John 14:2, commentary and pictures

On the night before His crucifixion Jesus spoke to comfort His troubled disciples facing His departure, assuring them that in heaven, His Father's house, there are many permanent dwelling places and that His going away was purposeful work for them and not abandonment. He prepared that place by leaving heaven's glory to suffer and die on the cross for reconciliation, and by ascending to the Father as Advocate to minister help from the throne. He will come again personally and bodily in glory to receive His followers to Himself, raising the dead in Christ to immortality and taking them to live with Him forever free from pain, sorrow and death. That home is real and literal, with abundant room for all without caste or privilege, to be finally possessed as the earth restored from sin when the city of God comes to the renewed earth. It is entered only by those now fitted in probationary time through faith in His blood, laying hold of His righteousness, keeping His commandments and forming a pure, humble, Christlike character that death does not change.

Setting and Spoken Words

Jesus spoke these words in the upper chamber on the night before His crucifixion, as His last farewell instruction in the discourse of John 13-17 before leading out toward the Mount of Olives. They were His closing earthly work, given as He was about to leave, to comfort the disciples as He broke the news that He must soon go from them. They belong to His plain setting of His second coming before them, that troubled hearts should believe in Him as in God, for the Father's house has room for many and His going is to make a home ready that He may come again to take them to Himself to be where He is.

They were spoken after Judas had left, when Jesus was alone with the eleven, after declaring the Son of man glorified. At that time He foretold His being taken by wicked hands, betrayed, scourged, and crucified, and the disciples scattering and forsaking Him. Though a terrible ordeal and bitter cup of suffering lay before Him after three years of labor to prepare them, and though He knew the trials soon to open before them, He forgot His own agony to relieve their burdened hearts and strengthen them to endure without failing and stand fast in the most trying hour.

They were spoken in deepest pathos to comfort troubled, sorrowful hearts facing severe temptation, trial, grief and discouragement. They assure that His departure is purposeful work for them and not abandonment or being cast off and forgotten. He does not leave a depressing gloom upon them, but takes them over the terrible scenes to be enacted and revives them with hope, leading them beyond what is seen to faith and trust in God and in Him.

The disciples could not at first comprehend the words because they were contrary to their wishes and desires for worldly honor. Their expectation that He would reign as Israel's king had collapsed under His suffering and humiliation, and if they had trusted and accepted His teaching to prepare them for the wonders of Calvary, His crucifixion need not have seemed to destroy their hopes and faith. They understood more fully after His crucifixion, resurrection and ascension, when the Holy Spirit brought the promise to remembrance with joy and heaven became to them the promised home where their Redeemer was.

Thomas's reply showed unbelief in the Word and failure to discern Christ's divine character, and that unbelief was not confined to Thomas alone among the disciples.

The assurance that if it were not so He would have told them means He tells the truth about the Father's house and does not deceive with false hope. His departure secures the right to a home in the Father's kingdom, and when gone He still works earnestly for them, going to the Father to cooperate with Him for them. This calls for practical faith in God under every circumstance and in Christ as the only Saviour and only dependence and hope for salvation, even when faith is severely tried, with His promises as yea and Amen and rich assurances of great consequence.

The words are so simple that even children may understand them, yet they hold truth important to every believer in Christ. With John 6 and 13-17 they contain deep lessons, the richest promises, God's will plainly given, and the antidote for sin, to be studied diligently, memorized, and kept as a storehouse for the oppressed and afflicted. They are understood with new enlightenment as the Holy Spirit applies the Word to the changed heart, giving more perfect knowledge of God through knowing Christ as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, the express image of His Father's person and brightness of His glory sent as God's representative.

They are also presented as spoken from the clouds as He ascended to comfort troubled hearts. In that presentation they are especially for sinners who have fallen and recovered, assuring them that though imperfect they need a Saviour and can rejoice, with Him as Advocate before the Father. There they are joined to the assurance that He will break the fetters of the tomb in the morning of the resurrection and meet His own in Galilee.

Father's House and Mansions

In the Father's house are many permanent, abiding, enduring dwelling places for the redeemed family of God, not temporary tents to be taken down and removed. The Father Himself is present there to gather His children in His arms and bestow everlasting love upon them, and the promise holds out the heavenly country as the great hope that encourages faithful service and communion with God and His Son. All heaven is engaged in preparing a place for those who truly believe, calling them to a pure upright life of faith working by love as they decide their eternal destiny.

The Father's house is heaven itself, the eternal city and better heavenly country where believers have a lasting home with Christ and a right to be in the Father's presence and kingdom. It is pictured as a happy family in the heavenly home where heaven is the presence of Christ, so that His departure secures the right to a home and He will return to receive His own to be where He is. There the redeemed receive the rewards of obedience and enduring joy, unlike the temporary pleasures of this world.

The mansions are heavenly homes in the heavenly country and new earth, not earthly dwellings which will be shaken down by a coming great earthquake. Believers have no lasting home in this world but are pilgrims passing toward a better country, travelers in a strange country staying only for a night, for this present life is only a vapor that passes away. The Christian's present life is like winter, marked by disappointment, loss, pain and anguish, while the promised future is like summer when tempests are left behind. The promise was given to comfort grief and discouragement at seeing the Teacher treated with contempt, assuring even those on earth who have no home or very poor ones that Jesus left to make a home ready, a beautiful home in the new earth for those who make Him counselor and guide.

That home is real and literal, not vapor to be spiritualized away nor an indefinite region inhabited by intangible spirits. The Bible describes it as a country with living waters, fruitful trees, plains, hills and mountains where God's people will dwell, and as a city founded and made by God with golden streets, pearly gates and foundations of precious stones. Its beauty, light and glory exceed what human language and finite minds can describe or comprehend, and will be fully known only by those who see it. After seeing the risen Jesus ascend, the disciples no longer thought of heaven as indefinite but as the home where their loving Redeemer was preparing a place, an eternal home of surpassing beauty and lasting permanence that calls for willing joyful sacrifice in caring for saints who need shelter.

There is abundant room for all in the Father's house, with many places that Christ goes ahead to prepare so followers will have a home with Him and reach there with confidence and joy rather than fear or complaint. No caste, no privileged few, and no preference for rich, poor, white or colored shuts any out, and to claim grand mansions for higher nobility or the rich is ignorant selfish pride that shuts one out unless repented of as a little child. Their hope and home do not depend on earthly possessions, but on Christ's care leading toward life with Him in heaven at His soon coming when He receives them to Himself.

