Church of God News

On January 6, 2008, PCG broke ground on what it calls Armstrong Auditorium (the above rendering is from Rees Associates) 

 COGwriter

Yesterday at the News of Those Once Affiliated with the Global Church of God page, I posted some of what RCG’s David Pack teaches in his nearly three hour sermon titled RCG 2008: The Great Turning Point.

Today on this page, I would like to make a few additional observations and comments.  Like most of his sermons, David Pack uses the term “splinters” to refer to Church of God groups that are not part of his “Restored Church of God“.

But after listening yesterday, it seemed he to take it to a new level for two reasons. 

The first is that after mentioning “splinters”, he referred to one of them as “our enemies in Oklahoma”.  An apparently slightly muted reference to the incorrectly titled Philadelphia Church of God which is based out of Oklahoma.  And while I do not agree that the group is truly part of the Philadelphia remnant of the Church of God, David Pack’s use of the term enemies simply did not strike me as appropriate for a self-proclaimed “apostle of the Church of God” to use.  Of course, it is possible that PCG has done something specific to cause David Pack to use that expression, but he really did not directly say what they did to deserve his “enemies” designation.

However, the second reason he may have reached a new level, as well as why he possibly may have referred to PCG as “our enemies in Oklahoma”, is because like PCG, RCG is beginning a major building project (for a few details, see yesterday’s post at the News of Those Once Affiliated with the Global Church of God page).

David Pack seems fixed on trying to look impressive and his sermon indicated that he hopes that some in “the splinters” will SEE his buildings (and  other projects), be impressed, and conclude that God is working through him, and hence support RCG.  I suspect that David Pack may see PCG’s own building projects as competition.

This is sad, but this appears to be part of what seems to now drive David Pack.

In the same sermon, David Pack also seemed to take shots specifically against UCG when he commented about those with education centers (UCG’s program is called Ambassador Bible Center) and LCG when he commented about a virtual education program (LCG’s Living University is essentially an online theology program).

I will simply add that we in the Living Church of  God hope to impress the world with the truth of the message of the Bible and not primarily the outward adornment of buildings (though buildings do have a place, just not the type of priority that David Pack seems to be placing upon them).

Four Articles of Possibly Related Interest May Include:

Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from evangelists?
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.
Why Not the Restored Church of God? This group, led by David Pack, claims to be the most faithful. The information in this article suggests otherwise.
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.

Yesterday, PCG reported the following:

Investors’ fears of a U.S. recession is causing stock markets to plunge around the world, according to the International Herald Tribune:

Global stock markets plunged Monday as fears spread that the contagion in U.S. mortgage markets was spreading. Indexes in Europe fell as much as 7 percent after a massive sell-off in Asia.

“There’s something approaching panic in the market,” Holger Schmieding, the chief European economist at Bank of America in London, said by telephone. “There’s been a reassessment in the market of the U.S. economic outlook, with most people now thinking that there will be a recession,” and investors are starting to reconsider the idea that the rest of the world “will remain aloof from U.S. problems.” …

Investors in Asia have been in a state of denial about the possibility of a U.S. recession, said Adrian Mowat, chief strategist for JP Morgan in Asia. But now, he said, “there’s no debate about it.” Instead, he said, investors were asking “how long and how deep” the recession might be.

The Japanese Nikkei 225 index fell 3.9 percent, the mainland Chinese index more than 5 percent. In Europe, the Dow Jones Eurostoxx 50 was down 5.1 percent and in the UK the ftse 100 was down 3.4 percent. With American stock markets closed due to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, they are yet to react to this global crash.
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Comments by COGwriter

As of the first thing this morning, the three major American market indexes (Dow, Nasdaq, & S&P 500) were all down–though that may change later today.

The facts are that the world economy is shaky as is the USA’s.  However, the Bible shows that the Europeans will vastle improve theirs, but that the economy of the debtor English-speaking nations (USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand) will eventually be destroyed (though not this year, contrary to the claims of several).  Nations aligned with the future European power will generally see their economies improving before the final end.

Several articles of related interest may include:

Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? What is prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples?
The Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam?
Africa: Its Biblical Past and Prophesied Future. What does the Bible teach about Africa and its future? Did the early Church reach Africa?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for China? Is it a “King of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese and others of Asia?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: Prophecy Japan in prophecy. What is prophesied for Japan. Will God save the Japanese?

