Table of ContentsGlobal Church News - February 1993 |
| Open Letter |
| Editorial by Roderick C. Meredith |
| Fundamentals of Prophecy |
| Trends News and Prophecy |
| Quick and Powerful |
Dear Brethren and Friends:
Greetings, from Southern California! We hope you're all well and are as enthusiastic as we are about "reviving" God's Work.
With the truly massive doctrinal changes, it is definitely time for men and women of faith and courage to stand up for the Truth of Almighty God. I deeply appreciate the letters, calls and outpouring of support from all of you and from many others. Thank you so much!
But now we need to join together to do what Mr. Herbert Armstrong virtually told us to do in his autobiography. Mr. Armstrong wrote: "I know of evangelists who probably are sincere in supposing they are serving God—and who would like to be free to proclaim many truths they now hold back. They reason something like this: ‘If I go farther, and preach those things, I'll lose all my support. I'd be cut off from the ministry altogether. Then I could preach NOTHING. Better serve God by preaching as much of the biblical truth as possible, than to be prevented from preaching anything.'
"They are relying on the financial support of MEN, or of organizations of men. Anyone in that predicament is the SERVANT OF MEN, and NOT OF GOD, whether he realizes it or not" (Autobiography of Herbert W. Armstrong, vol. I, pg.528).
And later, on the same page, Mr. Armstrong wrote: "Of course God does work through human instruments. But I had to rely on GOD to lay it on the hearts of people to support the kind of preaching that obeys Isaiah 58:1 by crying ALOUD—lifting up my voice and showing the people their SINS!"
So as you all know, a number of us here in the Pasadena area have now joined together, under Christ's direction, to organize the "Global Church of God.” We have legally incorporated under this name, and have chosen this name because it is as similar to the term "worldwide" as you can get in the English language.
We plan to organize "home churches” in cities all across the United States, and later in the international areas. Some few congregations will be large enough to require meeting in rented halls from the very beginning. But most will not. So we plan to have dozens of small groups of people mainly having their Sabbath services in the home of leading members. This practice was widespread in the early New Testament Church as noted in Romans 16:5, Colossians 4:15 and other places (New King James Version throughout).
As an Evangelist and the leading minister God has used to raise up this Work, I will supervise the appointments of other elders and deacons—but with much input and guidance from all our other leaders. We must all be sure that our motive in leadership is to serve the people, not to "lord it over them" (Mark 10:42-45). So all of us in leadership positions should earnestly strive, with God's help, to be warm, loving, approachable and genuinely serving in our relations with other brethren.
Later, we definitely plan to have a Council of Elders which will have a great deal of influence and authority. But now, as we are just getting started, we will follow the above biblical principles and have a more complete organization later when God makes that possible.
How are we doing so far?
God always starts things small when He works through human beings. Remember how Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong started with only one church and 19 brethren in 1934. And eighteen and one half years later, when I graduated from Ambassador College, there were only three local churches in the then "Radio Church of God"—Portland, Eugene and Pasadena, with a combined attendance of about 150 people.
By the time you receive this newsletter, the Global Church of God will have established seven local churches —all in the month of January! And our combined attendance figure will be about 175 people.
This, of course, is because we are building on the fine foundation that Christ laid through Herbert W. Armstrong. So we are very grateful to have a part in what Christ is doing to revive His Work. No doubt this surge of initial growth will slow for a bit as we catch our breath, get better organized and prepare for bigger things to come.
But if we are a Church that fasts, prays earnestly and truly obeys God, great growth will come in due time! I want to ask all of you to pray fervently that God will add more members and co-workers to our numbers so that a truly powerful Work may be accomplished.
Your tithes have already been put to good use! About 2000 Church Government and Church Unity booklets were mailed globally. Hundreds of calls have been received on the 800 phone number. A Pitney-Bowes postal machine is up and running. Thirty-two hundred square feet of furnished office space is now occupied by our headquarters staff. Powerful personal computers and a high-quality laser printer have been purchased, along with the latest software for mailing, accounting and desktop publishing. Stationery, envelopes and forms have been printed. Legal costs for incorporation have also been paid.
Recording equipment for taping both audio and video have been bought and preliminary contacts have already been made regarding the purchase of radio time in various major markets around the United States. We have already been accepted on our first radio station, so we will be on the air in a few weeks! Your pioneering spirit has made these things possible!
How do we encourage others to join with us in this effort?
First, we all need to pray and fast and ask our heavenly Father to open the eyes of His truly faithful people to see what is happening, and to give them the faith and courage to act on the truth and join with us in reviving the Work of God.
