My Father’s house is something Jesus promised all who believe in Him. ‘In my father’s house are many mansions, or dwelling places. I go to prepare a place for you. 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, John 14:2. This was an event the Old Testament prophets did not see.
My Father’s House – a Covenantal Relationship
God created man that he would fellowship with God, for God’s own pleasure. This points to a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe, for the redeemed will worship the triune God in the Father’s House. Only in the New Testament do we meet the name ‘Abba Father’, Mark 14:36; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6. A relationship only He made possible.
When Jesus spoke the words the listeners would have instantly understood He was referring to a betrothal and the ensuing marriage. Jesus made many such references, for those who accept Him as their Messiah enter into a covenant relationship with Him.
The Father’s Choice
It was customary for the Hebrew father to choose a bride for his son, as seen with Abraham and Isaac, Genesis 24:3,4. Jesus referred to this when He said of His followers, ‘All the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out’, John 6:37. Jesus also said, ‘No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him’, John 6:44.
Man has a free will but is inherently enslaved to sin, unable to believe in God apart from God’s empowerment, Romans 3:1-19. God is limitless, revealing the end from the beginning, Isaiah 46:9,10. God knew who would receive the Son, even before we were in our mother’s womb, Jeremiah 1:5. Satan doesn’t know who those people are, so he set out to destroy any who have faith in the God, beginning with Abel, Genesis 4:1-16.
Bride Price
The father provided a bride price, Genesis 24:52. The sinless, blood of His own Son, 1 Corinthians 6:20, was the bride price paid to a Holy God. ‘He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him’, 2 Corinthians 5:21. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness, Hebrews 9:22ff.
That was the atonement, making amends, and redemption price for fallen man. To redeem is to buy back someone from bondage. It is the technical term used to buy back a prisoner of war.
Betrothal Period
The couple were betrothed or engaged, while the bridegroom prepared a place for his bride in his father’s house.
As the bride of Christ, you have an appointed place. Paul wrote, ‘…raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,’ Ephesians 2:6.
Time of Maturing
As the bride waits for her bridegroom, she is to feed on the Word of God. This time is for ‘the building up of the body of Christ; until we attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God. To a mature man, to the measure to the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ,’ Ephesians 4:12.
It is the opportunity to enter a deeper relationship with the Father, ready to take the appointed place alongside the Bridegroom, in the Father’s House.
Father’s Approval
Only when the father gives His approval to what the Son has built, does the Father give the order for the Son to go and collect His bride.
She has been bathed and dressed in her wedding gown of fine linen, bright and clean, the righteous acts of the saints, Revelation 19:8. That is not the righteousness Christ imputes at salvation, but the practical results of that righteousness in a believer’s life.
She then settles down to wait patiently with her attendants until the groom calls her to the marriage ceremony and celebration, Matthew 25:11-13.
Caught Away
Every true believer carries the secret of waiting for that call. This secret calling away of the true believers is not to be confused with the Second Coming of Christ to set up his millennial reign on earth, Revelation 1:7.
Paul wrote of the calling away, 1 Corinthians 15:51-54; and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Events in the world would be the same as they were in the Days of Noah with the vast majority uncaring about heavenly things.
Wrath of God
Only when the Bride has been taken out will the wrath of God will be poured upon the earth. The Antichrist will reign and the Outer Court will be trampled underfoot, Revelation 11:2. That Outer Court are those who only gave lip-service to the Master. He was not Lord of their life. He didn’t reign in their heart.
Multitudes from every tribe and tongue and nation will come to a saving knowledge of the Messiah during that time, Revelation 7:9. Many will die because of their belief. This will also be a time of God calling Israel to its rightful place, which was established from eternity.
Marriage Supper of the Lamb
The scene in heaven will be quite different from what is taking place on earth. The marriage supper of the Lamb will be the establishment of the millennial kingdom.
That is the 1,000-year reign of Christ from the New Jerusalem, which takes on the character of its inhabitants. It is also called the bride, the wife of the Lamb, Revelation 22:9. It descends from heaven indicating that it is already in existence, Revelation 21:2. In my Father’s house are many mansions, John 14:2, fulfilling the promise to believers before the church was even formed.
Importance of My Father’s House
The importance of my Father’s House is that while we live in a Satanically energized world, it is not the end. The saints of God will take their eternally appointed place with Christ, the Heavenly Bridegroom. Satan will receive his just reward and be eternally cast out. The Old Testament saints, the New Testament believers, the overcomers from the Great Tribulation, plus the nation of Israel, will all form vital parts of what is soon to come.
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