Neville Goddard on John 17:5

Executive Summary

Neville interprets the prayer in John 17:5, "glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was," as a declaration made upon completing a divine work. This work involves a cycle of descending in consciousness into a limited human state and then ascending back to one's original, divine sphere. The glory sought is not a new reward but the restoration of a pre-existing power and memory. This process of glorification is ultimately the Father giving Himself to the individual, revealing that the one praying and the Father are essentially one being.

Key Concepts

• The verse is part of the "great prayer of the Bible," spoken after one has finished the divine work they were given to do.
• The "work" is to return from a descent in consciousness—from believing oneself to be a son of man—to the sphere where one knows they are one with the Father.
• The "glory" is a pre-existing state of power and being that was yours "before the world was." It is a memory to be restored, not a new gift to be earned.
• Glorification is the Father giving Himself to the individual; it is a predestined conclusion to the divine journey.
• The one praying ("me") and the Father are one being. The one who is "sent" is not inferior in essence to the "Sender," only in office while in the world.

Detailed Explanation

According to Neville, the prayer in John 17:5 represents a pivotal moment of return. It is the statement one makes after completing the fundamental "work" of human experience: to consciously ascend back to their divine source. This work is a journey of consciousness, beginning with a descent from a higher sphere into a state where one believes they are merely a son of man. The journey concludes with an ascent back to the awareness of being one with the Father.

The "glory" mentioned is not a future reward but a past reality to be reclaimed. It is the power and state of being that was yours "before the world was." The prayer is a call for the restoration of this memory and inherent divinity. As one ascends in consciousness, this original power and glory naturally return. In this divine economy, nothing can truly be lost, but it can be forgotten or departed from through a descent in consciousness.

This process of being glorified is the ultimate gift: the Father gives Himself to the individual. It is the culmination of a predestined plan. The prayer, which seems to be addressed to another being, is actually an internal realization. The source material clarifies that the "Sender" and the one who is "sent" are one and the same. The one sent is not inferior in their essential being, only in their temporary role or office while in the world. The prayer, therefore, signifies the reintegration of these roles and the full remembrance of one's true, divine identity.

Important Quotes

And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

— No One To Change But Self

As I ascend in consciousness the power and the glory that was mine return to me and I too will say "I have finished the work thou gavest me to do."

— How To Manifest Your Desires

Father, glorify me with thine own self.” So, he glorifies the individual with himself.

— Grace vs. Law

Now return unto me the glory that was mine, the glory that I had with Thee before that the world was.”

— You Dare To Assume

He seems to be speaking of another, but the Being “sent” and the Sender are one.

— You Dare To Assume

Related Concepts

This interpretation is deeply connected to the core concepts of Consciousness and I AM. The entire journey described is a movement within consciousness—a descent from a higher state and a deliberate ascent back to it. The "work" is purely a change in consciousness, from identifying as a limited being to knowing oneself as the divine source. The act of being glorified "with thine own self" points directly to the ultimate realization of I AM, where the distinction between the individual and the Father dissolves, revealing they are one and the same being.

Common Misunderstandings

A common misunderstanding would be to see the prayer as a plea from an inferior being to a superior one. The source material corrects this by stating that the "Being 'sent' and the Sender are one." The difference is one of office or role, not of essential nature. Another misconception is that the "glory" is a reward to be earned. Instead, it is explained as a restoration of a memory and a power that was already yours "before that the world was."

Practical Applications

The practical application of this teaching is to engage in the "work" of ascending in consciousness. This means consciously shifting your self-concept from a limited, human perspective ("son of man") to the awareness of your true identity as one with the divine source. The teaching implies that by doing so, you can reclaim the power and glory that are inherently yours. The prayer is not about asking an external power for a favor, but about reaching a state of consciousness where you can declare your work finished and reclaim your original state.

Frequently Asked Questions

According to Neville, what is the 'glory' mentioned in John 17:5?

It is the divine power and state of being that was yours before you descended into your current state of consciousness. It is a memory to be restored, not a new reward to be earned.

What is the 'work' that must be finished to reclaim this glory?

The work is to return from a descent in consciousness—from believing you are merely human—back to the sphere where you know you are one with the Father.

Are the 'Father' and the 'me' in the prayer two separate beings?

No, Neville teaches that they are essentially one. The distinction is only one of office or role while the 'one sent' is operating in the world.