By COGwriter
The Living Church of God (LCG) teaches,
...the primary function of the true Church of God is to GO to all nations and preach the same powerful message Jesus preached about the coming Kingdom of God! (Meredith, Roderick C. Should You Be Baptized? Booklet. 1999; p. 17).
Many others, however, have said that the top priority is to 'feed the flock' and/or that Herbert W. Armstrong (HWA) 'finished the work' of proclaiming the Gospel. Who is right?
Old Testament Example
Although the world's churches may teach otherwise, the Old Testament experiences are helpful for those of us near the time of the end. As Paul wrote, "Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come" (I Cor 10:11).
One of the works that was done in the Old Testament was the building of two temples. The first temple was essentially a headquarters' work. David saw a need and wanted to build a temple to God, but was prevented from doing so (I Chr 28:2-3). David collected building materials for it from the wealth of Israel (I Chr 28: 14-19), though his son Solomon built it (I Kin 6:2). This temple was magnificent and it was completely covered with gold (I Kin 6:19-22). This temple may be analogous to the ability of the WCG under Herbert W. Armstrong to get the Gospel out.
The second temple was different. First of all, there was a call to find out which of the children of Israel would be faithful to help do the work of rebuilding it (Ezra 1:2-3). Secondly, those whose spirit God moved from among his people went to do the work (Ezra 1:5). This suggests that not all of God's people responded. Thirdly, this temple was not as impressive as the first one. When the foundations of the second temple were laid, those who had seen the magnificence of the first temple did not rejoice, they wept (Ezra 3:12). There was a lull in construction due to opposition (Ezra 4). Even though King Darius the Mede eliminated the official opposition and admonished the people to be diligent to rebuild the temple (Ezra 6:3-12), they were not. "This people says, 'The time has not come, the time that the LORD's house should be built.' " (Haggai 1:2)--they did not feel they needed to do the work. But what did God think? "Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai saying, 'Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?' " (Haggai 1:3-4). God felt they should do His work first, " 'You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?' says the LORD of hosts. 'Because my house is in ruins, while every one of you runs his own house' " (Haggai 1:9-10). This second temple may be analogous for the need to do the work of proclaiming the Gospel to the world as a witness after the dismantling of the prior efforts (an article of related interest may be The Temple and the Work).
Many have said something to the effect that since LCG is not making the same impact as the WCG did when Herbert W. Armstrong was alive, that LCG's work isn't necessary--the relative impact is not the point. The point is that God at all times wants His people to do His work and not primarily look after themselves (Philadelphians, but definition love others).
What About Herbert W. Armstrong?
Many, in order to justify not doing the work of proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom as a witness have raised several arguments concerning Herbert Armstrong finishing the work.
One of the arguments that has been raised with me was that Joseph Tkach, Sr. reported that supposedly Mr. Armstrong told him that since he (Mr. Armstrong) had fulfilled Matthew 24:14, that the need to proclaim the Gospel to the world was gone. This is the same J. Tkach who said that WCG would teach the 18 truths that Herbert Armstrong restored to the Church of God, said that Roderick Meredith was wrong when he claimed that WCG was going to do away with the ten commandments and holy days, said that WCG was not teaching the trinity, and other such things. Thus, it matters not what J. Tkach Sr. said Mr. Armstrong said. Furthermore, here is proof that J. Tkach understood he still was to proclaim the Gospel, for this is what he authorized as WCG's position, "Personal Correspondence Department, in a standard letter about the 1290 and 1335 days Daniel, included this statements,
Since no one knows the day of Christ's coming (Matt. 24:36 ; Acts 1:17), we may not know the exact time when the 1335 days begin. Apparently, however, at that time, the organized efforts of God's Work to proclaim the Gospel to the world will end. Forty-five days later, or 1290 days before the return of Christ, the beasts armies will surround Jerusalem. Those who are worthy will have been warned and taken to a place of refuge God has provided for them (Rev. 12:14-16) (Tkach J. Personal Correspondence Department Letter 61, February, 1989).
