We Are Sealed

Who has been Sealed?

Up to this point, Paul has informed the saints of 5 overarching spiritual blessings in Christ. They had been chosen eternally, adopted as God’s children, redeemed and forgiven, given the mystery of GOD, and given an inheritance. The fifth spiritual blessing is expressed in the middle of verse 13, and it was the experience of being sealed.

The concept of sealing is an ancient one typically seen with kings and other authorities. A seal was similar to our modern stamp or seal. It was an object with specific shapes that were directly connected to a person. To show that whatever action was authentically authorized by a person, their seal was pressed on wax.

An example is in Dan 6:17, King Darius’ seal, when Daniel was put in the lion’s den

Thus, a seal was used to indicate identity, authority, and authenticity.

Gentiles. Paul says “You were sealed”. Every other blessing he mentions he uses “We”, which includes himself. Who is he referring to? Chapter 2 helps us, because in 2:11, he says you Gentiles in the flesh. And goes on to say that In Christ, both Jew and Gentile have been made One Body. But even in 1:12 we get insight, because he says “We who were the first to hope in Christ...” In Acts 13:46, after Paul had spoken to the synagogue of Jews and Gentiles in Cyprus and the Jews rejected, he told them it was necessary to speak to them first, but he would move to the Gentiles as GOD had called him.

So, answering the question “Who” has been sealed, it is other nations besides Israel. Nonetheless, the sealing includes Israel because in the beginning of verse 13 he says “You also!!” Which joins the Gentiles in these blessings!!

When were we Sealed?

But then the question becomes when did they get sealed? There were two activities these Gentiles experienced that brought this seal:

One was hearing the message of truth. But this was not a passive posture of hearing, such as overhearing what someone said. The idea of hear is intently listening, and then the other idea is arriving at a knowledge.

Application: This is powerful in that you and I won’t come to know or understand a thing if we don’t intently listen, which is with full attention.

Furthermore, it is what they listened intently to and arrived at a knowledge of. Truth is the reality of things. It is singular, which means that there aren’t multiple truths!! And this relates to them being spiritually blessed and sealed! Paul does qualify exactly what that truth is, the good news about the salvation that has been sent and accomplished on behalf of humanity!!

Application: This is how important what message you hear is. The reality that all humanity needs to hear, is that there is a GOD. He is the GOD of Israel, He is the GOD and Father of Jesus the Christ. He loved humanity so much, that he sent his son Jesus, to sacrifice himself for the sins of humanity, so that humanity could have an opportunity to escape the destruction against sin, and have eternal life in Jesus, if they would believe in him!!!

But notice again, there are two activities they experience, they also responded according to God’s desires upon one hearing the message, and that’s believing. Which literally means to put ones trust and obey!

When they heard and arrived at a knowledge of the truth, and then put their trust in Jesus and obeyed the good news, that’s when they received a seal!!

With whom were we Sealed?

OK. We’ve seen who has been sealed, and when. But you and I should better appreciate the blessing when we understand Who we’ve been sealed WITH! Paul says the Holy Spirit of promise. Who is he?

Gen 1:1-2 - He is from GOD; John 15:26 - Jesus sent him from the Father; Promised by GOD and doubled down by Jesus; Matt 12:28, Acts 1:8 - He is the power of GOD; Ezek 36:26-27 - Without him, we couldn’t grow in our behavior.

Application: I’ve brought some of these qualities up so that we can appreciate who we have been stamped with!!! When GOD stamps someone with his Holy Spirit, he is indicating to both the heavenly and earthly realm, that this person belongs to ME! How you know? The same power and authentication GOD marked on creation! There’s absolutely something different about their behavior that reflects the same holiness and purity I hear of GOD, and it continues to get better!!!

Why were we Sealed?

Thank you Father. Even more specifically, Paul points out why he was given, which should cause us to blast in appreciation. The Spirit is a down payment of the inheritance GOD has promised!

Down payment is a partial payment made now, with the balance to be paid later. It shows an obligation to pay what has been promised.

Connected to that is inheritance. The typical understanding is property that is passed down to an heir upon the dath of the owner. The difference is relating to GOD, he doesn’t die to receive an inheritance from him. It’s just based on what he promises. This concept goes back to God’s conversation with Abraham that he would give his descendant’s Canaan (remember our series on the promised land).

For us however, it is not with land, it is with the inheritance that Jesus and the apostles speak of.

The kingdom - Eph 5:5, Matt 25:34

Salvation and Eternal life - Heb 1:14; Luke 18:18

Lastly, GOD has sealed believers until!!! There’s a coming a day that GOD will fully free us from this place and demonstrate his permanent possession of us. For now, we have the Holy Spirit as a pledge, guaranteeing the full fledge blessings GOD will dispense on us when he takes all of us to his eternal home!!!

Conclusion: Heavenly Father, what do you expect us to do knowing that we are stamped with your Holy Spirit, to guarantee us what’s to come? Paul says, to the praise of his Glory!!