Sabbath keepers warn Sunday worshippers

Convinced that the Government is getting ready to introduce law that will make Sunday the designated day of worship, two Sabbath keepers have set about preparing persons to mount fierce resistance to this perceived plan.

Vincent Hoo and Wilhelm Lecky, leaders of the FTB Ministries, have mounted billboards in Portmore, St Catherine; Mandeville, Manchester; and Mountain View Avenue in Kingston, telling people that "Sunday worship will be the Mark of the Beast".

"The Government of the land is going to come with a law making Sunday the compulsory day of worship, and any time that happens, that will be the Mark of the Beast. We want to warn the people not to accept that law in this land, making Sunday the only day of worship. We want to warn God's people of what is coming," Hoo told THE STAR yesterday.

Several attempts to contact Ed Bartlett, the Leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives, to find out whether the Andrew Holness-led administration has plans to introduce such legislation proved futile yesterday. Additionally, no mention was made of any such laws when the governor general gave the Throne Speech at the start of the year. In any event, Jamaica's constitution guarantees every person the right to freedom of religion and worship.

The FTB ministers, however, appear to be taking no chances. Hoo, for instance, argues that the public will soon be forced to contend with the question about whether Saturday and Sunday should be designated the day of worship. He said that Jamaicans should pay attention to their Bible, which he said clearly points to Saturday being designated as the day of rest and worship.

"We fear nothing, we fear no one and we are ready to go on our knees and testify for God. It is no joke, this is serious. Anyone who accepts the Mark of the Beast, the plague that is within this book (the Bible) is going to pour out on them," he stressed.

Lecky, a preacher for the ministry, said it is necessary for the message to be shared as Jamaicans are ignorant to Bible knowledge. He said it is their duty to help others understand the issue at hand.

"This is a warning for persons to investigate the issue, which for many would be an unpopular idea," he said.

"You warn the people not when the crisis begins, but before it does. The Mark of the Beast will be mandated by an enacted Sunday law," he said.

The FTB Ministry is said to be based on Seventh-day Adventist teachings. The ministry, which was started in 2002 by Hoo, does not have a physical home, but is said to capture the attention of about 100 persons in Jamaica with their live-streamed services.