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 not "actively praying" to keep us in the world. Look at the location of the word "not" in the sentence. It modifies "pray", it does not modify the phrase "take them out". 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.
Jesus, by saying what he is not praying for, is acknowleding 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. But instead of praying for that, Jesus prayed for something greater that includes the promise to take us out of the world at the rapture, just like 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.
The point in John 17:15 is that what Jesus did pray for, to "keep them from the evil", is greater and better than a prayer to "take them out of the world", just like wisdom was the best thing to ask for, because it leads to all the rest!
The prayer to "keep them from the evil" would include the rapture, but it is greater than just the rapture because it also is applicable for Christians of all ages, including saints in the tribulation who are protected by the seal of God.
The pretribulation rapture will successfully, for those caught up to heaven, "keep them from the evil" of the antichrist, and from the evil of the tribulation.
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.
What should you pray for? Pray for wisdom. Pray to be kept from the evil of the tribulation to come.
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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