America… Britain… Europe… Africa… Middle East… Far East…
Everywhere you look, all you see is:
DISRUPTION
The Big Question Is - Why?
God‘s End Time Apostle Explains “Why”!
“Between them the British and American peoples had acquired more than two-thirds – almost three-fourths – of all the cultivated physical resources and wealth of the world. All other nations combined possessed barely more than a fourth. Britannia ruled the waves – and the world’s commerce was carried on by water. The sun never set on British possessions.
Now think! Could the British and American peoples be ignored in prophecies of world conditions that fill a third of the entire Bible – when some 90 percent of all those prophecies pertain to national and international world happenings of our time, now?
Staggering?
Indeed it is.
And yet, precisely as prophesied, Britain’s sun has now set.
As these same prophecies that foretold Britain’s greatness revealed far in advance, Britain has already been reduced to a second-rate or third-rate power in the world.
And the United States? Today America finds herself heir to just about all the international problems and headaches in this post-World-War-II, chaotic, violent world. And the United States has won her last war – even little North Vietnam held her at bay. Many other nations sap America’s national strength, ‘and he knoweth it not,’ as God long ago foretold! …And now, unless the people and the government of the United States will heed and take immediate and drastic action, THE AMERICAN NATION IS SLATED TO GO DOWN EVEN MORE SUDDENLY TO UTTER IGNOMINY AND LOSS OF ALL NATIONAL WEALTH, GREATNESS AND POWER!
Winston Churchill declared before the United States Congress: ‘He must indeed have a blind soul who cannot see that SOME GREAT PURPOSE AND DESIGN IS BEING WORKED OUT HERE BELOW of which we have the honor to be the faithful servants.’ But he did not understand that purpose! That great purpose long ago was master-planned by the Master Mind of the universe.
The Prophecies Are There - But Not Understood!
At the very close of his book, Daniel wrote: ‘And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end… and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand’ (Dan. 12:8-10).” (The United States and Britain in Prophecy - Chapters 1-3 as serialised in the Plain Truth Oct/Nov 1978)
WHY The “DISRUPTION”?
The Answer Is Hidden In Plain Sight
As with many of today’s problems, the answer is hidden in plain sight. Available in over 3,000 languages, and with an estimated 5 billion copies in circulation, God has given mankind revealed knowledge in the Bible. The problem is few actually read it - even fewer still understand it!
Here Is What The Bible Has To Say About Today’s World Problems:
This is not God’s world - Satan is the god of this world. (2 Corinthians 4:4)
Satan has deceived the whole world! (Revelation 12:9)
God reveals the source of this world’s problems:
“For THE LEADERS of this people cause them to err.” (Isaiah 9:16)
How do the leaders get to lead?
“Those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.” (Romans 13:1, NLT)
Look How God Refers To These Leaders…
See How He Controls Them To Fulfil His Plan!
Pharaoh of Egypt:
“And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them;” (Exodus 9:12)
King Cyrus of Persia, “My anointed”:”
“Thus saith the LORD to HIS ANOINTED, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him;” (Isaiah 45:1)
God motivated King Cyrus, “My Shepherd”:
“That saith of Cyrus, He is MY SHEPHERD, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.” (Isaiah 44:28)
Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, “My servant”:
“And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, MY SERVANT; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him.” (Jeremiah 27:6)
The end time “Assyrian” given a special job:
“O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. I WILL SEND HIM against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I GIVE HIM A CHARGE, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets!” (Isaiah 10:5-6)
The final 10 nation Beast power:
“And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.” (Revelation 17:12-13)
Europe has been trying, unsuccessfully, to unite for many years - but suddenly it all comes together.
WHY?
“For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, UNTIL THE WORDS OF GOD SHALL BE FULFILLED.” (Revelation 17:17)
Winston Churchill was used by God to lead Britain to victory in WWII. He declared before the United States Congress:
“He must indeed have a blind soul who cannot see that SOME GREAT PURPOSE AND DESIGN IS BEING WORKED OUT HERE BELOW of which we have the honor to be the faithful servants.” (nationalchurchillmuseum.org)
Today’s Leaders?