The future inheritance will be the earth restored from sin's ruin as the eternal home of the redeemed in the regained kingdom, and its glory exceeds what human language or the finite mind can fully describe. Heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ will be with Him until the city of God comes to the earth made new, then take possession of their home there, building houses and planting vineyards. Day by day they are to fit themselves by doing the work given them, for the prepared land will have industries and everyone there will have something to do.

Soon the redeemed will be in the promised home where Jesus leads them beside the living stream flowing from the throne of God and explains the dark providences through which He perfected their characters, where on every hand are the beautiful trees of Paradise with the tree of life in the midst and Eden restored is seen with clear vision. There confusing workings of providence will be made plain and the harmony of God's loving care will be clear, bringing rejoicing with unspeakable joy. There they lay their crowns at the Redeemer's feet and with golden harps give praise and thanksgiving to Him on the throne, living in His presence in Heaven's light and glory, hearing angels sing and singing with them, receiving eternal life and a crown of glory. Faithful workers who win souls and those who support them will gather there and share this joy together.

The mansions are a secure inheritance and firm legal title, as secure as title deeds to real estate in the kingdom of glory drawn strictly according to law, granting right to the kingdom. A title to those mansions is better than title to the noblest palace on earth and better than all worldly friendship and praise. Earthly poverty or having no place to lay the head does not lessen the eternal riches awaiting those who choose to suffer for Christ rather than pursue worldly gain. Those who love God and keep His commandments have a clear lasting title to the immortal inheritance, entering His kingdom by faith now and holding fast their profession to possess it forever, sustained through sorrow and disappointment as they patiently prepare for everlasting joy.

Christ Going to Prepare

His going to the Father's house to prepare a place is purposeful continuing work and not final separation, for He goes ahead to provide for a future together and will return to receive His own to Himself that where He is they may be also. Only by going could He provide an Advocate before the Father and the abiding Holy Spirit, while still working earnestly for those He loves and cooperating with the Father in their behalf. Though ascended, His work does not end, and by faith they still see and know Him as they continue in His love, obey, witness, and complete His work as His representatives and as pilgrims and strangers on earth for His sake.

He prepared the place by leaving heaven's glory and light, coming to a sinful rejecting world, becoming poor that others might be made rich, and submitting to condemnation, suffering and death on the cross of Calvary. Through that sacrifice the plan of redemption was carried out and eternal life made possible, saving from death those who will live with Him, hear angels sing and join their praise. By it Adam's fallen children may be reconciled, pardoned, accepted as God's children, taught to overcome sin and follow Christ, and finally exalted to live with Him and share His throne and glory. His coming was not for worldly pleasure or extravagance but self-denial, leaving an example that while He is away His followers work with Him by preparing people to enter that home.

His going was fulfilled in His ascension to the Father, to heaven, to His heavenly home and kingdom, after finishing His earthly work and after meeting with them as He prepared to leave following His resurrection. Having ascended as a man He sits at God's right hand as Advocate and Friend and Saviour, carrying on intercession and atonement begun on earth, ministering help, strength and power from the throne, and presenting His church before God. His departure did not mean He had forgotten them, for He remained identified with suffering humanity in personal care, and still loved His people when revealing the future to John on Patmos about half a century later.

While mansions are being fitted up in heaven people must be fitted here, for believers have only a short probationary time and must use the help and opportunities provided through God's Son. While He builds mansions for them they are to build characters after the divine similitude by forming pure holy characters through self-denial, humility, overcoming sin and obeying God's commandments. That promised home comforts them while He is away and calls them to prepare for entrance to the better everlasting life, which is the higher school to which education in this preparatory school leads.

Though the glorious home and its joy belong to Christ, He humbles Himself to seek entrance at the door of the sinful heart to bless with light and make to rejoice in His glory. His work in preparing that place is to seek and to save what is lost and ready to perish, unwilling to leave sinners whose ways offend Him, redeeming as many as He can from sin and death in love to elevate them to His throne and give everlasting life. Through Him access to the home with the Father where all may dwell is open even to the most sinful, needy, oppressed and despised, so that they can reach the Father and have a place there.

He has gone to heaven, to His Father's house and kingdom and the New Jerusalem, to prepare mansions, a home and a place for His disciples, followers, the faithful and redeemed. They are those who love Him and trust Him as little children in faith and confidence, who serve, honor, receive, follow, resist temptation, seek God's help and gain victory, whom He accepts as sons and daughters and heirs and at last calls home. He desires and prayed that they be with Him there, to dwell forever free and happy, to gather from Sabbath to Sabbath and new moon to new moon in praise, and at His coming in the clouds to be crowned with glory, honor and immortality, which requires putting away sin and putting on white robes of character.

Second Coming and Inheritance

The promise of a prepared place belongs together with the promise that He will come again to receive His followers to Himself, that where He is they may be also and live with Him forever. It was given as farewell comfort to troubled hearts before His departure, assuring room for many in the Father's house and a return to bring them to Himself. That coming brings joy, comfort, courage and hope amid sorrow and trial, and the prepared home is entered when He returns.

It points to a personal, bodily return in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory to take to the mansions all who believe on His name. He who ascended bodily will return in like manner, and the dead in Christ will then rise to glorious immortality at the trumpet while the living join them to enter the city. It does not mean the disciples would come to Him immediately at death, of which Canaan was only a dim type.

The mansions of the blest are entered after the dead are raised and judgment has reviewed each person's character and deeds, as the reception place for the righteous dead at the last trump. Those who are converted will enter the mansions of the blessed, but stubborn, rebellious people who refuse the light and do not humble themselves will never enter them.

The second advent is Christ's own promise to His disciples, not a new doctrine, so that hope of His return is old and scriptural and the reason believers are called Adventists. Fulfilled signs He gave of wars and rumors of wars, troublous times, and increasing wickedness show the coming is near. The promise therefore forbids discouragement and calls for patient waiting, watchfulness, and living as pilgrims and strangers.

