TOPSY TURVY WEATHER!

Half a world away, Northern Peru was a scene of mammoth, gushing torrents spilling from Andean foothills, carrying everything away in their paths as massive, soaking rainstorms drenched the area. Only a few months ago, millions of school children and workers in Myanmar and Malaysia, especially in its capital, Kuala Lumpur, were wearing scarves and face masks in a feeble attempt to protect their lungs from blinding, acrid, choking smoke that had covered thousands of square miles. Planters on Borneo, Java and other Indonesian Islands had set fire to forests to clear them. In the unusual hot, dry winter months, the normal "wet season," there was no rain. The forests burned for many weeks. Airports were shut down. Doctors said breathing was the equivalent of smoking "two packs of cigarettes per day" as the thick smoke drifted over much of Southeast Asia. All over Southeast Asia, the normal wet season was dry; drought stricken, and the normal dry season was soaking wet. Weather was completely backward.

The normal "hurricane season" in the south Atlantic and the Caribbean was virtually non-existent. Instead, hurricane after hurricane formed in the Pacific, battering Western Mexico, including famous tourist cities like Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas with tons of rain and smashing high winds. Many died. Hundreds of thousands were left homeless. Ramshackle houses were swept away in the wild waters as storm after storm lashed the area.

In the United States, the Southern Jet Stream remained far, far to the South, bringing drenching rains to the southern tier of states; major flooding occurred all over the South, especially in Florida and South Texas. Rainfall, caused by the warm, moisture-laden winds from the central Pacific meeting colder air coming down from Canada, surpassed records and human memory.

Meanwhile, the Eastern third of Canada lay under a blanket of frozen ice. Millions were without electrical power for weeks as trees, carrying tons of ice, fell across power lines. In New England, especially Maine, people's homes became frigid, dark places to camp, shivering in parkas and blankets. Only those with gasoline generators, camping stoves and charcoal broilers were able to heat water or cook food. Thousands were taken into shelters such as high-school gymnasiums, public halls and Red Cross facilities.

As a result of the expected onslaught of "El Nino", most of the Western states in the U.S. were gearing up for unusual amounts of rain and snowfall. Such heavy snows fell that a number of skiers and hikers in several states were killed in avalanches triggered by the heavy buildup of snow.

In special documentaries aired on national television, the "El Nino" and "La Nina" phenomenon was discussed by scientists. The name "El Nino", literally "the boy", means "The Christ Child" to Spanish-speaking countries. The name "La Nina" is the feminine, and means "the little girl." The "El Nino" phenomenon is a warming trend, while the "La Nina" phenomenon is a cooling trend. In recent years, the "El Nino" effect has been becoming much more severe; more widely spread. The Pacific Ocean, a major weather producer for most of the world, develops, every few years, a vast region of very warm water. Normally, the warmest water is much farther West; in the waters around the island chains extending down from Japan and the Philippines to Australia, such as the Marshals, the Gilberts, and the Solomons. But this year, the vast area of super-warm water, as large as the continental land mass of the United States, was much farther East, much closer to South America. Warm water fish, normally not seen around California for decades, were being caught by sports fishermen; Albacore, Yellowtail, Yellowfin and Bluefin Tuna, swarms of Barracuda-all were being brought aboard by fishermen.

Just as we go to press, California was being lashed by one major Pacific storm after another! FOUR FEET of snow fell in the high Sierras while winds clocked at 94 miles per hour tore into the coastal region north of San Francisco. Homes were sliding off hillsides in Oakland and other communities while some residents in low lying areas were sandbagging, or moving all their possessions out of homes they expected to be flooded.

Meanwhile, environmentalists were predicting vast and incalculable catastrophes resulting from the "greenhouse-gas" emissions of modern, technologically advanced nations. Many (though by no means all) scientists warned darkly that the polar icecaps will melt, the ocean levels will rise so that thousands of major cities along the seacoasts will be completely inundated; islands will disappear; the coastal regions of the world will disappear beneath the waves, and major storms will lash every continent.

The scientists so frightened the governments of the world that a global conference was scheduled in Kyoto, Japan as 1997 drew to a close. Anxious to appear engaged in the dialogue, President Clinton called a one-day conference in Washington; the so-called "White House Initiative on Global Climate Change." Vice President Al Gore has become virtually a synonymous name with "the environment" as he seeks to continually hype the issue.

