Why is there a Philadelphian remnant of the true Christian Church of God?

Remnant of Ancient Philadelphia

Some have wondered if there is a Philadelphian remnant of the Church of God in the 21st century. Others have asked, if so, why is there a Philadelphian remnant needed? Does the Bible require a Philadelphian remnant for certain end-time prophecies to be fulfilled?

This long article will give answers to those questions.

The late Pastor General of the old Radio and Worldwide Church of God, Herbert W. Armstrong, believed that God raised him up to lead the Philadelphia era of the Church of God.

He believed that the Philadelphia era officially began in October 1933 and that the Sardis era of the Church of God continued, despite the rise of Philadelphia.For example, in a special edition of the Worldwide News dated June 24, 1985, he wrote:

“I continued to work with and fellowship with West Coast members of the Sardis era until 1942, when the rapidly growing work of the fledgling Philadelphia era required my full time. The present era was officially begun in October, 1933.”

One reason to mention this is because some have wrongly stated that there could not be a remnant of the Philadelphia era of the COG after the Philadelphia’s dominance ended. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO REALIZE THAT THERE IS A PHILADELPHIA REMNANT AND THAT ALL COGs ARE NOT THE SAME ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF GOD.

Now, because the one that Herbert W. Armstrong appointed as his successor turned out to be an apostate, many have concluded that the Philadelphia era’ dominance came to end with his death on January 16, 1986–and that is probably when Philadelphia ended. He had reportedly mentioned in a prayer once in 1983 that he wondered if his death would lead to the Laodicean era, and it did lead to its dominance.

In the Book of Revelation, after discussing Philadelphia, Jesus has warning messages to the Laodiceans PLURAL. After Herbert W. Armstrong’s death, numerous groups formed, many people apostatized, and others began to consider themselves as ‘independent’ COG Christians.

In this article I plan to go over some quotes from Herbert W. Armstrong and others in the old Radio/WW COG which support the idea that there would be a Philadelphia remnant. Plus, also go over scriptures that support that, as well as explain why the CCOG best represents the Philadelphia remnant in the 21st century.

When speaking of doctrines that had been restored to the Philadelphia era of the church, Herbert W. Armstrong stated:

The government of God has been restored to the Church, and the government of God has been placed in the Church. You read that in Ephesians 4 and I Corinthians 12. Christ is the head of the Church and under Christ in the administration of the government are an apostle or apostles, then evangelists, then pastors, then all are called elders, all ministers all the way up clear down to the lowest. So then there are teachers and elders both speaking elders and preaching elders, deacons and deaconesses. And the Church is restored in that form of government. The Sardis Church even didn’t have the right form of government. (Armstrong HW. Mission of the Philadelphia Church Era. Sermon given on December 17, 1983 in Pasadena, California)

In a sermon titled Rely on God, Herbert W. Armstrong said:

KEY ISSUE IS GOVERNMENT …
THE WHOLE THING WAS GOVERNMENT! THE THING THAT SATAN TOOK AWAY WAS GOVERNMENT. THE THING THAT CHRIST IS COMING TO RESTORE IS GOVERNMENT. AND WHAT HE RAISED ME UP FOR WAS TO RESTORE GOVERNMENT IN HIS CHURCH. And the whole test, the challenge in the first place …, was a point of government. (Armstrong HW. Rely on God. Sermon, April 6, 1985)

Notice that Herbert Armstrong said God raised him up to restore church government in His church. And he did, though most end time Christians do not accept that.

In his sermon titled Challenged on April 19, 1981, Herbert W. Armstrong plainly taught:

… the government of God has been established in the Philadelphia era of God’s church.

Do not let naysayers, grumblers, and accusers of the brethren convince you can push aside proper hierarchical church governance and still be Philadelphian.

The prophet Isaiah taught:

6 For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Government is a major reason why the coming kingdom of God will be so wonderful.

Notice something that Herbert W. Armstrong wrote:

Why has God’s Church in this Philadelphia era gone through a period of friction, controversy within the Church and split-offs, with certain ministers leaving the Church to take followers after themselves …
The contenders, the disgruntled, the liberals did not want God’s government in the Church. … The contenders, the disgruntled, the liberals did not want God’s government in the Church. (Armstrong HW. Recent History of the Philadelphia Era of the Worldwide Church of God. Worldwide News, June 25, 1985)

The Philadelphia era, according to Herbert W. Armstrong, was to have a hierarchical governance:

The Church is organized under theocratic government, hierarchical in form (Mystery of the Ages, p. 246).

The Apostle Paul wrote:

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head — Christ — 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Notice that the purposes of hierarchical governance include preventing doctrinal error as well as unity for the church to allow each member to grow personally as well as to be able to contribute in love.

While not all who claim to accept hierarchical church government are Philadelphian, none who reject true hierarchical church government are Philadelphian.

Jesus taught:

41 He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. (Matthew 10:41)

Jesus probably would not have said that, except for the fact that people who claimed to be God’s people have not sufficiently heeded God’s prophets throughout history (e.g. Jeremiah 43:1-3; Luke 11:47).

That said, as I am an evangelistic prophet or a prophetic-evangelist, unless one arises who is clearly an apostle or higher level prophet, those who wish to be Philadelphian would need to be in the CCOG.

And I have had laying on of hands succession.

Like the ancient Cathari, the old Radio Church of God also taught that the true church always had laying on of hands succession. Yet it also taught that leaders could lose it. Notice:

Did Jesus Christ Himself put men directly into the highest office of this chain of authority? And did He “ordain” them by the laying on of His hands? Mark 3:14; John 15:16. …
Only by the choice of Jesus Christ, by the Scriptural ordinance of the laying on of hands, were different ranks of ministers ordained to authority, and that by those who were ministers before them. The succession of ministers thus begun by the hands of Jesus Christ remained unbroken in the True Church through all ages.
Some of the men so ordained may prove unworthy. (Judas is an example.) (Lesson 50 – I Will Build My Church, Part 2. 58 Lesson: Ambassador College Bible Correspondence Course, 1965; also Lesson 50 – What Became of the Church Jesus Built? 58 Lesson: Ambassador College Bible Correspondence Course, 1968, p. 8)

A.N. Dugger of CG7 claimed to have apostolic succession (Dugger AN, Dodd CO. A History of True Religion, 3^rd edition, 1972. Johnson Graphics 1995 reprint, p. 308).

Herbert W. Armstrong claimed that A.N. Dugger had been unfaithful to the word of God (and he was) and that A.N. Dugger/CG7 no longer possessed the ‘mantle’ of leadership past 1933 (if not sooner, and if he ever had it).

Herbert W. Armstrong’s designated successor, Joseph Tkach, Sr., fully apostatized, which is part of why we believe that the time of Philadelphia era predominance ended with Herbert W. Armstrong’s death on January 16, 1986.

The late evangelist Roderick Meredith did not apostatize like Tkach did, but was more like A.N. Dugger. Even after repeatedly admitting that I was correct about various doctrinal and prophetic errors, and HIM PROMISING to correct them, he reneged and instead later double-down on error.

Thus, because of that, and also after two dreams and statements from LCG minister Gaylyn Bonjour (in 2011 and 2012) that the mantle may have passed to me, I concluded that his church no longer held the Philadelphia mantle as it could not be the church with ‘the pillar and ground of the truth’ (cf. 1 Timothy 3:15) and was standing for the truth as Jesus would direct (Isaiah 61:8), nor did it have the ability to be able to complete the final phase of the work as Jeremiah 48:10 sadly applied to it:

10 Cursed is he who does the work of the Lord deceitfully, (Jeremiah 48:10)

Furthermore, in many areas, LCG was not (and still is not) “rightly dividing the word of truth” (Timothy 2:15).

The old Worldwide Church of God taught related to offices and the mantle:

Since Church leaders are appointed and not voted into office, and since, therefore, the members are not watchdogs over the leaders, who is responsible for keeping these leaders on track spiritually and administratively?

