In This Issue:
A Heavenly Mansion
Verses Describing Heaven
Shipwrecked Here on Earth
Christian, What Is Next for You?
Volume: 953 April 15, 2024
Theme: Heaven
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A Heavenly Mansion
Bill Brinkworth
Much is talked about Heaven, but the Bible does not describe it so we can get a clear picture of it. However, when contemplating our future home, I was reminded of the mansions awaiting some in Glory Land.
“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.” John 14:2
When thinking about the Christian’s heavenly home, I was somewhat confused that “mansions” was only mentioned once in the New Testament. I know that one should never base a biblical teaching on one verse, so I was perplexed.
After searching and reading what others assumed about Heaven’s treasures, I examined “mansions” another way. Although I only know the Greek of the New Testament (The King James New Testament was originally written in Greek) found in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, I wanted to see if the Greek word for mansions in John 14 appeared elsewhere in the New Testament. It was.
The Greek word for mansions, “meno,” did appear elsewhere, but it was used to describe something other than a mansion as we know it. Some of the uses were found translated to:
“tarry ye” in Mat. 26:30, Mark 14:34…
“remain” in Luke 10:7, John 1:33…
“abide” in Mark 6:10, Luke 19:5…
“dwelleth thou” in John 1:38, John 5:36
“they continued” in John 2:12
“abide” in Mark 6:10, Luke 19:5…
“abode” in Luke 1:56, Luke 8:27…
“it would have remained,” in Mat. 11:23
“abideth” in John 3:36, in John 8:35
“abiding” in John 5:38
“continue” inJohn 8:31 & John 15:9
“dwelt” in Acts 28:30
“that he would tarry” in John 4:40
“endureth” in John 6:27
“should abode” in John 12:46
“which remained” in II cor. 3:11
All those various usages of the Greek word defining “mansions” confused me further. However, after examining all the different uses, I saw a pattern that made“mansions” more descriptive and clear. They were all used to describe a situation where people would live permanently. Here on Earth, our abodes are only “pup tents”; they are only temporary places to live as we await our permanent home with the Lord!
Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, written to better understand biblical words, clarifies that a “mansion” is a place of “residence, a house, habitation, the house of the lord of a manor, residence, and abode.” Webster’s definition and the Greek usages revealed that the awaiting mansions are where we will live permanently with the Lord.
Verses Describing Heaven
Bill Brinkworth
- “But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” Heb. 11:16
- “For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” Heb. 13:14
- “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” II Cor. 5:1
- “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.” Rev. 7:9 God’s throne is there along with innumerable people.
- “For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” Rev. 7:17 Jesus is there. Sadness will be missing in Heaven.
- “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” I Cor. 2:9 Heaven is indescribable. Perhaps that is why only a few details about it have been recorded.
- “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” Revelation 14:13
- “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Mat. 5:12 One’s rewards await them in their heavenly place.
- “For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” Eph. 5:5 Those who do not have their sins paid for by the blood of Jesus will not be found in Heaven.
Our abode on Earth is only temporary. However, no one will see Heaven unless they are ”born again” into the family of God! Are you absolutely sure it will be your eternal home?
“Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; 14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.” II Peter 1:13-14
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3
“Where will you spend eternity? Smoking or non-smoking?”
— Author Unknown
Shipwrecked Here on Earth
Salter
Consider the situation of a man who, having been shipwrecked upon a dreary, inhospitable island, awaits when a ship will rescue him. He paces the barren sands and looks up to the overcast sky, anxiously awaiting a rescuing arrival to carry him to a better land.
So the Christian, like the exile on a rock, feels far from his natural home and is looking for the day of our Lord Jesus Christ’s return. He knows that His vessel is prepared, and the convoy ready to bear him hence from the baren wilderness to a happy land flowing with milk and honey.
Christian, What Is Next for You?
Bill Brinkworth
No one will escape the one part of life that is scary to many: death (unless the rapture takes the Christians home to Heaven first!). Because of the uncertainty, most wonder what will happen when their body dies.
For born-again people, there is hope for a wonderful life after death (II Corinthians 5:1-2, 8). The Bible does not mention, as some cults teach, that it will be the end when one dies. Physical death will not be the end because everyone has a soul that will live forever. It will live in either Heaven or Hell.
“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” II Corinthians 5:1 Also: II Corinthians 5:8.
Because of God’s promise of Heaven, many “groan earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:” (II Corinthians 5:2). While battling infirmities, hardships, and heartaches on this Earth, many Christians are looking forward to Heaven — a place of eternal joy and no suffering.
Paul was busy for the Lord while on this Earth but expectantly awaited his eternity in Glory. One reason Paul looked forward to Heaven was one that today’s believers should also share. That reason is now we live by faith (II Corinthians 5:7), but in Glory, the believer will live by sight. Now, we must trust God’s Word and not always physically see that its promises are true. One day, however, we will see all the glorious things God has promised will come to pass.
With all the positive things to look forward to, Christians should not be afraid of their eternal future. When our body gives its last breath in this world, we may be “absent from the body,” but we will be instantly “present with the Lord” (II Corinthians 5:8). We have God’s Word on that!
“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” II Corinthians 5:8
“For the child of God, death is the way of entrance to Heaven.”
— Author Unknown