Church of God-21st Century
P.O. Box 893909 Temecula, CA 92589
February 15, 2005
Dear Brethren,
A very warm greeting to all of you! My wife and I hope this letter finds each of you in health, and prospering in all your undertakings. May you continue to be "stedfast, immovable, always abounding in the WORK OF THE LORD" (1Cor. 15:58). God's Word encourages us to follow the example of our Elder Brother, Jesus Christ in all we do.
We need to remember Christ's words: "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish HIS WORK" (Jo. 4:34). May God Almighty enable us to strive to do all we can to help finish God's work, before the prophesied evil end-time.
We live in very sobering times! The Bible refers to these "perilous times" as the "GREAT TRIBULATION" (Mt. 24:21-22), which will be followed by the terrifying, dramatic events to occur during the "DAY OF THE LORD" (vv. 29-31; Joel 2:30-31). The GREAT TRIBULATION which constitutes Satan's wrath, whereas the "DAY OF THE LORD" is GOD'S PUNISHMENT which will fall on the heads of all of the wicked, God-defying peoples of this earth at the end of this evil age!
Let us not be "ignorant of Satan's devices" (Cor. 2:11), or of his wicked, crafty plans concerning what he is seeking to accomplish toward the destruction of mankind, especially God's people, here on this earth:
1) Firstly, Satan wants to destroy God's Church (Rev. 12:7-17), which now constitutes the true "Israel of God" (Gal. 6:16)—but, thankfully, he will miserably fail (Mt. 16:18; Heb. 2:14; 1 Cor. 15:24-28)!
2) Secondly, the Devil will attempt to destroy the modern nations of "Israel" (the English-speaking nations, and the democracies of Northwest Europe) who are the descendants of the Patriarch Israel, also called Jacob (Dan. 12:1). The democracies of N. W. Europe—including Britain, Scandinavia, The Netherlands and Belgium, including North America, Australia and New Zealand, etc., who have inherited the national wealth, military might and the will to strive to preserve some semblance of law and order, freedom of worship and others freedoms that we all carelessly take for granted. If it were not for these nations, this world would have long ago descended into utter poverty,
squalor, superstition, slavery, chaos and confusion! God has used the modern descendants of Joseph (Americans and Britons) to "push" the aggressive Gentile nations "to the ends of the earth"—as actually happened in World War I & II (Gen. 49:22-36; Deut. 33:13-17)! This fabulous our wealth and military power was from the hand of Almighty God.
3) Thirdly, this Adversary of both God and man, called the "Old Serpent" (Rev.12:9), desires to "destroy all mankind," and intends that "Third no flesh should be saved alive"—so says God's Word (Mt. 24:21-22)! Satan is also called Abaddon and Apollyon, both of which mean the "DESTROYER"! From the very beginning, the Devil has been a "murderer" and a "liar" (John 8:44)!
Realizing Satan's aims, God's exhorts us in His Word to put on the "armor of God" so we can successfully resist, and overcome our cunning Adversary (Eph. 6:10-18). But, as God's Word shows, "[We] can do all things through Christ who strengthens [us]" (Philip. 4:13). And, as "good soldiers" of Jesus Christ, we are assured that we will be victorious by winning this titanic struggle—but only by the Almighty power of God working in us through His Holy Spirit (Zech. 4:6). Let us remember that the "GREAT TRIBULATION" will not be God's wrath, but will constitute Satan's wrath!
The churches of this world do not possess one of the major keys to understanding the end-time prophecies, which is the TRUE IDENTITY of the descendants of the so-called "Lost Ten Tribes" of Israel. Brethren, we have been given that important "key" by God's faithful servant, Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong, in his book, The U.S. and Britain in Prophecy. (You can access my full-color book, AMERICA and BRITAIN in PROPHECY, on my Website [COG21.ORG, or cog21.org], which gives numerous valuable historical details that will help to further prove the validity of what Mr. Armstrong wrote in his interesting book US and Britain in Prophecy).
