The role of Intercessory Prayer in Adventism

Chapter Six

The Incredible power of Prayer or the Incredible presumption of the intercessor

We started this book with the phrase "Prayer is power". Now, however, we have a little more understanding into this phrase. Prayer is not power. The power of love is not to be confused with God's omnipotence. We are no longer blind to the subtlety of CON-FUSING two ideas. The value of separating ideas that are distinct has made an impression on us like never before. We now realize that the practice of CON-FUSING two distinct ideas sometimes leads to presumption.

The incredible presumption of the intercessor is not a phenomenon that just came up accidentally. God anticipated its arrival. He knew what the issues of the war would lead to! Yashua spoke to His disciples and conveyed a very clear message about what would follow the dark ages.

Matthew 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

Matthew 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.

Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Matthew 24:25 Behold, I have told you before.

Matthew 24:26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

Yashua's words of prophecy never come up short. After the dark ages, "Then" when Satan lost his grip over the masses, via the Church, did he go back to bed for a long nap? Quite contrarily, rather than relenting, he forged a more covert plan. He took the core, of those delusions, which he exercised through the Church, and spread them among the new bodies of believers. Protestantism took a severe blow.

This doctrine, of intercession, is a delusion, of the sort, which brings up false Christs. Study the religious TV and radio stations and see for yourself. How many of these people tamper with Christ's role. How many of them put God's power ahead of His love? Why do so many of them seem to need to tamper with the sins of others? Sister ________ Satan has held you in his bonds with this sin of ______ until today. In the name of Jesus I set you free.

The use of the name Jesus does not minimize the presumption of the intercessors. Don't let that fool you. False humility and pretense are quite effective in achieving the objectives of the power seekers. Zeus is not our God, to begin with. What use is there in calling upon his name? Though it is difficult, to accept changes, concerning habits that we have held for our entire life, it would bring no harm, to call upon our God, by His true name. Would it?

The daily revisited

Intercessory prayers have no religious bounds. The essential doctrine does not care about your current beliefs. It is of such a nature that it can be used to coalesce all the diversity of Christianity. If a great movement of prayer was formed, the doctrinal differences of Adventism and any other Christian religion would become meaningless. They would not interfere with the noble ideals of uniting in prayer. We could all unite for the good of the world in one unified body for a common goal. After all, we all want to hasten His coming.

As is often the case in this age, before we even think of a good idea, Poof, it's already there! The AD 2000 movement is a movement of the sort. This great prayer movement has been circling the globe for more than a decade. Do you know anything about it? You should!

The Great Prayer Movement

More and more people in the nations around the world who have a significant Christian presence are answering yes to the above questions. A prayer movement that greatly surpasses. anything like it in living memory, perhaps in all of Christian history, is rapidly gaining momentum. In all the years I have ministered to pastors across America, I have never seen prayer so high on their collective agendas.

The hunger for prayer knows no denominational boundaries. Evangelical, mainline, charismatic, Pentecostal, Episcopal, fundamentalist, Lutheran, Baptist, restorationist, Reformed, Mennonite, holiness, Calvinistic, dispensational, Wesleyan or you-name-it kinds of churches are surprising themselves at the growing interest in prayer. At clergy conferences, pastors are asking each other, still in somewhat guarded tones, "Is what we are seeing possibly the phenomenon that historians have been telling us usually precedes a true revival?" If so, they realize that it is not willpower, but by the Spirit of God

Specialized prayer ministries are being organized across the county and around the world. Some come and go, others seen more stable, having boards of directors, regular funding and newsletters. The Christian community is currently benefiting from David Bryant's Concerts of Prayer, Gary Bergel's Intercessors for America, Leonard LeSourd's Breakthrough, Cindy Jacob's Generals of Intercession, Esther Ilnisky's Esther Network International, Evelyn Christenson's United Prayer Ministries and Beth Alves's Intercessors International just to name a few. Some concentrate on personal intercession, some on praying for government, some for world Evangelization, some on spiritual warfare, some on children.

Most such prayer ministries are interdenominational. But at the same time, the denominations themselves are recognizing the crucial importance of prayer and forming their own departments for denominational prayer ministries. Many, if not most, denominations in the United States now have prayer leaders on their staffs. The unlikely combination of denominational prayer leaders from the Christian Reformed Church, the Assemblies of God and the Southern Baptists met and prayed together not long ago and decided to form the Denominational Prayer Leaders Network. Alvin Vander Griend heads the steering committee and oversees their annual meetings.

The A.D. 2000 Movement

Currently, these worldwide denominational and independent prayer movements are being coordinated and synchronized by the A.D. 2000 and Beyond Movement. The focus of the movement is to catalyze the existing forces for evangelism all around the world for a massive evangelistic thrust during this decade. Its motto is "A church for every people and the gospel for every person by A.D. 2000." Its key focal points are: (1) the 1,000 least evangelized cities of the world; (2) some 6,000 yet unreached people groups; and (3) the 10/40 Window-a geographical rectangle between 10 degrees and 40 degrees north latitude and running from North Africa on the west to Japan and the Philippines on the east. It is estimated that more than 90 percent of those in the unreached people groups lice in or on the border of the 10/40 Window.

The A.D. 2000 Movement, directed by Luis Bush of Colorado Springs, Colorado, is the first international coordinating movement of its size to combine prayer with world Evangelization on the highest level. A.D. 2000 is built on 10 semiautonomous tracks or resource networks, one of which is the United Prayer Track. My wife, Doris, and I have had the privilege of coordinating the United Prayer Track since its inception and it has put us in a strategic position to observe and evaluate the great, worldwide prayer movement. Whenever we go, we find prayer groups that want to be in touch with other prayer groups and together storm the heavenlies on behalf of those who are still in darkness. C. Peter Wagner CHURCHES THAT PRAY p. 17-19

The philosophy statement of the "United Prayer Track" can be found on the following Web page: http://www.ad2000.org/gcowe95/prayphil.html

Position Statement on the Philosophy of Prayer for World Evangelization

1. The Mandate

The United Prayer Track of the AD 2000 and Beyond Movement was established in 1991 with the mandate of mobilizing and enabling the numerous prayer movements which God has been raising up on all continents and throughout all branches of biblical Christianity to focus their prayer ministries at least in part on accomplishing the task of establishing a Church for every people and making the Gospel available for every person by the year AD 2000.

With such a mandate, the United Prayer Track has been called to fill a specific niche within the broad and growing prayer movement of today's world. The definition of what this niche consists of begins with a recognition, with praise and honor to Almighty God, of a widespread interest in and enthusiasm for prayer throughout the universal Body of Christ unprecedented at least in living memory, if not in the history of the church.

2. The Role

In a spirit of humility and submission to God, the worldwide prayer movement can be thought of as a spiritual jewel with many facets, all of which glorify the Triune God in many different ways. The role of the United Prayer Track should be seen as only one of the facets.

3. The Essence of Prayer

The essence of all prayer is a personal relationship with God made possible through the redemption purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross and enjoyed by those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and been regenerated by the Holy Spirit.

In one sense, all prayer can be seen as an end in itself, the end of establishing and deepening relationships with God the Father. In fact, such a relationship of intimacy with the Father, which involves both speaking to and hearing from God, is nothing short of a prerequisite for all effective prayer in every facet of the prayer movement. It is an end in itself, because it pleases God. When understood from this point of view, it is clear that prayer must not be regarded as a way through which human beings can manipulate God. To imagine that it is would quickly debase Christian prayer to the level of magic or sorcery. Rather, prayer serves to tune us in as individuals and groups to the will, purpose, and timing of God. We also recognize that the fulfillment of God's purpose for particular circumstances in history is, more often than some imagine, contingent, by His own design, on the effectiveness of believing prayer.

4. Prayer as Personal Spirituality

Through the centuries the saints of God have enjoyed the privilege of prayer as a way of deepening their personal holiness and spirituality. For many, nothing more was required. Countless classics of Christian literature on prayer have emphasized this contemplative "practicing the presence of God." Many have felt that their primary service to God consisted of a lifetime of personal waiting upon Him and bringing Him pleasure through praise and worship.

5. Intercessory Prayer for the Unsaved

While commending this type of prayer wherever it may be found in the worldwide prayer movement, the United Prayer Track's specific mandate goes beyond this. Recognizing the primacy of prayer as a relationship with the Father, the United Prayer Track joins other facets of the prayer movement which sense that intercessory prayer is their chief calling. We feel that we have been called to stand in the gap between God and particularly those unsaved people who have yet to restore their fellowship with the Father through Jesus Christ. In doing this we affirm that powerful praise and worship are a vital part of effective intercession.

