UCG has been around since May of 1995. During this time, they claim they have been proclaiming a gospel, yet most people have no idea who they are and what they are about. After three decades of numerous groups splintering off of them and losing a large percentage of their ministers to COGWA, they now realize they should have been proclaiming a gospel message.
Now that Trump has been elected, they claim they have a small opportunity open before them to successfully get their message out. Of course, that will take money, and they are begging for "resources" once again. In COGspeak, "resources" means money (tithes, offerings, estate donations, and more).
Thirty years and their accomplishments are minimal. Sure, they have had numerous office buildings and that stuffed blue puppet named Jelly representing them, but that is about all that they present to the world. They have no dynamic speakers who can arrest the attention of the public. Repackaging old WCG booklets, articles, and World Tomorrow broadcasts has not accomplished much of anything.
People are turned off and will continue to be turned off, with or without Jelly as their public face. They have an unforgiving battle ahead of them when they think they are going to be preaching a gospel "boldly, directly, and authoritatively to all nations".
Oh, and they will be preaching this to ALL CREATION! Even Jelly laughed at this!
The COG's are always on that final gun lap that has never seen a finish line since 1933.
Here in the United States, the long, hotly contested presidential campaign finally and mercifully came to a close a few days ago. You’ve likely heard of the results of the election, and we are thankful to God for the clarity He has provided.
In Romans 13:1, we are reminded, “there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” It is God who we worship, trust and follow. He “removes kings and raises up kings” (Daniel 2:21) and we live and carry out His work in the physical environment He provides.
As we look at the physical “landscape” shaped by the direction God has given, we see that now it is time to be earnestly about His “business.” There is a window of time, however long He determines, for us to preach the gospel boldly, directly and authoritatively in all nations to “every creature” (Mark 16:15), which means to all creation. As God continues to open our eyes, there is still a big work to do to fulfill this aspect of His commission to His Church.
It is a daunting commission when we consider how much has to be done, but we know Jesus Christ is the Head of this Church, and only with His guidance and direction by His Spirit will it be accomplished. We are fully committed here to do that work, but we need and ask for your prayers that God lead us and provide the resources needed to accomplish what needs to be done. Many of you have knowledge and expertise in areas that can be of great help as we do God’s work. God will provide those opportunities for all of us to work together, offering the talents and skills that will contribute to this effort (Ephesians 4:16).
34 comments:
The key sentence is one that the poster chose not to highlight:
Many of you have knowledge and expertise in areas that can be of great help as we do God’s work.
The problem facing UCG is that there are indeed eager UCG members who do have knowledge and expertise they are eager to share, but WCG/UCG culture makes it almost impossible for the ordained ministry to submit to the guidance of the laypeople who have the knowledge and expertise required to get the job done. The lay members whose help might be tolerated will be those with the brownest of noses, not the brightest of ideas.
The ‘gospel’ has been around for a few millennia UCG.
It was not dependent on TV, magazines, YT, podcasts, but on men and women guided and moved by the Spirit of God to proclaim a message of hope of salvation in Jesus Christ who was predestined before the foundation of the world to come and give us freely this gift made possible by His atoning sacrifice. It was not dependent on magnificent auditoriums or campuses or tv studios but by word of mouth. It did not and does not include BI. By their own works the Armstrong movement has discredited the gospel message sadly. But God is merciful and untold numbers are coming to Him globally not dependent on who is in the Oval Office or not. In that I rejoice.
“UCG: We Now Have A Small Window Of Opportunity To Get The Gospel Out”
The original founding commission of the UCG in May 1995 was to get paychecks and retirement plans for some of the former WCG ministers who had been terminated when the WCG's income quickly collapsed after the Great Apostasy of January 1995 in the WCG.
After COGWA split off from the UCG in December 2010, all that was left to do was for the UCG to disappear back into the world.
Does UCG now, finally, after 29 years, think that it has a “small window of opportunity” to do some additional little thing?
"Members"? The UCG governing documents make it plain that only the ordained elders are "members" of UCG. Everybody else just attends.
