Herbert W. Armstrong played a pivotal role in the foundation and unity of the Worldwide Church of God, serving as a key figure in God's purpose during the end time. His role, though often unrecognized within the church, was instrumental in delivering a message that initially united the members. Following his death, the church experienced rapid deterioration and scattering, revealing that the unity was centered around Armstrong rather than God. This scattering, seen as a corrective act from God, exposed the spiritual condition of the church, which had drifted from the message Armstrong brought. His message, though delivered by an imperfect man, was part of God's process to call and unite the church, emphasizing that faith must be placed in God rather than in Armstrong himself. The challenge now is to recapture the faith inspired by the message given through Armstrong, focusing it on God to achieve true unity. This involves returning to the original zeal and devotion for the message Armstrong conveyed to revive the church at the end time, ensuring that the faith is lived out in a personal relationship with God.

Over the past few decades, many have wondered whether the late Herbert W. Armstrong (1892-1986), founder and Pastor General of the Worldwide Church of God until his death, was a false prophet. He made many predictions during his ministry, and many of them have not come to pass. Some were plainly wrong, others vague, and some specific. Rather than labeling them as prophecies or him as a false prophet, his predictions are more accurately described as speculations, theories based on true but insufficient and unclear evidence. Speculation is not sin, and his urgency, sprinkled with predictions based on his understanding of the Bible and world events, is no black mark on his ministry. For those who follow his teachings, knowing he was not a false prophet allows continued use of what he taught as a base for beliefs, verifiable from the Word of God. If his unfulfilled predictions pass without vindication, his track record is no worse than some of the most eminent church leaders throughout the centuries. He was human, his perspective flawed, and his understanding imperfect. The vital lesson is to recapture his sense of urgency for the nearness of Christ's return.

Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong's status as an apostle has been a subject of scrutiny, though widely accepted among many as a ministerial title akin to prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher. He often referred to himself as Christ's apostle in sermons and writings, raising the question of whether this claim holds a biblical basis. Ordained as an apostle by the Church of God, Seventh Day, Oregon Conference from the outset, some might argue this was a standard practice for all ministers at the time. However, his unique impact in preaching the true gospel of the Kingdom of God worldwide stands unparalleled in the twentieth century. Christ Himself, as noted in Revelation 3:8, set an open door before him that no one could shut, signifying divine commission. The fruits of his ministry are evident: people were healed, demons cast out, thousands converted globally, and congregations established. Through millions of copies of publications like the Plain Truth and Good News, along with books, booklets, and letters, God used him to impart true vision and hope. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in restoring true doctrines lost over centuries of deception and confusion. Like the apostles who came after the Twelve, out of due time, Mr. Armstrong fulfilled his office through ordination by the church, under Christ's headship, and was sent to accomplish a divine mission. The signs of an apostle are clearly manifest in his life's work.

Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong emphasized that those called into God's church are tasked with a purpose, specifically to assist in fulfilling God's Great Commission. He wrote that those called now are given the Holy Spirit to help him proclaim Christ's gospel message of the Kingdom of God worldwide, supporting him through prayer, encouragement, tithes, and offerings, which also serves as God's means of developing righteous character in them. From 1934 to 1986, Mr. Armstrong preached a warning message initially to the descendants of Israel and, in his last 14 years, to leaders and nations globally. In his final coworker letter, written six days before his death on January 10, 1986, he stated that while the work God gave him might be complete, the work of God's Church continues until Christ, the True Head of the Church, returns. Mr. Armstrong's unique role was to witness for God worldwide, a task not undertaken by the church for eighteen and a half centuries prior to his time, as the true church often existed small and impotent, unable to proclaim the gospel. After his death, God shifted the focus of the church's work to another vital part of the gospel, indicating that Mr. Armstrong's specific commission was finished, as God did not keep him alive to continue it.

