UCG has an article from John Elliot on why the Sabbath is still commanded for UCG members, which ultimately leads to this comment about "upgrading" their observance standards and actions:
All humans are imperfect and we need to “upgrade” our Sabbath observance to fully keep it holy in accordance with both God’s original and His magnified commands. When we observe the Sabbath properly, it is a two-way sign identifying the true God and identifying His true children (Exodus 31:13-17).
Elliot seems to forget that the children of God are identified in a better way than through sabbath keeping. Their identity is secured in Christ, not in a day. Their rest is in Christ, not in a day when they turn on their TV's so they can sing along with Jelly about the Sabbath.
The Ten Commandments and all the Law remain in force today (Matthew 5:18). The Ten Commandments alone did not fully exemplify God’s mindset, nor did they completely codify God’s Law for the New Covenant saints. Consequently, Jesus came, in part, to “fill-full/magnify” them to their full spiritual intent (Matthew 5:17).
Jewish leaders of His day were considered examples of obedience to the letter of the Law within their culture. But Jesus said that unless our righteousness exceeds theirs, we will not even be in God’s Kingdom (Matthew 5:20). From the President...
The seventh-day Sabbath was the covenant sign of the Mosaic Law given to national Israel. Christians are under the New Covenant, in which Christ is our rest (Matthew 11:28–30; Hebrews 4). We are free to honor any day (or no day) as special, but no day, including Saturday, is commanded or required. That is why the overwhelming majority of Christians throughout history and today do not treat the seventh-day Sabbath as binding.
When Jesus says our righteousness needs to exceed that of the religious leaders, He wasn’t stating they were righteous. They weren’t. He wasn’t giving anyone a pep talk to “try harder” in fact all of that would make people feel very depressed. Because an honest assessment of anyone would show, we are NOT righteous, nor can a sincere believer ever think they can on their own, be righteous. No one is righteous, nor will ever be considered righteous.
ReplyDelete“as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;”
Romans 3:10 ESV
Only in Christ are any of us considered righteous. And His righteousness is counted as our righteousness.
“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:”
Romans 3:21-22 ESV
And yes, Believing is what is required of children of God. Not a mainstream idea, but rather instruction from Jesus Himself.
Believe.
Hope this helps someone.
Yes helps and best to you as the New Year approaches
DeleteWell said. For Abraham believed in God and it was accounted to him as righteousness, and that before Sinai and yet while uncircumcised. And for the law and the prophets were until John, and the Law was but a tutor to bring us to Christ. Revolutionary stuff and yet still the Armstrong movement is oblivious to this. It is not by effort or striving that we are saved but by His mercy as the book of Romans so clearly tells us. We can’t earn it, salvation is a gift. To ‘upgrade’ their Sabbath observance, a gospel of works then? What does that mean? Await an answer from ucog.
DeleteI asked a LCG associate what makes us at peace with God, and offered two choices:
DeleteA) the Sabbath
or
B) Justification
The LCG associate refused to answer, so I asked if he wanted any clues from Holy Scripture.... he still refused to respond.
I think this LCG associate suspected that the correct answer was B, due to having consistently seleced the COG-indoctrination but wrong choice in previous challenges; however, his stubborn preference for venerating the Sabbath made him turn his back and close his mind to avoid any biblical concept not taught by the ACOGs.
Anon, Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 11:13:46 AM PST, wrote:
DeleteWhen Jesus says our righteousness needs to exceed that of the religious leaders, He wasn’t stating they were righteous. They weren’t. He wasn’t giving anyone a pep talk to “try harder” in fact all of that would make people feel very depressed. Because an honest assessment of anyone would show, we are NOT righteous, nor can a sincere believer ever think they can on their own, be righteous. No one is righteous, nor will ever be considered righteous.
“as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;”
Romans 3:10 ESV
Only in Christ are any of us considered righteous. And His righteousness is counted as our righteousness.
“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:”
Romans 3:21-22 ESV
And yes, Believing is what is required of children of God. Not a mainstream idea, but rather instruction from Jesus Himself.
Believe.
Hope this helps someone.
******
Matthew 5:20 "For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed [the righteousness] of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."
The scribes and Pharisees had a righteousness, perhaps something like a self-righteousness.
The Apostle Paul mentions 2 righteousness's:
Philippians 3:9 "And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:"
The leaders in the United Ass., and hirelings of other split-off organizations from the former WCG, still preach a salvation by works, by self, by law-keeping, by works of self, which is not the righteousness which is of God by faith: by God's Spirit.
