King James Bible
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.
Is this the way this verse should have been translated? Here are a few more translations that I believe state it more accurately.
New International Version (©1984)
In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
New Living Translation (©2007)
There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
English Standard Version (©2001)
In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
This refers to the office of a servant of God who dispenses his duties well.
What is Jesus trying to get across to us in this statement? We know a 'house' can not have many 'mansions' so what does this scripture say? I personally believe it should be stated that in God the Fathers house are many 'rooms', which make a bit more since here like these other translation write.
In this scripture, the word "house" in the Greek is "oikia" (pronounced oy-kee'-ah) and means "household" and by extension "family" the word "mansions" is "mone" (pronounced 'mon-ay') and means "residence" (the act or the place).
The meaning of the word "mansions" is "residence" but it can either be the place of residence or the act of residence. Most often this is referred to as their mansion in heaven" and the "keys to their mansion." But does that really make sense? The word residence" really refers to the act of residence and not a place of residence. We have all heard the terms, "a doctor in residence" and "a doctor completing his residency?"
From the World Book Dictionary. The word "Residence" means - The seat of some power or activity. "Residency" means -The position of a doctor who continues practicing in a hospital after completing his internship. "Resident" means - An official sent to live in a foreign land to represent his country.
So it is within this context that Jesus is making this statement, "In My Father's house there are many mansions," (John 14:2) What He was in fact saying is that, "within the Family and Government of God, there are many rooms of official positions of authority!" there are many "Residencies"and 'positions of authority' that we have in Christ, that are available! (Since God is a King His family will be in positions of authority and it is they who form this future Governing body of the Kingdom of GOD)
Right now, here on earth our purpose in this life as believers ,is to learn all we need to learn in order to govern others during the 1000 year reign of Christ here on earth so therefore we need to consider ourselves as spiritual interns and we are also, delegates and diplomats of the Kingdom now. As rulers in GOD's kingdom if we successfully complete our internship here, then during the millennial reign, we'll no longer be interns but ministers "in residence!" What exactly are we to learn? The Way of Faith as we walk in the Spirit of Truth and Loving GOD and our neighbor as ourselves in all areas of life .
In the government of God (during the millennial reign) there are many residencies (official positions of authority) this is the message Jesus is trying to get across to us in this verse!
He was also saying that the qualified servant of God can occupy and function in any one of those positions if they show themselves approved here and now.Here are a few translations of the next verse, 3:
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
"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.
International Standard Version (©2008)
And if I am going away to prepare a place for you, I will come back again and welcome you into my presence, so that you may be where I am.
GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
If I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again. Then I will bring you into my presence so that you will be where I am.
KinLg James Bible
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.
The word "place" is translated from the Greek word, "topos" and means "special position" to prepare a special position." so "to prepare a place" means "The word "receive" is paralambano" and means "to assume an office," the word "unto" is translated from "pros" which means "by the side of" and the phrase "may be" is the Greek word "o" which means "should stand."
So we can interpret this verse this way, "There are many positions of authority in my Father's Government: If this weren't true I wouldn't say so. I'm leaving to prepare a special place for you now. And if I'm doing this, then I will return and take you with me to stand in that position of authority at my side in my presence.
When Jesus made this statement just after Judas left to betray Him and therefor he also abandon his official position in the Kingdom Government of GOD, it should be clear that Jesus is indicating to the rest of His Disciples the Apostles, that if they remain faithful to HIM and His ministry which they were called and selected for, then at the appointed time He will grant them the right to assume the official offices in which they should stand and for which they have been in training for.
In Matthew 22 Verse 14 makes it clear when it says,
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
"For many are called, but few are chosen."
International Standard Version (©2008)
because many are invited, but few are chosen."
GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
"Therefore, many are invited, but few of those are chosen to stay."
King James Bible
For many are called, but few are chosen.
Many think that in this verse, being 'called' and 'chosen' has something to do with becoming a Christian or Salvation, but I believe that it does not. This verse in my humbled opinion, has been widely misquoted and largely misunderstood! It is actually speaking about the multitudes who have been called to a particular ministry and the few who have stayed with the training long enough to be commissioned to that ministry.Not with being saved or not.
The word "called" from the Greek is "kletos" (pronounced 'klay-tos') meaning "invited" and the word "chosen" is "eklektos" (pronounced 'ek-lektos') meaning "selected."
There's a big difference between being invited to and being selected for a ministry! It's evident that this is not the salvation of the spirit being referred to, because
Romans 8:30 states, "
GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
He also called those whom he had already appointed. He approved of those whom he had called, and he gave glory to those whom he had approved of.
Young's Literal Translation
and whom He did fore-appoint, these also He did call; and whom He did call, these also He declared righteous; and whom He declared righteous, these also He did glorify.
Bible in Basic English
And those who were marked out by him were named; and those who were named were given righteousness; and to those to whom he gave righteousness, in the same way he gave glory.
King James Bible
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
I believe the GODS WORD translation correctly has the spirit of the real meaning here. Justification from sin is the foundation of the salvation of the spirit! This scripture leaves absolutely no room for misunderstanding! It clearly says, whom He called, He justified! Indicating that all whom He called, He justified!
It says absolutely nothing about some or few or many... nothing! Whom He called, He justified, whom He justified, He glorified! This encompasses all! So, the phrase, "many are called but few are chosen" rightly indicates that of all whom the Lord has invited to a particular ministry, there are but a few who will answer that call and stay with the training program long enough to faithfully function in that ministry and receive their just rewards for their labors . Their room and place of authority is being made in heaven , this official position of authority in the Kingdom of God will be given here on earth in the next age. We are not preparing to GO to heaven but a position of authority is being prepared in Heaven to be implemented here on earth during Christ Reign here on earth.
GOD did not create SOULS to live and learn here on earth to then take us to another place, but to another level of existance and authority here on earth. Souls belong on earth we were not created for Heaven but to live as perfected Souls here on earth. Earth was prepared and created for SOULs and GOD created it to be inhabited.
New International Version (©1984)
For this is what the LORD says--he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited--he says: "I am the LORD, and there is no other
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited), "I am the LORD, and there is none else.
GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
The LORD created the heavens. God formed the earth and made it. He set it up. He did not create it to be empty but formed it to be inhabited. This is what the LORD says: I am the LORD, and there is no other.
American King James Version
For thus said the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he has established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
May we preservere and endure to the end!
In His Service
Endura
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