Right now, God is using today’s leaders in a similar way - to bring about the end time events that are essential to His overall plan!
This requires major disruption!
As Mr Armstrong wrote:
“EDITORS, NEWSCASTERS, FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS do not understand the real meaning of the world news they report, analyze and discuss. HEADS OF GOVERNMENT are utterly unaware of the true significance of the very world-shaking events with which they deal. They have no conception of where these events are leading.
INCREDIBLE? PERHAPS – BUT TRUE!” (The United States and Britain in Prophecy - Chapter 1)
Disruption Feeds Major Change!
For example, the war in the Middle East is causing the Arab states to unite against the common enemy, Iran, forming what could be the foundation for the end time King of the South.
China and Russia have been pushed into working together, forming the base for the end time Eastern army - Gog and Magog.
America’s attitude towards Europe is pushing Europe together. The Europeans don’t trust US protection. The present world financial situation is at the point of collapse, and when it does, this will finally force a group of ten European nations together to form the end time Beast power.
Both Britain and America will be shattered, then Europe becomes the world’s strongest power. “Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?” (Revelation 13:4)
“I Will Break The Pride Of Your Power!” (Leviticus 26:19)
According to God’s end time Apostle:
“Britain has already been reduced to a second-rate or third-rate power in the world.” (The United States and Britain in Prophecy - Chapter 2)
Suddenly, Britain’s global reputation is shattered!
According to a former British Prime Minister:
“Britain is now not merely a laughing stock but something actually worse – a piffling irrelevance.” (dailymail.co.uk)
The special relationship with America is all but destroyed.
People are asking:
“What happened to us? How did we fall so far, so quickly?” (telegraph.co.uk)
Concerning the United States, Mr Armstrong wrote:
“Today America finds herself heir to just about all the international problems and headaches in this post-World-War-II, chaotic, violent world. And the United States has won her last war… the American nation is slated to go down even more suddenly to utter ignominy and loss of all national wealth, greatness and power!
So the prophecies of Daniel were CLOSED, sealed, locked up until now! But today we are living in ‘the time of the end.’ Today the ‘wise’ do understand! But who are ‘the wise’? Only those who fear and obey God – and who have the master key to unlock the locked-up prophecies. God says: ‘The fear of the Eternal is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments’ (Psalm 111:10). And even most professing ‘Christians’ refuse utterly to do that. No wonder they can’t understand.” (The United States and Britain in Prophecy - Chapters 1-3 as serialised in the Plain Truth Oct/Nov 1978)
Today’s Disrupter-In-Chief
God is using the leaders that he has put in control right now to ready the world for the coming end time events.
President Trump uses disruption to achieve his goals.
“During the past three weeks, the President has often suggested that the war has been won and then, almost in the next breath, threatened escalation. One moment he is musing about withdrawing, the next he is doubling down.
He has claimed that American and Israeli bombing has ‘obliterated’ Iran’s military infrastructure and neutralised its navy. And yet Iranian missiles continue to be fired in all directions, and its small boats threaten Western shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Last Tuesday Trump declared that the United States didn’t ‘need any help’ in reopening the Strait. Then on Friday he said it would be ‘easy’ for NATO allies to clear it, implying that it was their job to pick up the pieces of a war he had started.
The latest thought to tumble out of Trump’s mind about the Strait of Hormuz is that unless Iran reopens it within 48 hours he will ‘hit and obliterate’ the country’s power plants.
And then there is the abuse. NATO countries are dismissed as ‘cowards’ even though some of them have stood by America in several of its misguided wars, with 457 British military personnel dying in Afghanistan. It was a contemptible thing for Trump to have said.
It’s no wonder America’s allies are keeping their distance.
They don’t know what he is trying to achieve.
They don’t trust him.
And they don’t relish being abused by him.
All Iran needs to claim victory is to survive in some form. For them, NOT BEING DEFEATED AMOUNTS TO WINNING. If they are undefeated, they will continue to threaten Western interests. In the shorter term this will mean pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and continuing disruption of the free flow of oil and gas, all of which will weaken the global economy, not least already fragile Britain.
