This video, in which Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, The Who, perform their last song of the evening, “Tea and Theatre,” is an excellent example of a burden that I have about why it’s crucially important that ONE happens soon.
From the beginning of the prophecy, Let Us Be One, A Kindness that I Want to Flow From My Body:
On the night before Jesus sacrificed his life for us, he prayed that those who would follow would be one. His heart still longs to see this fulfilled in our lives – “that the world may know.”
Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me. The glory which you have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one; I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me, and loved them, even as you loved me. (John 17:20-23)
Millions, if not billions of people, right now, are not compelled to become Christians because of the bitter taste that professing Christians are leaving in their stomachs. In fact, many see more love in some non-Christians—which is exceedingly sad, and needs to be remedied.
People have a right to see the real thing—real Christianity. “That they may be perfected into ONE,” Jesus said. “That the world may know.”
When ONE happens in just one group, and then it spreads like wildfire, then if people choose to reject it, so be it. At least they had a chance to really see what they were rejecting—the beauty of what real, Biblical Christianity is!
For a number of years, for some reason, I’ve had a particular burden for Pete Townshend to see ONE happen before he leaves this earth. I think his heart would leap when he sees the real thing, which is probably what he’s been yearning for all his life. When Pete Townshend sees it (whether he becomes a Christian or not), then I think we’ve done our job, then the world will know. Everyone has a right to see the real thing before they die.
Many think Jesus’ words in Matthew 24 are about people just hearing a message, that once all of the unreached peoples hear the Gospel story then the end will come. I’ve been thinking lately that it’s more about once the world sees ONE happen, then the world will know and then the end will come. consider Matthew 24:11-14 in light of John 17:
Many false prophets will arise, and will lead many astray [which is happening by the droves through most pastors and priests today]. Because iniquity will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end, the same will be saved. This Good News of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world for a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.
What is being preached by most ‘Christians’ today isn’t really a testimony to the nations. Jesus said in John 17 that the world will know when ONE happens, not just when people hear the Gospel story.
I think Pete Townshend is a good example of a deep thinking, intuitive person who isn’t fooled by hypocrites, who profess Christianity but aren’t even going to heaven, themselves, because they’re not abiding in Christ. Pete will only be impressed by the real thing—which needs to pass the Pete Townshend Smell Test.
I think Jesus call for us to be ONE in John 17 is the testimony to all the nations in Matthew 24. And we can bring this about, by His grace/enablement, as we abide in Him, together!
Then the world will know, and then the end will come.
Freedom!
May we be ONE!
Jeff Fenske : )
