Approximately 14 years ago, possibly 1990, I was in a meeting with a few of
our ministers and I presented an editorial to them from a newspaper that I
had passed on to me. The staff-writer wrote of his observance of what he was
seeing in Europe in connection with the prophetic writings of Mr. Armstrong
and his amazement of seeing them come to pass.
The editorial was met with what I felt to be a degree of
disrespect for the writer and what he had written. I was even more surprised
by their reaction for in reality I felt disrespect was shown toward Mr.
Armstrong as well.
Since that time we have witnessed the continued and growing
disrespect over the years and it continues to this day and time of the very
man God used to make known the truth to all of us, including them.
The book of Joshua gives an example of the respect we should
be showing to the memory of Mr. Armstrong as he was used by God.
In that book we can read how Joshua continued to walk in
Moses' footsteps without taking honor unto himself for the way God chose to
use him. Rather honor was continued to be shown to Moses though he was
dead. Because of his humility and obedience to God, He elevated Joshua to a
position of honor toward the end of the Book.
This is quite a paradox to say the least of our day and time.
To make the point of the acknowledgment of how God used Mr.
Armstrong by those outside the Church, I intend to first reproduce that
editorial and then bring what it says up to date through a recent writing by
another writer. Think about it:
Editorial: Free Press, P. O. Box
362 Thursday, December 7, 1989
Hendersonville,
Tenn. 37077-0362
By David P. Johnson
Free Press Staff
What else was Armstrong right about?
“Like a great many Americans, I have been watching the
current political situation in East Germany with interest.
While many have expressed surprise at the recent events and
at East and West Germany, I have to admit I haven’t been too surprised by
these events.
The reason I haven’t been particularly surprised is that for
years I have occasionally read the publications of a Pasadena, Calif., based
church called the Worldwide Church of God. Its founder, the late Herbert
Armstrong, who remained the active chancellor of that church until he was in
his nineties, wrote a number of articles and booklets on the subject of
German unification and what he called “a United States of Europe.” He also
authored a book titled The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy.
Armstrong’s writings were often deemed unbelievable and
ridiculous by some critics, usually the leaders of protestant churches and
the Catholic church, but as I watch the tide of sweeping changes that have
enveloped East Germany in recent weeks, I am reminded of what now appears to
be some very accurate predictions Armstrong made about the future of Europe.
Armstrong predicted that the Berlin Wall would some day come
down and that the two German states would once again reunite into a powerful
nation. He also predicted that all the European countries would someday
unite in a new and powerful United States of Europe.
On top of all that, the church chancellor predicted a
resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire and that the United States of America
and Great Britain would someday fall before this United States of Europe.
Many of Armstrong’s predictions seemed to be based on an idea that Great
Britain and America are the nation of Israel the Holy Bible says will be
surrounded by enemies and which will lose the “pride of her power” and be
captured and enslaved by those enemies.
Of course, many predictions have been made about many human
events since man began recording his history and I certainly am not saying I
expect all of Herbert Armstrong’s predictions to come true, but I can’t help
but wonder at the fact that things are developing in East Germany the way
Armstrong predicted and I can’t help but wonder what else he might turn out
to be right about.”
> End of Editorial <
Comment: Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong began writing and speaking
about United Europe coming into focus from the very beginning of the Work
God gave him to do that covered a span of better than 50 years, from 1934
until his death in 1986. Some would have called him a man who was ahead of
his time.
Acknowledgment Continues —
As we should well know, what this writer wrote in his editorial, as he
termed it – the predictions of Mr. Armstrong – concerning the United
Nations of Europe, has made remarkable progress since that time and has
almost reached its fullness and at center stage.
It is also very interesting that a few are now begrudgingly admitting that
it was Mr. Armstrong who first made this known to the world in writing and
speaking over the airwaves of radio and later television.
This was brought to my attention very recently when a very interesting and
revealing news article was passed on to me regarding the continued
development of the nations in Europe continuing to work their way to the
point of Europe overshadowing the United States economically and militarily.
Though the writer did not go that far in his understanding, Scripture makes
known before the full unity can be achieved, the false religious leader, as
prophesied in several Scriptures, will have to appear and fully do what
these nations will be unable to do of themselves – unite those nations.
We will then see this false prophet bring to life the revitalized Holy Roman
Empire, as it has been called in past history, and then he will name the man
to head the 10 nations of Europe (Revelation 13:11-18; 17:12-13).
The article is well written with the limited understanding that he has in
regard to where it is really going and what it will do. However my purpose
in taking a few excerpts from it is to enable the reader to see his
acknowledgment of Mr. Armstrong having seen what is now taking place in
Europe many years ago – long before anyone else.
What makes it more interesting is the fact that he is a religious leader and
speaks of his religious world in this context.
