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The Seal of God

The Seal of God

Jesus sent a message through His friend John telling us that at the end of time (our day), He would send His angels to hold back the final tribulation that precedes His return until His people receive the seal of God:

After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God” (Revelation 7:1–3 NIV84, emphasis mine).

This seal is not a tattoo or some other physical mark on the body, but as Paul wrote:

“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” (2 Corinthians 1:21, 22 NIV84, emphasis mine).

“Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 1:13 NIV84, emphasis mine).

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30 NIV84, emphasis mine).

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth and love (John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13; 1 John 4:8).

To be sealed of God means that we have received the indwelling Holy Spirit, which via the outworking of truth and love cuts away from our identity, our self, our heart and mind, everything that separates us from God and solidifies us in heart and mind into unshakable loyalty to God such that nothing can cause us to choose to betray our trust in our Savior.

A simple way to say this is that being sealed means choosing to say yes to the leading of the Holy Spirit such that we become so settled, both intellectually and spiritually, into the truth and love of God that nothing can move us from it.

Jesus described this state of being when He said,

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37 NIV84).

Being sealed by God, by the work of the Spirit of truth and love, means that our identity (individuality, self, ego, personhood) is cut away from finding self, security, meaning, value, or worth in anything before Jesus.

But what does this mean practically, and how do we experience it?

The Bible teaches that when Adam sinned, he corrupted his own nature and infected himself with a spirit of fear and selfishness; ever since, every person is born infected with that same corrupting spirit of fear and selfishness (Psalm 51:5; 2 Timothy 1:7).

We come into the world fearful, insecure, needy, and dependent and immediately begin searching for and creating attachments to what provides us security, comfort, a sense of safety, identity, meaning, and purpose. Our hearts want to be free from fear and doubt, free from guilt and shame. Therefore, as children, we attach initially, and appropriately, to our parents and constantly seek to get approval, validation, love, and acceptance from them, which offsets (but does not remove or replace) the spirit of fear and insecurity with which we were born.

As we grow, we seek, find, and form attachments to other things. Some attachments are considered adaptive, like friends and family, but others less so, like food (not for nutrition but as emotional comfort), substances, money, property, position, status, fame, reputation, skills and abilities, achievements, sports teams, objects (Linus’ blanket), lucky charms, alma mater, churches, nations, and organizations like Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, gangs, cults, political parties, etc.

All these attachments to our sense of self, our identity, our heart, are formed in an attempt to make us feel safe, important, valuable, needed, secure, and worthy, to give us a sense of identity, meaning, and purpose in order to offset the spirit of fear, guilt, and shame we inherited from Adam. 

Threatening any of these attachments inflames fear, anxiety, and distress, which typically results in a hostile response to defend one’s interests, whether physical, relational, or legal—we seek to eliminate the threat to our security. This is the cause of the never-ending divisions and conflicts throughout human history.

You see this in people with their sports teams. If their identity and sense of self are significantly formed around their team, they become quite distraught and angry when their team loses.

Some people attach their hearts to their nation, career, race, denomination, family, or wealth.

 

The Only Source

God’s plan for His people (in fact, it is a requirement for salvation because of how reality works) is to cut away from our hearts any source of security, identity, peace, sense of wellbeing other than Him. We are to recognize Him not only as our only source of life, but also as the source of our identity, purpose, meaning, and security. We are to recognize that our talents, intelligence, skills, abilities, health, wealth, everything we have, originate in Him, and that we are His stewards to carry out His purposes in the use of all He has given us. (And His purposes are always for our best good, not His need).

But we are not His slaves; He wants us to be His understanding friends (John 15:15). He wants to lead us to the point that we sever all ties of loyalty that interfere with His calling and purpose in our lives and give our hearts and minds and, ultimately, our first priority in all things to Him, that in all actions we seek to honor Him and bring glory to Him, for it is He that we love and trust above all others. Abraham demonstrated God was first in his heart at Mount Moriah when he was willing to sacrifice his own son (for a deeper dive into that event see our blog Why Did God Tell Abraham to Kill Isaac?).

