Jhn 14:2This is really the key of how to understand the words of Jesus.
If people are not using a standard consistent (***JEWISH***) hermeneutic (of Jewish origin) then there really is no way to find common ground,
old testament symbolism,
audience relevance,
time indicators and
the historical sources
are the correct interpretative method not literal reading when needed and other methods when not needed.
The absolute disregard of time indicators clearly stated in scripture is shocking.
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.
Arnold Fruchtenbaum places John 14:1–3 within the sixth division of the Hebrew wedding system: “The Home of the Bride.” Yet the construction of that home occurs during the earlier second stage—the period of preparation or betrothal.
His sequence is therefore:
- The marriage is arranged and the bride-price paid.
- The bride and groom enter the period of preparation.
- The groom returns to fetch the bride.
- The private marriage ceremony occurs.
- The public marriage feast follows.
- The bride ultimately inhabits the home prepared for her.
Thus John 14:2 is Stage Six in subject matter, but its preparation is occurring during Stage Two chronologically.
1. The historical wedding protocol
Fruchtenbaum describes the second stage as the preparation period, meaning the period of betrothal. During this interval, the bride is prepared to become a fitting wife for the groom. Applied prophetically, the Church is presently betrothed to Messiah and is being sanctified through the Word, according to 2 Corinthians 11:2 and Ephesians 5:26–27.Simultaneously, on the groom’s side, he must prepare the future marital dwelling.
The parallel is:
| Bride’s activity | Groom’s activity |
|---|---|
| The Bride is being prepared for the Groom | The Groom prepares a place for the Bride |
| Sanctification through the Word | Construction or provision of the bridal home |
| 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:26–27 | John 14:1–3 |
| Occurs during the present betrothal period | Occurs during the same present interval |
The Groom has not abandoned the Bride. He has departed to accomplish what must occur before He returns to receive her.
2. “I go to prepare a place for you”
Jesus says:The Greek noun translated “mansions” is μοναί — monai, meaning dwelling places or permanent residences. It does not necessarily mean detached palatial buildings in the modern English sense. The central point is that the Father’s house possesses permanent dwelling places for those whom the Son will bring there.“In my Father’s house are many mansions… I go to prepare a place for you.”
In Fruchtenbaum’s wedding interpretation:
- the Father’s house is the heavenly dwelling;
- the departing Groom is Messiah;
- the preparation of the place is the Groom’s provision of a suitable home;
- the “you” refers to His believing disciples, prospectively representing the Church;
- the return of verse 3 is the Groom’s coming to fetch the Bride;
- the destination is where the Groom presently is.
The city is called “the bride” by association because it is the home belonging to the Bride, much as a capital city can represent the people who inhabit it.
3. John 14:3 is the fetching of the Bride
Verse 2 cannot be separated from verse 3:This follows the wedding movement exactly:“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself…”
departure of Groom→preparation of dwelling→return of Groom→reception of Bride→Bride brought to Groom’s location\text{departure of Groom} \rightarrow \text{preparation of dwelling} \rightarrow \text{return of Groom} \rightarrow \text{reception of Bride} \rightarrow \text{Bride brought to Groom’s location}departure of Groom→preparation of dwelling→return of Groom→reception of Bride→Bride brought to Groom’s location
The key statement is not merely:
It is:“I will come again.”
That is bridal language in structure and purpose. The Groom comes for the Bride, receives her to Himself, and takes her to the location He prepared.“I will receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
Fruchtenbaum formally places the “fetching of the Bride” under the Rapture of the Church, using 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 as his principal explanatory passage. Messiah descends from heaven, the dead in Messiah rise, living believers are caught up, and from then onward the believers remain with their Lord and Husband.
Therefore:
John 14:3=the promise of the fetching\text{John 14:3} = \text{the promise of the fetching}John 14:3=the promise of the fetching
while:
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18=the mechanics of the fetching\text{1 Thessalonians 4:13–18} = \text{the mechanics of the fetching}1 Thessalonians 4:13–18=the mechanics of the fetching
John 14 gives the wedding promise; 1 Thessalonians 4 explains the prophetic event by which that promise is fulfilled.
4. Why this is the Rapture, not the Second Coming to earth
John 14:3 describes a movement different from the visible Second Coming described in Revelation 19.At the Rapture:
Messiah comes from heaven\text{Messiah comes from heaven}Messiah comes from heaven believers rise to meet Him\text{believers rise to meet Him}believers rise to meet Him He receives them to Himself\text{He receives them to Himself}He receives them to Himself they are taken to the Father’s house\text{they are taken to the Father’s house}they are taken to the Father’s house
At the Second Coming:
Messiah leaves heaven with His already-married Bride\text{Messiah leaves heaven with His already-married Bride}Messiah leaves heaven with His already-married Bride He descends to earth\text{He descends to earth}He descends to earth He defeats His enemies\text{He defeats His enemies}He defeats His enemies He establishes the Messianic Kingdom\text{He establishes the Messianic Kingdom}He establishes the Messianic Kingdom
Fruchtenbaum places the heavenly marriage ceremony in Revelation 19:6–8 before Messiah’s descent in Revelation 19:11–16. Only those already in heaven participate in that ceremony.
This chronology requires the Bride to have been taken to heaven previously.
The order is:
- Messiah departs.
- The Bride remains on earth during the betrothal period.
- Messiah prepares the bridal dwelling.
- Messiah returns for the Bride.
- The Bride is taken to heaven.
- The Judgment Seat completes her preparation.
- The marriage ceremony occurs in heaven.
- Messiah returns with His Bride to earth.
- The Kingdom begins with the marriage feast.
- The Bride ultimately enters the New Jerusalem in the Eternal State.