Protestant Reformer Martin Luther 

COGwriter

Today, various ones will attempt to honor the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr.  Dr. King advocated civil disobedience to those laws and statutes that he felt conflicted with the human rights supposedly guaranteed in the Constitution of the USA (I use the term “supposedly” because with recent and proposed federal changes many of those supposedly guaranteed rights are being taken away).

Dr. King further looked forward to a time when people would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by their character (there is little point in pointing out MLK’s many character issues in today’s post, so I do not intend to do so).  The millennial rule of Christ on this earth will be such a time.

Dr. King was born Michael King Jr., Jan. 15, 1929. Five years later, his father changed both their names to Martin Luther, after the Reformation leader.  Martin Luther took a different approach to try to attain his goals than MLK, plus his followers specifically condemned those who looked forward to the millennial rule of Christ on this earth.

Regarding peasants opposed to him and the leaders that favored him, notice what Martin Luther advised:

Pure devilry is urging on the peasants…Therefore let all who are able, mow them down, slaughter and stab them, openly or in secret, and remember that there is nothing more poisonous, noxious and utterly devilish than a rebel.  You must kill him as you would a mad dog…

The authorities must resolve to chastise and slay as long as they can raise a finger…It may be that those who are killed on the side of the authorities is really a martyr in God’s cause.  A happier death no man could die.  The present time is so strange that a prince can gain Heaven easier by spilling blood than by praying (Luther M.  Against the Murderous and Rapacious Hordes of the Peasants, May 4, 1525-Erl, 24, 287, ff.  As cited in O’Hare PF.  The Facts About Luther, p. 232).

Notice what Martin Luther admitted:

I, Martin Luther, slew all the peasants in the rebellion, for I said that they should be slain; all their blood is upon my head. But I cast it on the Lord God, who commanded me to speak this way (Werke, Erl. Edition, lix, p. 284 ‘Table Talk’ as quoted in Stoddard JL. Rebuilding a Lost Faith, 1922, p.96).

It is reported that 100,000 perished at that time.

Notice what the followers of Martin Luther declared in 1530,

Article XVI: Of Civil Affairs. Of Civil Affairs they teach that lawful civil ordinances are good works of God, and that it is right for Christians to bear civil office, to sit as judges, to judge matters by the Imperial and other existing laws, to award just punishments, to engage in just wars, to serve as soldiers...They condemn the Anabaptists who forbid these civil offices to Christians.

It should be noted that some of those called Anabaptists were in the Church of God (please see the article The Sardis Church Era).

Notice this condemnation by certain followers of Martin Luther:

Article XVII: Of Christ’s Return to Judgment… They condemn also others who are now spreading certain Jewish opinions, that before the resurrection of the dead the godly shall take possession of the kingdom of the world, the ungodly being everywhere suppressed. (The Confession of Faith: Which Was Submitted to His Imperial Majesty Charles V. At the Diet of Augsburg in the Year 1530. by Philip Melanchthon, 1497-1560. Translated by F. Bente and W. H. T. Dau. Published in: Triglot Concordia: The Symbolical Books of the Ev. Lutheran Church. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 95.)

There would have been no reason to condemn groups for specific teachings if those groups did not teach them.

Hence Martin Luther, held vastly different opinions than Martin Luther King, Jr.  And the Bible for that matter.

Several articles of related interest may include:

Military Service and the Churches of God: Do Real Christians Participate in Carnal Warfare? Here are current and historical perspectives on a matter which show the beliefs of the true church on military participation.
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism and a 6000 Year Plan? Was a 6,000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth (often called the millennium) taught by the early Christians? Is this time near?
The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert W. ArmstrongThis article clearly shows some of the doctrinal differences between in the two. At this time of doctrinal variety and a tendency by many to accept certain aspects of Protestantism, the article should help clarify why the Living Church of God is NOT Protestant. Do you really know what the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther taught and should you follow his doctrinal example?
Sola Scriptura or Prima Luther? What Did Martin Luther Really Believe About the Bible? Though he is known for his public sola Scriptura teaching, did Martin Luther’s writings about the Bible suggest he felt that prima Luther was his ultimate authority? Do you really want to know the truth?