Secondly, we do need to let all our friends and relatives know what is happening through personal contact, by telephone, and through correspondence. After all, if people don't even know what is happening they can never respond, can they?
Yet, we must all try to ensure that we are reaching out to those we have reason to feel would be genuinely interested. And we must not harangue or pressure them as some others do, or “attack” the WCG or Mr. Tkach personally. This is not right and we will try to avoid this at all costs.
Remember, brethren, and please help all others remember who join us, that most of us were just in the WCG and we all know that many thousands of sincere, dedicated people are members there who may come with us next week, next month or next year as GOD opens their minds and brings each one along at his or her own pace.
So to our brethren in WCG, show love, kindness, mercy and patience!
Thirdly, as soon as finances and circumstances make possible, we plan to get on radio, publish a magazine, put “message ads" in newspapers and magazines and do all we can to preach and publish the gospel of the kingdom of God to all nations (Matthew 24:14).
When talking to WCG members or others, we should be free to explain our doctrinal difference and uphold the Truth vigorously—but without personal attacks on the WCG, its leaders, or any other organization. But, as God permits, we will preach powerfully about the coming RULE of Christ based on God's Law. We will WARN our nations of their SINS. And we will tell our English-speaking peoples of their national identity, their responsibility and of the coming Great Tribulation if they fail to heed! (Ezekiel 33:1-7.)
In Jesus' name, I ask all of you to pray fervently for the success of this Work of God! Satan will try to accuse, to thwart, to overthrow us in any and every way he can. If we are close to God, he will not succeed.
With absolute confidence that our cause is right, with complete faith that God will bless and guide us, we shall succeed in reviving the Work of the Great GOD. Let's all do our part with faith and zeal.
Down through the centuries God's Church has gone through many "dark ages. " Misguided or fearful leaders would begin to compromise with the world and bring in pagan doctrines or practices (See Revelation 2:14-15 and 20). But always, after a time, God would "revive" His work through the efforts of faithful men and women.
So it is today.
Technically, as we know, the Global Church of God is not a "new" church. It is simply the result of Christ's Spirit moving to revive the Truth by raising up another "branch" of His Church on earth. Mr. Herbert Armstrong was guided in doing this when he left the Stanberry, and later the Salem, "branches" of the Sardis Church and caused the Radio Church of God to become a completely separate entity. Most of us learned the Truth because of what God led Mr. Armstrong to do.
So the formation of the Global Church of God is a historic occasion! In years to come, multiple millions of people may look back on this time and on what all of us are doing. If we so yield to God that we can be used to preach and publish Christ's gospel to much of the world, we will indeed be blessed. If we unitedly get behind this newborn Work of God and impact the lives of millions, we will certainly be laying up treasure in heaven.
But it will not be easy.
As Mr. Armstrong used to say, "We've got to work with all our might as if the result depended on us. Then, we need to pray with all our hearts as if the result depended totally on God." For God doesn't do His Work for us, but through us. And we can do nothing apart from God and His Spirit guiding, leading, motivating and empowering us (John 5:30).
For you and I, and all of us, are "pioneers"! We will have to endure the challenges and hardships of pioneers. But we will also have the deep satisfaction and the blessings of those who were willing to exercise faith and courage in the pursuit of the Truth. And we will have demonstrated that we have the genuine love of God to carry His Message to a sick and dying world that so desperately needs it.
So let us back off and see the Big Picture. Let us realize that in spite of trials and persecutions, this is indeed a very special and wonderful time in our lives and in the life of the Church of the Living God!
by John Daneri Schroeder
Because exotic symbolism characterizes so much of prophecy, many tend to give it a wide berth—but for those who love and obey God, prophecy is a thing to be understood. Take for example the Book of Revelation, also called the Apocalypse. Symbol after mysterious symbol, this book can hold its own with the most flamboyant of all prophetic writings—yet Jesus Christ welcomes its readers, warmly inviting us to understand!
The revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place...Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near (Revelation l:1-3, NIV).
Clearly, Jesus said this book reveals the future to His servants, and that its contents are to be taken to heart. Who can take a mystery to heart unless it is understood? Can we act on an enigma? Should we really understand the future? The prophet Amos, said we can: "Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7).
God insists that His servants the prophets will understand and fearlessly teach what the future holds. If teachers cannot see the revealed future, then are they true servants of God? If we should not understand prophecy, why did God have the prophetic books written? They comprise a full third of the Bible, and all mankind is commanded to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4)!
The Apostle Paul once seriously misjudged the time when an important prophecy would come to pass. He wrote: "For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.... Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. . . " (I Thessalonians 4:15,17).
