P. O. Box 893909 Temecula, CA 92589
September 12, 2005
Dear Brethren in Christ,
A very warm greeting to each of you! I am sure we have all been deeply saddened as we witnessed, on TV, the horrifying images of utter devastation and human suffering which many people in the Gulf States of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama recently experienced. Surely, all of us are continuing our prayers for the brethren in those devastated areas of the U.S.
Since I am enclosing a nine-page article on this tragic disaster which struck our nation, it is not necessary to cover the many details here. I suggest you read the enclosed article to get new prophetic insights into what God in His Word says about some of the prophesied calamities that will soon befall our people!
Serving God’s people with all our might Brethren, my wife and I are doing our best to faithfully serve as many of God’s “scattered sheep” as we can. To accomplish this task, we are in contact with many of the leaders and ministers in the various “Churches of God.” I am grateful to Almighty God to be able to assist them with their doctrinal and/or spiritual questions. One leader of a Church of God (a faithful minister with whom I am affiliated) recently wrote me with a question, and I was happy to be of assistance.
This minister then wrote me again expressing his gratitude: “I do appreciate very much your answer to my question.... God has graced you with a good mind and the ability for research and writing. All one has to do is to look at your WEBSITE [cog21.org] or read some of your older writings to see this for oneself. I am confident whatever you research and write will be informative and very helpful to the reader.”
A member of God’s Church recently wrote me the following: “I believe that what you and your wife have gone through (like most of God’s people) is a real test. I feel that you have held fast to more of God’s restored TRUTH than anyone else I know of. Because of this, I believe that God is leading and guiding your efforts. I do not believe that Christ is divided!”
Brethren, I have been directly involved—at the highest level of doctrinal research and discussion—in the task of helping to preserve and teach the true doctrines found in God’s Word. I worked closely with Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong in the WCG, and later worked with the top ministers in various “Churches of God.” I am doing all within my power, by the inspiration and strength of God’s Spirit, to zealously guard the true teach-ings of the “Church of God,” and this means that we must never cast aside the many wonderful Truths which God used Mr. Armstrong to communicate to His end-time Church. Unfortunately, many have departed from many of those Truths!
Another person recently wrote me saying, “On this Sabbath day I visited once again your professionally [written] and attracting WEBSITE, compliments! ...As we know God’s Truth stays always the same. I could distillate [sic] this also from your articles (The Journal). So perhaps you can post some new audio material on your site.”
[Note Brethren, I have already posted many helpful books, booklets, articles, sermons, etc. on my Website, and I am continually adding more interesting, informative material. I hope to soon add another article re King David’s Everlasting Throne!]
One church member recently wrote me saying, “I know that there is much suffering on a grand scale in the Gulf coast states. My hope is that we will hear from you about this great disaster. It is a great tribulation for all those who are in it! ” Yes, brethren, that is true. But it is not “the GREAT TRIBULATION” which is yet to occur, according to Bible prophecy!
I have just posted the enclosed nine-page article—“America’s Second Wake-up Call!”—on my Site giving new insight into various scriptures and prophecies of the Bible as they pertain to the recent hurricane in the Gulf States. It will give you a better, clearer understanding of what really happened to bring upon our nation such unparalleled devastation and suffering from the horrific destruction that followed in the wake of HURRICANE KATRINA. That article not only explains certain prophecies pertaining to what has just happened in the Gulf, but will also explain what is yet prophesied to happen in the fairly near future!
Here are comments from a man who wrote me in August: “I have looked into your WEBSITE and have noticed the correct doctrinal soundness—coupled with GODLY BALANCE. I think your track record in God’s Work automatically sets you up as a precious jewel to God—and [to] His people who are now being shredded into pieces through unnecessary polarization.... [Note Almighty God calls all of His people “MY JEWELS’—Mal. 3:16-17!] In case there is anything I can do, please let me know.... I am grateful to the Almighty Father for having kept you faithful to His Word.... Please let me know what I should do to help you in the Work.... No doubt God will continue to use you in His service.”
