Election Day And Adventists

Since the advent of
leadership with particular reference to democratic governance, major national and international events are indiscriminately slated on the Lord’s Day. Most often, the Lord’s Day is being misconstrued with the Day of the Lord. Of course, they are distinct in application.
The Lord’s Day is a special day set aside at the end of creation week when Jehovah rested and joyfully fellowshipped with mankind in appreciation of His hardwork and commanded man whom He created in His image to remember and keep the 7th Day (Sabbath) holy as a memorial of creation (Exodus 20 Vs 8-11) as well as memorial of redemption of man through the sacrifice of Jesus at the Cross of Calvary. Obedience to God’s commandments is a sign of love for God and humanity. Jesus reiterated, if you love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15 and Matthew 22:37).
Meanwhile, the Day of the LORD has to do with the Second Advent of Jesus De Christ (Anointed) to harvest His obedient servants into the Kingdom of God – the new environment which would certainly attract resurrection of those that are dead transformation of those alive who are righteous, execution of judgement as well as conferment of eternal life and/or eternal damnation. Invariably, people would be rewarded accordingly – Revelation 20 vs 13-15.
There is a divine pronouncement that “Righteousness exalts a nation (Nigeria inclusive) but sin (rebellion) is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34) refers. One may posit here: what is the implication of this assertion?
At this juncture, the leadership of Nigeria should pause and ponder the numerous socio-economic, political, religious problems along with the insecurity, insurgency and corruption ravaging the nation. Furthermore, it has been asserted that experience is the best teacher. What are we supposed to experience? We are supposed to learn from the experiences of King Nebuchadnezzar, who was made beast for seven (7) years in the bush for insulting his creator God (Daniel 4) and King Pharaoh of Egypt, who perished in the Red Sea for being rebellious – see Exodus 14.
Also, we have to learn from King Belshazzar who made mockery  of sacred (holy) things in Babylon; there was a divine writing on the wall beyond his comprehension and understanding, which led to his immediate death and the termination of Babylon as a ruling world empire. Today Babylon does not exist anywhere in the world even though it was once a giant. Nigeria is boasting today as the giant of Africa in the same way Babylon boasted. We have to examine ourselves as a nation and obey God’s express instructions or commands.
God still shows mercy to Nigeria and her leadership. What is required of us is change. Our leaders must stop fixing national activities such as election on Saturday which is the Sabbath day. Apart from offending God by misusing the day, sabbatarians are deprived of voting. This amounts to outright disenfranchisement and an abuse of their rights.
When a nation disregards God’s express command on the use of the Sabbath day, that nation toes the path of Lucifer. And since God cannot share his glory with any man, that nation can never go unpunished.
It is unarguable that every person would want to be part of an electoral process including Nigerians, but if election is fixed for Saturday, we sabbatarians would not vote. We must obey God rather than men.
The Bible says that people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. They are destroyed because they reject knowledge as proclaimed by Prophet Hosea 4 v. 6. People should not depend or be carried away by sense knowledge or human philosophy which is deceitful. The commandments (law) of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul and the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple – Psalm 19 v 7. Elections should not be fixed on the Lord’s Day (Saturday) to guarantee equal participation of legible voters. Everyone has to be given the opportunity to vote. This can be done when the observance of religious days is not truncated. A word is enough for the wise.
Ominyanwa is a public affairs analyst.

Goddey Ominyanwa