The Elijah Book

Epilogue

By Alton B. (Don) Billingsley

Now it becomes necessary to bring to a conclusion this writing bearing on the missions of the Three Men who each bore the name of Elijah, though the last two were only in the Spirit and Power of Elijah while having their own individual names (Luke 1:17).

The Purpose Of This Book

The purpose of this book began forming in my mind shortly after the Feast of Tabernacles while on a visit in the United Kingdom on Novembers 6, 2003. This is also when I began my preliminary writing on this subject.

It has taken these many years to bring all the chapters together with needed edits and updates, but thanks to our good and wonderful God, it is finally completed and will be posted on our website.

My intent in this writing has been to touch on the many aspects that relate both indirectly and directly to the missions of all three men, the Three Elijahs, fallible men (James 5:17-18), but nevertheless each one was used greatly by God in their respective missions.

The writing of the twenty chapters in this Book was for the sole purpose of using it as another means of trying to reach out to the members of God’s Church, and the peoples of Israel, with the hope of helping them before it comes to be too late! It should be known that Jesus Christ works through His chosen instruments, whether great or small, to accomplish His purpose.

The Three Elijah’s Writings ties in with what God tells us through the Book of Habakkuk—written primarily for the time of the end.

This can easily be seen when this book is matched with what is written in Habakkuk and compare them both with what can be witnessed in today’s world.

Viewing these present evil times in vision, and the newly Revived Roman Empire who will conquer and trample the Church of God, and the nations of Israel, moved Habakkuk to cry out to God to not only do the work He had used Mr. Armstrong to do in his life-time work, but also through his Recorded Works, Habakkuk cried out for—a REVIVAL of the Work of God (Habakkuk 1:5-11, 2:3).

In this book, I have faithfully tried to show a correlation through each of the 20 chapters the Work of these three men, and how their missions have tied in with each other, while focusing primarily on the Work of the end-time Elijah for this is the time of the end – a terrible time that will have a most terrible impact on the Church of God, the House of Israel, and the world.

This can be understood by following the story thread from the first chapter to the final chapter.

It is well realized the continuation of this Work of the Elijah that Jesus Christ is using us as His instrument to do is incredibly unbelievable to all of the Corporate Churches, large or small, due to our very small size (Habakkuk 1:5), therefore we are ignored.

One leader of a larger Corporate Church called us “A Faithful Splinter” – unworthy of being noticed! This fits with God says about our small size (Habakkuk 1:5).

It is only the relatively few who see this is the Congregation Jesus Christ is now using to do His Work and have become a part of it.

Neither did the Work of Elijah capture the attention of Israel until the gathering of many of the leaders of Israel at Mount Carmel, due to the summons of Elijah through King Ahab, and upon seeing the miracle of God during the sacrificial offering (I Kings 18:36-39).

The work of John the Baptizer did capture the attention of the people in Judah due to hearing the rumors about his miraculous birth (Luke 1:7; 65-66), hearing his preaching, wearing a prophet’s hairy garment (Matthew 3:4), the long hair of a Nazarite (Luke 1:15; Numbers 6:1-5)), while living in the wilderness eating honey and wild locusts.

A number of them were even baptized by him (Matthew 3:5-6).

But the scribes and Pharisees refused to acknowledge John as a prophet of God because of the message he preached about the Messiah and of the need of repentance.

Had they acknowledged him, they would have had to believe what he said about the Messiah when he baptized Him as being the Lamb of God, the Savior of the world (John 1:29-34).

Instead, they rejected both John and the Messiah! John was martyred; and the Sanhedrin and Jewish people caused the Messiah to be crucified by the Roman Army.

Jesus Christ called the scribes and the Pharisees hypocrites for they knew from the 70 weeks prophecy and the timing of it (Daniel 9:24-27), the Messiah would make His appearance among mankind as God in the human flesh at that very time: “Emmanuel”, God with us (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7).

