September 12, 23, 1985

WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA 91123

HERBERT W. ARMSTRONG
PASTOR GENERAL September 12, 1985

Dear Brethren and Co-Workers with Christ:

Since last December I have been working diligently on the largest and most important book of my life. In real fact I feel I myself did not write it. Rather, I believe God used me in writing it. I candidly feel it may be the most important book since the Bible.

It is named MYSTERY OF THE AGES. Actually it might be called a synopsis of the Bible in the most plain and understandable language.

But first, before I tell you more about it, let me say I am overjoyed to be able to send you one of the very first copies off the press, hardbound -- the same beautiful copy that will be sold in bookstores all over the United States -- in gratitude for your cooperation and financial support of this wonderful work of the great God.

All baptized members will be given the book, one copy to a family, at the coming annual Feast of Tabernacles. All nonmember co-workers are being mailed your copies, but allow a few weeks for delivery, for this kind of mail goes much slower than this letter.

We want to reach the largest audience possible with this book. I know you will feel the same way when you read it. There is a very large audience which would never request this book if offered free -- who would never send their name and address to us -- but would gladly buy a copy in a bookstore. By putting it in the bookstores we will reach a very great audience that we can reach in no other way. We will not sell the book ourselves, but it cannot be made available to this large audience of book buyers unless the bookstores do put a price on it.

Now let me tell you something about this new book.

The Holy Bible is the world's best-selling book, but not the most read, and certainly just about the least understood. Why should this be? Several reasons. First, God did not intend it to be understood until now, in these last days before the return of Christ and the setting up of the kingdom of God to rule all nations and usher in world peace. For example, in Daniel 12, Daniel wrote that he heard what the angel was telling him to write, but he did not understand. The angel told him to write the words anyway -- that their meaning was closed and sealed from understanding until the time of the end of this present world.

Secondly, when the first man, Adam, rejected the tree of life -- rejecting God and reliance on God, taking to himself the knowledge of good and evil, relying on himself instead of God -- God closed the tree of life until the coming of Christ, the second Adam. And even then the gifts of the Holy Spirit and eternal life were still closed to all except those whom God the Father would draw to him through Jesus Christ (John 6:44). The natural mind of man cannot understand the Word of God except by and through the Holy Spirit dwelling within. We read in I Corinthians 2:9 that the human eye has not seen, nor the ear heard, nor has it entered into the human mind, the spiritual things of God. But, verse 10 says God does reveal those things to us through, and only through, the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. No matter how great the human mind -- no matter how many PhDs or high degrees one may have after his name, he cannot understand what God has put in his Word -- the Holy Bible -- without the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes [mentally, educationally]" (Matt. 11:25). No others can understand the Bible, which is the Word of God.

Thirdly, the Bible has not been written like the books written by natural-minded humans. It is a coded book, like a jigsaw puzzle divided into thousands of parts, and cannot be understood except these many different parts are properly put together. And they will fit together in only one way. They must be put together "here a little, and there a little" (Isa. 28:10).

I feel like shouting "Glory, hallelujah" and "Praise God" that he has revealed his Word to his one true church through the Holy Spirit which he has given to us. Daniel 12 continues to say that in these last days the wise would understand but all others would not. The Bible says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of understanding, and a good understanding have they who do his commandments.

We of God's true church do keep God's commandments. But the churches of this world say the commandments were done away. There- fore their eyes, even though they do not realize it, are blinded to the truth as revealed in the Bible. That is why the churches of "traditional Christianity" do not and cannot understand the Bible.

This new book MYSTERY OF THE AGES does put the many "pieces of the jigsaw puzzle" properly together. Because the world has been unable to do this, the Bible and the things in the Bible have certainly been a mystery.

The Bible itself is a mystery to nearly all people. God and the nature of God -- what God is like -- God's purpose -- have been a mystery. No religion on earth has ever truly understood just who and what God really is. Many people, and even different religions, have had some vague ideas about the unseen spirit world. Yet it has been a total mystery to them.