6. Diversity of Intercessory Prayer

There is such a great breadth to intercessory prayer that some are uncomfortable with categorizing its many facets. Others, however, feel that such categorization helps produce clarity but only with the proviso that the intimate and ongoing relationships between all forms of communication with God are acknowledged at all times. For example there are many ministries of intercessory prayer which should be practiced by all Christians but which are, in fact, beyond the mandate of the United Prayer Track. Husbands should pray for their wives and vice versa; parents should intercede for their children; believers should pray for their pastors and their churches; citizens should pray for those who rule over them; just to name a few of some of the more obvious ministries of intercession. In today's prayer movement, many prayer leaders are called to specialize in one or more of these ministries, while affirming their relationship in the Spirit to those called to other prayer assignments. Valuable contributions to the literature on prayer are being made in all these and many other practices of prayer.

7. The Primary Assignment

The intercessory prayer ministry of the United Prayer Track is centered on prayer which will enable the lost to be saved, the unevangelized to be evangelized, the unreached to be reached, the unchurched to be churched. This is not seen as an elitist or an exclusive mandate, but it is a primary assignment for us. Many outside the United Prayer Track also pray for the lost to be saved. Many within the United Prayer Track also pray that families will not break up and for safer streets in our cities. Nevertheless, the activities of the United Prayer Track as a component of the AD 2000 and Beyond Movement are designed to mobilize the kinds of prayer which will specifically help open the way for the reality of a Church for every people and the Gospel for every person by the year 2000. Other equally valued segments of the Body of Christ are engaged in mobilizing intercessory prayer for any number of other worthy purposes and we applaud them all as part of our mutual desire that God's Kingdom will come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

8. Prayer for Revival

A goal of the United Prayer Track is to mobilize as much of the universal Body of Christ as possible to pray effectively for world evangelization. We recognize, however, that many churches in their present state cannot make a significant contribution to this united effort because they have left their first love and find themselves in a relatively powerless state. Because of this, prayer for what has been called revival or church renewal or awakening is essential. A desperate need of the hour is for massive spiritual revival within the churches throughout the nations. God's people themselves must be awakened to the urgent need to pray for the lost. To fill this need, powerful facets of the worldwide prayer ministry focus on intercession for church renewal. This type of prayer is made on behalf of the people of God. The United Prayer Track embraces this anointed ministry of prayer and indeed could not fulfill its own mandate properly without it.

9. Praying Churches and Prayer Ministries

At the same time there are many churches on all continents which, while not perfect, are indeed alive, adhering faithfully to their first love, impassioned for reaching the lost, hearing what the Spirit is saying to the churches, and experienced in vital prayer for evangelism. Likewise, God has raised up large numbers of prayer ministries, related in differing degrees to local churches, which have sensed a special calling and anointing to pray for lost people to be saved. It is such churches and prayer ministries which naturally provide the initial candidates for active components of the United Prayer Track. Others may if so directed by God join when the prayers for church renewal are answered and a passion for praying for the lost restored in those churches.

Because spiritual power being released throughout the whole Body of Christ is so important, strategic level prayer for evangelism (see No. 12) must never be carried out apart from uniting in revival praying, because, to the degree God wins the battle inside the church and removes strongholds there, to that degree will all other prayer for the 10/40 Window ultimately prevail.

10. Identifying and Networking Prayer Ministries

It should be noted that the United Prayer Track does not assume the responsibility of stimulating prayer or creating new prayer ministries. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. Our task is rather to identify those prayer ministries targeted to world evangelization which God has already raised up and interconnect them in a way which will enhance the possibilities of each of them becoming all that God wants them to be. As such, we desire to provide a worldwide network of information and resources on prayer for the entire Body of Christ, serving also to broker the various prayer ministries throughout the network.

11. Degrees of Emphasis

The prayer ministries associated with the United Prayer Track exhibit differing degrees of emphasis on prayer for the lost. For some prayer evangelism may be only one of many good emphases. Others may be burdened chiefly, if not exclusively, for prayer for the unevangelized or the unreached. Some will be in between or will vary their emphases from time to time according to need or in obedience to divine guidance. Prayer summits, solemn assemblies, national days of prayer, and a network of prayer rooms are a few of the many examples of prayer ministries for which evangelism is an important, but not necessarily a primary focus. Examples of movements more exclusively targeting prayer for the lost are YWAM Cardinal Points, Generals of Intercession, Every Home for Christ "Jericho Chapters," Campus Crusade World Prayer Strategy and others. There are roles in the United Prayer Track for all these and many more, regardless of the degree of emphasis.

12. Strategic-Level Intercession

Some of the prayer ministries associated with the United Prayer Track, notably but not exclusively, the International Fellowship of Intercessors, Generals of Intercession, and Youth With a Mission, began in the decade of the 1980s to practice a type of prayer for the lost called by some "strategic-level intercession." Especially since the Lausanne II Congress in Manila in 1989 this ministry under additional identificational labels such as "territorial spirits," "strategic-level spiritual warfare," and "warfare prayer" began spreading through broader segments of the Body of Christ. It took organizational form with the creation of the International Spiritual Warfare Network in 1990.

14. The Spiritual Warfare Network

When the United Prayer Track was formed in 1991, the leadership of the AD 2000 and Beyond Movement agreed that the first and potentially largest sub-network associated with the United Prayer Track would be the pre-existing Spiritual Warfare Network (SWN). Since then many meetings of the SWN have been held on national, regional and international levels, surfacing some issues associated with strategic-level intercession on which there seems to be quite broad consensus and others on which there remain varying shades of opinion. In a statement of the philosophy of prayer of the United Prayer Track, these issues should be recognized.

15. The Lausanne Covenant

To begin, it should be pointed out that there is virtually no disagreement among those in the AD 2000 Movement on the importance of spiritual warfare as an essential part of the task of world evangelization. The AD 2000 Movement has officially reaffirmed the Lausanne Covenant. In it, Article 12, Spiritual Conflict, states in part: "We believe that we are engaged in constant spiritual warfare with the principalities and powers of evil who are seeking to overthrow the Church and to frustrate its task of evangelization."

16. Three Levels of Spiritual Warfare

In the work of the Spiritual Warfare Network a somewhat arbitrary but nevertheless useful distinction has surfaced between three levels of spiritual warfare: (1) ground-level spiritual warfare dealing with demonic deliverance of individuals; (2) occult-level spiritual warfare dealing with the powers of darkness operative through such as New Age, Satanism, Eastern Religions, witchcraft and the like; and (3) strategic-level spiritual warfare in which territorial principalities and powers are confronted. Since all three operate together in the unseen realms of darkness, it must be kept in mind that they are interrelated and that spiritual warfare on any one of the levels can affect the demonic forces on all levels.

17. Our Sphere of Authority

One of the most prominent unresolved issues among members of the Spiritual Warfare Network is on which, if any, of the three levels we are given biblical authority for intentional ministry. Some feel that because the principal biblical examples we have of spiritual warfare involve casting demons out of individuals, we should not advocate engaging spiritual forces which may be occupying buildings or animals or human social networks or churches or physical objects such as trees or mountains or idols. For them it is not advisable to do strategic-level warfare and name, rebuke or otherwise address so-called territorial spirits. Others prefer to give a literal interpretation to such sayings of Jesus as "Behold, I give you the authority...over all the power of the enemy" (Lk. 10:19) and do confrontive spiritual warfare on all levels.

18. Three Types of Encounter

It is recognized that several types of encounter with the Enemy are described in the Bible: (1) the "power encounter" illustrated by Paul's confrontation with the sorcerer Bar-Jesus in Cyprus (see Acts 13:6-12); (2) the "truth encounter" illustrated by Paul's preaching justification by faith in Antioch of Pisidia (see Acts 13:38-39); and (3) another less recognized encounter which some call the "allegiance encounter" illustrated by the Lystrans attributing the powers of Zeus and Hermes to Barnabas and Paul (see Acts 14:11-18). Many believers who profess to be Christians have not made the radical break with spirit forces that the Bible demands, maintaining a degree of allegiance with the Enemy.

19. Seeking a Balance

Among SWN members there are differing points of view as to how to keep the three of these in balance. All agree, however, that we must avoid overstressing one to the detriment of the others. Some have suggested, for example, that those who stress the power encounter may not be remembering that it is the truth which sets us free. Others suggest that relying too heavily on the truth encounter may shirk the responsibility of wrestling with principalities and powers. Practically speaking, some would interpret positive results in specific attempts at evangelism as a result of all or any one of the various approaches. Admonitions from all sides help to avoid potential excesses all around.

20. Inherent Dangers

Members of the Spiritual Warfare Network attempt to identify inherent dangers in strategic-level spiritual warfare and suggest antidotes to them. They realize that it is possible to become preoccupied with the demonic and exalt the Enemy; that some could naively adopt negative aspects of an animistic world view; that technique and methodology can substitute for the power of the Holy Spirit; that Satan would like to seduce the church and lead it astray. All realize that mistakes can and will be made in engaging the Enemy on any level, and we agree that they should be corrected whenever they happen.

21. Precedents for Strategic-Level Spiritual Warfare

Some are concerned that as yet few precedents for strategic-level spiritual warfare for evangelistic purposes have been uncovered either in the history of missions or in the history of dogma. While recognizing this, others argue that it would not be contrary to the nature of God to do a new thing and provide relatively new spiritual approaches particularly for the unprecedented challenges to evangelism presented by the powers of darkness dominating the 10/40 Window. All are agreed that ongoing efforts need to be made to clarify biblical and historical concerns.

