P. O.  Box 893909 Temecula, CA 92589

                                                                                                                                    December 5, 2004

Dear Brethren:

          Greetings! Even though it is somewhat cooler than usual here in Southern California for this time of year, we realize that many of you who live in the northern regions of the earth are now experiencing much colder weather than we have here in California. I hope all of you will take great care of your health, never overexposing yourselves to the cold, thereby avoiding serious illnesses, such as the deadly flu.

            Brethren, I am happy to mention that Mr. Dan Cafeo, a faithful minister for many years, reports that his health has dramatically improved since the Feast of Tabernacles. He became quite ill during the Feast, asked to be anointed, and had a remarkable recovery, enabling him not to miss a single service. All of us rejoice when we hear of others being healed by the Great Healer. God says, “For I am the LORD who heals you” (Exod. 15:26; Psa. 103:3).

            Some of you continue to enquire about the state of my health, mentioning that you are praying for me. Although I haven’t been completely healed, a merciful God has greatly strengthened me since I became deathly ill in mid-September, 2003. Although my prostate condition has not yet cleared up, I thank God that I am able to continue with my ministry: writing, editing, making and receiving calls, counseling, anointing the sick, etc.

            I appreciate your fervent intercessory prayers, so that I may continue to faithfully serve many of God’s people, His precious scattered sheep! Through my illness, God has helped me to better comprehend the afflictions of Job, David, Elisha, and Paul. Although God healed Job, He did not heal David or Paul. Neither did He heal the Prophet Elisha: “Elisha had become sick with the illness of which he would die” (2 Kings 13:14). Sometimes God delays our healing, but at other times He chooses not to heal us, for reasons known only to Him. I am still hoping and praying for a complete recovery!

 

Why Do God’s Ministers Use “Anointed Cloths”?

             We ministers often have brethren contact us to be anointed, asking for God’s divine intervention. When God’s ministers are unable to visit a sick person, we follow the Apostle Paul’s example of sending out anointed cloths to any whom we can’t anoint personally, as mentioned in Acts 19:11-12. God can heal by “anointed cloths” just as easily as when a minister anoints the sick with olive oil, symbolizing His Spirit (Acts 19:11-12).

            It is important that we carefully WATCH world happenings, as instructed by Jesus Christ (Luke 21:36).You brethren, who watch the news on TV or read newspapers or news magazines, surely realize that countless millions are sick with a shocking list of afflictions and illnesses: heart disease, AIDS, cancer, diabetes, venereal diseases, etc. And all too many of us—God’s people—are being afflicted by these diseases. Why? Unfortunately, we can’t always totally avoid suffering from some of these scourges?

            Regrettably, we live in a very polluted world, where it is difficult to procure wholesome foods, and even our air and water are greatly polluted. Many live and work under conditions where they must breathe polluted air. Deadly toxins and pollution are everywhere! So it is virtually impossible to live a life free from pollutions. And those who could purchase “organically grown foods,” find them so expensive they simply cannot afford them. How can we deal with this ever-present problem of pollution? Each of us must do our best to live a healthy, balanced, pollution-free life. After we have done our best, we must then cry out to God, in faith, to heal us when we become ill from any deadly “poisons” which are in our food or “drink” (Mark 16:18).

            In this letter I will give valuable instructions in regard to God’s people seeking divine healing from the Great God when sick. Truly, we are living in “perilous times” (2 Tim. 3:1). Startling ancient prophecies, found in Deuteronomy 28 and Leviticus 26—which predicted this increase in sickness and disease among the peoples of the “lost tribes of Israel”—are now being fulfilled. God’s Word predicted increasing sickness and disease among our people at the “time of the end” (Dan. 12:4).

            Long ago, God foretold widespread sickness and disease if our people disobeyed Him. He warned that we would reap “cursing, confusion, and rebuke…until [we] are destroyed and perish quickly” (Deut. 28:20).

            Further, God says, “The LORD will strike you with consumption…fever… inflammation …burning fever…they shall pursue you until you perish” (v. 22). The LORD will strike you with the boils of Egypt, with tumors [cancer]…scab…and with the itch, from which you cannot be healed. The LORD will strike you with madness [insanity] and blindness and confusion of heart…. The LORD will strike you in the knees and on the legs with severe boils which cannot be healed…from the sole of your foot to the top of your head” (vv. 27-28, 35).

            The Prophet Isaiah says that our people are a “sinful nation…who have forsaken the LORD… [and] turned away backward” (Isa. 1:5). God then asks, “Why should you be stricken again? ...The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faints, from the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but wounds and bruises and putrefying sores…” (vv. 5-6). Brethren, that prophecy is being fulfilled in our English-speaking peoples this very moment. Our hospitals and insane asylums are overflowing with people who are fearful and sick, both mentally and physically. It is regrettable that all of us have become victims of those who produce and sell their “foodless food” which have been robbed of much of their nutritional value, and shamefully polluted by the addition of harmful substances.  It is a wonder that we don’t have far more mental and physical afflictions!

            The Apostle John says, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers” (III John 3). But it is becoming increasingly more difficult to find food stores where we can buy healthful, nutritious, “organic” foods which will properly nourish our bodies. Many of us have to purchase bottled water or drink our own tap water, which is loaded with added chemicals that are very detrimental to our health. Most of our foods are polluted with sprays, chemicals, preservatives, artificial colorings, and a host of other harmful substances that make it virtually impossible to eat good, wholesome, healthful food. The very air we breathe is often greatly polluted by toxic gasses and chemicals. Sadly, all of us are hapless victims of this pervasive pollution!

 

God’s Servants also Suffer Infirmities

            The Bible mentions numerous faithful servants of God who suffered physical weaknesses and infirmities. The elderly patriarch Jacob became ill and called for his son Joseph (Gen. 48:1).  “And it came to pass…that Joseph was told, ‘Indeed your father [Jacob] is sick’; and he took…his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim,” and Joseph then blessed the young lads (vv. 2-20). Then Jacob said to his son Joseph, “Behold, I am dying…” (v. 21). Not long afterward, “Jacob called his sons and [blessed them]. And when Jacob had finished commanding his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people” (vv. 1-33).

            Israel’s ancient KING DAVID—a man greatly beloved of God (Acts 13:22)—mentions that he suffered from some kind of a loathsome disease: “For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh. I am feeble and sore broken…and my groaning is not hid from Thee” (Psa. 38:7-9). David was afflicted by some illness which caused poor blood circulation: “Now King David was old, advanced in years; and they put covers on him, but he could not get warm” (1 Kings 1:1). Not long afterward, David died, and was succeeded by His son Solomon. [Note: There was nothing immoral in the king’s solution to his problem (vv. 2-4).]

            Satan grievously afflicted righteous JOB. Some are surprised to learn that God gave Satan permission to afflict Job with boils: “So the LORD said unto Satan, ‘Behold, he is in your hand; but spare his life. Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head” (Job. 2:6-7). God eventually healed Job and blessed him greatly (Job 42).

            God also allowed Satan to afflict the Apostle PAUL with certain “infirmities.” Paul tells us, “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities…for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:7-11). He also told the Corinthians, “If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities” (11:30 KJV).

            Even though Paul healed many sick folk of various sicknesses and diseases, he found it necessary to leave a seriously sick co-worker behind. Paul says, “…Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick” (2 Tim. 4:20).  Paul also mentioned another co-worker who had been deathly ill: “Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; since he…was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, least I should have sorrow upon sorrow” (Philip. 2:25-27). In Luke’s Gospel we find an example of Satan afflicting a woman with a “spirit of infirmity [for] eighteen years [and] could in no wise lift up herself” (Luke 13:11, 16).

            Thus it is abundantly clear that some of God’s faithful servants had to experience unpleasant infirmities. The Bible says Satan afflicted Job, Paul and others. Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong became deathly sick, but was brought back to life, after his heart stopped, and he subsequently spent countless months in his sick bed. Yet during the last few years of his afflictions, God used him to write the book of the century, Mystery of the Ages, and many other important works.

            Frankly, brethren, I have even wondered if Satan may have had a hand in striking at me, hoping to destroy me, so that I would not be able to continue assisting the “scattered brethren”—many of whom have been hurt and turned off by some ministers and needed someone to reach out to them, to encourage, inspire, and strengthen them—so they could continue steadfastly on their Christian pilgrimage toward the soon-coming Kingdom of God!

            In a previous letter to you brethren, I mentioned that before I became seriously afflicted  in mid-September, 2003, I had absolutely no previous indication that anything was wrong with my health. In fact, I had enjoyed nearly perfect health for over 73 years! Then suddenly, without warning, I became seriously ill, was told I had only “three days” in which to live, and was urged by the doctors to have an immediate operation, otherwise death would ensue. I chose to be anointed, putting my life in “God’s hands,” rather than placing my faith in a costly, invasive operation.

