Three Open Letters to Herbert W. Armstrong
from "A sinner saved by the Grace of God"
Maurice M. Johnson
First Letter Second Letter Third Letter
[These letters were written many years ago, and there have been changes in the so-called World Wide Church of God since then, but we are continuing to publish them because they have been referenced in other wide-spread literature and we still receive many requests for them. We know that Satan doesn't have any new tricks up his sleeves, so these principles can help today, "lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices (2 Corinthians 2:11)." - ed]
"Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear" (God's servants heed). "I charge thee before God, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality." Paul thus charges true evangelists, pastors and teachers; and the Lord while on earth rebuked false teachers with eight terrible "WOES" and one sorrowful "O." See Matt. 23:13-38; 1 Tim. 5:21,22.
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Romans 4:1-25 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? {2} For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. {3} For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. {4} Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. {5} But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. {6} Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, {7} Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. {8} Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. {9} Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. {10} How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circ on, but in uncircumcision. {11} And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: {12} And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. {13} For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. {14} For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: {15} Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. {16} Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham who is the father of us all, {17} (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. {18} Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. {19} And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: {20} He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; {21} And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. {22} And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. {23} Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; {24} But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; {25} Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Matt. 23:13-38 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. {14} Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. {15} Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. {16} Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! {17} Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? {18} And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. {19} Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? {20} Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. {21} And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. {22} And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. {23} Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. {24} Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. {25} Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. {26} Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. {27} Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. {28} Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. {29} Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, {30} And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. {31} Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. {32} Fill ye up then the measure of you hers. {33} Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? {34} Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: {35} That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteo us Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. {36} Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. {37} O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! {38} Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
1 Tim. 5:21-22 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. {22} Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.
"A Suit for Slander?"
MR. ARMSTRONG: After I began announcing this "Open Letter," is it true that you began making recordings of some of my radio messages in the hope that you could get material for a "slander" suit against me?
YOU accuse me of slander? You who have slandered every Christian preacher and Bible teacher who ever lived; you, who slanders the Lord from heaven; you, who slanders the gospel of the grace of God; you, who slanders the holy 10 commandment law of God by your miserable pretense of keeping it; you, who slanders the TEMPLE OF GOD yet to be restored in Jerusalem by having your silly little "Feast of Tabernacles" and "Feast of Passover" over in Gladewater, Texas, in that puny little shed [unfinished tabernacle]; YOU are hoping to sue me at Ceaser's court for slander? Maybe the report is ill-founded!
God willing, before I shall have completed these "Open Letters" to you I will have given clear, unforced proof of my accusations concerning your slandering the Christ of the Bible and your blasphemous caricature of "the church of God," called by you "The Radio Church of God."
"True Church" Exists With No Gospel!
Just here, I should like to ask you about the "TRUE CHURCH" which you say has "always existed." [See your Revelation booklet, p.9.] Exactly what had become of it when you and your wife took over the "true" work of God only 24 or ? years ago? Did that already existing "true church" suddenly drop out of existence so you two could "start from nothing" in 1931-4 as you claim? And yet another point is very "smoggy" in your claim that "the true church has always existed." How could it possibly come into existence at any time during the 1800 years preceding spontaneous arrival on the scene, since you repeatedly claim that you are preaching the "true gospel that Jesus preached for the first time in 1800 years?" Since there was no true gospel by which sinners might become members of "the true church," and there was no "true gospel" by which such church members could cultivate their "begotten lives," please, oh please, tell us where that "true church" had been when you and your wife had that dream and saw the angel who informed her that you and she were to "begin" the real TRUE work. Now please, Honest Herb, don't tell me that I cannot understand because I am not one of those favored few that God has "elected" to hear, understand and know "the truth about the good news of the WORLD TOMORROW"-- that is, "understand it all" well enough to become convinced that the only way to avoid the lake of fire is to send "the tithes" to Box 111, Pasadena, California.
Christ Blinds and Then Rebukes the Blinded?
And that reminds me about another thing. Just exactly why should you rebuke, criticize, and, fuss at and make fun of all of us who, according to you, cannot possibly understand and believe your preaching any way, since we are not in that select, "elect," predestined company of "begotten children?" Since your "god" has deliberately blinded us, I don't think it is fair at all for you to bark out so impatiently and "holler" at us about not having blown "the dust off" our Bibles.
[In a later letter I hope to deal with your utter failure to note the time element connected with Christ's use of parables. Your assertions that Christ NEVER spoke to the multitudes except in parable is devilishly false. Also, your wicked failure to honesty go from John 6:44 to 12:32 WITH John 1:9.]
John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
"Pastor" Russell's Echo
Since we are told that there is no "new thing under the sun" [Eccl. 1:9]; and, since all that are "spiritual" judge "righteous judgment," we know that you and your sect are "under the sun" and not in the SON. Therefore we are confident that all of your doctrinal lies have already been taught by wolves in sheeps' clothing. -- Matt. 7:{15} Acts 20:29. Having read a great deal of the so-called Jehovah's Witnesses', the Seventh day Adventists', Universalists', "Destructionalists" ' and the Anglo-Israelites' writings [and the 7th Day "Church of God," too] I know that you are merely a small parrot, if not a clever plagiarist. For instance on p. 20 of your "1975 in Prophecy" you make the "modest" claim that you are the one prophesied in Ezek. 33. But that is a tardy echo of claims made many times before. Your doctrinal kin, your [religious] Uncle, "Pastor" Charles T. Russell, had hundreds of thousands believing that about him. See pp. 367 and 519, "The Finished Mystery," 1917 copyright.
Eccl. 1:9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
Matt. 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Ezek. 33:1-33 Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, {2} Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: {3} If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; {4} Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. {5} He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. {6} But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. {7} So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. {8} When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. {9} Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. {10} Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live? {11} Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? {12} Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth. {13} When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it. {14} Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; {15} If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. {16} None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live. {17} Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal. {18} When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby. {19} But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby. {20} Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. O ye house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways. {21} And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth month, in the fifth day of the month, that one that had escaped out of Jerusalem came unto me, saying, The city is smitten. {22} Now the hand of the LORD was upon me in the evening, afore he that was escaped came; and had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb. {23} Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, {24} Son of man, they that inhabit those wastes of the land of Israel speak, saying, Abraham was one, and he inherited the land: but we are many; the land is given us for inheritance. {25} Wherefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Ye eat with the blood, and lift up your eyes toward your idols, and shed blood: and shall ye possess the land? {26} Ye stand upon your sword, ye work abomination, and ye defile every one his neighbour's wife: and shall ye possess the land? {27} Say thou thus unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; As I live, surely they that are in the wastes shall fall by the sword, and him that is in the open field will I give to the beasts to be devoured, and they that be in the forts and in the caves shall die of the pestilence. {28} For I will lay the land most desolate, and the pomp of her strength shall cease; and the mountains of Israel shall be desolate, that none shall pass through. {29} Then shall they know that I am the LORD, when I have laid the land most desolate because of all their abominations which they have committed. {30} Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD. {31} And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. {32} And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. {33} And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.
Herb did you copy that, substituting your own name for Russell's? Your "Uncle" Charlie, in his Millennial Dawnist book , p. 519, said:
"This chapter [Ezek. 33] repeats the statements . . . regarding the watchman set to warn the people of Christendom, his message and responsibility, and the responsibility of the Christian people toward the watchman--Pastor Russell, and his message and warning from God . . . Who of the clergy class have blown the trumpet of truth and warned 'their' people of the impending doom of Christendom?"
By the way, Armstrong, what do you think of your religious Siamese twin, Blessing of Denver? He is claiming [at least SEVERAL ladies have been "MIRACULOUSLY" told so] that he is "the Apostle Paul." His Anglo-Israel "IT" is growing in leaps and bounds, too, I understand.
In your 11/28/56 letter to "Fellow Workers" you reveal one of your fundamental and characteristic blunders, You seemed to think your "bankruptcy" during the early days of the depression meant that the "church of God" on earth had likewise crashed and that the Almighty was feverishly looking for a "receiver"--for someone whom He could trust to really meet the terrible emergency and bring His dilapidated church "out of the red" as it were. Let me assure you, Humble Herb, that neither "the gates of Hell" nor the depression had actually prevailed against the church "which He purchased with His blood," Evidently it was your own flop, both as a young "John D. Rockefeller" and as a student of the Word of God that caused you to confuse Herbert W. Armstrong's defunct PERSONAL kingdom with God's magnificent CHURCH, "the BODY OF CHRIST."
