SUBJECT:  Philippians 3:20 Citizenship in Heaven

QUESTION:  What does this verse mean?  Does it state that we will be in heaven?

ANSWER:

No, it does not.

First the verses:

Philippians 3:20

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

Philippians 3:19-21

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

NIV

Following is an excerpt from our Doctrinal Statements

“Jesus Christ said, "My kingdom is not of this world." The kingdom a Christian looks and longs for is an eternal kingdom or government, not a temporal, physical, human one.  Yet when Jesus said His disciples are not of this world, He also recognized all Christians are citizens of one of the many countries in the world.  Neither does this negate the principle of having our "citizenship [state or country] ... in heaven" (Philippians 3:20, NIV).  The apostle Paul, who wrote the preceding statement about our true citizenship was himself a physical Roman citizen (Acts 22:25-28).”

Philippians 3:20 is not stating that we are going to be citizens in heaven, but rather that our citizenship in the Kingdom of God originates in Heaven.  Further, the verse states that we look to heaven for Christ who will return to Earth to set up that Kingdom.  Why would we be citizens in heaven, when Christ is coming to earth to set up His Kingdom?  All good things originate in heaven:

God

Christ

Salvation

The Plan of God

Our citizenship in the Kingdom

Notice the commentary on this verse:

Philippians 3:20 or our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

In contrast with these licentious profligates, the mature Christians lived as a colony of heavenly citizens whose temporary abode was on earth. While politeuma (the only occurrence in the NT) may indicate the pattern of life followed by a citizen (thus AV, conversation), here it means the state to which the citizen belongs (commonwealth, RSV). Roman citizens living at the outpost of Philippi would immediately grasp the point. Apekdechometha (rather mildly translated as we look, AV, or we await, RSV) denotes eager expectation. Inscriptions show that soter, savior, was widely used in the Greco-Roman world to designate kings and emperors. Here it extends the preceding metaphor and reflects the attitude of the primitive church toward the return of Christ. ~from The Wycliffe Bible Commentary

Note:  Again, whether we speak of our conduct or citizenship, we are talking about it as it originates in heaven, where God is.  Clearly from the rest of scripture we can see that Christ is returning to Earth for a 1,000 year reign and later, with a new heavens, new Earth and new Jerusalem, that God and Christ will rule the universe from Earth.

Revelation 5:9-10

9 And they sung a new song, saying, 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;

10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Revelation 11:15

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Revelation 20:6

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Revelation 21:1-3

1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

Revelation 22:1-5

1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.