God’s Seal and a Comforting Promise

The first six seals have been opened revealing the beginning of God’s judgment on the earth, but before the seventh seal is opened there is a pause. John sees an angel holding the seal of God and proclaiming that it is time for God’s servants to be marked with His seal. Those that have acknowledged Jesus as their savior and still remain on earth after the first six judgments will be sealed by God and protected from what is to come.

The promises of God’s seal and of His protection are not just for future believers. These promises apply to God’s children even now. When we turn to Jesus Christ for salvation, we receive the Holy Spirit as our seal. The Holy Spirit identifies us as God’s own and serves as our guarantee of the inheritance He has promised. God seals His own – and once we have that seal, our eternity is forever secured.

And when you believed in Christ, He identified you as His own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom He promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that He will give us the inheritance He promised and that He has purchased us to be His own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify Him. – Ephesians 1:13-14 NLT

As the scene in heaven continues to unfold, John sees a vast multitude of people from every nation, tribe, people and language standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They are worshipping God, robed in white and washed by the blood of the Lamb. What an amazing sight this must have been for John. I wonder if he recognized some of the faces. These are the people that remained faithful to God despite the tribulation they faced.

When tribulation comes in our lives, whether administered by God or allowed by God, we have a comforting promise to hold on to. One day it will all be worth it! We will no longer hunger. We will no longer thirst. God, Himself will guide us and He will wipe away every tear from our eyes. The struggles that we face on earth, even the ones that seem insurmountable, are but a tiny blip in the span of eternity. They will quickly fade away the moment we see our Savior face-to-face.

“They will never again be hungry or thirsty; they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun. For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” – Revelation 7:16-17 NLT

Praise God for the complete relief from pain and trouble that He has promised us when we finally come into His presence. Every prayer will be answered. Every problem will be gone. We will have nothing but eternal joy in the presence of our Savior.

Does what you’re hoping in promise you that?