The Harp of God: Proof Conclusive That Millions Now Living Will Never Die
John Stuart Mill · en
[166]Some have earnestly believed that Jesus was God himself. But such a
conclusion is not warranted by the Scriptures. John said: "The Father
loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand". (John 3:35)
Again Jesus said: "The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all
judgment unto the Son: that all men should honor the Son, even as they
honor the Father. He that honoreth the Son honoreth the Father which
hath sent him.... For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he
given to the Son to have life in himself." (John 5:22, 23, 26) Again
Jesus said: "It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two
men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that
sent me beareth witness of me." (John 8: 17, 18) Thus Jesus definitely
fixes the fact that he and the Father are separate and distinct beings.
[167]Again Jesus said: "My Father, which gave them me, is greater than
all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my
Father are one." (John 10:29,30) It may be asked, Does this not prove
that they were one being? Our answer is that it does not; but that it
does show, in connection with the other Scriptures quoted, that Jesus
and the Father, Jehovah, are one in spirit, one in purpose, one in
harmonious action; just as Jesus subsequently prayed to the Father that
the church, his followers, might be made one with him, when he said:
"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe
on me through their word; that they all may be one, as thou, Father, art
in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world
may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I
have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one." (John
17:20-22) Thus Jesus definitely shows what is meant by being one with
the Father.
[168]Again Jesus prayed to the Father, saying: "Father, save me from
this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy
name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified
it, and will glorify it again." (John 12:27,28) Jesus could not have
been praying to himself here, but he was praying to Jehovah God, from
whom he came.
[169]That the Father is greater than the Son, Christ Jesus, he shows
when he says: "I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye
would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is
greater than I."--John 14:28.