Where did Jesus' righteousness come from?
His God, His Father: "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:" 1 Cor 1:30
And the praise and glory goes to God the Father: not Jesus.
"Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God." Philippians 1:11
There is more to God's fruits than just love, joy, peace...faith, meekness, and temperance (Eph 5:9; Heb 12:11; James 3:18).
Christ, of Himself, said He could do nothing. God works (Acts 15:18; Heb 4:3) things out by His Spirit (Zech 4:6).
The President of the United Ass. has yet to learn that the following is absolutely true:
"That no flesh should glory in his presence." 1 Cor 1:29
For example, belief, to believe, is very important, and yes, Abraham believed God, but why? Was it because of self? No, Abram, even before his name was changed to Abraham, was already the workmanship of God's hands. God does use people, like pawns (not robots or automatons) and it is by God's Spirit. Proof?
"And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his (see :17 "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of...") power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power," Eph 1:19
Rather than give praise and glory to Jesus' God, Jesus' Father, it appears that Pres John Elliot of the United Ass. believes that he may encourage his followers to "upgrade" their righteousness and perhaps "be like me:" John Elliot, but will any of them, of and by SELF, really "upgrade" their righteousness and exceed the righteousness of scribes and Pharisees of Jesus' day when He walked this earth?
Time will tell...
John
It is most convenient for UCG (and others) to demand a sabbath and law upgrade because coming with that is the all important demand for tithes which they falsely claim applies today.
ReplyDeleteThe best thing to happen to COG's this year was the life (and perhaps even the death) of Charlie Kirk.
ReplyDeleteKirk's claim to keep a weekly Sabbath rest largely was overlooked by COG's before he was killed.
Now they consider it one of his most significant legacies - and his example something to be upgraded, since he still worshiped on Sundays.
I upgraded my Sabbath years ago to version 2.0. This version's name is Jesus.
ReplyDeleteYou upgraded yourself to have zero accountability and the name of Jesus is really only staus symbol to you.
DeleteFor you pride yourself in doing wickness to others whom you despise, whilst be held accountable to none.
Doing wickness to others? I've followed xHWA's website off and on for years, and he has never once mentioned Santerria candle-making, or despising others!
DeleteHey! I always try to upgrade my hobbies.
ReplyDeleteInteresting how their "upgrading" always ignores minister abuse of members. Their "you're not enough" mantra never applies to the ministers since they regard themselves as junior gods who need no improving.
ReplyDeleteLet us labour therefore to enter into that rest.......Heb 4:11 KJV. In Christ. Still future apparently......
ReplyDelete"But no day, including Saturday, is commanded or required"
ReplyDeleteWhat hypocrisy when you go out of your way to build up December 25th elsewhere.
What utter hypocrites you really are with one foot in every camp.
9.44 what utter hypocrites
DeleteNo one I have read builds up December 25 it is merely a memorial some like to have , like their own birthday.
If you wish to observe sabbath that's fine but best not to criticize too much if a believer may meet on a Sunday as a memorial of Christ's resurrection.
xHWA is right. Christians have already been upgraded to the new Sabbath in its fulfillment: Jesus.
ReplyDeleteIn the same way, we also have an upgraded sacrificial lamb: Jesus.
It's all Jesus. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.
In keeping with the spirit and rhythm of the Sabbath commandment, which is an offering of time dedicated to the worship of God, the "first day of the week" became the Christian day of liturgical worship. Why? Because Jesus. That's the day the Gospel writers conspicuously emphasized as the day the risen Jesus appeared to his disciples after the Resurrection (which is no small event).
Just as the covenant of Jesus followed the covenant of Moses, so the first day of the week follows the last day. Just as light entered the world on the first day of Creation (Genesis 1), so the True Light came to inaugurate the New Creation (John 1). There are plenty of good reasons the apostolic Church began observing Sunday going back to the first century.
One problem COGs tend to have is not being able to accept the clear distinction between laws of morality and laws of ritual. The entire system of Mosaic ritual law, as it was practiced, no longer remains.
We are now under the law of Christ, which of course includes immutable moral laws of right and wrong, but also distinctly Christian practices and commands.
The Church is Israel 2.0, not Israel 1.1.
UCG needs to upgrade their speakers. Most of the orators are old and tired.
ReplyDeleteI gotta upgrade my UCG bitchez. They all gettin up there and not bringing in the money like they used to.
