PUBLISHED BY THE WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD

V Z L . 2, NO.=
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0
_ _ _ - _ _ _ _ ~ - _ _ _JUNE 26, 1978 ___

PASADENA, CALI F O R ~ I A

EXCERPTS OF MR. HERBERT W.

ARMSTRONG'S SABBATH SERMON

E d i t o r ' s n o t e : M r . Herbert W. Armstrong spoke t o a combined a u d i e n c e of t h e Pasadena c o n g r e g a t i o n s on S a b b a t h , J u n e 2 4 . W e have been a s k e d t o e x c e r p t h i s e x t r e m e l y i m p o r t a n t message f o r t h e P a s t o r ' s Report i n advance of y o u r r e c e i p t of t a p e s of his .e n t i r e message which w i l l be An announcement by M r . Rader a n d p l a y e d i n a l l c h u r c h e s worldwide. s e v e r a l o t h e r i t e m s o f i n t e r e s t f o l l o w t h e sermon.

* * * * * *

Well, g r e e t i n g s everybody:
I have c a l l e d a special day of p r a y e r and f a s t i n g t o d a y b e c a u s e G o d ' s Church i s i n FATAL DANGER! W e don' t r e a l i z e , m b r e t h r e n , t h e way y

we've been d r i f t i n g . We've been d o i n g j u s t what you h e a r d i n t h e s e r m o n e t t e , " d o i n g o u r own t h i n g . " We've been g e t t i n g lukewarm....
I have good news f o r you and I have bad news f o r you. The bad news I w i l l g i v e you f i r s t . God w a s d o i n g , r e a l l y , a g r e a t work t h r o u g h m e and t h r o u g h t h i s church up t o a b o u t 9 o r 1 0 y e a r s ago right

around 1 9 6 9 . We w e r e one. Nobody w a s i n doubt a b o u t who's i n c h a r g e . s B u t t h e n many n e a r t h e t o p began e v e r y man t o t r y t o do h i s "own t h i n g . " I n s t e a d of t r y i n g t o do God's t h i n g , t h e y began t o do t h e i r own t h i n g and a s p i r i t of c o m p e t i t i o n began t o c o m e i n .
A t t h e same t i m e , what I c a l l t h e " l e a v e n of i n t e l l e c t u a l i s m " w a s coming

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i n and g r i p p i n g t h e college and a l s o g r i p p i n g o u r c o n g r e g a t i o n h e r e l o c a l l y , and more o r less t h e whole c h u r c h . I have n o t i c e d t h a t t h i n g of e r r a n t i n t e l l e c t u a l i s m e v e r s i n c e t h e c o l l e g e w a s s t a r t e d . I noticed i t i n t h e f i r s t y e a r of Ambassador C o l l e g e

....

Well, a b o u t n i n e o r t e n y e a r s ago -- a l o n g a b o u t 1 9 6 9 a s p i r i t of i n t e l l e c t u a l i s m s t a r t e d g e t t i n g i n t o t h e c o l l e g e a g a i n u n t i l it became no l o n g e r God's c o l l e g e , I ' m ashamed t o s a y . And I ' m g o i n g TO CHANGE THAT !
I s t r u g g l e d t h e f i r s t t h r e e o r f o u r y e a r s t o SEE THAT THIS WOULD BE GOD'S K I N D OF COLLEGE. I had t o s t r u g g l e a g a i n s t p r o f e s s o r s w i t h t h e i r P H D ' s and t h e i r Master's Degrees. They wanted t o make it j u s t l i k e a l l o t h e r colleges. They wanted t o g e t t h i s i n t e l l e c t u a l i s m i n t h e college. There i s a " l e a v e n of i n t e l l e c t u a l i s m " t h a t g e t s i n and j u s t p u f f s you all u p . . .

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I ' m going t o root t h a t o u t of Ambassador C o l l e g e . I t d o e s n ' t belong For t h e f i r s t three y e a r s I had t o f i g h t t o l e t t h i s be G o d ' D here.... k i n d of c o l l e g e w i t h o u t t h e i n t e l l e c t u a l l e a v e n t h a t h a s l e a v e n e d t h i s world and i t s e d u c a t i o n . Those u n d e r n e a t h look up and s t a n d i n a w e of i t . I ' m g o i n g t o w r i t e on i t i n The GOOD NEWS....

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that "intellectuali t y , " t h a t mannerism t h a t h a s been "put-on" t h a t t h e y have. Now, someday t h a t k i n d of b e h a v i o r i s a l l g o i n g t o p e r i s h when t h i s whole e a r t h i s g o i n g t o b u r n up. T h e r e w o n ' t be any of t h a t l e f t and some of o u r i n t e l l e c t u a l s are g o i n g t o b u r n up w i t h i t -- i f t h e y d o n ' t wake up i n 0 t i m e and if t h e y d o n ' t r e a l i z e t h a t k i n d of i n t e l l e c t u a l i s m i s of S a t a n the devil.

I t s e e m s t h a t o t h e r s are i n t i m i d a t e d by t h a t p o l i s h ,

T h i s t y p e of i n t e l l e c t u a l i s m emphasizes s c h o l a r s h i p . They a l l want t o be s c h o l a r s . They want h i g h s c h o l a r s h i p . I t is 100% carnal. There i s none of God, none of C h r i s t i n i t . I t i s an i n t e l l e c t u a l i s m t h a t throws C h r i s t r i g h t o u t t h e window and h a s been l i k e l e a v e n g e t t i n g i n t o and s p r e a d ing i n t h e College
L e t m e e x p l a i n a minute a b o u t t h a t b e f o r e I go Qn.

....

I t has become s t y l i s h t o Now t h e r e ' s a n o t h e r t h i n g I want t o mention. Prophecy is s a y t h a t M r . H e r b e r t Armstrong i s v e r y much o u t - o f - d a t e . a word i n t h e B i b l e t h a t b o t h means t o r e c e i v e p r o p h e c i e s from G o d ( l i k e t h e a n c i e n t p r o p h e t s ) and t o f o r e t e l l ; b u t a l s o , i n more cases, i t means t o p r e a c h w i t h i n s p i r a t i o n -- a f i r e d - u p k i n d o f p r e a c h i n g .

Today, i t seems l i k e w e g e t a l o t of v e r y m i l d modern i n t e l l e c t u a l classroom l e c t u r e s and i t ' s g o t t e n t o be o u t o f s t y l e o n t h i s platform and i n t h i s c h u r c h f o r someone t o r e a l l y speak o u t i n a p r e a c h i n g s e r v i c e . I w a s g l a d t o hear a l i t t l e speaking o u t i n t h e sermonette t h i s afternoon. I want t o h e a r m o r e of t h a t k i n d of p r e a c h i n g . I want t o h e a r more o f t h a t a b s o l u t e c o n v i c t i o n !

Now, t h e H o l y S p i r i t of God i n u s i s n o t raw emotion, b u t t h e r e cert a i n l y i s a n e m o t i o n a l c o n t e n t and i t c e r t a i n l y does work on o u r e m o t i o n s . A t t h e o t h e r e x t r e m e , some p e o p l e w e a r their emotions on t h e i r s h i r t sleeves and I d o n ' t mean t h a t k i n d of p r e a c h i n g a t a l l .
W e l l , b r e t h r e n , we're a l l humans and S a t a n i s i n f i n i t e l y more p o w e r f u l

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t h a n w e and h e ' s been g e t t i n g i n t o t h i s c h u r c h and i t came t o t h e p l a c e I t came t o t h a t no one seemed t o know who w a s i n c h a r g e around h e r e . t h e p l a c e where some of you s a i d i n e s s e n c e , " I a m of P a u l , " o t h e r s o f you w e r e of A p o l l o s , and o t h e r s o f Cephus. I n 1 9 7 4 t h e r e w a s an e f f o r t t o o v e r t h r o w t h e church i n a g r a n d coup -- j u s t l i k e t a k i n g o v e r a government i n t h e w o r l d . But J e s u s C h r i s t i s t h e head of t h i s church and H e d i d n ' t l e t i t happen.
A t t h a t t i m e w e l o s t some 30 t o 35 m i n i s t e r s and a c o u p l e of thousand

members. I n s i x months w e had m o r e t h a n made up f o r i t as o t h e r s came a l o n g and took t h e i r p l a c e s . I w i l l t e l l you, a s f a r a s I know -- and I h a v e n ' t h e a r d a b o u t e v e r y one of them -- b u t s o f a r as I know m o s t of t h o s e m i n i s t e r s who went o u t i n t h a t r e b e l l i o n (and t h a t ' s w h a t i t w a s ) a r e working a t p h y s i c a l l a b o r w i t h t h e i r hands a t any k i n d of job t h e y can g e t t o d a y . They ' r e n o t i n t h e m i n i s t r y . But a t t h e t i m e t h e y w e r e g o i n g t o t a k e members w i t h them and t h e y w e r e g o i n g t o b u i l d a b i g church themselves. T h e y ' v e s a i d , " W e l l , H e r b e r t Armstrong d i d i t , s o can I . " W e l l , H e r b e r t Armstrong D I D NOT DO I T , JESUS C H R I S T b u i l t t h i s church and I w a s only an i n s t r u m e n t t h a t H e used. I gave I d i d n ' t do i t and n o t o n e o f you myself t o H i m and H e h a s used m e . have e v e r h e a r d m e t a k e c r e d i t f o r i t . I know someone e l s e t h a t s a y s h e b u i l t t h i s c h u r c h , b u t lie d i d n o t . Jesus Christ did.

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Well,

t h e bad news i s t h a t we've been g o i n g t h a t way and w e ' r e g o i n g i n t o t h e Laodicean c o n d i t i o n of s l e e p i n g and s l u m b e r i n g l i k e you r e a d

i n t h e 2 5 t h c h a p t e r o f Matthew. And w h i l e t h e bridegroom ( C h r i s t ) t a r r i e d b e f o r e H e came, t h e y a l l slumbered and s l e p t . And t h a t ' s t h e 0 c o n d i t i o n we're p r e s e n t l y g e t t i n g i n t o . We're g e t t i n g very close now t o t h e second coming ofi C h r i s t , b u t b e c a u s e it d i d n ' t happen i n 1972, some p e o p l e t h i n k , "Oh w e l l , i t ' s n o t g o i n g t o happen now." And SO J e s u s H i m s e l f s a i d a t s u c h an h o u r as you t h i n k n o t , HE'LL COME. The door w i l l b e s h u t and i t w i l l b e too l a t e and t h a t ' s w h a t ' s g o i n g t o happen t o a l o t o f you. I ' m t r y i n g t o wake you up t o d a y and if I I invite c a n ' t wake you up, you c a n g e t a n g r y a n d walk o u t r i g h t now. you t o if t h a t ' s t h e way you f e e l , b e c a u s e I d o n ' t want p e o p l e h e r e t h a t d o n ' t have t h e S p i r i t of G o d , a l l t h e w h i l e p r e t e n d i n g t h a t t h e y do. Now v i s i t o r s are w e l c o m e , b u t I d o n ' t want p e o p l e h e r e p r e t e n d i n g t o p r o f e s s membership t h a t d o n ' t have a n y t h i n g b u t t h e s p i r i t o f S a t a n i n them. Everyone, i t seems, h a d s t a r t e d t o do h i s own t h i n g . There w a s a power s t r u g g l e t o g e t i n t o t h e t o p . Some began t o t h i n k " M r . Armstrong w a s g e t t i n g o l d . H e ' s going t o d i e . " Everyone wanted t o b e t h e one t h a t c o u l d t a k e over and be t h e head o f t h e c h u r c h and t h e i r w i v e s wanted t o b e t h e F i r s t Lady of t h e c h u r c h . And d o n ' t you t h i n k t h a t k i n d o f t h i n k i n g w a s n o t there.
B u t t h e s p i r i t of S a t a n began t o g r i p u s ,

And so, some o f u s w e r e o f one l e a d e r and some o f a n o t h e r . And no one I ' l l t e l l you who w a s i n seemed t o know who r e a l l y w a s i n c h a r g e . charge -- JESUS CHRIST! Only w e w e r e a l l g o i n g t o s l e e p and j u s t l e t t i n g t h e c h u r c h go i t s own way. 0 N w for t h e good news o JESUS CHRIST I S MOVING TO PUT THIS CHURCH BACK ON THE TRACK! We're g o i n g t o stamp o u t a l l o f t h a t s p i r i t of c o m p e t i t i o n t h a t g o t i n . T h a t s p i r i t of v a n i t y , s e l f - e x u l t a t i o n , l u s t and g r e e d , envy and j e a l o u s y . That i s t h e a t t i t u d e o f Satan t h e d e v i l . And t h e good p a r t of i t i s t h a t God h a s r e o r g a n i z e d H i s c h u r c h , and I ' m going t o do a l l I can t o b r i n g i t back.
Now l a s t August I c o m p l e t e l y s t o p p e d b r e a t h i n g . M h e a r t stopped y I t had c o m p l e t e l y s t o p p e d completely f o r a t l e a s t 30 t o 4 5 s e c o n d s . u n t i l m face w a s b l a n c h e d and w h i t e . y God b r o u g h t m e back and i t ' s p r e t t y i m p o r t a n t t h a t God d i d b r i n g m e back, b r e t h r e n , b e c a u s e J e s u s C h r i s t knew which way you are d r i f t i n g , H e b r o u g h t m e back f o r t w o r e a s o n s : one i s t o t r y t o r e v i v e YOU TO SHAKE YOU U P i f I can. TO GET YOU TO REALIZE THAT Y O U ' R E I N DANGER! I ' m n o t going t o p u r r t h a t out l i k e a college professor. I ' m g o i n g t o s h o u t i t a t you I N POWER!! You can t a k e t h e warning and wake up a n d maybe go on i n t o G o d ' s kingdom, o r you can go t h e o t h e r way and b u r n up and b e a s h e s under t h e soles of t h o s e who a r e g o i n g i n t o t h e Kingdom o f God. Take y o u r c h o i c e , and if I ' v e o f f e n d e d you and y o u ' r e a n g r y , I f e e l s o r r y f o r you. I'm saying what needs - - t o b e said. T h a t ' s why I called t h i s day as a day of f a s t i n g and p r a y e r .

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w e ' r e a l l human. W e need t o remember t h a t there i s a d e v i l c a l l 0 S a t a n , t h a t h e i s i n f i n i t e l y more p o w e r f u l t h a n w e are and S a t a n knows b e t t e r t h a n w e t h a t h e h a s now b u t a s h o r t t i m e and h e wants t o d e s t r o y t h i s Church.
Well,

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L e t m e r e a d you t h e t w e l f t h chap

seven. We're down t o t h i s t i m e wh Michael and h i s a n g e l s f i g h t i n g a g f i g h t i n g w i t h h i s a n g e l s , and prev vailed n o g ; neither was there pla found any more i n heaven. And t h e s e r p e n t , c a l l e d t h e D e v i l , and S a t And I s a y h e ' s d e c e i v i n g over h a l f f r o n t of m e r i g h t now. I don't me
G o d h a s b r o u g h t m e back b e c a u s e someone h a s got t o p u t a l i t t l e l i f e T h a t ' s why I ' m back h e r e . T h a t ' s why I d i d n ' t s t a y i n t o t h i s church. I w a s t o t a l l y unconscious. "The dead know n o t a n y t h i n g . " "dead." I w a s " d e a d , " t e m p o r a r i l y , and I d i d n ' t know a n y t h i n g j u s t as t h e % I . Bible says. I ' m a l i v e t o d a y f o r a r e a s o n and I want t o t e l l you t h a t back i n t h o s e f i r s t d a y s i n August and September, I c o u l d n ' t do any work. I c o u l d n ' t do a n y t h i n g b u t j u s t t r y t o take it e a s y and r e c u p e r a t e . I f e l t i t would be so much n i c e r i f I c o u l d j u s t s i n k back i n t o t h a t s t a t e b e c a u s e I d i d n ' t know a n y t h i n g w a s happening. I t h o u g h t how much n i c e r i t would be f o r m e .

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I had worked h a r d a l l t h e s e y e a r s . For f i f t y y e a r s , I have had t o s t r i v e and t h e d e v i l h a s been a f t e r m e as a f t e r nobody else. H e would r a t h e r d e s t r o y m e t h a n anybody on t h i s e a r t h . You b e t t e r b e l i e v e Some of you d o n ' t . that.

H e ' s wanted t o d e s t r o y my s o n Garner T e d Armstrong.

And h e wants t o d e s t r o y a l l of you. Now t h a t ' s where t h e r e a l f a u l t i s and t h a t i s t h e p l a c e w h e r e a l l t h e blame h a s t o go.

Well anyway, i t s a y s h e r e t h a t t h i s w a s t h e D e v i l and h e d i d n ' t p r e v a i l , " t h e g r e a t d r a g o n , t h a t o l d s e r p e n t c a l l e d t h e Devil and S a t a n which d e c e i v e t h t h e whole w o r l d , h e w a s c a s t o u t i n t o t h e e a r t h and h i s a n g e l s , who now became demons, were c a s t down w i t h him. And I h e a r d a l o u d voice s a y i n g now i s come /or now " i s coming," b e c a u s e it h a s n ' t come y e t 7 s a l v a t i o n , and s t r e n g t h , and t h e kingdom of o u r God..." It is coming v e r y soon and t h e s t r e n g t h o f o u r God and t h e power of h i s Christ. "For t h e a c c u s e r of o u r b r e t h r e n i s c a s t down which a c c u s e d them before o u r God 5ay and n i g h t . "
Mr.

