WE ARE NOT JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES OR SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS The teachings of The Restored are different from traditional Christianity. However, when some of our readers find certain doctrinal similarities with other religious groups, they conclude that we must be related to these organizations. This article will clear up such misunderstandings.

ANY NOTICE that The Re- traditionally emphasized the Return of Baptist General Conference. Reasoning stored Church of God Christ as the focal point of their prophetic that the name “Church of God” sounded M(RCG), which publishes understanding. The differences between too exclusivist, they desired a name simi- their respective approaches, in contrast lar to the churches around them; however, The Real Truth magazine, does not to the beliefs of the Church of God, are they still held to observing the Sabbath. observe , , Hal- more significant than most realize. This led to a split in the membership, in loween or other holidays of pagan Many sincere and dedicated people which a small minority continued as the origin. As a result, some quickly as- follow the Seventh-day Adventists’ and Church of God. (You may read our fasci- sociate this with the practices of the the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ beliefs. It is not nating book Where Is the True Church? – Jehovah’s Witnesses. our intention to belittle their convictions, and Its Incredible History! to learn more.) but to compare their doctrinal positions Just prior to 1843, a very popular Other similarities, such as our not to our own. Since some of our readers movement took place in the U.S., in celebrating birthdays and our focus on confuse us with these organizations, our which a famous theologian, William the kingdom of God, seem to reinforce purpose is to emphasize that we do not Miller, pronounced that Christ would these assumptions. However, upon subscribe to the vast majority of their return about the time of 1843 to 1844. closely comparing our beliefs with doctrines. This was known as the Advent movement those of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, (in this context, “Advent” means advoca- the differences far outweigh any Beginning of the Seventh-day tion of Christ’s Second Coming). Miller’s Adventist Movement similarities. movement at this point consisted entirely Many tend to classify us with any To better understand the origin of the of Sunday-keepers. group that embraces even a few simi- Seventh-day Adventist movement and When Christ did not return by 1844, lar beliefs. For this reason, we are also the influences upon it by remnants of the William Miller and his many hundreds frequently categorized as being associ- (Sabbatarian) Church of God, we need of followers were greatly disappointed. ated with the Seventh-day Adventists. to review events that occurred primar- In fact, the abandonment by many of his Obviously, this is due to our observance ily in the 1800s. Initially, we look back adherents was actually called “The Great of the biblical seventh-day Sabbath. A to 1664, when Steven Mumford arrived Disappointment.” close comparison of our teachings like- from England and helped to develop Many of the Adventists who left Miller wise reveals many differences. interest in the doctrines of the Church of began to associate with the remnants of Although completely independent of God in Rhode Island. After a few decades, the Church of God that still held fast to one another, it is interesting to note that congregations developed in Newport and the Sabbath and refused to adopt the doc- the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Seventh- Westerly. trines of the immortality of the soul and day Adventist movements are distinctly Membership in Rhode Island and the trinity. After about 15 years of asso- American in origin. Unlike The Restored Connecticut flourished, as did congrega- ciating with them, the majority of these Church of God, which traces its roots tions later established in New Jersey and Church of God members started adopting to the first-century Church established Pennsylvania. By 1818, the majority of some of the Adventists’ beliefs—just as by Christ, these two organiza- these Sabbath-keepers agreed to merge the majority had previously accepted tions began in the 1800s. Both have also under the banner of the Seventh Day popular beliefs of other churches upon

1 forming the Seventh Day Baptist General Bible as clean. Many but not all SDAs together; and a little child shall lead them. Conference. follow this practice. One of the doctrines And the cow and the bear shall feed; their In 1860, the Sunday-keeping prophesied for the “latter times” pertains young ones shall lie down together: and Adventists influenced the majority in to those who abstain from meats: “Now the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the Church of God to abandon the name the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the the sucking child shall play on the hole “Church of God” (just as their prede- latter times some shall depart from the of the asp, and the weaned child shall cessors did in 1818) in favor of a name faith,…abstain[ing] from meats, which put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. They “more descriptive of their beliefs.” They God has created to be received with shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy merged with the former Adventists (who