October 19, 2018 Brethren Letter

Dear Brethren,

In 1991, I sat down with an elder and expressed my concerns with the doctrinal changes taking place in the Worldwide Church of God. He had been a member since the early 1960’s. Even though literal decades have gone by, I can still remember the last thing he said to me that evening. As we were standing outside he asked, “Gary, do you see the pillars holding up this building?” I said, “Yes!” He went on to say, “It only takes a FEW pillars to hold up and support a building. Make sure you always remain as a pillar.” I knew exactly what he meant. He wasn’t talking about a physical building, he was referring to something spiritual.

The book of I Corinthians shows us that we as Christians are to remain steadfast and immovable as PILLARS! “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (I Corinthians 15:58).

Obviously, not everyone has remained faithful. We also read in II Thessalonians about a spiritual “falling away,” as prophesied. “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first… (II Thessalonians 2:3). The “sheep” have been SCATTERED! Sadly, some members disagree with a few of the doctrines they once believed, while others have completely turned aside from everything they were taught. There’s a smorgasbord of ideas out there.

However, there are those who are still loyal. They are the “called, chosen and faithful,” who will be with Jesus Christ when He returns to this earth. “…For He [Christ] is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful” (Revelation 17:14).

We’re instructed in Jude 3 to contend (struggle) for the faith (truthfulness of God) that was once delivered to us. “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” Spiritual PILLARS will continue to uphold the TRUTH and not compromise!

Mr. Armstrong wrote the following in November 28, 1978 Brethren, Co-Worker Letter:

God’s Church will NOT COMPROMISE a millionth part of 1% with GOD’S TRUTH as He reveals it to us who willingly accept it — hunger and thirst for it! When a program of watering down starts, it grows with increasing momentum. A number who left God’s true Church, following a man or men have continued turning more and

more from God’s TRUTH, until they no longer keep the Sabbath or the Holy Days of God!

Many of Jesus’ disciples, who had learned from Him IN PERSON, and had fellowshipped with Him IN PERSON, went out of His fellowship. “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:66-68). Jesus is IN His Church today. He will never forsake nor leave it. WILL YOU?

Brethren, again, we are to remain steadfast and immovable (through God’s Spirit), forever as PILLARS! “Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 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. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 3:11-13).

Finally, I’ll close with one more paragraph written in the same Brethren and Co-Worker Letter.

Stand steadfast. How much have you prayed so far today? How earnestly and fervently do you pray? You know God speaks of some who honor Jesus with their lips, “but their heart is far from me.”

Let us RENEW our dedication to Jesus Christ, the living Head of God’s Church. We need to draw closer to Him — for I now have to WARN YOU — terrifying days are ahead! Let us each do his part in this great Work of God, to the limit of his ability!

As always, please have a wonderful Sabbath!

Your Brother in Christ,

Gary Liebold