The Title of this article has been assigned due to the act of the Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness to incorporate a role into his Civil-Secular scope. A role that God had never given to him in directing or restricting religious matters of the conscience. Such a course is very dangerous and is no different from the history of the works of the Vatican, which is considered an ecclesiastical state, meaning it is a religious led system that also has civil powers, thereby empowering the pope to officiate in matters of the civil government not just locally but internationally and also dictate and lead in religious affairs. Vatican City is the world’s smallest fully independent nation-state. This system has imposed much abuse and torture even killing faithful protestants who stood up for the Word of God throughout the dark ages. Dissenters were labelled heretics because they did not go along with the dictates of the government which were actually given by the Catholic Church. Herein we will see the danger of such a head rising in Jamaica under the Prime Minister’s influence and actions.

The office of a Prime Minster is to serve the people of a country, to ensure that the interests of all are appropriately and equally represented in civil matters. However, we find a strong dictatorial spirit that is averse and indifferent towards civil and religious freedoms growing in the Covid responsive policies promoted by Prime Minister Andrew Holness. A review of speeches and policies would show an all superior and pompous conduct on the part of the leader. It is quite alarming that such an attitude is being manifested by one who is associated with Christianity but no Christian would work to destroy Christianity. He has connected himself with Seventh-Day Adventism however, many assume the title but not the character. No True Seventh Day Adventist has ever without retracting or will ever become involved in politics and such is the stance of the church in principle, as indicated by one of the Adventists founding members and Author Ellen G White:

“God employs the strongest figures to show that there should be no union between worldly parties and those who are seeking the righteousness of Christ. What communion can there be between light and darkness, truth and unrighteousness? None whatever.” FE 476

The quote says “no union” much more to be leading a political party.

“It is a mistake for you to link your interests with any political party, to cast your vote with them or for them. Those who stand as educators, as ministers, as laborers together with God in any line, have no battles to fight in the political world. Their citizenship is in heaven. The Lord calls upon them to stand as separate and peculiar people.” Fundamentals of Education page 479

The Disaster Risk Management Act is now serving to cover up the most sinister plot to overthrow God’s Church not just in Jamaica but in like policies around the world. The author finds quite a few things disturbing that would show the reader that nothing at this point occurs by chance or happenstance but a deliberate attack on the church, of course with the cooperation of a few insiders (church members).

To begin pointing out the dangerous road to which Covid protocols are trending against the church one needs not look farther than yesterday; an article Published in the Jamaica Observer on March 24th, where the Opposition member of parliament Mark Golding stated:

“As a lawmaker I'm thinking about the possibilities that may come down the line. It allows a prime minister to determine that [a particular] conduct is a criminal offence. That, to me, is bad law. Where [a] disaster is declared by the prime minister or by the ODPEM (Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management), it is then open season as to what measures ought to be put in place to respond to that crisis. Previously, those measures were not enforced by criminal sanctions; now they will be,” 1

The Prime Minister now have more of these powers at a time when he has previously demonstrated aggression against the church in enforcing church congregant limitations.

Without even going to the arguments that quote and quote necessitate the Prime Minister having those powers. We currently can see the Prime Minister is coupling Vaccines with returning to normalcy (even despite the fact that US NIA director, Anthony Fauci stating that the vaccine cannot prevent the reception or transmission of the Corona Virus). The Jab was being encouraged on the basis that people would be able to go to parties and gather. So, what about those who do not desire to take it will they not have the rights to Normalcy?

In the year 2020 at the height of the election season the Prime Minister visited Lucea Seventh-Day Adventist Church to secure the corporation of the church in the implementation of the Covid 19 policies. The strategy seems to be an effective far reaching one given that 1 in every 10 Jamaican is a Seventh-Day Adventist. He lauded the church for closing but the churches were responding to the restrictions on the number of congregants which had been limited to 20 up to June of 2020 and beyond. This, the church leadership ran with to their own detriment and that of its members but that’s for another article. Strange enough after leaving the church the Prime Minister went on the road to be greeted and cheered by party supporters. Not Long after it was time for campaigning and people were on top of people, jumping and gyrating to support their favorite parties; packed in buses, in cars and on the back of trucks. This showed blatant disrespect to the churches told to cooperate.

Fast track to 2021 and with churches being warned to submit protocols to prevent the spread of the Corona Virus that nevertheless did not stop the Annual Sagicor Sigma Corporate Run in Kingston from taking place in February. The event had over 100 physically present runners then to count administrative staff. If that is not a sign of glaring hypocrisy, I don’t know what is. Given that the churches were following the same guidelines as those promoted during the Sagicor Run. Many churches have nothing close to that number in one sitting but somehow and presently they have restricted the numbers to 10                                                                                            

Now on march 20^th a Present Truth Seventh Day Adventist Minister was arrested, yes handcuffed in Trelawny for worshipping God on the Sabbath (Saturday) with the faithful attendees who were giving heed to God’s command; “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Heb 10:25 KJV. With this persecution it is clear that the day of the Lord is indeed approaching.

