Dear brethren,

Seals were utilized in many ways in ancient times, and there is ample record of the use of seals within the Bible.

The prophet Isaiah speaks of a vision which was "sealed" to Ariel (symbolic of Jerusalem) because they could not understand, they were unlearned. (Isa. 29:11-12)

The significance of the act of sealing is dependent on the importance of the one doing the sealing. The king often signified something by sealing it with his signet ring impression, and only someone designated to open the seal could view the message. 

In the book of Revelation there is clear indication of the importance of seals in the Bible.  In Rev. 5:1-2, "And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?"

Job14:17 says "my sin you have sealed up in a bag" and in Hosea 13:12 it says Ephraim's sin "is bound up and hid." We know this is figurative, and that God says He put our sin as far as east is from west--meaning it is forgotten.

The Bible indicates certain aspects of prophecy are like a sealed volume until Jesus would come, who "alone is worthy" to open the seals. (Dan 9:24, 12:9, Rev. 5:9, 6:1)

We are most familiar with sealing in connection what the Apostle Paul says in Ephesians 1:13-14, "In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 which is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory." 

In the book of Ephesians it further says we should not grieve the Holy Spirit with which we are sealed unto the day of redemption.  (Eph. 4:30)

The Holy Spirit is God's guarantee that believers are owned by God.  His sealing is merely the down payment that anticipates the future when we as God's "tagged possession" will be given eternal life.

In the scriptures the Church is like a chaste bride betrothed to marry Jesus Christ. After we are baptized we are cleansed of all sin by the blood of Christ.  We strive to remain pure like a chaste virgin, unspotted.  This is made possible through the sacrifice of Christ and God's grace.  We must endeavor to remain that way.

Interestingly in connection with the bride in the Song of Solomon reference is made to her chastity.  In Song of Solomon 4:12 the bridegroom refers to his bride as a fountain sealed.    Pledging fidelity, the bridegroom asks his beloved to seal him to herself on the heart and on the arm ( 8:6 ).

It is important as the Bride of Christ we take this precious calling seriously.  There is a danger which goes along with what God is doing with us.  We must be very careful not to turn the grace of God into a license to sin. (Jude 1:4)

Typically we think Mat 7:21-23 refers to the world, but it would be good to read it and take it personally. It would be terrible to be called and then be told by Jesus to leave because He "never knew us."  

As we near the fall festivals it is good time to examine our inner hearts and reset our compass toward the goal ahead. 

The Feast of Trumpets is a time pictured by the prodigal son returning home to his father, and this analogy applies to us even more in the spiritual sense, to sincerely return to God our Father with our whole hearts.

It is incongruous for a sealed member of the body of Christ to not be fully engaged and actively participating in the church and the great work of God being done on earth.

 

 

Please have a wonderful Sabbath!                    

Your servant and pastor,                                                                                 

Jim Tuck