thanksgiving of them which believe and mountain: for THE EARTH shall be full of vastly outnumbered them) and jointly know the truth” (I Tim. 4:1, 3). the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters decided to call themselves “Seventh- One doctrine generally misunderstood cover the sea” (Isa. 11:6-9; see also 35:1- day Adventists.” It was not until 1863 by many Seventh-day Adventists is their 2 and Amos 9:13-14). that the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) church’s position on the nature of Jesus There are also vast doctrinal differ- Church was formally organized. Thus, Christ. Instead of lowering Christ to the ences in other areas, such as the obser- this movement had roots with some who level of the archangel Michael, as the vance of God’s annual Holy Days (which had been in the Church of God, through Jehovah’s Witnesses teach, the Seventh- picture His overall Plan of salvation) whom they were exposed to and accepted day Adventists elevate Michael to Christ’s instead of the world’s pagan holidays. the truth of the Sabbath, as well as other level. Both groups consider Christ and positions, such as their initial opposition Michael to be the same personage. Beginning of the Jehovah’s to the trinity, the immortal soul and an Witnesses Movement ever-burning hell fire. Vast Differences in Shortly after the Seventh-day Adventist Ellen G. White was most influen- Prophetic Understanding movement began around 1860, the tial in shaping the posture of the newly One of the major differences between the Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW) movement formed Seventh-day Adventist move- teachings of The Restored Church of God started. This organization was started in ment. She articulated many doctrines and and the Seventh-day Adventists is our Pennsylvania by Charles Taze Russell, prophetic understandings that formed its belief that the Millennium will occur on and was established as a religious society foundational beliefs, and is considered Earth—1,000 years of peace and abun- of ministers. “The Watchtower Bible and its founder. White held that Miller’s 1844 dance under the rule of Jesus Christ and Tract Society was incorporated in 1884 prediction was correct, but that bench- His resurrected saints. with Russell as president…The Society’s mark year began the period of supposed The SDAs, however, teach that the magazine, Watchtower, was first pub- “Investigative Judgment,” a time in which saints who have previously died will be lished in 1879.” Christ would begin judging the dead and resurrected and taken to heaven. They The Jehovah’s Witnesses Society the living on the earth. She believed believe that during the following 1,000 adopted their name from Isaiah 43:12 as this judgment period would be followed years, only Satan and his demons will found in the American Standard Version by the Return of Christ. More than 160 be living on the earth, and that the planet of the Bible: “…You are My witnesses years have transpired since 1844, with no will be desolate. Then, at the end of the says Jehovah [Heb. “YHWH”] and I apparent evidence that Jesus did return, Millennium, the second resurrection will am God” (World Book Encyclopedia, as Miller had predicted and White had occur, and the righteous will return to Vol. 11). The TANAKH (the Jewish later theorized. Earth and establish the New Jerusalem. Publication Society translation of the The portrayal of the Millennium as scriptures according to the traditional Some Practices and Doctrines a time of desolation amounts to a gross Hebrew text) renders this same passage of the SDA Movement distortion of what the scriptures plainly as “…So you are My witnesses declares Although it originated in the United reveal. In contrast to the SDA position, the LORD and I am God.” The King James States, the Seventh-day Adventist church we read of this time in Revelation 20:6: Version (KJV) also uses the term “LORD” is currently well represented throughout “Blessed and holy is he that has part in in this verse. the world. The SDAs generally support the first resurrection: on such the second From the KJV, Exodus 6:2-3 reads: and promote medical research, hospitals, death has no power, but they shall be “And God spoke unto Moses, and said clinics and dispensaries. They also oper- priests of God and of Christ, and shall unto him, I am the LORD. And I appeared ate more than 90 colleges and universities reign with Him a thousand years.” unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto worldwide. Revelation 5:10 tells us where these Jacob by the name of God Almighty [El One unique aspect of this group is the saints will reign: “And has made us unto Shaddai], but by My name JEHOVAH special interest they take in health con- our God kings and priests: and we shall was I not known unto them. In verse cerns. Many of its members are involved reign on the earth.” 2, YHWH is translated as “LORD”; yet, in owning or associating with health Only on Earth could we find such in verse 3, the same word is translat- food stores and restaurants. One reason conditions as the following: “The wolf ed as “Jehovah.” According to Strong’s numerous SDAs take an unusual interest also shall dwell with the lamb, and the Concordance, the original terms in verses in health is their abstaining from eating leopard shall lie down with the kid; and 2 and 3 come from YHWH (Strong’s meats—even those designated by the the calf and the young lion and the fatling #3068).

