Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: Why God Seals His People

Scripture: Revelation 7

Main commentary help: 

• Exalting Jesus in Revelation by Daniel Akin

• Revelation by Jim Hamilton

• Breaking the Code by Bruce Metzger

• Seven Seals by Matt Chandler, 2021 sermon

Last week: “How to prepare for the end”

This week: “Why God Seals His People”

Intro

I was a civil engineer for about 10 years before I went into full-time ministry. To become a professional engineer, you must graduate from an accredited university, pass the EIT test, apprentice the appropriate number of years, and then pass the PE exam. After doing all of that, you become a registered PE in that state. You can then get a seal that has the state seal, your name, and your PE #. Then when you must sign and seal documents you are identifying them as yours and that you have authority to submit these under the laws of the state. Your seal establishes identity, ownership, and authority.

We talked about 6 seals of judgment last week. But this is a different kind of seal. This is the seal found in 2 Corinthians 1:21-22:

“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NIV https://www.bible.com/111/2co.1.21-22.niv

God seals those who trust and follow the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Seal them from what? From the judgments he will pour out on the rest of the world because of their rebellion against their good and great Creator.

This parenthetical chapter between the 6th and 7th seals takes the time to share this truth that God seals his people. Therefore, they do not need to fear God’s judgment for he will protect them from them.

I. The sealing of the servants of God on the earth. (7:1-8)

II. The singing of the servants of God in heaven. (7:9-17)

Bottom line: We sing because we’ve been sealed.

The pathway to life is through a grave.

• True for Jesus.

• True for us.

Are you resting under God’s seal? Or do you need to trust and follow Jesus Christ?

God’s judgments are coming. Are you ready for that?

Pray to God and ask for his mercy and grace in Jesus’ name today.