Witnesses • Devotion 1: Sealed

Jeannie Yates

My mom has always been an amazing homemaker. I remember when I was a kid, baked goods never came from a box and canned goods rarely came from the store. I was usually tasked as the “helper” during canning season. Green beans, tomatoes, pickles, peaches, cherries - you name it, we probably canned it. The jars would remain on the kitchen counter as we patiently waited for the desired seal. The seal would lock in the freshness, preserving all of our canned goods for future use. Not only would it keep the food safe from bacteria, but also any critters that might threaten to spoil it.

We see the Scriptures use this idea of being “sealed” when referring to our status with Christ after we believe and put our trust in Him. In Ephesians 1:13-14, the Apostle Paul writes, “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.”

This part of Revelation displays the Good News of our salvation. John is painting a verbal picture of the completion of this seal in Revelation 7:2-3, “Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, saying, ‘Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.’” Verses 9-10 add, “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

I love the observation about the witnesses made by the commentator, James Hamilton Jr. He writes, “They do not credit themselves for overcoming. God sealed them. They state plainly that salvation belongs to God. This means that their salvation is not due to the right choices they made, the virtue of their character, the superiority of their wisdom, or the strength of their will. Salvation belongs to God. God saved them. So they praise God.”

I do not know about you, but I am so thankful that my salvation is not left up to my merit. I would fail. It is not my striving that earns the seal of the Holy Spirit. It is only by God’s grace. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Did you catch the response of the people in Revelation chapter 7? This great multitude from every tribe and nation is standing before the throne, crying out in worship, “Salvation belongs to our God!” This reminds me of a song we have sung at our gatherings called, “My Testimony” by Elevation Worship. Next time you hear it, close your eyes and picture this display of praise happening before God’s throne.

The miracle that I just can’t get over

My name is registered in heaven

My praise belongs to you forever

This is my testimony from death to life

‘Cause grace rewrote my story, I’ll testify

By Jesus Christ the Righteous

I’m justified

This is my testimony