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IS IT POSSIPLE LOSING OUR HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP ON EARTH DEFINITION CITIZENSHIP – The fact or status of being a citizen of a particular place. The qualities that a person is expected to have as a responsible member of a community. Example: He was granted U.S. Citizenship. CITIZEN: A person who legally belongs to a country and has the rights and protection of that country. IS IT POSSIPLE LOSING OUR HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP ON EARTH INTRODUCTION What is “heaven”? “Heaven is where God and Jesus are, and that is why we want to go there.” Some critics may ask: Is heaven an actual “place,” or is it more of a mental/spiritual state of existence? If it is a place, where is it? These are not easy questions to answer for two reasons. (1) In eternity, time and space will not exist anymore. Therefore, it is difficult to know how to speak of heaven’s “location”. IS IT POSSIPLE LOSING OUR HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP ON EARTH (2) All of our New Testament texts about heaven speak of it in highly figurative language. After all, how else could God describe for us something that is totally beyond our ability to comprehend or even imagine? No wonder our Saviour mostly used earthly things in His Parables to attempt to bring our understanding to the heavenly kingdom. Since the texts are so figurative, it is difficult to know what we should take literally and what we should not. IS IT POSSIPLE LOSING OUR HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP ON EARTH One truth, however, is made crystal clear in Revelation 21 and 22: We want to go to heaven to be forever in the presence of God the Father and Jesus the Son. In Revelation 21:3 John reported hearing a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, . . . and God Himself will be among them.” This is what makes heaven so glorious: being in the presence of our Creator and Redeemer. Even though “new Jerusalem” is the holy city, John saw no temple there; for “the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, ISand its lamp is the Lamb” (21:22, 23). IT POSSIPLE LOSING OUR HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP ON EARTH Later, in Rev. 22:3–5, John said that in the holy city the servants of God will serve Him, see His face, and have His name on their foreheads (as a sign of ownership). He will be their light. “Heaven” is being forever in the presence of the God who made us and the Christ who died to save us. Jesus, in John 14:1–3, called heaven “My Father’s house.” What a lovely way to think of our eternal home! In that house, Jesus said, He has prepared rooms for us. He will someday come to take us there. IS IT POSSIPLE LOSING OUR HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP ON EARTH Now that we have seen such a vivid description of heaven, we must ask, “Who will be able to go there?” Who will be given the great privilege of living in New Jerusalem and enjoying the unbroken fellowship with God that is eternity’s greatest blessing? The answer is that everyone can go to heaven—but not everyone will. It has often been said that “heaven is a prepared place for prepared people.” In other words, going to heaven is not by accident or by default. It is for those who have set their sights on going there and have let nothing get in their way of reaching that eternal goal. How are we “prepared”? By following Jesus, the Lamb, and only by following Him. IS IT POSSIPLE LOSING OUR HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP ON EARTH Just as heaven is a reality, so is hell. John did not dwell on that in the last two chapters of Revelation, but he did mention it several times. Christianity is not a “universalist” religion; this is a theological doctrine that all human beings will eventually be saved. The principles and practice of a liberal Christian denomination found in the 18th century originally to uphold belief in universal salvation. The Bible does not teach that everyone will be saved. The teaching in the Bible is that those who refuse what Jesus offers will be separated from God throughout eternity. IS IT POSSIPLE LOSING OUR HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP ON EARTH Features of those that will not go to Heaven: John wrote, But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Rev. 21:8). And nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life (Rev. 21:27). IS IT POSSIPLE LOSING OUR HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP ON EARTH Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying (Rev. 22:14, 15). I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book (Rev. 22:18, 19). IS IT POSSIPLE LOSING OUR HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP ON EARTH These verses give examples of the types of people who will not be in heaven—These verses serves dual role; i) to warn those who are living wickedly and ii) to encourage those following the Lamb. Heaven, unlike this life, will not be polluted by the presence of godless people. Each one of us has a choice to