John 14:3, commentary and pictures

On the night before his death he told his troubled disciples that after leaving them to get ready a home for them he would return to take them to be with him forever. The home he is now preparing is real and lasting mansions in his Father's house and kingdom, a glorious place free from sin, sorrow, pain and death where the redeemed will live with him and with one another never to part. His return to receive them is his own personal, visible second coming in the clouds with power and great glory and angels, when he will raise the righteous dead and gather all who followed him to enter the city and kingdom prepared for them. He has not left them alone while he is gone, but intercedes for them before the Father and stays with them by the Holy Spirit. That place is for those who love him, believe in him, keep his commandments and follow him, whose characters are cleansed by his blood and made pure, obedient and Christlike, so this short life is the time to get heart and character ready for those mansions and for meeting him in peace at his soon coming.

Farewell Words and Setting

The promise is that after going away to prepare a place Jesus will come again and receive his followers to himself, so that where he is they may be also and live with him forever. That coming is his second advent from heaven and from the Father's house to take his own to live with him in his kingdom. His departure does not end his work for them, for he continues working earnestly with the Father in their behalf to make the home possible, and after the long wait his people will reach the promised home where painful providences will be explained and Eden restored. The place prepared is the heavenly home for those who love him, not earthly homes which will be destroyed, and those saved must prepare by washing their robes white in the Lamb's blood, by reform and conversion, and by turning from earthly concerns to eternal joys awaiting the overcomer.

The words were spoken in the upper chamber on the night before the crucifixion when nearing the hour of trial. They are last words of instruction and farewell closing his earthly work, given to the disciples alone after he had told them he must soon leave them and be taken by wicked hands and crucified. Cruel death, suffering, betrayal and scattering lay before him, and the disciples were troubled and filled with sorrow at the thought of losing his personal presence and being severely tempted and tried. He spoke to comfort them and keep their hearts from trouble, grief and discouragement as they would see their Teacher, the Son of God, treated with contempt and abuse, assuring them of many mansions in his Father's house in contrast to having no home or very poor homes on earth.

He knew the terrible ordeal awaiting him as the smitten Shepherd on whom the rod lifted for transgressed law would fall heavily. Yet with tenderest love and a breaking heart he thought not of himself and made no mournful allusion to his own sufferings and death. In love overlooking his own agony he sought to relieve burdened hearts, cheer the disciples, and prepare them for the absence of his bodily presence and for their scattering and forsaking him when he most needed sympathy and prayers. He took them over the terrible scenes to be enacted and revived hope with assurance he would break the fetters of the tomb in the morning of the resurrection to meet them in Galilee, wanting their hearts to know no fear but to trust him. So spoken, the promise gives courage to stand fast in the most trying hour and strength and assurance to the true believer as long as time lasts against trouble, disappointment, grief, persecution, imprisonment and death.

It was spoken at infinite sacrifice, with no reference to the suffering he had endured and must yet endure nor to the humiliation before him, except that only by his death could they be saved. Because Adam sinned and all his posterity became sinners, he came and died on the cross of Calvary that human beings might not perish but have everlasting life. Instead he sought to bring to their minds what would strengthen faith, leading them to look forward to the joys awaiting the overcomer, calling all in view of that great sacrifice to be diligent, earnest and faithful to cease from sin and become partakers of the divine nature. His departure brings future blessings that should turn mourning to rejoicing, provision of an Advocate, the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit, and power to do a greater work without his personal presence, as deprived of that presence they would still see and know him by faith while continuing in his love, obeying his commandments, bearing living testimony and completing the work left in their hands.

The promise drew the doubtful question of Thomas, who loved his Saviour yet was inclined to unbelief, that they did not know where he was going or how they could know the way. Their understanding was partial and their knowledge imperfect until the conflict ends, and what is now mysterious will be understood when he acknowledges faithful workers before the Father. When he lay in the tomb they remembered these words but could not understand them, and grief left them without faith or hope to comfort them. They did not fully understand until after the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension, when the words were impressed afterward as clearly comprehended living truth with power.

They could not comprehend because desire for worldly honor kept them from understanding his teaching about Calvary, and the promise was contrary to their wishes and desires. They could not comprehend that their beloved Teacher would be betrayed, scourged and delivered up to death, and if they had accepted his words by faith the crucifixion need not have seemed to destroy hope and faith. They associated his coming with judgments expected against rejecters and with hope of release from Roman rule and of his reigning as an earthly king, and comfort was needed amid disappointment and suffering when he did not so reign. Yet the promise that he goes to prepare a place and will come again to receive believers to himself that where he is they may be also is so simple even children may understand.

The verse belongs to the instruction in John 14-16 given as he was about to be separated from them, together with his prayer for his disciples in John 17. That instruction prepared them for future work and taught that ministry must depend on divine power working through human effort and must build on a divine Christ. It is a chapter rich in promises and lessons calling for careful study and memorization, holding lessons intended for all future generations, to be heard with close attention by believers and outsiders, to find lodgment in hearts, to gather scattered sheep, and to move souls toward decision. Its deep meaning is comprehended in simplicity, not from the mere letter as perused by the student but by entrance of the Word into the heart, interpreted and applied by the Holy Spirit to transform character, giving sweet subduing peace, kindling love, and increasing understanding especially as light is communicated to others. So received it becomes consolation to share with the sorrowful, afflicted and oppressed, and part of God's plainly outlined will to be believed and lived out.

Place He Prepares

He has gone and is now preparing mansions, a home, a place and a dwelling in heaven, in the Father's house and kingdom of glory, for his people, believers, the redeemed, his children and those who belong to him and love him. His departure to the Father makes preparation possible, and his path there through suffering and temptation opened acceptance with God, while from beside the Father he ministers help and strength to those who sincerely seek to overcome and do his will. That future home is for those who sanctify their souls by obedience to truth, and there he will lead them to living waters and the tree of life and reveal glories incomprehensible now. Keeping the home pleasant and training children in truth belong to preparing for it, and right training in sweetness of temper, kindness, faithfulness, self-denial, gratitude to God, and living to his glory fits united families of parents and children to dwell together sharing the faithful reward. Preparation for that home among pure holy angels is individual, requiring a sure Christian character, since no one can ransom another though he paid redemption's price, and those refusing its benefits justly face the consequences.