Depression and Wife's dream Launch Sect
The crash of ca$h in Wall Street, my frustrated friend, did not even touch the institution whose death-conquering Head is "Head over all things," even the "money changers" of Wall Street and every other street in this conquered world. See Eph. 1:19-23; Col. 2:8-17; Heb. 2:5-14; 1 Peter 3:22. [In a later letter I expect to take up your antichrist teaching about Jesus Christ's having been only a fleshling--a "MORTAL" fleshling, at that. A "mortal EMMANUEL?" Only a little less shockingly FALSE is your sophistry about "the church which is Christ's Body" being only mortal--"composed of flesh and blood,"]
Eph. 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, {20} Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, {21} Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: {22} And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, {23} Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Col. 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. {9} For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. {10} And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: {11} In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: {12} Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. {13} And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; {14} Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; {15} And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over the m in it. {16} Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: {17} Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
Heb. 2:5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. {6} But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? {7} Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: {8} Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. {9} But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. {10} For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. {11} For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, {12} Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. {13} And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. {14} Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
1 Pet. 3:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
Going back to that letter to your "Fellow Workers," I would like to note more specifically your "unique" revelation concerning the origin of your Eugene, Oregon, "VATICAN" [so soon to be supernaturally moved to the "fantastic" second-hand millionaire's residence in Pasadena]. I now quote from that letter:
"Within 30 or 60 days after our marriage, God spoke to my wife in what might have been an intense, unusual dream, or a vision -- but it was years later before we came to realize that 'this really was a message from God.' I'm pretty skeptical about God speaking to anyone today by vision or dream." [That is, of course, unless he speaks to Mrs. Armstrong. -- M.J.] "God speaks to us today through His written Word -- the Bible. My wife saw an angel" [Mrs. Ellen G. White started her Seventh Day Adventist cult the same way, didn't she, husband -- Herbert?--M.J.] "revealing that God was calling me and her to the mission of WARNING this world of the fast approaching END OF THE AGE, and the Second Coming of Christ." [I, M. J., italicized the "and her." I was thinking of how Grandma Eve started the program that would make the mere CREATURE very GOD, "as Gods." Indeed, "There is no new thing under the sun." --M.J.] "When she told me" [Armstrong is again spea king ] "of this impressive dream, I was embarrassed" [My imagination is not elastic enough to visualize that, Mr. Armstrong.--M.J.] "and somewhat awed . . . But at the age of 30 God took away my business." [Several million lost theirs, too, during that severe depression, as you well know, Herbert.--M.J.]"three times during the next seven years I started another business promising national development" [???--M.J.] ". . . and each time, forces entirely out of my control intervened to destroy the business and all possibility of its future . . . Everything I touched turned to nothing. I learned what it is to go hungry." [Thank God, there were not many wives during that long period of hunger and "bread lines" who had timely dreams enabling them and their husbands to "get out of the red" via the religiou$ route.--M.J.]
Later I shall quote from several of your "charming" travelogues -- for instance, a few self-effacing reports BY YOURSELF of the "specially engraved invitation" sent "by private messenger" to you and your wife to attend "the most colorful social event" [just like Elijah and John the Baptist enjoyed?? -- M.J.] "held in London since the war. It's a Royal affair, you know . . . The reception is in the ball room of our hotel -- which is one of the two best in London, and every day some important diplomatic affair of world importance is held here . . . "--Page 10 from your "PRIVATE LETTERS."
Humble Herbert Amid Royalty
Comparing your "incidental" references to your hobnobbing with ROYALTY and succeeding in slipping in the background of a picture taken of the antichrist Moslem Sheik [which picture you managed to have taken so that you and Mrs. Armstrong could be seen], I say, comparing all this reeking pride, egotism and extravagance with assertions that those depression-reverses had "burned out all your "former egotism," some of us easily recall the seven "other demons" that came to possess an empty house.
Second Open Letter to Herbert W. Armstrong
An Unborn "Germ-Life" Must Live a Full-Grown Life
Herbert, I want to commend you most highly for "out-evolving Darwin and that 100,000,000 [or trillion] year old "uni-cell," amoeba or great-grand-daddy-tadpole. According to "all scholars" it has taken that parent slime all of these millions of years to develop mice and lice, men, monkeys, and tadpoles. But, according to your "begotten-GODS" doctrine, you and your wife, your sons, and your co-workers may become very GODS ["just as much God as is Jesus Christ now"] by the short span of a 10 commandment "keeping" life you or any one of YOUR "co-workers" may live. By the way, "Embryo-God-Herbert," have you ever told us exactly what happened to the "cell," that "spiritual germ" [that constituted ALL of the "new creation in Christ"], that the Apostle Paul had when he died? Since you teach that no believer in the Lord Jesus Christ ever was or ever could be "born of the Spirit" until the resurrection of his body from the grave, and since you teach that all any believer--truly converted person-- can now have is a "begotten life" precisely parallel to the germ-life of a begotten human; and since you teach that "DEATH" is the opposite of life" [making "life" mean mere existence], some of us would like to know exactly what has become of all the CHRISTIAN part of "children of God" who have died physically.
At "the resurrection of the just" all of the "begotten-children of God" are raised from the dead to be born again" [according to you]. Will they not all be "still born?" If not, your doctrine about man's soul and spirit and "death" is utterly false. Tell us, Armstrong, exactly what happened to Paul's "begotten life" when he died physically? [By the grace of God, I will deal with that subject in a future letter.]
Why don't you call your co-workers GERM-Christians? Why do you teach that weird and "damnable heresy" about you and they having ONLY an embryonic Christian life and then proceed to use Bible expressions that mean nothing if they do not refer to those who ARE SAVED, saved--"not by works of righteousness which we have done, but by the washing of REGENERATION [new BIRTH] and the renewing [re-creating] of the Holy Spirit." Titus 3:5-7; Eph. 2:8-10; 2 Cor. 5:17.
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; {6} Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; {7} That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Eph. 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: {9} Not of works, lest any man should boast. {10} For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Just imagine a child of Adam with nothing but a "germ-spiritual-life" being demanded by the God of all grace to keep perfectly the 10 commandments during all of his mere "germ" life and then die [all of him die!!] but be raised to really receive the BORN-again life that he has been forced to live perfectly all the time he didn't have it!
Anglo-Saxon or "Hephzibah" Herbert?
Lest I forget later, I want to touch one of your parrot arguments about the SAXONS [English & U.S. people] being the "new name" referred to in the prophecy, Isa. 62:2. in the 4th verse we are told PRECISELY what "new name" was to be, namely, HEPHZIBAH. Shall I call you HEPHZIBAH HERB from now on?
Isa. 62:2 And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.
Now I want to talk to you about your "Mortal Emmanuel"--your putrid "Jesus"--as contrasted [not compared] with the Christ of the Bible-- "the Lamb of God," "without spot and without blemish." See John 1:29, 36; 1 Pet. 1:18, 19.
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. {36} And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
1 Pet. 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; {19} But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Your wicked teaching about the Babe of Bethlehem, "Emmanuel,"--"God with us"--[Matt. 1;23] is identical with that of Mrs. White and her Seventh Day Adventist followers, "Pastor" Russell's and all the so-called "Jehovah's Witnesses" and [only God knows how many] other false cults. I do not know whether or not your wife's lady teacher [from the "Seventh Day Church of God"] taught her your damnable doctrine about Jesus Christ being MADE mortal by the Heavenly Father.
Matt. 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Woman Teacher "Starts" Armstrong's Sect
Just here let me say a word about your disclaiming and indignantly denying that your wife taught YOU about SABBATH "Keeping," etc. Your spluttering denials sound petty and are proven to be false by many other things you and your college boys write on the same subject. For instance [Page 24, Plain Truth , July 1956], Herman Hoeh wrote, "God brought him [Armstrong] to the study of His Word b causing him to try to refute the truth which God had revealed to Mrs. Armstrong through one who was already in the church." Note that last clause, ". . . through one who was already in the church." You have often said and written that it was a lady who first persuaded your wife , etc. Incidentally, that gives us one more proof that you lie when you say your work--"This greatest work of God on earth"--started with only your wife and you. What happened to your wife's teacher who was "already in the church?" In the same article [p. 23] we read another statement that smashes your claims about your work being God's only true work where "the true gospel is preached for the first time in 1800 years. "Hoeh also wrote---"Jesus said He would be with His Church and 'the gates of hell' would not prevail against it, His Church--the true church of God . . ."
Hephzibah Herb, I wish to repeat a question asked in my first letter. WHERE WAS THAT TRUE CHURCH OF GOD during those 1800 years when [according to your demi-god claims] there was no true gospel preached. When you squarely face that question, your mouth should be stopped as it would have been long ago had you lawfully dealt with God's 10-commandment law. See Rom. 3:19 and 1 Tim. 1:5-11.
Rom. 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
1 Tim. 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: {6} From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; {7} Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. {8} But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; {9} Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, {10} For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; {11} According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
"God Causes Armstrong to Fight the Truth?"
