Who or what is the divine unity?

Since the world has begun to be united I would like to share some thoughts not on that falsehood of "unity in love" which is now promoted by the Harlot of Rome and her helpers but on the real divine unity which Jesus wants us to be in.

What can we find about the unity between the divine persons and us in the Bible? Jesus himself has said (Joh 10,30): "I and my Father are one." The Apostle John declares (1Joh 5,7): "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."

These two verses show us that there is a unity between the divine persons. But they don't tell us what this unity is about. How it works or how we could visualize and understand it. How does it help in our christian walk?

The Bible is his own expositor. So if God wishes us to know more about this unity he would have revealed it somewhere else in the Bible. Jesus declares (Joh 10,38): "But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him." Joh 14,10-11: "Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake."

Here we find another hint about the divine unity. These texts do not explain how the Father can be in Christ or Christ can be in the Father. But Jesus insists that believing that is important. So we have to look elsewhere to find an explanation. This we can find in John 17.

Joh 17,11.20-23: "And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. 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: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me."

Now we have something to chew on. We Christians shall be one as the Father and the Son are one. Jesus compares their unity with ours. Yes, it can be compared. As Christ is in the Father and the Father in Christ so shall Christ be in us. He explicitly says: I in them and thou in me. This sounds pretty personal, don't you think? And all this is archieved by the Glory which the Father gave to Christ. So who or what is that Glory? What has been given to Christ which he forwards to us to archive the Goal of unity between us and him? What is it, that will be in us?

Joh 14,16-17: "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."

Can it be that the unity that exists between the Father and the Son, and which also should exist between us and them is in this "other Comforter"? Or is this "other Comforter"? Is the Glory of God this other Comforter and do God and Christ have their unity in him?

"Christ brings all true believers into complete oneness with himself, even the oneness which exists between him and his Father." {GCB, July 1, 1900, par. 15}

"Jesus is waiting to breathe upon all his disciples, and give them the inspiration of his sanctifying spirit, and transfuse the vital influence from himself to his people. He would have them understand that henceforth they cannot serve two masters. Their lives cannot be divided. Christ is to live in his human agents, and work through their faculties, and act through their capabilities. Their will must be submitted to his will, they must act with his spirit, that it may be no more they that live, but Christ that liveth in them. Jesus is seeking to impress upon them the thought that in giving his Holy Spirit he is giving to them the glory which the Father has given him, that he and his people may be one in God. Our way and will must be in submission to God’s will, knowing that it is holy, just, and good.” {ST Oct 3, 1892, Par. 4}

What John expressed in 1Joh 5,7 is not a unity of three co-equal individuals, but a unity between the Father and the Son, and that unity is found in the Holy Spirit. We find similar expressions when the Bible speaks about the unity of Body, Soul and Spirit. We know that the two elements Body and Spirit when put together are the living soul. Although we know that all "three of them" are counted in expressions like the above, they are not three co-equals. Two make up the other one. In a similar fashion God expresses the unity of Him and his Son: it can be found in the Holy Spirit, in the Comforter. Two who are united as one in the Holy Spirit. But not only two divine individuals - all created and saved souls are united in the one and only divine Spirit of God.

"The unity that exists between Christ and His disciples does not destroy the personality of either. In mind, in purpose, in character, they are one, but not in person. By partaking of the Spirit of God, conforming to the law of God, man becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Christ brings His disciples into a living union with Himself and with the Father. Through the working of the Holy Spirit upon the human mind, man is made complete in Christ Jesus. Unity with Christ establishes a bond of unity with one another. This unity is the most convincing proof to the world of the majesty and virtue of Christ, and of His power to take away sin." {SD 286.3}

“By their reception of Me as their Saviour, I am glorified in them, and their lives reveal the power of the truth to purify and ennoble. Through belief and practice of the truth they are sanctified. My Spirit molds and fashions their characters after the divine similitude. I manifest Myself to them, giving them correct views of truth, and their obedience to the truth sanctifies them.

That they all may be one.” Christ brings His disciples into an inward, living union with one another and with God. And under the influence of His Spirit they live lives that bear incontrovertible evidence to the power of the truth. In Christian love they are bound up with the Father and the Son, and their unity is a convincing proof that God has sent His Son into the world to save sinners. And the glory that God gave Christ as His obedient Son, Christ gives to them, by His participation with them in humanity and by the promises that He makes to them.” {18MR 190.2}

"Christ determined that when He ascended from this earth He would bestow a gift on those who had believed on Him and those who should believe on Him. What gift could He bestow rich enough to signalize and grace His ascension to the mediatorial throne? It must be worthy of His greatness and His royalty. He determined to give His representative, the third person of the Godhead. This gift could not be excelled. He would give all gifts in one, and therefore the divine Spirit, converting, enlightening, sanctifying, would be His donation." {ST December 1, 1898, par. 2}

"Standing near His trial, condemnation, and crucifixion, Christ said: “I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” “I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth, whom the world can not receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him; but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” {ST December 1, 1898, par. 3

"This is a wonderful announcement. Christ longed to be in a position where He could accomplish the most important work by few and simple means. The plan of redemption is comprehensive; but its parts are few, and each part depends on the other, while all work together with the utmost simplicity and in entire harmony. Christ is represented by the Holy Spirit; and when this Spirit is appreciated, when those controlled by the Spirit communicate to others the energy with which they are imbued, an invisible chord is touched which electrifies the whole. Would that we could all understand how boundless are the divine resources!" {ST December 1, 1898, par. 4}

"But the time had now come. The Spirit had been waiting for the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. For ten days the disciples offered their petitions for the outpouring of the Spirit, and Christ in heaven added His intercession. This was the occasion of His ascension and inauguration, a jubilee in heaven. He had ascended on high, leading captivity captive, and He now claimed the gift of the Spirit, that He might pour it out upon His disciples." {ST December 1, 1898, par. 5}

"The Spirit was given as Christ had promised, and like a rushing mighty wind it fell upon those assembled, filling the whole house. It came with a fulness and power, as if for ages it had been restrained, but was now being poured forth upon the church, to be communicated to the world." {ST December 1, 1898, par. 6}