2 The word “Jehovah” is also found in had to be revealed by Jesus Christ (Matt. this is very different from that held by Psalms 83:18, and Isaiah 12:2 and 26:4 11:27). Yet, the Jehovah’s Witnesses think The Restored Church of God. of the KJV. Each of these is likewise a that there is only one God-being, whom Just as William Miller had predicted mistranslation of YHWH. The TANAKH they call “Jehovah,” and that Christ was that Jesus Christ would return around and other versions based on the original created, as were angels. 1844, the Jehovah’s Witnesses movement Hebrew properly render the terms as There is one God (I Tim. 2:5), but settled upon 1914 as the time of Christ’s “LORD” (instead of “Jehovah”). there are two Beings who share the Return. Yet it was well after that year The true pronunciation of the Hebrew name “God.” Elohim is a uniplural term, when the Watchtower magazine gave word YHWH has been lost. This hap- like the word “family”—one family, but special emphasis to this date as the time pened because the Hebrew language consisting of many members. “God” is a the kingdom of God was established on uses consonants and semi-consonants, family name! Earth. but not vowels. Moses was inspired to Although Jesus Christ is subordinate The Jehovah’s Witnesses claim that write this name for the Creator with to the Father (John 14:28), the Bible 1914 marked the beginning of increased the four Hebrew letters YHWH, which clearly reveals that He is on the God- world woes. They emphasize that this means “Self-existent One” or “Eternal.” plane and is the second member of the was prophesied by Christ, stressing that This Hebrew word, which the Israelites God Family. (To learn much more about these prophesied signs would appear at originally knew how to pronounce, the true nature of God and man’s future the end of the current age. These signs comes from another Hebrew word— role in the God Family, read our books would prove that Jesus was “invisibly HWH, an old form of the root HYH, The Awesome Potential of Man and The present with kingly power.” The signs which means “to be” or “to become.” Trinity – Is God Three-In-One?) of world wars, famines, epidemics and If the term “Jehovah” did not origi- Though the Jehovah’s Witnesses con- earthquakes would prevail as explained nate from the Hebrew Scriptures, then sider Christ as equal to and even synon- in Matthew 24. Since the First World War from where did it originate? The Jewish ymous with the archangel Michael, the started in 1914, there has been an increas- Encyclopedia offers valuable insight on following scripture proves that Christ ing array of lethal weaponry beyond this subject: “‘Jehovah’ is generally held is a far greater being than any of the what mankind had ever imagined. The to have been the invention of Pope Leo angels: “God, who at sundry times and JW movement considers these signs and X’s Confessor, Peter Galatin…who was in diverse manners spoke in time past trends as indicators of the time of the followed in the use of this hybrid form unto the fathers by the prophets, has in end. by Fagius…But it seems that even before these last days spoken unto us by His Notice how they explain that the king- Galatin, the name ‘Jehovah’ had been in Son, whom He has appointed heir of dom of God could have been set up in common use…It is found in Raymond all things, by whom also He made the 1914, after Christ’s undetected Return: Martin’s ‘Pugio Fidei,’ written in 1270” worlds; who being the brightness of “It is Satan the Devil who is responsible. (Jewish Encyclopedia, article “Jehovah,” His glory, and the express image of His When Christ received Kingdom power, Vol. VII, p.88). From all indications, the person, and upholding all things by the his first act was to wage war on Satan in word “Jehovah” came to the modern word of His power, when He had by the invisible heavens. As a result, Satan, world through the Catholic Church. Himself purged our sins, sat down on the ‘who is misleading the entire inhabited right hand of the Majesty on high; being earth’ was hurled with his angels down to A Crucial Doctrinal Difference made so much better than the angels, as the vicinity of the earth. Knowing that his The doctrine mostly unique to this group He has by inheritance obtained a more destruction draws near, he stirs up great is their belief that Christ is a created excellent name than they. For unto trouble…” (Watchtower Bible and Tract spirit being. This contradicts John 1:1-2: which of the angels said He at any time, Society of Pennsylvania, 2004). “In the beginning was the Word, and the You are My Son, this day have I begot- They continue their explanation as Word was with God, and the Word was ten You? And again, I will be to Him a to why the Millennium, with its time of God. The same was in the beginning Father, and He shall be to Me a Son? peace and abundance, is not yet manifest- with God.” This describes the Godhead And again, when He brings in the first ed on the earth: “Will there be any end to consisting of two Beings, yet both called begotten into the world, He said, And these woes? Yes!—when heaven’s gov- God. This is why, upon creating the first let all the angels of God worship Him. ernment itself, the Kingdom of Almighty man, God (Hebrew: Elohim) said, “Let And of the angels He said, who makes God, goes into action to ‘bring to ruin Us make man in Our image, after Our His angels spirits, and His ministers a those ruining the earth’…Never will God likeness…” (Gen. 1:26). flame of fire. But unto the Son He said, permit political powers, false Christians, One of these Beings, called “the Your throne, O God, is forever and ever: or anyone else to ruin his handiwork, Word,” later became Jesus Christ (John a scepter of righteousness is the scepter the earth, with their nuclear devices… 1:14). Christ was the YHWH (“LORD”) of Your kingdom” (Heb. 1:1-8). Jehovah, through his Christ, will use great of the (I Cor. 10:1-4), who forces that he controls in the universe in created all things (John 1:3; Eph. 3:9; “Kingdom Power”? bringing overwhelming destruction to all Col. 1:16-17). Although the Jehovah’s Witnesses stress who follow Satan on earth. This will be The other God-Being, called “the the spreading of the good news of the on a global scale, similar in magnitude to Father,” was unknown to mankind, and kingdom of God, their understanding of the flood of Noah’s day.

