citizens of heaven

Citizens of Heaven

Citizens of Heaven

Here’s another sample chapter from my new writing project on our new identity in Christ. Here’s a short clip from the text:

When Jesus wrote to the church at Sardis, he promised those who overcome temptation, “I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels” (Revelation 3:5). Ancient cities recorded their citizens’ names in a registry. Upon their death, city officials would blot the citizen’s name from the registry.

Some evidence suggests ancient cities would remove a citizen’s name if they found him guilty of a crime. In the first century, persecutors would brand unwavering Christians “political rebels” and strip them of their citizenship. But Jesus offered them something no earthly authority could strip away, citizenship in God’s everlasting kingdom.

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Future Hope

Future Hope

Our heavenly citizenship offers comfort and rest. The author of Hebrews describes Abraham and Sarah’s longing for a heavenly homeland.

They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it....If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:13-16) 

Nothing beats the feeling of coming home after a long flight or a grueling car ride. This longing increases the closer we get to home. What is it about home that brings us comfort and relief?

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