Sealed.
Sealed spiritually by a spirit being.
Sealed in our foreheads.
Can we agree that to take a group of random people off the streets and line them up- that just by looking at these people and nothing more- we would not know all that much about them? Can we agree to that?
We may try to deduce certain things about them by their outward appearance and demeanor, but truthfully we could be very far off base.
A man dressed in an expensive suit we may assume to have an impressive job, but in truth it may be the last suit he owns and is recently destitute and homeless- yet because his expensive suit doesn't show the wear and tear we associate with homelessness we'd never guess that to be the case. The opposite could be true as well. A person in torn, filthy rags we may assume is homeless and not a very rich man who has spent the day working hard labor while wearing the most worn clothes he owns, not caring if they are torn and made filthy by the work. We make assumptions because we just CAN'T know the details without more information. I cannot know if anyone is a Christian by looking at them. Sure, I may assume a cross wear, bible carrying, person is a Christian but I could be completely wrong.
When we are spiritually sealed by a spirit being, an angel of God, for God- it will not be with a literal mark placed upon us. We won't receive a stamp of God on our forehead for all to see. This sealing is spiritually given. The sealing is a solidifying of our names being written in the book of life of the Lamb of God. The sealing is a permanent mark forever given to denote to all spiritual beings that we belong to God completely forever, eternally, without end. The sealing is necessary so we are not among those without the seal- subject to the wrath of God.
Just as doors were sealed with the blood of lambs so that death would pass over that home, the servants of God sealed with His seal will be passed over by the wrath to come for all those not sealed.
By the grace of God may we be spiritually sealed!
Rev 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
"1. The Term Seal Defined. -
A seal is defined to be an instrument of sealing; that which "is used by individuals, corporate bodies, and states, for making impressions on wax, upon instruments of writing, as an evidence of their authenticity."
The original word in this passage is defined, "A seal, i. e., a signet ring; a mark, stamp, badge; a token, a pledge."
Among the significations of the verb are the following: "To secure to any one, to make sure; to set a seal or mark upon anything in token of its being genuine or approved; to attest, to confirm, to establish, to distinguish by a mark."
By a comparison of Gen. 17:11 with Rom. 4:11, and Rev.7:3 with Eze. 9:4, in connection with the above definition, the reader will see that the words token, sign, seal, and mark are used in the Bible as SYNONYMOUS terms." (Daniel and Revelation by Uriah Smith- D&R)
Gen 17:11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a TOKEN of the covenant betwixt me and you.
Rom 4:11 And he received the SIGN of circumcision, a SEAL of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also
Rev 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have SEALED the servants of our God in their foreheads.
Eze 9:4 And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a MARK upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.
"The seal of God, as brought to view in our text, is to be applied to the servants of God.
We are not, of course, to suppose that in this case it is some literal mark to be made in the flesh, but that it is some institution or observance having special reference to God, which will serve
p 461 -- as a "mark of distinction" between the worshipers of God and those who are not in truth his servants, though they may profess to follow him.
2. The Use of a Seal. -
A seal is used to render valid or authentic any enactments, or laws, which a person or power may promulgate.
Frequent instances of its use occur in the Scriptures. In 1 Kings 21:8, we read that Jezebel "wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal." These letters then had all the authority of King Ahab. Again, in Esther 3:12: "In the name of King Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring." So also in chapter 8:8: "The writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse." (D&R)
1Ki 21:8 So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth.
Est 3:12 Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.
Est 8:8 Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse.
"3. Where a Seal is Used. -
Always in connection with some law or enactment that demands obedience, or upon documents that are to be made legal, or subject to the provisions of law. The idea of law is inseparable from a seal.
4. As Applied to God. -
We are not to suppose that to the enactments and laws of God binding upon men, there must be attached a literal seal, made with literal instruments; but from the definition of the term, and the purpose for which a seal is used, as shown above, we must understand a seal to be strictly that which gives validity and authenticity to enactments and laws.
This is found, though a literal seal may not be used, in the name or signature of the law-making power, expressed in such terms as to show what the power is, and its right to make laws and demand obedience.
Even with a literal seal, the name must always be used. (See the references above given.) An instance of the use of the name alone seems to occur in Dan. 6:8: "Now, 0 king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not;" that is, affix the signature of royalty, showing who it is that demands obedience, and his right to demand it.
In a gospel prophecy found in Isaiah 8, we read: "Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples." This must refer to a work of reviving in the minds of the disciples some of the claims of the law which had been overlooked,
p 462 -- or perverted from their true meaning, and this, in the prophecy, is called sealing the law, or restoring to it its seal, which had been taken from it.
Again, the 144,000, who in the chapter before us are said to be sealed with the seal of God in their foreheads, are again brought to view in Rev. 14:1, where they are said to have the Father's name written in their foreheads.
From the foregoing reasoning, facts, and declarations of Scripture, two conclusions inevitably follow: -
1. The seal of God is found in connection with the law of God.
2. The seal of God is that part of his law which contains his name, or descriptive title, showing who he is, the extent of his dominion, and his right to rule." (D&R)
Rev 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
Seal of God.
More on this tomorrow by the grace of God.
All through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior now and forever!!!!!!! Amen.
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