Over the past twenty years, the church of God has been amply warned of grave dangers, and among those sounding the alarm was Herbert W. Armstrong. He repeatedly cautioned the church, emphasizing the need to awaken to the spiritual decline within. In a sermon on June 24, 1978, to the Pasadena P.M. congregation, he shouted "Wake up!" fifteen times, warning of mortal danger after returning from heart failure. He identified the destructive forces of Laodiceanism and the leaven of intellectualism as driving the division and destruction within the Worldwide Church of God, noting that true understanding comes from divine revelation, not human intellect. Armstrong often stated he had only an average intellect, underscoring that God revealed the truth to him, and he saw the church veering off track due to influences from those prioritizing human wisdom over divine guidance. From 1978 until his death, Armstrong dedicated his ministry to warning the church of its deviation, observing the rise of doctrines within the church that were close to the truth but deceptive enough to mislead many. He recognized the spiritual weakness and lack of response from the congregation, possibly due to his own diminishing health and vitality, or perhaps as part of God's plan to lessen the impact of his words for the church's benefit. On June 24, 1985, exactly seven years after that 1978 sermon, he published "The Recent History of the Philadelphia Era of The Church of God," his final warning to prevent history from repeating itself, though the decline proved worse than he might have imagined. Despite his efforts and those of other faithful ministers, Armstrong could not halt the spiritual famine caused by worldliness and Laodiceanism that overwhelmed the church. Many viewed him as merely an old crank, blind to their own sins and refusing to repent, while the church grew in numbers but weakened spiritually. His warnings, alongside scriptural admonitions and unfolding events, were clear, yet largely unheeded, contributing to the scattering and division that continues to plague the church of God.

Under Herbert W. Armstrong's leadership, the church's public focus was predominantly on preaching the gospel to the world, often overshadowing the feeding of the flock. Although Armstrong did commendable work in nurturing the church internally, he seldom highlighted this aspect in his communications, as his primary concern was public outreach. Towards the end of his life, this emphasis on worldwide preaching intensified, further relegating the internal nurturing of the church to the background. This shift contributed to a widespread belief among members that the church's sole responsibility to God was to proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom of God globally. In a sermon delivered in mid-1978 to the Pasadena PM congregation, which was later distributed church-wide, Armstrong urgently called for awakening, repeating the plea "WAKE UP!" fifteen times. He recognized that the church was slipping into spiritual slumber under his watch and, despite his efforts, could not fully rouse everyone. His heartfelt appeal for repentance underscored his awareness of troubling undercurrents within the church, a concern that persisted as the church faced external challenges shortly thereafter and continued to struggle up to his death. Historically, the church under Armstrong experienced divisions, even during periods of active gospel preaching. In his early years in Oregon, entire congregations split away, often while he was absent conducting evangelistic campaigns. These divisions were partly attributed to his focus on outreach, as some members deemed it unwise for him to leave and preach elsewhere. A significant split also occurred in 1974 while Armstrong was en route to the Philippines to preach, demonstrating that preaching the gospel to the world did not inherently prevent fragmentation within the church.

Eighteen years ago, Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong was warning that the church was in mortal danger, a condition that has worsened since then, with the church now scattered and divided. In a 1978 sermon, Mr. Armstrong expressed alarm, noting disunity as early as 1969 as a signal of internal spiritual problems. He emphasized that the church was deteriorating morally and spiritually, even while preaching the gospel to the world, indicating that this was not the solution to the underlying issues. Quoting Revelation 2 and 3 in that sermon, he highlighted the church's loss of its first love, as mentioned in the message to Ephesus, and its lethargy and sleepiness, as described in the message to Laodicea. God stirred Mr. Armstrong to confront the church with the choice to repent or face the curses of Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28, underscoring that there are no hollow warnings with God.