22. Spiritual Mapping

One of these relatively new spiritual approaches is spiritual mapping. By creating a Division of Spiritual Mapping, the United Prayer Track is committed to an attempt to provide the best possible spiritual intelligence information in order to help target the prayers of God's people for the lost. Paul seems to indicate that such a thing would be helpful when he says, in the context of resolving personal relationships, "Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices" (2 Cor. 2:11). Satan uses his evil devices in many ways. Spiritual mapping attempts to expose the devices Satan has used to prevent evangelization and allows God's people to aim their spiritual weapons against them more accurately. The challenge before us is to do our spiritual mapping in a responsible, balanced way using agreed upon field methodologies with full accountability to the Body of Christ.

23. Interdenominational Standards

When we arrive at behavioral issues we find that our range of AD 2000 constituents including such as liturgical, traditional evangelical, Pentecostal, charismatic, postdenominational, Third Wave, and others requires all of us to make adjustments which will not be offensive to the rest. The United Prayer Track has developed a statement attempting to set forth agreed upon standards for interdenominational prayer events. The following four items are taken from that statement.

24. United Prayer

As our overall track philosophy, we are using a statement developed by Every Home for Christ with the permission of Dick Eastman:

Remember that the moment two or more of us unite in prayer we become a symphony. As such:

· ·We blend together in unity respecting the fact that we represent all of Christ's body;

· ·We realize that, like a symphony with its different instruments, there are a wide variety of traditions when it comes to prayer;

· ·We commit ourselves to accepting one another as we are, while disciplining ourselves to use wisdom and caution if we think anything we might do would offend a brother or sister.

We want all those who participate to be themselves. We must not quench the Spirit. There are no restrictions at all on prayer styles in prayer groups of like tradition. Yet some of these styles may not be appropriate in groups of mixed traditions.

Here are some of the specific areas in which wisdom, caution, spiritual discernment, and good manners need to be used:

25. Body Language

Body language is an important part of prayer. Raising hands, kneeling, and lying prostrate on the floor are not usually issues. Some pray with eyes closed and some with eyes open, some raise their chins, others lower their chins. Clapping, dancing, falling in the Spirit, unrestrained laughing, and roaring are not as widely accepted, however, and special caution should be used by those accustomed to them. Blowing, hissing, and physically "travailing" should be avoided. At the same time, spiritual travail in prayer, at times with "groanings which cannot be uttered" (Rom. 8:26), may be expected.

26. Prophecy

We encourage hearing from God and using the prophetic gifts. Prudence in communicating words from God in an interdenominational meeting will avoid such phrases as "thus saith the Lord" or using the first person for God. Prophecies can be prayed back to God: "God, we hear you saying..." or expressed to the group with statements like "I think God may be saying to us..." and expecting others to agree if it is a true word.

In all cases, care must be taken that prophetic gifts are not publicly used apart from the covering, permission and spiritual authority of the person designated to preside over the particular session. Prudence dictates that, particularly when the prophetic word has directional content (as opposed, for instance, to devotional content), explicit permission be sought from the presider before the word is given.

27. Tongues

It is no secret that the most sensitive issue is tongues.

The AD 2000 Movement seeks to balance 1 Cor. 14:39 "do not forbid to speak with tongues" with the next verse "let all things be done decently and in order" (I Cor. 14:40). In our interdenominational Prayer Track meetings we feel that individuals may use tongues in a whisper or even in a louder voice when all are praying aloud in a concert and no one person's voice stands out above the others. But we feel it is not prudent to use tongues when one is audibly leading the whole group in prayer. We also need to agree that we will not use messages from God in tongues with interpretation.

28. Conclusion

A grassroots, networking structure like the United Prayer Track has both strengths and weaknesses. It stands or falls on personal relationships rather than on bureaucratic controls. Therefore good will is an essential personal characteristic for all who participate. This is a day in which we are seeing a visible spiritual unity of the Body of Christ which is unprecedented both in quantity and quality. We are bold enough to believe that it is an answer to Jesus' prayer "that they all may be one that the world might believe" (John 17:21).

C. Peter Wagner United Prayer Track Coordinator

Cursory reading of this document may even solicit a hearty approval from us. Which of us would not approve of the idea of prayer for world Evangelization? The troubles start when we start paying attention to details.

1. The Mandate

The United Prayer Track of the AD 2000 and Beyond Movement was established in 1991 with the mandate of mobilizing and enabling the numerous prayer movements which God has been raising up on all continents and throughout all branches of biblical Christianity to focus their prayer ministries at least in part on accomplishing the task of establishing a Church for every people and making the Gospel available for every person by the year AD 2000.

With such a mandate, the United Prayer Track has been called to fill a specific niche within the broad and growing prayer movement of today's world. The definition of what this niche consists of begins with a recognition, with praise and honor to Almighty God, of a widespread interest in and enthusiasm for prayer throughout the universal Body of Christ unprecedented at least in living memory, if not in the history of the church.

It sure would be nice to find out the implication of this statement "the task of establishing a Church for every people". Does this mean a universal church-like the Catholic Church? A church where all people could come and worship their god, or is this meant to say a church of whatever religion so that every people could have one. Additionally, the term "the church" does not convey certifiable comfort. Personally, I would prefer to have read "if not in the history of the Christian churches". Somehow I would have felt more comfortable. The recognition of other faiths in this interdenominational movement would go a long way on calming apprehensions.

Not to be an alarmist, but being absorbed does not appeal too much to the average Adventist. What compounds this difficulty is the same old "Assert and deny principle", which we saw earlier. It seems to be a favorite for the intercessors.

We start with the assertion:

3. The Essence of Prayer The essence of all prayer is a personal relationship with God made possible through the redemption purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross and enjoyed by those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and been regenerated by the Holy Spirit.

When understood from this point of view, it is clear that prayer must not be regarded as a way through which human beings can manipulate God. To imagine that it is would quickly debase Christian prayer to the level of magic or sorcery. Rather, prayer serves to tune us in as individuals and groups to the will, purpose, and timing of God. We also recognize that the fulfillment of God's purpose for particular circumstances in history is, more often than some imagine, contingent, by His own design, on the effectiveness of believing prayer.

Then the denial:

7. The Primary Assignment The intercessory prayer ministry of the United Prayer Track is centered on prayer which will enable the lost to be saved, the unevangelized to be evangelized, the unreached to be reached, the unchurched to be churched. . . .

This statement is not as vacuous as some may imagine. The author does not overlook the high position of this practice. The position of authority is always appealing, but the eye bulging interest, in it, must be denied whenever possible.

7. The Primary Assignment . . . This is not seen as an elitist or an exclusive mandate, but it is a primary assignment for us. Many outside the United Prayer Track also pray for the lost to be saved. Many within the United Prayer Track also pray that families will not break up and for safer streets in our cities. Nevertheless, the activities of the United Prayer Track as a component of the AD 2000 and Beyond Movement are designed to mobilize the kinds of prayer which will specifically help open the way for the reality of a Church for every people and the Gospel for every person by the year 2000. . . .

This peculiar positioning may not seem alarming. One may even wonder why this positioning is being mentioned in the document. The mere word "Elitist" seems unwarranted. Without it, the cursory reader may never develop suspicions about any Elitism involved in this endeavor. Upon second look, it is clear that the author is attempting to appease apprehensions. Should a plan of this scale appear to have success the value of such a group would be established beyond doubt-even if it were just a coincidence or a setup. "A church for every people…" would then become a distinct possibility because God would supposedly have answered a unified body of people all praying with one voice. This strategic position is well recognized by Mr. Wagner, though its benefits are not properly defined in the following context.

The A.D. 2000 Movement, directed by Luis Bush of Colorado Springs, is the first international coordinating movement of its size to combine prayer with world Evangelization on the highest level. A.D. 2000 is built on 10 semiautonomous tracks or resource networks, one of which is the United Prayer Track. My wife, Doris, and I have had the privilege of coordinating the United Prayer Track since its inception and it has put us in a strategic position to observe and evaluate the great, worldwide prayer movement. Wherever we go, we find prayer groups that want to be in touch with other prayer groups and together storm the heavenlies on behalf of those who are still in darkness.

Upon reflection, a universal church is not a novelty that humanity has never encountered before. The days of Constantine are in the past, but not forgotten-or are they? The resemblance between these two movements is astounding! The Sacrament of Reconciliation deals with the same elements as the Intercessory Prayers. Human intercessors secure salvation for men: "the United Prayer Track is centered on prayer which will enable the lost to be saved". The distance between these two ideas is as small as no distance at all. It is the same endeavor.

