p. 4 | Oneness Must Precede a Revival by W. R. Uchtmann

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 7, 1914

Oneness Must Precede a Revival

By W. R. Uchtmann

W. R. Uchtmann

"And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one." John 17:22.

The first indication of an answer to this prayer was at Pentecost. This was the former rain. The full answer will be the latter rain, the manifestation of which will be witnessed by the remnant church in the condition of oneness.

While Peter, James, and John were in the mount with the Lord, when he was transfigured before them, the other nine disciples tried to heal a young man possessed of a devil. They were unsuccessful. We read in "The Desire of Ages" that this was because they were jealous because Jesus had not invited them to go up into the mountain with the other three; and they began to strive among themselves for the highest place. How could God give healing power to men in this condition?

The first step to oneness with Christ is into death, before there can be any resurrection power. Paul knew this well, when he wrote as follows: "I am dead;" "I am crucified;" "I die daily," etc. This was a real experience with him, and he demonstrated that the beautiful resurrection plant only grows on the grave of its possessor. The oneness is in the resurrection with Christ, and one another.

There is a very instructive lesson in Ezekiel 37. After the prophet viewed the dead bones, and God's divine plan of raising them, he was told to take two sticks. These showed the divided state of Israel. Sticks, or scepters, were used by rulers as a sign of their kingly authority. It was so in Esther's day, and it is so now. Each king has his scepter. But in Gen. 49:10 we read both a promise and a warning: "The scepter shall not depart from Judah." Christ came through Judah. The two sticks were next seen in the hand of the prophet, and lo, they became one. In verse 19 we see that the church in the hand of God will become one. This is the very work the remnant church is doing; namely, bringing the true believers back into the good old paths, under the banner of Prince Immanuel, which means the keeping of the commandments, and having the spirit of prophecy, for the two sticks first became one in the hand of the prophet. Compare Eze. 37:19-24 with John 10:16. Let us pray earnestly for the hastening of this event.

Boston, Mass.