THE LAODICEAN CHURCH TEACHING 1975 In Prophecy (1956 Edition) - Herbert W Armstrong "Our Work Bears Fruit!

At that mighty moment of earth's history, hundreds of thousands will remember the TRUE MESSAGE FROM GOD that they had heard going out freely to the world at THIS time, on The WORLD TOMORROW program. Yes, hundreds of thousands who take it lightly today, or put it out of mind because it's different from the teachings of their worldly churches, will then REMEMBER and cry out to God for mercy! And these hundreds of thousands shall learn that God's mercy, truly, is greater toward us than the heavens are high above the earth! For God will hear their repentant cries, and place them under His divine protection from the indescribably terrible PLAGUES which are then yet to come! For these are the plagues that GOD shall send -- plagues sent in divine PUNISHMENT on those Fascist powers of Europe that shall have yielded themselves as the chief political religious agencies of SATAN in his defiant war against God! At this precise juncture -- again for the ELECT'S sake -- God will hold back the punishing winds of war and of plagues (Rev. 7:1-3). The actual physical punishment of this great and mighty DAY OF THE LORD will not fall until God has sealed, with His protection, those who have now suffered through the Great Tribulation (Rev. 7:14), and have now at last learned their lesson, and turned repentantly to GOD. Among these, now yielding their lives to God and to HIS WAYS, will be the muchquoted but little-understood "144,000." There will be 12,000 from America -another 12,000 from British Commonwealth nations -- 12,000 Jews -- 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel except Dan -- Joseph is given a DOUBLE-portion. But also, with them, there shall be an INNUMERABLE MULTITUDE out o all nations, who shall in total surrender cry out to God. The 144,000 Israelites will then have the name of God the Father (Rev. 14:1) sealed in their foreheads (Rev 7:3-4) -- that is, in their minds. These all shall receive God's Holy Spirit -- be then begotten as children of God. And who shall then, at last -- having endured the Great Tribulation -- having seen

God's terrifying warning SIGNS -- repent and put their lives in God's hands, shall come under God's divine protection. NO PLAGUE will touch them (Psalm 91:111). But all others, still the vast majority, will not repent. And all who will not repent at this time, after this final SUPERNATURAL WARNING, will have so hardened their hearts in resentfulness and bitterness against God that they will not repent, even during the plagues that shall then immediately follow (Rev. 9:20; 16:9,11). Now after these mighty events will come the time of GOD'S WRATH against sinful men who have refused to depart from the ways that are damning their own souls. Now God, at last, after every possible warning and pleading short of physical punishment, will let the divine punishment fall! Now comes, in full divine FURY, the period foretold in more than 30 prophecies as "The DAY OF THE LORD" -- the time of God's Wrath! " What Is the Laodicean Church? - Good News Aug 1959 - Leroy Neff "Good News August 1959 Vol. VIII, Number 8 What Is the "LAODICEAN CHURCH"? When should we expect the Laodicean condition in the Church of God? Who are to be a part of it? by L. Leroy Neff SEVERAL church denominations claim that they are now in the Laodicean era that the many churches of THIS WORLD are a PART of that Church described in Revelation 3:14-22. A few claim that we, the Church of God, are the Laodicean Church because, as one person has stated, we do not have the gift of "unknown tongues!" Others say the Laodicean era of the Church will occur in the Millennium. But notice! During the Millennium, God will use the KINGDOM OF GOD as His instrument on this earth, and not merely a fleshly Church. Therefore, the Laodicean era of the Church cannot be during the one thousand year period! The seven Church ages of Revelation 2 and 3 lead up to the coming of Christ. The Millennium follows the ages of these seven Churches. We must expect this period before the soon return of Jesus Christ. The time is

short! The Laodicean era is either here now, or it must come quickly and last but a short time! God's Church Divided? Is it possible for two entirely separate works, or two separate organizations of God's Church to exist at the same time as Jesus' instrument in preaching to the world? Was the New Testament Church in Paul's time two separate organizations? No, the Church was not split! The Church was ONE. God does not have two organizations CARRYING OUT HIS WORK OF PREACHING THE GOSPEL TO THE WORLD at one time. The Church is not a divided work competing with itself. Christ's own words were, "And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name" The Church of God "those whom thou hast given me, THAT THEY MAY BE ONE, as we are" (John 17:11). Notice, "that they may be ONE" not divided, not split in two organizations. If the Church of Laodicea and the Church of Philadelphia are separate bodies both doing the same work of God at the same time, this prayer of Jesus was in vain! What happens to member of God's Church if they commit apostasy, or if some split off as another group? They would no longer be a part of the Church of God! There are several examples of groups who have split themselves off from the true vine. We have the two recent examples of the "Seventh Day Baptists," who have taken themselves out of the name of the Church of God, and the "Seventh Day Adventists" who have done the same. They do not even call themselves the "Church of God" anymore because THEY ARE NOT GOD'S CHURCH! But what about the "Sardis Era" of God's Church? Are they not existing at the same time as the Philadelphia Era" of the Church? Yes, but notice their condition in Revelation 3:1. "And unto the angel of the Church in Sardis write: These things saith he that hath the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, AND ART DEAD!" They have the name of the Church of God, and yet THEY ARE DEAD. Today the small divided remnants of that Church are spiritually dead. They are not now God's instrument for carrying out His work. They are just a few scattered people not a living organization carrying on God's work! Since 1934, at the beginning of the Philadelphia Era, this work has taken the place of the dead Sardis Church. Since that time the Sardis Church has not been doing the work of spreading the gospel to the world as a witness! Let us take another example. If a part of the Church today would go off into error and establish its own Church, that body would be rejecting the authority that God has set in the Church (Eph. 4:11). An example of such rejection is found in I Samuel 8:7. The Church of Laodicea would NOT be such a split from the Philadelphia Church! Such a split WOULD NO LONGER BE A PART OF THE CHURCH OF GOD! All these scriptures show us that the Church of God is not a

divided or a split Church! Laodicea Lacks Zeal Let's examine some of the facts about the Church of Laodicea" Read Revelation 3:14-22. Notice verse 15. "I know thy works, that thou are neither cold nor hot." Here is the first indication about this Church they are lukewarm! Verse 19 tells them to "be zealous." Because they do not have zeal, Christ will "spue them out of His mouth." It claims that it is spiritually rich and increased with goods, and has need of nothing. We can apply this to physical things; however, the Bible makes it plain that the condition is primarily spiritual! This Church believes it has knowledge, understanding, spiritual goods, righteousness, and many other attributes to commend it to God. Instead of that, Christ says, "You are wretched and miserable and poor, and blind, and naked!" This Church is then told: "Buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich." Notice that this particular Church should buy gold tried in the fire. What does it mean to have "gold tried in the fire?" Turn first to Malachi 3:2-3. "But who may abide the day of his coming? And who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is LIKE A REFINER'S FIRE and like fuller's soap; and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, THAT THEY MAY OFFER UNTO THE LORD AN OFFERING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS." These people are to be tried in the fire, purified and purged. They are punished, and tried in persecution and tribulation! Next turn to Zechariah 13:7. "Awake, O sword, against MY SHEPHERD, and against the MAN that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts: smite THE SHEPHERD, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones." In Matthew 26:31, we find that this refers specifically to Jesus Christ. But prophecies are often dual in meaning. This verse can also refer to a leader in the Church of Laodicea. He the shepherd is killed as a result of the persecution against the Church of Laodicea. The sheep, or the remnant of that Church (Rev. 12:17), are to be scattered through war. When does this happen? Just before the coming of Jesus Christ! At the time that SHEPHERD is going to be killed and the sheep scattered, the third part of the nation Israel (Ezek. 5:12) is going to be brought through the fire and the Church of Laodicea will have to go through it! A time is coming when what is left of that Church is going to be scattered, persecuted and hunted, killed by the "fire" of men. AFTER this severe trial, they will zealously call upon God and He will hear them, and say "It is my people." The "Laodiceans" are also told to "get white raiment," typical of righteousness and purity. That is obtained by OVERCOMING the severe trials and tests that they will face (Rev. 3:5). These people cannot see their spiritual wretchedness. They are told to anoint their eyes with eyesalve so that they may see. Are some of you in this same condition,

where you cannot see yourselves as you should? Are you zealous, or are you like people who are neither cold nor hot? We must have this zeal, or we may find ourselves in the Church of Laodicea! "Let him that hath an ear hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches." The next thing commanded the Laodicean Era is to repent (verse 19). God's people need a repentant attitude at all times. Since these people are told to repent, they are not in such a repentant attitude! And yet, they are the Church of God! They keep God's commandments (Rev. 12:17), keep the Sabbath, obey God's laws, and yet they have no zeal and they are not fully repentant! They do not change when they receive correction. Does this describe any of us? Remember individuals and local congregations may at any time be like any of these seven Churches. They all existed locally in the apostolic age! Parable of Ten Virgins Read the parable of the ten virgins (Mat. 25:1-13). Notice the condition of those who are begotten into the "Kingdom of heaven" at that time (Mat. 25:1-2). Observe the similarities between the "Church of Laodicea" and the ten virgins who "ALL slumbered and slept" (verse 5). All ten, though lacking in zeal and slumbering, are virgins and have not defiled themselves with the harlot of Rome or her daughters (Rev. 14:4). Five, however, were wise enough to repent in time and be imbued with the Spirit of God. But there are certain things wrong with the other five of them. The five foolish took no extra oil with them. There was no repentance no change. Their lamps were GOING out. (The King James Version inaccurately reads "GONE out." See the Greek text or any modern translation.) Oil is typical of the Holy Spirit of God and they did not have enough of this Spirit. They did NOT realize this most important need until the cry went forth to go out to meet the bridegroom! The foolish virgins then went to buy oil. But it was too late! The door was closed for them. They were not admitted into the marriage. The lesson here is that the remnant Church must always watch, for it does not know the day nor the hour that Christ will return! The Church of Philadelphia Compared with Laodicea Let's compare this parable and the Church of Laodicea with the Church of Philadelphia. We have proved through history and through God's Word that this work, the Radio Church of God, is the "Philadelphia Era" of the Church. Notice now the differences. Revelation 3:7-13: "And to the angel of the Church in Philadelphia write these things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that OPENETH, and no man SHUTTETH; and SHUTTETH and no man openeth." The great door that God has opened to this work is the facility to go into all the world and preach the gospel; the door of radio, the door of the printing press, plus many other such doors. God has set before us an open door and

no MAN can shut it. God can shut it, and He will when the work is finished and the Philadelphia Church goes to a place of safety. "I know thy works: Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name" (verse 8). Notice that this Church has works. It has works of ZEAL and of REPENTANCE. This Church has only a little strength. But, by contrast, the Church of Laodicea believes that IT is increased with goods and has a great deal of strength. Philadelphia has little strength to do this great work that God has given it to do. God has opened the door, and yet look how insignificant, how weak, how little strength we as a Church have to do that work. How much we lack in every way, and yet God has opened the door and has given us certain vital, supernatural, spiritual gifts. Very often we lack enough money to pay the radio bills and other expenses. WE ARE FEW IN NUMBER, while many other eras of the Church of God numbered in the hundreds of thousands. We indeed have little strength. And yet, look at the great power that God has placed before us. Let's bring it down to the individual level even though it is referring primarily to the Church as a whole. Most of us as individuals realize how little strength we really have, how we lack in some of the spiritual gifts. God has given the Church a good measure of wisdom and of knowledge and faith. He has given us many other gifts but we still lack in many things, but we also realize it. Our Church has not denied the name of God. THIS Church is going to be protected from the hour of temptation, or of trial and tribulation which will come upon all the world (Rev. 3:16). But the Church of Laodicea must go through severe tribulation. The Church of Laodicea is to be lukewarm, lacking in zeal and repentance. They were lacking in God's Spirit. Because of this, Christ said that He would spue them out they would no longer have His protection. They thought they were rich, just as the foolish virgins, in the parable, thought they had plenty of oil. After it was too late, they learned that their supply of oil was gone! There is a door in each case, closed! Christ says that He knocks at the door of the Laodiceans. The foolish virgins among them left the door closed! The Philadelphians will be taken to a place of safety for three and one half years (Rev. 12:14). And yet, there is a remnant of the Church which remains and who will not be in that place of safety (Rev. 12:17). This remnant which remains IS a part of the Church of God, and keeps the commandments of God. It is the Church of Laodicea who had no vital part in the work of God today EVEN THOUGH THEY LIVE TODAY AND ARE A PART OF THAT GENERATION WHICH WILL SEE CHRIST RETURN. Jesus Christ instructs all of us to watch and pray always that we may be accounted worthy to escape all the things that are coming upon this world (Luke 21:36). Some will not be accounted worthy to escape these things. Those of the Church of

Laodicea will find that they are not worthy to escape. The DOOR OF SAFETY will be shut for them. To those who still will not overcome, it will be closed forever! Others, who become faithful and overcome, not loving their lives unto death, may yet gain eternal life as the five wise virgins do. Warnings for Today God's people have been warned time after time from the pulpit and in the pages of the PLAIN TRUTH and The GOOD NEWS that they must continue in a repentant attitude. Yet some still lack zeal, though exhorted to be zealous. Some are spiritually asleep, and have been exhorted to wake up. Any one of you can now be in the spiritual condition of Laodicea even though that age of the Church is yet to arise. Notice I Corinthians 3:11-15. Here we see those whose works are burnt up WHO THEMSELVES MUST BE PURIFIED BY FIRE to be saved "at that day." Surely here is a picture of the Laodicean character! Let's be among those who realize that they have little strength, and have not denied the Name of Christ. They have kept His patience. They have kept His Word. They are striving hard, and are overcoming. Let's hold fast and maintain the identifying marks ... Church of Philadelphia. Let's not be among those whom God will have to separate from His living Church today. The Laodicean Church is not going to he worthy to escape to a place of safety. When it is too late, they will find that the Church of Philadelphia has gone to safety. Only two choices remain for each person left. They will be tried by the fire of men, and may lose their lives in severe tortures; or if they recant, they will lose their lives in the final gehenna fire. In either case, they will be tried in the fire. If they are tried by the fire of men and still overcome, they will be given eternal life. If they fail this, the final GEHENNA FIRE with everlasting destruction will be their doom. Judging from the parable of the ten virgins, if you are found in the Church of Laodicea, YOU PROBABLY DON'T KNOW IT. You may think you are in the Church that will go to safety. When you find out it will be too late. Now is the time to prepare. Now is the time to be zealous. Now is the time for good works the time to obtain more of the Holy Spirit of God. Now is the time to keep repentant, to change our lives. Let's not be a part of the Laodicean Church! " Must God's Ministers Be Ordained By The Hand Of Man? - Good News Jan 1960 Herbert W Armstrong "For one 19-year time-cycle, God carried on the Gospel thru His Church to North America. He had opened the DOOR of radio and the printing press. Then, 19 years to the exact month, God OPENED THE DOOR for the Gospel to go to ALL

EUROPE, and the very next year to ASIA. The same identical time-pattern of 19year time-cycles is being fulfilled in God's work thru His Church today, as it was thru His Church in Apostolic days. But SOME of those in the Church today will grow weary with well-doing. They will brag about being the true Church -- thinking they are spiritually rich, when they are, in fact, almost spiritually destitute. Because they are indifferent to the real WORK OF GOD, lukewarm, lacking in zeal, Christ will spew them out of His mouth. THEY cannot be used in His work! THEY shall lose the very salvation they boast of having unless they repent! God help YOU never to drift into the LAODICEAN church!" Why Some Fall Away - Good News Jan 1961 - Leroy Neff "Don't Neglect the Broadcast Some of you have become lax in listening to the broadcast. In most areas of the United States you can hear the broadcast more than one time each day. In some areas it is available SEVEN TIMES a day. And yet, some have neglected this very important part of their spiritual life. If you believe that it is not necessary for you to do these things, then you have become "spiritually rich," just as the Laodicean church (Rev. 3). THAT CHURCH IS NOT GOING TO A PLACE OF SAFETY. God says to some of you: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: BECAUSE THOU HAST REJECTED KNOWLEDGE, I WILL ALSO REJECT THEE, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast FORGOTTEN THE LAW of thy God, I will also forget thy children" (Hosea 4:6). That is why some of you are disqualifying yourself to enter God's Kingdom! You are rejecting the knowledge that God has given you, and not acting on that knowledge. You have forgotten the law of God, and in place of it you are seeking worldly and temporal pursuits. NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT ON THE KNOWLEDGE GOD HAS GIVEN. " Member Letter July 25 1967 - Herbert W Armstrong "Are we the CHURCH OF GOD that will be taken to a place of safety? Or are we the contented, lackadaisical, lukewarm LAODICEAN people who are going into slavery in the Great Tribulation -- into TORTURE and MARTYRDOM? Are we putting GOD'S WORK FIRST, or are we allowing other interests, desires, entertainments, to fill our minds -- and take our money? WHY is it, dear Brethren, that Communists can be SO COMPLETELY DEVOTED to their damnable destructive CAUSE -- can DEVOTE their whole souls and lives and interests to it -but God's people have to be reminded, prodded, aroused out of lethargy and LUKEWARMNESS? As I write, there has been TERRIBLE rioting and looting in Detroit the past two

days, so that the Governor of Michigan had to appeal to the President of the United States to send TROOPS. WHY is it that some negroes (NOT our Brethren, of course!!!), can be STIRRED by Communist propagandists and rabble-rousers into an almost INSANE FURY and dedicated FRENZY of rioting, looting, sniping, shooting, killing, DESTROYING -- DEDICATED with fiendish, satanic ZEAL to the CAUSE of destruction and violence -- while GOD'S PEOPLE, who have their own salvation and the salvation of ALL HUMANITY to work for, can become so lax and LUKEWARM? Frankly, Brethren, I find it distressing, and hard to understand! " The Parable of the Ten Virgins - Plain Truth Jan 1968 - Unknown Author(Possibly Mr. Armstrong) "The Plain Truth January, 1968 THE BIBLE ANSWERS Short Questions FROM OUR READERS "Explain, if you will, the parable of the ten virgins five of whom were wise and five foolish." J. R. C., California The WORK OF GOD, proclaiming to the whole world the good news of the KINGDOM OF GOD, was started by one man Jesus Christ. Jesus chose and called His disciples. The word "disciple" means a student or learner. For 3 1/2 years, He taught them God's Message the Gospel the GOOD NEWS of the WORLD TOMORROW. After His death for the sins of the world, His resurrection to make possible eternal life for us, and His ascension, to the throne of the universe where He has since remained as our High Priest Christ sent the Holy Spirit to fill and empower His Apostles and His CHURCH. Jesus had said: "I will build my CHURCH." And He did! The WORK OF GOD was STARTED in and through the individual personal human body of Jesus Christ. He had said that He could do NOTHING OF HIMSELF it was the power of God's Holy Spirit dwelling IN Him that did the WORK. Now that SAME POWER entered into the COLLECTIVE BODY of disciples, forming the New Testament Church of God. Thus this Church became the BODY OF CHRIST. Its number one commission is to carry on THE WORK OF GOD that is, proclaim to the world Christ's Gospel of the Kingdom of God. In other words, the GOOD NEWS of the WORLD TOMORROW Christ's WORLD GOVERNMENT, replacing today's world, invisibly governed by Satan.

