Jesus didn't have to speak these words to the Father, but He spoke them for our benefit. This whole seventeenth chapter is given by Christ to teach us how to pray. Within this chapter we will see the whole plan of God, and everything that we should know about salvation, election, grace, the different ages, and who has power, and who does not have power. We need to know how to interact with our heavenly Father.

It is time now for Jesus to go to the cross and defeat death. When Christ went to the cross He became "glorified", and when the Son is glorified, so also is the Father glorified. "Glory" in Strong's Greek dictionary is # 1391 and comes from the prime #1380. # 1391; "doxa, dox'-ah; from the base 1380; (subject and object) dignity, honor, praise, worship- glory." The prime #1380; "Dokeo, Dok'-eh-o; form of a prime verb, be accounted, be of good reputation, seem (good), suppose, think."

By Jesus Christ going to the cross, the Father is being conferred the all the honor and praise and worship, through the death of Christ on the cross. The end result of Christ's crucifixion was no accident, for each part of our Lord's life, from His conception and His birth, to the moment He came out of the tomb was detailed and foretold hundreds and thousands of years prior. This was the plan of God, and it was fulfilled in detail to show us that our Father does have control over this earth age, the nations, and even those small things in our lives.

John 17:2 "As Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him."

It is important that we note; "Thou hast given Him." There are two levels here. The first is for those that have free will, they are given in the sense that when they believe on the only Son, and when they pray in His name, then they also are covered by the blood of Christ.

In the second level it is addressing those that are given in the Father's election. Those of the election were chosen and judged in the world age that was, before this flesh age. The election [or elect] were predestined and adopted to the Father by Jesus Christ. This is all part of God's plan, and is according to the good pleasure of His will.

Death was first brought into the first earth age by Satan at his fall, or rebellion against God, and in Ezekiel 28 God tells how Satan set his heart to be above God, and because of this God said; "Thou shalt die the deaths of the uncircumcised by the hand of strangers: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord God.' " Ezekiel 28:10 Satan became the "son of perdition", and death was introduced into the will of God.

In this flesh age [power over all flesh], all flesh undergoes the process of decay and death. However we also have another body called our spiritual body. All of God's children, or souls are under this penalty of decay and death, and to break the bonds of death that Satan brought upon us, it became necessary for the Father to send His only Begotten Son Jesus Christ, so that He could be put to death, and overcome that sting of death that was placed on all souls. This is part of God's plan, for the Father's will is that all of His children will come to know and believe on Jesus, and accept the blood sacrifice of Christ on the cross, so that they will have eternal life.

God's glory is when any soul comes to Him in repentance, and that can only happen through the shed blood on the cross. So you see that in the cross, both the Son and the Father become glorified. Both offices earned you praise and honor, and deserve to be worshipped.

John 17:3 "And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, Whom thou hast sent."

What does the name "Jesus Christ" mean. To break the two words down, "Jesus", which is to say in the Hebrew, "Iesous" or "Jehoshua", "and means the Salvation of Jehovah, or Jehovah the Savior". The name Jesus expresses the relationship of Jehovah [Father] to Him [Christ] in Incarnation, by which "He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Philippians 2:8

The name "Jesus" was given by God to Mary in Matthew 1:21 to identify Him as the one that would endure in order "to save His People from their sins."

The name "Christ" in the Greek is translated from the Hebrew word "Mashiah". It means and should be translated in English, "Messiah". In our language it means "the Anointed One". When the name Jesus Christ is used together, it means "The one who humbled Himself, and is now exalted and glorified as the Christ".

Only God the Father could send Jesus Christ the anointed one of the Father.

John 17:4 "I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do."

This is saying that the Father has glorified the Son, Jesus Christ in this earth age [on the earth]. Because of the completed work of Jesus in his ministry, His death and resurrection, the honor to have salvation by the Father must come through the Son, Jesus Christ. Christ became the only way to the Father, and that is why we must pray to the Father in Jesus name, when we Worship the Father. To give praise to one office you must accept and believe on the fulfillment of the other office of God.