            What have I learned from my experience? I can now better understand many of David’s prayers in the Psalms; and I can now better comprehend Job’s deep feelings and concerns in regard to his painful affliction. Further, I can also better perceive how the Apostle Paul felt when he had prayed “three times” pleading with God to heal him of his “infirmities,” but finally came to realize why God refused to heal him! God made it clear to Paul that He was allowing Satan to afflict him for his ultimate good, although it would not be a pleasant thing to have to suffer. I believe that is precisely my situation in regard to my infirmity. Clearly, our Father always knows what is best for us. Although I have repeatedly asked God for healing, I am often reminded of Christ’s perfect attitude toward His imminent death on the cross: “Not my will, but Yours, be done!” (Luke 22:42). Like Job, we should develop the faith to say, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15)! 

            We must always bear in mind this fact: God does not specifically promise that any of us will live a definite, predetermined number of years, before the Eternal God takes us into His “everlasting arms” (Eccl. 12:7; Deut. 33:27)! No person knows how many years God will allot him in which to live. That decision is totally in God’s hands. Consider that King David apparently only lived 70 years. A number of God’s servants, including my brother Carl—did not even live to see their 70th birthday. We must all come to realize we are not immortal!  

            Why did God spare my life when I was told I had only “three days” to live? God alone can answer that question. It was not because I was a “good” person. Does God yet have work for me to do? Many brethren have written me expressing this! If God grants me more years in which to live, I will endeavor to serve Him with my whole heart, my whole being, and with all my strength! I often ponder David’s words: “The days of our lives are SEVENTY YEARS; and if by reason of strength they are EIGHTY YEARS…[one’s life] is soon cut off, and we fly away” (Psa. 90:10). 

            God commands those who are sick to “call the Elders” to be anointed for healing. Brethren, one of the fantastic blessings God gives His people is the “gift of healing” (1 Cor. 12:8). When we are sick, God commands us to call on His ministers for anointing. And, as a result, many are healed! Jesus Christ and His apostles anointed the sick and healed them. He commanded His disciples: “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers…. Freely you have received, freely give” (Matt. 10:8). After Jesus’ resurrection, He told His Twelve Apostles: “And these signs [miracles] will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons…speak with new tongues…take up serpents [and] they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:17).

            In the Book of Acts, the apostles, including Paul, healed many of their sicknesses and diseases. The Apostle James says, “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up… [and] pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:13-16).

            “The apostles said to the Lord, ‘increase our faith’” (Luke 17:5)! I urge all of God’s people to beseech God to grant us the power to be more obedient, and to give us more of His love and faith, so that we will have sufficient faith to be healed.

 

Do You Really Appreciate God’s TRUTH?

            Many have expressed sincere appreciation for the Truth as expounded in my articles in The Journal. You brethren will, I am sure, appreciate and benefit from my sharing with you various comments from members.

            One person who read my articles wrote me saying: “Dear Mr. McNair: Thank you so much for your articles that have been appearing in The Journal—one of the few rays of hope in the mishmash emanating from the Churches of God in these last days. I was glad to see you now have a website which will be useful for Friday night Bible studies and days when my girls and I can’t attend a Sabbath service.

            “I attended Ambassador College in the UK between 1970 and 1974 when you were there [serving as Deputy Chancellor]. I am heartened to see you are still preaching the same message as you did back then…. But as we say in Australia ‘good on ya mate’ for holding fast to the faith once delivered (in spite of all your personal trials), keep those articles coming, and thank you for your website.”

            Although the majority of comments received are very favorable, a few always seem to misunderstand what they read, misconstrue what I said, and vent their disapproval toward anyone who “sounds a trumpet” to warn others of the consequences of their ungodly actions. And many seem to be born with a fairly common human frailty—wanting to “shoot the messenger” who brings bad news!

            I wish to make it very clear that the comments I make—in The Journal or in the letters or e-mails I send out—are never intended to offend or hurt anyone! Rather, they are intended to expose, and help to curb, some of the terrible wrongs that must be corrected in the Churches of God: and I will continue to do what I can to warn those who, although professing to be true Christians, show by their conduct, as well as by their words, that they are not really following in the steps of Jesus Christ. We must all carefully guard what we say, endeavoring always to be constructive, rather than destructive.

            I am well aware of Christ’s solemn admonition: “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matt. 12:35-37)!