The early New Testament Church, surcharged with the mighty POWER of God's Spirit, mushroomed and multiplied in growth and power. Its influence was soon felt. Jesus had told His disciples He was going to heaven, but would return again as supreme world RULER to establish the Kingdom of God. They expected this to occur very soon in their lifetime. It was BECAUSE they thought that the Kingdom of God should IMMEDIATELY appear that Jesus gave them the parable of the pounds (Luke 19:11-27). Even after His resurrection, they expected Jesus to set up His Kingdom immediately (Acts 1:6). But He went to heaven. A whole 19-year time cycle went by. Then another 19 years. For two 19-year time cycles they had proclaimed Christ's Message and had expected His imminent return IN THEIR GENERATION! They had grown discouraged. Their patience was exhausted. Then (70 A.D.), came the invasion and siege of Jerusalem. The true disciples in Palestine had fled to the north, disorganized. Their Messiah had not come to establish His RULE. They had lost patience. They were discouraged. THEY WENT TO SLEEP ON THE JOB of proclaiming Christ's GOSPEL! The MESSAGE of the coming GOVERNMENT OF GOD, with Christ as returning KING, to bring us PEACE in the world tomorrow, was no longer being proclaimed in an organized manner to the whole world! This, Christ Himself had foretold in His parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25). These virgins, of course, represented His CHURCH. They had expected Christ's return as conquering KING, even in 31 A.D., the very year the Church was actually founded! (Acts 1:6.) In this parable of Matthew 25, Jesus explained, prophetically in advance, that when the returning Christ "tarried" DELAYED His coming beyond their erroneous expectation "they all slumbered and slept." The WHOLE CHURCH OF GOD WENT TO SLEEP ON THE JOB assigned to it! For more than 18 1/2 long centuries that vital Gospel Message of coming WORLD GOVERNMENT was not proclaimed, in organized power, to the world. But Jesus also had declared, prophetically: "This Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached [and published Mark 13:10] in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end [of this world's civilization] come" (Mat. 24:14). This proclamation was to be the SIGN of His coming! Just as God had allotted two 19-year time cycles at the BEGINNING of this New Testament era for the proclaiming of HIS Gospel, so He has decreed for its worldwide proclamation AT THE CLOSE of the age preparing the way for His return! The first week in 1934 that SAME Gospel of the Kingdom started going once again

to the world. Christ had OPENED THE MIGHTY DOOR of radio and the printing press. The "midnight hour" had struck! The LOUD CRY began booming out, thundering to the world, "Christ is soon COMING to RULE ALL NATIONS ON EARTH FOR A THOUSAND YEARS! The KINGDOM OF GOD was once again being proclaimed! The CHURCH had aroused from its slumber! Read again the prophecy of the virgins: "While the Bridegroom tarried, they all [the whole Church] slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, 'BEHOLD, THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH; GO YE OUT TO MEET HIM'" (Mat. 25:5-6). The WORK OF GOD had undergone an awakening! Once again it was active. But notice! The parable continues: "Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out [OR, going out see margin]." The five foolish virgins possessed lamps but took no oil. That is they had the Word of God, the Bible, to light their path, but were not filled with the Holy Spirit [symbolized by oil] to give them spiritual understanding either of the Bible, or of the gospel, or of the times in which they live! This was the state of the five foolish virgins who thought themselves to be God's people when the midnight cry arose. They were spiritually dead, having no oil left having quenched the Holy Spirit of God! Now turn to the brief prophetic history of the true Church in Revelation 2 and 3. The very LAST of these seven successive Churches is to be the self-sufficient, lukewarm, Laodicean group. But just before it is the Church which carries this end-time vital Message! It is small. It is weak. But it is faithful, as few have been, with GOD'S WORD! It rises at the time Daniel prophesied, when "KNOWLEDGE shall be increased" (Dan. 12:4). But this Church, carrying God's message to the world, is preceded by another Church era. That one is pictured as spiritually asleep and dead (Rev. 3:1-3) foolish virgins. But among them are a few wise virgins who shall walk with Christ (verse 4). They heeded the midnight cry. Is it any wonder, then, that SATAN is now aroused to sway those he can lead into persecuting and opposing God's Work? Remember, prophecy is DUAL. There is a former, and a latter fulfillment of most prophecies. The first FAMINE OF HEARING THE WORD OF THE LORD has ended. But the time is soon coming probably at the end of the second 19-year time cycle of this Work when the voices of God's servants shall be stilled the printing presses stopped! Then will come the great tribulation, and the terrible Day

of the Lord with its supernatural plagues on the devil's cohorts! For 3 1/2 years there shall AGAIN be a FAMINE OF HEARING THE WORD OF THE LORD (Amos 8:11) except for the voices of God's two witnesses (Rev. 11). Then comes the resurrection. "And they that were ready" the wise virgins "went in with Him [Jesus Christ] to the marriage" (Mat. 25:10). And the others were shut out! To them Jesus said: "I know you not." "Watch therefore," Jesus concluded, "for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh" (verse 13). " ACBC (58 Lesson Version) (1969)- Lesson 08 - Why Are Natural Disasters Increasing? - Herbert W Armstrong "Sealing By the Holy Spirit Leads to Safety 1. Will further disruptions of the earth be stopped for a brief period? Rev. 7:1-2. Why? Verse 3. Note the word "sealed." What will these people have become because of experiencing these previous disruptions of nature? Same verse. Note the words "servants of God." How many people will there be in this group -- 144,000? Verse 4. 2. When born into God's Family, will they have the honor of following Christ, the Lamb, wherever He goes? Rev. 14:1, 3, 4-5. What a great reward for being among the FIRST group -- the "firstfruits" -- to turn to God EARLY! 3. Who will comprise the 144,000? Rev. 7:4. Note the word "Israel." COMMENT: They will be some of the modern-day descendants of ancient Israel who will have heeded God's warnings while in captivity. 4. But after the 144,000 are sealed from harm, will others also be sealed? Rev. 7:9. Are these people of ALL nations? Same verse. What did they come "out of"? Verses 13-14. COMMENT: These are they which came out of [the] GREAT tribulation..." -- and have been forgiven their sins through the shed blood of Christ. They are seen clothed in white robes, symbolizing purity and righteousness -- obedience to God's laws -- unspotted by the ways and customs of the world. This great multitude of people -- of all nations -- will come out of the great tribulation. Before their captivity, they had heard God's WARNING message preached as a "witness" unto all nations by His faithful ministers. They had heard of Christ, but they had not obeyed Him. But now -- as they see God intervening through terrible supernatural signs in the heavens and on earth -- they begin to fear God. They begin to surrender to God's will, to ask God to cleanse them from all their past sins by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Think of it -- thousands upon thousands, even millions, beginning to surrender to God as a result of His intervention in nature. Notice, too, that these uncounted multitudes are pictured as though they are in the very presence of God. John does not see them in mortal flesh, but as SPIRITBORN sons of God who neither thirst, hunger, nor sorrow any more! (Rev. 7:1517.) 5. WHEN all those who are immediately willing to repent have surrendered to God, then what further terrifying events will God send on the earth to bring stubborn, unrepentant human beings to their senses so they may turn to Him? Will the four angels -- restrained while God's servants were sealed -- then send their punishments upon the earth? Rev. 7:1 coupled with 8:7-12 COMMENT: Today, God is first speaking His warning to mankind by His true ministers. Soon He will speak by STUPENDOUS WONDERS in the heavens which man can SEE. Still many will not repent. Therefore, God will speak to the world through even GREATER supernatural acts which men will FEEL!" ACBC (58 Lesson Version) (1969)- Lesson 31 - What is the Mark of the Beast?
"Greater Tribulation Just Ahead!

This tribulation of the Middle Ages was ONLY A SMALL FORERUNNER of "the GREAT tribulation" which is yet to come! God shows this SAME satanically inspired RELIGIO-POLITICAL system is to be in existence at the close of this age -- IN OUR TIME NOW -- in just a FEW SHORT YEARS! And THROUGH IT, the Devil will cause the "Mark of the Beast" to be enforced again WITH MORE FIENDISH BRUTALITY THAN EVER DREAMED POSSIBLE! Notice the grim warning in your Bible: "WOE to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! for the Devil is come down unto you, having GREAT wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time" (Rev. 12:12). This is for the days now just immediately ahead of us! Millions will suffer through this gruesome time OF SATAN'S WRATH: "I beheld, and lo, a GREAT multitude, WHICH NO MAN COULD NUMBER, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues,

stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes .... These are they which came out of GREAT TRIBULATION, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Rev. 7:9, 14). Yes, millions are to suffer through this terrible period of great tribulation that is JUST AHEAD! Multiplied thousands of them will be the ones who are now SPIRITUALLY ASLEEP as they hear the WARNING MESSAGE of God's true servants today! They could have AVOIDED this terrifying, calamitous experience had they acted in time by beginning a personal spiritual exodus to God BEFOREHAND -- by KEEPING NOW His key test Sabbath Day commandment and His other commandments. They could have been spared all of this suffering had they turned to God and come under HIS DIVINE PROTECTION NOW -- heeding the WARNING of these lessons about observing Sunday. But you see here -- you have God's very Word for it here that hundreds of thousands of a GREAT multitude, a multitude that "no man can number," will NEGLECT this warning! They will VOLUNTARILY take the dreadful "MARK OF THE BEAST"! " ACBC (58 Lesson Version)(1969) - Lesson 42 - WHAT WILL YOU DO FOR ETERNITY? - Herbert W Armstrong "What Reward THIS Church Is Promised! 1. What does God say of this era -- the Philadelphia era of His True Church? Rev. 3:7-13. Does Christ know our works? Verse 8. Has this era of the Church denied the proper name, "Church of God"? Same verse. Even though we have only a little strength, has God multiplied our power by setting before us the OPEN DOOR of radio and the printing press? Same verse. Have we been faithful with God's Word? Same verse. 2. What is God's injunction to the Philadelphia era of the Church of God? Verse 11. Will Christ come when this Church era is still active? Note the words, "Behold, I

COME QUICKLY." To those who "hold fast" does Christ promise a crown? Same verse. COMMENT: A crown is worn by a king -- it is a symbol of rulership! Rulership is part of the reward promised the Philadelphia era of God's Church. 3. What else is promised as a reward to the Philadelphia Church era? Rev. 3:12. Is all of this dependent upon being an OVERCOMER? Same verse. Through the work of preaching and publishing the gospel by the Philadelphia era of God's Church will there be a special 144,000 who also repent, endure tribulation and overcome? Compare Rev. 3:12 with Rev. 14:1. COMMENT: Note the expressions "write upon him the name of my God," and "having the Father's name written in their foreheads." 4. What will the Philadelphia era of God's Church DO for eternity? Rev. 3:12. Note the word "pillar." Were Christ's leading disciples called "pillars"? Gal. 2:9. COMMENT: Responsibility as "pillars" is what God promises to those in God's Church today. Each can qualify to be SPIRITUAL PILLARS OR LEADERS -THE MAIN SUPPORTS IN THE "CHURCH" SYMBOLICALLY CALLED "TEMPLE" IN REV. 3:12 FOR ALL ETERNITY. A PILLAR IS A MAIN SUPPORT IN A TEMPLE! 5. Where will the Philadelphia Church be stationed? Rev. 3:12. Note the words, "temple" and "New Jerusalem." COMMENT: This Church -- the Philadelphia era -- is to have the name of the headquarters of the world -- the Capital City of the Universe. The pillars of the Church ought always to be at headquarters so that everyone may appeal to it for decisions. We, of the Philadelphia Era, are to have the name of God the Father and of the Son. God always places His name where He is. He will be dwelling in the new Jerusalem. So will we! That IS WHY we will have His name! Notice, too, that Scripture reveals "He shall go no more out" (Rev. 3:12). We are never to be removed from that reward and responsibility. Think of that! We are to be at headquarters -- executing Jesus Christ's policies -- teaching those who need to come to headquarters for decisions throughout eternity as God expands the power and scope of His government! At headquarters we will have the opportunity to help with the master-plan for making a NEW HEAVENS AND NEW EARTH! Truly the Philadelphia Era of God's Church is promised a wonderful, and very SPECIAL reward!

Unique Duty For Laodicean Era 1. What does Jesus Christ say to the church era typified by the Church of God at Laodicea? Rev. 3:14-22. 2. Will those of the Laodicean era be faithful as the Philadelphia era has been? Verses 15-17. What does Christ recommend for the Laodicean church era? Verses 18-19. Is this fire in which the Laodiceans will be tried the tribulation at the end of this age? I Pet. 1:7-9; I Pet. 4:12. See and compare Jer. 9:7 and Zech. 13:9. COMMENT: YOU all ought to be familiar with this graphic description of the lukewarmness of the work which will climax this age. It is not THIS work of God today. They are recipients and heirs to the riches of spiritual understanding which God is revealing through this Church today -- but they will become spiritually smug. Nothing good can be said about them. They are not promised deliverance from the coming time of trouble and religious persecution -- whereas we of the Philadelphia era ARE promised deliverance. If they become zealous and repent, if they "love not their lives unto death," then they will receive a good responsibility. But they have first a great period of trial and test to meet. Jesus will send the punishment on them because He loves them. If they change their ways, He will not figuratively spue them out of His mouth as one who spues out nauseating lukewarm water. 3. What reward awaits those of the Laodicean era who do repent and overcome? Rev. 3:21. COMMENT: NOTICE THAT THEY ARE NOT CALLED SPIRITUAL "PILLARS"; NEITHER DO THEY HAVE THEIR OWN THRONES. -------------------------------------------------PHOTO CAPTION: The ruins of a Roman stadium stand in what was once Laodicea. The letter addressed to the Church of God there contains a message for us today. -------------------------------------------------They are only qualified through much tribulation to sit with Christ on His throne ASSISTING HIM DIRECTLY IN THE PERSONAL ADMINISTRATION OF HIS OFFICE. Here you see yet a different responsibility in the Kingdom of God! " ACBC (58 Lesson Version) (1969)- Lesson 44 - Watch World News! - Herbert W Armstrong

"The Great Tribulation Is SATAN'S Wrath. Satan is angry with God and angry with man for having been made in God's image! (Briefly review Lesson 29). As the end of Satan's 6000 years approaches, he has deceived the human race to the very brink of self-destruction. 1. What did Jesus say in summary of the preceding "sorrows?" Mat. 24:8. Why? Is it because Satan inspires a great persecution of God's people just before the Day of the Lord? Mat. 24:9; Luke 21:12; Mark 13:9. 2. If you would escape both the wrath of God and the wrath of Satan, what is your only hope? Mark 13:10. God has a Work to be done in this end-time! If you are an active part of it, you will be spared. Does Mat. 24:13-14 show that those who remain faithful in warning the world will be saved? Does this include being saved from the Tribulation? Luke 21:15, 17-18. 3. Is Revelation 3:10 a direct promise of protection during the worst of the Tribulation when Satan's "wrath" has increased? Rev. 12:12. Also compare Isaiah 26:20. 4. How will God protect the faithful, active portion of His Church? Will He take them away to a special place of safety? Rev. 12:14. The "wilderness" means a place away from the population centers and away from this world's civilization. 5. Will Satan make one last effort to destroy this "Philadelphia" church? Verse 15. Will he fail? Verse 16. 6. Then is Satan FILLED WITH WRATH? What will he do? Verse 17. This succeeding era of God's Church would have to be the "Laodicea" church, wouldn't it? Rev. 3:14. What do its members lack since they do not receive the same protection the "Philadelphia" church receives? Verses 15, 17. COMMENT: The Laodiceans are LUKEWARM. They ARE God's Church, but their hearts are not in the Work the zealous "Philadelphians" carry on. Instead, their minds are occupied with themselves (verse 17). They lack real outgoing LOVE -love for other people, for God's truth, and for God! 7. Does Joel call for a warning message just before the Day of the Lord? Joel 2:1, 2. "Blow the trumpet in Zion (among the people of Israel)." We are blowing that WARNING trumpet! 8. Because of this warning MESSAGE, will many become offended? Mat. 24:10; Mark 13:12-13. And further Satan's purpose by persecuting? Same verses. 9. Will many false teachers then arise to attempt to misguide the remnant of God's Church (Laodicea)? Mat. 24:11. Will their wickedness and the wickedness of the world on all sides cause many even of those not deceived -- to lose their love? Verse 12. Love is the first and greatest fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22). 10. What will happen to those who turn away, having once known the truth? Heb.

10:26, 27. This is the extreme danger the members of the "Laodicean" church will face after the "Philadelphia" church has been taken to a place of safety. Better draw near to God NOW, and He will draw near to you! Become zealous, active -FILLED with the Holy Spirit. 11. But is it possible, ALTHOUGH THROUGH MUCH TRIBULATION, for the "Laodicean" members to receive salvation -- plus a very high reward? Rev. 3:1819, 21. 12. Does Luke 21:36 show you have to become WORTHY to escape the Tribulation? WHAT can anyone do -- even those isolated or shut in -- to have a direct and IMPORTANT part in completing God's commission to the Philadelphia church? Same verse. COMMENT: Some people neglect PRAYER -- especially prayer for God's Work. They think their prayers would not be important. As a result, they themselves do not grow (II Pet. 3:18), and they may not be ready to go to a place of safety. 13. How EFFECTIVE can prayer be in accomplishing the commission entrusted to God's Church? James 5:16-18. " ACBC (58 Lesson Version)(1969) - Lesson 44 - Watch World News - Herbert W Armstrong "7. What part of modern-day Israel will escape death from famine, disease and war when the "Beast" attacks? Ezek. 5:12. But will even they experience additional warfare while in captivity? Same verse. Note the words, "SWORD after them." 8. Was Ezekiel instructed to picture a "few" who would be protected by God from these ravages? Verses 3, 4. COMMENT: This pictures both Philadelphian and Laodicean Christians. While the Philadelphian Christians are in a place of safety, the Laodiceans -- pictured by the hair taken from the small protected bundle -- must suffer the "fire" (Rev. 3:18) of the trials of religious persecution and martyrdom in captivity. 9. What is the ultimate decimation to which Israel will be reduced? Isa. 1:9; 6:11-13 and Amos 5:3. 10. In summary, what does Isaiah prophesy concerning the earth's population when Christ returns? Isa. 24:1, 3. Why? Verses 5-6. What is the number of people still alive compared to? Verse 13; Isa. 17:4-7" ACBC (58 Lesson Version)(1969) - Lesson 44 - Watch World News - Herbert WArmstrong "4. Did Christ -- the living Head of God's Church -- appoint every man his work? Mark 13:34. Did He warn against going to sleep on the job? Verse 36. 5. Has the Church been asleep for nearly 1900 years? Mat. 25:5. The 10 virgins

represent the Church which is to marry Christ at His Second Coming (Rev. 14:4). Does the parable show a voice was to be raised up to proclaim Christ's imminent return? Verse 6. When the Church is awakened, are half of the members found insufficiently prepared? Verses 8-12. They do not have enough of the Holy Spirit to withstand the temptations of the last days! They are not able to be a light to the world (Mat. 5:14)! 6. What is their mistake? Mark 13:37; Mat. 25:13. 7. Does the parable of the talents show accomplishment is demanded of everyone? Read Mat. 25:14-30. The talents symbolize SPIRITUAL GROWTH, which comes only by serving and working. 8. Does Matthew 25:34-46 show the motive for the works we must perform -- the kind of concern for others we must have? Your Time Is Short! There is very little time remaining. You now know only a minority of humanity will remain alive just a few years from now. You have been warned of the terrible physical suffering and mental agony the immediate future will bring. A place of safety IS promised. BUT it is PROMISED ONLY TO those whose WHOLE HEART AND MIND AND LIFE have been given up -- turned over as a living sacrifice to Christ! Those who can say with the apostle Paul "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (Gal. 2:20). These have "lost" their life by giving it to GOD -- in His ONE true Church -- BUT in so doing have FOUND IT (Luke 17:33)! They are ready to "STEP INTO ETERNITY" to continue their lives of service. They will "shine as the brightness of the firmament ... as the stars FOREVER AND EVER" (Dan. 12:3). YOU can be one of those who step into eternity. The way is plain. Draw near to God and His Church! Put your heart, your prayers, your life, your all into the Work being done as a witness to a dying world! Be converted, be dedicated. Only by drawing near to Christ who is the Head of the "Philadelphia" Church -- and having continuing contact with God's Headquarters Work -- will you make the spiritual growth required. And having a share in the Work of God's Church you can share in her place of safety. Very soon, world events will prevent many from being able to have contact with this Church. Don't wait to go through the terrible Tribulation with the sleepy, lukewarm "Laodicean" Church. Act NOW!! " ACBC (58 Lesson Version) (1969)- Lesson 53 - REACHING THE WORLD WITH POWER! - Herbert W Armstrong