ReplyDeleteYou're not even remotely a Chtistian, nevermind a Levite descendant.
DeleteBut what is the Devine or Biblical mandate that the International Dateline is to be placed in the middle of the Pacific Ocean? If, truly, it’s to be in the middle of the Atlantic traditional Sabbath Services in the New World have been off by a day; not on the “true Sabbath.”
ReplyDeleteWhen Columbus landed in the New World, in 1492, it was already occupied by humans, who, also, were mandated by Holy Scripture to Keep the Sabbath; which came, uninterrupted with their ancestors from the Old World. In this historic, original arrangement the International Dateline would have been in the Atlantic.
Who, then, had the authority to relocate the Dateline, and thereby change the date of the weekly Sabbath when Europeans settled and conquered the New World?
Then, according to Scripture, when is the authentic Sabbath above the Arctic Circle, where at certain times of the year a “day,” the setting and rising of the sun, lasts for several months?
Pretty strong evidence that strict, calendar-defined Sabbath-keeping was for a certain people, in a certain geographic area, for a certain time period; only before the New Covenant reigned.
Yeah, and the Holy Days are upside down with the seasons in the Southern Hemisphere. So, apparently God was Northern Hemisphere centric!
DeleteYou can add hours, or subtract hours from your sabbath if you are on a cross-country airplane trip!
The New Covenant is all about God taking what He started as a local Mesopotamian phenomenon with one tribal family, and expanding it into an inclusive, world-class event which could be embraced by all people and all cultures around the world. That is why British Israelism is such a slap in the face to God. BI redefines "Israelites" in accordance with racial characteristics, instead of the circumcised heart which defines them in the New Testament! (and singles biological Israelites out as the best, with the best possible reward, which would make God the racist who actually created diversity in races!) Peter's dream, and Paul's epistles offer a not so subtle hint in God's intentions during the era of Jesus, but nooooooo! HWA had to go and yank the rug out from under that!
DeleteBB
Matthew 18:18 "..whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven'"
DeleteGod gives the church the responsibility to deal with technicalities such as Sabbath date lines. Nice try, but no cigar.
Byker Bob, aka BB, Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 4:53:15 PM PST, wrote:
DeleteThe New Covenant is all about God taking what He started as a local Mesopotamian phenomenon with one tribal family, and expanding it into an inclusive, world-class event which could be embraced by all people and all cultures around the world. That is why British Israelism is such a slap in the face to God. BI redefines "Israelites" in accordance with racial characteristics, instead of the circumcised heart which defines them in the New Testament! (and singles biological Israelites out as the best, with the best possible reward, which would make God the racist who actually created diversity in races!) Peter's dream, and Paul's epistles offer a not so subtle hint in God's intentions during the era of Jesus, but nooooooo! HWA had to go and yank the rug out from under that!
******
Excellent points BB! God, no respecter of persons, is not the racist! The god of this present evil world is.
HWA apparently didn't quite believe the gospel preached to Abraham:
"And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, [saying], In thee shall all nations be blessed." Galatians 3:8
What did Abram know?
Genesis 12:1 "Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."
Will all nations/families of the earth be blessed? Yes, if it is God's Will be done, and...
Time will tell...
John
1:19 I wondered when the failed UCG white paper of 2010/2011 was going to rear it's ugly head...and then forth appeared your comment.
DeleteI guess God gives his church the responsibility to deal with Christ coming date times as well? Oops a major technicality of 1975. Something wasn't bound on earth as it is in heaven on that one. And BB is correct, it is about the circumcision of the heart, that is why Christ kept telling the religious leaders to clean out the inside of the cup. God test the heart and mind, but BI influences the minds of people that physical Israelites are better and have a higher relationship with God and therefore should have the top positions in certain splinter organization.
DeleteIt's a day (Greek hemera) in Acts 13:14; 16:13, after Christ's resurrection.
ReplyDeleteMore strictness. It's trying to be more justified or righteous
ReplyDeleteGalatians 5:4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
The religion of Armstrong is based on principle that they are the physical Israelites (BI). Therefore, under the old covenant (levitical system) in which they feel that they are physical Israel, the teaching is about doing this and doing that to be justified like they did in that period. It has what some call a "Dual Covenant Theology". You can only be a part of one covenant at a time during the proper period.
They like to "upgrade" the holy days by adding more holy convocations during the feast......
Cowboy
Hey, what happened to Dennis's Lionel train post? I thought it was pretty cool.
ReplyDelete