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SUBJECT:
John 14:1-3 - I go to
prepare a place for you
QUESTION:
What exactly did Jesus mean
when he said to his disciples; “I go to prepare a place for
you…?” This is one of the Biblical verses that is used by
some to “prove” that one goes to Heaven where Christ is.
ANSWER:
Bible Verse:
John
14:1-3
1 Let not your heart be
troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
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.
3 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.
There are many tools
available to make this scripture clear:
·
The word
“place” in both the 2nd and 3rd verses
is Strong’s word 5117 defined as follows:
5117 topos (top'-os);--Strong’s
Definition
apparently a primary word; a
spot (general in space, but
limited by occupancy; whereas 5561 is a large but participle
locality), i.e. location (as
a position, home, tract, etc.); figuratively,
condition, opportunity; specifically, a scabbard:
KJV-- coast, license, place,
X plain, quarter, + rock, room, where.
5117 topos- Thayer’s
Definition
1) a place, any portion or
space marked off, as it were, from a surrounding space
a) an inhabited place, as a
city, village, district
b) a place (passage)
in a book
2) metaphorically:
a) the condition or station
held by one in any company or assembly
b)
opportunity, power, occasion
for acting
Let us also look at the
definition for Mansions:
3438 mone- Strong’s
Definition
1) a staying, an abiding, a
dwelling, an abode
2) to make one's abode
3) metaphorically, used of
God (the Holy Spirit)
who indwells believers
3438 mone (mon-ay');
Thayer’s Definition
from 3306; a staying, i.e.
residence (the act or the
place):
KJV-- abode, mansion.
As we can see, for both
words there is a literal definition and a metaphoric
definition. We must look at the complete Word of God to
decide which mean is used in John 14 which is the only place
where this passage is used.
Begin with verse 3 of the
passage (John 14:3). Jesus is stating that He is coming
again to Earth. He is going to receive us to Him, that
where He is, we will be also. If the meaning of “place” is
literal and that this place is in heaven, then what good
would this place be if we are on Earth with Christ?
However, if the meaning in John 14 is metaphorical, then
what we see is that Christ is preparing “a position” or
“station” or “opportunity” for us. Christ is coming to
Earth to reign for 1000 years and those that are “in Christ”
both alive or dead will reign with Him in specific positions
that He has prepared. Let us look at those verses that show
that Christ is returning to reign on Earth.
·
The Word of
God shows that Christ is coming to reign for 1000 years ON
EARTH:
Revelation 20:6-8
6 Blessed and holy is he
that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second
death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of
Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
7 And when the thousand
years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
8 And shall go out to
deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the
earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the
number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
This verse shows that during
His reign we will be with Him (verse 6). Verses 7 and 8
show that Satan will be loosed out of his prison and shall
go to deceive nations that are on EARTH.
Revelation 21:1-2
1 And I saw a new heaven and
a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were
passed away; and there was no more sea.
2 And I John saw the holy
city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Revelation 21:7
He that overcometh shall
inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be
my son.
Revelation 22:3
And there shall be no more
curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it;
and his servants shall serve him:
These verses show that after
the 1000 years of Christ’s reign a new heaven and a new
earth are made and a New Jerusalem comes down out of
heaven. Further, these verses show that the Great God and
Jesus Christ will reign forever from Earth.
This being so and if we are
to take John 14:2-3 literally, what will be we doing in
heaven while God, the Father and Jesus Christ are reigning
forever from Earth?
Also notice that we will be
His servants and serve Him HERE ON EARTH. |