I suspect that Trump will declare victory quite soon, since he can’t afford for this war to go on for much longer if he wishes to reclaim some of his damaged reputation. We could then be left with a vengeful Iran, more determined than ever to attack America and its allies.” (dailymail.co.uk)
Pride Before The Fall?
“Trump is the center of his own universe; so, as he said again today, ‘I can do whatever I want.’ He has the hubris of a demigod… Yesterday, he started referring again to his next plans to take Cuba — to do, as he said, whatever he wants with it. He talks like Cuba is his toy to do with as he pleases — again like a demigod — AN INCREDIBLE LEVEL OF HUMAN PRIDE.” (citizenwatchreport.com)
To President Trump: Remember The Bible Example Of King Nebuchadnezzar Of Babylon
The US is the most powerful military force in the history of the world. President Trump controls this great power, but like today’s other leaders, they have no idea why! Is the President in danger of repeating history? Remember King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon? He had a lesson to learn. “…till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” (Daniel 4:25)
He Had To Learn The Hard Way!
“The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, THAT I HAVE BUILT for the house of the kingdom by the might of MY POWER, and for the honour of MY MAJESTY? While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.” (Daniel 4:31)
THIS LEVEL OF HUMAN PRIDE IS DANGEROUS!
God Is Allowing The Disruption
God is preparing today’s world for end time events.
Massive change requires massive disruption. The prophesies of Matthew 24 are being fulfilled right now.
“Take heed that no man deceive you…
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars…
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
All these are the beginning of sorrows.” (Matthew 24:4-8)
This describes today’s world!
Could President Trump’s Wrecking Ball Be What Forces The World To Wake Up And Act?
“Europe’s biggest surplus economy, Germany, has abandoned its debt brake to spend hundreds of billions of euros more on defence and infrastructure renewal, while China plans a significant fiscal loosening to help boost endemically poor consumer spending.
Trump’s wrecking ball has also galvanised the rest of the G7 into thinking about alternative trading alliances, a development that could ironically end up lowering barriers to trade in the world beyond the walled garden of Trump’s America.” (telegraph.co.uk)
“AFFORDABLE ENERGY”
WITHOUT IT, THERE IS NO WESTERN ECONOMY - THERE IS NO WEST!
“Hardliners in Iran smell weakness. They now know where the West is most vulnerable… and have no reason to hold back. I fear something has started that cannot be stopped.
The reasons for Trump’s change of heart, including tumbling stock markets and pressure from US allies in the Gulf, are not so hard to see. Cratering markets in Japan, South Korea and Singapore were threatening a world-wide recession that would engulf America, too. At home, big donors to the Republican party are pressuring the President to find a way out of the conflict.
While Trump’s initial response to Iran’s blockade of energy exports from the region were upbeat – the US is self-sufficient in oil, why worry? – it turns out that AMERICA’S FARMERS RELY ON IMPORTS OF FERTILISER which is made with hydrocarbons from the Gulf.
Affordable energy is the key vulnerability for America and its allies. WITHOUT IT, THERE IS NO WESTERN ECONOMY – THERE IS NO WEST. And the Iranians know that now for sure.
Indifferent to the vast suffering of their own civilians, Iran’s hardliners scent weakness. Iranian media outlets are crowing that Trump has blinked first – and with some justification.
The mullahs have few incentives to throttle back now. Besides, as Trump himself admits, it’s no longer clear who in Iran – a vast territory the size of Western Europe – is in charge.
While both Tehran and Washington would welcome an end to this horrific exchange of fire, Benjamin Netanyahu – the prime minister of Israel, whose air force has played such a key role in the attacks – will be harder to persuade. The Jewish state feels it is in mortal danger from the Islamic Republic and its chants of ‘Death to Israel’. Netanyahu has no intention of stopping the raids until the mullahs are crushed or, at the very least, have lost all ability to exploit nuclear technology. Neither outcome seems likely in the short term.
