As citizens of heaven, a profound change must occur within us to attain this privileged status. This transformation is unparalleled, marking a new creation as we become sons of the kingdom of heaven. Our citizenship is in heaven, granting us the honor of being fellow citizens in a great kingdom, members of the household of God, and part of a temple where God Himself dwells. This privilege brings with it a hope that permeates every moment of our lives, allowing us to live in this world with God by our side. Yet, we must be certain of our position as citizens of heaven. Without this assurance, we cannot fully grasp the privileges that accompany it. Often, our daily struggles arise from failing to recognize the extent of our blessed status, leading us to envy those outside this citizenship or to stray from the standards required of us. We are no longer strangers and foreigners, as we have undergone a significant change, leaving behind past ways and embracing a new identity. The distinction between being a citizen of heaven and a stranger is clear. A stranger finds themselves among a people not their own, lacking the deep connection of family or the rights of citizenship in a kingdom. A foreigner, or sojourner, may live near or within a community but does not truly belong, residing on a passport rather than possessing a birth certificate of the kingdom. As citizens of heaven, we are not of this world; though we may be in it, we do not belong to it. This difference becomes evident in times of testing. Whether through personal trials, persecution, or life's crises, it is crucial to know whether we hold a birth certificate of heaven or merely a passport. In such moments, the true nature of our citizenship is revealed. We must ask ourselves if we feel at home among God's people, if we understand their language and share in their concerns, and if we conform to the laws and customs of His kingdom. Ultimately, the assurance of our heavenly citizenship comes from God through the Holy Spirit. It is a legal and spiritual certainty, beyond feelings or superficial appearances. We must hold fast to this birth certificate, reminding ourselves that we are fellow citizens with the saints, members of the household of God, and ambassadors for Christ. This realization, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, transforms how we view our trials and tribulations, affirming our true position in Him.

The concept of a heavenly homeland is central to the vision and purpose that unites believers in their journey toward God's Kingdom. This homeland is not merely a physical destination but embodies the ultimate goal of an intimate relationship with the Father, as revealed by Jesus Christ. It represents the blessedness and eternal life promised to those who focus on this divine vision, a place where God's righteousness propels the faithful toward salvation. The gospel, as the power of God, guides believers to this heavenly homeland, providing the understanding and motivation needed to pursue it with unwavering focus. In the context of the Millennium, this heavenly homeland becomes the common vision for all, as Jesus Christ will refocus the world's attention on Himself, His Kingdom, and the Father. The purpose of life, to be made in God's image, will be the unifying goal, with the earth filled with the knowledge of the Lord. This shared vision will eliminate the need for individuals to teach one another to know God, as it will be universally understood and supported by examples of those already on the path. The heavenly homeland, therefore, stands as the ultimate hope and destination, urging believers to maintain unity of purpose amidst current challenges and to keep their lives aligned with this divine goal.

Our homeland is in heaven, a place where our citizenship, politics, and government reside. This heavenly homeland signifies an assembly of persons united under the same rules and laws, sharing a fellowship of oneness. As citizens of this heavenly city, we are called to live by the standards, customs, laws, and attitudes of heaven, contrasting sharply with those whose focus is on earthly things. Our lives should reflect the control of the flesh and a focus on the Kingdom of God, recognizing that heaven represents the unreachable to those driven by sensory gratification. Though we are strangers and sojourners on earth, we are citizens of the household of God, fellow citizens with the saints, with Jerusalem above as our mother. We look for a city whose builder and maker is God, where our Head resides. Our intimate relationship with Him is such that we are seen as His Body, and it is from heaven that He will return to deliver us from all enemies. The life of the church is derived from heaven, where it is governed, fed, and receives its energy, power, and wisdom. It is essential to recognize our position as history progresses toward the time when God is all in all. We must live by faith, following the dictates of our heavenly homeland, even when it seems like reaching for the unreachable. God assures us that He has the energy, power, will, wisdom, and love to bring us into oneness with Him. Our spiritual life is rooted in Christ, who is the Head, and we are His Body, united in a spiritual organism that, though not visible to the eye, places us in heavenly places in the mind of God. We stand at a crossroads daily, with the opportunity to look forward to the Kingdom of God or backward to what we have left behind. Paul urges us to stand fast, keeping our minds focused on our heavenly homeland where Jesus Christ dwells, resisting the temptations of the flesh and the persuasions of satan. Our responsibility is to yield to Him, grow, and overcome, thereby glorifying the Father as we bear fruit through obedience, just as Christ did.