[UntoHim]

Originally Posted by Trapped

I can surmise that some localities exist where these kind of things were not said, which explains Drake's experience, but I not only heard these statements within a locality, I also heard them in the live trainings spoken by the co-workers...Then when we get to a point where we realize we can discern, we have decades of misrepresentations about God to surgically extract from our very cells!

Great post Trapped! Of course all current Local Church members are going to deny that such a cultish atmosphere exists within the movement. Denials of such teachings/practices are to be expected from such cultic/aberrational groups like the Local Church of Witness Lee. According to my observation, these kind fear mongering tactics are less prevalent in the movement these days, but as you noted, they are deeply ingrained in the hearts and minds of the faithful older ones - the very ones who have the most influence. I distinctly recall some of my concerned family members asking me if such rumors were perpetrated, and I distinctly recall denying any such rumors or stories were circulated among the members. (insert Pinocchio's growing nose emoticon here) Hey, if Witness Lee could deny that he was to be considered an apostle, I could certainly get away with such a little harmless white lie...am I rrriiigggghhhttt?

This whole matter of "Outer Darkness" as taught in the Local Church is an extreme and tortured interpretation of a purgatory-like Millennial kingdom punishment used by quite a number of false teachers and apostle wannabes over the centuries. Witness Lee wasn't the first one to teach this, and he won't be the last I'm sure.
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