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The Great Doctrinal Purge That No One Talks About
What really happened to the Worldwide Church of God after Herbert W. Armstrong died — and why it still matters now more than ever
Daniel Macaraeg
June 29, 2025
After Herbert W. Armstrong died in 1986, something unprecedented happened in modern church history. I was a 21-year-old student at Ambassador College then.
Not a scandal. Not a split.
A purge — of doctrine.
Within just a few years, over 280 core teachings were systematically dismantled, redefined, or discarded.
Sabbath-keeping? Gone.
God’s annual Holy Days? Scrapped.
The identity of Israel, the gospel of the Kingdom, the Ten Commandments, the plan of salvation — all rewritten.
And it wasn’t done by outsiders.
It was done from within — by the very men entrusted to guard the truth.
They called it “progress.”
They said the Church was finally embracing “grace.”
But to those who knew their Bibles, it felt like a quiet betrayal.
“Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
For certain men have crept in unnoticed…”
—Jude 1:3–4 (NKJV)
This wasn’t reformation. It was apostasy in disguise.
A Church once known for bold, biblical truth drifted into doctrinal amnesia — one compromise at a time.
“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first…”
—2 Thessalonians 2:3
Some saw it coming. Most didn’t.
Many left. Some stayed silent.
A few tried to hold the line — but the flood of change kept sweeping truth away.
But this isn’t just a history lesson.
It’s a warning.
The same spirit that corrupted one Church is now infecting churches everywhere.
Truth is being traded for popularity.
Conviction for convenience.
Obedience for applause.
“But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world…”
—Matthew 24:13–14
It’s time to fight for the truth again.
Not tradition. Not nostalgia.
But the faith once delivered.
The faith our Lord and Savior taught.
The gospel of the soon-coming Kingdom of God.
In future essays, I’ll expose the most dangerous doctrinal shifts — not to condemn, but to call people back to the message Christ Himself preached.
Because the falling away isn’t over.
But neither is the calling out.
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