Comment was made saying: "...UCG has been around since May of 1995. During this time, they claim they have been proclaiming a gospel, yet most people have no idea who they are and what they are about..."
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Most people have no idea b/c the leadership by those hirelings who fled from the former WCG still struggle to figure out who they are and what they are about.
With the ucg man-made group, organization, association it is either God or mammon. Resources? Mammon to financially keep their ministry.
Initially in 1995 United sought to publish the "Good News" magazine to show those who pray/pay may "see" the "work" being done by them. Then, the "Good News" was abandoned.
You could probably pick a dozen members of that organization and ask them to put in writing what the "Good News" is and you would probably get 12 different answers.
Who wrote the following? "...As God continues to open our eyes..."
Where is the proof that the eyes of United's leadership, even its membership, has eyes needing to be opened? Weren't those eyes opened in 1995? Weren't they opened when those of cogwAss. broke off to form their own man-made association? Did those of cogwAss form b/c of so many "blind" eyes, unopened, in the United Ass.?
Time will tell...
John
I'm turned off by the attitude that God gave the church "the truth", and the church is doctrinally complete, and so the job of the church is to preserve and defend the "faith which was once for all delivered", rather than "grow in grace and knowledge". I guess the idea is that the church itself has already reached peak doctrinal truth, and there's nothing more to be added. Individuals should grow in grace and knowledge, by digesting the collection of booklets and materials provided.
I grew up in WCG and then UCG. I reckon I reached "peak UCG" years ago (except for prophetic interpretations). I have questions and doubts but there's nothing I can do with my questions — they are treated as evidence that I'm not well-established in true doctrine, and a threat to unity.
Is UCG pleased to have an incoming president similar to emperor Nero, under whom the early New Testament church had a window of opportunity to accomplish so much?
“It is a daunting commission when we consider how much has to be done, but we know Jesus Christ is the Head of this Church.”
Yes, Christ is the head of His Church, but that BI is not a part of His Great Commission. Just make disciples among all nations. As long as WCG/UCG boast about the British throne, birthright blessings, along with Germany and their prophecy gospel than you can forget it.
Those apostles went out and spread His gospel message and they mentioned nothing about British Israel. That’s Armstrong’s gospel and his commission.
Romans 9:8 This means that children born by natural descent ⌞from Abraham⌟ are not necessarily God’s children. Instead, children born by the promise are considered Abraham’s descendants. (GW)
Tank
This frame of mind is totally predictable. It's what HWA always said in the aftermath of Republican victory. The only thing that would make it funnier would be if Doug Winnail added it to his reruns.
But, it's also totally inappropriate this time around. The real Republicans have been hijacked. The MAGA party is taking control and nobody really knows what will happen as a result. There sure are some rad ideas being circulated!
One thing is certain. There will
be no revival for Armstrongism. These churches are a spent force, doing an exhausted, slowly collapsing run towards the finish line. They'll fall as they cross it if they make it at all!
Be careful what you wish for, COGlodytes!
The prophesies of the book of Revelation are a certainty. They're not going to remain unfulfilled for ever. In the Old Testament, God always warned before allowing disaster, so any informed group needs to make this part of their message.
Then the answer always rests in looking to Jesus Christ, either in his character, his teachings or what he did during his ministry on earth.
He called young fishermen and tax collectors as his disciples whilst the bigheaded religious leaders strutted their stuff in the Temple oblivious to what was happening outside.
So many continue to equate "numbers" with "success". It is God who draws people into The Church. All The Church is to do is preach the gospel, even if no one responds. Those God is working with will hear and respond at the proper time, and we don't know who that is, or when they will respond.
The problem with that, 8:34, is that the collective group known as "Armstrongism" has totally burned its credibility as people whom God has chosen to deliver the message. They've been "Chicken Littleing" the end, the tribulation, and the return of Jesus Christ for many decades now. They had the visibility and the power to be heard up into the '90s, but had already gotten it wrong in 1975, and with their "in 3-5 years" numerous times thereafter.
