Neville Goddard on John 17:4

Executive Summary

Neville Goddard interprets the phrase "I have finished the work" as a declaration of the ultimate fulfillment of one's divine purpose. This purpose is not worldly achievement but the complete fulfillment of scripture within the individual. It marks the climax of the human journey, after which one returns to the state of glory and unity with God the Father that was possessed before entering the world. This is an inevitable destiny for every person, a return to the memory and reality of being God.

Key Concepts

• The "work" to be finished is the fulfillment of scripture within oneself.
• Completing this work represents the end or climax (called "telos") of the human experience.
• This declaration is referred to as the "great prayer of the Bible."
• Upon finishing the work, one asks to return to the glory they had with the Father before the world was.
• This "glory" is God Himself; the return is a restoration of one's original unity with God.
• Every individual is destined to eventually complete this work and make this statement.

Detailed Explanation

In Neville Goddard's teaching, the statement from John 17:4, "I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do," signifies the culmination of the soul's journey. The work is explicitly defined as fulfilling scripture. God the Father detached parts of Himself—every individual—and implanted them into humanity for this specific purpose. The entire human experience is designed to lead to the moment when scripture has been completely outplayed within the individual consciousness.

This completion is the climax, or "telos," of life in what is called the world of "death." It is the final act. Having accomplished the mission, the individual is prepared to return to their source. This return is a reclamation of the glory they possessed before the world existed—a glory that is God Himself. The prayer to "glorify thou me with thine own self" is a request to restore the memory and the state of perfect unity with the Father.

This experience is not a historical event concerning one person, but a universal destiny. Neville states that every person will eventually reach this point and utter these same words. The path toward this ultimate fulfillment involves living by the principle that one's outer world is a reflection of their own self-concept. By accepting this challenge, one moves toward the state where this great prayer can be truthfully declared.

Important Quotes

“I have finished the work Thou gavest me to do. Now return unto me the glory that was mine, the glory that I had with Thee before that the world was,” [John 17:4, 5].

— Who Is The Real Messiah

I have accomplished the work He sent me to do, which was to fulfill Scripture. Scripture must be fulfilled in me.

— Who Is The Son Of Man

It is related in the 17th chapter of the Gospel of St. John, "I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." John 17:4

— No One To Change But Self

He said, “I have finished the work Thou gavest me to do. Now, glorify Thou me with Thine own Self, with the glory that I had with Thee before that the world was.” (John 17:4, 5)

— Secret Of Imagination

Related Concepts

• Consciousness / I AM: The journey toward finishing the work is advanced by living by the principle that the external world and the behavior of others are a direct reflection of one's own consciousness, or who one has conceived themselves to be.
• States: The teaching implies a journey through different states of consciousness. One leaves the state of unity with the Father to enter the human state in the "world of death," with the ultimate goal of returning to the original divine state.

Common Misunderstandings

• The work is not worldly labor: The source material clarifies that the work is not about secular accomplishments or good deeds, but is specifically to "fulfill Scripture" within oneself.
• This is not a singular, historical event: The teachings emphasize that this is a personal and universal experience. Every individual will eventually finish the work and declare it, asking for the return of their own divine glory.

Practical Applications

While finishing the work is the ultimate spiritual destiny (the Promise), the teachings advise students to actively use the Law in their daily lives. One should not fail to apply the principle of assumption to prosper in all endeavors. Furthermore, the path to the ultimate realization is paved by accepting the challenge that your world is a reflection of your self-concept. Living by this understanding is a practical step that moves you toward the state where you can declare the work is finished.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 'work' that Neville says must be finished?

According to the source material, the work is to fulfill Scripture within yourself. It is the divine mission each person was sent to accomplish.

What happens after the work is finished?

After the work is finished, you return to the glory you had with the Father before the world existed. This glory is God Himself, and the return is a restoration of your original unity with God.

Is this experience unique to one person?

No, Neville teaches that every person will eventually finish the work and say these words. It is the destiny of all humanity to return to their divine origin as God.