Jesus Comforts His Disciples in the Upper RoomBible World
14:1John 14:1
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Spoken on the night before the crucifixion to disciples troubled by His warning that He must soon leave them to be betrayed, tried and crucified, it commands troubled hearts not to be afraid but to meet fear and discouragement with faith. It means exactly what it says in plain words a child can understand, that trust in Jesus is to be the same as trust in God. That equal trust rests on who He is, the brightness of the Father's glory and express image of His person, so that to know Him is to know and have seen the Father, and on His work as the personal Saviour who bears sin and sorrow and gives His own peace. It rests on the sure promise that in the Father's house are many mansions with room for all, that He goes away to prepare a place, and that He will come again in person with power and great glory to receive His people to Himself. That promise requires preparation now by washing robes in the Lamb's blood, keeping His commandments and living His life, while its words are to be taken to heart and spoken to others as comfort in trial, sickness, sorrow and death with hope of the heavenly home.
Setting in Final Hours
These words were spoken in the upper chamber on the night before the crucifixion, in the final hours before Gethsemane and Calvary. They were given alone with the eleven after Judas had left, among Christ's last words and final counsel as He closed His earthly work and prepared to return to His Father. He spoke them shortly before His crucifixion when He knew He would soon leave those He loved and was concerned how they would fare without His personal presence. He told them not to let their hearts be troubled but to trust in Him as they trust in God, comforting them over the loss of His bodily presence and turning their thoughts toward the life beyond and His return to receive them to Himself.
The disciples were troubled, sorrowful, amazed, perplexed and filled with grief because He had told them He must soon leave them. He had told them He would be taken by wicked hands, tried and crucified, betrayed with Peter denying Him, treated with contempt and abuse as their Teacher and the Son of God stepped lower and lower in humiliation. He had warned them that they would be offended because of Him, scattered, sorrowful, persecuted, expelled from the synagogue, imprisoned and killed. This shattered their hope that He would reign on David's throne as Israel's king, leaving them fearing a lonely, dependent future without Him and vulnerable to Satan's attacks, discouragement and disappointment, amid false teachings that had influenced even them.
Knowing the bitter cup His humanity was about to drink and the grief, disappointment, discouragement and severe trial awaiting them, He overlooked His own agony. After three years of labor to prepare them for the trials soon to open before them, with tender sympathy He forgot Himself and His own suffering to comfort, cheer, reassure and strengthen them beforehand. He understood their feelings at losing their beloved Master and knew how severely their faith and courage would be tried, so He told them beforehand what He was to endure that they might endure without failing. He turned their thoughts from distress to the great object of His mission and His joy in glorifying the Father's name, revealing the Father to them as the brightness of His glory and manifestation of His love.
The verse opens the extended upper-room teaching running from John 13 through John 17, especially John 14-16. It gives the plain outline of God's will for those who minister in word and doctrine, teaching that future work must rest on the divine Christ because human effort without divine power will fail. It stands among lessons of deep import and richest promises to be studied diligently, with the meaning of every word searched out, committed to memory, earnestly practiced, and kept in the mind as a storehouse of truth. So kept it supplies richest consolation to be spoken with divine authority to the oppressed, sorrowful and afflicted, while neglect of it leaves little real, genuine piety.
Command to Trust Equally
The command is direct: the heart is not to be troubled or afraid, but to meet trouble, fear, discouragement and unbelief with faith in God and faith in Christ. Troubled hearts find comfort by trusting in Jesus just as they trust in God. That trust in God and in Christ is the answer to a troubled heart, and faith in Jesus becomes a source of confidence amid dangers and temptations that would draw the heart toward the world.
The words mean exactly what they say and are to be fully believed. They are spoken in plain, simple language that even a child can understand. They call for childlike trust in the Word, taking it as it reads instead of making belief dependent on reasoning out what cannot yet be comprehended until satisfied. That plain reception quiets the troubled and fearful heart and places hope in Jesus.
Trust in Jesus is to be the same as trust in God. It is implicit faith cultivated on the evidence already received through knowledge of His life and work and through God's revelation in Scripture. As believers accept God's revelation in Scripture, they believe Jesus is God's only begotten Son, and God's love and mercy reach them through Christ while their prayers reach the Father through Him. So held, this trust keeps believers from living troubled and complaining on the journey to the heavenly home.
