The Purpose of God’s Church, Worldwide
Herbert W. Armstrong completed his commission of taking the true gospel to the world as a witness. Only after the gospel had gone to the world, could the end come. As of January 1986 we have entered into the end-time. The Great Task before us is to get the Bride of Christ ready for Christ’s return during this Laodicean Era. This means we must HOLD FAST to the truth first delivered by God’s Apostle during the Philadelphia Era (Rev. 3:10).
For further questions on specific topics,
feel free to write to us directly and be sure to include the topic(s) you’d like more information on.
God’s Church, Worldwide
Attn.: Introductory Packet
P.O. Box 544
Sorrento, FL 32776-0544
The Introductory Packet
Audio Files
Documents
Has the Door of Revelation 3:8 Been Closed?
Adapted from a sermon by J. E. Flowers
“Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Tim. 2:15) It is recommended that you write or type notes and scriptures on a separate sheet of paper, in order to prove all things.
Recently there was a discussion among friends pertaining to “THE WORK”. What is the work for God’s Church now? Regarding that work, the term “open door” of Revelation 3 verse 8 was brought up. As I’m sure you recall, Mr. Armstrong said that God had given him an open door, or conduit to take the good news of the kingdom of God to the world. Then, the question was asked, “How do you know when the door is closed?” These are fair questions. So let’s address Revelation 3:8 again in more detail and from a slightly different perspective to answer these questions. With this in mind, let us take a look at Revelation chapter 3 and read verse 7 and 8.
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; 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. (Rev. 3:7-8)
The quote in verse 7 is actually a quote from the Old Testament in Isaiah chapter 22. Isaiah 22:22 is about Eliakim (El-yaw-keem), head of the household of King Hezekiah of the house of David. Eliakim means “God establishes, or God raises”. In Isaiah 22, Eliakim is called God’s servant and is to be a father to the house of Judah and Jerusalem. God states that He will lay the key of the house of David upon his shoulder. Thus, Eliakim will open and no one will shut, and he will shut and no one will open. He will become a glorious throne to his father’s house.
Putting Isaiah 22 and Revelation 3 together, we see that Eliakim was a type of Jesus Christ. Isaiah 22 is really a prophecy about Jesus Christ and describes some of His attributes. Jesus Christ is God’s servant. He is also the head of the household of David. It is Jesus Christ who has the key of the house of David upon His shoulder. The word “key” in the Greek means a device for shutting a lock. The word “shoulder” actually means that area at the base of the back of the neck between the shoulders, where one carries a burden or weight. Therefore, the phrase “key of the house of David upon his shoulder” signifies that God the Father has put a burden of responsibility upon His shoulders, and the accompanying authority and power over the house of David, as the head servant, to shut and open doors. This is reinforced in the latter part of Revelation 3:7 where it says that Jesus Christ opens and no man shuts and shuts and no man opens. He alone then has the authority and power do this. No man can take this authority upon himself.
Now, in Revelation 3:8, it says “See, I have set before you an open door and no man can shut it”. The word “see” means “understand or perceive”. The word “set” also means “given to”. And the word “before” can also mean “in the presence or sight of”. Finally, “open door” is
actually, a Greek metaphor meaning “an opportunity to go through”. Have you heard of the term “window of opportunity”? Window and door in the Greek come from the same base word. So putting this all together, verse 8 can also be read as follows: “To the representative (angel) of the PHILADELPHIANS, PERCEIVE THAT I, JESUS CHRIST, YOUR LORD AND GOD, HAVE GIVEN IN YOUR PRESENCE A TIME OF OPPORTUNITY THAT NO MAN CAN PUT AN END TO, or shut down.” But, a time of opportunity is given to do what? I think we know, but here we should look at other scriptures pertaining to an open door. To begin with, let’s look at II Corinthians chapter 2 and verse 12, “Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord”.
When the apostle Paul came to preach or kârussô (make a proclamation) of the gospel of the kingdom of God, Jesus Christ opened a door (or gave a time of opportunity) to Paul. So we see that an opportunity was given for Paul to proclaim the gospel. In Colossians 4 and verse 3, Paul asks the Colossians to pray that God will provide an open portal, a barrier which no longer is closed, a door of utterance, or a window of opportunity to utter the hidden truth of Christ. That hidden truth to the world is the good news of the kingdom of God. Let’s look at I Corinthians chapter 16 and verse 9, “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.”
A great and effectual door was opened to Paul to do the work of the Lord. There is an interesting thing about this open door or opportunity. First, it was “great”. The word “great” comes from the Greek word megas meaning exceedingly great, mighty, or loud. “Effective” comes from the Greek word energes meaning “active, efficient, or powerful work or toil”. So, God gave Paul an opportunity to do an exceedingly great and powerful work. It was exceedingly great and powerful because it was sponsored by God and because Jesus Christ is the one who gave the opportunity in the presence of Paul and in the sight of the other apostles to proclaim the gospel of the coming kingdom of God. So mighty and active was the work that Paul announced, under inspiration of God, that the gospel had been proclaimed (kârussô) to the entire civilized world (Col. 1:23, 5-6); by that he meant the Roman Empire. THAT IS THE PURPOSE AND RESULT OF GOD OPENING A DOOR, TO PROVIDE A TIME OF OPPORTUNITY TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
Paul wrote Colossians from Rome, where he was in prison (c. 63 A.D.). Four years later Paul was dead, and God’s work was in serious decline. The gospel never went out in power again until Mr. Armstrong delivered it to the world in the latter part of the 20th Century.
Now what about the question “How do you know the door is closed or shut?” Well, look at Revelation 3 and verse 8 again. Jesus Christ says, “I have given to you in your presence an open door or opportunity to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom of God.” If Jesus Christ opened that door in the Philadelphian era, that means IT WAS CLOSED BEFORE. The opportunity to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom of God was closed before the Philadelphian era. It was closed from the time that Paul and the other apostles had taken advantage of the opportunity God gave them to complete their commission to proclaim the gospel to the world. Well, how can that be proven? It can be proven from history and the Bible.
What happened to the Church after the proclamation of the kingdom of God was completed and the apostles died? A falling away! Look what Paul said in his last book, II Timothy 1:15, “This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.” An apostasy in the Church had begun, which was so far reaching that by 90 A.D. even the apostle John was not welcome. An apostasy that grew worse and worse until the point that those who knew the truth were such a persecuted minority (persecuted here means physically to the point of death) that they had neither the strength nor the means to proclaim the gospel to the entire world. Revelation chapter 12 and verse 6 shows that the Church even went into a hiding place prepared by God for 1260 years. One could not make a loud proclamation of the kingdom of God to the world as a witness if one were in hiding from persecution.
For approximately 1900 years the gospel was not proclaimed to the world until a climate of religious freedom and technological wealth made possible the proclamation that was heard around the world. Mr. Armstrong, apostle and representative of the Philadelphian era, walked through the door Christ opened. He took full advantage of the opportunity God gave him to proclaim the gospel of the coming kingdom of God as a witness to the nations. He and the Church by themselves had little power, but they did a mighty and powerfully effective work because it was Jesus Christ who was leading that work. It was Jesus Christ who opened that door, who gave that time of opportunity, and it was Jesus Christ who shut that door, that time of opportunity, when His servant, Mr. Armstrong died having completed his commission.
How can we be sure that the door is closed now? Have we not been paying attention to what has happened to the Church and to the world? History is repeating itself. A great falling away from the truth has occurred again! Even to the point that Mr. Armstrong is ridiculed by many who apparently believed what he said while he was alive! Would he even be welcome in many congregations today? History shows us that not since the time of the original apostles has the gospel gone out to the nations as a warning and a witness until Herbert W. Armstrong came on the scene. So, from the middle of the 1st Century to the latter part of the 20th Century the Bible shows us that the gospel of the kingdom of God never went out in power to the world before the Philadelphian era.
Look in Revelation chapters 2 and 3: The Ephesus Church (from the time that Revelation was written) – no open door! The Smyrna Church – no open door! Pergamos, Thyatira, and Sardis – no open door! And finally, the Laodicean Church – NO OPEN DOOR! ONLY AN ERA OF APOSTASY! ONLY AN ERA WHERE THE TRUTH IS WATERED DOWN! A TIME WHEN PEOPLE ARE NOT ZEALOUS FOR GOD’S WORD AND ARE UNREPENTANT! A period of time when many of God’s people are not being fed God’s word. A famine of God’s word exists now:
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: and they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it. (Amos 8:11-12)
In a famine food exists, but it is scarce and hard to come by. ONLY THE PHILADELPHIAN CHURCH LED BY MR. ARMSTRONG HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL TO THE WORLD!