"The Era of "Brotherly Love" PHILADELPHIA means "brotherly love" or "those who love their fellowmen as brothers." It expresses the characteristic which is the motivating zeal of the Philadelphia Era of God's Church. The Church shows love to mankind by carrying out God's commission -- that of warning the world of the impending destruction that hangs over it. It is revealing HOW Jesus Christ will soon rescue humanity from cosmocide and teach man the way of peace, happiness and prosperity. The goal of the "Philadelphia" Church is the ultimate salvation of all mankind! 1. Has this Church "not denied" Christ's NAME (including His nature, character, personality and power), and KEPT -- that is, both believed and PRACTICED -- His Word? Rev. 3:8. 2. Is "Philadelphia" promised a SPECIAL reward? Rev. 3:12. COMMENT: It is significant that the ancient Anatolian city of Philadelphia still lives today, unlike dead Sardis. Its Turkish name, ALLAH SHAIR, indicates the destiny of the Church it portrays. Translated it means "the CITY OF GOD"! 3. Will the overcomers of the Philadelphia Era be "PILLARS" in the temple of God in New Jerusalem? Same verse. COMMENT: The two pillars in front of Solomon's temple -- Jachin and Boaz (I Kings 7:21) -- represented STABILITY and STRENGTH. And as Peter, James and John stood out as "pillars" among the congregation in 49 A.D. (Gal 2:9), the Church of the Philadelphia Era is to stand out EVEN MORE in time to come! 4. Is the "Philadelphia" Church promised a place of safety for her faithful service and obedience? Rev. 3:10 and 12:14. COMMENT: As the ancient city of Philadelphia has been kept from destruction to this very day, so will the "Philadelphia" Church be preserved from the Great Tribulation which Satan will soon bring upon all the earth. 5. When those in "Philadelphia" are taken by God to a place of safety, will another part of God's Church be left behind? Rev. 12:17. -------------------------------------------------PHOTO CAPTION: The Jeans School, west of Eugene, Oregon. Those converted during the first evangelistic meetings held by Mr. Armstrong met here on God's Sabbath. They composed the first "congregation" of the Philadelphia Era of God's Church. -------------------------------------------------COMMENT: The "remnant" left behind will constitute the seventh and last era of God's Church -- the "Laodicean" Era -- which will last but a very short time.

The Laodicean Church Notice what has happened, since 69 A.D., to the preaching of the true message of God's coming kingdom. Instead of proclaiming that message worldwide, the Church as a whole went to SLEEP! Only briefly, as during the days of Peter Waldo, the Church stirred in her slumber, but did not fully awaken to do the Work of God. The parable in Matthew 25 EXPLAINS this long slumber. Turn to it and read through the first 13 verses. The "virgins" represent the members of God's Church through the ages. The Apostolic Age expected Christ's return momentarily (I Thes. 4:15). But when He did not immediately appear, they grew drowsy, lost their first love (Rev. 2:4) and went to sleep on the job. For nearly 1900 years God's Church continued to slumber and sleep. Then in 1934, a voice on the radio began to proclaim that the intervention of Christ in the affairs of this world is near (Matt. 25: 6). The Philadelphia Era of the Church of God began to zealously DO Christ's Work! (Verse 7.) 1. But at the end of the Work of "Philadelphia," will many lack a sufficient supply of "oil" (the Holy Spirit)? Matt. 25:8. 2. Are the five unprepared "virgins" told to go and figuratively BUY a supply of the Holy Spirit? Matt. 25:9. Does Revelation 3:17-18 show that the typical Laodicean also belongs in this category? COMMENT: These members of God's Church can still be born of God if they do as Christ instructs. But they will have to PROVE their spiritual dedication to God by overcoming in the midst of the Great Tribulation -- very likely through martyrdom! Matthew 25:10-12 indicates that SOME of the end-time "foolish virgins" will not yet be "ready" when Christ arrives. 3. In spite of Christ's warning and the constant repetition of the message by the Philadelphia Work over a period of years, is the spiritual condition of the "Laodiceans" just LUKEWARM -- neither hot nor cold, not really stirred up about overcoming? Rev. 3:15. COMMENT: The name LAODICEA is Greek. It means "the (self-) righteous people." It is significant that the ancient city of Laodicea lies a great ruin today -and like Sardis it is COMPLETELY DEAD! (It is recommended at this point that you go back and review your notes over page 10 of Lesson 44.) 4. WHY will the Laodiceans find themselves in such a pitiable state? Rev. 3:17. COMMENT: They will have been self-deceived. They "know not" that they themselves are "the ones pitiable and beggarly and blind and naked" (according to the original Greek). They THOUGHT they HAD made proper preparation for the return of Christ. They will say, "I HAVE BECOME rich (physically and spiritually) ... and have need of NOTHING."

The ancient city of Laodicea was famous for its money transactions and its soft wool. Laodicea was almost a synonym for soft, luxurious living. Not far from the city was a pagan temple with a great MEDICAL school. Naturally, Laodicea produced some famous SKEPTIC philosophers! The MODERN "Laodiceans" will be products of this MODERN age of skepticism, unbelief, creature comforts, medicine and permissiveness. They are too close to the ways and false gods of this world to get really "shook up" about God's truth until finally shaken out of their lukewarmness by having to suffer in the Great Tribulation! 5. Will Christ be showing LOVE to these people by allowing them to suffer so? Rev. 3:19 and Heb. 12:6-11. COMMENT: The Laodiceans actually have been begotten of God's Spirit. Their lamps are lit (Matt. 25:8), but are "going out" (see margin of your Bible) because the supply of "oil" (the Holy Spirit) has not been continually replenished and increased. Christ does NOT WANT to cast off these people. Revelation 3:16 should be translated "I AM ABOUT TO spue thee out," NOT "I WILL spue thee out." He stands ever ready to receive the OVERCOMERS -- to give them eternal life and rulership with Him (verses 20-21). 6. How might a "Laodicean" recognize his spiritual condition in advance of the Tribulation? Luke 6:26. But will the world HATE whoever is a dedicated believer in, and doer of, God's Work? John 15:19-20. What else does Christ say, through the Apostle Paul? I Cor. 10:12 and II Cor. 13:5. The Work of "Elijah" 1. Did Christ affirm that "Elijah" must come before His own return? Matt. 17:11. Is his job to "restore"? Same verse. COMMENT: Note that Christ is not speaking of the original Elijah. John the Baptist, who was a type of "Elijah," came "IN THE SPIRIT AND POWER of ELIJAH" (Luke 1:17). John the Baptist did a one-man work. But today God works through the Body of Christ -- the Church composed of MANY MEMBERS (Eph. 4:12, 16). After Christ's ministry on this earth, it was no more a single individual that did God's Work (through the power of His Spirit), but the Church -- the BODY of Christ. John the Baptist, the "Elijah" of his day (Matt. 17:12-13), was one man. But Christ founded God's CHURCH. After Pentecost, 31 A.D., the "body" of Christ, with various "members" like the hands, fingers, toes, etc. of a human body, did the work that one man used to do. Today the "body" of Christ -- the entire CHURCH OF GOD, through its VOICE,

its PRAYERS, its TITHES and OFFERINGS and its various other functions -- is heralding Christ's imminent return (Matt. 25:6). 2. What else will the "Elijah" of our day do? Mal. 4:5-6. COMMENT: This is being done through the dissemination of the knowledge of proper child rearing methods, and the principles governing legitimate and happy family relationships. And the hearts of both parents and children are being turned back to the GOD of their fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. THIS IS WHAT THE "PHILADELPHIA" ERA OF GOD'S CHURCH IS DOING TODAY! 3. Is this what the original Elijah did? Read I Kings 18:20-40. COMMENT: Elijah RESTORED the true religion which in his day -- as in the "Sardis" Era -- had been nearly lost, turning the hearts of the people back to their fathers and their God. 4. Had Elijah begun to train young men for the work to be done? II Kings 4:38. COMMENT: The expression "sons of the prophets" refers to young men being trained to continue the work of those whom Jezebel had killed (see I Kings 18:13). Remember, Jeroboam (I), king of Israel, had long before rejected the Levites from being priests and teachers. God had to use other men in the House of Israel to do His Work. But they had to be trained! 5. Were there THREE schools for the training of these men? II Kings 4:38 and 2:15. And did the students all know when God was about to take Elijah away and leave Elisha in charge? II Kings 2:3, 5. COMMENT: It is significant that today the Philadelphia Era of God's Church trains students on THREE campuses! And it is this Church which will be taken away to a temporary place of safety just as Elijah was taken to a place prepared by God. (If you do not understand where and why Elijah was taken away, send immediately for our free booklet, "Where Are Enoch and Elijah?") 6. What would happen to the earth if it weren't for God's Church and the work it is doing today? Mal. 4:6. Notice especially the last part of this verse. COMMENT: The greatest time of trouble ever is soon to occur on this earth (Dan. 12:1). And unless God cuts these hellish days short FOR THE SAKE OF HIS ELECT, there would no flesh be saved alive! (Matt. 24:22.) Note that the word translated "curse" in Malachi 4:6 is the same word used in I Kings 20:42 and Zechariah 14:11. It means "complete and TOTAL destruction" -UTTER ANNIHILATION! Except for the presence and prayers of God's people, this "present evil world" (Gal. 1:4) WOULD experience "utter destruction"!

We need to realize just how important it is for each of us to personally overcome and plunge WHOLEHEARTEDLY into God's present Work. At the time of the Flood, ONLY righteous Noah and his family escaped "utter destruction." In the destruction of Sodom, ONLY Lot and his two daughters escaped. BUT had there been as many as TEN righteous people in that city, God would have SPARED IT ALL! (Gen. 18:32.) HOW MUCH of this present world's population survives the coming holocaust and lives on into the World Tomorrow depends a GREAT DEAL on the effectiveness of this present Work in reaching the world with the good news of God's coming kingdom -- and on the NUMBER converted during this age who will be available to teach and serve those who survive! WE HAVE ONLY A VERY SHORT TIME LEFT. Think how much depends on YOU -- on YOUR prayers -- YOUR efforts -- YOUR tithes and offerings! " ACBC (58 Lesson Version) (1969)- Lesson 54 - Why Millions Are In Debt - Herbert W Armstrong "Why Laodiceans Are "Lukewarm" 1. When you have put God's Kingdom first, and God HAS blessed you -- what are you warned NOT to do? Psalms 62:10, last part. COMMENT: Don't ever let abundance turn your heart from God. Always KEEP your heart set on God's Work and His Kingdom! But surely no one would desert a winning team -- WOULD THEY? 2. Why is the Laodicean Era of God's Church pictured as being "lukewarm" toward Christ? Rev. 3:17. COMMENT: Because they have become (comparatively) "rich" in material possessions, these Laodiceans therefore foolishly deceived themselves into thinking they are SPIRITUALLY rich also! The attitude of the typical Laodicean will be a by-product of modern Western luxury and affluence. Compared to the average person of the rest of the world and of past ages, the poorest man -- especially in the United States -- is really WEALTHY! Modern affluence and ease will, to a great extent, be responsible for the soon-coming era of "lukewarm" spiritual zeal. The Laodiceans will be overly concerned with MATERIAL prosperity! Let's really understand this relationship between physical prosperity and spiritual temperature. 3. Did Jesus say the "DECEITFULNESS of riches" may sometimes "CHOKE" those who have heard and believed God's truth? Matt. 13:22 and Luke 8:14.

COMMENT: Wealth tends to DECEIVE people into relying on IT -- and can counteract their faith and zeal toward God. 4. Does sin FLOURISH in time of prosperity? Deut. 32:15 and Jer. 5:7-8. What happens to the person who begins to trust in his wealth? Prov. 11:28. COMMENT: He will "wither" is how the Revised Standard Version renders Proverbs 11:28. That is precisely what happens to the Laodiceans. Therefore Christ commands them to "be ZEALOUS ... and repent" (Rev. 3:19). But what does being "ZEALOUS" really mean? The word is Greek, from the root "zeo", meaning "to be HOT," or figuratively, "to be earnest." Jesus Christ Himself was very zealous -- "on fire" for the honor of God's Temple (John 2:14-17). Likewise, He wants all Christians to be SPIRITUALLY HOT -BURNING WITH ZEAL -- NOT lukewarm or tepid, NOT indifferent and apathetic! 5. What does Christ warn those to whom much is given? Luke 12:48. Are we also warned that the "prosperity" of fools will destroy them? Prov. 1:32. COMMENT: The Revised Standard Version translates "prosperity" as "complaisance" -- that is, LUKEWARMNESS. 6. Does Christ exhort us to learn from what He tells the Laodiceans? Rev. 3:22. COMMENT: Affluence can become a problem to some in the Philadelphia Era of God's Church today -- if they're not careful and on their guard. The Laodicean ATTITUDE can begin to creep into their thinking! But how can you recognize Laodicean characteristics? Try this simple experiment in order to understand a vital principle. Fill three basins with water. Make one very hot, one lukewarm and one ice cold. Now put your hand in the ice water for a few moments. Withdraw it and place it immediately in the lukewarm water. The lukewarm water will seem to be BOILING HOT! It will seem to BURN YOU. But it's all a matter of comparison. When we judge ourselves by COMPARISON with the unconverted world around us, we SEEM HOT -- such "good Christians" -- when actually we may not be hot at all! And this, regrettably, is how all too many true Christians usually test themselves. But now dip your other hand into the scalding hot water for just a second, and then dip it into the lukewarm water. Now lukewarm will feel cold. This is very possibly the way Christ views some of the members of His Philadelphia Church! 7. Did the Apostle Paul think it wise to compare ourselves with OTHER

HUMANS? II Cor. 10:12. To whom SHOULD we compare ourselves? Eph. 4:13, last part. COMMENT: This is the only SAFE WAY to check one's own spiritual temperature! The Danger of Riches 1. Should we labor to become rich? Prov. 23:4. Why not? Verse 5. 2. What did Paul tell Timothy would happen to those who DESIRE to be rich? I Tim. 6:9. COMMENT: Paul did not mean that it is wrong to prosper. Christ wants everyone to follow the way which will provide full, abundant lives -- both physically and spiritually. But to "WILL" to become RICH -- to make that your goal in life -- is absolutely WRONG! 3. Do all kinds of evil grow out of the LOVE of money? I Tim. 6:10. COMMENT: Money of itself is not evil. Money IS POWER. A PROPER RESPECT FOR money -- for the great good it can do -- is right and GOOD. But INORDINATE love (LUST) for it leads to lying, cheating, stealing, prostitution, organized crime, murder, suicide, war -- and to frustration, discontent and family quarrels. A poor person may be drawn into sin by the LUST for money just as easily as a rich person. (Note: the love of money is not "the" (only) root of all evil -- as erroneously translated in the Authorized Version -- but "a" root.) 4. What is God's admonition to the rich -- what should be their duty in life? I Tim. 6:17-19. This includes MOST Western European, North American and British peoples, when you compare their prosperity with the poverty of MOST of the world. COMMENT: To "communicate" means to SHARE, to use our wealth for good. God's way to eternal life and permanent prosperity is absolutely certain, but nothing is as "uncertain" as this world's riches! "Be Content" 1. What lesson had the Apostle Paul learned in life? Phil. 4:11-12. COMMENT: Paul could BE CONTENT whether "abased" (poor and without funds) or abounding (having abundance). Yet Paul continually gave God thanks in every circumstance! 2. What did John the Baptist exhort repentant Jews to do? Luke 3:11-13. Did he tell the Roman soldiers to be content with their wages? Verse 14, last part. 3. Are we to BE CONTENT with the basic necessities of life? I Tim. 6:6-8. Should we be SATISFIED with what we have? Heb. 13:5.