In other words, Jesus had finished the work that the Father had given Him to this point in time. Jesus had spoken the words that God the Father had given Him to teach, to fulfill the plan of God, which is His will and written by the prophets in the Scriptures. Jesus ministry was basically over, for all the teachings necessary in word, and miracles had been preformed. The thing left to do in the fulfillment of Scriptures for salvation to come to sinful man, was His humility, suffering, His death and resurrection, and this must be done separate from His disciples. There are many places in the Scriptures that tell of Jesus duty to the Father, that tells us of His purpose, other then salvation.

Hebrews 2:14; "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil,"

This is telling us why Jesus came to this earth, and come in the form of a flesh body. God will never ask you to do something that He has not already done Himself. God caused each soul to be born of woman, and live in our flesh life within our flesh and blood bodies. Because of this requirement on each soul, He also did likewise. Then we get the purpose for Jesus' coming; "that through death [death on the cross] He might destroy him [Satan] that had the power of death, that is the devil." Jesus the Christ defeated Satan the devil through His death on the cross [at the crucifixion].

There is one big difference between Jesus' life in the flesh, and all other mortal souls in the flesh. Jesus lived the perfect life, without sin. The glory of God is in the fact that Jesus could live in the flesh and still be perfect. Satan ordered Jesus death on the cross through his little Kenites, for they brought it to pass.

Hebrews 2:15 "And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage."

There is no need to be afraid of death anymore, for in Christ there is eternal life. When the flesh body falls away to the grave, the soul returns to the Father from where it came. The soul of any flesh man shall never die when under the blood of Christ. There is a natural urge to survive in the flesh, and to protect it from early death, but to the Christian there is no fear in death, for the soul lives eternally.

Hebrews 2:16 "For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed of Abraham."

Jesus did not come to earth in the form of some supernatural entity as in the form of an angel, but He came in the flesh and blood body as promised by God, to be of the seed of Abraham.

Hebrews 2:17 "Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people."

This is the true glory of Jesus Christ, He is our covering for sin. He became the perfect sacrifice for all time, and all that will receive that covering by repentance in His name. This is the reason that the crucifixion had to take place, and Jesus is now to the point of His ministry where the first part of His ministry has been completed.

John 17:5 "And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own Self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was."

Think about that, "the glory which I had with Thee before the world was". This word "world" here is "Kosmos" in the Greek. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit were all in existence and with glory before this "Kosmos" existed. This "Kosmos" is the earth as it now exists, with the land, and oceans, the trees and the animals and all living things as it now appears: It is called "this earth age". The earth age we now live in is called "the flesh age", for all soul's in existence in a flesh and blood body is common to this earth age of the flesh only.

In the first earth age when Satan rebelled, the Godhead was one in its glory. God spoke to Job, after Job had listened to thirty seven chapters of bad advise, and said; Job 38:2-3 "Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?" [2] "Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou Me." [3]

Many today like to give advise just like Job received; that is bad advise. They listen to traditions of men, and from those fairy tales they act as if they know God. God told Job that if He is going to listen to them, then tell Me what it was like before the foundations of this earth age. God was in His full glory then; can you explain what it was like then?

Job 38:4 "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding."

Then in verse seven God tells Job the way it was, way back then. "Before the foundations of this earth age were laid, all the morning stars, the sons of God sang together, and God shouted for joy." This was prior to Satan's fall, and the rebellion that caused one third of all souls to follow Satan in rebellion, as detailed in Ezekiel 28.

John 17:6 "I have manifested Thy name unto the men which Thou gavest Me out of the world: Thine they were, and Thou gavest them Me; and they have kept Thy word."

Jesus is saying that He has shown, or illustrated Your Name [Father's name] to the men that you gave Me out of this earth age [Kosmos]. "Thine they were" tells us that each of these souls belonged to the Father, before they become Christ's. These souls that came from the Father, have kept true to God's Word. They were part of God's election, claimed and adopted by God in the Kosmos, or age that was. They belonged to God, and sent to this earth flesh age to become part of God's plan.

Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose."

Romans 8:29 "For who He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."

