We all face eternity. No matter what our religious background, everyone has opinions on what life after death is like. Some very misguided men believe they will be given a large number of virgins for their pleasure, but I’ve never found out if it’s heaven or hell for the virgins. Others think that being a “good” person is enough to get you into heaven. Christians know that’s not true. Nobody can be good enough by God’s standards.
One day, when a man approached Jesus about how to inherit eternal life, Jesus had a very important answer for him. The man called Jesus “Good Master.” “And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? None is good, save one, that is God” (Luke 18:19).
Only God is good, but He gave us the minimal standard of goodness in the Jewish Law. He also gave us Scripture, filled with lessons and examples so we can understand what He expects. Unfortunately, we all fall short of God’s standards.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
God loves us and gave us the only way to obtain salvation, and it’s not based upon our own goodness. It’s solely based upon the goodness and righteousness of Jesus. Scripture gives a few glimpses into life in Heaven, and Christians have a lot to look forward to. It will be amazing.
During the final meal that Jesus ate with His disciples, He told them many things which were hard for them to understand. Jesus knew He would soon be arrested and crucified, but the disciples didn’t really understand. Jesus told them He was going away and they couldn’t follow just yet. The disciples were saddened by this, but Jesus also had words to encourage them.
“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. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know” (John 14:2-4).
To understand this a bit more, it’s important to understand the traditional Jewish wedding customs. Briefly, a man would propose marriage to a woman, and when the proposal was accepted, the man would then return to his father’s house to build a home for his bride. When it was finished, he would surprise his bride and take her to the home he had built, where they would be formally married. Jesus’ disciples understood this custom, so they knew exactly what Jesus meant. Right now, Jesus is making a home for His Bride, and He will soon surprise us by snatching us away to live forever with Him. I can hardly wait for the Rapture!
Mansion Over the Hilltop By Ira Stanphil
I’m satisfied with just a cottage below,
A little silver and a little gold;
But in that city where the ransomed will shine,
I want a gold one that’s silver-lined.
I don’t know about you, but I sure don’t live in a mansion today. I feel blessed to have a roof over my head, even though it leaks occasionally. It’s a comfortable home, but it isn’t fancy.
When I read about a mansion that awaits me when Jesus returns to Rapture His Bride, I get a little excited. The Apostle John was shown the future. After he was shown the horrors of the Great Tribulation, he was taken to a high mountain where he saw the New Jerusalem descending out of heaven. The glory of God shown through it, making it shine like a precious jasper stone. There was a high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels were by the gates. The names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates.
Don’t ever think that God is finished with Israel yet. This structure had twelve foundations, and the names of the twelve apostles were written on them. Israel and the Church are both important to God.
“And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second sapphire; the third, chalcedony; and the fourth an emerald; and the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth sardius; the seventh chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz, the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst” (Revelation 21:18-20).
Doesn’t this sound beautiful? There was no temple in it because “…the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it” (Revelation 21:22b). The glory of God was all that was needed for light. “And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it” (Revelation 21:24). You have to be saved by the blood of the Lamb in order to live there. “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:27). This mansion is more magnificent than anything found on earth. I can’t wait to be there and bask in the light of the Lamb.
Tho’ often tempted, tormented and tested
And, like the prophet, my pillow a stone,
And tho’ I find here no permanent dwelling,
I know He’ll give me a mansion my own.
Temptations and torments in this life seem to be unending. How do we react to the testing? Most of us give in. I know I struggle against sin; I’m sure you do too. I am repentant, but then fall into the same trap. I’m so thankful for the forgiveness that comes from Jesus. His grace and mercy are blessings. I know I’m sealed with the Holy Spirit, and my salvation is secure, but I don’t want to grieve the Holy Spirit by my bitter words or actions.
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30).
When I think of the mansion waiting for me, I am humbled. Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood for my salvation. I’m sealed with the Holy Spirit, but yet I sin. Dear Lord, I’m sorry. But because of the righteousness of Jesus, I’m redeemed. We are all surrounded by temptations and too often fail in our walk with the Lord. He took our sins upon Himself and took our punishment. Like me, when you fail, go to Him and ask forgiveness.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Thank You, Jesus. The things of this life are only temporary. People move from place to place, or go from job to job. When we are taken to the glorious mansion over the hilltop, we won’t want to move again.
Don’t think me poor or deserted or lonely,
I’m not discouraged; I’m heaven bound;
I’m just a pilgrim in search of a city,
I want a mansion, a harp and a crown.
By human standards, I am far from rich, but God provides for my needs. My car is old, but it runs. My house needs repairs, but it’s livable. I’m thankful for my chickens and the vegetable garden so I have food to eat and a little extra to share. I’m blessed, not poor. I have a mansion waiting for me, and my Saviour will soon whisk me away to the mansion He’s been building.
Many people don’t believe that there will be a Rapture. What a shame to live thinking that Jesus will allow His Bride to go through the horrors of the Tribulation.
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:11-14).
Jesus calling us Home at the Rapture is truly our blessed hope. The signs all point to this happening soon, so don’t put off repenting and asking Jesus to forgive your sins.
I’ve got a mansion just over the hilltop,
In that bright land where we’ll never grow old;
And someday yonder we will never more wander,
But walk the streets that are purest gold.
Either by death or by Rapture we will all face eternity. That day is coming soon Where will you spend eternity? That’s a question you should settle today. Only faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ will give you a mansion instead of an eternal lake of fire. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
God bless you all
Nathele Graham
Recommended prophecy sites:
All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.
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“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).