At His return believers inherit eternal life, the rich and glorious kingdom prepared for God's children, with heaven and its unbounded resources, sharing His presence and fullness of joy. They will dwell with Him forever and see God face to face, when those who receive Him and remain loyal are gathered home. The coming will be greater than any earthly royal visit, with the glorious appearing of God and Saviour Jesus Christ, when the dead are raised and the saints are caught up to meet the Lord in the air to enter the city of God through gates opened wide to receive them, to eat of the tree of life together with angels who never fell and saints of all ages who take the kingdom as their own. There confusing providences are explained, and pain, sickness, sorrow and death are gone forever.

His return escorted by the heavenly host to stand again upon the Mount of Olives, with Hebrew hallelujahs mingling with Gentile hosannas and myriads of voices acclaiming Him Lord of all, is not a dreaded calamity but an occasion for great joy and longing anticipation. The disciples looked forward to it with joy and longing, not fear. When His work on earth is finished He will swing back the pearly gates upon their glittering hinges and welcome in every soul that bears the marks of the Almighty, giving the overcomers their crown when He comes to gather His children home.

The coming is near and soon in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory to take those who have received Him to those prepared places. The place is now made ready and the end is near, the heavenly mansions nearly ready for God's heirs and Christ's joint heirs, the destination when the thousand generations have come to an end. Those who hope for those mansions must keep the armor on, be all that the name Christian signifies, live in habitual communion with God abiding in Christ, keep the reward prepared for every overcomer in view, and cooperate and work with Christ so that when He comes they can say, Lo, this is our God, we have waited for Him, and He will save us.

When He soon comes in glory all will desire a place in the mansions of heaven, but a place is given only to those who confess Christ now in word, in life and in character, because He will then confess only them before His Father and the holy angels. Those made ready for the marriage supper of the Lamb, robed in the righteousness of Christ and reflecting His image in pure white linen, will enter, be led beside living waters, have all tears wiped away, and have life that runs parallel with the life of God. Those who denied Him will call for hiding from the wrath of the Lamb, and those who give their efforts to sin and reject the light will lose these mansions, along with eternal life.

Fitness and Character Required

The prepared home belongs to those who love God and Christ, receive and believe in Him, remain faithful to the end, take Him as counselor and guide, live His life in the present, trust with childlike simplicity, abide in Him, and keep His commandments with perfect obedience to all ten precepts. The same promise assures troubled disciples that the Father's house holds many dwelling places made ready for those who receive and believe, and it calls them to devote their abilities to God because service in view of everlasting life bears on eternal destiny. Those who love and serve in self-sacrifice, who believe and imitate Him, are the ones for whom the place is prepared and who will be received to be where He is.

Reaching those mansions requires present preparation in the probationary time purchased at the cost of His own life, by washing robes and making them white in the blood of the Lamb, putting the kingdom of God first, obeying truth, exemplifying Christ's life, witnessing from experimental knowledge that Jesus is the Son of God, and forming a divine character in cooperation with Him through the Holy Spirit dwelling within as heavenly Guest. Comfort spoken to sorrowing disciples on the eve of the crucifixion therefore forbids discouragement, keeps the nearness of the coming in view amid wars and increasing wickedness, and urges living as pilgrims who put away sin, receive righteousness in Christ, and work with Christ in personal union with Him so as to meet Him in peace. Hearts and characters must be made fit now, for only those cooperating to form characters like the divine character will inherit what He redeems and prepares.

Fitness comes by laying hold upon the righteousness of Christ, becoming perfect in Him, working from a high standpoint, following His example, growing up into His likeness with ever-increasing refinement, until fit for life with holy angels. The white robe of His righteousness is itself the fitness for angelic society, and the hope of that home makes precious the rest awaiting God's people. No one fits himself by own power, for the power, grace and righteousness needed are received through God's gift of the Holy Spirit by those being prepared to live there.

Nothing that defiles can enter because heaven is pure and holy, so entrance requires thorough cleansing inwardly and outwardly, genuine reformation and new birth, putting away sin and every fault, including tea, coffee, alcohol, tobacco, deception, fraud and pretense, and being clothed without spot or wrinkle through faith in His blood and obedience to truth. Preparation means putting on white robes of character for the coming of the Son of man in the clouds, living in purity of heart and perfection of character through grace rather than being taken up with pleasure and amusement, and developing unselfish, truthful, kind and tenderhearted character fit to be received into lasting happiness. Only a holy character will be given place in the destination Christ has prepared.

Those who exalt themselves must be changed to become meek, lowly, teachable and humble as little children learning from Christ, for no self-sufficient or self-exalting soul will be admitted or see the kingdom unless changed in spirit. The heavenly family will be free of selfishness, roughness and unkindness and ordered in divine harmony, so moral transformation by love and discipline must fit men and women for that society, with parents training children to take His yoke and learn meekness and lowliness. The mansions belong through grace to the humble and obedient whose will is shaped and governed by the Lord.

Being fitted means resisting temptation with God's help, gaining victory over the tempter, denying self daily, taking up the cross and following the meek Saviour on the narrow sometimes difficult path rather than the broad road of pleasure, self-indulgence and evil tendencies, with each step of repentance and obedience a step toward Paradise. Those who so overcome will be saved, crowned for the kingdom, and made free and happy eternally, sharing not only mansions but a kingdom through self-denial and self-sacrifice for others. Day by day fitness is formed by doing the appointed work, learning trust, coming for peace and rest in His love, receiving lessons in Christ's school, and walking in cheerful diligent obedience to providence.

The heavenly family will be free of selfishness, roughness, unkindness and coarseness, so preparation includes courtesy, gentleness, patience, meekness, forbearance, unselfish truthful kind tender hearts, and hearts kept free of what displeases God. The quarrelsome, fault-finding, unloving and attention-demanding would find heaven unsuited to them, for there they would meet those they had not loved, and only those transformed by grace, reflecting Christ's character, obeying the commandments and bringing the will under divine discipline will be happy there. Living in harmony with Christ now and showing His character in home life sanctifies and refines for the society of saints.

