Herbert Armstrong's Tangled Web of Corrupt Leaders

Thursday, September 9, 2021

UCG: Always Finding An Excuse To Look Backward Instead of Forward

 



From Victor Kubik


As disciples of Jesus Christ, we in the Church of God hold the marvelous gift of truth from God Himself. As Jesus declared to His disciples in the first century, “truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it” (Matthew 13:17, English Standard Version, emphasis added throughout). 
 
In many respects, the New Testament serves as an illuminating and eloquent commentary on the truth revealed in the Old Testament. Isaiah declares to us that “The LORD was pleased, for his righteousness’ sake, to magnify his law and make it glorious” (Isaiah 42:21, ESV). 
 
That’s exactly what Jesus did in His first-century ministry, as we read in Matthew: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:17-20, ESV). 
 
All Old Testament prophecies and teachings ultimately reflect and point to the coming of Jesus as the Savior of humanity and future King of Kings in the coming Kingdom of God. The apostle John reveals: “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). 
 
Of course, we understand that we as humans cannot keep the law perfectly, nor can we somehow “earn” salvation by keeping it as a service of works. As Paul emphasizes to us: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). 
 
Importantly, that does not change what Jesus said about those who try to “relax” the standard of the commandments, including the keeping of the weekly seventh-day Sabbath and the annual Holy Days. The commandments and teachings—embodied by the Word of God—guide our behavior. They tell us how to worship God. They provide incredible insight into both past and future trends. They give us sustaining comfort when we’re in painful trials and tribulations. They show us how to succeed, even in this earthly existence. They guide us on the spiritual pathway to transformation and how to put on the new man (Ephesians 4:24).

22 comments:


  1. “Importantly, that does not change what Jesus said about those who try to 'relax' the standard of the commandments, including the keeping of the weekly seventh-day Sabbath and the annual Holy Days.” -- Victor Kubik


    Loser Kubik emphasizes the importance of people attending meetings weekly and annually to listen to the newly-credentialed fake “ministers” babble, but does not dare to say anything about all the very bad behavior of all the very bad people who go to the meetings to behave so very badly.

    It would be much too embarrassing, and maybe even too dangerous, to take anyone you really care about to a godless cult like the disUnited Church of Godlessness.

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    1. I didn't know you had the ability to read hearts and minds...interesting.

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  2. "Of course, we understand that we as humans cannot keep the law perfectly.........."

    Why not? Well, it is difficult when you're preaching tithing and seven feasts.

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  3. Relaxing the standards is UCGs calling card. It's why they had a major split. It seems that the message is that there's a limit to the relaxing. They fear becoming the Wild Wild West church of God.

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  4. “The Hebrew language has a peculiarity when it comes to the looking back at the past and facing the future – it has the two concepts switched up entirely.

    The word for yesterday, אתמול (etmol) is connected to the concept of being opposite to, or facing something. We are facing and looking directly at the past, not the future. Equally, the word for tomorrow, מחר (machar) is connected to the concept of being behind or after.“

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  5. You can't say UCG fails to mention Jesus. He does here - several times.

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  6. Ironically, the many UCG members who choose to stay at home or to fellowship with a few nearby Sabbath-keepers are actually doing a better job of keeping God's Sabbath, as opposed to UCG's "drive for three hours and buy gas and food on your trip" version to which they've subjected their members for decades.

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    1. In fairness all ACOG's do that. All the splits has made the dristance longer and longer.

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  7. This Splinterist preacher follows the standard Armstrongist model of asserting that the law has actually become more stringent under Christ. Further, it is written on the heart. So one must be more of a Pharisee than the Pharisees to be in good standing with God.

    If the Stringency Model is really believed in Splinterdom, why is it that none of these splinterists keep the Feast of Tabernacles as prescribed in the OT? Should not their righeousness exceed that of the Pharisees? Maybe he should announce to his wife she is going to sleep in a brush arbor this year. Suddenly, the term "trial" would become more than an homiletic abstraction.