COMMENT: How much would it ready take to completely "satisfy" most people today? Those interviewed in one poll thought that a 30% increase in income would solve most of their financial problems. But soaring incomes today prove the cry will always be "MORE!" A "Printer's Ink" survey revealed that 76% of executives earning over $25,000 a year in the advertising field are unhappy with their jobs. And more than 21% blamed their gloom on the belief they were being UNDERPAID! Human nature is NEVER satisfied! What a person THINKS would satisfy him often just depends on what rung of the financial ladder he is on at the moment. While $75 a week would please one man, as another poll showed, a successful businessman considered a million dollars per year not too much. The deluding concept that money and all the things it will buy are an END in themselves is totally false. Luxuries are only the FRINGE BENEFITS which God intends for those who have become truly successful. Seeking to acquire things merely to satisfy the ceaseless cravings of the flesh is useless vanity -- utter emptiness! King Solomon, the wisest and one of the richest men who ever lived, proved this for himself. He HAD everything. DID everything. In the end, Solomon realized he had nothing but a handful of "wind." Read the first two chapters of the book of Ecclesiastes. It will be a real eye-opener. " 1972 Edition) "It is vital to understand the distinction between the Great Tribulation, and the Day of the Lord. The heavenly signs do not occur until AFTER the Tribulation. (Mat. 24:29) But they are to come BEFORE the "Day of the Lord" (Joel 2:31). The two are different and separate. 1st, Tribulation; 2nd, heavenly signs; 3rd, Day of the Lord, which, we shall see is the seventh seal. But just as we come to the time for the terrible DAY OF THE LORD to strike, an angel appears holding back the four winds, (Rev.7:1-3) which are the first four Trumpet plagues (chpt. 8:7-12) of the Day of the Lord. They are held back until the 144,000 are sealed, and the great innumerable multitude of ALL NATIONS turn to God and His protection. The 144,000 are 12,000 from each of the literal tribes of Israel. (Rev. 7:4) They are sealed by the Holy Spirit. IN their foreheads, and it is THE FATHER'S NAME that is sealed there. (Rev. 14:1) The TIME of this sealing, then, is yet futureafter the Tribulation, after the heavenly signs, after the SIGN of Christ's coming appears in heaven. The innumerable multitude shall have come out of THE great Tribulation (Rev. 7:14). God will not send His plagues without warning of such supernatural nature

(the heavenly signs and the sign of the Son of Man) that all who are willing shall heed. Preaching and warnings now seem to fall on deaf ears. But when God sends these mighty supernatural signs, MEN WILL HEED and turn to Christ." The Book of Revelation Unveiled At Last - Herbert W Armstrong(1972 Edition) "God's Wrath Restrained But, as we begin the 7th chapter of the Book of Revelation, we find that the DAY OF THE ETERNAL -- the time of these terrible plagues God shall send -- is to be held up temporarily, until a certain other event of GOD'S doing takes place. Notice the introduction of chapter 7 of this greatest prophecy ever written: "And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel" (Rev. 7:1-4). Now consider carefully a few important points. First, the preceding words show that the judgments of the DAY OF THE LORD have come at this exact juncture. But God holds it back. Notice that just as the DAY OF THE LORD is about to strike, John sees in his vision four angels, holding back the four winds which are about to blow on the earth. You will see, a little later, that these winds blow the seven TRUMPETS which are to follow. These, of course, are symbols, but they represent things this world will find are very real. But they are restrained until the SERVANTS OF GOD are sealed in their foreheads. First to be sealed are the 144,000. WHO Are the 144,000? You have probably heard many interpretations. They are all in error. Men are unable to interpret this prophecy. The first thing to notice is that the TIME of the sealing of this 144,000 is yet in the future -- it is after the Great Tribulation and the heavenly signs, and just before the plagues of God's Judgments! It has not happened yet! Second, this prophecy is plain, and means just what it says- -144,000 of the 12 tribes of Israel -- 12,000 of each tribe. Where are they today? Where are the lost ten tribes? But these 144,000 are not all! "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude which

no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands ... And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Rev. 7:9, 13-14). And what is sealed in the foreheads? They are sealed by the Holy Spirit, in their foreheads. If you will turn to chapter 14:1, you will see that it is the Father's name that is written there. Jesus' very last prayer for His Church was that they would be kept in the FATHER'S name. Today we find the churches of this world under every possible manmade name; many named after men. But 12 times in the New Testament His own Church is the CHURCH OF GOD -- yes, GOD'S Church. Who Constitute the Innumerable Multitude? Now how about this innumerable multitude? They have come through THE Great Tribulation. God will not send His frightful PLAGUES to punish the world, until He has first sent a great supernatural warning. God has warned the world through all His prophets -- through His Son Jesus Christ -- He is warning the world right now through this very work. But God is a God of mercy and compassion. He will yet warn this world once again -- by supernatural signs, in the sun, the moon, and the stars. God will leave men no excuse. And after the Great Tribulation, when men are seized with stark terror at these supernatural heavenly signs, multiplied thousands will at last recognize that it is really GOD warning them! Yes, multiplied thousands who now hear this warning from God will not heed it now. They are deceived. They still believe and follow their various human leaders, or groups. Their minds are not fully opened to recognize this as God's last warning to this world! They are not repenting or turning to God, now! Oh, how well I know that! But when they see these things actually occur which they heard from no others -- when they have seen how the world was deceived and misled about the Great Tribulation, and they have gone through it -when they see these terrifying supernatural SIGNS in the heavens, then, at last, hundreds of thousands of them -- perhaps even some of you -- will at last recognize the TRUTH, and at last turn to God in complete submission, fully repenting, and coming through Jesus Christ the Saviour of the world! We of this ministry well know that our real reward in the harvest of precious lives will mostly come after our labors are finished! " The Book of Revelation Unveiled At Last (1972 Edition) - Herbert W Armstrong "God's Children Protected These winds were held back from blowing these seven trumpets until the sealing of

the 144,000 and the great innumerable multitude that came out of the GREAT TRIBULATION from all nationalities and peoples. They who repent and turn to GOD for protection are first brought under the divine protection, so that just as God protected the children of ISRAEL when He poured out the plagues on ancient Egypt, so shall He protect ALL His children who rely on Him from these plagues now about to come on the modern BABYLON! And, incidentally, the plagues God sent on Egypt in the days of Moses were a direct type of these plagues that shall now be poured out on BABYLON. Those protected from those ancient plagues were taken under Moses to the promised land, the Holy Land. Those saved from these plagues will be taken by CHRIST into the KINGDOM OF GOD -- to be set up on earth with headquarters in Jerusalem. " CoWorker Letter Dec 19 1976 - Herbert W Armstrong "Then another angel appears crying out to the four angels to HOLD UP the blowing of these trumpet plagues UNTIL the servants of God are sealed. So here is one example of where God deliberately held up world conditions, and His own intervention UNTIL something important to HIM was accomplished. In this case it was the sealing of the 144,000. And also the other great numberless MULTITUDE of all nations. They have all come through (this numberless multitude) the GREAT TRIBULATION, which was symbolized by the fifth seal. " Warning To the Church - July 1 1978 - Herbert W Armstrong "I was asked by a minister just the other day: did I think that our Work would come to an end and be finished within a year? No, frankly, I dont; but I dont know. I do know this. I know that apparently God has been holding off things, and delaying our coming to the end, for at least 6, 8, years now, or more. Maybe it is because this Church was getting drowsy; and He wanted time for me to come to realize it, and maybe for you to realize it and wake up. You find, in the seventh chapter of Revelation, how God sent an angel to say, Wait, hold up (what was going to happen, the plagues that were coming) until I have done something that I want done. That was the sealing in their forehead of the 144,000 and another innumerable multitude of all nations. Now, God can hold something up; and theres an example of where He did. On the other hand, Jesus said that, when the time comes, He would cut everything short; and make a speedy, quick, work of it. These things can happen so quick you wouldnt know it. So you cant afford to take chances. All I can do is warn you. You can sit there, and ignore it, and be caught like a rat in a trap. Thats up to you. Lets see. I wanted to begin a little more here in verse 12. Well, I didnt read all of this here. They were in harlotry. In other words, going after other gods instead of the true God. They were considered as Gods wife, and He was their Husband. Now the Church is the affianced Bride to marry Christ in the resurrection. So were engaged to Christ; but they had already formed a union. They were physical; and we are spiritual, if we have Gods Holy Spirit. Jeremiah 3:2-3 In the ways hast thou sat for them [like a whore], as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy

wickedness. (3) Therefore the showers have been withholden [God sends the rain on the just and unjust alike, but sometimes He withholds the rain; and God has the power to do that.], and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whores forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed. What about some of you, brethren? Do you refuse to be ashamed? Do you refuse to acknowledge that we've been lackadaisicalin going along and taking it easy, and beginning to forget God? Will you acknowledge that you have been lax in your prayer life, and in the study of the Bible; and youve grown disinterested in the Bible Studies? And maybe I dont know what you have been getting in the Bible Studies, but maybe you have been getting something that was not inspiring. Well, I am going to continue on the same line I am talking now. And, if you dont like it, dont come next Friday nightbecause I am going to be here, and the Bible Studies are going to continue. " Warning to the Church - July 1 1978 - Herbert W Armstrong "LAODICEAN CONDITION (PLAY FROM 20:20) Well, the bad news is that we have been going that way; and we are going into the Laodicean condition of sleeping and slumbering like you read in the 25th chapter of Matthew. And while the BridegroomChristtarried before He came, they all slumbered and slept; and thats the condition we are getting into. We are getting very close now to the time of the Second Coming of Christ. But, because it didnt happen in 1972, some people think, Oh well, its not going to happen now. And so Jesus Himself said, At such an hour as you think not Hell come! The door will be shut, and it will be too late! And thats whats going to happen to a lot of you. Im trying to wake you up today! And if I cant wake you up, you can get angry and walk right outright now! I invite you to, if thats the way you feel, because I dont want people here that dont have the Spirit of God (pretending that they do). Now, visitors are welcome and all that; but that isnt what I mean. But I dont want people hereto pretend and profess membershipthat dont have anything but the spirit of Satan in them. But, anyhow, the spirit of Satan began to grip us. Everyone started to do his own thing. There was a power struggle to get into the top. Mr. Armstrong was getting old and was going to die. Everyone wanted to be the one that could take over and be the head of the Church, and their wives wanted to be the first lady of the Church; and dont you think that was not there. And so some of us were of one leader, and some of another; and no one seemed to know who really was in charge. Ill tell you who was in charge: Jesus Christ. Only we were all going to sleep, and just letting the Church go its own way.

TIME TO WAKE UP! (PLAY FROM 22:16)

Now, the good news: JESUS CHRIST IS MOVING TO PUT THIS CHURCH BACK ON THE TRACK! We are going to stamp out all of that spirit of competition that got inthat spirit of vanity, self-exultation, lust and greed, envy and jealousy. That is the attitude of Satan the devil. And the good part of it is that

God has reorganized His church, and I am going to do all I can to bring it back. Now I completely stopped breathing. My heart stopped completely for at least 30 or 45 seconds. It wasnt 30 or 45 minutes. But it completely stopped, until my face was blanched and white, back here last August. God brought me back. And its pretty important that God brought me back, brethren, because Jesus Christ knew which way YOU are going. He brought me back for two reasons. One is to try to revive you, TO SHAKE YOU UP if I can. To get you to realize that YOU ARE IN DANGER! Im not going to purr that out like a college professor. Im going to shout it at youin power! You can take the warning, and wake up, and maybe go on into God's Kingdom. Or you can go the other way, and burn up, and be ashes under the souls of my feet and some others that are going into the Kingdom of God. You take your choice! And if Ive offended you and youre angry, I feel sorry for you. Im saying what needs to be said. Thats why I called this day as a day of fasting and prayer. " Warning to the Church - July 1 1978 - Herbert W Armstrong "Revelation 12:13-14 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. [That is this Church.] (14) And to the woman [Now we are coming down just before this Great Tribulation. And to the woman] were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly Now before this (back here in the sixth verse), beginning in 554 and even before that, for 1260 years the woman fled afoot. This time she is to fly. The woman is the Church. In other words, the Church Revelation 12:14 were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place. Now the place, where is it? Theres been great contention. I used to preach of the possibility it would be at Petra. Well, I dont know it will be at Petra; and I never said that I knew it would be. But others say, Well, thats something we can get back at Herbert Armstrong. Lets just say he was wrong about that. And some very high in the Church were saying thats a lot of rubbish and hogwash. I say to you now, I don't know whether it is Petra. I don't know where it is, or where it'll be. I know God knows. But I know this: there are many indications that it is Petra. And if it isn't Petra, then the Bible gives us absolutely no indication of where it will be. Now that much I know, and Ill stand my ground on any of you that want to come and face me with it. I have been to Petra, and it is not a very pleasant place to be. Well anyway, were to be taken where we will be Revelation 12:14 nourished for a time, and times, and half a time [Thats three and a half years.], from the face of the serpent. We will be protected from the devil, but then now notice what the serpent does. Here comes the Laodicean Church that follows us.

Revelation 12:15 And the serpent cast out We are getting into the Laodicean condition, but we are not the Laodicean Church; and this shows itbecause the Church of Philadelphia is to be taken into this place, and we have not been taken (nor any other church, as yet). But after that: Revelation 12:15-17 The serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman [Now, thats the last part of the Church, the Laodicean Era.], that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. (16) And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened up her mouth, and swallowed up the flood, which the dragon cast out of his mouth. (17) And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed. The remnant is the last one, or the Laodicean Era. But a lot of ministers now come out with some of the younger ministers and say, Oh, thats all hodge-podge and all. Mr. Armstrong is wrong. We had here a doctrinal committee of intellectuals, and the whole idea was Lets try and study intellectually to find out how wrong Mr. Armstrong is, and where he's misled us. That was THE REAL OBJECT. Well, there isnt any such committee any longer; and there isnt going to be. God doesnt reveal His will to intellectual scholars, on the intellectual basis, that go into it in little tiny ways. (Oh well, I dont know. I get disgusted with some of that.) Anyway, [Satan, the dragon] he Revelation 12:17 went to make war with the remnantthat keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Now the Laodicean Church will be keeping the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus, or they wouldnt be the Church of God. But they are lukewarm, and they are asleep; and were not Laodicea yet.

THE CHURCHS DOMINANT CONDITION (PLAY FROM 35:13)

Now then, I want you to turn back to the third chapter of Revelation, and notice something about this Church; and we begin here with the seventh verse. Revelation 3:7 And unto the angel of the church in Philadelphia Oh, let me tell you what I have always said for fifty years. Fifty years ago I was writing this. The message to the seven angels of the seven Churches in the second and third chapter of Revelation has a dual interpretation and meaning. Number one: it is telling of the seven successive eras, or stages of time in 1900 to 2000 years, of the Church. But number two: it was telling of the condition in the Church at all times. But it starts out with the Church at Ephesus; and that was the situation that was the dominant situation in the first and second century, and so onback at the beginning, in the days (and right after the days) of the original apostles. Laodicea is the DOMINANT condition in the FINAL Churchdrowsy, and asleep, and lukewarm. And Christ is going to spew them (most of them) out of His mouth

(or at least half of them). Matthew 25 would indicate half of them, and I sometimes wonder if there are half of us that Were just not very much on fire for God, brethren. I say that to your shame, every one of you. I say wake up! Im not going to say, Youre right, and everything is so wonderful, and everything is going fine. and flatter you. Im going to tell you the truth, and sometimes the truth hurts. And I hope it hurts. I hope it hurts enough that you wake up, and realize, and do something about it. And I hope that you go home from this service, and get down on your knees, and ask for the mercy and the forgiveness of God, and ask Him to come back into your lifebecause thats what you need to do. And your eternity may depend on it! Well, now then, I have said that the Laodicean condition will dominate at the tail end. But I have said that all of those conditionsall the way from Ephesus up to Laodicea, all sevenare present at all the time in the Church; but that now, in the Philadelphian Era, we have the Laodicean condition. Thats what I am talking about today. Its here. But we are not Laodicea. We also have the condition of Ephesus. We have lost our first love, and it is time to get back to it. Every one of those conditions is in this Church, but the dominant one is what I want to read you now.

AN OPEN DOOR (PLAY FROM 38:23)

Revelation 3:7 To the church [of] Philadelphia [write], these things saith he that is holy, he that I wish I didnt have a red letter Bible. Its so hard to see the red print, for these are the words of Christ. Revelation 3:7-8 These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that opens, and no man shuts; and shuts, and no man opens. (8) I know your works: Behold, I have set before you an open door. Now, if you trace that open door, in Pauls writings God set an open door before him. And youll see there that an open door merely means, and its a figure of speech that means, that God opens the way to get the messageand thats to get the gospel messageout. And Hes opened a door (to go to the Gentiles and the nations of the Earth, and to the kings of those nations) to us. Revelation 3:8 Behold, I have set before thee an open door. That is, an open door to get the Gospel out. And the other Churches, before us, did not. The Gospel did not go to the world until this Church came to start taking it to the world. It absolutely was NOT preached at all. The Gospel is not just a mans message about Jesus Christ. It is Christs message, which is the good news of the Kingdom of God; and that message has not been preached for eighteen and a half centuries. Now then, for half a century it has been going outthrough this Church, and through me. And, as they say today, youd better believe it!

A LITTLE STRENGTH (PLAY FROM 40:14)

Revelation 3:8 I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it. [Theyve certainly tried to shut it, but no one has been able to.] For thou hast a little strength Another translation is you have only a little strength, but a little strength. They dont have much strength. And Ive had very little, and youve had very little. But God has given us tremendous power to reach the world, and facilities that magnify that powerlike radio, and television, and the printing press, and airplanes to fly us to all parts of the world, and telephones with instant communication to any and every part of the world. They didnt have that back in the first apostles day. Revelation 3:8 Thou hast but a little strength [here], and hast kept my word. Brethren, often I have said this: that I have known scores of men with better minds than I havenot only more scholarly (because they have gone on with that), but more aptitude to be scholarly; with better personality; with more of everything that could be used. And God did not call a one of them. Now why did He call me? Well, I go right back to this. And, you know, some of them say that this message to the angel of the Church might mean to the one God placed as a leader, the human leader in the Church. And I would say that this does apply to me personally, and it should apply to the whole Church. But there has been an effort to water down the truth. Thats another thing that has happened in the last 9 years. Were trying to water down the truth of God with false doctrines that have been creeping in; and ministers are teaching them, around the world even. Ministers of this Church! Now, believe you me, I AM GOING TO GET AFTER THOSE THINGS, AND FAST! JESUS CHRIST IS IN POWER. Jesus Christ is THE POWER back of it, and He is going to set these things in order. And, if any of you want to fight Christ, you start fighting Him; and see where you get off. Or if you want to go with the devil, maybe youll suffer the devils fate. I am speaking very plainly today. Im a little wrought up about it. Revelation 3:8 I know [He knows our works. So there are works; and theyre good works, and not rituals.] Behold, [He set this open door.] you have but a little strength, and hast kept my word. I was going to say, if there is any one reason why God called me, it is because I was willing to believe what He said, and because I had kept His Word; and I have not compromised. Now there has been an effort on the part of some of our younger ministers to compromise in this last 9 years. They want to water down. They want to do away with tithing. Some of them wanted to do away with keeping the annual holy days and the annual festivals of God. They want to do away with Gods truth in every way they can. Let me tell you, IF YOU DONT TITHE (and some of you dont), YOU ARE STEALING. YOU ARE A THIEF, AND YOU ARE STEALING FROM GOD. I SAY THAT ON THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS CHRIST. Now, if you think Ive insulted you, get up and walk out. I wont care a

bit. Revelation 3:9 which say they are Jews [You see, in the New Testament, he is a Jew who is one spiritually and not by birth. In other words, the Church; and theyre not of the true Church.], and are not, but do lie: Behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet[Not to worship us; but worship before our feet, worshiping God.], and to know that I have loved thee. You know that this Church is the only one of the seven that God doesnt find some fault with. He doesnt mention any fault, and yet were full of faults. But God has told us this is one thing herethat He has used us to get this message around the world. And I have not God has called me back for two reasons: One is to try to set this Church back in order, and to wake you people up. Thats why I am here. Now, I feel like the apostle Paul. He said that he would rather go, depart and be with Christ. In other words, go to the sleep of death and wake up in the resurrection and be in the Kingdom of God. But he said, It is more necessary for you that I shall stay on. And thats why I am here, brethren. My job is hard. Its not easy. And I have to push myself. To do things now, I have to push myself about 10 times harder than I did twenty years ago. And still I am no older in mind and in power than I was twenty years ago. The rumors are going around that I am senile, that I dont know whats going on, my head is in a cloud. Do I sound like it? Did some other minister tell me to say these things that Im saying? There are ministers sitting before me today that are going to disagree with what I have said. And no man gave me this, but Jesus Christ did. You better realize where it came from. " Significance of the Popes Death - Good News Aug 1978 - Herbert W Armstrong
"It had seemed that the resurrection of the Catholic-ruled Europe was considerably

past due. But in Revelaion 7, when the time had come for the trumpet plagues to be poured out, you will read how God held up events, until the sealing of the 144,000 and other great innumerable multitude. So it has seemed God has deliberately HELD UP the resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire UNTIL God's GREAT COMMISSION is completed. When this European combine - Politically, militarily, religiously, with a common currency - occurs, our work will be just about over - and it will be well for us to HEED that warning! Now, as the world awaits in anxious suspense the election of the next pope, it is well that we realize that our days to finish God's Work maybe fast closing in on us! This time, the pope elected MAY BE THE ONE that will signify the imminency of the GREAT TRIBULATION. This is the time of the trial and test of GOD'S PEOPLE! (Daniel 12:9, 10.) We are in the process of seeing the living HEAD of God's Church, Jesus Christ, enthroned once again along with the GREAT MAJESTIC GOD in our hearts as never before! GOD'S CHURCH is now striving, with God's power, to root out liberalism,

secularism and spiritual lethargy and neglect from our midst! God's Church and Work have been completely turned around in the past two months. " CoWorker Letter Aug 14 1978 - Herbert W Armstrong "Our work will be ended soon after the resurrection of the "Holy Roman Empire" -the impending "United States of Europe." The Laodicean era of God's Church -- the seventh and final era -- will exist during the Great Tribulation. But our "Philadelphia" era brethren are promised divine PROTECTION -- to be taken to a place of safety (Rev. 3:10 and 12:13-16) which PLEASE READ!" Where Are We Now in the Panorama of Prophesied World Events? - Good News Aug 28 1978 - Herbert W Armstrong "And sometimes God delays - holds up impending events that He has foretold. In the seventh chapter of Revelation in order of time sequence of prophesied events, the time had come for the seven trumpet plagues. But, in this history-in-advance account, God is shown delaying these plagues until the sealing of the 144,000 and another innumerable multitude. On the other hand, God reserves the prerogative to speed up events when His purpose requires. And we may well be at the very time of this prophecy now: "For he [God] will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth" (Romans 9:28). It has been, these past 15 years, appearing that God was holding up world events that were prophesied to come - delaying them - to allow time for CHRIST'S GOSPEL MESSAGE to be delivered over the entire world. As in Matthew 24:14, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end [of the present, evil world] come." " CoWorker Letter Aug 28 1978 - Herbert W Armstrong ""A house divided CANNOT STAND," says Jesus. My son has made God's Church DIVIDED! Up until ten years ago, WE WERE NOT DIVIDED! CHRIST was at the helm using me as His Apostle. Again God says to us, "Except GOD build the house, they labor in vain that build it." GOD through the living JESUS CHRIST built God's Church of OUR time, as surely as the time of the first original Apostle. The Work GREW AND GREW with God's blessing for the thirty-five years up to 1969 -- SINCE THEN GOD'S BLESSING HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN. We had been tending to forget GOD, letting Laodicean lukewarmness leaven us. CHRIST SAYS NOW, AWAKE! Rise up from this stupor that has drugged us! RALLY BEHIND CHRIST AND HIS APOSTLE! LET'S GET ON WITH GETTING THE JOB DONE. " Is Christ Starting a Second Church? - Good News Dec 1978 - Herbert W Armstrong

