We Know We Have an Eternal Home in Heaven

 

We Know We Have an Eternal Home in Heaven

 

2 Corinthians 5:1–4: "For we know that if the earthly tent (*skēnos*) we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile, we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent (*skēnai*), we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life."

This means that the eternal home in heaven is not located somewhere up in the sky, but rather exists within the believer; it refers to the Kingdom of Heaven within the spirit. Ephesians 2:5 similarly speaks of being seated with Christ in the heavenly realms.

The word *skēnos* refers to the physical body, specifically as a dwelling place where sin resides. In Romans, this is described as the "old self," and in 1 Corinthians, as the "natural body" (or body of flesh). The implication is that the "old self" must collapse or perish before one can be clothed with the "new self"—the spiritual body—which is the eternal home in heaven.

The reason for groaning is that the "old self"—the body of sin—has not yet collapsed. The dwelling from heaven is precisely that eternal home in heaven and the "new self" that the believer desires to put on. When one is reborn as a new self, Jesus enters the believer's spirit, and the believer's spirit enters into the presence of Jesus.

To be "unclothed" signifies a state where the spirit is naked. Those who are naked have their relationship with God severed, resulting in a state of spiritual death. We see an example of this in the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve found themselves naked after eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The *skēnē* (tent/tabernacle) refers to the body of sin (the body of the flesh). The reason for groaning is that this mortal body of flesh does not die. Thus, the goal is not to cast off the body of sin, but to clothe oneself with the spiritual body over it—effectively concealing the body of sin. It is a process of allowing the body of sin (that which is mortal) to be swallowed up by the spiritual body (life). To be "swallowed up" implies that the body of sin is consumed by the spiritual body and rendered invisible.

Striving to cast off the body of sin is merely a futile struggle to assert one's own righteousness. This is the true meaning of the call to deny oneself. The essence of Christianity lies not in a religion of struggling to defeat sin, but in entering into Christ and being clothed with heavenly life. Entering into Christ is the very core of Christianity. To enter into Christ, one must believe that one has died and risen with Jesus, who died on the cross; this is the prerequisite.

The tabernacle signifies the place of covenant where one meets God. Before the era of the Law, Abraham met God in a tabernacle. A house built by human hands symbolizes the flesh. God created man by molding him from the dust of the earth and placed Adam in the Garden of Eden, allowing him to eat the fruit of the Tree of Life. The spirit within Adam’s flesh came alive and began to commune with God. However, due to human sin, the flesh became corrupted and ceased to be a place where the spirit could dwell. The tabernacles of all humanity collapsed. Yet, those who are in Christ possess a dwelling place that comes from heaven. This dwelling is the temple within the heart—the place known as the Kingdom of Heaven.

"So that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life"—this speaks of being clothed with that life. To "put on" something implies wearing an additional garment; in this context, it signifies clothing the physical body with the spiritual body. Consequently, the mortal physical body is swallowed up by life—and that life is the spiritual body. Romans 6:4 states: "Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

It is a process wherein the mortal element (the physical body) is swallowed up by resurrection life (the spiritual body). Thus, the mortal aspect vanishes, leaving behind only life—the spiritual body. However, because the "old self" (the mortal body) and the "new self" (the new life) coexist within the flesh, a conflict regarding one's identity arises.

To "die" implies becoming a being distinct from one's former self. This explains why the Israelites were commanded to eliminate the Canaanite tribes upon entering Canaan. The Bible illustrates that failure to do so leads to intermingling with them; becoming mixed with a people corrupted by idolatry inevitably results in falling into corruption oneself.

If one's identity is rooted in the flesh, one becomes incapable of following the Holy Spirit. Conversely, if one's identity is rooted in the spirit, one follows the Holy Spirit and engages in a conflict with the flesh—a spiritual war within oneself. Romans 8:5–10: "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness."

The Holy Spirit guarantees that believers are not those who belong to the flesh, but those who belong to the Spirit. God provides this assurance by bestowing the Holy Spirit. For those who have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the body of sin is covered by the garment of Christ.

When believers groan amidst tribulation, they find comfort through the hope of eternal life and the eternal kingdom; this process is accomplished through the Holy Spirit.

When everything collapses and we face situations that threaten our very lives, the loving God does not abandon His children; instead, the Holy Spirit comforts our hearts and grants us renewed courage and hope.

For believers who were destined for death due to sin and transgression, the Holy Spirit enables us to overcome the many adversities lying ahead. He does this by pointing us toward the eternal home and kingdom prepared by God—a hope made possible because Jesus Christ, the Son of God, shed His precious blood and died, and through that sacrifice and service, saved us from death and granted us eternal life.