But it will be too late!—much, much TOO LATE!
Next Part Separation Continues
It has been my over 35-year experience in Christ’s ministry that most of God’s people simply will not listen to what God says. They cannot seem to make themselves take seriously His commands, instructions and warnings. Will you listen to Him through His servant, Mr. Armstrong? This quote returns from the INTRODUCTION:
“The world has sunk into a complacent, indifferent slumber…The world is too busy enjoying this new-found prosperity, basking in the comfortable sunshine of luxury, to be much concerned about the on-coming NUCLEARWorld War III that WILL, unless prevented by Almighty God, simply erase human life from this planet!
“Soft words and pretty speeches do not arouse people out of this pleasant dream. It takes a jolt!” (“Personal,” PT, Sept. 1965).
This was written over 40 years ago—in the mid-1960s. In regard to “prosperity and luxury,” when conditions are compared to the enjoyment of life’s good things that have arrived for a much greater percentage (as well as having achieved a much greater degree) of people today, the 1960s seem almost prehistoric. Thus, most will still not be aroused or moved by strong words.
You could be an exception.
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Bold Statement
Whether you can yet understand or accept this, The Restored Church of God has been commissioned by Christ to restart, reconstruct and COMPLETE the “short work” of Romans 9:27-28 in all of its elements. WE are the ones who will—and do—avoid “soft words and pretty speeches.” It is WE who must always be willing to speak like a TRUMPET—and bring a JOLT to all who might hear! If possible, I would also use an earthquake to awaken more readers.
Still, some will only hear “a lovely song.” But not all!
For God’s Work to be completed, realize that there must be a surviving group of zealous Philadelphia faithful (Rev. 3:11). Because there is work to be done—much work!—there must be a single, focused, unified organization composed of brethren who are willing—no matter how unpopular and no matter what the personal cost—to also warn their fellow brethren in Laodicea to anoint their eyes.
Notice that the context of Romans 9:27-28 ties God’s final Work directly to the remnant of Israel. This construction and context is God’s doing, not a product of mental gymnastics with the passages, by me or anyone else. The sandwiched wording is no accident. Make yourself acknowledge that Paul fits the “short work” reference squarely into Isaiah’s chapter 10 “remnant” prophecy. There is simply no other way to read the passage.
Spiritual Israel Also Warned
The Church’s responsibility to warn the scattered brethren of spiritual Israel is inseparable from that of the special warning to the nations of physical Israel. So it must at least be mentioned in this volume what is at stake for those with God’s Spirit who will not heed His warning. This means rejecting all that has been written here, and includes being unwilling to do THEIR PART in supporting His Work while there is still time to participate.
After all, both Israels enter enslavement together. They have the same time limit on their decision!
Recall that the nations of Israel, once in captivity, will no longer be permitted to worship as they choose. False gods will be forced upon them. This will include the Mark of the Beast. The final, or third, two hundred million will have no choice in accepting this Mark.
Understand. The same Work of God must proclaim to spiritual Israel how individuals can avoid the horrendous trial in store for their carnal-minded Israelite counterparts. The same false gods await both. Of course, the stakes are much, much higher for God’s Spirit-led people today. Once they enter the Tribulation, they cannotsurvive physically—they have no hope of living through this time to escape with the Israelite remnant.
Mr. Armstrong Warned
Mr. Armstrong described the Roman system during the dark ages, explaining why the Beast’s mark is Sunday-keeping. Here is what he wrote near the end of his booklet about the Beast, under the subhead “Why Saints Were Martyred”:
“It was for obeying God’s FOURTH Commandment—keeping the Sabbath—that millions were put to death. The local Council of Laodicea, about A.D. 363, passed this decree: ‘Christians must not Judaize by resting on the Sabbath, but must work on that day, resting rather on Sunday. But, if any be found to be Judaizing, let them be declared anathema from Christ.’
“The church caused them to be killed. When the church branded one ‘anathema’ (a heretic), the state police of the Empire began torturing him. Unless he recanted, he was tortured until he died!
“Laws became so strict no man could hold a job, or engage in business, unless he worked on Saturday and rested on Sunday. And the world will be so geared that it will be almost impossible for one to ‘buy or sell’ except he receive this MARK OF THE BEAST!” (Who or What is the Prophetic Beast?, p. 40).