Even the appearance of mankind on the earth and any purpose for human existence are a mystery people have never understood. Human civilization as it has developed is a mystery people simply do not understand. They cannot understand why 20th century progress has made such phenomenal strides and yet its troubles and evils have escalated and multiplied.

Even the existence of the church is a mystery. Why should there be such an institution as the church? The very gospel that Jesus Christ brought from God the Father -- the good news of the coming world-ruling kingdom of God -- has never been understood. It, too, has been cloaked in mystery.

This new book MYSTERY OF THE AGES unveils all these mysteries. It puts the many different parts of the "jigsaw puzzle" together. It is, in fact, a synopsis of the entire Bible. It is my prayer that you will read it along with your Bible -- that it will make your Bible come alive and understandable. And with God's Holy Spirit dwelling in you, I feel sure that it will. I am now in my 94th year and I feel that this book is the most valuable gift I could possibly give to you. This book is a partial expression of my thanks and gratitude to you for being a co-laborer with me and with Jesus Christ. With all my heart, I do appreciate and thank God for your part with me in the wonderful work in these closing days.

With deep love, in Jesus' name,

Herbert W. Armstrong


<<>>

October 25, 1985

WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA 91123

HERBERT W. ARMSTRONG
PASTOR GENERAL October 25, 1985

Dear Brethren and Co-Workers with Christ:

You and I are committed, as Co-Workers together with the living Christ, to the greatest and most important activity on earth today!

This Work of God was originally started by ONE man -- Jesus Christ. But on the day of Pentecost, A.D. 31, the same Holy Spirit that had carried on God's Work through his individual body entered into and empowered his apostles, and the entire COLLECTIVE BODY, which on and from that day constituted God's Church. The Church of God, of which Jesus Christ was, and is, the living HEAD, was commissioned to carry on the Work of God in an organized manner -- starting out with the TWELVE apostles.

What is the Work of God? First of all, it is the great commission -- to proclaim the MESSAGE Christ brought for mankind from heaven and taught his disciples. Secondly, to minister to, and feed with the spiritual food of God's Word, those whom GOD converts and adds to his Church.

But, after proclaiming that gospel MESSAGE to the world of that day -- after the Church had grown and multiplied in number and power, the headquarters Church at Jerusalem fled in the face of advancing Roman armies shortly before A.D. 70, became scattered, and under persecution -- and because of discouragement because Christ had not yet returned in power and glory -- the Church WENT TO SLEEP ON THE JOB of proclaiming Christ's true gospel message!

Satan then filled the world with his COUNTERFEIT "gospel." The world accepted it as the genuine. You'll read, in the parable of the l0 virgins, Matthew 25, how, while Christ tarried in heaven and did not return to earth as soon as they expected, THEY ALL SLUMBERED AND SLEPT on the job of carrying on God's Work.

But now the "midnight hour" spoken of in this parable has struck. Christ's return is drawing near. He has raised up YOU, and all our Co-Worker family, to give to the world the cry, "The Bridegroom is COMING." The KINGDOM OF GOD is at hand. The WORLD TOMORROW is about to dawn!

Christ's true gospel message is THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Jesus taught and proclaimed no other gospel. It sounds incredible -- almost unbelievable, I know -- but it's TRUE! THAT gospel had not been preached to the world for 18 centuries! Many have, as Jesus foretold, come in his name, claiming to represent him, SAYING that Jesus is the Christ (Matt. 24:5) -- even proclaiming his shed blood -- preaching about GRACE (but turning it into license) -- and have DECEIVED THE MANY! God's true Church has continued to exist, through every generation, until now, as a small and persecuted Church. Yet it had not proclaimed Christ's true gospel, in organized manner to the world, until A.D. 1934.

But, Matthew 24:14, Jesus also said that, just before his coming and the END of this world, his own very GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD would be proclaimed (and published -- Mark 13:10) in ALL THE WORLD as a witness to all nations.

That is what Jesus Christ has called YOU and me, as Co-Workers together with HIM, to be doing NOW! This is the VERY WORK OF GOD! That's why this is the MOST IMPORTANT Work on earth!

