WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD PASADENA, CALIFORNIA 91123
HERBERT W. ARMSTRONG PRESIDENT and PASTOR
October 21, 1984
Dear Brethren and Co-Workers with Christ:
In about one hour the final great debate for the Presidency of the United States will go on the air. Millions of voters are excited, for this debate may decide the trend of government over us for the next four years.
Thank God, he has called us OUT of this world and its politics. But God says he sees and watches what men do in this world — and we also are observers.
But this is not God's world, and even the so-called great and strong leaders seem to be all gone now. There are no more Abraham Lincolns, Teddy Roosevelts or Winston Churchills — none fully competent to run this country. Let us pray that whatever the leadership, God will move to keep doors open for HIS GOSPEL to continue right up to the time when God says there shall be a famine of any longer hearing the Word of God.
Whoever is President, the nation's woes, unsolvable problems and escalating evils are not merely the President's fault. The troubles result from the WAY people as a whole are living.
But God does place the blame. In Jeremiah 50:6 God says, "My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray." And in Ezekiel 34:10, "I am against the shepherds, and I will require my flock at their hand."
This morning I heard several religious programs on TV. Just ONE VOICE cried out with the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. All others spoke sentimentally and emotionally about how Jesus "loves you," and IF only you will accept and receive him (NOT ONE MENTIONED REPENTANCE OR CHANGE OF WAY OF LIFE), then he will not remember your sins. The obvious meaning was that Jesus APPROVES your sinning, and will overlook it and the WAY you are living, if only you will be gracious enough to ACCEPT him. One altar call came with the sentimental song, "Just As I Am" — sins and all — Jesus will save you if only you will accept him. But they were preaching a FALSE and COUNTERFEIT Jesus, and a gospel of MAN about their false Jesus.
But one voice proclaimed the same Gospel Jesus himself did — the good news of the KINGDOM OF GOD. The others all obeyed Isaiah 30:9-10: "This is a rebellious people ... which say to the seers See not; and to the prophets [preachers] Prophesy [preach] not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits."
YOU are Co-Workers with Christ in thundering out the TRUE MESSAGE without pulling any punches. More and more TV stations must proclaim Christ's TRUE Message IN GREAT POWER! The circulation of The PLAIN TRUTH must continue its remarkable growth carrying that Message to more and more millions of people.
I am sending out a semiannual letter to all PLAIN TRUTH subscribers. PLEASE PRAY FERVENTLY and continually that God will PROSPER our brethren and Co-Workers, and also that he will put it into the minds and hearts of many of the millions who will receive this general letter to BECOME CO-WORKERS with you and me and Christ our Savior. The harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are too few. We need more Co-Worker laborers. We have many Ambassador College graduates qualified to become full-time ministers. We need to pray for funds so they may give up their present jobs and devote full time to the ministry. Too few ministers are carrying an over-heavy burden and they need help. THANK YOU for praying for me personally. But pray for all these other ministerial and Gospel needs also with earnest and prevailing prayer.