Hope In Our Future Citizenship in Heaven

Philippians 3:20, “But we are citizens of Heaven; our outlook goes beyond this world to the hopeful expectations of the Savior who will come from Heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ we must remember that our hope is not in this world. We look for a city whose builder and maker is God. Our citizenship according to Paul is no longer of this world. But now we are those who are journeying to home in which we have not yet seen.

The writer of Hebrews said concerning those who are seeking the presence of the Lord, “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” (11:13). Too many Christians are living now as if this is it. But I call you to remember the promises of Jesus, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:3).

As a Christian Heaven is now my homeland in which I seek. My life is now guided by heavenly standards and I know that I have an inheritance awaiting me in Heaven. It is into Heaven that now my prayers ascend for it is to Heaven that now all my hopes is directed.

For even if death should come I will not fear for I know that Christ who is the Resurrection and Life shall raise up all Christians on that day. The apostle Paul wrote: “He will change these wretched bodies of ours so that they resemble His own glorious body, by that power of His which makes Him the Master of everything that is” (Philippians 3:21 Phillips).

As Christians let us remember where our citizenship is today – Heaven. Whether death has come or life still remains Heaven is the home in which all believers shall one day obtain. Our outlook goes beyond this world to the hopeful expectation of the Savior who will come from Heaven.