For years, frightened scientists have urged an end to the burning of fossil fuels such as petroleum products and coal; citing the production of "photo-chemical smog" and carbon dioxide emissions which blanket cities, and contribute to global warming. Dozens of nations decided to participate in attempts to curtail greenhouse-gas emissions. Five years earlier, the United States and 34 other industrial countries had agreed to try to cut their greenhouse-gas emissions back to the 1990 level by the year 2000. Britain and Switzerland have shut down much of their coal industry, while Germany and eastern Europe have closed down many filthy, polluting former Communist factories. None of the other countries have made progress.

Not only, then, does the United States receive the onslaught of "El Nino's" record-breaking weather, but it also incurs the wrath of countries all over the world which accuse the U.S. of being the world's worst polluter, while posturing about cleaning up the environment.

Any media reports about "El Nino" and upside-down weather quickly brings sneers and scoffs from doubters. God said it would be this way. Peter wrote, "Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

"And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation [they argue "it is only cyclical! We've always had bad weather cycles!"].

"For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

"Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished [they are willingly ignorant of the FLOOD of Noah's day!]:

"But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men" (11 Pet. 3:3-7).

Jesus Christ prophesied that the GREAT TRIBULATION would be characterized by great wars and rumors of wars; by droughts, famines and disease epidemics, and by an increase in "natural" disasters! He said, "Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences [disease epidemics, which often follow in the wake of hurricanes, typhoons and floods, as surface water is contaminated and such diseases as cholera grow rampant]; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven" (Luke 21:10-13).

As the onslaught of the so-called "El Nino" effect lashes the whole world with topsy-turvy weather, it behooves God's people to WATCH world conditions, and to PRAY every day and night that they may be accounted worthy to escape all these terrible things that are coming on this world (Luke 21:36). Amos prophesied, "And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.

"And also I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it to not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered.

"So two or three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.

"I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devoured them: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.

"I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword, and have taken away your horses; and I have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.

"I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.

"Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel (Amos 4:6-12). Millions, deceived by Satan, do NOT BELIEVE that God Almighty is PUNISHING the nations of this earth--especially the so-called "Lost Ten Tribes of ISRAEL" because of their sins! They believe there is NO CONNECTION between record-breaking, upside-down weather and God in heaven!

But Jesus Christ said great signs in the heavens and awesome WEATHER will eventually cause men and women to drop dead of heart attacks! Notice "... and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations [terrible national calamities] with perplexity [they will be scared out of their wits; not knowing what to do!]; the sea and the waves roaring;

"Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

"And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory" (Luke 21:24-27).

And WHAT ABOUT THE CHURCH during these perilous times? For years, I have preached about what a terrible and unnecessary tragedy overtook the work of God back in 1978. From that time to this, I had labored in the "Church of God, International" which God led me to establish, never remotely DREAMING such a thing could happen again; that I would need to establish yet another organization so I could continue my life's calling, and continue doing God's WORK! Many times, I have made reference to God's prophecies through Daniel which say, "And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by Him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time [one prophetic year], times [two prophetic years], and an half [the three and one-half years of the GREAT TRIBULATION]; and when he shall have accomplished to SCATTER THE POWER OF THE HOLY PEOPLE, all these things shall be finished."

Daniel heard, but didn't understand. He was told, "Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end [but then shall be OPENED].

"Many shall be purified, and made white [righteous], and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand" (Daniel 12:6-10).

Are we about to enter that time? Have we ALREADY entered into that time? Only time, and God's intervention in His WORK and in human affairs will tell!

A bombing campaign may be commenced at any time. When not being drowned by the "Clinton crises," we're informed that military action against Iraq may be imminent. This stems from well established concerns that Saddam Hussein has hidden stockpiles of chemical and biological agents which could be mounted atop missiles and fired at Israel, or employed against the United States in some form of terrorism.

Our own media is reporting that the Iraqi media has developed a sense of humor, poking fun at the U.S. president, predicting that he might undertake military action against them as a ploy to divert news attention from the numerous crises currently threatening his ability to serve out his term.

The game of cat and mouse Iraq has played with UN weapons inspectors has been a staple of news since the end of the gulf war. The treatment of the inspectors has only resulted in increased suspicion that Iraq does indeed have much to hide.