They also knew and admitted He had come from heaven:

John 3:1-2 There was man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews (Sanhedrin). This man came to Jesus by night (not wanting to be seen going to Jesus) and said to Him, “Rabbi, WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE A TEACHER COME FROM GOD; for NO ONE can do these SIGNS (miracles) that YOU DO unless God is with him.”

It is as Jesus said, they were hypocrites. (Matthew 23:27-36).

The same is true about Mr. Armstrong! Deep in the hearts of the evangelists, pastors, and all others who have gone off-track, they could not help but know he fulfilled the office of the Elijah for there was no one else, nor since, that did all the things that Jesus Christ said he would use him to do!

Ironically, the evangelists even purchased and gave him an expensive Elijah Cup some few years before he died.

Had they admitted Mr. Armstrong did fulfill the office of the Elijah, they would then have had to fully believe the teachings Jesus Christ restored through him as being true, including the government of God, and obedience to it.

These men have permitted themselves to become blinded to the real truth about God’s use of him (Romans 11:8, as did the religious Jewish leaders in that former time)! As the result, they voiced the need of going back and taking a hard look at all of the Restored Teachings they themselves had taught and preached over many years as being true, after 1986, and 1995. What would Jesus Christ call them?

Then they began tweaking, changing, improving on those teachings to the point of discarding those with which they did not agree while implementing the Pagan Teachings of Satan the devil through Jezebel in their teachings (Revelation 2:20-21).

A Brief Refresher of the Purpose of this Book:

1. God’s Chosen People Israel: From chapter 1 to chapter 20 of this book, one should be able to see the beginning of the toboggan slide of the House of Joseph, and in particular this nation, to where it has now reached bottom. A time that matches that of Elijah being used by the LORD God to witness against the ancient nation of Israel (I Kings 17:1; 18:18).

God is very angry, and because of it, we are now at the very door of seeing the closure of this evil age in many ways (Galatians 1:4). Just as the LORD God brought to a close the pre-Flood world of Noah, because of their bottom level of sin, so is He in the final stages of bringing this present world to a close.

However due to the continued LOVE that God has for His Church and for His people Israel, He first WARNS of any major single disaster to come upon His people (Amos 3:7).

And during the past 78 years Jesus Christ has used His end-time Elijah in life and through his Recorded Works on our websites to continually WARN Israel of our time just as He had used Elijah in that ancient time.

And this is the purpose of this book to make known that God has indeed used these three men at alternate times to warn of the terrifying times coming on this world unless there is repentance.

2. The Church of God: While touching on the Seven Church Eras in the writings of this book, it has been seen how God’s true people have had to endure strong deception, persecution, and martyrdom through the ages because of following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ in a personal relationship with Him, in faith and belief, while clinging firmly to the same teachings that Jesus Christ taught His early disciples without compromise.

Teachings for the most part that were lost through the centuries, but were restored by Jesus Christ through His promised Elijah of the end-time in His Philadelphia Church of God Era as He promised (Malachi 4:4-6; Matthew 17:10-11).

The Elijah writings are very important for God’s true people today for the needed understanding of seeing Satan’s world as it really is and know the end result. That is why He has used me in writing them.

Though they could have been completed some few years ago, it appears that Jesus Christ did not put in in my mind to use them as Pastor’s Comments until a few short weeks ago, and by doing this, put the pressure on me to bring them to completion.

Knowing how so very close we are to the severity of the Famine and Disease Epidemics in which 200 million people will die in this country alone! — Then to be followed almost directly afterwards by the Great Tribulation, Nuclear Warfare, captivity, murder of millions, and slavery for the survivors, Jesus Christ is still sending out the WARNING to try and WAKE UP the Church and Israel before these terrible calamities come to pass! Amos 3:7.

How much longer will the warning continue is highly questionable?

A Massive Slaughter

Sadly, prophecy implies only Ten Percent of the nations of Israel will survive the Great Tribulation (Amos 5:3; Isaiah 6:13; (Zechariah 13:8-9; Ezekiel 7:1-4).

Scripture also reveals the Sardis and Laodicean Churches will suffer a Martyrs Death at the hands of a merciless enemy (Revelation 6:9-11).

Though there were many years difference between the missions of the Three Elijahs, yet their missions were alike in their efforts to try and save Israel, and all of civilization from being completely destroyed.

The Messages of the Three Elijahs were one and the same for each generation in which they were to preach: Repent, or perish!

Preparing the People of God

Shortly before he died, Mr. Armstrong commissioned the ministry to prepare the people for the coming of Jesus Christ back to this earth.

Among the approximate Seven Thousand members who are presently scattered here and there, (Romans 11:4-7), undoubtedly there are other true and faithful elders who are shepherding their small flocks, men who are fully on track with the truth, obeying the government of God, without seeking their own fame and gain, and I applaud and pray for them (Ezekiel 34; Jeremiah 23).

However, I know of no other who meets the same criteria and is being used by Jesus Christ as He is now using us s His instrument to do the end-time Work.

Why You and Me?

I sometimes think of the higher-ranking ministers who are leaders of the more prominent Churches of God, and feel strongly they are the ones who should be sounding the trumpet warnings to the membership and not this small Congregation.

Though I tried to get evangelists to do it after the scattering in 1995, but no one heeded my suggestions. Even now, they could be of immense help to their members if they were to get back on track. To fail them will bring about a heavy price to pay knowing that we as ministers will be held to a much greater accountability (James 3:1; I Corinthians 9:16-18)

It is realized it would be a real test of faith for any of them to leave churches where they have employment, salaries, insurance, benefits, leased cars, friends— and for some retirement benefits— and then trust Jesus Christ to provide for them.

I know Christ would provide for them from personal experience for after I departed I lost all of the same things they now have and Jesus Christ has taken care of me; I do now have a salary but none of the other benefits; and that has not presented any problem for Christ is providing for me.

A few years ago I was offered once again all those benefits by Mr. Meredith if I were to become part of his Church. I was also offered retirement from the Worldwide Church of God (1995), and later, the United Church of God. I rejected the offers made by each of them.

These men with their families are in a comfort zone. To leave would mean taking heat from those they leave behind and that would be hard. But to fully follow Christ this all of us must do! We must love God and Jesus Christ—and the TRUE Teachings— more than anyone or anything else, and suffer, if need be because of it (Matthew 22:37; Luke 14:25-35).

Because no one else would step into the gap (Ezekiel 22:30), Jesus Christ has used this little flock and my wife and me as His instrument to do what all of the others have failed to do. And since they are failing in all of these areas, we feel the pressing need to do all Jesus Christ enables us to do while continuing to uphold and keep these teachings before the membership before it comes to be too late!

The Three Elijah’s Book

It must be emphasized that in view of all of the foregoing twenty chapters in this book, we should clearly see how society has not only become wretchedly worse since the 1950s, but progressively so abominably bad in God’s sight in these past few years, He has involved Himself in beginning to bring this age to a terrible climatic closure.

History has a way of repeating itself and this can clearly be seen in our time! It is the same as in the time of the other two Elijahs. My effort throughout these writings has been to make this clear as possible to the readers.

And due to the loyalty, faithfulness, and endurance of God’s true people of the Philadelphia Era, while doing all Christ enables us to do in trying to reach out and help people through all the avenues He has made possible, there a promise from Jesus Christ of safekeeping from these soon-coming horrors, and to no other.

It will not be much longer before the word comes from God’s true and faithful minister of God, that it is time to flee Babylon:

Revelation 18:4-5 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her My people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.”

This will be the time for people this side of the Atlantic Ocean to leave for the place Jesus Christ will have provided for His true and faithful people. Some have asked about the means of the needed transportation? In a Bible study one night Mr. Armstrong commenting on this question, with Revelation 12:14 in mind, said, “It does say fly!”

With this soon coming time in mind, let us consider this flight in view of Elijah being supernaturally removed from the death threat of Jezebel and set down in another part of Israel.