People a r e a c c u s i n g People i n t h e s p i r i t of S a t a n are a c c u s i n g now. S t a n l e y Rader and l e t m e t e l l you r i g h t h e r e , I d o n ' t know how much of t h a t l e a v e n h a s g o t i n t o some of you, b u t t h a t i s c h a r a c t e r a s s a s s i n a t i o n ! You may f e e l t h a t S t a n l e y R a d e r i s a wrong k i n d of man b u t he i s m t o p a s s i s t a n t and t h a t ' s why t h e y t r y t o a s s a s s i n a t e h i s y S a t a n h a s been t r y i n g t o g e t t o m e and i f h e c a n ' t d e s t r o y character! m e , t h e n h e ' l l t r y t o d e s t r o y t h o s e who a r e working c l o s e l y w i t h m e . You t e l l m e I c h a l l e n g e you -- show m e e v i d e n c e , o n e i o t a of p r o o f o f a n y t h i n g wrong a b o u t S t a n Rader! And y e t I u n d e r s t a n d t h e r e are m i n i s t e r s i n t h i s church who would walk r i g h t o u t and l e a v e t h e church i f I t r y t o uphold S t a n Rader. H a s t h i s church come t o t h a t ? !

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I ' m h e a r t s i c k today. I ' m j u s t g r i e v e d , clear Because you b r e t h r e n have gone t o sleep, and t h e bottom of m h e a r t . y n o t j u s t you. When I s a y l l y ~ ~ b l e t h r e n , I mean a l l t h e church. , rv It's t i m e w e wake up!

I want t o t e l l you

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too

- 5-

B u t S a t a n a c c u s e s t h e b r e t h r e n -- t h e c h u r c h . "And t h e y overcame him by t h e b l o o d of t h e Lamb and by t h e word of t h e i r t e s t i m o n y ; and t h e y l o v e d n o t t h e i r l i v e s u n t o t h e d e a t h . T h e r e f o r e , rejoice ye h e a v e n s , a n d you t h a t d w e l l i n t h e m . W e t o t h e i n h a b i t e r s of t h e e a r t h and o of t h e sea! f o r t h e d e v i l i s come down u n t o you, h a v i n g g r e a t wrath.''

S a t a n i s angry! H e i s stirred up! H e ' s n o t asleep! H e ' s trying to l u l l you t o s l e e p . But I ' m t r y i n g t o wake you up. I ' l l p r o b a b l y o f f e n d a l o t o f you. But I ' m d o i n g t h i s i n l o v e , t h e o n l y way t h a t I know t o wake you up. If I come w i t h f l a t t e r i e s and s a y o n l y n i c e t h i n g s , I ' m n o t g o i n g t o wake anybody up. So, I ' m n o t g o i n g t o p u l l any punches. C o n t i n u i n g c g a i n w i t h t h e middle o f v e r s e 12: "Woe t o t h e i n h a b i t e r s of t h e e a r t h and of t h e sea, f o r t h e d e v i l is come down unto you h a v i n g g r e a t wrath." T h i s w r a t h of S a t a n i s t h e Great T r i b u l a t i o n and it i s a l m o s t upon u s now. I t i s n o t t h e w r a t h of God b u t t h e w r a t h o f Satan b e c a u s e h e knows t h a t h e h a s b u t a s h o r t t i m e . How d o e s h e know? Because J e s u s s a i d , "When you see t h i s g o s p e l O'f t h e Kingdom b e i n g preached a r o u n d t h e w o r l d , t h e n you know t h a t t h e Kingdom of God i s n e a r a t hand a n d t h e t i m e i s here." S a t a n knows and b e l i e v e s t h a t , b u t a l o t o f you d o n ' t b e l i e v e i t . S a t a n knows t h e B i b l e b e t t e r t h a n you do a n d h e knows h e h a s b u t a s h o r t t i m e . But s o m e o f u s are o b l i v i o u s I s a y wake up, B r e t h r e n ! We've been t o how s h o r t h i s t i m e must b e . a s l e e p . T h i s c h u r c h h a s been d r i f t i n g o f f i n t o a k i n d o f s p i r i t u a l dreamland.

--

"And when t h e d r a g o n s a w t h a t h e w a s c a s t unto t h e e a r t h , h e p e r s e c u t e d t h e woman ( r e f e r r i n g t o God's c h u r c h ) which b r o u g h t f o r t h a man-child. 0

And t o t h e woman /now h e r e a t v e r s e 14 w e ' r e coming down t o t h e t i m e j u s t b e f o r e t h e Great T r i b u l a t i o n 7 w e r e g i v e n t w o wings of a g r e a t e a g l e t h a t s h e m i g h t fly i n t o wilderness. I'

the

..

L e t ' s pause t o n o t i c e t h i s : back h e r e i n t h e 6 t h v e r s e b e g i n n i n g i n around 554 A.D. and f o r 1 2 6 0 y e a r s , t h e woman f l e d a f o o t . This t i m e , she is t o The woman, o r i n o t h e r words t h e c h u r c h , w a s g i v e n

"a."
'I

"two wings o f a g r e a t e a g l e , t h a t s h e might f l y i n t o t h e w i l d e r n e s s , i n t o her place.

Now where i s t h e p l a c e ? T h a t ' s been a g r e a t c o n t e n t i o n . I used t o p r e a c h t h e p o s s i b i l i t y t h a t i t would be a t Petra. W e l l , I d o n ' t know But t h a t i t w i l l b e a t P e t r a , and I n e v e r s a i d I knew i t would be. o t h e r s s a y , " W e l l , t h a t ' s something w e c a n g e t back a t H e r b e r t Armstrong. L e t ' s j u s t s a y h e w a s wrong a b o u t t h a t . " And so some v e r y h i g h i n t h e church w e r e s a y i n g t h a t t h a t i s a l o t o f r u b b i s h and hodge-podge. I say t o you now I d o n ' t know whether i t ' s Petra. I d o n ' t know where i t i s o r where i t w i l l b e , b u t I know God knows. But I do know t h i s much: t h e r e are many i n d i c a t i o n s t h a t i t i s P e t r a and if it i s n ' t P e t r a , then t h e B i b l e g i v e s u s a b s o l u t e l y no i n d i c a t i o n of where it w i l l b e . N w 1'11 s t a n d m ground w i t h t h a t and any of you who want t o can come o y and face m e w i t h i t . I n any case, I ' v e been t o Petra and i t ' s n o t a very p l e a s a n t p l a c e t o be.

Well,

anyway, w e ' r e t o be t a k e n where w e w i l l b e n o u r i s h e d f o r a t i m e , t i m e s , and h a l f a t i m e o r t h r e e and a h a l f y e a r s from t h e face of t h e s e r p e n t . W e w i l l b e p r o t e c t e d from t h e D e v i l . But t h e n , n o t i c e what

-6"And t h e s e r p e n t c a s t o u t of his mouth y a t e r as a f l o o d a f t e r t h e woman, t h a t h e m i g h t c a u s e h e r t o b e carried away by the flood. And t h e e a r t h h e l p e d t h e woman, and t h e e a r t h opened h e r mouth, and s w a l l o w e d up t h e flood which t h e dragon c a s t o u t of h i s mouth. And t h e dragon w a s wroth w i t h t h e woman, and went t o make w a r w i t h t h e remnant of h e r s e e d . " The "remnant" i s t h e l a s t segment o f t h e church, t h e Laodicean era. We're g e t t i n g i n t o t h e Laodicean c o n d i t i o n b u t w e a r e n o t t h e Laodicean Church!
t h e s e r p e n t does.

---

B u t some of t h e younger m i n i s t e r s began t o s a y " A h , t h i s i d e a o f church M r . Armstrong i s wrong. W have h e r e a e e r a s i s a l l a hodge-podge d o c t r i n a l committee of i n t e l l e c t u a l s and so l e t ' s s t u d y i n t e l l e c t u a l l y 1 f i i l f l r J l i 1 h o w w r r m r j Mr. AmtrCrotrcJ ia and W h a r f s I t o ' U f t t l U l a d U U . I' 111 t u o many i n s t a n c e s t h a t w a s t h e r e a l object! W e l l , t h e r e i s n ' t any s u c h committee any l o n g e r and t h e r e i s n ' t g o i n g t o be. God d o e s n ' t r e v e a l h i s w i l l t o i n t e l l e c t u a l s c h o l a r s w i t h a n i n t e l l e c t u a l approach t h a t goes i n t o a matter i n l i t t l e t i n y ways.
1

So S a t a n went t o make w a r w i t h t h e remnant t h a t k e e p t h e commandments The Laodicean Church w i l l be keepof G o d and t h e t e s t i m o n y of J e s u s . i n g t h e commandments of God and t h e t e s t i m o n y o f J e s u s o r t h e y c o u l d n ' t be t h e Church o f G o d . But t h e y w i l l be lukewarm and asleep. T h i s era is not here yet.
L e t m e t e l l you what I have always s a i d f o r f i f t y y e a r s .

