by JK Roberts
The Government of Grenada may have decisive information which has not been disclosed to the general public but which has prompted Prime Minister Keith Mitchell to give an urgent message on Friday, 13 March 2020 (https://nowgrenada.com/2020/03/prime-ministers-address-on-covid-19/).
Although there may be strong indications of a serious threat to the people, there has not been a constitutional declaration of a national emergency because of the pandemic Covid-19 (coronavirus). However, the Prime Minister’s message of a virtual lockdown of the country, impacting every household, sector, discipline and endeavour, generated intense anxiety, panic, suspicion, confusion and irrational reactions.
Noticeably, the spiritual strength and standard shepherding of the Grenada Conference of Seventh Day Adventists (GCSDA) have been exposed and tested. The GCSDA seems to have buckled particularly under the Social Distancing recommended fight against Covid-19, requesting that all public and social gatherings such as cultural, religious, sporting and cinemas that cannot guarantee a minimum of 6 feet of social distancing, be suspended until further notice. There was no clear and valid reason for the executive of GCSDA to “put a hold on church services until further notice with immediate effect” of a mere few hours after the delivery of the national address and even when most of the several measures outlined by the Prime Minister is to take effect from Monday, 16 March. Indeed, a hasty decision made by the executive, without considering all factors and meanings, including the regular transportation and working spaces, as well as the official transactions and general welfare and sentiment of its members.
Unfortunately, since the announcements and warnings about the Covid-19, there has not been any set of advices or guidelines prepared and sent by the GCSDA to the various congregations, so as to mitigate and safeguard its members and the general public against the negative impact of an actual onset or confirmed case of the disease in Grenada; as this would be expected from a caring and responsible establishment. Instead of putting the hold on Sabbath worship at the churches, the GCSDA should have encouraged a solemn service of Prayer and Fasting on Saturday, 14 March 2020, with special comforting and supporting to the members, and collaborative planning and formulating of pertinent alternatives and precautions. Moreover, the Saturday session would have brought hope and joy on the revelations of End-time biblical prophecies, especially with focus and reflection on the lessons from the current study of the book of Daniel, detailing the set world’s empires, https://absg.adventist.org/and https://3abnsabbathschoolpanel.com/ and http://www.creation-science-prophecy.com/prooverv.htm.
In the interest of everyone and the nation, some relevant pointers for church worshippers especially the GCSDA, to be observed regarding the prevention of the spread and the hurt of the Covid-19 disease :
- All members should take Sabbath worship at their local church only. There should not be any visiting by members of other congregations.
- All members who are working in high risks areas, such as at the entry points (seaport and airport), the medical field and the tourist industry, should refrain from attending worship.
- All members who have travelled especially from high-risk countries with the disease, or who have had physical contact with any such individuals including relatives, within the past 3 weeks should not attend church services.
- All members experiencing flu-like symptoms should not attend worship and handle any items of or to be used in the church, before consulting and getting clearance from a medical doctor.
- All members who are at high risk for contracting the disease, such as the elderly and those who are medically vulnerable, particular care must be taken and be given accordingly.
- All members who are attending church services should practice basic hygiene ethics and follow the medical guidelines provided by the government and other reliable health officials.
- Non-members or persons of the community wishing to join the assembly should be vetted and given the procedures and guidelines for worshipping. Members and non-members must be honest and accurate about their status and the information presented and adhered to the rules.
- Extra care and attention must be developed for collecting money, for rendering praise and testimony, for performing communion and for general ushering and welcoming.
- The sitting arrangement must be adjusted and the programme or the order of worship must be adjusted to make possible, for example, shifted or staggered worship services accordingly.
- First Aid kits should be provided, including disinfectant spray, bleach, methylated spirit and other disinfecting or cleaning agents including wiping cloths. There should also be an adequate supply of toilet paper, face masks, hand gloves, hand sanitisers and running water.
