Hope of Israel Ministries (Ecclesia of YEHOVAH):

"Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my
people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins."
-- Isaiah 58:1.

At the funeral of Herbert W. Armstrong, Joseph W. Tkach, his successor over the Worldwide Church of God, said, "I cannot fill his shoes, but I will follow in his footsteps." In these words Joseph Tkach promised to follow in the direction and pathway set by Herbert W. Armstrong as leader over the 80,000 member Worldwide Church of God.

Did Joseph Tkach really mean what he said?

Or has he led the entire Church of YEHOVAH God into gross error and apostasy?

On January 16, 1986, the very day that Herbert Armstrong died in Pasadena, Joseph Tkach wrote in a letter to members and co-workers about Mr. Armstrong,

"Even in the last year of his life, with declining strength, he completed with God's help HIS MOST POWERFUL AND EFFECTIVE BOOK, Mysery of the Ages."

Tkach went on:

"I hope none of you will miss the January 26 telecast, which will be a special tribute to Mr. Armstrong, and will offer to the viewers a softbound copy of Mr. Armstrong's final and most important book, Mystery of the Ages."

In the November/December 1986 Plain Truth, Joseph Tkach wrote in his "Personal" column:

"With this issue we complete our serialized publication of Mystery of the Ages by Herbert W. Armstrong. Although in declining health, and for all practical purposes blind, Mr. Armstrong persevered during the last year of his life to complete this, his last book. . . .

"Herbert W. Armstrong often likened understanding the Bible to putting together a jigsaw puzzle. At first there is a jumble of unrelated pieces. But as you fit them together a clear picture begins to emerge. Over the years, God gave him more pieces of the puzzle, and he never stopped learning. Shsortly before he died, he said he had understood more in the last 10 years of his long life than in all the previous decades.

"Mystery of the Ages is the product of that understanding. Mr. Armstrong did not underestimate the importance of this last work, for it contained vital keys to understanding the plan of God as revealed in the Bible. Mystery of the Ages in a very real sense was a last will and testament, to be passed on to those who would value it. As we come to the last installment of this remarkable book, we gratefully acknowledge our indebtedness to Herbert W. Armstrong, and his dogged search for the truth. He freely shared his understanding with us, and we have been privileged to make it available to you. He loved and respected his readers and, in a figurative sense, he remembered you in his will."

So said Joseph W. Tkach. But did he really mean it? "By their fruits you will know them," Yeshua the Messiah declared (Matt.7:20). Consider, therefore, the real "fruits"!

When Herbert Armstrong wrote Mystery of the Ages, he felt it was "the most important book in my life." He felt it may be the most important book since the Bible. He felt YEHOVAH God directly inspired it through the Holy Spirit. He considered it the most valuable gift he could give to the brethren of YEHOVAH's Church. Three months before his death, at the Feast of Tabernacles, Herbert Armstrong had a videotape played announcing the book as his "most important and significant work" -- the epitome work of his entire ministry and life!

But less than three years after his death, Joseph W. Tkach has withdrawn the book from print -- scrapped it -- abolished it! Although the Church takes in about $200 million dollars a year in tithes and offerings, Larry Salyer of Ministerial Services explained in the Pastor General's Report that the Church simply couldn't afford to print it! Tkach explained that the book was discontinued because some critics found fault with it because of "peripheral or incidental points."

In the May 21, 1990 Worldwide News he went even further. Tkach declared

". . . The fact is, Mr. Armstrong himself told me that the book contained errors and that he needed to rewrite it.

"When Mr. Armstrong died, I felt that there was so much valuable truth in the book that we should continue using it anyway. For a while, we did.

"After a while, I realized that the ERRORS in the book could make the whole subject seem UNRELIABLE, and I had to do what I perhaps should have done to begin with.

". . . I was with Mr. Armstrong while he wrote the book. For the majority of the text, he either used materials from other booklets directly or he slightly rewrote them.

"His purpose was to put the basics of the truth all under one cover, not to come up with startling new revelation. When the book was finished, Mr. Armstrong made some very strong claims regarding the book. He even called it the most important book since the Bible. This was an overstatement.

"He was human, and he made mistakes, as he himself admitted. He was excited about the truth the book contained. He was excited for the people who would read the book. And HE SIMPLY GOT CARRIED AWAY IN HIS DESCRIPTION OF IT. Now, will some condemn him for that?"

Do you notice the subtlety of Joseph Tkach's remarks? He accuses Herbert Armstrong of getting "CARRIED AWAY," of being guilty of "an overstatement," of making "some very strong claims" regarding the book.

Compare Joseph Tkach's words with the very words of Herbert Armstrong that we have quoted -- and even the words of Joseph Tkach himself just before and soon after Herbert Armstrong's death! WHICH JOE TKACH WILL YOU BELIEVE? -- the first one, who praised Herbert Armstrong's book? Or the SECOND one, who CONDEMNS Herbert Armstrong's book which summed up his entire life's ministry?

The first Joseph Tkach said he will follow in Herbert Armstrong's footsteps. The second Joe Tkach has debunked and destroyed the epitome of Herbert Armstrong's life's work! He did NOT merely "correct" the few errors in Mystery of the Ages. He DESTROYED the entire book!

Which Joe Tkach will YOU believe?

In this same editorial, Joseph Tkach makes some other comments:

"I am sorry to have to say it, but certain ones who were once among us have now set themselves up as special 'prophets,' or 'watchmen' of the Church or the nation, using FIERY LANGUAGE to proclaim that 'This is the end!'

"In this manner, they are able to stir up unsuspecting people, who are not well grounded in the Scriptures, to support them and to look to them as great leaders.

"All this can be especially effective to the unwary if these modern-day 'prophets' are able to convince people God's Church has 'left the faith once delivered,' is 'watering down true doctrine' or is 'becoming or already is Laodicean.'"

Rather than engage in perfidious name-calling, like Mr. Tkach does, let us simply examine the FRUITS, as Yeshua said to do! Have YOU noticed a definite trend in the Plain Truth and Good News toward watering down prophecy, doctrine, and a scarcity of strong-meat articles such as used to appear?

