The Truth. Does LCG Even Know What It Is?

 

Did you know that truth and your capacity to understand the scriptures, what the plan of God is, and your part in that plan is only available through the Living Church of God? Who knew?

Be Thankful for the Truth: The Sabbath is a good time to reflect on the question: Are you thankful for the Truth? If you are a lifelong member or if you grew up in the Church, it is easy to take the Truth for granted. Yet, Jesus said that no one can come to a real understanding of the Truth unless they are called and their minds are opened (John 6:44). The capacity to understand the Scriptures, the plan of God, the purpose of life, and God’s way of life is a gift that God is only making available to a few at this time (1 Corinthians 1:26–27), because Satan has blinded the eyes of most people of this world (2 Corinthians 4:3–4). Jesus stressed that it is a great privilege to be given an understanding of the Truth of God (Matthew 13:10–17). The Apostle Paul stated that to be called out of darkness into the Truth is something to be extremely thankful for(Ephesians 5:8–20). Let’s never lose sight of this incredible privilege. Are you thankful for the Truth?

Have a profitable Sabbath,

Douglas S. Winnail

Feast of Trumpets Is Approaching And LCG Goes Into Fear Mode: Beware Of Those Rascally Germans!

 

Those rascally Germans, always stirring things up in COGland. When will they ever stop pestering the Churches of God? Living Church of God would have no reason to exist if it wasn't for Germany.

The fear factor is constantly alive and well in Armstrongism

We are now less than three weeks away from the Feast of Trumpets and as experience tells us, it will come quickly. Similarly, although we appear to be some years away, the day the Feast of Trumpets pictures will be here much more quickly than we might imagine. Germany is taking a turn to the right and cracking down on immigration. Events in Europe are setting the stage for the fulfillment of prophecies that we have known for decades must happen. Here in the United States, this is likely to be the most consequential election in memory, but who knows how it will turn out, what the fallout will be whichever candidate is elected, and most importantly, who God will choose, as He can turn elections in whichever direction He chooses. Leaders do make a difference, but anyone placing his trust in man and in our democratic approach to choosing our leaders is destined to be disappointed.—Gerald Weston

 

Counterpoint: God’s Law vs. The Law of Moses

 

We have had an engaging conversation about the law in a previous post. Here is another viewpoint from the other side of the conversation by Concretized Christianity. I don't normally do this when it comes to certain groups trying to get their own sometimes convoluted message across, but I have been in contact with theses folks over the years and respect them for their various stances that sometimes go against the grain of normal COG thoughts.

God’s Law vs. The Law of Moses

From The Beginning

There is a lot of talk both within and without the COG groups about keeping the “law of Moses.” Those against it say it’s part of the old covenant and since we’re under the new covenant, we no longer have to keep those laws. And, sadly, in some ways, the COG groups don’t keep them in the way they are laid out in scripture.

Let’s establish a baseline.

What is God’s Law?

God’s law consists of the eternal laws before creation and the laws that were established at creation.

What is the Law of Moses?

It consists of the same eternal laws of God and those established at creation, and the addition of the Levitical priesthood and animal sacrifices and offerings for sin.

Bottom Line?

The law of Moses differs from God’s law in just one way: human priests and animal sacrifices and offerings for sin. (I do realize there were other sacrificial offerings, but they are not germane to this discussion.)

Which Law Remains With the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus?

When Jesus came, died, and was resurrected, the human priesthood was abolished, and the animal sacrifices and offerings for sin were abolished. Why? Jesus became our High Priest in the order of Melchizedek, and He was sacrificed for all of humanity’s sins.

The human priesthood and the animal sin offerings and sacrifices pointed to Jesus becoming both. The book of Hebrews tells us they were a shadow (symbol) that pointed to Jesus Christ.

The rest of God’s law remains intact (Mt. 5:17-19)!

What Is the Issue With God’s Law?

The main sticking point seems to be with observance of the seventh-day Sabbath. But the seventh-day Sabbath predates the law of Moses. It was established as part of the creation (Gen. 2:2-3).

Jesus observed the Sabbath. Why did Jesus observe it? He created it as Lord of the Sabbath in Gen. 2:2-3! When Jesus says to “Follow me,” what does He mean? It’s pretty simple. Do what He did, speak like He spoke, treat people the way He treated them, have the same relationship with His Father that He did, think like He thought.

What Did the New Covenant Abolish?

It’s important to understand what distinguishes God’s law from the law of Moses to understand what the new covenant did and, more importantly, did not abolish. The book of Hebrews makes this abundantly clear.

How did Noah know which animals were clean and unclean (Gen. 7:2-9)? We don’t see him scratching his head and asking God to spell them out. Noah didn’t have to. This was one of God’s laws established at creation, just as the Sabbath was established as part of God’s law at creation.

Why Does the Law of Moses Exist?

Context is the key to everything. When we pull scripture out of context, we will always be wrong.

Jacob (Israel) and his family went to Egypt during a severe famine. His descendants stayed there for a total of 430 years (Ex. 12:40-41). God’s law was not passed down through successive generations (Deut. 6:9 addresses this problem).

The Israelites assimilated the Egyptian culture, which included eating unclean foods, worshipping pagan gods, and setting up idols as objects of worship. By the time Israel left Egypt, God’s law was unknown to them.

The law of Moses is God’s law given to Israel at Mt. Sinai because they’d lost it while they were in Egypt.

What Is the Takeaway for You and Me?

God’s law is God’s law. We can do all kinds of mental gymnastics to try to get around it, to refute it, and to ignore it. But none of those things change the fact that it exists and is in effect.

It still will be when Jesus establishes God’s kingdom on earth (Zech. 14:16-19).

Are we keeping God’s law as He commanded? You have to answer for you, and I have to answer for me.

I know when I look into the mirror of truth, the Word of God (Jn. 17:17), I find that sometimes the traditions of men have superseded the instructions of God, and I need to change.

What will you find?

God’s Law vs. The Law of Moses