As stated in a previous blog (Understanding Your Bible), we cannot approach the Bible like an ordinary text book, because it is not a textbook. It is important to allow Holy Spirit to guide us through its pages, so the words we read become His Word to us. We cannot equate earthly principle and knowledge to heavenly things. It’s important to allow God to speak to us on His terms. The Bible is not subject to private interpretation; nonetheless, people continue to try to create and disseminate their own views as though they are the absolute truth. Hence, there are doctrines of men and demons. There is only one true Doctrine of Christ, and there is only one viewpoint we should concern ourselves with: God’s! Don’t try to compress the Word of God into your limited intellect; rather, allow the Mind of Christ to blow your mind with His truth as He sees it. In short, the Bible far exceeds the capacity of human reason; and yet, God intends for us to know it. He does not waste anything, including the words found on the pages of The Book. The diligent who have a sincere heart to know His Word will come to know it by faith. Without trying to conform the words found in the Bible to limited understanding, let them say what they say. Allow His Word to conform your mind to His thoughts and ways. In so doing, those words you read will make more and more sense to you. Your spirit understands, it takes time for the rest of you to catch up. Let Holy Spirit reveal what God meant by what He said. Some have adopted an attitude that says, “I know what you said, Lord; but this is what you meant!” Scary!
Here is one statement Jesus said: “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). Some have asked if “rooms” would be an appropriate rendering in lieu of “mansions.” Before going any further, understand no one is asking you take this writing at face value. Search the Scripture for yourself to see if it is so. What is about to be presented are some things to consider. This is not an exhaustive study by any means, but it is designed to give the curious a place to start. Ask Holy Spirit to guide you.
The New Testament word (Greek [Strong’s Concordance number, 3438]) means residence (the act or place), mansion, habitation or abode. There is nothing in the word to indicate separate compartments. It is rendered as “abode” or “mansion” (KJV, American Standard Version and Revised Standard Version). The only other place it is used is John 14:23: Jesus answered and said unto him, If a 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. The Amplified Bible and The New American Standard Bible use “dwelling places.” Jay P. Green Sr.’s Interlinear Bible uses “dwellings,” while George Ricker Berry’s Interlinear say, “abodes,” So yes, “mansions” most definitely apply. Obviously, we cannot describe their construction; however, in context, Jesus makes it clear that there’s room for everyone who believes.
The New International Version (NIV) and English Standard Version (ESV) use the word, “rooms” in their translation. However, in the NIV’s case, it is not a word for word translation; rather, it is more thought for thought. This is not meant to get into some sort of debate about what version to use. It is strictly for awareness. What you decide read or study is between you and God. In short, ask Him to lead you. On the surface, it might appear “house” would infer a single building in reference to “My Father’s house.” If that were the case, it would naturally make sense that there would be rooms involved. Remember, the earthly is not the heavenly. So what does “house” refer to?
As we search for the definition of this word, or any other for that matter, keep in mind that it is important to go beyond the dictionary for its meaning. In other words, it’s essential to use both word study tools (language dictionaries, concordances, lexicons, etc.) and biblical context to get a more accurate definition. “House” (3614, Strong’s Concordance number) means residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally and figuratively). It not only refers to a building or a house; it also means household, estate (including one’s possessions) or family. In the Bible it is rendered as “home,” “house” or “household.” Consider the following for biblical context:
2 Corinthians 5:1-5 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now He that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, Who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
Revelation 21:1-4 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God (read entire chapter).
There are many passages of Scripture to examine, and many more aspects to consider in relation to these few passages of Scripture. That being said, here is one more thing to consider: none of us can say emphatically what all lies ahead of us, we only know in part at this present moment. We’ve been given snapshots of things to come, but they do not give the entire picture. You can be sure that whatever lies ahead, it will exceed any expectations you may have.