F i f t y years ago I w a s w r i t i n g t h a t t h e message t o t h e s e v e n a n g e l s o f t h e s e v e n c h u r c h e s i n t h e 2nd and 3 r d c h a p t e r s of R e v e l a t i o n h a s a d u a l i n t e r p r e t a t i o n and meaning. Number o n e , i t i s t e l l i n g of t h e s e v e n s u c c e s s i v e eras o r s t a g e s of t i m e i n t h e 1900-to 2000-year existence of t h e church@ And number t w o , i t i s t e l l i n g of t h e s p r i t u a l c o n d i t i o n i n t h e church d u r i n g t h o s e eras. The a c c o u n t s t a r t s o u t w i t h t h e Church a t Ephesus 0 and t h e predominant s i t u a t i o n i n t h e f i r s t and second c e n t u r y d u r i n g a n d r i g h t a f t e r t h e d a y s of t h e o r i g i n a l A p o s t l e s . Laodicea had what w i l l b e t h e p r e v a i l i n g c o n d i t i o n i n t h e f i n a l church e r a : drowsy o r asleep and lukewarm. And C h r i s t i s g o i n g t o s p u e m o s t of them o u t o f H i s mouth. And I s o m e t i m e s wonder how many of us a r e j u s t n o t v e r y much on f i r e f o r God, b r e t h r e n . I say that t o your shame, e v e r y one of you. I s a y wake =! I ' m n o t g o i n g t o s a y y o u ' r e a l r i g h t and e v e r y t h i n g i s so w o n d e r f u l and e v e r y t h i n g is g o i n g I ' m g o i n g t o t e l l you t h e t r u t h . And s o m e t i m e s f i n e and f l a t t e r you. the t r u t h h u r t s . And I hope i t h u r t s . I hope i t h u r t s enough t h a t you wake up and r e a l i z e i t and do something a b o u t i t . And I hope t h a t YOU go home from t h i s s e r v i c e and g e t down on y o u r knees and a s k f o r t h e mercy and t h e f o r g i v e n e s s of God, a n d a s k H i m t o come back i n t o y o u r l i f e . Because t h a t ' s what you need t o do and y o u r e t e r n i t y may depend upon i t .

.*

W e l l now, I have s a i d t h a t t h e s p i r i t u a l c o n d i t i o n of which Laodicea i s a t y p e w i l l dominate a t t h e t a i l e n d , b u t I have a l s o s a i d t h a t a l l of t h o s e c o n d i t i o n s a l l t h e way f r o m Ephesus up t o L a o d i c e a , a l l s e v e n -- are p r e s e n t a t a l l t i m e s i n t h e church. But now w e i n t h e P h i l a d e l p h i a n e r a have t h e Laodicean c o n d i t i o n . T h a t ' s what I ' m

--

t a l k i n g about today, b u t w e ' r e n o t Laodicea.

W e a l s o have t h e c o n d i t i o n

a n d i t ' s t i m e t o g e t back t o i t .

of Ephesus -- w e have l o s t o u r f i r s t love, Everyone of t h e s e c o n d i t i o n s a r e i n

t h i s c h u r c h , b u t t h e predominant o n e i s w h a t I want

t o read t o you

now.
"Church a t P h i l a d e l p h i a : These t h i n g s s a i t h h e t h a t i s h o l y , he t h a t i s t r u e , h e t h a t h a t h t h e key o f David, t h a t o p e n e t h , and no man s h u t t e t h ; and s h u t t e t h ,and no man o p e n e t h . I know your works: behold, I have s e t b e f o r e t h e e an open door.
NOW,

...

i f y o u ' l l t r a c e t h a t "open door" i n P a u l ' s - w r i t i n g s , you W i l l See t h a t G o d s e t a n open door before him. An "open door" merely means ( i t ' s a f i g u r e of s p e e c h ) t h a t G o d o p e n s - w a y t o g e t the gospel the message o u t . Now H e ' s opened t o u s a door t o go t o t h e G e n t i l e s a n d t h e n a t i o n s of t h e earth and t h e k i n g s of t h o s e n a t i o n s . H e didn't open t h a t door f o r t h e S a r d i s Church. And n o man i n t h e S a r d i s Church, T h y a t i r a o r t h o s e before ever announced t h e g o s p e l of t h e Kingdom t o k i n g s , h e a d s of government and o t h e r t o p men i n t h e governments of t h e G e n t i l e n a t i o n s around t h e world. They j u s t n e v e r d i d .
I have been d o i n g i t and I a m t h e o n e A p o s t l e t h a t God has chosen and w i t h whom and t h r o u g h whom H e b u i l t t h i s church. The Gospel d i d n o t go t o t h e w o r l d u n t i l t h i s c h u r c h c a m e and s t a r t e d t a k i n g i t t o t h e world. I t a b s o l u t e l y w a s n o t preached a t a l l . The t r u e gospel i s n o t j u s t a message a b o u t J e s u s C h r i s t . I t i s C h r i s t ' s message which i s t h e good news of t h e coming Kingdom o f God, and t h a t message h a s n o t been p r e a c h e d f o r e i g h t e e n and a h a l f c e n t u r i e s . For a h a l f c e n t u r y now i t h a s been g o i n g o u t t h r o u g h t h i s c h u r c h and through me. And as t h e y s a y t o d a y , "you b e t t e r believe it."

"1 s e t b e f o r e t h e e a n open door and no man c a n s h u t it" Many cerc, t a i n l y have t r i e d t o s h u t i t , b u t no o n e h a s been able t o . "For t h o u Each of you d o e s n ' t have much s t r e n g t h , hast a little strength and I ' v e had v e r y l i t t l e , b u t God h a s g i v e n us c o l l e c t i v e l y tremendous power t o r e a c h t h e w o r l d and t h e f a c i l i t i e s t h a t magnify t h a t power l i k e r a d i o , t e l e v i s i o n , the p r i n t i n g p r e s s , . a i r p l a n e s t o f l y u s t o a l l p a r t s o f t h e w o r l d q u i c k l y a n d t e l e p h o n e s w i t h i n s t a n t communication t o any and e v e r y p a r t of t h e w o r l d . None o f t h e s e e x i s t e d i n t h e of t h e e a r l y A p o s t l e s . days

--

..."

Again, "For t h o u h a s t b u t a l i t t l e s t r e n g t h and h a s t k e p t my word." B r e t h r e n , o f t e n I have s a i d t h i s : I h a v e known scores o f men w i t h b e t t e r minds t h a n I have. N o t o n l y more s c h o l a r l y ( b e c a u s e t h e y ' v e gone i n t o t h a t ) , b u t minds w i t h more a p t i t u d e t o be s c h o l a r l y and w i t h better personalities w i t h more o f e v e r y t h i n g t h a t c o u l d be used, a n d y e t God d i d n o t c a l l a one of them.

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Why d i d h e c a l l m e ? W e l l , I go r i g h t back t o t h i s : some s a y t h a t t h i s message t o t h e " a n g e l " of t h e c h u r c h m i g h t r e f e r t o t h e one G o d placed a s t h e human l e a d e r i n t h e church. And I would s a y this does a p p l y t o m e p e r s o n a l l y and i t s h o u l d a p p l y t o t h e whole church as w e l l , b u t t h e r e ' s been an e f f o r t t o w a t e r down t h e t r u t h . That's another thing t h a t ' s happened i n t h e l a s t n i n e y e a r s -- t h e t r u t h o f G o d i s b e i n g watered down w i t h even f a l s e d o c t r i n e s c r e e p i n g i n and m i n i s t e r s are t e a c h i n g them a r o u n d t h e world. M i n i s t e r s of t h i s church. NOW b e l i e v o m e , I'm g o i n g t o g e t a f t e r t h o s e t h i n g s and f a s t !
J e s u s C h r i s t i s i n power! J e s u s C h r i s t is t h e power back of m e a n d H e ' s g o i n g t o s e t these t h i n g s i n order. And i f any of you want t o

f i g h t C h r i s t , you s t a r t f i g h t i n g H i m and see where you g e t off. if you want t o go w i t h t h e D e v i l , maybe y o u ' l l s u f f e r t h e D e v i l ' s U f a t e . I ' m s p e a k i n g v e r y p l a i n l y t o d a y b e c a u s e I ' m wrouqht J a b o u t it,'(

C h r i s t knows o u r works.

T h e r e a r e works, good works, and n o t r i t u a l s . "Behold, I have s e t b e f o r e t h e e a n open door, for thou h a s t but a l i t t l e s t r e n g t h , and h a s t k e p t my w o r d . " I - w a s going t o say f u r t h e r , i f t h e r e ' s any one r e a s o n why God c a l l e d m e , i t ' s b e c a u s e I w a s w i l l i n g t o b e l i e v e what H e s a i d . And b e c a u s e I ' v e k e p t H i s word. I have n o t compromised.

