The Importance of Our Heavenly Citizenship :: By Jonathan Brentner

Published on: by RR10 Category:General Articles

In grade school, I remember daily reciting the pledge of allegiance to the American flag. During my time at John Brown University in the early 1970s, patriotism was a quality that the leaders of the college promoted. There was a sense of pride in being an American.

We live in a much different world today. Those who lead the U.S. disparage loyalty to the flag and regard those who seek to put America first as fascists.

My intent here, however, is not to write about what’s happening in the U.S. but rather explore the many benefits of a different citizenship.

In Philippians 3:20, Paul wrote, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” The word for “citizenship” is politeuma; it also denotes community; our word “politics” derives from it. According to author John F. Walvoord, the word assures the Christian “that in contrast to those just denounced, his real home is in heaven and that he is only temporarily related to this world, its governments, and its problems.[i]

The residents of first century AD Philippi understood the value and meaning of citizenship. As a Roman colony, they enjoyed many of its privileges. They understood what it meant to display loyalty to a faraway city.

The words of Philippians 3:20 would have captured the attention of Paul’s readers and brought them considerable encouragement. They can do the same for us because our heavenly citizenship…

Signifies Living for Eternity Versus the Things of This World

Just before reminding the Philippians of their heavenly citizenship, the apostle warns them of those who live for the things of this world. In verses 17-19, he wrote:

“Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.”

Paul had just finished telling them of his forward look to “the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (3:14). I believe that what Paul specifies as the “prize of the upward call” is Jesus’ appearing. That’s the time the Lord catches us up to meet Him “in the air” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

The apostle desired for his readers, and us, to copy his passion for the things above rather than those solely focused on satisfying earthly desires.

Our heavenly citizenship signifies that our first allegiance belongs to Jesus and that we live for Him rather than put all our efforts into obtaining what the world offers.

Leads to an Eager Anticipation of Jesus’ Appearing

Being citizens of heaven meant anticipating Jesus’ appearing with much excitement. In Philippians 3:20, the Greek word for “await” points to an “intense anticipation” or an “excited expectation” of a future event.[ii] Luke used the same Greek word for “await” in Acts 17:16 to describe Paul’s restless “waiting” in Athens for Silas and Timothy to rejoin him. After the apostle’s distressing experiences in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea, we know he intently watched and greatly longed for a reunion with his fellow laborers.

Since we are citizens of Heaven, it’s only natural that we would long for Jesus to come and take us there.

During my time as a Financial Analyst, I traveled to Washington, DC, many times on business. During the evening hours, I loved exploring the landmarks of the city. I always looked forward to my trips to the capital city of my country.

Does that not illustrate how we should feel in anticipation of going to the glorious city above that we call Heaven? It’s where Jesus is preparing a special place, a home, for all those who know Him as their Savior (John 14:1-3).

Paul combined the excitement of longing for Jesus’ appearing to take us home with the fact of our heavenly citizenship. Fascination with our future residence naturally causes one to yearn for the time when Jesus will take us there.

Confirms Our Hope of Receiving Glorified Bodies

Not only does it facilitate our hopeful anticipation of the Rapture, but our heavenly citizenship confirms our hope of receiving imperishable bodies. We see this connection in Philippians 3:21 where Paul reveals an all-important aspect of what Jesus will do at His appearing:

“Who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”

This is our “blessed hope”; it’s an essential aspect of the Gospel. In 1 Corinthians 15:50-53, Paul explains why our receipt of glorified bodies must happen at the time of the Rapture:

“I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.”

As New Testament saints, we already belong to God’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13-14). However, as the apostle explains above, to fully inherit His kingdom and reign with Him in the Millennium, He must give us immortal and glorified bodies. In 1 Corinthians 15:47-49, Paul writes about bearing “the image of the man from heaven.” In the verses that follow, he explains how that happens.

Being citizens of Heaven confirms our anticipation of the day when Jesus will “will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body.” Philippians 3:20-21 and 1 Corinthians 15:50-53 are among the most comforting passages in the Bible. When the Rapture occurs, the Lord will give us bodies like His, and we will live forever, never again to experience sickness, weaknesses, pain, suffering, the effects of aging, or death.

This is the “blessed hope” embedded in the Gospel message. It’s what it means to be citizens of Heaven. I am more than a little weary of hearing the saving message of the cross explained with not one mention of eternal life. What good is forgiveness of sins if it only applies to this life? The popular version of Christianity ignores eternal life and errantly exalts the church as God’s kingdom on earth.

Helps Us to Stand Firm in Perilous Times

A most unfortunate chapter break occurs after Philippians 3:21. I believe Paul is still talking about the Rapture of the church when he writes these words in 4:1:

“Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.”

