Heavenly Citizenship
Phil. 3:20 – 21
Philippians 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Philippians 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Introduction
Some countries like Philippines, Canada, and New Zealand, allow people to have dual citizenship. Super rich people I heard has more than two passports and they can stay in country of their choice. Sometimes they cannot even make up their mind as to which place they are going to stay permanently. Such a privilege which belongs only to few people makes us sometimes jealous. We Christians however, are better.
I. Meaning of the word “conversation”
A. It means heavenly citizenship, or citizens of the heavenly world, in contradistinction from a worldly community
B. It does not mean oral discourse or oral communication.
II. Christians or saved people are aliens here
A. We are living here on earth but the truth is we re heavenly citizen. We belong to heaven, and that’s the most wonderful thing to know. We have dual citizenship also. One earthly and one heavenly which is better than any other.
B. During the time of Paul, Roman citizenship makes somebody more privileged than any other people. It’s just like a US citizen now.
C. We have an amazing future no matter what misfortune we have now in this life, because heavenly home gives us a bright hope of eternal happiness beyond our wildest dream and imagination.
D. Peter writes that we are strangers and pilgrims here (1 Pet. 2:11). Paul tells us that we are to set our affections to things above not on things here on the earth (Col. 3:2). No wonder he tell us also that God made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ (Eph. 2:6).
E. My Thompson Chain Reference Bible gives several advantages of having heavenly citizenship.
1. It is a source of real joy – Lk. 10:20
2. Assures future exaltation – Lk. 22:30
3. Promises a place of permanent residence – Jn. 14:2
4. Furnishes an undying hope – Phil. 3:20
5. Provides glorious inheritance – 1 Pet. 1:4
6. A register is kept of the names the citizens – Rev. 21:27
Illustration/Application:
As heavenly citizens we represent heaven not only after death but now. We are in world but not of the world. Our values are not worldly as compared to the false teachers and their followers whose
god is their belly and who mind earthly things (Phil. 3:19). It’s a shameful thing for a Christian to be seen on the streets drinking, gambling, and womanizing. We let our light shine for them to see. We must obey heavenly laws like abstaining from fleshy lusts, which war against the soul (1 Pet. 2:11). Contrast Galatians 5:19-21 with Gal. 5:22-24
III. We look for the Saviour
A. Look here means wait.
B. We need to focus on His coming and remove our attention on other things.
C. Other expositors write “eagerly await”, for our Saviour. Why?
1. We don’t know when Christ our Lord is coming. Mt 25:13; Mr 13:33
2. The Imminence of His return. Re 3:11
3. The Children of Light will not sleep. 1Th 5:5-6. Be watchful. Always alert in spiritual things, live righteous lives according to the Word of God.
4. Reward is promised to those who patiently waits. Lu 12:37, Rev. 22:12.
5. Do you eagerly wait and anticipate seeing Jesus? Are you really in love with the Lord Jesus? Do you long to see Him? Is he just a nuisance that disturbs your plans in your life and activities? Jesus should be the most important person and the center of our life.
Illustration: Christ’s Second Coming
Biblical prophecy provides some of the greatest encouragement and hope available to us today. Just as the Old Testament is saturated with prophecies concerning Christ’s first advent, so both testaments are filled with references to the second coming of Christ. One scholar has estimated that there are 1,845 references to Christ’s second coming in the Old Testament, where 17 books give it prominence. In the 260 chapters of the New Testament, there are 318 references to the second advent of Christ—an amazing 1 out of every 30 verses. Twenty-three of the 27 New Testament books refer to this great event. For every prophecy in the Bible concerning Christ’s first advent, there are 8 which look forward to His second!
IV. Glorification
A. The Lord Jesus Christ will complete our salvation in its future sense of glorification.
B. This involves changing our outward appearance, i.e., our present physical body that is still subject to sin, fatigue, age, sickness, and death.
C. This transforming will result in a “glorified body” which is like the resurrection body of our Lord (1 Thess. 4:13-18, 1 Cor. 15:52, Lk. 24:39).
D. It will be a deathless, disease less, sinless, indestructible, heavenly and for spiritual world.
E. This change will happen in the rapture of the living believers and the resurrection of those believers who died earlier.
F. The change will be effected by Christ’s omnipotence.
G. For those unsaved, they will never have a glorified body
V. Conclusion
Truly, real Christians are citizens of heaven. We must wait patiently for the coming of the Lord who will change our vile body into a glorious body like His. Trust in Christ now and be a citizen of heaven.
