January 1, 2016 Brethren Letter
Dear Brethren,
Following the death of Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong in 1986, doctrinal changes began taking place in the Worldwide Church of God. At first, most of God’s people were unaware of some of the changes. However, as time went by, the changes became more evident. Early in 1991, the Pastor General (Joseph W. Tkach), revealed in the Worldwide News, that the Church had “new understanding” on the subject of what it means to be “BORN AGAIN”. This new doctrinal “understanding” wasn’t some minor change. The change was a MASSIVE departure from the truth of GOD! What had once been a solid doctrine of TRUTH under the leadership of Mr. Armstrong, had now become a teaching of heresy with Mr. Tkach (I Timothy 4:1)!
After that doctrinal change on what it means to be “BORN AGAIN” (Biblically), I asked a local elder if he would join me in a restaurant some evening for a slice of pie, cup of coffee, and good conversation. Since this was the first time I had ever asked him about going to a restaurant to talk over pie and coffee, he seemed a bit dubious, but agreed to meet me. With all of the doctrinal changes taking place, I wanted to see if he could shed any light (from his perspective), on what was happening in the Church. He listened to my thoughts, and we talked for several hours that evening. He never condemned any of my words or my beliefs (as taught by Mr. Armstrong). Interestingly, he didn’t express any of his own views either.
As we left the restaurant, he said, “Gary, there are pillars supporting this building [in the restaurant], and there are very few of them. THEY ARE PILLARS! No matter what happens in this Church, REMAIN A PILLAR, and you’ll never go wrong!” I felt his words were very profound! Knowing him as I did, I seriously doubt that he ever accepted the unscriptural changes coming out of Pasadena (Church headquarters). Eventually, he left the Worldwide Church of God and decided to stay home alone. To my knowledge, he never attended with anyone again. I honestly don’t know if he believed his own words any longer about REMAINING as a “PILLAR”, but, I know that his words meant something VERY important to me!
In Revelation 3:12 we read: “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.
This is a comment found in the original Ambassador College Correspondence Course (Lesson 42), on the subject of the “Pillars” of Revelation 3:12…
Responsibility as “pillars” is what God promises to those in God’s Church today. Each can qualify to be SPIRITUAL PILLARS OR LEADERS — THE MAIN SUPPORTS IN THE “CHURCH” SYMBOLICALLY CALLED “TEMPLE” IN REV. 3:12 FOR ALL ETERNITY. A PILLAR IS A MAIN SUPPORT IN A TEMPLE!
A spiritual PILLAR is a main support the lasts. Isn’t that what Christ wants us to be… PILLARS? There’s a glorious reward ahead for those who remain loyal and faithful!
In Mystery of the Ages (page 230), we read some very important words.
The Church is the called out (from this world) begotten children of God. It is the Body of Christ (I Cor. 12:27; Eph. 1:23). It is the spiritual organism that shall be the “Bride of Christ” – after its resurrection to immortality. Then it shall be married to Christ! It is the spiritual TEMPLE to which Christ shall come at his second appearing (Eph. 2:21).
“Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace” (Romans 11:5). Reading this scripture today in the context of all that has taken place since Mr. Armstrong’s death should impact us even more NOW, than it ever has. Once again, being a pillar or main support in the spiritual TEMPLE forever, is a LASTING, ETERNAL REWARD. “Everyone will hate you because you are committed to me. But the person who patiently endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22 GWT).
Please have a wonderful Sabbath Day’s rest!
Your Brother in Christ,
Gary Liebold