One correspondent wrote me the following letter of gratitude: “Warm greetings again and THANK you very much for your encouraging response! ...I received your heartfelt, kind reply this morning—I was overjoyed! I certainly understand your God-given ability—and the vitally important articles [most of them are now posted on my Website—cog21.org] that the Almighty God used you to write...in the early days of the Work (The Resurrection—Hope of Mankind, and other articles...in both the old Good News and The Plain Truth magazines).
“I vividly remember and treasure your powerful articles in both The World Ahead and The Global Church News, and your two powerful works: The God You Can Know and America and Britain in Prophecy [both of which are now posted on our Website] when we were all together—serving God’s flock.... I will do all I can to help in the promulgation of Truth of Almighty God which you are holding on to. With much accusative spirit in the air among God’s people, we can make a change and reduce the rampant polarity. I believe we can help God’s people to bring down the barriers that separate them. Please do keep up the good work of God. Being in [a] leadership position in a judgmental, too rigid and exclusivist organization is a bit disjointing.... Thanks again...for the timely and spiritually reawakening article that you attached.”
Another person wrote me saying, “I have read so many of your writings for so long. I have felt you’re one of the most blessed and gifted preachers of God’s Word....” Brethren, all of us ministers should ask God to inspire us in preaching and teaching God’s Word in an effective manner (both in writing and orally) so that we encourage and inspire God’s people to greater love and service toward our Creator!
My wife and I wish to convey to each and every one of you our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the loving concern you have shown toward us and the Work which God is doing through us and His co-workers who are assisting us! Your encouraging letters, your many offers to assist us in various ways, your continual prayers for us, and your contributions to God’s Work are greatly appreciated!
It is not always easy, at an advanced age, to continue as a warrior in the army of God Almighty. But we must continue confidently wearing God’s spiritual armor, which includes: the “helmet of salvation,” the “shield of faith,” the “breastplate of right-eousness,” and the “sword of the Spirit...the WORD of God” (Eph. 6:10-18). We must realize that the “Captian of our Salvation” (Jesus Christ, Heb. 2:10) wants us to never cast aside our spiritual armor. We dare not become weary or discouraged, thereby retiring from the spiritual battlefield on which all true Christians find themselves. “You therefore must endure hardness as a GOOD SOLDIER of Jesus Christ” (2 Tim. 2:3)!
Almighty God is our Refuge, our Fortress, our Shield and our Buckler (Psa. 91:2-4), our real protection! Many of the residents of the Gulf States came to painfully realize that Federal, State, or local government officials and agencies cannot always help us, even if they are willing. Only our Great God can always be counted on—no matter how difficult the battle, or how dark and foreboding our circumstances might be!
Again, brethren, we ask your continual prayers on our behalf, and assure you that you are all in our prayers night and day. We are all in this “spiritual warfare” together, and we are assured that the Captain of our salvation, when we appear before Him, will give each of us much more than a meritorious “medal of honor.” He will grant us an everlasting “CROWN OF LIFE”! Brethren, is this not worth fighting for?
Sincerely in Jesus Christ’s name,
Raymond F. McNair
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P.S. The Soon-coming Feast of Tabernacles God’s joyful Festival of Tabernacles is fast approaching. All details are going very smoothly in regard to the preparations for God’s people to assemble together at the COG-21 Festival site in Hot Springs, Arkansas. We continue to receive more requests from those wishing to join with us. Remember, brethren, to warmly welcome all who would like to join with us in observing this important Festival as we worship together in a spirit of peace, unity and love of God and His Word! Please bring your hymnals!
If you have not already made Feast reservations at the Velda Rose Hotel in Hot Springs, Arkansas, then I suggest you do so without delay. We don’t want anyone to miss out. May God Almighty prepare all of His people to observe this wonderful Festival with great rejoicing before Him, and His people! Be sure to bring your COG hymnals!
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