            Clearly, it is never my purpose to “attack” or to take “shots” at any person or any church! However, when I speak the truth, by pointing out some of the abuses—“spots… wrinkles…blemishes”— that are today apparent in the “Churches of God”—let no one misconstrue this as an attack! When I quote letter after letter (as I have done in my Journal articles) clearly highlighting widely reported abuses, which many of God’s people have experienced at the hands of some ministers who have badly served them, this should not bother or anger anyone—unless he himself is guilty of the very abuses I have described!

            In my Journal articles, I have repeatedly encouraged you brethren not to “lump” all of the ministers together. I fully realize that a sizeable number of ministers have continued to teach the true doctrines, as well as to administer God’s Church in a spirit of love, service, kindness and genuine out-going concern for the “flock of God.” Such ministers deserve your love, prayers and support!

 

God’s Ministers Must Never Hold Back!

            God’s Word commands every true servant of His, “Cry aloud, spare not” (Isaiah 58:1)! Nonetheless, some people—even in “God’s Church”—disapprove of any minister who decries abuses in His Church—especially if by so doing, the minister “steps on their tender toes.” But God Almighty commands His servants to cry aloud and not spare! “Tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they [hypocritically] seek Me daily, and delight to know My ways,” says Almighty God (vv. 1-2)!

            The New Testament also makes it very clear that in the last days many would not want to be told the plain truth. Instead, they would prefer to hear flattery and beautiful platitudes. The Apostle Paul explains this attitude, saying that, in the last days many would “[have] a form of godliness but [would deny] its power” (2 Tim. 3:5). Paul was inspired to tell God’s ministers, “Preach the WORD! Be ready in season and out of season…. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure SOUND DOCTRINE, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the TRUTH, and be turned aside to fables” (4:2-4). Hopefully, that is not true of any of us!

            I pray that you brethren will never be “offended” by the Truth, which some of us ministers of God still faithfully teach. Sadly, many have abandoned a number of basic truths which they were taught by Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong—directly from the Bible—but by so doing they have also become lax, uncaring, or “harsh” in their treatment of the brethren and/or of their fellow ministers! No true servant of God “worth his salt” will strive to “please the people,” as did evil King Saul, thereby losing his Kingdom (1 Sam. 13:1-14: 15:1-35).

            Let no one mistakenly judge my motives, thinking I have taken “shots” at him or have “attacked” him by anything I have written. It is up to God to convict anyone (minister or otherwise) who may be guilty of the inexcusable abuses which I decry! When Jesus Christ pointed out certain egregious sins of some of the religious leaders of His day, did he “attack” them? No! But the “religious authorities” misconstrued the truth of what Christ said as an attack on them! God is the Judge (Rom. 14:10)!

 

We Are God’s Ambassadors!

          Before closing, I wish to add one other quote which underlines one of the points I made in my elections. In a letter received, one person says that some “people [that is, members] have got caught up in the recent elections in the various nations, [which] I find mind boggling. I thought we were representatives, AMBASSADORS for God’s system, not the systems that various peoples of the world have devised.”

            It is a fact that many people in the “Churches of God” have become more concerned about this world’s elections and affairs of worldly governments, than  having a deep concern for the soon-coming Government of Almighty God, which will be established over all nations (Dan. 7:22, 27; Rev. 5:10)! The great false church of Revelation is called a “harlot” because its leaders and members have had a “fornicating relationship” with the kings of this world, rather than keeping out of its politics and corruptions, as they wait for the Kingdom of God (Rev. 17; 1 Cor. 6:15-20). The Apostle Paul says that true Christians “are AMBASSADORS for Christ” (2 Cor. 5:20). Paul also shows that our true citizenship is not here on this earth, but is now reserved for us in heaven: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philip. 3:20).

            We must all keep busy as we trim our “lamps” (Matt. 25:1-13), while awaiting the imminent arrival of our Savior, the King of Kings, who, at His Second Coming, will give all of us positions of rulership in His Kingdom: “He who overcomes, and keeps My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations—he shall rule them with a rod of iron…” (Rev. 2:26-27).

            My wife and I again wish to sincerely thank each of you brethren for the way you have wonderfully supported us and the work which the Great God is doing. We need, and very much appreciate, your love and prayers; and we also appreciate your freely given contributions, which will help us to continue conducting God’s Work.

            May the Great God continue to richly bless you all, as you strive to faithfully serve Him to the best of your ability!

Sincerely, in Jesus Christ’s name,

Raymond F. McNair 

P.S.      Since many of you don’t receive The Journal, I thought it might be a good idea to send you a copy of my latest Journal article. You can also read those articles on my website (COG21.org.), by clicking on the appropriate link titled “RFMc Articles in The Journal.”   

 

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