| The ancient seal was a stamp or engraving set in stone, metal or some hard substance like crystal. It was usually a symbol or a figure that was used to make an impression on clay or wax, or some other soft substance. It was usually attached to an object like a possession or a document, in order to give it authenticity, ownership or authority. It was used often in the ancient world, especially in Egypt, Babylonia and Assyria and surrounding nations including Israel.
| Heart
Message
The Signet and Seal
The signet makes a deep impression in clay forming an official seal. The
imprinted seal carries the full authority of the office it represents and no
one dare question it. His design is well known, his symbol without any
doubt authentic, his mark indelibly declares the full authority of royal
ownership. There is the pain of death to those who violate it.
Graphics, like drawings on a cave wall, look primitive and now sit safely on
shelves in museums, yet were we the ones bearing up under the ancient
powers, we would know well the authority of the imprint left in wax. Perhaps
we might disguise our tremble when encountering a magistrate able to open an
emperor's seal providing him legal right to tax our possessions, drag us to
court, or conscript us into his service.
In scripture we find, somehow we are sealed. A metaphor which would ring
powerfully to those under Roman rule. Yet God's sealing is never coercive.
Never forced. A free will decision is made. An imprint is then formed
within us. Our souls bear his mark, His letters, His image, and all powers
are duly informed: we belong to God. In His timing, many times unknown to
us, He opens us as a scroll, and reads aloud what He has written inside, we
become a living decree, a love letter and invitation for others to receive
the forgiveness offered in Christ, and to be sealed forever by the gentle
all-powerful Holy Spirit of God.
The Signet is hard and makes a deep impression, but only on soft substances
like clay, wax or humility. It cannot leave its mark on stone, or metal or
pride.
In Him you also who have heard the Word of Truth, the glad tidings (Gospel)
of your salvation, and have believed in and adhered to and relied on Him,
were stamped with the seal of the long-promised Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13 |
"Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm."
- Song of Solomon
8:6
"And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed."
- Isaiah 29:11
"And Abraham 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."
- Romans 4:11
"And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."
- Ephesians 4:30
"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."
- Ephesians
1:13-14
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