"Good News - December 4, 1978 IS CHRIST STARTING A SECOND CHURCH? by Herbert W. Armstrong page 1 Good News December 4, 1978 HOW MANY CHURCHES does God have at one and the same time? The dissidents following A MAN, Garner Ted Armstrong, are now speaking out of both sides of their mouths. They KNOW that God condemns leaving God's Church and following a MAN. So, in an effort to take members away from God's Church, actually THREE false claims are being spread. 1) They are spreading the LIE that Garner Ted Armstrong is only doing the same thing his father did - FALSELY claiming I left the "Sardis" church to pull away their members and so start a church of my own. The long article recently appearing, on "How the Worldwide Church of God Came into Being" [GN, Nov. 6], ought to NAIL THAT LIE! a) I did not leave them, for I have never been a member of them; b) I continued working alternately with their two main divisions - Stanberry, Mo., and Salem, W.Va. I was still working with them in 1945, 12 years after the present "Philadelphia" era came into being, 1933. Note that in this he concedes the seven churches of Revelation 2 and 3 were consecutive eras, as well as seven continuous conditions in the one Church. 2) Again they admit the successive eras depicted in Revelation 2 and 3, claiming that my son is now starting the "Laodicean" era of the Church. But God does not start His Church or any era of it by one disfellowshipped for causing division, sowing the seeds of discord among brethren, and then attacking God's Church and trying to draw away its members after him, on pretext of being a CHURCH - when those few are only following A MAN. It is NOT a Church! It has no apostle, evangelist-pastor-elder organization. It is NOT proclaiming Christ's Gospel into all the world for a witness unto all nations! It is a MAN, with one or two working with him, merely seeking to take away members of God's true Church. 3) Then they speak out of the other side of their mouths, I am grieved to say. This time, they say Revelation 2 and 3 do NOT portray seven SUCCESSIVE stages or eras of the one true Church. Apparently they try to explain, or twist its true meaning, by saying seven is God's number of completeness - therefore there are now MANY churches, as Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, etc. - all of which COMBINED constitute the BODY OF CHRIST. Anyone who believes that had, perhaps, better get into one of them, or follow a man who has incorporated himself to be a church. But a legal corporation does not make it GOD'S CHURCH! It might be interesting, at this point, to explain the TOTAL DIFFERENCE between what Garner Ted is now doing and what his father did in 1930.

He has incorporated under civil law, under a church name as a starter. This was done to try to draw away members from the true Church to follow him. The Oregon Conference But what his father did was totally different. In Oregon a number of members of the Church of God, Seventh-Day, headquartered at Stanberry, Mo., pulled out and incorporated themselves separately as the Oregon Conference of the Church of God. They became a SEPARATE CHURCH, operating with their own tithes, directing and paying salary to their own ministers. They were ORGANIZED. They did not understand God's form of organization - they had no apostle, but they did employ evangelists - as Robert L. Taylor, Roy Daily and myself - and later, Sven Oberg and A.J. Ray. Their form of organization was a board of trustees, with a president, vice president and secretary-treasurer. The board was in authority - not the ministers. Shortly after the Oregon Conference separately incorporated, a division occurred in the Stanberry church, and approximately half of their members followed Andrew N. Dugger into a new church based at Salem, W.Va., and named, simply, "Church of God." In August of 1933, I renounced the salary from the Oregon Conference, but did not leave their fellowship. In fact, later that August a new church was established at Jeans schoolhouse, 12 miles west of Eugene - all but one family my own new converts, and that family not attached to either Sardis group. BUT, more - most of the Oregon Conference members began coming to Eugene to fellowship with the new Radio Church of God (now the Worldwide Church of God), and I continued, as a voluntary service, to preach Sabbath afternoons at the schoolhouse near Jefferson where they met. I never sought to pull away any of their members. They were enamored with the new Salem-based church, and a little later - (not now sure of the date) probably 1934, while the Radio Church of God was on the air and The Plain Truth being published - they abandoned their Oregon Conference and went in with Salem. Parent Church grows At, and just west of Eugene, the parent church of the Worldwide Church of God was very much alive and growing. I was leading elder, and I had appointed and ordained an assistant pastor and a deacon. We counseled seriously on the matter and decided, in early or mid-1934, not to go in with the Salem people - and we had never gone in with Stanberry. However, a little later I agreed to cooperate and work with the Salem ministers. And under this arrangement I continued as pastor of the members who formerly were the Oregon, Conference, but now were joined with Salem. BUT NEITHER I NOR ANY OF THE EUGENE MEMBERS ever joined the Salem Church - or Stanberry. I received no salary or compensation of any kind from them. On my part it was a VOLUNTARY GIVING of time and effort and cooperation, with no remuneration of any kind.

Later - it was either 1945 or 1947 - probably the latter - the former Oregon Conference members had a division. I had ordained two elders and two deacons in their local church near Jefferson, which I pastored. Half of them, including one elder, a Mr. Davidson, and Mr. Henion, refused to meet with them further, though I urged them to remain with the Salem people. Meanwhile, about half of all the brethren in the Willamette Valley had remained with Stanberry. They asked me urgently to unite then with the half of the Salem people who had refused to remain with the Dugger group. For a while I refused. But it left only a small membership still with the Dugger division, and I finally agreed to organize them and serve as their pastor - although the Stanberry brethren kept their membership and sent tithes to Stanberry, while the Henion family and others, including the Coles, counted their membership with the parent church of the Worldwide Church of God - and Mr. C. Wayne Cole is still with us in the very important capacity of director of ministerial services. I continued to pastor the Stanberry-based group in the Willamette Valley until probably in 1942, when I spent some months in Hollywood starting the DAILY radio broadcasting and speaking Sunday afternoons to a packed house at the Biltmore theater. I had GIVEN them my time and services freely, at my own and Eugene church expense. I sought none of their members and none came with us though as brethren we still had love one for the other. Incorporation becomes necessary And I did not start out by incorporating myself pretending to be a church. We, in the growing Church of God - then Eugene-based - finally had grown to a size where incorporation became a necessity. IN NO WAY is Garner Ted doing as his father did, and any claim that he is, is a point-blank lie resorted to, to DECEIVE God's people and present the REPREHENSIBLE things Garner Ted is now doing in a good light. It is Satan who tries to make us believe that wrong is right. But now what about the seven churches of Revelation 2 and 3? I have always said, and still affirm, that these seven messages to the seven churches are picturing in advance the seven CONDITIONS to be found in the ONE CONTINUING TRUE CHURCH - but with the Ephesian condition dominant during the first era or years of time, the Smyrna condition becoming dominant in the next period of time, and so on with the Laodicean condition outstanding in the same true Church at about the time of the great tribulation and climaxing with Christ's second coming. To expound that fully requires more space than I have here. It will be covered later. But the crux of the whole matter is simply THIS: Where, in all this effort at persuading God's people to follow Garner Ted Armstrong, a man DISFELLOWSHIPPED, who did, and is continuing now from without, to sow the seeds of discord among brethren - in all their arguments, WHERE IS GOD? WHERE IS JESUS CHRIST, living HEAD of the Church?

One thing I can say definitely and with authority, God and our Head, JESUS CHRIST, have NOT left God's one and only TRUE CHURCH. These dissidents are LOOKING AT MEN! They are leaving GOD out of their thinking. For 44 YEARS the living JESUS CHRIST HAS BEEN HEADING, LEADING, GUIDING AND BLESSING GOD'S ONE AND ONLY TRUE CHURCH! HE has not forsaken it. HE is not in ANY effort to pull members out from GOD's Church, where CHRIST is working. HE is NOT following Garner Ted Armstrong, who resorted to a conspiracy to water down God's TRUTH - to SECULARIZE God's Church and college - to literally PUT GOD AND CHRIST OUT OF THE COLLEGE AND CHURCH! HE is not! Will You? Some were leaving Jesus when here in the human flesh (John 6:66), "... many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him." Would you have been one of them? " And Now Christ Sets the Church Back On Track Doctrinally - Worldwide News Feb 1979 - Herbert W Armstrong "The CHURCH is GOD'S Church. The HEAD of the Church under GOD is Jesus Christ. Under Christ on the human level is His chosen apostle, through whom He has raised up and built this SPIRITUAL TEMPLE to which the reigning CHRIST shall soon come in glory (Ephesians 2:20-21). Now in closing, back to the theme of this article. God COMMANDS that we all SPEAK THE SAME THING! It must be that thing which the mind of Christ speaks - and He speaks only as the Father commanded (John 12:49) All doctrines in the Church as it began, A.D. 31, were put in by the apostles. All doctrines in the present, Philadelphia era were put into the Church by Jesus Christ through His chosen apostle. Now WHY does Christ use such caution in putting HIS doctrines into God's church through His apostle? LET ME MAKE THAT POINT CLEAR! You have just read a case in point - Acts 15. This crucial crux chapter has been misinterpreted, twisted and distorted. I have tried to take space to MAKE IT CLEAR in this article. The other apostles and ministers were all in confusion, arguing and disputing. But Christ silenced them by speaking through His CHOSEN CHIEF APOSTLE, PETER! Let us UNDERSTAND! First of all, in human history, God spoke direct in person to Adam and Eve. They did not believe what He said!

But God chose Moses, and God chooses only a man who believes what God says. Moses wrote more words of the Bible than any person. The prophets were chosen by God - not by themselves - and they believed what God inspired and wrote it for us. Christ came and preached to many THOUSANDS. Yet only 120 believed what He said. And even of the apostles, there was disputing until Christ spoke through PETER, who HE chose! In our day, God brought about my conversion in a manner UNIQUE in our time. He CONQUERED me, first, by making me realise 1) that what I had previously believed was untrue, and 2) that I had to REPENT and BELIEVE - that is, turn from former ways and beliefs, to different WAY OF LIFE - GOD'S WAY - and to BELIEVE WHAT GOD SAYS! My mind SWEPT CLEAN of all previous beliefs. When Christ chose His apostle for this time, He chose one who 1) does believe what God says, 2) will not not compromise or water down truths and doctrines Christ has given, and 3) has an open mind to receive further truth from Christ, and to be willing to acknowledge error when PROVED and turn from it! I do TREMBLE at the Word of God! I LOVE it, and I FEAR to go contrary to it or to mislead you my brethren and my children in the Lord! As long as this Church believed and spoke THE SAME THING Christ put in it through His apostle, HE BLESSED IT, and it GREW 30 percent a year for 35 years. But when my son Garner Ted came to take over more authority than had been delegated to him, surrounding himself with a group of liberals who LED him, and MISLED him into watering down God's doctrines - under their false influence and a Laodicean lukewarmness and indifference, losing the LOVE of God's TRUTH, found root in the Church. Christ BUILT this Church through His chosen apostle! We did, perhaps imperfectly, but certainly in general, SPEAK THE SAME THING! We GREW in Christ's KNOWLEDGE and truth as well as in size and scope of Work. Then my son fell under the influence of a group of liberals with whom he surrounded himself. He began to DISAGREE with Church doctrines more and more! AND GOD WITHDREW HIS BLESSING! For 10 months now, the living CHRIST has been setting His Church BACK ON THE TRACK! Also His college. The liberal element MUST GO! Either the liberals must TURN FROM their liberalism, as defined in my recent article (see articlepage 3) and put IT out of themselves and the Church, or they must go out with it! I hope the former. God has allowed this terrible trial and test to come upon us with the government of the state of California trying to take over and manage and operate God's Church! In defiance of the Constitution of the United States. They do not, now, and they SHALL NOT, operate, manage or destroy the Church and Work of the LIVING GOD! His authority is infinitely greater than theirs. Perhaps, like those who

crucified Jesus, they know not what they do (Luke 23:34). But they are drawing God's Church closer to Him and to each other. PRAISE GOD! for cleaning up His Church! " War Is Still On! - Worldwide News March 1979 - Herbert W Armstrong "Worldwide News - 12th March 1979, Page 1 'War is still on,' says Mr. Armstrong PASADENA - The following is a transcript of a message from Herbert W. Armstrong over a direct telephone hookup from Tucson, Ariz., to the Pasadena church congregations Sabbath afternoon, Feb. 24. By Herbert W. Armstrong Well, greetings friends and brethren in Pasadena. I want to tell you that God is still on His throne. Of course, you know that He won another battle for us this week. The receiver is gone. But the war is still on - it's not over yet. Our attorneys are doing a fine job, but the massive court action was started secretly without our knowledge and without the knowledge of our attorneys. Two judges were already committed to this thing, and once they have acted - and in this case two of them have been involved already - other judges on the state level, as I understand it, are inclined to render no decisions contrary to these other judges. Because they don't want to get in bad with one another. And usually they know one another. Perhaps they go to dinner together and all that sort of thing. But much as our attorneys are doing - and what they are doing is absolutely needful - that is just their part. But we have our part, and that is to look to Christ. Because this is, something that we are not going to win just by attorneys and by beating them in men's courts. We're going to have to rely on God to change the minds of some judge somewhere to turn this thing the right way. And He will do it. In the meantime, this may turn out to be a great deal of good for the Work. Remember that all things work together for good to those who love God (Romans 8:28). And if we do, and this is a trial and a test on us to bring us back closer into God's grace, then we must be sure that we look to Christ first - the living Head of the Church, not to the attorneys - for the final decision from this persecution. Now brethren, we need to remember that God's people have always been persecuted. That may be one of the proofs that we are God's people. But we should not be like some whom I have known who go out seeking persecution, so they can claim they are God's people. We try to avoid it all we can. But we are getting plenty of it, and we are going to get more. Before God called the children of Israel under Moses, they were terribly persecuted under slavery by the Egyptian government. And that was a case of the government. They were the Israelites or the Israelis of that time. They were descendants of

Abraham, and he was a man of God. Well, God called Moses to lead them. He led them out of that slavery, and then Moses was persecuted even by his own people. Later on, King David was persecuted a great deal and continually. The people of Judah were persecuted, and they were taken into slavery by government, by the Babylon government, or the Chaldean empire. In the book of Daniel we have the account of Daniel's three friends persecuted by the government of man, thrown into a burning, fiery furnace. And they didn't have attorneys there to rescue them. They relied on God. And they were actually thrown into the furnace heated seven times hotter than normal and still not even the clothes that were on them were scorched. God took care of them and performed a tremendous miracle. Now although Daniel himself had risen up, because of his abilities, till he became virtual prime minister - he was over all of the presidents and the others in the government of the Chaldean empire - yet he was persecuted for the very reason that he worshipped God three times a day. He was thrown into a lion's den. And he didn't have any attorneys to defend him. But God delivered him. And I hope that you will remember that, and that this is the history of the way it has been with God's people all along. Now, Jesus, the Son of God, was persecuted continually and finally put to death by government. And he said if they persecuted Him, they would certainly persecute us. On the other hand, He said He would always be with us. He would never leave or forsake us. And He is the one we have to look to now. The early Christians were tortured to death by the government of man. And I tell you, this thing of government - assailing God's people has been ever since Adam. You see, back in the time of Adam and Eve, they rejected God and looked to Satan and took to themselves the knowledge of what is right and what is wrong, what is good and what is evil. God, in effect, said to them, when He drove them out of the Garden, "All your progeny, all of the world that will come from you, I'm shutting them off from me. Except those that I shall call." Now God has called some. He has called a whole nation, ancient Israel. But every time God has called anyone the governments of man have persecuted them. Now God had said back there to Adam and Eve, "You go and your people, it will be the human race, form your own government. You don't want my government. Form your own religions. Form your own kind of society." And that's happened. We are in that kind of society today, and it is really swayed and influenced by Satan the devil. Now the early Christians, I said, were persecuted. God's Church will be persecuted again much greater than we are being persecuted right now. Though that will happen in a mass martyrdom in the yet future Laodicean era. And don't let anyone tell you that there are not eras of the Church. There are! And we're in an era where there are some of the conditions that are a little different than they were 200, 300

