Message summary: Our citizenship in heaven is eternal!

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“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb’” (Revelation 7:9,10).

Last week we shared a message about it being the 30th anniversary of this online writing ministry. We are thankful for the readers we have from many nations all around the world as our survey makes clear. We are thankful for the encouraging notes we received from all over. We found this note was especially heartening:

I've never been to Uganda but read that it is a beautiful country. "Uganda’s natural wonders span epic mountains, ancient forests, mighty rivers, and steaming hot springs. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is one of the most intimate wildlife experiences on Earth. Murchison Falls showcases the power of the Nile in full force."

But the first distinct memory I had of hearing about Uganda is where they had a brutal dictator, Idi Amin, who ruled Uganda from 1971 to 1979, who was notorious for mass killings, human rights abuses, and economic collapse. He's gone but as our reader stated there is still a great contrast in living conditions.

Like we do for all countries we hope many turn to Christ in Uganda and their living conditions improve.

We hope all readers in one way or another can recognize the blessings in their national identity. In Paul’s sermon to the Athenians in Acts 17 he states, “He [God] made from one man [Adam] every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation” (v.26). Paul claimed Roman citizenship and recognized the benefits of having this status. We both are natural born citizens of the USA, but we have readers from all over the world and each reader can say I am a citizen of ______.

But for the redeemed our primary citizenship as true children of God is in heaven. The apostle Paul wrote, "Our citizenship is in heaven". Regardless of where we live we share this common citizenship as the Redeemed of God!

There’s a celebration coming that all of us will participate in. We see it in the astounding glimpse of heaven in the second daily verse. It will make any earthly celebration pale in comparison.

We will gather as the citizens of heaven, a great multitude that no one can count.  We come from every nation, tribe, people and language. We are standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb wearing white robes and holding palm branches in our hands. We are proclaiming together in a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

Our citizenship here on earth is temporary, in fact very temporary! Our citizenship in heaven is eternal! Is your life reflecting that which is of greater worth to you?

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13.

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Heavenly Father, with great anticipation, I look forward to the crowning day when I will be among Your faithful followers from all around the world that You provided redemption for in Christ!  I am so eager to join brothers and sisters of every nation, tribe and language where we will at last speak one language, the language of heaven, as one dear friend calls it "angelise" language. With one voice we will exalt the Lamb of God who sits upon the throne proclaiming, Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever. Amen!