The December 1, issue of 'NEWSWEEK gives a chronological guide to the events which have led to the virtually undeniable conclusion that Iraq has stockpiled, and is hiding tons of' virulent agents capable of' inflicting indescribably painful death. Some high points follow.

Following the gulf war, American and British intelligence reports indicated there were dangerous agents being hidden in Iraq. The UN security council was inclined to dismiss such assertions and declined to pursue the matter. Yet a small group of inspectors comprising two British, one American and one Australian persisted. Contacting suppliers of the types of hardware and biological agents which would be necessary to develop such a weapons program, they were able to determine that Iraq had in fact been busily acquiring the necessary components and materiel. Experts who undertook that research determined that Iraq's capabilities must be quite advanced. A visit to buildings 40 miles out of Bagdad confirmed the inspector's worst fears.

Will Israel accept assurances from Bill Clinton, and refrain from blowing Bagdad to kingdom come?

Many will remember the reported defection of Saddam's son in law to Jordan, where he met with Americans and described in detail many of Iraq's weapons programs and capabilities. As testimony to Saddam's ruthlessness, he lured his exiled son in law back saying he'd let bygones be bygones, and when the son in law returned to Iraq he was promptly gunned down.

Since then the inspectors have found and viewed video tapes of chemical and biological experiments on animals writhing in agony, slowly dying. According to the report, inspectors have some reason to believe that similar experiments have been carried out on humans.

The saga of the standoff between the weapons inspectors and Saddam Hussein has been prime time fare for months. At this writing however, another U.S. aircraft carrier has been positioned in the gulf, bringing the number to two. American diplomats are reportedly seeking international approval for air strikes, even though inspectors fear that Saddam may already have had adequate time to hide his stockpiles.

And what if a bombing campaign is commenced by the United States? Will Saddam not retaliate with missiles against Israel just as he did last time? Will Israel accept assurances from Bill Clinton, and refrain from blowing Bagdad to kingdom come? Such speculations become frightening even when considering the most logical of scenarios. How would the rest of the Arab world react? How about Europe, Japan, Russia? And where might the price of oil end up if conflagration in the Middle East were to spread?

The game of brinksmanship has reached a critical stage. But there are some critical differences between the present situation and the last time the U.S. engaged Iraq militarily. Iraq has not invaded a neighbor lately and is not seen to be an immediate threat to the world's oil supply. Consequently, the U.S. won't be able to count on the global support received during the Bush era. Further, Bill Clinton has neither the respect nor credibility of George Bush, and any action now taken will be attacked as an attempt on his part to redirect news attention.

Do German citizens and immigrants of foreign descent have reason to fear soldiers of the German army? It is reported by CNN and by the British Economist magazine that the number of neo Nazi incidents by German soldiers has risen dramatically. Most incidents consist of simple possession of neo Nazi propaganda. But there have been incidents of attacks on foreigners by German troops, and reports of conscripts celebrating Hitler's birthday.

It is quickly pointed out that far right politicians receive scant support by the German electorate. Even so, parallels have been drawn between current political and economic conditions, and those which propelled Hitler to power in the 1930's. One disturbing similarity is that of unemployment. The proportion of those out of work now exceeds the percentage that prevailed during Hitler's rise.

The pope is not only regarded as the world's most influential religious leader, he is a head of state. The Vatican enjoys sovereign status as does any nation, and its policies heavily influence the policies and actions of a great many nations.

Pope John Paul II is credited, even among respected network news anchors, as having played a critical role in reuniting Germany. He is on record promoting a united Europe "from the Urals to the Atlantic." He is afforded great deference by the leadership and press of every important nation. In advance of his recent visit to Cuba, network anchors and reporters could be heard referring to him as the "holy father" without further qualification of the term.

Because he is seen as the most politically influential pope in modem times, the world's most prominent news organizations staked out Havana to report on the political impact his visit there would have on Castro's repressive regime, and to pick up on any undertones which might be directed toward the historical standoff between Castro and the United States.

The reports from Cuba confirm that religion is a powerful vehicle to promote political causes. In the case of this papal visit, there seemed to be more complexities in the relationship between Castro and the pope than usual in these types of visits. One aspect is Castro's attempt to shore up his own prestige and credibility by appearing together with the pope in apparent unity.

