Mammon Versus Christ

These are the wonderful words Jesus gave His disciples after Judas had accepted the bread from Jesus and left the room under the control of Satan. Of course, this touched off a discussion because the disciples claimed they did not know where He was going or the way He was going. Leaving that discussion aside (which can be read in your Bible!) I would like to explore a couple of other issues.

In my Father’s house are many mansions! Some translators have substituted the word, ‘rooms’, for mansions but I find it more acceptable to modify the word, ‘house’, to ‘city’. The term city or town seems to me to better represent an accumulation of mansions. After all, God expressed the view that He would live with His people and be their God. Now Jesus made it clear that He was going away to prepare a place for us, that where He was, we may be also. The disciples know that Jesus taught Nicodemus that no man goes to heaven except the Son of man who came from heaven. Therefore He is coming again to be with His people because His people cannot go to heaven. Of course, this reinforces the fact that the Kingdom of Heaven is here on earth and of course, it is the Kingdom of Israel which was founded at Mount Sinai. It was here that the law of the Kingdom was given and all the people said, “All that the Lord hath spoken, we will do.” Yes, this is the same Kingdom over which David ruled and Jesus has been promised, i.e “ the Kingdom of David to rule it for ever and of that Kingdom there shall be no end.” Hallelujah!!

Casting out the money changers by Giotto, 14th century

So, what else do we know of this House of God or city of many mansions? The best description is found in the book of Revelation 21. You may read the description of the city for yourselves but it is beyond anything we could imagine. The breadth, length and height are the same, making the city four square, and the walls each have three gates named after the tribes of Israel. The city also has twelve foundations, on which are written the names of the apostles. It is lighted by the glory of God and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone and clear as crystal. John sums it up by saying, “I saw the holy city coming down out of heaven like a bride adorned for her husband.” How glorious! How wonderful!  It reminds us of Isaiah 64: 4, “For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God beside Thee, what He hath prepared for him that waiteth for Him.”   

Jesus said, I go to prepare a place for you. Personally, I believe every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. But, is there a second witness? We know that God lives by His own laws and that probably there is a second witness, especially if we consult the book of Isaiah. Chapter 45: 13, “I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all His ways; HE SHALL BUILD MY CITY, and He shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward saith the Lord of Hosts.” So, confirmed are Jesus’ words by none other than Isaiah who was writing about 600 years before Christ was even born (on earth!) I guess that it does make sense that the builder of the universe and everything therein would also build the city of God. “All things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made.”

This verse of Isaiah contains a second interesting phrase, “and I will direct all His ways.” This is of interest because of Jesus’ teachings. He made it very clear that He did not do the miracles but rather God the Father who worked through Christ. He also explained to the disciples that His meat was to do the will of His Father. As we know, He did that WILL all the way to the cross, suffering the brutality of that torture and death to glorify His Father and redeem the lost sheep of the House of Israel. Although the Israelites did not keep faith with God, that is, “All that the Lord hath spoken, we will do,” God kept faith with them and extended the New Covenant to ALL who believe in Jesus Christ.

So, we can look forward to life in the city of God where there is no tears of sorrow, no death, no lights because the glory of God is sufficient and no iniquity of any kind is allowed. I urge my readers to confess Jesus, repent of sin, and be prepared to receive Jesus; He is coming soon!!