The Seal of God

© P. Gerard Damsteegt
Adventists Affirm, vol. 8, no. 3, Year-end 1994

Deep in the Adventist theology of last-day happenings is a predicted development

which portends the destiny of all living persons. We have heard it preached from
pulpits for years&emdash;people will receive either the mark of the beast or the
seal of God. This is the outcome of the third angels message, the great showdown
of the great controversy.

The subject of the sealing foreseen in Revelation 7 caught the attention of

Adventists in the middle of the nineteenth century when they discovered that Jesus
had begun the final preparation for His return. They saw clearly in the Bible that
Christ's sanctuary ministry entails much more than His "cleansing" work in heaven.
Simultaneously with His heavenly work He is "cleansing" a people, preparing them
to meet Him at the second advent. (See P. Gerard Damsteegt, "The Sanctuary and
Adventist Experience," Ministry, October 1994, pp. 34-38).

Intensive study of Christ's ministry in the most holy place shed new light on God's
"testimony," His ten commandments (Rev :9; Ex 25:6, 22). This study brought to
the fore the role of the decalogue as the unchanging standard of conduct by which
people will be judged. In the process, it opened their eyes to the permanent validity
of the fourth commandment, with its seventh-day Sabbath.

One of the most significant new insights gained from Bible study was the
discovery that the Sabbath is intimately linked to the seal of God. In this article I
would like us to look at some questions as answered in the writings of Ellen G.
White, questions such as these and others: What is the seal of God? Is ordinary
Sabbath keeping the seal described in Revelation 7? What is the relationship
between the end-time sealing work and the sealing work in Ezekiel 9? What
preparation is required for being sealed?

What is the Seal of God?

Today, although ministers preach about the mark of the beast, relatively little
attention seems to be paid to the question, "What is the seal of God? As life
continues on as usual from day to day, scarcely any attention is paid to the seal of
God. By contrast, nearly one hundred years ago Ellen G. White called special
attention to its importance. "The time has come," she wrote, "when all who have an
interest in their soul's salvation should earnestly and solemnly inquire, What is the
seal of God? (Signs of the Times, Nov.1, 1899).

A century ago early believers felt that understanding the seal of God was a matter
of life and death. They realized that only those receiving the seal of the living God
will pass through the time of trouble and the seven last plagues successfully. Only
the sealed ones will stand in the Day of the Lord. To understand this subject was a
top priority.

The Seal of God as the Sabbath.

The first time that Ellen G. White associated the seal of God with the Sabbath was
in 1848. A few months later, in January 1849, Joseph Bates, the pioneer Sabbath
theologian, published the first Adventist book on the subject and called it, A Seal
of the Living God. One of Ellen White's arguments that the seal of God is the
Sabbath was that the Sabbath commandment contains the characteristics of a seal.
A seal, she observed in our early days and reiterated many years later, is attached
to a law to show the name, title, and authority of the lawgiver. The Sabbath
commandment can therefore be considered a seal because it "is the only one of all
the ten in which are found both the name and the title of the Lawgiver. It is the
only one that shows by whose authority the law is given. Thus it contains the seal
of God, affixed to His law as evidence of its authenticity and binding force"
(Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 307).

The Sabbath helps to give the ten commandments their unique significance. "The
Sabbath was placed in the decalogue as the seal of the living God, pointing out the
Law-giver, and making known his right to rule." Thus the Sabbath is the sign of a
relationship between God and His people, serving as "a test of their loyalty to
Him" (Signs of the Times, May 3, 1886). The mission of Seventh-day Adventists
can be described as "presenting the law of God as a test of character and as the seal
of the living God" (Testimonies for the Church, 2:468). This reasoning seems to
make good sense. However, there is more to the sealing message.

The Seal of God in the Forehead.

lf the Sabbath is the seal of the living God, what is the seal that the angel will place
in the forehead (see Rev 7:2-3)? The seal to be placed in the forehead is "a mark
which angels, but not human eyes, can read; for the destroying angel must see this
mark of redemption. The intelligent mind has seen the sign of the cross of Calvary
in the Lord's adopted sons and daughters" (7BC 968, my italics). (In this article,
references to Ellen G. White comments in the Seventh-day Adventist Bible
Commentary are indicated by the ab breviation BC, with the volume number
preceding it.)
Described in greater detail, "The seal given in the forehead is God, New Jerusalem.
will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God,
(Rev 3:2)" (Manuscript Releases 15:225).

This seal is to be given to those only who make the necessary preparation. In His
mercy, God has commissioned four angels to hold the winds of strife so that His
people may have time to make this preparation for receiving the seal in their
foreheads (Early Writings, 38).

A distinction, evidently, was to be made between mere outward observance of the

Sabbath and the true Sabbath observance which would involve intense spiritual
preparation. Unfortunately, many Adventists did not take advantage of the "wind-
holding" delay when they first learned about it. After more than 40 years, Ellen
White exclaimed in frustration, "Brethren, how long before you will be ready for
the seal of God?' (Review and Herald, June 7, 1887).

