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WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA 91123
HERBERT W. ARMSTRONG
PASTOR GENERAL
December 23, 1985
Dear Brethren and Co-Workers:
A month ago I wrote you of my current illness, which had
confined me to my home for the past few months. At that time I had
hoped for a turn to the better and that I would soon be back at my
desk in the office. Another month has rolled by and the expected
return of strength and vitality, unfortunately, has not occurred.
Last August 3, I left Pasadena for Orr, Minnesota, having
planned to continue to the Summer Educational Program camp in
Scotland, then to London, and from London across the North Pole to
Tokyo. A trip had been planned from Tokyo to Seoul, South Korea, to
meet with the president. I was to be accompanied by the Japanese
Minister of Labor, Toshio Yamaguchi. I had become ill and was
forced to return to Pasadena from Orr, Minnesota, early in the
morning, too ill to be fully dressed. I returned immediately to my
home. I was able to make a few trips to the office until the first
day of the Feast of Tabernacles in late September. I have not been
outside of my home since that day. From that date, my regular
physician has been making daily, and sometimes twice daily, trips
to my home.
My blood level is far below normal and has left me in a very
weak condition. I have not been able to dress further than bed
clothes and robes since the end of September.
My physician says that with blood transfusions I could go to
the office for three to four weeks. But then another blood
transfusion would be necessary. It is my judgment that such a
transfusion would be risky and of very short duration. And my
physician acquiesces in this decision. Frequently I have very
serious and painful angina attacks of the heart. I have been able
to make certain necessary decisions in brief telephone contact with
those at the office and will continue this as and when my very
limited physical strength permits.
Until the present moment I felt that God might provide a way
for complete recovery, and he still may. So I have withheld this
statement until now, but I feel it is better that you all know the
condition. I am now in my 94th year. God may grant that I
continue in this very limited manner to direct the work for some
time, but the occasional severe heart pains that I have endured
have made me feel the necessity of letting our co-workers know of
the condition as it is.
Remember, this is the work of the living Creator God. We are
now very near the end of this present age. I will continue to give
my all to the work of God up to the last breath. I hope you will
all realize the seriousness of the time in which we live and that
nothing is important any longer other than to be close to God and