What Are the "Times of the Gentiles" and...THE "ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION"? I am enclosing a copy of the above article, I have just finished writing, which I hope you will find interesting and very informative. I wrote this article because of questions I recently received concerning various teachings which are being taught by some in the "Churches of God" who are veering off from the Truths which we were taught by God's faithful servant, Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong.
I am also publishing the above article in THE JOURNAL. About one year ago a member of another "Church of God" wrote me suggesting it might be a good thing for me to write an article and publish it in The Journal. I believe God inspired me to go ahead and publish a number of articles in this particular church newspaper. And I have been pleasantly surprised to see that so many brethren from various Churches of God have written me, as well as numerous ministers, saying they appreciate being able to read the informative, hard-hitting articles which I have published.
If you will log onto my website (cog21.org) you can access ten of the articles I have published in The Journal; and, hopefully, by the time you receive this letter, my 1lth article will also have been posted on my website. You can access those articles by clicking onto either of the following links: "IMPORTANT ARTICLES," or, "RFMc ARTICLES IN THE JOURNAL " I would very much appreciate your prayers for God to continue to inspire the writing of these articles, for I know many thousands have been informed and encouraged by my articles in The Journal, and on my website.
COMMENTS from those who read my articles in The Journal or on my website. Here are a few comments from readers of my articles in The Journal: One person writes saying, "Thank you for the 'Dear Brethren letter' and the 'JOURNAL ARTICLE.' It is great to see that it is inspired. It is also so very beautiful to see that you still have HWA's material up on your website. This is music to my ears!"
Another person says, "Glad to see your articles in 'The Journal'.... I would like to ask you some questions, if I may. We know where you stand where 'the end-time Elijah' [is] concerned in regards to Mr. H.W.A. ..being the end-time [Elijah] God has sent us, and we heartily agree." This man then asks a number of questions on various topics such as "Church Government...standards of dress for men and women on the Sabbath before God," etc.
Comments regarding RFMc SERMON TAPES & CDs. One person recently wrote me saying, "Hello Mr. and Mrs. McNair, Just a note to advise you that we received the package... containing the two new [sermon] CD's on the History of the Church of God. Outstanding! Good to hear you speaking out again with authority, on the subjects no one else is talking about anymore. Hope this is just the beginning of many more sermons from you. Best Wishes...."
Brethren, I am pleased to announce that I have recently recorded five new sermons, and hope to continue recording more in the near future. I ask your prayers that God will mightily inspire me as I make new sermons to send out to God's "scattered sheep," which are very hungry for real spiritual meat! I might also mention that I have about 24 additional sermons ready to put on cassettes or CDs, so that those who request a specific sermon by a specific title will receive them.
THE "ELIJAH" ISSUE. In recent years much discussion in the Churches of God has concerned whether or not Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong was the end-time Elijah—as he repeatedly claimed to be. If you will check my website, you will see my view concerning this issue clearly explained. Also, I wrote a 28-page booklet in August, 2004, titled "THE THREE 'ELIJAH'S'—Questions and Answers Regarding the End-time 'Elijah. '" In that booklet I present the facts of Mr. Armstrong's calling and ministry—facts which clearly demonstrate that he was indeed the end-time "Elijah."
Truly, the long span of his 50-year ministry—which reached scores of millions— and his fruits proved conclusively, that Mr. Armstrong was the one whom God sent to begin preparing "Christ's Bride" for the soon-coming wedding. No other man—either in the 20th or in this 21st century—-comes even close to fulfilling the prophesied role of the end-time Elijah as described in Malachi 4 and Matthew 17:10-13.
But I see two extremes regarding this issue:
1) One group flatly, yet wrongly, denies that Mr. Armstrong was the "end-time Elijah." However, those in this group will often freely acknowledge that Mr. Armstrong "did an ELIJAH -LIKE WORK!" Therefore, they are still "looking for Elijah," whom they believe is "yet to come!"
