What does Jesus mean about mansions?

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Godsgood said:
The Lord Jesus, in His role as the Son of the Living God (Matthew 16:16), surely entered the first heaven because He became like a baby before God. What is the characteristic of a baby, and why did God say “baby” rather than simply “a small child”?

The Lord Jesus said in John 3:12, “I have spoken to you of earthly things so that you may understand heavenly things.”

In earthly terms, one of the characteristics of a baby is innocence, as though the baby has not yet developed understanding or awareness.
And a baby has no ability to provide for itself. Instead, the baby depends completely on its mother for nourishment.
A baby also does not know how to hold a grudge or take offense.
Therefore, even if a baby is spoken to with hurtful or harsh words, those words do not affect the baby in the same way they would affect an adult.

Regarding God and the Word of God, these characteristics were seen in the Lord Jesus. Although people saw Him as exceedingly wise,
MARK 6:2
2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?

He Himself claimed that He knew nothing and had no ability of His own, but depended entirely on His Father.
JOHN 5:19
19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
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Based on the illustration given by the Lord Jesus in John 3:12, He connected earthly things with heavenly things.
For example, an innocent literal physical baby has no ability to provide for himself and is completely dependent on his mother for his needs and survival.

In the same way, the Lord Jesus demonstrated this in John 5:19 in His role as the Son of the living God. A baby also does not know how to hold a grudge or harbor resentment.

How, then, did the Lord Jesus demonstrate the characteristic of a literal physical baby who does not know how to hold a grudge or harbor resentment?

The Lord Jesus, despite all the suffering and cruel treatment He endured when He was crucified on the cross, did not hold a grudge against those who inflicted these things upon Him. They mocked Him, humiliated Him in front of the many people who were watching at that time, physically abused Him, and subjected Him to many other forms of suffering.

Yet, despite all these painful experiences, He did not harbor resentment toward the people who were doing these things to Him. As a demonstration that He was like a literal, physical baby who does not know how to hold a grudge, He even asked God to forgive them, saying that they did not know what they were doing.
LUKE 23:34
34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
 
Godsgood said:
The Lord Jesus said in John 3:12, “I have spoken to you of earthly things so that you may understand heavenly things.”
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No, He did not. What He said is this:

"I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?"

That's a very different sense than what you claim Jesus said.
 
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Godsgood said:
Based on the illustration given by the Lord Jesus in John 3:12, He connected earthly things with heavenly things.
For example, an innocent literal physical baby has no ability to provide for himself and is completely dependent on his mother for his needs and survival.

In the same way, the Lord Jesus demonstrated this in John 5:19 in His role as the Son of the living God. A baby also does not know how to hold a grudge or harbor resentment.

How, then, did the Lord Jesus demonstrate the characteristic of a literal physical baby who does not know how to hold a grudge or harbor resentment?

The Lord Jesus, despite all the suffering and cruel treatment He endured when He was crucified on the cross, did not hold a grudge against those who inflicted these things upon Him. They mocked Him, humiliated Him in front of the many people who were watching at that time, physically abused Him, and subjected Him to many other forms of suffering.

Yet, despite all these painful experiences, He did not harbor resentment toward the people who were doing these things to Him. As a demonstration that He was like a literal, physical baby who does not know how to hold a grudge, He even asked God to forgive them, saying that they did not know what they were doing.
LUKE 23:34
34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Click to expand...
I just want to reiterate this: what we are asking the Lord about is John 14:2.
JOHN 14:2
2 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.

Based on what the Lord declared in Ecclesiastes 1:9 and Matthew 24:35, the mansions He refers to in John 14:2 are already here in our present age, because the Lord’s word lives forever.

For Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Because the Lord Jesus is the truth (John 14:6), the truth that was true yesterday is still the truth today, and it will remain the truth forever. Therefore, what is true in Christ does not change with time, because Jesus Christ Himself is the unchanging Truth.
HEBREWS 13:8
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
 
Godsgood said:
I just want to reiterate this: what we are asking the Lord about is John 14:2.
JOHN 14:2
2 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.

