The Philadelphia Church of God is an offshoot of Herbert W. Armstrong’s Worldwide Church of God, and is based in Edmond, Oklahoma. The Philadelphia Church of God (PCG) was founded by Gerald Flurry when Armstrong died. Flurry remains the groups leader to this day. Although the PCG claims to be a Christian Church, when one examines its teachings it quickly becomes clear that it is not. The group promotes itself and its teachings through radio and television, the internet (with a website, YouTube channel, and social media pages), books, and their flagship magazine The Philadelphia Trumpet which they give away for free. The group also established a school, the Herbert W. Armstrong College also located in Edmund, Oklahoma.
Teaching Heresy

Perhaps the most serious heresy taught and promoted by the PCG is their teaching about God. According to the PCG, the Doctrine of the Trinity, which has been taught by the Christian Church since its inception, is actually something that was devised by Satan to deceive the Church. According to the PCG there are only two person’s in the Godhead, namely God the Father and God the Son, Jesus Christ. The PCG denies the deity of the Holy Spirit, claiming He is nothing more than the power through which the Father and the Son created the universe.
The PCG goes on to teach that God is actually a family. They claim the Trinity limits God to only three, and this undermines the purposes of God.1 They teach that Jesus was the first to enter the God Family, but that many more have done so since, saying “There may become billions of God persons.”2 Steven Flurry, the son of founder Gerald Flurry and the Dean of Students of the Herbert W. Armstrong College, wrote that this is “one of the very foundational doctrines of the [church].”3 Gerald Flurry himself expands on this by writing, “the kingdom of God is the Family of God. And who is the head of the family? Christ? Of course not! The Father is the head of the family. God the Father is the central figure of the gospel!”4
In addition to denying the Trinity (which alone refutes any claim of being Christian the PCG makes), Gerald Flurry also claims to be a prophet of God.5 Flurry has made numerous prophecies over the years, and many of them have obviously failed.
A False Prophet

Jesus warned us in Matthew 7:15-23 that false prophets would come and attempt to deceive the Church, and, in fact, we are told to test the spirits to see if they are from God, for this very reason (1 John 4:1). Of all the tests of a prophet to determine of they are truly from God or if they are a false prophet, is if all of their prophecies come true (Deuteronomy 18:21–22). A true prophet will have 100% of his prophecies come true, and a false prophet won’t. Gerald Flurry does not pass this test.
Among the many failed prophecies of Gerald Flurry are:
1. Barack Obama will be the last U.S. President.6 [an obvious failed prophecy]
2. The Supreme Court will overturn the 2020 election.7 [an obvious failed prophecy]
3. Donald Trump will remain in office as the President of the United States.8 [an obvious failed prophecy]
4. Pope Benedict XVI will resurrect the Holy Roman Empire.9 [Benedict is now 94 years old and resigned from the position of pope in 2013, without resurrecting the Holy Roman Empire]
5. The PCG will acquire the Hanstead House in Bricket Wood, Hertfordshire, U.K. (the former site of Armstrong’s Ambassador College).10 [the property has since been converted into luxury apartments]
6. There will be an archaeological museum established in Jerusalem.11 [Not much of a prophecy since the Rockefeller Archaeological Museum opened in Jerusalem in 1938] And the big one,
7. Jesus will return in 2020.12 [Newsflash, He hasn’t returned yet, as of 26 June 2021]
What are we to do with a false prophet such as Gerald Flurry? We are to ignore him, as he does not speak for God. Lucky for Flurry we do not live in Israel during the Old Testament time period: “If any prophet dares to speak a message in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or to speak in the name of other gods, that prophet must be put to death” (Deuteronomy 18:20 ESV).
Jesus, however, has told us what will happen to those false prophets if they do not repent of their sin, and believe in Him: “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will know them by their fruits. ‘Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; leave Me, you who practice lawlessness.’” (Matthew 7:19–23 NASB).
The Bible describes false prophets like Gerald Flurry as adulterous, treacherous, drunkards, wicked, liars, who are associated with divination and witchcraft (Jer.14:14; 23:11,14; Zep.3:4; Isa.28:7; Eze.22:28; Acts13:6).
The Prophet That Proceeds The Messiah

And so they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” – John 1:21 NASB
Not only does Gerald Flurry claim to be a prophet of God, but he actually claims to be The Prophet of John 1:21.13 In a sermon titled, The Plain Truth About Malachi’s Message and That Prophet, Flurry said, “If you just study this book, you'll know who That Prophet is... It does set me apart from other ministers... Is God going to give us something like this that we cannot prove?.. [It is] revelation from God - from outer space - way beyond Mars... If it doesn't, I'm crazy.”14 Flurry claims to speak for God,15 to receive new revelation from God,16 and to actually hear the voice of God.17
Seated on the Throne of David

There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of armies will accomplish this. – Isaiah 9:7 NASB
Herbert W. Armstrong, the founder of the Worldwide Church of God, was a firm believer in British Israelism. This is the belief that the lost tribes of Israel migrated up into Europe, making their way to the United Kingdom, and eventually to America. Armstrong believed that it was these lost tribes who were God’s chosen people. If you haven’t seen it yet, look again. Europeans, the British, Americans. In other words, according to Herbert W. Armstrong the lost tribes of Israel, the true chosen people of God, are White people. Herbert W. Armstrong was more than just a little racist.

