God Knows Your Name

By Hazel Holland

About five years ago I had an experience that forever changed the way I look at giving.

It was the day after Thanksgiving. I was pouring a large pot of home-made chili into a couple of plastic containers to freeze for a later date.

Since students from the nearby college often showed up unannounced at my door, it was always good to have extra food on hand.

After filling up one large container, I was suddenly struck with the idea of giving the rest of this chili to a homeless person. The prompting was so strong I knew it was from God. So I heated up the rest of the chili, poured it into a large cottage cheese container, placed several portions of warm homemade cornbread in a zip-lock bag, added several plastic spoons, and headed for my car. I knew I wouldn’t have to drive far before running into homeless people.

But as I drove down the street and saw the first homeless person, I heard God say, “Not this one!”

“Why not, God?” I questioned.

Then I noticed several more homeless people nearby. “I have enough chili and cornbread in my sack to feed all of them” I reminded God. I hadn’t expected Him to want me to pass by homeless people like this…

As I continued to drive down the street I passed by several more homeless people in the same way. Each time God would say, “Not this one!” So I obeyed, and moved on.

When I finally came up to a major intersection and asked God which way to go, He immediately prompted me to turn right. Who was the person whom God had in mind for this food? I wondered.

Then the Spirit spoke to my heart again and said, “Look down the road!”

Off in the distance I saw someone standing on the narrow divider that separates traffic. From a distance I couldn’t tell if it was a man or a woman, because they were bundled up in an over-sized jacket with the hood pulled down over their head.

“Is that the person you want me to give this meal to?” I asked God.

“That’s the one!” He replied.

A tangible joy born of the Spirit began to rise up inside of me. I got in the left-hand lane as I neared the divider, hoping that the light would turn red so that I could stop for a moment, roll down my window, and hand this person their meal. But the light stayed green. So I drove on by planning to make a u-turn at the next green light.

The thrill of this adventure with God overwhelmed my spirit as I prepared to make a second attempt to deliver this food. This time when the light turned red I found myself opposite the stranger. As he lifted up his head I could see his unshaven face. Quickly I rolled down my window and thrust the paper sack of chili and cornbread towards Him.

“God wants you to know that He knows your name!” I called out.

Immediately he threw back the hood of his jacket and hurried towards me. His face looked worn, yet familiar.

“Remember me?” he asked as tears streamed down his face. “I’m Stephen. Two years ago you brought me and several other homeless people Thanksgiving dinner!”

“Yes…! I stammered as tears filled my eyes. I remembered how he had dropped to his knees, and with tears of gratitude raised his hands toward heaven and thanked God for the “feast” in front of him.

“This chili and cornbread is a gift from God to let you know how much He loves YOU! Hope it warms you up. It’s kind of cold outside today.”

He took the food gratefully and began thanking me profusely. “Don’t thank me I”, I responded. “God had me by-pass several other homeless people before I got to you, because He wants you to know that He knows your name! Stephen, God knows your name!”

Immediately he stopped thanking me, lifted his eyes toward heaven and began to pray. He was oblivious to the people in the cars watching him. So was I. “God knows your name” I repeated softly to myself as the light turned green. “It’s written on the palm of His hand!”

I don’t remember the drive home. It’s kind of a blur. But I do remember God’s joy flooding my heart and streaming down my face. Nothing could compare with the pure joy of seeing that homeless man enjoy his unexpected blessing! I couldn’t stop thanking God for a taste of His goodness and grace.

By obeying the Spirit’s leading, I discovered that blessing someone means giving something to them for their sake, not for my own. Could it be that God has always meant for us to share in the joy of blessing one another face to face like this? I believe that the body of Christ is strengthened and edified when we personally bless one another, and are blessed by one another.

In some small way through this experience I began to catch a glimpse of the pure agape love of God who willingly poured out His life for me.  Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than receive”.  Now I know why. ♥

See: Blessing Others For Their Sake--Not Our Own

A New Creation!

