"so that the WORLD may believe..."

Here's some light on the context of what is meant in 21:


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.


It's 12 verses prior to yours. That way we understand what is meant in 17:21.

 

Yep. He prayed for those who would believe in Him. That's not all inclusive. It's limited. In the same way He prayed for his apostles, He prayed for those also who (strictly) would likewise would believe in Him.

Contextually and clearly He is praying for those the Father has given Him. That's the entire contextual meaning.

Seems limited to me.

Also in Matthew 11, Jesus says He will only reveal the Father to whom He wills to do so. Not the entire world. Why does God choose to do this? Reveal Himself to only those He desires to do so? We call it Sovereignty. If he chooses not to reveal Himself to all, is that fair? To me it is. He can exercise mercy and grace to whom He wills to do so. If some go punished into eternity is that just or justice?

God is just and the justifier.

I wish the entire world to be saved. But it's not going to happen.

John 11:52....He came to save His sheep scattered abroad, they were already His sheep, and He came to die for the sins of His...Matthew 1:21 people. He came to die for the sins of His people, to save His people from their sins. Quite specific. Not all inclusive in these passages.

Looking at these and many other passages helps us understand what is going on here.

One thing for certain, we are both glad that He saved us.

 

Jesus said this as the prophet that was to come. What takes place shortly after Jesus said this is the beginning of the fulfillment of many prophecy's in the OT concerning the house of Judah and the house of Israel that the rest of the heathen world would take note of showing the mercy and love of God.
You will have to fine them on your own but as I said, there are many. This is something that we as Christians have ignored.

One example: Ezekiel 36:36 Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the LORD build the ruined [places, and] plant that that was desolate: I the LORD have spoken [it], and I will do [it].

This follows when some that have been cleansed from their iniquities.


Washed in the blood?

 

Ot Israel was to be a witness and testimony to God's grace, they failed most of the time.
The Nt church is also to be a witness to the world, leaving them more guilty having seen ,and to some extent seeing the grace of God in action.
The church when obeying as the church should heaps coals of fire on the head of the unbeliever....romans 12:19

 

Stills begs the question though...

jesus is praying that those of the World believe that Jesus was sent by God....

Through the lives/outreach/teaching of first the Apostles, and now all of us who are saved by him...

Don't think he was reference IF the elect only are to hear and believe hear, or if ALL can be saved here!

 

Limited to His people, as stated.

He chooses us. Not us choosing him. Who chose Abram? That's Gods prevenient grace. Who chose David? These are eternal lessons, that God does the choosing. We are chosen in Christ. 1 Peter 2:9. Who chose Saul? Acts 9. When was the lambs book of life complete? Who chose those within it's pages?

Hide the Gospel? Did He say He hid the Gospel? Or did He say he hid revealing the Father/Son?

Did I say He hid the Gospel?

I said what He said...He reveals Himself to whom He wills to do so. It's not restricted only until the crucifixion.

I notice you passed over the "aren't you glad we're both saved" part.

 

Need to start at John 17:1 and just read. The individuals spoken of are the disciples/Apostles , Christ is praying for them and the world. These passages have nothing to do with the "elect" in a general sense but a few specific people.