WE are in a spiritual WAR -- on the firing line with CHRIST as our general -- firing spiritual bombs of GOD'S TRUTH -- the message of Christ's own GOSPEL -- to make this whole world CONSCIOUS of the GOOD NEWS of Christ's soon coming and his KINGDOM, to rule the happy, peaceful WORLD TOMORROW! There can be no letting down -- no slacking -- no quitting in this war!

What would happen in a war if an army, by a sudden burst of effort, surged forward to win a single battle, then laid down their arms and decided to take it easy or go on furlough? They would then LOSE THE WAR! Christ said it is only he who endures to the end who shall be saved! LET US CARRY ON, more determined than ever -- more dedicated and devoted to Christ's great mission than ever! We must not win a partial battle, and then lose our war. LET US NOW PLUNGE ON HARDER THAN EVER TO FINAL VICTORY!

We have to REALIZE these are the most trying and crucial days in earth's history and for this great closing WORK OF GOD since it began!

The newspapers, newscasters and government authorities are telling us bluntly that the U.S. and the entire world face a grave economic future from the burden of mounting debts. WHAT WILL THIS MEAN TO US, INDIVIDUALLY, AND TO THE WORK?

Humans cannot foretell the future! God can! This much I know! For the sake of HIS VERY WORK, God Almighty will make it possible for his Co-Workers to continue in such financial condition that THE NEEDS OF GOD'S WORK shall be continually supplied. In all probability conditions will improve through this year and into the next year, even though the methods used to stimulate the improvement may hasten the world's ultimate economic downfall.

What about us, individually? What about YOU? REMEMBER! If you are FAITHFUL -- if your heart is in GOD'S WORK -- HE PROMISES TO TAKE CARE OF YOU -- to supply your needs! In some cases it may not appear, for a time, that God is answering and keeping that promise. But if you do your part -- put forth extra effort to find employment if you are unemployed -- keep praying and TRUSTING God -- keep faithful in tithes and offerings for his Work, God will never fail you! He may allow a TEST OF FAITH. But if you don't fail him, he won't fail you!

Those in this world have no such assurance for the future -- NO SUCH SECURITY! How grateful we should be for it! No matter what the national or world conditions -- GOD ALMIGHTY WILL KEEP HIS WORK GOING FORWARD, and growing and multiplying in power and scope!

REMEMBER! You and I are servants of GOD! We are HIS INSTRUMENTS! He is using us in preparing for Christ's coming and HIS KINGDOM! The living Jesus Christ is the Head of this Work -- he directs it! If we are willing to give our SELVES to him, willing to sacrifice for him, he will see that we are prospered and financially able -- and spiritually able -- to keep up OUR PART until HIS TREMENDOUS MISSION IS ACCOMPLISHED!

With great love, in Jesus' name.

Herbert W. Armstrong

November 11, 1985 PT

"The PLAIN TRUTH"

a magazine of understanding

Pasadena, California 91123

HERBERT W. ARMSTRONG
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

November 11, 1985

Dear PLAIN TRUTH Subscriber:

I want PERSONALLY to welcome our many hundreds of thousands of NEW subscribers -- and to THANK ALL subscribers, old and new, for your interest in this world-news magazine and the WORLD TOMORROW broadcast!

As founder and editor in chief of "The PLAIN TRUTH," I try to write a personal letter to our subscribers about twice a year. Once again, I am grateful to be able to say I have something NEW -- and I believe exciting and tremendously important for you -- no cost, of course.

But first, let me give you a brief preview of the world YOU live in today, and what the next very few years are going to bring into YOUR life and mine. We are living in a time of extreme DANGER! Television commentators broadcast it. All evidence seems to indicate it -- pollution, unprecedented crime and violence, family life breaking down, morals in the cesspool, terrorism, local wars in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, South America. ALL signs point to the fact that we are living in the TIME OF THE END of this present civilization!

For the first time in human existence the weapons of mass destruction are developed and stockpiled that can ERASE every man, woman and child on earth. Will some self-willed human leader unleash this terrifying stockpile of nuclear death?