By Hazel Holland

 

I am who I am as a result of my birth, NOT my behavior. Although the power of sin, the flesh and the devil explain why I sin, they can never explain who I am.  Who I am is a new creation in Christ Jesus.  How did this happen? 

The Bible tells me that I was in Christ when He died on the cross.  That means when He died for the sins of the world, He died for my sins so that my old life died also.  Because He was crucified for my sins, I now consider my flesh crucified, too. 

I was in Christ when He was raised from the dead.  That means when He was raised to life, I was raised into my new life in Him also.  That means I’ve been born again by the power of the Spirit.  What God did for me through Jesus Christ set me free from the condemnation of the law.  So His resurrection life now flows through my veins.  

Who I am is a new creation in Jesus Christ.  My old life explains my struggle with the power of sin, the flesh and the devil, but that life has passed away.  My new life I now live by the power of the Spirit.  Today, I am a new creation in Jesus Christ and I live my new life in the Spirit from a place of great delight.  

You may choose to have this new life in Him, too!♥

A Heart Like David ♥

By Hazel Holland

What is God seeking to teach us through David’s life?  I believe He's calling us to have a heart that forgives and refuses to take offense no matter how painful the rejection, and no matter how unjust the treatment we suffer.  We are being called to sow seeds of life—not death.  

Although we don't kill one another with swords today, we often destroy one another  with another kind of sword—the tongue.  “The tongue has the power of life and death…” (Proverbs 18:21). 

James, the brother of Jesus warns us, “Consider that a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.  The tongue also is a fire, a word of evil among the parts of the body.  It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire…  With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.  Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.  My brothers this should not be.  Can both fresh water and bitter water flow from the same spring?” (James 3:5-6, 9-11).  The obvious answer is, “No!” The rocks and stones of bitterness and unforgiveness must first be removed in order for the fresh water to flow.

If we carry bitterness and unforgiveness in our own hearts more than likely we’ll find a place to unload our  resentments on those closest to us.  But the onslaught of our words used in anger against others only brings division between friends, within families and in the church.  Truth spoken without love is most certainly a clanging cymbal (1 Corinthians 13:1).  It stirs up dissension among brothers (Proverbs 6:16-19). 

As we look back on David’s life two things come to my mind that bare taking note of.  While God used David’s purity of heart to expose Saul’s sins, God also used Saul’s hardness of heart to teach David how to walk in obedience to the Spirit of God.  By refusing to respond with bitterness and unforgiveness in his heart, and remove himself from God’s will, David patiently endured rejection, hardship and betrayal at the hands of his father-in-law, Saul.  Because David was free from offense toward Saul, he chose to make an oath with the King and vowed not to cut off his descendants after Saul died (1 Samuel 24:21-22).  Notice how David fulfilled his promise to Saul after he became king.  

"Is there anyone still left in the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” David asked after he became king (2 Samuel 9:1).  We discover that Saul had a grandson named Mephibosheth who was crippled in both feet.  David brought this crippled man into his palace.  Not only did he restore to him all the land owned by his grandfather, Saul, but he also invited him to always eat at his own table.  Mephibosheth was treated like one of David’s own son’s, and he always ate at the king’s table. No wonder God says that David was a man after His own heart!

I believe the Holy Spirit is calling us to leave Lo Debar—the place of no pasture where Mephibosheth lived, also (See 2 Samuel 9:5), and come and rest in His green pastures (Psalm 23:1).  As we come out from hiding in our hovels, He will restore to us the glorious inheritance that is ours in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:13-14).  He will prepare a table before us so that we may feast on the abundance of His house and drink from His river of delights at all times (Psalm 36:8).  Surely His goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives, and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:6). 

