“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. “ - John 14:2,3

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We hope that you are enjoying this series, and have had the opportunity to go over some of the material referenced in our last post, particularly, the parables of Jesus. He said a great many things in His sermons and other utterances, but the parables really pull back the curtain on “Heavens” way of doing things, which is radically different from how we look at life.

A. Visa holders of Heaven: 

Those born in the Spirit, the elect that have responded to the Gospel and have applied the blood of His atonement to their door posts and the righteous, from all corners of the earth. 

“And I say unto you, That —many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven” ( Mt 8:11 ) . 

“When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are —whole have no need of the —physician, but they that are —sick: I came —not to call the —righteous, but —sinners— to repentance. “ ( Mark 2:17, Luke 5:32 )and emphasized in the parable(s) of the lost sheep, and lost coin.(We told you the Parables are REALLY IMPORTANT). 

There are x —not lost—-  items, but the parables are about the —lost one(s)—- ( we overlook the fact of the many that are safe and secure ), and our Lords diligent efforts to find and redeem them! Hallelujah! In the parable of the Prodigal son, BOTH sons receive their fathers inheritance, but the redemption of the prodigal is received with joy! Apostles are dispatched to the home of Cornelius, to witness for themselves, Gods redeeming Grace fall upon His gentile elect!…. You get the idea!

B. Citizen rulers / those called great  : 

The meek, the poor, the persecuted, those who follow Gods will and teach others to do the same, those who humble themselves like little children. Those who have prioritized the calling of God over houses and property, family ties and this worlds delights. Those who having put their hand to the plough, do not look back. Faithful servants and stewards of the gifts of God given to them. Those that rule their own homes wisely, and also take good care of the flock of God. 

C. When you’re there, you’re family:

This is a biggie. Family is tough! ….. and our experience with “fallen” families is what prepares us for the kingdom experience! It is here that the joys, pleasures, pains and tribulations of life are centered, and it is the core and simple reason for Heaven….

 “……that where I am, there ye may be also.” ( our text this week )

Isn’t that what families want? That all in the family experience the same joys that one may get to experience, that they be together, hang out together, and experience life together!

And that is the simple reason for everything we see around us….

God loves humans and wants to be with them, not just now, but forever! Every member of His family is precious to Him, so precious, that it was His mission to create a Bride for His Son, a bride for whom a heavy price was to be paid. It was His gift to His Son, along with giving His Son power over everything of His, and the Son PROVED Himself worthy of that high honor.

Christ set aside His glory, and suffered as a man, but counted it worth it, to make friends amongst men, to serve those who were suffering, and paid the ultimate price. Ascended, He continues to make intercession for us, sends us the Spirit, and is busy creating a place for us, a place with many “mansions” or properly, dwelling places. And this PLACE itself will reside in a NEW HEAVENS and a NEW EARTH.

People that do not like to hang out with a true Christian family, will be very uncomfortable in heaven…. so God will not subject them to it. You see, here we get to disobey God, and in some instances, do so against our best intentions and desires, but in Heaven, disobedience is simply NOT AN OPTION!

A. because it is not required….the rat race is over, the curse is lifted, work is now a blessing instead of a curse, and food, health, and a long life are no longer issues. What will man fight over then… ? Or fight against? Nothing…..

B. because it is not right. Being in Heaven means you are in harmony and of one mind with God as to what is right and wrong…. And He has told us what is right, and wrong, in our hearts, in a couple of words ( love God, love your neighbor as yourself ) , as well as many principles in the OT Law. And He has been proven CORRECT in all His instructions!!!

And the best place to experience Heaven on earth SHOULD BE YOUR CHURCH FAMILY! That can be a mega church, or a home fellowship …. The key is to get members of the family to support each other in growth, as they work the works of their King! 

If you are already a member of a sound Bible believing fellowship, you are blessed indeed! 

Sadly, many churches around this country are shutting up shop because they have lost this first Love, the love of God for each member of the congregation. Instead, the church is focused on missions and raising money, a worship “experience”, treating churchgoers as “customers”, and providing a nice club to socialize. 

Yes, socializing and food were elements dating back to the early church…. but now you know why…. Families live and eat together… pray for each other, grow their members, bear with them, bless them, pray for them, educate them, provide for them….. how does that compare to what you experience in your fellowship?

The Bible is very consistent, prosaic, and practical…. Yes, there is a spiritual Heaven,  because God is a Spirit, there are spiritual beings that are  NOT clothed in human flesh , and then there is us, that carry a treasure in earthen vessels. 

A vessel God was pleased to put on, and then further pleased to indwell, because His Son took away all barriers to Him being able to do so, and this vessel is designed and destined for transformation as well.

Be that as it may, people still need a place to stay, food to eat, and care for their body. And so Christ goes to prepare a place for us. 

Mind you, human spirits till date are still in the presence of God in Paradise or serving their sentences in Sheol….but there is coming a day, when some humans get their transformed  bodies ( the first Resurrection ) and another, post a Great Judgment, for the others. The truly wicked, the beast, the false prophet, the devil and his angels, are consigned to a fire that consumes body and soul.

The inherently PRACTICAL provision for our stay, and the REASON for its provisioning ( ……that where I am, there ye may be also.” ) , are things we should meditate on, post the remembrance of our Lords Ascension.

Hallelujah!!