Based on what the Lord declared in Ecclesiastes 1:9 and Matthew 24:35, the mansions He refers to in John 14:2 are already here in our present age, because the Lord’s word lives forever.

For Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Because the Lord Jesus is the truth (John 14:6), the truth that was true yesterday is still the truth today, and it will remain the truth forever. Therefore, what is true in Christ does not change with time, because Jesus Christ Himself is the unchanging Truth.
HEBREWS 13:8
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Click to expand...

According to what God has revealed, the Lord Jesus, in His role as the Son of the living God, possesses the characteristics of an innocent infant, helpless, lacking knowledge, and unable to hold a grudge.
That is why God placed Him in the first heaven.

For the Lord Jesus serves as a model for His chosen ones, whom He teaches to imitate Him. Therefore, just as the Lord Jesus knows the one true God, as stated in John 8:54–55, the disciples also know Him.

The disciples likewise possess the characteristics of an infant. Therefore, they too were brought by God into the first heaven.
1 PETER 2:21
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

If the Lord Jesus and even His disciples, despite still being in the world, were already in the first heaven, and the kingdom of God is in heaven, the question is: How did the Lord Jesus show that there are many mansions standing in the kingdom of His Father?
JOHN 14:2
2 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.
 
Godsgood said:
According to what God has revealed, the Lord Jesus, in His role as the Son of the living God, possesses the characteristics of an innocent infant, helpless, lacking knowledge, and unable to hold a grudge.
That is why God placed Him in the first heaven.

For the Lord Jesus serves as a model for His chosen ones, whom He teaches to imitate Him. Therefore, just as the Lord Jesus knows the one true God, as stated in John 8:54–55, the disciples also know Him.

The disciples likewise possess the characteristics of an infant. Therefore, they too were brought by God into the first heaven.
1 PETER 2:21
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

If the Lord Jesus and even His disciples, despite still being in the world, were already in the first heaven, and the kingdom of God is in heaven, the question is: How did the Lord Jesus show that there are many mansions standing in the kingdom of His Father?
JOHN 14:2
2 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.
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We ask the Lord Jesus a question, and the Lord answers our question through His Word.
Our question to Him is this: If the first heaven is here in this world, and the kingdom of God is in the first heaven, then where are the mansions?

Notice the Lord’s answer concerning the mansion.
We can compare it to the temple in John 2:19. The clear understanding of the people regarding the temple was that it was a literal physical building, as shown in John 2:20. But what the Lord revealed when He spoke about the temple was His body, as stated in John 2:21.

Therefore, if the people’s clear understanding of the mansion is that it is a literal, physical place, then according to the Lord Jesus, the mansion that stands in the Kingdom of God refers to His chosen ones.
JEREMIAH 26:2
2 Thus saith the Lord; Stand in the court of the Lord's house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord's house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:
 
Godsgood said:
We ask the Lord Jesus a question, and the Lord answers our question through His Word.
Our question to Him is this: If the first heaven is here in this world, and the kingdom of God is in the first heaven, then where are the mansions?

Notice the Lord’s answer concerning the mansion.
We can compare it to the temple in John 2:19. The clear understanding of the people regarding the temple was that it was a literal physical building, as shown in John 2:20. But what the Lord revealed when He spoke about the temple was His body, as stated in John 2:21.

Therefore, if the people’s clear understanding of the mansion is that it is a literal, physical place, then according to the Lord Jesus, the mansion that stands in the Kingdom of God refers to His chosen ones.
JEREMIAH 26:2
2 Thus saith the Lord; Stand in the court of the Lord's house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord's house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:
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Your conclusions don’t follow the text. Instead, you are attempting to make the text say what it doesn’t say so you can support your erroneous assumption.
 
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Godsgood said:
We ask the Lord Jesus a question, and the Lord answers our question through His Word.
Our question to Him is this: If the first heaven is here in this world, and the kingdom of God is in the first heaven, then where are the mansions?