I fear that Trump and Netanyahu have started something they cannot stop. And that any ‘peace’ will merely be a ceasefire before the bloodshed – and paralysing economic crises – break out anew.” (dailymail.co.uk)
God Warns: “I Will Break The Pride Of Your Power”
“THE AMERICAN NATION IS SLATED TO GO DOWN EVEN MORE SUDDENLY TO UTTER IGNOMINY AND LOSS OF ALL NATIONAL WEALTH, GREATNESS AND POWER!” (The United States and Britain in Prophecy - Chapter 3)
As Sir Winston Churchill said:
“He must indeed have a blind soul who cannot see that some great purpose and design is being worked out here below OF WHICH WE HAVE THE HONOR TO BE THE FAITHFUL SERVANTS.” (The United States and Britain in Prophecy - Chapter 1)
We have been called out and given God’s Holy Spirit. We understand the plan of God. Our Job is to be witnesses, to watch as God fulfils His great plan and to be made ready to teach God’s way of Life in the Millennium.
Here is what God wants all of mankind to understand:
“The LORD of Heaven’s Armies has sworn this oath: ‘It will all happen as I have planned. It will be as I have decided.
I will break the Assyrians when they are in Israel; I will trample them on my mountains. My people will no longer be their slaves nor bow down under their heavy loads.
I have A PLAN FOR THE WHOLE EARTH, a hand of judgment upon ALL THE NATIONS.’
The LORD of Heaven’s Armies has spoken — who can change his plans? When his hand is raised, who can stop him?’” (Isaiah 14:24-27, NLT)
Remember What God Promised
“I have A PLAN FOR THE WHOLE EARTH, a hand of judgment upon ALL THE NATIONS.” (Isaiah 14:26, NLT)
After all the wars and destruction, after all the disruption and upheaval, after this world - Satan’s world - has been totally destroyed, here is the result of this part of the plan of God!
“In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians.
In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land:
Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.” (Isaiah 19:23-25)
Examining Our Repentance
"But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup." (I Corinthians 11:28)
In the two weeks leading up to Passover in 1982 Mr. Armstrong gave a sermon entitled "Passover Examination" – first in Pasadena and then again in the UK the following week. With less than two weeks now before we once again partake of the Passover emblems – the evening of Tuesday March 31st – it would be a good idea to read through one or both transcripts of the sermon provided on the website. And if there is a key area highlighted within both, it is the subject of repentance.
What Repentance IS
I remember as a teenager attending church in the 1960's hearing ministers trying to make the point that we don't merely repent of what we have done, but what we are. All those years ago, that phrase made absolutely no sense to me whatsoever. "How – and why – should someone be sorry for what they are? Surely God made us what we are – but we choose what we do." No, back then, I just couldn't "get it", because I had no real comprehension of the meaning of the word "repent". The fact is the word repent does not equate to merely being sorry but a far better definition would be to turn around and go a different way. What we "are" is human ... and from birth we have lived in a world saturated by a satanic broadcast, which naturally resulted in a mind focused on SELF and actively hostile – enmity – to the things of God (Romans 8:7). The profound about-face required to become a son of God was something no minister in those teenage years could get across to me. And it seems I wasn't alone in my lack of understanding, because Mr. Armstrong would often use the graphic example of the old gentleman who did "get it", to put across to us the concept of the vital need to turn around, change direction. From his Good News article of March 1979, "What the Bible Says about Water Baptism":
Now first, what is it to repent? Well, I wonder if you’ve heard the story (I may have mentioned it, but it’s been some years ago, I think) of the Methodist bishop who had come to a town and was preaching. It was quite a big thing for the bishop to come to this particular local church. And he preached a whole long sermon on repentance. But somehow his congregation there didn’t get it. And some of them were asking him questions but still couldn’t seem to understand. Then one humble old brother, near the back, raised his hand and said, “If you please, sir, I think I can explain this so the people will understand.”
“Well,” the bishop said, “all right. Go ahead and explain it.”
So he started marching down the aisle. As he did, he says, “I’m going to hell, I’m going to hell, I’m going to hell, I’m going to hell, I’m going to hell, I’m going to hell.” He got down by the pulpit, and he turned around and started back. And now he says, “I’m going to heaven, I’m going to heaven, I’m going to heaven, I’m going to heaven.” He said, “What you mean, sir, Mr. Bishop, is to turn around and go the other way.” Now that’s about the best explanation of what it is to repent that I think I’ve ever heard. And the bishop had it explained to him.