But some have asked, “What about this generation of people? Doesn’t God think they deserve the same opportunity as the generations during Mr. Armstrong’s time?” Well, do they? What about the generations before Mr. Armstrong? What about the generations in the 2nd, 3rd, 10th, 15th and 19th centuries? Why didn’t God have the gospel proclaimed to the world then? Because it wasn’t time. It just wasn’t the time! The proclamation of the gospel and its completion is a mile marker in God’s end time plan. Once the door is shut, we know that we have entered the final era of the Church age. The tribulation is directly ahead.
So many of God’s people, and especially ministers, have embraced, to a certain extent, the Protestant teaching fostered by the Tkachs that God is trying to save the world now. But that is not true. That is not what the Bible says. God has two purposes during the first 6,000 years of man’s existence. First, to show mankind, influenced by Satan, that mankind’s ways, including his governments, and his thoughts lead only to destruction, and that only God’s way of life is worthwhile. Second, to prepare 144,000 individuals with holy righteous character to rule in the kingdom of God and to teach mankind God’s way of life. He is not trying to save every human being now and that was not the purpose of the proclamation of the gospel a few years ago, and never has been.
Herbert W. Armstrong was a man who simply took God at His word. He said he completed the commission of Matthew 24:14, given to him by God. What many failed to understand then and what most fail to perceive now, is the point we have been driving home over the last four years. Matthew 24:14 is the fulfilling of that door of opportunity, described in Revelation 3:8. THE COMPLETION OF MATTHEW 24:14 REPRESENTS A PARTICULAR MOMENT IN TIME TO SHOW GOD’S PEOPLE THAT THEY ARE NOW LIVING IN THE END TIMES AND THAT THEY NEED TO GET READY FOR CHRIST’S RETURN.
That is why Mr. Armstrong told Joseph Tkach, Sr. to prepare the Church for Christ’s return, not to continue to proclaim a gospel that had already been cried out to the world as a warning and a witness and rejected.
These certainly are the end times! A great falling away has happened! We are in the midst of a famine of God’s word! This nation, and the world at large, can be compared to the people of Sodom and to the society before the flood. Organizations set up apparently to shepherd God’s people are breaking up into divisions, and those divisions keep breaking up into smaller and smaller divisions. Comments such as, “Oh, I don’t like that minister, but I like this minister” and “I’m going to go with him because he had a particular office in the Church when Mr. Armstrong was alive”, prove that God’s people are following men and not God! Not all, but sadly too many are walking blindly from one organization to another without seriously considering what God wants. The Bible says to have no part with those who teach or condone false doctrine. But all too often people looking for security in numbers fail to check out the doctrines of those they associate with. Today we have the paradox of organizations that say they have the same commission from God but can’t unite to do it. That certainly can’t be of God, because God’s spirit is a spirit of UNITY and PEACE! Why would Jesus Christ allow the breakup of a mighty and efficient work if the door were still open to do that work? Why, if the work of proclaiming the gospel to the world has not been completed yet, would God allow the organizations who claim to do that work to continue to break down into smaller and smaller, less efficient units? Indeed, why has God allowed these smaller and smaller units to become less and less effective at proclaiming the greatest news that this generation after Mr. Armstrong could ever hear? Even now, some of the leaders of these organizations say that they are the anointed of God and are the proper successors to Mr. Armstrong.
The fact is that Mr. Armstrong appointed Joseph Tkach, Sr. to succeed him. Nothing anyone can say or do will change that. Mr. Tkach was given the responsibility and the authority to complete the final aspect of God’s commission, which is to prepare the Church for Christ’s return. that in fact is the work of the church today. But, Mr. Tkach stopped believing in that commission and led the Church into apostasy. However, just because Mr. Tkach took the wrong turn, does not mean that we must also turn from that commission. This is our responsibility. THERE ARE ONLY 144,000 POSITIONS IN CHRIST’S GOVERNMENT. If people don’t even know the times they are living in, how can they be seriously preparing to rule with Christ?
Perhaps many of you reading this will not, at first, take what we are saying very seriously. We don’t have thousands of people that fellowship with us, there aren’t any big names here, and humanly speaking, we are nothing special. But there was a time when God even used a donkey to warn of danger ahead! So if you want, think of us as a bunch of donkeys, and these donkeys are saying, “HELLO! WAKE UP! THERE’S DANGER AHEAD! CAN’T YOU SEE IT? CHRIST IS RETURNING SOON AND WE’RE NOT PREPARED AND WE NEED TO BE PREPARING OURSELVES TO RULE WITH CHRIST!”
We must do what Mr. Armstrong told us to do. Get down on your knees and pray to God with a humble and open mind, and pray that God will lead us to understand the times we are living in. Pray for God’s mercy in this Laodicean era.
START PROVING THE WORDS YOU HEAR AND STOP BASING PROOF UPON THE ONE SPEAKING THE WORDS! DON’T LOOK TO MEN, LOOK TO GOD AND STUDY HIS WORD! GET PREPARED!
Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, gave to Mr. Armstrong, head of the Philadelphian era, an opportunity to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom of God to the nations as a warning and a witness. Mr. Armstrong completed the commission of Matthew 24:14. With his death the Philadelphian era ended and the final era, the Laodicean era began. At this point Jesus Christ closed the door of opportunity that we read about in Revelation 3:8.
BUT THE WORK IS NOT FINISHED! As stated above, now is the time to complete the remaining part of the commission given to us. Repent, be zealous, and prepare to rule as teachers and priests with Christ in His soon coming kingdom.
IS ANYBODY LISTENING?
The 144,000’s of Revelation 7 and 14, and the Great Multitude of Revelation 7
“Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Tim. 2:15) It is recommended that you write or type notes and scriptures on a separate sheet of paper, in order to prove all things.
In Revelation 7 and Revelation 14, we find two groups of people mentioned, each being described as 144,000 in number. Because the number is the same, the assumption has been made that only one group is being referred to. But is this the case? This study will show that in fact, they are two separate and distinct groups. We will also discuss the great multitude of Gentiles in Revelation 7. Briefly, in turning to Revelation 7, you will note that this group is specifically described as 144,000 Israelites, 12,000 from each tribe.
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. Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. (Rev. 7:4-8)
In the latter part of verse 4, it states, “an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.” The word “of” is from the Greek ek, meaning “out from”. The setting of Revelation 7 is the end of the third year of the tribulation period, approximately six months prior to Christ’s second coming (see schematic). At this point all modern Israel is in captivity. The two witnesses have been preaching for just over three years, and only 144,000 of the entire captive Israelites have responded. The beginning of their response at the end of the third year is noted in Hosea 5:14-15, and Hosea 6:1-2, “Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.” In Hosea 6:2, the day for a year principle is being applied. Back in Revelation 7:3, the angels are instructed not to hurt the earth or sea until the servants of God (the 144,000) are sealed for protection. “Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” This sealing for protection is confirmed in Revelation 9:4, “And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.”
The purpose of the tribulation is to chastise God’s nation Israel in the hope that they will turn back to God in heartfelt repentance. Please read Ezekiel 36:22-38. Revelation 7 shows us that only 144,000 out of all the nations of Israelite origin respond positively at this point again. As a result of their turning back to God, they are sealed for protection before the trumpet plagues, described in Revelation 8 and 9, begin. Please read and compare Revelation 7:1-7 with Revelation 9:4 Write out these scriptures . As you can see, only those who are sealed will be physically protected. The sealing of Revelation 7 has nothing to do with receiving the Holy Spirit.
Now, turn to Revelation 14. In this chapter we have moved on past the time of the tribulation into the day of the Lord, for here we find Christ standing with 144,000, who are described as firstfruits.
And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the FIRSTFRUITS unto God and to the Lamb. (Rev. 14:1-4)
As we know from our understanding of God’s holy days, Pentecost is also known as the Feast of the Firstfruits. Mr. Herbert Armstrong explained that this festival marked the small early harvest of those whom God called into His Church, from the time of righteous Abel to the second coming of Christ. Jesus, the Lamb of God seen standing with the 144,000 is described in I Corinthians 15:20 as, “the firstfruits of them that slept (died).” Christ is the first of the firstfruits and the 144,000 are the rest of the firstfruits resurrected or changed at His second coming. Note verse 23, “but every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.” Please also read James 1:18, which is directed to the Church.
So in comparing the two groups it is critical to remember that the first resurrection is for the Church of God, not the nation of Israel. The Church is composed of men and women from all nations, not just Israel and the 144,000 of Revelation 7 are described as being specifically called out of modern Israel during the end-time tribulation period. The Bible shows that God designed His plan to be carried out in various stages. The calling of those who would have to prove themselves faithful in a world ruled by Satan was stage one. This group composed of the Old Testament prophets and other men and women of God, plus those called, chosen, and faithful from Christ’s first coming to His second coming.