The answer is that God’s government in His Church is a government of faith. Simply put, this means members believe that behind the physical, outward appearance of the Church, is the unseen hand of Jesus Christ, who directs its affairs.
True Christians today trust Christ to direct the Church, bless it, correct it or its officers if need be and steer its general course.
From the time of Moses and the rebellion of Korab (a leader in the congregation who was killed by God for insubordination — Numbers 16), through the age of the apostles and the rejection of Judas Iscariot from his apostleship, to the present day, Christ has demonstrated His ability to:
1. run His Church,
2. place capable men in their proper positions,
3. discipline those who need it,
4. and reject from the Church those unfit to wear the Christian mantle.
The very existence of the Church and the Church’s continuing vitality proves this beyond dispute! (Doctrines of the Church: Church Governance. Worldwide Church of God, 1986/1987

I, like Christ, rejected the leadership of those unfit to wear the Philadelphia mantle.

This is important. Church history has shown, though many have had hands laid upon them, various leaders were not always faithful. Despite that, the true Church has continued from the time of the apostles.

That said, Roderick Meredith once wrote:

In II Kings 2:8-15, we find the account where the great prophet Elijah was taken up into heaven — turning his office and mantle over to Elisha. Read this account carefully. Notice that Elisha expected to carryon in the power of God as had Elijah. For he asked for a “double portion” of Elijah’s spirit to be upon him. As Elijah ascended up to heaven, his mantle fell on Elisha. …
Today, you should personally awake to the fact that the mantle and power of Elijah will be manifested among God’s true servants in this age.
For as John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:17), so God says of our day: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and. dreadful day of the Lord: and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse” (Malachi 4:5-6). (Meredith RC. Tapping Your INNER POWERS Is Not Enough. Plain Truth, October-November 1979)

Unlike Herbert Armstrong who restored truths to the Philadelphia era, and Bob Thiel who added more details to those truths, Dr. Meredith did not do that. Nor did he fulfill the prophetic office, nor even get anointed for a double-portion of God’s Spirit, but Bob Thiel did! Actually, Bob Thiel is the only known person to be anointed by a COG minister to receive a double-portion of God’s Spirit in any church that Dr. Meredith was ever part of. The minister (Gaylyn Bonjour) told Bob Thiel that this was reminiscent of the passing of the mantle after he so anointed Bob Thiel. The mantle and power of God’s Spirit is manifested in the CCOG now in the 21st century–in this AGE, according to Dr. Meredith, also meaning the Philadelphia remnant!

As far as the double portion of God’s Spirit goes, ordained minister Gaylyn Bonjour privately anointed me and prayed that I would be granted a double-portion of God’s Spirit on December 15, 2012. He stated that he had never prayed that before and that he believed that God led him to do that. When I next saw him, which was on December 18, 2012, and asked him if he knew what it looks like he had unintentionally done, he said yes. He also said later that what he did could not be undone. Now, all of this was private. Furthermore, on November 28, 2019, Gaylyn Bonjour confirmed/stated that he believed that God answered his prayer regarding Him granting me a double-portion of His Spirit.

As it turns out, I was also publicly anointed in Nairobi, Kenya on February 9, 2017, by long time COG ministers/overseers Evans Ochieng (of Kenya, formerly GCG) and Samuel Gyeabour Ofosu (of Ghana, formerly CG7). They, together, publicly anointed me as an overseer, evangelist, and prophet. In this way, there were hands laid on me by men who were in (or had been in ) Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicean era churches.

Dreams

As far as dreams go, in 1917, Loma D. Armstrong had a dream. Here is some of what her husband wrote about it:

In her dream she and I were crossing the wide intersection, only a block or two from our apartment, where Broadway diagonally crosses Sheridan Road. Suddenly there appeared an awesome sight in the sky above. It was a dazzling spectacle—the sky filled with a gigantic solid mass of brilliant stars, shaped like a huge banner. The stars began to quiver and separate, finally vanishing. In her dream, she called my attention to the vanishing stars, when another huge grouping of flashing stars appeared, then quivering, separating and vanishing like the first. (Armstrong HW. How the Seven Mysteries Were Revealed. Plain Truth, September 1985)
I didn’t really believe it then, 38 years ago, but subsequent events have verified that God did speak to my wife at that time, shortly after we were married, revealing thru an angel that He was calling us to the mission of WARNING the world of the fast-approaching END OF THIS WORLD, the Coming of Jesus Christ, and the world-ruling Kingdom of God. (Armstrong HW. Co-worker letter, November 25, 1955)

The end of the world, this age, has not yet happened! What many people do not seem to realize is that the dream had two parts, two sets of stars, and a gap between one set and the other. That gap I have referred to as the transitional phase from the end of the Philadelphia era in 1986 until the Philadelphia remnant separately forming in 2012 to lead the final phase of the work.

Perhaps it should be mentioned, Herbert Armstrong had more information about what I am referring to as the first set of stars (the first part) in the dream. He wrote:

It was a dazzling spectacle … People by the hundreds came running into this broad intersection looking up to see the strange phenomena … A vast multitude of eyes were upon us … I have only come to believe that this dream was a bonafide call from God in the light of subsequent events. (Armstrong HW. The Autobiography of Herbert W. Armstrong, 9th installment. Plain Truth, August 1958, p. 18).

Eyes of a vast multitude suggest that the dream was saying that the work to be done was to have a witness to many. This happened with the old Radio and Worldwide Church of God under Herbert Armstrong’s leadership in the 20th century–the Philadelphia era proper.

The second set of stars in the dream, which he did not mention in the August 1958 Plain Truth, article, but did in his published Autobiography as well as in the Plain Truth in 1985, seems to pertain to what I have called, for years, The Final Phase of the Work as well as the ‘Short Work.’

We of the CCOG are working to fulfill the second set of stars in Loma’s dream. We are the Philadelphia remnant.

Understand that Herbert W. Armstrong considered that his wife Loma’s dream was from God. He also believed the first part of it had to do with the start of the Philadelphia era of the Church of God via the Radio Church Church of God. He did not discuss the fulfillment of the second part of the dream directly, however he taught another work would be done.

Now a lot of people don’t want to hear about dreams. In the OT, Joseph’s brothers did not; nor did some others in the Bible.

Yet if a dream is from God, YOU should be interested in it. Remember that there was a dream from a woman (Loma Armstrong) preceded the start of the Philadelphian era of the Church of God (for details, see Dreams, the Bible, the Radio Church of God, and the Continuing Church of God). This was believed those in the old WCG who believed Herbert W. Armstrong.

Furthermore, does it not make sense that God would give a dream to another woman (in this case Fesilafai Fiso Leaana) prior to the formation of the most faithful Philadelphian remnant church, which is the Continuing Church of God?

Fesilafai Fiso Leaana of New Zealand had a dream after going to bed on December 8, 2012. Here is a report that Fesilafai Fiso Leaana wrote about her dream:

A few months before my dream, my husband and I noticed a contradiction in practice, regarding the sabbath commandment in LCG, from there we started to pray continuously for God to lead us to where the truth is. It seems God has answered our prayers through the dream.
The dream began with myself and approximately 70 New Zealand Living Church of God brethren, then suddenly LCG vanished (I was wondering where is LCG?) and I was left standing with approximately 10 people excluding myself, on a very high building. We were standing on the very top of the building, where I couldn’t see the bottom, there were no other buildings, just this building. I could not see the bottom of the building but just clouds below the building and clouds surrounding the building which led to a beautiful white mountain – a mountain that had no ends on either side. The building was pretty close to the mountain, I could see the top of the mountain. The mountain was all white and so beautiful. I remember that I began to be filled with joy and peace. But also wondering how we got up on this building and confused why there were no other buildings but the clouds seemed like it was hiding the building and I felt protected or it felt like a safe place. I looked around there were still only about ten people there, the only person I could clearly recognize was Shirley constantly working, the approximate ten others were just sitting and standing around. So I walked around the building looking for the large crowd from LCG, but all I kept returning to was that Shirley was working and doing different types of work alone while the others were still sitting and standing around the building with me. I wondered why she was working a lot. I could not find LCG.
Then suddenly a message came to my mind: “There is a secret in the mountain”. And I was so happy to know that, I was still feeling elated and could still see the beautiful white mountain and wondered about the secret. Then I asked: “What is the secret?” Then the message said, nobody knows the secret in the mountain but only you have received this message that there is a secret in the mountain. Then I asked ‘what is the secret in the mountain?’ I received a message to my mind that told me that “the secret in the mountain is the Ark of the Covenant”. Then the dream abruptly ended because I woke up. And immediately, I woke up my husband and recounted the dream to him, and I told my husband that it reminded me of when God gave Moses the Ten Commandments on the mountain and that the mountain was also covered with clouds.
On the same day after my dream, at church service Mr Penman warned us to be careful what we read from Bob Thiel’s Obama book, because they do not support everything he wrote in it. At the time I kept your name in my mind as I did not know who you were then.
Then 3 weeks later Shirley contacted me regarding your Chronology – the exit from LCG. Shirley had all of the Chronology and gave us all a print out of it and went over it with my husband and I. Shirley kept stressing the integrity of the LCG leadership and administration was compromised as proven by your Chronology account. Then my husband and I had to make a decision whether we would continue with LCG or go with Bob Thiel (you) since Shirley, John and Kayla had already decided to be with you
We decided to go with Bob Thiel and then left the meeting but a letter from Mr. Penman and a visit from the new New Zealand minister Paul attempted to obstruct our departure and tried to dissuade us from leaving LCG and coming with you. This forced us to carefully rethink our decision.
My husband and I were alone, that’s when my husband said to me, “remember your dream? This is what your dream means, that we need to leave this church and go with Shirley”. That’s when we knew what to do. And this dream is the reason most of us in the kiwi CCOG knew that we are in the right Church, God told us to come to this Church. We reaffirmed with Shirley and others that we were going to go with Bob Thiel and my husband told them the dream for the first time and that the dream is the reason my husband and I decided to come.
Not having all the details of the dream, Shirley then prayed about the dream. She asked God for more understanding on the dream. Then the next day she was reading the book of Psalm and Psalm 25:14 JUMPED out at her: “The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant.” (email 9/29/13)

