More Than a Prophet
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Of John the Baptist, Jesus said to the multitudes, “What went you out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went you out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what went you out for to see? A prophet? Yes, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, which shall prepare Your way before you. Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there has not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. He that has ears to hear, let him hear” (Matt. 11:7-15).
The masses had to be told that they had the wrong perspective of what a great servant of God should look like. God’s servants are not skinny “reeds” who blow with the “wind.” Nor do they wear “soft” clothes or look like “kings.” And John was also not “a prophet.” Since he was a forerunner of Mr. Armstrong, this fact is important. Christ said that he (this one who was a type of Elijah) was actually “more than a prophet.”
Luke 4:24-26 explains why Mr. Armstrong was not received as the third Elijah by most who knew him—and it explains why John was not received as the second Elijah by most who knew him:
“And He [Jesus] said, Verily I say to you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias [Elijah], when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; but to none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta [Greek: Zarepheth], a city of Sidon, to a woman that was a widow.”
I Kings 17 ALL contains the account that Christ referenced, and discusses events in the life of the Old Testament Elijah. Take time to read it.
Only one widow in the city of Zarephath (Hebrew: Sarepta) gave food and shelter to Elijah (1 Kings 17:10). Yet many widows lived in this city, and any or all of them could have helped him. Like John’s preaching, Elijah’s message was unpopular. Because he had prophesied that no rain would fall on earth for 31/2 years, he was very unpopular in his day. As a result, when others could have come forward to support him, only one did. He otherwise stood alone.
As with the original Elijah and John, Mr. Armstrong’s message was very unpopular. Many who did once believe that he was sent by God are now even afraid to give “food and shelter” to his memory.
Now note Christ’s statement that “No prophet is accepted in his own country.” This describes how over-familiarity breeds contempt—in this case, for the greatest of God’s servants. The Corinthians lacked respect for Paul. The Jews crucified Christ. Israelite kings often imprisoned or murdered God’s prophets (Matt. 23:37). Jeremiah was imprisoned and Isaiah was apparently “sawn asunder” (cut in two). Jezebel threatened Elijah with death. Noah temporarily fled to Egypt, before returning to complete the ark. John the Baptist was killed. David was chased and persecuted by Saul—and so on.
A modern paraphrase of Christ’s statement in Luke 4:24 would be something like “No servant of God is accepted in his own time.” Jesus said, “A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house” (Matt. 13:57). Let’s apply this principle to our time in a parallel way: “One who is an apostle and the Elijah is not without honor—except in his own Church, and in his own family.”
Mr. Armstrong has been accused of being a “false prophet” many times. But here is what most never seemed to understand: He was NEVER a prophet. He was always “more than” a prophet—he was an apostle!
Another Doctrine Lost
As explained, in the years following his death, false leaders captured the corporate Church Headquarters and ceased to believe and teach all that Mr. Armstrong had restored. Almost 80% of the Church departed from the truth, with the remaining 20% scattering into various splinters holding to differing amounts of the truth. Most agreed on certain basic doctrines, but disagreed on many others. The problem is best defined this way:
While most agreed that they disagreed with Mr. Armstrong on various doctrines, they could not agree on where they disagreed. Because of this, thousands found themselves no longer able to walk together (Amos 3:3) in the unity the Church once enjoyed. As a result, they scattered into many organizations—where they could meet with others of generally similar belief.
One of the largest disagreements lies in whether Mr. Armstrong fulfilled the role of the final “Elijah.” If Herbert W. Armstrong was this man, then all of the truths that he taught must be retained—held fast. The implications for any who reject his role, after seeing the proofs, are tremendous!
Yet most of the remaining few who observe some (but not all) the things Mr. Armstrong taught either no longer believe he was the final Elijah, or are uncertain, or say they believe it, but fail to understand the tremendous significance of this important end-time role. Some even claim, “The Bible doesn’t specifically say Mr. Armstrong was the Elijah to come, so we can’t know.”
But would God, in His Word, have to literally name Mr. Armstrong for one to know he had fulfilled a role so important that the lives of every human being on earth were at stake? Of course not! Where would be the test of faith, including a need to accept proof?
Consider this parallel. Diligent students of the Bible who are led by God’s Spirit (Rom. 8:9, 14) do not doubt the identity of the “beast” of Revelation 13 ALL or the “great whore” of Revelation 17 ALL—yet God does not literally name either of these in His Word.
When dozens of individual prophecies in Daniel 11 ALL were fulfilled, it was clearly known (and no individuals were identified). When Christ’s first appearance fulfilled numerous prophecies, it was clearly known. The destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, in A.D. 69-70, as Jesus had foretold, was also clearly known.
For every prophetic role or event found in Scripture, God offers sufficient proof for those willing to accept it. One must only be willing to examine the evidence.