In the short space of three years since the death of Herbert Armstrong, Joseph Tkach has led the Church of YEHOVAH God into the following changes --

1. Watering down Bible prophecy of the end time!
2. Claims prophecy can FAIL!
3. Changed the teaching on divine healing 180 degrees -- now anything goes!
4. Claims we do not "qualify" for our salvation!
5. Changed the doctrine on make up and cosmetics -- 180 degrees -- now anything goes!
6. Changed doctrine on birthday observances 180 degrees!
7. Herbert Armstrong declared unequivocally that the college should not be "accredited" by organizations of MEN. Joseph Tkach has unequivocally stated that Ambassador College is seeking ACCREDITATION!
8. Herbert Armstrong built the Church largely on the basis of the truth of our nations identity as "modern Israel." Joseph Tkach says this doctrine is UNIMPORTANT -- merely something to "arouse our curiosity"!
9. Herbert Armstrong put his son out of the Church when he attempted to move Ambassador College to Big Sandy, Texas. Now, three years after Herbert Armstrong's death, Joseph Tkach has done the unbelievable -- the unthinkable -- he has moved the college, lock, stock and barrel -- TO TEXAS! According to Los Angeles realtors, the Church property in Pasadena, including the "House for God," are up for sale!

What are the real "fruits" of this man? If Herbert Armstrong were alive today, do you really think he would endorse the "works" of Joseph Tkach?

Many changes have occurred during the past thirty years. Terrible scandals have ripped through the Church, cover ups of enormous sexual sins, and perfidy and betrayal among top ministers, as well as a "Receivership Crisis" when the state of California sought to seize control of the Church, alleging theft, impropriety and mismanagement of the use of Church funds.

When he was in his nineties, Herbert Armstrong was extremely dependent on other men around him to support him and carry on the Work. In his weakened condition, he still knew his limitations, and admitted that one of his chief weaknesses was his inability to judge human character. Before his death, he gave control of the Church of YEHOVAH God and all its resources to a man he trusted above all others at that time, yet a man he scarcely knew, and had only known for a very few years to any extent -- after the Receivership Crisis struck. How was it that Herbert Armstrong picked this man, virtually out of nowhere, who had never been more than a local elder, most of his life, and only raised to preaching elder in 1974, but suddenly became personal assistant to Herbert Armstrong in 1979, was raised to evangelist, and placed over Church Administration the same year. Why did he pick him, as death drew near in January, 1986, to take complete charge as an "apostle" to rule the Worldwide Church of God and its 200 million dollar a year income? Doesn't the thought boggle your mind? Just what kind of man is Tkach, anyway? What do YOU really know about him? Is it just remotely possible that Satan the devil pulled off his master stroke when Herbert Armstrong appointed Joseph Tkach as his successor over the Worldwide Church of God?

Yeshua said, "You will know them by their fruits." His exact warning to us was, "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them" (Matt.7:15-16, NIV). What are the real "fruits" of Joe Tkach?

John Trechak, a former Ambassador College student, law student at Loyola University, and an exceptional investigative reporter, in researching the background of this mysterious figure, put the lie to the claims of Tkach and his Worldwide sychophants who said that he attended the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, studying industrial management, industrial safety and human factors in industry, claimed that he was a supervisor with Hupp Aviation, and one time when he was allegedly "fired" for refusal to work on the weekly Sabbath almost 2,000 people milled around on a wildcat strike because they had heard of his firing. How many of these claims were true?

The reporter found out that Hupp Aviation, now Aircraft Gears Corp., has never had more than a few hundred employees at the very most, that Tkach was never a manager or a supervisor or even a union leader, and that the "wildcat strike" was a complete fabrication with no basis in fact whatsoever. An engineer who worked at the plant during those years recalled that even an incident involving a handful of employees would have been big news at the plant, but nothing of the kind cited by Tkach or his public relations experts ever took place. Rather, while he worked there Tkach was "just one of the guys." He was only an hourly wage employee and did "assembly work."

Says Trechak, "So Tkach was not born in 1926 [as the Church official biography claimed], was never a Jew, did not establish churches during the sixties, was never a Chicago businessman, was never an aviation industry production supervisor, and never had thousands of fellow factory workers demonstrating on his behalf." The reporter also found out thast Tkach had never been enrolled at the Illinois Institute of Technology either. There is no record of his ever having attended ITT. Officials were adamant. Emphatically, they declared, Tkach had never taken "industrial management, industrial safety, and human factors in industry" -- in fact, the institute had never offered such courses!

In Slavic tongues, the name Tkach means variously "weaver," "tailor," or "spider." Worldwide leaders have often made a big point of Tkach being "the Master Weaver" who will "weave" the Church together during the last days. But "spider's" also weave a web -- and Tkach has certainly lived up to his name in the web of deception he has woven to hide and obscure his background, and to "exalt himself" with a tissue of lies concerning his past "exploits."

Does it surprise you to learn that Joseph Tkach has lied extensively about his background and history? But this is only the beginning. Tkach and his supporters have also made a very big deal of his supposed military prowess during World War II. His leadership skills have been compared to General George Patton. In sermons it was claimed that Tkach had been a navy gunner who had gained fame and notoriety for his exploits in downing Japanese kamikazes in the Pacific theater. Tkach was a seaman on the USS Austin. Did the Austin ever encounter Japanese kamikazes?

The U.S. Navy's own records show that the Austin was not present at the battles of Leyte Gulf in 1944 or at Okinawa in 1945, when kamikazes attacked the U.S. Fleet. The nearest the Austin ever got to seeing action was during the landing of troops on Attu in the Aleutians on May 11, 1943, when Tkach would have been only 16 years of age -- too young to be in the Navy. After that, it escorted convoys between San Francisco and Hawaii, escorted ships between Alaskan ports, and finished up the war patrolling in the Carolinas and Marianas. The truth is Joe Tkach never saw action during World War II. The Navy's own records show that Tkach was not an antiaircraft gunner, but only a "fireman second class," indicating training in only elementary mechanical maintance. Further, Tkach's period of service was from January 17, 1945 to July 22, 1946. During this time he served on the Austin, too late to see any action, and on the U.S.S. Jupiter, a converted cargo ship. The Jupiter saw much action during the war, but only BEFORE Tkach came on board! The Jupiter's last encounter with the Japanese was at Iwo Jima, in March 1945 -- the very time Tkach was just completing basic training in Illinois. Thus Joe Tkach's war stories are nothing but thin air -- pure braggadocio -- concocted out of spun sugar. They have no more substance than cotton candy.