How did the Prime Minister Feel so empowered to act against a Seventh Day Adventist Minister given he is surrounded by so many? (Mind you the police enforce rules laid out by the ruling party and the Prime Minister is known to have Seventh-Day Adventist Roots so it is not unfair for him to be held responsible) Well, the answer is very deep rooted but can be summarized as this “But compromising Adventist leaders gave their power unto the Prime Minister” Yes, there it is! A transfer of Power from Religious Influence to the Civil-Secular authority to direct in the matters of religion, conscience and fear of God not by expressly saying so but by willfully disregarding God’s word in light of this crisis. It is not the place of the Civil Government to tell the church where, when, how and under what conditions to worship. And if the government were not hostile against Christians then anyone who chose to worship would not have to be arrested on Criminal charges for breaking DRM Act. That is something that historically has proven a devastation to the true church. The following quote gives a perspective on the matter:

“None understood so well how to oppose the true Christian faith as did those who had once been its defenders; and these apostate Christians, uniting with their half-pagan companions, directed their warfare against the most essential features of the doctrines of Christ. The Bible was not accepted as the standard of faith. The doctrine of religious freedom was termed heresy, and its upholders were hated and proscribed.” The Great Controversy 45.1

Yes, religious freedom is a doctrine and one that the current leaders do not understand or are not willing to stand up for. But those that fear God will stand for it and also proclaim it despite the consequence.

Many persons are so fearful of the Corona-virus that they forgot what God had said:

“And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that Healeth thee” Exo 15:26 KJV.

Well currently most of the churches are hearkening unto the voice of the Most Honorable Andrew Holness (don’t let the title fool you) He is not more honorable than God and is over-stepping his God-given boundary.

Compromising religious church leaders and secular leaders are found wanting by the following statement:

Jesus Christ came into the world to set men free, and to plant in their souls the genuine principle of liberty,-liberty actuated by love,-liberty too honorable to allow itself to be used as an occasion to the flesh, or for a cloak of maliciousness,-liberty led by a conscience enlightened by the Spirit of God,-liberty in which man may be free from all men, yet made so gentle by love that he would willingly become the servant of all, in order to bring them to the enjoyment of this same liberty. This is freedom indeed. This is the freedom which Christ gave to man; for whom the Son makes free, is free indeed. (1895 ATJ, ROP 3.1)

Compromising church Leaders are not in obedience to God’s will because by example they teach that worship can be subject to the jurisdiction of the state; this is to deny Christ and annul His following words; 

“Jesus answering said unto them, render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marveled at him.” Mark 12:17KJV.

On the other hand, the Prime Minister who is to be a public servant and to protect the inalienable rights of his citizens including church members from being violated is not showing that “spirit made so gentle by love that he would willingly become the servant of all, in order to bring them to the enjoyment of this same liberty.”Ibid

So why isn’t there an uproar for the Seventh-Day Adventist Present truth minister that was arrested? Well, here it is:

“…..that the enforcement of right laws never can be persecution. If, therefore, religion or religious observances be a proper subject of legislation by civil government, then there never has been, and there never can be, any such thing as religious persecution. Because civil governments are ruled by majorities, the religion of the majority must of necessity be the adopted religion; and if civil legislation in religious things be right, the majority may legislate in regard to their own religion. Such law made in such a case must be right laws, and the enforcement of them therefore can never be persecution. {1895 ATJ, ROP 15.1}

It is for this reason that all well thinking Christians shun the relationship of Church and State in all its forms whether through funding, joint ventures, Special Programs or even health programs. Christ's work needs faithful hands not world powers. Many think it an effective way to reach them and others but here is Christ’s example:

 “He who was our example kept aloof from earthly governments. Not because He was indifferent to the woes of men, but because the remedy did not lie in merely human and external measures. To be efficient, the cure must reach men individually, and must regenerate the heart.

Not by the decisions of courts or councils or legislative assemblies, not by the patronage of worldly great men, is the kingdom of Christ established, but by the implanting of Christ’s nature in humanity through the work of the Holy Spirit. { Desire of Ages 509.3}

With that said the majority of guilt lies at the feet of compromising religious leaders who are failing to uphold the banner of truth and religious liberty and have not looked at the matter through the right lenses. The wrong perspective on the matter will certainly hurt the cause of God. A quote:

“As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel’s message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position and join the opposition. By uniting with the world, they have come to view matters in nearly the same light, and they choose the popular side. Men who once rejoiced in the truth employ their talent and pleasing address to mislead souls. They become bitter enemies of their former brethren. These apostates are efficient agents of Satan to misrepresent and accuse Sabbath keepers and stir up the rulers against them.” { HF 370.2 }

Who then can stand amidst the prospect of betrayal? Daniel kept on praying to God even though he knew the law passed was directly going to affect him. His public and private rights to worship specifically by prayer was being restricted (See Daniel Chapter 6 KJV). And as you know Jesus said: “… It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer;…..” Matt 21:13 KJV. Zoom is not a house and cannot be a house, it is an electronic platform. The faithful will have to keep their fires alive through a personal relationship with God through Prayer, study and seeking fellowship with those who are pressing in the upward direction and not falling in line with the state demands.

Keep the Faith.

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Affiliated Article:

Then and Now - The Rights of the People Part 1

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Essential Reading Material:

The Great Controversy

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Sources:

Opposition Minister on Prime Ministers Powers

1. House Gives Nod to Fines for Covid Safety Breaches

Sagicor participants:
2. Sagicor SIGMA Corporate Run-5.5 K Virtual Run