Hope of Israel Ministries (Church of YEHOVAH):

Shortly before his death, Herbert Armstrong wrote an article about the History of the Philadelphia Era of YEHOVAH's Church. Herbert Armstrong wrote in the June 24, 1985 Worldwide News, at the conclusion of an article entitled "Recent History of the Philadelphia Era of the Worldwide Church of God" the following words:

"A final personal word. In a few days I will be 93 years of age. For some years now, there have been some, like vultures, waiting for me to die. They would like to come back and take over the leadership of the Church in my stead. I have been deeply concerned about this, but in no sense worried. This is the Church of God, not of any man. Jesus Christ is the living Head of this Church. I am not. . . ."

These "vultures" that Herbert Armstrong spoke of were the "liberal" ministers who, he knew, wanted to change major doctrines in the Church. Some of these liberal-leaning ministers wanted to completely overhaul church doctrines back in the early 1970's. On an editorial trip to the east coast, New York City, and Miami, Florida, with Wayne Cole, and members of the Ambassador Press, about 1972, the author had dinner with one liberal-leaning minister in a Key Biscayne hotel. During dinner he informed the author that he strongly questioned the identity of the United States and Britain as the remnant of the "house of Israel," the "tribe of Joseph." He also said that tithing was not a law of YEHOVAH God, and hinted that many other changes were needed in the church. The author was aghast and appalled at his brazenness, effrontery, and boldness, but politely disagreed with him on most of his points.

That occurred in 1972-3, just before the church went through many doctrinal issues in 1974, when committees were set up during the ministerial conference. During the late 1970's, many of the doctrinal shifts were implemented under Garner Ted Armstrong -- mostly relatively minor issues, such as voting, make up, and the like. Nothing fundamental, however, was changed, except the church teaching on divorce and remarriage.

In the early 1980's, however, Herbert Armstrong began to attempt to put the Church "back on the track," as he put it. He even closed down Ambassador College for a whole year, while he eliminated the jobs of many professors whom he felt were either unnecessary or "liberal." Ted Armstrong left the Church in 1978 in a dispute with his father over Church government, and moving the college back to Texas. During the early 80's, remember, Herbert Armstrong was already into his "80's," and had suffered from congestive heart failure, and almost died. Nevertheless, he tried to do what he could. Yet the forces of liberalizing doctrine and changing church teachings, which had gone "underground" when Ted Armstrong left the Church, were still very much alive and active -- submerged, burning furiously beneath the surface.

In his article written in 1985, Herbert Armstrong continued:

"When I have, even rarely, mentioned my concern in this category, the response of members has always been the belief that God will keep me alive. I hope that He will, and I do try to take every care of my health and physical condition, but whether God keeps me alive 10 more years, or only 10 more minutes is entirely in God's hands. Brethren, put your faith in Christ and the living God and not in me. If Christ should remove me, He will direct the Advisory Council of Elders to select one of them to continue leading you until the coming of Jesus Christ in power and in glory. Pray that God will keep YOU in His Church until He replaces this evil world and brings the wonderful, peaceful and blessed Kingdom of God."

Herbert Armstrong wrote this in June 1985 -- just six and one half months before his death! Strange, isn't it, that only a few days before his final death, or there-abouts, a mysterious "letter" appeared, supposedly "signed" by Herbert Armstrong, ostensibly empowering one Joseph W. Tkach, a relative neophyte and uneducated high school drop-out, to take over the reins of the Worldwide Church of God! Strange, isn't it, that Herbert Armstrong AT NO TIME gave verbal, powerful, unconditional and clear instructions to the Council of Elders, to select Tkach, and NEVER made the announcement verbally, publicly, to the whole Church, himself!

Did Satan the devil pull off a master-stroke at the death and passing of Herbert Armstrong? Was the "passing of the baton" a notorious, nefarious FRAUD? Was Herbert Armstrong, while on his death bed, surrounded by only a few "trusted" aides, deceived, and taken advantage of? Was his "signature" on the infamous letter empowering him to succeed Herbert Armstrong forged? Or did trusted aides have Herbert sign a document which, virtually blind, he could not read, and did not know what it said?

The horrendsous possibilities are mind-boggling!

Initially, when Herbert Armstrong began serving YEHOVAH God, he did not found a Church but rather an evangelical work. As it grew, and members were baptized, he called it the "Radio Church of God." In those days he acknowledged that the Church of God, Seventh Day, and others, were also parts of the body of the Messiah.

But after the Church grew big, and powerful, individuals began referring to the "work" as "the Church." By the late '50s and early '60s Herbert Armstrong himself began denying the fact that others could also be part of the body of the Messiah, and began calling virtually all other groups "counterfeits." This trend continued and grew more flagrant, as the Church increased in power, income, and membership.

