New Teaching Series: Households of Faith: Scriptural Pictures of the House

Households of Faith Part 2
Today’s Focus: Understanding John 14 and the House of God
Scripture: John 14; Isaiah 66:1; Acts 7:46-49

Greetings Kingdom Citizens
John 14:1,2: Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

Now when we here this scripture we have been told of the many mansions that are in heaven for us. All of these houses that we could not have down here, God has them up there. But remember this is written in Greek so to get a better understanding, you have to see what the words are and how they are being used in the language it is written in so, let’s some words here:
1. House (Greek – oikia): residence, by implication a FAMILY
2. Mansions (Greek - mone): a staying, residence or abode
Now with that out the way, nothing in this scripture says physical buildings in heaven. How can I be so sure? Watch this:

Isaiah 66:1: Thus says the Lord, THE HEAVEN IS MY THRONE, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? And where is the place of my rest?

Acts 7:46-49: Who found favor before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built Him an house. Howbeit the MOST HIGH DWELETH NOT IN TEMPLES MADE WITH HANDS; as saith the prophet (Isaiah) THE HEAVEN IS MY THRONE, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? And where is the place of my rest?

Now it is clear to God and clear through the Scriptures that HEAVEN IS THE THRONE OF GOD. In addition in Acts it says that the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands. So God desires to dwell with His children. Now Jesus said that He is going to prepare a place for us. Now we know He is not talking about a building. What is He talking about then:

Ephesians 2:15,16: Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain ONE NEW MAN, so making peace; And that he might be reconciled both unto God IN ONE BODY BY THE CROSS, having slain the enmity thereby:

Jesus Christ, through the cross prepared a place for us where we can be reconciled back to God. That place is called The Body of Christ. Remember in Colossians the scripture says in Christ is the fullness of the Godhead. Hence if we are in Christ then we dwell with God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Now in as much as we are in Christ, He is in us, the sons of God, in the Earth. Watch this:

John 14:23: Jesus answered and said unto him, If any man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

Now the word that stands out to me in this scripture is the word “abode”. The word abode is the word in Greek “mone” which means “a staying or residence”. So here we see God coming and dwelling amongst them that love Him and keep His commandments.

In the next message we will look at the purpose of this reconciliation.

Peace, Love and Grace from the Father,
Calvin Calhoun, Jr.