In My Father’s House
Introduction: Three little boys were bragging about their fathers; One said, “My daddy can run faster than your daddy!” Another said, “My daddy is stronger than your daddy!!” The third boy said, “My daddy can beat up your daddy!!!” To which the other boy said, “So What… My Mama can beat up my Daddy!!!!”
A little girl was asked in Sunday School to explain what the Bible was all about. She replied, “God the Father ‘Thought it’! God the Son ‘Brought it’! God the Holy Spirit ‘Wrought it’! The devil ‘Fought it’! But thank God I ‘Caught it’!”
While not all were blessed to have a loving earthly father (even though this writer was), all who put their faith in the God of the Bible can experience our heavenly Father’s Peace, Presence and Power.
Just prior to going to the cross to die for the sins of the whole world, Jesus Christ gathered His disciples in the upper room and began to share with them what was about to transpire; i.e., namely the Father’s will for Him and them. Here is what He told them and what it means to us today.
1) Our Father has a Cure for a Troubled Heart!—“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1). What causes heart trouble?
• loneliness
• selfishness
• sinfulness
The Bible’s EKG shows man has a heart problem. But the great physician gives those who trust in His sacrificial blood a new heart—a transplant. Have you experienced that?
2) Our Father has a New Home for the citizens of Heaven!— “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you” (John 14:2). The word “mansions” is µ??? (mon-ay’), which means lodging, dwelling-place, room, or abode. According to the Book of Revelation, the New Jerusalem (heaven) is going to be absolutely breathtaking!
Listen to the description: “And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Having the glory of God… And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs (approximately 1500 miles x 1500 miles x 1500 miles—cube shape).
And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones… And the twelve gates were twelve pearls… and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass” (Revelation 21).
Even though its splendor and extravagance are indescribable, the Lord Jesus will be its main attraction. Can you imagine? The songwriter put it, “I can only imagine”!
This is our Father’s House.
3) Our Father knows the Hour when He will send His Son—Jesus, to come back to earth!—“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3).
In the Olivet Discourse recorded in the 24th chapter of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus foretells His disciples what will happen before, during and after the time of Jacob’s trouble—otherwise known as the seven-year tribulation.
In regards to His second coming (not the rapture), He lets them know that only His Father knows the hour. “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matthew 24:36).
Among other “Signs of the Time,” we can tell clearly the hour is late. We must be ready. Are you ready for the rapture, which will precede Jesus’ second coming?
Conclusion: These words of Jesus about “Our heavenly Father” should give every Christian Hope. He keeps His Promises, as we can see from looking back in the past, seeing the present and anticipating the future. Not only does our Father know what is best, but He is also in control; therefore, He knows the time.
Will you keep trusting today or perhaps trust Him for the first time?
For more teaching on the end times visit Until That Day at https://www.youtube.com/untilthatday. Until That Day is an outreach ministry of New Rocky Creek Baptist Church. Every day, more and more people are becoming aware of the significance of Bible prophecy. God’s Word is being fulfilled all around us. Learn to talk intelligently and spiritually with your loved ones about the things unfolding in our world today.