In this article, this leading protestant writer wrote of what any number of
notable people who are now seeing and writing about the Euro and its threat
to the dollar, as well as foreseeing the Euro paving the way for the
unification of Europe and its desire to replace the United States as the
global superpower, economically and militarily.
(I seriously wonder if he is not studying the prophetic writings of Mr.
Armstrong, while viewing the development of events in Europe and the Middle
East, just as the staff-writer of the editorial reproduced above.)
In particular, please note his acknowledgment of Mr. Armstrong in his last
two paragraphs:
The Euro: Antichrist's Coin of the Realm?
by Gary Hedrick, CJF President–with Jonathan Singer (written late 2001)
Note the words of German foreign minister Joschka Fischer,
speaking against the euro two years ago: "The introduction of the single
currency is not primarily an economic but rather a sovereign and thus
eminently political act . . ." (London's Daily Telegraph, January 13, 1999).
That same year, the New Republic (January 25, 1999) strongly
cautioned the US and the UK regarding the euro: "[The French] seek to
convert a united Europe into an alternative world power to the United
States. The economic union of Europe is, in Paris's eyes, a mere prelude to
political union. And the point of political union is to lessen American
influence and involvement on the continent, and elsewhere, by means of an
eventual attempt to construct a defense and foreign policy that may well be
antagonistic to American interests." ...
[PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING ACKNOWLEDGMENT]
It is unfortunate that the first preacher to recognize the
prophetic importance of a coming "United States of Europe," long before it
became a reality, was Herbert W. Armstrong, a cult leader, broadcaster, and
publisher of the often heretical Plain Truth magazine. (His organization,
The Worldwide Church of God, changed many of its erroneous doctrinal
teachings in the years following his death. The WWCG is no longer considered
a cult by most evangelical authorities.)
Armstrong, a former advertising man, was using the term
"United States of Europe" in his magazine 30 years before it appeared in the
pages of secular publications like Time and Newsweek. Most evangelical
prophecy scholars were asleep at the switch! Believe it or not,
some die-hard evangelicals still deny that there is any prophetic
significance to these developments in Europe.”
>END OF
NEWS ARTICLE<
It is paradoxical that the writer, a leading Protestant
writer in our time, shows recognition of Mr. Armstrong in contrast to a
great lack of credit and recognition by the various Church of God writers
and speakers.
Acknowledgment of Mr. Armstrong Lacking —
One can read various publications written and published by a
few of the corporate Churches of God who proclaim the truth for the most
part regarding the prophetic events that we now see taking place on the
world scene. Some are excellent and well written articles.
However, unlike the acknowledgment of even a protestant
leader of Mr. Armstrong as having preached the truth of these current
prophetic events from early years, it is rare that I have seen his name
mentioned in a positive manner.
Yet all that is written has come from that one man who God
used to teach all of us whether in college, Church services or whatever.
And the few who do, I seriously wonder about the lofty goals
and titles they have set for themselves. They should also realize the very
prophecy they preach, teach and write, makes known Judgment is now on the
house of God; and there is also the soon-coming Day of Final Judgment for
each and everyone of us.
All of us should have a healthy and reverent fear of the
Almighty God and His beloved Son Jesus Christ. Yes, Scripture does make
known that Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong was indeed a prophet, as well as an
apostle, and the Elijah to come.
No, he is not to be worshiped, but his memory should be
respected for the use God made of him. We worship God and no man! At the
same time we should well know that all the truth that we know has come down
to us from God through that one man. I wonder where any of us would be had
not God used that man and brought us into contact with him.
With this in mind, think back to the book of Joshua and
consider the example that should be in place today from that time:
“After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, it
came to pass that the LORD spoke to Joshua, the son of Nun, Moses Assistant,
saying, “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this
Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving them – the
children of Israel ...” (Joshua 1:1-8).
In essence this is the commission we as God’s ministers have
before us today. Before Mr. Armstrong died he gave the commission to the one
who replaced him the task of preparing the Church for the coming of Jesus
Christ back to this earth.
Though the successor failed to fulfill this responsibility,
as was intended, the commission is still before each of us as true and
faithful ministers of God’s true Church. We are to be preparing the bride
to meet the Bridegroom.
With this in mind we should see that it is necessary that we
keep his name before us, for if we do not, soon his name, that should be
associated with the truth God used him to restore within His Church, would
soon go by the wayside just as he found with the Sardis Church – a dying
Church Era in the beginning of his search for the true Church.
This is already taking place within all of the Churches with
which I am acquainted. It is a time of picking and choosing: Picking what
they will accept from those teachings; and refusing the teachings they do
not want to accept!
If they really accepted Mr. Armstrong as the servant of
God, as he really was, there would be no picking and choosing – and
refusing.
