by John Thomas
With reference to John 6:37-40—This whole number of the dead is the subject of great solicitude and affection to Christ, who speaks of it in the following Scriptures in this wise: “Thou, 0 Father, hast given the Son power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him”. “I pray not for the world; but for them whom Thou hast given me; for they are Thine. Father, I will that they also whom Thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me” (John 17:2,8,24). “All that the Father giveth to me, shall come to me. And this is the will of the Father who sent me, that everything which He hath given to me, I should lose nothing of it, but raise it again in the last day” (John 6:37-40). He styles this whole number given to him by the Father, the sheep of whom he is the Good Shepherd, and says, “I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this (Mosaic) fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold and one Shepherd. Ye believe not because ye are not of my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give unto them eternal life, and they shall not perish in the Aion, eis ton aiona; neither shall any one pluck them out of my hand. My Father who gave them to me, is greater than all; and no one is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one” (John 10).
— Eureka — An Exposition of the Apocalypse, Vol. 3, Ch. 20, The Rest of the Dead
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