The place is in the Father's house of many mansions, a real, permanent heavenly home, country and future inheritance, not earthly homes and not a vapor to be spiritualized away, enduring forever where the Father gathers his children in love. Earthly homes will be destroyed by a great earthquake, while believers as pilgrims pass toward a better heavenly country and are to set their minds on that hope. This world is not the only home, for he goes to prepare a place and will come again to take his own to himself to live with him in his kingdom, which every soul should desire, so no one can afford mistakes now or crooked paths lest weak souls be led astray. In contrast to having no home or very poor homes on earth, he assured troubled disciples facing his trial, contempt and abuse that he was going to prepare a place for them, a promise believers hold looking for the coming of the Lord and Saviour. The assurance by itself gives right to be there and right to be in the Father's presence, for heaven itself is his presence and the truth of all found in the Father, setting before them a beautiful picture of a happy family filling the many mansions.

Its beauty and glory surpass what human words or minds can describe but will be known by those who see it. The prepared home is eternal, happy and glorious, a better home of peace and lasting rest with eternal life and a crown of glory, where he receives his followers to live in his presence. It is a heaven free from all sin, defilement and impurity, and earth's pilgrims dwelling with him there will have confusing broken experiences explained as ordered by infinite love for their good. There life's dangers, trials, toil and conflicts will no longer intrude, and the Christian winter of disappointment, loss, pain and anguish will be over and summer begin. At his coming he will crown with glory, honor and immortality those who fit up by purity of heart, perfection of character through his grace and righteousness, faithfulness, blessing others, patience in well-doing, and freedom from absorption in pleasure and amusement.

The promise points to life in the new earth and God's glorious kingdom represented by the New Jerusalem where God dwells with his people and suffering, death and sorrow end. It comforts his approaching suffering and departure by pointing toward leading them beside the river of life in praise, and gives reason to look forward with praise and confidence rather than sorrow and complaint. At his coming, greater than any earthly sovereign, he brings the dead from graves to be caught up to meet the Lord in the air and enter the city of God through gates opened wide, containing the tree of life to eat, angels who never fell, and saints of all ages taking the kingdom, giving the great reward of eternal life to stir excitement and gladness. The purified renewed earth after the city comes down is where the redeemed take possession, build houses, plant vineyards, eat from the tree of life, and see Eden restored with the river of life from God's throne and beautiful trees of Paradise. His ransom through laying aside his royal state, taking humanity, dying and suffering makes possible this promised life with him measuring with the life of God, opening the way to God's throne to be with him and behold his glory.

The mansions above are the higher school while this world is the educating school to prepare to graduate there. He will take the faithful to that higher school when he comes soon in the clouds with power and great glory to receive them to himself. Those taught by him here will carry divine attainments with them, for growth continues in heaven and character formed here is the only treasure taken, making development of Christlike character essential. Those who learn from him and faithfully develop abilities here will continue education through eternity and be welcomed to a higher grade. There too those who labored humbly and meekly to the best of ability to help souls come to him will realize joy, as souls saved through prayers, tears, entreaties, opening the word and arresting them on ruin's brink express gratitude, while he is glorified as the only Redeemer.

In the home he prepares God puts up no walls of partition and there are no lines of distinction between white and colored believers and no preservation of earthly rank, caste or aristocracy. It is for rich and poor together with no privileged few having preference, and to read into it special mansions for higher nobility or earthly rank, distinction, aristocracy and selfish ease is to read by false light and imagine a heaven of one's own, barring entrance unless repented of with childlike humility. Men built racial barriers that may require separate houses of worship now, but those barriers will not exist there, and believers of every church must now seek preparation for future life in the earth made new. National prejudices and divisions must give way to unity in him as one great family, perfected in character and shaped by him.

There the saved remain with him, share heaven's light and glory, praise with angels, fellowship with overcomers who formed perfect characters through divine aid, and meet and recognize one another never to part. It includes reunion with loved ones and with those who obey the truth, united as one great family, with hope that families separated by death be reunited never to separate again, conditioned on loving and obeying him. Those who enter are true, pure and obedient to his words, and readiness is cultivated through practical religion and love. The Bible has been given to point out the way to this glorious home of bliss and prepare the soul for it, and beholding nature's beauties leads the mind to think of its glories with joy unspeakable.

The fulfillment of God preparing mansions is near on the very borders of the eternal world. The end of the thousand generations mentioned in Deuteronomy is connected with reaching those mansions. Poor fallen beings cannot enter as they are, but God gives moral power by inward grace transforming character to fit them for those mansions, for his presence, for companionship with angels and communion with God, and to walk with him in the earth made new.

Going and Interceding Now

His going away is not a final or permanent separation, but is for the benefit of the disciples, for He goes to the Father and to the Father's house to go on working earnestly for them and cooperating with the Father in their behalf, and that going makes it possible to prepare a home for them. The promise that after going to prepare a place He will come again and receive them to Himself so that where He is they may be also gave hope and courage as He prepared them for separation, persecution, imprisonment, death and scattering, assuring them that separation would not be forever and that they were not left alone but had His presence and support as they carried on His work in a world of evil. His path to the Father through suffering and temptation made salvation and acceptance with God possible, and though no longer present in person He remains with them through the Holy Spirit as Friend and Saviour still identified with humanity.

His going is going to the Father, where He now intercedes for believers, with the threshold of heaven flushed with the glory of God shining on every soul opened heavenward. As the prayers of sincere and contrite ones ascend He says to the Father that He will take their sins and let them stand innocent, and as He takes their sins He fills their hearts with the glorious light of truth and love. The One who died to show His love and rose and ascended now stands before the Father as Advocate, bringing joy over fallen ones who recover. His voice echoes back from the clouds at the ascension to keep troubled hearts from fear and to call sinners who need a Saviour and Redeemer to believe in God and believe in Him, and John's message on Patmos proclaimed that the risen Saviour was interceding for His people in heaven and would return to receive them to Himself.

The promise is grounded in His resurrection and ascension, and after them the angels' assurance that the same Jesus would come again confirmed it and filled the disciples with joy. Having ascended to heaven as a man and sitting at God's right hand He prepares a place for those who love Him, and His return with power and glory to receive His children to Himself makes it possible for them to be where He is. His return is the hope set before believers, recalled after He rose from the dead and ascended to heaven.

