3. Sealed for Redemption

Believers are saved solely by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. As a result of acceptance of this grace by faith, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit as a guarantor of our salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14). When God seals a person it is a permanent seal which no one is able to break. What God has sealed man cannot break. The story of Daniel in the lions' den is an Old Testament example of what a seal is what it is meant to be. The seal was placed on the stone over the mouth of the den "so that nothing would be changed."

"Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions' den. The king spoke and said to Daniel, 'Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.' A stone was brought and laid over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing would be changed in regard to Daniel." (Daniel 6:16-17)

Another example is in the New Testament when Jesus was placed in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. A seal was ordered by Pilate to be placed on the tomb to keep it secure.

"And they went and made the grave secure, and along with the guard they set a seal on the stone." (Matthew 27:66)

It is clear from these two examples that the main purpose of the seal is to not only identify the authority of the one placing it, but to hold something secure. When a person comes to Christ he comes under the jurisdiction of the Holy Spirit, making him a child of God. The Spirit then keeps the believer secure in Christ.

"Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge." (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

When a seal is given in the Bible it is given with a purpose and is unchangeable. Now if the seal of a mere man is given with a binding, unchangeable purpose, how much more when God seals something? Can men break God's seal? This passage shows that the Holy Spirit of promise makes Christians firm in the faith of the Gospel, allowing the believer to live a life pleasing to God, and providing assurance of salvation.

"In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:13-14)

God has made known to believers through Christ, the Spirit of truth, this promise of salvation. Through Christ, God and humanity formerly estranged, are now reconciled; and the penalty of sin is satisfied for the wrong which caused the separation. He brought about, by His Spirit, the benefits of faith and love, whereby we are united with God.

The sanctifying and comforting influences of the Holy Spirit seal or designate believers as the children of God, and the beneficiaries of eternal life. God's seal guarantees our salvation because we are sealed to the day of redemption. All to the glory of God.

If we are sealed until the day of redemption, does that mean that some will lose their salvation before reaching that day? Scripture says no. When God says in His word that the believer is sealed until the day of redemption, that is exactly what He means. Persons reborn, regenerated, made new by the Holy Spirit will remain saved and make it to the day of redemption because God says so.