In 1980, I visited Paris. I sat on a park bench and it seemed so peaceful there. People walked by chatting.
Then I realized the reason it seemed so peaceful is I didn't know the language.
I was just a visitor there, not involved in their troubles!
Just waiting in peace as a stranger to this world.
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Hebrews 11
14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16 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.
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John 18:36 Jesus says: My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is MY kingdom not from hence.
John 14:2-3 I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
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As Christians, we belong to God and serve God as HE wills as we live on this present earth as strangers and pilgrims, waiting for the return of Jesus.
Peter tells us how we are to live as we wait for Jesus:
2 Peter 3
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to HIS promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of HIM in peace, without spot, and blameless.
The people of this world do not know these truths. Therefore they try to accumulate their treasure on this earth. But everything we can see with our natural eye will be destroyed by God at the end of this present world.
We set our mind to live in peace, without spot, and blameless as the apostle Peter said to do.
We live as "strangers and pilgrims", passing through lands here as we wait for Jesus and the new heaven and new earth that God has prepared for us.
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The new heaven and new earth created by God for us:
Revelation 21
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.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
(We will have new spiritual bodies which are not subject to the pains of this present flesh! I Cor. 15:51)
5 And HE that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.
5 And HE that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.
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And as we wait, we serve God by HIS Spirit who dwells in us, not living as this world lives but as God leads us to live.
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
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