Believing is living faith in Christ as a personal Saviour, a faith that works by love and purifies the soul. It comes to Him as one is, trusting Him to pardon, cleanse, and keep obedient, and it grows necessary for spiritual growth. It believes the promises of God are yea and amen in Christ Jesus and believes in God and in Christ as the only Saviour, to be cultivated under every circumstance and brought into practical life. It means believing in Jesus as the true Shepherd, the sure Guide and Counselor in every condition of life and the Friend to trust in loneliness. It listens to His true voice instead of voices that lead away into false paths, and it stops contention over little items and differences. It removes constant doubting and saying I do not know, for readiness is not knowing the exact moment but doing with much stronger, working belief the work God has given to every person, confident Christ gave His own life and is already ready to give blessing. It walks in His counsel with confidence that He hears and answers prayer, so that in permitted difficulties humble prayer is met with a revelation of His power and wisdom, and drawing near to Him brings Him near as helper in every emergency.
That trust steadies the heart against trouble, giving confidence, courage, patience and self-control. When severe outward trials press, the soul turns from self and from the cause of affliction to Jesus, the owner of soul, body and spirit and the true life of the soul, and draws all spiritual nourishment from Him. From Him come forgiving love, hope, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, meekness and love, for it is His will that believers not remain in sorrow and discouragement but discern His love and matchless mercy and be full of comfort. In the face of opposition this means remaining calm and following His example, answering injustice with meekness and submission rather than retaliation or violence. Trusting Him as precious Saviour and present help in every trouble gives reason for joy and gratitude rather than fear, discouragement, complaint, mourning or troubled foreboding, and keeps the heart undisturbed while preparing for the heavenly courts.
Christ Who Grounds Trust
The call to trust rests on who Christ is, the brightness of the Father's glory and the express image of His person, the manifestation of His character and love already revealed in the Old Testament, sent into the world as God's representative. To know Christ is therefore to know the Father and to have seen Him, and acquaintance with Christ gives a more perfect knowledge of God. His words begin the revelation of the Father to disciples facing severe trial, grounding both the comfort He gives and their hope of knowing the Father through Him. That precious light and instruction remains for the churches at this time.
He came into the world for their sake to reveal Himself to them so they might believe, and He worked in their behalf while He was with them. When He goes away He still works earnestly for them, going to His Father and theirs to cooperate with Him in their behalf. He is the channel by which the Father's mercy and love come to them and by which their prayers rise to the Father, with God's love flowing to them through Christ. Trust is therefore to be cultivated as implicit faith in Jesus on the evidence received through knowledge of His life and work and through God's revelation in Scripture, believing that Jesus is God's only begotten Son and the express image of God's person.
He is the personal Saviour, and faith in Him is more than sentiment because He can and will ransom from sin. He invites people to bring Him their cares and sorrows, and He bears burdens they cannot carry themselves, especially the burden of sin and guilt. He keeps troubled hearts at rest, Himself a hiding place from the wind and a shelter from the storm, like rivers of water in a dry place and like the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. He leaves His own peace and gives His own peace to believers, and that peace is not as the world gives, and He tells troubled hearts not to be troubled and not to be afraid. He knows each person and every burden, sympathizes with human weakness, loves and understands His own and will not let them go or forget them, giving hope and encouragement and reason for joy and gratitude as a present help in every trouble.
The way to the Father's house is known because Christ Himself is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him. What He said would become clear through the Holy Spirit's reminder after His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. By that abiding presence, though no longer seeing Him bodily, they can know Him by faith, continue in His love, obey His commandments, testify to the truth, and carry on His work as His representatives. That promise is linked with His commission to His disciples and with the angels' message to the waiting disciples, calling for learning to trust God's Word and showing faith through works in practical godliness.
Home Prepared and Return Promised
Trust rests on the sure promise that in the Father's house are many mansions with room for all, that Christ goes away to prepare a place, and that He will come again and receive His people to Himself so that where He is they may be also. The call not to be troubled is met by believing in God and believing also in Christ, because He was going to prepare mansions and will come again to take His disciples, all who believe on His name, to be where He is. This comfort was spoken just before parting to keep troubled hearts from fear, urging trust in God and in Himself as He goes to prepare and returns to receive them to Himself.
His departure is the opposite of final separation, for He goes to prepare a place and then will come again to receive them, going to His Father and theirs to cooperate with Him and still working earnestly for them though He goes away. He came into the world for their sakes to reveal Himself so they might believe and to work in their behalf, and His words in plain simple language a child could understand give comforting assurance against amazement and sadness over His foretold trial, their being offended, their sorrow, and their persecution and expulsion. Because He has risen and authenticated that He is alive, He is not to be thought of as remaining in Joseph's tomb but as glorified among the heavenly host, and He will break the fetters of the tomb in the morning of the resurrection and meet them in Galilee, reviving hope so no depressing gloom remains even as He faces death and they scatter. His continuing work for them in heaven gives reason to rejoice and assurance that He is preparing an abiding place and has not forgotten those who believe.