...

N o w , there's been a n e f f o r t on t h e p a r t of some of o u r younger m i n i s t e r s t o compromise i n these l a s t n i n e y e a r s . Some want t o w a t e r down o r do away w i t h t i t h i n g . Some of them wanted t o do away w i t h k e e p i n g some of t h e a n n u a l h o l y d a y s and t h e a n n u a l f e s t i v a l s o f God. They want t o do away w i t h God's t r u t h i n e v e r y way they can. L e t m e t e l l you t h a t i f you d o n ' t t i t h e , and s o m e of you d o n ' t , YOU ARE STEALING YOU ARE A THIEF! AND YOU ARE STEALING FROM GOD! ' I SAY THAT ON THE AUTHORITY O F JESUS CHRIST! Now, i f you t h i n k I ' v e i n s u l t e d you, g e t up and walk o u t . SOMEONE HAS GOT TO WAKE YOU PEOPLE UP!

--

Again, verse 8, " . . . a n d h a s t k e p t my w o r d , and h a s t n o t d e n i e d m y name. Behold, I w i l l make them of t h e synagogue of S a t a n / t h a t i s You see, t h e c h u r c h e s of t h i s world7, which s a y t h a t t h e y a r e J e w s . , . " i n t h e N e w Testament, h e zs a J e w who i s one s p i r i t u a l l y , and n o t by birth. I n o t h e r words, t h e y s a y t h e y b e l o n g b u t "are n o t /of t h e t r u e church7, b u t l i e . Behold, I w i l l make them t o come and worship b e f o r 0 /not t o w o r s h i p u s , b u t t o w o r s h i p before o u r f e e t , w o r s h i p p i thy God7, and to know t h a t I have l o v e d t h e e . " -

feet,

You know t h a t t h i s church i s t h e o n l y o n e of t h e s e v e n t h a t God d o e s n ' t

a t t r i b u t e any f a u l t t o . t o l d u s t h i s one t h i n g : t h e world.

And y e t w e ' r e f u l l of f a u l t s . But God h a s H e h a s u s e d u s t o g e t t h i s message o u t around

As I s a i d e a r l i e r , God h a s c a l l e d m e b a c k t o l i v e l o n g e r f o r t w o reasons. One i s t o t r y t o s e t t h i s Church back i n o r d e r and t o wake you people up. T h a t i s why I'm h e r e . Y e t I f e e l l i k e t h e Apostle P a u l . H e s a i d i n o t h e r words, t h a t h e would r a t h e r go and d e p a r t and be w i t h C h r i s t go t o t h e sleep of d e a t h and wake up i n t h e r e s u r r e c t i o n and b e i n t h e Kingdom of God h u t h e s a i d i t w a s more n e c e s s a r y f o r t h e church t h a t h e s t a y on. And t h a t ' s why I ' m h e r e , b r e t h r e n .

--

--

M job i s h a r d , i t ' s n o t e a s y . y And I h a v e t o push myself t o do t h i n g s ; , now. I n f a c t , I have t o push myself a b o u t t e n t i m e s harder t h a n I d i d twenty y e a r s ago. S t i l l I a m no o l d e r i n mind and i n power t h a n I w a s twenty y e a r s ago. N e v e r t h e l e s s , rumors a r e g o i n g a r o u n d t h a t I ' m s e n i l e , t h a t I d o n ' t know w h a t ' s g o i n g on t h a t m head i s i n a c l o u d . y Do I sound l i k e it? D i d some o t h e r m i n i s t e r t e l l m e w h a t t o s a y h e r e today? On t h e c o n t r a r y , t h e r e a r e m i n i s t e r s s i t t i n g before m e t o d a y t h a t are N o man gave m e t h e s e words, 0 L going t o d i s a g r e e w i t h what I a m s a y i n g . R b u t Jesus C h r i s t d i d you b e t t e r r e a l i z e where t h i s message i s coming

--

3 ;

1 .

from.

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S t a n Rader i s a h e l p e r b u t S t a n I t d i d n ' t come from S t a n Rader e i t h e r . Rader i s NOT RUNNING THIS CHURCH I N ANY MANNER, SHAPE, OR FORM! But he i s of v e r y g r e a t v a l u e t o m e and t h a t ' s why some are t r y i n g t o h i t

i ' .&
*? 4

-9-

back a t him. H e ' s s e r v i n g i n t h e Work a n d nobody h a s one i o t a of But people w i l l s l a n d e r and many evidence of a n y t h i n g wrong w i t h him. of you people have been swallowing and b e l i e v i n g a l o t o f t h a t rot! You b e t t e r s w a l l o w t h e Word o f God a n d believe t h a t i n s t e a d .

Now C h r i s t says h e r e i n verse 10, "Because t h o u h a s t k e p t t h e word o f m p a t i e n c e /been f a i t h f u l t o t h e word of G o v , I a l s o w i l l k e e p thee y from t h e h o u r of t e m p t a t i o n which s h a l l come-upqn a l l t h e w o r l d , t o t r y them t h a t d w e l l upon t h e e a r t h . " I n o t h e r words, t h e G r e a t T r i bulation. Other t r a n s l a t i o n s s a y "I w i l l keep t h e e f r o m t h e G r e a t Tribulation'' t h a t w e w i l l n o t h a v e t o go t h r o u g h i t . T h a t ' s what I showed you i n R e v e l a t i o n 1 2 . W e are t o h a v e t h e t w o wings o f a g r e a t eagle t o " f l y ; " b u t o f c o u r s e , t h a t ' s symbolic language. And I d o n ' t know w h e t h e r t h a t means l i t e r a l a i r p l a n e s or what.

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I w i l l t e l l you one t h i n g though. S a t a n even g e t s s o m e m i n i s t e r s t o t r y t o c r i t i c i z e t h e f a c t t h a t G o d h a s opened doors f o r m e b e f o r e Kings and P r e s i d e n t s a n d P r i m e M i n s i t e r s and E m p e r o r s . And t h e y t r y t o s a y t h a t ' s somehow a l l wrong. I w a s supposed t o be i n J e r u s a l e m on J u l y 4th f o r t h e I n a u g u r a t i o n of a b i g downtown c i t y p a r k . And b e c a u s e we've had something t o do w i t h t h e c h i l d r e n ' s p l a y g r o u n d p a r t of i t , someone s a i d (and a top m i n i s t e r a t t h a t ) t h a t " M r . Armstrong wants t o go over and be t h e r e f o r t h e opening of a l i t t l e k i d d i e p a r k . " Now t h a t i s t h e kind of sarcasm, t h e k i n d o f r e f l e c t i n g and a c c u s i n g t h a t i s of S a t a n , and I want you t o r e c o g n i z e it f o r what it i s when you h e a r it..

L e t ' s q u i t t h i s slander. L e t ' s q u i t t h i s d e f a m a t i o n of c h a r a c t e r . L e t ' s q u i t t h i s character assassination. I n s t e a d of s a y i n g I ' m o f t h i s and t h a t a n d t h e o t h e r human l e a d e r , I s a y l e t ' s g e t back 6f Christ! I s a y f o l l o w m e - -I f o l l o w C h r i s t . as I ' v e n e v e r a s k e d you t o

follow m e any o t h e r way....

I want t o t e l l you, b r e t h r e n , w h i l e I t h i n k of i t , t h a t t h e r e w a s a p i c t u r e I happened t o see on t e l e v i s i o n i n t h i s p a s t week c a l l e d "EARTHQUAKE." I d o n ' t know whether s o m e of you happened t o see i t o r n o t .

In t h e movie a l l of a sudden t h i s e a r t h q u a k e h i t j u s t when people l e a s t e x p e c t e d i t . I t w a s a f r i g h t f u l p i c t u r e ; i t showed t h e havoc, I b i g b u i l d i n g s c r a s h i n g down w i t h t h e e p i c e n t e r r i g h t b e n e a t h . t h i n k i t was supposed t o be L o s Angeles. I t w a s showing what a n earthquake can be l i k e ; what c o u l d happen r i g h t h e r e .
Here's t h e p o i n t b r e t h r e n . W e go a l o n g day t o day l i v i n g c x e l e s s l y , each of US d o i n g o u r own t h i n g , and w e d o n ' t r e a l i z e t h a t i n t h e meant i m e S a t a n i s v e r y busy b e h i n d t h e s c e n e s .