If this is the time period described in Revelation, another group untainted by past prophetic error will need to emerge and be used by God. Another thing. The messenger can't be someone with secret sins, such as incest. "The world" cannot have an excuse such as that to dismiss the messenger.
In past years, UCG might have been pleased to see Mr. Trump taking office. Many members are.
But President Shabi talked against both Trump and Biden during the campaign. He may be more realistic than some members: https://www.ucg.org/watch/beyond-today/beyond-today-daily/biblical-worldview-would-you-vote-jesus
Be sure, UCG, to incorporate the truth of Eze 45:21 into your "gospel message".
T.H.E.Y. W.O.N.'T.
Leave. Read your Bible with God. The Holy Spirit is in fact God. He will lead you and teach you. Then be led to what’s next.
Another thing 8:34 the one thing is certain with the prophets and the apostles received the message directly from either an angel or the Lord Himself. Whether from Daniel, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Paul, John etc. So the two witnesses in Revelation will also have the same correspondence. All that private interpretation within Armstrongism gotta stop.
Tank
Wrong.
''It is a daunting commission when we consider how much has to be done,..''
Armstrong said he had carried the gospel to the world essentially completing the 'work'. So why is it others say there is still much to be done ?
You’ve likely heard of the results of the election, and we are thankful to God for the clarity He has provided.
In Romans 13:1, we are reminded, “there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.”
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LOL, that's all I got.
As usual, a pitch for money. Boorringgg!
5.50, do you really think that God doesn't consider how a person will be treated if He draws them into the Church? Why should he draw people into an organization if they are going to be fed spiritual milk and persecuted if they show signs of Christian growth?
Okay, then God draws them to UCG, then what happens when people leave and go to COGWA? Does God draw them there?
Sounding very certain in those comments John. Is certainty not dangerous anymore.
Wow, the response to that comment says a lot about the mindset of the people here. But then we knew that already.
You know, the ending of The Book doesn't change because of who won the election.
Sure, had Harris been installed as President things would have moved along much more quickly. Even though Trump won and his policies are much more proper than Harris', the stage will still be set for the total downfall of the USA. For example, pulling back from NATO and forcing the European countries to contribute more will lead to the development of an army that will be used to take us down.
Apparently God has slowed things down a bit but make no mistake, the other side will return with a vengeance and the Left will get the country they desire and the USA will collapse (and deservedly so) . We just don't know when.
In the book of Revelation there are 2 entities other than the church who are quite capable of taking the gospel to the world before the end comes (see Rev.11:3, 14:6). I don't think God has placed all His chips on the splinters. As usual, He has it all planned out and under control.
Not necessarily 9:19. Joseph, David and Esther did not.
Anon, Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 10:58:46 PM PST, wrote:
"Sounding very certain in those comments John. Is certainty not dangerous anymore."
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Well, I did have the opportunity to be one of the eyewitnesses to the Indianapolis (Indy) Conference, May 1-2, 1995. It isn't much, but I'm certain of some things, perhaps more certain today than ever, that the United Ass. (initially Ucgaia) was all a man-made organization of men wanting to be financially supported somehow, and that God wasn't in it, that God was perhaps doing something somewhere else. Just look at the history of all of the fractions/factions fall-out from the United Ass. since it began...and all of them leaders voting themselves in and out of office, especially that "President" office.
Local boards were to be formed with each congregation to be associated with Ucgaia. Oh, yes, the leadership had to eventually get rid of one of them “a” with their acronym, but before too long after the Conference the “board” idea was out the “kitchen” window as the Ass. proceeded to create WCG 2.
It is a man-made association started by a bunch of hirelings who fled from the former WCG thinking they would do better than what they believed was done by God's inspiration through HWA. Time has been telling regarding all of the confusion among them, and where is the Ass. today?