What is the Necessary Preparation?

The vast majority of Ellen G. White's comments about the seal of God deal with
the preparation needed to receive it. For instance, "a great work" must be
accomplished "to prepare a people to be sealed with the seal of the living God"
(Selected Messages, 2:73).

A qualification found among the earliest of Ellen White's writings is that believers
"must reflect the image of Jesus fully" (Early Writings, p. 7). We ask what this
appealing concept means in practical terms and learn that it means to have "victory
over every besetment, over pride, selfishness, love of the world, and over every
wrong word and action" (ibid.). Those who "overcome the world, the flesh, and the
devil, will be the favored ones who shall receive the seal of the living God"
(Testimonies to Ministers, p. 445).

In order to "bear a likeness to Christ in character" (7BC 970), we are exhorted to

study "more earnestly the character of our Saviour." "We should imitate the lovely
Pattern that God has given us, We should dwell upon the matchless charms of
Jesus until there will be nothing satisfying in this perishing world. We should
desire to reflect his image in kindness, in courtesy, in gentleness, and love, then
'when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is'" (Review
and Herald, May 28, 1889).

Such a focus involves the exciting prospect of becoming more and more like Jesus.
"The more we study the life of Christ with a heart to learn, the more Christlike we
become" (Sons and Daughters of God, p. 342). The promised outcome is beyond
our highest expectations: "holiness of character" (Testimonies to Ministers, p.
446). Indeed, the cleansing of the "soul temple of every defilement," will produce
characters without "one spot or stain" (Sons and Daughters of God, p.
342; Testimonies, 5:214).

Keeping God's Commandments and the Faith of Jesus.

Those who receive God's seal upon their foreheads are "God's commandment-
keeping people." "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the
commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus" (Rev 14:12; Testimonies, 6:15).
Their sins removed, "they have on the wedding garment, and are obedient and
faithful to all God's commands" (7BC 968).

To have the law of God written in heart and mind, so as to survive during the
difficult times ahead, means to fill our minds with the "present truth" and love of
the Bible, and to have as our greatest desire to set our eyes on Jesus at His return.
"There is no place in our foreheads for the seal of the living God" if it is filled with
the cares and pleasures of this world (Broadside, Jan. 3, 1849).

It is of paramount importance to manifest the works of faith. Many who teach the
truth will not receive the seal of God, because even though "they had the light of
truth, they knew their Master's will, they understood every point of our faith,... they
had not corresponding works" (Testimonies, 5:214). "Many will not receive the
seal of God because they do not keep His commandrnents or bear the fruits of
righteousness" (Maranatha, p. 24 l). How serious is our behavior! "Our own
course of action will determine whether we shall receive the seal of the living God
or be cut down by the destroying weapons" (Testimonies, 5:212).

Keeping the Sabbath Holy.

Even though mere outward Sabbath keeping is not worthy of the seal, all who
receive God's seal will nonetheless be committed to obeying the Word of God
"with exactitude" (The Faith I Live By, p. 288). They carefúlly observe all ten
commandments, including "the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. This is what
distinguishes them from the disloyal, who have accepted a man-made institution in
the place of the true Sabbath" (7BC 970, 981). The seal of God, therefore, can only
be bestowed upon Sabbath- keepers.

God is very particular with His requirements. When the Israelites were about to
depart from Egypt, God directed them to bring their children indoors, strike the
door posts with blood, and allow no one to go outside until after midnight. When
the destroying angel passed over, all who faithfully followed God's counsels
enjoyed divine protection. But the first-born died in every home that neglected
even the least of God's instructions (7BC 981).

The destroying angel is soon to pass agam over the world. Those who faithfully
obey all God's commandments will be protected. Their unique mark will be the
true, Christ-like observance of the Sabbath. Despite world-wide opposition, they
choose to remain loyal, and thus they enjoy divine protection from the angel of
death. They stand out among the multitude because they have a mark placed upon
them, and "that mark is the keeping of His holy Sabbath." But those who are not
careful in Sabbath observance will be destroyed along with the rest of the world
(7BC 981).

It is no surprise that much of what Ellen G. White wrote about the Sabbath has to
do with its proper observance. Believers are in danger of "doing their own pleasure
on the Sabbath day" and hence are in no condition to receive the seal of the living
God. "We have not, as a people, given the law of God the preeminence as we
should" (Selected Messages, 3:258).

Sanctification plays a crucial role in preparation for the seal of God. There is a
great need that Adventists should be "sanctified through the truth, acting upon high
and holy principles, showing in a high, elevated sense, the line of demarcation
between those who keep the coramandraents of God, and those who trample them
under their feet." It is "the sanctification of the Spirit" that "signalizes the
difference between those who have the seal of God, and those who keep a spurious
rest-day" (7BC 980).