make. We must decide whether to devote ourselves to Christ and receive the blessings of heaven or to reject His sacrifice for our sins and be excluded from God’s presence forever. God offers an open invitation to eternal life, and we must decide whether or not to receive it. Whatever it may cost us in this life: it will be well worth it. We have God’s promise on that. IS IT POSSIPLE LOSING OUR HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP ON EARTH By becoming a Christian, you have started on a wonderful journey through life. The Bible associates you with the heroes of faith who saw themselves as strangers and exiles in this world (Hebrews 11:13). You are a pilgrim because you do not see this world as your permanent residence. You recognize that you are only here temporarily and will leave earthly existence to spend eternity with God. IS IT POSSIPLE LOSING OUR HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP ON EARTH Paul understood this truth and found great comfort in it, saying, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). As we became Christians, we were required to put off our worldly attitudes and affections. We can still enjoy the blessings that comforts of the world offer, but these physical blessings must not control our lives. We must not be carried away with the physical blessings of the world. True life is more important than the blessings found in earthly existence. IS IT POSSIPLE LOSING OUR HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP ON EARTH As you work for God, you will constantly face Satan’s invitations to compromise your commitment to the Lord. You must be careful not to change your decision to obey God. It is he that endures to the end that shall be saved. Hence it is very essential for you to remain steadfast in your Christianity. Throughout the Bible, Christians are warned not to lessen their commitment and dedication Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. (1 Peter 5:8-9 NKJV) (see also Revelation 2:10). IS IT POSSIPLE LOSING OUR HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP ON EARTH When you were immersed into Christ, you committed yourself to living a sanctified or consecrated life. Every decision, every action, and every thought is to focus on the things of God. This consecrated lifestyle will be attacked as you fight in the spiritual battles of earthly living. You must persevere as you face various situations in life (Romans 5:3; Ephesians 3:13; 2 Thessalonians 1:4). Do not be discouraged by those Christians who are not totally dedicated to Gods truth They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work (Titus 1:16 NKJV). IS IT POSSIPLE LOSING OUR HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP ON EARTH Try not to be disheartened by trials when it seems that Satan’s evil forces are in control (see Acts 18:5-10). God knows that His followers will be tempted to give up their committed loyalty. Some will be remembered for beginning the life of a Christian pilgrim but then following temptation and choosing to sin, compromising their allegiance to the Lord (see 2 Timothy 4:10; Hebrews 10:2426). An urgent charge has been given to Christians: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58). The Christian is to be as settled in his commitment to the Lords will as surely as truth is settled for eternity. IS IT POSSIPLE LOSING OUR HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP ON EARTH As a Christian, you are enrolled in the Lords army. The Bible states that Christians are enrolled in heaven (Hebrews 12:23a). In leaving the darkness for the light, Christians enter into a conflict. Like the soldier who enlists in active military service, the Christian must be disciplined (see 2 Timothy 2:3, 4). Because you are now a Christian, you are involved in a war between light and darkness (John 3:19, 20). Everyone on earth is part of this war, either as a soldier of light or as a soldier of darkness. When you became a Christian, you left the forces of darkness and enrolled in the Lords army of light. Gods inspired Word urges us to fight in this war as members of the Lords army. Now that you are a Christian, Fight the good fight of IS IT POSSIPLE LOSING OUR HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP ON EARTH faith! (1Timothy 6:12) Four duties that the New Testament plainly says we have as Christians could be summarize as follows. We must be i) A worker in His vineyard. Jesus said, We must work the works of Him who sent Me, as long as it is day; night is coming, when no man can work (John 9:4). Many times in the New Testament when God’s grace is mentioned, our works for Him are mentioned in the same passage. Notice: For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:8-10). ( See also Titus 2:11-14 & 2 IS IT POSSIPLE LOSING OUR HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP ON EARTH Thessalonians 3:11 ). A witness to His truth, Luke wrote, For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard (Acts 22:15). We cannot witness as the first generation Christians did, but we can witness to the Word of God. To be like Jesus we must be a faithful witness (Revelation 1:5). Do you feel too dignified to talk to someone about the Bible? Ecclesiastes 10:6 speaks of a folly that is set in great dignity. You are to be a witness to the truth. 