CCOG addresses race and certain detractors
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What about various races?
ALL people are part of the human race.
We all descended from Adam and Eve, and then later from the descendants of Noah’s sons and their wives.
Notice something related to the first:
20 And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living. (Genesis 3:20)
While there were hominids of various types before Adam and Eve, all modern humans descended from Adam and Eve–so, yes, we are all part of the human race, from the family of Adam and Eve.
After the flood, Noah’s children moved to different places:
1 Now this is the genealogy of the sons of Noah: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And sons were born to them after the flood.
2 The sons of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. 3 The sons of Gomer were Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. 4 The sons of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. 5 From these the coastland peoples of the Gentiles were separated into their lands, everyone according to his language, according to their families, into their nations.
6 The sons of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan. 7 The sons of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabtechah; and the sons of Raamah were Sheba and Dedan.
8 Cush begot Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one on the earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter before the Lord; therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord.” 10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. 11 From that land he went to Assyria and built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah, 12 and Resen between Nineveh and Calah (that is the principal city).
13 Mizraim begot Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim, 14 Pathrusim, and Casluhim (from whom came the Philistines and Caphtorim).
15 Canaan begot Sidon his firstborn, and Heth; 16 the Jebusite, the Amorite, and the Girgashite; 17 the Hivite, the Arkite, and the Sinite; 18 the Arvadite, the Zemarite, and the Hamathite. Afterward the families of the Canaanites were dispersed. 19 And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon as you go toward Gerar, as far as Gaza; then as you go toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha. 20 These were the sons of Ham, according to their families, according to their languages, in their lands and in their nations.
21 And children were born also to Shem, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder. 22 The sons of Shem were Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram. 23 The sons of Aram were Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash. 24 Arphaxad begot Salah, and Salah begot Eber. 25 To Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan. 26 Joktan begot Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, 27 Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, 28 Obal, Abimael, Sheba, 29 Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan. 30 And their dwelling place was from Mesha as you go toward Sephar, the mountain of the east. 31 These were the sons of Shem, according to their families, according to their languages, in their lands, according to their nations.
32 These were the families of the sons of Noah, according to their generations, in their nations; and from these the nations were divided on the earth after the flood. (Genesis 10:1-32)
According to the Bible everyone came from first the family of Adam and Eve, and then the descendants of Noah’s sons.
As far as race and salvation goes, the Bible teaches:
11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:11-13)
29 They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. (Luke 13:29)
So, people of all races and lands will be saved.
The Bible, beginning with Abraham, shows that God makes promises to people who descended from various ones.
Now, various critics have accused the COGs of racism because we believe what the Bible teaches on prophetic matters.
Years ago, a Protestant website commented about and referred to my article Should a Christian Vote?
But, someone who looked at that website objected claiming because I believed in the promises given by Jacob to Ephraim and Manasseh, I must be a racist, hence he should not mention anything from me.
Well, I contacted the webmaster. And after providing information, he (correctly) posted that my view that we all had to have descended from people in the Bible (like Noah’s descendants), that salvation is not a matter of race (cf. Romans 10:8-13), and that God promised various things to the descendants of Israel, he understood that was not a racist position–but a biblical one.
Yet, critics of the Bible often have another view.
On June 4, 2020, the anti-COG site Banned by HWA posted the following:
Kubik and the entire United Church of God need to IMMEDIATELY discard their belief in British Israelism. …
Will Victor Kubik do what is right and set the example for all the other Churches of God and publicly denounce the racist myth of British Israelism?
British Israelism is neither racist nor is it a myth.
The Bible is clear that Israel pronounced blessings on the descendants Joseph and his two sons:
8 Then Israel saw Joseph’s sons, and said, “Who are these?”
9 Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me in this place.”
And he said, “Please bring them to me, and I will bless them.” 10 Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. Then Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them. 11 And Israel said to Joseph, “I had not thought to see your face; but in fact, God has also shown me your offspring!”
