In nations around the world many people are crying out because they see the erosion of
what has been considered sacred freedoms. In western countries where freedom of speech
was written in constitutions long ago, it is now coming into question.
The loss of human rights, and even life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness may not be far behind.Jim Tuck
Always looking to find something wrong in the world around them, COG splinter groups were taught well by the mother church to hone in on negativity. UCG zeroed in on the political situation in the United States. Nowhere in the world is the political situation being exploited more than here in the US, due to the blithering idiots on both sides of the aisle here in the US. They have succeeded in dividing the country.
Even in Armstrongism where politics run deep through its veins, they imagine themselves as the authority on what is right and wrong. Sure they mouth off the standard warnings and platitudes on how evil the world is, but none of them are concerned enough to make their voices heard by getting out and voting. All they do is just blab and blab as they thrust out their self-righteous chests in mock authority.
I can feel the spittle flying now...
Herbert Armstrong told us not to vote and to not get involved in world affairs. Besides, what if we voted for the wrong issue or party? That's why we must rely upon God to appoint the leaders we deserve.
Using that logic the non-voters say to their god that they believe it is incapable of inspiring a person to vote for the candidate/party or referendum it chooses. Armstrongism's god is always so weak.
Anyway, back to UCG patriotic stance and where their loyalty lies. As the TRUE patriots of the church and the world, they are ready to endure being hated, scoffed at, harassed, or even put to death by the magistrates of this world. Armstrongism has always been about pretend patriotism that they never lifted a finger to defend but pretend to be martyrs for their so-called truth.
True patriots of the Kingdom
Hebrew 11 gives a list of the dedicated matriarchs and patriarchs—many of which gave their lives—as true patriots of the Kingdom. It says in Hebrews 11:13-16:
“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”
The apostle Paul wrote further:
“Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us” (Hebrews 11:36-40).
They proved to be loyal ambassadors of a Kingdom not of this world; they envisioned it afar off. These were true patriots of the Kingdom they sought. It is what we seek each day as we prove our loyalty and obedience to God and Jesus Christ. True patriots of that coming Kingdom are willing to endure being hated, scoffed at, harassed or even put to death by the magistrates of this world. We may have opportunity to prove our loyalty to God sooner than we might think! I pray all of us have our eyes so firmly riveted on the goal of the Kingdom we can persevere through whatever hardships come our way.
