Jesus’ Three-part Prayer — John 17

Posted on August 8, 2015 by Stephen Nielsen

John 17 prayer

Jesus prayed this prayer sometime after the Last Supper and just before He went out to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray and to wait for His betrayer (Judas) to arrive.

The prayer (written below) is in three parts: for Himself, for His disciples, and for all believers who would form the church. The order here I think is important, as it seems to give us a pattern to follow—that prayers should be first for ourselves, then for those who are closest to us (our disciples), then for all others.

The prayer for Himself (v. 5) was that God would glorify Him together with Himself with the glory He had with Him before the world began. Thus, in the words of Homer Kent Jr., “[Jesus] was asking for the resumption of the full glories which he had laid aside,”

Jesus asked three things for His disciples. First, He prayed that God would keep them in His name (or keep them in His will) so that they would be unified together just as the Father and the Son were (v. 12). Second, He prayed that they would be kept (or preserved) from the evil one (v. 15). And third, He prayed that they would be sanctified (purified and made holy for the ministry He had called them to) in God’s truth—the truth of His Word (v. 17).

His prayers for the church were also in triplicate. First, He prayed that they (we) might be unified together with each other as the Father is with the Son (v. 21). Then He prayed that they (we) may be one in the Father and the Son, so that the world may believe (v. 21). Last, He prayed that they (we) may be with Him to behold His glory (v. 24) and to forever enjoy His love (v. 26).

John 17

These things Jesus spoke; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Thy Son, that the Son may glorify Thee, 2 even as Thou gavest Him authority over all mankind, that to all whom Thou hast given Him, He may give eternal life. 3 “And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. 4 “I glorified Thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which Thou hast given Me to do. 5 “And now, glorify Thou Me together with Thyself, Father, with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was. 6 “I manifested Thy name to the men whom Thou gavest Me out of the world; Thine they were, and Thou gavest them to Me, and they have kept Thy word. 7 “Now they have come to know that everything Thou hast given Me is from Thee; 8 for the words which Thou gavest Me I have given to them; and they received them, and truly understood that I came forth from Thee, and they believed that Thou didst send Me. 9 “I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom Thou hast given Me; for they are Thine; 10 and all things that are Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine; and I have been glorified in them. 11 “And I am no more in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep them in Thy name, the name which Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, even as We are. 12 “While I was with them, I was keeping them in Thy name which Thou hast given Me; and I guarded them, and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 “But now I come to Thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy made full in themselves. 14 “I have given them Thy word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 “I do not ask Thee to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. 16 “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth. 18 “As Thou didst send Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 “And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. 20 “I do not ask in behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us; that the world may believe that Thou didst send Me. 22 “And the glory which Thou hast given Me I have given to them; that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, that the world may know that Thou didst send Me, and didst love them, even as Thou didst love Me. 24 “Father, I desire that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am, in order that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me; for Thou didst love Me before the foundation of the world. 25 “O righteous Father, although the world has not known Thee, yet I have known Thee; and these have known that Thou didst send Me; 26 and I have made Thy name known to them, and will make it known; that the love wherewith Thou didst love Me may be in them, and I in them. “

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A World without Satan: What Will It Be Like? — Revelation 20:2-3

Posted on August 7, 2015 by Stephen Nielsen

Stephen Nielsen's avatarStudying Bible Prophecy

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The removal of Satan is the first necessary step to set up the great test for men (in the millennial kingdom): to see if they can live a blameless life— without being tempted by Satan. The idea is that with Satan and his demons out of the picture, unregenerate man will have a fair chance to live without sin (even though they will be born in sin).

satan cast outThus, just before the beginning of the millennium (Rev. 20:2-3), Satan (along his demons) will be cast into a bottomless pit, to be held there for the entire duration of the millennium.

And also, at the beginning, all unregenerate (unsaved) people will be killed, either in the battle of Armageddon (Rev. 19:15-21) or in the judgment known as the sheep and goat’s judgment (Matt. 25:31-46). Therefore, from the beginning of the millennial kingdom, there will be no unsaved people. All who go…

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Jesus Prayed When His Soul Was Troubled — John 12:27-28

Posted on August 1, 2015 by Stephen Nielsen

Jesus prayed

Though Jesus was fully God, He was also fully human and in need of constant prayer. Jesus prayed the following prayer on the second day of the Passover feast, the day after His triumphal entry.

 

John 12:27-28

“Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”

 

At this particular time He was teaching on the principal of self-denial. He was saying, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.”

