January 20, 2024
Good day! I am writing a series of short reviews of abbreviated COGR video clips. I am looking for input and comments. If it makes it easier, I will be glad to supply a Word document so comments can be put in the document and we can communicate directly. My email address is lattema@icloud.com. I hope you find these reviews helpful.
Transcript:
We’re going to tell you the secret things of God. But no, no, really tell me what things like what things. We’re going to tell you things that eye have not seen. Nor ear heard. There are people writing songs about that, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, but when I get to heaven my eye will see and my ear hear.” Well, amen. Amen. But we do have eyes here, and God made the eyes. Yes, we do have ears here, and God created us with ears. Therefore, God must want us to see and if He wants us to see and hear, (Stephen Hargrave)
Commentary:
To begin, let’s explore who is authorized to share insights about God. This paragraph builds on an earlier discussion about the idea that only apostles have the ability to reveal things that are beyond our normal senses, like things that haven’t been seen or heard before. In our last discussion, we countered the argument that only apostles possess the Spirit of God and that only they can inform believers about God’s teachings. Now, we’re seeing a continued effort to control the members of a congregation using a two-tier system. In this system, the top tier claims to have a direct connection to the Holy Spirit, while the lower tier depends on the upper tier for spiritual guidance. It’s important to note that this strategy is not unique to the COGR; similar tactics are used by other high-control groups. For example, look at the similarities between a quote from the COGR and the Watchtower, a publication associated with the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
COGR: Well, God doesn’t share His spirit with just anybody, but He gave it to the apostles.
WATCHTOWER: More than that, for one to receive holy spirit he must also be in touch with God’s channel of communication. Just as in the days of Jesus and the apostles receiving of holy spirit was dependent upon contact with God’s channel of communication, his earthly representatives, so also today. The facts show that that channel is found with the New World society of Jehovah’s witnesses.—Acts 19:1-7.
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1962247
The apostles of the COGR present themselves as if they possess up-to-date insights or “new light” that must be shared with the congregation. However, the information referred to in the Scriptures pertains to the revelation of the mystery of God through the incarnation. This mystery involves Christ bringing the promise of eternal life and reconciling both Jews and Gentiles. The original apostles disclosed this mystery, and it became a part of Scripture. Subsequently, God has continued to communicate with His Church through both the Holy Spirit and the Word. Importantly, we aren’t reliant on so-called apostles, including false ones, to receive messages from God. Every believer has direct access to the Spirit of God.
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