11. Conclusion

11 Conclusion

These are challenging days for believers (1Ti 4:1; 2Ti 4:3-4) but also fascinating days (1Th 4:13-18). Much of so-called Christianity has turned from Biblical hermeneutics to a rationalistic, subjective pragmatic Arminianism. It appeals to many people and to the sinful nature of man but will produce a shallow, spiritually weak, inconsistent and compromising Christian and Christendom. If ever the cause of Christ needed students who will put into practice the literal, grammatical, historical and contextual method of interpretation, it is now. 2Ti 2:15

We can now easily understand why Jesus said, "I . . . will receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" instead of "I . . . will receive you to Myself; that I may take you to the heavenly mansions." Believers already dwell in Christ, their abiding place. Hence, all that is needed at their meeting with Him is to be kept in His immediate presence forevermore. We are not to deny a literal heaven, of course, but only to regard the context of Joh 14:1-3 as indicative of a spiritual relationship to the Father through union with Christ. The interpretation gains further substantiation from the depth of meaning it gives to John 14:6. In Christ, their abode, believers have the "way" into the Father’s presence. In Christ, they have the "truth," revealing the Father’s innermost character. And in Christ, they have the "life," infusing into them the Father’s very nature. These are the present consequences of a position in Christ, just as reception into His immediate presence will be the future consequence.