King David broke the cycle of spiritual abuse in his family by offering unconditional mercy and love in the place of deserved judgment.  God is calling us to do the same with each other.  Just as God has forgiven you and I and has reconciled us to Himself, He is calling us to be reconciled with each other.  We are to continue to show forth His agape love even to our enemies because we were once his enemies, too!  Will you answer the call of the Spirit today and chose to have a heart filled with God's mercy like David? ♥

You Light Up My Life

By Hazel Holland

God gives us children and grandchildren as a blessing from Him.  How they light up our lives!  The Scriptures are very clear that God is present in the creation of every human life.  In Psalm 139:13-18 David gives us a very clear and beautiful picture of God’s hearts for us before we are even born. 

David understood that God had the details of his life planned out in eternity.  God knew the plans that He had for David and recorded them in His book, and the prophet Jeremiah confirms David’s thoughts with these words in Jeremiah 29:11:  “I know the plans I have towards you… to give you hope and a future”.  

Even when a parent or parents do not “feel” as though their child is a blessing from Him because of the circumstances under which the child was conceived, God has a plan and purpose for every child born regardless of how that birth came about.  I believe God intends for us to view every child as a blessing from Him as we see each child as God sees them.  When we look at each child through the eyes of the Father instead of through the eyes of sin, there is no question that every child is a blessing from Him!

As we look in the Scriptures we see that children are not always born under legitimate or even ideal circumstances.  But that does not exclude them from God’s love and care.  The most obvious example of this is seen in the lineage of Jesus Christ.  As we read the list of names in Matthew 1 we recognize those who were born of illegitimacy and sin, and we see others who failed in life in some way.  But their sins and weaknesses did not disrupt God’s plan to bring salvation to us through the birth of His Son!

Yes, children light up our lives.  Every child is a blessing from God.  Every child is intended by the Father to bring light and joy into this world so that people will ultimately be drawn to the light of His love—Jesus Christ—the true Light of this world! ♥

See also: I'll Love You Forever

Let Me Lift The Veil ♥

By Hazel Holland

 

♥ "My beloved bride... 
I will lift the old covenant veil that covers your eyes and heart
 so that you can see My face and know the heart of Your Lover!
  Then you will begin to see and know who you are. 
 You are... and will be forever... My first love!"♥

Several days ago I was getting ready for work in the bathroom.   I had just finished fixing my hair and was about to put on my make-up, when the new name of a Facebook group suddenly popped into my mind... "Praying Down the Veil".  Suddenly I became overwhelmed by the Lord’s presence.  Then quite unexpectedly He began to speak a word into my spirit.  "My beloved, let Me lift the veil from your eyes so that you can see My face and know My heart!"

Immediately I was totally undone.  The tears began rolling down my cheeks as I sensed the sweet presence of the Holy Spirit.  A picture came to my mind of Jesus lifting the veil from our eyes so that we can know Him face to face!  He wants us to look into His eyes with no veil between us so that we can see His heart.  He wants us to see the glory of God in His face!

As I talked with my friend, Ramone, about this word I received, he reminded me of Ephesians 1:17-18.  As His bride we so often see Him with the eyes of our head, but not always with the eyes of our heart!  We hear His words, but they don't wash us because we're afraid of being condemned by Him.

God gave me this word and this picture because some of us don't know how much He loves and cherishes us.  He washes us, not because He will reject us if He doesn't wash us, but because He wants to make us radiant in His love.  Some of us don't yet know that we are His priceless treasure!  That's why we keep trying to do what we think is necessary to become clean so He will accept us.  But He already accepts us.  He already has purchased us!  We belong to Him! 

Here's a good analogy that Ramone gave me the other day that fits perfectly.  It's like someone who loves restoring old cars from the junk yard.  They don't clean up a car so that they can buy it, but they buy it first and then clean it up because they love it!  If you know someone who loves cars, it's sooooooo true! 

Here's another analogy that ought to be very obvious.  If a husband is washing his bride, doesn't his actions reveal intimacy and love towards her?  Doesn't this mean that he has already accepted her?  No husband chooses his bride by first stripping her naked and then seeing if she will submit to be cleaned off first!

Another good illustration that shows how much God loves His bride are the words He uses to try and get us to understand the depth of His love for us.  I think sometimes we think He's just saying nice words, but they reveal His heart.  He sees us as forever His first love!  He will never change His mind about us, and there's nothing we can do to make Him change His mind about us, either. 

