Citizenship
Citizens of the kingdom
The kingdom of God has its own citizens — not made by birth or border, but born from above and written in the Lamb's book of life.
Strangers made fellowcitizens
By nature we were aliens, strangers to the covenants of promise, without hope. But in Christ the stranger is brought near and given a place — no longer a foreigner, but a fellowcitizen with the saints and of God's own household.
“That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.”
Ephesians 2:12 (KJB)
“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.”
Ephesians 2:19 (KJB)
Born again into the kingdom
This citizenship is not inherited from the flesh but given in the new birth. As many as receive him are given power to become the sons of God, and are translated into the kingdom of his dear Son.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:3 (KJB)
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name.”
John 1:12 (KJB)
“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of his dear Son.”
Colossians 1:13 (KJB)
One kingdom, out of every nation
The rolls of this kingdom are open to every kindred and tongue. In Christ the old divisions fall away, and the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
“Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.”
Revelation 5:9 (KJB)
“Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond [nor] free: but Christ [is] all, and in all.”
Colossians 3:11 (KJB)
“For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.”
Romans 10:12 (KJB)
A better country, a city to come
Here we are strangers and pilgrims. Our conversation is in heaven, our names written in the Lamb's book of life, and God has prepared for his people a city.
“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 3:20 (KJB)
“For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.”
Hebrews 13:14 (KJB)
“But now they desire a better [country], that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.”
Hebrews 11:16 (KJB)
“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 (KJB)
The Spirit of adoption
We do not enter this kingdom as slaves but as sons. The Spirit himself witnesses with our spirit that we belong, and teaches us to cry, Abba, Father.
“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”
Romans 8:15 (KJB)
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.”
Romans 8:16 (KJB)
A chosen generation, a royal priesthood
Every citizen is given a standing and a calling — a people taken out of darkness that they might show forth the praises of him who called them into his marvellous light.
“But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.”
1 Peter 2:9 (KJB)
“Which in time past [were] not a people, but [are] now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”
1 Peter 2:10 (KJB)
Built together for an habitation of God
This kingdom is not a scattered crowd but a temple under construction — every citizen a living stone, joined and framed together in Christ by the Spirit.
“And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone].”
Ephesians 2:20 (KJB)
“In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord.”
Ephesians 2:21 (KJB)
“In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
Ephesians 2:22 (KJB)
Not of the world
This citizenship sets us apart. The world may hate what it does not own, yet the child of the kingdom belongs to another country and answers to a higher throne.
“Because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”
John 15:19 (KJB)
“I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”
John 17:14 (KJB)
Come and be a citizen
The gate stands open to every nation. Come to the King, and be received.
Questions on citizenship
How does one become a citizen of the kingdom?
By the new birth — not by descent, nation, or works. “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3, KJB); as many as receive him are given power to become the sons of God (John 1:12).
Is citizenship inherited by blood or nationality?
No. The children of the flesh are not the children of God; the children of the promise are counted for the seed (Romans 9:8). God gathers his people out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation (Revelation 5:9).
Can a citizen be cast out?
He that cometh to Christ he will in no wise cast out (John 6:37). Those written in the Lamb's book of life enter into the city (Revelation 21:27).
Where is our citizenship?
In heaven. “For our conversation is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20, KJB); here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come (Hebrews 13:14).