REVELATION 14:12 (KJV) Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

ABSTRACT

The sealing message stands as God’s final call to faithfulness, distinguishing His people through obedience to His commandments and faith in Jesus amid earth’s last crisis. Rooted in Sabbath observance and character transformation, it prepares believers for divine deliverance as Michael stands up, marking their loyalty with the seal of God. Through the urgency of the three angels’ messages, this truth summons the church to proclaim hope, reject false worship, and embody God’s love in a troubled world. By embracing this sealing work, God’s people reflect His image, stand steadfast through coming trials, and are readied for Christ’s soon return.

THE SEALING MESSAGE: A CALL TO FAITH

In times of unparalleled trouble, true faith emerges through unwavering obedience to God’s commandments, especially the Sabbath, as the sealing message distinguishes His loyal community amid spiritual conflict. Daniel 12:1 foretells divine deliverance for those whose names appear in the book of life, highlighting the pivotal role of commandment-keeping in the unfolding seal of God. Ellen G. White illuminates this reality, declaring, “The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can endure weariness, delay, and hunger—a faith that will not faint, though severely tried” (Last Day Events, p. 154, 1992). Revelation 7:3 captures the protective intent, “Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” Psalm 119:151 affirms nearness in obedience, “Thou art near, O Lord; and all thy commandments are truth.” Through inspired counsel, we learn, “The time of trouble, which is to increase until the end, is very near at hand. We have no time to lose. The world is stirred with the spirit of war” (Last Day Events, p. 13, 1992). These truths reveal God’s profound love, urging transformation and readiness for His return, as we explore how commandment-keeping defines our identity in trial.

What defines a person of faith in times of trial? Daniel 12:1 foretells a time of unparalleled trouble when “Michael shall stand up… and thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” This verse underscores the significance of God’s commandment-keeping people, especially as the sealing message unfolds. By exploring these themes, we discover God’s love, His desire for our transformation, and the role of the sealing message in preparing for His coming, prompting us to examine how faithfulness to His commandments marks us as His own.

COMMANDMENT-KEEPING PEOPLE AND THEIR IDENTITY

God’s people are marked by their faithfulness to His commandments, particularly the fourth commandment, which honors the Sabbath as a sign of His creative power. Ellen G. White writes, “During the final conflict, the world will be divided into two groups: those who keep God’s commandments and those who worship the beast and its image” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 9, p. 16, 1909). This division reflects a spiritual battle over worship, with Sabbath observance symbolizing loyalty to God. In The Desire of Ages, we read, “The Sabbath is a memorial of the work of creation, it is a token of the love and power of Christ” (The Desire of Ages, p. 281, 1898). Ezekiel 20:20 commands hallowing, “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.” Isaiah 58:13 calls for delight, “If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words.” A prophetic voice adds, “All who regard the Sabbath as a sign between them and God, showing that He is the God who sanctifies them, will represent the principles of His government” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 6, p. 353, 1900). The Sabbath is not just a ritual but a metaphor for trust in God’s sovereignty. Like a lighthouse guiding ships, it signals the path to divine rest and freedom from worldly allegiance, leading us to ponder how this mark fosters deeper transformation in character.

As we consider this, how does our own worship reflect our allegiance? Do we honor God in spirit and truth, and what does the seal of God reveal about that inner change?

THE SEAL OF GOD: A MARK OF TRANSFORMATION

The seal of God, a symbolic mark of allegiance, represents character transformation. Sr. White explains, “The seal of the living God will only be placed upon those who have overcome sin and fully reflected Christ’s character” (Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, p. 980, 1957). This seal is not visible but is “written on the foreheads” of us, signifying our commitment to God. Consider the following: God’s command, the transformation of character, and the seal as a result. Ephesians 4:30 warns against grieving, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Revelation 7:2 describes the ascent, “And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea.” Through inspired counsel, transformation unfolds, “By the power of the Holy Spirit the moral image of God is to be perfected in the character. We are to be wholly transformed into the likeness of Christ” (Last Day Events, p. 183, 1992). The inspired pen further reveals, “So spiritual is the character of God’s work upon the human heart that receives it that it makes every one a new creature without destroying or weakening any natural trait” (Mind, Character, and Personality, Vol. 1, p. 19, 1977). This process demonstrates God’s love, calling us to reflect His character as His representatives on earth. His transformative power assures us that we can overcome sin and live as His children, reflecting His image, as we turn to the urgent call of the three angels’ messages.

Urgency of the Three Angels’ Messages calls us forward, but how does this divine plea echo God’s boundless love in our preparation?