Almost two thousand years ago, this true apostle of God wrote for all to see, that Christ would return in his lifetime. Of course, in the greater sense, Paul's use of we can rightly be taken to include everyone who has ever been converted. But when Paul wrote those words he believed that he would personally see the return of the Messiah. Yet, not even Christ ventured a guess where dates are concerned. Despite many interpretive errors of the past, prophesied events of the future are coming nonetheless. These events will occur in God's good time, and the fact of these coming catastrophes is critically important (Isaiah 55:10-11).
More than three hundred million Americans and Britons are now marching blindly, relentlessly into certain holocaust. Yet they are aware neither of their ancient heritage nor of their terrifying destiny. Brotherly love insists that we warn our people. We are our brothers' keepers. Through Moses, God forbad indifference when a brother's interests fall within our power to help (Deuteronomy 22:1-4). And Christ insisted that we love our neighbors as ourselves. At this moment, everything our English-speaking brothers possess, including their very lives, is at awesome risk—and we alone hold the key for their escape. The responsibility we now bear for the British Commonwealth and the American peoples is among the heaviest ever born by mankind (Ezekiel 3:17-20).
God once warned Adam and Eve, "In the day that you eat thereof you shall surely die." God was wiser about date-setting than some of us have been in times past. He let Adam and Eve set their own date with destiny—but that destiny came as surely as the rising and setting of the sun. And so will come the destiny of our own peoples, any erroneous dates of the past notwithstanding.
Christ praised His Father that He had hidden His secrets from the wise and prudent of this world, and revealed them to babes (Luke 10:21). This clearly shows that great intellect and erudition are not the keys to understanding prophecy. "Babes" in worldly understanding might be expected to make errors in judgment—like setting wrong dates. But it is still easy for these same men and women of humble and contrite spirits to understand the grand intentions and mysteries of their God. Prophecy was written to inform them, and God's true servants are always informed.
When Daniel made his confession before God for his sins and those of his people, he prayed fervently:
We have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments. Neither have we heeded Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings and our princes, to our fathers and all the people of the land....
We have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets. Yes, all Israel has transgressed Your law, and has departed so as not to obey Your voice; therefore the curse and the oath written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against Him (Daniel 9:5-6,10-11).
From Daniel's deeply heartfelt prayer, we begin to understand the fundamental work of prophets. They spoke not only to the elite, but also to "all the people of the land." To reach everyone, prophets had to be understandable to everyone. God would not bring curses upon His people after warning them in language that most could not understand. According to the Law of Moses, that would be illegal. Prophesied events are to be clear, so the entire nation can understand and heed. (God often withholds the timing of a prophecy, and may even alter it, based on the deeds of the people involved.)
Now note the important connection here between the prophets and the five Books of Moses called the Law. Because both the people and their leadership failed to return to the "Law of Moses, " as a1l the prophets always urged, the curses of the Law were poured out on the entire nation. To get a proper feel for the character of Moses' great work, look at the last paragraph of Deuteronomy: "Never again did there arise in Israel a prophet like Moses—whom the LORD singled out, face to face, for the various signs and portents that the LORD sent him to display in the land of Egypt. . . " (Deuteronomy 34:10-11, Tanakh).
Even though we do not generally refer to Moses' books, called the Law or the Torah (Teachings), as prophecies, per se, they are nonetheless the foundation, the basis for every subsequent word of prophecy in the entire Bible, both Old and New Testaments. The Mosaic books contain the laws, commandments and statutes upon which both the Old and New Covenants are based—and these laws insist that before anyone can take punitive action against another, the sinner's guilt must be formally established in the mouth of two or three witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15, 17:6). Official witnesses, when sent by God to confirm the guilt of the nation, are those whom we popularly call the prophets. The servants of God establish national guilt before God, the judge, can take punitive action.
How does a prophet know the future?
Apart from specific detailed prophecies, a11 the fundamentals of prophecy are revealed in the Torah—in the five books of Moses (Isaiah 8:20). All the rest of the Bible comprises a form of commentary on the teachings God gave His people through Moses [who spoke for the One who became Christ (John 5:46-47)] . Beyond the books of Moses, all the remaining books of the Bible explain through history, ritual, poetry, prophecy, genealogy, biography and letters to churches how the laws, statutes and commandments of Moses should be applied under both covenants—and even how that application must include holocaust to rid the land of apostasy when it develops (Deuteronomy 13).