In keeping with this line of thought, Armstrong believed that someone from the line of David must be seated on the throne of David until the Messiah comes. In Armstrong’s mind this meant a White person, and obviously they had to be of royal blood. Following the migration of the lost tribe from Europe to Great Britain, to America, the last place with any royalty was Great Britain. Therefore, the “Throne of David” must be the royal throne of Great Britain, and the English monarch the one who is proceeding the Messiah.18
This was the prevalent teaching until Gerald Flurry started the Philadelphia Church of God. Flurry wrote in his book The New Throne of David, that he “heard a strong voice... This voice said, ‘There is a new stone of destiny and a new throne of David.’”19 This voice revealed to Gerald Flurry (remember, he claims to receive new revelation from God) that in January 2017 everything changed, and the Throne of David is no longer in Great Britain.20 Flurry explained, “God has to have a king in this Church who is a descendant of David... God has given us a new stone... There is a NEW KING and a NEW STONE... Even now, the United Kingdom NO LONGER HAS THE THRONE OF DAVID. And Jacob's pillar stone is no longer relevant.”21 Gerald Flurry says this is the “most exciting new revelation God has given this Church...this is an explosive understanding that you can prove right from your Bible!”22
Since Flurry has declared himself to be The Prophet of John 1:21, and the new man on the Throne of David preparing the way for the Messiah, he has also solemnly stated to the PCG to be “prepared to go to the cave of Adullum, the place of safety. Make this part of your thinking. … We must get our minds conditioned to do that!” And once there a “converted” man in the PCG, a descendant of King David, an “apostle” will sit on the throne as a king. “In the Philadelphia Church of God THERE IS A KING who is led and directed by God!”23
We read about the Cave of Adullam in 1 Samuel 22, where we learn it was base of operations from which King David led his army of about 400 men when he was fleeing from Saul who sought to kill him. So not only is Gerald Flurry claiming to be a prophet, but The Prophet of John 1:21, an apostle, a king, and the new King David sitting on the Throne of David, preparing the way for the Messiah.
The Philadelphia Church of God has all the hallmarks of a pseudo-Christian cult, and one to stay far away from!



Sources:
1. Mystery of the Ages by Herbert W. Armstrong, Copyright © 1985-2007, 2009, 2015, 2020 by the Philadelphia Church of God, pg 37.
2. Ibid.
3. God Is a Family by Stephen Flurry, Copyright © 1995, 1999, 2004, 2010, 2020 by the Philadelphia Church of God, pp 1-2.
4. Malachi’s Message to God’s Church Today by Gerald Flurry, Copyright © 1990, 1995, 1999, 2004, 2008, 2014 by the Philadelphia Church of God, pg 51.
5. "Who Is 'That Prophet' " (https://www.thetrumpet.com/literature/books_and_booklets/266).
TheTrumpet.
6. "Gerald Flurry's False Prophecy About Trump and Jeroboam" (https://exitsupportnetwork.com/g
erald-flurrys-false-prophecy-about-trump-and-jeroboam/).
7. Flurry, Stephen (December 9, 2020). "The Communist Chinese Infiltration of America" (https://w
ww.thetrumpet.com/23271-the-communist-chinese-infiltration-of-america).
8. Flurry, Gerald (January 2021). "Why Donald Trump Will Remain America's President" (https://w
ww.thetrumpet.com/23193-why-donald-trump-will-remain-americas-president). TheTrumpet.
9. Sell, Eric (February 12, 2013). "This Old Pope" (https://armstrongdelusion.wordpress.com/201
3/02/12/this-old-pope/#more-2913).
10. "Bricket Wood, England Campus For Sale (Again)" (https://armstrongismlibrary.blogspot.com/2
012/10/bricket-wood-england-campus-for-sale.html). October 12, 2012.
11. Flurry, Gerald (December 5, 2019). "Members & Co-workers Letter". Philadelphia Church of
God.
12. "What Happened to the 3-Year Hebrews Prophecy" (https://pcgwatch.com/grf/prophecy/2020/12/08/what-happened-to-hebrews.html). PCG Watch. December 8, 2020.
13. "Who is That Prophet (Part 1)" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyRp5ZPP7B8).
14. "The Plain Truth About Malachi's Message and That Prophet" (http://www.pcog.info/ptmmtp.htm).
15. Flurry, Gerald (2001). Who is "THAT PROPHET"?. USA: Philadelphia Church of God. pp. 20–
22.
16. Flurry, Gerald (2007). Who Is "THAT PROPHET"?. USA: Philadelphia Church of God. pp. 64–
66.
17. Flurry, Gerald (2018). The New Throne of David. USA: Philadelphia Church of God. p. 1.
18. Armstrong, Herbert (2009). The United States and Britain in PROPHECY. USA: Philadelphia
Church of God. p. 106.
19. Flurry, Gerald (2018). The New Throne of David. USA: Philadelphia Church of God. p. 1.
20. "The New Throne of David" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPGIXtVz36w)
21. Flurry, Gerald (2018). The New Throne of David. USA: Philadelphia Church of God. p. 22.
22. "The New Throne of David" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPGIXtVz36w)
23. https://www.thetrumpet.com/literature/read/17248-the-new-throne-of-david/2003