There is a faithful remnant determined to do just that—to hold fast to the truths and traditions restored to the Church through Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong.
What If…?
Every year on the anniversary of his death, a few misguided people gather around Mr. Armstrong’s grave, expecting God to resurrect him, to once again unify the Church and put it back on track. Obviously, such people virtually worship Mr. Armstrong. He was their source of strength. Thus, when he died, much of their faith, essentially in God’s purpose, died with him.
But let’s pretend for a moment: What if God did resurrect Mr. Armstrong back to physical life? What if he actually did return? What would happen? What would his reaction be to the 300-plus groups claiming his mantle? With this book’s snapshot of his life, role and purpose, the answers should be obvious.
To appreciate his position, we must make this hypothetical scenario more clear. Mr. Armstrong would, in effect, be re-appearing as an independent person—a kind of “Pastor General at large”—who was not part of any of the groups. This clarifies the point to be made.
This book should have plainly demonstrated that, exactly as he did with the fifth-era Sardis ministers and groups, when he did face similar circumstances of doctrinal compromise, Mr. Armstrong would disassociate himself from the many seventh-era Laodicean ministers and groups today. Obviously, he would not be able to disfellowship ministers from organizations he was not leading. However, hewould certainly know that these ministers could not be part of any reconstitution of the true Church, unless they deeply repented.
And Mr. Armstrong would certainly not follow those leaders who package doctrinal compromise with his name—or others who elevate his books, booklets and articles into Scripture (without actually comprehending them), and thereby reverence his person. He would see that the latter have a wrong focus on him instead of on the Work of God. Of course, he would obviously also avoid those who reduce what he wrote to mere guidelines or starting points for unending doctrinal debate.
Next, because Mr. Armstrong lived—breathed—was consumed with doing—the Work, he would immediately reject and avoid those who claim the Work is finished. He would be mindful of all the trials, struggles, pressures, obstacles, setbacks, and orchestrated attacks that he faced in order to preach the good news of God’s soon-coming kingdom—and that it has always been Satan who wants God’s people to lay down on the job, particularly when more is at stake than ever before for humanity.
Mr. Armstrong would no doubt be stunned to recognize the much worse state of decadence into which the United States, Canada, Britain, Australia and the other modern-day descendants of ancient Israel have sunk. He would instantly know that Israel must be powerfully warned!—that someone must be “Crying aloud, sparing not,” and “telling these nations their sins,” with even more force if possible!
Mr. Armstrong would certainly not forget that when he first learned of the Ezekiel Warning decades ago, he recognized that no other voice had been crying aloud to give this warning. He knew that with knowledge comes responsibility—the very reason he stood in the gap in the 1930s when no one else would, bearing the heat of the day and sounding the alarm with all the force he could bring to bear. He would know that God must still have someone thundering the same warning!
Following a Pattern
Therefore, as he did in 1927, when first learning the truth, Mr. Armstrong would search for God’sone true Church. He would diligently search for the one organization that does not compromise—water down, liberalize, alter in any way—either doctrine or tradition. He would not accept “close” as good enough. He would look for the group that is faithfully administering God’s government, feeding and protecting the flock, diligently preaching the true gospel (while using the most effective and efficient means available) and trumpeting the warning—outlined in Ezekiel 33 ALL. Knowing Christ’s promise that His Church could not be destroyed (Matt. 16:18), Mr. Armstrong would look for the one place where the doctrines that he preached, decade after decade, have all been preserved intact.
That place—God’s true Church—still exists! It still has His government. It still does His Work. It continues taking care of Christ’s sheep. And it does not bend or compromise—on anything! Mr. Armstrong would leave no stone unturned in his search for that Church, not giving up until he found it.
This Church can be found! Proof is available. You may wish to continue your research with one of the most fascinating books you could hope to read: Where Is the True Church? – and Its Incredible History!
BIBLIOGRAPHY
• Armstrong, Herbert W., The Autobiography of Herbert W. Armstrong, Vol. I, 1967, 1986
• Armstrong, Herbert W., The Autobiography of Herbert W. Armstrong, Vol. II, 1986
• Armstrong, Herbert W., Brethren/Co-Worker Letters from the Radio Church of God and Worldwide Church of God
• Armstrong, Herbert W., “Now It Must Be Revealed How the Worldwide Church of God Began,” The Good News, May 1979
• Armstrong, Herbert W., “Personal From the Editor,” The Good News, August 1969
• Armstrong, Herbert W., “Recent History of the Philadelphia Era of the Worldwide Church of God,”Worldwide News, June 24, 1985
• Armstrong Herbert W., “The History of the Beginning and Growth of the Worldwide Church of God,” The Good News, April, May, June-July, August and September 1980
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