The Seal?

[tall73]

So here is my take on it. I have isolated the portions of verses 13 and 14 that seem to deal with the Spirit and sealing:

ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.



I think verse 14 makes more sense if it is sealed WITH the Holy Spirit.

We were sealed with the Spirit which is the guarantee of our inheritance.

The other alternative leaves us hanging...we were sealed by the Spirit--with what? And how does it related to the guarantee of our inheritance? If it is the Sabbath, how does that relate? Is the Sabbath a guarantee of the inheritance? No.


The seal is the guarantee. The Spirit in the believer is what gives them assurance. Assurance of what? That the inheritance promised will come about. God gave the first part of the inheritance in the Spirit. It would be like a father giving his son a share early so that the son KNOWS that he will inheret it all. It is also a taste of heaven now. God dwells in us. We have His presence.

Paul speaks also speaks of the Spirit in connection with inheritance in another location:

Rom 8:16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
Rom 8:17 and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

The Spirit within us is evidence that we are God's children, and heirs. It is the guarantee of our relationship and the joys to come.


Now the Sabbath was a seal, a sign. But it was the sign of God with the children of Israel. It was a sign of their relationship to Him.

 

[mva1985]

So, is the Sabbath a salvic issue (or will it be) since it is considered the 'separating wall' and the 'final test of loyalty' in Adventism?

Was the bowing down before the idol in Daniel a salvation issue for the three Hebrews?

Did not Jesus prove them worthy by walking in the fiery furnace with them?

 

[mva1985]

Now the Sabbath was a seal, a sign. But it was the sign of God with the children of Israel. It was a sign of their relationship to Him.

Tall,

I know you have heard it before, but since we believe in Christ we are Abraham's seed and heirs to the promise. The Sabbath seal/sign I believe applies to us today (spiritual Israel).

 

[mva1985]

Crimson,

I know you said in an earlier post you did not want this to become about the Sabbath, but when you start talking about seals - it is inevitable that the Sabbath will be brought up.

 

[tall73]

Tall,

I know you have heard it before, but since we believe in Christ we are Abraham's seed and heirs to the promise. The Sabbath seal/sign I believe applies to us today (spiritual Israel).

We can take it up in another thread sometime. For the purpose of this thread it doesn't matter. If you posit that the sign of Israel carries over it is still a different sign than is spoken of here.

 

[Mankin]

Wasn't that you who said plays video games on sabbath?

How is that keeping the sabbath holy and not doing thy own pleasure?

NO I NEVER SAID THAT. Get it right if you want to insult me.

 

[Mankin]

So we are supposed to be sooo more righteous than other Christians that we make them angry. Oh brother The prob is you keep on considering other Christians the world. This Adventist elitism sickens me.

 

[ricker]

Honor, I agree with you about the Sabbath. One of the problems in Adventism today is that it is being diluted. Many Adventists are treating it just like a Sunday keeper treats Sunday.

Also, right now you probably won't get much argument about going to church on Sabbath when so many Sunday churches are offering a service on Saturday for the convenience of their church goers.

I have talked with Catholics who say "oh yeah I go to church on Saturday too."

I do believe that eventually the Sabbath will become the final test of those who are loyal to God. I don't think we are there yet, but we will be.

As far as I can tell all indications are leading away from strict, or even any, Sunday keeping by "mainstream" Christians. our local Catholic church is packed at the 4:30 Sat. service. I know many who belong to "Sunday" churches who unapologetically work on Sunday. I have never encountered an unkind or negative response when I have mentioned to people that I was raised a SDA.

My question to anyone, and this is an honest one, is are the "seal" and the "mark of the beast" antithetical to each other or otherwise related in any way? Thanks!
Ricker

 

[freeindeed2]

Was the bowing down before the idol in Daniel a salvation issue for the three Hebrews?

Did not Jesus prove them worthy by walking in the fiery furnace with them?

So, 'yes' then? The Sabbath IS a salvic issue (in Adventism anyway)?

 

[reddogs]

So, 'yes' then? The Sabbath IS a salvic issue (in Adventism anyway)?

Loving and accepting Christ is a salvic issue, and if you go against what He asks, then whats the point.....

 

[PROPHECYKID]

In the days of Moses in the final plague the children of Israel had to paint their door posts with blood signifying that they were God's people. The blood acted as a seal for that event and represented that the people in the house were covered by the blood of Jesus.
In the last days when the mark of the Beast is proclaimed there will be a seal which can be used to identify those who God's people.

