John 14:1-3; “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to Myself, that where I am, you may be also.” (ESV – all emphasis mine)

John 3:16-18; “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned; but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”

Then 1 John 5:12; “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” Please note, there are no other options as given in John 14:6 and Acts 4:12.

There are a number of songs that refer to mansions in Heaven. Probably the most popular is “Mansion Just Over the Hilltop.” Another is “There Is a Mansion,” also “Just Build My Mansion,” and “In My Father’s House.” All have been recorded by many artists, but by far, “Mansion Just Over the Hilltop” probably has been recorded the most. It was written by Ira Stanphill in 1949.

One song written by Curtis Stewart of Alabama strikes home for me over all the others. It was recorded by several artists, but the version I associate with the most is by Hank Williams Sr and was written sometime in the 1940s.

1.) Many years I’ve been looking for a place to call home. But I fail yet to find it, so I must travel on. I don’t care for fine mansions on earth’s sinking sand. Lord, build me a cabin in the corner of Glory Land.

Ref) Lord, build me a cabin in the corner of Glory Land. In the shade of the Tree of Life, that it may ever stand. Where I can just hear the angels sing and shake Jesus’ hand. Lord, build me a cabin in the corner of Glory Land.

2.) Blessed Lord, I’m not asking to live in the midst. For I know I’m not worthy of such splendor as this. But I’m asking for mercy while humbly I stand. Lord, build me a cabin in the corner of Glory Land. (ref)

3.) I have many loved ones who’ve gone on their way. On the grapevine of mourning, shall I hear them say, ‘come and join in the singing, and play in our band.’ Lord, build me a cabin in the corner of Glory Land. (ref)

Revelation 21:16-17 gives the dimensions of the new Holy City of Jerusalem. This will come down from Heaven after the White Throne Judgment of Revelation 20:11-15, and only those who will be with Jesus forever will occupy the New City. Revelation 16-17; “The City lies foursquare; its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal. He also measured its wall, 144 cubits, by human measurement, which is also an angel’s measurement.”

The ancient Greek stadia is a unit of measurement that is approximately 600 feet. Also, a cubit is approximately 18 inches. Using these figures as approximate measurements of the New Jerusalem, the city is about 1,400 miles long, wide and high. The walls are approximately 220 feet high.

When the song says, “I’m not worthy, of such splendor as this,” consider that the wall is built of Jasper. The city is pure gold like clear glass. The foundations are Jasper, Sapphire, Agate, Emerald, Onyx, Carnelian, Chrysolite, Beryl, Topaz, Chrysoprase, Jacinth, and Amethyst. Just to let you know, I’m not familiar with about four of these elements. Also, there are twelve gates, three on each side, and each gate is made of a single Pearl. The streets are pure gold like transparent glass (Revelation 21:18-21).

There is no place on this earth that can begin to compare with God’s City. Yes, there are some beautiful castles, mansions, and even some cities, but their “splendor” is dull compared to what’s waiting for us. Also, there will be room enough for all who will have received and accepted Jesus after His sacrifice and all who were in God’s will prior to Calvary.

What’s so sad is there is nothing difficult or impossible that would keep anyone from having a place in the New City. Jesus paid our “forever rent” through His shed blood on a cross that should have been ours. He paid for sins He never committed so we could have such a wonderful forever. The price demanded by God has been paid in full!

Is there anything I can pay, or is there any deed I can do to earn a place there? Absolutely not. As Ephesians 2:8-9 states, “For by Grace you have been saved through Faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

I can totally relate to, “But I’m asking for mercy while humbly I stand.” My Savior would be totally justified to cast me into outer darkness forever for all the sin that was done by me in my lifetime. However, He has loved everyone to the point that He gave Himself willingly for all who would receive and accept his gift (John 10:18).

There are requirements from God that must be met in order for a “room” to be prepared for us. The same requirements are for everyone, no matter what our lot in life is, and the last requirement says it all.

Romans 10:9-13 gives the steps – the ABCs if you will – to becoming a member of our Precious Shepherd’s flock (John 10).