2Timothy 2:2 says, And the things thou hast heard of me the same commit to faithful men. Our dignity should never cloud our clear vision of the mission God has given His people. IS IT POSSIPLE LOSING OUR HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP ON EARTH A watchman over souls for whom He died: The elders are to be watchmen (Hebrews 13:17). Christians are to be watchmen also 'But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand.' "So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me. "When I say to the wicked, 'O wicked man, you shall surely die!' and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. "Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall The people of God must have a burden for souls. The Bible says we are to be watchmen over souls (John 15:8) "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be IS IT POSSIPLE LOSING OUR HEAVENLY My disciples. (John 15:8 CITIZENSHIP NKJV)ON EARTH die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul. (Ezekiel 33:6-9 NKJV). A warden over His goods. We are administrators. What we have we have received from another. Like the shepherds staff in the hand of Moses, God has put certain gifts in our care which must be used for His glory: money, talents, abilities, time, and opportunities. These gifts must be considered a sacred trust from God. Many Christians have taken this truth too lightly! Jesus spoke often of this matter. We will give an account for the way we have handled His goods. God wants us all to serve Him faithfully. Are you serving Him? Are you serving Him faithfully? (Romans 12:1, 2 & 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20) IS IT POSSIPLE LOSING OUR HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP ON EARTH Can we lose our heavenly citizenship on Earth? YES. The book of Hebrews 12:23-29 vividly shows that a careless Christian who gambles with his soul by neglecting the virtues of Christian living could lose his heavenly citizenship here on Earth and subsequently go to hell. Recall we are pilgrims here on Earth and it is on Earth as you journey through the cause of life that you make a decision where to spend eternity; Heaven or Hell. The Bible made it very clear that some may begin by enlisting themselves in the Kingdom of light but due to lust of the things of the world (i.e. intense pressure from the kingdom of Darkness that tends to thrill the fleshly), they may crash out thereby losing their citizen IS IT POSSIPLE LOSING OUR HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP ON EARTH in Heaven. The book of Hebrews 12:23-29 says “To the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel. See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, "Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven." Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:23-29 NKJV) IS IT POSSIPLE LOSING OUR HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP ON EARTH The Amplified Bible renders it very clearing…..Read The book of Hebrew 6:4-6 caps it up this way … For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance; seeing they crucify the Son of God for themselves again, and put him to open shame. (Hebrews 6:4-6 WEB) IS IT POSSIPLE LOSING OUR HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP ON EARTH Another example of those that once had grace but toil with it and received the wrath of God is recorded in Jude; Now I desire to remind you, though you already know this, that the Lord, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who didn't believe. Angels who didn't keep their first domain, but deserted their own dwelling place, he has kept in everlasting bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them, having, in the same way as these, given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire. (Jude WEB) IS IT 1:5-7 POSSIPLE LOSING OUR HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP ON EARTH The book of 2Peter 2: 4 – 22 painted the graphic pictures of children of perdition. I urge you to take your time to study these passages. Extract from here read ….For if, after they have escaped the defilement of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state has become worse with them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb, "The dog turns to his own vomit again," and "the sow that had washed to wallowing in the mire." (2 Peter 2:20-22 WEB) IS IT POSSIPLE LOSING OUR HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP ON EARTH CONCLUSION We have being discussing about the citizenship of Heaven. I want to draw my conclusion from the book of Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. (Revelation 21:27 KJV) IS IT POSSIPLE LOSING OUR HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP ON EARTH QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS IS IT POSSIPLE LOSING OUR HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP ON EARTH