Bulletin Article

HEAVEN OUR HOME (PART 2)

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto my; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-3).

Many Mansions.

    “Mansions” refers to dwelling places or rooms and even one bible version says homes (World English Bible). Is this not the idea, that there is a home in heaven for every saint? In case someone has wondered just how many mansions/homes there are, there are enough. By using the term “many,” polus, meaning “much” or “plenteous,” Jesus was trying to convey that there is more than enough room for every single child of God. Remember, there will be a great multitude of the saved which “no man could number” all together in heaven around God’s throne serving continuously while being cared for by the Lamb (Rev.7:9-17).

    In addition, all the angels and heavenly host will be there as they along with all the saints loudly praise God (vs.10-12). What a wonderful family portrait of God’s spiritual family in heaven and earth finally together in heaven (Eph.1:10; 3:14-15). Heaven is the eternal home and designation of all the righteous. It is God’s promise of life beyond this life, so the people of God have nothing to fear or worry about (Tit.1:2). On the contrary, they should be encouraged in this assured hope (Heb.6:18-20; 1 Pet.1:3-4). Heaven is the specially prepared spiritual place for all the faithful. The Great God beckons while the Great Commission bellows, “whosoever will,” come and dwell eternally in the Father’s house in heaven (Rev.22:17).

    Jesus died to provide room for all because it is God’s will that all be saved (Heb.2:9; 1Tim.2:4; 2 Pet.3:9). There are “vacancies” for all through the gospel (Rom.1:16; 2Tim.1:9-10). But as Jonathan told David, “thou shalt be missed because thy seat will be empty” (1Sam.20:18), even so will the seat be empty of everyone who fails to obey the gospel (Heb.5:9). But it will not because there is no room for them in heaven.

Richard Stevens III