The “seal of God” is a concept found in the Bible that signifies God’s protection, ownership, and authority over believers. It is often associated with the Holy Spirit, which marks believers as belonging to God.
1. **Ownership and Identity**: Believers are marked by the Holy Spirit, which indicates they belong to God.
– **Ephesians 1:13-14**: “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”
2. **Protection**: The seal serves as a sign of God’s protection over His people.
– **Revelation 7:3**: “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.”
3. **Distinction**: The seal distinguishes God’s people from those who are not His.
– **Revelation 14:1**: “Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.”
4. **Faithfulness**: The seal also signifies that God will be faithful to His promises.
– **2 Timothy 2:19**: “But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are his,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.’”
5. **Authority**: A seal often represents authority and authenticity.
– **John 6:27**: “Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.”
In summary, the seal of God represents ownership, protection, and identification of God’s faithful followers. It serves as a reminder that believers are sealed by the Holy Spirit, affirming their status as children of God and assuring them of His promises.