There is a mortal danger in any organizational structure, whether ecclesiastical or secular. As growth continues, management systems are brought in, and faith and inspiration become overlooked and neglected. Systems replace faith; numbers crunching replaces inspiration. Human logic and reason and planning take the place of looking to YEHOVAH God and expecting miracles to do the Work! Specially designed "co-worker letters" are sent to people to maximize the monetary returns -- taking advantage of widows, older people, and those who are ignorant of the methods of modern evangelizism!

The organizational trap swallowed the Worldwide Church of God, and a hierarchical structure developed, with the ministerial elite on one level and the plebian masses of Church members down at the bottom. Soon ministers were expected to always be called "Mr." and never addressed by their first name! The examples and instruction of the Messiah and the early Church were completely ignored and bypassed.

Yeshua the Messiah said, "The kings of the Gentiles LORD IT OVER THEM; and those who exercise AUTHORITY over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves" (Luke 22:25-27).

As hierarchies develop, brethren begin looking to the lofty ministers as their spiritual guides and masters, and not to YEHOVAH God! The ministry becomes an inflated, self-serving, ego trip! Humility is swallowed up in pride and pride leads to arrogance!

Herbert Armstrong incorporated the Radio Church of God in 1948. One 19 year time cycle, later, Loma D. Armstrong died -- in 1967. One 19 time cycle later, Herbert W. Armstrong died -- in January, 1986! These numbers illustrate the fact that YEHOVAH God was working with the Church of God, during this time, even though mistakes were made by the human leaders. Perhaps the greatest single mistake made by Herbert Armstrong was the establishment of a governmental system of hierarchical superiority -- the so-called "pyramid" structure -- which is nowhere taught or commanded in the Scriptures.

Rather, as Herbert Armstrong himself wrote in a 1939 article on Church Government, the pyramid structure of Government comes straight out of BABYLON and is PAGAN to the core! But as the Church grew, he felt the need to establish lines of authority, and began ordaining various "levels" of ministers thinking he was following YEHOVAH's way, not realizing that ministerial "gifts" are NOT "ranks," but divinely distributed GIFTS of the Spirit of YEHOVAH God (I Cor.12:1-11). YEHOVAH is the one who appoints spiritual offices -- not men! (I Cor.12:27-31; Eph.4:9-13).

By establishing a ministerial hierarchy, Herbert Armstrong was falling into the trap of Satan the devil, and setting up a GENTILE form of Church Government, the very thing Yeshua the Messiah warned against and condemned (Matt.20:24-28; 23:8-12). He thereby created and injected the seeds of the Church's eventual destruction and take-over by Satan the devil!

As the organization grew, so did the infiltration of Satan's agents and influences -- his secret "tares" to do his bidding and work (II Pet.2:1-3; Jude 3-4). They looked "good" on the outside, and dressed snappily, and acted like loyal, obedient servants, and so Herbert Armstrong was deluded, misled, and deceived, and ordained WICKED MEN to high offices. He himself admitted at times that he was a very poor judge of character.

Herbert Armstrong fully intended for the Council of Elders to select his successor, knowing full well his own limitations and weaknesses. Why then, are we supposed to believe that he suddenly "changed his mind" while on his death bed?

There is an interesting prophecy in Isaiah, where YEHOVAH says: "Hear, you deaf; look, you blind, and see! Who is blind, but my servant, and deaf like the messenger I send? Who is blind like the one committed to me, blind like the servant of the LORD?" (Isa.42:18-19). In his old age, Herbert Armstrong was partially deaf and partially blind. Was this prophecy referring to him? He made many mistakes, yet he was a servant of YEHOVAH God.

I don't think Herbert Armstrong saw, grasped, or was fully aware of the DANGER he was in, as he lay on his death-bed, and no clear decision having been made as to his successor! Books have been written pinpointing the evidence that Pope John Paul was actually MURDERED in the Vatican by a conspiracy of high-ranking cardinals, to perpetuate their own authority and doctrines.

Was Herbert Armstrong also the victim of a cabal, a sinister PLOT of Satan the devil, to take over the Church? Was his death completely "natural"? But even if he did "choose" Joseph Tkach to be his successor, a man whom Herman Hoeh had personally called in the past "that Russian peasant," and whom Herbert Armstrong had viewed as "a virtual illiterate" (see September 1989 Ambassador Report ).

Since his death in 1986, the Worldwide Church of God has suddenly veered off into doctrinal heresies and distortions, reconciling doctrines with Protestantism, and seeking to find favor in Satan's world! The Church has VEERED OFF THE TRACKS and plunged into error and heresy.