Additional Research Sources:
1. The Philadelphia Church of God – CARM
https://carm.org/philadelphia-church-of-god/philadelphia-church-of-god/
2. The Philadelphia Church of God – Watchman Fellowship

https://www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/philadelphiachurchofgodprofile.pdf
3. The Philadelphia Church of God – Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_Church_of_God
4. The Philadelphia Church of God official website

https://pcg.church/
https://pcg.church/about
https://pcg.church/about/pcg-beliefs
https://pcg.church/about/pcg-doctrines

Eastern Lightning (aka: “The Church of Almighty God,” “Church of the Gospel's Kingdom,”) began in China, in 1989, and has spread to Hong Kong, Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Australia, Europe, Canada and the United States. The group operates numerous websites (I have located 17 thus far) titled “Holy Spirit Speaks,” “Hidden Advent,” “Heart Hymn,” “Find Shepherd,” “Rainbow Token,” “Find Shepherd,” and other names as well. They also have a presence on several social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, and others. Considering the individuals using these accounts under a single name are often monitoring their accounts 24/7, and reply almost immediately regardless of the time of day, I strongly suspect they are actually dummy accounts that are set up under a single name, but are actually monitored by various group members all pretending to be the person to whom the account is registered. They tend to monitor and religious themed social media groups and target those within those groups whom they feel can be manipulated to either join them, or help promote the group by sharing their social media posts around the web, or both.

The group was founded by a man named Zhao Weishan, who claims God spoke to him personally, telling him that He has returned in the form of a middle-aged Chinese woman who goes by the name “Deng.” The womans actual name is Yang Xiangbin. Eastern Lightning followers believe she is the Christ for the current age. According to Zhao, God first appeared as Yahweh during Old Testament times, then a second time as Jesus (during New Testament times), and has appeared for the third and final time as Deng. Zhao teaches that Deng has ushered in the “Kingdom of Judgment” and she will judge all nations and people, and all that do not accept her as the Christ for the current age will perish into eternal damnation, while her followers will rise bodily into the air where they will spend eternity with her in paradise.

The group has published several books, including The Lightning Comes from the East, The Holy Spirit Speaks to All the Churches, God’s Work through His Secret Appearing, and The Word Appears in the Flesh. The last is considered holy scripture by the group. Zhao teaches the Bible is outdated and useless, and claims The Word Appears in the Flesh is the current word of God, supplanting the Bible.

In their online presence they appear to be warm, friendly, and engaging; and they post Christian sounding videos and comments (which are often long), usually focusing on doing good, looking for Christ's return, living for God, etc. These are often prefaced with “Dear Brother and Sister,” and will contain numerous biblical passages and verses, as well as comments such as God sees man being controlled by Satan; this causes God pain; do you want to cause God pain; etc. These are all designed to manipulate the Christian into standing with them against the sin of the world. This is known in the group as “Paving the Way,” and is part of the Eastern Lightning recruitment methods.

Unlike many pseudo-Christian cults, Eastern Lightning tends to target Christians exclusively, and will not attempt to recruit people from non-Christian religious groups such as Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, etc; nor will generally try to recruit unbelievers. If they are unable to quickly recruit someone they have targeted, they will attempt to befriend their target, and get them to share the groups recruitment posts around the web. Many Christians have unwittingly helped Eastern Lightning by sharing their social media posts, comments, and videos; thus helping extend the groups influence around the world.

As with most cults, the social media presence created by Eastern Lightning belies the truth about them. Over the past approximately three decades of the groups existence, Eastern Lightning has been involved in numerous illegal, and quite often violent, incidents. To list just a few:

1. In 1998 Eastern Lightning members instigated eight riots that lasted for up to twelve days. During those riots Eastern Lightning members are alleged to have broken the arms and legs of several people, as well as cutting off their ears.