Placing God supreme in our hearts does not free us from our duties in life, but rather, it strengthens and enables us to fulfill those duties. Parents who prioritize God above their children will be ever more capable, focused, energized, motivated, and enabled with wisdom and strength to fulfill their godly calling to parent their children. People who put God before their spouse in all things will be the most loving, loyal, attentive, nurturing, and healthy spouses, for they will treat their partners like Christ treats the church, and those marriages will be the place where both individuals thrive, mature, grow, and experience the deepest love and peace possible on Earth.

While we are to be in the world, we are not to be of the world; therefore, we must be ready to let go of every other support or attachment in this world rather than betray Jesus to hold onto what we have.

If called like Lot to leave or flee our home, our community, our family, our wealth—are we ready to follow that call, or would that be too threatening, too terrifying, and would we choose to die clutching onto our earthly possessions?

If called like the rich young ruler to sell all we have and give it to the poor and follow Jesus, could we do it, or would our sense of worth, our security, our meaning and identity, be overwhelmed, and it would be too terrifying and fearful to do so, so we cling to our money and lose our soul?

If we like Abraham (Hagar and Ishmael), or those in Matthew 10:34–38, are called to cut ties with family members and send them away, can we do it, or do we find such an act would hurt us too much and we would rather hold on to them rather than to Jesus?

If we are called like the apostles to leave our employment to serve the Lord, are we able to do it, or do we cling to our earthly income to feel safe and secure, only to lose eternal security?

If we are called like Moses to leave a position of power and authority, a place of societal leadership, are we able to do so, or does such a demotion, a humiliation, a loss of status terrify and frighten us, causing us so much turmoil that we refuse the calling, cling to position and power and lose salvation?

If we are called like Paul to follow Jesus at the cost of being rejected by the church of our upbringing, are we able to do so, or would the rejection by our own church be so frightening that we would refuse to follow our Savior preferring the security of denominational membership?

If we are in leadership of a church or one of its institutions and are called, like Caiaphas 2000 years ago, to make a choice between following Jesus or protecting the assets of the institution, are we able to follow Jesus, or would our sense of security be so tied to the organization that we, like Caiaphas, would say, “You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish” (John 11:50 NIV84).

We are to become like Job, who, despite losing every earthly attachment, still trusted God. The only way we can do this is if we place God first in our hearts now. We must love Him above all others and form identities, our sense of self, our purpose, our reason for living, upon the truth of who He is and who we are to Him—His precious son or daughter that He loves so much He sent His one and only Son to save us. When we place God first in all things and are settled into the truth of who He is both intellectually and spiritually, mind and heart, then we are sealed of God and nothing, no temptation, no lie, no threat, no loss, will shake us from it.  

And because God wants this for us, He allows events to unfold in our lives that put us in a position where we must choose what we value most, who we trust most—God or something else.

So I encourage you, when you experience anything that causes you to feel fear, insecurity, or threatened, go to Jesus and ask Him to help you identify the source. Pray like David for God to search your heart and to cut away any attachments that have formed in your life that are interfering with your connection to Him. Choose to surrender all to Jesus, to trust Him with everything, to recognize Him not only as Savior but also as our Creator (and recreator) and Sustainer, and embrace your relationship with Him as His loving, trusting, and trustworthy steward and friend. For He has promised,

“‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5, 6 NIV84).

 

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Testimony 21

I am absolutly on fire with the message at Come and Reason! I can’t get enough! I’ve read your book, blog, and articles. I’ve listened to your Bible study podcasts, your radio show, and your series – all excellent! It wasn’t until the past couple of years that I have I like I’m becoming “healthy,” with more to share with others than just beasts and commandments! I used to be a Bible worker and preached when the pastors were gone until I had had enough. I didnt realize at the time what the problem was, but i know now… the message wasn’t properly focused. Now my flame is rekindled. All of your little examples are so perfect in explaining something “complicated” and making it easily understood! Now I’m trying to shape it into a life changing evangelistic series! Thank you!

