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The DEEP

World Domination

The plan

John 17:20–23

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one; I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.”

There are three purpose constructions in a row at the beginning of this section.

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; [for the purpose] that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; [for the purpose] that they also may be one in Us, [for the purpose] that the world may believe that You sent Me.”

So, what we’re looking at here is a chain of higher and higher purposes.

And this one isn’t just for the apostles; it’s for you and me. We’re part of the group of those who will believe in Me.

Our faith is for the purpose that we may be one, for the higher purpose that we may be one in “Us,” (God) for the even higher purpose that the world (meaning all mankind) may believe that You sent Me.

In His final hours, Jesus announces His plan for world domination.

And we’re part of that plan.


While the highest purpose noted here is the faith of all mankind, the application takeaway is the centrality of unity.

This unity theme keeps coming back round on the guitar. Unity in the church is critical to its success (success meaning world domination).

That was working great in the first few centuries of Christianity. We took over the Roman empire, which some passages refer to as the world.

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. — Luke 2:1

Now, we’re not unified and the plan for world domination is sputtering. Do you really think a non-believer looking at the church from the outside is going to notice what we’re arguing about?

No. They’re just going to notice that we’re arguing. If something is so central to the faith that it takes priority over unity, then you’re “arguing” with a non-believer.

Just stop.


These Monday—Friday DEEPs are written by Mike Slay. The Saturday DEEPs are written by Matt Richardson. To subscribe to all the DEEPs click here:

https://www.ailbe.org/resources/community

The weekly study guides, which include the Monday–Friday devotionals plus related questions for discussion or meditation, are available for download here:

https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV stands for the English Standard Version. © Copyright 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NIV stands for The Holy Bible, New International Version®. © Copyright 1973 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved. KJV stands for the King James Version.

Mike Slay

As a mathematician, inventor, and ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church in America, Mike Slay brings an analytical, conversational, and even whimsical approach to the daily study of God's Word.

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