3 “In the Bible this destruction of 22: “For then shall be great tribulation, the east, and shines even unto the west; so wicked nations is called God’s battle of such as was not since the beginning of shall also the coming of the Son of man Armageddon…Only meek persons…may the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matt. 24:27). survive Armageddon into God’s peaceful be. And except those days should be Christ will decisively defeat the new system…The grand work of restor- shortened, there should no flesh be saved: armies gathered to oppose Him. After ing Paradise to the earth will then com- but for the elect’s sake those days shall be their defeat (Rev. 19:15-21), His feet mence!” (ibid.). shortened.” will stand on the Mount of Olives (Zech. Although they have had more than Concerning this protection reserved 14:4). Immediately after this, the seventh nine decades to refine their explana- for God’s servants, we read, “Watch and final of the last plagues that com- tion, it still lacks many vital details. The you therefore, and pray always, that you plete God’s wrath will take place (Rev. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Christ may be accounted worthy to escape all 16:17-21). This greatest earthquake in the received “kingdom power” upon return- these things that shall come to pass, and history of mankind will be followed by ing to the earth in 1914. From that year, to stand before the Son of man” (Luke hailstones weighing about 120 pounds, up until the Battle of Armageddon, they 21:36). which will complete the quashing of believe they are to preach to the world. In short, numerous scriptures describ- man’s rebellion against God. It is at this However, the book of Revelation ing God’s future protection of His people time that the voice of the angel will shows that once Christ Returns, He during the coming Great Tribulation and announce, “It is done.” immediately puts down human rebellion the Day of the Lord are misapplied. The next order of business that Christ and binds Satan within days (Rev. 19:11- will address is prophesied in Revelation 16; 20:1-3). Christ Returns to Reign on Earth 20:1-3. Christ will have Satan put away According to their teaching, only at To show how these end-time events will for the duration of the Millennium. This the Battle of Armageddon will the king- not become fulfilled in some secret way, will be done promptly. Nowhere in dom of God fully take effect to subdue all unheeded or unnoticed by humanity, Scripture do we find that Christ strug- evil and put down opposition. Yet, their note the following passage describing gles with Satan for more than 90 years order of events seriously contradicts the the Day of the Lord: “And I beheld (as the 1914 theory supposes). When sequence given in Scripture. when He had opened the sixth seal, and, Christ returns, human rebellion will be lo, there was a great earthquake; and the put down and Satan will be restrained Time of Protection—or sun became black as sackcloth of hair, for a 1,000 years. Then the kingdom of Delay of Kingdom? and the moon became as blood; And God will be truly established on Earth. A correct understanding of Isaiah 26 the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, It is clearly not here yet! (Read our is crucial here, since the Jehovah’s even as a fig tree casts her untimely figs, booklet Revelation Explained at Last! for Witnesses use such scriptures as this to when she is shaken of a mighty wind. more details.) explain the delay from 1914 to the future And the heaven departed as a scroll Battle of Armageddon. Yet, verses 20-21 when it is rolled together; and every Dramatic Differences read, “Come, My people, enter you into mountain and island were moved out of As stated earlier, the teachings of The your chambers, and shut your doors about their places. And the kings of the earth, Restored Church of God are significantly you: hide yourself as it were for a little and the great men, and the rich men, different from those of the Seventh-day moment, until the indignation be over- and the chief captains, and the mighty Adventists and Jehovah’s Witnesses. past. For, behold the LORD comes out of men, and every bondman, and every free Beyond this most brief overview, His place to punish the inhabitants of the man, hid themselves in the dens and in many more differences could be cited. earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall the rocks of the mountains; and said to Many great doctrines of the Bible are disclose her blood, and shall no more the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and misapplied or ignored by these two orga- cover her slain.” hide us from the face of Him that sits nizations. The same event is described in on the throne, and from the wrath of the But by examining just the nature of Revelation 3:10: “Because you have kept Lamb: For the great day of His wrath is God and the sequence of end-time events the word of My patience, I also will keep come; and who shall be able to stand?” alone, it is obvious that the differences you from the hour of temptation, which (Rev. 6:12-17). between RCG and these two groups far shall come upon all the world, to try them Likewise, Christ’s Return will not outweigh any superficial similarities. that dwell upon the earth.” This “hour be an obscure event occurring invis- If you would like to know more about of temptation” is the Great Tribulation, ibly—the whole world will witness His us, read our booklet Here Is The Restored which Christ warns of in Matthew 24:21- arrival: “For as the lightning comes out of Church of God.  Copyright © 2009 The Restored Church of God; All Rights Reserved R070 110715

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