When do prophecies take place? "In the day that you eat thereof, you shall surely die, " was the promise of our Creator to our first parents. We are punished when we choose to persist in disobedience. Nobody can set that date for us. When we see buds on the trees we know that spring is near. When the wickedness of God's people approaches biblical proportions, destruction and captivity are near. This has always been true. From world conditions we know the time of God's intervention is now imminent. God will once again declare the guilt of His people through another witness or witnesses—His servants the prophets (Isaiah 58:1). Herbert W. Armstrong prophesied first in this twentieth century, but he was only one prophet. There must be at least one more tremendous and powerful witness among the children of Joseph before God can allow Israel's children to be conquered.
We know there will be two witnesses operating out of Jerusalem during the captivity; perhaps they will also work in America and Britain before the tribulation begins. Time will tell.
Some few did heed Mr. Armstrong's message and will ultimately escape captivity. The other precious lives who will soon respond to warning are now in our hands. They wait, unknowingly, for the urgent message which will soon warn them through our efforts—as once we were warned. And they must be warned in time for them to heed and escape with us. We dare not let them down!
by Ron Nelson
Since the end of the Russian empire and the removal of the Berlin wall there has been growing hope for a "new world order"—a designation which means different things to different groups. This new order remains seemingly just out of reach to this troubled and weary world looking for a little respite. Actually, there are developments and trends very much on the move that are like dark storm clouds swelling on the horizon.
Islam has not played a significant role in most of modern world affairs. It has been a religion mostly fragmented and disunited from nation to nation and sect to sect (Shiite, Sunni, etc.). There was a rise in assertiveness of the Shiite Muslims in Iran under the Ayatollah Khomeini. However, after his passing even Iran became more moderate. But Islamic fundamentalism is making its presence felt in more and more countries in North Africa, the Middle East and on into Southeast Asia.
The secular government of Egypt is very concerned. It recently staged a huge security operation aimed at breaking up the troublesome Islamic militants that have been a thorn in the government's side at least since the: assassination of President Sadat in 1981.
Heavily armed troops sealed off an area of Cairo known to harbor dissidents and arrested 400 Islamic militants. Afterward, President Mubarak's press secretary said, "This operation should finish them off. We estimate that 90 percent of them have been captured now and the rest are on the run, homeless. The terrorist movement has felt the full force and magnitude of the government: " (New York Times News Service, Dec. 10, 1992.)
Some critics of the government in Egypt fear the military operation will have a backlash, causing further instability in the country. In fact, fundamentalists have struck back after the crackdown by shooting foreign tourists in Southern Egypt.
Algeria's military-backed government has also been fumbling for ways to control that country's very assertive fundamentalists wanting to form an Islamic republic. A Los Angeles Times report of Nov. 23, 1992 said, "The collapse of Algeria's government would have an impact particularly in Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt, but also on countries as far away as Jordan and even some of the Muslim former Soviet republics in Central Asia. "
The same report added, "European governments are also worried about the repercussions of their own large Muslim communities. "The threat to secular governments is real because the Islamists' agenda includes conforming national law to Islamic tenets which are viewed as harsh, inflexible and stifling to the Western-style secular societies.
Iran's Muslim clerics who run the government see Western values, particularly those of the U. S., which they characterize as "Satan-America," as an enemy to the religious society they want to enforce on their people. After a moderate faction led by President Hashemi Rafsanjani had taken government control, it was believed that better relations with the United States and Europe would prevail. This is not the case. As Los Angeles Times reported from Tehran, "The expected debut of a kinder, gentler Islamic republic will have to wait. The mullahs [clerics] are back. " (Los Angeles Times, Sept. 29, 1992.)
God's Word tells Christians to "watch and pray" (Luke 21:36). This is especially true since we are living in the end-time. A King of the South is prophesied to arise (Dan. 11:5) and have conflict with the king of the North (v.40). The "king of the South" will be a powerful nation in the mideast (south of Europe which is "the North" in prophecy) or a confederation of Islamic countries. It is conceivable that the notoriously disunited Arab countries could forge a viable alliance held together with the "glue" of the common religion and culture of Islam with its unique world view.
This prophesied Southern king, or kingdom, will be sufficiently strong enough to be a serious concern to the "king of the North," causing him to come down into the area of the holy land and establish a military presence there (Daniel 11:41).
In 1992, there were over 18,000 incidents of violence against foreigners in Germany. There were at least 17 deaths caused by neo-nazis. As the year drew to a close, the government and elected officials still seemed unsure, or unwilling, to confront the problem. Then in December, 1992 thousands of citizens turned out in mass protests in German cities. Munich saw 300,000 people form a "chain of lights" stretching 25 miles through the city. Berlin also saw many thousands turn out in the cold night air to lock arms and hold candles in a human chain more than 6 miles long.