Within several weeks of the dream, ten people in New Zealand, including Shirley Gestro (the Shirley above) began to attend the newly formed Continuing Church of God. So that part of the dream was clearly confirmed. I, myself, knew nothing of this dream until the Feast of Tabernacles the next year–where I did something related to the covenant and commandments.

I, personally, also have had some confirmed dreams as have others associated with the CCOG.

Perhaps it should also be mentioned that the Personal Correspondence Department in the old WCG sent out a letter on dreams and stated the Bible showed that future dreams from God to His people were expected. It then had a date change added to it and here is a quote from that one:

Thank you for your question concerning visions or dreams. The Bible reveals that in times past servants of God were given visions and dreams for specific reasons and/or to convey special messages. … God has used this means of communication in the past and will do so again (Acts 2:17; Joel 2:28) (L052 Worldwide Church of God, 1989)

Since the WCG did NOT recognize any dreams as from God past 1980, obviously that was intended for the Philadelphian remnant.

Furthermore, in a sermon, Herbert W. Armstrong declared:

Joel 2:28-29 And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: (29) And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

So there is a time coming when God will start pouring out His spirit on human beings. … Day of Pentecost, 3000 were baptized. Peter preached a sermon. They were pricked in their hearts. God began to draw them. God was now… Remember He said, “I will pour out of my spirit on all flesh.” All right, there’s a duality of that. (Armstrong HW. Building The Temple. Sermon, February 14, 1981)

Herbert W. Armstrong was correct about the time coming when God would pour out His Spirit as well the duality. There was a duality to what Peter preached in Acts 2–and that duality is for our current time!

As the WCG did not publicly acknowledge any such dreams after that sermon was given or the Personal Correspondence letter was sent, the interpretation must be that God would later use dreams.

Well that is what happened in CCOG.

We have had more confirmed dreams and prophecies than any COG in the 21st century.

This, in my view, is divine confirmation that we are the Philadelphian remnant.

The Apostle Paul once asked people who supposedly believed the Bible, “Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?” (Acts 26:8).

Well, he was suggesting that Jesus’ resurrection should not have been thought so unbelievable nearly 2,000 years ago.

Similarly, why should it be thought incredible by most end time Christians that God actually would use dreams to communicate in these last days as His word says?

Why do people claim to believe the dramatic ancient miracles of the Bible, but not really accept other ones in their time (e.g. Matthew 23:29-30)? Perhaps it should be pointed out that when their were dramatic events that the prophet Elijah experienced, God was not in them, but was in “a still small voice” (1 Kings 19:11-13).

The Bible warns seven times related to the seven Churches of Revelation 2 & 3, Jesus states:

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches (Revelation 2:7,11,17,29;3:6,13,22).

Philadelphian remnant Christians truly believe the word of God (cf. Revelation 3:7-8), where as those of Sardis lost doctrine (Revelation 3:1-5) and those of the Laodicean churches wrongly believe that they are fine as they are without accepting various biblical revelations (Revelation 3:14-21).

Jesus warned:

17 … Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth? (Luke 17:37)

Would He have said that if the majority of Christians had Philadelphian faith?

No.

The faithful accept how God works, and that includes confirmed signs like dreams.

When discussing the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus said:

30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’” (Luke 16:30-31)

Well, if Laodiceans will not accept the words of the Apostle Peter related to dreams and prophets for the last days (Acts 2:17-18) or a faithful 21st century prophet, they will not accept more dramatic signs as well. Those who tell themselves that they will are deceiving themselves.

The Apostle James was inspired to write:

14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2:14-17)

The Philadelphia remnant is willing to believe the word of God on Acts 2:17-18 and support more of the hungry, whereas the other end time Christians are cold or lukewarm about such–and that is to their detriment. Some may say that the old Worldwide Church of God did not focus as much on the poor, so the remnant should not—but Philadelphians are to restore all things and that includes support of the poor (cf. Galatians 2:10). Remember that while Joshua followed Moses the work differed, the work of Zerubbabel differed from Solomon, and when Peter followed Jesus the work changed. But all were doing the work of God–as does the Philadelphia remnant.

Why Is There a Philadelphian Remnant?

An obvious reason is because Matthew 24:14 has not been finally fulfilled and the end has not yet come.

It is the Philadelphia portion of the Church of God that was intended to fulfill Matthew 24:14. Herbert W. Armstrong understood this as he wrote:

Also a door was to be opened for this leader and/or the Philadelphia era of the Church to fulfill Matthew 24:14: ‘And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached to all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then the end shall come’ (Mystery of the Ages, p.291).
… the work will continue right on to the Second Coming of Christ” (Armstrong HW. Letter dated 12/23/85).

As Jesus has not come, the gospel warning still needs to be proclaimed by the group that was granted and picked up the Philadelphia leadership mantle.

Herbert Armstrong also declared:

Our work in the hands of Christ is NOT YET FINISHED, and He will not allow the Work to stop until it is finished. And when will that be?
… since no one can know the day or the hour of His coming, we probably shall not be able to know the exact day that this 1335 days begins. But apparently that is the time when OUR WORK SHALL END. That will be a time when the UNITED EUROPE shall appear –the revival of the medieval “Holy Roman Empire.” We shall then be warned, and readied to be taken to a place of refuge and safety from the Great Tribulation. Forty-five days later “the beast’s” armies will surround Jerusalem. Thirty days later the Great Tribulation will probably start with a nuclear attack on London and Britain–and possibly the same day or immediately after, on United States and Canadian cities (Armstrong HW. The Time We Are In, Now. PASTOR GENERAL’S REPORT – VOL.1, NO.15 NOVEMBER 20, 1979).
Next, when our Great Commission is in God’s sight completed, we are to be taken–symbolically flown on the two wings of a great eagle–we shall be taken to a place of protection from the Great Tribulation (Armstrong HW. Looking…PASTOR GENERAL’S REPORT – VOL.3, NO.4 January 23, 1981).

Again the above is a reference to the Philadelphia remnant–that is the group that finishes the work of the church and then flees to a place of safety.

For so preaching as well as giving warnings as a witness, the Philadelphians will be persecuted.

Notice also about the woman, which is the church holding the mantle, being persecuted:

13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. 14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. (Revelation 12:13-14)

Notice that the Philadelphian remnant will be persecuted then–before the Great Tribulation, which is also consistent with Daniel 7:25a, 11:29-35.

Whereas the rest of the true church is persecuted later, such as in Revelation 12:17, 13:5-10 and Daniel 7:25b.

Herbert W. Armstrong taught:

The “Philadelphia era” or succession of God’s Church will be taken on the “two wings of a great eagle”–whatever that symbolizes–to a place of protection where we are to be “fed”–provided for. We need now to begin to be ALERT, for this “flight” may happen suddenly. DO NOT BE DECEIVED BY THE NEGATIVE SNEERING OF EXCOMMUNICATED MINISTERS: Both Revelation 12:13 and 3:10 warn us. (Armstrong HW. Great Significance of Summit Conference. Pastor General’s Report, Vol. 2, No. 26, June 27, 1980).

