In His house there are many rooms

As I returned recently from a Bible conference, I saw two huge banners proclaiming in large letters: "Welcome Home." However, they were displayed outside a neighbour’s house – for I still had to walk a few more steps before reaching my own home.

It seemed to me a quiet picture of a deeper reality: some have already reached Home – to be with the Lord Jesus – while the rest of us continue on our journey of faith, waiting in hope.

Our hearts long for that day when we too see the banners and hear our Saviour say, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25v21).

Home

When a good friend asked how many properties I owned, I responded that I had two: a house in Surrey and also a place in heaven which is purple and has a room for teddies if my wife has anything to do with it. (I admit that the last two points are speculation until I see for myself.)

The truth is that, regardless of the amount of property we own on this world, whether a palatial villa or a tent, it is important to get our perspectives in order.

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle remarked how William the Conqueror received "sharp death, that does not pass by powerful men nor low, that seized him."

The document continued: "Alas how false and how unsteady is this middle-earth’s prosperity. He who was before a powerful king and lord of many lands, had of all land the measure of seven feet; and he who was at times clothed with gold and gems, he then lay covered over with earth."

When we stand before God, we will be naked except for our rags of filthiness (Isaiah 64v6), unless we are covered with the righteousness of Christ (Revelation 7v9). Nothing we own or do not earn on this earth will be of any worth.

Reconciliation

What a comforting hope this is: one day, all who love and trust Jesus will be with Him forever.

On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus gave Simon Peter – and all His people – a promise to hold onto: "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later" (John 13v36).

In those words, we hear both tenderness and certainty, reminding us that our journey ends not in loss, but in the presence of Christ.

When we get to heaven, there will be no homelessness or "sofa surfing" (that is sleeping on someone else’s couch on a temporary basis). Jesus has promised that we will have permanent homes, for He said: "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. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am" (John 14v2–3).

Redemption

All of this is possible only because Jesus has redeemed us. If ever the word "mortgage" finds its deepest meaning, it is here, for it comes from an Old French expression meaning "death pledge." At the cross, that pledge was fully paid when Jesus cried out in triumph, "It is finished!" (John 19v30). There, the debt of our sin was taken up by the Creator of the world Himself.

And in that sacred moment, Christ fulfilled the eternal purpose of God, so that by His grace we might dwell with Him forever.