Stage two is for those who live into and those who grow up during the millennium, when Satan is held in check. The resurrected saints of Revelation 14, who make up the government of God under Christ, will rule this second group. Please read Isaiah 30:20-21, 8-15, 18-19, then write out the verses. The third stage is the great White Throne Judgment period after the millennium, which is not included or pertinent to this study.
With this overview, let’s take a closer look at the events of Revelation 7. To set the scene, first turn to Revelation 1. Beginning in verse 9, we find the apostle John on the Isle of Patmos, off the western coast of Turkey. Verse 10 tells us that he “was in the spirit on (or during) the Lord’s day.” A careful study of Revelation shows that in the main it deals basically with the last six months of the tribulation and the 30-days of the Day of the Lord. However, there is also an overview of Church history from John’s day to Christ’s return and the resurrection of the Church. Verse 1 makes plain that Christ is the Revealer of “things which must shortly come to pass” and that John (verse 19) is to “write the things which thou has seen and the things which are and the things which shall be hereafter”. John sees Christ standing in the midst of the seven Churches (vs. 13, 20) representing eras of time from the first century to the second coming.
In Revelation 1, John is standing on the earth as the future of the Church is recounted in chapters two and three. At the beginning of chapter four, John is brought up to God’s throne in the third heaven (vs. 1-2). In chapter five only Christ, the Lamb, is found worthy to open the book of Revelation, so that it can be understood. So, from this point, John’s perspective is of one being in heaven, at God’s throne, looking down on the earth, and the events transpiring there.
In chapter six, as Christ breaks the first 6 seals, John sees the spread of false religion (the white horse, beginning towards the end of the first century. Then he sees wars proliferating among the nations of the world (the red horse), followed by famine and pestilence (the black and pale horses). The latter part of the chapter introduces tribulation and the associated religious persecutions, followed by the heavenly and earthly signs which introduce the second coming of Christ.
Now we come to chapter seven, which looks at the latter part of the 3-½ year tribulation period and two distinct groups of people who survive it alive physically. The 144,000 Israelites and the great multitude of Gentiles.
To put this into perspective we must remember that the destruction and cost in human lives during the last six months of the tribulation will be immense. The details of this destruction are to be found in Revelation 8 and 9. This is World War III, the time of trumpet blasts five and six, described as the first and second woes. The fifth trumpet or first woe lasts five months, leaving just one month for trumpet six and the first four trumpets that precede trumpet five. But remember, Christ said in Matthew 24:21-22, that for the elect’s sake those days should be shortened. That is why we say this period is approximately six months. This period is actually the Great Tribulation and is followed by a brief period of heavenly signs and a great earthquake at the resurrection of God’s firstfruits. At this point the entire 1260 days (3 ½ years) of the tribulation come to an end. These events are described in Revelation 6:12-17. Now the day of the Lord begins and continues for 30 days. This brings us to the end of the 1290 days mentioned in Daniel 12:11. Please also read Isaiah 13:6-13, which deals with this period. Write out these verses.
Returning again to Revelation 7, remember the 144,000 physical Israelites are under God’s special protection because they have heeded the warning of the two witnesses and turned back to God.
Please read and write down, Isaiah 29:10-24, to see the developmental changes in Israel from disobedience to obedience. Verse 18 makes clear that the change of heart, or attitude, comes in the end times.
The Great Multitude
Later in Revelation 7, we are introduced to another group of people who also survive the Great Tribulation. Beginning in verse 9, John looking down from God’s throne in the third heaven, sees a vast multitude of Gentiles on the earth standing, as it were, before God’s throne in heaven. They are not in heaven, they are on earth, dressed in white robes to signify their repentance. They have acknowledged and accepted Christ’s sacrifice for their sins. As it says in the latter part of verse 14, “these are they which came out of (the) great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in (by) the blood of the lamb.” Please note I John 1:7, and Revelation 1:5.
Some people assume that this great multitude are spirit beings, no longer human, because they are dressed in white robes and are standing before God’s throne. But is this so?
Let’s look at a number of factors in evaluating this misconception. First, we need to remember that God works out His plan in stages: 1) the Church, Old Testament and New Testament, must be made ready to rule with Christ in His kingdom. The first resurrection is for them. Stage 2) During the tribulation, God’s people, Israel, are put to the test. Israel was described as the firstfruits of the nations (Jer. 2:1-3). Israel still is the firstfruits of the nation. During the tribulation Israel will be persecuted by the Gentiles, their cities will be destroyed, and the survivors will be taken captive into many lands. At this point in the study, please read Ezekiel, chapters 5, 6, and 7, in this connection, and note that the word “mountains” in chapter six, verse 2, is a code name for kingdoms, nations, or governments, as can be seen from Daniel 2:35, 44-45. Please cross-reference these verses in your Bible.
In stage 3 of God’s plan, He allows Satan to bring disaster upon the Gentiles, in the last six months or so of the tribulation, during the first and second woes, when east meets west in World War III. In just a few days, during the sixth trumpet or second woe, 1/3 of mankind is killed. “By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.” (Rev. 9:18) This is why Christ shortens the time of destruction. Christ consummates the punishment of the Gentiles after His return towards the latter part of the 30-day, Day of the Lord. It is in this Lord’s Day, the third woe or seventh trumpet, that the armies of the nations are brought to their knees. (Rev. 16:17-21, Zech. 14:12)
Note: (As per the Revelation workbook, Christ does not descend onto the surface of the earth at the time of the resurrection. He simply gathers His elect to Him and takes them to be presented to His Father in heaven; at which time their positions of rulership are conferred upon them. As you recall, Christ after His resurrection, also presented Himself to the Father, before returning to earth to give final instructions to His disciples.) It is only towards the end of the Day of the Lord that Christ and the saints actually return to Mount Zion, where we see them standing with Christ in Revelation 14.
Once again, in Revelation 7, we observe the repentant Israelites worked with first, and (verse 9) “after this”, the Gentiles who submit to God. In verse 14 these Gentiles are described as having come out of the tribulation which is followed almost immediately by the resurrection. Are they resurrected or not? Verse 17 gives the answer: “For the lamb which is in the midst (center) of the throne shall (future) feed (shepherd) them, and shall (future) lead them unto living fountains of waters (or fountains of waters of life).” If they were already spirit beings, they would not have to be led to “waters of life”, which is a reference to the Holy Spirit, as can be concluded from John 7:38-39.
He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly [i.e. himself] shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost [Spirit] was not yet given . . .)
Again, returning to the last verse of Revelation 7 we are told that, “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” Obviously, if they were already spirit beings this would not apply.
Now let’s look at the latter part of verse 15, and verses 16 and 17. In doing so understand that these verses are quoted from Isaiah 49. Chapter 49 begins by talking of God’s preparation of Christ to return in the last days (vs. 6, 11) “to restore the preserved of Israel”, and to be “for a light to the Gentiles that thou [Christ] mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.” This shows the obvious connection to the Israelites and Gentiles of Revelation 7. However, verses 9 and 10, are the direct connection to Revelation 7:15-17, specifically verse 10 is quoted in Revelation 7:16.
That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth: to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them. (Isa. 49:9-10)
The release of prisoners is after Christ’s return. These people are destitute, having been exposed to the elements in concentration campus, and in a starved condition during the tribulation. They have had to endure the entire tribulation, whereas as we saw, the 144,000 physical Israelites are sealed for protection before the first trumpet is blown.
Now let’s return to Revelation 7:15-16, and look at an alternative translation, beginning in the last line of verse 15, “. . . he that sits upon the throne shall pitch his tent over (epi) them. They shall absolutely hunger or thirst no more; neither shall the sun fall on them continually nor any scorching heat.” (see J. B. Phillips, the Amplified Bible, the New Berkeley version, plus margin notes of a companion Bible) Christ also protects both groups from the seven last plagues, which He brings upon the nations to subdue them during the Day of the Lord. These plagues are described vividly in Revelation 16, Revelation 19, Zechariah 12, Zechariah 14, and Joel 2. At this point in the study, please read these passages and also note Isaiah 4:5-6:
And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defense. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.
Just as God protected Israel when He brought them out of Egypt under Moses, so in the end times will He protect the Gentiles and Israelites who turn to Him in repentance.
No, these people are not yet spirit beings. Rather, they too are people in terrible straits, who have responded to the message of the two witnesses. This brings them to accept Christ as their personal savior and to be led by him to the Holy Spirit.