The Mark of the Beast is an issue centered around worship hence the seal must also be something centered around worship as well. All that a seal is, is a sign. When the world is doing something contrary to God's will the sign of God's people will be those doing God's will. The Mark of the Beast is a special issue where specifics are concerned hence the sign/seal will also be specific and will counteract the Mark of the Beast. There is only one sign that can effectively counteract the Mark of the Beast and that is the keeping of the Sabbath.

The Holy spirit obviously seals us. The presence of the Holy spirit in our lives is a sign to unbelievers and believers alike that we are God's chosen. But in the context of the Mark of the Beast the sign must be a little more demonstrative by action. The holy spirit would give us the desire to follow God much more at that time so that our actions would be proof of himself in us. That action in the context of the Mark of the Beast is the keeping of the Sabbath.

 

[BGMCFAR]

So what happems if all SDA"S receive the mark of the beast and you find out that keeping the Sabbath isn't the seal and if you all think that keeping the ten commandment will get you into heaven My father was right There is going to be alot of people that are sitting in church that are going to Hell.

 

[ricker]

In the days of Moses in the final plague the children of Israel had to paint their door posts with blood signifying that they were God's people. The blood acted as a seal for that event and represented that the people in the house were covered by the blood of Jesus.
In the last days when the mark of the Beast is proclaimed there will be a seal which can be used to identify those who God's people.

The Mark of the Beast is an issue centered around worship hence the seal must also be something centered around worship as well. All that a seal is, is a sign. When the world is doing something contrary to God's will the sign of God's people will be those doing God's will. The Mark of the Beast is a special issue where specifics are concerned hence the sign/seal will also be specific and will counteract the Mark of the Beast. There is only one sign that can effectively counteract the Mark of the Beast and that is the keeping of the Sabbath.

The Holy spirit obviously seals us. The presence of the Holy spirit in our lives is a sign to unbelievers and believers alike that we are God's chosen. But in the context of the Mark of the Beast the sign must be a little more demonstrative by action. The holy spirit would give us the desire to follow God much more at that time so that our actions would be proof of himself in us. That action in the context of the Mark of the Beast is the keeping of the Sabbath.

The Sabbath commandment given to the Israelites was about rest, not worship.

God doesn't need "proof" that we are His, I think He already knows!

I have a hard time believing a theory that the end time "test' for our salvation will be the adherance to a law given to the Israelites and not commanded in the new testament of Christians. If you are a sabbitarian or not, you must acknowledge that the subject is at the very least debatable from Scripture!
God bless! Ricker

 

[Sophia7]

I can tell you folks that from personal experience that NOTHING will spark the ire of other churches or the world any faster against you than for them to find out that you keep the 7th day Sabbath.

It makes no difference if you claim Christ as Saviour and that you exhibit the fruits of the Spirit. All that goes by the wayside when they find that you keep that Sabbath day. Why is that? Why does this day cause them so much consternation even among those who proclaim themselves Christians?

That was never my experience when I was an Adventist. I always found that my non-Adventist Christian friends were very respectful of my beliefs about the Sabbath even though they didn't agree with me.

 

[Sophia7]

I acknowledge your experience Honor; however, I almost never share in it. I find people curious, open, warm, and nothing but pleasant when they find out I worship (as an SDA) on Sabbath.

Having said that I have no desire for them to do the same, so I'm equally curious, open, warm, and pleasant when it comes to asking questions about their path.

I guess experiences vary!

I hope you have a lovely Sabbath.

Yes, experiences do vary. Mine was more in line with yours on this topic.

 

[Sophia7]

Tall,

I know you have heard it before, but since we believe in Christ we are Abraham's seed and heirs to the promise. The Sabbath seal/sign I believe applies to us today (spiritual Israel).

We are the children of Abraham, not Moses:

GAL 3:1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? 4 Have you suffered so much for nothing--if it really was for nothing? 5 Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?

GAL 3:6 Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." 7 Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. 8 The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you." 9 So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

GAL 3:10 All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." 11 Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith." 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, "The man who does these things will live by them." 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

GAL 3:15 Brothers, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. 16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," meaning one person, who is Christ. 17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

GAL 3:19 What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. 20 A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one.

GAL 3:21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 22 But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

GAL 3:23 Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.