Further insight into Tkach's character can be seen in the case of Garnet H. Hill, who was a 77-year old member of the Church in 1970. His eyesight was failing, and his wife was dying from cancer, but in response to a co-worker letter from Herbert Armstrong, Hill sold his real estate holdings and gave $20,000 to the Church as a gift. A local minister took the money from him, but never gave him any receipt. Hill never felt right about how the gift was handled, and began asking for a receipt, wanting to know what happened to his money. Because of his badgering insistence, he was disfellowshipped! By this time Garnett Hill was totally blind, and his wife was dead. He had scarcely a friend left in the world -- and now he was cut off from the Church which he had faithfully supported for years! Joseph Tkach, director of Ministerial Services in Pasadena at the time, backed up the local minister in his handling of the situation. Thus the Church turned its back on a man who had become blind, merely because he wanted to know what happened to the $20,000 he had given to the Church!

I have corresponded with the man who took care of Mr. Hill the last few years of his life -- a former deacon in the Church. The story of corruption and wickedness beggars description. Surely Mr. Hill will be richly rewarded by YEHOVAH God for his own faithfulness and loyalty, despite trials; but woe to those spiritual cowards and bastards who "disfellowshipped" him for no cause, and tried to "hush him up" and make him keep quiet about the theft of his money, which was obviously stolen by the ministry! And this sordid action was supported and backed up by none other than Joseph Tkach. In a letter written by Joseph Tkach to Mr. Hill dated April 9, 1981, Tkach declared:

"I have reviewed our files and received additional information regarding the background of your situation from other people in our legal department and mail processing center. I feel I understand what happened.

"Also, I have verified with Mr. Kersha the circumstances leading up to your being disfellowshipped. After all this review, my conclusion is that Mr. Kersha has performed this duty as God would have him to.

"It is regrettable that the sale of your property was MISHANDLED [Tkach's words -- according to Mr. Hill, Kersha and other ministers tried to make him coverup what he called the "stolen $20,000. They told me to keep quiet and not talk about the theft. . ."] like it was. But you must come to realize that the people involved have REPENTED of their wrong doing [Tkach wrote this -- but nobody ever apologized to Mr. Hill, or admitted to him they stole his money, or confessed their sin! So how can Tkach say whether or not anybody "repented of their wrongdoing" or not? His is very presumptuous -- nevertheless, condones the disfellowshipping of this righteous man!]. When God forgives He forgets. You must learn to do the same. Mr. Kersha has given you several warnings about talking against the ministry of the Church. You shouldn't have continued to harbor this ill will" (Tkach letter of April 9, 1981).

Joseph Tkach thus justified the decision to disfellowship a man who had given $20,000 to the Church -- and all he ever wanted for it was a receipt! If anyone every really "repented" of their wrongdoing, they forgot to tell Mr. Hill about it. Rather, the entire ministry in the Church area involved sought to COVER UP this shameful, disgraceful, despicable act!

After Mr. Hill got Tkach's letter, he wrote another letter to Herbert Armstrong about the problem. His heart-rending letter is dated April 27, 1981. He wrote:

"Dear Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong, "I appeal direct to you. I wrote you a personal letter in February [to] tell you how I was sput out of the Church for telling the truth when people asked me about the local minister stealing $20,000 donation I gave to the Church. I wrote personal on your envelope but it was answered by Mr. Tkach.

"Mr. Tkach got your mail and answered telling me to repent and that Mr. Kersha was doing God's work right. I will be welcomed back to the Church when I will cover up for the thieves that stole the Church money. I have not harmed anyone. I am treated like a thief and told to repent. I woked for the money many years. Mr. Tkach said the thieves had repented. I heard Mr. Curtis left the Church. How did he repent? The local men that helped him have never admitted doing wrong to me.

"The new ministers have ordered me to cover up and don't talk about it. . . Isaiah 58:1 will not let me cover up. I am 88 years old and have been mistreated for almost ten years over this. I am treated like a thief. Mr. Armstrong, will you expose the thieves?"

Joseph Tkach would not dig into the real issues, and get the facts. He would not expose the true thieves, and exonerate the righteous old man. He would not defend the innocent and aged! Rather, he joined in the wicked plot to overthrow a righteous old man and condone the wickedness of the guilty!

What does the Word of YEHOVAH God say we should do is cases like this? Should we quietly "cover up" the sin? Notice what the apostle Paul says about this flaming issue.

"Those who sin are sto be REBUKED PUBLICLY, so that the others may take warning" (I Tim.5:20, NIV).

"Those who are GUILTY of sin you should EXPOSE IN PUBLIC, to overawe the others" (Moffatt translation).

"If he has really sinned, then he should be REBUKED IN FRONT OF THE WHOLE CHURCH so that no one else will follow his example" (Living Bible).

"As for those who are guilty and persist in sin, REBUKE AND ADMONISH them in the presence of all, so that the rest may be warned and stand in wholesome awe and fear" (Amplified Bible).

"If sin is actually proved, then the OFFENDERS should be PUBLICLY REBUKED as a salutary warning to others" (Phillips translation).

Of course, it goes without saying that Joseph Tkach, who represented Herbert Armstrong in this matter, did NOT follow Paul's advice. On the contrary, he endorsed the coverup, and the expulsion from fellowship of an innocent, angry, righteous old man who had been defrauded and defamed and hurt by the actions of ministers in the Church -- including the coup de grace -- his rejection by Joseph W. Tkach, acting for Herbert W. Armstrong!

Need I say more about this matter? If you would like to know the entire sordid story, and read the actual correspondence, then you should write to Neville C. Gilbert, 7087 Washington Avenue, Lantana, Florida 33462.

Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed the Messiah, was also the disciple who carried the "bag" -- that is, he was the "treasurer" among the small band of disciples who followed the Messiah. Judas "had charge of the money" (John 13:29). John's gospel records, "he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it" (John 12:6). A thief cannot be trusted.

Was Joe Tkach also a "thief"? Consider the evidence.

Jack Kessler, former Worldwide Church of God attorney and accountant, in a letter written to the Church's board of trustees during the Receivership Crisis, remarked:

"According to Mr. Robin Webber, Mr. Joseph Tkach apparently felt justified in giving himself from a trust fund he controlled a little advance of $5000.00 as a 'needy Church member' to take advantage of a special investment in unregistered securities then illegally being peddled (against advice of counsel) by the Dean brothers."

Shades of Judas Iscariot!

John Trechak, who investigated the background and history of Joseph Tkach at great length, reported further concerning this mysterious and little known figure:

"Beginning during the early sixties, when he was still in Chicago, Tkach's superiors often gave him responsibility over the 'poor fund' or 'third tithe' accounts of local congregations. Earl Timmons, for a decade a confidant of Tkach, told me that Tkach would often siphon off funds by making loans to needy Church members, then labeling the loans on the books as gifts paid out, and finally pocketing the loans when they were repaid. I personally recall how during the early seventies, a number of my WCG friends, unemployed at the time, went to Tkach for assistance. In each case they were granted a few hundred dollars. They were startled, however, when Tkach informed them that the amount they received was only a loan and that the loan had to be repaid to Tkach personally in cash.

