A Glimpse of the Seal of God's Treasures

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A Glimpse of the Seal of God's Treasures




The Old Testament Seal vs. the New Testament Seal of God
The Bible speaks of a "seal" in both the Old and New Testaments, but the nature of the seal changes under the New Covenant. The Old Testament seal was primarily an external covenant sign, while the New Testament seal is the indwelling Holy Spirit.
1. The Sabbath as a Sign (Seal) in the Old Testament
Although the word "seal" is not always used directly of the Sabbath, God calls it a sign between Himself and Israel.
Exodus 31:13
"Surely my sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you."
Exodus 31:16-17
"Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath... It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever."
Ezekiel 20:12
"Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them."
Ezekiel 20:20
"And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God."
Many Bible students understand the Sabbath to function as a covenant seal because it identified Israel as God's covenant people. It pointed to God's authority as Creator and Redeemer and marked Israel's special relationship with Him.
However, these passages specifically say that the Sabbath was a sign between God and Israel under the Mosaic Covenant.
2. The New Testament Seal
After Christ established the New Covenant, the New Testament identifies the Holy Spirit, not the Sabbath, as God's seal upon believers.
Ephesians 1:13
"After that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise."
Ephesians 4:30
"And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."
2 Corinthians 1:21-22
"God... hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts."
The New Testament never states that believers are sealed by Sabbath observance. Instead, believers are sealed by receiving the Holy Spirit through faith in Christ.
3. Does the Old Testament Sabbath Seal Still Stand Today?
Christians answer this question differently.
View 1: The Sabbath Seal Continues
Some groups, especially Seventh-day Adventists, teach that the Sabbath remains God's covenant sign and will play an important role in the last days. They connect the Sabbath sign in Exodus and Ezekiel with the sealing of God's people in Revelation.
View 2: The Sabbath Sign Was Fulfilled in Christ
Most Christians believe that the Sabbath sign belonged specifically to the Old Covenant and that Christ fulfilled the law's ceremonial aspects.
Colossians 2:16-17
"Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday... or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ."
Hebrews 8:13
"In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old."
Romans 14:5
"One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind."
From this perspective, the Sabbath was a shadow pointing to the rest found in Christ, while the Holy Spirit is now the covenant seal of all believers.
4. A Clear Biblical Distinction
Old TestamentNew Testament
Sabbath was a sign of the Mosaic Covenant with Israel (Exodus 31:13-17).The Holy Spirit is the seal of the New Covenant believer (Ephesians 1:13).
External covenant mark.Internal spiritual reality.
Given specifically to Israel.Given to all who believe in Christ.
Pointed to God's sanctifying work.Confirms God's completed work in Christ.
Associated with the Old Covenant.Associated with the New Covenant.
Conclusion
The Sabbath was a covenant sign between God and Israel under the Old Testament. Scripture clearly teaches that under the New Covenant, believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit when they believe in Christ (Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:30; 2 Corinthians 1:22).
Whether one believes the Sabbath itself remains binding today depends on one's interpretation of the relationship between the Old and New Covenants. However, the New Testament explicitly identifies the Holy Spirit, not the Sabbath, as the seal of God upon believers.



Source cited:



https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/King-James-Version-KJV-Bible/

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