A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (February 6, 2018)
That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 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, (Ephesians 1:12-13)
I don’t know what your individual experience has been but my experience in the Christian Church has been that I have heard for my whole lifetime about the mark of the beast. Every Christian knows that “666” is the mark of the beast (Revelation 13:8). It is drilled into our heads. But, let me ask you this. Have you ever heard a teaching on the seal of the Holy Spirit? Have you ever heard one teaching on how God seals and marks His people? Probably not!!!
If you know anything about Satan you know that he is not a creator. He is a liar and a thief. He wants to be like God so he continually copies the ways of God to appear like God. He has no original ideas. That should tell you that this “666” tactic was actually copied from God.
Our scripture for today is Ephesians 1:12-13 and is one we need to look at closely. I am always amazed that Christians that believe in being baptized in the Holy Spirit have not used this scripture more often. If you read in Acts 19 about the birth of the Church at Ephesus you can clearly see an exact parallel with what actually happened at Ephesus and what was recorded by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 1:13:
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. (Acts 19:1-6)
Now, go back to Ephesians 1:13 and see what the Apostle Paul recorded in that book. They trusted Christ “after” that they heard the word of truth. After they believed (after they were saved) they were sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise. These were two distinct and separate events as depicted in Acts 19.
God clearly has His own seal for His people! This word seal in the Greek depicts a signet ring from a King that is used to stamp and authorize certain things. It is the King’s private mark that is used for the purpose of security and preservation. It is his mark to show things to be genuine and authentic. It attests to the validity of something. That is what the Baptism of the Holy Ghost does! It marks a believer!
My wife and I have ministered all over the United States and in several foreign countries. This we can tell you for sure. When you are in the presence of a God marked person you will know it. You may not even speak the same language, but you will know it. Also, when you (as a God marked person) are in the presence of a demonic spirit they will know it and they will know they have to obey.
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. (Acts 2:39)
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. (James 2:19)
