Our New Kingdom, Based on His Righteousness

"For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." (Hebrews 11 :10)

Did you know that you and I today are members of a new city?

We are citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven:

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

How did we get there?

We did not get there through anything that we did, but what Jesus did for us:

"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:" (Colossians 1: 12-14)

 

When Jesus died on the Cross, He died for us, but He also died as us. We were dead in Adam, and now we are alive in Christ.

 

We reign with Him, because we are in Him (Romans 5: 17), and God the Father sees us as His own Son (1 John 4: 17)

 

Today, we are member of Jerusalem above, which is free. Free from the law, abiding in His grace:

 

"26But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

 

27For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

 

28Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise." (Galatians 4: 26-28)

 

Now, what are the foundations of this city? They are the bold, precious stones:

 

"And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;" (Revelation 21: 19)

 

These stones are specifically referenced in the breastplate of the High Priest:

 

"And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row." (Exodus 28: 17)

 

This breastplate is a picture of Jesus' righteousness accorded to us:

 

"In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee." (Isaiah 54: 14)

 

Notice that righteousness is a foundation.

 

then

 

"For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke." (Isaiah 59: 17)

 

And finally:

 

"Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;" (Ephesians 6: 14)

 

Righteousness is the foundation in our new Kingdom:

 

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Romans 14: 17)