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!
I must give Roberts an A+ for clearly articulating our Bible-based belief to the world. But he also gets Z+ for a foolish line of argument. Imagine ridiculing a church for understanding the national implication of a regulation and complying with it in the name of national health and getting bashed by this emotionally charged accuser. My brother this is not a “We will serve God rather than man” moment!!” The objective of the new regulation was not to persecute the church but to encourage social distancing to slow the process of viral transmission and the SDA Church was right! Then our course that makes you wr–g!!
Their actions seem proactive.
Joseph c. your comments were tempered with reason, respect and illumination of some important theological information. You did not stand in the puplic space espousing your superior qualities over other men(generic)/sinners-like the the Pharisee in the temple of God but you have attempted to shine a light supported by the scriptures in part. We can and must refute error as it may be required at times. I believe that we must “Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” 1 Peter 3:15-16. Let us remain watchful and continue to study so that we may be enriched with the faith of Jesus and not our own wisdom or being wise in our own eyes. Thank you again.
To God be the glory brother. Let’s take precaution and lift our our family, island and world in our prayers in this time of trial.
The person who wrote this nonsense have to be an idiot. Also the editor who allowed this crap to be printed in this crucial time should be ashamed of themselves.
My take on this is; where is the church featuring in all of this. I have not heard any religous leader come out to make a stand for Christianity. As christians we should be calling for international fasting and prayer. I know God’s hand is in this and the world will never be the same again.
Joshua said “who is on the Lord’s side come and stand over here” and John 3:14 states, “as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the son of man be lifted up that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life,”
As a christian i am stan ding on the promises of Psalm 91.
I trust my God to take care of me and my family
In Jesus name Amen
Agreed. A pile of nonesens.