IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE - Jesus Revolution - Bible Study

"In my Father’s house are many rooms; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also." - JOHN 14:2–3

Certain English translations of the Greek language in the verses above led to the misconception that we’d all have “mansions” in heaven. A popular TV show, The Good Place, recently played with this idea. Anyone whose score for good things added up to outweigh the bad things they did in life went to the good place instead of the bad place after dying. Everyone in the so-called good place had a dream home to fit his or her personality and preference.

But the better translation is “rooms.” In Jesus’ time, much like if you were to visit Israel today, it would be common to see homes under construction with new additions being built onto an existing house. When a young man was engaged to be married, he would leave his bride-to-be for an unknown period of time in order to prepare a place for them to begin their new life together as part of his family. When the father decided that everything was ready, he would send the son back for his bride (remember yesterday’s parable of the virgins?). This is why Jesus could say to His disciples that even He did not know exactly when life as we currently know it would come to an end and the kingdom of God would be more fully established (Matt. 24:36 and Acts 1:7).

John 14:2–3 is less about what you get and more about what Jesus will do. What promise did Jesus make?

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On a scale of 1–10 (1 = never, 10 = constantly) how often do you think about Jesus’ literal return?

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Related to the common belief in our culture addressed in Day 1 (that if an afterlife exists, then it must be an existence of happiness and blessing, a reward for being a pretty good person in this life) is the misconception that everyone will be there—at least, everyone we’d want to be there would be. Again, who doesn’t like the idea of heaven not only being an eternal retirement plan but one big happy family reunion or class reunion too?

Copy John 14:6 into the space below.

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According to Jesus’s teaching in John 3:16 and John 14:6, who will experience eternal life with the heavenly Father? How does this teaching differ from the way many think about heaven?

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Jesus did “go away” for three days as He was crucified, buried, and raised from the dead, but 40 days after that, He returned to His heavenly Father’s presence. Two thousand years later, we are still eagerly anticipating His return. It could truly come at any moment (Matt. 24:36–44). The question for you today is, are you living as if Jesus is preparing a place for you? How does the truth of God’s Word shape your daily life?

What does Acts 1:1–11 reveal about Jesus leaving, His return, and what we are to do until that time?

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To end, read and reflect on Colossians 3:1–3. Pray that you would eagerly anticipate Jesus’ return, like a bride waits for her groom.

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