    ******** Click on my icon for Disclaimer

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    1. Many brethren have booths of all different sorts Neo. The pandemic has made it more acceptable to reveal.

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  8. Anon 6:09 - Yes, traveling by any mode outside the city limits is restricted. Although "Sabbath day's journey" is a manmade limitation, it was still worth mentioning in Acts.

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  9. I wear sandals a lot. But, if I'm walking long distances, or hiking, I always wear my running shoes. In ancient times, Mr. Nike and Mr. Adida had not been born yet. So, a sabbath day's journey was probably just short of the distance at which your feet were trashed.

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    1. Hmmmm go research roman sandals 4:59. They could give your Nikey's a run for their over priced, slave made money.

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  10. UCG & the other COGs count on proof-texting and their followers not to check on their accuracy. Kubic mentions Matthew 5:17 -20 - which is one of the many passages that disproves Armstrongism:
    For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

    The Armstrongists will use this verse to insist that the law has not changed and that we must keep the Old Covenant law today.

    If you ask a COGlodyte if animal sacrifices or circumcision are still required – they will probably say no. However, they will divert or end the conversation when they notice that they’re caught in acknowledging that some very big jots and titles have passed from the law.
    If they COGlodytes were intellectually and spiritually free and honest they would admit that the whole law must be fulfilled, if the law on animal sacrifices and circumcision has changed.

    However, the deceived and the brainwashed COGlodytes cannot see the truth. Those are the people Kubic depends on to keep his cult in business.

    Jesus atoned for our sins and fulfilled the law.

    Colossians 2:14
    having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

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  11. 1 Timothy 1:8-11

    8 But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and worldly, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the [f]sexually immoral, homosexuals, [g]slave traders, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.

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  12. So what are you saying, 5:20, that we should throw out all the law including the decalogue? What? Jesus wiped out the requirements (Col 2:14) of the commandments prohibiting lying, adultery, murder and sabbath-keeping?

    So you want to get yourself in trouble with both God and man?

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  13. Anon 9/11 @5:20am,


    animal sacrifices

    According to Lev 17:11, animal sacrifices are to be done only on the altar. No legitimate Temple, no sacrifice.

    Hos 3:4-5 states that the children of Israel will abide many days (years/centuries/millennia) without a king, priest, sacrifice, temple.

    Eze 37 describes the future reunification of the Houses of Israel and Judah. As a combined nation, they will be under a descendant of David who will be their king.

    Starting from Eze 40, we read the description and dimensions of a future Third Temple where animal sacrifices will be reinstituted. Aaronic priesthood will be restored but only the sons of Zadok will be able to minister to YHVH (Eze 44:10-19).


    circumcision

    Gen 17:9-11 And God said to Abraham: “As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you.

    Deu 10:12-16 And now, Israel, what does YHVH your God require of you, but to fear YHVH your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve YHVH your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of YHVH and His statutes which I command you today for your good? ... Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer.

    Deu 30:1-6 “Now it shall come to pass, when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where YHVH your God drives you, and you return to YHVH your God and obey His voice, according to all that I command you today, you and your children, with all your heart and with all your soul, that YHVH your God will bring you back from captivity, and have compassion on you, and gather you again from all the nations where YHVH your God has scattered you. ... And YHVH your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love YHVH your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.

    Eze 44:9 states that foreigners who are circumcised in the flesh and heart will be allowed to enter the Third Temple.

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  14. The COGs are obsessed with old covenant law and know nothing about what the law is under the New Covenant.

    Hebrews 8:9 The New Covenant will not be like the Old Covenant

    Hebrews 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.

    Worshipping Old Covenant law while rejecting New Covenant law will only lead to weeping and teeth gnashing.

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  15. Anon 9/11 @12:57pm,


    New Covenant

    Do you know what Heb 8:9 is saying? Have you compared Heb 8:8b-12 to Jer 31:31-34? Notice that it's almost the same thought except in Heb 8:9b vs Jer 31:32b (see here).

