I like what John MacArthur said on this subject.

God has given us a down-payment on heaven. He has transferred our citizenship there. We ‘are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God’ (Eph. 2:19).3

In Philippians 3:20-21 Paul writes,

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…

Again, in Ephesians 2:19-21 Paul writes,

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord.

It feels good to be a citizen of heaven. Here are seven blessings, and also responsibilities, that come from our heavenly citizenship.

• As heavenly citizens we are welcome to sample all of the delights of heaven.
• As citizens we are part of the family of God (Jn. 1:12; Eph. 2:19).
• As citizens we have the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16).
• As citizens we have new heavenly affections (Col. 3:1).
• As citizens we are to be holy and without blame before Him in love (Eph. 1:4).
• As citizens He has begun a good work in us (Phil. 1:6; Eph. 2:10).
• As citizens He is conforming us to the image of His Son and making us fit for heaven (Rom. 8:30).

On a personal note, I like the idea of being a citizen of heaven because I feel that I am locked in—in a good way. I mean, nobody can take heaven away from me. I am a member. I am a legal citizen with full rights.

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3 John MacArthur, The Glory of Heaven (Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 1996), p. 64.