There is a stated purpose for the election to be born into this earth age, and that was to conform to the image of God's son, that many lost could be brought back to the Father.

Romans 8:30 "Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called ,them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified."

Jesus Christ knew each of His followers from before this earth age of the flesh that we now live in. The Father picked out each one of His elect, there was no begging, and pleading for them to follow Him, just the statement, "Follow Me!" and each one dropped what they were doing, and followed. When they followed Jesus, they became the possession of God the Father's Son, for God the Father gave them over.

John 17:7 "Now they have known that all things whatsoever Thou hast given Me are of Thee."

The elect are the ones spoken of here and each of them know and believe when the see the workings of God. They know from within themselves.

John 17:8 "For I have given unto them the words which Thou gavest Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from Thee, and they have believed that Thou didst send Me."

"The words which Thou gavest Me;" is the Bible that we hold in our hands, and study by. When the disciples, and followers of Jesus saw the miracles and heard Jesus' teaching, they had the insight to know that Jesus was sent from God. They had the eyes to see and the ears to hear and understand that it was Christ that was before them. When they saw, they believed that Jesus was the sent one.

John 17:9 "I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which Thou hast given Me; for they are Thine."

Jesus is praying for each of those that see and believe that He is the sent one, because He is their advocate before the Father. Jesus became their advocate the moment they saw and believed on Him, and repented to Him of their sins. The elect have a purpose and direction to follow to bring forth fruit, where as those of the free will may draw away from being in the service of the Lord. Under Paul's "free will", He sought out to kill Christians for God, but when God showed him the divine purpose of His will, and where Paul fit in as the elect of God, Paul then became the preacher of the gospel, and writer of many books of God's Word.

In Acts 9:15 God lets it be know that Paul "is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the Children of Israel:"

God blinded Paul and spoke to him, then Paul got his act together. It wasn't a matter of Paul wanting to please God, for Paul was over zealous to do God's work. It was just that Paul needed to be set in the right direction to see where he fit in God's plan, as far as Jesus was concerned.

Some of you have known that there was more to God's Word then what you have been taught, and you know that you have a destiny and purpose in this flesh age.

John 17:10 "And all Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine; and I am glorified in them."

If you are in Christ, then you also belong to the Father, and the Father and the Son become glorified in and through the works that you do and say. Glorified means that in your life, your walk and talk and everything you do, God gets the honor, and the Christ is magnified in your life. In your work and ministry, are you drawing attention and honor to yourself or to Father?

John 17:11 "And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom thou hast given Me, that they may be one, as We are."

Each person that comes to the Father through Jesus Christ, becomes one with Christ and the Father. We enter into the many membered body of Christ, and all of the members of that body of Christ have their different offices. You fulfill your office in that you use the individual gifts that God has given to each of us. It is not an accident that you have come to know the Lord and understand His Word, for it is only by His drawing you by His Holy Spirit that your spiritual eyes were open, and you became one with Christ.

John 17:12 "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Thy name: those that Thou gavest Me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled."

This is Christ speaking. While Jesus was in the world in this flesh age He kept them "in Thy Name" and He did this by teaching them the Word of God. This is addressing those with "free will" as well as "the elect". Jesus is telling us that there is a "son of perdition" [Satan] and only he is lost, but all others are not lost. "Lost" as used here in the Greek text is "apollumi", and it is used to show that; "one is doomed to perish, with absolutely no hope." In the Greek language it is the strongest form of final and irretrievable destruction.

Until the time of the great white throne judgment all souls have the right to understand and from their understanding make a choice to either accept or reject the blood of Christ as the covering for their sins, and be one with Jesus. To many that decision will not come until the Millennium age, where they will be taught and disciplined before Judgment. To many, they will hear and see the Word in this flesh age, and be saved by faith in Jesus Christ. But remember that God is always fair and just. Not one soul will enter into hell fire in ignorance of what they are doing, they will enter because they have chose to follow the "son of perdition" on their own accord.

In the expression "the son of perdition", This expression is used both here and by Paul in IIThessalonians 2:3 to identify the Antichrist in those final hours of this earth age.

