Should Accusers Be Answered?

Do You Believe Obvious Lies?

Section IV – Why Attacks Must Increase and Intensify!

BY DAVID C. PACK

Persecution is a fact of life for God’s true servants—and His true Church. The Restored Church of God is no exception, and will receive the brunt of persecution against God’s people prior to the Tribulation, when Satan will turn on the “remnant” Church of Laodicea (Rev. 12:17). This section explains why RCG stands squarely in Satan’s crosshairs.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A Crucial Video Message (17:57)
SECTION IV –
WHY ATTACKS MUST INCREASE AND INTENSIFY!

All who are evaluating The Restored Church of God should read this section very carefully. Mr. Armstrong often said, and you read this earlier, “If you want to know about us—ASK US! Don’t ask our critics. You already know what they will say.” Proverbs adds, “He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him” (18:13), and “He that is first in his own cause seems just; but his neighbor comes and searches him” (18:17). This section will not help those who have already decided to ignore these scriptures and believe our critics.

It will help others.

Since RCG does not compromise any of the doctrines restored to God’s Church, attacks and slander against us are inevitable and will grow continually worse. Humanly speaking, when this happens, we are at a “disadvantage” from other groups. First, we do not answer our accusers and, second, we do not sue those who slander or defame us (I Cor. 6:1-8).

Almost anything that people say or do to us can be done with near impunity, because this policy ensures that we will not counterattack. While we recognize that those who seek to harm us are neither “saints” (vs. 1-2) nor “brothers” (vs. 5), they may appear as such to the simple and undiscerning.

We also recognize that, when we are accused, some will interpret our silence as guilt. This concern is not sufficient for us to respond. We will not compromise God’s instruction regarding vengeance, retaliation and answering accusers.

Nevertheless, tactics have been employed by our enemies of which you should be aware. Since attacks will continue, recognizing these tactics will arm you to make a more informed decision about who and what—and all that—we are.

Impersonators and Copycats

Paul suffered many kinds of persecution. Probably none were more unusual—or confusing to observers—than when he warned the Thessalonians about counterfeiters writing letters “as from us” (II Thes. 2:1-3). These cynical impersonators sought to cause confusion among brethren about the timing of Christ’s Return.

World To Come on The True Church

Recall that Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians described his hope that Christ’s Second Coming would occur in his lifetime. Chapter 4 of the epistle makes this plain. In the interim between the two letters, Paul came to understand that he was wrong. This must have been terribly disappointing to first-century brethren who had to realize that Christ would return much later than they thought, and beyond their lifetimes!

I have seen people today become angry with Mr. Armstrong, and call him a false prophet, merely because Christ did not return as soon as Mr. Armstrong had hoped. Similarly, many in Thessalonica must have desperately wanted Paul to be right in his misassessment of Christ’s Return. They were even willing to deceive and cover the truth about his later correct understanding of timing. RCG expects similar copycat confusion that misguided or malevolent people perpetrate on unwitting victims.

We have had several copycat incidents since RCG began. There will probably be more. At one point, someone attempted to copy our website, going so far as to create an alternate site under our name. Obviously, we were not consulted. The site was designed to appear to be ours, attacking another group as though we wrote it. Sadly, while it was an attack against us, it was designed to make us look as though we were attacking others. The message here is chilling—and eye-opening. Upon request, the webmaster controlling the site shut it down, but it reappeared later, only to be shut down again. On our official website, we have posted our policy about sites using our material.

Do not be deceived by counterfeiters “as from us”!

In this age, copycatting or impersonating can take other forms. On one occasion, an impersonator signed me into the “guestbook” of another webpage, even though I never visit any of these sites. Others have ordered literature from us on behalf of people who did not request it. It has never been our policy to send anything that has not been personally requested!

The Policy of “Big Lies”

Earlier in the book, I mentioned that Adolf Hitler and his propaganda minister, Joseph Goebbels, understood the power of “the big lie.” Understanding the human tendency to more readily question little lies, they openly stated that if one was determined to lie, he should tell a big lie, because they knew everyone would more readily assume it to be true.

If people will lie about Christ’s Return, they will lie about anything! John 8:44 calls Satan “the father of lies.” It is no surprise then that those he has captured are capable of truly horrific lies. God calls them “inventors of evil things” (Rom. 1:30)—but these “inventors” are inseparable from end-time prophecy.

All kinds of outrageous, vicious rumors have been spread about us, and primarily me. I am alleged to have done things so unspeakably evil and so numerous that, had I done them, I would have had little time for anything else. Perhaps the most amazing rumor is that I never knew Mr. Armstrong and was never a WCG minister or even a member there (I am also said to have no ordination certificate). Another particularly silly rumor actually has Mr. Armstrong disfellowshipping me from the WCG. The list of false charges against me is practically endless. But, in the end, there is no need to deny them because, besides the fact that it would dignify them, all reasonable people understand that they cannot possibly be true. Yet, I have watched gullible people swallow them whole.