It should be noted that this is what was also sent out by WCG, but under Mr. Armstrong's name, during the time of Mr. Armstrong's was alive.
It is also true that Herbert. Armstrong had various discussions with with Aaron Dean (Herbert W. Armstrong's long-time personal aid) on this subject (and I personally discussed this in depth with Aaron Dean myself). Recall that Mr. Armstrong himself never stopped proclaiming the Gospel over television, etc. and decided to publicly teach that the work of proclaiming the Gospel to the world should continue whether he was alive or not. Instead he taught,
...the rapidly growing work of the fledgling Philadelphia era required my full time. The present era was officially begun in October, 1933...By 1978 we went down to about 50 stations weekly. At that period following my heart failure while in Tucson, I once again took over TV broadcasting. We held steady while I was stuck in Tucson until 1981, when I came back to headquarters at Pasadena. From that time the TV program has produced steady growth, until today we are the second in the world in the religious category, with over 300 TV stations worldwide. Hopefully we shall soon be the largest. Since the beginning of 1985, we have averaged around 13,000 telephone responses per program (Armstrong HW. RECENT HISTORY OF THE PHILADELPHIA ERA OF THE WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD. Worldwide News, June 24, 1985).
The telecast did become the largest (had the highest ratings in the U.S.A.) for a short period after his death.
Another argument raised against the need to proclaim the gospel now is this quote,
Also a door was to be opened for this leader and/or the Philadelphia era of the Church to fulfill Matthew 24:14: 'And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached to all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then the end shall come'...These prophecies have definitely been fulfilled (Mystery of the Ages, p.291).
From this statement, similar statements, and a few statements made after he had heart problems, some have argued that Mr. Armstrong felt that the preaching work was finished. That is simply incorrect.
If this particular quote (which was published mid-1985, but written before the June 24, 1985 quote above) meant that Herbert Armstrong felt the preaching work was finished, one would expect that he would have gone off all television and radio stations then. Instead, he remained on them until he died. In his last letter, all arguments about the work being over were rebutted:
It may be that the Work that God has given me to do is complete, but not the Work of God's Church, which will be faithfully doing God's Work till Christ, the True Head of this Church, returns...Remember brethren, this is not the work of Herbert W. Armstrong...The greatest work lies ahead...Never before in the history of the Church has it been possible to reap so great a harvest. It has only been made possible through modern technology, beginning with the printing press, radio, television...Each of you must commit yourself to support God's Work...God's work must push ahead as never before. God is opening up new doors in television (Letter, 1/10/86).
And to be sure that this portion of the work would continue after he died, Herbert Armstrong insured that there were other men designated to continue to make television programs after his death. One of those men was evangelist Richard Ames, who remains faithful to this mission to this day, as he is still making television programs to proclaim the Gospel! Another evangelist who was preaching the Gospel in the French language over radio while Mr. Armstrong was alive, Dibar Apartian, continues to preach it to this day. When I asked him if Mr. Armstrong told him to stop doing this in the event of his death, Mr. Apartian responded, "To the contrary, he told me he wanted me to go on more stations".
This concept is confirmed by Mr. Armstrong in his third to last letter,
I thank God that he has organized this present work of his so thoroughly that regardless of the outcome of my present illness, the work will continue right on to the Second Coming of Christ (Letter dated 12/23/85).
Thus it seems clear that Herbert Armstrong felt that he was the leader of the Philadelphia era, but that if he died prior to the time of the end, that he considered that the Church should continue to preach the gospel to the world!
Another problem with some who have taken some of Mr. Armstrong's quotes out of context, is that while it is true Mr. Armstrong seemed to feel that he personally succeeded in preaching the gospel of the kingdom to all the world as a witness, it is not true that he felt the true Church should stop placing its top priority on proclaiming. For example, in what appears to be the second to the last letter from Mr Armstrong, he wrote,
It is now true that this Gospel has been proclaimed within every nation on earth by the Worldwide Church of God (Letter 1/86).