In the October 1992 Ambassador Report, John Trechak writes about "The Doctrinal Merry-Go-Round" that is taking place today in the Worldwide Church of God. He writes,

"Since AR's inception, we have attempted to keep up with the WCG's ever increasing rate of doctrinal change. Lately, however, the pace at which doctrines have been changing has left us feeling a little dizzy."

Yes, it is a dizzying spectacle. If Herbert Armstrong were alive today, he would witness changes in the doctrines of

-- Passover and Healing

-- Race relations

-- Definition of Sin

-- Definition of the "Kingdom of God"

-- "Born Again" doctrine

-- Salvation ("By grace through faith alone")

-- Sabbath (not required to be observed for salvation)

-- Prophecy (no longer considered important)

-- United States and Britain in prophecy (no longer considered "Israel")

-- Destiny of man (not really to become God literally)

-- The Trinity (God is now viewed as a closed "Trinity" of sorts)

-- God not a Family (the "family" is merely an "analogy")

-- Yeshua the Messiah (WCG now teaches it was "impossible" for him to sin)

-- YEHOVAH God's 6000 year Plan (now abolished)

According to Joseph Tkach, in an April 22 letter to Co-workers, declared:

"As we look at today's rapidly changing political world, WE MUST NOT BE DECEIVED into believing that THE END OF THE AGE IS IMMINENT" (April 22, 1992 letter).

Gone is the warning witness -- the Ezekiel clarion-call -- the message of repentance, and warning the world to REPENT OR PERISH (see Mark 1:14-15; Luke 13:1-5; Acts 2:38-40; 17:30-31).

GONE is the warning that YEHOVAH's Kingdom is "AT HAND"! According to insiders, Joseph Tkach personally believes that the second coming of the Messiah, is very, very far off -- "perhaps 100 years or more -- distant," says John Trechak (AR, October 1992).

Perhaps the most insidous of all the changes Joseph Tkach has been making in Church doctrine, however, is the doctrine of OBEDIENCE to YEHOVAH God. The crafty, subtle way in which this doctrine is being changed is mind-boggling and dumbfounding. In a May 27, 1992 letter to Co-workers, Tkach insisted:

". . . it is a comon mistake to assume, 'If everybody would just keep the Ten Commandments, what a nice world we would have.' Christians should consider that the Ten Commandments do not require kindness, mercy, compassion, generosity, sacrifice for others, impartiality, patience or love. Nor do the Ten Commandments specifically forbid conceit, envy, hatred, rage or selfish ambition. The Ten Commandments are important, but they are not enough."

I find it interesting to note the comments made by John Trechak about Tkach's statement. Says Trechak:

"Of course, no educated person would claim that the Ten contain every specific moral and legal requirement placed upon mankind by God and society. Nevertheless, throughout history innumerable theologians, philosophers and legal scholars have marveled at how the Ten (when properly understood with all their implications and in all their fullness) represent an amazingly succinct summary of the ethical duties placed upon mankind. Indeed, even Herbert Armstrong used to teach that the Ten Commandments were 'God's Royal Law' -- the first four summarizing man's duty to God and the last six summarizing man's duty to fellow man (love toward God and love toward man being the two great commandments-- see Matt.22:35-40). WHY TKACH HAS NOW DECIDED TO TAMPER WITH THIS LONG-ACCEPTED TEACHING IS A MYSTERY. But insiders predict that the criticism his latest gaffe has drawn will, undoubtedly, require Tkach to backpedal in the coming months" (AR, October 1992).

"Backpedal"? I don't think so. DOING AWAY WITH YEHOVAH GOD'S LAW, AND THE NEED FOR OBEDIENCE FOR SALVATION, IS THE CRUX -- THE HEART AND CORE -- OF TKACH'S NEW "GOSPEL" TEACHING!

He may "lay low" for awhile. He may remain silent on the subject for a while. BUT HE WILL NOT REVERSE HIMSELF, APOLOGIZE, OR ADMIT HE MADE A SERIOUS MISTAKE!

Joseph Tkach has opened "Pandora's Box," and decided that salvation is through grace by faith ALONE (without accompanying works). That is why he wrote, years ago, that Christians do not and cannot "qualify" for salvation. He teaches that Sabbath day observance is NOT needed for salvation (this, of course, makes him look very good in the eyes of mainstream Protestant theologians!). Surely, then, this means that HOLY DAY observance is also not mandatory for salvation (put is looked upon merely as a "point of understanding"). The Church merely keeps these days because Yeshua set us an example -- not because obedience is REQUIRED for salvation!