You should expect this when dealing with my critics! Only people who love God’s full truth will see through absurd accusations! Will you be fooled?

The New “Cottage Industry” of Modern “Church Reporters”

The apostasy has generated a culture of “journalists” representing Church “newspapers,” written in the spirit of The National Enquirer. They print anything from anyone. Their unstated goal is to report, and in fact promote, controversy and conflict. While they are convinced that they are “shedding light” on vital issues, they have sunk so deep into the sewer that they have forgotten the sun once shone brightly over God’s Church without their help!

If it would sell papers, certain reporters would eagerly stand at the foot of the stake interviewing people with opinions of Christ’s Crucifixion. Their interviews would no doubt include Pontius Pilate, Barabbas, Caiaphas, Judas’ relatives and any others who might bring “interest” and “perspective” and “voices of authority” to the event. They would solicit impressions and comments from Jesus’ mother and siblings, and feel no shame! If the Crucifixion were dragging, because Christ was lingering alive on the stake, they would happily encourage others to “break His legs” or “ram Him with a spear” to add interest, excitement and more controversy. This could even trigger a whole new round of interviews and comments for additional articles.

After reporting Christ’s death, they would tell themselves, and any foolish enough to listen to them, that they had served God’s purpose—they had spread the “good news” of Christ’s sacrifice! They had “informed” people. This only barely exaggerates.

It is also not an exaggeration to say that most of these reporters deeply resent both Mr. Armstrong and those who represent what he taught. They despise all hierarchical government, which he taught—and God teaches—and assassinate any who practice it. However, these “journalists” are too cowardly to say this themselves. They work through surrogates and proxies eager to provide “information” or to be “interviewed” in pursuit of their “15 minutes of fame.” The formal name for their reporting style is “slander by proxy.”

God help these slanderers to see what they are doing and repent before it is too late! And may God help all who love the trash they spread to see what they have become addicted to!

On the other hand, a worldly religion writer for a Southern California newspaper sent a sincere request for material for an article she was preparing. Her letter made it appear the inquiry might be bogus. We thought it might have been intended to waste our time. It was not and we did offer help. A number of people (including ministers) have written us, representing fictitious people. Others write anonymously and, in some cases, will not identify themselves under any circumstances. These signs of the times will only worsen.

Not Our Policy to Attack Others

It is not the policy of RCG to insult, condemn or attack individuals. Philadelphians (those who are to be known for brotherly love) cannot return attack against other human beings—though they should be willing to vigorously defend truth with their lives.

I will always speak out boldly against false doctrine. Just doing this is enough to bring persecution and attacks from those who disagree, making persecution a fact of life for anyone fully holding fast. Enduring persecution is a big part of the Christian path for those who will not compromise (II Tim. 3:12).

Grasp this powerful message from the pages of Church history!

Jesus said, “The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you”(John 15:20). He begins this warning by reminding His disciples to “Remember the word that I said unto you” because He must have warned them of this more than once.

Virtually every splinter contains faithful people who desire all of the “hidden treasure” of true doctrine. This is why the larger organizations (and some smaller ones) are steadily losing members to RCG. This attrition is enough to make them feel threatened by our existence. While the number coming is not large, it is very steady, and represents a clear indictment of the doctrinal unsoundness of the splinters.

False Accusations Will Increase and Intensify

All of the splinters may one day find that they face a painful choice: (1) Accuse me of attacking them and sowing discord in their churches or (2) repent of their heresies! There are no other choices. The latter is too humbling and painful so they must, of necessity, accuse RCG or, more likely, me personally. Inventing false accusations is certainly no problem for anyone willing to teach false doctrines. Also, some character assassination has come from those who left us for doctrinal reasons. I recognize that all these compromising groups may someday be “forced” to mark me because of steady losses to RCG.

Here is one dramatic illustration: Several people contacted me about my having been “marked” as an “enemy of the Church” by the leader of one large splinter. (I have been marked by more than this leader.) The use of the term “enemy of the Church” for one who will not compromise sets a precedent in this age, but it is not unprecedented in Church history.

As described, many now know that I simply will not answer my accusers—ever! Proving this leader’s charges false was unnecessary, because virtually everything I do is public (books, booklets, magazines, articles, sermons and broadcasts). He knew, or could have known, that his charges were ridiculous.

We Must Be “Apt to Teach” About Persecution

I cannot be silent about understanding the lessons of persecution simply because someone might think that even instruction about it is “answering my accusers.” God’s ministers must be “apt [able] to teach.” While I will not answer attacks, I do need to periodically teach what God expects Christians to know about persecution, accusation, confusion, slander, etc. I have done this at extraordinary length. If I remain silent on matters of basic Christian instruction, merely because I am under attack, then our attackers have rendered me mute—unable to correctly teach this subject to God’s people, and to properly inoculate them.

