In My Fathers House
In My Fathers House by David O. Ogaga of Nigeria – ISBN: 9781792948830
. Why the statement in John 14? “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believed in God, believe also in me. In my father’s house are many mansions…” John 14: 1-2. Almost every Christian, because of the way they have been programmed, sees John 14:1 – 3, to be the hope of the Church. Supposedly promised by Jesus for us to ‘escape’ the persecution of the so-called ‘Antichrist’, either through the ‘rapture’ or may be by death. Then we go up to heaven above, and collect keys to beauti-ful buildings that Jesus has been constructing for us for the past 2,000 yrs. But the point is, what exactly is Jesus talking about? What led to this statement of His? What hope was he really pre-senting to the Church? What does the ‘mansion’ and ‘father’s house’ stand for? Etc. These are the things we hope to examine in this Book. (In My Fathers House by David O. Ogaga)
Firstly, the scene was in the Passover chamber, while He was with the Apostles. Now why did He make the statement? This statement because of the following reasons;
(1) Because of the disturbances that was in the heart of the dis-ciples as a result of the prediction of His betrayal and subsequent death John 13:21 – 30;
(2) The denial of Jesus Christ by Apostle. Peter John 13: 36 – 38. (In My Fathers House by David O. Ogaga)
So ultimately, Jesus made these statements to strengthen their faith as a result of the confusion that was already develop-ing in their hearts. Come to think of it, for the Apostles to begin to hear that the Messiah they have so trusted in, walking with them for three and half years, performing signs and wonders, will suddenly be betrayed, arrested and killed. To them all hope was lost, as to what the future holds and even whom else to be-lieve in as their leader. (In My Fathers House by David O. Ogaga)
And this is the thought Jesus discerned in their hearts that led to the statement in question “let not your heart be troubled…” (John 14:1). Why? “But now I go my way to Him that sent me, and none of you asked me whither goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart” John 16: 5 – 6. However, since “…ye believe in God…” that the sheep which He has given to me “… no man is able to pluck them out of my father’s hand…” (John 10:29). (Please see Deuteronomy 33:3, Isaiah 43:13; 51:16) then “…. believe also in me” because “My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me; And I give unto them eter-nal life and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand …” because “… I and my father are one.” John 10:27- 30. This is the trouble they had and Jesus went into series explanations and clarifications to strengthen their faith. (In My Fathers House by David O. Ogaga)
Now as the discussion continued, Jesus having explained fully to them, His death, resurrection, the work and release of the Holy Spirit (chapters 14 through 16), the faith of the disciples began to rise as true understanding was now dawning in them, and so they declared “…by this we believe that thou comest forth from God” John 16:28 – 30.
Jesus then replied “… Do ye now believe? Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, (as a result of His death in fulfillment of the prophecy of Zech 13:7, see Matt 26:31) every man to his own, and shall leave me alone, and yet I am not alone, because the father is with me. “These things I have spoken unto you, that IN ME ye might have peace, IN THE WORLD ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” John 16:31-33 “… “While you are in the world, you will have to suffer, but be brave, I have defeated the world” NCV. (In My Fathers House by David O. Ogaga)
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In My Fathers House
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