What then has Jesus said here in this verse. All of the sons, or souls of men (women) have not become totally separated from God, and destined to perish. Not one of them has except the"son of perdition". "Perdition" means "destined to perish". This takes all of the guess work as to who the "son of perdition" is. It is Satan. It identifies Satan as the Antichrist of the time of tribulation.

Today there are many preachers that are ready to condemn someone to hell at the drop of a hat, when they see someone not responding to their altar calls. They assume that all people have their spiritual eyes open to see, and hear when they preach what they call the gospel. There were many people that saw Jesus miracles, and heard Him teach, but most of them did not respond to Jesus. Yet here Jesus said not one of them were sentenced to Hell and perdition, except the devil. Even the Kenites will have the right to choose before they are condemned.

Don't blame the sinner's rejection of the gospel on the sinner today, for what is taught in most churches today is nothing more than man's traditions. Many of the church houses today are setting themselves up as court houses, and taking away the power of God to judge. They are setting up their own standards and not God's, and this is a dangerous thing to do, for their judgments put by them on those poor souls will come back on their own heads two fold. God says that this is the worse sin in the world, because what ever the sin that you judge someone with, you become twice more guilty.

Jesus is telling the Father that He has kept and allowed every child of His whereby there is a hope for them. All that is except Satan "the son of perdition", whereby the Scripture might be fulfilled. That Scripture is the chapter of Ezekiel 28.

If you have five children that were all normal and they all sat under the same teacher. In time they all flunked the same course, as did many other children that sat under the same teacher. It would not take much time to see that maybe the fault was not with the students, but with the teacher. It doesn't take much thought to come to that conclusion. Yet, do you think that our Heavenly Father is any less understand then you. When He sees the teachers and pastors of today that are ignorant of His Word, sitting in Judgment of His children, He doesn't like it one bit. Just like the poor teacher your children sit under that you do something about, so also will the Father. You do it in your course of time, and the heavenly Father in His. My fellow Christian, that is what the Millennium age is all about; teaching and discipline.

John 17:13 "And now come I to Thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have My joy fulfilled in themselves."

Jesus has shown us by His Word that if we partake of His Word and follow Him, we can have joy taking part in His service.

John 17:14 "I have given them Thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."

When you teach God's Word chapter by chapter and verse by verse, rightly dividing the Word of God, the world will hate you for it. You will see the flock starting to thin out. The Word of God will not win a popularity contest in the world today, in fact, the Bible simply cannot be brought into the schools, nor reference given to it on any level of education. The hidden dynasty that controls education with the Government is careful not to allow God's Word to become part of it's activity, when in fact the very foundation of education is based on it. Even the laws of the land are taken from the Bible.

Teaching the Bible as God has instructed in His Word will not even be popular amongst the clergy of today's churches. Why? Because they are of the world, even as I am not of the world. The Word was misunderstood, and replaced by tradition in Jesus day, and it is no different in the church houses of today. If you follow as God has instructed, the world will hate you, and you had better come to understand that. The world is this "Kosmos", which is this earth age of flesh man. Satan is the prince of this world age, and flesh man seems to want to follow Him, rather then the Father.

If Christ was hated for His teaching, and you teach the same thing, you just know that naturally the world will hate you also.

John 17:15 "I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil."

You have a purpose in this world age, and that is to plant seeds of the Word that souls might be saved. Why would God desire to take you from the world, unless by doing so, others might come to know Him. When you let God know that you love Him, then when you are in the world, the flesh body, He will keep you from evil. In the Greek, it is the "evil one" who is Satan.

John 17:16 "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."

The saved both elect and free will, are not of this world, but are here for a purpose. We are fast approaching the conditions that existed in Sodom and Gomorrah, and God's judgment will come to the earth shortly, just as it did then. America, her laws and people are being lead down the road to Sodom, and even Christians and their organizations are allowing these filthy practices to enter into their congregations. There is a separation coming, and it is time to understand what the dividing line is all about. If you don't know God's Word, how can you know what the line is, or even what side to stand on.

John 17:17 "Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth."