Reporters with an eye for political undertones in papal pronouncements weren't disappointed. The pope openly criticized the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba and denounced communist ideology. He called for advances in Catholic education in Cuba, which if instituted, could become another method of advancing political change. He also "came down hard" according to TIME magazine on many accepted practices of the Castro regime including abortion, imprisonment of political enemies and abuses of human rights.

Greetings! You hold in your hands a BRAND-NEW Newsletter, Volume 1, Number I of "WORLDWATCH", dedicated to keeping you up-to-the-minute about today's world news in the light of Bible prophecy! Each issue will also contain important articles, "news of the work," a potpourri of world events we should be watching closely, this personal column each month, and other articles and features.

By now, thousands are learning that a major split occurred in the organization God led me to found, the Church of God, International. It was totally unnecessary. Much is explained in my letter of December 9th, sent to as many as were on our mailing list at the time. Every word of that letter is TRUE, and is exactly as I experienced it, as can be testified to by absolutely truthful witnesses! As we all know, there are always TWO SIDES to any human situation. If you did not receive that letter, please call (903) 561-7070, or fax (903) 561-4141, or write to me at Box 11 17, Tyler, Tx., 757 1 0, and we will send you one immediately

How utterly IRONIC! The "Ministerial Council" of the church decided I was a "liability" to the church! If they could get rid of me; force me into "retirement", they could PREVENT a loss of members, and a serious drop in income!

Yet, just prior to the Feast, we had turned a major comer! Income for the work was UP by 22 per-cent on the Day of Atonement; by an aggregate of over 15% over the Fall Holy Day season! Feast attendance was UP by about the same--1 5 % or more!

Shortly after the Feast, the eight-man "Ministerial Council" voted to recommend to the Board that I "proceed toward retirement." The Board met, but my wife was not permitted to attend on the basis that she would be "personally" interested in their proceedings! The Board voted 6 against 2 that I should be cut off without any severance. Normal severance would be a week's pay for each year served. I had been used of God to RAISE UP the CGI. I had been working hard for 19 long years and 7 months! When Mr. Ron Dart left the church two years ago, he was given a FULL YEAR'S SALARY! This was paid to him in two lump sums. But the board voted to continue my salary only for one more month!

Now, how utterly IRONIC that they were allegedly getting rid of me to PREVENT loss of members and income, and yet, reliable sources report their income has fallen by MORE THAN FIFTY PER-CENT since all of this occurred!

My television programs were resulting in around 1,300, or 1,400, or 1,600-up to 2,200 calls! Often, more than 400 would be NEW calls; people responding to the broadcasts for the first time! Now that I have been REPLACED by three "presenters", I saw that one of their most recent programs resulted in only about 500 calls, with only 58 new calls!

When my program was taken off KOLR TV, channel 10, in Springfield, Missouri, the station received more calls than at any other time in their history. As I write, we are negotiating with KOLR, hoping we can get back on TV there. They are offering us 6:30 AM Sunday mornings, but at a cost of $475.00 EACH WEEK!

WHAT'S HAPPENING:

On the Friday of the 31 st of January, we learned that the "Executive Committee" of the CGI fired EIGHT employees, including my sons, David and Matthew! They had fired my eldest son, Mark, while he was away, and sent him a letter telling him he would receive only two week's pay (one week of which had already passed by the time he was informed) after working for God's church for many years; writing columns, producing our television programs, doing the "voice over" in the literature commercials and announcements. This was a cruel blow to Mark, of course. David and Matthew were given notes which said they would receive two month's severance "if there was money available" to pay it! Both had labored in God's work for many, many years. Matthew had worked for a local office supply and print shop for several years before coming to work for the church in graphic arts, layout and design, and the dark room. Both of them are volunteering their time now-- David is doing the same job he has for many years; picking up and processing the mail. Matthew has already produced the designs for our TWO corporate seals; has designed and laid out this newsletter, and is working in any other task at hand.

Chester Roberson was also let go. Chester had been my father and mother's personal gardener in Pasadena, over 45 years ago! He had been our grounds keeper and custodian; keeping beautiful grounds around our office building in splendid shape--bright with seasonal flowers and shrubs--and keeping the offices clean. His wife, Jean, had been secretary to the Ministerial Services department. She had been fired a couple of months earlier. Jean has been volunteering her time, helping to maintain the mailing list, and generating labels. My long-time secretary, Mrs. Glenda Brazil, was also fired about a month ago. She has been helping in every way she can--typing my letters, receiving and sending E-mail, and working on our outgoing letters and the new booklet. She worked at a temporary desk, answering the telephone, on our first day in the new offices. Right now, NO-ONE IS ON SALARY!