GAL 3:26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

​

 

[reddogs]

We are the children of Abraham, not Moses:

GAL 3:1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? 4 Have you suffered so much for nothing--if it really was for nothing? 5 Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?​

GAL 3:6 Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." 7 Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. 8 The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you." 9 So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.​

GAL 3:10 All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." 11 Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith." 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, "The man who does these things will live by them." 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.​

GAL 3:15 Brothers, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. 16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," meaning one person, who is Christ. 17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.​

GAL 3:19 What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. 20 A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one.​

GAL 3:21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 22 But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.​

GAL 3:23 Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.​

GAL 3:26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.​

That is why we must follow God's eternal law to man given from Creation which Abraham followed, it is love God and each other, and the Sabbath was part of loving God......

 

[freeindeed2]

Loving and accepting Christ is a salvic issue, and if you go against what He asks, then whats the point.....

Salvation is the result of what the Savior did. He loved. He fulfilled. He died. He conquered sin and death. He resurrected. It's ALWAYS about Jesus.

Our role: WE CAUSED IT AND WE KILLED HIM!

Praise to Christ alone...

 

[Jimlarmore]

The Sabbath commandment given to the Israelites was about rest, not worship.

God doesn't need "proof" that we are His, I think He already knows!

I have a hard time believing a theory that the end time "test' for our salvation will be the adherance to a law given to the Israelites and not commanded in the new testament of Christians. If you are a sabbitarian or not, you must acknowledge that the subject is at the very least debatable from Scripture!
God bless! Ricker

Jesus Christ said that the Sabbath was made for "man" not just the Israelites. The law ( the oracles of God ) was given to Israel to be a light to the entire world. God should not have to repeat a commandment He wrote with His finger on stone to those follows living after Christ. The only things that changed in the new covenant was the ceremonial laws. Salvation has alway been by faith in the Christ and His blood. The laws that were to be written on our hearts spoken of in Hebrews are the same ones that were written on stone. God gave certain signs for loyalty to Him , the Sabbath is one of those signs. The Sabbath will be kept in the earth made new after sin is eradicated so it is illogical that we would abandon holy hours God set aside for a blessing for us at creation now.

I do not believe the Sabbath is the seal of God but a tool by which the seal is received. If you examine what a seal is you come to realize that a seal has a few components. 1.The authority of the one who is on the seal,
2. The territory He is governing.

The Sabbath is an intergral part ofthe seal but the seal itself is not just the Sabbath or the law alone. The Sabbath is a sign of and is on the seal, and is part of the tool to receive the seal.

In the time of the flood God shut in and "sealed" those inside the ark. The ark and the door were not the seal but only an intergral (tool) part of it. The seal was the the power and authority of God to shut them in and prevent anyone from opening the door again.

Worship and loyalty will be the issue/s of the seal of God and the mark of the beast. The Sabbath will only be the point at which a line will be drawn. It is the loyalty of God's people that will be tested and will in the end make the difference between life and death, salvation and eternal life or burning in the lake of fire and eternal death.

God Bless
Jim Larmore

 

[Adventtruth]

Jesus Christ said that the Sabbath was made for "man" not just the Israelites. The law ( the oracles of God ) was given to Israel to be a light to the entire world. God should not have to repeat a commandment He wrote with His finger on stone to those follows living after Christ. The only things that changed in the new covenant was the ceremonial laws. Salvation has alway been by faith in the Christ and His blood. The laws that were to be written on our hearts spoken of in Hebrews are the same ones that were written on stone. God gave certain signs for loyalty to Him , the Sabbath is one of those signs. The Sabbath will be kept in the earth made new after sin is eradicated so it is illogical that we would abandon holy hours God set aside for a blessing for us at creation now.

I do not believe the Sabbath is the seal of God but a tool by which the seal is received. If you examine what a seal is you come to realize that a seal has a few components. 1.The authority of the one who is on the seal,
2. The territory He is governing.

The Sabbath is an intergral part ofthe seal but the seal itself is not just the Sabbath or the law alone. The Sabbath is a sign of and is on the seal, and is part of the tool to receive the seal.

In the time of the flood God shut in and "sealed" those inside the ark. The ark and the door were not the seal but only an intergral (tool) part of it. The seal was the the power and authority of God to shut them in and prevent anyone from opening the door again.

Worship and loyalty will be the issue/s of the seal of God and the mark of the beast. The Sabbath will only be the point at which a line will be drawn. It is the loyalty of God's people that will be tested and will in the end make the difference between life and death, salvation and eternal life or burning in the lake of fire and eternal death.

God Bless
Jim Larmore

Jim...does Galatians 3:24 and 25 include the 4th commandment? Yes or no!

(Gal 3:24) Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
(Gal 3:25) But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.


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