WHERE'S OUR MANSION?
by Steve Miller
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The advocates of the A.D. 70 Theory are having problems with the songs in our song books. The follow quotation is from a recent bulletin article.
"In the song, 'Mansion Over The Hilltop,' the lyrist has penned these words: 'I'm satisfied with just a cottage below...but in that city where the ransomed will shine, I want a gold one that's silver-lined. I've got a mansion just over the hilltop...And some day yonder we will never more wander, but walk the streets that are purest gold.'
In our understanding this is a 'spiritual song' that is not very spiritual, especially according to the definition supplied by Paul in 1 Cor. 2:12-16--i.e. The above song lacks Biblical documentation...The songwriter is correct, however, in expressing, 'I've got a mansion.' We believe this is not a possession that is claimed 'in prospect' of the hereafter, but rather one that can be & should be rested upon in the here & now" (Parkman Road Church of Christ News Letter, September 9, 1990).
Have you ever noticed that when a false doctrine about a certain subject or teaching comes into the church, that many other simple New Testament teachings begin to be changed to accommodate the new (or age old) false doctrine? When a false teaching is embraced by people who no longer are content to walk or abide in the "doctrine of Christ" (2 John 9-11), many beliefs, convictions, and gospel truths that have been true since Pentecost are perverted or changed to accommodate the sinful teachings. False teachers have a desire to serve themselves and not the Lord.
"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple" (Romans 16:17,18).
This passage teaches we need to "mark" and "avoid" them, but it also tells us that they no longer serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but they serve their "own belly," or own lusts. They pervert the simple gospel of Christ for their own benefit. By doing this they overthrow the faith of many people and divide congregations of the Lord's body (1 Cor. 1:10). The advocates of such corruption and perversion of scripture change the dates when the books of the Bible were written and the way we interpret the Scripture. They even question and reject songs we have sung for years.
According to the quote a Christian should be living in his mansion at the present time. Where is it? Jesus promised to build a mansion for those who followed him (Matt. 16:24), and would keep his commandments (John 14:15). To say that we are living in our mansion now is unbiblical, wrong, and a perversion of scripture.
I know from the Bible that I do have a mansion waiting for me when I leave this earth. I truly believe what Jesus said in John 14:2,3.
"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 unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
Jesus has promised us a mansion in heaven when this life is over. In this life we can get ready for our home in heaven someday by getting into Christ and his church. We get into Christ by obeying the gospel. We get into God's saving grace by hearing (Rom. 10:17), believing (Heb. 11:6), repenting (Lk. 13:3), confessing Christ (Rom. 10:10) and being baptized into his body (Gal. 3:27, 1 Peter 3:21). If we are in Christ we look forward to being in our mansion in heaven someday. The apostle John reveals, "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" (Revelation 21:4).
Saying we are in our heavenly mansion today is teaching something that is contrary to the truth. Those who are not in the "doctrine of Christ...hath not God" (2 John 9-11), and unless they cease teaching false doctrine and repent of their error, they will be punished in the lake of fire. "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and ALL LIARS, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" (Revelation 21:8).