2. In 2002, Eastern Lightning reportedly posed as representatives of a theological institute in Singapore, in order to kidnap 34 Christian leaders, which they held captive for two months while trying to convert them.

3. In 2010 Eastern Lightning members murdered an elementary school student, a young boy, because one of his relatives wanted to leave Eastern Lightning.

4. In 2012 it was discovered that Eastern Lightning was behind 40 separate riots. Also that same year, an Eastern Lightning member who was motivated by your groups doomsday prophecies, stabbed and elderly woman and 23 students at a school in Henan.

5. In 2013, Eastern Lightning members ripped out the eyes of a young boy simply because his family tried to leave your group.

6. In 2014, six members of Eastern Lightning attacked and viciously stomped to death a young woman at a McDonald's restaurant for refusing to give them her telephone number. The lead attacker later said he “felt great” about the murder.

Additionally, there have been numerous reports coming from those who have escaped Eastern Lightning, of members being imprisoned, beaten, blackmailed, tortured, and poisoned for attempting to leave the group, and often for just talking about leaving or criticizing the group.

It is vitally important that Christians understand that Eastern Lightning is not, I repeat, not, a Christian organization. A quick examination of their beliefs bears this out. Among other decidedly unchristian beliefs, the group teaches:

1. Jesus Christ is a created being. (This is contrary to the Bible which teaches the Jesus actually is God, see John 1:1 and more.)

2. The Trinity is a false doctrine. (again, this is contrary to the numerous Bible passages that teach God is a Triune God, consisting of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.)

3. The Bible is outdated and not authoritative, and has been replaced by a new third testament, titled “The Word Appears in the Flesh.” (The Bible, however, teaches that the Word of the Lord endures forever – 1 Peter 1:25, so there is no need for a third testament. Additionally, Scripture warns repeatedly not to add to it, and doing so can result in eternal damnation in hell; see: Revelation 22:18-19; Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:5-6; Deuteronomy 12:32. cf.: Matthew 22:29. Additionally, note 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”. See also Galatians 1:8-9, “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.”)

4. Jesus was the Christ for the previous kingdom, the kingdom of grace. He is dead, did not rise from the dead, and is not returning. (Again, this is contrary to biblical teachings which clearly states that belief in the resurrection of Jesus is a requirement for salvation; see Romans 10:9-10)

5. God has returned for this kingdom age, the “Christ for this age,” which is the age of judgment (the Eastern Lightning website states), and God has returned as a Chinese woman named Deng. (Scripture, however, states: “...If anyone says to you, 'Behold, here is the Christ,' or 'There He is,' do not believe him. For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. Behold, I have told you in advance. So if they say to you, 'Behold, He is in the wilderness,' do not go out, or, 'Behold, He is in the inner rooms,' do not believe them. For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.” – Mt. 24:23-27. And again, “For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.”)
6. Those who chose to follow this new Christ will ascend with her into heaven at the coming apocalypse. (note the Bible's response to number 5)

Clearly, Eastern Lightning, aka Church of the Almighty God, is not a Christian church. To be generous, extremely generous, I would say it is a pseudo-Christian group at best. At worst, it is a violent non-Christian cult.

I would encourage all who have been deceived by Eastern Lightning, and have found themselves engaged in a friendly relationship with Eastern Lightning members – even if only in an online setting – to remember the words of God in 2 Corinthians 6:14-17: “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: 'I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.'

“Therefore, 'Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.'”

And also the admonition of Ephesians 5:11, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.”

If you, who are reading this, happens to be a member of the Eastern Lightning, I would strongly encourage you to leave Eastern Lightning as soon as possible. Get as far away from it as possible, and turn to the true Messiah, Jesus Christ; for salvation is found in no one else, and by no other path. In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except through Me.” Unless you turn to Him and follow Him, you will die in your sins and suffer eternal damnation in hell – John 8:24).

The Bible says that we are all sinners (Rom. 3:23). This means that we have all offended God. We have all broken His law. Therefore, we are guilty of having sinned. Because of this, we are separated from God (Isaiah 59:2), are dead in our sins (Rom. 6:23, Eph. 2:3), cannot please God (Rom. 3:10-11), and will suffer damnation (2 Thess.1:9). The only way to escape this judgment is by receiving Christ – seek Jesus, and ask Him to forgive you for your sins. Repent of your sin (turn away from, and stay turned away from sin), and trust in what Jesus did for you on the cross (John 14:6, Acts 4:12, 1 Pet.2:24).


All Scripture, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version® (NKJV). Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

All images courtesy of The Church of Almighty God (Eastern Lightning) websites.