Neville Goddard on Genesis 1:26

Executive Summary

According to Neville Goddard, Genesis 1:26 describes a promise made by the Elohim, a plural entity of divine beings which includes us. This was the moment God became humanity—the true Calvary—by burying Himself in the human skull and forgetting His own divinity. The purpose of this act of mercy is to reproduce the original image of God, which is Christ the Son, within every person. When this image is formed, the individual awakens to their true identity as God the Father.

Key Concepts

• The "us" in "Let us make man" refers to the Elohim, a plural term for God representing a compound unity of divine beings, which includes you.
• This act was a deliberate decision for the divine beings to forget their own identity and sink themselves into humanity, which is called the world of death.
• The "image" to be created is Christ, the Son. The purpose of the journey is for this divine image to be formed within each person.
• The incarnation of God in humanity is the true Calvary, which took place "in the very beginning."
• The human body is a "garment" that the divine being wears and becomes enslaved by during this journey of six thousand years.

Detailed Explanation

Neville Goddard explains that the phrase "Let us make man in our image" from Genesis 1:26 is not spoken by a singular God. The Hebrew word used for God here is Elohim, which is a plural term—a compound unity, one made up of others. This collective of divine beings, which includes you and me, are the ones who made the promise to create man in their image.

To fulfill this promise, the Elohim had to completely forget who they were and sink themselves into the world of death, called Man. This act of God becoming humanity is identified as the true Calvary. It did not happen at a specific point in history, but "in the very beginning," when God buried Himself in the skull of humanity. From within this state, God is dreaming the dream of life that everyone experiences. This entire process is described as an "act of Mercy."

The purpose of this divine incarnation is to reproduce the Original, which is God the Father, within every individual. The "image" mentioned in the scripture is Christ, the Son. This image must be formed within you, a process Paul likened to being in labor until Christ be formed. When the Son is fully formed and brought forth, he reveals your true identity. It is only when the Son appears that you awaken and know yourself to be the Father, the Lord, who initiated the entire journey.

Important Quotes

We are the God who said, “Let us make man in our image.”

— The Son Revealed

Genesis 1:26: “Let us make man (us is plural – and the word “Elohim” is always plural, like the word “gods”) in our image, after our likeness.”

— The Pure In Heart

...when God said: “Let us make man in our image” (Genesis 1:26); and then God became humanity – that’s Calvary – and buried Himself in the skull of humanity; that’s where He is, and that’s where He is dreaming the Dream of Life.

— If You Can Really Believe

Now, the Original is God the Father. As we are told: “Let us make man in our image.” (Genesis 1:26) Now, there is an image. That Original must be reproduced in you.

— His Purpose

Related Concepts

• I AM: The great "I Amness" is the Elohim, the God that sunk itself into us. When you declare "I am," you are stating the name of the Lord, Jesus.
• Imagination: Your own wonderful human imagination is God, the being who became humanity at the moment described in Genesis 1:26.
• The Promise: The verse describes the promise the Elohim made to themselves. The fulfillment of this promise occurs when Christ, the Son, is formed in you, revealing you as the Father. This is the central theme of The Promise.

Common Misunderstandings

• God as a singular being: The source material emphasizes that the term "Elohim" is plural. The decision to make man was not made by a singular God but by a collective of divine beings.
• Man as a separate creation: Man was not created as a being separate from God. Instead, God became man. The divine beings annexed physical bodies, which are described as garments, to undertake this journey.

Practical Applications

The primary application derived from these passages is not a technique for changing circumstances, but a fundamental shift in self-concept. The instruction is to believe this story is true. The work you must do is to believe in the one who was sent—the divine being who is now within you. This requires accepting that your true identity is God, who is on a journey to awaken within you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the 'us' in 'Let us make man in our image'?

According to the source material, 'us' refers to the Elohim, a plural term for God. It represents a compound unity of divine beings, which includes you.

What does it mean to be made in God's 'image'?

The 'image' is Christ, the Son of God. The purpose of life is for this divine image to be formed within you, which ultimately reproduces the likeness of God the Father in you.

How does Neville Goddard relate Genesis 1:26 to Calvary?

He teaches that the true Calvary was not a historical event but the moment God said, 'Let us make man in our image.' This is when God became humanity by burying Himself in the human skull.