It means to turn from what you’ve allowed to come into you. Turn from the kind of life you’ve lived, the kind of thoughts you’ve been thinking, what you have let yourself become – until you want to become something else, and instead of Satan’s spirit getting to you, you now want the Spirit of God.
When we say, “Repent of what you are, not only of what you did,” people say, “Uh, can I repent of what God made me?” Well, God did not make sinning humans what they are – sinners. We drink that in from Satan. (Good News, March 1979 - What the Bible Says about Water Baptism)
Throughout the Word of God
In the Old Testament, two Hebrew words help us understand repentance. The first is the word "nacham", which means to turn around, to change the mind, be grieved. The second is the word "sub" It is used over 600 times in the Old Testament – most often by Strongs H07725 – and is translated by such words as "turn", "return", "seek", "restore". You see it very often in phrases like "to turn to the Lord with all your heart.",
- For if ye turn again [Strongs 07725] unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him. (II Chronicles 30:9)
- Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye [Strongs 07725] even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
- And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. (Joel 2:12,13)
When you come to the New Testament there is one word we need to know – the Greek word "metanoia", which literally means "to change the mind." (Strongs G3341) "But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. [a change of mind]" (Matthew 9:13). This is clearly brought out in the parable of "the prodigal son" in Luke 15, (see also verses 7 and 10) which shows God's positive response to our repentant frame of mind.
The Incredible Price Paid
The Passover begins the subsequent Holy Day season of the year and it does so by focusing our minds on the incredible price that was paid on our behalf to enable us to truly repent of "what we are", in order to become part of the God family. This human, fleshly existence we all share is going in one inexorable direction. Even Jesus Christ, when inspiring king David in one of the most moving Psalms about His own eventual death as the Messiah talked about Himself as, "even He who cannot keep Himself alive" (Psalm 22:29 NKJV). And this sobering fact – of the type of frailty Christ willingly accepted for us, contrasted with the resplendent Life He previously enjoyed – is expounded in great detail in a March 1982 Plain Truth article: Why Christ Died and Rose Again:
... Do you realize WHAT a tremendous price was paid that you might be released from the death penalty of YOUR SINS? The very Eternal – the Spokesman of the Godhead, and very GOD himself – permitted himself to be changed into a mortal human – stepped down, descended to the human plane, suffered, was tempted, persecuted, despised, rejected of men, crucified! ...
... He died and for three days and nights WAS DEAD! He who was IN THE BEGINNING, and WAS GOD! He stooped to human level, submitted to DEATH – trusted the Father to restore him to life! That is the PRICE paid for you and for me. He GAVE himself for YOU – and in so doing bought and paid for you! And therefore, you BELONG TO HIM! Will you GIVE YOURSELF to him?
That is the only way of salvation – the only way this GREATEST PRICE EVER PAID IN THE UNIVERSE FROM ETERNITY can save you. You must GIVE YOURSELF up! – GIVE yourself TO HIM! Give him your life – yourSELF. Let HIM come into your mind and heart, through his Holy Spirit, and live His LIFE IN YOU!
It means full, complete, utter, unconditional SURRENDER. You are no longer your own, you are HIS. Give your life to HIM, and see what great usefulness and accomplishment he will put it to! See what great joys will be yours as a result of the great GOOD he can and will do through you – IF you are his, wholly IN HIS POWER, wholly subjected to HIS WILL. (The Plain Truth, March 1982 - Why Christ Died and Rose Again)
Life-Long Repentance
What we need to fully remember is that the sacrifice of Christ can only be applied upon genuine repentance, and as the apostle John brings out, it's not a one-off repentance – and forgiveness – when we are baptised, but a state of mind that must then continue thereafter throughout our physical lives:
- If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
- But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
- If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
- If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
- If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (I John 1:6-10)
That this repentant frame of mind needs to continue throughout our lives is a key point to examine prior to Passover. Are we still repentant on a day-to-day basis? In fact, we should be MORE repentant than we were at the point of baptism – when we were just starting out on our life-long journey, because at that time, like a new born baby, we had no idea how much growth/change was needed! Have we really surrendered our will to God and His way of life – or at least, is that still our full and genuine intent, because we all stumble from time to time. Rather than trying to plough through a list of our possible failings and shortcomings, these are the questions we need to ask ourselves – and take to God in prayer, asking Him to continue to correct us when we miss the mark, show us where we've wandered off track, and lead us unswervingly in His direction – in order to ultimately fulfil the purpose of His calling.