What did Hephzibah Hoeh mean when he wrote "God caused" you "to try and refute the truth which had been revealed" to your wife? Such irresponsible and blasphemous attacks upon God's character are, of course, but dutiful ECHOES of your pontifical pronouncements. Meridith's article in your "Good News," [?] 7/52, is even more brazenly blasphemous, if possible. Read again, Herbert, as one of your "wandering STARS" throws his deadly dust in his reader's eyes, I quote:
"God has made man's natural mind so that it wants to do things that are contrary to His laws: 'The carnal mind [with which we are ALL born] is enmity against God.' . . . God has made it natural for man to reject truth and to do what is right in his own eyes, to want to sin--to want to break God's laws . . . But what of the vast blinded majority of all times who never had an opportunity? Are they damned because God created them with a carnal mind which blinded them to the ways of salvation? [Italicizing is mine.--M.J.] Now, if God is just and it is he who has blinded most of the people that ever lived, from understanding His laws and the grace which they must accept to be saved, then He will have to remove the blindness to give them a chance--their first chance--will He not? Yes!--and He had promised to do it! 'And He will destroy in this mountain the face of the COVERING CAST OVER ALL PEOPLE and the VAIL THAT IS SPREAD OVER ALL NATIONS.' Isa. 25:7. It is no stigma or disgrace to your loved ones or others tat are among those that are blinded now. God's PLAN called for the removal of blindness of only a few NOW. It is His responsibility."
God Created Man "Good"
Armstrong, you are going to have to answer to God for poisoning the minds of young men and women and others who, for some strange reason, think you are a man of God. Isa. 25:7 refers only to Israel's glorious restoration to the Promised Land under the returning King of the Jews. This will be a revelation to all of the nations but it will not be the gospel preaching. See the remainder of the chapter and all of the very next, ch. 26. Your teaching about God's having "created man with a carnal mind which blinded them to the ways of salvation" is as damnable a lie as the "father of lies" ever uttered. God created only Adam and Eve and He created them in His own "image" and after His own "likeness." That creation was "very good." See Gen. 1:26, 31. Man's carnality and mortality came only because of and AFTER His disobedience. You and your slavish young mouth-pieces make God Himself the author of confusion, but we who are not infidels know that "God is not he author of confusion." 1 Cor. 14:33.
Isa. 25:7 And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations.
Gen. 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. {31} And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
1 Cor. 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
"Light Is Come Into the World"
And what a serpentine lie it is to say that "Christ in His day did not try to disturb the blindness that was over men's minds!" Of course He did not try to disturb the blindness that resulted from His gracious LIGHT being rejected; but it was gloriously true then, and still is, that "Christ IS the light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world."--John 1:9. You contemptible coward, you don't dare to face squarely such precious truths as this and John 3:14-21. I quote the last two verses only in that reference: "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." How different that Christ-honoring passage is from the wicked distortion given by you and your poor deceived mouth-pieces to give false hope to your followers whose loved ones reject your Babylonish mixture, and to others who believe their loved ones died without Christ and without hope.
John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: {15} That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. {16} For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. {17} For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. {18} He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. {19} And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. {20} For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. {21} But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
How different, when you are building yourself up as God's ONE-AND-ONLY, God's modern edition of Elijah [have you yet "revealed" that you "are" Elijah?]. I say, when you are assuming the bold and courageous role of God's glorious-little-champion-of-the-truth, you forget all about the rest of us poor mortals who [you say] were deliberately "blinded by God Himself so that we cannot see and know the truth." As "God's one and only true prophet" you fuss at us, bark at us, and boisterously blame us for not having blown the dust off our Bibles, then assure us that we are going to be blasted off the face of the earth by hydrogen bombs ALL BECAUSE we stubbornly refuse to hear, see, believe, and obey the truth that we cannot possibly obey in our "God-blinded condition." Talk about dust! Talk about Babylon!
I'm personally sending this to Herman Hoeh and Dr. Meredith with the faint hope that they may banish their prejudice and read this honestly. Unless kept so furiously busy in listening to your broadcasts, trying to read all of your papers and those passages of scripture that you point out [usually out of their context], they may see your hopeless confusion and absurd contradictions. I urge all Christians who read this to join me in fervent prayer that many more bewildered slaves of your doctrinal narcotics may be made free by "the truth"--the Word of God rightly divided.
$1 Takes Gospel to 2000 Souls "Blinded By God So They Can't Believe It"
In connection with your wanton and reckless attack upon God's character--those horrible assertions about God's having deliberately "created man with a carnal mind" so that he would be, and would have to be, at "enmity with" his Creator [???]--I should like to call to your attention another of your claims. I have several marked copies of your irresponsible assertions like this one [p. 12, Plain Truth, Nov. 1949]--"every dollar carries Christ's gospel to TWO THOUSAND PRECIOUS SOULS! Is the money well spent?" Do these figures include the thousands of dollars spent by you and your wife and boys in your world-wide travels to look for "A BEAUTIFUL site for the European seat of AMBASSADOR College," and your very, very necessary [??] trip to Petra [in connection with sight-seeing all over Europe, etc., etc.]? It took a good many of those "Dollars" for all of this, didn't it, Globe-trotter-Herbert? Do you and your wife ever laugh up your sleeves at your success in getting money--for instance, the "veritable downpour" of widow's mites for which you so often plead, beg, and threatening your letters? How many of those "widows" who send you their hard earned "mites" have ever hoped that they might be providentially-inspired to take a trip to Switzerland where they could step "into the most elegant, beautiful interior we had ever seen in our lives?" But the Armstrongs have many such "providentially-inspired "evidences of their following the Man of Sorrows. Speaking of a castle-like mansion in Lugano, Switzerland, Herbert, you use language that reminds me so much [?] of John the Baptist in the wilderness or Paul who said he counted "but dung" those things that would have been gain to him [personally]. Do you recall these words I none of you "Private Letters" published by you in an expensive booklet [pp. 39, 40]?--'But we are somewhat in favor, now, of Geneva as the seat of the European unit of AMBASSADOR. We spent Sunday afternoon at Geneva, and it is beautiful . . .For mingling with people speaking several languages, Lugano leads, and probably leads the world. We will never find another place elsewhere as modern and elegant as 'Heleneum' [name of the Lugano Castle]. But, for extra-curricular advantages, exchanges with the other large university, great libraries, and international atmosphere, and the center of world affairs, Geneva would be preferable . . . I would like to have such a fine property for our students for its refining influence and cultural advantages . . . It might ultimately work out that we would have TWO European units -- one in London, and one in Switzerland. We are the FIRST to have the vision of such a college. It is something entirely new in the world of education. It is BIG! It will be accomplished . . . I know we are led by the hand of God into things never before done."
Armstrong Wallow$ in Poverty
Pardon me, Herbert, aren't you the one who said God has already taken all the pride and worldly ambition out of you? What did Christ mean when He said, "That which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God?" Your glaring admiration of luxury and popularity when you are out of your "pulpit" deceives no one but your blind admirers. James 4:4 brands you as an adulterer as well as Rom. 7:1-5.
James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Rom. 7:1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? {2} For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. {3} So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. {4} Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. {5} For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
Just imagine a man who claims he is "following Jesus Christ" talking about wanting his student-following to be in that European resort so that they can have its "refining influence and advantages!" I don't believe you meant that for a minute. Were you not hypocritically seeking your own expensive SIGHT-SEEING tour and your own [and your wife's too] thrill at being numbered with the "elegant" on those extravagant, "providentially inspired" escapades? Your "depression-born" boom enables you and your family to say with the partisan politicians, "We never had it so good before."
In the remainder of this letter, I want to return to your antichrist doctrine about Jesus Christ's having been "made mortal" by His Heavenly Father. your astute salesmanship and your subtle methods for using your "co-workers" ' money in cavorting all over the world on planes, "the world's biggest luxury liners" [unselfishly], looking for "other college sites" while you and your family "see the sights" and your peacock humility as you "endure the self-imposed honor of being the RESTORER of the defunct "kingdom of God" and the FOUNDER of the "incorporated Radio Church of God"--all of this does indeed afford indubitable proof that you are a smooth worker, but your doctrinal concoctions are ridiculously stupid as well as utterly false.
A Spotted, Fallen, Mortal "Jesus"
How could Emmanuel [God with us] have been nothing but flesh, MORTAL [dying] flesh? Would anyone but a vicious butcher of God's holy word jerk the first half of John 1:14 out of its immediate context so as to hide the second half of the same verse? Read it all. All of you religious materialists do exactly that with Eccl. 9:5, jerking the middle clause out while not daring to read honestly the clause which shows the writer is speaking only of the physical, temporal aspects of death. I urge you honest readers of this letter to read 8 Kinds of Death in the Bible
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Eccl. 9:5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
How could "the second man" be "the Lord from heaven" if He were an entirely different being from that which He was while in heaven? See 1 Cor. 15:47. With all the help "the god of this world" gives you, you and the 7th Day Adventists and the Watch Tower-ites cannot successfully distort Eph. 4:8-10. Though Christ "took the form of a servant and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" [Phil. 2:7, 8], He was then and still is "the same Jesus"--"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever."--Heb.13:8. Bow your proud head before Him, Armstrong, and receive Him as your personal Savior from the guilt and penalty of your sins--all the sins of your Adamic nature ["the old man"] could ever commit. Believe the gospel of Christ--the good news that "Christ [not a "mortal man Jesus"] died for your sins "according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures." 1 Cor. 15:3-5. By divine inspiration Paul says THAT is the gospel by which true believers are saved. go like a simple-hearted child to John 5:24 and believe it. BELIEVE it! Hide now in the "Smitten Rock" or be eternally crushed by the "Smiting Rock!"