Bible prophecies say IT WILL HAPPEN! Listen: Most religious leaders do not understand these prophecies. Speaking of the United States, Britain, Canada, Australia, God warns: "In all your dwelling places the cities shall be laid waste ..." (Ezek. 6:6); "And the cities that are inhabited shall be laid waste, and the land shall be desolate; and ye shall know that I am the Lord" (Ezek. 12:20) -- and the latter part of that verse speaks of a time immediately prior to the Second Coming of Christ.

Why do most religious leaders not understand these prophecies? Because they do not know the identity of the English-speaking nations and the other democratic peoples of Northwestern Europe.

Jesus spoke of this same time of national destruction of our peoples, as recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21: "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved (alive): but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened" (Matt. 24:21-22).

Not only will that unthinkable time be cut short, there is a promise to God's own people -- his Church -- in Revelation 12:14: "And to the woman (God's true Church) were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time (3 1/2 years), from the face of the serpent" (Satan the devil).

Also this promise to those who will yet in the future, heed the prophetic warnings: "A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee" (Ps. 91:7).

We are living in the most tremendous days of world history -- the very END TIME, the END of this present evil, unhappy, violent world -- just prior to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Only "The PLAIN TRUTH" keeps you informed on what it all means, and what is the absolutely SURE prophesied outcome.

The eternal God has raised up THIS WORK to prepare the way for Christ's soon coming in SUPREME POWER AND GLORY to rule all nations, to bring in a NEW civilization under the GOVERNMENT OF GOD with WORLD PEACE and eternal salvation offered to ALL!

Our time is now SHORT, and growing daily shorter! World troubles will mount into troubles such as NEVER WERE BEFORE, and never will be again. But then Jesus Christ will come in all His supernatural POWER to bring us PEACE, and a REAL HOPE, at last!

While heads of government, news analysts and forecasters worry, wonder, and speculate on the immediate future, the PLAIN TRUTH magazine will keep you informed IN ADVANCE. We are God's chosen spokesmen for the God who controls the universe. He controls the destiny of the human race. He reveals the end from the beginning in biblical PROPHECY.

We are now rapidly approaching the time of the world's greatest CRISIS, when this whole man-made civilization will crumble and fall -- and a NEW WORLD OF PEACE AND ETERNAL SALVATION will dawn, at Christ's soon coming in POWER and GLORY! God has decreed that the warning message must now go to the world (Matt. 24:14).

This is the message of the world's ONLY and SURE HOPE! We are definitely NOW at the "TIME OF THE END," when the prophet Daniel says, "none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand" (Dan. 12:10). Keep reading diligently every issue of "The PLAIN TRUTH," and be one of the wise.

TOMORROW a new world of PEACE, happiness, abundance and eternal salvation is coming! The glorified Christ will be here, ruling all nations. Abraham, Moses, King David, Elijah, Samuel, Daniel, Jesus' original twelve apostles, the apostle Paul -- all will be resurrected to immortal life -- all will be here.

As some of our readers already know, I have written the book "THE WONDERFUL WORLD TOMORROW -- What It Will Be Like." The book is a vivid word-picture of TOMORROW'S NEW WORLD -- how it will be organized. I shall be glad to send to you, as a subscriber to "The PLAIN TRUTH," a copy, gratis -- no charge -- on request, if you have not already read it.

Let me THANK YOU from the heart, for allowing us to serve you and bring to you God's precious TRUTH.

A self-addressed envelope for your request is enclosed.

Thank you, in Jesus' name.

Herbert W. Armstrong

November 25, 1985

WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA 91123

HERBERT W. ARMSTRONG
PASTOR GENERAL November 25, 1985

Dear Brethren and Co-Workers with Christ:

This has been the MOST SERIOUS year of the Work of God so far. Never before has God given us such a leap forward in television coverage and PLAIN TRUTH circulation as in these past six months.

GOD'S TIME HAS COME TO SPEED UP HIS WORK WITH DYNAMIC AND TREMENDOUS POWER! Time for completing the GREAT MISSION OF GOD in this dying world is fast running out on us!