12 So Joseph brought them from beside his knees, and he bowed down with his face to the earth. 13 And Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near him. 14 Then Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn. 15 And he blessed Joseph, and said:
“God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, The God who has fed me all my life long to this day, 16 The Angel who has redeemed me from all evil,Bless the lads;Let my name be named upon them,And the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; And let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”
17 Now when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him; so he took hold of his father’s hand to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. 18 And Joseph said to his father, “Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.”
19 But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great; but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations.”
20 So he blessed them that day, saying, “By you Israel will bless, saying, ‘May God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh!'” And thus he set Ephraim before Manasseh. (Genesis 48:8-20)
1 And Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days: …
22 “Joseph is a fruitful bough, A fruitful bough by a well;His branches run over the wall. 23 The archers have bitterly grieved him, Shot at him and hated him. 24 But his bow remained in strength, And the arms of his hands were made strong By the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob(From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel), 25 By the God of your father who will help you,And by the Almighty who will bless you With blessings of heaven above, Blessings of the deep that lies beneath,Blessings of the breasts and of the womb. 26 The blessings of your father Have excelled the blessings of my ancestors, Up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills. They shall be on the head of Joseph, And on the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers. (Genesis 49:1, 22:26)
That is what the Bible teaches.
We who believe the Bible realize that God would fulfill those promises.
If one looks at secular history, it is clear that the Jews did NOT fulfil the prophecies that Israel was inspired to give. Consider also that that name “Israel” was to be prophetically applied to the descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh—this is not otherwise stated for the descendants of Judah (the Jews).
And while most commentators understand the passages from Jacob in Genesis 48 & 49 to be prophetic, many seem to conclude that they have been fulfilled long ago. Notice what the renowned Protestant theologian John F. Walvoord wrote:
In general, the prophecies that Jacob bestowed on his children have been fulfilled in their subsequent history (Walvoord, John F. The Prophecy Handbook. Victor Books, Wheaton (IL), 1990, p. 33).
That statement above is outrageously inaccurate. Many Protestants simply do not understand where the USA is mentioned in prophecy (see also Protestant and Church of God views of the United States in Bible Prophecy).
Not only have most NOT been fulfilled historically, these prophesies were for the last days. (Information on the ‘ten lost tribes’ is also in the YouTube sermon titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter?)
It was during the time of the New Testament that the last days began (Hebrews 1:2), and no commentator (outside of those who accept that there are still tribes of Israel that are not affiliated with the nation now called Israel) has been able to show how the prophecies of Genesis 49:1-27 were fulfilled in “the latter days.” Nor have I seen any of them explain who “the multitude of nations” that were to descend from Ephraim are.
The historical reality is that there is no record of Ephraim and Manasseh ever becoming a great nation and company of nations prior, before they went into Assyrian captivity in the eighth century before Christ.
Those of us who believe the Bible realize that these prophecies in Genesis 48 were not fulfilled. And that the Bible points to Ephraim’s descendants rising up before Manasseh’s.
Looking throughout secular history, we see that the British-descended peoples (Ephraim) became a multitude of nations (Genesis 48:19) and the USA (Manasseh) became a great nation (Genesis 48:19) about ¼ of the land mass of the entire world was part of the old British Empire.
The British Empire was the largest in history and the reach of the USA has been great (bolding added):
In 1913, 412 million people lived under the control of the British Empire, 23 percent of the world’s population at that time. It remains the largest empire in human history and at the peak of its power in 1920, it covered an astonishing 13.71 million square miles – that’s close to a quarter of the world’s land area. (McCarthy N. The Biggest Empires In Human History. Statista, December 19, 2019).
The United States is the world’s greatest economic power, measured in terms of gross domestic product (GDP). … The United States is relatively young by world standards, being less than 250 years old; it achieved its current size only in the mid-20th century. … Probably no other country has a wider range of racial, ethnic, and cultural types than does the United States. … Annually, the U.S. spends more on its military than the next seven highest-ranking countries in military spending combined. (Harris, JT, et al. United States. Encyclopædia Britannica. Last updated December 22, 2019)
From the 19th century to present, the USA and United Kingdom have dominated the world (though this dominance is being lost in the 21st century). They have received the blessings that God promised them through Jacob.
It is not racist to claim to be able to identify the descendants of Joseph and the recipients of the blessings God moved Israel to prophesy about.