But, does it not say in verse 15, of Revelation 7, that they serve God “day and night [i.e. continually] in his temple, and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them”? Two points need to be understood here. First, God the Father does not come to dwell upon the earth until after the millennium and the Great White Throne Judgment are concluded. At that point Christ hands over the kingdom to the Father. Second, when the Father does come there will be no temple on earth (Rev. 21:22). The subject of Revelation 21 is the new heavens and the new earth, 1,000 plus years beyond the point where the Gentile multitude of Revelation 7 stand before God’s throne and the Lamb. In verse 3 of Revelation 21, we are told that it is at this point in the future that “the tabernacle of God is with men . . . and God himself shall be with them, their God.” Once again, verse 4, “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and their shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away.”
This has reference to those who will be resurrected back to physical life during the Great White Throne Judgment period, described in Revelation 20:12.
With death abolished, mankind has become spirit kind, just like the Father and Christ. So, if there is no temple at this time in the future, which temple is being referred to in Revelation 7:15? The temple that is set up at the beginning of the millennium and described in great detail, beginning in Ezekiel 40.
For further proof that the great multitudes of Gentiles in Revelation 7 are still physical human beings, compare the following verses in Revelation 7 and Isaiah 56:
Revelation 7:9, 14-17
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and peoples, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before
the Lamb, clothed with white robes,
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. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Isaiah 56:1-3, 6-8
Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the Lord, speak, saying, The Lord hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.
Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. The Lord God which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.
Now some factors to note here as we compare both sets of scriptures are as follows:
1. The term “sons of strangers” in Isaiah 56 is the equivalent of “Gentiles” in Revelation 7.
2. In both passages, service to God is mentioned.
3. They offer burnt offerings in God’s house in Isaiah 56 and God’s house is his temple, as referred to in Revelation 7. The fact that they are offering sacrifices proves they are still human and is fully in accord with the millennial temple service, which is described in much detail, beginning in Ezekiel 40.
4. In Revelation 7, we are told that they wash their robes (:14), and make them white in or by the blood of the Lamb. Note, they are not given new robes, but rather they wash their old robes, signifying repentance not eternal life. The use of white robes as a mark of eternal life is to be found in Revelation 19, in connection with the resurrected firstfruits who return to earth with Christ from heaven at the beginning of the seventh plague.
5. In Revelation 19, their clothing is described in verses 7,8, and 14. Notice here, the resurrected saints are granted or given to wear “fine linen, clean and white”. They don’t make their old robes white; further, linen was the material used in Ancient Israel for the clothing of the priests during their service in God’s temple. The 144,000 firstfruits of Revelation 14 are described as a kingdom of priests, so it is appropriate that we find them dressed in linen in Revelation 19.
In conclusion, the 144,000 firstfruits of Revelation 14, will rule over and train the 144,000 converted Israelites of Revelation 7. Remember, Christ specifically told His 12 apostles that they would each rule over a tribe of Israel and we also know that David is to rule over all 12 tribes, over the apostles.
Find the scriptures that state this and write them out. The converted Gentiles of Revelation 7 will play a similar role to their people, overseen by individuals such as Daniel and Paul.
Finally, in respect to the throne of God, mentioned in Revelation 7:5, we know that the Greek equivalent of God the Father and God the Son is from the Hebrew Elohim. This plural word applies to both the Father and Son as separate individuals in the God family. Christ is God, and in Revelation 3:21, He states “to him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am [present tense] set down with my father in his throne.”
Christ will be on earth throughout the millennium, ruling with the extended God family of 144,000, over the remnant of humanity, and religious life will be centered on the temple in Jerusalem.
As we look into the future, what is God’s goal for mankind? “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (I Tim 2:3-4)
Just remember that God works in stages!
Government In God’s Church
“Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Tim. 2:15) It is recommended that you write or type notes and scriptures on a separate sheet of paper, in order to prove all things.
“Let every person render obedience to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those in authority are divinely constituted, so that the rebel against the authority is resisting God’s appointment. Such resisters will incur judgment on themselves.” (Rom. 13:1-2, The New Berkeley Version)
Since Mr. Herbert Armstrong’s death in January 1986, much of what he taught has come under intense scrutiny. Interestingly, after his death many ministers and layity broke away in protest from the Worldwide Church of God because it departed the truth Mr. Armstrong restored to the Church; they now take issue with his teachings in many areas, including government. Ironically, the W.C.G., now under the direction of Joseph Tkach, has retained the form of government established by Mr. Armstrong: government from the top down. Who can doubt that ultimate power and control of that organization lies in the hands of Joseph Tkach? Perhaps that is why many of those who broke away from the W.C.G. implemented more democratic modes of government. Others, however, have set up organizations run by the layity, a ministry not being deemed necessary or desired. Without a doubt the trend today is anti-authoritarian, shared government, weakened government, or no government. What is the result? Is the fruit of this movement good or bad?
Over the last 13 years there has been division, subdivision, fragmentation, and a scattering of the 165,000 people who observed the Feast of Tabernacles in 1986. Today only 30,000 or so ex-W.C.G. members still observe the Feast of Tabernacles, but ironically, they don’t keep this feast as a united body. Sadly, they cannot unite because they have different beliefs in various areas of doctrine, including government. Some accepted and taught “the nature of God” and “the trinity”, while others refused to do so. Some believe in keeping the Passover on the 15th instead of the 14th. Some see no need for a ministry, while others do. The result is confusion, division, and many separate feast sites! This scenario brings grief and sorrow to the heart of God; but one that in time will bring heavy persecution on God’s people to wake them up, lest they lose their eternal inheritance!
So, what is the proper government for God’s Church? There is only one book that can provide us with the answer to this question and that book is the Holy Bible, the Word of God.
Let’s begin by asking, where does the government of God begin? The first book in the Bible, Genesis, advises us that God is a family composed of two members at the present time. Please note Genesis 1:26, “And God said, Let US make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness” Here the Hebrew word Elohim is translated by the singular word “God” in English. Elohim, however, is a plural word and the translators correctly used the word “us” to give the reader the correct understanding. Many other scriptures prove that the Godhead is composed of two separate individuals. God the Father and God the Son, also known as Jesus, the Christ or Messiah. In fact, the gospel of John, chapter 1, makes clear who did the actual creating described in Genesis 1. Please turn to John 1, and write out the following verses: 1-3, 14, 18, 29, 34, and 36. Note also that in verses 29 and 36, John describes Jesus as “the Lamb of God.”
Now turn to the last book in the Bible, Revelation. In chapter 5 of this book, the apostle John has been transported to God the Father’s throne in the third heaven. Please write down what John sees, beginning in verse 1 and continuing to verse 10. Once more we see Jesus, the Lamb of God as a separate personage from the Father, proving that there are two members of the Godhead; correctly described as a family by Mr. Armstrong.
The Bible also shows us that the Father’s intention is to extend that family considerably. Turn to Romans 8, and write verse 11, and verses 14-19. Please note that the word “adoption” in verse 15 should be “sonship” and “creature” in verse 19, should be “creation”. For those who may doubt that Jesus is also God, please read the following from the book of Hebrews:
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. . . . But unto the SON he saith, Thy throne, O GOD, is for ever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom. (Heb. 1:1-6, 8)
Now that we have shown from the Bible that the Father is God, and that Christ is God, can we determine a governmental relationship between the two? Before we do so, let’s see how the dictionary (Chamber’s Twentieth Century Dictionary) defines “to govern” and “government”
Govern: to direct; to control; to rule with authority; to determine; to determine the case of; to exercise authority; to administer the laws.
Government: a ruling or managing; control; the body of persons authorized to administer the laws.
With this information, it is clear that the Father directed Christ to do the creating. Thousands of years later He came to give up His life for mankind, to choose and teach His disciples, whom His Father selected and who became the apostles and leaders of the New Testament Church. For example, note John 6:44, 70, and John 10:17-18:
Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have POWER (authority) to take it again. THIS COMMANDMENT HAVE I RECEIVED OF MY FATHER. (Jn 10:17-18)
But let’s look at Christ’s own words in John 14:28, “Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.” Please also note John 10:30, “I and my Father are one.” This verse is often employed by those who believe in the trinity, to show that God and Christ are one individual, instead of two distinct and separate persons. For this verse to mean one person, the original Greek would have to be changed from hen, neuter, to heis, masculine. Since it is in the neuter, the verse actually translates as follows: “so, we two persons are one in interest”. In other words, the Father and Son are totally united, although as we have seen the Son is under the authority of the Father.