1 Cor. 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
Eph. 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. {9} (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? {10} He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Phil. 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: {8} And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Heb. 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
1 Cor. 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; {4} And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: {5} And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
How much longer will you continue to willfully force " the gospel of the kingdom" into the same mould as this "gospel of Christ" which is of course, OBVIOUSLY the gospel ABOUT Christ and FOR poor, guilty, enslaved members of Adam's fallen race, "DEAD in trespasses and sins?" See Eph. 2:1. Armstrong, haven't you ever wondered why there are so many passages that reveal it was CHRIST who died for our sins? "Jesus," the name given Him during His humiliation is never used by the Holy Spirit to tell us who it was that died for us. Will you continue, as long as your flesh holds out, to pretend that you believe the Babe of Bethlehem [and the man Christ Jesus] was only a "begotten" Son of God until the resurrection and that it was only the mortal [ALREADY dying] flesh-man that actually died? For Christ's sake and your soul's sake, quit trying to harmonize such hopelessly irreconcilable teachings. Ask God to blot out of your mind your devil-inspired conceptions of death so that you can believe the gospel of Christ. Will you read Eph. 4:8-10 before you forget about it?
Eph. 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Eph. 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. {9} (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? {10} He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Exactly Who Died and Rose?
Armstrong, did "the Son of man" rise from the dead or was it actually a different Being as the Tower-ites teach? See Matt. 17;9. Was it "the Lord" who had lain in that sepulchre? See Matt. 28:6. Is "the Son of Man" now in heaven?--John 3:13. Why don't you come out with beastly courage and blurt out your lies in their NAKED ugliness, like this for instance:
Matt. 17:9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.
Matt. 28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
"God made man carnal and mortal. He is dust. Therefore, since Jesus took upon himself a form like unto his brethren [Heb. 2:14-17] he was DUST--yes, EMMANUEL was nothing but DUST. therefore, when he died it was merely dust going back to dust. But since I, Herb. W.A. teach that this dusty fleshling was also a 'begotten' son of God and since I don't dare face the unsolved problem of what became of the 'begotten' part [???] of Jesus of Nazareth when he died, I'll just continue to throw all the dust I can into people's eyes so they can't see my increasingly confused and contradictory dust-storm of assertions and denials. Maybe I can bark and howl and snarl so frequently and furiously that my co-workers will never think to strip my lies of their gaudy covering of stolen bible verses. How can I ever get out of this ugly, ever-rising cesspool of religious materialism and bewildering involvements? Since I teach that Jesus was merely mortal flesh, how can I escape the filthy blasphemy that he, as 'the bread from heaven' [John 6:51] was LEAVENED bread?"
Heb. 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; {15} And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. {16} For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. {17} Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
That, Herbert, is a fair statement of your doctrinal Tower of Babel.
Mortal Way, Mortal Truth, Mortal Life, Mortal Church?
Armstrong, how could Christ have been "the second man" if He were not inherently and essentially different from all men since "the first man's" fall? He declared, "Ye are from beneath; I am from above"--John 8:23. Was "mortal flesh" from above? He said, "I am not of this world." Was He "mortal flesh" that came from another "mortal flesh" world? He said, "I am the way the truth and the life." John 14:6. Was He the "mortal" way, the "mortal" truth, and the "mortal" [dying] life? He said, I am the true vine."--John 15:1. Did He mean He was the "mortal" [dying] vine? It was prophesied [and later quoted by both Peter and Paul] that the Father would not "suffer His HOLY ONE to see corruption."--Psa. 16:10; Acts 2:25-27, 13:35. Did all that the Father's HOLY ONE was really nothing but "MORTAL FLESH" and from His very conception and birth?? And now you say, the church which is His body is mortal!
John 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Psa. 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Acts 2:25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: {26} Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: {27} Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Acts 13:35 Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Face that, Herbert! You will humbly and shame-facedly face it and repudiate it now or you will cry for the rocks and the mountains to fall on your blasphemous head to hide you from the "wrath of the Lamb"--Rev. 6:1. Note well, Armstrong, that He will then be "the LAMB" that you say was "mortal!" He laid down His life that He might take it--yes, "it" the very same life [not mortality] that He miraculously "gave for a ransom. See John 10:15-18; 1 Tim. 2:6; John 2:19; Eph. 4:8-10.
Rev. 6:1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
John 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. {16} And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. {17} Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. {18} No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
1 Tim. 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
John 2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
Eph. 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. {9} (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? {10} He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
In my next letter I expect to deal with your assertions that Jesus Christ did not "become" a "member of the God-family" until His resurrection from the dead and that 10 commandment keepers will also thus "become" members of the "god-family," as much God as is Jesus Christ. In my third Open Letter to you, Mr. Armstrong, I expect to deal also with your new sect, your lawless legalism and your "hallelujah-high-jacking" [money getting].
Third Open Letter to Herbert W. Armstrong
Mr. Armstrong, contrast your THREE manufactured "christs" with the "HOLY ONE" revealed to humble people in these unforced and undoctored passages in God's Word.
"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever."--Heb. 13:8
"Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord."--Luke 2:11.
"Ye killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses."--Acts 3:15.
"The princes of this world . . . have crucified the Lord of glory."--1 Cor. 2:8.
"Christ . . . ascended up on high . . . [Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lowest parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.]"--Eph. 4:8-10.
"David speaketh concerning him . . . 'Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine HOLY ONE to see corruption . . .' "--Acts 2:22-31.
"I AM ALPHA AND OMEGA, THE BEGINNING AND THE ENDING, SAITH THE LORD, WHICH IS, AND WHICH WAS, AND WHICH IS TO COME, THE ALMIGHTY . . . I AM HE THAT LIVETH AND WAS DEAD: AND BEHOLD I AM ALIVE FOR EVERMORE, AMEN: AND HAVE THE KEYS OF HELL AND OF DEATH." "WORTHY IS THE LAMB THAT WAS SLAIN to receive power, and riches, and wisdom and strength, and honor, and glory, an blessing."--Rev. 5:12,13. See also Isa. 9:6,7.
Rev. 5:12-13 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. {13} And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
Isa. 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. {7} Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
ANTI-Christ ARMSTRONG, your mortal and ANNIHILATED, NON-EXISTENT "jesus" is worthy of nothing but utter contempt. For remember well that in your devilish determination to get rid of the Bible doctrine of death and punishment you join the Mormons, 7th Day Adventists, "Jehovah's Witnesses"[falsely so-called] and all atheists in stupidly defining "DEATH" as being equivalent to ANNIHILATION, CESSATION OF BEING, NON-EXISTENCE.
Some of the "FALSE CHRISTS . . . LO HERE! . . . LO THERE!"--Mathew 24:23,24--
Mathew 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. {24} For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
The "WATCH-TOWER'S" False Christ--
"Jesus' birth was not an incarnation . . . He emptied himself of all things heavenly and spiritual, and God's almighty spirit transferred his Son's life down to the womb of the Jewish virgin . . He was born a man. [Phil. 2:7.] He was not a spirit-human hybrid, a man and at that same time a spirit person, He was not clothed upon with flesh over an invisible person, he was flesh." John 1:14. [Page 231 of the "Watch Tower's" book "What Has Religion Done for Mankind?"] This blasphemous doctrine is taught in Russell's, Rutherford's, and the present flood of poisonous pulp pouring from the gigantic presses of "Jehovah's Witnesses" falsely so-called.
Phil. 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
The Seventh Day Adventists' False Christ
"In His {Christ's] veins was the incubus of a tainted heredity like a caged lion ever seeking to break forth and destroy. For four thousand years the race had been deteriorating in physical strength, in mental power, and in moral worth: and Christ took upon Him the infirmities of humanity at its worst." ["The Signs of the Times," March 1927, p.5. Quoted from Mrs. E. G. White's works.]
Herbert W. Armstrong's THREE [3] "Christs"
"Ambassador College Correspondence Lesson No. 9."
"Christ Was Only a Man as You or I."
Lesson no. 14--
"How can we receive this same Spirit which begot Christ--a Spirit which caused Christ to advance so far that HE BECAME A VERY SON OF GOD -- a very God -- and has attained the promise of a throne? Acts 2:38."
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
"Plain Truth," Jan. 1953, pp. 3& 10 --
"If Jesus is now a part of God, when did he achieve that status?"
"Before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, he was a member of the eternal God-head."
"When he was born he was a human being . . . After his resurrection he was again an immortal member of the family of God."