Here are words that He wants to wash you with right now as He draws you into His loving presence.  The tenderness God has in His heart towards you and I is profound! Listen as He speaks to your heart.  "My beloved bride...

"I have called you by name; you are Mine." (Isaiah 43:1)

"I am your Redeemer who formed you in the womb." (Isaiah 44:24)

"I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist." (Isaiah 44:23)

"I have engraved you on the palms of my hands." (Isaiah 49:16)

"I have clothed you with garments of salvation, and arrayed you in a robe of righteousness." (Isaiah 61:10)

"I rejoice over you because you are My bride." (Isaiah 62:5)

"You are the praise of the earth." (Isaiah 62:7)

"You are a crown of splendor in My hands.  You are a royal diadem in the hand of Your God." (Isaiah 62:3)

"You are no longer called, 'Deserted,' for I delight in you. (Isaiah 62:4)

"I love you with an everlasting love." (Jeremiah 31:3)

"I have drawn you with loving kindness."  (Jeremiah 31:3)

"I will build you up again, and you will be rebuilt, O virgin bride!" (Jeremiah 31:3)

"I will restore you to health and heal your wounds." (Jeremiah 30:7)

"You will be rebuilt on your ruins." (Jeremiah 30:18)

"From your mouths will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing." (Jeremiah 30:19)

"The water that I will give you will become a spring of water welling up inside of you to eternal life." (John 4:14)

"Your joy will be complete when you hear the Bridegroom's voice." (John 3:29)

"How beautiful you are, my darling. (Song of Songs 4:1)

"There is no flaw in you!" (Song of songs 4:7)

"You have stolen my heart." (Song of Songs 4:9)

"You are a garden locked up, My bride." (Song of Songs 4:12)

"Your lips drop sweetness as the honeycomb, My bride." (Song of Songs 4:11)

"Come with me to the banquet hall where I will raise My banner of love over you." (Song of Songs 2:4)

"My left arm is under your head and my right arm embraces you." (Song of Songs 2:6)

"Arise, My darling, My beautiful one, and come with Me." (Song of Songs 2:10)

"Show Me your face.  Your face is lovely."  "Let Me hear your voice.  Your voice is sweet." (Song of Songs 2:14)

 

"You are Mine." (Song of Songs 2:16)

"You are the one My heart loves." (Song of Songs 2:16)

"Yes, My beloved bride... I will lift the old covenant veil that covers your eyes and heart so that you can see My face and know the heart of Your Lover!  Then you will begin to see and know who you are.  You are... and will be forever... My first love!"♥

(Some of you who have know me for years may recognize that I am the "bride" in this chalk pastel that I did today.  The Spirit specifically directed me to use this picture of myself for this "painting" because it was taken at a time in my life when I was very broken.  In spite of my brokenness I was still His bride whom He cherished and held close to His heart!) ♥

For further reading:  Removing the Veil 
See also: Gently Broken

The Mark of the Beast

By Hazel Holland
 

I’ve been praying for discernment abut this subject for some time now as I see so many people on Facebook running scared and offering all kinds of possible scenarios as to how we will be forced into taking this dreaded mark of the beast—666.  The consensus of many is that this "mark of 666" will be some sort of computerized microchip implanted under the skin in the hand or forehead, and that if taken will consign people to hell!  On the other hand, people who refuse to take the “mark” will not be able to buy or sell, and will be eventually killed for refusing to submit and give their allegiance to this “beast” power.  Whatever our choice, the outcome doesn’t look good.

The other day as I was praying about this the Holy Spirit impressed me that in order for us to better understand the “mark of the beast”, we first needed to understand the meaning of the "seal of God".  So I wrote a post showing how the seal of God is the promised Holy Spirit.  If you haven't already read this post I would suggest that you read it first before you go any further because it helps lay a spiritual foundation of what is to follow.  