Tragically, too weak to persevere, one-half of Laodicea—the foolish virgins of Matthew 25:1-12—will NOTsurvive the Tribulation spiritually, but will sell out during this time of terrible, intense persecution by accepting the Beast’s mark to save their lives. But their decision pays only short-term dividends because these will die in the Day of the Lord. The other half of God’s unprotected people will enter eternal life—the wise virgins—but must be martyred in order to receive salvation. At the last minute this half will awaken in captivity, admitting and repenting of their wretched state.
The result? Imprisonment, torture and death.
Mr. Armstrong introduced his very descriptive “Beast” booklet with a potent statement. Notice how he references preachers in the world’s churches who will not discuss prophecies, particularly those they know to be almost upon us. Ask yourself if this describes the organization you attend:
“For it is those of this very present generation who shall be worshiping this beast or his image, or shall have received his mark, that will suffer the unspeakable torture of the seven last plagues!
“Ignorance will not excuse! ‘My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge,’ says the Eternal, in Hosea 4:6. And the illustration of Ezekiel’s watchman shows that those who are unaware, because they are not warned, will suffer just the same (Ezek. 33:6; 3:18). God expects the spiritual leader of His people to be His ‘watchman’ (Ezek. 33:7) and to warn the people. [Author’s note: It is this final single sentence that carries supreme importance to whoever is the leader of God’s people today. It explains why the books to the splinters and a great many others to Israel.]
“The time is at hand! The plagues of God’s wrath will soon be poured out, unmixed and undiluted—full strength—upon a heedless, God-defying world, and a careless, lukewarm, indifferent Christianity!”
“Every sign tells us these things will happen, plunging the world into the most frantic, frenzied state of anguish ever known…Those who suffer the wrath of Almighty God are described as those who worship the beast, or his image, or have his mark.”
“These prophecies are real. They are imminent. Because these and other prophecies have never been understood until now, even churches, the theologians, evangelists have been ignoring prophecies in general and these imminent prophecies in particular. Too many are trying to speculate in their imaginations. But God says, ‘My thoughts are not your thoughts’ (Isa. 55:8).
“We can’t work this out in our minds. We are face to face with a stern reality, not an imaginary fairy tale! There is only one way to learn the truth. That is to study carefully, cautiously, prayerfully, with an open mind yielded to and guided by the Holy Spirit, all the testimony of all the scriptures that bear on this question” (Ibid., pp. 2-3).
These are very strong words! And you have seen that this book diligently applies the formula in the final paragraph. Also, do not miss the reference to Laodicea, depicted as “careless, lukewarm, indifferent Christianity!” (Remember, orthodox Christianity is not lukewarm, but rather is ice-cold.) Is their fate what you want? I can only hope that Mr. Armstrong’s most graphic and powerful description stuns thousands reading it after so many years without review.
Since God’s final Work is foretold to be short, and even to be cut shorter, yet we have seen it will reach many, many millions, can you connect these facts to why this book has emphasized over and over not just the sheersize that this Work must attain, but why this must happen QUICKLY?
This introduces a crucial but overlooked element of that Plan.
“Evil Men and Seducers” Fulfill God’s Purpose
Another central part of God’s final test for His people in the “perilous last days” must be addressed (II Tim. 3:1). Let’s permit God’s Word to present and explain it, because it has not been properly understood. This is another part of the chapter that will not be pleasant.
First, carefully read: “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13). This is a most sobering passage. It should be obvious that it does not invoke a “pretty” discussion. God inspired Paul to warn YOU that instead of things getting better after the apostasy, with faithful leaders resuming authority, leadership over most of God’s people instead grows continually worse. Do not add to or subtract from the verse. Accept what is written. It is not “evil men will grow worse and worse until the apostasy, after which everything gets better.”
This scripture says exactly what it means!
Some will wonder—and this is natural—why God would permit ever-worsening leaders to continue over most of His end-time flock. The questions take this form: Why were all false leaders—all “evil men and seducers”—not left behind in the apostasy? What possible purpose can be served by their remaining presence? Why did God not return faithful leaders to all His people?
It is crucial you understand this ongoing test. If not, you will have no rest—and will continue to lose your way as events play out.
Next Part Separation Continues