Step one; “because if you confess with your mouth [admit] that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” This is enhanced by John 14:6 and Acts 4:12 referenced earlier. These two verses plainly state that Jesus is the only way to the Father, and therefore the only way to a Home in the New Jerusalem.

Next, “For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the scripture says that everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame” (Also Isaiah 45:17).

One question here: what about those who cannot speak? If they can’t say “with their mouths” that they believe in Jesus and ask His forgiveness, are they lost? Everyone has a “language” they can use in communicating with the Father, even if it is silent to this world. The part that tells this is “For with the heart one believes and is justified.” The confession is to God, and when one truly believes Jesus is their Savior, their “mental” prayers to the Father are heard by Him loud and clear.

This has to be true, as the last requirement is to call. “All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” That’s found in Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21, and Romans 10:13.

Everything that is negative about this world came about through a fallen archangel; Lucifer, Satan, the devil. Every bit of the negativity of this world will go with him into the Lake of Fire forever, along with all the lost souls and the demons (fallen angels). All who reject Jesus will have done so of their own free will, and they will have chosen to be separated from Him forever.

While the concept is difficult for me to understand, My Jesus knew more would reject Him than accept the free gift of eternal salvation (Matthew 7:13-14).

The increase of evil and all the issues our Savior spoke of that will be here at the end of this age are here right now, occurring at the same time. It’s only a matter of hearing the Trumpet of God and the shout from the archangel, and all the believers worldwide will be taken up to meet Jesus in the air. That could take place any minute now.

To be assured you will be on that Heavenly Flight, please take a moment right now and call on Jesus to save you. It’s totally your choice, and He will turn no one away. You have not sinned so badly that He will not forgive you. Right now, the unforgivable sin is to not have Jesus as your Savior when you take your last breath on this earth. There will be one more unforgivable sin that will take place during the Tribulation. All who take the mark of the beast will be thrown into hell with him, the false prophet, and Satan.

He’s waiting for your call, and I hope He will “Build You a Cabin” near mine. Just imagine the eternal fellowship all will have at Home!

Maranatha! (Come, Lord Jesus)

huebshman46@gmail.com

 

Proverbs 6:16-19, Deuteronomy 25:16, Jude 1:6, Isaiah 14:12-17, Ezekiel 28:11-19, Revelation 12:1-9, Revelation 20:10-15

Summary: Sin is a serious and destructive fact of life. We define it as a series of “mistakes,” “errors of judgment,” or “bad behavior.” We need to see sin for what it is – an abomination in the sight of a Holy God (Ezekiel 18:20; Romans 6:23).

Modern society more and more makes very little of or does not even bother to think about sin as a serious and destructive fact of life. There are varying attitudes towards the subject of sin. Some view the idea as an illusion, the construction of ancient religious fanatics, or fantasy. Many deny its existence and tend to scoff and mock at such a concept. Far too many people give little thought to the tragedy, consequences, and penalties that sinful behavior produces and foolishly believe that they are not accountable for what they say and do in their lives.

God Almighty has an attitude towards sin; it is an affront and abomination in His sight and an insult towards His Holy nature and being. He hates those who abound in sin (Deuteronomy 25:16; Psalm 5:5; Proverbs 6:16-19). In this life, we cannot have sinful behavior totally purged from our fallible bodies and fallen nature, but it can be overcome by the power and direction of God. Only in the new heaven and earth will we be finally free from sin and its effects (Revelation 21:1-17).

Sin’s origins, according to Scripture, came from the mind of Lucifer, a mighty angel of God who was one of the major figures of authority in the hierarchy of heaven. He was the most beautiful and magnificent of all the angelic host (Ezekiel 28:11-19) and had been created as good, for God cannot do anything that is evil or wicked in nature (James 1:13,17; 1 John 1:5). He gave to every angelic being and us the ability to make choices, whether for good or bad, and the consequences to follow. This concept is referred to as “free will.”