We need have no fear of the "mark of the beast" because God's perfect love casts out all fear!  Furthermore, our sins have been forgiven...past, present and future because we believe that Jesus Christ took our place on the cross.  In order that we may know that we have eternal life in Him, God has already given us new life through the promised Holy Spirit who guarantees our eternal redemption by His blood! 

Just as the "seal of God" is about God the Holy Spirit giving us a witness in our hearts and spirits that we are His children and have eternal life, I believe the "mark of the beast" is about another god and an "unholy spirit" who seeks to control and buy the souls of men for his kingdom of darkness.  To me the issues being discussed here are heart issues that revolve around which kingdom we will choose.  The Kingdom of God leads to eternal life, but the Kingdom of Darkness leads to eternal destruction.  Hopefully this will become clearer as we open up our hearts to the Spirit who has promised to lead us into all truth!♥

Solomon and 666

 

So let's take a look in the Old Testament and see what references we can find for this curious number of 666 that is mentioned in Revelation 13:18 as being the number “of a man”.  John says, "Here is wisdom.  Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six".  The words ‘wisdom’ and ‘understanding’ refer us back to Solomon, a king who initially had much wisdom and understanding given him by God.  Unfortunately however, King Solomon eventually fell away into terrible apostasy and began worshiping false gods.

The number 666 is mentioned two times in reference to the same event in King Solomon’s life and is recorded in 1 Kings 10:14 and 2 Chronicles 9:13.  I found it interesting to note that both books mention that King Solomon collected 666 talents of gold in revenue yearly, and they both also employ many numbers in describing the reign of King Solomon and the opulence of his kingdom and possessions.  However, all the numbers greater than 100 referred to in these passages are rounded to the nearest one-hundreth or one-thousandth, or end in zero—all except the number 666.  This unusual number stands alone! 

Also the context of this number and the way it is used is very odd.  The annual income King Solomon received in terms of talents of gold “was 666 talents, not including the revenues from merchants and traders and from all the Arabian kings and the governors of the land.”  (2 Chronicles 9:13-14; 1 Kings 10:14-15).  Obviously from the text he had much greater revenues than 666 talents per year!  It would be like me expressing my hourly wage of $15.00 as $6.66 plus a whole lot more!  So why is this specific number given? 

A System of Bondage

To me it seems safe to say that God had a specific purpose in overseeing that the number 666 be written this way.  First of all it provides for us a symbolic connection with the number six representing the number of man.  It alerts us to the fact that although King Solomon commanded a prosperous and thriving economy, he chose to forget that God was the source of his riches.  Instead he used his position and power and wealth to enslave the people who had been entrusted to his care.  What was once a blessing from God turned into a system of bondage and slavery! 

"Behold...I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you.  I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days" (1 Kings 3:12-13).

 

Although God did deliver His promise to Solomon and bless him, we know that the king did not finish his life faithful to God.  Over time he allowed the blessings God had given him to corrupt His heart.  The more power, honor and influence he gained, the further he fell into apostasy and began to serve other gods.  

Two generations earlier the prophet Samuel had warned Israel about the dangers of being ruled by a king.  But they refused to listen because they wanted to be like the nations around them (1 Samuel 8:19-20).  Even Moses had laid down specific requirements should Israel ever want a king (Deuteronomy 17:16-20, but Solomon did as he pleased and paid no attention to Moses commands.  True to the prophecy of Samuel, the entire nation of Israel would end up being economically oppressed by their kings (1 Samuel 8:10-18).  

How true this proved to be in the case of King Solomon!  Because Solomon had raised a levy upon all Israel (1Kings 5:13), Jeroboam, appealing to King Rehoboam (Solomon’s son) said, "Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us” (2 Chronicles 10:4),   In the end, King Solomon's wealth and success turned him into an oppressor of his own people.  Extra-biblical sources indicate that the high levels of inflation that existed during the later stages of King Solomon’s reign caused the people to lose their individual freedom!