Those who fully submit themselves to the sanctifying power of the Spirit are the
ones who can effectively warn the world. Their Christ-like sanctified Sabbath
observance will be a crucial factor in persuading the honest in heart to accept the
last message of merey. In vain have these people looked for the image of Christ in
their churches (The Great Controversy, p. 390). Now, at last, they see it fully
reflected in the remnant, who manifest their supreme love for the Lord of the S
abbath by keeping His Sabbath holy in the finest Christlike sense.

The issue is far more than the day of worship. The day symbolizes the experience
and commitment of God's true people; and even more than this, it becomes an
ultimate vindication of God's character and His law, showing that what God asks is
not impossible, with His power.

Experiencing Trials and Tribulations.

In addition to other factors, tribulation too is part of preparation for the seal. All
who receive the seal described in Revelation 7 will suffer severe tests. "Close and
unexpected tests" will be brought upon believers "to see who are worthy to receive
the seal of the living God" (Testimonies, 5:382).

Even the crisis over worshiping the image of the beast (Rev 3:47) will begin before
the seal is applied (see 7BC 976). But "all who prove their loyalty to God by
observing His law, and refusing to accept a spurious sabbath, will rank under the
banner of the Lord God Jehovah, and will receive the seal of the living God."
Those who give up the truth will receive the mark of the beast (ibid).

Thus no one will receive the seal of God without knowing what it is to suffer for
Christ's sake. Believers will "have trials to pass through" that are "keen and cutting,
in order that they may be purified and fitted through suffering to receive the seal of
the living God" (Early Writings, p. 67).

Believers will suffer not only from. persecution but also from a wrenching sense of
the shortcomings of other professed Christians.

In Ezekiel's time it was the believers who sighed and cried over the abominations
they observed who received the mark of deliverance. Just before the seven last
plagues fall, it will be those only who are agonizing over modern abominations
who will receive the "mark of deliverance," the seal of God (Great Controversy p.
656; Testimonies, 5:212).

Their agonizing has two distinct aspects: mourning their own past failures and
mourning the current failures of others. "The class who do not feel grieved over
their own spiritual declension or mourn over the sins of others, will be left without
the seal of God" (Testimonies, 5:21l).

Is Receiving the Seal Impossible?

Reflection on the qualifications that God requires of those whom He will seal
makes some people throw up their hands, exclaiming that they can never be good
enough. Frustration, despondency, and even desperation are natural for all who
look critically at their own accomplishments.

But Ellen White's earliest comment on how to achieve the lofty spiritual
preparation required was simple and straightforward: Draw "nearer and nearer to
the Lord and be earnestly seeking that preparation necessary to enable us to stand
in the battle in the day of the Lord" (Early Writings, p. 71).

On second thought, are God's requirements today really different from the
commitment He has called for throughout the ages? Has He not always required
complete repentance and unwavering faith?

When our surrender is complete and we call on Him with implicit faith to give us
grace sufficient to walk with Him victoriously, are we not doing what Enoch did
before the flood? Indeed, Enoch is often cited by Ellen G. White as an example of
those who will be alive and translated at the second coming (see, e.g., Testimonies,
2:122; Christ's Object Lessons, p. 332).
All credit goes to the Savior, for it is the "mind of Christ" that resides in the
believers. They "have been crucified with Christ" and so earnestly cry out, "It is no
longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me" (see Gal 2:20). Though they work
out their own salvation "with fear and trembling," "it is God" who works in them
"both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (see Phil 2:12-13).

The mind of Christ was characterized by deep humility, a characteristic greatly

needed by believers today. "Those who are distrustful of self, who are humbling
themselves before God and purifying their souls by obeying the
truth&emdash;these are receiving the heavenly mold and preparing for the seal of
God in their foreheads" (Testimonies, 5:216).

"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" (Ibid., 214).

By walking closely and humbly with Jesus, earnestly studying His Word, in Christ-
like sincerity observing His Sabbath under the most exhausting opposition, and
seeking through His grace to bear witness to the goodness of God's character and
law&emdash;in these ways God's people on earth cooperate with their High Priest
in heaven as He seeks to cleanse not only the sanctuary but also those who worship
at the sanctuary.

In moving language, John describes the behavior of the faithful ones, the living
righteous, who will have received God's end-time seal just before the close of
probation. "These are they that stand upon Mount Zion with the Lamb, having the
Father's name written in their foreheads. They sing the new song before the throne,
that song which no man can leam save the hundred and forty and four thousand
which were redeemed from the earth. 'These are they which follow the Lamb
whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first
fruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they
are without fault before the throne of God.' Revelation l4:4-5" (Prophets and
Kings, p. 591).

This article has been based on insights that have come to us through the testimony
of Jesus," which is the Spirit of prophecy. The Lord is gracious in granting us His
special light so we can make use of the time left to us to cooperate with His grace
in preparing for the seal of God.

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