URGENCY OF THE THREE ANGELS’ MESSAGES

Revelation 14 reveals the three angels’ messages, a clarion call to worship God and reject false systems. Sr. White emphasizes, “These messages are of vital importance for humanity’s salvation” (Early Writings, pp. 258-259, 1882). The messages urge repentance, worship of the Creator, and rejection of Babylon’s falsehoods. This is not a casual invitation but a plea with eternal consequences. Revelation 14:7 proclaims loudly, “Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” Revelation 14:9 warns solemnly, “And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand.” In Selected Messages Book 2, a passage reminds us, “The messages of Revelation 14 are those by which the world is to be tested; they are the everlasting gospel, and are to be sounded everywhere” (Selected Messages Book 2, p. 111, 1958). The inspired pen urges, “The work to be done now is that of sounding this last message of mercy to a fallen world. A new life is coming from heaven and taking possession of all God’s people” (Selected Messages Book 2, p. 113, 1958). Like a shepherd calling lost sheep, these messages guide us toward the sealing truth. As a community, we must ask: Are we proclaiming this truth with urgency? Together, we can ensure that others hear the message of hope and redemption, revealing how God’s love permeates this sealing invitation.

God’s Love Reflected in the Sealing Message flows from this urgency, yet how does His affection manifest in the gifts of commandments and rest?

GOD’S LOVE REFLECTED IN THE SEALING MESSAGE

The sealing message reflects God’s immense love by preparing us for salvation. His commandments, including the Sabbath, are not burdens but gifts. Sr. White asserts, “The Sabbath is a sign between God and His people, signifying that they know and serve Him” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 6, p. 349, 1900). This divine love calls us into a relationship, marked by obedience and trust. Song of Solomon 8:6 sets the seal firmly, “Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.” Ephesians 1:13 describes the sealing grace, “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.” A prophetic voice declares, “To those who keep holy the Sabbath day it is the sign of sanctification. True sanctification is harmony with God, oneness with Him in character. It is received through obedience to the commandments of God and faith in Jesus Christ” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 6, p. 350, 1900). In The Faith I Live By, we read, “The Sabbath will continue as a sign of the Creator’s power. And when Eden shall bloom on earth again, God’s holy rest day will be honored by all beneath the sun” (The Faith I Live By, p. 33, 1958). God’s love shines in the sealing process: He transforms us, offers us the Sabbath as a reminder of His power, and seals us for eternity. This love is unearned yet transformative, reflecting His character and inviting us into His eternal rest, equipping us to proclaim this truth amid worldly turmoil.

Proclaiming Present Truth in a Troubled World demands action, but how do we boldly share this hope when strife intensifies?

PROCLAIMING PRESENT TRUTH IN A TROUBLED WORLD

Sr. White exhorts us to “proclaim the present truth, which is meat in due season” (Present Truth, p. 23, 1849). In a world gripped by fear and division, the sealing message offers clarity and hope. This truth equips us to stand firm as the winds of strife begin to blow. Matthew 24:14 foretells the witness, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” 2 Timothy 4:2 charges instantly, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” Through inspired counsel, urgency resounds, “Now, just now, we are to proclaim present truth, with assurance and with power. Do not strike one dolorous note; do not sing funeral hymns” (Evangelism, p. 122, 1946). In Early Writings, a passage establishes, “But such subjects as the sanctuary, in connection with the 2300 days, the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, are perfectly calculated to explain the past Advent movement and show what our present position is, establish the faith of the doubting, and give certainty to the glorious future” (Early Writings, p. 63, 1882). As society wrestles with moral decay and spiritual apathy, the church must rise as a beacon of light. By embracing the sealing message, we find strength to navigate trials and share God’s promise of deliverance, as we prepare steadfastly for the climactic end times.

Preparing for the End Times beckons us onward, but what final steps secure our faithfulness in the closing hours?

PREPARING FOR THE END TIMES

The sealing message underscores God’s call to faithfulness. As probation closes and Michael stands up, our fate will be sealed based on our allegiance. Sr. White reminds us, “Those who have made God their defense will stand through the time of trouble” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 213, 1885). This message compels personal and communal reflection. Zephaniah 2:3 seeks refuge, “Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.” James 5:8 establishes hearts, “Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” A prophetic voice warns, “Said my accompanying angel, ‘Fearful is his work. Awful is his mission. He is the angel that is to select the wheat from the tares and seal, or bind, the wheat for the heavenly garner. These things should engross the whole mind, the whole attention’” (Early Writings, p. 118, 1882). In Last Day Events, we read, “Probation Closes When the Sealing Is Finished. Just before we entered it [the time of trouble], while all our sins were forgiven in Christ, would have been the time for us to make an entire surrender to God” (Last Day Events, p. 249, 1992). Are we aligning our lives with God’s commandments? Are we sharing this truth with urgency? By embracing the sealing message, we prepare for the time when God’s people will stand triumphant, sealed with His name and ready to meet their Savior. Let us remain faithful, steadfast, and hopeful, proclaiming God’s love until He returns.

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SELF-REFLECTION

How can I, in my personal devotional life, delve deeper into the sealing message and commandment-keeping, allowing these truths to shape my daily obedience and priorities?

How can we adapt the themes of the three angels’ messages and the seal of God to be understandable and relevant to diverse audiences, from seasoned community members to new seekers or those from different faith traditions, without compromising theological accuracy?

What are the most common misconceptions about the Sabbath as a seal in my community, and how can I gently but effectively correct them using Scripture and the writings of Sr. White?

In what practical ways can our local congregations and individual members become more vibrant beacons of present truth, living out the reality of God’s sealing love and readiness for Christ’s soon return?