P. O.  Box 893909 Temecula, CA 92589

                                                                                                                                    January 15, 2006

Dear Brethren:

Again, my wife and I extend to all of you a very warm greeting! We hope none of you are suffering unduly from the inclement weather which various parts of the U.S. and Canada have been experiencing lately. Surely, all of us are always happy to see the days getting longer and the nights shorter. We all look forward to these longer days and more sunshine as we head toward God’s Spring Holy Days!

            Brethren, as we all know, we are not only living in the “time of the end,” but are also living in very sobering times. The Apostle Paul tells us that “in the last days perilous times will come” (2 Tim. 3:1). Our Savior Jesus Christ prophesied that, during this terrible end-time, the earth would be filled with “corruption” and “violence”—as in the “days of Noah” before the flood (Matt. 24:29-36). Furthermore, Luke mentions the same events as those mentioned in the 24th chapter of Matthew, but describes these terrible end-times as a time of great “distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring [i.e. hurricanes and tsunamis]; men’s hearts failing them for fear...for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.”

            Have we forgotten the terrible devastation and loss of human lives brought about by hurricane Katrina, and by the world’s worst recorded Indonesian tsunami (caused by an earthquake), both of which struck this earth during 2005? Over 200,000 lives were lost in the tsunami which afflicted Indonesia, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, etc. only a few months ago. Katrina did more damage to the U.S. than any hurricane in recorded U.S. history! New Orleans (with a previous population of over 400,000) now has a population of a little over 100,000—about one-fourth its previous population. And let us not kid ourselves: America’s unprecedented wealth and industrial might will not be able to completely restore the terrible damage suffered by the Gulf States of Louisiana, Mississippi, etc. as they experienced the ravages of Katrina.

Our New Booklet Is at the Printers

            I think you brethren will be quite pleased with our new 32-page booklet (King David’s Everlasting Dynasty), which should soon be off the press. Shortly after it is delivered to us, we will mail copies of this new brochure to all of you.

            This new booklet gives numerous biblical and historical facts that have never before been included in any Church of God booklet on this subject. It proves from history, as well as from the Bible, that God has kept His everlasting covenant with King David to see to it that one of his descendants would always be sitting upon his Throne for ever. We also show that David’s Throne was in fact the “Throne of the LORD,” the very throne which Bible prophecy shows Jesus Christ will occupy shortly after He returns to this earth to restore order and peace on this war-weary, chaotic planet (Luke 1:31-32).

            In this brochure we ask and answer the question of whether or not God promised that one of Solomon’s descendants would forever sit upon David’s Throne. This book proves from the Bible that God’s promises to David were unconditional in regard to one of his sons sitting on his Throne in every generation. But it also reveals that God never promised Solomon that he would have a descendant of his occupying his father David’s throne in every single generation.

            In fact, God made His promise to King Solomon conditional—based on the express condition that if his sons were upright, like King David, then they would continue to occupy that throne perpetually—meaning, a descendant of Solomon’s would sit upon that throne in every generation from that day forward! Since Solomon grievously disobeyed the LORD, He was “angry” with him, and as a consequence of his egregious sins, God never promised Solomon that one of his sons would continue to rule on the Throne of David in every generation.

            Furthermore, this booklet reveals that Jesus Christ was not a descendant of King Solomon, according to Luke’s genealogy of Jesus, but Christ was a descendant of David through Solomon’s  older brother, Nathan (Luke 3:23-31). The 31st verse of this chapter traces Jesus’ human lineage back through “NATHAN, the son of David.”  Notice, Christ’s genealogy does not say that He was a descendant of SOLOMON!

            When you receive this new brochure, be sure to check up on the statements that are made, for you will find biblical proof of every point.

            Also, you will find some very interesting historical information showing exactly how God caused King Zedekiah’s daughters to be taken to Egypt, then to Spain, and from there they were taken under the charge of Jeremiah from Spain to North Ireland. After arriving in Ireland, Princess Tea Tephi married an Irish prince, called Heremon, who was a descendant of Judah through his son Zerah. You will, I am sure, find some of the facts mentioned in this booklet both interesting and compelling!

            By now I am certain that most, if not all of you, have received your copy of our first large, 45 page booklet (which was handed out at the Feast of Tabernacles), titled The Arab-Israeli Impasse. We have received many interesting comments from those who have seen this brochure. It also gives interesting historical and biblical facts and bits of information, some of which have never before been made known in any Church of God literature published on the subject of the present-day Middle East impasse.

