A Christian's citizenship is in heaven. What does that mean?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Heavenly citizenship is specifically addressed in (Philippians 3:18–21), where Paul communicates that God’s children will one day encounter Jesus and experience a physical transformation “to be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:21). Citizenship in heaven comes at a price—one that Jesus paid with His death and resurrection. Through belief in Him (John 3:3; 16), we are not only counted as citizens of heaven but are made into new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). When God begins the work of spiritually transforming us into the image of Jesus (Romans 12:1–2; 8:29), the Holy Spirit begins to indwell us, too (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). As such, while we are here on this earth, our focus should be on storing our treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19–20), rather than loving the things of this world (1 John 2:15–17). Jesus gives a vivid description of what the kingdom of heaven is like, in which He explains that God, like a harvester, will be able to identify who are His true followers and who are not (Matthew 13:24–30). Unfortunately, there will be people who are not true followers, and they will in turn not be counted as citizens of heaven (Matthew 7:21). Ultimately, as Christians, we are ambassadors to others until we enter into our eternal home in heaven (Ephesians 2:18–19; 6:20).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The Israelites were often reminded that they were strangers in the land and that their ultimate allegiance was to God, not to earthly nations (Psalm 39:12; Exodus 2:22).
• The Old Testament expresses a longing for God’s eternal dwelling and promises a future restoration beyond this world. Isaiah 26:3–4 speaks of God keeping in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust Him, hinting at a trust in God’s eternal kingdom. Daniel 7:13–14 prophesies about the coming “Son of Man,” whose kingdom is everlasting and will not pass away.
• While the Old Testament covenants often centered on Israel and the Promised Land, they also pointed forward to a time when God’s rule and blessing would extend beyond Israel to all nations (Genesis 12:3; Isaiah 49:6). God’s people ultimately belong to His universal kingdom.
• The heavens are repeatedly described as God’s throne and a place of divine authority and glory (Psalm 11:4; Isaiah 66:1). The true center of citizenship and allegiance for God’s people is not an earthly kingdom but God’s heavenly rule.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• For those of us who are God’s children, we can store up our treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19–20), where we will soon be once we pass on from this life. Sadly, there are those who merely act like followers of Jesus, but have no relationship with Jesus and have not experienced a rebirth in their hearts (Matthew 7:21).
• The gospels record Jesus likening the kingdom of heaven to a field where wheat and weeds grew together, appearing similar. However, He said the two would be identified and separated at harvest (Matthew 13:24–30). God knows the difference between those who belong to Him and those who only appear to.
• When we join the kingdom of God through the grace of Jesus and the power of His resurrection, our citizenship is transferred from the world, ruled by Satan, to the heavenly kingdom, ruled by God (John 3:3).
• It is important to note that it is because of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection that we can receive eternal life (John 3:16) and experience citizenship in heaven.
• Once we are a part of God’s family, He begins His work of transformation in our lives—replacing worldly desires with godly desires—ultimately making us more like Jesus (Romans 12:1–2; 8:29).
• When we are reborn into the kingdom of heaven, the Holy Spirit gets involved, indwelling us (1 Corinthians 6:19–20), and we are made into new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17).
• As citizens of heaven, we are given the role of ambassador to others until we are recalled, in a way, back home (Ephesians 2:18–19; 6:20).
• In Philippians 3:18–21, Paul specifically mentions Christian citizenship in heaven: "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. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 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." As believers, our citizenship in heaven is certainly something to look forward to.
• We should not be caught up in the things of the world but rather look forward to and invest in our eternity to come. It is through the Holy Spirit's work that we are empowered to make decisions that reject the values of the world and practice those which honor God (1 John 2:15–17).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Almost every person is born a citizen of a political state or country, where they have identity, rights, protections, and share in a certain culture, mores, and values. We are told in the Bible that each person is also born into the kingdom of this world, where Satan rules (2 Corinthians 4:4) and is therefore enslaved as a member of that culture, taking part in Satan's values and practices—namely, rebelling against God (Romans 6:16; Genesis 3:1; 1 John 2:16).

This is the sin we are born into and remain captives of until we are rescued and redeemed by Jesus (Ephesians 2:1–5). The Bible tells us that our entry into heavenly citizenship after receiving Jesus’s gift of salvation is like being born again (John 3:3; Matthew 3:2; 7:21; Romans 14:17). Since our time on earth is relatively short compared to eternity, we are called to live on the earth as strangers in a land that is not our own, looking forward to our citizenship in our homeland, where we will be with God for all eternity (Hebrews 11:9–10).

UNDERSTAND

• Becoming a believer grants you permanent citizenship in heaven and eternal life with God.
• Our heavenly citizenship shapes how we live on earth, focusing on spiritual values over worldly ones.
• Faith in Jesus transforms us spiritually as we await our future glorified, eternal body.

REFLECT

• How does knowing your true citizenship is in heaven change the way you handle everyday challenges and priorities?
• How are you living as an ambassador for heaven while still on earth?
• What spiritual habits help you keep your focus on eternal treasures, rather than temporary, worldly things?

ENGAGE

• How can we encourage one another to live with a mindset shaped by our heavenly citizenship?
• What does it practically look like to live as “strangers and aliens” in this world while awaiting our eternal home?
• How can the hope of a future glorified body and eternal life motivate us in our current walk of faith?