Continued Progress in Europe —
Much progress continues toward a fully united Europe as one
can well be knowledgeable of through the news media.
While watching and praying, there are basically three major
areas that should be watched for in Europe and the Middle East before the
fullness of that time arrives:
1) The New False Religious Leader who will be able to unite
the United States of Europe, 2) A Leader to be appointed by this false
prophet to head the 10 nations (as they will come to be), who the Bible
terms the Beast, 3) Possibly a new Temple to be built by the Jews to enable
them to begin offering sacrifices once again (Daniel 12:11).
Once all this comes in place, super-power United Europe will
begin the count-down to a blitzkrieg attack against the United States, and
the United Kingdom, just as the staff-writer wrote about in his editorial
from his study of the writings of Mr. Armstrong.
No Real Defense —
While viewing what is continuing in the development of the
United States of Europe, let us note another area that could well work
against the United States being unable to retaliate against the actual
attack that the Bible tells us that is coming – and not all that far away.
How will this be possible? It is the potential disruption of
the communication system of the United States by Europe. Consider the
following articles that makes known that very fact:
Subject: [eurorealist]
US and European satellites are on a collision course.
Almost wholly missed by the world's media, a major row is going on behind
the scenes between the US government and the European Union over the EU's
proposed global satellite system, in which, since last October, the People's
Republic of China has been a full partner. By 2008 the EU's Galileo system
will be a direct rival to the US GPS (global positioning satellite) system.
Galileo's 30 satellites will give the EU a wide range of new
powers, from running Europe's air traffic control to monitoring the movement
of any vehicle on Europe's roads, enabling it to operate toll and congestion
charge systems and even to control the speeds at which vehicles can drive.
It will also be a huge revenue earner because, unlike the US GPS system
which is free, Galileo will charge its users.
The EU's Europa website lists the uses of Galileo as being to
provide "information concerning the positioning of users", including vehicle
location and "speed control", along with assisting "social services (eg aid
for the disabled or elderly)", the "justice system", "search and rescue" and
"leisure (direction-finding at sea or in the mountains)".
[PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING] Astonishingly,
however, there is no mention of Galileo's military uses, and it is this
which is currently causing major friction between Washington and Brussels.
The EU plans to use a standard signal, known as the binary offset
carrier (BOC)1.5, very close to the "M-code" due to be used by the US
military. Most people do not realize just how far satellite positioning has
revolutionised warfare. as was demonstrated by the recent Iraq war, when not
only every missile and aircraft depended on GPS, but the entire US command
and control system, enabling it to pinpoint every unit and vehicle on the
battlefield.
What is alarming Washington about the EU's insistence on
using the BOC signal is that this will make it impossible for the US to jam
communications available to a potential enemy without jamming its own
system; and the fact that China is now a full partner in Galileo could give
both China and the EU an extraordinarily powerful bargaining chip in any
future conflict. Earlier this month talks in Washington broke down, when the
EU refused to back off from its insistence on using BOC 1.5, although they
are due to resume within two weeks.
What should alarm the rest of us about Galileo is not just
that it threatens to drive an immense wedge between Britain and the USA, but
that it is fully intended to be a major new instrument of the EU’s control
over its citizens: not least in its capacity to track down the exact
whereabouts of any vehicle or person carrying a microchip, inclusion of
which could be made compulsory in any car or identity card. Most worrying of
all, however, is how little our politicians seem to be telling us about
it.” 2/19/2004
> End of Article <
A Defense Shield is in the Making —
U.S. Missile Shield Won't Work, Scientist Group Says
Thu May 13, 2:10 PM ET
By Jim Wolf
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The multibillion-dollar U.S. ballistic missile shield
due to start operating by Sept. 30 appears incapable of shooting down any
incoming warheads, an independent scientists' group said on Thursday. ...”
No Defense or Retaliation —
Millennia ago, God inspired one of His prophets to make known
that in this end-time there will be no effective defense, nor will there be
a counter-attack from America and Britain.
“They have blown the trumpet (used to sound the
WARNING of impending war) and everyone made ready, but no one goes to battle
(not sufficient time) ... (Ezekiel 7:14).
The United States has said in an official statement that we
would not strike the first blow. It has also been said, “An early warning
system is critical!”
At this coming critical time there will undoubtedly be a lot
of dovish leaders in congress, much as we find today; and the possibly
exists of a woman president at that time. Seeing the warning signs, and
possible threats of impending warfare, they, whether doves or hawks, will
desperately seek a peaceful solution as did prime minister Neville
Chamberlain of the United Kingdom just before the outbreak of WWII, but to
no avail.
History has a way of repeating itself. Undoubtedly the
circumstances will be very similar in the future as it was at that time.
Note the writing of another prophet of God that will reflect the coming
frightening times:
“... The ambassadors of peace shall weep bitterly”
(Isaiah 33:7).