Keeping the promised home before the mind loosens affection for houses, lands, business and earthly things, fixes love on what is imperishable, directs putting God's service first, and calls for using possessions as lent talents to do good and sacrifice so others learn of the inheritance. Hope of welcome to the wedding feast and entrance to be with Him must not be displaced by cares, pride in wealth, or covetous self-indulgence, indolence and worldliness, which bring loss of eternal bliss. The immortal inheritance far surpasses anything gained here, holds clear lasting title for those who love God and keep His commandments, and is advanced each night by self-denial, offerings and effort to hasten truth into unreached cities in return for His giving His life.

Each believer has a place that can be forfeited and must be secured now with energy and zeal proportionate to its value by persevering untiring effort, personal choice to follow Christ, taking hold of His strength, making peace with Him, overcoming temptation, and resolving that self with family will be there. To gain them is eternal life, and to lose them is great loss demanding lifelong perseverance. No one can secure another's salvation, for each must choose to follow and claim the ransom among the pure holy angels where a better home than this world affords is offered.

God has made salvation available but does not force it; people must willingly learn and meet the conditions in His Word, diligently seek to understand and obey them, fulfill covenant conditions as doers of His statutes, surrender will and way to God, and use the remaining opportunity before it is too late, with those in life's decline seeking more earnestly. Guarded habits and character tested through trial prepare for the heavenly company, and trust in God keeps from disappointment. Indolence, unbelief, worldliness, covetousness and neglected talents bring failure and irreversible loss, making the great sacrifice in vain for that person, while the will brought under Christ's will and beautified in God's workshop fits for the mansions.

Preparation is forming a pure, holy, Christlike, perfect character through moral change, sanctification and refinement showing Christ's image, bringing heaven's principles into this life with patience, kindness, sympathy and partaking of the divine nature. Character is not changed by death, resurrection or His coming, so defects must be overcome now by receiving Bible truth, being reformed and converted, living in purity here to live in purity there, and forming the character needed to dwell with the redeemed host. Inheriting requires the moral excellence the Lord requires and Christlikeness fitted up in this life.

Trials, perplexities and daily duties met by grace shape and refine character for the mansions; this world is a temporary educating school deciding destiny by personal course, requiring applying great truths to little things, pressing from light to greater light and strength to greater strength until complete in Christ with righteousness by faith. Believers are proved through continuing conflict whether fit for the royal family of the heavenly King, and faithful service representing Christ is part of that refining. Fully yielding brings true courtesy and sanctified action as the outward sign of Christianity in the heart.

Faithful work, persevering obedience, honoring Him in His absence, improving opportunities, cooperating to save souls and showing active love by personal effort helps prepare workers for abundant entrance with washed robes. There are no idlers in heaven and no inactive loveless soul will enter, for heaven is constant work and mansions of light and glory are entered on the path of self-denial and cross-bearing in union with God's family. Faithful unselfish soul-winners and those who support them will meet with joy and share the reward.

Abiding in the Saviour under the Spirit's influence to reveal His love, holding fast to Him as Mediator, forsaking sin, growing in obedience and Christian graces with perfect love crowning all, and developing character in the church in humility prepares for entrance through Christ to the home. Continual closeness through prayer and daily duties purifies life, gives joy and peace, and makes His people co-workers with Him in an abiding dwelling place with Himself for those who obey His Word. Choosing temporary pleasures instead risks neglecting eternal life, while Christ's own life of continual labor prepared humanity for that future life.

The mansions are not reserved for relatives or special friends but for those who love most, deny self, submit the will to God and conform character to the divine standard, so that even those with fierce tempers and serious faults can gain the overcomer's reward by grace when traits are subdued in the good fight of faith.

Home School and Children

Training children for God is work of infinitely more importance than securing worldly advantage for them, and the promise of a prepared place in the Father's house is given to lift minds above this life to eternity and to move believers to prepare by washing robes white in the blood of the Lamb, making the kingdom first and putting earthly interests in proper place. Undue devotion to the world and setting affections on earthly things can rob both parents and children of a place there, and keeping heaven in view helps dislodge love of the world that would otherwise crowd out love for God. The promise points to eternal life secured through condemnation and death endured to save, calling adults to overcome sin and to teach children to follow Christ. Children on earth are probationers being educated to become inhabitants of those mansions, and teaching them for that prepared place is the highest duty parents have to perform.

The promise together with the assurance of return to receive followers to be where He is to be kept before children as they are taught and prepared for heaven, with characters fitted for life with others in that home. That hope can inspire children to prepare themselves, and life's training in the home is to graduate parents and children to that higher school. Getting ready includes keeping children in physical health, placing them where they can breathe pure air, and teaching them to use brain, bone and muscle so the body stays in working order. It also includes training them to be unselfish, truthful, kind and tenderhearted, putting away every fault and overcoming all faults to be received where they will be happy forever.

Earthly homes should be chosen to help fit family members for that home, with surroundings that help mind, body and spirituality, and the home on earth is to be as far as possible a model and symbol of the heavenly home and a preparation for it so children associate the home below with the home above. When the family here resembles the family in heaven, temptation to what is low and groveling loses much of its force. Therefore purpose of preparing for heaven should direct choice of a home and its location, estimating things at true value and giving most effort to things of greatest worth that will endure, choosing what tends most to simplicity, purity, health and real worth rather than being controlled by desire for wealth, dictates of fashion or customs of society. Families are now fitting up for those mansions in the home by making the house consecrated to the Lord as a little church and the pleasantest home possible, a little heaven to go to heaven in, with parents taking God's place in education, refusing absorption in worldly things or abandoning children to their own mind and judgment, and laying hold of power to deny self, take up the cross and follow in His footprints. Earthly families are to shape their homes in preparation for transfer to that home.

Harmony, kindness and love cultivated in the home reflect the Spirit of God, and peace, affection and love must be cultivated while evil dispositions are uprooted, for those homes are for those who are true and pure, who love and obey His words, where believers will know one another and be together without parting. Courteousness, gentleness, patience, meekness and forbearance in the home are part of becoming fit inhabitants by reflecting His character, obeying commandments and bringing the will under discipline, since those who remain quarrelsome and refuse to practice His words would find heaven unsuited to them. Preparing begins on earth as parents teach lessons that form noble unselfishness, refine and purify the heart and make it fit for Him to dwell within, overcoming resentment as contrary to His self-sacrificing heart. Parents are to bring children to the mercy-seat and to the cross and tell them of the sacrifice made to provide mansions for them, using that gift to call them to self-denial and enlarged liberal offerings for needy work, because spiritual advancement here leads to life in the higher world. Faithful upbringing can prepare children to serve God through eternity.