Having secured the practice of "securing salvation for men" for the Elite, we also need to organize and redirect the subordinate participants and not make them feel valueless. In fact, let's applaud their endeavor. Point #7 goes on:

Other equally valued segments of the Body of Christ are engaged in mobilizing intercessory prayer for any number of other worthy purposes and we applaud them all as part of our mutual desire that God's Kingdom will come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. . http://www.ad2000.org/gcowe95/prayphil.html
Position Statement on the Philosophy of Prayer for World Evangelization

It is not my desire to be an alarmist. Over the years, like many of us, I have been exposed to alarmist messages and conspiracy theories. After a short time, the alarms fail to fulfill their expected ring and new theories and fears are advanced. The exhaustive/exhausting rationalizations and re-explanations continue like a torture rack to strain at our intellect until something snaps or the alarmists die.

Nevertheless, intercessory prayer has gained a spot in the light, which can no longer be ignored. Anyone that denies its magnificent success is not aware of its reach. The geometric growth of this doctrine has surpassed all expectations and rates of proselytizing Christianity. Some estimate the intercessory group to be larger than 50 million members. This membership was achieved in approximately 15 years of active effort. Whether these estimates are accurate or not, is of no consequence. The Intercessory Prayer movement has gained great momentum. The dead are claimed to be raised, the sick healed, the rebellious converted, and even God obeys them! What more can be done?

This incredible success has promoted the movement into a category, which concerns the Adventist student. Adventists believe that at the end of time a dark delusion will sweep the world. Furthermore, this delusion was not going to be embraced by a minority group on three or four Indonesian islands. Much of the Protestant world was to embrace it. Sr. White calls it the "Omega".

Seeing the popularity of the IP movement and some of its errors, as Adventists, we need to test this phenomenon to see if it may indeed be this last great delusion. This is especially necessary due to the fact that many Adventists have endorsed it and the polemics have divided the church into two camps. Let's look into some details and see if there is any reason for concern. Let's compare what we have learned, so far, with the Omega delusion which brought much apprehension to Sister White.

To compare this doctrine with the Omega, we need to understand some details about the Omega of delusions. In Selected Messages, book one, we read:

The Alpha Now Seen

Be not deceived; many will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. We have now before us the alpha of this danger. The omega will be of a most startling nature. EGW Selected Messages Book 1 p. 197

Alpha Presented in "Living Temple"

In the book Living Temple there is presented the alpha of deadly heresies. The omega will follow, and will be received by those who are not willing to heed the warning God has given. EGW Selected Messages Book 1 p. 200

Sr. White defined the Living Temple book, written by Dr. Kellogg, as the "Alpha" heresy. In a round about way it undermined Christ in His Sanctuary. It made of no effect the 1844 experience by distributing God into the entirety of nature. The boundaries of where God ends and man starts became blurred or even completely overlapped. Mr. Kellogg taught a doctrine of global "soul merging" akin to Pantheism. The Ministration of Christ became questionable. Back around 1981 Lewis R. Walton, an Adventist writer, in his book "OMEGA" attempts to unravel the nature of the last delusion, from EGW's writings. In chapter five he focuses on specific clues that may identify it.

Omega. Something else would come, sufficiently similar to the present crisis to justify linking the two events by letters taken from a common alphabet. Beyond that, God's servant said very little. It was a cryptic warning, shouted into the wind of an engulfing crisis almost as an aside, a gift to the future given at a moment when she had almost no time for anything but the present. Yet Ellen White left some clues as to what the omega might involve, and from the urgency of her warning it appears essential that we try to piece them together. Lewis R. Walton OMEGA p. 51

In describing the great apostasy of the future, she does not warn about a "beta" apostasy ot "gamma" or even "delta." Instead she plunges far ahead, to the end of the alphabet, and chooses a symbol that Christ has used in connection with the end. Alpha and omega. The implications are clear. There are two events, separated but similar. One occurs at the end of time. And if you understand the first, you will recognize the second. Lewis R. Walton OMEGA p. 51-52

This was a good assessment of the situation. Alpha, though similar or dealing with the same issues, is a separate delusion from the Omega. This gives us the following clues.

1.- Alpha and Omega are similar or deal with the same issues.

2.- They are not the same movement.

3.- Omega is the last delusion.

He then goes on to point out additional details.

From the Spirit of Prophecy we can know at least three things for certain about the omega. It was not a part of the alpha apostasy; it would "follow" later. It would be even more deadly than the alpha, so terrible a challenge that Ellen White "Trembled" for our people. And it "will be received by those who are not willing to heed the warning God has given." In other words, those who choose to follow the counsel of God only when it suits their personal preferences apparently will be easy targets for the omega deception. Lewis R. Walton OMEGA p. 51

This assessment seems reasonable enough. Let's extract 3 additional clues.

4.- Omega would "follow" later.

5.- It would be even more deadly than the alpha, so terrible a challenge that Ellen White "Trembled" for our people. (Difficult to figure out)

6.- And it "will be received by those who are not willing to heed the warning God has given." In other words, those who choose to follow the counsel of God only when it suits their personal preferences apparently will be easy targets for the Omega deception.

Can we learn anything else?

Of one thing we can be almost certain: the omega will attack basic doctrines of the Seventh-day Adventist church. Almost every major apostasy has uniformly included three areas of attack: the sanctuary, the investigative judgement, and the Spirit of Prophecy-always in the name of great good for the church, cloaked in such terms as reformation. Lewis R. Walton OMEGA p. 52

More clues:

7.- Omega would attack the basic doctrines of Adventism in the name of Reformation.

a) on the Sanctuary truth

b) the investigative judgement

c) the Spirit of Prophecy

More clues:

The Foundation of Our Faith

The enemy of souls has sought to bring in the supposition that a great reformation was to take place among Seventh-day Adventists, and that this reformation would consist in giving up the doctrines which stand as the pillars of our faith, and engaging in a process of reorganization. Were this reformation to take place, what would result? The principles of truth that God in His wisdom has given to the remnant church, would be discarded. Our religion would be changed. The fundamental principles that have sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted as error. A new organization would be established. Books of a new order would be written. A system of intellectual philosophy would be introduced. The founders of this system would go into the cities, and do a wonderful work. The Sabbath of course, would be lightly regarded, as also the God who created it. Nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement. The leaders would teach that virtue is better than vice, but God being removed, they would place their dependence on human power, which, without God, is worthless. Their foundation would be built on the sand, and storm and tempest would sweep away the structure. EGW Selected Messages Book 1 p. 204-205

8.- The reformation would pressure the Adventist pillars of faith for change or reorganization.

9.- A new organization would be established

10.- Books of a new order would be written

11.- A system of intellectual philosophy would be introduced

12.- The founders of this system would go into the cities, and do a wonderful work

13.- The Sabbath of course, would be lightly regarded, as also the God who created it

14.- Nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement

15.- They would place their dependence on human power

More clues, still.

Our First-Page Message [a comment on the book of Jude]

False theories will be mingled with every phase of experience, and advocated with satanic earnestness in order to captivate the mind of every soul who is not rooted and grounded in a full knowledge of the sacred principles of the Word. In the very midst of us will arise false teachers, giving heed to seducing spirits whose doctrines are of satanic origin. These teachers will draw away disciples after themselves. Creeping in unawares, they will use flattering words, and make skillful misrepresentations with seductive tact. EGW Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 01-07-1904

16.- False theories will be mingled with every phase of experience, and advocated with satanic earnestness in order to captivate the mind of every soul who is not rooted and grounded in a full knowledge of the sacred principles of the Word.

17.- In the very midst of us will arise false teachers, giving heed to seducing spirits whose doctrines are of satanic origin.

There are many, many more ideas which can be considered, but they all speak along the lines of what we see here. Let's make a list of these 17 items and see if they apply to the IP movement in any way.

1.- Alpha and Omega are similar or deal with the same issues.

2.- They are not the same movement.

3.- Omega is the last delusion.

4.- Omega would "follow" later.

5.- It would be even more deadly than the alpha, so terrible a challenge that Ellen White "Trembled" for our people. (Difficult to figure out)

7.- Omega would attack the basic doctrines of Adventism in the name of Reformation.

a) on the Sanctuary truth

b) the investigative judgement

c) the Spirit of Prophecy

8.- The reformation would pressure the Adventist pillars of faith for change or reorganization.

9.- A new organization would be established

10.- Books of a new order would be written

11.- A system of intellectual philosophy would be introduced

12.- The founders of this system would go into the cities, and do a wonderful work

13.- The Sabbath of course, would be lightly regarded, as also the God who created it

14.- Nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement

15.- They would place their dependence on human power

17.- In the very midst of us will arise false teachers, giving heed to seducing spirits whose doctrines are of satanic origin.

