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John 14:2-3
Many Protestants try to use these verses to "prove" that the saints go to heaven. Here, too, they make assumptions, such as understanding "house" only as a dwelling, rather than as a family or dynasty. Thus, they narrowly define place as "an ornate abode, a mansion or palace" instead of a "position," "office," "role," or "spot."
They gloss over the fact that Jesus says directly in this context that He would "come again." Where? To earth! He then says He will receive the saints to Himself. If He remains on earth to rule the nations, then the saints will rule with Him on the earth! Many scriptures show very plainly that God's Kingdom will be on the earth (Psalm 2:6-8; Jeremiah 23:5; Daniel 2:35, 44-45; 7:27; Zechariah 9:9-10; Revelation 11:15).
Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Caught Up in the RaptureRelated Topics: Dwelling | Family | Kingdom of God | Kingdom of God, Established on Earth | Office | Position | Rapture | Role | Second Coming of Christ
John 14:1-6
During the Passover service, we always read John 14 in its entirety. It is chock-full of insight and instruction that we, as Christ's disciples, need to live fully as Christians and to prepare for eternal life in the Kingdom of God.
Jesus sets the goal before us, eternal life in God's house. He says that He will soon be going to that same goal, where He will be in a better position to prepare us to reach it. Then He says, "You know the way there," which has Thomas scratching his head. "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" (verse 5). In other words, if we do not have a clear idea of the goal, how can we find our way there? It is impossible. A person must have a destination in mind before he can map out the route.
In verse 6, Jesus provides the answer: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." Jesus' emphasis is on "the way" since that is the force of Thomas' question. Some commentators have even gone so far as to say that the real sense of His statement is, "I am the true and living way"—that is, the words "life" and "truth" modify "way."
He implies that the Father will only accept as His children those who imitate the character and process of salvation that Christ pioneered. He is called the Captain or Author of our salvation (Hebrews 2:10). Jesus has blazed the trail before us, showing us the way to go—and the way to go is to follow in His footsteps, to imitate Him (I John 2:6). There is only one road that leads to the Kingdom of God, the road that Christ Himself trod.
Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Christ, the WayRelated Topics: Christ as the Way | Eternal Life | Eternal Life in the Kingdom of God | Following in Christ's Footsteps | Imitating Christ | Jesus as the Captain of Our Salvation | Jesus Christ as the Trail Blazer | Jesus Christ as the Way
John 14:1-2
It is the night before the crucifixion. Jesus knows what is going to happen, so He prepares His disciples by telling them that He is leaving to travel, as it were, somewhere else. When He gets there, He will prepare a place for them.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Two)Related Topics: Authority, Positions of | Jesus Christ's Preparation for Disciples | Jesus Christ's Return | Mansions | Positions of Authority | Preparation for Rulership | Prepare a Place for You | Return of Jesus Christ | Reward of the Saved | Reward, Promises of
John 14:2
God has ways of causing us to yield so that He can mold and shape us into what He desires. Because of this, we will be ready for our "place" when the Kingdom comes. God not only has power, but He also always has alternatives to ensure that His will is done without taking our free moral agency from us. He has another option we may not want to consider: If we will not cooperate by using our free moral agency for right purposes, He can always replace us with somebody better. We are, after all, the weak of the world. We have every reason to be encouraged, however. He will use every means at His disposal to prepare and save those called into His purpose on schedule with the return of Jesus Christ.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Sovereignty of God: Part FourRelated Topics: Authority, Positions of | Christ's Return | Free Moral Agency | Free Moral Agency, Limits to | God's Sovereignty | Jesus Christ's Return | Positions of Authority | Return of Jesus Christ | Sovereignty of GodOther Forerunner Commentary entries containing John 14:2:
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What Does John 14:2 Mean?
In relation to John 14:2, the Father's house should not be seen merely as a dwelling but as a family or dynasty. The place Jesus prepares is not just a mansion but a position or role. Jesus will return to earth, not remain in heaven, and receive the saints to Himself there. With His return, the saints will rule alongside Him on earth, as God's Kingdom will be established here. God molds and shapes individuals to be ready for their place in the Kingdom, using various means to ensure His will is accomplished without removing free moral agency, even replacing those who do not cooperate with others better suited.