M.T., USA

 

Testimony 49

I came into the church at 21, but that is as far as it went. I was so confused about what love is. I couldn’t find it in the bible, because I am not a person that can read between the lines. I have no logic. I have read many, many books; trying to figure out the crux of the matter. They were helpful, but something was still missing. I have become very frustrated to the point of crying out to God, “Where can I go?”  I needed some basics.

I found two books, written by Timothy Jennings, MD, to be very helpful. God showed me that I had lived my whole life in fear. I didn’t even see it. Now, I do. God is so good.  I discovered the “The Remedy”  Dr. Jennings new book, “The God-Shaped Heart!” Oh, I was so excited, I purchased them right away.

I can get rid of most of my books, because “The Remedy” brings the Love of God out so clearly, even I can’t miss it. Now, I want to sit and read my Bible. Wow, what a revelation! It is just simply Awesome! I am so grateful to Jehovah Almighty for hearing my prayer for more understanding! I am so encouraged!

Jackie S.

 

Testimony 6

I got the book “Could It Be This Simple?” a few months ago and the reading was wonderful and I was fascinated. I lent the book to a friend at work. She is having a difficult time and the book is helping her to find Jesus and I found this very exciting. She has asked me questions and I can see her life changing.

H. S., Australia

 

Testimony 20

I just wanted to personally thank you for your teachings and insight into scripture. I came across your website via my cousin who suggested I look into “Healing the Mind” information. My youngest daughter has been struggling over the last couple of years and it all came to a head this spring. When I started listening to the “Healing the Mind” lectures my own life began to be transformed. I began sharing with all my daughters the concepts you laid out so clearly. I ordered your book and soaked it up. I just want to say “Thank You!” My walk with the Lord has been refreshed and renewed. Your obedience to the Lord is a blessing to so many.

R. K., Anderson, SC, USA

 

Testimony 41

I have been blessed by your ministry. I have experienced personally, and deeply resonate with, the God of love and the beautiful picture of God’s character that you present. I have seen your seminar series on YouTube, read ‘The Journal of the Watcher’ book, used your mobile app, and also listen/study the bible study lesson with you each week. I concur with many of the thoughts and perspectives that you share. I understand your conclusions on natural laws vs imposed law and the legal/penal substitution (incorrect diagnosis). This makes perfect sense to me.

Bless you for all you do.

Melissa L.

 

Testimony 51

I Love This Ministry!!!!!!! I see first hand how this message is desperately needed, how erroneous beliefs about God and His Character negatively affect humanity at every level. I thank God for your ministry, as I was searching on my own and was discovering some of your same beliefs and was blown away when I found your ministry. I know you hear it all the time, but it is truly life changing. May God continue to reveal His Will to you and Bless you!

Eric S., Sanford, FL, USA

 

Testimony 30

God lead me to your book “The God-Shaped Brain” while I was searching for another book about the brain and then to your interview about your book on HeartWise Ministries [where] I found out about [Come And Reason Ministries]. I’m now devouring the webcasts of your Bible studies. I have been so greatly blessed and I thank God so much for your courage to speak the Truth in love no matter what. Listening to you contrast the two opposing systems (laws) and digging deep to unearth the hidden treasures in the Bible makes me so incredibly happy and I feel very blessed to be part of your Bible Study Group although I live far away. I am just so excited that there is a group of people that is spreading the Truth about the character of God and it saddens me how few realize what our Father in Heaven is really like.

Kessy B., Australia

 

Testimony 59

I’m a native Ghanan, but am currently in France for my master’s degree. Prior to this, during my final years at undergraduate studies in Ghana, I was introduced to your ministry and I’ve been immensely blessed by what you share, especially about the Design and Imposed Laws. God richly bless you for that.

One of the first things I did when I arrived in France was to buy all four of your books. They not only helped me, but those I shared them with. I shared the message with an atheist student and I marveled at how God worked mightily in his life. Today this person shares the Love of God with others and debunks theories of who God is not. I want to share what you present in your “Heavenly Sanctuary and Investigative Judgment” pamphlet, because the message brought rest to my soul and I live today as a healthy person.