And I t e l l you t h o s e r a t s would g e t c a u g h t i n t h a t t r a p and t h e y d i d n ' t know u n t i l t h e y w e r e i n i t and i t had snapped s h u t on them t h a t t h e y w e r e caught and c o u l d n ' t g e t o u t . That same t h i n g i s g o i n g t o happen t o many of you! I a m warning you now, and some of you, i n f a c t maybe m o s t of you, w i l l i g n o r e it and y o u ' l l j u s t go on t a k i n g i t e a s y and a l l of a sudden i t ' s g o i n g t o strike. C h r i s t warned u s t h a t i n s u c h an h o u r as you t h i n k n o t , i t i s g o i n g t o happen. We're v e r y close t o t h e end t i m e .

I used t o t r a p a l o t of r a t s when I w a s a b o u t n i n e y e a r s o l d .

-10-

Now I w a s a s k e d by a m i n i s t e r j u s t t h e o t h e r day i f I t h o u g h t t h a t o u r work would come t o an end and be f i n i s h e d w i t h i n a y e a r . N o , f r a n k l y , I don't. But I d o n ' t know. H o w e v e r , I do know t h i s : a p p a r e n t l y God h a s been h o l d i n g off t h i n g s and d e l a y i n g o u r coming t o t h e end for a t 0. l e a s t s i x , e i g h t o r more y e a r s . Maybe i t ' s b e c a u s e t h i s c h u r c h w a s g e t t i n g drowsy and He wanted t o a l l o w t i m e f o r m e t o come t o r e a l i z e it, and f o r you t o r e a l i z e i t too, and wake up.

Y o u ' l l f i n d i n the 7 t h c h a p t e r of R e v e l a t i o n hdw God s e n t a n a n g e l t o t h e p l a g u e s t h a t w e r e coming h o l d up what w a s g o i n g t o happen u n t i l H e d i d something H e wanted done. That w a s t h e s e a l i n g i n t h e i r f o r e h e a d s of t h e 144,000 and t h e innumerable m u l t i t u d e of a l l n a t i o n s .

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Now God c a n h o l d something up and t h e r e ' s an example o f what h e d i d . O t h e o t h e r hand, J e s u s s a i d t h a t when t h e t i m e comes H e w i l l c u t n e v e r y t h i n g s h o r t and make a s p e e d y work o f i t . These t h i n g s c a n happen so q u i c k l y t h a t you w o u l d n ' t know i t . So you c a n ' t a f f o r d t o t a k e chances. A l l I can do i s warn you and you can s i t t h e r e a n d i g n o r e i t and b e c a u g h t l i k e a r a t i n a t r a p , - T h a t ' s up t o you....

Now Moses w a s 80 y e a r s old when h e s t a r t e d . And 40 y e a r s l a t e r , Moses' s t r e n g t h of mind and force had n o t a b a t e d one i o t a . But h i s job w a s f i n s i s h e d and God l e t him d i e and God b u r i e d him,
And now a s I a m l i k e Moses o l d e r i n y e a r s , God is s t i l l u s i n g m e . But t h a t d o e s n ' t mean t h a t I ' m a b o u t t o d i e t o m o r r o w o r n e x t week. I t h i n k God is going t o k e e p m e h e r e u n t i l t h i s work i s f i n i s h e d . And as I s a i d , I've been b r o u g h t back t o t r y t o wake you up, b u t there's s t i l l a n o t h e r r e a s o n , and t h a t ' s t o f i n i s h t h e work around the w o r l d . And God i s g o i n g t o g i v e m e t h e s t r e n g t h t o do i t .
-

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What a b o u t s o m e of you, b r e t h r e n ? D o you r e f u s e t o acknowledge t h a t we've been l a c k a d a i s i c a l and g o i n g a l o n g and t a k i n g i t e a s y a n d beginn i n g t o f o r g e t God? W i l l you acknowledge t h a t you have been l a x i n your p r a y e r l i f e and i n t h e s t u d y of t h e B i b l e ? God p l e a d e d w i t h a n c i e n t I s r a e l . Notice J e r e m i a h 3, b e g i n n i n g w i t h "GO and proclaim t h e s e words toward t h e n o r t h , and s a y , verse 12: 'Return thou b a c k s l i d i n g I s r a e l , ' s a y s t h e E t e r n a l , 'and I w i l l n o t c a u s e m a n g e r t o f a l l upon you. ' ' I And t h a t ' s what h e ' s s a y i n g t o u s y today. Now t h a t was t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n of I s r a e l a type of us. And t h e t h i n g s w r i t t e n a b o u t them w e r e w r i t t e n f o r o u r l e a r n i n g and admonit i o n on whom t h e e n d s of t h e w o r l d are come i n t h e New Testament. "And I w i l l n o t c a u s e mine a n g e r t o f a l l on you for I a m m e r c i f u l , s a i t h t h e E t e r n a l , and I w i l l n o t k e e p a n g e r f o r e v e r . Only acknowledge t h i n e i n i q u i t y , " and I s a y t o you and I ' m s p e a k i n g by t h e a u t h o r i t y of J e s u s C h r i s t , a n d J e s u s C h r i s t s a y s t o you t h r o u g h m e now, o n l y acknowledge y o u r l e t h a r g y , acknowledge y o u r d r o w s i n e s s and s l e e p and t h a t you have been g e t t i n g away from God.

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i
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'

"Only a c k n o w l e d g e , . . t h a t t h o u h a s t t r a n s g r e s s e d a g a i n s t t h e E t e r n a l t h y God, and h a s t s c a t t e r e d t h y ways t o t h e s t r a n g e r s under e v e r y g r e e tree, and t h a t y e have n o t obeyed m v o i c e , s a i t h t h e E t e r n a l . " y

'b 5,
.'

Notice how Israel went u n t i l f i n a l l y t h e y w e r e d r i v e n o u t i n t o s l a v e r y . They l o s t t h e i r f i r s t l o v e . Solomon s t a r t e d o u t l i k e a w h i r l w i n d and he j u s t wanted wisdom so h e c o u l d r u l e t h e p e o p l e b e t t e r and s e r v e God,

.a .*

, .... . Z''
.

-11b u t h e ended up w i t h a t h o n E d w o K a n d s e r v i n g ' t h e i r gods-! Many Of t h e k i n g s of a n c i e n t Judah were l i k e t h a t . They s t a r t e d out a l r i g h t b u t t h e y w o u n d up wrong a t t h e end. And I have s e e n that. But t h e E t e r n a l s a y s , "Turn 0 b a c k s l i d i n g c h i l d r e n . " And he ' s a y s . the same t h i n g t o you t o d a y . "For I a m married u n t o you," Now he is n o t married t o u s t o d a y , b u t h e ' s engaged t o u s , I t ' s v i r t u a l l y t h e same t h i n g o n l y t h e m a r r i a g e w o n ' t t a k e place u n t i l we're made immortal. "And I w i l l t a k e you o n e of a c i t y , and t w o o f a f a m i l y and w i l l b r i n g you t o Zion. 'I Now t h a t w a s what he,, s a i d t o a n c i e n t Israel. B u t t h a t i s a warning of what h e i s s a y i n g t o u s t o d a y .
Now t h e n , J want you t o go a l i t t l e f u r t h e r . Notice i n H e b r e w s t h e "Wherefore as t h e Holy S p i r i t s a i t h , TO d a y , 3rd c h a p t e r , v e r s e seven: if ye w i l l h e a r h i s v o i c e , harden n o t y o u r h e a r t s , as i n t h e provocation." And i n verse 12, "Take h e e d , b r e t h r e n , l e s t t h e r e be i n any of you an e v i l h e a r t o f u n b e l i e f i n d e p a r t i n g f r o m t h e l i v i n g G o d . " T h a t ' s e x a c t l y what we've been doing. And always it seemed t h a t people s a i d a l r i g h t , and t h e n as t i m e goes on t h e y want t o ease o f f .
I -

Now God j u s t s a i d t o t a k e heed. And I ' m t e l l i n g you t o a l s o , b u t G o d is u s i n g m voice t o do i t , so y o u ' d b e t t e r l i s t e n because it comes y f r o m t h e Creator G o d , D o you tremble before t h e Word of G o d ? I ' m g i v i n g i t t o you. You'd b e t t e r t r e m b l e b e f o r e t h e s e t h i n g s . I am f r i g h t e n e d f o r you b r e t h r e n . This c h u r c h i s i n mortal danger!

c . -

We're s l i p p i n g and w e ' r e g e t t i n g on v e r y dangerous ground and S a t a n i s winning t h a t b a t t l e . But C h r i s t i s on t h e F a t h e r ' s t h r o n e and i f w e 0 a r e w i l l i n g , h e w i l l restore e v e r y t h i n g i n t o t h i s Church and t h a t ' s the good news! J e s u s C h r i s t h a s awakened m e t o t h e c o n d i t i o n o f t h i n g s .
Now maybe I w a s s l u m b e r i n g a l i t t l e b i t . A l r i g h t , 1'-ve r e p e n t e d if I did. But I ' m awake and I ' m g o i n g t o h a v e t h e g u t s , if t h a t ' s what i t t a k e s , and t h e c o u r a g e t o t e l l you what n e e d s t o be s a i d and if you a g r e e , you w i l l save y o u r own e t e r n i t y ; and i f n o t , i t w i l l be a w i t n e s s a g a i n s t you.