COGwriter

LCG reported the following in its announcements yesterday:

New Zealand’s Promiscuity: Growing in Worldwide Fame.According to a recent global sex survey of 26 nations, New Zealand women have, on average, just over 20 sex partners in their lifetime. This is much higher than the world average of just over seven. New Zealand is the only nation where women are more promiscuous than men. Austrians topped the male list, with nearly 30 partners each, while the global average is just over thirteen (SydneyMorningHerald.com, October 13, 2007). Meanwhile, New Zealand may be a world leader in prostitution, too—supporting a prostitution policy that gives the sex trade protections under the law. God clearly condemns sexual relations outside of marriage. God also condemns the Israelite-descended nations for their amoral and promiscuous behaviors (Ezekiel 8:6; 16:29, 37-38), pointing out how these sinning people “assembled themselves by troops in the harlots’ houses” (Jeremiah 5:7). It is tragic that the nations that “lead the world” in promiscuity are descendants of the very nations God chose to be an example to the world as God’s “righteous” people.

I found the above story somewhat nauseating.  Can’t people see even the obvious reasons why promiscuity is wrong.

Of course, the Bible teaches:

Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body (1 Corinthians 6:18).

It is true that sexual immorality hurts the body, and for that matter the economy as it leads to poverty in some.  It also hurts peoples lives tremendously and is largely, in part, responsible for abortions, and pretty much all sexually-transmittal diseases.

Yet, one survey I read indicated that so-called “born-again Christians” were slightly more likely than others to be fornicators.

Apparently they seem to feel rules, such as “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14) do not apply to them.  Since they claim to listen to Paul’s writings, apparently many of them also ignore the following that he wrote:

But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints (Ephesians 5:3).

But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral (1 Corinthians 5:11).

Fornication and adultery are sins and should not be tolerated by real Christians.  Their rampant increase in English-speaking countries will be one of the reasons that they will be punished further unless they repent (the Europeans will receive their punishment later).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman’s Right to Choose Do you know what the Bible teaches on this?
What Did Jesus Teach About the Ten Commandments? This article quotes what Jesus actually said about them (His words are in red).
Hope of Salvation: How the Living Church of God differ from most Protestants How the Living Church of God differs from mainstream Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a COG background.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11?  What is prophesied to happen to the English and the Europeans?

COGwriter

The Washington Post ran the following story:

WASHINGTON — Bobby Fischer, an eccentric genius many considered the greatest chess player in the history of the game and who remains the only American of the modern era to win a world championship, died Thursday at a hospital in Reykjavik, Iceland. He was 64.

A friend, Gardar Sverrisson, said he died of kidney failure…

Fischer received a record purse of $250,000 at Reykjavik, thanks in part to his threatened walkouts and outspoken demands. He also transformed a genteel game, and soon membership in the U.S. Chess Federation nearly tripled.

Reykjavik was the pinnacle of Fischer’s career. From then on, his eccentricities overwhelmed his brilliance. In 1975, he lost his title by default, refusing to defend it against Anatoly Karpov after a dispute over match rules.

After he moved to South Pasadena, Calif., shortly after the Spassky match, Fischer sightings became rare and often under bizarre circumstances. In 1981, he was arrested in Pasadena by mistake on suspicion of bank robbery, which prompted him to publish the pamphlet “I Was Tortured in the Pasadena Jailhouse.”

He gave $90,000 of his world-championship winnings to the Pasadena-based Worldwide Church of God, a fundamentalist denomination whose founder, Herbert W. Armstrong…

Wikipedia had a slightly different version of the amount:

In late 1963, Fischer began tithing to the church. According to Fischer, he lived a bifurcated life, with a rational chess component and an enthusiastic religious component. Fischer gave the Worldwide Church of God $61,200 of his world championship prize money.

It was never clear to me if Bobby Fischer was truly a member of the Church of God or not (a long time member told me that she was fairly sure that he never was, though she was not 100% positive)–his interest seemed to ebb and flow.  In 1975/6 he went completely off on his own and disassociated himself from the Worldwide Church of God and did not come back.

COGwriter

In a few weeks, on February 14th, much of the world will celebrate “Valentine’s Day”.

CGG posted part of a news article from an Oklahoma newspaper on the subject that stated:

Well, we’ve come through Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s in reasonably good shape. The next mid-winter holiday on the calendar is St. Valentine’s Day — a day to declare your affection for that special someone. And what did Saint Valentine have to do with love notes and affection? Absolutely nothing! In fact, there’s a good chance he may never have existed…

However the Christian church leaders in Rome didn’t like the celebration. Too pagan-like, they said. But, knowing the celebration was too popular for them to end, they gave it some Christian respectability instead.

