Understanding Heaven: More than Just Mansions

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. (John 14:2 KJV)

Asking Jesus to live in your heart results in eternity in Heaven. Living without Jesus results in eternity in hell. With a choice between eternal Heaven and eternal hell, you would think that we would have more information about each place. Realistically, we only need to know two things:

1. Heaven is eternity with Jesus
2. Hell is eternal separation from Jesus

Everyone seems to want a preview of what Heaven is like. Most people associate Heaven with:

1. Streets of gold (Rev. 21:21)
2. Pearly gate (Rev. 21:21)
3. Living in a mansion (John 14:2)

However, is there really going to be a mansion for each person?

People usually say that “My Father’s house” (John 14:2) is referring to Heaven. Yet, they still want to make “mansion” a literal possession that they receive in eternity. The Greek word translated as “mansions” actually means “abode, dwelling places”. If Jesus is calling Heaven a house, then “dwelling places” should be the rooms of that house. The real mansion here is the house called Heaven.

I am not trying to say whether there are or are not mansions in Heaven. I’m just saying the Bible doesn’t actually say. I don’t think it is important. Your focus should not be on what is in Heaven, but on Who is in Heaven.

I don’t believe that the point of this verse has anything to do with mansions. John 14:2 is not a standalone verse. You really need to examine verse 3 along with verse 2:

In My Father’s house are many rooms; if that were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will take you to Myself, so that where I am, there you also will be. (John 14:2-3 NASB)

The point of this scripture is that Christ is preparing a place for you so that you can be with Him for all eternity. Since Christ is preparing a place for you in Heaven, then you should have Heaven on your mind.

In his song, Twelve Good Men, Larry Norman says:

I may be living on earth,
But I am living for Heaven

That is the point. That you would live the life of someone who is looking forward to eternity with Jesus in Heaven.

Click below to watch video:

Heaven On My Mind
I can hear the birds singin’
Their song is in my head
It goes, “Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo”
And the scene’s already set
I can see the skies open
Them windows comin’ down
My heart’s on things above
While keepin’ two feet on the ground

And all I know
Ain’t no way this place is my home

I got Heaven on my mind
I got people waitin’ by
Close my eyes and I can see
Dancin’ on them golden streets
Got me dreamin’ of the day
Never leave, we get to stay
‘Til I see that welcome sign
I ain’t even gonna lie
I got Heaven on my mind, on my mind
I got Heaven
Life ain’t bad down here, but I got Heaven on my mind, on my mind
I got Heaven on my mind

Well, I find myself daydreamin’
Like never before
There’s joy and pain, like sun and rain
Through every open door
This life is like a vapor
But we got every day
To live and love
Eyes always up

‘Cause all I know
Ain’t no way this place is my home

When this world’s behind me
And my days are all through
You try and find me
I’ll try and find you
When this world’s behind me
And we see it’s all true
You’ll know where to find me
I know that I’ll find you
In Heaven
I’ll come and find You in Heaven

Yeah, I got Heaven on my mind
I got people waitin’ by
Close my eyes and I can see
Dancin’ on them golden streets
Got me dreamin’ of the day
Never leave, we get to stay
‘Til I see that welcome sign
I ain’t even gonna lie
I got Heaven on my mind, on my mind
I got Heaven
Life ain’t bad down here, but I got Heaven on my mind, on my mind
I got Heaven on my mind

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