The Place He’s Prepared
April 07, 2000

by Rose Murdock

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.   By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.  And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.  But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.  Hebrews 11:8-10, 13-16

Abraham was called to go into a place. God called him to a place. This word ‘place’ in the Greek is "topos".  It’s translated ‘place’ quite often in the New Testament.

It means: a spot (a space but limited in occupancy), a location (as a position, home, tract etc...). Fig. condition, opportunity; spec. A scabbard.

A scabbard is a sheath or container as for a sword.

So this word place indicates a specific or customized place, condition or opportunity.

God called Abraham to a specific place or condition or opportunity.   Abraham traveled in the promised land but it was as a stranger or foreigner.   He lived in tents, it was a temporary place. (Gen. 15:16 Because the iniquity of the Amorites was not yet full).

Yet Abraham knew God was talking about something more then a physical land to inherit.  He knew the way to receive this ‘place’ God called him to and promised to him was something other then going into a physical place.  He "confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."  He knew there was a heavenly ‘place’ that God had called him to and because he sought that heavenly place God is not ashamed to be called his God and He has prepared for him a city. (Verse 16).

Let not your heart be troubled: ye 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.  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.  John 14:1-3

Jesus told His disciples He was going to prepare a place for them.  This word ‘place’ is the same word ‘topos’.  Jesus was going to prepare a specific, customized place for us.

Jesus said in His Father’s house are many mansions.  Many permanent dwelling places. (The Greek word mansion is ‘Mone’ which implies to stay in a given place or state or expectancy).

Jesus went to prepare a permanent dwelling place for us.  Abraham traveled as a foreigner on this earth dwelling in tents.  In the same way, we are foreigners here on the earth.  Our permanent dwelling place is not of this world.   Even while we are here, we are not to feel ‘at home’ here in the world.   The place Jesus has for us is a place with Him. Verse 3 says, "that where I am ye may be also."

However, Abraham lived in the ‘place’ God called Him to.  He lived in the land of Canaan while he was here on the earth.  In the same way, God desires for us to live in the place He’s called us to while we’re here on the earth.  We can live in it here while we’re on earth, but we’re foreigners to this world just as Abraham was a foreigner to Canaan.  But He did live there.   And we too can live now in the place He’s prepared for us.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed...And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.  Luke 2:1,3-7

There was no room for them in the inn.  Guess what the Greek word for "room" is?  It’s ‘topos’.  Place, specific place. God never intended for this earth to be a permanent home for Jesus.  He never intended for Him to "fit in" here.  He was "out of place" here.   In the same way, we are not to fit in here.  We are to be out of place here.   This is not our home!  Not the way the world does things.  But we can be at home while we’re here if we live in the ‘place’ God has called us to while we’re here!

And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.  And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.  Luke 9:57-58

Do you think Jesus was telling him, "Well, you can follow Me if you want but it’s pretty rough, I don’t even have a place to stay half the time, I can’t guarantee I can take care of you, I can’t even take care of Myself."

Or do you think He was saying, "Here we go, here’s another one who wants to follow Me, I can’t even have a minute to lay down and rest I’ve got all these people following Me".

I don’t think so.  I think He was saying, "O.K. if you want to follow Me you have to realize that even as foxes have holes, which are customized places for them, and birds have nests which are specific homes for them, My home is not here, I don’t have a specific customized home found here in the earth, I want to show you another place, a place you can’t see with your eyes, but a place with the Heavenly Father, I want to show you the way."  That’s what I think He meant.   If we want to stay with Him, it’s not a place of sitting still and sitting back.  It’s a place of action! It’s a place of fulfilling what He’s called us to do. It’s a place of pleasing the Father!

And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.  And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.  And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?  And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.  And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment: and they were affrighted.   And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. Mark 16:1-6

Glory to God!  Look at the place (topos) where they laid Him.  The place they laid Him couldn’t hold Him!  They tried to create a spot for Him to keep His body but death couldn’t hold Him!  When you are in the place God has called you to be, nothing will be able to hold you back!

How do we get in this place?

Jesus said to His disciples before He ascended into Heaven:

And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.  Luke 24:49

Stay where you are until you get this power from on high, then you can move on to that place.  Peter said in his sermon he preached after he received that power from on high:

This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.  Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. Acts 2:32-33

He left, He ascended into Heaven, He received the promise of the Spirit from the Father and sent Him to us.  Then what did He do?

...when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;  Hebrews 1:3

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God. Hebrews 10:12

He sat down.  But He said He was going to prepare a place.  He talked about mansions, permanent residences.  So He’s a carpenter, isn’t He physically building a place?

"That where I am, ye may be also."

But God, ...hath quickened us together with Christ...And hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-6

For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints and of the household of God: And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.  Ephesians 2:18-22

Praise God!  We are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints and of the household of God.  We may be strangers here to the world, but we’re not strangers to the household of God!  We are built together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.  He’s talking about while we’re here on earth.  We have access to this place now. T his is how Jesus prepared a place for us--by dying, bringing His blood to the Father and sending His Spirit to dwell within us.

Jesus said:

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him; but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.  John 14:16-17

The words ‘abide’ and ‘dwelleth’ come from the same word ‘mansion’ comes from back in verse 2.  The Holy Spirit will be with us forever.

There’s a place we have in Him that is a permanent place.  It’s eternal.  It’s customized.  We "fit in" in Heaven.  We fit in with Jesus and with the Father, through the Spirit of God.  When we get to Heaven we won’t be standing around as outsiders trying to fit in.  We will be an integral part of what’s going on.  In the same way, we are a very important part of what God is doing in the world today.  We have a specific place in the body of Christ.  We need to find that place in Him that He wants us to take and fulfill what He’s called us to do.  We need to live in that place He’s called us to while we’re here.  Start with the Word of God, start by spending time in His Word and begin to allow His Word place in your life.

In John 8:37 Jesus said, "My Word has no place in you."  The word ‘place’ here is not ‘topos’.  It’s "choreo" which means to give space, to pass, enter, to hold, admit.  It implies more of a granting entrance to an area.

Jesus said they did not grant His Word entrance in their lives.  If we allow His Word a ‘place’ in us, He will prepare a ‘place for us.   I’ll take His place over this world’s place anytime!

God Bless you and have a great day!