Herbert W. Armstrong warned the church of impending trouble, as evidenced in his sermon on June 24, 1978, where he repeatedly urged the Pasadena congregation to wake up, emphasizing the urgency with shouts. This message was distributed worldwide, indicating that the entire church, not just Pasadena, was in peril. Armstrong recognized that the church was off track, a theme he consistently preached until his death in 1986, after which conditions deteriorated rapidly. Today, many place the blame for the church's current state on Armstrong, reflecting a tendency to avoid personal responsibility for the scattering and division within the greater church.

Mr. Armstrong, as a pivotal figure in the church, recognized the spiritual decline within the body as early as 1969, identifying the beginnings of Laodiceanism. He observed the church drifting off track both doctrinally and in terms of working faith, a concern evident in his efforts to realign the church during the campaign to put it back on course. Despite these efforts, he acknowledged that while doctrinal corrections were made, the spiritual state of the people remained compromised by worldliness, affecting them from top to bottom. In his publication on June 24, 1984, titled "The Recent History of the Philadelphia Era of the Worldwide Church of God," he issued a warning to prevent such decline from recurring. Mr. Armstrong feared that upon his death, the church would fall apart, a concern reflected in his commission to Mr. Tkach to get the church ready for the return of Christ, openly admitting that the church was not prepared due to slipping faith and waning love. He publicly stated that the preaching of the gospel was done for those raised under his ministry, indicating a shift in focus. Additionally, he repeatedly urged the church to wake up, emphasizing the collective spiritual slumber and the presence of detrimental influences within, likening them to vultures waiting for his demise, though he felt unable to remove them for reasons not fully understood. His deep sense of responsibility and energy in fulfilling his role as an apostle inspired others, driving him to address the church's critical need for restoration and purification.

In this century, Herbert W. Armstrong taught that the true gospel of God's Kingdom, as preached by Christ and His apostles, had not been proclaimed to the world for a long time. He believed that before his death, the true gospel had been published among all nations, both Israelitish and Gentile, as a witness, though not necessarily to convert. For five decades, from 1937 to 1987, his preaching carried the true gospel with dynamic power primarily to the Israelitish nations of Manasseh and Ephraim, while a much smaller door was opened to the Gentile world. Herbert Armstrong viewed Matthew 24:14 as a prophecy and a God-given commission, concluding that the end of the age was near and that he was instrumental in fulfilling this prophecy. After 50 years of preaching the gospel of the Kingdom in all the world as a witness, he found no one else doing it. False ministers later arose from within the church, claiming the true gospel had been continuously preached since the first century and that Herbert Armstrong was merely one in a long line of preachers, thus rewriting history. Nevertheless, his commission was unique and exclusive, as no one in Christianity embraced the gospel he proclaimed, which mirrored that of the original apostles. Those whom God called followed his advice to verify the truth in the Bible and began to agree with his message, understanding that Jesus Christ had called him to be a real apostle sent to proclaim the gospel.

The ministry of Herbert W. Armstrong raises a critical question: Where was God during his time of service? Was God truly with him? This is a matter each individual must resolve to determine the appropriate course of action. If Herbert W. Armstrong was an apostle of God, then a specific path must be followed; if not, a different response is required. The focus is not solely on Herbert W. Armstrong himself but on God's presence and involvement in his work. Herbert W. Armstrong's ministry spanned between forty and fifty years, fitting a biblical pattern of generational cycles where spiritual decline often follows a period of leadership. Even during his lifetime, he recognized the church was deteriorating, slipping away from his influence as members took his teachings less seriously. After his death, the situation worsened significantly, with doctrines being altered, further smiting his authority as a teacher from God and contributing to the scattering of the church. The question persists whether Herbert W. Armstrong was God's apostle, tasked with delivering the doctrines intended for the end-time church. Were the teachings he provided the ones God wanted to shape His people into the desired image? This evaluation is essential for every individual. Long before his passing, efforts were made to undermine his credibility with whispers of senility and confusion, yet the doctrinal foundation he established was set when he was in full command of his faculties. Ultimately, the issue is not Herbert W. Armstrong's personal fidelity but God's faithfulness. Was God capable of controlling him to ensure the truth reached His people? The faith must rest in God's ability to oversee and deliver correct doctrine through His chosen servant. If God was not with Herbert W. Armstrong and the doctrines he taught, then the future is bleak, and the handwriting is on the wall. The core question remains: Was God building the house through Herbert W. Armstrong and the Worldwide Church of God? If He was not, there is no purpose in continuing on this path.