            None of the world’s top leaders or politicians from any nation understands many of the important points made in this fascinating brochure. This booklet reveals numerous prophecies yet to be fulfilled concerning the sons of ESAU and ISRAEL—prophecies showing that the Anglo-Saxon-Celtic peoples of Northwest Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand are yet again going to supplant the Palestinians. Prophecy even reveals that the modern descendants of Israel are yet destined to take over the “East Bank” of the Promised Land, as well as retaining control over the West Bank!

            If you have not already received your free copy of this enlightening brochure, then be sure to request one, and we will be happy to mail it to you.

Ominous Threats from Iran

            Brethren, prophecy marches on! We need to be acutely aware of the continued threats that are coming from the President of Iran. He has made it clear that he believes the tiny state of modern “Israel” should be “wiped off the face of the earth”! Further, the Iranians and other Islamists have made it amply clear that they would like to see the destruction of both Israel and the U.S., Israel’s chief supporter!

            And those who have their eyes open now know that, despite denials, Iran is working hard to acquire “nuclear weapons,” so she can carry out some of her diabolical designs against Israel and the U.S. It is disappointing to see that some of the world’s leaders have been willing to overlook, or wink at, Iran’s nuclear program. Britain is solidly behind the U.S. move to deny Iran the doomsday weapons she is trying to develop. More recently the Chancellor of Germany has seemingly sided with the U.S. in saying Iran must not be permitted to get her hands on nuclear weapons. Also France, Russia and other nations are reluctantly, half-heartedly siding with the U.S. in her drive to deny Iran those lethal weapons. Of course, the Iranians say their nuclear capacity is purely for “peaceful purposes.” But the U.S. and most world leaders know this is not true!

            President George Bush has repeatedly said that so far as the U.S. “taking out Iran’s nuclear program” is concerned, America does not rule out the “nuclear option,” if necessary, to prevent Iran ever getting her itchy fingers on the nuclear trigger. And you can rest assured that the top Muslim leaders in Iran are well aware that President George Bush, as well as his father, former President Bush, had informed Saddam Hussein in advance that the U.S. might take action against him, if he persisted in acquiring Weapons of Mass Destruction! Consequently, since both of these U.S. presidents did take military action against Saddam, understandably, the Iranian leaders must be nervous as to the possibility, if not the probability, that President Bush might take out their “nuclear weapons” capacity! He has repeatedly said all of the military options are “on the table”!

Iran in Bible Prophecy

            What, if anything, does Bible prophecy have to say concerning whether or not Iran will acquire nuclear weapons, and whether she would ever attack the U.S.?

Unfortunately most ministers, priests or rabbis do not understand where the peoples, who settled Britain, North America, Australia and New Zealand, came from. They don’t know where those Anglo-Saxon-Celtic peoples came from, and most of them refuse to look at the biblical and historical evidence which proves that the “core peoples” who settled the above-mentioned nations were, in actual fact, descendants of the so-called “Lost Ten Tribes of Israel.”

            Neither do most religious leaders have a clue as to who is the ancestor of the Iranian peoples. Not realizing the identity of the above-mentioned nations (Anglo-Saxon-Celtic peoples), consequently they can’t know where these peoples are mentioned in Bible prophecy. But God’s people are well aware of the biblical identities of those peoples in the prophecies of the Scriptures!

            Identifying the modern Iranians Who are the Iranians? Who are their biblical ancestors? The World Book Encyclopedia states: “In ancient times, non-Iranian peoples such as the Kassites, Mannaeans, and ELAMITES occupied the part of Iran west of the central deserts. About 1000 B.C., Iranian tribes from central Asia moved to western Iran and mixed with the non-Iranians. The two most important of these tribes were MEDES, who settled in the north, and the PERSIANS, who settled in the south. Hundreds of years later, ARABS, TURKS, and MONGOLS moved to Iran, and the country’s population became even more mixed....

            “Many non-Iranian people live in Iran today. They include the KURDS...the TURKOMENS [Turks] of the northeast, and the BALUCHI of the southwest. Some Arabs, Jews, and Armenians also live in Iran.... About 98 of every 100 Iranians are MOSLEMS. Islam is the state religion of Iran. Most of the people belong to the Shiah sect (branch) of the Islamic Religion” (World Book Encyc., 1972 ed, vol. 10).