Do you see what this man is doing? YEHOVAH God calls this new "truth" -- this new "paradigm" -- by a very nasty term -- "ALL DECEIVABLENESS OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS" (II Thess.2:10). It is deceitful wickedness!

John Trechak continues:

"WCG insiders say that Tkach is SO OPENLY OPPOSED TO SO MANY KEY HWA TEACHINGS that he wants no one reading The Mystery of the Ages, the book HWA called his 'masterpiece.' Some members complain that to read their church founder's 'masterpiece,' they must do so in secret or risk being disfellowshipped."

"Openly opposed"! Amazing!

And now members fear disfellowshipment if they are discovered reading Herbert Armstrong's final major book, summarizing his life's work and teachings! What a travesty! What an incredible horror!

Trechak goes on:

"It remains to be seen how many more doctrines will be altered or dropped within the next few months. Evangelist Michael Feazell, Tkach's closest adviser, is now a GRADUATE DIVINITY STUDENT at evangelical Azusa Pacific College near Pasadena. Already, much of the TRINITARIAN thinking he has received there is finding its way into WCG literature (see, for instance, the new WCG booklet God Iss . . . ). Headquarters sources tell us that SO MANY MORE DOCTRINAL CHANGES HAVE ALREADY BEEN DECIDED UPON that publication of the new, much-revised Bible Correspondence Course has had to be delayed until some time in 1993."

Readers of The Plain Truth, the Worldwide Church of God's major periodical, must realize -- if they even bother to read the articles in the magazine -- that the writing style has also undergone many subtle changes. The new approved writing style is much more Protestantish in tone and demeanor -- what Herbert Armstrong used to attack as "effeminate, sugar-coated" words and "syrupy sentimentalism." No longer any hard-hitting articles attacking evils and sins.

In fact, the Church has also changed the definition of "sin." Herbert Armstrong used to say, "The Bible itself defines what 'sin' is. What is 'sin'? According to the Scriptures, 'Sin IS the transgression of the LAW.'" He was, of course, quoting I John 3:4. But in an article/Personal in the Worldwide News, Joseph Tkach wrote:

"SIN IS that which destroys relationships. It corrupts relationships between people and it cuts human beings off from God" (WN, Sept. 2, 1991).

Nowhere in the article did Joseph Tkach once mention the LAW of YEHOVAH God, or sin being the transgression of YEHOVAH's commandments. NOT ONCE! Instead, he wrote in supreme self-confidence and arrogance:

"Even SYSTEMS OF LAW AND GOVERNMENT are unable to keep the corruption of human lust under control. Every human society has been plagued with crime and corruption at all levels -- in the home, in business and commerce, IN RELIGION and government" (ibid.).

Do you see what Tkach has done? Cleverly, he has defined SIN as something that does not even relate to the LAWS of YEHOVAH God. Furthermore, he has said that "systems of LAW" -- even in religion -- that is, EVEN YEHOVAH'S LAW -- is "unable to keep the corruption of human lust under control."

Thus he completely replaces the concept of LAW and OBEDIENCE to YEHOVAH's commandments, the Ten Commandments, and all others, with a vague, nebulous, and hazy concept of reconcilation through the sacrifice of the Messiah. We pattern our lives after the Messiah, Tkach says -- but never again does he mention the need to OBEY YEHOVAH GOD AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS!

On May 8, 1992, two ministers of the Worldwide Church of God visited a church member in in Tehachapi, California, and the man talked with them for about three hours, pointing out many areas where he disagreed with the doctrines of the Church. In his view, he told them at length, fully expecting to be disfellowshipped on the spot, the laws of YEHOVAH God were abolished -- including the Ten Commandments, the Sabbath, and tithing. He told them that in his view the New Covenant replaced the Old Covenant, and obedience to the laws of YEHOVAH God, including the Sabbath and Ten Commandments was not necessary. As he spoke to them, he was shocked out of his gourd. As he described it in a letter to Ambassador Report:

"They looked at each other and then at me. Then, to my amazement, they replied, 'We both agree with you. You are right. We discuss these things between ourselves all the time. But, of course, until word comes down from on high we cannot preach these things.'

"Then I began to elaborate to them that if the Ten Commandments are done away then that would include the Sabbath Day and tithing. They didn't even flinch. They agreed that I was absolutely correct. But, they added, 'We can't breathe a word of this to the other members because if we did, many people, especially the OLD TIMERS, would just get up and WALK OUT OF THE CHURCH.'"

Well, maybe that is exactly what they SHOULD do! The apostle Paul commanded strongly, "And have NO FELLOWSHIP with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather REPROVE [EXPOSE] THEM" (Ephesians 5:11).

