The Sealing Ministry of the Spirit

"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory." —Ephesians 1:13,14

The term “seal” and “earnest” are commonly used from market places. The buyer puts down the earnest money, a deposit, thereby securing the goods. They are then sealed to show the new ownership, and await the day of full redemption. Likewise, every believer is now sealed with the Spirit.

The "purchased possession" (verse 14) is our body, and we are "sealed... until the day of redemption" of that body. That’s what Paul is talking about in Romans 8:23, when he says, "[W]e groan within ourselves waiting for… the redemption of our body."The Holy Spirit has sealed us until that day of redemption.

This particular ministry is mentioned only three times in the New Testament; but it is of vital import:

• "Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts" (II Corinthians 1:22);

• "In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise" (Ephesians 1:13);

• "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption" (Ephesians 4:30).

In the ancient world, a king who wanted to have an official communication delivered to one of his provinces would wrap up the scroll to be delivered, take the seal, dip it in hot wax, and put it on the parchment. He would then close it and have it delivered. It would then be a sealed delivery. That seal could not be broken until it reached its final destination. It could go anywhere in the realm. If the messenger were stopped or questioned, all he had to do was show the seal of the King to guarantee his safe passage and delivery of the message. We receive the Holy Spirit at salvation as a down payment and as a seal of God’s approval. God is able to make all of the monthly, daily, and moment by moment installments necessary to take us right on through to the Rapture of the Church. The sealing ministry of the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our safe arrival.

Other usage of “Seal” in the Scripture

• That the purpose might not be changed – Daniel 6:17)

• May no man reverse an important document – Esther 8:8

• Used to protect treasures – Deut. 32:34

• Used as evidence of purchase – Jer. 32:10

• As a mark of ownership – 2 Tim. 2:19

It is also said of CHRIST that He was sealed of the Father (John 6:27. Cf Isaiah 42:1). The sealing of the believer with the Spirit is "unto the day of redemption." It is the very presence of the Spirit in the heart. He is the Seal (Eph. 1:13-14). The thing accomplished by His sealing is so vital and enduring that it precludes the possibility of interruption or deflection. Thus, as for reasons givenabove, the eternal purposes of GOD in grace are to be received without distrust, because of the sealing with the Spirit. Every believer is in union with the Lord Jesus Christ. Every believer is baptized by the Spirit and sealed by the Spirit. Every believer is going to be at the Rapture of the Church and will receive his or her resurrection body. This is the sealing ministry of the Holy Spirit and is the Spirit’s approach to your eternal security and your guarantee of safe arrival.

A Seal Denotes: Ownership, Finished transaction, Destination, Identification, Security, Genuinely, Value, and Authority

The sealing of the Holy Spirit is one of the strongest arguments in the Bible for the doctrine of eternal security. This could be illustrated by sealing a letter in an envelope, putting a stamp on it, and sending it away. That envelope will not be opened until the letter gets where it is going. It is the same way with the child of God.

Evangelist Rodgie Quirante

The Workman's Treasure Study Series