A Study of Eschatology

Revelation 21 - 22

If you are not a naturalized citizen of the United States of America, but have become one then you know what it is to leave a homeland country and go through to process of becoming a citizen. Heaven will not be just a place to hang your hat. You won't have to consider a process of becoming a new citizen. Just as God took Abram and Sari out of Ur of the Chaldeans and made from him a new nation. God has already done the very same for you and me who have expressed a faith like that of Abraham. Romans 4:9-12 and Philippians 3:20-21. We are a new nationality as the KJV puts it we are a peculiar people, Titus 2:14 the Greek here calls us God's own special people, those that are zealous to do good works.

This is why Paul talks to us about directional mindedness, a spiritual position.(Colossians 3:1-4) At the present time we need to understand spiritually that we are no longer natural beings, we are supernatural and aliens in enemy land. Let's just take a moment and think about what this means. If you have ever placed your foot on the land of another nationality you know that there is this awareness in your heart that goes something like this; “Yes, this nation knows I'm here, and I see their flag hanging over there. You can almost hear them say: “This land is our national heritage, don't tread on us and you'll be safe”. As believers in Jesus we already know that all the unbelieving people of the world carry this flag proudly, we in fact; we carried it when our natural life was in full allegiance to the world around us.

Now our Kinsman Redeemer is in Heaven, all of our relationships are in Heaven, our Resources are there, as is our Residence and our Reward. This is why the LORD Jesus clearly challenges us to be full of joy and overflowing with gladness of heart. Matthew 5:12

Our natural being is alive in this present world, yet clearly we are told that we have been crucified with Christ; Galatians 2:20 and that we have been remade alive through Christ who lives in us. This is a complete make-over. We have been freed from the bondage of sin and from positionally being in the first Adam. Now we are alive in the Second Adam. We should be sanctifying ourselves daily in pursuit of this make-over. Romans 12:1-2, and if we are not living in the Spirit continually then we are not being sanctified daily. 1 Thessalonians 2:13. So the question, if there is one to ask is: Are we daily preparing for the instantaneous transformation of the “ultimate makeover” that is in our future?” 1 Corinthians 15:50-58.

The bad news: Today we live in a temporary body, it gains another wrinkle every day and through illness and age we all march toward our corruptible, dishonorable, weak and mortal end.

The good news: We have by faith in Christ been crucified, now in the power of the Resurrection we supernaturally live. Galatians 2:20. It is so real that when Jesus rose from the dead, He rose; incorruptible and immortal. Christ Jesus gave up His earthly body as a sacrifice to redeem us to Him and He clothes us in His Righteous glory. 1 John 2:28-29 and 1 John 3:1-3.

So we are to be sanctified daily in this grace and truth; John 17:17 and Ephesians 5:27 through the Word of God. How here is more good news! We will be identifiable in heaven. You still will be you, but so much better. Philippians 3:20-21. Now, there is that health nut on TV who is always in his gym shorts and shirt with the frilly hair. His body is corruptible too, so we won't have a body by his standards, we will have a body by Jesus. A glorified body, like the glorified body of Jesus that Mary Magdalene saw when Jesus met her at the tomb and whom the apostles met for breakfast at the sea shore. John 20 and 21. So in real terms: “Body by Jesus” means having a real “Body” not this temporal body we try to please all day long. John 20:16; 20:27 and 21:12.

In the passages of Luke 24:42-43 and John 21:12-13 we witness that Jesus in His glorified body eats food. While it may not be necessary in our glorified body to eat, eating is a pleasant experience, or it should be. Today we experience acid-reflux and feel guilty for eating to much fat. In eternity, eating will be a perfect fellowship experience with those around our Savior, drinking from the River of Life and eating from the Tree of Life. Revelation 22:1-5.