This country -- the U.S. -- and the whole world is in ferment, confusion, serious social and economic trouble! Satan knows he now has but a short time -- BUT DO WE KNOW IT? We have to sacrifice now as never before! We have to put the Work of God FIRST in our lives! First in our prayers! We now have to dedicate our lives to his service as never before!

In this time of world turmoil, Jesus Christ is blessing his Church and its work! We have been plunging forward in the Work. Spectacular new time availabilities will soon open up on some television stations that will cover virtually all Europe.

BUT WE SERIOUSLY AND URGENTLY NEED INCREASED INCOME to walk through these new doors! The Work must now plunge forward in greater power!

God's time has come! These open doors cost more money. With the writing of the new book MYSTERY OF THE AGES God has helped me this year to do the best work of my 93 years of life! But now, for over three months, I have been suffering a serious illness which started from a flu bug in August. Since then I have been confined to my home, with a doctor, who seldom makes house calls, coming to see me every day -- sometimes twice a day. I have been unable to rid myself of a fever that has left me with low blood levels and very little strength. Even so, I am working as energetically as possible from my home.

I now need you to work harder, more energetically and at greater sacrifice in prayers and extra financial offerings than ever before!

A few years ago I wrote you a warning that we must prepare to tighten our belts, and reduce our living standards! This whole nation is going to have to learn to do that!

I ask you, brethren, in Jesus' name, to put whatever you are able into God's Work in this crisis hour before the Great Tribulation that will cut off our work just prior to the soon- coming of Christ and the World Tomorrow.

Let's now set our hearts and whole interest on the SOON- coming Kingdom of God, when we shall shine as the sun in brightness and find happiness forever! We -- you backing me up -- are preparing the way before Christ's soon coming and his Kingdom! What else now counts in this world? I ask you to sacrifice -- go without some things you might want -- put all you can spare into this GREAT SURGE FORWARD IN GOD'S WORK!

Almost seven years ago, Satan struck what he thought would be the fatal blow to DESTROY God's Church and Work. It only drew us closer together in unity and made his Work grow as never before! Just think how God has blessed us! THIS IS HIS WORK!

His Work must surge forward in tremendous power! I have to ask you to sacrifice and make possible these new television stations in Europe. And that will lead to increased circulation of The PLAIN TRUTH! I ask you to finance this now -- and in due time this extra-pressure Gospel lunge will bring in new co-workers to help finance the Work!

The departments in Pasadena are doing their part in making economies to prepare for these new opportunities. We are pruning out our less effective stations on television, and will temporarily reduce the size of the 48-page PLAIN TRUTH magazine by one signature. These reductions will offset some of the costs of these new doors to get the Gospel to the world as a witness, but that alone is not enough. This retrenching will not bring results overnight. We still need your help. We know that God will bless our efforts, and perhaps send in enough money to allow us to restore some of these areas that are currently being reduced. We also pray that this will allow us to hire some much needed ministers, already trained and ready to be put to work for the harvest.

This will bring a NEW SURGE FORWARD in God's Work. The Church and whole Work have been in good financial condition. But we must now LUNGE FORWARD in the FINAL LAP, coming in on the home stretch of the great Work God gave us to do.

This Work of God was built from nothing financially, ON FAITH! I go forward now IN FAITH IN CHRIST that he will inspire you dear Co-Workers TO MAKE THE EFFORT WITH ME! You will have to give up some things you might want. But we all shall GAIN eternal glory in God's Kingdom -- and SOON. I know you won't let me -- or Christ -- down! God bless, help, prosper and inspire you.

PRAY as never before! Fast and pray!

In deep love, in Jesus' name,

Herbert W. Armstrong

December 9, 1985

WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA 91123

HERBERT W. ARMSTRONG
PASTOR GENERAL December 9, 1985

Dear Brethren:

At this time I feel I must make a statement regarding my own physical condition and also changes being made in the Work. I have delayed a definite statement about my health hoping that my physical condition would improve and that the statement I now make could be alleviated.

