June 5, 2009

The SIGNS of the End-Time

“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, KNOW that it is near [real beginning of previous verses]—at the doors” (Matthew 24:32-34; Luke 21:29-32)

“Reflections While Focusing on the Future”

Dear Brethren,

Aside from my biography that can be found on our website (www.cog-ff.com), I thought it might be helpful to enable readers to get to know me better by writing some of my history from over the years I have been graced and blessed to serve some of God’s people.

This writing was prompted because of a very important anniversary in my life; Sunday, June 7, 1958, I was ordained by Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong to the office of local elder. I will be commemorating this on this coming Sunday, June 7, 2009.

There were three others who were also ordained along with me, Mr. Leroy Neff (local elder), Messrs. Allan Manteufel and Bryce Clark (both to the office of preaching elders).

Three of the four of us yet live; though we are in different Corporate Churches. Sadly, Mr. Manteufel died quite a few years ago.

The Number Seven

Though a number is not always significant to an individual anymore than is a name; however, a number as well as a name can sometimes prove to hold some meaning as Scripture makes known in the lives of some of God’s leaders as well as in some prophecies.

The number 7 has been a significant number in my life. This was my basketball number in school; June 7 was the month and day I left to come home from World War II on ship from France. However my most important date is that of my ordination into God’s ministry by Mr. Armstrong on June 7, 1958.

My home phone number has four sevens in it (209.772-0737. I did not choose it; the contractor who built our home found it necessary to put in a phone and this was the number given to him and I kept it when taking possession of our home.

A Needed Lesson

One time that date and number was used to teach me a needed lesson: I had always feared getting beat up by someone. And God permitted this to happen, June 7, 1968. A man had decided to kill the pastor and that would have included another elder and me who went to his home at his request for counsel.

His wife found the gun under a cloth on a table and removed it before we arrived. After talking to him a bit we were going to leave. However he grabbed the pastor by his arm and refused to let go. The pastor ordered the other elder and me to take his hands off of him.

This I did not want to do for I knew what would happen if we did. However, we obeyed the pastor and then the man turned on us with both fists while the pastor left. Then the elder saw an opportunity to leave and he did. This left the man swinging at me with both fists. Never once did we try to hit back for I knew what Jesus said that when someone strikes another on one cheek turn the other – do not retaliate -- vengeance belongs to God.

It was at this time God either sent an angel or some man in the neighborhood to have pity on me. For a man struck this violent man knocking him down. This gave me the opportunity to leave and I wasted no time in doing it.

From this experience God taught me a lesson not to fear but trust Him for deliverance; and He did. The man never really hurt me though he was strong and hit me numerous times. I followed boxing before being in the Church and I kept myself covered up as much as possible. His blows landed on my head and not on my face. The other elder got a black eye out of it.

There were numerous times that I had threats made on my life and intimidation by others but I was always delivered from them by Jesus Christ.

The Years of My Ministry

Looking back over those 51 years there are many memories, some good and joyful, others very sad and hard to bear.

The most difficult experience of all for me to bear was the automobile accident in which Mr. Richard D. Armstrong was fatally injured and died a few days later from it. I was the driver and it was my fault. That is what made it so terribly hard to bear.

Though it is hardly ever mentioned anymore—for some few years after the accident when meeting new members—the statement would be made: “Oh! You were the one in the accident with Mr. Dick Armstrong.” This always hurt! Though the memory is yet painful it has been lessened greatly over the 51 years (The accident occurred in 1958 shortly after my ordination while on a baptizing tour with him).

Why it hurt as much as it did was because he was more than a minister (an evangelist) to me; he was a close friend. When we met we hugged each other. He did a lot for me.

Of all of the many evangelists that I know and seriously question, having come to know him as I did, it is my belief he had God’s Spirit and I expect to see him in the resurrection when Jesus Christ returns to this earth.

My belief as to why God chose to let him die is answered in my writings of the Three Elijahs that is posted on our website (www.cog-ff.com).

The Beginning of a New Life in Christ Jesus

From the very beginning of my new life as one of God’s people in 1952, I had the desire to serve God’s people in any way that He made possible. He had graced me with a great love for Him and Jesus Christ and with it a love and desire to serve in any way possible and this has remained with me over all the years. I also told God that I would take advantage of any opportunity that was presented to me in serving Him and His people.

The love my deceased wife and I were given by God and Jesus Christ for Them and their true teachings has sustained us through all of the many problems of persecution, threats against my life, beating, duress while serving under unconverted ministers, hardships, etc. I have not nor will I compromise with those teachings.

This has cost this little flock Churches and numerous scattered members as well as members from our local Congregation here in Modesto, California.

