Philippians 3:17-21

17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.

18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ,

19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite (that means emotions), and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.

20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

We’ve studied before the word for citizenship in verse 20. It is basically a realization that we are ambassadors for heaven here on earth. See the ambassador email for detail.

Verse 20 is really a turning point between the loser believers in verses 17-19, who are enemies of the Cross of Christ, ruled by their emotions, concentrating on earthly things, and the winner believers Paul talks to in detail in Chapter 4.

The key to this verse is the word for eagerly waiting in verse 20.

Apekdechomai – to eagerly wait with patience, to wait expectantly for, or to wait intensely.

This means something you are really looking forward to!

What are you waiting for? The return of our Savior, or something the world can give you? It’s so easy to get caught up in looking forward to something. When I finally get financially set, or when I retire, or when I win the lottery, then things will be different.

But a believer who really understands and lives in their heavenly citizenship will be eagerly and expectantly waiting for our Lord Jesus Christ to return.

And face it, that could be today! That’s why Jesus said this:

Matthew 6:34

34 "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

DISCLAIMER – I’m not saying don’t plan for the future! But don’t be consumed by it! Don’t let it take you away from the plan of God for your life.

In Phil 3:20, the eager anticipation is for the Rapture, when Jesus Christ returns for His Bride, the Church:

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.

We know He’s coming back, and how do you want to feel about that? Do you want to eagerly anticipate it? Or maybe your Christian life is not that important to you. Then you can be like this:

1 John 2:28

28 Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.

Which one do you want to be??

Joshua 24:15

15 "If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

Titus 2:11-13

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,

12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,

13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,

If you are living your life one day at a time, concentrating on your spiritual growth and living as an ambassador for Jesus Christ, then you will be looking forward to His return!

When you abide in Him, and in His Word, then you can look forward with confidence to His return.