He then listed that 90 million booklets, magazines, articles, and correspondence course lessons had been sent out in 1985 (and never mentioned the Worldwide News which was for members only). Instead of suggesting that the publishing portion of the work was over, he wrote (in the same letter),
Now let's keep it up in 1986! (Letter 1/86).
Therefore, all of the last three letters sent out by Herbert Armstrong stated that the work of publicly proclaiming the Gospel was to continue even though it had been proclaimed within every nation. Why would God have all of them preserved if He did not want those who were faithful to keep up the work?
Some have brought up certain comments by Aaron Dean as an excuse to not place their top priority on proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom to the world as a witness. Some apparently believe that since Aaron Dean now claims to have penned Herbert W. Armstrong's last letter, that this means that God did not intend for the church to first try to get the gospel out as a witness, but instead the focus should be to get the bride ready. Here is some of what Aaron Dean apparently wrote on November 23, 2005:
FYI, the simple answer is I did write his last letter for him - in his style of course. He was too weak to even dictate. I did read it to him however, and told him it wouldn't go out unless I knew he understood it. He squeezed my hand, and added a couple words, so I knew he got it. It was the truth as I knew it, and I felt we needed a send off more than "I did the work, so hang on till Christ comes". He really felt he had done the commission and that the purification of the bride was to be next. He didn't expect a great work to continue...I had asked if he could prove from scripture that that part of the work had been done, and he replied, "no"...
The simple truth is that the Bible supports that the work of the Philadelphians was to continue to the end and this is what Herbert W. Armstrong's church always had taught.
So now, using Aaron Dean, those who are opposed to the Philadelphia work, will cite his letter as proof that they can ignore the Bible and what the old WCG stood for. The fact that Aaron Dean has been on the Council of Elders of the United Church of God for years (a group that historically has placed a lessor priority on proclaiming the gospel than the old WCG) and has stated, "Personally, I think God is preparing the bride" (same letter) does not change what was previously written, nor the Bible.
Certainly God is preparing the bride, but to do that without placing a priority on proclaiming the gospel as a witness leads to a selfish, not Philadelphian, bride.
The plain truth is that I believe that God Himself wanted what was in Herbert W. Armstrong's last letter to be in that letter.
The fact that Herbert W. Armstrong had some possible doubts at the end of his life on the future direction of the church (recall that he appointed J. Tkach) does not change any of the facts. Even John the Baptist had some possible doubts at the end of his life about Jesus being the Messiah (Matthew 11:2-3)--but that also did not change the fact that true believers were to follow Jesus.
Notice what Herbert W. Armstrong specifically taught about preaching the gospel, when that work ends, and preparing the church:
When this European empire is perfected, the great Work God is doing through this Church will be quickly completed--finished...
The sign He gave was that which He is doing through us--proclaiming for the first time in 1900 years to the world the Gospel of the KINGDOM OF GOD (Matthew 24:14).
But next, after our work, is to come the GREAT TRIBULATION (verses 21-22. That shall be ended, verse 29, by supernatural, frightful signs in the sun, moon, and stars; signaling the "day of the Lord"--see also Joel 2:31). Then quickly; the coming of Christ. See also Daniel 12:1.
Events now occurring SWIFTLY in the world are SIGNS of the imminency of the Great Tribulation. No one will be allowed to proclaim Christ's Gospel then. The "Philadelphia era" or succession of God's Church will be taken on the "two wings of a great eagle"--whatever that symbolizes--to a place of protection where we are to be "fed"--provided for. We need now to begin to be ALERT, for this "flight" may happen suddenly. DO NOT BE DECEIVED BY THE NEGATIVE SNEERING OF EXCOMMUNICATED MINISTERS: Both Revelation 12:13 and 3:10 warn us.
We, ourselves, are a sign (Matt. 24:14) of the very imminency of these things!
I say again and again, it is later than we think.
Fellow Ministers, God has made it our job to PREPARE His Church--that we may be "without spot or wrinkle...holy and withouth blemish" WHEN Christ comes!
