© 2013 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

The “mark of the beast,” described in Revelation, strikes fear into the hearts of many. As the final judgment of man approaches, application of this mark to the unsaved will identify those to be consigned to a horrible, eternal, and irreversible destiny. “And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. (Revelation 14:11).”

From ancient times, seals have been used to declare and identify ownership and authority. In ancient Rome, Caesar’s seal was a mark placed upon objects to declare his ownership and authority over them. Serious consequences awaited individuals who dared to violate the authority of that seal.

Similarly, in the spiritual realm, seals are used as marks of ownership and authority. Paul reminded the Christians in Ephesus that their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior showed that God had sealed them with the Holy Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:13). God had placed His mark of ownership and protection upon them. Paul told the Galatian Christians that the Holy Spirit within believers marks them with a unique set of characteristics. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23).”

However, those who have not been sealed by God are marked by a totally different set of characteristics. “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21.”

To the religious leaders who rejected Him, Jesus said, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do … (John 8:44).” Though Christ shed His blood in sacrificial death to pay the penalty for sin, this redemption price is only applied to those who have Christ as their Master and have been marked with His seal of ownership.

Your thoughts and actions indicate who has marked you and therefore owns you. To whom do you belong?

 

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