Do you know how to return to our?former?home? --- Christ Ahnsahnghong

Heavenly citizenship for those doing the Father's will

 

When the eternal kingdom comes, the most valuable thing is the citizenship of heaven. Even though tens of thousands of people give us their American citizenship cards, we will never exchange our heavenly citizenship for theirs. We are envied by all the spiritual beings in the universe. God tells us how to acquire the citizenship of heaven.

 

Mt 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"

 

Nobody can enter the kingdom of heaven without the citizenship of heaven. Then, who can acquire the heavenly citizenship? Only those who do the will of the heavenly Father can acquire it. The Bible clearly shows us the way to obtain the citizenship of heaven and also the reason to be rejected.

 

He who belongs to God is to hear what God says. God clearly commands us to keep the Sabbath, but some insist on keeping Sunday. God commands us to celebrate the Passover, nevertheless some insist on celebrating Christmas. This is an expression of their strong will not to hear what God says. God sternly says that such people do not belong to Him: "The reason you do not hear what I say is that you do not belong to Me." What a dreadful word! Through this word, God shows us the way to distinguish between those who can acquire the heavenly citizenship and those who can't.

 

Heavenly citizenship is given to the people of Zion, the city of God's appointed feasts

 

Now, we need to find out where God our King reigns in order to know where we are now, examining the requirements we must meet in order to qualify for heavenly citizenship.

 

Isa 33:20-22 Look upon Zion, the city of our festivals; your eyes will see Jerusalem, a peaceful abode, a tent that will not be moved ... There the LORD will be our Mighty One. ... the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; it is he who will save us.

 

Here, us' mean those celebrating God's feasts in Zion. God is called their King; He is the King of Zion, the city of His appointed feasts. We, the people of Zion, celebrate the feasts. So it is clear that we have a heavenly citizenship.

 

Isa 51:15-16 "For I am the LORD your God, who churns up the sea so that its waves roar-the LORD Almighty is his name. I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand-I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, You are my people.'"

 

The people who dwell in Zion are the ones who have obtained the heavenly citizenship, though they live in this sinful world now. We must feel proud that we have acquired the heavenly citizenship even though we are cast down to a small planet called earth.

If we have the citizenship of heaven, we ought to hear what God says. Now, let's see if we obey God's word as heavenly citizens, considering what are the requirements for the heavenly citizenship.

 

Ex 20:8 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy."

 

First, citizens of heaven ought to keep the Sabbath day. Those who do not keep the Sabbath cannot acquire the citizenship of heaven. When they stand before Jesus at the last day, they will beg Him to let them into heaven, saying, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name pray and drive out demons, and help the poor?" However, Jesus will turn His face away from them, saying, "I never knew you."

"Show Me your citizenship of heaven. Do you know the reason why I have not granted you heavenly citizenship? Have you ever kept the Sabbath holy?" 

If God asks them such stern questions, what will they answer?

God said, "My sheep listen to my voice" (Jn 10:27). How can they acquire the heavenly citizenship without obeying even a single command of God-"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy"?

So Jesus told them plainly, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!"

 

Second, heavenly citizens ought to celebrate the Passover.

 

Lk 22:14-20 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you."

 

The Bible teaches us that we can receive the forgiveness of our sins only by celebrating the Passover.

 So God has established the Passover, saying,

 "This [Passover] is for you." It is a qualification for the citizenship of heaven to celebrate the Passover.

 

The citizenship of heaven can be acquired when we always live in Zion, know God and obey everything He has commanded us. We have the heavenly citizenship granted by God. Let us take pride in our citizenship in heaven. God has given us the Passover and let us know what the Savior's name is; and He clearly said to us, "You are My people."

 

When we go back to the glorious kingdom of heaven, we will enjoy the powerful privileges of heavenly citizenship. Many people, who have not obeyed God's commands, will entreat God to let them in before the heaven's gate. However, Christ will sternly say to them, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" What about us all in Zion? 

We shall all enter heaven's gate safely. 

For heaven is our home and our country.

Giving thanks to God who has given us such a great blessing, let us help numerous people who are longing for the heavenly citizenship.

 

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