If you're reading this and you thought I was going to write about "what the Bible says about Aliens" ... I'm sorry. I'm not talking about the little green dudes that come down in their flying saucers abducting those who dare set foot inside Area 51. That's a discussion we can have at a later time. What I do want to write about is what Paul says (yes Paul the author of Hebrews!) in Hebrews 13:14-16:
Hebrews 13:14-16 "For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."
Paul makes it abundantly clear that for believers, this earth is not our home. We are "aliens" (foreigners) in a strange land. We don't have a continuing city, because we are looking to a future one, an eternal one. That's been one of the biggest blessings in studying through Revelation; the ever present reality that there is something far greater coming for those who are in Christ. Our minds should be set on eternity. We should be good stewards of this earth and the things that God has given us, but we shouldn't be so caught up in what is temporary that we forget what is eternal.
Having an eternal perspective should change the way we live now. Because of the promise of eternity with Christ, and knowing that our final, eternal destination is with Him, we should live as a more thankful people. The call is for us to increase praise, do good, and share as the reality of eternity becomes more clear. I'm reminded of the Jim Reeves song lyrics, "This world is not my home, I'm just a-passing through, my treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue." Yes we are aliens on this earth. We are meant to live here for a time, offering our thanks to God, sharing the good news of Christ, making disciples, and living in obedience to God's Word; but it's only a temporary stay as we look forward to an eternal home. So how does that promise of eternity change the way you will live today?
Revelation 21:1-4 "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”