This means renewed dedication, more constant and intensive earnest prayer, "soul-searching," and determined preparation. This is a serious responsibility for all of us! (Armstrong HW. Great Significance of Summit Conference. Pastor General's Report, Vol. 2, No. 26, June 27, 1980).
Notice that although Herbert W. Armstrong felt that the ministry had to prepare the church, the gospel still needed to preached until the European empire was perfected, and we flee to a place of safety. The European empire has not been perfected yet, nor have the Philadelphians fled to a place of safety, therefore, the gospel still must be preached.
Those who are relying on Aaron Dean's account as an excuse for the true church to not proclaim the gospel misunderstand Herbert W. Armstrong's intentions and are plainly in error. Perhaps I should add here that there are many small groups who use Aaron Dean's recollections as an excuse, and then turn around and claim that the work is essentially one of warning whoever they perceive to be Laodiceans in the COG, instead of getting the gospel message out to the world as a witness.
The record of the Bible and the writings of Herbert W. Armstrong that have been preserved clearly enough to teach that the top priority of the Philadelphia portion of the church of God is to continue to have the Philadelphia work--the work of going through the open door to proclaim the gospel. Would those that think otherwise teach that John the Baptist's followers should have rejected Jesus for the doubts that John raised at the end of his life?
Of course not!
Herbert Armstrong clearly wrote that the commission to the Church was to proclaim the gospel and "to provide the first actual harvest of mortal human beings" (Mystery of the Ages, pp.206, 232). How can this be done if the gospel is not being proclaimed? Mr. Armstrong also wrote,
God has given his Church dual responsibility: 1) 'Go ye into all the world' and proclaim the good news--announcement--of the coming kingdom of God. 2) 'Feed my sheep'. But in feeding the 'sheep', developing in them God's spiritual character, God has given them their part in supporting, backing up, the great commission: 'Go ye in into all the world' (Mystery of the Ages, p.265).
At least four times in the Mystery of the Ages chapter titled, Mystery of the Church, Herbert Armstrong quotes or alludes to portions of Matthew 28:19-20. He never says that dual responsibility is finished or that he finished either part. . In his autobiography, he wrote,
In Matthew 28:19-20, God's order is 1) go and preach the Gospel (compare with Mark's version, same words of Jesus, Mark 16:15); 2) baptize those who repent and believe; then after that, 3) teach them to observe the commandments (Autobiography, p. 523).
He never wrote that the priority should be changed by the Church after he died. Instead, recall that Herbert W. Armstrong approved Richard Ames and others to continue to proclaim the gospel message on television after Herbert W. Armstrong died.
It should be noted that WCG under Mr. Armstrong spent between 35-41% of its income on the first commission, the same as the Churches led by Roderick Meredith (Report from Treasurer. Living Church News. May-Jun 2000; p.16).
To answer the question, JUST WHAT IS THE WORK?, Mr. Armstrong personally wrote, ,
But Christ said to His Philadelphia era Church, that because we have but little strength, He would OPEN THOSE DOORS TO US (Rev. 3:8)" (Letter 11/19/76).
The PURPOSE for which Christ built the Church exemplifies its WORK...1) To ANNOUNCE to the world for its witness the coming Kingdom of God...2) To prepare the people to whom God adds to the Church...God has always worked with humans. He has worked with O N E M A N at a time...The WORK consists of proclaiming the Gospel, by radio, by television, in print (Armstrong HW. JUST WHAT IS THE WORK? PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT - VOL.3, NO.6 February 6, 1981).
Still another argument raised is that Herbert Armstrong was God's apostle, he finished the preaching work, there are no apostles today, thus no one can do the type of work that he did, so no one should try. Well similarly it could be said that since Solomon was the wisest man there was (I Kings 4:31), the richest king there was (I Kings 10:23), and he built the most magnificent temple, no one can build a temple like he did, so no one should try. Well, as shown previously in this article, God told the people to build it anyway. There are also several interesting rebuttals to this argument in the New Testament.