The end time is the most dangerous and difficult in Church history—hence this book’s title. Tragically, most brethren entered this last phase of the New Testament Church assuming that they were more ready for it than they were! In fact, most have proven to be almost completely unprepared!

Who is Attacking Whom?

There is a predictable pattern to how the “accuser of the brethren” works. Note it well. Satan has long accused God of being unfair—unjust—to him. Understand the devil’s mind. Because of who he is, he has no choice but to accuse God. In Satan’s world, the perpetrator is always the victim, and the victim is always the perpetrator. In his world, where he is “the destroyer,” he claims God wants to “destroy him.” When cast into the bottomless pit, the devil will no doubt protest that he is a victim of injustice until he “hits bottom” (Of course, I realize it is bottomless).

Do not be ignorant of Satan’s wiles, depths and devices!

Certainly, if one wanted to accuse, making someone look as bad as possible (to divert attention from himself), a brilliant tactic would be to say that the person he was accusing is accusing him! As with this world’s “spinmaster” god (II Cor. 4:4), what more effective method could be used than to portray oneself as a victim? Some groups attack under the guise of claiming they are being attacked!

My aforementioned marking brought with it something rarely seen to this point. Several brethren reported that they have also been marked because of their RCG affiliation. This action also makes its own statement from Church history!

This pattern has always come from two sources.

First, those holding to the full truth are eventually accused, attacked and expelled, if they do not leave first, from the organization that they attend because they will not submit to a wholesale or partial sell-out of God’s doctrines! This is why the WCG disfellowshipped me (early 1993).

Second, civil governments inevitably become involved in directly persecuting God’s people! This is sobering to ponder. But it is worse when supposed members betray true brethren to the authorities, hoping it will precipitate greater persecution! RCG has already experienced some of these “shades of Judas” in people purporting to be brethren. Before the age is over, the evil of human nature in false brethren will prove far worse than most would dream!

Remain vigilant! Do not be taken in!

God promises to take Philadelphians away from the worst of what lies ahead. But we have to and do expect more persecution before we flee. As explained, we must “turn the other cheek,” “love our enemies,” “bless those who curse us” and continually “pray for them that despitefully use [us] and persecute [us]” (Matt. 5:39-44). Christ’s instruction is incomplete without verse 45! He makes plain that it is this overall attitude that makes Christians the “children of God.” This powerful statement takes faith to practice.

Verses 11 and 12 are also to be practiced when facing persecution: “Blessed are you when all manner of evil is said against you falsely for My Name’s sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in the kingdom of God.”

This is our focus and we will not be deterred from it—but we also bear no ill will toward those who attack us.

“Blessed Are You”

RCG brethren realize that we are blessed people! To harbor ill will or bitterness when persecuted ensures that we lose our reward. Anger, bitterness, counterattack and ill will are not compatible with “rejoic[ing] and be[ing] exceeding glad” in the face of unjust attacks! Be honest and ask yourself how one could have both attitudes simultaneously. Those practicing real godly love have no alternative but to practice God’s instructions toward the people perpetrating evil against them!

Philadelphians and Laodiceans are brethren. Tares are not! People cannot be converted or remain so, even in a lukewarm fashion, if they viciously attack one another! If others do not understand this, and perpetrate evil against us, we strive to “overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:16). Tremendous confidence springs from handling attacks this way—and the bonus is that those practicing this approach feel better after doing it. Paul said that he was glad to “know [Christ]…and the fellowship of His sufferings” (Phil. 3:10). He understood that suffering strengthens people. When it is a result of persecution, God wants the victim focusing on his eternal reward! (Paul went on to tie his suffering to the hope of the resurrection.)

The Worst is Yet to Come

Six thousand years of man’s rule are nearing an end. The complete breakdown of principles, values, morals, character, integrity and respect for all law and authority will soon strike the entire world in a terrible and final way! Christ foretold a return to the “days of Noah” and “Sodom and Gomorrah.” Have no illusion. Part of the end-time test for Christians is whether and how well they handle accusers, slanderers, deceivers (II Tim. 3:12-14) and copycats. Paul warned, “evil men and seducers will wax [grow] worse and worse.”

RCG has had more than its share of this worsening! We now expect it, and God knows we can endure more than we think—with His help! When attacks occur, I find myself encouraged. I know who is behind them and why he aims so many accusations at us. We know who we are and so does Satan! (Consider listening to one of my early RCG sermons “Where the Vultures Gather,” found on our website.)

Many have found the various sections of this book to be very encouraging. You may urge anyone hearing false accusations against The Restored Church of God or myself to carefully read this book. Once again, it represents our complete statement about accusers, lies and persecution. By internalizing this final section, you will understand why attacks must continue, increase and intensify!

Finally, ask: Why has no one else really even tried to address the many verses on this subject? Why are you only hearing this kind of instruction from us?

When further attacks occur against The Restored Church of God, what will you do? Whom will you choose to believe? Will you believe obvious lies—because you do not understand that accusers should not even be answered, let alone believed!

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