January 16, 2011

“In Remembrance”

Twenty-five years ago, January 16, 1986, God’s apostle and the Elijah to come, Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong, died.

From the Internet: Mr. Armstrong's burial plot lies between his mother, Eva Wright Armstrong (1866-1961), and his wife, Loma Dillon Armstrong (1891-1967). Mr. Armstrong's son Richard (1928-1958), who died in an auto accident, is buried on the other side of Mrs. Loma Armstrong. None of the burial plots have headstones, only foot stones....

In Remembrance

How many members of yesteryear even remember him, let alone remember him as one who fulfilled his mission as one sent from God to RESTORE His true doctrinal teachings, preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God, while sounding the Ezekiel warning message of the horrendous events to soon come upon Israel and the world in this end-time -- due to their rejection of Him and His holy righteous laws?

Such horrors as this world has ever seen before or ever will again, so said Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:21-22; Daniel 12:1); it will be the great and dreadful day of the Lord (Malachi 4:5).

Sadly very few remember him in this manner.

The Ministry has Rejected Him

Even longtime ministers will not speak of him before their congregations in a positive manner as one who was used by God; and that we should believe and teach ALL of those teachings we had learned from him.

Based on beliefs, teachings, and fruits, the few who do are using him with the appearance of doing so for fame and gain.

The truth is many want to forget their memories of him. They are actually afraid of him! To remember and speak of him honorably could be painful for he connects with the truth he taught and they no longer agree with some of those truths and rulings he made.

Teaching the fullness of the TRUTH to His people, while also sounding the Ezekiel warning message would set them apart as a virtual leper from their fellow ministers and members.

They could not take that chance. The risk would be too great!

From what I have learned from knowledgeable sources, and my own knowledge, from listening to taped sermons, etc., all of the evangelists and pastors had accepted in part some of the pagan beliefs and teachings from the apostate leadership of the Worldwide Church of God, which included: born again now, and some accepted the trinity..

The apostate leaders were wolves in sheep’s clothing and deceived many!

This deception crept up on the whole Church during those years; and it is still in effect on the almost 750 corporate churches today (Jude 4).

Their members can no more see it today than they could to the awakening of the realization that the leader and his administration were being used by Satan the devil during those years with the intention of destroying the true flock of God. The deception by Satan continues.

A Door Was Open

God makes known the opportunity was before anyone of the larger corporate Churches to fully walk in the footsteps of Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong – regarding beliefs and teachings – but all failed to take advantage of that opportunity in 1995.

Just before the United Church of God was formed, I told Mr. Dennis Luker on the phone that this was now a golden opportunity to go back to 1986 and pick up where Mr. Armstrong had left off.

It did not happen!

The Bible teaches us a great deal about duality and types. With this in mind consider what took place at the time just before Moses died and compare his death with the death of Mr. Armstrong.

Moses and Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong

Moses went up from the steppes of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the summit of Pisgah, opposite Jericho, and the LORD showed him the whole land (the promised land of milk and honey). . . . And the LORD said to him, “This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, ‘I will assign it to your offspring.’ I have let you SEE IT with your own eyes, but you shall NOT cross over it.”

So Moses the servant of the LORD died there, in the land of Moab, at the command of the LORD. . . . Moses was 120 years old when he died (Deuteronomy 34:1, 4-5, NJPS).

Duality: Mr. Armstrong was also an old man. As with Moses, he was denied the blessing from God of living over into the new world having died some few years before the return of Jesus Christ. However he did see the new world through the writings in Scriptures; he wrote of that new world and even entitled his radio programs, “The Wonderful World Tomorrow”.

Joshua and Today’s Ministry

Where Did the Leadership Go Wrong in 1995?

To grasp what the leadership should have done in 1995, and failed to do, can be learned from past history from which Holy Scripture makes known. In his writings about the departure of Israel from Egypt and their many problems, the apostle Paul wrote:

“Now all these things happened to them ‘AS EXAMPLES’, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends (destinations, goals, purposes) have come (I Corinthians 10:11).

The apostle Paul further wrote— “For whatsoever things were written before were written for ‘OUR LEARNING’, that we through the patience (margin: perseverance) and comfort of the Scriptures might have HOPE” (Romans 15:4).