"Sanctify" is a term that means, "to be made holy". There is no way that someone in the flesh can be made "Sanctified", so we have to see what it is really talking about. This is then speaking of learning the truth of the Word, and using that Word to govern your life. It is living by what the Spirit of God is instructing you, through His Word. The word "Sanctify" is playing on the word in the Greek "Hagiazo", which means "to separate". We become separated from the world when we follow His Word. Even though you don't separate yourself from the world, when you live by the Word of God the world will separate itself from you.

John 17:18 "As Thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world."

This is called, having a purpose. When you are sent you are sent to do a specific thing. God doesn't send you anywhere with out giving you what is necessary to get the job done. Those are the gifts that each of us have, and what ever those talents are will dictate what your mission is. The Father sent Christ into the world to teach, perform miracles, and shed His blood on the cross. Jesus as Christ was sent, so also the Father is sending you to sing for Him, be a prayer warrior, teach, or witness. What ever your talents are, that is what you will be judged on, not the quantity, but the quality of effort you give with what you have.

John 17:19 "And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth."

It is for God's very elect's sakes Jesus separated Himself, that His elect would also be separated through the truth of His Word.

John 17:20 "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word."

This is our duty and obligation to the Lord. This is why it is important to plant seeds of truth in our witnessing, that they also shall come to know Jesus Christ through the Word. Each person is important in the overall plan of God. There is hope for everyone and that is why it is important to separate ourselves from the world, and live the example that others may come to know Christ.

John 17:21 "That they all may be one: as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me."

In the third world age everything will be in order, and all evil will have been done away with. It is very difficult to bring forth the oneness of the Godhead, and the oneness that we have with Him and the Father. The easiest was to relate the oneness of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is that "When you have seen the Son, you have seen the Father." Jesus said in John 10:30; "I and My Father are one." Meaning what? They are one, we only have one God. When we fit into God's plan as the entity and purpose of each of us, it is all one in Spirit, in truth, and purpose.

There is majesty and purpose in the two offices of the Godhead, between the Father and the Son.

John 17:22 "And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them, that they may be one, even as We are one:

In verse 21 we focused on the oneness of the Godhead, and the fact that the two were one. Here we see that the very presence of God, His Glory is in oneness of purpose to each believer. There is but one body of Christ, and you are either part of it, or not part of it. There are many members in that body of Christ.

Romans 12:4; "For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:"

Romans 12:5 "So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another."

Romans 12::6 "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;"

John 17:23 "I in them, and Thou in Me that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me."

This looses a little in the translation. It should read, "that they may be perfected into one." We are made perfect through repentance, but the body will be perfected through the Word into one. Think of it, Jesus is saying that upon repentance, the Father's love for each of us is the same as His love for His Son, Jesus Christ. "...and hast loved them, as Thou [the Father] hast loved Me."

With that love devoted to each of us, there is no way that He will overlook you in this world, nor lose you in the end.

John 17:24 "Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me: for Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world."

The subject of this verse is "that they be with Me where I am." Jesus wants you to be able to witness His glory in person, to see Him and understand all that He has taught. This love is not something that starts at the time of your seeing the light and repenting, but that love started when He created you in the ages that was, before the foundation of this world age was even laid. God did not just stumble on you over in the corner, He knew you by name personally, and individually before you were ever conceived, and this earth age formed. This is why it is believed that all souls were created at the same time in eons past.

John 17:25 "O righteous Father, the world hath not known Thee: but I have known Thee and these have known that Thou hast sent Me."

Jesus is telling you that our Heavenly Father is right in everything that He does. This is why it is important that when you pray to the Father, that you pray in Jesus name. He is the only authority that you have before the throne of God. The Father desires your love and prayers, and He in His plan. He sent forth the Son for that purpose. for the purpose that the Son would be your advocate before His throne. Praying in Jesus name places the holy seal of Jesus Christ on your prayer that is going to the Father.

This signifies that you believe that Jesus was sent by the Father, and that Jesus Christ's shed blood on the cross has been received by you in faith. It is telling the Father that you have accepted the eternal gift that was offered to you, and you love Him in return.