"I asked one former church secretary, who had known Tkach quite well during the seventies, if she believed Tkach had siphoned off funds meant for the poor during those years. She told me, 'Oh sure he did. But so what? In those days a lot of the ministers were doing the same thing.'

Of course, just because others were also stealing from the "third tithe" account would have been NO JUSTIFICATION WHATSOEVER for Joseph Tkach to emulate their sordid, greedy example! Just because others may have been "dipping into the till' did not make it right! It is interesting to me that Joseph Tkach personally has made reference to the "mess" he found in the "third tithe" department when he was given that responsibility, and that he has boasted that he really improved the lot of widows and other poor, needy brethren when he was put in charge!

Perhaps in his own mind Tkach was doing a "good job." Perhaps he thought to himself, "Who is more needy than me?" But YEHOVAH God Almighty condemns theft and embezzlement! "YOU SHALL NOT STEAL," YEHOVAH God commands plainly (Exo.20:15). To make "loans," and then list them as "gifts" on the books and pocket the money when they are repaid, also breaks the commandment against lying and bearing false witness (to cover up the theft). What does Almighty God think about one of "His servants" doing such a thing?

"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction" (Gal.6:8). The apostle Paul wrote, "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and GREED, which is IDOLATRY. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming" (Col.3:5-6). "He who has been stealing must steal no longer," YEHOVAH commands (Eph.5:26), "but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need" (verse 28).

In YEHOVAH's sight, it is an abomination for one of His alleged servants to "steal from the poor." The apostle John recorded in Revelation, "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magical arts, the IDOLATERS and ALL LIARS -- their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulphur. This is the second death" (Rev.21:8).

Stealing from the "poor fund" is one thing. But the story does not stop there.

Stanley Rader, in a telex to Herbert Armstrong, February 1, 1981, accused Joe Tkach of engaging in "illegal fencing activities." Another Church member of the time, by the name of Earl Timmons, whom I have spoken with in his home years ago, also told John Trechak that Tkach knowingly bought and sold stolen merchandise. Says Trechak in Ambassador Report:

"Whether the item was a refrigerator for a church member or gold rings for his daughter Tanya's wedding, Tkach apparently had no qualms about buying or selling goods that his friends warned him were stolen. According to Timmon's wife Shirley, Tkach would rationalize such dealings by saying, 'If you don't know where it comes from it's not wrong."

According to Timmons, who was one of the instigators of the lawsuit against the Worldwide Church of God which led to the California Attorney General's office putting the Church into receivership in 1979, Joe Tkach was a close friend of George Pappageorge and his associate Kenny Moran, two Pasadena "businesmen" who also knew Timmons. Pappageorge and his associates, says Timmons, were involved in a very wide range of criminal activity. In fact, court records show that George Pappageorge and two accomplices were convicted in 1974 on multiple accounts of kidnapping at gunpoint, robbery, burglary, and conspiracy. Timmons knows Pappagoerge and Tkach became good friends, because , he says, he is the one who introduced them to each other. According to Timmons, "Joe just liked them. He'd go out to restaurants with them and he liked their company."

But what kind of person would associate with convicted felons -- known crooks? The Scriptures tell us: "He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm" (Prov.13:20). An old saying has it, "Birds of a feather flock together." And another says, "A man is known by the company he keeps." Further, the apostle Paul put it bluntly: "Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character" (I Cor.15:33).

One investigator who looked into the matter, points out that the extent of Tkach's dealings with the Pappageorge-Moran gang is speculative, but Stanley Rader's statement that Tkach once engaged in "illegal fencing activities" raises the possibility that Tkach could have even acted as a "fence" for some of the stolen merchandise of the gang! Tkach was at one time over the Worldwide Church of God Commissary in Pasadena, which sometimes had items on sale at very low prices in huge lots. The Commissary was abruptly shut down in mid-1974 with rumors flying that "hot stuff" was being sold there.

Interestingly, Earl Timmons claimed that a deputy attorney general of the state of California toold him Tkach had used his influence to assist in the release of Kenneth Moran from Folsom Prison and George Pappageorge from San Quentin. Fearing for his own life, if they were released, Timmons sold his Pasadena home and moved out of the area, going into hiding. Timmons, who was himself close to Tkach for years, and knows much about his past, could lift the veil that covers his background even more. But since he has vanished, the truth still remains largely unknown.

One thing is known, however. Joseph Tkach's wife Elaine suffered a mental breakdown in the mid 1960s, losing contact with reality. Some in the Church believe his wife is demon possessed. On occasion she went on very destructive rampages, sometimes seemed to be in a trance, and acted like a "zombie." Her condition seemed to improve somewhat after Herbert Armstrong's death, although the improvement may be due to use of the drug Haldol. At any rate, there has been much speculation as to what drove her over the edge.

While serving the Church with her husband, in the Chicago area, Elaine used to go visiting at times with the evangelist in charge of the area, Dean Blackwell. Many old-timers in the Church think that Elaine's condition may well have been triggered by the overwhelming hypocrisy she encountered in the Church, and her own relationship with Dean Blackwell, evangelist. Many are convinced there was a sexual relationship between Blackwell, her husband's superior in Chicago, and Elaine Tkach, during the early 1960s. Although Tkach now downplays this as mere verbal overtures by Blackwell, oldtimers say it is their understanding that out-and-out adultery was involved if not much more.

Writes John Trechak in the pages of Ambassador Report:

"With only one exception, however, alsl the WCG oldtimers I talked to said their understanding was that the Blackwell affair was out and out adultery -- at the very least. And, significantly, that widespread perception in WCG circles arose as a result of statements made to numerous individuals by Joe Tkach, himself. When I suggested to former WCG pastor Al Carrozzo that Blackwell's romantic relationship with Elaine Tkach was now being portrayed as only verbal, he replied, 'That's not the way Joe talked about it years ago. He believed Dean Blackwell had gone to bed with his wife.'"

