Preparing a Place; A New Heaven, A New Earth; Going Beneath, Coming Back

In a most unfortunate and evil world we are reminded of certain times in history when people or political factions attempted to keep Jesus from being known as Messiah and Lord. By erasing all religious materials, ideas, and practices people have mistakenly thought that Jesus would simply just go away never to be heard of again. Misguidedly, hard hearted individuals assume that life is better without Jesus so they attempt to expunge Him from the history of the world. Humorously, no matter how hard the forces that be try to stop people from the knowledge of Jesus, it cannot be done. History shows us this in so many global cultures that at one point in time people burned religious books and edifices commanding the people not to believe in Jesus as Lord. But that doesn’t seem to work. The first century Jews attempted this; it didn’t work. China attempted this in and around 1966; but one generation later all those who grew up without Bibles or churches are more adamant about learning, serving, and worshipping Jesus as Lord. The Middle East is another great example as many are receiving Jesus into their hearts as Savior and Lord, even under threat of death, while having grown up indoctrinated in the evils of Christianity. One thing all the oppressors say is that Jesus was just a man who died. Well, as we know, that is not quite the whole story. As recorded by many first century historians who were not the writers of the New Covenant, Jesus was seen for forty days on the earth after his crucifixion. Then he left.  What is he doing now?  Is he sitting around waiting for a number of people to be saved?

If we remember the context of this section recorded by John, Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead, and now the region was in quite a kerfuffle. While the Pharisees schemed, Jesus was giving his disciples some very important instructions. He was explaining the ministry of the Holy Spirit, who was to come after him. In this talk, Jesus suggests that they will be joining him, therefore they should not be disheartened that he must die. He tells his friends he is going to prepare a place for them.

John 14:1-6 DO NOT let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God; believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me. 2 In My Father's house there are many dwelling places (homes). If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you. 3 And when (if) I go and make ready a place for you, I will come back again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And [to the place] where I am going, you know the way. 5 Thomas said to Him, Lord, we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way? 6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me. AMP

This all seems rather odd. Jesus is going to die to so he can prepare a location for them in his Fathers residence, which has many abodes. We have mistakenly translated this idea as Jesus going to prepare a mansion for us. That is not quite right. Let’s look at the Greek.

John 14:1G3361Let not G5015[³be disturbed G1473¹your G2588²heart]! G4100Trust G1519in G3588 G2316God, G2532and G1519[²in G1473³me G4100¹trust]!

 2G1722In G3588the G3614residence G3588 G3962of my father G1473 G3438[³abodes G4183²many G1510.2.6¹there are]; G1490but if not, G2036I would have told G302 G1473you. G4198I go G2090to prepare G5117a place G1473for you.

 3G2532And G1437whenever G4198I should go G2532and G2090should prepare G1473for you G5117a place, G3825again G2064I will come G2532and G3880take G1473you G4314to G1683myself; G2443that G3699where G1510.2.1I am, G1473 G2532[³also G1473¹you G1510.3²should be].

 4G2532And G3699where G1473I G5217go G1492you know, G2532and G3588the G3598way G1492you know.

 5G3004[²says G1473³to him G*¹Thomas], G2962O Lord, G3756we know not G1492 G4226where G5217you go; G2532and G4459how G1410are we able G3588[²the G3598³way G1492¹to know]?

 6G3004[²says G1473³to him G3588 G*¹Jesus], G1473I am G1510.2.1 G3588the G3598way, G2532and G3588the G225truth, G2532and G3588the G2222life; G3762no one G2064comes G4314to G3588the G3962father G1508unless G1223through G1473me.

3614 οἰκία oikia oy-kee'-ah From G3624; properly residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication a family (especially domestics) KJV Usage: home, house (-hold).

3438 μονή monē mon-ay' From G3306; a staying, that is, residence (the act or the place) KJV Usage: abode, mansion.

4198 πορεύομαι poreuomai por-yoo'-om-ahee Middle voice from a derivative of the same asG3984; to traverse, that is, travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove [figuratively die], live, etc.) KJV Usage: depart, go (away, forth, one’s way, up), (make a, take a) journey, walk.