[There you have 3 different christs.--M. M. J.]
"Plain Truth," May 1955, pg. 14 --
"Christ was dead. He rose from DEATH -- not from LIFE! It was the EVER-LIVING FATHER who raised Him -- who imparted LIFE to Him! Jesus Christ became mortal man for the very PURPOSE of death-- to pay the penalty -- DEATH -- for you and for me. He was mortal! He died. You are mortal. You shall die."
These Cults' Filthy "Christ" Had to Die for HIMSELF
Herbert, you really tie yourself up in that paragraph! Since we must die because we are MORTAL, then, of course, your 'Christ" had to die because HE was mortal. Therefore he couldn't have died for other MORTALS. However, let's suppose he [your mortal Jesus] did "pay the penalty -- death -- for you and me" why then would we ,too, have to pay it if we "sincerely 'obeyed the gospel,' " keep the commandments, etc.?
Your "mortal Christ" is a putrid invention of your father, the devil. What a spotted and blemished "Lamb" with what poisoned blood. Your fake "Jesus" doesn't faintly resemble "the Lamb without spot or blemish" whose "precious blood" perfectly paid the redemption price for Adam's FALLEN race. [I warn you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Armstrong, don't twist, distort and finally give the lie to Rom. 5:17-21. My authority for thus rebuking you is 1 Tim. 5:20,21 and Titus 2:15.]
Rom. 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) {18} Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. {19} For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. {20} Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: {21} That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Tim 5:20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. {21} I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
Titus 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
No wonder your brand of "salvation" can't prevent you from dying "like beasts/" Your "Savior" had to die for HIMSELF because [according to your horrible blasphemy] he was not only made "mortal flesh" by his Heavenly Father but he [your corrupt "Christ"] was also MADE a life-long Law-breaker by his Heavenly Father. Quite probably you don't see this filthy end-product of your reckless teaching about Rom. 6:14; but, by the grace of God, I do see it. You must be so blinded to the "glorious gospel of Christ" that you don't know what you believe. 2 Cor. 4:3, 4. Certainly your diseased "Jesus" never could have "offered himself without spot to God" as God's Holy One did. See Heb. 9:14. your diseased "Jesus" could never have "sanctified" anyone with his putrid blood. He would have only further polluted them.
Rom. 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
2 Cor. 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: {4} In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Heb. 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Armstrong, why don't you bow your proud and stubborn heart before the true Christ of the Bible, who died, not only as a man, but also as the "Lord of Glory?" See 1 Cor. 2:8. Why don't you confess your present vanity and inflated ego in trying to intrude your fleshly mind into God's "unsearchable judgements and his ways past finding out."--Rom. 11:33, 34. No finite being can understand the mind of the INFINITE. We must believe the "power of the Highest" overshadowed in the Jewish virgin and "that holy thing [not filthy, dying mortality] which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." Luke 1:35.
1 Cor. 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Rom. 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! {34} For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
This is a divine REVELATION accepted only by "babes" and spiritual "sheep."
Armstrong's God MADE His "Only-Begotten Son" a Corrupt Law-BREAKER!
But what did I mean when I said that "your Christ" not only had to die because His "Heavenly Father" had "made him MORTAL [dying] flesh" but also because this "Father" had made this "Christ" a "life-long law breaker?" I meant exactly that because of your DISGRACEFUL [Rom. 11:6] teaching as to the meaning of the phrase "under the law." Are we not expressly told that, "When the fullness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law . . . ?" --Gal. 4:4, 5 and 1 Cor. 9:19-23. did the Father make His Holy One [Acts 2:27] both mortal and LAWLESS? YES! Says Herbert W. Armstrong's entire system of garbled truth. YES! Also says Mrs. White's and the Watch-Tower's systems of double talk. And all because none of you believe that "as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my [God's] ways higher than your ways, and my [God's] thoughts than your thoughts." Isa. 55:8, 9.
Rom. 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Gal. 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, {5} To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
1 Cor. 9:19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. {20} And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; {21} To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. {22} To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. {23} And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
Acts. 2:27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Isa. 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. {10} For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: {11} So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
But what is Rom.6:14? The Seventh Day Adventists pervert it exactly as you do. (Is this some of the "new truth" that your wife sought to teach you? ) Mrs. White's followers teach that the expression "UNDER THE LAW" means to be a breaker of the law. In giving this stupid "explanation" they carefully ignore the eight or more OTHER occurrences of that very important Bible phrase "under the law," since they ( and you ) seem determined to get rid of the glorious truth given in Rom. 6:14. Read Rom. 6:14. "For sin shall not have dominion over you; for you are not under the law, but under grace."
Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
How ridiculous the verse would be if "under the law" means "LAW-BREAKING." Any fool should know that if one does NOT sin, then sin COULD NOT have dominion over him. In that case he wouldn't need grace ( undeserved goodness ). On the other hand, if a Christian is "under grace" only when he "keeps the ten commandments" then just one sin dooms him and all other sinners to the lake of fire, and there are NO ten commandment KEEPERS on earth today. So, if God's grace is only for LAW-KEEPERS there will be no one saved by grace for grace, according to your distortion of Rom. 6:14, is only for those who need no salvation since they "keep the law." Herbert which one of your 'brain-washed" assistants was it that wrote in "Plain Truth" ( plain trash ) about preachers who use MUMBO-JUMBO double talk. Most of you law and grace "adulterers" are satanic experts in mumbo-jumbo double talk.
Your whole scheme of doctrine centers around the lie that God created Adam and Eve with "carnal natures" and mortal bodies. You argue that having finally and painfully learned that their "God-created" natures were lawless and dying , maybe they might decide to "keep the commandment law of God" in order to (afterward) get the Holy Spirit and thereby become a "begotten son of God." But since this is what you teach about Jesus of Nazareth also, with His "God-created carnality" ("Flesh and blood mortality") and His MERELY "begotten" (not yet born) spiritual life--I say since your "Christ" was a mortal man with nothing but a "germ" spiritual life, He was neither above or superior to PRESIDENT ARMSTRONG, for instance. Move over, Lucifer!
Armstrong Excommunicates the Church That Ordained Him!
Mr. Armstrong, one of your devoted followers and one or more of your liberated "ex-followers" have told me that shortly after you were ordained [in what was up to that time "the TRUE Seventh Day Church of God," according to you] you received the "revelations" concerning Israel's physical feasts for "the church" but "The true Church of God" refused to sit at the feet of the "novice," HERBERT W. ARMSTRONG [or was it Mrs.?]. PRESTO! CHANGEO! That "true Church of God" is PONTIFICALLY set aside as a fallen, EX-church of God, by the experienced "IDEA-man" [see your Autobiography] and, LO! and BEHOLD! the NEW ["true"?] RADIO CHURCH OF GOD takes over the bankrupt, defunct, discredited KINGDOM [embryonic] of God. And thus was the scripture fulfilled which says, ". . . a novice . . . lifted up with pride . . . fall [falls] into the condemnation of the devil."--1 Tim 3:6.
1 Tim. 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Herbert, did you happen to read where Ellen G. Harmon [later Mrs. White, Seventh day Adventist] did very much the same thing with Wm. Millar's "Advent" movement back in 1844 -- ? In other words, your sect is an off-shoot of an off-shoot which came from other segments and figments, etc., ad infinitum, ad nauseam.
Dead to God or Dead to the Law?
How wonderful it would be, Armstrong, if you would allow God to show you that the ten commandment law teaches ONLY those who are dead to God and alive to the law, while grace teaches only those who are dead to the law and alive to God. ["Dead to God"--Rom. 3:19, 20; 5:17-21; 7:7-14; Gal. 3:10-25; 5:4;1 Tim. 1:4-10; 2 Tim. 2:15. "Dead to the LAW" but ALIVE to God -- Acts 13:38,39; Rom. 3:21-31; 4:1-8, and verses 13-16, 25; Rom. 5:1,2 and verses15-21; Romans 6, all of it; Rom. 7:5 -- read that, Mr. Armstrong and don't twist, torture, and deny it.]
Rom. 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. {20} Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Rom. 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) {18} Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. {19} For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. {20} Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: {21} That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom. 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. {8} But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. {9} For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. {10} And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. {11} For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. {12} Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. {13} Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. {14} For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
Gal. 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. {11} But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. {12} And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. {13} Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: {14} That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. {15} Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. {16} Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. {17} And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. {18} For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. {19} Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. {20} Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. {21} Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. {22} But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. {23} But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. {24} Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to brin to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. {25} But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
Gal. 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
1 Tim. 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. {5} Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: {6} From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; {7} Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. {8} But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; {9} Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, {10} For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
2 Tim. 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Acts 13:38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: {39} And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Rom. 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; {22} Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: {23} For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; {24} Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: {25} whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; {26} To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. {27} Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. {28} Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. {29} Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: {30} Seeing there is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. {31} Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Rom. 4:1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? {2} For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. {3} For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. {4} Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. {5} But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. {6} Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, {7} Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. {8} Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Rom. 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. {14} For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: {15} Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. {16} Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
Rom. 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Rom. 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: {2} By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Rom 5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. {16} And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. {17} For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) {18} Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. {19} For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. {20} Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: {21} That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom. 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? {2} God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? {3} Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? {4} Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. {5} For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: {6} Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. {7} For he that is dead is freed from sin. {8} Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: {9} Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. {10} For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he l to God. {11} Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. {12} Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. {13} Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. {14} For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. {15} What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. {16} Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? {17} But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. {18} Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. {19} I spe the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. {20} For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. {21} What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. {22} But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. {23} For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom. 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
Then read Gal. 2:19 & 20, asking God to erase what your wife taught you about 7th day "keeping;" Gal. 3:11, 12; Titus 2:11-14.