God does not want worship from beings who cannot make a free decision as to whether to serve Him or not. Because He is Sovereign and does have all things under His control, our choices do not surprise Him nor catch Him off guard. He has given us freedom to follow or reject Him, fully knowing the consequences for our actions as a result. Free will shows us, if anything, that making a decision to walk away from HIS perfect will brings about situations that are perilous to our lives, both here and in the life to come.

At some point in the development of the universe, Lucifer, in an attitude of narcissistic pride, believed that his status and power were not suited merely to serve God but as a means of usurping God’s authority and becoming the ruler of heaven and the creation. His decision to openly rebel against God sealed his fate and started him down the path of evil and all malevolence that would become his complete and unchangeable nature (Isaiah 14:12-17).

Lucifer’s arrogance drove him to recruit a third of the angels to join him in what would be a futile rebellion in the portals of heaven. They were all thrown out and eternally condemned by the LORD (Revelation 12:7-9). Lucifer is now known as “Satan,” the adversary, and still masquerades as an “angel of light” to deceive people into his self-induced belief that he, his demonic host, and those who follow him can still find a way to overthrow and even destroy God (Job 2:4-5; Mark 4:15; Luke 4:4-8; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 2 Thessalonians 2:2-4).

We might want to make light of the issue, but the Scriptures tell us of God’s definition of sin, and it goes against the grain of our modern thinking and ideology. Sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4) and is also defined as falling short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). It is rebellion against God (Isaiah 1:2) and rank unbelief, calling God a liar (1 John 5:10). It is deciding that your way is best and you will not heed the guidance and warnings of God (Isaiah 53:6); it describes all acts and thoughts of unrighteousness (1 John 5:17). That is clear and to the point, and we go against God’s decrees at our own risk.

Sin is a folly to deceive you; a force to destroy you; a fact to condemn you, and is a volitional act against the will of God. Sin is rank disobedience and nothing less.

This all began with the first couple, Adam and Eve – real, literal, historical beings who were our first parents and from whom the entirety of the human race descended. His decision to go against God’s direction in Eden brought the curse of sin upon all of us who are his descendants (Genesis 3:1-24; John 3:18; Romans 5:12, 18; 1 Peter 1:23). Your own actions and words verify this fact, and you cannot deny it.

Our “choices,” “free will,” and “decisions” to go against the standards and decrees of the Sovereign LORD have resulted in death for us as the penalty for our disobedience and rebellion from the start of civilization (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1).

We have brought upon ourselves spiritual death, that is, separation from God (Isaiah 59:1,2), and the ONLY way back to God is through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross as a final and complete sacrifice for our sins (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 5:6-11; Hebrews 7:25). We are to confess our sins to God and forsake them in order that our relationship and fellowship with Him can be fully restored (Matthew 11:28-30; John 10:28-30; 1John 1:9-10).

Our sins have brought upon us the curse of physical death as well, something that we did not have happen until the day that Adam and all of us who followed fell into sin and rebellion. Physical death is something with which we have to live until the day that the Lord Jesus Christ abolishes it forever and we live with Him eternally (1 Corinthians 15:26,54-57).

The most horrific consequence of our sins is the reality of eternal death in hell (Ezekiel 18:20; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-31; Revelation 20:11-15). We will be held accountable for our lives here on earth, good or bad (John 5:28-29; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Hebrews 9:27). If we try any other way besides coming before the Lord Jesus Christ in this life and surrendering our lives to Him (Acts 16:31; John 20:30-31; Romans 10:9-10), we are only fooling ourselves, and anything we do in our own power to try and save ourselves is nothing but a waste of time and effort (Isaiah 64:6; John 10:10; Ephesians 2:8-9, 4:24; Galatians 2:16; Titus 3:5).

It is Jesus Christ and Him alone as the ONLY way you can ever be right with God. You may not like it, but it is the truth. The choice is yours.

donaldwhitchard@gmail.com

www.realitycityreverend.com

My YouTube broadcasts titled “The Reality City Review” will be posted on Facebook, GETTR, Parler, and on my website when completed. My main area of discussion will be on the basics of the Christian faith but will also deal with prophetic issues and other topics as the Lord impresses upon me to handle.