2090 ἑτοιμάζω hetoimazō het-oy-mad'-zo From G2092; to prepare KJV Usage: prepare, provide, make ready.

5117 τόπος topos top'-os Apparently a primary word; a spot (generally in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas G5561is a larger but particular locality), that is, location (as a position, home, tract, etc.); figuratively condition, opportunity; specifically a scabbard KJV Usage: coast, licence, place, X plain, quarter, + rock, room, where.

5217 ὑπάγω hupagō hoop-ag'-o From G5259 and G71; to lead (oneself) under, that is, withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively KJV Usage: depart, get hence, go (a-) way.

Jesus says he travels/dies to make ready a space/occupancy. He then says where he goes, as if sinking out of sight, they know the way. Thomas makes a statement and asks a practical question: 1) they don’t know where he, Jesus, is going, 2) How will they find the path? This is the key to Jesus’ next statement. We take that idea of Jesus being the way the truth and the life and no one coming to the Father except through him, out of context. The questions Thomas asks are in direct reaction to Jesus saying they know where he is going. It seems like Jesus is taunting them, trying to get them to think about what he has already told them. Jesus told them many times he was going to die, but here he tells the disciples they know where he is going. Thomas says “we don’t know where you are going so how can we know the path to follow you”. That is the context to Jesus’ next statement, that he is the path, the way. He is the truth and the life. And no one can come to the Father, in the Father’s residence, except through Jesus. What Jesus is saying is that we can follow the path to the Heavenly Father. He is going to make a spot for us, in a place where His Father abides. But no one can go to this place unless they follow Him.

Jesus likes to play around with words and ideas. He tells them he is going to die and then come back for them. That seems like they don’t have to do anything special. “I’m going to fix up a location for you in my Father’s place when I die, then I’m coming back for you. And as I sink out of sight, you know the path to follow me”. So in verse 3 Jesus says he is going to come get them and in verse 4 he says they know where he is sinking out of sight to. Both words translated in English as “go” do not communicate what he is saying. [4198] is traveling to his father’s location via his death on the cross. [4198], to traverse, comes from the derivative of [3984], to pierce, a trial. This word is used over one thousand times and the majority of times only refers to leaving/traveling. But here being used alongside a different word for “go” indicates this is not leaving for another town but leaving due to death. [5217] is Jesus leading himself under as in [5259] beneath, and [71] away. Both words “go” are used together to indicate his death. Jesus equates his death with traveling. He then explains the path is beneath and away. Jesus dies to prepare a place for us. Then he says when he goes beneath and away, they know and the path they know. Thomas says they do not know where he goes beneath and away nor the path to follow. Clearly Jesus knows he is going to die, but to him death is traveling. As we have previously studied, the Essenes/Nazarenes/Therapeutaes and the Prophets understood death in a very different way than the Pharisees did. Dying was not the end but the beginning of our real lives.

In Jesus’ Father’s residence there are “many places of abiding”, not “mansions”. This idea is a mistranslation. There are places of abiding, or abodes, or dwellings that are being prepared, not mansions. Mansions sounds better when one is attempting to coerce people into believing in Jesus for their eternal life, but mansions is not a true expression of this word. The Father dwells in a residence [3614] and in that residence there are many dwellings [3438]. Jesus is preparing [2090] them in a location [5117]. Therefore he must die [4198] and where he slips away out of sight [5217], His disciples can follow the path to get there. The word mansions is only used once as an English translation, so really someone just seemed to think this sounded better than abode.

Jesus does tell his disciples that he is going to slip out of sight, or beneath and away on several occasions. He never made this a secret, so Thomas must not have understood.

John 7: 3G2036[²said G3767³then G1473⁴to them G3588 G*¹Jesus], G2089Still G3397a little G5550time G3326[²with G1473³you G1510.2.1¹I am], G2532and G5217I go away G4314to G3588the one G3992having sent G1473me.

Jesus said he is going to the one who sent him. He even tells the Pharisees but they don’t believe him.