Gal. 2:19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. {20} I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Gal. 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. {12} And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, {12} Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; {13} Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; {14} Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
You who are "living" in the wilderness of "works-grace" and "law-faith" uncertainty and adultery can know nothing but the thunderings of Sinai unless, indeed, your conscience "is seared as with a hot iron" as you take infidel advantage of the fact that "grace is now reigning through righteousness by Jesus Christ." See Rom. 5:20-21 and Eccl. 8:11. All sincere [though deceived] souls that are trying to keep the ten commandments either to get or to guarantee their "final salvation" do "live" in fear of final failure, though probably most of you $ucce$$ful preacher$ and teacher$ of that adulterou$ me$$ are NOW enjoying your "covetou$ practice$" as you "beguile unstable souls."--2 Pet. 2:3. You don't dare show your followers that the "new creature in Christ" whose "life is hid with Christ in God" and "sealed with the Spirit of God till the day of redemption," a truly "regenerated" [Titus 3:5] child of God is not on trial for LIFE--the life that he has. See John 3:36; 5:24; 1 John 5:10-13; Col. 3:1-4. He is taught by "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus." -- Rom. 8:1-4.
Rom. 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: {21} That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Eccl. 8:11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
2 Pet. 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
1 John 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. {11} And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. {12} He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. {13} These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Col. 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. {2} Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. {3} For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. {4} When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Rom. 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. {2} For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. {3} For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: {4} That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Excepting your horrible doctrine as to who and what the "man Christ Jesus" was and is, probably none of your "perverse things" is more wilful, deliberate, and devilish than your pretending to believe Rom. 2:13 while stubbornly refusing to compare the LATER revelation about not being "justified by the law" as found in Rom. 3:9-21; 8:1-4; 9:30-{33} 10:1-4. See also Gal. 2:16.
Rom. 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
Rom. 3:9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; {10} As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: {11} There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. {12} They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. {13} Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: {14} Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: {15} Their feet are swift to shed blood: {16} Destruction and misery are in their ways: {17} And the way of peace have they not known: {18} There is no fear of God before their eyes. {19} Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. {20} Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. {21} But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Your "Old Man" Still Alive and On Trial
When any one of you "becomes a 'Christian' " you are still very much ALIVE and still on trial for ULTIMATE [hope-so] salvation. Thus you prove that Christ's death was neither necessary nor FINAL so far as you are concerned. Col. 3:1-4 would make far more sense to you were it "Twinkle, twinkle little star. HOW I WONDER . . ." Read Rom. 6:6; 7:5; Gal. 2:19,20.
Col. 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. {2} Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. {3} For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. {4} When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Rom. 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Rom. 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
Gal. 2:19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. {20} I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
All Cults Believe the Devil's Two Main Lies!
God told Adam and Eve, "In the day that thou eatest thereof [of the forbidden tree] thou shalt surely die." The serpent said to Eve, "Ye shall not surely die." You and probably billions of Adamites have believed the devil's lie that you did not die "in the day"--in that very day that Adam disobeyed. You do not believe that "by one man's disobedience many were made sinners" [dead to God] with the death penalty hanging over our heads. "For we thus judge that if one [Christ died for all, then were all dead."--Rom. 5:18; 2 Cor. 5:14. Being "dead in trespasses and sins" is only a figurative death to all of you religious materialists. Being dead to God is figurative but being dead in the sod is LITERAL to all who stubbornly deny the Bible description of punishment. Your doctrines concerning the Sinless Man and man, soul and spirit, life and death, salvation and punishment are merely a rehash of Pastor Russell 's and the Seventh Day Adventists' vain wish-thinking.
Your self-righteousness and pride cause you to believe the devil's two main lies:
- "The first man, Adam, didn't really die to God, becoming so depraved and enslaved by sin that all he could do would be "dead works."--Micah 6:7; Rom. 5:17-20; 2 Cor. 5:14; Heb. 9:15; Rom. {4} 1,2; 11:6.
- The devil's first lie [through Simon Peter] that the "Second Man" didn't need to die for the first man's sins. Matt. 16:21-25; 1 Cor. 1:21-25; Gal. 5:15.
Rom. 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
2 Cor. 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
Micah 6:7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
Rom. 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) {18} Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to ondemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. {19} For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. {20} Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
Heb. 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Rom. 4:1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? {2} For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
Rom. 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Matt. 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. {22} Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. {23} But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. {24} Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. {25} For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
1 Cor. 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. {22} For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: {23} But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; {24} But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. {25} Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Gal. 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
The Cults' "Jesus Christ" Not the "I Am!"
Your ever-growing religious corporation and creed won't allow you to face squarely and try to answer this: was "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today," and will He be the same forever? When He was on earth as a youth was He the "I Am" that was before Abraham? See John 8:58. Are you right now planning to LIE out of this predicament in order to make believe that your doctrine can stand up to such texts? Though 1 Cor. 15 reveals there was some change in Jesus Christ's body in the resurrection, can we read John 2:19-22; 10:15-18, and Eph. 4:9, 10 and deny the bodily resurrection of the same One who died? It is very interesting to me to see how all of you fellows who deny present salvation [see John 5:24; Eph. 4:30; Phil. 1:6; and 1 John {5} 10-13] also deny the absolute unchangeableness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Your "Jesus Christ" is as fickle and changeable as is your "hope-so salvation." When you speak of the "resurrection of Jesus Christ" you are guilty of dishonest double talk like the "Watch-Towerites" because you do not believe for one moment that the same person, exactly the same character with the same body, that went into "the lower parts of the earth" was RAISED form the dead.
John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
1 Cor. 15:1-58 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; {2} By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. {3} For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; {4} And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: {5} And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: {6} After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. {7} After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. {8} And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. {9} For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. {10} But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. {11} Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed. {12} Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? {13} But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: {14} And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. {15} Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. {16} For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: {17} And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. {18} Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. {19} If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. {20} But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. {21} For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. {22} For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. {23} But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. {24} Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. {25} For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. {26} The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. {27} For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. {28} And when all things shall be subdued unto him, the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. {29} Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? {30} And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? {31} I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. {32} If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. {33} Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. {34} Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. {35} But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? {36} Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: {37} And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: {38} But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. {39} All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. {40} There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. {41} There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. {42} So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: {43} It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: {44} It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. {45} And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. {46} Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which earthly; and afterward that which is spiritual. {47} The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. {48} As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. {49} And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. {50} Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. {51} Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, {52} In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. {53} For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. {54} So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. {55} O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? {56} The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. {57} But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. {58} Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
John 2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. {20} Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? {21} But he spake of the temple of his body. {22} When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
John 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. {16} And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. {17} Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. {18} No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
Eph. 4:9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? {10} He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Eph. 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Phil. 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
1 John 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. {11} And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. {12} He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. {13} These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
According to your filthy doctrine, when this FLESH-christ died, he ceased to be--he died like a poisoned rat. However, PRESTO-CHANGO! MUMBO-JUMBO! This FLESH-jesus christ is suddenly replaced, "born a God," and is "again"--yes, he is "again" [?] a fullfledged member of Elohim, the "God-family." Thus once again there could be a real Elohim--a God-family and a Kingdom of God. THAT is your own naked pack of lies!
Armstrong -- Embryonic Diety! [?]
But let us "Tune in" "God's IDEA MAN" on the subject of "Elohim" and his "god-lets," Correspondence Lesson No. 9, pg, 5--" 'God' or Elohim is actually the 'family' name for the God Kingdom--The Logos [Word] later became Christ . . . The two divinities, the Ancient of Days and the Logos--constitute the Family of God" [twelve times in this one lesson you use the word "became" to try to prove that Christ was a different being from the LOGOS. -- M. M. J.] And not only that, but there was no Elohim, NO GOD and NO KINGDOM of God for those 33 1/2 years for the simple reason [according to Armstrong] that up to Christ's birth Elohim had, or was, "two divinities." Therefore [Pope Herbert's teaching DEMANDS], there could have been no Elohim, NO GOD and NO KINGDOM of God since there was only one divinity [the Father] for those 33 1/2 years during which the Logos divinity had ceased to be--having abdicated in favor of a "mortal-flesh" man.
Read this last paragraph again and again!!!
