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. 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 14:2-3
My daughter and son-in-law live next door to my husband and me, and their home burned down a few years ago. They had to “prepare a place” all over again, and it was not done in a hurry. There was much attention to detail in order to make the new residence comfortable and give it a homey feeling. There were many trips to building suppliers, appliance stores, and insurance agencies, plus appointments with electricians, plumbers, and painters. Being brick masons, our son-in-law and his two grown sons spent several days rebuilding the fireplace alone—they did not just throw it together—and now it is beautiful.
Do you ever wonder just what is happening in Heaven as Jesus is preparing a place for His people? How big is it? What does it look like? Who will be our neighbors? I can almost see the bustle and excitement of construction, and the anticipation of the final product. Knowing us as He does, Jesus will choose exactly the right finishing touches to make it a perfect home for us to occupy for eternity.
The Book of Revelation describes some of the beautiful sights we will see in the Holy City, where our eternal residences will be located. The light of the glory of God will appear like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. There will be beautiful gates of pearl and transparent gold streets. A clear river of water will flow through it, with the tree of life in its center. The tree will have branches reaching to touch each side of the river, and will have twelve kinds of fruit. There will be no need for electricity, for the Lamb is the light.
We can read about Heaven and imagine, yet the Bible says it has not “entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). When you love someone, you go all out to make him or her happy, pleased, and comfortable. The Lord loves those who will give their lives to Him and follow His commandments, and He will spare nothing to prepare a place for us. Every detail will receive special attention.
It is a good thing to meditate upon the promise of Heaven and its delights. It fills the heart with excitement and gives us a hope and faith when things down here may look glum. The things that are being prepared for us should fill us with a purpose to be faithful and to be witnesses to others. Jesus is coming back soon to take us home, forever safe with Him.