What does it mean to be citizens of heaven? It means we live under heaven's government. Christ, the King of heaven, reigns in our hearts! Our daily prayer is, "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." The proclamations issued from the throne of glory—we receive them freely! The decrees of the Great King—we obey them cheerfully!

Then as citizens of the New Jerusalem, we share heaven's honors. The glory that belongs to the beatified saints belongs to us, for we are already sons of God, already princes of the blood imperial! Already we wear the spotless robe of Jesus' righteousness! Already we have angels for our servants, saints for our companions, Christ for our Brother, God for our Father, and a crown of immortality for our reward! We share the honors of citizenship, for we have come to the general assembly and Church of the firstborn whose names are written in heaven.

As citizens, we have common rights to all the property of heaven. Ours are its gates of pearl and walls of chrysolite! Ours the azure light of the city that needs no candle nor light of the sun! Ours the river of the water of life, and the twelve manner of fruits which grow on the trees planted on its banks! There is nothing in heaven that does not belong to us. "Things present, or things to come"—all are ours.

Also as citizens of heaven we enjoy its delights. Do they rejoice in heaven over sinners that repent—prodigals that have returned? So do we. Do they chant the glories of triumphant grace? We do the same. Do they cast their crowns at Jesus' feet? Such honors as we have we cast there too. Are they charmed with his smile? It is not less sweet to us who dwell below. Do they look forward, waiting for his second advent? We also look and long for his appearing.

If, then, we are thus citizens of heaven, let our walk and actions be consistent with our high dignity.