Awaiting His Glory

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself." -- Philippians 3:20-21

We are citizens of heaven. This means that we are just pilgrims here on earth passing through and investing in eternity. We are living in this world but we are not of this world. We are defined by our Creator and we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ and we are seated with Christ in the heavenly places.

How do these truth affect the way we are living today? Do we live with a greater expectation of what awaits us in heaven more than what take place here on earth?

The psalmist looked up into the heavens and asked: "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?" (Psalm 8:3-4)

In other words, when we look at the moon and all the stars that are made, it is amazing that God would even think of us and yet He knows us so well and actually prepares good things for us. The psalmist David continues with this amazing reality of our identity and destiny, "For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor." (Psalm 8:5).

Our King Jesus who is the King of kings and who reigns forevermore actually desires to bless us and reward us with crowns that He desires to give us. Yes, that's right! He desires to crown you glory and honor!

He gives us "the crown of life" becaue of our love and willingess to obey and endure through temptation (James 1:12).

He gives us "the crown of rejoicing", relating to the saints we minister to (1 Thes. 2:19-20).

He gives us "the crown of righteousness" when we finish our race and fulfill our ministry (2 Tim 4:8)

He gives us "the crown of glory" for those who humbly serve and faithfully shepherd God's people (1 Peter 5:2-4).

These crowns represent Christ's desire to honor those who honor Him but He ultimately it is tangible ways that we might be able to worship the Lord in our heavenly dwelling as we see the crowns being cast down by the elders before the Lord in Revelation 4.

So that brings us back to the glory of what awaits us in heaven which is WHO heaven is all about, namely Jesus! We who walk with Jesus here on earth will ever before the Lord where there is "fullness of joy" in His presence (Psalm 16:11). We are His servants who have His abundant life now and will soon have His radiant glory in heaven.  As heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, we will reign in righteousness with Him, where there will be no more tears or mourning as we are comforted and conformed to His likeness.

So lift up your eyes to the heavens dear saint and get excited about storing up your treasure there and awaiting His glory! The time is very near! You do not know how much time you have left to fulfill your earthly purpose in the King's service. Don't waste another moment. See your eternal glory and the resurrected Lord and choose to live in light of will carry on for all eternity!

"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory" (Colossians 4:1-4).