When does a believer become a citizen of heaven?
A believer becomes a citizen of heaven at the moment of faith in the gospel, when they become a child of God. Paul teaches that every believer's citizenship is already in heaven, even while they remain on earth as ambassadors representing that heavenly citizenship.
Les explains that as soon as a person becomes a child of God by faith in the gospel, they become a citizen of heaven. Paul teaches clearly that every believer is already a citizen of heaven even though still left on earth. This heavenly citizenship caused early Christians trouble with the Roman government because they gave allegiance to nobody but God, making Roman citizenship secondary. Believers remain as ambassadors of heaven, representing their true home and citizenship while walking on earth.