Neville Goddard on Ephesians 1:9

Executive Summary

Neville Goddard teaches that Ephesians 1:9 discloses the ultimate purpose behind all of creation. This purpose is a divine plan, set forth in Christ and buried within every human being, for each person to eventually awaken to their true identity as God. The revelation of this purpose gives meaning to everything. Its fulfillment is not a matter of belief but of direct experience, which occurs "in the fullness of time" when God's son appears within the individual's heart, calling them "Father."

Key Concepts

• God's Purpose: The ultimate goal of creation is for every individual to awaken as God.
• A Divine Plan: This awakening is not accidental but follows a specific plan, which Paul refers to as "the mystery of His will."
• The Plan Within: This plan is not an external force or path but is buried within each person.
• The Fullness of Time: The plan culminates at a predetermined point, described as the end of the drama of life.
• The Sign of Fulfillment: The plan's completion is confirmed by a mystical experience where God's son appears in one's heart and calls them "Father."

Detailed Explanation

In Neville Goddard's view, the Apostle Paul's statement in Ephesians 1:9 is the key to understanding the meaning of life itself. It reveals that there is a profound purpose and a structured plan behind the entirety of God's creation. This purpose is the reason for our existence and the journey through this world.

The divine plan, as Neville explains it, was "set forth in Christ" and is buried within every human being. It is the singular path to finding God the Father. Even when one goes astray in life, this internal plan remains, guiding the soul toward its ultimate destiny. The revelation of this indwelling purpose gives meaning to all experiences.

The culmination of this plan is an event that occurs "in the fullness of time." Neville identifies this not as a chronological date, but as the end of an individual's spiritual journey or drama. The fulfillment is marked by a specific, undeniable inner event: God's son appears within one's own heart and calls them "Father." It is only through this direct experience, not through intellectual understanding, that a person truly knows that God's purpose has been fulfilled in them, and that they have awakened as God.

Important Quotes

He has made known unto us the mystery of His will according to His purpose which He set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time.”

— His Purpose

In the fullness of time” – that is, in the very end of the drama, His son appears calling us, “Father.” Then, and only then, will we know that God has fulfilled His purpose in us.

— His Purpose

Related Concepts

• The Promise: The source material's description of the plan culminating in the son calling the individual "Father" is a direct reference to the series of mystical events Neville called The Promise. This verse explains the why behind The Promise—it is the fulfillment of God's purpose.
• I AM: The ultimate purpose revealed in this verse is to "awake as God." This is the realization of one's true identity as the eternal "I AM," or God the Father.

Common Misunderstandings

• The Plan is External: A potential misunderstanding is that God's plan is an outside force or a path one must find in the world. The source material corrects this by stating explicitly that "the plan is buried in us," indicating it is an internal, unfolding process.

Practical Applications

The source material presents this teaching not as a technique for changing circumstances, but as a framework for understanding life's ultimate meaning. The application is to hold the faith that there is a divine purpose to one's life, even during times of struggle or when one feels they have gone astray. This knowledge provides a sense of ultimate security and meaning, knowing that all experiences are part of a plan that culminates in awakening as God.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 'purpose' Neville says is revealed in Ephesians 1:9?

The purpose is for every individual to ultimately awaken as God.

How does one know this divine purpose has been fulfilled?

According to the source material, the purpose is fulfilled 'in the fullness of time' when God's son appears in one's heart and calls them 'Father.'

Where is this divine plan located?

Neville states that the plan is not external but is 'buried in us.'