His coming again is His personal, near second appearing in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, the same Jesus who ascended, with His ascension as a link in the chain confirming that return. It was proclaimed beginning in this verse and continued in the next two, calling for belief in the Scriptures that He will come again, with the signs of the times showing His advent to be nigh even at the door. This promise is part of the foundation of truth affirmed alongside God's commandments, and holding to it without giving up through long waiting, waiting and looking for Him to say Lo this is our God, is what identifies believers as second Adventists and Seventh-day Adventists. Keeping that coming in view guards against discouragement by wars and rumors of wars and troublous times and increasing wickedness that fulfill His signs, calling for living as pilgrims and strangers, preparing here to see the Lord when He comes, to meet Him in peace and be ready for the mansions through the opportunity bought at infinite price.
The promised home is heavenly rather than lasting earthly homes that will be destroyed, for pilgrims passing to a better, heavenly country. That comfort reaches believers who have no home or only a poor one, and faithful workers with little despite sacrifice, through the promise of a home in the Father's house and Christ's return to receive them. Trust in Christ joined to the promise of the prepared mansions brings life that measures with the life of God, made possible because He gave up His royal status, took humanity, and paid the ransom through His death. This assurance gives His children peace that the world cannot give or take away, so loss of earthly treasures need not leave them hopeless or homeless, with hope beyond pursuit of temporary riches and a firm claim like title deeds to real estate in glory pointing to the future home at the end of the thousand generations of covenant mercy.
In that home, though long waited for, the promise is sure and soon to be fulfilled where Jesus leads the redeemed beside the living stream flowing from the throne of God and explains the dark providences through which He led them to perfect their characters. There they see on every hand the beautiful trees of Paradise with the tree of life in the midst and behold with undimmed vision the beauties of Eden restored, receive an inheritance with the sanctified and blessed in the kingdom of glory, and shall see the King in His beauty. There they cast at the Redeemer's feet the crowns He placed on their heads and with golden harps offer praise and thanksgiving to Him that sits on the throne.
The disciples remembered these assurances about preparing a place and coming again after the resurrection and ascension, which kept their faith alive at His death and gave hope amid sorrow instead of hopeless discouragement. After Jesus' resurrection and ascension the promise that He would come again and receive them gave reason for joy and confidence rather than mourning, and they rejoiced because they knew He was coming again. When the angels declared that the same Jesus taken into heaven would come again in like manner, it gave the church triumph and great joy because Christ had risen, had ascended, and would return. His words gave comfort and hope during coming disappointment and trial, though fully understood only after the resurrection.
Together with the next verses the verse proclaims His second appearing to take forever those who remain loyal and believe on His name, gathering scattered believers and calling outsiders to let truth lodge in the heart unto decision including keeping the Sabbath. With verses 2-3 it gives the promise of His second appearing and tells of His ascension to heaven, and is to be read together with Acts 1.
Preparation for the Home
The promise requires preparation now to be fitted for that place, by washing robes and making them white in the blood of the Lamb, by making the kingdom of God first and putting earthly interests in their proper place, and by forming heart and character after the divine likeness. Learning how to reach the mansions means keeping His commandments and reflecting His life as witnesses to who He is through personal knowledge of God. Living Christ's life now with diligent heart and mind and service decides eternal destiny and receives future immortal life, taking hold of heavenly things with a heavenly disposition and overcoming to inherit the joy awaiting the overcomer.
Parents must train their children for God rather than devote themselves unduly to earthly advantages, worldly gain, pleasures and worldly standards, for setting affections on earth robs both parents and children of a place in the mansions Christ is preparing. They should give themselves and their children to God, teach and train them for salvation, and overcome habits that would keep them from the kingdom. Earthly homes are to be chosen with surroundings that aid spirituality and help fit the family for the heavenly home, including agreeable sights and sounds, pure air, physical health, and right use of body, brain, bone and muscle to keep the body in working order, while preparing a place for Him in homes, schools and worship.
Preparation uses every capability and power as a sacred trust to reveal saving grace by day-by-day well-doing for God, and the Word studied and obeyed fits men and women for entrance into the higher courts under the constant guardianship of heavenly angels as laborers together with God. Minds are to be enlightened to make provision for the eternal home by putting means into circulation to accomplish God's work and bring the gospel to many souls instead of wasting property in outward show, speculations and buildings that testify nothing to His glory. Those who take an active interest in their eternal future must comply with the conditions they can fulfill through implicit obedience, while Christ, having purchased them with His blood, stands before the Father for them, which is mutual work and not a reason for indifference or carelessness.
The verse belongs with the next two verses as a preaching text that calls troubled hearts to trust in God and in Christ in light of the prepared place and the promise that He will come again to receive believers to be with Him where He is. It gathers scattered believers and calls outsiders to let truth lodge in the heart unto decision, to come forward and cast all upon God, deciding to serve the Lord and no longer stand under Satan's sway at every risk, including obeying Him by keeping the Sabbath. It calls for standing more fully and decisively for the Lord rather than reluctantly, for learning to trust God's Word and showing faith through works in practical godliness, and for keeping the commandments of God.