How was it possible for them to remain totally unified when the Father was in the third heaven and Christ on the earth? The answer is in John 14:10, “Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but THE FATHER THAT DWELLETH IN ME, HE DOETH THE WORKS.” Through the power of His Holy Spirit, the Father came to dwell in the Son of Man, enabling Him to be subject to the Father, to be under His governance, and to fulfill His commission. It is that same spirit dwelling within the true Christian which allows him to understand God’s government and to accept it in God’s Church. Remember, it was Lucifer who first rebelled against God’s government, creating disunity and becoming Satan, the adversary.
So far, we have seen that God the Father is the supreme authority over His government. Next, under Him is Jesus Christ, the Son. Christ then gave Peter and the other apostles authority to establish and direct the Church of God on earth in its commission. See John 21:15-17 and Matthew 16:19; 18:18-19. The connecting link is the Holy Spirit, through which the Father enables His human children to carry out His wishes. This requires organization as is made clear in various places in both the New and Old Testaments.
Let’s begin in I Corinthians 14, where we note verses 33 and 40, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints”, “Let all things be done decently and in order.”
In Old Testament times, Moses was getting worn out trying to govern over 2,000,000 Israelites by himself. He received some God inspired advice from his father-in-law, Jethro. The advice is given in Exodus 18. Please write out verses 13-26.
This became an organizational pattern for the New Testament Church which had its equivalent of God-fearing men of truth in the apostles, elders, deacons, etc. When the Church of God came explosively on the scene in 31 AD, it was clear that the brethren looked to Christ’s selected apostles as their leaders and teachers. Please note Peter’s words in Acts 2.
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit . . . Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about THREE THOUSAND souls. AND THEY CONTINUED STEADFASTLY IN THE APOSTLES DOCTRINE AND FELLOWSHIP, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. . . . And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:38, 41-42, 47b)
That God intended the Church should have a ministry would seem obvious and that His ministry should exercise authority, equally as obvious. Let’s look at some scriptures from these perspectives. First, Ephesians 4:11-17. Please write out these verses.
Note an alternative translation of verse 12, from notes in the Companion Bible, “For the preparing of the saints, for deeds of service, for the building up of the body of Christ.” (Please use your Bible aides for a more modern understanding of “cunning craftiness” in verse 14.)
These verses show us that God designed His ministry to prepare (v. 12), unify (v. 13), firmly ground in true doctrine (v. 14), and bring to maturity (v. 15) His Church; all built through God’s love (v. 16). Yet God, as He did with Moses, gave His ministry some of His authority to protect His Church from false brethren and false ministers. Protecting His Church from false brethren is shown dramatically and early in the history of the Church of God.
Please turn to Acts 5 and write out verses 1-11. Another example of ministerial authority in the Church is provided in I Corinthians 5:1-6:
It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, to deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
Paul is pointing out in verse 6, that if this situation is not dealt with, the problem will spread throughout the Church. The local Church authorities (elders) in Corinth were not dealing with it! Read the entire chapter and it becomes clear that Paul had authority, and that authority was intended to benefit God’s people. After the man in question repented, he was brought back into the Church fold (II Cor. 2). Turn to the following related scriptures and write them out: Romans 16:17-18; I Corinthians 5:11; II Timothy 4:1-8; Jude 3; II Peter 2:1-3; I John 2:24.
Another example of Paul’s authority is given in Acts 20, where he calls the elders of the Ephesian Church to meet with him in Miletus (v. 17), and they answer the summons. In verse 28, these same elders are called overseers. Two different Greek words are employed. Why? The word translated “elder” in verse 17 is presbuteros, and refers to maturity of spiritual experience and certainly applied to a relatively young man like Timothy. Overseer (v. 28) comes from two reek words epi, meaning “over”, and skopeo, meaning “to look or watch”. Put together they mean, “to watch over” and refer to the responsibility of the ministry to watch over God’s flock.
By the way, did you notice that Paul did not call for the entire Ephesian Church to come to Miletus, but only the elders? Does this mean that the unordained membership has no input in the way things are done in the Church? Let’s take a look at two situations, one in Acts 6, and the other in Acts 15.
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected n the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, BRETHREN, LOOK YE OUT AMONG YOU seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, WHOM WE MAY APPOINT OVER THIS BUSINESS. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and THEY CHOSE STEPHEN, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and PHILIP, and PROCHORUS, and NICANOR, and TIMON, and PARMENAS, and NICOLAS a proselyte of Antioch: WHOM THEY SET BEFORE THE APOSTLES: and when they had prayed, THEY (the apostles) LAID THEIR HANDS ON THEM. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:1-7)
Here the 12 apostles took the initiative and called a meeting to select deacons. They asked for input from the brethren, but the apostles did the appointing (v. 3), and the ordination again was done by the apostles through the laying on of hands (v. 6).
The next example is in Acts 15, at the Council in Jerusalem. The council was called to decide if Gentile converts needed to be circumcised.
And certain men which came down from Judaea, taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. . . . And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And THE APOSTLES AND ELDERS CAME TOGETHER FOR TO CONSIDER OF THIS MATTER. (Acts 15:1-2, 4-6)
Verse 6 clearly shows that it was the apostles and elders who came together to consider the question. In verse 7, we are told there was much disputing by the apostles and elders and probably by others, including the believing Pharisees. But before moving on, do we understand what disputing means? Today it means to argue openly back and forth with the connotation of being somewhat contentious. The Greek word translated “dispute” is suzeteses, and denotes to seek or examine together, to question, reason or inquire. Again, remember in God’s Church all things must be done decently and in order. Now, let’s move on to verse 13.
And after they had held their peace, JAMES ANSWERED, SAYING, Men and brethren hearken unto me: . . .Wherefore MY SENTENCE (decision) IS, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: . . . Then pleased it the apostles and elders, WITH the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: (Acts 15: 13, 19, 22)
The decision was rendered by James because he was the pastor of the headquarters Church at Jerusalem. From there it was sent out via representatives of the apostles to be implemented by the congregations. Note in verse 22, “the whole church”, refers to the brethren who were in Jerusalem, not the entire Christian Church throughout the Roman Empire, as verse 23 proves.
So the entire Christian Church was not involved in this decision, only the chief men/leaders in Jerusalem.
And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greetings unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia . . . It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord (having come to be of one mind), to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul . . . So, when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle . . . And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. (Acts 15:23, 25, 30, 32)
One final example of authority, but this time in a negative context, is to be found in III John, verses 9-11. Diotrephes, whose name means “nourished by Zeus (Baal)”, was a false minister using his authority to punish and persecute God’s people.
From what we have learned thus far and in the context of the Church situation today, we must understand that God’s government is pyramidal, starting with the Father at the pinnacle. Under the Father is Christ, and under Christ those men and women He is specifically working with to complete the commission or responsibility He has given them.
From what we have learned thus far and in the context of the Church situation today, we must understand that God’s government is pyramidal, starting with the Father at the pinnacle. Under the Father is Christ, and under Christ those men and women He is specifically working with to complete the commission or responsibility He has given them.
The government is united by the Holy Spirit, which is God’s nature, mind, and power. It is a spirit of love, aptly described by Mr. Armstrong as an outgoing, out-flowing concern for others. God’s love for the Church is the reason He created authority in it. It is a love which at times corrects for the good of all, as Paul did at Corinth. But it is not the spirit which motivated Diotrephes who loved to lord it over others, for his personal vanity. Contrast the spirit which motivated Diotrephes to God’s spirit described in Ephesians 4:1-6:
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
This is the responsibility of every Christian: to know for certain if his minister is motivated by the spirit of God, or by the spirit that motivated Diotrephes. No Christian needs to be subject to a false minister, but they do to a true minister of Jesus Christ. Note I John 4:1, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” Trying the spirits here means test the spirits in those who portray themselves as God’s servants. Yes, it is the responsibility of the brethren in God’s Church to be subject to God’s ministry. But they must prove who are the ministers of God. Compare I Thessalonians 5:12-13, and II Corinthians 11:3-4, 13-15:
I Thes. 5:12-13
And we beseech you, brethren, to know (to perceive or be sure of) them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
II Cor. 11:3-4, 13-15
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness: whose end shall be according to their works.
Of course, no human being, including true ministers of God, are without sins and weaknesses. In a letter Mr. Armstrong wrote from Tucson, in March 1981, he states:
You yourself – every begotten child of God – does, through human weakness, commit sin even after the most deep conversion. None has lived perfectly but Jesus. But when I stumbled through human weakness, Jesus picked me back up on confessing to Him and repenting, and asking help never to repeat the sin . . . I have gone to considerable length . . . to show you how God does His work among humans through one man at a time. He specially prepared me for the work He has called me to do. I know of no one else who has been so prepared . . . God has never removed a man called to a specific leadership assignment or commission until his mission is completed.
