ALIENS

“An alien is someone belonging to a foreign country or nation. It is a foreigner, especially one who is not a naturalized citizen of the country where they are living.” (Oxford Dictionary)

In the Bible the word alien means a guest, foreigner, sojourner or stranger. One familiar verse that deals with this is: “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.” (Hebrews 11:8-10)

The idea seems to be that during our time on this earth we are in fact aliens as we wait for the New Earth. The very idea of The Kingdom of God (or Heaven) is living and obeying a King and Kingdom “not of this world” (John 18:34 ESV). We become foreigners and sojourners even as we faithfully live our lives as citizens of the current world as we await a new world.

If this all seems a little abstract just think of The Alien. Jesus left heaven to come to earth as The Alien of all time in the Incarnation. “And the Word (Jesus) became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) Because the Incarnation is true, likewise the Kingdom is true. All are welcome to receive the King and The Kingdom of God. “Whosoever will may come.” (John 6:37; Revelation 22:17) We are of this world and not yet fully of the other.

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven.” Jesus