The original article this was based on was written in 1956 and republished year after year, well into the early 1970s. Each time, the prophecies grew more elaborate.
Then, lo and behold, 1975 came and went, and Herbert backpedaled so fast even GTA couldn’t keep up.
Who could forget that in 1971, construction began on Herbert’s $11 million monument to himself, even as members were still told that 1975 would be the final year before everything hit the fan?
Shortly after this, the Worldwide Church of God, Herbert, and others faced lawsuits over financial mismanagement. Around the same time, the Jonestown tragedy unfolded, with 918 people taking their own lives or being killed by their cult leaders.
Armstrongites took these events as clear signs that the end was near and Satan was furious.
Meanwhile, during this same period, the Jehovah’s Witnesses were also unraveling after proclaiming 1975 as the end times. Given that Herbert Armstrong borrowed heavily from the JWs, it’s no surprise they faced nearly identical problems.
Check out this video about the Jehovah’s Witnesses and 1975. Just swap WCG for JW, and it’s practically the same story.
Hat-tip to a reader here for this: