John 17:24 English Standard Version (ESV) Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

At the time Jesus prayed this to the Father He was living an earthly life. So often we see His earthly ministry in terms we can grasp in the eyes and ears of those who lived in those times. His ministry touched so many lives that it is hard to accept that He had another life that we did not see.

John 10:30 English Standard Version (ESV) “I and the Father are one.”

John 1:17-18 English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one has ever seen God; the only God,^[a] who is at the Father’s side,^[b] he has made him known.

Footnotes:

a.Or the only One, who is God; some manuscripts the only Son

b. Greek in the bosom of the Father

That life was hidden from human eyes and understanding during those days. The concept of the indwelling God had not been experienced by any except Jesus Himself. The concept is still hidden from those who have not accepted Jesus into their hearts. The world denies the possibility of Christ in us as much if not more than the existence of God.

John 10:10b English Standard Version (ESV) I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John 17:22 English Standard Version (ESV) The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,

Where Jesus was in John 17:24 was in the Father and His prayer was that we would join Him there in His glory. This was not a future state, an end of the world location, but rather a place to live now.

John 15:9 English Standard Version (ESV) As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.