John 17:15 "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world..."
John 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
Jesus is saying, "I pray, not for X, but for Y".
Look at the
location of the word "not" in the verse. Please note the difference if the
verse said the following: "I pray -- that thou shouldest (not)
take them out of the world". And please note, the verse does not say that
at all, as those who deny the rapture imply. In order for the verse to say
that, the word "not" has to be moved over the three words "that thou
shouldest" and placed later in the sentence!
One point is that
Jesus, by saying what he is not praying for, is giving us a hint that
he could pray for God to take us out of the world, as will happen at the rapture
as shown in 1 Thess 4:13-18 and John 14:2-3.
Also, instead of
praying for that, Jesus prayed for something greater that includes the promise
to take us out of the world at the rapture, that being, "that thou shouldst keep
them from the evil". Ask yourself, if we are raptured, would that keep us
from the evil? Of course it would.
Thus, the rapture does
not contradict the prayer of Jesus at all!
But the prayer, to keep us
from the evil, also applies to our lives before the rapture, and it will also
apply to the tribulation saints who are converted after the rapture! Thus,
the prayer to "keep them from the evil", is much better than merely praying
"that thou shouldst take them out of the world", which will happen at the
rapture.
Here's an excellent analogy.
Solomon prayed for something
greater than wealth, but also received wealth.
2 Chronicles 1:11 And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:Solomon did "pray not" for riches. Did he receive riches? Yes.
2 Chronicles 1:12 Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.
Jesus did "pray not" for God to take us out of the world. But will we be taken out of the world at the rapture? Of course!
Thus, the rapture is perfectly fitting with John 17:15, and is not
contradicted by that verse at all. The verse supports pretrib
doctrine. Just as wisdom included riches, wealth and honour, "keep them
from the evil" includes the pretribulation rapture promise.
Once again,
those who use John 17:15 to argue against the rapture, are showcasing why
there must be heresies in the Church:
1 Corinthians 11:19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
See, once you learn the truth, you can never be deceived again by a bad
argument.
Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;What should you pray for? Pray for wisdom. Pray to be kept from the evil of the tribulation to come.
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.Mat 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Mat 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Mat 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Mat 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.Luk 11:4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
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