Moses and Joshua

When we compare these two Scriptures with what took place at the time of Moses’ death, and read the instruction the Lord gave to Joshua, we can see a direct parallel with what took place after the death of Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong, and in retrospect, can know why the leadership of today has been rejected!

They should have followed this written Scriptural exhortation from Christ through His apostle Paul while searching for an example from the Holy Bible as to what they should have done at that time. And there was a direct one with the death of Moses and Joshua— which in type were they— after the death of Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong.

The LORD to Joshua—

Joshua 1:1-2 “. . . the LORD spoke to Joshua . . . Moses’ assistant (Mr. Armstrong’s assistants— the evangelists), saying: “Moses My servant is dead (God’s servant, Mr. Armstrong in our time, January 16, 1986). Now therefore, ‘ARISE’ (in type: one or more of the evangelists— meaning: Take your leadership position!

What really happened in 1995?

Global Church of God/Living Church of God

One long-tenured evangelist did stand up and began the Global Church of God in January 1993, but failed due to human reasoning while trying to develop a following by having a collegiate type church government. And though this was changed later, elders and members who have left that corporate church have made known some of the doctrinal teachings that have been liberalized and some changes have been made in them. He does not believe Mr. Armstrong was the promised Elijah of the end-time.

Worldwide Church of God

Just prior to the scattering in 1995, I called Dr. Herman Hoeh on the telephone and said that because of his long tenure he logically would be the leader of the Church. He replied, “I will NOT stand up just to be counted!” And he didn’t!

Later on, I asked if he were going to remain there with that Church. He replied that he had his responsibilities with the widows and was also a member of the board. I then asked if his vote would mean that much—make a difference. He replied there were other ways to do it.

Sadly, he remained there until his death. I am convinced he would be alive today had he stood up to be counted and had taken the reins of the leadership following fully in the steps of Mr. Armstrong.

United Church of God

The other evangelists and pastors of the United Church of God also failed for lack of faith when they chose the wrong government and over time have walked away from major doctrinal teachings. They are presently splitting into two or more groups.

Church of God, AIC

One evangelist left the United Church of God and chose right government for his new corporate church but rejected major teachings.

The Philadelphia Church of God

A pastoral leader accepted most of the doctrinal teachings, but chose over time to elevate himself by taking unto himself grandiose lofty titles; among them one that only belongs to Jesus Christ – his claim that he is THAT PROPHET.

Restored Church of God

Another pastoral leader has proclaimed himself as an apostle. From what is being said he will train the Two Witnesses.

Other Corporate Churches

All the leaders of the five larger Churches have failed in one way or another! And all of the other self-proclaimed leaders have failed as well!

The Commission Then— and Now

Further, the LORD said to Joshua—

Joshua 1:2 “. . . Go over this river Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving them (Duality: Mr. Armstrong’s commission to all ministers before his death was to PREPARE the membership for the coming of Jesus Christ) — the children of Israel (The Church of God) . . . .

A Promise from the LORD to Joshua and the Leadership Today

The following promises from God would have been applicable to any or all of the evangelists after the death of Mr. Armstrong.

Joshua 1:5, 7 “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will NOT leave you NOR forsake you . . . Only be strong and very courageous, that you may OBSERVE to do ACCORDING TO ALL THE LAW (Soncino Commentary, ‘Law’— “It implies far more than ‘law’”, Restored law and doctrinal teachings, Malachi 4:5; Matthew 17:11), which My servant Moses commanded you; do NOT turn from it to the right hand OR to the left (do NOT change any of it nor compromise!), that you may prosper wherever you go.

Joshua 1:8 “This Book of the Law (law and doctrinal teachings) shall NOT depart from your mouth, but you shall MEDITATE in it day and night, that you MAY OBSERVE TO DO ACCORDING TO ALL THAT IS WRITTEN IN IT. For THEN you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success . . . Have I NOT commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do NOT be afraid . . .

God’s Rejection of the Ministers

The larger Corporate Churches of God have failed and been rejected because of the fear of losing members and income. Some refuse to preach strong doctrine, such as ‘born again’, the true meaning of physical sin that connects with the bread at Passover (Mystery of the Ages, Page 212)!

