“Modern Governments, whether it be that of an Autocrat or a Party Caucus … hate to be told uncomfortable truths. To that extent, both are intensely human. But whether they recognize the truth and mend their ways or reject it, both have the habit of crucifying the prophet of truth or, if this less virile epoch shrinks at such drastic action, they exterminate him with a gas cloud of propaganda. However, they have not silenced you yet, thank God, so there is some hope for the Empire still.”

This is from a letter Desmond Morton wrote to Churchill on June 24, 1938, on the eve of what is called the Munich disaster. It was one of hundreds of letters of encouragement he wrote to Churchill during the long wilderness years. With the fate of the British Empire on the line, with deaf and deceived leadership, Churchill was the lone voice warning of Nazi Germany. As Morton said, Churchill was indeed “the prophet of truth.”

Yet Churchill could not have survived the wilderness years, nor proclaimed the detailed warning, without a key network of assistants. The men and women who loyally supported Churchill through that dark decade were some of the greatest patriots of the Empire. His courage and mission inspired many to risk their livelihoods, careers and lives.

As the senior privy counselor in the Conservative Party, Churchill had the legal right to review secret documents, but others broke the Official Secrets Act by bringing the information to Churchill.

Desmond Morton was a chief intelligence officer for the Imperial Defence Committee, specializing in industrial intelligence. He had access to the most accurate figures of Germany’s military industry and its secretive rearmament program. Morton provided documents and intelligence analysis to Churchill at great risk to himself, and he brought constant encouragement.

Ralph Wigram was another. As senior civil servant in the Foreign Office, he had access to top-secret documents that exposed the evil of the Nazi regime and its true military figures, information the government suppressed but Wigram supplied to Churchill.

Torr Anderson was a Wing Commander in the Royal Air Force who provided Churchill vital statistics on true raf fighter strength and vulnerabilities in training and equipment.

Frederick Lindemann, an Oxford professor who was one of Churchill’s closest friends, was Churchill’s primary scientific advisor. He analyzed data and reports, and helped Churchill solve technical issues.

Anthony Eden was a Conservative member of Parliament who supported many of Churchill’s policies. He was the main bulwark against appeasement in the Chamberlain government until he resigned as foreign secretary in February 1938.

Brendan Bracken was another Conservative MP who was a loyal friend throughout the wilderness years, sometimes Churchill’s only supporter in the House of Commons.

Violet Pearman, Grace Hamblin and Kathleen Hill were Churchill’s secretaries and typists. Their contribution was most critical: they would take dictation, find papers for him, and enable him to write prolific amounts of news articles, speeches and books. This often meant long and difficult hours, including going to bed after 3:00 a.m. when Churchill finally finished dictating for the night.

Churchill virtually constructed a shadow government, with his staff operating in a far more efficient manner than that of the British government. His home, Chartwell, became an intelligence center where he compiled secret government reports from different government departments and service branches, creating the most accurate intelligence framework of Nazi Germany’s military power. To the constant frustration of the Baldwin and Chamberlain governments, Churchill was often better informed than they were in the House of Commons.

Most of all, these assistants were Churchill’s companions and a constant source of encouragement.

This history teaches us a vital lesson about the vital role assistants and supporters play in the fulfillment of important events. True Christians today have been called to support the Work of God, which in this era of God’s Church is the great commission to prophesy again to all nations, tongues and kings (Revelation 10:11). This is a warning, watchman message primarily delivered by the watchman, the apostle whom God is using in this era, Gerald Flurry.

While all Christians have the responsibility of personal growth, there is the equally important responsibility of supporting this Work! In fact, the two are intertwined. In the February 1967 Plain Truth, Herbert W. Armstrong wrote, “I have observed that the very first need of every Christian, who is to grow and develop this spiritual character, is to have his heart completely in the Work of God, which the living Christ has called His servants to do, as His instruments.”

A primary way we can have our hearts in the Work, and contribute to the Work, is to be courageous assistants to God’s watchman. This is achieved by prayer and encouragement! Mr. Armstrong wrote in chapter 6 of Mystery of the Ages:

The author, Christ’s apostle, can say emphatically that the apostles, evangelists, pastors and elders could not carry on the work of God without the loyal backing and continual encouragement of the lay members…

Without the fervent and prevailing continual prayers of all members the work could not be accomplished. Without the continual encouragement of lay members and those over them locally, those of us operating from headquarters could not bear up under the persecutions, oppositions, trials and frustrations.

Also in reverse, the lay members need just as urgently the encouragement, teaching, counseling and leadership from headquarters and local pastors…

The assurance of the earnest prayers crying out to God continually from these thousands from all parts of the earth inspire the confidence of faith to persevere in the direction and oversight in this great work!

Everyone in God’s firstfruits has been called to be an assistant. Within the framework of God’s government, we all have the role of assisting the individual above us in the chain of command. This is preparing us to be Christ’s perfect assistant, His perfect helpmeet, in the Kingdom of God (Revelation 19:7).

Can we be loyal, courageous and encouraging assistants to God’s watchman? At this hour of danger, it is our duty.