Perhaps it should be pointed out that I am not predominantly descended from Israel, hence I am a Gentile. At the time of this writing, most members of the Continuing Church of God are primarily Gentile and not Israelite. Everyone had to descend from people mentioned in the Bible (like from Adam, Eve, Noah, and Noah’s sons), therefore despite claims from naysayers, teaching the biblical truths about God’s promises to descendants of biblical figures is not racist.
We in the CCOG do not believe that people in the ‘lost tribes’ are superior to the Gentile-descended peoples, but basically that they received the blessings that God inspired Israel/Jacob to give. We also believe that these blessings are the cause of the physical wealth of these peoples, but that those same people are in the process of losing them because of rebellion against the laws of God.
Furthermore, we teach that while God does call some descendants of Israel (see God’s Grace is For All), He is intentionally calling Gentiles in this age as the Apostle Paul pointed out in many places, such as Romans 11:25 (see also What About Romans 11:25 and the Full Number of the Gentiles?).
On June 7, 2020, Banned by HWA posted the following:
Interracial Marriage will not be tolerated or allowed in the Restored Church of God and Dave hopes they got the point.
As far as interracial marriage goes, RCG has its view, but the Bible does not prohibit it. In CCOG, we go by what the Bible teaches. Here is something from our free online booklet Dating: A Key to Success in Marriage, a practical dating guide for Christians:
Race, Economic, and Cultural Differences
What about race and cultural differences?
Marriage is a serious, lifelong, decision that should not be entered into lightly.
The Bible shows that God had peoples and races separated after the flood. Yet, various peoples mixed (like the Polynesians and Mexicans for two examples) and various ones made individual decisions about this that crossed ethnic (like Joseph; see Genesis 41:45) and racial (like Moses; see Numbers 12:1) lines in their marriages.
People with major cultural differences often have major difficulties in marriages. The way husbands and wives interact and work in a marriage can differ greatly for cultural/traditional reasons.
Years ago, for example, when it was not politically incorrect to do this, US government officials would recommend that American women not marry Greek men. Essentially, the warning was that while Greek men were charming when courting women and nice looking, the way they treated their women after they married them and what they expected from them was so different than in the USA, that American women were often very sorry that they married them.
While this example was not intended as a warning about Greek men, it was simply presented here to warn people that there may be major issues with cultural differences and it is better to try to understand them before making a major mistake.
Furthermore, some cultures treat in-laws and others differently. This include how close or how distant they will be with the married couple. Sometimes this can be good, but sometimes it can be stressful and frustrating.
Even economic differences can be a factor. Even in the same general culture, some families have more wealth than others—hence different spending habits.
Even among those with similar economic situations, how money is handled varies from family to family as well as from person to person. When dating, pay attention to your date’s attitude towards money. He or she might handle it well or might spend so recklessly that you will always have money problems.
Consider the following:
6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:6-10)
Often one spouse will not be content, while the other will be. This does not mean that the couple should be lazy and not try to earn more if possible, but lack of contentment can cause nagging and arguments.
It is not usually a lack of finances that causes divorce in Western cultures, but the lack of compatibility in the financial arena. This is something to try to check out while you are dating. Financial factors are leading causes of divorce in Western nations.
Despite the assertions of some, the Bible has no specific injunctions against Christians marrying across ethnic/racial lines. However, because of problems with the world (cf. Numbers 12:1-2) as well as difficulties in marriage, we recommend that people try to marry someone that they are most compatible with, while also considering how their future children might realistically be affected (this tends to vary by country/culture).
According to the 2010 Census in the United States, interracial divorce rates are comparatively higher than divorce rates between white couples. So, race is something to consider.
While we in the Continuing Church of God do not encourage miscegenation (marrying across racial lines), we do not see that we have the biblical authority to prohibit it, therefore do not prohibit it.
But there is a serious issue racially-different Christian couples MUST consider. In many parts of the world, children of racially-mixed marriages are treated terribly. Even when they are older.
Christians are to love their neighbors as themselves (Matthew 22:39). Therefore, they should give SERIOUS consideration to how any one they marry will affect their children physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
We in CCOG believe our position is biblically appropriate.