Last August 3, I left Pasadena for Orr, Minnesota, having planned to continue to the Summer Education Program camp in Scotland, then to London, and from London across the North Pole to Tokyo. A trip had been planned from Tokyo to Seoul, South Korea, to meet with the president. I was to be accompanied by the Japanese Minister of Labor, Toshio Yamaguchi. I had become ill and was forced to return to Pasadena from Orr, Minnesota, early in the morning, too ill to be fully dressed. I returned immediately to my home. I was able to make a few trips to the office until the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles in late September. I have not been outside of my home since that day. From that date, my regular physician has been making daily, and sometimes twice daily, trips to my home.

I had hoped for a turn to the better -- so that I could return for daily work in my office -- and a recovery from this illness, but unfortunately, that has not occurred. My blood level is far below normal and has left me in a very weak condition. I have not been able to dress -- further than bed clothes and robes since the day before the Feast of Tabernacles.

My physician says that with blood transfusions I could go to the office for three to four weeks. But then another blood transfusion would be necessary. It is my judgment that such a transfusion would be risky and of very short duration. And my physician acquiesces in this decision. Frequently I have very serious and painful angina attacks of the heart. I have been able to make certain necessary decisions in brief telephone contact with those at the office and will continue this as and when my very limited physical strength permits.

Until the present moment I felt that God might provide a way for complete recovery, and He still may. So I have withheld this statement until now, but I feel it is better that you all know the condition. I am now in my 94th year. God may grant that I continue in this very limited manner to direct the Work for some time, but the occasional severe heart pains that I have endured have made me feel the necessity of letting the entire membership know of the condition as it is.

Also, I feel God has led me in deciding that it is necessary that we close the operations at Big Sandy, Texas, after the end of this present school year. The certification of the college requiring the pursuing of accreditation, the financial needs of the First Commission of the Church, and the needs of the ministry made this decision necessary. The trained ministry at the campus in Big Sandy are sorely needed elsewhere because of the thousands of perspective member visit requests. I have ordered implementation of this decision to the appropriate officials involved.

Remember, brethren, this is the Work of the living Creator God. We are now very near the end of this present age. I will continue to give my all to the Work of God up to the last breath. I hope you will all realize the seriousness of the time in which we live and that nothing is important any longer other than to be close to God and assured of a place in His very soon coming Kingdom.

This world is not God's world, and of that we may all be thankful. It is now in its very last days. This illness has impressed heavily on my mind, more than ever before, the uselessness of this present evil world. Thank God we are all very near to its end. I thank you, beyond words to express, for your loving concern and for the many thousands of cards and well wishes that have been coming in from great numbers of you from all over the world.

With all my love,
In the name of Jesus our Lord and Savior,

Herbert W. Armstrong

P.S. I have had to dictate this letter due to lack of the physical strength to type it.

December 23, 1985

WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA 91123

HERBERT W. ARMSTRONG
PASTOR GENERAL December 23, 1985

Dear Brethren and Co-Workers:

A month ago I wrote you of my current illness, which had confined me to my home for the past few months. At that time I had hoped for a turn to the better and that I would soon be back at my desk in the office. Another month has rolled by and the expected return of strength and vitality, unfortunately, has not occurred.

Last August 3, I left Pasadena for Orr, Minnesota, having planned to continue to the Summer Educational Program camp in Scotland, then to London, and from London across the North Pole to Tokyo. A trip had been planned from Tokyo to Seoul, South Korea, to meet with the president. I was to be accompanied by the Japanese Minister of Labor, Toshio Yamaguchi. I had become ill and was forced to return to Pasadena from Orr, Minnesota, early in the morning, too ill to be fully dressed. I returned immediately to my home. I was able to make a few trips to the office until the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles in late September. I have not been outside of my home since that day. From that date, my regular physician has been making daily, and sometimes twice daily, trips to my home.

My blood level is far below normal and has left me in a very weak condition. I have not been able to dress further than bed clothes and robes since the end of September.

