by David Chadwick

Proverbs 13:12 says, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life." The hope of heaven is the ultimate fulfilled desire for followers of Jesus.

John 14:2 says, "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."

Jesus went to heaven before us to build a place for us. This will be the place where you and I, his bride, his church will live forever.

The earliest biblical translations have "mansions" to describe what Jesus will prepare for us. And the later translations have "dwelling places." No one is completely certain what a dwelling place is. Some have suggested it may be like an apartment. We really do not know for sure.

But if you don't mind, I'm going to stick with the older translations of "mansions," as I'd like to think that my loving heavenly Father has prepared a magnificent dwelling place for me in which I'll live forever that closely resembles a mansion here.

This is not to say that it has to be luxurious or lavish, but it will be marked with excellence and perfection. A permanent home where we all dwell together. A smaller dwelling place or a huge estate? Or something in between? None of us will know until we get there.

All I know is that it will be wonderful. Magnificent. Glorious. And I think it will be something close to all my loved ones and friends. A place to spend time together.

My Jesus is gracious and good. He is kind and generous. He loves to give good gifts to his children. That's why I lean toward a mansion. Either way, it'll be beyond anything we can imagine. Another reason to look forward to heaven!

Just do me one favor: Make sure you belong to Jesus. Be sure that you have given your life to him and accepted his gift of salvation by his grace.

And you are completely assured of this precious promise.