John 17:26 "And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me may be in them, and I in them."

When Jesus prayed that we be with Him and He be with us, this is in reference to the mansions spoken of in John 14:1-3. It is the reference not of buildings and places in a far distant time and location, but the "meno" or "rest" that we have when His Spirit is dwelling within us. It is a peace and rest that comes to each of us, when we let Christ come into our hearts, and get right with Him.

If He is with you, and you are in Him, you can have your mansion of rest immediately. This puts a lot more depth to Christianity then what is taught today. Christianity is not a religion, but it is a reality in the life we live. A nonbeliever simply cannot understand this, for its knowledge comes only by the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit.

American Wisdom Series Editor's Note: Now that we've completed this 2015 study of the  "BOOK OF JOHN chapter 17" we have placed a earlier 2002 John chapter 17 study to follow for your comparison. I don't believe you will find much difference in the general opinion of these 2 authors, but to read another person's perspective of events that took place may prove helpful in your understanding of the gospel of John

             

We were with Him, even on "His side" (as opposed to being of that 1/3 who were drawn away by Satan (Rev. 12:4), before the overthrow of the first earth age and creation of this present earth age.

When we last left Jesus and the disciples at the end of chapter 16, the hour when Jesus would be delivered up was drawing very near. And now that the disciples finally believed and understood, that He came forth from the Father, Jesus knew they were ready for Him to tell them that they would have tribulation in the world, but to be of good cheer because He had overcome the world, and so He would be returning to the Father to be their advocate.

We now move to chapter 17 where Jesus is going to speak a beautiful prayer to the Father. In fact, if you are one of God's elect, even at this present time, then Jesus Christ, who is about to be crucified and leave this present world, is going to pray to the Father for YOU. Now stop and think for a moment how profound a statement that is and what it truly means. Jesus will say in verse 9, "I pray for them... which thou hast given me." So if you are one of His, then read this prayer with extreme due diligence for if you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, then you must know that any request contained in a prayer of Yashua Messiah is as good as fulfilled exactly as He states it! Wow!

Let's "listen in" as Jesus lifts up His eyes to heaven.

John 17:1
These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

[2] As thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

"Over all flesh" means over all of mankind.  Also, it is significant that it will be said "7" times in this prayer that His people, i.e. His elect, the firstfruits, have been given to Him.

[3] And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Jesus was sent by the Father, as His only begotten Son, the Greatest Gift ever to mankind.

[4]I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

How did Jesus glorify the Father? By finishing [doing] the will of the Father, which you will know was even from the beginning, if you have understanding of His Word!Yes, even before this present earth age was formed the "work", the plan, was laid out. Do you remember that we began this Book of John by learning in the first few verses of chapter one that it was Jesus Christ Himself who was the Light that shined in the darkness in Genesis 1:3? There's been a lot of work!

[5] And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

"Before the world was" He was. And He is about to be glorified and go sit at the right hand of the Father.

[6] I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

"Manifested" means to make known, and Jesus made His disciples to "know" the Father. Do you realize what that means for His disciples? You guessed it, Eternal Life! Here's verse 3 again: John 17:3 "And this is life eternal, that they might "know" the the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."

If you "know" Him, which is to believe, then you "shall not perish, but have eternal life!" (John 3:16)

And don't overlook the importance of the last phrase in verse 6,"and they have kept thy word". That's what His disciples do. Are you one of Christ's disciples?

John 17:7
Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.

Jesus told them time after time that He spoke not His own words but only those that were given to Him by the Father. Then finally in John 16:30 after they "saw" the reality of Isa. 66:5-15 (which we covered in chapter 16) His disciples would say, "Alas"...:

John 16:30
Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.

Jesus will recap this, not for their benefit only, but for yours and mine, and for a very good reason. It is the qualifier of the people He will be praying for in the subsequent verses, i.e. those who "have received" His Word, and have "kept" His word, and KNOW from HIS WORDS and believe that Jesus is the Christ. Is that you? Let's continue with Jesus' prayer.

John 17:8
For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

Those are for whom He is now praying!