Mr. Kellogg's book, The living Temple and the IP movement have a lot in common. Christ's Ministration in the Sanctuary is the heart of Christianity. This imperative insight, which the Israelites had the opportunity of observing on daily basis, is of incomparable value to the sinner. Adventism is a God given truth to bring back the sinner to the door of the Sanctuary to help him part with his sin. In the heat of the debates, which ensued with the apostles of Mr. Kellogg, Sister White said the following insightful comment:

. . . for the past fifty years every phase of heresy has been brought to bear upon us, to becloud our minds regarding the teaching of the word - especially concerning the ministration of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary, and the message of heaven for these last days, as given by the angels of the fourteenth chapter of Revelation. Ellen G. White Letter 233, 1904

As we can see, the battle is on the same front, though it seems so different from the Alpha of apostasy, at first. Looking closer we realize that the intercessor's "Soul merging" and Pantheism are one and the same. They both ravage sanctification as well as the Ministrations of the Sanctuary. That takes care of item #1 on our list.

Next, the Alpha and Omega are not the same movement. As far as we know, Mr. Kellogg has not initiated the IP movement. That satisfies item_#2. We all believe these days are the last days and the timing seems proper for a last delusion (item_#3 and #4). The number of Adventists which have embraced the IP movement, supports the idea of the delusion reaching to the very elect. Adventism is the best-equipped religion to withstand perversions of the ministrations of the Sanctuary. Nevertheless, this teaching, which comes from outside, of Adventism has been embraced in such a way that many imagine it to be an Adventist truth (Item_#5).

Strangely, in my experience of debating with Adventist intercessors, those, which do not endorse the Sanctuary truth, (fully), and especially those, which have never studied it, fall prey readily. Once in the grip of IP, reason can no longer help them. My heart is in pain, when I realize their helplessness. They sometimes realize their wrong views, but once exposed to the idea that the Almighty is under their control, fallen man has a hard time resisting the temptation of testing the reigns. As they pull on the reigns, and Satan intervenes to make it seem like God is responding, their inner convictions lock them into the delusion from which they cannot find the way out (item_#6)!

Some Adventist intercessors, which have practiced interceding for a while and reached the necessary fever, often abandon the basic ideas of Adventism altogether. Others have turned completely to the other side, entertaining voices and hearing directions contrary to the counsels of God. An interesting book, called "Battle for the Mind", written by Lloyd and Leola Rosenvold discusses several of these extreme cases. Many of the individuals he discusses have started with the IP movement.

Once the impression is made on the mind that insistent prayer ends in success, man's quest for control takes over and the Sabbath's value, as well as the whole idea of the Sanctuary, becomes less relevant. It no longer matters what the real truth is. Results seem to have been obtained and they reason that truth must be near. Man is often so gullible that even a situation, which does not bring results, is interpreted favorably, as long as there is a group to huddle with. The Rosaries and Pagan babbling are a good example of this psychological enigma. How many tests have been conducted to prove this phenomenon? What will it take to realize that we rationalize many things to please ourselves. It is pleasant to think that God is on our side, but we should be on His.

I have had several uncomfortable discussions with former Adventist intercessors, which suggest the whole idea of the Sanctuary to be a figment of Sister White's fertile imagination. They engage in Prayer Warrior practices and lose sense of the Advent hope. Their attacks on the Spirit of Prophecy, the subject of the investigative judgement and the Sanctuary, are so visceral that it is often difficult to bear the impact. I do not recommend it for any novice in the faith. Their characterization of Sister White is staggering. (item_#7)

The IP movement is in essence a reformation of Christianity (item_#8). In order to pray together, the denominations are urged to make necessary alterations, so that friction would be minimized.

27. Tongues It is no secret that the most sensitive issue is tongues. The AD 2000 Movement seeks to balance 1 Cor. 14:39 "do not forbid to speak with tongues" with the next verse "let all things be done decently and in order" (I Cor. 14:40). In our interdenominational Prayer Track meetings we feel that individuals may use tongues in a whisper or even in a louder voice when all are praying aloud in a concert and no one person's voice stands out above the others. But we feel it is not prudent to use tongues when one is audibly leading the whole group in prayer. We also need to agree that we will not use messages from God in tongues with interpretation.

http://www.ad2000.org/gcowe95/prayphil.html

Position Statement on the Philosophy of Prayer for World Evangelization

In the effort to integrate, the special doctrines of the differing denominations are bound to get lost. In Adventism, the Sanctuary doctrine and the Sabbath would be first to go. They could be tolerated, but they would be lightly regarded, while others, which the majority endorses, would flourish! If you wonder how this will ever penetrate into Adventism, then please consider what the idea of the "Cell churches" is about in Adventist circles. It is not mine to condemn the efforts of those that are sincerely trying to help, but the idea of building an Adventist church which does not promote the special doctrines of Adventism terrifies me! "Cell churches" with a de-emphasis of the Adventist doctrines may well play us right into the hands of the enemy. The special doctrines, of Adventism, are the message for today. They embody all the valuable truths that were revealed yesterday and unite them with the idea of "Christ in His Sanctuary". I know the apologetics that this comment will provoke, but as Adventists we should be proud of the great light given us. We should research these truths more, to be able to expose the solid foundation on which they are built.

The Foundation of Our Faith

Sister White’s description seems very unlikely to some of us. It is difficult for some to imagine that Adventists could ever be swayed from their position. Having spent time on the SDANET forum, I have heard many developed arguments that question the Adventist doctrines. It saddened me to see how many do not know how to reply and give good reason for their belief. Though there are a few experienced individuals, many feel confused and waver in wonder.

In the near future, if the "10/40 Window" types of prayers should appear to accomplish anything, what impact would the special truths of Adventism have on the rest of the world, from that time forward? Please think on this! Furthermore, what impact would it have on the Adventists? In light of the fact that many great accomplishments are claimed already, in this movement, the best question seems to be, what impact has this movement already had on Adventism? (item_#13)

Adventism, if you have not yet noticed, is already under a heavy pressure to give up the special doctrine it has. From Kellogg, Canright to Ford, the impacts all centered on the central truth of Christ in His Sanctuary. The IP doctrine promises to impact Adventism with an unprecedented blow! If you doubt my assessment, try introducing Adventism to a group of non-Adventist intercessors.

The success of the IP movement has already rewritten Christian dictrines. Go to your local Book and Bible store and check out the "Prayer" shelf. New books have already been written with subtleties, which require monolithic acumen to be deciphered (item_#10). A philosophy of unperceived origin has penetrated deep into most of the Christian denominations. Rationalizations of an unprecedented quality are imposed on individuals which can by no means surpass them intellectually (item_#11).

The distribution of these teachings is not limited to two or three select denominations. Presently, 30 denominations have already signed their names and approved support for the A.D. 2000 Movement! Adventist preachers are commonly referring to the 10/40 window as if it were. Shocking, as it may seem, the A.D. 2000 Movement is a new organization of Christianity (item_#9). It is something like the United Nations, but it deals with religion. The founders of this organization have already gone into the cities of the world and achieved incredible accomplishments (item_#12). This book would end up many times this size if we were to just list some of the interesting examples. From Montevideo, Uruguay to Budapest, to Kiev, to Berlin, to London, to Tirana, Albania, intercessors gather and do prayer walks, praise marches, prayer expeditions, prayer journeys and who knows what else, to distribute blessings of God and make war with the supposed spiritual enemy. Cities are liberated and any seeming blessings are naturally a consequence of their prayers.

Books like "Breaking Strongholds in Your City" by C. Peter Wagner have been written on how to attack a city, which the intercessors want to dominate with their influence. Meetings and organizations of amazing complexities are being formed to advance this practice for the cause of God. The amount of commotion for this purpose is such as to astound. Nothing is able to stand in the way. The leaders of this movement advise their followers to ignore polemics and concentrate on nothing else but prayer. Justifications of their actions are discouraged. Explanations are too expensive, they demand time, and the year 2000 AD is too close. Prayer must go on! (item_#14)

Though IP makes great pretense of being a God dependent phenomenon, yet as we have seen, it is fueled by human effort. (item_#15) Humans assume and presume to have a handle on the Almighty and, through soothing words, the public is assured that the madness is acceptable. Dependence on human power is all that the IP phenomenon offers. False theories are advanced about prayers and everyday experiences are converted to explain and assure the individual that God approves and wants things to be so. (item_#16)

Remember that our prayers change the power balance in the invisible world. They enable a person to choose between accepting or rejecting Christ. We are sometimes misled to think that our prayers can coerce a person into accepting Christ. That is untrue. Only God's Spirit is able to draw a person to know Him. However, our prayers can remove some of the "interference" that Satan uses to distract people.

. . . Understanding the progression of the war taking place in the heavenly realms (meaning the spiritual world) enables us to use prayer as the most powerful tool to bring about salvation in people. Jesus has already won the final victory, but God has made us responsible to free people from Satan's control through prayer and loving action.

http://www.ansci.wsu.edu/foursquare/Resource/QuickTips/PrayingSalvation.html

Intercessory prayer is the one type of prayer that God delights to answer above all others. When you pray for others, you are joining with the great Intercessor: Jesus prayed for others more than for Himself. He prayed for you! (See John 17.)

