It seems to say that Jesus does not pray for the whole world's (every person) salvation but only for those (elect) the father has given him from out of the whole world of other people. as in John 6:37-40, 44, 65 seem to say that the Father does not give everyone, all people to the son to raise up and not be lost, but only some out of all the people in the world.
2006-06-19 09:26:44 · 10 answers · asked by nobodiesinc 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jesus was saying a special prayer for those that he knows belongs to him. For safety and knowledge and strength, etc. To keep us safe from the persecution we would face. Jesus offers this to all, if you chose to remove yourself from the elect, that is on you.
Jesus does offer a prayer for the World on the Cross .. "Father forgive them, they know not what they do"
2006-06-19 09:34:21 · answer #1 · answered by Gardener for God(dmd) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the context of John 17:9, it is but one prayer specifically for those who have sought after God. Everyone has their own nature. Since the war in heaven, some were more valiant than others and were for sure on the lord's side, while others were exactly the opposite and fell with Lucifer and some were caught in between and possibly were not the "elect" because they themselves chose not to be.
Also my John 6:44 reads differently:
"No man can come unto me, except he doeth the will of my Father who hath sent me. And this is the will of him who hath sent me, that ye receive the Son; for the Father beareth record of him; and he who recieveth the testimony, and doeth the will of him who sent me, I will raise up the resurrection of the just."
Hopefully that will help.
But if i didn't help, there is a scripture that gives instruction on how to answer questions. Read James 1:5 & 6
2006-06-19 09:43:27 · answer #2 · answered by feliscar1212 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
John 17:6-12
"I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
If you read a little before that he is praying for the protection of those that decided to listen to him while he was on the earth. it does not mean that he does not except anyone else, it is just saying that at that moment the people that decided to follow him he wished to be protected while he was gone.
Also, God knows who are going to choose him in the future because God is the Alpha and Omega, beginning and end, he already knows who will choose him and who won't. So, Jesus could have been praying for all those who are to come that will choose him as well. This does not mean we don't have a choice, it just simply means that God already knows what choice we are going to make.
2006-06-19 09:35:51 · answer #3 · answered by wlkonwtr1014 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
literally he prays for his disciples, entrusted to pass on the truth in the gospels. In bigger terms I think it is those who have been born-again through baptism and have believed that Jesus is the Christ. God knew all things from the beggining. It is sad, millions never will accept Jesus as savior and lord. Since we all have free will.
2006-06-19 09:33:12 · answer #4 · answered by esero26 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is when Jesus was praying to God and praying for those who accepted Him to be the Son of God. If you read in Revelations when God's angels had to hold back His power, and when does show His power and those thousands of people still dont believe. Are they the atheists? idk but there will be those that don't believe in spite of what they witness.
2006-06-19 09:35:28 · answer #5 · answered by AlwaysLaughing 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In this scripture, Jesus was praying for the apostles, whom he was about to leave, since he was going to be crucified soon. They were the ones that would work to lift Him up.
2006-06-19 09:32:09 · answer #6 · answered by bairland 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess God knows everyone will not be saved and he being the all-knowing God that he is, knows who will and who will not. Sadly, he wants everyone to come to him, but knows everyone will not. I will read John 17:9 myself when I get home from work and may come back and edit my answer.
2006-06-19 09:31:07 · answer #7 · answered by Caleb's Mom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Joh 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
you are correct. and this is because most of the world is lead by satan and will not accept Gods laws.
2006-06-19 09:35:08 · answer #8 · answered by His eyes are like flames 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's talking about the disciples, if you continue to read on He prays for all believers.
2006-06-19 09:30:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
God gives all people the oppotunity to accept him, but he will only accept those who have.
2006-06-19 09:32:53 · answer #10 · answered by Ratman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