There is the wrongful teaching of a two-fold gospel, interracial marriage (Mystery of the Ages, Pages 293-294; 166-169, etc.)’ and also the fear of reinstating the makeup ruling knowing they would lose many members by so doing. It appears to be fame and gain!

King Saul of Israel

They should have learned from the example of the rejection of Saul being King over Israel due to his lack of obedience to God for FEAR of the people:

I Samuel 15:24, 26 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, BECAUSE I FEARED THE PEOPLE AND OBEYED THEIR VOICE.” . . . Samuel said to Saul, “. . . you have REJECTED the word of the LORD, and the LORD has REJECTED you from being king over Israel.”

Further, God said to Joshua—

Joshua 1:8 “. . . NOR be dismayed (when the going gets tough— loss of members and income with persecution), for the LORD is with you wherever you go.”

Not Too Late

It is not too late even now for an evangelist to humble himself with repentance and then stand up to be counted for Jesus Christ; but time is fast running out!

It is realized if one did -- other evangelists would look down and disdain such a man, but Christ would be very happy with him. We of faithful flock would be more than happy to come under the leadership of such a man if by his fruits would prove that Christ is now using him as did the disciples with the apostle Paul after his conversion.

Joshua a Servant of God

Throughout this Book, Joshua never sought an exalted position. Rather he chose to remain in the shadow and teachings of Moses. Because of his faithfulness and humility, The LORD God chose to begin exalting his leadership. Just before crossing the Jordan River—

Joshua 3:7 And the LORD said to Joshua, “This day I will BEGIN to magnify you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses so I will be with you.”

And God did; but Joshua never let this go to his head as we find before his death.

The Time of Joshua’s Death

Shortly before he died, Joshua gathered all of the tribes of Israel, the elders, judges, and officers and rehearsed their past history (Joshua 24:1); after which he said to them—

“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods (In our time: protestant beliefs, in part or in whole that have come into the corporate Churches of God, with human reason), BUT as for me and my house, we will SERVE the LORD.” [Further] Joshua said to the people, “You cannot serve the LORD (in a half-hearted way, Laodicean Revelation 3:7-22), FOR He is a Holy God. He is a JEALOUS God; He will NOT forgive your transgressions NOR your sins (as He did not do with King Saul; He will CLOSE the door to protection – Matthew 25:20). If you FORSAKE Him (now, or during the Great Tribulation) and (by doing so) serve other gods, then He will TURN and do you harm and CONSUME YOU, AFTER He has done you good” (Joshua 24:15, 19-20; Ezekiel 33:12-13).

A Respite between 1995 and 2006

There was an interval period of time between the years of 1995 and 2006 in which it would appear that Jesus Christ gave to the leadership to see if any one or more would RISE UP and stand in the open gap (Revelation 2:21.)

As far as I know not one did in true faithfulness!

United Church of God

Again, I personally appealed to a major leader just before the formation of the United Church of God by saying, “This is a golden opportunity to go back and pick up where we left off in 1986.” It did not happen nor was an effort made to do so in their formation in Indianapolis, IN in 1995. I know for I was there.

After their formation I again appealed to the leadership to begin sounding the Ezekiel warning message. Again, it did not happen.

I also wrote a document about observing the true Passover— and in that same document I made the point that only the apostles had the right to make changes in doctrinal teachings.

In response, I was told by the head of the doctrinal committee that Mr. Armstrong was not infallible. He was right, but neither were Abraham, Moses and Elijah (James 5:17-18), but Christ used them because they believed and obeyed God.

All of my appeals fell on unhearing ears.

After coming to see they were not going to make corrections of the errors in their doctrinal teachings, I gave up on them and left.

Church of God, AIC

Afterwards a few of us met with Mr. Hulme in a private meeting. After hearing him tell us that he would follow fully in the teachings of Mr. Armstrong we went with him. After some time I left because he began moving farther and farther away from the true doctrinal teachings.

I made known to him in a telephone conversation before I left letting him know where he was wrong. It did not help him.

It was reported to me that he said before his congregation in Pasadena that the reason I left was because I wanted to do everything the way Mr. Armstrong had done. He was right.

Faithful Flock Walking Alone

To remain faithful to the true doctrinal teachings we had no choice but to go it alone for there was no other that I knew of who was following fully in those teachings.