However, first let us read what Mr. Armstrong actually wrote about non-apostles preaching the Gospel,
...evangelists were used in carrying forth the message. Other leaders--ordained ministers--were stationary, yet even the local pastor of a church may hold evangelistic services in his area--not the 'soul-saving crusade' type, but lectures announcing and proclaiming as a witness the coming kingdom of God (the true gospel)! This entire great commission--proclaiming the good news of the coming kingdom, and 'feeding the sheep'--is a combined administration and function of the Church...it is done also by radio and television and in print (Mystery of the Ages, pp.265-266).
Under Herbert W. Armstrong, It Was Always Taught that the Door Was Opened Until the Philadelphians Go to a Place of Safety!
Many once in WCG simply never understood what was taught about the open door:
Philadelphia has little strength to do this great work that God has given it to do. God has opened the door, and yet look how insignificant, how weak, how little strength we as a Church have to do that work...Revelation 3:7-13: "And to the angel of the Church in Philadelphia write these things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that OPENETH, and no man SHUTTETH; and SHUTTETH and no man openeth." The great door that God has opened to this work is the facility to go into all the world and preach the gospel; the door of radio, the door of the printing press, plus many other such doors. God has set before us an open door and no MAN can shut it. God can shut it, and He will when the work is finished and the Philadelphia Church goes to a place of safety. ...The Laodicean Church is not going to he worthy to escape to a place of safety. When it is too late, they will find that the Church of Philadelphia has gone to safety (What Is the "LAODICEAN CHURCH"? Good News August 1959 Vol. VIII, Number 8).
Notice what Herbert Armstrong taught:
Our work in the hands of Christ is NOT YET FINISHED, and He will not allow the Work to stop until it is finished. And when will that be?
... since no one can know the day or the hour of His coming, we probably shall not be able to know the exact day that this 1335 days begins. But apparently that is the time when OUR WORK SHALL END. That will be a time when the UNITED EUROPE shall appear --the revival of the medieval "Holy Roman Empire." We shall then be warned, and readied to be taken to a place of refuge and safety from the Great Tribulation. Forty-five days later "the beast's" armies will surround Jerusalem. Thirty days later the Great Tribulation will probably start with a nuclear attack on London and Britain--and possibly the same day or immediately after, on United States and Canadian cities (Armstrong HW. The Time We Are In, Now. PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT - VOL.1, NO.15 NOVEMBER 20, 1979).
Next, when our Great Commission is in God's sight completed, we are to be taken--symbolically flown on the two wings of a great eagle--we shall be taken to a place of protection from the Great Tribulation (Armstrong HW. Looking...PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT - VOL.3, NO.4 January 23, 1981).
Thus Herbert W. Armstrong's writings clearly teach that the Philadelphia work was to continue until it was time to go the place of safety. Those who teach otherwise simply do not know what Herbert W. Armstrong really taught.
Also, remember it was Jesus who also said,
I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work" (John 9:4).
It is still 'day' (we are not fleeing), which means we are to do the work as long as we possibly can:
Just as the remnants of the Sardis era of the Church exist side by side with the Philadelphia era, SO WE WILL CONTINUE OUR WORK to the very "end time" when another group will appear -- a group not accounted worthy to escape the coming tribulation. Another separate work is yet to arise -- made up of begotten individuals who are spiritually lukewarm! WOE BE TO ANY OF US IF WE TAKE PART IN SUCH A WORK! Here is a work, yet to arise because of our preaching, which will say: "I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing." And Jesus will reply: "As many as I LOVE, I rebuke and chasten: be ZEALOUS therefore, and repent." It is time to WAKE UP! If you become complacent, lacking in zeal, looking upon a local church as a social club, instead of having your heart in the gospel, you, too, may find yourself in the "Church of Laodicea" left to suffer the impending, horrifying tribulation (A TRUE HISTORY of the TRUE CHURCH , 1959).
As we have not yet gone to 'a place of safety', we still must be diligent to do the work to proclaim the Gospel. It is Christ, and NOT the death of any man (including Herbert W. Armstrong), that shuts the door.