In your "Bible Correspondence" lessons nos. 14 and 16 you tell us "HERE'S HOW YOU CAN BECOME GOD." I have no reason to believe that anything I can give you from God's Word will pierce your "conscience seared with a hot iron" -- 1 Tim. 4:2 -- but I do want to faithfully rebuke and expose you while "snatching some out of the fire"--Jude 23. Your "HEADQUARTERS CHURCH" has evidently afforded you the desired opportunity to become "like God." See Gen. 3:5; 2 Thess. 2:4.
1 Tim. 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Jude {23} And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Gen. 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
2 Thess. 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
"New Revelation"--"Emmanuel" Was NOT in the "God-Family!"
Armstrong, after tearing off some of your loosely fitting "sheep's clothing" and carefully distinguishing between your "good words and fair speeches" and your own actual teachings we learn that Emmanuel, "God with us," "the Lord of glory," "Jesus Christ the Lord," was NOT a member of the "God-family" during his 33 1/2 years on earth. "The King of Israel," "the Son of God," and "Son of David" was NOT in the kingdom! "False prophets . . . even denying the Lord that bought them . . . and many shall follow their pernicious ways."--2 Pet. 2.
2 Pet. 2:1-22 There were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. {2} And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. {3} And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. {4} For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; {5} And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; {6} And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; {7} And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: {8} (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) {9} The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: {10} But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. {11} Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. {12} But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; {13} And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; {14} Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: {15} Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; {16} But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. {17} These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. {18} For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. {19} While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. {20} For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. {21} For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. {22} But it is happened unto them accordi he true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
If God's creation of man could have been BOTH "very good" as he said it was [Gen. 1:25,31] and at the same time the "mortal, lawless, carnal, disobedient," stupid product that you repeatedly and brazenly present as this original man, Adam, then Cain, Pharaoh, Judas, Hitler, and Armstrong can qualify as fullfledged members of THAT kind of creator's "God-family"-- that kind of double-talking "Elohim." And still you have the effrontery to bark out against OTHER Babylonish religions! Again I would call your attention to Rom. 5:17-19 and 2 Cor. 11:1-3.
Gen 1:25 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
Gen. 1:31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Rom. 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) {18} Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. {19} For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
2 Cor. 11:1 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. {2} For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. {3} But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Man Has a Soul! And Is a Soul.
And all of your "grab-bag" arguments about "Spirit begotten sons" [including our Blessed Lord] not being "born again" till the resurrection of the body, is exposed and refuted by "rightly dividing the word of truth." Failing to distinguish between man's body and his inner man furnishes you with a false foundation for your devilish doctrine concerning man's physical death. Who but a deliberate infidel can read the following passages and fail to see that man is not his BODY? He has a body. See Matt. 10:28 [note the word "both"]; 2 Cor. 5:1-8; 12:1-7; 2 Pet. 1:13, 14; John 2:19-20; 10:15-18; and Acts 2:27-32.
Matt. 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
2 Cor. 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. {2} For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: {3} If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. {4} For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. {5} Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. {6} Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: {7} (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) {8} We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
2 Cor. 12:1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. {2} I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. {3} And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) {4} How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. {5} Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. {6} For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. {7} And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure
2 Pet. 1:13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; {14} Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
John 2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. {20} Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?
John 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. {16} And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. {17} Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. {18} No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
Acts 2:27-32 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. {28} Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. {29} Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. {30} Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; {31} He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. {32} This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
But what about your forced and prefabricated arguments concerning man's having been created mortal and carnal--with the God-given hatred of the DIVINE law -- so that, by his GOD-caused disobedience, he would [in a few cases] learn that he had been created BAD and really needed to have the same CREATOR give him at least a little help in "achieving" an entirely new kind of nature and becoming a VERY GOD? You oft assure us, however, that this business of sinners finally "achieving" full membership in the God-family [evolving into very Gods] is a life-long job of perfect 10 commandment law keeping, especially sending tithes and offerings to "The Headquarters Church," Box 111, Pasadena, California. This you know, Herbert, is a fair statement of your contemptible "gospel of the Kingdom" program. If I write another open letter to you I expect to take up in some detail your financial trickery. "I never sell the gospel" you piously prate.
Only Gifts to Box 111 Can Protect from Horrible Bombs!
I may get to bring out how all of your sensational warnings of atomic and hydrogen bombs "soon to fall on and destroy the United States and England" can be avoided ONLY by sending tithes and offerings to "God's storehouse," Box 111, etc., etc. Your whole scheme amounts to exactly that -- the failure to give a tenth of our money [to God's one and only storehouse, Box 111]
Is stealing -- commandment-breaking sin! It places us utterly out of reach of God's protection from the soon-coming terrible plagues. It writes us a one-way ticket straight into hell-fire -- the final death!" Plain Truth, 10/56.
If there is any other religious racketeer on the face of the earth who has a more cowardly and vicious way of "devouring widow's houses" [Mark 12:40], I have never heard of such. Armstrong, I have marked the occurrences of your expression "downpour of widow's mites" and similar expressions used by you over and over again in your [private] letters to your "Co-Workers." There's not a money-thirsty collection agency in the land that couldn't learn something from "God's $ucce$$ful idea man," the one and only true [?] Apostle, Herbert W. Armstrong.
Mark 12:40 Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.
Apostle Herb and "God's" Headquarters!
Frankly, I was a little surprised to see your own reference to yourself as "God's called and chosen APOSTLE," Plain Truth, July 1955, pg. 4. In articles about "The Headquarters Church" you and Herman use the word "HEADQUARTERS" only thirty-two [32] times. You know it is never ONCE used in God's Word. Again, "Apostle" Herb, I am forced to agree with you when you call your sect "THE MOTHER CHURCH." This blunt admission on your part was not quite as smart as we expected from the [ex] conceited "idea man." Probably MAMA ROME won't be too disturbed about that for her "harlot daughters" can in their turn become mothers also. See Rev. 17. You fellows are accomplished ventriloquists, aren't you? For instance, "godlet" Hoeh projects things on your "new gods that came newly up," on your "Jesus" who "achieved" a character that was "born into the God-family" only 1925 or so years ago. Herman blames your "Jesus" thusly -- "Jesus Christ caused the headquarters to be moved to Pasadena in 194 7," See Plain Truth, 8/55.
Rev. 17:1-18 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: {2} With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. {3} So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. {4} And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: {5} And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. {6} And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. {7} And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. {8} The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. {9} And here is the mind which hath wisdom the seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. {10} And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. {11} And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. {12} And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. {13} These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. {14} These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. {15} And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. {16} And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. {17} For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. {18} And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
Your assistant repeats your own boasts that "LIKE the Apostle Paul" you were not taught by man but "by the revelation of Jesus Christ" and [again like Paul] that "after three years" you "went."--Plain Truth, 7/56. PRESIDENT Herb, you should know that Paul got all that he wrote in his fourteen epistles "neither from man nor by man, but by revelation of Jesus Christ." Gal. 1:11, 12; 2 Cor. 12:1-7. After such impudent and infidel boasts as you make you should never again pretend that you need to go to the Bible for truth because you got "your gospel" LIKE Paul received the TRUTH, directly from God. Does your wife's god continue to "reveal" more "ideas" since she started this "ONE AND ONLY TRUE WORK OF GOD" as the direct result of "an unusual dream" which according to you was "really a message from God . . . " You tell us, "My wife saw an angel revealing that God was calling me and her to the mission of warning this world . . ." [Your Letter to Co-Workers, 11/28/5 6.]
Gal. 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. {12} For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
2 Cor. 12:1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. {2} I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. {3} And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) {4} How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. {5} Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. {6} For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. {7} And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
"Idea-Man" Incorporates "God's True Church"
While you piously inform us again and again that your "baby daughter" [Rev. 17] is not a sect or a denomination or a man-made religious corporation, you have the unmitigated brass to tell over and over again how your wife and you "started," yes, STARTED "this work" . . . "the true Church of God" back in [33 A.D.? NO?] 1933 or '34. You also brazenly inform us that you have incorporated this "true Church of God" under the name of "Radio Church of God." Your best guarantee that your bewitched followers won't get their eyes open to your everswelling stream of contradictions and blasphemous lies is never to let up with your torrent of talk and dust-storm of writing. Even before your "modest" autobiography began its tireless run, some of us heard you make UNFORCED admissions that you used to be a much sought after "idea man." With touching humility [?] and a multitude of words you tell us of your former "conceit" and [incidentally, of course] you inform us of your native ability and remarkable buddy-buddying with such worldly big-wigs as Elbert Hubbard, Henry Ford, et cetera, ad nauseum. May I lift a short paragraph out of your version of Prov. 27:2 ["Let another man praise thee and not thine own mouth"]? I refer to your autobiography: "But I was young and unconverted then. And I have often wondered if it is not really better for a young upstart to be conceited, self-confident, cocky--and with it, ambitious, energetic in trying to accomplish something, than to be an ambitionless, spineless, lazy, shiftless fellow who is utterly lacking in spark, drive, and zeal to GET SOMEWHERE . . . At least they are mentally ALIVE, and not dead." [See your Plain Truth, April 1985, pg. 20.]
