BOPE, or Batalhão de Operações Policiais Especiais, is the special ops unit of the Polícia Militar do Rio de Janeiro. Established 19 January 1978, the force is used in operations to combat crime in high risk areas.
http://www.boperj.org/siteoficial2008.html
Let's say there's a mess in one of the favelas. Like Babilônia. Perhaps an 
ordinary police patrol is surrounded and under fire.
Who do you call?
BOPE. Of course.
This elite force shows up, and cleans house.
AS IN RIO, SO IN THE CHURCH
In the Adventist church, the local pastor can deal with matters of salvation, youth ministries, advice on tithing, etc.
But sometimes the church is under assault, and then who do you call?
BOPE, of course.
Its just that the Adventist version 
has a slightly different name: "operated as part of the world headquarters, the Biblical Research Institute exists to answer and expound on questions of doctrine for Seventh-day Adventists and for those interested in Adventist beliefs. BRI distributes informative papers on specific topics; presents programs for ministers' meetings; provides specialized short courses for ministerial education programs; operates a vigorous program of Bible Land seminars in Israel and publishes major book-length studies on specific subjects. It also issues a periodic newsletter of theological 
information and discussions." (Biblical Research Institute, http://www.adventist.org/bible_study/bri.html.en)
PLENTY OF FIRES TO PUT OUT
In Rio, BOPE is supposed to deal only with special contingencies. Which tend to happen every night.
The Adventist Biblical Research Institute (BRI) has been around for more than 50 years, and on every hand there are nasty situations which need to be dealt with by this elite force.
As Capitão Mueller of BOPE (Adventist) puts it: "This quarter, instead of studying John's Gospel ..., we're going to study his three letters. ... they deal with issues relevant to us today, issues such as false doctrine, sin, love, apostasy and obedience." (Ekkehardt Mueller, Th.D., D.Min., INTRODUCTION - "What We Don't Know About . . .", Loved and Loving: John's Epistles, weekly Bible Study Guides of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Office of the Adult Bible Study Guide, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 3rd Quarter 2009, http://www.ssnet.org/qrtrly/eng/09c/index.html)
SOME FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN MEMBERS
The church has some dedicated Christian members, who get their doctrine straight: "The unique thing about Adventist sanctuary teaching, simply put, is that we believe Christ is in the last phase of his saving work. This highlights the imminence of his coming and the urgency of yielding to his Spirit in order to appeal to people of all nations to accept the gift of salvation by grace through faith that works by love, the gift of peace with God (Rom 5:1) and assurance of having salvation: “He who has the Son has life” (1 Jn 5:12). This eschatological urgency drives our proclamation and service, including our worldwide health-care and educational work , including that of Andrews University." (Roy E. Gane, Prof. of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Languages, Director, Ph.D./Th.D. and M.Th. Programs, Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Andrews University, CHRIST AT HIS SANCTUARY - Toward Adventist-Evangelical Dialogue, Paper presented at dialogue with World Evangelical Alliance, Andrews University, August 6, 2007, p 17)
KEEPING HIS EYE ON THE PRIZE
In a church troubled by matters of "false doctrine, sin, love, apostasy" (as per Mueller, supra), Dr. Gane is keeping his eyes focused on Jesus.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12
The Christian has to keep his eyes open when in this conflict. Just like the BOPE officers at left.
Dr. Gane is a man of unusual righteousness whose life is characterized by rigid honesty. So he's just lucky he made his pronouncement back in 2007.
What kind of "proclamation" (as per Gane, supra) is taking place in "our worldwide educational work" (as per Gane, supra) today?
ADVENTIST PROCLAMATION A.D. 2009
Our study takes us to one of our pink universities. "“The Southern Accent’s” issue for February 12 contained an article titled “Jesus is dead” which claimed to show that the teaching of the physical and tangible resurrection of Jesus was a rather late addition to Christian belief, one which was not shared by the earliest 
witnesses of Christianity, whose (possibly hallucinatory) belief was only of a spiritual and insubstantial resurrection." (Donn Leatherman School of Religion, Letters To Editor, Southern Accent, http://accent.cs.southern.edu/?p=587)
Wow! The Adventist university's student paper put out a "proclamation" that "Jesus is dead".
The Adventist Review has chimed in, 
with a special message from the Adventists' "high priest and spiritual leader" Cliff Goldstein: "despite the ridiculous rumor about him being resurrected from the tomb—which is causing a bit of a stir now—I expect that the Nazarene and his few remaining followers will fade into the dustbin of history. I predict that they will all be gone and forgotten, Lord willing, by no later than Pentecost." (ibid)
Its fortunate for Dr. Roy Gane that he made his declarations: "we believe Christ is in the last phase of his saving work", and "This eschatological urgency drives our proclamation and service, including our worldwide health-care and educational work" back in 2007, and not in 2009, because in 2009 the proclamation has changed.
