P. O. Box 893909 Temecula, CA 92589
November 7, 2005
Dear Brethren in Christ,
What a wonderful Feast God gave us! We hope all of you had a safe and pleasant return trip home after attending the joyful Festival of Tabernacles. Thankfully we have not heard of any accidents which occurred, as you brethren traveled either to or from the Feast. We should continually pray that God will provide His children with angelic protection as we travel in this very dangerous age in which so many are “running to and fro” (Psa. 34:7; Dan. 12:4). We should remember to pray for all of our brethren around the entire world!
An important news item you may have missed—a veiled threat by Iran! Some of you may not have heard (or may not have realized its significance) that one of Iran’s top leaders recently said Israel should be wiped off the face of the earth. For years, various Iranian leaders have made it clear that they hate America and Israel more than any other countries in the world. In fact, Iran’s leaders have repeatedly referred to America as the “Great Satan.” It is also clear that they and certain other Muslim leaders would like to destroy the power of such nations as the US, Britain, Israel, etc. When rightly understood, the 83rd Psalm reveals the hatred of some of these Islamic peoples who, in concert with others, will vent their bitter animosity toward the U.S. at the close of this age (Ps. 83:6). The Scriptures reveal that we are living in very “perilous times” (2 Tim. 3:1-5; Matt. 24:21-22). We need to keep our eyes focused on the Muslim nations of the Middle East, some of whose peoples will later become deeply involved in horrific wars of the Mideast (Rev. 9).
We should be thankful that Almighty God has appointed His Archangel Michael, as the guardian angel over the peoples of the modern-day descendants of ancient “Israel,” and this includes the US, Britain, Israel, etc. (see Dan. 12:1; 10:21). It is clear that Satan would like to destroy these nations, which have descended from the Lost Tribes of Israel: the English speaking nations, the peoples of Scandinavia and the Benelux countries (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg), Switzerland, France, etc. Thankfully, Almighty God is restraining Satan’s malevolent hand from destroying the power of these peoples—until our nations, like Sodom, have reached the apex of ungodliness at the close of this violent age.
The Lord’s “scattered sheep” are seeking out God’s true shepherds The following letters reveal that God’s people are seeking true ministers of God who will feed them with doctrinally sound spiritual food, and deal with them as true “servants” of God rather than as “overlords.” One man wrote me explaining his problem in finding a true shepherd: “I have been a part of the WCG and various COG groups since the early 80’s. I am very familiar with the teachings of the WCG while HWA was alive. Currently, I am not attending [services] anywhere.... Also I have many sermons/Bible studies and booklets by HWA and the WCG when it was ON TRACK. I am doing what I can to HOLD FAST. I have several COG friends in the various groups and try to maintain a decent relationship with them all. I know that the larger COG organizations are all COMPROMISED in one way or another. That is why I have been searching for ‘a LITTLE FLOCK’ with whom I am able to fellowship. Sometimes it may be by tape, or phone/net services.
“Several of my friends have asked me about you.... It is my understanding that you are the only living Evangelist that believes that HWA was the end-time ELIJAH. I also believe that he was. But, I feel that he was the one that God used to preach the Gospel around the world and the door is now closed. Although, it is possible that the door could open for a limited time if there is a servant of God who is humble and converted.... This world desper- ately needs the true Gospel message more than ever! This individual would have to HOLD FAST to all the major and minor doctrines as established by our late Apostle HWA. Unfortunately, the COG in this era has failing [failed]!”
This person goes on to explain, from his point of view, the problems which today confront many of God’s scattered sheep: “Most of the ministers have COMPROMISED with doctrine, come up with crazy revelations, took roles, ranks, offices, and titles to themselves, LORDED OVER the brethren, and so on.... This has created an atmosphere of mistrust and betrayal. That is why many of the lay members have given up on all the various COG GROUPS. They are not overcoming and enduring to the end. I know that we cannot be ‘LONER CHRISTIANS.’ That is why I am still trying to prove all things. I will continue to visit your website and pray that you will stay on the RIGHT PATH spiritually. SCATTERED BRETHREN are looking for a strong leader who will stand up for the unabridged truth!”
The above comments clearly outline some of the problems which now face many of God’s people who sincerely want to hold to theTruth by staying “on track.”