One WCG evangelist has described the Blackwell-Tkach affair as nothing less than "wife-swapping." This allegation was further corroborated by the testimony of an Indiana businessman who had been a WCG member in the midwest during the early '60s. He had been very close to both Tkach and Blackwell at that time, and assisted on the Church visiting program. This individual was Robert Scaggs. John Trechak, who spoke with him, reports in the same issue of Ambassador Report, entitled "Joseph W. Tkach -- God's New Rep on Planet Earth":

"Skaggs claims that when he knew him, Tkach was not genuinely interested in religious truth, but was possessed by a lust for power. Skaggs told me that in his quest for power Tkach stooped so low as to allow evangelist Blackwell, then his superior, to sleep with Elaine, his wife. In return for this favor, says Skaggs, Blackwell had Tkach ordained into the WCG ministry.

"When I was told this I pointedly asked Mr. Skaggs, 'Are you saying that Joe Tkach was ordained in return for participating in some kind of wife-sharing arrangement?' His answer: 'Absolutely!' Skaggs went on to state that Blackwell had at least one other man ordained for the same reason."

Does this seem shocking? Outrageous? It should! But as incredible as these allegations from a former Church member on the scene are, they are completely in agreement with the reputation Dean Blackwell had among many former colleagues and associates. One former minister, Gary Arvidson, whom I attended Ambassador College with in the early '60s, quipped, "Without going into details, let's just say he was known as someone who really knew how to bring relief to the widows." Another minister recalled to Trechak how Blackwell repeatedly had to be brought in to headquarters "for periods of moral rehabilitation." Trechak continues:

"Another former WCG minister who commented to me about Blackwell's reputation is David Robinson. He recalled how, in the fall of 1971, WCG minister Don Wineinger confessed how he had obtained a quick promotion to the rank of preaching elder. Wineinger said he became aware of Blackwell's double lifestyle and threatened Blackwell with exposure if he wasn't raised up a notch in rank. Within days, Blackwell had Wineinger ordained a preaching elder."

Trechak would have liked to have verified this information with Wineinger, but unfortunately he committed suicide in 1978, after murdering his wife in a divorce lawyer's office in Spokane, Washington. Blackwell, Trechak says, never answered his letters asking for an interview.

Joe Tkach was brought to Pasadena by the Church in 1966. Because of his wife's deteriorating mental condition, however, he became "stranded" in Pasadena, and was not sent back out into the field as a full minister, as planned. Needless to say, because of his wife's condition, he was deprived of a normal sex life. However, even the first year he was in Pasadena, one enflamed young woman followed him from Chicago to enroll at Ambassador College just to be close to him. (One wonders how "close" she was to him in Chicago, that would have inspired such a move?)

This young woman's passions were so aroused by him that Herbert Armstrong thought she was demon possessed. His attempts to cast out the "love demon," however, failed miserably, so she was expelled from the college and sent back to Chicago. But did Tkach remain celibate due to his wife's condition? One former church employee didn't think so. He wrote to John Trechak, describing the following situation which he encountered one day while working at Ambassador College:

"One morning I came to work an hour early and discovered Mr. Tkach had left a gigantic bottle of champagne on [Miss X's] desk. Being a naive individual, I couldn't put it together. Fred Coulter [a minister in the Church] later remarked to me: 'Didn't you know Mr. Tkach is having an affair with Mr. Cole's secretary?' Then it all made sense. Mr. Tkach had an invalid wife and was very friendly with women, too friendly. I hope he has repented of his problem."

John Trechak tried to reach "Miss X" for her comments about the situation, but she never responded to his messages and requests for an interview. A friend of hers, however, said she admitted having tried to get Tkach to go to bed with her but that he was "too self-righteous." However, Earl Timmons related to John that Tkach's affair with "Miss X" was, in his words, "hot and heavy." Timmons told him, "I used to let them use my house in the afternoons so they could be alone together."

One of the women in Joe Tkach's life is Ellen Escat, a divorcee, who has been regularly quoted and shown accompanying him in Church publications, such as the Worldwide News. She is his top female assistant. Writes John Trechak:

"But she first came to the attention of many headquarters church employees in early 1979 when, according to eye- witnesses, she and Joe Tkach were seen on numerous occasions holding hands in public and appearing romantic toward one another."

Trechak continues:

"Regarding Mrs. Escat, the question naturally arises: Where is Mr. Escat? A story told among top headquarters personnel is that in 1980, when Mr. Escat discovered the relationship his wife was having with Tkach, he angrily confronted Tkach and other top WCG leaders about the matter. In return for his pledge of silence, so the story goes, he was granted some type of beneficial arrangement."

John Trechak explains he discovered that Mr. Escat lived alone in Pasadena's wealthy southwest side. He went to visit him and discuss the matter with him. Mr. Escat became visibly nervous when he learned that John was with Ambassador Report, he frowned deeply, his hands trembling when John mentioned the name of Joe Tkach. He blurted out, "I've met Tkach. He's weak! Very weak! I can't believe he is in charge over there." He finally said, "I better not say any more," retreated quickly into his home and locked the door.

In looking over the divorce court records, of the Escat divorce, Trechak then made a most interesting discovery. Even though the couple were married for 12 years, and California has "no fault divorce," nevertheless, in the divorce settlement Ellen got little more than her personal belongings. Eugene Escat, on the other hand, got full title to their expensive home, which he subsequently sold for $425,000! He was not required to pay even one cent of alimony.

Interesting, isn't it?

Ellen Escat, as Joe Tkach's chief female assistant, receives a generous salary. She also was moved into a luxury condo across the street from his own home in 1987, the year after Herbert Armstrong's death, ostensibly, as Tkach explained to one volunteer mover, "to be closer to her work."

These items of interest, are, of course, only the tip of the iceberg. Yeshua the Messiah warned us to beware of wolves in sheep's clothing. He warned us to watch out -- to be careful. The apostle Paul warned, "I know that after I leave SAVAGE WOLVES will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own numbers men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears" (Acts 20:29-31).

Paul wrote to Timothy, warning,

"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, l overs of money, boastful, proud, abusive . . . without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God -- having a FORM of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

"They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins, and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth -- men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone" (II Tim.3:1-9).

The apostle Peter also talked about such men when he wrote: "But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will SECRETLY INTRODUCE DESTRUCTIVE HERESIES, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them -- bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping" (II Pet.2:1-3).

Peter goes on: "Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings . . . But these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like brute beasts, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like beasts they too will perish.

"They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you. With EYES FULL OF ADULTERY, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed -- an accursed brood! They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness."

Peter continues, "These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity -- for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: 'A dog returns to its vomit,' and, 'A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud'" (II Pet.2:10-22).