A Foreshadow of Things to Come 

I believe that King Solomon’s Golden Age provides a type or foreshadowing of another type of Golden Age that the world is hankering after today.  The mention of the number 666 in these passages of Scripture provide us with an example of what happens to people who forget that God is the source of their blessings.  It shows us that power and wealth is able to corrupt our hearts to such an extent that we mistreat and abuse the very people whom we once claimed to love, serve and care for.  

Over the years we have seen many outlandish levels of meaning being given to the number 666.  However, I believe the Bible provides a fairly clear and straightforward description.  Aren’t the “beast” and “man” together indicted in this Revelation passage?  Isn’t the number 666 representing man’s systems, beliefs and idolatry that have been hijacked by the Prince of this World?

I found it interesting to discover that the number 666 in Revelation 13:18 comes right after the verses that inform us that the false prophet will attempt to induce everyone to take the “mark”: “And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name” (Revelation 13:16-17).  

Obviously there is an economic and financial connection being indicated here where an idolatrous and man-made system of control is being predicted—a system that boasts of self-sufficiency and relies upon earthly materialism.  Nevertheless, man-made systems like this are destined for destruction or collapse as happened to Solomon’s kingdom.  In this sense, we may see that a common “unholy” and yet familiar spirit finds a connection between the later stages of Solomon’s reign, the number 666 and future prophetic events for this world.

Thoughts to Consider

For a number of years we have been told that globalization will lead us to another golden age for all mankind.  People thought that the American Dream was unstoppable.  But now with the world economy in shambles and the economic situation here in America looking very bleak, people are not so sure that they will ever recover from the loss of their jobs, their homes, or the losses they have taken in the stock market.  

  

All of a sudden our materialistic system and global economy seem powerless to help those who are in financial trouble.  The man-made systems that once thrived now seem impotent and we wonder how long this economic depression will last. People are out of work and can’t find employment.  They are worried about how they are going to feed their families or pay their next month's rent. 

We know that King Solomon’s rein of self-reliant commercialism and dependence upon a prosperous economy ended badly.  Is that the way our current materialistic world economy is headed, too?  Is this finally happening because our world economy has also been built upon an ungodly system that is ruled by a familiar spirit of greed and cold love?  Are we already beginning to see and experience the systemic rise of the unholy spirit behind the number 666 prophesied in Revelation 13?

So why is it that many within the body of Christ fail to see the familiar spirit of greed and cold love that is behind man’s self-sufficiency and materialism?  Why do they fail to see how this unholy spirit of abuse is not only at work in the world, but also at work within the church?  Why have many in the church become blinded by the golden promises of this materialistic age and unaware of the unholy spirit that is masquerading in the place of Christ?  

I believe that the systemic aspects of the beast and his mark of 666 are already operative in our world today within people's hearts.  People will either choose to believe God and receive His free gift of eternal life, or they will refuse His gracious offer of grace and receive eternal separation from Him.  I believe that the unholy spirit behind this “mark of the beast” is a spirit that is against anyone receiving the free gift of eternal life, because this spirit is against Jesus Christ, the Anointed One!  This unholy spirit rises up against agape love, and against all those who have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and have the Father’s name written in their foreheads.♥

See also: The Seal of the Living God
Gently Broken

The Seal of The Living God

By Hazel Holland

We hear so much more discussion these days about the "mark of the beast" than we do the "seal of God".  Why do you think this is?  Clearly both terms are used and alluded to a number of times in the book Revelation.  My belief  is that in order to establish what these terms mean we must let Scripture interpret Scripture.  We must always let the New Testament interpret the Old Testament and not the other way around.

So before we can properly understand the biblical meaning of the "mark of the beast", we must first examine the meaning of  "seal" in the Old Testament and then see how it is applied in the New Testament to new covenant believers.  Eventually we want to discover who the saints are in Revelation who receive the seal of God in their foreheads.  Furthermore, what is the significance of being marked in the forehead with the "seal of God" and NOT in the hand?    