You see, there’s a strong connection between that of our heavenly citizenship, along with our hope in Jesus’ appearing that it engenders, and our firm stand during perilous times.

As New Testament saints, we live at a time when we need so much more than a vague understanding of eternal life. The hostility toward us is increasing at an alarming rate and will only get worse.

When I studied prophecy in the early 1970s, it seemed to me that society, at least in the U.S., needed to significantly change for people to accept the murder of believers and Jews, which the Bible says will happen during the seven-year Tribulation. However, the day I wondered about fifty years ago has arrived; we are at that place even in America.

Celebrities openly compare Christians to those who mass murder women and children, and no one in the mainstream media objects. I have heard transgenders say that all those opposed to their lifestyle, aka believers in God’s Word, should be killed, and I hear no strong rebuttals. The growing number of mass shootings reveals that many have no reservations about taking the lives of other innocent people.

I couldn’t cope with what I see happening around the world apart from the assurances of Scripture revealed through biblical prophecy. The extreme wickedness, lawlessness, violence, and deception in our world are all things the Bible said would happen in the last days. However, God’s Word also assures us that the Lord will deal with all these things after He takes us safely to His Father’s House in Heaven.

Knowing that I’m already a citizen of Heaven brings sanity to my days as I wait for what I don’t see, Jesus’ appearing to take me home. There’s such unspeakable comfort and encouragement in knowing that this world is not my home; I belong to another realm. God’s kingdom is coming to the earth, and when that happens, we will reign with Jesus with immortal and glorified bodies.

With such a hope, how can we not eagerly long for Jesus’ appearing? I know many feel distress because of the long wait, but please know that it’s surely coming. The Rapture will happen; don’t lose heart.

Pastors who refuse to preach about biblical prophecy, and/or deny biblical teaching regarding the Rapture, perform a great disservice to those whom the Lord has placed under their care. They deny them a great source of encouragement for the day in which we live that comes with understanding our heavenly citizenship.

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My newest book is Cancel This! What Today’s Church Can Learn from the Bad Guys of the Bible. In it, I explore what we can learn from less-than-stellar biblical characters that help us live in today’s cancel culture.

I provide a detailed defense of the Pretribulation viewpoint in: The Triumph of the Redeemed-An Eternal Perspective that Calms Our Fears in Perilous Times.

Note: Please consider signing up for my newsletter on the home page of my website at https://www.jonathanbrentner.com. Thanks!

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[i] John F. Walvoord, Philippians, (Chicago: Moody Press, 1971), p. 97.

[ii] Colin Brown, ed., Dictionary of New Testament Theology Vol. 2, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1969) p. 244.

1 May 2023

Published on: by RR7 Category:Nearing Midnight

.Diversity Is Not Always a Good Thing

A couple of years ago, I was watching a video that had a PBS reporter interviewing Thomas Sowell. The reporter brought up the subject of diversity, saying it was a good thing for society. Sowell contradicts him by saying diversity is not a virtue. He said America is not great because of its diversity. It is great despite our diversity.

The left thinks that they can create a utopian society by including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders and sexual orientations. What generally happens when there is an increase in diversity is there is an increase in conflict.

The nation of India has an abundance of diversity that has led to fighting that caused the deaths of millions of people. Northern Ireland has religious diversity that caused decades of strife between Catholics and Protestants.

Japan is a nation that has a relatively low level of diversity. It is very rare to ever hear of social conflict in that nation. The only example I can recall is that time when a cult tried to poison people, and that was nearly three decades ago.

The liberal media are so supportive of diversity, they operate like we don’t have enough of it. I was reading an article about a couple of new cast members for the skit comedy show Saturday Night Live. The article focused on how diverse it was to have the first Gay Asian and a woman who claims to not be of any sex. Nowhere in the article was there an answer to the question, “Are they Funny?”

There is some unwritten rule that requires TV ads to have people of color in any setting that has more than a few people. Even though homosexuals are only 4% of the population, advertisers feel the need to introduce same-sex couples to their commercials.

A CNBC reporter recently chided Warren Buffett for not having enough diversity in Berkshire Hathaway’s boardroom. Buffett explained to the reporter that they only hire people who are qualified for the job. Other companies make Buffett look bad by hiring non-whites to fill a quota. Many of the people selected because of their skin color have no active role in the company. Their only job is to pose at the company’s annual group picture.

Al Sharpton and Don Lemon are two of the dumbest people to ever walk the earth. Both of these men were given their own show on news networks because they were black. If I were an African-American, I would be deeply insulted by whoever selected them.