As Mr. Armstrong points out, all, including ministers, sin through weakness. If a minister turns away from the truth the brethren are not to follow that man! The apostle Paul said, “Be ye followers of me, EVEN AS I ALSO AM OF CHRIST.” Paul was a true servant. His example was to be followed.
In this society rulership means being served. But brethren, God’s view of rulership is to serve others. This is what Christ told His disciples in Matthew 20:25-28:
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Those who hate government must have forgotten that God’s purpose is to restore the government of God on earth. God has called us to rule in that government, “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father . . .” (Rev. 1:6a)
If we are not prepared to be subject to God’s form of government today, why should He allow us to rule with Christ in the World Tomorrow? The Church is our training ground or workshop for rulership in the kingdom. As has been stated, some today do not want to be under any ministerial authority, forgetting that God works through men, His ministry. Please note two scriptures which confirm this point, “Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:” (Jas. 5:14), and “Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,” (Acts 8:17-18). Another example is to be found in Hebrews 13:17, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” “Obey them”, means allow them to guide or persuade you, and be submissive.
But will ministers who refuse to exercise government in a godly way rule with Christ? Definitely not! Please write out Matthew 24:48-51. Nevertheless, God’s people must and will be subject to government.
Hatred of authority originated with Lucifer, who became Satan. Hatred against any Church authority is very prevalent today among many ex-attendees of the WCG.
Undoubtedly, government from the top down without the exercise of God’s spirit can be very oppressive; that is why it is critical for God’s people to be sure that their ministry is of God.
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: FROM SUCH TURN AWAY. (II Tim. 3:1-5)
On the other side of the coin, note what Paul emphasizes to true ministers concerning the future:
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. FOR THE TIME WILL COME WHEN THEY WILL NOT ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE; but after their own lusts SHALL THEY HEAP TO THEMSELVES TEACHERS, having itching ears; and THEY SHALL TURN AWAY THEIR EARS FROM THE TRUTH, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. (II Tim. 4:1-5)
You see brethren, changing the form of Church Government from God’s model to a form of democracy is not the answer. Democracy with its system of checks and balances is, in the Church of God context, an admittance of a lack of God’s spirit to deal with problems. It leads to weakness. Remember, Christ is the living Head of the Church of God.
Since God’s government IS from the top down, but is exercised by fallible human beings, what recourse does one have ministers are misusing their position? From Christ of course! But to put matters in His hands requires faith. Christ is the Head of the Church and the Father “. . . hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.” (Eph. 1:22-23) Are we prepared to wait for His decisions? He knows the whole truth about every situation, and He is just. Remember Christ is at the top of the government of God’s Church, under the Father, and Christ loves the Church which is His body.
Brethren, hold fast to the form of government Jesus Christ, the head of the Church of God, inspired His servant, Herbert Armstrong, to come to understand, and restore to the Philadelphia era.
“. . . continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;” (II Tim. 3:14)
A Message to Philadelphian Christians in the Laodicean Era
“Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Tim. 2:15
). It is recommended that you write or type notes and scriptures on a separate sheet of paper, in order to prove all things. The New King James Bible is referenced throughout this study, unless otherwise stated.
When Herbert W. Armstrong died in January 1986, the Philadelphia era of God’s Church came to a close and the “time of the end” began. We can say this because of what we read in Matthew 24:14, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
Mr. Armstrong was called and trained by God to fulfill the commission of the Philadelphia era, which was to make a proclamation to the world of Christ’s coming kingdom. This commission as described in Revelation 3 is the work of the sixth era. In Revelation 3 and verse 8, Christ states, “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it . . .”
Almost the same phrase was used by the apostle Paul in II Corinthians 2:12, again in the context of Christ’s gospel, which was the good news of His coming kingdom (Matt. 4:23). “Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord.” Likewise, Mr. Armstrong proceeded through the open door provided for the Philadelphia era to take the gospel to the world.
The kingdom of God gospel was a message that only Herbert Armstrong proclaimed throughout the twentieth century. This was a unique work, because no other professing Christian organization believed in the Second Coming of Christ to establish on earth His millennial kingdom, which was the message Christ brought. Instead, others preached a gospel about Christ Himself, rather than the good news of His coming kingdom.
With the commission of the Philadelphia era completed, the Church entered into the final Laodicean era. This is the era of the end-time.
The word “era” means “a period typified by some special feature” (The New Merriam-Webster Dictionary). The special feature of the Philadelphia era was, of course, the gospel going out to this society as a proclamation. However, this is not the only feature of the Philadelphia
era. There are other positive features regarding the people of this era.
Turning again to Revelation 3, we find in verse 8 that they are described as keeping Christ’s Word, and not denying His name. They do not deny Christ’s name: everything that He is, represents, and stands for. Mr. Armstrong was used by God to introduce those God called during the Philadelphia era, to the real Jesus, whose message was orientated to His coming kingdom.
When Philadelphians are commended for keeping Christ’s Word (His teaching or doctrine), the English word “keep” does not convey the full meaning of the Greek. The Greek word is tereo and it means “to watch over, give heed to, to observe, preserve, guard, and protect.” Not only are they to keep Christ’s Word, but in verse 11 of Revelation 3, they are commanded to “hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.” This crown is a crown of victory for overcoming Satan and qualifying to rule with Christ in His kingdom.
What Philadelphian Christians have to hold fast to is that which God gave them through Mr. Armstrong. That body of doctrine is what they have to guard, and protect, and hold fast to.
This is very important when we consider what happened to the Worldwide Church of God after Mr. Armstrong’s death. The new leadership took the Church back into the false Christianity of this society, an event which was prophesied in II Thessalonians 2.
Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first . . . (II Thes. 2.:1-3a).
The result of this falling away, led to a scattering of those who left the Worldwide Church of God into a myriad of groups, which have mostly rejected, or lost sight of, many of the teachings God provided for them through Mr. Armstrong.
Such a time is prophesied in Amos 8:11-12,
‘Behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord God, ‘That I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord, but shall not find it.’
In a famine, food is scarce and difficult to find. Here the food referred to is “the words of the Lord!” Some people think this prophecy pertains to the time of the tribulation, but this cannot be; since, for almost the entire tribulation period, the two witnesses will not only be speaking God’s Words, but also backing them up with powerful signs and miracles (see Rev. 11). Returning to Amos 8:11, let us consider the word “hearing”. The Hebrew word is shama, which means, to hear and obey, to understand what is heard, to give heed to, to obey, to pay attention and to be aware of something that happened (Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible). This puts a different complexion on the famine of hearing. Now we understand it to be a famine of hearing and obeying. It also has the connotation of a lack of understanding of what is heard; or an inability of perceiving a message communicated and a lack of understanding of what has happened. This pretty well typifies the condition of most people associated with God’s Church since Mr. Armstrong died. A diminishing obedience to the truth they first received and a lack of respect for the man God used to bring it to them has resulted in an inability to grasp the new understanding of end-time chronology God has given His Church since January 1986.
The phrase “the word of the Lord” in verse 12, is a technical expression for prophetic revelation. So once again, because of disobedience, such people in the last era will lack prophetic understanding. Today, this has led to either a fear of delving into prophecy or a lack of interest in it. In verse 11, the Hebrew word translated “land” can also be translated earth and God’s people are scattered all over planet earth today.
It is interesting that it is God who sends this end-time famine of hearing and obeying His Word. Why would God do this? As noted, after the death of Mr. Armstrong, the man God raised up to proclaim the Kingdom Gospel to the world, the ministry and brethren largely rejected him. Others changed the form of government established in the Church, while others refused to accept that Mr. Armstrong completed the commission he alone had been trained to accomplish.
In general, there has been a move into Protestantism, where the gospel is construed as a tool to save millions in this age.
For these reasons, God has sent this spiritual famine on the majority who have failed to honor and respect His servant. These people are in a blind condition, unaware that they are now in the final era of God’s Church, an era that greatly displeases Him.
Only those who have held fast to the truth and hold Mr. Armstrong in proper regard will continue to grow in Biblical understanding in the final era of the Church. The importance of holding fast to the truth and the positive result for so doing are highlighted in I John 2:24-25,
Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He has promised us eternal life.
So let me emphasize, only those who hold fast to what they initially received from Mr. Armstrong, fully recognizing that he was a man sent from God, can be considered Philadelphian Christians. This along with other important qualities, to be covered later, will ensure their physical protection during the coming tribulation.
Remember that Philadelphian Christians are warned to let no one take their victory crowns (Rev. 3:11). Since there will only be 144,000 saints in the first resurrection, those foolish enough to give up their crowns will need to be replaced.
