The Unanswered Prayer of Jesus

Jesus has a prayer for His church. Are we answering it? While there have been theological disagreements within different wings of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church—most notably on women's ordination in recent times—the division that has arisen among the professed Bible-believing ranks of Adventism regarding COVID-19 over the last two years has been alarming to witness. Unfortunately, not only has COVID-19 changed the world, it has also reshaped the landscape of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Much like the secular world, we have seen within the church a hotly-contested debate about masks, social distancing, vaccines, and mandates. And if we are honest with ourselves, would it be fair to ask if our talking points are coming as much from our favorite contemporary media sources that align with our political perspectives as from the Bible?

Bible-believing Seventh-day Adventists can all agree that COVID-19 is a sign of the second coming of Jesus. We read in Matthew 24:6-8:

*And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.*¹

Between the pestilence of COVID-19 and the present war between Ukraine and Russia, these prophetic utterances by Christ in Matthew 24 are pregnant with meaning; they remind us that the world will become worse as the return of Jesus approaches. Furthermore, the pandemic and the recent development of war remind us that we can have absolute certainty that Jesus is coming again. We are living in "the beginning of sorrows." This should be no surprise to us as Seventh-day Adventists, because we have been living in the time of the end since 1798 and the hour of God's judgment since 1844.

However, apocalyptic events are not the only signs of the nearness of the coming of Jesus. Unity among Seventh-day Adventists who profess a belief in the three angels' messages is another vital sign of the nearness of Christ's coming that cannot be ignored. The tragic lack of unity among God's people during the pandemic should deeply concern all who look for the soon return of Jesus.

What does Jesus say in John 17:17-24 about the unity of the church before His return?

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

While this is a familiar passage to most Christians about unity among believers in Christ, the context of verses 23 and 24 is especially fascinating. In verse 24, Christ asks the Father that His believers be brought to heaven, based presumably on the unity achieved in verse 23. What does that unity look like, and how is it achieved?

Jesus is to be in us, and we are to be in Him. When that happens, we are "made perfect in one" and the world will know that God has sent us. As a result of a united church that is "perfect in one," Jesus will return the second time to bring His united believers to be with Him in heaven.

This unity was achieved among the early Christian church disciples at Pentecost as described in Acts 2:1-4:

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The early rain of the Holy Spirit that was poured out at Pentecost is a small taste of the latter rain that will be poured out on God's end-time people. If the early Christian church was united "with one accord" in one place (see also Acts 1:14 and 2:46), it stands to reason that those who receive the outpouring of the latter rain will be united in similar fashion. In fact, they will be united perfectly, as seen in John 17:17-24. They will be a sanctified people who are fully surrendered to Jesus. Jesus lives in them, and they abide in Christ. Then, Revelation 18:1 is fulfilled:

And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.

Now, let's be frankly honest with ourselves. After the stark divisions that have broken out among us a people during the pandemic, can we truly say that we are united as a people, and that we are ready for the outpouring of the latter rain?

Recently, I spoke at a Seventh-day Adventist church for the weekend. None of the messages addressed the vaccine or the pandemic. Instead, they were focused on the character preparation that is needed to be ready for the coming of Jesus. After the Friday night meeting, an individual approached me and asked, "So what do you think about the jab?" Here was my response:

"I believe that everyone should be allowed to make their own decision on whether or not to get the vaccine. Nobody should feel forced to get the vaccine or feel forced not to get the vaccine. I personally feel very comfortable with the vaccine. I have received the vaccine and the booster. However, if you are not comfortable with getting the vaccine, that is fine with me."

While the individual was polite to me after I gave that response, that person proceeded to tell several others who were there that they would not be returning to hear the rest of my messages the next day on Sabbath because I was OK with getting the vaccine. And sure enough, this person did not return. For some Adventists, where one stands on the vaccine has become a test of faithfulness. If someone is or is not vaccinated, that person no longer is a bearer of truth.

There has been concern about coercion from vaccine mandates, a concern that I share. But what about coercion from those who are unvaccinated toward those who are thinking about getting the vaccine? Coercion is a two-way street on this issue. I have spoken to more than one person in the church at large who has been pressured by family not to get the vaccine or who received the vaccine secretly for fear of a backlash from family and friends in the church!