And that calling is to become a literal son of the Almighty God. Not merely part of some worldly philosophy or religion that is probably more about looking good in the eyes of men than anything else, but a change of everything – body, soul and spirit – from a mere human SELF-absorbed lump of "dust and ashes" into an actual OUTgoing, powerful and eternal God-Being, complete with a God-Mind! We can't do such a thing ourselves! That is totally impossible – unthinkable – but nevertheless, we DO have a profound and vital role in the process. This complete turnaround required of us is no mere abstract concept! Notice how Paul explained this spiritual about-face of the "new man" to the brethren in Ephesus:
- Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
- Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
- Neither give [opportunity] to the devil [the slanderer]
- Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
- Let no [poor quality, worthless] communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
- And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of [deliverance].
- Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
- And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:25-32)
Renewing Commitment
By its very nature that 180° turn – from our way to God's way, unconditionally and in every respect – is at first a painful process. The old "you" and "me" has to die and every self-seeking way we once held dear, rejected – recognising that God's eternal wisdom is so vastly superior to ours. And though to accomplish this to the degree God requires is destined to take a lifetime, that initial turn – from get to give, from our way to His way – prior to baptism is probably the hardest. Some – like the apostle Paul – might need a "road to Damascus" experience, but God deals with us as individuals, and for some it might be a longer process taking years, as He works in our life. But the end result is the same – an individual who willingly turns his back on his former way of life, and chooses God's way instead
And once that first step has been made, each subsequent step away from our former lifestyle and thinking and towards God's direction should become easier – as His faith and Spirit grows within us. As our relationship with our Father and Christ matures, we willingly seek to find where we need to change. Christ clearly brings this out via the apostle John:
- And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
- For everyone practising evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
- But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God. (John 3:19-21 NKJV)
And it was certainly something King David understood: "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139: 23,24)
Following Christ's Lead
Since the apostasy this self-examination process has become progressively more and more important for all of us. Not only are we now having to check that although we are in the world, we are not of it – but also that the various ideas we may have picked up along the way are valid, and not something that will lead us off track, off the foundation and away from the original direction in which Christ was and is still leading His Church. Are the ideas we hold at present indeed genuinely true and not merely human concepts from the minds of men? This concern is vital ... "that no man take our crown" (Revelation 3:11)
Even Mr Armstrong himself recognised his own need to get back on track at this time of year. As an example, he confided that up to now, he hadn't fully understood his need to hunger and thirst after God's righteousness – and the profound breadth that this concept entailed. He did this in a sermon given during Unleavened Bread less than a year before he died:
I think of God's righteousness; and I think of God, and how holy and how righteous He is. God is so righteous He is absolutely perfect! Now God has… He never suffers anything, except sorrow that you and I cause Him; but of Himself He suffers nothing. He has no pain. He has no backache. No hips out of joint. No headache. But He is full of vitality. And He just feels so good, and so active, so strong, and so vigorous, and just feels good over and over all the time; and He's never tired or weary. He is perfect, and EVERYTHING is just perfect in His life. He has NO FEARS and no worries of any kind, because He's perfectly righteous. Perfectly! Now, that's something to hunger and thirst for!
Now, I have some aches and pains. Sometimes they come; sometimes they go, and then others come. So do you. So do we all. But if we hunger and thirst for God's righteousness, if we ever achieve it we will have perfect contentment, perfect happiness, perfect joy just brimful and running over, enthusiastically filled with love and with happiness beyond any description. We'd better hunger and thirst for it. Well now, what is that? It's the absence of sin. ("Rely on God" - sermon given UB 6 April 1985)
Law of Love
Turning from OUR way, REPENTING of sin, an UNCONDITIONAL surrender to God – this is what led to our baptism – and these are the things that should be in our minds at this season of the year. But two specific things should strike home in full measure when we really get to grips with this subject:
- The fact God will never compromise with His Law the smallest fraction of a millimetre.