While the “Philadelphia era” is no longer predominant in this Laodicean time, Herbert Armstrong correctly pointed the existence of its succession.–which we can consider to be the remnant.

The late WCG evangelist Dean Blackwell taught that the work would need to be revived and cited the following scripture:

2 O Lord, I have heard Your speech and was afraid; O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy. (Habakkuk 3:2)

Here is some of what he wrote:

Why do you think in Habakkuk, God said that He’d “revive His work in the midst of the years”? Would this be said if they were doing the work in all the time of the New Testament Church? …
Habakkuk … said that God would make known what is happening and what’s going to happen in man’s last years, in the day of His wrath. He requested that God remember mercy and hide His people in a place of safety. Notice that he mentions this will be in the last years — in the midst of the last years.
What did we just read there in Habakkuk 3? Did He say, of the Sardis Church, that He gave them an open door; that they were small in number, and that yet He opened the doors that no man could close? He didn’t say that at all about them. He didn’t open a door getting the work done until the Philadelphia church. That’s what your Bible says! No one knew the key of prophecy. No one even knew about Israel. Why, the Sardis church never could have preached the gospel around the world as a witness. (e.g. Blackwell D. A HANDBOOK OF CHURCH HISTORY. A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of the Ambassador College Graduate School of Theology, April 1973, p. 17)

We in the Continuing Church of God have revived the Philadelphia remnant. The work has been revived and truths restored in the (see also Continuing Church of God, Elijah, and Restoring All Things and The Final Phase of the Work).

Herbert W. Armstrong wrote:

Zechariah … chapter 4, Zerubbabel enters the scene again.
In verse 2 a golden candlestick is described (compare Revelation 1:12) — signifying a stage of God’s CHURCH. And in verse 3, two olive trees. The chapter makes it evident that the two olive trees refer to Zerubbabel and Joshua, not actually those two identical men of more than 500 years before Christ, but the “Zerubbabel” and the “Joshua” of today, of which they were types. (Armstrong HW. Co-worker Letter, August 29, 1974)

The Zerubabbel stage is being part of the Philadelphian remnant.

9 “The hands of Zerubbabel
Have laid the foundation of this temple;
His hands shall also finish it.
Then you will know
That the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you.
10 For who has despised the day of small things?
For these seven rejoice to see
The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.
They are the eyes of the Lord,
Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.” (Zechariah 4:9-10)

Many now despise the day of small things–they do not accept God using dreams and want big buildings, etc. as a sign. One of the plumb lines of Zerubbabel seems to have been dividing the non-Philadelphians from the Philadelphian remnant. There are articles on dozens of COGs that explain why they are not Philadelphian at www.cogwriter.com

The old WCG taught that Zerubbabel would be part of the Philadelphia remnant at the end until Jesus returned. Zerubbabel revived the work of building the second temple, but the end time Zerubbabel was to do that for the spiritual temple, the church.

The second part of the Philadelphian work, the final part, must be done by the Philadelphian remnant.

Regarding a second part, the late Dale Schurter, a former WCG minister, somewhat verified that when he reported that Herbert W. Armstrong stated the following in 1984/1985 (shortly before he died in January 1986). Here are two accounts of this:

“A few months before Mr. Armstrong’s death, my wife and I had the opportunity to spend several hours with Mr. Armstrong in his home in Pasadena. He spoke freely of the mighty work God had commissioned him to accomplish, and related certain heartfelt comments: ‘I can say that I have finished the work God has given me to do, and am at peace about it. I have preached and taken the Gospel of the Kingdom of God into all the world as a witness to all nations.’
“Mr. Armstrong went on to say, ‘I have come to realize there will be an even greater work to follow—to go again, to “prophesy again” to all nations tongues and peoples (Rev. 10:11) before the work of the two witnesses — but with more power and with a stronger warning message. But that will be for others to do.’ He continued, ‘It will be a short work (Rom. 9:27-29), compared with the longer time to complete the work I was given, and it will be cut short. That’s when the Great Tribulation will begin, as will the work of the two witnesses. These will last for three and one-half years, at the end of which Christ will return in glory.’” (“The Greatest Work Lies JUST Ahead…” as stated in RCG letter of May 31, 2013)

Herbert Armstrong’s part of the work lasted over 50 years, and he seemingly felt that the “short work” would be much shorter than his work. And that is correct. That work is being led by the Philadelphian remnant, the CCOG.

Notice also what Herbert W. Armstrong wrote within a week of his death:It may be that the Work that God has given me to do is complete, but not the Work of God’s Church, which will be faithfully doing God’s Work till Christ, the True Head of this Church, returns … Remember brethren, this is not the work of Herbert W. Armstrong … The greatest work lies ahead … Never before in the history of the Church has it been possible to reap so great a harvest. It has only been made possible through modern technology, beginning with the printing press, radio, television. … Each of you must commit yourself to support God’s Work…God’s work must push ahead as never before. God is opening up new doors in television (Letter, 1/10/86).

He was not telling of the work of the Tkach Administration, but the Philadelphia remnant! We in the CCOG are using radio and as far as new doors in television, numerous online platforms, etc.Now consider that the Church of the Laodiceans is the last one mentioned in the book of Revelation (Revelation 3:14-22). As the last, it is the one that will be the most dominant at the time of the end. The word “Laodicea” can be rendered “the people rule”, “judgment of the people” or the “people decide.” Laodicea is characterized by a rejection of the governance accepted by the Philadelphians–the acceptance of church leaders in accordance with scripture (1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11-16), and by a general lukewarm attitude. Thus governance can be seen as a key distinction between Philadelphia and Laodicea. Laodicea places emphasis on self (of the individuals or the leaders as opposed to proclaiming the whole truth including the Gospel), thus it also waters down the Truth-and so is “rebuked and chastened” and counseled “to buy from Me gold refined in the fire” (Revelation 3:18-19).

Because Laodicea is dominant at the end of the age, Philadelphia cannot be predominant in numbers then. However, a portion of Philadelphia must still exist.

We know this because Jesus told the Philadelphians: “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly!” (Revelation 3:10-11).

The Philadelphians, those of the Philadelphia remnant of the Church of God, are the only ones promised protection!

The Philadelphians are “given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent” (Revelation 12:14).

Now what does love have to do with having a Philadelphia remnant? Notice the following passage:

1 Let brotherly love continue. (Hebrews 13:1)

The Greek word translated as “brotherly love” is the word Philadelphia. So the following would be an accurate rendering:

1 Let Philadelphia continue. (Hebrews 13:1)

The writer of the Book of Hebrews may have been inspired by God to convey two concepts:

That brotherly love needs to continue amongst those who believe that they are Christian.
And perhaps that Philadelphia itself needs to continue, and it can do so, because of its emphasis on love. It is important for all to realize that despite flaws of Christians, that love is what God’s way of life and His kingdom are really all about.

A Philadelphia remnant needs to continue until the end of this age. And the Continuing Church of God expects to do that and believes it has proven that it is succeeding.

Although Herbert W. Armstrong wrote that he was able to fulfill the first portion of Matthew 24:14-“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations” (Mystery of the Ages, p. 291)-he appointed other television presenters to take over for him if he died prior to the second portion of the verse, “and then the end will come.” He also wrote: “But Christ said to His Philadelphia era Church, that because we have but little strength, He would OPEN THOSE DOORS TO US (Revelation 3:8)” (Letter, Nov. 19, 1976).

Organizational Structure

Most of the larger, and a lot of the smaller, Laodicean Church of God groups are 501(c)(3) registered non-profit corporations.

They basically do this to try to maximize income potential and to shield the founders from possible tax-deductibility and other lawsuits.

But doing so restricts there ability to proclaim all the truths of the Bible. This is also true for smaller COGs that are 501(c)(3) registered with the US IRS.

It is not that they do not teach any truths–they are not cold. But they often tend to pull punches when they should not–they are thus not hot (cf. Revelation 3:14-21).

Yet, the Bible teaches:

1 Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins. (Isaiah 58:1)
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20)

Many COG groups are more cautious and unwilling to do that as much as they should. Part of the reason from USA based groups is that most of them are 501(c)(3) registered and are not corporation soles.

Jesus warned that most Christians would be lukewarm in the end times, and we are seeing that.