While He is in heaven building mansions and interceding He has not forgotten them but ascends to God's presence and sends the Holy Spirit to assure them while they wait for His return. He now stands by the Father's throne to help those who sincerely seek strength to overcome and do God's will, and His unseen presence gives companionship and help as they follow Him. His ascension made heaven real and personal to the disciples because Jesus is there, giving them confidence that He would receive them to Himself to their future home where their loving Redeemer prepares a place, while His church on earth is to show His life and character.

After ascending He acts as Advocate and prepares mansions, and gives all who believe in Him entrance into the city of God where He has gone, and His return and reception of them fulfills that they will be where He is. Half a century after the ascension He still loved His people and revealed God's plans for the future to John. This promise is connected with the invitation to the marriage feast and the marriage supper of the Lamb, which those who accept may enter to share His presence, but only those who are ready, clothed in meekness, humility, truth and His righteousness.

The promise comforts the disciples as they prepare for His departure to think of Him as the living glorified Saviour rather than associate Him with the tomb. The Holy Spirit directs the sinner's mind to the hope of the heavenly mansions for those who love Him, and those who share His sufferings will share His glory. His prayer for His disciples that they would be with Him where He is shows His desire for this fellowship, and He also prays for His followers now, living to intercede for them. When people draw near to God He responds by drawing near to them, and Jesus advances toward every person who takes a step toward Him.

Coming Again in Glory

The promise is of a personal, glorious second coming taught by Christ himself, when the same Jesus who lived with the disciples and ascended in human form will really come again in the future. It is a very old doctrine with no taint of heresy, not a spiritual event, not fulfilled at the destruction of Jerusalem and not fulfilled at death. It does not promise that the disciples would soon come to him at death, but that after preparing a place he would return, when the dead in Christ are raised and living believers are gathered with them to be with the Lord forever.

At that coming he returns to earth in kingly power in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, in his own glory and his Father's glory, escorted by the heavenly host of angels, greater than the coming of any earthly sovereign. He comes after completing his work in the most holy place and receiving the kingdom from his Father. The same Jesus who went up to heaven will come again, and his ascension provides the link to this promise.

He will soon appear personally in the clouds with power and great glory to take to himself those who have received him and during this life have followed in his footsteps, trodding this earth as he did to bring light and life and freedom from bondage to sin. His coming is to be anxiously awaited with the armor on, being all that the name Christian signifies, living in habitual communion abiding in him, trusting in the power of his atonement and waiting in hope. His people will see him with their own eyes, and his return is a wonderful truth to be believed and welcomed with joy as the disciples welcomed it after his ascension.

His coming will be soon and near in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory to receive to himself the faithful who are tried and proved, who have perfected Christian character and followed him during this life. Those who refuse light and do not purify souls through obedience to truth will lose eternal life, while those who receive and acknowledge Christ may share the life he provided free from pain, suffering and sin. This soon coming is solemn, important truth calling believers to a much higher standard, with the very best instruction free from error and corrupting influences.

At that coming he brings the dead from their graves in the first resurrection to be caught up to meet the Lord in the air and enter the city of God through gates opened wide, welcoming those who loved and waited for him into the kingdom prepared for them. Those who loved and waited for him will receive glory, honor, immortality and incorruption, the righteous dead rising and the living caught up with them to meet the Lord. His coming brings salvation to the righteous and judgment on the wicked, and is presented as foundation of truth and reason for praise, pressing the question how it is with the soul, whether enduring proving and drawing nearer to Jesus.

At his return he will be welcomed and seen in glory with the hope to be with him forever, and his coming brings restoration of all things, ends evil's long rule, establishes the peaceful Messianic kingdom, and comforts sufferers and mourners. At the last trumpet the righteous dead will rise to life and be taken to the mansions prepared for them, and the living will join them to meet the Lord and remain with him forever.

The exact day and hour have not been revealed, but its nearness can be known by signs in the sun, moon and stars and by distress among nations, ending with the Son of man coming in the clouds with power and great glory to gather his elect. That coming is near, even at the door, with foretold signs being fulfilled in wars and rumors of wars, troublous times and increasing wickedness. It is certain even when it seems delayed, giving the faithful hope as they await the Lord and the new heavens and new earth.

The promise to come again and gather his people remains sure though more than eighteen hundred years have passed and the sleeping saints have not yet been called from their graves; it will be fulfilled in God's own time, when he will gather the redeemed, bring them home and end their sorrow, and his return is near. Waiting believers expected him to come and receive them, and their disappointment came when the time they expected had passed and he had not come.

The return will be an occasion of great joy, joyful longing and hopeful anticipation rather than a dreaded calamity, central to the gospel the disciples were to preach and the hope for which they were to wait patiently and work. His ascension was to prepare mansions for his obedient children, and his return escorted by the heavenly host is cause for longing. At that return he will stand again upon the Mount of Olives while Hebrew halleluiahs mingle with Gentile hosannas and myriads unite in acclaiming him Lord of all.

He will come again to receive his people to himself, giving them a place in the home prepared for those who love him; he will gather his faithful people to himself and welcome them when his work on earth is finished. Those ready for that place have washed their characters in the cleansing fountain of the Lamb's blood. His promised return is part of the saving message presented alongside his death, resurrection and work as Advocate, as a revelation of God's power and wisdom that wins hearts to love him. He will soon come again to gather his jewels to himself, so believers must be getting ready now to move; those faithful on earth will then dwell forever in the beautiful home above where they will never again be tempted or tried by the enemy.

His promised return is the basis for the hope of his second coming, awaited as a return in power and great glory in the clouds of heaven, giving scriptural ground for believing he will return to this world and for expecting his advent to be nigh, even at the door, as shown by the signs of the times. Jesus himself holds and proclaims the hope of his second coming, and his followers are identified as Second Adventists awaiting that return. His coming is the day of the Lord for which people must prepare by forming holy characters and meeting him in peace, with all heaven engaged in preparing the place for true believers. Faith looks beyond present burdens to that future place prepared for those who love him, and gives assurance that present perplexities will be made plain.

Life With Him Forever

The promise looks to the completion of union with Christ, that he will receive his own to himself to be with him through all eternity, a union that already begins in this life so that all who share his life possess eternal life even though they die, for he will raise them at the last day. It looks to dwelling with God forever, where those who stay loyal will at last see his face and know him as Father, and the happiness of heaven is that personal fellowship with God, understood only in part until conflict ends and the faithful are acknowledged before the Father and what is now mysterious is made plain. To be where he is is rest from earth's conflict in heaven, and heaven would not be heaven to those who love him if he were not there, for he has gone to prepare a place for those he died to save and they are to fit character for life with him and the angels. That coming again to receive followers to himself so they may be where he is gives hope to strangers and pilgrims watching in the world, and is the reason to look forward to his return and stay steadfast in that hope. It belongs to eternal life and reward that lead to surrender to God, faithfulness under trial, surrender of worldly gain, and diligent life now with mind and heart applied in view of everlasting life, joined to hope of a heavenly country and the city God has prepared.

The life with him thus promised measures with the life of God, fulfilled in being with Christ and beholding his glory in the Father's house he prepares. It was made possible by his ransom, laying aside his royal state and taking humanity and dying, opening by his sufferings the way to God's throne, and the promise concerning the Father's house is trustworthy because he gave his life. The Father has covenanted with Christ to receive repentant and obedient people and to love them as his own Son, so where the Redeemer is there the redeemed will be. Before taking his glory and royal robe he pleads for his church to be justified and accepted before the heavenly universe, identifying his interests with theirs and advocating their blood-bought rights and titles, that they may share his glory and those who suffer with him on earth may reign with him in his kingdom. Those who die with him will live with him, and after passing through suffering and death as he did they will dwell where he is.

That receiving to dwell with him forever gives courage to face death, for the faithful may become overcomers and live with him in heaven among the mansions of his kingdom. His path of suffering and temptation to the Father made salvation and acceptance possible, and he now stands by the Father's throne to help all who sincerely seek strength to overcome and do God's will. His life and death provide the way back to allegiance to God and to eternal life, so that those who accept him by faith may share the life he has prepared and become members of the royal family. His death ransoms many and makes it possible for fallen people to be restored to favor and enjoy heaven, and Satan and sinners will be destroyed never again to disturb heaven or the purified new earth, while the Father gives him an everlasting kingdom.

He left the eternal throne to prepare mansions and offers immortal life there to all who accept him, bringing comfort in affliction, suffering and death because he brightened the tomb and brought life and immortality to light. As Lifegiver he will come again in power and great glory and break the fetters of the tomb, restoring the race to the Eden home to live a life parallel with the life of God, so to turn from this offer for earthly treasure is to neglect so great salvation. By loving choice he left heaven, became a servant, and suffered and died, making it possible to follow his example and at last dwell with him, so that those who love and serve him after he came to a sinful world where he was rejected and killed will have a home with him. While in heaven interceding, his church on earth is to show his life and character as they await his return to take them to the homes prepared. By that sacrifice he provided a home for the sinful rebellious race who turn to him, a gift not all accept or appreciate, yet even the most sinful can be made fit by cleansing through faith in his blood, sanctification through obedience to truth, and glorification by God's power.

After the long wait his people will reach the promised home, sure and soon fulfilled, where he will explain painful events and dark providences through which he led them to perfect character. There he leads them beside the living stream flowing from God's throne, and they see on every hand the beautiful trees of Paradise with the tree of life in the midst, behold with undimmed vision Eden restored, cast at the Redeemer's feet the crowns he placed on their heads, and with golden harps offer praise and thanksgiving to him on the throne. The promise points to future life in his presence where the redeemed gather in the sanctuary to praise and thank God and the Lamb, and gathering in God's house on earth to cultivate perfect love prepares for that fellowship. When the redeemed live with God, Christ and angels in Eden restored, walking and talking with them in his visible presence, the spirit of prophecy will no longer be needed, remembered then as one of heaven's choicest blessings of the past.

There the redeemed will be welcomed to live with him free from sin and imperfection, sharing the dignity and privileges of angels and reflecting the beauty of his character. The good and holy taken at his soon coming will live in heaven among pure holy angels, wear crowns of gold and eat from the tree of life, and entering that home is linked to living in the Lord and walking with God now. The verse presents the reward of the faithful and their heavenly inheritance, receiving the kingdom and heaven's unbounded riches with fullness of joy in his presence, given to those who believe with faith working by love and purifying the soul, who obey and honor God's principles and persevere as overcomers to eternal life. The home above is the hope set before the sick and sin-troubled, the hope of being continually in his presence in the kingdom he prepares.

The verse gives hope of meeting loved ones again in the prepared home even when parted in this life, and hope beyond this passing world whether life is long or short of seeing Jesus and joining triumphant saints in praise. Those who die with him will live with him and be with him forever, because he passed through death before them. His return to take the redeemed to their eternal home will bring the long-awaited joy of seeing him and being welcomed by him, calling believers to remain ready, cheerful, steadfast, waiting and watching, longing for and rejoicing in seeing him. His coming is eagerly awaited, readiness brings joy, and when he comes sin and temptation will end and his people will enjoy lasting sanctification.

Who Will Enter There

The mansions are prepared for obedient children who love, believe in, follow and faithfully serve him, and he will return to take them to himself with joy and longing anticipation rather than dread, standing again upon the Mount of Olives amid mingled Hebrew halleluiahs and Gentile hosannas acclaiming him Lord of all. Those persisting in doubt, unbelief and rebellion are unworthy to possess them, as Israel's wilderness generation failed through unbelief, and wasting God-given life leaves no place there. In view of the nearness of the end earnest effort must be made to become worthy.

They are for those who love him and keep his commandments and words, true, pure, obedient, pure in heart and life and perfected in character through his grace and righteousness, since nothing defiling can enter. Heaven is free from all sin, defilement and impurity, and those who dwell with him there are good, holy, honest and pure, with sexual impurity unfitting a person to enter. Readiness is cultivated by practical religion and love, by putting away objectionable traits, representing his character, being disciplined by the Holy Spirit in courtesy, gentleness, patience, meekness and forbearance, being faithful, blessing others and patient in well-doing rather than taken up with pleasure and amusement or persistent discord and complaining. At his coming he will crown such with glory, honor and immortality.

Only those identified with him in this world by loving him, keeping his words and enjoying his and the Father's abiding presence in the heart will be identified as his saints in those mansions. Faithful servants may have title to them now, a title better than all worldly friendship and praise and better than title to the noblest earthly palace. To make ready people must wash robes of character white in the Lamb's blood, be sanctified body, soul and spirit through truth, receive the crucified and risen Saviour as regenerator, know him here and show the power of his life, keeping unspotted from the world in the great day of intercession and not joining hands with it.

The prepared place is for those who love God and keep his commandments, for obedient followers who believe the truth and walk the narrow path, and those who by faith take God at his word have a clear title to the immortal inheritance that will never be questioned, entering the kingdom by faith now and holding fast to possess it forever. Living in unity and love prepares believers for that home. He has gone to prepare a heavenly home for those who become one with him, and believers who receive him as Saviour, trust his words, obey his kingdom's laws and reflect his character will inherit the kingdom and at last be with him, for union with him here is necessary for being with him hereafter. Being with him in the future requires knowing him in this life and living in union with him with him dwelling within.

He prepares an abiding dwelling with himself for those who obey his Word, and his promise of being with them is experienced even now through continual nearness and unbroken communion, not only during prayer, purifying lives and making them co-workers in daily duties. He has gone to prepare a home for those who love him and keep his commandments and has made a home ready for those who obey, and the present life is the only opportunity to prepare by putting on his righteousness and forming a fit character, with no future probation. His unseen presence gives companionship and help as they follow him. Those sanctified through truth who love him and keep his commandments will belong to the royal family in those mansions, where the obedient will inherit and live with him.

The future home is for those who sanctify souls by obedience to truth, love him, keep his commandments and statutes, do God's words and receive truth into the soul so it sanctifies character and helps overcome defects and sinful habits. Entrance is abundant for those who do God's words, and this life is the time to become obedient subjects by obeying his statutes and laws and keeping the rules he laid down, with character shaped by keeping commandments and adding virtue and grace. His soon return is for those tried and proved, while those who refuse light and do not purify souls through obedience to truth will lose eternal life, and those who receive and acknowledge him may share the life he provided free from pain, suffering and sin.

Those ready have washed characters in the cleansing fountain of the Lamb's blood, and God grants them a place among those prepared for him. Poor fallen beings cannot enter as they are, but God gives moral power by inward grace that transforms character and makes them fit for those mansions, for God's presence, for companionship with angels and communion with God, and to walk with Jesus in the earth made new. Admission requires a thoroughly purified life with meekness, humility and the graces of Christ revealed, cleansing from all filthiness of flesh and spirit and putting away everything that defiles. Those who crucify self and live for him will receive a place, with character made like his, requiring moral excellence and righteousness, and those refusing cleansing are not ready and must prepare to meet God in peace.

Those who enter must be pure inwardly and outwardly because nothing defiling can enter. These homes are valued by the redeemed whose hearts were made fit through inward grace, and heaven's happiness does not depend on crowns, white linen, palms or harps but on purity, innocence and character conformed to him, for perfect bliss belongs where he reigns. The mansions above are with the Father where believers must stand spotless, and readiness comes by receiving the robe of his righteousness, with those responding to light seeing themselves as transgressors, seeing condemnation erased and names recorded in the book of life. He will take his chosen ones who are ready to be with him in his kingdom forever, while hearts filled with vanity and conceit giving self first place will be left, for outward dress and human estimation count for nothing and readiness means being dead to self with life hid with him in God.

The way to be where he is is to deny self, take up the cross, obey and follow in his footsteps, connecting the path he traveled with the place he prepares. Following the meek and lowly Saviour and his example of consecration, self-denial and self-sacrifice fits people for those mansions, and those who share his sufferings will share his glory. He will return in power and great glory to receive those who followed in his footsteps during this life. The eternal heavenly reward he has gone to prepare is the blood-bought inheritance for the family above, entrusted only to those who deny self, take up the cross and follow him with spirit controlled by his love.

Fitness to share it is tested during this probationary life to prove whether character is according to the divine Pattern and whether a person would repeat Satan's course. The selfish and grasping eager for pay, esteem, highest positions and highest pay bind God's work and have their reward now and cannot be counted worthy, pronounced by heaven disqualified for trust above, while those manifesting his self-sacrificing spirit, actuated in service by his love, drinking his cup and baptized with his baptism, will share the Redeemer's glory. The reward is great and prepared for every overcomer faithful to trust, with right to the tree of life and the immortal inheritance, and a title better than title to the noblest earthly palace.

No self-sufficient soul will be admitted into the mansions prepared for the righteous. Those who refuse light and do not purify souls through obedience to truth will lose eternal life, while those who receive him may share the life he provided. The mansions are not for selfish people who spend entrusted means only on themselves or to glorify self. Using possessions to serve God, help others and win souls is part of following him and seeking eternal riches, in contrast to spending for self, and mere profession, self-indulgence and covetous spending cause loss with no place for selfish souls. Property is a talent lent to test fitness for citizenship in the better heavenly country, and only those accepting his character, following him and doing good as he did will have a place there.

Those who work against one another in the home disqualify themselves unless they change, and mere profession is not enough, for people who follow their own standards instead of God's Word and refuse his righteousness do not know him as personal Saviour. The place is for those who cooperate with him, and separation from God develops character that keeps people from seeing the prepared mansions. Those with no desire to follow him will have no place there and will not be accepted as heirs and joint-heirs in the immortal inheritance in God's city. The prepared mansions are for the humble child of God, who will inherit lasting riches and glory and be received when he appears. Those pure and loving and obeying God's Word are heirs, shown fit by submitting to God and cooperating in restoring his image, with abundant entrance for those who do God's words.

The home is open to all including the most sinful, needy, oppressed and despised, who may find access to the Father and a place there through him. Those who believe truth and choose the narrow path of obedience accepting the cross secure the mansions and eternal life, while those who reject truth for selfish desires or worldly advancement or turn to indulge evil lose that life and will not reach heaven. Securing a place with him is bound up with gaining a life parallel with the life of Jehovah. The place with him is secured on conditions of repentance, faith, humility, love for God and others, and a changed life shaped by his teachings through transforming mercy changing heart then conduct, requiring genuine heart reformation and new birth, for without a heart made right with God none are prepared to enter the celestial city.

People may receive the home by choosing him and obeying him, made possible by his sacrifice, which gives opportunity to become co-workers, have God's moral image restored and receive eternal life. A place in the kingdom of glory is promised for everyone who believes, which he is preparing and to which he will come again to receive them, and his promised return is near. A place is promised for the true and obedient, pointing to the heavenly inheritance for those who love him and keep his commandments and to the eternal home promised to those reconciled to God beyond this brief troubled life, where the Bible shows how to share the habitations of the blessed and anchors hopes and affections there. Childhood training in duty and useful work helps prepare for that place.

Preparing Now and Living Hope

The promise is personal and leaves no room for indifference, calling each person to consider that the preparation is being made for them and, while mansions are being made ready, to get heart and character ready and fitted for those mansions. Sharing those mansions requires preparing now in this short probationary time granted at the cost of his life, by washing robes white in the Lamb's blood, making the kingdom first, reform and conversion, keeping his commandments, exemplifying his life, being faithful witnesses, persevering as overcomers, loving and imitating him, denying self, purification through obedience to truth, and turning from things seen to things unseen. Forming a Christlike character is the preparation for entering the mansions he has gone to prepare, and fitness grows by laying hold of his righteousness, following his example, growing into his likeness, fixing eyes on him and being changed into his image, since people cannot fit themselves because Jesus supplies power, grace and the Holy Spirit.

Readiness requires surrendering will and way to God, guarding habits because actions form habits and habits form character, living in readiness, holding to eternal realities, learning from Jesus, seeking things above and keeping the mind on imperishable riches so worldly things become secondary and pleasure does not distract. Sharing the inheritance requires following his self-denial and self-sacrifice for others' good, since he left heaven, took humanity, became poor and gave up his heavenly home to save humanity, and overcomers follow by willing sacrifice in caring for, welcoming and sheltering his saints in need. Believers are now to prepare their characters for translation by abiding in the Saviour, learning to come to him, trust him and find rest in his love, and his unseen presence gives companionship as they follow him, so those hoping to live with Jesus must learn to come, trust and rest in his love.

Those being fitted for heaven through Christian character will belong to God's family and the royal family in that home, and character must be shaped after God's likeness, made complete in Christ and perfected by submitting to God's training, developing heavenly graces and putting away unkind traits. To be welcomed there requires forming such character in this life by constantly exercising faith, with destiny decided by personal course, and character is developed through discipline of little things and grace of Christ, endangered by misapprehending God's claims and neglecting great truths in little things. Christ is preparing a dwelling for those who love him, and believers are now being fitted by his education and divine improvement, forming the character needed to live in the mansions he prepares.

Christ has gone to prepare a dwelling for the redeemed, and they must form the character needed to live there, so believers are to prepare for the mansions he has prepared and prepare their characters for translation. Fitness for that home is worked in this life through right training in sweetness of temper, kindness, faithfulness, self-denial and gratitude, living to God's glory, and true religion elevates, refines taste and sanctifies judgment, making a person ready for angels' society. Preparation is an individual responsibility for which each person must make sure of a Christian character, and no one can ransom another, though Christ paid redemption's price, so those who refuse its benefits justly face consequences.

There is a home in heaven among pure holy angels, for which each person must prepare by making sure of a Christian character, and being fit means being prepared for his coming and formed through God's discipline and grace. Christ's grace must form a meek and quiet spirit to fit a person for the mansions, for heaven's peace will not be spoiled by selfishness, roughness or unkindness, so the self-exalted must be changed to be meek, humble and childlike, separate from the world and marked by courtesy, gentleness, patience and forbearance. Glimpses of the home cheer those being made fit through sanctification and formation in his character by loving and obeying his word, and the mansions are for the pure where the redeemed will meet never to part.

The elements of the heavenly home of love, pity, tenderness, courtesy and politeness take possession of the true seeker as the word is planted by the Holy Spirit, and forming a Christlike character during probation after his example of humble obedience, distinct from the world, is preparation for that inheritance with no sin, sorrow, sickness or death. Those truly journeying there will have the spirit of heaven in hearts now, finding pleasure in heavenly things, seeking knowledge of God, delighting to behold his character, aiming at conformity to God's will and loving to talk of God, Jesus and the prepared home, and without that present pleasure hope is vain. The path of faith and of following Jesus in obedience, meekness and self-denial leads to the prepared place, and the Christian home shaped by his life, covenant faithfulness, bringing eternal realities into daily life and learning at his feet prepares people to move there.

Following his footsteps prepares them for that home, for he is their nearest friend and counsellor and happiness is complete in him, and through God's grace people should prepare to be with him there. Seeing the beautiful mansions as future reward is connected with perseverance and full obedience, seeking heavenly things, denying self, refusing faultfinding, living to please Christ, hastening to prepare by claiming promises, dedicating life and improving opportunities. Sharing eternal life with him in the heavenly mansions is the prize that encourages perseverance in the spiritual contest, and the faithful who overcome will receive indescribable glory by persevering in duty and growing in faith and love.

The verse calls for preparing now by consecrating heart and life to God, following, serving and honoring him, with the promise that those who persevere will be welcomed into God's kingdom and receive eternal life. People are to prepare for their heavenly home by putting on his righteousness and proclaiming his warning message while there is still time, and belief in his coming calls people to prepare by living purely, cleanly and holily here, so they will be at home when called to it. The promise directs humble seekers to eternal life rather than speculative questions, with light given to make the way clear so none need wander from holiness, and the Bible is to be studied because it shows how to prepare and its truths lead people to recognize need to prepare.

The verse stands in the call to keep God's commandments and in instruction expressing God's will whose lived practice cures dissension and produces unity and strength to stand the test, as part of teaching on conditions of acceptance containing duties that cannot be neglected, and as a promise calling for practical faith. In view of the nearness of the end believers are urged to strive earnestly to become worthy, and meeting trials in his grace fits them for that home, while dwelling there is connected with coming to him, trusting him and finding peace and rest through testing trials, and God prepares family members on earth to take possession. His promised return is near, so believers should keep eternity in view and prepare for life with God, and this life is the time to become obedient subjects by obeying his statutes and keeping the rules he laid down, while those who make God first and last and best have Jesus preparing a home of fellowship with angels.

Followers are to get ready to leave this world for that better country to live with him, making it urgent to resist distractions and prepare for eternity, and living in this world to purpose decides a share, for Christians are strangers stopping only for a night because life is probation and a vapor. Earth is not the saints' permanent home, and hope of the heavenly home from which they will never be driven sustained the faithful in persecution when they abandoned earthly homes, while earthly homes will be destroyed by earthquake and believers as pilgrims should set minds on that hope. Beholding and talking about the mansions enables believers to live in the world without being of it as pilgrims seeking the city whose builder is God, looking through winter to summer, forgetting annoyances and bringing the atmosphere and joy of the better country.

The mansions are heavenly attractions to fix eyes upon in order not to be misled by praise of men and tempting inducements from men of the world, and to come off conqueror through grace over pride during probation, for the verse calls people to prepare for heaven rather than choose brief earthly pleasures. The promise directs believers away from earthly concerns toward eternal joys, keeps heaven in view, counters letting the world absorb the heart, and directs them to keep in view future life and the higher school to which the faithful will be transferred. The promise is to be kept before the mind to turn affections from earthly objects, houses, lands and enterprises that absorb love, keeping worldly things secondary, studying waymarks because history is near its close, praying to be prepared for the great day, trusting him and rejoicing in soon being with Jesus.

The verse calls believers not to be discouraged but to keep his coming in view and prepare now to meet him in peace and be ready by accepting him, putting away sin and living as pilgrims on an opportunity bought at infinite price, so when he comes they can say this is our God for whom we waited. Believers prepare by living in harmony with him and keeping hearts free from what displeases God, and faithfulness in daily duties is part of preparation, while the promised land is a place where people will have work to do, so doing God-given work now is preparation. No one can afford to forfeit a place there, and securing it requires earnest service, moving a day's march nearer home each night, and self-denial including giving offerings and effort to hasten proclamation in cities that have not heard, in return for Christ giving his life.

The verse means present money and entrusted means should not be wasted on outward show, speculation in houses and lands and buildings that do not glorify God, but be put into circulation to carry the gospel so they make provision for the eternal home, and the promise belongs with the kingdom prepared for those who serve others as they would serve Christ. Life on earth is preparation in which people are to use entrusted abilities and possessions in God's service and must account for them at his coming, and those who expect his care are to become friends to the friendless, care for orphans, aid widows and help others tangibly. His gift of his life makes that hope of a home with him possible, and the promise gives reason to obey his command to lay up treasure in heaven rather than on earth, and it is the hope set before those sick or troubled by sins, giving lasting hope beyond worldly gain for obedient children who will receive an immortal inheritance through active good works.

During his absence believers may work with him as co-laborers in preparing people and rescuing souls to enter those homes, and each person's appointed work where they cooperate in saving souls is as certain as the place prepared, with wholehearted zeal leading to eternal life, while followers honor him by faithfully doing entrusted work while waiting and watching. Faithful work in his service helps prepare people to dwell in the mansions in God's city, and preparing people physically and spiritually for that coming is a work to be done before it, including making room for him in homes, schools and worship, while sanitariums are to carry Bible truth to bring reform and preparation. The worship and fellowship cultivated on earth prepare people to live in those mansions and join the redeemed in worshiping God and the Lamb, and remembering the promised home should turn thoughts toward Jesus and redemption rather than worldly customs, while gathering in God's house to cultivate perfect love prepares for that fellowship.

Believers share one future home where brethren will meet together, so physicians and fellow Christians should now labor together in love and unity with no envy, jealousy, enmity, distrust or variance, strengthening one another in preparation for meeting there. The promise sets the goal of education that prepares youth for life with him, calls parents and children to make him dependence and prepare for immortal life, and connects his return with obedience to all commandments, and this soon coming is solemn truth requiring a much higher standard, the very best instruction with the Lord presiding in schools, taught to children through growing faith. Undue devotion to worldly business and setting affections on earthly things robs parents and children of a place, so fathers and mothers must train children for God as work more important than earthly gain, keeping the hope before children as they are prepared, while parents also grow in character.

The earthly family home is to be made as far as possible a model of the heavenly home so children associate the home below with the home above, and when Christ dwells in husband and wife they cultivate love, confidence and unity and strive together for the home he prepared. Families are now to fit up for those mansions by making the home a consecrated little church and the pleasantest place possible, a little heaven to go to heaven in where Christ dwells with peace instead of strife, and parents must not be absorbed in worldly things or leave children to follow their own mind but educate them with Christ's power, training with kindness, wisdom and patience. Parents help children prepare by raising them to be unselfish, truthful, kind and tenderhearted, training them to fulfill God's purpose, honor Christ and learn from him, teaching Christlike lives so they are prepared to enter the redeemed family, and to be ready children must put away every fault because they love Jesus, speak kind words, do right deeds and form approved characters.

Loving, patient, wise training of children and faithful work in the home fitting them for heaven prepares them for those mansions, and childhood training in duty, useful work, kindness, patience and thoughtfulness, faithful home training and education in Christ's school prepare them for the family above, so that a faithful mother may see her children serving God through eternity. Parents are to prepare themselves and their children for the Lord's home forever, using limited time to serve God, and keeping the home pleasant and training children in truth are part of preparing, so in light of his coming parents and children should use time to serve God and prepare. The earthly home is the training school and the child's first school where the most important lessons for the heavenly home are learned, and parents must give that early education priority over everything else, allowing no pettishness and teaching kindness, patience and thoughtfulness, thus fitting them for higher ministry.

That home is for faithful parents and children to dwell together as united families sharing the reward, and it is to be shared by the believer and his family together, with children becoming members of the Lord's family, where families united with God will continue learning about him. The promise calls those hoping for heaven to imitate him by welcoming and caring for needy children to prepare them for usefulness and heaven, since refusing them refuses Christ and selfish living forfeits the home, and it directs preachers to turn attention beyond earthly treasure to the place he prepares. The promise gives hope of a home to the aged nearing death, so when earthly life ends they can die rejoicing knowing he will call them from the grave, and in old age those in life's decline must more earnestly seek things above and fit themselves so as not to fail, while the prospect of sudden death makes the hope a reason to examine spiritual life and return to Jesus.

The verse is a source of consolation, joy, peace and hope for the righteous, especially in loneliness, sorrow, separation, trials and conflict, with hope of eternal life centering on his return, filling disciples with joy, giving courage to stand fast in the most trying hour and strengthening troubled hearts with assurance they will see him soon. The verse was given to comfort troubled, sorrowful hearts before his suffering, death and separation, to keep them from fear, trouble and hopeless discouragement in view of his absence, suffering, death and scattering, giving comfort, peace, hope, light amid darkness, courage, joy and confidence, to be remembered, reviewed, rejoiced in and believed. The verse comforts every sorrowing believer with assurance they are not left alone, cast off or forgotten, and not left comfortless, inviting them to trust him, bring cares and be free from doubt about his love, and assures that earthly loss does not leave followers without hope, joined to assurance that though the world no longer sees him his disciples see him and because he lives they live also.

The verse by itself is assurance enough that relation to him does not end with what they see in a few days, so instead of sorrowing they should rejoice because he goes to prepare a place, giving them a right to be there and a right to be in the Father's presence as ground for comfort. Believing in him means living faith in a personal Saviour who can ransom from sin and desires sacred relationship, and growth requires coming as they are trusting him for pardon and power to make and keep them pure, holy and obedient. Faith takes God at his word and trusts the promise even when one does not feel uplifted, together with faithfully doing the work God asks, and those becoming members of the royal family are being tested in present conflict while God prepares members to take possession.

This life is a proving time to see if people will render obedience with love and reverence, and the Lord seeks to fit them for the mansions, for those who would not obey here would not obey in the eternal world. The promise gives ground for abiding trust as great sacred truth, to abound with gratitude breaking forth in praise uniting with the heavenly host, which even poor, unbelieving, sinful souls should appreciate, and it feeds faith so that when presented on the Sabbath it brings blessing, refreshes the soul and leads to cheerful testimony, calling believers to trust by faith, keep the Saviour in view and exercise faith with gratitude in all suffering and old age. Anticipating those mansions by faith elevates the sinking soul, lightens every burden and relieves weariness, and keeping the promised home in view helps believers rise above trials and live with trust and hope, while the promise gives faithful workers assurance to look beyond earthly life.

There is a heaven where the weary will be at rest, and the promise lifts the mind in cares to grateful praise, giving a cheering prospect of joy against darkness, calling for fixed trust and consecration, and giving reason for gladness rather than dwelling on imperfections. The verse points to the lasting joy of the eternal home where Christ dwells and the rewards of obedience, set against short-lived amusements, and obtaining that home is a hope concerning future immortal life, which believers hope to receive when work is ended. The promise gives children a reason to desire to prepare for life with him, and the verse urges forgiveness and obedience now so that reunion in heaven is possible, while it belongs together with the truth of his coming and the Sabbath, giving triumph, happiness and thanksgiving even in dying.

Christ is preparing a rich and glorious kingdom as a home, calling for gratitude and praise and refusal to slight mercy or prefer ungodly company to fellowship with those who love and serve him, and those who put God first are refined and fitted for life in that home and for angels' society. The home is the society of heaven, and Jesus fits people for it by elevating and refining character, while the future home and everlasting reward are connected with salvation through his sacrifice and merits and with being exalted to his throne through obedience. The promise gives reason to prepare, and the Holy Spirit changes hearts so they may be reformed and no longer serve as instruments opposing his work, for the verse points to mansions and the need to prepare for his kingdom.

The verse is to be proclaimed by ministers alongside his life, death, resurrection, ascension and intercession as a central completing truth that fills minds and is presented with love, and together with the binding claims of God's law it is decided truth that moves hearts, brings his presence, draws outsiders and leads sinners and backsliders to return and serve him. The verse is to be opened and read in trouble, repeated often as a remedy for disappointment and affliction, read at family worship so children's minds comprehend it, kept prominent in teaching children, believed as God's word that will not leave his people comfortless, and used to honor and care for faithful aged workers. The verse means this world is not the only home, for he goes to prepare a place and will come again to take his own to live with him in his kingdom, which every soul should desire, so no one can afford mistakes now or crooked paths lest weak souls be led astray.

The verse holds out the hope of being continually in his presence in the kingdom he is preparing, and promises he will receive his people in the heavenly home he prepared, while his return is the blessed hope for which his people wait and which they teach children through growing faith. The verse shows he has gone to prepare heavenly mansions for his children and will receive them, homes valued because hearts were made fit through inward grace, and the verse shows he has gone to prepare a heavenly home for those who love him and will receive them to be with him, which home is the promised inheritance and lasting rest. The verse shows Christ prepares a home for those who love him where believers of every church must now seek preparation for the future life in the earth made new, and the verse points to future life with him for which preparation begins on earth by submitting to God's training.

The verse shows Christ has gone to prepare a place for those who believe in him, and their character is to be shaped by keeping God's commandments and adding virtue and grace. The Father in heaven will care for his people and finally take them to the home he prepared. His promised return is near to shape life and practice, cheering believers in gloom with a holy happy home where sorrow will never be known, and it is reason for gratitude and rejoicing in his soon appearing while waiting and hoping trusting his saving work. The verse gives the remnant hope of his return and longing to be with him forever, sustaining them through conflict and keeping them steadfast against Satan's efforts to discourage them.

The place he prepares is their future home where mansions are being prepared by their loving Redeemer, and the verse points to the home of the Lord forever. The verse points to a better home being prepared where the faithful will find peace and rest, and points to the heaven he is preparing for those who belong to him. The verse points to future life with Christ in the heavenly mansions, and the verse points to the home he has gone to prepare. The verse teaches Jesus has prepared heavenly homes and will gather them where they will meet and never part again, and promises those who obey truth will meet again in heaven where Christ is. The verse is connected with the immortal inheritance for those who become joint-heirs with him, for which fitness is shown by submitting to God and cooperating in restoring his image.