And this is the apostasy Capitão Mueller was talking about.
CAMPUS SPIRITUAL CONDITION
So what is the spiritual condition at this Adventist university? Let's check with Dr. Stephen Bauer. "Stephen Bauer, a professor in Southern’s School of Religion was called by the Adventist Theological Society (ATS) to be president-elect for the years 2009 and 2010." http://www.spectrummagazine.org/node/1424 Just in case you're wondering, Dr. Bauer is a straight-up fellow, and advocates the sort of strict honesty that Dr. Roy Gane practices. "Lying is always wrong, Bauer said." http://www.spectrummagazine.org/node/1424
So, how does the truth look?
UNSAVED
"The fact is that our religious community demonstrates about the same rates of divorce, child abuse, sexual abuse, substance abuse, etc., as the “unbelieving” world. Our lack of transformational living proclaims loudly that Jesus is indeed dead." (Dr. Stephen Bauer, Associate Professor School of Religion, Zarathustra comes to Southern, Letters To Editor, Southern Accent,
http://accent.cs.southern.edu/?p=634)
Jesus had interaction with professors of religion in his day. His view of things?
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:20.
But do not despair, dear friends, the Savior foretold this situation:
[24] Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: [25] But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
[26] But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
[27] So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
[28] He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
[29] But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
[30] Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. Matthew 13
A HUMBLE MAN
Growing among the tares is at least one man who dares to confess his belief in the resurrection of Christ!! In this case, the head cook. "I was shocked and hurt to find an article such as “Jesus is dead” in our paper, for this is more than just sharing ideas, this is planting seeds of doubt in the word of God and fulfilling what Ellen White has said about this human reasoning". (Richard Johnson, Ellen White begs to differ, Letters To Editor, Southern Accent, http://accent.cs.southern.edu/?p=598)
"In the scribes, Pharisees, and rulers, Jesus found not the bottles for His new wine. He was obliged to turn from them to humble men, whose hearts were 
not filled with envy, covetousness, and self-righteousness. The lowly fishermen obeyed the call of the divine Teacher, while the scribes and Pharisees refused to become converted." (Ellen White, Lift Him Up, p 259)
UNCONVERTED "scribes, Pharisees, and rulers"
Converted? That means the life has been "transformed." "Our lack of transformational living proclaims loudly that Jesus is indeed dead." (Dr. Stephen Bauer, Associate Professor School of Religion, Zarathustra comes to Southern, LettersTo Editor,
http://accent.cs.southern.edu/?p=634)
"a person who lives as a Christian is a Christian but one who does not practice a Christian lifestyle is not a Christian." (Angel Manuel Rodríguez, BRI, CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN ADVENTISTS AND CATHOLICS, Reflections — A BRI Newsletter, October 2003, p 3)
VS. TESTIMONY OF HUMBLE COOK
"Praise God He is risen and He lives forever more and may you come to except this into your heart." (Johnson, supra) Brother Johnson probably meant "accept" instead of "except", but let me tell you this, the Lord uses the humble and the uneducated!
SALVATION COMES TO SOUTHERN
[9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
[10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10
BUT ITS NOT CONGRATULATIONS ALL AROUND
But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Matthew 23:13
There was a student evangelist at Southern who got a word from the Lord. He believed that the second coming of our Savior was imminent. The Bible says just that:
[7] Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
[12] And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
[20] He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22
SCOURGING AND PERSECUTION FOR PREACHING THE GOSPEL
Our Bible-believing Brother Ezekiel had a burden to preach the gospel of Christ's soon return. After all, it was biblical.
And how was this preaching received?
Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: Matthew 23:34
Our brother, otherwise known as the Adventist Ninja, was beaten, tasered three times, and thoroughly persecuted (in restraint).
CRAZY TO BELIEVE THE BIBLE AND PREACH THE GOSPEL
"The young man was halucinating and believed he was a prophet sent to declare the imminence of the Second Coming." (Dr. Edwin Reynolds, Southern Professor of Religion, Website comment of August 14, 2009, http://powerofpride.wordpress.com/2009/03/28/adventist-ninja-when-a-theology-student-goes-too-far/#comment-264)
The Bible says Jesus is coming quickly. Brother Ezekiel believes the Bible. And the "doctors of the law" say he's "lost it".