    Are we living in the times of the New Covenant? Read Jer 31:34 (Heb 8:11). Does this describe the condition we live in? It seems you are aware of this by your statement - NC will not be like. The New Covenant is still in the future.

    What will be 'New' in the New Covenant? Jer 31:33 (Heb 8:10). YHVH will put His Torah in their minds, and write it on their hearts. What happens to the 'old' Covenant when there is a 'New' Covenant? What happens to the 'old' moon when there is a 'new' moon? New covenant in Hebrew is 'brit chadasha'. New moon in Hebrew is 'chodesh'. Both 'chadasha' and 'chodesh' have the same root word 'chadash'. New moon can be called 'renewed' moon. New Covenant is NOT 'replacement covenant' but a renewing of the Covenant!

    With whom will the NC be made? Jer 31:31 (Heb 8:8). The New Covenant will be made with the House of Israel and the House of Judah. Which Christians are the 'spiritual' House of Israel? Which ones are the 'spiritual' House of Judah? Is this passage speaking of 'spiritual type'? Who are the people whose ancestors YHVH took by the hand to lead them out of Egypt? Jer 31:32a (Heb 8:9a). English is not my first language but I believe ancestor or father is referring to physical ancestry. Yes, it is likely that there are Christians who are not aware that their ancestors were from the House of Israel. But Christians collectively will not be party to the New Covenant in Jer 31.


    Priesthood in the Third Temple

    Eze 40:45-47 Then he said to me, “This chamber which faces south is for the priests who have charge of the temple. The chamber which faces north is for the priests who have charge of the altar; these are the sons of Zadok, from the sons of Levi, who come near YHVH to minister to Him.

    Eze 44:13, And they shall not come near Me to minister to Me as priest, nor come near any of My holy things, nor into the Most Holy Place; but they shall bear their shame and their abominations which they have committed.

    Eze 44:15-16 “But the priests, the Levites, the sons of Zadok, who kept charge of My sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from Me, they shall come near Me to minister to Me; and they shall stand before Me to offer to Me the fat and the blood,” says Adonai YHVH. “They shall enter My sanctuary, and they shall come near My table to minister to Me, and they shall keep My charge."

    Never in the past Temples was the Aaronic priesthood divided between the sons of Zadok and those who are not. In the Third Temple, they will have different chambers. Only the sons of Zadok will be allowed to serve the altar.


    Would you be able to cite the Tanakh verse where it says there would be a Melchizedek priesthood? I suggest that you check first the Hebrew word of 'order' and compare it with what Deuteronomy is called in Hebrew.

    Also, where is the verse where you got your last statement?

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  16. The New Covenant is here, now, holy, eternal, righteousness-producing, and life-giving:

    Hebrews 8:13
    The Old Covenant is obsolete

    Luke 22:20
    Jesus instituted the new covenant.

    Hebrews 8:1
    Jesus is our current high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,

    Hebrews 8:6
    Jesus is superior to all other priesthoods and his covenant is superior to the old covenant, since the new covenant is established on better promises.

    Hebrews 7:11
    God demands perfect holiness and perfection could not be gained through the law or Levitical priesthood

    Romans 10:4
    Jesus is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

    Romans 5:21
    so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to Jesus bring eternal life through Christ our Lord.

    2 Corinthians 3:6
    We are ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life

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  17. resubmitting ...

    Anon 9/11 @5:20am,


    The first lie in the bible

    Gen 3:4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.

    The serpent contradicted and added to God's words ...

    Gen 2:16-17 And YHVH God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.


    Pauline author's words vs YHVH's words

    Col 2:14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

    The author of Colossians is saying the Torah is against us ...


    Neh 9:13 “You came down also on Mount Sinai, and spoke with them from heaven, and gave them just ordinances and true laws, good statutes and commandments."