When God BLESSES this new beginning in His work with sufficient income, we intend going BACK ON TELEVISION as soon as possible. We are investigating RADIO all over the country! This NEWSLETTER, "WORLDWATCH" is being sent out just as we are working hard to launch this NEW BEGINNING in the work! We hope God will allow us to continue it once each month!

On Monday morning, February 2nd, we received our very first telephone calls in our newly-occupied suite of leased offices. Our address there is 5604 Old Bullard Rd., Suite 107, Tyler, Tx., 75703.

For the past three Sabbaths, we have been video-taping my sermons and mailing them out to over one hundred churches and hosted fellowship groups here and abroad. We're sorry that a few of the tapes were defective. My son David taped the program a few weeks ago, with a 90-minute tape cassette in the camera. I thought I had extra time. Mr. Chris Cumming, our host in Seattle, gave the sermonette. But the company in Dallas which reproduces and mails out the tapes used only a 60-minute tape! That meant the last 15 or 20 minutes (the most important part!) of the sermon was missing! I announced at the beginning of the sermon last week, what had happened, and now will try to make AUDIO tapes available.

AND NOW--ANNOUNCING THE INCORPORATION OF A BRAND-NEW CHURCH ORGANIZATION, "THE INTERCONTINENTAL CHURCH OF GOD!" On Sunday, January 25th, as I wrote to you in my most recent letter, the INTERCONTINENTAL CHURCH OF GOD was formed! I asked our attorney to file the corporate articles with the Secretary of State for Texas shortly after our formative conference, and we have already received our corporate articles back from the Secretary of State in Austin, Texas. We are immediately applying for Tax Exempt Status with the Internal Revenue Service.

Please PRAY for this new organization. if you did not receive my letter, sent out over the last of January, please let us know, and we will send you a copy.

Hopefully, we will soon be printing the "INTERCONTINENTAL NEWS" of the ICG, containing news of the churches, doctrinal articles, pictures; everything that is happening in the church all around the world! PRAY about this!

SPECIAL NOTICE:

This is YOUR newsletter! Any and all of you who are tuned in to the "internet", or who read news magazines and other newsletters, or who are in correspondence with people in other countries, and who would like to contribute short articles or brief reports on items of special interest from time to time, please do so! We can't guarantee we'll publish all of them, of course, but we welcome participation! "WORLDWATCH" is primarily designed to be the monthly publication of the Evangelistic Association. However, in these early months of this new beginning, it will contain many things of interest to the ministry and the members of the Intercontinental Church of God, as well as the general public. THANK you, to all of you who are helping us as we step out on FAITH in our God, and our loving, merciful Savior, Jesus Christ! We have a great WORK ahead of us--perhaps the greatest work of all these many centuries, as we near the beginning of CENTURY TWENTYONE! Let us all be about our Father's business!

FIRST TELEVISION PROGRAMS MADE:

On Thursday and Friday, February 5th and 6th, I made our first new television programs in my own home! My son Mark, who is both producer and director of the telecasts, came up with the idea to tape the program here in my home. He had obtained the services of another technician in Tyler, and we set up camera and lights in my study. We moved furniture around, experimented with the fireplace and bookcase, worked to get the lighting just right, and off we went with the first telecasts! As I finished the first one, the man who had brought his camera and equipment leapt to his feet, came forward to shake my hand, and said, "WOW!" He had never seen anyone speak for 28 straight minutes without looking down, or away from the camera, or using a "Teleprompter" or looking down at notes. We engaged in a little doctrinal discussion: He related how a "Pentecostal" woman shook her finger in his face and said if he didn't believe in the "Jesus only" doctrine he was "going to go to hell." He told us his father is a Pentecostal minister, yet, he did not believe in the "Jesus only" doctrine! He also asked about the Trinity since I had touched on so many doctrines. I explained about how Jesus Christ prayed to His Father; gave him several Biblical references.

Interestingly enough, when I was last in our attorney's office, discussing our application for tax-exemption, the young assistant attorney asked me if he could put forth a "personal question." I said yes. He then reached into his briefcase, brought out a Bible, and asked me about Christ's statement that "of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the Son, but the Father only." I found it very interesting that these professionals would take time out to ask Bible questions!