Now n o t i c e t h e 8 t h c h a p t e r o f Hebrews and v e r s e one: "NOW of t h e t h i n g s which w e have spoken, t h i s i s t h e sum: W e have such a h i g h p r i e s t /Ehey o n l y had Moses back t h e r e 7 / b u t 7 w e / t o d a y 7 have s u c h a h i g h t h e t h r o n e o f God of priest @ h r i s g 7 who i s set on-the riqht-hand t h e majesty i n t h e heavens." Then i n t h e f o u r t h c h a p t e r o f Hebrews beginning w i t h t h e 1 4 t h v e r s e on t h r o u g h t h e 1 6 t h : "Seeing t h e n t h a t w e have such a g r e a t h i g h p r i e s t t h a t i s passed i n t o t h e heavens, J e s u s t h e Son of God, l e t u s hold f a s t o u r p r o f e s s i o n f o r w e have n o t a h i g h p r i e s t t h a t c a n n o t b e touched w i t h t h e f e e l i n g o f o u r i n f i r m i t i e s . . . . "

...

sf

Look, I know I have been weak. I have n o t been p e r f e c t . But I know t h a t I can go t o t h a t t h r o n e of g r a c e and C h r i s t i s there on H i s F a t h e r ' s t h r o n e l i s t e n i n g , and t h e F a t h e r i s l i s t e n i n g a l s o . C h r i s t has gone through a l l of t h i s j u s t l i k e I have. Now t h e d i f f e r e n c e i s t h a t C h r i s t w a s tempted i n a l l p o i n t s l i k e w e a r e , b u t H e d i d n ' t s i n . 0 B u t He had been tempted and H e knows what i t i s l i k e . It w a s not only t h e u l t i m a t e t e m p t a t i o n d e s c r i b e d i n t h e 4 t h c h a p t e r of Matthew when He'd f a s t e d 4 0 d a y s and 4 0 n i g h t s and t h e D e v i l came a t H i m . But l i s t e n , t h e Devil g e t s a t u s t h r o u g h t h e human s p i r i t t h a t i s i n u s and

'

-12. $

J e s u s C h r i s t w a s " h e a r i n g " t h a t t e m p t a t i o n as S a t a n w a s t r y i n g t o pour i t i n t o H i s mind e v e r y day t h a t He l i v e d .

But t h i s made t h e d i f f e r e n c e : H e w a s so close t o G o d and H e knew the 0 w i l l of God so t h a t when S a t a n w a s p o u r i n g i n opposite t h i n g s , h e j u s t H e n e v e r d w e l t on i t and n e v e r l e t it rejected it r i g h t there. c o n c e i v e and t a k e r o o t . i n H i m . H e never allowed temptation t o t u r n i n t o s i n . T h a t ' s t h e d i f f e r e n c e between C h r i s t and u s ; w e have done it. But w e have an Advocate who c a n u n d e r s t a n d what it means t o b e He human. H e u n d e r s t a n d s o u r f r a i l t i e s . H e knows o u r weaknesses. i s a f o r g i v i n g God. And if we'lY. o n l y t u r n back t o H i m , h e w i l l s t i l l p u t o u t h i s a r m s and receive u s and l o v e u s , and you can't imagine how much t h e l o v e of God c a n come i n t o y o u r minds and y o u r hearts and how MUCH H e can l o v e you. G o d l o v e s H i s church: -

Now I ' v e been s o r t of s h o u t i n g o u t a t you t o d a y b e c a u s e I t h i n k w e have t o have i t . But God i s love. And I love you a l l , and I want you t o l o v e me. But sometimes it c a l l s f o r s o m e p l a i n s p e a k i n g . Somet i m e s a p a r e n t h a s t o speak t h a t way t o h i s c h i l d r e n and d i r e c t l y o r i n d i r e c t l y y o u ' r e a l l my c h i l d r e n i n t h e Lord. And now I h a v e t o speak t o you as a f a t h e r s o m e t i m e s would....
But always there i s S a t a n w h o i s the p r i n c e of t h e power of t h e a i r and h e ' s b r o a d c a s t i n g and g e t t i n g t h r o u g h t o o u r minds n o t i n words nor i n p i c t u r e s l i k e radio o r t e l e v i s i o n , b u t h e ' s p u t t i n g i m p u l s e s a t t i t u d e s of v a n i t y , of t r y i n g t o do o u r own t h i n g , of s e l f - e x a l t a t i o n , of c o m p e t i t i o n , (and t h e r e ' s even been c o m p e t i t i o n among t h e m i n i s t e r s ) b u t we've got t o have c o o p e r a t i o n t o g e t h e r . And I want t o t e l l you t h a t t h e m i n i s t e r s a t t h e helm t o d a y are as o n e c o o p e r a t i n g u n i t . And w e ' r e g o i n g t o c o n t i n u e t o have t h a t c o o p e r a t i o n . Anyone t h a t w i l l not cooperate w i l l be t a l k e d t o and t h e n i f h e i s n ' t w i l l i n g t o cooperate, h e j u s t w o n ' t be p a r t o f t h e team any l o n g e r . T h a t ' s all.

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(9

I P e t e r 5:8-9 tells us how S a t a n i s g o i n g a b o u t l i k e a r o a r i n g l i o n s e e k i n g whom h e may devour. G o d i s c a l l i n g u s t o r e p e n t a n c e and this church needs t o r e p e n t and i t n e e d s t o go t o i t s k n e e s . Brethren, a l l I can do is warn you. And t h a t ' s why I ' v e poured o u t my h e a r t t o you today. I hope t h a t w e ' r e g o i n g t o b e g i n t o t a k e t h i s s e r i o u s l y . This church h a s needed a s h a k i n g up.
I hope t o see many of you h e r e f o r B i b l e s t u d y F r i d a y n i g h t and t h e n I a g a i n n e x t Sabbath when I w i l l do t w o m o r e t e l e v i s i o n programs. a l r e a d y have done e i g h t t e l e v i s i o n programs t h a t w i l l s t a r t showing a week from tomorrow on many s t a t i o n s a n d , as f a s t a s w e can g e t t h e s t a t i o n s , t h e program w i l l be a i r e d coast t o coast. People have s a i d t h a t w i t h o u t r a d i o t h i s c h u r c h would go down. Now w i t h radio and t e l e v i s i o n i t ' s g o i n g r i g h t on more p o w e r f u l l y t h a n ever, b r e t h r e n . And y o u ' l l f i n d t h a t o n c e o u r h e a r t s a r e r i g h t , G o d w i l l b u i l d t h i s church up.

and i t h a s n o t b e e n , the m e m b e s h i p i s even g o i n g down, n o t g a i n i n g then b r e t h r e n , t h a t ought t o warn you and i t o u g h t t o wake u s up. All w e have t o do i s g e t ours e l v e s r i g h t w i t h God, e a c h one of u s . I can o n l y g e t myself r i g h t and I can p l e a d w i t h you. But t h a t ' s a l l t h a t I c a n do. However, once
I f t h i s church h a s n o t been growing

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6
,

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w e do i t , I want t o t e l l you t h a t t h i s c h u r c h \ r i l l l e a p f o r n a r d b i g g e r
t h a n it d i d f o r t h e f i r s t 35 y e a r s when it grew f a s t e r and'more s t e a d i l y t h a n any o r g a n i z a t i o n I ' v e e v e r h e a r d o f . But God h a s withdrawn H i s b l e s s i n g s on t h i s church. The work h a s n o t been growing. The church h a s been even g o i n g down and l o s i n g ground. There a r e n o t as many merbers t o d a y as t h e r e w e r e a y e a r ago. There were n o t as many members t h e n as there w e r e t h e y e a r b e f o r e t h a t . Now t h e t i m e h a s come f o r u s t o have a r e v i v a l w i t h i n o u r own h e a r t s . It ought t o s t r i k e home t o u s and condemn u s . I t ' s o u r f a u l t . And I ' m n o t j u s t t a l k i n g t o you t h a t I see here t o d a y , T ' m a l s o t a l k .-1g t o t h e o t h e r c h u r c h e s t h a t w i l l h e a r t h i s on t a p e a l l o v e r t h e world. U n i t e d l y , b r e t h r e n , l e t ' s g e t on o u r k n e e s and l e t ' s g e t back t o Christ. * * * * *

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MR. HERBERT ARMSTRONG'S UPCOMING T R I P M r . H e r b e r t W. Armstrong announced t o d a y ( J u n e 2 1 ) t h a t h e w a s d e f e r r i n g h i s s c h e d u l e d t r i p t o J e r u s a l e m u n t i l December 1, 1 9 7 8 . As p r e v i o u s l y r e p o r t e d , December

w i l l mark t h e b e g i n n i n g of t h e e l e v e n t h y e a r of close c o o p e r a t i o n between t h e Worldwide Church of G o d , Ambassador C o l l e g e , t h e A.I.C.F., and t h e government, p e o p l e , and i n s t i t u t i o n s of I s r a e l . M r . Armstrong was i n v i t e d t o v i s i t Israel i n December, a t which t i m e t h e p r e s i d e n t and o t h e r d i g n i t a r i e s of t h e n a t i o n w i l l honor M r . Armstrong and t h e Church f o r t e n y e a r s of c o n t r i b u t i o n s i n t h e e d u c a t i o n a l and c u l t u r a l fields.
Mr.