At risk of repeating myself, this concept was confirmed by Mr. Armstrong in his third to last letter,
I thank God that he has organized this present work of his so thoroughly that regardless of the outcome of my present illness, the work will continue right on to the Second Coming of Christ (Letter dated 12/23/85).
Also, look at what Jesus said in Revelation 3:14-16,
"And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 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.'"
It should be noted that Jesus condemns the Laodiceans for their work, which is obviously a different work than that of Philadelphians (as He praises the Philadelphians for their works, vss. 8-10, and tells them to 'hold fast', vs. 11). Look at what Herbert W. Armstrong and his WCG taught:
'And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness and then shall the end come' --the end of the age! (Matt. 24:14.). Then follows the new age when the reign of Christ shall replace Satan (Armstrong HW. PREDESTINATION: Does the Bible Teach It? Ambassador College, 1975).
This is further evidence that the groups that say there is no need to continue to preach the Gospel as a witness DO NOT follow what Herbert W. Armstrong taught. After the Gospel is done being proclaimed the 3 1/2 year end (not a pre-end lasting over 20 years prior to the 3 1/2 years, as certain groups suggest) comes and Christ's reign begins. In order to justify their existence (and, in my opinion, keep enough tithes to support THEMSELVES), they reason around the necessity of proclaiming the Gospel--as they all know well that they will not have the means to do it--and use the Laodicean logic on trying to focus on twigs, and not the "trunk of the tree" that Herbert W. Armstrong told us all that we should do.
Final Herbert W. Armstrong note: ALL the COGs I know of teach that when Jesus talked about fulfilling the law (Matthew 5:17-18) that Jesus did NOT (as the Protestants teach) mean that no one still needed to keep the law. When Herbert W. Armstrong said he fulfilled proclaiming the Gospel to the world as a witness, he (1) Never stopped proclaiming it and (2) He wrote that he intended for others to continue to do it. Those who claim to be in the COG and also claim that Herbert W. Armstrong's completely fulfilled Matthew 24:14, simply are being hypocritical here.
New Testament Examples
In the parable of the talents (Mat 25:14-30), talents were given to the servants "according to his own ability" (vs. 15). The one with the least ability reasoned that the best thing he could do was to hide the talent and return it when the master returned. Instead of praising him, the master, "answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant...Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth' " (vs. 26, 28-30). Jesus does not want us to be unprofitable servants, even if we have the least amount of talents (and are not apostles), He expects us to do our part in supporting the work.
Another interesting view is the story which immediately follows the one about the talents (Mat 25:31-46):
When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left...Then they also will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?' Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me' (vs. 31-33, 44-46).
These are people who said they would have done the work if they understood that is what Jesus wanted, however they did not minister to those Jesus wanted them to minister to.
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached to all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then the end shall come (Mat 24:14).
The end has not yet come. Jesus also does not want us to give up early,
Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing (Matthew 24:44-46).
(I should add that one person argued with me that since Jesus does not return until after the place of safety, that this verse does not mean we need to proclaim the Gospel now. Since it is likely that many of God's people will die before then, for them, the Master could come anytime. Remember that James wrote, "Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?" (James 2:18-20). Thus it would seem more logical that the work should continue to be done now.)
Jesus had a few comments for those who felt it was not time to do the work,
Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors." (John 4:34-38).
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit (John 15:16).
Is the Rank of Apostle Necessary?
Lack of high rank is not an excuse. Jesus sent non-apostles out to heal the sick and preach about the Kingdom of God (Luke 10:1-12), and they even cast out demons (Luke 10:17). God used a deacon (Stephen), one who was only supposed to serve tables, to get His message out and even get a vision from God (Acts 6-7).
Also note:
As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word (Acts 8:3-4)
Those everywhere preaching were not just apostles. Interestingly, Paul started preaching (Acts 9:19-20) BEFORE he was made an apostle (Acts 13:2). Timothy was an evangelist (II Tim 4:5) and not an apostle (II Cor 2:1), yet Paul wrote,
Now if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do (I Cor 16:10).
There simply is no biblical restriction that preaching the Gospel must be limited to apostles.