years ago or 2,000 or 1,900 years ago. But God's people always have suffered persecution. Now this world is Satan's world. And the persecution is always instituted from Satan. He hates God's people. He hates God's truth. He doesn't want us to believe it. And yet, Satan himself can do only what God allows. Now that means that this persecution could not have come on us if God had not allowed it. And God did allow it. God is letting us suffer this persecution, and we need to wake up and realize that. Why has God done it? Simply because the Church of the Philadelphia era was becoming lukewarm. We were becoming Laodicean. We were drifting apart from God. Some of our ministers even were watering down doctrines. We were getting more interested in the things of this world and the ways of this world than the things of God. Many were trying to see how close they could come to Satan's world and its ways and its ways of life and its life-styles. But just so they could still somehow get into the Kingdom of God. We needed an explosion. We needed an explosion to awaken us. To drive us to our knees. To drive us back to God. And to set God's Church back on the track. We've been doing that. Christ has been doing that now for almost a year. Without our impassioned, heart-rending prayers to set ourselves right first and then to set the Church right - and when you pray, pray that God will help you get yourself set right before you pray and ask Him to set the Church right, and deliver us from this persecution. Without that prayer and reliance on God, our attorneys could very well lose this whole war. We must get back into contact with God. We must rely on God more than the attorneys. The attorneys will do their part, and we should cooperate in whatever way we can. And the way you people all rallied when the receiver was trying to take over all of our property was just a wonderful example. You know how I thank all of you for it. Let me just say that it's an ill wind that doesn't blow some good, and God says that all things work together for good to those that love Him. I have before me the copy of a full-page advertisement that is soon going to appear in the Los Angeles Times, the Pasadena Star-News, the three newspapers up in San Francisco, papers like the Chicago Tribune, the Cleveland Plain Dealer, metropolitan papers over the country. The heading is very sensational: ALL CHURCH PROPERTY IN CALIFORNIA HAS BEEN CONFISCATED BY THE STATE. That in big type over the head of the whole page advertisement. Brethren, God has opened up to us by this very thing a new source or a new medium to reach the public with Christ's last message. And that is big full-page advertisements in leading newspapers around the United States. Maybe the 30 years I spent in advertising was not all for nothing after all. I think the next ad will be something like this: the headline - WHO IS LORD? CHRIST OR CAESAR? Because I heard on a religious broadcast this week where

they were referring to this very thing that we are doing. This broadcast, by the way, came from over near the Atlantic Coast, and a man said, "Well, what this is all about," referring to our trouble, he said, "it's a matter of who is Lord. Is Christ Lord or is Caesar Lord?" Now God has given us something here to attract the public eye. We must take advantage of it. While this is hot we must get these ads out and start people thinking. And we will get the Gospel to perhaps many more people who might have heard the broadcast at one time or another, but like in the parable of the sower and the seed, like those that drop by the wayside, it never took any root, and they paid no attention to it and forgot all about it. Now maybe we'll get through to some of those people. I just wanted to tell you that and tell you that this can be made something to do a great work for us and for God's Work through us. And it's just like taking the lemons that people throw at you and turning them into lemonade. And we can certainly do that. But the first thing is to pray and rely on God and ask Him first to show where we are wrong. I'll do the same over here in Tucson. And in the meantime, I'll just say, God bless all of you. I don't want to take up too much time because just hearing something coming over a telephone without seeing anybody is not very much of a church service. So I will break off here. I just wanted to give you that hopeful note. That we're taking advantage of this. The Work is going to go forward as never before. God is bringing us together as we've never been before. We are now in unity. And we're going forward full speed ahead! " What God Never Did - Never Will- Allow To Happen! - Worldwide News June 1979 Herbert W Armstrong "Close to the END of the age Well, brethren, just where do we stand AT THE MOMENT? During the past year this Church of the living God has been at least 75 percent set back on God's track. We are getting frighteningly close to the END of this age. This Church was drifting into a Laodicean condition. Incidentally, both the Sardis and the Laodicean eras of the Church were GOD'S CHURCHES - NOT SATAN'S! Someone spread the false rumor that I have said these others were or will be Satan's churches. The Sardis era in the main had become spiritually dead - had rejected too much of GOD'S TRUTH - was accomplishing virtually NOTHING in spreading the true Gospel to the world (indeed had no clear conception of what that Gospel is). The Laodicean church will be characterized by spiritual lukewarmness - half of its membership (Matthew 25:1-13) will be shut out of the Kingdom of God. But, the BAD NEWS, as it appears today, my dear brethren, is that we, undoubtedly of the Philadelphian era - my son's ridicule not withstanding - are in serious danger of BECOMING also the Laodicean era. I am personally much concerned about that. If YOU are NOT concerned, then indeed we are in mortal

DANGER! Attempt to destroy Church Satan is pulling out ALL STOPSnow to DESTROY THIS CHURCH OF GOD! No matter how angrily and vehemently they deny it, SATAN IS USING these former leaders, and they are yielding completely to Satan's will! I no longer hesitate to call a spade a spade! But what Jesus Christ raised up is the CHURCH OF GOD. Today it encompasses the earth, so we call it the WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD! Garner Ted bragged to me that HE built this Church. It was BUILT when he was 3 years old! Much much later, my son was allowed to have microphones before him that went out on hundreds of stations. But what CHRIST BUILT through his father placed those microphones before him. He STARTED nothing! He pioneered NOTHING! But a letter from one woman member illustrates what happened. She first heard of us through one of my son's TV programs and wrote for literature. She read booklets that I wrote, on what is salvation, what is the Kingdom of God, what do you mean "BORN AGAIN", etc. and THESE BOOKLETS led to her conversion. There have been many like that. Let me close with one thought. It is now a little late in life for me to turn to Satan's way, as so many others in high places have done. God never yet has let one through whom He STARTED a great project turn wrong - and He has never yet let such an appointed leader of His die until the job was FINISHED!" CoWorker Letter Aug 20 1979 "TIME IS NOW GROWING SHORT! It has seemed as if Christ has been holding back world events prophesied to happen, leading into Christ's coming in TOTAL POWER as KING of kings and LORD of lords, ruling all nations. Jesus is coming again, not only as GOVERNMENT RULER -- but also as Director of ALL EDUCATION, all RELIGION, opening salvation to all then living on earth, and over the whole world's SOCIETY! And TIME IS BECOMING SHORTER! There is every indication that Christ will now SPEED UP world events that MUST take place before His coming -- the "resurrection" of the medieval "Holy Roman Empire" in Europe -- the capture by gentile forces of Jerusalem -- the GREAT TRIBULATION -- World War III, and finally ARMAGEDDON and Christ's COMING! In Revelation 7 is the prophecy of God HOLDING UP -- DELAYING -- world events until the sealing of the 144,000 and the other innumerable multitude out of

all nations. But God says also: "For He will FINISH THE WORK, and CUT IT SHORT in righteousness, because A SHORT WORK will the Lord make upon the earth" (Rom. 9:28). From now on, things may happen SUDDENLY, RAPIDLY, to finish the Work God has called us to do. Where are we right NOW? Christ, through His chosen apostle, has been moving swiftly to make HIS CHURCH READY for Christ's coming. But we are NOT YET READY! In Revelation 19:7, "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come and his wife hath made herself ready." But we are NOT YET ready! In Ephesians 5:25-27: "... Christ also loved the Church, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it ... that he might present it to himself a GLORIOUS Church not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." But we still have spots and wrinkles and blemishes to clean out! " The We Are In Now - Good News Jan 1980 - Herbert W Armstrong "But while this most terrible TRIBULATION IS happening to our people, shall we of God's Church be protected? My son Garner Ted is now scoffing in derision at our being taken to a place of safety during the great tribulation. Does Revelation 3:10 mean what it says? The Unger's s Bible dictionary, under article on the great tribulation, refers to Revelation 3:10, showing the great tribulation covers the whole earth. No other such time of worldwide trial and trouble is prophesied. A Bible I formerly used had in the marginal reference of Revelation 3:10 "or, the great tribulation." Also Revelation 12:14 shows the Church being FLOWN into a place of safety in the wilderness. After this (Rev. 12:17), Satan will make war with the remnant or Laodicean Church. That leads up to Christ's coming. So, where are We NOW, in the panorama of prophecy? We have reached the time just before a "United States of Europe" restores the "Holy Roman Empire," under the papacy, in a union of church and state." Completion of Work Near - Worldwide News Aug 1980 - Herbert W Armstrong "Once the Roman Empire is resurrected in Europe and the Balkans, our great commission will be virtually COMPLETED.

Quickly the Laodicean church will rise up. It will go through the GREAT TRIBULATION. We shall be taken (by flight) to a place of protection for 3 1/2 years, till the coming of Christ. I have rechecked Revelation 3:10 again and from the original Greek it definitely refers to our being taken to a place of safety from the Great Tribulation. Meanwhile, let us redouble our efforts, and PRAY as never before that we draw yet closer to Jesus Christ and to God. Time is short and daily growing shorter. Please pray for me personally with intensive fervor right now! " Aug 1980 Personal Plain Truth - Herbert W Armstrong "Now back to Revelation 12:17: Satan shall be full of WRATH against the REMNANTthe last remaining generation of the Churchthe "Laodicean" Church, and will terribly persecute her. But Matthew 25 shows that though that final generation of the Church shall be LUKEWARMnot less emotional, but more "liberal," more secular and less spiritualless strictly biblicalyet half of them shall be SAVED at Christ's coming, though half shall be spewed out of Christ's mouth (Revelation 3:16). Other prophecies speak of various phases of things covered in Revelation 12 especially of the Great Tribulation. Speaking of the present "Philadelphia" era, it says in Revelation 3:10, that because we have kept God's Word faithfully, not liberalizing nor watering down, God will keep us from the "hour of temptation, which shall come upon all them that dwell on the earth" to try and test them. The original Greek words indicate this is speaking of THE GREAT TRIBULATION. The Faucett Critical and Experimental Commentary says, "the hour of temptation: the appointed season of affliction; the sore temptation coming on; the GREAT TRIBULATION before Christ's second coming." This same time of trouble, greater than any on earth before or after, is mentioned in Daniel 12:1, as being just prior to Christ's return. It is mentioned in Jeremiah 30 as a trouble especially on the United States and the British nations. All signs in world events imply strongly we are now on the very eve of these events to shake the world as NEVER BEFORE, just prior to Christ's return, and the coming of the HAPPY PEACEFUL WORLD TOMORROW! Jesus taught us to pray, "THY kingdom come." We should now want God to delay no longer what MUST SHORTLY COME! Up to this point I have covered that sequence of events revealed in Revelation 12, with a brief reference to other scriptures speaking of a certain phase of it. This chapter hits the high spots, speeding through the time from Old Testament Israel, through the birth of Christ, Satan's attempt to destroy Him, early and Middle Age persecution by Satan of the true Church, Satan's second attempted invasion of God's

heaven trying to dethrone God Almightyhis being cast back down to earth, his persecution of the true Church, the flight of the Church to a place of protection against the GREAT TRIBULATIONthen the Great Tribulation caused by Satan's wrath, and the final persecution of the very last generation of the Churchthe Laodicean era. But remember, the Bible is like a jigsaw puzzle. This puzzle is made up of many pieces, which must be properly fit together. Each piece by itself gives no one picture. Put together in a manner in which they do not properly fit together, you have confusion. But when all is put together properly, one sees a beautiful picture. " CoWorker Letter Jan 20 1981 - Herbert W Armstrong "But there is an important prophecy in the tenth chapter of Revelation. The apostle John is recording what he saw revealed in a vision. An angel came with his hand lifted to heaven saying, "There should be time no longer" -- or, better translated, "There shall be no more delay." Then a voice from heaven told John to take and open a very small book in the hand of the angel, and eat it. In his mouth it was sweet as honey, but in his stomach very bitter. Then the voice said to John, God's apostle, "Thou must prophesy (preach or announce) again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, AND KINGS." Now what is the TIME setting of this prophecy? It is sometime PRIOR to the sounding of the seventh trumpet, at which time Christ shall come. That is clear in verse 7. Also it is followed immediately by the three and a half year mission of the two witnesses. Their three and a half years BEGIN with the Great Tribulation. So the TIME of this prophecy is just shortly before the Work of the Philadelphia Church is finished. After that shall come the Great Tribulation, and the Day of the Lord, when there shall be supernatural disturbances striking the world with astonishing AWE in the sky. The Laodicean era of the Church shall rise OUT OF, through and in the latter part of the Great Tribulation. They shall be IN it, and turn to God out of and during it (Revelation 7:9-15). They come out of the Great Tribulation and are converted as a result of it, which will open their eyes to the fact that what the Philadelphian Church proclaims was true, although now, while we proclaim it, they are not heeding. So Revelation 10 shows that when our Work appeared to be close to finished and there should be no more delay in God's intervention, God did hold up world events, and I was commissioned to NOW go with the Kingdom Message to many KINGS, or national leaders, of many nations, speaking different languages. That is what, as I now look back in retrospect, I have been doing since 1970 and especially since 1972. So perhaps our Work would have been completed by 1972, except for this special commission. Now where are we in the time sequence of prophecies? More and more it becomes apparent that we are right at, or even very shortly past, the event of Revelation 12:7.

This is an event in the end time, after the Middle Ages, pictured in verse 6. Verse 7 reveals a fierce battle in heaven. Once again Satan and his demons have swooped up to attack God on His throne -- one last satanic try. Michael the archangel -- same rank as former Lucifer, now Satan -- is pictured with his angels fighting against Satan and his demons. As Lucifer and his angels tried to invade God's throne in heaven before the creation of man, so Satan has made this one last try to conquer GOD. But Satan again was to lose this battle, and he and his demons were cast back to earth (verse 9). This was to occur just prior to the coming of Christ, the resurrection of saints to salvation and establishing the Kingdom of God on earth (verse 10). But those of God's Church are at this time to overcome Satan by the blood of Christ and the Word of God (verse 11); but because Satan knows he now has but a short time to defeat God on earth through God's Church, even after he failed in the heavenly war with Michael (verse 12), he was immediately to persecute THIS CHURCH (verse 13). Previously, from the time of my conversion and baptism I have suffered persecution from men, though inspired by Satan -- and so have many of you. But never before did Satan strike the CHURCH AS A BODY until the lawsuit launched against the Church January 3, 1979. It surely seems that fulfilled verse 13. But our Work is not yet completed. This prophecy indicates it will be soon -- and apparently during the decade of the eighties, if not during President Reagan's administration -- though we cannot set definite dates. Yet WE SHOULD BE WARNED! We should realize our time for completion of Christ's Great Commission is now very short, and growing shorter daily. The lawsuit apparently is behind us -- not definitely certain until June 30. But I have warned you all, Satan is now FURIOUS. He is mighty. He is powerful, next to the power of GOD. He is subtle, clever and can deceive and outwit the best of us. He is HARD AT WORK AGAINST THE WHOLE CHURCH RIGHT NOW in ways you know not. But the Church NEEDS YOUR PRAYERS -- even your most urgent, believing and faithful FASTING AND PRAYING! Continue this prophecy. Next, when our Great Commission is in God's sight completed, we are to be taken -- symbolically flown on the two wings of a great eagle -- which could mean by a friendly government made friendly to us by my contacts with heads of so many governments these past 12 years -- we shall be taken to a place of protection from the Great Tribulation, which in itself is the furious wrath of a mad and infuriated Satan (verse 14). While we are in this place of safety three and a half years, the two witnesses shall be preaching to the whole world, protected from Satan. But Satan in his mad wrath will then make war with the REMNANT Church. This has to be the Laodicean era of the Church (verse 17). Finally, what of the Laodicean era of God's Church? Remember, it, too, is GOD's Church -- having the commandments of God and Testimony or Word of Jesus (Revelation 12:17).

But that era of the Church is pictured in Matthew 25. Matthew 24 shows the sign Jesus gave prior to his coming to end the present world order, and the Great Tribulation, Day of the Lord and Second Coming. Matthew 25 shows the time just before Christ shall return. It pictures the Laodicean Church as 10 virgins who took their lamps (their Bibles) and went forth to meet Christ at His coming. But five of them -- half of the Church -- took their lamps (Bibles) but without oil to light the lamps (having the Holy Spirit to enlighten their minds to UNDERSTAND the Bible). Some translations render this into English indicating they were losing the Holy Spirit, because of negligence, lack of prayer, fellowship with the brethren and with God and Christ and being overcome with materialistic and worldly interest. Are some of us like that, even now? While they -- the backsliding half of the Church -- were trying to get back closer to God, the coming of Christ shall take place, and the door into God's Kingdom will be SHUT in their faces! WHAT A TERRIBLE AND AWFUL TRAGEDY! It could happen to you or me. Brethren, we're living in more terrible, troublous times than you realize. " The Church In Prophey - March 28 1981 - Herbert W Armstrong "Now that is the coming of the Day of the Lord at last. Now we go right on to the 7th chapter, which comes next. Revelation 7:1 And after these things [After those signs in the sun and the moon. That hasn't happened yet. That's going to happen just a little later now and after the Great Tribulation. "After these things ... "] I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, [neither] on the sea. Now these are trumpet plagues. You blow into a trumpet, and the trumpet plagues are now about ready to be blown; but here comes an angel. Revelation 7:2-5 I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God [which is the Holy Spirit]: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea. (3) Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees [It's not people. It's going to fall on the earth itself, rather than people.], till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. [Now, you'll notice a reference on that in Ezekiel 4 and verse 30.] (4) And I heard the number of them which were sealed, and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. (5) Of the tribe of Judah ... Well, it goes on to mention them; but you'll notice the children of Israel are mentioned in a different time order than they are back in Genesis and other places in the Bible. Here Judah is mentioned first, and then Gad and Asher, of the tribe of Naphtali, the tribe of Manasseh comes next; and then Ephraim comes in as Joseph later on (next to the last), the tribe of Zebulon and finally it gets down to Benjamin

-- each one 12,000. Revelation 7:9 After this [now verse 9] I beheld, and low, a great multitude, which no man could number, of ALL nations, and kindred, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands. White robes of righteousness of saints. Here are people that have come out of the Great Tribulation. This is after the Great Tribulation. This hasn't happened yet. We are getting into the near future right now. Revelation 7:10-13 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. (11) And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts [or four living creatures, it is sometimes translated], and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God. (12) Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God forever and ever. Amen. (13) And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? And whence [did they come]? This great innumerable multitude (besides the 144,000) -- who are these? Revelation 7:14-15 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of [and you'll notice in the Revised Standard translation it is] the great tribulation [They came out of the Great Tribulation.] and have washed their robes [In other words, they've repented of their sins is what that means. "And have washed their robes ... ], and made them white in the blood of the Lamb [after the Great Tribulation]. (15) Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night.

THE LAODICEAN CHURCH (PLAY FROM 1:08:11)

That will be a Church that will follow this Church, and they will come out of the Great Tribulation. We are the Philadelphia Era of the Church. Now I want to carry you just a little further about that. Now we have to turn back to Revelation 3 once again and carry on right after the Philadelphia Era of the Church. Beginning now with verse, let me see, verse 14: Revelation 3:14-16 And unto the angel of the church of [the] Laodiceans write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God [which was Christ]; (15) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. (16) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. There is the Laodicean Church. Other things are said there. I won't read any further about that right now, but you find a little more about that in Matthew 25. I'd like to turn back to now Matthew 25 and the parable here that Jesus is speaking at the beginning of Matthew 25.

Matthew 24:1 Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him. Now, wait a minute. I'm in Matthew 24. I mean the 25th chapter. Now, Matthew 25: Matthew 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven ... Matthew says "kingdom of heaven;" but Mark, Luke, and John all call it the "kingdom of God." It's not a kingdom in heaven or a kingdom in God, but a kingdom owned by God and owned by heaven. Matthew 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven [or Kingdom of God] be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. Now this is getting right down to the time of the coming of Christ. This is after the Great Tribulation. This is not speaking of our Church. This is speaking of a time just ahead of us and the Laodicean Church, which is yet to come. Matthew 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. You see the lukewarmness. Half of them were all right and half were not. But the wise took oil in their lamps. Ah, let's see ... Matthew 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them. They didn't have any {7} oil. Now the lamp is the Bible. The Bible is a lamp unto our feet. The oil is the Spirit of God that will open the Bible to your understanding. Without the Spirit of God you can't understand the Bible. That is the light that lights up the lamp so you can understand it, and makes it light so you can see it and understand it. Matthew 25:4-6 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. (5) While the bridegroom tarried [Now Christ had been, as they say, "tarrying" or not coming quite a soon as some people thought. "While the bridegroom tarried ... "], they all slumbered and slept. [They just went to sleep on the job.] (6) And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh: go ye out to meet him. Now the midnight hour was approaching. Here comes the Second Coming of Christ. Matthew 25:7-12 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. (8) And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are [going] out. (9) But the wise answered, saying, Not so, lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. (10) And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came [The Second Coming of Christ had happened.]; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage [and into the Kingdom of God, the marriage when we will become the wife of Christ!] ... (11) Afterward came [also] the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. (12) But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

Therefore, Jesus said we'd better watch and be sure that our lamps are full of oil: In other words, the Bible. We have the oil of the Holy Spirit in our minds so that we can understand the Bible, and know the Word of God, and be close to God. Are we getting lukewarm, or are we close to God? Well, that's exactly what we need. Now let me see. Then Matthew 24:30. Why did I have that here? Oh yes, Matthew 24:30. I read right up to it, the 29th verse, immediately after the Tribulation the sun and moon will be dark. Now here's the next verse after that: Matthew 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall [all] the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall SEE the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

CHRIST'S SECOND COMING (PLAY FROM 1:14:10)

And that comes down to the Second Coming of Christ. Now we turn back to Revelation once again, and this time to Revelation 12:17. Now the last verse of Revelation 12, I didn't cover that before. We just got right down to it. (Wait, where am I here?) Revelation 12 and verse 17: Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed ... That is the Laodicean Church. He will rend the remnant, the last part of the Church, the last one of these seven Churches that are spoken of (of the Churches in Asia, that are spoken of back in the 2nd and 3rd chapters of Revelation). Revelation 12:17 ... the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. They were in the Church all right. The Laodicean Church is the Church of God. But they were lukewarm; and half of them, they'd lost the Holy Spirit; and that's where they were. " Revelation 12 - April 18 1981 - Herbert W Armstrong "The Great Tribulation is really caused by Satan's wrath, but the Day of the Lord will come upon us as a result of God's wrath on Satan and the people that are following his way. Now, I'd like to go on just to mention a little bit about the seventh chapter of Revelation here, while I'm on it. Revelation 7:1 ...After these things there were four angels holding up the four winds of the earth that they should not blow [on the earth and the seas and the trees and so on] ... Then appeared the hundred and forty four thousand and another great innumerable multitude of all nations. Now when they ask, "Who are they?" They are people that come to Christ out of the Great Tribulation. A great...not revival; but a great conversion of people is going to happen as a result or during the Great Tribulation. Many people have heard our message. Millions have heard it that we have not

heard from, believe me. They haven't paid too much attention to it now; but, when these things happen, they'll say, "That was the truth that we heard". They've heard it on television. They've heard it on radio. They've read it in the Plain Truth. Millions of copies of the Plain Truth are going out now every month, over two million. And I hope we will get it built back up over three million again very soon. We are reaching millions of people, and I think we don't realize it. We don't hear from all those millions. We just hear from those that are a little bit interested. So many of them get it. They say, "Oh, yeah;" and they go on, and they don't pay much attention. But, believe you me, they're going to pay attention when the Great Tribulation comes. Now we're in a time of trouble now such as the world never had before, but it is going to be a lot worse than this. This is a forerunner, you might say of the Great Tribulation, that we're into right now. Now those of the hundred and forty four thousand, the great innumerable multitude, they will be the Laodicean Church that is to follow this Church. The Laodicean Church has not appeared as yet. You want to know about that? Well, that's it. It will come out of the Great Tribulation. You find the Laodicean Church in Revelation 3 and again in Matthew 25. The Laodicean Church -- they're lukewarm. They're only half filled with the Holy Spirit. " The Meaning of the Feast of Tabernacles - Oct 13 1981 - Herbert W Armstrong "And now in verses 12 and 13: Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. He knows that he has but a short time. But what is all of that triggering? Satan cast out of heaven, down to earth and beginning to persecute the Church as the next verse said, which I didn't read. And we have been persecuted; and it does show that, after that, we're going to be taken to a Place of Safety. Then there will be another persecution of the remnant Church -- known in the Bible, and in the 3rd chapter of the book of Revelation, as the Laodicean Church -- a still greater Church but a lukewarm one that will come out of the Great Tribulation, which is now just ahead of us. But notice verses 10 and 11, which I skipped just a moment ago. Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation... When Satan is cast down, he knows he has but a short time. And how does he know it? Because Jesus Christ (in giving His disciples the sign of the end of this age and of the coming of the World Tomorrow, the coming of Christ and setting up a different world) said, "This GOSPEL of the KINGDOM shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." Brethren, THIS CHURCH HAS BEEN PREACHING THAT GOSPEL TO THE WHOLE WORLD, AND NOBODY ELSE HAS DONE IT. NO OTHER CHURCH HAS DONE IT! NO OTHER VOICE HAS DONE IT! I WONDER IF YOU CAN YOU

REALIZE IT? It is the FULFILLMENT of the very prophecy of Jesus in Mathew 24. The Gospel of the KINGDOM, THE GOVERMENT OF GOD! Of course, the Kingdom of God is the divine Family of God. But that Family is a ruling Family. That Family is the Family that will be governing the world with the government of God, instead of the governments of man as they have been influenced and completely led by Satan the Devil. Satan is sitting on the throne of the whole earth. He has many, you might say, puppet leaders sitting on thrones of different nations; and that is the kind of world we're living in. People are governed, and there is government to regulate our lives. Now let's understand this thing. Notice now verses 10 and 11. Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation... People think that when you say, "I receive Christ," you have received salvation. The Bible does not teach that, my brethren. The Bible teaches that he that endureth unto the end the same shall be saved. Salvation comes with the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and not until then. Oh, how deceived this whole world is. Satan the Devil has deceived them. He is the god of this world. He has his religions, he has his governments, he has his social structure, he has his business and economic structure. He has everything in this world! It's his world. But finally we're becoming... Revelation 12:10-11 ...the kingdom of our God and the power of his Christ [the rulership of Christ]: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. (11) And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved their lives unto death. That doesn't mean that everybody dies that loves God and has His Word. In fact, this Church is to be protected from that sort of thing. But you have to love God and love peace and love things like that more than your life. Now President Anwar Sadat didn't know the whole truth of God. I gave him a little bit of it. I'm sure he didn't completely comprehend it; because Jesus Christ said, "No man can come to me except the Father, which sent me, draws him." And God is only drawing a very few -- one here, and one over there, and one somewhere else -- out of the millions and the billions of the people here on the earth today. Only a very, very few are being drawn by God. But Satan is now wroth, and he is going to stir up the time that we know of as the Great Tribulation. This Church is to be protected from that Great Tribulation -- those of us who are faithful especially, and that does not unfortunately include every one of us. I hope it includes you, and you, and you. " The Sabbath Question - Oct 23 1981 - Herbert W Armstrong
"We read in the seventh chapter of the book of Revelation of how He sends an

angel to hold back the plagues that were prophesied to come at that time -- (Now we're not quite to that time yet. That is yet future.) -- till He seals the servants of

God in their foreheads, a hundred and forty-four thousand and another innumerable multitude. And that will be the Laodicean Church. That will be the tag-end last Church of the seven different eras of the Church, the remnant Church; and that hasn't come yet. A lot of people have been wondering: "Where is the Laodicean Church?" Well, it hasn't appeared yet. Don't waste your time looking for it. It isn't here. You can't find it. But it will be here. And, when God's time does come, He will let things happen very, very rapidly. It's going to take your breath. Now, believe me, it really will." Passover Examination - March 4 1982 - Herbert W Armstrong "I like to picture it this way. Youre in a thick wooded forest. Trees are so thick you cant see even ten feet ahead of you, not as far as from me to the front row down there. Ive been in a, over in the Big Sandy campus it used to be just that thick in woods and brush. You couldnt even see ten or fifteen feet. But if youre in a big forest, on a dark moonless night, no light, no moon, and theres only one way out, and there is a light there and that light is going out and you follow that light. Itll lead you right out. But if you dont follow that light, and you go any other way; youre not going to see very far and I tell you inside of a little time that light is lost, you wont find it again. You dont know which way to go now to find it. And you cant tell which is east, west, north, or south, not at least until the next day. Youll be lost in the woods. Now, the Bible is a lamp under our feet, but that lamp must have oil in it. You read of that in the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew. Where just before Christs coming, its really speaking of the Laodicean Church then. And half of the virgins, who had been Christians, had let the oil go out of their lamps. Their lamps are the Bible, but the oil is the Holy Spirit within THEM. Speaking of course in figurative or in symbolic language. And Ive noticed those who go out from among us. They go off on some one point, or maybe two points, and ALWAYS if they dont repent, it is not long till theyve gone off on another doctrine and then another, and then pretty soon theyve just gone all together. And its too late. Now if you make a mistake, if you sin, and you CONFESS your SINS, YOUD BETTER DO IT QUICK AND DO IT IMMEDIATELY, and it isnt too late. And He will be faithful and just to forgive you your sins, and to cleanse you of all unrighteous. But brethren, some have gone out from this Body and this Church, and they didnt confess their sins right away. And then they began to make another sin, and then another and theyd just given up altogether. They dont believe any thing any more. Theyve gone farther, and farther, and farther away. Now its good to have this Passover season come once a year. And its good to have us check up once and a while and to remember that when ever we do make a mistake, maybe it was thoughtlessness, maybe it was deliberate even, but youve come to yourself and you come to realise it, REPENT and repent quick. Dont say Im not worthy to repent, youre never too unworthy to go to God and ask for forgiveness, and ask Him to get you back on the track. This whole Church has been going wrong and weve had to get back on the track.

Brethren, you have to keep yourself on the track privately and individually. I have to keep myself on the track. I know where I was beginning to get off a little bit. And maybe you didnt realise I was getting myself back on the track while Ive been getting you all back on it. You thought I was just so good I was getting you all back? Well dont kid yourselves. Im human too brethren. Well Ive been trying to get ME back on the track too along with you. Lets all get back. Because it isnt going to be much longer until Christ is going to come, and I hope well all be together so we can rise and be changed from mortal to immortal in the moment, in the twinkling of an eye and rise to meet Christ in the air as He comes. What a GLORIOUS time that CAN be. Only if we really repent, if we ACKNOWLEDGE when were wrong, if we confess it, if were willing to CHANGE, Ive had to even confess that Id mislead the Church on some things. Weve had to change. When I found I was wrong I CHANGED IT. I dont have to prove that I can admit Im wrong Ive proved that. Ive proved it before the whole Church more than once. But the time has come to exam Oh, theres one more scripture well I still have time. I want to read one more scripture. First Corinthians 13:5, no, Second Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith, prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is IN you, except you be reprobates? Its not too late. You wouldnt be here this afternoon if you were already reprobate. Its not too late. I dont know, maybe some of you have sinned maybe youve gotten off the track a little bit. You can get back on, and get back quick, and dont delay, dont wait for tomorrow, dont let the sun go down until youre back on. Examine yourselves before the Passover. Now, it says, I read to you, let a man examine himself, and then let him take of that Passover. Of course there its speaking of how you take it worthily, unworthily, rather than taking it worthily, but, we have to examine ourselves and we should before the Passover, and to know that we are back on the track ourselves walking with Christ as we should be. " Mark of the Beast - Dec 11 1982 - Herbert W Armstrong "Brethren, we are the last thing triggering just before the Great Tribulation. The Great Tribulation is going to be brought on by this United States of Europe. It is not going to come by Russia, but by them. They will be a greater power than Russia or the United States. Now then, let's get back to some other things. I was reading out of the 6th chapter of Revelation just a moment ago. Now let's get back to the beginning of the 7th chapter. I want you to notice a few things. Revelation 7:1 Now after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding [up] the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth...

THE 144,000 (PLAY FROM 1:02:58)

Now, they are the winds that blow on the trumpets -- the trumpet plagues that come just before. As a matter of fact, the trumpet plagues are the 7th seal. And the 7th

trumpet is the 7 last plagues, and Christ comes at the time of the 7 last plagues. Now comes the sealing of the 144,000. And then, separate from that and a little later, is this (beginning with verse 9). Revelation 7:9-10 After this I beheld, and, lo, A GREAT MULTITUDE, which no man could number [The 144,000 appeared to be this Church, brethren. And we're not that big yet, but we are getting that big, fast. "I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number"],of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and [different languages] ...stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes [He sees a vision that represents things on earth.], and palms in their hands; (10) And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. Revelation 7:13 One of the elders [in verse 13] answered, saying unto me, What are these [that] are arrayed in [the] white robes? ... (14) [And he said] ...Sir, thou knowest. And he said unto me, These are they which came OUT OF [THE] GREAT TRIBULATION, [Now, modern translations say "the" great tribulation.] and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. That would be the Church. That would have to be the Laodicean Church that will follow this Church and come out of the Great Tribulation. Now, I want you to notice something in Revelation 20 and verse 4. Revelation 20 starts out with the angel taking Satan the devil and binding him a thousand years; but in verse 4: Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus [Martyrs -- both way back there several hundred years or over a thousand years ago, and those yet to be martyred during the coming Great Tribulation.] {6}, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his [name], neither had received his mark [Now there's the mark of the beast again.] upon their foreheads or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. Those who refuse to have the mark of the beast will reign with Christ a thousand years. Now, plainly, the martyrs over a thousand years ago refused that mark. And there are others that are to be martyred in the future -- in the next few years, maybe within a year and a half or two years from now. It could be that soon. So now let's go back to Revelation 14. The martyrs over a thousand years did not {7} receive the mark. Now let's see, Revelation 14 and verse 1. Revelation 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having [the] Father's name written in their foreheads. Now where's the mark of the beast to be written? The mark of the beast will be stamped in the forehead and in their hand so that they can't buy or sell, or can't hold a job and have money to buy or sell. Now take verse 4, just to skip and get the important ones.

Revelation 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; [and] they are virgins. [That is, spiritually speaking "not defiled with." In other words, with the churches of this world; but are virgins from that point of view, plainly referring to this Church.]These are they which follow the Lamb withersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. Again: we are the firstfruits, brethren. How many times do we see that, and we get that on the day of Pentecost. Now, beginning with verse 9: Revelation 14:9-10 And [There were now two angels with messages.] the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand [Here it is again, about the mark of the beast.], (10) the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb [at the Second Coming of Christ]. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE MARK OF THE BEAST, you're tortured. You may be martyred. IF YOU DO RECEIVE THE MARK OF THE BEAST, then this [banging on the Bible] is going to happen to you! And brethren, every one of you may personally in the next 1 to 5 years, maybe 10 years... I can't set a date. But it's VERY, VERY IMMINENT NOW. And the time has come to WARN. YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION. You'd better know what is the mark of the beast. Revelation 14:11-12 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever; and they have no rest day (n)or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name [the mark of the beast]. (12) Here is the patience of the saints: here are they [Now these do NOT have the mark of the beast.] that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

THE MARK AND THE COMMANDMENTS (PLAY FROM 1:10:40)

On the one hand are those who have the name of God in their forehead and, when it comes to work and things, they have the commandments of God. And one of those commandments tells you what day you can't use your hands in work, and that day is the Sabbath day. IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD! Now why would Satan the devil use a church to try to make you break one of the commandments of God? Satan is a great deceiver! Satan is a great deceiver. I want you to notice there are two classes. One will {8}not have the mark, and they will be martyred. And many things are going to happen to you by the police and the police state, and they are going to take over this country. If you are not killed in the war and the famine and pestilence that is coming and prophesied to come almost any time now, then you are going to face this. But if you REJECT the mark... Let's see. Revelation 12:17. (12:17; I don't

remember why I put that right in here.) Let's get that. Revelation 12:17, oh yes, that's it. Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have [the faith, or] the testimony of Jesus Christ. That's the Word of God, the Bible. And what churches do have it? Brethren, I had to find out (way back there 56 years ago now) that the churches do not believe the Bible. They do not follow the Bible, but they preach precisely the opposite of the Bible. And when it comes right down to following the Bible, this is the only Church I know! The Sardis Church did as far as they went, but they didn't go far enough. They didn't even know what is the true gospel. They didn't know what will happen during the Millennium. They knew there would be a Millennium all right, but they didn't have the true gospel of the Kingdom of God. They don't know we could be born of God. They had the Bible as far as they've got it, but they only have a little of if. But now the martyrs did NOT have the mark of the beast. Those who obey the human government may save their human life, but they are going to suffer all these plagues that I've read to you here from God and will not make it into the Kingdom of God. Those who obey God may be tortured. Let me tell you what kind of torture. They used to run needles right up under your fingernails and thumbnails, into the quick. And boy, that does hurt. All right, now let's get down to... I wanted to prepare you. Now I'll give you one. They would tie a rope around your wrists together. They would tie another rope around your ankles holding them together. The one rope would be hitched up to one horse. The other rope from your feet would be hitched to another horse. And they'd start the horses in opposite directions, and they'd pull you until they'd pull you apart. Actually would pull your legs, or your arms, right out of their sockets until you're pulled apart. That's the way they tortured people, until they died. It's so fiendish that I'd hate to tell you some of the things that have happened. And those things have happened, and former people have gone through that in order to keep the commandments of God. Now the two-horned beast is merely a sort of enforcer. They enforce the mark. They compel obedience. And they don't kill anyone. They... You'll notice that they "are drunk with the blood of the saints." But they didn't kill them. They "caused them to be killed." They just simply announced them "anathema from Christ," and the government killed them; but they ruled the government. Now, they are going to compel disobedience to God. But they are not going to compel you to lie. They are not going to compel you to commit adultery. They are not going to compel stealing. They are not going to compel you to covet your neighbor's goods or your neighbor's wife. They will not compel you to dishonor your father and mother. They will not compel you to have other gods. (They might to worship idols, and they might not.) They won't compel you to use profanity. But