Of course that will not stop many people from observing a repackaged pagan holiday, but perhaps some will study into this and realize that it is not the type of observance that the God of the Bible would promote.

Perhaps it should be mentioned that Greco-Roman leaders of what purports to be mainstream “Christianity” have long compromised with doctrine to prevent losing members.

Four articles of related interest may include:

Valentine’s Day: Its Real Origins Christianity Today suggests that Valentine’s Day is good for Christians to observe. Is this true?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Living Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions.
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Orthodox Church and the Living Church of God Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?

Does the Bible Teach Repentance and Following the Ten Commandments or Just to “Come as You Are? 

The Jan-Feb 2008 edition of Together: Worldwide Church of God News lists that it has:

Billy Graham has often used a phrase to encourage people to accept the redemption we have in Jesus. He says, “Come, just as you are!”…

“Come just as you are” means that God is not waiting for you to get better before you come to him. He loves you already, despite what you have done.
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Comments by COGwriter 

Yes, God loves everyone.  Yet, while the Bible says that God will call people “of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues” (Revelation  7:9), it never teaches “come as you are”.

Actually, the Apostle Peter in his first recorded sermon after he converted specifically taught:

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:38-39). 

Peter continued that theme in his next recorded sermon:

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord (Acts 3:19).

The Apostle Paul also said that he taught repentance to the Gentiles:

I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance (Acts 26:19-20).

And in the last book of the Bible, Jesus taught repentance:

Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight (Revelation 2:16).

Repent of what?  While sin of course.  And what is the Bible’s definition of sin?

Notice what the Apostle John wrote:

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin (1 John 3:4-5 KJV).

So, while Jesus will take away sins, sinners are to repent.  And they are not to transgress the law of God.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Hope of Salvation: How the Living Church of God differ from most Protestants How the Living Church of God differs from mainstream Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a COG background.
What Did Jesus Teach About the Ten Commandments? This article quotes what Jesus actually said about them (His words are in red).
Were the Ten Commandments Nailed to the Cross? Some have said so. This article provides some biblical quotes to answer this important question.
What Did Paul Actually Teach About the Ten Commandments? Many say Paul taught against the ten commandments. Is this true? This article quotes Paul with his words in green.
Are the Ten Commandment Still in Effect? This article quotes the ten commandments and combines some of the previous articles into one article about the ten commandments. The commandments are shown at Mount Sinai, before Mount Sinai, in the teachings of Jesus, after the crucifixion, and in the teachings of Paul. It addresses the most common “traditions of men” regarding them as well.
Were the Pharisees Condemned for Keeping the Law or Reasoning Around it? Many believe that the Pharisees were condemned for keeping the law, but what does your Bible say? If they were not condemned for that, what were they condemned for?
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught?
Was the Commandment to Love the Only Command? Some have stated that John’s writings teach this, but is that what the Bible really says?
The Ten Commandments and the Early Church Did Jesus and the Early Church keep the ten commandments? What order were they in? Here are quotes from the Bible and early writings.

جامعة الدول العربية
Jāmaʻat ad-Duwwal al-ʻArabiyya Arab League Flag

COGwriter

One of the more unusual teachings of some associated with Islam is the idea that Jesus was not crucified but that Judas was.

Notice the following related to an Iranian movie Jesus, the Spirit of God:

Nader Talebzadeh sees his movie, “Jesus, the Spirit of God,” as an Islamic answer to Western productions like Mel Gibson’s 2004 blockbuster “The Passion of the Christ,” which he praised as admirable but quite simply “wrong”…

“It is frankly said in the Koran that the person who was crucified was not Jesus” but Judas, one of the 12 Apostles and the one the Bible holds betrayed Jesus to the Romans, he said. In his film, it is Judas who is crucified.

Islam sees Jesus as one of five great prophets — others being Noah, Moses and Abraham — sent to earth to announce the coming of Mohammed, the final prophet who spread the religion of Islam. It respects Jesus’ followers as “people of the book” (‘Islamic Jesus’ hits Iranian movie screens AFP – Jan 13, 2008 http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080113231632.1q3rt654&show_article=1 ).

Although they claim to respect “the people of the book”, the truth is that Muslims believe that the Old and New Testament writings were changed and now are defective, so that only the Koran can be trusted. 