Comfort Applied and Shared
The words steady those facing severe testing, persecution, imprisonment and death, offering no false hope that faith will escape trial but strengthening to endure without failing. They were given beforehand so that plain warnings about suffering would be remembered in trial and would hold faith firm in the Redeemer. They impart courage to stand fast in the most trying hour and bring strength and assurance to the true believer as long as time lasts. In affliction and hardship troubled hearts take courage by trusting in God and in Jesus, looking to God and holding to the hope of seeing Jesus soon. The promise of a place in the Father's house and a return to receive His own turns the journey toward home into hope and joy rather than mourning and complaint.
That same comfort reaches troubled sinners and the fallen, calling them to stop being troubled and to trust Him for pardon as they trust God. It means comfort and rejoicing after sin, resting in His love because He went to the Father's house of many mansions to prepare a place and will come again to receive believers to Himself where He is. His words echo after the ascension, assuring those who have sinned that they may still rely on Him as Saviour. They may have faith in Christ and repent while He serves as priest in the heavenly sanctuary.
The comfort belongs also to the aged, the sick, the unfortunate, those possessed by evil spirits, the distressed and despairing, and those troubled about death. Christ knows each person and every burden, sympathizes with human weakness, and gives hope and encouragement. He knows when hearts are wounded and bleeding in mental suffering, and He would have the afflicted soothed and helped. The aged are urged to receive Christ as Saviour and look forward to the promised home and reunion. Trust is to be as a child trusts a parent, because the Lord will not leave His own, and those who follow to know Him will be raised when the last trump sounds even if laid in the grave. The greatest trouble is not removed by scheming or show before the world but by guarding a brother's interest as one's own, loving as Christ loved, and showing Christlikeness at home and in business without cross, fretful or grasping words, whereupon angels guard their interest and Christ provides an inheritance with the sanctified who see the King in His beauty.
These words are to be spoken by human agents to the sick, the unfortunate, the afflicted, and those troubled by evil spirits. Through them Christ Himself comes as Comforter to offer hope. They are to be received plainly by living faith rather than made dependent on reasoning out what is not understood, quieting troubled hearts and directing minds to Christ the light of the world. Those who receive them are to share them with those who do not yet understand their value, so seekers may be led to work for their own souls and for others, come forward, decide to serve, and prepare to meet Him in peace. The message stays with believers as the shepherd watching his flock reminds them of His love and care, and children speaking of His kindness and love share in the peace of God coming into the mind.
The promise is to be opened and read in trouble and difficulty when hardly knowing what to do, at family worship and to children so young minds comprehend it. It is to be believed as the Word of God, laid hold of and presented to the family, giving peace and hope and rejoicing even when discouraged and disheartened, because God will not leave His people comfortless. It is to be repeated often as a remedy for trouble, disappointment and affliction, for the sure hope of eternal life causes the heart to overflow with gratitude and thanksgiving.
Taken to heart it is instruction for eternal life for those faithfully preparing for it. Its deep meaning is grasped by holding to the simplicity of truth and by the Spirit writing the Word upon the heart, not by the mere letter as read. Light comes by the entrance of the Word into the heart through human willingness with divine power cooperating, bringing increased understanding especially as the light is shared, with sweet subduing peace, comfort in divine love, fervor of love, a view of depths of love beyond words, and transformation of character by life-giving principles. Lived out with childlike humbling before God it cures dissension, heals souls sick while thinking themselves whole, brings unity with one another and with Christ, and gives strength instead of weakness to stand the test in the shaking time. It rebukes unkind talk and judgment when its counsel is neglected.
The chapter teaches faith, hope and courage for the oppressed, sorrowful and afflicted, and its lessons near the close of His earthly ministry with cruel death before Him are to be dwelt upon for hope, comfort and strength in Christ. Its words were a source of joy and comfort after His departure, alongside the promise to return and the gift of peace. They would have kept faith through Calvary if received by faith even when overturning ambitions for worldly honor. They are a great and sacred truth for poor, unbelieving, sinful souls, meant to make hearts abound with gratitude breaking forth in thanksgiving and praise in union with the heavenly host in songs of rejoicing. They call parents and children to give themselves to the Lord without reserve in response to His drawing near when they draw near to Him, and to obey His commandments and teach children to know God and Jesus Christ in view of His coming to take His people to Himself.
The call not to be troubled illustrates salvation through faith like the brazen serpent, showing trust in His word as the way to receive restoring help. That trust stands with God's promise to give His Spirit and blessing and with the invitation for all the earth to look to Him for salvation. It forbids worry while waiting for duty to be shown. It forbids letting the mind be troubled over unsettled personal and family matters, but bids rest in confidence that matters will come out right ere long even while nothing has yet been seen or heard.
