Lesson Learned
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In a phone conversation with Mr. Armstrong (in about 1980 or 1981), I suggested to him that God would not permit him to die “before he finished the Work.” He made it clear to me—in no uncertain terms!—that he did not want me to “encourage” him in this way. He went on to explain that he did not want members of the Church to put their faith in the idea that he could not die before the Work ended. He fully understood that his life could come to an end, and that finishing the Great Commission transcended his presence!
I will never forget Mr. Armstrong thundering at me in this call and making reference to an evangelist whom he had just admonished about this very point. This man had been regularly traveling around the world declaring with authority that Mr. Armstrong would live until Christ returned. I am not denigrating this man, because I believed and said the same thing. Probably most did. But Mr. Armstrong did not want this false hope taking root.
For the record, history proves that at about this same time, this man did greatly alter his usual, several-hour sermon. The only proof I have of this conversation are the above quotes, and the timing of the appearance of his new, softer presentation in this regard. You may decide if I am presenting the truth of this.
Needless to say, I never repeated this mistake with Mr. Armstrong!
2. When did Mr. Armstrong teach that the Work would end?
The following statements, particularly when coupled with the previous ones, prove Mr. Armstrong absolutely understood that he could die before Christ returned. Do not forget that his last several co-worker letters were written with this reality heavy on his mind. Of course, he knew that he was gravely ill. But he also knew that a faithful Church of God would continue to do the Work of preaching the kingdom and warning Israel up to thestart of the Great Tribulation. Anyone who disputes this point, after reading these next statements, is simply not honest with the facts (emphasis his):
“Brethren, this world is being destroyed for lack of knowledge of and from GOD, as we read in Hosea 4:6. Through my personal visits, and the PLAIN TRUTH magazine, on TV and radio and through other literature, we are proclaiming that knowledge in POWER and AUTHORITY. Some listen. It is God’s last witness against those who do not. BUT WE MUST DRIVE RIGHT ON UNTIL CHRIST COMES!”
Co-Worker Letter, Nov. 18, 1984
“I ask you, brethren, in Jesus’ name, to put whatever you are able into God’s Work in this crisis hour before the…Tribulation that will cut off our work just prior to the soon-coming of Christ and the World Tomorrow.”
Co-Worker Letter, Nov. 25, 1985
“Our labors in GOD’S WORK will be ended soon after the resurrection of the impending United States of Europe!”
Co-Worker Letter, Aug. 14, 1978
“Brethren, time is running out on us. When this great European power emerges, our great Work will be just about over. The day shall have arrived when ‘no man can work,’ as Jesus said (John 9:4).
“NOTHING ELSE MATTERS NOW. We must sacrifice and devote our all that is reasonably possible to GOD’S WORK in these closing days.”
Co-Worker Letter, July 16, 1982
“…brethren and co-workers, the prophesied Great Tribulation (nuclear World War III) will start soon after the European unification. That means OUR WORK OF SPREADING THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD WILL BE FINISHED! We have not now much more time. Soon shall come a FAMINE of hearing the Word of the Lord (Amos 8:11).
“God says, work while it is day, for the night is coming when no man can work—in the Work of God!
“Nothing else is important in our lives, now, but this all-important Work of God.”
Co-Worker Letter, Nov. 22, 1982
Be Careful
The last statement above, when put with the others, proves conclusively that Mr. Armstrong believed “the famine of hearing the Word” would take place during the Great Tribulation, and not before, or if so by only a little. There is no other way to view what he said. Make yourself be honest about his belief concerning thetiming of the famine of the Word. (I address this in greater detail later.)
I once believed there was a possibility that the beginnings of this famine could be here now, simply because themassive scope and size of the extraordinary—and unique!—Work of the Philadelphian age was over. But this is the most that anyone can possibly acknowledge without altering and redefining what Mr. Armstrong understood would trigger the famine of the Word, and without perverting the truth about how the famine will occur.
The subject of the famine of hearing the Word (Amos 8:11) is covered as “Event 16” (sermon #21) in my extensive prophetic sequence sermon series, available on our website. If you have not heard this continuing series, you should find and listen to it. It presents the correct developing march and still future sequence of prophecies just ahead as no one else will preach them.
So I know that an absolutely immense work still lies ahead. Watch us very closely because it is well underway! And later chapters of this book PROVE this is no idle dream. It is based on bedrock solid Bible prophecies and understanding supporting what Mr. Armstrong wrote just before his death, as well as obvious fruits. Now notice:
“We draw daily nearer to the end of this age. Time is growing shorter daily. The Bible warns us the time is just ahead when NO MAN CAN WORK—in the Lord’s Work. We must sacrifice now as never before for this Work that we may FINISH the Work that Christ has called us to do.”
Co-Worker Letter, Oct. 23, 1980
Think! How would it be possible that the Work was to end in 1986, or at any time later, but before the end, since it was foretold by Christ to continue until “no man CAN work” (John 9:4)?
Brethren, recognize that men—the Church—still can work!
No one and no thing—governments, persecuting accusers, the Beast, the Great Tribulation—or even the economy—has yet been permitted to block or stop the Work of God. Men and organizations CAN still preach the kingdom of God and warn nations.
The question was always whether they WOULD!—and whether YOU will help…
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