Notice the Lord’s answer concerning the mansion.
We can compare it to the temple in John 2:19. The clear understanding of the people regarding the temple was that it was a literal physical building, as shown in John 2:20. But what the Lord revealed when He spoke about the temple was His body, as stated in John 2:21.

Therefore, if the people’s clear understanding of the mansion is that it is a literal, physical place, then according to the Lord Jesus, the mansion that stands in the Kingdom of God refers to His chosen ones.
JEREMIAH 26:2
2 Thus saith the Lord; Stand in the court of the Lord's house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord's house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:
Click to expand...
Now that the Lord Jesus has revealed that the mansion He was referring to in John 14:2 represents God’s chosen people. The people who have come to know the one true God.

We should ask the Lord the following question:
Why did He use the symbol of a mansion to represent His chosen ones?
Why not simply use the symbol of a house, since both are places where people live?
 
Godsgood said:
Now that the Lord Jesus has revealed that the mansion He was referring to in John 14:2 represents God’s chosen people. The people who have come to know the one true God.

We should ask the Lord the following question:
Why did He use the symbol of a mansion to represent His chosen ones?
Why not simply use the symbol of a house, since both are places where people live?
Click to expand...
Where are we told that the mansions or dwelling-places mentioned in John 14:2 represent God's chosen people? The context is a place. The original Greek word means a dwelling-place. He is telling the disciples where He is going, and what He will do there. The "mansions" are the place that Jesus has gone to prepare for His chosen people; they don't represent His people:

Jhn 14:1 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
Jhn 14:2 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.
Jhn 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
Jhn 14:4 And where I go you know, and the way you know."
 
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Godsgood said:
Now that the Lord Jesus has revealed that the mansion He was referring to in John 14:2 represents God’s chosen people. The people who have come to know the one true God.

We should ask the Lord the following question:
Why did He use the symbol of a mansion to represent His chosen ones?
Why not simply use the symbol of a house, since both are places where people live?
Click to expand...
In heaven there are structures.
We know this.
We know Jesus already went to heaven and is there building structures for his bride.
We will be there 7 years after the rapture.

The Jews are gathered during the trib.
They attend the wedding in heaven.

We know all that.
So anything added must at least harmonize with the obvious components.
 
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Godsgood said:
Now that the Lord Jesus has revealed that the mansion He was referring to in John 14:2 represents God’s chosen people. The people who have come to know the one true God.

We should ask the Lord the following question:
Why did He use the symbol of a mansion to represent His chosen ones?
Why not simply use the symbol of a house, since both are places where people live?
Click to expand...
What we are doing is asking the Lord Jesus, and He answers our questions through His words. This is a testimony to what the Lord Jesus revealed to James: that anyone who desires to have wisdom that comes from God should ask God alone.
JAMES 1:5-8
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

That is why, having come to know the one true God, when it comes to God and His words, we do not ask people. For whoever asks another person about God and His words will be cursed by God.

For if you ask a person about the word of God, it is as though you are entrusting your salvation to that person.
JEREMIAH 17:5
5 Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.

Therefore, we will ask our question again to the Lord Jesus alone.
Why did He use the symbol of a mansion to represent His chosen ones?
Why not simply use the symbol of a house, since both are places where people live?
 
Godsgood said:
What we are doing is asking the Lord Jesus, and He answers our questions through His words. This is a testimony to what the Lord Jesus revealed to James: that anyone who desires to have wisdom that comes from God should ask God alone.
JAMES 1:5-8
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

That is why, having come to know the one true God, when it comes to God and His words, we do not ask people. For whoever asks another person about God and His words will be cursed by God.

For if you ask a person about the word of God, it is as though you are entrusting your salvation to that person.
JEREMIAH 17:5
5 Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.

Therefore, we will ask our question again to the Lord Jesus alone.
Why did He use the symbol of a mansion to represent His chosen ones?
Why not simply use the symbol of a house, since both are places where people live?
Click to expand...
Let us not forget John 3:12: “I have spoken to you about earthly things, yet you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak about heavenly things?”