            Some historians believe many modern Iranians have “Elamite” blood in them. The Bible and secular history reveal that many of the “ethnic Arabs” are descended from Abraham’s son ISHMAEL, with some of them being the offspring of Abraham’s wife “Keturah” and of Abraham’s “concubines” (Gen. 25:1-6). The Iranian “Arabs” are some of Abraham’s descendants.

            There is undoubtedly much yet to be learned by diligently studying the prophecies pertaining to the true identities of all the peoples of the Middle East. We know of nothing specific in the prophecies which say: 1) Iran will, or will not, get her hands on nuclear weapons.  2) America and Iran will ever fight each other in an all-out war. Nonetheless, it is very clear that the Iranians are the primary promoters of terrorism, and the Iranians have made their intentions quite clear: they would like to see the U.S. and Britain brought to their knees.

            Many Muslims would “dance in the streets” of the major cities of the Muslim nations if they could witness our destruction. Remember that the Palestinian Muslims and others in various parts of the Islamic nations literally danced in the streets when they saw pictures of America’s Twin Towers come crashing down. Yes, we live in a very hate-filled and vengeful world, where many rejoice to see countless thousands lose their lives!

Bible prophecies repeatedly warn us of ever-increasing hatred and violence on this planet at the end of this evil, Satan-dominated world!

Muslim Hoards from “the East”

            I want to alert God’s people to the prophecies in Revelation which appear to be giving God’s people some inkling about what is now taking place in Iran, and in other Moslem nations of the Middle East and in Asia. One prophecy mentions that in the fairly near future God’s angels will no longer restrain certain armies that are situated east of the great Euphrates, and will allow those armies from the “east” to cross over that River and kill a “third part of men” (Rev. 9:13- 21).

            “Then the sixth angel sounded [and a “voice” from heaven tells one of God’s angels to] “‘Release the four angels who are bound at the great RIVER EUPHRATES.’ So the four angels...were released to kill a third part of mankind. Now the number of the army of the horsemen was TWO HUNDRED MILLION, and I heard the number of them” (Rev. 9:13-16). Whom do those angels of God slay? Verse 20 explains that they would kill many who “did not repent of [their idolatry]...that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood...” (v. 20).

            This is clearly a non-Christian army which brings about a great slaughter of those who worship images and icons, and that slaughter clearly refers to the Christian-professing peoples living primarily in Europe, parts of southwestern Asia, etc. Anyone who has studied ISLAM realizes that Muslims do not have any idols or images in their mosques or other places of worship. In their eyes, it is idolatry to worship images or icons of any kind. On the other hand, professing Christians often fill their churches with innumerable images and idols. So does this slaughter of a “third part of men” by an army of 200,000,000 people point to a future slaughter of idol-worshipping, professing Christians, at the hands of the Islamist armies, who come from the area which is to the east of the Euphrates River in order to invade the land of the Christian “infidels” (vv. 14-18)? In fact, could this coming invasion of parts of Europe and Asia be a repeat of history, a replay of what the Muslim armies did, beginning in the 7th century A.D., when their armies conquered most of the lands surrounding the entire Mediterranean Sea? At that time, Islamist armies went as far west as eastern and southern Europe. The Muslims  conquered all the lands in North Africa, Spain and Portugal, and even invaded Southern France—where they were stopped in 732 A.D. by Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne—exactly 100 years after the death of the Prophet Mohammed, the real founder of Mohammedanism (i.e., the father of Islam).

            It needs to be noted that, at that time, the military power of America, Britain, Australia and New Zealand, will already have been broken by the “BEAST POWER” in Europe. After that happens, God will charge His mighty angels not to restrain the powerful Islamist forces who are situated primarily east of the EUPHRATES River, who will then flood into idol-worshipping Europe. That could include peoples from Iraq, Iran, the Islamic nations of Central and Southern Asia, and possibly some of the Muslims from the populous nation of Indonesia.

            Not long afterward, another mighty angel will pour out his “vial” of God’s plagues on the Euphrates River area: “Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl [of divine plagues] on the great river EUPHRATES and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared” (Rev. 16:12). Where will that final, climactic battle take place?  