As He was teaching these things He began to feel greatly troubled in His soul at the thought of His impending death. The thought of taking on the wrath of God for the sins of the world was horrifying, and was causing Him great agitation.

His prayer expresses two options. He could request to be rescued from death—“Father save me from this hour?”—or, to accept it as His Father’s will.

The prayer leaves no doubt that He immediately chose the second option. Thus, he prayed, “But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.”

Then, immediately His answer came. A deep rumbling voice from heaven said, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”

 

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Lamb of God in the New Testament — Mentioned 29 Times

Posted on July 28, 2015 by Stephen Nielsen

Stephen Nielsen's avatarStudying Bible Prophecy

lamb

One of the names of Christ in the Bible in which we see Him as our Savior and Redeemer is “Lamb of God.” This name is mentioned twice in the Old Testament, but many times in the New Testament—29 times, primarily in Revelation.

The first New Testament passage in which “Lamb of God” is used is in John 1:29. Here when John the Baptist saw Jesus coming, he said to His disciples, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” He was prophesying of His sacrifice for us on the cross, that through His death our sins would be taken away (if we believe in Him).

A second New Testament passage is 1 Peter 1:18-19. Here Peter speaks to us of the blood of the Lamb, which redeems.

1 Peter 1:18-19

Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from…

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5 Biblical Reasons Why Answers to Prayer Are Important

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Stephen Nielsen

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There are many reasons why God wants us to receive answers from Him when we pray. Here are five biblical reasons:

 

 1.  God has made it our nature to ask in prayer in order that we may receive. When we received Christ God gave us a new nature, a nature that desires prayer and that wants to receive from Him in prayer. In fact, when Jesus came into us, at the time of our conversion He made the temple of our bodies a house of prayer—so that we naturally cry out to God for all the things we need (Matt. 21:13). Indeed, prayer is the most natural thing for a Christian to do.

 

 2.  It is God’s nature to hear and answer prayer. God is our creator and the creator of the entire world. It is natural for Him to hear the cries of all His creatures and to tend to their needs. He answers the prayers of Christians in particular because we are His own special people whom He died for and whom He has adopted into His family (1 Pt. 2:9; Eph. 1:5-7).

He cares for all our needs as a faithful gardener cares for His garden. I am making reference to John 15. Here God is pictured as a gardener and we are grape branches growing out of the vine (which is Christ). God wants all of us to bear fruit and to be able to ask in prayer and receive from Him. If we don’t bear fruit, and if for some reason we don’t receive from Him in prayer (which I think is part of the fruit), it is His nature as a gardener to care for us and prune us so that we will grow and abide, hence, so that we will, in due course, bear fruit and receive from Him in prayer. Yes, God desires that all His children abide in Him, so that He can answer their prayers.

 

 3.  God’s answers to prayer show evidence of His existence and give us proof of our right relationship with Him. Anyone who comes to God in prayer must believe, at least a little, that He exists (Heb. 11:6). But when He rewards us with an answer, we have unmistakable evidence of His existence.

And our answers also serve to help others believe in Him. Isaiah knew this, and so at Mount Carmel he prayed before the people, “Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that You are the Lord God…” (1 Kings 18:37).

Answers to prayer not only prove God’s existence, but they also give us confidence that we are growing in our relationship with Him and that He is pleased with our prayers. If we rarely receive answers it probably means that there is a sin problem and that we are not abiding in Him (Jn. 15:7). But if we do receive answers it gives us proof that our relationship with Him is going well.

 

 4.  When we receive His answers we share in His work and will. Prayer is not just for our own personal needs. Prayer should be mainly for others, for God’s work of saving the lost and for the growth of the church. Therefore, when we pray for the lost and for the ministry that God has called us to, and He answers our prayers, we can be glad that we have a part in His work.

 

 5.  Answers to prayer bring God glory and us joy. In John 14:13 Jesus said, “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” Then in John 16:24 Jesus said to His disciples (and to us), “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” When we are used in the service of God to bring Him glory by our prayers and by answers to our prayers, the Holy Spirit will always fill us up with joy. That is what will naturally happen. It is the joy of the Holy Spirit bubbling up in us. It is the overflow of the glory of God in us.

 

 

 

 

 

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3 Motives for Purity as We Draw Near the End of All Things— from 1 Peter 4:7

Posted on July 16, 2015 by Stephen Nielsen

Stephen Nielsen's avatarStudying Bible Prophecy

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1 Peter 4:7

The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. NIV

1.  The end of the world as we know it is coming;  therefore, it will be more difficult to live as a Christian. Purity (to be clear minded and self-controlled) will help.