My physician says that with blood transfusions I could go to the office for three to four weeks. But then another blood transfusion would be necessary. It is my judgment that such a transfusion would be risky and of very short duration. And my physician acquiesces in this decision. Frequently I have very serious and painful angina attacks of the heart. I have been able to make certain necessary decisions in brief telephone contact with those at the office and will continue this as and when my very limited physical strength permits.

Until the present moment I felt that God might provide a way for complete recovery, and he still may. So I have withheld this statement until now, but I feel it is better that you all know the condition. I am now in my 94th year. God may grant that I continue in this very limited manner to direct the work for some time, but the occasional severe heart pains that I have endured have made me feel the necessity of letting our co-workers know of the condition as it is.

Remember, this is the work of the living Creator God. We are now very near the end of this present age. I will continue to give my all to the work of God up to the last breath. I hope you will all realize the seriousness of the time in which we live and that nothing is important any longer other than to be close to God and assured of a place in his very soon-coming Kingdom.

This world is not God's world, and of that we may all be thankful. It is now in its very last days. This illness has impressed heavily on my mind, more than ever before, the uselessness of this present evil world. Thank God we are all very near to its end. And closer to God's wonderful world tomorrow. I thank you, beyond words to express, for your loving concern and for the many thousands of cards and well wishes that have been coming in from great numbers of you from all over the world.

I thank God that he has organized this present work of his so thoroughly that regardless of the outcome of my present illness, the work will continue right on to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Meanwhile, dear brethren and co-workers, I and the work of God, need, as never before, your continued fervent prayers for the continued progress of this great work. Christ is the Living Head of this work, and He will continue guiding those He has chosen right up to His Second Coming, which grows daily nearer at hand.

With all my love,
In the name of Jesus our Lord and Savior,

Herbert W. Armstrong

January 1986

WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA 91123

HERBERT W. ARMSTRONG
PASTOR GENERAL January, 1986

Dear Brethren and Co-Workers:

Once again the time has come to send each of you your receipt for tithes and offerings -- for 1985.

I want you to realize the magnitude of the accomplishments you have helped make possible this past year -- yet I wonder if it is humanly possible to comprehend just how great is the work the living Christ is accomplishing through our combined efforts and sacrifice under him and through the boundless power of the great God in heaven.

We are humanly inclined to judge by what we can see physically. What we see physically is a small church body on earth. Yet what we should see spiritually is something so stupendous as to defy any comparison, so colossal above all that has been accomplished by all the combined efforts of the large churches of this world. Spiritually it is a gigantic worldwide accomplishment compared to no spiritual accomplishment whatever.

Jesus Christ sent forth the first apostles to the small world of that day centered around the Mediterranean Sea. In 20 years there was violent controversy over whether the gospel to be proclaimed was a gospel ABOUT Christ, or the gospel OF Christ. For nearly 1,900 years Christ's Gospel of the Kingdom of God was there- after NOT PROCLAIMED to the world. But Jesus had said, "THIS gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto ALL NATIONS, and then shall the end [of this world] come."

The tithes and offerings of this small church began the work of proclaiming 1,900 years later the Gospel of the Kingdom -- the only true Gospel -- throughout Europe after it had gone forth for 19 years over the United States and Canada.

It is now true that this Gospel has been proclaimed within EVERY NATION ON EARTH BY THE WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD.

NO OTHER CHURCH has proclaimed THIS true Gospel at all!

Following are current worldwide figures you should know for the year 1985.

• Seventy-four million PLAIN TRUTH magazines were either mailed to subscribers or distributed through newsstands.
• Seven million GOOD NEWS issues were sent out.
• Two million YOUTH 85 magazines went to young and old alike.
• Six million booklets, books and reprint articles were mailed upon request.
• More than one million Ambassador College Bible Correspondence Course lessons were sent to students.
• Our Mail Processing Center received more than one million phone calls, mostly in response to the WORLD TOMORROW program on television.
• Our offices around the world received more than 10 million letters from subscribers responding to the work of the Church.

What tremendous accomplishments your tithes and offerings have made possible in 1985. Now let's keep it up in 1986!

With love and gratitude, in Jesus' name,

Herbert W. Armstrong