One of the evidences that prayer works is that when we pray for others, even without their knowledge, our prayers make a difference. Remember three things: (1) you are making the request on behalf of a friend in need; (2) the One you are asking has what is needed; and (3) you and the One you are asking are also friends! Morris L.Venden. The Answer is Prayer. Pacific Press Publishing Association, Boise, Idaho, 1988. 190 pp.

I cannot explain what happens when we ask God to forgive the sins of another, but I have seen the transformations that begin taking place in his or her life. God never violates the free will of anyone, but when we pray for someone else, it permits Him to work in lives with special power. He unshackles the individual from the chains of sin so that he can use his freedom of choice to choose good. Incredible answers to prayers p. 11-12 by Roger J. Morneau

...Christ in His holy gospel has made it your duty and your privilege to intercede for others. ... [Christ] evidently intending to set forth that none of us are to pray for ourselves alone, ... yet, as a rule, our prayers should be public prayers, ... First, remember that intercessory prayer is the sweetest prayer God ever hears. Do not question it, for the prayer of Christ is of this character. ... Sermon (No. 404) Delivered on Sunday Morning, August the 11th, 1861 by the Rev. C. H. SPURGEON, At the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington WEB page http://www.spurgeon.org/index/alph_i.htm

These dubious ideas are not Scriptural and that is why people are advised not to question them. In the very midst of us we have individuals like Roger Morneau, Caroll Shoemake and Carol Zarska. I do not hesitate to point them out. The work that these individuals have done is not right before God. Like Mr. Kellogg, the confusion that they have contributed to the Adventist circle is hard to estimate, but certainly it is excessive. (item_#17)

The 3 frogs

The AD 2000 Movement is a magnificent endeavor of the Christian churches, on the outside. The goal of evangelizing the world by the year 2000 AD, in order to hasten the coming of the Savior, appears to be noble and good. If there was something that a Christian could contribute to that end, which Christian would hold back? The noble effort of assembling prayer groups to focus on the 10/40 Window seems well intentioned. The 10/40 Window includes North Africa, the Islam countries, Pakistan, India, Vietnam, China, Indonesia and many other smaller countries, which line up within the 10 degrees to 40 degrees, north of the equator, window of our globe. These countries have resisted the Christian faith for years. If they could be reached, it would seem that the mission of the Christian would be accomplished and Christ could finally come.

Step 5 - Praying for the Peoples

Under the leadership of Dr. C. Peter Wagner, the United Prayer Track of the AD2000 & Beyond Movement has mobilized millions of intercessors around the world to pray for the 10/40 Window.

In October 1993, Praying through the Window I mobilized 250 prayer teams to travel to all 62 countries of the 10/40 Window. An estimated 20 million people joined them in prayer.

In October 1995, Praying through the Window II sent 394 teams to the 100 Gateway Cities of the 10/40 Window. An estimated 30 million people prayed for these influential cities to become centers of Christian work and to witness to surrounding areas.

In October 1997, Praying Through the Window III will send prayer teams to all 1,685 peoples to pray that a church-planting movement will be established in each one. Prayer teams will utilize the profiles prepared by the research teams (steps 3-4).

http://www.ad2000.org/joshbroc.htm

Every other year, Praying Through the Window, coordinated by CIN, involves tens of millions in praying for spiritual breakthroughs in the 10/40 window, that region of the eastern hemisphere stretching between ten degrees and forty degrees north of the equator. This year's focus, expected to involve 50 million people in daily prayer, will send hundreds of teams to pray onsite for the AD2000 Movement's Joshua Project Peoples, 1739 of the world's ethnic people groups most in need of a church planting movement. Two years ago, Praying Through the Window II involved an estimated 30 million people praying and supporting 607 prayer journeys into the major cities of the 10/40 window.

Page http://www.ad2000.org/re70302.htm

The enthusiasm, which accompanies this movement, is beyond expectations of many of us. Intercessory prayer does not just stop there. It seems to be a hidden presence in all the great movements of Protestantism today.

By Larry Bivins / Detroit News Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON -- In a soul-searching quest for spiritual renewal, hundreds of thousands of Christian men prayed and sang among the great monuments of Washington on Saturday, eager to own up to their failings and halt a nation's moral decline.

"We have not come to exalt our gender as males. We have come to exalt Jesus Christ," said Promise Keepers President Randy Phillips, as he opened the six-hour assembly called "Stand in the Gap."

"The answer to the healing of the moral deterioration of society -- the uncleanness in the soul of our nation -- is found in our willingness as men to confess our sin to God and to be servants in our homes, workplaces and churches and communities."

One of the central ideas of the Promise Keepers movement is that fathers need to "stand in the Gap", for their family members. They are taught how to intercede on the behalf of their family to withstand evil and change the course of things. The idea would sounds great if we were not aware of what "Standing in the gap" meant. I know that many may be disappointed in learning this. I know that many hold a high regard for the work being done by this group. The truth is the truth, nevertheless. The Savior Yashua stands in the Gap! He has bridged the Gap. Yes it was a great chasm and it was a great Gap, but it has been bridged! We do not "exalt" the Savior when we try to stand in the Gap. We deny His great and unique accomplishment.

But, is this movement big enough to have an impact on society, in any way? Well it is not just a backyard barbecue party.

… It was the first Promise Keepers rally for Dale Bedley of Canton, Mich. He said he was inspired by divine intervention. Promise Keepers has had 62 rallies that have drawn 2.6 million people since its founding in 1990.

The term "Stand in the Gap" is well established among the Promise Keepers. Many events center around the idea.

… That is the attitude Promise Keepers founder Bill McCartney, a Trenton native, wants to breed. McCartney challenged men to return to their church and make a stronger commitment. He also announced his group will build on Saturday's momentum by holding rallies in 18 stadiums and 19 arenas across the country next year. Instead of charging a $60 fee, as the group has for earlier stadium events, the gatherings will be free. He also proposed holding rallies on the steps of every state Capitol Jan. 1, 2000.

- 1997, The Detroit News

To understand the nature of this movement we need to look more closely at the leadership and their affiliations.

Curiously, another major body is involved and fueled by similar enthusiasm. Their goals and expectations coincide amazingly well.

JUBILEE COMMITTEE TO MEET IN COMING DAYS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 10, 1997 (VIS) - A communique released today announced that the Central Committee of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 will hold its third plenary assembly in the Bologna Hall of the Vatican on March 11 and 12. Committee President Cardinal Roger Etchegaray will open the session. The principal themes to be studied include: an overall look at the activity undertaken by the national committees in the pre-preparatory phase, the work plans of the commissions and committees for the next year and the resumption of the study of the calendar for the celebrations of the year 2000.

.../JUBILEE COMMITTEE/ETCHEGARAY VIS 970310 (100)

LECTURE BY CARDINAL RATZINGER ON "LOOKING AT CHRIST"

VATICAN CITY, MAR 6, 1997 (VIS) - Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, led an encounter on spirituality on the theme "Looking at Christ" yesterday afternoon in St. John Lateran Basilica, as part of the citizens' mission of Rome in preparation for the Jubilee Year 2000.

The meditation was addressed principally to people from the world of culture, information, art and research. Cardinal Ratzinger spoke to them about the meaning of the Jubilee and offered some reflections on the story of the temptation of Jesus in the desert.

"Celebrating the Great Jubilee means, on the one hand, not giving credit to fantastic speculations of a great turning point or feeding a fear of catastrophes, but on the other hand, it does not mean celebrating a past reality, as happens with great commemorative feasts. The great Jubilee deals with all three dimensions of time and with the hope of eternity." ...

.../JUBILEE:TEMPTATIONS/RATZINGER VIS 970306 (380)

Having the same goal, this latter body openly expresses the very same goal of interdenominational unity with the world famous Encyclical "That They May Be One".

His Holiness Pope John Paul II
Ut Unum Sint
Encyclical "That They May Be One"
May 25, 1995

UT UNUM SINT! The call for Christian unity made by the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council with such impassioned commitment is finding an ever greater echo in the hearts of believers, especially as the Year 2000 approaches, a year which Christians will celebrate as a sacred Jubilee, the commemoration of the Incarnation of the Son of God, who became man in order to save humanity.

The courageous witness of so many martyrs of our century, including members of Churches and Ecclesial Communities not in full communion with the Catholic Church, gives new vigor to the Council's call and reminds us of our duty to listen to and put into practice its exhortation. These brothers and sisters of ours, united in the selfless offering of their lives for the Kingdom of God, are the most powerful proof that every factor of division can be transcended and overcome in the total gift of self for the sake of the Gospel.

Christ calls all his disciples to unity. My earnest desire is to renew this call today, to propose it once more with determination, repeating what I said at the Roman Colosseum on Good Friday 1994, at the end of the meditation on the Via Cruces prepared by my Venerable Brother Bartholomew, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople. There I stated that believers in Christ, united in following in the footsteps of the martyrs, cannot remain divided. If they wish truly and effectively to oppose the world's tendency to reduce to powerlessness the Mystery of Redemption, they must profess together the same truth about the Cross.[1] The Cross! An anti-Christian outlook seeks to minimize the Cross, to empty it of its meaning, and to deny that in it man has the source of his new life. It claims that the Cross is unable to provide either vision or hope. Man, it says, is nothing but an earthly being, who must live as if God did not exist.