[9] I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

They, His elect, were the Father's from before the foundation of this world, and chosen by Him and given to the Son to bring forth the gospel and the plan and DO THE WORK [the will] of God.

Here's the apostle Paul saying exactly that:

Ephes. 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

We were with Him, even on "His side"(as opposed to being of that 1/3 who were drawn away by Satan (Rev. 12:4), before the overthrow of the first earth age and creation of this present earth age. And it was the Father who chose us then!

[4] According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

[5] Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Are you predestined to be a part of the fulfillment of those scriptures which need yet be fulfilled in these end times? For instance, somebody has to help with Rev. 7:3!  And some will have to be delivered up to Satan when he comes as the false-christ and give testimony (Mark 13)! Do you have a destiny, a pre-determined destination in the "works of God"?

Do you recall the question that was asked concerning the blind man in John 9:3 as to whose sin, his or his parents, was the cause of him being born blind? What did Jesus say? John 9:3 "Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him."

The blind man was "chosen before the foundation of the world" to be part of the plan! I hope you can see that!

Now look at this verse in John 17.

John 17:10
And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

Luther, the great reformer, said,"Any man can say 'All mine is Thine', but only the Son can say 'All that is Thine is Mine.'"

Notice that Jesus said He is glorified in His disciples! How does that happen? The same way Jesus glorified the Father which we already read in verse 4. They too "finish [do] all that He has given unto them in His Word".They receive and keep the Word of God and as a result they produce fruit from the True Vine. Thus is Christ glorified!

[11] And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

Jesus is about to depart this world and leave His disciples behind, and He now comes to the Father on their/your behalf. This is touching indeed!

[12] While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

There is only one other place in the scriptures where the phrase "son of perdition" is used, and that is in II Thes. 2:3. In both instances it refers to the "son who will perish", Satan himself, who is the only son who has (so far) been tried and sentenced to die, i.e. perish, in the lake of fire. He hasn't died yet, however he was judged in the "world that then was" (II Pet. 3:6) and you can read about that judgment in Ezekiel 28. But judgment for all others has been postponed until AFTER the Millennium and the plan of salvation (the plan to "save" all others from the sentence of perishing) is complete. That judgment occurs at the Great White Throne Judgment.

So don't let any one or any commentary tell you that verse 12 refers to Judas Iscariot, for even he has not yet been sentenced. Besides, have you never read Matthew 27:3 where Judas repented? Mat. 27:3 "Then Judas, which had betrayeth him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,". The kenites who had Jesus crucified also murdered Judas to keep him quiet about their murder plot. So what will be the fate of Judas Iscariot, who was chosen before the foundation of this world, yes, even to betray the Messiah? We will leave that decision in the Father's hands for we are not the judge!

John 17:13
And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

Imagine the joy that His disciples must have felt as they heard Jesus speak these things!

How about you? Can you hear Him? All He said is written for us. You can read/hear and understand the wisdom of this by studying the little black book, the one laying there on your coffee table! Is His joy fulfilled in you as you listen to Him speak these things?

Next, Jesus will pray for some specific things concerning His elect. And remember, whatever He prays is exactly the way it is. In that case verse 24 is definitely going to fill you with joy!

It is now only moments before Jesus and His disciples will go forth over the brook Cedron and into the garden of Gethsemane, and Jesus has lifted up His eyes unto heaven and is praying for His disciples, both those with Him at this Last Supper and those He would send forth even until the final generation when He returns.

So as you read the rest of this beautiful prayer and Christ's glorious sentiments just before His hour is come, draw near unto Him and understand that close family relationship, for we are the Family of God. Read each and every tender word He speaks as if He were personally praying about you, because you know what?He is!

Also, know this: There will be three very special requests in the remainder of this heart felt and heart warming prayer that the Lord will desire for His disciples, which again, includes you if you are one of His disciples!

If so, then His requests for you are as follows:

(1) That you be kept from the evil one (vs. 15).
(2) That you be sanctified [set apart] through the truth, which is His Word (vs. 17).
(3) That you be where He is and behold His Glory (vs. 24).