Similarities of the Departure of the Three Elijahs

Then it happened, as they (Elijah and Elisha) continued on and talked, A CHARIOT OF FIRE appeared with HORSES OF FIRE and separated the two of them, AND ELIJAH WENT UP BY A WHIRLWIND (tornado like wind) INTO HEAVEN (II Kings 2:13).

Ten years later, Elijah re-appeared by way of a letter sent to King Jehoram of Judah (reigned 850-843 B. C.); he wrote a stern warning to Jehoram that the LORD would strike his people with a serious affliction and the king himself would be struck with a disease of the bowels until his intestines would fall out unless he repented (II Chronicles 21:12-19). He didn’t!

Some few years later Israel went into captivity to Assyria and removed from their promised land (II Kings 17:5-23). Judah went into captivity to Babylon and removed from their promised land in 604-585 B. C.

The death of John the Baptizer: He was martyred in 29 A. D. after having preached strong warnings to Israel, Judah, Benjamin, and Levi, while preparing the way of the Messiah. What he preached then was recorded in Holy Scripture and is there for all Israel to read today (Matthew 3:1-12; Luke 3:20-21; John 1:19-36) .

Thirty-nine years after Christ was crucified Judah went into captivity in 70 A. D.

Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong died January 16, 1986. And with his death, Christ placed a hold on the preaching of the Gospel at that particular time for He would not use an apostate who replaced him to continue with it.

In 2006, Mr. Armstrong reappeared, though dead, via of his Restored Works— with the last ditch-warning 20 years, 2 X 10, after his death by the use of websites made possible by satellites. Soon the nations of Israel will suffer a similar fate from the Revived Roman Empire. (The number 10 has the meaning of a new beginning.)

Satan like a Roaring Lion

Scripture makes known that Satan the devil is very angry with this little flock knowing Jesus Christ is using us as His instrument to try and WARN the Church and Israel of what is soon coming to pass! And like a roaring lion he is seeking to destroy this little flock along with all of God’s true people:

Revelation 12:13-16 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he PERSECUTED the woman (Church – the ELECT) who gave birth to the Man Child.

But THE WOMAN WAS GIVEN TWO WINGS OF A GREAT EAGLE (flight on passenger planes) into the wilderness (out of view by hiding – similar to Elijah being taken to another part of Israel in hiding from Jezebel – out of view of the persecutors and the Beast Power) INTO HER PLACE (as that of Elijah) for three and one/half years.

God makes it very plain that it is only the members of the Philadelphia Era who will escape the coming martyrdom (Revelation 3:10; 12:14)! And in that same letter God makes known WHY they will be counted worthy to be graced with His protection during the horrible times just ahead of us (Revelation 3:8, 10)!

The Coming Martyrdom

Scripture makes known those from the Sardis and Laodicean Eras will have to experience the horrifying agony and pain unto a Martyrs Death during this coming time of Great Tribulation, and will number into the many thousands!

This alone is cause for self-examination in view of the prophetic warnings (II Corinthians 13:5); as well as the parting warnings by God’s late apostle:

Mystery of the Ages, page 262, Mr. Armstrong

"It is the duty of God’s TRUE ministers (and how scarce today) to PROTECT the begotten but yet unborn saints from false doctrines, from false ministers."

The Mortal Danger of Indifference

Satan led Adolph Hitler to comprehend and use to his advantage the understanding of indifference when he reigned over Germany. Notice what he said: "How fortunate for governments that the people they administer don't think." --- Adolph Hitler

This book is designed for the reader to THINK, use his or her mind in seeing through the very real advanced dangers in this country of the continued slide into the morass of abominable sins, along with being vigilant to the deceptive traps set by Satan’s instruments while learning to think and see these things for one’s self!

Sobering, frightening, and sorrowful!!! This is the only real feeling one can have once it is understood what God is saying through these prophetic writings while having in mind the Great Tribulation is just ahead along with the prophesied martyrdom of saints (Revelation 6:9-11)!

