The Seal of God

[Gus Foster]

For many years Adventists have advocated that the words of Rev 14:7; “Fear God and give Him glory---Worship Him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of waters;” reflect the words of Ex 20:11; “For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but He rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy;” thereby making the Sabbath a seal of God.

The criteria of the seal:

NAME

OFFICE/AUTHORITY/ACTION

NAME OF TERRITORY----Can be who, what, when and/or place.

Using that criteria Ex 20:11 has 2 uses of the “seal”--Lord made heavens, etc and Lord blessed Sabbath and Lord made it holy. In Rev 14:7—God made heavens,etc, or God created heavens, etc. Using this format, we can page through Scripture to find out if this application applies in other places; we don't have to go too far.

Gen 1:1---In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. God created heavens and earth. Gen 1:26, 27---God created man. We need to ask, is earth God's seal, is man God's seal? Our answer is interesting, for I maintain that it is yes. To do this, we need to look at many more applications to this scenario. In every single case where God makes a covenant with man there is the same language of a seal. That raises the question, is this only a God's seal or a sealing by God, or is there a difference? We know that the Holy Spirit seals God's people, known as the sealing.

Before we get too entwined, let us look at Gen 22:8--”God Himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering;” and let us compare it to John 1:29--”behold, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world!” Certainly our ingredients for the seal is present. Is Jesus the seal of God---yes! Is man the seal of Jesus---yes! Many will qualify that , but it is certainly true. Jesus is the revelation of the Father, and man is revealing, reflecting Jesus to the universe. (see Col 1:27, Eph 3:10) When we read Gen 9:13, 17 we find an unbreakable seal. In Gen 22:17 & 28:13-15 we find this “seal.” From here we can find this word picture many times in Scripture.

Although this seal may be a noun, it is most important to see that in every case our Father is in charge, and has the right to offer His will to those who are willing to receive it, to worship Him, to glorify Him, that He always judges righteously and with grace. It is an incredible honor to be a recipient of God's gifts, and to give Jesus all merit, credit and glory. God seals His word and His people; and He allows us to share everything that gives.