In My Father’s House are Many Mansions (John 14:2-4)

John

In My Father’s House are Many Mansions (John 14:2-4)

I was reflecting on this passage how we may read it interpreting many mansions as those in heaven. But it can refer to the mansions in our hearts too!

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 myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

John 14:2-4, KJV


Jesus said that in His Father’s house / dwelling place, there are many mansions / dwelling places.

This probably refers to the future heavenly Jerusalem, that will be enacted after the judgment day of the world.

Please refer to Luke 23:42-43 article.

That Jesus was going to be crucified on the cross, to purchase salvation for His people, that they might dwell with Him eternally: Him preparing a place for us.

Please refer to John 1:1 article, for Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross.

And we would go dwell with Jesus in the heaven / heavenly Jerusalem, and He with us.

But as discussed in John 11:41-42 article, Jesus is already dwelling within us in our bodies, through the Holy Spirit poured out on us.

In fact we could also see the Father’s house as our hearts (v1), that would receive Jesus when we believe on Him as our Lord and Saviour.

And further in v3, He said that after going to prepare a place for us, He would come again and receive us unto Himself.

That we would know and be, where Jesus goes (v3-4).

This could refer to a more distant future where Jesus receives us in the heavenly Jerusalem.

But in Thomas’ dialogue with Jesus: where he questioned Him how they could know where He went, it seems to be a more present event (v5-7).

In fact it refers to an event that has been taking place all along, as the disciples knew Jesus throughout their ministry with Him.

And they will continue knowing Him, His paths, and they have also known and seen the Father through Jesus too.

After Jesus’ crucifixion and ascension to heaven (not to be confused with His ascension to heaven and descending to hell, in Luke 23:42-43 article), He will send the Holy Spirit to be their comforter (v16-18).

Please refer to Trinitarian doctrine article, and Joel 2:28-29 article, for role and promise of Holy Spirit respectively.

And the Holy Spirit would be how Jesus would come again and receive us (v18).

And through the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we will follow and be where Jesus is, in the spiritual realm.

Hence, we as Christians who have received the Holy Spirit into our hearts, provides a dwelling place for God, as discussed above.

Please refer to John 11:41-42 article, for how the Holy Spirit dwells in our bodies and God doesn’t dwells in a temple / tabernacle as He did in Israel’s history.

And hence, our hearts are the dwelling place of the Father, or the Father’s house.

And the many mansions represents the many areas of our lives, whether we yield to Jesus and live it fully for Him:

  • Character
  • Values and beliefs
  • Relationships
  • Vocation
  • Habits
  • Hobbies
  • Finances
  • Spiritual disciplines

And Jesus enters our hearts, when we receive Him during salvation. And then knocks on the door of each of these mansions in our hearts, asking if He could come in.

And He doesn’t just wants to be resident of each mansion, but He wants to be president!

Please refer to Psa 73 article, Ezek 3:4 article, A Fresh Encounter with God article, and Key Truths to Unlocking the Five-Fold Ministries article, for being submitted to God’s will, calling and purposes for us.

Character:

Values and beliefs:

Relationships:

  • Maintaining good and healthy relationships with family, friends, church, colleagues
  • In fact we are called to love everyone including our enemies
  • Please refer to 1 Cor 13:1 article
  • Choosing our friends well, who will provide good influence to us
  • Choosing our Christian community / friends well, people that help us to grow in Christ, and lead us closer to Him

Vocation:

  • Student, professional / marketplace, homemaker
  • This is also our effective calling / ministry
  • Please refer to Key Truths to Unlocking the Five-Fold Ministries article
  • Career choices we make are grounded on godly values, as discussed above
  • Glorify God in our various vocations
  • Evangelise in our homes, schools, and workplace
  • Through preaching Christ to them, and our character
  • Let them “covet” the Christian life
  • How we can have peace, safety, protection as God our Shepherd leads us, in spite of storms we may be going through (Psa 23)
  • Please refer to Isa 43:18-19 article, for how God always leads us to safety
  • Please refer to Dan 3 article, for how God protects His people who fear Him
  • And how our eternal destiny in heaven is secured

Habits:

  • Adopting good habits like: punctuality, commitment, self-discipline
  • Daniel had a spirit of excellence, in whatever he was tasked, mainly in interpreting dreams and visions (Dan 6:3)
  • Please refer to Dan 1 article
  • Avoid bad habits like: procrastination, swearing, lying, and various addiction like: drugs, alcohol, gambling

Hobbies:

  • Picking up healthy pastime activities that help us to distress, which don’t clearly disobey God’s word, e.g; football, golf, baking
  • And regulate our hobbies if necessary
  • E.g; If our hobby is watching television / YouTube / drama, we should try to keep away from negative worldly influences like violence, swearing especially using Jesus’ name, nudity

Finances:

  • We tithe regularly to help build God’s kingdom, and also may give some to help to poor
  • Can be giving of our time and labour too, not necessarily money
  • We spend mostly on necessities, and a little on luxury, and have good saving habits

Spiritual disciplines:

  • Regularly spending time with God through prayer, fasting and listening to Him
  • Please refer to Prophetic series, for hearing God’s voice
  • And feeding on His word, to keep our spiritual health pink
  • We attend, serve in church regularly, and surround ourselves with a godly community to grow together

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