Spoken on the night before the crucifixion to disciples troubled by His warning that He must soon leave them to be betrayed, tried and crucified, it commands troubled hearts not to be afraid but to meet fear and discouragement with faith. It means exactly what it says in plain words a child can understand, that trust in Jesus is to be the same as trust in God. That equal trust rests on who He is, the brightness of the Father's glory and express image of His person, so that to know Him is to know and have seen the Father, and on His work as the personal Saviour who bears sin and sorrow and gives His own peace. It rests on the sure promise that in the Father's house are many mansions with room for all, that He goes away to prepare a place, and that He will come again in person with power and great glory to receive His people to Himself. That promise requires preparation now by washing robes in the Lamb's blood, keeping His commandments and living His life, while its words are to be taken to heart and spoken to others as comfort in trial, sickness, sorrow and death with hope of the heavenly home.
Setting in Final Hours
These words were spoken in the upper chamber on the night before the crucifixion, in the final hours before Gethsemane and Calvary. They were given alone with the eleven after Judas had left, among Christ's last words and final counsel as He closed His earthly work and prepared to return to His Father. He spoke them shortly before His crucifixion when He knew He would soon leave those He loved and was concerned how they would fare without His personal presence. He told them not to let their hearts be troubled but to trust in Him as they trust in God, comforting them over the loss of His bodily presence and turning their thoughts toward the life beyond and His return to receive them to Himself.
The disciples were troubled, sorrowful, amazed, perplexed and filled with grief because He had told them He must soon leave them. He had told them He would be taken by wicked hands, tried and crucified, betrayed with Peter denying Him, treated with contempt and abuse as their Teacher and the Son of God stepped lower and lower in humiliation. He had warned them that they would be offended because of Him, scattered, sorrowful, persecuted, expelled from the synagogue, imprisoned and killed. This shattered their hope that He would reign on David's throne as Israel's king, leaving them fearing a lonely, dependent future without Him and vulnerable to Satan's attacks, discouragement and disappointment, amid false teachings that had influenced even them.
Knowing the bitter cup His humanity was about to drink and the grief, disappointment, discouragement and severe trial awaiting them, He overlooked His own agony. After three years of labor to prepare them for the trials soon to open before them, with tender sympathy He forgot Himself and His own suffering to comfort, cheer, reassure and strengthen them beforehand. He understood their feelings at losing their beloved Master and knew how severely their faith and courage would be tried, so He told them beforehand what He was to endure that they might endure without failing. He turned their thoughts from distress to the great object of His mission and His joy in glorifying the Father's name, revealing the Father to them as the brightness of His glory and manifestation of His love.
The verse opens the extended upper-room teaching running from John 13 through John 17, especially John 14-16. It gives the plain outline of God's will for those who minister in word and doctrine, teaching that future work must rest on the divine Christ because human effort without divine power will fail. It stands among lessons of deep import and richest promises to be studied diligently, with the meaning of every word searched out, committed to memory, earnestly practiced, and kept in the mind as a storehouse of truth. So kept it supplies richest consolation to be spoken with divine authority to the oppressed, sorrowful and afflicted, while neglect of it leaves little real, genuine piety.
Command to Trust Equally
The command is direct: the heart is not to be troubled or afraid, but to meet trouble, fear, discouragement and unbelief with faith in God and faith in Christ. Troubled hearts find comfort by trusting in Jesus just as they trust in God. That trust in God and in Christ is the answer to a troubled heart, and faith in Jesus becomes a source of confidence amid dangers and temptations that would draw the heart toward the world.
The words mean exactly what they say and are to be fully believed. They are spoken in plain, simple language that even a child can understand. They call for childlike trust in the Word, taking it as it reads instead of making belief dependent on reasoning out what cannot yet be comprehended until satisfied. That plain reception quiets the troubled and fearful heart and places hope in Jesus.
Trust in Jesus is to be the same as trust in God. It is implicit faith cultivated on the evidence already received through knowledge of His life and work and through God's revelation in Scripture. As believers accept God's revelation in Scripture, they believe Jesus is God's only begotten Son, and God's love and mercy reach them through Christ while their prayers reach the Father through Him. So held, this trust keeps believers from living troubled and complaining on the journey to the heavenly home.
Believing is living faith in Christ as a personal Saviour, a faith that works by love and purifies the soul. It comes to Him as one is, trusting Him to pardon, cleanse, and keep obedient, and it grows necessary for spiritual growth. It believes the promises of God are yea and amen in Christ Jesus and believes in God and in Christ as the only Saviour, to be cultivated under every circumstance and brought into practical life. It means believing in Jesus as the true Shepherd, the sure Guide and Counselor in every condition of life and the Friend to trust in loneliness. It listens to His true voice instead of voices that lead away into false paths, and it stops contention over little items and differences. It removes constant doubting and saying I do not know, for readiness is not knowing the exact moment but doing with much stronger, working belief the work God has given to every person, confident Christ gave His own life and is already ready to give blessing. It walks in His counsel with confidence that He hears and answers prayer, so that in permitted difficulties humble prayer is met with a revelation of His power and wisdom, and drawing near to Him brings Him near as helper in every emergency.