Another person wrote me saying, “I have received the recent newsletter, and the enclosed article, ‘America’s Second Wakeup Call.’ I was disappointed when certain COG groups claimed that God personally ordered the destruction of New Orleans, because they’re a bunch of unconverted sinners.’ ....As a longtime member who still listens to Mr. Armstrong’s old sermons, it simply did not have the ring of truth. Considering that a sparrow cannot fall without God knowing about it (Matt. 10:29), I agree that God allowed it to happen. But that is a far cry from claiming that God personally ordered it. Consequently, I appreciated your admonition [as published in your article in The Journal] that we not assume ‘well, they must have been bad people’ and that we ‘weep with those who weep.’
[Note. Please check the enclosed article titled “America’s Second Wakeup Call,” which is now posted on our website. In that article I clearly reveal that, although God sometimes allows terrible calamities to strike those who are not under His “protective wings” (Psa. 91:4)—nonetheless it is not our place to “judge” those people in the world who may suffer terribly from a horrible tragedy. For it is also true that, “time and chance happens to them all” (Ecc. 9:11). Never doubt, however, that our Great God often intervenes to prevent “time and chance” happening to those who are under His angelic protection.]
Striving for genuine peace and harmony among God’s churches The above-quoted person also makes the following point: “I have greatly appreciated your efforts to bring peace among the various Churches of God. Jesus warned us about ‘brother turning against brother’ and how ‘many will [be] delivered up.’ I have been worrying about this [and] I fear that we’re seeing the early stages of that happening right now, as far as I know, you’re the only minister addressing this subject.... I’m conducting a review of your articles. I’ll have to complete the process to be sure, because I’ve been disappointed so many times, but it looks like you’re the evangelist who still upholds the Church I used to know.”
Brethren, I have sincerely striven to “bring peace among various Churches of God,” but, unfortunately, it appears that I am one of the very few who are addressing these important issues as mentioned above, who said, “you are the only living Evangelist that believes that HWA was the end-time Elijah.” Sadly, so far as I know, it is true that I am the only Evangelist (among the seven original evangelists ordained by HWA), who still believes that Mr. Armstrong was—as he said—the end-time Elijah! Furthermore, few, if any, of the evangelists—who were later ordained under Mr. Armstrong’s oversight in the WCG—still believe that he was, as he repeatedly claimed to be, the “end-time ELIJAH”!
Comments regarding the Feast of Tabernacles: Many brethren who attended the Church of God-21st Century Feast of Tabernacles have expressed glowing comments regarding their wonderful experiences while attending the Festival with us—saying, it truly was the “best Feast” they had observed in many years—“just like it used to be.” Brethren remarked that there was unity, love, and joy expressed by so many. Others expressed great joy and satisfaction at hearing sermons and sermonettes which were doctrinally sound and inspiring. They were also pleased to see the ministers of the Church of God-21st Century being careful not to “lord it over” God’s heritage (1 Pet. 5: 1-6; Matt. 20:20-28). We ministers endeavor to show genuine humility and love as we serve God’s people, realizing that we ministers are to be genuine “servants” of God’s Church.
Here are a few comments in a letter to my wife and me from one who attended the Feast with us in Hot Springs: “Greetings Mr. & Mrs. McNair.... We just wanted you to know how encouraging this past Feast was for me and my family and friends! Thank you both for all the hard work and dedicated service. From the encouraging messages to the wonderful fellowship, it was really a remarkable Feast. Each day just kept getting better! God blessed this Feast in every way. From the absolutely beautiful weather...to experiencing the beauty and unity of God’s Spirit in the brethren. The sermons were great spiritual food to help us make it to the spring holy days. It was also very encouraging to finally meet you both. All in all it was our most encouraging Feast since we attended our first Global Feast!”
The amazing generosity of God’s people Brethren, this was my 57th Feast of Tabernacles in the Church of God and I can truthfully say that I have never before known of God’s people being so generous in their Holy Day offerings. That generosity was especially evident on the Last Great Day of the Feast when the brethren averaged giving $85.00 per person! I have personally never known of any such generosity of the brethren on any of God’s Holy Days. Jesus Christ said, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt. 6:21). The brethren showed their hearts were truly in the Work of God.
One other very pleasant aspect of the Feast was that numerous brethren commented on how well trained and well behaved the children attending the Feast were. For this, I wish to commend all of you parents. It is encouraging to see that some of God’s people have not forgotten His admonition to “bring their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).