However, the fact is that Jesus was crucified and there are more early documents of the New Testament than any other ancient document–and those documents do clearly teach that it was Jesus, not Judas who was crucified.

Perhaps I should mention that we in the Living Church of God believe that a basically Arab-Muslim confederation will form to become the future King of the South.  LCG also recently reported the following:

Middle-Eastern Common Market. Six wealthy Persian Gulf nations are working to create a “Common Market” where each will recognize the others as economic equals. Although some forecast this common market will strain the economies of some of the nations, the overall prognosis is positive. Workers and citizens from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will also be able “to work, buy houses and companies, trade shares, go to school and receive medical treatment in all six states” (BBC.com, January 2, 2007). This new group will work together for the benefit of the entire group. God prophesied of a future league of Middle East nations known as the King of the South. This powerful group of nations will be primarily located “south” of Jerusalem and will eventually push hard against the King of the North, or Beast power, in order to rid the Holy City and region from the power and influence of the “infidel.” Eventually, the King of the South will be overrun by this Beast power (see Daniel 11). The creation of this “Gulf State Common Market” could facilitate the development of the prophesied King of the South.  

Just like the European Union began as a group of a few nations interested in economic cooperation, it appears that it is possible that the foundations of the King of the South will happen the same way.  And properly many from the Arab League will become part of it.

More information on the King of the South can be found in the articles Is There A Future King of the South? and The Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy.

COGwriter 

Hebert W. Armstrong died on January 16, 1986, at age 93 1/2.

Here is some of what he wrote on how he felt when he first found the Church of God:

The only Church I had so far found which “kept the commandments of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ,” and at the same time bore the NAME of the original true Church, was this almost unknown little Church of God with its small publishing house in Stanberry, Missouri.

But this left me quite confused. For this was a little Church, especially compared to the Roman Catholic, the Methodist, the Baptist, the Presbyterian, the Lutheran, or other large churches numbering millions of members. Then I saw where Jesus called His Church the “little flock.”

But still I was not completely satisfied. I was deeply concerned. I prayed a great deal over it. For here was a church, which, compared to the large-scale activities of the Catholic and big Protestant bodies, was ineffective. I could see that it was imperfect. It wielded no great power…

I was deeply perplexed. Here was a little church, with scattered members probably numbering less than 2,000 — mostly in rural areas. Apparently, as nearly as I could learn, it had only a very limited number of local churches, none as large as 100 members. As I began to come in contact with some of its leaders, they seemed to be men of little education — no college degrees — its ministry could hardly be described as an educated ministry. Their preaching had a certain fire, yet seemed totally to lack the POWER that attracts sizable audiences, that moves people, stirs hearts, and changes lives. I could see no visible results.

Could this be God’s one and only true Church on earth? The very question seemed preposterous!

And yet —

Yes and yet, small, powerless, resultless, impotent though it appeared to be, here was a church with the right name, “keeping the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ,” and closer, in its doctrines and teachings, to what God had been opening my eyes to see plainly in His Word than any other church of which I knew! Small and impotent though it appeared, it had more Bible TRUTH than any church I could find!

More information on what happened to the true Church of God and how the mainstream took over can be found at the History of Early Christianity page. 

Here is a brief account of some of Herbert Armstrong’s later years:

And after taking over responsibilities as full-time presenter on The World Tomorrow at age 85, the program became one of the highest-rated religious programs on television. The Plain Truth, Good News and Youth circulations all skyrocketed.

In 1985, while nearly blind, Mr. Armstrong began yet another monumental project. “With the writing of the new book Mystery of the Ages,” he wrote, “God has helped me this year to do the best work of my 93 years of life!”…

Mr. Armstrong kept right on serving God even as an elderly, blind man. And in doing so, he got the Worldwide Church of God back on track, defeated the state of California in a nationally known lawsuit, became one of the most popular religious personalities on television, nearly quadrupled the church’s growth in every major category, raised up and promoted numerous youth programs, traveled the world to meet with presidents and prime ministers and wrote a 363-page book.

“For Many People”

Herbert W. Armstrong prepared his last will and testament on Jan. 12, 1986—four days before he died. Knowing he was near death, his first directive was that Herman Hoeh officiate the funeral “without pomp and undue ceremony.”

