Expert: Elder Greg Madden - 9/28/2006

Question
Also; Jesusus said both the blind and guides and their followers would fall into the ditch; what is the ditch; please give referances.
Jesus also said that in his fathers house were many mansions; according to scripture what is his house and what are the mansions, and are they still the same as when they were at his speaking?  

Answer
I was just wondering if this answer was helpful? Please let me know if I can be of any further help.

Elder Greg Madden



Paul,

Thank you for your questions. I will do my best to answer you.

Here is the reference for the gates of hell...

Mt. 16:18
And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

The gates of hell are the enemies of the Church are compared to a strong kingdom, and therefore by "gates" are meant cities which are made strong with wise preparation and fortifications, and this is the meaning: whatever satan can do by cunning or strength. the gates of hell--"of Hades," or, the unseen world; meaning, the gates of Death: in other words, "It shall never perish." Some explain it of the assaults of the powers of darkness.

Here is the reference for the ditch...

Mt. 15:14
Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Luke 6:39
And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

A ditch could also be defined as a pit, trap, or snare of the devil. This verse is a word pitcher describing the striking expression of the ruinous effects of erroneous teaching.

Here is the mansion reference...

John 14:2
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.

By the "Father's house" is meant the heavenly abode of the Father. Here Christ is about to return there, from whence he had come. "I go to prepare a place for you". If the separation was to be an eternal one, he would have forewarned them. Rather, he goes before to prepare a home for them, and us, where they can all be together. The departure of Jesus was needful to open an entrance to them and use.
Many mansions - or if you will, enough to receive both the holy angels, and your predecessors in the faith, and all that now believe, and a great multitude, which no man can number.
By mansions He means abiding or dwelling places, it denotes fullness and sufficiency of room for all his people. These dwelling places are a part of the eternal reward of the Believer. Therefore I believe the "mansion" itself remains the same, but the rewards of those who dwell in them will differ. Here are a few of those rewards.

A crown of righteousness
2 Timothy 4:8

A crown of glory
1 Peter 5:4

A crown of life
James 1:12; Revelation 2:10

An incorruptible crown
1 Corinthians 9:25

Rest
Hebrews 4:9; Revelation 14:13

Being with Christ
John 12:26

Beholding the face of God
Psalms 17:15; Matthew 5:8

Please let me know if this helps,
Elder Greg Madden