That's about it for this first "Personal." THANK YOU again--all of you who are so faithfully, zealously and generously SUPPORTING THIS WORK! I can't tell you how GRATEFUL we are to you, nor can I tell you how earnestly we desire to be BACK ON TELEVISION all over this country and abroad! Let's never let a single day go by without PRAYING for God's work!

Sincerely, in Jesus' name,

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Armstrong & family,

Our prayer is that God will continue to be with you and guide and direct as never before.

We love you and appreciate all you have done and your example of "hanging in there" is most amazing!

May God give you strength and wisdom in your decisions and hope for the best

Love, T B

Greetings Mr. Armstrong,

I am so pleased that you have decided to continue the work and lead the flock in these perilous end times.

I too shed tears and became angry at the treatment a brother received from what is called The Church of God and those proclaiming to be God's people.

We will be praying for both you and Shirley and ask that Jesus align Himself with this new organization and bless us and it beyond any expectations you may currently have. May God bless both of you and your sons and keep you safe and healthy to continue the work your father was called to begin.

Sincerely, GH

Mr. Armstrong, and of course dear sweet Shirley,

So happy to get an address for you. Some of us here in Springfield, MO. didn't know how to reach you.

I want you to know, you have a lot of friends here. Be strong and stay in God's Work. God wants you to, I just know it. Please stay strong you & Shirley both. (Web Site is Great.)

Your Sister, HK

Dear Mr. Armstrong,

Thank you for sending us the video of your service of Jan. 19th. It was inspiring. How can we help? Of course, we pray always that God will help you, give you strength, and that mental attitude you need, empower you both spiritually and physically by His Holy Spirit, open doors for you, show you new, better ways to do the work, protect you and your family ... it is the attitude that counts. And now, you can start over with friends and loyal supporters, get rid of all the old animosities that have built up over old battles and old resentments... The U.S. is failing fast in world respect. Saddam Hussein is winning. And Saddam appears to have Satan's help. The Arabs and Europe, Russia, etc., oppose the U.S. What does it mean? I wish I knew. More, I wish Mr. Clinton, Mrs. Albright and Mr. Netanyahu knew. Who's going to tell them? The end is very near. I pray for Matt. 24:14 to be fulfilled. God bless you, sit. We love you. The word of God is with you.

In Christian love ... Canada.

Mr. Armstrong and Staff,

I am so happy to hear that you haven't left from doing God's work. Praise to our Savior you found another path to follow. I was so upset to think that anyone could think God doesn't forgive ... I know God knows you and without you & your church I would not know the truth about the Bible. I hope you teach and preach till you feel you can't any more, or to your last breath. God bless you and your family and the wonderful people who have stuck by you. May God help you build His church again.

Illinois

Dear Mr. Armstrong,

It is sobering to hear of the recent trials that you have endured and are enduring. Again, it seems, the work being done here on earth is threatened. However, once Jesus Christ opens a door, no man, or men, may shut it. That is cause enough to rejoice. And it is written that "...we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience experience, and experience hope" (Romans 5:3,4). Having heard, also, that you are not given up, not accepting retirement, and shall continue in your ministering and preaching is most inspiring ... Mr.

Armstrong, as Christ said, "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my name's sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad..." (Matt. 5:11,12). The fruit of your labor during the two or so years when all these troubles occurred is evident. People have been converted. I am proof of that. The membership has grown. I was at the Feast ... in Kentucky this year, and there was a dramatic increase in the number of people present. And I remember your sermon, and the call for unity; for forgiving and forgetting ... it is a call that should have been heeded. But it is a call that still can be heeded. Remember these words from God in ... Haggai, "My Spirit remainth among you, fear ye not." You are not alone, Mr. Armstrong. You have support, and you are loved.

Virginia

Dear Garner Ted Armstrong,

I am thankful that you have started back in God's work even if it had been in your garage or den or study or whatever. A person that's as intelligent or smart as you are in God's word needs to be using that knowledge in proclaiming it to the world as long as you are able to. As I have said before, that voice of yours, especially over the radio years ago has inspired and lifted me so many times I could have shouted "Glory to God in the Highest!"

May God be with you and the work. I am still praying for you. I'd like to help more financially, but I guess I'm one of the poor Jesus spoke of.