- Home
- Speakers
- David Wilkerson
- Awaiting A Glorious Day
David Wilkerson

David Wilkerson (1931 - 2011). American Pentecostal pastor, evangelist, and author born in Hammond, Indiana. Raised in a family of preachers, he was baptized with the Holy Spirit at eight and began preaching at 14. Ordained in 1952 after studying at Central Bible College, he pastored small churches in Pennsylvania. In 1958, moved by a Life Magazine article about New York gang violence, he started a street ministry, founding Teen Challenge to help addicts and troubled youth. His book "The Cross and the Switchblade," co-authored in 1962, became a bestseller, chronicling his work with gang members like Nicky Cruz. In 1987, he founded Times Square Church in New York City, serving a diverse congregation until his death. Wilkerson wrote over 30 books, including "The Vision," and was known for bold prophecies and a focus on holiness. Married to Gwen since 1953, they had four children. He died in a car accident in Texas. His ministry emphasized compassion for the lost and reliance on God. Wilkerson’s work transformed countless lives globally. His legacy endures through Teen Challenge and Times Square Church.
Download
Topics
Sermon Summary
David Wilkerson emphasizes the promise of a permanent home in heaven, as Jesus assures us that He is preparing a place for each believer. He addresses concerns about the vastness of heaven and reassures that if Jesus is building it, it will be glorious beyond our comprehension. Wilkerson encourages us to envision heaven not as a physical structure but as a realm of eternal belonging, where we will dwell with Christ forever. The sermon highlights the personal nature of this promise, as Jesus will come to receive us and show us our eternal home. Ultimately, it is a message of hope and assurance for all believers awaiting that glorious day.
Scriptures
Awaiting a Glorious Day
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 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” (John 14:1-2). Many of us have moved a number of times throughout our lifetime but once we get to heaven, we will never have to move again. Jesus tells us that he has gone to prepare a place for us and it is a permanent home. A Christian woman asked, “If there will be innumerable multitudes in heaven, how could God possibly make a habitation for everybody? How could there be room enough for so many places?” Let us consider Jesus’ words on the subject: “I go to prepare a place for you.” These words ought to mean something to us. Some Bible scholars interpret Jesus’ meaning here as “many dwellings.” That may or may not be accurate, but I do know this for certain: If Jesus is building it, we can be sure it is something glorious! As you envision the place our Lord is preparing for you, do not picture brick buildings or anything like that. Rather, his habitations are of another realm altogether. As limited humans, we cannot conceive of a realm in which the body passes through all material substances unhindered. (Jesus did this after his resurrection, and he says that in heaven our glorified bodies will be like his.) This is a realm no scientist has discovered, one vastly different from anything we can comprehend. The most important point Jesus makes about heaven is, “This is home! You are going to live eternally where I live.” “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (14:3). Simply put, there is a home in eternity for each of us. Jesus said, in essence, “When that day comes — when you are here with me — I will personally show you what I have built for you.” Truly, that will be glorious!
- Bio
- Summary
- Transcript
- Download

David Wilkerson (1931 - 2011). American Pentecostal pastor, evangelist, and author born in Hammond, Indiana. Raised in a family of preachers, he was baptized with the Holy Spirit at eight and began preaching at 14. Ordained in 1952 after studying at Central Bible College, he pastored small churches in Pennsylvania. In 1958, moved by a Life Magazine article about New York gang violence, he started a street ministry, founding Teen Challenge to help addicts and troubled youth. His book "The Cross and the Switchblade," co-authored in 1962, became a bestseller, chronicling his work with gang members like Nicky Cruz. In 1987, he founded Times Square Church in New York City, serving a diverse congregation until his death. Wilkerson wrote over 30 books, including "The Vision," and was known for bold prophecies and a focus on holiness. Married to Gwen since 1953, they had four children. He died in a car accident in Texas. His ministry emphasized compassion for the lost and reliance on God. Wilkerson’s work transformed countless lives globally. His legacy endures through Teen Challenge and Times Square Church.