There are millions of people around the world who are part of seventh day Sabbath churches.
Most of those are in churches that are NOT ‘Church of God’ and do not hold to the original Christian faith.
The most faithful church is called the Continuing Church of God.
Here are links to articles about churches that keep the Sabbath, but are not Church of God:
Messianic Judaism Beliefs Differ from the Continuing Church of God Both groups keep the seventh-day Sabbath, but have important differences in doctrines and practices. Here is a link to a related sermon: Messianic Jewish Beliefs.SDA/CCOG Differences: Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 The genuine Church of God is NOT part of the Seventh-day Adventists. This article explains two prophetic differences, the trinity, differences in approaching doctrine, including Ellen White. Did Ellen White make prophetic errors? Did Ellen White make false prophecies? Here is a version in the Spanish language: SDA/COG Diferencias: La bestia de dos cuernos de Apocalipsis y 666. Here are two sermons in the English language: Seventh Day Baptists/Adventists/Messianics: Protestant or COG? and CCOG and SDA differences and similarities. Here is a link to an article in the Spanish language: Diferencias: SDA/CCOG: La bestia de dos cuernos de Apocalipsis y 666.
Seventh Day Baptists are Protestant, not Church of God This article explains reasons why Baptists, include seventh day ones (SDBs) do not have the historical and doctrinal ties to the original church that many have claimed. Here are two sermons in the English language: Seventh Day Baptists/Adventists/Messianics: Protestant or COG? and Protestant, Baptist, and CCOG History.
The first three chapters of the Book of Revelation speak of seven churches. A careful reading suggests that there will be people spiritually associated with the last four of them. All would be considered 7th day Sabbath groups.
The one with the least would likely be the remnant of the Thyatira Church Era. Information on some that seem to be related are in the following:
The Thyatira Church Era was predominant circa 1050 A.D. to circa 1600 A.D. The Church during the Inquisition.
WCG-claimed Adherents: Comments on the Teachings of Ron Wallen, Philip Neal, Kenneth W., GRUMPS, Jesse Arellano, and others who Profess(ed) that WCG has God’s Authority Can one still believe what Herbert W. Armstrong used to teach and still be in WCG? This article addresses this important issue.
The next era (or as A.N. Dugger referred to them as “church periods”) would be the Sardis Church Era. Jesus said that there were “a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments” (Revelation 2:4), it should be understand that there are relatively few real Christians currently in Sardis. Thus, do not think that the majority in most Sardis-related groups are true Christians:
The Sardis Church Era was predominant circa 1600 A.D. to circa 1933 A.D.
CG7-D: Church of God, (Seventh Day): History and Teachings Nearly all COG’s I am aware of trace part of their history through some affiliation with this group. Loren Stacy is the president of the largest CG7 USA group (Denver). Do you know much about them?
CG7-S: Church of God 7th Day, Salem (West Virginia) This group formed by A.N. Dugger in 1933 when he split from the CG7 group he was once president of.
Church of God Seventh Day Ghana. This group is part the Continuing Church of God. While it is NOT a Sardis group (it is part of the Philadelphian remnant) it has retained the name Church of God Seventh Day. It was a Sardis-derived group that recognized admonitions in the New Testament to hold to the original faith.
J7DCG: Jerusalem 7th Day Church of God A sacred name group claiming A.N. Dugger and a Jerusalem headquarters.See also The Bible, Church History, and Sacred Names and
MCGSD: Meridian Church of God Seventh Day A group that was a split from the old Stanberry COG.
The most faithful of the 4 churches of Revelation 2 & 3 remaining in the 21st century is the continuation of the Philadelphia Church Era. As a remnant at this stage, Philadelphian Christians are not the bulk of 21st century Christians, but are the only ones that Jesus promises to protect from “hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth” (Revelation 3:10). Here is information:
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now the remnant of that era is basically the most faithful in the Church of God, like who hold to the beliefs and practices of the Continuing Church of God.
CCOG.ORG Continuing Church of God The Philadelphian organization, with the last days manifestations of Acts 2:17-18 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.
The last of the seven churches in Revelation 2 & 3 are the Laodiceans (it is plural in the Greek). The Laodicean Church Era is the last and represents the bulk of actual end time Christians. Just because a group is listed below does NOT mean that the group and/or its leaders are truly Church of God, but that they are Sabbatarians who claimed to be Church of God:
CBCG: Christian Biblical Church of God and its Teachings Fred Coulter’s group–they tend to explain conspiracies, calendar issues, and have a “sea of glass” teaching. Plus they produce books on various subjects and have a unique Bible translation.
CCG: Teachings of the Christian Churches of God This group, led by Wade Cox, rejects the deity of Jesus and has other unusual teachings.
CGI: Teachings of the Church of God, International This article focuses on where CGI differs from the old WCG.CGG: Church of the Great God This group, led by John Ritenbaugh, says the bride must first be made ready (it de-emphasizes the priority of public proclamation of the gospel). Might this lead to a selfish bride? This group also seriously seems to misunderstand end-time prophecy.
