The Gospel of John Chapter 14 Pt. 2 Promises Of Heaven From Jesus Christ!

John 14 begins with Jesus stating five promises to His disciples, and by extension, believers today.

Five promises Jesus gave to His disciples.

John 14:1-4  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2)  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. 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. 4)  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 

The first promise is that there are many mansions in the Father's house which will belong to all who turn to Jesus Christ in repentant faith.

The second promise is that Jesus Himself, is helping to prepare this heavenly dwelling place for us.

The third promise is that Jesus will return again at the resurrection of life, and the rapture of His church.

The fourth promise is that Jesus will receive us unto Himself. 

The last promise is that we know where Jesus is going, and we know how to get there.

Jesus is going to answer some more questions from His disciples, that are related to this last promise.

Thomas' question showed that the disciples needed clarification.

John 14:5  Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 

Christ's testimony concerning these promises made His disciples more aware of their own ignorance. 

The disciples grew more inquisitive, seeking further light from the Lord. 

Thomas stated that he did not know where Jesus was going or the way that leads to where Christ was headed.

Jesus answered Thomas with an "I Am" statement.

John 14:6   Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  

In this text we find one more promise of God in John 14. There are almost 40 promises in this chapter! 

Here is the promise. No man, woman or young person can ever come to the Father in heaven, except through Jesus Christ. 

You can try to do good works, but you cannot earn your way to heaven. You can try other world religions, but they cannot open the door of heaven. 

All must come to the Father through repentant faith in Jesus Christ the Son. 

Notice that Jesus did not scold Thomas for saying what he did. It was good for Thomas to own up to his lack of understanding. 

However, his ignorance highlights that he was with Jesus for more than three years, and yet he did not comprehend the truth that Christ taught. 

Some of the disciples thought that Jesus was going to usher in a Messianic kingdom. Therefore, they may not have listened closely to His teaching about dying, and going back to the Father. 

From all these texts, we can gather that Jesus was drawing out the disciples ignorance, so that He could fully address their questions and concerns.

Thomas enquired about where Jesus was going and what was the way to get there.   

John 14:6   Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  

Jesus responded to Thomas by giving one of the seven "I Am" statements recorded by John. In each of those occurrences, Jesus used the Divine name "I Am" which applies the name Jehovah to Christ (See Exodus 3).

To answer Thomas, Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life." Jesus is the only way to heaven. 

In this aspect, the gospel of Christ is exclusive, because all the promises of God, are reserved for those who believe on Jesus Christ (See John 3:15-18). 

Jesus said that "I am the door" which opens to heaven. He is also the Good Shepherd who leads His sheep. 

There are many religions in the world today, but only one has the door to heaven, and only one points us to the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ (John 10:7-18).

In Peter's sermon, he told the people who heard the gospel, that there is no other name given among men whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). 

Jesus Christ's humiliation followed by great glory from His Father. 

Philippians 2:5-11  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6)  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7)  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8)  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9)  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10)  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11)  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

There is only one name that leads to salvation: Jesus Christ. There is only one name highly exalted above all other religious figures: Jesus Christ. 

Jesus is the virgin born Son of God. He lived a sinless life because He had the blood of God flowing in His veins, rather that the sin tainted blood of Adam (Acts 20:28). 

Jesus set aside all His glory, literally emptied Himself of it, and in great humility, was made in the likeness of men, and was obedient unto the death of the cross.

The Father in heaven has highly exalted His son, and given Him this glorious name, Jesus Christ. Every single person, whether born again or a sinner, will bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. 

Believers will do so with great joy and happiness, for our faith will be made sight. 

Unbelievers will do so in great fear, knowing that the God they spurned, will send them to an eternal Hell for their wicked works.

Jesus said we must be born again, by repenting of our sins and placing our faith in Christ, for salvation. 

The Lord Of Glory will save all who repent and call upon His name. 

Romans 10:8-13  But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9)  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10)  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11)  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12)  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13)  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 

In all other aspects, the gospel of Jesus Christ is inclusive, in that "whosoever will" hear it's message and believe, shall be saved. 

It is a glorious gospel offering salvation to all people, all ethnicities, and all races. All who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Whosoever believes on Jesus Christ shall not perish!

John 3:15-18  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16)  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17)  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18)  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 

The Father wants all people in the world, to repent of their sins and put their trust in His Son, Jesus Christ. He will save each person who exercises repentant faith in Christ. 

The Father has made the way of salvation freely available to all, through the perfect life, ministry, suffering, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, His Son. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

You must hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, in order to be saved. 

This is why I spend many hours each day, to faithfully and accurately, get the gospel out. 

I seek to point all of us to the One, True Living God of Heaven, and His Son, Jesus Christ. 

God is the One who moves this gospel out to people all around the world. 

If you are reading this blog, you are part of more than 140 nations, where God has called people to read His word, through this simple blog.

This is why I encourage each Christian who reads these lessons: share the gospel with those who do not know Jesus Christ. 

Trust God to do the work in their hearts, such that, they are born again. 

Matthew 28:18-20  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19)  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:20)  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Let each of us do our part in completing the Great Commission work that Jesus gave us to do. Trust our Lord to give us guidance from His Word and strength for this wonderful task.

Bob