John 8: 14G611Jesus answered G* G2532and G2036said G1473to them, G2579Even if G1473I G3140testify G4012concerning G1683myself, G227[²is valid G1510.2.3 G3588 G3141¹my testimony]; G1473 G3754for G1492I know G4159from what place G2064I came, G2532and G4226where G5217I go. G1473But you G1161 G3756do no G1492know G4159from what place G2064I come, G2532and G4226where G5217I go.

Jesus was speaking this in the treasury in the outer courts of the temple. They simply couldn’t make sense of his words because they were so far removed from the Father. 

John 8: 21G2036[⁴said G3767¹Then G3825²again G1473⁵to them G3588 G*³Jesus], G1473IG5217go away, G2532and G2212you shall seek G1473me, G2532and G1722in G3588 G266your sin G1473 G599you shall die. G3699Where G1473IG5217go, G1473you G3756are not G1410able G2064to come.

We see Jesus telling the Pharisees that they will seek him. When would they seek him? Not while he was alive on earth, but in death when they enter Hades and realize that he was who he said he was. The interesting thing here is that he tells them that they are not able to go where he goes. They were going to die in their sin and remain in Hades, But Jesus only visited Hades, taking the keys with him when he left, and then went on to the Father.

John 13: 3G1492Jesus knowing G3588 G3754that G3956[⁵all G1325³had given G1473⁴to him G3588¹the G3962²father], G1519into G3588his G5495hands, G2532and G3754that G575from G2316God G1831he came forth, G2532and G4314to G3588 G2316God G5217he goes;

This verse is really a parenthetical part of the backstory that John gives us so that we understand what is happening at the time. Judas is ready to betray Jesus, it’s almost Passover, and Jesus is going to wash the feet of the disciples. John remarks that Jesus knows all things are given to him from the Father and Jesus also knows he is going, beneath and away, to the Father. Then John records Jesus’ discourse to the disciples. In this context is Jesus’ most important command for all of us. If we treated his words with the weight they deserve, we would see transformation in the world.  But more importantly, no one has predicted his own death, resurrection, ascension, except for Jesus. If Jesus was just a man, how could he be so certain he would be back?

John 13:33G5040Sons, G2089still G3397a little while G3326[²with G1473³youG1510.2.1¹I am]. G2212You will seek G1473me, G2532and G2531as G2036I said G3588to the G*Jews G3754that, G3699Where G5217I go, G1473 G1473you G3756will not G1410be able G2064to come; G2532and G1473to you G3004I speak G737just now.

 34G1785[²commandment G2537¹A new] G1325I give G1473to you, G2443that G25you love G240one another! G2531as G25I loved G1473you, G2443that also G2532 G1473you G25love G240one another!

 35G1722In G3778this G1097all shall know G3956 G3754that G1699[²my G3101³disciples G1510.2.5¹you are], G1437if G26[²love G2192¹you should have] G1722among G240one another.

 36G3004[³says G1473⁴to him G*¹Simon G*²Peter], G2962O Lord, G4226where G5217do you go? G611[²answered G1473³to him G3588 G*¹Jesus], G3699Where G5217I go, G3756you are not G1410able G1473[²me G3568³now G190¹to follow]; G5305but afterwards G1161 G190you shall follow G1473me.

Jesus says that where he is sinking out of sight, they cannot follow just yet. Peter wants to know where he is going. Thomas was probably listening but Jesus is not answering that question. What would have happened if Jesus said “well first I’m going to Hades, I’ll witness to the imprisoned spirits, set the captives free, take the righteous redeemed to Paradise, and obtain the keys to hell and death. Then I’ll come back to visit with you for forty days, and after that I’ll send the Holy Spirit while I prepare a location for you in my Father’s residence”. If Jesus had spoken of all those plans, the devil would never have crucified him. (See I Cor 2:8) Jesus keeps the details a secret except to tell them that he is going somewhere that they can’t follow. They did look for him, they checked the tomb but he wasn’t there. He first says they can’t follow, but then says afterwards that they will follow him. He didn’t say that to the Pharisees, but he did say it to his disciples. Jesus then mentions the place that he is preparing for them. Jesus has been giving this dissertation so that they would not lose their faith once he is crucified. He tells them he is going to the one who sent him.