- Promote, encourage and assist with the health message of the Adventist Church (particularly by Ellen G White) in terms of herbal medication, spiritual meditation and dress code (‘all covered’).
- Mobilise and activate pertinent departments, medical experts, disaster personnel and counselling professionals. Practise humanity, extend neighbourly love and brotherly respects.
- Everyone should be alert and notify of any strange individual, action, condition and feeling.
How could a Christian denomination which claims that it is God’s remnant church and has the truth (Rev. 12:17), which champions the everlasting gospel of the Three Angels Message (Rev. 14:6-13), which promotes that we are living in the last days of perilous times (2 Tim. 3:1-8) filled with diverse problems (Matt. Ch. 24) and which asserts that it is facing and preparing for the Mark of the Beast with the Sunday Law (Rev. 13:16-18), ceases from its Sabbath worship due to notice for organised preparations against a disease? Christians hold and preach that we are living in a sin-sick world and that the paradise of a new heaven and a new earth awaits for the faithful worshippers, yet the mounting fright and fuss about Covid-19 to the extent that the GCSDA abandons church service on its Saturday Sabbath day. Other religions had most of their regular Sunday church services on 15 March, dialogued with their members and renewed their plea for a National Day of Prayer. Does it mean then that the GCSDA would be absorbed into the one-day Sunday Sabbath worship by or for all peoples and religions?
Despite whatever analysis can be made for the origin, cause, goal and perpetrators of Covid-19, it should be clear to conclude that the aftermath of the pandemic will be a drastically new world socio-economic era of extraordinary paradigm with far-reaching changes, and of course political thrust. The key features of the new reality and normality would be digital currencies, electronic transactions with artificial intelligence, virtual assemblies, biometric registrations and tracings with Personal Identification Numbers; all evolving toward uniform life processes under the United Nations and the universal Mark of the Beast under the papal system as biblically justified. God will eventually come to reclaim His creation.
Instructively; the trend relating to the introduction, necessity, dependence and indulgence of on-line worship and the use of information technology for important meetings including educational and business, is on a very dangerous slippery slope. Whilst there would be a huge financial cost for the technological infrastructure, environmental damage and health complications with radiation, and status segregation of citizens based on affordability and accessibility, there is also significantly the carrot and addiction for smoothly accepting and worshipping the Mark of the Beast with the climax of crises.
What is the contextual understanding, application, condition and meaning by GCSDA of Bible scriptures such as Matt. 10:1 and Luke 9:1-2 having power over all devils and diseases, and 2 Tim. 1:7 and Ps. 91:10 not having a spirit of fear; its stance has nothing to do with ‘being wise’. It’s the prayer that the GCSDA is not of political subservience, poor discretion and weak spirituality. Moreover; elders of the local churches should not appear to be puppets of GCSDA’s executive but must be independent to open the doors of their churches for all those who wish to find refuge and solace at this challenging time!
It is clear now that one of the problems some Seventh-day Adventists is that we exist among bigots, people who know it all and people who can’t discern the times and seasons. Our fight in this regard is not against the Government or any other church, our fight is against a disease and a serious one. Note well, the Government, didn’t attack our freedom to worship on Sabbath. This had nothing to do with who we worship or on which day. It is clear that this was meant to affect all groups that gather. I echo in the voice of Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:1 who said to his followers: “Follow me as much as I follow Christ”, which means that once he deviates, he expects us to follow Christ. We have been called to obey those set in authority over us, except when they attempt to cause us to disobey God. Romans 13, also tells us why we should obey the Governments, but we do this to the point where they call us to go contrary to the word of God or disregard His law. Daniel was a prime example. He was in a pagan country, yet he became a prince in Babylon. He obeyed the Government where necessary, but showed his superior loyalty to God when the Government decided to coerce him to give up his loyalty. What seems to emit from this letter is undue legalism to the max. This announcement from the Government did not take away our freedom to worship, however, it is a step in the right direction as we think not only of ourselves and how good we could look religiously, but our fellow men. This kind of fanaticism that has people around the world trying to prove they could handle snakes in worship. Jesus promise that he gave us the power to do so, but that’s if it becomes necessary. Daniel had God’s promise of protection from Deuteronomy 7, but God never called us to jump in a lion’s den, go handle a leper, expose ourselves unnecessarily to microbes to prove that he can save us or cure us. When the time comes and we end up in this unfortunate circumstances, we have the hope that He is able and that he will protect us. So did we make the right decision? Absolutely yes. It is not the time to play zealous beyond requirement. Be zealous in true obedience to God in your daily personal life and let your neighbors see Jesus in you even more than how much you know about Jesus and who should do what. God is not mocked by this religious banter with no real basis. It more feels like personal vengeance. Talk to God.
