Places Prepared by the Father
Jesus taught that the places immediately on His right and left in heaven were prepared by His Father.
Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father." (Mat 20:23, NIV)
Places Prepared by the Son
Just as there are places prepared by the Father, there are places prepared by Jesus.
Jesus said, "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 to Myself, so that where I am, you may be also." (Joh 14:2-3, MKJV)
Jesus taught that He went to heaven to prepare a place for us there. In this instance, the place for us that He was referring to was a mansion or dwelling place.
He said that He has prepared the kingdom of heaven for His sheep since the creation of the world.
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.'" (Mat 25:34).
It's important to note that God prepared His kingdom for the righteous since the world was created. This earth is just a temporary testing ground, but the kingdom of heaven is eternal.
The apostle wrote to the Hebrews that God has prepared a city for all who live by faith in Him.
"Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." (Heb 11:16)
Place prepared for the devil and his angels
Just as there are places prepared for the saints in heaven, there is a place prepared for the devil and his angels. In that place there is everlasting fire.
"Then He also shall say to those on the left hand, Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels." (Mat 25:41).
Jesus taught that the wicked will go to the same place that is prepared for the devil and his angels. It was not meant for humans but for the devil and the demons. Yet when people follow satan, they must go to the same place where he goes, which is into eternal hell fire.
"And the Devil who deceived them was cast into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet were . And he will be tormented day and night forever and ever." (Rev 20:10)
Our Preparation for Heaven
Even we ourselves must prepare for the Lord. The great multitude in heaven will one day shout:
"Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready." (Rev 19:7)
The Bride of Christ must make herself ready, in other words she must prepare. Our preparation includes being born again, baptized with the Holy Spirit, baptized with fire, repenting, separating ourselves from the world, washing our robes in the blood of the Lamb and making them white, purifying ourselves, praying, being in the Word, doing the Father's will, as well as keeping our flasks full of oil and our lamps burning for the Lord.
The Consequences of Failing to Prepare Ourselves
The Lord also warned about the terrible consequences of failing to prepare.
"And that slave who knew his master's will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes." (Luk 12:47, NASB)
Notice He said that the unworthy slave did not prepare or act in accord with his Master's will. Therefore this is what the Master of that slave will do:
"The master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers." (Luk 12:46, NASB)
Closing Words
So the Lord spoke of places prepared by His Father, such as the thrones at his right and left hand. He also spoke of places that He was going to prepare for us in heaven, which are mansions or dwelling places. We know that God has prepared a heavenly city for those who walk by faith. He has prepared the kingdom of heaven since the creation of the world for the righteous whom He has blessed.
The Lord said that everlasting fire is prepared for the devil and his angels, where they, as well as all the unrighteous, will be thrown. Indeed, even the Master's servants who know His will and do not act in accordance with it will be thrown into that terrible place. According to Scripture, ultimately death and hell will be cast into the lake of fire, along with the devil, the beast, and the false prophet.
I trust that this study has encouraged you to prepare yourself so that you end up in the right place. No matter which place you go to, that is where you will all throughout eternity. Please take this seriously, since your eternal destination is at stake.
Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible NIV, copyright Zonervan, used by permission. Other Scriptures from the NASB, copyright the Lockman Foundation, used by permission, as well as the MKJV where noted.
Author's note: If you enjoyed this post, I recommend Where Will You Go When You Die?, The Place of Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth, Separation from the World, Walking in the Perfect Will of God, The Four Tallest Homes in Heaven, Ezekiel Moses Testimony of Heaven and Hell, James Agboola Revelation of Heaven and Hell, Eudoxia Varga Testimony of Heaven and Hell, and Lynn Veasley's Revelation of Heaven. You may enjoy a couple of poems written by two of my daughters called Make Your Bride Ready and Preparation. Please also see the Main Directory for Eternal Destinations. You may also access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."
Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?
“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and believe.
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"
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Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International. He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.