When President Biden said that he was going to choose a black woman to be the next Supreme Court justice, he did damage to the concept that the best-qualified person should always get the job. I listened to some of Ketanji Jackson’s testimony in the Senate and was not impressed by her statements. Biden may have pulled Jackson’s name out of a hat because that is how he generally handed out other jobs. Biden’s press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was hired because she is Black, Haitian, and a homosexual. She is so bad at her job, it’s obvious that little attention was given to her secretarial skills.

Several Colleges have tried to bring diversity to the classroom by deciding they are going to select a set percentage of blacks. Because there are too many Asians in the student body, they decided to make it harder for them to get in. The vision here is that Blacks from the hood will escape poverty by going to college. The vast majority of the blacks that got selected were from rich families.

The left’s rules on diversity break down when it comes to Christians. Because we are not part of a chosen minority group, we are to be excluded from society. During the Christmas season in the 1950s, three giant buildings had a cross on their upper floors. Today, most corporations shy away from any direct reference to Christianity. A firm may give a vague nod to the Christmas season by posting a wreath on its homepage. For the last two years, Google has said Happy Birthday to Jesus by adding color bulbs to their Logo.

It is obvious that diversity has become a useful tool of the devil. It allows him to bring the worst of society to the top, and it holds down those who would make America a better place. In heaven, there is no diversity. We will all be one with our Lord and Savior.

“Abide in Me, and I in you…. I am the vine; you are the branches” (John 15:4-5).

“That all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You” (John 17:21).

 

— Todd

Prominent Prophetic Perspective

Jesus, while sitting atop the Mount of Olives, speaking to His disciples, gave a profound prophecy relative to our present day. As they looked down upon Jerusalem and at the Temple on Moriah, the Lord said the following:

“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation…” (Matthew 24:6-7).

Of all the prophecies that seem to be in view now, none is more relevant than the turmoil Jesus spoke of that we’re watching in this crucial hour of last-time human history.

The process of stage-setting in this regard is part of the dynamics reconfiguring the world for humanity’s most horrific military conflict–Armageddon.

The portion of the prophecy we need to look at is the prophecy Jesus gave that “nation will rise against nation” in an unprecedented way just before He returns to set up His Millennial Kingdom on the earth.

When giving only a cursory glance at these words, we think that, yes, that’s certainly true. Many a nation has risen against another nation just during the past several decades. There have been many wars, and other wars are looming. But is this the kind of “nation against nation” reference Jesus specifically gave in this discourse?

To answer this, we must look at the Greek language–the language from which the New Testament was translated into English. Jesus was, in actuality, saying these uprisings would be unusual in that they would be based in ethnos—Greek, here, for “nation.” They would be “ethnic” in origin. They would pit ethnic—or racial—group against racial group.

It is equally true that ethnic factors have been the cause of many wars throughout the centuries. The Arabs and Jews–as a matter of fact, many ethnic peoples against the Jews—marked the conflicts of Old Testament times. Almost without exception, those early wars were “ethnic” in origin.

Things haven’t changed. Arabs and Jews still have the ethnos factor at the heart of their differences. And, never in history has the conflict been more virulent–in rhetoric, if not in fact. The Islamic nations–mostly Arab—are blood-vowed to push the Jews into the Mediterranean Sea and wipe the Jewish race from the planet. Some Arab leaders of the past and other leaders–e.g., the Iranian—continue to want all Jews expunged from the region and even off the planet. They have made it their national policy through their oratorical invectives. There have been conflicts in the century just passed involving peoples of the Caucuses, the Balkans, etc., and horrific slaughters in Africa and other places–all based upon ethnic differences.

Now, this hemisphere is experiencing the ever-increasing lethal effects of ethnic struggle. The latest is more and more pitting those of multiple races against, particularly, Caucasian types, while the protests over immigration laws escalate. These uprisings aren’t spontaneous but are fomented, obviously, by those who have ulterior motives–other than to see that illegal immigrants get a chance to start new lives in the most materially blessed nation in human history.

We’ve looked consistently at the globalist elites who are showing a total disregard for national boundaries and sovereign well-being by wanting to just ignore the laws on these important immigration matters and extend unlimited amnesty to those who have entered America illegally.

The point is, Jesus said a great, swelling uprising involving ethnic strife would grow to be a major crisis during the Tribulation era–the last seven years just before He returns to put an end to all of the conflicts at Armageddon (Revelation 19:11).

This tremendous ethnic disturbance we are witnessing each day in our headlines is something we must absolutely watch closely. The powerful turbulence–the “seas and waves roaring”—constitutes yet another indicator of where this generation stands on God’s prophetic timeline. We can say with a degree of certainty—based upon study of God’s Word and belief in the pre-Trib Rapture of Christ’s Church—that because of the burgeoning ethnic unrest, in conjunction with all of the other indicators we see interjecting themselves with growing intensity and frequency, Jesus’ shout, “Come up here!” can’t be far distant.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

—Terry