This announcement should open our eyes. As Solomon said, “Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.” Proverbs 1:17
We have read information about an event scheduled for Sabbath, October 27, 2018. This event is planned throughout the South American Division, which is comprised of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and several nearby islands. Be aware that this may also take place in other world Divisions.
- During the 11:00 o’clock holy service, which is the time when a message should be given to uplift believers and bring them closer to Christ, those who attend will instead be required to fill out a 30-minute survey.
- Pastors are to announce the research at the beginning of the service, saying that it is an official research conducted by the Department of Archives, Statistics and Research of the South American Division, and asking everyone to cooperate.
- All members and visitors 14 years of age and older who have smartphones are to participate. At this time, all smartphone information that can be electronically detected will be collected. This includes cell phone numbers and email address information, as well as all other apps that share data, such as SnapChat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, etc.
- Access to the survey will be via a special WhatsApp link that will be sent to all pastors on Friday evening, October 26, 2018. It is not to be opened until Sabbath morning. It will be at this time that everyone will reveal their personal profile including their habits and attitudes toward the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Each will be asked to input personal information, and all responses will be electronically collected instantly.
- Pastors are asked not to share the link via social media, email, or in any other way whatsoever. All this is being done in complete secrecy.
It makes one wonder about the timing of this required survey—right after the General Conference Autumn Council—where a final decision is being taken that forces compliance and requires all members to bow to church authority. It also makes one wonder why pastors are being told to do this.
Why is the survey being done on Sabbath, precisely at the time when God’s message should be given? Is this survey so much more important than the sacred worship that God would want the survey to replace His holy worship? Who is being uplifted? The SDA organization, not God!
Does it make you wonder why the ‘Church’ wants this private information?
A 5-minute survey would ask several questions, but a 30-minute survey is definitely a fact-finding mission. It should make one wonder what type of personal information the survey asks that would require 30 minutes to fill out.
Does it make you want to ask the reason for the secrecy?
What will be the consequences for those who refuse to participate, whether pastors or members? Disfellowshipping? This seems to be the conference way: “Do as we say, or we will disfellowship you.”
Does any of this remind you of what Hitler did to help him round up the Jews? Are Seventh-day Adventists being sold to the enemy without realizing it?
If this comes to your church, we advise you not to participate. Better yet, do not attend any longer.
God has not set any kingly power in the Seventh-day Adventist Church to control the whole body or to control any branch of the work. He has not provided that the burden of leadership shall rest upon a few men. Testimonies for the Church,Vol. 8, p. 236