What About "Feeding the Flock" and "Making The Wife Ready"?
Some claim that they do not need to place a priority on proclaiming the Gospel of the kingdom to the world as witness, they claim they are tasked primarily with 'feeding the flock' in order 'to get the wife ready'. Some who do not believe the preaching work is necessary often focus on this verse,
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 (Revelation 19:7).
They seem to feel that making themselves ready should now be the goal of the Church. But, when Jesus was asked about the sign of His coming, His focus was to preach to the nations, then the end would come (Matthew 24:14)--He did not say to stop doing the work after any man died and then just take care of one's self. Jesus also said,
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it (Mark 8:35).
It is true that to some degree the COG should always be preparing itself. Yet, not only is 'the wife being ready' only mentioned once in the Bible, it is mentioned in the context of Revelation 19:6,
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" (Revelation 19:6-7).
Theses verses show that after Christ has returned and is reigning, which is after the Tribulation, His wife is ready. It astounds me that some COG group use Revelation 19:7 as their 'proof text' to justify eliminating the clear mission of the Church to first proclaim the Gospel (Matthew 28:19). Revelation 19:7 does not justify not proclaiming the Gospel now, nor does any other verse in the Bible that I am aware of. Biblically speaking, the task of 'the wife being ready' before the return of Jesus Christ appears to be completed by the Sardis and the Laodicean COG members actually going through the tribulation (Revelation 3:3;18-19;12:17) and the Philadelphians (Revelation 3:10) being trained at a place in the wilderness (Revelation 12:14-16; called in COG circles, The Place of Safety).
Let's see what Jesus said about the order of priorities,
And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give (Mat 10:7-8).
He did not say to stop giving after He died, to the contrary He taught,
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you and lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age' (Mat 28:18-20).
Notice that Jesus told the disciples to do both, as Mr. Armstrong also wrote, but to first go to all the nations. James wrote,
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves (James 1:22).
Actually Feeding the Flock
LCG does 'feed the flock'. The Living Church News, Sabbath services, video/cassette sermons, annual Holy Day services, Living Youth Camps, maintaining a field ministry, providing 2nd and 3rd tithe assistance, member letters, weekly updates, an official members' web site, contending "earnestly for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3), and many other such things demonstrate that LCG is trying to 'feed the flock'. LCG's emphasis on 'servant leadership' and attempting to 'restore apostolic Christianity' also shows it is trying to 'feed the flock' (which helps make the wife ready as well).
In addition, is not the flock fed from actions to proclaim the gospel? Does not the flock derive spiritual benefits, not only for giving to proclaim the gospel, but from watching this witness? Does this not help the wife make herself ready? The Tomorrow's World magazine, Tomorrow's World television/radio programs, assorted booklets, the two other official LCG websites, and the Bible Study Course all serve the brethren as well. Is not this combination of proclaiming the gospel and feeding the flock the best way that the Church can feed the flock? Is this not consistent with the practices and writings of the Church when Herbert Armstrong was alive?The Priority Remains
The Tomorrow’s World television program is presently being carried on about 198 TV stations around the world" (Tomorrow's World listing of stations, Nov-Dec 2006). LCG is also on about 18 radio stations (ibid). These facts prove that LCG believes:
...the primary function of the true Church of God is to GO to all nations and preach the same powerful message Jesus preached about the coming Kingdom of God! (Meredith, Roderick C. Should You Be Baptized? Booklet. 1999; p. 17).
Jesus also taught, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21). LCG is the only COG I am aware of that spends the same percentage of its income (between 35-42%) on proclaiming the Gospel to the world as a witness as WCG did under Herbert W. Armstrong. And LCG has done that for every year of its existence.
Jesus also taught, "You will know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:16).
Also notice what Herbert Armstrong wrote:
...this small remnant of the original true Church of God began to take on new life as the Philadelphia era… This era of the Church was to produce fruit…" (Armstrong H.W. Mystery of the Ages, pp. 289-290).
Does LCG have those fruits?
Certainly!
Look at the following report from LCG's Wayne Pyle: