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| The Doubters - Many Mansions |
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A study I did last week on the many mansions. Traditionally it is taught or inferred we are going to heaven where there will be these beautiful mansions, kinda crazy as an immortal spirit being, would we need a house? I don't think so.
This study digs a little deeper into the real meaning of the many mansions Jesus spoke about.
Read the full text here John 14:1-31 (NKJV)
Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in Me.
Most people have an inherent belief in a supernatural existence of a god of sorts. History clearly shows us there are may gods and many beliefs. Granted Jesus is here still trying to convince His disciples and explaining the Kingdom principles.
We now have the bible and many of us are still confused or are not sure in spite of what may or may not have happened in our lives supernaturally.
Joh 14:2 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, so that where I am, you may be also.
Many mansions are seen by many as a preparation of mansions in heaven but this does not make sense. As spiritual beings and in a place where there is no day or night, why would we need a house of sorts?
Notice Jesus says there are many mansions, then he goes onto say I go to prepare. There is a declaration of something existing and then something requiring preparation. How does a house contain many mansions? It does not make sense in the literal so again here Jesus is speaking allegorically.
Something I never noticed before, I go to prepare and then And if I go and prepare. "IF" denotes conditionality in English but what is really meant here?
if G1437 εάν ean eh-an'
From G1487 and G302; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty: - before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-) soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, [who-] so (-ever). See G3361.
I did a word search on G1437, and the translation is not consistent, if is used many times and this is also used as except and when a few times. I do not know why "if" was used here as it clearly contradicts the previous statement so let's see if (pun intended) it will work with alternate words?
Joh 14:2 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Joh 14:3 And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, so that where I am, you may be also.
Two translations render this differently, the majority go with "if"
(CEV) After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together.
(GNB) And after I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to myself, so that you will be where I am.
I will come again. This is a declaration of intent. We traditionally "read into" I will come again and receive you to Myself, so that where I am, you may be also as Jesus being in heaven yet we miss the point of I will come again.
so that where I am, you may be also This is often missed. Notice the present tense in both statements. This then leads naturally to the next verse that is skimmed over.
Joh 14:4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.
This has a prophetic connotation to it, can you see it?
Obviously some did not even understand the allegory.
Joh 14:5 Thomas said to Him, Lord, we do not know where You go, and how can we know the way?
Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me.
We all quote the underlined bit many times, notice the blue bits.
Joh 14:7 If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also. And from now on you know Him and have seen Him.
The if here is the same Greek and known is;
G1097 γινώσκω ginōskō ghin-oce'-ko
A prolonged form of a primary verb; to "know" (absolutely), in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as shown at left, with others not thus clearly expressed): - allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) known (-ledge), perceive, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand.
Lets try that verse again.
Joh 14:7 When you understand Me, you will known [be aware of, feel] My Father also. And from now on you know Him and have seen Him.
Notice the change in tense, the green bits.
This obviously translates the traditional way as this dialogue is with Thomas, the one who put his hands in the wounds. Based on this the original translation stands but just changing the words slightly we get another layer.
Joh 14:8 Philip said to Him, Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.
WoW, talk about stupid in the sense of blindness and deafness. Just said it so nicely to Thomas, now Philip. Later on in Acts we read many works of Philip, strange he is the only one referred to as the evangelist.
Joh 14:9 Jesus said to him, Have I been with you such a long time and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father. And how do you say, Show us the Father?
Joh 14:10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in Me? The Words that I speak to you I do not speak of Myself, but the Father who dwells in Me, He does the works.
Joh 14:11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the very works themselves.
Joh 14:12 Truly, truly, I say to you, He who believes on Me, the works that I do he shall do also, and greater works than these he shall do, because I go to My Father.
Joh 14:13 And whatever you may ask in My name, that I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Joh 14:14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
Verses 12-14 are very prophetic in the dialogue with Philip, they also apply to us.
Joh 14:15 If you love Me, keep My commandments.
Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, so that He may be with you forever,
Joh 14:17 the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive because it does not see Him nor know Him. But you know Him, for He dwells with you and shall be in you.
This bolded piece is probably one of the strongest arguments we have wrt to the Father having to do the dragging. Why? Cannot receive....does not see Him....nor know Him. Our carnal nature does not seek out the things of God. Why does Jesus say cannot receive? Our eyes need to first be opened by the Father.
