September 18 Sealed for God

Revelation 7:1-3 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: 3 “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.”
 
WITH the phrase “after this”, John continues to relate the sequence of events in Jesus’ revelation from the Father. Four angels – the seraphim - have been moving in obedience to God’s judgment against the earth. Now a fifth angel comes at the Lord’s command to protect God’s people – his church – still on earth.
    This fifth angel’s seal is not one of the seven seals Jesus has been opening. Before the seventh is opened, the Father mercifully sends an angel to seal his people from harm amid the earth-changing turmoil.
    Scripture has many passages about God’s judgment stopped with God’s mercy. His peace stops war and ends sieges. God’s providence allows mankind to choose the wrong. Then he acts to righteousness. Amid turmoil, be assured this is the pattern of a fallen world in God’s providence: Ecclesiastes 3:3 (There is) a time to kill and a time to heal, time to tear down and a time to build. Since Eden, the Creator has been tearing down Satan’s evil on the earth to build a redeemed world, a new perfect “Eden” for his church. Time and again the Lord God has proven he is the protective Good Shepherd who leads his people to shelter.
    Do you see salvation’s picture here? As you are God’s own in the Spirit’s power, you are “sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30b) with Jesus’ atoning blood. How sweet and pleasing to know “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) This is the Holy Trinity choosing, calling and sealing you against Satan’s mark described further in the vision. The King of Kings has spoken from heaven’s throne to bring calm, security and peace to your heart.
    Be of faith. As the world’s destructive winds rage against you, know you can trust the quiet and gentle breeze of your Almighty God.
    Again, we can see this event as literal moment in history to come at some future day. For our lives right now, we must see this revelation as God’s ongoing work to give us a faith to trust his peace and joy for eternal life. John 14:27 (Jesus said) “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
   
Prayer: Thank you, Holy Father, for your eternal peace. Thank you for marking my heart with Jesus’ blood! In His Precious Name, Amen.