And so it is, and so it shall be for all of God's elect. Remember verse 6 ithat we talked about earlier? They were His from the beginning, when He chose them "before the foundation of the world" (Eph 1:4), and gave them all to the Son.

John 17:14
I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

God's elect were sent into this world (vs. 18) for a reason, with a predestination (Eph 1:4), "that the works of God should be made manifest in them." They are part of the plan and they are to bear fruit after being nourished from the True Vine.

[15] I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

Did you read that? Jesus Christ just prayed that His elect "should not be taken out of the world".Arrgggh! There goes the Rapture Theory right down the tubes.  This means if you are one God's elect, you "Ain't Goin' Nowhere"! You have work to do! Right up until the 7th Trump blows! However, remember Jesus asked that you be kept from the evil one, so the words of the Psalmist (Ps. 105) apply to that evil one:

Psalm 105:15
Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

And so He gave us the Gospel Armor (Eph. 6) to keep the evil one from us. That armor is composed of Holy Spirit and is impervious and impenetrable. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had theirs on when they were tossed into the fiery furnace by Nebuchadnezzar, who was a type, of the spurious messiah to come, i.e. Satan.

John 17:16
They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

[17] Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

The philosophers and gurus of the world spend their lives trying to discover what "truth" is, when it is so simple. His Word is Truth! And when His Word is in you, you are set apart [sanctified] from the world (you extreme right wing Christian conservative, you!) The media world sure hates you!

[18] As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

How did the Father send the Son into the world? With HIS WORDS, which were the words Christ spoke. Jesus has given you His Word (vs. 14) and He just said in verse 17 that you are to be "sanctified" through that Word. Are you beginning to see that you are, shall we say, commissioned in His service? Look up the word "sent". It is the Greek word apostello from which apostolos comes, i.e. "one sent forth", an apostle.

Now if you think Jesus is only praying for those disciples present with Him this night, and not for you, then verse 20 will completely dispel that thought.

[19] And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

Note: "I sanctify myself" = I dedicate or consecrate Myself. This shows the meaning of sanctify; not making holy as to moral character, but setting apart for God. The Lord was the antitype of all the offerings, which were holy unto Jehovah. (Companion Bible)

John 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; (you and me)

The branches on the vine must produce fruit. And so the keepers of His Word will continue to be sent into the world by Him even until that final generation, the generation He will utter from His lips just before He says, "It is finished", and breaths His last breath. Yes, Jesus began His Sermon on the Cross, in the presence of the thief who would be converted by it, with the first verse of Psalms 22, "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?", and He would speak these words about His elect, who would come in the final generation and "declare His righteousness", His Word, unto that final generation, which is that same generation of the fig tree that He spoke of in His sermon on the mount.

And you know what? They are working hard and they shall finish the work they were sent to do! Are you doing your part?

Psalm 22:30
A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.

[31] They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.

Note: He hath done this = It is finished. (Jn. 19:30)

John 17:21
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

We are the Family of God, the Body of Christ, and we are one in Him.

Ephes. 4:4
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

[5] One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

[6] One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

We are the Family of God. And we are the Champions, for we have the victory because He was victorious and overcame the world and defeated death [Satan].

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

How precious this is. Can you feel the closeness to Him?

[23] I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

Jesus knows He is about to be crucified and yet He thinks only about us all being together!

And then He wills it to be so (that we all be together):

[24] Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

Do you grasp what He has said here? Jesus Christ wants His elect, the ones whom He sent forth (vs. 18), to be with Him, where He is, yes, even from the foundation of the world throughout eternity! It won't be long and we will be with Him when He returns.

Rev. 20:6
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

He now concludes His prayer with these words to the Father.

John 17:25
O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

[26] And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

Our Father is our closest relative, for He created our very souls, and He loves His children very, very much, and He wants His children to love Him very, very much! And so He gave His only begotten Son to bring salvation to those children who will receive His Word, and believe on Him.

John 18:1
When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.

The hour has come. Don't miss the rest of the book of John, for Jesus is about to be betrayed.           

                                          

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