Forming the way we did in the Continuing Church of God was part of our preparation for the short work (Romans 9:28; see also Preparing for the ‘Short Work’ and The Famine of the Word)–as we feel that is the best way to fulfill various biblical teachings on end time proclamations.

More on those matters can be found in the following:

Congregations of the Continuing Church of God This is a listing of congregations and groups of the Continuing Church of God around the world. Here is a link to a related sermon: CCOG, a corporation sole, not a 501(c)(3).
501(c)(3)? Why the Continuing Church of God chose a better option Churches in the USA do NOT have to register as 501(c)(3). Why would they? Why is what CCOG did better?
Why is the Continuing Church of God a corporation sole? What is a ‘corporation sole’ and why is this a better organizational choice?

After experiencing organizational issues, Herbert W. Armstrong formed as a corporation sole. I was part of that church when he formed it.

The reasons we choose the structure we did were based on Philadelphian objectives and the end time work. Other groups have had different priorities.

In the Book of Revelation, Jesus taught He would open doors for the Philadelphians (Revelation 3:1-9).

The Radio COG taught that the door would not be closed until the end:

Philadelphia has little strength to do this great work that God has given it to do. God has opened the door, and yet look how insignificant, how weak, how little strength we as a Church have to do that work … Revelation 3:7-13: “And to the angel of the Church in Philadelphia write these things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that OPENETH, and no man SHUTTETH; and SHUTTETH and no man openeth.” The great door that God has opened to this work is the facility to go into all the world and preach the gospel; the door of radio, the door of the printing press, plus many other such doors. God has set before us an open door and no MAN can shut it. God can shut it, and He will when the work is finished and the Philadelphia Church goes to a place of safety. … The Laodicean Church is not going to he worthy to escape to a place of safety. When it is too late, they will find that the Church of Philadelphia has gone to safety. (What Is the “LAODICEAN CHURCH”? Good News Magazine, August 1959 Vol. VIII, Number 8).

Sadly, many once in the Worldwide Church of God (WCG) simply never fully understood what was taught about the open door. But the Continuing Church of God still does–and its proclamation efforts are reaching millions (see, for example, Continuing Church of God first year anniversary: What is being accomplished? and/or many of the weekly Letter to the Brethren).

As far as radio goes, the CCOG has the broadest radio reach of any COG in the 21st century. For details, check out the Continuing Church of God Multimedia page.

Notice that Jesus said that the end will come (soon) AFTER the gospel of the kingdom is preached to all the world as a WITNESS:

14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14).

Thus, the true Christian church should be proclaiming that gospel now. This should be its top priority for the Church –this has not been fulfilled.

And since Jesus speaks negatively of the work of the Laodiceans, they are not the ones that fulfill Matthew 24:14, therefore it must be the remnant of Philadelphia that does so.

Herbert W. Armstrong also taught:

Ezekiel 33:2 [He says here]…”When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:”
Ezekiel 33:3 “If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;” …
You take the warning, you shall be delivered from the trouble that comes. …
Now, listen real carefully as we go into this. In the first place, back here in Revelation 12 in verse 14, you will notice this: And the woman, to the woman, that’s the church, that’s this Philadelphia Church now that has warned the people that God opened the doors to warn them, and because we have done it, He’s going to keep us from this hour of great tribulation. (Armstrong HW. The Place of Safety, the Last Great Day, sermon. September 20, 1956)

The Great Tribulation has not yet began and hence the remnant of Philadelphia needs to be doing this. In the 21st century, the Ezekiel warnings are now being at least partially fulfilled now by numerous warnings at COGwriter.com, CCOG websites, radio appearances, and Bible News Prophecy channel videos.

For over a decade there has been an average of at least three posts per day, 365 days per year, at COGwriter.com, and most of those are consistent with fulfilling the watchman role. This looks to be more than any Church of God has ever done since the church age began. The CCOG is fulfilling the watchman role.

A sermon in 2024 was made by Louis Rubin titled: Who is your watchman?

Restoration

Restoration of God’s Truth to Church
From the year 1931, exactly 1,900 years (a century of time cycles from the foundation of the Church, this small remnant of the original true Church of God began to take on new life as the Philadelphia era. It had come to the “time of the end.” A new spiritual vitality was infused into it. The time had come for Jesus’ prophecy of Matthew 24:14 to be fulfilled “this gospel of the kingdom shall be [proclaimed] in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Such vital truth that had been lost was gradually revealed and proclaimed.
This Philadelphia era is described in verses 7 to 13 of Revelation 3. The Sardis era (Rev. 3:1-6) was by this time spiritually dying and had become impotent in spreading the true gospel of Christ. Indeed they had by this time lost knowledge of the true meaning of that gospel. They knew they were approaching the Second Coming of Christ, but they had no knowledge of what would happen during the thousand years millennium, further than the fact Christ would rule.
Of the Philadelphia era of God’s true Church we read: “To the angel of the church ….” This word angel translated from the Greek aggelos means messenger or agent. This is not necessarily always referring to a spirit angel but can refer as well to a human agent. It is possible that God’s principle of duality may apply here. It may apply to an actual spirit-composed angel that has been assigned as an overall agent or helper of this particular era of the Church. Or it may also apply to the human messenger or agent God has raised up to lead this era of his Church.
At the same time another principle of duality may apply to verses 7-13. It may apply to the Church of this era as a whole, …
This era of the Church was to produce fruit. …
The human leader to be raised up somewhat shortly prior to Christ’s Second Coming was to prepare the way — prepare the Church — for Christ’s coming, and restore the truth that had been lost through the preceding eras of the Church. Also a door was to be opened for this leader and/or the Philadelphia era of the Church to fulfill Matthew 24:14: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”
It was to be at a time when, for the first time in the history of mankind, the weapons of mass destruction were produced that could erase all humanity from the earth (Matt. 24:21-22). This also was to occur just before the Second Coming of Christ (verses 29-30). (Armstrong HW. Mystery of the Ages, Chapter 6).

So, while truth was passed to different eras, the old WCG believed and taught that the Philadelphia era would produce the fruit to finish the work as well as to restore truth. It also taught that God would have a leader in the end working to fulfill Matthew 24:14.

Restoration of truth was something that the leader of the Philadelphians should be involved in (cf. Matthew 17:11,Malachi 4:5-6; see also Continuing Church of God, Elijah, and Restoring All Things).

Herbert W. Armstrong taught,

1933 … At least 18 basic and essential truths have been restored to the True Church since that year (Mystery of the Ages, Dodd & Mead, 1985, p. 251).

These WERE NOT all the same as on the Tkach list–it was Dibar Apartian who tipped me off to that, so because of that my wife and I did research.

In a sermon titled Mission of the Philadelphia Church Era, Herbert W. Armstrong stated:

This afternoon I want to speak on the mission of the Philadelphia Era of the Church, this Church today in comparison to the first era of the Church, the Ephesus Era of the Church. It’s been seeming more and more to me, as the years go by, that the Bible was written primarily for the Philadelphia Era of the Church … Today’s mission of the Church you will find in Matthew 24:14. And this gospel of the kingdom … that is the same gospel that Jesus preached … shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come … Restoring what had been taken away, restoring what had been taken away. So now I ask you, what is Christ coming to restore that had been taken away? What had been taken away was the government of God, the government of God(Armstrong HW. Mission of the Philadelphia Church Era, Sermon. December 17, 1983).

In that sermon, he mentioned not only the mission, but truths that were restored to the Philadelphia portion of the Church of God. These are truths that the Ephesus era possessed, but had been lost by the time of the Sardis era of the Church of God (note: there are articles that cover most of these subjects at the COGwriter home page which demonstrate that they are not only biblical, but that they were in fact understood by the early church):

1. True Gospel
2. Purpose of God
3. God’s Plan through the Holy Days
4. Proper Hierarchical Church Government
5. Who and What is God?
6. What and Why is Man?
7. Spirit in Man
8. Firstfruits
9. Knowledge of What the Millennium is
10. Truth About the Holy Spirit
11. Begotten Now
12. Born-Again at the Resurrection
13. Identity of Israel
14. Understanding the Identity of Physical Israel Opens Up Understanding of Bible Prophecy
15. Second and Third Tithes
16. Identity of Babylon and Her Daughters
17. Satan has Deceived the Whole World
18. We Are to Be Separate

After listing and explaining those truths, in that sermon Herbert W. Armstrong stated,

Well, brethren, all those things have been restored and there is a mission for this Church that never applied, and has never been done by any other Church (Armstrong HW. Mission of the Philadelphia Church Era, Sermon. December 17, 1983).