In his second directive, he bequeathed all his property of “every kind and nature” to the Worldwide Church of God. Think about that. He had been pastor general of that church for more than 50 years. And though it started pitifully small, at the time of his death, the church’s annual income was $164 million. As founder and pastor general of the Worldwide Church of God, Herbert W. Armstrong could have amassed a personal fortune by the time he died. As it was, the house he died in belonged to the church. The plane he traveled in belonged to the church. The cars he commuted in belonged to the church. And what he actually did own at the time of his death—even though he had three living children—he left to the church…

In his will, he explained that he chose not to leave his descendants anything—not because of any ill will toward them—but because he believed they had “adequate means of their own” and because leaving what he had to the church would ensure that it “be put to more permanent and beneficial use for many people.”

That about sums up Herbert W. Armstrong’s legacy.

Even on his deathbed, his final wish was for everything he owned to go toward the work so that “many people” might benefit.

Mr. Armstrong put God’s Family and God’s work first. And as difficult as that might be to grasp, looking at it humanly, isn’t that what we should expect from a man of God? Jesus Christ, after all, said, “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.” That’s what Jesus taught—and lived.

(Flurry S. Stewardship, Part II. The Trumpet, Nov-Dec 2007. p. 31).

Sadly many have falsely maligned Herbert W. Armstrong (please see the article 15 Accusations and Truthful Responses About Herbert W. Armstrong), while others have exalted him beyond appropriateness (please see the article The Elijah Heresies ).

Those truly interested in learning more about Herbert W. Armstrong, should read the article Who Was Herbert W. Armstrong? How is He Viewed Today?.

And everyone should try to live by the following teaching of Herbert W. Armstrong: 

“Don’t believe me – BELIEVE YOUR BIBLE – BELIEVE GOD! I always say…check up! Listen without prejudice, with open mind, then check up–go to your BIBLE, and BELIEVE what you read there.”

Herbert W. Armstrong, Plain Truth magazine, Sept. 1963, Personal pg.1

Several articles of possibly related interest include:

Who Was Herbert W. Armstrong? How is He Viewed Today? Includes quotes from the 1973 edition of The Autobiography of Herbert W. Armstrong and explains how he is and should be viewed today.
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from evangelists?
Here are Some Quotes from Herbert W. Armstrong on Laodicea and Holding to Doctrine.
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.

Pantheon of Rome: A Symbol of Religious Confusion

COGwriter

This morning, I noticed that Ronald Weinland had written the following:

We are about to enter the period when God begins to bring a full end to man’s self-rule. The fulfillment to end-time prophetic events is about to be thrust upon the whole world, and man’s way, as well as Satan’s, is about to begin to be shut down!

The world economy is shaking/quaking worse each day and is coming more and more to the forefront of news commentary. Next year will see the Dollar collapse and the Euro become the new strength for the world’s economy. The thunders of Revelation are now going to begin to increase in intensity and frequency. Beginning in February, those thunders will increase dramatically, and by April this world will begin to be shaken to its foundations.

Everything I am doing, and everything the Church of God – PKG is doing is geared towards these realities. There is no wavering and there is no hesitation!…

February will be here soon! Don’t squander the time that is in front of you. Use it wisely! (Weinland R. YEAR NEARLY OVER. November 24, 2007. http://www.ronaldweinland.com/ viewed 01/15/08).

Hence Ron Weinland seems convinced that the end will begin in 2008. I am not sure what he part of the thunders he expects to occur in February 2008.

It may be of interest to note that Ronald Weinland does plan to make a trip to Canada in February, as well as four trips within the USA that month.

He also has trips listed for the UK and continental Europe for March 2008–however, no later trips as of this morning (January 15, 2008) were listed at his Upcoming Trips page.

Of course, he wrote that “by April this world will begin to be shaken to its foundations”–so that may be why he has not trips scheduled after March (although I do believe he will ultimately schedule some after then).

And while events of prophetic interest will occur, the Great Tribulation will not begin in 2008 (some reasons are in the news post At Least Two Wrongly Claim Great Tribulation Will Begin in 2008).

(Note: Ronald Weinland later changed his dates, and this is in the article Concerns About Ronald Weinland’s Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God).

Several articles of related interest may include:

Concerns About Ronald Weinland’s Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God Ronald Weinland falsely claims to be one of the two witnesses God is raising up and that the end will come in 2008. Is he a false prophet? He has at least one other view that suggests that he is not part of the COG.
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11?
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? What does the Bible say?