The Book of Ephesians: Spiritual Blessings in Christ: Signed, Sealed and Delivered. Part 2.

^13 “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴ who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13–14 (ESV)

What does it mean when the Scriptures say that the Holy Spirit is the believer’s seal? The word seal (σφραγίζω; sphragizo) means to be marked for possession or identity, to be made secure, and to be safely delivered to one’s intended destination. For the believer in Christ, God marks each one with the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9). This identifies the individual as God’s purchased possession and also indicates that their destiny for heaven is safe and secure.

Jesus taught that the Holy Spirit was the promise from God the Father (Luke 24:49). God’s promise of the Holy Spirit extends to all who trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior: Jews as well as Gentiles (Ezekiel 36:26-27; Joel 2:28; John 14-16; Acts 1:1-5; 2:33-39; Galatians 3:14; 4:6).

As the believer’s seal, the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance in Christ (Ephesians 1:11-12). The word guarantee (ἀρραβών; arrabon) means a first installment, a down payment or pledge. As a down payment of the believer’s complete redemption in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:1-5), the Holy Spirit provides each believer with a foretaste of the glory of the heavenly age to come (Romans 8:18-23).

The Holy Spirit indwells each and every believer (Romans 8:9). His presence assures each of us that we will acquire possession of our inheritance. When next we meet, we will conduct an in depth examination of the word possession and what this means for the believer in Christ.

Take the time today to thank the Holy Spirit for being your guarantee from God. Heaven is truly your home.

Soli deo Gloria!