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I. HEAVEN IS GOD'S HOUSE.

1. God is infinite (Psalm 147:5).

2. Therefore, not comprehended, or included anywhere (Isaiah 66:1).

3. But is present everywhere (Psalm 139:7).

4. But yet in some places unveils Himself, and discovers His glory more than in others.

5. Where God is pleased to reveal Himself most, is called His house. He has a two-fold house.

(1) A house of grace.

(a)  The Church in general (Mark 3:35).

(b)  A believer's heart in particular (Isaiah 57:15; Revelation 3:20).

(2) A house of glory, where He manifests most clearly the glory (1 Corinthians 13:12) of His power, goodness, mercy, wisdom.

6. Hence, observe that they who come to heaven —

(1) Dwell with God, and so with the fountain of light (Psalm 104:2): life (Psalm 36:9), love, joy (Psalm 16:11).

(2) And so are secure from enemies.

(3) And enjoy true happiness (Psalm 16:11; Psalm 17:15).

II. IT IS CHRIST'S FATHER'S HOUSE. And this adds great comfort; for —

1. We may be sure of entertainment, though not for our own, yet for Christ's sake.

2. We shall dwell with Christ (ver. 3).

3. In Christ: it is our Father's house too (chap. John 20:17).

III. THESE MANSIONS ARE CONVENIENT AND SUITABLE —

1. For our natures and capacities (2 Peter 1:4).

2. For our wants and necessities: being —

(1) Void of all troubles —

(a) Spiritual: as of the sense of God's displeasure (Ezekiel 16:42); doubts about our estate; Satan's temptations (1 Peter 5:8); the delusions of this world; our own corruptions (Ephesians 5:27; Hebrews 4:10).

(b) Temporal (Revelation 7:17); for here is no want in our estates (Psalm 34:9; Psalm 84:11), no crosses in our enjoyments, no disgrace upon our names (Psalm 119:39), no sickness in our bodies (Mark 12:25), no cares in our minds (Matthew 13:22; Philippians 4:6), no death (Revelation 21:4).

2. Furnished with all delightsome furniture.

(1) For our souls.

(a)  Our understandings.

(b)  Our wills and affections (Psalm 16:11).

(2) For our bodies (Philippians 3:21), robes (Revelation 6:11), crowns (James 1:12; 2 Timothy 4:8), thrones (Luke 22:30), banquets (Isaiah 25:6; Romans 14:17; Revelation 7:17), the most pleasing objects (1 Corinthians 13:12), the most celestial melodies (Revelation 4:8-11).

3. They are everlasting (Matthew 25:46; Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:1).

IV. IN HEAVEN THERE ARE MANY MANSIONS.

1. What is the purport of this expression? Not distinct cells, but —

(1) That there is room enough for many.

(2) That many shall be saved (Revelation 7:9; James 2:5); but not irrespectively (1 Corinthians 1:26-28).

2. Whether in these mansions will there be degrees of glory?

(1) Negatively. All shall be alike in respect of —

(a)  Their freedom from evil (Revelation 21:4).

(b)  God's love.

(c)  Duration.

(d)  Their capacities, i.e., everyone shall enjoy as much as he is capable of (Psalm 16:11).

(2) Positively. One will be more capable, and so enjoy more than another. This appears —

(a)  From Scripture (1 Corinthians 15:41, 42; Matthew 19:28).

(b)  There are degrees of torments in hell (Luke 12:47, 48; Matthew 11:21, 22; Romans 2:9).

(c)  There are degrees of angelical glory (1 Thessalonians 4:16; Jude 1:9).

(d)  There are degrees of grace and good works here (Romans 2:6; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Luke 19:16-18).

3. There are many mansions. Then —

(1) Despair not of room for you there.

(2) Labour to have one of them. There are degrees in glory — then strive to be eminent in grace that you may be eminent in glory (Matthew 15:28).

(Bp. Beveridge.)

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KJV: Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

WEB: "Don't let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me.