If Mr. Armstrong were alive today, he would be shouting at the top of his voice with the warning to Israel and to the Church of what is just before us – the soon-coming terrible problems to befall the House of Joseph and other nations of Israel – while also seeing Church of God members in grave danger of being entrapped by this world’s evils and caught up in the plagues to befall them (Revelation 18:4).

A coming time so bad there has been no equal nor will there be afterwards (Matthew 24:21-22; Daniel 12:1).

It is truly sad to realize that virtually all members in all Churches of God are unaware of how close this is to becoming reality; and as the result failure for not seeing a real need of a close and abiding relationship with God and Jesus Christ (Revelation 3:11-21). There is also the warning regarding the many who are taking their salvation for granted, and possibly waking up too late (I Corinthians 10:14; II Corinthians 13:5).

A Closing Plea—Brethren, I am pouring my heart out to you – in writing and in sermons trying desperately hard to try and help you before it comes to be too late!

I love and pray daily for God’s mercy for all of you. And I implore you – please read the MYSTERY OF THE AGES – with your Bible, and take the appropriate action while there is yet time (Romans 13:11; John 9:4).

There is great need for all of us to have A REAL REVERENT FEAR OF God knowing well that we are now being judged by Him (I Corinthians 13:5; I Peter 1:17).

Having the REVERENT FEAR OF GOD should lead to full obedience to Him – and then escape from the coming horrors, afterwards being blessed to be able to stand before the awesome and glorified Jesus Christ at His coming (Luke 21:36). It is my fervent prayer this will come to pass with each of us! However the choice is individually ours to make; no one else can do it for you or me (Romans 14:10).

As we draw closer to the fulfillment of the end-time prophecies of Jesus Christ, I have great concern for the thousands of members who were once of us; many of whom I have known personally over the 58 years as a member of God’s true Church; and a minister for 53 years.

Over seven years, I have been writing letters in the Journal News Paper (Based in Big Sandy, Texas) trying very hard to get the members who read my writings to re-read the original unedited MYSTERY OF THE AGES, the last book Mr. Armstrong wrote, in the last year of his life, to aid all— “. . . to contend earnestly for the FAITH which was ONCE FOR ALL DELIVERED to the saints” (Jude 3-4; II Peter 2:1-3).

Hardly anyone even responds. Sadly, the day will soon come when many will wish they had returned to the fullness of the Faith of Jesus Christ with belief and their whole heart. It is enough to make a person want to cry for them as did Jeremiah for Judah knowing what was going to take place with them, and no one would listen to him (Jeremiah 8:21-22; 9:1). Instead they placed him in prison.

A World Spinning Out of Control

Can we NOT see the continued downward spiraling of this world out of control? By watching world and national news, it is easy to see the end-time is now very close! Records are continually being broken by the fury of nature (Ezekiel 7:6-7). And the frequency of them is coming much closer together!

Soon, very soon, will be the Famine and Disease Epidemics, then Nuclear Warfare to destroy the House of Israel. Afterwards, the survivors will either be brutally killed or enslaved by other nations – so says the Almighty God (Ezekiel 5:12-17).

As bad as all this will be—the Lake of Fire will be far worse! All those who will be thrown into it will become ashes under the feet of the righteous— never to live again (Malachi 4:1, 3; Revelation 20:13-15).

The thought of this possible fate for you or me should put enough REAL REVERENT FEAR in us to re-examine ourselves as to where we are, what we have come to believe, and then make the needed corrections before it comes to be too late.

The Closing of the Three Elijah’s Book

Writing this epilogue closes this book of the Three Elijahs with its historical and present day writings with a plea for all of us to do all we can to prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ back to this earth with the hope and faith all of us must have to be graced to stand before His awesome and great glory (Ephesians 2:1-10).

Humbly, I thank our God and Jesus Christ for using one such as me in writing this book. I have learned much from it; my hope is that it will help all of you as well. It is an awesome blessing to be in the service of our wonderful caring Father and our Savior and Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, our Lord, and to have a lovely wife to aid me in critiquing the often needed edits in it.

Your friend and servant in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior,

Don Billingsley

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