of gold (Rev 21:21), and the mansions the Lord has
promised us (Jn 14:2).
John 14:3 doesn't require that the rapture take us
into heaven, for here Jesus doesn't say He'll take us into
heaven. What He says is He'll receive us unto Himself,
as does 1 Thes 4:16-17, Mt 24:29-31, and elsewhere.
No scripture says the rapture takes us into heaven.
We're taken up only as far as the clouds to meet Jesus at
the 2nd coming, and then we descend with Him to rule the
earth for the 1000 years. We will "be where He is" for
the 1000 years -- on the earth!
The purpose of mentioning the place prepared is to show
that He still has great and eternal plans for us in New
Jerusalem (Rev 21:2-3), but we won’t enter there until
the 1000 years are over.
After the millenium, our heavenly city will descend
from heaven to the new earth. And God will come
down out of heaven to live with us forever:
Rev 21:1-3
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first
heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there
was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new
Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared
as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great
voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of
God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they
shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them,
and be their God.
This city will have the pearly gates and the streets
of gold (Rev 21:21), and the mansions the Lord has
promised us (Jn 14:2).