Up to this point we see that he has told his disciples he is going beneath and away. But they still did not quite understand his words. Hindsight helps us to understand Jesus’s words but at the time Jesus was speaking to them they were not sure what was going to happen.

John 16: 5G3568But now G1161 G5217I go away G4314to G3588the one G3992having sent G1473me, G2532and G3762not one G1537of G1473you G2065asks G1473me, G4226Where G5217do you go?

At this point they probably expect that he was going to Hades like everyone else, and that they would be going there too when they die. They became more and more sorrowful because they didn’t understand that he was coming back. Jesus has repeated that he is going to the one who sent him, His Father, yet they didn’t ask where he was going. They were just upset that he was going to die. Even if he wasn’t going to Hades but to the Father alone, this was the last that they would see of him.

John 16: 10G4012[²concerning G1343³righteousnes sG1161¹And], G3754that G4314toG3588 G3962my father G1473 G5217I go away, G2532and G3765no longer G2334you view G1473me.

Again Jesus says after a while they would see him again. Now they were all questioning what he meant.

John 16: 16G3397A little while, G2532and G3756you shall not G2334view G1473me; G2532andG3825again G3397a little while G2532and G3708you shall see G1473me, G3754for G5217I go away G4314to G3588the G3962father.

 17G2036Said G3767then G1537some of G3588 G3101his disciples G1473 G4314to G240one another, G5100WhatG1510.2.3is G3778this G3739which G3004he says G1473to us, G3397A little while, G2532and G3756you will not G2334see G1473me; G2532and G3825again G3397a little while, G2532and G3708you shall see G1473me; G2532and, G3754For G1473I G5217go away G4314to G3588the G3962father?

No one ever did what Jesus was about to do. Many people had been raised from the dead, but Jesus was not being raised from the dead with an earthly body, but with a spiritual body. He was going to hang around earth for a while, then he was going to his Father’s residence to prepare a dwelling.

To look at this in a more tangible way let’s jump ahead in our thinking to a new heaven and new earth. The Father’s dwelling is located in one place and Jesus is going to make a city for his people in that place. The Father’s place with the new city for Jesus’ people will be above a planet, a new earth, for other people. If we think of these residences with cities we can understand it better. We will look at this shortly. But why does it have to be prepared?

The heaven and earth were prepared. Whether it took six days, or six thousand years, the Elohim prepared all the aspects of the universe for humankind. Eden was prepared for Adam, the garden was planted. By the time Adam gets there, the trees are already mature and have fruit. Eve was prepared for Adam as a companion. Noah prepared an ark to survive a flood. At the end of this cycle, the eight thousand year time, a new heaven and a new earth will be presented to the people who believed on Jesus as Lord and Messiah. We have the Hollywood version of instant magic woven into the Biblical narrative we hold in our minds. Let’s look at some ideas regarding this preparation.

Ps 103: 19G2962The lord G1722[³in G3588⁴the G3772⁵heaven G2090¹prepared G3588 G2362²his throne], G1473 G2532and G3588 G932[²his kingdom G1473 G3956¹he is master of all]. G1202.1 

David notes that the Lord prepared his throne in the heaven. The Holy Spirit was present when the heaven and earth were prepared.  

Pr 8: 27G2259When G2090he prepared G3588the G3772heaven, G4840I was present with G1473him, G2532and G3753whenG873he separated G3588 G1438his G2362throne G1909upon G417the winds;

Jesus tells us of two future places that are prepared at the end of the millennial kingdom.