God bless you so much and your ministry.

Michael A., Ghana

 

Testimony 71

When I was 9 years old, I remember setting at our devotional table with a hunger and thirst for God that wanted more, deeper, BETTER. I can remember literally crying and pounding on the table, “I know these teachers didn’t mean to give us error. They taught what THEY had been TAUGHT, but didn’t ANYBODY READ THE BOOK?!?!?” It mattered to me then. It mattered to me as a teenager. It matters now as I teach bible classes. It didn’t have to be so hard as I watched so many give up and lay God’s great plan and gift of salvation aside as being “impossible.” Then, a friend sent me a link to Come And Reason’s website. I grew excited. YES! FINALLY! Then another friend told me to stay away, saying her son had just broken up with a girl because she was involved with Come And Reason and that “Tim Jennings preaches a false gospel.” But, AFTER many years of developing an authentic and, dare I say FUN relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit I see this message has been around a LONG time, since the apostle Paul, Ellen White, Graham Maxwell, Ray Foucher, and yourself (though I admit, you’ve made me back up, rewind and replay the clips, and get out my well-worn Bible on a few things.) I’m so thankful I have found LIGHT during these DARK days. I am not alone.

Vicki DiNitto

Testimony 42

I am just writing to say that I have been so blessed by the teachings of Come And Reason Minitries recently. I watched last week’s bible study lesson on Youtube and am thankful that the error in the printed lesson guide you use was pointed out and this week’s study was of equal benefit, if not more so. My understanding of God’s nature has been very confused of late and I am so grateful for clarity in this matter. I have never really fully understood previously how a good God can cause bad things to happen and now I realise that He doesn’t, it’s a natural consequence of sin. May the almighty Father and His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, continue to bless your ministry.

Laura P., United Kingdom

 

Testimony 44

We were given a gift of the DVD set, “God and Your Brain,” and we just finished watching it. The truths in this are so powerful and truly an answer to a prayer. We’re seeing hope where once we thought God wasn’t answering our prayers to be free of certain mindsets. He answered with these DVDs and we are hungry for more. Thank you!

Daniel T., Easley, SC, USA

 

Testimony 62

I would like to express my thanks to the C&R team for creating a platform from which people can learn to trust in God and grow. My life is a witness to the effectiveness of this ministry. Without believing the truth about God as you have shown, I don’t know what my life would be like. I had given up on God helping me with certain sins – it was all useless. Given that the scripture is clear and God is so good, how could I have betrayed him so many times? I was a yo-yo christian; spinning up and down. My faith and enthusiasm was driven by discoveries/threats that prophecy is about to be fulfilled. But when I watched your “Healing the Mind” seminar, it was like a light finally went on. I could see God had no plan to hurt me, the danger came from sin, and that He is working to protect me and strengthen me. Thank you for allowing God to use you. The message God gave C&R saved my life!

Antony N. – Hobart, Australia

 

Testimony 11

I would love to have a copy of “Healing the Mind” DVDs to have in my therapy office. I enjoy having clients check out materials to enhance their therapy experience. I have sat under Dr. Jennings’ teaching at an American Association of Christian Counselors convention and respect his work greatly.

K.B., LA, USA

 

Testimony 26

Your teachings about our heavenly Father have changed my life. Thank you sooooooo very very much! I know He’s doing some serious healing in my heart and life and I look forward to each new day to learn something new about Him and to just hear you speak about Him. Thank you, forever.

Nancy S.

 

Testimony 55

I was born [into the church], then I left it for many years. 10 years ago, I came back, but I could not take the hypocrisy and the lack of answers to the missing pieces. I struggled, but I did not abandon my commitment to know the truth. God is leading me to the simple understanding of his relevance and I am relearning what the church taught me as a youth… that he loves me, that he has led me to a knowledge of him such as I have never known. He is using Dr. Jennings to connect the dots that are now so apparent and hiding in plain sight!

Dean P., Arlington, TX, USA