“Who hath also sealed us,
and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” 1 Cor. 1:22
We are living in troublesome times. The book of Revelation gives us a glimpse into the last days and what the events described as Apocalypse would look like. Most of all though this book written by the Apostle John is a testimony of the wonderful love and assurance of hope that we have a much better inheritance awaiting for us in heaven.
Seeing all the signs around us, many wonder how close is the second coming of our Saviour and the final judgement. We can see the world turning into chaos, wars, famines, pestilences. The book of Revelation drew imagination of people for centuries. One of the most hotly debated topics of that book must be the mark of the beast. Some say that the mark will be a microchip. People get excited about vaccines technology being developed in MIT that will have a quantum tattoo. I do not want to speculate though. I admit I do not know what it will be.
But today I want to show you that it should not be the central point for us Christians to try to understand what that mark of the beast would be. Instead, I want you to see what we truly should think about and seek. I want to talk about the seal of God. It is so much more important to focus on that seal and looking for it!
“And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.” Rev. 9:4
What is the seal of God? We read in the above verse that it is in people’s foreheads. We know that our thoughts are produced in our brains. The seal of God being in our foreheads is recognised by what we think and believe. So what is it that primarily preoccupies your thoughts every day?
The seal of God is the assurance of our salvation. It makes a division between that which is eternal and worldly. “As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.” Prov. 10:25. The righteous is an everlasting foundation. There is only one righteous! Jesus Christ who bought you with His blood and redeemed from this world. This is the foundation through which you become sealed.
God keeps calling His people: Fear not, be not troubled, etc. Why is it that the Bible is filled with messages like this? It is because what we fear becomes our gods. If we fear for our health, it becomes our idol. If we fear for money, we will glorify it when we have it. Put your trust in Jesus Christ and His blood only! The only fear we need in our lives is the fear of God. This fear that is the beginning of wisdom, will cleanse us from all the other fears of troubles in this world.
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Is. 41:10
Fear not coronavirus! Fear not hunger! Fear not war! Fear not death! All these fears are the strongholds of Satan in your head. Fear the Almighty God who created us in His image! Seek the saving knowledge of Christ, where you only fear Him for He is God. He is our Victor!
What is the foundation of God’s seal in our foreheads that make us His own people? Let us examine some of the additional Scriptures:
“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Tim. 2:19
We can see that the seal of God has two components:
1) The Lord knoweth them that are his. They were born again and cleansed by the blood of Jesus. They seek Him. They believe that salvation is only obtained by what Christ has accomplished on the cross. This is the only thing they trust. No self-rightousness, only God’s righteousness through Christ. And the Lord knows them.
2) Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. You call yourself a Christian? Then you will not walk in darkness! God calls you to repentance. This results in a changed behaviour. You no longer delight in sin. What previously was giving you pleasure, now is an offence to you and you hate every evil deed and thought you may have. This is the result of the new heart that God placed in you.
We also find the seal of God in Paul’s letter to Ephesians:
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” Eph. 1:13
Here we see that the seal is with the holy Spirit. It follows trusting God. We also see that this trust and being born again can only be accomplished through hearing the word of truth. This is the essential role of the Word of God. Our Bible gives us true testimony of Jesus Christ. If you heard the gospel of salvation and believed it, you are sealed by that holy Spirit of promise.
Nothing is more important than this seal of God. So be not obsessed with the mark of the beast. Fear not what is coming upon this world. Rather, seek that seal of God, that is the true mark of your salvation. Be filled with the holy Spirit and fear only our Creator, in whose power is to save us and condemn us. “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Mt. 10:28
How do you receive the seal? Only by God’s grace. There is nothing you can do to obtain it. Do you have the seal of God? Do you belong to Him? Are you unsure? If this is you today, then the only way is to be born again. Repent of your sins and acknowledge them before Almighty God. Ask Him for that seal of the holy Spirit. He is turning His face towards every broken sinner and shows mercy to them who fervently ask His blessings.
To Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour be the glory forever!
