Foreigners and Strangers on EarthSample

The Celestial City

The patriarchs looked forward to the city with true foundations (Hebrews 11:9,10,16). The relationship between believers and cities is an interesting theme in the Bible. The city in the Old Testament is similar to the world in the New Testament: people organized without God and against God. The first city was founded by Cain after he had departed from the presence of the Lord (Genesis 4:16,17). The tower of Babel was seen by the Lord as a challenge to Him (Genesis 11:4-9).

THE PATRIARCHS AND CITIES

For the patriarchs, cities were a hindrance to their walk with God:

• Terah stayed at Haran instead of going to Canaan (Genesis 11:31,32).
• Lot ended up living not in tents but in Sodom, being kidnapped during a war (Genesis 14:12) and having to flee to escape judgment (Genesis 19:15,16). Not wanting to return to the nomadic life, he asked to go to a city (Genesis 19:20) where he did not feel safe (Genesis 19:30).
• Abraham lied about his relationship with Sarah in the city of Gerar (Genesis 20:1-7).
• Jacob' daughter Dina was raped in the city of Shechem (Genesis 34:1,2).

JESUS SUFFERED OUTSIDE THE CITY

There was no place for Jesus in the city of Bethlehem (Luke 2:4-7). He had to flee from the city where he was born (Matthew 2:13-15). After preaching in the synagogue of Nazareth, he was driven out of the city (Luke 4:28,29). The Samaritans did not want him in their country (Luke 9:51-56). Jesus suffered outside the city gate (Hebrews 13:12). It's an illusion for believers to think that they are accepted in this world. Our speech and behavior are different and considered strange (1 Peter 4:1-5). We must choose to turn away from the world and turn to Jesus (Hebrews 13:13). We shouldn't deceive ourselves into thinking that we have an enduring city here (Hebrews 13:14). Our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20).

SUBJECT TO THE AUTHORITIES

However, believers are not indifferent to the city and country where they live. Despite being strangers or pilgrims, we have a responsibility to the people we live with (Jeremiah 29:7). Our duty is to follow the laws and authorities of the country we live in (1 Peter 2:13-17). In extreme cases, we should respectfully point out that we serve a higher authority (Acts 4:19,20; 5:29).

THE BOOK OF LIFE

The registry of the heavenly city is the book of life (Revelation 20:11-15; 21:27). No one can promise or deny access to the heavenly city, as this is a right granted by God (2 Timothy 2:19). Heavenly citizens must live responsibly now.

NO LONGER FOREIGNERS OR ALIENS, BUT FELLOW CITIZENS WITH GOD'S PEOPLE

In the heavenly city, barriers are removed:

• There will be no more differences (Galatians 3:28). In the church, we have already experienced this: there is no one who is a stranger, pilgrim, foreigner, or stranger. It is important to welcome people and practice hospitality (Hebrews 13:1,2; Romans 12:13) so as not to reproduce in the church the barriers that exist in the world.
• Every race will be represented (Revelation 5:9,10). Evangelism will lead to this outcome (Matthew 24:14; 28:19). Prejudice can hinder God's work (Acts 10:34-36; 11:15-18) and must be avoided.
• There will be no distinction in the city between sacred and profane because everything will be consecrated to God (Revelation 21:22-26). God's presence will be the primary feature of the city.
• Everything that does not glorify God will be excluded from the city (Revelation 21:27).