    NB1: 'just' from Heb yashar, meaning straight or right; H3477
    NB2: 'true' from Heb emeth; meaning firmness, faithfulness, truth; origin is aman where we get the word amen; H571
    NB3: 'good' from Heb towb; meaning beautiful; H2896


    Ps 19:7-11 The law (Heb torah) of YHVH is perfect, converting the soul;
    The testimony of YHVH is sure, making wise the simple;
    The statutes of YHVH are right, rejoicing the heart;
    The commandment of YHVH is pure, enlightening the eyes;
    The fear of YHVH is clean, enduring forever;
    The judgments of YHVH are true and righteous altogether.
    More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward.

    NB1: 'perfect' from Heb tamim; meaning complete, sound, blameless. The same Hebrew word used to describe sacrifices and Passover; H8549
    NB2: 'sure' from Heb aman; meaning 'to confirm', support; H539
    NB3: 'right' from Heb yashar, meaning straight or right; H3477
    NB4: 'pure' from Heb bar; meaning pure, clean; H1249
    NB5: 'clean' from Heb tahor; meaning clean, pure; H2889
    NB6: 'true' from Heb emeth; meaning firmness, faithfulness, truth; H571
    NB7: 'righteous' from Heb tsadeq; meaning 'to be just' or righteous; H6663

    Ps 119:1-176 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of YHVH. ...

    NB1: 'Blessed' from Heb esher; meaning happiness, blessedness; H835
    NB2: 'blameless' from Heb tamim; meaning complete, sound, blameless. The same Hebrew word used to describe sacrifices and Passover; H8549


    There is no truth that the Torah is against us.

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  18. Anon wrote on 9/12 @12:44pm, The New Covenant is here, now, ...


    Jer 31:33-34 (KJV) But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith YHVH, I will put my law (Heb torah) in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. AND they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know YHVH: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith YHVH: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

    Notice how v34 starts with 'AND' signifying that it's a continuation or part of the previous sentence. How is the New Covenant characterized? Aside from YHVH putting His Law/Torah in their minds and writing it on their hearts, no longer will there be a need to preach the name of YHVH because, by that time, there will already be a universal knowledge of YHVH!

    Click here for the parallel versions of v34. Notice that KJV starts with 'And' but the NKJV doesn't. Now click the first link above (Jer 31:33-34) and it will show you the interlinear for v34. Hebrew is written from right to left. The first Hebrew letter is a 'vav' which is transliterated here to 'wae-lo' and underneath that is marked 'Conj-w' meaning 'Conjunctive waw' (I use Hebrew vav instead of their usage of waw). As for '-lo', do you remember lo-ammi and lo-ruhamah in Hosea 1? The 'lo' means no or not as 'not my people' (lo-ammi) and 'no mercy' (lo-ruhamah). Going back to the parallel versions, notice how translations such as NKJV dropped the conjunction 'And' while other translations retained it (e.g. Brenton Septuagint).

    Click here for the parallel versions of Heb 8:11. It's the same story for KJV and NKJV.

    Both Tanakh and Septuagint agree that v34 starts with a conjunction. At present, there are still various religious groups/affiliations preaching their own version of God which is contrary to the condition described in Jer 31:34 and Heb 8:11. The New Covenant is NOT yet here ...

    As for your quote of Luke, it's not the New Covenant being described in Jer 31 and Heb 8:8-11. In other threads, some have used the term 'Church Covenant' for this.

    Do you know of any covenant made by YHVH that was described in Tanakh as being obsolete or old, implying it has been replaced? Please cite the Tanakh verse.

    Jer 34:18 mentions a ritual where a calf was cut in two and someone passed between the parts. This was how a Covenant was made/cut. The term is literally 'cutting a covenant'.

    Gen 15:17-18, And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces. On the same day YHVH made (Heb karath meaning to cut, H3772) a covenant with Abram, …

    Can the animals that were cut be uncut, or put back together? No. So with the covenant, what YHVH made cannot be broken. When YHVH 'cut' a covenant, it cannot be 'uncut'.

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