Both Peter and Paul refer to our earthy bodies as tents. Used today but meant to be taken down tomorrow. Paul goes on to mention the house built by God to be received by every Christian in Heaven when our tent is finally taken down. Jesus said that in Heaven there are many mansions and that He has gone to prepare a place for us. This is good news for the Christians. For it means we are trading tents for mansions. Transitioning from a temporary dwelling to the permanent one built by God.
2 Peter 1:13-14 (NKJV)
13 Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, 14 knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me.
2 Corinthians 5:1–2 (ESV)
1 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling,
John 14:2–3 (ESV)
2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
A tent is a temporary structure meant to only be used for a short time. Eventually taken down and discarded. While a mansion is a permanent structure built to stand for generations. Our earthly bodies are as mere tents a temporary residence that will one day be taken down. Christians stand to inherit heavenly bodies that will stand as a mansion. A permeant structure built by God that we shall abide in forever. We are trading tents for mansions! Leaving the temporary and moving into the permanent.
The human body is glorified in many ways in our world. We attribute beauty, youth, strength, stamina, agility, and so much more, all to our earthly bodies. But because these bodies are referred to in the above passages as mere tents, we can only begin to imagine the glory of the heavenly body. A body that won’t deteriorate over time, will never run out of strength or stamina. One that will enable us to forever dwell in the presence of the Lord. Not to mention how much more inviting and pleasing to the eye a mansion is when compared to a simple tent.
Every faithful Christian will trade their earthly tent for a mansion in Heaven built by the hands of God. Don’t cling to this tent but embrace the fact that it is temporary. That a better and permanent home is waiting for you. Look with hopeful anticipation to the future longing for your new home while you continue to live in this one. Just as the Apostle Paul did.
2 Corinthians 5:4 (ESV)
4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
I hope you can see what God has in store for His people. Not simply a fancy house in Heaven. But a completely new body that greatly exceeds the one we have come to know. If you are reading this and are not saved then I point you to the biblical plan of salvation(insert link). Follow it and receive the salvation that God is freely offering. Then you to will one day trade your worn-out tent for a brand new mansion in Heaven built by the master craftsmen.
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