It is my strong belief that individual members in the church should be allowed to decide for themselves about the vaccine without their integrity and faithfulness as Adventists being judged. Such judgments have come from both sides. One side has argued, among other things, that those who refuse the vaccine are violating their Christian responsibility to others by endangering them with the disease. On the other side, I am concerned that the strong anti-vaccine movement in the church may have become a para-church movement, for some almost a religion to itself, that holds that the only faithful Seventh-day Adventists that remain are those who have not received the vaccine. Notice this statement from Ellen G. White:

*For forty years did unbelief, murmuring, and rebellion shut out ancient Israel from the land of Canaan. The same sins have delayed the entrance of modern Israel into the heavenly Canaan. In neither case were the promises of God at fault. It is the unbelief, the worldliness, unconsecration, and strife among the Lord's professed people that have kept us in this world of sin and sorrow so many years.*²

How did we get to such a point of deep division in the church? Jesus prayed that we would be one as He and the Father are one. Obviously, we are nowhere near that point. The prayer of Jesus remains unanswered, and He has not come to take us to where He is in heaven.

While it is clear that the current division regarding the vaccine comes from deeply held convictions from those on both sides of the issue, what is distressing is that it seems that political ideology is a large factor in how many (not all) are arriving at their conclusions. Many of the talking points shared on social media are similar, if not identical, to talking points shared on CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, Breitbart, and other similar media sources. The passion and zeal for these issues often exceeds the zeal I see in the church for promoting the three angels' messages.

It is also clear that both sides believe that they are promoting health. Those opposed to the vaccine believe they would defile their bodies to take the vaccine. They promote immune-boosting therapy and early intervention with a variety of natural therapies, and often they promote allopathic medications such as Ivermectin or hydroxychloroquine. Often they are even fine with getting COVID-19 so they can have natural immunity. Those in favor of the vaccine believe in prevention: they are careful maskers, they do immune-boosting therapies, but they also believe it is wise to take the vaccine to preserve health from a potentially life-threatening virus.

While the arguments can be more complex and nuanced, at a very basic level that is the underlying sincere belief of those on both sides.

And here is where I want to make an appeal to all sides. We should not identify with any political ideology or party. We should simply be known as faithful Seventh-day Adventists who promote the three angels' messages. I am afraid that many of us believe we are defending the three angels' messages when, in reality, we are defending a secular ideology from the culture around us. When we cannot discern the difference between the partisan messages around us and the three angels' messages, we have truly failed to understand our message and mission.

The following statement from Ellen G. White summarizes this sentiment well:

*The Lord would have His people bury political questions. On these themes silence is eloquence. Christ calls upon His followers to come into unity on the pure gospel principles which are plainly revealed in the word of God.*³

When we understand end-time Bible prophecy, we see clearly that all the major political parties in all the countries of the world are aligned with the dragon as seen in Revelation 16, in which three end-time powers emerge to deceive the world and God's people. We need to be careful that our consciences are not being educated by misinformation from pundits who are aligned with any of these powers.

In my recently published book on Revelation, Commentary on the Book of Revelation: Practical Living in the Judgment Hour, pp. 415-418, I discuss the powers described as three unclean spirits like frogs in Revelation 16:

The unholy trinity of this passage can be unmistakably identified. The dragon is Satan (Revelation 12:9), who uses supernatural miracles, better known as spiritualism, in this setting. The beast is spiritual Babylon, or the Roman Catholic church-state power as defined in Revelation 13:1-10. The false prophet is apostate Protestant America as seen in Revelation 13:11-17 and Revelation 19:20. Notice the language regarding the false prophet:

And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Revelation 19:20)

This is very similar language to Revelation 13:13-14 regarding the second beast:

And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

From these passages, we discern that apostate Protestant America, as the false prophet, performs supernatural miracles before the close of probation and prior to the beginning of the plagues. In the sixth plague, the false prophet works in concert with the dragon and the beast power to deceive the world after the close of probation. These three powers worked together to cause the world to receive the mark of the beast. During the plagues, they will not allow this support to dry up without using the same manifestations that they used prior to the close of probation to deceive the world into receiving the mark of the beast. This statement by Ellen White equates the work of the three unclean spirits with that of spiritualism:

Satan has long been preparing for his final effort to deceive the world. The foundation of his work was laid by the assurance given to Eve in Eden: "Ye shall not surely die." "In the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." Genesis 3:4, 5. Little by little he has prepared the way for his masterpiece of deception in the development of spiritualism. He has not yet reached the full accomplishment of his designs; but it will be reached in the last remnant of time. Says the prophet: "I saw three unclean spirits like frogs; . . . they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty." Revelation 16:13, 14. Except those who are kept by the power of God, through faith in His word, the whole world will be swept into the ranks of this delusion. The people are fast being lulled to a fatal security, to be awakened only by the outpouring of the wrath of God. (The Great Controversy, pp. 561, 562)

The dragon, or Satan, is represented by spiritualism in this unholy trinity. While the Roman Catholic church-state power and the false prophet of the apostate Protestant churches advocate spiritualism through the teaching that the souls of the dead do not really die, there is a broader sweep to spiritualism.

