Each of the 12 tribes has an equal number who are sealed. 12,000 to be exact.
Back to the sealing for a moment.
The sealing that is given to us by the Spirit of God is in our hearts as a guarantee. See 2 Cor 1:22.
In other words, the sealing is for us an assurance of our belonging to God, and of security as it were.
It's similar to what we would have in our own culture, where we put some money down on something, as a guarantee that full payment is coming. It's a down payment of sorts. God's sealing us is a down payment from Him, guaranteeing us of our eventual full or future salvation, and of His future intentions in our lives.
The sealing of the God's Holy Spirit in our lives takes place when we believe in Jesus Christ. So, at the moment a person places their faith in Christ, we are sealed as the Lord gives us His Holy Spirit in our hearts, He is called the Holy Spirit of promise. It's like an announcement if you will by God of what He intends to do. He promises to finish the work He has begun in our lives. It's a promise of good or blessing in our lives. By placing the Holy Spirit in our lives, the Lord is also announcing if you will that He intends to bring us to heaven. See Eph 1:13
The sealing of the Holy Spirit in our lives is also said to be "for the day of redemption" So, it marks us as belonging to God, He ( the Holy Spirit ) in our lives is a guarantee of safe arrival, and it's an announcement or promise of God's good intentions towards us, and He is given until the day of redemption. Or the day that we are finally done with this world, and in God's heaven, with Him forever and forever. When God finishes His work of saving us, the day of redemption. It's when a christian finally leaves here, and departs for heaven. See Eph 4:30
The sealing of the Holy Spirit, also means we ought to be careful as to how we lives. Comforted for sure, by His being in us, and challenged also to live a holy life for Christ, and with Christ. Again, in Eph 4:30, we are instructed, not to grieve the Holy Spirit of God. In other words, don't act in such a way that causes Him, ( the Holy Spirit ) to be grieved, or saddened by our thoughts and our actions, and our intentions. Or to say it another way, to live in harmony with God and God's will means, He will not be grieved. So, the sealing of the Spirit should challenge us to holy living.
In one sense, actually in the very same sense, the sealing that takes place in Rev 7, is the very same work of God in the lives of any saved person today.
You are saved, ( sealed ) showing you belong to God.
You are saved, ( sealed ) showing God intends to get you to heaven.
You are saved, ( sealed ) until the moment the Lord takes you to heaven.
You are saved ( sealed ) reminding you to live a holy life unto the Lord.
May you find great joy and peace today, in knowing that God has marked you out, as belonging to Him. He has placed his mark of ownership upon you, and He intends to finish the transaction if you will of getting you to heaven. And, may you be encouraged and challenged today to live the right way, going God's way, and to turn away from your own way, and the way of this world. You or I would not want to grieve the Holy Spirit who is in our hearts at this very moment. We have a Holy guest as it were living within us.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