Armstrong h a s d e c i d e d t h a t t h e t r i p t o J e r u s a l e m c o u l d b e s t b e T h i s w i l l e n a b l e him t o d e v o t e combined w i t h t h e December 1st e v e n t s . t h e e n t i r e summer t o r a d i o and t d l e v i s i o n b r o a d c a s t i n g , p r e a c h i n g , w r i t i n g , and o t h e r a f f a i r s of t h e Church. M r . Armstrong p l a n s t o be 0 i n Pasadena e a c h week r i g h t t h r o u g h t o t h e F e a s t of T a b e r n a c l e s . - - S t a n l e y R . Rader

NEW HWA RADIO & TV PROGRAMMING

The e d i t i n g o f M r . H e r b e r t Armstrong's f i r s t h a l f - h o u r t e l e v i s i o n program w a s completed on J u n e 16. A s w i t h any new e n d e a v o r , t h e f i r s t program t o o k a g r e a t d e a l more t i m e and e f f o r t , s i n c e t h e c r e w w a s d e a l i n g w i t h a n e n t i r e l y new p r o d u c t . For example, a new logo o r i n t r o d u c t i o n had t o b e produced, as w e l l as a n a p p r o p r i a t e commercial and e n d i n g .

Armstrong and Mr. Rader seemed pleased w i t h t h e r e s u l t s of t h e f i r s t h a l f - h o u r program, which w i l l b e g i n a i r i n g i n J u l y . Subsequent programs s h o u l d b e markedly i n p r o v e d o v e r t h e f i r s t . W e w i l l have b o t h 3/4" v i d e o c a s s e t t e and 1 / 2 " Betamax tapes a v a i l a b l e f o r any m i n i s t e r F i l m copies who would d e s i r e t o see one of t h e h a l f - h o u r programs. are not available a t t h i s t i m e . Send y o u r r e q u e s t s t o t h e TV S t u d i o .
Both M r .

A l l m o n i t o r s w i l l r e c e i v e updated i n f o r m a t i o n as new t i m e s l o t s are purchased f o r t h e t e l e c a s t of t h e new h a l f - h o u r H.W.A. programming. Hope t o have a l i s t i n g of r a d i o and T.V. a v a i l a b l e f o r t h e n e x t report.

W e a r e p r e s e n t l y p r e p a r i n g commercials f o r t h e proposed spot campaign

t o b e g i n s o m e t i m e i n J u l y , a d v e r t i s i n g v a r i o u s b o o k l e t s s u c h a s "Modern Romans" and o t h e r s . Perhaps a d v e r t i s i n g w i l l a l s o be c o n s i d e r e d f o r 0 t h e P l a i r ! T r u t h magazine. More on t h i s a s p l a n s d e v e l o p . --John Lundberg, TV P r o d u c t i o n

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS I N EDITOEIIAL S E R V I C E S Good news a b o u t t h e P L A I N TRUTH! W e now have M r . H e r b e r t A r m s t r o n g ' s a p p r o v a l t o proceed w i t h an a d d i t i o n a l 16-page b i b l i c a l s i g n a t u r e of copy f o r t h e PT!

-14-

T h i s w i l l b e of enormous h e l p t o t h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l s . W e w i l l now b e a b l e t o p u t t h e PT t o g e t h e r i n v a r i o u s ways t o s u i t r e g i o n a l needs and y e t r e t a i n c o m p a t i b i l i t y of p r i n t i n g . Each month w e w i l l prepare f o u r , s e l f - c o n t a i n e d s i g n a t u r e s of copy, o n e of which w i l l be e n t i r e l y m i c a l . W e w i l l then p u t t h e s e t o g e t h e r i n varous configurations c o n s i d e r i n g l o c a l and r e g i o n a l n e e d s .

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W e w i l l be r u n n i n g some of t h e o l d stand-by r e p r i n t a r t i c l e s by M r . A r m s t r o n g ' a n d o t h e r s i n t h i s s i g n a t u r e . These W i l l i n c l u d e a r t i c l e s on t h e h o l y d a y s , t i t h i n g , and prophecy. W e w i l l emphasize m a t e r i a l t h a t w i l l b e of b e n e f i t t o prospectives as w e l l as t o church members.

You w i l l a l s o n o t e t h a t Dexter F a u l k n e r i s r u n n i n g some b i b l i c a l material i n t h e GN for m e m b e r s . So w e now have found ways t o f i l 1 , i n t h e gap i n o u r l i t e r a t u r e programs w i t h r e g a r d t o b i b l i c a l and churcho r i e n t e d materials.
The s p e c i a l b i b l i c a l s i g n a t u r e w i l l be s e n t a u t c m a t i c a l l y t o a l l members

and co-workers w o r l d w i d e . V a r i o u s r e g i o n a l managers w i l l have t h e o p t i o n The main of d e c i d i n g j u s t who e l s e may r e c e i v e t h i s s p e c i a l s i g n a t u r e . * c o n s i d e r a t i o n , of c o u r s e , w i l l be b u d g e t a r y .

W e are t e n t a t i v e l y p l a n n i n g o n b e g i n n i n g w i t h t h e October-November U.S. edition.

--Brian

Knowles, E d i t o r i a l S e r v i c e s

P U B L I S H I N G SERVICES UPDATE Our b u d g e t s a r e now i n and Ray Wright and h i s t e a m have t h e job o f making e v e r y t h i n g f i t . T h i s 1978/79 b u d g e t shows t h e l a r g e s t s i n g l e y e a r l y i n c r e a s e ever i n o u r P u b l i s h i n g Pro-

du ct i o n budget. T h i s h a s been c a u s e d mainly by t h e r i s e i n p o s t a g e , p a p e r and p r i n t i n g costs. W e hope t o do m o r e t h i s year i n s p i t e of i n f l a t i o n t a k i n g i t s t o l l . You w i l l see f r o m B r i a n Knowles comments t h a t t h e PT is now t o have a f o u r t h s i g n a t u r e of 1 6 p a g e s c o n t a i n i n g m o r e r e l i g i o u s material. Even though i t does mean e x t r a work and c o o r d i n a t i o n w i t h o u r p r i n t e r s b o t h here and o v e r s e a s , w e are e a g e r t o s t a r t working w i t h B r i a n ' s department on t h i s . As B r i a n mentioned, w e i n t e n d t o d e s i g n f o u r ( 4 ) selfc o n t a i n e d s i g n a t u r e s so t h a t w e c a n assemble from these 16-page s e c t i o n s a magazine which w i l l s u i t t h e d i f f e r e n t areas of readership. For example: The newsstand magazine which i s t w o s i g n a t u r e s , 32 pages, h a s t o be p u t t o g e t h e r remembering t h a t t h e s e people are f i r s t t i m e readers we d o n ' t want t o h i t t h e m w i t h s t r o n g m e a t s t r a i g h t off. W e o b v i o u s l y would n o t g i v e them a r e l i g i o u s s e c t i o n . The new s e c t i o n w i l l a l s o g r o v e t o be v e r y h e l p f u l t o q u i t e a l a r g e s e c t i o n of o u r r e g u l a r PT l i s t who nay r e q u e s t more r e l i g i o u s m a t e r i a l t h a n i n t h e r e g u l a r P l a i n T r u t h . These readers c a n now b e progressed so Richard Rice's area can p i c k up w i t h t h e i r subscriber m a i l i n g s . Things a r e l o o k i n g good f o r t h e P l a i n T r u t h c o n t e n t . W e s n o u l d be s e e i n g an i n c r e a s e i n r e a d e r involvement and growth o v e r t h e months t o come.

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W a r e p r e p a r i n g t o s t a r t p r o d u c t i o n of t h e new 16-page s e c t i o n w i t h e t h e October/November e d i t i o n , b u t a l o t w i l l depend on t h e a v a i l a b i l i of paper. W e may have t o use a totally d i f f e r e n t t y p e of paper, a f i b e r o r p u l p s t o c k . Something l i k e t h e P o t e n t i a l s e c t i o n of Q u e s t . --Roger L i p p r o s s , P u b l i s h i n g S e r v i c e s