On June 5, 2020, Banned by HWA posted the following racially-pointed item:
This lack of leadership diversity in the Church of God is not unique to UCG. Living Church of God, COGWA, Philadelphia Church of God, Restored Church of God, and many others are white based in its leadership and almost exclusively American in its international leadership.
Well, without dwelling on other groups, let’s consider the human leadership of the Continuing Church of God.
Since the Continuing Church of God’s (CCOG) main office is in the USA and the USA is primarily Caucasian, having one or more top leaders being Caucasian is not racist. Our top leader over international matters is black.
Additionally it should be noted that most of the top leadership of the CCOG is black.
Notice the following photograph from a CCOG leadership meeting in 2017:
CCOG Conference in Nairobi
Furthermore, the CCOG may be the only one of the top ten x-WCG groups who has ordained an African as an evangelist. In groups like LCG all the evangelists they had that I knew were white (after I left they reluctantly ordained a Hispanic leader).
In CCOG, the only nation whose top leader is of primary Israelitish heritage is Canada, a nation we teach is primarily descended from Joseph’s son Ephraim.
No one in CCOG that I have been involved in laying on of hands related to an ordination was primarily of Israelite heritage–all were Gentiles, and only one of them (a Serbian) was white.
It is not just anti-COG types that misunderstand the CCOG and race. The CCOG has been the fastest growing x-WCG COG in the 21st century, yet most Laodiceans do not think that is important as they tend to not believe that Gentiles from places like Africa count–that is a false and wrong position–it also is in opposition to God’s plan such as is shown in Romans 11:25 (see also What About Romans 11:25 and the Full Number of the Gentiles?).
Now on the matter of race, here is something from the Statement of Beliefs of the Continuing Church of God:
LOVE AND SALVATION FOR ALL RACES AND PEOPLES
Racial hatred is wrong. While there can be racial differences, the Bible does not teach that one race is superior in His eyes to any other. The Bible commands all humankind to love their neighbors as themselves (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:39; Acts 17:24-29). Jesus came to bring joy to all peoples (Luke 2:10). The Bible shows that salvation is now freely offered to both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 10:34-35; Romans 10:8-13; cf. Joel 2:32) and that God intends to save people “of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues” (Revelation 7:9). Christian love should be shown to people of all ethnicities (Romans 13:10; Luke 10:30-37; (see What About Romans 11:25 and the Full Number of the Gentiles? and What is the Ezekiel Warning?), and continue in doctrine (1 Timothy 4:16). “Our God is the God of salvation” (Psalm 68:20) “And all flesh shall see the salvation of God” (Luke 3:6; see Universal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God’s plan of salvation).
We also have websites intended to reach people of various ethnic groups and languages:
CCOG.ORG Continuing Church of God The Philadelphian organization striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God to fulfill Matthew 24:14, Matthew 28:19-20, and Romans 11:25 with literature in over 100 languages.
CCOG.ASIA We in the Continuing Church of God also have the url www.ccog.asia which has a focus on Asia and has various articles in Mandarin Chinese as well as some in English, plus some items in several other Asian languages. Here is a link to our Statement of Beliefs in Mandarin Chinese ~ç~íy^v„eYOv„OáNðXðf.
CCOG.IN This is a website targeted towards those of Indian heritage. It has a link to an edited Hindi translation of The Mystery of the Ages and has other Indian language translations of certain CCOG literature.
CCOG.EU This is a website targeted towards Europe. It has materials in multiple European languages.
CCOG.NZ This is a website targeted towards New Zealand and others with a British-descended background.
CCOGAFRICA.ORG This is a website targeted towards those in Africa.
CCOGCANADA.CA This is a website targeted towards those in Canada.
CDLIDD.ES La Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios. This is the Spanish language website for the Continuing Church of God and has articles in español/castellano.
PNIND.PH Patuloy na Iglesya ng Diyos. This is the Philippines website Continuing Church of God. It has information in English and Tagalog.
We in the CCOG treat race essentially as a matter of variety and character development.
The Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put out following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:
Mystery of Race
Where did the various races come from? Did they evolve? If God created them, why? What is a Cushite? Is one race superior to any other? Why are people different shapes and sizes and with different hair color, etc.? Were Adam, Eve, Noah, Noah’s children and their wives involved? From whom did coastal people descend according to Genesis 10? Why are some weaker and others not? What is the purpose of multiple races? How could this be part of God’s plan? Does God have a plan for each INDIVIDUAL?
Here is a link to our video: Mystery of Race.
God made people of various colors and ethnicities to be part of the one body (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14) and to learn various lessons, so all who will accept God’s plan will be able to give love in a unique way to make eternity better for themselves and all others in the Kingdom of God.
No group is superior to another in the sight of God or the CCOG.
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
God’s Grace is For All Is being Jewish a hindrance to salvation? What about not being a descendant of Israel? What does the Bible really teach? Here is a link to a related sermon titled Race and Grace; Do you view race as God does? Watch also Mystery of Race.
The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why Did God Make You? This free online book helps answers some of the biggest questions that human have, including the biblical meaning of life. Here is a link to three related sermons: Mysteries of God’s Plan, Mysteries of Truth, Sin, Rest, Suffering, and God’s Plan, Mystery of Race, and The Mystery of YOU.
What About Romans 11:25 and the Full Number of the Gentiles? Some in the West discount God’s calling of Gentiles, but the Apostle Paul wrote about the need for them to come to the truth before Jesus returns.
What is the Ezekiel Warning? Should the end-time descendants of Israel and Joseph be warned? What should the watchman warn about? Regarding a watchman, you can watch the following video: Go, Set a Watchman.
Were the Ancient Tribes of Israel Black? Was Jesus Black? Some claim this is so. But what do the Bible and ancient artifacts show? Here is a link to a related sermon video: Were Ancient Hebrews Black? What About Jesus?
How Old is the Earth and How Long Were the Days of Creation? Gap Theory? Does the Bible allow for the creation of the universe and earth billions of years ago? Why do some believe they are no older than 6,000 years old? What is the gap theory? Were the days of creation in Genesis 1:3 through 2:3 24 hours long? Here are links to two sermons: Gap Theory: Doctrine or Modern Heresy? and Genesis, ‘Prehistoric man,’ and the Gap theory. Here is a link to a related article in Spanish: ¿Cuán vieja es la Tierra? ¿Cuán largos fueron los Días de la Creación? ¿Teoría de la brecha?
Dating: A Key to Success in Marriage, a practical dating guide for Christians This is a scripture-filled dating guide. It discusses many aspects of dating, as well as who to not consider for marriage. Two related sermons are available: The Art of Christian Dating. and No One to Date? Teen Q&A? Engagement? 2nd Marriage? A short animation is also available: First Date: Worldly vs. Christian.
Love, Marriage, and Sex It is important to get them in the right order.
God Created Marriage Some falsely claim that God did not create marriage and that fornication is fine. What does the Bible really teach? Here is a version in Mandarin Chinese y^R ZZYû.
Making Your Marriage Work Marriage is not always easy, but it pictures a divine relationship. How can you make your marriage work? Here is a link to the video sermon: You Can Make YOUR Marriage Work.
Universal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God’s plan of salvation Will all get a fair chance at salvation? This free book is packed with scriptures showing that God does intend to offer salvation to all who ever lived–the elect in this age, and the rest in the age to come. Here is a link to a related sermon series: Universal Offer of Salvation 1: Apocatastasis, Universal Offer of Salvation 2: Jesus Desires All to be Saved, Mysteries of the Great White Throne Judgment (Universal Offer of Salvation part 3), Is God Fair, Will God Pardon the Ignorant?, Can God Save Your Relatives?, Babies, Limbo, Purgatory and God’s Plan, and ‘By the Mouth of All His Holy Prophets’.
Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? What about other peoples? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about Africa, Asia, South America, and the Islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons: Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA; Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications; 11 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes; Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty; Gentile European Beast; Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies; Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon; When Will the End of the Age Come?; Rise of the Prophesied King of the North; Christian Persecution from the Beast; WWIII and the Coming New World Order; and Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God.
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