Paul also wrote, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with UNBELIEVERS: for what fellowship hath righteousness [law-keeping] with unrighteousness [law-breaking]? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial [Satan]? . . . Wherefore COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM, AND BE YE SEPARATE, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you" (II Corinthians 6:14-17).

The two ministers who visited the man in Tehachapi encouraged him and his wife to continue attending church, but not to say anything about their beliefs to the other members:

"They said that if I was patient and hung in there, in 10 or 15 years I would see the whole church teaching the things that I have come to believe!" (AR, October 1992).

Ten or 15 years? How about 4-5 years? The pace of change in the Worldwide Church of God is far outstripping any other church that I know of. They are plunging lickety-split down the rickety path, over a rotten bridge spanning an awesome gorge, to their own ultimate destruction!

The Worldwide Church of God has DEPARTED from the truth of YEHOVAH God! Just as Paul foretold, when he said, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the LATTER TIMES SOME SHALL DEPART FROM THE FAITH, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of demons; speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their consciences seared with a hot iron" (I Timothy 4:1-2).

In the book of Revelation, in a prophecy for the last days, the apostle John sees in vision a great harlot Church -- a woman richly arrayed and clothed, with a cup filled with abominations and the filthiness of her spiritual fornication. John wrote:

"And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH" (Rev.17:5).

This great "Church" is a "Mother" Church and has many "HARLOT DAUGHTERS" (same verse). YEHOVAH God commands His people to have nothing whatever to do with this great harlot Church -- the Roman Catholic Church -- and its pagan doctrines and beliefs. John writes:

"For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

"And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, COME OUT OF HER, MY PEOPLE, THAT YE BE NOT PARTAKERS OF HER SINS, AND THAT YE RECEIVE NOT OF HER PLAGUES" (Rev.18:3-4).

The Worldwide Church of God has begun going BACK INTO BABYLON! Unless its leaders repent, from the heart, of their sins, they will be PUNISHED WITH BABYLON, with the plagues of YEHOVAH God, and the lake of Gehenna Fire!

In a vivid prophecy the prophet Isaiah wrote about a CHURCH which goes a whoring after pagan teachings and departs from the truth of YEHOVAH God and the Scriptures. This apostate church is called a "DAUGHTER" of that old whore, Babylon the Great!

"Come down, and sit in the dust, O VIRGIN DAUGHER OF BABYLON, sit on the ground: there is no throne, O DAUGHTER OF THE CALDEANS: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate.

"Take the millstones and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers. THY NAKEDNESS SHALL BE UNCOVERED, yea, THY SHAME SHALL BE SEEN: I will take VENGEANCE, and I will not meet thee as a man. . . .

"Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O DAUGHTER OF THE CHALDEANS: for thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms. I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew then NO MERCY; upon the ancient [elderly men and women] hast thou very heavily laid thy YOKE. And thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever: so that thou didst not lay these things to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it.

"Therefore hear now this, thou that art GIVEN TO PLEASURES, that dwellest CARELESSLY, that sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children [members].

"But these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the LOSS OF CHILREN, AND WIDOWHOOD: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the MULTITUDE OF THY SORCERIES, and for the great abundance of thine ENCHANTMENTS.

"For thou hast trusted in thy WICKEDNESS [lawlessness!]: thou has said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, IT HATH PERVERTED THEE; and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me.

"Therefore shall EVIL come upon thee; thou shalt not know from when it riseth: and MISCHIEF shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and DESOLATION shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not know.

"Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast labored from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail. Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the star- gazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee. Behold, they shall be as stubble; the FIRE SHALL BURN THEM; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the FLAME . . . Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast labored, even thy merchants, from thy youth: they shall wander every one to his quarter; NONE SHALL SAVE THEE" (Isaiah 47:1-15).

The Worldwide Church of God has become a modern "DAUGHTER OF BABYLON"! Therefore, all the curses and punishments which YEHOVAH God foretold would befall the "daughter of Babylon," as shown in Isaiah's graphic, gripping prophecy, will SHORTLY COME TO PASS!

Are YOU a "member" of the "DAUGHTER OF BABYLON"?

Will YOU suffer her devastating, incredible, horrendous plagues?

Will FIRE burn and devour you, along with the Worldwide Church of God, so that NONE will save you?

YEHOVAH God means business. His warning is clear. The time is urgent. The time to repent, and to come out of the "DAUGHTER of Babylon," is right here and right NOW!

YEHOVAH's judgments will be poured out in undiluted strength upon her whoredoms and fornications and doctrinal abominations. Don't ignore or take lightly this warning. It may be the last one you get.