there now exists every compromise imaginable throughout the groups that collectively form the seventh era.

Christ built and works in only one unified Church (Matt. 16:18). To learn about it, read my book Where Is the True Church? – and Its Incredible History!

All that you have read in this article is very, very serious. Are you SOBERED by it? Are you MOVED? Are you willing to ACT upon knowledge and seek out where God is truly working—where is His one, undivided, unified Church—teaching His truths without compromise, including the truth of prophecy? Or will you continue listening to the countless false prophets and false teachers of today?

I will address more splinter leaders in the future—and in detail. This includes certain other deceivers within these groups.

Ron Weinland—<em>Spectacularly Wrong!</em>