"They [the Pharisees] attributed to satanic agencies the holy power of God, manifested in the works of Christ. Thus the Pharisees sinned against the Holy Ghost. Stubborn, sullen, ironhearted, they determined to close their eyes to all evidence, and thus they committed the unpardonable sin (RH Jan. 18, 1898)." (Ellen White cited in S.D.A. Bible Commentary Vol. 5 (1956), p 1092)
20Many of them said, "He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?" John 10:20 (New International Version)
"What he did was not for the purpose of preaching the gospel but because he was mentally disturbed." (Dr. Edwin Reynolds, Southern Professor of Religion, Website comment of August 14, 2009, http://powerofpride.wordpress.com/2009/03/28/adventist-ninja-when-a-theology-student-goes-too-far/#comment-264)WHEN A PROPHET IS RAISED UP
Could the Adventist Ninja have been a prophet? "A person gifted with profound moral insight and exceptional powers of expression." http://www.answers.com/topic/prophet
Brother Ezekiel was tasered three times, choked unconscious, karate-chopped on the side of the neck, and beaten. And after all this? “In the ladder truck on the way down he was just preaching away”. He had exceptional powers of expression. And the message that Jesus is coming soon? Definitely a profound insight.
So his offense? Preaching the second coming.
[48] Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?
[49] Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. John 8
JUST DOING WHAT JESUS COMMANDED
And how do we honor God?
If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15
Like?
[15] And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
[16] He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
[17] And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
[18] They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
[19] So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
[20] And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. Mark 16
So who was "preaching everywhere"? Who believed? And who was trying to get a mass audience for his preaching ("preach the gospel to every creature")?
SIGNS WHICH FOLLOW THE UNSAVED
But maybe there are some who don't believe? How can we tell?
How about what they publish in the Southern Accent. Or, say, whether or not "the word" is confirmed in their lives "with signs following".
"Our lack of transformational living proclaims loudly that Jesus is indeed dead." (Dr. Stephen Bauer, Associate Professor School of Religion, Zarathustra comes to Southern, LettersTo Editor,
http://accent.cs.southern.edu/?p=634)
GLOBAL CALL FOR PRAYER
Christians around the globe need to unite in prayer for these people, praying:1) that the Adventist university will consider becoming Christian, and quit publishing denials of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ;
2) that Dr. Roy Gane will remain faithful to the Great Commission;
3) that Adventist religion professors will stop saying that belief in "the imminence of the Second Coming" is an hallucination;
4) that Brother Ezekiel is not discouraged from following his calling to preach the gospel EVERYWHERE;
5) that head cook Richard Johnson will give a faithful witness;
6) that head cook Richard Johnson will not get beaten and tasered for his witness;
7) that Adventist religion professor Dr. Stephen Bauer may experience transformational living (get born again; converted);
"a person who lives as a Christian is a Christian but one who does not practice a Christian lifestyle is not a Christian." (Angel Manuel Rodríguez, BRI, CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN ADVENTISTS AND CATHOLICS, Reflections — A BRI Newsletter, October 2003, p 3)
8) that the BOPE (Rio de Janeiro) may administer justice in a fair, yet firm manner in the favelas;9) that the light of the gospel may penetrate the favelas, changing the lives of the drug dealers, junkies, pimps, thieves, prostitutes, and all other unsaved souls;
10) for the Adventist BOPE, that they will be blessed in their efforts to clean up the mess of false doctrine and apostasy;
11) for the tares, that they may repent before the harvest;
12) for the wheat, that it may stay faithful.
MORE EXCITING NEWS FROM THE SPECIAL WORLD OF SOUTHERN ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY:
Student Savagely Beaten for not raising the Rainbow Flag
Evangelism & Community Service: Bring them to Christ with Sodas loaded with Sugars and Caffeine
They sell "Natural" Foods / with plenty of Sugars and Colors
Specially Formulated Cookies to Reverse the Aging Process / Wellness Center off to Flying Start!
When They want Truth, They Check the Campus Cave!
And Make a Film about that "Secret of the Cave"
University Cultic Site: High Places, Groves, You Name It
When will the Campus Food Shop Start Selling Beers?
Credits:
http://moviesense.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/tropadeelite1.jpg
http://www.policiamilitar.rj.gov.br/
http://www.preludefilms.com/images/meetroy.jpg
http://radioloandafm.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/tropa-de-elite-i.jpg
http://accent.cs.southern.edu/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jeTL9hC3Wg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3388/3218436093_2e2ae11b4a.jpg
http://www.soundwordsministries.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/pharisees2.jpg
Jesus of Nazareth
http://powerofpride.wordpress.com/2009/03/28/adventist-ninja-when-a-theology-student-goes-too-far/#comment-264
http://www.boperj.org/siteoficial2008.html
Other acknowledgments:
"Reflections is the official newsletter of the Biblical Research Institute of the General Conference. It seeks to share information concerning doctrinal and theological developments among Adventists and to foster doctrinal and theological unity in the world church. The newsletter is only accessible to pastors, theologians, and administrators of the church." http://www.adventistbiblicalresearch.org/WHY CAN'T LAY PEOPLE READ IT TOO? WHY IS IT JUST FOR THE PRIESTS?
[20] For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
[21] But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. John 3