That trust steadies the heart against trouble, giving confidence, courage, patience and self-control. When severe outward trials press, the soul turns from self and from the cause of affliction to Jesus, the owner of soul, body and spirit and the true life of the soul, and draws all spiritual nourishment from Him. From Him come forgiving love, hope, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, meekness and love, for it is His will that believers not remain in sorrow and discouragement but discern His love and matchless mercy and be full of comfort. In the face of opposition this means remaining calm and following His example, answering injustice with meekness and submission rather than retaliation or violence. Trusting Him as precious Saviour and present help in every trouble gives reason for joy and gratitude rather than fear, discouragement, complaint, mourning or troubled foreboding, and keeps the heart undisturbed while preparing for the heavenly courts.
Christ Who Grounds Trust
The call to trust rests on who Christ is, the brightness of the Father's glory and the express image of His person, the manifestation of His character and love already revealed in the Old Testament, sent into the world as God's representative. To know Christ is therefore to know the Father and to have seen Him, and acquaintance with Christ gives a more perfect knowledge of God. His words begin the revelation of the Father to disciples facing severe trial, grounding both the comfort He gives and their hope of knowing the Father through Him. That precious light and instruction remains for the churches at this time.
He came into the world for their sake to reveal Himself to them so they might believe, and He worked in their behalf while He was with them. When He goes away He still works earnestly for them, going to His Father and theirs to cooperate with Him in their behalf. He is the channel by which the Father's mercy and love come to them and by which their prayers rise to the Father, with God's love flowing to them through Christ. Trust is therefore to be cultivated as implicit faith in Jesus on the evidence received through knowledge of His life and work and through God's revelation in Scripture, believing that Jesus is God's only begotten Son and the express image of God's person.
He is the personal Saviour, and faith in Him is more than sentiment because He can and will ransom from sin. He invites people to bring Him their cares and sorrows, and He bears burdens they cannot carry themselves, especially the burden of sin and guilt. He keeps troubled hearts at rest, Himself a hiding place from the wind and a shelter from the storm, like rivers of water in a dry place and like the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. He leaves His own peace and gives His own peace to believers, and that peace is not as the world gives, and He tells troubled hearts not to be troubled and not to be afraid. He knows each person and every burden, sympathizes with human weakness, loves and understands His own and will not let them go or forget them, giving hope and encouragement and reason for joy and gratitude as a present help in every trouble.
The way to the Father's house is known because Christ Himself is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him. What He said would become clear through the Holy Spirit's reminder after His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. By that abiding presence, though no longer seeing Him bodily, they can know Him by faith, continue in His love, obey His commandments, testify to the truth, and carry on His work as His representatives. That promise is linked with His commission to His disciples and with the angels' message to the waiting disciples, calling for learning to trust God's Word and showing faith through works in practical godliness.
Home Prepared and Return Promised
Trust rests on the sure promise that in the Father's house are many mansions with room for all, that Christ goes away to prepare a place, and that He will come again and receive His people to Himself so that where He is they may be also. The call not to be troubled is met by believing in God and believing also in Christ, because He was going to prepare mansions and will come again to take His disciples, all who believe on His name, to be where He is. This comfort was spoken just before parting to keep troubled hearts from fear, urging trust in God and in Himself as He goes to prepare and returns to receive them to Himself.
His departure is the opposite of final separation, for He goes to prepare a place and then will come again to receive them, going to His Father and theirs to cooperate with Him and still working earnestly for them though He goes away. He came into the world for their sakes to reveal Himself so they might believe and to work in their behalf, and His words in plain simple language a child could understand give comforting assurance against amazement and sadness over His foretold trial, their being offended, their sorrow, and their persecution and expulsion. Because He has risen and authenticated that He is alive, He is not to be thought of as remaining in Joseph's tomb but as glorified among the heavenly host, and He will break the fetters of the tomb in the morning of the resurrection and meet them in Galilee, reviving hope so no depressing gloom remains even as He faces death and they scatter. His continuing work for them in heaven gives reason to rejoice and assurance that He is preparing an abiding place and has not forgotten those who believe.
