In thinking about how we are saved, how we will be able to enter heaven, this is what the World Mission Society Church of God says, straight from their main church website (WATV.org), from the page about the veil, under "Word & Truth":
"God gave us this veil regulation as a sign representing God's authority. Even though this regulation seems minor, it cannot be neglected. None of God's commands were instituted meaninglessly. All of the regulations were given to God's people because they are necessary for our salvation and allow us to enter the kingdom of God.... If we regard God's regulations as trivial, God will regard us as trivial."
In other words, the WMSCOG says that following ALL of God's commands, no matter how minor or trivial, are vitally necessary to gain salvation and enter heaven.
They will tell you that this means: keeping the Saturday Sabbath, keeping ALL the Feasts of God (including Passover), wearing the veil (for women), and everything else that God commanded. (And don't forget that you must worship the "Mother God" also!)
But here's a difficulty... If ALL of God's commands MUST be followed to enter heaven, then they ought to have a list of ALL of these commands. After all, it is only fair that a church member knows what God expects of them so they don't inadvertently miss one.
No one has been able to give me a list yet of all of these necessary commands. I've seen them start a list (Saturday Sabbath, Feasts of God...), but they never really finish it. They say that if you keep the Feasts of God, then you automatically will be keeping the 10 Commandments. But God commanded more than just the 10 Commandments.
Here are a few of God’s other commands which I wonder if our WMSCOG friends are keeping so that they will be allowed into heaven….
Romans 13:1-7 about submitting to authorities, or obeying the law of the land (when it does not contradict God’s standards of course)… Do you ALWAYS come to a full and complete stop at stop signs when you are driving? How about NEVER driving over the speed limit (even a little)?
How about this one…Lev. 19:27 “Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.” Did Jesus change this requirement? How long is your hair near your ears?
Or Deut. 22:12–Have you put tassels on all your coats?
Here’s something more serious–Matt. 19:9. Do any of your church members get a divorce for any reason other than adultery? How about remarriage after divorce, for any reason? That’s adultery too (Mark 10:11-12).
Or Matt. 5:27-28. Looking at another lustfully is counted as committing adultery. Does your gaze ever linger too long on an of those attractive celebrities or magazine covers?
And Matt. 5:42--"Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." Do you give to everyone who asks?
Here's one that may seem trivial, but the WMSCOG says that doesn't matter. I wonder if they follow this command? -- Romans 16:16, "Greet one another with a holy kiss."
And perhaps the toughest commandment of all to keep–Do Not Worry. It’s in Matthew chapter 6. Do you never, ever worry…about anything, at any time, even as your first response before you can think rationally about a situation?
That’s just a short list of the many commandments that are in the Bible. Do you really think it is possible to keep them ALL, especially if you don’t have list to refer to so you can check yourself? Heaven is going to be a very empty place if it is only populated by those who have kept ALL of God’s commands.
I’m thankful for God’s grace that saves me despite my failure at keeping ALL of His commands.
Coming soon... the Law of Moses vs. the Law of Christ...and more about God's wonderful grace.
UPDATE
The WMSCOG doesn't really consider ALL commands necessary, like they say they do. Read this post for more details: Moral vs. Ceremonial Law.
woo hoo, can't wait!
ReplyDeleteGlad to know someone's reading. :)
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