The Destruction of a Religious Empire

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Prior to his death 30 years ago this weekend, Herbert W. Armstrong had been one of the most prominent religious figures of the 20th century. He was watched, read and followed by millions of people worldwide. Regarding his 57-year ministry, United States President Ronald Reagan said, “Mr. Armstrong contributed to sharing the Word of the Lord with his community and with people throughout the nation. You can take pride in his legacy.”

On this program, we do take pride in that legacy. In fact, it serves as a model for what we do around the world. But it hasn’t been easy. After Mr. Armstrong’s death on January 16, 1986, his successors destroyed Mr. Armstrong’s teachings and deceitfully forced new doctrines into the Worldwide Church of God. Those who continued to believe and live the way they always had, were lied to, intimidated and excommunicated.

That led to the establishment of the Philadelphia Church of God. Beginning in 1989, the same God who raised up His Church under Mr. Armstrong went to work raising the ruins. In 1997, the Philadelphia Church of God started reprinting and sending Mr. Armstrong’s literature to the largest audience possible. Immediately, the same leadership that cut down Mr. Armstrong came gunning for this resurrected work, saying it was their “Christian duty” to keep Mr. Armstrong’s works out of print.

A grueling six-year lawsuit ensued in which two churches went head to head over the teachings of Herbert W. Armstrong. The history of that amazing case and its wondrous outcome shines a stark light on what really happened inside the Worldwide Church of God after Herbert Armstrong’s death.

This inside story is explained in this week’s episode of the Trumpet Daily.