His coming again is His personal, near second appearing in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, the same Jesus who ascended, with His ascension as a link in the chain confirming that return. It was proclaimed beginning in this verse and continued in the next two, calling for belief in the Scriptures that He will come again, with the signs of the times showing His advent to be nigh even at the door. This promise is part of the foundation of truth affirmed alongside God's commandments, and holding to it without giving up through long waiting, waiting and looking for Him to say Lo this is our God, is what identifies believers as second Adventists and Seventh-day Adventists. Keeping that coming in view guards against discouragement by wars and rumors of wars and troublous times and increasing wickedness that fulfill His signs, calling for living as pilgrims and strangers, preparing here to see the Lord when He comes, to meet Him in peace and be ready for the mansions through the opportunity bought at infinite price.
The promised home is heavenly rather than lasting earthly homes that will be destroyed, for pilgrims passing to a better, heavenly country. That comfort reaches believers who have no home or only a poor one, and faithful workers with little despite sacrifice, through the promise of a home in the Father's house and Christ's return to receive them. Trust in Christ joined to the promise of the prepared mansions brings life that measures with the life of God, made possible because He gave up His royal status, took humanity, and paid the ransom through His death. This assurance gives His children peace that the world cannot give or take away, so loss of earthly treasures need not leave them hopeless or homeless, with hope beyond pursuit of temporary riches and a firm claim like title deeds to real estate in glory pointing to the future home at the end of the thousand generations of covenant mercy.
In that home, though long waited for, the promise is sure and soon to be fulfilled where Jesus leads the redeemed beside the living stream flowing from the throne of God and explains the dark providences through which He led them to perfect their characters. There they see on every hand the beautiful trees of Paradise with the tree of life in the midst and behold with undimmed vision the beauties of Eden restored, receive an inheritance with the sanctified and blessed in the kingdom of glory, and shall see the King in His beauty. There they cast at the Redeemer's feet the crowns He placed on their heads and with golden harps offer praise and thanksgiving to Him that sits on the throne.
The disciples remembered these assurances about preparing a place and coming again after the resurrection and ascension, which kept their faith alive at His death and gave hope amid sorrow instead of hopeless discouragement. After Jesus' resurrection and ascension the promise that He would come again and receive them gave reason for joy and confidence rather than mourning, and they rejoiced because they knew He was coming again. When the angels declared that the same Jesus taken into heaven would come again in like manner, it gave the church triumph and great joy because Christ had risen, had ascended, and would return. His words gave comfort and hope during coming disappointment and trial, though fully understood only after the resurrection.
Together with the next verses the verse proclaims His second appearing to take forever those who remain loyal and believe on His name, gathering scattered believers and calling outsiders to let truth lodge in the heart unto decision including keeping the Sabbath. With verses 2-3 it gives the promise of His second appearing and tells of His ascension to heaven, and is to be read together with Acts 1.
Preparation for the Home
The promise requires preparation now to be fitted for that place, by washing robes and making them white in the blood of the Lamb, by making the kingdom of God first and putting earthly interests in their proper place, and by forming heart and character after the divine likeness. Learning how to reach the mansions means keeping His commandments and reflecting His life as witnesses to who He is through personal knowledge of God. Living Christ's life now with diligent heart and mind and service decides eternal destiny and receives future immortal life, taking hold of heavenly things with a heavenly disposition and overcoming to inherit the joy awaiting the overcomer.
Parents must train their children for God rather than devote themselves unduly to earthly advantages, worldly gain, pleasures and worldly standards, for setting affections on earth robs both parents and children of a place in the mansions Christ is preparing. They should give themselves and their children to God, teach and train them for salvation, and overcome habits that would keep them from the kingdom. Earthly homes are to be chosen with surroundings that aid spirituality and help fit the family for the heavenly home, including agreeable sights and sounds, pure air, physical health, and right use of body, brain, bone and muscle to keep the body in working order, while preparing a place for Him in homes, schools and worship.
Preparation uses every capability and power as a sacred trust to reveal saving grace by day-by-day well-doing for God, and the Word studied and obeyed fits men and women for entrance into the higher courts under the constant guardianship of heavenly angels as laborers together with God. Minds are to be enlightened to make provision for the eternal home by putting means into circulation to accomplish God's work and bring the gospel to many souls instead of wasting property in outward show, speculations and buildings that testify nothing to His glory. Those who take an active interest in their eternal future must comply with the conditions they can fulfill through implicit obedience, while Christ, having purchased them with His blood, stands before the Father for them, which is mutual work and not a reason for indifference or carelessness.
The verse belongs with the next two verses as a preaching text that calls troubled hearts to trust in God and in Christ in light of the prepared place and the promise that He will come again to receive believers to be with Him where He is. It gathers scattered believers and calls outsiders to let truth lodge in the heart unto decision, to come forward and cast all upon God, deciding to serve the Lord and no longer stand under Satan's sway at every risk, including obeying Him by keeping the Sabbath. It calls for standing more fully and decisively for the Lord rather than reluctantly, for learning to trust God's Word and showing faith through works in practical godliness, and for keeping the commandments of God.
