27. Гражданин

We see that in this world a person, wherever he lives and wherever he is, is called a resident or citizen of the city in which he has his home, for example, a Moscow resident is a Muscovite, a Novgorod resident is a Novgorodian, and so on. Likewise, true Christians, although they are in this world, nevertheless have a city in the heavenly Fatherland, “whose Artist and Builder is God” (Heb. 11:10). And they are called citizens of this city. This city is heavenly Jerusalem, which the holy Apostle John saw in his revelation: “The city was pure gold, like pure glass; ...the city street is pure gold, like transparent glass; and the city has no need of either the sun or the moon to illuminate it, for the glory of God has illuminated it, and its Lamp is the Lamb” (Rev. 21:18, 21, 23). On its streets a sweet song is constantly sung: “Hallelujah!” (See Rev. 19:1, 3, 4, 6). “No unclean thing will come into this city, and no one devoted to abomination and lies, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Rev. 21:27). “And without are dogs, and sorcerers, and fornicators, and murderers, and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices iniquity” (Rev. 22:15). True Christians are called citizens of this beautiful and bright city, although they wander on earth. There they have their abodes, prepared for them by Jesus Christ, their Redeemer. There they raise their spiritual eyes and sighs from their wanderings. Since nothing bad will enter this city, as we saw above, “let us cleanse ourselves,” beloved Christian, “from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God,” according to the apostolic exhortation (2 Cor. 7:1). And may we be citizens of this blessed city, and, having left this world, may we be worthy to enter it, by the grace of our Savior Jesus Christ, to Him be glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit forever. Amen. You might be interested in: