I was reading today the newest Philadelphia Trumpet (March/April 2001) and there’s an article about the book of Revelation entitled “Deceived about the Royal Book of Revelation.” To begin with, the title reads into it a lot of stuff that I’m not really sure is actually there. I’m not sure it has to do with rulership and such, but of course since it’s written by Gerald Flurry then there’s no questioning it. Interesting, the point about the article that I wanted to discuss explains why there’s no questioning. He writes,

“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand” (Rev. 1:13). Notice it is “he that reads” and “they that hear.” God uses one-man leadership. He reveals to one man. Then “they” who follow this man keep the truth that God reveals (26).

A few interesting things about this quote. First he quotes the Authorized version and includes the archaic third person singular form, but when he explains it and quotes again, he changes “readeth” to “reads.” This was a common practice in the WCG, as was the practice of re-translating in mid-quote, changing “Lord” to “the Eternal.”

Second, the authoritarian nature of this interpretation of this passage is not difficult to miss. He is all but saying, “I am the only one through whom God now speaks.”

Third, this exclusive access to God’s truth radiates out from Flurry—while he is the most chosen, others (i.e., the PCG members) are among the elect. Sociological analysis of cults will describe them as having a mentality in which they see themselves as the only right people on earth and that everyone else is blind, but it’s still somewhat surprising when a church says this about itself:

Anybody who wants to understand the Bible and world events must come to God’s faithful remnant! There is understanding no place else on this planet! It is the only way you can really comprehend the fate of your own nation, or even your own life.

This is a difficult truth to accept, but God works through His very elect and nobody else. Everybody else is blind. It is that way now, it has been in the past, and shall be in the future! (26)

The anthropomorphic elements continue, of course. “Imagine what it was like when the royal Father allowed His beloved Son to become a martyr for sinning men” (26). Of course this places God very squarely in time.

Flurry’s personal this month is revealing as well, for it shows how he is moving closer and closer to David Koresh-type leadership. He is, in a word, beginning to prophecy outright. Writing about the Supreme Court appeal of the Mystery of the Ages case, he says, “I prophesy to you that, one way or the other, God will provide a way for us to mail that book again” (1). I would dearly love to see what happens five years hence if this indeed does not happen.