Sealed by God

The Bible tells us that God seals His people for protection and salvation (see, for instance, 2 Corinthians 1:22; Revelation 7:3). To modern readers, this can be mysterious and hard to understand.

What did sealing mean in biblical times, and how does it apply to Christians today?

What is a seal?

The Greek word for a seal is sphragis, meaning a signet ring or seal. In ancient times, kings used signet rings to imprint their authority into clay or wax, showing that a letter or proclamation was official. The seal functioned like a signature and represented the full authority of the kingdom.

“In Greek culture, the seal had great legal significance. When stamped on possessions, the seal indicated ownership and guarded the possession against theft. On a document the seal authenticated the message and conveyed the authority of the one who stamped it. The seal could serve as a signature, recognized by all. A sealed document was allowed to be opened only by the addressee” (Zondervan Expository Dictionary of Bible Words, “Seal”).

The seal of God

The seal of God carries far greater authority than any human signet ring. It is a proclamation from God Almighty Himself. God’s seal is His promise that His mighty power will accomplish what He has declared. It carries the full authority of the Kingdom of God.

Even demons must obey God’s proclamations (Matthew 8:31). They recognize those who are acting under God’s authority (Acts 16:16-17).

How does God seal people?

The Holy Spirit is spoken of as the seal in three passages:

• “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” (Ephesians 1:13).
• “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30).
• “[God] also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee” (2 Corinthians 1:22).

How does God give His Holy Spirit to a person today?

God the Father first draws people to Jesus Christ (John 6:44). He then enlightens their minds, revealing spiritual understanding that remains hidden from those living in darkness (Ephesians 1:18). Those who are called may choose either to believe or reject the truth.

Hearing the truth is not enough. People must act upon it and begin living according to it (Romans 2:13). As believers commit themselves to following God, they repent of their sins. See “What Does Repentance Mean?”

God instructs repentant followers to be baptized (Acts 2:38). Baptism is a commitment to leave behind a sinful life and follow God. Through the laying on of hands, God seals believers with His Holy Spirit, declaring that:

• They belong to God (2 Timothy 2:19) as His children (1 John 3:1).
• God’s Holy Spirit dwells within them (John 14:17).
• Their names are written in the Book of Life as heirs with Christ (Luke 10:20; Romans 8:17).
• The gospel of the Kingdom of God guarantees their future inheritance of eternal life (Ephesians 1:13-14).
• They are being transformed into the image of God (2 Corinthians 3:18).
• God grants them the power to repent and overcome sin (Acts 11:18).
• Their sins are forgiven and remembered no more (Jeremiah 31:34).

With the seal of God, His people begin the journey toward eternal life while awaiting the revealing of the sons of God at the return of Jesus Christ.

Those sealed by God are no longer conformed to the world but are transformed by the renewing of their minds (Romans 12:2). This is a lifelong process in which His character and thinking are formed within us (Philippians 2:5).

Can the seal of God be lost?

Yes. Ephesians 4:30 warns believers not to grieve the Holy Spirit by which they were sealed for the day of redemption.

Jesus Christ’s return will mark the beginning of a new phase in the spread of the Kingdom of God and the opportunity for all of humanity to receive the Holy Spirit. After committing serious sins, David prayed that God would not take His Holy Spirit from him (Psalm 51:11). After David repented, God forgave and restored him.

David may have been remembering what happened to King Saul. God’s Spirit had been with Saul, but it departed from him and was replaced by a distressing spirit (1 Samuel 16:14). Saul lost God’s favor and seal.

Those sealed by God can also fall away if they choose to reject Him (Hebrews 6:4-6). Losing the seal of God ultimately means forfeiting eternal life.

Do most religious people have the seal of God?

The Bible shows that most people remain in spiritual darkness and do not yet comprehend God’s light (John 1:5). Some choose to believe life is but a cosmic accident, but most identify with one of over 10,000 available religions.

Even well-meaning people who identify as Christians may unwittingly not be on Christ’s narrow path (Matthew 7:13-14). Religious deception has caused many wars and millions of deaths.

Many sincere religious people do not possess the seal of God. Simply identifying as a Christian does not guarantee the presence of God’s Holy Spirit. Scripture teaches that believers should examine themselves to determine whether God’s Spirit is truly at work within them. See “How Do You Know You Have the Holy Spirit?”

Surprisingly, the Bible reveals God is calling only a relatively small number of people during the present age. Most remain under the influence of “the god of this age,” Satan (2 Corinthians 4:4). Jesus taught that many are called, but few are chosen (Matthew 20:16). God’s people are described as a “little flock” (Luke 12:32).

Will God eventually seal the whole world?

Yes. Joel 2:28 prophesies that God will one day pour out His Spirit upon all flesh. The apostle Peter repeated this promise on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:17).

The transition from this present evil age of darkness will be difficult. The end of this age will be the worst trouble in human history (Daniel 12:1). Jesus referred to this period as a time of “great tribulation” (Matthew 24:21). Knowing his time is short, Satan will unleash great wrath (Revelation 12:12). For more information, see “Will There Be an End of the World?”

God has also sealed prophetic knowledge until the time of the end (Daniel 12:9). The book of Revelation describes seven seals that, when opened, reveal how the end of the age will unfold. The first seal warns of religious deception. Conflict and turmoil will continue until God intervenes.

God’s intervention will be proclaimed by seven trumpets, each marking significant events that affect humanity. Before these judgments begin, God promises to seal His servants (Revelation 7:3; see “The 144,000 in Revelation”).

At the sounding of the seventh trumpet, “the kingdoms of this world” will become the Kingdom of God and of Christ (Revelation 11:15). The final trumpet will also raise the faithful dead and transform living believers into immortal children of God (1 Corinthians 15:52).

This is the day of redemption promised to those who are sealed by God—a promise guaranteed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Jesus Christ’s return will mark the beginning of a new phase in the spread of the Kingdom of God and the opportunity for all of humanity to receive the Holy Spirit. Isaiah 11:9 declares that the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

Eventually, God will resurrect those who have not had the chance to be converted in this life. “I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live” (Ezekiel 37:14).

In the end, death will be destroyed (1 Corinthians 15:26) and all who remain will have been sealed with the Holy Spirit and eternal life. All will be delivered to the Father, and all will be subject to God “that God may be all in all” (verses 24, 28).