Information on that sermon, including the mission and those 18 truths are contained in the article Eliminating Philadelphia? Did You Know What the First Changes the Tkach Administration Made?

Furthermore it should be noted the two groups I was part of after WCG did not restore the details nor get ready for the final phase of the work, even though for many years I was led to believe that the last one was interested in doing that. However, despite making a promise to do so by the end of January 2012, its top leaders rejected listing all of the 18 truths that Herbert W. Armstrong said God had him restore to the Philadelphia era in its official statement of beliefs as they were concerned that could hurt them in the eyes of some television station owners–they also refused to make corrections and other additions that they agreed to in December 2012

Consider that restoration of truth was a reason that the old WCG taught that Philadelphia was raised up to do:

This Philadelphia era has been raised up to do the work of Elijah in preparation of “restoring all things” (Matt. 17:11). (Waterhouse G. Enlist in the Army of God. Good News, June-July 1979)

In addition to matters on church history and prophecy, speaking of restoration, many other things have been restored since Herbert Armstrong’s death.

Let’s look at three.

First of all, why did God create anything? In the Continuing Church of God we teach:

God created what He did so eternity would be better. (cf. Hebrews 6:9, 11:16; Philippians 1:23) (The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why Did God Make You?)

Do you agree with that?

Secondly, why did God make you? In the Continuing Church of God we teach:

Your purpose in this life is to build character so you can maximize your potential and increase how much better you can improve eternity. God made YOU so that you will be able to use your unique talents (Matthew 25:14-23; Luke 19:11-19) to give love in order to make eternity better! (The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why Did God Make You?)

Do you agree with that?

Thirdly, why did God make others? In the Continuing Church of God we teach:

God’s plan for all who will respond to Him is to be able to give love in a unique way to make eternity better for them personally and everyone else — (The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why Did God Make You?)

Do you agree with that?

Those are three BASIC TRUTHS which were not fully restored by Herbert W. Armstrong nor the other COGs, but were restored via the Continuing Church of God.

The Apostle Paul wrote:

14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, (2 Timothy 3:14)

Those truths were first taught in this century by the CCOG, which is where others also learned them.

If you agree with them, that should help you recognize that the Continuing Church of God does best represent the Philadelphian remnant of the Church of God during this time of Laodicean church dominance.

As Jesus said to the Philadelphians, “Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.”

Brethren, do not reject the truths restored by and to the Philadelphians because of critics and those who think their pet doctrine or assessment of how a church should be run affect you. NO OTHER GROUP HAS RESTORED THE TRUTHS THAT THE CCOG HAS–AND PROPHETICALLY THAT IS WHAT IS NECESSARY FOR THE PHILADELPHIAN REMNANT TO DO.

We in the Continuing Church of God have been restoring all things–at least 17, while keeping the original 18. No other groups has restored so much in the 21st century. The CCOG possesses the Philadelphian mantle.

How does the Continuing Church of God differ from other Sabbatarian COG groups?

In July 2019, someone who attended with three Church of God groups asked me how the Continuing Church of God was different from the other churches that formed after the apostasy at the old Worldwide Church of God.

After giving her several reasons, it occurred to me that we should have a short article on that topic, so I wrote a draft of one. Then sent the draft to two of our ministers for comments. Then made some additions based on their comments.

Anyway, the article starts off with twelve ways:

We are more biblically-focused. Our sermons tend to contain more scriptures than others–enough so that our English online sermons have truly helped fulfill Matthew 28:19-20–we have taught all that the New Testament records that Jesus taught (proof can be seen in a sermon listing of the Gospels, etc. with links at COGWriter.com). We also read the entire ‘book of the law’ every seven years at the Feast of Tabernacles as instructed in Deuteronomy 31:10-13 (see also The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time to Learn the Law). One trait of Philadelphians is that they “have kept my word” according to Jesus (Revelation 3:7-8), and what we have done is more than any other current COG that we are aware of.
We have more information in more languages in order to fulfill the commissions of Matthew 24:14 and Matthew 28:19-20 to reach the world with the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and other teachings (see also Preaching the Gospel in Over 1500 Languages).
Many teachings have been restored in more detail. For some examples, check out our books: Continuing History of the Church of God, Proof Jesus is the Messiah, The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN Why Did God Create Anything? Why did God make you?, and Universal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God’s plan of salvation (watch also CCOG’s 7 years of Restoration).
We were the first group in the 21st century to boldly, and more accurately, teach why God made anything including humans (see The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN Why Did God Create Anything? Why did God make you?). Which is: God made what He did so that eternity would be better and that God made humans so each who ultimately accept Him, in their own way, will give love to help make eternity better for themselves and everyone else (it is not clear if the other COG’s teach this yet).
We post more accurate information online on prophecy and world events as a watchman (for example, check out Daily Bible News and Prophecy Updates), which shows we are serious about Jesus’ admonition to watch (Mark 13:37) and warn (cf. What is the Ezekiel Warning?).
We do not have the prophetic errors that many teach, which (unless they change) will prevent them from knowing when the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21) will start until it is basically too late (for details, check out The Laodicean Church Era and Do You Hold to Any of These Laodicean Prophetic Errors?) to flee (cf. Zephaniah 2:1-3; Revelation 12:14-17; see also There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Near Petra).
We are the fastest growing xWCG church in the 21st century (e.g. CCOG’s 6 Years and Scriptures Laodiceans Miss).
Like the start of the Philadelphian era was preceded by a dream from God given to a woman, the official 21st century start of the remnant continuation of that era (cf. Hebrews 13:1, literal) was also preceded by a dream from God given to a woman–furthermore several associated with CCOG have had confirmed dreams (see Dreams, the Bible, the Radio Church of God, and the Continuing Church of God). We are not just one of scores of COG groups, but the only mantle-possessing Philadelphian organization and the leader of the Philadelphian continuing remnant that God is using to go through doors He opens (Revelation 3:7-8) for the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14, Romans 11:25, etc. in the final phase of the work.
Unlike the claimed COG groups with a claimed prophet, CCOG is the only group whose prophet first had hands laid upon him by another related to that role (and that was done after being told by a long-serving evangelist that God may consider him to be a prophet; see also How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God) and he received dreams consistent with how God says He communicates with His prophets (Numbers 12:6). We also believe we best practice biblical governance (see also The Bible, Peter, Paul, John, Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, Roderick C. Meredith, and Bob Thiel on Church Government) and that is part of why God has blessed us. We are also the only COG group that seems to have many of the signs the Apostle Peter said the end time faithful would have in Acts 2:17-18 (see also Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18?).
CCOG is the only one of the ‘top ten’ US headquartered COG’s whose top human leader has not taken a salary. Such monies instead have been used to support the poor (Galatians 2:10, 6:10) and preach the gospel to the poor (Luke 4:18), particularly poor Gentiles and so the full number of Gentiles can come in (cf. Romans 11:25). We also spend the highest portion of our income to do this than any of the ‘top ten’ groups we know of (cf. Luke 12:34; more details of CCOG spending are shown at our Donations page). Philadelphia means “love of the brethren’ and we show that love through proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God around the world and supporting poor brethren. “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble” (James 1:27).
Our focus includes supporting the fulfillment of Romans 11:23-25 (e.g. What About Romans 11:25 and the Full Number of the Gentiles?) as well as providing the ‘Ezekiel warning’ to ‘Israel’ (e.g. What is the Ezekiel Warning?) (many are not serious enough about Romans 11:25 and some are lukewarm when it comes to making warnings related to specific sins). This focus is more than just providing a witness only, but also includes efforts we believe can be used for God granting conversions (John 6:44; Romans 9:27, 11:25).
Knowing that a ‘famine of the word is coming’ (Amos 8:11-12) and that Philadelphian Christians are to do the work when we can (John 9:4; Revelation 3:7-13), we are strategically and specifically preparing for the ‘short work‘ (cf. Romans 9:27-28) to “instruct many” (Daniel 11:33) through literature, websites, media, videos, visits, giving personal testimony, and other means, that will help lead to God’s determination that Matthew 24:14 has been sufficiently provided as a witness for the end to come (see also Preparing for the ‘Short Work’ and The Famine of the Word). This is also why the CCOG is the only one of the ‘top ten’ US headquartered COG’s not to be registered as 501(c)(3) as the the Continuing Church of God chose a better option which should better allow the work to be done as God would want it.

