Friday, March 1, 2024

The Sealed of God

Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, Revelation 7:2

When you buy many products in the store, they are sealed shut and that seal is not opened until the time that you are ready to use the item, whatever it is.  If you see something while shopping that has a broken seal or has already been opened, most likely, you will pass that up because it has been tampered with in some way.  Either it is contaminated by germs or gone bad from exposure to the outside elements.  You recognize that when the seal is broken, the product no longer has the protection from infectious bacteria and no guarantee of freshness.

This is what happens to each one of us when we receive salvation in the blood of Jesus.  We are sealed with the promised Holy Spirit of God.  With this seal, we are marked as God’s people and as long as we keep under that seal, we are protected from the worldly contaminates to be kept pure and clean.  Ephesians 1:13 says: 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.

In today’s reading, there is a pause in the opening of the seals by the Lamb of God.  The apostle John sees something that is happening between the 6th and 7th seals on the scroll.  It is almost like a “time out” to what has been going on so far in his vision.  Chapter six of revelation ends with the question, “Who is able to stand?”  Now John is about to be given that answer in chapter seven.

John, looking at the world from a heavenly viewpoint, sees four angels on the earth waiting to move until the seal of God is given to 144,000 witnesses.  These are people from the 12 tribes of Israel that receive salvation during the time period of the seals being broken and the release of the forces from heaven. These are being sealed as they received salvation for a mission they are given in the world at this point in time.  They are servants of God; some would even call them evangelist to spread the message of salvation throughout the world so that the lost people that are looking can find His great gift of eternal life.

As believers in the world today, we can take comfort in the assurance that God knows His own people and will protect them in the midst of trials and tribulations. Just as He sealed His servants in this section of Revelation, He watches over us and keeps us safe under the seal of the Holy Spirit of promise.  We don’t have to wonder how God will know which people are His, even though we may look like everyone else in the world, we have the seal of God on us so that when trouble comes, He is ready to lead us through it to victory. Don’t get out from under that seal and become contaminated by the outside world and elements. Keep your relationship and heart close to your heavenly Father by spending personal time with Him each day. Only then will you strengthen that seal of His presence to know He is with you every step of the way.

Today I want to encourage you to thank your heavenly Father for His seal of promise on you.  Thank Him for always being present with you.  Let Him know how much you appreciate His coming close to you when you draw near to Him.  Praise Him for His great gift of salvation that He makes available to anyone who would call on the name of the Lord and then take His light of love into the world with you each day to shine for all those around you to see.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 7:1-8

1 After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. 

2 Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, 

3 saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” 

4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:

5 of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed;

6 of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed;

7 of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed;

8 of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.