Who was Herbert W. Armstrong? By Mark A. Little
Who was Herbert W. Armstrong? Considering Mr. Armstrong has now been dead for over nineteen years, it is a good question to ask. Let's take a look at recent history to see what has occurred in the Church of God since the death of Mr. Herbert Armstrong on January 16, 1986.
The corporate entity called the Worldwide Church of God, which God built through Herbert W. Armstrong has degenerated into a Protestant denomination. It has aligned itself with traditional Protestant teaching, seeking recognition from long established Protestant organizations. There remains almost nothing of the work Herbert W. Armstrong did over the last five decades of his life.
At the death of Herbert W. Armstrong, the Worldwide Church of God had almost 150,000 people keeping the Feast of Tabernacles. There were over one hundred feast sites around the world. Today in contrast, we see small factions of people, claiming to be following what Mr. Armstrong taught, yet unable to come together in peace and harmony. Some are trying to replicate the taking of the gospel to the world in their own way. Each champions itself as the continuation of God's work, ignoring Mr. Armstrong, when he clearly said the prophecy they quote (Matt. 24:14) has already been fulfilled (Mystery of the Ages, pg. 291). Even if one doubts Herbert W. Armstrong's statements on this topic, step back; take a look at what is going on, or better yet what is not going on. Compare the work of these groups today with what Mr. Armstrong did. What we see is a confused effort on the part of various groups trying to do something that has already been completed.
Among these factions, which broke away from the Worldwide Church of God are those who still observe certain beliefs taught by Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong, but are in great disagreement on other beliefs he taught. For example, there are associations, which are not subject to the government of God on earth as administered through His ministers. This was the problem Mr. Armstrong so aptly described in a special Worldwide News, dated, June 24, 1985 entitled “Recent History of the Philadelphia Era of the Worldwide Church of God.” The people he spoke of despised being subject to authority and therefore will never be in God's Kingdom until they repent of such rebellious attitudes against God. Those of you who have read that article know what I'm saying is true.
Yet, amidst all the confusion, remember, none of the controversy we see swirling around the Church of God today would even be happening if it were not for the existence of Mr. Armstrong and the work God did through him. I would not be writing this article asking who Herbert W. Armstrong was. The forum in which I have chosen to publish this article, The Journal, would not be a publication. Further, none of the groups who have splintered away from the WCG would even be in place trying to serve people. They would not be keeping the Holy Days of Leviticus 23, if it were not for Mr. and Mrs. Herbert W. Armstrong keeping those same Holy Days by themselves for seven years.
Finally, the groups that do have ministers, regardless of how they feel about Herbert W. Armstrong, would not have any ordained leadership had they not been made so by Mr. Armstrong or men appointed by him. Today, many of these men will not so much as mention Mr. Armstrong's name! If they do, there is generally some subtle or blatant putdown to go along with it. Since Herbert W. Armstrong's death we now find many of these ministers were in great disagreement with him, yet had no problem taking a paycheck from the Worldwide Church of God when he was alive. They did not speak out about their disagreements when he was alive, knowing they would be fired for speaking things contrary to God's Word. Now these men have no problem speaking out. They can teach God's people what they want, whether it agrees with God's Word or not.
To really understand who Herbert W. Armstrong was, we must go back and examine his life. We have to look at his life in its entirety. I have noticed that people use material Mr. Armstrong wrote early in his ministry to argue a point. It is not fair to take this approach, since Mr. Armstrong was continually learning from the Bible until the day he died. Before God called him, Herbert W. Armstrong was not a religious man. His focus was on a successful career in the business world. If you have not done so in a while, read the Autobiography of Herbert W. Armstrong, Volumes 1 and 2, to really understand the life of this unique man. Mr. Armstrong had no interest in religion and when his wife challenged him on the Sabbath question, he thought she had lost her mind. He was also confronted with the theory of evolution, a subject on which he was admittedly ignorant. These two topics lead to intensive studies, which set in motion a lifetime of studying God's Word for the true answers to life's big questions.
Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong was forced to admit he was wrong on the Sabbath challenge. He could not prove where the Bible said to keep Sunday. Regarding the theory of evolution, Mr. Armstrong conclusively proved the theory wrong, that instead there was a real God who created all things. These challenges, coupled with two business failures, caused Mr. Armstrong to take a long, hard look at himself. What he saw was a man in opposition to the Great God and thus in need of deep spiritual change. Despite severe financial hardship and religious antagonism, Herbert W. Armstrong studied and followed what he learned from the pages of God's Word.
This study eventually led Mr. Armstrong into the ministry, but not by his own choosing. A small group of people in Oregon felt Herbert W. Armstrong was a sincere believer in God's Word, and that he had proven himself to be a faithful teacher. This group of simple and sincere people rallied around Mr. Armstrong for spiritual guidance and direction. Mr. Armstrong faced many obstacles from ministers and people who claimed to be believers of God's Word, but in actuality were not. The same is true today. Men claiming to be God's ministers are in fact opposing what God says in the Bible. It is an individual's responsibility to check out such men and to judge them by their fruits. Throughout his entire life, Herbert W. Armstrong refused to be stopped by those who opposed him.
Over the years, the impact of Herbert W. Armstrong began to be felt. God blessed his life and work. He established a radio broadcast and started a magazine, both of which grew to include audiences of millions. This cannot be said today of the groups trying to replicate what Mr. Armstrong did in taking the gospel to the world. Combined, their impact is a dismal drop in the bucket. It is obvious to any converted mind that God IS NOT blessing their efforts.
From a small operation in Eugene, Oregon, Herbert W. Armstrong relocated to Pasadena, California, where he could have better access to media facilities. God's work continued to grow quickly into the 1960's. Then in the late 1960's problems began to surface. This culminated with the turbulent 1970's, which saw the growth that God had given, during many years of Mr. Armstrong's hard work, disappear to almost nothing.
This disaster was caused by an infestation of false doctrine and false teachers, which caused God to remove His blessings. As a result, the message and its impact were vastly reduced. During this time Plain Truth circulation dropped from five million to just over one million magazines per month. After heart failure and an attempted takeover by the State of California, Herbert W. Armstrong returned, filled with fire and energy to get God's Work “back on the track.” This was something he talked about in nearly every sermon he gave in the final years of his life. God blessed Mr. Armstrong's efforts and it is evident by the following numbers. At the time of his death, the Plain Truth was being published in seven languages, with a circulation of over eight million copies per month. The World Tomorrow Program was viewed on over four hundred television stations around the world. Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong was also in near continuous contact with many world leaders. Yes, truly, Mr. Armstrong did take the gospel to the “world as a witness.”
When Herbert W. Armstrong died, he had accomplished putting the Church back on the track. The correct doctrines were restored, but the hearts of the people were a different matter. In several sermons during his final years, Mr. Armstrong wondered whether fifty percent of the brethren were converted. He also questioned whether the ministry was really getting it. Well, did the brethren and ministry get it? Take a look around. What do you see? What you see is mass confusion in the Church of God. Few truly understand what has happened and why. Yet, the reason for this confusion is clearly stated in the Bible. In another article I will plainly show you from God's Word, why we are in this mess and where we are in Bible prophecy.
Today, numerous people display great animosity toward Mr. Armstrong, while others are indifferent. If you feel either way, then perhaps this article has been of no value to you. If on the other hand you do respect and appreciate the life and work of Herbert W. Armstrong and want to Hold Fast to the biblical truth you learned through him, then you can get help. There are people scattered across this country and around the world who do appreciate and still follow the teachings we learned from Herbert W. Armstrong. They recognize that Matthew 24:14 is a prophecy that has NOW BEEN FULFILLED, and they are getting ready for the return of Christ. Getting the Church ready was the commission Mr. Armstrong gave Joseph Tkach Sr., but instead Mr. Tkach took the Church back into “mainstream Christianity.” Herbert W. Armstrong completed his commission and now rests with the dead saints, waiting for the remnant of the Church to get ready to meet Christ.
If you recognize who Herbert W. Armstrong was and realize time is growing short to get prepared for Christ's return, then request your FREE INTRODUCTORY PACKET. It will be sent to you with no follow-up unless you request it.
About the Author: Mark Little is a 1995 graduate of Ambassador College. He resides in Western North Carolina with his wife Trish, 2 daughters Kara and Melody and 2 sons Phinehas and Gideon.
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