Wow, I have been doing some serious Bible study and found that things are not always as simple as we think. I always took John 14 to mean one day we would go to heaven with Jesus. But, in reality, it is proof of the Rapture! For after much study it is clear that after Jesus returns to the earth we will be here on earth for eternity. So the only time we spend in heaven is during the tribulation after we are raptured. Here in John 14 the Lord gives a new and unique revelation; He speaks of something which no prophet had promised, or even could promise. Where is it written that this Messiah would come and instead of gathering His saints into an earthly Jerusalem, would take them to the Father’s house, to the very place where He is? It is something new. And let it be noticed in promising to come again, He addresses the eleven disciples and tells them, “I will receive you unto Myself, that where I am ye may be also.” He speaks then of a coming which is not for the deliverance of the Jewish remnant, not of a coming to establish His kingdom over the earth, not a coming to judge the nations, but coming which concerns only His own to take us to heaven.
When it comes to a comparison between John 14:1-3 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 we see amazing parallels. That John 14:1-3 is a Rapture reference is supported by the progression of words and thoughts when compared to Paul’s more extensive Rapture passage (1 Thess. 4:13-18). Observe the following comparison:
| John 14:1-3 trouble v. 1 believe v. 1 God, me v. 1 told you v. 2 come again v. 3 receive you v. 3 to myself v. 3 be where I am v. 3 | 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 sorrow v. 13 believe v. 14 Jesus, God v. 14 say to you v. 15 coming of the Lord v. 15 caught up v. 17 to meet the Lord v. 17 ever be with the Lord v. 17 |
Dr. Smith notes the following observations as a result of these comparisons: The words or phrases are almost an exact parallel. They follow one another in both passages in exactly the same order. Only the righteous are dealt with in each case. There is not a single irregularity in the progression of words from first to last.Either column takes the believer from the troubles of earth to the glories of heaven.
Conclusion
In light of comparing Scripture with Scripture, it appears obvious that Jesus’ teaching in John 14:1-3 and Paul’s revelation in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 speak of the same event. Dr. Smith concludes, “It is but consistent to interpret each passage as dealing with the same event—the rapture of the church.” How else does one explain the progression of eight specific words/phrases in exactly the same order, in two different passages, by two different spokesmen? It is clear that these passages refer to a single future event—the Rapture of the church. We learn that the church’s Blessed Hope was first revealed by our Lord on the eve of His crucifixion to His disciples as they grieved over His departure. Later, the doctrine of the Rapture was explained in greater detail via Paul’s revelation to give comfort to the Thessalonians who were faced with a similar problem of departing loved ones that Jesus dealt with in the Upper Room with His disciples. Now, 2,000 years later and half-way around the world, today’s church can be comforted by the Blessed Hope that in the next moment of time we could be face-to-face with our Lord, in the Father’s house, via the Rapture of the Church. May it be today.
John 14
| 1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2In 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. 3And 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. 4And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. |
Jesus prepares a place for us in heaven to take us there after the rapture
Because at his 2nd coming we come with him to the earth
Revelation 19
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
We return to Jerusalem where we will reign for 1,000 years
Zechariah 14
2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
3 Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.
16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.
We reign over those who are still alive after the tribulation. Then at the end is the white throne judgment Rev 20:11-15
Then rev 21 there is a new heaven and new earth and the city of Jerusalem descends from heaven to earth. And will live here for ever!
Therefore if we live on earth for ever why did Jesus make a place for us in heaven? Because we will be in heaven from the time of the rapture until the second coming!!!!!