Following the death of Herbert W. Armstrong in 1986, Evelyn and I became aware fairly quickly that the Worldwide Church of God was degenerating spiritually. However, we did not leave its fellowship until 1992, and when we left, we had no intention of beginning another church organization. We had not sought out others to form such a group, though we conversed with individuals like John and Delores Reid about the situation. Our plan was simply to leave, secure employment in the business world, and continue privately observing what we had learned under Herbert W. Armstrong. While in the Worldwide Church of God, I gained insight into its governance, and I did not agree with certain policies and attitudes exhibited within the system. Though I believe the hierarchical form aligns with biblical patterns, I felt the fruit of the system's operations was not entirely of God. The scope of Herbert W. Armstrong's work under God was awesome and worldwide, a responsibility unmatched since the time of Christ. I recognize that I was not called to undertake such a vast mission. My gift is teaching specific things and expanding understanding, not replicating the global reach of Herbert W. Armstrong. Therefore, I continue to focus on the role I was ordained to fulfill—helping prepare people for the Kingdom of God—trusting Him to supply our needs and bring people to us without attempting to take on responsibilities beyond my appointment.

Herbert W. Armstrong's role in the Worldwide Church of God was marked by a strong emphasis on preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God to the world, which he pursued with a constant sense of urgency as the work God gave him to do. This focus became a defining characteristic of his public persona, often overshadowing other responsibilities such as feeding the flock, though he did provide for the church's spiritual nourishment. In his announcements, letters, sermons, and articles, as well as in the ministry's communications, the priority of preaching to the world was so heavily stressed that it sometimes gave the impression that it was the sole purpose of the church. However, this intense focus was not meant to imply neglect of the flock, as he ensured their care, but publicly, his emphasis remained predominantly on the global outreach, often highlighting financial needs and personal efforts in this mission during sermons and gatherings like the Feast of Tabernacles.

Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong emphasized that the work of God is fundamentally a work of faith, despite having business aspects. He began his ministry on radio, full of dynamic energy and enthusiasm that resonated through the speakers into people's homes, but later transitioned to television with a more visually oriented approach, though the core message remained unchanged. The work under his leadership took various directions, not always moving in a straight line, reflecting the purposeful zigzagging guided by God. In 1933, when offered a chance to appear on a radio station, Mr. Armstrong did not initially recognize it as a door opened by God, yet he went through it, and it became the means by which the gospel began to spread worldwide. His early experiences in the advertising world were seen by him as preparation by God for the role he would play. When the speaker and his wife joined the work in 1959, they had no trouble trusting Mr. Armstrong because they had proved God's existence, recognized His work, and saw clear evidence in Mr. Armstrong's preaching of the gospel of the Kingdom of God and the keeping of God's commandments. The speaker acknowledges Mr. Armstrong as an apostle, not of the rank of the original twelve, but akin to the apostle Paul, born out of due season, with signs of an apostle evident in his work. No one else in the twentieth century accomplished what he did, and thus, he is regarded as a father in the faith, used by God to beget many with the Spirit of God. He holds a position of honor and respect, though not as the centerpiece of the current work, as that focus belongs to God. However, there is significant disagreement regarding Mr. Armstrong's legacy. Some virtually idolize him, using his name and spirit for their own ends, while others harbor bitterness or personal resentment despite doctrinal agreement. The speaker notes that the truth lies somewhere in the mix of these perspectives. Additionally, issues in church government, though not originating from Mr. Armstrong himself, have caused damage due to misadministration, contributing to the reasons many are present in this new context. The speaker clarifies that personal interactions with Mr. Armstrong and observations in congregations confirm that problems did not stem from him directly.