Significance of Gemstones on Shoulders

We find that the names of the tribes of Israel were engraved on stones worn by the high priest.  God told Moses to engrave the names of the sons of Israel on the two onyx stones the way a gem cutter engraves a seal. Then mount these stones in gold filigree settings and fasten them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel.  Aaron was to bear the names of the sons of Israel on his shoulders as a memorial before the LORD (Exodus 28:11-12). 

Doesn’t the parallel become stunningly clear?  Shoulders are meant for carrying.  So Jesus Christ, our High Priest carries His people upon His shoulders.  “Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him… and the one whom the Lord loves rests between His shoulders” (Deuteronomy 33:12).   Just as the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were inscribed upon the two onyx stones worn upon the high priest’s shoulders, so are the names of God’s spiritual children today carried upon Christ’s shoulders.

"Seal" Upon the Heart

Then in this same chapter we are told that a breastplate was to be made of twelve different stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.  So whenever the high priest, Aaron, entered the Holy Place, he would bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on this breastplate of decision as a continuing memorial before the Lord (Exodus 28:15-30).  

What a beautiful picture of our God!  Just as Aaron bore the names of the children of Israel upon His heart, so our High Priest, Jesus Christ, has our names engraved upon His heart forever.   Nothing will be able to separate us  from the  love of God that  is  in Christ  Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:39).

We are His spiritual sons and daughters. “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have One who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet without sin”  (Hebrews 4:14-15).   He  feels our pain, He sympathizes with our  sorrows, and He understands our needs.    Jesus Christ, our High Priest carries the names of His repentant children upon His shoulders and upon His heart into the very presence of the Shekinah glory (God’s presence). 

"Seal" upon the Forehead

God also told Moses: "Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD. Fasten a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban; it is to be on the front of the turban. It will be on Aaron's forehead, and he will bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate, whatever their gifts may be. It will be on Aaron's forehead continually so that they will be acceptable to the LORD" (Exodus 28:36-38).

We see that "Holy to the Lord" was worn as a seal on the forehead of the high priest continually.  "They made the plate, the sacred diadem, out of pure gold and engraved on it, like an inscription on a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD. Then they fastened a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban, as the LORD commanded Moses" (Exodus 39:30-31).

Covenant "Sealed" by an Oath 

Here are two Old Testament Scriptures that tell us that covenants are sealed by an oath.  "You  are standing here in order to enter into a covenant with the LORD your God, a covenant the LORD is making with you this day and sealing with an oath, to confirm you this day as his people, that he may be your God as he promised you and as he swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob" (Deuteronomy 29:12-13).

"Bind up the testimony and seal up the law among my disciples.  I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob. I will put my trust in him" (Isaiah 8:16-17).

God's Seal upon Jesus

"Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.  On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."  Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent"  (John 6:27-29).

"Am I not free?  Am I not an apostle?  Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?  Are you not the result of my work in the Lord?  Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you!  For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord" (1Corinthians 9:1-2).

God's Seal Upon Believers

Here are some New Testament Scriptures that clearly apply the spiritual meaning of receiving the "seal of God" as being sealed by the Holy Spirit.  God places His seal of ownership upon us!

"Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ.  He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come" (2Cor. 1:21-22).

"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession, to the praise of his glory" (Ephesians 1:13-14).

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:29-32). 

"Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness" (2 Timothy 2:19). 

 

Summary

In the Old Testament the priests were marked as "Holy to the Lord" on their foreheads as a symbol of their commitment to the Lord.  However, in the New Testament believers are marked by the Holy Spirit as a seal in their hearts as they are called to the priesthood of ALL believers.  We are each called to minister to the Lord on behalf of others...on behalf of whoever He places on our hearts!  As New Testament believers, Peter, calls us a royal nation of priests.  

Although we do not wear special clothing or precious stones when we come before the Lord on behalf of others, let us remember that each precious stone that the high priest wore represented the different tribes that he carried before the Lord...perhaps the different characteristics of each tribe—the strengths and weaknesses of the people.

A  similar  application  can  be made  today  for  us  in  the body of Christ--the church.  We are God’s spiritual sons and daughters who are called to be “living stones.”  Peter says, “You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5). 