2.  Since harder times are coming much prayer is needed—for ourselves and for others. Prayers are more effective when we are pure.

3.  Since the end of all things is near that means that the coming of Christ is near. We must make ourselves pure and ready for Him. Whatever we do for purity now will affect our relationship with our Lord forever.

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Jesus, at Times, Prayed and Thanked His Father Publically

Posted on July 11, 2015 by Stephen Nielsen

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Consider the following two prayers of Jesus:

 

 Matthew 11:25-26

At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. 26 Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.

 

After reflecting on the prideful hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders in the surrounding cities of Galilee, in contrast to the childlike faith and greatness of John the Baptist, Jesus thanked God publicly that He has hid the truth of the gospel from those proud ones—those who thought themselves to be wise and prudent—and has revealed it instead to humble babes (believers).  Then in verse 26 He prayed, “Even so, Father, for so it seems good in your sight,” indicating publicly that He and His Father agree together and find it good that only the humble and repentant should find the truth.

 

John 11:41-42

Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.”

 

Here Lazarus is lying dead in his tomb and Jesus is about to raise him up.  But first he looked up, as if looking up to God in heaven, and He prayed, “I know that you always hear me.”  Then, in His prayer, He said, “But because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.”

This prayer, like the one we have just discussed, is not really a petition, but a prayer of thanksgiving to His Father.  It is also meant for the people standing around; for He prayed loudly for all to hear, so that the people around him would believe in Him—that He had a personal relationship with God, that God was His Father, and that He always hears Him.

 

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The Shepherd of Israel in the Last Days — 8 Points

Posted on July 11, 2015 by Stephen Nielsen

Stephen Nielsen's avatarStudying Bible Prophecy

the-good-shepherd-03

In the last days, Jesus Christ will be the Good Shepherd of Israel. Here are eight of His good works as a shepherd.

1.  He looks for those who are lost. Our Lord is always concerned for the lost—for their salvation and safety. He loves every one of us whom He has given life to (Read Ezekiel 34:11).

2.  He defeats the enemy. The good Shepherd not only looks for His lost sheep in order to bring them back into the fold and care for them, He also delivers His sheep from all enemies and will defeat them. And in most cases the enemy will be false shepherds—shepherds who seek to take advantage of the sheep in order to feed themselves. Thus they care nothing for the sheep but only for themselves.  Hence, when the Lord sets up His kingdom, the first order of business will be to defeat and…

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Republican Party U. S. Presidential Candidates, 2016: What is their Foreign Policy?

Posted on July 3, 2015 by Stephen Nielsen

Stephen Nielsen's avatarStudying Bible Prophecy

bushwalkerrubio

It is very important, especially in these evil days, for a country to have good leaders and a good foreign policy.  For nations, and the leaders of those nations, are appointed by God to do good to others, and also to execute God’s wrath on nations that practice evil. Hence it is so important to elect a president who is wise in foreign policy matters, and who will exercise his authority as God would have him do (Rom. 13:3; 1 Peter 2:14).

It is especially important to elect a president who will seek to be friends with Israel.  For we have the promise from God that those who bless Israel will be blessed, but those who curse Israel will be cursed (Gen. 12:3).

 

bushJeb Bush

Bush said that the next president must prioritize cyber security. Jeb Bush stated, “The President can issue an Executive Order or give a speech…

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Praise for Clerks who Refused Gay Marriage Licenses

Posted on July 1, 2015 by Stephen Nielsen

Stephen Nielsen's avatarStudying Bible Prophecy

ows_143570351977984   I was thrilled to see in the Minneapolis Star Tribune today (July 1, 2015) that certain clerks in Kentucky refused to issue gay marriage licenses.  Clerk Kim Davis, in this article entitled, Fight for gay marriage turns now to clerks who defy Supreme Court, refuse marriage licenses, said, “It’s a deep-rooted conviction; my conscience won’t allow me to do that…It goes against everything I hold dear, everything sacred in my life.”

The article in the Tribune stated that some judges and clerks in Alabama and Texas have done the same, ordering their offices in the name of religious liberty and free speech to issue no marriage licenses at all.

Well, as the article goes on to say, anyone who works in public offices and does not adhere to the law of the country (including this new marriage law) can get in big trouble. Said Sam Marcosson, a constitutional…

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