What are the real fruits of Joe Tkach? What is his real nature? A man who lies about his past, covers up his misdeeds, sells his wife for political power and advantage, commits adultery and seduces young women -- all the while pretending to be a godly, holy, friendly, loving servant of YEHOVAH God! What must YEHOVAH God Almighty think of this man?

I have not even begun to discuss the changes in Church doctrine which he has watered down, the errors and heresies he has introduced, and his refusal to stand corrected and to admit and accept New Truth on prophecy, Passover, Pentecost, and many other subjects!

What about it -- you ministers of YEHOVAH God? Are you still servants of the living God? Or have yhou sold out for a paycheck? Have you quit serving YEHOVAH God so you can have a "nice life" now, in the ministry of the Church, looked up to, admired, even while you compromise with the truth and pervert justice and destroy judgement? Are you one of those who disfellowships the godly for political gain? Are you a spiritual tyrant?

Whatever happened to some of you? You once were so faithful to YEHOVAH God, so loving of your congregation, so protective of the sheep in your care. What has happened to your mind, your attitude, your desire to serve YEHOVAH? Do you still hunger and thirst after righteousness?

When did you begin to sell out? When did you begin to compromise with the truth, integrity, and intellectual honesty?

There is not much time left before the end of this age. Soon, very soon now, Yeshua the Messiah and YEHOVAH God Himself are going to return, and bring the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God. Will YOU be among the saints, who will meet them at their return, and rule forever with them over the entire Universe?

Or are you one of those who will burn up in the lake of fire, because you sold out, you gave up, you decided the pleasure of sin for a season outweighed the value of the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God?

Unless Joe Tkach repents, his fate is sealed, certain. As Paul wrote, "If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' and again, 'The Lord will judge his people.' It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Heb.10:26-31).

Paul went on, "It is impossible for those have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

"Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces ta crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned" (Heb.6:4-8).

My dear friends, where do you fit in the present scheme of things? Are you following Joe Tkach blindly, committing spiritual suicide? Or do you have the spiritual guts and fortitude to stand up to his error, to "prove all things," and to put the Word and Law of YEHOVAH God first in YOUR life?

Many of you know that the Church has compromised with the truth. Many of you are well aware that truth has been replaced by error, and that the present government of the Church is run like a Gestapo terror squad. You don't dare to question the authority over you unless you want to lose your job. You don't dare to oppose error in the leadership of the Church, when you see it, lest you become fired, one of the casualties of the Church!

But would you rather be "fired" by Yeshua the Messiah when he returns?

I know, many of you think in your heart and mind, "It is God's problem. God will straighten it all out in His time." Therefore, you absolve yourself of all responsibility, and you yourself refuse to stand up for the truth! You weakly, supinely submit to being led astray, and you follow headquarters, even when you know or believe they are WRONG!

Tell me, you who do this -- can Joseph Tkach give you salvation? Can he give you eternal life? Surely, he may give you a $10,000 bonus once in awhile -- but is that worth more to you than the KINGDOM OF YEHOVAH GOD?

You all know, from personal experience, that the Church of YEHOVAH God has had many problems during the years -- especially after the death of Mrs. Loma D. Armstrong in 1967. You know that Herbert Armstrong himself covered up sins, condoned sins, and he himself had problems with sex with his daughter, and became very tyrannical in his later years. You know he was misled by those around him, and influenced by self-seeking, self-serving sycophants and "aides" who sought to excel each other in slavish "loyalty" and flattery.

You know that what I speak is the truth. The question is, where do you stand? How important is TRUTH in your life?

I have written extensively over the past few years, pinpointing errors in Church doctrine -- things you can prove to yourself, if you desire to take the time and make the effort. It is up to you. Are you willing to be challenged -- to check up and PROVE whether you are still in the faith? The apostle Paul wrote, "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall" (I Cor.10:12). He also wrote, "EXAMINE YOURSELVES to see whether you are in the faith; TEST YOURSELVES" (II Cor.13:5).

Take the CHALLENGE!

How important is the TRUTH to you? Are you willing to DIE for it? Are you willing to sacrifice all for it -- like the pearl of great price? If Joe Tkach is no longer following the commandments of YEHOVAH God, will you STEP OUT ON FAITH to obey YEHOVAH God, even if it costs your job, livelihood, friends you have had for years? Have YOU who told others seeking baptism to "count the cost" -- have YOU "counted the cost"?

The apostle Paul wrote: "The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they REFUSED TO LOVE THE TRUTH and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness" (II Thess.2:9-12).

Are you in a comfortable rut? Are you too drowsy to step out of the rut? Are you satisifed with things just the way they are? Do you excuse your own decision to just "go along" with the attitude that YEHOVAH will take care of the problem Himself in His own time? Do you, therefore, lend your support to an evil man who is rapidly leading the Church of YEHOVAH God into error, heresy, and apostasy?

I know these are hard questions. They deserve much deep consideration, and the answers to them should not be taken lightly. They could affect your entire future life and income! But even more than that, they could affect your eternal future and very salvation!

I received a letter from a man recently who was writing about one of you. I think you should know what he had to say. Therefore, I will quote his words to you:

"The History of the leaders of the Church nearly blows my mind. You know -- incest, adultery, thieving, liars, maybe even murder, I don't know. I remember the first man I heard preach in person, Carn Catherwood back in '63 and I ask myself: How does this man go along with this? Is it money?

"What happened to the command Jesus gave us -- follow me, don't sell out, love my sheep?

"I tell you I have never dreamed his ministers would treat us this way. These thoughts just scratch the surface. We the scattered flock need help. Where do we go?"

I receive many poignant letters from members and former members, who have been severely mistreated by cruel shepherds ruling over the flock of YEHOVAH God with an iron fist, like a Hitlerian dictator, instead of the love of YEHOVAH God. I read with deep emotion accounts of children being molested by ministers and leaders in the Church of YEHOVAH God, and then the parents being disfellowshipped when they complained about it! Many of the ministers of the Church of YEHOVAH God have indeed "sold out." They have exchanged their crown for a pot of pottage, a bowl of soul. But that bowl of soup will turn out to be a bowl full of spiders! What about you, personally? Have you, too, "sold out"?

Almost 2,900 years ago a lonely figure of a man trudged to the top of Mount Carmel. The whole world seemed to be against him. Nobody stood up to defend him, or to join him -- at least nobody that he knew of at the time. He was accused of making trouble for Israel -- a trouble maker. He was accused of being a heretic, a false prophet. Some were seeking to put him to death!

This austere figure of a man sent a message to the king of Israel saying he would meet with him. When the king arrived at the designated spot, he immediately accused, "Is that you, you troubler of Israel?"