The TRUTH of God meant everything to us. During the final days of the Worldwide Church of God, my wife and I sometimes discussed the possibility of being faced with the demand for change or be fired. We agreed if necessary we would go out on the street with a cup in our hands before we would give up the precious true teachings of God.

The day did come when I was called and told that I either had to be retired or fired. I could not stand the thought of not being able to serve God’s people with the true teachings. I chose a payoff rather than retirement. Because of my older age it was hard for the leadership in Pasadena to understand why I would not accept retirement.

I told Mr. David Hulme on a one to one meeting that I was very passionate about God’s true teachings. He said he knew this. Later, I had to leave him because of my love for those true teachings that I would not compromise.

From the very beginning of my new life as one of God’s people in 1952, now 57 years ago, I had the loving desire to serve God’s people in any way that He made possible. I also told God that I would take advantage of any opportunity that was presented to me in serving Him and His people.

My wife proved to be 50% of my ministry. She supported and encouraged me all through the years until her death. Now God has graced me with another wife, converted and very supportive in every way. I could not have expected more in a wife.

Though the thought never occurred to me, a problem that is now very rampant in the 450 Corporate Churches of God, I meant it to be within the framework of God’s government established by God through His late apostle Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong.

Relationships with People in the Church

After having been baptized and attending the Passover in Big Sandy, Texas in 1952, we realized there was the need of my resigning form my employment in Civil Service in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and moving to Pasadena where we could be at the apostle’s feet and learn the teachings of God.

The Early Years of the 1950s

The Church was very small at that time. The student body only numbered about 40 young men and women. The headquarters Church, including the student body, numbered about 75. The Bible study on Friday nights was attended by about 35 or 40 people.

I was graced by God by being offered employment as a chauffer for Ambassador College after the Feast of Tabernacles in 1953. This gave us the opportunity of auditing a number of classes by the teachers, including Mr. Armstrong.

We came to know the early pioneers of the Church. Some of them had been baptized in the latter 1940s. We came to be good friends with some of them—spending time with them on social occasions, camping, and visiting each other in our homes each week.

After My Ordination

After my ordination as an elder I was made the coordinator of the visiting program in 1958 and remained in that position until we were transferred to San Diego, California in 1960.

The years following, we were transferred from there to various Church areas: Fresno, California, Denver Colorado, Pittsburgh, PA, Big Sandy, Texas, Lawton, Oklahoma (my first pastorate), Fresno and Visalia, California, Baton Rouge, Lafayette LA, Midland, Texas and Hobbs, New Mexico, Stockton, California, and now in Modesto, California.

My deceased wife and I came to know thousands of people in the Churches we were graced and blessed by God to serve over the many years. This included many students in the Ambassador Colleges located in Pasadena, California (1953-1960) and Big Sandy, Texas (1969-1974).

The Falling Away and Scattering of God’s People

The years of 1994-5 brought very sad times in our lives for virtually all of those close friends of ours from those early pioneer years accepted the Protestant teachings along with thousands of other members. My wife and I would sit and talk about those we were closer to and relive some of the memories we spent together with them.

They were very lovely people in every way. It would have been unthinkable during those years that this could happen to all but a handful of people in comparison. But it did; and we grieved for them.

The Time of Testing and Purifying

Now we are in the time of testing and purifying to prove to God that we LOVE Him and His way of life more than kinships and friendships and our human lives as well (Luke 14:25-33; Matthew 22:37-39; 4:4; Daniel 12:10).

Brethren, the blessing of GOD’S LOVE for Him and Jesus Christ and their way of life is the only way any of us can survive the toughest trials that are just before us in the form of strong deception, famine and disease. Failing any of these tests, unless there is true godly repentance, then there is the Great Tribulation.

The apostle Paul reveals to us that—“LOVE NEVER FAILS” (I Corinthians 13:8). After making known the fruits of God’s Holy Spirit that are summed up by LOVE (verses 4-8; Galatians 5:22-23), he then implores us to—“PURSUE LOVE” (14:1).

Each day I pray for God’s love to be shed abroad throughout my heart by His Holy Spirit along with His Spirit of TRUTH and the needed wisdom and understanding to go with it (Romans 5:5; John 14:16-18;16:13; James 1:5; Proverbs 4:7).

This has kept me faithful over the many years and this will also keep you faithful as well the full distance regardless of whatever comes before us.

Though I could write volumes of God’s use of me over the many years hopefully what is written here will be of some help to you as well.

At the same time those of you have also been in the Church of God over many years could write volumes about your experiences as well. And you can use those from time to time to help and encourage God’s people in times of great need.

Your brother and servant in Christ Jesus our Lord,

Don Billingsley

http://bodyofchristonline.us/     http://cog-ff.com     http://www.ezekielwatchman.org/   http://worldnewsbulletin.com

The pictures above are intended for educational purposes only.
Brought to you by the Church of God Faithful Flock