They will be seeking peace in vain. Suddenly the world will
be caught up in frightful nuclear destruction that will level all of the
major cities of Israel, so says God:
Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Son of
man, set your face toward the mountains (nations) of Israel, and prophesy
against them. ... Indeed I, even I, will bring a sword (warfare) against
you, and I will destroy your high places. ... In all your dwelling places
the cities shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate”
(Ezekiel 6:1-3, 6).
It will be at that same time that God will also have an
indictment against the Church itself:
“The sinners in Zion (the Church) are afraid;
fearfulness has seized the hypocrites: ‘Who among us shall dwell (survive)with
the devouring fire (nuclear devastation)?’” (Isaiah 33:14-15).
The following Scriptures makes known that the faithful
members will survive this nuclear holocaust by being protected in the place
of refuge prepared for them by God. It also makes known that very soon after
that will be the coming of Jesus Christ back to this earth (Isaiah
33:14-17).
And just as Mr. Chamberlain in vain got his white paper of
the promise of peace by agreeing to give Hitler Czechoslovakia, so will it
probably be in this coming time when the ambassadors will seek peace for the
Beast Power, willing to concede or do virtually anything to have the promise
of peace.
Hitler laughed behind the back of Mr. Chamberlain after he
left for home for he knew he was not going to hold to his promise.
Upon his return to the UK, Mr. Chamberlain stepped off the
plane waving the worthless white paper that had been signed by Hitler and
was met with wild cheering by the House of Commons; it was short-lived.
It would appear there will be the similarities.
Meanwhile – The House of Joseph Continues
to Plummet —
The Supreme Court of the United States once again opened
wider the flood gates to total depravity and trampling upon the holy
righteous laws of the Almighty God when they approved same sex marriages
this past week by refusing to reverse the ruling of the supreme court of the
state of Massachusetts to approve same sex marriages. This opens wide the
gate for all of the other states to do the same.
Though the bottom of total depravity has not been fully
reached it would appear we are not all that far away from the time when,
according to the Bible, God is going to once again bring about the demise of
Israel as nations and send the survivors into slavery to other nations of
this world.
Watching and Praying —
These are the times when God’s true and faithful people are
to continue to follow th instructions of Jesus Christ after having
enumerated all the horrors that are yet in front of us when He said we are
to WATCH AND PRAY ALWAYS – that we might be counted worthy to ESCAPE what is
soon to befall this world and to then be able to STAND before Jesus Christ.
To close out the comments this time, I intend to take some of
the contents of a recent letter sent to me by a member in Australia who
voices my very thoughts as well as his own.
The End is Almost in Sight —
Written by Fotis Bouras
“World events are surely progressing according to Gods time
table, yet he has said (and let us not forget) he will cut it short, that is
the last days, and bring a swift end to this world and establish the world
tomorrow. What does this mean for us? It means we must be diligent,
watching, praying and be found working in the service of God in what ever
capacity he has individually graced us with, by the returning Jesus Christ,
even at the place of safety.
It means world events will take such a sudden turn of events
it will take our breath away( because of what it means for us) and the world
will stand in awe, be astounded and will marvel (as God's word says in
Revelation 13:3-4) at what will unfold before their very eyes. To them it
will look like a new era has dawned on them, not realising the full
implication of what it all means for them (Revelation 18:9-19).
We must therefore be watching! Not only to the daily news we
see on the TV or hear on the radio, which report these well known happenings
which we become accustom to and become familiar with and can if we are not
careful place us in a blasé and nonchalant attitude, thinking we have our
finger on the pulse of world events in view of God's prophetic events (Luke
21:36).
But, we must also keep abreast of what is happening behind
the scenes. We must be watching for events, happenings, situations and
developing scenarios around the world that may seem unimportant to us at the
time, because of their relative presumed low impact on the world stage, but
may be trigger points in world events that God will use to bring about the
realisation of revelations that Jesus Christ showed to his servant the
apostle John on the Island of Patmos (Revelation 1:1, 9).
Lets not forget at what triggered major world events in
history. At times these seemed minor in comparison to major events of the
time. Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong reminded us to be watching for such behind
the scenes events, or what may appear to be unimportant events.
Let us also not forget that God said, "My ways are not your
ways and my thoughts not your thoughts, as the heavens are high above the
Earth, so are my ways compared to yours" (Isaiah 55:8-9). Therefore it is
God who is in charge and knows all things, who reveals the relevance of
these events to his servants first, who then reveal it to his people (Amos
3:7). But nevertheless we must be watching and know of them.”
-----------------------------------
Brethren, we have entered the last days and we should well
realize this. Please do not let yourself be caught up so much in this
system that you will be caught sleeping.
Your friend and brother in Christ,
Don Billingsley
