John 14:2: No Mansions in Heaven? True Dwelling Places & Rewards Explained 🔥

Memory Verse

In my Father’s house are many dwelling places. And if it were not, I would not have said it to you. I go to prepare a place for you (John 14:2).

In the KJV, the translators chose to use the word “mansion” in this verse. However, the concept of a mansion does not come from the original Greek word, which means a place to stay or dwell. Rather, it is based upon an interpretation from the Latin. In John 14:23, Jesus uses this same word to describe making his abode with those who keep His word. Thus, Jesus is not stating that we will possess a mansion in heaven. Instead, in heaven, those of the Church will have a dwelling place.

The Church is being made into the Spiritual house for the Godhead (1 Peter 2:5). The bodies of the grace believers are the Holy of Holies of God (1 Corinthians 3:17; 6:19). As overcomers, we will abide with God and be a part of His place of dwelling (Revelation 3:12).

Based on this perspective, the misunderstanding that arises from the idea of gaining a mansion or other possessions for our works on earth comes only from an earthly frame of mind. We are saved by grace through faith. As a part of the body of the Christ, we are all equal in Christ and thus receive the same level of resurrection with Christ (1 John 3:2; 1 Corinthians 15:23).

Since we entered this world with nothing and will take nothing out of this world, why would God provide us the things of this world in the next life (1 Timothy 6:7)? When Christ returns to take the Church home, we will always be with Him from that day forward in the dwelling place He has prepared for us (1 Thessalonians 4:17). This is not a room or a house for you personally; it is a place in heaven where the Church will reside with Christ as the Holy of Holies for all eternity.

What about rewards in heaven? We are informed in Scripture of six victor’s wreaths—crowns—the grace believers can earn. In 2 Corinthians 5:10, Paul discusses the Bema seat, which is the place of reward that every Church saint will face when Christ returns to take His bride home. Therefore, we will all receive a reward for what we do with our bodies. The works of the saints will be tested for approval as by fire, and if any fails, the saints will suffer loss, but not of themselves (1 Corinthians 3:12). However, each of the Church saints will take the crowns that they have earned in this life and lay them before the throne of Christ (Revelation 4:10).

In Daniel 12:2–3, the resurrection of both the saved and unsaved of the per-church period is described. The saints earn different levels of resurrection based on their wisdom in obeying God’s word and in turning others to righteousness. Some will shine like the sky, while others will shine like the stars into the ages of the ages. By contrast, for the Church saint, we all receive the same level of resurrection, for we will all be like Christ (1 John 3:2).

The value of our rewards in heaven is not for our boasting. If we possess a mansion or crowns of glory for all eternity, our boast will be in our works rather than in God. Instead, these rewards are based upon our willingness to use what God has given to us in salvation. No one will boast before God, for our salvation and life are based upon grace, not works (Ephesians 2:8–9). Therefore, earning rewards is not about gaining something in heaven; it is about living out who we are in Christ here on earth to the fullest extent.

Is it fair for God to give each member of the Church the same level of resurrection—which directly relates to our reward in heaven? How can it be anything other than fair? We are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8). We grow in grace (2 Peter 3:18). We are one in Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12). We will all be like Christ. In Matthew 20:1–16, Jesus speaks of a landowner who hires laborers for his field. Some were willing to work from early morning, and others joined throughout the day. Some only worked for an hour at the end of the day. When it came time to pay them for the day, the landowner gave them all the same amount. This was just for the landowner, because it is his money to give as he sees fit.

Let each of us look at how we build (1 Corinthians 3:10). As we build on the foundation that is Christ, the rewards we earn reflect our faith in Christ and our living out the salvation God has given us. Therefore, as God has given to each of us a measure of grace, let us live accordingly so that we all have rewards to lay before the throne. Not to boast before God, but to thank Him for all He has given to us in Christ.