In Revelation 11:7, the power of atheism ascends from the bottomless pit... Atheism is a godless religion. Furthermore, Revelation 13:2 says that the dragon gave his "power, seat, and great authority" to the beast. And Revelation 13:11 says that the second beast, the false prophet, speaks as a dragon when the Sunday law is passed.

The common theme with... atheism, Roman Catholicism, and apostate Protestantism is that they are all under the influence of the dragon. Spiritualism is represented by the dragon. Thus, spiritualism is represented by all false religions. Any religion or ideology that is influenced by Satan is subject to be under the influence of spiritualistic philosophy. Here are some statements from Ellen White about spiritualism:

None are in greater danger from the influence of evil spirits than those who, notwithstanding the direct and ample testimony of the Scriptures, deny the existence and agency of the devil and his angels. So long as we are ignorant of their wiles, they have almost inconceivable advantage; many give heed to their suggestions while they suppose themselves to be following the dictates of their own wisdom. This is why, as we approach the close of time, when Satan is to work with greatest power to deceive and destroy, he spreads everywhere the belief that he does not exist. It is his policy to conceal himself and his manner of working. (Ibid., p. 516)

Those who deny the existence and agency of the devil and his angels include atheists and secularists. Secular philosophy and science are under the influence of spiritualism:

The very name of witchcraft is now held in contempt. The claim that men can hold intercourse with evil spirits is regarded as a fable of the Dark Ages. But spiritualism, which numbers its converts by hundreds of thousands, yea, by millions, which has made its way into scientific circles, which has invaded churches, and has found favor in legislative bodies, and even in the courts of kings—this mammoth deception is but a revival, in a new disguise, of the witchcraft condemned and prohibited of old. (Ibid., p. 556)

Ellen White also equated "worldlings" with those under the influence of spiritualism in the following statement:

The Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of spiritualism; they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience. . . . Papists, Protestants, and worldlings will alike accept the form of godliness without the power, and they will see in this union a grand movement for the conversion of the world and the ushering in of the long-expected millennium. (Ibid., 588, 589)

In our day, secularism is just as dangerous as apostate Protestantism. Those in the church who advocate for secular progressives are just as surely working for the dragon as those who side with right-wing apostate Protestants. All will be part of the threefold union at the end who make war against the Lamb. That is why Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36).⁴

Whether it be the progressive left promoting spiritualism, the religious right represented by the false prophet, or the papacy, we as God's people should steer far away from all of these powers and unite under the proclamation of the three angels' messages. God has given a message to unite upon, and it is not a particular political view on vaccines or mandates.

*All who profess the name of Christ should be waiting, watching, and praying with one heart. All differences should be put away, and unity and tender love one for another pervade the whole. Then our prayers may go up together to our Heavenly Father with strong, earnest faith. Then we may wait with patience and hope the fulfillment of the promise.*⁵

Let us remember the unanswered prayer of Jesus! He prayed that we would be one with each other as He is one with the Father! That is only possible when He is in us and we are in Him. This is why we exist as Seventh-day Adventists.

Revelation 10:7 indicates that part of the final events under the seventh trumpet is that the mystery of God would be finished. Colossians 1:27 tells us that the mystery of God is "Christ in you, the hope of glory." The recent division in Adventism shows us that we have some distance to go for the mystery of God to be finished. Too often, selfishness and pride of opinion prevails. But make no mistake, the mystery of God will be finished, and I pray that it will be finished soon. Let us set aside all carnal differences and allow Christ, the hope of glory, to be formed within so that Jesus' prayer can be answered and that He will come soon!

Endnotes

¹ Scripture quotations are from the King James Version. 

² Ellen G. White, Evangelism (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1946), p. 696. 

³ Ellen G. White, Gospel Workers (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1915), p. 391. 

⁴ Norman McNulty, Commentary on the Book of Revelation: Practical Living in the Judgment Hour (Coldwater, MI: Remnant Publications, 2022), pp. 415-418. 

⁵ Ellen G. White, The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 3 (Battle Creek, MI: Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, 1878), p. 272.