In ancient times a seal was used as a mark of ownership, approval, protection, or security. Scrolls were often tied up and a small lump of soft clay was applied to the knot. Then the seal or signature was pressed into the clay before it hardened (Job 38:14). This could also be done to make sure a door or gateway remained closed. As long as the seal was unbroken everything was secure. Rulers indicated their approval of a document, person, or situation by impressing the seal in a suitable place -- similar to the use of a brand mark or testimonial today. In all of these ways the word 'seal' is used in the book of Revelation. It is mentioned 23 times, which is more than the combined total in all the rest of the New Testament. Do you know that in the book of Revelation not only are God's people sealed but so is Satan! The opposite of the seal of God is the mark of the beast.
What is the best vacation you have ever had, and what do you remember most about it? What have others said?
If you could set up a day as a national holiday, whom would you choose to honor? Why? What have others said?
Identifying God's Saints
In the Bible, the words seal and mark are often used interchangeably. (Compare Revelation 7:3 with Ezekiel 9:4-6.)
Cross Reference:
When and how can you be initially sealed as a Christian? 2 Corinthians 1:21, 22; Ephesians 1:13, 14 What have others said?
Why do you think the sealing of the Holy Spirit in your life is connected to both justification by faith and the good works of obedience? Titus 3:4-8; Acts 5:32 What have others said?
Those who are deliberately disobedient to God's Word and commandments may be filled with a spirit but it cannot be the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit leads people to truth (John 16:13, 14) and gives power to obey (Romans 8:5-9; 1 Peter 1:2). If someone says they love you, what is the greatest sign of that love to you -- words, actions, or both? Why? What have others said?
Finally Sealing God's Servants
The culmination of the initial sealing work of the Holy Spirit in your life will be the final sealing. Read Revelation 7:2, 3. Whose is the future seal, and what indication is there that it is given very close to the final conflict on earth? What have others said?
Because a seal was a signature of ownership, what is it called in the setting of Revelation 14:1? What have others said?
Can you give any Bible illustrations of names representing character? What have others said?
Do you know someone who made a good 'name' or bad 'name' for themselves? How did she or he do it? What have others said?
Notice how the mark of the beast is also connected to 'name' (Revelation 13:17; 14:11). What 'name' could characterize those who follow the beast? What have others said?
Finding God's Signature
Without a signature or seal an official document is invalid. Check the seal of an official of your country, state, or city. It always contains three essential parts: the name, title and territory. If one of these three is missing, the seal is invalid. Why is this? What have others said?
How important and binding was a king's name on a law or document in Bible times? Esther 8:8 What have others said?
Check the Ten Commandments and find the only one which contains the essential parts of a seal, thus validating the law. Exodus 20:3-17 What have others said?
What official terminology does God use regarding His law and the fourth worship commandment? Isaiah 8:16; Ezekiel 20:11-20 What have others said?
Notice that what happened to ancient national Israel happens again in Revelation 12-14. The crisis at the end comes with the final conflict over the faith of Jesus and His commandments (Revelation 14:12) with the outward signs of character displayed as the seal of God or mark of the beast.
Satan's attack on true worship has made it necessary to try and change the law of God as it relates to the worship commandments. What clue do you get in Daniel 7:25 that Satan would particularly attack the fourth worship commandment which deals with time -- the memorial of creation? What have others said?
When Jesus died on the cross He sealed the new testament (also called the new will, new agreement, new covenant). How does the Bible emphasize that no change is possible after the will has been made valid by the death of the one who made the will? Hebrews 9:16, 17; Galatians 3:15 What have others said?
How would you feel about people trying to change your will after your death? Why? What have others said?
If Jesus had decided to change His commandments or the memorial of creation, why would He have had to do it before His death just as He instituted two new Christian ceremonies -- the Lord's supper and baptism -- before the events they were to commemorate? What have others said?
After the cross no disciple or church leader could make a valid change in any Bible teaching or command. But many sincere Christians who love their Lord have been totally unaware of changes that were made after Jesus' time. How do you expect God to treat people who lived according to the light they had? What have others said?
Nobody yet has received the mark of the beast; it will only be received when false worship is enforced by law (Revelation 13:15-17). Why will the only safety then and now be to 'keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus?' Revelation 14:12 What have others said?
Have you ever made a mistake and found yourself surrounded by judgmental, critical people on one hand and loving, accepting people on the other? How did you relate to these two types of individuals? Why? What have others said?
List some loving ways you could be used by the Holy Spirit to help a friend learn about the initial and final seal of God. What have others said?
In what ways should you get a greater blessing from God's true day or rest than from a substitute? What have others said?
How could an unsaved or legalistic Sabbath keeper miss the blessing of true worship? What have others said?
In what ways have you felt the Holy Spirit leading in your life recently? What have others said?
Continue to the next lesson
If you wish to send us your responses to the questions above just enter your name and email address then click on the send button below.
Your Name
Your Email Address Please accurately enter your full email address!
Comments or Questions:
There have been visitors to this page since 03/19/2000
This page maintained by Allen Roy. Last update on 03/19/2000