5BC 1146
(S.D.A. Bible Commentary Vol. 5 1146)
4-10. Glorified in Those Who Believe—In the intercessory prayer of Jesus with His Father, He claimed that He had fulfilled the conditions which made it obligatory upon the Father to fulfill His part of the contract made in heaven, with regard to fallen man. He prayed: “I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. [That is, He had wrought out a righteous character on earth as an example for men to follow.] And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” John 17:4, 5. In this prayer He further goes on to state what is comprehended by the work which He has accomplished, and which has given Him all those who believe on His name. He values this recompense so highly that He forgets the anguish it has cost Him to redeem fallen man. He declares Himself glorified in those who believe on Him. The church, in His name, is to carry to glorious perfection the work which He has commenced; and when that church shall be finally ransomed in the Paradise of God, He will look upon the travail of His soul and be satisfied. Through all eternity the ransomed host will be His chief glory (The Spirit of Prophecy 3:260, 261). (5BC 1146.1) MC VC
5. Let the Veil Be Removed—[John 17:1-5 quoted.] Christ is not praying for the manifestation of the glory of human nature; for that human nature never had an existence in His pre-existence. He is praying to His Father in regard to a glory possessed in His oneness with God. His prayer is that of a mediator; the favor He entreats in the manifestation of that divine glory which was possessed by Him when He was one with God. “Let the veil be removed”, He says, “and let My glory shine forth—the glory which I had with Thee before the world was” (The Signs of the Times, May 10, 1899). (5BC 1146.2) MC VC
5, 24 (Hebrews 1:6; 1 John 2:1; see EGW comment on John 20:16, 17; Hebrews 3:1-3). Public Reinstatement of Christ in Heaven—The prayer of Christ was answered. He was glorified with the glory which He had with His Father before the world was. But amid this glory, Christ does not lose sight of His toiling, struggling ones upon earth. He has a request to make of His Father. He waves back the heavenly host until He is in the direct presence of Jehovah, and then He presents His petition in behalf of His chosen ones. (5BC 1146.3) MC VC
“Father,” He says, “I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me, where I am.” John 17:24. And then the Father declares, “Let all the angels of God worship him.” Hebrews 1:6. The heavenly host prostrate themselves before Him, and raise their song of triumph and joy. Glory encircles the King of heaven, and was beheld by all the heavenly intelligences. No words can describe the scene which took place as the Son of God was publicly reinstated in the place of honor and glory which He voluntarily left when He became a man. (5BC 1146.4) MC VC
And today Christ, glorified, and yet our brother, is our Advocate in the courts of heaven (The Signs of the Times, May 10, 1899). (5BC 1146.5) MC VC
6. A Great Honor—What a glorious commendation—“They have kept thy word.” John 17:6. To have these words said of us would be a great honor. But too often self comes in; self strives for the mastery (Manuscript 52, 1904). (5BC 1146.6) MC VC
17. Self-satisfaction Is Not Sanctification“Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.” John 17:17. A pleasant, self-satisfied feeling is not an evidence of sanctification. A faithful record is kept of all the acts of the children of men. Nothing can be concealed from the eye of the High and Holy One, who inhabiteth eternity. Some make Christ ashamed by their course of devising, planning, scheming. God does not approve of their conduct; for the Lord Jesus is not honored by their spirit and their works. They forget the words of the apostle: “We are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men”(1 Corinthians 4:9) (Manuscript 159, 1903). (5BC 1146.7) MC VC
Adam′s Test Brought to All—The law of God is the one great standard that will measure every man′s character in the day of God. The prayer of Christ was, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” John 17:17. Therefore the sanctification of the Spirit of God upon the heart, leads men to walk in the way of God′s commandments. The very test that God brought upon Adam in Eden, will be brought upon every member of the human family. Obedience to God was required of Adam, and we stand in the same position that he did to have a second trial, to see whether we will listen to the voice of Satan and disobey God, or to the Word of God and obey (The Review and Herald, June 10, 1890). (5BC 1146.8) MC VC