2) A second group believes that Mr. Armstrong was the "end-time Elijah" and did a powerful work. This is, I believe, the correct view. But some who believe he fulfilled the "Elijah" prophecies go overboard by insisting that a belief in Mr. Armstrong as the "Elijah" is absolutely essential for salvation! Although I think it is important to have recognized that he fulfilled the Elijah prophecies; nonetheless, I, and many others who hold this view, believe that it is not necessary for one to believe this in order to be saved! However, I am convinced that, as a general rule, those who think that he was the end-time "Elijah" tend to adhere more carefully to the true doctrines which he taught directly from the Bible to millions during his amazingly fruitful, fifty-five-year ministry!
Before closing, I wish to mention that I have been working with various ministers for some time. Two of these ministers are Messrs. Ronald Laughland and Daniel J. Cafeo. I have found them to be completely loyal to God and His Word, and both are determined to diligently serve God's brethren.
Mr. Daniel Cafeo. Mr. Cafeo was ordained while in the Worldwide Church of God in April, 1972; his ordination certificate was signed by Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong— who approved his ordination. He is now faithfully serving God's people in Northern California, including a few "scattered sheep." He and some of his "little flock" observed the Feast Tabernacles with us here in the Temecula area, and all of us agreed that it was one of the finest Feasts any of us ever observed!
I have known Mr. Cafeo for about 35 years, and have found him to be a faithful minister who, like many of us, had to leave the WCG in order to continue teaching God's Truth. During the past few decades, he helped to faithfully guide the brethren in those churches in which he served. He is doing a fine job of teaching, encouraging, and strengthening the brethren. He is loved by them and by those of us who know him. His wife Judy is also a loyal member and servant of Jesus Christ.
Mr. Ronald Laughland. In his letter to me fairly recently, Mr. Laughland stated: "I graduated from Ambassador College...in 1980. I have pastored congregations for over 25 years.... Under Mr. Armstrong, I was placed as a pastor of congregations, and I realized that my calling was to follow what God wanted."
He also says, "I established the Wholeworld Church of God to give lost sheep a place to find peace and as a vehicle to preach the gospel in my little part of the world and feed the little flock. I do not want to take anyone away from the congregations they might be attending. I primarily want to serve those with no affiliation with another group and those God may be calling at this time. In Tennessee we have three small congregations: Nashville, Chattanooga and Clarkrange, plus scattered brethren associated with us from several states. We send tapes as well as updates on world news.... We have radio broadcasts in Nashville on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 12:30 to 1:00pm. In Chattanooga our broadcast is on Sunday mornings from 11:30 to 12:00pm."
Brethren, I ask that you pray for the success of Mr. Laughland's radio broadcasts, that God will bless them. I have known Mr. Laughland for about 30 years and know that he is faithfully teaching God's Word. Although I have never met Mrs. Laughland, my phone conversations with her reveal that she is a faithful and dedicated servant of God.
Please remember Mr. and Mrs. Laughland and Mr. and Mrs. Cafeo in your prayers. God's Word admonishes us to give "double honor" to all of God's faithful ministers (1 Tim. 5:17-19). My wife and I consider it a tremendous honor and a great pleasure to have these fellow servants as co-laborers in Christ's ministry, as we work together serving you faithful members of God's Church—especially His scattered sheep!
Plans for the 2005 Feast of Tabernacles. Messrs. Ron Laughland, Mr. Daniel Cafeo and I are making plans for the October 2005 Feast. We hope we can find a centrally located Feast site, which will make it more accessible for brethren who are on a limited Festival budget. A centrally located Feast site will also cut down on the driving time to and from the Feast, for those who may want to drive to the Festival. Please pray that God Almighty will lead His minister to select the Festival site He knows will be best for the needs of His people! Some have suggested that we consider such centrally located sites as Branson, Missouri, or Hot Springs, Arkansas. If you brethren have any suggestions as to a good Feast site, please feel free to contact me, and we can seriously consider the suggestions that you brethren may have.
Brethren, my wife and I remember you all in our prayers continually, and once again thank all of you for your love, prayers and support! May God richly bless you all!
Sincerely in Jesus Christ's name.
Raymond F. McNair