My Neville GoddardNeville Goddard on John 3:14
Executive Summary
Neville Goddard interprets the scripture, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,” as a literal truth, not merely symbolic words. He teaches that this verse describes a specific, mystical event that occurs within the individual. The “Son of Man” is identified as the individual’s own “I.” This “lifting up” is a dramatic experience where one’s body is torn in two from head to spine by a bolt of lightning, an event which is part of God’s unfolding purpose and the process of being “born from above.”
Key Concepts
- John 3:14 describes a literal, experiential event that happens within an individual.
- The “Son of Man” mentioned in the scripture is not an external being but is the very “I” of man.
- The phrase “so must the Son of Man be lifted up” can be understood as “so must ‘I’ be lifted up.”
- This “lifting up” is a specific mystical occurrence where a bolt of lightning splits one’s body in two from the top of the head to the base of the spine.
- This experience is a key part of the spiritual drama of being “born again” or “born from above.”
Detailed Explanation
Neville Goddard asserts that the statement in John 3:14, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,” is literally true. He moves this scripture from the realm of abstract theology or metaphor into a direct, personal experience that is part of God’s unfolding drama within every individual. This event is a crucial component of being “born again” or “born from above,” which is necessary to enter the kingdom of heaven.
The central figure in this verse, the “Son of Man,” is identified as the individual’s own consciousness, the “I” of man. By equating the Son of Man with the pronoun “I,” the scripture is personalized, meaning that it is the individual self that must be lifted up. This is not an event concerning an external historical figure, but an internal, spiritual one that is destined to happen to you.
The experience of being “lifted up” is described in vivid, physical terms. It is an event where a bolt of lightning strikes and tears the body in two, from the top of the head to the base of the spine. This happens in a single, sharp blow without any pain. This dramatic splitting of one’s being is the literal fulfillment of the Son of Man being lifted up, an experience connected to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is your own true self.
Important Quotes
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up.” (John 3:14) You read those words, and they seem to mean what? Nothing! Just words. May I tell you, they are literally true.
— His Purpose
And when the Son of Man, as we are told in the 3rd [chapter] of John: “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up” (John 3:14). Now we have just seen that the Son of Man is the “I” of man – the pronoun “I.”
— Experiencing Scripture
Now, he says in the next verse, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up.” (John 3:14)
Now, a hundred and twenty-three days after David calls you, “Father,” a bolt of lightning tears your body in two from the top of your head to the base of your spine.
— The Most Precious Gift
Common Misunderstandings
The primary misunderstanding corrected by this teaching is the belief that John 3:14 is merely a symbolic or metaphorical statement. The source material insists that it describes a literal, experiential event. Another common error is to view the “Son of Man” as an external, historical person. Neville clarifies that the Son of Man is internal—it is the very “I” of the individual experiencing the scripture.
Practical Applications
The source material presents this teaching not as a technique to be applied, but as a truth to be understood. It is part of a divine drama that unfolds within a person, rather than something one actively causes to happen. The application for a student is to understand the scriptures as a map of a spiritual journey that they will one day personally and literally experience. It is about recognizing the true meaning of the scripture when the experience occurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 'lifting up of the Son of Man' a metaphor?
No. According to the source material, the words of John 3:14 are 'literally true' and describe an actual, physical experience that happens to the individual.
Who is the 'Son of Man' in this verse?
The 'Son of Man' is identified as the individual’s own 'I.' The scripture is interpreted to mean, '...so must “I” be lifted up.'
What is the literal experience of being 'lifted up'?
It is described as an event where a bolt of lightning strikes the body and tears it in two from the top of the head to the base of the spine, without any pain.
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