By John Thiel

The bible says that the law of God is to be written in our hearts which is the forehead – the frontal lobe of the brain.

Revelation 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.  2 and I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea. 3 saying, hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 4 and I heard the number of them which were sealed, and they were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

Today we are living in a time when the angels are holding back the winds of strife being the war and destruction or Armageddon, until the servants of God are sealed with the seal of God.  This means the 144,000 are being sealed now.

Ezekiel 9:1 He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man [with] his destroying weapon in his hand. 2 And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them [was] clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brazen altar. 3 And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which [had] the writer’s inkhorn by his side;  4 And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. 5 And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: 6 Slay utterly old [and] young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom [is] the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which [were] before the house. 

Those that overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil, will be the favored ones who shall receive the seal of the living God. Those whose hands are not clean, whose hearts are not pure, will not have the seal of the living God. Those who are planning sin and acting it will be passed by. Only those who, in their attitude before God, are filling the position of those who are repenting and confessing their sins in the great anti-typical day of atonement, will be recognized and marked as worthy of God’s protection. The names of those who are steadfastly looking and waiting and watching for the appearing of their Saviour–more earnestly and wishfully than they who wait for the morning–will be numbered with those who are sealed. Those who, while having all the light of truth flashing upon their souls, should have works corresponding to their avowed faith, but are allured by sin, setting up idols in their hearts, corrupting their souls before God, and polluting those who unite with them in sin, will have their names blotted out of the book of life, and be left in midnight darkness, having no oil in their vessels with their lamps. “Unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings.”  {TM 445.1}

This sealing of the servants of God is the same that was shown to Ezekiel in vision. John also had been a witness of this most startling revelation. He saw the sea and the waves roaring, and men’s hearts failing them for fear. He beheld the earth moved, and the mountains carried into the midst of the sea (which is literally taking place), the water thereof roaring and troubled, and the mountains shaking with the swelling thereof. He was shown plagues, pestilence, famine, and death performing their terrible mission.  {TM 445.2}

The prophet Ezekiel and the apostle Paul in their in their visions both understood what was going to take place at the time of the end.  What is the mark of God then?  And how can we prove it is the mark?  How do we demonstrate that the Sabbath is the seal of God, and qualify it from the bible?  The bible tells us that the seal of God has practical localities

2 Corinthians 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart.

The seal is a way of life – written in the heart.

Revelation 14:16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in the sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.

The everlasting gospel does this reaping work.

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.  12 Teaching us that, denying unGodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and Godly, in the present world.

God’s people are to be a people zealous of good works.

Mathew 19:25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceeding amazed, saying, who then can be saved? 26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, with men this is impossible but with God all things are possible.

The disciples were perplexed at Jesus account of heaven.

Jude 24:25 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.

Jesus can only return once his people are ready – until their characters are perfected there is yet a work to be done.

Acts 3:20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

Here we see that Jesus can’t return until restitution has been restored in his people.  That is all the original precepts that were instituted before the fall of man need to be restored such as keeping the Sabbath holy, the original diet, one marriage partner for life, dress reform etc…

“The husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.” James 5:7. So the Christian is to wait with patience for the fruition in his life of the word of God. Often when we pray for the graces of the Spirit, God works to answer our prayers by placing us in circumstances to develop these fruits; but we do not understand His purpose, and wonder, and are dismayed. Yet none can develop these graces except through the process of growth and fruit bearing. Our part is to receive God’s word and to hold it fast, yielding ourselves fully to its control, and its purpose in us will be accomplished.  {COL 61.2}

His character will be reproduced in our nature. Thus shall we bring forth the fruits of the Holy Spirit–“some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.”  {COL 61.3}

Are not the 144,000 the first fruits? Do they not see death?

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

He promises to finish the work he has started in perfecting our characters if we continue to obey him.

Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication. 4 that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour.

God makes his people holy by writing his law in their hearts.

Isaiah 8:16 Bind up the testimony.  Seal the law among my disciples.

What is the seal of the law then in God’s people?

Exodus 31:13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the lord that doth sanctify you. 14 Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you : everyone that defileth it shall surely be put to death; for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. 15 Six days may work be done; but the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the lord; whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely  put to death. 16 wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. Exodus 31:17 it is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever; for in six days the lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

We need to understand how the sign is linked to the seal of God.

Romans 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision , a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised; that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also.

Note that in this text the words sign and seal are used interchangeably.  In the Old Testament circumcision was a sign or symbol for the seal of righteousness. We are proof reading here with the bible, scripture upon scripture, line upon line. In this regard the Sabbath is the seal of sanctification.