Tyler Marshall, reporting from Germany for the Los Angeles Times said, "There is a growing number of Germany's vast silent majority who have begun to stand up and say `no' to the revival of right-wing extremism." Many people are disturbed by the "widespread public indifference to the repeated attacks against asylum-seekers..." (Dec. 5, 1992).
Germany has come under growing international pressure to do something to curb the appalling violence. And, although government officials express dismay, "With the lone exception of [German President Richard] Von Weizsaecker, Germany's leadership for months seemed either unwilling or unable to react to the repeated attacks against foreigners. That inaction, coupled with the lack of any visible public response, generated an atmosphere of tacit approval for the attacks..." (Los Angeles Times, Dec. 26, 1992).
"One Third Reich was enough," said a protestor. Certainly there is ample reason for the surge of concern. Mr. Marshall of The Times observed, "The Germans now accept as normal many things that just 10 years ago would have been unacceptable.." The hate-driven violence is mainly finding expression against foreigners from Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe. There are few Jewish victims now, but anti-semitism is reflected in "the challenge from young soccer fans who curse the referee with the words, `Jew to Auschwitz!'”
After one of several Los Angeles Times articles appeared concerning the "chain of lights" protests in German cities, the editor of the Times reprinted a letter from a foreign exchange student from Stuttgart, Germany. The student wrote: "In Germany before I left, there were never any serious political demonstrations. People were not that much interested in politics... [Now] they are standing up. They are trying to influence what is happening in politics.... I am proud of those who fight racism in my country...." (Los Angeles Times, Jan. 1, 1993 . ) It is not known yet whether this new public activism will be sustained or stop in a few weeks. Nevertheless, the grassroots movement should be noted. "It is an approach rarely seen in Germany. Here, the long deliberate suppression of nationalistic emotions has blunted the sense of patriotism and national pride that so frequently drives Americans to activism. "
"What we are seeing is something really unusual," commented Juergen Friedrichs, head of the Research Institute for Sociology at Cologne University. "There have been local protests over local problems before, but nothing like this at a national level."
The Bible shows that the Assyrians, from whom much of the German nation has descended, is prophesied to be used as the "rod of God's anger" to punish modern Israel if she does not repent of her sins (Isaiah 10:5-7). Considering the potential of the German nation—for good and for bad—brings to mind their role in recent history. In the years leading up to World War II the German people were mightily roused by patriotism and a misguided cause. Are we seeing the ignition of a new political consciousness and willingness among the German people to express themselves politically that could some day be harnessed or manipulated again?
God's prophecies are sure (II Peter 1:19) and we can by them see into the future. Ultimately, these German people will excel in the wonderful world tomorrow, during the millennial reign of Christ (Isaiah 20:23-25).
But for now, it is believed that how the German nation reacts to these on-going Neo-Nazi incidences of violence will decide the nation's democratic future! "Together with the new lure of rightist parties amid voter disenchantment with the country's mainstream politicians, these attitudes have provided an atmosphere that encourages the violence. As a result, the actions of a few thousand ill-organized, mainly leaderless youths have shaken the foundations of German democracy. "
It is more important than ever to remain spiritually alert. Watch news trends and do not be distracted by the cares of daily living. The significance of many trends and lesser events around the world could be overlooked if we do not make an effort to see the "big picture." News developments verify that prophecy is real and very much, even now, in the process of being fulfilled before our very eyes in these last days!
by Staff
If you do not remember the story of Phinehas (Numbers 25:1-18) and how his bold action stopped the plague God sent upon Israel, spending about three minutes to read it would be time well spent! Phinehas exceeded the authority of a priest when he single-handedly killed Zimri and Cozbi for a blatant sexual sin. There was no trial and no testimony given. Yet, the law requires the death sentence to be carried out by stoning—and only with the testimony of two or three witnesses (Deuteronomy 17:1-7).
It was clear that Moses was aware of the incident (Numbers 25:6). Should not Phinehas wait for God or Moses to take action? Should God punish Phinehas for exceeding his authority? Why did God do the opposite—bless Phinehas' family forever? How does this differ from Korah exceeding his authority only nine chapters earlier?
The difference is simple. Phinehas was doing the will of God; Korah was doing his own will. Phinehas understood that the congregation was suffering because of "harlotry" and that God was punishing them for it (Deuteronomy 25:1, 4-5). Korah must have forgotten all of the great works done through Moses and falsely called Egypt a "land of milk and honey" (Numbers 16:12-14). In both cases, God gave a sign to show His will by blessing Phinehas and destroying Korah.
Phinehas was not fearful to stand up for what was right, even though it was unpopular among the people. The two people he killed were both children of prominent men—revenge was always a possibility. But Phinehas did what he did because action was needed, and because it was right!