Doug Winnail was bemoaning misguided leadership in the nation last week, but I have to wonder if he is also bemoaning the misguided leadership of the LCG, also?
Like many COG leaders, he has to look backward to search out events in the Bible that fit his modern world narrative. If he finds it, voila! Prophecy in action! Today's event is foretold in scripture!
If Winnail and other Christians who have faith in God, the Bible, and biblical values are firmly believed, no amount of questioning by atheists and agnostics would damage one's faith. In fact, being around an agnostic is usually far more enlightening when discussing the Bible because at least they admit they don't know, while the Bible believers think they know everything when in fact they know very little, too.
Where are there any "servants of God" in a Church of God who are "crying aloud" to the leaders and nations of the world? Where are they? Even Bob Thiel is not doing such a thing, let alone Gerald Weston! These guys envision themselves like Herbert Armstrong, and yet he never cried aloud to the world. He traipsed around talking about a "strong hand from someplace" and handed out expensive gifts attempting to buy favor. What witness has any of these nations ever received? How have any of them changed? Even Herbert's own church is a malignant cesspool of sin and corruption. NO COG out there is in any position to criticize the world around them when they are in far worse shape.
Yes, you HAD a job to do and have failed miserably!
Modern Misguided Leaders: Some of the strongest condemnations by Hebrew prophets were against the leaders of Israel “who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture” and “cause My people to err by their lies” (Jeremiah 23:1–2, 13, 32). Few today realize that these prophecies are dual, and that their ultimate fulfillment will impact modern Israelite nations and their leaders at the end of the age. It is no coincidence that today not only atheists and agnostics are attacking belief in God, the Bible, and biblical values that have been part of the foundation of Western civilization, but also liberal leaders in schools, churches, governments, and the media. As a result of the seeds sown by these attacks on fundamental biblical concepts and values and “forgetting our Maker” we are reaping the whirlwind of confusion, immorality, and social chaos that was prophesied long ago (Hosea 8:7, 14). This is why God has commissioned His modern-day servants to “Cry aloud” and warn our leaders and nations of the consequences that are coming, so they can heed the warnings and escape God’s punishments (Isaiah 58:1; Luke 21:36). We have a big job to do!
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail