Sealed

phil112 · Jul 10, 2015

Seems like there is a lot of doctrine based on scriptures that use this word. Since we are urged to be of the same mind, it would be nice if we started by agreeing on what specific words mean.
So, you tell me, what does the word sealed mean used in the following verse and enforce your definition with bible.

purgedconscience · Jul 10, 2015

phil112 said:

I'd like to enforce my own understanding by including the very next verse of scripture:

Ephesians chapter 1 verses 13 and 14

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.

This seal is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession. My mom used to work in real estate and earnest is a real estate term. It has to do with a downpayment which is made on a property which shows that the potential buyer earnestly intends to complete the transaction fully at a later point in time. When used in the portion of scripture that we just read, the redemption of the purchased possession refers to the point in time when Christians will received their glorified bodies at Christ's return. The point of contention, of course, is whether or not such a seal can be broken or whether or not such earnest money can ever be returned to the potential buyer Who, in this case, is God. I'll let the rest of you fight that one out.

Viligant_Warrior · Jul 10, 2015

Particularly in ancient times, a seal -- wax that secured an envelope or folded paper and that was imprinted with the king's signet -- marked the document as for the eyes of the addressee only. No one else was allowed to see the contents. It was a mark of security, one that was legally inviolable. No one could remove that seal except the recipient.

It was also a sign of official approval, equivalent to a signature on a contract. An official decree with the king's signet imprinted in wax at the bottom carried the full force and weight of law. It is in both these senses that God has sealed us. By the seal of the Holy Spirit, Christ has addressed us specifically for God to receive. It is meant that we are forever secure in Him. No one, not even ourselves, can remove that seal, any more than a letter can unseal itself.

Coupled with v. 14, as Phil cited, this is absolute inarguable assurance of our salvation. The down payment has been made, in Christ's blood, and the Holy Spirit is the Father's promise that that covenant we have made by our faith in that sacrifice will be honored for our entry into heaven. We have become His own property, and He does not trade us or sell us. We are His, period. End of story.

valiant · Jul 10, 2015

phil112 said:

The purpose of a seal is to mark ownership, provide total security and to prevent anyone from interfering with what is sealed.

In the case of the believer he was sealed with the Holy Spirit the moment that he truly believed and that seal is said to be 'until the day of redemption'. In other words that seal will not be broken by anyone or anything until it is opened by Christ on the Day of Redemption. That being so the security of the one sealed is guaranteed. For who can break the seal which is composed of the Spirit of God? So it is a seal of security.

It is also an earnest. In New Testament days when a contract was agreed the person selling the goods would send an 'earnest'. This would be an exact sample of what was being sold. Thus when the buyer received the good he could check it against the sample for quality and exactness.

In the same way we have in the Holy Spirit a sample of what will be ours on the Day of Redemption...

purgedconscience · Jul 10, 2015

Viligant_Warrior said:

Particularly in ancient times, a seal -- wax that secured an envelope or folded paper and that was imprinted with the king's signet -- marked the document as for the eyes of the addressee only. No one else was allowed to see the contents. It was a mark of security, one that was legally inviolable. No one could remove that seal except the recipient.

It was also a sign of official approval, equivalent to a signature on a contract. An official decree with the king's signet imprinted in wax at the bottom carried the full force and weight of law. It is in both these senses that God has sealed us. By the seal of the Holy Spirit, Christ has addressed us specifically for God to receive. It is meant that we are forever secure in Him. No one, not even ourselves, can remove that seal, any more than a letter can unseal itself.

Coupled with v. 14, as Phil cited, this is absolute inarguable assurance of our salvation. The down payment has been made, in Christ's blood, and the Holy Spirit is the Father's promise that that covenant we have made by our faith in that sacrifice will be honored for our entry into heaven. We have become His own property, and He does not trade us or sell us. We are His, period. End of story.

I really don't want to get into contention with anybody on this topic which is addressed repeatedly on this forum to no seeming avail, but don't the two bold-faced portions above contradict each other? We can remove the seal, but, wait, we can't?

peacefulbeliever · Jul 10, 2015

Viligant_Warrior said:

Particularly in ancient times, a seal -- wax that secured an envelope or folded paper and that was imprinted with the king's signet -- marked the document as for the eyes of the addressee only. No one else was allowed to see the contents. It was a mark of security, one that was legally inviolable. No one could remove that seal except the recipient.

It was also a sign of official approval, equivalent to a signature on a contract. An official decree with the king's signet imprinted in wax at the bottom carried the full force and weight of law. It is in both these senses that God has sealed us. By the seal of the Holy Spirit, Christ has addressed us specifically for God to receive. It is meant that we are forever secure in Him. No one, not even ourselves, can remove that seal, any more than a letter can unseal itself.

Coupled with v. 14, as Phil cited, this is absolute inarguable assurance of our salvation. The down payment has been made, in Christ's blood, and the Holy Spirit is the Father's promise that that covenant we have made by our faith in that sacrifice will be honored for our entry into heaven. We have become His own property, and He does not trade us or sell us. We are His, period. End of story.

Yep . . .

The seal also was verification of "whom the letter or document was from" - it marked the document as "belonging" to the one who sent it. We are marked as property of God by the gift of holy Spirit given to us.

crossnote · Jul 10, 2015

Nehemiah 9:38 (NET) “Because of all of this we are entering into a binding covenant in written form; our leaders, our Levites, and our priests have affixed their names on the sealed document.”

In our case God has entered into a binding contract with Himself to bring us to glory.

Viligant_Warrior · Jul 10, 2015

purgedconscience said:

They can't contradict one another, since one is the superlative of the other. The recipient of the king's document was the only one who could remove the seal. We aren't the recipient. God the Father is. Jesus sealed us, the Father receives us.

purgedconscience · Jul 10, 2015

Viligant_Warrior said:

Doesn't the Bible say that God the Father is the One Who sealed us?

2 Corinthians chapter 1 verses 21 and 22

Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

mailmandan · Jul 10, 2015

<1,,728,arrabon>
originally, "earnest-money" deposited by the purchaser and forfeited if the purchase was not completed, was probably a Phoenician word, introduced into Greece. In general usage it came to denote "a pledge" or "earnest" of any sort; in the NT it is used only of that which is assured by God to believers; it is said of the Holy Spirit as the Divine "pledge" of all their future blessedness, 2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5; in Ephesians 1:14; 4:30 particularly of their eternal inheritance.

2 Corinthians 1:21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

2 Corinthians 5:5 - Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Ephesians 1:13 - In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Ephesians 4:30 - And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed unto/for the day of redemption.

crossnote · Jul 10, 2015

mailmandan said:

4972. σφραγίζω sphragízō; fut. sphragísō, from sphragís (G4973), seal. To seal, trans.:
(I) To seal, close up and make fast with a seal signet such as letters or books so that they may not be read (Sept.: 1 Kgs. 21:8; Is. 29:11; Dan. 12:4). Hence, figuratively of lips, to keep in silence, not to make known, with the acc. (Rev. 10:4; 22:10; Sept.: Dan. 8:26). Generally, to seal or set a seal for the sake of security upon a sepulcher, prison, with the acc. (Matt. 27:66; Rev. 20:3; Sept.: Song 4:12). Figuratively, to secure to someone, make sure, deliver over safely, in the mid. with the acc. and dat. (Rom. 15:28 [cf. Deut. 32:34; 2 Kgs. 22:4]).
(II) Generally, to set a seal or mark upon a thing as a token of its authenticity or approvedness; used of persons, with the acc. (Rev. 7:3); pass. (Rev. 7:4-8). More often of decrees or documents, to attest by a seal (Sept.: Esth. 8:8, 10; Job 14:17). Hence figuratively, to attest, confirm, establish, with the acc. (John 6:27 [cf. 5:36]), followed by hóti (G3754), that (John 3:33). So also of Christians whom God attests and confirms by the gift of the Holy Spirit as the earnest, pledge, or seal of their election to salvation. Mid. with the acc. (2 Cor. 1:22); pass. (Eph. 1:13; 4:30).

σφραγίζω. 1aor. ἐσφράγισα, mid. ἐσφραγισάμην; pf. pass. ἐσφράγισμαι; 1aor. pass. ἐσφραγίσθην; seal; (1) literally seal up, secure by putting a seal on (MT 27.66); figuratively, as keeping something secret seal (up), conceal (RV 10.4); (2) as providing a sign of identification or ownership (mark with a) seal (RV 7.3); metaphorically, of endowment with the Spirit (EP 1.13); (3) figuratively, from the idea of an official seal on a document; (a) confirm, attest, certify (JN 3.33); (b) metaphorically, as a commercial technical term indicating a safely accomplished transaction σφραγίζειν τινί τὸν καρπὸν τοῦτον literally seal to someone this fruit, i.e. safely turn over to someone this kind provision (RO 15.28)

Then from AT Robertson...(esphragisthete). First aorist passive indicative of sphragizo, old verb, to set a seal on one as a mark or stamp, sometimes the marks of ownership or of worship of deities like stigmata (Ga 6:17). Marked and authenticated as God's heritage as in 4:30. See 2Co 1:22 for the very use of the metaphor here applied to the Holy Spirit even with the word arrabon (earnest). Spirit (pneumati). In the instrumental case.

eternally-gratefull · Jul 10, 2015

peacefulbeliever said:

it also meant the ruling or law written on that letter was binding, and whatever the king had declared, it was law.

When we are delivered to God on redemption day, and the seal is broken, and the law read. It will show the the carrier of the seal was declared forgiven and it was written by the blood of Christ.

Viligant_Warrior · Jul 10, 2015

purgedconscience said:

Unless that contradicts Ephesians 1:13, which begins "In Him ... " -- referencing Jesus as He who does all these things in and for us -- it is the same action, isn't it? Are you saying Jesus isn't God? Remember, they are the same, regardless of which Person of them is spoken of. They are in agreement with one another. So if Jesus sealed us, God sealed us. The Holy Spirit sealed us. It isn't a contradiction.

crossnote · Jul 10, 2015

eternally-gratefull said:

Can't help tieing in the breaking of the sealed tomb, declaring Death has been conquered!

purgedconscience · Jul 10, 2015

Viligant_Warrior said:

Not to be argumentative, but simply to answer your questions, yes, it contradicts Ephesians 1:13 in context and no, it isn't the same action as, again, it is the Father Who is doing the sealing and not Christ:

Ephesians chapter 1 verses 3 thru 14

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
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.

Every bold-faced who, he, him, himself and his refers to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and not to Jesus Christ Himself. I'll grant you that we were sealed in Christ, but, again, it is the Father Who did the sealing and Who gave us the earnest of the Spirit and not Christ:

2 Corinthians chapter 1 verses 21 and 22

Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

2 Corinthians chapter 5 verse 5

Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

No, of course I'm not saying that. I'm simply saying that the Bible teaches that God the Father is the One Who sealed us and Who gave us the earnest of the Spirit.

They're not the same in that They're different Persons, for lack of a better word.

Yes, they are and in this sense They are One as in united, but they are still two distinct Persons, again, for lack of a better word.

No. The Father sealed us with the Holy Spirit in Christ.

Actually, it is.

That aside, who said that a seal cannot be broken and that earnest money cannot be returned to the one who gave it? We all know that seals can indeed be broken and that earnest money can indeed be given back to the one who initially gave it, so why were these examples employed by the Apostle Paul? Were they employed by him to teach us via similarities or via contrasts? They were employed by him to teach us via similarities and we'd be wise to recognize the same.

dcontroversal · Jul 10, 2015

purgedconscience said:

I'd like to enforce my own understanding by including the very next verse of scripture:

Ephesians chapter 1 verses 13 and 14

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.

This seal is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession. My mom used to work in real estate and earnest is a real estate term. It has to do with a downpayment which is made on a property which shows that the potential buyer earnestly intends to complete the transaction fully at a later point in time. When used in the portion of scripture that we just read, the redemption of the purchased possession refers to the point in time when Christians will received their glorified bodies at Christ's return. The point of contention, of course, is whether or not such a seal can be broken or whether or not such earnest money can ever be returned to the potential buyer Who, in this case, is God. I'll let the rest of you fight that one out.

There is no argument that can stand on the breakability of that seal....Ecclesiastes 3:11 WHATSOEVER God does it is ETERNAL...nothing ADDED or TAKEN AWAY and HE does this so that MEN may FEAR before him....

Saving, Sealing, Justifying, Sanctifying WHATSOEVER <----if God does it it is ETERNAL!

purgedconscience · Jul 10, 2015

dcontroversal said:

Then why do you suppose that the Apostle Paul gave the following warning:

Ephesians chapter 4 verse 26 thru chapter 5 verse 7

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Neither give place to the devil.
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

?

In other words, why bother warning those who have an allegedly unbreakable seal to not give place to the devil, to not grieve the Holy Spirit and to not be deceived and to be partakers with those who do things which incur the wrath of God upon them?

dcontroversal · Jul 10, 2015

purgedconscience said:

Do you like to disappoint your dad? How do you feel when you fail your parent and they look down upon you with disappoinment? Did you get whipped when you were a kid? God chastens his children, whips his children and the word grieve is NOT break! As a saved child of God who is convicted of sin, gets whipped when disobedient we should strive to please our Father and not cause his Spirit to grieve.........that does not is anyway shape or form state that the seal will be broken.....Christ WILL COMPLETE that which he started and the bible is FULL of verses that describe the CONFLICT between the fallen lost flesh and the BOR again SPIRIT that DOES not sin.....the HOLY SPIRIT dwells in the beiever and when we sin we cause the SPIRIT to grieve...JESUS, PAUL and others speaks to the willingness of the spirit and the weakness of the flesh...PAUL said clearly...when he went to do good he found a LAW that SIN was present with him....the best we can do until a glorified FINISHED body is to suppress the fallen weak flesh so as to let CHRIST shine through......it is that clear! And I am a firm believer that we are gaining and or losing reward based upon faithfulness, obedience or a lack there of, but our eternal state is secure in the hands of Christ!

purgedconscience · Jul 10, 2015

dcontroversal said:

I partly agree with what you just said and partly disagree, but what about the wrath of God part? Why the warning in relation to that? Surely you're not suggesting that said wrath merely has to do with chastisement, right? I mean, Paul likened it to what comes upon the children of disobedience and not to what God does to His Own children in relation to chastisement. We're talking bastards, a Biblical word before anybody goes berserk, and sons here and the sons are being warned not to be partakers of the wrath of God which comes upon bastards. Why? Because their seal allegedly cannot be broken?

dcontroversal · Jul 10, 2015

purgedconscience said:

The bible states that tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that walks contrary....the word wrath comes from orge and is the fiery indignation of God.......the bible states that we are appointed unto tribulation, but have been saved from wrath by him.....John 3:36...the wrath of God is currently abiding on all who have not exercised faith into Jesus...all who have trusted Christ have had the condemnation of the law removed and the righteousness of God applied unto their lives....It is the spirit that has been saved, born again, sealed, justified and sanctified...it is currently housed in a body that is dead and fallen beacause of sin....that is where chastisment comes in....a child of God will not live a continual lifestlye of sin, but will endure chastening and come back to the fold and sometimes be taken out by death (physical) If one is without chastening they are a bastard and were never a son....the warnings are given just as you would warn a child to not play in the street because it could lead to an early demise....God warns us to walk in an obedient manner because there are consequences.....the loss of reward, physical ailment, physical death, the sword in our house (DAVID)<---at the result of his disobedience and many other examples......but the fact does not change that one is a child by birth...my son is my son by birth and that cannot EVER change.....sometimes when he disobeys me he gets in trouble, gets whipped or punished but no matter how many times I may punish him or reward him based upon what he does or does not do he will always be my son by BIRTH....Everything God does it is eternal......including the new birth by faith!

Sealed

phil112

Guest

purgedconscience

Guest

Viligant_Warrior

Guest

Senior Member

purgedconscience

Guest

Senior Member

Senior Member

Viligant_Warrior

Guest

purgedconscience

Guest

Senior Member

Senior Member

eternally-gratefull

Guest

Viligant_Warrior

Guest

Senior Member

purgedconscience

Guest

Banned

purgedconscience

Guest

Banned

purgedconscience

Guest

Banned