After the Bad News—the Good News

Herbert W. Armstrong’s most important prophecies were of the wonderful World Tomorrow.

Herbert W. Armstrong published many warnings over the course of his ministry. He forecast how events would culminate in terrible suffering worldwide, and he provided a lot of detail based on the Bible’s prophecies as to how they would be fulfilled. And he worked very hard to ensure that the overall tone of his message reflected the inspiring event that all those prophecies point to. It is an event that will bring the final, peaceful end of all the prophecies spoken of.

One of the earliest prophecies Mr. Armstrong highlighted, as far back as the 1930s—possibly the first and certainly the most important, was that of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to establish the government of God on Earth in the wonderful World Tomorrow.

Mr. Armstrong first determined to broadcast “the wonderful news of the World Tomorrow” in 1933. Later he wrote, “All I had in mind, as the World Tomorrow program was being planned late in 1933, was to serve God faithfully wherever He should lead …” (Autobiography of Herbert W. Armstrong).

Mr. Armstrong consistently preached the Bible’s message of a utopian future governed by divine principles. He showed how humanity’s attempts at self-governance have led to suffering and chaos, and only God’s intervention will establish a perfect world order. He brought to life the scriptural vision of a transformed Earth under divine rule, characterized by peace, prosperity and universal harmony, contrasting sharply with today’s societal ills.

The Bible foretells the establishment of a divine government—not a human democracy, socialism or any other system but a theocracy led by Christ as King of kings. Trained and qualified officials will be divinely appointed, ensuring just and competent leadership. This top-down structure will eliminate corruption and inefficiency, enforcing God’s spiritual and physical laws to create a harmonious society.

The changes this world is about to witness constitute a transformation all humanity can look forward to! Mr. Armstrong expounded on prophecies of the unification of language, removing barriers to communication and fostering global cooperation. Education will be revolutionized, focusing on God’s truth rather than human philosophies, producing a universally educated populace free from ignorance and falsehood. Economically, the world will see unprecedented prosperity. Jerusalem will become the financial capital, and vast untapped resources will be harnessed to eliminate poverty and famine. Agriculture will flourish under divine guidance, ensuring abundant food supplies. Cities will be rebuilt with beauty and safety, free from slums or pollution, and every neighborhood will be clean and secure. Socially, God’s government will eradicate crime, theft and immorality. Health will improve dramatically as God’s physical laws of healthful living eliminate disease, obesity and addiction. Hospitals will vanish and life spans will increase, creating a vibrant, energetic population.

Spiritually, God’s laws will guide humanity. The Sabbath, set apart for spiritual growth, will anchor a world focused on divine truth rather than material pursuits. Universal adherence to God’s Ten Commandments will produce joy and fulfillment as people live in alignment with their Creator’s purpose.

Mr. Armstrong also explained the cosmic scope of God’s plan, suggesting that humanity, once perfected, will inherit the universe, governing under God’s authority.

Regarding the prophecy of this future world, Mr. Armstrong wrote in 1966, “You don’t have to believe it! It will happen, regardless. It is sure—the world’s only sure hope. This advance good news of tomorrow is as certain as the rising of tomorrow’s sun. Humanity won’t bring it about—it is going to be done to us. Humanity is going to be forced to be happy—to enjoy world peace—to see universal abundance and joy fill the Earth” (The Wonderful World Tomorrow—What It Will Be Like).

This booklet has proved to you how accurate Herbert W. Armstrong’s understanding of the Bible’s prophecies of global events was. That understanding underpinned five decades of accurate and authoritative analysis of circumstances in the world around us. It can give us confidence in grasping the meaning of events and knowing where current trends are leading.

You can have even greater confidence in Mr. Armstrong’s understanding of this hope-filled future! Jesus Christ’s return is certain. He promises to end 6,000 years of human suffering and to establish His glorious rule. This is the future that the Apostle Peter alluded to when he wrote, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19). Revelation 22:16 calls Christ “the bright and morning star.” Revelation 2:28 says that God will give the overcomer “the morning star,” speaking of the Church becoming the Bride of Jesus Christ and shining as He does! This occurs after “the day dawn.” Christ will return, He will meet His saints in the air—and then the day star will rise in the hearts of God’s saints: In a sudden change, members of His Church will become sons of God who look like Christ, and we will become the Bride! That is the hope Peter talked about: the eternal sunrise in our hearts, or our spiritual lives.

Throughout his ministry, Mr. Armstrong encouraged people to prepare for that future by turning to God and obeying the laws that will govern that wonderful world. Serving God today will lead to attaining a role in leading this future world!