I tell you what they will compel you to do -- to observe Sunday, instead of the Sabbath. " Mark of The Beast - Dec 11 1982 - Herbert W Armstrong "I am going to tell you one of two things is going to have to happen to you, every one of you; and we're going to face it collectively as a church, but each is going to face it individually also. You are going to be tested. If you try to save your life, you are going to lose it for all eternity. You may have to give your present life in order to make the Kingdom of God. Are you going to try to live on and save it? Or are you willing...? There is one place in the 12th chapter of Revelation where, after Satan has had the battle in heaven once again and has been sent back down to earth, where the "saints loved not their lives unto death." And that's speaking of our time, and our people, and those of the Laodicean Church to follow us almost immediately. And the Laodicean Era of the Church has not yet come, but it will; and I think that we are doing a whole lot to raise it up. " Mark of The Beast - Dec 11 1982 - Herbert W Armstrong "Now Daniel 2 shows it finally coming down to the toes of the feet; but you see one of those feet is planted on Eastern Europe, and one on Western Europe. And it comes down to the final end -- of the Second Coming of Christ and smashing this whole succession of Gentile governments on the toes of the feet. That's the ten kingdoms that are going to go together in Europe perhaps next year, perhaps the year after. Now I can't set dates; and, if it doesn't happen till two or three years from now, don't say how Mr. Armstrong said it was going to be in 1983. I didn't say that. I say it could. I didn't say it will. Now if someone tries to say I said it, I've got all you as witnesses. I didn't. They've tried to say, back in 1972, that I said things I did not say. Some people thought I said the Second Coming of Christ is going to occur then. No, I could see reasons why I thought this empire might go together at that time. And our Work will stop very soon after this Holy Roman Empire has this next, and last, resurrection. And OUR WORK WILL STOP and then will come the GREAT TRIBULATION. AND OUT OF IT AND DURING THE GREAT TRIBULATION will rise up the Laodicean Era of God's Church. But this Church...Well you are either going to risk death, or your going to take the mark of the beast -- one or the other, unless we are taken to a place of protection and safety; and there are two places in the book of Revelation that certainly indicate we shall be. But it's going to take a miracle. Now it took a miracle from God to get the Israelites out of Egypt way back there in the days of Moses. He had to strike a rock, and water came out of it. And He may have to perform just as great miracles again this time. You had better begin to believe in miracles, because your very existence may depend on it. " CoWorker Letter July 24 1983 - Herbert W Armstrong "Now let me tell you WHY I know God has HELD BACK end-time world events --

and WHY he will cause things to snap together suddenly when least expected and bring this world suddenly to its END, and the coming of Christ in supreme power and glory to rule ALL NATIONS, ushering in the KINGDOM OF GOD and the WORLD TOMORROW! In Revelation 7, God suddenly holds up the plagues of the Day of the Lord, UNTIL certain events happen -- the sealing of the 144,000 and the emergence of the Laodicean Church. He has held events back before. Yet he says that, when HIS time comes, he will make a speedy work in the end time and cut his work short. In Matthew 24:32-35 Jesus said that when we see world events now occurring, we are to KNOW that this END is very near - - within this generation. Yet of the day and hour (verse 36) we cannot know. Yet when it strikes it will strike suddenly, unexpectedly, like a trap that springs shut on a hapless rat without warning. If one knew at what hour a thief would come in the night to burglarize his house, he would have watched and been ready to resist him. We have been seeing these end-time world events coming for several years now. God has delayed -- held up world events. Yet he will SUDDENLY cut his work short, and END things, as unexpectedly and suddenly as when the trap springs on a rat before he can move. When Europe suddenly unites, our work, which Christ is doing with and through us, will quickly be over, and Christ's coming very soon thereafter. " What Lies Ahead NOW! - Good News Jan 1984 - Herbert W Armstrong "What Lies Ahead NOW? by Herbert W. Armstrong page 1 Good News January 1984 Time is very short! Here is what is about to happen. WHAT LIES AHEAD, vital to us in God's Church, in the next very few years? Bible prophecy does not pinpoint precise datesor even the precise yearof forecasted events. But there is an important prophecy in Revelation 10. The apostle John saw, in a vision, an angel come with his hand lifted to heaven, saying, "There should be delay no longer" (verse 6). Then a voice from heaven told John to take and open a very small book in the hand of the angel, and eat it. In his mouth it was sweet as honey, but in his stomach very bitter. Then the voice said to John, "Thou must prophesy [preach or announce] again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, AND KINGS" (verse 11, Authorized Version).

Now what is the TIME setting of this prophecy? It is sometime PRIOR to the sounding of the seventh trumpet, at which time Christ shall come. That is clear in verse 7. Also it is followed immediately by the 3-year mission of the two witnesses. Their 3 years BEGIN with the Great Tribulation. So the TIME of this prophecy is just shortly before the work of the Philadelphia church is finished. After that shall come the Great Tribulation, and the Day of the Lord, with supernatural disturbances in the sky. The Laodicean era of the Church shall rise OUT OF, through and in the latter part of the Great Tribulation. They shall be IN it, and turn to God out of and during it (Rev. 7:9-15). They come out of it and are converted as a result of it, which will open their eyes to the fact that what the Philadelphia church proclaims was true, although now, while we proclaim it, they are not heeding. So Revelation 10 shows that when our Work appeared to be close to finished more than a decade ago, God held up world events, and I was commissioned to NOW go with the Kingdom message to many KINGS, or many nations, speaking different languages. That is what, as I now look back, I have been doing, especially since 1972. Now where are we in the time sequence of prophecies? More and more it becomes apparent that we are right at, or even very shortly past, the event of Revelation 12:7. This is an event in the end time, after the Middle Ages pictured in verse 6. Verse 7 reveals a fierce battle in heaven. Once again Satan and his demons have swooped up to attack God on His throneone last satanic try. Michael the archangelsame rank as former Lucifer, now Satanis pictured with his angels fighting against Satan and his demons. As Lucifer and his angels tried to invade God's throne in heaven before the creation of man, so Satan has made this one last try to conquer GOD. But Satan again was to lose this battle, and he and his demons were cast back to earth (verse 9). This was to occur just prior to the Second Coming of Christ, the resurrection of saints to salvation and establishing the Kingdom of God on earth (verse 10). But those of God's Church are at this time to overcome Satan by the blood of Christ and the Word of God (verse 11); but because Satan knows he now has but a short time to defeat God on earth through God's Church, even after he failed in the heavenly war with Michael (verse 12), he was immediately to persecute this CHURCH (verse 13). Ever since my conversion, I have suffered persecution from men, though inspired by Satanand so have many of you. But never before did Satan strike the CHURCH AS A BODY until the lawsuit launched against the Church Jan. 3, 1979. It surely seems that fulfilled verse 13. But our Work is not yet completed. This prophecy indicates it will be soonand apparently during the decade of the '80s though we cannot set definite dates. Yet WE SHOULD BE WARNED! We should realize our time for completion of

Christ's great commission is now very short, and growing shorter daily. I have warned you all, Satan is now FURIOUS. He is mighty. He is subtle, clever and can deceive and outwit the best of us. He is HARD AT WORK AGAINST THE WHOLE CHURCH RIGHT NOW in ways you know not. But the Church NEEDS your urgent, faithful FASTING AND PRAYING! Continue this prophecy. Next, when our great commission is in God's sight completed, we are to be takensymbolically flown on the two wings of a great eaglewhich could mean by a friendly government made friendly to us by my contacts with heads of so many governmentswe shall be taken to a place of protection from the Great Tribulation, which is the furious wrath of Satan (verse 14). While we are in this place of safety 3 years, the two witnesses shall be preaching to the whole world, protected from Satan. But Satan in his mad wrath will then make war with the REMNANT Church. This has to be the Laodicean era of the Church (verse 17). Finally, what of the Laodicean era of God's Church? Remember, it, too, is GOD'S Churchhaving the commandments of God and testimony or Word of Jesus (Rev. 12:17). But that era of the Church is pictured in Matthew 25. Matthew 24 shows the signs Jesus showed would occur prior to His Second Coming. Matthew 25 shows the time just before Christ shall return. It pictures the Laodicean church as 10 virgins who took their lamps (their Bibles) and went forth to meet Christ at His coming. But five of themhalf of the Churchtook their lamps (Bibles) but without oil to light the lamps (having the Holy Spirit to UNDERSTAND the Bible). Some translations indicate they were losing the Holy Spirit, because of negligence, lack of prayer, lack of fellowship with the brethren and with God and Christ and being overcome with materialistic and worldly interest. Are some of us like that, even now? While theythe backsliding half of the Church are trying to get back closer to God, the coming of Christ shall take place, and the door into God's Kingdom shall be SHUT in their faces! WHAT A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY! It could happen to you or me. Brethren, we're living in more terrible, troublous times than you realize. Do NOT FOR A MOMENT GET TO THINKING TIME WILL JUST KEEP GOING ON AND ON. It won't! Satan knows how short time is. He is now striking at destroying THE CHURCH. WE ALL NEED TO BE FASTING AND PRAYING as never before that God will restrain Satan. TIME IS NOW VERY SHORT.

This Work is launched on the GREATEST AND MOST POWERFUL THRUST FORWARD IN ITS 50 YEARS. NEVER have I and the whole Work needed your prayers and continued EXTRA financial backing as now. We are launched on the greatest PUSH FORWARD ever. PRAY! PRAY! PRAY! " Could You Be Denying Christ? - Good News Aug 1984 - Robert C. Smith "Could YOU Be Denying Christ? Why did Jesus Christ express such concern toward those He called "lukewarm"? Why did He say He would rather they be "cold"? By Robert C. Smith The Good News, August 1984 The young man's attitude and approach to Jesus Christ was not childlike! Jesus had just taken little children up in His arms, and blessed them. Jesus said, "Of such is the kingdom of God," then reiterated, "Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it" (Luke 18:16-17). The young ruler, holder of substantial prestige and honor, sought from Jesus that final ingredient that would, in like manner, qualify him for God's Kingdom. With a guise of humility, he admitted to keeping the Ten Commandments "from my youth." He was quick to point out his good points, and seemed desirous of knowing if there might be anything else he should be doing if any such thing remained. He didn't expect the answer he received. His cloak of humility slipped a bit when he approached Jesus with a salutation of subtle flattery: "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" (verse 18). Jesus reacted: "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God" (verse 19). When Jesus heard the profession of righteousness, He reminded the young man that in spite of all his marvelous accomplishments, "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me" (verse 22). Typically unchildlike, the young man received the admonition sorrowfully and went away, for he was very rich. Or he thought he was (verse 23). He professed a desire to live righteously, but his fruits did not bear out the profession. He asked what he might do to prove his intentions, but when Jesus' reply did not meet his approval, he walked away. He was guilty of bearing false witness!

James was inspired to write, "A doubleminded man is unstable in all his ways" (James 1:8, Authorized Version). The young man wanted the Kingdom of God, but he did not wish to relinquish his positions and possessions. He wanted to "have his cake and eat it, too." He had forgotten Jesus' words as revealed in Luke 14: "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple" (verse 26). The young ruler was not willing to forsake all in order to be Jesus Christ's disciple. Jesus wants us hot In an admonition to the future Laodicean church, Jesus said: "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth" (Revelation 3:15-16, AV). Jesus is telling any with such an attitude, in essence, "I wish you would be hot, but if you will not be hot, I would rather have you be cold!" If we as Christians are hot, we will be all the way into pulsating with, excited with, breathing, eating, sleeping this way of life. We will have our arms locked around the tree of life Jesus Christ being the trunk or vine, and we the branches where we may be dressed and nourished by the Father, the vine-dresser (John 15:1-6). If we are lukewarm, we will be slowly simmering to death. We will be lacking real warmth or feeling of enthusiasm (the word enthusiasm comes from the roots en and theos, literally meaning "God in you"). We will have little involvement. We will be just barely there. The person who continues to be lukewarm right up until Jesus Christ's return simply will not make it into God's Kingdom. The person who is hot, on the other hand, will literally burst into eternity as a member of the Family of God. But what about being cold? Why would Jesus rather we be cold than lukewarm? Jesus answers that for us in I Corinthians 5:1-5: "It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you... and you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you. [Therefore] deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." The person who is hot is all the way in God's Church. The person who is cold is all the way out of God's Church but may yet be saved through the crucible of life in Satan's world. He may come to real repentance before the return of Jesus Christ, and experience that marvelous change into the God Family in the twinkling of an

eye at Jesus' coming. The flesh may be destroyed, but the spirit will not be relegated to that eternal death. But what about the lukewarm person? Jesus said: "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth. Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked" (Revelation 3:16-17). Jesus reminded them that they only thought they were rich, when, in reality, their spiritual poverty was made obvious by their conduct. They professed to be something that they were not. The lukewarm attitude If we say we are Christians, we will be living as Jesus Christ does. We will walk as He walked, in absolute harmony with God the Father in everything pertinent to this way of life. We will willingly abide by the rulings and teachings of the Body of Christ, into which we have been mercifully added. We will be truly rich in obedience, loyalty, involvement, faithfulness, commitment. We will be seeking correction in prayer and Bible study, and we will accept that correction as lifesaving, without any attempt at self-justification. The Laodicean attitude talks back! Jesus remarked, "Because you say..." (verse 17). Self-justification! The Laodicean replies in other words, "You don't understand this is why I do it this way." Self-justification, whether we are right or wrong, reveals an attitude that is less than childlike. Even the patriarch Job said: "If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse" (Job 9:20, AV). The lukewarm, professing Christian will feel comfortable justifying his less-thantotal commitment. He will find fault and criticize the status quo. The book of Malachi chronicles that lukewarm attitude for our admonition. The people ask, "In what way have we defiled You?", trying to justify giving less than the best in sacrifice (Malachi 1:7). In verses 12-14, God replies: "You profane it, in that you say, 'The table of the Lord is defiled; and its fruit, its food, is contemptible.' You also say, 'Oh, what a weariness!' And you sneer at it... and you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick; thus you bring an offering! Should I accept this from your hand?... But cursed be the deceiver who has in his flock a male, and makes a vow, but sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished for I am a great King... and My name is to be feared among the nations." Our profession, at baptism, was to go all the way. We said, by words and actions, that we wanted God to teach us His ways. We had supposedly counted the cost. We

were, at least briefly, childlike. We were, at that time, hot. Subsequent reading through the book of Malachi shows that the people had an argumentative attitude regarding marriage relationships (chapter 2) and financial obligations (chapter 3). In each case there is an attitude of being neither all the way involved in this way of life nor, on the other hand, all the way out. Rather, there is a desire to maintain an attitude that could be phrased this way: "Isn't it better that I have a little involvement than none at all? Isn't it better to have at least a facade of righteousness attending services most of the time, sending at least some money (even if not a full tithe), allowing self to succumb to drunkenness or gluttony occasionally, picking and choosing those areas of Christianity in which I feel comfortable?" Jesus Christ emphatically says that is not so. "I would thou wert cold or hot." No inbetween. Not lukewarm. How serious is it? Jesus says to those who are lukewarm that He will spew them out, or vomit them up. In other words, lukewarmness sickens the very stomach of our Savior. Being lukewarm denies Christ It takes faith to live God's way of life. Jesus inspired, "Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him" (Hebrews 10:38). And in verses 26-27 of the same chapter, He reminds, "For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries." How are we lukewarm? Jesus refers to "those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed; they are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries" (II Peter 2:10). They argue. They justify! They are quick to talk back to the authority of Almighty God. And they are truly bearing false witness! Professing to be Christian followers of Christ their conduct totally violates the nature of that Christ. The Guidebook to our profession exhorts: "Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.... He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked" (I John 2:3-6). If we walk in the way that Jesus Christ wants us to choose, we will be hot! We will have proved the dramatic existence of the creating God Family. The world and the universe around us will have been revealed to us as the manifestation of the works of a Creator, Designer, Lawgiver, Sustainer, Orchestrator, Life-giver and Responder to the needs of the creation.

We will know and know that we know the veracity of the Word of God, as revealed in the pages of the Bible. We will have pored over and ingested its life-giving words of instruction. We will have proved the faithfulness of God, incorporating into our lives His every word. And we will have established irrefutably where the Church is that Jesus Christ said He would build. We will know the basic beliefs of that Church and believe them. We will know intimately the Church's basic doctrines as revealed in Hebrews 6:1-2, and will abide by them with every fiber of our being. We will be attuned to the policies of God's Church, which are generated from the top down according to the system of government God has placed in His Church, and will desire to get wholeheartedly in step with them. In I Corinthians 11, after explaining the Church teaching regarding hair length, the apostle Paul concluded with, "But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God" (verse 16). Paul stated the facts, realizing that there might be some who would not be in total agreement and who would be quick to express that disagreement, and established the authority behind those facts by adding, "We have no such custom," That's it, Paul said. Obey and be hot. Disobey, justify, compromise, maintain a questioning posture and be lukewarm. Or, view the crescendo of God's burgeoning work from the outside by being cold. Being hot means agreeing with those beliefs, doctrines and policies and doing them. Being cold means disagreeing with them and walking the other way. All the way in, or all the way out! Being lukewarm destroys character. Being less than total in our commitment allows for pretense, spiritual game-playing, and bears false witness. In other words, breaks the commandments of God. "I am the Lord your God," thunders the Creator. "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:2-3). Peter said, inspired by Jesus, "For by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage" (II Peter 2:19). Anything less than total commitment produces a double-minded person, and no one can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). If we violate the First Commandment, we become guilty of breaking the remaining nine (James 2:10). We take the name of God by professing to be Christians, but it is in vain, or without basis, if we live contrarily. It all has to do with obedience and commitment. No commandment is excluded from violation if we are lukewarm, self-justifying and hypocritical in our profession of faith. Judgment on us now "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is

longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (II Peter 3:9). God has begun a good work in us, and His desire is for us to make it into His Kingdom (Philippians 1:6). Why, then, if Jesus' desire is for us to make it, would that same Jesus express so graphically that He would rather we be cold than lukewarm? Let Jesus Himself answer that question. "And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: 'My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.' If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons" (Hebrews 12:5-8). Peter recorded that "the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God" (I Peter 4:17). God is not yet dealing with the masses of humanity around this world not yet judging them according to their works. He is judging His Church those who profess to be witnesses not only for Jesus Christ but of Him as He resides in us and God realizes the time is short. The principle in I Corinthians 5:5, mentioned earlier, "Deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus," helps explain the answer. Jesus continues, in Hebrews 12:10-11: "For they [our physical fathers] indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." Jesus Christ asks us to choose life. He knows that unless we are totally committed, we will be lukewarm, and if we are lukewarm, we will not attain to that life eternal life in the Family of God. He would rather we be hot or cold because He loves us! " ACBC (32 Lessom Edition)(1985) - Lesson 28 - Feast of Trumpets - Herbert W Armstrong "Christ Pleads With the Nations Now turn to the book of Revelation, in which is found the prophecy of the seven trumpets, symbolic of the terrifying, cataclysmic world events to occur just before Christ's return.

1. What is the time-setting of the seven trumpets -- is it a time of God's wrath against rebellious mankind? Rev. 6:16-17. COMMENT: The symbolic trumpets portray the day of the Lord -- the day of God's wrath, the time when God intervenes in world affairs to punish the world for its evil! It is the time God pleads with all flesh in the physical language humans will understand! 2. Is the time of Christ's supernatural intervention in world affairs announced by awesome supernatural signs in the heavens? Verses 12-16. Will men who have been leading lives of sin be terrified with fear and want to hide from God when they realize He is supernaturally intervening in world affairs? Verses 15-16. 3. What is the very next thing to happen after the signs of Christ's coming appear? Rev. 7:1. COMMENT: These four winds are the winds that blow the first four of the seven trumpets. The trumpets announce God's direct intervention in world affairs to spare mankind from the destruction of all flesh -- human and animal life. 4. Will God protect His faithful servants -- including those who turn to Him during this, yet future, time of world turmoil? Rev. 7:2-3. Where did these servants of God come from? Read and summarize Verses 4-14, especially noting verse 14. 5. Did these people repent of their sins sometime during or at the end of the Great Tribulation? Verse 14. COMMENT: The 144,000, as well as the great innumerable multitude from all nations referred to in verse 9, repent of their old sinful ways and turn to Almighty God in personal surrender. God then put their sins under the blood of Jesus Christ -the Passover Lamb (verse 14). "These are they," states one of the elders at God's throne, "which came out of great tribulation." These multitudes will receive eternal life, and serve God day and night in His Temple (verse 15). 6. What will happen after God's faithful servants are sealed by His Spirit, which gives them protection from the plagues announced by the trumpets that will sound during the day of the Lord? Rev. 8:1-6."