Christians are call to defend the gospel not to defend the church organization. Those who make such statements or arguments clearly are not looking to the church for answers but are looking to find fault. If convid 19 was to fall on all,every, christian would that say God is not pleased or loves us….. How can one tell t
heir GOD do as i want or i am doing this and you protect me. Hmmm….. The worldly cannot fathom the way of the righteous….
While I see the thought process of the Author. I DISAGREE WITH HIS STATEMENTS. I believe my Conference acted in good faith by their decision. We did have church on 14th March 2020. We had prayer and worship, sabbath school, special music and a sermon regarding Noah and the ark. I trust you search you soul and let the holy spirit lead you as we all grow as Christians. Stay blesed.
Francis:
We can disagree but we don’t have to be insultive. We can comment without deing toxic as I have seen done here. It demeans our use of potential meaningful speech. We are not made more intelligent than the author by this our foul tongues. If we have any edifying words let it be sweet in case we may be forced to eat them ourselves. Thank you fellow Grenadians.
The person who write this article is ignorant and not wise. I do hope they are not asking all Christian believers to stand in the path of a Hurricane and pray so that the wind will just pass by with any harm. I always know, not all educated people have wisdom and understanding. AS for me as a SDA Christian i will protect myself from getting sick. The God i serve give me knowledge,wisdom and understanding and i will always serve him.
( Please don’t delete my post again)
The question to be asked here is why the rest of the world seems to ridicule the SDA church. The Bible states that the remnant church as you mentioned in your writing will suffer from persons going against them, speaking all matters of things against them, ridiculing them and persecuting them. We can therefore draw the conclusion that you ridiculing the SDA Church is a sign that this church is the remnant church.
I always realize that not all educated persons have wisdom and understanding. The author of this writing is selfish and ignorant. Hope he doesn’t ask all religious individuals to stand within a hurricane and pray so that the wind will just pass you by.
As a SDA christian, i will follow procedures and not get sick. The God i serve gave me wisdom, knowledge and understanding.
Common sense really isn’t common. This is complete foolishness, the GSDAC acted to protect it’s members and others and for you to write this nonsense is utter madness. This has nothing to do with church and state(politics) but has everything to do with safety of members. You should check your facts.
You mate, are a bumbling idiot. The church if anything should distance itself from radicals like you.
God gave people brains with the intention that they be used, you my fellow Grenadian (a shameful admission) should start using yours.
The church took the decision to protect and save lives in collaboration with a government advisory. Are you suggesting that the church goes against the government, worldwide health advisory bulletins and common sense?
Christianity means “being Christlike”, think carefully and say after me “What would Jesus do?” Mmmm.
Stay your dumb self at home, wash your hands, read your bible and sabbath school lessons, sing a few hymns and fast FROM THE COMFORT AND SAFETY OF YOUR HOME …and please make an effort to stop being stupid. Then we can pray for you as well
Your information is so wrong, I’m worried for you.
I wonder who wrote this drivel. This is pure nonsense. God does not expect His people to be fools. He gave us the ability to think and make decisions on our own for a time such as this. You seem to be an intelligent person…put it to better uses. Stay safe.