So, life hurts? Theories of end times have you overwhelmed and confused; perhaps frustrated that what we are discussing goes against many Christian mindsets (because we go to the Bible not to a paradigm)? Remember this, it is not about a view for eschatology, it is about Who and What Christ is doing for us. What is that?…
In the science and art of eschatology, there so many variant views, and the pride and the megalomaniac personalities involved, we often forget the Who and the Why of it all. Of course it is all about our Lord and Savior, our Judge and Redeemer, Who is still to come, Who has already paid for us….It is all about Christ as LORD!
I am the Way, I am the Truth, and I am the Life! No one can come to the Father except through Me!
If eschatology is important, one must take from what Scripture states plainly, and embrace the wonder of our Lord and not the feebleness of our theory’s so we can get the main point. One of these main points is that when we pass away or He retunes to claim check us, we will enter into eternity. We will dwell in Him for eternity.
Jesus fourteen tells us that, In Heaven there will be many rooms in My Father’s Home, one made up especially for each of you! I will prepare it personally and at the right time, I will come and get you and you will always be with Me. You will know all about it and how to get there.
The word, Father’s house, means, as one may surmise, Heaven where God’s presence dwells with us, as opposed to Hell where God’s presence is absent. This is our ultimate future hope and residence, our future reward and our current motivation to pursue righteousness. What eschatology must point to. Classically in Judaism, this meant the Temple, God’s dwelling on earth, where God dwelt amongst His people. How Jesus uses this term, it is our ultimate carrot on the stick, our mega reward. He is telling us about our heavenly dwelling place that God prepares for us that no mere human words could ever describe (Ezek. 43:7-9; 44:9-16; 48:11, 35; Luke 16:9; John 8:35; 14:28; Acts 1:10-11; Rom. 5:2; 1 Cor. 15:16-19; Heb. 7:25; 1 Pet. 1:3-5; 1 John 2:1).
So what is heaven going to be like? Well, beyond any words or theory could ever explain. But we are given a foretaste.
The key word of many rooms or mansions, means to dwell and remain in God. Heaven is about us being with Christ! This is figurative language because this “non-corporeal” (not a normal flesh and blood human existence) or metaphysical wonder can’t be explained in human language. In addition, “small” does not mean “limiting” here. This is also a fulfillment of the celebration of the “Feast of Booths” that acted in converse to God dwelling in the Temple as people lived in tents to dwell with God (John 2:21; 14:16-23; 15:1-7; 1 Cor. 2:9; 4:5; Col. 3:18-4-1; Rev. 22:12).
What is Christ doing for us? He is preparing a place. Jesus is preparing for us, those He chooses, an eternal home; Heaven.
This is not just a residence; rather proof that God will completely and thoroughly accomplish and achieve His purpose throughout the universe. He will bring all things to fruition. He brings peace and a future to those in Him. Thus, God will achieve His purpose; we will inherit His wonders and blessings and we will have no ties to the old nature of sin and evil. Jesus is not just preparing a place for us in Heaven; He is preparing us by our journey of faith in the here and now too (Isa. 42:9; 48:6; 51:15-16; 65:17-25; 66:22; 1 Cor. 15:35-57; Rev. 7:9; 21:1-8)!
This is also what we receive, our reward for all that we have done and endured for Christ and His children and the opportunities He gave us. This is what we look forward to, our dwelling with Christ, and what can also motivate us in the here and now.
