God’s Seal/Mark on the 144,000
The 144,000 are characterized by having the seal of God on their foreheads, according to Revelation 7: 1-4; 14:1. Shortly after this mark is put, the great tribulation and seven last plagues will break out on the unsaved world. Both the saved and the lost will bear some kind of mark in their foreheads/hands – one for salvation and the other for destruction.
In Ezekiel’s vision, we read that the saved are marked. The standard that permits them to receive this mark is that they are grieving over sin and praying for holiness. “And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof” (Ezekiel 9:4). Only those who have this special mark are saved from the terrible plagues of destruction that follows.
The Bible tells us that the seal of God is the Holy Spirit: “in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13). “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30).
And the Scriptures also reveal that the mark of God will involve having His law written in the heart as well (Hebrews 10:16). Isaiah says, “Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples” (Isaiah 8:16). Moses said the same thing, “And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes (forehead), that the Lord’s law may be in thy mouth” (Exodus 13:9; Deuteronomy 6:8; 11:18). For more on the seal of God, check: https://bibleask.org/how-is-the-sabbath-the-seal-of-god/
Thus, having God’s law in the heart and keeping it by the power of the Holy Spirit will characterize the end time people:
“And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:17).
“Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12).
“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14).
The End Time Controversy
The point of controversy between the forces of good and evil at the end will be over the seventh day Sabbath since all the other commandments are openly accepted. Early in the Christian times people set aside the seventh day Sabbath and transferred its solemnity to Sunday observance thus violating the clear commandment of God (Exodus 20:8-11).
But the crisis will rise when symbolic Babylon prevails upon the state to enforce Sunday observance by civil law (Blue Laws) and seeks to punish all dissenters (Revelation 13:12–17). But the faithful will keep God’s commandments, receive His seal (Revelation 14:12), and will not be harmed by the final plagues (Revelation 7:1-4).
About the mark of the beast, check the following link: What is the Mark of the Beast?
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