Clearly, God's seal of ownership that has been placed upon us is the Holy Spirit--a sign or deposit guaranteeing our inheritance in Jesus Christ until the day of our redemption.  Now the "work" God is calling us to do is to minister His agape love to others.  

We are called to love one another as Christ has loved us.  We are even called to love our enemies (because once we were His enemies!) so that they may be drawn to the Living Stone—the Chief Cornerstone—Jesus Christ.  We are called to bear witness to the “true Light who gives light to every man”.  For the One who has freed and delivered us from our sins has given us His Spirit as a seal guaranteeing our redemption. 

Therefore, we do not walk in fear of  the "mark of the beast" because we walk in the Spirit.  We have already passed from death to life and received the seal of the living God--the promised Holy Spirit!  We have this witness in our hearts by the Spirit of God that our names are already written in the Lamb's book of Life! (John 1:9; Revelation 7:2-4).♥ 


See also: The Mark of the Beast

No Fear in Love
Gently Broken

No Fear in Love (2)

By Hazel Holland

"He who is holy, let him be holy still."  Revelation 22:11

These words, spoken by the angel to John, were never designed to bring terror to our hearts as believers.  In fact, just the opposite is true.  John’s prophetic visions were designed to bring hope and encouragement  to  the  early Christians who were  suffering  severe persecution for their faith.  Not only was the book of Revelation given for their day but also its message is relevant to every generation.  It is especially applicable to our day because the end of all things is at hand.  

In  the  same way,  this  scene  in  the  vision that  I  received was not given in order to create fear in our hearts, but to bring peace.  For as Jesus Christ stood there smiling at me, I was filled with reverent awe and unspeakable  joy.   There was no  fear  intended  in His pronouncement: “… Let him who is holy be holy still”, because His perfect love casts out all fear.  There was no fear in me, because I knew that I was in Him.  “There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (I John 4:18).  How can I fear the One who has already taken all my sins upon Himself?  Such love defies human reasoning.

This  scene of  the  vision of  Jesus  stands out  in  stark  contrast  to the picture of “Jesus” painted by Ellen White—a  Jesus who smiles or frowns in response to our keeping or breaking the law.  Jesus is smiling at us and laughing with us because He is telling us that we have been freed  from carrying  that burden of old covenant  law.   The verdict of  “righteous” and “holy” has already been decided in Heaven because our High Priest of the new covenant has interceded for us. 

Instead  of  being  filled with  fear  over  this  pronouncement  that  I heard, we should be filled with exuberant joy.  For the One who chose us to be holy and blameless in His sight is able to make us holy in His sight.  The apostle Paul reminds us: “…He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy  in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel” (Colossians 1:22-23).  The hope held out in the gospel is a glorious hope.  It is our only hope! 

Listen to the words of encouragement that Paul writes in his letter to the church in Thessalonica.  He urges them to be brave and not give up their faith in Jesus Christ as a result of the persecution they were receiving. “May God Himself, the God of peace sanctify you through and through.  May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)!

He will do it.  He is faithful to keep His word.  What was spoken to the church at Thessalonica is being spoken again to the body of Christ today.... He will purify  and  sanctify us, “For we are God’s workmanship, created  in Christ  Jesus  to do good works, which God has prepared  in advance  for us  to do”  (Ephesians 2:10).  The good works that He has prepared for us are not works of  the law, but works of faith.  For the just (those who have been justified) shall live by faith.  “Whatever is not of faith is sin” (Hebrews 11:6).  “For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “the righteous will live by faith” (Romans 1:17).  

Clearly, from first to last our righteousness is found in Jesus Christ alone.  “By one sacrifice,” God has already made us perfect forever in Jesus Christ. By faith in His finished work we are justified.  At the same time that we  are  justified, we  are  being made  holy—sanctified  (Hebrews 10:14).  By faith in Him we are complete. ♥

For further reading:
No Fear in Love
Gently Broken