They couldn't imagine God inspiring some Joseph Tkach Sr., while allowing numerous WCG hirelings among them, who were lukewarm, neither hot or cold, to flee, to scatter like they did, because those hirelings had no idea that they were thinking things like: "...I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing;..." ; however, God knew that they: "...knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:"
The hirelings took their “bat and ball” and went “home (something Dave Hulme said he was searching for) to Mommy/daddy (John 8:44; Eph 2:2; James 4:5 2 Tim 2:26, etc.), creating another organization, where they would remain employed, “rich,” and still “increased with goods.” Some of those “WCG goods” were taken with them when they fled from WCG to their newly-invented association. Oh, they did what seemed right in their own eyes, but what is their fruit today? Well, what is their work today?
Again, I will ask who was it that wrote the following: “…As God continues to open our eyes, there is still a big work to do to fulfill this aspect of His commission to His Church. …”
I inserted more context this time, but “…There is still a big work to do?” Huh! This is 4 December 2024!
Did the author of those words ever read the following words?
2 May 1995, last day of the Indy Conference some of Victor Kubik’s words at the final session to one and all there were: “…I don’t want to add anything more to what David Hulme said, but I am very positive. But we have a big work ahead of us, organizing and being able to reconstitute. But the work has been done here…”
I am certain those were the words I heard that day: “…a big work ahead of us…”
To those hirelings of the former WCG, what have you been doing since 2 May 1995 in accomplishing that “big work ahead?” Was the creation of cogwAss., with another “big work ahead” of them a part of that “big work ahead, too?”
How much more time do y’all need? Are y'all certain of that?
Time will tell…
John
Anon 1:12, I know right.
The left knows that there's no one to replace Trump after his last term. Which is why they've "played nice" since his election. They're not burning cities this time. They know they'll be back and on steroids. Another possibility is that God has handed America over to Trump to deal the the country's inevitable economic collapse. Trump would probably make the transition to third world status more orderly. This would parallel WWCG's influence collapsing after HWA's death.
Thank you for your comment 6:20.
I was basically referring to the building currently being constructed mentioned by Paul and others.
Ephesians 2:20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,
What I could have further said was that the correspondence involves either the Lord, angel and/or visions or dreams that come from the 3rd heaven. Sometimes an angel is involved but not directly like to the prophets. For instance David was a king not a prophet, but and angel was involved when he had some failures (Census of Israel and Judah 2 Samuel 24)
1 Chronicles 21:18 Therefore, the angel of the Lord commanded Gad to say to David that David should go and erect an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
1 Chronicles 21:16 Then David lifted his eyes and saw the angel of the Lord standing between earth and heaven, having in his hand a drawn sword stretched out over Jerusalem. So David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell on their faces.
And Joseph, well he gets the visions and dreams. And those dreams came from God from heaven. Or that man of God has the interpretation of that dream like Joseph just like Daniel would later have.
Genesis 37:5 Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more.
Genesis 40:8 And they said to him, “We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it.” So Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please.”
We are talking about prophecy, so the ACOGs come with this prophecy gospel. However they don’t (not yet) have the correspondence of visions/dreams, angels or the Lord Himself directly revealing the specific future to these groups' leaders. (2 Corinthians 12:1-3, Daniel 1:17)
Book of Esther in the Bible never explicitly mentions God's name, many religious interpretations view Esther as deeply connected to God. It may have to do with the female aspect, but the book is inspired and there are wonderful lessons.
That's a great statement.
Tank
While I’ll agree with you on the fact that Europe is getting tired of America’s foreign affairs and military industrial complex. The hypocritical nation that then it’s this administration it does one thing, then the other administration comes in and does another. It’s a house divided (from the inside and out), which cannot stand. It’s just as the Right fault as the Left.
For instance many in the Right can rail against illegal immigration, but if you are business owner, say like owning a few hotels, well you don’t mind hiring a bunch of illegal immigrants so that you don’t have to pay full salary or benefits. Cheap labor, See
I am not at liberty or anyone else to say God has slowed things down, as His ways are higher than our ways. We can simply say, He's right on time. The issue that the ACOGs have is that they look at America as this israelite darling, instead of an empire that it actually is.
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