Many brethren greatly appreciated the fact that, although they had previously attended other Churches of God—where the ministers preached unsound doctrines, and in some cases “lorded it over” the brethren—they did not experience this while attending the services of the Church of God-21st Century. I have continually encouraged God’s ministers to be doctrinally sound and avoid lording it over God’s heritage (1Pet. 5:1-10; Matt. 20:20-27). I cannot stress this too much: God’s ministers must continually be reminded that we ministers are His “servants” and must always exhibit a serving, giving, caring, humble spirit of service in all our dealings with God’s people.
I also wish to express the heartfelt gratitude and appreciation of God’s ministers for the cheerful serving attitude of so many of you brethren who gave of your time and energy to make God’s Festival of Tabernacles a truly enjoyable and memorable occasion which will long be cherished.
New booklets My wife and I were pleased to be able to distribute our new booklet (Solving the Arab-Israeli Impasse!) to brethren who attended the Feast. Any of you brethren who were unable to attend the Feast in Hot Springs and did not receive a copy of this booklet, are welcome to request your free copy of this attractive forty-five page booklet, and it will be mailed to you. You can also access a copy of this interesting and informative brochure on our website (COG21.org). I truly believe that this booklet concerning today’s Middle East muddle explains the Biblical prophesies more fully than any book or booklet I know of published by any other Church. It reveals a number of startling prophecies, which heretofore have not been explained in any Church of God publications.
I am also still working on another large booklet which will fully explain, both from the Bible and history, the amazing story of how God has faithfully kept His promise to King David—that he would always have a descendant on his throne ruling over Israelites. This brochure shows, according to various ancient British histories, when and how King David’s throne was transferred from Jerusalem to London, England, where it is now located!
Comments re COG21 Website I wish to mention that we are pleased to see our website is producing very gratifying results—with over a quarter of a million “hits” per month. Many are visiting our website to get valuable information on various biblical topics. In the “Library/Archives” section of our website, as seen on our Home Page, viewers are able to access and view virtually all of Mr. Armstrong’s books, booklets, magazines and other publications. His writings are proving to be a very valuable resource for many of God’s people in the scattered “Churches of God.”
Gratifying results from articles in The Journal We continue to receive very positive responses from articles we have run in The Journal. Virtually all of these articles are now posted on our website. Brethren, I am enclosing in this letter a hard copy of my latest article (America’s Second Wake-up Call!), which explains that some of the destruction and death wrought by hurricane Katrina was directly due to human folly. This article also explains certain biblical predictions, which reveal that far more destructive hurricanes are yet prophesied to devastate low-lying coastal areas of many nations during the climactic time at the close of this age.
One writer recently wrote me saying, “I read your articles that appear in The Journal. I know you are a minister of Evangelist rank of long time standing family in the WCG under Mr. Armstrong! You have not quit your post as an Evangelist or minister of God, and from reading your articles I understand that you do not disagree with or oppose Mr. HWA or his teachings! I am of the same sentiments. I would like to know if you have other articles, other materials and also sermon tapes on important subjects and issues.... I do not have computer or internet access.... I communicate or receive materials or information by mail or by phone.” We realize that a number of you do not have access to a computer, and for this reason we make various booklets and articles available in hard copy form.
Finally, brethren, my wife and I heartily thank all of you for your prayers, your letters of encouragement, and your financial support for this Work. God is enabling us to have a significant impact on many people (both leaders and laymen) in the Churches of God. We also reach hundreds of thousands of non-members through our effective website.
My webmaster recently wrote me saying, “Your stats [for the COG21.org website] are through the roof for October. I know they would have been much higher if brethren were not away for two weekends this month.” He then told me he expected the statistics for the entire month of October to top the quarter million number in “hits”! We are thankful that many are finding our website quite informative, interesting, and helpful.
My wife and I continually pray for all of you brethren, asking God to bless, guide and protect each of you as you strive to serve Him to the very best of your ability.
Sincerely in Jesus Christ’s name,
Raymond F. McNair
P. S. We are in the process of having our sermons on CDs produced here locally in Southern California, and believe this will streamline the production and mailing of them to you. We have very much appreciated the assistance given us by those who in the past copied and distributed both cassettes and CDs on behalf of the Church of God—21st Century. My wife and I thank all of you very much.
I hope to record several more new sermons on CDs very soon, and would appreciate your prayers, asking God to inspire and strengthen me in making them.
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