Children as younger members of God's family must be trained in the home to enter the family of the redeemed, learning now through loyalty and Christlike living how to conduct themselves in the courts above where a welcome has been prepared for those made ready. Parents help them by kind speech and by example as well as precept, creating no unhappiness, putting away all coarseness and unkindness where angels dwell, setting a kind example that coarseness and unkindness have no place there. That preparation comes through wise, loving, patient training and obedience, with parents training children to respond to the invitation to take His yoke and learn meekness and lowliness, fulfilling God's purpose and honoring Him who died to secure eternal life in the kingdom. All must be controlled by the spirit that rules in the heavenly courts, with righteousness and truth going before them, obtaining His righteousness and serving acceptably, and children and youth must receive education in the things of God that fits them to meet temptation and to be saved in the appointed way.

Schools are to prepare young people for that eternal home by teaching them God's word and helping them become fit for it. Bible truth is to convert and reform people for that purpose, and sanitariums carry that truth into the very heart of society to show the great necessity of preparing through reform and conversion. Because He has gone to prepare mansions and will soon come in the clouds with power and great glory to take the faithful to the higher school there, believers must meet a much higher standard than those who do not believe these solemn truths, especially in providing pure, Bible-based education for youth.

The promise is of a future home where brethren will meet together in the same mansions by and by, meaning Christians share one family and one destiny. Those who will share the same heavenly home must live as brethren now, laboring together in love and unity and strengthening one another in God, putting away envy, jealousy, distrust, enmity and variance over methods of practice, including physicians and fellow workers. The mansions are the destination of a united family formed as believers receive His character and are brought to perfection in Him. Families who remain faithful may be joyfully reunited there and never separated again, and faithful parents and children who cultivate godly character will share the reward together as united families, even when meeting on earth is uncertain and may never happen, obtained by making calling and election sure. There the pure who love and obey will meet and never part, the joy includes seeing souls saved there through faithful work as stars in the workers' crown, and those helped to come to Him will express gratitude to those whose prayers, appeals and care helped lead them, though He alone is Redeemer.

Certainty of that heavenly place is matched by each person's designated place and work on earth in God's plan, where they cooperate with Him in service and salvation of souls as co-workers occupying an appropriate place of service. That promise urges imitating Him by providing homes, care and loving instruction for children in need, for neglecting the least is counted as neglecting Him and those unwilling to show such care should not expect a heavenly home.

Comfort Pilgrim Life and Mission

The promise comforts every sorrowing person and every troubled heart, speaking with authority to workers in sanitarium work to trust God and Christ, assuring room in the Father's house where Christ goes to prepare a place and will come again to receive His own to be with Him where He is. It gives aged people facing death hope that when earthly life ends they may look forward to a home in God's kingdom and to being raised from the grave at His return. The sick and burdened and those facing death are to travel heaven-bound with confidence and praise rather than fear or complaint, trusting not what is seen but God and Christ.
In trouble and difficulty when hardly knowing what to do the chapter is to be opened and read, the verse believed as God's Word, laid hold of and presented to the family and read at family worship so young minds comprehend. Claimed this way it gives peace and hope and rejoicing in discouragement and disheartenment and proves true in experience. The same promise calls believers to prepare a place for Christ in families, schools and meetings for worship.
It was used to call congregations to humble themselves before God, confess sins, seek the Holy Spirit and experience renewed conversion, and as text to call sinners and backsliders to give themselves to the Lord, grounding hope in His care and life with Him beyond this world, including those deciding to follow God in the Sabbath and other points of faith. Preaching the love and compassion of God in Christ going to prepare a place brings freedom and the Spirit's power upon hearts, comforting and refreshing speaker and hearers, moving hearts to tears and intelligent response, holding even critics' attention and leading to free testimony, calling all who received grace and truth to witness clearly with the voice God gave.
Remembering the promise after resurrection and ascension gave the disciples joy in assurance He will come again to receive them to Himself, and now it should stir excitement and gladness at a coming greater than any earthly royal visit, when the dead are raised and saints caught up to enter the city through gates opened wide to eat of the tree of life with angels and saints of all ages in eternal life. It gives abiding heartfelt trust and should make hearts abound with gratitude breaking forth in thanksgiving and praise in union with the heavenly host, a great sacred truth poor unbelieving sinful souls need to appreciate.
The hope gives reason to travel to the Father's house with confidence and joy rather than fear or complaint, a cheering prospect amid darkness, opposition and hardship bringing peace, joy and confidence in God. Hope and home do not depend on earthly possessions, but Christ's care leads toward life with Him, giving a secure home beyond loss of earthly treasures, more important than gaining land and making one truly rich without possessions when following a blessed course. Faith looks beyond present burdens and cares to this future home, trusting what now perplexes will be made plain, taking God at His word with thanksgiving.
Contemplating the eternal home by faith, entering in thought the city, walking its streets and beholding its splendor, strengthens faith in Christ, brings peace and confidence, makes less vulnerable to temptation and less drawn to human flattery or praise, and turns the mind to Jesus and redemption rather than worldly customs and social gatherings. Beholding the mansions as rich provision of grace and talking of the blessed home keeps the eye off deformity and the curse, enabling living in the world yet not of it as pilgrims seeking a city whose builder is God. So beholding and speaking makes annoyances and fretting cares forgotten, brings the atmosphere of the better heavenly country with soothing comfort and joy, keeps trust unmoved, makes each year nearer home, and strengthens longing to see Jesus, be with Him, become like Him and enjoy eternal life in His presence.
Believers should keep the mansions before the mind's eye and seek things above, holding the rich promises in view while studying waymarks showing earth's close very near, turning away when tempted to place absorbing affection on earthly objects and keeping houses, lands, business and enterprises from coming between soul and God. Those heaven-bound should not go as mourners but with gratitude and praise, for title to the mansions is better than worldly treasure lost when life ends, and hope of welcome belongs above and should not be displaced by cares. Jesus will supply every need of those who love beautiful things and trust Him, charming them with riches of divine love as they behold Him, calling for earnest prayer to be prepared for the great day.
The Bible points out the way to this region of bliss and prepares the soul, while beholding beauties of nature leads the mind to its glories, softens and subdues the heart to know truth and receive Christ by faith, and fills the mind with joy unspeakable. Heavenly agencies show each soul how to reach it, and preparing means studying the Word, being sanctified through truth, earnest prayer, diligent study and renewed effort with eternal life in view. The home is an enduring inheritance in the kingdom above without sin, sorrow, sickness or death, a more beautiful home in a world without sin and lasting happiness worldly habits cannot provide.
Preparing for that home means turning wholeheartedly to the Lord, consecrating heart and life, pressing toward light, and persisting to be welcomed into the city with eternal life through faith, sanctification, steadfastness and faithful service in glory beyond description. Preparing for the mansions means preparing for the kingdom of God. Hope of dwelling there gives purpose to assembling in God's house, where worship cultivates perfect love and prepares for the heavenly sanctuary where all gather from Sabbath to Sabbath and new moon to new moon in praise to God and the Lamb.
Angels are present in the house of God to help understand what the Spirit has in store for those dedicating life to God, who must hasten to claim promises, improve opportunities, dedicate life and know the Spirit's influence, using entrusted time in preparing. While Christ is away followers are to work with Him by preparing people to enter that home, His becoming poor that others be made rich being example against worldly pleasure and extravagance. Reform and conversion prepare for the mansions, sanitarium work carrying Bible truth into society to show need for readiness, and medical missionary work helping prepare people for the promised home as comfort in trouble and affliction filling hearts with gratitude.
The reward is valued by those serving others in love, while those disregarding ministry will not appreciate heaven or doing God's will, and successful work requires a spirit, faith and perseverance that will not fail nor be discouraged. The communion service is to keep this promise before believers as reminder of Christ's love and hope of return in the second coming when He receives them to be with Him. Its promise gave persecuted Waldenses hope as they left earthly homes enduring danger and hardship, looking by faith to the eternal home from which they will never be driven.
Having such a home made ready means this world is not the only home, every soul will desire to be with Christ in His kingdom, and mistakes and crooked paths cannot be afforded lest weak souls be led astray. Heaven is worth seeking above brief pleasures, the promised home on the purified earth where heirs with Christ take possession building houses and planting vineyards being joined to repentance and faithfulness to law. Each believer has a place that can be forfeited and cannot be afforded to lose, calling for advancing nearer home each night, self-denial, offerings and hastening truth into unreached cities in return for Christ's life.
The promise grounds assurance of eternal life and trust in a personal Saviour, supporting hope of being with Christ when He returns and calling to be ready for His glorious appearing by waiting, obeying commandments, living His life, and holding pure upright life with faith working by love that purifies the soul. All heaven is engaged in preparing a place of ever-increasing joy and knowledge of God for true believers, prompting consideration of readiness for sudden death, lest His death be in vain, calling to return, surrender, trust through grace and be ready. Anticipating the mansions by faith elevates the sinking soul, lightens burden, relieves weariness, and living faith lays hold in prayer drawing the renewed heart close to God, while choosing temporary pleasures risks neglecting eternal life and abiding under the Spirit is needed to reveal Christ's love.
Talking of the mansions helps forget daily troubles and look to eternal glory awaiting the overcomer. Looking up is reason to be grateful, praise Him from whom blessings flow, and grasp the promise by living faith with thankfulness morning till night, for heaven is real where the weary rest. These attractions draw the heart from worldly praise and inducements. The great God whose glory shines from heaven upholding millions of worlds is Father preparing mansions and at last calling home those loving and trusting as little children, accepting them as sons, daughters and heirs of inexpressible glory, guiding the meek and welcoming the obedient taught in providence.
Those holding this hope carry solemn obligation to show fatherly care now as friends to the friendless, fathers to orphans, helpers of widows, practically useful rather than living for self, for God cares for professors and will bring them to live with Him in the ready place. Christ reached the Father through suffering and temptation to prepare a home, making acceptance possible, now ministering help and strength from the throne to sincere seekers to overcome, bringing comfort in doubt and perplexity. Overcomers who love His appearing will live with Him in the kingdom, and title better than noblest palace or worldly friendship requires in the atonement day keeping unspotted, refusing alliance with the world and doing God's will to abide forever and receive welcome.
His death carried out redemption so Adam's sons through obedient life may be reconciled and exalted to live in His mansions, and His coming to earth and giving life aimed that followers dwell with Him, displaying amazing love that paid the price. The place is in the heavenly mansions, the holy city New Jerusalem, for those forming divine likeness, where even the most sinful cleansed by faith in His blood, sanctified by truth and glorified by God will be welcomed to shine. A life shaped by religion fits for that home and angelic society.
There the redeemed will be welcomed to live with companions who overcame Satan by grace, not the vile, liars, idolaters, impure or unbelieving, but those who through aid formed perfect characters, every tendency removed by Christ's blood, imparted excellence exceeding the sun and moral beauty shining through, without fault around the white throne sharing angels' dignity. This preparation in heaven demonstrates measureless love shown in life and sacrifice, directing from seen to eternal and calling for the entire heart in return for shed blood. The home in glory is the remnant's longed-for dwelling forever in Jesus' presence, a holy happy home where sorrow never known, making His coming precious news amid sorrow.
It is an everlasting home in His kingdom made possible by His blood and life, more valuable than elaborate earthly homes or possessions for self-glory, so entrusted means should win souls. Heaven with all blessings, advantages and privileges is offered, to receive grace and be fitted as He promised to come again. Mansions connect to learning of Jesus and progressing from this life's education to higher grade through eternal ages, where Christ leads to living fountains and reveals incomprehensible glories to those consecrating powers to God and obeying truth for immortal life.
Jesus prepared mansions for His dear redeemed, Christianity as crown of life preparing entrance into God's city with daily thanksgiving, title connected with loving God, trusting Christ's merits, serving wholeheartedly and being tested in probation as immortal inheritance He purchased. He prepares for all who love Him and people must prepare by submitting as joint heirs, following Christ, purifying soul by obeying truth, receiving righteousness and proclaiming warning message. The inheritance for those keeping commandments directs from earthly treasure to mansions, where only divine character formed under Christ taken to the next world continues to grow.
It points beyond brief troubled life to eternal habitations where sin and sorrow absent, giving lasting hope, anchoring affections in ages to come and encouraging loving service to Creator in fellowship with God and angels as reclaiming of the lost. Overcoming defects is necessary to be fit, and workers loving and obeying leaders in sympathy symbolize that pure holy family on the path for the ransomed following where He leads with cross in self-denial. To be among saints people must be identified with Christ now, He dwelling within, knowing Him here to see Him in glory, drawing strength and preparing characters for translation.
He prepares homes for those prepared to welcome Him and for those believing truth and choosing obedience, to be trained in Christlike living to know conduct above, education in Christ fitting youth. The mansions are future home of the saved, preparing means turning from sin, living with respect for reward, being without wrinkle or blemish, striving faithfully after Christ's example teaching and working as He did, advancement here leading higher, parents telling children of sacrifice to call to self-denial and liberality. The rich glorious kingdom for God's children calls for gratitude ruling out indifference and choosing company of those loving God over ungodly associates.
His people getting ready to move must realize covenant relation, represent God, guard against dishonoring Him while professing His name, act as moving, take hold of eternal realities daily and learn at His feet. Mansions where those made white in His blood are led by Jesus Himself to the Father before the throne promise a home in the kingdom for all believing, for whom eternal mansions evoke glory for grace. The hope big with immortality to show the world calls for belief, drinking salvation's waters, Christ abiding in the dwelling, teaching children to love God, enlightened minds, praise, and hope of continual presence in the kingdom He prepares.
Obtaining that home for those loving Him is eternal life, a better home of peace and rest where lovers of Christ are gathered into prepared mansions together. Fitness belongs to full implicit obedience, without which rarest gifts would not be appreciated. To join the heavenly choir requires becoming heavenly-minded through piety, Bible love, prayer, meditation and communion, holiness formed on earth preparing for heaven. Lifelong sanctification begun on earth will be crowned for faithful workers while indolent selfish living loses immortal glory, and hope of living with Jesus makes coming, trusting and learning through trials part of preparation.
This world is preparation where God shapes and fits, requiring more than knowing truth, requiring reformation and overcoming, truth sanctifying and transforming lovers of Christ to enter. Abiding places are promised those obeying divine law, His going part of continuing work after redeeming and His return giving hope of being with Him. Mansions secured on conditions teach all terms of acceptance requiring internal change before outward, truth woven into character softening harsh temper and smoothing rugged deportment. Earthly home life can foretaste the heavenly home with the Father all sunshine, where those loving and obeying Jesus meet their dear mother.
The promise helps wives and mothers rise above anxiety to cultivate trust, peace, joy and unselfish care. Having place with Him is better than noblest palace and lasting treasure beyond riches, and disregarding command to lay up treasure dishonors love that gave life for a home with Him. Mansions above can be lost, worth everything requiring persevering energy proportionate to value unto eternal life, themes for youth to contemplate while followers await return faithfully doing entrusted work. Jesus ascended to prepare a home for obedient children and will return to take them, disciples looking forward with joy not fear.
Places for saints pictured by glorious houses promise homes to come, and a home for humble children whose changed affections harmonize with God's will inherits lasting riches at His appearing unlike perishing fame. Ministers are to point to that heavenly inheritance instead of flattering earthly hopes, as watchmen warning the worldly in peril. The mansions are hoped-for reunion with loved ones when meeting here no longer possible. There is a way for every soul, God observing every being and lifting the oppressed through heavenly agencies, so cooperating souls connected to the Sun of Righteousness find all things possible with light penetrating highways and byways.
Reflecting on the faithful's mansions centers the heart on God and cultivates heavenly conversation. Heaven is the disciples' future home where their Redeemer prepares mansions. He prepared an eternal home pointing to taking them when He comes in power and glory, giving hope while waiting. He made ready a home for those obeying commandments, this life the only time to prepare by putting on His righteousness with no further probation. At His return He takes redeemed to be with Him, making coming reason to remain ready with faith and joy to be welcomed as His own.
The dwelling for the redeemed is home of those dwelling with the redeemed host, pointing to need for fit character. Fitness requires moral changes through grace, coming out separate, walking with God as Enoch, strong living working faith as laborers together with God meeting conditions, lest dying in sins ignorant of power amid blazing light, while valuing this life for faithful work prepares for immortal home. A place is prepared for the true and obedient to God's words. Religion of Christ fits for that home and angelic society, putting God first making happy, elevating, refining taste, sanctifying judgment and preparing to live there.
Those to belong to God's family there must develop Christian character growing in knowledge, humility and concern while God shapes them, Christ's labor preparing humans for future royalty. Future glory secured by great sacrifice rests with each person depending on course, will under Christ's will, talents cultivated, God's workshop beautifying for mansions, the rebellious unable to enter and neglected talents bringing loss. Mansions are eternal blood-bought inheritance for those denying self, taking cross, following with self-sacrifice, drinking His cup and baptized with His baptism with His love controlling service to share His glory, while selfish grasping for gain and status shows Satan's course and heaven pronounces unfit for trust above, fitness tested in probation by the divine Pattern.
In view of great sacrifice in parting conversation at infinite cost, where He spoke not of His suffering but of overcomers' joys and His death on Calvary alone saving sinners from perishing unto everlasting life, believers should be diligent to cease from sin and through Christ partake of divine nature escaped from lust's corruption. The verse gives dying believers triumph, joy and thanksgiving, calling the living to forgive, obey truth and hold to His coming and the Sabbath to meet the faithful there. Preparing includes partaking of divine nature shown in true courtesy and sanctified actions when fully yielded, grace transforming giving moral power for God's presence, angels' fellowship and walking with Jesus in the earth made new.
The homes above connect with the heavenly school, readiness formed through faithful earthly service requiring young physicians and teachers to work in harmony rather than insist on own plans. Those working against one another in the home must change or cannot dwell there, profession not enough, entry requiring Christ's righteousness rather than impulse. The homes belong to a better kingdom for the faithful tried and sanctified, character formed by adding virtue and grace and keeping commandments. Those to dwell there must form fit character, and neglecting God's Word for shallow fiction weakens desire to prepare.
Fitness connects with submitting to God as joint heirs to immortal inheritance. At final triumph they are home of a united family prepared by the third angel's message through perfection, truth breaking national prejudice into one mind. The way where all sons and daughters meet united with Christ is following where He leads, lifting His cross in self-denial on the path for the ransomed. Homes of bliss are entered only by active love proved by personal effort for others, for none inactive is in heaven. The heavenly home is home of those whose characters are made lovely through Christlike home life measured by home life.
Thinking of the glorious home to which the Bible points fills the mind with joy unspeakable, and the Spirit turns sinners' minds to these homes and glory awaiting the loyal sharing Christ's sufferings. The promise gives sufferers in body or mind comfort, hope, joy and encouragement through trials and persecution, sustaining amid discouragement by fixing attention on unseen eternal things and pointing to eternal life for those receiving Him.
He has gone to prepare mansions for those who love God and keep His commandments. He has gone to prepare a home for those who love Him, which is the better life ahead, and as pilgrims and strangers this present life is as winter looking forward to summer. Faith and hope reach forward and upward to that prepared home.
He is preparing a place in the Father's house for those who love Him, and those who crucify self and live for Him will be given a place there. They must put away what is unlike Him and be cleansed through His blood, with character made ready for the kingdom of glory. The mansions are the place of rest and welcome with Him in the better everlasting life.
Believers are to prepare for them through the help God provides and by using the opportunities given through His Son. The promise of a place He is preparing for those who love Him and accept His invitation to come to Him gives troubled hearts reason for confidence in Him. He has gone away to prepare a mansion, an abode of bliss, for all who through His love and grace are preparing for the society of heaven.
That society is the family of God where heaven's order and plan and divine harmony exist, and moral transformation by love and divine discipline fits men and women for that life. Selfish, rough and unkind and self-exalting persons will not compose that family nor mar its peace, and none who exalts self will see the kingdom unless changed in spirit to become meek and sincere and simple as a little child. Life in this world lasts only a little while, and Christians are pilgrims and strangers on the way to places in a better heavenly country He has gone to prepare.
The hope of that home makes pilgrim life bearable and directs to seek character fit for its society. They should become acquainted with that land to which they are going, training the tongue to talk of the reward and the eye to discern the glory of that better country. Making it daily work to gain fitness for those mansions is what pilgrim life requires.
He has gone to prepare mansions for the faithful and will soon come in the clouds with power and great glory to take the faithful to the higher school there. Because this solemn truth is believed, a much higher standard must be met than by those who do not believe it. Especially in providing pure Bible-based education for youth this higher standard is required.