As we look at the visible remnant of God’s Church today, seventeen years after Mr. Armstrong completed his commission, we are confronted with the following reality. The visible Church in the Laodicean era, the last era, is composed of Christians, those with a Laodicean attitude, who displease Christ; those with a Philadelphian attitude, who hold fast in the final era, who please Him; and the unconverted.
In what kind of condition are Laodicean Christians today? In Revelation 3, we are told that their spiritual condition is so disgusting that Christ is at the point of vomiting them out of His mouth. What have they done to anger Him so greatly? The answer is in Revelation 3.
I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit 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. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent (Rev. 3:15-19).
They think they are spiritually rich, yet in Christ’s view they are spiritually poor, wretched, blind and naked. To be spiritually naked is tantamount to being virtually unconverted. The mind, almost devoid of God’s Spirit, cannot be obedient!
For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life (II Cor. 5:1-4).
The clothing of the Christian is righteousness and spirituality. Note how the bride of Christ is described in Revelation 19:7-8. “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.”
Christ demands unity within the body of His Church; but sadly, that is not what we find today. To the contrary, the various scattered and divided groups which have cropped up over the last seventeen years, ostensibly in support of Mr. Armstrong, refuse to unite to finish the work they claim he did not complete. Initially the leaders of these groups used Mr. Armstrong’s name as a way to gather support for themselves, while at the same time watering down, undermining or discarding much of what he taught for some fifty-two years.
The irony is that their “riches” or superiority over false Christianity derive from what Mr. Armstrong taught them. Yet they show him no respect, nor Jesus Christ who sent him, when they, both, water down doctrine and say he did not complete his commission of taking the true gospel to the world.
These are some of the reasons Laodicean Christians are scattered today and why they will have to endure the tribulation to secure their eternal lives and a position in Christ’s government on earth. Along with the scattering into various groups has come the inevitable cooling of God’s love between ministers and laity. This too is a fulfillment of prophecy. “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matt. 24:12). Lawlessness, or a hatred of government in God’s Church is prevalent in this last era. The apostle Paul in his last letter (II Timothy) prophesied about the end time divisions in God’s Church. “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:” (II Tim. 3:1); “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (II Tim 4:3-4). Such fables would include, the nature of God and the Trinity.
The Bible gives other clear examples of why God allows His people to be scattered.
For example, in Nehemiah 1:7-8, Nehemiah reminds the Jews of what Moses told them and all Israel. Namely that they would be scattered among the nations if they did not keep God’s commandments and statutes.
We have acted very corruptly against You, and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses. Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations’ (Neh. 1:7-8).
In verse 9, Nehemiah tells the Jews that the solution to their scattered condition is to repent and get back to diligently keeping the commandments. This is the way to spiritual and physical unity; and is just as true today as it was then. “But if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name.” That place is Mount Zion in Jerusalem.
Another reason scattering takes place is found in Luke 1:50-51. Here a contrast is made between those who fear or greatly respect God, and those who are full of pride in respect to their thoughts and ideas apart from God. They are proud of their human reasoning. Such are scattered from God, rather than united to and with Him.
Today, Laodicean Christians regard themselves as rich, yet clearly, they are in a scattered condition. Through human reasoning they think they can discard much of what God brought to the Church through Mr. Armstrong, without incurring the Almighty’s wrath! They are too blind to see that Christ is about to vomit them out of His mouth into the soon-coming tribulation. Yet, in reality, He is! Indeed, in verse 20 of Revelation 3, Christ describes Himself standing outside the Laodicean congregation knocking at the door, asking if anyone hears His voice. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” This is a startling contrast with what is found in Revelation 1:12-13, where Christ is depicted as standing in the midst of the seven church eras. Laodiceans, by their attitude of self-complacency and unwarranted pride, have caused Christ to move away—from inside to outside the door. By way of contrast, Philadelphian Christians are not scattered even though living in the Laodicean era.
Under Mr. Armstrong, in the Philadelphia era, there was one organized body, not many groups in conflict with one another. There was one leader, not many and one headquarters, and that headquarters was in the United States of America . This is the Philadelphia
model, as Christ inspired Mr. Armstrong to set it up. This is still the model for the Philadelphia Church living in the Laodicean era.
Since Philadelphian Christians recognize Herbert W. Armstrong as the man called and trained by Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, to fulfill the gospel commission; they know He finished that aspect of the work. As a consequence, they also know the goal now is to prepare the bride for Christ’s Second Coming.
And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, ‘Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.’ And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, ‘Write: “Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!”’ And he said to me, ‘These are the true sayings of God’ (Rev. 19:6-9).
What does that preparation involve? It must involve deeper unity through adherence to the truth once delivered, an increasing outgoing, out-flowing concern for one another and growth in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That knowledge includes a greater understanding of the chronological order of end-time prophetic events. After all, Christ told His disciples that once they received the Holy Spirit it would guide them into all truth (Jn. 16:13). This applies throughout the Church eras and continues in the final era of the Church. Christians must always grow in grace and truth (Jn 17:20; II Pet 3:18). What God’s Church, Worldwide knows today was unknown to any other era or prophet of old, proving the point.
When Mr. Armstrong died in 1986, prophetic understanding did not and should not have come to a halt (Dan 12:9-10; Amos 3:7). The faithful Philadelphian remnant living into the last era should continue to grow in prophetic understanding. Why? Because the Bible says the Philadelphian remnant pleases God through their faithfulness. They have been faithful to what they initially received, recognizing where it came from and who brought it to them. Understanding prophecy and seeing prophesied events fall into place, both motivates and encourages God’s faithful servants, which is especially necessary considering the times they are living in. Prophecy gives a timeline of events for God’s faithful to watch as the return of Christ approaches. Such servants are told to watch and be more fervent as they see that day approaching (Heb 10:25b; Matt. 24:37-51; I Cor. 16:13-14, 16; Rev. 3:3).
Faithfulness is an essential quality required by God in Christians. Those who rise to meet Christ at His return, to rule with Him, are so described in Revelation 17:14.
By being faithful to the “Armstrong legacy”, Philadelphians are counted as faithful to Christ and God the Father. We find this principle in John 12:26, “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor” and John 14:21, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
Today, for all the reasons given above, Philadelphian and Laodicean Christians cannot unite. As Mr. Armstrong often stated, “We were not called merely for salvation, but to qualify to rule and teach under Christ in the Kingdom.” Christ selects His governmental team based on specific qualities, and no one can force their way into it. Laodicean Christians qualify to rule with Christ and secure their eternal lives by giving up their physical lives in the tribulation (Rev. 6:9, 11; 12:17). Whereas Philadelphians are promised protection during that terrible three and one-half years (Rev. 3:10; 12:14). They must prove worthy before the tribulation (Lk. 21:36). Nevertheless, both will be unified at Christ’s return. Both will have fulfilled their calling and qualified to rule with Christ in His Kingdom.
Since only Philadelphian Christians are pleasing God at this time, by holding fast faithfully, Satan’s goal is to create disunity in their ranks. As of now, he has the Laodiceans where he wants them and thus directs his main efforts toward Philadelphians. Only by being close to God in prayer, study, fasting and service to others can he be withstood.
Consider therefore the apostle Peter’s advice in I Peter 5:6-11. Note that this is addressed specifically to the elders of the Church (v.1). Satan knows that if he can destroy them, he can more easily vanquish the brethren. This is why it is important for Philadelphians to pray for their elders and appreciate them for the work they do. This contributes to the unity God and Christ demand.
Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Along the same lines, pay heed to what Paul says in his letter to the Philippians.
Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me. Therefore, if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others (Phil. 1:27-2:4).
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without murmuring and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain (Phil. 2:12-16).
Mr. Armstrong was prescient when he said that government would be a problem in the Laodicean era. This has proved to be so, with some groups operating without any ministers and others conforming to a form of democracy.
God’s government is from the top down and is the form of government established in the Church by Mr. Armstrong. That is still God’s form of government and if accepted and adhered to by Philadelphians will also play a major factor in obtaining and securing unity as Christ demands. Probably the greatest problem associated with government in the Church today is that only a tiny minority of people in the last era are willing to be subject to ministerial authority. Most refuse to submit when what they wish to do is in conflict with Biblically based directives from God’s ministers. Such people will never, unless they repent, rule in Christ’s government. A sign of a Philadelphian Christian is his willingness to submit to God’s government in the Church.
Let’s conclude this study with Christ’s Words in John 17.
I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. . . . I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. . . . I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. . . . I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me (Jn. 17:6, 9-11, 15-17, 20-21).
Philadelphians must fight for that unity as they hold fast in the lackluster Laodicean era.