And there are more.

Anyway, we now have a brief article on online on that: How does the Continuing Church of God differ from other Sabbatarian COG groups?

Philadelphia Church Purpose Is Love, Which Means Proclaiming the Truth of the Good News

By attempting to heed Jude’s admonition “to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3), the Philadelphian Church will hold fast to the Truth that was restored in that era.

Notice what Herbert W. Armstrong wrote:

The PURPOSE for which Christ built the Church exemplifies its WORK … 1) To ANNOUNCE to the world for its witness the coming Kingdom of God … 2) To prepare the people to whom God adds to the Church … He has worked with O N E M A N at a time … The WORK consists of proclaiming the Gospel, by radio, by television, in print (Armstrong HW. JUST WHAT IS THE WORK? PASTOR GENERAL’S REPORT – VOL.3, NO.6 February 6, 1981).
God only deals through one man at a time. GOD DOES NOT WORK THROUGH COMMITTEES. God works through ONE MAN AT A TIME. I want you to notice it as we go along now. Let’s understand the way of God. The world has not understood it. So God worked through one judge at a time. (Armstrong H. Building The Temple. Sermon, February 14, 1981)

Philadelphia must be led by one man, not a committee–also not a bunch of independent Christians thinking they could be Philadelphian. (The late evangelist Dibar Apartian told me at the Feast of Tabernacles that I was either the biggest threat or “the one,” and later said I was not the biggest threat, hence “the one.”)

Furthermore, the Philadelphian remnant Church of God will continue to attempt to go through whatever doors are open in order to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom as a witness. It will be led by one, but have others also assisting in the process.

Consider also something that the Prophet Daniel wrote:

32 Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. 33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many (Daniel 11:32-33).

What will God’s people be instructing many about? God’s people will be instructing many about the mystery of iniquity, the mystery of lawlessness (for more details, read the article on the Mystery of Iniquity). This will include teaching aspects of church history that many do not grasp (so studying the booklet Continuing History of the Church of God would be helpful), what the true gospel is (so studying the booklet The Gospel of the Kingdom of God would be helpful), explaining why various faiths are not true (e.g. see the free online book: Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God Differs from Protestantism) contending for the faith once for all delivered to the faith (Jude 3, see also the free online book:Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church), and explaining how to determine where the true Christian church is (so studying the booklet Where is the True Christian Church Today? would be helpful). Watch also the videoL Preparing to Instruct Many.

Notice an important criteria that Jesus set:

16 You will know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:16).

And what are the fruits?

Essentially, doing what Jesus taught–as well as with growth which helps fulfill Matthew 28:19-20 and Romans 11:25.

Jesus also taught,

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21)

In the CCOG, we have committed the bulk of available finances to support proclaiming Gospel of the Kingdom of God around the world (including Africa) as well as supporting the poor (Galatians 2:10; cf. James 2:14-16) and widows and orphans–that is pure religion (cf. James 1:27). And have been the fastest growing COG in the 21st century.

The Apostle Paul wrote:

10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, (2 Corinthians 9:10)

Herbert W. Armstrong commented:

You see all of this here is showing you that giving is God’s way and the more you give the more you will have to give.

The Apostle Paul wrote:

11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. (2 Corinthians 9:11)

Notice that Paul is saying God promises to somehow enrich the giver.

The Apostle Paul wrote:

12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, (2 Corinthians 9:12)

Giving to poor brethren is helpful to them, plus provides the giver and the receiver an opportunity to give thanks. The receiver gets needs met and the giver was blessed enough to have enough to be able to give, both of which are things to be thankful for.

The Apostle Paul wrote::

13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, (2 Corinthians 9:13)

Paul is saying one of the proofs of his ministry was the liberal sharing with the poor. Well, that, then, should also be one of the proofs of the CCOG as we give away a higher percentage of our income to poor brethren than any other major COG ministry.

Why?

Well, it is biblical.

Notice what else the Apostle Paul wrote:

9 … James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do. (Galatians 2:9-10)

Paul was eager to help the poor. Are you?

Paul further wrote:

6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:6-10)

Do you believe the word of God? Do you accept how God works?

Paul also wrote:

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. (Romans 12:9-13)

Yes, real love involves giving. And brotherly love, philadelphia in the Greek, includes “distributing to the needs of the saints.” Giving is Philadelphian!

The Philadelphian Church will also proclaim the Ezekiel warning to the physical descendants of Israel, even if this group does not have as many “talents” as it once had (Matthew 25:15-28)–and in CCOG we are doing that.

It will keep the biblical form of authority within the Church-the same form of governance that will be used in the Kingdom of God–we in CCOG strive to do this as well (see The Bible, Peter, Paul, John, Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, Roderick C. Meredith, and Bob Thiel on Church Government). Remember, though: just calling oneself (or one’s church) “Philadelphian” does not guarantee that one actually is Philadelphian. Some who claim to be Philadelphian are not.

Those God has called can decide whether or not to accept and teach the truths restored to the Philadelphian Church. It is up to them-but the spiritual and physical costs of not accepting and teaching the Truth appear quite high. A Philadelphian holds fast to true doctrine, does not deny Christ’s authority, keeps His word, goes through those doors that Christ opens and perseveres to the end. A Philadelphian hears “what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Radio/Worldwide and Continuing Church of God Similarities

Radio/Worldwide Church of God	Continuing Church of God
Formation preceded by a dream given by God to a woman (Loma Armstrong).	Formation preceded by a dream given by God to a woman (Fesilafai Fiso Leaana).
Took time to accept if the dream came from God.	Took time to accept if certain dreams came from God.
Taught that at least two eras of the true Church could exist at the same time.	Taught that at least two eras of the true Church could exist at the same time.
Was led by one man at a time, who was considered to have the top ecclesiastical position, not a committee. It practiced hierarchical church governance.	Is led by one man at a time, who is considered to have the top ecclesiastical position, not a committee. It practices hierarchical church governance (see also The Bible, Peter, Paul, John, Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, Roderick C. Meredith, and Bob Thiel on Church Government).
Top leader (Herbert W. Armstrong) had a special calling through a dream.	Top leader (Bob Thiel) had a special calling through a dream.
Held the Philadelphian mantle.	Holds the Philadelphian remnant mantle (Herbert W. Armstrong, the Philadelphia Church, & the Mantle).
Leader (Herbert W. Armstrong) left prior COG organization because the top leadership said he was right on doctrinal and prophetic matters, but that group (CG7) would not teach them.	Leader (Bob Thiel) left prior COG organization because the top leadership said he was right on doctrinal and prophetic matters, but that group (LCG), after promising to do so, decided it would not teach them.
Taught that God would use dreams and fulfill Acts 2:17-18 in the end.	Taught that God would use dreams and fulfill Acts 2:17-18 in the end—and that this has happened to the CCOG more than any other group in the 21^st century (see Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18?).
Started mass public proclamation as a radio guest.	Started mass public proclamation on the internet and as a radio guest.
Focused on reaching the entire world with the Gospel of the Kingdom of God in multiple languages.	Focused on reaching the entire world with the Gospel of the Kingdom of God in more languages than had ever been done in the history of the Church of God.
Continued with mass media including radio.	Continued with mass media including radio.
Did not have much money in its early years.	Did not have much money in its early years.
For years, had scattered members in North America with few congregations.	For years, has had scattered members in North America with few congregations.
Went through ‘new doors’ like television.	Went through ‘new doors’ like Internet television.
Taught work would be revived.	Teaches it revived the Philadelphia work.
Taught Philadelphia work would endure to the end.	Teaches that Philadelphia work is continuing to the end and that is consistent with Hebrews 13:1, literal translation.
Taught that the full number of Gentiles would come in.	Teaches that the full number of Gentiles must come in—and has been successfully reaching them (see What About Romans 11:25 and the Full Number of the Gentiles?). Note: That was not clearly taught in any of the COGs once I was in, until after CCOG formed.
Fulfilled first portion of Loma Armstrong’s dream.	Working towards fulfilling the second portion of Loma Armstrong’s dream.
For many years, averaged 30% growth per year.	For many years, averaged over 30% growth per year.
Was willing to change positions prior group held when the Bible supported the change.	Was willing to change positions prior group held when the Bible supported the change.
Had prophetic understanding others lacked.	Has prophetic understanding others lack.
Proclaimed the Ezekiel watchman warning.	Functions as a watchman (*Daily Bible News and Propehcy Updates*) proclaiming the Ezekiel watchman warning.
Restored at least 18 truths lost by the end of the Sardis era.	Officially teaches those 18 restored truths (see Statement of Beliefs of the Continuing Church of God), plus others related to prophecy, doctrine, and church history (see Continuing Church of God, Elijah, and Restoring All Things).
To minimize government interference, eventually formed as a ‘corporation sole.’	To minimize government interference, initially formed as a ‘corporation sole.’
The fastest growing COG in the mid 20th century.	The fastest growing COG in the 21st century.