Messiah Finally Takes Charge

            “And they [demon spirits] gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, ARMAGEDDON [hill of Megiddo]” (v. 16). And from Megiddo, those armies will march to Jerusalem, where the “demons [will then gather together] the kings of the earth and of the whole world...to the battle of that GREAT DAY OF GOD ALMIGHTY” (v. 14).

            But the Muslim armies will fight against the armies of the Beast power before their victorious armies attempt to seize control of Jerusalem, which is holy to Christians, Jews and Muslims (Rev. 19:19- 21). But where will the fight between the European-based Beast power and the Muslim world take place? Somewhere in Europe—or somewhere in the Middle East? After the Islamist armies move westward across the Euphrates the armies of the Beast and of the Islamic armies will meet each other in a titanic battle for the control of the Middle East and of the world.

            We are told that Satan will gather the armies at Megiddo, about 70 miles north of Jerusalem. What will then happen to those Gentile armies that the demons will later assemble at Jerusalem? The Prophet Zechariah says, “Behold, the DAY OF THE LORD is coming.... For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem. ...Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations...” (14:1-5). Their utter destruction is vividly described in verses 12-15, where we are told that those armies will be annihilated by Almighty God when He supernaturally destroys their very “flesh” which will “dissolve while they stand on their feet” (vv. 12-13).

            That same battle is also described in the 19th chapter of Revelation: “And I saw the BEAST, the kings of the earth, and their armies gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the BEAST was captured, and with him the false prophet.... These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the SWORD which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the [white] horse” (vv. 20-21).

            The prophecies of Revelation imply that the Beast power and its armies will fight against the Islamist “armies” from east of the Euphrates, and in that battle the armies of the Beast will be victorious over their foes at the “time of the end” (Dan. 11:40-45). Next, this European Beast power will proceed to Jerusalem, where they will then make war against the King of kings and the Lord of lords. But those armies who oppose Christ will all meet a horrible fate in the “valley of decision” at Jerusalem (Joel 3:9-17). That will be the most decisive battle ever fought on this earth! What will happen next?

            Then, Jesus Christ will exercise His divine mandate to rule over all nations for one thousand years: “And the LORD shall be King over all the earth” (Zech. 14:9).

“We See Through a Glass Darkly”!

            Brethren, do we members of the true Church of God realize how blessed we are—not only to know how to live, our ultimate destiny, and how to achieve that destination? Our Great God pulls back the “veil to the future” so that His people can know the broad outlines of what His Word says will surely “come to pass” in the fairly near future (Amos 3:7). We cannot know the exact timing (“times and seasons”—Acts 1:7-8) of precisely when all these things will occur; but Jesus told His people that when we see “all of these things [happening], then know that it [“end of this age”] is near, even at the doors” (Matt. 24:33)! He was then referring to many earth-shaking natural, and also God-sent supernatural, events which Christ said would occur before His Second Coming (Matt. 23:1-33).

            But the Apostle Paul tells us that at this present time “we know in part and we prophesy in part.... For now we see a mirror, dimly...” (1 Cor. 13:9, 12). It is very comforting for us to know who we are (both spiritually and nationally), man’s ultimate destiny, and what God expects of those who wish to accept His free gift of immortality in the soon-coming Kingdom of God. God’s saints will then have an important part in helping to teach the nations the right way, revealing to them God’s Master Plan for all mankind, and how we can qualify, through the help of God’s Spirit, to inherit that wonderful future (Daniel 12)!

Sermons on CDs & Cassettes

            Brethren, I want to say a few words regarding our sending out recorded sermons.

We had recorded and sent out over 30 sermons on CD’s and cassettes during 2005. Since the Feast of Tabernacles my wife and I have simply been swamped with work here in our Church Office. We are the only two workers doing the work of ministering to the needs of those who write us, requesting sermons, articles, booklets, taking telephone calls, etc. 

Because of our heavy work-load, more recently we have not been able to make and send out sermons.

            Fortunately, brethren have recently offered to take on the task of making these recordings for us, and send them out to those on our mailing list who request them. We are thankful for the sacrifices that God’s people are willing to make in order to assist God’s ministers in carrying out their God-given responsibilities. Almighty God always provides the needs of His people—one way or the other! I would ask that all of you be patient about this matter, and hopefully we will, in the near, future be able to provide many recorded sermons for His people.

            I would also like to emphasize this point: Most of my time, of necessity, must be taken up with writing e-mails, letters, articles and booklets on behalf of the Church of God-21st Century. My wife ably assists me in the writing of many e-mails and doing bookkeeping for the Church, and in the performance of many other tasks.

            Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong stated many times that the “Work of God” was built primarily through the things he wrote (books, booklets, articles, letters, etc.), even more than through radio or TV. God has given me considerable experience (over 50 years) in writing and editing articles, booklets and letters for the Church, and I have been told repeatedly that this ability to write is a gift which God has given me. I believe God wants me to continue doing all I can to strengthen the people in God’s Church through my letters, articles, emails, and also through striving to build and maintain a very interesting and dynamic website.

COG21.org Website Bears Fruit!

            One person recently wrote: “I was delighted to find this website [COG21.org].... It appears this is Raymond McNair’s website. Was just wondering why some of his sermons and studies are not available.... If he has sermons and Bible studies available would you please let me know where to find them? Thanks!” Yes, as explained above, we hope to be able to soon begin sending out recorded sermons on a regular basis.

            However, God has put it upon my mind to concentrate more on my writing on behalf of the Church, even more so than by sending out “sermons” for those who request them. I also realize the necessity of having an interesting, dynamic WEBSITE. The COG21.org website is proving very effective as a means of reaching many thousands of God’s people with valuable written material. Also, please note that our website posts nearly all of Mr. Herbert Armstrong’s books, booklets, etc. We get a constant stream of comments commending us for our Site. So I want to continue to work diligently to increase the number of valuable articles and information provided on our website.

            I will now include portions of letters our office receives in which our website is mentioned. My Webmaster recently sent me this memo: “The Church of God-21st Century website continues to set records. The December 2005 stats show a record number of visitors, visiting the site for the month. Also, a near record-breaking month for the amount of bandwidth usage, or material transferred in December.... All the stats are up and holding well.” We are very thankful for this progress.

            One person recently wrote me saying, “I have been wondering what happened to Mr. McNair for some time now, and recently typed in his name, and was amazed when his website came up. I was baptized in 1968, and have been holding on to the TRUTH ever since, thru all the turmoil. Right now I am just staying home and am searching for others of like mind and a minister that is still in the Truth once delivered. I have heard Mr. McNair at the Feast in Lake of the Ozarks many years ago, and he seemed to be very strong in the Truth. Let me know if you have a group close to where I live.”

            We have recently received numerous requests for information explaining where people can meet with those of like minds. I do my best to refer them to those Churches or ministers of God which are still preaching and practicing the Truths found in the Word of God. God’s people today are widely scattered, and many simply do not know of a faithful minister and Church nearby, and consequently they are unable to attend regular Sabbath services.

            Here is one more concluding comment regarding the COG21.org website: “Thank you very much for the articles you sent me. I was only expecting one copy so I could make more, but you went above and beyond and sent ten. I appreciate it very much and am also impressed with your WEBSITE. You appear to have more material than any other I know of. This material certainly helps when I prepare sermonettes here in [name of city].”

            Another person wrote me saying, “Thanks for your response to my earlier e-mail. I have logged in to your website and am impressed with a number of your articles.... I would appreciate it if you could send email copies of your newsletters.”

Let Us Always Press Forward!

            I pray that God will inspire each and every one of us to be diligent in doing our part to serve the Body of Christ whenever and wherever we can. Let us always press forward in our Bible Study, our prayers, our acts of kindness, and in doing all we can to help finish the Work before the night closes in on us, when “no man can work” (Jo. 9:4)!

            We must bear in mind the Apostle Paul’s admonition to God’s people, “There-fore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the WORK OF THE LORD, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58)!  

            May Almighty God cause each of us to see and treasure the “pearl of great price,” the true “mysteries” of the coming Kingdom of God! And may we, God’s people, always diligently guard our hearts and minds so that we will be assured of inheriting eternal life and a glorious future in the eternal, Universe-ruling Family of God!

Sincerely in Jesus Christ’s name,

 

Raymond F. McNair

 

P. S. In the near future, we plan to send the annual contribution receipts to each of you for the year 2005, giving the total amount of your contributions to the CHURCH OF GOD-21st Century! Brethren, please remember to make all of your personal checks, money orders, etc. payable to CHURCH OF GOD-21st Century, instead of making them out to me personally. My wife and I again want to thank all of you for your prayers, your letters, e-mails, your love and spiritual support, as well your contributions to this Work of Almighty God!

   

 

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