Comfort Applied and Shared
The words steady those facing severe testing, persecution, imprisonment and death, offering no false hope that faith will escape trial but strengthening to endure without failing. They were given beforehand so that plain warnings about suffering would be remembered in trial and would hold faith firm in the Redeemer. They impart courage to stand fast in the most trying hour and bring strength and assurance to the true believer as long as time lasts. In affliction and hardship troubled hearts take courage by trusting in God and in Jesus, looking to God and holding to the hope of seeing Jesus soon. The promise of a place in the Father's house and a return to receive His own turns the journey toward home into hope and joy rather than mourning and complaint.
That same comfort reaches troubled sinners and the fallen, calling them to stop being troubled and to trust Him for pardon as they trust God. It means comfort and rejoicing after sin, resting in His love because He went to the Father's house of many mansions to prepare a place and will come again to receive believers to Himself where He is. His words echo after the ascension, assuring those who have sinned that they may still rely on Him as Saviour. They may have faith in Christ and repent while He serves as priest in the heavenly sanctuary.
The comfort belongs also to the aged, the sick, the unfortunate, those possessed by evil spirits, the distressed and despairing, and those troubled about death. Christ knows each person and every burden, sympathizes with human weakness, and gives hope and encouragement. He knows when hearts are wounded and bleeding in mental suffering, and He would have the afflicted soothed and helped. The aged are urged to receive Christ as Saviour and look forward to the promised home and reunion. Trust is to be as a child trusts a parent, because the Lord will not leave His own, and those who follow to know Him will be raised when the last trump sounds even if laid in the grave. The greatest trouble is not removed by scheming or show before the world but by guarding a brother's interest as one's own, loving as Christ loved, and showing Christlikeness at home and in business without cross, fretful or grasping words, whereupon angels guard their interest and Christ provides an inheritance with the sanctified who see the King in His beauty.
These words are to be spoken by human agents to the sick, the unfortunate, the afflicted, and those troubled by evil spirits. Through them Christ Himself comes as Comforter to offer hope. They are to be received plainly by living faith rather than made dependent on reasoning out what is not understood, quieting troubled hearts and directing minds to Christ the light of the world. Those who receive them are to share them with those who do not yet understand their value, so seekers may be led to work for their own souls and for others, come forward, decide to serve, and prepare to meet Him in peace. The message stays with believers as the shepherd watching his flock reminds them of His love and care, and children speaking of His kindness and love share in the peace of God coming into the mind.
The promise is to be opened and read in trouble and difficulty when hardly knowing what to do, at family worship and to children so young minds comprehend it. It is to be believed as the Word of God, laid hold of and presented to the family, giving peace and hope and rejoicing even when discouraged and disheartened, because God will not leave His people comfortless. It is to be repeated often as a remedy for trouble, disappointment and affliction, for the sure hope of eternal life causes the heart to overflow with gratitude and thanksgiving.
Taken to heart it is instruction for eternal life for those faithfully preparing for it. Its deep meaning is grasped by holding to the simplicity of truth and by the Spirit writing the Word upon the heart, not by the mere letter as read. Light comes by the entrance of the Word into the heart through human willingness with divine power cooperating, bringing increased understanding especially as the light is shared, with sweet subduing peace, comfort in divine love, fervor of love, a view of depths of love beyond words, and transformation of character by life-giving principles. Lived out with childlike humbling before God it cures dissension, heals souls sick while thinking themselves whole, brings unity with one another and with Christ, and gives strength instead of weakness to stand the test in the shaking time. It rebukes unkind talk and judgment when its counsel is neglected.
The chapter teaches faith, hope and courage for the oppressed, sorrowful and afflicted, and its lessons near the close of His earthly ministry with cruel death before Him are to be dwelt upon for hope, comfort and strength in Christ. Its words were a source of joy and comfort after His departure, alongside the promise to return and the gift of peace. They would have kept faith through Calvary if received by faith even when overturning ambitions for worldly honor. They are a great and sacred truth for poor, unbelieving, sinful souls, meant to make hearts abound with gratitude breaking forth in thanksgiving and praise in union with the heavenly host in songs of rejoicing. They call parents and children to give themselves to the Lord without reserve in response to His drawing near when they draw near to Him, and to obey His commandments and teach children to know God and Jesus Christ in view of His coming to take His people to Himself.
The call not to be troubled illustrates salvation through faith like the brazen serpent, showing trust in His word as the way to receive restoring help. That trust stands with God's promise to give His Spirit and blessing and with the invitation for all the earth to look to Him for salvation. It forbids worry while waiting for duty to be shown. It forbids letting the mind be troubled over unsettled personal and family matters, but bids rest in confidence that matters will come out right ere long even while nothing has yet been seen or heard.