2. No one is unaware of the challenge which all this poses to believers. They cannot fail to meet this challenge. Indeed, how could they refuse to do everything possible, with God's help, to break down the walls of division and distrust, to overcome obstacles and prejudices which thwart the proclamation of the Gospel of salvation in the Cross of Jesus, the one Redeemer of man, of every individual?

I thank the Lord that he has led us to make progress along the path of unity and communion between Christians, a path difficult but so full of joy. Interconfessional dialogues at the theological level have produced positive and tangible results: this encourages us to move forward.

Nevertheless, besides the doctrinal differences needing to be resolved, Christians cannot underestimate the burden of long-standing misgivings inherited from the past, and of mutual misunderstandings and prejudices. Complacency, indifference and insufficient knowledge of one another often make this situation worse. Consequently, the commitment to ecumenism must be based upon the conversion of hearts and upon prayer, which will also lead to the necessary purification of past memories. With the grace of the Holy Spirit, the Lord's disciples, inspired by love, by the power of the truth and by a sincere desire for mutual forgiveness and reconciliation, are called to re-examine together their painful past and the hurt which that past regrettably continues to provoke even today. All together, they are invited by the ever fresh power of the Gospel to acknowledge with sincere and total objectivity the mistakes made and the contingent factors at work at the origins of their deplorable divisions. What is needed is a calm, clear-sighted and truthful vision of things, a vision enlivened by divine mercy and capable of freeing people's minds and of inspiring in everyone a renewed willingness, precisely with a view to proclaiming the Gospel to the men and women of every people and nation.

3. At the Second Vatican Council, the Catholic Church committed herself irrevocably to following the path of the ecumenical venture, thus heeding the Spirit of the Lord, who teaches people to interpret carefully the "signs of the times". The experiences of these years have made the Church even more profoundly aware of her identity and her mission in history. The Catholic Church acknowledges and confesses the weaknesses of her members, conscious that their sins are so many betrayals of and obstacles to the accomplishment of the Savior's plan. Because she feels herself constantly called to be renewed in the spirit of the Gospel, she does not cease to do penance. At the same time, she acknowledges and exalts still more the power of the Lord, who fills her with the gift of holiness, leads her forward, and conforms her to his Passion and Resurrection.

Taught by the events of her history, the Church is committed to freeing herself from every purely human support, in order to live in depth the Gospel law of the Beatitudes. Conscious that the truth does not impose itself except "by virtue of its own truth, as it makes its entrance into the mind at once quietly and with power",[2] she seeks nothing for herself but the freedom to proclaim the Gospel. Indeed, her authority is exercised in the service of truth and charity.

I myself intend to promote every suitable initiative aimed at making the witness of the entire Catholic community understood in its full purity and consistency, especially considering the engagement which awaits the Church at the threshold of the new Millennium. That will be an exceptional occasion, in view of which she asks the Lord to increase the unity of all Christians until they reach full communion.[3] The present Encyclical Letter is meant as a contribution to this most noble goal. Essentially pastoral in character, it seeks to encourage the efforts of all who work for the cause of unity.

UT UNUM SINT is a call of pope John Paul II for the unity among Christians. This tender plea makes it clear that he is aware of the A.D. 2000 Movement and seeks unlike ever before for a union. ’At the Second Vatican Council, the Catholic Church committed herself irrevocably to following the path of the ecumenical venture, thus heeding the Spirit of the Lord, who teaches people to interpret carefully the "signs of the times".’ I wonder if we as Adventists have a sense of this momentous upcoming occasion. Do we recognize the "signs of the times"?

The Threefold Union of Religion

And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For 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. Rev. 16:13, 14. <EB

By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation [the United States] will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. EGW Maranatha p. 190

The IP phenomenon promises to unify at least the Protestant bodies into a coalition which can enjoy a relationship among differing beliefs. As is evident from the supplied information, the gap between Protestantism and Catholicism has narrowed so much that we wonder if there is any significant difference. The Catholics pray for the dead, but the Protestants pray for the unwilling to convert them. Though it may seem that this may be a point of contention, we need to recognize that both beliefs accomplish the same goal. They bypass the will of the individual to impose salvation on them. In effect, there is no difference. The intercessions of Mary have lately been streamlined to such a degree that Protestants can no longer argue effectively. One intercessor or another, it does not matter, as long as the method is effective for salvation. Objecting to Mary no longer makes any sense, if we use other humans to intercede for us! The difference is too small, if existent, to bicker about. All that the Catholic has to do is ask those, who object to Mary's intercessions, to pray for them. In accepting this bidding we endorse their practice. All that was needed has been prepared for the bridge to be put in place. IP has brought Protestantism closer to a theological unification than any other endeavor!

The difficulty is to identify the third frog. How in the world will the third frog come about? How will America embrace Spiritualism? Is there any evidence to suggest that Spiritualism is on the way? Is the recent explosion, of Psychics in America and the world, still small enough that we cannot perceive its presence? Can you successfully view any program on T.V. without being exposed to a commercial, which advertises Psychics and their prodigious feats? Presidents and men in charge of our government turn to psychics openly. Others, aware of the potential public condemnation do it covertly and we still wonder how Spiritualism will shake hands with Protestantism.

Nevertheless, the Psychics do not constitute the entirety of the Pagan involvement. You may not be aware, but a lot of commotion is going on in the Pagan arena. The goals, which the AD2000 movement and the Vatican share, are also on the Pagan’s agenda. The year 2000 holds a special interest for them as well. Unity and the invitation to share a peaceful coexistence are their concern as well.

… With cosmic wisdom received through solar resonance, our profound linking will unify our diverse perspectives into a common and cosmic truth, bridging the gaps between our cultures, races and religions with a universal web of light. When we work in collective resonance with groups of conscious beings gathered around the globe, we anchor magnified positive intentions throughout the entire solar year. What we think, believe, and desire in this sacred moment will manifest at an accelerated rate. Let us work together in harmony, as emerging universal humans awaken fully to the brilliant presence of who we truly are!

The Third Annual Worldwide Solar Ceremonies for Planetary Awakening March 21, 1997 - Spring Equinox

The GaiaMind Project

The GaiaMind Project is a not-for-profit trans-denominational effort dedicated to spreading awareness of global meditation and prayers as they arise. We are particularly interested in those which explicitly focus on the tranformation of global consciousness, but we support all posative efforts without regard to content so long as participation is open to all and does not require belief in any particular religion or ideology, including astrology.

The Project was initiated by Juliana Balistreri, 31, and Jim Fournier, 35, of San Francisco CA.

In addition to the founders Juliana and Jim, thousands of people worldwide from many spiritual traditions co-created a unique event on January 23rd 1997. Grassroots awareness spread globally as co-creators shared information about the event with others by word-of-mouth, email, fax, mail, community bulletin boards, etc. It has been estimated that millions of individuals and thousands of groups from around the world participated and organized gatherings on January 23rd.

The GaiaMind Project is dedicated to exploring the idea that we, humanity, are the Earth becoming aware of itself. From this perspective, the next step in the evolution of consciousness would seem to be our collective recognition that through our technological and spiritual interconnectedness we represent the Earth growing an organ of self-reflexive consciousness. One of the most effective ways to intentionally participate in this process may be simultaneous global meditations. We hope to serve as a catalyst for global healing by bringing forth practical, creative, spiritually-based solutions to the challenges before humankind and the planet. The Project serves as a bridge to explore the interface between science, medicine, philosophy and the world's spiritual wisdom traditions.

The GaiaMind Project

http://www.gaiamind.org/

Calendar of Unity of the Spirit

A calendar where we all can pray/meditate for our world and for the problems and answers for all of mankind . If you would like to be kept updated send Email with the word US in the topic heading of the message. This will enable us to keep you posted about the latest events.

#1 March 20 is the Vernal Equinox - celebrated since ancient antiquity as a spiritual time of rebirth and harmony - It is also the REAL and original date for Earth Day in fact it is celebrated by the United Nations with the ringing of the Peace Bell at the exact moment of the Spring Equinox (this year at 8:55 am EST) to usher in International Earth Day all around the world.

#2 March 30th, Is Easter Sunday celebrated the World Over with Special recognition by Christians for the resurrection of Jesus Christ Let us pray and meditate for a spiritual awakening for all the peoples of the Earth.

#3 April 6 Celebration of Abundance We are inviting you to call upon the Great Ones to change beliefs of scarcity into beliefs of abundance. Each one of you will be a point of light through which the Great Ones can transmit the energies of abundance to others.

#4 April 6 Pray for Peace Day is the 1000 day count-up to the year 2000 - We are asking people to meditate for peace on earth at 12 noon EST.

The idea of unity is high on the Pagan agenda.

