The Bible speaks of “mansions” that Jesus has gone to prepare, and I wonder if this is literal? If we don’t need anything, no sleep, no night, etc., why would we need a mansion? Does this mean just being in His presence?
You must be referring to John 14:2-3 which says, “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. 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 NASB (and many other translations) render John 14:2 as, “In My Father’s house are many ROOMS; if that were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you.” To use the word ‘rooms’ is naturally more accurate…there are many ROOMS in the Father’s HOUSE.
The Greek word for mansions is “mone” and means a residence. The only other time this word is used in the Bible is in John 14:23 which says, “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our ABODE with him.” I think we can see that this word refers to a place where we can dwell in the presence of the Lord.
The Father’s house, would of course, refer to Heaven and in this portion, we learn there is room for ALL who have put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The fact that there are MANY abodes signifies this blessed truth. There is also a permanent residence for all believers. In contrast to those who wandered in tents in the Old Testament, we have permanent dwelling places where we will dwell forever with the Lord. The Lord goes on to say, “…if it were not so, I would have told you.” He reassures His people that there is room for each of us who have put their faith in Him.
The Lord says in verse 3, “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.” By His death on the cross, the Lord Jesus has procured the right for every believer to enter Heaven. He has prepared a place for us by dying for our sins, so that through faith in Him, salvation is offered to everyone. Notice those precious words of the Lord,”…that where I am, there ye may be also.” Isn’t that remarkable? The Lord wants us to be with Him in glory. The holy Son of God desires our presence in Heaven for eternity! What immeasurable love and grace! Now, we wait for the return of the Lord to take us to Heaven to be with Him. We read in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:20). (CC) (667.4)