George Henry -Bishop Vivian Brown

GEORGE HENRY, STAR WRITER
SPALDINGS, Clarendon

Jamaicans and other citizens of the world are being warned to heed the call of God, be obedient and serve Him in spirit and in truth, or prepare to face the consequences for being stubborn.

This warning has come from Bishop Vivian Brown, who is the island overseer for the Shiloh Church of Christ Apostolic Worldwide. Bishop Brown stressed that God has been pleading to mankind for centuries, to turn from their wicked ways, be free from sin and surrender their life to Him. But Man has been slow in responding to the His voice.

end of days

The 66-year-old veteran church leader, who has been a Christian since age 17, said the Bible speaks about the things that must take place in the last days. He said these things include the high levels of crime, corruption in high places, same-sex marriages and other things which are contrary to God's teachings.

"Just like when the flood was about to happen in the days of Noah, the people laughed at Noah when he warned them of it. When God looked upon the Earth, He saw that it was only Noah who pleased Him, and He told Noah to build Him an ark so that he could save the nation. But while Noah was working on the ark, the people jeered him and so on, but he still went on and preached to the people to repent," said Bishop Brown.

He said after Noah, his family and a selection of animals went into the ark, God left heaven and went to shut the door of the ark Himself, and then came the rain which lasted for 40 days and nights and all who were not in the ark, were killed.

Though God promised that he would not destroy the Earth with water like that again, Bishop Brown said those who do not heed God's call in these present days will miss going to heaven and will, instead, end up in hell because of stubbornness and disobedience to the voice of the Lord. He added that brimstone and fire is awaiting those who harden their hearts and stiffen their neck against the calling of God.

"The Books of St Mathew and Timothy tell us of the things that will take place in the last days. If you should look across the world today, everything that we have been told will take place in the last days, are now occurring. The Bible is being fulfilled and no government, no opposition nor anyone can stop what is happening. All that mankind has to do is turn from their wicked ways and seek the Lord," noted Bishop Brown.

heart of stone

He pointed out that despite many sermons being preached by God's representatives on Earth, the heart of man is becoming more wicked. The church leader further stated that when Bible characters, such as Enoch and Jeremiah, were preaching in their days about the return of the Lord, persons were as violent as they are today, but that did not stop them from telling the people that they needed to change.

Brown, who has moved up in the church from a Sunday school teacher to deacon, elder and bishop, has been the island overseer for his denomination for the past six years. He has been in charge of churches in Clarendon, Manchester and St Catherine.

One person who is pleased with his work is his wife of 32 years, Ruth. She described her husband as a hard worker for God who is precious to many and who has gained their respect and love.

"He is a lovely darling. He is so nice to me; he works hard for God, and even when no one is out to worship, he is gone to see to the work of God. This is an obedient man of God who is not afraid to preach the Word in season and out of season," noted Mrs Brown.>