In earthly terms, a mansion is far more spacious and much larger than a house.

That is why the people whom God has chosen and brought into His kingdom in the first heaven, when they stand up and speak or share the truth of God’s Word with others, will be granted abundant and overflowing grace.
LUKE 6:38
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

MALACHI 3:10
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

This, then, is the true reason why those chosen by God are symbolized by mansions: because no matter how spacious and magnificent those mansions may be, they might still not be enough to contain the abundance and greatness of the blessings that God will bestow upon them.
 
Godsgood said:
Let us not forget John 3:12: “I have spoken to you about earthly things, yet you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak about heavenly things?”

In earthly terms, a mansion is far more spacious and much larger than a house.

That is why the people whom God has chosen and brought into His kingdom in the first heaven, when they stand up and speak or share the truth of God’s Word with others, will be granted abundant and overflowing grace.
LUKE 6:38
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

MALACHI 3:10
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

This, then, is the true reason why those chosen by God are symbolized by mansions: because no matter how spacious and magnificent those mansions may be, they might still not be enough to contain the abundance and greatness of the blessings that God will bestow upon them.
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I don't think we can make too much of the English word "mansions" there. The original Greek word simply meant a place to live. Indeed, the same word is used in this verse, and in the NKJV is translated "home":

Jhn 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.

I agree that the blessings God promises His people are immense, but I would suggest that is not shown by the word translated "mansions". Better verses would be:

1Co 2:9 But as it is written: "EYE HAS NOT SEEN, NOR EAR HEARD, NOR HAVE ENTERED INTO THE HEART OF MAN THE THINGS WHICH GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM."

Rom 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
 
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Godsgood said:
Let us not forget John 3:12: “I have spoken to you about earthly things, yet you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak about heavenly things?”

In earthly terms, a mansion is far more spacious and much larger than a house.

That is why the people whom God has chosen and brought into His kingdom in the first heaven, when they stand up and speak or share the truth of God’s Word with others, will be granted abundant and overflowing grace.
LUKE 6:38
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

MALACHI 3:10
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

This, then, is the true reason why those chosen by God are symbolized by mansions: because no matter how spacious and magnificent those mansions may be, they might still not be enough to contain the abundance and greatness of the blessings that God will bestow upon them.
Click to expand...
I suggest you stop using the phrase, “That is why…”. You rarely present a cause directly connected to the effect.
 
Godsgood said:
Let us not forget John 3:12: “I have spoken to you about earthly things, yet you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak about heavenly things?”

In earthly terms, a mansion is far more spacious and much larger than a house.

That is why the people whom God has chosen and brought into His kingdom in the first heaven, when they stand up and speak or share the truth of God’s Word with others, will be granted abundant and overflowing grace.
LUKE 6:38
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

MALACHI 3:10
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

This, then, is the true reason why those chosen by God are symbolized by mansions: because no matter how spacious and magnificent those mansions may be, they might still not be enough to contain the abundance and greatness of the blessings that God will bestow upon them.
Click to expand...
We are among those who have come to know the one true God. That is why we have been enlightened by His Word. And we share the truth of God’s Word with other people.

The Lord shows us that we are symbolized by the mansion. Therefore, we testify that the blessings the Lord gives us are like a spring that has risen from within our belly. These blessings are not for the benefit of the flesh or the physical body. Rather, what the Lord gives us is for the benefit of the spirit.

For it is the spirit that will be with Him in eternal life.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!
 
Godsgood said:
We are among those who have come to know the one true God. That is why we have been enlightened by His Word. And we share the truth of God’s Word with other people.

The Lord shows us that we are symbolized by the mansion. Therefore, we testify that the blessings the Lord gives us are like a spring that has risen from within our belly. These blessings are not for the benefit of the flesh or the physical body. Rather, what the Lord gives us is for the benefit of the spirit.

For it is the spirit that will be with Him in eternal life.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!
Click to expand...
We will have bodies, but they are unlike our earthly bodies. Paul explains this. Perhaps you haven’t read the relevant part of Scripture yet.
 
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