MANSIONS

The night before Jesus was crucified, He told His disciples that He would be leaving them ...

Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.” (John 13:36)

Then a promise fell from His lips ...

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 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 14:1-3)

The King James Version of the Bible is the only translation that uses the word mansions. Poems are written and songs are sung about our 'mansion just over the hilltop' ... but does heaven really have large stately homes for the children of God? 

Charles Swindoll - the KJV rendering of 'mansions' has inspired some to dream of owning their own castle-like estate in heaven. They have simply transferred their frustrated materialism to the spiritual realm. 

In the original Greek, the word monai means 'abiding'. Jesus was not describing a physical 'palatial residence' ... but a figurative 'coming together' as a member of God's family. He was assuring His disciples that they would have a permanent place in the 'household' of His Father. 

Applying what is familiar in this world to what our heavenly home will be like is futile ... Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. (1 Corinthians 2:9)

The Lord assures us that He is preparing a place for those who have come to Him in faith. One day, true believers will be part of a ... great multitude in heaven that no one could count, all standing before the throne. (Revelation 7:9) 

Don't have a 'what's in it for me' attitude about heaven. The correct imagery is of people coming together ... not individuals living separately in personalized mansions.