We have seen a great work done by Mr. Armstrong through his over 50 years of service to God. Yet, it seems that very little fruit has been accomplished through that effort. In fact, we see the Worldwide Church of God crumbling, not just in little pieces, but coming apart in great chunks. Despite this, we must remember that God is still working, often in ways we cannot see or comprehend. As with Elijah, who felt isolated and discouraged after his mighty works, we too must strengthen ourselves with spiritual food, God's Word, and trust that He is accomplishing His purpose. We are reminded that God values the quiet, individual transformations as much as spectacular public works, and He will use our efforts, however small or large, far more effectively than we could on our own. With renewed confidence, we can push on in faith and hope, certain that God is in charge of His work.

Herbert Armstrong is often blamed in the ongoing push for doctrinal changes within the church, an accusation that implicitly questions God's oversight in sending His messenger. Such criticism suggests that God failed to guide the church properly through the doctrines delivered by Armstrong, which is a grave concern. The rapid changes in doctrine following Armstrong's death necessitated adjustments to other beliefs, disrupting the harmonious fit of the church's teachings, much like altering pieces of a puzzle. Armstrong used illustrations, such as a picture puzzle and a movie narrative, to emphasize the importance of continuity and context in understanding the church's doctrines, showing that each piece or part of the story must connect to form a complete picture of God's purpose. The drive to alter doctrines, including the calendar, mirrors the pattern of changes initiated by the Tkach group, reflecting a belief that the messenger God sent was wrong and that their modifications will improve the church, a notion that has historically led to division. Despite widespread criticism and calls for change from lay members on various doctrinal issues, the speaker firmly believes Armstrong was an apostle, uniquely chosen to preach the true gospel worldwide, a task unmatched by any other contemporary figure. This conviction holds that God, being sovereign, ensured through Armstrong the delivery of essential doctrines necessary for the church's end-time purpose, and no one, including Armstrong, could resist His will. Therefore, the foundational teachings provided through Armstrong must be true and right, aligning with God's unyielding purpose for His children.

Herbert W. Armstrong was a pivotal figure through whom God worked to bring many into contact with the Church of God. His role was instrumental in passing down teachings and doctrines, continuing a chain of authority established by God through various men, including prophets and apostles, ultimately tracing back to Jesus Christ Himself. Despite not being perfect, the significant work of God was accomplished through Mr. Armstrong, shaping the foundation of the church's beliefs and practices. Mr. Armstrong emphasized the urgency of protecting children from the blinding influence of Satan, warning ministers and members alike to act swiftly as protectors against the devil's deceptions. He stressed that without proactive teaching and correction, society and satanic influences would take over the spiritual instruction of the young, hardening their minds against the truth of God. Furthermore, Mr. Armstrong's teachings, including specific practices like the counting of Pentecost from the weekly Sabbath within the Days of Unleavened Bread, were established as key doctrines from as early as 1936. These teachings are upheld as vital, with a caution against deviations or false doctrines introduced by others attempting to undermine the work done through him. The integrity of the church's foundation, built through Mr. Armstrong under God's guidance, is seen as essential, and members are urged to remain vigilant against efforts to destroy his reputation or the doctrines he taught. God's mercy and Spirit have enabled the recognition of Mr. Armstrong as the man through whom He worked, positioning the church to make choices based on the revealed truth.

Following the death of Herbert W. Armstrong, significant upheaval occurred within the church, reflecting a possible judgment against it as it fragmented and scattered into smaller groups during the eighties and nineties. This dispersion into entities such as United, Living, Christian Biblical, the Church of the Great God, Philadelphia, and others, some as small as home gatherings, suggests a divine penalty preceding greater judgments on the world. Herbert W. Armstrong, though not comparable to Moses in stature, was appointed by God as head of that work, deserving respect for his position. The verbal abuse he endured from church members raises questions about the consequences for those who criticized him unjustly, as God also judges and corrects those He appoints to such roles.

Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong played a pivotal role in the history of the Worldwide Church of God, leaving a lasting impact through his leadership and media outreach. During his later years, numerous video productions, including many episodes of The World Tomorrow telecast and feast films featuring the Young Ambassadors and Ambassador Choir, were created under his guidance. These productions, reflecting the significant resources of the church at the time, showcased his powerful preaching style and the talent within the organization. With over 120,000 to 130,000 attendees at the Feast each year, millions of viewers of The World Tomorrow, and 8 million addresses receiving The Plain Truth magazine, the church had substantial financial support and state-of-the-art facilities in Pasadena, California, strategically chosen by Mr. Armstrong for access to Hollywood's production capabilities. His work was marked by grandeur and spectacle, drawing from a large pool of skilled individuals to produce impactful media. Mr. Armstrong laid a foundational understanding for many, which has since been built upon by others. While his efforts in preaching the gospel were remarkable, some aspects of his approach, particularly in nurturing the flock, have been seen as needing improvement. Current efforts have shifted focus from replicating his methods to preparing the Bride of Christ for the Kingdom of God, using different approaches to spread the gospel that he might not have envisioned, such as leveraging the internet. It is believed that Mr. Armstrong would have appreciated the expansion on the foundation he established, as he desired the ministry to teach and build upon what he provided while he focused on preaching. Though some critique the current scope of gospel preaching compared to his time, the essence of his foundational teachings continues to guide, with deeper understanding and slight adjustments made to align more closely with biblical insights.

Herbert Armstrong, throughout his ministry as a broadcaster and writer, focused on interpreting and speculating about prophetic events. He explicitly stated that he was not a prophet in the traditional sense of receiving direct communication from God about future events or new truths separate from the Bible. In the June 1972 issue of Tomorrow's World magazine, he emphasized that he never claimed to be a prophet with personal revelations from God. His predictions were educated guesses based on Scripture and contemporary news events, often using tentative language such as "could," "might," and "may," in contrast to the definitive terms used in biblical prophecies. Armstrong's interpretations were speculations, subject to updates as circumstances changed, and he never received information through visions, dreams, or direct encounters with God. Despite this, his role as an apostle remains respected, as he operated within the same constraints of uncertainty as others. His teachings, including the idea that the sixth revival of the Roman Empire began with Garibaldi in Italy and continued through Mussolini and Hitler, ending in 1945 with the defeat of the Axis powers, are seen as significant contributions to understanding end-time prophecy. God used him to raise up the end-time church, and his writings on prophecy, though speculative, were not intended to deceive but to provide insight based on his observations.

Brethren, in reflecting on the impactful teachings of Herbert W. Armstrong, we recall how, in the last few years of his life, he often began nearly every sermon with the concept of the two trees. We believe that God inspired him to emphasize this theme because it underscores the fundamental truth that all of life revolves around choices—specifically, the right and godly choices that align with His will. Armstrong's focus on this principle reminds us of the importance of choosing the path that leads to an eternal relationship of absolute trust with Jesus Christ, as we strive to prepare for His return.

In his autobiography, the late Herbert W. Armstrong often spoke of the humblest beginnings of the work, starting with small-town evangelistic campaigns and tiny congregations. The first magazine was hand-copied on a hand-cranked mimeograph, and the initial radio station had negligible reach. When Ambassador College was founded in 1947, its first class consisted of only four students. Armstrong frequently emphasized that when God works through mankind, He begins with very small things, a principle powerfully demonstrated in the church's history over the last century. Additionally, the booklets written by Herbert W. Armstrong, along with the correspondence courses, form a framework of basic doctrinal understanding, serving as vital resources that help bring the whole picture into sharper focus for the church's ongoing work.