He replied, "I have not made trouble for Israel. But you and your father's family have. You have ABANDONED THE LORD'S COMMANDS and have followed the BAALS." He then told the king to summon the people to meet with him on top of a mountain, along with all the false prophets of Baal, the pagan "lord," and Asherah, or "Easter."

When the people arrived, and thousands were present, the stranger appeared, clothed in a garment of hair, with a leather belt around his waist -- he did not wear a suit and tie, or dress up in fashionable garb which some might think more appropriate for a "public" appearance or function.

When all the people were assembled, along with the ministers of the churches of the land, he issued them a formal challenge. He thundered to all the people:

"HOW LONG WILL YOU WAVER BETWEEN TWO OPINIONS? IF THE LORD IS GOD, FOLLOW HIM; BUT IF BAAL IS GOD, FOLLOW HIM."

The people answered him not a word. Silence reigned. You could hear a pin drop. Then the stranger said: "I am the only one of the Lord's prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets." He challenged the prophets of Baal to a spiritual "duel." He challenged them to make a sacrifice, and then he would make a sacrifice. And he said, "the God who answers by fire -- he is God."

The prophets of Baal prepared their sacrifice, clothed in ceremonial robes, and made a spectacular show. They danced, and wailed, and shouted, and pleaded for their god to hear them. They gashed themselves with knives, till the blood flowed. But there was no answer. Their "god" had no power to intervene and answer them.

Finally, at the time of the evening sacrifice, the man of YEHOVAH God simply repaired the altar of YEHOVAH which was in ruins. He then took twelve stones for each of the tribes of Israel, and with them rebuilt the altar. He then dug a trench around it. He arranged the wood, and cut a bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. He then commanded the people to drench the whole with four large jars of water three times, till the water ran down around the altar, and filled the trench. At the time of the evening sacrifice he stepped forward and prayed:

"O LORD [Yahveh], God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O LORD [Yahveh] answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD [Yahveh], are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again."

You know the rest of the story. The fire of YEHOVAH God fell from heaven like lightning and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stone, and the soil, and licked up the water in the trench. And all the people assembled fell prostrate, and cried out with a shout, "The LORD [YEHOVAH] -- he is God! The LORD [YEHOVAH] -- he is God!"

This lonely figure, this "stranger," who did these things, was Elijah. YEHOVAH promised He would send another, in the spirit and power of Elijah, during these last days to also "turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers" (Mal.4:6). YEHOVAH God is seeking now to turn the hearts of His people back to Him, and the hearts of His ministers back to Him. He is seeking to turn the hearts of His sheep to their ministers, and the hearts of the ministers back to the sheep.

The apostle Peter exhorts you ministers with a solemn command. He wrote:

"To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers -- not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away" (I Pet.5:1-4).

I don't know how much longer I will be able to continue writing to you about these things. YEHOVAH God is very patient, not willing that any should perish. He is giving all of you, my friends, both lay members and ministers alike, ample time to repent, and get your life right with Him. But His patience will not last forever. A time of reckoning is coming -- a day of judgment!

"For it is time for judgment to BEGIN with the family of God" (I Pet.4:17).

Look around you. World troubles are intensifying. Germany is on the threshold of reunification. Eastern Europe has broken the bonds of Communism. Cruel war threatens to break out between Pakistan and India over Kashmir. Plagues are beginning to descend upon the nations of modern "Israel." Weather upset and drought are prophesied next, as well as economic chaos and hard times.

An editorial in U.S. News & World Report, February 26, 1990, by Mortimer Zuckerman was entitled "Why America Slept." The article declared:

"America is happy to have won the cold war. But while we cheer, we are busy losing the hot war for America's economic future. Behind the false glitter of the prosperity of the 1980s, America is suffering grievous economic damage."

Mortimer Zuckerman goes on:

"What has gone wrong? Germany and Japan save and invest two to three times as much as we do per employee. Japan has out-invested America per employe for 20 years. Why? Because real interest rates in the United States in 1989 were three times higher than in Japan. The reason is all too clear: Federal budget deficits that exceed $200 billion, excluding the raids on Social Security and other trust funds. These deficits use up 75 percent of our savings, push up interest rates and squeeze our capital investment . . .

"Perhaps the most troubling result of the 1980s is the loss of American financial supremacy just when world financial markets have become more important than ever. Today, the top 13 Japanese banks alone have a value that approximates five times the value of our 50 largest financial institutions. Germany and Japan have taken over the longstanding U.S. role as the low-cost, low-interest producer of capital. No wonder money has become Japan's leading export to the U.S., money that Japan earned the old-fashioned way: Working hard, saving hard and trading hard. Japan's trade-surplus billions are now being used to buy bonds and make direct investments. The result? Goodbye Rockefeller Center. Goodbye Columbia Pictures. But not goodbye America [yet!]. We have not lost control of our economy [yet], but every sale arouses the fear of a future of Japanese [and German] ascendancy and American decline."

Zuckerman pinpoints the problem squarely on the target. He declares, "The wickedness lies in our profligacy, which has made us depend on foreign money. The American Esau has sold his birthright for a mess of consumption, debt and political soft soap. Dr. Feelgood, presently residing at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, tells us in his state-of-the-union message and economic report that everything is fine. Herein lies the failure, for we need a positive American program to reduce the deficit, to increase savings and investment and to lower interest rates."

This sage commentator warns,

"President Kennedy wrote a book, Why England Slept, about the failure of Britain to respond to the emergence of Hitler, when Prime Minister Chamberlain tried appeasement and promised the British people 'peace for our time.' President Bush is promising America 'prosperity in our time' without trying to make politically acceptable the sacrifice necessary to produce it. In Britain, Winston Churchill did that, rallied the nation and earned his place in history, while Chamberlain is consigned to history's dustbin. Mr. Bush might reflect on how he would figure in a book entitled Why America Slept. It is being written every day he delays."

Like President Bush, or "Dr. Feelgood," Joseph Tkach is the "Dr. Feelgood" of the Worldwide Church of God. He is the "Grand Panjandrum" of Pasadena. While he refuses to tell the people the truth, and rejects hard-to-swallow unpleasant new truth, the Church languishes in a spirit of Laodiceanism. A spirit of slumber and ease has overtakesn the entire Church. The words of the prophecy of Yeshua the Messiah warn that the Church is presently in dire straits. The people of YEHOVAH God are in grave danger of being spewed out of the mouth of the Messiah! He declared, speaking in solemn warning to the last generation of his Church during this End Time:

"To the angel [or leader] of the church in Laodicea write . . . 'I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot.I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are LUKEWARM -- neither cold nor hot -- I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, "I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing." But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I REBUKE and discipline. So be earnest, and REPENT" (Rev.3:14-20).