CGPKG: Concerns About Ronald Weinland’s Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God Ronald Weinland falsely claimed to be one of the two witnesses God is raising up, that the Great Tribulation began on December 14, 2008, Jesus would return late September 2011, that Jesus would return on May 27, 2012, and later that Jesus would return on May 19, 2013. Why else does the Bible show that Ron Weinland is a false prophet? He has other views which show he may not be part of the Church of God.?
CGSC: Church of God, Southern California This article discusses some of how David Antion’s group differs from the old WCG.
CEM: Teachings of Christian Educational Ministries The late Ron Dart’s former confederation (not a church).
COGaIC: Church of God, an International CommunityThis is the group led by David Hulme. It has minimized parts of biblical prophecy and does not teach church eras.
COGIT: Church of God, In Truth This is what I’d call a calendar group. See also: Calculated or observed calendar?
COGlinks is a listing of pro-COG Sabbatarian group websites (although, they do not all agree with all the faithful views or doctrinal positions and some are not truly COG). Most are Laodicean.
COGOM: Church of God Outreach Ministries This was a CGI spin-off that says it is not a church.
COGWA: Concerns about Church of God, a Worldwide Association This is the largest group that came out of the United Church of God. Here is some history and concerns about it. UCG’s former president Clyde Kilough and UK CEO Peter Hawkins are part of it.
CRMI: Christian Renewal Ministries International They teach Hebrew.
Independent/Unaffiliated: Independent Members of the COG: Herbert W. Armstrong Comments, Plus Questions and Answers What did Herbert W. Armstrong teach about being independent of the organized Church? Should independents who claim to accept Herbert W. Armstrong’s teachings support the end time Philadelphian work? Here is a link to a related sermon: Church of God Unity. Watch also Zephaniah’s ‘Gather Together’ Prophecy.
ICG: Intercontinental Church of God This was Garner Ted Armstrong’s last group; it is now led by Mark Armstrong.
LCG: What About the Living Church of God? Are there Doctrinal Differences with the Continuing Church of God? This article explains some information and doctrines of the Living Church of God, now led by Gerald Westin, and some concerns about them. (En el idioma español: ¿Qué hay acerca de la Iglesia de Dios Viviente? ¿Hay diferencias doctrinales con la Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios?) See also Why Bob Thiel Left the Living Church of God.
Legacy: Teachings and Practices of Legacy Institute Works mainly in Asia and is led by Leon Sexton. It has various misunderstandings.
PCG: Teachings Unique to the Philadelphia Church of God Simply calling oneself ‘Philadelphia’ does not make one so (see Revelation 3:7-9), nor does Gerald Flurry calling himself “that prophet” make it so. This article provides many quotes from this group which tries to look faithful.
RCG: Why Not the Restored Church of God? This group, led by David Pack, claims to be the most faithful. The information in this article suggests otherwise. Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Por qué no la Iglesia de Dios Restaurada?
UCG: Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God This article provides quotes information from two of the largest groups which had their origins in WCG as well as commentary.
WAY: Worldwide Assembly of Yahweh This is what I’d call a sacred name group. See also The Bible, Church History, and Sacred Names.
Here are articles and message related to the seven church periods (or eras) of Revelation 2 & 3:
The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3 from 31 A.D. to present: information on all of the seven churches of Revelation 2 & 3. There is also a YouTube video: The Seven Church Eras of Revelation. There is also a version in the Spanish language: Las Siete Iglesias de Apocalipsis 2 & 3.
1. The Ephesus Church Era was predominant from 31 A.D. to circa 135 A.D. The Church of James, Peter, Paul, and John, etc. Here is a link to a related video sermon: Ephesus Church Era.
2. The Smyrna Church Era was predominant circa 135 A.D. to circa 450 A.D. The Church led by Polycarp, Melito, Polycrates, etc.Here is a link to a related video sermon: The Smyrna Church Era.
3. The Pergamos Church Era was predominant circa 450 A.D. to circa 1050 A.D. An especially persecuted Church. Here is a link to a related sermon video: Pergamos Era and the Antichrist.
4. The Thyatira Church Era was predominant circa 1050 A.D. to circa 1600 A.D. The Church during the Inquisition. Here is a link to a related sermon: Thyatira, Succession, and Jezebel.
5. The Sardis Church Era was predominant circa 1600 A.D. to circa 1933 A.D. Discusses some early history of the Seventh Day Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, CG7-Salem, Jerusalem 7DCG, and COG-7th Day-Denver.
6. The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now the remnant of that era is basically the most faithful in the Church of God, like who hold to the beliefs and practices of the Continuing Church of God.
7. The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. The Laodiceans are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG or its offshoots. They do not properly understand the work or biblical prophecies and will face the Great Tribulation if they do not repent. One video of related interest is 17 Laodicean Errors in Prophecy. See also Do You Hold to Any of These Laodicean Prophetic Errors?
An article that some may find of additional interest is: How does the Continuing Church of God differ from other Sabbatarian COG groups?