Doctrinal Connections and Warnings

The verse belongs with the whole of John 14 and with John 17, for knowing Christ as the Way, the Truth, and the Life gives a more perfect knowledge of God. To see Him is to see the Father, because He is the express image of the Father's person and the brightness of His glory, sent into the world as God's representative. He is the channel by which mercy comes and prayers rise to God, the manifestation of the Father's love. This truth is to find lodgment in hearts, gathering scattered believers and drawing outsiders toward decision. It was spoken to comfort sorrowing disciples when His earthly work was closing, for they grieved at losing their Master after three years of labor to prepare them, while He forgot His own bitter cup of suffering and the trials before them to call them to believe in Him as they believe in God. The mansions in the Father's house are permanent abodes, habitations not removed like tents but permanently enduring for the redeemed family, where the Father is present to gather His children in His paternal arms and bestow everlasting love.

Those mansions can be reached only through Christ as the Way to the Father. Following Him means walking in the path of obedience, denying self, taking up the cross, and following Him as He traveled, and those who do so receive new strength for the journey heavenward. By following His example of self-denial and self-sacrifice believers may be fitted for the mansions He has gone to prepare for those who love Him. Through Christ, who bridges the gulf sin made between earth and heaven, fallen people have access to the Father and may journey as pilgrims toward that prepared destination.

The promise that He went away to make ready a home and will come again to receive His people to Himself where He is, is why believers are called Adventists. This promise of His coming belongs together with reverence for the Sabbath of the Lord as the day commanded by God and with the binding claims of the law of God as decided present truth to be openly proclaimed. It is part of the hope offered to those deciding to follow God, calling hearers to begin keeping the Sabbath and to go forward in baptism, and when so presented it deeply moves hearts. Seventh-day Adventists are to reveal to the world that they are getting ready for those mansions by purifying their souls through obedience to the truth as it is in Jesus, coming after Christ by denying self, taking up the cross, and following Him.

The promise gives the goal of becoming fit for heaven by laying hold of Christ's righteousness and growing into His likeness. Getting ready means keeping eyes fixed on Christ, following in His footsteps and doing one's best, thinking of His goodness and talking of His power, doing as Christ would do, and so being changed into His image to become meek and lowly, with Him as best friend and counselor. Heaven is a real place, not a vapor, and Christ has gone to prepare homes there for those who love Him and obey His commands, coming out from the world and living separately from it. Those welcomed there will live with those who have overcome Satan through divine aid and formed perfect characters. A title to those mansions is better than title to the noblest palace on earth and better than all worldly friendship and praise, and in the great day of intercession, the day of atonement, those who would gain that title must keep themselves unspotted from the world and refuse alliance with it, doing the will of God so they will abide forever and receive His welcome into the prepared kingdom. Belief and obedience are essential, for like the Israelites who fell in the wilderness, those who doubt, disobey, and rebel will be unworthy to possess them, while the faithfulness of Caleb and Joshua shows the contrasting course.

No one will be among His saints there without present identification with Christ. That means loving Him, keeping His words, receiving the crucified and risen Saviour as regenerator, being sanctified body, soul, and spirit through the truth, having robes of character washed white in the blood of the Lamb, enjoying His abiding presence in the heart, knowing Christ here, living His life and showing its power to the world, and so making ready for His soon appearing ever to see the King in His beauty. Admission requires thorough purification of life, meekness and humbleness of mind, and revelation of the graces of Christ in the life, and professing followers who lack these cannot be admitted. Being qualified is connected with forming a character God approves and cooperating with Him. Possessing worldly wealth or professing Christianity does not secure a place, for those who use entrusted means selfishly and refuse to follow Christ will lose eternal riches and find no place among the mansions, and separation from God and selfish character keep people from seeing them.