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PASTOR'S REPORT, July 23, 1979
Page 2
the enemies of this Work. And I am very sorry to report that David Robin
son whom we worked with personally for many, many hours on his problems,
has had to be terminated and now disfellowshipped because of gross dis
loyalty to Mr. Armstrong and this Work.
If we, ourselves, are going to be loyal to Christ, then we must heed
the command of His Apostle: "Mark them which cause divisions and offenses
contrary to the doctrine which you have learned; and avoid them " (Romans
16:17).
Again, we are being "tested" on the key issue of the GOVERNMENT OF GOD!
Some of these rebels try to talk and reason and argue and somehow "slide-,
,�
the whole matter into another realm. But it is just plain DISLOYALTY to
the government of God which all these men and all of us have preached for
years.
Fellows, read again I Samuel 8:1-7. The account here certainly indi
cates that there was a genuine problem and that Samuel may, in fact, have
been slow in acting on it. But even though virtually "all" (verse 4) the
leading men of Israel decided to rebel against the government of God
through Samuel, did that make it right?
NO!
For God said to Samuel: "They have not rejected thee, but they have
rejected ME, that .!_ SHOULD NOT REIGN OVER THEM!"
Down through history, carnal men have ALWAYS seemed to find "fault"
with God's government through His human instruments. Note Acts 7:35-
"ThisMoses whom they refused, saying, 'Who made thee a ruler and a judge?'
The same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the
angel which appeared to him in the bush."
Later, they rejected Samuel. And still later, they crucified Jesus
Christ.
Weren't there some "real" problems extant that the Israelites stumbled
at in the days of Moses and in the days of Samuel?
Of course�
But the rebels failed to see the BIG PICTURE! They failed to recog
nize that, in spite of "real" problems that these men of God had and that
you and.!_ also have, they were still dealing with the government of GOD!
And, as God told Samuel, when we reject a tried and tested white-haired
patriarch or apostle, like Samuel or Mr. Herbert Armstrong, we are reject
ing GOD!
Well, fellows, excuse me again for preaching. But all of us need it
once in awhile--including me--and it appears that many of us need it at
this particular time. For it is so easy to forget that the Living Christ
is directing His Church--fashioning and molding us, trying and "testing"
us--and preparing those who are loyal for responsibilities in His soon
coming government over this entire earth.
I know that the vast
majority
of
you
are loyal, and have stood firm
with us through these several years of trying and testing. Thanks very