"REPENT!" Yeshua says! Examine yourselves, the apostle Paul commands (II Cor.13:5).

"Prove all things," the Word of YEHOVAH God commands you plainly (I Thess.5:21). "Despise not prophesyings," Paul commanded (verse 20). "Do not treat prophecies with contempt" (New International Version).

What about you? Are you going to follow "Dr. Feelgood," and dismiss the importance and vital relevancy of Bible prophecy for OUR TIME, today?

As long as "Dr. Feelgood" rejects bitter truth, and new revelation concerning the commandments of YEHOVAH God, the right days and manner to observe the Sabbath, Passover, and Pentecost, and the many other truths YEHOVAH God is revealing during this final age before the coming of the Messiah, the Church will continue its downward turn and plunge into wickedness, sensuality, disobedience, and ultimate death!

The judgments of YEHOVAH God are about to descend on His nations of modern Israel, and especially on His Church and its leaders. Make no mistake! YEHOVAH is not mocked. You will reap what you sow!

Already the plagues of YEHOVAH God have begun. AIDs is spreading like wildfire through the population, and other plagues are waiting on the horizon to strike.

Make no mistake! YEHOVAH GOD'S JUDGMENTS ARE FAST COMING! Now is definitely NOT the time to be lulled into a deep slumber, by the calming, sonorous tones of a Joseph Tkach!

Meanwhile, increased gang violence, shootings, crime, and drug abuse, threaten our nations from within. Pornography explodes on the video and television screen, and the family is in decline around the world. Wickedness in increasing everywhere. Evil is rampant. As Yeshua warned, "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of many will grow cold" (Matt.24:12). "But he who stands firm to the end will be saved" (v.13).

The party is almost over. The time to pay the piper has come.

Are you awake to what is really going on? Are you alert, vigilant, to what is really happening? Or has the swan song of Joseph W. Tkach put you to sleep -- with blinders on?

Even while world troubles increase, and while "disarmament" proceeds at a rapid clip among the superpowers, and "peace" seems to be in the air, you know very well that the apostle Paul, and the prophets of YEHOVAH God, warned: "While people are saying, 'Peace and safety,' DESTRUCTION will come on them SUDDENLY, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will NOT ESCAPE" (I Thess.5:3).

In the meantime, Joseph Tkach has fallen fast asleep. He teaches that these may not be the real end times, and concludes that Bible prophecies can "fail." He asserts that Yeshua's warning to "watch" refers to our own "spiritual temperature," and not rapidly unfolding world events. He has put almost the entire Church of YEHOVAH God fast asleep with his sweet lullaby. Are you, also, fooled?

All around us, prophecy is being fulfilled at an accelerated rate, with increased velocity and violence. Prophecies are literally leaping to life right before our very eyes! Judgment is right around the corner, for our modern nations, and for the Church of YEHOVAH God! Now is not the time to fall asleep, or to be mesmerized by the hypnotic chanting of a spiritual false leader! Peter warned:

"First of all, you must understand that IN THE LAST DAYS SCOFFERS will come, scoffing and following their evil desires. They will say, 'Where is this "coming" he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.' But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men" (II Pet.3:3-7).

What about you? Have you, too, fallen asleep? Have the smiles of the cobra bewitched you? Danger lurks all around you. Your very salvation is in great peril and danger. Are you really aware of the danger you are in, spiritually? May YEHOVAH God help many of you to WAKE UP!

There is not much time left. I know these truths are not pleasant to contemplate. Truth is often a bitter pill to swallow, but we must be willing to take our medicine, if we wish to save our lives, and receive eternal life and salvation.

YEHOVAH commands, "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; CORRECT, BEBUKE AND ENCOURAGE -- which great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come [and has arrived] when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and TURN ASIDE TO MYTHS" (II Tim.4:2-4).

Are you willing to take YEHOVAH's correction? Are you willing to be rebuked by Yeshua the Messiah and his Word? Or are you one of those who will follow "Dr. Feelgood," and the Pied Pipe from Hell, who is leading the Church of YEHOVAH God astray?

Again I say to you, my friends -- lay members and ministers alike -- consider the reality of these things. Don't be afraid to investigate the truth and to "prove all things" (I Thess.5:21). Don't take anything for granted. Don't just "assume" you are right. Prove ALL things!

In conclusion, my friends, YEHOVAH God warned that in the "last days" there would come a great FALLING AWAY from the truth of YEHOVAH God! A great apostasy would occur -- a great REBELLION against the truth of YEHOVAH God (II Thess.2:3). Yeshua foretold that MANY would be decieved. Even the very elect would be tempted (Matt.24:22-24).

Paul declared that ONLY THOSE WHO LOVE THE TRUTH would be spared from the strong delusion to come!

"They perish because they REFUSED to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a POWERFUL DELUSION so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness" (II Thess.2:11-12).

More than ever we need to follow and heed the admonition of the apostle Jude, who wrote:

"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should EARNESTLY CONTEND for the faith which was ONCE DELIVERED unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and DENYING the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ" (Jude 3-4, KJV).

YEHOVAH God calls the one who sits in the Church or "Temple" of YEHOVAH God, who leads the whole Church astray, the "son of perdition" (II Thess.2:3). He is a man of inordinate pride and false humility, arrogance and lawlessness. He changes doctrine, abolishes "times and laws," refuses to repent, rejects new truth about the correct days to observe the Sabbath, Passover and Pentecost, rejects new truth on Bible prophecy. He is at work within the Church, stealthily and secretly changing truth into error. As Paul foretold:

"For the mystery of iniquity doth ALREADY work . . ." (II Thess.2:7).

He is a true Anti-Christ! For as the apostle John wrote:

"Dear children, this IS the LAST HOUR; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, EVEN NOW MANY ANTICHRISTS have come. This is how we KNOW it is the last hour" (I John 2:18, NIV).

Even now there is a "little beast" in Pasadena, who imitates the coming Beast and false prophet in many ways. He is a spiritual "type" of the Beast of Revelation. He leads men astray and perverts the ways of YEHOVAH God. Are you alert to his insidious and clever machinations? Are you "tuned in" to his schemes and plots?

May the merciful, Almighty YEHOVAH God help YOU to WAKE UP, before it is too late!