He had a good kick start from Seventh Day Adventists.
All of the doctrine has existed for at least 2000 years and longer.
Armstrong wasn't that orginal, but his combining and shaping of different pieces, Job and the pyramids for example, was original. Pretty much died with him, though his son gave it a good show for some time.
This isn't exactly a new thought. Many early Americans believed that America was the "new Israel".
That's a funny stretch to literal direct descendancy from Joseph.
God doesn't come right out and say this. I think though that the biblical support for this belief is sound.
Which goes to show how "scripture only and no tradition" can become quite meaningless.
Douglas....do you have any info on this?
Not surprising considering they have similar origins. Corporately, Armstrong was a minister in the Church of God, 7th Day before starting Worldwide. The COG, 7th day, were descended from the Millerite movement, which also spawned the SDA's. They usually trace their history back to colonial America with the 7th Day Baptists who established a church in 1671. Before this, there existed other sabbath keepers throughout history going back to Christ.
God doesn't come right out and say this. I think though that the biblical support for this belief is sound.
Which goes to show how "scripture only and no tradition" can become quite meaningless.
I said that tradition is fine, but when it disagrees with scripture, I'll pick scripture. In this case I believe tradition agrees with scripture.