Rev. 17:1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: {2} With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. {3} So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. {4} And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: {5} And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. {6} And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. {7} And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. {8} The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. {9} And here is the mind which hath wisdom the seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. {10} And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. {11} And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. {12} And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. {13} These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. {14} These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. {15} And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. {16} And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. {17} For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. {18} And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
In your autobiography [#5], we are told that you were "too proud," with "vanity and conceit" and "unconverted" . . . "inflated ego." Then you crown your TOWER of BABEL by assuring us that all of these years of "unconverted . . . vanity and conceit . . . inflated ego" were FORMATIVE YEARS in your "event packed life" and were the "GROUNDWORK for your later ministry, the early preparation for today's world-wide impact."
"Vanity and Conceit" of "Inflated Ego" Groundwork for Ministry
With that I readily agree. The "groundwork" for your present ministry without a doubt is one of pride, "vanity and conceit". . . "inflated ego" and "UNCONVERTED"--a house built upon the sand. See Matt. 7:24-27. Herbert, what was John the Baptist's "autobiography?" You recall that he was pressed as to his identity and was asked, "What sayest thou of thyself?" Wasn't that a thrilling series of long stories he wrote in his autobiography -- giving us clever peeps [or microscopic and telescopic examinations] of his "event-packed" life? I believe I'll reprint HIS autobiography:
Matt. 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: {25} And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. {26} And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: {27} And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
John the Baptist's "Autobiography"
"And he said, I am the VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, make straight the way of the Lord as saith the prophet Esaias." "I indeed baptize with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; and he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." "Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world." "He must increase, but I must decrease." John {1} 23, 29; 3:30; Matt. 3:11, 12.
John 1:23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
{29} The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
Matt. 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: {12} Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
According to your blasphemous distortion concerning Christ's having been "made flesh" John the Baptist was not at all inferior to Christ. Remember that John was "filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb." Luke 1:15. You wrest and torture the FIRST CLAUSE of John 1:14, wrenching it from its glorious context so that it seems to mean that the ETERNAL, UNCREATED WORD -- "GOD" [the Son, Emmanuel, "God with us"] became nothing but FLESH. As I brought out in my first letter to you, you not only say that the eternal CREATOR was "converted to flesh" but you make [or try to make] Him to be nothing but MORTAL, sinful FLESH. Were that true, even though He had been given [also] a "begotten" [germ] of spiritual life, he was not better than John the Baptist who was filled with the Spirit from birth. The filthy fact is that your "jesus christ" is in no sense superior to, or better than, HERBERT W. ARMSTRONG. Now don't try to squirm out of that horrible predicament into which your "doctrine of demons" has forced you.
Luke 1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
As one of your occasional listeners, I readily admit you tell the truth when you bark out, "What I am preaching is shocking, astounding, . . . etc.!" Were it not a fact [exactly contrary to your system of DIS-graceful perversions] that "GRACE is now reigning through righteousness by Jesus Christ" [Rom. 5:21], you and your wilful followers would have been stricken dead before now for your unspeakable blasphemies. These letters I'm writing, of course, are not intended for you primarily. It is because of such "false prophets" as "privily . . . bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them" that I am uncovering what you "privily" teach as you "creep into houses and lead captive silly women . . ." and "the simple" of Rom. 16:17, 18; 2 Tim. 3:6; 2 Pet. 2:1,2. And how you do "glory in your shame" -- that "many follow your pernicious ways" and your YES-YES boys are offering this physical and numerical growth as actually being Heaven's obvious "proof" that your "Radio Church of God" is "the work of the true Church of God . . . [and] ALL others are counterfeits!" See Plain Truth -- 7/56, page 24.
Rom. 6:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. {18} For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
2 Tim. 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2 Pet. 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. {2} And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
The Church Whose Headquarters Is in Heaven!
Mr. Armstrong, I am a member of the Church whose headquarters is where the Head is -- at the right hand of the throne of God in the Glory. Doubtless Herman Hoeh and other deceived souls are members of the church where its head is Box 111, Pasadena, California. By the pure, unmixed grace of God [Rom. 11:6] I am a "new creature in Christ," a "son of God" ". . . therefore the world knows us not, for it knew Him not." God the Father has already "made me accepted in the Beloved" with new SPIRITUAL life -- "life hid with Christ in God"-- and "when Christ who is my life shall appear, then I shall [no possibility of a doubt about it, I SHALL] appear with Him in glory." It is only my mortal body that awaits "redemption." See Rom. {8} 23; 2 Cor. 5:1-8, 17; John 5:24; Eph. 1:6, 7,13,14; 4:30; Col. 3:1-4; 1 John 3:1-3.
Rom. 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Rom. 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
2 Cor. 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. {2} For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: {3} If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. {4} For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. {5} Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. {6} Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: {7} (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) {8} We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. {17} Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Eph. 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. {7} In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; {13} In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, {14} Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Eph. 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Col. 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. {2} Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. {3} For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. {4} When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. {2} Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. {3} And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Every sincere believer in the Lord Jesus Christ can say with Paul, "I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life that I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me." Gal. 2:20. The inner man [not his flesh-and-blood body] is a "new creature in Christ" and will never for all eternity be improved upon. However, "we have this treasure in earthen vessels" [2 Cor. 4:7] and we wait for our "house from heaven"--our redeemed bodies, "like His glorious body" [Phil. 3:20, 21, also 1 John {3} 1-3]. Herbert, it is only the Christian's body that is yet to be made "like Him." No one of us redeemed sinners will even wish to be "like" THE LAMB OF GOD on HIS GLORIFIED THRONE. All who will have received his amazing grace will reverently sing and shout "worthy are Mr. and Mrs. Herbert W. Armstrong, Dick, Garner Ted, Herman Hoeh, et al???" NO! NO!
2 Cor. 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
Phil. 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: {21} Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. {2} Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. {3} And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
"WORTHY IS THE LAMB THAT WAS SLAIN TO RECEIVE POWER, AND RICHES, AND WISDOM, AND STRENGTH, AND HONOR, AND GLORY, AND BLESSING. AND EVERY CREATURE WHICH IS IN HEAVEN, AND ON THE EARTH, AND UNDER THE EARTH, AND SUCH AS ARE IN THE SEA, AND ALL THAT ARE IN THEM, HEARD I SAYING, BLESSING AND HONOR, AND GLORY, AND POWER, BE UNTO THE LAMB FOR EVER AND EVER." Rev. 5:12,13.
To you readers of this letter who "Know that you have passed from death unto life" [John 5:24; Gal. 2:19, 20; Rom. 6:1-6] I address this plea and exhortation: let us read our Bibles more, and read prayerfully. Don't allow any man to GUIDE your Bible reading day after day. That is precisely the way Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy got such an enslaving hold upon her followers. Very much the same was true of Mrs. White, the prophetess of the Seventh Day Adventists. The Watchtower Society ensnares and captures its hundreds of thousands by the same method of CONTROLLED "Bible" study. Herbert Armstrong is a devilish master of the same insidious "BRAIN-WASHING" technique. Those who hear him nearly every day and dread his furious output of "shocking," "amazing," "astounding," and "INDISPENSABLE" writings cannot possibly do like the Bereans, "search the scriptures daily to see if these things are so." [See Acts 17:10,11!]
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Gal. 2:19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. {20} I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Rom. 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? {2} God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? {3} Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? {4} Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. {5} For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: {6} Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Acts 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. {11} These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
"MAMA" ROME, of course, leads all of her "HARLOT DAUGHTERS" [Rev. 17] in enslaving, entertaining and controlling the minds of her people. No "faithful" Roman Catholic can study his or her Bible for the simple reason that "faithful" attention to "the church life" demands all of the life, none of which is to be "wasted" in "private interpretation" of the Word of God. "The TEACHING CHURCH" [the priests] alone is supposed to be both qualified and commissioned to intelligently read and study the Bible. With this "GREAT WHORE" [Rev. 17] and with even the youngest of her "daughters," knowledge of and interest in the Word of God has decreased in exact proportion as the man-made institution grew in size and "importance."
Rev. 17:1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: {2} With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. {3} So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. {4} And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: {5} And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. {6} And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. {7} And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. {8} The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. {9} And here is the mind which hath wisdom the seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. {10} And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. {11} And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. {12} And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. {13} These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. {14} These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. {15} And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. {16} And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. {17} For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. {18} And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
All organized and institutionalized religions are characterized by BABYLON'S GULLIBILITY and not GOD'S NOBILITY. God grant that more of His twice-born, "new creatures in Christ" will be modern BEREANS. Their attitude toward the Apostle Paul's preaching is thus described,
"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."-- Acts 17:10, 11.
Acts 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. {11} These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.