So it don't matter how good or how passionately you share the good news, unless the Father is in the equation, you are only able to sow seed. When one rejects the good news, who's good news is it? Yours? The Father's? When the Father does the drawing, it is a "done deal." All we are able to do is plant seed. Remember a seed must die? Wonder why that is? The true seed comes from the Father, that which dies or which must die is the chaff/tares we sow viz our interpretation/viewpoint.
Joh 14:18 I will not leave you orphans(3737). I will come(2064) to you.
G3737 ορφανός orphanos or-fan-os'
Of uncertain affinity; bereaved ("orphan"), that is, parentless: - comfortless, fatherless.
G2064 έρχομαι erchomai er'-khom-ahee
Middle voice of a primary verb (used only in the present and imperfect tenses, the others being supplied by a kindred [middle voice] word, ελεύθομαι eleuthomai or έλθω elthō; which do not otherwise occur); to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively): - accompany, appear, bring, come enter, fall out, go, grow, X light, X next, pass, resort, be set.
Joh 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless. I will enlighten you.
Joh 14:19 Yet a little while and the world does not see Me any more. But you see Me. Because I live, you shall live also.
I did a Strong's research on this verse and it is riddled with time.
Joh 14:19 Yet2089 a little while,3397 and the world does not see Me any more;2089 but you see me: because I live,2198 ye shall live2198 also.
G2089 έτι eti et'-ee
Perhaps akin to G2094; "yet", still (of time or degree): - after that, also, ever, (any) further, (t-) henceforth (more), hereafter, (any) longer, (any) more (-one), now, still, yet.
G3397 μικρόν mikron mik-ron'
Masculine or neuter singular of G3398 (as noun); a small space of time or degree: - a (little) (while).
G2198 ζάω zaō dzah'-o
A primary verb; to live (literally or figuratively): - life (-time), (a-) live (-ly), quick.
Joh 14:19 Now for a season the world does not see Me not yet. But you see Me. Because I live, you shall live also.
A slightly different rendition
Joh 14:20 At that day you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
Joh 14:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me. And he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will reveal Myself to him.
Joh 14:22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, Lord, how is it that You will reveal Yourself to us and not to the world?
Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, If a man loves Me, he will keep My Word. And My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.
Remember the mansions? Now here we have a coming to a making Our abode.
Let me render this another way.
Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, If a man loves Me, he will keep My Word. And My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode in the mansion I have prepared.
So maybe now you see the mansions is us. Most will agree to this interpretation but may say yes but we still need to love him and keep the word. True but who prepared the mansion in the first place? You? Jesus?
We know we do not choose Jesus and that He chooses us right? So how then if the preparation has not occurred, can we say those that perish outside of Christ are doomed? This leads onto the next bit.
Joh 14:24 He who does not love Me does not keep My Words, and the Word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father's who sent Me.
Is it not written that He loves(d) us first?
Joh 14:25 I have spoken these things to you, being present with you.
So we have preparation, the coming to by the Father and Son, and then the loving and keeping of the words of Jesus. Let's see if I am right?
Joh 14:22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, Lord, how is it that You will reveal Yourself to us and not to the world?
Can you see the answer to the question?
1. Preparation - Jesus
2. Revelation - Jesus
3. Loving us - Jesus
4. keeping His words - us
See how small a part we play? Without 1. & 2. although 3. is truth as Jesus is Love, no one will deny that.
Can we really keep the words 4. without 1 & 2? Know the answer?
No!
Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I have said to you. - God doing it
Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. - Jesus doing it
Joh 14:28 You have heard how I said to you, I go away and I am coming to you again. If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, I go to the Father, for My Father is greater than I. - again is inserted. Jesus' coming is perpetual.
Joh 14:29 And now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens you might believe. Again we see evidence of the preparation by Jesus, this certainly does not apply to literal 2nd coming as He was speaking to His disciples.
Joh 14:30 I shall no longer speak many things with you, for the ruler of this world comes, and he has nothing in Me.
Who is the ruler of this world? He has nothing in Jesus therefor it must be something or someone else. Notice the present tense again, comes. If it is the Antichrist, is it not a single person. Is it the devil? You decide. What ruled you before you come to the knowledge of Christ? Your carnality or the devil? Is your carnality not perhaps the Antichrist? Are the beast and the mark not in your carnal nature?
Blame shift is natural. What did Adam do? Blamed Eve. What did Eve do? Blamed the serpent. Well the serpent did not have a leg to stand on now did he? LoL
Joh 14:31 But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father has given Me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go away from here.
Blessings in Christ |
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