Philadelphian Reactions and Traits
With the breakup of the Worldwide Church of God, Philadelphian Christians know they do not need to look for a new Church. They understand that, through baptism and the laying on of hands, they are already in the True Church of God and what they need is a true minister or ministers who refuse to teach false doctrine and who honor and respect Mr. Armstrong as the man God called and trained to take the announcement of Christ’s millennial kingdom on earth to the world.
Philadelphians also recognize that outside of his specific commission, Mr. Armstrong, to a degree, speculated on some aspects of end-time chronology.
Philadelphians also recognize, because of their proper respect for God’s apostle, that Christ, the Head of the Church of God, will add to their understanding of end-time chronology.
Since the true gospel has gone to all the world and been rejected, Philadelphians know they are now living in the end times and that the main thrust of God’s work is to prepare the bride for Christ’s soon coming.
Preparation of the bride involves an active effort to produce greater unity through the power of God’s spirit, to engender more of God’s love in the ministry and brethren. Mr. Armstrong defined this type of love as “an outgoing, out-flowing, concern for others.”
Philadelphians understand that unity is also based on correct doctrine, which includes having God’s government. God’s government is from the top down. It is not a democracy. Having God’s form of government and being subject to it produces unity and insures we all speak the same thing (I Cor. 1:10).
Philadelphians recognize that their ministry is human and therefore subject to error. They also comprehend that Christ, as Head of the Church, will correct and redirect His ministry for the good of His people. Sometimes patience is required here, because Christ may not act immediately and may be using the situation to test everyone to see if they are prepared to wait without slipping into rebellion.
Philadelphian Christians will always go directly to anyone (ministers included) they believe has wronged them, rather than talk about the perceived problem to others (Matt. 18:15-17).
A Philadelphian, minister or lay member, must be able to admit when he is wrong.
Philadelphians grasp that Christ is so upset with Laodiceans that He will vomit them into the tribulation, so Philadelphians do not want to be like Laodiceans anyway.
Philadelphia means “brotherly love.” Therefore, Philadelphians will be eager and enthusiastic and deeply concerned for one another, quick to forgive, and always ready to support, and encourage others.
Philadelphians living in the Laodicean era are the link between Mr. Armstrong and the two witnesses. Philadelphians understand that the great work ahead is that of the two witnesses.
Philadelphians will reject ministers who have accepted or taught false doctrine.
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching (Heb 10:22-25).
Therefore, do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: ‘For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.’ But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul (Heb 10:35-39).
Be encouraged. Hold fast to the end. He that endures in the truth to the end shall be saved!
The Use of Cosmetics
Dear Friend:
Thank you for your letter concerning the use of cosmetics. The following is my Biblical understanding of make-up and a review of events in God’s Church regarding this subject.
Mr. Armstrong was used by God to restore and revive the true doctrines that had been forgotten or watered down over the centuries. I believe make-up was not one of these, anymore than I believe that certain aspects of grooming and cleanliness should be classified as doctrine. The Bible says it is a shame for a man to have long hair. That is doctrine! However, it does not specify exactly how long or how short. That falls under the category of an administrative decision by God’s ministers. Again, we see that a woman’s hair is given to her for a covering and a glory, yet the specifics are left unsaid. What about an older woman, can her hair be shorter than that of a younger unmarried woman? If so, by how much? When Paul said in I Timothy 2:9, “I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,” was he banning all jewelry and expensive Sabbath wear? Or was he simply putting the emphasis on the greater importance of a meek and quiet spirit? Certainly, Peters words in I Pet 3:1-4, also place the emphasis on a meek and quiet spirit. I believe neither Peter nor Paul was banning the use of a certain amount of jewelry or good quality clothing. Perhaps both apostles were cautioning women who spent an inordinate amount of time on their personal appearances—which may well have included the use of cosmetics—to devote themselves to longer periods of prayer and study. Mr. Armstrong used to encourage us to buy the best quality we could afford, including clothes. He set the example and he wore jewelry. Jewelry, expensive clothes, and make-up are not sinful of themselves.
The scripture Mr. Armstrong used to define make-up as sin was Isaiah 3:16, “Moreover the Lord saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes . . . therefore the Lord will smite . . . .” Mr. Armstrong said that wanton eyes meant painted eyes and he got this interpretation from the Adam Clarke Commentary of the Bible. Both Mr. Armstrong and Adam Clarke were brought up in times when make-up was viewed negatively. Thus, in fairness we should simply address what the Hebrew word translated “wanton” actually means. The word is number 8265 in Strong’s and it is given there as “to look about ogling (with the eyes).” In the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon it is described as “to blink coquettishly.” The Hebrew word of itself has no connection to the use of paint or eyeliner. The seductive use of her eyes, by an impure woman to attract men, has nothing to do with whether she is wearing eye make-up or not. During the period of the “natural look,” did promiscuity increase compared to the decade of the fifties when most women wore rouge, lipstick, powder, eyeliner . . . ? Absolutely! The great decline in morals that began in the sixties and on into the seventies actually coincided with the coming into vogue of the “natural look.” The increase in promiscuity then clearly did not have anything to do with the use of intrusive make-up, which was in rapid decline, as immorality was on the increase.
When the patriarch Joseph married the daughter of the Egyptian priest, did she use cosmetics? Egyptian women certainly did in that era. The Bible is silent on this specific situation, but it is not silent regarding one of Job’s daughters.
God described Job to Satan as the most perfect and upright man on earth in his day. After Job had come through all of his trials, God gave him a new family. He was given three daughters, one of whom he named Keren-happuch. According to The New Strong’s Guide to Bible Words, her name means “horn of cosmetic.” The number in Strong’s is 7163, which is derived from 7161, which means “a flask shaped like an elephant’s tooth,” and 6320, meaning “to paint.” The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon has the following note on her name: “horn of antimony [beautifier] specially stibium for the eyes.” Antimony or stibium is a black mineral powder, for increasing the brilliance of eyes by darkening the edges of the lids. The New Jerusalem Bible translates her name simply as “Mascara.” If make-up was a sin, it is hard to imagine a man like Job giving his daughter a “sinful” name or allowing her to use cosmetics.
As much as I love and respect Mr. Armstrong, I have to take issue with him in blaming the ladies in the Church for starting “the Church off the track.” The women in the Church began to wear some make-up because headquarters in Pasadena told them they could do so. How could they possibly know that certain evangelists had set this move in motion behind Mr. Armstrong’s back, especially when nothing was said for over seven years? It was those leaders at headquarters, most of whom left or were put out of the Church in the late seventies, who should bear the blame for liberalism starting in the Church, not the ladies. In support of this point, when the use of make-up was rescinded, there was no revolt by the women of God’s Church, bar a couple of evangelists’ wives at headquarters who confronted Mr. Armstrong on the subject.
Mr. Armstrong in his letter The Plain Truth About Make-up, printed in 1964 and 1968, notes that generally all women in the Middle East wore make-up especially eye make-up and still do to this day. Later he states that “In every single case where painting the face is mentioned in your Bible, God labels the woman a whore!” I have given you the example of Job’s daughter. Whether women wore make-up in Biblical times or not does not prove anything about make-up, nor does it classify women who wear it as whores; just as today not using make-up does not classify women as virtuous. As with so many things, it is not the object that is to blame, but the wrong use of it. If a woman were to use make-up, hairstyle, length of skirt, or cut of dress to draw attention to herself and to seduce men, she would be guilty of sin and would be dealt with appropriately.
In conclusion, I don’t see make-up of itself as sinful, but I do recognize that it could be used for sinful purposes. In regard to the latter, I would use my ministerial authority to rectify the situation in accordance with God’s laws.
Sincerely,
Robert J. Elliott
God’s Church, Worldwide Retains Truths Revealed In The Bible and Taught by Herbert W. Armstrong Including:
Jesus Christ as Savior
Ten Commandments
Government of God
Gospel of the Kingdom of God
The Nature and Purpose of God
Man and the human spirit
The Church is only the firstfruits
The Church is not yet the Kingdom of God
The Holy Spirit coming into us only begets us
Holy Spirit – God’s Power not a personage
The identity of modern Israel as a key to understanding prophecy
Authority of sacred calendar, preserved by Jews
Tithes
The name of the True Church
The resurrection of judgment
Millennium
Only those whom God the Father calls and draws to Him can be converted now
God’s Sabbath and annual holy days (Passover, Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles, and Last Great Day)
Identity of Babylon and her daughters
Satan has deceived the whole world
The Church is to be separate from the world
Since the death of Herbert W. Armstrong, God’s Church, Worldwide, has grown in Biblical understanding while building on the foundation Mr. Armstrong laid in preparing the Bride for Christ’s Second Coming.