Matt 25:34G5119Then G2046[³shall say G3588¹the G935²king] G3588to the ones G1537on G1188his right, G1473 G1205Come, G3588O ones G2127being blessed G3588 G3962of my father, G1473 G2816inherit G3588the G2090[²being prepared G1473³for you G932¹kingdom] G575from G2602the foundingG2889

Matt 25:41G5119Then G2046he will sayG2532also G3588to the ones G1537on G2176his left, G4198Go G575from G1473me! G3588O ones G2672being cursed G1519into G3588the G4442[²fire G3588 G166¹eternal], G3588the one G2090having been prepared G3588for the G1228devil G2532and G3588 G32his angels. G1473

We don’t know who is preparing the eternal fire, but the kingdom may be prepared by Jesus. If we keep in mind that Jesus took back the keys to hell and death and opened the way back into paradise (the garden of God), the dead are waiting for the harpazo before they become the episunagoge, “the above congregation”. Therefore now, the righteous dead are in paradise waiting for that abode that Jesus is preparing. The cloud of witnesses saw the city of the future, and they suffered earthly trials for the hope of a better place.

Heb 11:13-16 Each one of these people of faith died not yet having in hand what was promised, but still believing. How did they do it? They saw it way off in the distance, waved their greeting, and accepted the fact that they were transients in this world. 14 People who live this way make it plain that they are looking for their true home. 15 If they were homesick for the old country, they could have gone back any time they wanted. 16 But they were after a far better country than that — heaven country. You can see why God is so proud of them, and has a City waiting for them.  (from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

Heb 11: 16G3568But now G1161 G2908a better thing G3713they reach for, G5123that is to say, G2032a heavenly. G1352Therefore G3756[²is not G1870³ashamed of G1473⁴them G3588 G2316¹God], G2316[³God G1941¹to be called G1473²their]; G2090for he prepared G1063 G1473for them G4172a city.

The Bride of Christ also prepares for the wedding of the Lamb.

Rev 19: 7G5463Let us rejoice G2532and G21exult, G2532and G1325let us give G3588the G1391glory G1473to him! G3754for G2064[⁵is come G3588¹the G1062²wedding G3588³of the G721⁴lamb], G2532and G3588 G1135his wife G1473 G2090prepared G1438herself.

And the New Heaven and New Earth is prepared for its occupants at the end of the age. John tells us that the old heaven and earth will pass away. When does that happen? After the Millennial Kingdom on the earth. Then the white throne judgment takes place. Jesus told us what will happen to the sheep and the goats.

Rev 21: 1G2532And G1492I saw G3772[²heaven G2537¹a new], G2532and G1093[²earth G2537¹a new]; G3588for the G1063 G4413first G3772heaven G2532and G3588the G4413first G1093earth G3928passed away; G2532and G3588the G2281sea G3756is no G1510.2.3 G2089more.

 2G2532And G3588the G4172[²city G3588 G39¹holy], G*new Jerusalem, G2537 G1492I saw G2597coming down G575from G3588 G2316God G1537out of G3588the G3772heaven, G2090being prepared G5613as G3565a bride G2885being adorned G3588for G435her husband. G1473

This is the new dwelling that Jesus is preparing. It is not ready yet. But when it is, it will be presented to the people who make Jesus Lord. This place will be perfect when it is brought down from the Father. This is what Jesus is doing while we wait to see him. Whether we are on earth or Paradise when the harpazo takes place, we will then see him and his disciples will see him again.

John 14:23G611Jesus answered G3588 G* G2532and G2036said G1473to him, G1437If G5100anyone G25loves G1473me, G3588 G3056[²my word G1473 G5083¹he will give heed to], G2532and G3588 G3962my father G1473 G25will love G1473him, G2532and G4314to G1473him G2064we will come, G2532and G3438[²an abode G3844³with G1473⁴him G4160¹we will make].

It is an awesome thought to recognize that Jesus and his Father will make their abode with us. The way to the Father, the path we must take, is through Jesus. No man or Prophet ever accomplished overcoming the grave. No man or Prophet ever came back with a spiritual body, walking through walls, yet eating and having a touchable body with holes in it. No man or Prophet ever repeated his Father’s plans to the degree that he could continue to keep secret from the devil that he would be back. No man or Prophet is preparing a place in his Father’s location for us. No man or Prophet now holds the keys to hell and death. Only Jesus- yesterday, today, forever.