
The Celestial City
[Jesus said,] “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:31-34 (NKJV)
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:1-2
Soldiers, we are in difficult times as the Lord’s return draws near. God told us that perilous times would come and evil would grow worse and worse. (II Timothy 3:1-4) Jesus said, “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” (Luke 21:28) Fellow soldiers, when this fight is over we will finally return to the home of beloved brothers and sisters who have gone on before us. Our earthly land will fade into a distant memory when we see our Savior face to face.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ”Ephesians 1:3
This World is Not My Home
by J.R. Baxter, Jr. (1887-1960) *
This world is not my home I’m just-a-passing through
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue
Angels beckon me to heaven’s open door
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore
Chorus
Oh Lord you know I have no friend like you
If heaven’s not my home oh Lord what will I do
Angels beckon me to heaven’s open door
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore
They’re all expecting me that’s one thing I know
I fixed it up with Jesus a long time ago
He will take me through though I am weak and poor
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore
[Chorus]
Over in glory land there’ll be no dying there
The saints all shouting victory and singing everywhere
I hear the voice of them that’s gone on before
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore
[Chorus]
* J.R. (Pap) Baxter, Jr. (1887-1960) was a Southern Gospel composer and publisher who grew up in DeKalb County, Alabama. In 1926, he bought part of what became the Stamps-Baxter Music and Printing Company, one of the most successful Gospel music publishers of the early 20th century. Baxter ran the company’s Chattanooga, Tennessee, office until Stamps’ death in 1940, then moved to Dallas, Texas, to run the main office. After Baxter’s death, his wife, Clarice, ran the business until she died; it was then sold to Zondervan Publishing.
Southern Gospel music originated in songs sung by slaves who came to Christ after the Great Awakening. Because of their unimaginably harsh lives under slavery, a common theme of gospel singers was their joyous expectation of freedom from suffering, pain, tears, and poverty when they crossed the Jordan River into the heavenly Promised Land. Hymns such as “This World is Not My Home” were sung with happy anticipation that the slaves’ current misery was only temporary and soon they would see their Savior in that Holy City, New Jerusalem!
“And I [John] 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. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 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. 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.” Revelation 21:1-4
Look up and fight on!