Exodus 20:9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 210 But the seventh day [is] the sabbath of the LORD thy God: [in it] thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that [is] within thy gates: 11 For [in] six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them [is], and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

The seal of King George V had the following attributes;

1. It bore his name
2. It bore his title
3. It declared what he was ruler over
4. It bore his seal

The fourth commandment of God bares all the above:

1. His name : the Lord thy God
2. Title:  Creator of heaven and earth
3. His territory: Heaven and earth, the sea, & all in them.
4. His seal: the Sabbath
5. The Sabbath is part of God’s law which seals us.

Argument

But people argue that the Sabbath is only for the Jews and that it has no application to modern day Christians.

Exodus 31:14 Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you, every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death; for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

We need to look at God’s people who are “Israel” in the heart, a Jew inwardly.  There was the seal of circumcision in the old testament, now we are being circumcised in the heart.

Romans 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly, neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh. 29 but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. John 8:39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father, Jesus saith unto them, “if ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham”. 40 but now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth which I have heard of God; this did not Abraham.

Romans 2:56 …your father Abraham rejoiced to seem my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

Abraham understood that Christ would come at a future time to offer himself a perfect sacrifice for the sins of this world.  He understood that all animal sacrifices only pointed in token to the real sacrifice that Jesus would make for us. – he also understood the second coming of Christ.

John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, verily, verily, I say unto you, before Abraham was, I am.

Abraham’s children are those who do the works of Abraham. They are the true Israelites.

Galatians 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

The Israel of God, the people God has brought about through sanctification.

Galatians 3:28 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

If the Sabbath is for the outward Jew, it must also be for the inward Jew.

Isaiah 29:13 Wherefore the lord said, forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men.

The Jews in their hearts are not in tune with God. They teach the Sabbath but it is not in their hearts.

Exodus 31:13 Speak thou unto the children of Israel, saying, verily my sabbaths ye shall keep; for it is a sign between me and you through your generations; that ye may know that I am the lord that doeth sanctify you.

Deuteronomy 5:29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear (respect) me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever.

Isaiah 58:12 And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called the repairer of the breach.  The restorer of paths to dwell in. 13 if thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the lord, honorable, and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words. 14 then shalt thy delight thyself in the lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of thee earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father; for the mouth of the lord hath spoken it.

This is the message for the last days. Jesus can’t return until his precepts including his Sabbath are restored.

Isaiah 58:1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

The Sabbath is not the seal unless it is kept in accordance with Isaiah 58:13.  Not speaking our own words or doing our own ways.

Not all who profess to keep the Sabbath will be sealed. There are many even among those who teach the truth to others who will not receive the seal of God in their foreheads. They had the light of truth, they knew their Master’s will, they understood every point of our faith, but they had not corresponding works. These who were so familiar with prophecy and the treasures of divine wisdom should have acted their faith. They should have commanded their households after them, that by a well-ordered family they might present to the world the influence of the truth upon the human heart.  {5T 213.2}

By their lack of devotion and piety, and their failure to reach a high religious standard, they make other souls contented with their position. Men of finite judgment cannot see that in patterning after these men who have so often opened to them the treasures of God’s word, they will surely endanger their souls. Jesus is the only true pattern. Everyone must now search the Bible for himself upon his knees before God, with the humble, teachable heart of a child, if he would know what the Lord requires of him. However high any minister may have stood in the favor of God, if he neglects to follow out the light given him of God, if he refuses to be taught as a little child, he will go into darkness and satanic delusions and will lead others in the same path.  {5T 214.1}

Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them. It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost.  {5T 214.2}

It is true that there may be an outward correctness of deportment without the renewing power of Christ. The love of influence and the desire for the esteem of others may produce a well-ordered life. Self-respect may lead us to avoid the appearance of evil. A selfish heart may perform generous actions. By what means, then, shall we determine whose side we are on?  {SC 58.1}

Who has the heart? With whom are our thoughts? Of whom do we love to converse? Who has our warmest affections and our best energies? If we are Christ’s, our thoughts are with Him, and our sweetest thoughts are of Him. All we have and are is consecrated to Him. We long to bear His image, breathe His spirit, do His will, and please Him in all things.  {SC 58.2}

Those who become new creatures in Christ Jesus will bring forth the fruits of the Spirit, “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” Galatians 5:22, 23. They will no longer fashion themselves according to the former lusts, but by the faith of the Son of God they will follow in His steps, reflect His character, and purify themselves even as He is pure. The things they once hated they now love, and the things they once loved they hate. The proud and self-assertive become meek and lowly in heart. The vain and supercilious become serious and unobtrusive. The drunken become sober, and the profligate pure. The vain customs and fashions of the world are laid aside. Christians will seek not the “outward adorning,” but “the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit.” 1 Peter 3:3, 4.  {SC 58.3}

Amen.