April 6, 1997

1000 Days of Hope For The Year 2000

April 6, 1997 is a day that will be celebrated all around the world, as an opportunity to think and hope and work for peace for ONE DAY on January 1, 2000. On this day we will have 1000 days to work together to spread the word of ONE DAY In Peace. Find out about all of the April 6 Celebrations that will be taking place throughout the world on www.worldpeace2000.com/april6

Interesting organizations are popping up to grease the wheels for something concerning the world of 2000 and beyond. I find this quite interesting and curious.

WORLD 2000

An International Planning Dialogue to Help Shape the New Global System

William E. Halal

George Washington University

Washington, DC 20052

ABSTRACT

WORLD 2000 is a project of the World Future Society intended to define the emerging global system and to help shape its formation. The project accomplishes these goals by conducting an international planning dialogue to assist individuals and institutions from all sectors of society to realize their vision of a desirable world -- it can be thought of as "strategic planning for the planet." This chapter describes the WORLD 2000 Project, presents preliminary results in the form of a tentative global strategic plan, and invites participation by all those interested in shaping the emerging global order.

An earlier version of this article appeared in FUTURES: The Journal of Forecasting and Planning (January-February 1993). Epoch shattering events such as the collapse of communism and the rush to a global economy have made it clear that a new era is emerging in global affairs, but there is great confusion over the nature of this brave new world and how we can get there. The WORLD 2000 Project was conceived by the World Future Society as an attempt to define this emerging global system and to help shape its formation.

A surge of similar "global projects" has appeared during the past few years now that the prospect of a unified world is at hand, but they seem to focus on special issues like the environment or have other limitations. WORLD 2000 does not approach this task from any particular perspective. Rather it strives to conduct a fresh examination of the forces that are integrating the Earth into a coherent global order as well as those that are creating the disorder that characterizes our time; both the unification of markets and communications, as well as the vast differences in culture, local problems, and values erupting around the globe. By avoiding preconceived ideologies or solutions, we hope to gain new insights into the world of the future that may help overcome the difficult obstacles ahead.

While WORLD 2000 avoids substantive limitations, it is based on a procedural approach of collaborative planning dialogue. Just as executives use strategic planning to guide their organizations through a turbulent economy, this project uses a similar but broader type of global strategic planning to guide society through a turbulent global transition. And just as progressive leaders help others make their own decisions, this is a decentralized planning process that helps people understand how trends are driving global change and how they canchoose the future they want.

The World 2000 project team is composed of scholars, change agents, business executives, public officials, and others from diverse backgrounds. (See the box, "WORLD 2000 Project Team.") In order to provide a solid point of departure, the project team began its work by integrating central themes from the literature, the popular media, and the views of international authorities into a white paper for discussion and revision. This white paper was conceived along the lines of a "global strategic plan" which focused on three major elements that are common in planning:

Welcome to the latest 'US' (Unity of the Spirit) Update.

We have many new members from all over the world and from many different belief systems that have just been added to our email distribution. It is exciting to see so many people praying and meditating at the same time for the purpose of bringing about a better world. Last time I did this I really felt in prayer that we were all connected to something big, did you feel it too ?

First off let me say that this mail page is multi-purpose. First to keep people informed of the times when others will be praying and mediating for a worldwide Unity in the Spirit. A time to pray for spiritual awakening among more people of the world. A time to focus on the problems and especially the solutions for our troubled world. Lastly, to keep people informed of the latest developments of our own event "Unity of the Spirit" Week we are planning here in Daytona Beach Florida.

#1 January 18th 3:PM to 5:PM EST there will be "Dances Of Universal Peace" to be held at the The Dome in Beverly Beach Florida. The Dances of Universal Peace are simple joyous circle dances honoring world traditions. ** Dome will also be major attraction for our U S Week. (see # 5)

#2 January 19th is World Religion Day This Day is observed yearly in over eighty countries in world. The underlying purpose is to foster the establishment of inter-Faith understanding and harmony. If you have astrological interests please consider praying or meditating at 7:30 AM EST where there is a strong alignment.

#3 January 23rd-The GaiaMind Project,Visit excellent WEB site for details and/or send Email for more details.

#4 April 6 Celebration of Abundance We are inviting you to call upon the Great Ones to change beliefs of scarcity into beliefs of abundance. Each one of you will be a point of light through which the Great Ones can transmit the energies of abundance to others.

Beyond these common goals of peace, unity, greasing the joints and the year 2000 celebration, Intercessory Prayers involve a more intimate doctrinal bridge whose reality has infiltrated Christianity so deep that only history, predisposition and religious bigotry stand in the way of its pull. Through Intercessory prayer the theological barrier of Christianity has fallen imperceptibly to Paganism. It has been compromised long ago and it is only a matter of time for the rationalizations to remove the remaining obstacles. With the worldwide news and educational networks, history can be forgotten quickly. Predisposition against Paganism and religious bigotry can be readily reasoned out in the name of peace and unity. So, what else is left to hold the Christians back from uniting with Pagans?

But, wait a minute, you may ask, how has Christianity fallen theologically to Paganism? As Christians it is difficult to imagine this union, but as Adventists we expect this to take place. "Intercessory prayers" is the mysterious bridge. Within IP lies a dormant leviathan that waits to be awakened. Like metallic slivers that remain apart and are united in the fire, so the doctrines of Protestantism, Catholicism and Paganism await for heat to coalesce. All three of these rely on prayer for spiritual accomplishment. Though seemingly different, IP unites them all through presumption. All three displace God. They make Him into a subordinate subject to the whims and noble or good wishes of the Intercessor. The Pagans see God in nature and believe that their good vibes and good will are a vital contribution to harmonize man and nature, while the IPs believe that their good wishes influence God to action. Good wishes and good vibes are the same idea! What is the difference? What is the essential difference? There is none. The Catholics believe the same thing as they engage in their version of Intercessory Praying. All three believe in remote control, though they may deny it vehemently!

Yet, that is not the only aspect of what intercessory prayers have done to Protestantism. To justify their position and deny self-aggrandizement, the Intercessors rationalize the Holy Spirit as an agent that takes over the individual to accomplish God’s intentions. In this manner they avoid the criticism of pursuing personal goals. But, rather than gain, in this loophole their fall is great. We have discussed this subject in chapter 3, but this subject holds more in it than we have uncovered. Soul Merging is a doctrine of darkness. It embodies deformities and aberrations, which devastate the truth. The inversions, intellectual involutions, convolutions, and varieties, which this doctrine infuses into its victims, are enormous and overwhelming. They require superlative intellect to reduce them and understand where the error is. It is also a doctrine, which has spared few other religions, if any. It is a doctrine found in the ultimate and final state of apostasy.

In one form or another Soul Merging is practiced worldwide in non-Christian religions. Let’s look at few. We begin with some Eastern teachings

17 DIVISIONS OF THE MIND

A Self-Actualization Guide

INTRODUCTION

This treatise is designed to aid the "neophyte upon the Path" in his or her ever persistent endeavors at self-actualization, or soul merging, as I prefer to define the term. In it, I propose to classify and elucidate upon a 17-fold division of the Mind. This will enable the true seeker to determine his or her precise location, or reference point, upon the "totem pole" of self-expressive potentiality.

Before we begin, I am inclined to caution the reader against too quickly establishing judge-mental criteria regarding the material herein presented. The seventeen divisions of the Mind may appear arbitrary. However, the terms and classifications used within this discourse have been precisely defined; this should serve to limit the extent of any preconceived notions as to the meaning of that which is given. The following information is offered as a tool to be utilized in your drive toward Spirit-U-All reunion. Accept it with this in mind. Now, let us begin. ...

In Jewish thought we can see that Soul Merging has clearly found its home.

THE ROOT OF THE SOUL

The soul, at its root, is conceived in Chassidic thought as an extension of G-d's infinite and transcendent being. As an actual "portion of G-d from above" (paraphrased from Job 31:2; see Tanya chapter 2), the Divine soul of Israel attests to the existence of G-d by virtue of its very being. When enclothed within a physical body, it continues to assert its Divine origin through the infinite variety of ways by which it negotiates the encounter with its corporeal self as well as with outer reality.

Our purpose here is to explore the structure of the soul as manifest through its various properties and functions. The accompanying diagram, which illustrates the individual powers of the soul and the channels by which they achieve expression, is entitled Etz HaChaim, ("The Tree of Life"), echoing the Kabbalistic conception of man's spirit as a multi-branched, yet unitary, source of eternal life, primordially rooted in the ground of G-d's supernal being.

http://www.jer1.co.il/orgs/inner/weblinks/anatomy/1-root.htm

The Jewish religion is one of the world religions, which are closely scrutinized by its scholars. The rigorous attention to preserving the tiniest detail seems to have been of no help before the overwhelming power of the Soul-Merging doctrine. The Soul Merging doctrine is an unavoidable destination in apostacy.

As Eastern thought makes contact with Christianity, the rationalizations change, but the undercurrent is the same. In their rationalizations they advance that man is so much a part of God that he is God. They discuss the aspects of the "Divine Self" or the "Higher Self"