There are many parallels. For those with eyes to see, CCOG is the clear Philadelphian leading successor.

No other COG has the entire list, nor even most of it, accept the CCOG. Do not deceive yourself that all COGs are about the same.

Accept the biblical criteria, which were also the old WCG criteria, for the Philadelphian remnant.

And truly, Philadelphians need to keep preaching to the world until the end comes, since they will be around until the end comes. Thus, Herbert W. Armstrong knew that the work of Matthew 24:14 was not finished. It is the highly dedicated in the real Church of God that will finish the final phase of the work before (Matthew 24:14; see also the video Implications of Matthew 24:14) and during (Revelation 11:3-14) the Great Tribulation and Day of the Lord–and the final phase will also involve dealing with the ecumenical religion that will rise up (cf. Revelation 13:4,8; 14:9-13)–and this is what the Continuing Church of God is doing (see also The Final Phase of the Work).

Contrary to those who interpret Herbert W. Armstrong otherwise, the first half of Matthew 24:14 has not been completely fulfilled. It was only to the Philadelphians, the ones that are specifically promised protection, who were given the open door to proclaim the gospel. Since it is also only the Philadelphians that are promised to be protected from the tribulation, they must still exist at the time of the end. The world still does not really know of the Church of God, but this will change as the result of the work of the Philadelphians. Because the Laodicean work is not acceptable to Jesus, it makes no sense that the Laodiceans will be the ones who complete the work of proclaiming the gospel. Remember, the Laodiceans are condemned for having a work that is different than that of the Philadelphians.

Why is This Important to Know?

Some say that knowledge of Church eras is unimportant, and believe that it makes no difference in how Christians live or act. Is this the correct attitude? It is not coincidental that many who de-emphasize Church eras also water down key truths restored by Herbert W. Armstrong-in some cases no longer even considering it their top priority to proclaim the full Gospel as a witness. This may help explain such an attitude-but does it excuse it? Seven times (Revelation 2; 3) Jesus warned: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (e.g. Revelation 3:13). Why would He repeatedly say this if these messages were not important?

The Philadelphia portion of the Church of God, as led by the Continuing Church of God, best understands about:

The identity of the King of the North and the related prophetic sequence in Daniel 11.
The identity of the King of the South and the related prophetic sequence in Daniel 11.
The proper priority of doing the work of public proclamation of the Gospel of the Kingdom.
How proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom to the world as a witness as called for in Matthew 24:14 truly ties in with the end.
The relevance of Daniel 9:27, which will give us advanced warning about the end.
The proper identity of the ‘man of sin‘ which will give warning about the end.
The relevance and applicability of Habakkuk 2:6-8 which will help us better give the ‘Ezekiel warning’ to the USA and the Anglo-Saxon descended nations as well as being a clearer indication of the end to flee (see also There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra).
The proper biblical teaching and applicability of the prophesied final Elijah. Those who do not understand this will not understand the proper restoration of “all things” (Matthew 17:11), and thus not realize when it is time to flee (Matthew 24:15-20, Revelation 12:14-17).
The differing persecutions (and other matters) to come in Daniel 7:25, 11:30-39, Matthew 24:9-22, and Revelation 12:14-17, 13:5-10, 14:12-13. Hence when the prophesied wave of persecution initially hits the Philadelphians primarily, they will not see that the Great Tribulation is about to begin.
The biblical composition of the final ten-king supporters of the Beast. Those who insist on an improper interpretation will not possibly understand when the Great Tribulation will begin until it is too late.

There are other prophetic matters that others do not understand.

The scriptural reality is that the Bible requires a Philadelphian remnant for certain end-time prophecies to be fulfilled.

There is a remnant of the Philadelphian church left now because:

The short-work of Romans 9:28 needs to be done.
Matthew 24:14 still needs to be fulfilled.
God promised to pour out His Spirit and give dreams and prophecies in the end before Jesus returned (cf. Acts 2:17-18).
An end time Zerubbabel would be part of the Philadelphia remnant to rebuild the second spiritual temple–which would NOT look anywhere near as impressive as the previous temple physically (Haggai 2:3-4,9).
All things needed to be restored (Matthew 17:11), and the mantle held. And important truths, such as why God created anything and why He made humans have been restored in the 21st century.
The full number of Gentiles must come in (Romans 11:25).
The end time Ezekiel watchman warning must go out (cf. Ezekiel chapters 3, 5, 6, and 33)–(and no group has ever done more than what has happened in the CCOG).
The Philadelphian remnant is targeted by the Beast power (Daniel 7:25a, 11:29-35; Revelation 12:13-16) before he goes to persecute the rest of the Christians (Revelation 12:17, 13:5-10, 14:12-13).
Philadelphians are the only one that Jesus promises protection from the coming hour of trial (Revelation 3:10) and that has not happened yet.

Jesus promised the Philadelphians more than just physical protection. He also said:

12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name (Revelation 3:12).

Who in God’s Church does not want to receive these promises? Shouldn’t YOU support the true Philadelphia remnant?

The Continuing Church of God put together this related on its ContinuingCOG channel:

1:15:34

The Philadelphia Remnant

If the Philadelphia era of the Church of God (COG) ended the last century, would there be a remnant in the 21st century? Can parts of two different eras of the COG exist at that same time? Are all COGs the same as far as God is concerned? Did Herbert W. Armstrong and the old Radio/Worldwide Church of God point to Philadelphians being around until fleeing to the wilderness before the Great Tribulation? What are scriptural reasons why there must be a Philadelphia remnant? What did dreams have to do with the old Radio Church of God and the Continuing Church of God (CCOG)? What is different about Bob Thiel being a prophet? What are ways that the CCOG differs from other COGs? Did Habakkuk predict that the work would be revived? Was there a gap in the dream that Loma D. Armstrong had? Is the CCOG preparing for the short work of Romans 9:28 while also reach Gentiles consistent with Romans 11:25? What group is getting the Ezekiel warning out? What about the 18 restored truths? Are there any important truths that were restored in the CCOG in the 21st century? Are there are any parallels to Zerubbabel? Why will the lukewarm Laodiceans not finish the warning and gospel proclamation gospel? Could there be a scriptural need for a Philadelphia remnant of left now because the short-work of Romans 9:28 needs to be done, Matthew 24:14 still needs to be fulfilled, God promised to pour out His Spirit and give dreams and prophecies in the end before Jesus returned (cf. Acts 2:17-18), an end time Zerubbabel would be part of the Philadelphia remnant to rebuild the second spiritual temple–which would NOT look anywhere near as impressive as the previous temple physically (Haggai 2:3-4,9), all things needed to be restored (Matthew 17:11), and the mantle held, the full number of Gentiles must come in (Romans 11:25), the end time Ezekiel watchman warning must go out (cf. Ezekiel chapters 3, 5, 6, and 33), the Philadelphian remnant is to be targeted by the Beast power before (Daniel 7:25a, 11:29-35; Revelation 12:13-16) he goes to persecute the rest of the Christians (Revelation 12:17, 13:5-10, 14:12-13), and that the Philadelphians are the only one that Jesus promises protection from the coming hour of trial (Revelation 3:10) and that has not happened yet? Dr. Thiel addresses these matters and more.

Here is a link to the sermon: The Philadelphia Remnant.

Despite what many think, according to Jesus’ words to the churches, PLURAL, in Revelation chapter 3, as well as what we read in Revelation 12:14-17, not all Churches of God are the same in God’s eyes.

Sadly, most end time Christians do NOT really react as they should when hearing what the Spirit says to the churches.

You, however, should be one who really does hear and heed. Do not despise the day of small things–support the work of the Philadelphian remnant in the Continuing Church of God.