- The incredible Love of The Father and Christ – in their desire to share the superb existence they enjoy.
And the two points above are inexorably linked together. The Law of God – His Spiritual Way of Life – is the very reason for the abundant existence enjoyed by our Father and Elder Brother. That Law can be summed up in the one word "Love". This evil age has made the word "love" an empty, over-used platitude – but the true Way of Love is anything but. It is the vibrant existence of the greatest Givers ever to exist. This very nature, this character, is what defines these Creating Beings. They live "That Way"! They ARE "That Way"! They obviously WANT to share, to love, to give what they have – so others can also have the same happiness they possess.
John 3:16 explains the depth of love that both God and Christ have for their creation – something far beyond anything the world can comprehend, and as Paul brings out in Romans: "For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:7,8)
Satan has also put a negative spin on the word "law", especially at a time when the western world in particular is being harassed with more and more laws and restrictions, whereas the Torah – the law of God – is more a pointing, direction, instruction in a way of life that brings everything good ... to everyone. Do we still have the desire never to compromise with His Law, and the desire to share the exuberant existence they enjoy? This is something we need to think about when we examine ourselves prior to Passover.
Our Fragile Life
When we are in the bloom of youth, and we see things that need changing in our lives, we're often tempted to think, "Well, I'll get around to it sometime, soon-ish ..." But advancing years and the frailty of these physical bodies do bring home to all of us, in abrupt clarity, that this life is a finite thing. We do not go on forever in this flesh. One day it will be too late for any changes to be made, and we will have kept our last Passover in this life.
In his later years, Mr. Armstrong would continually emphasise that we have only a "temporary, physio-chemical existence". Our "outward man" is most certainly perishing (II Corinthians 4:16) and our concentration needs to be on the "inward man" ... that we become pliable clay in the hands of the Master Potter, voluntarily submitting to His vastly greater eternal wisdom ... nothing much else matters! (Luke 12:16-21) Growing old is a privilege which many today do not share. And though we pray that we are accounted worthy to escape and stand physically before the Son of Man as the heavens roll back as a scroll on His return – being changed rather than woken from the sleep of death – we have no guarantee this is how it is going to be in our case. We do not control this life – our daily lives are in God's hands. (Psalm 31:15)
In Psalm 90 Moses is moved to contemplate what seems to be the futility and frailty of human existence, as he watches an entire generation die in the wilderness, compared with the great Being that had led them the past 40 years.
- Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.
- Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God ...
- ... For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night...
- ... The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away ...
- So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom ...
- And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. (Psalm 90: 1,2,4 10,12,17)
The Passover
So as we approach the Passover this year, let us all, once again, examine our continuing repentance – checking that we are indeed constantly turning from our own ways of doing things and turning to God's truly abundant Way of Life in absolutely everything ... from Get to Give. That clear and unambiguous intent to turn is repentance. It is the commitment we made at baptism and renew every year when we remember who paid the penalty in our stead as we take the Passover. Please read the entire article: Why Christ Died and Rose Again and recognise the profound nature of the sacrifice we are going to remember on the Passover evening.
And as you read, understand that it was a sacrifice given willingly by our Elder Brother. From the foundation of this world – this age, when mankind first made his choice – it was determined Christ, a God-being, had to die (Revelation 13:8). And while we were yet sinners – at the point the Father first opened our minds – Christ died for us, allowing the reconciliation to take place. And this was done so all humanity might succeed (John 3:16,17). We do not have to sorrow as we witness the misery and chaos around us, as others without this knowledge. We have confidence and hope for the future, and not just for the dead in Christ, who we'll meet again soon, but also the rest of the world, who too may share in LIFE – Real Life, lived according to God's Perfect Spiritual Law, in a truly abundant, dynamic Spirit Born Existence – for all Eternity!
- And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
- And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
- And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
- And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
- He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. (Revelation 21:3-7)
Latest Audio - 2026-03-21
“Just what is an APOSTLE?”
Today we find the Church of God in a “wilderness of religious confusion!”
The confusion is not merely around the Church – within the religions of the world outside – but WITHIN the very heart of The True Church itself!
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