Because of Jesus Christ keeping me faithful in belief and doctrine, He chose to begin using this little flock at the Passover Season in 2006 by using others to place all of the doctrinal teachings that Christ used Mr. Armstrong to restore within His Church on the 14 websites that were freely and voluntarily given to me.

This would appear to have been the beginning of the final end-time warning to the Church and to Israel by Jesus Christ.

The Philadelphia Remnant Magazine

Shortly thereafter Christ used us to develop the most beautiful and meaningful magazine of all. It is a combination of the Plain Truth and the Good News, The Philadelphia Remnant.

It is dedicated to the memory of Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong and to the scattered membership of the faithful remnant of the Church of God. It is also used as an instrument of preaching the gospel and sounding forth the Ezekiel warning message in print.

This Work Was Prophesied

This Work is a continuation of the Work of God’s late apostle and His promised Elijah that spanned the years of 1934 to 1986. It was prophesied then and for now by one of God’s prophets, while using the Chaldeans as a type, and it was prophesied to take place shortly before the Restoration of the Roman Empire (Habakkuk 1:6-11)

“Look among the nations and watch— be utterly astounded! For I will WORK A WORK in your days! Which you would NOT believe, though it were told you.” (Habakkuk 1:5; Isaiah 5:12; Revelation 3:7-13).

Here at the very end the Work has been RENEWED by Jesus Christ. And it is being used as a CONDUIT by Him as a final WITNESS to the Church of God and the House of Joseph. Who would possibly believe Christ would use this tiny flock as His instrument to do His end-time work? No one!!!

About Us— Church of God, Faithful Flock—

About myself: I am only a Church pastor having been ordained by Mr. Armstrong in 1958. In 1991, I was transferred here to the Stockton-Modesto, California Church area to become the pastor by headquarters at the time.

After the fallout in 1995, and being sifted out from among different Corporate Churches by Jesus Christ so as not to be muzzled by anyone in His use of me in doing His Work, I am left with only a few local brethren and with ties to a few other members in different states and countries to be used by Christ until He closes the door (Revelation 3:7-8).

Because of preaching and writing boldly, we are not popular. Though this sorrows us, we are thankful that Jesus Christ has chosen to use us; and we try hard to please Him.

The Closing of the Door

Please know this open door could be closed almost any time now! This would mean the door being closed to the Gospel and the beginning of the famine of the word (Amos 8:11-12)! This could happen this year or in the next couple years or so! Time is very rapidly running out!

Indications in the news media point to a near collapse in our economy, critical food shortages, and other grave problems that could begin bringing down this nation to a standstill with very grave conditions facing all of us

The Gathering of the Scattered Philadelphia Remnant Members

.Soon Jesus Christ will begin bringing the 7,000 members or more together with us (Romans 11:2-5, 7); and with the pastor, whoever he might be at the time, just short of the time to flee to the place of safety (Revelation 3:7-13; 12:15-16).

Though we of faithful flock are far from being perfect, we do BELIEVE God our Father and Jesus Christ just as did Abraham, and as did God’s late apostle (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3). And BELIEVING means we continue to remain faithful to ALL of the doctrinal teachings as we were taught by Mr. Armstrong, and with Christ’s continued help we will continue doing the work He has chosen us to do; a Work that all others have been rejected from doing.

Little Time Left

Please know— the REJECTION of the ministry does not have to be final! However time is running out. Soon Christ will close the door that is yet open (Matthew 25:10; it then could be too late (Revelation 3:20).

Our heart-felt plea is for ANY evangelist to humble himself by repenting and then RISE UP as did Joshua for Jesus Christ and to walk in the fullness of His true teachings. Such a man would be loved by God our Father, and His beloved Son Jesus Christ. He will also be respected by all of God’s true people for so doing. And this is what will really count in the short time to come.

Become another Joshua – a True Servant of Jesus Christ.

This plea is also for all members to seriously evaluate themselves in view of the holy Bible – while using the unedited writing of the Mystery of the Ages to see where you now are and where you should be.

This BOOK was the last writing that Christ led him to write before he died to enable all of us to see the difference between the Satanic deceptive pagan teachings and the TRUTH— and remain faithful to it.

This is the legacy that Christ gave Mr. Armstrong to leave for His Church before he died, January 16, 1986.

Your friend and servant in Christ,

Don Billingsley

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