Why is this so hard for you to see this? Does it make sense to you that the New Jerusalem decends with this beautiful description, the size, and plainly states that
those whose names are not written in the Lambs Book of Life can't enter in? Do you think that this big beautiful city is going to decend just so we can say, Oh wow, look at this big beautiful city that we aren't ever going to live in. Gee, thanks God
For he looked for a
city which hath foundations, whose BUILDER and MAKER IS GOD.
The only time that anyone goes to heaven is if they die before Jesus comes, which is evident by the souls in heaven. No one is going to live eternally
in heaven where Gods Throne is, but in the New J that comes
from God
down to us.
It is a fact that we do at least rise up to the clouds in the air, and the Word says that Philip. 3:20 (KJV)
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ:
That we have 1 Peter 1:4 (KJV)
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
I have no problem that we MIGHT not be going to heaven but the "mansions" were explained in the gift and that is my point.
The "mansion" is what the soul and spirit reside in after we put off this tabernacle
2 Peter 1:13-14 (KJV)
Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; [14] Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
I quote this because it is
even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
So no amount of exegesis is going to ADD mansions to the glory of the New Jerusalem without adding to the Revelation, that is clear and simple
The building plans are precises and have no margin of error in them, IF it were as you believe, then they would be spoken of, they are not, so it is as it is.
the New Jerusalem will be the hub of our health and healing for the nations, our source of light and life.
Lord Jesus is in the middle with rivers of living water flowing out of Him, He is the Light and there are trees that the leaves of such will heal nations with.
These are the things that we know about the New Jerusalem, not palatial buildings made for our repose.
Tabernacles now which are temporal, mansions for then which are eternal.
A place where our spirit and soul reside...
The heaven deal is no biggie as long as we are with our Lord...
BTW, we will be like Him and He can fly
walk on water
heal the sick
Once we are in that eternal ministry we will have all the attributes of our Lord and God... But the mansions are just new bodies, eternal ones for us to dwell in, that is all and as I have said, there may be many who will be surprised but none will be disappointed...
I speak from experience, not interpretation
Love,
Your Brother Jerry